Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Interference of the Windless Beggar
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Biheun hid among the passersby watching from a distance, gazing at Jinmu and the masked man.
'What's going on?'
He was puzzled.
What could have happened for a kid who looked like a Wudang disciple to be displaying such outrageous martial arts?
Moreover, he was turning the outskirts of Dangang District into ruins.
"No way he's just pretending... With the Taiji pattern on his Taoist robes and the martial arts he's using, he's definitely a Wudang disciple. But why is he causing harm to the civilians?"
"Y-You're right."
"Should we stop him?"
"Hm? Oh, no. Let's watch for now."
As the damage grew worse, his subordinate Ilwi stepped forward.
But Biheun shook his head, stopping him.
Upon closer observation, the Wudang Taoist's martial arts were no joke.
At a glance, it just looked like random punches and kicks. But that was because he was chopping and slicing the forms of his martial arts to use them.
It seemed chaotic at first, but Jinmu's movements perfectly embodied Wudang's profound essence.
Moreover, they were extremely practical and efficient.
'Heh, even when cutting them up like that, how is it so natural?'
And that wasn't all.
The movements of the masked man dodging Jinmu's attacks were also worthy of admiration. He must have trained his lightness skill and footwork to the extreme. But...
'That guy could suppress him right now.'
He wasn't.
The masked man probably thought he was successfully dodging.
He was mistaken.
That Taoist was clearly toying with the masked man right now.
And in such a situation, with those monstrous punches, fear would gradually seep into the masked man's mind.
His back must be drenched in sweat by now.
Thinking that even a graze could kill him.
'Heh heh, what an interesting fellow.'
Biheun couldn't help but smile. He had never heard of such a cheeky rascal among Wudang's stuffy Taoists.
He was truly intriguing.
"Kuhahat! Dodge this too!"
Jinmu let out a mad laugh filled with frenzy as he charged at the masked man.
But then.
The masked man, who had been scrambling to flee, suddenly changed his demeanor.
Realizing escape was impossible, a fierce killing intent poured from his movements.
His goal had shifted.
From flight to murder.
The moment the masked man turned, his sharply formed hand blade, laden with killing intent, plunged toward Jinmu's solar plexus.
A despicable move.
It was an instantaneous counter, yet exquisitely timed.
"That!"
Biheun, who had been watching, unwittingly let out a short groan.
Dangerous.
It was so sudden and shocking that even if dodged, a serious injury was inevitable.
But.
Kwuduk!
Jinmu grinned wickedly, while pain filled the masked man's face.
"Kuaak!"
Jinmu's fingers had pierced straight through the back of the masked man's hand.
Moreover, he gripped it like a vice.
The masked man must be feeling unimaginable agony.
And then came Jinmu's follow-up.
Pulling the masked man's hand while thrusting out a palm strike.
"That's!"
Biheun's eyes widened in shock, relieved that Jinmu was safe but now alarmed.
He knew what he was about to use. But the preparatory motion that should have been there was absent.
"You bastard!"
Biheun immediately leaped in, inserting himself between Jinmu and the masked man.
Chwilik!
The Golden Claw Hand, with its short and concise motion, shot toward Jinmu's wrist.
'What the hell is this?'
Jinmu hurriedly twisted his waist at the sudden attack from the bamboo-hatted man.
But the incoming hand bent at a right angle as if it had anticipated it.
'An expert?'
And one with tremendous skill at that.
As the rigidly extended fingers threatened to pierce Jinmu's chest,
Pak!
Jinmu lightly kicked off the ground, sliding back on the icy surface like he was ice skating, his body laid flat.
It was a movement that drew admiration, but the grip was tenacious and relentless.
Chwilirit!
The bent hand stretched straight out toward Jinmu again.
'What is this? It's familiar. No way?'
Jinmu's face twisted horribly because the hand pursuing him felt so familiar.
But he had no time to confirm the opponent. He was about to be caught any second.
'Damn it, in that case.'
Jinmu deliberately offered his wrist to the enemy.
Like a fish biting bait, it lunged immediately.
Fingers erect like hooks. Movements bending as if there were no bones.
'Spirit-Subduing Divine Hand? Damn it! It's that bastard after all.'
Jinmu finally realized who it was.
And at that moment, his wrist was seized.
But.
Turuk, tung!
'What? This can't be?'
The instant it seemed caught, Jinmu cleverly twisted his wrist free and hopped back.
"Heh!"
Even without full power, how long had it been since someone escaped his grasp after being caught?
Moreover, wasn't Jinmu still holding the masked man?
It was truly astonishing.
"...!"
At that moment, Jinmu was also surprised.
But it was a different kind from the old man's.
The moment he realized the bamboo-hatted man's identity, Jinmu's face contorted viciously.
'Damn it all, what kind of random development is this? Why the hell is that beggar bastard showing up now?'
And what was with that menacing aura?
The appeared bamboo-hatted man.
He didn't need to see the face to know.
Stooped back, the characteristic beggar stench.
And there was only one who used that ghostly Golden Claw Hand.
How could he forget?
The Windless Beggar, Yang Sobang.
Just as he had been called 'absolute' in the Evil Hegemony Heaven, the Righteous Martial Alliance also had those dubbed 'absolute'.
Starting with the current alliance leader Cheol Ji-ryang, they were known as the Seven Saints of Righteous Martial.
And one of them was this Yang Sobang.
The moniker Windless Beggar came from how stealthily he moved, not even stirring the wind.
Among the Seven Saints, he was one of the names Jinmu hated the most.
What he did mainly was...
'Snooping around prying into others' private lives like a filthy rat.'
In Jinmu's mind, the Windless Beggar Yang Sobang was that kind of man.
How many headaches had he caused when that bastard exposed the Evil Hegemony Heaven's secrets multiple times?
He had tried to catch him countless times but always failed.
'His martial arts aren't even that great.'
If they had clashed head-on, he would've broken his legs, but the bastard always fled, grinding Jinmu's teeth in frustration.
He was that fast.
'Damn. I thought his disguise was pretty good. So this masked bastard is Yang Sobang's subordinate?'
With Yang Sobang's appearance, the pleasure Jinmu had gotten from tormenting the masked man vanished in an instant.
And as Jinmu turned his gaze to Yang Sobang, the masked man tried to flee in the gap.
"You damn bastard."
Jinmu ostentatiously snapped the masked man's captured hand.
Beureudeuk!
"Kuaak!"
As the masked man screamed, Yang Sobang furrowed his brows.
"Shut up!"
Pakak!
Irritated, Jinmu stomped on the masked man's face.
Yang Sobang's eyes narrowed at Jinmu, who tossed the now limp masked man aside.
As if he didn't even care about him?
"You."
"What?"
What?
Jinmu couldn't see it due to the bamboo hat, but bewilderment filled Yang Sobang's eyes.
What kind of Taoist spoke so insolently?
But there was something more important right now.
"You clearly seem to be a Wudang Taoist, so how do you know that martial art?"
"Martial art?"
What was he talking about?
He clearly wasn't with the masked man, judging by how he didn't care about knocking him out.
Curiosity surged, but Jinmu had no desire to even converse with Yang Sobang.
Normally, as a Wudang disciple, he should politely greet the famous Yang Sobang.
But.
His face was hidden by the bamboo hat, and he hadn't revealed his name yet.
So no need for respect. Who cared if it was Yang Sobang or some old man with his face covered? Pretend not to know. He didn't want to acknowledge him anyway.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Anxious to part ways quickly, Jinmu grabbed the collar of the sprawled masked man and turned.
"Stop!"
But another bamboo-hatted man blocked his path.
It was Ilwi, the subordinate who followed Yang Sobang, calling him Biheun.
His face visible under the hat was expressionless, but drawing his sword showed his intent to block at all costs.
"Man, you're annoyingly persistent."
Yang Sobang's brow twitched slightly at Jinmu's mutter.
"What did you say?"
"Are you with him?"
"..."
"If not, get lost."
"What?"
"If you're with him, come at me. If not, scram."
"..."
It was getting out of hand.
Not only insolent in speech, but bluntly direct.
Moreover, more and more people were gathering due to the commotion Jinmu had caused.
Increasing spectators was bad.
Their mission required secrecy. They couldn't carelessly reveal their identities.
But suspecting a connection, he couldn't let the chance slip even if it meant exposing himself.
Just as he gathered his energy to attack Jinmu,
[Biheun, we've found him.]
An urgent transmission voice from somewhere.
Definitely from the subordinate he had assigned to investigate.
Found him.
Understanding the implication, Yang Sobang suddenly felt urgent.
He needed to subdue the bastard quickly...
[Everyone from Ilwi level down is pursuing now.]
But the follow-up transmission halted his steps.
'Damn it.'
Biheun glared at Jinmu, unable to move.
He wanted to subdue Jinmu immediately and relocate, but his martial arts were no pushover.
Stronger than expected. Probably impossible to take down in one go.
He suspected Jinmu, but what his subordinates found must be certain. Regrettable, but he had to withdraw now.
"What's your name?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"..."
He could find out anytime if he wanted.
"We'll meet again, you bastard."
Yang Sobang glared at Jinmu and leaped away.
With just one step, he vanished in an instant. Ilwi, who had blocked Jinmu, was also gone.
"Huh? What?"
"Heok!"
The onlookers rubbed their eyes, wondering if they had seen an illusion.
But.
Jinmu's gaze was already chasing Yang Sobang's distant back.
"Damn it."
Yang Sobang wouldn't stay quiet.
And once he gave the order, those damn beggar bastards would start digging into his background. No, they might have already.
"Of all people, to get tangled with that beggar Yang Sobang. This is gonna be a hassle."
Jinmu slung the masked man over his shoulder and let out a deep sigh.
A bit away from the scene of the commotion.
"Ilwi."
"Yes."
"And right now, immediately inform the Beggars' Sect Dangang branch to prioritize investigating that guy and tail him. His skill is at least mid-first-rate. It has to be skilled kids."
"Understood."
Yang Sobang sped up even more, recalling Jinmu as the surrounding scenery whipped past fiercely.
'Bastard, I need to learn about you. How you use their martial arts too.'
As Jinmu predicted, the full-scale invasion of privacy began.