Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony (3)
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When I was frantically dealing with Pang Muhyuk's swinging black sword, I was too busy just trying to stay alive to feel much of anything.
"Hoo."
But thanks to Gongsun Mugeol's sudden intervention, I was able to step back a few paces from the brink of life and death and catch my breath. Looking at the two middle-aged men facing each other, my chest swelled with awe.
'Pang Muhyuk and Gongsun Mugeol.'
The Great Tiger of Hebei and the leader of the orthodox Murim.
Ah, of course, the Murim Alliance in 'Murim Academy's Sword Genius' wasn't an omnipotent power like the alliances in other martial arts stories.
'It's more like a council-based consensus body.'
Given the circumstances, even the Murim Alliance Leader couldn't be seen as someone with tremendous authority.
'Coordinator fits better than power broker.'
The Upper House made up of prestigious sects.
The Lower House consisting of minor factions.
A mediator who ensures the Jianghu keeps turning smoothly amid sharply conflicting opinions over territories and interests.
That was the Murim Alliance Leader in this world.
'In short, an extreme job.'
Whether Upper or Lower House, tempers flare at the slightest provocation, with calls to kill or oust him. With all of Murim watching like hawks, it's not a position where wealth flows in like water for easy accumulation.
'And yet, it lacks real prestige.'
That didn't mean invitations were scarce. Just look—both had shown up for the freshmen entrance ceremony.
In other words, it was a position so busy even two bodies wouldn't suffice.
Thus, in this world, the Murim Alliance Leader was a role avoided unless driven by a sense of duty.
But that didn't make the Gongsun Mugeol before me some insignificant man.
'Anyone mentioned as Alliance Leader candidate must have been a sect leader themselves.'
Before being called Alliance Leader, Gongsun Mugeol's moniker was Sword Seeking Defeat.
Seeking Defeat meant craving loss—in other words, a swordsman who had never been beaten.
Of course, Gongsun Mugeol hadn't dueled every Murim fighter in the world.
Avoiding needless fights was the orthodox Murim way, compounded by his own respect for seniors and juniors alike, resulting in few recorded bouts.
But he had never lost a challenge that came his way, and the world acknowledged it.
'That Gongsun Mugeol. And Pang Muhyuk, the Blade Emperor never omitted from discussions of top swordsmen.'
With the two facing off like that, even I couldn't help but wonder.
'Who would win if they fought?'
As I idly pondered such nonsense in my head for a moment.
"As you know, Leader, I'm one who generally cooperates with orders from the Alliance."
Pang Muhyuk stabbed his black sword into the ground, rested his chin on the hilt, and spoke in a bored tone.
"So I should answer the Leader's question, but it's a bit awkward to say."
"Why is that? I, Gongsun, have always held you in the utmost respect, Senior Pang. If there's something you can't share with me, it leaves me feeling slighted."
"No need for that. The reason it's awkward is because it's family business. You know the saying—laws don't cross the family threshold? Even as Leader, you can't meddle in family matters. Brother Mugeol. If you want to leave unscathed, stop there."
...?
Brother Mugeol, if you want to leave unscathed, stop there?
- ...Is he making a pun in the middle of this? Even granting he could pun, ...did that Pang bastard just say that with a straight face thinking it was funny?
Come to think of it, I remembered now.
The original Pang Muhyuk was the type who enjoyed so-called dad jokes, described in the story as corny quips.
'...His lips twitching just a bit suggests that's the case.'
But at that moment.
Gongsun Mugeol burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha! As expected of Senior Pang. Every time I see you, not only has your martial prowess grown, but your wit too? Brother Mugeol. If you want to leave unscathed, stop there! Kuhahaha!"
He laughed so heartily.
Pang Muhyuk looked openly proud.
For a split second, I wondered if he genuinely found it funny, but upon closer inspection, Gongsun Mugeol's eyes looked strained.
He was forcing it.
That's the Murim Alliance Leader?
The true extreme job.
Anyway, after laughing it off to lighten the mood, Gongsun Mugeol sheathed his azure-red sword at his waist and continued.
"Haha. I nearly forgot what I was going to say from laughing. Anyway, I understand what you mean, Senior Pang. Indeed, the Murim Alliance Leader doesn't meddle in others' family affairs. But personally? As Gongsun Mugeol the junior, not the Alliance Leader? Truth is, I have some business with this young man."
"Don't force it."
"Give me a break. If we're talking forcing it, aren't you doing the same, Senior Pang? The Pang and Eon families—even the stroke counts in their names differ, twelve and nine. How is this family business?!"
Up to that point in their exchange, I thought Gongsun Mugeol had a point.
"You know well my bond with Jeong-ung and the relation between our families? If you've kept ears open as Alliance Leader, you know what that wastrel did in Hebei too?"
"I do. That you're sworn brothers—not some nominal Jianghu title, but thick as blood. And that this Eon Yong-un here squandered his family's secrets and even used the Pang name for gambling."
But after hearing that much, my thoughts changed.
'...He deserves a beating.'
Not content with selling out his own family, he dragged in another.
That previous Yong-un bastard!
If I were Pang Muhyuk, I'd have pulverized his bones long ago.
Pang Muhyuk was the sort who, when the Demonic Cult later ambushed all of Hebei, rushed alone to Jinju because the Eon family was in greater peril than his own.
So it made sense why Pang clansmen glared daggers at me.
'They truly see brothers and nephews as their own family.'
Ah, of course, since the previous Yong-un caused the trouble and I'm the one taking the flak, I had no intention of volunteering for the whipping.
I just meant I understood.
I gripped Regret tightly in case things escalated, as Gongsun Mugeol kept speaking.
"I know everything. All of it. But from what I hear, this Eon Yong-un was expelled from the family quite some time ago. If you meant to punish him, you should have done it then. Doing so now—doesn't that suggest other reasons?"
"...Ahem."
Eh?
Other reasons?
That was when.
The moment Gongsun Mugeol suggested Pang Muhyuk had other motives.
The inn's door opened, and Father stepped out.
"Ahem. I stayed back seeing you disciplining Yong-un, sworn brother, but if there are other reasons, why not come inside? Leader, please enter as well. Yong-un, fix your robes and come in."
'Nothing like this happened to the original Jeong-hyeon.'
While washing my face and tying up my hair, I pondered why Gongsun Mugeol had come for me and what else Pang Muhyuk wanted besides thrashing me with that sharp black switch.
'No clue.'
Nothing concrete came to mind.
'Well, I'll hear it when I go in.'
Finishing my thoughts, I straightened my clothes and opened the inn door.
There stood the owner, getting seals of approval from Gongsun Mugeol and Pang Muhyuk.
"Yes, yes. Eat well. Yes, sign like that. Then cross your name above it."
At first, I thought the owner had struck gold big time.
But that notion shattered quickly.
"Hm. Hope you're not planning to misuse this? This black sword won't forgive you if you do!"
"H-Haha, of course not! Just seeing you has my legs shaking—perish the thought!"
"Senior Pang, come on. Crossing names like scissors—where would you even use that?"
"Hm. True?"
"Yes. At most, to mooch off future examinees visiting here. Right, owner? Haha."
"Yes?! N-No, sir!"
"You and the Leader both—stop teasing the owner. From last night, he seems a generous fellow. Food's well-seasoned too."
"Th-Thank you, Family Head."
"No need. Anyway, liquor this early is off. Owner, some tea?"
"Right away!"
Now I saw: the bad cop, weird cop, and good cop all in one place.
And now I had to sit among them.
'This is madness.'
I steeled myself and stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute.
"Pardon the delay in proper greeting amid the chaos. Uncle. Leader."
"Hmph."
"Pleased to meet you."
And with that, I thought to slip away, turning to leave.
"Then, have a good time. As a lowly Murim scholar, I'll take my leave."
But both Pang Muhyuk and Gongsun Mugeol called me back simultaneously.
"Where you going? Sit."
"Yes. It's about you anyway, so sit."
Escape failed naturally.
I swallowed a faint sigh and took a seat.
Soon, steaming tea arrived.
Gongsun Mugeol, warming his throat with it, spoke first.
"I'm junior by cohort and age at the Righteous Martial Academy, so I'll yield. Senior Pang, please state the real reason you came first."
"...Hm. Fine. Ahem. Before the entrance ceremony, Jae-hyuk told me this: that you deliberately played the scoundrel in Hebei. Hiding your potential. At first, I thought nonsense."
Jae-hyuk was Pang Jae-hyuk.
The instructor who oversaw the martial trials for regular warriors in the entrance exam.
"But you took first place. Even So-jin, So-cheon, and the Nangong lad barely passed that tough exam, pushing even Zhuge Seol to second. That wasn't a day's study."
His snorting breaths and piercing gaze made my cheeks burn.
I deliberately turned to Father.
But Father was smirking.
"...?"
He didn't seem amused by my predicament.
"Heh. Hm."
He just took Pang Muhyuk's words as praise for me.
But to me, it wasn't.
'Big one's coming.'
Sure enough.
As the thought hit, Pang Muhyuk slammed the table with a bang!
Teacups and pot floated briefly before clattering down.
"That made me even angrier! Do you know the humiliations your father endured?! And your mother?! I once pitied you as a small vessel's son born to a prestigious family, warped from overreaching. But if not— with that intellect and talent, what possessed you to act that way?! No, doesn't matter what you thought! What intent makes a father bow and apologize everywhere, bruising his mother's heart?!"
The mood screamed for the black sword to dance again.
I wondered if I should stealthily shift Regret closer.
Then Gongsun Mugeol spoke.
"That's why you're angry, Senior. But you came for another reason too, right?"
At Gongsun Mugeol's words, Pang Muhyuk coughed awkwardly and replied.
"Ahem! Jae-hyuk said more. He wants to teach you, Yong-un."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why is for bandits' quilts! Expelled from your family, can't use Eon arts— what choice? Come to your uncle's house, learn the blade way! Saw your aptitude today—not bad! Train hard, you'll achieve much!"
Then Gongsun Mugeol chimed in with an objection.
"You just said no choice but Pang blade. But there is. Because my reason for coming is similar, Senior Pang."
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-?
"Why stare like that? Junior, you left home with a sword at your waist—good choice. The king of weapons is the sword. In that vein, how about learning the Xuanyuan Sword from me?"
Watching them, a word came from Master.