Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Martial Proposition
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“Hyeon, you rascal. How many times have I told you... what's the meaning of kicking up all this dust?”
“...”
At the old man Jin San's words, the colossal man gave an awkward laugh and scratched his head.
Jin San, smiling so wide that the fine lines on his face deepened, walked into the center of the standoff.
Neung Un-bi nodded at the Waning Moon Squad surrounding them, and they moved as one, parting to either side to open a path.
They were no match for him anyway. If his personality was the same as it was in the past, pointing a sword at him would be a sure way to shorten one's own life.
“Well now, so polite. Thank you for making way on your own.”
After nodding to one of the squad members who had stepped aside, Jin San approached Jang Il-san.
“Grandmaster.”
“Let's see, your name was...”
“It's Il-san. Jang Il-san.”
“Oh, yes. That's right. Jang Il-san, the one who was being taught by that fellow. I remember you.”
“Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for. What's so special about remembering the name of a fellow disciple?”
“...”
“By the way, I told the Sect Leader to teach his disciples to always think three times before drawing their swords... Why did you brandish yours so lightly?”
“Th-that's because the Demonic Cult...”
“What about the Demonic Cult?”
“Pardon?”
“Haha, you dull-witted boy. Don't you realize they were holding back?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“If they had truly intended to fight you, your head would have rolled before you even drew your sword.”
“Pardon?”
At Jin San's words, Jang Il-san repeatedly asked, unable to comprehend.
“Child, am I wrong?”
“...”
The one Jin San looked at with a smile was not Neung Un-bi.
It was the maid beside him, Hyang-i.
“Indeed... If her master hadn't stopped her, she might have already lopped off a few heads.”
Only then did his gaze shift to Neung Un-bi.
“Thank you for going easy on them.”
“...I won't deny it.”
“Right. That's how it is.”
At Neung Un-bi's reply, Jin San beamed and nodded.
He had spoken informally to Hyang-i, but used a mix of formal and informal speech with Neung Un-bi, acknowledging his status.
No one would have said a word even if he spoke informally, so it was a gesture of consideration on his part.
“Il-san, put your sword away now.”
“Grandmaster, but...”
“Haha, you rascal. Must I lose my dignity and plead with you in front of all these people?”
“What? N-no, sir.”
Startled by Jin San's mischievous expression, Jang Il-san quickly sheathed his sword.
“There, that's better. Would you all mind sheathing your swords as well? An old man like me doesn't care for such a grim atmosphere.”
“...”
At Jin San's request, Neung Un-bi nodded, and those who had been surrounding the Zhongnan disciples withdrew in unison.
Of course, their wary gazes remained, and though they no longer blocked the path, they formed a protective cordon around Neung Un-bi.
A master had appeared out of nowhere. If he had other intentions, they would protect Neung Un-bi with their lives.
“Haha. You have some fine subordinates.”
“...They're just a bunch of nags.”
“One doesn't nag without a heart full of loyalty.”
“Is that so?”
“That's how it is.”
“But why has a reclusive master of Zhongnan, once called the Great Sword Master, graced this place with his presence?”
“...”
At Neung Un-bi's question, Jin San quietly stared at him.
“Haha, the Great Sword Master... A name even I had forgotten. You seem to have heard some old tales.”
“My ears are always open.”
“Now, I'm just an old man guarding Zhongnan's back room. I just come down from the mountain for an occasional stroll.”
“...Are you saying you didn't come here looking for me?”
“Of course not. I was just craving a taste of a drink I missed and happened to stop by, only to find this commotion.”
“So you're saying it's a coincidence.”
“Naturally. What good could come from a retired old man like me getting involved?”
“...”
Looking at the slyly grinning Jin San, Neung Un-bi let out a small sigh.
What a liar...
Is there not a reason they say birds of a feather flock together?
Since this was Zhongnan's problem, he wouldn't just turn a blind eye.
If he were to intervene, everyone would have to put their lives on the line.
The Great Sword Master, Jin San. In his prime, he was stronger than any of his peers.
If only that arm of his were unharmed, no one's name would have been ranked higher than his in the way of the sword.
“How about it? From the looks of it, it seems the Sinpyeong Brewery won't serve any liquor without your permission...”
“...S-Sir, how can you say such a thing.”
The master of the brewery, who seemed to know him, looked back and forth between Jin San and Neung Un-bi in distress.
I knew it... I knew he would intervene.
To bring me up specifically meant he wanted to resolve this through dialogue first. It also implied he was ready to fight if necessary.
“Are you trying to needlessly trouble an unrelated party?”
“Trouble him? Anyone would think I was threatening him.”
“Were you not?”
“That depends on how you look at it. So, what do you say? Will you offer me a drink?”
“I wonder. I'm not sure if the drink I serve will suit your palate.”
“My, my... I told you, it depends on how you look at it.”
“Interesting words. Weren't you a man whose words came before his thoughts, and whose sword came long before his words?”
“Hoh? Well now, you seem to know quite a lot about my past. Who was it? Who told you about my personality? Was it perhaps Master Dam Un-cheon?”
“...”
Not 'the Cult Leader,' but 'Master Dam Un-cheon.'
To call him so familiarly, it seemed this man of the Orthodox Faction had quite the friendship with the Demonic Cult's leader. To use the honorific 'Master' despite being much older than him showed how much he acknowledged him.
“Who else could it be?”
“Hahaha! So it was. I must say, it brings me great joy that he remembers me.”
“But to call the Cult Leader 'Master'... Isn't that a bit much for a renowned master of the Orthodox Faction? Especially when you are his senior in age.”
“Eh? Are you displeased that I speak highly of your master?”
“...”
“My good man, what use is the distinction between Orthodox and Demonic? And what does age matter? One must show respect to those who deserve it.”
“Is that so? For the Orthodox Faction?”
“Hmm, it seems you have many unpleasant memories of the Orthodox Faction.”
“Wouldn't it be stranger if I, a member of the Demonic Cult, had good memories of them?”
Neung Un-bi glanced at the Zhongnan disciples, and Jin San nodded as if in understanding.
“Indeed... I apologize for that. It's not something that can be fixed with teaching. But please try to understand their position. Given the circumstances, they couldn't help it.”
“...”
“In any case, Master Dam Un-cheon is a truly remarkable man. In a way, the martial world is this peaceful because of him. To possess such power and not wield it recklessly... He knows that a sword is most fearsome when it remains in its sheath.”
“Is that so? I was taught that a sheathed sword only rusts, and its true worth is only shown when drawn.”
“Oh dear... Who told you that? Was it Master Dam Un-cheon?”
“...”
Seeing him feign a look of pity, Neung Un-bi sighed.
This was just useless chatter.
“What is it that you wish to say to me?”
“My, you're an impatient one.”
As Neung Un-bi cut him off, clearly indicating he was done with the conversation, Jin San chuckled and spoke.
“I'm saying there are plenty of ways to resolve this without having to draw your sword.”
“How?”
“Hmm, let's head inside first. The aroma of the brewery's liquor is wafting all the way out here, and I can't bear it any longer.”
“...”
Like an old ginger root.
He's gotten much talkier. Isn't this just his way of insisting on coming inside to talk with me?
But there was no reason to refuse.
Perhaps this was for the best.
He was Zhongnan's most senior elder, a man respected by all.
His will would be the will of Zhongnan.
“Very well. Please, come inside.”
“As expected! You're very much like Master Dam Un-cheon. You know how to treat a guest.”
Treat a guest? He's the one who manipulated the situation...
“But, would it be alright if they came in with us?”
“...”
“If I leave them, those boys will just stand out there forever.”
“Bring them in.”
“Haha! Thank you.”
“However!”
“...?”
“The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild comes too.”
“The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild as well?”
“Yes.”
Jin San glanced back and smirked.
How could he not understand Neung Un-bi's intention?
But he didn't let it show.
“This fellow is more generous than he looks! Fine, let's do that.”
“Yes.”
At Jin San's decision, Yeom Seong-in's face soured as if he'd chewed on dung, and a faint, cold smile touched Neung Un-bi's lips.
I can't just let you go.
Seeing how things are, it's clear you framed me and dragged Zhongnan into this. If I let you run free, who knows what other trouble you'll cause?
[Hyang-i, keep a close watch on the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild and that man, Yeom Seong-in.]
[Of course. Should I take his head if he tries anything funny?]
[...Don't do that.]
[Tch.]
Hyang-i was really something else.
Is a person's neck a joke to her? How can she talk about taking heads so easily...?
Shaking his head, Neung Un-bi went inside, and the rest, including Jin San, followed.
“Grandmaster, I...”
“My good man, what have you done wrong? I trust your judgment. You must have seen something in that boy. Don't worry. As long as I'm watching, no one will dare question your choice to side with the Demonic Cult.”
“...Yes, sir.”
It seemed they knew each other, as the voices of Hwang Ja-seong and Jin San could be heard conversing.
Fortunately, Jin San's way of thinking didn't seem to differ from Neung Un-bi's.
A merchant, by nature, makes choices based on his interests...
It's only those martial artists who think wearing a sword is a title of nobility that needlessly take sides and give innocent people hell.
* * *
A banquet hall had been prepared inside the Sinpyeong Brewery.
Hwang Ja-seong had clearly put some effort into it, as the room was well-decorated.
But the pleasant atmosphere, filled with inquiries about each other's well-being, was short-lived. As soon as the topic of who would lead the investigation came up, shouts began to fly.
“Absolutely not! An investigation led solely by the Demonic Cult? How can we trust them with this!”
“Hmph, and how am I supposed to trust you enough to merely observe?”
“What? What do you take our Zhongnan Sect for! Do you think we would conceal or fabricate evidence!”
“I see you the same way you see the Demonic Cult, why!”
“...”
Jang Il-san and Neung Un-bi glared at each other, neither giving an inch.
It was the same for the martial artists of Zhongnan and the members of the Demonic Cult.
Though they remained silent, they were divided into two camps, glaring at each other throughout the drinking party.
“Well, I'll be... I thought talking over drinks would help find common ground, but it's only intensifying the fight.”
“That's because you have to say something that makes sense.”
At Jin San's words, Neung Un-bi crossed his arms and turned his head away sharply, which Jang Il-san took offense to.
“You see, Grandmaster? He doesn't even know how to show respect to his elders! How can we trust someone like that?”
“Respect for elders? Don't be mistaken, disciple of Zhongnan.”
“What did you say?”
“As I said before, as long as we are discussing the investigation, I am here as the Cult Leader's representative. That means I stand on equal footing with Elder Jin San.”
“This bastard!”
At Neung Un-bi's sneer, Jang Il-san seethed and glared at him.
“Both of you, stop it. You're now staying under the same roof. Why are you so eager to tear each other apart with good liquor right in front of you?”
“...”
“Hmm, what to do? I've been retired for so long I can't really interfere... but if I don't, you two will just keep fighting...”
Jin San furrowed his brow in thought before turning to Neung Un-bi.
“You must conduct the investigation yourself, correct?”
“Of course.”
“And Il-san, you can absolutely not entrust the investigation to the Demonic Cult?”
“That's right, Grandmaster!”
“Hmm...”
After pondering again for a long while, Jin San finally spoke.
“Then let's do this.”
“...?”
“We will entrust the investigation to the Demonic Cult.”
“Grandmaster!”
“Hear me out first.”
“...”
“The Demonic Cult will conduct the investigation, but I will personally observe.”
“Pardon?”
“However, for me to make such a decision instead of the Sect Leader, I'll need a justification that everyone can agree is reasonable.”
Jin San looked at Neung Un-bi.
“So, what do you say? How about you create that justification?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Who are we? We may be Orthodox or Demonic... but in the end, are we not martial artists?”
“And so?”
“Between martial artists, words are useless.”
“...”
At Jin San's words, Neung Un-bi's face went blank.
Words are useless. In other words, he wants to settle this with strength.
But... you and me?
“...”
As he looked at Jin San, who was smiling at him, Neung Un-bi's expression grew more and more distorted.
Son of a bitch!
Does that even make sense? I'm a disciple, and you're the Grandmaster of Zhongnan!?