I'll Drench You Thoroughly
The shadow's trembling soon stopped.
Jeong Gwang watched it with keen interest.
It was his first time encountering such a being.
-The energy felt off, so I poked it. Looks like I was right. Didn't it hurt when I pulled that thing off?
-……!
-Phew. Still, better that way. A Taoist who can't use their qi despite having it is no good. And you're not even a proper Taoist, yet you're in that state.
-…….
Jeong Gwang shook his head and continued the transmission.
-Anyway, we need a proper title for you. What should I call you?
A thin, twisted voice soon whispered into Jeong Gwang's ear.
Imperial Guardian Dark Eagle, Third Ho.
-Oho. Quite grandiose.
An eagle lurking in the shadows, protecting the imperial family.
The third one, no less.
How could he not be impressed?
-But it's too long. In a pinch, who'd have time to shout that whole thing?
The crown prince could get stabbed dead before he finished.
After a moment's thought, Jeong Gwang came up with a fitting nickname.
-How about this: Eung-sam. Eagle Three. Nice, right?
-……!
-Rolls off the tongue. You like it too?
-…….
Having said his piece, Jeong Gwang grinned.
-We're done talking, so off you go. Oh, one more thing.
-…….
Jeong Gwang's eyes flashed coldly.
-If you sneak into my shadow again, I won't let it slide.
The dark predawn hours.
Paeng Gang-ung returned to his room with a weary face.
As soon as he collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion crashed over him.
'This is no ordinary task.'
It had been an unprecedented grand feast.
Overseeing its preparations had drained him physically and mentally.
'At least we pulled it off perfectly.'
Everything was flawless.
Once the sun rose and the festivities began, the Paeng family's prestige would soar.
'And even the crown prince coming in person.'
Pride in his grandfather's achievements was secondary.
The crown prince's attendance would elevate the Paeng family's status immensely.
'The guests aren't just martial artists.'
With officials, military figures, merchants, and local magnates from the area, the impact would be huge.
As Paeng Gang-ung recalled the guests, he frowned.
'Too many, though.'
He couldn't greet them all personally.
Like those staying at his brother Paeng Gang-hwi's quarters.
'His so-called friends, and I don't even have time to tend to them.'
It couldn't be helped.
Since Paeng Gang-hwi was fine with it, he could look after them after the feast ended.
Once he had proclaimed himself the true heir to the Paeng family.
A smile crept onto Paeng Gang-ung's lips.
'Not the time to lounge.'
He rose from the bed and sat cross-legged.
Circulating the Paeng family's secret art, Mixed Origin Thunderbolt Divine Art, his fatigue began to ebb away.
After Lesser Heavenly Circuit came the Greater, and he furrowed his brow slightly.
'Still too slow.'
He halted the circulation, summoned his inner energy, and probed the surroundings.
As expected, no one was there.
He began circulating not the Mixed Origin Thunderbolt Divine Art, but another method.
It was the Nameless Heart Method, stumbled upon by chance when his mind had wavered in the past.
Soon, a faint evil qi gathered between his brows.
It grew, gradually corrupting his mind.
His focus sharpened.
With a entranced expression, he resumed the Mixed Origin Thunderbolt Divine Art.
The true qi flowed differently now.
Far faster than before— incomparably so.
Before long, he completed three full Greater Heavenly Circuits.
"Huuu……."
With a soft exhale, he opened his eyes.
A sinister glint flickered in them, then vanished.
The evil qi between his brows did the same.
Paeng Gang-ung was himself again.
'……Fatigue's all gone.'
It was good, yet a heaviness lingered in his heart.
No matter how he looked at it, the Nameless Heart Method was no normal technique.
But he couldn't discard it.
'Too late for that.'
Paeng Gang-ung suppressed the rising regret.
His stagnant cultivation had advanced thanks to this— what regret?
'Without the Nameless Heart Method, I'd have fallen behind long ago.'
Five or six years ago, his brother Paeng Gang-hwi had returned from Kunlun, grown explosively.
Not just in martial prowess, but temperament too— enough to change their father's gaze.
Paeng Gang-ung had tossed and turned nightly.
Fear that the brother he'd once overlooked would surpass him.
That was when he'd chanced upon the Nameless Heart Method.
Something felt off, but its effects were tremendous, restoring his father's trust.
He could suppress his jealousy toward his brother and act like proper siblings.
And sleep soundly.
'I'm above board.'
He crushed the lingering guilt in his chest.
'I won't lose.'
Ambition filled the void.
'I'm the best. I will be the best.'
His eyes burned fiercely.
Using the Latent Demon Great Law to cling to the ceiling, Jeong Gwang clicked his tongue.
After days of fruitless searching, he'd finally found out.
'Idiot. Practicing a harmful evil art with zero benefits.'
Obviously a mind-entrancing technique.
It might boost focus, but the side effects were glaringly obvious.
'If it can entrance you, it can entrance others too— why doesn't he get that?'
No doubt some heart method dropped by that Sima Lian pig.
The fool had gobbled it up.
He could picture the pig's scheme.
'Should I just kill him?'
Taking out Paeng Gang-ung now would derail the pig's plans.
'Wait. Then I miss out on the fun.'
The sharp pig would bolt immediately.
All this effort coming here would be wasted.
Besides, Paeng Gang-ung was the brother of his disciple, Pang Su-bin.
'Feels off.'
He'd already received generous gifts from her grandfather and even her mother.
Past-life Jeong Gwang wouldn't care, but this life's version did.
'Amitabha. Let nature take its course.'
He'd repay what he'd received in kind.
'Just a bit longer.'
Jeong Gwang circulated the Latent Demon Great Law and slipped out from the ceiling.
He immediately deployed Pitch Night Demon Shadow.
Melting into the darkness, he soon returned to his own room.
'A quick drink before bed.'
He pulled out a hidden bottle of liquor.
A few cups in, he craved snacks.
'Craving pork.'
He'd meet the pig soon enough.
Imagining how to cook him lifted his mood.
'Finding him quick is key.'
Jeong Gwang drew the Reverse Heaven Mirror from his bosom.
Staring at it, he called softly.
-Hey.
-…….
-Asleep? Want me to wake you?
-Ung! Ung!
-You saw Paeng Gang-ung earlier, right? The one with that sloppy evil qi.
-Ung.
-Later at the feast, tell me right away if you spot someone with similar energy.
-…….
-Huh? Don't wanna?
The Reverse Heaven Mirror desperately hummed but held back.
It couldn't keep getting dragged around forever.
Give and take— that was the way of the world.
It couldn't keep giving out of fear of the hawk.
Luckily, Jeong Gwang was sharp.
-Oh ho. You want something in return?
-……Ung.
-What do you want?
-……!
The Reverse Heaven Mirror cheered inwardly.
This devilish and cunning bastard had finally grasped the profound and immutable Worldly Principles (Daoli) that governed the realm!
It tried to quickly state its desire…
But alas, the Reverse Heaven Mirror couldn't speak.
-Speak up, come on.
-…….
-I'll grant anything. Yeah?
-…….
The Reverse Heaven Mirror wanted to cry.
But a bronze mirror shedding tears? Rust was the real worry.
After teasing it awhile, Jeong Gwang smiled faintly.
-You're a Monster Illuminating Mirror, so obvious. Want virgin boy or girl blood?
-Ung! Ung! Ung! Ung!
The Reverse Heaven Mirror buzzed excitedly.
This guy was so knowledgeable!
Its joy was short-lived— soon it was getting pummeled mercilessly.
-You idiot! Think! I'd! Give! You! That?!
Clear rings echoed with each fistfall.
Kang! Kaang! Kaang! Kwaang!
The Reverse Heaven Mirror wailed madly.
-Kwaaaang! Kwaaaaang!
-Quiet down, you punk!
Jeong Gwang shoved his face close to the sobbing mirror.
-Let's do this right. Got it?
-……Ung.
-Point out exactly who has the evil qi. You know what I mean?
-……Ung.
Satisfied with its compliance, Jeong Gwang showed mercy.
-Good. Finish the job, and I'll give you blood.
-……!
-Huh? That good?
-Ung! Ung!
-Pig blood, though?
-…….
Jeong Gwang chuckled.
-In return, I'll drench you. Soak you right through.
As dawn broke, the feast began.
No ordinary feast— a massive one.
"Whoa. Impressive."
"Indeed. Haha."
Mountains of delicacies covered countless tables, enough to widen eyes.
Beautiful dancers swirled to the musicians' tunes.
Acrobats tumbled, and thrilling Peking opera unfolded.
Even influential guests from martial world, officials, military, and merchants marveled at the splendor.
"Come, come. Let's sit."
"Haha, yes."
The food was exquisite, the liquor top-notch.
Everyone reveled joyfully.
Jeong Gwang's group was a bit different.
"Ugh. So distracting."
That was Jeong Gwang's take.
"Quite modest, but charming in its simplicity."
The crown prince's verdict.
"Gulp. Gulp."
Baek Seung-mu and Jao, starved from morning training, were busy eating and drinking.
"Nom nom."
Pang Su-bin too.
"……."
Pang Man-so conversed with the crown prince while scanning surroundings with deep eyes.
"……."
The deputy commander stood a step behind the crown prince, eyes sharp on guard.
Meanwhile, surveying the crowd, Paeng Gang-ung sensed the mood ripening.
'Time to start.'
Paeng Gang-ung ascended the platform.
People hadn't noticed amid their feasting, but soon did.
He bellowed with resounding inner power.
"Paeng Gang-ung greets the heroes! Thank you for gracing our home!"
All eyes turned instantly.
Paeng Gang-ung continued humbly yet proudly.
Why the Paeng family held the feast, their future path— plain words without fluff.
The guests listened intently.
As he finished, cheers erupted.
"Congratulations!"
"Hebei Paeng! Hebei Paeng!"
Paeng Gang-ung cupped hands contentedly all around.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
All eyes on him.
In his absent father's stead, at the Murim Alliance!
'Yes. The Paeng family is mine. Not yet, but one day for sure!'
He hadn't yet claimed young lordship.
But from today, he'd etch it in minds.
As heir!
'Next up.'
As cheers faded, Paeng Gang-ung pressed on.
"One who honors us today— our family's utmost glory."
"Woooah!"
Guessing who, the crowd went wild.
Paeng Gang-ung rewarded them.
"His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Woooaaah!"
The crown prince rose amid roaring cheers.
He headed to the platform, deputy commander shadowing a step behind.
Atop it, he cupped hands to Paeng Gang-ung.
Paeng Gang-ung returned it, and the crown prince surveyed the crowd.
His lips parted slowly.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Ju Jin-gi. Here as a fellow wanderer of the jianghu to celebrate the Paeng family— treat me by jianghu rites."
The crowd went even wilder.
His noble humility demanded it.
All watched eagerly, curious his words.
Jeong Gwang wore an intrigued look too, but pondered differently.
'About time.'
Jeong Gwang gathered inner energy, expanding his senses.
'Where are you?'