23 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

<Chapter 23> Director - Anhui (4) * * * Tang Hwaseo (당화서) pulled Mok Liwon (목리원) along as they exited the inn. Zhuge San (제갈산) was following them at a distance, wearing a delighted expression. Tang Hwaseo, who had been walking silently, suddenly frowned. "Buzz off. Stop following us." "I’m not following, I’m just heading in this direction too." "Then go on ahead." "Why go separately? You’re being quite cold, you know?" Tang Hwaseo turned her head toward Zhuge San. Her face was so furious that Mok Liwon flinched at the sight, yet Zhuge San continued to wear his smile. "Uh, miss... at least let me go..." "Be quiet, Young Master Mok! I'll give you a proper scolding when we return!" Mok Liwon made a face. Laughing softly, Zhuge San seemed amused at the banter between the two. 'What is this now?' At first, he thought they might be lovers, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. If he had to define it... 'Yeah, it must feel just like a parent and child relationship (模子關係) like this.' How did they end up in such a relationship? For what reason were they traveling together, and why was Tang Hwaseo, who seemed unsuited for the role, acting like a caretaker? Even in that brief moment, several questions flashed through his mind. Still, amidst all of this, there was a singular thought that stood out. 'Like a parent...' Tang Hwaseo suddenly stopped and pulled on Mok Liwon's ear. Right there, in the middle of the street, she launched into a tirade that left Mok Liwon's face growing dark with embarrassment. Zhuge San, observing the scene, was reminded of a fondly recalled voice. 'Sana! Haven't I told you to stop going to that outhouse so often? Why don't you listen to your mother's words!' That voice he could no longer hear, and which he tried not to recall, brought a bittersweet smile to Zhuge San's face. He quickly composed himself and playfully remarked. "You’re being a bit harsh on him. Isn’t he a full-grown adult? Won’t you crush his spirit if you’re like this?" "You, Young Lord Zhuge!" Mok Liwon was startled and tried to stop Zhuge San. He knew all too well what happened if he interrupted Tang Hwaseo while she was scolding. "That, that's..." "Young Master Mok, one must stand by their own convictions. If she tells you to jump off a cliff, will you?" Mok Liwon blinked. 'Well, if it’s something she said, there must be a reason.' Seeing Mok Liwon seriously ponder the question, Zhuge San let out a hollow laugh. Tang Hwaseo dismissed Zhuge San once again, scoffing. "You’re quite interested in other people’s affairs. Why don’t you just go on your way?" Tang Hwaseo found herself revitalized since Mok Liwon had come to her defense. ‘Seems like I’m alone on this one.’ Zhuge San chuckled at the situation, which wasn’t amusing, and shrugged his shoulders. "Understood. I’ll be on my way for now. See you tomorrow, Young Master Mok." Zhuge San offered a fist-and-palm salute. Mok Liwon hesitated a moment, glancing at Tang Hwaseo for her reaction, then followed with the gesture. Even though the man had tormented him, he decided a farewell was still obligatory. "See you tomor—" "Just see you." Mok Liwon clamped his mouth shut. Tang Hwaseo glared daggers at the retreating figure of Zhuge San as though she wished to kill him. * To Mok Liwon's dismay, Tang Hwaseo did not forget about the scolding she promised. The relentless barrage made Mok Liwon think. 'Soul Capturing Art (攝魂術). This must be the Soul Capturing Art!' Surely this was a diabolical technique used to destroy one's spirit. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a reason for each word to pierce so deeply into his heart. "Do you understand?! Zhuge San will undoubtedly have a negative influence on Young Master Mok! I hope you don’t become a slippery fellow (뺀질이) like him!" Mok Liwon's fingertips trembled at her words. ‘Slippery...’ He thought of Zhuge San. The man with the cunning appearance and sly talk, yet, oddly, the term 'slippery' did not seem to fit him. Mok Liwon expressed his own opinion. "That, that's... not true." "What?!" "Young Lord Zhuge was not a slippery fellow..." Tang Hwaseo was incredulous. She knew him much better than anyone, so hearing Mok Liwon contradict her was frustrating. However, in truth, her bias clouded her vision, making her unable to see clearly. Right now, the one speaking more accurately about Zhuge San was Mok Liwon, who, knowing nothing, could view him in purer terms. "Young Lord Zhuge is a diligent person. The calluses on his hands, his gait... even his reactions when executing martial arts indicate a level of persistent training that can’t come without dedication." "He must have been forced into it. Do you think someone who loves wandering could train properly away from home?" "He surely did." "...?" "This morning, he practiced again. In fact, he was practicing even before we met him. I can just tell." Mok Liwon had a natural talent. When it came to human physiology and martial arts, his senses were much more finely tuned than others. Thus, he knew. The breathing Zhuge San displayed, the movement of his muscles, and the tremors evident in his gait were proof of his relentless training, even to this day. "While his taste in things might be peculiar, I do not think he qualifies as slippery." Mok Liwon said his piece and smiled with satisfaction. Just as Zhuge San had suggested, he thought he had expressed his own opinion like a mature man should. Tang Hwaseo watched him silently, mulling over his words. ‘Come to think of it...’ Despite knowing his entire conduct, Mok Liwon didn’t view him in a negative light. In fact, despite all the torment, he seemed to hold some affection for him. And this was none other than Mok Liwon, who would burn with anger if he sensed even a hint of villainy. The only issue Mok Liwon seemed to hold was Zhuge San’s past dalliance of proposing to a married woman. Even then, it was purely for moral reasons. 'Perhaps I...' Had misjudged. Tang Hwaseo quickly weighed her thoughts. Among her many strengths was the ability to recognize her faults when others pointed them out. "...Certainly, he might not be a slippery fellow after all." Tang Hwaseo finally conceded. She acknowledged she might have been wrong. **New Terms:** - 摄魂术(Soul Capturing Art) translated as "Soul Capturing Art" to describe a mythical or fictional destructive technique, interpreted based on the original context. - 뺀질이 translated as "slippery fellow" to convey a term for someone who may seem sly or evasive. Alternative translations could be "slick person" or "cunning individual," reflecting the perceived deceitful characteristic. He might indeed be diligent when it comes to training. However. "Nonetheless, I am certain he will negatively influence Young Master Mok." "Um...?" "I hope Young Master Mok doesn’t become someone who drools over a married woman walking by." "W-What! I am not such a scoundrel!" "And you say that with your lascivious face claiming to sleep in the same room as me?" As Tang Hwaseo glared at him, Mok Liwon lowered his head in embarrassment. "T-That was just a misunderstanding…!" "Oh, I'm sure it was." Mok Liwon felt truly wronged. After all, it was only natural that anyone would imagine such things if a beauty like Tang Hwaseo mentioned sleeping in the same room. Moreover, Mok Liwon was convinced. Even the esteemed monks of Shaolin Temple would clutch their hearts if she decided to seduce them. The injustice was suffocating, a sense of mischief stirred within him, and he felt the urge to prove his innocence. Mok Liwon didn’t hide his feelings. "You, miss, are just too beautiful!" "Oh, is that s...excuse me?" Tang Hwaseo’s face went blank. "Your beauty led to such thoughts! I did nothing wrong! Anyone in my place would have reacted the same way!" What in the world was this man talking about? Tang Hwaseo’s mind was in disarray, struggling to comprehend his sudden declaration. "No, w-wait a minute...." "It's your fault, miss! You worded it in a way that led to misunderstandings!" Thump! Mok Liwon took a step forward. Tang Hwaseo retreated with shaky eyes as if an earthquake had struck. 'What is...this...' A strange thought flickered by. Could he be putting on this act to avoid hearing more scolding? That sort of thought. 'No.' Mok Liwon was someone without that kind of subtlety. In other words, what he was saying now was... 'Is this...sincerity?' Realizing this brought a rush of heat to her face, as if she'd touched a flame. Despite that, Mok Liwon continued to approach. "Admit it! I did nothing wrong! It was your lack of explanation!" "Alright, all right. Enough..." "Don’t run away!" Thunk! Their toes bumped together. With her back against the wall, forcing her to stop retreating, Tang Hwaseo found Mok Liwon's face before hers, her mind turned blank. 'Crazy...!' He was unbelievably handsome. With that stern expression, his usual foolish look softened, emphasizing his handsome features. Despite his upbringing in a rough mountain environment, his skin was pristine, lacking any sign of sunburn or blemishes. His lashes were long enough to cast a soft shadow on his eyes, and the elegant line from his nose to lips formed a breathtaking visage. Tang Hwaseo's mind spun. Facing his features head-on left no room for coherent thought. Despite her typical outbursts, she was still a woman. A woman helplessly drawn to a handsome face. The choice Tang Hwaseo made in her fogged state was, indeed, idiotic. "St-stand back!" Smack! "Ugh…!" Tang Hwaseo's haphazardly thrown punch landed squarely in Mok Liwon's solar plexus. With a face that screamed disbelief, Mok Liwon looked at Tang Hwaseo, as the world seemed to collapse around him. 'Oh no...!' Tang Hwaseo belatedly realized her mistake and awkwardly apologized to Mok Liwon. This incident eventually allowed Mok Liwon to earn permission for friendships with Zhuge San. * "And so! Mok Liwon here is now allowed to converse with Young Lord Zhuge San!" "Huh..." Back at the inn they met the previous day. Once again, Zhuge San visited Mok Liwon during Tang Hwaseo’s absence and chuckled. Though Mok Liwon might not realize it, Zhuge San recognized something crucial from his tale. 'His face.' His face was a weapon. That face was truly a preposterous weapon. Tang Hwaseo, who hadn’t batted an eye at Namgung Jinchun, no less. That's why Zhuge San believed she had no interest in men. 'Was Namgung not enough?!' The standards Tang Hwaseo held were incomprehensibly high. Or rather, he finally understood them. Only a man of this caliber could capture the Poison Phoenix's heart. 'Amazing.' What an intriguing revelation. Zhuge San snickered. Mok Liwon, oblivious to the reason behind Zhuge San's laughter, simply joined in. "Anyway! The reason I brought this up isn’t just that!" "Hm?" "The serendipity! What was the serendipity that Young Lord Zhuge mentioned?" Mok Liwon’s eyes were filled with hopeful anticipation. Seeing this, Zhuge San shook his head, amusement clear on his face. "Just call me Brother Zhuge. I'll be turning twenty this year, wouldn’t that be easier?" "Brother!" Mok Liwon felt his heart flutter. "So, you're suggesting we become sworn brothers?" The only sworn sibling relationship Mok Liwon knew was that of Mok Seon-oh and Ma Ilsuk. Like them, who journeyed through Jianghu, achieving great feats together. The thought he might finally find such a companion filled him with excitement, and he inquired further, causing Zhuge San to burst into laughter. "Well! Why not! Let’s call you Brother Mok from now on!" "Got it! And I’ll call you Brother Zhuge!" Mok Liwon hurriedly brought two cups and poured some bamboo leaf brew. Taking one cup, he handed it to Zhuge San. "For celebration! A toast, Brother Zhuge!" "Sounds great. But before that." Zhuge San grinned as he shifted to the seat next to Mok Liwon. Placing an arm around his shoulder as he’d done the previous day, he continued. "Brother Mok, shouldn’t we commemorate the day we became sworn brothers by doing something?" "Hm? Something we should do?" "A chivalrous act." Thump! Mok Liwon’s heart skipped a beat. His face was brimming with overwhelming emotion. "A ch-chivalrous act...!" "Yes, a chivalrous act indeed." "Let’s go! We must go! Hurry, let's go!" Mok Liwon sprang to his feet. Zhuge San burst into laughter and patted Mok Liwon’s shoulder heartily. "Absolutely! Let’s go check it out!" With that, he draped an arm around Mok Liwon’s shoulder and led him out of the inn. "Where are we headed?" The question was full of eager anticipation. Zhuge San licked his lips and replied. "To a good place." Mok Liwon did not know. At the end of this road lies the city's largest manor, home to the "widow" mentioned by Zhuge San the previous day. The Strange Dragon, Zhuge San, was a tenacious man who accomplished whatever he set his mind to. **New Terms:** - 장원 translated as "manor" to convey a large and grand residential property, possibly reflecting wealth or status. Alternative translations might include "estate" or "villa," but "manor" captures the grandiose and possibly historical aspect.