Chapter 62: A Peaceful Afternoon
Jin Muhon sent Han Sowol outside and ushered the guest from the Nangong family into his study.
“Ahem!”
The door opened, and a middle-aged man with sharp eyes entered alone.
Jin Muhon greeted him while seated.
“Alone?”
“……”
The man, the Fifth Manager of the Nangong family, was accustomed to lavish treatment wherever he went. For a moment, his mind went blank.
How dare the head of some no-name family act like this.
Is this some trendy prank?
But it's too arrogant and malicious for that.
“Did they send a mute? Sit down, anyway.”
Jin Muhon crossed his arms and turned away.
The Fifth Manager hesitated on how to respond but sat across from him anyway, determined to carry out the Grand Manager's orders.
“I'm Yang Jin-ho, the Fifth Manager of the Nangong family.”
“Fifth Manager? You have five of them?”
“The main house has a total… of eight managers.”
“Aigoo. Pointless.”
“……”
People often freeze up when faced with the utterly unexpected.
That was exactly Yang Jin-ho's situation.
This young punk calling himself the family head!
At a loss for words, Yang Jin-ho just gaped and glared.
Jin Muhon tapped the desk with his fingers—tap-tap.
“Why are you here? Sending a random like you doesn't exactly scream good intentions.”
Bam—!
Unable to hold back any longer, Yang Jin-ho slammed the desk.
Han Sowol's teacup tipped over, spilling the remaining tea across the surface.
“Family Head! Isn't this too rude? I'm a manager of the great Nangong family! I even brought a letter from the family head himself! You should be honored I came in person!”
Not content with that, Yang Jin-ho bellowed arrogantly.
Jin Muhon grinned.
“Well, now. My apologies.”
“Of course! An apology like—”
Thud-thud! Thud-thud! Thud-thud!
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.
And soon—
Bang—! The door flew open as Jin Baek burst into the study.
“Brother! What's going on?!”
Whoosh—
Almost simultaneously with Jin Baek's shout, Muheo appeared behind Jin Muhon with a gust of wind.
“Some Nangong bastard's here? Huh? Who's that skinny squid sitting there?”
Yang Jin-ho's eyes widened at Muheo's entrance.
What kind of lightness skill is that!
Even in his sect teeming with experts, he'd never seen such flawless movement.
But the shock didn't end there.
Right at his chin.
A chilling sensation crept up his throat.
“……!”
Yang Jin-ho swallowed hard and glanced down.
When did that—!
A gleaming blade hovered just below his chin.
True to his renown as one of the Demonic Cult's top assassins, Jin Jaryeong held his dagger to Yang Jin-ho's throat and asked Jin Muhon.
“Sh-should I… kill him?”
Jin Muhon chuckled and shook his head.
“No point killing him just for yelling. We're not in the Demonic Cult anymore.”
“……Yes.”
Jin Jaryeong melted away like smoke.
“Gasp!”
Yang Jin-ho shot to his feet in terror.
There had definitely been someone behind him, but now they were gone.
Thanks to the ghostly energy built from the Fate Soul Heaven Sacrificing Scripture, Jin Jaryeong's assassination arts had reached new heights.
“Right. Squid. Did you bring the Nangong family head's reply?”
As Muheo glared, the already frightened Yang Jin-ho rolled his eyes in panic, unable to compose himself.
Jin Muhon clicked his tongue and turned away.
“What's this squid business? He's a high-ranking member of the family, so everyone quit being rude and get out.”
Pat-pat-pat-pat—
But before he finished speaking,
Someone dashed into the study using lightness skill.
“Which son of a bitch dares! In my big brother's study!”
Jin Baek grabbed Yeon Jeokhwa's arm as she charged in yelling.
“Brother says to get out.”
Yeon Jeokhwa, mid-rampage, blinked wide-eyed and scanned the room.
Jin Baek dragged her out.
“Huh? Just leave?”
“Yeah.”
“He'll kill him himself?”
“Looks like it.”
And with that, Jin Baek and Yeon Jeokhwa left the study.
Muheo followed, hands behind his back, striding away.
He didn't forget to glare at Yang Jin-ho and shout one last time.
“If you're scared, just say so! Damn Nangong lot. I don't like 'em!”
With that, Muheo vanished, his Taoist robes fluttering.
A faint breeze swept through the study after he left.
“Uh… uh…”
Yang Jin-ho, who'd nearly had his throat slit for one wrong shout,
Was pale as a ghost, cold sweat trickling down his back.
Jin Muhon smiled faintly and offered him a seat.
“Fifth Manager. Sit.”
“……!”
Yang Jin-ho turned his head stiffly. Seeing Jin Muhon's smile made his legs buckle further.
Was that a smile… or a death threat?
“Squid Manager. I said sit.”
“S-squid…?”
Despite his fear, Jin Muhon's teasing snapped Yang Jin-ho back a bit.
Still, he couldn't sit. Instinctively, he clasped his hands politely in front.
“Forgive them, Fifth Manager. My crew's a rough bunch.”
“……Yes. But that Taoist just now—is he from the Jin family too?”
“Ah, him? Just a freeloader. World's most useless things are monks and Taoists, right? Gluttons who just eat your food.”
“His lightness skill… wasn't ordinary.”
Yang Jin-ho wasn't a martial artist, but he'd seen plenty of experts and had an eye for it.
Among the sudden onslaught, Muheo's presence had been overwhelming.
“Guess it improved from wandering around all his life. Nothing to be shocked about.”
“Does he have a separate Taoist name?”
“Sheesh. You come to the main house and all you're interested in is some random old Taoist?”
Jin Muhon furrowed his brow slightly in displeasure.
That alone made Yang Jin-ho's hair stand on end.
Jin Muhon had stayed seated the whole time, yet the conversation only deepened the fear gnawing at Yang Jin-ho's heart.
“S-sorry!”
“No need to apologize. His Taoist name is Muheo.”
“Muheo… Muheo… Gasp! M-Muheo the Dao Destroyer of Wudang!”
Yang Jin-ho's eyes bulged.
Muheo, elder of Wudang, the Dao Destroyer.
Famous for his eccentricities, and recently a person of interest for sending a challenge letter to the Nangong family head.
That's why the letter… Damn it! They should've warned me!
He’d wondered why they sent him to this obscure family personally.
Now it made sense.
This wasn't a job for just anyone.
As Yang Jin-ho stood dazed, Jin Muhon spoke.
“But let me ask again. Why are you here?”
“Ah!”
Only then did Yang Jin-ho hurriedly pull the letter from his bosom and offer it to Jin Muhon with both hands.
Jin Muhon tore it open and read immediately.
“Let's see… Oh. The Nangong family head invites the main house to the Murim Conference.”
“Ah! Yes! With a living legend like Muheo the Immortal as your guest, of course you qualify!”
Fortunately, the letter seemed a polite invitation.
Relief washed over Yang Jin-ho's face with a bright smile.
Jin Muhon kept reading.
“'We received your challenge letter. The Nangong name carries weight. I don't teach just anyone. But since Wudang's elder requests it personally, I'll make an exception and give one lesson. Including Muheo, I'll give three people a chance—so be grateful and come. See you soon.'”
“What?! Pardon?”
Yang Jin-ho jumped.
“C-can I see the letter myself?”
“Sure.”
Jin Muhon handed it over without changing expression.
Yang Jin-ho's hands shook as he scanned it quickly.
Courteous phrasing, elegant script.
Of course the propriety-obsessed Nangong family head wouldn't write something like that.
“You… seem to have read it a bit differently…”
“I cut the fluff and got to the point.”
“……”
It was exactly as Jin Muhon said—the letter's true content.
Not a challenge between Wudang and Nangong,
But the Nangong family granting a special lesson to the Yunbong Jin family at their request.
Yang Jin-ho carefully placed the letter on the desk with trembling hands.
“Then… I'll take my leave.”
“No, why not stay a few days?”
“N-no! I put off other business to rush here after seeing you! I need to head back!”
“Hmm. Can't force you. But you should take a reply at least.”
Yang Jin-ho, about to bolt, clasped his hands again.
“What shall I say?”
“Got it.”
“Yes, please tell me.”
“No, tell them 'Got it.' Not 'Understood,' but 'Got it!' Like this.”
“Ah… yes.”
Eager to escape, Yang Jin-ho bowed hastily.
“Then fare well. I'll withdraw.”
He spun and hurried to the door.
Jin Muhon snapped his fingers lightly, calling him back.
“Oh, right. Fifth Manager.”
“Yes?! Hup!”
Yang Jin-ho flinched and turned.
At that moment, a red blood demon shot from Jin Muhon's finger through the air and slipped into Yang Jin-ho's nostril.
It worked.
A blood demon infused with a single evil soul, mimicking Dan Ri-ye's technique.
Jin Muhon grinned and offered well-wishes.
“Watch out at night. Lots of guest ghosts on the roads to and from Unbong County.”
“Ah! Yes! Thank you! I'll be going!”
“See you.”
“Yes! Yes!”
Yang Jin-ho fled through the door.
Jin Muhon sipped his tea.
“He won't die.”
The corners of Jin Muhon's mouth curved up.
The tea had gone cold long ago.
A few days later.
The Nangong family's grand garden lived up to its fame, vast as a small lake.
Even the outer grounds, where branch family and retainers stayed, bustled with hundreds.
“Grand Manager! Grand Manager!!”
Amid them, a warrior rushed past carrying a half-dead man on his back.
Nangong retainers and visitors alike stared, wondering what was happening.
“Huh? Isn't that the Fifth Manager?”
“Who?”
“The guy being carried. Face all blue, but looks like him.”
“Hmm… something must've happened.”
The warrior passed several layers of guards in the outer grounds before reaching a grand hall.
“Huff… huff… Grand… Grand Manager, quick… huff… huff…”
The gate guards, seeing the near-dead Fifth Manager, sensed trouble and rushed inside.
Moments later,
The Grand Manager emerged slowly, his white beard swaying.
His appearance instantly calmed the chaos.
“What happened?”
“Grand Manager! Fifth Manager's critical!”
“Critical?”
Even at the report, the Grand Manager descended the steps with dignified poise.
The warrior gently laid Yang Jin-ho on the dirt.
“Hmm…”
The Grand Manager and his entourage stared down at him.
His face was deathly blue, eyes squeezed shut.
The Grand Manager leaned in, holding a finger to his nose. Faint, but breathing.
“Who did this?”
“……Pardon?”
The Grand Manager fixed his piercing gaze on the warrior, who trembled.
“Where was this fool?”
“He… was coming back from the Yunbong Jin family.”
“Yunbong Jin family? What's that?”
Dozens of families sought the Grand Manager daily, hoping for Nangong connections.
How could he remember every backwater name?
Then, a young manager reported.
“The family where Wudang's Elder Muheo is staying. The family head ordered a letter sent, so Fifth Manager went.”
“Ah, right. I remember. So the Jin family roughed him up?”
The Grand Manager's eyes flashed at the warrior.
The warrior shook his head frantically.
“N-no! He completed the mission fine on the way back!”
“Then why's he like this? Poisoned?”
“I… don't know.”
“Hah! Pathetic. You—what's your name?”
“K-Kang Pyeong!”
The young warrior, less than five years in the sect, stiffened at attention.
His charge got hurt on escort duty, and he didn't even know how?
The Grand Manager tsked in disdain.
Incompetent fool. Time to cut him loose.
The injured came second to dealing with the useless.
That was the Grand Manager's role.
“Tsk. Get rid of him.”
As he turned, pondering a new Fifth Manager candidate—
Grab—!
“……!”
Yang Jin-ho's eyes snapped open, clutching the Grand Manager's leg.
“G-ghost! Ghosts! Ghosts! Aaaahhh!!”
“Let go, let go! You bastard! Get him off! Hurry!”
Crash-tumble—!
Yang Jin-ho rolled on the ground, whites of his eyes showing, clinging to the Grand Manager.
“Aaaahhh!!”
“Aigoo!! I'm dying!!”
“Grand Manager!”
It was a peaceful afternoon in the Nangong family.