Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Poison King (1)
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The reputation of Mujin within the Tang Clan was changing day by day. He wouldn't have become an honored guest of the Tang Clan on luck alone, but pushing all the way to the Tang Clan's Ten Trials had shifted perceptions.
However, opinions on Mujin were sharply divided.
The warriors who had tested him had been utterly humiliated, and he had openly supported Dang Yeonwoo, who carried Western Region blood. There was no way their view of him could be favorable.
Yet he was an honored guest acknowledged by the Tang Clan's lord himself, and he possessed martial prowess to match. To a warrior, martial arts were the finest weapon representing themselves. No one could carelessly dismiss Mujin.
It was a frustrating reality for the Tang Clan's warriors.
They lacked justification to antagonize him outright. Annoyingly, Mujin hadn't stepped foot outside Jinwon Pavilion even once. It was a place for hosting the clan's honored guests, and they had gone to him to issue challenges.
In the meantime, the Tang Clan was swept up in turmoil.
The elders had decided to hold a contest to select a new young clan lord. However, they also resolved to give Dang Yeoncheon, who had stepped down from the position, a chance to redeem himself publicly through white-clothed service.
He had been the Tang Clan's young lord, after all, despite causing trouble. They couldn't strip him of everything for a single mistake. Moreover, if he demonstrated strength that satisfied everyone, it could reduce the grounds for discord.
While the Tang Clan grappled with internal affairs, Mujin enjoyed relative peace. No more challengers came. Who would want to tarnish their own honor by getting humiliated one after another?
Above all, to spar with Mujin, at least an elder-level figure would need to step up. Anything less was just a parade of embarrassments.
Yuk Chil returned.
He presented the Beggars' Sect's token, and Mujin had already mentioned Yuk Chil would be coming back. With Hong Mu-gae backing him, Mujin didn't interfere. The Tang Clan, already tangled in internal messes, had no desire to drag the Beggars' Sect into it.
"How'd it go?"
"We've decided on a simultaneous strike."
"If the schedule and personnel leak, it could get dangerous."
"That's why I don't know the exact details either."
"Looks like the Beggars' Sect pulled some strings."
"The Chief Branch Leader persuaded the Gang Leader."
Mujin brushed it off casually, but it meant something different to Yuk Chil. The sect was going all-in on this operation. If the plan went awry, it would deal a massive blow to their prestige. Success was mandatory.
"What about that guy?"
"He's on his way back from Peking."
"Keep a close eye on him. Don't step in."
"Message delivered."
History was shifting bit by bit. These changes birthed new connections and sparked unintended incidents. Since the kid hadn't learned martial arts, he could die if he stumbled into danger. Protecting his life was the bare minimum.
'He really has no clue, does he?'
The Mujin that Yuk Chil knew was strong. An absolute master with unimaginable martial arts. No need to overthink; there was nothing to fear. Just look at how he was lounging in the Tang Clan, stirring up trouble.
Whatever gave them the confidence to act like that, they'd lose their minds if they knew.
'Truth is, he has no plan at all.'
He was just rampaging on raw power. But that wasn't entirely accurate. Unseen, Mujin had done great things for the murim. He'd uncovered the Nangong family incident, preventing a split among the Five Great Families.
'Why does everything work out after the fact?'
Dismissing it as mere luck didn't fit—the Tang Clan business, his sharp insight. Hard to believe, but he had a real eye for people.
Even if the clan lord had spotted Dang Yeonwoo's potential, it was Mujin who had brought it to light.
What if me too?
"Not you."
"How'd you know what I was gonna ask?"
"You've got no talent. So don't trust my judgment."
"I'm pretty decent myself."
"One of the beggars, sure."
This guy always ruined any budding affection with a cold splash.
He acted purely on whim, yet no one doubted Mujin. At most, they wondered about hidden motives. And that, in itself, was a talent.
"The Nangong family agreed to help."
"Brats who can't even protect their own home, sticking their noses in."
"Can't you just say thanks?"
"I'm too embarrassed. I'm weak to praise."
Who says stuff like that out loud?
And shy? Please.
To Yuk Chil, who knew Mujin even a little, it was obvious bullshit. If he ever felt shame, the witnesses would be in danger. He might slaughter them to hide it.
"How's the Tang Clan?"
"Hard to call them allies, but denying it feels off too."
"That's good enough. Go check on Na Neung."
"That punk was itching to cause trouble."
"Tell him I'll chop off the hand if he misbehaves."
"Got it."
Na Neung was disguised as an inn guest. He was skilled at it, so no worries about exposure. But old thieves don't change stripes—if his fingers twitched, they'd have to come off.
Not long after Yuk Chil left Jinwon Pavilion, Dang Yeonwoo visited.
Hmm.
Mujin eyed Dang Yeonwoo with interest.
Pure talent-wise, he'd rank in the top ten of the continent's murim. But his personality had been weak-willed, far from the stubborn, ruthless Tang Clan temperament.
That aura had changed.
His exotic, sharply chiseled features had always carried kind, clear eyes. Now, Dang Yeonwoo exuded sharpness overall. A cold, refined edge.
-Even with the Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye, he's made progress in the meantime. It's pretty noticeable.
'Some people really take to it.'
-The stronger the desire to change, the greater the effect.
'Better than that spineless haze.'
Facing the Demonic Cult of the Demon God, Dang Yeonwoo had earned fame as the Golden-Haired Death God. But looking back, he'd just been used as the Tang Clan's weapon. His brilliance bred envy and jealousy.
"Must feel nostalgic."
"Not really."
"How's your condition?"
"We'll have to observe."
"No regrets?"
"None. I want to serve my lord."
Mujin had proposed to the pledging Dang Yeonwoo: Want to change your personality? Minor side effects, but he'd apply the Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye if desired.
The result? Dang Yeonwoo's temperament transformed, with astonishing results.
Unleashing the martial arts he'd secretly honed unleashed his potential explosively. He'd surpass the Golden-Haired Death God Mujin remembered. Those hidden arts were the real deal; with the seal broken, it was inevitable.
"Then build your strength first. I'll push you hard, so train without holding back like before."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Call me brother when others are around."
"Yes, brother."
Unlike his wholesome old self, this suited him far better. True nature matters. Dye his hair black, and he'd be a perfect sculpted handsome man. Something Iron Tiger couldn't approach even after a hundred bone-shifting rebirths—a natural beauty.
"Bad blood's coming. You okay?"
"He's not even my brother anymore. If he forgets his place, I'll punish him."
...What?
Side effect?
Can't use this on just anyone.
'What the hell happened?'
-He wanted a completely different personality.
'If he turns weirder, you're done.'
-Better than a half-assed pushover.
True, but this was a whole other person. Too natural to call it artificial.
Speak of the tiger, and he appears—the released Dang Yeoncheon stormed into Jinwon Pavilion. To reclaim young lord status, he'd need a contest. That alone enraged him. And the root of it all? Dang Yeonwoo.
"Back already? Craving my spot, huh? Too bad—you can't even enter the contest!"
"Look at you, prancing around at a level beneath my toenail despite the clan's full support. Who do you think you're threatening? You really think you can beat me?"
...Kuh!
Dang Yeoncheon's face twisted in shock at Dang Yeonwoo's icy momentum. It was scorn like freezing sleet. He hadn't expected this. The old Yeonwoo who fled or cowered at his sight was gone. Now, killing intent laced his presence.
'Hey, that's really Dang Yeonwoo?'
-Better than expected. Let's use it more.
'Still, this is overkill. Harsh words.'
-Kinder than you.
'This bastard's getting bolder.'
Stunned by Dang Yeonwoo's blunt truths at first, Dang Yeoncheon soon trembled with rage. A mongrel dared mock him. But the pressure intensified, skin prickling from the killing intent.
"Mongrel bastard! I'll kill you!"
Whoosh!
As he moved to draw, a blocking energy halted Dang Yeoncheon. A chill piercing the soul.
Mujin's fingertip pointed at him.
"That's far enough. It'll get boring if you go further."
"This is Tang Clan business! Stay out, outsider!"
"What if I say no, brat?"
"Who the hell are y—Gasp!"
The moment he stepped forward, Dang Yeoncheon shuddered, hairs standing on end. An intense thrill from toes to scalp wracked him. Mujin's rumored prowess exceeded imagination.
Reach out, and die. His body screamed the man could do it. Paralyzed within arm's reach, fury boiled over.
"You dog! Hiding behind an outsider?!"
"If you want it that bad, fight in some deserted spot where no one knows, even if we kill each other. All bark from a guy who came to test the waters."
Dang Yeoncheon ground his teeth but couldn't draw. Released just yesterday, more trouble might bar him from the contest.
"You'll never gain the clan's recognition. Not while I'm around!"
"I don't want it. And you can't stop me."
Dang Yeoncheon's face flushed purple at each sharp retort. A total stranger from the speechless past—like a schemer who'd hidden ambitions until now.
'Insolent mongrel—I'll kill you!'
His twisted, demonic grimace as he turned went ignored by Dang Yeonwoo, who remained impassive. No emotion flickered; only unshakable confidence that this fool couldn't touch him.
'The change is too drastic.'
-Isn't it for the best? Finally lives up to Golden-Haired Death God.
A pushover personality was exhausting to drag around. As long as he didn't commit evil, prioritizing self over others was fine.
'The Tang brat ate something fierce too. All good.'
Focusing on Dang Yeonwoo in the Tang Clan was profit enough. The rest weren't crucial. The clan lord was decent, but his limits were clear.