Whispers of Hidden Powers and Faded Jade
Mu Yun calmly spoke up.
"That Ma Jo-jang fellow was there, so you've probably heard all about the incident."
Galma-pung met his gaze with open curiosity.
"I did. But the whole thing's a bit strange, don't you think? For a living sword to just show up out of nowhere like that."
Galma-pung, pushing into his forties, spoke politely.
"That's exactly why I came. I was worried a harsh stone might come flying my way too."
"...You mean Ha Hu?"
"Who knows. Could be an enemy, could not."
Galma-pung could only tilt his head.
No matter how I think about it, that can't be.
He'd been cautious—extra cautious—and the one he'd been most careful with was Ha Hu. He'd drilled it into his subordinates: bow your heads no matter what.
"No way that happened. You know me well enough by now."
"That's what makes it even stranger. Got any guesses?"
Galma-pung shook his head firmly.
"None. Lately—no, not a single incident all year. Must've just been bad luck."
This wasn't really about getting answers anyway. He'd just used it as an excuse to check out Cheon-do-bang, but nothing special caught his eye.
"Got it. Well then."
Galma-pung, struck by a sudden curiosity, asked,
"But why'd you step in? You've been keeping your head down just like me all this time."
"Got flustered and forgot myself. Figured helping out the Ha Hu young master might get me something in return. Looking back, it was pretty stupid."
"Hah! Fair enough. I'll keep an eye out anyway. You be careful too, just in case."
"Was planning to hole up in the estate regardless."
"Things quiet down, we'll grab a drink."
"Sure."
As he turned to leave, a chilling energy slithered through his mind, ringing like an alarm bell.
Someone's probing!
Faint but unmistakable—it was the subtle aura of inner energy sweeping over his body.
Mu Yun's eyes darkened, heavy with gravity.
At that level!
A moment later, once outside the estate, Mu Yun let out a soft sigh and stared blankly into the void.
A Cho-jeol-jeong super-peak expert within an unorthodox faction.
The probing energy felt exactly that strong.
He had no ties to Cheon-do-bang, and even if he expanded his influence later based on his judgment, there was no need to pick a fight to settle things.
But after Jeok-un Mun's leader Seol Do-seung, here was another lurking powerhouse.
A figure of that caliber infiltrating the unorthodox faction had to have their own reasons.
And yet Bangju Galma-pung still urged caution—that meant it couldn't act openly.
No immediate danger unless it struck first.
A flicker of bitterness crossed Mu Yun's eyes.
What he'd blabbed to Ha Hu-jin had come right back at him.
For now, he could only be relieved they hadn't noticed he'd caught on.
I need to lay low first.
Peak Middle Dantian—Body-Qi Burst Power—was equivalent to super peak on the Lower Dantian.
He'd planned to start moving once he reached that, but now he'd have to delay even longer.
Mu Yun lifted his gaze to the overcast sky, clouds dispersing into gloomy gray.
At least a year.
An hour later, in one of the guest rooms of Ha Hu Ga's inner compound.
“It failed just because a single unorthodox leader got involved?”
"There were too many people around, so Ha-mil-ya's follow-up team couldn't move."
Ha Hu Ga's second son, Ha Hu-tae, couldn't contain his boiling rage.
"Those so-called Guang-dong elites from Ha-mil-ya couldn't handle one peak expert and botched it this badly."
"What should we do? Contact them again...?"
Irritation filled Ha Hu-tae's sweeping gesture.
"Not now. Tell them to pull back first."
"Yes."
Pushing things further right now might draw suspicious eyes from within the family.
Like burning down the thatched house chasing a bedbug.
Ha Hu-tae's upturned eyes seethed with fury.
It was over something so trivial not getting handled properly.
And that irritated glare brought one person to mind.
Brother Baek-geon and his weird requests.
He didn't want to see Ha Hu-jin's face, but he wasn't ready to kill him yet.
But his distant cousin, Seomun Ga's young master Seomun Baek-geon, had dropped by for business recently and made a request.
"There's this Cheon-do-bang, right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"One of the guys there messed with my distant cousin's little sister."
"What? Then we grab him and beat him senseless. Who is it?"
"Not something to spread around. He sweet-talked her, got her to hand over money, and that's when she wised up."
"...So?"
"Can't just let it slide. Make up some excuse and give 'em a lesson."
"How far?"
"They dared touch us—gotta take the bangju's head at least."
"...?"
It was odd mentioning the bangju over the guy who did it, but whatever.
To become family head later, he needed full backing from Hunan-top Seomun Ga.
So he'd pondered a plan—and hit on a brilliant idea.
A way to handle the annoying bastard all at once.
Frame Cheon-do-bang as accomplices in killing the Ha Hu young master—even a bastard—and the bangju would fall.
But the plan went to hell.
Ha Hu-tae's angry mouth vented fury elsewhere.
Not now, but one more to deal with for sure.
Cheong-ho Bangju. That fucker, right!
Didn't know? Didn't matter.
No need to agonize over trash in the way—just sweep it aside.
But now was time to hunker down.
Wait for the right moment.
The next day, in Cheong-ho Bang's bangju office.
Gwak Yu-yang, the mine developer brought by Ak Mu-gil, shook his head firmly.
"I've told you a dozen times. There's nothing there."
"Might be deeper inside."
"Hah! Come on. You think we didn't check? It's near silver veins."
"I'll cover the survey costs. No loss for you—why not?"
"There's such a thing as professional ethics. We know it's empty—how could we?"
"You only know after digging."
"Even if you dig, nothing. The terrain flow says no. No offense, but in Chim-ju, few have my experience. Trust me."
"If you won't, I'll find someone else."
Gwak Yu-yang couldn't hide his regret.
"Look, it'll cost at least a hundred nyang of silver. Not chump change—don't waste it."
Mu Yun stood.
"Guess we're done here."
He appreciated the ethics and concern, but this guy wouldn't budge.
Then Gwak Un-ji, Gwak Yu-yang's daughter, jumped in hurriedly.
Her eyes darted nervously to Mu Yun, whites trembling.
"Please, let's find a compromise..."
"Any middle ground coming from here?"
With meals to worry about, how could she not know her father's stubbornness?
The only solution was to persuade the unorthodox faction’s leader.
Gwak Un-ji pulled out an alternative.
"How about a visual survey first? Costs almost nothing, and if the bangju hears your explanation, Father, he'll understand."
On the map Gwak Yu-yang offered, most spots Mu Yun knew were already developed.
But two big deposits were missing—near developed areas, yet untouched.
Curious, he'd asked in detail and guessed why.
Silver veins for sure, but the expert's reluctance...
A landslide long ago!
To confirm, they'd have to go anyway.
"Sounds good. Let's check it out."
Gwak Yu-yang sighed deeply.
Hah! That too!
He'd been about to object when a hand secretly gripped his sleeve tight.
His daughter's hand—scrambling for work after months without, family in straits.
A father's guilt overrode the mine developer's pride.
Soon after, on a flank of Cheon-tae-san, called Mang-san.
A triumphant smile curved Mu Yun's lips.
Just as I thought!
A long-ago landslide had buried the silver vein, as expected.
As Gwak Yu-yang explained the terrain and vein path in detail, his gaze turned to Mu Yun.
"Believe me now? Time to give up."
"I'll do it."
"Right. That's saving money... Huh? What'd you say?"
"I'll dig here."
Gwak Yu-yang's eyes stayed wide in shock.
"Did I not explain enough...?"
"No, I heard the expert's opinion fully."
"Hah!"
"If you won't, someone else."
Ak Mu-gil, glancing at Gwak Un-ji, finally stepped in.
"Elder. This guy's loaded. Pays upfront. Just try."
Ak Mu-gil had started taking interest in Gwak Un-ji, who'd been job-hunting frantically, a year ago.
Pretended to bump into her, faked an injury to approach.
Visited home sometimes, buttered up Gwak Yu-yang.
The old man, wary of the unorthodox faction, softened slightly.
This job had to go through.
Gwak Yu-yang narrowed his eyes.
"Hah! Calling that reasonable? It's like telling me to rob you!"
Ak Mu-gil trotted out his prepared line.
"Elder! Our bangju gets things done. Won't use you? Hands it to another developer—they'll slap on fees, call it 'necessary.' Better you do it."
“So we’re supposed to be lesser thieves? Like you always say—Cheongho Gang is ‘decent’ for an unorthodox faction?”
"Elder, that's not—"
Gwak Yu-yang turned firmly.
"Enough. No such thought in me. Let's go."
Unbearable, Gwak Un-ji grabbed his sleeve.
"Father. He's right too. Please..."
"Hah! You too? I came for you, but this is impossible!"
As Gwak Yu-yang shook her off in anger, Un-ji tripped on a rock and fell.
Thud!
Ak Mu-gil rushed to her.
"Gwak So-je, you okay?"
"Ah! Yes, just tripped on a rock..."
Ak Mu-gil picked up what fell and offered it.
"Your necklace dropped. Here."
"Thank you."
In that instant, someone snatched Ak Mu-gil's hand.
The necklace went to him.
Ak Mu-gil looked puzzled at Mu Yun.
"What's up?"
"Hold on."
"...?"
Mu Yun's eyes widened as if tearing, fixed blankly on the necklace.
How...?
His trembling hand betrayed undying passion.
His chest quaked like caught in a vortex.
Heart pounding, pulse racing—excitement and thrill.
Plain jade.
But the three faded characters.
Worn by ages, yet outlines clear: Dan, Hwi, Ryun.
Goosebumps erupted over Mu Yun's body.
He'd made it a thousand years ago.
Gwak So-san—gave it to her!
Gwak So-san, pregnant with Yeo Dan's child when fleeing to Sin-gang.
After pacifying the jianghu, he came here and met her again.
Before, fearing word would endanger her, he'd only heard news, not sought her.
Then Mu Lun gave her the necklace of Cheon-seol Cheong-ok.
She refused money, martial arts—begged quiet life. He gave the necklace, said:
"If that's your will, I'll go. But take this. Pass it to your descendants. If ever you need help, find us."
Gwak So-san just shook her head.
"Can't protect such treasure. If you insist, make it plain jade."
"...Understood. If that's your will."
So he made the jade necklace.