Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Kids' Fight (3)
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He instinctively turned his face away, so his teeth and nose were spared, but he must have taken quite the shock. However, that was far from the end of it. Mujin swept the ground as if combing through it, hooking Guo Cheol-ung's leg.
Thud!
Guo Cheol-ung's body, swept off its feet, toppled sideways, creating the perfect angle for a downward strike from above. With the setup optimized for a hammer blow, Mujin didn't hesitate and brought it down.
Splat! Crash!
Guo Cheol-ung, slammed into the ground, was on the verge of blacking out. The impact was too severe for him to even think of getting back up.
His body twitched in spasms, eyes rolling back to expose the whites. Yet, even in that state, he strained with every ounce of willpower to rise. It was impressive mental fortitude.
Acknowledging that...
Mujin didn't stop and kicked him square in the head.
Wham!
He flew back, tracing a graceful arc through the air before crashing to the ground. A streak of crimson blood smeared across the dirt.
Gurgle...
Guo Cheol-ung passed out cold.
The onlookers watched the entire sequence in stunned silence, mouths agape. It was like something out of a fairy tale. Guo Cheol-ung was the prized swordmaster of Guo Family Manor.
Sure, he was only at the early pinnacle stage, but that still put him far above a first-rate warrior. Gal Hyo-myeong had been thoroughly trounced, but he wasn't even in the same league as Guo Cheol-ung.
Yet Guo Cheol-ung hadn't even drawn his sword—hell, he hadn't swung it properly—before he was turned into a total wreck.
Swoosh!
Mujin swept his gaze over his brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and Gal Hyo-myeong.
They snapped to attention, finally coming back to their senses. He wore a smile, but it masked the claws of a predator. The killing intent radiating from him surpassed ordinary malice. He wasn't growling, yet their limbs refused to obey.
Mujin grinned.
"Anyone else?"
His demeanor made it clear he wouldn't mind if someone stepped up right then and there. But of course, there was no one. Gal Hyo-myeong's injuries from three days ago hadn't fully healed; he could barely move.
"......None."
"May we take our leave, then?"
"Go."
"We'll see him again once he recovers."
Baek Yucheon had no choice but to back away under the immense pressure.
He knew that any more pranks like this wouldn't end lightly. But calling it a prank was a stretch. Guo Cheol-ung's condition was dire—cracked ribs, a mangled face. These weren't injuries that would heal in a few days of rest. And if even this was mere child's play, the next time might mean death.
"Father-in-law, shall we finish that game we started yesterday?"
"......Very well."
Baek Woong-cheol's mind reeled at his son-in-law's nonchalance. He'd been skeptical when told Gal Hyo-myeong had been one-sidedly defeated. But the display of skill exceeded all imagination. It had ended so fast and destructively that he could barely follow it.
And brazen beyond belief.
How many people could beat an opponent to a pulp like that, then turn around like it was nothing and suggest a game of go? Common sense didn't apply here.
"Should we just leave him like that?"
"He's fine. He won't die from injuries like that."
"He's coughing up blood."
"A little blood won't kill him."
He didn't even spare a glance at someone else's blood.
Baek Woong-cheol realized he needed to reevaluate his son-in-law. He'd thought he'd cleaned up his act and turned over a new leaf, but it was more than that. He was an entirely different person now.
'And he's not even the heir!'
He'd been told he'd stepped down due to lack of talent. But no matter how he looked at it, talent wasn't the issue. Unless it was something other than martial arts? Or perhaps his younger brother was far superior.
"Come on, let's go. As the saying goes, if a man draws his sword, he should at least cut down some grass. Don't sweat the small stuff."
"......Alright."
Mujin led his father-in-law away from the scene, leaving the cleanup to those who remained. Truth be told, dealing with the aftermath was the most annoying part. He didn't care if the leftovers bickered or fought among themselves.
'Hmph. That's how kids' fights go.'
He'd turned their kids' squabble into an adults' brawl, so the price was fair. They should count themselves lucky he hadn't killed anyone. He'd half-expected this petty nonsense, but he wouldn't tolerate it. Maternal family or not, there'd be no mercy next time.
'Next time, I'll kill them.'
-You're ruthless.
'You?'
-It wasn't my will.
'Brag, you bastard!'
Those left behind.
It took time to snap out of the panic. They just stared blankly at the spot where he'd vanished.
Cough!
If not for Guo Cheol-ung's defiant cough—proof he was clinging to life—they might have stayed dazed. The whole ordeal was too shocking. He hadn't stood a chance; it was unbelievable. Even without letting their guard down, the outcome wouldn't have changed.
His mood had soured when Mujin said, in front of everyone, that he had no interest in the merchant group and to cut the baseless speculation. It came off like he was scared of the younger brother. He'd hoped Guo Cheol-ung would teach him some manners, but instead, it backfired spectacularly.
Nothing was going right.
"That was incredible, brother-in-law!"
"Yeah, totally cool!"
Baek Yucheon nearly clutched his neck at Yuhwa and Yugyeong's oblivious comments. Of all times, now? Guo Cheol-ung trembled on the edge between unconsciousness and awareness.
After his show of force against Guo Cheol-ung, Mujin treated his wife's family home like his own, settling in comfortably. He didn't hide the victory, kindly informing anyone who hadn't heard.
This is who I am.
He made a point of running into his brother-in-law and sister-in-law every morning, wife and kids in tow. He'd even suggest sharing a meal.
In the name of family harmony.
Throughout breakfast, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and even the kids couldn't help sneaking glances at Mujin. Meanwhile, he kept pitting Taejin and Cheon-un against each other daily, claiming boys grow up fighting.
His own son's pride mattered, after all.
Let them handle their own kids.
Cheon-un fidgeted anxiously toward his father each time but had to squeeze his eyes shut. The father's anguish at failing his desperate son's wishes was palpable.
She trembled with rage at Mujin's audacity, but Guo I-yeong was powerless. With her trusted uncle beaten like a dog, other options were scarce. Reporting to the main family wouldn't fix it.
It might even sour relations with Guo Family Manor.
'Who told you to poke the bear?'
Brother-in-law and sister-in-law knew Mujin was deliberately baiting them. But they couldn't call him out. Every encounter left their blood running cold.
"Not much time left together now."
"I'll miss it too."
"If you're that sad, why not stay permanently?"
"What?"
"Just kidding. No need to get so serious."
For the heir to a merchant group, his composure was abysmal.
His offhand remark about staying put not just brother-in-law and sister-in-law, but even the kids, on edge.
Taejin and Mijoo seized full control of the momentum. With a reliable dad like theirs, what did it matter what they did? They'd already poked once; the bill would come due repeatedly. Forgiveness? Only after his own kids were satisfied.
'Kids or not, crime means punishment.'
Pity the poor, the young, the old, the women, and soon no one gets mercy in this world.
'Didn't know it, but she's got a vindictive streak.'
His sharp wife couldn't possibly miss the unfolding drama. Yet she acted oblivious, as if it had nothing to do with her. Maybe grudges from childhood ran deep; she even seemed to enjoy it.
'That's my wife.'
He wouldn't let her be treated like a pushover anywhere. She deserved to live proudly, superior to all, keeping the riffraff in check.
'At this rate, relations will shatter completely.'
Even if she hid her enjoyment, his wife and brother-in-law shared blood. A total fallout would make things awkward forever. He didn't mind the tension, but he wanted her to approach freely.
"Show me. I'll watch."
"What?"
"What else? Your swordsmanship."
"For real?"
Brother-in-law and sister-in-law were visibly surprised at Mujin's offer to critique his swordplay. But suspicion quickly clouded their eyes. Anyone could see their relationship was strained. Still, refusing the gesture was awkward.
Mujin could easily demand, Don't you trust me? And he was the type to do it. To avoid nitpicking, they had to agree.
"Next time we meet, you should beat Jin, right?"
"......Can I win?"
"Looks like you want to."
"......No!"
"No boy should lose heart after a few defeats. Back in the day, I lost every single one of my hundred fights."
Cheon-un looked skeptical but rose and headed to the courtyard. Frankly, losing repeatedly to his three-years-younger brother was embarrassing. Each spar widened the gap, and it felt insurmountable. Losing in front of his brother fueled his frustration.
"It's Guo Family Manor's Lightning Sword."
"Go ahead. Show me."
Learning Guo Family Manor's signature sword art spoke to Cheon-un's talent. Even with his mother's influence, they wouldn't pass family secrets to just anyone. They must have invested heavily in him.
The Lightning Sword consisted of eight forms: One Flash, Abyss Drop, Thunder Heaven, Blue Blaze, Thunderclap, Lightning Thunder, Nine Flash Dragon, and Thunderclap God. Impressive names, each with weight. But if they matched the grandeur, Guo Family Manor would rule Jiangxi Province.
"The swordsmanship itself isn't bad. But converting internal energy to lightning qi instead of pure thunder essence wastes a lot of power."
"Pardon?"
"Talking to myself. Ignore it and continue."
"Got it."
Thunder arts are notoriously hard to master. Accumulating lightning qi in a human body is no simple task. Most legendary thunder experts lucked into it—surviving a lightning strike or born with a thunder-attuned physique.
Thus, the art evolved over generations to its current form. Unfortunately, it hadn't fully adapted to the heart method, imposing clear limits.
"That's enough. Come at me."
"Yes."
Just watching wouldn't cut it. Mujin corrected Cheon-un's swordplay on the fly, matching his observations. Their blades and hands clashed, but he had no worries. Footwork, trajectory, strikes, application—it flowed seamlessly. It didn't look particularly flashy. But to Cheon-un receiving the guidance, it was transformative.
'The Lightning Sword is this fluid!'
He knew it was fast, but the links had felt choppy. Now, those gaps smoothed out. He hadn't fully grasped its essence yet—still immature—but the forms themselves were leagues beyond before.
"Now, do it yourself."
After several tests, Cheon-un sheathed his sword, noticeably improved. Internalizing the changes took time.
"Brother-in-law, I'll head out now."
"......Yeah, go."
Yucheon saw his son's sword had changed. It carried different power and speed. Even he, no sword expert, noticed; his wife was stunned too. She'd seen Lightning Sword since childhood, but this was different.
'What's with this guy?'
Yucheon's head throbbed.
"Sis."
"What?"
Cheon-yeong's eyes wavered as Mijoo approached brazenly. An eight-year gap meant nothing now. The tables had turned since their first meeting.
"Mijoo wants some candied hawthorns."
"So?"
"I got no money."
"......You do!"
"Nope."
Cheon-yeong knew Mijoo had two nyang of silver in her pouch—even the heavens knew. It was apology money from her dad for coveting So. Yet here she was, claiming poverty.
"Doesn't big sis wanna buy some for cute little Mijoo?"
"......Cute, my ass!"
Where's the cute? And why say it outright! To rub it in for her brother!
Cheon-yeong found Mijoo utterly infuriating. She was one way around others, another alone—a vixen with a hundred spirits inside. What would she become grown up?
"Tell Dad we should live here."
"......Fine, I'll buy some!"
"Ten's not enough."
"Twenty it is."
Even two colorful hawthorns were too many!
Cheon-yeong's silent scream fell on deaf ears. Mijoo wasn't hogging alone; she looked out for her brother and Cheon-yeong's too.
"Sis is treating."
"For real?"
"Sis is the best."
"Of course."
This wretched girl!
Unbelievable curses poured from a ten-year-old's mouth. Cheon-yeong never wanted to see Mijoo again.