◈Episode 704.
Between Death and Destiny (4)
“Whew.”
As always, I finish the training by taking a deep breath.
Tang Sang-er wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Yeon-wi.
Even though it was quite cold, I wore light clothing. Even then, my whole body was full of sweat.
In most cases, once you break through the barrier, cold weather is impervious. You definitely feel hot and cold, but because your body maintains its optimal condition at every moment, you almost never sweat.
Yeonwi was someone who had almost reached the end of such a state. Such a master trained to the point where his entire body was drenched in sweat.
‘That’s amazing.’
Tang Shang’er felt awe.
‘You won’t be able to look like that just by trying.’
Among the greatest experts, there is no one who hasn’t worked hard, and there is no one who doesn’t try.
But something was different about Yeonwi.
If you look at these people who are practicing almost in a state of madness, they actually do not look normal.
However, while Yeonwi strictly observed the training time, he maintained a gentle and strict appearance at other times. Yeonwi did not have the common belief that the more expert you are, the more crazy you have to be in order to grow.
But Tang Sang-ah was sure. The Yeonwi is working harder than anyone else.
The method of effort varies from person to person. Yeonwi developed himself through intensive training within a set period of time.
Such an appearance gave Tang Sang-ah great inspiration and emotion.
“Are you finished?”
“hmm?”
Yeonwi smiled. It was a smile that became gentler as the days passed.
“Okay, it’s over.”
“I think you’ve accomplished something.”
“There is always achievement.”
“yes?”
“Even if martial arts regresses, it is an achievement, and even if the level is stagnant, it is an achievement. “If I could clearly and completely keep the promises I made each day, what would that be but an achievement?”
“…!”
“There is no need to reduce the scope of what it means to get something. “What’s important is how you use your achievements.”
It was a unique perspective. At least that was the case for Dang Sang-ah.
Yeonwi asked.
“Are your training finished?”
“yes? Ah yes. “I just finished it too.”
“If we don’t have any other plans, let’s take a shower and eat something.”
“yes!”
Before going to Sacheon, Tang Gwan had told Yeon Wi to take good care of his daughter.
After Tang Guan left, Yan Wei took care of Tang Shang’er like a family member.
Should I say that he is like a real father?
I didn’t interfere more than necessary, but I always cautioned him whenever he did something unusual. He was gentle and gentle, but when he was like a sword, he showed himself to be more resolute than anyone else.
To Tang Sang-ah, it can be said that he is a truly unfamiliar yet familiar father figure. There was a part of the Yeonwi’s words and actions that felt more difficult than the party’s.
So Tang Sang-ah was even more careful, and at the same time felt more friendly.
“Sook-soo Jeong is going to serve the pork dish she made yesterday. “Shall we go there?”
“It’s good. When you arrive first, eat.”
“yes!”
It was then.
“Matriarch!”
Zhuge Wenhu’s voice came from outside the door.
Yeonwi said calmly.
“Please come in.”
The door opened and Zhuge Wenhu came in. He looked quite urgent, but had a bright face.
“Jongnam…!”
At that moment, Zhuge Wenhu saw Tang Shang’er.
Tang Sang-ah lowered his head.
“I’ll go out first.”
“I’m sorry.”
“no.”
At that time, Yeonwi raised his hand.
“We’re all going to find out anyway, so let’s not make the situation uncomfortable.”
“…?”
“Sang-a is a child with a heavy mouth. “Don’t worry, just tell me.”
It was an uncharacteristic remark for a royal family that values formality and law.
Zhuge Wenhu nodded and said.
“I won!”
Yeonwi’s eyes lit up.
“Thank goodness.”
Jongnam’s news was delivered very secretly and quickly. It had been five days since Jongnam Jang Mun-in, who had heard the news, left.
“However, the damage is said to be significant.”
“…I guess so.”
“We will formally inform you of the detailed situation, including the extent of the damage, at the public meeting.”
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
“Let’s do that.”
“Oh and.”
Zhuge Wenhu smiled.
“It is said that Yeon Dae-su made a great performance again in this fight. Of course, it’s in good condition.”
Yeonwi nodded.
“Thank you for telling me the news.”
“Okay then.”
If it was news like this, it would have been acceptable to have a subordinate deliver it. Nevertheless, the fact that he came to visit in person meant that Zhuge Liang was friendly to Yan Wei, and at the same time, it also meant that he considered Yan Haojeong to be important.
After Zhuge Wenhu left, Yan Wei sighed. It was a sigh of relief and a sigh of bitterness.
“It’s both fortunate and unfortunate.”
Tang Sang-ah asked cautiously.
“I guess Master Yeon has jumped into a dangerous mission again?”
Yeonwi said calmly.
“One of the three foreign powers attacked Jongnam.”
“…yes?!”
“They said they sent a huge army. However, it seems that Hojeong and Hwasan’s disciples added their strength and eventually defeated the enemy.”
Tang Sang-ah was surprised.
“You hit Jo Jong-nam?!”
“okay.”
“It’s… war!”
“yes.”
At that moment, Tang Sang-ah covered her mouth.
There must be a reason why this fact was shared only with the leaders of the Meng. In other words, the news that the Jongnam faction, one of the old factions, was attacked by foreign forces should not spread widely.
Yeonwi closed her eyes.
“It is truly fortunate that Hojeong is alive. However, it is truly sad that many Jongnam people died in the enemy’s offensive.”
“….”
“Jongnam Jang Mun-in must be very sad.”
Tang Sang-ah, who was quietly looking at Yeonwi, opened her mouth.
“Can I ask you something?”
“okay.”
“It is clear that this is information that should not be spread hastily… But is there still a reason why the Murim Alliance did not send troops separately?”
Among the countless sects in the central plains, there was no other reason why the Gupa Ilbang and the Sixth Generation were considered the best.
Jongnam is strong in itself. So much so that I don’t really need any help.
The problem is that the power of foreign powers is so strong that it could lead to an all-out war with the entire martial arts kingdom in the central plains.
If it was difficult to stop it with the strength of a local loser, the Murim Alliance had to send separate troops to help. But that wasn’t the case.
Yeonwi shook his head.
“When we learned the information, the enemy had already reached Jongnam.”
“ah…!”
“And even if we had known before, I don’t think Meng would have dispatched troops to Shaanxi.”
“yes? Why is that…?”
“Because it is war.”
Yeonwi looked up at the sky.
“This is because it is not a war that involves giving up one or two regions, but a war over the entire continent.”
“…!”
“The enemy had penetrated into various parts of the central plain without us knowing. “Now there are so few that it’s not even easy to tell them apart.”
“B but…!”
“What if they were preparing to attack another sect at the same time when they said they were going to attack Jongnam?”
“…?!”
“What if the enemy was stationed near Mt. Wudang without anyone knowing? Or what if the plan was to wait for the Murim Alliance’s forces to withdraw and attack this place in a way we couldn’t imagine?”
Tang Shang’er’s face turned pale.
Yeonwi lowered her head and said with a smile.
“Of course, something like that will never happen. The topography is topography, but the information network in the central region is faster and more precise than Sae-eop’s. Even more so, didn’t you join hands with Mukryongbu?”
“That’s right.”
“However, we also don’t know much about the enemy.”
That’s why I’m waiting.
That’s why I keep my mouth shut.
That’s why I’m forcing myself to smile.
The words that she had kept inside but could not say were spinning around in Yeonwi’s mouth. Because it wasn’t something I wanted to say to Dang Sang-ah right now.
“Just know this. We are also thoroughly preparing. All you need to know is that the Jungwon Wurim, who have protected their hometown for hundreds or even thousands of years, are keeping their eyes wide open so that they can once again wave the flag of victory against foreign invasions.”
Tang Sang-ah lowered his head.
“You confused the head of the family by asking a meaningless question.”
Yeonwi laughed.
“Is that possible? However, you are a member of the party family. “Sacheon’s work has been completed well, but don’t you know that the enemy’s attack is very surprising?”
“…yes.”
“The world is changing so rapidly. It has become more dangerous and more brilliant at the same time.”
Yeonwi stroked Tang Sang’er’s head.
“I won’t tell you to look far away. However, you must know that patience is difficult.”
“….”
“See you later.”
Tang Sang-erh asked quickly.
“Shouldn’t you go to the workers? “Anyway, you heard the news about Jongnam.”
“There is nothing I can do now. However, I think I have work to do in the future. “I just live faithfully every day for that.”
“…?!”
Yeonwi turned around.
“I too am persevering.”
Tang Sang-ah thought. It seems like the age has changed somehow.
A contrast between a kind and strict appearance and intensive training and a peaceful daily life.
It was the same as the one I saw yesterday, but it was also different.
It’s getting deeper day by day. It’s getting bigger.
Yeonwi was gradually transcending the realm of ordinary people, seeing something that was difficult for ordinary people to imagine.
* * *
“Are you here?”
Yonghojinin, who was lying down, raised his upper body.
Hwang Seok-tae raised his hand.
“Please lie down.”
“no. “I’m feeling much better now.”
It wasn’t okay for anyone to see, but Hwang Seok-tae didn’t bother to stop him. Because it seemed like they wouldn’t listen anyway.
“Sit here.”
Hwang Seok-tae sat on the chair next to the bed.
Yongho Jinin, who was quietly looking at Hwang Seok-tae, chuckled.
“It must be a strange sight.”
“hmm?”
“Who wouldn’t feel strange when they see this scene? “The Elder of Hwasan, one of the old factions representing the political factions, and the head of the highest unit of the Black Island Alliance are sitting together.”
Hwang Seok-tae asked bluntly.
“Is your arm okay?”
“Huh, do you hate Nong?”
“….”
“Hehe, you’re more blunt than I thought. “He was so rampant on the battlefield.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s expression was still grave.
No, rather than being indifferent, it was closer to not knowing what kind of expression to make. As Yonghojin said, this situation was also awkward for him.
Yonghojinin raised his right arm.
The arm with the splint was stained black.
“It was fortunate that I blocked it with my right arm the moment it hit. “If I hadn’t stopped it properly, my life would have been in danger.”
“Thank goodness.”
“They said it would be difficult to hold a sword for half a year. However, they said that depending on how much effort you put in, you might be able to hold it faster.”
Yonghojinin lowered his arms and continued speaking.
“I heard from your disciples that you are traveling around and seeing patients?”
Hwang Seok-tae was speechless.
Yonghojinin smiled and asked again.
“Hwang Dan-ju is also seriously injured. How can you not rest?”
“I just move because it’s worth moving.”
Although he said it bluntly, Yonghojinin knew. Why does Hwang Seok-tae go around seeing patients all day long? Why are you trying to take care of the patients along with the lawmakers?
Because he was in charge.
Although the friendly forces clearly won this war, there were many casualties. If Hwang Seok-tae had not stayed focused and devised a strategy, the damage would have increased exponentially.
However, Hwang Seok-tae felt a strong sense of responsibility not only for the dead but also for those who were seriously injured. Perhaps he was even more concerned because he was not part of his unit.
‘There was a person like this in Heukdo.’
I knew it in my head. But it was my first time feeling this way.
White and black both have different living environments, but in the end, people are all the same. While there are vicious people, there are also humane people.
Hwang Seok-tae stood up.
“It seems okay, so I’ll just get up.”
“Let’s have some tea.”
“…?”
“Did you just call me to see your face? I called you because I wanted to have a cup of tea. “I ordered it from my student, so he will come soon.”
“I…”
“If there is nothing special, let’s not refuse a patient request.”
Hwang Seok-tae, who was quietly looking down at Yongho Jin-in, sat back down with an awkward expression on his face.
Yonghojinin smiled.
“….”
There was silence for a moment.
Yonghojinin opened his mouth.
“Still, the atmosphere was very gloomy….”
“You have to be careful.”
“Hmm? What does that mean?”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes deepened.
“Hwageomja Noh Seon-bae is meeting Jongnam Jang Mun-in.”
“…?”
“It looks like they’re having a blast.”
Yonghojinin’s eyes widened.
