MTL NOVEL Chapter 182
After sharing my future plans with Soeun Yu, I also told Gayoung Jin about my upcoming schedule.
First, I’m planning to visit the Namgung Clan, and after that, I’m not sure where I’ll go.
Her response came back instantly.
“I’m coming with you!”
It was far too short, far too quick, and for that very reason, it was hard to comprehend.
Gayoung Jin is the head of her family.
Not just any minor family either, but one of the massive Five Great Clans, which is eyeing a spot among the most powerful in the land.
It’s not a position where she can leave her post so lightly. In fact, Gayoung Jin had been away for quite a while due to the incident during the Seven Flowers Tournament, and her position within the family is still unstable.
With such grand ambitions, she claims she wants to follow me, but that seems like an ill-advised decision.
“Miss, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Huh? Why, why not…?”
“What do you mean ‘why’? You are the head! What will become of the Taewon Jin Clan if you recklessly leave your post like this?”
It’s not like I’ve entirely abandoned the Namgung Clan.
“I, it doesn’t matter anymore!”
“Pardon…?”
“So… yes, things are different now compared to the past, aren’t they? Trying to catch two rabbits at once only leads to losing both of them… Sometimes, you have to decisively let go for the more important thing!”
“Hmm… exactly what is so important that you’d wish to come with me…?”
“Uh… t, that…”
As I attempted to prevent her from making this inexplicable, impulsive decision, Lady Yu, who had been quietly observing from the side, interjected.
Almost as if she were defending Gayoung Jin.
“Leave it, sir.”
“Lady Yu?”
“The young Miss is an adult, and it’s her decision, having thought about it herself.”
“But Lady Yu, even so…”
“Isn’t that right, Miss Gayoung?”
With the question thrown back at her, Gayoung Jin seized the moment.
“Yes, that’s right! I’m making a wholly rational choice based on my perspective!”
“…”
It’s certain now. For some reason, Soeun Yu and Gayoung Jin have become incredibly close.
What happened between them? I can’t help but wonder.
“Lately, it seems Miss has grown quite close with Lady Yu.”
“Yes, yes, yes? What exactly are you implying?”
“It’s no use pretending otherwise. It’s all obvious! Too obvious.”
“Ahem, that’s not true… sir. I’m simply speaking from Miss’s perspective.”
“How would you know Miss’s perspective unless you’ve had some inner discussions with her?”
“…”
Now, Soeun Yu is very clearly, and deliberately, covering for Gayoung Jin, and no matter how I push for the truth, she gives nothing away, much to my frustration.
“So, Miss.”
“Yes?”
“What are your intentions concerning your family? Surely you don’t plan to follow me without any measures in place?”
“That’s fine, it’ll be okay! The clan has been functioning just fine even in my absence!”
“Don’t say such absurdities. How can a group without a center hold together?”
“Umm… i, is that so? Then what should I do? I haven’t planned much since I’ve just decided…”
“In that case, I shall return. Miss, you should remain with your family.”
In an effort to dissuade her stubbornness, Gayoung Jin reacted with a fierce and abrupt rebuttal.
“It can’t be done! I can’t… I can’t be further away from you! I simply cannot…”
“…”
“Auntie, I understand my family best. Everything is fine here. Our members have already become accustomed to functioning without a leader, and administrative matters are handled accordingly. The Taewon Jin Clan doesn’t even need a head!”
“…Miss…”
In a low voice, I cut her off.
“Could it be that you’re still unable to let go?”
“What?”
“I’ve already made it clear. I’m already married, and any further association with you is impossible.”
“Uh, ugh…”
“Accept it.”
Once again, Lady Yu interrupted.
“Why do you keep discouraging our Miss!”
“Our Miss…?”
Even going so far as to wrap her arms around Gayoung Jin’s face with her bosom protectively.
“Sir, you’ve really got everything right with you, but you clearly don’t understand women’s hearts.”
“Lady Yu, Miss isn’t even of age.”
“That’s precisely why you should be gentler with her! What you just said is like plunging a dagger into her heart!”
“…”
What in the world happened between them that has Soeun Yu so firmly on Gayoung Jin’s side? Truly perplexing.
*
“Have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“The news that the Sword Sage was completely innocent of all charges! Goodness, it was such a famous case and yet no one knows. You two are quite oblivious.”
The pacing of a bald monk was halted at a marketplace by a discussion between two wandering swordsmen.
He was a robust figure with a broad shoulder and tall stature, marking him as an impressive monk. Most notable of all was his piercing green eyes.
The monk listened in on the wanderers’ conversation, which continued uninterrupted whether or not he was noticed.
“What do you mean? That the infamous Sword Sage was framed?”
“My, my, saying such things could get one into trouble. These days, making such statements can get you beaten by martial artists. The entire martial world is shifting towards sympathizing with the Sword Sage.”
“Oh really, enlighten me then. What exactly is happening?”
“Precisely what it sounds like. The Sword Sage was framed. All the sins attributed to him were unjust, and it was officially confirmed not long ago by the court. The judge in question was none other than the Iron-Faced Judge Bao Qingtian.”
“Iron-Faced Judge Bao Qingtian?! If that’s the case, it must be the truth… my, this is confusing.”
“Everyone feels the same.”
No matter how shocking the news may be, as long as it concerns another person, it doesn’t resonate deeply. The two wanderers continued discussing leisurely.
For the monk standing nearby, however, it was different.
“Framed? Framed? Then who dared to frame the Sword Sage?”
“Do you remember the former military general of the Martial Alliance, Bin Namgung? Once among the Nine Dragons and Seven Flowers, known also as the Sword Dragon.”
“I remember him. He was the Sword Sage’s younger brother, wasn’t he? Why bring him up?”
“It was him! The one who framed and caused the downfall of the Sword Sage. Ostracizing him from the family was also his doing. It’s frightening, isn’t it? What with the power he wielded, he even caused the complete ruin of his own family. He’s also been involved in all manner of crimes.”
“Crimes, you say…?”
“Yes. Do you remember the murder case of the Martial Alliance Lord? It’s been a while, but essentially, it was Bin Namgung behind it. He also poisoned Quanhua of the Huangbo Clan… Altogether, it’s said that he committed many unspeakable atrocities.”
The monk swayed slightly, though physically imposing and robust, the story he had just heard was shockingly heavy.
“Excuse me…”
The monk, clutching his head in dizziness, approached the two wanderers.
Though usually amiable to monks, the wanderers, seeing the immense stature of this monk, instinctively became wary.
In any case, the swaying monk approached and inquired without hesitation, voice somewhat young.
“Could I possibly learn the details of your conversation?”
“C, cough! From your appearance, you seem to be a monk descending from the mountains to cultivate merit. Why involve yourself in the sordid matters of this world?”
“My intent is not to bring harm. I simply… wish to learn the details concerning the Sword Sage.”
“Ah, so the esteemed monk also harbors interest in the tale of the Sword Sage.”
Instantly, as if by habit, the wanderer almost requested payment for the story but reconsidered quickly upon noticing the towering muscles in the monk’s arms.
And thus, the monk listened carefully to the long tale the wanderers spun.
Several times he was overwhelmed by shock.
“Ah, so Father was indeed innocent! Yes, such a good person would never do such things!”
“How many false accusations there were… How much pain must Father have endured…”
“Younger Uncle supposedly framed Father? The one who was always so kind…?”
“It can’t be… Uncle was such a good person. To accuse Father out of greed for power… is this what worldly desires can do?”
“So, Father faced a trial… I didn’t know. I was so focused on martial training I didn’t pay attention to the news.”
“It seems Father now lives under the name White Blade Wanderer… At a place called Taewon Jin Clan…? A place I’ve heard of before, but to think Father was there…”
“Still, it’s fortunate. Though I never suspected Uncle to be such a person… but with Father’s name cleared, it’s all for the better. Thank heavens I didn’t misunderstand Father.”
Though the monk’s legs nearly gave out several times, he listened intently to every detail of the long story.
At the end of the long tale, a smile emerged on the monk’s face.
A smile so pure and unblemished that it was rarely seen from the new generation of martial artists.
“Well then… would it be acceptable for me to visit suddenly…? Father seems to be living a new life under a new name, but…”
“No. Mother is also there, isn’t she? As a filial child, even if I have left the secular world as a monk, I must visit and pay respects at least once.”
And so, he resolved.