Chapter 135:


    Special report


    Following behind the guide, Mu-jin soon arrived at a grand pavilion.


    Inside, the head of the Tang n, Tang Pae-jin, was present along with Tang So-mi, several young men, and the n elders.


    Judging by their appearance, the young men seemed to be the n leader’s sons and Tang So-mi’s brothers.


    “Haha! You are more imposing than I imagined, young hero!”


    “Thank you for saving my sister, young hero Kang!”


    “Our Tang n will not forget the favor you have done for our youngdy.”


    Contrary to their reputation for being narrow-minded, they greeted Mu-jin with heartyughter.


    “If there is anythingcking in our hospitality, please do not hesitate to tell us. We will provide whatever you need, young hero Kang.”Even Tang Pae-jin, the n leader, wore a friendly smile.


    “The current hospitality is more than enough. Thank you, n Leader.”


    Mu-jin responded to Tang Pae-jin’s question and discreetly sent a message.


    – n Leader, may we speak in private?


    – Please wait a moment.


    Tang Pae-jin, experienced as the leader of a powerful faction, maintained his smile without revealing any sign of having received the message.


    However, Mu-jin and Tang Pae-jin did not immediately get a chance to speak privately.


    “n Leader! Urgent news! The Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect are approaching with their disciples!”


    The sudden report prompted the Tang n to enter a state of alert.


    “Young hero Kang, please return and restfortably. We will handle this matter.”


    Confidently saying this, Tang Pae-jin led the elders and Tang So-mi out.


    ‘How can I rest easy when a battle is about to break out right outside?’


    Receiving guidance from a warrior, Mu-jin returned to the mansion, briefly exined the situation to hispanions, and headed to the front gate with them.


    There, an intense atmosphere ready to explode at any moment had formed.


    Taoists and Buddhist nuns dressed in their respective robes had gathered, surrounded by the Tang n members.


    On the fortress-like walls of the Tang n’s main residence, Tang Pae-jin and the n’s warriors faced them.


    It seemed a battle could break out any moment, yet many onlookers watched from afar, as if enjoying the spectacle.


    “Elder Tang Taeryeong! Do you think you can attack the disciples of our Qingcheng and Emei Sects and get away with it?!”


    A Taoist stepped forward and shouted, making Mu-jin smirk. He recognized the man.


    Though he didn’t know the name or nickname, he was the man Mu-jin had met at the end of the Divine Thief’s cave.


    Elder Tang Taeryeong, enraged by the man’s arrogance, shouted back.


    “Cheongpung Sword, how dare you speak such words after aiming your swords at us first!”


    “We merely held our swords for precaution! And didn’t you use poison on us first?”


    “I only spread paralysis and scatter poisons as a precaution! Isn’t that why you’re all still alive?”


    “Such despicable methods are truly disgraceful!”


    “What did you say?! Despicable?”


    As they exchanged harsh words, Mu-jin thought.


    ‘What nonsense is this?’


    Why were they exchanging words so fiercely when it seemed like a war could break out any moment?


    Soon, he realized the answer.


    Some of the warriors from the Tang n, Qingcheng, and Emei were subtly ncing at the onlookers.


    ‘It’s a battle for justification. Tsk.’


    They were mindful of the onlookers who had gathered around.


    Being part of the orthodox factions, they were engaging in a political battle, trying to establish that ‘we are the good guys and they are the bad guys’ before the actual fight.


    Cheongpung Sword and Elder Tang Taeryeong shouting with internal energy seemed part of this effort to ensure everyone could hear them.


    Then, an elderly nun standing beside Cheongpung Sword joined in.


    “The Tang n’s despicable ways are known throughout Sichuan! Didn’t you kidnap people from the Divine Thief’s cave for the treasures?”


    At first, Mu-jin couldn’t understand what she meant.


    ‘Kidnapping? Who?’


    Then, he realized who she was referring to.


    “Are they talking about us?”


    Mu-jin smirked at their tant maniption.


    They were framing the Tang n as the viins to make it seem like they were rescuing them. Their motive was obvious.


    ‘They’re after the treasures we obtained from the Divine Thief’s cave.’


    While Mu-jin smirked at the orthodox faction’s tactics, the two factions continued their heated exchange.


    “Kidnapping? We were merely escorting them safely with the treasures! Just as you aimed your swords at us in the cave, someone else could have attacked them! We are treating them as honored guests!”


    “Hahaha! Who in Sichuan would believe that?”


    Unable to watch their foolish behavior any longer, Mu-jin finally stepped forward.


    “I am Kang Hyuk, who escaped the Divine Thief’s cave with the help of the Tang n!”


    Suddenly, with the actual person involved stepping out, all eyes turned to Mu-jin.


    Despite the situation, Qingcheng and Emei remained confident, even though their deceit was about to be exposed.


    “We appreciate the concern from the Qingcheng and Emei Sects, but mypanions and I are being treated with utmost care by the Tang n, so there’s no need to worry!”


    “You heard that! Young hero Kang is being treated well!”


    Despite Elder Tang Taeryeong’s triumphant shout, Qingcheng and Emei had clearly anticipated this situation.


    “People of Sichuan! Did you hear that? The Tang n must have poisoned young hero Kang and hispanions! They must be forced to support the Tang n because of the poison!”


    “That’s right!”


    “This is how the Tang n uses poison. Everyone!”


    It was then that Mu-jin realized why they remained confident despite his appearance.


    The truth didn’t matter. The preconceived notion that the Tang n used poison and hidden weapons was all that mattered.


    “You bastards!”


    “Are you trying to nder us?!”


    As the Tang n members were on the verge of losing their temper, Mu-jin felt a headacheing on.


    Supporting the Tang n seemed like it would lead to war, and switching sides to Qingcheng and Emei felt like ying into the hands of the shadowy forces.


    Finding a solution didn’t fit Mu-jin’s personality either.


    So, Mu-jin chose an option he could handle.


    “Ah, this is too noisy.”


    The world he had entered was the martial arts world from the novels he admired during his school days.


    Why was a martial arts novel called a martial arts novel?


    Because it was about performing righteous deeds through martial arts.


    It usually meant defeating the viins with strength.


    In other words, the strongest was considered righteous.


    “Let’s settle this like martial artists, with a duel.”


    Mu-jin boldly proposed a match.


    * * *


    Cheongpung Sword, who had been leading the Qingcheng Sect’s representatives, barely hid his sneer as he asked.


    “A duel? Do you mean a duel between us and the Tang n?”


    Having gathered such arge crowd, they had anticipated a duel rather than a war.


    The Tang n’s hidden weapons and poisons were better suited for war than for a duel.


    However, Mu-jin’s response shattered his expectations.


    “What nonsense are you talking about? A duel with me.”


    “A duel with you? What do you mean?”


    “I decide where I stay. If you want to take me, win the duel. Ah! How about this? I will share the treasures from the Divine Thief’s cave with anyone who defeats me. Hahaha!”


    Mu-jin’s provocative words changed the atmosphere. The elders of Emei and Qingcheng quickly exchanged nces.


    Even some of the onlookers, watching from afar, lit up with interest.


    They seemed eager to join in and im the treasures.


    In the midst of this, Mu-jin added with a heartyugh.


    “I was nning to travel the central ins and challenge others anyway. This is a great opportunity! Haha. Surely, the distinguished disciples of Qingcheng and Emei won’t send ‘elders’ or ‘first-ss disciples’ against a mere young hero like me. Hahaha!”


    Mu-jin’s quick thinking made the elders of Emei and Qingcheng grimace.


    “Indeed, well said!”


    Mu-jin’s words garnered support from those among the spectators who were tempted by the treasures.


    If Qingcheng or Emei sent their first-ss disciples or elders, they had no chance, but they might have a shot if it was a duel between post-advanced disciples.


    “Haha. Would the renowned disciples of Daoism and Buddhism bully a young hero in such a manner?”


    Seeing Mu-jin give Qingcheng and Emei a taste of their own medicine, the Tang n members, who had been enraged, now stood behind Mu-jin, except for one.


    “Father, there’s no need to worry.”


    Tang So-mi cautiously spoke to Tang Pae-jin, whose expression was stiff.


    “Young hero Kang will not lose.”


    She had not revealed Mu-jin’s true identity to anyone. Hence, only she knew.


    Unless the opponents were first-ss disciples or elders, no warrior could defeat Kang Hyuk.


    Just a month ago, this young hero had won the Yongbongji Conference and was considered the best post-advanced disciple in the world.


    Still, even as she spoke confidently, she couldn’t help but worry. She sent a message to Mu-jin.


    – Aren’t you trying to keep your identity hidden? Using your martial arts will inevitably reveal it.


    Mu-jin flinched momentarily at her message but quickly regained hisposure.


    ‘So she did notice.’


    He


    had managed to defeat the ck w Blood Demon by exploiting its weaknesses, but since its level wasparable to Hye-gwan’s, he couldn’t hide his skills.


    After dealing with the ck w Blood Demon, he had been slightly uneasy.


    He had only felt reassured because Tang So-mi acted as if she hadn’t noticed anything.


    Initially, Mu-jin hadn’t felt the need to hide his martial arts while embarking on his martial arts journey.


    Most of his martial arts were derived from Shaolin techniques.


    Therefore, he thought no one would recognize him as a Shaolin disciple even if he used his martial arts.


    ‘I didn’t expect the rumors to spread so quickly.’


    When the head of Taeeulmun had immediately called him ‘Shaolin Dragon’ after the Yongbongji Conference, he realized he needed to hide his martial arts.


    Initially, Mu-jin didn’t even realize that title referred to him. He had been in the mountains searching for opportunities right after the conference.


    – Don’t worry.


    Mu-jin replied to Tang So-mi’s message and boldly stepped forward.


    He had proposed the duel with the intention of hiding his martial arts. He had a specific strategy in mind.