Chapter 101
“Brother! How on earth did you get here?”
So-ah still looked as if he couldn’t believe it.
Just when he was feeling fond of his sworn brother.
Although he was a sworn brother he had acquired by chance as an orphan, his existence was only a joy.
Of course, anyone other than So-ah would consider it an honor to have a supreme master like Jang Beon-pal as a sworn brother.
“Keke! Is there a reason? It’s just because I was curious about my younger brother.”
“Brother…”
“The people of the world may curse me as a madman for becoming sworn brothers with a young man, but I’ve never cared about the world’s evaluation. How about you, younger brother? Are you displeased to have become brothers with this old man?”
So-ah smiled and shook his head.
“Of course not! I’ve always respected you, Brother. Haha.”
So-ah himself had a strange thought.
He had only met Jang Beon-pal once, and even then, they had fought a fierce battle.
But Jang Beon-pal’s boldness and unexpectedness in extending his hand without being bound by age, seniority, or status. In addition, seeing his unpretentious simplicity, So-ah was projecting the image of the Heavenly Demon, who had been the number one eccentric in the world.
‘That’s right. His build, his behavior, and even his thought process are so similar to Grandpa Wi-ji. Is that why I unknowingly came to follow him as my brother?’
As that thought came to him, the faint face of Wi-ji Cheon was drawn in his mind.
‘Grandpa Wi-ji not only gave me a small revival pill, but also a map of the Ghost Valley Mountain Manor. Why was he so good to me?’
The more he thought about it, the more questionable Wi-ji Cheon’s kindness was.
It was when the inexplicable bond of fate was moistening So-ah’s heart.
“Younger Brother. Actually, the reason I came to the Moyong Family is as follows.”
“Yes, Brother. Please speak comfortably.”
“I heard that a new leader of the Martial Alliance will be elected. And that a hero tournament will be held, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I want to accompany you to the Martial Alliance.”
“Yes?!”
So-ah asked with surprised eyes.
Of course, it wasn’t that the Unorthodox Martial World was in complete opposition to the Orthodox Martial World.
In fact, there was a precedent where numerous people from the Unorthodox Path had visited the Martial Alliance under the banner of promoting harmony in the Jianghu on the day of the 60th birthday party of the former Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang.
Moreover, a force that was so widely distributed that the distinction was meaningless.
For example, Jang Beon-pal’s Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest, or the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance led by his younger brother, Jang Beon-ha, and the Hao Mun, the largest information organization in the Jianghu, were inevitably intertwined with martial artists, regardless of whether they were from the Unorthodox or Orthodox Path.
Nevertheless, So-ah couldn’t help but be surprised.
Because Jang Beon-pal was a person who disliked complicated things and had a personality that was hard to predict.
It was an unexpected thought that Jang Beon-pal would participate in the Hero Tournament, which was nothing more than a formal ceremony.
But.
“Are you surprised, Younger Brother?”
“A little. I thought you would dislike such events, Brother.”
“Of course, I have no interest in such events. What curiosity would I have in an event to elect the leader of the tiger-faced Orthodox Path bastards, kekeke!”
‘Tiger-faced is a bit… I’m also from the Orthodox Path, Brother!’
The unexpected sharp words of his sworn brother were painful, but So-ah just chuckled.
“Then, do you have some other business?”
“Younger Brother.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
In an instant, Jang Beon-pal’s voice sank low.
So-ah, who didn’t know the reason, perked up his ears to listen to his words.
***
“Really? Brother?”
“That’s right.”
Jang Beon-pal continued to speak for about a shichen.
But in that short time, So-ah had to be surprised once again.
His words were as follows.
—Do you know how many mountain bandits are scattered throughout the world? People think that the information power of the Beggars’ Sect or the Hao Mun ruffians is the best, but in fact, there is no place that can analyze the trend of the Unorthodox Path as quickly as the Green Forest.
—I recently realized that the Unorthodox Martial World is facing a great transformation.
Starting with the Black Water Sect, a gangster group in Guizhou, small and medium-sized groups are being absorbed one by one by some force.
—Surprisingly, the identity of that force is a new religious group.
They are called the ‘White Lotus Cult’ or the ‘White Lotus Blood Cult.’
—But these guys are not ordinary. No matter how much I investigate, I can’t find out their roots and origins, and it is said that they have masters who can shake the world.
—Although I am just an eccentric bumpkin of the Jianghu, I sensed that the emergence of these guys was by no means a coincidence.
—If my thoughts are correct, they will surely show up at this Martial Alliance Hero Tournament. There is a high probability that they will not miss the opportunity when there is no Alliance Leader.
—Therefore, I, your older brother, came to Liaoning with the plan to visit the Martial Alliance with you, my younger brother, on this occasion.
It was a moment that certainly raised his vigilance.
But So-ah paid more attention to the unexpectedness of his sworn brother.
‘Ah! My brother is a much deeper person than I thought!’
So-ah had thought that Jang Beon-pal was a simple, ignorant, and radical person.
But listening to his words carefully, he was a person with a meticulous and quick mind, far from simple.
Not only did he have the insight to see through the reality and substance of an event that was not clearly revealed, but he also had an excellent intuition.
Although Jang Beon-pal was rough and eccentric, he was a person with the wisdom to discern the situation of the times.
‘Well. You can tell just by looking at Zhang Fei in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Just because he’s radical doesn’t mean he’s ignorant. If my brother had become a general, he would have been a great general among great generals.’
As he had that thought, So-ah spoke with a serious voice.
“Hmm… it’s certainly not an ordinary matter. I have a hunch about something.”
“A hunch?”
“Yes. It was when I was fifteen. At that time, I ran into the Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong.”
“Ah! I’ve heard about it. To think that you survived a bloody battle with such a ruthless human at a young age. It was the help of heaven.”
“Yes. Heaven really did help. But at that time, No Yeong-myeong slipped out of Liaoning and has not shown himself since his whereabouts became unknown. Seeing that he tried to kill me, it’s clear that he’s hiding some dark secret.”
“Hmm… Younger Brother, you think this matter is related to No Yeong-myeong?”
“That’s my reasoning.”
“That makes sense. Anyway, if it’s related to that person, we can’t let our guard down.”
“If he shows up again, he’ll definitely try to kill me, right?”
“Hmph! An old man who should have been a corpse long ago dares to touch my younger brother! It will never happen.”
“Haha. I’m not worried either. If we meet again, I’ll twist that old man’s neck.”
“Keke. As expected, you’re my younger brother.”
“Hahaha!”
Although it sounded like a joke, for So-ah, it was not a joke.
So-ah had recently been meditating, replaying his duel with No Yeong-myeong.
The Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong, who had given him his first defeat in his life.
So-ah considered him an opponent he must defeat someday.
“By the way, Younger Brother. Is there any news about this in the Orthodox Path? The Martial Alliance’s chief military strategist, Je-gal Hyeok, should have obtained some information.”
“I’ve been busy with family matters lately, so I’ve been turning a blind eye to world affairs, but since the matter is serious, the Alliance or the Chief Elder must have obtained information and made preparations.”
“Chief Elder? By any chance, Younger Brother, are you calling the Beggar King, Chief Hong, that?”
“Yes.”
“Kekeke! The more I know you, the more I find you a strange person. You call the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon ‘Grandma Hong-ryeon’ and the Beggar King ‘Chief Elder’! You’re probably the only one with such strange connections.”
“Hey! I’m the one who has the Ten Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, the Green Forest Demon Emperor, Jang Beon-pal, as my sworn brother, aren’t I? That’s nothing.”
So-ah, as if he found his own words amusing, had a bright smile on his face.
That was certainly true.
Who in the world could form connections like So-ah?
Although he was an orphan with no parents or siblings, in a way, he had received a double blessing from heaven…
“Kuhahaha! Good. Then let’s run all night with this older brother.”
“My drinking capacity has increased. You’ll have to be prepared, Brother.”
“Good!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Yes? Where?”
“As you can see, our family is in a complicated state with construction, expansion, and repairs. Moreover, since most of the adults, including the family head, are away, I will take you to a special place with a killer view today, Brother.”
So-ah intended to take his sworn brother, who was a guest of honor, to Cheong-a-ru, which was run by Yuk Jeong-ran, and give him the best treatment.
“Hahaha! Let’s do that, Younger Brother.”
***
“Hahaha!”
“Hohohot!”
“Kuhahahat!”
The loud laughter of the three filled the VIP room on the third floor of Cheong-a-ru.
Yuk Jeong-ran, who had been introduced to Jang Beon-pal by So-ah, was at first dumbfounded.
Even if she had no knowledge of the history of the Jianghu martial world, there was no way she wouldn’t know the name Jang Beon-pal.
Moreover, Jang Beon-pal’s build was enough to make a person startled.
Yuk Jeong-ran, who had seen countless people as a businesswoman, couldn’t help but be startled by Jang Beon-pal’s build, which was not enough to be called an eight-foot demon.
If she hadn’t had the courage comparable to that of a great man, her body would have trembled…
But she soon treated Jang Beon-pal in a friendly manner.
She liked his straightforward personality, and above all, his simplicity.
Because famous people in the martial world usually had their noses in the air, and it was common for them to look down on merchants, but she couldn’t feel any such sign from Jang Beon-pal.
‘That’s right. Since he’s an extraordinary person, he must have become sworn brothers with our Young Master Jin.’
Before long, the three were tilting their cups cheerfully like old friends, regardless of age, status, or origin.
In the midst of that.
“Young Master Jin. I’ve found the workers to mine the snow ice stones. First, I’ll dispatch them and select a company to process the raw stones, and then I’ll decide on the future replenishment format. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I’ve entrusted that matter to you, Young Lady Yuk, so you don’t need to get my approval separately.”
“Hoho. This makes me feel like I’m a member of the Moyong Family.”
“Aren’t we already one family? The Chief Steward and my uncle also consider you a family member, Young Lady Yuk.”
“Then am I also a martial artist?”
“Of course?”
“Then teach me some martial arts.”
“Yes? Wow! You were aiming for that.”
“Hohohot. Isn’t it a fair exchange?”
“There’s a good way, Young Lady Yuk.”
“What is it?”
“You can apply as an external disciple of the Moyong Family!”
“I’ll pass. I don’t want to be tormented under a demon instructor.”
“Ah! She’s not falling for it.”
Trivial jokes and golden chalice wine.
And the three people with happy hearts.
Before long, the night sky of Liaoning was ripening.
***
The next day.
“Hohohot! It’s said that the day you go is the day of the market, but I didn’t know there would be such an event on the day I came, Younger Brother.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Brother! Anyway, please watch carefully, Brother. To see if there are any useful people.”
“I will do so.”
Coincidentally, today was the day when the people selected in the first round of the Moyong Family’s external disciple recruitment were summoned for the final screening.
Although the atmosphere was still chaotic due to the construction problem, since it was a big event, So-ah woke up at dawn, dressed in his finest clothes, and greeted the applicants.
“Now! Nice to meet you all. I know that your character, determination, and resolve were all judged in the first screening, so today we will start the practical test.”
At So-ah’s words, the 30 applicants swallowed and answered in unison.
“Yes!”
Their eyes held a determined will.
But.
“First. From now on, you will follow me and enter the mountain.”
“…”
At So-ah’s words, the applicants had bewildered expressions.
They had expected to show off their basic martial arts, but a sudden mountain climb.
But So-ah did not care at all and spoke again.
With the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
“For those who have had a big breakfast, I recommend you vomit once.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Because you’ll probably vomit it all out. It’s a bit much to vomit during the evaluation, right? Hahaha.”
(End of Chapter)