Tangmunjeon - Chapter 301



Only Noblemtl

Episode 301 Namgung Se-ga

The moment Namgung Myung declared that he would take the Namgung family away from his father, most of the group was shocked. Even Assemblymen Yang and Yeom, who had only recently joined the group, looked visibly flustered.

The only person who could maintain his composure was Seol-hwa, because Seol-hwa did not properly understand Namgung Myung’s story.

Seolhwa shook Hyungong’s sleeve slightly and asked, “What’s going on? What’s going on?”

Dang Mu-jin spoke to Namgung Myung in a slightly odd manner.

“Now that your skills have improved, are you going to show your true colors right away?”

Hong Geol-gae, who was standing next to him, also shook his head.

“He’s become a total bastard. I didn’t know he was worse than Hyun-gong…”

Hyun-gong also had an expression that was somewhere between admiration and shock.

“Whenever I thought about becoming a Jangmunjeon without a party affiliation, I would worry if my greed was too much. But I guess I was nothing compared to you. At least I never thought about becoming a Jangmunjeon by fighting with the Jangmunjeon elders.”

Hyun-gong approached Nam-gung-myeong and tapped him on the shoulder.

“If you can do that to someone like your father, then to your real father… Yes. I admit it clearly. You won.”

Namgung Myung realized the situation belatedly.

I had never told my friends about my suspicions about my father, Namgung Jincheon, and my speculations about the attitude of the Namgung family. In fact, it was not something I could readily reveal. It was a family scandal.

“No, wait a minute. That’s not it.”

As Namgung Myung took a step closer, the group took half a step back.

The only one who did not back down, Hyun-gong, advised Nam-gung-myeong.

“It seems like you have some excuse, but in my experience, the more excuses you make in these situations, the uglier it gets.”

“···.”

It was an obvious truth.

That’s why Namgung Myung made a small decision. Instead of retreating and hastily defending, there are times when you have to boldly push forward.

“I can have mine a little sooner, right?”

The look of astonishment on the faces of the group grew a little darker.

*

Just as martial artists would swing their swords wide to create a small gap, Namgung Myung created a gap with powerful stories and slowly explained the situation.

Thanks to that, the group was able to understand Namgung Myung’s intentions, albeit a little late.

“···That’s what happened.”

“In conclusion, are you saying you will correct the Namgung family before it goes astray?”

“okay.”

“But the basis is your guess. In reality, the Namgung family may have sent only a small number of people because they did not have the means.”

Namgung Myung did not agree with Dang Mujin’s story.

“It’s just a guess, but it’s a pretty strong guess. And I don’t intend to do anything without checking the facts. I’ll find out and talk about it.”

“Whether or not the guess is true is important, but the bigger issue is the means. Even if you really don’t think it’s true, it’s something you have to discuss with your father and resolve. With common sense, where would anyone wield a knife against their father?”

“My father is the type of person who never changes his mind once he makes a decision. He doesn’t change his mind with just a few words.”

Dang Mu-jin thought of Namgung Jin-cheon when he first met Namgung Myung. Namgung Jin-cheon who had boldly slapped Namgung Myung in front of Dang Mu-jin and the goblin, causing him to roll around on the floor.

As Namgung Myung said, Namgung Jincheon was not the type of person who would nod and change his attitude with just a few words.

Namgung Myung continued the story.

“The atmosphere of the Namgung Sega family is different from that of other Sega or sects. The weight of the orders from the superiors is much greater. However, they also acknowledge their opponents with certainty. If I defeat my father, my father will not interfere with my story either.”

Hong Geol-gae intervened and restrained Namgung Myeong.

“But since you don’t seem to be able to defeat your father with your own skills, are you saying you will rely on external forces to defeat him?”

“Of course. Even the new world is a skill. It’s just not enlightenment.”

The story ended there, and the group each became lost in their own thoughts.

Representative Yang and Representative Yeom were very anxious.

It was because they weren’t sure if they should listen to such stories. Listening to the secret stories of the martial arts people and the prestigious families. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a situation where murder and destruction would continue.

Dang Mu-jin noticed the two lawmakers’ anxiety and consoled them.

“Don’t worry. Namgung Myung is a bit of a strange guy, but he’s not the type of guy to carelessly take the life of an innocent person.”

As the two lawmakers felt a little relieved, Hong Geol-gae added a word.

“That’s how it was until now.”

The expressions of the two lawmakers darkened slightly again, and Dang Mu-jin glanced at Hong Geol-gae.

*

On the way to Anhui Province from Kaifeng, you can pass through one of two large cities: Wuchang or Hefei.

The group headed to Wuchang as if it was a natural thing to do. They thought that Wuchang was a much larger city than Heopi, so it would have the necessary conditions to make Namgung Myeong’s sword.

In fact, even if Hap-bi had been a bigger city, there was a greater chance that he would have come to Wuchang. Dang Mu-jin secretly had many memories related to Wuchang.

Wasn’t it Wuchang that caused a ruckus at the Bimu Festival by creating a torrential downpour around this time two years ago, and wasn’t it Wuchang that met the bloodthirsty Jang Il-nam?

As I was walking along the street, reminiscing, a strange sight caught my eye.

Men and women carrying weapons were swarming around like clouds, and they were all quite young. Some of them even looked younger than they were young.

There is only one reason why young warriors flock to Wuchang around autumn.

“···No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like there will be a martial arts competition?”

“That seems right. But why is the Non-Mu Competition held? Isn’t it held once every three years?”

The martial arts competition is held alternately in Chang’an, Luoyang, and Wuchang every year.

The last competition for Wuchang was two years ago, so this year is not Wuchang’s turn.

The party of Dang Mu-jin looked around and found the reception desk.

I could tell at a glance that this was the reception area. No matter how I looked at it, there was a person who looked like he was fiddling with a brush sitting in front of a large table, and behind him was a sign that said [No Memorization].

‘No use of memorization? I guess the rules for the non-competition have changed.’

There were also some minor details written under the sign. Things like the prize money and goods given to the winners, and that only people under the age of thirty could participate.

Of course, it was a story that didn’t really interest Dang Mu-jin.

The party of Dang Mu-jin approached the man sitting at the table. They did not intend to participate in the martial arts competition, but rather simply resolve their questions, so they did not stand in line.

Dang Mu-jin asked on behalf of the representative.

“Let me ask you something. Why is the Biwu Competition being held in Wuchang this year instead of Luoyang or Chang’an?”

The man who was fiddling with the brush answered.

“This year is the Luoyang turn, but I heard that the atmosphere in the north has become a bit tense these days, making it difficult to hold a non-competitive event. Thanks to that, Wuchang’s turn came quickly.”

It seems to have been an aftereffect of the Jeongsa Daejeon.

Now that the Jeongsa Daejeon is slowly coming to an end, it may be possible to hold a martial arts competition in Luoyang, but it seems that the martial arts competition in Wuchang has already been decided.

As he was about to leave after satisfying his curiosity, Dang Mu-jin encountered a strange sight.

The people who had gathered to participate in the martial arts competition were all looking at the party leader with serious expressions.

Dang Mu-jin turned his head with a pretended grim expression.

I wasn’t trying to sneak in and sign up for the contest. I just asked the person in charge a question, so why did I have to look at him like that?

But the crowd’s murmur grew louder and the atmosphere became more and more serious.

Soon, one of the people standing in line approached Dangmujin.

He was a man with a naturally large and strong bone structure. If he grew just a little bit more, he would probably grow as big as the Three-Eyed Buddha.

“excuse me···.”

The moment the large man cast a spell on Dangmujin, the surroundings became as quiet as a mouse.

“Hello. My name is Unbaek-gon from Jinju Unga.”

“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you. Un Daehyeop. What brings you here?”

Unbaek-gon asked, stammering.

“Are you… by any chance… Yi-ryong… no, the head of the party?”

Dang Mu-jin thought back carefully, but he had no memory of meeting this man. It was also the first time he had heard the name Unbaek-gon.

But the answer that must be given is set.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“ah···.”

The man who identified himself as Unbaekgon sighed.

Soon his gaze scanned Hong Geol-gae, Hyeon-gong, and Nam-gung-myeong in turn.

It seemed as if he knew who the three people next to Dang Mu-jin were. Unbaek-gon made a face as if he was out of breath.

It wasn’t just Unbaek Gon who felt this way. Many people who came to register for the non-event had the same reaction.

Unbaek Gon asked with a trembling voice.

“By any chance, can you tell me how old you are?”

“Hong Geol-gae and I are twenty-seven years old, Namgung Myeong is twenty-eight years old. Hyeon-gong next to us is twenty-nine years old.”

“ah···.”

Unbaekgon closed his eyes tightly.

Following this, quite a few martial artists threw something on the ground and turned away.

Dang Mu-jin picked up an object rolling around on the floor. It was a wooden board with information such as the place of origin, family or clan, and name written on it. It seemed that one had to submit a wooden board with personal information written on it in order to participate in the competition.

Dang Mu-jin realized the situation and shouted hurriedly.

“Everyone! There seems to be a misunderstanding. We did not come here to participate in the martial arts competition.”

The steps of the people walking back stopped at the same time. Someone asked.

“Really?”

“Yes. I just stopped by Wuchang on my way to my destination. Don’t worry about it.”

People quickly returned to their seats and started to line up again. I could see some of the people who had thrown down their boards searching the floor for their own boards.

When Dang Mu-jin and his party quickly left the place, only then could the people breathe a sigh of relief.

When they were quite far from the reception area for the non-event competition, Hong Geol-gae started giggling and teasing Dang Mu-jin.

“You don’t plan on participating in the non-competition? I was thinking about participating.”

Since it was clearly a joke, Dang Mu-jin answered indifferently.

“Really? Then go back and file it. I won’t stop you.”

“Oh my. How can I go back and participate in the competition after you said that? I can’t do that even after seeing your face.”

Dang Mu-jin thought. If Hong Geol-gae were to return here and participate in the martial arts competition, who would look uglier between Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae?

I had a feeling that it was probably Hong Geul Gae.

Dang Mu-jin went into a reasonably cheap-looking inn and reserved a room for the group to stay in.

Hong Geol-gae, unlike a beggar, raised a small complaint about the condition of the inn.

“What? The guest room looks a little more shabby than usual.”

“If you don’t like it, sleep on the street.”

“I’m kidding. This is more than enough.”

The reason Dang Mu-jin went to a guest house that looked cheaper than usual was because his pockets were starting to get empty.

When he first left Sacheon, Dang Mu-jin had a fairly generous amount of travel expenses, but as his stay in a foreign land became too long, he almost used up all of his funds. He didn’t even have enough for the boat fare.

Hong Geol-gae spoke in an anxious voice.

“Do we have money for food?”

“It depends on your attitude.”

After ordering a simple meal for the group, Dang Mu-jin went out to Muchang Street.

‘There used to be a blacksmith shop around here.’

Dang Mu-jin quickly discovered the blacksmith shop. It was a blacksmith shop with about six or seven blacksmiths and three or four assistants. There were about ten people working there.

As Dang Mu-jin naturally entered the blacksmith shop, a young man who seemed to be his assistant stopped him.

“All the stuff is out there. If there’s anything you want to order, just let me know.”

“Please step aside for a moment. I have come to the forge on business.”

“I told you not to.”

If you can’t stop the guests from coming in without permission, your assistant will get scolded.

As the young man was stubbornly blocking Dang Mu-jin, one of the night guards inside discovered Dang Mu-jin. He immediately put down the tongs and ran towards Dang Mu-jin.

“Oh my, it’s been a while. I really wanted to see you again…”

The assistant was pushed back in confusion, and Dang Mu-jin was naturally guided into the blacksmith shop.

The night manager said with a slightly excited smile.

“By any chance, what brings you here? By any chance···?”

And Dang Mu-jin told the story that the night watchman had been longing for.

“I came to make a sword.”

The night watchman cheered silently. Then Dang Mujin added one more word.

“This time, I’ll make something more proper. I’ll put my heart and soul into making it.”

The night watchman’s waist bent like a bow of its own accord. The middle-aged night watchman trembled as he swung his fists at the air.

The forgeman shouted at his assistant, who was still at the entrance to the forge.

“Close the door!”

“Oh, yes.”

As the assistant closed the door without knowing what was going on, Dang Mu-jin spoke in a flustered tone.

“Oh, by the way. I don’t have any money right now. Could you please borrow some iron?”

“You’re asking for it? Of course I can give you that much!”

The forgeman showed me the refined iron ingots that were placed inside the blacksmith shop. At first glance, it was clearly high-quality iron.

However, Dang Mu-jin hesitated. If he had talked about creating a masterpiece, would it have been right to use such ordinary iron to make a sword?

No. If you are going to put in the effort, you need to use good ingredients to achieve the right balance.

But the valuable materials are expensive, and Dang Mu-jin has no money.

‘It’s not a sword I’ll be using anyway···.’

Just as Dang Mu-jin was about to compromise, an idea occurred to him.

Non-contest.

The prize money was briefly written under the sign at the reception desk.

And the old man who sold whale baleen and tendons, whom I met in Wuchang last time.

Dang Mu-jin spoke to the night watchman.

“Please wait a moment.”

Dang Mu-jin ran straight to the guest house and asked Hong Geol-gae.

“You said earlier that you wanted to go to the martial arts competition, right?”