Chapter 103
The Great Namgung Family and the Baek Sword Sect’s group boarded the ship and continued their journey at the crack of dawn. Whenever night fell, they would dock and spend the night in a nearby city. Mu-Gun and his party had nothing to do while they were aboard the ship. They normally would have sparred with each other to train their martial arts, but the Great Namgung Family’s martial artists were around.
Mu-Gun no longer had to observe the Six White Wolves’ training, so he honed his own martial arts instead. With his martial arts at a level where it no longer mattered whether he trained physically or not, he could train as much as he wanted while aboard the ship. After all, it was currently much more important for him to gain martial art enlightenment than do physical training.
Mu-Gun stayed inside the cabin and concentrated on his training throughout the journey. He always did devote a lot of time to training. However, right now, he was also using it to prevent Namgung Hyun-Ah, who was intentionally trying to spend time with him, from approaching him. She had confidence in herself and, given her good looks, was more than qualified to have that sort of confidence. Hence, she believed that Mu-Gun would fall for her if she maintained a close relationship with him.
The problem was that she found no opportunity to get close to Mu-Gun. Having seen through her intentions, Mu-Gun ensured she wouldn’t have any chances to get close to him. It made Hyun-Ah upset, but she could not interfere with Mu-Gun’s martial arts training. She found herself in the same situation even when they were off the ship. Mu-Gun blocked her advances by spending time with Hwang Rei and the Six White Wolves or by using martial arts training as an excuse.
They could only ever have a conversation whenever they were having a meal, but many eyes were looking during those times, forcing them to only have a formal conversation. After a few days of suffering from the same situation, Hyun-Ah finally felt that Mu-Gun was deliberately avoiding her. According to her uncle Namgung Ho, Mu-Gun already had a woman in his heart. He also told her that Mu-Gun said it would not be polite to marry a lady of the Great Namgung Family for political reasons only to end up neglecting her.
Taking those words into consideration, Hyun-Ah thought Mu-Gun did not avoid her because he did not like her. Mu-Gun had simply distanced himself to be faithful to the woman he loved. Realizing Mu-Gun had a heart purer than he looked, her interest in Mu-Gun deepened. In her mind, it would be difficult to win Mu-Gun’s heart if this situation persisted. She had to be more proactive. To that end, Hyun-Ah visited Mu-Gun, who was honing his martial arts in his room, without notice.
“It’s Namgung Hyun-Ah. Can you spare me a moment?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be disturbed in the middle of my training,” Mu-Gun politely refused.
“It will only take a moment.” Hyun-Ah did not back down, however.
Hyun-Ah’s seemingly determined response left Mu-Gun with no other choice but to let her in.
“What’s the matter?” Mu-Gun asked.
“I like you, Young Master Baek,” Hyun-Ah suddenly confessed.
“What do you mean by that...?”
Mu-Gun looked at Hyun-Ah with a flustered expression. Mu-Gun was not the type to get flustered, but he could not help but feel that way due to Hyun-Ah’s sudden confession.
“It’s as I just said. I like you, Young Master Baek.”
“That’s a rather baffling remark. What have we done together for you to like me?”
“We don’t have to do anything to fall in love. Some fall in love from the moment they first lay eyes on someone. That’s what I feel about you, Young Master Baek.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t reciprocate your feelings, Lady Namgung.”
“You don’t have to give me an answer now. I just wish you would give me some of your time on our way to Wuchang.”
“What sort of time are you asking for?”
“Time for me to show you what kind of person I am. You are the first man I am pouring out my feelings to, so it feels unfair to let it all end before you even know what kind of person I am.”
“Even if I get to know you properly, my answer will not change, Lady Namgung.”
“If so, then I will accept your decision without hesitation when the time comes, Young Master Baek. For now, however, please give me a chance. Let me tell you this now: refusing me now would be useless. I will still come and bother you whenever I can.”
Hyun-Ah’s empty threats dumbfounded Mu-Gun.
“I definitely tried to stop you. Don’t resent me later on.”
“Don’t worry. If Young Master Baek sincerely spends time with me, I will not resent you no matter what your final decision is.”
Mu-Gun could see the confidence on Hyun-Ah’s face. She wholeheartedly believed that he would eventually become infatuated with her.
“Fine then, what do I have to do?”
“Just treat me with sincerity and look at me for who I am. You don’t have to do anything else.”
“I’ll try.”
“That being said, why don’t we have a drink? Alcohol is the best at making one honest with their feelings,” Hyun-Ah said with a smile in her eyes.
That gesture of hers caused Mu-Gun’s eyes to waver a little. Her smiley eyes were alluring enough to shake his composure.
‘I might really fall head over heels for her.’
Mu-Gun had an ominous premonition that he would fall for Hyun-Ah’s beauty.
‘Well, it’ll work out somehow.’
Paying not much heed to it, Mu-Gun headed down to the inn’s ground floor with Hyun-Ah. When they arrived, they found a few Great Namgung Family martial artists having a drink. They quickly got up and bowed upon noticing Hyun-Ah.
“It’s fine. Don’t mind me and just keep drinking. Not too much, though.”
“Understood.”
The Great Namgung Family’s martial artists sat back down, then glanced at Mu-Gun and Hyun-Ah, their eyes filled with envy as they stared at Mu-Gun. Hyun-Ah was the object of admiration for the Great Namgung Family’s martial artists. Hence, it was only natural for them to be envious of Mu-Gun, who came down to drink with Hyun-Ah alone. Feeling flattered by their gazes, Mu-Gun smiled.
“Why are you smiling?”
“It’s nothing.”
“No, something’s up.”
“For a moment, I just felt like a man going around with a beautiful woman.”
You at least see me as a beauty.”
“My eyes are functioning properly.”
“That’s a relief. If your eyes had been crooked, my one strength couldn’t have shone at all.”
“You must be very confident in your appearance.”
“To be honest, I know best that I am pretty. You are also well aware that you are handsome, aren’t you?”
“That’s true.”
“That’s what I mean. I don’t like pretending that I don’t know, and being pretty is not a crime.”
“It isn’t, but if you show off too openly, it becomes a little annoying.”
“But pretending not to know that I’m pretty would be even more spiteful.”
“That is indeed annoying in its own way.”
“Do you find me annoying?”
“Not to that extent.”
“Well then, should we order some drinks?”
“What would you like to drink?”
“What’s your favorite?”
“I’m open to all types of alcohol.”
“Let’s drink the most famous alcohol here, then.”
Mu-Gun nodded. He called for a waiter and asked him what the most famous alcohol was in the inn. The waiter recommended the Lidu Wine, so Mu-Gun ordered one along with some appetizers.
“Are you good at drinking?” Hyun-Ah asked.
“I can hold my weight. What about you, Lady Namgung?”
“It would be weird if a woman is too good at drinking, wouldn’t it?”
“You look like you’re good at it.”
“But I don’t drink often.”
Mu-Gun chuckled at Hyun-Ah’s response.
“What do you think? Doesn’t being with me make you smile?” Hyun-Ah asked while smiling.
“It’s pretty easy to make me laugh.”
“Tch, stop putting on airs.” Hyun-Ah pouted.
Mu-Gun laughed again, finding it a fun sight to see. Considering he kept laughing even though it was nothing of significance, he seemed to like spending time with Hyun-Ah.
“Do you have any questions for me?” Hyun-Ah asked.
“Not particularly.”
“That’s cold-hearted.”
“Do you have anything you want to ask me, then, Lady Namgung?”
“There are so many questions I want to ask you. Things like your type of girl, what sort of food you like, what tea you drink the most, and what you do when you have time.”
“You’re curious about too many things. I can’t answer them all.”
“Don’t worry, we have plenty of time. We can talk about it while we drink.”
“I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight. I feel like you will hold on to me all night long.”
“What are you worried about? There’s nothing to do on the ship anyway, so you can just sleep when we board again.”
“What do you mean there’s nothing to do? I don’t even have enough time to practice my martial arts.”
“Aren’t you tired of that?”
“I can’t hope to become stronger if I can’t put in that much effort.”
“You don’t like martial arts training more than women, do you?”
“I’ve never thought about it before, but now that I do, I find myself in a dilemma.”
“Are you serious?”
“No matter how much I like martial arts, I will never neglect the woman I love because of it.”
“That’s a relief. I prefer a warm-hearted man than a martial arts master.”
“That’s unexpected. As a lady of the Great Namgung Family, I thought your standard for choosing a man would be based on their martial arts.”
“No matter how strong their martial arts are, what use would I have for it? The best I can hope for is a man who loves me and is proficient in martial arts,” Hyun-Ah said, seemingly remorseful.
Mu-Gun sensed that she had some sort of story, but he did not pry further. There was no need to bring back her bad memories for no reason. Not long after, the liquor and side dishes were served.
“Shall we have a drink?”
“Okay.”
Mu-Gun poured Hyun-Ah a glass of alcohol, then filled his own glass as well. They then raised their glasses and drank it all in one shot.
“Kuuuu, it’s stronger than I thought.”
“But it smells good.”
“I know, right? I heard that it’s the most famous alcohol in this inn. Now I know why.”
“Have some side dishes too.”
“You too, Young Master Baek.”
They had some of the side dishes in a friendly manner. Recommended by the waiter as well, the Lushan Three Rocks consisted of stone clams, rockfish, and bamboo shoots. Each of these individual ingredients was delicious, but they tasted even better when paired together. It was certainly a good side dish to alcohol.
“The side dishes are great as well.”
“I agree. I honestly didn’t expect much, but it tastes pretty good.”
“Shall we have another drink?”
The side dishes were so delicious that they both craved more alcohol. Mu-Gun filled both his glass and Hyun-Ah’s again. However, just as Mu-Gun raised his glass, he suddenly stopped. His expression also noticeably stiffened.
“What’s wrong?” Hyun-Ah looked at Mu-Gun, wondering what happened.
“I think enemies are coming.”
“Enemies?”
“We don’t have time to waste. You should go up first and let them know about the enemy’s attack.”
“What about you, Young Master Baek?”
“I have to stop their advance. Everyone, stop drinking and get up! The enemy will charge in soon,” Mu-Gun told the Great Namgung Family’s martial artists who were drinking on the first floor.
“An enemy attack? What do you mean?” one of the warriors asked, bewildered.
“Everyone, do as Young Master Baek says,” Hyun-Ah firmly ordered.
Without daring to make another comment, the Great Namgung Family’s martial artists grabbed hold of their weapons. Hyun-Ah quickly headed upstairs and informed everyone that the enemy was about to attack. In response, the Great Namgung Family and the Baek Sword Sect quickly prepared to fight.
“They’re coming!” Mu-Gun shouted.
A huge wave of energy came flying and smashed the inn’s entrance, its fragments raining over Mu-Gun and the Great Namgung Family’s martial artists inside the inn. It could be quite dangerous if the sharp fragments hit them, so Mu-Gun quickly swung his sword and deflected the fragments flying toward him. Despite being drunk, the Namgung Family warriors also blocked or avoided them.
Ten men soon entered through the shattered entrance of the inn. Quickly examining them, Mu-Gun discovered that three of them were Absolute Realm masters and seven were Upper Peak Realm masters. There was also a particularly noteworthy person among them—Heavenly Killer Dark Monarch Yoo Hyo-Gwang. As soon as Mu-Gun saw him, he knew immediately that he was a demonic practitioner of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.
“Get rid of the Baek Sword Sect’s Young Patriarch before the others come.”
At Hyo-Gwang’s orders, Lulin Fist King Gu Se-Gwang and Changjiang King of Hell Hwang Chi-Soo nodded.
The three Absolute Realm masters rushed toward and attacked Mu-Gun in unison. Gu Se-Gwang fired stone-like fist energy as Hwang Chi-Soo manifested saber energy in the shape of a shark’s fang through his saber. Meanwhile, Hyo-Gwang materialized vajra qi in the form of the underworld’s undead. Their attacks charged toward Mu-Gun from three different sides.
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