Ghost Face - Chapter 295



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Chapter 74. It’s about to rain on the mountain, the pavilion is filled with wind (11)

Ma Yeop said that if you practice the ancient five-pointed sword, you might be able to see a real fairyland. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but at least from Bi Ho’s perspective, the ‘fairyland’ that Byeokja spoke of really did exist. Thanks to that, the Taoist of Cheongseongpa came to this place, and now he wants to go to the decisive battle and fight together.

However, there was a prerequisite.

“If you survive this duel, Biho, will you be able to stay with our Cheongseongpa for many years?”

“yes?”

“If you agree, I would like to accept you as a disciple of our Cheongseongpa. I have already asked for permission from Jangmun Sa-hyeong.”

“ah…….”

Biho glanced at Jin Ga-yong and the old man of Shandong at the surprise offer of recruiting the wall, and trailed off vaguely. It was something he had never thought of, and for him who was born free-spirited, this offer did not sound all that sweet. As a so-called secular disciple of the old school… Of course, some would be overjoyed and say it would be the glory of the family, but at least he was not.

Then, his disciple Cheong-woo, who had brought the wall, whispered to Bi-ho in a voice, perhaps because he was frustrated with the sight.

– If the Master asks for a justification, is that so difficult? Do you really think that our Cheongseong faction can barge into a duel between the neighboring city’s Jeilbang faction without any justification? I’m not asking you to act like a thief, but rather to wear the guise of a sect leader, which is only a facade, right?

-Well, my thoughts were short.

Biho realized that this offer was actually consideration after hearing Cheongwoo’s words. So Biho quickly changed his expression and felt a little dazed for a moment because such a big opportunity had come to him, despite not being qualified to do so.

***

The ‘Goshik Ogeumdo’ that Byeok Anja, a fellow disciple of Byeok Byeok Ja, advocated while he was still alive, was passed from his disciple Ma Yeop to Biho. And now, with Biho being embraced by Cheongseongpa, it has returned.

Of course, Biho had planned to return it someday. But that was just a thought. No one could guarantee what Kangho’s life would be like tomorrow. Also, wouldn’t it look good if he returned it naturally like this?

When Biho made up his mind, his thoughts changed again. He thought that it would be a good idea to make a connection with Cheongseongpa while he was at it. He didn’t intend to ignore Cheongseongpa’s business, even if it was for Ma-yeop’s sake. Well, he wondered if such a great sect would need his help, but that’s what happened anyway.

By the way… … .

Is ‘Gosik Ogeumdo’ worth it? To the point where he would go through life-or-death duels to embrace a lover he had never met before?

Cheong-woo honestly said that he didn’t know and that many of the helpers in Cheongseongsan were lukewarm. It was a polite remark. So in reality, it was a procession that was carried out because Byeokja stubbornly insisted on it despite the persuasion of those around him. Cheong-woo, his disciple, was dragged along, crying and eating mustard.

***

After that, the four of them, Jin Ga-yong, Bi-ho, Byeok-ja, and Cheong-woo, gathered together and had a more honest conversation.

“I made a promise with Jang Moon-sang. I will see clearly with this empty eye, and if it is not something that our Cheongseong can embrace, I will never participate in the duel.”

“Do you think it’s worth it, Master Nodo?”

“What do you think of what you say? Don’t you have your own experience?”

“I honestly don’t know. I just promised Ma Hyung that I would spend the rest of my life with Gosik Ogeumdo, so I’ll just stay with him.”

“Just being together? That’s good. I really like it. Then I’ll answer honestly. Actually, I don’t know either.”

“yes?”

“So what if it’s useful, and so what if it’s not? Just because it’s useless now, it might be useful later. So if Byeokanja’s will is passed on to you, and if Cheongseong can embrace it again, that’s enough. Even if it fails this time, what’s important is that Cheongseongpa showed that kind of will. At least the will will be passed on to future generations.”

The wall-crawler spoke like that, then turned to Cheong-woo and said.

“Do you understand, Cheongwoo? Your mission is very important.”

“yes.”

Cheong-woo answered with a deadpan, “Yes.”

What the heck, is this a funeral home? Did you come here to die together?

Biho was confused as to whether the Gosik Ogeumdo was worth it or not. At that time, he looked at Jin Ga-yong, who was looking at the wall.

“And in fact, it wasn’t necessarily because of ‘Gosik Ogeumdo’ that Bindu decided to come here. Rather, it was because of Byeok Anja’s affection for ‘Gosik Ogeumdo’.”

“Could it be that the fact that he was caught up in worldly troubles had something to do with our Jogajang? After all, Byeokanja and my master were very close.”

“That’s right. When Jo Ga-jang, who had been forced to become the leader of the Banmujin Alliance, became increasingly impoverished, no one from Cheongseongsan came forward. There was not even an attempt to mediate. If Byeokanja had been alive and well, this would never have happened. It shouldn’t have happened. They’re like those Goyans.”

“That’s probably not because of the Qingchengpa’s intentions, but because our master strongly opposed it. In fact, we even sent away other people who came to help.”

“No. It’s good to be considerate of others, but it’s not something you do among family members. Even if you decline, you should have forced yourself to sit down. At the time, I turned away with the excuse that I had cut ties with the secular world, but the stories I heard later were painful. Especially on the day of the decisive battle on Yeonman Plain, even though Jo Jang-ju’s side was clearly short of men, our Cheongseong closed its eyes in the end. That bothered Bindo. Think about it. How could an old man who calls himself a god dream of Uhwadengseon with such a heavy heart?”

“… … !”

When Byeokja got up, Cheongwoo also got up. Then Byeokja and Cheongwoo respectfully took the lottery ticket from Jin Gayong. Then they spoke in a loud voice.

“Tell the descendants of the Jo family of Yeosan. We, Cheongseong, a friend of Guijang, have heard of your difficulties and have come to lend a helping hand. We arrived too late and ask for your forgiveness.”

Biho was moved to tears.

Now that I look at it, the old man really did fight together on behalf of Cheongseong and, if necessary, died together. It wasn’t that Kangho didn’t have a sense of duty. It just took some time for that spirit to gather. As a result, Biho, who had only met Ma Yeop, felt awkward with Cheongseongpa, began to feel closer to him. With the old man taking the lead like this, isn’t Cheongseongpa saying that they are ready to embrace the relationship of ‘Gosik Ogeumdo’?

So when Biho glanced back at Jin Ga-yong, she was still sitting there, expressionless, like a still life painting. It really seemed as if all of her five desires and seven emotions had disappeared. But then,

Brrrrr.

A tear flowed down from Jin Ga-yong’s eye. He flinched in surprise, as if he hadn’t realized it himself, and quickly wiped it away with his sleeve.

***

“Was it really that good? Even shedding tears?”

“I?”

“Yes. This is our Lady Jin.”

A faint smile appeared on Jin Ga-yong’s face for a moment. It wasn’t something she had made up, it just came out naturally. Soon, she began to reveal her true feelings. When I think back, she was always honest, never lied. She just sometimes beat around the bush or kept silent.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t feel anything, but then a teardrop suddenly escaped from my body.”

“So?”

“Hmm, does it feel a lot lighter?”

“It looks like one of the lumps in your chest has gone away. That’s a good thing.”

“Yeah, that would be a good thing, right?”

She asked as if it was someone else’s business, and he stared at her blankly. It was changing every day, and now it was changing every moment. Perhaps she was trying to get her body in shape for the duel date. Whether it was for a good or bad reason.

So, there really was no time.

So, Biho hesitated about what to say, but then started by saying it in the beginning.

“There really is only one day left.”

Nod nod.

“Um, maybe tomorrow evening… … .”

“If possible, I hope it’s at midnight when the moon rises.”

“yes?”

Jin Ga-yong was smiling seductively as he turned his gaze to the distance. But that was a lie. And the muttering that followed was true.

“I’m just grateful and sorry.”

***

There is one day left until the duel.

There was chaos in the morning. The night before, news came that a Taoist priest named Ungok, who was the leader of the plum blossom swordsmen of the Hwasan faction, had challenged the Nakilgeom Yukjamun and lost.

Originally, since the Six-Character Gate was about to have a decisive battle, it was impossible for someone to challenge him to a personal duel. Furthermore, since their respective schools were the Hwasan faction and the Mudang faction, if you look at it broadly, they were not only members of the same old school but also brothers of the same Taoist sect. Nevertheless, Ungok took all the criticism and rudely requested a duel, and the Six-Character Gate, who had politely declined, eventually gave in to the provocation by mentioning the Mudang faction, where Ungok was a disciple, and agreed to the duel. And then half-killed him. However, the Six-Character Gate ultimately considered the Hwasan faction’s reputation and did not send Ungok away, but instead sent him back to Hwasan on a stretcher.

Why did the Taoist monk Ungok take such a risk and invite criticism and ridicule from the world?

It was for a similar reason to Byeok-ja, a brother of the same old school and the same Taoist school. However, the target of his show of courage was now the third disciple of the Jo family, Yosan Geom Godan-o, who was now embraced by the Hwasan school. Godan-o, who could not even control his body properly, had caused a commotion by going to Yeonman Plain and saying that he would die together with the death penalty. Ungok, who could not stand to see this, secretly stepped forward in his place without telling the elders of the school.

Originally, Ungok knew that he was inferior to Nakilgeom. So, although he would lose in a duel, he planned to inflict at least some internal injuries on Nakilgeom so that he could not participate in the decisive battle on Yeonman Plain. However, his strength was not enough to do so, and he failed. In other words, Nakilgeom said that he had no problem participating on the day of the duel.

That afternoon, Biho delivered the list to Kwak Nan-hoe.

-The Sword of Imbenevolence (Jin Ga-yong)

-Protection of the minor cadets

-Big black cat

-The old man of Shandong, the thousand-army

-Tae-Gyeon (Great Dog) Ah-hu

-Hyungwoo Saeng, the bird of the sky

-Yugoksanin (a person from a secluded valley)

Biho called his colleagues together and announced what he and Jin Ga-yong had planned. Strictly speaking, it was a plan that Biho had devised based on Jin Ga-yong’s well-founded confidence. After hearing the story, his colleagues all began to think more deeply.

The old man from Shandong said.

“The first clash will be important if that is to happen.”

“That’s right. In fact, no matter what, the most important thing is how you cut off the start of the rotation. So, let’s all focus. Hey, ah-hoo.”

Ahu stepped forward at Biho’s call.

“Don’t worry. You said she was the witch of the North Sea? I’ll take responsibility for that old woman and drag her out. She has such a bad temper that if I tease her even a little, she’ll lose her temper and come after me.”

“Okay. Please. Then who’s next, Taoist?”

“I will take charge of King Hongmiwon. His Wind Wheel is fierce, but Bindo’s Secret Sword is no joke either.”

“If we can’t decide the match in one breath, Brother Woo-Saeng will step in and give us a hand. Is that okay?”

“Okay. I don’t mind.”

“I know it must have been unpleasant, but thank you for accepting my request. Still, thanks to you, I can breathe a little easier. Now, next is… … .”

Biho called out the rest of the names one by one and reaffirmed their roles. He had already kissed each of them once.

Then Biho began to explain the countermeasures for when things go wrong. He gave his colleagues the modified roles, considering the number of cases. However, the number was not too many or too complicated. They only had to coordinate until the first collision. After that, the survivors would fight among themselves.

***

It was the eve of the duel.

The moon was quite full. It would have been a full moon in about four days, which Jin Ga-yong had hoped for, but that was a real shame.

Thud thud.

Biho climbed the mountain behind the village where they were staying. The mountain was low, and behind the mountain there was a river, and across it was Shanxi Province, the neighboring province of Shaanxi. The scenery was quite a sight, and a little beyond the top of the mountain there was a small, old-fashioned pavilion that poets and scholars sometimes visited. That pavilion was the meeting place for Jin Ga-yong on this ambitious night.

As Biho approached the pavilion, his steps became slower as he became more anxious and had difficulty controlling his emotions.

Episode 296