Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 231
Chapter Title: The First Meeting of Fate
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Cheol Mu-ok spotted him and grinned broadly, baring his teeth, but in an instant, he flinched and halted in his tracks.
He had seen Kim Mu-gwan approaching from this direction.
“That bastard, why is he here…….”
“Do you know him?”
“Know him? That’s an understatement.”
Park Ji-mun strode boldly toward Kim Mu-gwan.
The peculiar atmosphere left everyone on both sides bewildered as they stared at the two men.
“Long time no see, Kim Mu-gwan.”
“Shut your trap if you don’t want to smell like shit.”
“Still flapping that mouth of yours like always, you punk.”
Crack!
They both reached out and grabbed each other by the collar.
Were they about to clash internal energies? Dirt erupted around them in a flurry of snowflakes.
Whoosh!
“I was planning to hunt you down first thing when I got back to Haedong anyway.”
“Same here—I was set to track you down the moment I hit the Central Plains. Meeting like this? Heaven must have a sense of humor after all.”
Boom!
The rising clouds of dust grew thicker by the second. Caught off guard by the sudden turn, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae, along with Park Ji-mun’s crew, rushed out in alarm.
“Brother! What’s going on!”
“Stay out of it.”
Gong Son-tae stepped forward to intervene but recoiled from the overwhelming aura and fell back. He then quickly bowed toward Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae.
“I’m back.”
Cheol Mu-ok approached.
Park Ji-mun, still gripping Kim Mu-gwan’s collar, flashed him a grin.
“Long time no see, Mu-ok.”
“Save the greetings and let go of him first. Kim, you too—enough.”
“This isn’t for outsiders to meddle in. Step back.”
Cheol Mu-ok was genuinely curious about this situation. Seeing the usually taciturn Kim Mu-gwan, who rarely showed emotion, like this was not just unfamiliar—it was downright bizarre.
Meanwhile, Ju Tae watched the pair with keen interest.
‘That guy’s no pushover either? Holding his own against Kim, who can wield the power of a River Realm…….’
They say masters recognize masters. Ju Tae had realized from the first glance that Park Ji-mun was a top expert, as were the others with him.
Park Ji-mun sneered.
“Strutting around like you’re the greatest in the world, and this is where you end up? I figured you’d stormed the Imperial Palace and climbed the ranks by now.”
“I roamed the whole world searching for the woman you and your clan abandoned. Not a single day passed in those years that I forgot you or your family.”
Flames sparked in Kim Mu-gwan’s eyes.
Park Ji-mun’s did the same.
“You’re the one who drove her to that point. She went out on her own, searching for you after you left nothing but a single promise of love and never came back. And you accuse us of abandoning her?”
Grip!
“You son of a bitch! I crossed into Dongyeong hunting for her, tearing through every corner of the continent. You think I forgot you during all that time? I ripped you apart a hundred, a thousand times in my heart and dreams—and today, I’ll do it for real.”
“Pot calling the kettle black.”
Boom!
It was then.
“Enough.”
A voice drifted in from behind.
Yi Hwan, Go Mi, and Hwa Ryeong were stepping outside. But Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun didn’t release their grips.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on Cheol Mu-ok.
Cheol Mu-ok wore a troubled expression.
“I have no idea what’s gotten into them.”
“The friends you mentioned?”
“Yes.”
Swoosh!
Gong Son-tae landed in front of Yi Hwan.
“My lord! I’m back!”
“You’ve had it rough.”
“Not at all.”
Yi Hwan patted Gong Son-tae’s shoulder and approached the two men. But before he could, Go Mi’s voice rang out like a thunderclap.
“How dare you cause such a scene before the Great Prince! The Great Prince commands you to stop! Release each other at once!”
Cheol Mu-ok chimed in.
“Enough. Kim, stand down.”
The two finally let go. At the same moment, the swirling dirt and snowflakes around them vanished.
Cheol Mu-ok introduced Yi Hwan to Park Ji-mun’s group.
“Show proper respect. This is the Great Prince.”
After shooting Kim Mu-gwan one last glare, Park Ji-mun cupped his fists and gave a slight bow.
“Park Ji-mun pays respects to the Great Prince.”
Those lined up behind Park Ji-mun merely dipped their heads. Considering Yi Hwan’s status, it was a grave discourtesy, but Yi Hwan didn’t mind in the least.
Go Mi, however, was another story. Just as a scolding was about to burst from her lips, Yi Hwan’s transmission voice slipped in.
[Enough.]
* * *
That evening, Yi Hwan began the strategy meeting with his generals.
At the same time, Cheol Mu-ok was catching up with Park Ji-mun and the others. With Yi Hwan’s permission, everyone drank the generals’ wine and ate their food, reveling in the joy of reunion.
Everyone was in high spirits, but Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun wouldn’t even look at each other.
No one knew the reason, so curiosity burned, but the icy tension made it impossible to ask outright.
Park Ji-mun asked Cheol Mu-ok.
“Did you call us to help the Great Prince?”
“I called you to help me.”
“Same difference.”
“Yeah, pretty much. Anyway, you’ll help, right?”
“After coming all this way? Refusing now would just be ridiculous.”
Thud!
Park Ji-mun drained his cup and stared at Kim Mu-gwan, who happened to be glaring back and snapped coldly.
“Don’t look at me. Bad luck.”
“Want to step outside and talk?”
“No business with you.”
“I’ve got a question.”
“Shut it. Not in the mood to answer.”
Right then, Hwa Ryeong intervened.
Thud!
She slammed her palm on the table and glared at them both, eyes blazing.
“Men being so petty. We’re all in this together now—keep this up, and just go outside and beat it out of each other already!”
“…….”
Cheol Mu-ok turned to Kim Mu-gwan and said.
“He says he has something to say. Shouldn’t you at least hear him out?”
Gulp gulp!
Kim Mu-gwan chugged straight from the bottle, shot to his feet, and stormed outside. Park Ji-mun emptied his own bottle in one go and chased after him.
Cheol Mu-ok asked Park Ji-mun’s men.
“No one knows what’s going on?”
“I heard that back in the day, there was a marriage proposal between Brother Mu-gwan and Brother Ji-mun’s little sister, but then the two families fell out and it fell through. Probably something to do with that, though we don’t know the full story.”
“They mentioned roaming the world looking for someone. Could it be the sister?”
“Maybe.”
Cheol Mu-ok nodded silently at Hwa Ryeong’s words, then addressed the group.
“Let’s not pry until they bring it up first. Anyway, it’s been ages—let’s drink properly tonight.”
“Yes!”
“Sounds good!”
* * *
Whooo!
In a whirlwind of biting cold, Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun faced each other.
Park Ji-mun spoke first.
“Just one question. You didn’t really abandon her, did you?”
“Imperial edict came down. The operation was in the North Sea, and it dragged on longer than expected, so I couldn’t return on time. But when I got back…….”
Kim Mu-gwan trailed off, pain settling into his eyes. Park Ji-mun sighed.
“Back then, she thought you’d deliberately left her side. The family feud played a part, sure, but the real issue was you not coming back.”
Tremble……
“Putting everything else aside, you should’ve stopped her from leaving!”
“Who’d have thought she’d up and vanish without a word? I was out on the mission myself. I only learned she was gone after I returned.”
Park Ji-mun looked up at the sky and continued.
“I tore through the whole world hoping she was alive somewhere under this sky. Even crossed the sea to Dongyeong, but no luck. I was on my way back to the Central Plains as a last resort when Son-tae showed up saying Mu-ok was looking for me.”
His eyes suddenly sharpened as he turned to Kim Mu-gwan.
“Did you find any trace of her in the Central Plains?”
“Heard in a market in Pyeongyang that she’d crossed into the Central Plains. Wasn’t certain, but the description matched, so I had no choice but to come.”
Kim Mu-gwan went on.
Having crossed into the Central Plains searching for his lost love, he’d quickly realized he couldn’t comb the vast continent alone and sought out the Beggars’ Sect for leads.
By chance, he’d crossed paths with someone from Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace and ended up under Crown Prince Yi So. He’d figured a crown prince would have access to vast intelligence networks.
Whooo!
A wind laden with snowflakes clawed fiercely at their bodies.
Park Ji-mun stared straight at Kim Mu-gwan.
“Do you still love her?”
“Until the moment I die.”
Was it overwhelming emotion? Kim Mu-gwan’s eyes reddened slightly.
Park Ji-mun extended his hand toward him.
“Sorry. I misunderstood you. And on behalf of my clan, I apologize.”
Thud!
Kim Mu-gwan brushed Park Ji-mun’s hand away and turned.
“Don’t need your apology.”
“All good now?”
“Nothing to hold onto. I just hated your guts.”
Smirk.
Park Ji-mun placed a hand on Kim Mu-gwan’s shoulder.
“Then let’s find her together from now on. Our bloodline’s no ordinary one—she’s bound to be thriving somewhere.”
“Get off. You stink of sweat.”
“Urk-heh-heh.”
“Quit grinning like a creep.”
“Urk-heh-heh-heh!”
* * *
Having wrapped up the strategy meeting, Yi Hwan headed toward where everyone was gathered. On the way, he spotted Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun standing outside and paused.
Yi Hwan eyed Park Ji-mun.
‘A master on par with Mu-gwan. The others hold their own against Sword King or Blade King disciples too.’
He’d only had Mu-ok’s word and vague hopes before. But meeting them now, they seemed far beyond expectations—true elites.
For him, who desperately needed a separate force beyond the Golden Army, it felt like gaining a heavenly host.
Just then, the two turned, threw arms around each other’s shoulders, and headed for the tents.
‘Looks like they’ve sorted it out.’
Yi Hwan resumed walking.
Park Ji-mun, who’d glanced his way, spotted him and approached.
“Meeting over?”
“On my way to join you for a drink.”
“No need for formal speech. Mu-ok and I are like brothers—treat me the same.”
“If you’re fine with it, I will. So, all cleared up now?”
“Yes. All squared away, nice and clean.”
Yi Hwan looked at Kim Mu-gwan.
Kim Mu-gwan gave an awkward smile.
“Just a simple misunderstanding.”
“Let’s head in.”
“I have a word first…….”
Yi Hwan, about to step forward, turned back to Park Ji-mun. After a brief hesitation, Park Ji-mun continued.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I need to find my little sister. He says she came to the Central Plains, but it’s a big place, you know.”
‘They fought over his sister?’
Yi Hwan turned to Kim Mu-gwan.
“That why you came to the Central Plains?”
“……Yes.”
“Then why not say something sooner? Even I’d have helped, and begging His Majesty would’ve gotten you aid in a heartbeat.”
“I planned to ask once things with the Empress were fully settled.”
“After this war, I’ll help. Moon Pavilion has a guy who’s a wizard at crafting likeness sketches—should be a big help.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Great Prince!”
“Not for free, though.”
Park Ji-mun grinned.
“Give us any mission! My brothers and I will handle it!”
“Then you’re with us starting today.”
“Yes, sir!”