Moorim Pochang - Chapter 45

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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 45. Mo Yong Se.

Mo Yong Se realized his opponent was no easy mark.
Yet he was the Alliance Leader’s second disciple.
No—one day he would surpass Baek Won Young and become the Best in the World.
“Who are you? Reveal yourself.”
“I am called Cheol Goe.”
The moment he spoke, a terrifying aura poured from his body.
Whoooosh……
The aura swept across the entire area and bore down upon Mo Yong Se.
The surviving merchants and escort warriors could not withstand it and collapsed, losing consciousness.
Gasp……
Mo Yong Se trembled, barely managing to hold his ground.
“Impressive.”
Cheol Goe withdrew his aura.
“You bastard…!”
Mo Yong Se, consumed with rage, immediately unleashed his Divine Form.
Crash…!
But as Cheol Goe swung his Long Spear, the impact sent Mo Yong Se tumbling across the ground.
Groan……
Thrust…!
As he tried to rise, the spearhead pierced the ground before his eyes.
“With proper training, you could stand tall in the Martial Realm.”
Mo Yong Se lifted his head, gazing up at him.
The man’s face was hideous, marred by black tattoos, yet his words commanded Mo Yong Se’s attention.
“What do you mean?”
“Just as your Uncle Mo Yong Gyu could never surpass Baek Mun Do, neither will you surpass Baek Won Young.”
Mo Yong Se asked in shock.
“How do you know of my uncle…?”
Mo Yong Gyu was his uncle and one of the Hundred Heroes—the pride of the Mo Yong household.
He had fallen in battle against the Blood Cult, yet both his clan and the Martial World revered him as a hero.
Cheol Goe’s eyes remained cold as he spoke.
“Mo Yong Gyu was consumed by jealousy, true, but his martial arts were formidable. You fall short of Mo Yong Gyu, so of course you cannot surpass Baek Won Young.”
Mo Yong Se’s face fell into despair.
He had become the Alliance Leader’s disciple so that his martial arts might carry him to the pinnacle—to become the Best in the World.
But if he could never surpass Baek Won Young, then he was condemned to live forever as second-best.
“So you wish to become master of the Martial Realm?”
Cheol Goe’s words were daggers, piercing deep into Mo Yong Se’s chest.
“Then…what exactly are you asking me to do?”
At Mo Yong Se’s question, Cheol Goe rose and approached where the escort warriors had fallen.
Some had lost consciousness, some were dead, and some were clinging to their final breaths.
Cheol Goe withdrew a small Jade Bottle from his robe.
He pried open the mouths of those dying men and tilted the bottle, letting black drops fall like water.
“How pitiful. How can they cross the River of Three Ways with such resentment weighing upon their souls?”
The writhing droplets seeped into the warriors’ throats.
Mo Yong Se watched the spectacle, his head held rigid.
“What…are you doing?”
“Merely giving them a chance to settle their grievances. If not for those wretches, these men would have returned home safely and embraced their families once more. That fate is now beyond them, but their resentment—that they can resolve.”
As Cheol Goe stepped back, the dying escort warriors slowly rose to their feet.
Their eyes had turned cloudy and pale, as if shrouded in mist.
‘Those who were dying…how…how is this possible…?’
Mo Yong Se was so shaken he could not speak a word.
Cheol Goe, regarding them with what might have been pity, turned his gaze to Mo Yong Se.
“Follow me, and you will surpass Baek Won Young. Will you?”
At his question, Mo Yong Se hesitated.
Then Cheol Goe raised his Long Spear.
If they refused to comply, death was all that awaited.
Mo Yong Se recognized this as well.
“…I shall comply.”

*

Kang Jo paused mid-harvest, watching Yang Jung across the meadow.
Even when the man fell silent, he never stopped moving.
Hmm… hm… hm…
Normally he complained about aggravating his wounds and refused the slightest exertion, yet now—humming some tuneless melody—he stripped away grass with what looked like genuine joy.
“Your belly’s going to split open from all that eating, you fool.”
Yang Jung laughed as he worked, his expression bright.
“What a harsh thing to say! A pregnant man must be fed well, surely.”
“You like it that much? You really like it that much?”
“Of course I do. I feel as though I’m the one who’s with child.”
Kang Jo let out a long breath.
He gathered the basket brimming with wild greens and headed back toward the Tavern.
Darkness would fall soon; evening preparations couldn’t wait.
By the time he’d rinsed the rice and set it on to boil, then began trimming the vegetables, dusk had already begun to settle.
Just as he reached for the seasonings, a figure crossed the stone bridge outside.
Kang Jo stepped out to greet the newcomer.
“Welcome.”
The guest offered only a nod in reply and took a seat at the dining table.
“Brother, I’m starving—let’s eat—”
Yang Jung came hurrying in just then, calling for supper.
The moment he caught sight of the guest, his head dipped in a respectful bow.
“Welcome, Cult Leader.”
Dok Go Yeop nodded and spoke.
“Good timing. Go at once and tell Mun Do that I’ve arrived.”
“Me? Truly?”
Yang Jung pointed to his own face in disbelief.
At that, Dok Go Yeop’s brow twitched ever so slightly.
The temperature in the Tavern plummeted.
“Yes… I understand.”
Yang Jung, alarmed, hurried out of the establishment.
Once he’d disappeared, Dok Go Yeop turned his gaze toward Kang Jo.
“What do you have for tonight?”
“Braised pork belly is all we have.”
“Bring that then. And I should mention—tonight’s meal and drink will be settled by Mun Do.”
“That’s between the two of you to decide.”
Kang Jo accepted the remark without inflection and disappeared into the kitchen.
‘Remarkably bold, this one.’
Every encounter left Kang Jo in awe.
Dok Go Yeop masked his true thoughts and opened his mouth to ask.
“How far have you progressed with the Self-Summoned Red Demon Sword?”
“I haven’t been practicing it.”
“Why haven’t you been practicing?”
In response to his question, Kang Jo retrieved a Secret Manual he’d hidden in the kitchen and brought it out.
“I’ve already been paid for the drink by the Alliance Leader.”
When Kang Jo set the Secret Manual on the table, Dok Go Yeop stared directly into his face.
“Do you comprehend what this manual is worth?”
“I can only guess.”
“I have no need of it. Keep it.”
Kang Jo had no choice but to gather the Secret Manual back up.
Why was this man trying to force a martial arts manual upon him?
“Then would it be acceptable to use it as kindling?”
Hmph.
“Do as you wish.”
Kang Jo was difficult enough to deal with, but Dok Go Yeop was proving equally formidable.

*

‘I have no idea why I’ve been roped into this.’
Yang Jung, hesitating a moment, approached the martial artists guarding the Martial Alliance’s main gate.
“What brings you here, Young Master Yang?”
The martial artists greeted him with considerably more courtesy than before.
There was good reason for it—they had all witnessed him locked in combat against a master of tremendous skill.
Their courteous tone gave Yang Jung a measure of confidence.
“A guest at the tavern says he’s waiting for…well, for the Alliance Leader, sir.”
At his words, the martial artists exchanged glances.
A guest at a tavern waiting for the Alliance Leader? What kind of nonsense was this?
“Who…who dares to summon the Alliance Leader?”
Yang Jung answered the martial artist’s question.
“The Demonic Cult…no, just tell the Alliance Leader. I’ll be taking my leave.”
Quick-witted as he was, he had not revealed the guest’s true identity.
If he had, the Martial Alliance’s martial artists would swarm out before the Alliance Leader could even arrive.
As Yang Jung vanished into the darkness, the martial artists were left floundering, uncertain what to do.
“Do we…report this?”
“Shouldn’t we report it, at least?”
“What if we report it and he gets angry?”
“Still, we ought to report it anyway.”
While the martial artists were debating among themselves, Peng Mu Ho and Ak Hwan left the Martial Alliance.
“There’s a place I know—shabby enough, but the cooking there is absolutely exquisite, Young Master Ak.”
“You don’t mean that tavern in the forest just ahead, do you, Young Master Peng?”
Hahahaha…
“So you knew about it already.”
Haha…
“I’ve known about it for some time. I simply haven’t visited often because the prices are rather steep.”
“My treat today, Young Master Ak.”
“Don’t mention it. My treat today, Young Master Peng.”

*

When Yang Jung returned to the tavern, he bowed deeply to Dok Go Yeop.
“I’ve returned, Cult Leader.”
“Where’s the disciple? Why have you come alone?”
As Dok Go Yeop asked the question in a tone of reproach, Yang Jung inwardly hurled a stream of curses.
‘Now’s hardly the time for that…this bastard calling himself Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult has no sense at all.’
While Yang Jung was cursing inwardly, Dok Go Yeop was watching his eyes.
“Did you just curse me in your heart?”
Caught with his hidden thoughts exposed, Yang Jung waved his hands frantically.
“No, sir! I would never curse you! Please believe me, Cult Leader.”
Kang Jo defended Yang Jung as he set down a dish of seasoned vegetables on the table.
“I would have done the same.”
At this, Yang Jung’s face went pale.
“I didn’t, truly, hyung.”
“Since you say so, fetch some wine.”
At Kang Jo’s words, Yang Jung rushed desperately into the kitchen.
Krkrkr…
Dok Go Yeop laughed coldly.
The more he saw of this Kang Jo, the more he coveted him.
Just then, a fly circled above the table and drifted near Kang Jo’s face.
‘Let’s see what he does.’
Whoosh…
He extended his hand toward Kang Jo’s face.
The speed was like lightning—most martial artists wouldn’t even have time to dodge.
If his hunch was right, the man would slip out of the way.
But if he was wrong, the fool would panic and collapse to the ground.
Dok Go Yeop’s hand stopped barely an inch from Kang Jo’s face.
Yet Kang Jo was watching him with a calm, unshaken gaze.
Ahem..
Feeling oddly self-conscious, Dok Go Yeop let out a hollow cough.
“There was a fly, it seems.”
“I’ve brought the wine.”
Yang Jung set down a bottle and cups on the table, oblivious to what had just transpired.

*

Ak Hwan and Peng Mu Ho crossed the stone bridge with high anticipation.
“Welcome.”
Kang Jo stepped out to greet them, and their faces broke into bright smiles.
“We couldn’t forget the cuisine here, so we’ve come again.”
They leaned a greatsword and a long spear against the table beside them and took their seats.
As Ak Hwan settled in and looked around the tavern, his eyes went wide.
‘Why is the Demonic Cult’s leader here again………..?’
The Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult sat alone at a table, quietly tilting his wine cup.
Peng Mu Ho, unaware of the man’s identity, could only look puzzled.
“Why are you so startled?”
“Ah………No, it’s nothing.”
Ak Hwan evaded the question.
But just then, the Alliance Leader was crossing the stone bridge as well.
“Welcome.”
Again, Kang Jo went out to receive him.
Baek Mun Do cried out toward Dok Go Yeop immediately.
“Is this the forecourt of the Martial Alliance or the forecourt of the Demonic Cult………..?”
Peng Mu Ho, who had been about to jump to his feet in alarm, found himself staring back and forth between the Alliance Leader and Dok Go Yeop seated at the table.
How could members of the Demonic Cult be gathering here?
“Alliance…Alliance Leader, we greet you.”
But Ak Hwan, who had already been through this once, managed to steady his racing heart.
Dok Go Yeop waved his hand dismissively, annoyed.
“Why must you shout and make such a fuss?”
It was a clear signal for them to sit down.
“Alliance…Alliance Leader, our respects.”
Peng Mu Ho, belatedly, offered a bow.
“So you two were here as well.”
Baek Mun Do glanced at them once, then walked toward Dok Go Yeop’s table.
“You’ve managed to survive, it seems.”
“What do you think of the Demonic Cult? Even if ten thousand of those wretches came, they wouldn’t be able to draw a single drop of blood.”
As Peng Mu Ho listened to their exchange, he whispered softly to Ak Hwan.
“Who is he?”
Ak Hwan replied in an equally low voice.
“The…the Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.”
Peng Mu Ho, startled, studied the middle-aged man once more.
According to rumors that circulated through the martial realm, the Demonic Cult’s leader was supposed to be extraordinarily handsome.
But seeing him now, the rumors seemed to fall short of the truth.
“We have braised pork belly today. Would that suit you?”
Only after hearing Kang Jo’s voice did he manage to collect himself.
“Yes………..bring that.”

*

Dok Go Yeop and Baek Mun Do sat in silence, emptying their wine cups.
After they had each drained their cup five or six times, Baek Mun Do finally spoke.
“How many casualties did you suffer?”
“Slightly over a thousand died.”
Gasp……..
Baek Mun Do could hardly believe it.
While the Martial Alliance had lost some six hundred warriors, the Demonic Cult had lost over a thousand lives?
“How did so many perish?”
Dok Go Yeop fixed him with a cold, lethal gaze.
“You should have told me the enemy’s numbers properly, shouldn’t you? More than three thousand came. More than three thousand.”

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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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