Chapter 55
After being defeated by Dokgo Ryeong and having his pressure points sealed by Wi Ilcheong, No Geuk-myeong returned to the Murong Clan as soon as the seals were released.
He hadn’t expected a warm welcome.
But he’d never imagined they would humiliate him this much.
‘…Three years as a servant…’
As No Geuk-myeong swept the courtyard and let out a long sigh, the warriors guarding the gate flinched.
“…Squad Leader.”
“Don’t call me Squad Leader. I’m a servant now.”
“But…”
“Ahem! Why are you speaking respectfully to someone being punished?!”
“…”
“I’m grateful my life was spared because I’m an elder’s son. Just treat me like any other servant. It’ll be easier for me, too.”
“…Understood.”
In the end, the guards took their cue from him and dropped the formalities.
‘…Right. At least I’m alive…’
Not only had he captured his sworn enemy’s daughter and let her escape, but even after tracking her down again, he’d come back without so much as a scratch on her, let alone her head.
Thinking it was a miracle he’d survived, No Geuk-myeong barely managed to calm his boiling anger and collect himself.
‘I’ll return to the basics and carry on. I’ll cultivate my martial arts even as I sweep… What’s that beggar doing here?’
Before he knew it, a beggar was standing blankly in front of the gate.
The old beggar was terribly emaciated.
His skin clung to his bones, and he looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
His hair was dry and brittle, and his clothes were dirty and stained.
Using a branch as thin as his legs for a cane, he had a jade-green cudgel hanging from his waist…
‘Jade-green?’
When the beggar continued to stand silently at the gate, one of the guards shouted at him.
“You old fool! Do you even know where you are, begging here— Cough!”
No Geuk-myeong struck the guard, then bowed respectfully to the beggar.
“C-could you be… Elder Mukseon?”
The beggar smiled faintly and nodded.
“I-I pay my respects to a great senior of the martial world!!”
When No Geuk-myeong fell to his knees, Mukseon Muyeonggae patted his shoulder and pointed at the ground.
He used a branch to write the character ‘壁’ in the dirt, and No Geuk-myeong stared at him in confusion.
“You mean our Clan Leader?”
Muyeonggae nodded once more.
“P-please wait a moment! Hey, you!”
“Yes!”
“I’m going to see Father. Bring Elder Mukseon food and liquor at once! Hurry!!”
“Yes, Squad Leader!”
The guard hurried off, having already forgotten No Geuk-myeong’s request to be treated like a servant.
As No Geuk-myeong rushed through the gate, Mukseon sat down on the dirt and began waiting for them.
“Father! Father!!”
As No Geuk-myeong burst through the door, No Sun-pyeong shouted in a fury.
“You… You fool!! I told you to live as a servant for three years, so how dare you—!”
“It’s an emergency!! Elder Mukseon has come to see us!”
“…What?”
No Sun-pyeong’s anger vanished in an instant.
“M-Mukseon? You mean Elder Muyeonggae, the Beggar Sect’s Chief?”
“Yes! I saw the Dog-Beating Staff, the Beggar Sect’s sacred treasure, hanging from his waist with my own eyes!”
“What did he say he wanted…? No, never mind. He’s observing a vow of silence, so asking him would be pointless.”
“He came to see the Clan Leader. He wrote your name on the ground.”
“Good heavens…”
No Sun-pyeong let out a long sigh.
“…Did he come knowing?”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Take Elder Mukseon to the Clan Leader’s room.”
“Yes…”
“And tell all the martial artists to leave the estate.”
“What do you mean…?”
When No Geuk-myeong asked, No Sun-pyeong’s anger flared again, and he was about to shout at him.
But before he could, No Geuk-myeong bowed his head first.
“I-I’ll do as you command.”
Watching his son dash outside, No Sun-pyeong’s face twisted.
“…I knew this day would come.”
No Sun-pyeong rose and headed for the Clan Leader’s room.
When he arrived, he knocked on the door and announced himself.
“Clan Leader, are you inside?”
“Who came?”
“…You already know?”
“I could feel his enormous aura from far away. It made my blood boil. So, who was it?”
“…Elder Mukseon has come to see you.”
“Kwahaha! That old beggar?”
“C-Clan Leader!”
When No Sun-pyeong raised his voice in alarm, an immense aura surged out from within and washed over him.
‘W-when did he become this strong…?!’
“Brother-in-law.”
“…Yes, Clan Leader.”
“Sorry about this. It hasn’t been long since that bastard Dokgo Jin destroyed the estate, and now it looks like it’s going to be destroyed all over again.”
“Not at all…”
“Have some liquor brought in, and tell everyone else in the clan to go far away. They’ll only get in the way.”
“I’ve already told them.”
“Then that’s enough. What will you do, brother-in-law?”
“…I’ll watch from a distance.”
“Very well.”
“I’ll have the liquor brought in…”
“Yes. Heh heh.”
No Sun-pyeong backed away, sweating coldly.
‘From this point on, the martial world will be impossible to control…!’
In an age of upheaval, only the strong would survive.
With that thought, No Sun-pyeong steeled himself.
*
“…You’ve come? I was just thinking how lonely it is to drink alone.”
As Mukseon approached with a smile, Murong Byeok felt his skin prickle all over under the old beggar’s overwhelming aura.
‘So this is Mukseon…!’
To all appearances, he was no more than a shabby old beggar, but the internal energy within him was immense.
Murong Byeok, unwilling to be outdone, raised his own internal energy. The space between them seemed to distort, and the wooden floorboards began to creak.
They stood off against each other until Mukseon spoke first, breaking the balance.
“You’re stronger than I expected.”
“…I heard you were observing a vow of silence. I suppose that wasn’t true?”
“I kept my mouth shut because I had nothing to say, and my eyes closed because there was nothing worth seeing.”
“So now you have something to say?”
“Heh heh heh. That’s right.”
Mukseon approached Murong Byeok with a smile, sat across from him, and took the cup of liquor he’d been drinking from.
“Ahh… That’s good stuff.”
“What brings you here?”
“There are too many fools who like to ask questions when they already know the answer. I kept my mouth shut because it was a bother to tell those youngsters twice when they already had the answer.”
“Is this about the next chief?”
“I closed my eyes because I dislike people who hide behind a mask, pretending not to know while putting on a show of virtue. When their true intentions are plain as day, pretending not to see them is a chore.”
When their conversation came to a halt, Murong Byeok began to laugh.
“Heh… Heh heh… Ah, now that I think about it, you should’ve been the abbot of Shaolin, not the Beggar Sect’s Chief.”
“Wouldn’t I be better off as a beggar than living like that old Fist Venerable, unable to eat meat? Heh heh heh.”
“I suppose you’re right. Kwahaha!”
As Murong Byeok laughed heartily, Mukseon took another sip of liquor and said,
“Give up everything you’re doing now.”
“How much do you know?”
“Everything. That you’ve been manipulating our next chief from behind the scenes, that you’ve joined hands with that greedy Poison Immortal and are walking the heretical path… and…”
Mukseon pointed at him.
“That you’re trying to become a monster, too.”
“A monster…”
“I thought it wasn’t too late, so I came here in person.”
“Hmm… Why don’t you see for yourself?”
Murong Byeok said as he picked up his sword.
“Whether it’s too late or not.”
“Heh heh… I intended to do this from the start, but now that I’m here, I’m glad I came.”
“What do you mean?”
“That I came instead of the Fist Venerable.”
Mukseon stood up and drew the Dog-Beating Staff from his waist.
“If that stubborn friend, the Fist Venerable, had come, he would’ve forced me to break the vow I’ve kept all my life not to kill. I’m glad it was me.”
“Heh heh. Are you planning to kill me?”
“I am. It seems I really was too late.”
“How interesting… Ah, before we start, say that one thing for me.”
“Hmm?”
“You know, that line. ‘You needn’t insist on taking a penalty drink…’ Something like that. I have a feeling I’ll hear it a lot from now on, so I’d like to hear it in advance.”
“Heh heh heh. A penalty drink? Why would a beggar share his liquor with someone else?”
Mukseon adjusted his grip on the Dog-Beating Staff and raised his internal energy.
“Instead, I’ll beat you like a dog.”
“Kwahaha! By all means!”
Their figures vanished, and a deafening boom rang out.
Thus began the battle between two peerless masters.
*
“…Not yet?”
No Sun-pyeong watched the Murong Clan from afar, his heart uneasy.
It was already the third day since Muyeonggae and Murong Byeok had clashed.
Their battle had continued day and night without pause.
The deafening booms would stop for a moment, only for another to erupt shortly after, leaving No Sun-pyeong’s nerves on edge.
‘If he wins… the Murong Clan will rise again. But if he loses…’
The Murong Clan might be erased from the history of the martial world.
No Sun-pyeong was so anxious he could hardly bear to watch from a distance as the fate of the clan hung in the balance.
‘When will this battle finally…’
Just then, No Geuk-myeong, standing beside him, interrupted his thoughts.
“Father…”
“What is it?”
“The booms have stopped…”
“…”
No Sun-pyeong looked toward the Murong Clan at his words.
Indeed, even after a long time had passed since the booms stopped, there was no sound at all.
No Sun-pyeong heightened his perception and confirmed that one of the immense auras that had kept his nerves taut even from afar had disappeared.
‘Has it been decided?!’
No Sun-pyeong gritted his teeth.
“Everyone, we’re going to bring the Clan Leader back!”
“”Yes, sir!!””
No Sun-pyeong and his group slowly approached the ruined Murong Clan.
‘Who won…?’
He’d put on a brave front, claiming they were going to bring the Clan Leader back, but No Sun-pyeong couldn’t shake his unease.
He trusted Murong Byeok, but his opponent had been Mukseon.
A martial artist close to the pinnacle of the orthodox world, a living legend.
‘What if… just once…’
If Murong Byeok had lost, everything was over.
Thinking that he, too, might not survive after siding with him, No Sun-pyeong’s thoughts turned to his son beside him.
‘Please… please…!’
With unsteady steps, No Sun-pyeong entered the Murong Clan’s grounds.
When he sensed someone moving, he headed in that direction.
“Over there!”
Feeling his breath grow shorter, No Sun-pyeong made his way toward the victor.
Standing amid the rubble of the Murong Clan’s collapsed gate, the victor caught his breath, looked at No Sun-pyeong, and raised a hand.
“Hey, brother-in-law.”
“C-Clan Leader!!”
“Guh…! That… filthy beggar was damn strong.”
“C-Congratulations!”
No Sun-pyeong’s eyes filled with tears.
He didn’t know whether it was because his Clan Leader had felled that towering tree of a man, or because he was relieved to have been spared.
Murong Byeok sat on the rubble to catch his breath for a moment, then tossed something to him.
“Brother-in-law, take this to the next chief.”
“Th-this is…”
“The Dog-Beating Staff. The next chief can’t very well be without the Beggar Sect’s sacred treasure.”
“Yes…!”
“And send a messenger bird to the Poison Immortal, too. I’ve defeated Mukseon, so… the Mount Hua Sect should do. Tell him to defeat the Flower Immortal.”
“I’ll carry out your orders!”
“It’s nice to hear so much spirit in your voice, brother-in-law. Heh heh… Ugh!”
Murong Byeok laughed, then clutched his chest.
“Are you all right?!”
“No… I feel like I’m about to die. Phew… Once we’ve taken care of things here, you’ll have to go to Jiangsu, too.”
“For the Divine Doctor?”
“Yes. He treats anyone, doesn’t he? They say he’s skilled, so let’s entrust this to him.”
“Understood. Quickly, help the Clan Leader!”
“Ah… Wait a moment. Let me rest a little first.”
“Yes…”
Amid the ruins of the Murong Clan, Murong Byeok lay down, using the clan’s signboard as a bed.
Staring blankly at the sky, Murong Byeok spoke.
“Brother-in-law.”
“Yes, Clan Leader.”
“This is only the beginning. It may be a little early, but from now on, we’re going to change the balance of the martial world.”
“…Yes.”
“Remember, Mukseon was only the first step.”
“I’ll remember…!”
Maps of the land spread across Murong Byeok’s mind.
He briefly considered which places to topple and which to set ablaze, then shook his head and dispelled those thoughts.
“There’s a lot to do, brother-in-law. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
“…Yes, Clan Leader.”
“I’ll leave everything else to you. And…”
“Go ahead.”
“Never mind. I’ll tell you later. Phew… I’m going to get some sleep, so take care of everything.”
“Yes!”
Murong Byeok closed his eyes, feeling a pleasant exhaustion.
Just then, another warrior’s voice reached his ears.
“What should we do with Elder Mukseon’s body?”
“Treat it with the utmost respect…”
“Just burn it, brother-in-law.”
“Pardon?”
When No Sun-pyeong asked in surprise, Murong Byeok forced himself upright, ignoring the pain wracking his body.
“Ugh…! I said just burn it, brother-in-law. Or leave it in the marketplace.”
“B-but…”
“He’s a beggar, after all. Why bother showing him respect? And…”
Murong Byeok turned his gaze toward the warrior who had spoken first.
The man suddenly twisted his face in pain.
“Guh…!”
“It’s disgraceful that someone so pathetic is part of the Murong Clan.”
“C-Clan… Cough! Clan Leader…!”
“From now on, we’ll be piling up mountains of corpses. Are you going to show every single one of them respect?”
“I-I’m sorry… Guh…!”
Crack.
When the warrior’s neck snapped, a quiet silence fell.
Murong Byeok lay back down on the signboard and spoke.
“Haa… This is why bloodlines matter. Lowborn fools are stupid even in their thinking.”
“I’m sorry, Clan Leader.”
“It’s fine. Anyway, I’m going to rest. Please take care of everything else, brother-in-law.”
“…Yes.”
In the quiet ruins of the Murong Clan, No Sun-pyeong and the warriors began to clear away the bodies.
The Beggar Sect’s Chief, Mukseon, and an unnamed Murong Clan warrior were loaded onto the same cart and buried together in a hastily dug pit.
Even as they covered them with earth, No Sun-pyeong grieved over Mukseon’s end.
For such a remarkable warrior, who had once ruled an era, to meet so hollow an end pained him. But each time, No Sun-pyeong recalled Murong Byeok’s words.
‘From now on, we’ll be piling up mountains of corpses…’
He could only hope he wouldn’t become part of that mountain, and turned his eyes away.
He had far too much to do to mourn Mukseon’s death.
“Send someone to Jiangsu Province and bring the Divine Doctor here. Use force if you have to.”
“B-but…”
“The Clan Leader wants the Divine Doctor. Do you not understand what that means?”
“…I’ll carry out your orders.”
“Leave at once.”
“Yes, sir!”
No Sun-pyeong didn’t know until he sent them off.
That this ill-fated connection would continue once more.