Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Stalking Beggar
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Outskirts of Dangang District.
In the midst of the noisy atmosphere and Jingung's pointed glances(?), Jinmu quickly drained his drink and slipped away alone, strolling along the riverbank.
As he walked, the scenery felt familiar.
It was near the Moonless Tower, where he had been before.
But the feeling was entirely different.
The moon reflected on the river water shimmered blue, and the wind whipped at the hem of his robe.
Bringing the bottle in his hand to his lips, a sharp spiciness spread, naturally lifting his spirits.
"That damn Jingung bastard. Does he have to give me such looks just for having a few drinks?"
Jinmu grumbled as he took another swig from the bottle.
"Still, the view is nice."
The cool river breeze brushing his face chased away the buzz, clearing his mind. Jinmu reflected on the time that had passed.
"A disciple of Wudang."
Hyeokryeon Mugang, Lord of Evil Hegemony Heaven.
He had survived the moment of death thanks to the spiritual energy of the Immortal Grass handed to him by Cheon U-myeong, and inexplicably awoke in Wudang.
He had no idea why. It was certain that the grim reaper had pulled some trick.
"Well, it doesn't matter anymore."
Jinmu had always hated complications.
If he didn't like something, he beat it.
If he wanted something, he took it.
If someone challenged him, he crushed them.
That was his nature.
Of course, right now, he lacked the power.
If he acted recklessly, he'd be expelled from Wudang on the spot.
He had to endure until he regained his strength.
"First, I need to become the head disciple."
Wudang's head disciple.
What a joke.
In the unorthodox sects, the strongest became the leader.
But this sect nitpicked over everything.
All that mattered was martial prowess.
Accomplishments, reputation, mentoring disciples—too many annoyances to bother with.
What a hassle.
"Well, step by step. No rush to die. I'm only twenty now."
With a smirk, Jinmu savored his alone time while outlining his future plans.
First, become the head disciple.
Once he obtained the Two Forms Heart Art, he'd immediately cultivate the Ink Dragon Chaos Origin Art and reclaim all his former power...
"Wait, come to think of it, do I really need to limit myself to just one orthodox sect?"
Jinmu halted at the sudden realization.
"Right, why not take both the orthodox sects and Evil Hegemony Heaven? Then I can reclaim the vault's unused wealth and those hot nights with Huayang I missed!"
How had he not thought of this?
In the unorthodox world, strength ruled all.
Damn, he'd been limiting himself.
Grip the orthodox sects on one hand, the unorthodox on the other.
Had anyone in history achieved such feats?
No.
If he did, Jinmu would be the first.
The proverb said chasing two rabbits meant losing both.
Nonsense. It was just an excuse for the incompetent.
Who was Jinmu?
The man reborn with all the memories of being called the Absolute.
"Yes! That's it. I'll take both!"
As his ambitions swelled, he burst into delighted laughter, drawing glances from passersby.
"Crazy Taoist?"
Someone's whisper brushed his ear, but he'd forgive it once.
This was the future sovereign of the Central Plains martial world, who would unify the unorthodox sects, in Taoist garb.
Soon, they'd pay to see this face. Etch it in your eyes, you fools.
"Kuhahaha!"
Jinmu threw back his head and unleashed a sky-shaking mad laugh.
Let them point fingers and circle their ears.
"Alright, time for a proper, hearty drink to celebrate!"
But first.
His laughter cut short as Jinmu strode purposefully toward the direction of the staring passersby.
Fearing contagion of madness, the crowd parted left and right.
Where Jinmu headed.
Behind the gawking passersby, against the wall, a beggar sat on a straw mat, pleading for alms.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
The beggar looked up in surprise at Jinmu's call.
"Got something to say to me?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
The beggar replied with an awkward smile.
"Then do you know me?"
"You, Taoist?"
"Yeah."
"No. First time seeing you."
"Right. So why are you tailing me?"
"......"
In the brief silence, a cold glint flashed in the beggar's eyes and vanished.
"Heh heh, what are you talking about, Taoist?"
"Exactly."
"......"
Jinmu had already straightened up.
"Funny thing. You weren't there earlier. But now you are. Like you've been there all along."
"......"
Jinmu's tone grew icier.
With it, a faint pressure emanated, leaving the beggar increasingly flustered.
And then.
"Who are you?"
A wicked smile curled on Jinmu's lips.
"Tell me. Or should I make you?"
Sss.
Blue sword energy flickered around Jinmu's fist, cold pressure spreading everywhere.
"What's going on?"
"Isn't that the Wudang Taoist who was laughing like a maniac earlier?"
"Why pick on a beggar?"
Passersby halted, eyes turning to the scene.
"Mercy, Taoist! Why do this to me?"
The beggar prostrated like in worship.
But.
'Damn.'
The beggar's lowered face hardened.
"You know better why."
"......"
The energy on Jinmu's fist deepened to a richer blue.
He was curious about the beggar's identity.
Someone who had tailed him while concealing their presence so well.
A master of disguise who wouldn't have been detected without reaching the Pure Qi realm.
He'd been caught once before.
That nagging memory of the old man at the Moonless Tower.
Since leaving Wudang, Jinmu never slacked on vigilance.
After the Moonless Tower incident, it bordered on obsession.
The beggar—no, the one disguised as such—seemed to have been watching since he left the Ilhae Merchant Group.
Of course, he hadn't noticed at first.
He sensed it starting from the riverbank.
Sometimes a passerby, sometimes a drunkard, now a beggar.
Different appearances.
He wouldn't have suspected otherwise.
But different people sharing the same aura? Unlikely for ordinary folk, even if warriors.
So he played ignorant, waiting for certainty.
"Why tail me?"
"Mercy......"
"Drop the act. Before I snap your neck."
"......"
Chilling killing intent poured from Jinmu, silencing the beggar.
"Sharp eyes."
He rose.
His face was now masked below the eyes.
"Not bad. Carrying multiple face skins, huh?"
"......"
Jinmu's taunt was playful, but the masked man was tense.
The energy enveloping him felt like an invisible spiderweb.
From the moment Jinmu approached, he'd been pressuring with a qi net.
Otherwise, he'd have fled at the first word.
'More meticulous than expected. Blocked escape and questioned. And above all.'
Bad position.
Invisible qi blades densely extended left and right, back to the wall.
Only up to flee, but predicted.
The Taoist before him exuded eerie killing intent.
He wouldn't care for answers; moving meant death.
"As I thought, a Pure Qi expert."
"......"
Jinmu's eyes narrowed at the masked man's words.
He hadn't pinpointed the exact realm.
That tone.
Like confirming he'd reached Pure Qi.Usually, watchers were underlings.
Meaning someone higher up.
"Ha, look at this. I was gonna kill you if you didn't talk. You're intriguing."
"Good. I worried you'd kill without asking."
"Getting cocky? Gonna run?"
"Doubtful, given your aura."
"Fine. Spill. Why watch me?"
"Truly a dilemma."
The masked man parried verbally, but inside, he burned.
He was a warrior of the Zhuge branch family's Dark Heaven Corps. Specialized in disguise and stealth for covert missions.
His "One Step, Ten Changes" disguise was the corps' best.
Mission: confirm.
Just check Jinmu's realm.
Never dreamed he'd be spotted.
Disguise perfect. Where'd he slip?
"Hey, cat got your tongue?"
At Jinmu's words, the masked man gathered qi discreetly in his hand.
Had to escape.
A momentary gap would suffice.
His comrades behind Jinmu weren't ideal.
Spot something suitable to draw eyes.
'There.'
A woman caught his gaze.
Attack her to distract, flee in the chaos.
No killing. Wound only.
"Hey! Answer me!"
As Jinmu shouted and stepped forward, the masked man's hand flashed to his bosom and out.
Pahat!
A sharp needle flew at the woman.
Jinmu was a Taoist.
He couldn't ignore a civilian's harm... right?
"What are you doing?"
"......"
Jinmu's gaze didn't shift.
"Aaak!"
Despite the woman's scream from the needle in her arm, his eyes stayed fixed on the masked man.
As if her peril meant nothing.
The compassion for the people a Taoist should have.
"What? I flinched thinking you were aiming at me."
What? Why?
He didn't know Jinmu.
"Come here. Was gonna kill you, but now I wanna ask questions."
'What kind of Taoist is this?'
"Well, if you won't talk, let's beat it out calmly?"
"......!"
A fist glowing blue sword energy shot at the masked man's face without warning wind-up.
'Eek!'
Kwaaang!
The masked man jerked his head; the wall behind exploded into a huge hole.
Hit, and his head would've matched.
"Beat first" meant kill outright?
Chills raced up his spine.
"Oh? Dodged?"
But that only riled Jinmu more.
His blue-qi fist unleashed dozens of afterimages.
'Damn!'
Kwang! Kwakwang!
The area began to crumble.
Every graze from Jinmu's fist shattered buildings and walls.
A Dark Heaven Corps warrior.
For their covert missions, lightness skill outranked martial arts.
He'd once hated training it obsessively, but now thanked it profusely.
Else, he couldn't have dodged this monstrous Taoist's attacks once.
"You rat-like bastard!"
The masked man dodged desperately; Jinmu, barely missing, looked amused.
"Hap!"
Kwang!
"What is this racket?"
A short distance from the commotion.
A hunched old man with hands behind his back turned his head.
"Shall I check?"
"Hm."
One of the bamboo-hatted men replied; the old man shook his head.
Even from afar, the aura felt ominous.
"You lot continue the investigation. No mistakes allowed."
"Yes, Lord Secret Mark!"
"Ilwi."
"Yes."
"Go."
The old man and the first replying bamboo-hatted man hurried toward the noise.
Finding it was easy.
It lit the night in the tavern street.
Kwang! Kwakwang!
"You punk! Dodge this! Oh? How about this!"
A Taoist in a Taiji-patterned robe was demolishing the street monstrously.
"Wudang?"