Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Custom (2)
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Despite all sorts of circumstances, Mujin hadn't thought well of the Beggar's Sect back then. They'd blown up things they hadn't even done and leaked traces everywhere, making Mujin's life quite miserable.
Here comes the Demonic Cult of the Demon God charging in like rabid dogs when he's just minding his own business. Wouldn't that piss you off? He's risking his life in battle, while those responsible keep spilling information from the shadows.
And at the center of it all was the Poison-Eyed Fiend.
Yet this bastard shows up all nonchalant, chowing down on meat like nothing happened, twisting Mujin's guts in revulsion. And his excuse? All for the greater good. That only fueled the irritation more.
Who does he think he's fooling?
He should count himself lucky it ended with just one eye.
Mujin eyed Cheol-ho, who was devouring meat dumplings like a beast, and asked,
"Motion sickness any better?"
"I won't... be beaten by something like seasickness."
Cheol-ho barely caught his habitual informal speech and pivoted. One slip into casual talk, and he might puke up those dumplings. The guy never touched beggars when eating, but this man was the type to kick over a beggar's bowl without a second thought.
"My boy, you're something else."
"Whose boy am I?"
"Right you are. You can't lose to punks like that. Remember, I've got your back."
"Of course."
Mujin had overheard Taejin and Jin-un's conversation before even boarding. He was deeply moved by his son's wisdom. His boy had grown up just fine.
'That's my son.'
-Don't corrupt my disciple!
'What's it to you?'
-He reeks of a villain already!
'You're the villain.'
-Want me to count how many in the martial world want you dead?
'They're the weird ones.'
If everyone points fingers calling you strange while you're the only sane one, who's right?
But the majority isn't always correct. That's why he ends up the villain.
Jin-un looked at his uncle.
He didn't outright demand why he hadn't stepped in, but his eyes brimmed with resentment. A direct descendant of the Hwangbo family had fallen to the cowardly group attack of nobodies. If his uncle had intervened sooner, everything could've been reversed in an instant. Even one-on-one, he wouldn't have lost.
Hah.
Nephew and squad members.
Then his daughter too.
As the head of the Hwangbo family, Jang-seong needed to explain. Deep down, he wanted to tell them to shut up and take it. But unreasonable force that couldn't be accepted never lasted.
'Headache all around.'
Telling the truth would mean admitting he'd tucked tail because the opponent was stronger than expected. Blaming his nephew would crush his spirit, potentially ruining his performance at the Little Dragon Tournament. His nephew, bearing the family's hopes, needed to shine.
"You're right. One-on-one, you wouldn't have lost. But didn't you yourself allow the group attack?"
"That's true, but they hid their skills!"
There we go, right on cue.
Jang-seong inwardly cheered. Sometimes, flipping the script was most effective.
"You fool! You think the martial world is a playground? What warrior in the jianghu acts carelessly, flaunting their power? Are you admitting you thought that naively?"
"...!"
Not just Jin-un, but the entire Crimson Dragon Squad couldn't retort. Denying it would deny their own warrior pride. It'd be like demanding everyone fight with their full power on display. Publicly, the Hwangbo family would be the one condemned, their reputation tarnished forever.
"My judgment was shortsighted."
"Of course you're frustrated. You hoped I'd take your side. But the opponent wasn't lacking compared to me. I trust you grasp the weight of those words without explanation."
"...Pardon?"
Everyone was stunned by Jang-seong's admission. Who was he? The Hwangbo family's pride, a fist master among Shandong's Ten Greats. Even at the entry of transcendent realm, few could match him.
An unnamed warrior from an obscure sect surpassing peak mastery wasn't trivial. They weren't losing ground against him, but no need to make enemies.
"Our family isn't weak."
"True, we could've forced them to kneel. But what rumors would spread? Gossipers would say we couldn't accept defeat and crushed them with brute force. You doubt it?"
"But who would dare speak ill of our family?"
"That's not all. The Little Dragon Tournament sets the Five Great Families' standings. Scandalous rumors won't help you. Besides, your goal lies with the Nangong family, doesn't it? You're meant for great things. Don't get hung up on trifles."
His uncle's words rang true. Fighting a transcendent master would spark rumors. Forcing submission would invite nitpickers. Those two annoyed him, but he could settle it at the tournament.
Swipe!
Jang-seong turned his head. This should salvage face while convincing them.
Hm?
Everyone returned to their seats, but Se-ryeong watched with a subtle smile. Her look screamed "not very fatherly." Her expression openly questioned when he'd gotten so smooth-tongued.
"What's with that look?"
"Nothing."
Nothing my foot.
His daughter had a devilish intuition. Her intentions were clear, but she spared his dignity by not asking outright. Still, fiddling with her hair betrayed what she wanted.
'Gonna cost me a fortune.'
Best to steer clear of that guy. A cheap bottle of baijiu had already cost him dearly. Tallying it up, pure loss.
'Should I have just gone for it?'
Fog settled over the river. Moisture spread through the air, blanketing the area, but thankfully it didn't obscure vision completely.
One of the continent's Five Great Lakes, Lake So lived up to its boundless, limitless fame. Fog thickened toward the center, but the seasoned boatman steered surely. A lifetime on waterways meant he navigated blind if needed.
With the sun hidden by clouds, the fog lingered. Mujin's plan to savor the scenery and liquor fell through. The cloying dampness killed the poetic vibe.
'Time to head inside.'
Sitting in the humidity was unpleasant. On a gloomy day, napping indoors beat it. The captain said tomorrow would be clear.
"It's Hwangbo Se-ryeong."
"And?"
Bluntly stating her name didn't snag Mujin's interest. No chat with an unripe kid. Even if the self-proclaimed continent's top beauty demanded to disembark, he wouldn't budge.
"You're definitely peculiar."
"Hardly. Where else would you find someone as normal as me? First time anyone's called me weird."
His inner Demon King yelled to cut the crap, but Mujin ignored it. Before returning, maybe. Now? Zero shame.
If unintentional embarrassment arose, best to erase it. Kept future ankles ungrabbed.
"No business? I'm off."
"Father says you're quite the powerhouse."
"Not wrong."
Though far greater, really.
Mujin compromised with humility. Telling her straight that her dad was finger-squashable would rile her filial pride. He protected the father-daughter ego.
"Not a secret?"
"I'm no hidden rat. Ask away if curious."
"That's what makes you suspicious."
"Hwangbo intelligence would uncover it by day's end. Hiding changes nothing."
"Fair point."
Se-ryeong's curiosity stemmed from her brother's bout and father's vagueness. He looked unremarkable—forgettable passerby.
Yet conversation revealed uniqueness.
Se-ryeong drew eyes everywhere. Adults, kids—they vied for her attention. But this man thought differently from anyone she'd known.
"Fancying my son, by chance?"
"Pardon?"
"Hm. Mutual feelings might work. One-sided invites misery."
Unrequited love was peak unhappiness. Happiness needed reciprocity.
Struck by the one-sided label, Se-ryeong bristled.
"What nonsense!"
"Me? No way."
"...Absolutely not!"
The unexpected bomb flustered Se-ryeong. First to gild his face so brazenly. And it irked—comparing her to his son, shaking his head?
I don't measure up?
Impossible.
"You two lost in thought. Just kidding."
"That's rude."
"Probing curiosity—who's ruder?"
"Not easy, are you?"
Se-ryeong's insight was sharp.
She read tendencies from looks, speech, actions. But this uncle? No read. Pre-father's words, just another sect warrior.
'Gets tougher talking.'
No peeking inside. Not hiding, either. Jokes flew without concealment. Power untapped, but relaxed. Father called equal, but claiming it himself? Another level.
'Shameless.'
Comparing Hwangbo to Pine Tiger Sect? Overconfidence? smokescreen? Or blank slate?
'No good.'
Sinister and tough. Probing backfired into weird talk. Unheard rudeness, in or out clan.
"Digging into my son?"
"Can't I?"
"Impure motives or not, do as you please."
"Utterly baffling."
Caught, Se-ryeong dropped pretense. Aimed for openings, missed. Cut interest? Nah, sparked defiance. Even blank, she'd expose him.
-Fitting for a Divine Mountain Enchantress.
'Huh?'
-What do you even know?
'...Playing dumb.'
Damn! Silence better.
Meddled pointlessly.
-Actually, it's Rakshasa One Peak.
'Know that. Rakshasa One Peak.'
Phew, safe.
-Divine Mountain Enchantress it is.
This damn Demon King bastard!