Moorim Pochang - Chapter 61

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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 61. Gwang Ak.

“Who called me?”
A man with his face covered in tattoos and his body gaunt as a skeleton glanced around uncertainly.
His speech was halting, and even the way he turned his head seemed somehow clumsy and poorly coordinated.
“It’s me.”
Hyeol-je, corpulent and fleshy, stepped into view before the man.
“You are… who are you?”
The man’s eyes held no recognition.
Kee-kee-kee…
Hyeol-je released a stifled laugh.
This same conversation had passed between them a thousand times over, at least.
And yet this fool still did not remember him.
“Still the same as ever, Gwang Ak.”
“Yes. My name is Gwang Ak. But who are you?”
The gaunt man remembered only one thing in the world: his own name.
“I gave you your life, and I gave you food and clothing.”
“Is that so? Then… you are my benefactor.”
“Yes. So you must listen well to what I say, understand?”
“Tell me anything. I… I will do whatever you ask.”
Anger rose in Hyeol-je’s chest at the man’s halting words.
But he had no choice but to suppress it.
For though Gwang Ak’s speech and manner were slow, his martial skill was anything but.
“There’s someone I need you to kill.”
“Who is it? I will kill him for you.”
“The owner of the Guest Inn. A very young man, but his martial arts are quite formidable.”
At Hyeol-je’s words, the man named Gwang Ak grinned.
“No one has ever stood in my way.”
Kee-kee-kee…
“That’s right. You are the greatest under heaven. So kill him.”
Hyeol-je smiled and turned his gaze toward the young man.
“Guide Gwang Ak to the Guest Inn before the Murim Alliance headquarters. Wait until the matter is finished, then bring him back.”
The young man bowed deeply.
“Your word is my command.”
But Gwang Ak opened his mouth in a halting voice.
“I’m… hungry.”
“Once you kill him and return, I’ll feed you until you’re full.”
“No. I want to eat now.”
Grrrr…
Hyeol-je ground his teeth.
When Gwang Ak was like this, there was no other choice.
“What do you want to eat, Gwang Ak?”
“Horse. I want to eat horse. Fresh raw meat from a horse.”
He had a peculiar fondness for raw flesh.
Most of all, he craved the fresh raw meat of newly captured cattle and horses.
“I’ll have it prepared for you. Very generously. Bring it for him.”
“Your word is my command. Please follow me, honored guest.”
The young man led Gwang Ak into the inner hall.
As he disappeared through the doorway, Cheol-goe appeared from the side of the hall.
“It’s been a long time, Gwang Ak.”
Gwang Ak did not recognize Cheol-goe either.
“You are… who?”
Cheol-goe answered without concern.
“I am Cheol-goe. We are on the same side.”
They had never been allies.
Gwang Ak was an expert whom Hyeol-je had uncovered.
He had once been ruthless beyond measure, but something seemed broken in him after passing through Hyeol-je’s hands.
“Still… I won’t give you my share.”
“Eat it all. I prefer pheasant.”
“Really? You’re… a good person. I don’t even need to share my portion with you.”
“Eat plenty.”
With those words, Cheol-goe approached Hyeol-je.
“Why did you summon Gwang Ak?”
“There’s someone who needs to die.”
Hmm…
“So you’re not killing him with your own hands—you’re borrowing Gwang Ak’s instead?”
He stared at Hyeol-je with the expression of someone who simply couldn’t believe it.
Hyeol-je had never known fear, and his ferocity was absolute.
Yet the fact that such a man would borrow Gwang Ak’s hands was something that would turn heaven and earth on their head.
Kee-kee-kee…………
“You don’t need to know. But when will you stop just waiting?”
“Until he appears.”
Hyeol-je flinched slightly at Cheol-goe’s mention of “him.”
“Why? Still afraid?”
Cheol-goe’s smile was contemptuous.
Shhhhhhhh………….
A sinister, savage killing intent blazed from Hyeol-je’s entire body.
“If the Sage hadn’t favored you, you’d be dead in my hands already.”
“Restrain yourself, Hyeol-je. Before the Sage casts you out.”
Cheol-goe met his gaze with cold eyes, then turned to leave.
As he walked, he suddenly stopped and spun around.
“What of Moyong Se?”
Hyeol-je, who had been radiating lethal killing intent, broke into a desolate laugh.
Kee-kee-kee…………..
“Something proper is taking shape. It’ll take time, but it’s coming along.”
“Make it well.”
“I don’t need your asking. I’ll make it well regardless.”

*

Yang Jung was cutting grass in the forest for the horse’s feed.
Swish… swish…
With each stroke of the sickle, the grass stems were severed.
But the blade had grown dull from long use, and the work was difficult.
“Ah… I’ll need to sharpen this sickle today.”
As he lifted the sickle to inspect the blade, an idea struck him, and he pulled a Short Sword from his sash.
Swish… swish…
The moment he drew the Short Sword against the grass stems without exerting any force, they parted cleanly.
Ah………….
Yang Jung cried out in delight.
Thunk….! Thunk…..!
At that moment, Kang Jo, who had been digging for aralia root with a small hoe, turned to look at him.
“What’s wrong? Why are you carrying on?”
“This Short Sword is incredible. The grass just cuts right through.”
As Yang Jung boasted of the blade, Kang Jo extended his hand.
“Give it here.”
“Why? What for?”
“Just hand it over.”
Kang Jo took the Short Sword and began using it to dig the ground.
Each time the blade struck the earth, the soil came loose with ease.
Ah..
Kang Jo cried out in wonder too.
“Isn’t it excellent?”
“It is. I’ll finish digging the aralia and give it back.”
“You should return it quickly.”
“Got it, you brat.”
Yang Jung sank into his chair, studying Kang Jo’s face intently.
Then something occurred to him, and his expression turned serious.
“The stallion’s been in poor spirits lately.”
“What do you mean, poor?”
“His temperament seems to get worse with each passing day.”
“Then beat him.”
Sigh…
“Is that what you call advice?”
“The mare’s in heat. No matter how vigorous he is, he’ll have no choice but to endure it.”
“Then we need to find him a mare?”
“How should I know? I’m just guessing.”
Long breath…
Yang Jung let out another heavy sigh.
“Where am I supposed to find a mare? Even Baek hasn’t brought one in lately.”
“If you’re that desperate, take him to the Murim Alliance.”
“And tell them what? That I’ve come looking for breeding? They’d beat me senseless.”
*

Dusk was already falling.
Kang Jo, who’d been preparing vegetables, turned his attention toward the forest where he heard murmuring voices.
“They’re finally arriving.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to eat an early meal at that inn before heading in?”
“Haven’t you heard the rumors about that place?”
“Ah… so that was that inn. The one that charges a whole silver coin for a single bowl of noodles.”
The murmuring voices grew steadily more distant.
Kang Jo finished preparing the vegetables, washed the rice, set it in the pot, and began preparing pork.
‘Will I have to close empty-handed again today?’
It had already been four days without a customer.
While Kang Jo worried over his lack of patrons, someone was crossing the Stone Bridge.
‘Here comes someone.’
Delighted, Kang Jo rushed outside at once.
“Welcome.”
As he bowed, he saw that his visitor was a young man from Gangho.
‘I know that face.’
“Could I get a drink?”
“Of course. Please sit.”
As Kang Jo headed to the kitchen, he recognized his guest.
‘One of the young skilled personnel from the Seong Ma-dan.’
The solitary visitor was indeed a young expert from the Seong Ma-dan.
Kang Jo quickly prepared Dongpa Pork.
“I’m hungry.”
Yang Jung appeared just then.
“Sit and wait.”
As Yang Jung took his seat, the young expert shot him a sharp look before turning away.
‘Repulsive fellow.’
Neither at Jamryong-hoe nor among the Seong Ma-dan’s skilled personnel were there many who favored the man called Sam-ryong.
He monopolized the attention of all the female martial artists.
Even this man despised him for it.
But there was someone he hated far more.
It was himself.
“Your Dongpa Pork and drink are ready.”
Kang Jo set vegetables before the young man first, then brought out the Dongpa Pork and liquor.
The man filled his cup and drained three cups in succession.
Ahh…
‘Harsh stuff.’
As he bit into the pork, the tender, chewy meat melted down his throat.
He downed three more cups.
Ahh…
The liquor was potent, yet with each sip his mind grew only sharper.
While Yang Jung spooned out rice, Kang Jo observed him quietly.
His face was covered with deep bruises, which suggested that Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma-dan were still locked in fierce combat.
He even had a broken tooth, visible from when he’d eaten the Dongpa Pork.
Ugh…
“I’ll have another bottle of wine.”
The man drained a fresh bottle in moments.
“Drink at your leisure, friend.”
Kang Jo set down the wine and spoke gently.
Hehehehe…
The man’s laughter was bitter, self-deprecating.
“This world… it seems there are far too many remarkable people in it.”
He wasn’t speaking to be heard by Kang Jo.
He was talking to himself.
Yang Jung, who had been eating, caught the drift and followed Kang Jo into the kitchen.
“That man—I think he’s about to cause trouble.”
“Then beat some sense into him.”
“Me?”
“Are you not confident?”
Yang Jung studied the man for a moment, his head tilting with doubt.
The man was recognized throughout Gangho as a skilled talent.
‘Will I be able to handle him?’
He returned to his seat and continued eating while keeping watch on the stranger.
His instinct proved right. The man suddenly hurled down his wine cup and smashed the table.
Thud!
Crash! Bang!
The table held—his Inner Power wasn’t channeled into the blow—but dishes, bowls, and bottles clattered to the floor in a cascade.
“Friend, please enjoy your wine more quietly.”
Kang Jo came out and began picking up the scattered dishes and bottles.
Hahahaha…
“Who the hell are you? What gives you the right to lecture me?”
The man staggered to his feet, laughing wildly.
In that instant, Yang Jung’s Body Technique erupted.
“You bastard!”
Thud!
His flying kick sent the man hurtling through the air and crashing down.
Hehehehe…
Yet his laughter never ceased.
Thud! Thud!
Yang Jung stomped on him relentlessly.
“You drunken fool, causing a scene like this!”
“Yes, that’s it. Stomp me. Go ahead… kill me.”
Even as Yang Jung’s feet came down on him, the man laughed.
“Is this bastard insane?”
Yang Jung stopped, stepping back from the man.
“That one’s not right in the head.”
Kang Jo helped him up and guided him back to his seat.
“What troubles you so?”
Hehehehe…
“I am… a loser. I have never won once. Not a single time. What good is living as such a man?”

*

The man’s name was Cheon Seok-pil.
The Cheon family was not an especially distinguished lineage within Ma-gyo, but Cheon Seok-pil stood apart.
From childhood, he was called one possessed of martial talent, showing exceptional aptitude in the martial arts.
Naturally, his family’s expectations were immense.
Cheon Seok-pil knew he was gifted.
But the moment he entered Seong Ma-dan, he confronted a harsh truth.
There, he was nothing but the weakest.
It wasn’t only in Seong Ma-dan that he held that distinction.
“I thought the Murim Alliance would be different. But it proved no better than Seong Ma-dan—the Martial Contests, the unarmed bouts… I have never won once.”
“Still, you must have landed a few blows on your opponent, surely?”
“What good would that do? I’m always the first one to hit the ground.”
When tears appeared in the man’s eyes, Yang Jung felt an unexpected pang of sympathy and turned back to the table, mechanically working his chopsticks.
‘I’ve seen this scene before somewhere.’
Kang Jo fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
Now that he thought of it, Ak Hwan had looked much the same when he first arrived at the inn as a guest.
The only difference was that this man seemed far more broken.
“Is it a lack of Inner Power? Or is your Family Martial Arts insufficient?”
The man laughed softly.
“Both. I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this here at an inn, but… thank you anyway. Getting beaten to a pulp like that actually helped. I feel like my head’s clearing up.”
With a smile on his face, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a purse.
Kang Jo asked again.
“How much silver do you have with you?”
The man looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“When I left home, I brought about fifty taels. But why do you ask?”

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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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