Chapter 74
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Respect for the Elderly? (4)
Mount Hua's Sect Leader, Cloud Sword True Person, had gathered with the two elders who accompanied him and Sword Demon of Mount Hua, Uncheon, to discuss the matter.
"Heh heh. It seems Hero Kang intends to bestow a fateful encounter upon our young ones."
"They said his sense of justice was unparalleled. And it's true. Even in these circumstances, he's offering to help us."
"It's truly moving. This will be a golden opportunity for the kids!"
The teachings of Golden Ghost Indestructible—no, now called Shattering Demon Fist Dragon, Kang Moo-jin—were an opportunity that couldn't be bought even for a fortune.
In the Central Plains, the guidance of a true master held value beyond mere money for any martial clan.
Yet he was offering it for free.
This had to stem from the goodwill Kang Moo-jin harbored toward Mount Hua.
Just as Mount Hua felt deep favor toward Kang Moo-jin, he reciprocated the same toward them!
"We can't refuse such kindness from Hero Kang."
"I agree, Sect Leader. The benefactor of Shaanxi Province extends his goodwill—rejecting it would earn the world's scorn for our foolishness."
The elders nodded in agreement.
It was only due to their positions that they held back. Otherwise, they too would have rolled up their sleeves to learn a technique or two from Moo-jin.
"But can we really accept this for free?"
"Hmm. It'd be best to offer something in return."
A great sect like Mount Hua couldn't simply accept such immense favor without reciprocation.
If they received, it was only proper to show some token of sincerity.
"We'll think on that later. We can't keep Hero Kang waiting any longer."
With the meeting concluded, Cloud Sword True Person headed toward Kang Moo-jin.
"...Those guys are coming."
"Hurry and join them, Sect Leader!"
"Right. We'll figure out what to give Hero Kang later."
Seeing Mount Hua's Sect Leader move, Wind Grass True Person hurriedly flapped his Daoist robes and joined his side.
Mount Zhongnan's position was no different from Mount Hua's, so there was no reason to prolong the discussion.
"Where are you off to alone?"
"Our Mount Hua finished talking early."
"Same for our Mount Zhongnan."
"Heh heh. Is that so? I could hear the bickering all the way from here."
"No idea what you're talking about. Must've misheard their elders squabbling."
Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua's Sect Leaders traded sharp barbs as they entered the inn.
"You've arrived."
"Hero Kang!"
"Hero Kang Moo-jin!"
The two beamed bright smiles upon seeing Moo-jin, as if their earlier frowns had never existed.
Ma Du-gwang's jaw dropped at their lightning-quick shifts in expression, like master disguisers at work.
Face-changing technique?!
"Have you given it thought?"
"Of course. It'd be folly to refuse such generosity. Mount Hua accepts your proposal."
"Mount Zhongnan gratefully accepts as well."
"Ah, Mount Hua is thankful too."
"Mount Zhongnan is even more thankful."
Moo-jin raised both hands to calm the two Sect Leaders, who had begun bickering anew.
"Understood. The weather's fine, so let's start right away. Which sect shall we begin with?"
"Mount Hua!"
"Mount Zhongnan!"
Wind Grass True Person and Cloud Sword True Person glared daggers once more, reigniting their feud.
"Mount Hua first!"
"Mount Zhongnan first!"
"Mount Hua!"
"Mount Zhongnan!"
Moo-jin averted his eyes from the Sect Leaders locked in verbal swordplay and cast a subtle glance toward Yu-hwa.
'Got it, Brother.'
Reading his eyes, Yu-hwa approached the disciples of Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan as planned.
"Wh-what is all this?!"
"Whoa..."
"I-isn't that Fragrant Rape Blossoms?!"
"G-g-gongbao Chicken too! I only read about it in books—it's only available in Sichuan!"
The eyes of Mount Zhongnan's Azure Crane Sword Disciples and Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Disciples darted busily amid the lavish feast filling the inn.
These Daoists usually subsisted on rice balls or unseasoned boiled meat and weeds.
Having endured bland fare just to survive, the sight of vibrantly spiced delicacies spread out before them already had their mouths watering.
Some even felt their legs weaken from the tantalizing aromas teasing their noses.
"C-can we really eat this?!"
A Mount Hua swordsman asked, his eyes half-rolled back.
"Of course. This is a humble gift from our Diamond Escort Agency to the esteemed guests of Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan, despite your busy schedules."
"B-but it must be expensive..."
Living in the mountains for training didn't mean they were clueless about money. With dozens of tables laden with food, it had to cost at least several dozen taels of silver.
"I-is it okay for us to eat something like this...?"
"Please, eat up. Our Hero Kang wanted to treat you. He'd be offended if you didn't."
The disciples' eyes wavered.
Normally, they would have haughtily refused such an offer.
But Yu-hwa's warm, sun-like aura and her pure, kind smile melted their resolve in an instant.
"Th-then!"
"M-me too! I want some!"
No sooner had Yu-hwa spoken than the Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan swordsmen dashed to the tables—even employing footwork—to devour the food ravenously.
As if starved for days, they inhaled it at an astonishing pace.
"Eat slowly, everyone. More will keep coming."
Yu-hwa nodded to the stunned waiter and chef.
She had already given them a sum equal to a month's inn earnings, requesting proper hospitality.
"Th-this is too delicious!"
"Damn, food can taste this good?!"
"I want to eat like this every day!"
Though Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua disciples usually got along poorly, food bridged the gap.
Before these sensory delights, they not only sat together but even helped each other with servings using their chopsticks.
"Do people at the Diamond Escort Agency eat like this every day?"
"Probably. If they can treat us, they must."
"Sigh... I'm jealous. I should've become an escort."
Yu-hwa's lips curved upward as she overheard the young disciples' chatter.
"Just as Brother said."
Kang Moo-jin had insisted on feeding the disciples lavishly before the sparring.
Yu-hwa had initially wondered why, but now it made sense.
One feast had erased the Nine Great Sects and One Gang disciples' disdain for escort work, filling them with fondness!
"Next up is the sparring? Brother will show them something amazing, right?"
Yu-hwa smiled broadly, imagining Kang Moo-jin shocking the disciples with overwhelming might.
"M-me?!"
Yu-hwa's eyes blinked rapidly in bewilderment.
"You want me to step up?"
"Why me, Brother?!"
Ma Du-gwang was equally flustered.
Kang Moo-jin had chosen Yu-hwa and Ma Du-gwang as sparring partners for the Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan warriors.
"Why not go yourself?"
Moo-jin looked at him as if the question was obvious.
"It means nothing if only I'm strong."
"Pardon?"
"Think about it. If I step up and smash them all, what'll they think?"
"That monster bastard is ridiculously strong?"
"..."
Moo-jin lifted the water jug above Ma Du-gwang's head before barely lowering it.
"These aren't green rookies. They're Plum Blossom Sword Disciples and Azure Crane Sword Disciples—special talents even within Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan."
"R-right...?"
"Would such geniuses want to work for a place they think is full of weaklings?"
"That's why we fed them a free feast, isn't it?"
"Exactly. But food alone isn't enough. Arrogant brats who think they're the world's best need a harsh lesson. Scratch their pride, and they'll come around."
Moo-jin perfectly understood the psychology of so-called geniuses.
Why did Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families' warriors disdain escort agencies?
They believed escorts were weaker and lacked martial depth.
They saw themselves in the lofty heavens, while mortals crawled the earth.
"...Brother. But can I do it? Miss Yu-hwa has exceptional talent, sure, but... how can I, against righteous faction geniuses...?"
Dark clouds gathered on Ma Du-gwang's face.
"Acting weak? That's not like you."
"Tch... They're righteous geniuses. Not on the level of a third-rate evil sect ragtag like me."
Ma Du-gwang, who had survived on sheer bravado, now felt utterly inadequate.
How could a third-rate Black Dao sect leader, who only extorted money, beat lifelong cultivators of orthodox arts—let alone the elite of the Nine Great Sects?
Honestly, blocking three sword strikes would be a miracle.
"I can't. Take just Miss Yu-hwa."
"No. Yu-hwa's a guest escort, but you're our Rehabilitation Corps' Chief. Different symbolism."
Ma Du-gwang had been with Kang Moo-jin from the Diamond Escort Agency's rebirth.
Accounting for Moo-jin's outlier status, he was indeed the best representative here—an ordinary escort.
He'd lived as evil, reformed under Moo-jin to righteous ways, risen from escort to leader. The epitome of an everyday warrior.
"Yu-hwa shows geniuses exist beyond the Nine Great Sects. Only you can show ordinary warriors can beat geniuses."
"...!"
"Believe in yourself. If not, believe in me. I trained you strong enough not to lose to those whelps."
"...!!"
Ma Du-gwang's pupils trembled fiercely.
His heart pounded, blood surging several times faster.
He felt invincible—like he could chew steel!
"Alright. Fuck yeah! Let's do this! Time to wring some cocky pups' necks!"
"...Du-gwang. This is friendly sparring."
"Hoo..."
Ma Du-gwang stood on the sparring platform, tension etched on his face.
Xi'an residents, thrilled at the chance to witness Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan martial arts, had erected a makeshift stage in two hours—impressively solid, thanks to the Great Stone Merchant Association donating a granite base.
"Finally, we get to see Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan techniques?!"
"Plum Blossom Sword Disciples' swordplay! They say it carries the scent of plum blossoms."
"Dude, Mount Zhongnan's is what you should crave. Know the Thirty-Six Swords of the World? Impenetrable iron wall!"
All were captivated by the prospect of beholding Plum Blossom and Azure Crane Sword Disciples' arts.
"We have to outshine Mount Zhongnan, got it?"
"Don't forget—Mount Hua's arts surpass Mount Zhongnan's. Show the world now."
Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Disciples, hearing Kang Moo-jin would appear later, focused extra on Mount Zhongnan.
"Show Mount Hua's arts are superior."
"Good that Hero Kang isn't first. Who's the opponent?"
"Some evil sect escort."
"Nothing special. Torment him lightly while flaunting our arts."
Mount Zhongnan felt the same. A mundane evil sect escort warranted no attention from these chosen geniuses.
Ordinary warriors didn't even register.
"Hoo..."
Amid the oblivious crowd and impending swordsmen alike...
'Do as Brother said. Just fight as trained, damn it.'
Ma Du-gwang clenched his fists into a unique stance: front hand awkwardly extended, back hand near his cheek, waist slightly bent.
"...?"
Cheong-jin, Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Disciple who won rock-paper-scissors for first, tilted his head.
Flustered by his opponent's amateurish, untested stance.
"You call that a stance?"
"It is. Problem?"
"...No issue. Won't matter anyway."
Cheong-jin casually flicked his wrist, tracing a circle in the air.
"Ooooh!"
"Waaah!"
The crowd cheered at the mere motion.
As the top New Sword of Mount Hua and youngest Plum Blossom Sword Disciple—handsome to boot—Cheong-jin drew eyes effortlessly.
"Pleasure sparring with you."
"Heard you're from an evil sect? Consider it an honor to cross swords with this Cheong-jin. Ordinary evil scum see this blade as their last sight."
"..."
"I'll yield one move specially. Come at me."
Cheong-jin smirked arrogantly, twitching his sword.
"Oh, thanks."
Ma Du-gwang nodded brightly.
He'd endured far harsher taunts and insults from Moo-jin; this was nothing.
Thud-!
Ma Du-gwang advanced explosively, channeling qi into his Dragon Spring acupoint, charging Cheong-jin.
"I'll only yield one move, so be ca—!?"
Cheong-jin's leisurely eyes bulged.
Du-gwang's fist, once at the platform's edge, was now before his nose!
"W-wait..."
The massive fist filled Cheong-jin's vision, blotting out the world in black as it buried deep into his face.
Bam—!
Struck by Ma Du-gwang's punch, Cheong-jin crumpled, head smacking the platform before flipping three somersaults and flying out—landing right before Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Disciples.
"..."
The world fell silent, as if someone muted it.
All stared agape, shocked, alternating between the fallen Cheong-jin and the stunned Ma Du-gwang.
"Waaaaah!"
"Woooow!"
Then, as if time resumed, cheers flooded the platform.