Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Great Bandit Sect (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A commotion had finally died down, but the deck was still bustling. They cleared away the corpses from the blood-soaked deck and wiped off the bloodstains. To them, the ship was a lifelong companion and their very home.
Just like how you can't leave your own room filthy.
Splash!
The thick fog lifted, and sunlight poured in. The beautiful panorama of the So River came into view. The river, sparkling under the sun, looked bluer and more stunning than ever.
I wanted to recite a poem in grand style.
Let me think.
I racked my brains furiously.
'Ah, no dice.'
I didn't know a single poem.
What a pity for a man who prided himself on elegance—not even one famous line came to mind. Should I compose my own? The thought crossed my mind, but painful memories of struggling through the Thousand Character Classic killed it.
'I should at least know Du Baek or I Bo.'
-Du Fu and Li Bai.
'......No way.'
-Shit-for-brains.
I ignored it and enjoyed the scenery. Knowing the Four Books and Three Classics doesn't make life any more fun. Besides, how could I tell if the Demon King was even telling the truth? I couldn't very well ask him outright.
'Best to stay quiet in times like these.'
Putting aside his squabble with the Demon King, Mujin savored the serene vista of the So River, a stark contrast to the hectic deck. Bits of flesh, bone shards, and bloodstains dotted the scene here and there, but they didn't spoil the view.
'Peaceful. This is what living feels like.'
He had slain those who deserved death, and compared to his days as the War King, this barely counted as bloodshed. Back then, mountains of corpses and seas of blood were just the basics of battle. Countless lives ended as crow fodder, with maggots feasting everywhere. By those standards, this fight had been remarkably safe and clean.
"Shouldn't we help?"
"Don't butt in where you're not needed. Just sit tight. Even Huangbo Jangseong isn't stepping up—why should you?"
He frowned at the sons and Cheol-ho lending each other a hand.
Even if the Huangbo Clan hadn't sparked this mess, they couldn't escape responsibility. When a warrior jumps in to help, it burdens the captain and crew. Better to watch quietly and step in only when truly needed.
"If it's awkward, go rest in the cabin."
"I think we should help unless it's too tough."
"I agree."
They insisted, so Mujin didn't argue further.
What could he do if they wanted to? Besides, the Huangbo Clan's selfish arm-folding had nearly doomed everyone. Yet here they were, hiding in their cabin without a peep.
'Shameless.'
By now, he was starting to get annoyed.
He hadn't asked for the hassle but had saved lives anyway, so he could relax and sightsee. Meanwhile, the culprits lounged inside.
Whether they rested or not didn't matter. After putting everyone through hell, the least they could do was act sorry. This was why warriors weren't welcome everywhere.
'Keep looking. See if he turns up.'
Huangbo Jangseong hadn't even checked for casualties after the fight—he'd gone straight hunting for Cheonmyeon Hori.
Family first, after all.
By now, Cheonmyeon Hori was probably docking somewhere along the riverbank and fleeing. He might think a lucky find would break his seal, but he'd learn soon enough what a delusion that was.
Huangbo Jangseong had even searched the bandits' boats for Cheonmyeon Hori but came up empty. Swimming across? Unlikely. From mid-river to shore was a long haul—enough to drown even a strong swimmer.
If Cheonmyeon Hori had truly jumped in, he was probably dead. Factoring in the time Mujin had been absent, suspicion could fall on him.
But Mujin claimed he'd boarded the bandits' ship to mop up stragglers.
And it was true.
Huangbo Jangseong couldn't press the issue. Regardless of why, without Mujin, the Huangbo Clan would have suffered an indelible humiliation. No one interrogates their benefactor in public like that.
Crucially, Mujin's prowess loomed large.
It looked flashy and unrefined, but he wielded ki with effortless mastery—a peak expert. His ruthless, flawless technique made him no pushover. Pressing someone like that wasn't easy.
Not unless this were Huangbo territory.
So Mujin stood tall, utterly unashamed. Discernment was key to leisurely sightseeing.
'Hey, Demon King.'
-What?
'I hear the Mythic Demon Spirit Armor boosts internal energy. It's subtle when worn, barely noticeable.'
-Made from Millennial Ink Dragon and Thousand-Year Silk. Nothing like cheap scrap metal. Light, tough, and self-repairing beyond compare.
'Our anniversary's coming up. Perfect gift, right?'
-If the jianghu knew, they'd riot to kill your wife!
This bastard was slyly ribbing my age.
'Sister-in-law.'
-Hmph!
'Died a bachelor, huh? No manners.'
-I had women!
Relying on artifacts won't make you truly strong—or so most say. But ask if it's actually true? No clear answer. Artifacts have grades too. Something like the Mythic Demon Spirit Armor elevated you to powerhouse status on its own.
More importantly, not every warrior pursued the same path. Humans branched in countless directions. You could grow without leaning on gear.
'Cheonmu, huh. Grand name.'
-It once turned the world upside down.
'Not anymore. I handled that.'
-Just once.
'I know, man.'
He didn't strut over blocking the Demonic Cult of the Demon God's advance that one time. No one knew their terror better than Mujin, the Demon King aside.
While he admired the view, the captain and crew had tidied most of it up. True to sailors, their stamina was impressive.
Mujin approached the captain of this ship, Yi Chunsun.
Yi flinched!
As Mujin neared, the captain swallowed hard. He'd seemed affable before, but in battle, he was death incarnate. Slaughtering so casually was alien to him.
Especially the So Lake Bandits—not your average thugs, but hardened river wolves even warriors shied from.
That horrific technique especially... it'd haunt him forever. Honestly, he thought his balls were done for.
"What is it, great hero?"
"Not quite. You know that, right?"
"Pardon?"
"These guys have bounties. Unless you smashed their heads so bad we can't ID them? That'd be a problem—no reattaching."
"......No, sir. Bounties are by headcount."
Except for captains like Makgi, bandit bounties scaled with notoriety.
'Scary guy!'
The captain grew ever more afraid of Mujin.
Not the meticulous bounty claim, but casually talking about reattaching heads? Unhinged. Warriors thought differently from normals, but this one's common sense was light-years off.
"What about the ship? Not scrapping it just 'cause bandits used it?"
"We report to the magistrate and reclaim it. But there's a fee."
"For a ship this size, even with fees, it's gotta be lucrative."
"Won't disappoint."
"Who usually buys seized ships?"
"Sailors like me sometimes, but mostly merchant groups. Ships are key transport for them."
"Makes sense. With So Lake Bandits' stink on it, reusing might chafe. Hard to haul elsewhere too."
Ships weren't easy to move from dry docks. Overland meant massive manpower and beasts. Easier to build near rivers or lakes.
"Can you handle the cleanup?"
"Of course."
"I'll give you half the bounty and ship value. Send the rest to Kang Mujin of the Heavenly Battlefield, Pine Tiger Sect."
"I'll send word once processed."
He pulled out ink and paper to jot the agreement—just in case. He hinted he'd check with the magistrate later, though Yi seemed honest.
'No ordinary man.'
First warrior this meticulous. Refreshing, but exhausting to deal with. The clingy, tiring type.
Yi said they'd reach Sosan Port soon, with a dock; they'd moor there, report to officials, then proceed.
"That's settled."
With Yi handling the rest, no headaches.
"Best not spread word of today's events. Makgi targeted the Mythic Demon Spirit Armor—one of the Jianghu's Seven Great Treasures. As you know, plenty want it. Loose lips sink not just you, but your whole family."
"I'll take it to my grave!"
"Not forcing you. Your lives, your call. Me? As you saw, I handle personal threats with ease. Hahaha."
Yi stared blankly as Mujin laughed heartily and turned away. The crew froze too. He dropped a terrifying line so casually. It was so infuriating they forgot his status and wanted to clobber him.
"Keep your mouths shut. The great hero's... warning—no, words—hold true."
"But."
"You too."
Yi clamped down on the crew. Loose talk meant not dying alone. Warriors were butchers who'd commit any atrocity for power. They saw commoners like us as less than human.
'Even I get it.'
Infuriating threat, but clear: not just your life, but family's at risk. Maybe not a threat—concern?
"Free money! Hahaha."
Nope!
"You with us?"
"Uncle!"
"How'd you pass out?"
"Huh? Well... I'll think it over."
"No, rest first."
Huangbo Jinun, dazed from the drug, finally snapped to. His head throbbed from lingering aphrodisiac as he tried piecing it together. He knew something had gone down while drugged.
"Where's Ryeong?"
"She crosses your mind now?"
Huangbo Seryeong entered the cabin. She'd brought porridge for her fainted brother. Who knew she'd care, pretty or not.
"Eat and snap out of it."
"Thanks. And sorry."
"Not to me."
"What do you—?"
"You know."
Huangbo Seryeong gave a rough rundown.
Hearing the full story from his delirious capture twisted Huangbo Jinun's face in horror. Not just taken hostage, he'd endangered everyone—nearly shaming the clan irreparably.
"He's strong. Maybe stronger than he looked."
Huangbo Jangseong nodded at Seryeong's assessment, but the Red Dragon Squad looked skeptical. Mujin was strong, no doubt—beyond a small sect warrior.
But surpassing the elite?
They tilted their heads.
He'd ambushed Makgi and the bandits. Without surprise, would it have been so dominant? Doubtful.
"He's a transcendent master."
"Pardon? His moves weren't special."
"Those 'unspecial' moves killed more. Think elite forms are fancy?"
"But so crude."
The Red Dragon Squad couldn't shake doubts despite Huangbo Jangseong's assertion. They got it, though. Transcendents were a different league. They wielded sword aura. Mujin used fist aura instead.
'Simplicity can be terrifying.'
Huangbo Jangseong acknowledged Mujin's strength but didn't see him as overwhelmingly superior. Half as strong, generously.
"But did Cheonmyeon Hori really die?"
"Too far to swim to shore. Even with water arts."
"What if that man killed him and took it?"
"Then he'd be absolute realm. Even then, timeline doesn't fit."
Mention of absolute realm silenced the Red Dragon Squad.