Moorim Pochang - Chapter 15

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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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Chapter 15. A Man Falls for a Man (1).

“What troubles you, Gae Bang?”
“Ah… as I was passing by, I saw a young fellow who appeared to be the inn’s proprietor washing dishes by the stream. This old man knows a bit of Feng Shui, so I mentioned the ground wasn’t auspicious—and that young rascal took offense at it.”
A long, rueful sigh.
Baek Mun-do’s face fell into an expression of genuine sympathy.
“Why did you do such a thing, Gae Bang? Even to these eyes, the young proprietor seemed rather prickly in temperament.”
A low groan escaped him.
Shin Poong-gae let out a sound of pure distress.
He had loudly proclaimed to his own ears that he would never seek a meal at that inn, so why in heaven’s name was he now planning to return to that very place?
But he quickly swept aside his misgivings.
A beggar’s face was harder than iron—even the greatest masters eventually gave way.
Shin Poong-gae dismissed the matter of the inn from his mind and turned the conversation elsewhere.
“The reason this old man has traveled all the way to the Murim Alliance is because of troubling movements in Gangho’s martial world.”
Baek Mun-do’s expression grew serious as he received the words.
“Speak on.”
“According to my scouts, not long ago they spotted suspicious activity among martial artists in a northern village—roughly twenty in number. One of my scouts approached to identify them, but vanished without a trace. The direction those people are moving seems to lead here.”

*

Baek Mun-do fell into thought, his face grave.
“Does anything stand out to you?”
As the silence stretched long, Shin Poong-gae opened his mouth to ask.
The leader responded, clearing the weight from his expression.
“Among those martial artists—was there perhaps a large man carrying a Great Sword?”
At that question, Shin Poong-gae’s eyes gleamed with sharp recognition.
“How did you come to know that?”
A long, heavy breath.
Baek Mun-do exhaled a deep and weary sigh.
“I fear… the Blood Cult has been resurrected.”
The moment Shin Poong-gae heard those words, his eyes went wide with shock.
“This… surely not… the Blood Cult resurrected? Is there truth to what you say?”
The Blood Cult.
It was a name one wished never to think of again, never to speak of again.
The war with the Blood Cult had been so horrific that countless martial artists lost their lives.
In the end, the 100 Heroes defeated them, but most of those heroes fell on the battlefield, never to return.
Baek Mun-do’s manner remained composed.
“Do not be overly alarmed. The martial world has enjoyed an unprecedented abundance.”
Just as he said, Gangho’s martial world was experiencing prosperity unlike any before.
Exceptional rising talents were appearing in succession, replacing the 100 Heroes themselves.
Shin Poong-gae recovered his color.
“This old man places his faith in you, the leader. But if the scouts’ reports are true, those unwelcome guests will strike at the Murim Alliance soon.”
“We shall prepare ourselves thoroughly.”
The Murim Alliance had not merely been idle.
Since the war with the Blood Cult, they had continuously accumulated strength, and now they were prepared to fight even if the Cult resurfaced.
“Now that I think of it, I recall a Blood Sect Member named Buk Yeom-ra. I wonder if that man too was not a master of the Blood Cult.”
Some two and a half years prior, a master named Buk Yeom-ra had swept through the Northern Martial World.
His martial prowess was so formidable that even Gangho’s martial world had been deeply unsettled.
But one morning, he was killed by someone, and his subordinates were annihilated as well.
“The Murim Alliance dispatched masters at that time too. However, we recovered only the corpses of him and his men—we found no evidence anywhere that he was a master of the Blood Cult.”
A low, mischievous chuckle.
Shin Poong-gae suddenly broke into a wry smile, as if he had recalled something amusing.
“Do you suppose the leader believes it was the Family Head of the Eon House who eliminated Buk Yeom-ra?”
After Buk Yeom-ra and his men were slaughtered, the Eon House had claimed it was the work of their own Family Head.
By that claim, the Jinju Eon House had gained great renown, and that reputation persisted to this day.
At his question, Baek Mun-do smiled bitterly.
“That won’t be it. When Buk Yeom-ra was at the height of his power, the Jinju Eon House held its breath, silent as a corpse.”
“This old man shares the same thought as you, Chieftain. Even the Gae Bang searched for the master who eliminated Buk Yeom-ra, but found not a trace. Even now, thinking of that matter fills me with regret.”
“It’s likely someone of great skill living in hermitage. That’s why they haven’t appeared until now.”
*

Baek Won-young set out from the Murim Alliance leading a mare as dusk began to settle over the land.
He didn’t know why his father had insisted he bring the horse along, but he would understand the reason once he arrived at the inn.
‘One bowl of noodles for a silver coin… Is it really worth that much?’
When his younger sister first mentioned it, he’d simply laughed it off.
But when the tale of that inn began flowing from his father’s lips, genuine interest kindled within him.
After walking for some time, he reached the edge of a forest and led the mare across a stone bridge.
A crumbling wall and a gate missing its doors.
Where exactly was the entrance?
The moment he led the horse inside, a strikingly handsome man came rushing out.
“Welcome.”
Baek Won-young bowed in return to his courteous greeting.
As he straightened, his eyes met those of the handsome man.
‘His gaze is deep and transparent.’
The inn was indistinguishable from any roadside establishment, yet the young proprietor’s first impression was not altogether unpleasant.
“Please, be seated.”
“Is there no stable where I might tie up the horse?”
Baek Won-young looked around, searching for a stable.
The young proprietor gestured toward the back.
“There’s a back courtyard—you can let her loose there.”
“Thank you.”
Following the proprietor’s directions to the rear courtyard, he found a single mare huddled in a sitting position.
But the mare appeared utterly exhausted.
Baek Won-young released his own horse into the back courtyard without even tying her halter.
“Rest here.”
She was well-trained enough that there was no danger of her fleeing.
Returning to the inn, the young proprietor politely inquired.
“What might I prepare for you?”
“I’ve heard the noodles here are excellent. I’ll have a bowl of noodles.”
Baek Won-young ordered as his father had instructed.
The young proprietor asked again.
“Would chicken noodle soup suit you?”
“Yes, that’s fine. And… if you have wine, bring a bottle, would you?”
“One moment, please.”
The young proprietor disappeared into the kitchen and began pulling noodles.
Thwack… Thwack…!
Baek Won-young watched through the open gap, observing his movements.
‘His technique for pulling noodles seems quite skilled…’
As he continued to observe, his gaze drifted to the surroundings.
Hastily arranged tables and wooden stools, with a roof erected only to shield against rain.
It was truly a shabby inn.
Yet without walls, there was something oddly refreshing about it.
Whishhhhh…
The wind blowing through the forest actually swept away the stuffiness from his heart like a broom.
‘How refreshing.’
He had many Rising Talents he kept close company with.
But there wasn’t a single friend with whom he could truly share his heart.
The son of the Chieftain. The eldest.
He had to surpass everyone else, leaving no time to make friends.
Clack.
Baek Won-young jolted from his reverie at the sound of a wooden plate being set down.
‘How careless… I didn’t even notice someone approaching so close. Still so far to go, Baek Won-young.’
He reproached himself silently.
No matter how lost in thought he’d been, failing to notice someone’s approach was a grave lapse he couldn’t overlook.
“What is this?”
On the table lay three dishes that looked like seasoned vegetable side dishes.
“Seasoned Vegetable Side Dish.”
The young innkeeper set down the bottle and cup as he answered.
‘It’s different from other inns in so many ways.’
At other inns, they served vegetables fried in oil, but here the vegetables had no grease at all.
Baek Won-young picked up his chopsticks and brought the seasoned vegetables to his lips.
The moment he bit down, a fragrant aroma bloomed across his palate.
Ah…………
‘My mind feels clearer.’

*

Was this what refinement looked like?
The handsome young guest radiated something that set him apart from ordinary men.
Beneath his gentle tone lay a steady resolve, and his face—as striking as Sam Ryong-i’s—seemed to glow with a soft inner light.
‘The world holds so many talented people.’
The two middle-aged guests who had visited before carried an air of dignity and grace.
Yet their dignity and grace had been undermined by the coarse words that spilled from their mouths and the desolate killing intent that hung about them.
‘Why is that bastard taking so long?’
Sam Ryong-i, who had ridden into the forest on horseback, still hadn’t returned.
He would probably saunter in around mealtime.
Gang Jo placed noodles and chicken into a bowl and poured broth over them.
Then he set it before the young guest.
“Chicken Noodle Soup.”
The young guest, who had been savoring the vegetables, started slightly.
Yet a moment later he spoke in a warm, unhurried voice.
“The seasoned vegetables are truly delicious.”
Ha ha……..
“Thank you.”
No one disliked hearing their cooking praised.
Gang Jo smiled and accepted the compliment.
The young guest picked up noodles and chicken with his chopsticks and brought them to his mouth.
His expression shifted to one of delighted surprise, and he moved his chopsticks with renewed urgency.
Slurp……gulp……
Before long, he had emptied the bowl and held it out.
“Might I have another bowl?”
“Of course. I’ll bring it right away.”
Gang Jo smiled and headed back to the kitchen.
This was the most gratifying guest he’d served in a long time.

*

Now Baek Won-young understood what his father had meant when he told him to eat here.
One bowl of noodles for one silver coin.
When he’d first heard that price, he’d laughed it off—but now he couldn’t laugh.
The chicken in the Chicken Noodle Soup was chewy yet tender, while the noodles and broth were firm and clean on the palate.
‘To draw such flavor from chicken and noodles alone. One silver coin isn’t wasteful at all.’
After eating here, everything he’d consumed before barely qualified as noodles.
Mmm….
Baek Won-young raised his cup, using the seasoned vegetables as an accompaniment.
As he waited eagerly for the Chicken Noodle Soup to arrive, a strikingly handsome young man stepped into the inn.
At his side came a lean mare, following at his heel.
Baek Won-young couldn’t tear his eyes from the handsome youth’s face.
‘There truly are so many gifted people in this world.’
Though his own face was striking beyond comparison to most men, it fell short of the one who held the mare’s bridle.
When the handsome young man spoke, Baek Won-young was startled once more.
Ha ha….
“I’m here, brother.”
How could such a strikingly handsome man’s laughter be so light and easy?
“What took you so long?”
The young man who had been cooking in the kitchen walked out, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
To anyone watching, it seemed he might lash out with his fists at any moment.
The strikingly handsome young man then began making excuses.
“Well, this beast just keeps eating grass, doesn’t it? That’s why I’m a bit late.”
But the man who had emerged from the kitchen didn’t believe him.
“No… no, it’s not that. Really, it’s because of this creature. Let me go tie it up at once.”
The strikingly handsome young man hurried away.
Once he had gone, the man from the kitchen allowed himself a faint smile.
Ah…
The moment Baek Won-young caught sight of that smile, warmth bloomed in his chest.
‘Truly, they are affectionate brothers.’
He settled into a contented mood, waiting for the chicken noodle soup.

*

“I’ll set out the meal now.”
Yang Jung, who had entered the kitchen, brought out a wooden plate of seasoned vegetables.
While he finished preparing the evening meal, Gang Jo placed a bowl of chicken noodle soup before the young guest.
The young guest paused with his chopsticks halfway to the noodles and meat, turning to look at Gang Jo.
“Were you perhaps a chef in the imperial palace?”
He had never tasted noodles like this anywhere in Gangho before.
If there had been an inn in Gangho that could prepare such delicious dishes, word would have spread widely by now.
Yet the complete absence of any such rumor suggested that this young innkeeper had been a chef elsewhere.
Hah…
Before Gang Jo could even answer, Yang Jung suddenly interjected.
“He wasn’t a chef in the imperial palace—he trained in the mountains. But his culinary skill far surpasses that of any palace chef.”
Baek Won-young nodded.
Indeed, he seemed far too young to have been an imperial chef.
Whinny!
Just as he was reaching for the noodles with his chopsticks, the sound of a horse’s cry echoed from the backyard.
Gang Jo’s brow furrowed as he turned toward Yang Jung.
“Go check on it.”
Yang Jung showed no great concern.
“It’s fine. I drained all that creature’s vigor throughout the day.”
“If you drained it of all its vigor, why is it crying like that?”
“It must be exhausted.”
At his answer, Gang Jo’s face twisted.
That cry was not one born of exhaustion—it was a neigh of excitement.

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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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