Chapter – 08
“Then it’s my turn to ask. Why exactly did you try to destroy the martial arts school run by my father?”
[I’m sorry… I never imagined that Grandfather Pang Mu-ak would be here…]
“Heh. So you mean if it were just some ordinary commoner, it would be fine to kill them and take the school? What kind of scoundrel are you? Our Pang family is really reduced to this….”
[Ah! No, Grandfather! That’s not it, really…]
According to Pang Yi-jong, the Pang family had always held a grudge against the Moyong family. In particular, the elders of the council resented the last remaining bloodline of the Moyong family, Moyong Hyuk.
One day, the Pang family discovered people who had mastered the family’s basic martial techniques, and tracing this back led them to Moyong Hyuk. The elders were furious, claiming the Pang family’s techniques were being sold recklessly.
Of course, this had originally been arranged by Elder Pang Gi-moon, with permission from the family head, and entrusted to Moyong Hyuk. But the elders’ animosity toward the Moyongs could not be curbed.
[Furthermore, the Senior Elder Pang Jo-yeop established this martial arts school in the village, which only increased the pressure on Uncle Pang Gi-moon. So, he reluctantly gave me a secret letter and instructed me to go to Moyong Hyuk, threaten him, and make him flee from the northern region.]
“Make him flee?”
[Yes. Uncle Pang Gi-moon feared that if nothing was done, one of the elders might send an assassin after Moyong Hyuk. Since I have always been close to Uncle Pang Gi-moon, he entrusted me with this task. I only meant to threaten him using the “Hun Yuan Thunder God Technique” — I never had the slightest intention of actually killing him. The plan was to make it appear as if I destroyed the school and tried to kill him, forcing him to escape. And here…]
Carefully, Pang Yi-jong reached into his sleeve and pulled out a letter and a pouch filled with silver coins.
[This is a letter prepared by Uncle Pang Gi-moon for Moyong Hyuk, along with enough money for him to settle elsewhere. He said the letter should only be read after leaving the northern region, and the money is enough to run a small inn, allowing him to live even more comfortably than here.]
Moyong Jin was slightly taken aback by Pang Yi-jong’s words. He had assumed Pang Yi-jong was a lowlife, a bully, a rogue—but he turned out to be a savior who had come to protect Moyong Hyuk.
Even a rotten fish has its merit; the righteous sects still had their honor.
He was a man of justice and brotherhood.
“Which is why I became the martial arts leader of the righteous sect. When it comes to justice and brotherhood, that’s me, Cheon Gi-rin.”
The idea of the “Mad Demon” who steals what he likes and destroys what he doesn’t… nonsense.
Moyong Jin checked the letter and saw it was filled with Moyong Gi-moon’s genuine concern for Moyong Hyuk.
It truly seemed like a letter from a cherished friend.
He folded the letter and handed it back to Pang Yi-jong.
“I misunderstood you. You are a proud son of the Pang family. Deliver this letter to my father yourself. The misunderstanding must be cleared.”
[Thank you for trusting me! But Grandfather, what do you intend to do now? If you return to the Pang family, I’ll personally see to it that you are taken care of.]
“I’ve already said—”
[Hahaha. I meant, if you wish, I will see to it myself. So, will you be leaving here with Moyong Hyuk?]
“No, we have no intention of leaving.”
[What? But even if I return like this, someone among the elders might send an assassin. I think… if you intend to stay with Moyong Hyuk, perhaps it would be safer to leave the north…]
“This school is my father’s lifelong effort and sacrifice. Why should we leave when we have done nothing wrong? We are righteous. We will not abandon this place.”
[That is indeed true…]
“I am Cheon Ji-il Do, Pang Mu-ak! Don’t worry, child.”
Moyong Jin approached Pang Yi-jong, resting his hand on his shoulder, smiling like a child.
“I’ll take care of everything.”
Northern Pang Family
Located four or so miles from Jeongso Village, the Pang family of the North was a dominant force, aptly matching its reputation with its immense size and height.
Behind the magnificent main hall was a circular building known as the Hall of Elders, where the senior and elder members of the Pang family resided. It was even more heavily guarded than the main hall.
Saluting the martial guards at the gate, Pang Yi-jong made his way inside and knocked on the inner chamber where Pang Gi-moon’s memorial tablet hung.
“Enter,” came the voice.
Pang Yi-jong bowed and spoke:
“I am here to see Uncle Pang Gi-moon, elder of the family.”
“Very well. I’ve already read the letter. So, Moyong Hyuk truly has no intention of leaving?”
“Yes. And the response regarding him will be as outlined in the letter.”
Indeed, the plan was simple: Moyong Hyuk would no longer teach the Pang family techniques at the school. This removed the initial trigger for the elders’ hostility, leaving them without cause for interference.
“Really? Moyong Hyuk will quit running the school? Then how does he intend to earn a living…? Perhaps it would be better for him and his son to take the money and move elsewhere…”
“He did take the money. He said he needed to rebuild the school after I destroyed it.”
“Rebuild? I thought he said he wouldn’t teach the Pang family techniques anymore. How will he run the school then?”
“He won’t. It seems that Moyong Hyuk will not operate the school himself.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“He said that his son, Moyong Jin, will now run the school.”
Pang Gi-moon pinched his ears in disbelief, thinking he must have misheard. But Pang Yi-jong confirmed, unwavering.
“Huh… Moyong Hyuk, what are you thinking…? Very well. At least, nothing serious will happen for now. You know, our Pang family has been busy with the Blood Sect issue recently, so the elders won’t have time to interfere.”
“Yes, sir.”
Just as Pang Yi-jong was about to leave, Pang Gi-moon caught his hand and bowed slightly.
“I know it is a lot to ask of a Third Young Master like you, but could you oversee Moyong Martial School for the time being? I feel guilty for asking, but Moyong Hyuk is my benefactor. Please, I insist.”
Pang Yi-jong placed his hand on the elder’s shoulder, shaking his head.
“I am fine with it, Uncle. Your benefactor is my benefactor as well. No need to apologize. Since I had business in Jeongso Village, I will take a look while I am here.”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Watching Pang Yi-jong depart, Pang Gi-moon let out a heavy sigh, full of regret.
“Sigh… A Third Young Master like him… truly the one who can lead the Pang family in the future…”
After Pang Yi-jong left for the Pang family, Moyong Jin faced Moyong Hyuk.
Although the misunderstanding with Pang Yi-jong and Pang Gi-moon had been cleared, Moyong Jin’s next request shocked Moyong Hyuk.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Of course. Father, I am always sincere.”
Moyong Jin’s request was simple: he wanted to run Moyong Martial School himself.
He also suggested Moyong Hyuk retire from teaching entirely. On top of that, Moyong Jin offered to personally train him in martial arts.
Moyong Hyuk was utterly flabbergasted.
“You mean… you want me to exchange martial arts with my son, who suffers from the Nine Yang Vein Disorder? My adorable, precious son?”
“Oh, put away the doting comments, Father. You already know that despite my Nine Yang Vein, I have been able to cultivate my inner strength. Isn’t that proof enough that I can do this?”
Indeed, the boy’s cultivation was progressing despite his condition.
Not only that, he had successfully ambushed Pang Yi-jong—a top-class martial artist—by hiding behind him.
No one would believe such a story, but Moyong Jin had achieved it.
“Ha… Where do you get such confidence? Did you perhaps stumble upon a ‘qi-yuan’?”
A qi-yuan (奇緣) is a rare fateful encounter, like meeting a master by chance or finding a mystical elixir.
Moyong Jin, as expected, spun a detailed tale of his supposed qi-yuan.
He claimed that while exploring a mountain, he discovered a hidden cave containing the remains of a mysterious hermit. There were a secret manual and elixirs in front of the remains. He read the manual and consumed the elixir.
“The cave collapsed, the manual and remains were swept down the cliff, but I managed to escape unharmed. And thanks to that, I became even healthier.”
Moyong Hyuk could hardly believe the story—but the boy’s improved health was undeniable.
“Alright, suppose you did get healthier. But even if I hand over the school, what could you possibly teach? You only read the manual once. How could that be…”
Moyong Jin smiled slyly, twisting his body and placing a finger to his lips.
“Huh? Isn’t it natural to remember everything after seeing it once? I can remember anything I read in a book perfectly. Strange… doesn’t Father do the same? The manual was just a few hundred pages anyway.”
“Oh, that’s infuriating…”
