Chapter 76
“…You?”
Jang Beon-pal’s face contorted in red and blue.
How could one express the bewilderment of this moment?
So-ah’s martial arts were indeed amazing.
Therefore, hadn’t Jang Beon-pal judged So-ah as a talent who would become a ‘peerless invincible one’ of his era and tried to unleash his lifelong study?
So he had even drawn out his innate true ki, which consumed his life, and was about to burn his pride as a martial artist…
But he said, “Yes, I lost”?!
Leaving everything else aside, could a person who was surrendering be so relaxed?
“You said you wouldn’t go back on your word, Senior. You said I had paid the price for my arrogance, and you promised to give me the goods, so please fulfill it. Surely, the great master of the Green Forest Eighteen Fortresses, Senior Jang Beon-pal, wouldn’t break a promise with a junior disciple.”
“Th-That…”
Jang Beon-pal wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.
He could swear that he had never seen such a bold and absurd person as So-ah.
But that bewilderment was only the beginning.
“You guys think so too, right? Do you think a great senior would do such a shameless and despicable act as going back on his word to us? Don’t you?”
So-ah’s question was now directed at the pale-faced students.
But among them, the quick-witted Han Baek opened his mouth with a look of ‘that’s right!’ and added.
“Of course. Surely! Compared to the respected leaders of the Nine Great Sects, whether it’s fame, martial arts, or seniority, there’s nothing that Great Hero Jang lacks. Would he do something that only human trash would do? Hey! Instructor, you’re really going too far with your jokes!”
‘Even you, Han Baek…’
‘Like instructor, like student! Crazy…’
‘This is a mountain beyond a mountain… a mountain beyond a mountain.’
The other students were terrified by Han Baek’s pleasantry.
They had been pale-faced since So-ah had suddenly declared his surrender.
But as if So-ah wasn’t enough, even Han Baek was spouting forced logic, so they couldn’t help but be bewildered.
But as they say, birds of a feather flock together.
It seemed that Han Baek was not the only one among the students who possessed a shamelessness like So-ah’s.
This time, even the unexpected Tang Hwa-rin chimed in to support So-ah’s words.
“Instructor Jin! That’s really absurd.”
“Huh?!”
“Even if Instructor Jin is the strongest rising star of his peers and the chief instructor of the academy, can you be so careless?”
‘What is she saying now? Isn’t she crossing the line?’
Although So-ah was dumbfounded by Tang Hwa-rin’s words, he knew her intentions, so he raised the corners of his mouth and played along.
“What are you talking about, student Tang Hwa-rin?”
“You should doubt what needs to be doubted! Although an unpleasant incident has occurred, leaving aside the distinction between the orthodox and unorthodox paths, isn’t Great Hero Jang a heavenly senior of the Jianghu martial world? Doubting the promise of such a person is a careless act in itself! Apologize quickly, okay?!”
‘She’s worse than me… oh my…’
So-ah almost burst into laughter.
But since he had to take advantage of Han Baek and Tang Hwa-rin’s supporting fire, So-ah put on a serious face and spoke to Jang Beon-pal again.
“Senior Jang. I’m sorry. This junior has misspoken!”
At the same time, he bowed his head and even performed a silent salute.
‘Damn it… I’m caught. I’m completely caught in his trap. Hah…!’
Only then did Jang Beon-pal realize that he had been tricked by So-ah’s scheme.
And then.
“Kekeke… kuhahahaha!”
He burst into a loud laugh.
“Keke! You’ve decided to make a complete fool of this old man, haven’t you? You rascal…”
“Haha… but I believe you will keep your promise, Senior.”
“What a scary brat. Alright. I will keep my promise.”
“A man’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces, Senior.”
So-ah performed a respectful cupped fist salute with a serious face, his smile completely gone.
As if he was pleased with that appearance, Jang Beon-pal also stopped frowning and said softly.
“I will ask you one thing.”
“Yes.”
“Do all the young people of the Orthodox Path these days live with a thick skin on their faces? Keke!”
“Haha. I do hear that I have a thick skin.”
“A brat with a great scheme and wit as much as his martial arts. I wonder how the esteemed God of War ended up taking in a brat like you. Hohoho.”
“Hey! Senior. But my grandfather was worried that my disposition was so soft and gentle that I would be deceived by others.”
At So-ah’s words, not only Jang Beon-pal, but all the people in the room shook their heads with a fed-up look.
Of course, Myo-seon, who knew So-ah’s childhood well, had a different thought.
‘Pfft… that’s right. So-ah was so gentle and kind… how did he become such a stubborn person?’
Suddenly, an old memory came to mind.
The day she became a disciple of the Emei Sect, leaving her grandfather because of the ‘Nine Yin Severed Meridians,’ the image of So-ah crying his heart out, saying he didn’t want to be separated.
Myo-seon, with mixed feelings, looked at So-ah with nostalgic eyes and recalled a simple smile.
***
Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp.
“Kuhahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
‘What on earth…’
‘What is this?’
‘Did those two just fight?!’
All the students and mountain bandits harbored doubts about the scene before them.
The sight of So-ah and Jang Beon-pal pouring alcohol into each other’s cups and exchanging conversation was reminiscent of a loving father and son.
“Keke! This old man was particularly surprised by your Mount Tai Overturn grappling art. I have faced many brawling masters so far, but it was the first time I had seen such an exquisite martial principle.”
“Haha! My grandfather also chose the Mount Tai Overturn as the most difficult to learn among the Ten-Second Invincible Arts. Not only does it require profound internal energy, but it’s a martial art that requires a strong body that can withstand the flow of that internal energy, the endurance of a camel, and extreme reflexes.”
“Seeing you, I can imagine the martial prowess of the esteemed God of War. It is a great regret that I could not experience his martial arts in person. But it was a pleasure to see the Ten-Second Invincible Arts today through you.”
“You’re welcome. It was an honor for me to exchange blows with you, Senior.”
At So-ah’s words, Jang Beon-pal asked with curious eyes.
“Young Brother So-ah.”
“Yes.”
“Who have you fought against so far?”
“Ah. I’ve had quite a few confrontations with people my age, and I’ve also fought a few times with the first-rate disciples of the current Nine Great Sects. Of course, the result was my overwhelming victory.”
“Keke. Of course, it would be. Is there anyone among the young brats who can follow Young Brother So-ah? They wouldn’t even be a match.”
Jang Beon-pal was now calling So-ah by the friendly nickname of Young Brother So-ah.
At that, So-ah, with an excited face, filled his cup and drank it down in one gulp, then opened his mouth.
“That’s not necessarily true, Senior. Do you know the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? I know that older brother a little, and his martial arts are at an unbelievable level. He is a talent who can surely succeed the great master Wi-ji.”
“The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Hoho… the esteemed God of War was also close friends with the great hero Heavenly Demon, and you’re saying that Young Brother So-ah is also friends with his grandson.”
“Yes. Although there are many who talk about my friendship with Brother Chan, I don’t care. Would I sell the information of the Orthodox Path to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Or would I even enter the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? It’s a story I’m not even interested in.”
“Then what is Young Brother So-ah’s dream?”
It was an unexpected question.
Also, it was a question he had never received from anyone.
Therefore, So-ah pondered for a moment and then opened his mouth softly.
“It might be grand if you say so… but in fact, my goal as a martial artist is for the Moyong Family to reign over the world.”
“The Moyong Family to reign over the world…”
“The Moyong family is one of the Five Great Families, so it seems like they would enjoy great power, but in fact, the scale is small, the number of people is small, and it’s a modest family. Compared to large martial arts families like Tang, Zhuge, and Namgung, it’s at a shabby level. Not to mention the Nine Great Sects…”
“Young Brother So-ah…”
“That’s why.”
“…”
“That’s why I dream of the ‘great revival’ of the Moyong Family. If my grandfather dedicated his life to completing his martial arts, I just hope that his descendants will polish those martial arts and be reborn as the number one martial arts family of the era.”
The students were surprised by So-ah’s heavy voice.
It was because they had never seen such a serious side of So-ah before.
“Young Brother So-ah, you will be able to achieve that dream.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
“Ah! I hate being called senior. What have I done for the rising stars of the Orthodox Path to be called senior?”
“Then should I call you Great Hero Jang?”
“That’s too stiff.”
“Then?”
‘Should I call you Bandit Chief?’
Just as he was about to say that inwardly, he barely held it back.
An unbelievable word came out of Jang Beon-pal’s mouth.
“You know what my nickname is, right?”
“Are you talking about the Green Forest Demon Emperor?”
“Not that one.”
“Ah… the number one eccentric in the world?”
“Keke! You know well. So.”
“Yes?!”
“From today, won’t you call me ‘older brother’?”
***
In the Jianghu martial world, where all sorts of fortuitous encounters and strange exploits were rampant, it was a common thing to form a ‘brotherly bond’ that transcended age and seniority.
But if the subjects were the Green Forest Demon Emperor, one of the Ten Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, and a rising star of the Orthodox Path who had just reached the age of majority?
It was a story that anyone would snort at, saying it didn’t make sense.
But such a thing actually happened.
“Wow! This is the first time I’ve formed a sworn brotherhood. I’m so, so happy to have a real ‘older brother’!”
“Keke! Younger Brother. I’m also in a good mood. How can I not be happy to have a younger brother who will become a ‘peerless invincible one’ of his era?”
“Please receive it. This younger brother will offer you a drink.”
“Alright. Younger Brother, you receive one too!”
Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp.
The alcohol goes in.
It goes in smoothly.
The two drank their cups like crazy.
‘Should I stop this?’
Moyong Hwa was in a dilemma.
Although she had known that her senior brother’s behavior was not just unique but at a bizarre level, the current situation was so absurd that she wondered if it was okay.
The great disciple of the Five Great Families had formed a sworn brotherhood with one of the Ten Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path.
And not just any Unorthodox Path figure, but the general leader of the ‘bandit group’ that boasted the longest history, the Green Forest Eighteen Fortresses.
But she soon shook her head and gave up on stopping them.
Seeing the elated appearances of the two eccentrics, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
Also, it wasn’t something she could just blame.
Hadn’t her own grandfather, Moyong Cheon, been close friends with the cult leader of the evil cult since his youth?
‘Grandfather, and Senior Brother… this family is going well, so well.’
It was a moment when she was already looking forward to what the family head, Moyong Baek, would say when he found out.
“Su-ya.”
“Yes, Older Sister?”
“That brat is having a drinking party, so we can’t just sit still, right?”
“Older Sister…”
“Hey, you mountain bandit uncles. What are you doing? Aren’t we guests too? Don’t just stand there blankly, bring another table of drinks, okay?!”
Moyong Hwa’s gaze turned venomous.
Jang Beon-pal, who had noticed it, tilted his head and asked So-ah.
“What’s wrong with that child?”
“Ah! Brother, don’t worry about it. She’s a younger sister from my family. She has a bit of a temper.”
“Keke! Then she must be a descendant of the esteemed God of War.”
“She’s his biological granddaughter.”
“Hah… the granddaughter of the esteemed God of War.”
Jang Beon-pal stroked his beard with his pot-lid-sized hand.
And then.
“Prepare a table of drinks for those children as well.”
At those words, the mountain bandits, with tearful faces, began to move quickly.
A little later…
A table of drinks filled with delicacies was set up in front of the students, and they, whose tension had been broken as if nothing had happened, also began to chatter among themselves, filling each other’s cups.
“Drink!”
“Alright, let’s drink!”
“They say even a ghost who died after eating looks good, so we have to eat a lot, right?”
Chomp, chomp.
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
The empty plates and liquor bottles.
An unexpected banquet was held at the infamous Wuzheng Mountain Twin Dragon Fortress, and the night deepened like that.
In the midst of this.
“Hic… hic…”
Han Baek, who seemed to be quite drunk, hiccuped and then suddenly fixed his gaze on the excited So-ah.
And then.
“Hey! Jin So-ah!”
He started to act drunk.
“What? Jin So-ah?!”
“You ba… hic… always… belittle me… and despise me… and look down on me… hey, you! Be careful! You’ll get your head broken one of these days, you know? Hic…”
For a moment.
“Grab him!”
“Grab Senior Brother!”
“Stop the instructor!”
All the students rushed forward and grabbed So-ah’s whole body.
“Let go! Won’t you let go? What? What about my head? Damn it, that brat is crossing the line when he’s drunk.”
It turned out that Han Baek became a dog when he was drunk.
(End of Chapter)