Chapter 380: The Kunlun Mountains
Kunlun Mountains
“You lost track of Banyup? How did that happen?”
At Tang Mujin’s question, Hyun Gong wore a bitter expression.
“Is there ever a special reason for losing someone? We just couldn’t find him…”
By Tang Mujin’s standards, Banyup wasn’t a master. He hadn’t surpassed the pinnacle of martial arts, nor was he among the top-tier experts. At best, Banyup was mid-to-lower tier among first-rate martial artists.
In truth, that level of skill was enough to be recognized as competent anywhere, but not enough to be a pillar of a major sect. This made him suitable for running errands between the Kunlun Mountains and the Namgung family. The Kunlun Sect wouldn’t falter without him, and it was rare to encounter misfortune on such journeys.
The problem was that hiding wasn’t about martial prowess, and Hyun Gong’s tracking skills weren’t exceptional. It was especially difficult to find traces in the dark of night.
Hong Geolgae, who was lounging in a slanted position, asked, “Has Namgung Myung still not returned the sword?”
“No. If you want it back, you have to catch Banyup.”
It was clear that capturing Banyup wouldn’t be of much help unless it was done immediately. Sooner or later, they’d find out what happened at the Kunlun Mountains.
Yet, Namgung Myung hadn’t withdrawn the condition to capture Banyup for one reason: regardless of his intentions, Hyun Gong had used Namgung Jincheon’s death to his advantage, and he had to pay the minimum price for that.
Listening to the conversation, Hong Geolgae chuckled.
“Looks like you’re finally getting your comeuppance… Anyway, I should get going.”
Hong Geolgae stood up, dusted off his shabby clothes, and blended into the crowd leaving the Namgung family estate.
The next time they met, Hong Geolgae would surely be both the leader and the chief of the sect.
Tang Mujin also packed his belongings and stood up. The wedding was essentially over, and he planned to return to the Tang family estate as soon as possible. As always, once he arrived, things would calm down a bit, but a leader feels uneasy leaving home for too long.
“See you next time.”
When Tang Mujin said this, Hyun Gong waved his hand dismissively.
“No need for goodbyes just yet. I’m leaving with you.”
“Oh, really? That’s great.”
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong gathered their things and headed towards the main gate of the Namgung family estate together.
For a moment, Tang Mujin looked back. Namgung Myung had come out to the front of the main house and was waving at Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong. At his waist, the Songmun Sword was firmly secured.
Hyun Gong let out a deep sigh.
From the Namgung family’s perspective, Sichuan Province was to the west, and Wudang Mountain was to the northwest. Since their paths overlapped somewhat, traveling together partway wasn’t unusual.
However, even after reaching Yichang, beyond Wuchang, Hyun Gong showed no intention of disembarking from the boat.
Tang Mujin subtly asked Hyun Gong, “Shouldn’t you be getting off around here?”
But Hyun Gong’s response was unexpected.
“Me? I’m planning to accompany you all the way to the Tang family estate.”
”…Why the Tang family estate?”
Tang Mujin asked, sounding skeptical, and Hyun Gong put on the most harmless expression in the world.
“Don’t worry. I’m planning to go to Kunlun after stopping by the Tang family estate. I’ll find Banyup at the Kunlun Mountains. I don’t know if I’ll get there first or if Banyup will, but…”
“You must really want that Songmun Sword back.”
When Tang Mujin casually remarked, Hyun Gong gave a wry smile.
“Of course. Given my situation, I have no choice.”
“What situation?”
“Being young is great, but for a sect leader, youth is a disadvantage. I was promoted to the position of sect leader, bypassing seniority, so it’s even more so. If I return to Wudang Mountain without the Songmun Sword, it will be a serious problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“First, I’d have to step down from the position of sect leader. Honestly, that’s not a big issue. I’m not particularly attached to the position.”
The story was becoming increasingly unreliable.
However, Tang Mujin nodded politely, acknowledging the story.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“If I, who was appointed by Elder Yeongbo, fall from grace, the other Wudang sect members will look at Elder Yeongbo with suspicion. I don’t want that to happen. He’s already old and frail…”
Hyun Gong subtly tried to evoke Tang Mujin’s sympathy by bringing up Elder Yeongbo.
In the past, Tang Mujin might have been easily swayed, but not anymore.
In truth, Hyun Gong’s ideal scenario wasn’t just getting the Songmun Sword back immediately.
The best-case scenario for Hyun Gong was to receive a sword from Tang Mujin that rivaled the Songmun Sword.
If that happened, losing the Songmun Sword wouldn’t be an issue. Moreover, if he managed to capture Banyup and retrieve the Songmun Sword, the Wudang sect would gain an additional divine sword, and that would be entirely Hyun Gong’s achievement.
Hyun Gong intended to turn the loss of the Songmun Sword into an opportunity.
But he didn’t blatantly ask Tang Mujin to craft a sword for him. From what Hyun Gong knew, Tang Mujin wasn’t someone who would make a new sword just because of a little flattery.
Tang Mujin only crafted swords when he deemed it necessary based on his own criteria.
Of course, Hyun Gong found it hard to understand Tang Mujin’s actions.
‘If I had his skills, I’d have made several swords and used them as leverage.’
Tang Mujin asked Hyun Gong, “You’re the sect leader now, right? Is it okay for you to leave the Wudang sect for so long? It could take months to go to the Kunlun Mountains and back.”
“Elder Yeongbo is still in good health, so there shouldn’t be any major issues. Sunwooja has agreed to stop by the Wudang sect on his way back to the Huashan sect to relay what happened at the Namgung family.”
Well, that should prevent any major issues. Tang Mujin stopped worrying and leisurely watched the rippling waters of the Yangtze River.
On a day when the sun was still warm, Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong arrived at the Tang family estate.
Both Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong’s return seemed to delight Dan Seol-young and Mok Wan-ah, as their faces visibly brightened.
“Tang Mujin! You’re back? Hyun Gong’s here too?”
“Long time no see.”
“Welcome! What brings you here this time?”
“I’m planning to stay for a bit before heading to the Kunlun sect.”
In fact, Hyun Gong had a fairly good reputation within and around the Tang family estate.
Firstly, because during his stay, Hyun Gong actively took care of many tasks.
For instance, before Merchant Wang appeared, Hyun Gong had been a great help to Dan Seol-young. He also handled all sorts of odd jobs without hesitation, making it hard for anyone to dislike him.
Secondly, the comparison was too stark.
Namgung Myung’s eccentricities were known to those in the Tang family estate, and Hong Geolgae was often too lazy to help, frequently disappearing somewhere.
Even if Hyun Gong behaved normally, he naturally earned points compared to the other two friends.
Of course, Hyun Gong’s reputation management had ulterior motives, but it wasn’t something ordinary people could easily notice.
Several days passed, yet Hyun Gong showed no signs of leaving the Tang family estate.
Tang Mujin pondered why Hyun Gong was lingering instead of leaving early, but no reason came to mind.
In truth, Tang Mujin didn’t mind much. Having a friend around made things less dull, and Hyun Gong was quite helpful and sociable.
Hyun Gong even played well with Tang Mujin’s three daughters, earning the particular trust of Jang Il-nam.
Around the time nearly two weeks had passed, Hyun Gong approached Tang Mujin.
“Tang Mujin.”
Sensing a different atmosphere from usual, Tang Mujin could guess what the ensuing conversation would be about.
“Ah, are you finally leaving?”
“Yes. If I leave tomorrow, I should be able to return before winter sets in. Actually, I might already be a bit late. But I should be able to avoid staying in Qinghai during the coldest period.”
Hyun Gong looked at Tang Mujin with eyes full of expectation, but Tang Mujin didn’t understand the meaning behind that gaze.
Instead, Tang Mujin interpreted it in his own way.
“You should hurry back. Try to return before it gets too cold. It’d be even better if you stopped by the Tang family estate on your way back from Wudang Mountain. Young-yi seems to have grown quite fond of you. She’ll be sad if you disappear.”
For a moment, Hyun Gong looked at Tang Mujin with a gaze full of resentment.
But before Tang Mujin could notice, Hyun Gong quickly changed his demeanor and spoke in a solemn voice.
“Tang Mujin. I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“If I don’t return by the end of winter, please speak well of me to Elder Yeongbo.”
”···.”
A conversation hinting at death.
Normally, it would have been dismissed as nonsense. But now, Tang Mujin felt a distinct sense of unease.
Both Hyun Gong and his destination were problematic.
After Seol-hwa’s death, Tang Mujin had thought Hyun Gong seemed a bit unstable.
Hyun Gong himself might not have been aware, but Tang Mujin clearly felt that Hyun Gong’s behavior and demeanor had changed significantly. And such changes were usually not good signs.
People like that could act unpredictably at any moment.
Moreover, Hyun Gong’s destination, the Kunlun Mountains in Qinghai, was also a concern.
Tang Mujin had traveled all over the central plains, but Qinghai was the only place where he had no good memories.
The first time I ventured to Cheonghaeseong, I had to trudge through a blizzard with a mysterious corpse on my back. The second time, I was fleeing from the martial artists of the Demon Sect.
It was obvious that the situation around Mount Kunlun was dire. Whether the Kunlun Sect had fallen to the Demon Sect or not, trouble was brewing.
Dang Mujin spoke hesitantly, “Well… alright, I understand.”
Hyungong gave a complex, meaningful smile before rising from his seat.
Left alone in the dim room, Dang Mujin stared at the flickering flame of the lamp. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Hyungong had ulterior motives for staying at the Dang family estate, yet a sense of unease gnawed at him.
‘What if I really have to go to Youngbojin and deliver the news of Hyungong’s death?’
The thought was horrifying.
Time passed, and as Dang Mujin sat lost in thought, the door quietly creaked open, and someone entered.
It was Mok Wana, dressed in slightly thin clothing.
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Yeah.”
As usual, Mok Wana sat close beside Dang Mujin, so close their knees touched and they could hear each other’s breathing.
Sensing the turmoil in Dang Mujin’s expression, Mok Wana asked, “Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, lie down and tell me about it.”
Mok Wana lay on the soft bedding, patting the spot next to her. Dang Mujin obliged, lying down beside her.
If Dan Seol-young was a wise advisor and reliable partner, Mok Wana was someone who knew how to embrace and comfort him.
Dang Mujin began to spill the thoughts swirling in his mind, somewhat disjointedly. Mok Wana listened, occasionally asking questions or nodding in agreement, until he finished.
”…That’s how it is.”
When he concluded, Mok Wana smiled. “Isn’t the answer clear?”
“What answer?”
“Go.”
“That’s not why I told you all this.”
Mok Wana reached out and gently stroked his cheek. “Staying in comfort with loved ones is nice, but not leaving regrets is just as important. And now seems like one of those times.”
“It might end without incident. Yeah, it probably will.”
“But it’s bothering you, right? You once said a martial artist shouldn’t ignore their instincts.”
“That was about fighting for one’s life.”
“Still.”
Mok Wana got up and blew out the flickering lamp, plunging the room into darkness. The faint sound of fabric brushing against skin filled the air.
Finally, Mok Wana nestled back beside him. “No need to rush your decision. Think it over.”
“Now?”
“Hmm, maybe a little later.”
She giggled softly in the dark, snuggling into his arms. It would be a while before Dang Mujin resumed his pondering.
The next morning, Hyungong sat outside Dang Mujin’s quarters, waiting for him to appear.
When the door finally opened, Hyungong noted the fatigue etched on Dang Mujin’s face and felt a surge of satisfaction.
‘Looks like my plan worked. With Dang Mujin, setting the right mood always does the trick…’
Dang Mujin had clearly spent a restless night, his mind preoccupied. Among his many thoughts, perhaps he considered crafting a fine sword for a friend embarking on a distant journey.
Hyungong discreetly hid the sword Dang Mujin had once made for him behind his back.
Approaching Hyungong, Dang Mujin spoke, but not in the way Hyungong had anticipated.
“Hyungong, I’ll go with you to Mount Kunlun.”
”…Go with me?”
“Yes.”
The plan had taken an unexpected turn.
Instead of offering to forge a sword rivaling the Songmun Gogeom, Dang Mujin was proposing to accompany him.
Hyungong quickly waved his hands. “How could I take the head of the household away on a journey? If you’re concerned, maybe just a sword…”
Dang Mujin looked at him. “A sword? Is that all you need?”
Hyungong nearly stood up to applaud. He had already decided on a name for the new sword Dang Mujin might craft.
But he masked his excitement. “That would be more than enough.”
“If you say so… Alright, hand over the sword.”
Hyungong was taken aback. “Hand over the sword?”
“You want me to sharpen it, don’t you?”
Only then did Hyungong realize that not only the Songmun Gogeom was a masterpiece. The sword he carried was also crafted by Dang Mujin, and in terms of sharpness, it wasn’t far behind.
Hyungong thought frantically. ‘I didn’t spend two weeks at the Dang estate just to ask for a sharpening. But I have no excuse to request a new sword.’
‘What should I do?’
‘I need to keep persuading Dang Mujin. But I can’t stay at the estate any longer. I’ve already said I’d leave today…’
‘If I head to Mount Kunlun with Dang Mujin, I can stay close for at least a couple of months. He’s become more perceptive lately, but with constant flattery, I might just get a new sword. And if I can recruit Ban Yeop along the way, even better.’
Hyungong took a deep breath, having sorted his thoughts in a single moment.
”…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Just sharpening the sword won’t be enough. I need someone I can trust, someone reliable. An exceptional martial artist who can take down another with a single move would be ideal.”
Dang Mujin sighed deeply, then smiled faintly.