“Young Master Hwa. It seems the misunderstanding between the Yeomhwa Family and the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild has grown too deep.”
“Is it? When there’s a living, breathing witness, how can it be a misunderstanding?”
At Mujin’s mention of a witness, Jayul’s thoughts grew complicated once more.
“A witness…. You have one?”
“Do you think I would make such claims without a witness? On the day I finished my duel with Cheong Bo-do, I personally cut down the assassins who attacked my family’s warriors and my two younger siblings at the Jeodong River. And I heard it clearly from the surviving assassin. The ones who requested the attack through the Sarim-bang were the general manager of the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild and Bu Cho-yeon.”
“…”
“How can we believe your words, Young Master Hwa? Do you have any proof to back them up?”
“I do.”
Answering without a moment’s hesitation, Mujin pulled a piece of paper from his robes and tossed it onto the table.
“What is this?”
“A written confession from the sole survivor of the attack on the Yeomhwa Family. Not only that, but we have also captured the leader of the Sarim-bang.”
The night he returned from meeting the vice general manager of the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild at the brothel.
Mujin had mobilized the Pungyang Merchant Guild’s manpower to search for the assassin he had let go at the Jeodong River.
At the same time, he had sent a carrier pigeon to Seochang, ordering Dong-jeok and Jang-tae to capture the leader of the Sarim-bang and the surviving assassin from the Jeodong River.
Ten days after Dong-jeok and Jang-tae set out.
They had managed to capture the leader of the nearly defunct Sarim-bang and the assassin with the crippled arm, who acted as a liaison between ronin and clients.
He had received the confession then, delivered by carrier pigeon.
Cheong Ho-yeon, who had seemed momentarily flustered, quickly composed himself and spoke.
“…What does a confession from assassins who live by doing dirty deeds prove? Master Taoist. Isn’t this a blatant attempt at slander? How can we trust the words of those who live in the unorthodox world?”
Jayul’s expression darkened rapidly.
He recalled the face of his Sect Leader, who had told him this was just a dispute born of a small misunderstanding and that he only needed to mediate without betraying their principles and sense of justice. A heavy weight settled in Jayul’s chest.
‘Sect Leader. I’ve gotten involved in a fight I shouldn’t have.’
The Yeomhwa Family, claiming to have the assassin’s testimony.
The Cheonghwa Merchant Guild, questioning the credibility of someone from the unorthodox path.
The sharply conflicting arguments from both sides each had a point.
Jayul, who had offered to mediate on behalf of the Kongtong Sect, now had to choose a side.
And one always favors their own.
“It seems Young Master Hwa’s words lack credibility. The Cheonghwa Merchant Guild and our sect have had a long-standing relationship. I cannot believe the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild would resort to such vicious tactics. I admit the timing of the attack on the Yeomhwa Family is suspicious, but how can I make a judgment based solely on the word of someone from the unorthodox path?”
A sneer appeared on Mujin’s face.
“All that talk of fairness and justice, and in the end, you’re just going to side with the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild to wrap this up?”
“Young Master Hwa! I understand you’re angry, but watch your words! How dare you…”
“How dare I what? Am I wrong? You call this mediation, but aren’t you just meddling in someone else’s fight, using the Kongtong Sect’s name to boss people around and side with the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild?”
“You’d do well to be careful with your words!”
As the tension between Mujin and Jayul mounted and the atmosphere grew cold, Cheong Ho-yeon was inwardly pleased.
In fact, it was he who had provoked Mujin, careful not to cross the line, precisely to create this situation.
‘Whether you’re a rising master or a Hidden Dragon, let’s see if you can get your way in front of a Kongtong elder.’
Cheong Ho-yeon watched the war of nerves between the two from a step back.
“It seems you’re concerned about my words spreading among the public? If you fear the world’s judgment, then you shouldn’t betray the principles of justice. Isn’t that what it means to be righteous?”
Even he, who was called the Divine Demon in his past life, could never have imagined such words coming from his own mouth.
“…So what are you suggesting? Are you disrespecting our sect, which has come to mediate?”
As things unfolded this way, Jayul too could no longer control his emotions.
“If you think being from the Kongtong Sect means you can do whatever you please, you are mistaken.”
Mujin narrowed his eyes, his aura flaring.
Jayul met his gaze with a look of derision, his own aura rising to match.
‘I think it’s been steeped long enough…’
Mujin, inwardly satisfied with his acting, opened his mouth.
“The Kongtong Sect must drop this mediation and stay out of this fight.”
“If we were to so easily abandon a mediation we’ve undertaken, the Kongtong Sect would lose face. Do you think I would do such a thing?”
“Hmph! So in the end, you’re just going to be the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild’s muscle. So this was your plan all along? To interfere under the plausible guise of mediation and draw your sword? How very righteous and just of you.”
As Mujin jeered, Jayul was at a loss for words.
Regardless of the process, if the outcome was this, the world would think the Kongtong Sect had become the sword of a merchant guild they supported and had oppressed the Yeomhwa Family.
Even if they defeated Hwa Mujin, whose fame had skyrocketed in Sichuan after felling the Red Moon Sword, they would only be pointed at, unable to wash away the stigma of having been bought by money to crush the weak.
‘I cannot repeat the mistake of thirty years ago.’
“Between warriors, matters can only be settled through martial arts. However, I have no desire to be accused of bullying a junior like you, Young Master Hwa. Thirty seconds. If you can defeat me or even cut the hem of my robe within thirty seconds, the Kongtong Sect will withdraw from this mediation and never again interfere in the affairs of your two families! Of course, I will not counterattack. But what if you fail to cut me? Will you then cease your fight with the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild and accept the Kongtong Sect’s mediation?”
For Jayul, this was a clever move he had carefully considered.
However, Jayul was unaware that this was the very move Mujin had been eagerly awaiting.
‘He may have cut down the Red Moon Sword, but the aura I sense from him has not yet reached a master’s realm. He did not kill him with pure skill.’
In other words, Jayul calculated that he could withstand thirty seconds against a Hidden Dragon who was merely at the first-rate level, even using only one hand.
‘I knew you’d take the bait. Do you have any idea how many of your superiors I’ve cut down? Who does this greenhorn think he is?’
Mujin feigned a serious expression, hiding a smile as he nodded.
“Very well! A righteous man’s word is an unbreakable promise!”
Mujin’s words carried a somber, determined air.
“One who walks the righteous path keeps their promise even if the heavens fall… The Cheonghwa Merchant Guild has decided to fully abide by the Kongtong Sect’s decision, so we have no complaints. Whether Young Master Hwa wins or loses, we will leave it to the will of the heavens.”
As Cheong Ho-yeon also agreed, Mujin glared at him.
‘You will regret those words for a long, long time. We’ll see if you can still afford to be so complacent after today.’
“Is there any need to drag this out?”
With those words, Mujin stood up and walked outside.
As Mujin left the suffocating room, Pung Gwan-o quickly followed him.
“Y-Young Master. Will you be all right? Your opponent is an elder of the Kongtong Sect.”
Mujin reassured the whispering Pung Gwan-o with a telepathic message.
-Guild Master. There’s nothing to worry about. A decrepit old bastard like him is nothing.
The door burst open and Mujin stepped out, drawing the gazes of the warriors waiting outside.
Under the watch of the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild’s retainers and the young Taoists, Mujin strode into the center of the main building’s courtyard.
As he stood in the courtyard holding a massive sword wrapped in cloth, drawing quizzical looks from the warriors, Jayul and Cheong Ho-yeon emerged together.
Sensing the unusual tension between Mujin and Jayul, the two Taoists glanced at Jayul.
“Martial Uncle. What is all this…?”
“You two will just watch, no matter what happens.”
At his cold words, the two Taoists instinctively lowered their heads.
Hearing the old Taoist’s words, Cheol-muk and No-sak exchanged telepathic messages.
-Brother. It seems the Young Master is going to fight that old mule.
-It looks that way… But that old man. He doesn’t seem like an ordinary master. I wonder if he’ll be alright.
-Shouldn’t we attack together if things go south?
-That would be problematic. It might put the Young Master in a difficult position, so let’s just watch for now. Still, just in case, let’s raise thirty percent of our internal energy.
-Yes!
No-sak and Cheol-muk raised their internal energy without the other warriors noticing.
“Young Master Hwa! I’ll say it again, you must keep your word!”
“The same goes for you!”
At Mujin’s retort, anger flared in the eyes of the two young Taoists.
The way Mujin, younger than them, spoke to their sect’s martial uncle grated on their ears.
-Shriiiing!
Jayul swiftly drew the sword from his waist.
As he drew his sword, a sharp, clear ring echoed.
-Rrrrrrip!
Not to be outdone, Mujin channeled his internal energy into his sword, instantly tearing apart the cloth wrapped around it.
Mujin’s sword looked less like a blade and more like a slab of iron, clearly heavy at a glance.
The Taoists and warriors who saw it furrowed their brows.
They wondered if he could truly fight effectively with such a ridiculously large sword.
“Come!”
“Then I won’t refuse! Be careful!”
Jayul’s brow furrowed as the greenhorn Mujin dared to tell *him* to be careful.
-First Step Form.
Seeing Mujin’s sword coming at him, leading with a large step forward and a ferocious aura, Jayul swung his own sword with an expression of disdain.
“Demon Subduing Sword. Fourth Stance!”
Jayul naturally called out the name of the sword art and stance he was using.
-Clang!
Indeed, the sword energy of a peak master was different from anyone he had faced before.
The path of Mujin’s sword, which until now no one had been able to block, wavered and was deflected to the side.
-Screeeech!
As Mujin’s sword scraped against his own, sending sparks flying, Jayul took half a step back and frowned.
‘What kind of sword energy is this…’
It was natural for a master’s sword to carry great weight.
Especially the sword of a new master who had shaken Sichuan.
He had expected the sword energy to be heavy, as Mujin was wielding a sword of unimaginable weight.
However, the sword energy contained in Mujin’s blade far exceeded Jayul’s expectations, even after taking all that into account.
As Jayul’s gaze darkened watching Mujin’s sword slide off his own, Mujin’s blade began to twist.
‘Now it begins, you old bastard!’
“Hah!”
With a powerful kiai, Mujin unleashed the Fourth Form of the Nine Swords of Dugu.
He began to execute the Form-Breaking Form.
A sword style that continuously exploits the openings in an opponent’s techniques, said to be able to break any martial art.
As Mujin’s sword fluidly changed its path and pressed forward, forcing his own sword down, Jayul swallowed his pride, retreated, and disengaged his blade.
-Whooosh!
But the force of Mujin’s sword as it pursued the retreating Jayul was extraordinary.
‘How dare he!’
Seeing Mujin press on relentlessly even after he, a master, had retreated, Jayul’s frown deepened.
-Clang! Clang! Clang!
Abandoning the practice of calling out his techniques, Jayul unleashed his swift sword.
As Jayul rapidly struck Mujin’s brutally large sword, the number of steps he took in retreat began to increase.
‘Damn it!’
Unable to attack Mujin directly, Jayul found himself growing flustered by the unexpectedly straightforward and solid nature of Mujin’s swordsmanship.
He, who had thought he could easily suppress the Hidden Dragon using only basic forms, slowly began to raise his internal energy and reconsider.
He didn’t know where this sword art came from, but it was unlike anything he had ever experienced, seemingly on a different track from the martial arts of the Central Plains.
The moment a heat haze shimmered from Jayul’s sword as its energy intensified, a similar haze rose from Mujin’s blade as well.
-Clang!
Even against a fully committed swing, the path of Mujin’s sword only wavered slightly, never breaking.
Jayul’s nerves began to fray against the relentless sword art that clung to his own techniques to the very end.
The confrontation continued in this pattern for some time, with Jayul retreating and Mujin pursuing.
And so, more than twenty stances had passed.
‘It’s too small.’
Constantly pushed back, Jayul felt the Pungyang Merchant Guild’s main courtyard was too cramped to properly face Mujin’s sword.
-Whoooosh.
-Screeeech!
The clashing swords—one pressing forward, one defending—sent sharp winds whipping through the surroundings, as Mujin moved forward and Jayul scrambled backward.
The two figures slid across the ground, covering more than a zhang in a single step.
“Martial Uncle!”
One of the Taoists cried out unconsciously as he saw Jayul being pushed back toward a wall.
-Thump! Thump!
Jayul, who seemed about to hit the wall, ran backward up its surface without looking, parrying Mujin’s sword.
He then righted himself in mid-air and continued to exchange blows with Mujin.
The eyes of the warriors in the courtyard widened at the spectacle, as if he were doing a handstand in mid-air while fighting Mujin.
Jayul, who had been gradually raising his internal energy and infusing it into his sword, suddenly saw his expression harden.
Mujin had brought out the Third Form of the Nine Swords of Dugu, which he had been saving.
He had unleashed the Energy-Breaking Form.
In an instant, Mujin’s sword cut through the sword qi suffusing his own blade, and upon impact, Jayul’s body staggered in mid-air.
His face set like stone, Jayul rotated his legs in the air to regain his balance.
‘At this rate… I have no choice.’
He, who had intended to endure Mujin’s thirty seconds using only the Demon Subduing Sword art, realized he could no longer hold out and decided to use a killing move.
Forget his consideration as a master; if a rumor spread through the martial world that he had lost to a greenhorn not yet thirty, by having even the hem of his robe cut, the Kongtong Sect’s reputation would be in tatters.
From the desperate Jayul’s sword, a sword form familiar to Mujin’s eyes was unleashed.
Seven Kills Sword.
Along with the Seven Wounds Sword art, it was the Kongtong Sect’s most domineering and practical sword art, composed entirely of killing moves.
He had never expected to have to use this sword art against such a young junior.
Swift, debilitating attacks and multiplying sword images.
Mujin’s eyes widened as he watched Jayul’s Seven Kills Sword, which felt like it could hack his entire body to pieces.
‘Finally, he’s using it!’
The moment Jayul’s sword style changed, the movements of Mujin’s giant iron sword also shifted.
