Chapter 239 : Chapter 239
Chapter 239. The Sichuan Tang Clan (1)
The moment Jin Yuseong finished speaking, Nam Geon spoke with a tearful expression.
“B-brother, are you abandoning us?”
Nam Geon was merely the first to speak; all his companions were looking at Jin Yuseong with various expressions.
Even Choyeon, who rarely showed her emotions, had a complicated look on her face.
Jin Yuseong added an explanation.
“I am not abandoning you.”
Jin Yuseong looked at each of them in turn as he continued.
“Nam Geon. Have you already forgotten the greatest reason you were with me?”
“…”
“The enemy of your adoptive mother, the leader of the Steel Sinew Sect, Danmok Hwan, is already dead. At your own hands, no less.”
Jin Yuseong turned his head, this time looking at Dang Sopyeong.
“Did you not also kill the Black Heart Ghost Claw, the enemy of your grandparents?”
“Ha, are you telling us to leave now that our revenge is complete?”
Dang Sopyeong’s tone sharpened, as if he were offended.
“Were we just a group using each other for convenience?”
Jin Yuseong smiled bitterly.
“I am not saying this because I am uncomfortable with your company. You all know that, do you not?”
Jin Yuseong lifted his head slightly and turned it slowly.
As if he were surveying the heavens and the earth.
“As I said before, this land of the Central Plains is far too vast. Even for one who has reached the Heavenly Ladder Realm, a state others claim has transcended humanity, it would take well over a month to travel from one end of the plains to the other.”
And that was if one ran in a straight line without stopping.
“If one were to visit every city and village in the Central Plains, it would be difficult to see them all even after a year of travel.”
Compared to such a vast world, humans were far too small.
In fact, having reached a higher realm, he felt that truth all the more keenly.
“A thought suddenly occurred to me. I wondered if I have been living only for my own enjoyment.”
“What do you mean by that? Your enjoyment?”
Jin Yuseong answered Dang Sopyeong’s question.
“I enjoyed being with all of you.”
“Ah…”
Dang Sopyeong wore an awkward expression.
Some smiled faintly, while others looked at Jin Yuseong with pleading eyes.
If he enjoyed being with them, why did they have to part?
Jin Yuseong answered the unasked question.
“But that is my own selfish desire. I have come to realize that it would be more beneficial for the peace of Murim if we were to scatter.”
“…”
It was a perfectly idealistic logic.
Thus, while one could appeal to emotion, one could not refute it with reason.
Jin Yuseong looked around at his companions and spoke.
“Whether it is your hometown or a place you each wish to live, I want you to settle down somewhere. You can establish a clan or form a sect there.”
He wanted them to settle down and then eliminate the underworld forces, bandits, and demonic leaders in their vicinity.
Each of his companions possessed skills that had few rivals in Murim.
If they were to establish clans or sects, no underworld group could thrive nearby.
Baek Hyang, who had been listening quietly to Jin Yuseong’s wish, asked.
“Then what do you plan to do, Senior Brother? Do you also plan to establish a sect or a clan?”
At her question, Jin Yuseong smiled bitterly.
“How can I abandon the habits of a lifetime? I plan to continue roaming Murim with my disciple here. To find the demonic leaders scattered across the Central Plains.”
“But.”
“So do not worry. As I roam Murim, I plan to periodically visit the clans and sects you have established.”
“Ah…”
Uncharacteristically, Jin Yuseong added with a playful smile.
“Conversely, is it not only by continuing to roam Murim that I can keep visiting the places where you all live?”
In truth, there was another hidden reason for Jin Yuseong’s decision.
He felt that they were all tying each other down.
The main reason that thought had come to him was because of Baek Hyang, Choyeon, Dang Sopyeong, and Nam Geon.
Baek Hyang had a mother, and Choyeon had a younger sister.
But because they were with Jin Yuseong, they were barely able to see them.
Dang Sopyeong had found a partner in Yeo Yun.
Of course, it did not seem to be a definite stage yet.
Nam Geon also seemed to have a high chance of becoming involved with a woman named Gung Seola.
Yet both of them were casting aside their chances to start families and were only following him.
So Jin Yuseong had thought.
Had he not been thinking only of his own enjoyment?
It was the same for Paeng Daecheol and Hwangbo Ak.
All his companions deserved to start families, take in disciples, and form new relationships.
So now, it was time to let them go.
After a moment of watching Jin Yuseong’s gentle but firm expression, Dang Sopyeong let out a sigh.
“Hah. I’m leaving because this is so pathetic and cheap. Even if I establish a clan later, don’t you dare come visit.”
Jin Yuseong could only chuckle at his persistently prickly demeanor.
If he truly did not visit, that man would definitely sulk.
The next person to accept the situation was Paeng Daecheol.
He made a cupped fist salute to Jin Yuseong and said.
“I have learned so much from Great Hero Ghost Sword. I will engrave those teachings deep in my heart.”
“Great Hero Paeng would surely become an excellent clan head or sect leader.”
“…”
At being suddenly called ‘Great Hero,’ Paeng Daecheol looked at Jin Yuseong with a complex expression.
In the meantime, Jin Yuseong took out a book from a bundle and held it out.
It was the only one of the Fighting Venerable's secret martial arts manuals he had not yet given him: the Five Tiger Gate Severing Blade manual.
“Since Young Master Paeng is the one who has properly inherited the Fighting Venerable’s legacy, you should take this as well.”
Paeng Daecheol hesitated for a moment, then received the manual with tears welling in his eyes.
“I will not forget this grace even in death, Great Hero! So please! You must! You must visit the clan I establish.”
“I shall do so. Once you have settled, please leave word through the Murim Alliance or the Beggars’ Sect. Hahaha.”
Jin Yuseong turned his head and also spoke to Dang Sopyeong.
“You too, once you establish a clan, please leave word with the Murim Alliance or the Beggars’ Sect.”
“Hmph. I have no intention of inviting you.”
“I shall visit as an uninvited guest.”
“Really now.”
While Dang Sopyeong snorted, Hwangbo Ak opened his mouth as if disappointed.
“You said traveling in a group was a problem, but frankly, I quite enjoyed it. Where else in Murim could I find such sparring partners?”
Jin Yuseong said to him.
“Fighting is all well and good, but please spare a thought for the pitiful. Was that not why you quit being a bandit?”
He was the only one among the companions that Jin Yuseong was worried about.
He worried he might become a bandit again.
At Jin Yuseong’s point, Hwangbo Ak scratched his head.
“Tsk. Well, I plan to do that. I did not know when I was at the Nine Dragons Fortress, but after roaming all of Murim, I think I understand. Why does Brother Jin live with such thoughts?”
Then he grinned.
“But with this temper of mine, I do not know if I will end up establishing a clan or sect. For now, I plan to just roam Murim, beating up bad guys and looking for sparring partners.”
“If that is your will, then do as you wish.”
Hwangbo Ak nodded and said.
“Since we are parting anyway, there is no need to drag it out. If fate allows, we can meet again and have a physical conversation then.”
With those words, Hwangbo Ak turned around spiritedly.
“Then I will be off to find a new sparring partner!”
Watching his retreating back, Paeng Daecheol shook his head.
“Whew. That crazy bastard.”
But despite his cursing of Hwangbo Ak, the second to leave was Paeng Daecheol.
“If only to repay the grace of Great Hero Ghost Sword, I will try to establish a clan or sect as quickly as possible.”
He made another cupped fist salute and then left.
Paeng Daecheol and Hwangbo Ak.
It was hard to say whether they were rivals or bad friends.
The ones remaining were Dang Sopyeong, Nam Geon, Baek Hyang, and Choyeon.
It seemed that if things continued like this, none of them would leave.
So, Jin Yuseong took a drastic measure.
“You all should also leave word through the Murim Alliance or the Beggars’ Sect once you have settled down. I will come to find you then.”
After a brief farewell, Jin Yuseong turned his head.
“Let us go.”
Jang Gunsil, who had been quietly watching the entire conversation, bowed his head.
“Yes, Master.”
Jin Yuseong forced his feet, which felt heavy with reluctance, to move.
He had to act as if he had no lingering attachments.
Watching Jin Yuseong’s retreating back, Dang Sopyeong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, what a heartless fellow. His mind is filled with nothing but chivalrous deeds.”
At this, Baek Hyang smiled bitterly.
“Perhaps, Senior Brother left because of us.”
“What do you mean by that, Lady Baek?”
“I have a mother, and Junior Sister Choyeon has a younger sister, do we not? I think he may have wanted to let us go for that reason.”
“Putting you two aside, what does that have to do with us?”
At Dang Sopyeong’s question, Baek Hyang simply looked at him silently and intently.
Her eyes seemed to say, ‘You know as well.’
The face of Yeo Yun naturally came to Dang Sopyeong’s mind.
“Ahem.”
As Dang Sopyeong let out a dry cough, Baek Hyang smiled faintly.
“Then shall we also be on our way?”
Her gaze turned to Choyeon.
“Junior Sister Choyeon, I think it would be best for you to visit the Murim Alliance first.”
“Yes, Senior Sister.”
Choyeon’s younger sister was with Sama Hyeon, who had become the leader of the Murim Alliance.
“Just in case, Brother Nam Geon, how about you also go with Junior Sister to the Murim Alliance first?”
“I-I do not want to travel alone yet. I-I like traveling with Yeon!”
Nodding, Baek Hyang then looked at Dang Sopyeong.
“Young Master Dang, should you not go visit the Seomoon Clan?”
“Ahem.”
Dang Sopyeong answered with another dry cough.
“Since the path to the Seomoon Clan overlaps with the path to the Murim Alliance anyway, it might be good for the three of you to travel together.”
“Huh? Hyang, you are not coming with us?”
“Ah! Is Lady Baek thinking of visiting Heavenly Sun Village first?”
Her mother was there.
But Baek Hyang shook her head.
“For now, I am thinking of roaming Murim and looking for a disciple.”
“A disciple? It seems Lady Baek is thinking more of a sect than a clan?”
“Yes, I do not have any particular thoughts of marriage yet.”
“Then do you plan to settle in Heavenly Sun Village after finding a disciple?”
Baek Hyang shook her head.
“After I find a disciple, I am thinking of visiting Mount Hua with my mother.”
“Ah…”
Her Plum Blossom Sword Art was a martial art created after seeing the plum blossoms of Mount Hua.
To complete that art, Mount Hua was a perfect place in many ways.
“Hmm…”
Looking at Baek Hyang, who had already decided on her destination, Dang Sopyeong pondered.
Where should he settle down?
No, in the imagination inside his head, he was not alone.
He was contemplating where to settle down with Yeo Yun.
***
After parting with Baek Hyang, Choyeon, Nam Geon, and Dang Sopyeong headed north.
After traveling together for several days, they arrived near Dongting Lake.
Perhaps because of one last lingering attachment.
Dang Sopyeong deliberately stayed one more day to spend time with them.
And the next morning.
“Then, travel safely.”
Dang Sopyeong bid them farewell and headed for the Seomoon Clan.
A few days later, Dang Sopyeong visited the Seomoon Clan and met with Yeo Yun alone.
“Are there any additional hidden weapons you would like me to make?”
At Yeo Yun’s question, Dang Sopyeong nodded, then shook his head again.
At his strange reaction, Yeo Yun just blinked.
“Ahem. Ah, I do want some additional hidden weapons made, but that is not why I came today.”
“Then what brings you here?”
How should he say this?
He rolled his eyes, bowed his head, and then looked at Yeo Yun again.
He met her gaze as if in a staring contest, then lowered his head as if embarrassed.
After repeating this strange behavior, Dang Sopyeong let out a sigh.
‘This foolish bastard.’
Cursing himself, Dang Sopyeong gathered his wits and lifted his head.
Looking straight at Yeo Yun, Dang Sopyeong spoke.
“Ahem, would you be able to craft the hidden weapons and medical tools I will need for the rest of my life?”
It was his own way of proposing.
At this, Yeo Yun tilted her head.
“Am I not already continuously crafting Young Master Dang’s hidden weapons and needles?”
Realizing his words had been misunderstood, Dang Sopyeong stammered.
“Ahem. Th-that is not what I meant…”
Then, gathering his wits once more, he spoke in a resolute tone.
“I meant that I want to live with Lady Yeo for the rest of my life. Will you be with me?”
She blinked several times.
“Did I not tell you? I am already crafting hidden weapons and needles exclusively for Young Master Dang.”
Yeo Yun’s eyes curved like crescent moons, and the corners of her lips drew an arc.
“Were you perhaps planning to just entrust me with work until now?”
At that playful question, Dang Sopyeong waved his arms frantically with a flustered face.
“O-of course not!! I-I have been th-thinking for a long time that I m-must spend my life with Lady Yeo!”
He was fated to live entirely under her sway.