Tangmunjeon - Chapter 368



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Tangmunjeon Episode 368

Any openness

The next day, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae began to move south, mixing in with the people.

“It seems like I got involved in something more serious than what I was planning to do as a ticket seller.”

Although Dang Mu-jin said that, Hong Geol-gae didn’t seem to care much.

“It doesn’t really matter. Besides, I’m curious as to how someone as high as Wangho ended up getting captured.”

“That’s true. By the way, Wang Ho, that guy, was a pretty good guy.”

Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae’s steps were light.

Who in the world could threaten these two? Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae had nothing to fear in the world.

Other people’s gait was also light. It wasn’t because they were full of confidence like Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae. It was because they could play for a night or several days without worrying about money thanks to the merchant.

The merchant was generous with his spending.

Not only did he rent out the entire inn for people to stay in, he even told them that they could eat and drink whatever was sold in the inn.

Some of the drunkards tricked the innkeeper into bringing expensive liquor from other bars into the inn.

It was a shallow act, but the merchant paid no attention to the sight.

“I know because I’ve been drinking. It’s better to drink good alcohol and feel refreshed than to drink cheap alcohol and suffer tomorrow. I don’t care how expensive the alcohol is, just make sure you can move around tomorrow. You don’t want to get stabbed while suffering from a hangover, do you?”

“If this many people drink it, the expenses will be quite large.”

“Money? Don’t you remember when I said I’d give you half of my fortune? Half of the money for the drinks is yours.”

“Haha! So you’re saying that you only have to pay half the price?”

Dang Mu-jin seemed to have a vague idea why Wang Ho followed the merchant.

The merchant knew how to win people’s hearts by keeping to the important points while making big concessions where possible.

It may seem easy, but it is by no means easy. In fact, the unmanned people gathered here seemed to have a secret interest in the merchant.

Dang Mu-jin walked at the very back of the group, observing the merchants’ behavior. It seemed that observing the merchants’ behavior would be quite helpful when they returned to the Danggajang.

While Dang Mu-jin was observing the merchant, Hong Geol-gae was chatting with someone else next to him.

“That guy named Wangho was captured by Nokrimdo?”

“okay.”

“You’re a master of the highest level?”

“That’s what they said.”

The person talking to Hong Geol-gae was none other than the bald man, Bang Woong-yeop, who had hit the back of Hong Geol-gae’s head yesterday.

My hair was so thin and sparse that I just shaved it off like a monk’s head.

Thanks to that, Bang Woong-yeop’s appearance was very unique, but perhaps because of his head shape, his appearance surprisingly suited him well. He also strangely resembled a monk who had broken his precepts.

Of course, Bang Woong-yeop was not a monk from apostate background. Rather, he was from Gaebeodo.

He said that he lived in Gaebongdo when he was young, but when he was seventeen, he was led by the hand of a leader of a mid-level sect and gave up his life in Gaebongdo and learned swordsmanship.

It wasn’t unusual. Unless you had mastered the true martial arts of Opening, it was common for Opening to enter other schools in this way.

Bang Woong-yeop didn’t hit Hong Geol-gae on the back of the head out of spite. He was purely concerned, but his actions were a little rough.

He said he had seen other open-minded people get caught impersonating higher-ups and get beaten until they were rendered semi-incompetent.

Hong Geol-gae asked Bang Woong-yeop.

“How can a master of the highest level be captured by the Nokrimdo? It is a well-known fact to everyone in the world that the Nokrimdos’ martial arts skills are pitiful…”

Bang Woong-yeop burst into laughter.

“Inma. It’s strange to say that with your mere skills. Even the Nokrimdo members, those with skills, know how to swing a sword quite well. Not to the point of subduing a top-class master, though…”

As Bang Woong-yeop said, it is no exaggeration to say that more than nine out of ten people in Nokrim Island are fools.

People who have no talent for martial arts but don’t want to live honestly. Or, people who have some talent but are impatient and have a hot temper, so it’s natural that they gather in the Green Forest.

Although skilled people do appear like beans sprouting in a drought, it is very likely that these authors will soon meet the martial artists of the surrounding large or mid-sized sects and lose their heads.

On the other hand, if a person is so powerful that even the big sects cannot touch him, there is no reason for him to act as a servant.

If you are a martial artist of the highest level or higher, you can be treated well even in a large sect, so there is no reason to be stuck in an uncomfortable mountain valley.

Hong Geol-gae asked again.

“After all, isn’t it true that the Green Forest Swordsmen can’t subdue the top-class swordsmen? Then why was the Great Swordsman Wangho captured?”

“I don’t know about that. But I don’t think he was caught because he lacked skill. He’s a top-class expert.”

“···I’m not lacking in skills, so why did I get caught?”

“You’re a master at the peak. You must have had some deep thoughts.”

The conclusion of every story told by Bang Woong-yeop was a masterpiece.

Perhaps because he had been in the top ranks for a long time without ever reaching the pinnacle, Bang Woong-yeop seemed to harbor a deep admiration for the best players.

That’s why Bang Woong-yeop kept glancing at Dang Mu-jin while talking to Hong Geol-gae.

Among the three masters in the group, the one that Bang Woong-yeop envied the most was definitely Dang Mu-jin. He was the youngest of the masters.

Of course, Dang Mu-jin had reached the pinnacle of perfection, but that was something that Bang Woong-yeop could not know.

“By the way, isn’t the situation a little strange?”

“What’s the situation?”

“If the escort goes to save the employer, wouldn’t it be different? If the employer goes to save the escort, wouldn’t it be different?”

“If the escort is at its peak, then it makes sense.”

“···.”

“Do you think it’s common to have a master who can be called by money? If I were the King, I would have done the same thing.”

It was a story that seemed absurd, but also somewhat convincing.

It just so happened that Dang Mu-jin was also curious about the reason.

Dang Mu-jin walked briskly toward the merchant, Mr. Wang.

“Your Majesty. By the way, why are you going to rescue the great swordsman Wang Ho?”

Wang responded to Dang Mu-jin’s question as if he found it strange.

“Why, why? Since he was caught, I’m going to rescue him.”

“No, that’s not it···”

“I know what you mean, but there are things in this world that go beyond profit and loss.”

“It seems like you have a special relationship. You are like the Great Swordsman Wang Ho and Seongdo… Are you by any chance related by blood?”

Mr. Wang shook his head.

“There is no blood relation. However, I have raised Wangho since he was little. It was heartbreaking to see the eighteen-year-old boy holding his younger sister’s hand and carrying an even smaller child tied up with a straw mat.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“At first, I was planning on leaving him with some food, but when I asked his name, he said his name was Wangho. I figured it was fate that I would meet a child with the same last name as him, so I thought I should at least feed the children for a while. I’m a wandering merchant, so I’m a bit lonely. I don’t have a wife or children.”

Before they knew it, people were listening to Mr. Wang’s story.

However, overlapping surnames was not that unusual. The surname Wang was as common as the surname Lee or the surname Jang.

“It must not have been easy moving with children.”

As Dang Mu-jin appropriately struck the janggu, the merchant continued his story.

“I originally planned to take them for a few days and then send them off to another village, but things went well when I took them with me. When I was working hard, I barely managed to get by without starving, but after I started taking them with me, the money started rolling in. I guess they felt bad for me taking three kids with me.”

“Hoo.”

“But I didn’t know the reason at the time. I thought the kids must have brought me good luck, so I kept taking them with me. Then, a martial artist saw Wang-ho and said he had talent in martial arts, so I found a martial arts teacher for him. A few years later, Wang-ho’s two younger sisters got married. Wang-ho was grateful for that and kept following me around… Now, Wang-ho is like a son to me. That’s all.”

Dang Mu-jin recalled the scene where Wang Ho had knocked out a drunken merchant by hitting his jaw. It was a bit odd for a father-son relationship.

I had a feeling that the merchant Wang and the escort Wang Ho might be friends, just like Dang Mu Jin and Goe Yi were.

“But it must not have been an easy decision to offer half of your fortune in return. Isn’t that the money you saved your whole life?”

“I have nothing to lose. I’m saving Wangho with the money he’ll inherit later.”

The merchant laughed heartily as he spoke like that.

Seeing him give all sorts of reasons why it wasn’t a loss, the merchant could be called a master of rationalization. However, I didn’t hate the sight of him.

Soon, the wide road turned into a forest path. I had a feeling that something must have happened in this forest.

The merchant walked along the road, but at some point he stopped.

“A fight broke out around here. Wangho told me to get out first, so I ran away in a hurry, but he never came back.”

“Isn’t he dead?”

When Bang Woong-yeop asked the question without any sense, Wang shook his head.

“If he was dead, there would have been at least a bloodstain. But instead of a bloodstain, there was only a trace of someone being dragged. That guy Wangho must still be alive.”

The problem is that there is no way to know exactly where Wangho was taken in the vast mountains.

Finally, Mr. Wang gave his opinion to the people.

“Let’s split up a bit from here and try to find out where those scoundrels are. Anyone else have any other ideas?”

There were no other opinions, Wang said again.

“Don’t die trying to bravely charge in and eat all the food by yourself. If you find out anything, come back here and let me know. Does everyone understand?”

“All right.”

As people answered, Surado Geum Il-seop naturally stepped forward.

When Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae entered the guest house, the peak of martial arts was observed, judging the martial arts skills of Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae.

Even among those gathered here, Surado Geum Il-seop naturally took on the role of leader, perhaps because he thought his martial arts skills were the most outstanding.

“Let’s divide the people into three. The three best players will lead the others. Let’s see… I think it would be better if I distribute them evenly based on skill level.”

Even Soora Geum Il-seop divided the martial artists into three groups of five each. However, it was not a very fair arrangement. Among the first-class martial artists, those with relatively good skills were concentrated in Geum Il-seop’s group. Bang Woong-yeop was also assigned to Geum Il-seop’s group.

The last ones left are the merchant Wang and Hong Geol-gae.

Of course, I didn’t intend to leave them alone here. It would be foolish to leave one or two people behind in the forest. Even if it’s a bit of a hassle, I have to take them with me.

“There’s an opening there. It’s called Hongga, right? You go that way. Your Majesty, come this way.”

Geum Il-seop assigned the merchant Wang to the same group as himself. It is common for those who are close to their employers to gain benefits.

On the other hand, Hong Geol-gae was placed in the same group as Dang Mu-jin. Since it was obvious that he would not be of any help anyway, he was passed on to the younger Dang Mu-jin as if he was doing a favor.

“Ahem, ahem!”

The four nameless men next to Dang Mu-jin coughed in vain while looking at Hong Geol-gae.

Hong Geol-gae had a blank expression on his face, as if he hadn’t noticed anything. Dang Mu-jin thought that sight was extremely disgusting.

“Okay, let’s come back here when we find something.”

Geum Il-seop concluded the story like this.

The people scattered into three groups.

*

Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae slowly moved toward the set direction.

How long had he walked like that? Hong Geol-gae suddenly stopped walking.

People in the same group looked displeased.

“What’s going on?”

Hong Geol-gae was hanging around appropriately.

“Oh, yes. My ears are a little sharp.”

“Do you hear anything?”

“I can hear people’s voices. And a little bit of metal clashing.”

However, neither the four martial artists in the same group nor Dang Mujin heard anything special.

The four uninhabited islands listened for a moment, then began to chatter among themselves.

“I can’t hear anything…”

“I can’t hear it either.”

“Should I go anyway? It’s not like that guy doesn’t know martial arts at all. He’s not at the level of a second-rate beginner so he shouldn’t be useless.”

As the six people were moving in the direction that Hong Geol-gae had pointed out, they could faintly hear the sound of metal and shouting. Everyone’s expressions became serious.

Dang Mu-jin glanced at Hong Geol-gae. There was no time to hesitate.

Hong Geol-gae looked back and said.

“Please follow me slowly.”

“What do you mean by slow…”

The moment people laughed, Hong Geol-gae and Dang Mu-jin kicked the ground and performed lightness moves.

The speed of the two was so fast that the other four drones couldn’t even think of keeping up. It felt like they were being shot rather than running.

The four remaining unmanned people looked at the backs of the two people with expressions like, “What on earth is this?” and then belatedly came to their senses.

“Let’s follow!”

The four men followed the two men in a hurry.

*

Bang Woong-yeop was very nervous.

The skills of the Nokrimdos I met on this mountain were not ordinary. They were enough to be called martial artists.

Even one of them, the one who seemed to be the boss, was incredibly strong.

The leader of the Nokrimdo clan was large and wore fur clothes, and one of the first-class warriors was knocked out, spitting out blood after one of his punches.

No matter how low you look at it, he is above the peak of the peak. It was difficult for Bang Woong-yeop to understand why such an author would hang out with bandits.

At that moment, Geum Il-seop fell down with a dull sound. He had been hit with a single iron club by the leader of Nokrimdo.

The leader of the Nokrim clan pointed at Geum Il-seop with an iron club and spoke.

“This guy is pretty useful. Take him.”

“yes.”

The Nokrimdos grabbed Geum Il-seop’s two legs and dragged him away, disappearing somewhere.

Now there are four people left. Three of them can fight, excluding the merchant Wang.

However, there was no chance of winning. Even if three people worked together, they couldn’t defeat Geum Il-seop, so how could they possibly defeat a master who had easily subdued Geum Il-seop?

Bang Woong-yeop’s legs were shaking.

‘Am I going to die here?’

I don’t know. I don’t know where Geum Il-seop is being taken, but I think it might be better for him to be taken like Geum Il-seop.

At that moment, the leader of the Nokrim clan approached Bang Woong-yeop step by step. I felt my blood run cold.

‘Should I surrender?’

At that moment, a rustling sound was heard from behind. I looked back and saw the two youngest guys in the group standing there. I think they were Dangga and Hongga.

First of all, Dangga was a trustworthy master. Although he may not be as strong as Geum Il-seop.

Bang Woong-yeop asked.

“Where did the other four go and why are you guys here alone?”

But the swordsman frowned without answering.

“Super peak? Why is there a super peak master?”

Bang Woong-yeop doubted his ears.

It’s hard to imagine even the peak of the Nokrimdo, so why would a top-class master be living in the mountains? However, seeing as he easily subdued Geum Il-seop, it seemed possible.

‘Is it all over?’

The leader of the Nokrim Island didn’t seem too nervous as he looked at Dangga and Hongga. It was clear that the outcome had already been decided.

However, Hong Ga also walked forward with a limp. Bang Woong Yeop whispered to Hong Ga in a trembling voice.

“Hey, run away, you idiot…”

But Hong Ga walked confidently and bowed his head slightly.

“There’s a strange guy here.”

An attitude that was strangely confident. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Hong Ga. The three first-class masters who were trembling, the merchant Wang, the Nokrim Island and the Nokrim Island leader, everyone.

Bang Woong-yeop couldn’t understand what kind of confidence Hong Ga had.

But after a while, Bang Woong-yeop realized that something was strange. Hong Ga’s momentum was quite plausible. It was as if he was a first-class expert.

The Hongga guy took five more steps.

For some unknown reason, Bang Woong-yeop felt that Hong Ga was more skilled than him. It was as if he was at the peak of his power.

Finally, Hong Ga stopped walking, lowered his posture and said.

“Shall we start by saying hello?”

Hong Ga bent both knees and lowered his posture, while spreading both arms up and down.

It wasn’t just a bluff. Bang Woong-yeop thought something big was definitely going to happen.

Hong Ga’s two arms each formed a semicircle.

A unique stance that cannot be confused with other martial arts. However, if you have ever been involved in open combat, you cannot help but know this stance.

‘No, that can’t be. I heard that you have to be at least an elder to learn that martial art.’

Is this a trick?

No, it didn’t feel like mere bluster.

The atmosphere of Hongga was even more intense than that of Surado and Geum Il-seop. The smile disappeared from the face of the leader of Nokrimdo.

Finally, the young Hong Ga opened his mouth.

“The first chapter of the Eighteen Chapters of the Hangryong.”

The two hands that had been drawing a semicircle were stretched out in front of Hong Ga’s chest.

“Hangryongyuhoe.”

At that moment, Bang Woong-yeop thought the world had shaken.