Chapter 196
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Awakening (2)
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Kang Mujin turned around after obtaining what he needed.
Whish!
He observed the state of Yong Mugil, who had only learned about the martial world from books. As with all things, the first time was the hardest. The massive shock could send chills through the body or leave one in a blank state, unable to do anything for a while.
In that case, it was better to get the first experience over with quickly. If that situation arose later and he had to scramble to adapt, something could go wrong.
Brrrrr!
For a scholar who would have entered the imperial palace if he hadn't failed the unreasonable civil service exam, this was a shocking reality. He might not forget today for a long time and could even have seizures.
"It's okay. Everyone's like that the first time."
"This is the first time in my life I've seen such an incredible sight. This uncontrollable thrill makes me want to sweep through the battlefield with you right now, my lord!"
...Huh?
Kang Mujin met the eyes of Yong Mugil, who was bowing his head and trembling, and wore a bewildered expression. That face didn't look immersed in fear or shock at all. It was the ecstasy of a man who had tasted the peak of pleasure.
"How on earth did you kill them? I couldn't even see you tearing their bodies to pieces! Is that something people in the martial world use often?"
"Not really, but you're okay?"
"Of course. I'm perfectly fine. For the first time in my life, I've realized what I truly desire. Turns out I'm not cut out to be a scholar after all! If I'd known a world like this existed, I would've come here much sooner!"
"That's normal?"
This couldn't possibly be normal.
Not only ordinary people, but even martial artists lose their senses for a while after their first kill or witnessing one. Yet Yong Mugil looked beyond accustomed to murder—he was enjoying it.
-Indeed.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
-You still don't get it? You should've had a hunch from the strategies Yong Mugil employed.
'He used me very effectively back then.'
-He saw you clearly, and it was a reckless strategy that wouldn't have worked without you. But it couldn't have succeeded with just you alone. There must have been sacrifices fitting for it.
'Strategies are like that by nature. There was strong backlash from the great sects and prestigious families, though.'
Kang Mujin thought of it as a strategy he had successfully executed by utilizing himself, but countless people around him had cursed it as mad. It was perfect in hindsight, but the sacrifices weren't light.
-Just look at how well he got along with Hwangbo Se-ryeong. That alone shows he's not normal.
'That much?'
-But without such strategies, turning the tide would have been difficult. The Murim Alliance's forces weren't complete enough to resist the cult.
'Hold on, don't downplay my exploits.'
-Would a guy like that get backstabbed?
After the Divine Constable's strategies succeeded, Yong Mugil solidified his position as strategist thanks to his utilization of the War King. As Kang Mujin shone on the battlefield and the strategies worked, even the Murim Alliance members had no choice but to acknowledge him. The despair that nothing but his strategies could counter the Demonic Cult of the Demon God played a part too.
Heroes don't arise in chaotic times—it was me. Otherwise, it might have become a mad world awakened by a lunatic.
"Hahaha! I've had my eyes opened. But is the martial world a place where one can fly through the skies and hurl fire at will? If so, I will burn this body of mine for the world my lord desires!"
"Was he always like this?"
There might have been some misjudgment in his evaluation, but Yong Mugil was qualified as a strategist. One couldn't be a strategist with a weak heart. He seemed a bit overly excited, which was concerning, but he knew self-restraint.
Hoooo!
He left Yong Mugil trembling on his own. The family members in the carriage didn't need to worry. He had set up a barrier to block sound. He had also instructed his son not to look outside.
"What was that earlier?"
"What?"
"That strange technique? Was that sorcery?"
"Sorcery, yeah."
"You've learned sorcery?"
"Can't I?"
Namgung Yeonhwa was exasperated by Kang Mujin's nonchalant attitude toward sorcery. If orthodox faction members saw him using it, they would find some excuse to make an issue of it. Especially Shaolin and Wudang—it would be an incident that would make their eyes blaze with fury.
"Others won't let it slide if they find out."
"Oh? And then?"
"Then... Ah~!"
"It's fine. Only people who know are here."
Everyone who didn't know was buried underground, turned to fertilizer. So there was no worry at all.
That was basically a threat: interfere if you know, and you won't be forgiven.
"Sorcery is dangerous. It can corrupt your soul if you're not careful."
"Thanks for worrying, but it won't happen."
Namgung Yeonhwa let it drop at that point.
Worrying about this man was pointless. In the midst of it, she was curious too. She'd only heard of sorcery before—this was her first time seeing it. And she'd heard it didn't work well on masters who had reached a certain realm.
"How far have you mastered sorcery? Does it work on peak experts too?"
"You don't know sorcery until you experience it."
"Hmph! It doesn't work on me."
The Nangong family's Heavenly Thunder Sovereign Divine Art and Sky Bow Infinite Divine Art didn't have the demon-exorcising power against evil energies like Shaolin's divine arts, but ordinary sorcery didn't affect them.
"Oh, really~! From now on, you're a monkey."
"That cheap trick...!"
Namgung Yeonhwa's consciousness sank into sleep as a flash shot from Kang Mujin's eyes. And a completely different personality took over.
Heekee-keekee-keek!
Leaving the monkey alone, Kang Mujin had business with Yuk Chil. He needed to confirm every detail of this incident and become the protagonist of the rumors.
"The heroic vigilante who helps the common folk—how's that?"
Not the greatest con artist ever?
"Hehehe, perfect."
She didn't let it slide this time either.
Yuk Chil had sensed ulterior motives from the start, when he had generously sent off Ak Geum-pa. From the moment that money-obsessed, money-worshipping man willingly handed over the gold, it was a foregone conclusion.
'How long does he plan to live, anyway!'
At this point, he must be itching to get cursed at. Yet Yuk Chil followed more proactively than anyone. He didn't have the guts to interfere with Kang Mujin's plans.
He was working this hard for his own peace, the Beggars' Sect's, and the entire Central Plains. Yuk Chil just hoped people would recognize his efforts as a Beggars' Sect vigilante.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Kang Mujin left the carriage and wagons to Taejin and swiftly headed to his destination. Thinking of wiping them all out as soon as possible made his heart swell with pride as a vigilante.
Taejin sighed.
'Father, you should've undone the sorcery before leaving.'
Heekee-keekee-keek!
Namgung Yeonhwa was rampaging, convinced she was a monkey.
This sister's martial prowess was no joke. And why was her strength so immense! Taejin was being dragged around trying to catch her as she ran wild on her own.
"Sis, not there! Don't climb the tree!"
Heekee-keekee-keek!
The Hyeoncheon Dojang, representing Wudang's Sword Heaven, was the strongest swordsman bearing the title of Wudang's Supreme Sword. Simply becoming his disciple was a symbol of proven talent.
Thus, for a lay disciple—not even a named one—to receive sword techniques directly from Hyeoncheon Dojang was a rare anomaly.
When Hyeoncheon Dojang passed sword principles to the lay disciples Baek Yuhwa and Baek Yugyeong, the named disciples buzzed with rumors. But after their pivotal role in resolving the human trafficking incident, their skills gained recognition.
Afterward, Baek Yuhwa and Baek Yugyeong's path was smooth. At the Wudang Grand Tournament for junior disciples' competition, they achieved entry into the top ten swords. Their rapid progress in such a short time was astonishing.
A disciple's achievements highlight the master.
Wudang's elders and sect leader praised Hyeoncheon Dojang's teachings for their swift growth. This was even without transmitting the Taiji Heavenly Unity Art. With just sword arts and principles, they had transformed unrecognizably.
Their efforts played a part, but trust in Hyeoncheon Dojang within Wudang solidified further. This strengthened his position as Sword Heaven of Wudang.
Hyeoncheon Dojang was detached from all but the sword, but he was human too. He couldn't help but be pleased by the sect leader and elders' trust and praise.
"You comprehended sword intent during the match. If you'd continued, you might have won. Aren't you disappointed?"
"I'm satisfied to have demonstrated what Master taught me. There will be other chances to compete."
"Me too."
Hyeoncheon Dojang was pleased by his disciples' maturity in not obsessing over victory. The Wudang Grand Tournament was a test of training and learning, not a contest of win or loss. Though it had devolved over its long history, his disciples reminded everyone of its original meaning.
"Avoid sloth, but excessive humility can be poison too."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Baek Yuhwa and Baek Yugyeong were the first disciples to show such rapid achievements. Despite being women, they might become the next generation to lead Wudang's swordsmen.
Especially their humble diligence moved Hyeoncheon Dojang's heart. He wanted to teach them the Taiji Heavenly Unity Art, but their lay status was regrettable.
'We won't give up!'
'Just watch, brother-in-law!'
The driving force behind their swift achievements was Kang Mujin. The indifferent face of their brother-in-law, whom they hadn't expected anything from until the end, lingered in their minds.
'If you can't make it, just get married'—that's no way to talk to your sisters-in-law!
'I'll definitely see brother-in-law's shocked face!'
Baek Yuhwa and Baek Yugyeong's talents weren't at the level of once-in-a-millennium prodigies. But martial arts aren't judged solely by talent.
Without basic aptitude, effort alone makes it difficult. They had achieved their current level through apt talent, rigorous effort, and unyielding perseverance.
Fwoosh!
Recalling their brother-in-law, Baek Yuhwa and Baek Yugyeong burned with determination. It was pure fighting spirit to change his preconceptions.
Hoh!
Hyeoncheon Dojang was delighted by his disciples' resolve.
It was the tenacity modern youths lacked. Even Wudang Taoists needed it as swordsmen. Self-discipline and self-honing made it ideal.
'The future looks promising.'
Though not yet comparable to his top disciple Cheongpung, they would surely match him.
Praiseworthy disciples were important, but Hyeoncheon Dojang also watched his sore thumb. Strict usually, he didn't ignore a wounded disciple's return.
"Lost internal energy can be regained, and stiffened meridians will return to normal with effort. Don't despair—persistently practice the Universe Reversal Art."
"Yes, Master."
Cheonghyeon accepted his master's comfort and soothed himself. But it was only outward. Unlike his junior sisters thriving since the human trafficking incident, he had plummeted into ruin.
The praise they received should have been his. The reality of not standing in their place was pathetic.
'Damn it.'
Unable to compose himself, Cheonghyeon left Sword Heaven Hall and entered the uninhabited mountains.
It was a remote area away from Bul-i Rock, scarce of people.
That day that changed his life, he was poisoned, losing most of his internal energy. His smooth path twisted completely. Worse than the energy loss, his meridians stiffened, slowing any attempt to rebuild.
Crunch!
He couldn't contain his anger. Seeing his master chat amiably with his thriving junior sisters fueled his rage.
He was in such a mess, yet they earned even his master's recognition. Their pity-filled gazes toward him were an unbearable humiliation.
"How dare they!"
It felt like they were the reason for this. If he'd acted a bit faster then, he wouldn't have ended up this broken. Learning his trusted master hadn't actively treated him brought betrayal too.
"Why didn't you demand the Azure Clarity Pill!"
Wudang's treasure, the Azure Clarity Pill, could have restored his energy and healed his meridians. He had forsaken his disciple to protect that lofty pride.
"I won't forgive you!"
But he couldn't show it. The moment his irreverent heart was discovered, he'd be expelled from Wudang. That fear was great.
"Feeling wronged?"
Flinch!
Cheonghyeon, thinking the forest empty, startled and turned. His martial uncle stood there with a benevolent smile. But the smile felt eerily sinister somehow.
"Martial Uncle, what brings you here."
"It's fine. Humans have greed, and despair when hope fades. How about it? If you follow me, I can give you a chance."
"Really?"
"It depends on what you do."
"I'll follow you, Martial Uncle!"
Cheonghyeon didn't hesitate. Results under a master who had abandoned him were hopeless.
Looking at him, his face bore an evil aura unfit for Wudang.
Heh heh heh.
Broken ones were easy to use.