Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Severing Ties
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I looked up at the Great Heavenly Demon.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you planned to leave me after losing our bet?"
Heh heh heh...
"Do you really think I'd leave your body so easily?"
"You... damn... dog..."
The curses spilled from my mouth unbidden.
But the Great Heavenly Demon showed no anger whatsoever.
Instead, he mocked me.
"You lost the bet, so shouldn't you fulfill one request?"
Hmph!
"Not a chance. You've been lying from the start."
Heh heh heh...
"But you didn't know that, did you?"
"Damn it..."
How could I kill this demon?
As killing intent surged within me, the Great Heavenly Demon's voice rang out.
"Do you know this? The one suffering the most right now is Seok Yang-ho, who's deceiving himself. Even if this matter blows over, that punk Seok Ja-kyeong will be under family surveillance and treated like an outsider. If you were him, what would you do in that situation?"
The surging killing intent gradually subsided.
What would I do if I were him?
As I pondered deeply, a bolt of realization struck my mind.
"He'll... run away from the family?"
Heh heh heh...
The Great Heavenly Demon answered with laughter.
Tang Gok-cheon, the One Hand that Breaks Heaven.
He was the head of the Tang Family, the foremost of the Five Great Kings, and an absolute master who shook the martial world with his hidden weapons alone.
Though his build was relatively small compared to others, his gaze pierced through one's vitals like a blade.
Sitting before him was Namgung Hu of the Namgung Family.
Having read the letters from Hyun Won-ja and Namgung Jak, Tang Gok-cheon turned his eyes to Namgung Hu.
"For the number one young talent of the martial world to deliver the letters in person speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation. How fares the Eternal One?"
"He is well. He often speaks of your bold spirit, Senior Tang. He said that if we ever met, one or two days of drinking wouldn't be enough."
Hahaha...
"Please convey my thanks for his words alone. I too look forward to the day I meet him."
Chatting with this refined and noble young prodigy naturally lifted his spirits.
"Father, tea is ready."
A clear, lovely voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
At Tang Gok-cheon's permission, the door opened, and a graceful young beauty entered carrying a tray of tea.
The young beauty set the teacups before Tang Gok-cheon and Namgung Hu, then bowed elegantly.
"It's been a long time, Lady Ho-seon."
Namgung Hu greeted her first.
Lady Ho-seon blushed slightly and returned the courtesy.
"It's been nearly ten years, Young Master Namgung."
Tang Gok-cheon watched the two with a pleased smile.
They truly made a perfect pair.
His daughter, beautiful enough to be called the martial world's top beauty, and Namgung Hu, hailed as its top prodigy—what better match could there be?
Moreover, Namgung Hu was so handsome he brightened one's mood just by looking at him.
"You must select young talents, so stay at my home for a few days."
"Thank you, Family Head."
Tang Gok-cheon shook his head.
"What thanks are needed? It's all for the good of the martial world. If the Demonic Cult rises, what starts as one person's sacrifice could demand ten, a hundred lives."
"Father said the same."
"As expected from one with such keen insight."
As Tang Gok-cheon conversed with Namgung Hu, his gaze shifted to Tang Ho-seon.
"Spend time with Young Master Namgung and learn about the martial world and martial arts from him. Having wandered the jianghu since youth, he has vast experience and wisdom."
"You're too kind, Senior Tang. I still have much to learn myself."
Hahaha...
"Excessive humility can seem like arrogance. Please teach Ho-seon well."
"Of course."
Namgung Hu seemed pleased at the prospect of spending time with Tang Ho-seon and answered readily.
Suddenly remembering something, Tang Gok-cheon opened a drawer and took out a small letter.
"This came from the Beggars' Sect. They say a guest house for martial masters only has opened in Huanin County, Hubei. The owner is a young man with profound martial arts, drawing interest even from the Sect. Visit if you have time. I plan to stop by myself if I go there."
No matter how profound, how profound could it be?
Namgung Hu thought the Beggars' Sect had exaggerated the young man's skills.
'There are no experts in the jianghu on par with my junior brothers. Junior brothers... where on earth are you?'
Hiding his inner regret, Namgung Hu replied calmly.
"If a young man has such profound martial arts, he should naturally contribute to the peace and safety of the jianghu. I'll visit and meet the owner if time allows."
"With more young talents like you in the world, what worries would there be? Thank you for your efforts."
After lunch, as I tried to rest my eyes briefly, Seok Yang-ho visited.
His face was noticeably haggard, as if he too had not slept a wink all night.
"This morning, the magistrate's office announced they've uncovered the true culprit. He entered the house after Ja-kyeong left, committed the murder, and set the fire."
Even as he spoke, Seok Yang-ho couldn't meet the eyes of me or the young talents straight on.
When we said nothing, he continued.
"In any case, it's true that Ja-kyeong was involved in this unsavory affair. Thus, we've imposed confinement as punishment. Even after it ends, he'll handle all the household chores for a while. If Monk Myeong-gak hadn't spotted him, there might have been an unjust death. Thank you."
Seok Yang-ho bowed deeply and politely toward Myeong-gak, a truly gentlemanly sight.
But our faces remained grim.
"Family Head, I won't attend Gwang-u's wedding. My apologies."
"What do you mean, Elder Go?"
It was only natural for Seok Yang-ho to be shocked.
As I gazed at him impassively, he slowly lowered his head.
"Originally, Gwang-u isn't my blood brother. So even if he marries, it won't tie the Seok Family to yours by marriage."
At a loss, Seok Yang-ho suddenly stood and dropped to his knees.
"Elder Go... I don't know what to do with you saying this so suddenly. If there's any fault, it's my oversight. Please forgive me."
It was truly a gentlemanly display.
But now, he appeared to me as a hypocrite wearing the mask of a gentleman.
No, not a hypocrite—but a tragic family head willing to bear humiliation for his clan.
"Please hear me out. Ja-kyeong said he was in love with that woman. I reviewed it and found grounds for doubt, so I had it reinvestigated. I judged his words had truth to them, so..."
His excuses sounded utterly pathetic.
I ignored him.
"Please leave."
At my cold dismissal, Seok Yang-ho, mid-explanation, fell silent.
Then he rose from his seat.
"I'll visit again."
"No need. I won't set foot in the Seok Family, and you shouldn't come here."
Seok Yang-ho turned away, shoulders slumped.
But he politely bowed to the young talents.
"Farewell."
The young talents rose and returned the bow.
"Safe travels."
After he left, Namgung Hye gave a wry smile.
"They say when others praise the Seok Family Head as a sage gentleman, he humbly denies it. But it seems he truly saw himself as one."
Myeong-gak bowed his head at her words.
"He'll continue to be called a gentleman, Lady Namgung. No one will object. The Family Head will keep up his gentlemanly facade."
"Where are you off to so late in the evening, Leader Seok?"
A clan servant guarding the Seok Family's main gate asked Gwang-u as he headed out.
"I have somewhere to go briefly."
Gwang-u's expression was so grave that the servant didn't dare ask where.
Once outside the Seok Family, Gwang-u wandered aimlessly.
His feet moved, but his mind replayed Elder Un-san's words.
Indeed.
Perhaps he had been convinced deep down that Seok Ja-kyeong was guilty.
But each time, images of his soon-to-be wife Seok Su-a's beautiful face and their happy times together surfaced.
Her charm could melt anyone's heart.
The thought of that lovely, beautiful woman soon becoming his wife filled him with elation, as if he could ascend to the heavens.
Every day was joyful.
Yet Elder Un-san's visit had turned his joyous family into a bed of thorns.
"Should... I kill that bastard?"
Killing Seok Ja-kyeong would end it all.
But it would also sever his own ties with him, the Seok Family, and Seok Su-a.
'Ah, whatever. Elder Un-san will handle it.'
Gwang-u decided to wait until Un-san's anger subsided.
Then he'd grovel, and Un-san would welcome him back with a smile.
As he walked without direction, drawing stares from passersby, Gwang-u spotted a beauty approaching.
The dazzling beauty wore a white silk robe embroidered with red flowers.
'She's... really pretty.'
Gwang-u couldn't tear his eyes from the young beauty.
Then something astonishing happened.
The beauty approaching smiled at him.
Gwang-u's mouth fell open.
Even more shocking, she walked right up to him.
Her earrings swayed charmingly with each step.
"You look so sturdy and reliable."
"Uh... uh... I hear that... a lot."
Flustered, Gwang-u stammered.
Hohoho...
Amused by his reaction, she burst into laughter.
Gwang-u's face flushed red.
Flashing her white teeth, she winked at him.
"I heard there's a great mutton restaurant on the outskirts of the village. Would you guide me? I don't know the way."
Gwang-u didn't know of any such place either.
But he wanted to escort her.
"I'll... ask around and take you there."
Gwang-u grabbed passersby one by one, inquiring about the best mutton spot.
Finally learning its location, he headed there with the eye-dazzling beauty.
Onlookers gawked at the pair.
"Good lord, what a beauty."
"I'd die happy just to hold her hand."
"Speak of the devil."
As Myeong-gak had guessed, a Beggars' Sect division leader arrived.
We were already acquainted, so it wasn't awkward.
He was also the benefactor who advised me during my worries, so I welcomed him warmly.
"Come in."
"I came hoping for a free drink. That okay?"
"As a beggar, you weren't planning to pay anyway."
Pleased by my cheek, the division leader laughed heartily.
Kekeke...
Once the laughter subsided, he turned to Myeong-gak.
"Baldy, how long do you plan to freeload here?"
Myeong-gak bowed at once.
"Namu Amida Butsu, Kwanseum Bosal. I'm working as a kitchen hand here, so not freeloading."
Hoh...
The division leader widened his ash-gray eyes and scanned Myeong-gak up and down.
"Look at this punk. That bold tongue means you've had some enlightenment, eh?"