Return of the God of War - Chapter 28

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 28. When Taking Rest
A few days later.
Muk Yeo-jin climbed the mountain with a wild boar the size of a house-frame slung across his shoulders.
He had decided to devote this entire day to rest alone.
Iron, when struck repeatedly, develops cracks and eventually shatters—such is the nature of things.
The human body is no different.
Until now, he had not missed a single day, wielding his blade from dawn until night, cutting short even his sleep to throw himself into training.
At this point, it was time for proper rest.
Though Un-gi-jo-sik could dispel the fatigue accumulated in his body, it was not true rest.
And fatigue does not accumulate in the body alone.
The heart and spirit grow weary as well. Adequate rest was not regression—it was an essential element for greater growth.
After walking leisurely for what felt like an hour or so.
Muk Yeo-jin, having reached the mountain’s summit, drew in a deep breath.
Fresh air seeped deep into his lungs as though he were expelling something stale and filling himself anew.
The sweeping vista, seen for the first time in ages, made his chest feel as though it had opened wide.
He soon kindled a fire and began to dress the wild boar he had carried, placing it over the flames.
As time passed, the meat turned golden-brown and released a rich, savory aroma.
The preparations were complete.
Now it was time to summon the dear friend who would share this feast.
Shrill-whit-whit-whit-whit!
Muk Yeo-jin rolled his thumb and forefinger into a circle, brought them to his lips, and whistled with force.
Not long after, a black speck appeared in the western sky, approaching rapidly.
The speck’s identity was none other than—
“Cheong-bi!”
The massive hawk who had brought meals during his confinement in Bi-yeon-dong—Cheong-bi.
Cheong-bi descended with fierce speed, cutting through the wind and landing before Muk Yeo-jin in an instant.
“Screee!”
The great wings fluttered as though delighted, a gesture that seemed to express joy at their reunion.
Muk Yeo-jin stroked Cheong-bi’s back with a familiar touch.
“It’s been a while, Cheong-bi. Have you been well?”
“Screee!”
Muk Yeo-jin smiled and pointed to the wild boar over the fire.
“A gift for you. Eat as much as you like.”
“Screee!!”
As the savory aroma grew stronger, Cheong-bi folded her wings and settled in place.
With nimble hands, Muk Yeo-jin carved away a large chunk of the cooked meat and tossed it over.
Cheong-bi caught it precisely and swallowed it whole in a single gulp.
Just as he was enjoying leisurely rest, renewing his bond with Cheong-bi—
‘……!’
A murderous aura so overwhelming that his entire body’s hair stood on end crashed down from behind.
At the same moment.
Whoosh-shhhhhh!
A Sa-bok-geom extended with space-rending force, its vicious arc screaming through the air toward him.
Muk Yeo-jin twisted his body reflexively, but the blade had already carved toward his head.
Clang!
He drew the Heuk-ya-geom like lightning and deflected the Sa-bok-geom away.
“Ugh!”
At the moment of impact, a tremendous force rippled down his arm.
Below his elbow was numb with the shock.
This was undoubtedly a lethal, ambush attack—no question about it.
Even with immediate preparation for a counterattack, the situation was dire.
Yet.
Even now, a smile spread across Muk Yeo-jin’s face.
Because in Sadocheon, to his knowledge, only one person wielded the Sa-bok-geom at such a refined level.
As expected.
“Well done, sister.”
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
From behind the tree’s shadow emerged the attacker, the blade coiling like a serpent’s body as they stepped forward.
Her identity was none other than Muk Yi-yeon.
“Sister.”
“You’ve grown stronger. That boast about catching up to me within five years—it wasn’t empty talk after all.”
“If modesty goes too far, it becomes arrogance. I can tell just from that exchange. But compared to you, I’m still just a drop in the bucket.”
Muk Yeo-jin sheathed the Heuk-ya-geom and smiled.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, three years. And now you look like a proper man.”
In that instant, Cheong-bi shot toward her first.
Muk Yi-yeon smiled and stroked Cheong-bi’s back.
“You too, it’s been ages. Do you remember me?”
“Screee!”
Since Muk Yi-yeon herself had been confined in Bi-yeon-dong as a child, there was nothing odd about her being acquainted with Cheong-bi.
“I even roasted wild boar for you, yet it seems Cheong-bi finds you more welcome than that.”
“Cheong-bi?”
“Yes. It’s the name I gave him.”
“Cheong-bi… a fitting name. Back then I was too frightened of this creature to even approach him, let alone give him a name.”
True enough.
The sight of Cheong-bi spreading his wings wide and soaring through the sky was the very image that inspired the term “Strange Bird.”
For a ten-year-old Muk Yi-yeon, it would have been terrifying indeed.
But then again.
“Have you returned to the Bon-dan for good?”
Muk Yi-yeon had moved to Yunnan three years ago after stepping down from her position as leader.
Officially she was known to be in isolated cultivation, but in truth it was closer to convalescence.
Muk Yi-yeon shook her head.
“I prefer my life now, living among ordinary people. Though this peace won’t last forever, I wish to stay there until Father calls for me.”
Indeed, her face appeared more serene than before.
But.
“For your mother, such words must come like a bolt from the blue.”
Within Sadocheon, Hye-rang-yeong’s left and right hands—those who wielded true power—were undoubtedly Geom-gung-ju and his daughter, Muk Yi-yeon.
Yet Muk Yi-yeon herself possessed not the slightest trace of ambition.
Muk Yi-yeon laughed ruefully.
“What can I do? Mother has her own life, and I have mine, don’t I?”
“A wise answer indeed. But then, what brings you here?”
At that, Muk Yi-yeon’s gaze drifted to his waist, to the Heuk-ya-geom.
“Word reached even my ears that this presumptuous younger brother was stirring up trouble again. I couldn’t simply sit idle.”
Currently, Sadocheon was in an uproar over Geom-gung-ju and Muk Yeo-jin.
Why was Muk Yeo-jin carrying the Heuk-ya-geom?
Since neither of them would speak, wild speculation ran rampant.
“What happened?”
Muk Yeo-jin recounted the events of recent days without fanfare.
By the time he finished, a smile had bloomed on Muk Yi-yeon’s face.
“Just as I sensed three years ago, you seem to have left your spine in your aunt’s womb.”
“Perhaps so.”
Though in truth, he’d left it in a previous life, not in any womb.
“What sort of person is this Geom-gung-ju?”
“Well… he’s impulsive and cautious, careless and meticulous, merciful and cruel—utterly unpredictable, truly.”
“A long-winded way of saying he’s out of his mind.”
“Most who walk the Gangho have lost their minds.”
Laughter escaped him then.
It was precisely how he saw the Gangho—exactly her view.
No wonder conversation flowed so easily with her.
Both of them burst into laughter simultaneously.
“So what do you mean to do now?”
“I’m not sure yet…”
Muk Yeo-jin paused before Muk Yi-yeon’s question, his gaze falling on the Heuk-ya-geom, before he spoke slowly.
“I’m considering whether to smash the hornet’s nest called Geom-gung-ju and steal all his honey, or to keep him tucked against my side and nibble away at him slowly, bit by bit, over time.”
“Pardon?”
Muk Yi-yeon’s face registered disbelief before she burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Setting aside whether such a thing was even possible, his sheer audacity set him apart from ordinary men.
She found herself reminded once more: this one would succeed at anything he attempted.
“So you don’t need your sister’s help?”
“If you lent a hand, it would certainly be a great asset. However…”
“Hmm?”
“This time, I won’t trouble you for your help.”
Since he was entangled with Geom-gung-ju, friction with Muk Yi-yeon’s mother, Hye-rang-yeong, was inevitable.
There was no need to place a weight on her heart unnecessarily, so he had never intended to draw her into this matter.
Muk Yi-yeon understood his meaning at once.
A faint smile crossed her lips.
“I understand your heart well. I shall stand one step back and hope you obtain what you desire.”
Muk Yeo-jin nodded.
“That is enough.”
“Then I must return to Yunnan. There’s no one to water the garden without me.”
The moment he heard those words, something flickered in Muk Yeo-jin’s eyes.
‘Yunnan—geographically, that’s where one can easily gather news from Nam-man.’
Nam-man…….
The image of someone’s face suddenly surfaced in Muk Yeo-jin’s mind, and he called out to her.
“Wait.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Should you hear of any incidents occurring in Nam-man, would you be able to relay them to me?”
She narrowed her eyes slightly as she turned to ask.
“Hmm, Nam-man, you say—are you speaking of Ya-su-gung?”
Muk Yeo-jin nodded.
“Yes.”
“It’s not a difficult request, but why this sudden interest in the south?”
“I happen to be quite interested in the martial masters of the southern lands.”
At that, she raised the corners of her eyes with a knowing smile.
“Don’t tell me you’ve hidden some beautiful maiden in Ya-su-gung?”
Muk Yeo-jin’s expression immediately twisted.
‘There is a repulsive brute there, even larger in frame than a bear.’
Muk Yeo-jin kept those words locked behind his teeth.
“Well, in any case, I understand. Should anything interesting arise, I’ll send word.”
“Thank you. Take care of yourself.”
Muk Yi-yeon returned his farewell with a smile and turned to leave.
* * *
The next day.
Rest was over. It was time to move forward with vigor once more.
Muk Yeo-jin began in earnest to prepare for Geom-gung-ju’s future movements.
Having left the Heuk-ya-geom behind, he would inevitably become entangled with him again.
Considering how their last meeting ended, the likelihood of Geom-gung-ju becoming his adversary was high.
In raw martial strength, he was no match yet, but Geom-gung-ju, being a servant of Sadocheon, could not escape consideration.
He would necessarily have to weigh the eyes of the other lords and various factions.
It would burden him to openly oppress one who carried Cheonju’s bloodline without restraint.
If he could exploit that fact shrewdly, he could secure considerable advantage.
However.
Muk Yeo-jin was overlooking what Muk Yi-yeon had said.
Namely, that Geom-gung-ju was a man utterly impossible to pin down.
Bang!!
Suddenly, one wall of Muk Yeo-jin’s chamber collapsed with a deafening roar.
As dust billowed thick, a strange figure burst in violently and unleashed a thunderous bellow.
“You brat, barely old enough to know better, dare to show such insolence before me!”
That strange figure was none other than Geom-gung-ju.
Shing!!
Without hesitation, Geom-gung-ju drew his blade and swung it down.
Clang!
Already moving the moment the wall collapsed, Muk Yeo-jin had drawn the Heuk-ya-geom and caught his strike.
“Ha! Remarkable indeed! Most impressive!”
Struck by Muk Yeo-jin’s timely response to the sudden ambush, Geom-gung-ju could not help but voice his admiration.
“How can someone so young be capable of this?”
Meanwhile, Muk Yeo-jin’s gaze turned cold and sharp.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Yet Geom-gung-ju paid no mind to his piercing response.
Instead, muttering to himself, he nodded in apparent satisfaction.
Then, from his lips, tumbled words he’d never in his wildest dreams expected to hear.
“Muk Yeo-jin, would you not consider becoming my disciple?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————