Episode 161
The essence of darkness (1)
“Hmm? Okcheong dough?”
“Ah… it’s been a while.”
“What makes it so long? “It’s only been one day.”
“exactly…?”
A look of puzzlement appeared on Yeo Guk’s face.
“Why are you looking so nervous? “Is something bad happening?”
“No.”
The sight of his pale complexion and even his hands shaking was overwhelming. It was so obvious that something was going on that I actually thought that nothing special was happening.
“What’s going on? By the way, have you heard of Okcheong Dough? That Commander Yeon broke through the barrier of martial arts. her! I thought he was a great person, but now I see that there is no such thing as a male monster…”
“….”
“Hmm, you must be very tired. “Go in and get some rest.”
“…I am not worthy of rest.”
What does this mean again?
Although she was a woman who usually did not care about other people’s business, Okcheong’s expression was very unusual.
Yeo-guk asked.
“Tell me. “What’s going on?”
“I guess…”
“I guess?”
In the end, Okcheong sighed heavily.
“It seems like I came into the Mortal Army for no reason.”
“Ugh?”
Yeo-guk looked at Ok-cheong in surprise.
Although he seems gentle and innocent, there were few people in the Mortal Death Army who were as passionate as Okcheong. Not only martial arts training but also concentration on the mission.
Regardless of his skills, he is a very hard-working person, so what does this mean?
Okcheong touched her forehead.
“That won’t work. “I have to go see the commander.”
“What…”
“See you later.”
With those words, Okcheong rushed out. The direction was toward Pagungak, one of the residences of the six generations of the royal family.
Yeo-guk quenched his appetite.
“Why on earth are you doing that?”
* * *
In Seunghyeonjin’s eyes, it seemed like he was a gatekeeper and could not be seen. It seemed like they were going to break through the gate of Pagungak at any moment.
In the end, Yeon Ho-jeong came forward.
“You?”
“I am the commander of the Mortal Army. “I’m meeting the shaman Jang Mun-in.”
Yeon Ho-jeong politely took the gun.
Seung Hyun-jin’s face, which had been blushing, suddenly regained its original color. When I saw the person involved, my heart calmed down.
‘hmm.’
Once I regained my composure and calmed down my excitement, I was able to fully focus on the young man named Yeon Ho-jeong.
Seunghyunjin’s eyes widened.
“Huh.”
Yeon Ho-jeong asked calmly.
“Why did you come here?”
I wanted to give an order to congratulate the guests, but I couldn’t because I was the other person.
Seunghyeonjinin was Okcheong’s brother-in-law and a giant who led the Shaman faction of his time. Crucially, he was also a member of the Murim League like his father.
I had to show at least some courtesy in case a conflict of more than a certain degree arose.
“You are Commander Yeon?”
“That’s right.”
“Huh huh huh.”
Seunghyeonjinin, who was making a strange sound that could not be exclamation or sighing, soon opened his mouth.
“Nice to meet you. This is the long gate of the shamans of the time. “He uses the pen name Seunghyeon.”
“I know.”
It was a speech and action with courtesy and moderation.
In the meantime, there was a strange sense of leisure. His clear eyes and naturally relaxed posture made him look very flexible.
Seunghyeonjinin was inwardly embarrassed.
‘Is it because you took a break? Or is it because his martial arts level has risen….’
It smells much more like a person.
When I was reporting my return, I saw it briefly at Museongjeon.
At that time, I felt a strong sense of death in Yeon Ho-jeong. This was because, knowingly or unknowingly, he was filled with a desire to kill while defeating countless enemies.
But it was different now.
‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such deep and clear eyes.’
Even in Wudang Mountain, a sacred place in Taoism, there are not many people with such clear eyes.
Seung Hyun Jin-in slowly turned his head.
There was a woman standing awkwardly in the distance. Although he wasn’t as good as Yeon Ho-jeong, he was a great expert considering his age, and his eyes were especially clearer than Yeon Ho-jeong’s.
‘Did you say that friend is the commander of the Mortal Army?’
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I was so feverish that I came to visit without realizing it, but when I saw the man and woman with clear eyes, I soon regained my composure.
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Hmm.”
I had a lot to say, but when we met face to face, I couldn’t open my mouth easily.
In the end, Seunghyeonjinin sighed.
“Could you please get me a cup of tea?”
“of course. “Please come in.”
After a while, two people sat across the table from Yeonhojeong’s room.
Now I have to say something. Seunghyeonjinin asked directly.
“I came because of Priest Okcheong.”
“Okcheong?”
“That’s right.”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Is there something wrong with Ok-cheong?”
“I think there is.”
Seunghyunjin’s eyes deepened.
“It’s been a while since I watched the priest’s martial arts skills. It’s changed amazingly. I truly understood the true nature of shaman martial arts. “It is said that the priest, who in the past had walked the path of seeking enlightenment by thoroughly cultivating his form, suddenly had the scent of a warrior.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Yeah, that’s a good thing. “If only it had ended there.”
Only then did Yeon Ho-jeong know what Seung Hyeon-jin wanted to say.
“You say that because of the life inherent in martial arts.”
“That’s right.”
Seunghyeonjin’s face suddenly hardened.
“It wasn’t just a change. “It was an extreme killing method that aimed to rupture the opponent’s veins and kill them every second.”
“I guess so.”
It’s a strange answer.
The answer sounded as if he knew it would change that way.
Seunghyunjin’s eyes became sharp.
“I’m glad I didn’t lose the essence of shaman martial arts even though I acquired such fierce martial arts skills. However, if it is 1 degree in height, it is said to be 1 degree in height. “If you practice martial arts steeped in life, there will be a high probability that you will soon lose the shaman’s original martial arts energy.”
“Maybe so.”
It was a strange answer this time too.
The nape of Seunghyunjin’s neck slowly turned red. The heat that had calmly subsided just a moment ago seemed to be raising its head again.
“I know the Jade Blue Priest. “No matter how hellish a situation I went through, I’m not the type of kid to learn martial arts like that.”
“That’s how I see it, too. At first, I thought he was a lazy genius obsessed with stereotypes, but it turned out that his nature was pure enough to be suitable to continue the lineage of Seondo (仙道).”
“That’s right.”
Seunghyunjin, who paused for a moment, asked directly.
“Did you fix it?”
“That’s right.”
It was the answer I expected. But speaking so plainly, I actually ran out of things to say here.
Seung Hyeon Jin-in, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, said.
“Do you know that the person who taught martial arts to Priest Okcheong was Geomseon (劍仙) Sabaek, the greatest elder in the text and praised by everyone?”
“I know.”
“People tend to change depending on their environment. “No matter who he studied with, he would have fully understood it if Okcheong himself had stepped forward and transformed martial arts.”
“….”
“But that child’s change was not due to his own enlightenment, but due to the coercive teachings of others….” “
I’m sorry for interrupting you mid-sentence, but what do you want to say to me?”
It was a bold question.
Surprisingly, Seunghyeonjinin could not easily open his mouth to Yeonhojeong’s words.
Are you going to take away Okcheong? That can’t be possible. Now that Okcheong has entered the Mortal Army, the only person who can decide his future is the Commander of the Mortal Death Army. Since it was acknowledged at the Bonggong meeting, it was not a matter for Seunghyeonjinin to argue about.
However, he thought that Yeonhojeong’s method was clearly problematic.
“Did it have to be that way?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled faintly.
Seunghyeonjinin continued speaking immediately.
“The Mortal Army has made a great contribution. It’s all thanks to you, and it’s also the result of the soldiers’ efforts. I also understand that martial arts that are full of life are more advantageous in returning from the dead. However…”
“You are saying that in the long run, it could cause great harm.”
“That’s right.”
“Then let the elders of the shaman catch it.”
“what?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.
“It is more advantageous for survival from limb. For that reason alone, I taught them how to fight and how to kill. Assuming long-term development is, at least from my perspective, an issue not worth thinking about.”
“…!”
“The Mortal Army had to make a contribution. However, a highway can only be built if the soldiers are in good shape. Furthermore, even if the Mortal Army fails to achieve merit, the soldiers should not die.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Unless most of the soldiers entered the military with the intention of joining the military, their safety is the top priority for me. However, since the Mortal Army is also an independent Confucian army, they must make a contribution. “In this contradictory situation, the only way I could choose was to sharpen the soldiers’ swords.”
There was a reason why he was uncharacteristically nervous while watching the battle between the Mortal Army.
And that will continue in the future. Until they truly consider the organization known as the Army of Death as family, like their own sect.
Also, even after that happens, you will have to constantly pay attention. Because I promised that at least I wouldn’t let anyone die.
‘….’
Embarrassment appeared on Seunghyeonjin’s face as he looked at Yeonhojeong.
‘I see.’
There were many things I wanted to ask Yeon Ho-jeong about.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s firm answer made Seung Hyeon-jin reflect on himself.
‘Does this mean that Commander Yeon, in his own way, cares about the soldiers under his command?’
It was a natural fact. Just because it was obvious, Okcheong’s martial arts skills had become too brutal and he ran over to her and tried to scold her.
If I were my normal self, I would never have come forward like this. This is because the position of shamanist Jangmun-in is not something that can be achieved just by being strong in martial arts.
Seunghyeonjinin spoke honestly.
“Unlike a person who leads a shaman, I couldn’t see far, wide, or deep.”
He got up from his seat and lowered his head.
“What else can I say? It must have been a choice you made after much deliberation, but I made a big mistake due to my ignorance. “I apologize like this.”
This is not a greeting to be received lightly. Yeon Ho-jeong also stood up and bowed his head.
“no. “I think you have enough to worry about.”
Seunghyunjin smiled.
Even words that may sound empty contain strong sincerity. It probably means that you care about the other person.
“Okcheong is a good child. It is difficult for anyone to maintain innocence as they age. “That is why all the Taoists in the text cherish jade blue.”
This probably means that his strong affection for the youngest priest clouded his eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“If there comes a day in the future when the Mortal Army is disbanded, I will try to take away as much of the killing method that I taught Okcheong as much as possible.”
“Yes, I would be grateful if you did. “I don’t know how that would be possible.”
Seunghyeonjinin burst into laughter.
It was a situation where if something was done wrong, the relationship could have deteriorated. However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s strong response and Seung Hyeon-jin’s flexibility strengthened the relationship.
All human relationships are like that. You must be able to distinguish between when to take a step back and when to push forward, and you must also know how to reflect on your own words and actions.
‘He is a good person.’
Yeon Ho-jeong felt a secret crush on Seung Hyeon-jin.
I naturally like people who know how to take care of their own people, and I also like honest wise men. Seunghyeonjinin was a person who possessed both of those characteristics.
‘I grew up in the arms of these people, so Okcheong won’t go astray.’
It was then.
“By the way, there you are.”
“Please speak.”
“To be able to influence even the extremely detailed rituals of Okcheong’s fists and sword wielding, it is only possible to be well-versed in the martial arts of a shaman.”
“…Oh, that’s it.”
“Tell me.”
Seunghyunjin asked with a mischievous face.
“How much was stolen?”
It was a moment when the leadership of the conversation was reversed.
