Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Earning Pocket Money (1)
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Mujin finally arrived in Nanjing after crossing mountains and fording rivers.
Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province stretching along the Yangtze River, was a grand metropolis incomparable to Cheongyang County. A city renowned for its history and culture, traces of the eras were preserved in full.
"Made it quick, didn't we?"
"You call that quick?"
"The disguise suits you well."
"Shut up!"
The more Nangong Yeonhwa recalled the journey to Nanjing, the more her temper flared. Had she ever run so hard her mouth tasted like metal in her life? She'd brushed death's door several times while sprinting. It had been one desperate struggle after another just to survive, forcing her to surpass her limits.
After the mad dash ended, her muscles screamed in agony throughout her body, and she groaned so much she couldn't sleep. She'd spent every night moaning in pain.
If her grandfather saw her now, he wouldn't recognize his granddaughter. Her hair was a bird's nest, her face and body caked black with dried sweat and dirt, and her clothes ragged from not being washed.
In contrast, Mujin looked fresh as ever, unchanged from the start. He alone was spotless and unscathed.
That grated on Nangong Yeonhwa's nerves. They'd ignored safe roads to dash over mountains and cliffs, swimming rivers.
Why take the path less traveled—literally!
Her rising fury threatened to give her a fit. But she could hardly lash out. This bastard wouldn't apologize anyway, but things had undeniably changed.
Honestly, it was an unexpected outcome. Far from enlightenment through training or meditation. She'd simply pushed her body's limits raw. And that turned out to be exactly the training she needed.
'Did he see right through me?'
Maybe, but watching him with Yukchil and Taejin made it hard to believe. He seemed to delight in tormenting people outright, yet the results were freakishly spot-on.
"Even for training, you went way overboard!"
"You don't think you've been training too softly? Real combat's harsher than this."
"I train as hard as anyone!"
"Don't compare to others. Find what suits you."
This damn jerk!
Nangong Yeonhwa couldn't retort. He spouted nonsense like it was daily bread, but his sharp insights hit with eerie precision.
'How the hell has this guy lived his life?'
She'd never seen him train properly.
Yet he was ridiculously strong. Even her grandfather and Master Chuiseon couldn't match him. Still, he'd kept the thread connected. Things revolved around Mujin despite his carefree slacking.
'Not sure if that's smart.'
That's why she'd followed him. To observe, feel, and learn up close. But damn, there wasn't much humane to pick up from him. He'd just brutally smashed his limits through harsh training.
"I'll buy you something tasty, so ease up."
"Think that'll work on me?"
"Suit yourself."
"Who said no? And how can I eat like this? I want a bath."
"Why? It's perfect camouflage."
She hadn't chosen male disguise for perfection. Nangong Yeonhwa had picked it to avoid hassle, not to wander ruined like this. Even if her identity leaked, she'd hold her head high.
"Son, what do you want to eat? I'll buy anything."
"Meat, please."
Mujin ruffled Taejin's hair.
For his fast-growing son, he'd do anything. As a father, Mujin felt joy. He wanted no part of parental helplessness—unable to provide what his child desired. He had to build the power to grant any wish.
But life rarely went as planned.
"Eat plenty and surpass your dad."
"...Pardon?"
"That's not a proper answer."
"I'll do my best."
It was Taejin's honest best. Truth be told, his father was a freak of nature. Far beyond human limits. If effort alone worked, he wouldn't suffer like this.
'Brother Cheolho, just you wait!'
He vowed never to leave home with Dad again. They said running away meant hardship, but Mother's protection was the safest haven. To earn it, he had to beat Cheolho first.
Still, unease gnawed at him. The gap between traveling with Father and home life was too vast. Staying home bred laziness, no doubt.
'Can I break free?'
He knew Father's intent, yet reality forced submission. Stubborn, upright Cheolho seemed enviable now.
'The Phantom Shadow Divine Technique has transcended its framework!'
Yukchil was dumbfounded by his own progress. His lightness skill had reached a level acknowledged even in the Beggars' Sect. The previous sect leader hadn't achieved this at his age. But it made sense—he'd crossed life and death's boundary repeatedly to stand here.
'It's no easy feat traveling with Young Master Kang.'
He regretted not pushing the technique to its peak. The journey swung between extremes. He didn't want to join, but tagging along yielded massive gains.
'Though the nightly nightmares drove me mad.'
He'd jolt awake if Mujin haunted his dreams. The fear of nightmares come true.
Mujin found a famous restaurant in Nanjing. With the weather turning humid, they booked an inn by the river.
Even on a weekday, it bustled with people.
No event or festival, yet ants swarmed everywhere. Holidays must be unimaginable.
He picked a decent inn—not too crowded, not empty. Famous ones came via Yukchil's intel. With Beggars' Sect around, food was no issue.
Swoosh!
Rats lurked amid the crowd, eyeing pockets. Luckily, their beggar-like state warded them off.
"Comfy?"
"Shut it!"
A stench like nothing she'd known cleared space around her. Unprecedented snubbing. Nangong Yeonhwa scowled. But no approach, no trouble.
Hmm.
Mujin scanned casually, his expression enigmatic. He'd nipped mischief in the bud. Nangong Yeonhwa's half-baked outfit now perfect camouflage.
'Nah.'
-It'll happen.
The Demon King butted in cluelessly. Things always tangled when he did.
Twin Peaks Inn.
A grand five-story inn overlooking the vast Yangtze. Well-built annexes out back. During holidays or events, every room and annex filled up.
These days, regular rooms booked solid, but annexes sat mostly empty. Prime city views jacked up annex prices.
Creeeak!
They entered the inn.
Mujin asked for rooms; the waiter said none left. Despite their shabby look, he stayed polite. Well-trained not to offend.
Made sense. Even beggars could be martial artists. Mess up, and the owner paid. Few warriors didn't rage in inns—owners bled for it. Essential training for staff.
"Any annexes?"
"Yes, but five gold taels per night. Still, few better annexes around."
Five gold taels equaled a hundred silver. Steep for one night. But too late to shop around, and local annex rates were standard. Likely price-fixing among owners. No complaints—transients couldn't dig deep.
"Bring dinner to the annex."
"What for dinner?"
"Your best dishes, say twenty servings?"
"More guests coming?"
"No."
"Ah, got it. Seven taels."
Mujin handed over seven taels and followed to the annex. Spotless and lovely, as promised. Newly built, pleasant scent.
"I'm bathing first."
"Don't get too comfy. Not home."
"I know."
"Knowing ain't enough—engrave it."
Dinner after baths.
Nanjing, one of the continent's premier metropolises, drew crowds. Crowds meant abundant goods, logistics, and capital. Perfect for earning coin—more opportunities than the countryside.
But crowds bred problems too. All sorts mingled, including lunatics.
Daily murders or vanishings plagued Nanjing. Killings or missing persons were grave, yet in a big city, one or two didn't make waves.
Recently, ten bizarre cases prompted official probes. Seven dead, five missing. Started as routine urban crime, but one victim was Cloud Dragon Sword Han Sangjin, heir to the Wind Sword Sect—one of Nanjing's three great sects.
His death unraveled the thread: a lone culprit. Officials and murim jointly hunted the fiend.
But as pursuit began, the killer vanished like a ghost. No new crimes. Three months passed; talk faded. Likely fled Nanjing post-exposure.
The hour of the rat, deep night when sleep claimed the city.
Even metropolises darkened sans brothels past this hour.
Swish!
A shadow blended into the dark, gliding silently over rooftops into a building. Peak stealth and lightness made him invisible even up close.
Inside, he slipped to his marked room. Checked surroundings carefully, then eased the door open soundlessly.
"Out cold, won't stir even if carried off. Heh heh heh."
Relaxed vigilance in strange beds? Routine for him. He'd spiked dinner with Dream Confusion Powder, a sleep aid activating after an hour. Lasted half a day minimum—no waking regardless.
'Perfect.'
Dirt and sweat hid her, but he saw true beauty. Planned a year in hiding, but seeing her? Irresistible. Supreme ingredient he'd never find despite searching.
"I'll show you paradise you'll never forget."
He moved to seize the woman.