Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Wuchang
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Namgung Myeong rubbed his shin discreetly as he asked Jeong Taeryeong.
"Anyway, what's this about the marriage proposal?"
"As you know, Namgung young hero, our Bowon Sect has never lacked for money. But whenever we needed urgent funds, we'd borrow from nearby merchant guilds or money lenders. With the Bowon Sect's reputation, it was never hard to get a loan."
"That's true."
Namgung Myeong didn't know much about the Bowon Sect's finances—the siblings' sect—but he chimed in without argument. The pain in his shin reminded him to stay quiet.
Jeong Taeryeong's face darkened.
"But two years ago, a massive fire broke out in the Huining region, changing everything. It was the peak of a drought with fierce winds, so there was no way to contain the flames. The Bowon Sect burned down to just its walls and foundations."
"Oh no."
"But we couldn't just end up homeless on the streets, could we? The people of Huining borrowed money left and right to rebuild. The sect's retainers scattered everywhere to secure loans. One of them was the Zhengdo Merchant Guild."
"Zhengdo Merchant Guild. Rings a bell. I hear it's one of the top five merchant guilds in the Central Plains."
The Man Geum Jang held overwhelming wealth among all guilds, but each region had its dominant players. The Zhengdo Merchant Guild ruled Anhui and Hubei.
"Exactly. With everyone running around begging for money, Okryeong went to the Zhengdo Merchant Guild for a loan. And wouldn't you know it—the guild master's eldest son took one look at her and fell head over heels."
Jeong Okryeong puffed out her chest confidently, shoulders squared.
Her posture seemed to say, *So many men want me—how dare you think of turning me down?*
Namgung Myeong averted his eyes from her with effort.
"So, the Zhengdo guild master offered to lend the money in exchange for making Jeong Okryeong his daughter-in-law?"
Jeong Taeryeong shook his head.
"No, not quite. Instead, he took over all our debts from various merchant guilds and lenders. Every debt we owed ended up with the Zhengdo Guild. Then he proposed that if Okryeong married his son, he'd forgive it all."
"And if she doesn't marry him?"
"We'd have to pay it back."
Contrary to Namgung Myeong's guess, the guild master's offer felt more than fair—almost generous.
Beyond the obvious choice of repaying the loan, he'd given a second option: send Okryeong as a bride and have the debts wiped clean.
"Then couldn't you just pay it back slowly?"
"The amount was too huge to handle. Anyway, when the Bowon Sect fell behind on payments, the guild master made a proposal to my father. Why not make a bet on it?"
"What kind of bet?"
"In the Wuchang martial tournament, the representative of the Bowon Sect—me—and the guild master's eldest son compete. Whoever places higher wins. If I win, the debts are forgiven. If his son wins, Okryeong becomes his daughter-in-law."
Dang Mujin's group now understood why the opponent Jeong Taeryeong had fought earlier acted so strangely.
He was most likely hired or bribed by the Zhengdo Guild. Injure Jeong Taeryeong enough to knock him down a peg, and they'd win the bet easily.
Dang Mujin interjected into the story.
"But he's still just a merchant's son, right? His skills probably aren't much."
"The guild master's eldest son has impressive martial prowess, on par with children from notable clans. Of course, I'm still one step ahead."
The situation made perfect sense.
The Bowon Sect leader knew his son's skills outmatched the merchant's heir, so he'd accepted the bet without much hesitation. A strong showing in the tournament, and the crushing debt vanishes.
Truth be told, for a bet, the Zhengdo Guild's terms were incredibly lenient. Win or lose, the debt gets cleared.
It seemed both the guild master and his son were utterly smitten with Okryeong.
This time, Hyeon-gong chimed in.
"Just wondering—is there some major flaw with the Zhengdo heir? Like a violent temper where he lashes out, or an obsession with women, or maybe he's hideously ugly?"
Jeong Taeryeong shook his head.
"From what people say, he's serious-minded, neatly groomed, and avoids debauchery."
The group's eyes turned to Namgung Myeong. No matter how they looked at it, the Zhengdo heir seemed far better husband material.
No need for nitpicking scores like Hyeon-gong.
Flawless looks, personality, and even wealth. Versus a one-armed thief cast out from his clan. Anyone would pick the former.
Namgung Myeong grumbled.
"Hey, why are you all staring like that? No one's saying she shouldn't marry into the Zhengdo Guild."
Hearing that, Jeong Okryeong glared with wide eyes, and Hong Geolgae's right foot lifted off the ground.
Namgung Myeong instinctively stepped back, shielding his shin.
Hong Geolgae let out a deep sigh.
"Sigh. Hopeless idiot."
Jeong Taeryeong burst into hearty laughter.
"Honestly, plenty of people said the same as you, Namgung young hero. They'd say he should be grateful she even considers it—why turn down such a good offer? I put Okryeong's wishes first, that's why we're here."
"Ahem."
The group glanced between Jeong Okryeong and Namgung Myeong.
He remained lukewarm, while she looked exasperated that he didn't get it.
Jeong Taeryeong moved to wrap up.
"Truth is, everyone assumes the guild master will win the bet. A shrewd man like him wouldn't gamble without confidence... Word is, he's even prepared a green wedding robe for Okryeong. He thinks she's as good as his."
No one knew which part lit the fire, but Namgung Myeong's attitude suddenly shifted to enthusiastic.
"Ahem. Anyway, doesn't it all come down to you winning the tournament, Jeong hero?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll help."
With Namgung Myeong suddenly on board, Jeong Okryeong blushed, her eyes sparkling.
"What? How are you going to help?"
Namgung Myeong answered her question.
"First, I need to assist with your training."
Hearing that, Dang Mujin nodded too.
Helping with training meant staying in Wuchang a few more days.
From Dang Mujin's experience, romance progressed naturally when a man and woman spent time together and he showed his cool side. That's how he'd won Dan Seolyeong's heart and gotten married.
And as a superior expert, aiding Jeong Taeryeong's training counted as showing off.
Wang Jincheong needed rest and Qi Circulation anyway, so their schedule worked out.
But one issue remained.
Jeong Taeryeong spoke awkwardly.
"Of course, training with a top expert like you, Namgung young hero, would help immensely. The problem is time. Matches start tomorrow."
"Is your opponent set for tomorrow?"
"Song Ji-hak of the Akju Song Clan. Famous for wielding his long spear like an extra arm."
Namgung Myeong glanced at Dang Mujin's group.
"Song Ji-hak of the Akju Song Clan. Like today's opponent, you think he's bought off by the guild master?"
"High chance. The Akju Song Clan always struggles financially."
Namgung Myeong spoke meaningfully.
"Then how about a walkover win tomorrow?"
"...A walkover?"
"If they play dirty, we can get a little rough too, right?"
In Namgung Myeong's mind, he pictured himself sneaking into Song Ji-hak's lodgings at night.
Creep up to the sleeping man, tweak his wrist just enough, and slip out. Tomorrow's a guaranteed walkover.
With some breathing room in the schedule after, they'd buy a few days for training.
But the group—minus Namgung Myeong—freaked out. How would Jeong Taeryeong or Okryeong take that?
Surprisingly, Okryeong blushed deeper, smiling oddly. She seemed thrilled he'd risk notoriety for her sake.
Jeong Taeryeong, meanwhile, laughed heartily. Clearly taking it as a joke.
"Haha! Too much, too much. But your eagerness to help eases my nerves. I'll win clean tomorrow without a scratch, then dive into training with your aid."
Namgung Myeong clicked his tongue so softly Jeong Taeryeong couldn't hear.
*
The next day, Jeong Taeryeong faced Song Ji-hak of the Akju Song Clan on the arena stage. Song wielded a spear far longer than any man, with an odd pouch at his waist.
Jeong Taeryeong wasn't fully recovered, but it wouldn't hinder his fighting.
Seeing his condition looked solid came as a surprise—Song Ji-hak seemed flustered.
Dang Mujin's group sized up Song as he warmed up.
"He looks weaker than yesterday's guy."
"Spear versus sword favors us too, so he should win without issue."
Spear mastery was unique.
Long and basic to wield, novices crushed swordsmen easily.
That's why bandit mobs armed with spears over swords.
But as skill rose, swordsmen began dominating spear users.
Footwork and lightness skills exposed the spear's close-range weakness.
Past peak realm, though, spear and sword balanced out.
Key point: Jeong Taeryeong held the edge now.
"Begin!"
At the announcer's call, Jeong Taeryeong charged fiercely with footwork.
Song retreated swiftly, swinging his spear, but Jeong dodged the tip artfully and closed in.
Superior in skill and weapon matchup, Jeong seemed set for an easier win than yesterday.
But then, Song grabbed the pouch at his waist.
*What's that?*
Song pulled out a palm-sized porcelain vial and smashed it on the ground without hesitation.
It shattered, spewing dozens, hundreds of sharp metal shards like cocklebur seeds.
Even coated in poison—the tiny barbs gleamed bluish.
Dang Mujin yelped in shock.
"What the—aren't those hidden weapons? That's allowed?"
But only he was surprised. Namgung Myeong, tense but calm, replied.
"It is."
"It is?!"
"Wasn't before, but since the last Orthodox-Unorthodox War, it's the trend."
"Why?!"
"Two big reasons. First, lessons from that war. Righteous fighters struggled because they weren't used to unorthodox hidden weapons and dirty tricks."
Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin watched the arena.
Poison shards hampered footwork; Jeong Taeryeong couldn't close distance, dodging spears on the defensive.
"What's the point of 'fair and square' duels? Real combat matters. To avoid panic against unorthodox foes later, tournaments now allow such tricks."
"What's the second reason?"
"No such thing as fair between weapons."
As Dang Mujin looked puzzled, Namgung Myeong continued.
"In tournaments, allow plain swords and spears but ban odd weapons? Right?"
Dang Mujin pictured odd weapons: judge's brush like a pen, jagged g uchido blade, claw-like jado. No reason to ban them in tournaments.
"Odd weapons make sense—pros and cons."
"Then where's the line for 'odd'?"
Dang Mujin pondered.
Hard to define. That's why they're lumped as "odd weapons"—not standard.
"It's not just odd or not. Quality too. Say I show up with a two-tael junk sword, you with your prized blade. What happens?"
"I'd win, obviously."
"It'd just take me a bit longer than usual."
"Honestly, I'd win..."
"Point is, no weapon matchup is truly fair."
"So make everyone use the same? Blunted training swords."
"What about weapon specialists? Same sword doesn't make it fair."
"Hm."
"Simplest fix: allow everything. That's why even junk like that flies in tournaments."
The war prep excuse rang truer than pure fairness.
Spectators seemed to love the spectacle too.
Suddenly, Dang Mujin wondered if they allowed it all just to boost entertainment.
Then, cornered Jeong Taeryeong made his choice.
*Better risk a dangerous win than lose.*
He half-ignored the ground shards, footwork bold, charging with a sword swing. End it before poison spread.
Song didn't sit idle.
He thrust his spear—at Jeong's thigh.
Jeong didn't slow and retreat. He accepted a minor wound to dive into Song's guard.
The spear grazed deep into his thigh. But simultaneously, Jeong's sword kissed Song's neck.
"Winner: Jeong Taeryeong of the Bowon Sect!"
Yet the loser Song grinned brighter than victor Jeong, while Okryeong looked near tears.
The blood pouring from Jeong's leg screamed "not minor."
Even forcing the next match, normal footwork was impossible.
Namgung Myeong got the rules' intent but hated the outcome.
He sighed deeply.
"Winning unscathed today was key to the plan."
Okryeong approached him, voice breaking.
"What do I do now?"
Namgung Myeong's eyes glinted dangerously.
"Every remaining opponent vanishes, walkover to the championship. Sound good?"
Over an unwanted wedding, she seemed to fancy Namgung Myeong's idea.
Hyeon-gong and Hong Geolgae agonized if winning that way was okay.
Fairness aside, the culprit would be obvious.
But Dang Mujin showed no reaction, fiddling with a metal shard from the ground.
After a moment, he spoke to the group.
"Namgung Myeong."
"Yeah?"
"Tournaments allow all foreign objects, right?"
Random remark. All eyes on Dang Mujin.
"Yeah."
"Might as well show 'em what a real foreign object is."
With that, Namgung Myeong, Hong Geolgae, and Hyeon-gong grinned like they'd read his mind.
"Nice. I like it."
Okryeong, clueless on Dang Mujin's "foreign object," blinked in confusion.