Chapter 71
Dang Jinak finally opened his mouth with difficulty.
“…Are you saying my skills are so lacking I’d die a pointless death?”
“No, your skills are decent. You can beat most average opponents. But you lack real-world awareness and have practically no battle experience.”
“In what way?”
“For starters, pulling a sword on Mukhyangbangwon out of a sense of justice, and throwing a dagger at Pungnyang-gwi?”
“…I understand the latter, since Pungnyang-gwi is stronger than me. But I can’t accept the former.”
“What do you think would’ve happened if you attacked Mukhyangbangwon out of nowhere?”
“Well… It would have benefited the Yukok Trading Group Leader…”
“He would’ve died. We’d barely escape Heuksigok and be hunted by their assassination order. If you had attacked Pungnyang-gwi, you would’ve lost your head.”
Faced with such harsh criticism, Dang Jinak was left speechless.
“When righteous sect brats enter the murim, they always make one mistake. They think all demonic sect fighters are stupid and easy to beat.”
Dang Jinak’s shoulders twitched. Deep down, he had indeed looked down on the demonic sect.
“Righteous sect kids who’ve only done staged sparring versus demonic sect warriors who’ve fought at death’s door. Who do you think is better in real combat?”
“You’re saying it’s a matter of experience.”
“Exactly. And most of those righteous warriors are so obsessed with playing the hero, they don’t even think about what comes next before rushing into action.”
“…I understand what you mean. But as a martial artist, I can’t turn a blind eye to injustice. That is the creed I, my clan, and the righteous sect must uphold.”
‘As expected from a noble household.’
Eun Sowol admired him inwardly.
Despite being harshly criticized, Dang Jinak stuck to his beliefs. He looked different now—more mature. Sure, he acted without thinking of consequences sometimes, but he still had a heroic heart.
Could one truly say that was wrong?
“That’s your problem.”
But Dokgo Ryong remained firm.
“If you want to play hero, go back to Sichuan Tang Clan. I don’t need a fool who doesn’t even know who he’s traveling with.”
He crossed his arms and glared at Dang Jinak. His gaze was cold as frost.
“Why are you saying this so suddenly? Is it so wrong for a martial artist to speak of justice?”
For the first time, Dang Jinak raised his voice, clearly upset.
“Uncle, why are you being like this? He didn’t do anything bad…”
Trying to ease the tension, Eun Sowol clung to Dokgo Ryong’s leg.
“Stay out of it. This is a conversation between adults.”
But Dokgo Ryong didn’t even glance her way.
Eun Sowol grew anxious, afraid the two would really start fighting, and turned to persuade Dang Jinak.
“Ah, Uncle Jinak! You know this isn’t the first time he’s said mean things. Just be the bigger person, okay?”
Dang Jinak, who had been glaring at Dokgo Ryong, suddenly widened his eyes and then bowed his head.
Seeing his wide eyes, Eun Sowol forced a smile and patted his leg with her small hands.
“I’ll scold him later and say, ‘Hey, you meanie!’ So don’t fight, okay?”
Dang Jinak’s mouth parted slightly.
Then, the anger disappeared from his face, and a gentle light returned to his eyes.
“…You’re right.”
He knelt down to meet Eun Sowol’s eye level.
She was confused by the sudden gesture, but simply looked up with big, round eyes as he gently patted her head and cheek.
“I nearly put you in danger.”
“Get your priorities straight. I don’t need someone who acts recklessly and abandons his companions.”
‘Wait… Was Uncle Ryong angry because I was in danger?’
Only then did Eun Sowol understand the reason for Dokgo Ryong’s fury.
“A martial artist should have righteousness and honor… but not me. The only thing I care about is this kid’s life and safety. If I can protect her, nothing else matters.”
In hindsight, Dokgo Ryong had initially rejected Imugeol’s request not out of annoyance, but out of concern that Eun Sowol might get involved.
Feeling just how much Dokgo Ryong cherished her, Eun Sowol’s heart stirred.
“If you don’t like my thinking, go back to the Sichuan Tang Clan. I won’t stop you.”
With that, Dokgo Ryong turned his back. He made it clear that he wouldn’t care even if Dang Jinak left.
Eun Sowol looked up at Dang Jinak awkwardly.
His face twisted with a complicated expression. Then he strode up to Dokgo Ryong and knelt behind him.
“I was foolish, Brother!”
Then he slammed his forehead to the ground with a loud thud!
“I still don’t understand the world! Please, teach me everything you can!”
Eun Sowol peeked at Dokgo Ryong’s response. Though he remained silent with his back turned, the corners of his mouth had faintly curled up.
Later…
“Uwaaaah! Is this really training?!”
Boom!
Dang Jinak came tearing down the mountain, screaming.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Ryong and Eun Sowol sat comfortably atop a tall tree with a great view, watching from above.
Dang Jinak was… hunting a bear? No, more like being hunted by a bear.
“Uncle, is this really training?”
Usually training involves form correction or direct instruction, but Dokgo Ryong had simply…
‘Kicked Uncle Jinak’s butt and told him to go catch a bear.’
No explanation. Just: “Go catch that bear.”
That was it.
And the bear was twice as big as normal.
Oh, right—Dokgo Ryong did give one piece of advice:
“Don’t use poison techniques. Kill it with hidden weapons only.”
If that could be called advice.
“Kyaaaah! You bastard—!”
“He’s going to die at this rate.”
Watching Dang Jinak scream as he dodged the massive bear made for quite a pitiful sight.
Thud! Crack!
The bear was so strong, trees snapped like overcooked noodles wherever it went.
The area they had been fighting in now looked like it had been mowed down by a giant scythe.
“Wouldn’t it be better to let him use poison? He could beat it quickly then.”
“And then I’m supposed to eat bear meat laced with poison?”
…That’s what this was about?
As Eun Sowol stared at him in disbelief, Dokgo Ryong snorted.
“Know what the flaw of poison users is?”
“What is it?”
“If they run out of poison, they’re helpless. Sure, the Tang Clan excels at both poison and hidden weapons… but judging by his skills, he doesn’t seem that great.”
“Damn it! Why is its hide so tough?!”
Dang Jinak cursed as he barely dodged another paw swipe.
He had thrown countless hidden weapons, but the bear—clearly no ordinary one—wasn’t fazed.
“If you rely only on poison, and the blade’s at your throat, you’ll die. You need to master other techniques too.”
It looked like he was just tormenting Dang Jinak, but Dokgo Ryong had deeper intentions.
“But poison alone could win, right? Jinmyung said it’s really hard to learn poison arts.”
“I’m sure it is. But martial artists must always prepare for the worst.”
“What’s the worst for Uncle Jinak?”
“Running out of poison and being helpless.”
“Huh? Even poison users run out of poison?”
“Of course. It’s a consumable. I don’t know how much he has, but once he’s out, he’s got nothing left. He’d just have to wait to be killed.”
“Hmm, that sounds like now…”
Eun Sowol glanced down the tree.
Dang Jinak was running toward them in desperation.
“Brother! Please! Help me just once! I’m almost out of hidden weapons! Please!”
Dokgo Ryong rubbed his forehead in annoyance.
Somehow, Eun Sowol couldn’t help but pity his quiet suffering.
Meanwhile, not too far from the commotion, an old man stroked his beard as he watched from a distance.
“…Interesting fellows.”
Narrowing his eyes, he began cautiously trailing the group as they moved on with their newly captured bear.
