Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: First Blood!
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In An-gang, south of Shaanxi.
An old man and a woman sat at a table on the second floor of a quiet inn. They shared a drink while enjoying pork and braised greens.
"It's been ages since we last went out like this."
"I wonder if it's worth all the hassle because of that guy."
"Looks like you've got a lot pent up. If there's someone on your mind, muster up some courage."
The woman let out a sharp retort, as if it were absurd.
"Grandpa! Don't talk nonsense! Who says I'm blocking anyone's marriage?!"
"Fair enough."
They looked like any ordinary grandfather and granddaughter you might see anywhere. But at a glance, they seemed utterly commonplace—Namgungseong and Namgung Yeonhwa. If they were the Sword Emperor and the Great Lotus Fairy, that very ordinariness became extraordinary.
The grandfather and granddaughter, who had secluded themselves in the Namgung household, had finally stepped out. Was it just a simple outing? No one could say that for sure. That was why they were disguised as ordinary folk.
"Grandpa, I'm your granddaughter. You should be on my side!"
"That guy's just too strong. And he treasures his wife and daughter above all else. Even for my own granddaughter, it'd be tough."
"That's not what I mean!"
"Good to hear."
The grandfather's calm words grated on Namgung Yeonhwa's nerves.
She harbored no feelings for Mujin. What was there to like about a guy with not a shred of manners? He was a brute with nothing but brute strength to his name.
Still, she had to admit that one thing—his strength—was absurd. Even her grandfather, whom she couldn't imagine losing to anyone in the world... she wouldn't say it out loud.
'That heartless bastard—hasn't even sent a single message!'
The moment things wrapped up at the Namgung household, he turned tail and vanished back to his clan without a backward glance. No contact since, just piles of work dumped on her. And when she thought they'd handle it together, he slipped away clean.
'What a mess. She's choosing hardship for herself.'
Yeonhwa tried to play it cool, but the Sword Emperor saw right through her. The human heart was a treacherous thing. If she hadn't faced Mujin's strength firsthand, she wouldn't feel this pang of regret. But what could be done? For a martial artist of the Kang Clan, martial prowess mattered more than anything.
The Sword Emperor swiftly changed the subject, hoping to ease his granddaughter's mind. Worrying wouldn't solve anything, and right now, they needed to focus on the task at hand.
"We must be cautious with this matter."
"You've got my back, and I'm no liability."
The Sword Emperor hadn't brought his granddaughter along on a whim. She had the skill to match. It might make him seem like a doting fool who only saw his granddaughter, but among her peers, few could rival her talent—saving that one guy for later.
She had every reason to be confident. Even so, the Sword Emperor fretted over her safety.
"Don't let your guard down, no matter what."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The old Yeonhwa would've brushed it off. She used to think the world revolved around her. But after clashing with Mujin, she faced the truth: there were heavens beyond heavens she couldn't touch with her own power.
"Do you think you can surpass him?"
"No way. Sometimes I wonder if the guy's even human!"
The Sword Emperor of old would've scolded her harshly, invoking Namgung pride. But coldly comparing Mujin and his granddaughter made the answer obvious. He himself couldn't guarantee victory—hell, he'd been utterly overwhelmed. Claiming he wasn't fully recovered was just a pathetic excuse.
"You've changed, Grandpa."
"In a world where you can't survive without changing."
"You really think there's some shadowy force like he said? I still can't believe it."
"Otherwise, we wouldn't have let him loose in the world."
Heaven's net is vast; none escape.
Those who spout heavenly principles are rarely the real deal—just incompetent fools consoling themselves by blaming the skies. But Mujin's power was excessive. Geniuses appeared in every era, yet Mujin had transcended that realm by leaps and bounds. Would heaven send down someone like him without reason?
Today, the will of heaven felt especially murky.
Such thoughts crossed the Sword Emperor's mind.
It might be overkill. But they couldn't afford to slacken their vigilance. With Mujin's warning, they had to take it seriously.
"If nothing happens, I'll make that bastard pay. I'll torment him endlessly—just you watch."
"To me, it looks like you're trying to find any excuse to see him."
Eek!
As Yeonhwa glared, the Sword Emperor feigned ignorance and sipped from the cup she'd poured. But life was unpredictable, especially matters of the heart between man and woman. All he hoped was that his granddaughter wouldn't get hurt.
Thud, thud!
A red-faced beggar climbed the stairs to the second floor of the inn. After greeting the old man, he took a seat.
It was Hong Mu-gae, the total branch leader of the Beggars' Sect.
"How did it go?"
"Preparations are complete."
Passing through corridors lined with barriers and traps revealed a dizzying sight. A poisonous domain teeming with venomous creatures and toxic plants. They grew within a defined area, structured to keep anything from entering.
It was as if another barrier enveloped the interior—a uniquely eerie place.
This was the Tang Clan's secret poison ground.
Some viewed the Tang Clan's poison techniques as their foundation, but in truth, this hidden ground was their true history. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say every poison learned and mastered in the Tang Clan came from the creatures and plants here.
Naturally, no one from the Tang Clan entered lightly. Only successive clan heads and their heirs were permitted.
Four people stood in the Tang Clan's secret poison ground.
The Poison King and the Poison Lord.
Mujin and Tang Yeonwoo.
An outsider—not even direct lineage—stepping foot here was unprecedented in Tang Clan history.
"These tricks are impressive. Can't find a way out at all."
"I said shut it."
Tang Sadok scowled and barked gruffly at Mujin's snark. He wondered if he should even let a guy complain like that in the clan's sacred poison ground.
But he couldn't argue back—Mujin's words weren't wrong. The poison ground was for the clan head alone. Bringing Yeonwoo here implied yielding the heir position to him.
Tang Yeonwoo stepped forward, blocking Mujin from Tang Sadok's view.
Tang Sadok's eyes sharpened.
"I'll protect my lord."
"You brat! The Tang Clan serves no one."
"I do."
"You're Tang Clan too."
Tang Sadok—and even Tang Myeonghu—felt uneasy at Yeonwoo's unyielding stance. Mujin had completely stolen his heart. It left a bitter taste. This mess was their fault for standing by. If anyone deserved blame, it was them.
"What a harmonious family—grandpa, dad, and grandson."
"Shut your trap!"
Tang Sadok's blood boiled seeing Mujin peek out from behind Yeonwoo and taunt them. If he hid properly, maybe—but the guy was built like a mountain. Yeonwoo couldn't fully shield him.
Poke, poke!
His cutesy act only fueled the urge to hurl Storm Rain Flower Needles.
"You got so blinded by pure-blood obsession you forgot what matters. Why not just pick based on talent? Like us warriors should."
"Every clan has its reasons. You think words alone make it simple?!"
"So, what's the reason? Probably something ridiculous."
"I said watch your mouth!"
Mujin's words cut deep. The more they talked, the worse Tang Sadok felt. He couldn't deny he'd caused this. But he couldn't just hand his grandson over to this punk either.
The talent to reshape Tang history was too precious to lose. Call it an old man's greed—he steeled himself. For the clan, he'd endure any humiliation.
"Step aside."
"Yes."
With Yeonwoo out of the way, Mujin faced Tang Sadok. The old man had brought him here, and the Poison Lord had sent Yeonwoo in. Officially for treatment, but the hidden intent was clear.
"No need for empty words."
"Sharp as a ghost."
"Won't be easy. I've got plenty of experience with this."
"Whoever you're comparing me to, I'm different."
"Sword Emperor."
"...What?"
Even Tang Sadok, who'd claimed difference, faltered. He'd never thought he'd lose to anyone in the martial world—but the Sword Emperor was another story. Among the Twenty-One Masters of the Divine Continent, the Sword Emperor vied for the top in swordsmanship. Though he'd never clashed directly, even the Poison King didn't underestimate him.
"Scared?"
"Think you can shake me with that agitator tactic?!"
Mujin inwardly cheered at Tang Sadok's rough reaction. Warriors were so predictably simple. They never easily admitted anyone stronger—especially if they believed their own arts unmatched.
-Foolish righteous fools.
'You think you're different?'
-I'm not.
'Oh yeah? That's why you got tamed.'
-...I grew up alone, basically.
'Lame excuse.'
Whether agitator tactic or provocation, with the Poison King reacting as predicted, Mujin made an offer impossible to refuse. Reject it now, and all their antics so far were pointless.
"A duel without a wager would be boring, right?"
"Spit it out!"
"Beat me, and I'll return Yeonwoo. Yeonwoo—if I lose, you fulfill your role as direct heir. That's an order."
Tang Sadok's brow furrowed deeply at Mujin's proposal. He couldn't read the guy's intentions. He'd thought he knew moments ago, but now it was murky again. His son said the kid surpassed the norm. Just breaking his momentum in the training hall showed he wasn't to be underestimated.
Yet a wager?
He felt provoked. Overconfident, was he?
In front of me.
Even with faith in his martial arts, this was arrogance. Anyone could see it as bait.
"In return, if I win, the Tang Clan goes all-in for Yeonwoo."
"We'd do that anyway. But since you asked for it, I can't help but show you the Tang Clan's spicy side."
"Music to my ears."
"Show me if your bravado matches your skill."
Tang Myeonghu and Tang Yeonwoo backed away, keeping their distance. Their auras clashed, whipping the interior into a vortex. In an instant, their battle intents locked sharply.
Woooong, papapap!
It wasn't just aura—it was blades. Countless blades hurtled densely, slashing at each other. The shock of their deadlock roiled the space with violent clamor.
A zone no one could approach.
To Tang Myeonghu and Yeonwoo, it was a wall. They could only watch from afar.
"Not just talk after all."
"I get that compliment a lot."
Any other punk saying that would've earned a harsh lesson, but Tang Sadok held back. No—he couldn't. The transmitted pure energy from their aura clash was astonishing.
On par with me.
'Where'd this monster come from?!'
No one from the Pine Tiger Sect he'd heard of, yet here was this powerhouse lurking in the shadows. Who could've known?