Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Five Great Lords (2)
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"Family Head. It's Ja-kyeong."
Seok Yang-ho's ears caught Seok Ja-kyeong's voice as he sat lost in deep thought.
"What is it?"
"I'm heading out with three or four family members for a quick drink and will be back."
Seok Ja-kyeong was one of the young family members whose martial prowess had advanced by leaps and bounds as of late.
While the other youths struggled to keep up with Instructor Seok's teachings, he alone grasped the intricacies of the forms with exceptional insight.
He had always been the quiet type, never one to mingle easily, but ever since he began to stand out, his personality had blossomed into something more outgoing, and now he led the younger ones.
Yet Seok Yang-ho knew all too well that overconfidence could prove disastrous, and he had cautioned the boy several times before.
"Can't you just drink here inside?"
"With the elders watching, it's hard to really let loose."
"The mood outside is far from settled. You must always proceed with caution."
Ha ha ha...
"Don't worry. We'll keep it quiet and come straight back."
Seok Ja-kyeong's laughter from beyond the door brimmed with self-assurance.
"Go on, then."
"Thank you, Family Head."
Seok Yang-ho couldn't help but smile faintly at the sound of the young man's brisk footsteps fading away.
With promising youths like him, the Seok Family's future didn't look quite so grim.
'If we take our time and put in the effort, someday the Seok Family might just rise to prominence in the martial world.'
A ferocious killing intent filled the room, seeping out through the cracks in the door.
"Are you telling me they were completely wiped out?"
Blood-red light poured from the middle-aged man's eyes as he bared his sharp fangs, sending the woman prostrated before him into shuddering terror.
"Y-yes... my lord. Please, have mercy."
"What of Elder Yeom? What happened to him?"
"He... fell in battle as well."
The bloody glow erupting from the middle-aged man's eyes took tangible form as killing intent, crashing down upon the trembling woman on the floor.
Aaah...
Her clothes shredded as if sliced by invisible blades, her flesh parting to spray blood everywhere.
"Sp-spare me... please... mercy..."
She offered not the slightest resistance.
"And what of that man?"
"He... he's unscathed."
White smoke began to rise from the armrest of the chair gripped in the middle-aged man's hand.
Psssh...
The smoking armrest crumbled to ash and scattered across the floor.
Grrruk...
"Please..."
The woman gradually turned into a blood-soaked corpse and breathed her last.
At that moment, a resonant, bell-like voice rang out from beyond the door.
"How about calling it quits?"
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man with refined features strode inside.
A guttural, phlegm-choked voice rasped from the lips of the man seated in the chair.
"Boundless Sword Demon. What business brings you here?"
The man called the Boundless Sword Demon stepped forward, blocking the path to the bloodied woman sprawled on the floor.
"You dare stand in my way? Courting death, are you?"
Crimson light flickered ominously in the middle-aged man's hand.
His opponent, however, betrayed not a hint of unease.
"You wouldn't want to squander a valuable subordinate just to salve your pride."
No sooner had the words left the Boundless Sword Demon's mouth than a mass of red light erupted from the seated man's palm.
Swaaak!
Yet somehow, a long sword was already in the Boundless Sword Demon's grasp.
The blade cleaved the crimson blob in two, sending the halves flying apart to smash into the walls.
Boom!
The red light gouged massive holes in both walls.
Kukukuku...
"That wretch on the floor isn't your subordinate, now is she?"
"If you're set on killing her, I'll take responsibility for it."
"You...?"
A flicker of bewilderment crossed the face of the man radiating bloody light. By all accounts, the Boundless Sword Demon kept no underlings.
The Boundless Sword Demon sheathed his sword, then drew a small pouch from within his robes and tossed it at the middle-aged man.
Thud.
"This should more than cover the cost."
"What is it?"
The seated man spared the pouch not even a glance.
"The very thing you've been so desperate to obtain."
Hm?
The bloody glow vanished in an instant, and the pouch on the floor flew into his hand.
His eyes quivered faintly as he peered inside.
"At last... the Snow Ginseng is mine."
"It's aged around five hundred years. Should serve you well."
Kuku... Kuhahaha!
The middle-aged man threw back his head and nodded vigorously, his laughter booming.
"Trading that vermin for such a treasure—how could I not rejoice?"
The Boundless Sword Demon glanced at the man's unrestrained glee, then shifted his gaze to the table nearby.
There, beside a bottle of liquor, sat a dark, reddish lump of flesh on a plate.
His refined features twisted in disgust.
"Devouring human livers won't buy you immortality."
"None of your concern. Take that wretch and get the hell out of my sight."
The Boundless Sword Demon, clearly done with the man, turned on his heel.
"Until next time, Crimson Moon Great Demon. Let's go."
The woman on the floor somehow mustered the strength to stagger to her feet and followed him out.
Once they were gone, the middle-aged man gave full vent to his pent-up elation.
"Now that this is in my hands, my martial arts shall ascend to yet another realm..."
Kuhahaha!
Pillars rose tall, beams were laid across the top, and rafters followed suit.
Below, walls took shape, while tiles delivered by cart piled up in the yard.
The house-building was progressing even faster than planned.
Zhuge Ji had enlisted help from the Seok Family members as well.
One among them even possessed greater expertise in construction than Zhuge Ji herself.
I sat off to the side, watching the work unfold, before calling out to her.
I'd left everything in her hands up until now, but it seemed that had been a mistake.
"Miss Zhuge. This house seems awfully grand... I don't need anything this big."
"We're building to match the silver you provided, so naturally the scale grew, along with the number of rooms."
Cheongpung, who had been standing nearby, chimed in on the conversation.
Ha ha ha...
"Compared to the estates of martial clans or sects, this is little more than an outhouse."
I shot a glare at Cheongpung's beaming smile.
This Taoist was starting to resemble that damn monk more and more.
An outhouse, of all things, for a comparison.
"My house's outhouse is right over there... From now on, Taoist Cheongpung, you can bunk there."
Urgency flashed across Cheongpung's face.
"N-no, of course not. No matter how palatial someone else's home, it can never compare to the comfort of one's own."
"You always know what to say."
"Please, look kindly on us, Hunter Go."
Seok Yang-ho had started calling me Hunter Go, and now Cheongpung was doing the same.
Regardless, I was grateful for their help.
No sooner had my house burned down than they'd all rolled up their sleeves without hesitation.
"Monk. Skip dinner prep tonight. I'll treat everyone big at the village tavern. Bring the Zhuge Family folks along too."
Puhehehe...
Myeong-gak, predictably, was the most thrilled at my words.
Cheongpung, Zhuge Ji, and Namgung Hye couldn't hide their delight either.
Hmph.
"How very considerate of you."
Namgung Hye's words carried a mocking edge, but I brushed it off.
The largest eatery in Huanin County was Misen Pavilion.
Its grand two-story structure glowed with lanterns hung everywhere, visible from afar.
The food was superb, and the prices matched.
We were shown to a spacious room on the second floor.
I took the seat at the head of the table, with Myeong-gak and Cheongpung flanking me on either side, followed by Zhuge Ji, Namgung Hye, and the Zhuge Family members in turn.
"First time in a place like this, so order whatever you like."
"I'll handle it. Stir-fried vegetables and rice wine to start, then pine flower cakes, five-spice cured meat, Dongpo pork, red-and-white steamed fish, and mutton hotpot."
As Myeong-gak finished ordering, one of the Zhuge Family members opened his coin pouch and slipped a few pieces into the waiter's hand.
The Zhuge Family members seated at the far end suddenly stood and clasped their hands together.
"We haven't properly greeted you yet. I'm Zhuge Sun."
"Zhuge Gyu."
"Zhuge Byung."
I rose as well and bowed.
"Hunter Go."
It had been over ten days since these three started helping with the house, and this was our first proper introduction.
When the liquor and vegetables arrived, Myeong-gak hopped up with his usual cheeky grin, filling glasses as he made the rounds.
"My thanks to you all for your help."
Once every glass was full, I raised mine in gratitude.
Downing the potent brew loosened the mood even further.
The rest of the dishes arrived one by one, along with more bottles of wine.
The food lived up to its reputation—exquisite.
As everyone savored the meal and drink in high spirits, Zhuge Ji turned to Myeong-gak.
"By the way, why do you call Hero Seok 'Rabbit Brother'?"
Her question plunged the boisterous room into sudden silence.
Judging by the atmosphere, everyone except Zhuge Ji knew the reason.
Namgung Hye included.
Puh... hehehe...
Even Myeong-gak, who prided himself on his shamelessness, managed only an awkward chuckle.
"If you look closely at Brother Gwang-u, he's got these cute, rabbit-like charms. That's why..."
"Cute? He looks more like a bull."
Hmph...
"Sister, I'll tell you later. It's a hilarious story."
Fool or not, I wanted to spare him some dignity.
"Don't say a word in front of him."
"No need to worry. I know better than that."
With that, the moment passed, and the feast resumed in cheerful harmony.
Ha ha ha...
Then came a booming laugh from beyond the door.
"Soon, the name Seok Ja-kyeong will shake the very foundations of the martial world!"
"Hey, Ja-kyeong! When that day comes, don't forget about me!"
Ha ha ha...
"Of course! I'll claim the top beauty in the land, and you can have second place!"
Thoroughly soused, the man outside paid no mind to anyone else in earshot.
Namgung Hye gave a cold, derisive snort.
"To think the Seok Family harbors fools like that. It's idiots like him that bring ruin on their houses."
"Come now, let's keep the good vibes going and drink up."
I raised my glass, and the others followed suit.
Tiles were being laid now, and wooden flooring went down.
Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye wandered the village, selecting furniture for the interior.
By evening, the workers had all gone home, leaving just the four of us.
As Myeong-gak prepared dinner, Gwang-u showed up carrying a jug of liquor and a bundle.
"Bro! I'm back. Brother Myeong-gak! No need for dinner—I've got it covered!"
The bundle he unwrapped revealed roast duck alongside an assortment of dishes.
Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye portioned everything out onto platters and set the table.
"What's this, Rabbit Brother? Bringing your own spread?"
"Got something important to discuss..."
Gwang-u seemed especially bashful today.
Reading his expression, I could guess what this fool had come for.
'Don't tell me it's that.'
He filled my glass, his face flushing red.
"Bro... Miss Seok and I are getting married."
My hunch had been spot on.
"Congratulations."
The others, surprised by the sudden news, quickly joined in offering their blessings.
"That's great news, Gwang-u."
"Congratulations, Hero Seok."
Hmph.
"So it came to pass after all."
Gwang-u fidgeted, unsure where to put himself from the embarrassment.
"Th-thank you. Thanks everyone."
"When's the wedding? Where will you set up house?"
"Thinking this spring, bro. I'll let you know the exact date once it's set. And I'll be living at the Seok Family place."