Chapter 49: The Golden Martial Association's Stance (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: The Golden Martial Association's Stance (3)
“Why? Why must it be this way?”
Song Hak furrowed his brows, his expression making it clear he could not fathom Cheol Mu-jin’s reaction.
However, Cheol Mu-jin did not back down.
“If his stagnant qi has become fixed, the best course of action is to keep the body still. Moving him recklessly could cause complications or side effects—potentially even leading to qi deviation, could it not?”
“He is a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect. Since I have come for him, it is only logical that I take him back.”
“I am not saying you are wrong. I am asking you to consider my position. Furthermore, since we were the ones who brought the boy here, we intend to take responsibility for him until the very end. As you well know, this is the Golden Martial Association.”
“…….”
“Imagine if that boy were to leave this place in his current state. What would become of my reputation? And what would become of Qingcheng’s reputation as well?”
Song Hak remained silent. Hearing those words, he realized he couldn't simply push his own agenda. After staring into Cheol Mu-jin’s eyes for a long moment, Song Hak finally took a step back.
“Then I shall send someone in six months. You must release him to us then, without exception.”
“I shall do my utmost to treat him until that time,” Cheol Mu-jin replied with a faint smile.
A moment later, silence fell over them once again. Since this was not a gathering born of mutual affection, they found no reason to strike up a conversation once their business was concluded.
As the silence stretched on, Cheol Mu-jin turned around and spoke to Cheol-jung.
“Don’t just stand there quietly; say something. I’m sure you have words you wish to speak.”
At Cheol Mu-jin’s prompt, Song Hak’s gaze shifted toward the man, his eyes holding a hint of curiosity.
Cheol-jung looked at Song Hak and spoke bluntly.
“You were lucky, Taoist.”
Song Hak’s eyebrows twitched at the remark, but he offered no rebuttal. It was simply too bothersome to trade barbs in front of Cheol Mu-jin.
The two of them were clearly still as cold as frost toward one another. It seemed unlikely their hard feelings would thaw anytime soon. Whether it was due to Cheol Mu-jin’s awkward presence or because he simply had nothing left to say, Song Hak soon rose from his seat.
“I shall take my leave then.”
“Very well.”
Song Hak exited. Watching the door through which he had departed, Cheol Mu-jin spoke up.
“Who are you so angry at?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Is it Song Hak? Or is it yourself?”
“Pardon?” Cheol-jung asked with a questioning look.
Cheol Mu-jin stood up as he answered. “Never mind. You should know best.”
He left after saying those words, as if he didn't need to hear an answer. Left alone, Cheol-jung sat in a daze, staring down at the floor. After remaining like that for a long while, he eventually asked himself: Why was he feeling such intense rage?
There was no need to kill the man, and they weren't even enemies, yet he felt fury boiling within him just by looking at Song Hak.
“Is it because I lost…?”
That was likely it. Cheol Gun had prided himself on being the strongest among the rising stars of the Jianghu. He was a son to be proud of—a son he thought would never lose to anyone.
“Damn it. To some wretched, horse-nosed Taoist I’ve never even heard of….”
A disciple from the Qingcheng Sect had suddenly dropped out of nowhere. And he looked barely twenty years old. Yet, he had lost.
*
Seok Myeong lay in a room where a subtle fragrance soothed the senses. Beside him were several acupuncture needles scattered about, evidence that someone had put a great deal of effort into his treatment.
Inside the room, someone stood next to Seok Myeong, looking down at him.
“You fool.”
Cheol So-yeon spoke as she watched Seok Myeong. In that final moment, he hadn't dodged her brother’s attack. That image kept replaying in her mind. He might not have been able to dodge it anyway, but he hadn't even tried. Instead, he had stood his ground firmly in front of them.
“That’s why I called you stupid. Acting like you were helping me.”
She let out a sigh that was more of a grumble than a complaint. No matter how much she thought about it, the situation from earlier was hard to understand. Because of his meddling, he could have died.
He’s stupid. Stupid and stubborn. You could search the entire Jianghu and never find another man like him, Cheol So-yeon thought as she watched him.
This was the first time she had met a man with such peculiar thoughts. He didn't seem to have much pride. He had his dim-witted moments. Yet, the moment the name of his sect was mentioned, his eyes changed. It was as if he didn't care for his own life.
As she looked down at Seok Myeong in silence, Cheol So-yeon’s gaze began to change. It wasn't a look of hatred, but rather an expression that was somehow mournful. After staring at him for a while, Cheol So-yeon unconsciously reached out toward Seok Myeong’s face.
She gently stroked his forehead.
It was then that she heard the sound of someone approaching from a distance. Cheol So-yeon moved quickly, leaning her body against a pillar to appear casual.
“Why are you here?”
Just as Cheol So-yeon caught her breath, someone entered through the open door. It was Hyeok-jin and Yeon-hui. They had stepped out while the physician examined Seok Myeong and had just returned.
“Who is she?” Yeon-hui asked, looking at Hyeok-jin. She was asking about the woman's exact position within the Golden Martial Association.
“She is the younger sister of Cheol Gun, the one who dueled Brother Seok Myeong.”
“His sister? Why is his sister here?”
“I’m not sure either….”
As Hyeok-jin scratched his head, Yeon-hui turned her gaze toward the woman.
“What is your relationship with my Senior Brother? What kind of relationship warrants you coming all the way here?”
“…….”
Cheol So-yeon frowned as she looked at her. “Why should I have to tell you that?”
“Of course you should. He is my Senior Brother.”
“I understand he’s your Senior Brother, but I’m asking why I have to tell you.”
“That’s because….” Yeon-hui couldn't find the right words. She felt it was only natural that she should be told, but the reason why wasn't exactly clear. Though she hesitated, she soon answered. “Because he is someone close to me.”
“Is that so?”
Cheol So-yeon’s expression didn't change at all. In fact, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly as if she had suddenly felt better. It was brief, but there had definitely been hesitation on the face of this woman named Yeon-hui.
“And….” Yeon-hui continued, glaring at Cheol So-yeon. “This whole thing happened because of you.”
“What do you mean by that?” Cheol So-yeon asked back in a sharp voice.
“Surely you know? When your brother unleashed his final ultimate technique, my Senior Brother didn't dodge because you were behind him.”
“…….”
“Am I wrong?”
At those words, Cheol So-yeon started to say something but stopped. She recalled the look of panic in Seok Myeong’s eyes for that brief moment. It seemed this woman had seen it too. Then again, she had been watching Seok Myeong intently from the beginning, so it was only natural.
Cheol So-yeon lifted her chin and spoke. “Do you really think this is all because of me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The reason this whole incident happened.”
Yeon-hui stared at Cheol So-yeon with a look that said she didn't understand. Under her gaze, Cheol So-yeon continued.
“Why do you think he came here to duel? How did he meet us, and how did he end up here? Isn't it because of the situation that forced him to wander the marketplace alone? It means there’s a problem around him so great that he had to leave his sect.”
Yeon-hui felt a pang of guilt. His sudden departure from the mountain, and the unpleasant rumors that had circulated within the sect afterward—those were problems caused by the many people who disliked Seok Myeong and wanted to push him out.
Cheol So-yeon’s words continued, piercing right to the heart of the matter.
“If I am responsible, then so are you. So why don't you stop with this audacity, coming here and trying to pin the blame on others?”
Whoosh.
Cheol So-yeon walked straight out without even looking at Yeon-hui. She saw no reason to deal with her any longer.
“Don't pay her any mind. She’s always been an arrogant woman,” Hyeok-jin said, expressing his displeasure.
However, Yeon-hui’s expression remained dark. Even though she wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, the thought that it might actually be true kept swirling in her head.
Isn't it because of the situation that forced him to wander the marketplace alone?
*
“Well, how is he?”
It was late evening. Song Hak spoke as he watched Yeon-hui nursing Seok Myeong.
“It’s not good,” Yeon-hui said in a stiff tone.
He had suffered internal injuries and had yet to regain consciousness. If this state continued for too long, it could become dangerous.
“The physician said his qi keeps scattering as it flows. Because it’s not circulating, his complexion is turning sallow and his muscles are stiffening.”
Song Hak nodded at her words. “I suppose so. He took a heavy impact the moment he unleashed his internal power. Still, it’s a relief it’s only that much. His life isn't in danger, is it?”
Song Hak spoke calmly, as if he were talking about a stranger. He was someone who rarely showed his emotions, but since the subject was Seok Myeong, his tone was bound to be even more businesslike. His gaze drifted toward where Seok Myeong lay. The door had been left open to help the circulation of qi, even if only a little.
“By the way, who is that fellow?” Song Hak was curious about the young man nursing Seok Myeong by the bedside.
“He said they met during his Jianghu travel. He’s been traveling with my Senior Brother to seek help with his martial arts.”
“His sect?”
“Well….”
“Hmph! Birds of a feather. To think he’s wandering around with some half-wit he met somewhere. He truly is a fool.” Song Hak snorted and continued. “If he felt the Qingcheng swordsman exam was too much, he could have just bowed his head and admitted it was a mistake. What kind of fame was he trying to build by sticking his head into a tiger’s mouth? If he had died here, it would have brought great shame to the name of Qingcheng!”
“Still, my Senior Brother’s martial prowess was truly incredible. To the point where he could be considered one of the Seven Well Heroes, truly….”
“What?!” The moment Yeon-hui tried to defend Seok Myeong, Song Hak shouted with a fierce glare. “What are you talking about! One of the Seven Well Heroes? How could you even suggest such a thing?”
“…….”
“That boy lost the duel! Furthermore, he has openly associated with the Unorthodox Faction, tarnishing Qingcheng’s reputation! And you speak of the Seven Well Heroes? He deserves to be punished, not praised!”
Yeon-hui shrank back at his aggressive stance. In her memory, she had never seen Song Hak this angry. Seeing Yeon-hui’s fear, Song Hak suddenly realized his mistake.
“Ahem. My apologies. I shouldn't have….”
Yeon-hui was his disciple, but she was also the Sect Leader’s daughter. In this situation, he should have shown a more benevolent side, but he had failed to do so.
“It’s alright. I know it’s because you worry for the sect.” Yeon-hui brushed off his words, though she had known for a long time that Song Hak disliked Seok Myeong. “But Martial Uncle, what are you going to do about my Senior Brother?”
“I plan to leave him here.”
“What?!” Yeon-hui’s voice rose. “You can’t. We can’t just leave him here. We don't know what might happen to him in a place like this.”
“I thought so too at first. But the Golden Martial Association is being stubborn. They claim their reputation will suffer if they don't look after the condition of the duelist. Ridiculous….”
“Do you believe that? This is the Unorthodox Faction! They must be planning something wicked. We have to get him out of here by any means….”
“By what means?” At her repeated pleas, Song Hak slowly gazed at Yeon-hui. Then, he asked coldly, “Are you suggesting we go to war with the Golden Martial Association?”
“T-that’s not….”
“Or should the Sect Leader himself make an appearance here? In the middle of a den of the Heretical Path, just to ask for his disciple back? Our sect would be mocked mercilessly by our fellow comrades of the Orthodox path. Is Seok Myeong truly worth that much?”
“…….”
“Listen, Yeon-hui. The Jianghu is like a swamp. You must never allow even the slightest crack in justification, political standing, or the balance of power. This is all Seok Myeong’s fault to begin with. Why on earth did he have to cause such trouble… Tsk, tsk, tsk!”
To Song Hak, there wasn't a single thing about Seok Myeong that he liked. As he clicked his tongue in irritation, he looked at Yeon-hui, who had a strangely complex expression on her face.
“But why are you acting like this? Is there some reason Seok Myeong shouldn't stay here?”
“No. It’s just….”
Yeon-hui couldn't answer and nervously fidgeted with her fingertips. She bit her lip as she thought of the woman she had seen earlier—the precious daughter of the Golden Martial Association, Cheol So-yeon, who was lingering strangely by Seok Myeong’s side.
That vixen…
She didn't know why those seductive eyes kept coming to mind, but the meaningful smile she had seen in them made her feel uncomfortable deep in her heart.