Birthday Guests - 2
Mookhyang went down to the restaurant and called the server, ordering the same as yesterday. This time, Han Yeongyeong sat quietly. She had skipped both lunch and dinner the previous day, so she was extremely hungry.
When it was time to depart, Mookhyang had the box unloaded from the cart and spoke to Han Yeongyeong.
"I prefer to travel alone and quietly. I don't want to be the one in the box, so you'll have to give in. Will you get in willingly, or should I press your acupoints first and then have you go in?"
"We'll get in willingly."
As soon as they climbed in, Mookhyang once again tied the box to the back of the cart and set off.
After some time, as the cart moved along, Han Yeongyeong broke out of the box and attempted to escape. She jumped from the cart and, together with her attendant, used her martial arts to flee.
"We'll see what happens when I return to the sect! You rotten scoundrel!"
But as she turned to curse at Mookhyang, she realized he was standing right in front of her, as if he had appeared out of nowhere. She tried to stop herself, but her momentum caused her to rush right into Mookhyang's arms. Mookhyang grabbed both women, one in each hand, and said:
"There was another girl who didn't listen and tried to run away before... What did I do back then? Oh, right! I used bone-dislocation techniques on her a few times, and she quieted down."
Upon hearing Mookhyang's words, the two women's faces turned pale. Without hesitation, Mookhyang struck their acupoints. Their faces grew even paler, and their bodies convulsed as cracking sounds echoed from their joints.
Mookhyang waited for half a keun (15 minutes), enjoying their screams, and then released them, smiling.
"How was that? Fun? Since it's your first time, it was only for half a keun. Next time, it will be for a full keun, and then two. I'd love to hear those delightful screams again, so go ahead, try running away once more."
Grinding her teeth, Han Yeongyeong could do nothing but follow Mookhyang.
In the next village, after having a meal, Mookhyang purchased another box. As he drilled ventilation holes into it, he spoke.
"So, you know my style by now, right? Will you get in willingly, or should I tie you up first…?"
Before he could finish his sentence, the two women hurried into the box. They did not dare to try escaping again until they arrived at their next destination.
When they arrived in the village that evening, Juk unloaded the box and opened it for them. Han Yeongyeong stepped out, wiping her sweat with a handkerchief, savoring the cool autumn air. No matter how cool autumn was, having two people crammed in a box made it unbearably hot.
When Mookhyang ordered dumplings and Gaoliang liquor at the tavern again, Han Yeongyeong hesitantly spoke.
"Uhm... Don't you get tired of eating dumplings every day? Can't we try something else?"
"Hmmm, but dumplings are delicious."
"There are plenty of other tasty things besides dumplings. If you ask Sagunja, he'll know."
Mookhyang frowned and glared at Sagunja, growling.
"Is it true there are other things just as delicious as dumplings?"
Faced with the lethal threat right before him, Sagunja had no choice but to reply. They, too, had grown tired of eating dumplings every day but couldn't say anything until now.
"Not at all. Hehe… dumplings are the best," Mookhyang said smugly, as if daring to be proven wrong, and then he ordered the server, "Bring them quickly."
After the meal, for some reason, Han Yeongyeong was unusually quiet, so Mookhyang let her sleep without blocking her pressure points. By the time the third watch arrived, Mookhyang sensed energy shifting from the room to his left. He followed discreetly and saw Han Yeongyeong sneaking out with Si-bi, cautiously looking around as they attempted to escape towards the stables. But just before they reached it, their entire bodies became paralyzed, and they collapsed. Soon, intense pain surged through their bodies, and the sound of bones dislocating echoed within them. Against their will, screams erupted from deep within their stomachs. At that moment, they heard a mocking voice.
"I thought you might just be going to the restroom, so I let you be, but you're trying to escape without fear. I warned you, didn't I? Just one quarter of an hour..."
After about a quarter of an hour, Mookhyang, seeing the two women completely drained, sealed their pressure points and carried one on each arm back to the room, where he tossed them in. Nan, who had been guarding them, was also lying unconscious with her pressure points sealed. Mookhyang smiled faintly and released Nan's points. Blushing, Nan apologized.
"I'm sorry, I fell asleep for a moment..."
"It's fine. I didn't place you here to keep an eye on those women but to guard against external intrusions."
Mookhyang then returned to his room and resumed his meditation.
The next morning, after unsealing the two women's pressure points, they had breakfast together. Both women, exhausted from the ordeal the night before, forced down dumplings. Even though they were tired of eating dumplings, they knew that if their strength diminished, they wouldn't be able to escape. As Han Yeongyeong chewed on the dumplings and swallowed with difficulty, she asked, "Do you not sleep at all?"
"If you ask Sagunja, you'll find out, but I don't sleep when I'm outside. Even when I'm at the sect, I sleep for only about two hours a day."
"Then what do you do when you're not sleeping?"
"I cultivate my energy, meditate… things like that."
Realizing escape was hopeless, Han Yeongyeong smiled gently and said, "But have you thought about what will happen when I return to the sect if you treat me like this?"
"What will happen?"
"I'll tell my father, and he'll punish you."
"You mean your father, Han Yeongseong, the Young Sect Leader?"
"Yes."
"And do you think your father can kill me in just a few seconds?"
"You wouldn't last twenty moves against him."
Mookhyang smiled and responded, "Oh, you naive young lady, it's actually the opposite. Your grandfather might not even last twenty moves against me, so don't talk nonsense like that."
Han Yeongyeong, stunned, stammered, "How dare you call the Sect Leader 'grandfather'? You... you won't live long speaking like that."
"I don't care. I call a grandfather a grandfather. Besides, your grandfather is in a position where he can't help but trust me completely, so I'm curious about how exactly he'll punish me."
"Why would my grandfather trust a scoundrel like you?"
"That's easy to explain. I'm the only person who can approach the Sect Leader with a sword in hand within two steps. Isn't that a clear sign of absolute trust?"
Han Yeongyeong thought for a moment before speaking in a weary tone, "So you're that vice leader… the one who rejected the Sect Leader position when my grandfather offered it…."
"You catch on quickly. That's exactly who I am. And you should know this: I swore loyalty not to the Elders or the Young Sect Leader but to the Sect Leader himself. Only the Sect Leader can order me, or rather, make requests of me. The Sect Leader asked me to take you to the Martial Alliance, but he didn't specify how. Whether I tie you up and stuff you in a box or drag you behind a carriage, it's all up to me. Honestly, I'd prefer to tie you up and drag you, but I'd be in trouble if that pretty face of yours got damaged. However, the Sect Leader didn't say not to injure you, so maybe I'll try that method later."
Though Han Yeongyeong looked exasperated, Ju, sitting in the corner, sent Mookhyang a telepathic message without his noticing.
Han Yeongyeong wanted to retort, but after hearing Ju's words, she swallowed her response. The cunning young lady decided to change her approach—she certainly didn't want to end up in a box.
"Um… could I ride in the carriage instead? I'll stay quiet and out of sight, I promise."
Mookhyang thought for a moment, then coldly replied, "No. I already told you, I prefer to travel quietly on my own. We've eaten, so let's get going."
Without another word, Han Yeongyeong and Si-bi climbed into the box. After going through this routine several times, they knew the departure sequence all too well. Ju secured the box to the carriage, and they set off.
Even at lunchtime, while eating more dumplings, Han Yeongyeong continued to plead softly with Mookhyang. "It's so hot in the box. I'll stay quiet if you just let me ride in the carriage. I'll sit quietly in the corner, like a mouse, I promise."
After persistently begging, Mookhyang finally looked at her with an irritated expression. She flinched, but surprisingly, Mookhyang's words were gentle.
"Fine."
Mookhyang sat quietly with his eyes closed, while the two women in front of him barely dared to breathe. However, that didn't last long... About half an hour passed, and Han Yeongyeong, growing bolder, began chatting with her servant, glancing at the scenery around them. As Mookhyang remained silent, her voice grew louder, and by the time they reached the village around dusk, she was chattering away comfortably.
Having achieved one goal, Han Yeongyeong now set her sights on changing their meal. She began pleading with Mookhyang not to eat dumplings anymore, starting before they even arrived in the village. She continued to coax him in a soft voice until they sat down to eat, with her servant chiming in to help. There's a limit to how much a person can listen to the same thing, and Han Yeongyeong knew that. When Mookhyang frowned, she would change the subject for a while, only to return to talking about dumplings again shortly after.
By the time they entered the restaurant, Mookhyang was so worn out that he didn't care anymore. If she had been causing a real disturbance, he could have subdued her with pressure points, but since that wasn't the case, he had no choice but to listen to her. Although he was eating dumplings to train this unruly girl, even he was getting sick of them—he could practically taste the flour.
The women's relentless persuasion paid off when they finally entered the restaurant. Mookhyang looked at Nan and said, "You order the food." From then on, the journey became more bearable. After getting a sense of Mookhyang's temperament, Han Yeongyeong stopped provoking him, and things went relatively smoothly. A few days later, she realized that while Mookhyang might complain a lot, he had thick skin and could tolerate a lot. She also discovered that he wasn't picky about food, liked being left alone, but could be coaxed into conversation or even joking around when approached subtly. Complimenting him a little also revealed that he might even play the zither if flattered enough.
Mookhyang's skill with the zither had recently improved so much that it impressed his teacher, Eumhui Seoryakbyeok, who had once taught him. Initially, Zhuge Eojinseong had hinted that Mookhyang was good at playing the zither and should be pestered into playing, which Han Yeongyeong did, half-believing the claim. She figured she had nothing to lose, so she gently coaxed him, and Mookhyang reluctantly played the zither. His skill astonished Han Yeongyeong, and from then on, she persistently begged him to play.
Mookhyang, who preferred to spend most of his time meditating quietly with his eyes closed, had little time to enjoy such peace after this troublemaker joined him.
When Mookhyang's group arrived at the Murim Alliance, they found it to be smaller than expected. If the main base of the Heavenly Demon Sect housed nearly ten thousand people, this place was more like a rural village with around five thousand residents. The reason the Murim Alliance, regarded as the pillar of the orthodox sects, was smaller than the demonic sect was that power was less concentrated in the hands of the leader.
Typically, the leader of the alliance came from one of the Five Great Clans or the Nine Sects and One Clan, and once elected, they remained leader for life. However, the position was not inherited, and a new leader was selected through a grand martial arts competition. Moreover, the bodyguards for the leader were elite disciples sent from various sects, which meant they lacked uniformity in skill. The position of the alliance leader was more of an honorary title, and each sect made sure that the leader did not amass too much power, which naturally reduced the influence of the Murim Alliance compared to the demonic sect. However, the number of experts under the alliance leader's command was still several times greater than the demonic sect because most martial artists belonged to the orthodox sects rather than the unorthodox ones.
When Mae ran up to inform the guards at the gate that someone had arrived from the Heavenly Demon Sect, two of them stepped forward to guide the group to their accommodations. Mookhyang assigned rooms, then growled quietly at Han Yeongyeong, "If you cause any trouble here, I'll tie you up and drag you behind the carriage on our way back. The greeting will be done by then, so no one, not even the sect leader, can complain if you get hurt."
Han Yeongyeong responded by sticking out her tongue, then headed out with her servant to explore the Murim Alliance grounds. Juk and Guk followed at a distance, ensuring her safety.
The alliance leader's birthday celebration lasted three days, with martial arts competitions included, making it feel more like a festival than a simple birthday party. During the day, attendees participated in various events, and in the evening, everyone gathered for a grand banquet. Before dinner, guests from each sect would present gifts, after which a brief spectacle would be provided, followed by the meal.
When Mookhyang's group approached the large building adorned with a plaque reading "Manbakjeon," where the banquet would be held, the guards on duty approached. One middle-aged man with a black mustache spoke to Han Yeongyeong, "You cannot enter with weapons. Please entrust your sword to us."
Han Yeongyeong unfastened her ornate sword, decorated with jewels on both the handle and the sheath, and handed it to Mookhyang, who passed it to Juk. He also handed over his own sword, Mookhon, and a dagger, saying, "Wait here." With a reluctant expression, Mookhyang followed Han Yeongyeong inside. Four porters carrying the gifts prepared by the Heavenly Demon Sect followed them.
As they entered the Manbakjeon, a red carpet stretched from the entrance to a large table, around which various gifts were piled. A martial artist standing nearby read from a paper and announced, "Representatives from the Heavenly Demon Sect have come to offer birthday greetings to the alliance leader."
At the mention of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the crowd began to murmur, casting curious glances at Han Yeongyeong and her group. Han Yeongyeong approached the man seated at the head of the table, a man in his late twenties with a gentle gaze, and offered a polite greeting. "Greetings. I am Han Yeongyeong."
The alliance leader smiled warmly. "You've come a long way. How is your sect leader?"
"He is well, thanks to your concern. I offer these gifts on behalf of my grandfather. Happy birthday."
The alliance leader welcomed her. "Come, sit here. No one will object to you sitting beside me, as you are representing the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the largest faction in the martial world."
The leader of the Murim Alliance warmly welcomed Han Yeongyeong, seating her by his side and engaging her in conversation. Emboldened, Han Yeongyeong's confidence grew, but when she caught sight of Mookhyang's cold gaze from his seat in a corner, her bravado quickly faded.
I really can't handle that guy… She sighed inwardly and continued her conversation with the alliance leader, now more reserved.
The Power of Northern Divine Art - 1
Mookhyang was enjoying a drink when a woman's voice sounded behind him.
"It's been a long time. Yet you didn't even try to find me after arriving here."
Without turning around, Mookhyang gestured to the empty seat next to him and said, "Sit down."
As the woman sat beside him, Mookhyang finally glanced at her and realized it was Okryeongin.
"Aha! I was wondering who it was... I've been a fool. I completely forgot."
"I specifically asked my grandfather to summon you, and this is all you have to say?"
"What do you mean by 'specifically'?"
Okryeongin's face reddened slightly as she responded.
"I wrote a formal invitation for my grandfather's birthday, asking for Vice Leader Mookhyang to attend."
It was only then that Mookhyang understood the situation. The sect leader knew Mookhyang wouldn't come on his own and had used his mischievous granddaughter as bait to get him there.
"Damn it…"
Seeing Okryeongin's face pale slightly at his curse, Mookhyang quickly apologized.
"Ah… no, it's not that. I'm dealing with an enormous burden right now. The sect leader clearly knew that I wouldn't move in that manner, so he sent me under the pretext of watching over his unruly granddaughter. Apparently, only Chief Vice Leader Jang or I can handle her, since she once burned the beard of the First Elder, and no one else dares confront her."
"I'm sorry for putting you in an awkward position…"
"So, have you made any progress in your martial arts?" Mookhyang asked with a playful expression.
Okryeongin's face turned red as she protested.
"When I think of the embarrassment you caused me…"
"What do you mean?"
"When I told my grandfather what you said, do you know what he did? He smiled and said I had been completely tricked."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"That's odd."
"What's so odd about it?"
"I thought I had developed quite an impressive martial art. If you had shown him the true method, he wouldn't have said that. How did you demonstrate it?"
With a somber look, Okryeongin sighed.
Sigh "Grandfather was right. He watched me sparring with my senior brother, using the Red Demon Sword technique, and complimented my rapid progress. My fifth senior brother used to be stronger than me, but recently, I've surpassed him slightly. Yet I couldn't leave things as they were, so I told him what happened—that you insulted him and claimed to have stolen the sect's martial arts."
Feeling uneasy, Mookhyang asked, "And then?"
"He told me to demonstrate the technique you taught me. So I did, and he confirmed that the Red Demon Sword technique is indeed stronger and more fearsome than the Red Flowing Plum Sword technique. He said that the flow of true energy in the technique was so natural, drawing out all of the user's power, and that once mastered, it would be more dangerous than the Plum Sword technique. He also mentioned that the Red Flowing Plum Sword was more suited for an intermediate stage, whereas your technique was something far more advanced. Then, he said that it was possible you developed it on the spot after observing our techniques, and if I asked you indirectly later, you might reveal it."
Mookhyang chuckled awkwardly.
"Haha, seems like I confessed without meaning to. He's really persistent. So, how's your progress with my exclusive martial arts that even your grandfather praised?"
"Actually, I'm struggling with the third form."
"If you talk like that, I won't understand. You'll need to show me. I've forgotten all about that Red Demon Sword technique."
Okryeongin was shocked at his words.
"You used that technique to its peak! And my grandfather praised it so highly! How could you forget it?"
"I forget things easily. I've even forgotten most of the demon arts of my own sect. What's the point of remembering them? It's hard to explain in words, so I'll teach you during our next spar. Now, have a drink."
As Mookhyang poured, Okryeongin smiled and took a sip of the drink before hurriedly putting down her cup.
"My sister is coming. You need to leave quickly. She's been vowing to kill you if she sees you."
But Mookhyang remained unfazed.
"She wants to kill me with her skills? If I were that easy to deal with, I'd have left long ago."
As Mookhyang took another sip, a sharp metallic sound rang out, and in an instant, a blade touched his neck. A low voice, trembling with suppressed anger, followed.
"You… I've finally caught you…"