Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Homecoming (2)
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"Isn't this going too far?!"
"What is?"
"Do you have any idea how long Grandpa and I waited?!"
"No clue. I only got back yesterday."
The Sword Emperor and Nangong Yeonhwa had to wait another full day and a half just to meet Mujin. Reuniting with his family and catching up had taken forever. After all they'd been through waiting, shouldn't he at least show some basic decency? This guy didn't even pretend to follow the bare minimum.
Ahem.
As his granddaughter pressed him, the Sword Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze. It was wiser not to tangle with her when she was in full nagging mode. Has she always been like this? he wondered, worrying about her future.
Will she ever get married? Ever since she'd started hanging around Mujin, her speech had gotten rougher, too.
"We didn't even set a prior appointment, so what's with the big fuss?"
"You know this incident isn't simple! Of course we'd come looking for you. Were you planning to just dump the task on us and wash your hands of it?!"
Ahem.
Well, when she put it like that...
To track the shadow faction, the Nangong family had dispatched their main forces. They'd achieved no small results, but the losses were heavy too. The shadow faction was more meticulous than expected, and even their underlings were formidable. Even with Grandpa stepping in, subduing them had been a struggle.
"That's why I told you to be careful."
"Telling us to be careful doesn't cut it! What about the people who died?!"
"If we hadn't stopped them this time, even more could have perished."
"So you're off the hook?"
"Hey, watch your mouth with your brother-in-law!"
"Or what?"
"Master Nangong would be heartbroken. Let's step out to the back garden for a bit. I'll teach you some manners."
...This damned guy!
The moment Mujin glanced at the Sword Emperor, Nangong Yeonhwa was floored. He was openly threatening to beat her right in front of her grandfather. He'd gone out, come back, and turned even more shameless. What kind of life had he lived to become such a scoundrel?
"Yeonhwa, that's enough."
"Grandpa, after hearing what this jerk said?"
"He's right."
"Grandpa... Fine."
At the Sword Emperor's firm tone, Nangong Yeonhwa backed down.
Mujin wasn't entirely blameless, but without him, they never would have uncovered it. He'd quietly accomplished something huge. When weighing merits against faults, his contributions far outweighed any issues.
"Was the journey too arduous?"
"You're the only one who understands my heart, sir."
"Don't say that—your family might feel slighted."
"Can't compare them to family, now can I?"
An arm always bends inward. Sure, there might be minor misunderstandings sometimes, but if someone could twist his arm outward, he'd concede.
-Is that what you call conceding?
'We settle it fairly in a fight. Since when has the martial world been won with words!'
Mujin didn't love it, but the Demon King agreed. He despised petty politics over honest martial prowess.
Those who rise by the tongue fall by the fist, after all.
"So, how's the son?"
"I love my son too."
Nangong Yeonhwa admired how well Taejin was growing on his own. Despite such blatant favoritism, he wasn't turning crooked—he was raising straight and true. Early childhood education was crucial, yet here was total chaos. Normally, a father like this would produce a hopeless delinquent.
It was like a rabid dog of a father siring a tiger cub.
"From what I see, you and this shadow faction seem bound by fate."
"Please don't say such frightening things. Facing a massive undercurrent that could blanket the martial world in darkness is a job for prestigious clans and sects. A wastrel from a minor sect like me helps best by staying out of the way. Stepping in would just ruin everything."
Nangong Yeonhwa barely held back a retort itching at her lips. He was pretending to humbly downplay himself, but really, it was a sly way to dodge the hassle. She wanted to slap that gold-plating off his face as he tried to wriggle out alone.
'Experience is hard to ignore, huh?'
-Too many coincidences to call it chance.
Even so, the Sword Emperor wasn't judging solely by reputation. It was the sharp insight of a top-tier expert from the Twenty Heroes of the Divine Continent. And compared to their last meeting, his aura had shifted again.
"You've gotten stronger."
"You can tell?"
"This must be your true form now."
"Time still beats me."
Even with his aura concealed, Mujin saw through it, leaving the Sword Emperor inwardly shocked. Back then too—what immense power was he hiding? It was impossible to guess. That only heightened his concern about the shadow faction tied to Mujin. They couldn't afford carelessness from now on. Time to tighten the family ranks and gather forces. Even modest preparations were essential.
"Is the King of Sichuan faring well?"
"Stubborn as ever, but he'll hold strong for decades."
"Good to hear."
"If they sort out internal affairs, no other issues, but if not... could be a headache."
Mujin casually spilled the Tang Clan's private matters like it was nothing. If the Tang Clan found out, Poison King would bellow in rage, but Mujin didn't care.
The Sword Emperor and Nangong Yeonhwa clicked their tongues at the Tang Clan's hidden scandals. The situation was graver than imagined. For the shadow faction to prepare so meticulously over years—it couldn't be taken lightly.
On the other hand...
'Time to lock down the household for real.'
'Gotta watch my words around this guy.'
These were the family's dirty laundry, unasked for, yet spilling out like his own heroic tales. The parties involved would be seething. They could laugh it off now, but if it were the Nangong family? No way.
"It's a shame Poison King couldn't just kill his brother, daughter-in-law, and grandson for the greater good."
"...?"
Calling that a shame?
Sacrificing blood kin for righteousness—and saying it outright. Yet stubborn Poison King let him go? Sounded fishy.
"Did you win?"
"It stung pretty good. Impressive poison arts."
"...I see."
"Still not up to your level, though."
Calling Poison King's Ten Thousand Flowers Rain a mere sting? Yet claiming superiority—bittersweet, but not unpleasant. Strength aside from character? Convincing.
"What's with Ami Clan and Qingcheng Sect?"
"Pawns to shake up Sichuan martial world."
If even they were infiltrated, no guarantees for other Nine Great Sects, Five Great Clans, or righteous sects. Mentioning the undercurrent rashly could backfire. Every action needed caution. It wouldn't stop at oneself—could endanger all around.
"Don't go public lightly, got it."
"Who to trust, who to suspect? Frankly, within my knowledge, just Nangong Clan and Tang Clan. Not certain about Huangbo Clan."
Even with marriage ties to Huangbo, he held suspicions. His unexpected prudence put the Sword Emperor and Yeonhwa on alert.
"What's your plan going forward?"
"Handle what's at hand steadily. Secure internals, build strength."
"Only yourself is trustworthy, eh."
"That's the martial world's nature for thousands of years. No mercy for the weak."
Overstatement? Hardly.
Even in past demonic wars, sects like Shindomun poured everything to block demons. A top-ten sect then. They enabled the martial world to repel the demonic path.
But exhausted Shindomun got praise—and devoured. No place for justice or chivalry. That's not how reality rolls.
Weakened sects were fair game. Vultures eyed their last essence, even martial arts. No grudges? That'd be a living Buddha.
In the end, only self-reliance protects. Lean on others, lose control. History is the strong's tale; the weak vanish into shadows.
"This incident means they'll watch Nangong Clan closely too. Don't mention them."
"Stick to what's known, huh."
"Keeps them off guard."
"Pretend otherwise, but you're terrifying."
"Glad you think so."
Mujin skipped the Mythic Demon Spirit Armor. Better if only Tang Clan and Beggar Clan knew for now. Narrow the info circle.
'Better they know just enough.'
-Thinking ahead this time.
He claimed trust in Nangong and Tang, but no certainties. Spreading key info checked the Demonic Cult of the Demon God effectively. Leaks later? Easier to counter.
And discard boldly when needed.
To Beggar Clan and Tang: rain strategy. To Nangong: Anhui merchant angle. Low odds of Demonic Cult link, but caution never hurts.
"What about the merchant group?"
"Undercurrents need to eat too—no living off grass. No way such a force is self-sufficient without backers. Basic fact—didn't you know? Disappointing."
"...I did!"
Nangong Yeonhwa bristled uncomfortably.
'Why's this jerk suddenly so sharp?!'
Unfamiliar.
Basic, yet core. No group runs without funds. They must source them. Even based in outer reaches, continental ties inevitable.
"Jeongun Merchant Group mining?"
"Soon."
Mujin hadn't heard yet. They'd visited, no contact, left. Jeongun planned secret notice to him only, public after quota.
"You want us helping Jeongun Group?"
"Is that how it sounds? Overt aid raises fairness issues. No courtesy to existing partners."
Anhui caravans: Baekje and Qingfeng. Jeongun lagged. Nangong tied to those two. Natural—Nangong influence in Anhui undeniable.
"Driving me crazy. That's your pitch?"
"You get it. Good."
Mujin's intent was obvious. And petty.
Problem: Nangong couldn't refuse. No hard proof, but ignoring Mujin felt off. Weird, yet he steered the flow.
Purposeful talk wrapped up.
"Anyway, did you really lose to Bandit King?"
"Rumor."
"...Oh."
"Believing that nonsense. You know I'm invincible."
Relieved it was false, Nangong Yeonhwa soured. As expected, humility was alien to him. Good he didn't smear Grandpa's face, but mind his words. Blurting before thinking.
"You did fight?"
"Zhuge Clan hired Bandit King. Guess Zhuge and I are blood enemies."
"You wouldn't..."
"First time, I'll let it slide. Second? Annoying. Want blood? I'll sweep them all."
Mujin smiled brightly.
Sword Emperor and Yeonhwa shivered. Casual tone made it scarier. He might actually slaughter Zhuge Clan on a whim.
"Bandit King trustworthy?"
"Not at all. Moves for profit."
"Let a guy like that live?"
"Told him I'd smash the bandits if he spouted crap."
"...Solid."
Clear gains and losses.
Hard to betray now. Facing all bandits daunting, but this guy? Plausible.
"You've gotten pretty strong yourself."
"Still far off."
"True. Way short of useful. Need Grandpa's level."
"Haven't seen you in ages and you're starting again?!"
"Don't get in the way. If you're serious, gender doesn't matter. Stand on your own."
Mujin didn't distinguish gender on the battlefield. Favored only those reliable at his back. Future wars unpredictable, but Yeonhwa needed her Sword Empress prowess back. This was mere starting point. Settle here? Expectations dashed.
"You're the same, sir."
"Using this old man brings karma."
"For the clan."
"Came to remove a worry, leaving with a new one."
Words aside, Sword Emperor and Yeonhwa gained much intel. Far richer than Beggar Clan reports—vivid from Mujin's experiences. Nangong Clan could change with this.
'This much, then rest awhile.'
-If only it were that easy.
'Not again! No jinxing. Gotta catch up with family too. Can't just work forever?'
-Workaholic saying that!
'For a warrior, work is training. I'm getting stronger daily.'
-Need more to beat the Breeder.
'You don't even know who. Made-up guy?'
-Don't blame me if wrong.
Demon King's "Breeder." Mujin couldn't buy it. Such a being? And inactive? Maybe delusion. But family in mind—no risks on hunches.
Excuses aside, too many snags for full rest. Wouldn't neglect family for minor annoyances.
"Oh, how's my little brother?"
"What about him?"
"Heroes need three wives, four concubines minimum."
"What do you take me for?!"
Mujin expanded options for clan and brother's matches: pick later, take all, or get beaten. Three choices aplenty.