Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 38
>Chapter Title: Real Strength (2)
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'Is this really okay?'
Ha Chae-rin, who was watching the fight from beside Ho Jong-hyeok—no, Go Chan possessing her—had an uneasy look in her eyes.
He knew well what Mok Kyung-un's skills had been like before coming here.
Even though he possessed a strange power, he had only been at the level of a second-rate fighter. He wondered if he could hold out against a monster like that.
But then,
-Thud!
'!?'
Jeo Mo-pal of the Five Peaks Society's Five Peaks, whose right wrist had been twisted, forcing him to his knees.
Seeing him like that, Go Chan couldn't hide his inner shock.
No, it had been less than a month. What on earth had happened?
Had Mok Kyung-un always been this strong?
"......As expected, my judgment was correct."
The Two Peaks' blind swordsman Wi Maeng-cheon spoke with their swords locked.
He had no intention of actually cutting Mok Kyung-un's throat, but he had infused it with as much killing intent as possible to create the momentum of a killing strike.
As a result, Mok Kyung-un had revealed his true power.
It was hard not to be surprised.
'He's surpassed the peak level.'
It exceeded expectations.
He had thought perhaps he was at the pinnacle of peak level.
But to block his single sword strike in an instant and overwhelm Jeo Mo-pal with internal energy meant it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had reached the early stage of super peak.
"What trick allowed you to reach this level......"
-Hummm!
'!?'
Wi Maeng-cheon furrowed his brow.
With their swords pressed together, a faint resonating hum grated on his ears.
Then, he felt cracks forming on his own blade.
At that,
-Clang!
Wi Maeng-cheon used a sword deflection technique to flick away Mok Kyung-un's sword.
As the sword was repelled, Mok Kyung-un's form floated back slightly, retreating about five paces.
Wi Maeng-cheon then ran his finger along his blade to check it.
'A crack on the Bamboo Spirit Sword.'
It was wrapped in bamboo but a famed sword crafted by a skilled artisan nonetheless.
For such a bamboo spirit sword to crack from a single clash?
What kind of sword was that?
-Clap clap clap!
At that moment, the sound of someone clapping rang out.
The one clapping was none other than the Society Leader's second disciple, Jang Neung-ak.
With his lips curled up to his ears, Jang Neung-ak looked at Mok Kyung-un with satisfied eyes.
"Yes. This is exactly what this young master wanted to see."
For a hostage from the orthodox factions to pass the Blood Valley gateway as top ranker—such skill couldn't be mediocre.
No matter how he had tricked their senses, to withstand Wi Maeng-cheon of the Two Peaks clearly meant he had surpassed peak level.
At his words, Mok Kyung-un spoke with an awkward expression.
"You're really putting me in a tough spot."
He had tried his best to hide his true power.
To think it would be exposed like this.
'Troublesome.'
If it weren't for that blind swordsman, this wouldn't have happened.
Through this, Mok Kyung-un learned one thing.
Nothing is ever perfect.
Even if deathly aura was a energy living humans couldn't sense with their qi perception, there were those who could gauge opponents through such bizarre methods, so he needed to be even more cautious.
-That blind mortal is the variable.
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue at the outcome as well.
It had been ideal not to reveal his skills, but now that it was out, they might have to adjust plans depending on how this Jang Neung-ak reacted.
At that moment, Jang Neung-ak approached and said,
"Hiding one's skills is quite common in the martial world. However, for someone not even in their thirties to surpass the peak realm is extremely rare."
'Rare?'
At Jang Neung-ak's words, Bu-myeol Group's grand leader Ho Jong-hyeok stuck out his tongue in amazement.
Even he, praised by his father for his exceptional martial talent, had only entered the super peak realm just before turning thirty.
Of course, that alone had amazed those around him.
For someone barely seventeen or eighteen to reach super peak was worthy of being called a genius.
'......Now I understand why he hid his skills.'
A sharp awl pierces its sheath.
Adequate talent might earn admiration, but surpassing that invites envy and suppression instead.
Mok Kyung-un's talent was clearly the latter.
Whether by his own judgment or his master the Dark Clan's Leader's order, hiding it was likely out of such concerns.
Jang Neung-ak spread his arms wide toward Mok Kyung-un and said,
"I'm impressed."
"......"
"Let me be direct. Pledge your loyalty to this young master."
"Pledge my loyalty?"
"Yes. This young master seeks talents like you. Those talents become this young master's power."
That went without saying.
The more strong warriors under him, the more solid his position as successor to the Society Leader.
Jang Neung-ak stepped right up to Mok Kyung-un and continued,
"This young master doesn't demand loyalty without reward. Pledge it, and I'll promise wealth and honor befitting it."
"Wealth and honor......"
"Yes. And should this young master reach the top of this Society, you'll share in even more."
At Jang Neung-ak's words, Cheong-ryeong said to Mok Kyung-un,
-No choice here, it seems.
Building power under the Dark Clan Leader while observing the situation had been ideal.
But with his skills exposed, that was no longer feasible.
Refusing here would invite scrutiny or annoyances, so the next best was to build power under Jang Neung-ak.
But then,
-Clap!
Mok Kyung-un performed a fist salute toward Jang Neung-ak,
"My apologies. It's a tempting offer, but I'm afraid I can't follow you just yet."
-Huh?
Cheong-ryeong was puzzled by Mok Kyung-un's words.
With his hidden power exposed, joining Jang Neung-ak now was the safe choice to avoid trouble.
But refusing here would mean,
"You can't follow this young master?"
As expected, Jang Neung-ak's expression changed in an instant.
One eyebrow twitched upward; he was clearly displeased.
Just as anticipated.
'What are you thinking, mortal?'
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue inwardly.
The Society Leader's second disciple and his subordinates were no ordinary masters.
Provoking them would do no good.
'He never follows advice and plays it safe.'
At that moment, Jang Neung-ak jabbed Mok Kyung-un's chest with his fan and said.
-Poke!
"Do you know what that means?"
"Who knows? I'm not sure what you mean."
"What?"
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Jang Neung-ak's gaze turned utterly cold.
For a mere orthodox faction hostage to reject this young master's offer so brazenly and even talk back?
-Poke!
Jang Neung-ak jabbed Mok Kyung-un's chest harder with the fan and said,
"Have you forgotten who stands before you?"
"How could I? You're Jang Neung-ak, second disciple of the Society Leader."
"Yet you brush off this young master's offer like it's nothing."
"Not at all. I merely said I can't accept your offer right now."
"Do you think you have the option to refuse?"
"If you want the Dark Clan under your command, you won't force it."
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Jang Neung-ak's eyes sharpened.
Seeing that, the red-clad woman with thick lips scolded Mok Kyung-un.
"Hey. Are you insane and begging to die? A mere orthodox faction hostage daring to speak to the young master like......"
-Swish!
Jang Neung-ak raised his hand, stopping her scolding.
Then, with a smirk, he said,
"Indeed, as an orthodox faction hostage, you're different."
"Pardon?"
"Someone from this Society wouldn't dare respond like you to this young master's offer. They'd fear offending me."
"......"
"Yet you're utterly bold toward this young master."
Jang Neung-ak found this Mok Kyung-un intriguing.
He had thought a bit of pressure would make him crawl in obediently.
Given his hostage status and how great an opportunity it was to gain such connections in the Heaven-Earth Society, he figured he'd have no choice but to follow.
Yet here he was.
"Fine, you're right. This young master does want the Dark Clan under him. For that, I need you to become mine and serve as the key catalyst."
Jang Neung-ak revealed his true intent.
At that,
"I'd like that too, but as you know, I just became the Dark Clan Leader's disciple."
"So what?"
"I wasn't chosen; I became his disciple as a reward for topping Blood Valley. Would he truly trust me that much?"
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Jang Neung-ak's eyes narrowed.
Being cunning himself, he immediately grasped Mok Kyung-un's intent.
"......Keep talking."
"Without properly learning martial arts or building trust yet, if my master learns that I, an orthodox faction hostage who just joined the Society, entered your faction—how would he view me?"
"......"
"If I were him, I'd suspect a newcomer chasing wealth and power too quickly and keep my distance."
With that, Mok Kyung-un lowered his voice to a whisper only Jang Neung-ak could hear.
"You could take me under you now, but then you wouldn't get everything you want. Would taking me now truly benefit you?"
'!?'
Jang Neung-ak's lips twitched slightly.
'This guy.'
Mok Kyung-un's words gave him a fresh shock.
His interest in the orthodox hostage was only partial; the goal was to take Mok Kyung-un and use him to bring the Dark Clan under his wing.
He was rushing because his forces were still weaker than the eldest young master's.
But this guy exceeded expectations.
'Cunning indeed.'
He had read even aspects I hadn't considered.
As he said, taking him now would fill the Dark Clan Leader's mind with suspicion.
That would make fully securing the Dark Clan difficult.
'Hmm.'
Jang Neung-ak stared straight at Mok Kyung-un.
He had seen him as insolent for refusing, but this conversation solidified his view.
He wanted to make this one completely his.
-Clap!
Jang Neung-ak removed the fan from Mok Kyung-un's chest.
Then, in a whisper as well, he said,
"You have a point. Fine. Though regrettable, withdraw for now. I hope you build close trust with the Dark Clan Leader."
At his words, Mok Kyung-un gave a light smile.
Jang Neung-ak smirked back as if their minds aligned, then turned with hands behind his back.
"Young master?"
"Let's head back and have a grand drink."
At his words, most subordinates couldn't hide their puzzlement.
Leaving without any gain?
It was quite different from usual.
But they had to obey their lord, so they withdrew without complaint.
Of course, the injured Jeo Mo-pal of the Five Peaks did the same.
"......"
On the other hand, the blind Wi Maeng-cheon, who had overheard their whispers with his extraordinary hearing, paused and viewed the situation unfavorably.
'Too cunning.'
With a three-inch tongue, he avoided trouble and sent the lord away pleased.
Without even reaching a conclusion.
His cunning worried him more than his superior martial arts.
But since the lord seemed greatly pleased for now, he decided to withdraw but keep a close watch.
Once they all left, Mok Kyung-un sent a transmission to Cheong-ryeong with a smiling face.
-I think we should kill that blind swordsman first.
End of Chapter 38: Real Strength (2)