Novel Bin Chapter 21: Wishing To Get Closer (2)
Chapter 21: Wishing To Get Closer (2)
The Low Down Sect was also called Low Down Mingling Group. It basically was a group of unimpressive people.
However, in terms of its size and the number of its members, it was no less than any major sect. Just as the Beggars’ Gang sheltered numerous beggars, the Low Down Sect embraced a variety of individuals.
There was a host gang, where courtesans and performers belong; a horse gang, a group of horse traders; a greedy gang, a group of gamblers; and a trick gang, where pickpockets and thieves gather.
While people from all walks of life were active as part of the Low Down Sect, only about 10% of the Low Down Sect’s members were trained in martial arts, making it hard to label it as a martial arts sect.
However, while the Low Down Sect’s activities could be overlooked, the Low Down Sect itself could not be ignored due to their immense intelligence gathering capabilities.
Unlike the Beggars’ Gang, which operated on behalf of the orthodox faction, the Low Down Sect collected information indiscriminately, regardless of being in the orthodox or not.
Among them, the Xi’an branch had been running an excellent information business.
This was an achievement of the former Branch Manager, and that position was handed over to the new Branch Manager, the Golden Flower, Geumhwa Yi So-eun.
Thanks to Yi-gang, she could safely hold onto her position as the Branch Manager. She worked hard to manage the situation, expelling those showing signs of rebellion and selling assets to reorganize the branch.
The situation was not easy. A lot of money was needed, and she needed a reliable and wealthy client. In such a situation, Moyong Tak suddenly appeared, offering a substantial amount and placing a request.
At first, it was a trivial matter. He wanted to exchange pleasantries with the small sects in Xi’an.
She connected him to disciples from various sects. Due to Moyong Tak’s affable nature, he quickly gained followers.
Everything was fine until Moyong Tak, with a cold expression, placed a new request not long ago.
“You seem more enterprising than I thought. Quite an innovative idea.”
“…”
Yi-gang commented after looking at the document containing the request.
Naturally, Geumhwa could not say anything clearly in response.
“Why didn’t you just decline?”
“It was difficult for us given our situation.”
“There’s already the money we’ve received, and we couldn’t dare turn down Young Master Moyong.”
Moyong Tak had frivolously spent a lot of money just to meet and mingle with the children of other sects. Just the money that the Low Down Sect had received amounted to 300 nyang.
“How much did you receive?”
“Pardon?”
“The advance payment, you must have gotten one.”
Moyong Tak, having already spent a lot, suddenly pushed forward a hefty sum, claiming it to be an advance payment.
“We received a gold yuanbao.”
Considering one gold yuanbao, or ingot, was worth 50 gold nyang, in silver, it roughly translated to about 500 nyang. It was an astronomical sum.
“If you get one more as the remaining payment, that’s 100 gold nyang. Even for a rich son, it’s not an amount to casually spend.”
Though the Moyong Clan was wealthy, it was not money one would spend on a hobby.
“He’s going to hold a banquet at the Greatest Gold Tower in a month?”
“That’s what he said.”
Spending 100 gold nyang to hold a banquet was no laughing matter.
“He wants to set a martial arts stage on the fourth floor’s stage of the restaurant. He certainly knows how to enjoy the finer things.”
“…That place is often used for such performances.”
“And he intends to pit Moyong Jin against Ha-jun there.”
Ha-jun had previously defeated Moyong Jin in a friendly spar. Although it was said to have concluded without much fanfare.
Moyong Tak was planning to recreate that match by spending a significant amount of money, and this time, he was intending to gather young martial artists from around Xi’an as spectators.
“What confidence he must have.”
According to the Immortal Divine Sword, Ha-jun’s swordsmanship was only slightly superior to Moyong Jin’s. It was perplexing why he would plan a public match given this.
Naturally, there was a hidden agenda. And the method was not something a son from a prestigious clan should resort to, leaving even the present Low Down Sect members in shock.
“He has some kind of drug.”
“Yes, our disciple who works as a servant witnessed it. We don’t know exactly what kind of drug it is, but he said it was a white powder packed in yellow paper. It’s pretty clear.”
“It could be medicine for him to consume, not necessarily poison.”
“He also emphasized preparing strong-scented Golden Essence Liquor and Sichuan cuisine for the banquet.”
“And you don’t know what it is?”
“We suspect it might be Sangong powder.”
Sangong powder was, to put it simply, a form of poison that disperses one’s internal energy. Sangong literally meant to lose internal energy, after all. Once consumed, one’s senses become dull, and it becomes difficult to gather one’s true Qi. If inhaled properly, it left no trace in the body.
“He plans to feed that to Ha-jun?”
“That’s our assumption.”
“I really can’t understand it.”
It was an incredibly aggressive and, at the same time, foolish method.
To drug the opponent of one’s younger sibling right before a spar involving young children — even if it leaves no evidence, Ha-jun will surely feel something was off with his body. Was he thinking of just shrugging it off?
“That’s why you came to me.”
“How could we possibly harm the younger brother of our benefactor?”
Yi-gang laughed.
“What nonsense.”
It was unlikely they sought Yi-gang purely to honor their bond.
Having recently succeeded as the Branch Manager of Xi’an, the situation remained unstable. There was no way they would dare to use Sangong powder on the upcoming Young Clan Head of Baek Clan here.
“However, it’s the right choice.”
“Ah!”
“Hand over the gold yuanbao you received from him. Consider it a penalty for the inadequacy of the initial investigation.”
Geumhwa did not hesitate and respectfully presented the gold yuanbao.
Yi-gang briefly glanced at the gold yuanbao and returned it.
“This will be the fee for the follow-up task I’m entrusting you with.”
“You mean…”
“For now, keep company with Moyong Tak.”
“Will that be alright?”
“I want to see his intentions through to the end.”
Yi-gang informed Geumhwa and Jeong Gu about how to contact him again.
Saving Jeong Gu at the previous shrine of the Wealth God was a good decision. Thanks to that, they were able to detect Moyong Tak’s suspicious activities.
“We’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jeong Gu and Geumhwa bowed deeply.
“We, of the Low Down Sect Xi’an branch, pledge our loyalty to Young Master Yi-gang.”
Their reaction was not exaggerated. The helping hand extended by Yi-gang was that crucial to them.
“Very well.”
However, with that, Yi-gang turned away.
His mind was overwhelmed with the newly acquired information.
What could Moyong Tak possibly be thinking? Now that Yi-gang had discerned his intentions, how should he act?
「What will you do?」
‘I believe I should see my father first.’
He had mentioned visiting again, but he did not expect it to be this soon.
「Consulting him might be a good move.」
‘It’s not really for advice. I intend to borrow something.’
「Borrow?」
Yi-gang explained his idea.
Listening quietly, the Immortal Divine Sword then burst into a hearty laugh.
「That’s truly ingenious.」
‘Right?’
Perhaps, things might turn out better than expected.
About half a month had passed since the delegation from the Seven Stars Conference visited the Baek Clan—
Having decided to stay for around two months, they still had plenty of time left. Gradually, they adapted to the lifestyle of the Baek Clan.
Jin Ri-yeon primarily meditated in her own dwelling. Moyong Tak wandered outside, touring Xi’an and often returning intoxicated, bragging about the relationships he had forged with members of various sects.
Peng Mu-ah polished her blade techniques alone and occasionally followed Yi-gang. Baek Ha-jun reverted to his old routine, dedicating himself to martial arts training at the Red Jade Training Hall.
Moyong Jin, too, honed his sword skills at the Red Jade Training Hall.
“Ha-ap!”
The first form of the Star Cloud Sword Technique flowed gracefully from the tip of his sword. His mastery had grown considerably.
The sword wielded by Moyong Jin was resplendent; it was a formidable treasure sword, especially for a child to possess.
“Whew.”
After executing the movement three times in succession, Moyong Jin caught his breath.
Indeed, the Red Jade Training Hall lived up to its reputation. Despite extensive use of his Qi, he felt invigorated.
He subtly turned to glance at Baek Ha-jun.
Perhaps, Ha-jun might have been sneaking glances at Moyong Jin executing the Star Cloud Sword Technique.
“…”
However, as expected, Baek Ha-jun did not even spare a glance, engrossed in his own sword training. Normally, would one not be interested when a rival openly displayed their techniques as if urging them to watch?
Moyong Jin felt an inexplicable frustration and regret.
While feeling this, he occasionally stole glances at Ha-jun’s Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique.
The sword, cruder than Moyong Jin’s own, slashed through the air.
Swish—
Often, such a piercing sound resonated. It was a sharp sound, as if cutting through the neck of an imaginary opponent.
‘He has become quite familiar with that sword technique.’
Knowing the opponent’s swordsmanship in advance was crucial. His brother, Moyong Tak, had learned a great deal about the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique while spending time with Baek Yeong-il from the Baek Clan.
And he had rigorously trained Moyong Jin in its countermeasures.
‘If we spar again, for sure.’
He had been too hasty the last time. If they were to spar now, it would be different.
However, Moyong Jin suppressed his competitive urge. Had his brother not instructed him? Until the time was right, never engage in a sword duel again.
While lost in these thoughts,
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“…Huh?”
“Do you have something to say?”
It seemed he had been staring at Ha-jun for too long.
“No… it’s not…”
“If you have nothing to say, then never mind.”
Ha-jun looked as though he wanted to disengage from the conversation. In a rush, Moyong Jin quickly thought of something to say.
So far, he felt as if he had been treated as a non-entity. Deep down, Moyong Jin wanted to converse with Ha-jun.
“I-I was just curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“Well… Oh, right! Why doesn’t your brother come to the training hall?”
“My brother?”
Moyong Jin had once made a blunder mentioning Yi-gang in front of Ha-jun, and he instantly regretted his words upon utterance. However, to his surprise, Ha-jun’s reaction was rather mild.
“My brother… he’s busy.”
In fact, Ha-jun was also curious why Yi-gang had not been showing up at the training hall. They used to train together quite frequently after the goblin hunting incident, but these days, seeing Yi-gang had become rare.
“He doesn’t seem all that busy to me.”
“He is. He’s very busy.”
“Is he not well? Is he bedridden again?”
Ha-jun’s eyes turned slightly cold.
“Don’t speak thoughtlessly.”
Moyong Jin did not intend to speak ill of Yi-gang.
“It’s not thoughtless. It’s a fact that your brother is frail…”
The young Moyong Jin just lacked tact. He was not good at hiding his true intentions, and they were quite transparent.
Right now, seeing Ha-jun showing interest in the conversation made him a bit nervous.
“While my brother might be physically frail… he’s strong.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s true.”
Ha-jun was also lacking in conversational skills. He racked his brain trying to defend Yi-gang.
“For starters, my brother is smart. He knows a lot.”
“What does being smart have to do with being strong?”
“…He remains calm even in urgent situations.”
“Really now.”
When Moyong Jin did not back down, Baek Ha-jun earnestly searched for something to say.
“My brother, he… he has beaten me before.”
“What did you say?”
“A few days before you arrived, I had a match with my brother, and I lost.”
“You’re saying that your seemingly frail brother defeated you?”
Moyong Jin’s reaction was more intense than Ha-jun had anticipated. While the description “frail” irked him, Baek Ha-jun subtly smiled — a smile Moyong Jin had never seen before.
“It’s true.”
“You had a match? And you’re not talking about a mind game, like Baduk or something, right?”
“It’s not that. I couldn’t even touch my brother. He hit me once, and I went flying.”
“You’re lying!”
Certainly, he had been hit in the jaw and had fallen backward. It was not a martial arts match but rather a goblin-catching one.
However, Ha-jun chose not to delve into that detail.
“I didn’t lie. So, I’m going back to my sword practice now. Don’t bother me.”
“Hey, tell me more! I’m really curious.”
But Baek Ha-jun, without batting an eye, swung his sword again. He felt that if the conversation continued, he might give away more than intended.
Frustrated, Moyong Jin stamped his feet.
“How on earth did the seemingly weak Yi-gang manage to overwhelmingly defeat Baek Ha-jun?”
As if summoned by the mention of his name, Yi-gang soon appeared at the Red Jade Training Hall.
“Ah, you’re still here, practicing your swordsmanship.”
“Ah, brother!”
Baek Ha-jun greeted him with a bright smile.
Moyong Jin, too, looked at Yi-gang with a different perspective than before.
Contrary to his usual attire, Yi-gang was wearing a long shirt suited for training instead of his flashy long robe.
“Did you come to train?”
“Yes, I haven’t been able to practice for quite a while.”
“Why didn’t you show up recently?”
“I was inquiring about a few things with father. And it’s not like I was just idling around.”
Without specifying what exactly he had discussed, Yi-gang subtly glanced at Moyong Jin.
Their gazes met in the void. Moyong Jin, for some unknown reason, swallowed nervously.
“That’s great, brother. Let’s train together now.”
“Yes, actually, I had something to ask of you, Ha-jun.”
“Ask?”
Instead of responding, Yi-gang unhitched his rusty sword and leaned it against a wall. He then picked up a wooden sword used for training.
“Take a wooden sword.”
“Um…?”
“It’s been a while; let’s have a wooden sword spar.”
Baek Ha-jun’s face turned pale.
“Brother, you’re not fully recovered yet.”
“No need to worry. I’ve improved a lot.”
“But still…”
He hesitated, whispering softly,
“Moyong Jin is watching.”
“What does it matter? Do your best. I’m curious about both our skills.”
“Even so…”
However, seeing Yi-gang’s stern expression, Baek Ha-jun had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Listening to their conversation, Moyong Jin clenched his fists.
‘Is he really, truly that strong?’
Ha-jun must have been exaggerating, Moyong Jin thought. But when Yi-gang really mentioned sparring, Ha-jun’s hesitancy was palpable. The way his face turned pale was evidence that Yi-gang was evidently stronger than he appeared.
“As I said, do your best.”
“…Alright.”
Reluctantly, Baek Ha-jun assumed a combat stance. It was flawless.
However, facing him, Yi-gang’s posture did not seem anything special at all.
Moyong Jin swallowed hard.
‘Maybe it’s something beyond my ability to discern.’
It was just like the swordsmanship of his brother, Moyong Tak.
Tension filled the training grounds.
“Here I come!”
“Come on.”
The two brothers clashed.