Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 179 - Jang Neung-ak (2)
Chapter 179 – Jang Neung-ak (2)
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“What? Mok Gyeong-un?”
Jang Neung-ak’s expression turned strange.
He had already been about to go and protest because he believed his eldest senior brother Na Yul-ryang had interfered and was trying to snatch the man away.
But now Mok Gyeong-un had come on his own feet?
What in the world did this mean?
‘…Should I count this as fortunate?’
On the other hand, Go Yeon-hu, First Sacred Mountain of the Five Peaks Assembly, who had been trying to stop his lord, the Society Leader’s second disciple Jang Neung-ak, inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
It was still not the time to clash with the Great Young Master, whether in terms of strength or in any other respect.
But even while relieved, Go Yeon-hu too found it puzzling.
That was why he said,
“My lord. Something is strange.”
“Strange?”
“Yes. Did not the Great Young Master say before he sealed Seo Unit Leader’s acupoints that it would be too wasteful to yield him?”
At those words, Jang Neung-ak nodded inwardly in agreement.
Had he not heard that, he would have gone out at once to welcome Mok Gyeong-un with satisfaction.
So after thinking for a moment, Jang Neung-ak asked,
“What do you think is going on?”
To that question, Jeo Mo-pal, one of the Five Sacred Mountains who had come to report Mok Gyeong-un’s arrival, answered,
“If he came here on his own feet, does that not mean he came to swear loyalty to you, my lord? Why are you all reacting like this?”
At those words, Go Yeon-hu said,
“It seems the Great Young Master made contact with Mok Gyeong-un.”
“Pardon? The Great Young Master?”
“Yes. That is why we are concerned.”
“Concerned in what way?”
“Because Mok Gyeong-un may have changed his mind.”
At those words, Jeo Mo-pal’s eyes widened and he raised his voice.
“Changed his mind? My lord favored that bastard, and now you say he changed his mind? If he dares such a thing, then I, Jeo Mo-pal, will break both his legs.”
At that, Jang Neung-ak shook his head and waved his hand.
“Enough. That would be beyond you.”
“Pardon?”
“To face him now, it would take Unit Leader Go or Unit Leader Ho.”
At those words from Jang Neung-ak, Jeo Mo-pal frowned and said in a hurt tone,
“If you mean because of my match with him last time, then I was not going all out then. I was careless because I thought him a mere youngster. This time, properly…”
But before he could finish, Go Yeon-hu, the First Sacred Mountain, cut him off.
“He defeated Wu Ho-rang.”
“What?”
Jeo Mo-pal’s eyes widened.
What in the world was that supposed to mean?
Was this the very Wu Ho-rang he knew?
“You do not mean Wu Ho-rang, Great Unit Leader of the Jue Que Corps, do you?”
“Then who else do you think I mean?”
‘!?’
At that moment Jeo Mo-pal was left dumbstruck.
There had been talk that Mok Gyeong-un’s martial power was higher than expected, but were not the Five Tigers said to be the very summit of the younger generation in combat, excluding only the executives of the Heaven and Earth Society?
And one of those Five Tigers, Wu Ho-rang, had been defeated by Mok Gyeong-un?
“T-that means…”
“It would not be an exaggeration to regard Mok Gyeong-un as a new member of the Five Tigers.”
“Huh!”
Jeo Mo-pal clicked his tongue.
Once Jeo Mo-pal fell silent, Seo Hye-in, the Fourth Sacred Mountain, who was sitting up on the couch with only her upper body raised, carefully spoke.
“Young Master, would it not be best to meet him first?”
“Meet him?”
“Yes. If Mok Gyeong-un had truly changed sides and entered under the Great Young Master, would there be any reason for him to come all the way here again?”
“Hmm.”
At those words, Jang Neung-ak nodded.
That too made sense.
So Jang Neung-ak asked Jeo Mo-pal,
“Did he come alone?”
“Yes. He came alone. It seemed there were no others attached to him.”
“Alone…”
Then it seemed he would have to meet him and judge for himself.
If the man had truly betrayed him and changed his mind toward the Great Young Master, then he had better be prepared.
Of course, if instead he had come to swear loyalty to him, then he would receive treatment fitting for that.
“Prepare the wine.”
“Pardon?”
“Whether it becomes a cup of punishment or a cup of reward will be decided by how he answers.”
* * *
Mok Gyeong-un followed Jeo Mo-pal through the estate.
A strange light entered his eyes.
Certainly, compared to Wi So-yeon’s side, the side of Second Young Master Jang Neung-ak felt more systematized.
Wi So-yeon’s manor had not been particularly large, and its atmosphere had felt more like one of close ties, whereas here the sense of order and hierarchy was firmly established.
The energies he felt here and there were one thing, but there were also many strong experts.
Seeing this, he could roughly estimate how much effort Jang Neung-ak had invested in becoming the Society Leader.
After following for quite a while, Mok Gyeong-un finally spoke.
“I’m starting to get used to the layout of this estate. How much longer do you intend to keep circling me around?”
“…What? You noticed?”
“The estate may be large, but not so large that it should take almost a whole gak to walk in circles, should it?”
At those words, Jeo Mo-pal let out a short laugh.
Then he stopped and said,
“There is no need to be suspicious. It was not done with bad intentions.”
“Is that so?”
“Our lord said he was preparing a banquet for you, so I simply gave you a look around the estate in the meantime.”
“A banquet?”
“Yes.”
“That is rather burdensome.”
“Think of it as no more than a light drinking occasion.”
“Ah. I see.”
“By now the preparations should be nearly complete, so I will guide you to the guest hall.”
“I would appreciate that.”
And so they began walking again.
As they headed toward the guest hall, Jeo Mo-pal said without looking at Mok Gyeong-un,
“Did you really defeat the Jue Que Corps Leader?”
“The Jue Que Corps Leader?”
“Wu Ho-rang, Miss Wi So-yeon’s close aide.”
“Ah, that gentleman.”
“Yes. Did you really defeat him?”
“You seem curious.”
“Of course I would be. I only heard about it. Besides, I am the only one among us who has properly crossed hands with you.”
Back then, Jeo Mo-pal had never considered Mok Gyeong-un above him.
He had merely thought he himself had let down his guard for a moment.
But if Mok Gyeong-un had truly defeated Wu Ho-rang, one of the Five Tigers, then the situation changed completely.
“So now you want to confirm it?”
At those words from Mok Gyeong-un, Jeo Mo-pal stopped in place.
Then he turned around and said,
“Confirm it? Of course I want to confirm it more than anything. But if you truly defeated Wu Ho-rang, then I certainly am no match for you.”
“Then what is the intention behind asking me that?”
Mok Gyeong-un asked with a smile.
Though he was smiling, the atmosphere around him was closer to saying that he had no intention of avoiding a fight brought to him.
At that, a strange light entered Jeo Mo-pal’s eyes.
‘…Then it really is true.’
This was the stronghold of Young Master Jang Neung-ak, unlike the open avenue before.
In a place like this, anyone ought to feel at least somewhat cowed, yet the fact that Mok Gyeong-un displayed such confidence meant his strength truly backed it up.
Having confirmed that, Jeo Mo-pal showed his yellow teeth and said,
“I just got curious.”
“Curious?”
“Yes. About whether you’ll take the now-empty seat of Second Sacred Mountain… or whether you’ll end up taking Great Unit Leader Go’s seat as First Sacred Mountain.”
“Great Unit Leader Go? He is…”
“Go Yeon-hu of the Paegwon Unit, the Eternal Overlord Devil Fist. You’ve heard of him at least.”
Of course he had.
Through the Shadow Sect Master, Mok Gyeong-un had already learned who the chief aides of Second Young Master Jang Neung-ak were.
If Wu Ho-rang was Wi So-yeon’s right hand, then Go Yeon-hu was Jang Neung-ak’s.
And just like Wu Ho-rang, Go Yeon-hu too was one of the Five Tigers.
“The one said to have no equal among the Five Tigers in bare-handed combat.”
“Hostage… no, that isn’t right. Since you’re from the Shadow Sect, it would be stranger if you didn’t know even that. Anyway, I look forward to seeing it.”
With those words Jeo Mo-pal turned around again and resumed walking.
Looking at his back, Mok Gyeong-un let out a short laugh.
Soon they arrived at the garden of the guest hall.
‘Ho?’
The garden, lit on all sides by hexagonal lanterns, was bright, and for something prepared in only a single gak, the feast laid out there was lavish indeed.
Even beautiful maidservants had apparently been summoned and were standing ready to pour wine.
So the rumors that Young Master Jang Neung-ak enjoyed refined pleasures seemed to be true.
‘He was in high spirits.’
Had he prepared a scene like this because he was convinced Mok Gyeong-un had come to swear loyalty?
Yet this place did not contain only Jang Neung-ak and his confidants.
Judging by the fact that all his subordinates at or above the peak realm seemed to have gathered beneath him, the lower seats were filled.
There were about twenty of them.
All of them sat upright before their wine tables and waited silently.
Certainly, compared to Wi So-yeon, both his power base and his organization were on another level.
Then Blue Spirit’s laughter sounded by Mok Gyeong-un’s ear.
-Puhahaha! Human, look over there.
At the upper seat of the drinking party sat Go Chan too, the guard possessed by Ha Chae-rin.
Dressed splendidly, Go Chan was seated beside Ho Jong-hyeok, Great Unit Leader of the Bu Myeol Unit and Third Sacred Mountain of the Five Peaks Assembly, as though he were some sort of wife.
The moment he met Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes, embarrassment apparently hit him and he lowered his head.
-It seems he has adapted quite nicely.
-It would seem so.
Apparently he had been carrying out the order Mok Gyeong-un gave him rather well.
Mok Gyeong-un had wondered whether he would manage because of how awkward it must be, but perhaps the body of a woman actually suited him?
Judging by how Ho Jong-hyeok had his arm wrapped around Go Chan’s waist and could not stop smiling, he certainly seemed to like him a great deal.
Just then Jang Neung-ak, seated in the place of honor, laughed loudly and said,
“Ha ha ha ha ha! So you’ve come?”
To him, Mok Gyeong-un lightly bowed with his hands together.
“Mok Gyeong-un greets the Young Master.”
It was a greeting given with due courtesy.
Yet at that greeting, the eyes of Go Yeon-hu, Great Unit Leader of the Paegwon Unit and First Sacred Mountain, narrowed.
‘…This bastard?’
He had not attached any affiliation before his name.
When greeting a superior, even if they already knew one another, one would usually name one’s affiliation first.
Yet Mok Gyeong-un had not.
For some reason, that bothered Go Yeon-hu.
Then,
“Come closer, up toward the high seat.”
Jang Neung-ak gestured for Mok Gyeong-un to approach.
So Mok Gyeong-un passed by the lower seats beneath the high seat and came nearer.
Once he reached the place before those seated there, Jang Neung-ak raised his hand to signal him to stop.
So Mok Gyeong-un stopped where he stood.
Then Jang Neung-ak curled his lips and opened his mouth.
“This banquet was prepared for you. Does it please you?”
“It is lavish.”
“Yes. If there had been more time, I would have had it prepared until the tables nearly broke under the food.”
“Thank you.”
“No. There is no need to thank me yet.”
“Pardon?”
“The beginning of this banquet will be decided by how you answer.”
The expression Jang Neung-ak had worn while laughing changed into something expressionless.
At once the warm atmosphere sank.
He was showing that depending on his mood, everything here could change.
So Mok Gyeong-un parted his lips.
“My answer?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“You never even had a chance to meet Seo Unit Leader, and yet you came here anyway. That must mean you reached some decision within your heart.”
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and replied,
“Well… I suppose you could say that.”
-Bang!
At that moment Jeo Mo-pal, who had just sat down in the upper seat, slammed his wine cup down and said,
“Mok Gyeong-un. Do you take this place for a joke? Show proper respect to our lord and answer him properly.”
At that, Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head and said,
“I already answered properly.”
“What?”
“Jeo Mo-pal. Be quiet.”
When Jeo Mo-pal raised his voice, Go Yeon-hu, the First Sacred Mountain, restrained him.
At that, Jeo Mo-pal shut his mouth, his face somewhat flushed.
He could tolerate rudeness directed toward himself, but he could not forgive disrespect toward his lord.
Then Jang Neung-ak spoke again.
“If we let useless words drag on, only our mouths will grow tired, so I will ask you plainly. The rest can be heard later if necessary.”
“…”
“Did you come here to swear loyalty to me?”
At Jang Neung-ak’s direct question, all eyes turned to Mok Gyeong-un at once.
Whether this place became a banquet or not would be decided by his answer.
Up until now, Jang Neung-ak had viewed things positively.
After all, once Mok Gyeong-un fought Wu Ho-rang, Wi So-yeon’s right hand, he had effectively fallen out with them.
The only variable was the eldest senior brother.
How this bastard answered would reveal whether or not he had gone over to the eldest senior brother’s side.
Then Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth.
“Before that, there is something I would like to say first.”
“What?”
At those words, Jang Neung-ak’s eyes sharpened.
This bastard had not answered his question.
Worse still, he now said he wished to speak first instead?
So Jang Neung-ak, displeased, let out a snort.
“You’ve grown arrogant.”
“Arrogant?”
“After defeating Wu Ho-rang, one of the Five Tigers, and even meeting with my eldest senior brother, has your nose risen that high?”
“That has nothing to do with it.”
“Nothing to do with it?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing to do with it… Very well. Then I will give you another chance. Answer my question first.”
At that, Mok Gyeong-un scratched his head as if troubled.
Then he said,
“Forgive me, but I think I still need to speak first.”
-Rustle.
At that instant killing intent rose here and there.
The retainers had grown furious at Mok Gyeong-un’s insolence.
Naturally, Jang Neung-ak himself did not look pleased either.
His eyes had gone cold.
Everyone watched Jang Neung-ak’s mood.
If his order fell, the whole place was ready to subdue Mok Gyeong-un at once.
-Slide.
Then Jang Neung-ak poured wine into his cup and shook his head.
Then he tossed the wine down in a single swallow and turned his head toward Go Yeon-hu, Great Unit Leader of the Paegwon Unit and First Sacred Mountain, saying,
“Then this works out nicely. Why don’t we take this chance to teach the newcomer proper order and decide who is fit for the position of First Sacred Mountain?”
-Thud!
“I receive my lord’s command.”
At those words from Jang Neung-ak, Go Yeon-hu, First Sacred Mountain, rose from his seat.
Because he understood exactly what his lord intended.
When Go Yeon-hu rose and descended from the high seat of the pavilion, all eyes turned to him.
‘He’s sending Great Unit Leader Go?’
‘Does he truly regard that bastard as being at the level of the Five Tigers?’
‘Are we about to witness a clash at the level of the Five Tigers?’
Curiosity filled every gaze.
Quite apart from being irritated by Mok Gyeong-un’s disrespect toward their lord, it had been a long time since they had a chance to see the martial power of Go Yeon-hu.
He was Jang Neung-ak’s oldest confidant and right hand.
As Go Yeon-hu approached Mok Gyeong-un, he said,
“You made a mistake. Even now, what do you think of apologizing to my lord and answering his question?”
At that proposal, Mok Gyeong-un said in a troubled tone,
“Ah. I don’t think that will be possible.”
-Woooooo!
The moment he finished speaking, tremendous force burst forth from Go Yeon-hu.
Apparently irritated, Go Yeon-hu glared at Mok Gyeong-un and said,
“Then may I judge it to mean that by avoiding the question of loyalty three times, you came here with some other intention?”
At that question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and answered,
“Since you keep asking, I suppose I have no choice but to answer this one. Yes. That’s right.”
“What?”
-Creak!
Was this bastard mocking their lord and all of them?
At that moment Go Yeon-hu could scarcely believe it.
Then why had the man come here in the first place?
Had he perhaps met the Great Young Master and received some secret order?
Was he trying to play tricks on them?
If so, then he could not be forgiven.
Go Yeon-hu said in a murderous voice,
“Draw your sword at once.”
“My sword?”
“This is the last mercy I will show you. If you do not draw your sword right now, then here, in this very place, you will be unable to do anything and…”
-Crash!
He had not even finished speaking.
At some point Mok Gyeong-un had already seized Go Yeon-hu’s head in one hand and slammed it straight into the floor.
Go Yeon-hu’s head and body, his face now buried in the ground, twitched and trembled.
Looking down at him, Mok Gyeong-un let out a mocking laugh and said,
“Mercy is something you grant to someone beneath you.”