Episode 74. Show your sincerity.
Around lunchtime, Namgung Jin, the head of Changcheondae, came to see Namgungcheon.
“I heard you met Son Bang-ju. Has the date of your return been set?”
Namgung Jin was Namgung Cheon’s cousin, so they talked freely even in private.
“Yes, we will leave in three days.”
“you?”
“I’m thinking of participating in some housework. Is that okay?”
However, since Namgung Jin was the head of Changcheondae, Namgung Cheon asked for his opinion.
“Let’s do that. By the way, what would you like to do with the green forest we meet on the way up?”
Namgung Jin looked at Namgung Cheon with an ambiguous expression.
The people of the Odae family thought it was natural to kill the green forest when they saw it. They said it was the escort of the upper class, but since it was the Changcheondae of the Namgung family, they couldn’t help but ask.
“If we are the Changcheondae of the Namgung Sega family, we will not compromise with Nokrim. However, while we are under the protection of Sangjo Sangbang, it would be better to maintain good relations with Nokrim. We cannot allow Sangbang to suffer any damage later.”
“Yes, I think the same as you. I will convey your wishes to the Heavenly King.”
Although Namgung Jin is Namgung Cheon’s younger brother, he definitely treated him like a son-in-law.
“Thank you, brother.”
“Thank you. Oh, right! Are you going to take Yeoni too?”
“No. I’ll leave it upstairs. I might hear from my father.”
“Yes, that would be good. My uncle will definitely come and visit.”
Namgungcheon nodded silently.
To the Namgung family, Namgung Byeok is more than just the head of the family. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the head of the family, Namgung Byeok, is the Namgung family itself. This is because Namgung Byeok is the master who has poured all of the Namgung family’s capabilities into nurturing him.
***
May.
Pingjeongsan Mountain, Hanam Province.
At about noon, a group of about seventy people cautiously approached the entrance of Pingding Mountain. They were the upper group of the Sangjo Sangbang, which was traveling from Luoyang to Nanjing.
Son Hak, a man in his fifties, approached Namgung Jin, the head of Changcheondae, and spoke.
“Daehyeop, this is Jeokpungchae’s territory.”
“I know.”
Son Hak was left speechless after hearing Namgung Jin’s words.
In fact, that was something that only the experts of Namgung Se-ga would say. There was no one who knew the Nokrim as well as they did.
Son Hak, who was feeling a little embarrassed, glanced at the flag hanging from the wagon.
The flags of Sangjo Sangbang and Namgung Se Ga are hung side by side.
Suddenly I wonder.
Will there be any green forest that will come forward after seeing the flag of the Namgung family?
The escort warriors at the top are twenty-one.
Considering that there were about fifty merchants and laborers, it was not a large number. The number of people, which was usually only twenty or thirty, increased to this number because they were the bodyguards of Namgung Se-ga.
Time passed in tension.
Even though the upper part of the peak was more than halfway through Pyeongjeongsan Mountain, the red wind chime did not appear.
There were occasional sounds in the forest, but that was it.
Finally, the upper part passed through Pyeongjeongsan Mountain.
Son Hak, who was feeling anxious alone, spoke to Namgung Jin in a casual manner.
“As expected, it’s Namgung Se-ga. The greed of the owner, Yeom Ra-do, is not ordinary, but you can’t even see the tip of his nose.”
“… … .”
Namgung Jin just stared straight ahead with an indifferent face.
It was funny to see my favorite person being treated like this, but I didn’t show it.
After that, several older merchants came and bowed their heads in thanks.
The day passed like that without anything happening.
The next evening.
The upper part was barely able to enter Hagachon.
As soon as Namgung Jin and Namgung Cheon unpacked their bags at the inn Son Hak had found for them, they went out to the restaurant.
It was dinner time, so the restaurant was bustling with customers.
Still, the two were lucky enough to quickly secure an empty seat by the window.
As soon as the two people sat down, carp soup, stir-fried vegetables, and pork were served as if they had been waiting for it. Since it was a restaurant for in-house customers, there was no need to order anything separately.
Namgung Jin and Namgung Cheon began eating the food that was served without saying much.
After filling their stomachs to some extent, the two leisurely drank tea. The customers who came in like a flood were leaving like an ebb tide, and the restaurant was quiet. This is also a characteristic of a guesthouse restaurant.
Suddenly Namgungcheon asked.
“Hyung, have you heard the rumor about the Five Bong Ten Heroes?”
“Yes. Among them, there is one martial artist who is particularly outstanding. They even say he is on par with the Three Lords of the Green Forest. How could anyone know that, since the martial artists are so full of boasts?”
“But seeing that the name of the merchant of heaven and earth is mentioned, it doesn’t seem like it’s just a groundless rumor.”
“You won’t know until you hear it from the Heavenly Merchant himself. That’s just how rumors are.”
Namgung Jin looked somewhat uneasy.
“We’ll find out tomorrow. If you tuck your tail between your legs like a red flag, it’ll be an exaggeration… … .”
“There is also such a thing as bluff.”
“No way. I’ve never seen Nokrim show off in front of the Namgung family.”
“That’s true, but people are so hard to understand. There’s no way to prevent someone like that from appearing, right?”
“Do you happen to want to check out the skills of the Five Bong Ten Heroes?”
Although they were cousins, there was a ten-year age difference between them, so Namgung Cheon was wary of Namgung Jin.
Namgung Jin, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded slightly.
“Isn’t it something that someone has to do anyway? I can’t just bow my head and listen to rumors.”
“That is true, but.”
Namgungcheon trailed off, as if he was really annoyed.
Rumors can be exaggerated, but isn’t the opposite often true?
Namgung Jin said with a slightly solemn expression.
“It won’t be long before rumors spread that Namgung Se-ga is the escort of the upper class. If we act like the other escorts of the upper class, they will laugh at us behind our backs. I don’t want that to happen.”
“Don’t be too harsh. It’ll be good for when we stop later.”
“Okay.”
Namgung Jin also had no intention of making a life-or-death decision.
If this were a subjugation or a journey to the world of martial arts at the Namgung Segae, I wouldn’t mind. I didn’t want to overwork myself like that with the temporary escort I was doing.
next day.
As soon as day broke, the upper group left Hagachon.
As we entered the entrance of Mt. Obong, Master Son Hak looked around and said.
“Don’t you think we’ll pass over Mt. Obong quietly? Jeokpungchae and Mt. Obongsanchae are like fifty against a hundred. If we just pass over here, we’ll end up leaving behind more than two hundred nyang of silver. I hope that happens.”
Namgungcheon asked Sonhak.
“Have you ever seen the Five Bongsipgeols, Master?”
“Me? I haven’t seen it. I’ve only heard about the Five Bongsipgeol, but not many people have actually seen it. There are also rumors that the Five Bongsipgeol have been on the back burner since last year.”
“You stepped back?”
“Yes. Usually, the owners just watch from behind, but I heard that the Oh Bong Sip Geol act as a group. In reality, not many people have seen the faces of the Oh Bong Sip Geol. It’s hard to remember because there are ten of them, but I think it’s because their period of activity was short.”
“So these days, merchants just pay the toll and go around?”
“Yes.”
“Wow! Are you doing that just because you heard rumors about the Five Bongsipgeol?”
“That’s what rumors are. When things seem to have calmed down a bit, someone will try to poke at them. Not long ago, Hwayangsangbang and the knights of Luoyang tampered with O Bong San Chae, right? They were completely destroyed. For the next few years, they will pay the toll without complaint.”
“Is it true that you were attacked by the Five Bongsipgeol?”
“Of course. It just proves that the martial arts of the Five Bong Ten Heroes are outstanding.”
“They say one of them is particularly outstanding. Are there any rumors about him?”
“He’s a bit young, but they say his martial arts skills are formidable. He uses a single sword, and I’ve heard that no one has ever been able to receive even a single second of his attack.”
“Wow! No one got even a second?”
“Haha, you should listen with moderation. Isn’t that the level of the escort warriors at the top?”
Namgung Jin chuckled at Son Hak’s words.
That’s because Son Hak-i did not forget what he was going to say.
Meanwhile, the upper part continued to move without stopping and soon entered deep into the mountain.
Sonhak’s finger pointed to a point in front.
“Usually there’s a green forest flag around there… … .”
Before he could finish his words, a spear flew in and stuck itself in the middle of the road.
Phew.
A piece of green cloth tied to the window fluttered and sank.
Son Hak opened his mouth wide and looked at Namgung Jin and Namgung Cheon alternately.
Nokrim is blocking the flag of Namgung Se-ga!
Even though the Namgung family has fallen, it is not yet to the point where it can be looked down upon by the Nokrim family.
If that was the case, that greedy red wind chime would not have just watched in silence.
‘This means that the Five Bongsipgeol are not keeping Namgung Se-ga in mind.’
If Namgung Se-ga doesn’t bow down appropriately, things will get out of control.
My heart started pounding as I thought about that.
After a while, about twenty bandits blocked the mountain path.
Hwang Yeo-myeong, a lonely mountaineer who has been hiking more diligently recently, shouted loudly.
“Stop! You’re not trying to cross the mountain without permission from Obongsanchae, are you?”
Son Hak, who had been hesitating, quietly stepped back.
It’s because I don’t want to get caught by Namgung Se-ga or Nokrim for saying something wrong.
Namgung Jin slowly walked forward.
“I am Namgung Jin, the great swordsman of the Changcheon Dae, the Namgung Se-ga. Who are you?”
Hwang Yeo-myeong looked at Namgung Jin and the warriors lined up behind him with startled eyes.
Hwang Yeo-myeong, who was only a high-level master, had no connection with Namgung Se-ga and did not even know the pattern.
Although his heart sank belatedly, Huang Yaoming did not back down.
There are so many experts in Obongsanchae, so I can’t just bow down here!
“I am known as the most poisonous person in the world. Are you really the Namgung family?”
Namgung Jin answered with a laugh.
“That’s right. Who would dare to use the name of Namgung Se-ga unless they were delusional and trying to die? By the way, what is your relationship with the Five Bongsipgeol?”
“You are lucky enough to be serving the Five Bongsipgeols. If you do not intend to disregard the Five Bongsanchae by putting the name of the Namgung Sega family first, then show your sincerity.”
However, Huang Yeoming couldn’t hide his nervousness because the opponent was the opponent.
Namgung Jin, who was looking at his opponent intently, asked.
“I have no intention of ignoring the Five Bong Mountains. However, I personally want to witness the martial arts of the Ten Heroes of the Five Bong Mountains. Are there any Five Bong Mountains among you?”
“The Five Bongsipgeol are training in the mountains, so if you want to meet them, you have to go up with us. The upper class will have to wait here, is that okay?”
Namgung Jin glanced back.
When their eyes met, Sonhak shook his head.
It was only natural that going up to the mountain and coming down would waste a whole day. Furthermore, if Namgung Jin got injured even by chance, it would not be good for the rest of the ascent.
Namgung Cheon suggested an alternative to Namgung Jin, who was hesitating with a regretful expression.
“Brother, how about we just go today and take some time on the way back to Luoyang?”
Then Son Hak also nodded.
“That would be good. We have a long way to go and we can’t afford to waste our energy here.”
When everyone tried to dissuade him, Namgung Jin said that he couldn’t do it.
“You said he was a poisonous man? Tell Oh Bong-sip-geol that he will stop by on his way back.”
“Okay, I see. Anyway, what else are you going to do?”
Another thing is toll fees.
Namgung Jin muttered with a sullen face.
“Well, for now, we have to do it the way we were doing.”
Namgungcheon, who was quick-witted, stepped forward with a smile.
“Listen. I heard that it costs one nyang per merchant. Is that true?”
“exactly.”
“The merchant is twenty years old, so can I pay twenty nyang?”
“Okay then.”
Unlike usual, Huang Yeoming did not even count the number of merchants.
Because I have no desire to engage in a war of nerves with Namgung Se-ga and the people.
After a while, when Son Hak paid twenty nyang, the thieves of O Bong San Chae quietly returned to the forest.
Namgung Jin looked at the forest with a blank expression.
Seeing thieves collecting tolls from the Daenam Palace makes it seem unreal.
Wuxia,
