Chapter 65 - Invitation
Mealtime had long passed, yet the inn was still bustling with dozens of patrons.
Finding an empty seat was no easy task, but Jin Muhon's group managed to claim the window spot where the Jegal family triplets had been sitting.
"Wow... there are so many people here?"
Jin Hayeon, who had spent her entire life in the quiet Unbong County, kept glancing around at the chatter filling the air and the thick smell of alcohol.
Her innocent demeanor brought a faint smile to Jegal Yunmyeong's lips.
"Wuhan is where the waterways of the Yangtze converge, so it's always teeming with travelers day and night."
"Ah, I see. Our Unbong County is always so peaceful."
"Oh! So your family hails from Unbong County?"
"Oh my! You know of Unbong County? Most people haven't even heard of it."
"Of course. How could I not know of the village where a beauty like Lady Jin resides—"
Thwack!
Jin Muhon lightly slammed his palm on the table.
Jegal Yunmyeong, who had spoken out of habit, flinched and glanced at Jin Muhon's hand.
Jin Muhon stood a single chopstick upright on the table and slowly pressed down on it with his index finger.
"...!"
"Gasp!"
"Hrm... "
The chopstick sank into the wooden table as smoothly as if piercing soft tofu.
It was a feat no ordinary inner energy could replicate.
As expected! He's no ordinary master!
Jegal Yunmyeong swallowed hard but kept the smile on his face.
"Truly remarkable skill, Family Head."
"You three."
Jin Muhon fixed them with an impassive gaze.
Cold sweat trickled down Jegal Yunmyeong's back.
"Please speak. We're listening."
"Weren't you on your way out? Why are you still sitting here?"
"Well... that is..."
For the first time in ages, Jegal Yunmyeong was at a loss for words.
Who in the world would treat the young master of the Jegal family this way? Not even the heads of the Nine Great Sects or the Demonic Cult would dare.
As Jegal Yunmyeong visibly faltered, Jin Hayeon gently took hold of Jin Muhon's arm.
"Uncle, please don't be too harsh."
"..."
Jin Hayeon smiled and picked up a piece of meat, bringing it to Jin Muhon's mouth.
Jin Muhon shot her a displeased look but parted his lips slightly.
Jin Hayeon's smile bloomed even brighter.
"..."
"Hrm... "
Her smile was as pure and fresh as a wildflower untouched by the world.
It was enough to stir even the hearts of the Jegal triplets.
Muheo, munching away on his food with loud smacks, eyed the triplets in turn.
"Hey now! Who do you think you're eyeing, trying to steal my disciple?"
"Pardon? S-Steal? It's a misunderstanding, Elder Jin!"
"Misunderstanding my foot. I can tell from your eyes. Hayeon, don't you dare fall for it!"
The triplets, uncharacteristically flustered, could only stammer, while Jin Hayeon smiled quietly without a word.
Jin Muhon spoke up.
"Continue what you were saying earlier. The Four Emperors Alliance has been revived?"
"Ah, yes. Well..."
Jegal Yunmyeong looked relieved to be alive as he caught his breath.
Then he leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"Someone claiming to be the successor of the Four Emperors leader has issued a summons to the former affiliated sects and families."
"What? Dan Ri-ye had a disciple? I've never heard of such a thing."
Muheo, eyes wide, jumped into the conversation.
Jegal Yunmyeong nodded toward him.
"Indeed. At first, we thought it was just a rumor, but the former Four Emperors sects are indeed gathering here in Wuhan one after another."
"Huh? Those filthy butchers banding together?"
"Yes."
Despite his personal ties to Four Emperors leader Dan Ri-ye, Muheo made no secret of his disdain for unorthodox factions.
Even someone called the Dao Destroyer was still one of the righteous, Jin Muhon thought as he spoke.
"Has the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold come too?"
Ak Manho, the chief of the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold, who had once begged Jin Muhon to take the Four Emperors leadership.
There was no way Dan Ri-ye's successor had suddenly appeared, so this was likely a scheme orchestrated by Ak Manho.
Blissfully unaware, Jegal Yunmyeong nodded.
"Yes! Not just the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold, but the East Sea Blood Sail, Overlord Gang, Nine Snake Valley, and Ghost Origin Temple too! That's what we've confirmed so far."
Jin Hayeon, intrigued by the tales of the unorthodox world, spoke up with sparkling eyes.
"All those sect names sound so ominous."
"The Four Emperors Alliance was always a gathering of such folk. If the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold rules the waters, the East Sea Blood Sail are pirates of the eastern seas. The Overlord Gang is a band of ronin, Nine Snake Valley trains assassins, and Ghost Origin Temple is full of heretic monks."
"Are those all the former Four Emperors sects?"
"Hardly."
As Jin Hayeon leaned in with interest, Jegal Yunmyeong grew more animated in his explanation.
"The North Sea Ice Palace and South Barbarian Beast Palace possess power rivaling the Nine Great Sects. Black Wind Corps dominates the steppes. But with their pride, they likely won't heed a summons from some unknown figure."
"Wow! To have all those under his command... the Four Emperors leader must have been incredible."
"He was. I've never seen him myself, but to kneel the leaders of all those sects single-handedly—truly worthy of the title Emperor. And it seems the new leader is no slouch either."
Jegal Yunmyeong lowered his voice with a sly expression.
Jin Hayeon, predictably, showed keen curiosity.
"Any rumors about the new leader?"
"Of course. They say a thick, blood-scented mist shrouds the area when he appears."
"A thick... blood-scented mist?"
Jin Hayeon blinked her large eyes in surprise.
Jegal Yunmyeong nodded, meeting her gaze.
"Yes. But he's no immortal—how could a man summon mist? It's probably some kind of energy barrier."
"Energy barrier... Is that all the rumors say?"
"His swordsmanship is otherworldly too. The Four Emperors warriors call him the Blood Mist Sword Emperor."
"Blood Mist... Sword Emperor..."
Jin Hayeon's head slowly turned toward Jin Muhon.
Muheo stared at him with a bewildered look as well.
A man who unleashed blood mist and ghostly swordplay.
It was unmistakably Jin Muhon.
Jin Muhon quietly furrowed his brow.
Ak Manho. That bastard...
Since Jin Muhon hadn't answered his call, the man was spreading these rumors to latch on.
Unorthodox sects were already under pressure from the Demonic Cult.
They'd grasp at any straw.
"Where are those bastards now?"
Jin Muhon's voice was low and chilling.
Jegal Yunmyeong shuddered involuntarily.
"I... I'm not sure yet."
"But you have a way to find them?"
"Well... this is a closely guarded family secret."
"Speak."
Jin Muhon's tone brooked no argument.
Jegal Yunmyeong, who had considered bargaining, quickly decided to tell the truth.
"It's from intelligence our main house received. A few days ago, the Haomen leader entered Wuhan."
"The Haomen leader?"
Surprise flickered in Jin Muhon's eyes.
Haomen controlled vast intelligence networks, so their leader's movements were top secret. Even the scheming Jegal family would struggle to track him.
They leaked it on purpose.
Jin Muhon's mind raced.
The Haomen leader had let slip his location to the jianghu.
Whether true or not was uncertain.
But clearly, it was a message for someone.
And that someone was likely...
Haomen leader... calling for me.
"Family Head?"
As Jin Muhon pondered, Jegal Yunmyeong cautiously called out.
Smack. Smack smack. Smack smack smack.
"Jin Family Head. Quit thinking and eat first. My stomach's about to stick to my spine."
Muheo spoke around a mouthful of food, chopsticks working furiously.
Jin Hayeon quickly dabbed at the stains on his beard with a cloth.
"Master, eat slowly without spilling."
"Right you are! You eat too!"
"I'll wait for Oepari uncle and eat with him."
"Huh? Something felt off. That guy's missing. But why hasn't he come back from parking the carriage?"
Creeeak—
As if summoned, the inn door swung open, and Oepari stepped inside.
The rough-looking one-armed man strode in with his empty sleeve flapping, and the din in the inn briefly hushed.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Oepari, eyes narrowed intently, headed straight for Jin Muhon's table.
Jegal Yunmyeong eyed him warily.
"Lady Jin, is he with your group too?"
"Yes, he's from our household."
"Hrm. Everyone from the Jin family has such spirit."
As Jin Hayeon smiled brightly,
Oepari bowed his head to Jin Muhon.
"Family Head."
Jin Hayeon pointed to the seat beside her.
"Uncle! Sit here!"
"Thank you, miss."
Despite his words, Oepari hesitated and didn't sit.
Jin Muhon glanced up at him.
"What is it?"
"Well..."
Oepari glanced around nervously.
Jin Muhon frowned.
"Out with it."
"While I was parking the carriage... someone gave me this odd item to pass to you, Family Head."
"What?"
This was Jin Muhon's first time setting foot in Wuhan.
Who would have a message for him?
Curious eyes from the entire group turned to Oepari. Even Muheo paused his chopsticks.
"An item? What kind? Some elixir?"
"Aigoo, Elder. What lunatic would entrust something that precious to me?"
"Then what?"
"They said... not to let anyone else see it."
Jin Muhon extended his hand.
"Hand it over."
"With all these eyes around, are you sure?"
Oepari rolled his eyes and whispered.
Jin Muhon gave him an incredulous look.
"Who the hell are you listening to like this?"
"It... it wasn't a guy. It was a pretty lady."
"Pathetic."
"S-Sorry! Here's the item she asked me to deliver!"
Oepari carefully placed something from his bosom onto Jin Muhon's palm.
Jin Muhon looked down to inspect it.
Muheo sidled behind him with a whistle to peer at it.
It was a worn, tarnished copper coin.
"Huh? I've seen this somewhere... What was it again?"
Jin Muhon picked up the coin.
Jegal Yunmyeong's eyes widened in recognition.
"Oh! That's a Haomen secret token!"
"Right! Now I remember! It's the coin those Haomen rats use. Why send it to the Jin Family Head?"
Jin Muhon flipped the token over.
On the back, in small, elegant script, were two characters.
⟐ Ghost Origin ⟐
The moment he confirmed the characters, Jin Muhon rubbed the token with his finger.
The surface smeared like mud, and the writing vanished.
"...!"
"...!"
The Jegal triplets' eyes bulged in shock.
"Huh? Weren't there words there? Why erase them?"
Ignoring Muheo, Jin Muhon stared intently at Jegal Yunmyeong.
Jegal Yunmyeong flinched and straightened up.
"Young master."
"Yes! Family Head!"
Jin Muhon paused in thought, then spoke.
"Is there a former Four Emperors sect in Wuhan?"
"Wuhan was originally the Four Emperors headquarters, so their affiliates are all outside the city—"
"No."
The youngest of the triplets, who had been silent, interjected.
Jegal Yunmyeong turned to him.
"Huh? No?"
"A few days ago, one of the old sects set up in the outskirts of Wuhan."
Jegal Yunmyeong's eyes widened.
"What? Why didn't you say so earlier!"
"I... I just learned today myself..."
"You should have spoken up the moment you knew!"
Thwack! Thwack!
Jin Muhon lightly struck the table.
The Jegal brothers fell silent and turned to him.
"So. What is that sect's name?"
"It's... Ghost Origin Temple, from what I heard."
Ghost Origin.
The meaning inscribed on the token was none other than
an invitation from the Haomen leader.