Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 162 - Proposal (1)
Chapter 162 – Proposal (1)
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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‘Se-senior brother?’
‘Huh? Great Unit Leader Wu?’
The one lifted in Mok Gyeong-un’s hand was none other than Wu Ho-rang, chief disciple of Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, and one of the Five Tigers, called the greatest younger talents of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Seeing him unconscious and soaked in blood as though he had suffered serious injury, the junior disciple Yeop Wi-seon and Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, could not hide their shock.
‘What in the world happened?’
Why was senior brother in such a state?
Yeop Wi-seon had never once before seen his senior brother end up like this after fighting someone.
For an instant, Yeop Wi-seon’s gaze turned toward Mok Gyeong-un.
‘No. Absolutely not.’
For an instant he wondered whether Mok Gyeong-un had done this.
But that could not be.
He had crossed hands with the fellow before and knew his level of martial ability.
He had thought the man stood at nearly the same level as himself, at the consummate pinnacle or just slightly above it.
Yet that man had made his senior brother, who had reached the transcendent-peak realm, look like this?
It was nonsense.
Then,
-Thud!
Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, let the large stone that had been placed on the heavy sword’s blade fall and changed at once to a gaze full of wariness as he said,
“Mok Gyeong-un. Did you do this?”
‘Huh?’
What nonsense is this now?
No matter how much that damned bastard possessed martial ability decent enough to catch the attention of his lord Wi So-yeon, he did not have the ability to face senior brother.
“Brother Yang. I have crossed hands with that bastard before. His martial level is close to mine. He is not capable of facing senior brother.”
“What are you saying? Brother Yeop. Mok Gyeong-un there has risen to the transcendent-peak realm, just like Great Unit Leader Jue Que.”
‘!?’
At Yang Il’s words, Yeop Wi-seon made an expression of utter disbelief.
Was he making fun of him now?
It had not even been half a month since he had met that fellow in the Corpse Blood Valley treasure vault.
Yet in that span, by what means could he have risen to the transcendent-peak realm?
“I say, are you mocking me now? I have crossed hands with that fellow, so I know…”
“This is no joke. Our lord said it herself, and even Young Master Jang Neung-ak, the Society Leader’s second disciple, acknowledged that man’s martial ability.”
“…Ha?”
What?
Lord and Young Master Jang Neung-ak both acknowledged it?
What in the world had happened?
Did this make any sense?
How could he have reached the transcendent-peak realm in the little time since crossing hands with him in the Corpse Blood Valley treasure vault?
He could not believe it at all.
Then Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and said,
“I will return him to you.”
“What?”
“Your senior brother. Catch him.”
“W-wait. What are you trying to…”
-Whooong!
Before Yeop Wi-seon could even finish speaking, Mok Gyeong-un swung the unconscious Wu Ho-rang, whom he had been holding aloft in one hand, and hurled him over like a sack of baggage.
Wu Ho-rang’s body, broad in build, flew toward Yeop Wi-seon at high speed.
“Yo-you bastard!”
Yeop Wi-seon hurriedly spread both arms to catch Wu Ho-rang.
And he drew up an appropriate amount of power, trying to receive his senior brother stably, but,
-Paaaak!
“Huhk!”
The moment he took Wu Ho-rang’s body into his arms, the heavy force loaded into it made Yeop Wi-seon’s knees buckle.
At the same time, both his feet,
-Chwarrrrrrrrr!
Dragged along the courtyard floor, and he ended up being pushed back nearly eight paces.
And even that was only stopped because halfway through he gritted his teeth and raised his power to the full ten-tenths.
Though it had happened in an instant, to Yeop Wi-seon it felt exceedingly long.
“Haah…haah…”
-Tak!
Yeop Wi-seon, whose breathing had grown ragged, set Wu Ho-rang down on the ground with difficulty.
‘What was that just now?’
What had just happened was the principle of moving the flower and grafting the tree.
If the orthodox method was to use the opponent’s force, then placing force into some object and delivering it to the opponent was likewise an application of moving the flower and grafting the tree.
This was also called the method of striking objects to transmit force.
‘…Impossible.’
A subtle principle of this advanced a level was not something a martial artist of the peak realm could display.
It was a method possible only after reaching the transcendent-peak realm, where one’s understanding of qi had risen high.
Even after experiencing it directly, Yeop Wi-seon found it difficult to accept.
There was anger toward that fellow, but even by common sense this was impossible.
Could it truly be possible for him to gain enlightenment in so short a span and rise to a realm higher than his own?
As he stood there flustered, Yang Il asked,
“Was that not striking objects to transmit force just now? Brother Yeop, are you all right?”
“…I am all right.”
Through the method of striking objects to transmit force, he had learned that the fellow’s internal power was no ordinary thing, but he had not suffered internal injury.
His feelings were merely turbulent and foul.
Then Mok Gyeong-un said,
“That gentleman has had his acupoints sealed, so he should wake up if you release them.”
“What? Are you saying you sealed senior brother’s acupoints?”
“No. I was not the one who did that.”
‘!?’
At Mok Gyeong-un’s denial, Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, asked in puzzlement,
“Then if it was not Mok Gyeong-un you, but another person who sealed his acupoints, are you saying that person was the one who made Great Unit Leader Jue Que end up like this?”
“Ah. No, that is not it either. It is true that he ended up like that while fighting me.”
“You bastard, are you trying to play word games with me right now?”
At those words from Mok Gyeong-un, Yeop Wi-seon shouted as his anger surged up.
Then Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and said,
“It is true. And besides, do I have any reason to joke with you?”
“A joke? Ha! I understand now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Since someone else sealed his acupoints, you and others ganged up to drive senior brother into this state.”
“······.”
“Well, of course. No matter how suddenly your martial ability improved, how could trash like you defeat senior brother by yourself, when he is one of the Five Tigers?”
‘Hmm.’
At Yeop Wi-seon’s angry shout, Yang Il too looked at Mok Gyeong-un with eyes that seemed unconvinced.
Not long ago, their lord, Young Lady Wi So-yeon, had said that Mok Gyeong-un’s martial level seemed to be around the beginning of the transcendent-peak realm.
That was why she had sent not him, but Wu Ho-rang, who had the greatest martial ability among her confidants.
If her judgment was correct, then no matter how one thought of it, Mok Gyeong-un’s martial ability was not enough to defeat Wu Ho-rang.
‘There is a great gap between the beginning of the transcendent peak and full maturity.’
He himself had felt that gap because he had crossed hands with Wu Ho-rang and lost.
The title of one of the Five Tigers was not something just anyone could receive.
Was Wu Ho-rang not a monster among the younger generation, of whom it was said that none but executives could face him?
If so, then as Yeop Wi-seon said, the possibility of a joint attack did make sense.
‘…Could he have joined hands with them?’
Not long ago, what their lord Wi So-yeon had been concerned about was that Mok Gyeong-un might enter under Young Master Jang Neung-ak, the Society Leader’s second disciple.
Even by Young Master Jang Neung-ak’s attitude, he had looked quite close to Mok Gyeong-un.
‘Ah!’
Yang Il looked as though he had realized something and quietly whispered to Yeop Wi-seon.
“I think Brother Yeop’s words are correct.”
“Correct? What do you mean?”
“Not long ago I received news that Wi Maeng-cheon, the Eyeless Sword and Second Sacred Mountain among Young Master Jang Neung-ak’s confidants, was killed last night.”
“What?”
At that, Yeop Wi-seon’s eyes widened.
What in the world had happened while he was locked in seclusion?
To the astonished Yeop Wi-seon, Yang Il said,
“I had thought it strange that at the Baek family estate Young Master Jang Neung-ak kept glaring at our lord and Great Unit Leader Wu Ho-rang with eyes full of killing intent.”
“Ha! Then it is certain that that hostage from the righteous sects and Young Master Jang Neung-ak’s subordinates together ganged up and brought senior brother to this state.”
“······.”
-Those foolish sentient beings. What in the world are they babbling about?
At Blue Spirit’s words, Mok Gyeong-un let out a faint laugh.
There was no way he would not hear just because they were whispering.
He himself said nothing, and yet they were fitting the situation together among themselves in all sorts of ways.
It was true that it had been he who killed Wi Maeng-cheon, the Second Sacred Mountain among Jang Neung-ak’s confidants, and it was also he who had reduced Wu Ho-rang, Wi So-yeon’s confidant, to this state, but there was no connection between the two incidents.
Yet to see them linking unrelated incidents like that was certainly amusing.
‘They are easy to toy with.’
That was about the extent of Mok Gyeong-un’s judgment.
But these two were not the ones he had business with right now.
“If you two wish to keep talking, then keep talking. I intend to see Young Lady Wi So-yeon, and she is inside the main hall, is she not?”
Mok Gyeong-un moved to take a step forward.
It was then.
-Chaeng!
Yeop Wi-seon drew his unique weapon, the Giant Form Saber, from his back.
And as he aimed the tip of the saber at Mok Gyeong-un, he shouted,
“How dare you try to meet Young Lady with those filthy feet?”
“You really are troublesome.”
“What?”
“I never agreed with your interesting guesses, so if you release that gentleman’s acupoints and ask him directly, would that not be enough? As for me…”
Mok Gyeong-un tried to move his steps forward once more.
At that moment, a line was carved into the ground exactly three paces in front of Mok Gyeong-un as sharp force rose from it.
-Shraaaaaak!
The one who had drawn that line was none other than Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House.
With sharp force raised on his sword and already prepared to strike at any time, Yang Il warned in a stern tone,
“Abandon the thought of crossing that line.”
At that stern warning, Yeop Wi-seon inwardly thought this had worked out well.
He had already judged that there was no chance in a one-on-one fight because of Mok Gyeong-un’s sudden progress.
But if they attacked together, the situation was different.
Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, was a tremendous talent who had reached the beginning of the transcendent-peak realm.
Excluding senior brother, he was effectively the left arm among the confidants of their lord, Young Lady Wi So-yeon.
If they attacked together, then the advantage lay with them instead.
‘You bastard. This works out nicely.’
‘Moreover, back then they had been inside the treasure vault of Corpse Blood Valley, where secret manuals were everywhere, so he had been cautious and could not even properly unfold his saber forms.’
But not now.
In such a broad courtyard as this, he could use his full strength.
“Brother Yang…I will join you as well.”
-Tak!
Yeop Wi-seon stood beside Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, took a starting stance, and said so.
Jointly attacking might be cowardly, but there was sufficient justification.
After all, there was suspicion that he too had used a joint attack against senior brother.
At that, Mok Gyeong-un lightly waved one hand as if annoyed and said,
“Let us stop here. I did not come to fight, but to see Young Lady Wi So-yeon.”
“Shut up! Do you think Young Lady would see some hostage from the righteous sects?”
“Strange. If I recall correctly, I heard from your senior brother that Young Lady Wi So-yeon had summoned me. Is that not so?”
“That is…”
The answer to that came from Yang Il, who was beside him.
“She did summon you. Our lord regards you highly. But after grievously injuring Great Unit Leader Jue Que, the very man who went to bring you, do you think we would simply let you meet Young Lady as though nothing had happened?”
“You really cannot be reasoned with. Then wake that gentleman over there and ask him directly.”
“What?”
“You keep speaking as though I attacked him first, but if you release his acupoints and ask him directly…ah, no.”
Mok Gyeong-un cut himself off and shook his head.
Then he said to them,
“Just come at me together.”
“What?”
“You said come at you together?”
“Did you not hear? If I simply knock the two of you down and go in, then Young Lady will likely feel it more clearly too.”
At those words, the eyes of Yang Il, the young master of the Misty Sea Sword House, grew fierce.
Contrary to what Yeop Wi-seon had said, he had not intended a joint attack, nor had he intended to strike Mok Gyeong-un first.
That was because he still could not be sure of the truth.
But as a martial artist, such provocation could not help but be irritating.
“Are you making light of Brother Yeop and me right now?”
“Making light of you? How could I?”
“Then why are you telling both of us to come at you together?”
To Yang Il’s question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and answered,
“Because it is troublesome to face you one by one, and because the two of you are only at that level, so I am telling you to come together.”
-Creak!
Yang Il ground his teeth.
He was one who dealt coolly with most provocations.
But he had already been in a foul mood because of the words that Mok Gyeong-un had reduced Wu Ho-rang to this state, and now the fellow was provoking him in this way, so he could not endure it.
“Is that so? Then let us take a look at how strong you are!”
-Pat!
At once Yang Il sent his body toward Mok Gyeong-un.
Likewise, Yeop Wi-seon, angered by Mok Gyeong-un’s provocation and waiting for the chance to attack together, also kicked off the ground and sent his figure forward.
‘Fourth move of the Misty Sea Mist-Heavy Sword, Gathering Shadows and Marking a Pact!’
‘Second secret move of the Bright Sun Saber Art, Account of Life’s Harm and Fault!’
Yang Il and Yeop Wi-seon moved to unfold killing moves at the same time, swinging sword and saber together.
It was right then.
-Srrk.
-Chaaang!
‘What?’
‘Huh!’
In an instant, Mok Gyeong-un’s form blurred and then appeared before them, and before the two of them could even unfold their killing moves, he was already gripping the blades of sword and saber with both hands.
‘!!!!!!!!’
At what had happened in a single moment, both Yang Il and Yeop Wi-seon could not hide their bewilderment.
What in the world had just happened?
They had not even seen him move.
-Kwaaaaak!
‘What…what strength is this?’
‘I cannot pull the saber free…’
Though they tried to draw up their power and wrench sword and saber free, neither budged.
To them, Mok Gyeong-un said as if it were nothing,
“You are slow.”
“You bastard!”
-Pat!
Yang Il released the sword from his hand and, bringing his index and middle fingers together, tried to strike Mok Gyeong-un’s throat with sharp force.
However,
-Puk!
Before he could, Mok Gyeong-un’s kick struck his head hard.
Together with the jolt through his brain, Yang Il’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed straight down to the ground.
-Thud.
“Surely you were not waiting for me to stand still and receive it?”
Mok Gyeong-un said mockingly to the unconscious Yang Il.
At this sight, Yeop Wi-seon was so shocked that his face turned pale and his hands and feet began trembling.
What in the world is this?
Was he not the same man who, not long ago, had stood nearly level with him?
Yet how had he become this strong?
Yang Il had reached, though only at the beginning, the transcendent-peak realm, so even Wu Ho-rang, one of the Five Tigers, could not have put him down this quickly.
“Y-you…what in the world…”
“If you know that you cannot win by skill, then how about stepping aside quietly?”
-Clench!
At Mok Gyeong-un’s unbearably arrogant words, Yeop Wi-seon bit down hard on his lip.
He had already felt from the method of striking objects to transmit force that he was no match.
But he did not want to show weakness before this bastard.
Thus Yeop Wi-seon suddenly swung a punch at Mok Gyeong-un and shouted,
“You son of a…”
-Pak!
“Kek!”
The punch did not even come close to landing.
Before he could even finish speaking, Mok Gyeong-un had seized Yeop Wi-seon by the throat and lifted him upward.
Then, smiling ghastly at the struggling man, he said,
“Let us refrain from such strong words. They make you look weak.”
-Shiver!
At that instant, goosebumps rose up Yeop Wi-seon’s spine, and fear made his eyes begin to redden.
It was right then.
“Stop!”
The cry of someone’s voice was heard.
The owner of that cry was none other than,
‘Y-young Lady?’
It was Wi So-yeon, the Society Leader’s third disciple.
She had come out from the building of the main hall and was staring at Mok Gyeong-un with startled eyes.