Tangmunjeon - Chapter 409



Only Krnovel

Su-nyeong-i-dae

‘There’s nothing we can do right now. Let’s get as much as we can.’

After Hyun-gong steeled his resolve, he carried Yeong-bo Jin-in on his back and headed to the bamboo forest deep in Mt. Mudeung.

Youngbo Jin asked.

“Why did you come here instead of practicing in front of Hyuncheondang?”

“I think it’s better to practice quietly and secretly.”

There are many martial artists who practice without being noticed by others. This is an action to hide their achievements and not reveal the weaknesses of the martial arts they have learned.

However, Hyun-gong’s purpose was a little different. He simply did not want to show others the sight of him carrying the Young-bo Jin-in on his back while practicing.

‘Master, you’ve lived long enough, but I still have a long way to go. I can’t show this to others.’

Hyun-gong thought that he had to do the same for the shamans as well.

Which shamanist would truly respect Hyeon-gong after seeing such a disgrace? A long-suffering person should not be easy to deal with.

“Let’s get started.”

Hyun-gong began his training with Yeong-bo Jin-in on his back. It was extremely awkward to carry the load on his back and move his legs around.

“This way, this way! You must extend your left foot toward the Gam (坎) hexagram.”

“Oh, yes.”

But despite the awkwardness, there wasn’t as much trial and error as I thought.

If you take ten steps, you will be in agreement with Yeongbo Jinin for eight or nine steps, but you will only have differences of opinion for the remaining one or two steps. This was possible because the two of them learned the same martial arts and were in a master-student relationship.

‘It’s great to have this much from the start…’

Of course, Youngbo Jinin and Hyeon Gong were not satisfied with this.

“You must not be satisfied with simply moving your legs according to my will. You must understand each and every one of the recipes I will unfold and the intentions of my judgment, and make them your own.”

“All right.”

As he ran around like that with his back to the ground, Hyun-gong would often feel a strange feeling.

A moment when you can clearly read the intentions of the Youngbojinin without any explanation or instructions from the Youngbojinin.

The moment when it becomes clear what kind of food Youngbo Jin-in will show next and how the fight with the imaginary opponent will go.

When such a moment came, Hyun-gong’s legs would reach the destination faster than Hyun-gong’s judgment. And those stretched out steps never went against Yeong-bo Jin-in’s true intentions.

“Excellent!”

It felt like I was not a disciple carrying a load and a master riding on it, but just a person with a complete body.

It felt like he was not simply reading the mind and unfolding the law on behalf of the spirit, but rather he was swinging the sword as if he were the spirit himself.

It wasn’t just Hyungong who was practicing swordsmanship on behalf of Yeongbo Jinin. If you think about it another way, Yeongbo Jinin was also practicing swordsmanship on behalf of Hyungong.

Hyun-gong was accepting the enlightenment and achievement of Yeong-bo-jin-in in this way. It seemed that the achievement and enlightenment were approaching him step by step. How can I express this ecstatic feeling?

‘Being a porter might actually be okay…’

It wasn’t just Hyun-gong who was excited. Yeong-bo Jin-in also enjoyed this practice like a child.

“Haha! Run!”

Other people thought that Yeongbo Jin was a person without greed, but that was a mistake.

How could he not feel resentful about the life he lived despite his overwhelming talent?

Feeling the wind on your face as you swing your sword.

It may not seem like much to others, but it was the feeling that Youngbo Jin had been hoping for his entire life.

After practicing until they were almost completely exhausted, Youngbo Jinin and Hyungong sat with their backs against the bamboo and breathed heavily.

When his breathing finally calmed down a little, Youngbo Jin-in said.

“I wonder if I was mistaken. That’s what I think.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“As I said, I have been able to unfold the Kyungsin method and the Bodhisattva method with the legs of my mind for ten years already. After that, I spent ten years immersing myself in my mind and studying the harmony of the sword and the Bodhisattva method. Wouldn’t it have been better to just let you carry the load from then on?”

It was truly a dizzying statement.

Of course, if they had carried the load ten years ago, the two might have achieved better results than they do now.

However, if Jang Moon-in and his immediate disciple had displayed such shameful behavior for ten years, the reputation of the Shamanist faction would have fallen to the ground.

Instead of fancy nicknames like Hyun-gong-do Jeong-eon or Seung-ryong-geom, he would have been given a nickname like Mu-dang-san Porter.

“···Master. Please respect the lives of your disciples.”

Yeongbo Jin-in laughed heartily. Hyun-gong couldn’t tell whether Yeongbo Jin-in’s story was true or not.

*

One day, while the two were busy practicing and getting along, a large number of masters appeared at Mt. Wudang.

There were not only the warriors of the Jeongpa clan, such as Namgung Jincheon, Namgung Myeong, and Wanli Seung, but also some of the warriors from the Samanbul and Tangga clans who were from the Demonic Sect.

Sam-an-bul wanted to punish the cult leader as soon as possible, so instead of defending the Tang family, he joined forces with the main force of the Jeongpa martial arts sect.

While the exhausted warriors scattered throughout the Mudangpa area to relieve their fatigue, the accomplished masters visited Hyeoncheondang.

Among the Jeongpa masters who came to Hyuncheondang, Namgung Jincheon approached Hyungong and Yeongbo Jinin and explained the situation.

“Before coming to Mt. Wudang, we raided the Hwasan faction. We also rescued some of the Hwasan faction’s Taoists.”

“Have you confirmed the leader’s inaction?”

When Yeongbo Jin-in asked again, Namgung Jin-cheon shook his head.

“I took advantage of the moment when the leader was away.”

“I see. It’s unfortunate, but it was a wise decision. If you’re greedy, you can end up making mistakes.”

While Yeongbo Jin-in and Namgung Jin-cheon were talking, Namgung Myeong approached Hyeon-gong and asked.

“What’s wrong with your arm?”

“There were some circumstances.”

While Hyun-gong and Nam-gung-myeong were whispering quietly, Yeong-bo-jin-in spoke to Nam-gung-jin-cheon.

“Listen. Sword Ghost Namgung Jincheon. I know the situation is urgent, but may I ask for a favor?”

The moment Youngbo Jin-in spoke like that, the surrounding warriors fell silent.

Yeongbo Jinin was a person who rarely refused a request for a secret weapon from anyone who came to Mt. Mudang. However, as far as people knew, this was the first time Yeongbo Jinin had asked someone else for a secret weapon.

Of course, Hyun-gong didn’t want this weapon at all, but his legs had no arms or mouth.

Namgung Jincheon readily accepted the offer.

“Of course. I’ll give you my all.”

“It’s not a one-on-one duel.”

“then?”

“On our side, it’s me and Hyungong. The two of us will fight together.”

A deep interest filled Namgung Jincheon’s gaze.

How can Hyun-gong, who spreads his defensive sword, and Yeong-bo-jin, who cannot move, gather strength? Even Hyun-gong’s arm is clearly not in its normal state.

“Then I will team up with Myung and fight against him. A showdown between a priest and a rich man. It will be an interesting match.”

People who were listening to the story thought that Namgung Jincheon and Namgung Myeong would have an advantage over Yeongbo Jinin and Hyeon Gong. It is true that the nickname Sambo Jijon is famous, but Namgung Jincheon would probably have an advantage in a joint attack.

But Youngbo Jin’s story did not end there.

“No. That’s not what I meant.”

“Are you asking me to match up with someone other than Myeong-i?”

“I’m suggesting we add more people. Including Wanli Seung and the Sam-an Buddha.”

“Then we will accept Manryuk Seung Cheonguk.”

“No. Both Wanli Seung and Sanyan Buddha are on your side. I and Hyungong will deal with the four of you.”

Manryeokseung burst into laughter as if he had heard an absurd story.

“I know that Youngbo Jin has achieved great things, but that is nonsense.”

However, Namgung Jincheon and Sam Anbul’s reactions were a little different.

Namgung Jincheon looked at Yeongbo Jinin for a long time and then spoke quietly.

“···Youngbo Jinin. It seems you have reached the next level.”

Youngbo Jin smiled faintly. A smile that held a great deal of meaning.

Sam-an-bul burst into loud laughter.

“Haha, that’s good! The famous Yeongbo Jinin even gained a new achievement? This will be a good opportunity. It will definitely be helpful when fighting the cult leader. Of course, I have no intention of losing.”

There was no need to waste time just to save face.

Manryukseung hesitated a bit, perhaps because he felt awkward having four people dealing with two people who were not even in good health, but the other three took their positions without hesitation.

Namgung Jincheon, Namgung Myeong, Samanbul, and Manryeokseung’s gaze turned to Hyeon-gong.

It wouldn’t be easy to break through the defenses of the next leveled spirit, so I planned to subdue Hyun-gong first.

Yeongbo Jin-in pulled out the Songmun Sword and put down the scabbard. The others waited for Hyun-gong to pull out his sword as well. However, Hyun-gong did not have a sword.

Instead, he carried the load.

“···What do you want to do now?”

Hyungong could not bring himself to answer Manryeokseung’s question and lowered his gaze. Hyungong’s ears were bright red.

However, Youngbo Jin answered while tightly binding his upper body with a leather strap.

“This is how we will fight. The former head of the Non-Party faction and the current head of the faction have joined forces, so you’d better be prepared.”

It was unclear whether he was joking or teasing her. However, Youngbo Jin’s face was filled with confidence.

“Let’s start.”

“···You want to fight behind someone else’s back? You’re joking too much.”

As he spoke, Wanli Seung strode forward.

And in order to subdue the immobile Hyun-gong and warn Yeong-bo Jin-in, he put his hands together and performed the Hap-ban-jang (合盤掌), one of the seventy-two Shaolin techniques.

The two palms that had come together flew towards the lower body of Hyun-gong, who could not even lift a sword.

Manryeokseung thought that Hyungong would step back. However, Hyungong took a step forward instead. At the same time, Yeongbojinin stretched his arm under Hyungong’s armpit and unfolded the Taegeuk sword.

“···!”

A situation where you could get your arm cut off if you hesitate. Manryuk Seung kicked the ground and retreated, but Hyungong ran after Manryuk Seung as he retreated, as if he would not miss the opportunity.

Unable to overcome his shame, his ears and face were still red, but he did not hesitate in Hyun-gong’s movements.

Every time Hyun-gong took a step forward, Yeong-bo Jin-in’s sword swung as if it were one body.

In an instant, several thin blood lines appeared on Manryuk Seung’s forearm. The short chase between the shaman priest and Manryuk Seung only ended after Namgung Jincheon and Samanbul intervened to block Yeongbo Jinin’s sword.

Manryeokseung spoke while exhaling the deep breath he had taken in.

“It’s a little weird, but… it’s better than I imagined.”

“Since the situation is not favorable, we have to fight like this.”

As Yeongbo Jinin answered calmly, Hyeon-gong stepped forward again. Yeongbo Jinin swung his sword in time with Hyeon-gong’s steps.

It was an incredibly ridiculous sight.

However, Manryeok Seung, as well as Namgung Jincheon and Namgung Myeong, also found this situation a bit daunting. They realized too late what it meant for Yeongbo Jinin’s achievements to be supplemented with the law.

The Three Treasures are capable of subduing anyone within three steps. If the Three Treasures are able to overcome the three-step limitation with the help of Hyun-gong, wouldn’t they be just the Supreme Being, not the Three Treasures?

At first glance, it sounded like a joke, but that joke was becoming reality.

‘···How do I destroy it?’

There is a three-step space that cannot be penetrated no matter what you do, and you run at full speed.

The ability of the Youngbojinin was closer to a disaster or phenomenon than a martial art, so even if four supreme masters joined forces, it was not easy to find a method to destroy it.

Furthermore, the person who was most flustered in this situation was Namgung Jincheon.

‘What on earth is that guy doing…’

The strange combination of Youngbo Jinin and Hyungong – if you can call it a combination – is also baffling.

However, what made Namgung Jincheon even more flustered was Namgung Myeong’s actions of occasionally hiding his presence and targeting Yeongbo Jinin from behind.

It’s suspicious. It’s not like it’s the martial arts of Namgungga, and it doesn’t feel like the martial arts of a Jeongpa martial artist. Doesn’t it resemble a murderer or a thief?

While Namgung Jincheon was distracted by Namgung Myung, Hyungong had already arrived in front of Namgung Jincheon. Namgung Jincheon hurriedly raised his sword and threw away the Songmungo sword.

“Ugh!”

Hyun-gong, half-conscious, followed Nam-gung Jin-cheon’s movements as he performed the dharma.

‘The story the teacher told… I think I understand what it means to make eye contact.’

The bridge that is moving now was Hyun-gong’s bridge, but it was Yeong-bo Jin-in’s bridge.

The arm swinging the sword was Yeongbo Jinin’s arm, but it was Hyeon-gong’s arm.

The eyes that grasped the situation belonged to two people, but they also belonged to one person.

The judgments of Hyun-gong and Yeong-bo-jin are getting closer and closer.

Following the sword path that Hyun-gong had anticipated, Yeong-bo-jin’s sword draws a gentle curve and drives the opponent. Hyun-gong takes the next step following the flow of that curve.

Overwhelming attacks and defenses come together, and the breathing of Youngbo Jinin and Hyungong is done simultaneously without a single moment of mismatch.

The same was true of Hyungong’s internal energy. Hyungong was using his true energy almost in the same way as Yeongbo Jinin without moving his sword.

Hyun-gong’s internal energy, swordsmanship, and guarding techniques were gradually becoming harmonious. If only he could move both arms, it seemed like he could draw the same sword path as Yeong-bo-jin-in.

However, Hyun-gong could not reach the state of perfect selflessness.

Every time he tried to reach the state of no-self, the sensation of Yeongbo Jinin’s arm moving back and forth under his armpits would scratch Hyun-gong’s nerves.

‘···shit.’

The opportunity will come again someday. Hyun-gong swallowed his regret and focused on the fight again.

Apart from not being able to reach the state of no-self, the situation was like two people who were like one person pushing four people.

It was like a scene where one tiger was chasing four wolves. The four supreme masters were slightly cowering, desperately trying to block Youngbo Jinin’s sword.

Suddenly, Hyun-gong became confused.

‘Why is this possible, why is it powerful? I still don’t understand···.’

Even though Hyun-gong thought like that, he continued to practice the Dharma diligently.

Then, taking advantage of the gap where Wanli Sheng was unable to shake off Xuan Gong cleanly, Xuan Gong unleashed his Je Yun Zong (梯雲縱). Xuan Gong’s new body carrying Yeong Bo Jin In seemed to sag, and soon Yeong Bo Jin In’s sword left a shallow sword wound on Wanli Sheng’s chest.

Blood drops spurted along the edge of Songmungogeom’s sword.

Everyone who was involved in the fight knew this.

It’s not that Youngbo Jin can’t cut deeply right now, but he hasn’t forgotten that the current situation is tense, so he’s satisfied with a shallow sword cut.

The six warriors simultaneously took up their positions without saying who would go first.

“It was a great help.”

Yeongbo Jin-in expressed his gratitude. Following that, Namgung Myeong and Sam An-bul paid their respects and expressed their feelings.

“It’s odd, but it’s definitely powerful.”

“It’s not even a passing technique, but two people can move as one. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

People waited for Namgung Jincheon’s impression.

The watershed that will determine the outcome of this Jeongma War is whether or not there is someone to eliminate the cult leader.

And the only person who crossed swords with the cult leader was Namgung Jincheon.

The swordsman Namgung Jincheon knew the weight of my story.

That is why Namgung Jincheon thought for a long time and then spoke resolutely.

“There is a chance of winning.”