Chapter 157
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Joy of Sharing (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A dignified nobleman with an impressive bearing visited the Nangong Clan.
His clothes, crudely patched together from sackcloth, made it hard to see him as a nobleman at first glance. But considering the old man's status, there was no doubt he was one.
The scholar standing behind the elder was Hong Mugae. His refined appearance didn't suit a beggar at all, which was inconvenient in many ways. Lately, even begging wasn't bringing in much.
"Greetings to the former Sect Leader!"
"Who?"
It was only natural, but beggars numbered around a hundred thousand. The idea that the Sect Leader remembered every single one was a clear delusion. Memory faded more and more with age.
"I'm Yukchil, disciple of the Three Precepts."
"Ho, not bad at all."
"I'm sorely lacking."
Yukchil hurriedly bowed upon spotting Chwi-seon. He hadn't expected the former Sect Leader, whom even clan members rarely saw, to show up. On one hand, he quietly criticized Hong Mugae's irresponsibility for dragging the former Sect Leader here of all places.
-Branch Leader, have you lost your mind?
-I had no choice.
-Still, this is too much.
-I told him, so it should be fine.
-Is that really the best you could do?
-Is this punk lecturing me right now?!
While the former Sect Leader chatted with the Sword Emperor, Yukchil and Hong Mugae exchanged secret transmissions.
The former Sect Leader had met the Sword Emperor not long ago. If he'd come to the Nangong Clan despite having no real reason to, his purpose was obvious.
Hong Mugae and Yukchil headed toward the Five Saints Garden.
It wasn't polite to visit someone else's home, take what you want, and leave, so Chwi-seon spent some time with the Sword Emperor.
"No troubles, I hope?"
"Not yet."
Kang Mujin was a walking thunderbolt. Wherever he went, massive incidents exploded left and right. Just stepping out dragged in unimaginable dark currents. The funny truth was, he hated going out.
"Any results?"
"If there were, would I be here?"
He'd vanished without a trace, as if he'd never existed. They'd tracked the Five Saints Sect used as bait while checking for tails, but hadn't found even a clue.
"That said, it looks like you've made real progress, just as your master said. I could believe you're at the Five Peaks level now."
"I wouldn't brag about this much."
Hong Mugae frowned at Yukchil's sullen attitude despite the praise. Achieving Five Peaks at his age was impressive. He wondered if hanging around Mujin had made the kid see him and himself as mere scraps for dogs.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought I was pretty good. Turns out, no."
"Who'd look good compared to that guy?"
"Then it's better that way."
Yukchil explained about Mujin's son, Taejin—the root of his self-loathing. Taejin wasn't even a peer; he was ten years younger, yet his achievements surpassed Yukchil's. That meant the boy had the skill to lead the Beggars' Sect right now.
"And there's this Cheol-ho kid too."
Hong Mugae wanted to boost Yukchil's confidence, but seeing Taejin immersed in training made that desire vanish. It wasn't exaggeration; the boy was truly exceptional.
'Opening the Sword Eye at that age? Unbelievable.'
His sword path was precise. Even training alone, he visualized opponents perfectly. He knew exactly where and how to move. It was as if the sword had eyes—flawless.
'Another monster.'
No wonder confidence-lacking Yukchil felt crushed. He'd improved since last time, growing stronger by the day, and he was younger too. His resolve must be ironclad. Tormented by monsters on all sides, he wouldn't slack off.
And now there was another one like that.
'I can't get complacent, or I'll be swept away by the Yangtze's undercurrents!'
This kid was growing faster than expected too. Hong Mugae had no ambitions of becoming the strongest in martial arts, but he didn't want to end up like some forgotten elder in the back room.
Then, he snapped back to their purpose. This wasn't the time for trivial worries.
Hong Mugae's gaze turned to the pavilion.
Tap, tap!
There was Mujin, lounging comfortably on a mat in the garden pavilion, wriggling his toes. Astonishingly, each twitch intensified Taejin's training. He was clearly emitting energy strikes.
'No, leave the fingers alone—why use your toes, you maniac?!'
The strikes hit true, but getting nailed by toes would feel humiliating. He was born to rile up opponents.
On the other hand, it was downright bizarre.
With such overwhelming martial prowess, you'd expect flashy, powerful techniques. Instead, his were grotesquely practical.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Mujin launched formless finger strikes with his toes while enjoying tea and snacks. It was a father's effort to invigorate his son's training. He had to control the intensity too. A father easing his worries—that's why the son could grow strong.
"Don't just stand there gawking... go wash up. Unless you want to get beat."
"Cut me some slack—I came with my master."
He looked like he could chow down dog food without complaint.
Mujin was annoyingly fussy despite his looks, but Hong Mugae pleaded, explaining their situation. From experience, Mujin got things done when he committed.
"Be grateful for my vast magnanimity and my well-toughened nose. Anyone else, and no dice."
"Thanks so much—I'm tearing up."
Hong Mugae bristled at the sincere nonsense. Mujin was the only one who treated the Beggars' Sect Leader like this. He was respected everywhere else, but here, disdain was routine.
"Aren't you curious?"
"No need. You didn't catch them."
"We can't just sit around waiting forever."
"If you wanna die quick, go ahead."
"You rate them that highly?"
"If it could've ended easily, I wouldn't have stepped out."
Multiple failures had dealt some damage to the Demonic Cult of the Demon God, if only partial. Especially in fund and supply transport. They hadn't shattered the framework, but it'd delayed them significantly.
But if the martial world shifted preemptively, things changed. Hard to predict their moves.
"Just sit it out if you wanna live?"
"We need a direction. You don't even know where or how yet."
"And you do?"
"They're targeting the Twenty-One Stars of Shenzhou. What does that mean?"
"They're eliminating the core figures."
"Does that give you any answers?"
The shadow forces aimed for the Nangong Clan and Sacheon Tang Clan by targeting the Sword Emperor and Poison King. That narrowed their likely targets.
'Some run themselves ragged without a clue, but this guy's... what? Infuriating, but sharp.'
Hong Mugae was dumbfounded by how effortlessly Mujin pinpointed it. By records, he seemed like a brainless brute, yet here he was, sharper than anyone.
-His con artistry levels up daily.
'It's experience, man.'
Advice possible only knowing the future.
Back then, all but nine of the Twenty-One Stars of Shenzhou died. Even those nine were suspect. They'd caused division, so maybe left alive on purpose. Anyway, their deaths were suspicious; digging would reveal intent.
"Oh, what about that thing I mentioned before?"
"Hard for us to get intel outside Oxgate. Need more time."
Contact cut off after heading to the desert. Hoped nothing happened. The vagueness nagged too. Either way, trust the Sword Empress's potential and future.
"More importantly, Gushan Hall's been cleaned up."
"Big deal."
"In Cheongyang County, they call your brother the Divine Sword Demon Hero."
"Cool."
"Handled it cleanly, good justification too. Especially your daughter—she played a big role."
...What?
Why would Mijoo play a big role?
My daughter should be safe, eating delicious food and having fun. Using her as bait for Gushan Hall? Looks like my brother hasn't tasted real spice yet. Time for combined mental and physical training the moment he returns.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing."
Nothing? That was terrifying just now.
Hong Mugae replayed his words, wondering if he'd slipped. Realizing, he prayed for the Divine Sword Demon Hero's fortune. People make mistakes sometimes. It'd come out eventually anyway.
The Sword Emperor served Chwi-seon fine liquor and delicacies. As host, he had to treat his longtime friend visiting the clan properly.
Especially since the deadbeat beggar said it looked tasty.
Chomp, chomp!
King of beggars, Chwi-seon was a big eater. Half the table, laden to breaking, vanished in a blink. Hands and mouth never stopped; he blew through liquor bottles like flutes. At this rate, another beggar might be living in his belly.
"Plenty more—eat slowly."
Hmm.
At the Sword Emperor's urging, he swallowed his mouthful and paused. Unlike his youth, he'd grown frail, yet something felt off.
"Suspicious."
"Don't like it? I'll clear it away."
As the Sword Emperor moved to remove the food, Chwi-seon grabbed his hand. Finally, worry-free dishes to his taste. When else would a beggar feast like this?
'Close call. Sharp as ever, past and present.'
Chwi-seon looked sloppy, but his instincts were keenest. They'd shared dangers in youth; he'd witnessed that edge many times.
But the Sword Emperor had seasoned with age too.
"So, what brings your heavy hips all this way?"
"Playing dumb? It's that guy."
"Oh dear! Then I really can't show you. The child's our clan's benefactor."
"What, gonna eat me?"
"Curiosity's the same as your youth. Time to kill it off."
"Hiding it makes me want it more."
The Sword Emperor didn't yield easily.
He stalled, clarifying the connections. Reminded him of Yi-ho's fiery days, when Ferocious Tiger Yi terrorized as Alliance Hero.
"You really must see?"
"If you hate it, I won't."
"Good."
"No, I have to."
Testing with refusal, he saw relief on the Sword Emperor's face and changed his mind. The world called him Fortunate Heaven Fist, but he was the hidden hero resolving the crisis.
"Won't listen if I say no anyway. Fine."
"Should've said that sooner."
"Go easy."
"I'm old too—not what I used to be."
The Sword Emperor's stern face bloomed into a radiant smile unseen even by son or granddaughter. A smile from the utmost realm.
They headed to the Five Saints Garden.
He'd told his son and granddaughter; they waited. The Sword Emperor's consideration—no hoarding the show.
As Sword Emperor and Chwi-seon entered, Hong Mugae woke Mujin.
"Get up, man."
Mujin finally stirred from his pavilion nap. He glanced at the kindly elder beside the Sword Emperor.
Swoosh!
Expecting a scrawny branch for the Beggars' former Sect Leader, he was plump and opposite.
'Does he eat all the beggars' haul alone?'
As Mujin stared blankly, Hong Mugae coughed softly.
Ahem!
A silent plea for basic manners. But Mujin's home-like comfort in others' homes bred unease. He prayed nothing went wrong.
"Kang Mujin of the Pine Tiger Sect. Honored to meet Great Hero Chwi-seon."
"Honor? I hear you're the hidden hero who resolved the recent crisis. The honor's mine."
Unlike Hong Mugae's anxiety, Mujin's response was perfectly normal. Which made him more anxious. Both were far from ordinary. Trouble was inevitable.
No precautions could handle these titans, these monsters.
Hmm.
Chwi-seon had sharp eyes even young. He read temperaments from unique auras. This one was ambiguous. Lethargic vibe screamed wastrel, but his body said otherwise.
'Extraordinary conditioning.'
Massive yet toned, perfect balance. More baffling. Such perfection demanded relentless training, no days off. Lethargy and rigor didn't mix.
Couldn't tell from looks. Rare case. Interest piqued. One way left for enigmas.
But as former Beggars' Sect Leader, status and face mattered—connections first.
Unnecessary worry. The man saw Sect Leader or Hong Mugae alike—as beggars.
"How'd you know?"
"Coincidence."
"Coincidences piling up become fate. Don't you think?"
"If it's my fate, I'll bear it."
Mujin's reply was natural, easing Hong Mugae's fears.
Conversely, rage boiled that he could act normal yet had pulled mad stunts.
Contrasted the past punch on sight.
'But he won't back down easy.'
Chwi-seon hadn't come just to greet. True to purpose for Nangong Clan.
"First time the sword-obsessed one's praised another. What do you say?"
"Sounds good."
"Straight shooter."
"Not sure I can satisfy the former Sect Leader's curiosity, but I'll do my best."
What best?!
```