Chapter 12 - Power of Unbong County
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Three men walked the streets of Yichang.
Chukang, leading the way, tried to stride with his usual confidence, but his face was drained white, and his legs trembled nonstop.
Even so, thanks to his usual conduct, the market folk glanced warily and parted the way. People avoided shit not out of fear, but because it was filthy.
"Whoa! The shops have really multiplied since last time! No wonder it's a bigger town than our Unbong County, right?"
Oepari glanced around while fawning over Jin Muhon at every turn.
But Jin Muhon kept his mouth shut tight, lost in thought as he followed Chukang.
Quick on the uptake, huh...
Back in his Sword Demon days, he would've lopped off Chukang's head without a word.
Yet a sudden thought struck him.
No matter how strong he was, no matter how many capable subordinates wielded power under him, Jin Muhon hadn't dodged the blade slipping from the shadows.
And the price had been horrific.
Is survival what makes one strong?
What good was strength if he couldn't protect even one precious soul?
Pride. Perhaps the pride of a supreme warrior had created that opening.
That's why Jin Muhon now saw wretches like Oepari and Chukang—who thrashed desperately just to survive—in a new light.
"Family head? What's with the grave face? What's troublin' ya?"
Jin Muhon snapped from his reverie and glanced down slowly.
Oepari flinched and hunched his shoulders.
"This is my normal face."
"Right you are! The family head's looks are the pinnacle of manhood! Prime stock among the elite! Not just in Unbong County—the girls in Yichang go all hot and bothered at the sight of ya, twistin' and turnin' like they're in—"
Smack!
"Ow!"
Jin Muhon cuffed the back of Oepari's head.
Oepari played dead with exaggerated groans.
Oddly, it wasn't irritating.
Maybe those two had something Jin Muhon himself lacked.
Whoosh!
A spring breeze blew, scattering a few leaves before Jin Muhon.
"Hmmm..."
"What the—! These rude-ass leaves!"
Oepari flapped his sleeve to shoo them away.
But the leaves mocked his efforts, fluttering teasingly across his vision.
A new thought flickered in Jin Muhon's mind.
Come to think of it... what was that?
Back at the inn moments ago.
To flick chopsticks with that kind of technique required decades of inner energy and mastery of the Earth Finger Skill.
But where would Jin Muhon find such power now?
All he had was a trickle from his upper dantian.
Wait. A trickle?
Jin Muhon calmly replayed the moment he'd used the technique.
Inner energy was the power generated within the body.
The upper dantian's energy, however, had naturally seeped into the chopsticks without intent.
And the result had exceeded expectations.
Let's see.
Jin Muhon extended his hand.
The leaf that had danced mockingly before Oepari veered oddly and stuck to his finger.
"Huh?"
Oepari's eyes went wide.
But the real shock was just beginning.
Jin Muhon focused on his upper dantian and let energy flow into the leaf.
Chukang, nearly suffocating in the silence, turned back.
"Family head, we're almost there. Just past this alley—gasp!"
Shwick!
The leaf shot like a hidden weapon.
Chukang and Oepari saw a green streak launch from Jin Muhon's fingertip like an arrow.
And then—
Clang!
The rope tying the shop's eaves snapped clean.
Crash! Rumble!
Shelves toppled, goods spilling everywhere. Porcelain shattered noisily.
"Aigoo! What the hell?!"
The startled merchant scrambled to gather his wares.
"......"
"......"
Chukang and Oepari gaped at Jin Muhon.
To unleash such a feat with a mere leaf...
A realm beyond imagination.
They knew he was strong, but not this strong.
"What're you waiting for? Let's go."
Jin Muhon eyed Chukang as if nothing had happened.
"Y-yes? Ah! Yes! R-right away!"
Chukang snapped to and hurried forward.
Fuck! Buddha! Dad! Please!
As they headed to the Ghost Soul Sect, Chukang prayed fervently.
May his foul-tempered father act shrewdly this time.
***
Round the corner, and a grand gate loomed.
Above it hung a plaque in bold red: Ghost Soul Sect.
"Family head, here we are. It's humble."
Chukang bowed deeply before the massive black-lacquered gate, more deferential than ever.
The two guards blinked in confusion at their young master's antics.
"Is the sect leader inside?"
"He was when I left, so probably."
"Then let's go in."
"Yes, family head."
Chukang approached the gate with heavy steps.
But the guards' gazes toward him were far from welcoming.
"Welcome back, young master."
"Open the damn gate! What're you dawdling for?!"
"Well... the chief officer said not to let in anyone whose identity can't be verified."
The guard glanced warily at Jin Muhon before speaking carefully.
Chukang naturally flipped out.
"Unverified? You crazy bastards! I'm your young master! You doubting the man I brought myself? You questioning me? You fucks!"
"N-no! We're just following orders—"
"Shut it and open the gate!"
"Yes, sir!"
Rumble rumble rumble!
Startled by Chukang's outburst, the guard flung the gate open. Hinges creaked as the heavy doors swung slowly.
Better the chief officer's scolding later than crossing their rabid young master.
"Ahem!"
Chukang marched in boldly.
Beyond the gate lay a spacious courtyard, where warriors sharpened blades or trained here and there. But thanks to the Iron Blood Society, they all sported thick beards and weary faces.
The air crackled with tension.
"Family head... this place feels kinda murder-y."
Oepari huddled close to Jin Muhon, thoroughly cowed.
"Hey! Chief Officer Seo! Where's Chief Officer Seo?!"
Ignoring the mood, Chukang bellowed for the officer.
Warriors paused mid-task and rose. Those inside rushed out in a clamor.
Already on edge, they glared at Chukang with open resentment.
"Fuck! Chief officer! Where the hell are you?!"
Chukang roared in the courtyard center for a moment.
From the main hall emerged a middle-aged man in scholar's robes, fanning himself lazily.
Black silk robes with a jade ornament at his waist.
Uncharacteristically refined for an unorthodox sect, with sharp eyes.
"Young master. In these turbulent times, where have you been wandering without a word?"
The chief officer glanced at Jin Muhon and Oepari behind Chukang but paid them little mind.
Birds of a feather.
Whoever Chukang hung with would be the same low caliber.
Never on good terms with the officer, Chukang glared back fiercely.
"Fuck! Do I need your permission now?!"
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Screw you! Where's my father? Fetch him! Urgent business!"
"Tsk tsk."
The chief officer clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Young master, the sect leader is occupied with official duties. If you have business, you should go to him—not summon him like a servant."
"Fuck! I said it's urgent! Real urgent! You all wanna die?!"
The courtyard's air turned icy.
While everyone risked their lives in endless skirmishes, the young master boozed alone.
And now this? Wanting everyone dead?
One wrong word, and rebellion wouldn't be surprising.
Though half-mad with fear of Jin Muhon, Chukang's instincts caught the dire mood.
"Ahem! Uh, chief officer. Sorry. Got heated and my mouth ran wild."
"I understand. It's not the first day you've acted like a thunderbolt."
Contempt dripped from the chief officer's voice and eyes.
"W-what?"
"Young master, if you have any sense, you know the sect's in dire straits. Maybe restrain yourself for once."
"......"
Chukang's clenched fists trembled.
The chief officer smirked behind his fan and ordered his men.
"You there. What are you waiting for? Escort the young master."
- Yes, sir!
Two Ghost Soul Sect warriors strode toward Chukang.
He stumbled back, shouting.
"You mad bastards! Know what you're doing?!"
"Yes, young master. We know. The sect leader entrusted you to me for now."
"Fuck! We'll all die! All die, I tell ya!"
Chukang wailed desperately, his voice cracking unlike usual.
Sincerity moved them.
Even his usual tantrums hadn't been this raw, stirring an eerie chill.
The chief officer snapped his fan shut, slicing through the pleas.
"What are you doing? Escort him!"
"Yes, chief officer!"
The warriors seized Chukang's arms from both sides. Rough grips tightened.
Chukang grimaced and yelled.
"Let go! Let go, you bastard! I said let go! This is not the time—!"
Shlick! Shlick!
"......?"
A chilling sound echoed through the compound.
Like silk tearing, yet it sank everyone's hearts.
Chukang shuddered, staring at the warriors beside him.
Both stood frozen, eyes bulging.
And soon.
A red line crept across their necks.
Thin as a thread at first, it widened, then sprayed crimson.
"Urk!"
Hot blood splashed Chukang's face.
The men's heads thudded to the ground.
"Gasp!"
Chukang toppled backward onto his ass in horror.
"A-ambush!"
"Iron Blood Society! Battle stations, everyone!"
A hundred warriors drew swords and weapons in unison.
The courtyard flashed with sunlight on steel.
But no enemies charged from anywhere.
"W-what?"
"Where? How'd they get hit?"
As the chief officer and others scanned about—
A naive voice called out.
"Huh? Family head? Why're you holdin' a sword?"
All heads whipped toward the voice.
There stood Oepari, sword in hand, blank-faced.
The chief officer pointed his fan, eyes wide.
"Your doing?!"
"N-no! Wait! It's a misunderstandin'—"
Oepari waved frantically.
Then someone tapped his back.
"Eek!"
He stumbled forward.
Jin Muhon spoke indifferently from behind.
"Go show them the power of Unbong County."
"Huh?!"
Oepari whipped around in terror.
"Grab that bastard!"
"Raaah!!"
Eyes bloodshot, Ghost Soul Sect warriors charged Oepari with murderous fury.