Chapter 141: Chapter 141

The tavern where Ma Dok-jin was staying was a rather famous place in Yueyang. Because many customers visited every day, there was often a long wait due to a lack of vacant seats.

In such a tavern, there was an unusual lack of people today.

No, it was not just today.

There had been no people since Ma Dok-jin entered this place.

Wandering rogue martial artists recognized Ma Dok-jin, who held real power even within the Martial Emperor Castle, and that rumor spread ominously, but the biggest reason was that a few martial artists died for the sole reason of staring at them in the tavern.

For Ma Dok-jin, it was a satisfying time since he could spend it quietly, but it was extremely uncomfortable for the tavern owner, not to mention the patrons who frequently used this tavern.

“Just when is he planning to leave? He has absolutely no intention of leaving…”

“But isn’t he making us money?”

In the kitchen, the waiter and the tavern owner grumbled and sighed.

Ever since Ma Dok-jin came to this tavern, nothing went right. His subordinates searched the marketplace as well as the vicinity of Yueyang thoroughly with their eyes shining ominously, and thanks to that, many people lived holding their breath.

It seemed he now knew well why the people of the unorthodox path were called unorthodox path bastards.

“I don’t know if we’re going to be swallowed up by the unorthodox path like this.”

The tavern owner clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Even without that, he had heard that the orthodox and unorthodox paths were clashing. Although it was a rumor, he also knew that it was by no means a lie.

Under such circumstances, since Ma Dok-jin had come all the way to Yueyang, he couldn’t help but think that they were trying to stretch the evil hand of the unorthodox path here as well.

Various sects had been established in this land so far, but whether it was quiet because they disappeared not long after, or if there was another reason, was not certain. However, if the unorthodox path bastards, and no other force, came in, the aftermath was all too obvious.

To think that the disbandment of the Martial Alliance would hit this hard.

There was nowhere to go and complain.

“Should I contact the government office instead?”

“Forget it, forget it. Even Lord Hong won’t be able to lay a hand on a martial artist like that.”

“Still, there are things that the Lord has resolved…”

The waiter let out a small sigh.

The atmosphere of Yueyang sank.

It was nothing more than a few foreigners flowing in, but the entirety of Yueyang held its breath as if terrified.

Unorthodox path.

It was because of the weight carried by the name of an unorthodox practitioner.

To the commoners who did not know martial arts, the perception that they were simply murderers holding swords was strongly fixed. Moreover, they also created such situations.

Crash!

“Argh!”

A heavy sound was heard from outside.

Startled by the incomprehensible situation, the waiter hurriedly stood up and went outside. Inside the tavern, several martial artists were seen collapsed, bleeding profusely.

Terrified, the waiter froze in his spot, unable to move.

“Foolish bastards… Are my words that funny to you?”

It was Ma Dok-jin.

It was not clear for what reason, but Ma Dok-jin, who had been drinking alone on the first floor of the tavern, seemed to have gotten into a fight with other martial artists.

“Ugh…”

“M-Ma Dok-jin… why are you here…?”

Those presumed to be rogue martial artists swallowed their saliva and slunk back. Since it was a famous tavern in Yueyang, they had visited without thinking, knowing they had to stop by.

However, the moment they entered the tavern, the drunken Ma Dok-jin blocked them, and they tumbled down without even a chance to bicker. As if the saying that they were a leading family of the Seven Unorthodox Families was not a lie, it also proved that the martial power he possessed was not at a level they could do anything about.

“P-please spare my life…!”

“Spare your life? Didn’t I say I’d kill you if you came in?”

Ma Dok-jin sneered and drew his sword.

Although he had never even given such a warning, at this moment in this place, his words were law. Therefore, because he was the stronger one, they also had to accept all of his actions.

Slash!

Crimson blood splattered all over the tavern.

Shaking off the blood on his blade, Ma Dok-jin looked at the others who survived.

* * *

“What is going on?”

“T-that is, another disturbance… broke out at the tavern.”

At the guard’s words, Hong Won-chang pinched the bridge of his nose.

The unorthodox path bastards were causing trouble in Yueyang day in and day out. His subordinates were creating disturbances as if seizing control of not only the back alleys but also the red-light district, and Ma Dok-jin, who could be called their head, had already killed how many people…

Because most of those who died were martial artists, he was unable to take action.

If commoners had died, he would have arrested them using that as a pretext, but the bastard was killing only martial artists, as if handpicking them to kill, or to provoke someone.

He could not count how many corpses had already come out of the tavern.

“Just why is he staying here instead of leaving?”

Hong Won-chang let out a long sigh and shook his head.

Every time martial artists entered Yueyang, an incident broke out one by one. Since he could never think of it kindly, irritation welled up first.

‘If only a place like the Martial Alliance were here instead…’

If that happened, friction with the Martial Alliance would be inevitable, but how nice would it be since such bothersome bastards wouldn’t show up?

No, in the first place…

‘What if my Lord stepped forward?’

Hong Won-chang’s eyes sparkled.

But soon, he shook his head, thinking it was an absurd idea. He knew all too well that he was a person who would not step forward for anything unless it was his own business.

For what benefit would such a person drive out the unorthodox path bastards?

‘But if they are from the unorthodox path, aren’t they related to that man, Gwon Mu-jin?’

Could it be…

Is this happening because of that bastard?

Due to the last Henan incident, most martial artists knew. That Gwon Mu-jin had fallen out with the unorthodox path and left.

And since Ma Dok-jin was Gwon Mu-jin’s master, did he come all the way here to retaliate for leaving the faction?

“Is there anyone saying anything?”

“It is just an atmosphere of fear… everyone is watching their mouths… and they don’t go anywhere near the tavern. I wonder how many corpses have already come out…”

“Sigh… What a damn bastard. If he wants to make a mess, he should do it at his own home…”

“Shall we arrest him?”

Hong Won-chang shook his head.

The opponent was a martial artist of the unorthodox path.

Moreover, it was not a nameless place, but a place allied with the massive organization called the Martial Emperor Castle. If he touched him carelessly, he might not be able to handle the consequences.

Knowingly or unknowingly, there were many cases where the unorthodox path and high-ranking officials held hands.

There was nothing good about getting on the bad side of such people.

“Sigh. But we can’t just leave it alone either…”

He let out a sigh while holding his throbbing head. It would be good if he went back as soon as possible, but the problem was that he stayed holed up in the tavern and had absolutely no intention of leaving.

Just then, a voice was heard from outside.

“My Lord! A guest has come to find you.”

“A guest?”

Hong Won-chang tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

Was there a guest who would visit at a time like this?

“Who is it?”

“That… you know… from the manor…”

“Ack!”

Hong Won-chang jumped up from his seat, hurriedly ran outside, and opened the door. At the same time, Hong Won-chang, who thought Dan Woo-hyun had come, widened his eyes and looked down.

There was a little girl there.

Dan So-mi was smiling brightly and waving her hand.

“S-So-mi.”

“Hello! Daddy told me to stay here for a bit!”

* * *

“Did you hear?”

Dan Woo-hyun asked, looking at Gwon Mu-jin in front of him.

His hair was disheveled.

His whole body was drenched in sweat. It was incredibly dirty, perhaps because he had not washed for a long time, but his eyes, as he held his sword, were sharper than ever.

Killing intent could be felt.

The killing intent radiating from his eyes was like a blade that would cut a person down right away.

“I heard.”

It had been over a fortnight since he began training.

In the body of Gwon Mu-jin, who had not eaten or slept properly during that time, it seemed only momentum survived. Even within the breath he exhaled, that power and weight could be felt.

Dan Woo-hyun nodded.

However, feeling that something was strange, he glanced at Sa Do-hak.

He saw him awkwardly turning his head away.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

At the question, Gwon Mu-jin spoke without a single moment of hesitation.

“I will kill them.”

“Oh?”

He thought that killing was a matter of course.

Considering the anger in his heart, it was also an understandable situation that the words came out without hesitation. But why did it feel somewhat alien?

Thinking it was just a misconception, he nodded.

“You will kill them, and then what? The Martial Emperor Castle won’t stay quiet, will they?”

“I will kill them. All of them.”

“…”

This was another unexpected answer.

Dan Woo-hyun pressed his temples gently.

Something is strange about the answer.

He did not ask the question to hear this kind of answer. It was to hear about his determination or how he would handle the aftermath. But he was just blindly saying he would kill them?

Where did this idea come from?

Dan Woo-hyun glanced at Sa Do-hak.

He saw him turning his head with an awkward expression.

“Is the Martial Emperor Castle a place you can handle alone?”

“I learned that there is nothing that cannot be done by human strength.”

His burning eyes held full hostility. He was merely recalling the organization he was once a part of, but Gwon Mu-jin’s eyes seemed to hold only hatred, anger, and the thought of cutting down everyone there.

Since he had trained desperately to kill Ma Dok-jin, one might think of it as a natural change, but it was quite unexpected that he possessed such killing intent, eyes, and momentum in just a fortnight.

Dan Woo-hyun looked at Sa Do-hak once again.

When their eyes met again, Sa Do-hak turned away, avoiding his gaze.

‘He has completely become a killing ghost.’

Gwon Mu-jin had asked Sa Do-hak to teach him. Namgung Cheon was busy because of Namgung So-hye, and the orthodox martial arts did not match the unorthodox path.

Moreover, since Dan Woo-hyun was not of a personality to teach anyone, Sa Do-hak must have been the most suitable person. And the ideology held by Sa Do-hak must have been implanted in his head, and in the end, he returned as a killing ghost in just a fortnight.

He knew without even looking what kind of training he had done.

To make a person a killing ghost, one only had to make them feel a dread worse than death and realize that they could never live unless they killed.

Perhaps during the fortnight, Gwon Mu-jin had experienced death several times, and due to that shock and dread, he had learned the instinct to kill in order not to die.

Although that was something he did not like.

‘I like the resolve, though.’

There was nothing that could not be done by human strength.

That meant Gwon Mu-jin was expressing confidence that he could bring down the Martial Emperor Castle himself. Since one could not move forward from the moment they thought of something as impossible, whether it was a person or anything else, Gwon Mu-jin was now fully prepared to take a step forward.

There was no need to think badly of even that.

“Good, then bring it to me. Ma Dok-jin’s head.”

“Understood!”

Gwon Mu-jin’s shout rang out loudly.

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi