< Episode 104: Crossroads (1) >
Grand Duke Na Yulyang shook down his full glass of wine.
When he emptied his glass and tried to pour it again Mo Yak clicked his tongue and said.
“Why do you want to pour alcohol alone Cheongseungmaji?”
“That’s because you don’t drink together.”
“Ugh. “Someone who didn’t even drink alcohol after it closed…”
No to be exact those eyes… ever since I had surgery to transplant those strange eyes that were given to me at the Presbyterian’s Exhibition I’ve been wearing tassels ever since.
This was something that I was quite concerned about at some point.
Since he is his master he is involved in this so he has been reticent but is it true that he is receiving a transplant for the eye he lost in the first place?
If you ask any of the brave lawmakers they will tell you that once you lose an eye it’s over.
He said that even if someone else’s eyes were brought in the optic nerves could not be connected using current medical techniques.
However the congressman he brought with him from the Presbyterian War easily accomplished this.
‘…But why didn’t you fix your own eyes?’
It was a messenger from the Presbyterian Church who was said to have become blind due to a burn.
If he were an unmanned person he would want to look ahead so why doesn’t he have eyes?
No matter how much I think about it I don’t understand it.
No matter how uninterested the lord is in other people’s affairs it’s natural for him to be suspicious of this but he doesn’t say anything about it.
As he goes on he feels strangely different from what he used to know.
‘Hmm.’
Moyak who was staring at Na Yulyang as he poured down his glass again soon opened his mouth.
“What are you going to do about the ceremony at the Presbyterian War?”
“Offer?”
“Yes they spoke as if they knew something. “Isn’t that why you’re worried?”
“worry….”
-Rurg!
Nayuliang raised one eyebrow as he filled his glass.
The words of Yulmyeong the messenger from the Presbyterian Church came to his mind.
[The Lord of Huais does not consider any of the Confucius to be his successors.]
[…What does that mean?]
[I’m telling you this because I think you want to know.]
[Why are you saying that now?]
It was at a time when there were rumors that Hoeju’s condition had deteriorated and he was stepping on his limbs.
But why does he suddenly say this?
-Park!
Na Yu-ryang said in a cold voice while pressing Yu-myeong’s fatal blood bleed with his thumb.
[What are you planning for the Presbyterian Exhibition?]
[You say something interesting about decorating. The Presbyterian Hall is simply a place where people who have retired from the association gather to spend their golden years.]
[You like old age. Why are these old folks so interested in the future of the meeting? The same goes for the succession structure.]
[Well no matter how retired you are the future of the meeting depends on it.]
[After the meeting? That’s funny. Isn’t it because you want to hold it again even after retirement?]
[Do you want to say power?]
[Are you asking because you don’t know?]
[….]
Na Yu-ryang who was staring at Yul-myeong without an answer soon let go of the yohyeol.
Unlike others he had no eyes so it was difficult to read his emotions or what he was thinking.
Nayuliang spoke to him.
[Please pass this on to your older relatives. I don’t mind supporting me but I ask you to stop going beyond that.]
[That might be a little difficult.]
[what?]
[Even so they asked me to suggest something to Confucius.]
[proposal? I’m sure…]
[The situation has changed. The fourth person that no one will know will be chosen as the successor. If that happens it will cause division in the meeting.]
[…The fourth person?]
[yes. Therefore in the Presbyterian War we plan to promote Confucius as the Lord of the Lord.]
Hearing these words from Yu Myung Grand Duke Na Yu Liang’s expression became much colder than before.
Even though he couldn’t see Na Yu-ryang’s expression Yu-myeong seemed to sense that the air had changed and with a joke he widened the distance by about half a step.
[That’s surprising. I thought Confucius would not have much of a relationship with Huaiju.]
[That’s none of your business.]
[Loyalty to the teacher… What is this?]
[You guy…]
-Sureuk!
Before he knew it Yulmyeong was about six steps away from him.
If he had been just a little bit late he would have torn up the bullshit bullshit on the spot.
[If that’s the case I understand you’re angry but please listen to my story first.]
[Get out.]
[Calm down. There is no more time. There is no point in regretting it later after losing your seat.]
[Even if you guys don’t get involved the place is…]
[It cannot be Confucius’s. The reason why Hoeju has not decided on a successor even while he is sick is because he has no intention of giving it to anyone.]
[….]
[I guess I’m still not convinced. Then do you know why the Lord has no children?]
[….]
Na Yulyang’s cold eyes narrowed.
He was also not particularly open-minded so he never had any particular questions about it.
[Because you’re not interested in women? Or is it because she can’t have children?]
[…What do you want to say?]
[Hoeju simply did not marry or have children of his own. Because Tianmai no longer wants to be Lord Hui.]
One of Nayuliang’s eyebrows rose upward.
What do you mean Tianmai no longer wants to be Lord Hui?
Something was getting confusing.
Until now it was thought that Hoeju’s intention was to ensure succession through competition.
So there were no particular complaints.
This was because none of his priests could challenge his stronghold.
However the fact that the owner of the company did not consider anyone to be his successor could not help but sound annoying.
Then why on earth did they accept them as disciples?
Then Yulmyeong said:
[There are two requirements for the Presbyterian War. This is absolutely not a harmful request. If you accept it Confucius will be able to become the Lord of the Lord.]
After hearing his words for a moment Na Yu-ryang was silent and asked.
[…What are the requirements?]
[First you can marry Lady Wi So-yeon the youngest priest at the Hoeju inauguration ceremony.]
[what?]
It was a completely unexpected request.
Marry Wi So-yeon?
Yulmyeong smiled and said to the puzzled man.
[This is for the sake of legitimacy. If Confucius were to become Lord Hui he would have blood relatives among the disciples of Cheonmaek and everyone would understand even if he replaced the family of Cheonmaek.]
It wasn’t an unreasonable statement.
[What is the second one?]
[that….]
Na Yulyang’s expression became strange at the second request of the following elder battle.
This was because this was a completely unexpected request.
Because of this Na Yulyang took some time to consider their suggestions.
Are these words really true?
Or are they doing this on purpose to confuse and paint the picture they want?
So there was nothing wrong with what Yulmyeong said.
Aside from the fact that his illness was getting worse didn’t he continue to refuse even private treatment?
Is it really true that Master Ani the head of the association no longer wants Tianmei to lead the association?
-widely!
After emptying his glass Na Yulyang put it down on the table.
Then it happened.
Someone hurriedly ran to the corner where he had served drinks.
Even though he was running his voice was hard to hear and his energy was so low that it was hard to feel him.
As soon as Moyak saw him he stood up and said:
“I am the one who gave it to King Pabu.”
“The Gyeongshinbeop is unique.”
“The person I introduced to you at that time is the silent sword hyung who graduated from the Jungwon Four Colleges. “He is the one whom Confucius said was useful because he knew how to hide his energy.”
“…The face is different. Is it bast cotton?”
“I guess so. “But why are you running so quickly?”
In response to Moyak’s question the man who came running took a deep breath put his hands together and spoke politely.
“I came in a hurry because I had to convey it quickly.”
His reaction whetted Moyak’s appetite.
“Something seems amiss. I think we should give up our high expectations. Confucius.”
At those words Grand Duke Na Yuliang snorted.
I didn’t have great expectations from the beginning.
In any case it was expected that King Ho Tae-gang would try to take desperate measures.
Even so looking at the reaction of Deija who thought he would use his hands to some extent for the sake of survival it seemed that Vice King Pa did not move as he wanted.
“Is that why King Pabu returned from cancer without doing anything?”
“That’s not it.”
“If not what happened?”
“King Pabu was unilaterally pushed out.”
Moyak tilted his head at those words.
What does this mean?
King Ho Taekang was unilaterally pushed out?
Did he get into an argument with his teacher Lord Amjong?
I was puzzled but Mu-eum-do Hyeong-in continued speaking in a serious voice.
“I tried to subdue a man named Mok Gyeong-un but in just a few seconds I ended up on his knees even breaking his arm.”
‘!?’
At those words Grand Duke Na Yu-ryang who was filling his glass immediately stopped.
Of course I had no choice but to stop.
Who is King Ho Taekang?
He was a member of the Five Kings the highest executive of the Heaven and Earth Association and the highest-ranking member to receive the title of Eight Stars one of only two in the Heaven and Earth Association.
But in just a few seconds he broke his arm and fell to his knees?
Moyak opened his mouth as if it were absurd.
“…under? “Is it deaf?”
“It’s not a no-nonsense thing. It’s true.”
Mueumdo Hyeong-in waved his hand.
It was also a sight I couldn’t believe even when I saw it with my own eyes.
Excluding Yukcheon (六天) who is said to be the pinnacle of the current martial arts world those who were recognized as the highest martial arts leaders were those who received the title of Eight Saints.
However it was a shock in itself to see such a top leader being toyed with by a young man who had not even entered into terms of terms.
“…Are you sure?”
“Really. And there was a great expert on carcinoma. Even if it were just the guards they were able to find me with my presence and energy completely lost through the silent technique…”
“for a moment. “So besides the guards you were also caught?”
“…I apologize.”
“Is that why you ran away in a hurry and came here?”
Moyak’s voice grew louder.
“Don’t worry about that. I didn’t come here straight away. “I detoured the route and hid for a while to check the tracking.”
“ha.”
At those words Moyak shook his head with a sigh.
The other watchers were sent intentionally to show that they were watching King Pabu but it was not Lee.
From beginning to end he was someone who should never be caught.
But it wasn’t enough to get caught so he ran away.
Mo Yak turned his head towards Grand Duke Na Yuliang and said.
“Confucius. Regardless of whether the report is true or not…”
“Are you sure?”
“yes?”
“You defeated King Pabu in just a few seconds.”
That question was not to Moyak but to Mueumdo Hyeongin.
“I can tell you this with my life. Even King Pabu was no match for him. “It’s as if it’s a much higher level of inaction than that….”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
Mo Yak interrupted his words.
Then he looked at Grand Duke Na Yu-ryang and said.
“According to what Confucius said a man named Mok Gyeong-un was at the beginning of Hwa-gyeong until he received a secret mission. However if Mueumdo’s report is correct it is only possible to overcome the wall and reach the same level as Hoeju who is in bed. No matter how monstrous the speed of his development is this is….”
“under!”
At that time Grand Duke Na Yu-ryang burst out laughing as if he was out of his wits.
Why are you doing that?
While he was puzzled Prince Na Yulyang soon began to burst into laughter.
“Hahahahahahahaha.”
Mo Yak frowned at that sight.
He had never been seen like this before.
But he suddenly started laughing so crazy that he couldn’t understand what was going on.
Eventually I Yulryang stopped laughing shook his head and quickly took a sip of his drink.
After drinking like that Na Yulyang put down the glass and stood up.
“Confucius?”
“I thought no one would be able to follow me without any material but it seems I was mistaken.”
“Confucius… I can’t believe the report from Mueum Island…”
“What if I don’t believe it?”
“….”
“What do you think you can do about an unrivaled expert who received the title of Eight Saints by faking his magic or inaction?”
Hearing Na Yulyang’s words Mo Yak took a deep breath and then exhaled.
Then he soon calmed himself down and opened his mouth.
“Confucius seems to have judged that the bastard has become really strong.”
“I’m not judging it’s probably true.”
He also reached the peak of Hwagyeong (極) through the closed pavilion and thanks to Jun-i Yoan (妖眼) in the Presbyterian Hall he gradually began to see beyond the walls of the wall.
He even gained confidence that if he used the power of his eyes he might be able to defeat even the best fighters who received the title of Eight Stars.
The determination to face the first enemy that appeared made him this strong.
But it seemed like he exceeded even his expectations.
‘Have I been caught by chance?’
As he left the group under secret orders he seemed to have encountered an opportunity for his military status to rise rapidly.
It was something that couldn’t be explained otherwise.
No actually he wasn’t very convinced.
If it is certain that he has truly overcome the wall he has shown tremendous growth that is unprecedented in the history of martial arts.
For the first time Nayuliang felt this emotion.
‘Is this… jealousy?’
Although I was shocked by the guy’s rapid and crazy growth I also felt angry for a moment.
I didn’t know that this was really a talent given from heaven.
Na Yu-ryang who burst out in laughter and released his emotions freed himself from jealousy for a moment quickly regained his cool.
hereto
“Moyak.”
“yes.”
“If we assume that he has reached the same level as Huaiju what should he do from now on?”
“If it’s the same level as Hoeju….”
“okay.”
“…I’m sorry but no one stands a chance in one-on-one.”
“I guess so.”
If given at least a few more years maybe even a year he might be able to practice like crazy and somehow overcome the wall.
But right now I couldn’t reach the same realm as him.
In that case the only answer was to deal with him in a different way.
Moyak opened his mouth cautiously.
“If we use all our might we might just be able to take on him. “If I didn’t know his level I wouldn’t know. Now that I know this let’s find a way…”
That was before the words were even finished.
-widely!
‘!?’
Moyak was momentarily speechless at the sound of landing right behind him.
The strange feeling of foreignness sent shivers down my spine and as I hesitated for a moment whether I should turn my head or not I heard a low voice in my ear.
“That’s right. So I don’t want to give you time to grope.”
< Episode 104: Crossroads (1) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
