Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Deal (3)
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"If things had gone wrong, everyone would have died, and all evidence would have vanished. And yet you claim no responsibility?"
"I apologize. It was my fault, and I take responsibility."
Hong Mu-ge could hold out no longer. If he didn't admit his mistake, the Beggars' Sect would take a hit. Right now, with a lead on the shadowy forces operating in secret, they couldn't afford a stain on their reputation. Distrust was dangerous. If those hidden powers exploited it, the murim world would suffer greatly.
"Words aren't enough."
"We'll provide fitting compensation."
"I don't want your compensation."
Mu-jin wagged a finger.
His intent was clear.
Hong Mu-ge's flushed face hesitated for a moment.
"No courage, huh?"
"Fine, you want it? Here I come!"
Hong Mu-ge had been caught off guard and beaten, then forced to apologize. He could barely contain his boiling rage. Even if it was a sneak attack, and even if he'd killed Jik-sal, the Beggars' Sect's martial arts weren't weak.
"Good luck."
True to his word, Guo Yun-baek turned away without lingering. He hadn't expected Hong Mu-ge to win anyway.
Yuk Chil, left behind, grimaced bitterly.
'He's dead set on thrashing him!'
The outcome was obvious as fire. Hong Mu-ge was the sect's top martial artist, but it meant nothing against Mu-jin. Even if the sect leader came, it wouldn't help. They'd need at least the former leader and all the elders deploying their formations.
Even then, it probably wouldn't work.
Ku-we-wek!
Look at that.
Hong Mu-ge's resolve to reclaim his pride crumbled in a single blow. From then on, it was one-sided pummeling.
'Did he sell his country in a past life?'
The Dragon Eighteen Palms, based on the sect's secret Heaven-Shaking Dragon Divine Art, were powerful. Mu-jin hadn't known, but it was impressive progress. The Beggars' Sect's future looked bright. The problem was that even that level of power fell far short against Mu-jin. This spelled doom for murim.
"No hard feelings."
None at all.
'Hmph.'
As if! No feelings my ass!
Beating someone like that without emotion? Just watching stirred emotions in Yuk Chil.
"I just want the Beggars' Sect to step up for the greater good."
That damn guy! Why the long-winded explanation?
Hong Mu-ge was half-dead.
Was he supposed to listen while getting beaten?
Ku-we-wek!
The beating continued, surpassing the sect's staff techniques and soothing the viewer's frustration. Mu-jin's thrusting fists turned into hundreds of fist shadows, scattering Hong Mu-ge's defenses like smoke.
Hong Mu-ge thought.
Who am I?
Why am I here?
Everything blurred.
Flash!
Hong Mu-ge regained consciousness on the bed, nearly screaming from the throbbing pain everywhere, like a rainy day ache. Every inch of his body hurt; he'd been thoroughly thrashed.
Huh?
His clothes were different. His hands didn't even look like his own. Glancing at the mirror, a stranger stared back like an idiot. It felt like looking at a pale scholar.
No way?
The lips matched perfectly!
Impossible!
Kkiiik!
The door opened, and Yuk Chil entered.
Furious, Hong Mu-ge demanded answers from Yuk Chil. To a Beggars' Sect beggar, the padded coat was like a reward—warm even in the coldest weather, always reliable.
"What did you do to me? Confess, or I'll thrash you!"
"Just what you see."
Yuk Chil had only followed Mu-jin's instructions: stripped the filthy Hong Mu-ge, washed him clean, dressed him, and added a sachet of perfume.
"You always looked like that?"
"This is a dream! Can't be real!"
"Who knew the great Hong Mu-ge was a pretty boy under it all. We were fooled too!"
"......If that gets out, you're dead!"
Yuk Chil flinched at the killing intent and stepped back. The beating had soured his temper further. No surprise; anyone beaten like that would turn into a monster.
"You're up."
Mu-jin entered.
Hong Mu-ge trembled at Mu-jin's nonchalance. He'd beaten him senseless like a dog right up to blackout. No sign of remorse anywhere.
Does he even see people as human?
Yuk Chil's report made sense now; emotions were involved. Mu-jin had a talent for turning stomachs.
"You don't like me, do you."
"Did you expect a welcome?"
"You should."
"You mad bastard!"
"I have info to make up for the failure. Take it or leave it."
......What?
As Mu-jin turned to leave without regret, Hong Mu-ge panicked. One loose word from this blabbermouth, and the sect could face humiliation. His own position would shake too.
"Wait!"
"Not desperate enough."
"Name your price, I'll grant it."
"Payment later."
Mu-jin sat and smiled.
Regret flooded Hong Mu-ge. He shouldn't have stopped him, but it was too late. The temptation was too strong. He'd resisted even the seductress from High Red Pavilion. Should've fallen for her instead!
"How do you plan to make it up?"
"Spread the rumor as is. Instead of me killing them, say Hero Guo did it—far more believable. Fame carries weight; can't ignore that."
That guy saw the Beggars' Sect as breakfast!
"You're sitting it out, then."
"Hate the hassle."
Hong Mu-ge's suspicions eased a bit as Mu-jin revealed his thoughts openly. For a moment, he'd wondered if Mu-jin was the mastermind. But it didn't add up. Without Mu-jin, they wouldn't have learned anything.
Too big a picture for this guy's petty tricks, which were obvious. Doesn't make sense!
"Not enough payback for humiliating me."
"Hear me out. First, what do you know about their true nature?"
"No reason to share sect intel with you."
"You know nothing. Just testing. Makes sense; the sect wouldn't act without knowing."
"We know."
"Oh, really."
Good instincts. Minor, but key for analysis. Still, instinct alone doesn't solve everything.
Hong Mu-ge had no choice with his lack of info. His bare face exposed... Ah! This bastard saw my true face! The shame intensified.
Forcing down emotions, he faced reality.
"You're right. Tell me."
"See? Honesty's best. Straight to the point: start with the Mythical Demon Spirit Armor contest."
"......?"
Silence fell.
They'd entered without lighting torches, startling Hong Mu-ge and Yuk Chil.
"You thief! You stole the armor!"
"Back to square one? You okay with that?"
Hong Mu-ge, rising angrily, had to sit back down. Excitement wouldn't help. But the armor's value demanded caution.
"Did you find it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Eh."
Lie?
Please say it's acting. What's with that face? Treating it like trash! No greed for the Mythical Demon Spirit Armor. Just annoyance, like pesky bugs.
And why not? Knowing he'd lounged at home instead of searching made their blood boil. Too vivid past traces for a lie.
"Stalling for time?"
"Call it that. Anyway, we're heading out now, so relax. Oh, that guy earlier? Na-reung."
He'd toyed with them.
The whole world had been fooled. What if this got out? Leverage for bargaining?
"Leak it if you want. I'll sell it to the Hao Clan."
......No dice.
No greed in his attitude. Hard to fake.
Even so, saying that in front of the sect? What does he think we are!
"Info value up now?"
"Continue."
"Throat's dry."
"......I'll order liquor."
"No cheap stuff."
This brat pulling bean sprouts from a beggar's ass!
Hong Mu-ge felt his blood pressure spike, veins bulging. Continuing might kill him first from rage.
"Best liquor from the inn."
"Snacks?"
"......Your call!"
"Everything on the menu?"
What kind of mongrel is this!
Hong Mu-ge glared at Yuk Chil.
Yuk Chil raised hands, as if saying,
I told you so!
Said no such bastard exists!
Hong Mu-ge calmed down.
No logic, yet he kept drawing him in. Never met anyone so odd, never wanting to again.
"Cloud talk, and you're done!"
"Me? How? Didn't I tell Yuk Chil? I used Wind-Flying Technique, scattered Steel Rings everywhere."
"......?"
Stunned, Hong Mu-ge looked at Yuk Chil. Is this lunatic telling the truth?
Nod, nod!
Don't nod!
Hong Mu-ge was speechless. It meant Mu-jin was Sword Emperor level—at least Absolute Realm. Unbelievable at that age. Even if true, why spill? Okay if I blab?
Couldn't read Mu-jin's intent.
"How long you gonna stall? Gotta bare this much for trust. Right?"
"Fair enough."
Deflated, Hong Mu-ge agreed. Crazy, but reliable. Hiding cards wouldn't build faith.
"Got a feel for their nature killing that monk."
Mu-jin calmly unpacked the trilogy: Mythical Demon Spirit Armor contest, Nangong family's rebellion battle, human trafficking liberation. Novel-worthy plot; plausibility overload.
"So they're all in cahoots?"
"Implausible?"
"That's why it's weird. How'd they operate under our noses?"
"Arrogance blinds you to your feet."
Too perfectly aligned for coincidence. If smooth, murim storm would've hit. The closer to truth, the hazier. No grasp of scale or reach.
"Kidnappings weren't just Hubei. Not full bases, but probing spots gets us closer."
"Sect steps up properly."
"No half-assed raids. Jik-sal was just a tail. Botch like before, you're wiped out."
"Then you handle it."
"Want it spoon-fed? Screw this murim then."
Hong Mu-ge couldn't retort Mu-jin's sarcasm. He'd uncovered much. Coincidences stacked, but big achievement. Shared info too. More demands were shameless.
"We'll handle it."
"Move fast. They've sensed something by now. Use the rumors well."
Not just a madman.
Hong Mu-ge saw Mu-jin anew. Flaws aplenty, but sharp insight hitting cores.
"What about you?"
"They coveted the armor. Why? Probably to shake murim. Means we can use it against them. Stir the pot."
"Damn, you're something."
"Shut it! Weird stuff around me or mine, Beggars' Sect pays first. Judge wisely."
Flinch!
Hong Mu-ge and Yuk Chil shivered, swallowing dryly. No joking killing intent. Instincts pierced his aim instantly.
"Join murim forces?"
"You guys do that crap."
Warning. This psycho follows through. Even if ostracized.
"You get my intent now. Sect's turn."
"Speak."
"Info when I need it."
"Done."
Hong Mu-ge agreed readily, handing a crumpled coin with no markings.
"Nameless Token. Not top-tier, but gets info."
"Humble much."
The Nameless Token was the old Gongga Clan's mark, precursor to the sect. Not divine relic, but weighty. Elder-level treatment minimum. Ironically, even as Chief Branch Leader, Hong Mu-ge got elder perks.
"Yuk Chil sticks with me awhile."
"As you wish."
Having indebted the sect, Mu-jin left without lingering.
Hong Mu-ge stared at the closed door. Odd fellow. Absolute Realm or whatever, unseen, but new powerhouse for sure.
'We'll see.'
Whatever future, Mu-jin's strength was real. Must match with ability. No favoritism, but levels exist. Need status, rank, arts to fit.
'Enter the tournament?'
Branch Leader Tournament.
Hong Mu-ge was nominated but uninterested in the seat. As sect warrior, fighting for murim peace sufficed. But Chief Branch Leader bore too much weight.
First, something to resolve.
"Yuk Chil."
"Yes?"
"My responsibility, right?"
"How?"
"Transmission."
This damn human blabbed after all!