Tangmunjeon - Chapter 357



Only Krnovel

Tangmunjeon Episode 357

Flowers blooming in the snow

When a common enemy appears, the psychological distance tends to narrow.

After the appearance of Gwangyeomra and the Left Guardian Law, the distance between Dangmujin and Baek Hyang-ah became noticeably closer.

Unlike before, when they had kept a distance that made it impossible for them to see each other, now Dang Mu-jin and Baek Hyang-ah were keeping a distance that allowed them to walk and talk.

Except for the slightly awkward atmosphere between Hyun-gong and Baek-hyang-ah, it wouldn’t have been strange at all to see them as an ordinary group.

Baek Hyang-ah stretched and spoke.

“I finally feel like all my worries are gone.”

“What are you worried about?”

“The demonic bastards won’t attack us again in the future, right?”

Dang Mu-jin answered in an uncertain voice.

“That would be great.”

“Why? Is there something bothering you?”

“little.”

In Dang Mu-jin’s experience, the Demonic Cult’s warriors never retreated cleanly.

When things seem to be going wrong, they quickly run away, but they don’t give up easily and hover around, waiting for an opportunity. That’s their habit.

Baek Hyang-ah said.

“Anyway, I was a bit surprised. I thought he would run away without hesitation because he thought the situation was not good. The ultimate master I imagined wasn’t like that···.”

In fact, if you think about it, it was only natural that the members of the Demonic Cult would easily run away. Weren’t most of the Demonic Cult’s unmanned members those who had caused trouble in the Central Plains and fled to the Demonic Cult?

On the other hand, many of the Jeongpa’s unarmed people died trying to save face even in life-threatening situations.

“I used to think that way too. But in my experience, the higher the martial arts skill of a martial artist, the more they take care of their body.”

“Why is that so?”

“A person who doesn’t spare his body and dies early can’t become a master. Furthermore, masters hate death even more because they have more to lose. It seems that they think it’s better to save their life even if it means losing face a little.”

There were few exceptions, except for the occasional person like Yoo Jin-kwang.

In the past, as soon as Sam-an-bul-do Namgung Jin-cheon and Geul-seon met, they ran away.

As soon as he met Hwayeonshinni, the left-hand man bowed his head and started to groan.

There was no need to say more about Gwangyeomra. Gwangyeomra had run away and met again so many times that he had become secretly friendly with her.

Namgung Myung, who had been listening to the story silently, intervened and pointed out.

“It’s really funny how the peak idiot seems to know the true intentions of the peak master and keeps mumbling. It makes me laugh out loud.”

“That’s roughly what I’m talking about, you know.”

In fact, Dang Mu-jin’s situation was similar, except that the realm was not at its peak.

In the past, when he was a second-rate or first-rate player, he had many experiences of fighting as if he was risking his life, but these days, Dang Mu-jin has been unconsciously hiding himself little by little.

That I have accomplished a lot. And that I don’t want to die and leave behind what I worked so hard to achieve.

That was also the case for the party leaders.

Dang Mu-jin thought secretly.

Could it be that I am unable to advance to the ultimate state alone and instead remain in the realm of the climax because I am too foolish?

That might be true to some extent, but I don’t think that’s the whole reason.

*

The group, which had now grown to six people, diligently practiced light martial arts and headed north.

Baek Hyang-ah’s complexion wasn’t very good because she had used Jinwonjinki a bit too much in the last fight.

But as we went further north, his expression brightened. It seemed that he was happy to be able to let go of his mental burden while moving with his companions.

The sudden cold weather also had a positive effect on Baek Hyang-ah.

Dang Mu-jin and his party were dying from the cold, but Baek Hyang-ah was in a different situation. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Baek Hyang-ah lives off of yin energy.

Anyway, the weather literally got cold all of a sudden.

Until three days ago, the weather felt chilly and I could see my breath quite clearly.

But the evening before yesterday, just breathing made my nose spit out white steam. To make matters worse, a snowstorm started to blow in yesterday afternoon.

Namgung Myung, who was born in a warm climate, looked particularly troubled. It was quite a sight to see him shivering and falling asleep even after lighting a fire.

Of course, Dang Mu-jin, Hyeon-gong, and Hong Geol-gae were also trembling as they watched the scene.

However, the four men in the group were unable to ask Seolhwa and Baekhyangah when the weather would clear up.

It was because of my pride. If I asked that question first, wouldn’t I feel like I lost?

After suffering from the cold for another day, Namgung Myung finally couldn’t stand it anymore and asked Seolhwa.

“It’s a fairy tale.”

“huh?”

“When will it get warmer?”

A deep smile appeared on the lips of the three men, excluding Namgung Myung. They took the opportunity to tease Namgung Myung.

However, the thought of teasing Namgung Myung disappeared in an instant because Seolhwa’s answer was so shocking.

“Why is it getting warm?”

It was an answer that contained so many implications. Everyone felt dizzy.

“Is it going to be this cold all the time?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then when···”

“It’s going to get colder. It’s still warm.”

Namgung Myeong was immediately overcome with the thought of returning south.

The cold of the North is not an inconvenience, it is a matter of survival.

As Namgung Myung’s expression distorted, Seolhwa spoke in a refreshing voice.

“Let’s go a little further. It’ll get better.”

“You said it was going to get colder, but it’s not getting any better…”

“Trust me.”

Namgung Myung walked along grumbling.

The only consolation was that my other friends seemed to be suffering just as much. Even if I froze to death, I wouldn’t die alone.

After walking along the road where only snow was visible for about half a day, something dark appeared to be moving.

It was a herd of reindeer as big as a person and covered in thick fur. Tang Mujin’s eyes naturally fell on the antlers on the reindeer’s heads. Their size was incomparable to that of ordinary antlers. At the moment Tang Mujin was about to approach the reindeer as if in a trance, he saw people following the reindeer herd.

Namgung Myung’s eyes widened as he noticed the people. The clothes they were wearing looked so warm.

People’s clothes were made of reindeer skin with thick fur still attached.

The children were wearing similar clothes to the adults.

The little ones were very cute, toddling around in thick fur coats that almost covered their ankles, as if they were little hoods with arms attached to them.

Namgung Myung’s eyes, looking at the leather clothes of the northerners, gleamed dangerously. It was a situation where a thief could turn into a robber.

But before Namgung Myung could commit the crime, Seolhwa came forward.

“Just wait a minute.”

Seolhwa approached the people. As soon as the people saw Seolhwa’s face, they were startled and bowed down, and then brought a small sled pulled by a reindeer to the group.

The sled was loaded with several thick fur coats and shoes.

“and!”

The party of Dang Mu-jin happily chose fur coats to wear.

It smelled a little musty and was difficult to move around in, but it was much better than suffering in the cold of the north.

The people leading the reindeer bowed their heads to Seolhwa, but without even giving her a chance to thank her, they left with the reindeer herd.

Dang Mu-jin asked belatedly.

“Did you buy it?”

“No. I just received it.”

“···how?”

“Because my father is the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.”

Dang Mu-jin thought of the people’s appearances.

That wasn’t the reaction of someone who had something taken away from them by someone higher up.

It was more like the appearance of a neighborhood adult who secretly gives a snack to a neighborhood kid. It was pure kindness without expecting anything in return.

The story goes like this.

“Everyone in the North respects and follows the Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. I too am bathed in the light of my father.”

Seol-hwa said it as if it was a given.

However, as far as Dang Mu-jin knew, people of high status often failed to win the hearts of ordinary people. Why would ordinary people respect those who lived in luxury in a world far from their own?

The explanation of the story continued.

“Not many people covet the position of Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace. It comes with a certain amount of wealth and fame, but the work and responsibilities far outweigh the wealth and fame. Many die fighting invaders, and many die from overwork. I don’t know for sure, but there must be many Princesses of the North Sea Ice Palace who die from exile. It’s not just the Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace. The Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace and her family all have to share in the duties.”

That was something that even Dang Mu-jin had guessed.

The mission to find Baekhyang-ah in a faraway land and retrieve the elixir and secret medicine. It was strange that such a difficult and dangerous mission was given to the princess’s daughter.

In terms of the Central Plains, isn’t it like the emperor entrusting his eldest son with the mission of going to the Western Regions alone?

“The position of the princess of the Northern Sea Ice Palace can also be taken by a woman. In the past, I thought it was normal, but after going to the Central Plains, I realized that it was a bit unusual. I think that this culture was created in preparation for the case when there was no son who wanted to become the princess of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

“I see.”

The group walked, leaving footprints in the pure white snow.

It was a charming sight, but the footprints left on the snow gave Dang Mu-jin cause for concern. Even if he tried to hide his tracks because of the footprints, there was no way to hide them.

Tang Mujin was worried inside. He thought that he would encounter the Demonic Cult’s warriors once more before arriving at the Bukhae Ice Palace.

*

Ominous feelings never go wrong.

The next day, Dang Mu-jin’s worries became reality. A group of people appeared from the south and began to follow Dang Mu-jin and his party.

There were about fifteen of them. However, their faces could not be seen because they were wearing thick fur clothes similar to those of the party leader.

Hong Geol-gae said.

“Could they be the devil’s cult?”

“Nine times out of ten… No, it looks certain.”

A dozen or so pursuers. Each of them had a weapon tied to their waist. It wasn’t the crude swords carried by the northern nomads, but a sword suitable for the swordsmanship of the Central Plains.

The fact that the Demonic Cult’s unmanned forces were following them was very bad news for Dang Mujin and his party.

The Demonic Cult’s warriors know almost exactly how strong Dang Mu-jin and his party are.

The fact that they did not give up and followed Dang Mu-jin and his party in this situation means that they have the power to subdue Dang Mu-jin and his party.

Even if we estimate it to be low, it would be a force that could compete with the Dangmujin party.

“Snow Flower. How long does it take to get to the North Sea Ice Palace?”

“There’s still one more day to go.”

It looks like a fight is going to break out without a fight.

The distance between the two parties gradually became closer. The snowstorm also became more intense.

Namgung Myung asked Dang Mujin.

“We’re going to fight anyway, so why not start with a punch?”

“That sounds difficult.”

The problem was that the blizzard was so strong, and the opponent was also wearing thick fur clothes.

It seemed unlikely that the flying eagle, tottering through the heavy snowstorm, would be able to cleanly pierce through the greasy fur.

In times like these, it would be better to trust in the sword and the poison. Dang Mujin fiddled with the handle of his sword for the first time in a long time. The feel of the handle was somehow unfamiliar.

Finally, Dang Mu-jin and his party stopped walking and looked back.

As the distance grew closer, I could see the faces of my pursuers. As expected, they included Gwangyeomra and the Left Guardian Yeon Sa-wook.

What was unusual was that they all had their ears covered with fur balls. It certainly wasn’t because their ears were numb.

Dang Mu-jin and his friends talked in small voices.

The first person to speak was Dang Mu-jin.

“How many do you think there are? I’m not sure. Three?”

“Three in my opinion.”

“I think it’s three or four. No, the guy with the spear behind him is also not ordinary. I think we should consider up to five in the worst case scenario.”

It wasn’t a story about the number of Demonic Cult warriors, but about how many of them were top-notch warriors.

The number was so large that it took my breath away.

It’s been several years since I escaped from the Demonic Cult.

Of course, I had thought that there would be a few more top-tier masters in the Demonic Cult. In the meantime, didn’t three people in Dang Mu-jin’s group reach the top level?

Even if the leader of the Demonic Cult actively shared his teachings, it was natural that many of the Demonic Cult’s disciples would achieve success.

But I didn’t know that there would be so many top-notch fighters in this place. I was worried that I should stop fighting and run away right away.

“It actually turned out well.”

However, Baek Hyang-ah stepped forward. Unlike the other party members, Seol-hwa was not wearing reindeer skin clothing from the beginning.

Baek Hyang-ah’s lips were as pale as someone who had been suffering from the cold for a long time.

But it wasn’t just the cold of the North.

“I felt like I was going to die because it had been so long since I had taken yang energy.”

Baek Hyang-ah was in a situation where she had to sustain her life by taking human energy. Even now, when she had drawn out Jinwon Jin-gi and did not have much time left, it was the same.

But recently, Baek Hyang-ah had not killed anyone. This was because it was obvious that Dang Mu-jin and his party would not allow such a situation, and furthermore, because Baek Hyang-ah herself did not want to do so.

Baek Hyang-ah had no intention of taking an innocent person’s life just to postpone death for a few more days.

The only exception would be the demonic cult’s unmanned personnel.

Baek Hyang-ah stepped forward and took a deep breath.

The blizzard that was raging was filled with a tremendous cold air. Baekhyang-ah’s long hair was blowing madly in the wind. The sight was strangely fitting.

Baek Hyang-ah said.

“None of you will get hurt today.”

“Then you?”

“If I’m unlucky, I’ll die. If anything happens, I plan to use up Jinwonjinki to the bottom.”

Death was imminent. But Baek Hyang-ah seemed to be enjoying this situation.

No one gave Baek Hyang-ah any instructions or requests. Baek Hyang-ah stepped forward to meet her end by her own choice. Baek Hyang-ah was satisfied with that.

“Even if I die, you’ll at least collect my body, right?”

“···Don’t worry about that. But if possible, let’s walk together.”

That was the end of the conversation. All that could be heard was the loud noise of a blizzard swirling around.

There was no intention of letting Baek Hyang-ah go alone. Hong Geol-gae, who had the strongest sense of chivalry among the group, took a step forward.

Then something unexpected happened. The demonic cult’s warriors began to retreat slowly. Not even one step. Three steps, five steps, ten steps.

Hong Geol-gae shouted excitedly.

“Have you seen this? This is what I’ve become! My fame has reached the distant mountains!”

Of course, no one listened to Hong Geol-gae’s story.

Dang Mu-jin thought.

‘Is it because of Baek Hyang-ah?’

No, that can’t be. Baek Hyang-ah is within the expected range of the Demonic Cult’s unmanned personnel. Then what is the reason?

Except for Hong Geol-gae, the rest of the party looked back at the same time.

The party discovered three people emerging from the north, approaching through the blizzard.

The person in the lead was wearing clothes made only of pure white reindeer fur, and unlike the others, he was not wearing a hat.

He was middle-aged. His hair was a mix of golden and white hair that flowed in waves.

It was clearly the first time he had seen him. However, Dang Mu-jin knew who he was as soon as he saw him.

Seolhwa lowered her posture and spoke to the middle-aged man.

“I’m back, Father.”

Of course, it wasn’t the language of the Central Plains.

But among the party of Dang Mu-jin, there was no one who did not understand that short story.