Moorim Pochang - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 100. Woo Mi Sal.

They recognized the women’s identities at a glance.
In vibrant silks and painted faces, they were unmistakably kisaeng.
Yet these kisaeng dared to throw flirtatious glances at Yang Jung.
“Yang Jung.”
The skilled women’s voices turned glacial.
Yang Jung rose quickly from his seat, offering them a smile as well.
“Welcome.”
The skilled women shot the kisaeng a look so cold it could cut steel.
The ordinary kisaeng could hardly withstand such a murderous gaze.
“W-we should be going.”
“Th-thank you for the meal, Yang Jung.”
The kisaeng hurried from their seats and left the Guest Inn.
But pride was not entirely lost to them—before departing, they cast one final glare back at the skilled women.
‘Sword-swinging brutes, every one of them.’
‘Troublesome wenches.’
Just as they were about to cross the Stone Bridge, young men were crossing it from the other side.
Giggle, giggle.
“Do visit us at the Baek Wol-ru.”
The kisaeng flashed them a smile dripping with allure.
The young men flushed and hastily stepped aside.
The skilled women watching this display cursed inwardly.
‘Men. Every last one of them.’
The skilled women, who had been observing with disapproval, turned back to Yang Jung with a smile.
“Surely you’re not planning a visit to such establishments, Yang Jung?”
“We’re disappointed, Yang Jung.”
Yang Jung felt cold sweat trickle down his back.
‘One wrong word and I might feel steel between my ribs.’
Yet he maintained an outward composure, offering a gentle laugh.
Ha, ha…
“There’s no chance of that, I assure you.”
Kang Jo let out a quiet chuckle at their performance.
‘They play their roles well.’

*

Whirr…
The blade in Kang Jo’s hand trembled faintly.
Swish… crack…
The sword split and tore through the air in an instant.
The sword form he was executing now was not the one his master had taught him.
He was performing the simplest form of the Woo Mi Sal Sword Form, and yet it bore a resemblance to the techniques his master had shown him.
Swish… swish…
Kang Jo repeated the Woo Mi Sal Sword Form over and over.
The forms flowed without interruption.
Yang Jung, who appeared without warning, sat motionless and watched the sword forms unfold.
Swish…
As Kang Jo lowered his blade, Yang Jung, who had been observing quietly, spoke.
“Is that the Woo Mi Sal Sword Form?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a bit different from what you taught me.”
“I’m not an assassin, so I modified it somewhat.”
Yang Jung nodded in understanding and rose to his feet.
Swish.
In the motion of standing, a blade was drawn from his waist and cut through space.
This sword form was the one his master had taught him.
Yang Jung switched sword forms in an instant.
Shwip…shwip…shwik….
The Woo Mi Sal Sword Form unfolded from his hands.
This time, Kang Jo watched his sword form closely.
‘He’s grown quite proficient.’
It hadn’t been long since he’d taught him the form, yet aside from a few rough edges, there was nothing awkward about it.
There was no way to verify whether the sword form he’d deciphered was correct or not.
He had simply taught the form as he felt it, drawing from his interpretation of the secret manual.
Kang Jo, who had been watching his form, picked up his sword again.
Shwip…shwik…
This time, the sword technique he displayed was the Jeon Ryun Gu Cheon Ma Geom of Ma-gyo.

*

A strikingly beautiful woman walked down the street.
Everyone who passed stopped in their tracks and stared at her.
Some of them even drooled—her appearance was so stunning she could rightfully be called the most beautiful under heaven.
They pursued her like men possessed by spirits.
She wore a luminous white robe, and around her waist hung a curiously shaped belt.
Whatever her garment was made of, it gave off a soft, radiant glow.
Thick metal spheres draped from her waist down her legs, creating an intriguing contrast with the radiant white of her robes.
One of the Gangho experts pursuing her quickened his pace and blocked her path.
“I… might we… speak for a moment?”
He was so nervous his voice trembled.
“What is it you wish?”
The woman smiled as she asked.
Even that smile was so beautiful he found himself utterly entranced.
When he failed to respond, she sidestepped him and continued on her way.
Coming to his senses only belatedly, the man began to follow her again.
She entered a branch location of the Cheon Sa-gyo.
Everyone standing in line stopped and stared, mesmerized.
As the woman rounded a corner toward the hall, those who had been following her tried to pursue.
But martial artists blocked their path.
“Outsiders are not permitted to enter.”
“Who is that lady?”
Those following her asked urgently.
“She is an important member of the Cheon Sa-gyo. If you wish to see her face again, you must become a member of the sect.”
“We will. We’ll become members of the Cheon Sa-gyo.”
“Please, let us join the sect.”
At the urgent pleas of these men, the martial artists smiled coldly.
“Not everyone can become a member. What are your skills?”
At his question, the men raised their voices eagerly.
“I am well-versed in learning!”
“I am a master of no small renown in Gangho!”

*

Eon So-ryong stared at the woman, his mind completely gone.
Until now, he had thought there was no beauty to rival Yeon Ja-seol, but this woman surpassed her entirely.
“May I ask your name?”
At her soft, melodious voice, he felt his senses slipping away.
“I… my name is… Eon So-ryong.”
“I see. But where is Yeo Hwa?”
Only at that question did he manage to regain his composure.
“Who are you?”
As Eon So-ryong’s expression and tone shifted, a flicker of surprise flashed in the woman’s eyes before vanishing.
“Yeo Hwa is a child I hold dear.”
“Hold dear? What’s there to hold dear about an old hag like you?”
Yeo Hwa rounded the corner of the hall, glaring at the woman.
Hehe……
“That pretty mouth of hers needs tearing open one of these days.”
The woman smiled radiantly even as she spat out such vicious words.
“I called for Aham. Why did you come instead?”
“Aham will show up later. That bastard’s too lazy.”
The woman who answered turned to look at Eon So-ryong.
“And this handsome fellow—is he your disciple?”
“He’s a bit dull, but yes, he’s my disciple. What do you make of him?”
At Yeo Hwa’s question, the woman examined Eon So-ryong carefully.
“Raw talent. With proper training, he could be useful.”
“That’s why I took him on as a disciple.”
Yeo Hwa smiled with satisfaction.
Eon So-ryong was not yet the equal of Moyong Se.
But given proper instruction, he could surpass even that man.
The woman withdrew her gaze and spoke.
“My blood brother called for me. But I have no idea why he summoned me.”
“Gwang Ak was your tool, and he’s dead. That’s why he called for you.”
The woman nodded.
“I’ve heard that Gwang Ak is dead. They say it happened at the Murim Alliance?”
“Not exactly. To be precise, it happened in front of the Murim Alliance.”
Hehehehe…
“One or the other.”
Yeo Hwa shook her head.
“It makes a difference. He didn’t die by Baek Moon-do’s hand—he died by someone else’s.”
Hmm…
The woman’s eyes gleamed with sudden interest.
In all of Gangho, there were few who could have killed Gwang Ak besides Baek Moon-do and Dok-go Yeop.
“Who was it that did something so remarkable?”
“A man named Kang Jo.”
The woman tilted her head.
“Kang Jo? There’s someone like that in Gangho?”
“The owner of the Guest Inn.”
Hehehehe…
She laughed loudly.
“Gwang Ak was killed by some innkeeper? Was Gwang Ak too distracted gnawing on meat to notice?”
“No. He’s not to be underestimated.”
“What kind of man is he?”
“His martial arts are formidable, and his cooking skills are extraordinary.”
Hmm…
The smiling woman rose and made her way toward the hall.
“I want to hear more details. Bring me food first. I’m hungry.”
The woman and Yeo Hwa entered the hall.
Eon So-ryong, who had been watching quietly, wore a predatory smile.
‘I want her. Desperately.’

*

Kang Jo sat on the Stone Bridge, gazing down at the waters below.
The weather had turned suddenly cold, and ice had formed on the stream.
Beneath that ice lay Yang Jung.
‘Should I call this pathetic or remarkable?’
With such dedication, he would have been better off refining the martial arts his master had transmitted to him.
Yet that fool was cultivating the Sal Gong of the assassin.
After lying beneath the ice for a long while, Yang Jung pushed his head up through the hole.
Whoooosh…
He exhaled a long breath.
“Damn… I’m freezing to death out here.”
“If it’s that cold, stop.”
“No, sir.”
He shook his head and dove back beneath the ice.
Kang Jo shook his head and rose to his feet.
“What are you up to?”
Baek Won-yeong approached from a distance, calling out to him.
“I was watching Sam-ryong.”
“Sam-ryong? Where is he?”
At his question, Kang Jo pointed beneath the bridge.
Baek Won-yeong examined the area under the bridge from different angles.
But there was no sign of Sam-ryong anywhere.
“He’s not here?”
As he approached the Stone Bridge, he cast his gaze toward the stream where Kang Jo was looking down.
A stifled gasp—
The moment his eyes found the stream, a strangled sound escaped his lips.
“What’s going on? Sam-ryong…..why are you down there?”
“I’m training my martial arts.”
“What kind of martial arts training is this? That’s not training—that’s torture.”
“Just leave him be. When he’s exhausted, he’ll come up from under the water.”
Kang Jo turned away without concern.
At that, Baek Won-yeong took one more look beneath the ice before stepping into the Guest Inn.
Sam-ryong seemed to be as stubborn as he was skilled, and no amount of talking would change his mind.
“That makes five of us.”
“Who else is coming?”
“Dok-go Yeop and Dok-go Eun, and also the fourth sister and Ha-yeong.”
Kang Jo fed wood into the brazier.
“There’s been a strange rumor spreading among the talented folk. Do you know anything about it?”
“What rumor is that?”
“Well…….word has gotten out that Sam-ryong frequents a place called the Baek Wol-ru. Of course, it’s all nonsense, but the men think it confirms their suspicions, and the women insist it’s absolutely impossible. Ha-yeong’s been quite upset about it.”
Kang Jo took up the thread smoothly.
“Then tell everyone that Sam-ryong spends every night at the pleasure house.”
Hahahaha—
Baek Won-yeong burst out laughing.
“But that’s not true.”
“That’s precisely why everything will go smoothly.”
Chuckle, chuckle—
“The women’s morale would plummet.”
“But wouldn’t the men’s morale rise instead?”
“Fair point.”
As Kang Jo and Baek Won-yeong bantered, the Dok-go sisters, Yeon Ja-seol, and Baek Ha-yeong stepped inside.
“Welcome.”
Kang Jo greeted them from the kitchen.
“Where is Yang Jung?”
The moment Baek Ha-yeong entered the Guest Inn, she was already looking for Yang Jung.
“He’s under the bridge.”
“Under the bridge? What’s he doing there?”
She hurried toward the Stone Bridge.
Then came a sharp cry.
“Yang Jung—!”
Hahahaha—
The moment Baek Won-yeong heard that cry, laughter poured out of him.
Yeon Ja-seol and the Dok-go sisters had no idea why he was laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
At Dok-go Eun’s question, he waved his hand.
“Nothing at all.”
Baek Won-yeong had been calling her “sister” in his manner of speech.
It seemed they had somehow become brother and sister.
Then came Baek Ha-yeong’s voice again from outside.
“Why are you lying under the ice—?”
Chuckle, chuckle—
At that sound, Baek Won-yeong again could not contain his laughter.

*

After finishing the meal, Dok-go Eun turned to Kang Jo.
“I’ll be departing in four days.”
“Is it alright to confide such secrets in me?”
“You won’t tell anyone anyway.”
“Isn’t that placing far too much trust in me? In any case, do take care of yourself.”
Kang Jo’s face looked remarkably serene.
Her feelings slightly bruised, she spoke again, her voice sharp as a blade.
“Shouldn’t you at least show some concern?”
“I’m concerned enough.”
“Your face certainly doesn’t show it.”
“Take your grievances to someone else.”
When Kang Jo’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, she shifted her own.
Hehehehe…
“One day you’ll pay a heavy price for this. You and I are bound by destiny.”
Kang Jo laughed as well.
Hahahaha…
“My master once told me this: Destiny is merely the record of your past deeds—do not blame fate itself. Destiny is only the result of the path you forge with your own hands.”
Dok-go Eun was not the only one taken aback.
Yeon Ja-seol and Baek Ha-yeong, naturally, as well as Baek Won-yeong and Dok-go Il, fell into rapt reflection.
Sigh…
Dok-go Eun found herself letting out a deep breath without quite realizing it.
‘What an unfathomable man he truly is.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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