Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Taoist from Wudang Mountain (4)
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The young Taoist in gray robes paused on the hillside path and gazed out at the barren plain stretching before him.
Dozens of carts pulled by horses were crossing the vast, desolate field along the main road.
The horses and carts moved endlessly toward the blue sky visible beyond the horizon.
"How mysterious. It's as if they're walking straight into the heavens."
After watching the carts vanish into the distance for a long while, the young Taoist resumed his steps.
If he used his martial arts to hurry, he could reach Huanin County in less than two days.
But rushing like that would mean forgoing the stunning scenery that drew such admiration.
The young Taoist was currently heading to Huanin County, drawn by intense curiosity after receiving a letter from a friend.
'A man possessed by a ghost, was it?'
His friend chose his companions carefully.
No matter how talented, he kept his distance from the corrupt and wicked.
He also rarely praised or held others in high regard.
Yet according to the letter, this ghost-possessed man was a genius among geniuses, one who could find no match in the world.
A prodigy comparable to Namgung Hu of the Namgung Family was living in obscurity among the common folk—how could that not pique his curiosity?
The young Taoist had treated quite a few supposed possessions up to now.
He had used talismans or incantations from the Daoist scriptures, or even beaten the afflicted with a staff to drive out the spirits within.
But most cases weren't true possessions—they were either mental illnesses or people faking it.
The young Taoist's steps seemed slow, but with each one, the landscape ahead rushed toward him.
'Don't let the possessed one get any leverage over you. Once he does, you'll endure all sorts of humiliations.'
Those were the last words in his friend's letter.
Hahaha...
A clear laugh escaped the young Taoist's lips as he recalled them.
How amusing.
The disciple of a Divine Monk suffering humiliations at the hands of a possessed man.
Myeong-gak was someone no one in the martial world would dare look down on, whether for his martial prowess or his character.
'I want to meet him soon. I really want to meet him.'
The children followed behind Myeong-gak with eyes full of fear.
As if sensing their terror, Myeong-gak, walking ahead, flashed a bright smile.
"Don't worry. The place you're going will be a wonderful home for you."
In truth, Myeong-gak didn't want to entrust the children to a martial clan in the jianghu.
Children raised in jianghu martial families were fated to become jianghu warriors.
But in the area, there was nowhere else reliable to leave them.
Upon arriving at the Seok Family gates, Myeong-gak clasped his hands and chanted a Buddha's name.
"Namu Amita Bul, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Please inform the family head that a wandering monk has come."
The young retainers guarding the gate didn't even ask a question before rushing inside.
One of them happened to recognize Myeong-gak's face.
Soon the gates swung wide open, and Seok Yang-ho hurried out.
"Welcome, Monk. Flowers bloomed in the garden at dawn, and now a precious guest arrives."
Myeong-gak returned the warm welcome with clasped hands and a bow.
As they exchanged greetings and turned to enter the hall, Gwang-u spotted Myeong-gak from the training ground and strode over.
Myeong-gak greeted him with a radiant smile.
Living together like brothers naturally brought a sense of familiarity and an easy grin.
But Gwang-u felt differently.
This bastard had swindled them and stolen their silver.
"Namu Amita Bul, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. I was just about to pay my respects... Gah!"
Myeong-gak, mid-bow with clasped hands, flew into the corner and crashed.
"You... swindling bastard."
Seok Yang-ho was so shocked by Gwang-u's sudden punch that he froze, unsure what to do.
Regaining his wits, he hurriedly stepped between them.
"W-Wait! Instructor Seok, stop! This is Myeong-gak of Shaolin!"
Gwang-u paused in surprise at Seok Yang-ho's words, but that was it.
Shaolin's Myeong-gak or a Divine Monk—it didn't matter.
This guy was nothing but a thief who'd swindled his struggling brother out of silver.
Swish.
Gwang-u vanished from in front of Seok Yang-ho in an instant.
Startled, Seok Yang-ho scanned around frantically.
But by then, Gwang-u and Myeong-gak were already clashing fiercely.
Thud! Thwack! ...!
Fists and feet flew in rapid exchanges as the massive figure and the relatively small one appeared and vanished all over the place.
Bam!
With a heavy impact, Myeong-gak, trading blows with Gwang-u, skidded backward.
"Oof... that hurts."
Myeong-gak clutched his fist and wrist, his face twisted in agony.
"Instructor Seok!"
Seok Yang-ho jumped between them again.
"Enough! Instructor Seok, he's no swindler! I guarantee it—stop this!"
With Seok Yang-ho vouching so firmly, Gwang-u couldn't charge blindly.
"What do you mean, Family Head?"
"Let's... let's go inside and talk. I'll explain everything there."
Family Head Seok Yang-ho led the two into the hall.
Once seated, he called for tea and explained Myeong-gak's situation to Gwang-u.
After hearing it all, Gwang-u hesitated, then suddenly stood and bowed deeply.
"I lacked discernment and made a grave mistake."
Myeong-gak hadn't expected Gwang-u to bow over something like this.
Truth be told, he'd started it, so he deserved the scolding.
But Myeong-gak was shameless by nature.
Puhahaha...
"Ah, no need to bow over something like that. A hero like you, unmatched under heaven, shouldn't bow to just anyone. Sit."
As Gwang-u straightened and sat, Seok Yang-ho finally exhaled in relief.
Whew...
That had been close to disaster.
If either got hurt in a fight, the family would be in serious trouble.
Gwang-u sat with his head bowed low, as if he'd committed a great sin.
To him, the lost silver wasn't that important.
What mattered was that Myeong-gak had swindled them—and used that money to help the poor.
Swindling was wrong, but this man was no villain.
Attacking him without knowing that was his own fault.
Myeong-gak watched with gleaming eyes.
'If I play this right...'
For days now, that monk had seemed in high spirits.
Whether cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning inside and out, a smile played on his lips.
That smile irked me for no reason.
It felt like he was mocking my situation, making it worse.
Unfounded inferiority.
"Monk, something good happen?"
"Nothing like that."
"Sure looks like it... So when's that Taoist coming?"
"Soon. Just wait a few more days."
His confident reply made it hard to pick a fight.
Creak... creak...
Myeong-gak paused grinding spices and held out the iron ball.
"Grinding spices with this is awkward. Get me a small mortar and pestle."
"Just use it. Gwang-u ground spices with his fingers."
No sooner had I spoken than the gate creaked open, followed by Gwang-u's booming voice.
"Bro! I'm back!"
"That punk's no gentleman material. How does he show up right when I say his name...?"
Like a highborn lord coughing in his room, with servants or slaves outside responding instantly—Gwang-u was doing just that.
Stepping out, I saw Gwang-u setting down a huge bundle from his back.
"What's that?"
"Two roasted sheep and liquor. Family Head said to bring it for you and Brother Myeong-gak."
I thought Gwang-u had slipped up.
But it was no slip.
"What did you just say? Brother Myeong-gak?"
Before I could finish, Myeong-gak cleared his throat and strode out from the kitchen confidently.
Ahem.
"Brother Myeong-gak."
"Ah, reliable little brother Gwang-u's here on errand for Seok Family Head."
Their exchange left me dumbfounded.
"Since when are you brothers?"
"We decided that at the Seok Family a few days ago. Even shared the sworn brothers' cup in front of the Family Head."
I'd never imagined Gwang-u and this Myeong-gak becoming sworn brothers.
'Damn it. I should've taken those kids myself...'
A bad premonition stirred.
Myeong-gak wasn't evil, but his mind was cunning.
He'd surely use their sworn brotherhood to exploit and order Gwang-u around.
Entrusting the kids to him to avoid showing up at martial clans had been a mistake.
"Perfect timing, little brother Gwang-u. Your big bro'll make some tasty side dishes—let's have a drink."
Gwang-u grinned foolishly at Myeong-gak's invitation to drink.
"Thanks, bro."
Suddenly, it felt like Myeong-gak had taken my place, and I was being sidelined.
'Have your fun. Play away.'
I sat on the porch, silently watching Gwang-u and Myeong-gak carry the sheep and liquor jug inside.
The fragrant liquor tasted bitterly harsh to me.
Gwang-u and Myeong-gak sat before me, sharing drinks and chatting like blood brothers.
Gwang-u did most of the talking, while Myeong-gak listened and comforted.
"Even when bro was scared and lived in the mountains, I did all the cooking and laundry. He'd threaten to beat me at the drop of a hat—no peaceful days."
"Oh dear, oh dear. Tsk tsk... You've suffered so much, little brother."
Drunk Gwang-u even invented stories, and Myeong-gak comforted him while refilling his cup.
I watched silently to see how far they'd go.
The big jug from the Seok Family emptied.
Gwang-u drank most of it.
After finishing it and all the leftover liquor in the house, Gwang-u was utterly wasted.
"Un-san bro! Do you... know how... hurt I was all this time? Always... threatening me... whenever bored..."
Drunk Gwang-u staggered up, even pointing at me accusingly.
"This bastard's asking for it."
Thwack! Crash!
Gwang-u sprawled in the yard after my punch.
Myeong-gak hoisted him over his shoulder and carried him inside.
After laying Gwang-u down, I asked Myeong-gak.
"What's your game? If you're using Gwang-u, even if you're from Shaolin, I won't forgive you."
Puhahaha...
Myeong-gak let out a frivolous laugh, eyes flashing as he stared at me.
"Shaolin seems a joke to this patron. But worry not. If this little monk uses Patron Gwang-u for ill, I'll prostrate before you and offer my neck."
"Don't forget those words."
"Of course."
"So that's the place."
The young Taoist walking along the riverbank spotted the house atop the hill and scanned its energy with a Taoist's discerning eye.
"How mysterious. I can't tell if that's ghostly qi or immortal qi."