Moorim Pochang - Chapter 89

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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 89. Sixty-Four Skilled Personnel.

Before the skilled personnel, winter melon soup and pork noodles were laid out.
As they filled their cups with liquor, Cho Yak spoke first.
“First, raise your cups for Jang Ha-suk, who has fallen before us.”
Before, Dok-go Yeop and Baek Moon-do had raised their cups alongside her, speaking the same words.
But now Cho Yak had taken that duty upon herself.
The skilled personnel all lifted their cups.
And they drained them in a single breath.
When there was something to forget, nothing served like alcohol.
A hundred heroes had sought drink for that very reason, and now Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Dan followed in their wake.
The skilled personnel drank before they ate.
The wall that had stood between Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Dan had crumbled considerably by now.
They poured for each other’s cups.
Then Kang Jo set a wine vessel before them.
“The Ma-gyo Leader entrusted this liquor to me. He said to pass one cup to everyone, so I shall pour a cup for each of you.”
The moment his words ended, the skilled personnel of Seong Ma Dan set down their cups and prostrated themselves toward the vessel.
“Ma-gyo Invincible…! Ten Thousand Demons Worship…!”
Kang Jo and Yang Jung watched them with blank expressions.
‘They’re even bowing to the alcohol.’
Rising to their feet, the skilled personnel of Seong Ma Dan emptied their cups and held out the empty vessels.
With this, Yang Jung took up the wine vessel and gourd ladle, pouring for each of their cups in turn.
Cho Yak and the skilled personnel of Jamryong-hoe all received their drinks as well.
Baek Won-yeong and Yeon Ja-seol, who had caught the aroma, turned to look at Kang Jo with surprised expressions.
They seemed to have guessed the nature of this liquor.
Once Yang Jung had filled all the cups, he poured some into his own.
“There’s none left.”
He deliberately held the vessel upside down to show them.
The skilled personnel of Seong Ma Dan and Jamryong-hoe all raised their cups to their lips.
Ahhhh……..
With their cups emptied, they all bore expressions of astonishment.
The aroma was far too profound and deep.
Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun could only tilt their heads in confusion.
There was no such liquor in Ma-gyo.
Yet if their father had entrusted it to them, there was something suspicious about it all.
But the skilled personnel, giving it no further thought, continued to eat and drink.
Baek Won-yeong spoke to Cho Yak.
“It seems unwise to drink too much.”
Cho Yak nodded in agreement with those words.
“If we’re to rise at dawn tomorrow, we should drink in moderation. A difficult day awaits us.”
The skilled personnel understood her meaning.
Though they wanted nothing more than to drink until the heavens spun, they had to save themselves for what lay ahead.
Baek Won-yeong rose and approached Kang Jo and Yang Jung.
“I’m at a loss for words. I truly am grateful.”
His voice trembled finely with the depth of his emotion.
As the eldest, he had done nothing but receive help from his younger brothers.
On one hand, he was proud of them; on the other, he felt only shame at himself.
But Kang Jo and Yang Jung made light of it.
“We merely delivered the liquor the Leader left behind.”
“That’s right, brother. And besides, I drank a cup as well, so that settles it.”

*

The gathering lasted somewhat longer than expected.
The skilled personnel ate several bowls of pork noodles apiece, and with so many mouths to feed, the cooking took time.
The first to show a reaction were Dok-go Il and Dok-go Eun.
Tilting their heads in confusion, they disappeared toward the back of the Guest Inn.
“Hm? Something doesn’t feel right.”
Other skilled personnel began rising from their seats one by one.
Baek Won-yeong stepped forward hastily.
“It appears the liquor the Master bestowed upon us contained rare medicinal herbs. Begin circulating your Yungi Haengong at once.”
At his words, the skilled personnel all started up in surprise.
“Ma-gyo Invincible……! Ten Thousand Demons Worship……!”
The Seong Ma Dan knelt toward the direction where Ma-gyo lay and bowed their heads.
Baek Won-yeong found their devotion frustrating.
Sigh.
‘This is driving me mad.’
There was no need for such elaborate ceremony in this urgent situation.
Cho Yak too felt a surging power rising within her like flame.
Yet she had already pierced her Upper Dantian and accumulated internal energy within it long ago, so the Yungi Haengong held no necessity for her.
‘Yeop never had liquor like this. If he had, I would’ve tasted it already.’
She sat quietly, observing Kang Jo and Yang Jung.
Kang Jo, noticing her gaze, jabbed Yang Jung in the ribs.
“Why are you just sitting there?”
“Why should I? Elder brother.”
Yang Jung stared at Kang Jo with wide, blinking eyes.
‘This damned fool……’
Kang Jo shot him a cold, piercing glare.
The ghostly intuition he usually possessed was nowhere to be seen.
Since they had drunk the liquor together, shouldn’t they be circulating their Yungi Haengong like the others?
“Do you want to die, you bastard?”
“Why are you suddenly glaring at me like you’re about to kill me……….”
Yang Jung, his face full of grievance, hurriedly dropped to the ground.
Then he began mimicking the circulation of Yungi Haengong.
‘I almost made a terrible mistake just enjoying the liquor.’

*

When the Seong Ma Dan’s skilled personnel opened their eyes, their joy was overwhelming.
“Master……I shall dedicate this life to you.”
Some of the skilled personnel lay prostrate on the ground, tears streaming down their faces.
The Jamryong-hoe’s skilled personnel felt the same profound gratitude.
The liquor they had drunk was a treasure of Gangho.
Even with ten thousand gold pieces, it could not be obtained—it was the finest treasure under heaven.
And yet the Master of Ma-gyo had bestowed it upon them as well.
The most astonished among Jamryong-hoe’s skilled personnel was Ak Hwan.
He had tasted the liquor twice.
‘It wasn’t a herb dish—it was liquor. I’ve drunk the Master of Ma-gyo’s liquor twice.’
His gratitude deepened as he tilted his head in thought.
‘Why did he wait until now to offer it, instead of bringing it out sooner?’
He gazed at Kang Jo with a puzzled expression.
In his line of sight appeared Yang Jung, deeply moved and overjoyed.
“Elder brother. It truly is an extraordinary liquor. If there had been any left, you could have tasted it too……….”
“Was it really that fine? I wish I could have drunk some………What a shame.”
When Kang Jo also wore a look of surprise, Ak Hwan set aside his suspicions.
‘So they didn’t know either. Was I simply fortunate?’
It made sense—Kang Jo would not have needed such liquor.
In any case, the liquor was gone now.
And having tasted it twice, he harbored no regrets.
Though he had not completely pierced his Upper Dantian, he felt noticeably stronger than before.

*

“I am grateful, Kang Jo.”
Dok-go Il bowed respectfully.
Regardless of what others might think, he understood well enough that this was not liquor his father had provided.
“Thank the Master, not me.”
Ha ha……
“In any case, I’m grateful.”
He nodded along with Kang Jo’s words.
Hehe……
“I won’t forget this kindness. I’ll make it up to you in a big way, so look forward to it.”
Dok-go Eun laughed with a sultry smile and expressed her gratitude to Kang Jo.
“Repayment isn’t necessary.”
“No. I’ll give it to you even if I have to force it.”
Kang Jo’s brow furrowed.
‘She’s a difficult woman, as expected.’
Dok-go Eun tapped Kang Jo’s face with her finger, then turned to employ her Body Technique.
While the two of them expressed their gratitude to Kang Jo, Baek Ha-yeong was smiling radiantly at Yang Jung.
“Thank you, young master Yang.”
Ha ha……
“Please, don’t mention it, young lady Baek.”
“May I visit you often?”
In truth, she had found Yang Jung somewhat difficult because of what had happened before.
That day, Yang Jung had been so terribly cold.
He seemed like someone who would turn his back without hesitation if their hearts didn’t align.
But now that he seemed to have regained his former self, her worry eased considerably.
“Please visit whenever you wish. If you find me acceptable, I would be glad to hear your thoughts anytime.”
Having spoken those words, Yang Jung felt inwardly pleased.
‘At last…….at last I’ve said it.’
The words that his elder brother had once spoken to Yeon Ja-seol had always stayed with him.
He had always wanted to say those words to a beautiful woman, and now he had finally found the chance.
Baek Ha-yeong’s face flushed slightly.
But the expressions on the faces of the talented women watching her were far from pleased.
‘That vixen……..’
‘If she weren’t the daughter of the Alliance Leader, she would’ve met her end long ago.’

*

The talented personnel of Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Dan entered the Murim Alliance.
The martial artists all came out to greet them, and Baek Moon-do revealed himself.
“You’ve all endured much…..indeed.”
He paused mid-sentence and observed the talented personnel.
‘How could their qi have changed so drastically?’
Cho Yak, sensing his inner thoughts, smiled.
“It seems the Master of Ma-gyo left some exceptionally rare alcohol at the Guest Inn. Thanks to that, it proved invaluable.”
‘That can’t be right…’
Baek Moon-do’s mind filled with doubt.
He knew well enough that Dok-go Yeop had never left any precious alcohol at the Guest Inn.
But neither was it plausible that Kang Jo would have brought out dozens of cups of the precious medicinal wine he treasured.
It was only natural that Seong Ma Dan wore expressions of gratitude, but Jamryong-hoe also looked deeply moved.
‘What becomes of my face in all this?’
They believed that the Master of Ma-gyo had brought out alcohol as precious as treasure.
If so, he too had to offer something in return.
‘Blast that man. I was planning to distribute rewards slowly.’
He did have things to offer.
Manuals on Martial Arts or fine swords and the like.
But compared to that rare alcohol that greatly enhanced Internal Energy, they fell far short.
Dok-go Yeop seemed destined to earn the respect of Jamryong-hoe as well.
“C……come inside and rest.”
He concluded his words curtly and turned to employ his Body Technique.
With that, both Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Dan made their way to the quarters.
They remained stirred by lingering excitement.
It seemed they would not find sleep easily tonight.

*

Baek Moon-do left the Murim Alliance and moved swiftly, his body technique cutting through the air.
Whishhhhh……
As he crossed the Stone Bridge, wind trailing in his wake, Kang Jo came out to meet him at once.
“Welcome.”
He didn’t even accept the greeting.
“Is it true that Dok-go Yeop left liquor here at the Guest Inn?”
“Yes.”
At Kang Jo’s answer, his expression grew heavy.
“Did you think that lie would fool me?”
“Ask the Alliance Leader later.”
Kang Jo remained composed.
What exactly was he dissatisfied about?
Hadn’t he make a difficult decision and given the skilled personnel liquor that was as good as any sacred elixir?
He wasn’t expecting great praise, but this disapproving reaction was another matter entirely.
Hmm…
Baek Moon-do swallowed.
In truth, he was deeply grateful to Kang Jo.
If Kang Jo had delivered the liquor to the skilled personnel himself, Baek Moon-do would have prostrated and knocked his head in gratitude.
He opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Wasn’t it all right to say I had left the liquor on deposit?”
Kang Jo looked at him with an expression of disbelief.
Yang Jung, who had been wiping the table, turned his head with a vacant look.
“Was that… the problem, Alliance Leader?”
Having already opened his heart, Baek Moon-do pressed on.
He let the words pour out freely now.
“We’re doing business right in front of the Murim Alliance—couldn’t we do even that much? And didn’t I pay you generously for the liquor?”
Kang Jo couldn’t deny his words.
But compared to what Dok-go Yeop had given, it fell far short.
When Baek Moon-do had produced a note for one thousand silver coins, Dok-go Yeop had offered a large lump of gold.
And when Baek Moon-do had given ten silver coins, Dok-go Yeop had given a million coins.
“Yes. It was generous. When you gave a thousand silver coins, the Leader gave a large lump of gold, and when you gave ten silver coins, the Leader gave a million coins.”
Baek Moon-do’s mouth fell open in shock.
A massive lump of gold and a million silver coins?
A million silver coins was more than the Murim Alliance’s annual budget.
All the silver coins paid for liquor at this Guest Inn until now came not from the Alliance’s coffers, but from his own wealth.
‘Just as before, his generosity knows no bounds.’
With nothing left to say, he turned to leave.
What more could he say, when Dok-go Yeop had offered gold and a million coins?
As he moved to go, he stopped his steps and turned back.
“If I were to offer a million coins as well, would you provide the medicinal liquor?”
“Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma Dan have drunk it all—there’s none left now.”
Baek Moon-do nodded and resumed his departure.
“I understand. In any case, I’m grateful.”
The moment he disappeared, Yang Jung stepped close and asked.
“Kang Jo. Should I bring more Seonam, Fo-ti, and Gongcheong Stone Oil?”

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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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