Chapter 338 |
Chapter 338
Record of the Demon Sovereign's Retur
The Next Morning
After finishing the meeting and taking a short break, Mu-jin went to find Mu-gung, who was resting at a nearby pavilion.
As he approached the medical office, he saw Mu-gyeong walking towards him from the opposite side.
"Seems like the meeting went on quite late yesterday. Did you get any sleep?" Mu-gyeong asked.
Mu-jin shrugged his shoulders. "More or less. I was actually about to head over to discuss some matters from the meeting, so it's good timing."
Perhaps because Mu-jin and Mu-gyeong didn't bother hiding their presence while talking, the door to the medical office gently opened, revealing Mu-gung.
"Mu-gung Senior Brother!"
Mu-jin and Mu-gyeong looked at Mu-gung in surprise, thinking he hadn't recovered yet. He was still wrapped in bandages from head to toe due to the injuries inflicted by Chongpyo Paja, with white clothes draped over them.
Seeing their surprised faces, Mu-gung raised a finger to his lips and said, "Lady Baek Ga-ryeong is sleeping, so speak quietly."
Mu-gung carefully closed the door and spoke calmly, "I've overcome the Qi Deviation. Once the wounds heal, I'll be fully recovered."
Nodding at Mu-gung's response, Mu-jin replied in a low voice, "We couldn't get any elixirs imbued with Yang or Yin energy right away, so we used a temporary method. It seems it worked."
"…I can say that I survived thanks to Lady Baek Ga-ryeong."
"And Lady Baek Ga-ryeong survived thanks to you."
Mu-gung nodded at Mu-jin's words. Watching their conversation, Mu-gyeong tilted his head in curiosity.
"But why do you still look so tired, Senior Brother? Are you not feeling well yet?"
Despite his calm demeanor, Mu-gung's eyes were bloodshot, and dark circles hung under his eyes, indicating a sleepless night.
"Senior Brother, if you're unwell, we'll take our leave. You should rest more inside."
At Mu-gyeong's considerate suggestion, Mu-gung responded almost in protest, "I-I'm fine!"
"…You don't look fine."
"I said I'm fine!"
nn
Mu-gyeong couldn't understand why Mu-gung was so adamant about avoiding rest.
"Hahaha," Mu-jin chuckled knowingly, as if he had grasped the situation. Feeling that Mu-jin had somehow found another weakness of his, Mu-gung cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Ahem. There seems to be something discussed in the meeting. Is it something you can share with us?"
Instead of teasing Mu-gung, Mu-jin answered his question. However, he didn't plan on sharing all the details about the royal family or the hidden forces in Beijing, as it would only cause unnecessary headaches.
"We plan to strike Sa-doryeon soon."
With this concise explanation from Mu-jin, Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong's expressions turned serious.
"According to the meeting, we decided to leave the Nasha Witch to the Southern Sky Association. On our side, we will first handle Chongpyo Paja, then proceed to deal with Hyeok Jin-gang, who is being targeted by Namgung."
The decision to delay persuading the Namgung family had been made. Since they were already targeting Hyeok Jin-gang, it was decided to let them be while Jeongmumaeng and the Southern Sky Association would handle Chongpyo Paja and the Nasha Witch first.
Mu-gung tilted his head at Mu-jin's concise explanation. "Who will handle Chongpyo Paja?"
"I will."
Mu-jin's confident answer brought a worried look to Mu-gung's face. However, it wasn't because he was concerned about Mu-jin.
"So, we just have to fight Chongpyo Paja's subordinates and clear the way?"
"That's right."
"It seems the Namgung side will suffer significant losses."
Sa-doryeon was a massive organization. Even though it was represented by Hyeok Jin-gang, Chongpyo Paja, and the Nasha Witch, many other martial artists supported them. If Namgung were to confront not only Hyeok Jin-gang but also the martial artists aiding him, it would inevitably lead to substantial losses.
This applied equally to Chongpyo Paja and the Nasha Witch.
"Considering Namgung's pride and minimizing our losses, this is the best plan."
Thinking beyond the Sa-doryeon, minimizing losses was the optimal choice. The general plan was for Jeongmumaeng's martial artists to handle Chongpyo Paja's subordinates and Sa-doryeon's warriors while Mu-jin took on Chongpyo Paja.
Mu-jin was currently the only one within Jeongmumaeng deemed capable of fighting Chongpyo Paja one-on-one. Even if he didn't have to defeat him outright, holding his ground would significantly tilt the battle in their favor. Compared to Sa-doryeon, the number of martial artists in Jeongmumaeng was much greater.
Meanwhile, after hearing Mu-jin's explanation, Mu-gung hesitated before speaking cautiously, "Wouldn't it be easier to allocate our forces if someone else handled Chongpyo Paja?"
"Who do you suggest?"
Mu-gung hesitated momentarily, took a deep breath, and replied, "Me."
The idea of someone who had been seriously injured and suffered from Qi Deviation fighting Chongpyo Paja again was...nn
"I understand you're angry from being beaten once, but wouldn't it be better to hold back?"
Mu-jin replied, glancing over Mu-gung's bandage-covered body. But Mu-gung shook his head.
"It's not for revenge. I just think it's doable. Not by myself, but I believe it's possible if Junior Brother Mu-gyeong helps."
Mu-gung recalled his fight with Chongpyo Paja the previous night. Dwelling on the battle allowed him to avoid thinking about another person's touch on his skin. As a result of reviewing the battle overnight, he concluded that while defeating Chongpyo Paja would be tough, holding his ground was possible.
After all, he had managed to overcome a significant barrier during that fight. Although it led to Qi Deviation, thanks to Baek Ga-ryeong, he had survived. Now, Mu-gung was confident that he hadn't fallen back from that barrier but was still standing beyond it.
Chapter 338
Great War of Justice and Evil
Mu-jin observed Mu-gung, who was staring at him with a serious expression, and organized his thoughts.
'Hmm. I didn't notice at the time since he collapsed immediately…'
For some reason, Mu-gung's aura seemed much more stable and profound compared to a few days ago.
'Indeed. If Mu-gyeong and Mu-gung can hold off Chongpyo Paja together, it would allow me to move freely and significantly reduce our losses.'
Despite this calculation, Mu-jin continued to test Mu-gung with his gaze. Perhaps it was because he had faced a life-and-death situation once, but Mu-gung's response was different from usual.
Even under Mu-jin's intense and burdensome stare, Mu-gung met his gaze calmly.
"Alright. I'll talk to the Grand Strategist."
Passing Mu-jin's test, Mu-gung nodded lightly with a soft smile that didn't quite suit his usual demeanor. Although Mu-jin should have been pleased to see his senior brother's growth, he couldn't resist teasing Mu-gung, who suddenly acted mature.
"It's fortunate that you chose to face Chongpyo Paja instead of the Nasha Witch."
"Why? Is the Nasha Witch known to be stronger than Chongpyo Paja?" Mu-gung asked with a puzzled expression.
Mu-jin chuckled and replied, "You're weak against beautiful women."
Mu-gung, who had been trying to act mature, retorted angrily, "W-Weak against beautiful women! And besides, I heard the Nasha Witch is over fifty years old. No matter what, that's a bit…"
"Even if the Nasha Witch is over fifty, she can use transformation techniques, right? If she disguises herself as a beautiful woman of her age, wouldn't you lose your composure?"
"Hmph. Do you think I'd fall for such tricks?"
"Hmmm. Who almost fell into Qi Deviation because of Su-linya in Nanzhao?"n
"T-That was a long time ago! Now that I've advanced, such tricks won't work on me."
Seeing Mu-gung confidently declare this, Mu-jin snorted.
"And yet, you didn't sleep a wink last night?"
"T-That's…"
While Mu-gung was fumbling for an answer, the door, which had been closed, opened with a soft sound, revealing Baek Ga-ryeong peeking out with a blanket wrapped around her. It seemed their conversation had woken her up.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Baek. We must have been too noisy while you were resting," Mu-jin quickly apologized.
She smiled gently and shook her head. "No, it's fine."
Then, in a low voice, she asked, "But who is this Su-linya from Nanzhao that you mentioned?"
For some reason, she continued softly, "If she was enough to almost cause Mu-gung Monk to fall into Qi Deviation, she must have been quite a seductive woman."
Although she asked with a gentle smile, there was a chilling undertone to her voice.
Mu-gyeong, who knew nothing, thought to himself, 'I wonder if her Seven Yin Terminating Pulse has worsened.'
* * *
The Following Days
Mu-jin dedicated himself to training. Since returning to Jeongmumaeng, he taught external energy techniques to the New Star Unit members in the mornings and focused on his strength training in the afternoons.
'I can become stronger.'
Having confirmed the potential of the Jade Vajra Technique, Mu-jin lifted weights with a noticeably brighter demeanor. Although he always seemed cheerful while weightlifting, others didn't notice much of a difference.
After weight training in the afternoons, he would practice martial arts.
Thanks to Mu-gyeong, he found a rough clue to advance his Invincible Divine Fist.
Five days into his intensive training in preparation for the impending war, Baek Ga-ryeong, now recovered and serving as a strategist under Jegal Muhwan, visited Mu-jin's quarters.
"What brings you here at this hour, Miss Baek?" he asked, wondering if her visit was related to Mu-gung or military affairs.
Fortunately, her visit was for the latter. After all, consulting Mu-jin about such matters was not very meaningful.
"The Southern Sky Association has accepted our proposal. We plan to attack Sa-doryeon in three days."
n
"We'll prepare for the battle accordingly," Mu-jin nodded, and she continued with additional information.
"Regarding Chongpyo Paja, it's been decided that Monk Mu-gyeong and Monk Mu-gung will handle him."
Her expression momentarily darkened with concern for Mu-gung, but she quickly regained her composure.
"We don't expect them to defeat Chongpyo Paja but merely to keep him occupied. With Hwang Bo-ak also participating in that battle, we believe it will lead to a major victory."
Mu-jin frowned at the unexpected information. "That man is still in Jeongmumaeng?"
Mu-jin had thought Hwang Bo-ak would have returned to Shandong after being defeated and humiliated by a junior disciple. Despite seeing other members of the Hwangbo family in the New Star Unit, he assumed Hwang Bo-ak had left.
"Yes. Although he forfeited the position of alliance leader after losing to you, it seems he wants to achieve merit in the war to increase the Hwangbo family's influence in Jeongmumaeng."
"I don't care if that fool is here, but isn't there a spy next to him?"
The spy was a significant problem. Killing him would alienate the Hwangbo family, and trying to persuade him was pointless as he was too ignorant to understand.
In response to Mu-jin's concern, Baek Ga-ryeong smiled uncharacteristically and replied, "The Grand Strategist says there's no better opponent to exploit than a revealed spy."
She was imitating Jegal Muhwan's characteristic fake smile.
"And since the Hwangbo family is joining the fight, you'll be heading elsewhere, Mu-jin Monk."
Seeing Mu-jin's curious expression, she continued calmly, "You will lead half of the New Star Unit to support the Namgung family."
"The Namgung family might not welcome us," Mu-jin remarked.
"That's why we're sending the New Star Unit, comprised of junior disciples. The Grand Strategist believes that if we say something like, 'This place seems safe, so we brought our junior disciples for practical experience,' it should work."
"Hmmm. So I am to observe the situation and join the fight against Hyeok Jin-gang if it seems Namgung is being pushed back."
It seemed Jegal Muhwan had come up with a trick to persuade the Namgung family.
After discussing the war preparations, Mu-jin asked Baek Ga-ryeong, "So, what brings you to me? This information could have been delivered by the Grand Strategist himself."
Indeed, Jegal Muhwan usually informed Mu-jin of important combat-related matters personally. There was no need for her to come in person.
As if confirming Mu-jin's suspicion, Baek Ga-ryeong lowered her voice and spoke cautiously, "I received a letter from my brother."
Her brother, Baek Ga-hwan, was currently with Dao Yuetian. He was likely serving as a strategist or advisor for the Southern Sky Association, just like her.
"Is there a problem with the Southern Sky Association?"
She shook her head and replied, "Dao Yuetian seems to be struggling with some martial arts issues. My brother wrote to me, thinking you might know a solution."