Chapter 49
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Up to There
"I know full well. Of course I do. We even fought back-to-back as comrades-in-arms at one point."
"You bastard..."
The word "comrades" twisted Pang Mu-ryang's face into a savage scowl.
He hadn't joined the last war because he was the family head tasked with protecting the clan.
"I've owed him my life more times than I can count. If you're looking for someone you can trust as a comrade, there's no one better."
Pang Do-woong focused intently on Pang Geol-ryang's calm voice. He, too, was immensely curious about Ha Mu-baek's true identity.
Yet his master had called the man a comrade.
He spoke as if they knew each other well, but he hadn't realized it ran that deep.
On top of that, he'd even saved his master's life.
'Just what kind of guy is he...'
He looked younger than himself even now, so during the last war, he would've been little more than a fresh-faced kid.
"That's why I know just how strong he is. He's beyond anything our common sense can measure. I've seen him truly enraged only once. And that's what allowed me to survive. Brother, it's fortunate it ended like this."
"You really..."
Pang Mu-ryang trembled from head to toe.
Pang Geol-ryang pressed on with what he wanted to say, unperturbed.
"Don't even think about revenge. If he decided to end it here, then it's over. If you move rashly with thoughts of vengeance... the Pang Clan will fall."
"Watch your gaping mouth, you insolent fool! How dare you claim the main family can't handle one man!"
With talk of the clan's downfall, Pang Mu-ryang's fury reached its peak.
"You! Instead of reflecting on how you ruined Do-woong, you're spouting utter nonsense!"
His rage-filled shouts continued without pause.
Pang Geol-ryang smirked and retorted.
"If even I can't handle him, how could Do-woong, who hasn't reached half my level? You couldn't last three moves against him either, brother."
Pang Mu-ryang's bulging eyes filled with bloodshot veins.
At words belittling even his own skill, a ferocious aura poured from his entire body.
Yet Pang Geol-ryang remained serene.
It was an aura he could handle with ease.
"As family head, I command: Elder Pang Geol-ryang of the Council of Elders is confined to quarters for three months. You are forbidden from any involvement with Pang Do-woong. And Pang Ho-ryang, you will properly instruct Pang Do-woong!"
Pang Geol-ryang shook his head at the family head's furious order and exited the head's chambers.
"Th-that bastard..."
"Mu-ryang brother... Geol-ryang brother's words..."
"Shut your mouth! Do you want confinement too?!"
Before Pang Ho-ryang could say more, Pang Mu-ryang's furious shout silenced him.
Pang Ho-ryang could only close his mouth with a bitter expression.
He had fought in the last war and glimpsed the man from afar.
That's why he understood what Pang Geol-ryang meant, but the family head was trapped in his own narrow view.
"We're heading to the main alliance. Prepare!"
With that command, Pang Mu-ryang approached Pang Gun-ho.
"Don't worry, Gun-ho. I'll avenge you no matter what. Come on, let's go."
Pang Mu-ryang left the head's chambers, leading Pang Gun-ho away.
Darkness fell over the faces of the remaining Pang Clan disciples.
"He's dead set on revenge after all..."
Pang Ho-ryang shook his head gravely and departed the chambers.
"Um... Instructor."
As training wrapped up.
Ha Seol-ran cautiously spoke.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Han Seol-bing turned her gaze to her and asked.
"Are you close with my big brother?"
She had sensed it from their first meeting a month ago. But she hadn't dared ask outright, just harbored the curiosity.
After the Pang Gun-ho incident, though, she could no longer hold it back.
She'd agonized for days before finally asking today.
Han Seol-bing gazed into Ha Seol-ran's curiosity-filled eyes and smiled brightly.
"Hmm. I thought we were pretty close... but apparently not?"
"Huh?"
"I didn't know he had such a beautiful little sister. Not just me—none of our comrades did. How does he hide himself so thoroughly? Tsk."
"Ah..."
Ha Seol-ran let out a small gasp at Han Seol-bing's tongue-clicking.
"W-well... I was separated from my brother when we were very young, and we only reunited recently."
Han Seol-bing nodded at that.
"I know that much. I've rolled in the mud with Instructor Ha for years. About seven years ago? He stepped away briefly back then, and didn't return until recently... Ah, so that was to see you?"
"Yes. I think he came to visit me for a bit."
Joo Woo-myeong stood at a distance, reviewing his sword forms. It seemed like private talk, so he judged he shouldn't listen.
"Woo-myeong. Come here. You think standing that far makes it so I can't hear anyway?"
Han Seol-bing called to Joo Woo-myeong.
Since she included him, confusion crossed Ha Seol-ran's face. Why?
"Well, it's not bad to hear about Instructor Ha. Woo-myeong could learn from Mu Yeon-jin too, but better from me. Shall we all go grab a bite?"
With that, Han Seol-bing led her now two remaining squad members away.
"Huh? This isn't the way?"
It wasn't toward Devouring Dragon Pavilion. At Ha Seol-ran's question, Han Seol-bing replied nonchalantly.
"Talking about that in Devouring Dragon Pavilion would be no fun. Anyway, with an instructor, we can go out."
Thus, Han Seol-bing headed to a shabby tavern in an alley that had become her regular spot. It served decent food and drink in small portions.
And above all, it was rarely crowded.
"The owner runs this as a hobby, it seems. Always like this when I come. That's why I like it."
"Hey, what kind of talk is that in a business?"
A middle-aged man bringing drinks grinned as he spoke.
"Just stating facts. Take good care of us."
"You got it. Not alone today? Who's this scruffy young master and lady?"
"My disciples."
"Ah, right, Dragon Training Pavilion instructor. Got it. Same as usual?"
Han Seol-bing nodded at the owner's question. Food and drinks arrived swiftly.
"Here, one glass each."
Han Seol-bing filled glasses with cheap baijiu and handed them over.
Joo Woo-myeong and Ha Seol-ran both stared blankly at the glasses before them.
"What's wrong? First time drinking... Ah!"
She realized mid-sentence.
It probably was their first.
Joo Woo-myeong was a disciple of Wudang Sect, full of Taoists, and Ha Mu-baek surely wouldn't let Ha Seol-ran drink.
"Yes."
"Yes."
The two replied softly.
"Well, do as you like. Drink or not. But holding a glass alone looks lonely, so just leave it there."
Han Seol-bing didn't seem inclined to force them.
Having a glass of cheap baijiu with a meal.
That was a true dinner to her.
That's why she preferred this shabby tavern over Devouring Dragon Pavilion.
The bitter baijiu burned refreshingly down her throat.
Han Seol-bing set down her glass with a satisfied expression.
Ha Seol-ran watched closely, then hesitantly reached for her glass.
"Hm? You've tried it before?"
"No. First time. But I'm curious. I think I can try a sip."
Ha Seol-ran's face brimmed with curiosity at Han Seol-bing's question.
Everything in the world was novel and fun to her now. Of course, scary things like the Pang Gun-ho incident happened too.
"Did Instructor Ha forbid it?"
Han Seol-bing propped her chin, gazing at Ha Seol-ran endearingly.
"No, it's just... my health was poor... Well, I'm fine now."
"Well, in that case. It's bitter, so just wet your lips a tiny bit at first."
Ha Seol-ran carefully brought the glass to her lips as instructed.
What a solemn, tense expression for that. Han Seol-bing and even Joo Woo-myeong smiled faintly.
"Keuh."
A throaty sound like a seasoned drinker's escaped Ha Seol-ran.
"How is it?"
"Hmm. Bitter taste, throat burning... I wonder why anyone drinks this... but somehow I want another sip."
Han Seol-bing chuckled at Ha Seol-ran's answer.
"Oops, my mistake. I might've just birthed a liquor goddess."
Han Seol-bing teased as Ha Seol-ran took another sip.
Her face flushed pink quickly.
And so the meal continued.
Joo Woo-myeong and Ha Seol-ran marveled at the food's flavor.
It was delicious.
Even better than Devouring Dragon Pavilion's. They wondered why it was so empty but didn't voice it.
It would be rude to the owner.
"Alright, down to business. About Ha Mu-baek. What kind of man he is."
Ha Seol-ran and Joo Woo-myeong set down their chopsticks. They were already full. Plus, Ha Seol-ran's face was bright red.
"He's strong. Terrifyingly, unbelievably strong..."
Their eyes fixed on Han Seol-bing.
"When he first joined our corps, I wondered where this monster came from. Strong beyond words. At first, he seemed like a vengeful ghost, cutting down enemies like blood-sworn foes."
"Ah..."
Ha Seol-ran gasped softly.
She could understand why her brother was like that. Of course, she didn't remember it herself—just heard from her master.
"So, what's got you curious? About your brother."
"Um... Did my brother seem to suffer a lot in your eyes? Did he look unhappy?"
That was her true wonder.
She'd heard he'd joined Righteous Heaven Alliance to cure her blocked meridians and settle a personal grudge.
She wondered if such a life had been happy for him.
Out in the world now, she felt quite happy. She worried his past unhappiness hadn't been sacrificed for her current joy.
"Hmm... Unhappy... That man is..."
As she rummaged through memories, about to speak.
"Up to there."
A heavy voice rang out.
Han Seol-bing jolted. She'd kept her senses alert, yet felt nothing.
'Ha. As expected of this guy...'
She sighed inwardly.
Ha Mu-baek plopped down at their table.
He snatched Joo Woo-myeong's untouched glass and downed it in one go.
"Lan-ah. I've had hard times, but never unhappy ones. Because of you. My only family—you—kept me from unhappiness."
With that, Ha Mu-baek rose swiftly.
"And drink in moderation. It's not that great."
Then he vanished in a bound.
"Heh. See? Total goblin of a man. Ah, goblin—fits him perfect."
Despite Han Seol-bing's words, Ha Seol-ran said nothing.
Her eyes simply welled red.
Her brother's words—that she'd kept him from unhappiness.
They pierced deep into her heart, resounding in her mind.