206 - Linker

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- ## Chapter 206 *Tale of Mount Tai, Volume 9, Episode 6* **Chapter 54: The Lazy One Goes to Mount Hua (1)** “I infiltrated Green Forest (Noklim / 녹림) again...” “Yes.” “Then I noticed those guys murmuring among themselves?” “Yes!” “And then I got caught, and they chased me all the way here?” “Yes!” Watching Paeng Dogeuk answer energetically, Wi Yeonho felt bewildered. “Hey, Beggar.” “It’s Jang Il!” “There’s something I’m curious about, and I want to ask you.” “Uh-huh?” “Is it typical for those from the Paeng Clan to be this useless?” Jang Il began to delve deep into thought. He should say no, but it wasn't so easy to deny flatly. Yet, facing the one concerned, it was hard to affirm either. “Well... Uh, you see...” Jang Il finally found an escape. “It’s not about being useless; it’s that they have different strengths. When it comes to charging into the enemy lines and inspiring morale by defeating foes, there’s no one better than the Paeng Clan. Just like Zhang Fei!” “Is that another way of saying they’re brainless?” “No, no, it’s not that. The notion that the Paeng Clan is dumb is prejudiced.” “And what about him?” When Wi Yeonho pointed at Paeng Dogeuk, Jang Il tugged his hair in frustration. Reality would not release him no matter how much he wished to flee. “Well, even among the Namgung (남궁) or Jegal (제갈), you can find a dimwit!” “...Are you certain?” “Yes, yes.” Wi Yeonho glared sharply. “Can this be solved by just saying someone’s dimwitted? He infiltrated the same place twice, made the same mistake twice, and got caught by the same people twice, causing a mess!” Puuuk! Puuuk! Wi Yeonho's words pierced and stabbed at Paeng Dogeuk like daggers. “If you cause such chaos, shouldn't you bring back something useful? What? You don’t know? You just got chased out? Is that something someone in human skin should say?” Puuuk! Paeng Dogeuk's body caved under the verbal assault. “What on earth is Grandpa Military thinking sending this guy on such missions repeatedly? Why?” Jang Il commented nonchalantly. “Still, he manages to find something each time, doesn’t he? Infiltrating twice and discovering something both times is a challenging feat. And he achieves it, doesn’t he?” “Wow, we have an extraordinary figure here. Achieving such difficult things repeatedly.” Wi Yeonho glared at Paeng Dogeuk as if his eyes would pop out. “At this rate, I’ll have a fit every time I hear the word 'Paeng.'” In reality, it was Paeng Dogeuk who would have a fit at the mention of 'Wi.' As Jang Il pondered how to resolve the situation, someone stepped forward to help. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t judge the Paeng Clan based on him alone.” “Hm?” Wi Yeonho turned his gaze to the direction of the voice. There stood another man in identical attire to Paeng Dogeuk, looking straight at Wi Yeonho. “Ah, you?” “I'm Paeng Dohyeong!” Paeng Dohyeong shouted. Despite how long they had trained together, Wi Yeonho still couldn’t recognize his face. Every time it rained, his side ached from the stones Wi Yeonho had thrown. The man who left an indelible, deep-seated wound within him couldn’t even remember his face. Paeng Dohyeong suppressed the fury rising from the depths of his heart. “The Paeng Clan isn’t a gathering of fools. We’ve produced countless scholars, after all. It’s not that the Paeng Clan is stupid; it's just that he is.” “That person?” Wi Yeonho tilted his head. “Aren’t you from the same family?” Jang Il whispered in Wi Yeonho's ear. “They have some issues and don’t get along.” “Really?” But still, disparaging a family member by calling them 'that person' in front others seemed odd. “Aren’t you younger than him? Your face looks younger.” “That’s right.” “Then isn't he your elder?” “Hmph!” Paeng Dohyeong replied, almost mockingly. “Who acknowledges the child of a concubine as an elder? I’ve never had such a brother!” “Hm?” Confused, Wi Yeonho turned again to Jang Il. He quietly surveyed the situation and then whispered again to Wi Yeonho. “They’re siblings, but Paeng Dogeuk’s mother has a lower status.” “Oh, really?” “Paeng Dohyeong is the legitimate line.” “Oh, I see.” Understanding dawned on Wi Yeonho, and he nodded as he looked back at Paeng Dohyeong. “So... you’re the legitimate line, and he’s from the concubine’s?” “Correct.” “So you won’t recognize him as an elder?” “As expected.” “Well, alright...” Wi Yeonho nodded, acknowledging the explanation. There was no greater folly than meddling in someone else’s family matters. It was wise to leave others to handle their own family business. However... ‘Why does this irritate me?’ Logic dictated one view, yet something kept bubbling up inside. He felt something poking from within. Observing Paeng Dohyeong’s smooth face made him think it would be quite satisfying to land a punch on him. ‘No, better stay out of it.’ As he smacked his lips and motioned to leave, Paeng Dohyeong, still not appeased and pushing forward, began to press Paeng Dogeuk further. “You are no different!” “...Dohyeong.” “Who gave you the right to call my name?” “My apologies.” Paeng Dogeuk dropped his shoulders in defeat. “The Paeng Clan's name is not something one like you should carry. If you continue to tarnish our name, you should abandon our uniform and relinquish the surname Paeng. Upon returning to our clan, we will hold you accountable for this matter, no matter what. Do you understand my words?” “Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh for what he did...?” As Wi Yeonho smacked his lips again, Jang Il nudged him in the ribs. “Weren’t you just calling him a fool?” “Well, he meant well, and it just turned out this way, but his words are...” “Too harsh?” “Not quite that, but...” However, it seemed Paeng Dohyeong was too agitated to hear their conversation. --- ### Newly Encountered Words - 녹림 (Noklim / 녹림) - Green Forest - 창일 (no context provided): Likely context-dependent usage, not a proper noun. Translated and Implemented Instructions --- **Chapter 206** *Tale of Mount Tai, Volume 9, Episode 6* **Chapter 54: The Lazy One Goes to Mount Hua (1)** “It was out of pity that Father acknowledged you in the first place, not because he expected you to achieve something in the name of the Paeng Clan. But if you keep soiling the Paeng Clan's name like this...” Thunk! Thump! Paeng Dohyeong, struck on the back of his head, collapsed onto the ground like a lifeless body. “Ah, such a chatterbox, that bastard.” “Still, to assault him...” “I tried to resolve it with words, but he just kept whining. Ugh, what a pest.” Wi Yeonho gave a few nudges with his foot to the sprawled Paeng Dohyeong, but the latter remained completely still, indicating he was truly unconscious. “Violently attacking a member of the Paeng Clan might stir up trouble.” “It’s fine.” Wi Yeonho shrugged. “I’m his teacher, after all. It’s just a lesson from a master to his disciple for his improvement; they can’t take issue with that, can they?” “Will the Paeng Clan accept that reasoning?” “And if they don’t?” If they refused, the foundational rocks of the Paeng Clan might be uprooted. Even handling Wi Yeonho alone would be questionable for them, yet if Wi Sanho charged in, wild-eyed, and even Wi Jeonghan joined after getting nagged by Hansang (Hansang Ah)... ‘Destruction.’ Jang Il thought that perhaps the name Guangdong Wei Clan being the greatest under heaven might soon spread across the world. And not in the distant future, either. With the strength of just the three present, they could devour most factions. “Oh? Why is he lying there?” Wi Jeonghan, feigning ignorance, inquired. “Seems he's unwell.” “Oh dear, one shouldn’t be sick. Place him up on the horse properly.” “Yes.” Moreover, they were brazen. Just as Jang Il resolved never to get entangled with the Guangdong Wei Clan, someone lightly tugged at his sleeve. “Huh?” Surprisingly, the person pulling his arm was Jin Yeran. “What are you doing?” “...Pardon?” Why was she speaking to him? ‘Up close, she's really pretty.’ A beggar lusting after a beauty was absurd, but appreciating beauty was a universal right, wasn’t it? However, it seemed that her beauty didn’t indicate any particular favor towards him. “Everyone else is busy working, aren’t they?” “Miss, you see, a beggar can’t beg if they work. It’s not that I refuse to work; it’s just the nature of a beggar’s life.” “I understand that, but please, go and help them.” “Didn’t you understand what I said?” “Go on.” “...” What’s this strange authority? Jang Il looked at Jin Yeran with a perplexed gaze. Her expression was slightly different from what she usually showed. “If things aren’t done properly, it could cause trouble for those passing by. If animals disturb the burial, issues could arise. You need to dig a bit deeper.” “Oh, yes.” “Please go and help.” “Yes...” Only then did Jang Il realize why he couldn’t argue back and just followed Jin Yeran’s instructions. Jin Yeran was speaking to him not as one of Wi Yeonho’s group but as a physician. Fearing that leaving things as they were might result in patients, Jin Yeran's tone was exceptionally solemn. As a doctor, she was so dedicated and strict that she was considered almost saint-like. Jang Il, being nothing more than the local tramp, couldn’t possibly defy her. “Dig deeper over there, deeper!” “Yes.” “Don’t just cover it; stomp it thoroughly.” “...Yes.” “Don't straighten your back; get the job done so we can leave, okay?” “But!” Jang Il finally spoke up sharply. “Why isn’t Yeonho working?” “It’s better to finish quickly and rest, isn’t it? Wrap it up there.” “...Did you not hear me?” “What are you doing? Aren’t you working?” “Ha, the world...” Jang Il came to a sad realization. There’s no such thing as fairness in this world. While Jang Il was busily digging, Gong Mujin, Seok Muncho, and Wi Jeonghan discussed their current circumstances. “It seems like no ordinary matter. We need to consider what to do.” “Indeed, it’s a serious issue, but it’s unrelated to these children. If we send them back due to the incident, who would take that explanation seriously?” Seok Muncho’s words made Wi Jeonghan nod. “Rumors already say we're at a disadvantage in strength, but if we return the children using this as an excuse, people will only say the Orthodox Righteous Alliance avoided a fight for a trivial reason.” “Hmm, that won’t do.” Wi Jeonghan couldn’t help but ponder deeply. The mysterious individuals who committed suicide with poison weren’t clearly identified. Due to Paeng Dogeuk’s rather ambiguous handling, it was unclear whether they truly came from the Green Forest or if they were spies disguised as Green Forest members that Paeng Dogeuk mistook for them. “For now, let’s submit a report to the military seniors on paper and await instructions.” “Here, you mean?” “...We must go to Mount Hua.” Perhaps detecting the unease in Wi Jeonghan’s voice, Gong Mujin heartily assured him by patting his chest. “The journey might be a bit arduous, but once we reach Mount Hua, we’ll be safe. Who would dare encroach upon Mount Hua?” “That’s true.” Wi Jeonghan responded with a smile to Gong Mujin's confident assertion, yet the anxiety behind that smile wasn’t completely concealed.