Chapter 171
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Ninefold Concealed Sword (1)
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Guo Family Manor was changing. Starting half a month ago, not just their eyes but their entire temperament had shifted. They radiated a savage energy like beasts consumed by fury. The slightest touch seemed like it would set them off—their feral instincts had fully awakened.
Ching! Ching! Ching!
Once the grueling training ended, spars followed. These were far removed from the courteous exchanges of the initial matches, complete with bows and formalities. The losers had to stay behind for intensive one-on-one remedial sessions.
Spars with remedial training on the line reached the pinnacle of brutality.
"Die!"
"You die first!"
Blood soaked the ground in these murderous clashes. Cuts on hands and feet were mere trifles. There had been countless moments where a single misstep nearly sent a comrade's head flying. To an outsider, they might have looked like archenemies bent on vengeance, but it was simply a last-ditch struggle to avoid extra training.
At this point, complaints were inevitable. They should have just refused to participate. Yet for those who did join, there was the devilish temptation of newly refined sword arts—a lure sweeter than honey.
The gap between those who mastered the arts and those who didn't was enormous. Warriors staked their lives on strength. How many would turn down a chance like this, one that might elude them their entire lives?
The harsh training and remedial sessions produced remarkable results.
A power and edge they'd never felt before emerged from deep within. But even more impressive was the indomitable spirit that refused to yield until the very end.
Combining physique enhancement with the sword arts amplified the effects tremendously.
These were longstanding arts, refined for efficiency, so mastery came quicker. It built on what they already knew without discarding it.
"A rolling stone gathers no moss. Just keep rolling, and it works."
"...I see."
Guo Cheol-yong couldn't bear to accept the clan's radical transformation. In less than a month, everything had changed completely.
He should have been thrilled, but his gut twisted in pain.
One hundred thousand nyang, vanished into thin air.
Yet he couldn't deny it. The results were undeniable. Not just the thirty warriors, but even those who hadn't participated had grown stronger. He and the elders could feel the stark difference compared to before.
Why?
They'd been beaten like dogs. Their minds and bodies should have crumbled, yet they grew stronger by the day.
And then he realized it.
They had lived sluggishly all this time.
Mujin was an absurd outlier in strength, so set him aside. The ones dubbed the "Hell Three Demons"—who oversaw the warrior unit's training—handled that insane regimen without breaking a sweat. It meant they'd endured even harsher ordeals than anyone else in the clan.
He had no choice but to acknowledge the Hell Three Demons' prowess. And the devil who devised it all was none other than Mujin.
"It ended two days early. That doesn't count as fulfilling the promise. Let me top it off."
"That's enough."
"When I commit, I go all the way to satisfy myself."
"I said it's fine!"
The master says it's fine—why was the guest still throwing a fit!
Behind Guo Cheol-yong, Guo Cheol-woong and the elders silently screamed their fierce opposition through gestures. As clan head, he needed to show resolve, they clamored without words. They wanted no more hell. They'd sooner bite down on a blade and end it.
Fwoosh!
As Mujin turned, the elders averted their eyes and whistled innocently. They pressured the patriarch without a sound, yet none stepped forward themselves—pure self-preservation.
Tsk tsk tsk.
Weak-willed folk.
Mujin explained tasks to Nangong Yeon-hwa, Yuk-chil, and Taejin. Naturally, Guo Cheol-yong and the elders' opinions meant nothing to him. He decided, so what could they do?
It was another clan's affair, but he'd manage it like his own.
Was this the true spirit of ownership?
"Head straight to the inns and start by thrashing the loudmouths."
"...Hold on! What do you think you're doing?"
Guo Cheol-yong whirled around in shock at Mujin's unflinching command from behind. It was an utterly unforeseen bombshell.
"We must do as the young lord of So Family Manor wishes. Unless... you lack confidence? That would mean my training was worthless."
"Lack confidence? As if! But this won't help resolve the situation at all!"
Ignoring the provocateurs wouldn't solve anything.
The young lord's men had come on a difficult expedition—they deserved proper treatment for their efforts. If they couldn't handle riffraff like that, he never would have taught them in the first place.
"Contact the young lord of So Family Manor and request a duel staking your clan's fate."
"Nothing's even happened yet—request a duel? Fine, but don't arbitrarily wager the clan's destiny on your own!"
"Friction is inevitable. Better to end it sooner. I hate wasting time. Ah! At the end of the letter, be sure to add, 'If you're scared, just drop dead.'"
This wasn't solving the issue—it was fanning the flames. So Family Manor wouldn't stay quiet after that.
But he faced the truth: no stopping this man. If he set his mind to it, he'd stir up trouble no matter what.
"Set up an arena at the Guo-So border and spread the word. Include that phrase in the rumors too."
"And if we refuse?"
"Doesn't concern me. Guo Family Manor would just end up disgraced. Think I'd bat an eye? I'll send my condolences."
"Do as you will."
Guo Cheol-yong threw up his hands in surrender.
The more he heard, the more his anger surged, but the logic pierced straight to the core. To Mujin, Guo Family Manor was that insignificant. Beating So Family Manor, backed by Hebei Peng Clan, in a straight fight was impossible. If even Mujin pulled out, the outcome was crystal clear.
'They're there to be provoked.'
-Pacifist, my ass!
Lately, quite a few out-of-town warriors had been picking fights. They harassed merchants in inns, restaurants, clothiers, and apothecaries over petty excuses as they passed through the shops.
But pinning blame was murky. They never made it overt—just sly provocations. Scrutinize it, and the merchants shared fault too. These were matters that could be overlooked generously, yet even after yielding, the merchants snapped back harshly, earning ire.
It was nasty tightrope-walking nitpicking. Worse, some merchants protested strongly and ended up sorely beaten by the warriors.
Reporting to the magistrates yielded nothing.
Unless it involved murder or major crimes tied to warriors, officials avoided involvement. Getting entangled could mean vanishing without a trace.
The merchants had begged Guo Family Manor to handle it starting a while back. But as time dragged without solutions, resentment piled up. They paid taxes and protection fees dutifully—failure to act was inexcusable.
A group hogged the inn's center like they owned it.
It was lunchtime, yet no other guests dared enter because of them. No one wanted fallout from their constant provocations. These were the warriors stirring trouble in Danyang lately.
"This is so bland, not even worth the effort."
"Hiding like rats won't save them."
"What can you do? They know their place!"
"Can't be the same as before. Come on, let's drink."
They were from So Family Manor's martial force—the Mighty Dragon Squad's vice captain and squad members. Their goal: prod Guo Family Manor without escalating to outright chaos. The more merchant discontent built, the less Guo could ignore it.
But contrary to expectations, Guo stayed quiet. Perhaps aware of the Hebei Peng alliance, they merely watched.
To claim results, they'd messaged their clan for permission to push harder. As a righteous faction, they had to mind appearances.
Creak!
Warriors entered the inn. Eyes went to their uniforms—Guo Family Manor's insignia.
The So Family warriors flashed sleazy smirks.
"Four roast ducks, and any liquor."
"Right away, sirs!"
The Guo warriors took seats directly opposite. They ignored the shallow sneers.
Growing bored, the Mighty Dragon members launched full provocations. Dragging it out was tiresome anyway.
"Hiding with your tails tucked, finally crawling out."
"Just drink quietly! Don't provoke! Outside!"
This was a far cry from Guo Family Manor's recent restraint—a heated response.
As the Guo warriors reacted, vice captain Yeo Guk-hwan inwardly cheered. Prolonged stalemates made reports awkward.
"Pretty bold for vermin. But overstep your station, and you'll end up worse than a mangy cur."
"Blah blah! Quit yapping and come out, you dog bastard! Ugly mug flapping nonstop."
"...!"
The vulgarity far exceeded expectations, leaving Yeo Guk-hwan and his men momentarily stunned. Soon, they erupted in murderous intent. They'd planned a light thrashing, but these fools were recklessly defiant.
"What're you waiting for? Come on out! Scared?"
The Guo warriors rose and headed outside. Yeo Guk-hwan and his men followed, grinding their teeth and growling. Mere vanguard or not, Mighty Dragon Squad represented So Family Manor's elite. With Hebei Peng support, they were worlds apart from before.
"A pup yapping without knowing heaven from earth. Fine. Let's see if you bark afterward."
But as they stormed out, the sight before them left them dumbfounded. Seven Guo warriors ahead, their own ten—but thirty with vicious auras encircled the inn's front entrance.
"What is this!"
"Say it again, you dog bastard!"
Wind Tiger Squad captain Sa Geom-pyeong spewed trash talk, bolstered by numbers.
"Cat got your tongue? Swiped some honey?"
Yeo Guk-hwan steadied his nerves amid the numerical pressure and recomposed his aura. Numbers aside, they wielded Hebei Peng swordsmanship. No need to cower before posturing fools. Besides, righteous Guo Family Manor wouldn't gang up.
"I am Yeo Guk-hwan, vice captain of So Family Manor's Mighty Dragon Squad. Any with guts, face my blade."
"Beat 'em!"
...What?
They unleashed pent-up grudges all at once. Soft responses from Mighty Dragon yielded nothing. No duel—just inescapable, one-sided pounding. No escape.
Dodge one side, get hit from the other.
Avoid that flank, struck from this.
Encircling the So Family warriors in formation, they vented training-born resentment.
"Doing this and calling yourselves warriors... guk!"
"Shut that sly mouth—stomp it!"
The fallen fared worse. Thirty merciless feet trampled without pity. Yeo Guk-hwan and his men devolved to less than rags before a moment passed.
"Hey, say it again. What was that?"
Sa Geom-pyeong prodded Yeo Guk-hwan's face with his foot. Go on, repeat it. Shame quaked Yeo before pain or rage.
"Feeling wronged? Go learn your lesson then. Don't come shit in our yard. Huh, no answer? Want a leg snapped?"
"...You'll regret this day!"
"Still clueless. Boys, stomp again."
"...Stop... guk!"