In Chapter 345 of “Tang Moon Chronicles,” Master Hyun Gong asked Tang Mujin, “Where are you headed?”
“Our destination is north, so there’s no need to go through Zhongjing. Let’s take the route through Hanzhong,” Tang Mujin replied, as if it were the most natural decision. No one disagreed.
Merchants traveling to and from Sichuan typically used the Yangtze River, while others preferred the Hanzhong route. Once a battleground for legendary figures like Liu Bang and Liu Bei, Hanzhong was now merely a key transportation hub.
Given their martial prowess, the group could have taken a more direct route north, crossing the mountains. However, even among the most eccentric martial artists, few chose such a path. The journey wouldn’t be shorter, and the effort required would be tenfold. Moreover, the remote mountain paths lacked inns or even homes, and Tang Mujin had no intention of camping in the cold dew from the start.
“Conserving energy early on ensures a comfortable journey to the end,” he thought.
After four days of travel, the group arrived in Hanzhong and immediately sought out an inn. There was no need to assess the inn’s exterior or the patrons to gauge the price range. Tang Mujin led them to the best-looking inn.
As the four of them entered, the bustling inn fell silent. Martial artists always drew attention, and the patrons watched them with curiosity. The innkeeper, however, seemed a bit uneasy. Hosting martial artists often led to disputes and sword fights. Young martial artists, in particular, sometimes tried to avoid paying for their rooms, despite their empty pockets.
One might wonder why they didn’t just choose a cheaper inn, but young martial artists often went through a phase of inflated egos. With all eyes on them and swords at their waists, they saw the world as beneath them. These young fools believed they deserved grand treatment, even without money, until another martial artist put them in their place.
Noticing the innkeeper’s growing concern, Tang Mujin placed a heavy pouch of coins on the counter, easing the innkeeper’s worries.
“We need rooms for the night. How much per room?”
“One silver coin per room,” the innkeeper replied.
It was a bit pricey, but Hanzhong was a bustling area with high living costs. In the most expensive inn in Hanzhong, one silver coin was expected.
“I’ll take a room for myself, Hong Geolge and Hyun Gong can share, and Seolhwa will need her own room,” Tang Mujin thought as he reached for three silver coins. But then Hyun Gong’s voice whispered in his mind.
Tang Mujin, we only need two rooms.
Why?
We should save money. Share with Hong Geolge.
In other words, Hyun Gong intended to share a room with Seolhwa. Tang Mujin glanced at Seolhwa, who seemed unaware of any such arrangement. He recalled the day Hyun Gong mentioned leaving for the north with Seolhwa. Hyun Gong hadn’t seemed disappointed when Tang Mujin showed reluctance to join, likely anticipating this moment.
If Tang Mujin booked only two rooms, Hyun Gong would feign reluctance and make his move on Seolhwa. Tang Mujin decided to uphold the world’s moral standards.
You’re my friend, and I don’t skimp on friends.
Wait!
Hyun Gong’s protest echoed in his mind, but Tang Mujin cheerfully placed three silver coins on the table.
“Three rooms, please!”
“Certainly. Right this way,” the innkeeper said, leading them to their rooms with a brightened expression.
Hyun Gong glared at Tang Mujin, his eyes burning with frustration. Though his intentions were clear, Tang Mujin held the moral high ground. It was improper to have a woman share a room with a grown man.
Tang Mujin gestured to Hyun Gong. “You can share with Hong Geolge.”
”…Didn’t you say you don’t skimp on friends?”
With no evidence left by telepathic communication, Tang Mujin feigned ignorance. “When did I say that?”
Hyun Gong shot him a disgruntled look, but Tang Mujin held the purse strings. He knew that maintaining discipline was crucial. While an ordinary person might hold a grudge, Hyun Gong was pragmatic enough to accept reality and bide his time. By asserting his financial control, Tang Mujin expected Hyun Gong to be more respectful the next day.
Tang Mujin retired to his spacious room and slept soundly.
The next morning, Tang Mujin awoke to find someone beside him. He squinted to see who it was.
It was Namgung Myung.
”…?”
Tang Mujin quietly got up and kicked Namgung Myung in the side.
“Ouch!”
Namgung Myung grimaced. “Why’d you wake me up?”
“When did you get here?”
“When else? Last night, of course.”
Tang Mujin never slept deeply outside the Tang family estate. He might appear to be in a deep sleep, but any nearby movement would rouse him instantly. Yet, he hadn’t sensed Namgung Myung sneaking into the room. It was understandable, given it was Namgung Myung.
Namgung Myung, perhaps misinterpreting Tang Mujin’s reaction, chuckled confidently. “Don’t worry. I shook off the pursuers. They didn’t see my face.”
The pursuers were likely Namgung Jincheon, who had vowed to capture the “Divine Thief.” Namgung Myung had become quite the rogue, referring to his father as a pursuer.
Though Namgung Myung’s arrival was sudden, Tang Mujin felt a faint sense of relief. It finally felt like the group was complete.
“You’re awake anyway, so let’s get moving.”
Tang Mujin stretched and headed out of the room.
The others weren’t surprised to see Namgung Myung, as if they had expected him all along.
The group left Hanzhong and continued north. They planned to cross the Yellow River, passing through the region between the Gongdong and Zhongnan sects.
Though they called it the space between the Gongdong and Zhongnan sects, the distance between them was considerable. The region was ideal for smaller sects to establish themselves and grow, as it lacked any dominant sects but had a decent population.
As they entered the region, they saw martial artists strutting around, flaunting their skills. Most ignored Tang Mujin’s group, but a few recognized them and quickly stepped aside.
“Come here!” a senior martial artist called out, suddenly cautious.
“Why?” a young martial artist asked, puzzled by the change in demeanor.
“See those young men? The one in front is Jeong Eon, and the one beside him is Yi Ryong.”
“Then the two behind them must be… Gyu Chogae and Namgung Myung?”
“Exactly.”
The group listened to the whispers around them. While Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong were unfazed, Hong Geolge and Namgung Myung had mixed feelings. Hong Geolge was disheartened that his nickname had spread so far, while Namgung Myung was disappointed that he wasn’t recognized as the “Sword King.”
It was only natural that the “Sword King” moniker hadn’t reached this far, given the distance between Namgung’s home and this region.
As they prepared to leave after restocking supplies, they noticed familiar faces among the onlookers. Though they weren’t renowned masters or acquaintances, their attire was recognizable.
Hong Geolge identified their clothing and asked Hyun Gong, “Aren’t those Gongdong sect members?”
“Yes, we saw them during the last righteous war.”
The group was puzzled by the presence of Gongdong sect members in the area. Large sects often established branches, but as far as they knew, the Gongdong sect had none.
Hyun Gong speculated, “With the destruction of their main hall and the decision not to rebuild, it seems the Gongdong sect is setting up branches like other sects.”
“That makes sense,” Hong Geolge agreed.
And that was the end of their interest. If it had been a branch of the Wudang, Zhongnan, or Huashan sects, they might have stayed for a day of hospitality. But their relationship with the Gongdong sect was complicated.
Hong Geolge turned to Tang Mujin and asked, “What do you think?”
“Mujin, how many times has the leader of the Gongdong Sect changed recently?”
“There have been four leaders… so it’s changed three times.”
First, there was Muryangja of the Gongdong Sect.
Muryangja was Baek Hyang-a’s master and a former member of the Six Masters, but he met his end while trying to kill Yu Gwan-il and Yu Jin-gwang.
Next came Sangyudo-in, whom Tang Mujin had never met. Baek Yaho, a spy from the Demonic Cult, killed Sangyudo-in and took control of the sect.
Baek Yaho was then killed by Manryeokseung, and Sangyudo-in’s brother, Sanggwado-in, became the new leader.
Hyeongong summed up the situation with a single word.
“It’s a mess.”
The Gongdong Sect was in chaos, and so was their relationship with Tang Mujin’s group.
Out of the four leaders, Tang Mujin’s group was involved in the deaths of two. And now, they were on their way to find Baek Hyang-a, Muryangja’s disciple.
It was also unclear how the current leader, Sanggwado-in, viewed Tang Mujin’s group.
While they had helped save the sect by killing Baek Yaho, they had also contributed to its downfall by killing Muryangja.
Similarly, it was impossible to predict how the mysterious Gongdong Sect’s branch leader would react to them.
Unless they were insane, they wouldn’t draw their swords in front of Tang Mujin’s group, but they were likely to face some uncomfortable stares.
Hong Geolgae commented, “Doesn’t seem like the best time to ask for a meal.”
“Yeah, best to avoid getting involved.”
Just as Tang Mujin’s group was about to leave the sect’s grounds, a hurried Taoist appeared and bowed before Tang Mujin. He seemed to hold a higher rank than the others.
“Are you perhaps the Four Dragons?”
“The Four Dragons?”
Tang Mujin’s group was puzzled by the unfamiliar term, prompting the Taoist to quickly explain.
“Yes! The Righteous Dragon, the Sword Dragon, the Tao Dragon, and, um…”
It seemed like he was trying to come up with impressive titles based on Tang Mujin’s nickname.
The Taoist hesitated, unsure of what to call Hong Geolgae, and finally blurted out, “…the Earth Dragon?”
Hong Geolgae’s face twisted slightly. “Earth Dragon” sounded like “earthworm.”
But he couldn’t get angry. He thought it might be better than his old nickname, “Dog of the Underworld.” Hong Geolgae felt a faint sense of self-pity.
Tang Mujin asked the Taoist, “Is there a reason you’ve come to us?”
“You young heroes have graced our sect with your presence, and we’ve been instructed to treat you with the utmost hospitality.”
“Ah…”
It was a bit early to settle in for the night.
But with such an invitation, it would be rude to refuse and leave abruptly.
Seeing an opportunity to improve relations with the Gongdong Sect, Tang Mujin nodded.
“Understood.”
Tang Mujin’s group followed the Taoist.
The place they arrived at was rather shabby and cramped for a branch of the Gongdong Sect. It was about half the size of the Cheongseong Sect’s branch.
”···.”
They hadn’t expected much, but their expectations dropped a little further.
The group entered the building led by the Taoist and found a place to sit and wait.
Namgung Myung remarked, “This place doesn’t look too good. Are we sure this is a Gongdong Sect branch?”
“You know the sect’s situation isn’t great. The branch might be a bit run-down. Everyone goes through tough times, and the Gongdong Sect is no exception,” Tang Mujin replied with a surprisingly mature tone.
Just then, they sensed movement outside.
The door opened, and three people entered carrying trays of food, though the offerings were a bit underwhelming.
The variety was limited, but it was clear they had tried to make up for it with more meat and rich dishes. The chicken was plentiful.
However, pointing out the shortcomings and rejecting their hospitality wasn’t an option, so Tang Mujin politely expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for the generous hospitality.”
“Yes, we hope the food suits your taste…”
After the three left, and just as they were about to start eating, someone Tang Mujin recognized appeared.
There was no mistaking the large scar on the man’s forehead.
The man with the scar addressed Tang Mujin’s group.
“Welcome to the main branch of the Gongdong Sect. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
The man with the scar was none other than the sect leader, Sanggwado-in.
’…Why is the leader here?’
Even more puzzling was that he referred to this place as the main branch of the Gongdong Sect, not a branch.
Why was the main branch in this town instead of on Gongdong Mountain?
Tang Mujin’s group was left bewildered.