Chapter : 79
“Martial World Tournament?”
“Yes.”
“The one hosted by the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
The Martial Alliance, huh.
Located in Henan where Shaolin resided, the Martial Alliance sat right at the heart of the orthodox sects’ territory.
And the heir of the Demonic Sect was going there alone?
‘Refuse! Refuse it at once!’
There was no way anything good would come of this.
Behind Go Gyeong-un, Yoo Yeon-hwa silently mouthed her protest, but Cheon Mujin wasn’t even looking at her anymore.
Was he worried about having to go to the Martial Alliance?
Of course not.
‘…This is actually good.’
On the contrary, it was a great opportunity.
He had needed a reason to go outside the sect and step into the Central Plains, and now he had been given a legitimate excuse to do so.
“The Heaven Guard Unit is already prepared. We can depart immediately.”
“The Heaven Guard? Why?”
“As escorts.”
At Go Gyeong-un’s answer, Cheon Mujin let out a soft chuckle.
“Come on. This is the Martial World Tournament. We were invited, weren’t we?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“If we’re going as honored guests, why drag along the Heaven Guard Unit? A personal escort is more than enough.”
“That will not do.”
So firm.
At his reply, Cheon Mujin asked with a casual expression.
“What did Father say about it?”
“……”
Unable to answer, Go Gyeong-un pressed his lips shut.
Seeing his reaction, Cheon Mujin smiled as though amused.
“So, he said to let me do as I please? To go along if I say I need someone, or let me travel alone if I don’t?”
“…Yes. But, Young Lord, the moment you step outside the sect, the number of blades pointed at you will more than double.”
Which was why he insisted an escort was absolutely necessary.
But Cheon Mujin disagreed.
“And who can guarantee there won’t be blades among the Heaven Guard aimed at me?”
“Young Lord, we are Heaven’s blades. Never—”
“That’s what the Vice Commander believes. And of course, I’m not doubting the loyalty of the Heaven Guard.”
“Then why…”
“But their loyalty isn’t to me, is it?”
When five people gather, there is always at least one piece of trash. And if a person’s weakness is exploited, they become a puppet.
“Whether it’s gambling debts or family held hostage, the Heaven Guard are human too. There’s no such thing as a flawless wall. If I have to keep my eyes on the escorts beside me, I’d rather go alone.”
Go Gyeong-un looked unconvinced, but he didn’t press further.
If Cheon Mujin’s will was clear, then the Heavenly Demon’s command was to respect it.
“Then, let’s leave the escort issue at that.”
Unfolding the invitation that had come with the command letter, Cheon Mujin gave a wry laugh.
“Looks like we have to depart tomorrow.”
The schedule was tighter than expected.
* * *
“Young Lord, didn’t you say the schedule was quite tight?”
“Hm? Yes, that’s right.”
“Then is it fine to move at such a leisurely pace?”
No matter how he looked at it, they weren’t in a hurry at all—they were strolling.
Geom Yujin, chosen as his escort, began to doubt whether she had misunderstood the situation.
She had heard they had to leave right after returning because the schedule was packed.
“Ah, tight—by ordinary standards, that is.”
“…So if we use movement arts, there’s plenty of time?”
“Exactly. We’ll be fine.”
“Then why leave in such haste?”
“Because it’s not a good idea to travel solely by movement arts.”
Not a good idea?
At that, Geom Yujin thought for a moment, then her face hardened.
“You mean… there will be battles?”
“There’s a high chance, yes. Maybe not, but there could be. So why waste stamina and create risk?”
“I see. Understood.”
Her gaze sharpened as she nodded. Cheon Mujin, smiling, patted her shoulder.
“No need to be so tense.”
“As your escort, I must…”
“I’m not saying don’t be vigilant. Just don’t be stiff.”
A faint flow of inner energy seeped from his hand, easing the tension in her shoulder.
“When you reach the Pinnacle Realm, the question is how to use the advantages it gives. Think on that.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Realizing this was a lesson, Geom Yujin lowered her head solemnly.
Ignore advice from someone whose realm was lower? Impossible.
Advice from a genius like Cheon Mujin was worth its weight in gold.
If she engraved it into her heart, it would surely lead to enlightenment.
While she pondered her “assignment,” Cheon Mujin also sank into thought.
‘A pity. There’s so much I wanted to teach Ryun and Gong Mun-woo.’
Neither needed to fight directly, but having at least minimal martial skill was good.
Training in martial arts also helped extend lifespan, so it was never wasted.
For now, basic conditioning was enough—others in Mu Pungdae could handle it.
Three months.
Four at most, and he would return from the Central Plains after finishing what he needed to. Then he could properly refine them.
The real concern was the current situation.
‘I’ve never once taken part in the Martial World Tournament.’
As obvious as it was, the orthodox and demonic sects were currently at war.
The current Martial Alliance Leader seemed to want peace, but with so many interests and grudges entangled, even a ceasefire was nearly impossible.
So this invitation to the tournament was both an olive branch and a provocation.
The leader might see it as a first step toward dialogue, but others would see it as: Come, if you dare.
‘It’s a shame I don’t know what schemes they’ll be running this time.’
He had never joined in his past life, so he had no reference.
Mu Yang was far too young to participate.
Which meant the only candidate was himself, heir of the Cheon family…
In his past life, he hadn’t even reached first-class level by now. If he had been sent, he would have been beaten during duels and humiliated.
Not that first-class martial artists were anything extraordinary…
But by now, no one in the sect would dare think of Cheon Mujin as an ordinary first-class martial artist. He had plenty of grounds to go.
The surprising part was the escort matter.
Frankly, forcing the Heaven Guard to accompany him would not have been strange.
In fact, flaunting the sect’s might would’ve required a large escort.
So why had Cheon Wigun given him the choice?
He thought about it, but no satisfying answer came.
‘The Venom Demon issue too… there’s too much that feels off.’
He had wanted to investigate the events at Marakji while building ties with Ryun, but that plan had to wait.
Especially matters tied to the Venom Demon deserved scrutiny.
Before he rose as Heavenly Demon and sparked civil war, the Venom Demon had died.
Even without personal ties, Cheon Mujin had sought him out partly because of Ryun, but also because he had judged with high certainty that the Venom Demon could’ve been an ally.
The fact that all the other Demon Lords had lived unscathed made his death highly suspicious.
He had felt it dimly back then, but he had been too lost in debauchery to investigate.
Later, once he roused himself and started the civil war, all the traces had vanished.
The Venom Demon’s strength, as he had seen at Marakji, was beyond imagination.
Had Ryun not been present when he fought him, Cheon Mujin wouldn’t have lasted long.
Of course, in that case, he would’ve simply fled without hesitation.
With some injuries, escape would have been possible.
“Young Lord, it would be best to camp here for the night.”
“Mm? You’re right.”
He had been so deep in thought, he hadn’t noticed the sun setting.
At Geom Yujin’s words, he stopped and picked a spot.
“Come to think of it, we’ve been walking in silence all this way. We’ll be together for quite a while, so let’s open up a bit.”
Smiling as he grilled meat over the fire, Cheon Mujin said,
“Why don’t we share honestly what’s on our minds?”
* * *
“Finally, a village.”
“We’ve covered quite a distance. Let’s rest there today.”
“Yes.”
Half a month after leaving the sect.
Cheon Mujin’s group had reached Gansu Province—practically Martial Alliance territory.
Faster than expected.
No wonder.
“We didn’t get attacked even once.”
“Fortunate indeed.”
“Which means the trip’s been smooth.”
They had budgeted time assuming delays from ambushes, but none had occurred.
Well, aside from a few encounters with bandits—easily dealt with.
Reaching a city at sunset, they booked rooms at an inn and enjoyed a rare rest.
After washing off dust and sweat in hot water, they gathered at the dining hall.
“Thank you for even arranging our baths…”
“You two did more work than me. Of course you should rest.”
Bathwater for three was expensive, but funds were plentiful.
As the heir of the Cheon family traveling to the Central Plains, it would be disgraceful to appear penniless.
He had been given ample travel funds, so indulging in such comfort was no issue.
They ordered a generous meal and ate at ease.
Though Seol Yuhwa and Geom Yujin wore veils, they could simply lift them to eat—it was no problem.
The problem was—
“Well, well! How tragic that such beauties should dine without a drink!”
—parasites that came buzzing.
A drunken man with a flushed face staggered over, hiccupping and waving a wine bottle.
“Come now, leave that young lad aside and enjoy yourselves with us instead!”
Leaning closer to Geom Yujin, he shoved the bottle in front of her.
What to do.
As Cheon Mujin pondered, Geom Yujin set down her chopsticks and glared sharply.
“Not interested. Get lost.”
“Oho, so sharp! As they say, beautiful flowers come with thorns.”
Clueless bastard.
Instead of backing off, he snatched her teacup, dumped the tea on the floor, and filled it with wine.
How far would he go?
Curious, Cheon Mujin decided to watch.
“Here, have a drink—”
He set the cup before her and slid onto the seat at her side.
Then—
Poke.
As his elbow brushed against her chest, he smirked—
“Huh?”
Darkness engulfed his vision.
And then pain, searing and sharp, as his body slammed sideways.
“Aaaaghhh!”
His head cracked against the wooden floor, drawing a scream that sent the whole inn into chaos.
“How dare you!”
“Young Lord!”
Voices of rage and alarm rang out as swords hissed free.
And then—
“Tch. These bastards.”
So much for living quietly.
That elbow brushing Geom Yujin’s chest had been no accident.
He had approached them so brazenly because of what her figure suggested, even under her loose robes.
Of course his real goal was that.
“Release the Young Lord at once!”
“Do you wish to die?!”
As swords were raised, Cheon Mujin considered what to do.
In that instant, killing intent oozed from Geom Yujin and Seol Yuhwa, who had stepped to his side.
They might seem ordinary compared to Cheon Mujin, but both were Peak Realm experts.
These thugs barely scraping into first-class weren’t even worth unsheathing against.
They were ready to cut them down at a word. Cheon Mujin smiled—
“Enough.”
A sweet yet irritated voice cut through the tension.
A young girl stepped between the groups without hesitation, eyes flashing.
“Seriously, how embarrassing. Just what do you think you’re doing?”
