Yellow Dragon Lord, Genius Swordsman
Episode 23
At Nosong’s words, O Du-seok and Jang Woo-cheol looked back at Dan Sa-hyeok.
Jin Sook-soo, who was slightly apart from them, spoke as if he was the first to do so.
“I have a feeling that it won’t be a good story for a mere novice to hear. Can I go in first?”
“As you wish.”
“Then I’ll go and see.”
As soon as Dan Sa-hyeok answered, Jin Sook-soo left after saying a word.
Jang Woo-cheol laughed in vain when he saw that.
“Oh, really. Is that guy scared or bold… … .”
“A wise beggar. Unlike you.”
“Huh? Big brother, what do you mean?”
“Stay away from useless curiosity and don’t spit out unnecessary words. Don’t you know that this is an unwritten rule of the martial arts world?”
“Uh, uhm… … .”
Jang Woo-cheol drools at O Du-seok’s nagging.
Regardless, Nosong looked back at Dan Sa-hyeok.
“You’re talking about kicking out that Zhuge family member’s wife, but it’s not just because she tried to use you, right?”
“…….”
“To be honest, her intentions were closer to good, and she didn’t intend to take advantage of you.”
“But old man, weren’t you talking bad about that woman with me earlier?”
Before Dan Sa-hyeok could even open his mouth, Oh Du-seok intervened.
Nosong clicked his tongue briefly at the useless remark.
“You were the only one gossiping, not me.”
“Oh, no. But… … .”
“It is natural that calculations are involved in people’s actions. However, that does not mean that their intentions are entirely selfish.”
“Hmm.”
“Although Zhuge Liang’s wife was calculating, it was never that severe. Above all, she ultimately wanted to help this friend.”
At Nosong’s words, Odu Seok kept his mouth shut.
In fact, he also secretly thought that Dan Sa-hyeok’s actions were a bit excessive.
“And yet you chased her away rather harshly.”
Nosong said to Dan Sa-hyeok.
“I’m sure there’s a good reason for that, right?”
“There wasn’t any other great reason.”
Dan Sa-hyeok calmly answered No Song’s question.
“I just want to have people by my side right now that I can completely trust.”
“A person I can trust completely?”
“exactly.”
Dan Sa-hyeok’s gaze swept over O Du-seok.
O Du-seok, who had not expected to be suddenly noticed, looked around.
“First of all, Chief Oh is a man I’ve been keeping an eye on since Gansu Province. He’s simple and aggressive, but he’s more loyal and upright than anyone else.”
“What, what is it?”
“And Jang Woo-cheol.”
“Yes, brother?”
“You are foolish and as simple-minded as Chief Oh, but that doesn’t mean you would do something like betrayal.”
“Hmm.”
Jang Woo-cheol scratched the back of his head awkwardly, and Oh Du-seok frowned slightly at his slightly red face.
“Are you going to keep saying it’s simple, it’s simple? This damn guy’s trying to act like a boss now.”
“Facts are facts. And… … .”
Dan Sa-hyeok’s gaze, which was trailing off, turned towards No Song.
“As you saw earlier, Jin Sook-su is wise and knows how to not cross the line. Even though he doesn’t know martial arts, he is a great Noh Kang-ho.”
“Hmm. Then what about me?”
“Because he is someone my teacher has guaranteed. That’s why I can trust him.”
At Dan Sa-hyeok’s words, No Song’s wrinkles deepened.
The deep wrinkles at the corners of his mouth almost looked like a bitter smile.
“I see.”
“exactly.”
“Then, in the case of that Zhuge family… … .”
“Because you’re kind. That’s why I can’t trust you.”
“It’s so kind that I can’t believe it, but it’s hard to see this as a common explanation.”
“It’s okay to be calculating. Just make the choices that fit the rationality. But it’s not okay to be kind. If you go over that standard even a little bit, your heart will change.”
“Hmm, now I think I understand what you’re thinking.”
Nosong speaks while nodding his head.
Oh Du-seok also seemed to know to some extent.
“In short, it sounds like you and this Huanglongseong might get involved in something messy?”
“You saw it clearly, Branch Manager Oh.”
“So what the heck is that?”
“I don’t know either.”
“what?”
“Not yet.”
Dan Sa-hyeok’s gaze turned into space as he added that.
“The death of the Blood Heavenly Demon is like the striking of a bell that announces the beginning of everything, and even his death will be nothing more than a ripple compared to the coming storm.”
“… … Looks like someone told you that.”
“Yes, old man.”
“And that someone must be your teacher.”
“That’s correct.”
“I see.”
Nosong reacts as if he is completely convinced by Dan Sa-hyeok’s answer.
Oduseok couldn’t stand it any longer and asked.
“What kind of author is that guy’s teacher that he does that?”
“Who is the author? Hehe.”
Nosong burst into laughter.
“Don’t you already know? He is the author who raised the man who killed the Blood Heavenly Demon and disbanded the Murim Alliance as his disciple.”
“Umm… … .”
“This may be a new story, but I have never seen a being stronger than that. Of course, I have never seen one since.”
Nosong, who had declared so, looked back at Dan Sa-hyeok.
“It may sound a bit disappointing to you, but I think that even you, at present, have not yet reached the level of your master.”
“There’s nothing to be upset about. I think so too.”
“Is that so? But you still have a long time left, so who knows. Even your master probably wouldn’t have been able to do that at your age.”
“Well, on the other hand, just because I’m the same age as my teacher doesn’t mean I’ll become that much stronger.”
“That too… … That’s true.”
“You might die unluckily before you get that old.”
O Du-seok looked tired at Dan Sa-hyeok’s words.
“You’re really something. Why are you saying such unlucky things?”
“Because facts are facts. That’s how it is in the world of martial arts. Even someone who is called the best in the world can suddenly die a violent death one day.”
“That’s actually what happened to the Blood Heavenly Horse.”
When Nosong added, Odu Seok clicked his tongue.
“That guy did it.”
“That’s what I mean. The world is wide and there are many experts. And… …there are bound to be those who try to turn this world upside down in places we don’t even know about.”
“What? What is that… … ?”
“Don’t you know? Think back to what Dan Sa-hyeok’s master said. Even the death of the Blood Heavenly Demon was only a sign of the coming storm.”
“Um. So… … .”
“Just because the Blood Heavenly Demon is dead, it doesn’t mean the current martial arts world will be completely peaceful.”
The old man’s expression hardened.
“Dan Sa-hyeok became the master of this Hwangryongseong to prepare for that crisis.”
* * *
“Yes, that happened.”
A street in Xi’an lined with inns.
Among them, in a particularly large guest house, Zhuge Yunsheng was comforting his daughter.
“I don’t know why Dan Daehyeop did that to me. I just wanted to help him.”
“Maybe there is another reason why you can’t say anything. In any case, I don’t think there is any ill will in our family.”
“Is that really true?”
“Of course.”
Jegal Yunseong smiled at his daughter and answered softly.
Jegal Seoyeon also felt a little better.
Although she was scared of Dan Sa-hyeok before, she is also a true martial artist.
I wasn’t so weak as to be frustrated or run away from something like this.
“Then for now… … I guess we’ll have to investigate separately from the Dan Daehyeop.”
“An investigation?”
“Yes. It seems like this incident wasn’t something that happened simply by moving one office building.”
Zhuge Yunseong’s expression hardened at his daughter’s words.
“Is there any basis for thinking so?”
“The black thieves of Cheongsabang were centered around the guest house and the bar. To do that, they had to be able to enter the guest house or the bar, right?”
“But I don’t think they’d refuse entry to a place like that just because it’s a Sapa? … … Ah.”
Zhuge Yunseong’s reaction as if he realized something.
Jegal Seoyeon nodded.
“That’s right. Even if you don’t get denied entry, you still need money to go in and talk.”
“And most sects, especially the Black Sword faction, tend to have empty granaries.”
“That’s right. In the decades since the Blood Heavenly Cult was driven out, most of the gold and wealth flowing into the martial arts world was swallowed up by the martial arts alliance.”
Zhuge Yunsheng smiled bitterly at Zhuge Seoyeon’s words.
“That’s a sharp expression. Of course, you too wanted to change the old ways of the Murim Alliance.”
“That’s right. Just like the current Dan Daehyeop. In short, we’re on the same side, right? But why is Dan Daehyeop… … .”
“Hmm, let’s put that aside for now. Anyway… … The conclusion is that there are people who supported Cheongsabang from behind the scenes.”
“that’s right.”
Zhuge Liang’s eyes shone brightly.
“I’m going to try to dig into the background first.”
* * *
“… … Hmm.”
“Oh, you’re awake, my lord!”
Namgung Woon furrowed his brow at the deafening sound.
“Are you planning to make your master deaf?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
A middle-aged man who is embarrassed and lies face down.
It was Seol Bung-Gwon-Gak Ma Seong-Chu, a confidant of Namgung Se-Ga.
After Namgung Woon was defeated miserably by Dan Sa Hyuk, he too had no choice but to spend every night in silence.
This is because he pushed for confrontation more strongly than anyone else in the previous internal meeting.
Of course, it was highly unlikely that his words, which were nothing more than a subordinate’s, would have pushed Namgung Woon away.
However, it was also true that the feelings of those who were subordinate were helpless.
“I spoke carelessly back then. I truly deserve to die, my lord!”
“Okay, lower your voice. You’re driving me crazy.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
A devil apologizing with a crawling sound.
Namgung Woon sighed and looked around.
“Where is this?”
“I have rented one of the manors in the city of Xi’an. I think it would be best to return to Hefei after your lord has recuperated sufficiently… … .”
“How long have I been awake?”
“It’s been about ten days.”
“What about the Yellow Dragon?”
In response to Namgung Woon’s question, Maseongchu bit his lip until it bled.
“It is truly regrettable… … that we have fallen completely into the hands of that wicked man.”
“Wicked, who?”
“Yes? Of course, that’s what made my lord like that… … .”
“Are you talking about Dan Sa-hyeok? How foolish of you to say that.”
Masungchu was momentarily dumbfounded by Namgung Woon’s appearance as if he was defending the person who had destroyed him and left him in a coma for ten days.
However, Namgung Woon did not show that attitude without thinking.
“Our fight was fair and square. If you want to find fault, it’s with me, not him.”
“My lord, my lord… … .”
“Defeat is defeat and there is no need for excuses. Especially not in a case like this.”
Namgung Woon’s voice became more powerful.
“I will use this defeat as a stepping stone to become even stronger. As befitting the reputation of the Heavenly Sword King.”
“My lord… … !”
“So you and everyone else should know this and stop talking nonsense. Retaliation against Dan Sa-hyeok is also strictly prohibited.”
“Yes… … . I understand, my lord.”
Maseongchu answers while lowering his head.
A middle-aged man with a stiff beard covering half his face, looking listless.
Namgung Woon tried hard to hold back a sigh.
“But where did the others go? Why are you the only one guarding this place?”
Ma Seong-chu’s voice became even more cautious at Namgung Woon’s question.
“So, that’s it.”
