Tangmunjeon - Chapter 342



Only Noblemtl

Episode 342 of Tangmunjeon: Tang Mujin suddenly locked himself in his quarters and was banned from going outside.

On the third day of the house arrest that she had chosen for herself, Dan Seol-yeong went to see Hong Geol-gae.

“Hey. Hong Geol-gae.”

“why?”

“Do you know what happened to Dang Mu-jin?”

“I don’t know.”

When Hong Geol-gae answered immediately, Dan Seol-yeong’s eyes sharpened.

“If you don’t know, it’s all over? Go find out.”

“···Why me?”

“I don’t know what happened to Dang Mu-jin, Mok Wan-ah doesn’t know, and Father-in-law doesn’t know. Even Uncle Chu-sam, the doctors, Seok Ji-seung, and the night watchmen don’t know. Then he must have been locked in his room because of a problem related to martial arts. Right?”

As always, Dan Seol-yeong’s story was persuasive.

Hong Geol-gae answered hesitantly.

“That may be true. But if you have any questions, wouldn’t it be better for you to go and ask them yourself? You’re a married couple.”

“You must have been stuck because you had some worries about martial arts, but I don’t know anything about martial arts. All I know is simple mind techniques and lightness techniques.”

“Hmm···.”

“Just go and ask what’s going on. Okay? Now, get up!”

Hong Geol-gae felt that if he answered here, the topic of food might come up, so he walked slowly towards Dang Mu-jin’s residence.

Surprisingly, the door to Dangmujin’s room was not locked.

“Going in.”

There was no answer. But Hong Geol-gae paid no attention and entered the room.

Dang Mu-jin sat leaning against the wall, seemingly lost in deep thought.

Hong Geol-gae sat down in front of Dang Mu-jin and asked.

“What happened?”

In response to Hong Geol-gae’s question, Dang Mu-jin thought for a moment and then began to speak.

“That’s right···”

Dang Mu-jin spoke in detail about what he had experienced during the last military service.

Hong Geol-gae nodded quietly and listened to Dang Mu-jin’s story.

Hong Geol-gae’s expression, which had been playful at first, gradually became serious. By the end, it almost felt solemn.

When Dang Mu-jin’s long and tedious story finally came to an end, Hong Geol-gae spoke in an extremely serious tone.

“That… I made a slip of the tongue before, didn’t I?”

“What did you misspeak?”

“That’s nonsense, saying that a peak can’t be a master. In fact, a peak master is a master. People say that too. Isn’t that right?”

“···.”

“As you know, a martial artist who is at the peak of his profession is treated with respect wherever he goes. The heads of various sects are all at the peak of his profession. Amipa Hyangbaeksaetae is also a peak of his profession, and now Cheongseongpa’s head is also a peak of his profession, and Hwahwanogae Elder is also a peak of his profession. But who can say anything? No one is dissatisfied. Namgungmyeong and Hyeon-gong are the ones who are special. There’s no need to be depressed by having high standards for no reason.”

Because Hong Geol-gae’s consolation was so sincere, Dang Mu-jin became even more uncomfortable.

However, Hong Geol-gae continued to comfort Dang Mu-jin without noticing her true feelings.

“You’re still young. Your future is bright. When you get older, you might find a way and become a true master. Right?”

Although we were the same age, I felt a bit uneasy about the way he told stories as if he was comforting his junior.

Suddenly, I remembered the saying that when a close friend comforts you seriously instead of laughing and teasing you, it means that the situation is really serious.

But I don’t know about other things, but it was definitely true that there was no need to set the standards high. Wasn’t the situation of Dang Mu-jin and his friends completely different?

‘That’s right. Unlike those guys who only think about martial arts after eating, I’m a solid person. If I were to surpass them in martial arts, that would be unfair.’

Dang Mu-jin was skilled in medicine and metallurgy, and unlike his friends, he started a family and established a family at a young age of not even thirty.

Even in a situation where he was pursuing two paths simultaneously, that of solo study and secret techniques, he didn’t need to feel disappointed that he was slightly behind his friends in terms of skill.

No, it was a bit strange to think that Muwi was inferior. Dangmujin thought that he would not be pushed back even if he faced Honggeolgae. Of course, Honggeolgae’s opinion might be different, but that didn’t matter.

The party leader talked around appropriately.

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t locked in my room because I was heartbroken, I just needed time to gather my thoughts.”

“Really? I was worried for nothing.”

Only then did Hong Geol-gae sigh in relief and turn back.

*

Although Dang Mu-jin left his residence, a corner of his heart still felt uneasy.

I can understand that Wuwei is currently lagging behind his friends.

But I couldn’t accept that I didn’t even have a clue to move on to the next step. I couldn’t shake off my obsession with reaching the pinnacle.

After thinking for a moment, Dang Mu-jin headed to the residence of Sam-an-bul.

And then, in the backyard of Sam-an-bul’s residence, I heard the faint sound of metal scraping and clashing.

When I went to the backyard, I saw Jang Il-nam and Namgung Jin-cheon swinging their swords at each other.

The blades clashed in the air a couple of times, and then the tips of Namgung Jincheon and Jang Ilnam’s swords stopped in midair. It was a strange sight, like dots touching each other. Furthermore, the same situation happened not once, but three times in a row.

Dang Mu-jin sat next to Sam-an-bul with a look of wondering what was going on.

“What is the situation?”

“Ilnam deliberately cuts off the pulse of the fight by touching the tips of his swords. Just like how you lose your pulse when you meet someone who imitates Go, it seems like he knows how to stop because it’s no fun.”

“···Is that like imitating Go? If I were the Sword Master, I think I would keep asking for a game of Go because it’s so new.”

“I think so too. It’s not a talent that ordinary people can imitate.”

“Is it possible that Elder Jang’s achievements are higher than that of the Sword Master?”

“Well, if the Sword Master swings his sword to kill, Il-nam won’t be able to respond like that.”

Not long after Dang Mu-jin appeared, the rain came to an abrupt end.

However, as the fight had been going on for quite some time, there were beads of sweat on Jang Il-nam and Namgung Jin-cheon’s skin.

While Jang Il-nam and Namgung Jin-cheon were catching their breath, Dang Mu-jin asked the three masters about the darkness he had seen in their minds.

“···In this situation, what should I do to step into the next realm?”

“That’s not a question we can answer.”

The first person to answer Dang Mu-jin’s question was Namgung Jin-cheon. However, Namgung Jin-cheon’s answer was not very satisfactory.

“I’ve heard that when you cross over to the realm of the super-climax, you can see the path. Isn’t there a trick to finding the path?”

Namgung Jincheon shook his head.

“The most common image that comes to mind is the road, but not everyone encounters the road. In fact, the road is not the only one. The shape of the road, the way to find the road, and the way to get on the road are all different. What is the right answer for one person may be the wrong answer for another.”

Samanbul told his own experience.

“Namgung Jincheon’s words are right. I also didn’t see anything like a road. Instead, I felt a sense of burden as if I was carrying a rock as big as a house, and I followed the six-syllable mantra someone was reciting and ascended to the sky. Soon, I attained enlightenment along with the scent of lotus flowers.”

“Hmm.”

Rather, my mind became more complicated. But one thing was certain.

“But isn’t there some kind of clue to progressing to the next level? Something like the sound of reciting the six-character mantra, or the scent of a lotus flower?”

“That’s right.”

“Why didn’t I have any clue?”

“I don’t know about that.”

Jang Il-nam intervened and offered his opinion.

“Isn’t it because Mujin’s skills are not yet mature enough to reach the next level that he hasn’t found a clue?”

“Well, I don’t think so… No. Is it a little early? I’m not sure.”

Jang Il-nam’s reaction, Sam An-bul’s reaction, and even Namgung Jin-cheon’s reaction were strangely vague.

In a way, it was natural. Dang Mujin did not use general martial arts like the Gwonjang method or the Geom method. Even from the perspective of advanced masters, it was difficult to gauge Dang Mujin’s level.

In some ways, it can be compared to the peak, and in other ways, it seems to be somewhere in the middle among the peak masters.

Since the level of secret techniques was like that, it was even more difficult to understand the level of Dokgo.

But Dang Mu-jin thought this situation was better.

‘That’s good. It means there’s still a possibility, right?’

Like Jang Il-nam’s story, isn’t it because the achievements were mediocre that you couldn’t get a clue to move on to the next level?

If you practice with a bone-crushing mindset for several months or years, won’t you get some clues next time, whether it’s the scent of a flower or a road?

It was a bit humiliating that he couldn’t find the clue that even Hong Geol-gae had found, but it was a much better situation than falling behind forever.

Even now, aren’t there people who can help?

Dang Mu-jin spoke humbly to Namgung Jin-cheon.

“Elder Namgung Jincheon. May I ask you to do some magic for me sometimes?”

However, Namgung Jincheon’s reaction was subtle.

“I can help you with that, but it won’t be of much help.”

“That’s not possible. Didn’t the old man easily give us enlightenment?”

“You want me to create another ‘opportunity’ for you, don’t you? But I can only create an opportunity like that once.”

“Why is that?”

“Because that’s a method that exploits the threat of life and desperation. If I show you the same sword strike again, do you think you’ll be as desperate as last time?”

“···.”

“That is absolutely impossible. You will never completely forget the memory of the last fight. Even if my sword were to graze your hair and touch your scalp in the same way, you would think that my sword would stop.”

It was an understandable story.

But Dang Mu-jin asked again, desperate for even a shred of hope.

“But how could it not work again? If you’re lucky, maybe you can do it twice. Maybe swing a sword a little more dangerously…”

“It’s a meaningless act. Besides, I can’t do it more than once. I plan on leaving the party soon.”

“You’re leaving?”

“okay.”

It is said that those who gather together are destined to part, but Dang Mu-jin felt unfamiliar with the story of Namgung Jin-cheon leaving.

Up until now, people who entered the Tang family for whatever reason rarely left the Tang family.

Not to mention Danseolyeong and Mokwan-ah, the three friends also quietly sat down at the Danggajang, and the Demonic Cult’s warriors and Jang Il-nam also took their places as if it were a given.

“When I came to Sacheonseong, I had four goals. First, I went through Amipa and reached Danggajang, so now I plan to leave Danggajang and head to Cheongseongpa.”

“If there are four… Cheongseongpa won’t be the end. Where do you plan to go next?”

“There is a divine weapon in Sacheon Castle, right? I will catch that divine weapon and behead it.”

“···yes?”

Dang Mu-jin and Sam An-bul managed to somehow manage their expressions, but Jang Il-nam was different. He was so surprised that he covered his mouth with both hands. Fortunately, Namgung Jin-cheon did not suspect Jang Il-nam.

Dang Mu-jin asked with a blank expression.

“Do you have any ill-fated relationship with Shinto?”

“That’s not true. However, if he’s called Shintu, he must have amassed a tremendous amount of wealth. I’ll take all the money and treasures Shintu has and send them to the Namgung family. It’ll definitely be helpful to the young and clumsy head of the household. What else could a blunt father do for his son in the end?”

“···.”

It is truly beautiful fatherly love.

But everyone except Namgung Jincheon knew the inside story, so they couldn’t say anything. They just hoped that Namgung Myung wouldn’t get caught by Namgung Jincheon and lose his head.

If you lose your left arm, you can be given a prosthetic hand, but if you lose your head, you cannot be given a prosthetic head.

Dang Mu-jin secretly looked at Namgung Jin-cheon.

“Shinto is an author whose movements are so mysterious that no one knows his face yet. What are you going to do if you can’t catch him? It seems like he won’t stay in Sacheonseong for a thousand years.”

Fortunately, Namgung Jincheon wasn’t that obsessed with Shintu.

“It can’t be helped. If that happens, I plan to go to Hwayeonshinni and ask for a favor before leaving for the Demonic Cult.”

“You’re going to the Demonic Cult?”

“okay.”

It doesn’t mean that you will join the Demonic Cult, right? Dang Mujin asked with a trembling voice.

“By any chance, what are you planning to do in the Demonic Cult…”

Namgung Jincheon did not answer.

Instead, he revealed his white teeth and smiled innocently like a child.

*

As time passed, spring came in full swing.

Before they knew it, Dang Yeong had acknowledged Dang Mujin as his father, and Dang Yiling and Dang Haewon stopped crying in Dang Mujin’s arms.

As the expression “to remove oil stains” suggests, Namgung Jincheon’s martial arts skills soared day by day.

Not only did he easily subdue Jang Il-nam, but he soon became a match for Sam-an-bul.

And Namgung Jincheon left the Danggajang with a brief greeting.

“I hope we can meet again.”

“Take care.”

And around the same time, a relationship that had been distant for a while reappeared.

Hyungong, who had quietly disappeared into the middle of nowhere, returned to Danggajang with Seolhwa. Dangmujin realized only now that Seolhwa had disappeared. It was definitely Hyungong who had disappeared at first.

As soon as Hyun-gong saw Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae, he spoke.

“It’s been a while. Have you accomplished anything?”

The fact that Hyungong brought up the story of achievement as soon as he arrived means that Hyungong had attained enlightenment.

But before Dang Mu-jin could answer, Hong Geol-gae elbowed Hyeon-gong in the side.

When Hyun-gong looked at Hong-geol-gae, Hong-geol-gae lowered his head and mumbled a message.

– For the time being, don’t bring up the topic of martial arts in front of Mujin.

– why?

– Mujin may not be able to reach the pinnacle. He has reached his limit.

At that moment, Hyun-gong’s head quickly turned.

‘When I look at my weapon as nine points and my background as nine points, Dangmujin’s background is roughly nine points and half.’

‘But if Dangmujin doesn’t reach the peak, then Muwi will only be able to score about seven points?’

‘Poison is rare, and the power of the wheel is also quite considerable, so if you add half of it, it would be about seven and a half points. If you also combine medicine and metallurgy, you can give it about half a point. In that case, eight points.’

‘Total, I got eighteen points. Dang Mu-jin got seventeen and a half points. The gap will widen further in the future.’

If it was historic, it was a historic moment.

In Hyun-gong’s mind, it was the first time that Dang Mu-jin’s ranking was lower than his own.

‘Still, since he is talented and has a good background, I could take him on as a subordinate.’

Hyun-gong looked at Dang-mu-jin with a very subtle and meaningful expression.

It was a smile that accurately reflected the sense of superiority of exactly half a point, and the gap that would open up in the future.

Although Tang Mujin’s reason did not exactly understand the meaning of that smile, Tang Mujin’s right fist instinctively understood the meaning contained in Hyungong’s expression.

Dang Mu-jin’s fist split the air.

chin.

But Dang Mu-jin’s fist was caught in Hyun-gong’s hand.

Even in Hyun-gong’s hands, there was a great achievement.

Dang Mu-jin was wondering whether he should take out the knife, but then he realized one thing.

Seol-hwa’s expression as she stood next to Hyun-gong was extremely serious.

Considering that Seol-hwa’s expression always seemed a little dazed, it was clear that something had happened.

“···Seolhwa. What’s wrong?”

To Dang Mu-jin’s question, Seol-hwa answered with a fairly clear pronunciation.

“I think the thief has appeared.”