Martial Artist Lee Gwak

Chapter 40: Dragons and Tigers Gather (3)

Light Novel: Volume 2 Chapter 14

Manhwa: Chapters 42

Episode 5. Dragons and Tigers Gather (3)

Lee Gwak and Nam Woo-gyeong sat facing each other in a shabby thatched house.

Nam Woo-gyeong spoke to Lee Gwak, who remained tense.

Relax, Im not going to eat you.

Tea or alcohol, which do you prefer?

Im fine, thank you.

Tea it is, then.

Nam Woo-gyeong, deciding unilaterally, began to prepare tea. Lee Gwak watched him wordlessly.

The way he brewed tea was filled with grace, unexpected for someone living in a humble house. He carefully checked the temperature of the water before brewing the tea.

The refreshing aroma of tea filled the small house, but Lee Gwak couldnt relax.

He still didnt know Nam Woo-gyeongs true identity, and he was not foolish and naive enough to accept kindness from someone he didnt know.

Lee Gwak looked at Nam Woo-gyeong with a heavy gaze.

Clink!

Nam Woo-gyeong poured the brewed tea into a cup, smirking slightly.

Youll bore holes through me with that stare. Relax your eyes a bit.

Have a drink first. Itll help you relax.

He held out a cup of tea to Lee Gwak.

Lee Gwak didnt refuse and accepted the cup. As he took a sip of the warm tea, his tension eased slightly.

Nam Woo-gyeong also sipped his tea before speaking.

Youre quite an interesting fellow.

What do you mean?

You hid your martial arts skill so perfectly. If I hadnt seen it with my own eyes, I wouldnt have known you were that strong.

I wasnt exactly trying to hide it.

Well, Im not criticizing you. Im just frustrated with my own judgment.

I pride myself on having the best observational skills and eyes in the world, so Im angry at myself for not noticing that youve mastered martial arts to such a level.

Im sorry.

Theres nothing for you to say sorry for. Im not scolding you.

Thud!

Nam Woo-gyeong placed his tea cup down.

Then he looked straight at Lee Gwak. His eyes seemed to pierce through everything.

Lee Gwak!

Yes?

Lets be honest with each other. Itll be easier for both of us.

What do you mean?

Ill lay everything out on the table, and you will do the same. Its only right that I start.

Let me introduce myself properly. I am Nam Woo-gyeong, the young leader of the Hao clan.

The corners of Lee Gwaks eyes trembled for a moment.

He had suspected the man in front of him to be someone out of the ordinary, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine him to be the young leader of the Hao clan.

The Hao clan was an organization created by the lowest people in society to protect themselves.

In the beginning, it started as an intelligence-gathering organization for survival, but over the years, it has steadily built up its power. Now, it possessed a level of strength that no other faction dared to confront.

There were even rumors that said that the Ten Supremes of Jianghu would not be able to overlook the Hao clan because of their unparalleled intelligence network.

And Nam Woo-gyeong was the young leader of such a remarkable clan.

The gap in status between the current Lee Gwak and him was incomparable, but Lee Gwak didnt cower and looked directly at Nam Woo-gyeong.

Why is the young leader of the Hao clan in a place like this?

In a place like this?

It just doesnt seem to fit you.

The Hao clan originated in places like these. It started with the lower-class people of the slums banding together to defend themselves. So, places like these suit me best.

But why specifically under the shadow of the Jade Heaven Alliance? Arent there plenty of slums in other places too?

Are you asking because youre unaware, or are you testing me? Of course, its because the Jade Heaven Alliance is the center of the martial world. All information flows through here, unrivaled in both quality and quantity. Given that, its only natural for me to come. Moreover, its a tradition for the prospective leader of the Hao clan to spend a significant amount of time here.

Tradition?

Yes! Ever since the Jade Heaven Alliance was established a hundred years ago, every prospective leader of the Hao clan has passed through here at one time or another, its just that its never been publicized.

Hmm!

Lee Gwak hummed thoughtfully. Nam Woo-gyeong watched him calmly.

Ive revealed everything. Now its your turn, Lee Gwak.

What do you want to know?

That martial art, how did you learn it?

Lee Gwak closed his eyes for a moment at Nam Woo-gyeongs question.

He had anticipated such a moment would come, it was just that it came much sooner than he expected.

Lee Gwak opened his eyes and looked straight at Nam Woo-gyeong. Nam Woo-gyeong did not avert his gaze.

Suddenly, Lee Gwak thought he could trust this man.

After merging five snakes, his intuition had developed remarkably, especially in discerning the true nature of people.

To Lee Gwak, Nam Woo-gyeong appeared like someone he could trust. Revealing his identity to Lee Gwak was a risk for Nam Woo-gyeong too, so perhaps it was Lee Gwaks turn to take a risk.

I am

Lee Gwak calmly recounted how he had learned the Eight Sects Sword Art and the Invisible Spider Puncture Art. However, he had somewhat glossed over the fact about his mastery of the Yoga Secret Manual, which was the foundation of the Eight Snakes Art.

Even though he decided to share his secrets, he felt uncomfortable revealing everything. Fortunately, Nam Woo-gyeong didnt press him further.

Instead, he asked about something else.

Then what about Mount Shaohua?

You knew about that too?

Dont underestimate the information gathering ability of the Hao clan. I even knew about your visit to the Red Flower Pavilion the previous day too

That pavilion must be a branch of the Hao clan.

How did you know that?

The liquor you served me before was the same as the one I drank at the Red Flower Pavilion.

Youre quite perceptive, arent you?

I have to be, in order to survive.

Thats right. The Red Flower Pavilion is a branch of the Hao clan. That girl, Choha, you shared a night with is also someone from the Hao clan.

About her, nothing happened

I know that you didnt sleep with her. Anyway, thats not whats important right now. So, what happened at Mount Shaohua?

Why do you think something happened?

Because it doesnt make sense otherwise. I mean, I know that the Eight Sects Sword Art and the Invisible Spider Puncture Art are decent martial arts, but you couldnt have reached your current level by practicing them alone.

Youre right. Thats why I used the Steel Blood Hell Training Ground.

What?

I frequented it under the pretext of repairs to use it for my training.

Hahaha!

At that moment, Nam Woo-gyeong couldnt help but laugh out loud.

He hadnt anticipated that Lee Gwak would secretly use the Steel Blood Hell Training Ground.

Nam Woo-gyeong laughed heartily for the first time in a while. Tears had already formed in the corners of his eyes.

Youre truly a gem. Truly impressive. To think you used the Steel Blood Hell Training Ground like that.

Well done. You should take advantage of anything that can be utilized like that.

Arent you going to reprimand me for doing that?

Why would I? Just because you used the Steel Blood Hell Training Ground?

Since its supposed to be a place that only the chosen ones are supposed to enter.

Chosen ones? Ha!

Suddenly, Nam Woo-gyeong snorted. When Lee Gwak looked at him with a puzzled expression, Nam Woo-gyeong explained,

The Steel Blood Hell Training Ground was never meant to be a place for the chosen ones. It was originally meant to be a place where anyone could freely challenge themselves to their hearts content as long as they have enough determination. At least thats how it started in the beginning.

I didnt know that.

Of course, you wouldnt. The current Jianghu is trying to erase its history as much as they can.

What do you mean?

Ill explain later. Thats not whats important now.

Nam Woo-gyeong gazed at Lee Gwak with deep eyes.

Youve been through a lot. Im proud of you.

Lee Gwak didnt know how to respond.

It was his first time revealing his secrets to someone, and the first time hed ever received such praise.

I am

Youre worthy of respect. I mean it sincerely. And I promise to keep this secret until the day I die, regardless of the Hao clan. I promise you in my name, Nam Woo-gyeong.

Thank you.

One last piece of advice. As I said earlier, recognition is essential in the martial world, but it should be given with caution, considering the recipient. The Tempest Three Demons are not the kind of people to keep their word. They may stay silent at first because they are afraid of you, but in time, they will surely forget that fear and tell everyone about you. It is indeed remarkable that youve cultivated your martial arts to such an extent on your own, but because you have cut yourself off from the world and immersed yourself in your own world, you have missed out on many things.

Thats

A man must be clear about when to extend or withhold kindness. Know when to show mercy and when not to. Your kindness could turn into a disaster in the future.

Why are you telling me all this?

Just

Just?

Just because. You dont seem like just anybody. And I admire you.

And if I add one more reason, its because I know how much of an impact and influence someone whos grown up right can have on the world.

Im not that remarkable of a person.

Im not just referring to you.

Nam Woo-gyeong walked over to the window and opened it.

The night sky, filled with stars, came into view.

My great-grandmother was the one who laid the foundation of the Hao clan that we see today. She wasnt always so great, but she met a person who changed her life dramatically.

There was one thing his great-grandmother always told young Nam Woo-gyeong.

Always pay attention to those who rise alone from the shadows.

For it is such individuals who can bring great change to the world.

Even the person who shaped the current martial world today was such a person.

Fist demon.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Nam Woo-gyeong shook his head and turned around.

He didnt know whether Lee Gwak was the kind of person his great-grandmother described. However, he was undoubtedly a talent worth looking forward to.

Lee Gwak! If you ever need anything, let me know. Ill help if I can.

Dont feel burdened. Im doing this because I want to.

Thank you

Lee Gwak bowed in gratitude.

Nam Woo-gyeong smiled broadly.

Now that were done talking, how about a drink?

That sounds good.

Lee Gwak nodded.

The two men sat across from each other, sipping their drinks.

The sound of their conversation drifted out the window into the night.

* * *

Geum Guho furrowed his brow.

So, youre telling me that the Tempest Three Demons disappeared overnight?

Thats right.

Have you figured out what happened?

Weve confirmed that they clashed with Lady Muk Seon-wol of the Dragon Sky Valley, but after that, theres no trace of their whereabouts.

His trusted aide, Jang Hwak, responded.

Hmm!

Geum Guho was used to hiding his emotions like the Hundred-Faced Fox, so for him to show a troubled expression was an uncommon sight.

The Tempest Three Demons were powerful figures he had been trying to recruit to expand his influence in the Outer Court. Their disappearance following a clash with Muk Seon-wol was causing him a headache.

Keep on looking for their whereabouts. If theyre still around here, we must bring them in.

Weve already assigned the task to the Heavenly Intelligence Hall.

Heavenly Intelligence Hall?

Yes! Theres a promising new recruit who just joined. I think hell prove to be a useful hound.

Who is it?

Go Jeon-ok. Ambitious and skilled. If nurtured well, he could become a valuable hunting dog.

Really?

Interest sparkled in Geum Guhos eyes.

It was rare for Jang Hwak to speak with such confidence. When he did, it usually meant there was a good reason for it.

Train him well. We might find him useful in the future.

Yes! I will raise him into a loyal hound who will only listen to its masters commands.

Good!

A cold smile tugged at the corners of Geum Guhos mouth.

SoundlessWind21s Notes:

Damn. The part about the similarity between the Fist Demon of Mount Hua and Lee Gwak The part about Nam Woo-gyeongs great-grandmothers advice wasnt mentioned in the manhwa.

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