Chapter 61- Wu and Yue in the same boat (6)
Wow, damn, that startled me.
I let out a sigh of relief, barely calming my startled heart. Prejudice is certainly not good, but apart from prejudice, Dang Baek-ha’s actions were literally close to that of a womanizer.
When Dang Baek-ha asked for Seolhwa, I instinctively frowned and refused. Even Dang Baek-ha himself was calmly nodding and trying to persuade me somehow.
Naturally, my attention was drawn in that direction. If he were at least polite and respectful like Go Gyeom. No matter what, it was a little bit too much for someone with such loose morals.
“I understand your concerns, Sir. However, Seolhwa’s poison is a power desperately needed by our Sichuan Tanga.”
“…Did you say poison?”
“Yes.”
If Dang Baek-ha had not mentioned the word poison while trying to persuade me, then this foolish misunderstanding would have lasted much longer than expected.
Fortunately, Dang Baek-ha did not seem to notice my misunderstanding. While sighing with relief, I seriously listened to what Dang Baek-ha had to say this time.
In fact, it’s not that I hadn’t thought about it at all. The poison generated in Seolhwa’s danjeon is constantly being converted into internal energy through the Spear-Sword Mind Technique and stored in her danjeon.
Conversely, I wondered if using the poison as poison attack like Sichuan Tanga might not be a bad idea. However, I quickly gave up on that thought.
“I know what you’re trying to say.”
“Then let me have just one chance…”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Clearly, as you said, Seolhwa meeting with Sichuan Tanga’s poison attack might be like a dragon obtaining clouds.”
However, slowly, I thought about it again. The poison held in Seolhwa’s danjeon is not something she wants to acquire. Rather, that poison is more like a curse to Seolhwa.
For more than 10 years, Seolhwa was confined in that dark and narrow cave. It was merely due to someone else’s malice. In fact, Seolhwa herself survived because she had talent and luck.
If either of those two had been even slightly lacking, today’s Seolhwa would not have existed. In other words, for Seolhwa, the poison she harbored was a trace she wanted to erase quickly.
On the contrary, it’s not a power she wants to utilize. Even before, didn’t the Black Death Sect try to use Seolhwa to cause tremendous damage? That’s why I absolutely cannot allow it.
Because I am the master.
Because I am Seolhwa’s sole protector.
That’s why I have to do my best to make Seolhwa upright and happy. That is the only duty that I, cannot yield as a master who knows only the Three Disasters Sword Technique.
“I can sense deep regret in your voice. Surely Seolhwa must have gone through something.”
“That’s right. But I cannot speak of it with my own mouth.”
“Then that actually makes things easier. All I need to do is make Seolhwa fall for me?”
“?????”
Faced with this completely unexpected answer, I stared at Dang Baek-ha with a dumbfounded expression. No, how does one even reach such a conclusion? I sighed and replied.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot allow that either.”
“How can one prevent two people of the opposite sex from liking each other?”
“But it’s not like I can easily hand over my disciple to a man with a light butt.”
“Hmm, I cannot deny that.”
Don’t whine and deny it.
Although I’m not so narrow-minded as to prevent my disciples from dating. But still, when such a punk approaches my disciple, I should prevent it, shouldn’t I?
“Master! Master! Play with me too!”
“Oh, Seolhwa must have been bored.”
“Seolhwa, if you’d like, how about playing with me?”
“Sorry, I enjoy playing with my master the most.”
Just then, Seolhwa, unable to bear the boredom, came to me asking to play. Seeing this as an opportunity, Dang Baek-ha made an offer to Seolhwa but was flatly rejected.
Thanks to that, I could feel relieved inside. I was worried that Seolhwa might fall for that guy. Fortunately, Seolhwa seemed to have discerning eye for things.
“I’m sorry, Seolhwa. How about we go for an outing to the marketplace in Sichuan?”
“Anywhere is fine as long as I’m with Master!”
“Well, then I’ll show you around Sichuan. You can think of this area as something I know very well.”
“You’re more tenacious than I expected. I thought you would give up soon.”
I couldn’t help but nod at Ma Kang’s words. Honestly, I personally oppose it, but isn’t it too harsh to block Dang Baek-ha’s efforts?
“After the outing, there’s something important to discuss.”
But I still need to finish what needs to be done.
â—‡
Mu-myung stayed in Sichuan for three days with his disciples and had conversations with Dang Baek-ha. Surprisingly, Dang Baek-ha was also investigating by mobilizing all the resources of the Sichuan Tanga.
This was because he felt threatened by the existence of the Evil Sect that had tried to take over Sichuan. If they came to attack with force, one could simply crush them with equal force.
In fact, when the Black Death Sect tried to suppress Sichuan Tanga, Sichuan Tanga pushed back the Black Death Sect with power. However, the method chosen by the Evil Sect was not force, but money and law.
“I never imagined they would boldly use the Emperor’s strict laws to try to take Sichuan. Thanks to that, we had to endure a lot of bloodshed.”
“So that’s why you started investigating the Evil Sect.”
“That’s right. They say that if you keep your distance, you will be defeated in a hundred battles, but in the process, we obtained information that we had never expected.”
“What on earth is that?”
“That is…”
“Family Head!! You need to come immediately!!”
Just then, as they were sharing information with Dang Baek-ha, one of the warriors of the Sacheon Tang family burst through the door, shouting. Even Dang Baek-ha frowned at this.
“I am currently having a conversation with important guests.”
“The Family Head who had disappeared has returned!”
“What did you say?”
Dang Baek-ha’s eyes widened like lanterns at the unexpected news. Even though he had been conversing with honored guests, but if that statement was true, he couldn’t just ignore it.
“Sir, if it’s alright with you, could we continue our conversation later?”
“Do as you must.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Dang Baek-ha bowed to Mu-myung and quickly left. Mu-myung, now alone, returned to his disciples who were waiting for him.
“Did you return, Master?”
“You came back faster than expected.”
“The head of Sichuan Tanga who had disappeared has returned.”
“Huh? Is that possible?”
“Sometimes miracles happen, but… This time, it seems suspicious.”
If he disappeared right after the Sword Demon War, that means he’s been missing for at least several decades. To return alive after such a long time? And on his own?
“I think it would be best to go and observe the situation directly.”
“I think so too.”
“Then let’s go right away.”
Both Sua and Ma Kang supported Mu-myung’s opinion. No matter how they thought about it, something didn’t make sense. Mu-myung went with his disciples to meet the family head who just returned.
As expected, the head of Sichuan Tanga was happily conversing with Dang Baek-ha. Unlike Dang Baek-ha, his hair had completely turned white and his face was full of wrinkles.
Surprisingly.Â
Even compared to the head of the Sichuan Tanga who was entering his middle age and old.
Mu-myung himself looked much older than him. That fact made him a bit sad.
The middle-aged man who had been talking with Dang Baek-ha tilted his head when he saw the people who had come to find him. Dang Baek-ha noticing Mu-myung’s presence, smiled and spoke.
“Ah, I’m late with introductions. This is my father and the head of the Sichuan Tanga, Dang Baek-seo.”
“It’s nice to meet you, I am…”
“Mu, Mu-myung is cooperating with us, Sichuan Tanga, to eradicate the roots of the Evil Sect!”
“Ah.”
Mu-myung easily read Dang Baek-ha’s intentions. After all, Dang Baek-seo, the head of the Sichuan Tanga, was a person who had participated in the Sword Demon War, so, of course, he would know the original face of the Sword Demon.
Even if he had forgotten the face by chance, mentioning the name of the Sword Demon, who had caused enormous damage to the Sichuan Tanga, would be a major obstacle to future cooperation with the Sichuan Tanga.
Dang Baek-seo was definitely aware of this, so he introduced him under the pseudonym Mu-myung. Mu-myung nodded and went along with Dang Baek-seo’s words.
“That’s right, Family Head. We must join forces to counter the Evil Sect.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Unfortunately, the Sichuan Tanga has no intention of fighting against the Evil Sect.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have finally realized. The teachings of the Evil Sect are the true truth, and all martial artists should receive those teachings.”
There was no vitality in Dang Baek-seo’s eyes as he answered Mu-myung. Mu-myung clicked his tongue as he saw that. Why are my ominous feelings never wrong?
