Chapter 201
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: To the Desert (1)
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Mujin commissioned the Beggars' Sect to spread the news of his victories far and wide. He hoped these successive triumphs would build his fame and wash away the dishonor of the past, but reputations weren't so easily changed.
Most challengers were ronin or wandering experts with no real fame or backing to speak of. People dismissed them as desperate flailing from those eager to make a name for themselves against the Heavenly Fortune Fist.
Perhaps because of that, no renowned sects or famous martial artists stepped forward. Winning would be no gain, and losing would bring shame, so it was a risky bet. Besides, there was no compelling reason to take on the Heavenly Fortune Fist.
Moreover, the defeated challengers all clammed up without a word. Whether out of refusal to admit defeat or something else, none of them breathed a syllable about the Heavenly Fortune Fist.
The challengers dwindled quickly and soon dried up entirely. It was the collective psychology of refusing to play into the Heavenly Fortune Fist's scheme.
Unlike the public's regretful gaze, Mujin was thrilled.
He spent his days leisurely, occasionally giving the elders a light scolding to round out his routine.
He hoped it would continue like this.
But Mujin's wish was cut short after just ten days by news brought by Yukchil.
The elders, finally freed from Mujin, reportedly cheered like they'd forgotten their age. Mujin expressed profound regret upon hearing this.
They'd labored tirelessly for the sect, yet the very parties involved recoiled in horror. Even his father subtly hinted at it. His uncle was throwing a tantrum, saying he couldn't take it anymore.
The elders were being childish.
Mujin shelved his plan to linger at home as long as possible and avoid going out. Things had gotten messy, to say the least.
"So the Ice White Witch is wandering the desert?"
"Some call her a witch, others a fairy."
"What nonsense is that?"
"Her actions are too peculiar to label her simply a witch. There's a hint of goodness in her, perhaps. If she were purely a witch, she'd have slaughtered people indiscriminately. But why would she do that?"
"Fair point."
The moment he heard news from beyond the Jade Gate Pass, Mujin knew exactly what was up. The Ice White Witch wouldn't suddenly start roaming the desert for no reason. Until now, there'd been no word because it wasn't in the Central Plains.
'Has to be her, right?'
-It's not "has to be." It's the Sword Empress.
'You should've warned me properly about the dosage effects. Tsk tsk tsk.'
Precautions were basic when taking medicine. Popping anything willy-nilly or messing up the intake guaranteed side effects.
-There's no special way to consume the Ice Crystal.
'So it's my fault?'
-Does denying it make you feel better?
'Without the Sword Empress, the future won't change much, right? No guarantee she even dies.'
-The Sword Empress will come to her senses eventually.
It was a timing issue. When the Sword Empress acquired her ice arts, the Cold Heavenly White Dragon Art had already surpassed the seventh star. It was a minor side effect from an insufficient vessel. Her mind had snapped, but her talent was exceptional.
Lazy as he was about leaving home, Mujin hoped the Sword Empress would awaken on her own.
"She'll be fine if we leave her alone, right?"
"The Great Desert Blood Palace is targeting the Ice White Witch."
"Why them?"
"They say she killed the Great Desert Blood Palace's fourth young master."
The Great Desert Blood Palace ruled the great desert as tyrants. Its lord, the Great Desert Blood Heaven, was an absolute master rivaling the Divine State's Twenty-One Peaks. No one in the desert dared defy the palace lord's command. Rumors also swirled that the desert's nightmare, the Red Wind Evil, was under the Great Desert Blood Palace's protection.
'The Great Desert Blood Palace was the vanguard for their push into the Central Plains, as I recall. Blood Lord was pretty strong. Was he the current young master?'
-Blood Lord is the third of Great Desert Blood Heaven's seven disciples. He became palace lord after his master's death.
'Third means the first and second yielded? Unlikely.'
-I don't know the details.
'Succession struggles are always bloody. Can the Sword Empress evade the Great Desert Blood Palace's pursuit?'
-In her prime, she could escape.
If it were just the Great Desert Blood Palace, that'd be one thing, but Yukchil said she'd made enemies of the Red Wind Evil and Black Wind Evil too. At least she wasn't harming common folk, which was why opinions split between witch and fairy. Still, the ice flowers blooming from her head marked her as far from normal.
'What a headache.'
-Ignoring it isn't the answer.
'She sure gets tangled up everywhere.'
-That's your fate.
This bastard was secretly enjoying it.
Mujin didn't deny the Sword Empress was a key asset for the future. She had the talent to claim the top spot among female swordswomen.
But if she were a stranger, he wouldn't bother with the hassle. He was also miffed she hadn't shared more details about the Ice Crystal.
To begin with, this wouldn't have happened if Mujin hadn't accelerated the timeline. He bore some responsibility.
"I'll prepare for the trip to the desert."
"What's gotten into you, being so proactive?"
"The clan head ordered me to stick by Strong Hero Kang's side."
"Pushy, but I'll give you credit for the initiative."
Yukchil had no choice. Not just the clan head, but the former sect leader had earnestly instructed him to watch Strong Hero Kang.
"Oh, how's the Tang Clan coming along?"
"On schedule. The damaged mechanisms should be repaired soon."
Mujin could picture the Poison King suffering from the Blood River Market fiasco. He'd probably cursed nonstop during the work. Still, the stubborn old man would see it through once promised.
"No insolent moves?"
"Lady Gamo and the chief elder are acting suspicious, but nothing major."
"Keep tabs and inform Yeonwoo at the critical moment."
"Yes, sir."
Mujin saw the Tang Clan's family rift and filial impiety as a foregone conclusion. The greedy stepmother and chief elder wouldn't yield the clan headship easily.
Staging an internal rebellion right away would be tough, so they'd likely pull in outside forces. At the right time, Dang Yeonwoo could step in, crush the trash, and solidify his position.
'One heir is enough.'
Overreaching led to failure, so Mujin watched from the sidelines for this moment. Even the century-old Poison King knew it. The Poison King and Poison Army's desperate struggles to protect family were amusing.
'No sudden family love where there was none.'
He didn't deny blood was thicker than water. But those blinded by power cut down kin who got in the way.
That night, lying in bed with his wife, Mujin told her everything—omitting reincarnation and the Demon King, but nothing else he wanted to hide.
"I should've judged more carefully. I was too hasty."
"The choice was hers. If telling her the treasure's location was a mistake, then everyone lives hoping for mistakes."
"That's not how it works."
"Even if you were hasty, she made the choice. So she should've found a safe way to take it."
This was why he loved Yujin.
She was always on his side. Her reasoning was flawless too. The timing had advanced, but failing to secure a safe method was squarely the Sword Empress's error.
-Who was it that said first come, first served?
'Was that me?'
-Who said to consume spirit medicines the moment they appear?
'Ahem, good memory.'
Life was a chain of choices. Hasty consumption risked disaster, but delaying for safety could leave you with nothing—like the dog chasing a chicken. Fate was unpredictable.
'Neither you nor I know everything.'
-Excuses don't change mistakes.
The Demon King was spot on. Mujin shut the abyss space. Wise words too often led to early graves.
That's why loyal ministers died before schemers. Constant truth stings and irritates. When calm, you tolerate it; when not, off with their heads.
Did any king ever admit his own mistakes?
Mujin did.
After all, he was the War King.
"Should I not go?"
"I trust your choice. And I know you wouldn't abandon someone fated."
"You're impossible."
"Then did you try to win me over?"
"No, why would I?"
Winning or losing depended on Yujin. If she wished it, he'd sin against the world.
"I'll be back soon."
"Don't worry about me—take your time."
"Won't see you for a while, so let's burn some inner energy tonight."
"Oh my!"
Only after a passionate night with his wife did Mujin firm his resolve. He wasn't sure she'd boost their forces, but as a sect shield, she'd suffice.
"Daddy's sorry. Haven't played much and have to leave again."
"Mijoo wants to go too, but she'll endure."
"I'll bring lots of gifts when I return."
"Daddy's enough."
Mujin's heart swelled at Mijoo's pluck. A father's love for his daughter was like this. She couldn't stay in his arms forever, but he'd cherish these times. Whoever married her someday had to make her happy.
-Hmph, pipe dream.
'Why the snark?'
-Your daughter will die an old maid.
'Trash talk family, and it's on!'
-Not trash talk—fact. Realistically, to withstand your Ten Ultimates, she'd need Divine State Twenty-One Peaks level. You think any peer her age can?
Mujin shut the abyss again.
No rebuttal came. Tricking others was one thing; the Demon King knew him too well.
People always got stubborn when cornered. He ignored the Demon King's valid protest to keep it open.
Swish!
Mujin signaled So.
-Guard well.
Meow (No worries)!
-That's cheeky.
Meow (No way)!
-We should go to the mountains together sometime.
Meow (All clear on duty)!
-Smart cat.
Meow (Oops)!
The chubby cat, tricked by its master, stared at distant peaks pretending ignorance. Just an illiterate beast who'd never seen or heard such things.
-Too late.
Meow (Hehe, love you, Master)!
Having devoured the Publicly Clear Jade Oil before, it had fully awakened as a spirit beast. Beyond understanding speech, it seemed capable of conversation—but played dumb.
People and beasts alike grew lax when spoiled. Spoil them plenty, but occasional discipline was essential. Ignoring slights for harmony just made life exhausting.
-Shape up. Or it's the stew pot.
Meow (My liege, Mijoo's under my watch).
Boil it all day, and it'd taste bad, but failing duty meant becoming the medicine anyway.
As Mijoo and So left, Cheolho sighed deeply.
'Together, maybe less hellish?'
He hoped no infernal training in front of Mijoo. But he reconsidered.
Imagine master and Mijoo together.
'Two demons!'
Not even two native chickens!
At the momentary lapse, Cheolho's back chilled. Shooting himself in the foot. Above all, master doted on Mijoo extremely. Any harm to her, and demon would be child's play.
"Cheolho, my boy, leaving this cherished home is heartbreaking. But for my disciple's future, what wouldn't a master do?"
"I'll never forget your grace, Master."
Cheolho played along. He knew it was for Sword Empress sis, but truth didn't matter. If master said so, it was so.
Even if he claimed Wudang's head was Shaolin's Huiyuan, disputing it would end with Shaolin's abbot kidnapped and installed as Wudang head.
Then he'd say long-noses and baldies were the same.
Swish!
The "auctioned" Cheolho stayed stoic. Losers were silent, master's word was law.
Mujin eyed his brother.
"Should your big bro rescue your wife too? Where's a brother like that?"
"I ain't married yet!"
"Ho, talking back to your brother?"
"Soon enough. Thanks, bro."
Titles like Qingyang's Greatest Swordsman or Divine Sword Demonic Knight didn't console Muho. Before his brother, his head oddly bowed.
And he had no complaints.
The Sword Empress was alluring and beautiful. Men worldwide chasing her wouldn't surprise.
Handed one of the Ten Beauties Under Heaven—who'd refuse unless iron-willed?
Muho was no different. In that sense, his one-track brother was impressive. Namgung Yeonhwa's attitude post-journey proved it.
'Is my love that fickle?'
Not a reed.
Muho's mouth soured at his brother's words shaking him. Seemingly unavoidable, but inwardly conflicted.