Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: As Learned (3)
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Same time, the dads couldn't spare a thought for anywhere else. It wasn't the moment to worry about their kids.
Oh dear, oh dear!
The heart of Guo Family Manor, the patriarch's private training ground, was filled with groaning moans. It was fortunate that the area around the training ground had been sealed off on the patriarch's orders.
Thwack!
Huuuugh!
He had merely flicked his finger lightly, but the result was beyond imagination. With five flicks of his fingers, the elders who had charged like snarling demons were sent flying like marbles, crashing into the walls and leaving marks. The elders who fell from the walls in the backlash met an undignified end.
Sniff, sniff!
Gouging out the gunk from his nostrils and blowing it away with pinpoint precision, Mujin's nonchalant demeanor made brothers Guo Cheol-yong and Guo Cheol-woong tremble in fury.
'He's toying with us!'
'Please, don't fight while picking your nose!'
Even without looking, his casual swings left them with no way to defend.
They had thought they could unleash their full power if they fought again. Far from it—they couldn't even sense him. It didn't take long to realize this bastard had been playing with them all along.
'What Peak Realm? That's Fusion Realm!'
'Does that even make sense? How could he be at Fusion Realm!'
He was wielding qi freely at will. A glancing blow would kill, a solid hit would leave no trace. That's why they couldn't accept it. Even considering the entire continent, there were fewer than fifty Fusion Realm masters. Regardless of the top ranks of the Divine Province Twenty-One Strongest, he'd at least make the bottom list.
Such a monster stood before them.
"Come on."
Every beckon of his finger made Guo Cheol-yong and Guo Cheol-woong's throats bob. That flicking palm and slouched leg were the epitome of arrogance. It was a vulgarity even street thugs couldn't match, stoking their rage.
But they couldn't treat him like a third-rate thug. He looked the part, but he far surpassed the monster category. Yet the world saw him as a lucky fool who caught a big fish.
'Heavenly Fortune Fist? Who gave him that ridiculous nickname~!'
'This guy's thoroughly duping the world!'
Guo Cheol-yong and Guo Cheol-woong couldn't expose the truth of Heavenly Fortune Fist. Doing so might annihilate their clan.
The brothers shook off their thoughts. Now wasn't the time to dwell. If they didn't go all out, utter humiliation awaited. They had to show better swordsmanship than yesterday.
Whirr!
They needed to disrupt his vision with Lightning Step...
Thud thud thud thud thwack!
In five steps, they took five hits. As his bear-like younger brother rolled on the ground after a beating, Guo Cheol-yong aimed for Mujin's blind spot with Immovable Island Stance.
Cling!
Blind spot, my ass.
The moment he faced front, a finger tap! struck the flat of the blade. A clear ring from the tip shot like lightning, vibrating Guo Cheol-yong's core.
Grk!
With half his power unleashed, he spat blood and collapsed. He wasn't even a match, couldn't leave a mark on that finger.
"Holding onto your sword is praiseworthy, at least..."
Mujin trailed off.
'Damn it all!'
'Go to hell!'
It hurt, and they shook with rage.
Even without hearing the rest, Guo Cheol-yong and Guo Cheol-woong wouldn't forget this humiliation. A barrage of curses would have been better. Grinding their teeth, the brothers steeled their resolve.
'Hard to even step lightly.'
Weeds grow stronger when trampled, but only certain weeds. Step wrong, and they won't regrow. Gotta keep the pressure just right to avoid breaking them.
'Miss Cheol-ho.'
-Shouldn't you heed Iron King's words too?
Mujin gave the brothers and elders a moderate beating before leaving Guo Family Manor and heading to a nearby inn. He'd sent a letter summoning him.
He entered the inn and asked the owner.
"Is Jang Yu-ha here?"
"He's waiting in the annex."
Guided by the waiter, he entered the annex. The inn had a refined, quiet atmosphere, perfect for scholars or literati.
Creak!
He opened the door.
A refined man seated in a chair lowered his fan. The scholarly figure, ink-stained from birth, turned around.
"Bone Shrinking Art is impressive, but what's with the look?"
"Who'd follow a mountain bandit managing the literati? Big brother!"
The scholar's true identity was astonishingly the Green Forest King, Jang Pil-do. Who'd think of the Bandit King seeing this? A perfect transformation and disguise.
"So, why'd you call me? Need more money?"
"I like money, but I don't expect it for free."
"Then you have something to say. Waterway Stronghold?"
"Quick on the uptake."
He should flinch at the probe, but he admitted it casually. Jang Pil-do inwardly admired his big brother's composure.
"How'd you wipe out East Dragon Stronghold?"
"Massacred them."
"...?"
East Dragon Stronghold vanished without a trace, putting the Eighteen Waterway Strongholds on high alert. Even Waterway Leader Su Ra-do was scrambling to find clues, but still nothing.
"As expected of big brother."
"That's why I'm saying, let's do a job."
"Anything you command."
Of course he'd obey.
How could he refuse after that? Jang Pil-do was genuinely convinced by his big brother's ploy. Perfect persuasion—no refusal came to mind.
And rightly so; he could raze East Dragon Stronghold if he tried. But not without a trace, flawlessly like this.
"That's why I like you."
"I like women."
"Skip the lame jokes."
"They work on literati."
Ridiculous nonsense, but the disguise was spot-on. Explained surviving the Demonic Cult of the Demon God. No one'd suspect bandits disguised as literati scholars.
"Leak intel to Waterway Leader discreetly."
"He's suspicious. Won't budge on flimsy reports."
Jang Pil-do caught on fast. This guy's smarter than thought—no need for detailed explanations.
Makes me curious about his background.
"You a real scholar?"
"Just you know. I even took the provincial exams."
"...!"
Mujin wore an ambiguous expression. He boasted proudly, so it seemed impressive.
-Past tense. Don't you know?
'I do! Just slipped my mind.'
-Provincial's local level.
'I know.'
Only then did Mujin look impressed. First exam for the imperial exams, but passing required scholarly zeal. Not just anyone passes. Otherwise, everyone's a scholar.
But even passing didn't guarantee office—different league. Positions open first.
"Passing provincials ain't bad."
"Pardon? Provincials are the finals in the capital after locals and preliminaries."
This damn Demon King!
Mujin forced a calm face.
"Kidding."
"Even literati don't use that outdated joke... It's common."
Not planning exams, no need memorizing sequence.
Provincials like finals after qualifiers. Complicating steps shows their system.
"Report on Mythic Horse Spirit Armor."
"Really?"
"Obviously. I'm wearing it."
"...Ah, I see."
"Wanna see?"
"...Uh, sure."
Jang Pil-do eyed him suspiciously, then deflated.
The Mythic Horse Spirit Armor held the Heavenly Martial Sovereign's culmination, famed across seven millennia. Priceless treasure.
'Mythic Horse Spirit Armor as underwear!'
Stretches freely, doesn't stain—handy. Also cools in heat, warms in cold.
"Top and bottom integrated, auto-connects."
"...Splendid."
"Try it on?"
"No thanks!"
"Clean. Bathed today."
"No need. I believe you."
As Mujin started stripping, Jang Pil-do jumped back. His own quirks paled; big brother was levels above.
"This is Heavenly Martial Sovereign's fist manual. Skim it, trim as needed. Got it?"
"...Of course."
Receiving it, Jang Pil-do skimmed the manual brimming with Heavenly Martial Sovereign's essence. Even a glance revealed extraordinary profundity. A flash of insight struck his mind; he entered meditation. Fleeting enlightenment—gone if missed.
'Look at this guy.'
-Talent-wise, top fingers.
'Pre-heart demon overcome, Sword Emperor'd flinch.'
-Likely.
Jang Pil-do, lower Divine Province Twenty-One Strongest, now rivaled Sword Emperor. Spar, Sword Emperor wins; deathmatch, uncertain. Jang had desperate real-combat edge, no holds barred. Pre-heart demon, even Sword Emperor unsure.
'Can't interrupt.'
Mujin soundproofed and rose quietly. At least two hours, maybe half-day. He went to another room, called waiter for favorite dishes, top liquor. Cost covered by enlightenment given.
One hour passed.
Jang Pil-do emerged from meditation sooner than expected. Mujin sensed qi shift, scarfed food and drink swiftly.
Ha!
Awakening, Jang Pil-do felt his fist manual hatch anew. He'd grasped fist intent, long eluding him. No sudden qi surge or body change—that was past Green Forest King level.
"Egg got thicker."
"Thanks to you, big brother."
"Your fortune. Not everyone digests it."
"Grateful for the chance."
"Anyway, you owe me."
"I'll work harder."
"Makes me the bad guy."
Hardworking bandits hurt innocents. Wouldn't mind paying, but not at commoners' expense.
"World should know your virtue. Don't you regret?"
"Needs the world know?"
Even with fist intent, Jang couldn't gauge big brother's ability. Nothing this fist couldn't crush, mere tricks before him.
"Leave Waterway Leader to me."
"I'll contact via Beggars' Sect; prep the groundwork first."
"Tripping on East Dragon'll be fun."
"Not bad. But careful—Waterway Leader has backers."
"Of course. My life's most precious."
"Good."
Mujin disliked life-risk vows. Rare to follow through. Better trust those valuing own life, giving best.
'Rumors are rumors too.'
Mujin decided to stir quiet murim. Rumors vary by source, but lies erode trust.
"Hong Lu, like her?"
"Wanna die?"
"I'll go alone."
"Have fun."
Finishing business, Mujin left without lingering. Alone in the room, Jang Pil-do refined his new manual. Enlightenment like raw gem—unpolished, unusable as envisioned.
"Guest."
"What?"
Waiter opened door politely, presented bill. Jang Pil-do chuckled dryly.
"How many servings?"
Group feast?