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C93. I Disagree
Yukshinton refers to the six special abilities mentioned in Buddhism.
These are Shinjoktong (the ability to travel quickly), Cheonitong (the ability to hear from great distances), Tashintong (the ability to read minds), Sookmyungtong (the ability to remember past lives), Cheonan-tong (the ability to see from great distances), and Noojintong (the ability to eradicate all desires). These abilities are impossible to achieve without reaching an almost divine level.
“Pardon? Did you say something hurts?” (Note: It's a play on words, as "hurts" sounds similar to Yukshinton)
“Leave it, ignorant.”
Yeon Jeokha got out of bed.
The dying face of Pung Yeoncho that he saw in his dream left him uneasy.
“Old Shim.”
“Yes.”
“Send someone to the camp to make sure everything is okay. Inform them where we are.”
“Are you that worried?”
“We were going to inform them once we reached Luoyang anyway.”
“Understood.”
Shim Tong, the Old Shim, looked at Yeon Jeokha with meaningful eyes.
When one reaches Yeon Jeokha’s level, they can see things others cannot. Perhaps something had happened to the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain.
‘It would be strange if nothing happened...’
Even common people live in conflict, much more so the warriors full of energy.
On the way to the dining hall, Shim Tong asked.
“Young Master, how long do you plan to stay in Luoyang?”
“Why? Do you already miss the Five Peaks Mountain?”
“If you plan to stay for a long time, it would be better to rent a siheyuan instead of staying at an inn.”
“A siheyuan?”
“Yes, those houses with a courtyard in the center and rooms around it. It would be more comfortable than an inn.”
“Then do it.”
Yeon Jeokha showed little interest.
Since hearing that the Namgung family was going to Jeongju, everything seemed tasteless to him.
-----------
Kaifeng.
Longxi Pavilion.
Behind the long wall dividing the back garden, a man sighed deeply.
It was Gong Jindan, the Sixth Assassin of Jukbang.
It had been two days since he hid in the Longxi Pavilion to take Pung Yeoncho's life.
But he had found no opportunity.
Tak Gomyung, a sturdy bodyguard, never left Pung Yeoncho's side.
Desperate, Gong Jindan sent his subordinates to search the brothel, but it was in vain.
The man only went out to the bathroom, and when he did, he called other guards to protect Pung Yeoncho.
Seeing the setting sun tint the sky red, Gong Jindan sighed again.
‘Ah!’
It was frustrating not to find an opportunity to finish off Pung Yeoncho.
If he returned empty-handed, the Third Young Master would not leave him in peace.
‘This can’t go on.’
Finally, he decided to end it that very night. It was better to face Tak Gomyung than the wrath of the Third Young Master.
Clac.
From afar, he heard the sound of a door opening.
It seemed someone was going to the bathroom.
However, it was not yet time for the other guards to return.
Gong Jindan circulated his energy and took a knife in each hand before slowly getting up.
He saw the sturdy bodyguard frowning on the other side of the wall.
He seemed annoyed not to see a soul on his way to the bathroom.
The bodyguard returned and closed the door.
Swish.
At that moment, Gong Jindan jumped over the wall.
As an assassin, it was now kill or be killed.
Paf, paf, paf.
Without hesitation, Gong Jindan launched himself to the ground and ran towards the closed door.
He struck the door with his whole body, breaking in like lightning.
Bang! The door burst open.
Sometimes, brutal methods work better than subtlety.
The surprised face of the bodyguard came into his field of vision.
So surprised was he that he let out a scream.
Swish, swish, swish.
Gong Jindan’s hands moved quickly.
The daggers flashed in the air, heading for the bodyguard.
Tak Gomyung, shocked by the assassin’s invasion, barely contained a scream of terror and wet himself out of fear.
But only for a moment.
He had been a bandit before, and quickly regained his composure and began to defend himself.
He had no time to draw his sword, so he used his bare hands.
Slice, slice.
Every time the dagger grazed his arm, blood sprouted.
Tak Gomyung dodged the lethal attacks and circled around him.
Gong Jindan, who relentlessly harassed him, paused for a moment.
He saw Pung Yeoncho lying on the ground with a dark face.
The target was not the bodyguard, but Pung Yeoncho.
He retrieved the dagger he had thrown and crouched down.
But that brief pause was a mistake.
Shwack.
The sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath resonated, and a gust of cold wind hit him.
Gong Jindan turned his head towards the wind.
Crack.
A sharp sound accompanied the hole that opened in Gong Jindan’s head.
“Damn you! You’ll die right here!”
Tak Gomyung, panting, heard a weak voice.
“...it stinks.”
----------------
Luoyang.
Yeon Jeokha was an idle man in the eyes of everyone in the ancient city of Luoyang.
He got up at noon, ate at the inn, visited places of interest, and ended the day at a pleasant tavern.
If he lived in a common house, no one would know his routine.
But in an inn, his wake-up, eating, and sleeping times were public.
Seeing him eat sloppily or cause a commotion asking for the door to be opened late at night, people started talking.
Even so, Yeon Jeokha didn’t care about what they said at the Mujin Inn.
What does it matter?
Anyway, he was determined to enjoy himself.
Since the Namgung family went to Jeongju, Yeon Jeokha had been drinking every day.
Shim Tong followed him like a shadow, ensuring everything was in order.
At nightfall, Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong headed to an alley full of taverns.
After several days of exploring, they had already visited most of the places.
Shim Tong, being picky, pointed to a place.
“Young Master, how about that place today?”
“Fengwolru?”
“Yes, I think the liquor there was quite good.”
“But the snacks were not that good...”
“Young Master, isn’t the liquor the most important thing? Not the snacks.”
“Ah, seriously. I don’t like the chef there.”
Despite his complaints, Yeon Jeokha headed towards Fengwolru.
There was no other nearby place they could go to.
Upon entering, Hong Jeokso, the twenty-year-old waiter, recognized them and greeted them enthusiastically.
“Oh, Young Master! Welcome! Today I will personally bring you the best food. Trust me this time!”
Hong Jeokso, excited, pounded his chest hard.
After days of revelry, Yeon Jeokha, with a more relaxed attitude, scolded him.
“Brother Hong, are you the chef? Can you really guarantee it? Don’t say things without thinking. I’m a delicate man.”
“Brother, it’s true. The chef has changed. I’ve thought a lot about you. It seems that heaven heard my prayers since you came back today.”
Despite having seen him only two days ago, Hong Jeokso acted as if it had been a long time.
“Alright. I look forward to it. But don’t get too close. Brother Hong, you smell like sweat.”
“Yes, yes, right this way, please. I’ll give you the best table.”
Hong Jeokso reverently led them to the second floor.
At least he was right in that it was the best table.
Sitting down and looking out the window, the view of the streets of Luoyang dyed red at sunset unfolded like a painting.
As Yeon Jeokha delighted in the view, Shim Tong ordered liquor and snacks.
The two began to drink and chat.
“Jeje, it seems the change of chef has improved the snacks.”
Yeon Jeokha nodded satisfied at Shim Tong’s words.
It definitely tasted better than what they had eaten two days ago.
With this quality, they could consider dining here.
“Ah! This liquor is excellent. Young Master, I wish every day were like today.”
“Who’s stopping you? Live like this. You’ve saved quite a bit of money, right?”
“It’s not that I want to live like this alone. I would like to enjoy life leisurely with you. Eat when we’re hungry, go wherever we want, and drink until dawn in a tavern. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“What? Sure, it would be great for you, but what about me? Why should I live like this with an old man like you? No, I oppose that kind of life.”
“...”
Shim Tong couldn’t refute it, as he was right.
While the two chatted about insignificant things, a man and a woman climbed to the second floor guided by Hong Jeokso.
They sat right next to Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong.
Before sitting down, they glanced at Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong. They were worried about the swords hanging from their waists.
Martial artists have a kind of distinctive aura.
Those on the righteous path are clear and firm, while those on the evil path are sinister and dangerous.
It was obvious they felt a clear and firm energy from Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong.
Signaling to each other that there was no danger, they sat down.
In fact, they were disciples of the Uicheon Sect and had come to the tavern after a long time.
The woman, Bi Bong Jeon Surin, was the first to speak.
“Brother Go, what was that interesting thing you mentioned earlier?”
“Earlier?”
“You said something interesting happened in Kaifeng.”
“Ah, that. You know that many of our disciples are in the Suun Chamber of Commerce, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, yesterday, the new person in charge there came by. At first, he said he just wanted to greet us, but then he asked for someone skilled. So I recommended Brother Moon.”
“That’s not the interesting part.”
“Oh, such a temper! Alright. There are two Wanderers in Kaifeng who have recently caught attention. Have you heard of the Longxi Pavilion?”
“Yes.”
“I know it.”
“It’s said that they are guards there, but the way they became famous is quite peculiar. One of them split a master in half with a single strike.”
“Really, like that?”
Jeon Surin moved her hand from the head to the groin, demonstrating the cut.
“Yes, and the other pierced the head of an assassin with double daggers, using only the strength of his sword.”
“No way!”
Jeon Surin shook her head.
Disciples of the Seven Great Sects or renowned sects generally avoided brothels to maintain the dignity of their sect.
Splitting someone vertically in two or piercing a head with a sword were skills difficult even for first-class disciples of the Seven Great Sects. And those Wanderers managed it in a brothel?