Moon-Shadow Sword Emperor

Episode 472:

Even though he was rotten, he was still an old man.

If he had been an opponent who could simply be defeated by force, the leader would have purged him long ago.

‘It is realistically impossible to achieve a one-sided victory in the public opinion war.’

Whichever side won, both sides were bound to suffer damage in the end.

It was literally a fight that cost me my life.

‘But the way people look at me and the spiritual dojo are completely different.’

The public is generous to the heroes they support.

On the other hand, they are ready to throw stones at politicians with a bad impression if given the opportunity.

‘It’s not just martial arts skills that I’ve accumulated so far.’

Youngseong Dojo dug his own grave with his own hands.

Soon, I would become painfully aware of that fact.

‘by the way.’

The schedule at Namgung House was completed much faster than expected.

I thought I would have to stay at Sega for at least a few days and negotiate with the owner, but my expectations were surprisingly wrong.

In conclusion, it is a good thing that the goal was achieved.

‘I was worried about the delay in schedule because I was helping Baekhyun’s studio, but now I have more time.’

I, who was contemplating whether to return to Mang immediately, shook my head.

It shouldn’t be too late, but it shouldn’t be too early either.

It was not good for the person involved in the rumor to appear while public opinion was boiling.

It would be ideal to wait for it to calm down to some extent and then move at a leisurely pace.

‘Would you like to go for a drink?’

* * *

After leaving the lodgings, I headed towards the Namgung family’s Jangrojeon (殿).

“Stop.”

“This is a place where outsiders cannot enter.”

The warriors guarding the entrance stopped me and said,

I took out a rough wooden plaque from my pocket and handed it to them.

On the front of the wooden tablet was the word Emperor (帝王), and on the back was an amber gem.

[If you show it to the warrior guarding the front of the Presbyterian Hall, he will be able to summon me.]

[…!]

[If you want to ask for advice on martial arts, come see me at any time. I have also learned martial arts that use thunder energy, so there is quite a lot I can teach you.]

An item given to me as a gift by the dead Sword King.

The warrior who politely returned the wooden tablet to me stepped aside to clear the way.

I bowed lightly, passed by him, and entered the Presbyterian Hall.

An old man with a sturdy physique welcomed me with a kind smile.

“Welcome, Cheonan Inspector General.”

“I apologize if you were surprised by my sudden visit.”

“I don’t mind. “I was secretly hoping that you would come visit me at least once.”

“Thank you for saying that. “If it’s not rude, may I ask your name?”

“I am Namgung Gyeongjun. “As you might have guessed, he holds the title of elder.”

“I remember exchanging greetings with several elders when I previously attended the 80th birthday banquet for Lord Taesang. “But I don’t remember seeing you.”

“I guess so. As you can see, I am unwell, so I almost never leave the Presbyterian Hall.”

I glanced down and fell asleep.

The old man, Namgung Gyeongjun, had a prosthetic leg where his left foot should have been.

“When I was young, I got into a sword fight with Sapa guys and ended up like this. Of course, I sent all the people who made me like this to the other world.”

“…….”

“There’s nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Because it happened decades ago. “Now that I think about it, I heard that the leader also lost one leg like me, right?”

“yes.”

“As I live, I come to have something in common with the King of Fighters. “This is why you have to live for a long time.”

Namgoong Gyeongjun laughs and turns his back.

He gestured as if to follow him.

“I will guide you to the place where the charnel house is located.”

“yes?”

“Aren’t you here to pray for the soul of the deceased?”

I took a step forward with a confused expression.

Indeed, age could not be ignored.

For a moment, Namgung Gyeongjun’s back appeared to overlap with the dead Sword King.

Looking closely, it seemed that the way he spoke was similar to that of the Sword King.

‘Now that I think about it, the Sword King was also a person who never left the elder war. Two people with the same status and even activity radius. It was probably a flawless relationship.’

The closer people were, the more they influenced each other.

After being together for a long time, isn’t it natural that we became similar?

Kugoogung!

Namgung Kyung-jun, who reached the end of the hallway, touched the wall here and there, and the floor opened, revealing a staircase leading to the basement.

As I entered the underground space, I let out a low exclamation.

Expensive night pearls were nailed to the ceiling at regular intervals.

“It’s a pity. He was someone who often hung out with me, who was confined to the elder room every day. Who would have known that he would leave this world in vain like that?”

“…….”

“You don’t know how lonely it is these days because there is no one to play baduk with and share a drink with.”

“I have no expertise in baduk, but I can be your partner for drinks.”

“It’s done. What’s so fun about hanging out with an old guy like me? “Besides, I’m a small-minded person, so when I see big guys like you, my whole body trembles.”

“It doesn’t look like that at all.”

“I’m just being careful not to show it on the outside. In reality, I am very intimidated by the thought of dealing with the Dragon King, who is famous throughout the central plains.”

“If you look at it, I’m just a distant junior. “You don’t have to feel burdened.”

“Would that be possible for you?”

“It’s a shame. “I was secretly thinking of asking for some guidance.”

I licked my appetite as if I was truly disappointed.

Namgung Kyung-jun tilted his head as he saw me joking.

“You were trying to ask me to learn? “Is there anything I can teach you?”

“I heard that Geomwang senior was famous for being good at baduk in addition to martial arts. If you were to face that challenge, you would most likely have extraordinary skills. Isn’t it?”

“Are you interested in baduk?”

“I had the idea that I would learn it someday.”

Since ancient times, baduk has been said to be a fresh game.

And the people who enjoyed Sinseon nori more than anyone else were the elders of Maeng.

In the future, when I enter the Senate, I will have to play baduk until I get tired of it.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to establish a relationship with an expert in advance to seek guidance in the future.

At the very least, shouldn’t you be embarrassed by showing off your appearance as a beginner in front of Sohyeongeom (昭賢劍)?

‘Originally, I was planning to ask Sima Yun to learn from me.’

Sima Yun, who served as a pillar in Hangzhou’s entertainment district for a long time, was also a considerable Baduk expert.

However, he was busy handling all the major and minor affairs of the Sima family and his duties as a blind leader.

‘He’s a bad enough boss right now.’

If I increased the workload further, a talented subordinate might come to my office with a letter of resignation.

I also didn’t have time to devote to my hobbies.

“You too are quite special.”

“This is something I hear often.”

“If you want, I’ll teach you as much as you want.”

“thank you. But what was your winning rate when you played baduk with the Sword King senior?”

“It was about half a dozen.”

“Is that true?”

“Not really. “Do you really think I would lie and say I have no one to prove it to?”

“I will come visit you once the war is over and I have some free time. “No, if it’s okay with you, Elder, it would be a good idea to invite him to Wolhwajang (月華莊).”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Unexpectedly, I came to have a great master as my teacher.

Let’s have some pointless conversation for a while.

Namgung Gyeongjun and I arrived in front of a display case where sealed porcelain was placed.

“…….”

I quietly put my hands together and closed my eyes.

If I think about it, I received help from the Sword King in one way or another.

When he was on the verge of death from the demonic lord, he came to him for salvation along with Buddha’s worship, and he also learned the trick of realizing the power of will through his advice.

To that extent, I was grateful to him.

After lighting the incense that Namgung Gyeongjun gave me and praying for the deceased’s peace, I muttered as I left the basement.

‘Take a good rest. Seniors.’

* * *

A well-maintained garden centered around a large pavilion.

Unlike the Senate of Meng, the quiet atmosphere was excellent.

I exchanged drinks with Namgung Gyeongjun as we enjoyed the beautiful view.

Namgung Seong-hun, a young man stretched out in the shape of a large sign under the pavilion, wiped the sweat from his face and took a deep breath.

“Huh! omg!”

While I was in the middle of learning the basics of baduk, he came to me and asked for a dance, so I got along with him appropriately.

Although he definitely improved from before, it wasn’t enough to be my opponent.

To put it bluntly, I didn’t understand what he was thinking when he challenged me.

“Small cooperative.”

“Please speak.”

“How was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I would like to ask for the opinion of Sohyeop, who has reached absolute heights with the sword. “What do you think I’m lacking?”

“…….”

Why did they attack me without any hesitation?

From what I could see, it seemed like the Sword King’s death had left him with no one to turn to for advice when he needed it, leaving him behind a wall.

‘Did the Sword King feel this way when I asked him to teach me before?’

I suggested Namgung Seong-hun the path he should take as soon as I could think of it.

Namgung Seong-Hoon, who struggled to lift his upper body, gave me a hug and thanked me.

Namgung Kyung-jun asked me after emptying the drink in his glass.

“But how long do you plan to stay at Sega?”

“I guess I’ll just have to go back now.”

“It seems like Maeng has become noisy recently.”

“yes. “I heard the news too.”

“You don’t look embarrassed at all. “It looks like you predicted it in advance, right?”

“Is that possible? “I am feeling sad inside.”

“But you put spit on your mouth and lie.”

Namgoong Gyeongjun clicked his tongue and thrust a glass of wine at me.

I brought the drink he poured to my mouth and smiled, curling the corners of my lips.

‘I’m already looking forward to the future.’

* * *

“Did you hear that rumor?”

“What rumor?”

“Well, the spiritual seal…!”

The entire Murim Alliance was agitated by one rumor.

Youngseong Dojang, who heard the news from his subordinate, looked blank.

“What did you say just now?”

“In the past, rumors spread that the Inspection Department and the ruling party were connected behind the scenes with the elder. “It is spreading so quickly that we cannot stop it.”

It was a story I couldn’t believe and didn’t want to believe.

It was an issue he had been meaning to bring up, but he never thought it would turn out this way.

The person who exposed the corruption and spread the rumors was none other than Cheonan Inspector General.

“Damn it!”

Cursing words naturally flowed out.

Coincidentally, something happened exactly one day before the coup.

It was hard to see it as a simple coincidence.

“I’m going to Maengjubu right away! Go and convey my words to Taeyeon Sword!”

“All right.”