If You’re Scared, Just Die
Amidst the unexpected series of defeats, the Ei Sect and Qingcheng Sect were bewildered.
“I will go next!”
“What nonsense! I will step forward first!”
Suddenly, a few warriors among the spectators began to step forward.
They believed that their opportunity was over due to Mu-jin’s declaration of “next,” assuming that it was the end for Ei and Qingcheng.
Of course, Ei and Qingcheng found it hard to accept this situation.
The problem was:
‘Even Feng Yun lost, and so did Qingcheng’s Gye-ryun. To defeat that Choi Kang-hyuk or whatever his na is, at least a first-class disciple must step forward…’
The two who had fought in the competition were the highest-ranking second-class disciples present here.
Moreover, both of them had lost to an unheard-of novice, resulting in a complete disgrace.
Naturally, Ei and Qingcheng were in a dilemma.
– What is your plan? Amitabha.
– We can’t just leave like this.
– Then, do you intend to send out a first-class disciple? If so, all the martial artists in Sichuan will laugh at us.
– We’ve already been disgraced! Rather than return empty-handed after being shad, it’s better to retrieve sothing even if we suffer greater disgrace.
– …So, who do you plan to send out? If we lose again, there will be no choice but to go to full-scale war. Amitabha.
– …Having already prepared for disgrace, I will step forward myself this ti. Infinite Life Buddha.
Cheongpung Sword, who was exchanging words with Master Myeoljeol, decided to discard his dignity as an elder of the Qingcheng Sect and stepped forward.
“Our Qingcheng has not given up yet.”
“Does that an you, Elder Cheongpung Sword of the Qingcheng Sect, will personally step forward?”
Mu-jin exclaid as if he had heard an astonishing story.
In response to Mu-jin’s shout, a commotion arose among the surrounding spectators.
It was scandalous for an elder of the Nine Great Sects to step forward against a seemingly young late-stage disciple.
It was a disgraceful act even if he won, and if by any chance he lost, it would greatly tarnish the Qingcheng Sect’s reputation.
However, Cheongpung Sword, who had already prepared to be criticized, didn’t care.
“It is because I recognize your skill. It seems defeating Feng Yun was not a coincidence.”
Mu-jin pondered for a mont as he looked at Cheongpung Sword, who had shalessly stepped forward.
‘Can I win without revealing my martial arts?’
The opponent was an elder of the Nine Great Sects. While not all elders had the sa skill level, the abilities of Shaolin elders and first-class disciples varied widely.
Nevertheless, anyone who had trained in a prestigious sect for nearly fifty years would have a minimum standard of skill.
While it might be possible if he went all out, it would be challenging for Mu-jin to fight while hiding his most powerful techniques, the Golden Turtle Technique and Fast Ascent Step.
And then, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
“Keuheuheu. Monks and Taoists are amusing themselves quite well.”
A strange voice was heard from sowhere. Although the voice was faint, it pierced through the ears of everyone present.
It was a high-level skill that went beyond simply amplifying one’s voice with internal energy.
‘An incredible master!’
Realizing this, everyone’s gaze naturally turned towards the direction the voice ca from.
Mu-jin also turned his gaze towards the wall of the Tang family’s fortress where the voice had co from, and there, an old man was sitting on the wall with a smoking pipe.
While Mu-jin did not recognize the old man, fortunately, Cheongpung Sword, who was standing in front, identified him.
“The Dark King!”
The old man was one of the Ten Greatest Masters under Heaven and one of the Seven Kings, known as the Dark King and the Supre Elder of the Tang family, Tang Gak.
“I heard he had retired…”
Cheongpung Sword murmured, but Tang Gak didn’t miss his words despite the distance.
“Keuheuheu. You’re not in a position to talk about making a fuss loud enough for an old man’s ears.”
Tang Gak leisurely responded, mocking Cheongpung Sword.
“More importantly, kid, you’re having an interesting bet. Can I join in on that bet? Anyway, Ei and Qingcheng’s turn is over, so shouldn’t it be our Tang family’s turn?”
“It is unseemly for the Supre Elder of a family to join a bet with a young late-stage disciple. How about maintaining so decorum?”
Cheongpung Sword sternly rebutted Tang Gak’s words on behalf of Mu-jin, but what he got in return was Tang Gak’s blatant ridicule.
“Keuheuheu. That’s the funniest nonsense I’ve heard today! If an elder of the Nine Great Sects can step forward, why can’t the Supre Elder?”
Despite Cheongpung Sword’s face turning red with embarrassnt, he couldn’t utter a word in rebuttal.
It was not just about logic; he was also flustered because he had not expected Tang Gak to interfere.
They knew that if a war broke out with the Tang family, that old recluse would erge.
Thus, Qingcheng and Ei sought to involve spectators to fra it as a righteous battle.
Of course, even with that old man, he was confident that if Qingcheng and Ei united and waged a full-scale war, they could win.
However, the damage would be significant, so they only tried to use a justification.
The problem was that, thanks to that youngster nad Choi Kang-hyuk or sothing, the justification was taken by the other side.
Fortunately for Master Cheongpung, Myeoljeol Sa-tae spoke up in his place when he was left speechless.
“It is different for Tang-jak Shiju-nim and Master Cheongpung Shiju-nim to intervene. Amitabha.”
“Hehe. Different, you say. Let’s hear that snake-like mouth of yours babble.”
Despite Tang-jak’s blatant provocation, Myeoljeol Sa-tae remained calm.
“Master Cheongpung Shiju-nim intervened to save the young hero Choi Kang-hyuk.”
“…Did you say he ca to save ?”
When Mu-jin asked incredulously, Myeoljeol Sa-tae answered confidently.
“Yes, that’s correct. He stepped in to save you, who might be being threatened with poison!”
“…If I were poisoned, are you saying that they lost to a poisoned a mont ago?”
“Well, that’s… Ah! It’s possible that your companions were poisoned and captured and being threatened!”
“If my companions were poisoned and captured, why would I stay at Tang-jak and win the duel? I could just lose moderately and go over to your side.”
“They must have threatened not to give you the antidote! That’s exactly Tang-jak’s thod!”
As Myeoljeol Sa-tae tried to drag in justification again by slandering Tang-jak, there was an uproar on Tang-jak’s side, but Mu-jin’s response was quicker.
“Let’s say that’s true. Then, if the antidote for saving my companions is at Tang-jak, what’s the point of leaving Tang-jak? Are you telling to leave my companions to die and go over to your side?”
“That… that…”
While Myeoljeol Sa-tae couldn’t answer imdiately and hesitated, Mu-jin continued.
“We are being treated well at Tang-jak and have never been threatened or poisoned. Even if that were the case, the antidote is at Tang-jak, so leaving wouldn’t change anything. Therefore, trying to take us away from here is aningless.”
Mu-jin, who spoke loud enough for everyone to hear with internal energy, made his point clear.
“Unless, of course, Qingcheng and Ei, the pillars of righteousness, are not trying to take us away for the treasures from the bandit’s den?”
The justification was shattered by Mu-jin’s words and force. If they persisted, they would only beco bandits coveting the bandit’s treasure.
“…I hope you can leave Tang-jak safely.”
“Take care, young hero.”
Cheongpung and Myeoljeol Sa-tae had no choice but to leave with stiff expressions, spouting insincere well-wishes.
* * *
After Cheongpung and Myeoljeol Sa-tae led the Qingcheng and Ei disciples back.
Perhaps due to the awkward atmosphere, the spectators also began to leave Tang-jak one by one.
There were many who wanted to duel with Mu-jin to obtain the Divine Thief’s treasure, but none dared to challenge him, as even the Supre Elder of Tang-jak, known as the Dark King, had appeared.
Once those without the Tang surna left.
“Haha. What a bold young hero you are!”
“A new young hero has been born in Sichuan today!”
“Thank you for putting Qingcheng and Ei in their place on behalf of our Tang-jak!”
All the Tang clan mbers present at Tang-jak began to revere Mu-jin.
This wasn’t just among the collateral branches living at Tang-jak.
“You’ve worked hard, young hero.”
Tang So-mi, who had approached Mu-jin with a pleasant smile, was among them, as were the elders and clan leader Tang Pae-jin, all wearing satisfied expressions.
“You must be tired from two duels. Please, co inside. Not only have you saved So-mi, but you also fought against Qingcheng and Ei’s sches on our behalf. I will make sure to repay you generously!”
Tang Pae-jin, looking as if he had found a prospective son-in-law, tried to lead Mu-jin towards the door.
“Young man, where do you think you’re going?”
That is, if Tang-ak, who had a smoking pipe in his mouth, hadn’t intervened.
“Father, calling him ‘young man’ is a bit much for our benefactor.”
“Haha. A benefactor he may be, but isn’t there still sothing he has to do?”
Despite the rebuke from his son, the current clan leader Tang Pae-jin, Tang-ak laughed wickedly and looked at Mu-jin.
“They’ve left, so now we can have a match, right?”
At Tang-gak’s words, Mu-jin felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
‘He’s just like Hye-geol Sasukjo!’
A madman. Or a troublemaker.
And as if shocked by his father’s outrageous behavior, the son hurriedly tried to stop him.
“Father! He’s a benefactor to our Tang family! How can you try to take the treasure he acquired?”
“You fool. Do you think I’m doing this just for so re treasure? As a senior in the martial world and a benefactor to our family, I want to help him improve his skills through a match!”
Though he seed like an honorable senior of the martial world, Mu-jin noticed.
The son’s eyes showed he didn’t believe his father at all. And more than anything, it was obvious that the old man was the sa type as Hye-geol.
“I refuse.”
Mu-jin’s experience of being beaten countless tis by Hye-geol in the guise of a match told him so.
If he fought with that old man, he’d end up a pincushion for hidden weapons.
His opponent was one of the Seven Kings. No matter how much he hid his skills, he’d be risking his life even if he fought with all his might.
“Hey now. I thought you were a rare, bold young man, but you’re just a coward.”
“Hahaha. Instead of a match, how about a bold drink, senior?”
“Kekekeke. A drink, huh? That doesn’t sound too bad.”
Mu-jin was convinced by Tang-gak’s sudden change in attitude.
The way he was obsessed with alcohol reminded him of soone he knew well.
* * *
In the Tang family’s main hall.
There were three n seated there: an old man, a middle-aged man, and a young man.
Tang-gak, Tang Pae-jin, and Mu-jin.
Before the sudden situation occurred, Mu-jin had requested a private eting with Tang Pae-jin. And though Tang Pae-jin was preparing for a private eting with Mu-jin…
“If it’s just a drink, I’ll join too.”
Tang-gak, in his boorish manner, barged into the private eting.
Knowing his father would not listen to anything once he made up his mind, Tang Pae-jin had no choice but to seek Mu-jin’s understanding and included Tang-gak.
“Ahem. My father is a bit peculiar, but don’t worry, Kang Sohyeop. Our Tang family always repays our debts, no matter what.”
“It’s fine, Gaju-nim.”
Mu-jin had dealt with madn often enough that it wasn’t particularly difficult.
“So, what was it you wanted to ask by requesting a private eting, Kang Sohyeop?”
Ignoring his father, who was drinking alone, Tang Pae-jin asked gravely.
At Tang Pae-jin’s question, Mu-jin took a sip of the exquisite wine the Tang family had provided and began to speak.
“Did you not find the recent Divine Thief Cave incident, and the attitudes of the Ei and Qingcheng Sects, sowhat contrived?”
“Hmm.”
Instead of answering imdiately, Tang Pae-jin also took a sip of his drink, making a curious sound.
He liked Mu-jin’s straightforwardness but assud he wanted a realistic reward since he was a young martial artist.
He thought Mu-jin requested a private eting because he was embarrassed to bring it up in front of others.
‘To think he’d bring up such a topic.’
Tang Pae-jin swallowed the liquor he held in his mouth and answered with a serious face.
“I did feel sothing was off, but why bring it up now?”
“Because I noticed so suspicious circumstances in the process of obtaining the treasure from the Divine Thief Cave.”
“Suspicious circumstances? Can you tell now?”
Mu-jin recounted how they had raided the Taeeulmun and how, despite burning Zhang Bodo to the ground, martial artists flocked to the Divine Thief Cave shortly after.
He skimd over how they found out Zhang Bodo was at Taeeulmun, but that wasn’t the crucial part.
“So, you’re saying the Divine Thief Cave itself was a trap targeting the martial artists of Sichuan?”
“To be precise, I believe it was soone’s sche to incite a war between the Tang family, Ei, and Qingcheng.”
“Even without knowing the details, I felt it was contrived. How could our Tang family, Ei, and Qingcheng easily fall into such an obvious trap?”
“It may seem so since we avoided disaster, but what if Lady Tang So-mi had died there? What if Elder Tang Taeryeong had poisoned the disciples of Ei and Qingcheng while rescuing Lady Tang So-mi?”
“……”
Tang Pae-jin fell silent. As Mu-jin said, if such events had occurred, a war would have erupted in Sichuan’s martial world.
Even knowing it was a trap, they would have suspected the other party set it.
“So, who do you suspect is behind this trap, Kang Sohyeop?”
“I don’t know the mastermind. However, I have found a suspicious individual.”
“A suspicious individual?”
“Yes. We burned Zhang Bodo around the middle of the Inshi (3-5 AM), yet Lady Tang So-mi acquired it around the end of Myoshi (5-7 AM). Furthermore, she ntioned having information that Ei and Qingcheng had already set out. She got this information through her bodyguard, Tang Hyeok-soo.”
The first to react to Mu-jin’s words was not Tang Pae-jin but Tang-gak.
Even amid the serious discussion, Tang-gak, who had seed indifferent and was just drinking, burst into loud laughter.
“Kuhuhuhuhuhu. Are you saying that within the heart of the Tang family, you’re suspecting a mber of the Tang family in front of the head of the Tang family? Kuhuhuhuhu. It’s been a long ti since I’ve seen such a mad young man.”
Mu-jin frowned at Tang-gak’s laughter. It wasn’t because of the unpleasant sound of his laughter.
It was because a madman called him mad.
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