22 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

〈 Chapter 22 〉 Anhuishop - Anhui (3) * * * Strange Dragon (怪龍), Zhuge San. In the Jianghu, he is a post-war genius known to all. As the legitimate child of the Zhuge Family, his abnormal behavior earned him the nickname that fits his unique path, drawing the attention of Jianghu. What kind of extraordinary actions earned him the nickname "Strange Dragon"? If asked, there are well-known anecdotes that anyone could recount. Borrowing the clothes of a beggar to beg on the streets. Entering a local noble's manor as a servant, only to swim amidst filth. Even proposing to the wife of the leader of one of the most powerful forces in the Black Bamboo Union (黑竹會). His actions are incomprehensible to an ordinary person, continuing a madman’s progress. Of course, for Mok Liwon, who was unaware of all these facts, Zhuge San held only one significant meaning. "I didn't expect to be found out so quickly, but... well, let’s greet each other again. I am Zhuge San. I presume you are the renowned Master Black Ink Sword?" “Je, Je, Zhuge...!” The legitimate child of the Zhuge Family. The son of the tactician known as the True King of the Murim Alliance. A sense of awe and excitement began to rise on Mok Liwon's face. “That’s correct! I am indeed that Black Ink Sword! It is an honor to meet the gallant hero of the Zhuge Family!” Mok Liwon exaggeratedly took on a respectful martial salute. Tang Hwaseo let out a deep sigh at his actions, while Zhuge San burst into laughter. “Young Hero, please relax and take a seat. There’s no need for such formalities.” “Oh, sister, you are truly heartless. Let’s see... isn’t this the first time we’ve met in nearly six years?” “I don’t recall us being close enough to miss each other. Why, do I have to poison you again to keep your mouth shut?” Zhuge San pretended to be exaggeratedly frightened. Mok Liwon was still unable to grasp the situation and belatedly recalled Tang Hwaseo’s background. ‘Ah! The Young Lady is also a member of the Five Great Families!’ The Sichuan Tang Family is undoubtedly a pillar of the Five Great Families. As such, it was natural for the two of them to know each other. Feeling suddenly distant from Tang Hwaseo, who had always been kind to him, Mok Liwon hesitated, and Tang Hwaseo gently pulled him to sit. “Yes, it must be confusing. I’ve encountered him a few times in the past, but that’s all. He’s not someone worth your concern, Young Hero.” Her words were reassuring. This was a new experience for Zhuge San. 'Oh ho...' Had that Poison Phoenix (毒鳳) ever been so friendly to others? She, who was always aloof and sharp, allowing no one close to her. Zhuge San was filled with a sense of excitement. A curiosity that the whole world knew about his peculiar disposition. Zhuge San is no less curious than Mok Liwon. No, considering his aggressive pursuit to satisfy his curiosity, one might even call him more notorious than Mok Liwon. In fact, his bizarre conduct could be explained if it was all to satisfy his insatiable curiosity. And just now, it seemed true. Having known Tang Hwaseo for over ten years since childhood, this new facet of her was enough to stimulate Zhuge San’s curiosity. “Is that all you saw? I’ve shared many intense encounters with this sister of mine...” “Yes, we’ve sparred a few times at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. I remember beating him for his loose tongue.” Tang Hwaseo’s face was filled with irritation. Mok Liwon rolled his eyes, trying to grasp the atmosphere. ‘The Young Lady doesn’t seem to like Zhuge San that much.’ It was something Mok Liwon couldn’t quite understand. Though he knew little about him, Zhuge San had warmly treated him despite the fact that he once threw chopsticks at his forehead. Zhuge San had shown more kindness to him than the seemingly indifferent Tang Hwaseo. Wasn’t he surely a good person? ‘Hmm, perhaps the Young Lady distanced herself from Zhuge San out of concern for me.’ In the eyes of outsiders, he was a vagabond without an affiliated sect, so she might have worried that someone from a prestigious family might harm him. Why wouldn’t she be concerned? In the Chronicles of The Jianghu Heroes, particularly in chapter four detailing the life of Inhyeop, there had been instances where youngsters from prestigious families bothered him due to his humble origins. ‘The Young Lady unnecessarily worried herself!’ Mok Liwon wanted to prove to Tang Hwaseo that he was not someone easily hurt by such things. “It’s a pleasure! How fortunate to meet an old acquaintance of the Young Lady! It's a great...” “Stop talking nonsense and let’s go.” “Eeeeh?” Tang Hwaseo abruptly stood up and pulled Mok Liwon along, leaving. Mok Liwon glanced back and forth between Zhuge San and Tang Hwaseo, who were left behind, with a puzzled expression. Zhuge San waved at Mok Liwon with a mischievous grin. * “…That’s what kind of person he is. Do you understand? Spending too much time with him could influence you poorly, Young Hero.” “Th, that...” At the inn where they had arrived after leaving the tavern. Mok Liwon was shocked to hear about Zhuge San’s antics from Tang Hwaseo. “How could anyone propose to a married woman...” Despite the other antics, this last incident shocked him the most. While imitating a beggar, swimming in filth, and running naked through the streets could just be dismissed as bizarre behavior, proposing to a married woman was outright against moral principles. “Truly a wicked man...!” A look of disapproval appeared on Mok Liwon's face. At last, Tang Hwaseo felt relieved. To be honest, Tang Hwaseo had little interest in Zhuge San. She only cared that his strange antics did not involve her, and that was it. But if Mok Liwon got entangled, things would change. ‘Being such a blank slate, he could learn bad things.’ Tang Hwaseo didn’t want the kind Mok Liwon to be influenced by Zhuge San. “He’s persistent, so he might come looking for you again. If he does, run away and let me know. Understood?” “I understand! I shall do precisely that!” Mok Liwon replied with determination. --- ### Terms Defined: - **Strange Dragon (怪龍)**: Translated Zhuge San's nickname to highlight his eccentricity. - **Jianghu**: Depicted as the martial world, emphasizing its significance. - **Inhyeop**: Part of a narrative within the "Chronicles of The Jianghu Heroes," reflecting its standing. Alternate translations for Jianghu include "martial realm" or "rivers and lakes," but "Jianghu" is retained for cultural context. Adjustments are unnecessary for established translations. Unfortunately, his resolution never bore fruit. * As Tang Hwaseo left, claiming to have personal business. Mok Liwon sat with his eyes closed, gulping down bamboo leaf liquor. "Master Black Ink Sword, I'd be quite upset if you ignore me like that." Opposite him was Zhuge San, who knew exactly when to appear, showing up right after Tang Hwaseo left. Zhuge San spoke to Mok Liwon with an obvious, feigned expression of sadness. “Th-the noodles here are truly exquisite!” “So, tell me. How did you first meet my sister?” “Even the bamboo leaf liquor is superb! I might get drunk today.” “Hmm? I'd love to hear the story of how you single-handedly took down the One Wheel Society.” “Ah, is it that I am too engrossed in the liquor? My head spins, and my ears won't listen!” Mok Liwon was pretending, quite unconvincingly, that he couldn't hear. He performed so poorly that Zhuge San could barely hold back his laughter. 'What a fascinating fellow.' I wondered what charm he possessed to win over Tang Hwaseo, but it appears he has a rather comical side unmatched by any street storytellers. Unable to lie, yet feeling guilty about ignoring me – it just makes me want to play with him. 'I've got a good sense of who he is...' An easy-to-read type. In other words, a highly enjoyable plaything. Suppressing the laugh that threatened to spill from his throat, Zhuge San continued, “Alas, how lamentable it is. I had hoped to find someone to have a heartfelt discussion on the matters of Jianghu, yet I find myself cooling down so quickly after meeting such a famed master.” “Ugh!” Mok Liwon groaned in what seemed like distress. ‘The ways of Jianghu...!’ What words could be more soul-stirring? What words could itch more to be spoken? He longed to open his eyes and engage in a fiery debate about the nature of heroism with the scion of the Zhuge Family. ‘But the Young Lady’s words...’ "It's a pity, such a pity! I needed someone to share the tales of the wondrous encounters I've had before coming here...!" "Encounters, you say?!" The lure of adventures and fortunes was irresistible. “Oh, are you finally going to respond?” “Encounter! What kind of encounter?! Was it a cliffside meeting? Or an encounter with a hermit? Or perhaps did you discover a thousand-year-old ginseng while hiking a mountain?!” All thoughts of Tang Hwaseo’s warnings were brushed aside in Mok Liwon’s mind. He focused solely on the encounters Zhuge San mentioned. Zhuge San, seeing Mok Liwon's eyes glinting with anticipation, grinned and moved closer. Now they were sharing seats. With a firm slap on Mok Liwon’s shoulder, he continued. “Before that, would you like to hear a tale? It’s about a widow in this village...” Mok Liwon shivered. As soon as he heard the word "widow," Tang Hwaseo's warning came rushing back. He recalled— ‘That scoundrel proposed to the wife of the Black Bamboo Union's leader. They say he collected a thousand wildflowers and presented them as a giant bouquet.’ Leaping to his feet, Mok Liwon declared, “Wh-what a vulgar thing to say...!” “Is a widow vulgar? Surely you don’t... see a woman who lost her husband in such a way?” “No, no! I am not such a person!” What a dangerous insinuation. Mok Liwon felt a burgeoning hostility toward Zhuge San. “Z-Zhuge Young Lord! I didn’t expect this. You really have some nerve, harboring ill thoughts towards a married woman!” Attention in the tavern turned toward them. Zhuge San experienced immense satisfaction as he stifled the urge to smile widely. “Hm? I’m not sure what you’re implying?” “I heard this from the Young Lady herself! Zhuge Young Lord proposed to a married woman!” - Could it be true, that rumor about Strange Dragon? - Did Strange Dragon really propose to a married woman? And one involved with the Black Bamboo Union at that? - Unbelievable! How could he... The tavern patrons whispered as they glanced at Zhuge San. But he was not one to be swayed by mere whispers. "Is it wrong?" “Of course! It's very wrong!” “It's peculiar. I did it to save a suffering woman, so why is it wrong?” “Wh-what?” “Is it not? The viciousness of the Black Bamboo Union leader is well-known. I merely intended to aid her, plagued as she was by his tyranny.” Rising to his feet, Zhuge San replied, “Master Black Ink Sword, let me ask you. If rescuing a weak woman held captive by a wicked man, living in daily torment, doesn’t constitute heroism, what does? Even if it tarnished my reputation, if my actions led the Black Bamboo Union leader to abandon her, thereby granting her freedom, did I not do right?” “Uh... um?” “How could ignoring a grieving woman out of concern for one's reputation be considered heroism?” Mok Liwon's eyes shook like there was an earthquake. ‘When you put it like that...’ It kind of makes sense. Unlike hearing the story secondhand, knowing the details made Zhuge San seem like a remarkable hero. 'Did I misunderstand everything?' …No, in truth, the entire story was a fabrication by Zhuge San. Zhuge San just liked married women. “Tell me. Master Black Ink Sword, or… have you judged me based on hearsay alone…?” Disappointment appeared on Zhuge San's face. "...A ‘fake hero’?" Thud—! Mok Liwon felt like the world was collapsing around him in despair. His hands trembled, and he felt tears well up. ‘M-me…!’ Was he truly so narrow-minded? Had he been judging people unfairly based on others’ stories? “No, no...” Mok Liwon trembled all over. Zhuge San could hardly contain his laughter at the sight. “Then, talk… puh, talk! Master Black Ink Sword, no. How do you see me as…!” SMACK—! “…Ugh!” --- ### Terms Defined: - **Strange Dragon (怪龍)**: Zhuge San's nickname, emphasizing his enigmatic and humorous aspects. - **Black Bamboo Union (黑竹會)**: A representation of a criminal underworld organization in Jianghu. - **One Wheel Society**: A group mentioned to highlight Zhuge San's feats and draw Mok Liwon's interest. No alterations are necessary for established terms, maintaining cultural nuances and character contexts. “You’re making a scene! Mok, Young Hero! Didn’t I tell you not to talk to this person? Did I or didn’t I?” Tang Hwaseo had returned after finishing her business.