Chapter 447
Chapter 447
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 447
Chapter Title: Coincidence and Inevitability (1)
Wang Seon-nam took the lead, saying he was in a hurry.
Watching him depart, Yeo Chi-su realized he too had little time to spare. He turned to Gong Son-mu Gyeol and Eon Yong-un.
"I can't linger here either. I'll be off."
"We can't casually wish you a safe journey to Hao Gate due to the circumstances, but to you, sir, we say it sincerely. Return safely."
"I agree with the Alliance Leader. Don't push yourself if something feels off."
"I shall."
Then he nodded toward Cheon Jang-ho, who was mingling with Eon Yong-un's younger siblings.
It was at that moment Yin Xia Lian spoke up.
"Elder. On second thought, why not take Young Master Yong-myeong along?"
At her words, Gong Son-mu Gyeol and Eon Yong-un turned their heads.
Yeo Chi-su's gaze naturally shifted to her as well.
"You mean the younger Eon fellow?"
"Yes."
"...Out of the blue?"
"They say even a stone bridge should be tapped before crossing. I'm a merchant at heart, so I tend to worry unnecessarily. But after decades... people can change, can't they?"
With that opener, Yin Xia Lian continued.
"I'm not saying he's definitely turned wicked. But the trials of the world are frightening, aren't they? Right now, the hottest topic in the land is the Pearl Eon Family. It didn't faze you two elders, but honestly, everyone knows Young Master Eon's name. And his wealth."
"Ahem. Why bring that up all of a sudden?"
"To help you understand, Elder. Anyway, bringing him along could aid your plans in many ways."
At her words, Yeo Chi-su stroked his beard, pondering the temperaments of his old connections.
'Taking other guests along. They're not the type to treat us poorly.'
At that moment, Paeng So-cheon muttered to himself.
"But why take Yong-myeong and leave Yong-un behind?"
He suddenly clapped and answered his own question.
"Ah! Is this what they mean by 'if you can't catch the pheasant, settle for the chicken'?"
Paeng So-jin smacked the back of his head with her palm.
"You idiot, what are you saying?! Words don't just work any way you like!"
"Ow! Sis, that hurts!"
"It's supposed to hurt! They say ignorance is bravery!"
Yin Xia Lian cautiously addressed Eon Yong-myeong.
"...Um, Young Master Yong-myeong? You know I didn't mean it like that, right?"
"Pay it no mind. My brother has much to do here anyway."
Watching this, Yeo Chi-su smiled faintly at the composed Eon Yong-myeong and asked.
"Everyone seems to agree with Lady Yin's idea. It sounds fine to me too. Care to join?"
"It would be my honor if you permit it."
And so Yeo Chi-su, Eon Yong-myeong, and Cheon Jang-ho left the Murim Alliance and headed to the Beggars' Sect's branch.
There, Yeo Chi-su identified where those he called by name were and what they were doing.
They began seeking out those nearest Luoyang among them.
"......"
"......"
As Cheon Jang-ho and Eon Yong-myeong silently followed.
Yeo Chi-su posed a question.
"Not a word from either of you. Especially you, Young Cheon. You were bold enough with the Wicked Duke."
"Ah, well. My mouth tends to run away with me. I'm afraid I might say something foolish in front of nobles, so I'm practicing keeping it shut."
"No need to be so tense. Those we're meeting aren't nobles."
"They're not?"
At Cheon Jang-ho's surprised reply, Yeo Chi-su chuckled.
"How many come to pay tribute to His Majesty each year, do you think?"
"...A ton?"
"Indeed. I was just one of them, and that was thirty years ago. The Emperor then has passed, and a new one reigns. Most high officials from back then are gone."
"Ah, I see."
"Those we're visiting are young folks I once helped. Well, 'young' is relative after all these years—they're about the Alliance Leader's age now."
Confirming Cheon Jang-ho's expression relax, Yeo Chi-su turned to Eon Yong-myeong beside him.
"And you? Not burdened by having such an exceptional brother?"
"I've never felt burdened because of him."
"Is that so? You looked stiff leaving the Alliance. I thought you minded the 'pheasant or chicken' remark."
At Yeo Chi-su's words, Eon Yong-myeong smiled gently and replied.
"What's wrong with being a chicken? No, even a chicken can crow properly at dawn. I just regret my own shortcomings, fearing I'll be the one that doesn't."
"Hahaha. A truly admirable mindset. Your parents are fortunate."
They walked on, chatting idly for some time.
Eventually, the three reached their first destination.
"This is Yi Ma County. The marked spot—looks like that place up on the hillside."
『Loyalty Martial Hall』
With Yeo Chi-su leading, the three entered the hall.
"Anyone here? Mind if we talk?"
A rugged middle-aged man in worn training robes, wiping a wooden dummy, spoke dryly.
"Here to send your grandchildren to the hall...?"
He trailed off, squinting.
Then, suddenly beaming with joy.
"...Hm? General Yeo? Is that you, General Yeo?!"
"Enough with the 'general.' I couldn't even maintain discipline properly, got chased out of my homeland, and His Majesty pitied me with an honorary post."
"To me, you're eternally my general and benefactor. You saved my life on the battlefield when I was paralyzed, and I built my family thanks to you."
"Anyway, Instructor Won, you've aged a lot too."
"Haha. Seems I'm not the only one. You look as hale as ever. I meant to seek you out, but no one knew anything—I thought you'd passed."
"A sinner like me hid in the mountains to atone."
"I see. As I said before, the Eop-pa Kingdom affair wasn't your fault. But... what brings you to this humble place?"
"I come shamelessly seeking your aid."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile.
Wang Seon-nam returned to the Hao Gate branch where he'd sought Eon Yong-un's information.
As his business was what it was, he entered without disguise.
The same attendant from before greeted him warmly.
"Welcome back! Our house noodles must've suited you. Here you are again!"
"They were fine. But today, perhaps some proper dishes instead of noodles?"
As Wang Seon-nam uttered the code phrase to the attendant.
"Ah, but it's too noisy here for a meal. I'll take you upstairs."
He was led not to the first floor, but a private upper room—as expected.
But...
"...Hm?!"
What he hadn't expected was current Hao Gate Leader Mok Yeom-yak waiting in the room.
"It's been a while, Father."
"Hoho, you're here."
"Yes. Sit, please."
Since he'd come back precisely to meet Mok Yeom-yak.
Wang Seon-nam smiled and took the offered seat.
"I came here seeking you, and you come to me—saved me the trouble. But your presence here means... you knew I emerged from seclusion after my first visit? How?"
To the follow-up question, Mok Yeom-yak smiled brightly.
"The codes you use are from ages ago. That one now distinguishes old-timers."
"Fair enough. But with so many retirees still tied to Hao Gate, the leader doesn't greet them all personally."
"True. But those in seclusion keep ears open. No one asks after Invincible Sword these days. Unless they're dead."
"Hohoho. So that's it."
"Conveniently nearby in Kaifeng, I thought maybe and came. Sure enough. So, why emerge now?"
Mok Yeom-yak's tone was cool and firm.
Almost scolding Wang Seon-nam.
He closed his eyes briefly and replied.
"You've grown sharp. Doing what I should've long ago?"
"Father. The world has changed much. Back then, I lacked resolve and couldn't follow your order to kill you. Now, I could do it without blinking."
"I see."
"Of course, I might decide otherwise. Depends on your answer. So, why now?"
"Coincidence."
To Mok Yeom-yak's question.
Wang Seon-nam began recounting how he'd met Eon Yong-un, secluded on Mount Bukmang.
And how Eon Yong-un roamed eradicating bands harming the people.
"But it turned inevitable. How could we sit idle when that young one's wits and courage saved so many disciples?"
As the calm tale ended.
Mok Yeom-yak sighed faintly.
"We could've handled it... You're too attached. So, aiding Invincible Sword? You went to the Alliance together."
"Hoho. Your tone says you'll help if it's for Invincible Sword?"
"We owe him greatly. And we must keep ties somehow."
"...You know it all, think the same, yet scare this old man?"
"You taught that even plausible news needs eyes on it if important. And would you scare me over this?"
"Hohoho."
"So, what now? We've already aided Invincible Sword as much as we can."
At the conversation's end, Mok Yeom-yak countered.
"We're sending Heavenly Demon Divine Cult info as part of his plan. And three chief stewards on standby in Luoyang to evacuate civilians if needed."
Wang Seon-nam clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Thought you'd grown into a proper leader, but still green. How is there no way to help? Eon Yong-un's roots are Sword Demon. Did Sword Demon fall from the sky?"
"...There was Manbak Mendicant Monk?"
"Manbak Mendicant Monk. That 'knows all arts' nickname wasn't empty. He wandered correcting warriors' techniques—that's how he gained them."
"...Hm. Ah! Collect the arts Manbak Mendicant Monk corrected? But Invincible Sword is already at peak Flower Realm, one of Ten Great Swordsmen. Those mediocre arts won't help..."
"Tsk tsk. Quick on markets, but untrained in arts, you're blind here."
"......"
"Useless to mediocre experts. But those with grandmaster potential see typhoons in butterfly wings. Especially fragments from his own art's roots—how could they not help?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Three days passed since the two elders left the Murim Alliance.
Yeo Chi-su sent word via Cheon Jang-ho: 'Success here,' 'Moving there,' 'Failed here.'
- Hao Gate branches are dense nearby too. No word from that Wicked Duke old man?
As Master said, nothing from Wang Seon-nam.
'No news is good news, I'll think.'
But I decided no news was good news.
Above all, I was busy myself.
Monitoring reports from everywhere, sharing strategy opinions with Gong Son-mu Gyeol as Ma Bang-yeon's director.
And training with Jang Cheol-han and my siblings couldn't slack.
Especially today, fetching weapons from the Alliance's smithy.
Besides Yeo Chi-su's rod and Wang Seon-nam's seven-stringed zither, one more item.
"Here's the crescent blade."
None other than Do Jung-gwang's crescent blade from the journey.
Do Jung-gwang, met in Han Zhong, had left his long crescent blade to hide identity—we'd commissioned its repair too.
To Do Jung-gwang swinging the received blade around, I spoke.
"How is it? To your liking?"
"Usable enough, for now."
At his lukewarm response.
Namgung Yun said flatly.
"Materials far better than your old one, I hear. Even some eternal cold iron and cloud iron mixed in."
"That's why noble young masters are... Boy. No matter how good, familiar's best."
His words made me glance at Regret at my waist.
'Elder Tak Jong-geon was amazing. Felt just like my old one, despite being new...'
Lost in old memories for a moment.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Someone rushing here—I turned to see Wang Seon-nam, long silent.
I greeted warmly.
"Elder. Perfect timing. Your zither's fixed."
Wang Seon-nam, expression saying that wasn't the point, spoke.
"Good? Good. But come with me somewhere."