Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Flow of Time (2)
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“Can't keep holding onto our busy little brother with all his official duties. Hurry up and head down.”
“Aren't you going too far!”
“With what?”
“You're dumping everything on your little brother and planning to live easy yourself.”
Mujin took no part whatsoever in the clan's events. He left everything to Muho and was enjoying an unintended life of leisure. But if you looked closely, he had plenty to do. Just taking care of his wife and kids took up more than a full day. On top of that, he was putting effort into strengthening the unseen foundations.
“Who told you to be the successor?”
“It's a scam, a scam!”
“You pledged your word like it's heavier than gold and staked your family on it—now you're going back on it? Fine, then do it that way.”
Muho's insides boiled at Mujin's nonchalant attitude. But there was nothing he could do. No one would believe him anyway. He had led the entire overhaul of the Pine Tiger Sect himself. He couldn't back out now.
“I'll end up looking like the liar!”
“If you get it, then go enjoy the dignity of the young master. My dear little brother. This big brother has to chop more wood to keep the clan warm.”
Muho grumbled as he changed into spare clothes to maintain his dignity and headed down the mountain. His complaints had increased, but Mujin felt proud of his brother for sticking with it all this time.
“That guy.”
Things that hadn't been visible due to hardships in the past were starting to show. His brother wasn't just mature and taciturn. He showed the innocence befitting his age. He was being crushed under a heavy burden because of Mujin.
Was that why?
Maybe he wanted to tease him, even if his heart wasn't in it. Watching his brother's tantrums just made him feel pleased.
Whoosh!
With a gesture of his hand, a massive tree trunk was sliced clean through and turned into firewood. When his formless will reached its peak, it cut evenly along the grain without even needing his hands.
The War King Art was based on the armed flow style. Invisible, yet a natural flow enveloped his body.
-He's definitely a monstrous guy.
'A Demon King calling a person a monster.'
-He's almost caught up to your past achievements.
'In terms of internal energy, yeah.'
Mujin hadn't slacked off for five years. He'd focused on reclaiming his past achievements. Even Cheon-gyeong had to acknowledge Mujin's martial arts. He understood why Mujin was so confident.
Five years wasn't short, but it was woefully insufficient to reach completion. Yet the War King had fully restored his former self in just five years. Moreover, his understanding of martial arts had deepened even further.
'I've been living looking only ahead all this time.'
Unlike his future self, who had fought nonstop without rest, he now had time to reflect. He'd worried about growing lazy, but it had instead become the catalyst for perfectly establishing his martial arts.
“If we keep going like this, our sect should be fine.”
-What about the world?
“If I can save it, I will. If not, leave it to heaven. 'Heaven's net is vast and none escape it,' right?”
-Selfish bastard.
“Why would the Demon King care about the world? You some kind of hero?”
-Well, I knew you'd say that.
Mujin's goal was the safety and peace of his clan.
The world came after that. Once he'd cultivated himself and his family, he'd worry about governing the state and pacifying the world if possible. Aspiring to world peace while failing to protect his own family was just foolishness in anyone's eyes.
“You know me. I'm the War King.”
-You're the bigger braggart!
“Who cares? I accept it.”
-Don't accept it, you punk!
“That's more like the Demon King.”
-Not you!
As Mujin and Cheon-gyeong spent time together, they were influencing each other's temperaments. Normally, people would mind if their nature was affected, but both were indifferent to it.
But in a way, it was natural.
They were the War King and the Demon King.
They possessed unshakable pride in themselves and immovable resolve. They weren't weak enough to be swayed by those around them.
Moreover, absolute masters rarely had flapping ears. They were stubborn—if not more so—and some wouldn't change course even when embarrassed by heading in the wrong direction.
Back then, he'd smash their heads, but now they'd be fine. Should he smash them again? Tough call.
“Anyway, still the same?”
-Seems like it.
“Can't even break a single seal like that, Demon King?”
-Why not treat me like the Demon King and say it? You told me to shut my trap before.
“Incompetence is a sin.”
-You damned—! Ah, ah... Don't close it!
You think I won't close it just because you say not to?
Mujin taunted him and then cut off the soul resonance. It was one of the tricks he'd been using effectively for five years.
“You know it works anyway.”
He anticipated the Demon King's furious struggles. Along with soul tempering, he handled the training of his special abilities. He didn't even need the Dual Mind Art; having two souls allowed individual training, which combined into overall combat power.
“As long as I watch that ability, it's nothing much.”
But that ability was no joke. It was one of the Demon King's fearsome powers. Which meant those guys could use abilities too.
The Pine Tiger Sect had become far more solid internally compared to five years ago, even if it didn't show externally. Especially after stabilizing its finances from chronic deficits, it could now select and invest in martial artists.
It wasn't an achievement for the short term. He'd put steady effort into long-term plans.
Now, five years later, the Pine Tiger Sect had grown into a mid-sized sect with 150 martial artists. Though outnumbered by great sects, it had established a foothold in Cheongyang.
That said, it didn't expand its scale or influence. Instead, it focused on stabilizing and strengthening its existing territories.
“Creating variables and exploiting gaps is a valid battle tactic, but if the foundation crumbles, you lose the capacity to seize those variables. No matter how sharp your combat sense, the gap in capability is real.”
“We'll keep it in mind, Vice Sect Leader!”
Those receiving instruction from Kang Muho were the Crimson Tiger Squad, considered the Pine Tiger Sect's top elite among its three great forces.
The three squads—Azure Tiger Squad, Black Tiger Squad, and Crimson Tiger Squad—each consisted of thirty-five members.
Each squad received swordsmanship instruction from Kang Muho at set times.
To Crimson Tiger Squad Leader Yoo Wi-gang and his members, the Vice Sect Leader was the perfect lord. He possessed character and skill beyond his years. In particular, he had refined the sect's Pine Tiger Ten Swords into the Five Swords, boosting their power.
'If the Vice Sect Leader had the personality to step forward, he wouldn't fall short of any great sect heir.'
'To refine swordsmanship at that age—truly astonishing.'
It was enough to set an example for others.
Succession changes usually brought unrest or division, but there was no turmoil—the sect had only grown stronger, demonstrating its solidity. It was just that the focus on internal strength kept it from showing outwardly.
Soon, the Pine Tiger Sect would be a sect drawing attention beyond Cheongyang into Anhui Province. And at its center would be the Vice Sect Leader.
'What a burden.'
Muho pretended not to notice, but he could tell from their expressions. They saw him as an object of admiration, but in truth, he was just his brother's punching bag. He got beaten every day, and no one knew.
That said.
'He doesn't exactly hide the bruises.'
If he even tried to cover them up, it might be different. But his brother was never one to hide himself. He just didn't show it. Well, he didn't wander around outside anyway—he holed up in his room. He went out once or twice a year at most, and never for long.
'Guess that's a relief.'
He knew his brother better than anyone in the clan.
Unlike before, he joked around and laughed heartily now, but the aura he exuded in moments was chilling. Like the sharpness of a battle-hardened veteran?
Lately, though, he'd started doubting if it was all real. Part of him felt uneasy, wondering if he was being fooled by bluster.
“Hoho, still working hard as ever.”
“It's what we must do.”
It was Elder Kang, one of the sect's elders.
He nodded with a satisfied smile at the Crimson Tiger Squad's training. He'd been skeptical when the Vice Sect Leader said he'd instruct personally. Teaching was a different realm from personal skill. Even renowned martial artists often taught poorly.
But Muho was exceptional.
'Truly astonishing.'
The Crimson Tiger Squad was outstanding. They might not match a great sect's elites, but they far surpassed other sects. Especially their eyes—brimming with confidence.
And it wasn't just the Crimson Tiger Squad.
The Azure and Black Tiger Squads had improved beyond measure compared to the past. The time to break out of remote Cheongyang was approaching.
'That shock still lingers.'
He'd said he'd newly established the sect's swordsmanship. Even with firm trust in Muho, it had been hard to believe. But after experiencing it firsthand, he'd been left speechless.
He'd perfectly patched the flaws in the Pine Tiger Ten Swords and reborn them as practical blades. The impact from back then was still talked about.
“At this rate, we might become Anhui Province's top sword sect. Hohohoho.”
“Don't say that, Granduncle! Someone might hear and get scared.”
Anhui Province's top sword sect was, without question, the Nangong family. The core of the Five Great Families, the pinnacle of prestige, the Heaven-Piercing Sword Clan! They were hailed as the world's greatest sword family. Discussing Anhui's top spot with the Nangong family around? They wouldn't let it slide just because it was from the orthodox faction. As orthodox, they staked their lives on pride and honor.
“True enough.”
“But no one knows the future, right?”
“Hoho, you've got me there, Vice Sect Leader.”
Elder Kang was delighted.
The Nangong family might take offense, but the Vice Sect Leader's ambition mattered. The Pine Tiger Sect's future hung on his sword. Watching Muho grow day by day made him feel full without eating.
“What brings you here?”
“What do you mean? Just dropping by. But for the clan's future, shouldn't you secure an heir too?”
“I'm not ready yet.”
“Hoho, your father is worried.”
“I'll make an effort.”
The Vice Sect Leader was 28. Not young. By that age, many had married and had children. His focus on martial arts had delayed it. To ease worries, he needed to produce an heir before it got later.
“I'll make an effort too.”
“I don't want to burden you.”
“Burden? Nonsense. Nothing is more important to me.”
“Understood.”