Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 102 - Wi So-yeon (1)
Chapter 102 – Wi So-yeon (1)
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“I am Wi So-yeon, third disciple of the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society.”
‘!?’
Interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes.
He had not expected that in a place like this, he would meet someone close to the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society.
And to think she was a disciple.
No wonder he had felt it strange that she entered the treasure vault suddenly regardless of the regulations. Once he learned her identity, it made some sense.
‘So she is a candidate for the next Society Leader.’
Through Yi Ji-yeom, the Valley Master of Corpse Blood Valley, Mok Gyeong-un had heard brief information about the important figures inside.
The Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society had three disciples qualified to inherit his position.
One of them was the third disciple, Wi So-yeon.
It was said that although she was a woman, she had been taken in as a disciple because she possessed extraordinary martial talent so rare that it might appear only once in several hundred years, and that she was ambitious and aimed for the position of Society Leader.
‘To see such a woman in a place like this.’
It was quite a coincidence.
Judging from how silent Blue Spirit was, it seemed that hearing this was a disciple of the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society had heightened her emotions.
She was someone who could not control her anger when the matter concerned the Society Leader.
‘But her power is no joke.’
Now that he had gained enlightenment, he understood how to handle the power inside his body.
Yet unlike himself, she was simply standing in an utterly ordinary posture while holding his wrist, and she did not move in the slightest.
And that while her other hand was also holding another bastard.
‘So this is the level of a disciple of the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society.’
If even the youngest disciple was at this level, then one could estimate the level of those above her to some degree.
And how strong, then, was the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society?
What was certain was that although he had gained enlightenment, he still did not yet measure up even to the martial level of one of the Society Leader’s disciples.
Just then, Yeop Wi-seon, disciple of the King of the Fate Blade, whose wrist was twisted and painful, pressed her in a harsh tone.
“Haa… haa… what are you doing? A mere trainee of Corpse Blood Valley, and even knowing the young lady’s status, you still do not show the proper respe…”
-Crack!
“Ugh!”
It was before he could even finish speaking.
Yeop Wi-seon’s wrist twisted all the way and the bone broke.
Naturally, a scream of pain might have been expected when a healthy bone snapped, yet Yeop Wi-seon only ground his teeth with the veins in his face swelling as if they might burst.
To him, Wi So-yeon, third disciple of the Society Leader, said in a cold voice,
“I told you to be quiet.”
“Guhhh… m, my apologies.”
“Must I list with my own mouth the things you have done?”
“Uhh… n, no.”
In truth, Yeop Wi-seon had no excuse even if he had ten mouths.
There were not many who possessed the authority to enter this place regardless of the regulations.
Though he was the disciple of the King of the Fate Blade, one of the Five Kings, naturally he had no right of entry here, and had only entered by borrowing the tiger’s authority of Wi So-yeon, disciple of the Society Leader.
And in the midst of that, he had grown agitated and damaged some of the original secret manuals in the treasure vault.
By that alone, he had already crossed a line he could not handle.
“Because of your foolish act, even I, who brought you here, have been put in quite an awkward position. So if you open your mouth again, I will execute you on the spot.”
“I will remember… hup.”
Yeop Wi-seon tightly shut his mouth.
He must not displease her any further.
-Pak!
Wi So-yeon removed her hand from Yeop Wi-seon and likewise released Mok Gyeong-un’s wrist.
Then she said,
“I apologize. Forgive this one’s rudeness. He acts somewhat excessively and thinks too briefly, but I keep him by me because he is loyal. I did not think he would do something this foolish today.”
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un brought his wrist back and examined it.
The mark of her hand remained there exactly.
Looking at it, Mok Gyeong-un gave a short laugh and then looked at Yeop Wi-seon and said,
“You must be very tired, keeping a loyal but stupid dog.”
‘This bastard!’
At those words, Yeop Wi-seon’s face twisted viciously for an instant.
But he could not open his mouth, because he knew he would not be able to bear the consequences if he disobeyed her again.
At that moment, Wi So-yeon gave a short laugh.
“A loyal but stupid dog. That is quite a fitting expression.”
‘Why even the young lady…’
Yeop Wi-seon’s insides boiled.
He had arranged this opportunity to make a better impression on her and deepen their relationship.
Yet in an instant he had turned into a stupid dog.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un gave a respectful clasped-fist greeting and said,
-Slide!
“This provisional unit leader, Mok Gyeong-un, greets Lady Wi So-yeon, third disciple of the Society Leader.”
“Mok Gyeong-un?”
At this greeting from Mok Gyeong-un, she tilted her head slightly.
Across the whole murim of the Central Plains, the surname Mok was quite rare.
Within the Heaven and Earth Society, she had never heard it, and the only one she did know was Yeon Mok Sword Manor, one of the famous righteous martial clans.
‘Yeon Mok Sword Manor… that cannot be it.’
The fact that children of Yeon Mok Sword Manor had been brought in as hostages was known only to a very few inside the Heaven and Earth Society, so even she did not know.
And who would imagine that a hostage had been sent to Corpse Blood Valley?
She soon said,
“So you stand before the final gate as a provisional unit leader.”
“That is correct.”
In truth, she had already heard through senior martial artist Gwak Mun-gi that he stood before the final gate.
But she was simply pretending not to know because she had become interested in Mok Gyeong-un.
Wi So-yeon looked at Mok Gyeong-un’s face.
‘……..He truly is very handsome.’
This was the first time she had seen a man this beautiful.
At a glance, his face was not merely handsome but beautiful enough that one might almost mistake him for a woman.
But what interested her more than his looks was Mok Gyeong-un’s martial level.
‘He looks no more than about seventeen, yet if he is already at unit-leader level, then he should pass the final gate without difficulty.’
Then he would be chosen by one of the executives.
Now that the question of succession was gradually rising even within the Heaven and Earth Society, she was recruiting as many useful talents as possible.
‘He seems like decent talent.’
If he was a level above Yeop Wi-seon, who had received the teaching of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, then his future was promising.
It did not seem bad to recruit him here in advance.
She immediately brought up the main point.
“Your internal energy is solid. It seems you possess the capacity to reach the extreme of the peak realm, or perhaps even beyond, before long.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
“And so, if perhaps…”
“Ah! My apologies to you, young lady, but may I speak of one thing first, no, two things?”
“Hm?”
As Mok Gyeong-un suddenly cut her off, she frowned for a moment.
It was quite rude, considering he knew her identity.
But because the Yeop Wi-seon she had brought had also committed rudeness, and because she wanted to make Mok Gyeong-un one of her own people, she decided to tolerate it.
“Very well. Speak freely.”
“Ah. Then it is fortunate that you are a person with tolerance.”
At these words, she smiled faintly.
If it meant recruiting talent into her own camp, then she could show this much tolerance as often as she liked.
“The first thing is this. As a disciple of the Society Leader, it seems you would have authority of this degree. Originally, I received the reward of being able to choose a secret manual here for one shijin.”
“Ah…….”
At this, Wi So-yeon immediately understood what Mok Gyeong-un meant.
Because of Yeop Wi-seon and herself, Mok Gyeong-un had lost that time.
And because he spoke of authority, he was likely asking that she say something about it to Yang Mu-won, the keeper of the treasure vault.
“Do not worry. Even if you had not said it, Mok Gyeong-un, I had been intending to ask Keeper Yang about that.”
Of course, this was not something she had just now thought of. It was true.
At Wi So-yeon’s words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled broadly, seeming relieved.
Then he continued,
“I am grateful for your consideration. The second thing is that, thanks to the gentleman sitting over there, I nearly lost my life, so I would like to receive suitable compensation.”
“What?”
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, Wi So-yeon furrowed her brow.
That was only natural, because she had apologized with her own mouth and had even broken the wrist of Yeop Wi-seon, disciple of the King of the Fate Blade.
Part of the reason she had broken it here was also so that Mok Gyeong-un would see it.
Yet now he said he should receive compensation?
‘What kind of nonsense is this bastard spouting now?’
Yeop Wi-seon, angry, glared at Mok Gyeong-un as if he wanted to kill him.
Had she not warned him, he would have wanted to fight a second round at once.
At that moment, Wi So-yeon opened her mouth.
“Could I hear what kind of suitable compensation you desire?”
“Since I nearly lost my life, then to match the law of equal exchange, would it not only be fitting that I receive that person’s life as well?”
-Grind!
Had this bastard gone mad?
Even if he had been humiliated, he himself was the disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, one of the Five Kings.
Yet this bastard had spoken as if he ought to receive the value of his life?
This bastard truly…
“That is what I thought, but if I did that, I would be causing you to lose your loyal but stupid dog, young lady, so I would be grateful if you gave me appropriate compensation instead.”
“Appropriate compensation?”
“Yes. I nearly lost my life, so would it not be all right for me to receive at least that much from him?”
At these words, both Yeop Wi-seon, the person concerned, and Wi So-yeon herself nearly laughed in disbelief.
Among the many people she had seen within the Society, this was the first time she had seen a mere trainee from Corpse Blood Valley this bold.
To request compensation while facing someone like herself, who might become the next Society Leader.
It felt both fresh and slightly irritating.
‘……..It seems he is not merely superior in martial talent.’
Though their conversation had been short, she judged that Mok Gyeong-un was someone who pursued his own advantage more than he appeared to.
Because of that, her interest fell a little.
What she wanted was someone with outstanding martial talent who could swear firm loyalty to her.
Yet here was someone bargaining with the person who might become his lord.
‘If he is that bold, then I should hear how he answers this.’
So she decided to test Mok Gyeong-un once.
She had already confirmed his superior martial talent, so now that he had shown such boldness toward her, she wanted to see whether his wit matched it.
“Life… yes. Your words have their own logic.”
“It is fortunate that you are someone with whom words can be understood.”
“Then kill him.”
“Pardon?”
At these words from her, Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It was an answer he had not expected.
In truth, Mok Gyeong-un had made such a demand of her because he wanted to see what kind of vessel a successor aiming for the position of Society Leader might be.
But he had not expected that she would tell him to kill him here.
“That is unexpected.”
“What is unexpected? I apologized with my own mouth, and I even broke this one’s wrist in compensation for his rudeness. Yet you say that is still not enough for the price of your life, so what can be done?”
“So you are telling me to kill him?”
“Yes. I cannot think of any compensation in my head equal to a life.”
At these words, the expression on Yeop Wi-seon’s face darkened for a moment.
Could it be that the lord to whom he had sworn loyalty was actually about to hand his life over to a bastard like this?
Was she speaking sincerely?
As that was happening, Wi So-yeon said,
“Only, I cannot take responsibility for what follows after you kill him.”
“You cannot take responsibility.”
“Yes. It seems you do not know who he is, so I will at least tell you his identity. He is Yeop Wi-seon, disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade.”
At these words, Mok Gyeong-un turned his gaze and looked at Yeop Wi-seon.
Only now did he understand her intent exactly.
She did not truly mean, Kill him.
‘She meant, kill him if you have the confidence to handle what comes after.’
She had said it plainly.
Killing Yeop Wi-seon was his freedom, but he had to deal himself with the consequences that would follow from killing him.
Those consequences would naturally be the fury of the King of the Fate Blade.
“The choice is yours. But since I will not hold you to account for taking the life of one who swore loyalty to me, I judge that to be sufficient compensation.”
At these words, a bit of color returned to Yeop Wi-seon’s face.
Of course. How could she possibly abandon him?
As expected, she had her own thoughts.
‘You damned bastard.’
Yeop Wi-seon glared at Mok Gyeong-un.
If this bastard was not an idiot, then he would absolutely not dare touch him.
Yeop Wi-seon swore inwardly.
That he would repay this humiliation now tenfold.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth.
“Hmm. If my ears heard correctly, it sounds like you are telling me not to poke something I will regret and to choose wisely.”
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, she laughed softly.
Naturally, she had thought he would have at least enough brains to understand that much.
But if, after showing such boldness and demanding compensation, he gave up here, then in the end he would only be someone who wagged his mouth.
It was while she was thinking that.
“For someone in the position of being a disciple of the Society Leader, I assume you surely keep the words you speak yourself.”
At these words, she gave a small snort and replied,
“Words carry weight. I take responsibility for the words I speak myself.”
“I see.”
“Have you decided?”
“Yes. It cannot be helped. I wanted to receive the price of the life that targeted my own, but to do that, the consequences from the King of the Fate Blade do weigh on my mind.”
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, she lightly shook her head.
That was the extent of his vessel after all.
The sort who merely schemed for compensation before her.
No matter how superior his martial talent, if he lacked the wit to overcome a situation like this and did no more than bow his head, then she was losing interest.
“Then go…”
“Ah. Just a moment.”
“What?”
It was right then.
-Whip! Thud!
Mok Gyeong-un launched his body and kicked Yeop Wi-seon in the jaw.
“Urk!”
There had been no internal energy behind it, but struck in the jaw so suddenly, Yeop Wi-seon, unable to believe it, shouted at Mok Gyeong-un,
“You bastard, how dare you!”
“Oh? You opened your mouth?”
“What?”
“Your lord just said that if you opened that mouth again, she would execute you on the spot.”
‘!?’
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, Yeop Wi-seon’s expression froze for an instant.
This bastard had kicked him in the jaw just to make him open his mouth?
As this happened, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head, smiled broadly, and said to Wi So-yeon in a mocking voice,
“Did you not say that words carry weight, and that you take responsibility for what you say?”