Chapter 178
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Fist King (1)
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Mujin made a business proposal to Guo Family Manor before heading to Shandong Province.
Having secured a base of influence in Jiangsu Province, he suggested linking up with the Jeongun Merchant Group in Anhui Province. The Jeongun Merchant Group already had a contract with Yuhan Merchant Group in Jiangsu, making it a mutually beneficial deal.
Of course, it was just a proposal—no coercion involved.
Guo Cheol-yong had agreed without even glancing at the documents, burning with enthusiasm. He saw it as advantageous for Guo Family Manor too. It was an exceedingly fair trade.
"Anyone would think I was twisting your arm."
Nangong Yeonhwa, Yukchil, and Taejin nearly snorted at Mujin's mutter. He claimed it wasn't coercion, but what he'd shown them was utterly absurd.
This was a man who had wiped out one of the Peng family's main forces from Hebei in a single breath. Guo Cheol-yong didn't have the guts to refuse such a person's proposal.
Moreover, he'd snuck into So Family Manor at night, stripping them of their secret funds and ledgers. It made clear he was the type to drop by unannounced anytime things went awry.
Once they knew he wasn't bound by courtesies or grand principles, Guo Family Manor's choice was set in stone. Calling it a mere "proposal" was laughable.
On the way to Huangbo Clan, Mujin imparted life's wisdom to his son—golden rules that would serve him well in blood and flesh.
"Son, a man's pride is in his money and his martial arts."
"Well said, Father."
Taejin absorbed it flawlessly. Like his mother, his memory and arithmetic were above average.
Nangong Yeonhwa and Yukchil were appalled by Mujin's fatherly education. A father should teach his son lofty spirit and righteousness. This was overly pragmatic, like dealing with the epitome of a philistine.
"Numbers must be precise. Martial arts at the Absolute Realm, at least a million taels. That's the baseline to live without bending your pride. Know what I've learned in this world? I've never met anyone who truly hates money."
"Yes, Father."
What the hell is he teaching his kid?
Does he want him to become a money-grubbing vulgarian? Even then, Absolute Realm and a million taels aren't for just anyone! If outsiders heard this rich pair, they'd call it madness.
'He could pull it off.'
'Damn, it'll probably happen.'
Watching Mujin's absurd achievements, they figured Taejin had the basics covered.
Unable to hold back, Nangong Yeonhwa spoke up. Even nonsense has limits.
"Shouldn't a warrior teach his son to uphold justice and chivalry? We're supposed to be the righteous side, after all."
"Uphold justice and chivalry while reaching Absolute Realm and making money. You want my son living like a beggar?"
Yukchil didn't bristle.
He stayed calm.
"You've already earned enough for generations to live lavishly!"
"You never know with life! My money's mine, not my son's."
"You'll pass it on anyway!"
"My lifespan's at least five hundred years. It'll run short if he spends like that till then."
Whoa!
He was openly declaring his long life. And he wasn't lying. At the absolute realm, lifespan dwarfed a normal person's. It sounded like bullshit, but it fit Mujin perfectly.
Unless one sought ascension.
"Our family average should be five hundred years. I'll make it so."
The terrifying words passed by.
Nangong Yeonhwa and Yukchil couldn't brush it off. Not just him—his whole family living five hundred years? That was no different from Pine Tiger Sect dominating everything solo.
"Immortality achieved."
"Don't brag about it!"
Ancient emperors sought elixirs for themselves alone—foolish. Peak martial arts naturally granted longevity. Unless someone cut your throat.
-If the Demonic Cult of the Demon God rules the world, you won't want to live long.
'We'll stop them, so it's fine.'
-Don't come to me at times like this!
'That's why I keep you around.'
The Demon King was dumbfounded by Mujin's bluntness. The guy hid nothing. Annoying, yet reassuring.
'People who shoot straight like me are treasures once you get to know them.'
-Fine, go be your honest self, punk!
Offended, the Demon King retreated to his mental fortress. No worries—he'd crawl out eventually.
Mujin spared no effort as a father for his son's martial arts. Human traffic thinned out.
He'd been waiting.
Grin!
Chill!
Nangong Yeonhwa, Yukchil, and Taejin's hearts skipped at Mujin's beaming smile. Figures he'd ramble nonsense—people don't change easily.
"Treat travel like training, training like travel."
"Cut the crap~~~!"
Nangong Yeonhwa's shout turned to a scream. Yukchil and Taejin felt their ordeal far from over. On this journey, no moment of laxity allowed.
'Am I really heading to propose marriage?'
Taejin's sudden doubt.
"This is quite the pickle."
The middle-aged man reading the letter stroked his finely groomed beard, looking troubled. He immediately sent for his younger brother. The letter was addressed to him, but its subject was his sibling.
Soon, the brother entered.
Sharing blood, they looked remarkably alike. Taller than average, their trained physiques exuded formidable auras.
"You called?"
"I told you to relax when it's just us."
"It's not time for casual talk yet. How old do you think I am!"
"Brat, it was yesterday you were bawling with a bloody nose after a beating."
"Bro! Ancient history!"
Close in age, they bickered like typical brothers. Huangbo Jangseong took plenty of licks. Even a year's gap meant his brother demanded respect—infuriating countless times.
But they were older now, and the brother was clan head. Eyes were watching; no room for casualness. No ill will either.
"You beat me for casual talk as a kid, now you beat me for respect!"
"That's the perk of being the older brother. This seat's uncomfortable anyway. Want it?"
"Quit the empty talk!"
"True, you'd never beat me."
"Show-off!"
Huangbo Jangcheon, clan head and elder brother, had been bold since youth. Decisive in ties. But as clan head, he couldn't act as freely. He had to consider circumstances, especially the clan's plight.
Still, his martial prowess was undeniable. As firstborn, he'd inherited Father's skills best. He had the strength to succeed the Fist King of the era.
"You didn't call to joke. What's up?"
"Marriage proposal from the Yin Clan. Their third daughter."
"For Ryeong?"
"Who else in our family?"
"Impossible."
"Exactly."
Pine Tiger Sect had formally proposed via Jeongun Merchant Group, sending betrothal gifts. No ordinary ones—priceless jewels and fine silks beyond a minor sect's means.
But more impressive was the letter. A simple treatise on fist power. Seemed like wordplay at first. Rereading revealed profound insights. Even Father, inspired by the last line, was in secluded training.
"Insights check out, but believing it... tough."
"Don't strut just 'cause you're stronger than Bro."
"That's how you talk to your brother?!"
"Precisely because you are. Honestly, childhood beatings weren't so bad."
Huangbo Jangcheon had been stunned hearing his brother's tales from the Little Dragon Tournament. Who'd believe that? Yet pondering the insights proved them real.
"That temper of hers?"
"Polite, but touch her and she bites back."
"She won't hit in public, right?"
"Depends on how you act, Bro."
Outwardly, Shandong Yin Clan dwarfed Pine Tiger Sect. Anyone would pick Yin Clan. Not top Five Great Clans, but Eight Great? Easily. Strong in arms and ties to officials—good synergy for solidifying Shandong.
"They just sent the letter and are coming without a reply."
"The in-laws-to-be arrive soon too."
Mujin had notified his imminent arrival. No need—they'd heard. Huangbo Clan monitored the So Manor-Guo Manor clash rocking Jiangsu.
"Peng family from Hebei wouldn't back down gracefully. Gotta be a hundred percent."
"Likely."
Guo Manor beating So Manor, backed by Pengs? Illogical. Unless Tianyun Fist backed Guo.
"Father worries me though."
"Won't end quietly?"
"With him stepping in, it'll work out."
"That's... yeah."
"In-laws, gotta be polite, right?"
Huangbo Jangseong thought of Mujin, face ambiguous. Like Nangong Clan, he dismissed New Generation Twenty Heroes. Treated them like neighborhood elders.
'No way he flies off the handle!'
The issue was temperament.
He'd flip the go board mid-game if losing against said elders.
'No way.'
Huangbo Jangseong shook his head at his own example.
This wasn't a man—it was a thug.
Pine Tiger Sect's thug, wasn't it?
They arrived in Jenan.
Shandong's capital and premier metropolis dwarfed Qingyang. All province goods and logistics converged here. Crowds were immense. By continent standards, visible people everywhere meant a metropolis.
Usually sparse otherwise.
At the city gate walked a fine-looking man with three beggars.
The man was flawless, muscular frame showcased by premium silk martial robes. Physique pierced even fine cloth.
The beggars' rags were fine material too. Just battered—torn, hard to recognize original. Disheveled hair matted with thick sweat, pathetic.
"You'll get turned away looking like that."
"Your fault!"
"I gave you time to wash."
"You damn bastard, go to hell!"
He had given wash time.
Nangong Yeonhwa didn't argue that. But post-hell training, bodies were wrecked. Eating and sleeping were chores—bathing? Absurd.
"Still, wash and sleep."
"Bath means idle, so more training! I see your scheme!"
Tsk!
Sharp girl.
Growing keener daily. "Three days' vigilance pierces a thousand li"—her insight sharpened, she thought.
"I'll book a wing. Soak all you want. I'm not petty."
Petty benchmark what?!
Meant as generosity, but Nangong Yeonhwa seethed. Better stay quiet than bicker—lose more than gain.
They took rooms at a decent Jenan inn.
Couldn't visit Huangbo Clan as beggars—bathe, change to prepared clothes first.