Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Great Hero Sect (2)
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Masters who scaled the wall were renowned throughout the martial world. For someone not even thirty to be an absolute realm expert? It was absurd. Acknowledging it would mean placing him on par with the family's pillar, the Right King.
"Must we abandon the Mythic Demon Spirit Armor just like this?"
"It's an artifact whose very existence is in doubt. As the saying goes, treasures go to those with the deepest ties. Besides, how would mere bandits even know about it or track it down?"
The Mythic Demon Spirit Armor was a legend from the Seven Great Armors of the Martial World. It was suspicious enough that lowly bandits and thieves were scrambling for it. There was no guarantee they were telling the full truth either.
Perhaps someone had deliberately spread the rumor to stir chaos. If word got out that the Huangbo Clan was involved at the center of it, they'd be inviting disaster.
"What is that man doing now?"
"Grilling fish to eat."
"...?"
Casually fishing, then grilling fish on deck.
On a ship reeking of blood. What on earth was he doing? The man truly had no sense at all.
"He has some nerve."
Even Huangbo Jangseong felt his mood souring subtly. The man was his savior, yet his actions grated terribly.
"By all accounts, he can't escape suspicion. Why not use that to our advantage?"
"No need to make an enemy of him."
"It wouldn't hurt to put him in our debt. If he's a righteous warrior, he'll work to clear his name."
"Hm, there's merit in that."
Huangbo Seoryeong felt an odd sensation at her father conspiring with the Crimson Dragon Squad. It might be best to just leave it be. Scratching an itch could make it worse, a warning echoed in her mind.
'Not an easy man.'
Huangbo Seoryeong had sensed something off since he mentioned the divine object. Yet her father had seen through the bandit's intentions even faster. Any notion that he was soft like he appeared was nonsense.
Whoosh!
He hadn't expected to use the stove salvaged from the bandit ship, but it proved handy. Grilling fish was boating basics. He fueled it with unintended driftwood from the bandits' vessel.
Sizzle!
Mujin's fishing skills rivaled old man Jiang Taigong. Every cast hooked a freshwater fish, which he swiftly gutted and salted. He caught seventy-nine, yielding twenty-four to the captain and crew. When grilling on someone else's ship, twenty-four spares were essential.
"Come join me. A sip of liquor and a fish go perfectly."
"Won't you run short? Is that alright?"
"I can catch more. And speak freely."
"Got it. You must love fishing."
Mujin invited Huangbo Jangseong's group as they emerged from below deck. He'd have ignored refusals, but they had consciences. Basic manners demanded three refusals minimum.
Mujin didn't blush over spilled milk. If short, he'd catch more. Sohe's plentiful fish went to the first to hook them.
"Fine skills."
"Cooking's essential to win a wife's love."
Huangbo Jangseong was speechless at the cheeky remark no typical warrior would utter so boldly. Mujin kept steering talks astray.
"You love your wife dearly."
"Without her, I'm no better than a corpse."
Was he serious?
Huangbo Jangseong, the Crimson Dragon Squad, even Huangbo Jinun doubted it. But Taejin nodded beside him, thrilled at how well his son had grown despite neglect.
'Not the time.'
He was muddying the issue with odd talk. Huangbo Jangseong kept calm and probed indirectly.
"I wouldn't peg Thousand-Face Fox as suicidal."
"Of course not. A rat like that doesn't kill himself. He probably fled somewhere."
Expecting certainty of death, Huangbo Jangseong was caught off guard and paused.
"With top-tier disguise arts, he could be masquerading as someone on the ship."
"Even a master couldn't manage that in so little time."
"A cunning bastard like him would grasp people's features well."
"We checked, figuring as much."
They'd inspected the captain, crew, and dead bandits for disguises. But certainty was elusive. Thousand-Face Fox's disguise arts were grandmaster level.
Crimson Dragon Squad's Jang Taeseong interjected cautiously.
"Maybe someone killed him and sneaked him out?"
"So I killed him and sneaked him out?"
Mujin glared at Jang Taeseong without mincing words. He hated beating around the bush. Bluntly, on this ship, only Mujin or Huangbo Jangseong could kill and remove Thousand-Face Fox. They wouldn't suspect their own.
"Not what I meant."
"The hell it's not. You're eyeing me suspiciously."
Stunned by Mujin's directness, Jang Taeseong faltered.
But it was too late to backpedal.
"Feeling guilty?"
"More like dumbfounded. You see me as a pushover."
Mujin's sudden killing intent made everyone flinch.
Who could've predicted such extremity? Guilt-driven? Hardly. He showed no intent to explain. It was pure, brazen defiance: Who are you to demand my defense?
"This punk thinks I'm a sucker!"
"Your words exceed..."
"Gahk!"
From his seat, Mujin shot like lightning, seizing Jang Taeseong's collar. Everyone jolted again. They hadn't thought he'd actually strike.
'...Fast!'
Huangbo Jangseong was most shocked. He was in between. He'd thought he could block, but Mujin was far faster. Perhaps beyond peak absolute realm.
"Break his neck, and he'll shut up."
"...Wait! This only harms you. Stop here!"
Despite Mujin's strength, Huangbo Jangseong intervened. Killing Jang Taeseong would make irreconcilable foes. But Mujin wouldn't go that far.
"Think I didn't hear you plotting against me below deck? You thought cheap tricks would work? You misjudged me badly."
"No such intent!"
"Circumstances don't add up, anyone can see. You're using the Huangbo Clan to pressure me. I can't stand such injustice."
"If you keep this up, the Pine Tiger Sect..."
"Watch your words."
Huangbo Jangseong, Crimson Dragon Squad, Huangbo Jinun, Huangbo Seoryeong—all froze. The chilling intent surpassed imagination. Prior, it almost seemed a joke.
'He's going to kill!'
Everyone sensed it.
The warning not to push rang loud. They realized: he'd stand against the Huangbo Clan if provoked.
"We misunderstood. Let it end here."
"In the Soheo fight, I spared you from my calculations for a showdown. Repay grace with enmity, and call it quits? Is that how Huangbo teaches?"
Mujin's sharp barbs stung Huangbo Jangseong inwardly.
Who in the world could confront the Huangbo Clan so boldly? Even rightful words went unsaid. This fearless man was unprecedented. Shame crept in—they'd tried exploiting a gap.
"Our fault. Vent your anger here."
"Easy to say anything."
"Whatever I can manage, I'll grant your request."
"That sincere?"
"I stake the main family's honor."
Only then did Mujin release Jang Taeseong's gratifyingly gripped throat. It clung nicely; reluctance lingered.
"Cough, cough!"
Jang Taeseong gasped, sweating coldly. He should rage, but relief drowned it. Seeing Mujin's sudden smile, he couldn't reconcile it with moments ago.
'What is this guy?'
Did he really mean to kill? Doubts arose. It could pass as posturing, but Jang Taeseong wouldn't conclude so. Life or death might've hinged on his response.
"See? Don't suspect lightly."
"My apologies."
Huangbo Jangseong looked deflated. Seeking gain backfired; they gained nothing and showed the Huangbo Clan's ugly side. Fleetingly, Mujin's power chilled him.
'Unbelievable.'
Maybe he'd breached the wall. Even if not, the potential existed. No benefit in enmity.
"While we're at it, let's handle one thing."
"One thing?"
"End Soheo Bandits. Leaving them risks the captain and crew. News hasn't spread; we strike covertly."
"...Serious?"
"Finish what we start. Or did you plan hit-and-run? Nah, Huangbo walks the Great Hero Sect path, I heard."
Things twisted bizarrely.
Removing a worry birthed ten more. Refusing now was tough. Their Soheo clash harmed innocents; fleeing painted Huangbo irresponsible.
Yet Soheo had hundreds of bandits minimum. Low quality, but numbers couldn't be ignored.
Time for compromise.
Too risky.
Yet Mujin pressed on. Shamelessness? He'd teach it. Above all, silence was needed. Half-measures might loosen tongues.
"Please."
"You!"
"Your choice. Head to Hefei if unwilling."
"Hah!"
All were awed. That three-inch tongue terrified more than his shown might. How could a man wield such a viperous one?
Huangbo Jangseong wielded great influence. He could grant most requests, securing sect gains.
Yet Mujin used it for Sohe's peace. For day-laboring boatmen, merchants, commoners. He sacrificed self and sect for greater good. Such chivalry was rare.
What choice mattered here? It was karma for prioritizing kin over others' peril.
"Let's slaughter those bandit scum."
"I side with Father this time!"
"I'll help too!"
Mujin, his son, and the stranger rose ablaze with zeal, grating terribly.
As if only they brimmed with justice!
With son and Cheolho resolved, Mujin eyed Huangbo Jangseong solemnly.
"Not begging or forcing."
"...?"
Call that words!
Just order it!
Backing down invited world mockery. The Great Hero Sect risking all for Sohe's peace menaced Huangbo Jangseong.
'Serious?'
Rip the ox-horn quick, as they say.
Mujin rowed the bandit ship to Soheo without looking back. Location tricky, but captives rowed for them. They joined willing ones.
Not all, though.
Forcing sacrifice defied righteousness. But grudge-holders abounded. Burning Soheo sufficed for them.
What sweeter offer for the hopeless, assetless than vengeance?
"No mercy. No guilt. Kill clean as trained. Leave none. Hesitate and get hurt—you know."
"We're set."
"Different this time."
Father and son united at last. Cheolho seized combat experience. Ideal chance for their lacking real fights and kills.
Killing for trade made one a killer; for self, kin, world—hero.
Fearless exemplars of chivalry.