Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Freeloading Thug (5)
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I hadn't realized it was these bastards, but there had been a ton of traitors back when the Demonic Cult of the Demon God invaded. During that chaotic era in the martial world, they surrendered to the cult the moment their sects crumbled and helped topple murim itself. Once, I'd gathered at a rendezvous point unaware that the follower incense had been compromised, only to get wiped out in a Demonic Cult ambush.
Strictly speaking, follower incense was just a trivial little item. But overlooking that tiny detail had produced catastrophic losses.
Of course, I had no idea back then that those guys were the predecessors of the Crimson Night Tower. They'd changed their name and weren't operating openly at the time either. If I'd known, I would've tracked them down ages ago and slaughtered the lot.
Who could've predicted we'd reunite like this? It had to be fate playing a cruel joke.
'Here I am, saving the world again.'
-This is the first time in my life I've seen such a pathetic moron.
'Live righteously, like me. That's how you get blessed.'
-May you receive plenty.
Huh?
Hearing it back, that doesn't sound great at all.
The Demonic Cult was an enemy, sure, but if I kept fighting, when would I ever get around to romance? I had to protect my family first. As the old saying goes: self-cultivation, family regulation, clan governance, state pacification... you know.
Drain the ditch and snag some crayfish too.
"Black Dragon Fortress has our backs!"
"What now? If the Namgung Family finds out about this place."
Black Dragon Fortress was undoubtedly the massive pillar propping up the unorthodox factions. But exerting influence in Hefei was a stretch. If the Sword Emperor hadn't fully recovered, maybe. As long as the Namgung Family stood strong, Black Dragon Fortress's reach wouldn't extend here.
'Damn, they came prepared!'
Maybe this guy had teamed up with the Namgung Family for the raid. I'd walked right into the trap he'd set without a clue. The Little Dragon Tournament must've been bait to lure out the Crimson Night Tower too. How else would he have known about the winner and runner-up?
"You sneaky orthodox bastards!"
"Didn't you say the one who gets duped is the idiot?"
Mujin didn't bother clearing up Jang Gi-cheol's misunderstanding. Explaining things too cleanly always came back to bite you later. Better to always watch your words.
What was there to blab about so much, anyway?
'Any chance of winning?'
Jang Gi-cheol's mind was a mess.
Beating a master who wielded qi so freely was no sure thing. But if Old Monster Seob pitched in, there might be an opening. If he used his hidden ace, the Latent Blood Explosion.
"...This has nothing to do with me."
You ten longevity pests!
Seob Jang-saeng, who looked like some deep-cultivation Taoist, didn't even glance back before unleashing his signature Wind Island Step. His form leaped over ten zhang in a flash, desperation plain as day.
"You gotta pick your friends better."
Mujin slashed his sword horizontally.
Intangible force unleashed a razor-sharp qi that sliced the space level clean across.
Sizzle!
Seob Jang-saeng kept charging, then froze. Moments later, his soul seemed to flee as his upper and lower halves separated and fell apart.
Chilling!
At Seob Jang-saeng's pathetic end, Jang Gi-cheol's mind went blank white. Called Sword Demon Master or whatever, the man was a ferocious swordsman like a yaksha. He wasn't weak enough to die so pointlessly. Even dying while fleeing was shocking.
For Jang Gi-cheol, it was the worst outcome. Better to go down fighting. But croaking without even creating a chance? All that invested money felt wasted now.
"Got it?"
"...You're dead!"
No time to waste.
As Mujin took a step forward, Jang Gi-cheol thrust out his signature Crimson Kill Palm. Infused with vital energy, it could unleash over twice his normal palm force—a life-defining ultimate technique.
Crimson palm force filled the space. At the same time, he activated Latent Blood Explosion. Poison coated the force. No one had ever survived this method.
Slash!
A casual swing wrapped around Jang Gi-cheol. A red line etched across his arms, and they fell limply.
Kraaaagh!
His severed arms writhed on the ground, spewing blood. Armless, Jang Gi-cheol screamed and staggered back.
"You devil... Kugh!"
"Don't do that—you did it too."
Scanning Strong Magnet Qi's memories, the guy had done plenty of dogshit deeds. Loan sharking, gambling, prostitution, human trafficking—the list was endless, too tiring to count.
And he'd never spared anyone once. He'd squeezed them dry while alive, and even dead they didn't rest easy. Calling him a devil? What kind of devil killed in one shot?
How magnanimous was this mercy?
He wanted to turn the bastard's life into hell, but that sounded like a hassle.
'Get to work, Demon King.'
-I'm not your slave!
Brat. He hadn't said no.
Mujin yanked Jang Gi-cheol through the air with Air Grasp and activated Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye. No point digging for hidden stuff when he could just read memories and loot. Plus, folks you could kill guilt-free were rare.
Poof!
The used-up tool crumbled to dust.
Mujin swiftly found what he wanted. Smarter than expected. Most loan sharks kept treasures nearby, but Jang Gi-cheol had stashed his elsewhere.
A place only he knew.
Mujin skipped the treasure and grabbed the ledger.
Treasures could wait till later, but ledgers needed checking fresh. Obviously hidden close by, in a spot only he knew.
Opening the chest, Mujin felt bitter. He wanted it all, but taking too much would look greedy. A real man didn't stoop to freeloading thug tricks.
Squelch, squelch!
Someone's footsteps splashing hurriedly through the rain approached from somewhere. Leaving without a word was rude, so he acknowledged them.
"You're here."
"You damned bastard!"
Whoa, how many times did he have to tell him?
Why was this grown woman so foul-mouthed? Tsk tsk tsk!
How would she ever get married like this?
Mujin had left, but the more Nangong Yeon-hwa replayed the exchange, the stuffier she felt. She couldn't picture standing shoulder-to-shoulder with that monster. To steady her mind, she'd been drilling Heavenly Thunder Divine Fist in the training hall.
After late-night practice, as she turned to leave, a messenger arrived. It was the errand boy from the inn where Mujin had stayed.
Reading the letter, Nangong Yeon-hwa sought out her father. This wasn't something she could handle alone; she needed the family head's decision. She worried he might refuse, but it went just as Mujin predicted.
Her father handed over the Arrow Palace Squad without a word—the unit requiring special approval.
Nangong Yeon-hwa raced through the rain with the squad to the Crimson Night Tower. Needless to say, she wasn't worried about the guy's safety. He'd subdued her grandfather barehanded. Crimson Night Tower or shit tower, the outcome was obvious.
The scene matched her expectations, but it was overkill.
The front gate meant to guard the entrance was gone. The inner areas were drenched in blood. No one left with all limbs intact, and the buildings were wrecked beyond shape.
Step, step!
Watching Mujin stroll casually through the slaughterhouse made her head throb. He'd turned the place into a blood sea—how was that okay?
And his greeting?
You're here?
"What the hell did you do?"
"These guys sent assassins after me. Trying to kill over some lost money—what a harsh world, right?"
How could you say that? Is your face made of diamond?
"Say everything you claim is true. Why'd you call me?"
"You said you'd help before. Clean this up nicely. Lady Yeon-hwa of the great Namgung Family wouldn't deceive lowly folk with empty words, right? I'd be awfully hurt otherwise."
Nangong Yeon-hwa was speechless at his shamelessness. She'd rushed here out of the slightest concern, and this was his thanks!
"Hey, don't be rude to the lady... Huh?"
Arrow Palace Squad Leader Seol Gyeong-u stepped forward, and Mujin threw a casual punch. A polite lesson: no place for third parties. If he insisted, he'd praise the guts.
Whoosh, boom!
Half the roofless hall blasted away in an instant. Everyone was stunned by the explosive display.
"Rude how?"
"...Not at all!"
The squad retreated a step at the brute force show.
Nangong Yeon-hwa's jaw nearly dropped. She'd almost cursed at Squad Leader Seol's awkward withdrawal—he'd only acted out of worry for her. This guy's humanity was rock bottom.
"Speak if you have something to say. I'm not that narrow-minded."
"...Nothing to say!"
What was there to say to that!
Not enemies, the squad quietly withdrew to not interrupt the lady's talk. Glimpsed it, but at least an intangible fist. Definitely a Wall-Climbing Realm master. Who knew the family had ties to such a powerhouse?
"They catch on quick."
"And if they hadn't?"
"I'd have explained calmly till they did."
"Sure you would've."
"No need to complicate things."
"Who's complicating?!"
"So you won't help?"
"What if I don't?"
"Even like this?"
Mujin handed over the ledger. Rain pouring, so he casually set up a barrier. A light courtesy from a man—kept the paper dry.
To charm women, you needed at least basic barriers.
The further Nangong Yeon-hwa read, the more her face twisted. Even a page or two made her nauseous. She dreaded what the later parts held.
"Squad Leader, seal off the area and clean up."
"Understood, milady."
Even in orthodox turf, you couldn't claim no unorthodox presence. They turned a blind eye to some as custom. Root them out, and more sprouted like poison mushrooms.
Still, Crimson Night Tower was excessive.
"Tied to Black Dragon Fortress?"
"You knew?"
"Of course."
"News to me."
Sharp one.
Despite Mujin's nonchalant reply, Nangong Yeon-hwa's insight cut deep. Reluctantly, he spilled it all. And outright asked her to wrap it nicely.
"Got it."
"As expected of Great Yeon-hwa."
"Shut up!"
"I said it quietly."
Midnight racket wasn't right.
Nangong Yeon-hwa had no choice but to agree. Even on Hefei's outskirts, it was Namgung territory. Imagine unorthodox scum tied to Black Dragon Fortress rampaging in her front yard. Rumors would tank the family's reputation—instantly, worse than losing the Little Dragon Tournament.
"Wait."
"Yeah?"
"Leave the chest."
"...Labor fee?"
"Or should I spread who trashed the place? The Beggars' Gang would love that."
"Namgung Family isn't hurting for cash. You're overdoing it."
"I won't splurge."
Half the chest seemed fair—he'd been careful. Mujin admired her meticulousness. Never met a proper person who threw money around. Fiery temper aside, Nangong Yeon-hwa was upright.
'Paddle when the water comes in.'
-When the tide rises!
Mujin just bid her farewell without retorting. She'd kept things lively.
"Thanks."
"Get lost!"
Mujin vanished into the darkness without looking back. Nangong Yeon-hwa stared blankly after him for a long while.
"Hmph. See you again."