Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Self-Inflicted Trap (1)
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The appointed date had come and gone. By now, if he was coming, he should have already arrived, but there was no sign of him. Was there some other problem? That made sense—Ami Sect, Qingcheng Sect, everywhere he went, he'd stirred up massive incidents.
The severity of the situation far exceeded expectations. It was proof that shadowy forces had infiltrated the very marrow of the orthodox sects. And yet, the Beggar Clan, the central hub of information, knew nothing.
If this damned guy hadn't stumbled onto it by chance, the entire martial world might have been quietly seized by those shadows without anyone the wiser.
That was why his words couldn't be ignored.
Ignore them, and the ones who suffered losses were predetermined. Deep down, he wanted to shove this guy to the front lines, but who knew what chaos that might unleash.
Considering his petty, materialistic vulgarity that no true orthodox sect member should possess, and his vengeful, filthy temperament, it could turn into a terrifying disaster.
Why had the heavens bestowed such transcendent martial prowess on a scum like this? He still couldn't comprehend it. Lately, even the heavens themselves felt infuriatingly unjust.
Anyway, this rootless madman had sent word and then failed to show on the due date. They couldn't just sit around waiting idly. Not everyone had the luxury of leisurely wandering the rivers and lakes like him.
Some lounged about doing nothing, while others toiled until their feet bled.
The world was truly unfair.
But what could be done? That was the truth of how the world turned. Unfairness might even be the driving force that kept the realm spinning. If everyone were content with reality, no one would strive for progress.
In any case, as the saying went, the thirsty dig the well.
Hong Mugae ran until sweat soaked his feet. He crested a ridge leading to the next destination, mountains rising ahead.
'Blood scent?'
A fishy tang of blood carried on the wind made Hong Mugae tense. Something was happening up ahead. As he drew closer, the ripples spread, and signs of life dwindled rapidly.
An open clearing.
Human bodies lay torn into chunks like butchered meat, splattering everywhere, the ground soaked in fresh blood.
A grin split his face!
When he spotted the bastard beaming brightly amid the sea of blood, Hong Mugae felt his own blood surging in reverse.
And then the fool said,
"You made it!"
"You mad bastard!"
He'd fretted over whether this lunatic had run into trouble. How foolish. If a monster like him had fallen, the continent would be in uproar. The lack of news was the best news.
"Don't curse. It hurts my delicate feelings."
"Shut up!"
"Nice day out. Shall we grab a drink?"
"That's why you're insane!"
Heaven and earth painted red with blood, and he wanted to drink?
And nice day? Bullshit—it was overcast. Couldn't he see those thunderheads blanketing the sky?
Hong Mugae had never met such an irredeemable wretch in his life. Everywhere he went, disasters followed.
A walking storm cloud over his life.
What fresh hell was this time... He didn't even want to know.
Don't say it!
Please, nooooo!
"It's a frame job. I'm the victim."
"What kinda dogshit nonsense is that?"
"Killed 'em all and planned to pin it on the bandits."
"Them?"
Hong Mugae glanced back to see deranged bandits frozen like statues. Their heads were half-crushed, minds shattered. The standard state for those who'd encountered a fiend.
"Hey, you lot trying to rob me! Snap out of it! Want me to help?"
They jolted!
Finally shaking off shock and terror, Jang Geum-tak turned to the fool who'd been his mark. Facing the maniac, his legs glued to the ground like clamps.
'I tried to rob that psycho?'
This otherworldly reality was unbelievable. He hadn't even seen him move. A master leagues above, a blood-soaked killer demon.
And yet, his face lit up innocently for a moment.
Chills, full body.
Jang Geum-tak sensed it. Today was a pivotal crossroads in his life. One wrong word, and the King of Hell awaited. Should've grabbed a last meal if he'd known.
In a sly voice unfit for his burly frame,
"Heh heh heh. We're fully snapped to attention! But why the anger, sir?"
"I just spared your worthless hides. These are Zhuge Clan bastards."
"Why would the Zhuge Clan target us?"
"You should've listened closely. Can't grasp the situation? No street smarts either."
"Not to me, but... Ah! Yes, sir!"
Mujin's scowl made Jang Geum-tak and the bandits' legs buckle. They clung to sanity through sheer willpower. For bottom-feeder bandits like Black Sheep Band, this terror was unbearable. All their faces drained pale.
"Zhuge Clan? So they were after you?"
"Looks like Heavenly Hand Gate got hit by Blood Rakshasa Gate. Otherwise, no reason to target me."
He guessed Heavenly Hand Gate in Wuhan, where he'd clashed escorting Hwang Wo-cheol, had been crippled or destroyed by Blood Rakshasa Gate. The Zhuge Clan would have investigated, uncovering Mujin's involvement.
For the Zhuge Clan, it was salt in the wound—the Tang Clan affair had also derailed because of Mujin. Coincidentally, he'd meddled there too.
"Tang Clan mess aside, the Zhuge Clan has plenty of grudges against you."
"Why's it my fault? They raised their kids wrong. Raise 'em right like me, no successor squabbles."
Cheol-ho, Na-reung, Yuk-chil wondered if this guy could spout such blasphemy. No fear of heaven? A hundred thunderbolts might prove justice alive.
Dry sky lightning was due.
Though even that wouldn't kill him.
At least Taejin was spared the nonsense—pure bliss. Hearing it in person, he'd bite his tongue before his parents.
"Live righteously, and you end up screwed like me."
"No conscience at all?"
"I'm innocent. You know it. All their fault, trying to dump blame on bandits. I killed 'em clean but even spared some."
What?
Finally getting it, Jang Geum-tak and Black Cat grasped the plot. The corpses—easily slain, but no pushovers. Each could wipe their band effortlessly.
'Tried to kill us and drive a wedge between him and the bandits!'
'Those rat bastard Zhuge dogs!'
Jang Geum-tak and Black Cat rubbed their chilled necks. One slip, and today would've been their death anniversary. The mad blood demon up front was their savior.
"Then these are likely the Zhuge Clan's covert strike force, the Secret Killer Squad."
"You knew?"
"Figured as much."
"Why not expose them?"
"Not just their issue. And only idiots leave evidence."
The Beggar Clan had only recently sniffed out the Secret Killer Squad, formed to handle underworld problems. But the Zhuge Clan would deny it outright. Pushing without proof risked fracturing the orthodox sects.
"Pathetic. If mid-tier sect, Beggar Clan would've crushed 'em. One misstep, poof—gone."
"Can't ignore a clan's scale in reality. Solid proof's key to smashing it."
Hong Mugae conceded Mujin's sharp point. Small sects couldn't defy the Beggar Clan. But Zhuge Clan? Even they hesitated. They'd have excuses ready. Justice needed power backing.
"Exactly! Should've spared one! Why kill 'em all?"
"The advance scouts who went down first will return soon. They're the signalers."
Disguised merchants leaking Mujin's info, set to regroup with the squad. Normally ample evidence, but linking to Zhuge Clan? Tricky.
Mujin called a bandit.
"Hey."
"Yes, sir!"
"Can you handle it?"
"Handle what?"
"A few more coming back. Swarm 'em, kill half maybe? All? Nah, you're not total trash. I believe in bandit grit."
Believe a stranger you just met?
Jang Geum-tak and Black Cat paled. Knew he was unhinged, but this? He could end it himself, yet dumped it on them.
And "half"? Our lives cheaper than flies? Existential doubt hit. Not why they chose mountain outlaw life.
Even in this dog-eat-dog world, survival instinct ruled. Pride-less Jang Geum-tak groveled.
"Great hero, why not handle it cleanly yourself?"
"Weren't you Seven Purity Mountain's boss? Mountain trouble, boss fixes it. Right?"
True, but why you say it?
You're the root cause!
Without Mujin crossing Seven Purity Mountain, Black Sheep Band would've chugged along fine.
Karma clear, but they stayed mum. Fists made law. Irk the monster, instant annihilation.
"Please spare us!"
"Scaredy-cats made fine bandits. Tch, fine. Help the kids. And you!"
Black Cat's heart dropped at Mujin's point. Steadying his quake, he asked,
"Why me?"
"Not serving your benefactor?"
Ah!
Sighs erupted. Shamelessness beyond imagination. Disaster incarnate claimed savior. Hard to deny—without him, massacre.
"Follow me."
"I'm better at serving!"
Quick Black Cat stepped up; Jang Geum-tak pleaded he was better guide. Safer than facing Secret Killer Squad—head to stronghold.
"Main force wiped, so maybe three stragglers max. Braggarts. Gotta report to Bandit King, but run if you want."
"Black Cat's the server. I'll catch those rats myself! Trust me—I'm Jang Geum-tak, Black Sheep Band chief of Seven Purity Mountain!"
Peak bandit survivalism. Show weakness, wolves pounce.
Mujin didn't mock the bluff. Black Sheep Band owed the Bandit King a report. No intent to hush this.
"Pulled off quite the scheme."
"Zhuge Clan thinks bandits are jokes. Heh heh heh."
Hong Mugae spiced Mujin's words reluctantly. Prioritizing Mujin over Zhuge Clan. Otherwise, he'd have defended or exposed the squad.
-Helping me out.
-Got it. I'll go easy later.
-...What?
-You'll punch me someday.
-...?
Hong Mugae, trying to score points via transmission, gaped. This guy's logic defied norms. "Owe a beating later, so discount now!" Speechless.
-Why hit me?
-Reason'll come.
-Just 'cause!
-I'm not that shameless.
-Like you're not!
-Anyway, I'm hitting you—what now?
-Tyrant!
-Kidding.
Mujin grinned innocently, but Hong Mugae chilled. Too ominous to dismiss. Lingering grudge vibe.
-Deep pettiness persists even rewound.
'Shut up.'
Demon King chimed in armed with facts, ignored as usual. Not petty—fair repayment on grand scale.
Sin in future? Collect in past.
-Torment for uncommitted crimes.
'Will commit.'
Fate cruel. Hong Mugae destined to earn that punch—Mujin, self-proclaimed physiognomist, foresaw it. Thus cautious. No escape from brutal fate.
Mujin eased cowering Black Cat's guide duty.
"Don't chalk it to bad luck. They'll uncover it eventually, but those guys camped here waiting for me. Bound to happen— not your misfortune."
"Of course, sir. Your grace."
"Pretty sharp."
Off mountain path, Black Sheep stronghold in secluded spot.
Black Cat, Mujin, Hong Mugae reached entrance; lax guard bandit questioned.
Shuuuaang!
No better explanation. Mujin's hand sliced air; bandit blinked fish-eyed. Clueless. Even knowing, no defense.
Craaaack, kuuuung!
What?
Shouting bandit whirled, jaw dropping. Massive tree left of stronghold tilted, slid severed, crashing thunderously.
Mujin asked,
"Questions?"
"...!"
Any?
Sliced a ten-zhang distant giant tree barehanded. Who'd query then? Like emperor saying "eat comfortably, I'm the veggie"—though Mujin'd crave Sichuan Mapo Tofu mid-feast.
Hong Mugae grew exasperated watching. Disliked bandits, but not this harsh. Who was hero, who bandit?
"What're we supposed to say to that?"
"Exactly."
Mujin knew. Just lazy for verbose explanation. Simple: Mess with honest folk like thieves do? This happens.
Dare demand citizen treatment!
Mujin never tolerated ignoring basic decency.
You know, vulgar acts soil even good horses. Spared on first meet? Heavenly mercy—live right. Bandits fair game to kill on sight.
"Who the hell... Hngh!"
Startled bandits swarmed; Mujin felled another tree. Aghast, they shut up like honeyed mutes.
"Go help your boss."
"Yes sir! Great hero's command! Help the boss quick!"
"Run, and deal with it. This is famed Beggar Clan Hong Mugae. Run if you can. Reporting to bandits too—cowardly deserters."
"No running! Let's go!"
Stronghold bandits grabbed arms, sought operating boss frantically. Delay meant no extra lives. Uncharacteristically swift—not typical Black Sheep.
Ah!
Black Cat witnessed textbook intimidation.
Most masters too proud for such threats, but fused force and circumstance into ultimate coercion. Emperor might tribute. Epitome of bandit necessity.
'What took so long to show.'
King material.
Bandit King.