Moorim Pochang - Chapter 77

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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 77. The Unchosen.

Murim Alliance warriors and more than a dozen physicians flooded into the Guest Inn.
The physicians tended to the skilled personnel’s wounds while the warriors stood ready against any surprise assault.
“Boil more water. We’ll need a fire to keep the mosquitoes away.”
Yang Jung brought the water to a boil and gathered mugwort branches to kindle the flames, his face never clouding with displeasure.
A faint smile never left the corners of his mouth as he worked.
Kang Jo sat at the table, gazing at him in a kind of daze.
‘He really is something extraordinary.’
Without the presence of these skilled personnel, Yang Jung would’ve worn an expression of utter despair—or worse.
The elderly physician from before approached Kang Jo.
“Some of the wounded are too gravely injured to move back to Murim Alliance headquarters. We’ll need to care for them here. Does this inn have spare rooms?”
“There is a building in the back, but it only has two beds.”
“Don’t worry about the beds.”
The elderly physician turned to the Murim Alliance warriors and issued orders.
“Return to headquarters and bring back every bed and blanket you can find.”
“We need to maintain our watch, so I’ll assign others to handle it.”
At the warrior’s reply, the elderly physician’s voice rose sharply.
“Your watch? What good is a watch when we have them here?”
The elderly physician raised his hand, pointing at Kang Jo.
It seemed he too had heard of Kang Jo’s deeds.
‘Wait—I’m not even a Murim Alliance warrior. Why am I…?’
Kang Jo found the situation absurd but said nothing.
“Go.”
The Murim Alliance warrior understood the command and left the inn with the others.
The elderly physician, having made his point, returned to tending the wounded.
‘I should prepare lunch.’
Kang Jo rose and headed toward the kitchen.
With so many people here now, he’d need to prepare food generously.
“Samryong. Boil water in that other pot.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yang Jung obeyed without a word of complaint.
He stacked stones outside to hang the pot, then made his way to the stream to draw water.
Thwack…….! Thwack……..!
Kang Jo struck the dough against the cutting board, drawing out noodles.

*

While the physicians cared for the wounded at the inn, the Murim Alliance gathered the bodies.
Since Hyeol-gyo made no effort to retrieve their dead, the Alliance had to collect and bury them as well.
Yet despite their thorough search, Eon So-ryong’s body was nowhere to be found.
The report quickly reached the Chief Administrator, who brought it before the Alliance Leader.
“Eon So-ryong’s body is missing. The wounded tell us he injured his leg during the retreat and never regrouped with them.”
“He could be hiding anywhere. Search again.”
“Understood, Alliance Leader.”
The Chief Administrator, sharing the same thought, left the Alliance Leader’s chambers without another word.
‘It’s unfortunate for Kang, the Young Hero, but it was a blessing that the inn was there. Without it, Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Corps would’ve suffered far heavier losses. Still—will we ever see a resurgence of the Hundred Heroes?’
Should the current talents of Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Corps defeat Hyeol-gyo, they would be hailed as the new Hundred Heroes.
Yet he judged that possibility as extremely low.
The position of Chief Administrator meant knowing things one wished to ignore, and hearing things one wished not to hear.
The Hundred Heroes of old had lost eight in their first battle.
Now, thirty-five lay dead.
It was mere arithmetic, but arithmetic that could not be dismissed.
‘I truly despise this station.’

*

The lightly injured skilled personnel returned to the Murim Alliance, leaving only the seriously wounded at the Guest Inn.
Yet more than twenty injured remained, and with the physicians included, their number swelled to nearly thirty.
Among the seriously wounded were Dok-go Il and Baek Ha-yeong.
Baek Ha-yeong was not so injured as to be immobilized, but she had chosen to stay at the inn nonetheless.
Because of this, the newly renovated wing that Yang Jung had prepared had to accommodate all the skilled personnel and physicians together.
Kang Jo regarded them as guests and harbored no particular resentment.
Yang Jung, too, dared not voice complaint.
There were far more women than men among them.
Kang Jo found Yang Jung’s perpetual gentle smile both pitiful and contemptible.
“Isn’t it exhausting?”
“Not in the slightest, brother. After all, one of those women might become my future wife, might she not?”
He sighed.
“Better not to marry at all.”
“You don’t understand my position. If I don’t bring home a woman I’ve chosen myself, I may be forced into matrimony with someone who means nothing to me.”
“The woman your family arranges might be extraordinarily beautiful, you know.”
“You don’t yet understand how the world works. Every young and beautiful woman is already claimed by the wealthy and powerful.”
Kang Jo was at a loss for words.
Yang Jung’s household was not tremendously rich, yet neither were they poor.
Moreover, the man was the most handsome under heaven—even if he lived as a beggar, women would line up for him.
“Your family runs a trading post. What do you have to worry about?”
“Still, I will choose the woman I spend my life with myself.”
How could one dissuade someone holding convictions so firm as these?
“Work hard at it, then.”
Kang Jo picked up a basket and left the kitchen.
With so many guests, the seasoned vegetables never lasted long.
The skilled personnel enjoyed them, but the elderly physicians were particularly fond of them.
As he wandered slowly through the forest gathering plants, the Elderly Physician was crouched on his haunches, digging at something with focused intensity.
“What are you doing here?”
The Elderly Physician didn’t even turn his head.
“What do you think? Gathering medicinal herbs.”
“But there are still quite a few herbs remaining at the inn, are there not?”
“I’m just doing this to pass the time. Don’t worry yourself.”
Since the Elderly Physician said as much, Kang Jo moved on and began pulling up bamboo shoots.
This forest did not have many bamboo groves, so shoots were quite rare here.
The Elderly Physician watched him work, then spoke.
“Are there no Chinese yams or balloon flowers?”
“Chinese yams are somewhat rare, but we have quite a few balloon flowers.”
“Then I’d like to have balloon flowers for supper.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare them as a side dish.”
Kang Jo deposited the bamboo shoots in his basket and moved toward where the balloon flowers grew.
But the Elderly Physician, apparently finding the forest rather dull, followed along behind him.
Just as Kang Jo was about to dig up a balloon flower, he looked at a tree casting deep shade.
“What are you doing over there?”
The shadow shifted suddenly, and Yang Jung popped out.
“Ah… looks like I can’t fool you, brother.”
Muttering complaints, he walked out and gathered an armful of hay that had been piled nearby.
Then he disappeared toward the Residence.
The old man, who had shown a flicker of surprise, asked a question.
“Is he always like that?”
“Yes. Lately he’s been absorbed in practicing Assassin Play.”
“He certainly won’t be bored, then.”
The Elderly Physician dug up a balloon flower and placed it in Kang Jo’s basket.
“I’ve spent nearly half my life within the walls of the Murim Alliance. By now, I’ve forgotten where I ever truly lived.”
“It’s said that the place where one’s heart is attached becomes home.”
He laughed softly.
“You’re not even old, yet you speak like an ancient sage.”
Kang Jo conversed with the Elderly Physician about this and that as they continued harvesting balloon flowers.

*

Entering the residence with the bundle in hand, Kang Jo caught sight of Yang Jung and Baek Ha-yeong conversing in front of the stable.
“So you stepped away to avoid inflicting injuries on the skilled personnel?”
Ha ha……
“Precisely. In a Life and Death Battle, one can unintentionally deal fatal wounds, can’t one?”
“You’re truly a Young Hero, Yang.”
Tsk tsk….
‘All pretty words and nothing more.’
Kang Jo, having overheard their exchange, made his way toward the Guest Inn.
As he trimmed the vegetables and peeled the bellflower roots, the sun had already begun its descent toward the west.
“Sam-ryong…………………!”
Kang Jo raised his voice, calling out to Yang Jung.
There were many guests, and he needed the man’s help.
Yet Yang Jung did not appear.
‘This bastard……’
Kang Jo stepped outside and looked up at the Guest Inn’s roof.
“Get down here, will you….?”
“Ah….caught again.”
Whoosh……….
Rising from the roof, Yang Jung deployed his Body Technique and descended to the ground.
“I was even holding my breath—how did you know, elder brother?”
“Just stop breathing altogether, you wretch.”
“But if I don’t breathe, I’ll die.”
Given how earnestly Yang Jung pursued his Concealment Art, Kang Jo couldn’t bring himself to stay angry.
“Bring some firewood and get a fire going.”
“………….Yes, sir.”
As Yang Jung headed off to fetch the firewood, he encountered the female patrons and offered them a gentle smile along with a slight bow.
“Are you all recovering well?”
The female patrons flushed and lowered their heads.
“Yes. Thanks to the Young Hero Yang.”
Sigh………
Kang Jo exhaled a long breath and called out once more.
“Firewood…………….!”

*

Power coursed through Eon So-ryong’s entire body—overwhelming, intoxicating power.
Unable to contain it, he kicked off the earth and launched himself skyward with his Body Technique.
Whoosh……….
As he soared into the heavens, the world unfurled beneath him.
Thud….
Moyong Se descended lightly and approached him.
“How does it feel? Eon So-ryong?”
Eon So-ryong clenched and unclenched his fists, a smile spreading across his face.
“It’s magnificent. Thank you, Young Hero Moyong.”
His words were truth.
With the power surging through his body, he felt as though he had become the greatest master under heaven in that very moment.
Now, even if they sent him back to the Murim Alliance, he no longer had any desire to return.
Kee kee kee…………..
The Blood Master emerged with a laugh.
Eon So-ryong prostrated himself on the ground.
“Eon So-ryong offers his respects to the Master.”
Since Moyong Se regarded him as a master, Eon So-ryong naturally had to do the same.
Yet the Blood Master had no intention of accepting Eon So-ryong as a disciple.
His aptitude was certainly excellent, but he fell short of Moyong Se.
Such a man would suit Cheol-goe or Yeohwa better.
“I have no intention of taking you as my disciple. Go try your luck with Cheol-goe or Yeohwa.”
Eon So-ryong’s heart sank.
According to Moyong Se, the Blood Master was the strongest in this place.
More than that—neither the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance nor the Sect Master of Ma-gyo could match him.
Then was he not the greatest master under heaven?
If he was to take a master, he wanted one like that.
“Why… are you abandoning me? Please, I beg you to accept me.”
Eon So-ryong’s voice trembled with desperation.
Baek Won-yeong and Baek Ha-yeong could become disciples because they were the Alliance Leader’s children.
Moyong Se and Yeon Ja-seol could enter as disciples because of their exceptional talent.
How he envied them.
Moyong Se gazed down at him with a sneer.
There were positions suited to certain people, and positions unsuited to others.
Eon So-ryong was made for the second seat, not the first.
As Moyong Se’s sneer deepened, Yeohwa appeared as if on cue.
She looked down at Eon So-ryong, sprawled naked on the floor.
Ho ho ho…
“Seems fairly solid, doesn’t it?”
Kiki ki…
“If you like him, take him with you.”
“I’ll train him well and make him even more solid than he already is.”
She accepted Eon So-ryong without hesitation.
Just as she herself had been abandoned by Baek Moon-do, Eon So-ryong had been abandoned by the Blood Master.
“Follow me.”
Eon So-ryong had no choice.
“My sword and martial robes… are in the room.”
“I’ll provide you with new ones, so forget everything you’ve had until now.”
“Yes… understood, Master.”
Eon So-ryong rose to his feet and followed Yeohwa out, wearing nothing at all.

*

“Welcome.”
Dok-go Yeop stepped into the Guest Inn, returning Kang Jo’s greeting.
“Prepare for about seventy or eighty people to dine.”
“Who else is coming?”
“The Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Corps will be eating here.”
Kang Jo nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.
“How far have you progressed with the Eternal Nine Heaven Demon Sword?”
“I burned it.”
Dok-go Yeop’s eyes turned colder than ever.
“You regarded even the Eternal Nine Heaven Demon Sword as worthless?”
“I simply had no desire to refine it.”
“Why?”
“I am merely the proprietor and cook of this Guest Inn.”
He turned away coldly.
“Fool. You don’t seem to realize you’ve already waded deep into the Gangho’s martial world.”
Kang Jo replied to his words with calm composure.
“I know. I simply wish to move according to my own will.”
Kuku ku ku…
“The man with the proudest self-respect in all the realm.”

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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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