Tangmunjeon - Chapter 272



Only Noblemtl

Episode 272: Cheongseongpa

People in the martial arts world often get injured. However, there are very few doctors who can treat martial artists with internal injuries.

In other words, it can be said that the relationship between the lawmaker and the martial artist is close yet subtly conflicting.

However, if they can be cured, then the martial artist is an excellent patient for the doctor.

This is because, among the countless people in this world, the ones who take the most care of their health are the martial artists.

“Please rest for the next three days.”

“Okay, I see.”

If such a conversation were to take place between a member of parliament and a farmer, or a member of parliament and a foreman, the farmer or foreman would never rest for three days.

It is common for people to lie down quietly and sleep for half a day, then take care of small tasks in the evening, saying that their stomachs are aching, and then go about their business as usual for the next two days, trusting in their own health.

In the end, most of the time, the wounds come back and get worse.

However, martial artists are different. If you persuade them well and tell them to rest, they will rest quietly.

Since they are people whose goal in life is to keep their bodies and minds in optimal condition, they listen carefully to the advice of their doctor.

There are other minor advantages, such as being able to understand medical terminology much better than the average person, and being more generous with money.

‘I can’t help it since I’m not in a position to receive money right now, but I hope that in the future, many martial arts experts will visit Danggajang.’

The moment Dang Mu-jin was about to get up from her seat after tending to the wounds of the trauma patients, Yoo Jin-kwang came over and collapsed in front of Dang Mu-jin.

Blood was still flowing from Yoo Gwang’s face.

“Oh, by the way, Yu Dae-hyeop was also injured. Please wait a moment.”

Dang Mu-jin rummaged through his backpack, as if he was thinking of applying some elixir to his body. However, Yoo Jin-gwang waved his hand.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter if there are some scars.”

“It’s not a problem with the scar, but the skin on your face can rot and fester, so we’re going to treat it.”

“···Is that true?”

“Of course.”

Yoo Jin-kwang was disgusted after hearing Dang Mu-jin’s story.

There are martial artists who fight and die bravely, but there are no martial artists who want to die with their wounds worsened.

Dang Mu-jin washed Yu Jin-gwang’s wounds with clean water and then applied a generous amount of ointment.

Yoo Jin-kwang clenched his teeth in pain. But he didn’t moan or anything. That’s the kind of person Yoo Jin-kwang is.

“Okay, now it’s all done. Just be careful not to wash the medicine off. When you sleep, lie down on a side where the medicine doesn’t come on. I’ll reapply the medicine in three days.”

Even though Dang Mu-jin said that, Yoo Jin-kwang did not get up from his seat.

“I didn’t come here for treatment.”

“Oh, right. What brings you here?”

“I came to talk about what’s going to happen in the future.”

Yoo Jin-kwang leaned back and supported the ground with both arms. His posture was comfortable and leisurely, which did not match his appearance.

Eugene Kwang asked.

“Hey, Dangmujin. Do you know how the Jeongsa Daejeon goes?”

“I don’t know.”

“I thought so. So, do you know how the Jeongsa War ends?”

“I don’t know that either.”

Dang Mu-jin has never personally experienced a Jeongsa Daejeon. The last Jeongsa Daejeon occurred when Dang Mu-jin was about five years old.

At that time, Dang Mu-jin did not even know that the Jeongsa Daejeon had taken place. Dang Mu-jin was probably not the only one who felt this way. When I think back, I don’t think anything special happened around that time.

Eugene Kwang spoke.

“In every war, there is a side that attacks first, and there is a side that defends. In the case of the Jeongsa War, it was mostly the Sapa that was at the forefront, and in the case of the Jeongma War, it was the Jeongpa Murim that was at the forefront. In other words, right now we are playing the role of defending.”

“Are you saying we’ll only be on the defensive from now on?”

“That’s not true. There are times when the Jeongpa Murim counterattacks and pushes forward.”

“Ahem.”

Dang Mu-jin nodded as if he understood.

If you add these little reactions in between conversations, the person talking will also become more excited.

As expected, Yoo Jin-kwang looked satisfied.

“In any case, a civil war is a process of fighting to the death and delving into the opponent’s territory until the offensive stops. The reasons for each civil war are different, and the reasons why people get involved in them are different, but those are all minor and superficial aspects.”

“Then, was the territory of the past Jeongpa Murim different from now?”

“Yes. Do you remember Hwanggolgak across the Yellow River? I heard that long ago, that place was also the territory of the Jeongpa martial arts world.”

“okay.”

Yoo Jin-kwang stood up again and bent his upper body forward. Is this where the main topic starts?

“In any case, the time when the Jeongsa War ends is set. It is when the Jeongpa and Sapa warriors have become so weak that it is difficult for them to invade each other’s territory. When a new balance is established, the Jeongsa War usually ends.”

“It’s ending abruptly.”

“Yes. That’s why there is no such thing as winning or losing in a civil war. It’s just a war of attrition.”

“I understand.”

If they keep winning and losing like that, I started to think that one day, one of the three factions, the Jeongpa or the Sappa, would unify the martial arts world of the Central Plains.

I don’t know when that will be. But when that day comes, the fact that the Central Plains martial arts world was divided into the righteous and evil factions will become a distant memory.

Eugene Kwang spoke again.

“Anyway, our next course of action will be one of two. First, we will wait quietly in this area and block the attacks of the Sapa warriors. Second, we will boldly advance north and kill the old man with the spear and the bald man.”

It seemed like Yoo Jin-kwang didn’t even know the nicknames of Ssanggeukhyeolong and Gwiwang. Well, Yoo Jin-kwang wasn’t the type of person to be interested in such things.

Dang Mu-jin tried to guess Yoo Jin-kwang’s thoughts.

It was obvious without even looking into it which of the two options Yoo Jin-kwang preferred.

“You seem to want to go up north?”

“Yes. It would be less painful to wait, but it would be a long and boring wait. There’s no telling when this will end. However, if we go up north and cut off those two heads, we can finish this job and go home refreshed.”

However, Dang Mu-jin had a subtle doubt about Yoo Jin-gwang’s story.

There are more than just the Sapa masters, the Ssanggeukhyeolong and the Ghost King, so how can the matter be concluded by killing the two of them?

“I don’t think the war between the two will end just by killing the Twin Blood King and the Ghost King.”

“Of course, the Jeongsa War will not end. But that’s all we can do here in the northwest. The matters in the northeast will be taken care of by the Shaolin Temple, Gaebong, or the sects there.”

An attitude as if it were someone else’s business.

Dang Mu-jin asked back in embarrassment.

“···Can you finish the work like that?”

“Of course. The Central Plains are vast. We can’t just run to the East for dozens of days to help, swing our swords, and come back. The basic principle of the Jeongsa War is to protect each territory. There’s a reason why there are strongholds for each sect.”

Only then did Dang Mu-jin understand what the Jeongsa Daejeon was like.

The Jeongsa War was not a battle between the two factions, Jeongpa and Sapa, who united and fought in unison. Rather, it should be seen as a fight in which each faction formed alliances and fought to survive.

In other words, the Jeongpa Murim is a kind of union rather than a single community.

Furthermore, the Jeongsa Daejeon is more like a local war fought by each of the many sects. It is a local war that determines the fate of each sect.

Being a member of the Jeongpa Murim clan was not as thorough an identity as Dang Mujin had thought.

When I realized that fact, I could finally understand why the Eastern sects were strangely indifferent when discussing the Jeongma War.

To them, the Great Battle of Jeongma was truly someone else’s business.

Eugene Kwang spoke again.

“Even if I didn’t shout to go up north, things would have turned out that way. The Jongnam faction has already lost Jang Moon-in, so they can’t back down, and the Cheongseong faction, with Yeongheoja’s condition so serious, won’t want to go back without any results. Judging from the mood, the front-liners of the Hwasan faction are similar… Well, the Mudang faction will probably be a bit passive.”

Yoo Jin-kwang seemed uninterested, but he had already figured out the situation of each sect. Yoo Jin-kwang was a bold person, not a stupid one.

Eugene Kwang stood up and clapped his palms together.

“So, what I’m asking is this: What are you going to do from now on?”

The conclusion was decided from the beginning.

“Of course we should go together. I have a family back home, so I can’t just spend my time loitering around in a foreign land.”

“good.”

Eugene Kwang smiled with satisfaction.

*

It seemed as if the mood was set to move north after three days of preparation, but Young-Heo-Ja requested the leaders of each sect to give them two additional days.

The leaders of each sect readily accepted Young Heo Ja’s request, believing that three or five days would not make much of a difference.

Some of the Jongnam faction’s unmanned forces returned to Jongnam faction with the bodies of the first-line soldiers.

However, unlike Jongnampa, Yeongheoja did not return to Sacheonseong with the Cheongseongpa’s soldiers. This was even though Yeongheoja was in no condition to fight.

Meanwhile, Hong Geol-gae came to see Dang Mu-jin with interesting news.

“Dangmujin. Did you hear that?”

“what?”

“The reason Young-Heo-Ja asked for two more days is to use the secret technique of Cheongseong-Pa.”

“Secret art?”

It’s a secret. It’s a story that makes me feel excited just hearing it.

“What kind of magic is it?”

“I don’t know. But if you ask the spirit, he’ll tell you.”

“···You say it’s a secret technique. How could that be possible with common sense?”

“You should have told me. The story about the secret technique was also told to me by Yeongheoja.”

Dang Mu-jin’s eyes sparkled. Aside from taking care of the patients little by little, there was nothing else to do.

When Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae went to find Yeong-heo-ja’s residence, Hyeon-gong and Nam-gung-myeong, who had smelled the scent, secretly followed them.

The four entered the dwelling of the spirit.

Dang Mu-jin thought that Yeong-heo-ja would be very depressed, but unexpectedly, Yeong-heo-ja greeted the four people with a bright expression.

Hong Geol-gae brought luck.

“Your Majesty, you said you would use magic.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you happen to know what that secret technique is?”

Hyun-gong was sitting awkwardly with his butt pushed back.

A situation where you are ready to run away immediately if you decide that the atmosphere is not good.

However, Hyun-gong’s worries were unfounded, because Yeong-heo-ja willingly told the story.

“Secret arts? It’s called a martial arts major.”

Since he didn’t know what a physical training major was, Dang Mu-jin looked around.

Fortunately, Hong Geol-gae, Nam-gung Myung, and Hyeon-gong all seemed unaware of what a Gyeokchejeongong was.

Hong Geol-gae asked again.

“What is a physical education major?”

“It is a secret technique that allows one person to pass on their accumulated internal energy to another person.”

A story he could never have imagined. Dang Mu-jin’s eyes opened wide.

“Is that possible?”

“Then. Is it for nothing that the martial arts major is called a secret art?”

Hyun-gong asked in a very nervous but slightly expectant voice.

“Who will receive that internal energy?”

“Jinhae will receive it. He has talent and is the youngest, so he will be able to use his internal energy well.”

Dang Mu-jin saw Namgung Myung rolling his eyes from the side.

‘You’re not thinking that there’s a way to intercept my internal energy, are you?’

This was such a terrible idea that Dang Mu-jin felt faint guilt.

Even if he is Namgung Myung, he would not steal something like that. That is not human thinking.

Hong Geol-gae asked again.

“Then, does that mean Jinhae will become a top-notch expert?”

“That’s not it. It only increases the amount of internal energy. And even then, it’s not like it can fully transfer the internal energy. It’s probably only able to transfer about two or three percent of the internal energy I’ve accumulated so far.”

Although Young Heo-ja spoke as if it was nothing special, Young Heo-ja was not a person who was just a bunch of idiots.

Even if it’s this much or three times that, it’s definitely a huge amount of internal energy. It’s probably an amount that easily surpasses the amount of an average elixir.

Considering that about half of a martial artist’s training time is spent building up internal energy, Jinhae has truly obtained an incredible opportunity.

“Besides, the martial arts major only increases your internal energy, and cannot convey enlightenment. That’s why I told you to take good care of Jinhae.”

“ah!”

Namgung Myung, Hong Geol-gae, and Hyeon-gong nodded without thinking.

However, Dang Mu-jin was overcome with an ominous feeling. It did not seem like such an enormous secret technique would come without a price.

“Are there any disadvantages to majoring in physical education?”

Dang Mu-jin asked with the mind of a doctor concerned about the patient’s health.

The old man spoke awkwardly.

“Of course. I heard that after finishing the martial arts major, the chance of a caster dying is 50%. Since my physical condition is not normal right now, I think there is a high chance that I will die.”

Oddly enough, there was no fear in the voice of the phantom discussing his own death.

Rather, I only feel regretful that I cannot do more for the temple.

Yeongheoja devoted his entire life to the Cheongseongpa as a monk and decided to sacrifice his life for the future of Cheongseongpa.

Hyun-gong held Yeong-heo-ja’s hand while shedding tears.

“Who in the world can let go of their foolishness in life? It must not have been an easy decision, so how could they…”

It was a pretty plausible sight, but Dang Mu-jin felt a strange feeling as he looked at Hyun-gong. He could feel a slightly dark desire mixed in with Gu Hal’s sincerity.

However, Dang Mu-jin could not accurately guess the identity of the dark thoughts contained in Hyun-gong’s voice.

Hyun-gong continued the story.

“···Although I am not a master of the Cheongseongpa, if I can devote myself to the monks in that way in the distant future, I will be able to leave life without any regrets. Are there any conditions for practicing the Geukchejeong?”

The spirit smiled kindly.

“It’s a secret technique, so I can’t tell you in detail. But I can tell you one thing. If you have learned different internal energy methods, you won’t be able to perform the martial arts.”

“Ah, I have to learn the same internal energy method… I see.”

Dang Mu-jin felt that Hyun-gong’s expression had become slightly colder. It was as if he had regained his composure in an instant.

The sight of Hyun-gong wiping away his tears even seemed a bit businesslike.

‘That bastard Hyungong, I think he had some kind of plan…’

Whatever it was, I thought it was fortunate that Hyun-gong’s plan did not become reality.

Dang Mu-jin asked in a legislative manner.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Not yet. But if your condition worsens in the next five days, I will ask you for help.”

“All right.”

As he was talking like that and was about to leave, a thought crossed Dang Mu-jin’s mind.

Before leaving for the North, wasn’t it Young-Heo-Ja’s request to extend the three-day period to five days?

“By any chance, does it take a long time to prepare that secret technique?”

The man shook his head.

“That’s not it. There’s no need for any great preparation for the physical training. Those five days are just a time to convey the secrets and insights of the season that the Cheongseongpa leader has passed down to Jinhae.”

“Could you please prepare a brush and paper?”

The man waved his hand again this time.

“No. That’s not necessary. Unlike other secrets, deep knowledge cannot be recorded in mere words. Furthermore, it is something that should not be recorded.”

“Why is that?”

“Because there is a chance that the records may fall into the hands of an outsider. There are enlightenments in this world that should not leak out of the temple. It would be better for them to be put into practice.”

Well, there are teachings like that in the world.

The party of Dang Mu-jin each satisfied their curiosity and withdrew from Yeong-heo-ja’s residence.

*

That night, Dang Mu-jin went out to check on the patients and found Namgung Myung. Namgung Myung was wandering around alone, deep in thought.

Dang Mu-jin approached Namgung Myung and asked.

“It’s getting dark already. What are you doing instead of sleeping?”

“After listening to Elder Young-Heo’s story earlier, I had a lot to think about. I wondered if the true end of a man, and an end without hesitation, was like that.”

Unexpectedly, a rather sentimental answer came back.

“I also felt sad for no reason. If I were the old man, I don’t think I would have risked my life to teach you my inner strength.”

“But I have concerns.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve felt this way since we’ve talked before, but Jinhae is a guy who’s a little lacking.”

It’s always interesting to hear other people’s stories. Dang Mu-jin asked slyly.

“Heo Woo-dae seems to be in good health and has a sincere personality. Are there any shortcomings?”

“Yes. Jinhae is good at using his body and has good sense, but his sense of smell is not that great. There were times when he forgot stories he had already told me, and there were also times when he had trouble understanding when the story got a little complicated.”

“okay?”

It was surprisingly an insignificant story.

However, Namgung Myung looked genuinely sorry and genuinely worried about the future of Cheongseongpa. Why does he feel so sorry for other people’s circumstances?

But a strange intuition enveloped Dang Mu-jin.

I think I’ve had a similar experience before.

Even the color of Namgung Myung’s clothes was strangely dark. Dark gray.

It is not as suspicious as black, but it is a color that is as secretive as black.

Dang Mu-jin muttered.

“I have a strange feeling.”

Namgung Myung continued to say what he wanted to say as if he hadn’t heard Dang Mujin’s story.

“As a martial artist, I am worried about this situation. I am afraid that Jinhae will forget the deep thoughts and insights of Elder Yeongheoja’s life.”

“···So what’s the conclusion of the story?”

“I just want to prevent a tragedy that might happen.”

Namgung Myeong looked at Yeongheoja’s residence. To be exact, the roof of the residence.

By now, Jinhae must be listening to Yeongheoja’s thoughts under that roof.

“It’s okay if Jinhae is foolish and completely forgets the secret. I’ll remember it well and teach it to him again.”

“Hey, you crazy…”

Dang Mu-jin immediately tried to catch Namgung Myung, but it was not easy for Dang Mu-jin to keep up with Namgung Myung’s secret movements.

Namgung Myung climbed up onto the roof without a sound, lay flat on his stomach, and listened to the sounds coming from inside.