Chapter 144
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: When Are We Leaving?
Zhangwon was busy amid the quiet.
It had been a place where they had spent a long time, so there was much to sort through.
Now it was time to leave Wuchang.
Time to return to Seonyugok in Hyeong Mountain.
Gong Son Mu-oe and Gong Son Bi-yeon were tidying their room and packing their belongings.
Gong Son Hwa-kyeong and Gong So-yu were doing the same.
They had come together from Seonyugok in Hyeong Mountain to Wuchang, but the return journey would be different.
Henan Province's Cheonjung Mountain.
The home of the Myriad Things Union.
With Gong So-yu's Heavenly Punishment fully healed, it was time for her to return to where she belonged.
Gong Mu-hyeok was preparing to head back to the Myriad Things Union with Gong Son Hwa-kyeong and Gong So-yu.
Only Gong Son Mu-oe and Gong Son Bi-yeon would go to Seonyugok.
That made five in total.
Unlike the journey here, the group was small and simple.
The workers at Zhangwon were all locals hired temporarily in Wuchang.
Once they left, those workers would seek other jobs.
During the Demonic Cult's raid, Gong Mu-hyeok's escort squad had all perished.
Though he had sent word to the Union, no additional escorts were dispatched.
Gong Mu-hyeok had expected as much.
He knew the Demonic Cult's attack was tied to his younger brother, the Deputy Leader.
Thanks to the last transmission from the escort squad leader.
But now that it was unfolding as predicted, it left a bitter taste.
"When are we leaving?"
Gong So-yu asked her father. A shadow clouded her face.
It was inevitable.
Her first friend since birth was here.
Though younger, she had been like a sister.
Dan Mok Un-hye.
Hadn't they just watched the youth tournament together yesterday?
"We'll leave once Instructor Ha arrives. The Dragon Training Pavilion is entering its off-season now, so he'll be leaving soon. That's why we're preparing ahead. So we can depart at any moment."
Gong So-yu nodded slightly at Gong Mu-hyeok's words.
"Heh heh. We're not leaving today anyway, so go see Un-hye."
Understanding her feelings, Gong Son Mu-oe chuckled.
"We don't have much to pack. Since Yeon will be going with you, it's fine to visit Un-hye first."
Gong Son Mu-oe added, catching Gong So-yu's gaze.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
Gong So-yu bowed deeply.
Gong Son Bi-yeon approached with a smile, having finished packing.
Lunchtime was drawing near.
"Let's have lunch at an inn with Un-hye. There's one I've been wanting to try."
With Ha Mu-baek and Wi Ji-gun handling Gong So-yu's treatment, Gong Son Bi-yeon had far more free time.
Unless those two were around, she had little to do.
Just decocting and administering medicine.
And even that, she did with her grandfather.
Otherwise, she studied Ha Mu-baek and Wi Ji-gun's acupuncture techniques.
So she had plenty of spare time.
Gong Son Bi-yeon spent it exploring Wuchang's inns.
Unwanted stares were annoying, but solved with two layers of thick cotton veils.
She compromised by visiting at quiet times and sitting in the most secluded corners.
Having lived mostly in secluded Seonyugok deep in the mountains, the bustling city's tasty inn food had become a hobby.
In truth, she was reluctant to leave too, so she wanted to take Gong So-yu and Dan Mok Un-hye along.
To the place she missed the most from her visits.
"But sister, if we go at lunchtime, it'll be crowded."
Gong So-yu pointed out.
"We'll hang out at Un-hye's house a bit and head out at a good time. It'll be a late lunch."
Gong So-yu nodded and prepared to leave Zhangwon.
After Gong So-yu and Gong Son Bi-yeon departed.
"Are you in?"
Ha Mu-baek arrived as if on cue.
"Instructor Ha. Come in."
Gong Son Mu-oe welcomed him.
They had watched the youth tournament together yesterday and chatted about various things.
Thanks to that, Gong Son Mu-oe felt quite close to Ha Mu-baek.
"Instructor Ha. Are you already fully prepared?"
Gong Mu-hyeok approached with a surprised look.
"It'll take about three days."
Meaning they could depart in four days.
The departure date was set.
"Understood. We'll be ready to leave in four days. Is that why you've come?"
Ha Mu-baek shook his head.
"I have something to discuss."
"Yes. I'm listening."
"I haven't decided what to do yet."
Gong Mu-hyeok nodded solemnly at Ha Mu-baek's words.
It must be about his brother.
How far the price would go.
That was beyond Gong Mu-hyeok's involvement.
No, he had to stay out of it entirely.
He had nearly died himself, so before Ha Mu-baek acted, he should make his own brother pay first.
"But I don't think he'll kneel easily."
Gong Mu-hyeok nodded.
If he were that sort of man, he wouldn't have tried to eliminate him in the first place.
He would have sent reinforcements upon hearing the escort squad was wiped out.
"It might turn into quite a fight."
Gong Mu-hyeok spoke with a resolved expression.
"I've anticipated that much."
"So-yu won't have."
Ha Mu-baek's words twisted Gong Mu-hyeok's face. He hadn't considered that.
This wasn't just returning home.
It was going to fight.
To punish the one who rebelled against the Leader.
"It might be best if just you and the Leader go. That's what I came to say."
"Understood."
Gong Mu-hyeok agreed readily.
He thought the same; he couldn't take his daughter on this return.
He felt foolish for overlooking it.
What was the Myriad Things Union's greatest genius?
A man mad for weapons and firepowder, incapable of considering others.
As Ha Mu-baek left and Gong Mu-hyeok sank into self-reproach, Gong Son Hwa-kyeong embraced him from behind.
"It hurt so much. For you and So-yu. That's why. You're just relieved we can all go home healthy now."
Gong Son Hwa-kyeong's comfort.
"I only thought we're finally heading back."
Her following words.
Still, Gong Mu-hyeok berated his own hasty thinking.
Then Gong Son Mu-oe appeared.
"We'll have to unpack."
Gong Mu-hyeok looked at him puzzled.
"What do you mean, Father-in-law?"
"We can't take So-yu to the valley just to send her back to the Union. Wuchang is midway between Seonyugok and the Myriad Things Union. Better to stay here until things settle, then go."
It made sense.
Hunan Province's Seonyugok and Henan Province's Myriad Things Union.
Hubei Province, where Wuchang lay, was right between them.
"Thank you."
Gong Mu-hyeok bowed.
Gong Son Mu-oe, Lord of Seonyugok, had been away for quite some time.
He should return soon, yet staying longer for So-yu left Gong Mu-hyeok feeling indebted.
Gong Do-hyeok sat at the desk in his office.
He repeatedly drew and wrote on paper, then crumpled it up.
After much of the same, he leaned back tiredly.
"Hoo. This should be enough to catch the dragon...
But the opponent had survived once already.
It had to be even more thorough.
For that, more Ten Thousand Golden Chain Thunderclaps would be better.
Only the first batch remained.
No production since.
The meticulous Gong Mu-hyeok had discarded all parts, materials, and equipment needed for production.
To make more, he'd need blueprints and to prepare everything anew.
He had some blueprints.
The scroll he owned.
And one piece from the annex.
Two of five pieces were in his hands.
But it wasn't enough.
Gong Do-hyeok delved into the blueprints.
Analyzing, copying repeatedly, hoping for insights.
Nothing worked.
Just incomprehensible patterns, symbols, and drawings.
Deep fatigue settled on Gong Do-hyeok's face.
"Deputy Leader. Are you there?"
A voice called from outside. Elder Council Leader Deung Gun-hyeon.
"Come in."
Gong Do-hyeok rose to greet him.
"You look busy."
Deung Gun-hyeon noted his face.
"Stuck on a problem. What brings you?"
"Progress on the Righteous Heaven Alliance's commission."
So Hwi-woong's sixtieth birthday gift saber was under Deung Gun-hyeon's charge.
Originally Gong Do-hyeok's duty as Deputy Leader, but Deung Gun-hyeon coveted handling the actual Millennia Mute Golden Iron.
Gong Do-hyeok happily delegated full authority.
Millennia Mute Golden Iron.
Even Deung Gun-hyeon, Elder Council Leader of the Myriad Things Union, had never properly worked it.
Only collected it in his youth.
Using a full tael.
Enough to make a born craftsman like Deung Gun-hyeon dizzy.
Perhaps why he reported progress every few days.
Gong Do-hyeok was ultimately responsible.
"Refining the Millennia Mute Golden Iron and mixing it with Millennia Cold Iron is no easy task. It barely blends. True to its name."
"No issue with the deadline?"
Gong Do-hyeok asked.
"A tael makes it doable somehow. Two catties? Impossible."
Gong Do-hyeok nodded.
"Far trickier than records suggest. I thought we'd meet the deadline based on them. You've saved me from a mistake, Elder Council Leader."
Deung Gun-hyeon shook his head.
"How is that your fault, Deputy Leader? I thought two catties would suffice too. But handling it proved otherwise."
"Please continue your efforts."
"Yes. By year's end, the Millennia Mute Golden Iron and Millennia Cold Iron fusion should finish. Then blade forging from New Year's."
"I trust only you, Elder Council Leader."
After the update, Deung Gun-hyeon left.
Gong Do-hyeok's face twisted immediately.
What a bothersome old man.
Good thing he tossed him the Millennia Mute Golden Iron; otherwise, endless nagging.
Year's end.
Days away.
Dongji was yesterday.
About eight days left.
Gong Do-hyeok's gaze turned to the desk.
The complex diagram.
Ten Thousand Golden Chain Thunderclap placements to catch the dragon.
The install location was set.
The Myriad Things Union's grand hall.
Soon, just place them around the throne as planned.
Ha Mu-baek.
When he came, he'd greet him from the throne.
As Union Leader, it would be his seat.
One in hand, four focused on Ha Mu-baek from around.
All calculations done; install and wait.
"The Leader is me."
Gong Do-hyeok muttered lowly, voice thick with obsession.
His eyes gleamed.