Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 14
>Chapter Title: Heaven and Earth Society (3)
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The Bright Blade King Son Yun, who had been glaring at Mok Kyung-un, soon burst into mad laughter.
“Hahaha! You’ve got some guts, kid.”
It had been a long time since he’d seen someone this bold.
Whether outside or within the society, anyone who knew even a sliver of his notoriety wouldn’t dare act so brazenly.
No, it was hard to even imagine anyone having the gall in the first place.
‘He’s different.’
Timber Sword Manor was a prestigious orthodox clan.
To think a lunatic like this would appear in a place that was practically the righteous path.
For some reason, this brat felt closer to his world than the manor’s side.
That made it all the more intriguing.
After laughing for a good while, Son Yun shook his head.
“A living scripture walking into our society on its own feet? No reason to refuse. Fine. Just don’t regret it.”
Great Madam Seok and the others, including Second Young Master Mok Eun-pyeong, couldn’t hide their inner joy at his words.
The Heaven and Earth Society had such a fearsome reputation—they’d worried things might go south, but this was the best possible outcome.
With that one punk Mok Kyung-un, everything was resolved. How perfect.
But Clan Head Mok In-dan felt differently.
His grip tightened on the sword hilt.
This sense of powerlessness was a first.
Part of him wanted to scream and demand they release Mok Kyung-un right then and there.
Blood ties aside, it was still his son.
Yet the situation was murky.
‘He memorized the scripture?’
He’d been shocked when he first learned the truth.
He himself had tried every trick to glimpse the scripture but couldn’t even loosen the seal.
So naturally, he’d assumed Mok Kyung-un hadn’t memorized it but was simply holding it.
He figured handing it back would solve everything since no one had actually seen it.
But that assumption had missed the mark completely.
‘...Once they know he memorized it, they’ll never let him go.’
If an outsider had secretly memorized Timber Sword Manor’s scripture, they’d pay with their life.
To martial artists, a scripture was that vital.
Which was why Mok Kyung-un’s judgment might actually be right.
As a slim chance to stay alive, at least.
‘Forgive me.’
As clan head, he bore the lives of everyone on his shoulders. He had no choice.
Fighting to protect Mok Kyung-un would mean total annihilation.
That Son Yun was a monster.
‘...Just hold on a little longer.’
Once they left, he planned to seek aid from the Justice Alliance.
It was one of the three pillars upholding the current martial world, alongside the Heaven and Earth Society.
With his high-level connections and ties, he was determined to reclaim his son, borrowing their power if needed.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Son Yun’s form blurred.
In an instant, he was behind Mok Kyung-un.
Lightning-fast, he struck the acupoints.
Mok Kyung-un collapsed, unconscious.
Son Yun caught him and called to a masked warrior.
“Take this one.”
Clan Head Mok In-dan shouted.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“What? Even if he came willingly, you think I’d let him keep bargaining with his life on the line?”
Mok In-dan ground his teeth at Son Yun’s words.
As expected, no pushover.
Objectively, it was the natural response.
“Anyway, now that we’ve recovered the scripture, let’s settle the remaining debt.”
“Debt?”
“Mok Clan Head. Did you really think you could mess with our society’s property, hand it back, and we’d just let it slide?”
Timber Sword Manor’s people, who had been inwardly relieved, tensed up again.
They’d feared as much—things wouldn’t end smoothly.
Clan Head Mok In-dan assumed a battle stance and spoke.
“Will you break your promise?”
“Promise?”
“Indeed. If that child knew you broke your word, do you think he’d share the memorized scripture?”
“Hahaha! Ridiculous. What does it matter if you’re all dead or alive?”
A powerful aura surged from him.
It was so overwhelming that everyone in Timber Sword Manor darkened their expressions.
“Is this how it has to be?”
As he spoke, Mok In-dan drew true energy from his dantian.
The tension was razor-sharp.
To him, Bright Blade King Son Yun smirked, sword at the ready.
“My mood’s good today, so I’ll give you one last chance.”
“Chance? What do you mean?”
“A way for Timber Sword Manor to survive.”
“A way to survive?”
“Yes.”
Mok In-dan frowned at Son Yun’s words.
“What is it?”
“Two choices. Refuse both, and Timber Sword Manor ends tonight.”
“...What are they?”
He’d hear them out first.
Fighting meant near-certain destruction anyway.
“First: Surrender to the Heaven and Earth Society and become a subordinate sect.”
Timber Sword Manor erupted in murmurs.
They were an orthodox clan pursuing the righteous path, but the Heaven and Earth Society was not.
They walked their own path of domination, neither righteous nor demonic.
Surrender meant abandoning their pride as upright martial artists.
Everyone in Timber Sword Manor, fearful yet furious, ground their teeth.
They’d choose death over that.
“We’d rather fight to the end, even if it means death.”
“You’ve got principles.”
Son Yun had expected rejection of the first offer.
“Then the second: Seal your gates for ten years and hand over an heir as hostage.”
“...”
Silence fell over Timber Sword Manor at the second proposal.
Clan Head Mok In-dan’s face soured.
He’d expected tough terms.
His ominous hunch was spot on.
Sealing the gates meant halting all martial world activity for a decade.
It happened to defeated sects after wars or downfall.
‘Sealing the gates...’
More realistic than the first.
It acknowledged defeat without fully breaking their last pride.
But for ten years, Timber Sword Manor couldn’t engage externally, weakening gradually with no alliances or exchanges.
‘Sealing the gates means our clan’s decline.’
Still better than everyone dying.
As he agonized, someone approached.
“Father.”
It was First Young Master Mok Young-ho.
The playboy who’d disappointed him with wine and women.
For him to speak up now was baffling.
“What is it?”
“They say to lie on brushwood and taste gall. It’s hard, but accept the offer.”
Lie on brushwood and taste gall—endure humiliation for future revenge.
Light flickered in Mok In-dan’s eyes at Mok Young-ho’s words.
‘This kid...’
Not his usual self.
He’d thought him drained by debauchery.
But now, his eyes and face showed barely contained rage.
Fiercer than his own.
As he puzzled inwardly, Mok Young-ho spoke.
“Send me as hostage. As the clan’s eldest son, I’m closest to heir, right?”
“What?”
Volunteering himself?
Was this the same disappointing son?
Stunned, Mok Young-ho whispered.
“Good thing you haven’t named the youngest as heir yet.”
‘!?’
Mok In-dan’s eyes shook.
For the first time, he grasped his son’s true intent.
Tears welled in his eyes.
‘Young-ho... my Young-ho. All that indulgence... was it for this?’
To yield the succession to youngest Yu-cheon.
To disappoint him deliberately through vice.
Shocked, Mok In-dan clutched his chest.
He’d scolded without seeking the truth. It hurt.
So unlike his mother.
“Father, forgive me for troubling you. Stay well.”
Mok Young-ho bowed formally, then turned to Bright Blade King Son Yun and declared loudly.
“The clan head accepts your second offer. As Timber Sword Manor’s eldest son and heir, I will serve as hostage...”
“No.”
Son Yun cut him off.
He pointed at someone.
“Trying to fool me? I’ll take that one.”
‘Damn!’
First Young Master Mok Young-ho bit his lip.
Son Yun pointed at the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon—the one he’d sacrificed to protect.
They’d overlooked something.
Unlike the righteous martial world prioritizing firstborns or first disciples, the Heaven and Earth Society followed the law of the jungle.
To them, Timber Sword Manor’s true heir was the most talented martial artist: Mok Yu-cheon.
* * *
The wagon rattled along.
Inside, a masked warrior and two bound men with blindfolds sprawled about: Mok Kyung-un and Mok Yu-cheon.
Hostages little better than prisoners, their treatment was poor.
‘Thorough bunch. Sigh.’
Mok Yu-cheon sighed inwardly.
Unlike Mok Kyung-un, struck at a knockout point, he was conscious but paralyzed at the numbing points and muted at the mute points—utterly helpless.
Not enough? They blindfolded him and bound him head to toe with thick ropes.
Cautious to a fault.
‘How far have we come?’
Several hours, maybe.
No sunlight in the cargo wagon, but it was surely daytime.
He’d thought they’d camp at some point after late night, but they pressed on without rest.
‘Hostage...’
All the while, Mok Yu-cheon mulled his fate.
When Clan Head Mok In-dan woke, he’d brimmed with hope of becoming heir.
Now, in an instant, he was a hostage.
For the martial world’s most dangerous group: the Heaven and Earth Society.
No choice in the matter.
‘...What now?’
Hostages were prisoners.
Between equals, maybe decent treatment, but not from them.
Already barely human.
The wagon jolted over a hill, and someone’s body pressed against his.
He couldn’t move, but he felt the touch.
‘Mok Kyung-un.’
Had to be.
Better off than him, at least?
No—unconscious might be preferable.
At least then, free of worry in sleep.
Just then, the wagon halted.
The rear door creaked open.
A low voice murmured.
“Rest... here for a bit... Go handle... business.”
“Yes!”
The door shut, presence fading.
Hard to hear, but they’d pause here for a break.
Makes sense—half a day nonstop.
Martial artists weren’t inexhaustible.
‘How long till this ends?’
Then—
A faint rustle beside him.
‘!?’
What?
The masked guard had stepped out; only them inside.
Who was moving?
Something squirmed behind his back.
‘No way?’
Impossible.
Paralyzed and bound tight.
And unlike him, Mok Kyung-un had been struck personally by that monster, the Bright Blade King.
Puzzled, then—the cloth over Mok Yu-cheon’s eyes lifted.
‘Huh?’
His eyes widened.
It was Mok Kyung-un.
‘How?’
Shockingly, Mok Kyung-un moved freely, even untying Mok Yu-cheon’s ropes.
How the hell did he break the acupoint strike?