Chapter 198
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Deliberately! (2)
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Built like he could devour even a bear, my brother Cheol-ho was floundering in front of Mijoo like a duckling that had lost its mother, unable to find his bearings. Seeing him like that made it clear he had his weakness firmly in her grasp.
Even if she didn't have that leverage, Mijoo had an existence standing tall before her that was more than reliable—it was a walking calamity. Who would dare touch her? If the Pine Tiger Sect had a true tyrant, it was none other than Mijoo.
My little sister... but what will she become in the future?
Taejin tried to envision Mijoo's future, but no answer came to mind. It was much like thinking about his father. Should he be glad to have a child who looked just like him?
Then what about me?
Thankfully, he took after his mother, which was some comfort.
"You've toughened up beyond recognition in such a short time."
"When I go out with Father, I have no choice. If I don't get stronger, there's no way out."
"Young Lady Nangong has changed a lot too."
"Her personality might be questionable, but her martial arts are the real deal."
After running for dear life, teetering on cliff edges, and barely crossing raging rivers, his skills had improved by leaps and bounds.
Muho, who had accepted Nangong Yeonhwa's challenge, was quite taken aback by how much her martial arts had advanced. The openings he'd seen before were gone, turned instead into strengths. Especially now that her control over thunder qi had matured, she was no easy opponent.
"That just now looked just like Dad."
"That's a bit much... Ahem! I'll take it as a compliment."
Muho's growth was as astonishing as Taejin and Nangong Yeonhwa's. Ever since he'd started training at his nephew's request, his desperate efforts to survive had borne fruit. He had now fully entered the Flower Realm, harmonizing mind, technique, and body. He stood at the threshold of the Absolute Realm. It was truly remarkable progress.
"Still, it's not enough, is it?"
"You think it is?"
He hadn't held out much hope from the start.
Thud, thud!
Muho's steps toward the mountain felt heavy, like jumping into flames carrying a bundle of oil-soaked brushwood.
Our training ground and the demon's hunting territory.
As he crossed the mountainside into the clearing, there were his brother and Nangong Yeonhwa. They had already sparred once, judging by her tattered clothes. Traces of uncontrolled heavenly thunder qi lingered here and there.
"Brother, all the responsibility lies with me. It's my own failing."
"Ho, so you're admitting it readily?"
"I can't push the blame onto my nephew as his uncle."
"Kid, you've grown a lot. I guess I don't need to get involved anymore... You thought I'd say that?!"
Admitting and accepting mistakes didn't mean forgiveness... fat chance.
Knowing his brother's temperament all too well, Muho never let his guard down for a second. He kept his hand poised at the optimal distance for drawing his sword, watching for any chance to strike.
Kwaaaaang!
He twisted his sword aura to deflect the incoming formless fist, minimizing the damage, but Muho gritted his teeth. The force within the formless fist exploded, shooting a pillar into the sky.
Kugh!
Even just grazing it sent jolts through him. He circulated his sword to dispel the rebounding true energy and activated his sword barrier. Knowing offense was out of the question, he went fully defensive.
Cosmic Defense.
Just endure for now.
That was Muho's strategy.
He wasn't even dreaming of counterattacking. Blocking was challenge enough. Minimal efficiency and focus were key. He precisely controlled the internal energy spent on his sword force, refining his sword techniques' trajectories. Pouring out strikes at just the right spots and times wasn't easy.
Shouldn't each bundle not be that powerful individually?
His brother's formless fist strikes came in clusters like blooming flowers, yet each one was monstrous. The transfer of internal energy was astonishingly even.
And that wasn't all—carelessness was forbidden. Hidden within were concealed blades of varying power.
Puuung, pwuaaaang!
The mountain groaned under Mujin and Muho's fierce clash. Their speed and destructive power had surpassed normal limits. Formless fists rained down in bunches like exploding blossoms, met by Muho's exquisitely perilous tightrope walk of sword techniques.
Tatang, tuwaaaang!
Sword barrier, sword aura, sword bullets, sword strikes, sword qi—Muho's techniques shifted fluidly with the situation. Though rooted in the Pine Tiger Sect's Pine Tiger Five Swords, they rivaled absolute sword arts. He had reached his own unique sword realm based on them.
Ah!
Nangong Yeonhwa watched the brothers' intense duel with pure admiration. Mujin aside—having transcended human limits—Muho had ascended to the ranks of masters.
Why is he so strong too?
She had felt he wasn't at full power yesterday, but this gap left her bitter. She worked hard to grow stronger, yet there were fledglings soaring above even flying women.
What a pity.
Muho's swordsmanship was on par to challenge for the continent's top sword. But before a calamity, he was just a pitiable human. They looked similar, but the difference was stark.
Haa, haa!
Even after over two hours of exchanges with Nangong Yeonhwa, Muho hadn't broken a sweat. Now his whole body was drenched. Sweat poured like rain, his internal energy and stamina depleting, his mind and body screaming.
It had been less than half an hour. No time to recover his spent energy. Muho's face twisted savagely as he squeezed out his defenses.
Huaaaah!
His breathing grew erratic. He resisted to the end, pouring everything out, but he was blocked and helpless. The powerlessness was worse than being pummeled outright. No matter where he swung, despair shook him as his sword couldn't reach.
Just beat me already!
Even unleashing full power in desperation did nothing. His brother's fists grew stronger. An insurmountable colossal wall.
Yet his warrior's pride refused to let him collapse here. He didn't want to live getting beaten by his brother forever either.
I'm all grown up now!
I didn't learn martial arts for this!
As his reserves emptied, his consciousness blurred. Then a strange sensation hit. He had no strength left to hold the sword, yet it moved forward.
An astonishing event unfolded.
He barely blocked his brother's monstrous fist art. Impossible even at his best.
How?
Doubt flickered, but the sword didn't stop. It was as if his body reacted before his mind could process. Come to think of it, his mind was sharpening. Internal and external energies nearly exhausted, breath at his throat—yet his swordplay felt freer than ever.
He vividly traced the sword intent beyond the wall he'd failed to breach countless times.
What trick is this?
He didn't understand it himself. His body reacted before his head. Each moment, the sword urged him onward relentlessly. He and the sword truly became one.
Man-Sword Unity.
They said it came naturally in the Flower Realm, but reality differed. True unity required opening the sword pupil, infusing the sword with ego. The sword became a living being, merging with him.
Whiriririk!
Sword intent flowed like water.
Muho had advanced a step beyond Taejin's Stance Stability, animating his sword and assimilating with it. A gap appeared in his brother's once-impenetrable fist art.
Swak!
A faint opening.
His man-sword unity slashed toward it. The massive cliff blocking him crumbled.
Taaang!
The swung sword struck Mujin's neck.
Brr!
Why did it hit?
An unexpected result.
Muho snapped awake in horrified reality. He'd swung in immersion, never expecting his brother's neck.
But it didn't faze him. Even slicing with man-sword unity drew no blood—instead, it rang like striking metal, sword and flesh vibrating.
"This counts as filial impiety, right?"
...On purpose!
It was his masterpiece move—dangerous even for a brother. But seeing Mujin's smile, he realized the whole thing was his brother's scheme.
Realization be damned—it was dangerous.
I have to break free... Hngh!
Kuwek!
Escape was just a pipe dream. In an instant, his neck was gripped, slamming him to the ground before he could struggle.
Pupupupu-puk!
Slammed down, his mind dazed. Suspended in air, a barrage of fist shadows filled his vision.
"Did I say it or not? Protect Mijoo. How dare that fragile girl hatch such a dangerous plan! Can you still call yourself her uncle after that?"
Dangerous? Who?
I'm the one in danger!
Even as he was beaten, Muho protested. But it was futile echo, unheard.
Pupupupu-puk!
His whole body was thoroughly pummeled. Mountain-shattering force per blow concentrated to points, multiplying into an area.
The One Point to Ten Thousand Fists' destructive power pierced Muho.
"You trying to kill your brother?!"
"Hmph! Worried your husband might get hurt?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"Don't worry, your husband won't die."
She tried ignoring Mujin's nonsense, but Nangong Yeonhwa couldn't hide her shock. Despite the merciless beating, he was reverting to normal.
What kind of Pursuing Pressure Point is that?!
Kraaaaaah!
It inflicted horrific pain, yet his body was mending perfectly. His mind sharpened too, making the unbearable agony crystal clear.
It struck bone-deep, battering the soul directly. To ensure no more bad ideas, Mujin decided to thoroughly correct his habits.
Thud!
An advanced Pursuing Pressure Point even taxed Mujin. His brother's body was far tougher now. A human body's mystery. Pounding could destroy, but exquisitely timed force widened its vessel.
"How long you gonna lie there? You're fine—get up. Or should I force you?"
"Fine, I'll get up."
Grumbling as he rose, Muho felt empty.
His body felt refreshed. Hurt? Not a bit. All channels flowed unobstructed. Just sitting and breathing felt like gathering qi.
Damn, not a Public Spirit Body, is it?
"No brother like this. I messed up, and you give me a blessing."
"You didn't even dream of saying 'better not to have one.' My brother's the best."
It was a blessing, but one he never wanted.
Muho knew he'd never forget this pain. Physical agony gone, the imprinted memory terrified.
It exceeded human limits. To think someone could beat so expertly—admirable in a way.
"I'm stopping here because you didn't slack off. Don't forget your heavy duty to protect the family."
"I know."
Muho knew his brother hated wandering outside. But the world was unpredictable. With him, the family was an iron fortress—no denying it. He had to be the last bastion when absent.
"Even if the continent falls, protect the family."
"Of course."
Nangong Yeonhwa wondered at the brothers' family-first pact. Was that necessary? Too blunt. Listening made her blood boil.
"Still, help our family too."
"Oh, thought you'd spout 'great power, great responsibility' crap. You're no different from us."
"So will you protect us or not?"
"Let's see, priorities? Family first, then wife's family, then Huangbo after... Kinda like Tang Clan or Beggar Clan."
"You could at least say you'll protect us."
"You don't want empty words."
"Our connection with you started first!"
"Can't ignore blood ties. Nangong Family's safety depends on you."
Imagine people hearing this. They'd call them crazy bullshitters, ignorant of details.
But no one knew then the massive ripple this conversation would cause later.
"You really mean it?"
"Arms bend inward by nature. Same for Nangong Family. Or you wouldn't fence yourselves in a clan."
"We didn't fence—we love our family."
"Forced or not, denying no intent to leave changes nothing."
Strength in unity—common sense. Nangong Family wasn't built purely on blood from the start.
In this harsh world, gathering trustworthies is hard. Blood bonds deepen inevitably. Clan security and prestige comfort greatly.
"Chances are slim. Plenty gunning for my brother. Right?"
"Neung young lady's not bad."
Muho didn't lie.
He'd been meeting Neung So-ryeo often lately. Humans can't help it. Distance strains bonds, especially man-woman. No response without expression.
She lacked Neung's background or arts compared to Fist Empress or Sword Empress, but she was honest, proactive. Fine character, boastable looks.
Muho didn't hate her forwardness. Comfortable meetings, good talks. Their first kiss lingered even in sleep.
"See? Hopeless romantic, but distance dooms him. Easy guy—who'll snag him?"
"Even so, such words."
He'd fancied the Sword Empress briefly. She left for elixir, no word since. Wait forever? If she had a man later, fine now. Love doesn't last millennia.
That's that.
Easy? I gave my heart because it's Neung young lady.
Whatever brother thought, she had talent, was good. Anyone was fine, he said. True or not, it moved him.
"So arrange a political marriage?"
"Not bad."
"You found love yourself."
"So?"
"Too self-favoring?"
"Think only of yourself then."
Mujin wasn't forcing. Strategic ties with Nangong, but marriage would bind tighter.
Sacrificing for family after benefits—who'd like freeloaders?
"I'll try."
"Huh, thought you'd refuse."
"I despise irresponsibility."
"Good then."
Wait, my opinion?
Muho bristled as they made deals over him. But with brother's glaring eyes, he couldn't speak. Thoughts should stay thoughts.
Neung young lady's fine.
Damn it!