Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Do You Think Money Can Buy Everything? (2)
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Whoooong!
A tangible surge of energy shot straight from the iron sword, forming a perfect, graceful shape. The majestic aura concentrated, radiating an overwhelming presence. Its length was easily three feet.
"Here I go, Father."
"...Wait!"
Kang U-gyeong jolted in shock.
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief over and over. A bluish-white energy blossomed from his son's sword, manifesting in a complete blade form.
"Is that... Sword Gang?"
"It is."
Father had a keen eye. Even without a prior show, anyone perceptive should pick up on it. A father who doesn't know his own son would be the real oddity. We weren't living apart—we shared the same roof.
"Can I go now?"
"Sword Gang means Transcendent realm?"
"Stingy guess. Aim higher."
"...Enlightenment?"
That shocked you bad?
It was no big deal, but pushing further might give him a fit, so I dialed it back. Pure filial piety for Father's sake—I'd spell it out exactly later. No secrets between family. Say what you will, he was still Dad.
But I wouldn't hog all the glory. Conflicted emotions flickered across Father's awed face. To dodge future hassles, I planted the seeds. All premeditated for moments like this.
I have my plans too.
-The rats'll go extinct just from So taking a step back.
Even unintentionally, fortune aligned perfectly. Nothing beat it for an excuse either. Better prepared ahead.
"Muho's in Enlightenment too."
Gasp!
Ask Kang U-gyeong the most shocking day of his life raising two sons, and he'd say today, no question. An auspicious occasion, yet it sparked a crisis in him.
"Here I go!"
"Son!"
"What?"
"Never mind."
Father sheathed his blade like lightning and stepped back. He was already waving me to hurry up. I'd never seen him move this fast.
"I believed in you from the start. Hahaha!"
"I see."
Father's bold laughter rang oddly hollow. At least now we'd forged proper trust. Family ties had that invisible, unbreakable bond of faith.
"Impressive."
"You flatter me."
Kang U-gyeong broke into a cold sweat inside. Not knowing his son's prowess and trying to test him—his gut twisted. Proceeding would've been pure humiliation.
But when?
Transcendent was rare enough, but Enlightenment?
Power to etch a name in the jianghu. Achieving that and staying quiet all this time—is this really my boy?
"You figured I'd say that? As if."
"Huh?"
Our father was more innocent than he looked.
I'd played my ace card, and ending it there felt like a waste. Things had gone this far—might as well make Father my accomplice.
"By tradition, a sect's strongest must be its Leader, for face. And Pine Tiger Sect's Leader is you, Father."
"...You rascal, what are you scheming?"
"I'll uphold your dignity. I'm not ready to surpass you yet."
"...I'm fine."
"I'm not. Think of it as an investment for the future."
That's my line!
Ignoring that, Mujin reviewed the later stages of the Evolution Art and Pine Tiger Five Swords for him. Tailored mostly to Father's level, though the occasional unintended strike slipped in. Only possible because I trusted his reflexes.
Screeeeech!
Like a raging tiger's fangs, a sharp fragment ricocheted off-beat. Its deviated path hurtled toward his forehead. A shiver started at his toes and slammed into his scalp—he dodged the sword energy by a hair's breadth.
KABOOM!
The training hall's wall crumbled under the stray sword energy fragment. Miles beyond ordinary. What would've happened on a direct hit? Goosebumps rose.
"...Son!"
"Father's amazing—I knew you'd dodge."
...Don't praise me, you brat!
Ah~! Why's he my kid!
Mujin gladly became Father's guide. Watching him grow so vigorously filled his chest with pride.
-Lots of lingering feelings there. Definitely got owned.
Tsk, no false accusations.
Memories lingered of Father walloping him back when he smoked like a chimney, but Mujin let it slide magnanimously. Ancient history. Humans were creatures of forgetfulness. No recollection whatsoever.
"Looking forward to your hard work, Father."
Sword winds whipped from Mujin's blade, swirling to fill every inch of space. In an instant, a net of sword energy etched the air.
Heave!
Kang U-gyeong flailed more for survival than admiration. A direct hit meant no escape.
"Link the Pine Tiger Five Swords' Gale and Floating Mountain—you can block it easy."
"Easier said..."
Before he could finish, the sword energy storm engulfed him. A split second. Humanity's survival instinct was truly magnificent. Call it paternal... or underhanded training.
The miracle happened.
Floundering in the chain finale, Kang U-gyeong tapped peak survival instinct and rediscovered the sword's profound truth he'd honed.
"Don't forget that sensation."
"Impossible!"
How does brute-force drilling even work? It wasn't just the feel. His body, tasting the brink of life and death, advanced a step. That vague barrier—he'd unveiled its true form.
Life-Death Duel!
Kang U-gyeong felt a bone-chilling draft.
"Here's to more in the future."
"...You trying to kill your old man!"
"Take back the grim talk. Do I look like the unfilial type?"
You do, punk!
Gazing at his spirited son, Kang U-gyeong's frustration boiled over. When was it? Muho once buckled under pressure. That look on his face? He got it now.
"What now?"
"What else? We stay put."
"Bury an achievement like that?"
"Every sect needs a secret weapon."
"Sigh... If word gets out, it'll be a headache."
Kang U-gyeong inwardly admired his son's resolve—not pushing himself forward, but sacrificing for the sect. The surprise doubled since this wasn't his usual self.
Yet he strongly sensed he was being toyed with.
-Blatantly out to play.
Sharp eye.
A secret weapon looked good on paper, but unless it acted, it was nothing. In truth, secret weapons did zilch until crisis hit the clan—existing solely for that hidden strike.
I just need to keep getting stronger.
-Sigh, to think I trusted a guy like this.
Only sighs escaped the duped Demon King's lips.
Gasp!
They say absurdity kills even anger. Sent the boy for warrior training, and he drags back this nonsense "gift."
Staring at his fidgeting son, frustration welled up. If he were a subordinate, he'd lop off his head and chuck it in the marketplace.
"Say it again."
"It's that bastard's trap... Gah!"
Unable to contain his rage, Lee Taek-sang backhanded his son. Hit so hard his lip split, blood splattering the wall.
"...Father!"
"Shut your mouth! You botched everything and whine about traps? Have you ever seen such a fool!"
He'd never laid a hand on his son once. But today, it was unbearable. Spoiled rotten, and now he'd birthed a clan-ruiner.
Flustered, Lee Gi-ho grimaced then bowed his head. He realized no words would penetrate now.
"Out."
"Father, please!"
"Don't make me say it twice."
"Understood."
Lee Gi-ho left, and Lee Taek-sang turned a fierce glare on Hyeok Mu-sang. His son was green in jianghu ways—mistakes forgivable.
But Hyeok Mu-sang was a battle-hardened veteran of this filthy world. Sent him to avert any ugliness, and he'd shaken the sect's grand design.
"Deeply disappointed in you."
"My regrets."
As a guest, Hyeok treated Lee Taek-sang like his lord. Hierarchy set from entry.
"No skimping, no padding—details."
"Yes."
Hyeok knew better than anyone how terrifying Lee Taek-sang was. Outwardly benevolent, but a ruthless schemer.
"Perfectly played."
"My failure—not stopping him fully."
"Who said we're judging fault!"
"Grant me a chance!"
"Raid them now? You mad?"
Huangbo alliance sealed, Nangong token received. Both tied to Pine Tiger Sect. Fumble this, and it'd be killing the golden goose.
Worse, truth out—they'd draw blame as the main culprits. If not for righteous factions, sure—but they'd side with Nangong- and Huangbo-backed Pine Tiger.
"Han-sang, what say you?"
Lee Taek-sang sought his Chief Steward's counsel.
The steward was his brother Lee Han-sang, similar features but slimmer build. Scholarly bent over martial arts since youth—adept in letters and external affairs.
"We must pay ten thousand nyang."
"No choice, eh."
"If Huangbo or Nangong intervene, full story breaks. We'd lose the money and our built reputation."
"Funds on hand?"
"Sell some land."
"Damn it all!"
Anger surged hotter. Just when things knotted up, they tangled beyond repair. Spare funds meant to dominate Anhui commerce—ruined. They'd lose leverage in deals with the two guilds.
"So we just take it?"
"No pretext for us to move. But others? They ignore pretexts."
"Hoh, my brother indeed."
Powerless sects hoarding wealth naturally draw predators.
"Negotiate with them—one option."
"No."
Something felt off, and talks needed equal footing.
As Pine Tiger Sect quieted post-Little Dragon Tournament uproar, Jeongun Merchant Group arrived.
"What's all that?"
"Jeongun—one of Anhui's Big Three Guilds."
"Not Baemun—why them?"
Jeongun rolled in with ten carts, porters, and escorts. Rare spectacle drew stares; even Pine Tiger warriors grew curious.
Amid the bustle, Elder Kang emerged and queried the guild's lead at the gate.
"Who goes?"
"Yeo Un-sang, Jeongun's Vice Head. Honored to meet Elder Kang Cheon-myeong."
Martial sects and merchants operated differently, and Jeongun dwarfed Pine Tiger Sect. For them to recognize him caught Elder off guard.
"Ahem—what brings Jeongun's Vice Head?"
"Delivering an item entrusted by Great Hero Kang Mujin."
"...?"
Great Hero? Who?
Elder wondered if age dulled his ears and asked again. No one in the sect merited "Great Hero."
Any namesake was a nuisance lump—hardly Junior Hero material. Now marginally useful, but Great Hero? Preposterous.
He feared anyone overhearing.
"Wrong sect. No such person."
"Pine Tiger's Great Young Master, yes? Then we're right on target."
"Impossible. Here for Muho, perhaps?"
"No."
Yeo's firmness made Elder swallow dryly. Reality hard to swallow, no matter how pondered. But snubbing guests unthinkable—had to invite in.
Rare chance to link with Anhui's top guild, too.
What mess has he stirred outside?
Elder couldn't shake suspicions of Mujin's antics. Five years sober, but people didn't change overnight.
Not without regressing, anyway.
Once inside, Yeo Un-sang wasted no time. Greeted Sect Leader and Lady first, then sought Mujin.
Hearing Yeo sought Mujin, all gawked with "Why?" expressions.
Mujin met Yeo privately. Ears clustered near the room but kept distance.
"A rare hidden dragon, you are."
"More amusing than I look."
"Timing is everything. Like Liu Bei meeting Guan Yu and Zhang Fei back in the day."
"That's grand."