Chapter 797: If You're Handsome and Unlucky, You Must Be from Jin Family (Part 2)

 

“You…”

A harsh grinding sound of teeth spread through the air.

Namgung Dowi glared at Chung Myung with bloodshot eyes as if he wanted to devour him whole.

Since his humiliating defeat in the martial arts competition, how much suffering had he endured?

It had been a complete and utter loss with no room for excuses. His pride, once firmly rooted as the greatest among the younger generation, was shattered to pieces.

But the pain of defeat was nothing compared to the agony he experienced afterward.

Because of the very public nature of his “incident,” the rumors had spread all the way to Anhui, where the Namgung family resided. As a result, the marriage proposals that had poured in daily had vanished, and the matchmakers who visited regularly had disappeared as if by magic.

Most of those proposing marriage to Namgung Dowi were more interested in securing their lineage with a future leader of the Namgung family than in him personally.

However, as rumors spread about potential issues with his “capability,” they all withdrew at once, as if they had made a pact.

The humiliation and disgrace of it all!

Thinking back to those miserable days felt like swallowing burning coals.

‘It’s all because of this bastard!’

Namgung Dowi was not the type to harbor grudges over simple defeats.

But this had been no ordinary loss. It had utterly destroyed his pride, ground it to dust, and scattered it in the wind.

“Huuk! Huuk!”

Namgung Dowi took a deep breath to calm himself.

Though he felt like rushing forward and tearing that face to shreds, too many eyes were watching. No matter how furious he was, he had to maintain his dignity as the future head of the Namgung family.

“Ah, you can’t even speak? Looks like there really is a problem. How unfortunate…”

“That’s not true! There’s no problem!”

Startled, Namgung Dowi yelled, his eyes darting around.

Several members of the Nine Great Sects, who had been listening curiously, instinctively glanced downward before quickly averting their eyes. Their faces showed nothing but pity.

Namgung Dowi’s face turned bright red.

“I-I’m perfectly fine!”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really!”

“Well, if you say so…”

With an overly sympathetic expression, Chung Myung nodded slowly.

“That’s good, then. If you’re fine, that’s what matters… good for you.”

“Believe me!”

“Yeah, yeah. I believe you. And don’t worry too much. It’s not like it’s essential, right? As a direct member of the Namgung family, I’m sure Wudang or Shaolin would gladly accept you.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Chung Myung turned toward Beopgye and Heo Do-jin.

Feeling suddenly put on the spot, the two men hesitated before responding awkwardly.

“Uh…?”

“Well, that’s… true, I suppose…”

The great Heo Do-jin and Elder Beopgye fumbled over their words, clearly caught off guard, while Namgung Dowi’s face went from red to purple with embarrassment.

Jo Gul whispered quietly to Yoon Jong.

“Doesn’t Mount Hua accept them too? We can marry, but we don’t have to.”

“It’s just bad luck, that’s all.”

“Ah…”

A blue vein bulged on Namgung Dowi’s forehead.

‘I can hear you, you bastards!’

This sect truly had no normal people from start to finish!

“Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon… you haven’t changed one bit, have you? Even that arrogant attitude.”

“What do you mean I haven’t changed? I’m showing genuine concern here, like a truly compassionate person!”

Baek Cheon shook his head seriously.

“Chung Myung, that’s not how you show concern.”

“Really? I thought that’s how you were supposed to do it.”

Namgung Dowi closed his eyes tightly, taking deep breaths.

He had repeated to himself countless times not to let Chung Myung’s antics get to him, and yet, here he was again. Still, at least he hadn’t been kicked between the legs this time.

“Whew.”

Finally finding some semblance of calm, Namgung Dowi spoke in a cold tone.

“I’m actually glad you haven’t changed.”

“Huh?”

“I should thank you. Thanks to you, I realized how narrow my view of the world had been.”

At first, he had denied it. He told himself that if he hadn’t been caught off guard, he wouldn’t have been defeated so thoroughly.

But in the end, he had to face the truth.

Chung Myung’s achievements spread throughout Anhui without pause, constantly reminding him of his failure.

“Today isn’t the day, but there will come a time when I can show you how much sharper my sword has become.”

Namgung Dowi’s icy gaze bore into Chung Myung as he declared,

“I will defeat you and erase this humiliation. Don’t forget. I am Namgung Dowi of the Namgung family. The one who will bring you to your knees.”

“…”

With a blank look, Chung Myung tilted his head before glancing at Baek Cheon.

Seeing his odd expression, Baek Cheon asked hesitantly.

“…What?”

“I just really want to ask something.”

“…What is it?”

“Are you sure your father has no connection to the Namgung family? Or maybe your mother’s maiden name is Namgung?”

“Neither!”

“…Weird. That guy… looks and acts exactly like he’s from the Jin family. No one can be this unlucky and annoying without being a Jin. It even made me remember that face of Jin Geum-ryong I’d tried so hard to forget.”

How could you forget that face, you crazy fool?

He looks just like me!

Watching Chung Myung insult both Namgung Dowi and, by extension, Jin Geum-ryong, Jin Dong-ryong started trembling uncontrollably. Chung Myung, however, remained oblivious.

“I can’t help but wonder how annoying Eun-ryong must be.”

“Th-the second brother isn’t like that!”

“So you admit the first brother and you are?”

“….”

Chung Myung smirked.

Though Namgung Dowi’s mannerisms were unmistakably similar to those of the Jin family… there was no denying that his aura had grown significantly stronger since the last time they’d met.

It seemed that he had trained tirelessly since the martial arts competition. Once again, Namgung Dowi spoke with solemn determination.

“Remember this. I will repay this debt.”

“Oh, sure, sure. Drop by whenever you want. Just bring a doctor with you.”

Namgung Dowi glared silently at Chung Myung, then spun around and stalked off. Watching him retreat, Chung Myung chuckled.

Jo Gul looked at him, puzzled.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“Hm?”

“You’d usually be ranting about how arrogant he is and how you’d smash his head in.”

“He’s kind of cute, don’t you think?”

“…Cute?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t he remind you of Dong-ryong? I remember when Dong-ryong used to act like that before…”

“Don’t go there.”

Baek Cheon’s face flushed as he interrupted, haunted by memories of his own embarrassing past.

Chung Myung laughed out loud.

As annoying as Namgung Dowi’s attitude was, it was somehow endearing. Moreover, his substantial improvement showed he was serious about his training.

At least it meant he wasn’t all talk.

“Looks like he’s been training hard.”

“Of course. He’s got someone to face.”

“That’s why promising sprouts need to be crushed and cultivated along the way.”

Chung Myung chuckled.

No matter how their paths had intertwined, it was satisfying to see these “hatchlings” grow.

‘It makes me think of Song-baek.’

The disciples of Jongnam, the sect that had once challenged Mount Hua, were probably engaged in grueling training by now.

While the very name “Jongnam” still made his teeth grind, Chung Myung held no personal grudge against Jongnam disciples like Lee Song-baek and Jin Geum-ryong. After all, they weren’t the ones responsible for the enmity between their sects.

The faces of the troublesome Jin Geum-ryong and the steadfast Lee Song-baek alternated in his mind. Surely, one day, they would return after unlocking their true potential.

But as Chung Myung mused fondly over their growth, he suddenly shook his head in revulsion.

“No, not Geum-ryong. I don’t want to see that jerk. He’s just plain annoying.”

“…He’s still my brother, you know.”

“Even more annoying.”

“…You’re awful.”

Baek Cheon sighed.

Thinking back, it seemed every member of the younger generation who encountered Chung Myung was affected by him.

Whether it was Mount Hua, where the disciples needed no mention, or even Hye Yeon from Shaolin, who had practically become a part of Mount Hua, or Namgung Dowi, who now trained day and night to surpass Chung Myung.

The same was true for Jin Geum-ryong and Lee Song-baek.

Baek Cheon glanced at Chung Myung with a hint of a smile.

‘It’s amazing.’

It hit him just how much Chung Myung was reshaping the martial world.

But setting aside past rivalries, Baek Cheon asked Chung Myung a practical question.

“So, what’s our next move?”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems they’re not planning to include us. Didn’t you hear while you were tied up?”

“What?”

Chung Myung’s head whipped toward where the sect leaders were gathered.

“They’re leaving us out?”

His voice rang out, and Namgung Hwang’s face filled with sudden rage.

“How dare a mere disciple speak so boldly in front of the sect leaders…”

“Exactly. That’s what happened.”

“….”

Namgung Hwang clamped his mouth shut, looking incredulously at Beopgye.

Though he was the head of the Namgung family, he couldn’t ignore Elder Beopgye, the second-in-command of Shaolin. And now, Beopgye was having a conversation with a mere third-generation disciple, which made Namgung Hwang’s anger seem foolish in comparison.

‘What in the world…?’

While it was baffling to Namgung Hwang, Beopgye had his reasons.

He had seen Chung Myung conversing with Monk Beopjeong numerous times. Though he couldn’t guess why, it was clear that Beopjeong held Chung Myung in high regard as a martial artist.

As a Shaolin elder, he couldn’t disrespect someone the Abbot himself had shown respect toward.

“So… they’re leaving us out?”

Chung Myung growled, narrowing his eyes, and Oh Gum cautiously stepped closer. Hyun Jong was also ready to shout at any moment.

But.

“Well, if that’s the case, so be it.”

“Uh?”

Surprisingly, Chung Myung let out a small laugh, turned, and walked over to his bag, rummaging through it.

Baek Cheon watched him, bewildered.

“What are you… a mat? Really?”

A mat, some snacks, dried rice cakes… and even jerky?

Did… did he really pack all that?

Finally, a small, white flask emerged from his bag, and Baek Cheon squeezed his eyes shut.

This crazy guy even brought alcohol.

To a battlefield!

Swish!

Chung Myung spread the mat peacefully, then sat down and started unpacking his snacks, as if he were there for a picnic.

“What… what are you doing?”

“They told us to watch. So let’s watch.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that? They said to observe and stay out of the way. So why not do as they say?”

“Well… nothing wrong with that…”

Is this really okay? Can they really get away with this?

Baek Cheon looked pleadingly at Hyun Jong. In response, Hyun Jong smiled gently and addressed the other sect leaders.

“Haha. I apologize. Our disciples lack proper decorum.”

“…”

“In that case, we will assist from the rear as requested.”

“…Thank you.”

Finished with the discussion, Hyun Jong slowly walked over to join Chung Myung. Settling down next to him, he asked,

“Did you bring any tea?”

“Hehe. Didn’t I tell you to be prepared? Hey! Bring the teapot!”

Soon enough, a small tea set appeared, placed carefully before Hyun Jong. One by one, Hyeon Young and Hyeon Sang quietly took seats on the mat as well.

“Hmm. Since there’s nothing for us to do anyway.”

“I’m sure they’ll handle it well. It would be excessive for us to intervene.”

“Yes, yes. That’s quite true.”

With even the elders sitting down, Chung Myung called out loudly.

“Everyone, take out your snacks and join us! The view’s great, and the breeze is nice. Perfect for a scenic snack break!”

Namgung Hwang’s face contorted in horror as he watched the scene.

‘Those damn bastards…!’

They had clearly rejected Mount Hua’s participation, yet now it seemed they’d created a spectacle where Mount Hua watched leisurely from behind while the rest of them were forced to entertain their “audience.”

‘What kind of humiliation is this?’

He had fallen into his own trap. But calling them out on it would only make him lose more face. Mount Hua had simply done as they’d been told, stepping back as instructed.

Whether they stood at the back with their hands folded or sat enjoying a meal and a drink, no one could control that. After all, they weren’t part of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, but a member of the Heavenly Alliance.

“Hmph.”

Namgung Hwang scowled, repeatedly clearing his throat.

“Then… let us discuss the plan of attack.”

“Hmm.”

“…Yes, let’s do that.”

Even as the leaders continued their serious discussion, laughter and cheerful voices rang out from Mount Hua’s gathering behind them.

‘Those damn Mount Hua disciples.’

Nothing involving them ever went smoothly.