Chapter 50 – Honey Belly Sword (9)
Namgung Baek.
At the age of eighteen, he was listed among the Hundred Great masters, and until Sua appeared, he was the youngest genius in martial arts history to reach the first-class realm and the young master of the Namgung family.
I already knew that story well from what Namgung-yeon had told me. But I honestly don’t understand why he’s looking at me with such wary eyes.
However, I had no intention of overlooking Namgung Baek’s rudeness. If it were just me alone, I might have let it slide, but now I have three disciples I’m responsible for.
“Your expression doesn’t look very good. Perhaps my being alive bothers you that much?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“When emotions are so clearly visible on your face, I think everything that needs to be said has already been said.”
“……I apologize. It’s because of a personal matter. Before I knew it, I……”
After my pointed remark, Namgung Baek thought for a moment, then bowed his head and apologized to me. My disciples gasped at his resolute demeanor, something he had never shown before.
Let bygones be bygones.
That’s how I’ve lived until now.
So I usually let most things pass.
But this time, I simply couldn’t let it go. My disciples could have been captured by the Evil Sect and taken prisoner. It was fortunate that Go Gyeom and Ma Kang were there.
It’s obvious that if either one of them had been absent, events would have unfolded according to their plan. Of course, the Evil Sect bears the greatest guilt. I was fully aware of that fact.
However, does that mean the Namgung family and Sunmoo Academy bear no responsibility? That’s certainly not the case. After all, it was the Sunmoo Academy and the Namgung family who prepared this procession in the first place.
‘Because of your Hundred Great Masters, my disciples were nearly put in danger. If you vouched for something, you should pay the price for it. I absolutely will not let this matter slide.’
“M-Master? Is there some problem?”
“I’m fine. But I have no intention of letting this matter slide.”
“But we’re dealing with the Martial Alliance. Perhaps you should reconsider…”
Of course, I’m not a fool either. The Martial Alliance must have plenty of masters like Hwa-gyeong or Hyeon-gyeong that I often saw in martial arts novels. But am I lacking in money, power, or prestige?
“As expected of Master.”
“With Master by our side, there’s nothing to fear!”
“That’s right, of course.”
“…Indeed, the great warrior has depth. Thanks to you, I feel somewhat reassured.”
‘Huh? Why is he acting like that?’
I tilted my head in confusion. Honestly, I had just spoken my mind without much thought. But upon hearing my words, Namgung Baek actually seemed to lower his guard.
Why, though?
Could it be because of that attack before?
Or could it be that he’s worried about Namgung-yeon, who became my disciple…?
‘This guy might not be as bad as I thought.’
Well, I can somewhat understand his feelings. From what I’ve heard, Namgung-yeon left the Sunmoo Academy. And suddenly became a disciple of a stranger.
If I were in Namgung Baek’s position, I would probably be just as wary.
However, Namgung-yeon’s restless attitude is also somewhat concerning.
Something clearly happened between those two, but I’m not sure what it was. Anyway, with these questions in mind, I proceeded toward the village in Shandong with the warriors of the Namgung family.
The rumor that the Namgung family and Murong family would be holding a meeting had already spread widely. The marketplace in Shandong was much more crowded than I had anticipated.
“Merchants must have heard the news and came all the way here.”
“It’s the meeting of the Namgung family and the Murong family. It’s not strange that other sects and families would send delegations.”
“Since they’re rarely seen, I suppose they can’t miss an opportunity like this.”
Not just the Namgung family. The Murong family is also starting to interact with the righteous Martial Alliance again. It seems they’ve calculated that it wouldn’t hurt to make their presence known.
“But didn’t I hear initially that the entire righteous Martial Alliance couldn’t come because of their reputation?”
“That’s not wrong. That’s why they’re coming to Shandong with plausible excuses.”
“Plausible excuses such as…?”
“Visiting relatives in Shandong, simply traveling, and so on. There’s no shortage of plausible excuses.”
Namgung Baek, who was directly guiding us through Shandong, added further explanation. So, since they can’t officially appear due to their reputation, they come up with excuses?
“People who live and die for their dignity, I see.”
“You should be careful too, great warrior.”
They’re always smiling, but they keep knives ready to stab you in the back at any moment.
â—‡
Indeed, there was no shortage of excuses to visit Shandong.
The most common and safest excuse was to congratulate the Namgung family and Murong family on their meeting. That was the most appropriate reason to send a delegation.
Naturally, with so many people visiting, merchants were also excited, selling goods and food in the marketplace. In other words, it had become something close to a fair.
There were about three days left until the meeting. It would be ideal to stay at the inn and explore the marketplace until then, but Mu myung approached it from a completely different perspective.
‘The Evil Sect that tried to backstab us even with the Hundred Great Masters openly involved. Would they really do nothing even in Shandong?’
Of course, there were quite a few members of major righteous families and sects in Shandong, including the Namgung family and Murong family. But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.
If we could have felt secure because of the reputation of the righteous sects, then we shouldn’t have been backstabbed by the Hundred Great masters they acknowledged and vouched for. After much deliberation, Mu myung made a decision.
“I’ll visit the Murong family directly.”
“What? But won’t they be busy preparing for the meeting?”
“Shouldn’t Sua also reunite with her family after a long time? And above all, the only people we can trust in this Shandong are the Murong family.”
“The reunion isn’t particularly necessary… But I understand if that’s the reason.”
Securing a safe base is the priority. It would be ideal if Mu myung could stay by his disciples’ side all day, but inevitably, there will be gaps.
“Besides, having me around all the time would be inconvenient for you in many ways.”
“That’s true, Master.”
“Not for me.”
“I’m fine with it! If you’re my Master!!”
“……Master???”
Hearing that, Namgung-yeon looked at Mu myung with an incredulous expression. But it would be strange to explain at length that it was a misunderstanding, so Mu myung naturally changed the subject.
“If we’ve decided, let’s move right away. We don’t have much time.”
“I understand for now.”
Fortunately, finding the residence where the Murong family was staying wasn’t too difficult. At the entrance to the residence rented in the name of the Namgung family, , Mu myung encountered a familiar face..
“It’s been a long time, great warrior Mu myung.”
“It has been a while. Your name was Murong Sa, correct?”
“That’s right. Thanks to your kindness, we can meet again like this.”
“I’m also glad to see you again, young warrior Murong Sa. I’m glad to see you’re healthy.”
After exchanging appropriate greetings, Mu myung and Murong Sa immediately got to the main point. Murong Sa was certainly one of the few trustworthy individuals outside the Murong family.
“You were caught in a vicious plot. I’m glad you escaped safely, great warrior.”
“I’ve painfully realized my mistake through this incident. I will no longer sit idly by and just take it.”
“Do you have a plan in mind?”
“What comes must go. This time, I’m thinking of seeking them out directly.”
It’s not in Mu myung’s character to suffer a blow without returning it. Especially now when his precious disciples nearly came to harm. Hearing this, Murong Sa tilted his head and said.
“I understand what you mean. But how do you plan to track them down?”
“That’s what I need to find out from now on.”
“They might have completely withdrawn. From what I’ve heard, from the Evil Sect’s perspective, it’s as if they failed a massive plan.”
From the Evil Sect’s point of view, they failed a plan they had put tremendous effort into, and suffered significant damage as well. In such a situation, retreating would be more ideal than stubbornly persisting.
That was Murong Sa’s opinion, and after hearing it, Mu myung realized there was merit in what Murong Sa said. He had intended to leave his disciples here and wander around.
In the end, was it himself who acted irrationally, blinded by anger? Mu myung calmed himself through deep breathing. Alright, let’s act as rationally as possible.
“Do you have any good ideas?”
“The military strategy says not to be lazy in reconnaissance and vigilance.”
What nonsense is this? Why is that suddenly being brought up?
“Just as they infiltrated the Murong family, there must certainly be members of the Evil Sect who have infiltrated the Namgung family. This time, I think it would be best if you were satisfied with rooting out the Evil Sect hidden within the Namgung family.”
At Murong Sa’s words, Mu myung nodded. Indeed, it’s not a bad suggestion.
