Chapter 29 – Fruitful After the Rain(12)
The modest evening banquet hosted by the unorthodox sect surprisingly had a sense of dignity. The warriors exchanged well-wishes as they drank, and some even sparred outside.
From Mu-myung’s perspective, who already had preconceptions about the unorthodox sect from martial arts novels, it was quite unexpected. At least, he hadn’t expected such a clean and neat impression.
Especially the sight of someone who was even the Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect of the unorthodox sect sitting beside him and pouring him drinks was, how should I put it? It was impossible to get used to. Rather, it was tremendously burdensome.
“How do you like the wine I prepared?”
“Not bad. The name of this wine is…?”
“It’s called Yeoa-hong. My father buried it when I was five years old.”[TL/N Yeoahong (여아홍, 女兒紅) is a traditional aged rice wine, buried at a daughter’s birth and dug up for her wedding as a blessing.]
Upon hearing the name, Mu-myung almost spat out his drink. If his memory served him correctly, Yeoa-hong was a wine meant to be taken out and drunk as a celebratory drink on the day a daughter gets married.
“Is it okay to bring out such a precious wine for an occasion like this?”
“Perhaps I already knew the outcome. You know? My father’s feelings when he buried the Yeoa-hong when I was just five years old…”
“Your master must have considered the possibility that he might not return.”
“That’s right. Actually, father promised to make and bury better wine if he returned.”
He thought aged wine would taste stale, but for something that had been aged for thirty years, its aroma and taste were not bad at all, allowing him to empty an entire cup in an instant.
“Let’s stop testing each other at this point.”
“You’re more perceptive than I thought.”yeo”What do you want?”
“Before that, what do you think of this martial arts world, great warrior?”
“I think it’s in a precarious situation, like a lamp in the wind.”
Mu-myung revealed his honest feelings without a moment’s hesitation. He didn’t know about other places, but even the Murong family had no knowledge about the evil sect. Other martial arts factions and clans would likely be in a similar situation.
In contrast, the evil sect was hiding in the shadows of the orthodox and evil sect, openly doing as they pleased. It was a serious situation where they could, as the saying goes, cut off your nose while your eyes are open, and no one would know.
“While the evil sect is openly operating in the shadows, no one knows of their existence.”
“You know much more than I thought.”
“I’ve already directly confronted and fought them. The head of the Murong family was in league with the Ma cult.”
“The Murong family? Are you talking about that Murong family that’s one of the Five Great Families?”
“Yes.”
Muwol’s eyes widened as big as lanterns at this unexpected information. She already knew they were operating within the unorthodox sect, but she never expected their reach to extend to the orthodox sect as well.
If it were some obscure faction, it would be somewhat understandable. But it was the Murong family, which held a position among the Five Great Families, so even Muwol couldn’t help but be shocked.
“To casually share such information… I don’t know if you’re broad-minded or foolish.”
“I too had my life saved by your master. Think of it as me cooperating generously with you, his blood relation, to repay that debt.”
“…Is that so.”
Muwol couldn’t help but admire Mu-myung’s unwavering response. Before reaching the position of Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect, she had to fight countless petty individuals.
From her perspective, having lived a life where betrayal and conspiracy were like close friends, the concept of repaying a debt was too unfamiliar. Especially if it wasn’t a favor she had bestowed.
And even now, as Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect, the situation was chaotic, making it difficult to distinguish allies from enemies. This made Mu-myung, who spoke of repaying her father’s kindness, appear all the more special.
‘Does it mean he’s confident in his abilities? Well, he is one of the warriors chosen by father to counter the Ma cult. His skills must be extraordinary.’
“I should directly contact the Murong family first. Thanks to you, I’m starting to get a rough picture of what to do next.”
“I’m glad to have been of help.”
“What do you plan to do from now on, grand master”
“Well…”
Mu-myung’s response to Muwol’s question was as vague as fog. Honestly, he didn’t have a proper plan. While he had clearly set his goal, the problem was that he had no idea which direction to take.
He couldn’t just go around burning down every humble cottage claiming to look for the Ma cult. But at the same time, unfortunately, he had too little information to determine an exact direction.
“In that case, I recommend moving your base first.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve likely been exposed to them quite a bit already. Even I’ve known about the Murong family’s men storming Geumhyeon Mountain for a long time.”
“Then it means I could be attacked by the Ma cult.”
“Not that I doubt your skills… but you have something to protect, don’t you?”
Mu-myung couldn’t refute Muwol’s words. Hadn’t the Black Plague Sect targeted the vulnerable Seolhwa and Sua first? There was no reason to expect fairness from the Ma cult.
“But I have nowhere suitable to go.”
“A warrior with excellent skills and character is welcomed wherever they go.”
“I’m not alone now, so I want a place that won’t have a negative influence on the children.”
“Hmm, then how about the Seonmu School of the orthodox sect?”
“That might actually be good.”
Though he wasn’t sure exactly what the Seonmu School was, if it was a school operated by the orthodox sect, the security would be reliable at least for the sake of the students.
Moreover, if he was lucky, he might be able to obtain martial arts skills that would benefit not only the children but also himself. Thinking it wasn’t a bad idea, Mu-myung nodded, and Muwol handed him something.
It was a letter of recommendation with the Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect’s seal on it. Puzzled as to why she was suddenly giving this to him, Mu-myung looked at Muwol, who couldn’t help but smile.
“The Seonmu School was established to promote harmony between the orthodox sect and unorthodox sect. Naturally, students from both the orthodox sect and unorthodox sect can enroll, but… only students with verified identities can be admitted.”
“…I see, so you’re giving me this recommendation letter because of Seolhwa.”
“That’s right. If I, the Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect, personally vouch for you, who would dare object?”
“Thank you.”
Considering Seolhwa’s background, this recommendation letter would clearly be very helpful. So, Mu-myung readily expressed his gratitude to Muwol, who merely smiled with her eyes.
“Lord of the Dark Lotus Sect-nim, the night has grown deep, so perhaps it’s time to end the banquet…”
“Is it that late already? It’s regrettable, but it seems today ends here.”
“It was quite an informative time. I will… deeply consider your proposal.”
“I too found it very informative.”
That was no mere flattery. For Muwol, who was pouring all her efforts into countering the Ma cult, the existence of potential new allies was quite appealing.
Of course, she couldn’t naively believe everything Mu-myung said from the beginning, but at least it was worth trying. Having made this judgment, Muwol took out a box and handed it to Mu-myung.
Mu-myung tilted his head in confusion and opened the box. Inside was a bottle of wine, similar to the Yeoa-hong that Muwol had taken out earlier to serve him.
“I brewed this wine myself, thinking I might meet my father someday. I don’t need it anymore, so I’ll give it to you.”
“Is it the same wine as the Yeoa-hong your master brewed?”
“It’s brewed using the same method. Especially since I think you’ll need the Yeoa-hong.”
“You’re not wrong.”
For the sake of Seolhwa, who essentially had only one family member, this wine would surely be needed. So, Mu-myung accepted the final gift Muwol handed him without refusing.
As Mu-myung sat alone looking at the wine bottle after Muwol and the unorthodox sect warriors had left, he sensed familiar presences nearby and looked up.
As expected, Sua and Seolhwa were standing there together. It seemed the adults’ banquet had been quite boring for the children, as he had seen them slip away to the stream earlier.
“Oh my.”
Just as he was about to say that everything was over, suddenly Seolhwa came running like a chick and threw herself into Mu-myung’s arms. Mu-myung instinctively embraced her and said:
“Did you see something scary?”
“Master! I like you!”
“I like Seolhwa too.”
“Then will you marry me when I grow up?”
“What? Pfft!”
Caught off guard by this cute attack, Mu-myung burst into laughter. Is this how fathers with late-born daughters feel? He was starting to understand a bit.
At fifteen, Seolhwa’s age made it hard to consider her completely childish. The issue was that she hadn’t learned and grown like ordinary children, making her mental age very young.
‘It’s no wonder, having been confined in a dark place for ten years… then Seolhwa’s effective age is close to five, and at that age, this is normal.’
“Master!!”
“Yes, yes. Let’s get married when you grow up.”
“You promised for sure!!”
“Of course.”
“M-Master! Then I too would like a marriage promise…!!”
With Sua’s sudden participation, Mu-myung couldn’t suppress his laughter. These kids, when they reach the age to get married and meet good partners, how will they handle this?
“Then to commemorate today, let’s go bury the Yeo-ah-hong together.”
Someday, after a long time has passed, when they take out this wine and drink it together, they’ll be able to enjoy a momentary pleasant time with this bold and slightly immature conversation they had today.
But the wine they drink that day will likely be a bit bitter.
