Chapter 672: Why Are You Good? Why Are You So Good?!
Chapter 672: Why Are You Good? Why Are You So Good?!
Geom Mu-yang was in his quarters, focused on circulating the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art.
It was a technique his younger brother had passed down to him, even going so far as to defy the Cult’s laws for his sake. How could he possibly be negligent? Whenever he had a spare moment, he immersed himself entirely in mastering it.
As he focused on his training, Mu-yang’s eyes snapped open, and he ceased the technique.
He had sensed someone entering the house. In the past, he would have noticed much later, but despite having practiced the art for only a short time, its effectiveness was already undeniable.
By the time Geom Mu-geuk entered the room, Mu-yang was standing by the window.
“You’re a young man. Why do you keep staring out the window like an old soul?”
“Is staring out the window a privilege reserved only for the elderly?”
“Young people don’t do it. they can’t stand being still; they usually just burst outside.”
“That is a prejudice.”
Mu-geuk walked over and stood side-by-side with Mu-yang.
“How did your business go?”
“I had a productive meeting with the Alliance Leader.”
Had there ever been an era since the birth of the Murim where the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could meet the Murim Alliance Leader so casually? His brother was likely the first.
“Are you hungry right now, by any chance?”
When Mu-yang shook his head, Mu-geuk pressed further.
“This is important. I’m worried you might get a sudden craving and gulp it all down in one go.”
What nonsense is he about to spout now? Mu-yang gave his brother a look that asked exactly that.
“Here. I bet this is the first time in your life you’ve seen this.”
Mu-geuk pulled a white bottle from his robes. The reason he had come running so excitedly was contained within this very vessel.
As Mu-geuk slowly opened the stopper, an indescribable, exquisite fragrance wafted out.
Mu-yang, who had been peering quietly at the bottle, gasped in surprise.
“Is this... Empty Spring Stone Oil?”
Mu-geuk nodded.
“Say hello! This is the Cult Leader and Alliance Leader of the spirit medicine world. And Your Excellencies, meet my pathetic older brother.”
The scent alone was overwhelming. Truly, it was the first time in his life he had encountered such a sweet, divine aroma.
“Where did you get this?”
It was a spirit medicine so magnificent that it made even the stoic Mu-yang’s voice tremble.
“The Alliance Leader gave it to me as a thank-you for helping out. He told me to share half with you. He made sure to tell me to pass on his gratitude to you as well.”
Mu-yang let out a short, dry laugh.
There was no way that was true. And there was absolutely no way the Alliance Leader would have told him to share such a precious treasure with a member of the Demonic Cult.
“I’m fine. You drink it.”
“I can’t do that. He gave it to me to share.”
“Should I go confirm that with the Alliance Leader?”
“Go ahead if you don’t believe me.”
Of course, he couldn’t actually check. Given Mu-yang’s personality, he wasn’t the type to approach the Alliance Leader and ask, “Did you really tell him to share this with me?”
“Forget it. Even if he did, you take it all.”
“If you don’t drink it, I’m throwing it away.”
“Go ahead.”
“You think I won’t?”
Mu-geuk made a motion as if to dash the bottle against the floor.
Of course, he didn't.
“Ugh, I’m too nervous about spilling it to even pretend to tilt it.”
Mu-geuk held the bottle carefully with both hands.
Mu-yang turned back toward the window.
A brother who wanted to share Empty Spring Stone Oil...
When had their relationship become like this? It felt like only yesterday they were at each other's throats, consumed by hatred. In truth, those old emotions were still vivid. That was why moments like this felt so foreign.
Then, Mu-geuk’s low voice drifted from behind him.
“I’m afraid.”
When Mu-yang turned around, the playfulness had vanished from Mu-geuk’s face.
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to stop the people behind all this. As we saw this time, they’re persistent bastards who’ve been preparing for decades. What if someone even more vicious appears and I can’t handle it?”
Mu-yang stared at his brother for a moment before speaking abruptly.
“Are you fighting alone?”
As if he had been waiting for those words, Mu-geuk thrust the bottle of Empty Spring Stone Oil forward.
“That’s why we’re drinking this together and fighting together. I’m not giving this to you for your sake; I’m giving it to you for mine. So you can protect me. If you keep being stubborn, I’ll give you an order in my capacity as the Acting Cult Leader.”
How could he refuse when the boy put it like that?
Mu-yang spoke calmly.
“Then just one drop. No more.”
“Fine. There are only a few drops anyway, even if I wanted to give you more.”
“You drink first, then give me the rest.”
“I’ll have mine later.”
When Mu-yang reached out his hand, Mu-geuk shook his head.
“Open your mouth.”
“What?”
“How can I trust you with this? What if you say you’ll only take one drop, then gulp it all down and claim it was a mistake?”
Mu-yang looked at him with utter disbelief.
“I’d rather not have any at all.”
“Then you’re admitting my suspicion was right. You were planning to steal it all but failed.”
Mu-yang glared at Mu-geuk with an expression that said, Is this guy actually insane?
Mu-geuk stood his ground shamelessly.
“If you’re innocent, open up.”
Eventually, Mu-yang parted his lips slightly.
“Don’t you dare close your mouth! If we spill even a bit, we’re ruined.”
After that emphasis, Mu-geuk tilted the bottle without hesitation.
Drip, drip, drip!
Three drops fell in succession. Mu-yang didn't even have time to think about closing his mouth after the first drop.
As Mu-yang stood there dazed, Mu-geuk shouted.
“Talk later! Start your Qi Circulation now!”
Since it wasn't a situation for stubbornness, Mu-yang immediately sat cross-legged and began to dissolve the medicinal effect.
Mu-geuk drained the rest of the Empty Spring Stone Oil into his own mouth.
Drip! Drip!
There were two drops left.
The two brothers sat side-by-side, melting the energy of the Empty Spring Stone Oil into their bodies.
No guard was necessary. Mu-geuk’s realm was now such that even if a problem arose, he could temporarily halt the absorption, deal with the threat, and then resume.
Mu-yang was experiencing something entirely new.
A single drop would have provided immense energy, but there were three! At the sensation of a massive power he had never felt before, his blood vessels opened up all at once.
Following the flow of his True Qi, the energy of the Empty Spring Stone Oil began to dissolve into his meridians.
Sssssss, sssssss!
With every cycle, a powerful surge was transmitted through his vessels. The thrill of that moment was beyond words.
Mu-yang dissolved the energy cautiously yet boldly.
Once all three drops were absorbed, the energy galloped fiercely through his meridians. It was a sprint—a gallop of immense power unlike anything he had ever experienced.
The wildly racing energy gathered in his Dantian, merging with his existing Internal Energy.
In the next instant!
As the profound Internal Energy filled his Dantian to the point of bursting, a look of pure ecstasy spread across Mu-yang’s face. He felt a greater joy than any pleasure he had ever derived from martial arts until now.
After calmly settling his Internal Energy, Mu-yang opened his eyes.
A profound power surged within his Dantian, and his eyes had grown clearer and deeper. His body felt light, and his skin seemed to radiate a faint glow. He could vividly feel how much stronger he had become.
The efficacy of the Empty Spring Stone Oil wasn't just in increasing Internal Energy. It had cleansed his meridians and purified his energy to a higher state.
Mu-geuk, who had finished his meditation first, was watching him. He had likely waited without even breathing loudly until Mu-yang was finished.
“Incredible, isn't it?”
That was one thing Mu-yang couldn't deny. It was truly incredible.
Mu-yang nodded silently and asked, “Why did you give me three drops?”
“Dammit! You think I wanted to? My hand slipped.”
Mu-geuk put on a frustrated face.
“I’d rather drop my sword while fighting an enemy.”
It was nonsense. There was no way Mu-geuk lacked that level of control; he had intended to give him three drops from the start. He had been played by the kid again.
“At least I managed to save two drops for myself. If I’d poured it all, I would’ve had to cut your stomach open to get it back.”
Instead of acting like he’d done a favor, Mu-geuk played the villain.
“You think I just let you live during the succession struggle for nothing? You’re going to spend the rest of your life working hard to look after your little brother. Be prepared.”
Mu-yang didn't say thank you. Three drops of Empty Spring Stone Oil weren't nearly enough payment for the trouble of looking after this guy.
Mu-geuk jumped to his feet.
“Let’s go out.”
“Where?”
“We’re in Wuhan. We have to see the marketplace.”
Just as Mu-yang was about to refuse, Mu-geuk beat him to it.
“We’re all the way here; we should buy a gift for Father. Are you not going to buy one? Sigh, our poor father who only loves his eldest son... when will he ever receive a gift from him...?”
Before the rambling could go on any longer, Mu-yang stood up.
*
The marketplace in front of the Murim Alliance headquarters was bustling with people.
Shops lined both sides of the street, and peddlers with trays strapped to their chests were hawking their wares in hoarse voices. Countless pedestrians moved to and fro.
Mu-geuk and Mu-yang appeared in the middle of that crowded street.
Mu-geuk walked openly, but Mu-yang wore his bamboo hat pulled down low.
“Brother, no one’s looking. And even if they do, so what?”
But Mu-yang did not take off the hat. For a demonic practitioner to walk openly in Wuhan was something only his brother could pull off.
“Have we ever walked through a marketplace together like this? Is this the first time?”
When they had traveled with their father, they had walked through markets with him. Today, he was walking with his brother. Perhaps one day, all three of them would walk together.
Mu-geuk thought his brother would just walk straight ahead, but surprisingly, Mu-yang looked around at everything as they went. It seemed he really was looking for a gift for their father.
Just then, a merchant at a dumpling cart shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Come taste these dumplings! They’re so good you wouldn't notice if your friend died right next to you!”
At those words, Mu-geuk turned to his brother.
“It’s hard to kill us in the first place, so I doubt we’ll get to experience that feeling. But should we try them anyway?”
Mu-geuk dragged his brother over. They ordered a plate of dumplings, and for street food, they were quite delicious.
“Have you ever eaten food standing in the street before?”
Mu-yang shook his head.
“How do you feel?”
“I feel like killing someone so I can eat in peace.”
Mu-geuk laughed loudly. It was a rare joke from his brother; he had to give it a good laugh.
As they ate the dumplings, the two observed their surroundings.
People arguing over prices, a woman running with food in a bowl, children chasing after a taffy seller, and pedestrians stepping aside to avoid men with heavy back-frames.
That was when Mu-yang saw it. He saw Mu-geuk smiling as he watched them.
Watching the lives of ordinary people—something Mu-yang had never spared a glance for in his entire life—what was it that made his brother smile so happily?
Mu-geuk popped the last dumpling into his mouth.
“Since I lost my share of the Empty Spring Stone Oil, I should at least get the last of these.”
Mu-yang let out a hollow chuckle.
The two resumed their walk. As they strolled through the market, Mu-yang’s gaze fixed on a certain shop.
Mu-geuk noticed that the look in his brother’s eyes was different from when he looked at other places. It was a shop that sold musical instruments.
“Let’s go in and look.”
Mu-geuk went in first, and Mu-yang followed.
“Brother, is there an instrument you know how to play?”
“No.”
For someone who didn't, the look in his eyes had been quite telling.
“I suppose. What instrument would you play? Since I have no ear for music, you’re probably the same. I’ve never seen Father play anything either, so it must be in the blood! All we know how to do is kill people!”
Right then, a sound echoed from behind him.
Startled, Mu-geuk turned around to see Mu-yang playing a danso. As he blew into the short flute, a beautiful melody flowed out. The tune pierced through the surrounding noise and spread into the air.
Mu-geuk’s eyes widened.
He wasn't just testing it. His brother was playing a proper piece of music. He had never dreamed his brother could play an instrument, so he was truly shocked.
It was another moment where he realized how difficult it was to truly know someone, no matter how hard you tried.
Was it because he felt his brother’s heart was contained in the melody? It was wonderful to listen to.
When the performance ended, applause erupted from behind them. Turning around, they saw that people passing by had stopped and gathered at the shop’s entrance.
Mu-geuk shouted at his brother.
“What the—? Why are you good? Why are you so good?!”
The shop owner also expressed his surprise.
“That was a magnificent performance.”
Perhaps finding the praise from the owner and the crowd outside burdensome, Mu-yang walked out. Mu-geuk quickly bought the danso and chased after him.
“Why did you buy that?”
“Just because you played it, the price of this danso has already jumped a thousandfold. And who knows, you might have a use for it again soon.”
When Mu-yang looked at him as if to ask what he meant, Mu-geuk changed the subject.
“You look like a different person. Imagine it! You’re surrounded by the corpses of your enemies, your hair fluttering in the bloody wind, and you pull out a danso for a solo! It’s cool, so cool! The ladies will be swooning!”
“They’ll probably faint from terror.”
It was then.
Clatter.
A cart passed by, splashing muddy water onto Mu-yang’s pants. However, Mu-yang didn't seem to care at all and kept walking.
“I really thought a blood-wind was about to blow and the entire Wuhan marketplace was going to be massacred.”
At the silly remark, Mu-yang, walking ahead, smiled silently.
Mu-geuk could feel it. His brother was enjoying this moment too.
Yeah, smile like that more often. See how good it looks?
Mu-geuk truly enjoyed this time with his brother. The two looked at various things. Mu-geuk had been the one to bring up a gift for their father, but Mu-yang was the one searching more seriously now.
However, nothing quite caught his eye.
Mu-geuk held up a pair of pajamas and asked, “How about these Wuhan-brand floral pajamas?”
Mu-yang gave him a look that questioned his sanity, and Mu-geuk shook his head.
“Ah, you haven't seen it, have you?” Mu-geuk quietly put the pajamas back down. “Never mind. It would be too much of a shock for you.”
As they continued through the market, Mu-yang’s gaze stopped at one spot. An elderly painter was sitting down, drawing portraits of passersby.
Whatever he was thinking, Mu-yang walked over and sat down in front of the painter. Mu-geuk followed with a startled expression.
“What are you doing? You’re scaring me.”
His brother was the last person on earth to sit for something like this.
“You sit too.”
“Me too?”
Even more surprised, Mu-geuk sat down beside him. Is he really suggesting we get a picture of us together?
As if confirming it, Mu-yang took off his bamboo hat for the first time since arriving at the marketplace. Having revealed his face, he spoke to the painter.
“Draw us together. I will pay you extra, so please draw us as well as you can.”
The painter began to move his brush with great care. Mu-geuk stared at his brother in shock. Drawing a picture together was surprising enough, but asking him to draw it well?
“Who are you? Where’s my brother? Who are you pretending to be?!”
Even at Mu-geuk’s teasing, Mu-yang’s expression didn't change. He even went a step further.
“I’m going to have this painting made into a scroll.”
“What?”
Mu-yang said something completely unexpected.
“I’m going to give it to Father.”
“...!”
Only then did Mu-geuk understand his brother’s intention. This was the gift for their father. There would be no greater gift for their father than a painting of the two brothers standing side-by-side.
“They say there’s no younger brother better than the older one. Were you always this smart?”
“Look forward,” Mu-yang added bluntly. “Otherwise that ugly face of yours is going to turn out even weirder in the painting.”