Chapter 279
Chapter 279
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: The Kunlun Mountains
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“Ugh…”
After drinks with my master, I focused on my work for a while.
The backlog was substantial, what with all the traveling and the election.
If my brother-in-law, Myo San, hadn't stepped in as a temporary clerk, I'd be dead.
“Read it properly before you sign… No, *please* read it. Please don't just skim.”
“Jeez, you talk a lot. I’m a speed-reader. One glance and it’s all in my head.”
“…”
Oh, by the way, Myo San decided to stay at Nine Dragons Fortress instead of returning to Nanjing.
He said he had some kind of epiphany while interning at the Military Affairs Department, during a conversation with the Grand Chancellor.
‘The path to serving the people isn’t only in Nanjing. I will change the world starting from here.’
‘Whatever…’
As long as he doesn't go back to that jungle called Nanjing, I'm fine with it.
Just as I was diligently passing the time, Mae Ran came to see me.
“Hall Master, Hall Master.”
“*Groan, snort…* Uh, Mae Ran. What is it?”
“A letter has arrived.”
“Thanks. You can leave it.”
“Yes.”
After handing me the letter, Mae Ran fidgeted awkwardly.
“Why? Is there something you want to say?”
She glanced around cautiously before asking.
“Uhm… it’s just that, I was wondering what kind of food the Master of the Two Immortals Gang likes.”
“The bald guy?”
“…”
“Hmm, he seems to eat anything and everything. If I had to pick…”
I wracked my brain, trying to remember what Yong Ma-san particularly enjoyed.
“I think he liked egg dishes. And tofu dishes. Said his mother used to make them for him when he was a kid. But why do you ask?”
“Ah, well… he seems to be visiting often lately, so I wanted to prepare something for him.”
“Hey, don’t waste your energy. He’ll eat anything you give him. He’d probably eat plain rice in cold water without a single complaint.”
“How cool…”
“What?”
Hearing my answer, the ever-diligent Mae Ran clutched her cheeks and rushed out.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
Is she getting a wisdom tooth?
As I wondered if I should take her to Cheong So-so soon, I checked the letter and saw a welcome name.
“Oh!”
It was a letter from Jeok Yi, the leader of the exploration team currently tracking the treasure map.
The contents were even more welcome.
[Found a trace. Scheduled to arrive within ten days.]
“Wow… that’s insane.”
To find a hidden treasure vault in the vast Kunlun Mountains with just a single map drawn with the resolution of a child's brushstroke.
And in just a month and a half.
I couldn't help but be impressed. That's the Red Dragon Hall for you.
As I nodded to myself, I began to worry about how to distribute the spoils.
‘Should I give a cut to the Prajna Bastion?’
Although Bi Cheon-hori's will stated that it should be used for the reconstruction of the Bukgung family, his direct descendant is Bukgung Ri.
Given the times, he can't file an inheritance lawsuit… But since we're practically family now, it's morally right to give him at least a small share.
‘Hmm…’
It was a dilemma. Giving too much would violate Bi Cheon-hori's will, but giving too little pricked my conscience.
‘1%? No… that’s too little. There will definitely be complaints.’
I agonized over it for a full two hours.
After much deliberation, I decided on a suitable distribution ratio.
‘I should suggest a 98 to 2 split. If he pushes back a little, I can concede up to 96 to 4.’
Bukgung Ri would surely be satisfied with that.
He'll be coming soon anyway to receive the teachings for the Seven Senses Diagram, so I can discuss it with him face-to-face.
“By the way…”
I looked out the window at Bukgung Chang.
‘What am I going to do about him?’
* * *
Bukgung Chang, former master of the Black Snake Gate and current leader of the Black Dragon Brigade.
A peerless master by anyone's standards, he was called a legend of legends in the underworld of Hebei, which he once dominated.
The gossips of Hebei worried that the Black Snake Gate might become the second coming of the Lion Alliance.
Bukgung Ri, the current master of the Prajna Bastion.
He was the master of an assassination sect so large that it was said, "If the Red Dragon Hall is in the West, the Prajna Bastion is in the North."
He himself was a peerless master and by no means an easy opponent.
The problem was, these two were bound by a bitter history.
‘I can forgive anyone else, but I can never forgive those two traitors, Bukgung Ri and Bukgung Jeong.’
‘…Is it that serious?’
‘Yes. If I had the chance, I’d take my men, storm the Prajna Bastion, and slaughter every last one of them.’
‘…’
I heard this when I was about to tell him that the Master of the Prajna Bastion had registered with us.
His aura was so murderous that I couldn't bring myself to say what I'd intended and simply left.
You might ask, why not just explain that we've decided to treat them as a branch family from now on?
It's not that simple.
‘I believe that, if no one else, the Prajna Bastion and the Haejeol Faction must belong under the banner of the War King Sect.’
‘Is it really necessary to be that strict?’
‘Yes. They took the Bukgung family's legacy and built themselves up this much, so they must return. That is the principle, the right way of things. The very reason I brought the Black Dragon Gate to join you was because of that principle.’
That was it.
Did Bukgung Chang really want to offer up the entire Black Dragon Gate, a place built on the blood and sweat of his great-grandfather?
He joined out of a desire to uphold principle.
If I, the sect leader, were to tell him, 'Hey, we've decided to treat them as a branch family, so be nice,' Bukgung Chang might just take the members of the Black Dragon Brigade and declare independence.
If Bukgung Chang did that, I would have no grounds to stop him. After all, I would be the one who broke the principle first.
“Hmph…”
I considered meeting him secretly outside, but soon shook my head.
Hiding it won't solve anything, as it's bound to come out eventually.
Bukgung Chang will be upset, but it's a hundred times better to face it head-on.
“There’s no other way.”
So, I met with Bukgung Chang and explained the situation.
“Since it is your decision, I shall obey.”
His reaction was unexpected.
“…Really?”
“Of course.”
“Phew… I was worried our Black Dragon Brigade Leader would be upset. You’re as big-hearted as you are big in stature.”
“It is nothing.”
“Come on, no need for modesty… How about a drink at the Red Flower Pavilion after sunset? We’ll have to keep it a secret, of course. Hehehe.”
“I am tired today, so I plan to retire early.”
“Uh, huh? Tired? A master like the Black Dragon Brigade Leader?”
“For some reason, yes.”
“W-well, can’t be helped then. You should head in early. No, wait. Want to go now? The boys can skip training for one day… No, I’ll take over for you.”
“No, thank you. I will finish my duties before leaving. I have much to do, so if you’ll excuse me.”
Watching his back, which resembled that of a Siberian brown bear, I realized.
“…”
He's sulking.
* * *
Ten days later.
On the promised day, Bukgung Ri arrived with an entourage of thirty warriors.
“Welcome.”
Facing me at the gate, he suddenly bowed his head and clasped his fist.
“Bukgung Ri, Master of the Prajna Bastion, greets the Dragon!”
He stated his title first.
It was his way of declaring that his identity was that of a branch family's leader, not a mere disciple of the War King Sect.
I had no objection to that, but…
*Glare.*
Bukgung Chang, standing right behind me, did.
The moment he heard Bukgung Ri's introduction, he unleashed a murderous aura that felt like it could explode at any second.
“Ah, haha. You two know each other, right?”
“Yes.”
Bukgung Ri replied, giving Bukgung Chang a slight nod.
“W-well, come on in and rest from your journey. We’re having a welcome party tonight, so get some rest until then.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
After sending Bukgung Ri off to the guest quarters, I glanced at Bukgung Chang.
The bear-like man turned his head away with what felt like a huff.
‘Now… now I don’t know what to do…’
That evening.
Myo Hyang, saying a rare and honored guest had arrived, showed off her culinary skills.
I don't know where she got the recipes in an age without blogs, but a grand feast greeted us, laid out with Sichuan-style Kung Pao chicken and Mapo tofu, along with a Northern-style roasted lamb.
Bukgung Ri, who must not have eaten well on his long journey, was delighted.
“To be welcomed so warmly. Thank you so much, my lady.”
“Hoho, I heard you were my husband’s honored guest. I do hope you have a comfortable and enjoyable dinner.”
“I already feel at ease.”
He gazed at the whole roasted lamb.
“How could I be anything but comfortable when you’ve even prepared a dish from my homeland? This Bukgung is truly moved by your warm hospitality.”
“Oh, my.”
As Myo Hyang marveled at his eloquent speech, I felt a searing heat from my side.
‘Seriously, now you’re jealous too…?’
And you were never even close with Myo Hyang in the first place.
And so the banquet began.
We filled our bellies with delicious food and wine, conversing with one another.
“The world beyond the Great Wall is a hell that can hardly be called the realm of men. If the Martial Emperor Fortress wasn't holding the line, the lands north of the Yangtze River might have become uninhabitable.”
“The Land of Wa… I have been there. Perhaps because it’s an island nation, it is utterly barbaric. That is why the Wa pirates charge in with nothing but shabby clothes and a single sword.”
“I have heard the rumors about the Silk Road. A trade route that the War King Sect personally paved and manages. However, you must still be cautious. Countless bands of mounted bandits have sprung up recently.”
Furthermore, he possessed deep insight, and everyone, myself included, was captivated by his stories.
*Sizzle.*
Everyone, that is, except for one person.
In any case, after the banquet ended, we moved to an outdoor pavilion.
It was for a second round of drinks, but a problem erupted not long after.
“I am Wu Je-jun.”
“Bukgung Ri, Master of the Prajna Bastion. A pleasure to meet you.”
Seeing Wu Je-jun, who had joined late after handling some business, exchange greetings with Bukgung Ri, Bukgung Chang finally exploded.
“You bastard! How dare you not speak formally to him when you’ve only just joined the roster?!”
Having become an incarnation of jealousy, he attacked Bukgung Ri with a ridiculous excuse.
It seemed his trigger had been pulled long ago.
“Hmph, picking a fight over nothing. You haven’t changed one bit.”
Bukgung Ri didn't back down an inch either.
In fact, Bukgung Ri was right. Even if he was on the roster, as the leader of a branch family, speaking informally was not a breach of etiquette.
“Black Dragon Brigade Leader, stop…”
I tried to stop the suddenly erupted conflict, but.
“If you have a problem, step outside! I’ll beat you to a pulp.”
Bukgung Chang, having already lost his temper, was already out in the clearing beyond the pavilion.
What’s more.
*Shing.*
Bukgung Ri, apparently just as furious, also stepped outside.
Numerous warriors of the War Dragon Hall witnessed the two.
At this point, it was awkward to try and stop them.
Unless they backed down voluntarily, if I stepped in, it would look like I was trying to protect Bukgung Chang.
Above all.
‘It’s better if they fight it out now.’
If it was bound to explode sooner or later, it was safer for them to fight where I could see them.
If they went off to some deserted mountain for a death match, one of them would likely end up dead.
“Wait!”
“…?”
“…?”
As soon as I decided I had to prevent a disaster, I leaped between the two men who were unleashing their auras at each other.
“If you must fight, I will act as the referee.”
It was to ensure a minimum level of safety.
“No strikes to the dantian, no hitting the back of the head, no attacks on the neck or respiratory system, no striking the heart…”
Thus began the impromptu MFC (Murim Fight Championship).
“Ready, fight!”
At the incomprehensible signal, the two men charged at each other.