Moorim Pochang - Chapter 58

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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 58. The Heirs of the Hundred Heroes.

The skilled personnel of Seong Ma-dan rose to their feet one by one and returned to their seats with drinks and plates of side dishes.
“Rich without being heavy. Clean taste.”
Dok Go-il waited for the Seong Ma-dan members to fill their cups.
“Come then. A toast to each of us.”
As he raised his cup, the Seong Ma-dan personnel lifted theirs in unison.
“Ma-gyo Invincibility! Ten Thousand Demons Bow!”
The moment they drained their cups together, the Jamryong-hoe members began filling theirs as well.
But Jamryong-hoe had no rallying cry of their own.
When Baek Won-yeong raised his cup, they raised theirs too.
And they drained their drinks in silence.
Keke keke keke…..
Tee-hee hee-hee…..
Seong Ma-dan laughed quietly at Jamryong-hoe’s muted response.
The Jamryong-hoe members seethed inwardly but said nothing.
‘They’re competing even over the smallest things.’
Kang Jo found their behavior absurd.
“Pork Noodles coming through.”
As the dishes were served, the Seong Ma-dan personnel rose in turn and carried their bowls away.
Yang Jung diligently poured broth and set the bowls down.
Slurp slurp….
Ahhhhh…..
“A culinary treasure unmatched beneath heaven.”
As one of the Seong Ma-dan members cried out in delight, the others began shoveling noodles and meat into their mouths.
Slurrrp…. slurrrp….
“The taste is extraordinary.”
“An inn of unrivaled quality stands before the Murim Alliance itself.”
Without exception, they buried their faces in their bowls and devoured the noodles and meat.
“Another bowl, please.”
“I’ll have another as well.”
Having polished off their bowls, they carried the empty dishes back to the kitchen.
How remarkably delicious must the food be to drive the Seong Ma-dan members to such rapture?
The Jamryong-hoe personnel had heard tales of this inn’s fine cooking.
But rather than their stories of excellence, they’d heard the price—a silver tael per bowl—and lost all appetite for it.
It was the thought that noodle dishes, no matter how exquisite, were all much of a piece.
And besides, with the most beautiful man in the realm working here, they’d had little reason to return.
Kang Jo and Yang Jung worked feverishly, boiling noodles and ladling broth into bowls.
Yet the tide of empty dishes kept coming, overwhelming their efforts.
Thump…! Thump…!
At last, Kang Jo began slapping dough against the cutting board and pulling fresh noodles again.
“Brother, what are you doing? Pull them faster, won’t you?”
Even Yang Jung, frantic and flustered, urged him on.
By the time the Seong Ma-dan personnel had each consumed two bowls of Pork Noodles, the Jamryong-hoe members had yet to be served a single one.
Finally, one of the angry Jamryong-hoe members spoke up bitterly.
“Your mouths are mouths, but ours are snouts?”
The Seong Ma-dan personnel mocked them in return.
Tee-hee hee-hee….
“Why didn’t you come earlier, then?”
“Just watch while we finish eating.”
The Jamryong-hoe members, unable to restrain themselves any longer, grasped their weapons.
“Look at these bastards getting cocky.”
“Act like proper guests if you’re guests at all.”
The Seong Ma-dan personnel set down their bowls and took hold of their weapons.
“Then hosts should treat their guests with proper respect.”
“Petty wretches.”
Tension suddenly flared between Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma-dan, but Baek Won-yeong and Dok Go-il stepped forward to block the way.
“That’s enough. Stop this.”
“Stop. Whoever starts a fight here will lose their head to me first.”
The members of Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma-dan, who had been trying to rise, glared at each other and sank back into their seats.
But Jamryong-hoe left a parting jab as they settled down.
“We’ll return to the Murim Alliance and finish this another time.”
“So you know the price is one silver coin per bowl of noodles?”
Seong Ma-dan looked at Jamryong-hoe with startled eyes.
Finishing things at the Murim Alliance was no problem at all.
If anything, it was what they wanted.
But one silver coin per bowl of noodles?
They looked down at their bowls.
Delicious.
Not just delicious—extraordinarily delicious.
The meat was tender yet chewy, the noodles were springy, and the broth was deep yet clean on the palate.
They had never tasted cooking this good in their lives.
But if a bowl of noodles cost one silver coin, that changed everything.
“What’s……..so expensive about this?”
“One silver coin could buy a hundred bowls of noodles elsewhere.”
Had this been the forecourt of Ma-gyo, they wouldn’t have worried much.
But this wasn’t the forecourt of Ma-gyo—it was the forecourt of the Murim Alliance.
They had brought silver with them, but not enough to spend a full coin on noodles every day.
As Seong Ma-dan faltered, Jamryong-hoe let out a mocking laugh.
Ha-ha-ha…
“Country bumpkins.”
“Look at them panicking.”
Seong Ma-dan’s rage flared hot.
“These bastards………”
“This won’t do.”
They gripped their weapons again.
Ho-ho-ho……….
But Dok Go-eun stepped forward with a laugh, blocking Seong Ma-dan.
“Eat as much as you like. It’s on me today.”
Wow……….
“As expected, the Vice Leader is generous.”
“Thank you for the meal, Vice Leader.”
Seong Ma-dan sat back down as though they’d never been angry at all.
At this, Baek Won-yeong’s talented subordinates turned to look at him.
Then Baek Won-yeong burst out laughing.
Ha-ha-ha……………
“Of course I’ll pay. Help yourselves.”

*

‘It really is delicious. The praise from Paeng and Ak wasn’t exaggerated.’
‘If I’d known how good it was, I’d have come sooner.’
The skilled members of Jamryong-hoe couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
But outwardly, they showed nothing.
They feared Seong Ma-dan would mock them for it.
“Want another bowl?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
They rose with their empty bowls in hand.
Kang Jo, who had been methodically pulling out noodles, now began preparing Dong Po Pork.
Yang Jung ladled fresh broth over noodles and meat into the empty bowls the Jamryong-hoe members brought.
Ha-ha…..
“Enjoy your meal.”
When he served the women their bowls, he never forgot his bright, cheerful smile.
“Thank you.”
The female martial artists took their bowls with flushed faces.
Kang Jo watched him and shook his head.
‘Life’s never easy, is it?’
Hahahaha…
At the sight of the two of them, Baek Won-yeong burst into laughter.
Dok Go-il too found himself smiling despite his better judgment.
‘Now I understand why I felt so uneasy.’
It wasn’t just Baek Won-yeong and Dok Go-il watching Kang Jo and Yang Jung.
Dok Go-eun and Yeon Ja-seol, and even Baek Ha-yeong, were casting covert glances their way.
In particular, Baek Ha-yeong clenched her teeth every time Yang Jung smiled.
‘Damn women. What are they wagging their tails for?’

*

‘How does it taste like this?’
The skilled personnel of the Seong Ma-dan examined the Dong Po Pork carefully.
In appearance, it was little different from other Dong Po Pork.
But the flavor of the meat was like night and day.
As time passed, the meat should have hardened, yet this Dong Po Pork remained as tender as when it was first served.
Everyone’s heart loosened a little when they tasted delicious food.
They too began to set aside some of their wariness and competitiveness.
Especially with alcohol flowing, even between those who were sworn enemies, a word or two of conversation began to pass between them.
“Paeng Mu-ho, was it? Your fists pack quite a punch.”
A heavyset skilled martial artist from the Seong Ma-dan spoke first to Paeng Mu-ho.
“Seo Jang-won. Your fists weren’t bad yourself.”
Paeng Mu-ho answered with a smile.
In fact, the two had much in common.
Both were large-framed, both practiced the way of strength, and both were bloodline descendants of the Hundred Heroes.
As conversation flowed between the two, the other skilled personnel began one by one to address their counterparts.
“Hey, Ak Hwan. Next time I’ll be the one who brings you down.”
“Wishful thinking.”
Hahahaha…
“Don’t be so confident.”
They had not yet completely set aside their mutual wariness and competitive spirit.
In fact, they likely never would, even going forward.
But for a first meeting, it was not bad at all.
Baek Won-yeong and Dok Go-il had both relaxed considerably.
‘Perhaps something will finally ease.’
Baek Won-yeong stepped into the kitchen and surreptitiously drew out a money pouch, pressing it into Kang Jo’s hands.
“This is for the food and drink. If it’s not enough, I’ll give you more later.”
Kang Jo, catching his intent, nodded in acknowledgment.
“That will be sufficient.”
He hadn’t even opened the pouch to check.
But he was certain Won-yeong would not have given him less than was owed.
How long had Baek Won-yeong been gone before Dok Go-eun slipped into the kitchen.
She too drew out a money pouch with equal stealth.
“This is for the food and drink. The Jamryong-hoe’s share as well—I’m paying for it, so don’t accept anything else.”
Hahahaha……..
Kang Jo laughed.
“I’ve already accepted it. Please settle the next time.”
Dok Go-eun looked at him with slightly widened eyes, then glanced at Baek Won-yeong, who was mingling with the other skilled personnel.
‘So that’s what it means to be the Alliance Leader’s son.’
She tucked the pouch back into her robe and brought her lips close to Kang Jo’s ear.
“Next time I’m paying, so absolutely do not accept anything else.”
Warm, soft breath brushed against Kang Jo’s ear.
“Then you may tell me next time.”
Dok Go-eun’s eyes sparkled with an unusual light.
‘He’s truly an exceptional man.’

*

Phew……..
“I thought I’d collapse from exhaustion, brother.”
Yang Jung dropped to the ground the moment the skilled personnel left.
Kang Jo felt the strain as well.
A full hundred of them.
Since opening the Guest Inn, he’d never served so many patrons at once.
Yet it was more exhilarating than exhausting.
Kang Jo handed Yang Jung a money pouch.
“Use it.”
When Yang Jung opened the pouch, he found ten taels of silver inside, along with a promissory note.
The note was worth a thousand taels.
“That’s too much, brother.”
“You’ll need it soon enough. Just take it.”
At Kang Jo’s words, Yang Jung stopped protesting.
His silver was already running thin from buying a cart in the first place.
“Baek Won-yeong seems to be generous with his purse as well.”
Kang Jo nodded.
Even accounting for all the food and drink, the total hadn’t exceeded six hundred taels.
“For now, we won’t be charging for meals.”
“That’s the right call, isn’t it?”
Pleased with how Yang Jung took the suggestion, he glanced toward the large wine jar tucked in the corner of the kitchen.
It looked identical to the other jars, but what lay inside was different.
“Brother, after all this hard work, wouldn’t a cup of wine be welcome?”
“We wait another month yet.”
“Come now—just one cup. Just one?”
Kang Jo shot Yang Jung a harsh look.
“If I catch you sneaking sips behind my back, you’re done for.”
“Why so scary about it?”
Neigh! Whinny……
The moment the horse’s cry sounded, Yang Jung—who’d been grinning just a moment before—jumped to his feet in alarm.
“Ah… I forgot to feed him.”
“Go on, before he tears the place apart.”
Yang Jung hurried out of the kitchen, muttering under his breath.
“Honestly, that temperament of yours. Exactly the same as his.”
“What did you just say?”
Heh heh……
“Nothing at all, brother.”

*

Countless people lay prostrate on the ground, pleading with fervent desperation.
“Heavenly Physician, I beg you—please cure my affliction.”
“Please grant us your sacred waters.”
Before the Divine Hall where they lay, rice and fine silks were piled high.
Those standing guard before the supplicants were martial artists, all bearing swords and sabers at their waists.
“Next patient, you may enter.”
The man who had been prostrate limped forward into the Divine Hall.
Inside the chamber sat a middle-aged man dressed entirely in white, wearing a white cloth crown.
“You’ve come for a bad leg, I see.”
At his words, the limping man threw himself flat to the ground.
“Precisely as you say, Heavenly Physician. Please, heal this leg.”
“Lie on the bed.”
The man obeyed at once, stretching out on a wooden couch.
The middle-aged man rolled up the patient’s trouser leg and began inserting long needles into it.
Argh… ugh…
As the long needles bit deep, the man stifled a cry of agony.
The pain was so appalling that no amount of endurance could keep the groans from escaping.
“How can you cry out while receiving treatment from one who acts in place of the Heavenly Physician?”
“I… I apologize.”
The middle-aged man withdrew the needles and handed him a jade vessel.
“Drink it all at once.”
The man accepted the Jade Vessel with reverence and brought it to his lips.
Hmm.
The water from the Jade Vessel was bitterly astringent, almost unbearably so.
Yet the moment he swallowed it, the pain in his legs began to fade, bit by bit.
“Now, stand and try walking.”
The man pushed himself upright and tested his legs.
Remarkably, the limb that had been twisted showed no sign of injury.
“It’s healed! My leg—it’s truly healed!”
His voice shook with gratitude beyond words.
He had resigned himself to a lifetime of limping.
Yet now he could move freely, without hindrance.
“Were you once a martial artist?”
At the middle-aged man’s question, the man dropped to the floor in a full prostration.
“I was, yes. Before my leg was injured, I made some name for myself in the Gangho.”
“Then would you consider becoming a disciple of the Cheonsa?”
The leg was mended—what could he refuse?
The man answered at once.
“I will pledge my life to the Cheonsa-gyo.”
The middle-aged man nodded and gestured toward the back door.
“Go through there. The other disciples will be waiting for you.”
“Thank you. I shall never forget this grace.”
“Repay the Cheonsa’s grace with your death.”

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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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