Moorim Pochang - Chapter 99

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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 99. Men and Women.

‘What if the blade chips? What would I even do then?’
Yang Jung was anxious.
No matter how excellent a sword might be, it could never compare to the blade his master had left him.
Ha ha….
“If the blade chips, neither this humble Xia nor I would suffer a loss, would we?”
He had politely refused the sword duel.
But the Seong Ma-dan Disciple would not let him off so easily.
“Do you lack confidence? How disappointing, Yang.”
As the man sneered, Yang Jung bristled inwardly.
Yet his face could only maintain its smile.
“It does sound amusing. Let’s do it.”
But then Cho Yak sided with the Seong Ma-dan Disciple.
In times past, such things would often arise when drinking with his comrades.
No—those times had been far merrier.
Some comrades would sing or dance, and others would play the bamboo flute.
That was how he had tried to forget their deaths.
By comparison, the present moment felt terribly dull.
With her joining in as well, Yang Jung found it difficult to refuse.
He turned his head and looked at Kang Jo.
“Why are you staring at me? If you want to do it, do it.”
A sword was merely a blade after all.
There were fine blades and inferior ones, but the act of cutting or piercing was the same regardless.
At Kang Jo’s words, Yang Jung’s face fell.
‘This is bad.’
The Seong Ma-dan Disciple quickly rose to his feet and drew his sword.
A blade not reinforced with Sword Aura, Sword Intent, or Sword Energy could not hold out long.
Especially when two excellent swords clashed violently—one was sure to chip or the blade would break.
Shing..
“Draw your sword, Yang.”
Yang Jung reluctantly drew his blade.
“Then let us begin.”
The Seong Ma-dan Disciple finished speaking and swung his sword.
Yang Jung swung his own blade in response.
Clang………..!
Blade met blade with violent force, and sparks flew.
After flicking the opponent’s blade aside, Yang Jung quickly inspected his own sword.
Fortunately, it did not appear to be chipped.
Phew……..
As Yang Jung exhaled in relief, the Seong Ma-dan Disciple examined his own blade.
The face of the man inspecting his sword twisted.
“This can’t be….”
This sword had been granted to him by the Murim Alliance Leader himself.
The blade he had used before was good, but the one bestowed by the Leader was far superior.
Yet it had chipped.
The damage was not severe enough to be shameful, but he had nonetheless lost the sword duel.
“I… have lost, Yang.”
The Seong Ma-dan Disciple cleanly acknowledged his defeat.
As he returned to his seat, another disciple rose to his feet.
“I too would request a sword duel with you, Yang.”
The disciple who had risen was holding a large saber in one hand.
‘This is… hell….’
Yang Jung was dismayed.
Though he had won once, if he continued like this, his sword—no matter how excellent—would surely chip. There was no doubt of it.
And his opponent was wielding a very large saber at that.
Beyond chipping, the blade might split in two.
While he stood there uncertain, Paeng Mu-ho from the Jamryong-hoe rose to his feet.
“How about a match with me, Bang Cho?”
At Paeng Mu-ho’s challenge, Bang Cho laughed heartily.
Ha ha ha…!
“Excellent.”
The moment the two skilled fighters faced each other, Yang Jung hurried into the kitchen.

*

Clang…!
Paeng Mu-ho’s and Bang Cho’s great blades collided.
The instant their blades met, they both examined their weapons for damage.
And at the same moment, both men frowned.
“It seems I lost.”
“No, I’m the one who lost.”
Paeng Mu-ho and Bang Cho stared at each other and smiled knowingly.
On their first meeting, they had recognized each other as worthy rivals at a glance.
So they had continued their bout, and now they had come to respect one another.
When they returned to their seats, Cho Yak spoke up.
“Does anyone know how to play an instrument?”
At her question, Paeng Ga-hui and Baek Ha-yeong rose to their feet.
“I know how to play one.”
“So do I.”
The Seong Ma-dan was unwilling to lose, and Dok Go-il stood up.
“I can play the bamboo flute, but unfortunately I didn’t bring one with me.”
Cho Yak already knew he played the bamboo flute well.
“I’ll prepare one for you next time, so show off your skill then.”
After speaking, she turned to Yang Jung.
“May I examine your sword, Yang?”
Yang Jung was puzzled but didn’t refuse her request.
He drew the sword from his belt, scabbard and all, and offered it to her respectfully.
“Here it is.”
Taking the sword, Cho Yak examined the scabbard first.
It was a familiar scabbard.
But most scabbards looked much the same, so she couldn’t be certain.
Whisper…
As she drew the blade, a silver-white sword gleamed in the light.
The blade looked familiar too, but it didn’t differ greatly in shape from other swords.
Examining the blade, Cho Yak couldn’t hide her disappointment.
‘This isn’t Dae-hyung’s sword after all.’
Dae-hyung’s sword had possessed a radiant silver-white brilliance.
This blade was undoubtedly among the finest of excellent swords.
Dae-hyung had collected several swords and blades from his battle with Hyeol-gyo.
But he hadn’t examined all the weapons he’d collected in detail back then.
“A fine sword.”
She sheathed the blade and returned it to Yang Jung.
“Shall we be on our way?”
When Cho Yak stood, the members of the Jamryong-hoe and Seong Ma-dan rose as well.
Kang Jo, emerging from the kitchen, spoke.
“The Alliance Leader left us silver for the bill, so the cost of the meal and drink will come from those funds. Please visit us again next time.”
“Thank you for the meal.”
Cho Yak left the inn first, and the talented fighters bowed politely.
“Thank you for the meal, Kang.”
For them, this inn had become a place of great importance.
Not only was the food exceptional, but it was a place where they had saved each other’s lives countless times.
It felt as though no matter how strong their enemies were, they could hold their ground if they remained within these walls.

*

Cho Yak no longer gave orders for every detail herself.
Through several sorties, the skilled personnel had surely come to understand their own shortcomings.
Having completed his martial arts training, Ak Hwan unleashed his Body Technique outside the Murim Alliance.
His Martial Arts remained far from perfect, but this sortie had taught him something concrete.
That without swift Lightness Skill, there was no survival.
Lightness Skill was inseparable from Movement Technique, so it could never be neglected.
The other skilled personnel must have thought the same, for they too launched their Body Techniques beyond the Murim Alliance.
Whoosh—
Ak Hwan’s destination was the village entrance.
He planned to shuttle back and forth between the village entrance and the Murim Alliance until his Internal Energy ran dry.
The moment he set his direction, the other skilled personnel followed in his wake.
Whoosh—
Ak Hwan had already swept past the Guest Inn.
‘Should I stop here for lunch?’
While he entertained the thought, a voice called from behind.
“Come with us, Ak.”
Ak Hwan slowed his pace slightly, and Cheon Seok-pil drew up alongside him.
He had been wounded in the recent sortie.
Yet instead of lying in bed, he had come to the training grounds.
The two of them moved their Body Techniques in tandem toward the village entrance.
But beautiful women were walking toward them from the direction of the village.
Ak Hwan and Cheon Seok-pil came to a near-simultaneous stop.
The skilled personnel trailing behind, their Lightness Skill deployed, also halted.
Only the female disciples paid them no mind and swept past.
Whoosh—
“Pathetic men.”
The female disciples sneered as they disappeared into the distance.
The approaching beauties flashed radiant smiles.
Giggle—
“Are you gentlemen from the Murim Alliance?”
“Do visit us at the Baek Wol-lu.”
At their words, the skilled personnel’s faces flushed crimson.
Heh—
“We shall visit another time.”
As the beauties passed with playful gazes, the skilled personnel deployed their Lightness Skill once more.
Whoosh—
‘Where are those beauties headed?’

*

Yang Jung had to load hay onto the cart as well.
Had he not shirked his duties through summer and autumn, he would have gathered more than enough hay to spare.
After stacking hay in one corner of the stable, he hurried toward the Guest Inn.
With his chores nearly finished, it was time to refine his Killing Technique.
Hehe—
Kakaka—
But he heard the laughter of young women.
He quickly tidied his hair and adjusted his clothes.
Kang Jo also turned his gaze toward the sound of the laughter.
Moments later, beautifully dressed women crossed the Stone Bridge.
“Welcome.”
Kang Jo greeted them with customary courtesy.
The instant he bowed, the scent of powder pricked his nose.
Hehe—
The women laughed and revealed their identity.
“We work at the Baek Wol-lu. We came hoping to see Yang, and we were wondering if we might have the pleasure?”
As though he had been waiting, Yang Jung stepped into view at once.
Hah—
“Please, do come in.”
As Yang Jung welcomed them, Kang Jo shot him a look and withdrew into the kitchen.
Yang Jung, wearing an awkward smile, led the women to the dining table.
“Please, sit down.”
Truth be told, he didn’t know them well either.
He saw their faces every morning, but there were so many women about that he’d never actually spoken with them.
“There are so many other women in the village that we found our way here.”
“Come visit Baek Wol-lu sometime, Yang. I’ll treat you free of charge.”
The women settled into their seats, casting flirtatious glances.
Hahahaha……..
“I’ll certainly stop by one day.”
As Yang Jung replied, the women glanced around the Guest Inn.
“They say the food here is delicious—might we have a taste?”
Haha….
“Of course. Don’t worry about the cost.”
Yang Jung flashed a bright smile and headed for the kitchen.
But the moment he stepped inside, his expression turned earnest.
“Please… I’m begging you.”
Kang Jo found him utterly pathetic.
“You braindead fool. You’re thinking of taking kisaeng as wives?”
Yang Jung had no intention of taking them as actual wives.
But these were women who had sought him out.
“Not as wives, exactly… perhaps as concubines…”
“You’ll ruin the household, you idiot.”
Kang Jo rebuked him, but his hands kept working the dough.
“Just this once. Wait a moment.”
Even this fool had his dignity, after all.
“Thank you, brother. I won’t forget this kindness.”
“Forget it if you like.”
Yang Jung’s face flushed with joy as he returned to the main room.
Hahahaha……
“Today our Pork Noodles are particularly fine.”
Hohoho……
“We’re looking forward to it, Yang.”
“But what exactly do you do at this Guest Inn?”
Yang Jung answered quickly to the kisaeng’s question.
“I oversee the entire inn. As you know, even the smallest Guest Inn has quite a lot of work to manage.”
“That’s certainly true. We admire your diligence.”
With their polite words dispensed, the kisaeng began to show their true colors.
“We hear you earn quite a bit of silver?”
“So you must be quite wealthy yourself?”
Haha…..
“Not wealthy, but enough to get by.”
Hohohoho…….
“Then visit Baek Wol-lu often.”
“Silver only multiplies when you spend it, after all.”
The kisaeng even cast their eyes toward Kang Jo in the kitchen.
“Come visit us, handsome one.”
Kang Jo nodded absently.
“Yes.”

*
“This really is delicious. I had no idea Pork Noodles could taste like this.”
The kisaeng stared at Kang Jo with astonished eyes.
They’d heard the rumors, but tasting it themselves, the rumors seemed to have understated the truth.
Haha……
“My brother’s culinary skills are exceptional. I find it difficult to eat anywhere else.”
Yang Jung sat at their table and responded to each of their remarks.
Slurp……
Slurp…….
The kisaeng ate frantically, shoveling noodles and meat into their mouths.
A good kisaeng house naturally needed fine cooking.
The kisaeng had no choice but to eat whatever their house served.
The tavern offered far more varieties of dishes, yet the flavor here was far superior.
The kisaengs set down their empty bowls and turned their eyes toward Yang Jung.
“Could we… possibly have more?”
Ah-ha-ha…
Yang Jung laughed awkwardly and shifted his gaze to Kang Jo.
‘Please… I’m begging you.’
Kang Jo simply nodded without a word.
Ha-ha-ha…
Only then could Yang Jung offer a bright, genuine smile.
“Please, eat as much as you’d like.”
Just then, the female martial artists entered the Stone Bridge.
Kang Jo, who had been cooking, hurried out to greet them.
“Welcome.”
“We stopped by for lunch, Kang.”
“You’re most welcome. Please, be seated.”
The female martial artists who entered caught sight of Yang Jung sitting among the kisaengs.
‘Those… damn women.’

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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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