Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: I Have a Plan Too (1)
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Kang Mujin roamed Wuhuan City to his heart's content before turning his steps toward his destination. A boat would have been ideal, but the direction was the opposite of any navigable waterways.
Before leaving Wuhuan City, he purchased a functional carriage. It was spacious enough for four people and reinforced with all necessary features. He meticulously loaded it with food and supplies for the journey.
Yukchil was following obediently. If he didn't, he'd get beaten. That guy never repeated himself twice.
Still, he needed to know the destination to follow along.
"Where exactly are we headed?"
"On our way to drink some Azure Clarity Stone Oil."
"...?"
Anyone overhearing might think they were just stopping by a well for a quick sip of water.
Yukchil was dumbfounded by the absurd nonsense. It seemed like the guy was just spouting whatever came to mind.
"You mean the elixir that grants longevity without illness as a baseline, and for martial artists, boosts internal energy by a full cycle?"
"Yeah, that's the one. Though it's just one cycle."
"...!"
The conversation felt utterly bizarre.
It wasn't mismatched, but their understandings were worlds apart. A single cycle of internal energy typically signified the realm of a true master. Yet to this man, it was as bland as rice porridge. An unremarkable cycle. While others struggled desperately in their cultivation just to attain one.
Fine, whatever.
Why say it so casually, though?
'Even teasing has its limits!'
Just look at Cheolho and Narung's attitudes. They were utterly nonchalant.
But it was plenty believable.
'What's a single cycle to that monster!'
'Master has a thousand years of energy!'
He was the kind of man who flattened mountains just because they were too steep. A single cycle wouldn't even register. Cheolho and Narung had been through too much to be fazed by that.
"Bangchok, doesn't this bother you at all?"
"Shut up and drive."
Narung was handling the carriage, going by the name Bangchok now. He'd changed his appearance accordingly. Information on Bangchok had been prepared long ago. The man had existed and died a tragic death, making it hard for even the Beggars' Sect to verify quickly.
"Even so, Azure Clarity Stone Oil? Does that even make sense?!"
"Whatever the reason, it's real. So just accept it."
"...!"
It's real!
These guys are all insane!
If he weren't a martial artist himself, maybe, but few could remain so calm about a legendary elixir from antiquity.
'I should just stop talking.'
Fuming, Yukchil decided to end the conversation. He'd follow quietly, but if he found any opening, he wouldn't let it slide.
'Just you wait.'
I'm Yukchil, after all!
Whether he sulked or not, the carriage proceeded leisurely along the road. After leaving Wuhuan City and passing the main highway into a fork, the sun began to set.
It was a spot where the reed marshes by the lake divided into swamp and plains. Even without mountains, human presence was scarce.
He unhitched the horses and parked the carriage to one side.
"A carriage awning is the true charm of camping."
Opening the back and draping the cloth created a cozy shelter. A connecting awning was essential for carriage travel.
He lit a fire and prepared to cook.
"Looks like we have a guest."
As preparations finished, Kang Mujin stood and gazed at the darkening plains. It was hard to tell if the rustling in the bushes was people or just the wind. The evening chill was sharpening.
Whoooosh!
At the mention of a nighttime visitor, Yukchil jumped up in alarm. Someone was targeting them.
"Who the hell?"
"The Beggars' Sect is slow with info, huh? It's the Heavenly Water Sect."
"Why the Heavenly Water Sect?"
"Because I personally smashed the right-hand man of some Wall Tiger Hall deputy or whatever."
"...?"
Yukchil clutched his neck, nearly keeling over young. He didn't just cause trouble—he caused extraordinary trouble.
And then he smiled brightly like it was nothing! The blunt honesty left him speechless.
Crackle!
Fifty men encircled them.
No small number.
As mentioned, it was the Heavenly Water Sect.
The surprise was that Sect Leader Hong Won had personally led an elite squad. Nicknamed Hong Yun-jang after Guan Yun-jang, he was known for never leaving his seat easily. For him to come in person meant a massive grudge. It seemed like a day with more ill fortune than good.
Heh heh!
Kang Mujin replied with a smile. It was exactly as predicted—no surprise there. He'd dealt with this type plenty of times.
"Very orthodox of you."
Yukchil's head throbbed.
Asking Bangchok for the full story only made it worse. The Heavenly Water Sect's behavior was outrageous. Despite clear wrongdoing, they showed no remorse and instead ambushed at night with force. Yet Kang Mujin called it "orthodox."
'This is driving me mad!'
Even evil sects wouldn't stoop this low. If word got out, the entire orthodox faction, including the Heavenly Water Sect, would face backlash.
"To what do we owe the visit?"
"You thought you could disrupt our sect's event and walk away unscathed?"
"Do this, and you'll all die. I won't hold back. If you want to live, turn back now."
"Beating the Mysterious Music Sword has made you overconfident."
Hong Won had brought the Heavenly Water Three Wanderers and the entire Iron Tiger Hall. The Mysterious Music Sword was one of the Jeon-gal family's Five Great Sword Masters, but Hong Won didn't think he'd lose. He believed he could match him.
"So you're going for total annihilation."
"What if we are?!"
"You sure? I've got the Beggars' Sect behind me."
"Such tricks won't work."
Hong Won wavered for a moment. But no beggars were visible. The neatly dressed man was suspicious, but far from a beggar.
"Tricks? Take a good look. See the knot on his waist?"
"...Damn it!"
Yukchil hurriedly tried to hide his sect knot, but Kang Mujin was faster. The knot proved Yukchil's Three Knot status. He scowled. No need to blab that.
Hmph!
Hong Won and the Heavenly Water Sect warriors looked flustered. They hadn't anticipated this. If the Beggars' Sect knew the full story, the damage would be immense.
"It's a fake. Since when do Beggars' Sect members dress like people? You won't fool me with improvisation."
"Fake? It's strategic camouflage. By the way, Yukchil's handler is Hong Mu-gae of the Beggars' Sect. Right, Yukchil?"
Don't ask!
Mentioning Hong Mu-gae twisted Hong Won's face in fury. If true, the situation would be irreparable. Things were escalating.
"And we know the whole story, so this just got fun."
No drawn-out talks. Kang Mujin laid it out plainly. The Beggars' Sect knew what they'd done, and now they were here at night talking extermination.
Tremble!
No point agonizing.
Hong Won steeled himself.
They were too deep now. Backing down wouldn't erase the facts. He had to eliminate all traces cleanly.
Zing!
Before he decided.
Swoooosh!
A shadow charged fiercely.
It was Kang Mujin.
Without hesitation, he swung his staff down.
Kabooooom!
A mountain-crushing force crushed space through the staff, shattering everything. A deafening roar pierced the night, and shockwaves tore the air.
Arrrgh!
Screams erupted everywhere. A gruesome scene unfolded openly. Twenty comrades were ripped apart.
Hong Won and the Heavenly Water Sect men floundered at the sudden carnage.
Whoosh!
Kang Mujin didn't stop.
He hadn't declared attack, but that didn't matter. True assault was a surprise without warning.
Announce it, and they might block.
-Block your attack? That trash?
'Just an expression.'
No need to waste even a bit of mental energy when he could kill effortlessly. He had no desire to tangle long with small fry. Introducing himself was a hassle.
Three hefty figures at close range.
The Heavenly Water Three Wanderers.
They panicked at the ambush. As they flailed, Kang Mujin swung mercilessly.
Even roughly, it'll work.
A fine brush doesn't hinder a master calligrapher... Hmm!
Masters wielded weapons effortlessly, intent and essence flowing naturally.
Intentless Accumulation.
It's there even if not intended.
That's what masters did.
Crack, crunch!
Heads burst with crisp sounds. Blood and brains sprayed. Darkness painted red in an instant. The Heavenly Water Three Wanderers met a pathetic end.
They went to the afterlife without revealing names like Yi Sang-cheon, Nam Cheon-gyeong, U Jang-seong. They vanished with the unnamed bitterness, yearning for fancy titles like Heavenly Water First Sword, Second Blade, Second Spear.
Boom!
A powerful shockwave followed. A staff clashed with force infused with Vortex Meridian.
It was Hong Won, using One-Step Protection from behind.
He unleashed the ultimate technique of Sage Name Absolute Art, Hongmu Talbaek Palm's White Soul Emergent Strike. Crimson Eye Heart Art at peak drew baleful energy into his palm, erupting like a wrathful demon.
Rooooar!
Post-clash, Hong Won's pupils shook like a boat in a storm. The gap was clear. He was pushed twenty paces back; the foe stood firm.
Unbelievable repulsion.
The internal energy gap far exceeded expectations. Not only that—the domineering true energy invading via his palm numbed his body.
'...Impossible!'
The opponent was a transcendent master, perhaps upper tier. How had such a figure stayed unknown?
Kabooooom!
Ten more shattered and flew. The gruesome slaughter continued. Pure one-sided massacre. Fewer than twenty left.
"...Demon!"
"...Mercy!"
Kang Mujin showed no mercy. Those still untouched froze in terror. Too strong, too brutal to oppose.
"As the saying goes, leave no roots of disaster."
He headed straight for Hong Won without pause.
Hong Won snapped to as death loomed. Staying meant obliteration without trace by this demon.
"Wait! Spare me!"
Honor mattered to warriors, but Hong Won knelt without hesitation. That one strike proved he couldn't win. Escape impossible. The man would hunt them all down.
"Willing to die cleanly? I'll end it quick."
This wasn't some jianghu tale where surrender meant mercy.
Even scraps were gains.
"Nooo~!"
Yukchil, snapping awake, yelled as he caught his breath. Half-dazed by the bloody scene. Even if the initial slaughter was too fast to stop, this was too dangerous.
Gasp!
Hong Won's small eyes widened maximally. Clear reason: the blood-soaked staff halted before him.
Drip drip!
Cold sweat poured like underground springs, soaking him. No life-flashing—didn't even see the staff approach.
'...What the hell is this monster?'
Why provoke such a devil? Regret surged, but no solution.
And he tried to kill despite surrender. The sloppy exterior was deception.
Swish!
Kang Mujin turned away.
"I'm not one to say no and mean it, but if the Beggars' Sect wills it, I'll hold off for now. Speak."
Whoa!
He stopped it!
Intentional or not didn't matter. Citing the Beggars' Sect made it their will.
Damn it!
Yukchil barely kept his twisted expression in check.