Chapter 141 Moorim (4)

A future family member? Brother-in-law? Yoon-seok instinctively stepped back. He was confused as to specifically what, but something went wrong. It was best to avoid everything at a time like this.

Stayed together? I think theres a misunderstanding. I have something urgent to do, so Ill get going.

Misunderstanding? I dont know what misunderstanding is when a grown man and woman live together for several days. But wait a minute. If theres a misunderstanding, shouldnt we hurry up and resolve it?

When Yoon-seok was about to run away with all his might, the old man gently grabbed his arm.

I ordered them to empty the other building. Why dont we go there and talk calmly?

Do I have to go there?

I promise in my name to not hurt you no matter what.

No, it has nothing to do with that

Isnt this your first time in Moorim? Even if its not about So-so, Im sure Ill be able to help you a lot.

Was this what it felt like to be a young salaryman pushed around by their older coworkers? But as they talked along the way, he decided it wasnt a bad idea to hear him out. Was that why? Yoon-seok paused as he was about to take off, and when he came back to his senses, he was following the old man into the manor.

Since this has happened, lets just think of it as broadening my experience.

Located in the middle of the forest, the Namgoong Familys manor was surrounded by a high fence like the Great Wall of China, set as wide apart as a few soccer fields. However, peculiarly, there were few people compared to their available space.

There are fewer people than I expected.

It just so happened because they were dragged to the Moorim Alliance in case a war breaks out. Oh, its been a while since Ive had a guest. I shouldnt have said that.

What happened to Namgoong So-so? I heard she was kidnapped.

Now that weve arrived, why dont we go inside and talk about it?

Was it his imagination that he looked to be in a hurry to change the subject? He didnt know, but they soon arrived at their destination.

Jin-jin, you go back now.

But I understand.

The manor was a four-story pavilion, and when he headed to the top floor, he saw a table was already set up. He wondered when all of this was prepared.

What do you think? Isnt it nice?

A wind wafted in from the open window, and the view was spectacular, but it was a little too much for a simple conversation.

Can you drink?

No, I cant.

Yoon-seok answered the old mans question so immediately that it was embarrassing. The challenger who reached the 20th floor couldnt drink? It didnt make sense, but if he drank in a place like this, it felt like he would look like a young man who came to greet his wifes family.

What? Its not fun. Then, lets have a cup of tea together. Its a precious tea from the South.

Yoon-seok and the old man sipped at their tea. It had a pungent and bitter flavor. Still, the scent was deep and fresh, so he thought a spoon of honey would suit his taste, but Yoon-seok focused on the Elder before him rather than tea. This wasnt someone who he could let his guard down around.

Come to think of it; I havent introduced myself. Im Choi Yoon-seok.

I have the name Ho. Although I have the position of Elder in the family, you can comfortably refer to me as grandfather-in-law.

There seems to be a misunderstanding at that part, so Ill just call you elder.

I know.

Namgoong Ho nodded, smacking his lips as if the tea didnt suit his taste. But Yoon-seok saw the mans eyes were fixed on him, not the tea.

What happened to Namgoong So-so?

To the outside world, it is known that she has been kidnapped, but the truth is shes dying from a terrible curse. Because of that, she cant even go back to the Tower.

Is there a reason why her sister wasnt told?

I believe the incident was done by an insider, and Jin-jin makes a lot of mistakes considering how straightforward she is.

So youre marrying off a dying woman?

Well, in that case, isnt Jin-jin here, too? Maybe because they are twins, they have similar personalities too. Hoho.

Namgoong Ho smiled and responded jokingly, but Yoon-seok noticed his words were mixed with some sincerity.

So the staying together part was an excuse after all?

Now he knew what the other persons intention was. However, to have the upper hand, it was necessary to understand the person even more.

Elder, I want to ask you a question. How did you know about me?

It was a question he was curious about from before. Of course, Namgoong So-so knew his name and that he came from Earth. He received the Magic Scarf from Cheon-ma and became the Co-Sect Leader after she left a letter stating she returned to Moorim.

I found out later that the character So-so mentioned and the newly appeared Co-Sect Leader were the same people.

Is there a spy?

Were enemies. Isnt it normal to have one? If you want, I can tell you who that person is.

No. Its fine.

Yoon-seok didnt ask about the spys identity or why he would want to tell him that. If he did, he thought the reply would be, Because youre family. He couldnt let himself be caught up in their problems.

Then, I want to ask you a question now. Will it be okay?

Yes.

Why did you come to Moorim?

His voice and expression remained calm, but his spirit had changed. Even though they were facing each other with their teacups, it looked like he was holding a sword.

Why do you ask?

I already know that youre just the Co-Sect Leader in disguise. Im not underestimating you; Im saying youre from a different world. You dont know our doctrines and have no loyalty or sense of responsibility. If it was me youve met instead of Cheon-ma, you mightve become one of ours.

What was he trying to say? Yoon-seok listened to Namgoong Ho while staying on guard.

Anyway, from here on out, its just my guess, so if theres anything wrong, please tell me. You were taught simply because a master was willing to do so. Is that right?

Yes, he had to do whatever he could. To survive.

You are grateful to Cheon-ma who taught you, but you want to avoid risking your life to pay her back or suffer damage in connection with Moorim. Is that right?

Bulls eye. He respected her as a swordsman, but that was all. If it had been more than that, he would have come to Moorim when he heard from Elle that she was in danger. When Yoon-seok nodded, Namgoong Ho smiled as if he were pleased.

Just as I suspected, but thats a relief. As expected, youre not a demon. Im sure youre here for personal reasons. I heard from So-so that you tend to be obsessed with power. Maybe thats why.

Almost all of Namgoong Hos guesses were correct. However

Elder, youre wrong about one thing.

?

Its true that I came to Moorim due to personal reasons. In addition, I dont think of myself as the Co-Sect Leader. But

Breaking down what needs to be broken without calling yourself justice. Walking to the end of ones path.

Im a demon.

Something that was neither good nor evil; that was Yoon-seok. Therefore, so he could say it without formality.

Im not interested in the relationship between factions. So if you keep trying to use me in that way, Ill kill you first.

This would be a clear enough expression of his opinion.

A heavy silence followed for a while. Namgoong Ho, sitting stiffly, quickly regained his original expression.

Seeing how you hold no grudge, youre a demon.

So, what are you going to do?

Lets pretend we never talked about So-so. As I grew older, I made mistakes because I got greedy. Im sorry.

Of course.

When Namgoong Ho apologized candidly, Yoon-seok also eased up.

Since were already here, why dont we have a chat? I think you have a lot of questions about this place. Ill answer everything to make up for my mistake.

Thank you.

Since then, Yoon-seok listened to Namgoong Ho talk about Moorim. From geography, power, the state, and the changing situation after the Tower appeared to the origin of Moorim that no one on Earth knew, including the Sword Demon.

Do you know that our ancestors are from Earth?

What does that mean?

Its exactly what I said. It is said that the ancient Moorim was an empty, desolate land. All of our ancestors came here from a distant Earth.

But isnt the dimension different?

Even I dont know how our ancestors left and arrived here. But the writing, language, clothing, and martial arts used here, it is clear that all of them originated from Earth.

Is that confirmed? There is no such thing as martial arts like these in our world.

Namgoong Ho laughed.

Probably so. It is said that the first martial arts were nothing more than the Life-elongation Method.

Accept nature through ones breathing and send out toxins accumulated in the body. It was the first technique created.

I heard that it appears Earth as a whole is without enough energy. Thats probably why, seeing how they were able to develop here, but not on Earth.

It still felt like something from a novel, but it made sense. Didnt Yoon-seok come from Earth to Moorim through the Tower?

If I tell Ashton about this later, hell find out on his own.

Soon after received what he wanted, Yoon-seok decided to move on to the most important part. The only reason that prompted Yoon-seok into heading to Moorim.

Do you happen to know where Cheonma-dong is?

Since it was a sensitive topic, Yoon-seok spoke slowly. Namgoong Ho was surprised to hear the name, but he soon nodded.

So that was your reason.

Yes.

Yoon-seok admitted it without hiding.

But why are you asking the Namgoong family instead of the Demon Cult?

I dont want to tell them Im here. And I heard that the location was revealed throughout the continent.

Thats true. Anyway, you wanted to avoid trouble, right?

If he had to put it that way, then yes. It was burdensome to receive help from the Demon Cult, and if possible, he would like to focus only on training in Cheonmadong for his remaining month. But

Unfortunately, it will be hard to do as you wish. This is embarrassing, but spies are also swarming in this place.

?

It means that news of your arrival is already being carried by messengers. Im sure a lot of people are coming to pick you up soon.

Then, Ill have to leave before someone from the Demon Cult arrives.

Namgoong Ho tilted his head.

What does that mean? Demon Cult? It will take at least one more day for them to reach here.

But didnt you say theyll be here in a few minutes?

Oh, there must be another misunderstanding. The people who will visit this place are other sects.

Only then did Yoon-seoks eyes shine coldly.

They must be here to kill me.

Although he was part of the Namgoong family, he was also a 20th-floor duel challenger. In other words, there were ranks. This meant there were also power rankings. No matter how powerful Yoon-seok was, he might be in danger if the rankers joined forces to attack him. Furthermore, his instinct told him it was dangerous.

At the moment, he thought they should separate quickly.

What are you talking about? Why would they kill you?

Because Im the Co-Sect Leader

No one thinks youre a real demon. Now that I see it, you still dont know your worth. You

Namgoong Ho looked into Yoon-seoks eyes and spoke firmly.

You are the ideal groom in all of Moorim.

The world of martial art masters where the sword lives and breathes. It was very different from what he imagined but it was a dangerous place in many ways.