Episode 18
"Still no news from Tang Clan?"
"It’s been 20 years since they sealed themselves off. They’re probably just messing around with snake bodies in hiding."
"It seems enough time for self-reflection has passed, haven’t there been any developments inside?"
"How would I know what the Yijie family is up to? If you’re curious, go check for yourself."
"… Liaoning is too far from Sichuan."
"Is Hebei, which is right under Liaoning, any closer? You’re clueless because you’re always stuck at home."
At the sharp reply, Moryongdan remained silent. When he looked around the meeting hall, he saw the fifteen empty seats.
"… I didn’t expect you, Master Kyulpae, to be the first to arrive. It’s probably because I haven’t been out much that I didn’t know anything and called for you."
"What? What did you say? Should I leave then? Huh?"
"I just mean that your attendance is unexpected given your record of tardiness and absences in over 300 regular meetings. Thank you for arriving early today. I assure you that you won’t regret coming."
Even though he appears easygoing, Moryongdan knew that he was someone who easily overlooked trivial things, so he spoke confidently. As he picked up the teacup in front of him with an expressionless face, Pengchijeong’s face gradually began to flush with anger.
"You damn brat, don’t you know how to respect your elders…!"
"What are you discussing so amusingly?"
As Pengchijeong was about to explode in anger, the doors suddenly opened from both sides, and a middle-aged nun dressed in monastic robes walked in.
Moryongdan stood up from his seat, made a fist-palm salute, and bowed his head.
"Greetings to Monk Banyajang from Mount Emei."
"It seems Master Chilseonggeom has come on behalf of Moryongdan again. I hope the pillar of Moryongdan recovers soon."
"Thank you, Monk. Please feel free to call upon me as needed."
"What Chilseonggeom? More like a mechanical puppet or a weirdo."
Ignoring Pengchijeong’s outburst, Moryongdan waited until Banyajang took her seat, then he sat down. In the next moment, five more seats found their occupants.
As time went on, Moryongdan stood up, observing the buzzing hall.
"I really appreciate all of you for making time amidst your busy schedules. I apologize for bringing up such a trivial matter, but the purpose today is to exchange information. We don’t have time to waste, so let’s begin without further delay."
"Fine. The latecomers can feel aggrieved on their own."
"Stop stalling and speak, young one!"
Banyajang nodded calmly, and Pengchijeong gulped down his cold white tea, adding his comment. Head monk Jeongseon of Shaolin and Chu Noh of the Beggars’ Sect were also present with their typical smiles.
Moryongdan resumed his seat and continued speaking.
"A secret cave full of mechanical devices was discovered three months ago in east Liaoning, where our family resides. The exterior showed no significant markings and was filled with complex mechanisms that we had restricted public access to. We began investigating the interior in collaboration with the Zhuge family."
"Mechanical devices? There’s a reason you dragged yourself all the way here."
The rumor that the eldest of the Moryong family had abandoned learning the sword to immerse himself in mechanical studies was well-known. If his skills were mediocre, he’d have given up quickly, but Moryongdan showed unparalleled aptitude, achieving milestones even Zhuge family members couldn’t easily match.
Thus, the Moryong family had let go of Moryongdan’s education. He had already surpassed his peers in swordsmanship and had impeccable manners. There was no reason to interfere with his further studies.
Although the renowned Zhuge family initially resisted, witnessing Moryongdan’s intellect made them turn favorable. This earned him the moniker "Mechanical Brain" from Pengchijeong.
Moryongdan rummaged through his things and produced a stone tablet, placing it on the table. Though cracked and worn, it was clear it had inscriptions.
"We finally found something inside. Take a look."
"… Wang (King)? That’s all I can make out."
"Yes, correct."
Pengchijeong frowned, focusing on the stone tablet.
"Why does it matter? Everyone with some talent calls themselves king.”
"But wouldn’t it be different if it’s referring to the king who ruled Liaoning 300 years ago?"
"… Goguryeo?"
Pengchijeong muttered, recalling the undefeatable cavalry and the invincible army of the eastern kingdom. Having achieved his primary goal, Moryongdan traced a character on the stone tablet with his fingertip before tucking it away.
"Yes, correct. Given the abundance of weapons and paintings found, it appears to be a relic from that period. The Zhuge family is currently too preoccupied with excavating the site, which is why they couldn’t attend today."
"It is fascinating, but did you call us here just to brag? Quite presumptuous."
"Of course not."
In response to Chu Noh’s words, Moryongdan confidently scanned the room, examining the beams and the doorways. In an instant, a small sound barrier formed around the table. Lowering his voice, Moryongdan spoke quickly.
"It appears there is a divine artifact in there. Reaching the deepest part will take some time, but we sensed its strange energy the moment we stepped inside. We’ve continuously found references to the three-legged crow divine beast."
"A divine artifact? Still unknown?"
"We’ve combed through all the records in the Zhuge family’s library but found nothing. It’s not from the Central Plains, making it even harder to identify."
Despite the mention of a divine artifact, no one in the room showed greed. Moryongdan, making eye contact with each of them, continued in a grave tone.
"I ask for your help. I plan to excavate and examine it, then pass it to the most suitable person."
"You don’t intend to keep it yourself, Moryong?"
"Yes, I am not fit for it."
Despite his youth, Banyajang watched Moryongdan speak about his limitations with narrowed eyes.
"Moryong Gongja, I don’t understand why you inform us of this. What exactly are you asking?"
Feigning ignorance, Banyajang inquired with a straight face, but Moryongdan looked at her steadily, as if to say there was no need to test further.
"You know well. If this divine artifact is lost, there will be no way to save the Central Plains."
"…"
"I contacted everyone who could come, knowing you would be the only ones to attend. Therefore, from the beginning, I intended to ask all of you gathered here to help conceal the existence of this divine artifact and secretly find the right person for it."
"But we don’t even know what kind of divine artifact it is."
"Therefore, we need to find as many people as possible. We need individuals with a strong, unyielding spirit, martial talents, and the chivalry lost from the Twin Dragons Alliance."
"It’s not like talented people are just lying around everywhere…"
"But you’re already smiling, senior."
"Is that so?"
Chu Noh chuckled, appearing as the promising head of the largest intelligence network in Central Plains, the Beggars’ Sect.
Moryongdan continued in a peaceful tone, hands clasped and eyes lowered as if confessing a sin.
"If you help me, there will be more time to find suitable talents. Even if it takes years, please slowly gather the gems of the Central Plains. By the time others realize such discussions took place, they will not have a clue."
"Quite bold. Discussing such grand matters not just anywhere, but in the very heart of the Twin Dragons Alliance."
"Thank you."
Removing the sound barrier, Moryongdan spoke composedly.
"We’ve waited long enough. It seems today is not the day. I will contact you again soon."
"How annoying, making an old man come all this way."
Chu Noh, adept at witty banter, stood up and left without looking back. Lost in thought, Banyajang followed. Grumbling and muttering about Moryongdan, Pengchijeong also departed.
Left alone was only Jeongseon, the head monk of Shaolin, who hadn’t spoken a word since the beginning.
Rather than urging him, Moryongdan waited quietly. Finally, Jeongseon’s voice, unexpectedly calm and composed for someone nicknamed "Crazy Buddha," broke the silence.
"The Celestial Killing Star that appeared four years ago still hasn’t shown its light, benefactor."
"Is that so."
Despite the abrupt topic, Moryongdan responded plainly.
Jeongseon, who had a profound sense of the divine, was mocked for his obsession with the Celestial Killing Star.
A decade ago, Jeongseon’s words could shake the Twin Dragons Alliance with his insights and mystical abilities.
Yet, four years ago, Jeongseon gathered everyone, pale-faced, proclaiming the rise of a malevolent star, spouting incomprehensible details.
Indeed, Jeongseon’s astrological readings couldn’t be ignored, prompting the Alliance’s warriors to search newborns tirelessly. Despite the damaging rumors about killing or using infants for martial purposes, they continued their search for the Celestial Killing Star.
Three months later, Jeongseon reversed his stance, stating the star had suppressed its malevolent energy, shining brilliantly contrary to its nature. Claiming it altered the cosmic order, which now was too chaotic to read accurately.
Since then, his daily obsession with the killing star made him the brunt of dismissiveness as a mad monk.
From Moryongdan’s perspective, newly representing his incapacitated father, he had every reason to doubt. Nonetheless, considering Jeongseon’s steadfast guardianship over Mount Song, he made the call without hesitation.
‘No, it was the right move. Let him speak endlessly—I’m willing to listen.’
If Hanan’s strength could be borrowed, the celestial star talk was trivial. Moryongdan focused on the impending conversation.
Jeongseon opened and closed his eyes briefly.
"… After all, it is people who render an ominous star ominous and a virtuous star virtuous, benefactor. No matter how righteous one’s disposition, it’s futile without growing up hearing and seeing righteousness."
"…"
Can you foster a hero as a hero?
A question inherent in his low voice made Moryongdan fall silent, not knowing the answer. Jeongseon, smiling slightly, stood up.
"Your most cherished person will return as a noble ally and the owner of the divine artifact is already nearby—it won’t be difficult to identify them. Devotion will yield corresponding results, although with some excess on your part. However, a time will come when even this will be seen as a blessing."
"Thank you for your wise words."
Leaving behind cryptic messages, Jeongseon departed. Moryongdan saluted and sat back down, leaning against the backrest, looking up at the ceiling with one hand on his forehead. The headache, a constant companion, was worsening, feeling like a worm gnawing at his brain.
Jeongseon’s cryptic words were incomprehensible, yet Moryongdan had a premonition that they would trouble him more and more as time passed.
The pressure from resolved problems grew heavier with the distance of future planning. With his father Moryongjeong bedridden due to a mysterious poison, Moryongdan was the only one left to protect the family externally.
From now on, it would be a perilous tightrope walk—no room for complacency. A single mistake would seal his fate, making him a bystander in hell, watching the child suffer, powerless to intervene.
Biting his inner cheek firmly, Moryongdan resolved himself, thinking of the bright, innocent smile of the child who brought him out of darkness—his beacon amidst the gloom.