Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Namgung Clan (1)
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"Hey, have you heard that rumor?"
"Rumor? The Little Dragon Tournament hasn't even started yet."
"Just as I thought, you're slow on the uptake. You know the Mystic Music Sword of the Zhuge Clan, right?"
"It's one of the five swords representing the Zhuge Clan."
"They say the Mystic Music Sword was broken in just two moves."
"For real? Who was the opponent?"
Wherever people gathered, the Mystic Music Sword of the Zhuge Clan became the hot topic. The Mystic Music Sword, renowned for shattering the peak wall and stepping into the early superhuman realm, had suffered a one-sided defeat. It was perfect fodder for loose-tongued gossipers.
Of course, even gossips weren't fools. They used it merely as casual conversation, never creating cause for the Zhuge Clan to step in. They knew exactly where to draw the line for maximum gain.
"What's this about one win, one loss?"
"That? Whew, my throat's parched."
"I'll buy. That work?"
"That guy was from the Little Dragon Tournament too. Everyone knows that much, but I've got more. I saw the match myself that day."
"You saw it?"
"I'm a local here. You think I've only seen one or two Little Dragon Tournaments? It was the talk of the town for a while back then."
"Was he overwhelmingly skilled?"
"Nah, the opposite. He got eliminated in the preliminaries. That's bad enough for a nobody dropout, but he bawled his eyes out in the sparring tournament, begging them to spare him."
"And that guy beat the Mystic Music Sword?"
"Exactly why it's such a big deal. How furious, wronged, and humiliated must he have felt to hone his martial arts for decades? You think that's easy?"
"No way. I couldn't do it. The grudge must've seeped into his bones."
"He wanted to pay it back with dignity."
This incident boosted Kang Mujin's reputation.
Beating the Mystic Music Sword was impressive enough, but the backstory was unintentionally tragic. For a martial artist, pride was more important than life. He'd rebuilt his shattered pride through decades of dedicated training, achieving a stunning reversal.
It was a model of human triumph, a heartwarming tale that rang true. People preferred the growth of a third-rate martial artist overcoming hardship and adversity over the exploits of flashy experts.
"Cool story, but the Zhuge Clan won't just sit idle, right?"
"You think one of the Five Great Clans would resort to tricks in a fair duel? If they did, they'd face the scorn of the world."
"Don't be naive. The murim isn't that straightforward."
"They won't do it openly, at least. Even if they scheme behind the scenes, the Zhuge Clan would still draw criticism."
Kang Mujin became a celebrity overnight near the Namgung Clan, and by extension, his son drew attention too. With a superhuman-level father, expectations ran high for his skills. The stagnant murim craved underdog reversals like this.
Elated, Kang Mujin threw a drinking party at the inn and kept going until past midnight in his room. He met Hwangbo Jangseong, whom he'd planned to see the next day, that very evening instead.
The party ended when he couldn't tell if he was drinking the alcohol or it was drinking him. Hwangbo Jangseong, who had boasted about his drinking prowess, passed out cold and couldn't get up.
Early the next morning, Taejin, Cheolho, and Hwangbo Jinun headed to the Namgung Clan together, presented their invitation cards, and verified their identities.
They were told the Little Dragon Tournament would begin in three days.
"They don't recognize me."
"You think it's easy to become known across this vast land? Most people know the name but not the face. Grab some passersby and ask if they can match a face to a nickname or name."
He'd wanted to bask in his popularity, but as people passed without recognizing him, Kang Mujin felt like a nobody with empty rumors. They said a wordless rumor travels a thousand miles, yet everyone's intel was sluggish.
What are the Beggars' Sect and the Hao Clan even doing?
They're slacking off.
'Back in the day, everyone recognized me wherever I went.'
-It'd be weirder if they didn't after all that commotion.
As the War King, every place he went was filled with people who knew his face. Maybe that's why he couldn't eat in peace. The sorrow of fame, perhaps. Too famous, he had no choice but to kill too many. A tragic fate.
If they recognized him, it led to annoyances, so turning them into unidentifiable corpses was convenient.
Having spread his fame across the continent before, Kang Mujin felt no thrill. He was just gauging the era's information network.
"Why explain so seriously?"
"Don't be disappointed. Your fame will soon spread across the continent."
Kang Mujin didn't bother correcting Hwangbo Seryeong's misunderstanding. The days of caring about public opinion were long gone. His wife and daughter's views mattered more than strangers'.
What about his son? Yeah?
His son was grinding day and night for the Little Dragon Tournament. No time for superficial praise. Flashy exteriors before he could even walk were dangerous.
"Where'd Taejin run off to?"
"To register."
"Ah, right."
"You really don't care."
"Misunderstanding."
"Sure, Father."
Even as Hwangbo Seryeong took jabs at him for eyeing his son, Kang Mujin didn't retort—just coughed awkwardly.
Dang! He might become my in-law, and you're embarrassing me?
Are you clueless, or just ignoring it?
Feels like the latter. Sad.
Back in my day, it wasn't like this.
-Birds of a feather.
'Shut up.'
-Don't you need some awareness?
'That's for amateurs.'
Kang Mujin rose for a late lunch.
No hangover. Even after communing with the, his body remained flawless. Not fatigue delaying him—he just slept in. Everyone has those days when your mind's awake but the bed won't let go.
"In-law, how about some hair-of-the-dog?"
"...You're trying to kill me!"
Yesterday, he'd opened a serious dialogue with Hwangbo Jangseong, potential in-law.
Though it devolved into drunken rambling after thirteen bottles of Leaf Green.
Hwangbo Jangseong's skin was ashen, eyes hollow. He remembered up to midnight, then his soul ascended.
He woke up in bed.
'What a booze demon.'
Despite drinking that much yesterday, his skin was springy, eyes vibrant—like a lie. If he'd expelled it with qi, fine, but this guy's capacity was bottomless.
'Boundless as the Buddha!'
He didn't hate alcohol usually, but restrained in formal settings. After causing a scene at the small port and laying low, he dove straight into major trouble upon arrival.
He'd barely contained the rumors, yet this guy stirred endless incidents. Couldn't stay still.
And he calls me in-law.
Who could resist drinking? Yesterday, they drank like it was a deathmatch. But judging him by normal standards was wrong. A monster in everything.
Hwangbo Jangseong eyed Kang Mujin with grumbles as the innkeeper approached cautiously, smiling. He placed his left palm lightly atop his right, forming a perfect gesture.
"Five taels."
"...?"
Hwangbo Jangseong glanced at Kang Mujin.
Kang Mujin wore a "Why me?" face, then turned away sharply. Clear message: Not my problem, handle it.
A deep sigh escaped. But they had made a drinking bet.
Hwangbo Jangseong pulled a money pouch from his sleeve and handed it over. The innkeeper looked displeased.
"What's wrong?"
"Not silver—five taels in gold."
"...?"
This guy, how much did he drink after I passed out? Never imagined paying for booze in gold. That was a hundred taels in silver.
"What the hell did you drink?!"
"You ordered quite a lot of our house special liquor and dishes. Five taels is after discounting to just cover ingredients."
"...You ate it all?"
"Yes, sir. Never seen such a hearty appetite—even that gentleman over there. I threw in extra side dishes for free."
With the innkeeper's explanation, Hwangbo Jangseong couldn't press further. If they'd left food, he'd complain, but they devoured everything.
Once settled, Kang Mujin flashed a bright smile like nothing happened.
"I accept challenges anytime."
"Sounds like you'll never pay for drinks again."
Kang Mujin flinched.
Who knew fame-driven, prideful Hwangbo Jangseong would admit defeat so candidly? He'd expected five more fleecings. Times were changing faster than thought. Was this the dramatic shift of history? Small changes piling into revolution. Maybe even the Demonic Cult of the Demon God wouldn't stir.
-You're talking nonsense. What have you even done to expect change? Got no conscience?
'Why so negative always! Positivity turns nos into yeses.'
-Do something first, then be positive. You're doing nothing.
'You told me not to show off.'
-If you're laying low, stay silent. You cause every kind of incident everywhere.
How can anyone live that quietly?
By the way, "laying low" doesn't exist in the murim. You can't wash your hands clean alone. Once dipped in, it's a death trap till the end.
"After toppling the Mystic Music Sword, challengers will flock to you."
"Ambition is a martial artist's fate."
"Good you know, but stay cautious. Strength isn't everything."
"Of course."
Caution was key.
If the murim poked him clumsily, they'd regret it. Wouldn't end with roots pulled.
"Lunch's on me."
"No interest in the Little Dragon Tournament, huh?"
"If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here."
"Not pushed into it?"
This guy's sharp enough to sell rugs.
Kang Mujin deftly changed the subject.
"Dinner too, my treat."
Hwangbo Jangseong played along knowingly. What meaning in acknowledgment from such a guy?
But one thing needed addressing first. Couldn't become drinking banter.
"My room first."
"Outside's fine for me."
"No lunch from me."
"Room's better for me too."
This thick-skinned jerk!
Kang Mujin asked suspiciously.
"Your pouch was empty."
"I'll tell the branch. What do you take me for?!"
"I trust my in-law."
"Enough, let's go."
A full barn breeds generosity; the Five Great Clans' prestige tied to wealth. With the Hwangbo Clan as collateral, the innkeeper complied without fuss.
'Hard to rack up tabs at the Pine Tiger Sect.'
-Even commoners hated them for a reason.
He'd drunk free flashing the War King title, with the Murim Alliance covering it. They owed him for their sake.
Trust blooms in exchanged coin.
'My son's winning, won't be long.'
-My disciple—stop using him!