Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Here or the Solitary Bamboo Forest (3)
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“This concludes the mission report from Ma Dongpil, Third Team Leader of the Hall of Protectors.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Lee Gunseong praised Ma Dongpil with a smiling face.
“You must have gone through so much for over eight months. You truly did a great job.”
“Not at all, sir. It was my honor to be able to serve the Young Master.”
Gi Yang, standing beside him, also wore a pleased smile.
It was strange to feel proud of a man over thirty, as if he were a clever child.
But what could they do? To them, Ma Dongpil was a junior, like a younger brother. He had returned after successfully completing a mission that would have been difficult for anyone, and they couldn’t help but be fond of him.
‘And he’s gotten his killing intent under control.’
Whatever had happened, the bloodlust he’d shown a few days ago had vanished as if washed away.
On the other hand, the internal energy he radiated was beyond imagination.
“Did you have some kind of fortuitous encounter?”
“Pardon?”
“Your internal energy has increased significantly since then. It’s still at the level of potential, but it will be an immense help to your future growth.”
Lee Gunseong’s face was filled with pure admiration.
Ma Dongpil wore an awkward expression. He hadn’t reported on the method of processing and ingesting the Spirit Bamboo to turn it into a pure elixir, so it was only natural they didn’t know.
Team leaders had the authority to omit unnecessary information.
At first, he had debated whether to report this, but in the end, he decided against it.
It wasn't because he wanted to keep it a secret, but because it pertained to the Third Young Master’s martial arts.
He judged that there was no need to risk leaking information about the candidates for the next Cult Leader. It was unlikely, but every organization had its vulnerabilities.
When it came to general matters of daily life, it was one thing, but for something like this, the fewer people who knew, the better.
“I had my own fortuitous encounter. It was all thanks to the Third Young Master.”
“Thanks to the Third Young Master?”
“Yes. This matter is related to the Third Young Master, so it is difficult for me to speak of it.”
Lee Gunseong waved his hand dismissively.
“Of course, you should. If that’s the case, it’s right for you to be the only one who knows. What’s important is that you completed your mission well, isn’t it? Don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Gi Yang subtly interjected.
“By the way, senior. Since the Third Team Leader has worked so hard, how about giving him some time off?”
Lee Gunseong nodded.
“I was thinking the same. Taking a full month off to rest would be good.”
Ma Dongpil shook his head.
“There must be duties I can share. I have no intention of making others suffer on my account.”
“No, you should rest when you can. Your mission was one that no one could have shared. You’ve earned a rest.”
“Then I will rest for three days.”
“Still as stubborn as ever. Fine, you have ten days to recuperate and then return. No more compromises.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Gi Yang clicked his tongue.
“Most people would be happy to get a break, but why do you look so displeased? Don’t tell me you dislike the senior’s consideration?”
“Ah, not at all.”
Ma Dongpil waved his hands in alarm.
Finding his reaction amusing, the two men burst into laughter.
Lee Gunseong stood up and exclaimed cheerfully.
“Alright! Let’s have a drink for old times’ sake. I want to hear directly from you how you managed over there.”
“Ah…”
“What? Do you have something else to do? Even if you do, can’t you put it off for today?”
“I’m sorry. The Third Young Master asked me to have one last drink with him…”
Lee Gunseong and Gi Yang looked at each other.
‘The Third Young Master did?’
They had heard rumors that he’d softened a bit after recovering from Qi deviation, but they thought his vicious nature wouldn't have just disappeared.
“It seems you’ve grown quite close to the Third Young Master.”
“He only suffered because of my inadequate protection.”
Gi Yang’s eyes twinkled.
Ma Dongpil’s face was shadowed with gratitude and apology. It seemed this steadfast junior genuinely cared for the Third Young Master.
After watching him for a moment, Lee Gunseong nodded readily.
“If the Third Young Master asked you, then of course you must go. Wait just a moment.”
A short while later, he returned with the leaves of Gulsong tea.
“If he went to the trouble of looking for it in such a rugged place, he must be very fond of it. Take this to him. I just happened to acquire some high-quality tea leaves.”
“Ah…”
“I’m sure the Young Master will be pleased as well.”
Ma Dongpil accepted the tea leaves with an awkward expression.
He couldn’t bring himself to tell the proudly smiling man that the Young Master not only didn’t enjoy it but actively disliked it.
“Now, hurry along. And tell him I’ll give him more whenever I get good tea leaves, haha.”
Ma Dongpil silently apologized to Lee Gunseong as he carefully placed the tea leaves in his robes.
‘I’m sorry, Team Leader.’
These tea leaves… I’ll have to use them myself.
* * *
“Hooo.”
A plume of smoke drifted out through the window.
Shinhoe spoke with a worried tone.
“Young Master.”
“Hm?”
“I apologize for saying this, but…”
“What is it? Say it.”
“For the sake of your health, would it not be better to stop smoking?”
Hong Wi-mun chuckled and tapped his long pipe.
“It has been a bit frequent lately, hasn’t it?”
“Even if you can expel the impurities with your internal energy, it is still not good for your body.”
“I’ll quit when it’s time to quit. I appreciate the concern.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Hong Wi-mun took another long drag from his pipe. Thick smoke filled the room.
After a moment of hesitation, Shinhoe spoke.
“Young Master.”
“Speak.”
“May I ask why you sent ‘them’ away again?”
Hong Wi-mun gazed out the window.
The sky, once a cloudless blue, was now stained crimson by the setting sun.
Savoring the dreamlike view of the sunset through the hazy smoke, he said.
“Shinhoe.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“That bastard has changed a lot.”
Shinhoe tilted his head. It was a rather abrupt answer to his question.
“His body has improved tremendously.”
“…”
“He seems taller, and his frame is sturdier than before. I don’t know what happened in the Solitary Bamboo Forest, but it looked like he’s even regained his former martial arts.”
“…!”
“Well, I’m not curious about how he did it. The fact that he’s recovered doesn’t change. The problem is…”
Hong Wi-mun tapped his pipe and continued.
“He’s become harder to read.”
“…”
“He’s definitely the same person… yet he felt like someone else entirely.”
It was a gut feeling that couldn’t be explained by logic. And what had drawn out this unpleasant feeling was the look in Seo Ryang’s eyes at that moment.
A look that seemed to know everything.
That unique gaze—a mixture of the viciousness unique to a demonic practitioner, a ghost-like transparency, and the indifference of an emotionless doll—weighed on his mind.
Hong Wi-mun turned his head and said.
“To be honest, I’m not that interested in how much stronger he’s become.”
A lie.
Shinhoe knew that was not what the Young Master truly felt.
But he didn't let it show. He also realized that Hong Wi-mun was considerably confused.
“The problem is, I don’t know how he’ll react when I send ‘them’ after him.”
Shinhoe shook his head.
“But didn’t you already know how the Third Young Master would react and how to counter it, Young Master?”
“I did. Until yesterday.”
“…”
“But today is different. I’m no longer certain what kind of reaction I’ll get from him.”
Until now, the Young Master had always proven his insight through results. He would surely be right this time as well.
But he was curious. What had led the Young Master to think this way?
After watching him silently, Shinhoe bowed his head.
“The backlash from ‘them’ is expected to be quite severe. How should I handle it?”
“Placate them with some money. They’re as obsessed with money as they are with their grudges. No need to pay them any mind.”
“Giving money to those who you say we need not pay any mind to seems a bit…”
“If they were someone I needed to pay mind to, I would have added something on top of the money.”
“…”
“They’re the type to foam at the mouth at the mere mention of Seo Ryang’s name. They might be useful someday, but that’s the extent of it. If you must, take them to a decent brothel to lift their spirits.”
“Understood.”
He wasn’t sure if that would be enough to appease them. They had been waiting for days with grim determination, only to be ordered back just before the Third Young Master arrived. He couldn’t imagine the extent of their fury and disappointment.
Hooo!
A large cloud of smoke escaped through the window.
“And send a letter inviting someone to dinner tomorrow evening.”
“Yes? To whom…?”
“The Lord of the Garden of Joy.”
“…!”
Shinhoe’s face stiffened.
“Young Master, the Lord of the Garden of Joy is danger…”
“Shinhoe.”
“…”
“…”
“…I will obey your command.”
As Shinhoe left the room with a deep bow, Hong Wi-mun carelessly tossed his pipe aside.
The leisurely smile he always wore was gone, replaced by a hardened expression over which a cool killing intent swirled.
“If the wildcat has turned into a venomous snake, then I’ll have to change the arrow on my bowstring.”
* * *
“You’re here?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“You punk, get back here sooner next time. I thought I was going to die of hunger. Sit down, quick.”
“My apologies.”
After a hurried apology, Ma Dongpil raised his bowed head and looked forward.
A table laden with a magnificent feast, and seated on either side were Seo Ryang and Aeng-hwa.
Aeng-hwa’s face, in particular, was pale. The evidence of her intense debate over whether she was allowed to share a table with the Young Master was clear.
‘I can’t blame her.’
Among all the practitioners of the Divine Cult, he had never met anyone who disregarded formalities as much as the Third Young Master. Hadn’t he first called him ‘Mr. Ma’?
Seeing this scene without any surprise meant he too had grown quite used to it.
“Not sitting? Don’t want to eat?”
“Ah, not at all!”
Ma Dongpil hastily sat down and looked at Seo Ryang.
Chopsticks were already in Seo Ryang’s hand.
“Let’s have a taste first.”
After chewing nothing but beast meat for over eight months, the aroma of fine cuisine felt like it was driving him mad. Honestly, even his deep bond with Ma Dongpil was not enough to make him wait.
Soon, the three of them began to eat.
Seo Ryang was combative from the start, and Ma Dongpil began with decorum but gradually picked up speed.
They were both large, sturdy men, it was the first fine meal they’d had in a long time, and crucially, they hadn’t eaten anything all day. The two men emptied the plates as if possessed.
Aeng-hwa watched them, pecking at her food. Hunger or not, she was so uncomfortable that the food wouldn’t go down.
“Kuhup! This is it! This is what living is all about, isn’t it, Dongpil?”
“This is an incredible meal, Young Master.”
“But this is all great, but don’t you think the portions are a bit lacking?”
“That might be the case.”
Aeng-hwa was inwardly aghast. She had laid out enough food for three or four grown men, yet they said it wasn’t enough. The two men’s fearsome appetites were making her dizzy.
She rose awkwardly to her feet.
“I-I will bring more.”
“Huh? Oh, well… you will?”
“Yes!”
“Thanks.”
The whirlwind of a meal continued for an hour.
Seo Ryang patted his stomach in satisfaction, while Ma Dongpil smacked his lips. Only Aeng-hwa, who had been busy bringing food and clearing plates, was finally starting to relax, eating a bowl of noodles.
“Now that we’re full, it’s time for a drink.”
Pop!
Seo Ryang opened the Yukcheonsimju.
Instantly, Ma Dongpil’s eyes sparkled. Aeng-hwa glanced around cautiously before slurping her noodles again.
“Take this.”
“It is an honor.”
“Cut the crap.”
The liquor poured with a gurgling sound. A fragrant aroma filled the room.
Aeng-hwa’s eyes widened, and even the fox cub sleeping on the bed twitched its nose. The scent was so exquisite that even a non-drinker and an animal reacted to it.
“You worked hard all this time.”
“Not at all. It was an honor to serve you, Young Master.”
“You little…”
“I mean it.”
“Alright, thank you.”
The two men drained their cups in one go.
A look of wonder crossed Seo Ryang’s face, while Ma Dongpil looked as if he were about to faint. Neither of them could come to their senses from the unimaginably exquisite taste of the Yukcheonsimju.
“Ah, that’s good. Hey! So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to be assigned to guard someone else again?”
“…”
“Hey!”
“Gasp! Ah, yes! Did you call, Young Master?”
“You’re completely out of it. Is it that good?”
“Of course!”
“I could tell. You had a look on your face like you wouldn’t even feel it if you got stabbed.”
“Ah… but what was it you asked me…?”
“Forget it. Have another glass.”
“Yes, sir!”
The two of them finished the bottle of Yukcheonsimju in no time.
Ma Dongpil stared at the empty bottle and his empty cup with a look of despair. If the Young Master hadn’t been there, he looked ready to lick them both clean.
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“Aeng-hwa, could you bring a few more bottles of liquor? Any kind will do.”
“Yes, sir!”
Aeng-hwa scurried off.
Seo Ryang clapped Ma Dongpil on the shoulder.
“Snap out of it. Your eyes are going to pop out.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Tonight, let’s drink until our tongues are tied, alright? Let’s see if we can get down to crawling on all fours.”
“It would be an honor, Young Master.”
“You really find honor in a lot of things. You’re such a radiant person.”
Ma Dongpil showed an awkward expression.
“Then let me ask you something before the liquor arrives. I don’t think I’ll be able to ask once my tongue gets twisted.”
“Please ask, Young Master.”
Seo Ryang’s eyes gleamed.
“Where do I have to go to get an organizational chart of the cult and a diagram of its personal relationships? No, who do I have to meet?”