Chapter 35 - The Boiling Jianghu
They were first startled by the ghostly lightness skill.
Then by the face of the one who displayed it.
But Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Seonu had utterly different takes on that face.
“D-Dao Destroyer!!”
Nangong Hyeok recognized Muheo’s face and recoiled in horror, while
Nangong Seonu said,
“What the hell? Who’s this ugly old geezer?”
Despite the lightness skill Muheo had just shown, he made the grave mistake of judging the man’s looks.
Naturally, Muheo’s tiny pupils rolled sideways.
Muheo’s voice rumbled low.
“Just now… what’d you say?”
A scrawny frame with a slight hunch.
A face full of wrinkles, low nose bridge, and eyes like mere slits.
In the jianghu, even elders and children demanded caution.
But Nangong Seonu, with his scant experience, let contempt rise at Muheo’s appearance.
He scowled and said,
“What’d I say? You asking me?”
“Seonu! Shut your mouth! That’s—!”
Nangong Hyeok hurriedly raised a hand to silence him.
But before he could finish,
Muheo kicked off the ground.
Shwick!Pak!
“Kwaaak!”
Nangong Seonu hadn’t even seen what happened.
One moment, the ugly, pathetic old man’s form blurred—then agony exploded in his head, and he toppled backward.
“Stop!”
Shwick!
Too late, Nangong Hyeok drew his sword to block Muheo.
Not to subdue him, but to hold him off and protect Nangong Seonu.
Kang! Kang! Kangkangkang!
“Kuhk!”
No matter that he’d reacted hastily without proper qi infusion—the opponent was in the same boat.
Yet Nangong Hyeok nearly lost his grip on his sword from Muheo’s heavy strikes.
“Hmph! Not bad for a Nangong punk.”
Muheo halted his assault and stood firm, scratching his ass with the sword.
“……!”
Only then did Nangong Hyeok’s eyes bulge wide.
The strike that downed Nangong Seonu in one blow and pushed him back—it wasn’t a sword.
It was a slender tree branch.
“What? You lookin’ down on it ‘cause it’s just a stick? Huh?”
“N-No, sir! D-Dao Destroyer Immortal!”
Famous as the jianghu’s headaches, the Four Freaks.
Among them, Dao Destroyer Muheo—Wudang elder with fearsome martial prowess—was the pinnacle of avoidance for the righteous sects.
Especially known for his obsession with his ugly looks.
Nangong Hyeok swallowed hard and hastily cupped his fists in salute.
Muheo narrowed his eyes, watching intently.
“Dao Muheo? What kinda ridiculous title is that rollin’ around from?”
“Forgive me, Immortal. You appeared so suddenly, my tongue slipped.”
“Hmph! Tongue slipped? Lemme see. You… look familiar.”
“We met at the Murim Conference years ago. Nangong Hyeok.”
“Nangong Hyeok… Nangong Hyeok… Ah! The punk who picked a fight with Kunlun kids over some ‘Tyrant Sword’ nickname or whatever?”
“……Yes.”
Cold sweat trickled down Nangong Hyeok’s back.
The enigmatic family head Jin Muhon was already unsettling enough—now Wudang’s top sword was here too, unpredictable as they come.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Nangong Hyeok’s mind.
Wait. The family head sent for him, and now Wudang’s top sword? Does this place hold some special meaning?
Realization hit, and Nangong Hyeok straightened, steeling his waist.
His gaze sharpened.
“Oho! Wanna go a round? Sounds good! One-Arm! Hey, One-Arm! Fetch my sword!”
Muheo bellowed with infused qi.
Dust rose from the ground; the eaves rattled.
Nangong Hyeok hurriedly circulated his qi to resist the pressure.
Biting down hard, the taste of blood filled his mouth.
Monstrous old bastard.
If it were just a chance meeting with a jianghu senior, he’d bow easily.
But somehow, Nangong Hyeok sensed this encounter was different.
Perhaps the spark that ignites war between Nangong family and Wudang for future hegemony.
The family head knew Muheo was here. Yet he sent Seonu—meaning he foresaw this. Then my role is…
Nangong Hyeok’s eyes briefly closed.
How to turn this to Nangong’s advantage.
The clash between arrogant Nangong Seonu and the jianghu madman Muheo.
And his place in between.
No way…
The Nangong family head had elevated the clan to head of the Five Great Families through cold judgment.
To such a man, Nangong Hyeok—despite his high post as Bow Pavilion Leader—was just a pawn to discard anytime.
He’s… throwing me away like this?
Nangong Hyeok clenched his fist.
Memories of devoted years flashed by like a lantern show.
Missed his wife’s birthday, his children’s births. Even his parents’ funerals—out on missions.
“Hey, kid. Once a warrior draws steel, think victory. What’re you daydreamin’ about with the enemy right here?”
Muheo took the sword from Oepari and sring drew it.
But then.
“……?”
“……!”
In an instant, Jin Muhon appeared beside Muheo and flicked the hilt, sheathing the blade.
Nangong Hyeok’s heart plummeted.
A speed even Wudang’s top sword couldn’t react to.
Master!
Suspiciously extraordinary, and Jin Muhon proved real.
Muheo’s eyes rounded as he stared at Jin Muhon.
“What’s up? Jin family head? I was just gettin’ pumped!”
“Enough, Elder.”
“Enough? You heard the brat call me ugly, right?”
Muheo huffed, face flushed red.
Jin Muhon silently met his gaze.
That deep, cold stare quickly cooled Muheo’s rage.
“Kehum! Hum! Well, drawin’ steel over a kid’s nonsense is overkill. Fine, I’ll hold back.”
“No. How can a warrior swallow such an insult?”
“Huh?”
He’d calmed his temper at “stop,” now “don’t hold back”?
Muheo blinked in confusion.
“Beating a child like that would only tarnish Wudang’s top sword’s honor…”
Muheo met Jin Muhon’s meaningful gaze.
The man who’d called him “old timer” casually now spoke formally—something was brewing.
Muheo asked slyly,
“Got some clever plan?”
“As the saying goes, adults answer for children’s mistakes.”
“Huh? Well… yeah.”
Jin Muhon turned.
Nangong Hyeok flinched and looked at him.
“Don’t you agree, Pavilion Leader Nangong?”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Then the answer’s clear.”
“……?”
“……?”
Nangong Seonu still lay unconscious on the ground.
Muheo and Nangong Hyeok, of course—and Chukanghwan, Han Sowol, Oepari, even Baek No holding a broom in the yard corner—all eyes fixed on Jin Muhon’s mouth.
“Family head Jin. What answer? What do you mean?”
To Muheo’s question, Jin Muhon opened his mouth as if it were obvious.
“Nangong family head’s son insulted Wudang’s top sword. But that blade can’t be drawn against a mere whelp. So the family head must apologize personally—or else.”
“……?”
“Settle it like warriors, with a duel.”
“……!”
Nangong Hyeok’s eyes flew wide in shock.
Jin Muhon turned to Muheo.
“What do you think, Elder?”
Muheo grinned.
“Great idea! As expected from Jin family head. Heh heh heh!”
“Ah… no. Even so, how could the family head himself…”
How had a simple errand to fetch a physician spiraled like this?
Nangong Hyeok couldn’t keep up.
Jin Muhon approached him.
Step. Step. Step.
No killing intent or threat.
Yet Nangong Hyeok’s feet wouldn’t move.
As he hesitated,
Jin Muhon stepped into arm’s reach—the zone no warrior lightly allowed.
Its defenses crumbled effortlessly.
“……”
Nangong Hyeok’s fingertips trembled.
Jin Muhon spoke softly.
“Report this to the family head. And spread the word on your way back.”
“But…”
Nangong Hyeok hesitated.
Tell the family head directly? Especially failing to bring the physician.
Jin Muhon’s voice dropped lower.
“Pavilion Leader.”
“……?”
“Does the Nangong family head know your loyalty?”
“……!”
Nangong Hyeok stared long at Jin Muhon.
But he saw not Jin Muhon—his own past.
And today, discarded by the family head.
Clink.
Nangong Hyeok sheathed his sword.
“So be it.”
The corner of Jin Muhon’s mouth curved faintly.
The once-quiet jianghu erupted in chaos.
Rumors spread like wildfire through teahouses, taverns, inns, and markets.
“Heard? Dao Destroyer’s duelin’ the Nangong family head!”
“Nah! Dao Destroyer maybe, but the family head’s got status. No way.”
“It’s true! Wudang sent an official duel challenge!”
“What? For real?”
The Nine Great Sects and Four Emperors Alliance had long divided the central plains murim.
But that order wasn’t eternal—the Five Great Families, led by Nangong, had been steadily rising, eyeing their thrones.
Now, with the Four Emperors Alliance leader’s death creating a power vacuum,
All believed it was only a matter of time before Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families clashed.
News of a duel at such a juncture.
Protagonists: none other than Wudang’s top sword and Nangong family head.
How could the jianghu not boil?
Daaang. Daaang. Daaang.
The clear, pure bell tolled across the mountainside.
Cloud-shrouded Wudang Mountain remained serene and peaceful today.
Taoists in pristine white robes moved silently, as if silence were the highest virtue; visitors to the halls held their tongues, swept up in the atmosphere.
Dadadadadada!
Yet a middle-aged Taoist dashed through, lightness skill at full throttle.
“Sect Leader Senior Brother! Sect Leader Senior Brother! Sect Leadeeeeer!!!”
Hyeonjin, Wudang sect leader sipping tea leisurely in his quarters, frowned at his junior’s shouts from outside and set down his cup.
“Heh heh. When will wise Hyeonmyeong grow up?”
Neatly bound hair, flowing beard.
Straight nose, eyes gleaming despite past sixty, face ruddy with health.
The very picture of a proper Taoist.
Once one of the jianghu’s famed Four Dragons in youth, Hyeonjin’s presence was extraordinary from the start.
Kwaang!
“Sect Leader Senior Brother! Huff huff!”
Barging in without greeting to see the sect leader.
Even for his immature junior, this was rude—Hyeonjin felt more puzzlement than anger as he eyed the panting man.
“What’s the matter?”
Hyeonjin’s voice boomed solemnly.
Just hearing it seemed to calm Hyeonmyeong’s racing heart.
“Y-Your youngest martial uncle sent a letter!”
Hyeonjin’s eyes sparkled.
The sect was already abuzz with rumors lately.
Muheo, at the center—nowhere to be found.
And now a letter from him arrived.
“Hand it over.”
Urgent as he was, Hyeonjin extended his hand with dignity.
Admiring the sect leader’s poise, Hyeonmyeong hurried forward and presented the letter.
Riiip—
Hyeonjin tore it open and read.
“……”
“What’s it say?”
Hyeonmyeong swallowed, watching his face intently.
“……Sect Leader……Senior Brother?”
Hyeonmyeong called cautiously.
But Hyeonjin’s always mild, unshakable cheeks trembled oddly.
Hyeonmyeong had never seen such an expression.
The letter’s content was simple.
[Decided to duel Nangong. - Muheo]
Crumple!
Hyeonjin crushed the letter.
Hyeonmyeong jumped, eyes wide.
“S-Sect Leader Senior Brother?”
“Hoo… Namo Amitabha… Namo Amitabha. Namo Amitabha.”
Hyeonjin murmured Taoist chants to quell his boiling fury.
I knew he’d cause big trouble someday.
“Of all mishaps, this one…”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. I lost my composure briefly.”
Hyeonjin smoothed out the crumpled letter.
But unfolding it revealed another page.
“Hm?”
Hyeonjin checked the next sheet.
[Oh, forgot. Got a disciple now. - Muheo]
Hyeonjin’s face drained white.
His head rang like hammered by a mallet.
The youngest martial uncle has a disciple?
Meaning a new martial brother at this age?
“Eueok! Namo Amitabha!!!”
Kwaang!
Hyeonjin toppled backward.
The table flipped; the teacup shattered on the floor.
“Sect Leader Senior Brother! Sect Leader Senior Brother!”
Hyeonmyeong’s shouts echoed across serene Wudang Mountain.