Chapter 84: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (35)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 84: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (35)
After a night of camping, we set out again. The morning fog slowly lifted, revealing a clear sky.
Seo Ryeo-hwa walked ahead in silence.
'It seems the Celestial Sphere Assembly is weighing on her mind.'
I thought, watching her from behind. Yesterday's events seemed to have troubled her.
Our party moved quickly toward the Mo-yong Clan estate in Liaoning.
A magnificent mansion was enclosed by high walls. The roof was engraved with dragon patterns, and martial artists stood guard on either side of the main gate. Blue flags, symbolizing the Mo-yong Clan's authority, fluttered in the wind.
"So that's the Mo-yong Clan estate."
Jin Myeong-woo said, gazing at the gate. They were a prestigious family with powerful influence even in the Central Plains.
"Let's find an inn nearby for now," I suggested.
Jin Myeong-woo turned and asked, "Brother, are you not planning to visit the Mo-yong Clan?"
"That's right. I doubt we'd receive a warm welcome even if we did. When the Jin Family was in danger, the Mo-yong Clan ultimately did nothing. Since our relationship is strained, there's no need to force a visit."
At my words, Jin Myeong-woo fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
"Brother, the Mo-yong Clan is one of the most powerful forces in the Central Plains. With the Jin Family having fallen, is it truly wise to cut off ties with outside powers?"
Jin Myeong-woo's words held a cautious concern. Jang Seo-young stepped in.
"Myeong-woo, you have a point, but not all relationships are maintained through cold calculation."
Jang Seo-young's voice was calm. Her gaze was fixed on the distant walls of the Mo-yong estate.
"When we asked for help in the Jin Family's name, the Mo-yong Clan turned their backs on us. Whatever their reasons for that choice, reaching out to them first now would only hurt our pride."
Jin So-hee nodded in agreement with her mother.
"That's right, Myeong-woo. Just as Mother said, seeking out the Mo-yong Clan first feels like we're throwing away our pride. They didn't show us that much loyalty, did they?"
Jin Myeong-woo sighed at his sister's words, his expression still conflicted.
"I understand. I will follow your and Mother's wishes."
Seo Ryeo-hwa, who had been watching the conversation quietly from the back, spoke up gravely.
"However, there is one thing we must consider."
All eyes turned to her at the sound of her calm voice.
"The Mo-yong Clan is famous throughout the Central Plains for its information network. It's possible they know something about the recent incidents."
At her words, Jang Seo-young and Jin So-hee glanced at each other. Jin Myeong-woo also looked thoughtful once more.
"The Sword Empress is right. But there's no guarantee they'll share everything they know just because we approach them. Especially not with our relationship being so awkward."
"In that case... I will go to the Mo-yong Clan."
"Sword Empress, do you mean to go alone?" Jang Seo-young asked, her eyes filled with worry.
"If it's just the Sword Empress, there shouldn't be a problem. Even the Mo-yong Clan can't afford to ignore her," I said, looking at Jang Seo-young.
Just as I said that, a delicate female voice called out.
"My, isn't that Young Master Jin of the Jin Family?"
A woman with black hair and a cat-like face stood there, accompanied by guards. Her ornate martial arts uniform immediately hinted at her identity.
"Miss Mo-yong?" Jin Myeong-woo said, surprised.
Information about her surfaced in my mind. Mo-yong Yeon-ah. The daughter of the Mo-yong Clan, a woman who had visited the Jin Family several times.
She was also a character who appeared a few times early in the original story. She secretly had feelings for Jin Myeong-woo, but they could never be together due to the difference in their families' status. Later, when Jin Myeong-woo had built his reputation, she was already married to someone else.
Her eyes smiled as she looked at Jin Myeong-woo.
"It's been a long time, Young Master Jin. You must have had a difficult journey coming all the way from Jilin."
Jin Myeong-woo bowed his head slightly in response.
"You haven't changed, Miss Mo-yong."
Her gaze slowly swept over our group before meeting mine. A faint smile touched her lips.
"Oh my, the Jin Family's scoundrel is here too?"
Her delicate voice was laced with a hint of sarcasm. Jin Myeong-woo looked at her, startled.
"Miss Mo-yong, that's going too far," he said carefully.
I looked down at Mo-yong Yeon-ah with a relaxed smile.
She had the elegant bearing befitting the daughter of a great clan. Her black hair was tied to the side gracefully, and she had a beautiful face. It was just a shame that she had a petite frame and a rather small chest.
I said, looking at her chest, "Miss Mo-yong, it's been a while. You're still as small as ever."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah's face flushed red, her expression twisting slightly.
"Ugh... You... you haven't changed at all. Your rude way of speaking is just as scoundrel-like as ever."
Jin Myeong-woo quickly looked back and forth between us, trying to mediate.
"Miss Mo-yong, my brother didn't mean anything by it. It's been so long since we've seen each other... please, calm down."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah looked at Jin Myeong-woo and forced a smile.
"As expected of you, Young Master Jin, you have class. But why are people who should be at the Jin Family estate all the way out here?"
Jin Myeong-woo hesitated at her question. Seeing him falter, I answered for him.
"Haven't you heard? The Black Dragon Gate attacked the Jin Family and the Jangbaek Gate."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah's face stiffened slightly in surprise.
"The Black Dragon Gate attacked the Jin Family? Is that true?"
Her voice was a mixture of surprise and slight suspicion. I nodded and continued.
"Yes, the Black Dragon Gate raided the Jin Family and the Jangbaek Gate. There were many casualties, and our family suffered a great blow."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah frowned, quietly mulling over my words.
"Then the Jin Family is currently…."
"Beyond recovery."
When I spoke so decisively, her gaze darkened. She quietly gestured for her guards to step back, then moved a little closer.
"It's a pity... The Jangbaek Gate, and especially the Jin Family, are not unrelated to our Mo-yong Clan."
I answered her question with a cynical smile.
"Why indeed? We sent a messenger, but there was no response from the Mo-yong Clan. I suppose you were just watching the fire from across the river."
At my words, Mo-yong Yeon-ah's pretty face hardened.
"That's going too far. It sounds as if you're saying the Mo-yong Clan intentionally refused to help the Jin Family."
"From where I'm standing, that's exactly what it looks like."
As the argument grew more heated, Jin Myeong-woo intervened.
"Brother, that's enough. It seems Miss Mo-yong was unaware of the situation."
I met Mo-yong Yeon-ah's gaze for a moment. She looked up, staring back at me.
"Even if our Mo-yong Clan didn't offer help, there must have been a good reason."
Her tone was still laced with pride. I simply smiled and said nothing.
Just then, Seo Ryeo-hwa stepped forward.
"Miss Mo-yong, I believe that is enough."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah turned at Seo Ryeo-hwa's calm voice. At first, her expression was clearly displeased, but it changed in an instant when she recognized the Sword Empress. Her face filled with awe and respect as she bowed her head and said.
"Sword Empress…. I have been rude."
The arrogance from before was completely gone from her voice.
Seo Ryeo-hwa smiled gently and said, "The Mo-yong Clan has built its reputation as a pillar of the Orthodox Faction. Instead of blaming one another, shouldn't we combine our strength to prepare for the threats to come?"
Mo-yong Yeon-ah was silent for a moment before nodding.
"You are right, Sword Empress. I misspoke. I apologize."
Mo-yong Yeon-ah bowed her head to me, then looked back up at Seo Ryeo-hwa and said, "Please, allow me to escort you to the Mo-yong estate. Our clan may be ill-prepared to receive the Sword Empress, but we will do our utmost to welcome you."
Seo Ryeo-hwa replied with a slight smile.
"Thank you for the invitation. As it happens, I needed to speak with the Mo-yong Clan."
Her attitude had become much more polite. The reputation of the Sword Empress and her attainment of the Transformation Realm truly carried a weight that could not be ignored.
As we followed Mo-yong Yeon-ah, Seol-hee whispered quietly beside me.
"That woman... she's so annoying. How dare she disrespect the Young Master like that...."
Jin So-hee nodded at Seol-hee's words.
.
"Well, she's always been that kind of person."
At that moment, Jang Seo-young chided them in a soft but firm voice.
"Hush. This is the Mo-yong Clan's estate. They might hear even the smallest whisper, so always watch what you say."
At her words, Seol-hee and Jin So-hee both nodded and fell silent.
"Mother is right. Try not to say anything insulting about them while we're in their home."
At my words, Seol-hee bowed her head slightly and mumbled in a small voice, "I understand, Young Master."
The mischief vanished from her face, replaced by a clear look of tension.
We quickened our pace to follow Mo-yong Yeon-ah. A splendid garden filled our vision, and we were surrounded by elegant, traditional buildings. The might of the Mo-yong Clan was palpable here.
Jang Seo-young observed our surroundings carefully and spoke to me in a near-whisper.
"The Mo-yong Clan is truly impressive. It's on a different scale from the Jin Family, and so much more extravagant."
I nodded and replied quietly, "They've prospered for a long time, so it's only natural."
Hearing this, Jang Seo-young nodded with a meaningful smile.
Mo-yong Yeon-ah led us to an exquisitely decorated reception room for guests.
"Please wait here for a moment. The Family Head will be here to greet you shortly."
She gestured politely toward the room before quietly taking her leave.
The reception room was a space that perfectly showcased the Mo-yong Clan's status. The walls were hung with silk tapestries bearing delicate embroidery, and the ceiling was adorned with intricate wood carvings. In the center of the room sat a gleaming golden tea table with a set of fine porcelain.
Seol-hee looked around and said in a small voice, "Wow... this is incredible. I wonder what it feels like to live in a place like this?"
Jin So-hee also nodded in admiration.
"This is on a completely different level from what we had at our family estate. I see now why they're called the great Mo-yong Clan."
Jang Seo-young also looked around, smiling gently.
"Everything here is crafted with such care and devotion."
As our group was talking amongst ourselves, the door opened and a servant entered.
"The Family Head wishes to see you. Please follow me."
At his words, Seo Ryeo-hwa was the first to rise from her seat. Everyone else naturally followed her lead.
Bonus
Mo-yong Yeon-ah.
