CHAPTER 80 - End of Hypocrisy
The young girl led Jin Muhon and his group to the outskirts of the county.
The estate was neither large nor small.
The walls were low, the main gate stood wide open,
and the signboard bore the words Seonghye Hospital in a clean, unadorned script.
"This must be the place."
Jin Muhon's gaze turned toward the interior beyond the gate.
"Hello, Family Head!"
"You've arrived!"
There were no guards stationed at the gate.
Instead, dozens of children—from toddlers around three or four to youths in their mid-teens—clasped their hands together and bowed politely.
"Hmm. Jin Family Head. What is this place?"
Buso-yong furrowed her brow slightly at the unexpected atmosphere.
Jin Muhon replied flatly.
"Seems like a shelter for children with nowhere else to go."
"Hmm. So it appears. But did you really come here without knowing what it was?"
"Yes."
"Then why?"
To Buso-yong, the estate looked perfectly ordinary.
Instead of answering, Jin Muhon looked down at the girl who had guided them here.
"Girl. What's your name?"
"Soyong, sir."
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
By coincidence, the girl's name matched that of the Okhwa Palace Lord.
Buso-yong met the girl's eyes with a curious expression.
"And your family name?"
"I don't have one. If I had to pick, it'd be Yu, after the director."
"I see."
Buso-yong narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the girl.
For a brief moment, the girl had shown clear displeasure at the mention of Yuil-do.
"He invited us all this way, so where's the director?"
"Ah, one moment!"
The girl dashed into the estate and spoke to what appeared to be the oldest boy there.
She soon returned to the group and bowed deeply.
"My apologies. The director suffered severe injuries from the sparring match a few days ago and is waiting for you in his quarters."
"No need for you to apologize. Lead the way."
"Yes, Family Head!"
Soyong took the lead across the estate courtyard.
The yard was spotlessly clean, without a single weed, modestly maintained but with evident care. Scattered here and there were artworks that seemed utterly out of place in such a setting.
"Jin Family Head."
At that moment, Buso-yong whispered softly at his side.
When Jin Muhon glanced at her questioningly, she nodded toward their surroundings.
Shadows lurking beyond sight.
A fair number of martial artists were concealing their presence.
The deeper they ventured into the estate, the more tense Hongcheong's face grew.
Jin Muhon, however, dismissed it casually and looked away.
"As you said, Palace Lord, things might get interesting."
"Hoho! Indeed."
Hongcheong felt her tension melt away at Jin Muhon's relaxed response.
The Family Head doesn't even bat an eye at something like this!
Buso-yong smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
"We'll follow the Jin Family Head's lead."
They rounded a building to reveal a lavish hall.
The gate had only shown dilapidated structures, but Yuil-do had cleverly hidden his indulgences within.
Soyong bowed politely before the door.
"This is as far as my duties go. I'll take my leave now."
Soyong hurried past Jin Muhon as if fleeing.
As she passed, Jin Muhon said,
"Thank you. You've done well."
"......"
Soyong suddenly halted in her tracks.
She turned back to Jin Muhon with complicated eyes.
Eyes brimming with unspoken words.
Soyong opened her mouth several times, glancing warily at her surroundings.
"It's fine. Don't push yourself."
"......!"
Jin Muhon smiled as if he knew everything, then turned away.
Step. Step. Step.
His footsteps proceeded into the hall without the slightest hesitation.
Soon, the three women of Okhwa Palace vanished inside as well, and the door creaked shut.
"Hoo......"
Soyong let out a deep sigh and bowed her head.
Inside the hall, another girl greeted the group.
She appeared about Soyong's age but was quieter and more stiff-faced, giving off a somber air.
"Director. Guests have arrived."
- Bring them in.
Yuil-do's voice came from beyond the door.
His tone lacked the vigor from days before, weighed down by his serious injuries.
Creak—
The girl opened the door and bowed.
"Please enter."
"Right."
Jin Muhon and his group stepped slowly into the room.
"Hmm......"
"Oh!"
Everyone paused to survey the interior.
It was far too spacious for a private chamber. One side held an ornate bed, and opposite it loomed a desk as vast as the bed itself.
The walls proudly displayed famous paintings and calligraphy, while porcelain pieces with graceful curves emitted a subtle glow, adding an air of mystery.
"Forgive me. I'm not well enough to come out far. Sit."
Above all, a simple table stood in the room's center, where Yuil-do sat to receive Jin Muhon and his group.
Buso-yong, who might have kicked him for rudeness under normal circumstances, had left everything to Jin Muhon today.
As Jin Muhon silently observed Yuil-do, Buso-yong and Hongcheong held their silence as well.
"Why stand there? In apology, I've prepared fine liquor. Sit and share a drink."
"......"
Jin Muhon smirked and took the seat facing Yuil-do.
Buso-yong sat to his right, Hongcheong to his left.
Yuil-do scanned the group with a gentle smile.
"After getting soundly beaten by your household servants, I quietly looked into what the Jin family is."
"Did you? And?"
"......"
Yuil-do's face darkened at Jin Muhon's abrupt casual speech.
But what could he say? He'd been thrashed by mere retainers, not even the family head.
Yuil-do sighed deeply and continued.
"Frankly...... I was astonished."
"Astonished? By what?"
Pour—
Yuil-do filled the empty cups before each of them to the brim.
No one touched the clear, rippling liquor.
"No poison. Quite the opposite—a medicinal brew. Martial artists who drink it steadily will find their inner energy slightly bolstered."
Yuil-do smiled knowingly at their suspicion and downed his own cup in one gulp.
"Kuh! Excellent!"
Thud!
He set down his cup.
His gaze toward Jin Muhon sharpened, as if piercing through everything.
"Until just a few years ago, no one in the jianghu had even heard of the Jin family. Yet suddenly, your name started rising and falling around Hubei. Astonishing."
"Was it?"
"Ahem!"
Yuil-do's displeasure was evident at the continued condescension.
Still, he pressed on with his prepared words.
"Incredibly, renowned unorthodox sects from across the land have been gathering in Unbong County lately. It must all be the Family Head's doing—how could I not be amazed?"
"You must have been shocked."
"......Yes."
Yuil-do's lips trembled.
Then Jin Muhon lifted his cup.
Yuil-do's expression brightened for an instant.
Fool.
His attitude screamed foul play with the liquor.
Jin Muhon smirked and brought the cup to his lips.
"Jin Family Head."
Buso-yong called softly to him.
"It's fine. You drink too, Palace Lord. Hongcheong as well. Oh, and why not remove your veils while we're at it."
"......?"
"......?"
Hongcheong's eyes widened as she looked at Buso-yong.
Buso-yong stared fixedly at Jin Muhon and asked,
"Are you sure it's safe?"
The corner of Jin Muhon's mouth curved up.
Buso-yong shuddered involuntarily.
His smile didn't reach his eyes, which gleamed with thick killing intent.
Why so suddenly......?
Jin Muhon downed his cup.
Yuil-do's eyes bulged.
"If you're curious, drink it. You'll find out."
"......"
Buso-yong emptied her cup without a word.
Then she turned to Hongcheong.
"Remove your veil."
"Yes."
"Yes, Master."
Hongcheong promptly unveiled herself and gracefully lifted her cup to her lips.
Her alluring gaze turned toward Jin Muhon.
"Hup!"
Jin Muhon showed no reaction, but Yuil-do flushed red and gasped.
"Uh...... uh...... truly...... a beauty."
Slap—!
Without warning, Jin Muhon backhanded Yuil-do across the face.
"Gahk!"
Crash! Clatter!
Yuil-do tumbled into the corner of the room.
"......!"
"......!"
Buso-yong and Hongcheong stared at Jin Muhon in shock.
Jin Muhon lifted the liquor flask and poured into his empty cup.
"I had my doubts at first. But people are all the same. The Demonic Cult had scum like you too."
"Ugh...... what is this?!"
Blood and broken teeth trickled from his mouth.
Yuil-do clutched his battered stomach from Oepari's earlier blow and struggled to rise.
Jin Muhon swirled his cup gently and spoke lowly.
"It's said there's no business more profitable than dealing in people. Boys sold as slaves, girls to brothels. And from how you can't hide your lust, you've tormented plenty of the girls here too."
"W-what nonsense! I'm known as the Great Hero of Jiangnan! I've never done anything shameful in my life!"
"Sure. Hypocrites like you lack shame anyway."
"Jin Family Head!"
Jin Muhon took another sip.
Thud.
Yuil-do winced at the sound of the cup being set down.
Despite the blow from Jin Muhon, fear gave way to anger in his eyes.
Jin Muhon regarded him coldly.
"But here's the odd part. Plenty of ways to avenge yourself against that one-armed bastard."
"What are you talking about?"
Now even Yuil-do dropped the formalities.
His aura steadied as time passed, confidence gleaming in his eyes.
"The men you have hidden around. At least twenty of them. Why not just swarm us? Why bother with this precious energy-draining poison?"
"......"
Yuil-do's eyes widened.
Hongcheong cried out in alarm.
"E-energy-draining poison?!"
"Master! My inner energy won't move!"
Inexperienced in the jianghu, Hongcheong panicked at the mere blockage of her qi.
Buso-yong frowned and scolded her disciple.
"Panicking over this much? Calm yourself."
"B-but, Master!"
"Enough!"
Buso-yong glared sternly, and Hongcheong finally shrank back.
Creeeak.
Then the door opened, and a man entered.
"I'll answer that."
"......?"
Jin Muhon turned with puzzled eyes.
Was this a Demonic Cult thug?
"Long time no see, Palace Lord."
But the man's gaze passed Jin Muhon and fixed on Buso-yong.
Her brow furrowed deeply.
"......You."
The man stared piercingly at Buso-yong with blazing eyes.
"I am the Blue Sword Wanderer, Gwak Cheol-un! For the past ten years, I've carried your palanquin with you alone in my heart! Yet you never spared me a glance!"
"......"
Only then did Jin Muhon recognize him.
The palanquin bearer Buso-yong had slapped and dismissed.
The others had died in the Demonic Cult ambush, oblivious that she'd saved his life—and now he'd schemed his way close like this.
"Yuil-do here is my old friend! And my jianghu brothers, long out of touch, have gathered to help today!"
"Hmph! Madmen."
"Yes! Mad! Today, I'll make you my woman! Your disciples too! Then toss them to my brothers! Uhahaha—"
Slash—
A chilling sound echoed through the room.
The palanquin bearer's laughter cut short.
"Wh......?"
His jaw hung askew.
Blood poured down to the floor.
"Ugh? Uhghk!"
The man clutched his gushing jaw in bewilderment.
As Buso-yong looked at him pityingly,
Jin Muhon's heavy voice rang out, the Four Emperors Sword already drawn.
"Palace Lord. I told you it wouldn't be fun."
Buso-yong extended a finger over her cup.
Drip...... drip...... drip......
Poison dripped from her fingertip.
Having sensed the trick early, she'd gathered the poisoned liquor at her fingertip.
She flicked the final drop lightly.
Splat—!
The palanquin bearer's head burst like fireworks.
"No. It's plenty fun."
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Footsteps pounded down the hall outside.
As Jin Muhon began to rise slowly,
Slash-slash-slash—whoosh!
- Graaahk!
- Aaaah! Spare me! Please!!
- Sp-spare meeee!!
Flesh and bone ground in the corridor, then silence fell like death.
Step. Step. Step.
Creak—
The door opened, carrying a thick stench of blood inside.
Jin Muhon's eyes widened slightly.
"You?"