Chapter 66
Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Duel's Aftermath
After Moyong Hwan and Mok Jimyeong stepped away to have a private conversation, the atmosphere among those left waiting behind was anything but pleasant—not even empty pleasantries could describe it.
Thanks to that, Cheon Woojin, who had been putting on a flawless performance just moments ago, now had a pounding headache.
'Ugh, what the hell is going on?'
At first, things had gone exactly according to plan.
It wasn't a plan Cheon Woojin was thrilled about, but judging by Moyong Hui's reaction, it had been quite successful.
Even the part where the Moyong Family Clan tried to drag them away afterward had played out just as Mok Jimyeong predicted.
And in the midst of it all, the move his liege had pulled off had startled even him.
His liege had stomped the ground with a massive thud, leaving him unable to move a single fingertip.
'As expected of a Transformation Realm master.'
Everything seemed to be falling perfectly into place.
Until that man showed up.
Moyong Hwan, the head of the Moyong Family Clan.
The night before, when Mok Jimyeong was laying out the plan, he had insisted there was no way the man would come.
Cheon Woojin had agreed.
But Moyong Hwan had shown up anyway, and from that moment, things started going sideways.
—They don't seem like ordinary courtesans. What do you think?
'Not ordinary courtesans?'
There was no way the head of the Moyong Family Clan would spout nonsense.
In fact, Mok Jimyeong's expression had changed drastically upon hearing it.
—Hey. Get ready to bolt.
At the time, Cheon Woojin had reflexively questioned the sudden transmission in his ear, but Mok Jimyeong was already preparing to flee as if the world were ending.
That was when it started.
The moment Cheon Woojin could no longer keep up with the situation.
—Do you think you can escape with me right here?
—Escape? One-on-one, I think I could win.
Suddenly, the mood turned hostile.
—Everyone, stand down. I need to have a word with this fellow.
And just like that, they decided to talk privately.
When Cheon Woojin asked what he should do, the response was absurd.
'Take down the Sword Phoenix if anything happens?'
In truth, Mok Jimyeong had spouted similar nonsense in the past.
He'd said that if Cheon Woojin subdued the Sword Phoenix, he'd swoop in to save the day later.
But back then, it was just a joke, whereas this order was dead serious.
'Damn it. I need to know what's going on.'
One thing was clear.
No matter what it was, his liege had given an order, and he had to obey.
Because of that, Cheon Woojin was dying inside.
He had to be ready to take down the Sword Phoenix at a moment's notice per the order, but she was chatting with him amiably, completely oblivious.
"Cheon Musang… What's going on here? Do you know what my father and Mok Daxia are talking about?"
"…I don't know either."
He truly didn't.
How the situation was unfolding… or even if he really needed to take her down.
'Damn it. I told him we shouldn't go with this plan.'
How nice would it have been to just tour the famous sights together and politely greet the clan?
His liege, Mok Jimyeong, might have a rotten personality, but his abilities were top-notch.
He had reached the Transformation Realm at the tender age of just over thirty.
He was guaranteed to be hailed as the World's Greatest Martial Artist someday.
Even a straightforward visit to pay respects would have been accepted by the Moyong Family Clan head, unless the man was blind.
Cheon Woojin couldn't understand why they were pulling stunts like this.
'Insisting on some grand, dramatic play.'
On top of that, Moyong Hui already seemed smitten with Mok Jimyeong.
Why else would she promise to show him around Shenyang?
'But because of this pointless nonsense…'
Cheon Woojin was in the middle of inwardly cursing Mok Jimyeong when it happened.
Woooong—
A massive surge of energy began leaking from the direction the two had gone to talk.
'This is?!'
Cheon Woojin noticed it first.
Moyong Hui and the leader of the Kunyuan Group caught on next.
"Huh? What's this…?"
"Hm…?"
And then came the massive explosion.
Kwaaaang—
It sounded just like a thunderbolt bomb detonating, and Cheon Woojin moved on instinct.
Exactly as he had envisioned dozens of times in his head.
Sring—
In an instant, Cheon Woojin's drawn sword aimed for Moyong Hui's throat.
Caught off guard by the sudden ambush, and with Cheon Woojin's superior skill, she couldn't react and offered her neck.
"Cheon Musang…? What are you doing?"
She was bewildered by the utterly unforeseen attack from Cheon Woojin.
But Cheon Woojin was just as flustered.
'Damn it. I moved without thinking…'
The ominous sound had triggered him into action.
He could have waited a bit longer to assess…
'No. Actually, it's better that I acted now.'
What was Mok Jimyeong's order again?
If anything happened, subdue the Sword Phoenix.
And judging by that explosion and the overwhelming energy washing over him, something had definitely happened—big time.
In other words, he had to take her down anyway per the order.
Thanks to his quick judgment, he'd achieved the goal effortlessly. All things considered, it was a good move.
"Miss!!"
The Kunyuan Group members belatedly shouted in alarm, but nothing changed.
Cheon Woojin's sword tip was already at Moyong Hui's throat.
"Everyone, back off. Or I can't guarantee what happens to your precious miss."
The hundred warriors hesitated at Cheon Woojin's low warning.
This was worlds apart from when they'd taken the courtesans hostage earlier.
Amid it all, more explosive blasts kept echoing.
Kwang— Kuwaang—
"Cheon Musang… Is this who you really are?"
Seeing the betrayal in Moyong Hui's eyes made Cheon Woojin's chest tighten.
But there was no turning back now.
"I'm sorry. Just bear with me for a moment."
He tried to sound as nonchalant as possible, but inside, he was burning up.
'Liege, please…'
At this point, Mok Jimyeong had to win, no question.
But what were the odds?
'No matter his heaven-sent talent…'
His opponent was the head of the Moyong Family Clan.
Even if he'd gripped a sword from his mother's womb, the training time gap was over twice as long.
Could he really win?
And even if Mok Jimyeong won, would it change anything?
The deed was done, and he'd put his blade to the Sword Phoenix's throat.
'Damn it. How did it come to this?'
An eternity seemed to pass before the relentless explosions finally died down.
All eyes turned toward the source.
Gulp—
With everyone holding their breath, the sound of someone swallowing was crystal clear in Cheon Woojin's ears.
Moments later, a figure emerged from there.
"Liege!"
"The family head…?!"
The unbelievable outcome left everyone staring in shock.
Walking out alone was Mok Jimyeong, defying all expectations.
He looked utterly unscathed, too.
The only difference from when he entered was a bit of dust on his clothes.
"Mok Daxia! What about my father…?!"
At Moyong Hui's belated cry, Mok Jimyeong glanced their way.
"Ah, Moyong Xiao…"
Mid-sentence, he frowned at the sight of the sword at her throat.
Cheon Woojin hurriedly sent a transmission.
[Liege…? I did exactly as you commanded…?]
But Mok Jimyeong ignored it and unleashed intangible energy.
Targeted at Cheon Woojin.
"Cheon Woojin, you bastard! What do you think you're doing to Lady Moyong?!"
Mok Jimyeong raised his voice, feigning ignorance despite giving the order himself.
Cheon Woojin felt wronged but was bound by the intangible energy, unable to respond.
"Sheathe that sword right now!"
At the same time, Mok Jimyeong's transmission reached Cheon Woojin's ear.
[Shut up and sheathe it. Say one word from now on, and you're dead later.]
What kind of situation was this now?
He'd ordered the takedown moments ago, and now he wanted it undone.
But Cheon Woojin had no choice but to obey.
'He must have a plan…?'
As the intangible energy released, he silently freed Moyong Hui without a word.
Then Mok Jimyeong cupped his hands and bowed.
"My apologies, Lady Moyong. I don't know what got into him, but it seems Cheon Woojin acted rudely out of worry for me. Allow me to apologize on his behalf."
Only then did Cheon Woojin realize why Mok Jimyeong had told him to stay silent.
'Trying to play the good guy all by himself again…'
Still, it was a huge relief.
His reaction meant things had worked out well, right?
Cheon Woojin inwardly sighed in relief, but the newly freed Moyong Hui spoke urgently instead.
"More importantly, where's my father? Where is he?!"
The two had gone in, followed by massive explosions.
Overwhelming energy waves had poured out too.
Anyone could tell they'd fought.
Yet only one emerged: Mok Jimyeong.
Unbelievable as it was, grim thoughts were inevitable.
"Ah, don't worry, Lady Moyong. Father-in-law will be out shortly."
"…? Pardon?"
Moyong Hui wondered if she'd misheard his perfectly natural tone.
But Mok Jimyeong just flashed a sly smile.
"You'll hear the details from Father-in-law himself."
As his words ended, another figure stepped out from behind.
"Kunyuan Group, prepare to return to the Moyong Family Clan!"
Moyong Hwan's clothes, unlike Mok Jimyeong's pristine state, were torn in places here and there.