Moorim Pochang - Chapter 54

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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 54. A Battle of Nerves (1).

As Dok-go Il stepped back, Yeon Ja-seol came forward from the Murim Alliance.
“I’m Yeon Ja-seol. I hope we can all get along well from now on.”
The young talents of Ma-gyo could not hide their admiration at her beauty.
‘Perhaps something good might happen within the Murim Alliance.’
‘They say the Murim Alliance has many beauties, and she’s certainly one of them.’
As she stepped back, a silver-haired woman came forward.
“I’m Dok-go Eun. I’m not particularly keen on this, but I’ll do my best to get along.”
The Jamryong-hoe, who had been marveling at her beauty, quickly frowned.
Her face was beautiful, but her manner of speech was utterly presumptuous.
The Alliance Leader, who had been watching Dok-go Eun, fell into reverie.
‘Guo had silver hair like that too. She put on a fierce front, but her heart was as pure as silk.’
The third person to step forward from Jamryong-hoe was Baek Ha-yeong.
She showed little interest in the young men of Ma-gyo.
Though Dok-go Il was strikingly handsome, he paled in comparison to Yang Jung.
“I’m Baek Ha-yeong. The Alliance Leader is my father, and Baek Won-yeong the Martial Master is my older brother.”
As she introduced herself, the young talents of Ma-gyo frowned.
‘What? She’s just a pretty-faced idiot?’
‘The Alliance Leader clearly failed in raising his children.’
What the talents of Ma-gyo revered was not the status of their counterpart, but their martial skill.
Thus, she could not help but fall out of favor.

*

Baek Won-yeong waited for the talents of Ma-gyo to settle in before seeking out Dok-go Il.
As the young talents were guests and he was the host, he had to extend his hand first.
“Dok-go, once you have a moment, would you care to join me for a meal?”
Dok-go Il was not averse to the idea.
When the leaders got along well, the talents under them would follow suit.
“I know a splendid place. Let’s go there.”
Baek Won-yeong smiled at his words.
“You don’t mean the inn in the forest, do you?”
Dok-go Il nodded.
“You know it well. I’d like to bring my sister along.”
“Then I’ll go with mine.”
Baek Won-yeong called for Yeon Ja-seol, and Dok-go Il called for Dok-go Eun.
But Baek Ha-yeong followed along.
“I’m coming too, brother.”
Baek Won-yeong found himself in an awkward position.
With three on his side and two on theirs, it might look as though he were trying to take the upper hand.
But Dok-go Il did not seem to mind in the least.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re just having a meal, after all.”
“Thank you, Dok-go.”

*

When they arrived before the forest, Baek Won-yeong’s expression grew troubled.
Heavy rains had caused water to flow across the Stone Bridge, making it necessary to employ martial arts to cross.
Yet Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun did not mind at all.
When they had entered the Murim Alliance, they had seen a handsome man fishing on the Stone Bridge.
Whiiiii……….
Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun activated their Body Techniques and lightly soared across the Stone Bridge.
At this, Baek Won-yeong felt at ease and unleashed his Divine Method.
Whiiiii……..
As he sent his body flying, Yeon Ja-seol and Baek Ha-yeong followed behind, deploying their Body Techniques.
‘They seem far more skilled than I expected.’
Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun immediately recognized that their Divine Method was no ordinary thing.
“Welcome.”
The moment they crossed the Stone Bridge, Kang Jo stepped forward to greet them.
“Why didn’t you acknowledge my greeting earlier?”
Kang Jo felt a flutter of panic at Dok-go Eun’s question.
“How does Miss Dok-go know me?”
Baek Won-yeong was curious about how Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun knew of this place.
Dok-go Il answered accordingly.
“Father mentioned this Guest Inn to us. Besides, we visited once before to learn the route.”
“Ah… I see.”
Only then did Baek Won-yeong nod in understanding.
Baek Ha-yeong was already craning her neck, searching for Yang Jung.
“Where has Yang gone?”
“He’s likely at the Stable, feeding the horses.”
“May I take a look?”
She set off toward the Stable without waiting for Kang Jo’s reply.
“The pork noodles I had last time were delicious. Can I have them again today?”
At Dok-go Eun’s question, Kang Jo bowed his head.
“My apologies. The rain has been continuous, and I haven’t been able to prepare the ingredients.”
The Guest Inn kept chickens, but there weren’t enough yet to spare one.
“Then bring out a fish dish instead. I saw you catching fish earlier. Wine too, if you have it.”
Dok-go Eun settled into a seat with easy confidence.
Baek Won-yeong smiled at this.
“I’ve never tried fish dishes until now, so this would be a good opportunity.”
Given their requests, Kang Jo had no choice but to head into the kitchen.
Yang Jung had caught a dozen or more fish.
Of course, Kang Jo hadn’t been idle either.
Among the catches, the largest fish had been caught by Kang Jo using the Skilled Capture Technique.
He’d planned to make a spicy broth and braised fish with them, but now they would go to the guests’ table.
Since the fish were already cleaned, the cooking time wouldn’t be too tight.
Hahahaha…
As Kang Jo worked in the kitchen, the clear, bright laughter of Yang Jung rang out.
“It seems even the horses have taken a fancy to Miss Baek’s lovely appearance.”
Hoho…
“You flatter me too much, Yang.”
The two of them appeared with warm smiles on their faces.
“So the guests have arrived together?”
Yang Jung bowed respectfully toward those seated at the table.
“Stop fooling around and bring out the vegetable side dish and wine.”
At Kang Jo’s words, Yang Jung smiled softly.
“You seem quite busy. Please sit down, Miss Baek.”
Once he entered the kitchen, Baek Won-yeong stifled a quiet laugh.
Krk krk krk…
Those two were always the same.
Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun observed him intently.

*

Kang Jo brought out the braised fish and spicy broth alongside rice.
“Since I’m uncertain of the quality, I won’t accept payment for the food.”
“You’ve eaten the food and drunk the wine, so you ought to pay for it.”
Baek Won-yeong shook his head as if it were absurd.
No matter how mediocre the cooking, once one had eaten, one must pay.
“That’s true.”
Dok-go Eun agreed with him as she transferred the fish onto a wooden plate.
Hoho…
After tasting it, she laughed and spoke.
“If this dish is mediocre, then all the cooks in other inns should hang themselves.”
Everyone seated at the table tasted the braised fish and spicy broth.
It wasn’t that the food lacked flavor.
The Dongpo pork, pork noodles, and chicken noodles were simply especially delicious.
Baek Won-yeong lifted the wine bottle and filled the cups of everyone seated at the table.
Then he filled his own.
“There may be disputes among our talented personnel from time to time. I’d hope we never resort to drawing blades against one another when that happens.”
“A shared sentiment.”
With Dok-go Il’s agreement, they all drained their cups in unison.
Ah…
“The food could be called the finest under heaven, but the wine seems rather lacking.”
Dok-go Il had uttered the very same words his father, Dok-go Yeop, would have spoken.
‘Like father, like son.’
Kang Jo could only manage a bitter smile.
“That’s exactly why I suggested we brew wine with medicinal herbs, isn’t it? Kang Jo.”
“Then you go and gather the herbs.”
“How much work do I already have on my plate? And besides, I know nothing of medicinal herbs.”
“A man who knows nothing of herbs manages to sniff out fleece flower root and ginseng like a ghost. How’s that possible?”
While Yang Jung whispered beside Kang Jo, the talented personnel continued their own spirited conversation.
“There’s a way to quell late-stage practitioners’ quarrels in one stroke. Want to give it a try?”
Baek Won-yeong answered while filling Dok-go Eun’s cup with wine.
“What method is that?”
“The strongest master from Jamryong-hoe and the strongest master from Seong Ma Dan fight each other. Of course, I’d represent Seong Ma Dan, and Baek would have to come out for Jamryong-hoe.”
Dok-go Eun’s martial prowess was not quite as formidable as Dok-go Il’s.
However, their skills were roughly comparable, so it mattered little who stepped forward.
Ha…
Baek Won-yeong smiled and shook his head.
“That would only fan the flames of rivalry.”
Ho ho ho…
“Isn’t it good to grow stronger through mutual competition?”
She laughed, then cast a sidelong glance toward the kitchen.
“You two in there—why not join us for a drink as well?”
Kang Jo had been about to decline her invitation.
But Yang Jung rose with a laugh and stepped forward.
Ha ha ha…
“I would be honored to raise a cup to these beautiful ladies.”
The moment he approached the table, a cold voice spilled from Dok-go Il’s lips.
“Get out.”
He despised men who relied on nothing but a pretty face and lacked all sense of propriety.
Beyond that, Yang Jung’s tearful first impression had never sat well with him.
The atmosphere at the table turned heavy in an instant.
Baek Won-yeong’s expression darkened noticeably, and Baek Ha-yeong, flushed with indignation, shot to her feet.
“Are you disrespecting Yang Jung right now? Yang Jung is a master among masters—one who has stood against the experts of Hyeol-gyo.”
Hmm…
At her words, Dok-go Il turned his gaze and examined Yang Jung carefully.
His appearance was handsome enough to be called the finest under heaven, yet he carried no bearing whatsoever of a true master.
Ha ha ha…
When their eyes met, Yang Jung laughed awkwardly.
But Dok-go Eun, for her part, acted as though nothing had happened, merely studying Yang Jung and Kang Jo in turn.
‘How will this unfold now?’

*

Kang Jo showed no outward sign of distress, yet his heart was wounded nonetheless.
But he could not claim Yang Jung bore any fault in this.
‘I knew something like this would happen eventually.’
Huh…?
As Kang Jo watched Yang Jung and Dok-go Il, a strange unease stirred within him, and he stepped outside.
But just as he was about to leave the kitchen, something came hurtling at him in an instant.
Boom!
The air tore apart as Kang Jo’s body technique scattered.
In that moment, the expressions of Baek Won-yeong, the Dok-go siblings, and Yang Jung all changed.
Clang…!
Kang Jo revealed his Body Technique beside Yang Jung.
Whistle……
At the same moment, a sharp wind tore through the space.
Tremble…………
Kang Jo’s left hand shook violently before Yang Jung’s chest.
His clenched fist gripped an arrow, and red blood trickled down his forearm.
The skilled personnel watched Kang Jo with eyes full of shock.
“Wh………..elder brother?”
Yang Jung was equally astounded.
The hand of his elder brother holding the arrow was hovering roughly three inches away from his chest.
All strength had drained from his body, and he wanted to collapse right then and there.
But with Baek Ha-yeong and the others watching, he forced his trembling legs to support him.
Kang Jo gazed into the distant darkness and clenched the arrow in his fist.
Drip…pat-pat…
The blood trickling down his forearm fell onto the table.
“Do you want to die………..?”
A tempest of killing intent erupted from his entire body.
The killing intent was so thick and ferocious that even the skilled personnel trembled from it.

*

Daring to embed an arrow in his younger brother’s chest?
That bastard must die.
He should be flayed and torn to shreds.
Even if the wretch’s presence had already vanished, he would chase him down to the ends of the earth, sever his arms, cut off his legs, and slit his throat.
Kang Jo steadied his breathing.
The arrow’s power had been so tremendous that his entire palm was split open.
‘If this is a trap to lure me out, then Sam-ryong is in danger.’
With power of this magnitude, not only Sam-ryong but the guests as well would be at risk.
Kang Jo steadied his breathing once more.
Whoosh…
In an instant, the ferocious killing intent vanished without a trace.
“The enemy appears to have already withdrawn, so please continue enjoying your meal.”
The skilled personnel of the Murim Alliance and Ma-gyo stared at Kang Jo as he bowed, their expressions bewildered.

*

“A miss.”
Hyeol Je, who had lowered his bow, moved his Body Technique.
Whistle……..
From a distance, it had seemed he could kill the wretch without fear.
So he had let loose an arrow, only to have it blocked.
Remarkably, the man had caught the arrow with his bare hands.
The sight was so unbelievable that even seeing it with his own eyes, he could not accept it.
‘How? Why?’
He could not comprehend the instinctive terror that gripped him.
‘Could it be……that he is that man’s disciple?’
Hyeol Je moved his Body Technique and touched his neck.
If he were that man’s disciple, the instinctive fear would make a certain amount of sense.
‘No. If he were that man’s disciple, he would not be running a Guest Inn.’

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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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