Tangmunjeon - Chapter 418



Only Krnovel

Tangmunjeon Episode 418

Hemophiliac

Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae moved hurriedly and arrived at Dongjeong Lake.

The problem was that the Tang family only heard that people were going to Dongting Lake, but they did not know where they were staying near the vast Dongting Lake.

Of course, it’s not that there was no solution.

“Hong Geul-gae. Go out.”

“Ah. Leave it to me.”

Dongjeongho Lake was so full of kind-hearted people who would spend a lot of money just to see the beautiful scenery that it was hard to count the number of beggars who tried to get charity from them.

The fact that there are a lot of beggars means that it is the perfect environment for Hong Geol-gae to show off his abilities.

“···.”

Dang Mu-jin hid himself a little way away and quietly watched Hong Geol-gae’s actions.

Hong Geol-gae straightened his shoulders and tilted his neck from side to side.

Then, showing off the seven-knot rope at his side, he walked sideways like a crab and approached the beggars near Dongting Lake.

When the Chilgyeolgae suddenly appeared, the beggars near Dongjeongho Lake looked blatantly suspicious.

As expected, Hong Geol-gae loudly stepped on the Jin-gak to prove that he was the real Chil-gyeol-gae, and then asked the Tang family members where he had gone.

Dang Mu-jin, who was looking at the scene, thought.

‘It’s a little less ugly than usual, so that’s good.’

Given the circumstances, the process was much simpler than usual.

If the situation wasn’t urgent, I would have pretended to be a complete or partial person and made the other person let their guard down.

In any case, the power of the seven knots in the openness was absolute. Hong Geol-gae instantly figured out where the Tang family members were headed.

Hong Geol-gae approached Dang Mu-jin and said.

“They went south.”

Since the neighborhood beggars were still looking at Honggeolgae, Dangmujin decided to keep some distance from Honggeolgae.

“Okay, but don’t come too close. Let’s move a little further away.”

“But, didn’t you say that there were people who asked the exact same thing two days ago?”

The moment he heard that story, Dang Mu-jin’s heart sank.

So this is how it is.

“Run. Now!”

Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae ran a little further away.

*

After half a day of moving around, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae arrived at the villa where their family was staying. Dang Mu-jin’s hands were wet with sweat.

Fortunately, a faint sound was heard from inside the villa walls.

‘I hope nothing happened···.’

Fortunately, the front door wasn’t locked.

Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae pushed open the door and went inside.

I saw quite a few familiar faces.

But the atmosphere is strangely gloomy. It’s clear that something has happened.

Even in one corner, I could see people burying the dead.

Did someone die? Dang Mu-jin’s heart sank.

“Hey! Mujin!”

At that moment, Mok Wan-ah, who was a little distance away, discovered Dang Mu-jin and approached him.

Since they were meeting again after being apart for quite some time, it would have been normal to start with a simple greeting, but Dang Mu-jin was not at ease.

“Wan-ah. What happened?”

“The Demonic Cult’s warriors have invaded.”

Dang Mu-jin felt dizzy.

“···Anyone injured or dead?”

“Two old men passed away. Old man Yo and Old man Seo. Do you know them?”

“Oh, oh, oh. Of course I know.”

“Those two died while trying to stop the Demonic Cult’s soldiers. Uncle Nam-woong was also badly injured, and Uncle Il-nam was also a little strange…”

Dang Mu-jin interrupted Mok Wan-ah’s story and asked again.

“Elder Jang? Is he in critical condition?”

“No, I don’t think that’s the case… The condition is a bit strange.”

It would be natural to look after the dead first, but since Dang Mu-jin is also human, it was inevitable that he would react first to the story of Jang Il-nam, with whom he had many contacts and was very close.

Besides, there’s no way to help a dead person. It seemed like the funeral was already underway.

“What’s so strange? No, no. Where is Elder Jang?”

“excuse me.”

Mokwan-ah pointed to a small room in a corner of the yard.

When Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae tried to run to the private room, Mok Wan-ah tried to stop them.

“You can’t go now! Elder Jang said that unless it’s urgent, don’t let anyone come near you!”

“I’m in a hurry!”

Hong Geol-gae and Jang Il-nam stood in front of the private room. A terrible stench could be felt from the private room.

It was different from the smell of a corpse or the smell of a rotting wound, but it had some similarities. That made me even more anxious.

‘please.’

Dang Mu-jin opened the door to the small room.

Jang Il-nam collapsed, and I thought that maybe he was being nursed by someone.

But Jang Il-nam was not lying down. Instead, he was squatting down and working hard to clean the floor.

‘···Mopping?’

Jang Il-nam was greatly embarrassed when he discovered Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae.

“oh.”

“···Elder?”

“The cleaning isn’t finished yet, so how about coming in later···?”

Instead of immediately stepping back, Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae looked at the place where Jang Il-nam’s mop had touched. There was a black stain left in the middle of the floor. The stain was round and about four or five spans in diameter.

“What is that?”

“Somehow it happened···”

Dang Mu-jin stood still and demanded an explanation from Jang Il-nam with his eyes.

Jang Il-nam spoke hesitantly.

“Yesterday, I met someone called the Demonic Cult’s Friendly Law and we ended up fighting. During the fight, I had a bit of an epiphany… After thinking about it for a while, I returned to my room and began my Un-gi Haeng-gong while reflecting on my epiphany. By the time I finished, it was already morning.”

“Hmm.”

“It was fine up until that point, but when I came to my senses, the room was a mess. I managed to clean the other places, but the place I was sitting at wasn’t cleaned very well, so it’s like this… Anyway, I’ll clean it up soon and leave, so wait outside.”

As Jang Il-nam spoke, he began to clean the floor again.

Hong Geol-gae approached without paying attention to Jang Il-nam’s stop and sniffed the stain. Sniff sniff.

Hong Geol-gae did not hide his admiration.

“It’s really bad.”

“···I know it well even if you don’t ask me.”

“What is this? You didn’t do anything rude during the flight, did you?”

As expected of Hong Geul-gae, it was an extremely cheap idea. Jang Il-nam was afraid that there would be even the slightest misunderstanding, so he scrubbed the floor with the mop and explained.

“After finishing my morning walk, my body felt noticeably lighter. It felt like it was my body, but not my body… Little by little, my misaligned muscles and bones were straightened, and my body felt lighter.”

“What about this stain?”

“I think the waste that had been slowly seeping into my blood has come out. First of all, I’m sure I didn’t do anything rude. It’s true.”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Dang Mu-jin approached Jang Il-nam and grabbed his wrist. Jang Il-nam did not resist because he knew what Dang Mu-jin was trying to do.

Dang Mu-jin felt a thin thread of internal energy flowing into Jang Il-nam’s body.

Certainly, Jang Il-nam’s eight pulses, as well as all the pulses in his body, were as clean as a child’s. Even more so than a Taoist who had avoided fire all his life.

‘no way?’

A phenomenon that has been passed down as a legend. Could it be that a complete transformation has occurred?

Dang Mu-jin thought about it and looked at Jang Il-nam carefully.

Something was definitely different. His slightly hunched shoulders seemed to have straightened out nicely, and he seemed to have gotten a few years younger.

However, it was different from the Banrohwandong achieved by Hwa Yeon-sin-ni and Wi Ji-nan-hyang.

“That’s great. Was there anything else?”

“I feel like I’ve let go of a lot of things that were holding me back. I guess I should say I’ve earned the right to move on to the next level.”

“···Could it be that you have reached a state beyond the peak?”

Jang Il-nam shook his head.

“That’s not it.”

That may be true. Dang Mu-jin thought so, but Jang Il-nam had one more thing to say.

“But I have a feeling it will happen sooner or later.”

People in the martial arts world tend to always brag. However, Jang Il-nam was particularly careful about what he said. If Jang Il-nam said it would happen soon, it would really happen soon.

Dang Mu-jin almost screamed, but restrained himself as he remembered that there was a dead person there.

Then a very important thought occurred to me.

The fact that Jang Il-nam may become an important force in the Jeongma War.

The advancement is important, but what is more important is the fact that Jang Il-nam has taken up the sword again.

Dang Mu-jin asked Jang Il-nam.

“Elder. Can you help us in the Battle of Jeongma?”

Jang Il-nam cleaned the floor in silence.

It didn’t seem like he was ignoring Dang Mu-jin’s story. He was just thinking about it over and over again.

But Jang Il-nam soon shook his head.

“···No. That’s not the path that suits me. I’m just satisfied with Jang Il-nam, the best gourmet in the party.”

“You took up the sword again.”

“I just had to pick up the sword because it was absolutely necessary. When I need to protect the people around me, I just need to be able to pull out my sword without hesitation.”

Jang Il-nam took up his sword again. He became a man who could pursue martial arts again and advance to the next level.

But that didn’t mean Jang Il-nam was someone who enjoyed fighting.

Human nature does not change easily. Jang Il-nam has lived his entire life avoiding fights. It is highly likely that he will continue to do so in the future.

“I made a mistake. I left my loved ones behind and put everyone at risk. I don’t want that moment to happen again. I want to stay with people.”

Even though Jang Il-nam said that, Dang Mu-jin still couldn’t shake off his greed. The next level after the peak. How much power would it be if a master who was certain to reach that legendary level helped him?

But at the same time, Dang Mu-jin knew what path Jang Il-nam would take to live happily.

That’s why Dang Mu-jin didn’t try to persuade Jang Il-nam again.

Because his happiness will be outside the puddle of blood.

Dang Mu-jin said.

“It was a rash request. And a good decision, Your Excellency.”

Jang Il-nam knew that Dang Mu-jin had considered his feelings.

So, with a heart full of gratitude, I smiled gently as always.

*

After the simple funeral, the Tang family members put their heads together to think about what to do next.

The topic was one: Should we continue to stay in Dongjing Lake or should we return to the city of Sichuan?

Nam Woong spoke his mind while wearing a splint on his right arm.

“There is no law that says those who have come once will not come again.”

There is no such thing as a perfect secret in this world.

This is especially true when it comes to topics that are difficult to hide, such as the whereabouts of countless people.

As with the law of friendship, if someone develops a malicious mind, the Demonic Cult’s unmanned forces can find the Tang family members at any time.

Namwoong continued the story.

“If you can’t hide perfectly, it’s better to stay in the Tang family. There are always people around the Tang family who can help. There’s the Ami faction and the Cheongseong faction.”

Most of the Tang family members considered Nam Woong’s proposal reasonable.

Dang Mujin also thought that was better. Hadn’t the Demonic Cult warriors practically given up on conquering the Tang family?

Dang Mu-jin responded to Nam-woong’s story.

“If something unfortunate happens, there is a place you can go to for refuge after leaving the party.”

“Where are you?”

“The North Korean leader will help you.”

Bukdowi is one of the highest ranking officials residing in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

In the past, the Northern Command had said that if there were any signs of the Demonic Cult’s unmanned agents appearing, they would contact the Tang family in advance.

However, contrary to his boasts, the Northern Commander was not informed of the invasion of the Demonic Cult’s unmanned forces in advance. It was only natural that the Northern Commander, who valued his reputation, was greatly embarrassed.

In the end, the Northern Command made another proposal to the party leader.

He said that he would protect those who have not learned martial arts in an emergency or whose achievements are not much different from those of ordinary people.

And most of the Tang family members are included in the group of ‘those with low achievements or who have not learned martial arts’ that the Northern Commander talks about.

Of course, if the Demonic Cult’s warriors were truly determined, they could ignore the Northern Command and rush in to harm the Tang family members. However, that would mean that the Demonic Cult would turn the government into its enemies.

It is a path that no rational person would take. In fact, when the situation gets to that point, it is safe to assume that there is no place for the family to stay.

‘It’s a good thing, because in case something happens, there’s one more thing to lean on.’

No one disputed Nam Woong’s claim.

Eventually, the people packed up and left for the city again. People behaved cheerfully, if only to forget about the two dead generals.

“It’s nice to see Dongjeongho, but in the end, it’s most comfortable to stay where you are.”

“I’ve been here for a few days, that’s enough. I’m a little bored because there’s nothing to do around Dongjeongho Lake…”

The Tang family returned to the city and chatted about all sorts of things.

The person who can be said to be the main character of the story is definitely Jang Il-nam.

“When the old man stretched out his sword like this, the author of the law, the sword pierced his chest and he fell down with a snap!”

Chusam couldn’t even see properly, so he relied half on his imagination and talked about Jang Il-nam’s bravery. But that was good. Just talking about bravery is fun.

But there was one person who had a slightly bitter expression on his face. Namwoong.

Even though Dang Mu-jin was racking his brain, there was no way to heal Nam-woong’s right arm. It wasn’t just a cut from a sword or a little bit of flesh torn off, but his elbow bone was shattered, so even the golden elixir didn’t help.

Whenever Dang Mu-jin looked at Nam-woong, he made an apologetic expression, but Nam-woong waved his hand and said it was okay.

“Oh, it’s okay. Actually, I did a lot of bad things in the past. I think I finally got my punishment, even if it was late.”

“Isn’t it a shame that all the martial arts you’ve trained so far have gone down the drain?”

“It’s a bit of a shame. But I think I got it for cheap. And I didn’t even fulfill my duties, so this is how it is… This isn’t a punishment from heaven, it’s fate. Fate.”

Nam Woong was still suffering from guilt.

Guilt for not being able to protect the people of the party and putting them in danger.

Jang Il-nam said.

“I told you, it’s not your fault, it’s my fault. And besides… Huh? How about you learn how to use the left-handed sword while you’re at it?”

“Left-handed sword… You want me to learn swordsmanship with my left hand? I don’t know if that’s possible.”

“The feeling of a sword being unleashed with the right hand and a sword being unleashed with the left hand are completely different. Even with the same martial arts, there are times when it feels more powerful when unleashed with the left hand. If you gradually adjust your martial arts to suit your left hand, it will be even more wonderful.”

“Thank you. However, I am not a gifted swordsman like you, Master, so I am not sure if I can learn the left-handed sword.”

When Nam Woong answered without confidence, Jang Il Nam said.

“I will actively help you. I will teach you martial arts to suit your left hand so that you can learn them, and we will practice together.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m sure Master doesn’t have enough time to practice.”

“No. Recalling familiar things in an unfamiliar way is the best training method, so it will actually help me. Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to return to Haenam and become a military officer?”

Nam Woong’s first dream was to return to his hometown and become a fisherman, but his second dream was to become a military officer.

In fact, until recently, Nam Woong had no intention of becoming a military officer.

But after talking to him several times, Namwoong has become more serious.

I miss being a fisherman, but after a few months of being a fisherman, I’m sure I’ll get bored of it.

Besides, it was true that the role of a small official was more plausible than that of a fisherman.

If things go well miraculously, I might be able to become the head of a small sect.

‘A guy who was born a fisherman and worked as a fisherman, learned martial arts and returned to his hometown… He’s really cool.’

Nam Woong felt embarrassed for no reason and changed the subject.

“By the way, I’m sure Lady Wiji will like it.”

There is no woman who does not like a man who is devoted to her doing well.

In a short period of time, Jang Il-nam has returned with great accomplishments, so Wi Jinan-hyang must be delighted.

Jang Il-nam’s achievements were not limited to martial arts. His appearance also became more impressive than before. Jang Il-nam’s shoulders and waist, which had been slightly hunched, straightened, and he seemed to have grown a finger or two taller. His eyes also became more intense.

They looked at least four or five years younger than each other. They still looked more like father and daughter than a couple, but that couldn’t be helped.

Jang Il-nam was also happy imagining Wi Ji-nan-hyang’s reaction.

*

After moving like that for a while, the group arrived near the castle.

Just as it had been when Dang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae left the city, it was still raining heavily in the city. It wasn’t particularly strange. It usually rained a lot in Sacheon.

Hong Geol-gae, as always, didn’t care at all whether he got wet or not, but Dang Mu-jin grumbled.

“This damn rain.”

Still, since it was summer, it was fortunate that it wasn’t cold even though it rained.

The group entered the castle looking like wet rats.

The whole group walked with the same thought in mind: We should go inside right away and change into new, dry clothes.

Finally, the group arrived in front of the Tang family. However, the people stopped in front of the Tang family’s main gate as if they had made a promise.

There was no signboard that should have been hanging on the main gate of the Tang family.

If it were normal times, there would have been people grumbling about where the signboard went, but today there was no one talking about that.

Because the timing was right, I was gripped by an ominous intuition.

Dang Mu-jin slowly inhaled and exhaled. Then he spoke.

“···Why are you all like that? Let’s go in.”

People entered the market in silence.

And everyone doubted their eyes.

The largest building that should be in the center of the party.

The main building was not visible.

This building was the office of the Dangga Council when it was not the Danggajang but the Danggawon.

A building that welcomed numerous patients from all over the world.

This is the only building that was unable to be torn down when all the other buildings were torn down and rebuilt, so it gradually grew in size by adding flesh to it.

The main building has disappeared.

Instead, only the cornerstone remained where the main building used to be, suggesting that there was once a building here.

Everyone was speechless.

“···.”

Because the main building is gone, the backyard, which should be on the other side of the main gate, is clearly visible.

And there were a few people standing in the backyard of the Tang family. I thought they might be remnants of the Demonic Cult, but judging from their attire, they didn’t seem to be members of the Demonic Cult.

A nun with a shaved head and a gray robe soaked in rain.

A Taoist who wears clean and simple clothes, but whose clothes get soaked in the rain.

Several monks from the Cheongseongpa and several nuns from the Amipa were looking at one place.

Their eyes were fixed on a grave they had never seen before. A grave that had not even been covered with a shroud, leaving the dirt exposed and red.

Dang Mu-jin approached the tomb.

The nuns of the Amipa and the Taoists of the Cheongseongpa sensed the presence and looked back.

Then he bowed to the Dangmujin and the people around him and stepped aside.

A monument was erected in front of the tomb.

Instead of a tombstone, a small epitaph hastily carved from wood.

There were six characters written on the stele.

The Tomb of Wijinanhyangjimyo.

Someone sighed.

“ah···.”

Jang Il-nam sat down with his legs weakened and looked at the stele.

I read, read, and read again the six letters plainly engraved.

And he approached the ground like an animal, and touched the inscription carved into the stele with his thumb several times.

Dang Mu-jin, Dang Je-seon, Hong Geol-gae, Dan Seol-yeong, Mok Wan-ah, and the Dang family members stood silently, looking at Jang Il-nam, without saying a word.

Jang Il-nam sat there blankly for a while, then started digging the bare dirt of the mound with his bare hands.

Digging up a grave. It was an act that no one in their right mind could commit, but no one could stop Jang Il-nam.

Finally, Jang Il-nam faced the sleeping Wi Jin-nan-hyang.

Still beautiful appearance. More splendid than anyone else’s.

And a deep sword wound that cannot be hidden even by a fancy shroud.

Jang Il-nam slowly stroked Wei Jin-nan-hyang’s bloodless face with his fingers.

And Jang Il-nam realized it too late.

The fact that he had left behind not only Dongjeongho’s family, but also the Weijinanhyang of the saints.

“Ah···. Ah···.”

Jang Il-nam held Wei Jinan-hyang’s body in his arms and sobbed quietly.

The small sobbing that began in broad daylight gradually grew louder and soon became the howling of an animal, and by the next morning it had become a hoarse sound.

Only after the sun finally rose did Jang Il-nam stop crying.

Until then, Dang Mu-jin had been standing still, guarding Jang Il-nam’s side.

Jang Il-nam hugged Wi Jin-nan-hyang tightly for the last time, then covered her with dirt again with his bare, bleeding hands. That was how Jang Il-nam spent his last night with Wi Jin-nan-hyang.

Wi Jinanxiang fell asleep again. The rain still did not stop.

Dang Mu-jin reached out to Jang Il-nam, intending to help him get up.

“Elder Jang.”

However, Jang Il-nam did not take Dang Mu-jin’s hand.

Instead, he struggled to get up from his seat, leaning on his sword with both arms, like an old man leaning on a cane.

“Don’t call me that. From now on, you’ll-”

Jang Il-nam looked back as he spoke. Only then did Dang Mu-jin and Jang Il-nam’s eyes meet.

Jang Il-nam’s eyes were bloodshot and burning with indelible hatred and anger.

Beneath it, there remained traces of blood and tears that even the rain that fell all night could not erase.

Jang Il-nam raised his head and looked at the sky.

Raindrops that fell from the high sky mixed with the bloody tears that had formed on Jang Il-nam’s face and flowed down.

Jang Il-nam spoke gloomily with a sore throat.

“Call me a hemophiliac.”