Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Change (3)
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Muho was flustered. His brother was doing something he never did before. Even when he messed up, he never admitted it—instead, he stubbornly denied everything.
"Just act like you always do!"
When their father got angry, that's when he'd reluctantly ask for forgiveness. For such a brother to now seek an apology was more shocking than hearing he had missed him.
"Why? Did I live like some beggar or something? I do have a shred of conscience. As you know, I never strayed completely off the righteous path. Truth is, I was scared. I figured if I caused a massive scandal, I'd get kicked out. And in the midst of that, I acted pretty sly. Right?"
"Are you feeling okay?"
Mujin was known as the Pine Tiger Sect's troublemaker.
However, he never caused a major incident that would disrupt the sect's events. Could it be called upholding righteousness? He occasionally went overboard, but those issues could always be resolved. That's why there was an expectation that he wouldn't go beyond that.
Even so, who would've thought he'd bare his true feelings so honestly?
It was worlds apart from his usual self, where he'd cling to even a scrap of pride.
"Enough with the apologies. Let's get to the point. Sect management and operations just aren't my thing. So, what I'm saying is, maybe I should step down cleanly at this point."
"...What on earth are you talking about?"
"Don't panic—hear me out. If you pretend not to know, it looks too obvious. Let's be frank: do you really think I can lead the main sect well?"
"You're the eldest son of the family."
"Cut the outdated nonsense. If you keep dodging, I'll really do whatever I want. You don't want that, do you?"
"...!"
Muho knew it too.
The family leadership was backing him. They felt threatened by the possibility of his brother becoming sect leader. He wanted his brother to succeed the sect if possible, but under the current circumstances, it was tough.
Still, he hesitated, unable to give a ready answer.
Muho felt ashamed of that.
Was it ambition for the successor position? Or maybe his brother was testing him.
"I'm not testing you, so no more excuses. You'll do as I say, right?"
"Father won't allow it."
"Is the family just ours? Are the elders figureheads? This is a sect we've all built together over the years. We can't ignore the opinions of those who suffered alongside us and let Father decide everything on his own."
"That's true, but..."
Muho couldn't get his head straight.
He was completely caught off guard by his brother's rhetoric, defenseless and helpless. But it was only natural. Every word rang true, contrasting sharply with his past antics and sowing confusion. It was too upright to sound like his brother.
"Stop stalling and decide already. For the family's sake, don't bring up blood ties or primogeniture. If I do it, it'll all go to ruin—that's the reality."
"It's not necessarily...!"
"Isn't it?"
No need to glare so sharply.
And so piercing.
Muho decided to buy time first.
"This isn't something I can decide on my own. It has to go through a sect meeting."
"In the end, your decision matters most. Will you do it? Or not? Or should I really handle everything?"
Muho was overwhelmed by his brother's momentum, unable to even conflict internally. It wasn't something he could avoid. The elders had been probing daily about changing the successor. Father was barely holding them off.
But they couldn't keep overlooking a brother who caused minor incidents every other day. They'd demanded a grand decision for the sect's future.
"Fine."
"Swear on the family, parents, me, your wife, and nephew. No take-backs, got it?"
He had to block any escape routes in advance.
That way, no backlash later. His dense little brother would keep his word once given.
"...Do you have to go that far?!"
"No changing the subject."
"I'll do it, okay?!"
"'Heaven's net is vast, and none escape it'—sworn before gods and earth... Too much? Let's leave it there."
Muho regretted coming here. Why did I even bother? But it wasn't entirely bad. A family meeting on the successor was scheduled in a few days anyway.
'Me stepping down first is the ideal picture.'
That day came.
After the family meeting ended and he was stripped of his successor position, he couldn't hold back and stormed out. In truth, he half-expected they'd give it back if he stepped away briefly, but who knew it'd take twenty years?
But now, he wouldn't do it even if prodded.
A single hat didn't guarantee respect. Looking at it coldly, the Pine Tiger Sect was just one of many mid-tier sects in the Central Plains. Far from prestigious orthodox sects like the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families.
"They say pull the iron horns while it's hot—shall we start right away?"
"Start what?"
"We need to hold the family meeting. Clean up my last act as successor so my little brother can walk the flower path."
"Too fast. Let's think it over and decide."
"Better to let go of lingering attachments quickly."
So bold, with such drive. It was too straightforward for Muho to keep up. Was his brother always like this? Doubt crept in.
"Is this really you, brother?"
"Enough nonsense—just once. Don't go wiping your mouth clean later."
"Sigh... Do whatever you want."
"Thanks. That's my brother."
Overwhelmed by Mujin's magnanimous decision, Muho threw up his hands. With his brother pushing so hard, it was hard to dissuade him anymore. And as a man, he couldn't go back on his word.
The Pine Tiger Sect's family meeting convened.
It was hard to say Mujin called it. These weren't people who came just because he asked. It was possible only because his wife and brother stepped up. Naturally, Mujin's standing meant nothing to the elders—he was just the discarded successor.
At best, his wife holding the Chief Steward position maintained some nominal status.
Being successor thanks to his wife.
In fact, she was the daughter of the Baemun Merchant Group, the top trading house in Cheongyang. Nine years ago, when the Baemun heiress came to the sect herself proposing marriage, the Pine Tiger Sect's reaction was the same.
—Why?
If it were the sect's prodigy Kang Muho, it might make sense, but who expected Kang Mujin?
For Baemun's leader Baek Woong-cheol, who had raised her like gold and jade, it was a bolt from the blue. Despite opposition from all sides, they married, but Mujin remained unchanged, wild as ever. He betrayed everyone's hopes for him to shape up even a little.
His father-in-law Baek Woong-cheol drew a line whenever he saw Mujin after that, cringing and blocking any whiff of ulterior motives for money.
Afterward, the sect leadership no longer trusted Mujin.
He became an axe even heaven wouldn't trust if it fell. From then on, no more self-inflicted wounds.
People trickled into the meeting hall one by one.
Mujin and Muho arrived first and waited. Behind them came the elders in order: Wind Forest Sword Yi Gwak, White Fierce Fist Jeon Jang-hun, and Violent Tiger Sword Kang Cheon-myeong.
"What brings you here?"
"I've caused you all so much grief. That won't happen anymore."
His unusually polite demeanor drew awkward looks and glances. It might be normal for most, but they knew Mujin wasn't the type to use common sense.
Clear hypocrisy.
"Ahem, don't beat around the bush."
"As a direct descendant, shouldn't I attend the family meeting?"
"Your mouth runs like a clear stream, yet you cause trouble again?"
"Embarrassing. I have no face left to show Elder Kang."
Kang Cheon-myeong was Grandfather's brother, the family's senior-most. He used to dote on Mujin as a child, but as he grew, it turned into a love-hate relationship.
But who was to blame?
Mujin accepted it as his karma.
"If you're scheming excuses to slip away, dream on."
"From now on, I'll prove it with actions, not words."
Elder Kang let out a regretful sigh.
He once thought the child would shine for the family. But Mujin, unable to overcome even minor setbacks, gave up in despair. A martial artist must endure and persevere.
Creak!
As the sect leader and father entered, the family meeting began.
Unless urgent, these had set dates.
One elder probed.
"Is there some pressing matter to handle?"
"I'll explain."
The elders, who had awaited the sect leader's response, frowned as Mujin stood. This was the guy who wandered outside despite constant calls. They hoped he'd stay silent to avoid disruption. But he was butting in cluelessly—hard to view favorably.
"You mean to say you called us?"
"I took a sly route, but yes. I have something to say."
"...Hah!"
The family elders were busy people. Their time wasn't like Mujin's, who ignored sect affairs. If this was a waste, they'd grill him hard.
"What scheme are you plotting?"
"As of today, I'm stepping down as main successor. I know I've caused you all hardship. I don't want to trouble you further. So, I'm yielding the position to Muho."
"...What?!"
It was a bombshell no one saw coming.
Father shot to his feet, face mixing shock and fury. No prior word to him, his son deciding unilaterally—it felt like betrayal.
"Are you in your right mind? How dare you without a single consultation?!"
"You know too, Father. The damage I've done to the sect. If I become successor like this, can we guarantee the sect's future? And if a decision must be made, I wanted to do it myself. Not by anyone else's will."
Kang U-gyeong couldn't vent his anger at his son's resolve. The boy's momentum was no joke. And his words rang perfectly true. The elders brought it up daily; he'd only bought time with his authority. He couldn't ignore it forever.
Better for Mujin to say it himself—for everyone's sake.
Still, U-gyeong felt slighted.
At least give prior notice.
Tsk tsk!
The three elders disapproved of Mujin. But declaring it before them meant no turning back. His position was gone.
"Good decision. If that's your stance, I won't reproach you further."
"As Elder Kang says, we won't interfere."
As expected.
The elders drove the nail in, wary of backlash. Mujin's plight was regrettable, but the family needed resolution. No more delays.
Pull the horns while hot—they pressed for an answer.
"Sect Leader, decide."
"Sigh... As everyone wishes. From today, the successor is the second son, Muho."
"Well done."
"Muho, congrats. Or should I say Vice Sect Leader now?"
Though the successor changed, all but U-gyeong and Muho looked relieved. To overcome looming crises, the line of succession needed securing. Keeping Mujin would breed strife. Nailing it down now was for the sect.
The elders announced the change immediately after. No reversals now.
U-gyeong sighed deeply at his son's calm demeanor. Some change in the last few days, but not like this.
"You sure you're okay with this?"
"Feels liberating. Should've done it sooner."
No pretense or lies.
U-gyeong sensed his sincerity. It eased his mind. The role didn't suit him. Couldn't force it on the eldest. But handing the burden to the second son felt guilty.