Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Succession Ceremony.
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As Mujin was spending his day training as usual, Head Steward Do and Elder Jo came to see him.
Mujin, who had been preparing to train with his sword in hand, rested its tip on the ground and sighed.
“Hah.”
Even when lightly placed on the ground, the weight of Mujin's sword caused it to sink deep into the earth.
The head steward and the elder smiled at the sight.
“Why the long sigh?”
“Because whenever the two of you come looking for me like this, it means something has happened in this godforsaken household.”
Despite Mujin's words, the two men didn't lose their smiles.
“It's an important matter this time as well, but it's not bad news.”
At Head Steward Do's words, Mujin shifted his weight to one leg and replied.
“What is it?”
“We've come to discuss the succession ceremony, as we believe the time has come.”
At the mention of a succession ceremony, Mujin furrowed his brow.
“The whole world already knows I'm the master of the Yeomhwa Family. Do we really need to go through with this succession ceremony?”
“...Even if it's just a formality, it's important. No matter the difficult times our family has endured, this is about inheriting the position of Family Head. It is absolutely necessary.”
Head Steward Do said firmly.
“Do you think so too, Elder Jo?”
“Yes! It's an occasion to announce to the world that our family, which has been lying low, is rising again with the Young Master at its center. For the sake of the family's prestige, it is essential.”
‘These orthodox bastards always place so much weight on such trivial things.’
In his past life, as the sole successor of a one-man sect, the succession was simply his master handing him the sect's sacred sword.
On the day he left the mountain, he received that sword and became the master of a sect with only one member.
But as far as he knew, the succession ceremonies of the orthodox sects were different.
They would send out succession announcements to all the sects belonging to the Orthodox Path, widely proclaiming the change in leadership, entertain the guests who arrived on the day of the ceremony, and conduct it in front of everyone.
In his past life, he had clicked his tongue at them for making such a fuss over such matters, as he never had cause for such fanfare. Now that he was to be the protagonist of a succession ceremony, it was only natural for him to feel awkward.
“Well, if we have to, we have to. Let's keep it as simple as possible.”
As he finished speaking and was about to pick up his sword, Head Steward Do shook his head.
“How can we possibly keep it simple? Many guests will be coming, so we must make it as grand as possible...”
When Mujin narrowed his eyes and turned to look at him, Head Steward Do trailed off.
‘That old man, always looking for an excuse to spend money...’
“Head Steward Do. The family's finances aren't that great, are they? How long has it been since we escaped poverty?”
“Our finances are on solid ground, I assure you.”
“What do you mean, solid ground? Just thinking about the monthly wages for 200 warriors makes me worry every day whether I should switch to serving pork instead of better meat.”
At Mujin's words, Head Steward Do tilted his head.
“Have you not read the reports I gave you?”
“...Where would I find the time to read those? You know full well that twenty-four hours a day isn't enough, that I even cut back on sleep.”
“Hah. Recently, as a token of gratitude for what happened last time, the Punyang Merchant Guild has handed over a 50% stake in the inns and taverns they are setting up in Ssangnyu, Seochang, and Dogangeon. The income from those alone is more than enough to clothe and feed our warriors.”
“...”
With the financial pressure that had been tormenting him now gone, Mujin stared blankly at Head Steward Do for a moment.
Finally composing himself, he spoke.
“Wait, weren't they in a pretty tough situation themselves until recently? How are they managing to set up several inns and taverns?”
“Do you not recall the Hubei tea trade rights that you secured for them, Young Master?”
“Of course, I do, but how much can that be worth?”
“Did you take them without even knowing their value?”
“I asked Guild Leader Pung back then, and he said losing them would be the most painful blow to the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild, so I took them. How much profit can you really make from selling some tea?”
Looking at Mujin, who had a severe lack of economic sense, Head Steward Do explained patiently.
“You may not realize it, but the income earned from controlling the Hubei tea trade will likely be far greater than the combined total revenue of the Punyang Merchant Guild, Muryeong Trading Company, and Geumeo Armory up to this point.”
“Huh... Is it really that much?”
“As a martial family, we are not well-versed in these matters, but in the merchant world, they say the Punyang Merchant Guild, Geumeo Armory, and Muryeong Trading Company might just swallow up all of Sichuan's commerce. You wouldn't know since you haven't read the reports, but the Muryeong Trading Company has agreed to supply our family with uniforms and swords for our warriors, and the Geumeo Armory has promised to support our warriors in setting up their own martial arts schools upon retirement. In addition, the Punyang Merchant Guild is providing all of the family's food supplies.”
Mujin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
“Accepting so much blindly feels like a burden.”
“This is the typical relationship between martial families and merchant guilds.”
“Still. Aren't we taking too much?”
“In fact, we've turned down their offers to give even more.”
Despite Head Steward Do's words, Mujin couldn't shake his troubled expression.
But Head Steward Do wasn't finished.
“I wondered why you hadn't said anything. Since you haven't seen the reports, I'll tell you now: many merchant guilds in Sichuan are stepping forward, wanting to support us. Guilds like the Jeyeon Merchant Guild, which is even larger than Punyang, and the Paeju Merchant Guild, which is smaller than Cheonghwa but rumored to join the ranks of the Central Plains' top ten guilds within five years, have made favorable proposals and are requesting an audience with you, Young Master.”
“Dammit. When we needed them, they all pretended not to know us. Why are they all kissing our asses now?”
“Is it not because your fame, Young Master, is now unrivaled among the younger generation of Sichuan? The weight of the name 'Hidden Dragon of Sichuan' now carries that much value. You cut down the Red Moon Sword, a peak master, and even an elder of the Kongtong Sect turned back in his tracks.”
“Making money is surprisingly easy.”
Elder Jo shook his head and spoke.
“Countless martial artists wander the martial world to make a name for themselves, but it is no easy task. Would it be possible without the skills to back it up, like you have, Young Master?”
For Mujin, who was once called the Divine Demon, gaining a little fame in a single region didn't mean much.
At the very least, in his past, one had to be famous throughout the entire Central Plains to even mention their title in front of him.
So for all these privileges to be showered upon him for gaining a bit of fame in a single region felt excessive to Mujin.
“Well, if our finances are stable, there's no need to join hands with other guilds. Just politely decline all incoming offers. There's no such thing as a free lunch. We'll just end up having to lend them our swords unnecessarily later. Let's just maintain our current relationship with the Ssangnyu group. As for the succession ceremony, do as you see fit. Just don't be too extravagant. Remember the hard times.”
“Yes! Then I'll start by setting a date for the ceremony.”
As Mujin said no more and picked up his sword, Head Steward Do and Elder Jo turned to leave.
“He truly never wastes a single day.”
“Indeed.”
From that day on, an excited Head Steward Do began preparations for the succession ceremony.
The Yeomhwa Family, which had been in steady decline ever since Mujin's father—who couldn't practice martial arts due to severed meridians after the Flame Emperor's death—inherited the family leadership.
Now, with the third-generation succession finally at hand, Head Steward Do couldn't help but be overjoyed every day.
It was, after all, the succession ceremony of the great Young Master, who reminded him of the Flame Emperor in his youth.
He sent succession announcements not only throughout Sichuan but to all the renowned orthodox sects of the Central Plains, informing them of the change in the Yeomhwa Family's leadership, and he had a geomancer select an auspicious day for the ceremony.
From the food to the wine for the ceremony, everything passed through his hands.
And then, the day of the succession ceremony finally arrived.
Mujin, who had swung his sword past midnight the day before, woke before the sun had even risen.
Even on the day of the ceremony, he began his day by training with the Four Demons of Mount Jung.
“Y-Young Master. Today is the day of the succession ceremony, couldn't we just for one day...”
Cheol-muk, who had been summoned to the training ground in disbelief, trailed off, warily watching Mujin.
“One day? With your level of skill, you dare talk about taking one day off? At least reach a higher realm before you spout such nonsense. Take a day off for the ceremony, another day off when something else comes up. How many days do you think you'd waste in a year if you add them all up?”
“...”
Cheol-muk had nothing to say, as he had heard the exact same lecture from his master since he was young.
The way he lectured with the exact same form as his own master sometimes made him suspect his dead master had been reincarnated.
“What are you standing around for?”
-*Clang! Whoosh!*
-*Clang!*
After finishing the first morning training session, the Four Demons were still sprawled across the training ground, beaten by Mujin.
There was a reason Mujin was pushing the Four Demons so hard.
He felt they were on the verge of reaching a higher realm, needing only a small trigger, but that final step seemed just out of reach, making him impatient.
The realm of a true master.
A realm where cumbersome titles like 'second-rate' or 'first-rate' were no longer necessary.
Those who had not reached the peak realm could not even begin to fathom it.
Only by entering that realm, where one could catch a glimpse of the deep and distant path of martial arts, could one be called a true master.
Right now, the Four Demons were at the very edge of the first-rate level, standing before the wall of the peak realm.
‘A little more pushing should do it.’
This was the thought that crossed his mind every day he saw them.
Watching the Four Demons lying on the ground, panting heavily and exhausted, Mujin shook his head.
Normally, Mujin would have moved to his personal training ground to continue training, but seeing Masok, who had been up since dawn preparing a bath, he instead soaked himself in the hot water.
When he came out after washing, a navy blue silk robe and a blue overcoat were laid out for him instead of his usual training attire.
Masok, who was helping Mujin dress, silently suppressed his overwhelming emotions, his eyes red-rimmed.
“What's with you again this morning?”
Mujin, now fully dressed, turned to look at Masok, who had finally started to cry.
In his hands, Masok held a jade hairpin engraved with a phoenix to fix Mujin's hair, smiling even as tears streamed down his face.
“I'm just... so happy. I always believed I would see you like this one day... and that day is today.”
Mujin didn't know what to say to Masok, who was crying out of joy.
A confidant who had never, not for a single moment, lost faith in him.
Mujin knew there had been a time when even Head Steward Do and Elder Jo had given up on him.
But Masok had remained steadfast.
“Stop crying. You'll ruin a good day.”
“I can't do that!”
Masok roughly wiped his tears with his sleeve and placed the jade hairpin in Mujin's hair.
With the jade hairpin, which was decorated with the same phoenix motif embroidered on the sleeves of his blue overcoat, Mujin's appearance was a complete 180-degree turn from his usual self.
At the sight of him, looking every bit the handsome scion of a noble family, Masok covered his mouth with his hands.
“That's enough.”
“Yes... yes...”
“Let's go.”
Masok followed behind the confidently striding Mujin, continuously wiping away his tears.
As they headed to the family's spacious training ground, which had been prepared for the ceremony, hundreds of people filling the arranged seats looked at Mujin with shining eyes.
He had delicate features, having inherited the face of his mother, who had been a great beauty.
But his refined appearance was somewhat at odds with the intense light in his eyes and his spirited expression.
Walking toward the prepared seats at the front under the gazes of the crowd, Mujin sent a telepathic message to Head Steward Do.
-I told you to keep it simple. Why did you invite so many people?
As Mujin chided him, the head steward replied with an aggrieved tone.
-It's not my fault. I only sent out the announcements and intended to hold a modest ceremony... but with those two staying at the family estate, all sorts of people showed up.
Following Head Steward Do's gaze, he saw three people sitting in the front row with benevolent smiles.
The Poison Emperor, Great Monk Hyeon-u, and Abbess Jinhwa.
A master holding the title of 'Emperor'—one of only four in the Central Plains—and elders from the Shaolin Temple and the Emei Sect were in attendance.
Naturally, the martial families from all over Sichuan wouldn't miss such an occasion.
They saw it as an opportunity to form ties with the Yeomhwa Family and, more importantly, to get acquainted with the Tang Clan, the hegemon of Sichuan.
-Why are there so many young women?
Mujin asked irritably, looking at the Four Demons, who were busy drooling over the guests.
-Well... They are all aiming for you, Young Master. No. For you, Family Head.
At Head Steward Do's words, Mujin shook his head and arrived at the front seats.
-Was Young Master Hwa always that handsome?
-Oh my! Did he just look at me?
-A face like jade! I've never seen such a flawless complexion!
The whispers of women could be heard from all around.
Amidst it all, Mujin cupped his fist in greeting to the guests who had come to celebrate.
“Thank you all for being here. I am Hwa Mujin, the one who will inherit the position of Head of the Yeomhwa Family.”
“It's been a while.”
“Yes.”
After greeting the Poison Emperor, Mujin went on to greet each of the guests who had come to the family estate.
Among them were various figures, from the head of the Baek Family in Seochang to the Sangno Martial Academy.
“It's been a long time! Have you been well?”
It was Head Steward Jang of the Baek Family, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
His overly reverent posture made the people around them whisper, but he himself didn't seem to care at all.
This was the same man who had been itching to pick a fight during the Young Dragon Ascension Tournament; now, he was breaking out in a cold sweat, desperately trying to make a good impression on Mujin.
“A familiar face. It's been a while. Thank you for coming.”
“We are both part of the Seochang Martial Alliance, so of course, I had to come. My sincerest congratulations on your succession.”
After giving him a cursory nod and moving past, figures from the Seochang Martial Alliance, starting with the Sangno Martial Academy, each offered their greetings with excessive politeness.
Seeing how different they were from before, Mujin inwardly shook his head.
‘Spineless fools.’
If they had at least maintained their initial attitude to the end, Mujin might not have liked them, but he wouldn't have found them so pathetic.
But it would be difficult to find a sect in the Central Plains with enough backbone to oppose the Yeomhwa Family—a family visited so often by the Poison Emperor that their threshold was worn thin, a family where elders of the Emei Sect and Shaolin Temple resided, teaching the Family Head's younger siblings as their disciples.
As Mujin continued to walk and greet the guests who had come, some welcome faces came into view.
“It's been a long time.”
Pung Gwan-o, who had looked like he was about to wither away the last time they met, had regained his former vigor and greeted him warmly.
Behind him, Hwang Yeo-cheong and Dong Gwan-yeo also bowed.
“Welcome. Thank you for coming despite your busy schedules.”
As Mujin returned the greeting, Pung Gwan-o offered him a small box.
“This is a gift from the three of us. We wanted to deliver it in person, so we brought it with us.”
Mujin smiled brightly and accepted their gift politely with both hands.
“Thank you. I won't refuse.”
At Mujin's words, the three of them smiled with satisfaction.
Pung Gwan-o didn't forget to lean in and whisper in Mujin's ear.
“It's a Minor Purity Pill. It was difficult to obtain, but I hope it will be of help to you, Young Master... no, Family Head.”
At the mention of a Minor Purity Pill, Mujin's eyes widened.
Elixirs had always been items that couldn't be bought with money alone.
Especially an elixir refined by a major Taoist sect like Wudang was not something one could easily obtain.
Although the Minor Purity Pill only granted about twenty years' worth of internal energy, an elixir was an elixir.
“I will put it to good use. Thank you.”
After thanking him, Mujin gave Pung Gwan-o's hand a firm shake and discreetly tucked the box containing the elixir into his robes.
Once Mujin had finished greeting all the guests, Head Steward Do began to speak, his voice laced with internal energy.
“We will now begin the third-generation succession ceremony of the Yeomhwa Family.”
And so, the succession ceremony began.
Mujin offered a cup of wine and bowed before the memorial tablet of the Flame Emperor, then did the same for the tablet of his father, the second Family Head.
‘If it weren't for you, this child might not have died. Your own child died because you recklessly inherited the position without the necessary qualifications. You'd better reflect on that in the afterlife.’
Even as he bowed, Mujin silently spewed the words he wanted to say to the previous Family Head.
After Mujin finished his bows, Head Steward Do began to read the congratulatory address he had painstakingly written.
Watching him recite the long, long address, Mujin sent a telepathic message.
-In the end, it's just a long-winded way of wishing me and the Yeomhwa Family good fortune. Why drag it out so much?
-...
Head Steward Do was silent.
Having read the entire address, he, like Masok, was overcome with emotion, his eyes welling with tears.
He wasn't the only one.
The warriors who had remained with the family for a long time, now serving as instructors, were also wiping away tears in the back, and even the usually stoic Elder Jo dabbed at his flowing tears.
‘What a bunch of sentimental fools. Anyone watching would think it's a funeral.’
“Ahem! Now, from the dais, we will hear from the new Head of the Yeomhwa Family, Family Head Hwa.”
-What? I have to do that too? You never said anything about this.
-You can just give a brief statement about your future resolve.
With a sigh at the head steward's words, Mujin stepped onto the dais.
From up there, he could see the hundreds of guests and, behind them, the family's warriors standing with swords at their sides, all in one glance.
After briefly surveying the crowd, Mujin lightly infused his voice with internal energy and spoke.
“As you all know, this family has seen many twists and turns. Now that I have become the Family Head... I intend to make the Yeomhwa Family the number one family in Sichuan. Thank you all for coming. We haven't prepared much, but please eat your fill.”
!!!
At Mujin's short declaration, the guests' eyes widened in astonishment.
The gazes of all the guests turned to the Poison Emperor, who was sitting in the very front row.
There was surely no martial artist in the world who would invite the Poison Emperor and then declare their ambition to make their own family the number one in Sichuan.
Unless they were insane.
‘They said he was a madman...’
This was the thought that popped into the minds of most of the guests.
The Poison Emperor himself, however, burst out laughing.
After a hearty laugh, the Poison Emperor sent a telepathic message to Mujin.
-With so many people listening, did you really have to say it so brazenly?
-What about it? It's a modest goal. I was going to say I'd make us the number one family in the Central Plains, but I scaled it back to just Sichuan because I was worried it would be too much for Dojin to handle when he takes over.
If the Poison Emperor hadn't known Mujin's true identity, he would have dismissed it as the empty boasting of a spirited young martial artist.
But knowing that he was none other than the Divine Demon, he was well aware that those were not empty words.
-I'll have to be on my guard.
-Be on guard or don't. From now on, when the people of Sichuan think of the number one family, they will think of the Yeomhwa Family.
-Go easy on me. Are you planning to push a friend who doesn't have much time left?
-If you'd raised your children well, you wouldn't have to whine like this.
-No matter how well they were raised, how could I rest easy if you are their opponent?
-Enough with the nonsense.
“I've had some fine wine prepared. Our head steward put a lot of care into selecting it, so let's have a drink.”
As Mujin approached the Poison Emperor and said this, the guests watched the two of them with tense expressions.
They thought the Poison Emperor might fly into a rage and overturn the table at any moment.
“Excellent!”
And so, Mujin and the Poison Emperor took a seat at one of the tables being set with food.
Guests rushed to sit with them, but in the end, the spots were taken by Great Monk Hyeon-u and Abbess Jinhwa.
When the disciples of Emei and Mujin's two younger siblings also sat down next to them, the other guests, with disappointed looks, began to take seats as close to them as possible.
The banquet that began in this way continued late into the night.
Hundreds of lanterns hung over the training ground, and the people enjoyed themselves with the endless supply of food and wine.
Mujin smiled as he watched the people who had flocked to celebrate his succession and were now enjoying themselves.
-Not bad, is it?
At the Poison Emperor's telepathic message, Mujin gave a small nod.
-No.
* * *
“So those two old fools and the Poison Emperor were at the succession ceremony?”
“Yes. Not only that, but the rumors that the elders of Shaolin and Emei have taken the Yeomhwa Family's children as disciples and are teaching them seem to be true.”
“Is that goddamned place smeared with honey or something?”
The man reporting to the middle-aged man with an impression as cold as a sword's edge bowed his head.
“It seems we'll have to wait until the Orthodox Grand Tournament. No matter who he is, he will surely participate. Wouldn't it be best to attack then?”
“The elders of Shaolin and Emei will be with him. Sending just anyone will only mess things up. We could end up alerting the enemy unnecessarily.”
“I have made a direct request to the Hwamyeong Duo.”
At the mention of the Hwamyeong Duo, the middle-aged man smiled, his eyes filled with killing intent.
“If it's the Hwamyeong Duo, there should be no problem. This involves tangling with Shaolin and Emei. We absolutely must not leave any traces.”
“Of course. We will also send the Chuwol Unit.”
“Make sure no one knows of our involvement.”
“Yes! I will make the preparations thoroughly.”
As the man finished speaking and headed outside, the middle-aged man laughed, radiating killing intent.