24 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

### Chapter 24 - Anhui (5) --- Mok Liwon stared blankly at the grand manor before him. The gate was large enough to allow ten people to pass through simultaneously. Above it, a neatly written plaque read "Zhang Family Manor(장가장)", with the characters 张家庄. "This place is..." "As you see, it's the Zhang Family Manor. The largest estate in this city." "Why have we come here? Weren't we supposed to embark on a chivalrous mission?" "We shall undertake our chivalrous mission here." Zhuge San licked his lips as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself. Mok Liwon furrowed his brows, his curiosity piqued. "This doesn't seem like a place in need of chivalry..." To Mok Liwon, chivalry meant helping those who couldn't overcome their obstacles alone, protecting the weak, and thwarting violence that threatened the innocent citizens. Yet, none of that seemed necessary here. "Look over there. All the workers in the manor move about with peaceful expressions. The aroma of food makes one salivate; starving people are nowhere to be found. There's no hint of murderous intent, so there are no sinister folks either. It seems like a truly peaceful place. So why do you say chivalry is needed here, Zhuge brother?" "Haha, young Mok, it seems you still have much to learn." With a chuckle, Zhuge San draped an arm over Mok Liwon's shoulder and continued. "Tell me, Mok young one. Is chivalry always about thwarting physical trials?" "It's not, but..." "Indeed. Though they all appear calm, each might have their own worries. And we are merely standing at the manor's gate. We don't know the hearts of those within. For instance..." Zhuge San trailed off, watching for Mok Liwon's reaction. Upon his face, clear curiosity emerged. 'What a genuinely simple fellow.' With the thought that this 'chivalrous mission' could be quite amusing, Zhuge San continued. "...like the heart of a lady mourning the loss of her spouse." "...!" Mok Liwon's body jolted. Only then did he realize that Zhuge San brought him here regarding the 'widow' he had mentioned in the past. "Oh, uh! Zhuge brother!" "Shh! Lower your voice! People might look at us suspiciously!" Startled, Mok Liwon lowered his voice significantly and whispered to Zhuge San. His expression was one of betrayal, and his voice brimmed with injustice. "I'm, I'm disappointed, Zhuge brother! I thought you sincerely came here for a chivalrous mission...!" "But that is indeed the reason." "Don't lie! You came here due to infatuation, Zhuge brother!" "Whoa!" Zhuge San feigned sternness and glared at Mok Liwon. "Do you truly think I came here, enchanted by women? Do you really see this Zhuge San as someone who can't differentiate between heaven and earth when it comes to married women? I'm disappointed!" Zhuge San dramatically let go of Mok Liwon's shoulder and turned his back on him. His demeanor, seemingly filled with great anger, left Mok Liwon deeply flustered, attempting to string together a defense. However, no suitable words came to mind. 'Th-then what are you implying!' The circumstances provided all the evidence needed. Given his past actions and his delighted expression as he licked his lips, one couldn't help but conclude that he had come to woo a widow. Mok Liwon's confusion grew. Meanwhile, Zhuge San's lips curled smugly as he stood with his back turned, showcasing the effort he was putting into suppressing his laughter. "I seem to have misjudged you! I valued the chivalry you showed in Suyang County and invited you based on that! But enough!" Zhuge San slowly, very slowly, began to walk away. Mok Liwon, bewildered by his actions, hesitated before finally grabbing him. "P-please forgive me! Calm down, please..." "Enough! I have no further words to say!" "No, wait! I was wrong! I'm not a scoundrel who judges by rumors!" His frustration could drive him mad. Mok Liwon had no desire to be branded a scoundrel. ...Honestly, with a little thought, he could realize the oddity of the situation. But always having been well-liked, Mok Liwon faced with such direct resentment, found himself unable to think clearly. Zhuge San then glanced at Mok Liwon with a dubious expression before speaking. "...Can I trust you?" "O-of course!" "Ahem! Then I shall trust you one more time." Mok Liwon's face brightened radiantly. It was a charming smile, as though spring were blossoming. 'Indeed, this is the smile that even melted the Poison Phoenix.' Zhuge San mused over the thought, instructing Mok Liwon, who now breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, create a disturbance here." "...Huh?" "Start a commotion. I'll slip inside while you divert attention." Mok Liwon's face went blank. --- "Oh, oh my...! Save this chivalrous hero...!" At the gate of the Zhang Family Manor. With a face flushed bright red, Mok Liwon theatrically clutched his stomach. "Oh, I feel like I'm dying...! My stomach feels like it's tearing apart...!" His awkward performance drew puzzled looks from the passersby. The workers inside Zhang Family Manor were also drawn to the spectacle. Despite his shame, Mok Liwon endured. This was his way to prove he wasn't a rogue, and an assertion of his innocence, he told himself. Though the act was so poorly executed that no one believed it, its merit in 'attracting attention' was undeniable. "Ohh...!" Mok Liwon shut his eyes tightly, creating wrinkles on his fair brow. His smooth skin reflected the sunlight, emitting a beautiful glow, and his trembling fingers evoked a sense of pitiful vulnerability, arousing sympathy. Zhuge San had mentioned before, 'Even the Poison Phoenix was entranced by his appearance,' and now it shone brightly. "He seems to be acting in a play." --- **Translated Terms Explanation:** - Mok Liwon (목리원) was translated as Mok Liwon. - Zhang Family Manor (장가장) with original characters 张家庄: It represents a Chinese family estate, hence translated appropriately to capture the essence of an influential, large property. - "Widow" (미망인) is left as "widow" since it naturally fits the context and implies the familial and social context needed for the plot. **Note:** The humor arises from the literal and exaggerated misunderstanding between the characters. Mok Liwon sees Zhuge San's actions as selfish, while Zhuge San plays on this to teach Mok Liwon a lesson about understanding chivalry beyond the literal. This wordplay was preserved from Korean to English, keeping the tone lighthearted and humorous. "Is that so? My, I've never seen someone so distinguished in my life." "Haaa... Hey, find out who that gentleman is. I want to have a private drink with him tonight." People were admiring Mok Liwon's appearance, with some agreeing wholeheartedly. And among them, a young lady was entertaining sinister thoughts upon seeing him by chance. In such a situation, where Mok Liwon's virtue could be at risk, someone was forcefully making their way through the crowd. Thud. Thud. The footsteps, laden with blatant anger, belonged to none other than Tang Hwaseo. "Young Hero Mok!" Tremble— Mok Liwon's body, which had been drawing all eyes, shivered. He looked in the direction of the voice with eyes filled with fear. "M-ma'am..." "What on earth are you doing?" Her piercing eyes seemed to bore into Mok Liwon. There was a hint of anger in her restrained voice. Mok Liwon hurriedly scrambled to make an excuse, his face full of distress. "J-just that Zhuge brother..." "Brother?" "You-young Master asked for a brief moment to..." "That's enough. We’ll talk when we head back." Tang Hwaseo grabbed Mok Liwon by the ear and dragged him away. Mok Liwon flailed helplessly, seeking help from those around him, but no one dared approach Tang Hwaseo's menacing face. The young lady who had moments earlier given a lascivious order concerning Mok Liwon, upon meeting Tang Hwaseo's eyes, yelped and fled with her servants. Thus, Mok Liwon's virtue was preserved for another day. ...Although whether his life would be spared alongside his virtue remains uncertain. --- Zhuge San chuckled as he watched Mok Liwon being dragged away by Tang Hwaseo from afar. 'What an amusing fellow he is.' He hoped that Mok Liwon would make it through the night safely. 'And as for me...' Zhuge San, having scaled the wall to infiltrate the Zhang Family Manor, steadied his breath and expanded his senses. 'No one's guarding this place.' It was as expected. Being a manor of a mere wealthy family, the Zhang Family Manor lacked the meticulous security that would station guards even at the latrines. Holding his nose against the stench of fertilizer, Zhuge San headed in the direction of the main building. 'This should be it...' Peering from behind a pillar, Zhuge San observed the main building. Every entrance and window was heavily watched by martial artists. One might say they were guarding the building, or one could surmise otherwise. 'It's like a prison.' As if they were ensuring someone inside could not escape. Their focus was directed inward, which said as much. Zhuge San assessed the martial artists with a composed gaze. 'Second-rate, second-rate, second-rate, the end of second-rate, and over there in the center, a first-rate at the beginner level.' He would likely be the one in charge. Reaching into his pocket, Zhuge San rolled a few jade stones. As he pondered his next move. 'What to do...' Though sneaking in this far was already half the success, Zhuge San was dissatisfied with merely that. Meticulousness and tenacity. These were the foundational traits that composed the Strange Dragon Zhuge San. 'Please just check if my sister is doing well. That's all I want. So please....' Images of a man, clad in ragged clothes and gaunt with hunger, spending all his coins flashed before him. 'Hyungjang(형장), it seems your sister is not faring well.' He mused to himself. Though his words wouldn't reach anyone, Zhuge San's smirk broadened. ‘Well, just in case, I will ascertain it thoroughly.’ Zhuge San retrieved his hand from his pocket. In his hand were three small jade stones shimmering gracefully. ‘Let’s do this quietly.’ With a flick— Zhuge San infused the stones with his inner energy and launched them. The stones ushered forth with such stealth that they were nearly invisible and although they were shot at once, each went to a different location. One to the roof, another behind a pillar, and the last at the foot of a martial artist. Thereupon, something peculiar occurred. A silent ripple was sent forth. Of course, no one but Zhuge San felt it. The technique that bestowed legitimacy to the Zhuge Family in the Council of the Five Great Families. And the skill that earned Zhuge Byeok the moniker of True King(진왕). A simplified formation(진법). ‘It’s working splendidly.’ The eyes of the martial artists momentarily lost focus before returning to normal. Yet, now they would not be able to see Zhuge San. For the next two hours. The sights before their eyelids would be limited to nothing more than passing clouds and a setting sun. Tap! Utilizing his superior body lightening technique, Zhuge San leaped forward and slipped through a window left ajar for ventilation. Landing quietly inside, he surveyed his surroundings. 'This place is...' A small library. Zhuge San patted the dust off his knees and began rifling through the library. ‘Usually, ledgers are hidden in places such as this.’ Humming a nasal tune, his exploration continued. But it was in vain. There wasn't even a hint of anything related to the family's affairs or records. It seemed the main study was elsewhere. 'Eh...' With a look of disappointment, Zhuge San slumped his shoulders, but quickly regained his resolve and leapt up to the ceiling. Opening a crack in the ceiling, laden with dust, he began crawling across it. 'Judging by the dust, there isn't a close watch here either.' Matters might resolve more easily than anticipated. Creeping through the passage in a low crawl, he moved about briefly. 'Where is she...' ‘I don't know.' Voices echoed. With glinting eyes, Zhuge San snickered. He then headed in the direction of the voices, carefully parting the gap to peek below. There he found an elderly man with a toad-like appearance, and a slender-faced woman clad in immaculate attire, seated opposite him. 'Oh...' With delight, Zhuge San gazed at the woman. 'A beauty indeed.' It seemed he had located his target. --- **Translated Terms Explanation:** - Hyungjang(형장): This term refers to a fellow or comrade, and it was kept in its native sound to encapsulate the kinship and familiarity in this context. - Simplified formation(진법): Typically a military formation or strategy, referring to Zhuge San's capability to orchestrate an illusory spell or setup. - Zhuge Byeok and the title of True King(진왕): Recognizing Zhuge Byeok’s prestigious title highlights the historical depth and strategy the Zhuge Family embodies, adding to their legendary status. These translations are key in enriching Zhuge San's strategic element and the familial bonds hinting at the story's deeper narrative threads.