Chapter 599: Side Story 99

Chapter side_99

The newly built Namgung Family has several annexes.

The annex where only the most important guests could stay. Jeok Mu-seong, who stayed there, sat in front of the bed with an appearance that was noticeably better than when he escaped Shanxi.

Beside him, Gwon Mu-jin was always guarding his side, perhaps to tend to him, and that appearance of not leaving his side even for a moment seemed to have a meaning beyond mere attendance.

Jeok Mu-seong quietly stared at Gwon Mu-jin’s figure and let out a sigh.

“Is it not laughable? The appearance of this Jeok Mu-seong.”

“No, it is not. You are still like the heavens to me.”

“Hahaha! You talk well, kid.”

Jeok Mu-seong smiled, perhaps because he didn’t feel bad hearing it. It was the same as the smooth talk of the bastards he had seen in the Martial Sovereign Castle, but the feeling it conveyed was completely different.

There was no ulterior motive.

Gwon Mu-jin seemed to hold only awe and respect for the person named Jeok Mu-seong.

“Now there is no Martial Sovereign Castle… What do you think?”

“…I do not think of anything.”

Seeing him speak so boldly, Jeok Mu-seong smiled bitterly. Although Gwon Mu-jin was showing respect by tending to him like this, the fact that his master was Dan Woo-hyun did not change.

Thus, Gwon Mu-jin could not think of other things.

Because he himself had decided so.

But it was not the same for Jeok Mu-seong’s position.

The collapse of the Martial Sovereign Castle was synonymous with a period of great chaos visiting the unorthodox faction. Neither the orthodox path nor the demonic path would leave the unorthodox faction alone as it staggered, having lost its head.

In the end, there was also a possibility that the unorthodox faction itself would be absorbed by one of the two.

In particular, Zhuge Un would not miss such an opportunity.

Since Jeok Mu-seong was gone, the Martial Sovereign Castle had collapsed, and the absolute masters who had led the unorthodox faction in the meantime had been annihilated, there would be no better opportunity than this.

“You… do it.”

“…?!”

“Succeeding me, you… become the lord of the unorthodox faction.”

It was by no means a hastily thought-out idea.

He was a guy who rose to his position purely through blood-sweating effort. Furthermore, just seeing that Dan Woo-hyun spared his life and kept him alive meant that Gwon Mu-jin was a talent with a bright future and capable of leading people.

As a result of watching him for a long time, Jeok Mu-seong had intended to call Gwon Mu-jin back and have him succeed the Martial Sovereign Castle, even if this incident had not occurred.

“E-Elder… w-what does that mean…”

“Or do you plan to watch the unorthodox faction collapse with your eyes wide open?”

“…”

“It is during times of chaos that a hero is bound to appear. You… become that hero and raise the unorthodox faction.”

Gwon Mu-jin was silent.

Actually, in the past, he did have a desire to return to the unorthodox faction. In particular, when Jeok Mu-seong set out from the Hunan Dan Family, saying he would return to the Martial Sovereign Castle, Gwon Mu-jin also wanted to follow him.

Because the Martial Sovereign Castle was like his hometown.

But his life now was not bad either.

Although it was nothing more than cleaning up after a child and doing some escort work occasionally, it was also true that his mind had become more at ease than before at the thought that he could live without killing.

But to return there again?

“Do you not think so too, Family Head?”

At that moment, Jeok Mu-seong looked toward the room door and spoke.

Instantly, Gwon Mu-jin open his eyes wide and hurriedly turned around. Soon the door opened with a creak, and Dan Woo-hyun with a calm expression revealed himself.

“If you wish to go, I have no intention of stopping you.”

“Haha… there are many people guarding your side. It wouldn’t matter if it isn’t Mu-jin. That is how I judged.”

It was impossible to refute.

No, he did not even think of refuting.

Because he knew Jeok Mu-seong’s words were by no means wrong.

Just because Gwon Mu-jin was missing did not mean they could not guard Dan So-mi’s side. That child always had White Tiger and White Cat, and in his own way, Jang Sam-tae also possessed formidable skills, after all.

Moreover, since people like Namgung Cheon, Sado Hak, and Bi Cheon-ung would easily last for more than ten years to come, Gwon Mu-jin’s empty space would not be prominent.

It was just… a little bitter.

“It will become a little lonely in the future.”

“M-Master?! I am still…”

“If there is a path you must walk, try walking it.”

“…!”

“If you get tired while walking, you may return.”

He believed that people have their own paths.

It was so for Dan Woo-hyun, and the same was true for Namgung Cheon and Sado Hak. The path Gwon Mu-jin was trying to walk now might also be an important path through which he could achieve what he most wished and desired.

The main reason was that he did not want to block something that might be important in his life just because he felt bitter.

“Visit occasionally.”

“…Yes.”

Gwon Mu-jin dropped his head, unable to raise his face. The drops falling to the floor were likely due to his gratitude toward Dan Woo-hyun, who was understanding his heart.

Also, the single word he spat out because of that became a decisive opportunity to change his life.

Jeok Mu-seong showed a faint smile.

“Call me Master starting today. And for the next few years… I will directly guide you.”

“…?!”

Looking at the expression of the surprised one, Jeok Mu-seong wore a satisfied expression. It was like looking at a child full of mischief, but his eyes were more serious than ever.

“Let us go to a deep mountain.”

“Are you talking about right now?”

“Yes, shouldn’t you be handed down all of my things a day sooner?”

Since his aged body was also returning to normal to some extent, and Dan Woo-hyun had even unblocked his blocked blood points, there was nothing strange about it.

It was because every single hour of the day was precious from Jeok Mu-seong’s perspective.

“An old guy has such a hasty temper. Were you planning to leave without even telling us?”

“Hahaha. How disappointing.”

At that moment, the room door opened again, and Namgung Cheon and Sado Hak entered. As if they had already anticipated that such a thing would happen, they were not surprised in the least and just accepted the situation calmly.

Because if they were in the same situation as Jeok Mu-seong, they would have surely had the same thoughts.

Jeok Mu-seong smiled as he looked at his friends’ faces.

It was indeed an bond so long it was almost dreadful.

But because they were there, Jeok Mu-seong could stand up once again.

“Do not go to the Dan Family and die; hold on for a bit. Once I teach this fellow tenaciously, I will drink wine with you guys and live in leisure.”

“Hmph! You had better not die either.”

“Haha. Do not forget that you look the oldest.”

Dan Woo-hyun looked at the three of them with a calm expression.

Gazes in which their mutual trust was clearly felt. It was like the way those who were the Three Heavens in the past had looked at each other.

It could not but be a moment when memories of the past came to mind.

Thus, he laughed without realizing it.

Isn’t bond a truly interesting thing?

He did not know why he did not realize such a thing back then.

* * *

“Are… are you really leaving this quickly?”

Namgung Yong tried hard not to show it and corrected his expression, but he was not very pleased that they were trying to leave after staying for only two days.

But he knew it was impossible in the first place to hold back none other than Dan Woo-hyun, and since his father Namgung Cheon had also already packed his bags to leave, it remained an unstoppable situation.

He only wished they would stay just one more day.

“Y-What about you? Do you not want to stay a little longer?”

Hurriedly turning his head, Namgung Yong looked at So-hye.

Because he thought that if only So-hye agreed in this situation, he could somehow hold them back for even one more day.

But she shrugged her shoulders.

“If I say I will stay one more day, Young Master Dan will tell me to come later and leave first. Right?”

“You know well.”

“And of course Grandfather will follow Young Master Dan…”

“Hahaha. Have you already read even that much?”

Namgung So-hye nodded as if it were obvious.

It was an answer that seemed to come out even without thinking deeply.

Moreover, if that happened, she would have to move alone without even a companion when returning to the Hunan Dan Family later, so Namgung Yong’s proposal was not very appealing.

“So I packed my bags first too.”

Smiling brightly, Namgung So-hye lifted her bundle.

It was a different feeling from the bundle she usually carried. The volume had increased a lot and the weight also seemed considerable, looking as if she had packed everything necessary as if she had no intention of returning to Anhui for the time being.

“B… But there are still many things to pack for you and… I haven’t even treated you to much delicious food…”

“Haha. Do we look like people who would go around starving?”

“Mmm…”

Namgung Yong could not help but swallow a groan.

Since it was none other than Dan Woo-hyun, and beside him were Namgung Cheon, Sado Hak, and Jeok Mu-seong. Since it was unimaginable that they would go around unable to eat, he felt anew that no matter what words he spoke, he could not hold them back.

In the end, he let out a long sigh.

“I understand. Then… instead, since it will be a long journey, I will bring some of this and that.”

“Hahaha. Do as you wish.”

Looking at the back of Namgung Yong running away in a hurry, Namgung Cheon knew he could not refuse any longer. He wanted to take care of his father even in this way, so he could not refuse even this, could he?

“He is a good son.”

“Are you envious? Haha. Then why don’t you have one more? Since a pretty bride is by your side…”

“Grandfather!”

“Hahaha. I did not say it was you.”

Instantly, Namgung So-hye glared, her face turning bright red. How chilly her gaze was, like a honed blade, that Namgung Cheon, who had been laughing, barely managed to turn his eyes away.

If he went any further, it felt like she would hit him.

“Then let us start moving slowly.”

“Yes. Sigh… thinking about going back feels so far away.”

It was the end of a long journey.

From Anhui to Hunan.

Although it would be a journey that was not short, considering the paths they had traveled so far, it would not be an exaggeration to say that not much was left.

“It was long if long… and short if short. There were various incidents as well, haha.”

Namgung Cheon smiled, thinking of the past days for a moment.

From the very moment they left Hunan until now.

Although anticipated, it was a more interesting journey than expected. He didn’t know about others, but for Namgung Cheon and Sado Hak, touring the Central Plains was something that could perhaps be the last in their lives, so they could not help but find it even more special.

Although it was not smooth, it was fun.

They had stretched their wings and enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content in Murim after a long time.

That alone was a journey satisfying enough.

Now, shouldn’t they enjoy that end even more?

Did he feel that heart?

Dan Woo-hyun opened his mouth.

“It would also be good to go to Jiangxi and see Poyang Lake.”

“Hahaha! That is good! They say it is as beautiful as Dongting Lake.”

“Great! Let’s drink a cup of wine while boating! Uhaha!”

They were already two old men full of expectation.

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi