Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Deal (1)
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One hundred and twenty men.
These were the Beggar Gang disciples and martial artists mobilized for this operation. Only sixty survived; the rest of the martial artists and disciples were dead. Tracking the Yin bandits hadn't been difficult up until they discovered their traces. But at some point, the bastards suddenly turned and charged, and there was an ambush from behind.
A considerable number had been sacrificed. Moreover, only two of the women they were supposed to rescue survived; the rest were all dead.
Judging solely by the results, the operation was a complete failure. They hadn't even caught the tail, and instead got bitten by the tail that cut loose and fled.
However, looking at the spoils made it hard to outright call it a failure.
Extreme Killer Yi Yong.
The Heavenly Lord Divine Spear had severed the head of Extreme Killer. If he was the mastermind behind this whole mess, it explained everything that had happened.
And the bittersweet reality was that they'd saved Ok So-hyang of the Heavenly Clothes Sect. It stood in stark contrast to the deaths of the unnamed women.
For the Beggar Gang, they needed to shoulder the blame for the failure while spreading word far and wide of Extreme Killer's death.
"How are you going to make it up to us?"
"Make what up?"
"You saved our asses from dying, so you owe us. Don't tell me beggars have no shame!"
"A true hero would do it for the sake of justice...!"
Kyung-deok's mouth was hastily covered and he was dragged to his feet by Yukchil. Yukchil hauled him off to the side for a stern scolding, warning him not to spout any more nonsense.
"Your kids are poorly raised. This is why people need proper education."
"We're sorry. We'll make it up to you later."
"Something like Clarity Pills would do. I can't stomach anything that stinks."
"Of course."
The beggars listening nearby were utterly flabbergasted, clicking their tongues. As if that was something to say right now. Clarity Pills weren't cheap goat turds you could just pop out; they were the Beggar Gang's secret elixir. Something they might never even glimpse in their entire lives—and here he was treating them so dismissively!
'He can have 'em, you idiots!'
This was a guy who gargled with Azure Clarity Oil. Would Clarity Pills even satisfy him? He was the type to chew out the alchemists for not sweetening up Great Return Pills too.
'Who would've thought it was Extreme Killer.'
Yukchil broke out in a cold sweat.
What if Mujin's sisters-in-law had died? Would that monster have stayed calm? He was the type to slaughter every Beggar Gang disciple in sight. Denying it wouldn't change a thing. Mujin had proven time and again he was capable of it.
"If you use me as bait again, you're dead."
"Understood."
Yukchil fawned shamelessly, willing to hand over his liver and gall bladder if asked. No matter what Mujin said, he kept that empty-headed smile plastered on.
'Is he really the Sixth Branch Head?'
'What's wrong with him?'
The situation was uncomfortable, but since Mujin had saved them, they held their tongues. Unlike self-aggrandizing heroes, his bragging was grating to hear, but the debt of life remained unchanged.
Mujin examined the scars on Cheolho's hand.
"You're hurt."
"It's just a scrape!"
"Get scraped twice, and you'll be smearing shit on this master's face."
"I won't get hurt next time!"
"No, you can't do that. I wouldn't have the face to see your first master. I'm not that shameless. Right?"
Hiiik!
Cheolho wanted to run.
He needed to escape the shadow of his second master. Slyly invoking the first master left no room for escape. It was truly devilish scheming. He spared no means, even with his own disciple.
"I'll make sure to fulfill your first master's dying wish."
*Don't get fired up about it!*
*It's not even your wish—why act like it's your sacred duty?!*
It was maddening for Cheolho, but to onlookers, it looked heartwarming. Only Narung and Yukchil, who knew the full story, clicked their tongues. Only those in the know could empathize.
*Heartwarming my ass!*
*That kid's done for!*
The two shared a silent understanding. Speaking up would drag them in too. Mujin was more than capable of it.
"You've got comrades to share it with now. Isn't that nice?"
"...?"
As if they'd stay put just because they wanted to.
Mujin wasn't the heartwarming type.
And damn it, neither were they.
Narung, unable to escape, was dying inside, while Yukchil rolled his eyes. Their positions couldn't be more different.
"By the way, when's Hong Mu-gae coming?"
"Hero Kang, please!"
Calling Hong Mu-gae—roaming carefree in the courtyard like a yellow stray dog—drew icy glares from the gathered beggars. He wasn't an elder of a Great Sect, but Hong Mu-gae was tapped as the next Beggar King. Treating him that way was a slap to the Beggar Gang's face.
"They say even the emperor gets cursed where he's not present."
...Gasp!
Everyone froze, then recoiled in horror. There were things one could say and things one couldn't. If those words spread, everyone here could be charged with lese-majeste and beheaded.
Now they all realized.
...He's insane!
They paled collectively, trying to slip away unnoticed. But Mujin smiled brightly and said,
"Yukchil, tell me the names of everyone here. We fought together; it'd be awkward not to know."
Gasp!
*No need, you madman!*
The madman was also a clingy ghost. He had that obsessive refusal to die alone. At this point, whether he called Hong Mu-gae a friend or not hardly mattered. You never knew when a lunatic would do something crazy.
'What a shock.'
The emperor was human too, and an idiot. That's why the Demonic Cult of the Demon God got the drop on him. Mujin had zero respect for the emperor. What Heavenly Son? Heaven didn't choose him; it was just a ploy for their rule.
*Still, the imperial family is necessary.*
'A useless emperor is better off gone.'
The most crucial virtue for an emperor was competence. Being kind, benevolent, or beloved by the people meant nothing if he was incompetent—the commoners suffered. Incompetence was an unforgivable sin for an emperor. No wonder they say, "If the personality's rotten, at least have ability."
*You deliberately didn't save him.*
'Yeah.'
When the emperor was in danger, the palace had requested aid from the Murim Alliance. But Mujin hadn't gone. Instead, he'd saved one more fighter on the front lines.
*Not a bad call.*
'Bullshit.'
The Demon King had beheaded the emperor and claimed several princesses. Back then, it had seemed natural. The victor took all.
*You regretted missing one.*
'Like a dog in heat, the pervert.'
*She was quite the beauty.*
'Looks don't matter.'
During the conquest, one imperial princess had slipped away. Mujin couldn't quite recall her name. She was an obscure princess who never showed her face at court.
Hmm.
An odd woman suddenly came to mind. She hadn't been all there either. Why were there so many crazies around him? Maybe he needed to ward off bad luck.
'Did I ask her why she did that back then?'
*What?*
'Never mind.'
Mujin didn't dwell on fleeting memories. Something more important mattered. He'd planned to leave before Hong Mu-gae arrived, but he needed to pass on the info from the wandering monk.
Heavenly Fortune Inn.
He'd rented out an annex there for ample space. It was the only inn nearby with one. The Heavenly Clothes Sect had agreed to cover the cost. It was modest recompense for saving their daughter. He could have demanded more, but he'd checked their finances.
There was no special reason for choosing the annex. He just needed a wide open space.
Haa, haa!
Cheolho was half-dead from exhaustion.
After drinking the Azure Clarity Oil, his Iron Blood Lion Art's aftereffects had reached the peak of the eighth star. Yet after sparring with Mujin, his limbs trembled. His muscles screamed like he'd overdone it on his first day of hard labor.
"Impressive."
"Still just a novice."
"Haha, is that so?"
"Definitely."
It was Gwak Unbaek, the Heavenly Lord Divine Spear, emerging from his room after the bloody battle. He'd focused on absorbing the essence gained from his life-death duel with Extreme Killer. He'd broken through the wall that had blocked him, entering a new realm.
Even to Gwak Unbaek, who'd surpassed that wall, Cheolho was no ordinary talent. His ageless face was surprising enough, but his achievements weren't something to dismiss as novice-level. Without a master, he'd want to take him under his wing right away. Even now, few experts could handle him.
Unfortunately, he was Mujin's disciple.
Having received Mujin's guidance, Gwak Unbaek had no right to interfere. Teaching methods varied by sect, and meddling was rude. Besides, recalling the precious gift Mujin had given him then, his magnanimity was as vast as the sea. It was a boldness Gwak Unbaek couldn't match.
"I never imagined it was Azure Clarity Oil."
"It's for gaining Hero Gwak. What's Azure Clarity Oil compared to that?"
"Hahaha, I really can't beat you. At this rate, I'll never escape your debt."
"Leave whenever you want."
Gwak Unbaek's life had been that of a lone wolf. He'd luckily met a master in tough times and handled everything alone. He never tied himself to groups or accepted aid.
In that solitary life, Mujin was a great man. More than worthy to lead the martial world in the future.
"I'll be in your care from now on, my lord!"
"That's my line."
"I, Gwak, swear to the heavens: if I betray this grace, may I break my spear and cripple my arts!"
"I'm grateful."
It looked like a beautiful lord-vassal bond.
Narung, Yukchil, and Cheolho were dumbfounded by Mujin's syrupy words. How could that guy spout such cringeworthy lines so smoothly? Heaven and earth should be quaking in outrage.
It was a world-shaking calamity.
*This is a guy who gargles with Azure Clarity Oil! Don't fall for his sweet talk!*
They cursed inwardly, but he'd been perfectly hooked.
With those rose-tinted glasses firmly on, the Heavenly Lord Divine Spear would never escape Mujin's shadow. It was the sight of a renowned expert swallowed whole by a single word.
Monsters were damn good swindlers too. This martial artist was ridiculously overpowered. Normally, someone of that caliber would have weighty words, but Mujin shifted unpredictably as needed.
It was a terrifying truth.
"Then, may I request some instruction?"
"As much as you like."
Mujin gladly accepted Gwak Unbaek's challenge. He was the type who trained himself without needing prodding. Maniacs obsessed with cultivation didn't need nitpicking. Just show them the results of training, and they'd push body and soul to reach it naturally.
"Come at me."
"Here I go."
The duel between Mujin and the Heavenly Lord Divine Spear ended precisely within half an hourglass.
In that short time, Cheolho, Narung, and Yukchil were speechless with awe. The Heavenly Lord's spear never even touched him. It was purely a teaching bout. One side desperate, the other measured with profound intent. Yet they couldn't tear their eyes away.
It was the clash of true masters at a realm they could scarcely dream of.
"What do you think?"
"Honest opinion?"
"Spare me the flattery."
"You're not yet at Sword Emperor level."
"Indeed."
Gwak Unbaek wasn't disappointed. Now he had a goal to challenge. The strength of Mujin, whom he'd sworn to serve, was the real deal. Aiming for the world's best wouldn't be amiss.
'Incredible.'
The annex was too cramped for masters to duel in. Yet the shockwaves never left the clearing. Mujin had kept the spar with Gwak Unbaek fully under control.
"My little sisters-in-law are waiting."
"If they're your sisters, I'm looking forward to them."
Mujin entrusted his sisters-in-law's safety to Gwak Unbaek. They'd grown from this incident, but they were still like kids left by the roadside—unsettling.
'If they die anyway, I'll avenge them.'
Mujin's feelings toward his sisters-in-law had clear boundaries. He'd save them if he could, but if his own family's lives were at stake, he'd abandon them without hesitation.
Once Gwak Unbaek left, Mujin stared down Yukchil.
"How long do I have to wait?"
"I'll fetch him right away."
"You get fifteen minutes."
"Thank you!"
Yukchil answered without hesitation. He'd gotten the message. The meaning of the spar. Making Mujin wait meant nothing good for the Beggar Gang—a veiled threat. It was a far cry from just seeing the Lightness Skill or toying with the Heavenly Lord Divine Spear.
Swaaang!
Yukchil deployed his movement technique, vaulting the wall and vanishing swiftly. Duty to report took a backseat to desperation not to get beaten.
The sisters-in-law returned after checking on Cheonghyeon. With no solution, they'd contacted the main sect.
"Brother-in-law!"
"No."
Mujin refused outright.
Azure Clarity Oil was impressive, but he didn't give it away for free. Every action required choice and proof of worth. Gratuitous favors were reserved for family.
"The physician said it. To expel the poison, you need a master of Myeongi Art. You can do it, brother-in-law!"
"Why should I?"
"Pardon?"
"Why should I risk it for some stranger I've never met? Besides, Mount Wudang will send someone if you just hold out a bit."
Come to think of it, they'd been oddly distant.
There was a reason.
Cheonghyeon would go on to carve his name in future history with massive exploits. Which made Mujin even less inclined to save him. If that thought had crossed his mind while killing the wandering monk, he might've slain him in a fit of rage.
*He'll become a big deal in time.*
'Do you know how many martial artists died because of that guy?'
Mediocre in martial prowess, yet he leveraged Mount Wudang to move entire forces. He chose based on pride in situations where he shouldn't have, leading to the annihilation of valuable troops.
And he'd escaped alone.
'What a long life he has.'
*Guys like that always last.*