Chapter 146
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Testing the Waters (1)
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“You pathetic fool!”
“I’m sorry!”
Mok Ak-jin was speechless, despite having a mouth.
Ever since his humiliating defeat, he had drowned himself in alcohol. If he didn’t drink, the face of the man who mocked him would vividly appear the moment he closed his eyes.
Mok Jin-san could no longer tolerate his son’s ruined state and burst into his room. The confident son who had returned from Black Dragon Fortress with his skills acknowledged was nowhere to be seen.
“Did that bastard scare you or something?!”
“...No!”
“You fool! You’re the young master who will one day lead Gushan Hall! You’re supposed to make your enemies fear you, not cower! How can I trust you when you show such a disgraceful sight?!”
“I’m sorry, Father. I’ve shamed myself!”
Mok Ak-jin snapped to attention.
His father’s scolding was right. He had lost himself in momentary shame and fear. This was no time for that—he needed to find a way to get revenge.
As his son’s eyes returned to their former sharpness, Mok Jin-san’s anger subsided.
“It’s not entirely your fault. I shouldn’t have dismissed the rumor that he defeated the Phantom Music Sword.”
“It’s not your fault, Father. It was my oversight to take the matter lightly!”
The thug infamous in Cheongyang County had suddenly gone quiet. Then five years passed, his son won the Little Dragon Tournament, and word was he had beaten the Phantom Music Sword. Not only that, but he had challenged the King of Bandits and become sworn brothers. Anyone could see it was just a baseless rumor.
Even so, they should have investigated properly. They couldn’t just dismiss rumors as lies outright.
“What will you do?”
“We need to target his weaknesses.”
“Now that’s my son.”
“I’ll make sure to repay that humiliation!”
Stroll, stroll!
His eyes were far from those of a beast stalking prey. He shuffled around in circles, playfully coquettish. He clung to his leg, sparkling round eyes pleading.
Rub, rub!
The fluffy furball gazed up with pure, innocent eyes, desperately appealing. It was a fearsome gesture that could enslave anyone, regardless of gender or status.
“Why are you suddenly acting like this when you never did before?”
Meow (As always)!
“You’re hungry?”
Meow (Take care of it if you’re the master)!
Not even a cat, yet he’d become the full package.
If one knew his future as the Ominous God, it’d be hard to associate him with the creature frolicking in front. Even top-rate experts were mere mouthfuls if caught by the Ominous God.
Meow, meow!
My daughter’s exclusive pet, So, didn’t stop his coquetry. Mujin had no choice but to give in, even though the intent was obvious.
“Fine, you rascal.”
He thought it was mediocre stuff, but the spirit beast sniffed out the hidden Clear Spirit Oil. He’d been biding his time for a chance at the scent.
However, Mujin had to leave home soon.
So wanted to drink the Clear Spirit Oil before his master departed. All under the pretext of protecting Mijoo.
“You have to protect Mijoo well.”
Meow (Resolutely)!
“Here, take it.”
Meow (You’re giving it, then hesitating?!)!
They communicated well. He meowed like a cat, but Mujin could understand the meaning. For So, the millennium spirit tiger and king of beasts, it was natural. He ranked high among spirit beasts—odd if he couldn’t comprehend.
“Why does it all sound so casual, though?”
Meow (Startled, sharp one)!
“Just my imagination?”
Meow (Yes, imagination)!
There had been a minor scuffle when they first met and tamed him. Mujin smoothed out his rough edges and made him Mijoo’s guardian spirit. They got along without reservations now, which satisfied him. Mijoo treated So like a friend, and So saw her like his own child.
Pop!
He uncorked the bottle and took out six drops of Clear Spirit Oil. For Mijoo’s personal protection, no investment was too much. His father would nag about giving more than him if he knew, but Mujin squeezed his eyes shut and offered it.
“Open your mouth.”
Grrrraaawr!
A beast only when it suited him?
Swoosh.
For the Clear Spirit Oil to take effect in So’s mouth, Mujin’s help was needed. That’s why the guy circled him playfully. Human and spirit beast meridians and bloodlines differed, but not much for Mujin. He’d done it once before, using acupuncture to help the oil settle in So.
Zap zap zap zap!
Before he knew it, So reverted to his true form. The Ominous God’s real body could tear a water buffalo apart in one strike.
GRRAAAAWR!
A terrifying roar.
The king of beasts flaunted his power. Impressive, but noise pollution. The clan had many people around. Mujin set up a barrier to contain the sound. Even warriors could wet themselves or faint at So’s roar. Mortals might die.
It rivaled a lion’s roar.
Crack crack crack!
His skeleton shifted, fur shed. New fur sprouted thickly. The forehead scar remained, but Mujin felt So’s spirit frame had risen.
‘This should be good enough.’
-Not just good—overkill.
So had recovered his Ominous God days and grown stronger. No spirit beast was more fitting as Mijoo’s guardian.
“Get along well with Mijoo, and I’ll give you more later, got it?”
Meow (Don’t worry)!
“Sounds casual again?”
Meow (Imagination!)!
“Not this time.”
Meow (Good senses)!
Mujin furrowed his brow, and So bolted back to his territory. Got what he wanted, huh.
Mujin chuckled.
His “territory” was just beside Mijoo.
The Pine Tiger Sect’s regular meeting convened.
The sect’s leadership gathered to review the month’s accounts and set the sect’s future direction.
Mujin didn’t attend. Despite his rising status lately, he stuck to his protector role. Protectors held high positions but didn’t meddle in major sect decisions.
The meeting lasted an hour. Once over, Mujin called his younger brother aside.
“Father says to watch and wait?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s so indecisive.”
“He says we can’t wage war without justification.”
“Power is justification. Just crush the trash.”
“We’re not unorthodox.”
Mujin had tipped off Muho before the meeting. To gauge Father and the elders’ reactions too.
Gushan Hall’s growing influence sparked peripheral conflicts. Merchants on the borders complained more. Father and the elders knew of Gushan Hall’s insolence.
“What about the elders?”
“They’re dissatisfied but hesitant since they’ve never fought a war. Especially with Black Dragon Fortress backing Gushan Hall, they won’t act first.”
A harsh reality. People grow lazy with age. They cling to current peace. Eventually, they’d realize their era had passed.
Father and the elders were entrenched in the status quo. They’d maintain it unless Gushan Hall got more aggressive.
No direct hits yet, and the sect was fine. Sticking to reality wasn’t wrong. The issue was Gushan Hall’s attitude—they weren’t content with the balance.
“Everyone wants an easy life. But what can we do? Gushan Hall won’t stay put. Even if we behave, their ambition will shatter it.”
“Couldn’t we use Hero Guo’s fame to settle it easily?”
“You brat, already playing politics. Sure, pushing Hero Guo forward would quiet them. But how long? They’d just get warier and stronger.”
If a top expert stepped in, Black Dragon Fortress wouldn’t sit idle. They might send someone to match Hero Guo.
Better to fight with current forces. That creates justification to block interference. Black Dragon Fortress wouldn’t keep backing a sect useless in mid-small faction battles.
“So what’s the plan?”
“The borders are fuzzy.”
“That’s tricky.”
Mujin preferred striking first. Gushan Hall was cautious against expectations, but it could erupt anytime.
“It was our territory originally. Time to reclaim it.”
Pine Tiger Sect and Gushan Hall’s borders weren’t clear. Just customary from old habits. Lately, Gushan Hall, backed by Black Dragon Fortress, encroached bit by bit.
“Collect tolls?”
“If they do, we must too.”
Mid-zones weren’t really taxed. Too burdensome for small merchants, and as an orthodox sect with enemies, Pine Tiger Sect kept lines proper. Plus, Gushan Hall’s constant crossings made protection spotty.
“Most are small-timers barely scraping by. They’ll resist hard.”
“Gushan Hall’s take is enough.”
No need to collect, but territory consciousness required it. Even a penny affirmed it. Starting now might irk those used to none, but no tax bred insecurity.
“That’s why you brought up border clarification.”
“Protect our own first.”
They’d tacitly ignored it, but it had long been Pine Tiger Sect’s. Now make it clear and concrete.
“Send the enforcers to test them.”
“Outright picking a fight.”
“Pent-up grudges aren’t good.”
“You knew?”
“I’d be pissed too.”
Pine Tiger Sect warriors, with improved martial arts, chafed at the stalemate. They itched to unleash power. They hadn’t trained solely for sect strength. Warriors craved display—human instinct beyond sect loyalty. Personal glory mattered too.
“They need a chance.”
“Can I trust you?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t get complacent. Unorthodox never fight fair. Review your weaknesses.”
“Got it.”
Muho’s force had risen, but to Mujin, he was still a kid by the water. When did this boy grow into someone reliable?
‘I’m proud.’
-I taught him everything.
‘Proud too?’
-...No.
Despite protests, Muho was the Demon King’s disciple too. Surprising he hid pride. Not the shy type.
‘Didn’t teach him to stumble against Gushan Hall trash.’
-Hmph, obviously.
When the horn’s sharp, pull it quick—M uho moved fast.
The sect’s main forces—Crimson Tiger Squad, Azure Tiger Squad, Black Tiger Squad—patrolled the Gushan Hall border in rotation. They didn’t demand protection money from small merchants first. Changing perceptions that this area was Pine Tiger Sect’s territory mattered more. Gushan Hall warriors often barged in causing trouble.
Small merchants needed to feel safe trading under sect protection.
Pine Tiger Sect doing what they hadn’t? Gushan Hall wouldn’t take it well. They’d treated it as their turf lately for pocket money.
As Mujin intended, clashes happened.
“Why are Pine Tiger Sect scum here? Get lost!”
“This area has long been our sect’s territory. You’re the ones who should leave.”
“Nonsense! You wanna die?”
“No pointless nitpicking. But if you want a duel, we’ll oblige.”
Azure Tiger Squad clashed with Gushan Hall’s Evil Blade Squad.
At first, Azure Tiger Squad was slightly pushed back. Lacking real combat experience compared to the Evil Blade Squad. But once adapted, it ended anticlimactically.
Evil Blade Squad lost. Miserably. No deaths, but many severe injuries. Azure Tiger Squad? Minor cuts.
After that, Pine Tiger Sect and Gushan Hall fought at every turn. They armed to defend turf.
Results? Pine Tiger Sect dominated.
Not full assaults, just squad skirmishes, but Gushan Hall got crushed unilaterally. Perceptions shifted: Pine Tiger Sect owned this turf.
Bam!
The table shook like it’d shatter under the slammed fist. Mok Jin-san hadn’t flinched at his son’s defeat, but this slight to his face ignited fury.
As trembling as the table.
“Even with True Blade Squad deployed, we got crushed?”
“No excuses!”
When Pine Tiger Sect sent enforcers to reclaim borders, he hadn’t worried. They’d avoided direct friction before.
But no!
They provoked first, fearless of clashes. Understandable—warriors settle disputes with force.
But the hall’s elites—Evil Blade, Annihilation Blade, True Blade Squads—all fell. Not just members; captains too, without resistance. Made him wonder if Pine Tiger Sect planned this.
That thought chilled Mok Jin-san’s mind. They’d given the dormant Pine Tiger Sect a chance to stretch.
We waited, but it was them?
“Outside the border zone?”
“They haven’t entered our turf.”
After his son poked Pine Tiger Sect’s thug, they provocatively struck like they’d waited. They’d bided time, hidden strength, now bared fangs.
Yet sly.
Not total war, and originally Pine Tiger Sect’s. They poked without crossing into Gushan Hall turf.
What’ll you do?
Deliberate provocation.
‘Damn it!’
Pine Tiger Sect caught them perfectly off-guard. Provided pretext, justification.
Yet revenge seemed impossible.
The hall’s leadership—Fourth Elder, captains—went mute. Simple reason.
Outmatched in force.
Even captains knelt quickly. Not to mention First Elder Lone Eagle Sword Yu Tae-jin couldn’t withstand three exchanges from Vice Sect Leader Kang Muho.
‘When did the gap widen this much?’
Incomprehensible to Mok Jin-san.
His son’s loss? Fluke maybe. But Pine Tiger Sect’s average level was leagues above before. Numbers mean nothing if force gap’s vast—outcome obvious.
“Outside help?”
“Just familiar faces.”
He’d scouted Pine Tiger Sect’s forces. Same old faces. Numbers hadn’t surged. Elites unchanged.
“Father, contact Black Dragon Fortress.”
“Asking for fortress aid when they didn’t bring outsiders?”
“We must admit it. You said it—desperate times. If this drags, it’ll hurt hall morale.”
The border wasn’t lucrative enough for full commitment. Sparse population, small-timers. Unrealistic to go all-in.
But murim was ruled by the strong. Weakness shook unity, bred splits. Force mattered in leading groups. Not pure cold logic—raw passion defied words.
“Fortress will demand more.”
“So we show ours too.”
“Any plan?”
“Do we need to fight fair like orthodox?”
His son’s sly smile curved Mok Jin-san’s lips.
Head-on was surest, orthodox or not. But as unorthodox, no reason to play nice.
