Chapter 64 - Cocky Guys
A single carriage lumbered slowly along the wide official road.
There was still time before the Murim Conference, but Jin Muhon wasn't rushing the journey. He had left the Jin family not just for the conference, but largely to travel the jianghu with Jin Hayeon.
Clop. Clop. Clop.
The days were still chilly, but the sky stretching beyond the carriage was high and clear. Endless plains unfurled before them, with distant mountain ridges offering a breath of relief to the soul.
"Urgh... hng... urgh..."
"......"
But the groans echoing nonstop from inside the carriage since leaving the Jin family home were grating on Jin Muhon's nerves.
"Old man. How long are you gonna keep this up?"
"Just... a bit more and it'll be... done..."
Muheo had begged to learn the technique after watching Jin Muhon reshape his face right before his eyes.
In terms of inner energy depth alone, Muheo was one of the top masters in the jianghu. But fine-tuning one's muscles and bones was a whole different realm.
"Eek! It moved! Jin family head! Did you see that just now? I moved it!"
True to his high level of martial prowess, after days of grueling effort, Muheo had finally succeeded in shifting his muscles and bones.
However,
"Jin family head! Why so quiet? Am I too handsome now for words?"
"......"
Jin Muhon maintained his stoic silence.
Watching from the side, Jin Hayeon cautiously spoke up.
"Master..."
"Hm?"
Muheo turned his head. His disciple Jin Hayeon, precious enough to put in his eyes without pain, was gazing at him with a darkened expression.
"You looked... better before."
"No way! Mirror! Gimme the mirror!"
Jin Hayeon handed over the mirror. Muheo snatched it and checked his reflection.
"...Ah."
A deep sigh escaped him as his shoulders slumped. The hand holding the mirror drooped limply.
Jin Muhon spoke in his indifferent tone.
"You can't fill up on the first sip. Don't give up, old man."
"Yeah... can't quit now after coming this far..."
Jin Hayeon chimed in encouragingly.
"Hang in there, Master! You'll definitely succeed!"
"Thanks... kiddo."
Despite their comfort, Muheo's face looked like he'd eaten shit. Expectations were high, so the disappointment hit hard. He knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but decades of resentment buried in his chest wouldn't shake off easily.
As Muheo deflated, the mood inside the carriage sank heavily.
"Oh right!"
Jin Hayeon deliberately raised her voice and turned to Jin Muhon.
"Uncle! While you were in Sichuan, Senior Brother Hyeonjin sent a letter!"
"Senior Brother Hyeonjin... you mean the Wudang sect leader?"
"Yes!"
To most in the jianghu, the Wudang sect leader was a lofty, cloud-dwelling figure. It was amusing how Jin Hayeon called him "senior brother" without reservation, but Jin Muhon kept a straight face and asked seriously.
"What'd he say?"
"He asked about you. Wondered where you were."
"And what'd you tell him?"
"That you're traveling, but we don't know exactly where."
"Good job."
Jin Muhon nodded lightly.
'Guess that's why.'
The Sichuan Blood Demon incident. The Sichuan Tang Clan had been communicating with the Demonic Cult, which got exposed, leading to their near annihilation by Wudang's young Taoist, Cheongpung. At least, that was the rumor.
But as time passed, people began doubting the story. No matter how talented Cheongpung was as a later-generation disciple, the Tang Clan—one of the Five Great Families—was no third-rate sect. How could they kneel to a single young Taoist?
That's when the rumors started swirling in the jianghu: Who really helped Cheongpung wipe out the Tangs?
"Old man. Who's coming from Wudang?"
"Hm?"
Muheo looked up blankly.
"Who's attending the Murim Conference from Wudang?"
"Oh, that? Usually one of the elders brings the kids."
"The sect leader doesn't come?"
"Well, if there's a big issue, the Nine Great Sects' leaders might gather, but... is there something major this time?"
"......"
True to his "Dao Destroyer Muheo" moniker, Muheo paid little heed to worldly affairs. How could there not be a big issue? The Tang Clan—one of the Five Great Families—had been nearly wiped out, and Jin Muhon himself had a sparring match promised with Nangong family head.
"Why? You hear the sect leader's coming?"
"How would I know? Aren't you a Wudang elder?"
"Me? I'm just an old backroom fart. Nobody plays with me."
Jin Hayeon gently took Muheo's rough hand in her soft one.
"Why, Master? I'm here, and Uncle's here too."
"Huh? Yeah, true."
"Master, don't go anywhere. Stay by my side forever."
"Hahaha! You want that?"
"Yes!"
Muheo nodded. But his gaze drifted out the window toward the west.
'Wait for me. Someday, I'll come find you.'
Muheo firmly believed his precious elixir lay dormant somewhere in Sichuan.
A few days later, Jin Muhon's group arrived in Wuhan.
Where the qi of the Yangtze River's upper and lower reaches mingled. Hubei's premier city, and once the headquarters of the Four Emperors Alliance.
"Wow! So pretty!"
Stepping out of the carriage, Jin Hayeon's mouth fell open at the lake sprawling like a sea. Moonlight scattered softly over East Lake's surface, while inns and taverns lining the shore blazed with colorful lights, illuminating the night.
"Dang it. Sun's down already, so let's stay here tonight."
Oepari hopped down from the driver's seat.
"Yes! You've worked hard too, mister! Come on in and eat first!"
"Aw, no big deal! Not at all. You three go ahead. I'll stable the carriage and catch up."
"Okay! I'll order plenty for you too!"
"Hahaha! Sounds good!"
Oepari bowed with his empty sleeve flapping. Once a thug who tried to harm Jin Hayeon, he was now a loyal Jin family servant, no less devoted than Baek No.
"Uncle! Master! Come on in! The inn's huge!"
Jin Hayeon turned back with an excited face. Jin Muhon and Muheo, just stepping down, nodded with fond smiles.
"Alright. Hayeon! No running!"
"Heehee! Hurry!"
Whether it was the vibrant night lights lifting her spirits, Jin Hayeon's cheeks flushed as she dashed toward the inn entrance.
Then she collided with a young man coming out.
Thud!
"Ow!"
Jin Hayeon cried out and tumbled backward.
"Whoa?"
The man startled and swiftly caught her waist, steadying her.
"......!"
Jin Hayeon looked up with wide, rabbit-like eyes. He'd be the handsomest man she'd ever seen.
"S-sorry..."
Her face burned red. The man smiled dashingly down at her.
"Haha! A beauty like you falling into my arms is always welc—Gah!"
His suave, lowered voice cut off as his eyes bulged.
"Gurk! W-wait! What the hell?!"
Jin Muhon and Muheo had appeared in an instant, one gripping his wrist, the other his collar.
"Let go of her."
Jin Muhon put force into his eyes. The man flinched and released Jin Hayeon's waist.
"Eek!"
She dropped to the ground like a ragdoll. Jin Muhon lightly caught her with his instep and flicked her upright. Flailing her arms, she stood again.
'A master!'
The young man stared at Jin Muhon in shock. A casual move, but the skill behind it was no joke.
"Where do you get off? You gigolo-looking punk! Huh?!"
Muheo shook him by the collar. The man tensed his core to resist, but his body swayed like bamboo in the wind.
"G-gigolo?! Urgh! L-let go first!"
"Shut it! Pretty boy like you screams bad news! Real men gotta be ugly!"
"W-what kinda nonsense?!"
Then, men who seemed to be his comrades rushed out from the inn.
"Bro!"
"What the hell?!"
Seeing him subdued, they drew their swords with a sharp ring. As blade light flashed, Jin Muhon's eyes darkened. Muheo released the collar and flicked the flats of their blades with his fingers.
Ting— Ting—
"Urk!"
"Ngh!"
The light inner-energy strikes sent both swords clattering to the ground. The three young men recoiled in horror. Muheo grinned and blew on his fingers.
"Smart enough not to be third-raters. But you pick your opponents before drawing steel. Suicidal much?"
Muheo glanced at Jin Muhon while scolding them. The Sword Demon was already hard to handle, but after Sichuan, his level was unreadable. Drawing on him was suicide. And with Muheo along, he didn't want any hiccups in Jin Hayeon's jianghu tour.
'Hmm... their looks and clothes scream prestigious heirs.'
Muheo sized them up quickly. Early twenties at most. Clear brows, bright eyes—handsome enough to steal any woman's gaze. And a subtle nobility about them; not mere gigolos.
'Cocky pretty boys.'
Muheo spoke with a displeased face.
"Who are you?"
They exchanged glances, then the eldest-looking one stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute.
"Greetings, seniors of the jianghu. I'm Jegal Yunmyeong, young master of the Jegal family. These are my brothers, Yunhyeon and Yunseo. Come on, greet them!"
"...Yes."
"Got it, bro."
Jin Hayeon's eyes widened in surprise. Even Jin Muhon's face showed a flicker of unexpectedness.
The Nangong Family and Sichuan Tang Clan were two of the Five Great Families; the Jegal were the third. And these three, looking like the family head's sons, weren't the type you'd bump into randomly.
"Wow! Jegal family... that means rich young masters, right?"
Jin Hayeon whispered to Jin Muhon as she sidled up. He frowned slightly.
"Never keep moneybags or schemers close."
"Compared to gigolos?"
"Both. Far away."
"Heehee! Then I should find a man like you, Uncle?"
Jin Hayeon beamed up at him. Jin Muhon shook his head firmly.
"Avoid guys like me most of all."
"What? What's wrong with you? Even Sister Somwol seems sweet on you."
"Huh? Who?"
Realizing her slip, Jin Hayeon whipped her head away. Just then, young master Jegal Yunmyeong met Muheo's eyes with sparkling clarity.
"An honor to meet such esteemed seniors. I've wanted to see you."
"Huh? You know me?"
"Aren't you the Wudang's Greatest Sword, Daoist Muheo?"
Muheo's eyes widened.
"How'd you know?"
"Haha! Who in the jianghu doesn't know your famous name? I recognized your imposing aura at a glance!"
"Hm. Really?"
"Of course!"
In truth, Jegal Yunmyeong had pegged him from the ugly face, shabby robes, and casually disarming his brothers' swords—but he hid it well. Muheo grinned and stepped back.
"They say the Jegal house birthed three hidden dragons. Guess that's you three."
"Hidden dragons? Before you, we're just earth dragons."
"Hahaha! The Jegal head raised you right! This is Jin Muhon, head of the Yunbong Jin Family. That girl's his niece and my disciple, Jin Hayeon. Hayeon, they're your age—come greet them."
Jegal Yunmyeong's eyes gleamed as he eyed Jin Muhon and Jin Hayeon.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jin Hayeon."
"Jin Muhon."
The brothers flinched at Jin Muhon's icy greeting but soon smiled and saluted Jin Hayeon. Approaching him directly felt impossible.
"Disciple of Daoist Muheo! Your seniority outranks us. Forgive our rudeness—we didn't know."
"Oh! Seniority? No need for that—treat me casually!"
"Haha! Can't do that."
"Aw, why stand on ceremony with youngsters?"
Thrilled by the friendly treatment from such noble heirs—her first time—Jin Hayeon was buzzing. Jin Muhon cut through with a displeased look.
"Outta the way. I'm hungry."
"Whoa!"
"Uncle!"
Muheo chuckled and asked Jegal Yunmyeong,
"Heading to the conference?"
"Yes, Daoist. You too? Heard you're sparring... true?"
"Rumors spread that far? Damn Nangong blabbermouths. Yeah. But conference is still ways off—why move so early? Touring like us?"
"No, not quite."
Jegal Yunmyeong sidled closer to Muheo, who recoiled with a frown.
"Back off. I don't swing that way."
"It's... we've been investigating a bizarre rumor circulating the jianghu lately."
"Huh? Rumor? What rumor?"
Jegal Yunmyeong glanced around and covered his mouth.
"The Four Emperors Alliance... has revived."
"What?!"
Muheo's jaw dropped slightly. Jin Muhon, about to enter the inn, halted mid-step.