Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Return Home (1)
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"Hey, have you heard that news?"
"What now?"
"They say Heavenly Fortune Fist challenged the Green Forest King!"
"That madman's completely lost it now."
"He must've gotten arrogant after beating the String Music Sword."
It wasn't exactly earth-shattering gossip, but it was intriguing enough to catch people's attention. The Green Forest Bandits might be dismissed as mere thieves, but they wielded power and scale rivaling any major faction.
Not to mention the Green Forest King himself, Jang Pil-do.
Heavenly Fortune Fist's challenge came off as a pup yapping fearlessly at a tiger. Challenging the absolute ruler of the bandits wasn't a declaration of war—it was signing your own death warrant. Anyone could see he looked like a suicidal fool.
"Who else but a guy dying to get away? So, what happened?"
"What do you think? He got the beating of his life."
"That's it? He didn't die?"
"That's why they call him Heavenly Fortune Fist—his luck's through the roof."
"Even so, I can't believe the Green Forest King just let him go like that."
"It wasn't that simple. The guy got stripped of everything he had."
The challenge itself was shocking enough, but surviving and escaping was the real miracle. Even calling the Green Forest King one of the Five Kings, accepting a pup's challenge so readily felt off. If he wasn't plotting to kill the fool, it just didn't add up.
And yet, he'd lived.
"How much did he have to fork over to get out alive? Why not just rob him and kill him?"
"Brace yourself. They say it was over a hundred thousand nyang in gold."
"Holy crap! How the hell did that lunatic get his hands on that much money?"
"He stumbled into a cave and found gold bars or something."
"Even for luck, that's ridiculous. You sure it's not just a rumor?"
"They verified the vouchers issued from the Continental Battlefield. Heavenly Fortune Fist apparently threw a fit about it."
The idea of buying his life with cash left everyone dumbfounded. Any martial artist would find it shameful. He'd never admit it outright. Word even spread that he'd begged the Continental Battlefield to keep it quiet. Hard to deny the truth now.
And the amount made it all too believable.
Not silver—pure gold, a hundred thousand nyang. A massive sum squandered in one reckless moment. For the Green Forest Bandits, it was free treasure rolling right to them. Though it ended up in the Green Forest King's personal coffers.
"How does he show his face after pulling that stunt?"
"He's so ashamed he's gone into hiding, they say."
"Still a waste. A hundred thousand nyang could last a lifetime of leisure."
"Guess gold's just shit to a madman!"
"Either way, he's a riot. Single-handedly turned the boring murim upside down like a turd stirrer."
"True, guys like him are rare."
Murim saw all sorts of incidents, but this was the kind of monumental embarrassment that'd be talked about for years. It brought a chuckle to a world that had forgotten how to laugh.
"But get this—the funniest part."
"What?"
"He ended up sworn brothers with the Green Forest King."
"That make any sense?"
"It's like he's asking for more laughs later. Probably an investment on his part."
"The Green Forest King's got guts too."
The absurd tale ended with one last burst of laughter. Even the Green Forest King's flexible attitude earned some respect.
Brrrrr!
The middle-aged man reading the letter trembled violently, grinding his teeth in rage. His dignified demeanor, which seemed incapable of anger, shattered like fine glass.
-I gave him a proper thrashing, as you can imagine. You must be quite satisfied. Of course!
……(excerpt).
-Your one and only friend.
The exaggerated handwriting made the intent clear enough. The rumors had spread far and wide—no escaping them now.
"That filthy bandit scum dares to mock me!"
Zhuge Hyun swallowed his fury at the Green Forest King's taunt. By all rights, the fool should've died at the Green Forest King's hands. Instead, not only did he survive—he made it home unscathed.
On the surface, it was a challenge, but in truth, the Green Forest King had ambushed him at a pass, beaten him down, and taken the money.
The bandit sat back and pocketed a double windfall. Zhuge Hyun, meanwhile, had been thoroughly outmaneuvered.
The money was gone, and his goal had slipped away. Making another move wouldn't be easy. Whispers of hidden truths were leaking out—secrets only an insider could know.
"That damned bastard!"
It all traced back to Heavenly Fortune Fist. Trying to eliminate him had spiraled into this mess. Yet something still nagged at him. How had the fool amassed that much wealth?
"Think your luck will hold forever?"
Zhuge Hyun resolved to quash the rumors first, then punish the fool. Even if it meant mobilizing the full might of the Zhuge family, he wouldn't let it slide.
What a ridiculous family.
The Pine Tiger Sect she'd been observing was bizarre and unnatural. Famous locals in Cheongyang, but step outside, and hardly anyone knew them. Their influence was strictly neighborhood-bound.
Not a massive sect, nor overflowing with disciples. It made sense at a glance. But dig deeper, and it didn't.
The reason lay in their martial prowess.
Unlike typical minor sects, their average strength was impressively high. They might fall short of great clans, but they'd hold their own anywhere.
Especially the Vice Sect Leader and the Protectors—their power stood out.
I thought he was the only monster.
Pine Tiger Sect's Vice Sect Leader, Impartial Sword Kang Muho, was formidable. He and his brother had relentlessly beaten a fragile woman like her into submission. Yet their temperaments differed wildly. Unlike that rude, selfish brute, Kang Muho was polite.
Even his parents seemed normal.
So why this anomaly?
How could such a freak come from this family?
It made no sense. She'd checked for heavenly opportunities, but nothing fit. Five years ago, he was just Cheongyang's notorious playboy causing trouble. She'd assumed the scandals were fabricated, but most were true. They'd only dwindled because he'd stayed quiet these past five years.
He never even left the area.
Too short a time to stumble on a heavenly opportunity and master an art. Demonic cultivation? That didn't fit either.
And the elders' skills are relatively weak too.
Compared to top elites, the difference was negligible. In real combat, outcomes would be unpredictable. But were they on par with disciples? No, that wasn't quite right either. With disciples at such a high level, the elders weren't far behind.
Overall uniformity suggested perfect balance—but that ignored sect structure. In clans or sects, elders vastly outclassed disciples.
Any martial art deepened with age and experience, especially internal energy. Sure, rare young geniuses bridged the gap, but they were exceptions. Averages showed clear disparities.
And they know even less about him than I do.
Their shock at his String Music Sword victory said it all. If they knew his true power, they wouldn't be surprised. They should've expected it—not chalk it up to luck.
In truth, without insane luck, String Music Sword was no match. Less likely than lightning from a clear sky.
It's obvious to anyone.
He wasn't even pretending to hide it. He rarely contributed to the sect and kept quiet, but outside? He went wild.
"What're you thinking so deeply about?"
"Nothing."
"You're no fun. Have some tea."
"You're the busiest person in the sect—got time for this?"
"Things have eased up a bit."
The woman approaching her was that brute's wife. They'd chatted during her stay and hit it off, becoming sisters. The more they talked, the clearer it was she was too good for Mujin. Erudite, pragmatic—perfect for Chief Steward.
"Sis, what's so great about that guy?"
"Saying everything would be a lie. Love at first sight."
"First love, huh? Lucky bastard."
"Call him your brother-in-law. Keep saying 'that guy,' and he'll get mad."
"You didn't see how badly he beat me."
"It was sparring."
"Still."
"You asked for it."
"Ugh, no sympathy at all. Can't you take my side for once?"
"Sorry, but I'm Team Hubby. Unconditionally."
Her unwavering resolve left Nangong Yeonhwa throwing up her hands. No cracking that bond, no matter what. Watching her sister made Mujin's doting all too understandable.
"Match made in heaven. Gross."
"You'll meet someone someday who hits you like that at first glance. Though no one quite like my man."
"Sis, that was savage. I'm offended!"
"Couples start resembling each other."
"Not in that way!"
As they sipped tea, Taejin played with Mijoo in the clearing. A pure white kitten prowled nearby, an striking sight.
They're no ordinary kids.
Taejin's Little Dragon Tournament win played a part, but the real surprise was that little fox. So cunning, you fell for her tricks knowingly. Steel yourself against it? Impossible.
Just like her father. Facing her made you want to give her the world.
That was close.
Even Sword Emperor Grandpa nearly got fleeced by that kid, almost spilling family secrets. Unbelievable, even seeing the report.
But not pure greed. She knew when to pull back— in a ten-year-old's body.
And utterly lovable.
How'd a guy like him produce such a perfect kid?
The ultimate cuckoo's child.
Takes after her mom—adorably so. In a few years? She'd set men's hearts ablaze.
That guy's a total girl dad!
The men hovering around Mijoo worried her. Mujin wouldn't hand her over easily. More than enough evidence from what she'd seen.
That's when it happened.
A massive figure crossed the inner courtyard threshold.
"Daddy!"
Daddy?
Taejin and Mijoo's joys flipped, shattering Nangong Yeonhwa's reverie. She'd heard he was coming back, but not like this—totally out of the blue. Predictable as ever: utterly not.
"Whoa, my Mijoo! Been good?"
"I was waiting for you, Daddy."
"Brought tons of gifts for my girl—let's unwrap 'em later."
"I just need you, Daddy!"
Bliss overload—die already!
No fancy words needed. One line from Mijoo melted away Mujin's hardships.
This is why we live.
"You're back?"
Mujin scooped up Mijoo and looked at his wife. He'd missed her terribly. Seeing her unchanged made it real—he was home. He wanted to embrace her, catch up on lost time, but mustered ironclad restraint.
"I missed you."
"Me too."
That sufficed for Mujin.
No more words needed. With my daughter and wife together, I'm invincible.
Hey!
What about your son?
And me—I'm invisible!
Nangong Yeonhwa gaped at Taejin, sidelined from the family reunion. His wistful face rang bells. This wasn't his first rodeo.