Moorim Pochang - Chapter 39

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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 39. Paeng Mu-ho and Eon So-ryong.

Just as Yang Jeong had said, Su Mal lay sprawled across the stable floor, foam flecking the corners of his mouth.
Sigh…
“Useless brute.”
Kang Jo exhaled deeply and turned to Yang Jeong.
“Fetch the Snow Ginseng from the medicine jar.”
“At once.”
Yang Jeong bolted to the Kitchen and returned with the Snow Ginseng in a bowl.
He brought the half-consumed root toward Su Mal’s mouth.
In that instant, Su Mal lifted his head ever so slightly.
“Wait.”
Kang Jo, who had been watching intently, held up a hand.
“What is it, brother?”
“This bastard… I think he’s faking it.”
Yang Jeong shook his head in disbelief.
“That’s absurd. He’s a horse, not a person—how could he possibly be shamming?”
“No, step back.”
Kang Jo pushed Yang Jeong aside and crouched before Su Mal.
He opened his palm and pressed it against Su Mal’s cheek.
Their eyes met.
“Get up, unless you want to die.”
The moment killing intent flooded Kang Jo’s voice, Su Mal’s eyes rolled back and his body convulsed.
Shudder, shudder…
Then, slowly, he hauled himself up and began to shake himself off.
Yang Jeong stared, dumbfounded.
He’d always known the horse was cunning.
But he’d never imagined Su Mal would feign collapse just to get a taste of the Spirit Herb.
The creature wasn’t a horse—he was a person in a horse’s skin.
“See?”
Ha, ha, ha…
“This is ridiculous, brother.”
Kang Jo fixed Yang Jeong with a cold stare.
“I told you—the horse takes after his master.”
Bang!
Yang Jeong tore through the air with a Body Movement Technique.
Whoosh…
His figure vanished beyond the wall in an instant, disappearing into the forest.
As he ran through the woods, he glanced back briefly.
Phew…
Fortunately, there was no sign of pursuit from his brother.
“Damn that horse—what have I gotten myself into?”
Muttering as he went, Yang Jeong rounded a bend and collided with Sin Pung-gae.
“Hell…”
Sin Pung-gae’s face flashed with surprise as he stared at Yang Jeong.
But it was only a moment before both men launched themselves forward with Body Movement Techniques.
Whoosh…
Whoosh…
‘If I head back to the Inn now, he’ll beat me to death.’
Yang Jeong abruptly changed direction, fleeing away from the Inn.
Sin Pung-gae, pursuing from behind, could only tilt his head in confusion.
Why wasn’t the boy running back to the Inn—why was he running the other way?
‘This time, I’ll catch him for certain and make him my successor.’

*

“Young Master Yang. I’ve arrived.”
Baek Ha-yeong stepped into the inn with a crisp, clear voice.
“Yang Jeong is not at the inn at the moment.”
Kang Jo came out to greet her.
“Where has he gone?”
She regarded Kang Jo with a sharp, assessing gaze.
‘I don’t understand why he keeps calling Yang Jeong by that other name.’
Yang Jeong was the most handsome man under heaven and possessed extraordinary martial skill.
In contrast, his elder brother was reasonably good-looking, but the only thing he seemed capable of was cooking.
By any measure, the brother fell short compared to the younger man.
Kang Jo himself was not particularly pleased by her visit.
“I’m afraid I don’t know where he’s gone. But he’ll return when the time comes.”
“And when might that be?”
“It could be evening, or he might not return until the dead of night.”
“How can an elder brother not know where his younger brother is? I’ll come back another time.”
Her voice rose sharply as she spoke, and she pivoted on her heel, a chill in her wake.
Kang Jo watched her leave, then turned away himself.
‘If I ever have a daughter like that, my heart will break in two.’
Kang Jo entered the kitchen and began trimming meat.
Just as he finished preparing the meat and was about to light the fire beneath the pot, more guests were crossing the Stone Bridge.
“Welcome.”
Kang Jo stepped outside to greet them.
Young, sturdy Jianghu experts were crossing the bridge, and one of the two looked familiar.
That guest carried a blade at his back that matched his tall, powerful frame.
Ha ha……..
He let out a hearty, booming laugh.
“I couldn’t forget that taste from before, so I’ve come back again.”
At the man’s bright smile, Kang Jo smiled in return.
“You’re most welcome. Please, have a seat.”
Kang Jo gestured the men to their table.
The other guest, however, surveyed the inn with a somewhat displeased expression.
He had a handsome face, but thin lips and cold, piercing eyes.
“I’ve heard tell that this inn’s cooking is excellent. Ak-hwan was singing its praises so much his mouth was running dry.”
“There is no inn that serves finer food than this place, Young Master Eon.”
Kang Jo waited for their exchange to finish before bowing slightly at the waist.
“Today we have Chicken Noodles.”
He could have offered Pork Noodles as well, but he wasn’t confident enough in it.
“What of the Dong Po Pork and Pork Noodles you served before?”
“I apologize. I haven’t prepared any pork today.”
“Then bring us the Chicken Noodles.”

*

Kang Jo entered the kitchen and began to cook.
As he worked, the guests’ conversation drifted back to him, clear and unbroken.
“It seems the Alliance Leader intends to expand the Sleeping Dragon Society considerably.”
“Since the Blood Alliance has been revived, shouldn’t the Hundred Heroes be revived as well?”
“I share your thinking, Young Master Eon. But I don’t understand why he’s set on recruiting only fifty men.”
The thin-lipped man with cold eyes let out a scoff.
Hmph.
“What use would mediocre rabble be to the Sleeping Dragon Society? Don’t worry yourself—Young Master Paeng has exceptional martial prowess.”
Ha ha…..
“Young Master Eon, I think you give me too much credit.”
“Not at all. You have every qualification. But since we’re on the subject, I must say the Alliance Leader’s decision to commend people lately doesn’t sit well with me. I have no idea what great merit Ak-hwan accomplished to receive a reward—and then to bestow one on that Yang Jeong as well.”
The moment he heard those words, Kang Jo’s hands stilled over his work.
‘That bastard……………’
Ha ha ha……..
The sturdy, broad-shouldered man laughed and responded to his companion’s words.
“But his Light Body Technique is exceptionally refined, isn’t it? I’ve never seen speed like that before.”
“Fast footwork alone doesn’t make a man worthy. Besides, didn’t his presence turn the awards ceremony into complete chaos?”
“Still, the leader of the Gae Faction is a man of ambition—show him some courtesy, Eon So-ryong.”
Hmph.
“The leader of the Gae Faction seems to be losing his wits. Choosing a successor based on a pretty face and light footwork alone—it’s absurd.”
The thin-lipped man went on disparaging Yang Jeong without pause.
Kang Jo forced down his anger and continued cooking.
‘Should I kill him? Or let him live?’
If the man hadn’t been a paying guest, he would have thrown him out on his face by now.
The burly fellow watched the kitchen entrance, gauging the situation.
“Come now, such talk isn’t fair, Eon So-ryong. Isn’t his martial skill supposed to be exceptional as well?”
“How exceptional can his martial skill be? Ah… now that I think of it, didn’t they say that boy was staying at this very inn?”
The thin-lipped man glanced around the common room at last.
But Yang Jeong was nowhere to be seen.

*

Paeng Mu-ho’s mood had grown increasingly foul.
He’d only recently joined the Murim Alliance and wanted to cultivate friendships with the junior experts across its ranks.
Chief among them was Baek Won-yeong, whom he most wished to befriend.
But that man lived and breathed martial arts, leaving little room for genuine camaraderie.
The other junior experts were much the same.
Then Eon So-ryong of the Eon Family had approached him first.
Knowing well the reputation of the Eon Family, Paeng Mu-ho had been quick to form a bond with him.
The Eon Family’s renown in the Jianghu was considerable, earned through their destruction of the Northern Yeom Region.
Yet the longer he cultivated this friendship, the deeper his disappointment grew.
For all his exceptional martial skill, Eon So-ryong was far too arrogant to be a true confidant.
‘I had hoped to find lifelong companions, but fate seems to have other designs.’
The Hundred Heroes had been such companions—bound together through life and death.
As Paeng Mu-ho sat brooding, the Chicken Noodles arrived.
“Please, help yourself, Eon So-ryong.”
Having urged the noodles upon his guest, Paeng Mu-ho picked up his chopsticks eagerly.
Slurp, slurp……..
‘Even the Chicken Noodles here are truly magnificent.’
Paeng Mu-ho could not contain his admiration as he brought meat and noodles to his mouth.
Compared to the cooking here, the food at other inns hardly deserved the name.
Slurp… slurp…..
Eon So-ryong had tasted a spoonful and now wielded his chopsticks with single-minded focus.
“Another bowl each, please.”
At Paeng Mu-ho’s request, Kang Jo brought out Chicken Noodles he’d prepared in advance.
“Here you are.”
They resumed eating with hurried vigor.
Slurp…….slurp…..
After finishing three bowls of Chicken Noodles, both men appeared satisfied at last.
“Truly delicious. We’ve eaten very well. What do we owe you?”
“Six silver taels.”
Paeng Mu-ho readily opened his purse and withdrew six silver taels.
But Eon So-ryong’s expression darkened considerably.
“I’ve long heard the rumor that you charge one silver tael per bowl of noodles, but I never expected you’d actually demand it. Do you have no conscience whatsoever?”
Ha ha.
“The flavor alone is worth every bit, Eon So-ryong.”
Paeng Mu-ho smoothed over the tension with laughter.
‘This bastard has even less shame than Baek Ha-yeong.’
Kang Jo quietly collected the six silver taels.
Just then, another guest was crossing the Stone Bridge.

*

“Welcome.”
Kang Jo rushed out to greet the newcomer.
“It’s been quite some time.”
This guest was Yeon Ja-seol.
The moment she stepped inside, Eon So-ryong shot to his feet with a delighted expression.
“Is this not the fair Yeon?”
Ja-seol offered a slight bow toward Eon So-ryong and Paeng Mu-ho.
“I see both you and Paeng are here as well.”
“It is our honor to receive you, Yeon Ja-seol.”
Paeng Mu-ho bowed with formal courtesy.
But Eon So-ryong could not tear his gaze from her face.
“What brings you to this place, Yeon?”
“I came to eat.”
“Ah, then please, sit here with us.”
He gestured to the table where he had been sitting, but instead she walked toward the area adjoining the kitchen.
Ha, ha……
“The food here is quite excellent. I would be delighted to buy you a drink.”
Eon So-ryong paid no mind to her cold response.
Ja-seol then regarded him with an indifferent gaze.
“You appear to have finished your meal. Why don’t you head back?”
“I was just about to share a drink with Paeng here. Isn’t that so, Paeng?”
He forcibly drew Paeng Mu-ho into the conversation.
Paeng Mu-ho found himself at a loss.
He had been eager to return to the Murim Alliance to practice his martial arts.
Kang Jo watched the scene unfold in silence.
‘I’ve seen this pattern before. Ah… it’s just like how Baek Ha-yeong treats Yang Jeong.’
That man was obsessed with women, while Baek Ha-yeong was the one obsessed with Yang Jeong.
“I don’t drink at midday, Eon,” she said quietly.
Ha, ha……….
At her cold reply, Eon So-ryong laughed awkwardly.
“Then I shall arrange a proper occasion next time.”
He turned to leave, his teeth clenched.
‘I’ve been humiliated in front of Paeng Mu-ho and the innkeeper.’
“I shall return another day.”
Eon So-ryong hurried out of the Inn, though Paeng Mu-ho offered a respectful farewell before departing as well.
Once they had gone, Ja-seol spoke up.
“Could I have a bowl of noodles?”
“Of course. Please wait a moment.”

*

Thunk……! Thunk…….!
Kang Jo pounded the dough on the cutting board, drawing out fresh noodles.
Ja-seol sat at the table, watching him quietly.
She was not ordinarily a woman of few words.
Yet in this moment, she could not find words to speak.
After hesitating, Ja-seol finally opened her mouth.
“You seem to possess truly formidable martial skill.”
The instant the words left her lips, she felt a flutter of panic.
‘What am I saying?’
Kang Jo stared directly at her.
“……………..Yes?”
“Oh…it’s nothing.”
Flustered, she hastily withdrew her words.
An awkward silence descended once more.
Having barely composed herself, Ja-seol spoke again.
“Your younger sister seems quite charming and lovely.”
This time, too, Kang Jo turned to look at her.
“……………Yes?”
At that, Ja-seol panicked anew.
“It’s nothing.”
Thoroughly flustered, she cursed herself inwardly.
‘What a fool I am.’

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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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