Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Hong Geolgae
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There was a gray cat at the Dang Clinic. They kept it around to chase off the rats that occasionally showed up to gnaw on the herbs.
It wasn't tied up or anything, but the gray cat would wander outside only to return right on time for meals, like clockwork.
The nameless gray cat was pretty diligent, catching a rat every three days or so. Each time, Dang Jesun would fetch some cheap scraps from the butcher and feed them to it.
After eating, the cat would curl up in a sunny spot along the edge of the courtyard and doze off with its head bobbing. Among the folks at the Dang Clinic, it was the only one hitting the hay before sundown.
Lately, though, the gray cat had made a friend.
Dan Seoryeong.
Lunchtime hadn't even rolled around yet, but there she was, sitting in the shade, nodding off.
Dan Seoryeong had always been the most hardworking one at the Dang Clinic—no one could top her. But about two weeks back, she'd started sleeping a ton more.
She'd eat breakfast and doze, eat lunch and doze. And it wasn't like she was burning the midnight oil or wandering around at night. Come sunset, she'd head to her annex just like always and not come out.
At a glance, it looked like the height of laziness, but no one gave her grief for it.
If anything, Dang Jesun was brewing her all sorts of nourishing tonics, and her meals kept getting fancier by the day. Even a long-awaited daughter in his old age wouldn't get pampered like this.
No one breathed a word about whatever was behind the change, but at the same time, everyone knew exactly why. The folks coming and going from the Dang Clinic just accepted it as natural.
The odd part was how Dang Jesun's attitude toward the Three-Eyed Monk had noticeably warmed up too. But no one knew the exact reason for that.
Dang Mujin approached the Three-Eyed Monk and casually asked,
"Elder, did something happen with my father?"
"Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"
"You just seem a lot closer to him these days."
"Who knows. Maybe he's realized Shaolin enlightenment far surpasses Emei."
The Three-Eyed Monk spouted some vague nonsense. Naturally, Dang Mujin didn't get what he meant.
*
Dan Seoryeong and Dang Mujin mulled over their wedding plans. Even Dang Jesun chipped in with his thoughts.
Scholarly families stuck to the six rites of marriage, which often meant months of prep. If the families were far apart, it could drag on even longer—sometimes past the new year.
But regular folks' weddings weren't that complicated.
They skipped the nitty-gritty, with the elders from both sides meeting up directly to hash things out. The last rite—personally welcoming the bride on a sedan chair—was usually all that remained.
Wrap it up with a feast for the villagers and a simple party, and that was that.
Dang Mujin and Dan Seoryeong's wedding, though, would be even simpler than your average one.
Since Dan Seoryeong was an orphan with no family, there'd be no back-and-forth between households, no sedan to fetch her in.
They could literally just set out a bowl of water and call it done without any backlash.
'But it's a wedding—can we really do it like that?'
Dang Mujin figured something was off and asked her straight up. Her response was straightforward as ever.
"Who cares about the rituals? It's the outcome that matters."
Classic practical Dan Seoryeong. Still, Dang Mujin—and Dang Jesun too—felt it'd leave something wanting.
It was their only son's big day, bringing in a prized daughter-in-law. Couldn't just let it slide like that.
In the end, Dang Mujin came up with a solid idea.
'Skip the fancy rites, but invite our acquaintances at least.'
He ran through who to call.
Folks he'd met near Shaolin in Henan, or people he'd gotten chummy with while staying in Luoyang.
Like the carpenter uncle who'd helped with Nangong Myeong's prosthetics, or the people at Guisong Clinic where he'd crashed for a bit.
Even a handful like that would make the wedding feel lively.
Guests usually came from neighboring villages at most. Imagine if people from Henan or Luoyang showed up in Sichuan—talk of the town.
And if they spread word of Dan Seoryeong and Dang Mujin's wedding back home? Even better.
'Money's not tight these days, so covering travel expenses for a few won't hurt.'
Dang Mujin planned to invite them on the sly, without Dan Seoryeong catching on.
But just as he was deep in wedding prep, Dan Seoryeong threw a wrench in it.
"A wedding? Sure, it's important. But don't you have something to handle first?"
"Huh?"
"You said you had unfinished business. Forgot already?"
"No... how could I forget."
The 'business' she meant was avenging Goeui.
Goeui's revenge and the wedding—neither was something Dang Mujin could drop.
Dan Seoryeong sat beside him and said,
"Wrap that up before the wedding. Handle the bad omens and rough stuff before the good times. You know the order."
Hearing that, Dang Mujin muttered,
"Bad omens my foot. No need to worry about that. We can wed first."
"Leaving your new bride high and dry right after to run off? Either drop it or finish it first—pick one."
Dan Seoryeong knew Dang Mujin couldn't let go of Goeui's revenge. It hadn't been long, but the three of them had traveled together.
Her bringing it up now was her way of saying set the wedding aside and get it done—rough around the edges, but thoughtful as always.
Getting it, Dang Mujin felt his chest swell. He nearly pulled her into a hug right there in front of everyone. She primly leaned back and smacked the back of his hand.
But that wasn't all she had to say.
"And don't go alone."
"Huh?"
"You said you'd handle the revenge yourself, single-handed. I heard."
"Yeah... I did."
"Don't let pride pick the risky path on purpose."
"But perfect revenge means..."
When Dang Mujin wouldn't budge, Dan Seoryeong glared daggers.
"Think of making any widows? Take whoever can help. No backing down on this."
The Three-Eyed Monk, who'd been sitting a ways off, approached Dang Mujin and Dan Seoryeong. Looked like he'd been pretending disinterest while eavesdropping.
"She's right. Going solo against Salmak? Eight out of ten, you're dead."
"So you'll help, Elder?"
Dan Seoryeong lit up. With a big name like the Three-Eyed Monk, Salmak wouldn't be an issue.
But the Three-Eyed Monk shook his head.
"Nah. Better if I sit this one out."
Dang Mujin got it. The Three-Eyed Monk had insane power, but came with a ton of enemies and baggage.
Even if no foes popped up, it'd be a problem.
With him along, it'd flip the script nine times out of ten—from Dang Mujin's revenge to him tagging along for the Three-Eyed Monk's rampage.
Dang Mujin pondered. Someone with real strength, trustworthy, connected to Goeui—not out of duty, but genuine will to help with the revenge.
Only two fit: Nangong Myeong and Hong Geolgae.
'In the end, just these guys.'
Dang Mujin nodded, and Dan Seoryeong squeezed his hand tight.
"Shake off every last bit of bad luck and come back. From here on, only good times. Got it?"
"Got it."
Dang Mujin replied, gripping her hand back.
*
Dan Seoryeong blinked sleepily as she said,
"Take a bit over a month if you need, just come back unhurt. Got it?"
"Got it."
Dang Mujin's plan was simple: wrap it up in a month and return.
A few reasons for the tight timeline.
Biggest was that even if Dan Seoryeong was newly pregnant, it wouldn't show for a couple months.
So they could play it cool and wed without rumors till then.
But drag it out forever, and it'd get awkward for both. Hence, the one-month deadline.
Not super rushed, though.
Yangyang in Hubei wasn't far. Half the distance to Luoyang.
A normal person might never go in a lifetime, but Dang Mujin was a seasoned traveler.
Plus, everyone this time had solid lightness skills, so a week to Yangyang easy. Even two weeks scrapping with that Heukjeop guy or whatever, back in a month.
Not long after setting out, Hong Geolgae grumbled,
"What am I, fish bait? Just trailing after you like it's natural."
"So what? Don't wanna go?"
"Not saying that."
Hong Geolgae preferred wandering free over being tied down. Clinic life was comfy, but getting stale.
Plus, a nagging issue had settled in his heart lately.
Every time he saw Dang Mujin and Nangong Myeong, it felt like they were whispering 'first-rate' with their eyes. No matter how he thought about it, not an illusion.
Hong Geolgae vowed inwardly.
'A fight'll come up for sure. This time I'll break through to peak too. Soon as I get back, tour Chengdu and trash-talk all the other first-rates.'
Peaking meant looking down on first-rates—it was mandatory. Hong Geolgae's steps were light, dreaming of glory.
From Sichuan to Yangyang, they had to pass Chongqing and Mount Luogun. Solid distance, great route.
Dang Mujin thought,
'First, see Fairy Hwaryeon in Chongqing. Tell her about the wedding with Dan Seoryeong.'
Fairy Hwaryeon was a heavyweight.
Skip all the rites, but her presence alone would make it epic.
'Chengdu folks might not know her, but at least Elder Yellow Spirit'll be shocked.'
Then through Mount Luogun, say hi, pick up whatever poisons they'd stockpiled. Heart raced just thinking how much there'd be.
They hit Chongqing and naturally headed to the Ascendant Pavilion.
"You're here!"
The Pavilion Master rushed out barefoot to greet them. The drinkers inside eyed the three young men ushered to the VIP seats with puzzled looks.
Even rich folks or flashy martial artists got turned away from the third floor sometimes.
The crowd buzzed, guessing wildly at who they were. But Dang Mujin's crew ignored it all.
Unlike Dang Mujin and Nangong Myeong, who'd hit the place multiple times, it had been ages for Hong Geolgae.
He gazed out the window, utterly pleased. Born a beggar, now casually shown to the top floor of a swanky inn—surreal.
'I'm doing pretty good, huh.'
Faces of Beggars' Sect disciples under the bridge flashed by. And the kid and dad captured by those thugs—extra vivid.
'Gotta see Little Three Knots and Little Thread before I go.'
Hong Geolgae leaned back leisurely and asked Dang Mujin,
"Wait here and we'll see Fairy Hwaryeon, right?"
"Yeah."
"Should thank her proper for last time too. Was too hectic back then."
Hong Geolgae said, then dug into the food with gusto. Nangong Myeong too.
But Dang Mujin barely touched his.
Fine entering with the Pavilion Master, but afterward, some nagging unease circled his mind.
'Did I miss something?'
Nothing came to mind.
But he knew he'd overlooked something.
Dang Mujin frowned, slowly picking at his food.
Then, footsteps climbed to the third floor.
Four sets. Pavilion Master, Fairy Hwaryeon, and the other two—likely Red-Faced Old Beggar and the current Zhangshang Branch Chief.
Dang Mujin, Nangong Myeong—even Hong Geolgae—stopped eating to watch the stairs.
That instant, Dang Mujin realized what he'd missed.
'Hong Geolgae and Red-Faced Old Beggar.'
Hong Geolgae's father, former Central Deputy Branch Leader, was Yubonggae Hong Jeong.
Current Central Deputy Branch Leader: Red-Faced Old Beggar.
Key point: his appointment hadn't gone smoothly.
"Ah..."
The four appeared on the stairs. Exactly as expected.
Dang Mujin stiffly turned his head aside.
Hong Geolgae stared at the beggar with the strikingly red face.