Chapter 75
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: A Familiar Ceiling
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A familiar ceiling.
Lifting his upper body, he saw the musty room.
It didn't carry the same smell as before, but the identical layout made it clear this was Seo Mun-ha's quarters.
'A-so?'
Seo Mun-ha quickly lowered his head to gaze at the one mumbling drowsily in her sleep.
"Mm..."
It was Seo Mun Young-ryeong.
Her face buried in the bedding, she clutched the blanket tightly with her delicate, reed-like hands.
"Young-ryeong, time to switch..."
It wasn't Seo Mun-ha who woke and urged her on, but Seo Mun Jun-sang.
"Ah, you're awake, brother."
A broad smile spread across his face.
"Brother."
In contrast to his suddenly beaming younger brother, Seo Mun-ha merely nodded calmly.
"What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"A little."
What to explain first?
After a brief moment of thought, Seo Mun Jun-sang got straight to the point.
"You've been unconscious for the past four days, brother."
"...I see."
Seo Mun-ha twisted his stiff body this way and that on the bed.
"How's your body feeling?"
"Fine. I owe you one."
"If anything, I owe you. We all do."
Seo Mun Jun-sang spoke with genuine sincerity, no flattery intended.
"Truth be told, we planned to focus on your treatment and recovery nearby until you came to. But the physician said there were no major injuries despite appearances."
"Thanks to the protective qi."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Go on."
"Well... even so, you remained in a coma. The physician suggested a familiar place might help you regain consciousness. So we rushed back here nonstop for four days, haha. Seeing you awake now proves he was right."
"I see."
Seo Mun-ha thanked them for their hard work, then glanced at Seo Mun Young-ryeong, who was hindering his movement, before asking for more details on the situation.
"Ah, Young-ryeong insisted on tending to you herself."
"I see."
Seo Mun-ha shrugged, then tucked the blanket under her head and even adjusted her uncomfortable position with his own hands.
Smoothly.
Leaving the rearranged bedding behind, Seo Mun-ha stretched languidly.
For someone who had wandered the borderlands of death for four days, he was remarkably composed.
"She really looks up to you, brother. She's always been that way."
Word had it that Seo Mun Young-ryeong had always been especially attached to Seo Mun-ha.
"Probably because our situations are similar."
A hint of wistfulness seeped into his blood brother's words, unbidden. Seo Mun-ha and Seo Mun Young-ryeong shared many similarities.
Lacking independent factions within the clan, destined for arranged marriages outside—such was their position and standing.
Though the details differed from the sibling dynamic his subordinates had described, as he watched his spoiled little sister, Seo Mun-ha spoke up.
"You should look after her a bit more. You're her brother too, not just mine."
"Y-Yeah..."
Awkwardly smiling, Seo Mun Jun-sang returned to the main topic alongside Seo Mun-ha.
What had transpired while he lay unconscious.
"The previous generation's Demon Lord was handled by Lord Gwang Gwon-wang."
He had expected as much. Wi Jin-yang's condition wasn't normal; in a fight, the odds had been overwhelmingly against him.
Defeat. And that led to the death of the infamous Nine Thousand Earth Demon, whose name rang far and wide.
"Afterward, as I mentioned, all the retainers returned safely to the main household."
Seo Mun-ha's people as well.
A-so, Yang Jeong, Gu Chil. Even the two prized steeds could finally rest in their familiar stables at the main estate.
"Do you follow?"
"Roughly."
The common folk the Seo Mun Clan had initially agreed to shelter.
On top of that, numerous martial artists had visited the Seo Mun Clan's estate in Jeonam as guests.
"But why bring them back to the main house?"
He had heard the current state of the Seo Mun Clan wasn't easy.
They had fortunately minimized damage, but pursuing the boy ghost that Pang Ho-rip overlooked had required the patriarch himself to move.
Especially since Lord Gwang Gwon-wang was the one who actually dealt with the Mad Demon.
It was puzzling why it wasn't the Hwang Bo Clan expressing thanks, and odd that U Hak-bong and Ha Eun-ye, who had acted swiftly to involve him, weren't here.
"It's not just about gratitude."
Baek Ri-seol, entering the room, provided the answer.
Her vibrant attire and undeniable beauty completely transformed the dim quarters.
"Lady Baek Ri?"
Though they were nominally engaged, given her personality, it was unexpected for her to casually enter another man's room.
"How are you feeling?"
She echoed Seo Mun Jun-sang's concern for his well-being.
"I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
His formal reply drew a slight furrow to her brow; it seemed like it wasn't the answer she hoped for.
'Come to think of it...'
Racking his memory, even before losing consciousness, someone had been tending to him.
He couldn't recall who.
"I'm glad. Really."
Baek Ri-seol continued as calmly as possible.
"The martial artists came to the Seo Mun Clan because of Young Master U and Sister Ha's idea."
"Consideration?"
"The Seo Mun Clan, including Young Master Seo Mun, earned the most merits in this incident."
It was the Murim Alliance's decision to bolster the Seo Mun Clan's standing and prestige.
Lord Gwang Gwon-wang had merely avenged his granddaughter; his upright nature wouldn't stir him for official matters.
Moreover, the deceased Hwang Bo Woo-jun was linked to the Demon Cult, so publicly, the Seo Mun Clan's actions and future were under the spotlight.
Though cleanup wasn't fully complete.
"Precisely because cleanup isn't done yet, brother. Lady Ha said you need a change of pace."
Seo Mun Jun-sang added.
They couldn't mourn forever, so under Ha Eun-ye's lead, the suspended gathering would continue at the Seo Mun Clan.
That explained the influx of visitors, elevating the clan's prestige to its historical peak.
'Typical of Eun-ye.'
People grieve differently, but Ha Eun-ye had turned it into a two-birds-with-one-stone opportunity, showcasing her exceptional tact.
"Lady Ha will arrive in two days. She said she has unfinished business."
Perhaps her final duty as Vermilion Bird Unit Leader.
Joy multiplies when shared, sorrow halves.
No one could argue against the Seo Mun Clan at the center.
"It's all... thanks to you, Young Master Seo Mun."
Baek Ri-seol hinted at the crowd gathering outside the room.
"Me?"
Seo Mun-ha pointed at himself.
"Yes, exactly."
That was the purpose of their visit after the gathering dispersed: to see him.
Those helped directly or indirectly came to express thanks or meet the rumored young hero.
Not entirely selfless, of course, but most came armed with goodwill, wishing him well.
"I just did my job."
"I know. Still, as someone you helped, can't I at least say hello?"
Baek Ri-seol took an unexpectedly firm stance, pulling the reluctant Seo Mun-ha to his feet.
He had seen similar reactions before.
A-so's proud boasting, or Gu Chil and Yang Jeong's frequent displays.
"Of course, only if you're up for it, Young Master Seo Mun."
"Well... it's not hard."
What was so difficult about greetings?
As an Embroidered Uniform Guard's Northern Pacification Division warrior and Iron Cavalry Unit captain, he was used to condemnation despite doing right, ignoring others' opinions.
Awkward and bothersome, yet he quickly set aside ingrained habits.
"Let's go."
Ha Eun-ye had set the stage, after all.
"I'll go inform the others."
Watching him radiate vigor, Seo Mun Jun-sang bowed deeply.
Instead of sending someone else, the limited recipients meant Seo Mun Jun-sang would deliver personally.
Seo Mun-ha headed with Baek Ri-seol to the modestly arranged gathering hall nearby his quarters—mere tables and screens.
No grand festival, despite good intentions.
Snap.
The monk who spotted Seo Mun-ha first clasped his hands in greeting.
"Amitabha. You're conscious."
A master representing Shaolin.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Hong Seong of Shaolin."
From his youthful appearance, Seo Mun-ha could gauge his extraordinary martial prowess.
The moniker New Monk felt insufficient for such skill.
'Impressive.'
Though elite later-generation talents were deemed the Nine Dragons and Seven Peaks,
These Shaolin affiliates shunned the spotlight, yet Hong Seong had made monumental contributions aiding Nangong Cheon-hwi against the Mad Wind Twins.
"Seo Mun-ha."
He had no ties to them from the gathering's first two uneventful days, but the world was vast indeed.
"The famed Ghost Flash... no longer, I suppose. Anyway, honored to meet you, layman."
Hong Seong shared the same sentiment.
"Shaolin suffered no losses this time, but I wanted to personally thank you. Many of our associates benefited. My gratitude."
Additionally, the New Monk expressed respect for how he and his clan had protected the powerless commoners.
"Glad you look unscathed, but I pray for your swift recovery if anywhere aches."
Seo Mun-ha returned the measured courtesy.
"Thank you."
"Then... I'll take my leave. Visit Shaolin sometime. You'd be welcome."
"I will. Safe travels."
He was just the start.
Hong Seong's signal spurred others, swiftly filling the inner courtyard with people.
A needle in a bag will poke through: excellence reveals itself.
Yet not all gazes were kind; Shandong's delinquent had accrued envy with his feats.
"This girl..."
Once, most had been the same.
Setting aside his initial group, those approaching Seo Mun-ha back then lacked goodwill—but now, the opposite.
As martial artist, as man.
Women's reactions stood out especially.
No more wary suspicion or bug-like stares.
"...Remarkable. They say heroes are women's downfall."
U Gil watched from afar.
"Doesn't he look just like you in your youth, haha?"
Seo Mun Jeong-cheon shook his head.
"No need to go?"
"No."
He ultimately retraced his steps with U Gil.
The gathering's final day.
The winds battering Shandong subsided, and the incident's aftermath was mostly wrapped up.
The Murim Alliance oversaw even the funerals.
This unusually harsh winter had spilled too much blood in the orthodox martial world.
Resistance lingered, but headless Demon Cultists were swiftly quelled.
Martial artists aligned with them surrendered one by one.
Initial damage assessments, compensations—all primary cleanup concluded.
As time passed, laughter around the Seo Mun Clan quieted.
Everyone caught their breath, heading home for the Beginning of Spring.
"Take your time."
Not everyone left the Seo Mun Clan.
"Not stealing her away."
Though homesick for his familiar homeland, Seo Mun-ha ventured out with a beggar still rooted in Jeonam.
Zhangjia Inn.
The expanded building showed booming business daily; the innkeeper planned a branch.
In the packed hall, U Hak-bong flashed an empty rice bowl.
"More okay?"
Not a grain left.
"Order as you like."
"Thanks!"
Like a beggar starved for days.
Indeed pallid from skipped meals amid chaotic days.
Seo Mun Clan and Hwang Bo Clan aside—minimal damage there—the Alliance-based Beggars' Sect had mountains of work.
"This rice is top-notch! Lamb's a tad bland, but the lighter scent enhances texture and meat flavor!"
Seo Mun-ha eyed the gourmand oddly.
"Unique style—kudos to whoever devised it!"
"...Glad it suits your taste."
He gulped wine quietly as U Hak-bong devoured bowl and all.
"Heh. People resist the unfamiliar, especially tastes. Respect to this chef's boldness!"
New ventures, challenges, hires—U Hak-bong praised them all.
"Dreamed of being a chef before begging?"
"Nah, this is basic! Beggar fundamentals! Don't think we gulp anything willy-nilly—big mistake!"
Snap—U Hak-bong jabbed at Seo Mun-ha with inseparable chopsticks.
He insisted blind scavenging spelled disaster.
His culinary insight bordered on mastery.
Only after demolishing the inn's lamb did U Hak-bong pause.
"Innkeep! One meat noodle for dessert!"
Then spoke.
Seo Mun-ha, appetite slain, was utterly ignored.
Slurp.
Biting into the meat noodles, U Hak-bong's eyes lit up.
"...!"
A bolt of inspiration flashed.
Paired with biwa strings, the music resonated through heaven and earth, purging belly grease like a volcano's eruption.
"Th-this!"
"Not tasty?"
"No ordinary meat noodles!"
Exquisite delight! Utmost bliss!
U Hak-bong's face beamed supreme flavor and joy.
"Just plain meat noodles."
"...People."
Seo Mun-ha doused his excitement.
"Still, top quality."
Sheepish, U Hak-bong patted his full belly, finishing strong.
"Thanks for the feast."
Making the host prouder than the guest—another of his talents.
"And thanks for saving lives. Thought we'd miss the mark, but that ghost-like monster helped save many."
Perhaps Seo Mun-ha deserved the thanks.
But U Hak-bong wasn't Murim Alliance.
Days of repetitive phrases from allies made his brazenness refreshing; personally, Seo Mun-ha had benefited.
"Heading back to headquarters now?"
He heard updates as before.
Orthodox martial world's trends under Murim Alliance.
"Not yet. Minor tasks left—Alliance withdrawal probably after year after next."
"Year after next."
Seo Mun-ha pondered the span—not short.
'Perfect.'
Time under Murim Alliance protection.
For him and the Seo Mun Clan.
"Here, a drink first. Good day—forget the heavy talk."
Seo Mun-ha clinked glasses readily at U Hak-bong's suggestion.
Two glasses became three, then four, steadily multiplying.
"Wondered where you went—here you are."
A subtle fragrance wafted.
Seo Mun-ha unwittingly drew a crowd.
Not just the gathering—he had become the group's core long before.
A lone wolf achieving unprecedented feats: slaying demon lords, tripping the Nine Thousand Earth Demon rivaling Heavenly Seats, saving warriors and commoners.
With him, the gathering reclaimed its purpose and ended successfully. Meetings end in partings; dwindling glasses mirrored fading fervor, closing gracefully.
The season turned. Beginning of Spring after Great Cold.