Chapter 141 Moorim (4)
A future family member? Brother-in-law? Yoon-seok instinctively stepped back. He was confused as to specifically what, but something went wrong. It was best to avoid everything at a time like this.
“Stayed together? I think there’s a misunderstanding. I have something urgent to do, so I’ll get going….”
“Misunderstanding? I don’t know what misunderstanding is when a grown man and woman live together for several days. But wait a minute. If there’s a misunderstanding, shouldn’t we hurry up and resolve it?”
When Yoon-seok was about to run away with all his might, the old man gently grabbed his arm.
“I ordered them to empty the other building. Why don’t we go there and talk calmly?”
“Do I have to go there…?”
“I promise in my name to not hurt you no matter what.”
“No, it has nothing to do with that…”
“Isn’t this your first time in Moorim? Even if it’s not about So-so, I’m sure I’ll be able to help you a lot.”
Was this what it felt like to be a young salaryman pushed around by their older coworkers? But as they talked along the way, he decided it wasn’t a bad idea to hear him out. Was that why? Yoon-seok paused as he was about to take off, and when he came back to his senses, he was following the old man into the manor.
‘Since this has happened, let’s just think of it as broadening my experience.’
Located in the middle of the forest, the Namgoong Family’s manor was surrounded by a high fence like the Great Wall of China, set as wide apart as a few soccer fields. However, peculiarly, there were few people compared to their available space.
“There are fewer people than I expected.”
“It just so happened because they were dragged to the Moorim Alliance in case a war breaks out. Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve had a guest. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“What happened to Namgoong So-so? I heard she was kidnapped.”
“…Now that we’ve arrived, why don’t we go inside and talk about it?”
Was it his imagination that he looked to be in a hurry to change the subject? He didn’t know, but they soon arrived at their destination.
“Jin-jin, you go back now.”
“But… I understand.”
The manor was a four-story pavilion, and when he headed to the top floor, he saw a table was already set up. He wondered when all of this was prepared.
“What do you think? Isn’t it nice?”
A wind wafted in from the open window, and the view was spectacular, but it was a little too much for a simple conversation.
“Can you drink?”
“No, I can’t.”
Yoon-seok answered the old man’s question so immediately that it was embarrassing. The challenger who reached the 20th floor couldn’t drink? It didn’t make sense, but if he drank in a place like this, it felt like he would look like a young man who came to greet his wife’s family.
“What? It’s not fun. Then, let’s have a cup of tea together. It’s a precious tea from the South.”
Yoon-seok and the old man sipped at their tea. It had a pungent and bitter flavor. Still, the scent was deep and fresh, so he thought a spoon of honey would suit his taste, but Yoon-seok focused on the Elder before him rather than tea. This wasn’t someone who he could let his guard down around.
“Come to think of it; I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Choi Yoon-seok.”
“I have the name Ho. Although I have the position of Elder in the family, you can comfortably refer to me as grandfather-in-law.”
“There seems to be a misunderstanding at that part, so I’ll just call you elder.”
“…I know.”
Namgoong Ho nodded, smacking his lips as if the tea didn’t suit his taste. But Yoon-seok saw the man’s eyes were fixed on him, not the tea.
“What happened to Namgoong So-so?”
“To the outside world, it is known that she has been kidnapped, but the truth is she’s dying from a terrible curse. Because of that, she can’t even go back to the Tower.”
“Is there a reason why her sister wasn’t told?”
“I believe the incident was done by an insider, and Jin-jin makes a lot of mistakes considering how straightforward she is.”
“So you’re marrying off a dying woman?”
“Well, in that case, isn’t Jin-jin here, too? Maybe because they are twins, they have similar personalities too. Hoho.”
Namgoong Ho smiled and responded jokingly, but Yoon-seok noticed his words were mixed with some sincerity.
‘So the staying together part was an excuse after all?’
Now he knew what the other person’s intention was. However, to have the upper hand, it was necessary to understand the person even more.
“Elder, I want to ask you a question. How did you know about me?”
It was a question he was curious about from before. Of course, Namgoong So-so knew his name and that he came from Earth. He received the Magic Scarf from Cheon-ma and became the Co-Sect Leader after she left a letter stating she returned to Moorim.
“I found out later that the character So-so mentioned and the newly appeared Co-Sect Leader were the same people.”
“Is there a spy?”
“We’re enemies. Isn’t it normal to have one? If you want, I can tell you who that person is.”
“No. It’s fine.”
Yoon-seok didn’t ask about the spy’s identity or why he would want to tell him that. If he did, he thought the reply would be, ‘Because you’re family.’ He couldn’t let himself be caught up in their problems.
“Then, I want to ask you a question now. Will it be okay?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you come to Moorim?”
His voice and expression remained calm, but his spirit had changed. Even though they were facing each other with their teacups, it looked like he was holding a sword.
“Why do you ask?”
“…I already know that you’re just the Co-Sect Leader in disguise. I’m not underestimating you; I’m saying you’re from a different world. You don’t know our doctrines and have no loyalty or sense of responsibility. If it was me you’ve met instead of Cheon-ma, you might’ve become one of ours.”
What was he trying to say? Yoon-seok listened to Namgoong Ho while staying on guard.
“Anyway, from here on out, it’s just my guess, so if there’s anything wrong, please tell me. You were taught simply because a master was willing to do so. Is that right?”
Yes, he had to do whatever he could. To survive.
“You are grateful to Cheon-ma who taught you, but you want to avoid risking your life to pay her back or suffer damage in connection with Moorim. Is that right?”
Bull’s eye. He respected her as a swordsman, but that was all. If it had been more than that, he would have come to Moorim when he heard from Elle that she was in danger. When Yoon-seok nodded, Namgoong Ho smiled as if he were pleased.
“Just as I suspected, but that’s a relief. As expected, you’re not a demon. I’m sure you’re here for personal reasons. I heard from So-so that you tend to be obsessed with power. Maybe that’s why.”
Almost all of Namgoong Ho’s guesses were correct. However…
“Elder, you’re wrong about one thing.”
“…?”
“It’s true that I came to Moorim due to personal reasons. In addition, I don’t think of myself as the Co-Sect Leader. But…”
Breaking down what needs to be broken without calling yourself justice. Walking to the end of one’s path.
“I’m a demon.”
Something that was neither good nor evil; that was Yoon-seok. Therefore, so he could say it without formality.
“I’m not interested in the relationship between factions. So if you keep trying to use me in that way, I’ll kill you first.”
This would be a clear enough expression of his opinion.
A heavy silence followed for a while. Namgoong Ho, sitting stiffly, quickly regained his original expression.
“Seeing how you hold no grudge, you’re a demon.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Let’s pretend we never talked about So-so. As I grew older, I made mistakes because I got greedy. I’m sorry.”
“Of course.”
When Namgoong Ho apologized candidly, Yoon-seok also eased up.
“Since we’re already here, why don’t we have a chat? I think you have a lot of questions about this place. I’ll answer everything to make up for my mistake.”
“Thank you.”
Since then, Yoon-seok listened to Namgoong Ho talk about Moorim. From geography, power, the state, and the changing situation after the Tower appeared to the origin of Moorim that no one on Earth knew, including the Sword Demon.
“Do you know that our ancestors are from Earth?”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s exactly what I said. It is said that the ancient Moorim was an empty, desolate land. All of our ancestors came here from a distant Earth.”
“But isn’t the dimension different?”
“Even I don’t know how our ancestors left and arrived here. But the writing, language, clothing, and martial arts used here, it is clear that all of them originated from Earth.”
“Is that confirmed? There is no such thing as martial arts like these in our world.”
Namgoong Ho laughed.
“Probably so. It is said that the first martial arts were nothing more than the Life-elongation Method.”
Accept nature through one’s breathing and send out toxins accumulated in the body. It was the first technique created.
“I heard that it appears Earth as a whole is without enough energy. That’s probably why, seeing how they were able to develop here, but not on Earth.”
It still felt like something from a novel, but it made sense. Didn’t Yoon-seok come from Earth to Moorim through the Tower?
‘If I tell Ashton about this later, he’ll find out on his own.’
Soon after received what he wanted, Yoon-seok decided to move on to the most important part. The only reason that prompted Yoon-seok into heading to Moorim.
“Do you happen to know where Cheonma-dong is?”
Since it was a sensitive topic, Yoon-seok spoke slowly. Namgoong Ho was surprised to hear the name, but he soon nodded.
“So that was your reason.”
“Yes.”
Yoon-seok admitted it without hiding.
“But why are you asking the Namgoong family instead of the Demon Cult?”
“I don’t want to tell them I’m here. And I heard that the location was revealed throughout the continent.”
“That’s true. Anyway, you wanted to avoid trouble, right?”
If he had to put it that way, then yes. It was burdensome to receive help from the Demon Cult, and if possible, he would like to focus only on training in Cheonmadong for his remaining month. But…
“Unfortunately, it will be hard to do as you wish. This is embarrassing, but spies are also swarming in this place.”
“…?”
“It means that news of your arrival is already being carried by messengers. I’m sure a lot of people are coming to pick you up soon.”
“Then, I’ll have to leave before someone from the Demon Cult arrives.”
Namgoong Ho tilted his head.
“What does that mean? Demon Cult? It will take at least one more day for them to reach here.”
“But didn’t you say they’ll be here in a few minutes?”
“Oh, there must be another misunderstanding. The people who will visit this place are other sects.”
Only then did Yoon-seok’s eyes shine coldly.
“They must be here to kill me.”
Although he was part of the Namgoong family, he was also a 20th-floor duel challenger. In other words, there were ranks. This meant there were also power rankings. No matter how powerful Yoon-seok was, he might be in danger if the rankers joined forces to attack him. Furthermore, his instinct told him it was dangerous.
At the moment, he thought they should separate quickly.
“What are you talking about? Why would they kill you?”
“Because I’m the Co-Sect Leader…”
“No one thinks you’re a real demon. Now that I see it, you still don’t know your worth. You…”
Namgoong Ho looked into Yoon-seok’s eyes and spoke firmly.
“You are the ideal groom in all of Moorim.”
The world of martial art masters where the sword lives and breathes. It was very different from what he imagined… but it was a dangerous place in many ways.