The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 33

A sparring match.

It wouldn’t be difficult.

The Peng Family’s martial arts were tremendously powerful, but Cheongun had never experienced them either.

Thanks to his innate divine strength and bone structure, his martial arts were also robust.

However, Paeng Jinhyeok’s attitude in requesting this sparring match wasn’t simply one of wanting to exchange techniques.

As was clearly visible in his expression, he wasn’t even trying to hide it from the beginning.

‘It seems he wants to humiliate me.’

According to Cheongun’s memories, Dukbong Danliso had never married until Cheongun’s death in his previous life.

This was the first time he learned that Paeng Jinhyeok had feelings for Danliso.

Perhaps that’s why he felt somewhat pitiful toward him.

Though he himself had achieved nothing in his previous life either, that was because he had never set his heart on anyone—or so Cheongun firmly believed.

But if Paeng Jinhyeok had set his heart on someone yet failed to win her, his pride must have been quite wounded.

The difference between not doing something and being unable to do it was vast.

And Paeng Jinhyeok couldn’t be unaware of the pitying look directed at him.

Showing such a look was unpleasant enough, but why was he giving him that look in this situation?

“…If you wish to refuse, I suppose there’s nothing I can do.”

“Why would I need to refuse? However…”

There was no reason to just do it for free, was there?

This was something he was doing as a favor, not something he had to do.

Just as the difference between not doing something and being unable to do it was vast, this difference was equally vast.

“What fun would there be in just doing it?”

“Are you saying… we should make a wager?”

“Wouldn’t that be more enjoyable?”

Danliso said nothing and simply watched the situation unfold.

Since the guests wanted to spar for the sake of exchanging techniques, there was no reason to stop them, and Danliso was curious as well.

She had already seen with her own eyes that Cheongun could handle poison, so she had no doubt about that, but she hadn’t yet seen his martial prowess.

With Paeng Jinhyeok of the Haebuk Paeng Family as his opponent, wouldn’t that be more than sufficient?

“Contrary to appearances, you have quite some spirit.”

While Cheongun wasn’t small, the Peng Family members were naturally so robust that he appeared so by comparison.

“Appearances seem important to you.”

As he said this while glancing at Danliso, she started slightly.

Then she burst into laughter as if finding it amusing.

Conversely, Paeng Jinhyeok’s brow furrowed.

A smile had appeared on the face of the one he cared for, yet his own expression hardened instead.

“…What more words are needed? Miss, please guide us to the training ground. And please serve as witness.”

“Yes, gladly.”

It was a request she had no reason to refuse.

“So, what wager do you want, young hero?”

“I don’t think I’m the one who wants something.”

“…Fine. How refreshing. If I win, I’ll need to know your identity, young hero. This doesn’t seem to insult the Dang Family.”

“Yes. I’m curious too about where you’re from.”

He had also obtained Danliso’s agreement.

Now Paeng Jinhyeok had nothing to worry about.

“Then what do you want, young hero?”

“I…”

He had thought about what would be good, but honestly speaking, there wasn’t really anything.

“Not much, really.”

“…Are you serious?”

Could anything be more unpleasant than this?

To suggest making a wager first, then say he didn’t particularly want anything.

Whether he was taking the sparring lightly or the wager lightly, either attitude displeased Paeng Jinhyeok.

‘Arrogant bastard…’

Being toyed with by someone of unknown origin made his displeasure reach the heavens.

“Well, I’ll think about it gradually.”

“Do as you please.”

It was an arrogant attitude that didn’t even consider the possibility of losing.

And this minor commotion soon reached the ears of the Head of the Family and the Patriarch.

They had been continuing their discussion about creating an antidote.

“The combination itself is at a perfect level…”

“Hehe, I think I’m getting the hang of it.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Boy, you may not know martial arts, but you’re still a hundred years too early for poisons.”

“Head of the Family, it’s Soso.”

“Come in.”

The most interesting time was continuing.

“What is it?”

“The eldest son of the Peng Family has come to visit.”

“I see. Understood.”

“And…”

After explaining what had happened, only then did the Head of the Family and Patriarch turn their gazes toward where Soso stood.

“A sparring match?”

“A sparring match.”

The Peng Family’s martial arts were quite famous, and since he was acquainted with the current head, he wasn’t particularly curious about them.

If it was the eldest son, it would be Paeng Jinhyeok, but no matter how skilled Paeng Jinhyeok might be, could he match the current head?

However, the fact that his opponent was Cheongun made it interesting.

Cheongun’s identity, known only to the two of them.

Looking only at the Patriarch of Cheongeumjang, there would be nothing curious about it.

Wasn’t he just from a merchant family that dealt in money?

But considering what he had shown them, there were aspects that simply couldn’t be overlooked.

“Will you watch?”

“I am quite curious.”

The outcome of the sparring match?

Hmm, he wasn’t particularly interested in that.

What made this sparring match interesting wasn’t the result but the process.

Nothing was more boring than watching a predetermined outcome.

* * *

“Is this the place?”

The characters for Cheongeumjang brought different impressions.

If he had previously thought of them as merely a merchant group with wealth, now that perception had completely changed.

It appeared to be situated on a mountainside, but as if the entire slope had been carved away, the whole mountainside was occupied by the Cheongeumjang estate.

He had only heard stories but never seen it directly—it was quite an imposing place.

“Since I even wrote a letter personally, I shouldn’t be turned away at the gate.”

He had heard quite a bit about Cheongin, the previous Patriarch.

The person who had built Cheongeumjang from its modest beginnings to its current scale.

While his greatness might have been understated because he was involved in Gangho, if he had been outside of Gangho, he would practically be a figure worthy of historical recognition.

He was known to have considerable martial arts skills, and since Cheongeumjang had its own unique martial arts and even internal cultivation methods, it was practically no different from a sect overflowing with gold.

The point was that aside from such rumors, he knew nothing else about Cheongeumjang.

The major issue was not knowing what kind of people Cheongun’s blood relatives were.

Though he owed Cheongun a debt comparable to saving his life, he had no intention of risking his life to protect those who were arrogant and disrespectful.

Fundamentally, those who wield the brush look down on those who wield the sword, and these two look down on those who wield money.

So naturally, those who wield money inevitably come to look down on the other two as well.

“I’ll have to go and see for myself.”

While also taking in the surrounding view, he slowly climbed upward.

‘Hmm, the presences are increasing one by one.’

With each step up the stairs, he could feel presences secretly multiplying.

Still, should I say they were fairly decent presences?

He felt no particular hostility, just movements and intent to identify who he was as quickly as possible.

That was most important.

If he had felt hostility first, this being Gangho, it wouldn’t be strange to suffer some calamity.

There were many like Geou and himself, but there were also many who were not.

Even if they didn’t take murder as entertainment and amusement, there were many who felt not the slightest guilt.

And that crime would simply be harboring hostility toward them.

Because Gangho was a place where might makes right.

Gomujin slowly waited for them to finish their assessment.

Then, when he had climbed about halfway, he stopped and looked down below.

“If you’ve seen enough, come out now.”

“…”

It was certainly a path that not just anyone could climb.

Otherwise, it couldn’t be this quiet.

Before long, a man in black clothes revealed himself from behind.

“I am Heuksorang, Danju of the Black Shadow Unit. I am in charge of guarding Cheongeumjang.”

Having confirmed that this was a master beyond his ability to even gauge, Heuksorang did nothing but reveal his identity.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m not particularly famous, but showing you this should suffice.”

Gomujin deliberately didn’t turn around to look back.

Since there was a difference in martial prowess, he was intentionally showing his back while speaking.

“I’m grateful for your consideration, sir. I’ll come get the letter.”

Seeing his intent to pose no threat whatsoever, Heuksorang also slowly approached and took the letter.

“This handwriting is…”

Elegant and neat handwriting.

And handwriting that simultaneously conveyed arrogance.

It was unmistakable handwriting.

“You met the Patriarch?”

“That’s how it should be seen. Is that sufficient now?”

“Ah, yes. That’s sufficient. I’ll guide you.”

Heuksorang called one of the Black Shadow Unit members who hadn’t yet revealed themselves.

Vice-Danju Heukjeon immediately appeared at the summons.

“Report this to the Patriarch.”

“Understood.”

Probably by the time he climbed the remaining path and entered inside, they would have finished checking the letter and completed their assessment.

Gomujin silently climbed the stairs, occasionally turning back to look down below.

With each step up, the look in his eyes as he gazed below seemed to change slightly.

Finally climbing the last step, he arrived in front of Cheongeumjang.

“Welcome. I am Cheongjin, Patriarch of Cheongeumjang.”

Cheongjin, who was both the Patriarch and Cheongun’s father, had come out personally to greet him.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Go Mujin.”

“Go Mujin…? Could it be…?”

It was a name he had heard before.

It was also a name he couldn’t help but know.

Gomujin couldn’t take his eyes off the lady standing beside Cheongjin, never mind Cheongjin himself.

Long before Gomujin had made his name known, when he was wandering the world to meet the strong.

He seemed to have a memory of seeing that lady at the same time he made his name known back then.

It was such a long time ago, and it was also from a period before misfortune befell his family, making it an even more unpleasant time to remember.

“Could it be… Sowol?”

“Hello, sir?”

Sowol answered as if she had been waiting for Gomujin’s words.

Cheongjin, who had been looking between Sowol and Gomujin with a puzzled expression, soon smiled and spoke.

“Looking at this now, it seems I’m not the one who should be welcoming you, senior. Dear, I’ll leave this to you.”

“Yes, I’ll welcome him properly.”

With that, Cheongjin also left, leaving only Gomujin and Sowol in this vast space.

“Hah… my memory was correct. How have you not aged at all?”

“I didn’t think you would remember?”

“When I was wandering Gangho, this was also the very first place I headed to. I never dreamed I would meet you here.”

“I also never thought I would see you again like this, sir…”

She was also one of the few people who remembered the truth behind the rumors.

“It would be a long story to tell.”

“Hoho, you must have traveled a long way, so please rest from your fatigue first. We have plenty of time now. Don’t we?”

“Of course. Time is what I have plenty of now.”

“I’ll guide you to where you’ll be staying.”

Perhaps because of seeing Sowol, puzzlement arose in Gomujin’s eyes.

With Sowol here, he needed to protect Cheongeumjang?

It seemed like things didn’t quite add up.

Since pleasant connections from the past were rare, Gomujin followed Sowol with a faint smile.

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