011 - Chopsticks Heading to the Underworld
Just as Jin Muhon was about to hurl the chopsticks, he paused and turned his gaze to the young sect leader. As with most brats that age, he'd probably puff up his chest and spout some arrogant nonsense.
But the young sect leader, having trailed after his father for years, had a keen eye for spotting true masters.
'If those had been aimed at my throat instead of a sword...!'
The young sect leader swallowed hard and shouted again.
"Wait! Hold on! There must be some misunderstanding here!"
"Misunderstanding?"
Jin Muhon's impassive stare locked with the young sect leader's trembling eyes in midair. Cold sweat trickled down the young man's back.
"Young Sect Leader! What's wrong? Just cut him down like always."
"Indeed. What's with you?"
"This ain't like you, boss."
These fucking idiots! No sense at all!
The young sect leader whipped around, glaring daggers. Only then did the others sense the unnatural tension and clamp their mouths shut.
"Get up."
"Hiiik! Y-yes! Right away!"
The young sect leader gently helped the serving boy—who was still sprawled on the floor—to his feet, then sheathed his sword. The boy trembled as he retreated to a corner. With a deep bow and cupped fists, the young sect leader turned formally to Jin Muhon.
"I failed to recognize a senior of the jianghu and showed you an unsightly display. I am Chukang of the Ghost Soul Sect."
In that short moment, he'd switched to deferential speech. Jin Muhon nodded slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
I had a feeling it'd turn out this way. As expected of the Ghost Soul Sect's young leader.
"I see."
"If I may be so bold... might I ask the name of this esteemed senior?"
"Jin Muhon of the Unbong Jin family."
"Unbong... Jin family?"
Chukang's eyes darted about in confusion. Sons of prominent fathers were often arrogant fools who knew no bounds—like Cheon Gunak, son of the Heavenly Demon. In that regard, Chukang was one of the better ones. He seemed to instinctively know when a situation was safe to push and when it wasn't.
"Um... the Unbong Jin family—does that mean the house in Unbong County?"
Chukang ventured cautiously. Jin Muhon replied indifferently.
"You don't know?"
"S-sorry! My knowledge is limited!"
"Hmph. Fair enough. Yes, that's our main house—in Unbong County."
"Ah! I see!"
A bright smile bloomed on Chukang's face. At that moment, one of the women who'd come with him scowled and muttered.
"What the hell? Some fallen family's head acting all high and mighty with that casual tone."
"...!"
Chukang jumped as if stung. He whirled around and bellowed at the woman.
"Shut your mouth, you bitch!"
"Y-young Sect Leader?"
Her face drained of color at the sudden outburst, tears welling in her eyes.
"Get out—now! All of you, scram! I misjudged you lot. Judging people by their names? I'm done with you!"
Chukang raged far beyond what seemed necessary, driving out the trio who'd accompanied him. They all wore aggrieved expressions but slunk down the stairs without protest. That spoke volumes about how volatile Chukang's temper usually was. The woman he'd yelled at ended up sobbing openly as she fled the inn.
Jin Muhon lightly tapped the table with his chopsticks—tap—and turned his gaze toward the Yangtze River.
"Protecting your comrades, eh? Impressive. Real loyalty—not what I'd expect from a sapa punk."
"...!"
Chukang shuddered, eyes rolling. That thought hadn't crossed his mind at all. Hell, he'd never even considered those fools comrades. He'd just chased them off to keep their loose lips from splashing back on him in front of this freakish master.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Yes! My grandmother always praises how well I've turned out! Speaking of which, since you're from Unbong County, you must know Unbong Pavilion, right?"
Jin Muhon's eyes shifted back to Chukang.
"I know it."
"Oh! Then you know Pavilion Lord Maeng too!"
Chukang's face visibly brightened. A family based in Unbong County would surely have ties to Unbong Pavilion. He'd deal with not reporting this master later—right now, he saw a potential lifeline.
"Huh? Who?"
But Jin Muhon tilted his head. Oepari whispered in his ear.
"The lord of Unbong Pavilion is surnamed Maeng."
"Ah! That pig?"
"Yes."
Jin Muhon nodded again and eyed Chukang.
"Yeah, I know him."
"Ahem! Ahem!"
Something felt off, but with things headed this way, Chukang tried to steer the conversation toward Unbong Pavilion's lord to make a smooth exit.
"Then we must be connected somehow. Pavilion Lord Maeng is practically family, so we've always been close. Oh, right! I recall hearing Unbong County had an outstanding family head. That must be you! Haha!"
Chukang laughed heartily. Jin Muhon's face twitched.
Fuck... is that supposed to be a smile?
Seeing Jin Muhon's "smile," Chukang's legs turned to jelly. How could a human grin like that? It was like a yaksha crawling up from hell. The blank face had been far less terrifying.
"Oh dear! Time flies! Well, Family Head, please give my regards to Pavilion Lord Maeng. I'll visit Unbong County with some fine liquor next time. I've got urgent business, so..."
Chukang offered a polite cupped-fist salute and edged toward the stairs. He desperately wanted to bolt with lightness skill, but he had a feeling those chopsticks would spear his ankle if he tried.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
His footsteps on the wooden floor echoed unnaturally slow and loud.
One more step! Just one more!
The moment he reached the stairs—
"Young Sect Leader."
"...!"
A heavy voice rumbled from behind. Chukang's shoulders jerked as he spun around, every hair standing on end.
"Yes! Family Head! Do you have words for me?"
"Yes."
"I'm all ears!"
Chukang clasped his hands politely—but kept his toes angled for a quick dash. Jin Muhon watched with amusement.
"Young Sect Leader. How old are you?"
"Twenty-one!"
"Twenty-one... Quite thoughtful and quick on the uptake for your age. Impressive."
"Oh, really? Haha. Thank you."
Chukang bowed deeply. It wasn't a real smile. As Jin Muhon said, unlike his brute of a father, Chukang had inherited his mother's sharp instincts from childhood.
And right now, those instincts screamed at him urgently.
Get the hell out of here!
Fuck... this is bad...
Cold sweat poured down Chukang's forehead. One wrong word, and he'd die. Run? But could he even escape? This wasn't coincidence. No way you'd bump into a monster like this randomly at some local inn.
He was targeting the Ghost Soul Sect.
Iron Blood Society?
No, not them. The vibe was totally different from those stuffy soldier types. His mouth went dry, heart pounding wildly. As Chukang racked his brain, Jin Muhon's heavy voice drilled into his ear.
"You seem sharp, so I'll ask one thing."
"Yes! Ask away!"
"What do you think happened to Pavilion Lord Maeng?"
"...?!"
Chukang's eyes bulged as he stared at Jin Muhon. The man had reverted to his emotionless mask. Come to think of it, there'd been no word from that Maeng bastard lately. He'd chalked it up to the Iron Blood Society chaos, but...
"I have a feeling... he's probably dead."
Chukang swallowed and forced out the hoarse words. Jin Muhon's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh! Sharp indeed! One more, then."
"Yes, Family Head!"
Chukang strained to keep smiling. Inside, he was cursing nonstop. He regretted shaking off his escorts, but even a cartload of them probably couldn't handle this guy.
Jin Muhon grinned and spoke.
"Get this right, and I'll let you live."
"...!"
Chukang's legs buckled, mind going blank. That gaze, that presence, that weight. No running. He'd die for real. This wasn't some nameless family head. He was a killer of thousands, a demon who belonged in hell, not the mortal world.
"Hoo..."
Even a tiger lets you live if you keep your wits. Chukang took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"I'm ready. Ask away."
"Good man."
Jin Muhon was mildly impressed. Even Demonic Cult elites or famed righteous masters struggled to stay sane before him. Yet here was this sapa heir, gritting his teeth without crumbling—impressive, even without his old power.
"Alright. I'm heading to the Ghost Soul Sect. What's my goal?"
"...!"
Chukang's mind tangled in knots. How the fuck should he know the motives of some guy he just met?
No, Chukang. Think. Think. If you don't wanna die, think.
He focused harder than ever in his life. Steam practically rose from his head.
Maeng's dead. This guy's probably the killer. Strong as he is, he can't take on the whole sect alone. He'll want to negotiate something.
Tap. Tap.
Jin Muhon lightly drummed his chopsticks. Chukang flinched.
"Young Sect Leader, you're taking too long this time. Tough question?"
"Ha. Ha. Ha. I'm just slow-witted..."
"Time is money, you know."
"......"
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The steady rhythm felt like the footsteps of the grim reaper to Chukang.
Tap. Tap.
Right. He wants recognition of his stake in Unbong County. Offering to take over from Maeng. With tribute deadlines approaching, he's probably brought the payments. But tribute alone won't cut it. He needs something Father can't refuse... Fuck! My head?!
Tap.
The tapping stopped. Chukang's eyes flew wide.
"Too bad. Time's up, Young Sect Leader."
"W-wait!"
Jin Muhon shook his head regretfully and raised the chopsticks. Chukang dropped to his knees.
"Tribute! You're here to deliver tribute, right?!"
"......"
Jin Muhon paused, blinking. He hadn't expected the guy to nail it.
Oepari whispered from behind.
"Whoa, Family Head. This punk's instincts are no joke."
Interest sparked in Jin Muhon's eyes as he regarded Chukang. He'd planned to wipe out the Ghost Soul Sect clean, but now, facing those quivering pupils...
A more productive path emerged in his mind.