Chapter 42
What kind of martial art is the Star-Sucking Great Art? It is a cursed martial art that sucks the internal energy of others. And it was also the martial art of the previous Heavenly Demon who had made the martial world tremble in fear thirty years ago.
"I thought it disappeared when the Heavenly Demon died at the Demonic Cult's headquarters in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains..."
Baek Seokhu shivered. It was because he remembered that time. The martial art of the previous Heavenly Demon was truly terrifying. He had not been pushed back even while being attacked by a dozen super-peak masters of the Martial Alliance.
The martial art he showed at that time was not human. The fear he felt at that time was something that only those who had seen it directly could know. Baek Seokhu was no different from a martial world novice at that time, but he was lucky enough to witness that scene, and he still couldn't forget it.
"Family Head. It's a bit early to conclude that it's the Star-Sucking Great Art."
Bang So-eung said cautiously. He said that although the symptoms were similar, he couldn't be sure.
"If it really is the Star-Sucking Great Art, would he use it so openly unless he's a fool?"
The Star-Sucking Great Art is a forbidden martial art. The moment it is discovered, one becomes a public enemy of the world. So even if there is someone who has learned it, they would never use it in a place with many eyes.
"You never know."
"And if it was the Star-Sucking Great Art, would Sammun be so fine?"
If he had been hit by that cursed martial art, he wouldn't be able to walk around like that. All the true energy in his body would have been sucked out, and he would have dried up like a skeleton.
"It could be because his achievement is still low. Of course, we'll have to look into it a little more."
The Baek family head, Baek Seokhu, still did not let go of his suspicion. And Bang So-eung, who had said it was too early to be sure, also still had his doubts.
"In fact, the third son, Mok Wigun's recent actions have been a bit strange."
Bang So-eung said.
"I looked into it, and they say he became a completely different person after coming back from the dead. He beat up his second brother at the banquet, and he also subdued the merchant group's escort captain and the Red Tiger Squad's team leader."
"When someone changes suddenly, there's a special reason. There's no such thing as 'just because' in the world."
In fact, the disgrace that Baek Sammun had suffered was not something that could be easily understood. Although he had gotten angry, the third son, Baek Sammun's martial arts skills were not something to be trifled with.
"If it's the Star-Sucking Great Art, it explains why his martial arts suddenly became so strong..."
"But it's a bit strange that he didn't push with his internal energy."
The Star-Sucking Great Art sucks the opponent's internal energy, so the person who was hit cannot not know. But from what he had found out so far, that was not the case. Besides, Mok Wigun's internal energy was said to be nothing special.
"Hmm. Then it's a bit ambiguous..."
If it's the Star-Sucking Great Art, it's a big opportunity for the Baek family. If it's true, the Mok family will be devastated. Then they can absorb a significant portion of the Mok family's assets. But what if it's not? They will face a huge backlash.
"Hah. I thought things were going well according to plan, but for something like this to happen suddenly."
The most annoying thing when planning something is an unexpected variable.
"I will go and meet him in person to confirm. It's better to be sure, isn't it?"
"I would be grateful if you would. Please go to the trouble, Protector."
Bang So-eung is one of the top masters in the world. Since he has abundant experience and knowledge of the martial world, he will be able to give a clear answer.
But the problem was not just whether it was the Star-Sucking Great Art or not.
"Protector Bang. For something to happen at a time like this, we should see it as the Mok family moving because they are conscious of us, right?"
"That's probably right. It can only be seen as intentional."
Bang So-eung agreed with the family head's opinion.
"They're deliberately provoking us? Does that mean they're ready?"
"I'm not sure about that, but I heard they convened a general meeting not long ago."
What is a general meeting? It is an event where all the key figures of the family are gathered to decide on important family matters. For what reason would they convene a general meeting at a time like this? We have to assume that the Mok family has also prepared in some way. Baek Seokhu sighed.
"Well, there's no way that sinister fellow would just let an opportunity like this pass."
"Family Head. Don't think too seriously about it. Aren't we superior in terms of overall strength, and haven't we prepared more?"
"That's true, but... hmm. Do you think the Mok family also knows about our that matter?"
"That's impossible. We were thorough with security."
Baek Seokhu repeated several times that it had to be so.
"They probably don't know. But the other side may also be somewhat prepared. It seems we have to move up our plan as much as possible."
He thought he had to send people to the magistrate of Chang'an, the influential noble families of Chang'an, and the Huashan Sect.
* * *
Having drunk until dawn, Mok Wigun told them not to wake him until he woke up and went to sleep. But he could not sleep soundly for long.
"Was it good there?"
As lunch approached, Pyon Juksu came and asked.
"My head hurts. Let's talk later."
"I wanted to go too..."
But Pyon Juksu did not leave and continued to grumble. He seemed to be very sulky because he wasn't taken along. In the end, Mok Wigun had no choice but to get up.
"Alright. I'll take you there soon. Okay?"
"Really? It's not that I have to go there."
Although he said that, Pyon Juksu was all smiles. Then he told him to hurry up and get up.
"Someone from the Baek family came a little while ago and told me to tell you."
A person named Protector Bang So-eung had asked to meet at that inn from yesterday. Saying they should have lunch together.
"What are you going to do?"
"Just a moment."
Mok Wigun first got up and washed his face. As he wet his face with cold water, his mind cleared up a little. In the meantime, Dan Bulseok also heard the news and came.
"You don't have to go. It's rude to suddenly come and ask to meet like this."
Dan Bulseok expressed his opposition.
"Besides, Protector Bang is a person to be careful of. He is one of the top masters in Chang'an and a very cruel person."
But Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu didn't seem to care much about such things.
"It's because of what happened yesterday, right?"
"Of course. You completely crushed that family's child. When you hit a child, an adult is bound to come out."
Mok Wigun did not hesitate.
"Let's go. I don't think he'll give up just because I don't go today."
"Yeah. The food there was good. Let's order the most expensive thing today, no matter what."
Dan Bulseok was not used to the two's conversation.
"Young master. It's not something to be taken so lightly. Bang So-eung is a really scary person."
"Don't worry, Captain Dan. Nothing will happen."
Mok Wigun said to tell them he would go and hurriedly got ready.
* * *
"That person is the Light Wind Unit's Captain Dan."
"Who's that?"
"You haven't heard? He knocked down the Iron Sword Squad's Captain Hwang in one move."
"Is that true?"
"Of course. The Light Wind Unit was famous even ten years ago."
As Mok Wigun's party passed by, people murmured.
"Captain Dan's popularity is amazing."
"It's because of the false rumors. And it also seems to be because Captain Hwang has lost a lot of public favor."
Yesterday, no one recognized Dan Bulseok, but today he was the center of attention. In comparison, the evaluation of Mok Wigun was a little different.
"That person is the Ear-Grabbing Young Master."
"I heard his temper is that bad."
"Don't even mention it. He's a complete mess."
They were both famous, but Mok Wigun had a reputation for being a very eccentric person.
"No. Those people."
Dan Bulseok was embarrassed and was about to say something to the people. At that, Mok Wigun stopped him.
"Just leave them. What can you do if you worry about every little thing like that?"
"Still, it's a bit much. If you just leave it, the rumors will get even stranger."
Mok Wigun said that rumors change quickly and told him to ignore them.
"More than that, remember what I said about not stepping in no matter what I do when I meet Bang So-eung."
"Are you really sure you'll be okay? The Baek family must have come out with a firm resolve..."
Having been disgraced like that in their home base of Chang'an, how could the Baek family just let it go? They must have come out with a firm resolve today.
The problem was that Bang So-eung was too much of a master. To compare, should I say his skill was similar to Daoist Master Chongun or Mugwang? They had never fought directly, but the public opinion was that they would be evenly matched.
"I told you not to worry. Let's just go and eat our fill."
Pyon Juksu said, patting Dan Bulseok's shoulder.
"You two are really carefree. It seems you live without any worries."
"Does worrying solve the problem?"
Pyon Juksu said with a laugh.
"No, right? If you worry unnecessarily, you just keep shrinking and your mood just gets down."
Dan Bulseok couldn't retort. Because what Pyon Juksu said was right. But how can a person be like that? When something like this happens, you just keep worrying.
"A person like me can't do that well."
"It's because you lack faith. Just believe."
Pyon Juksu said that and glanced at Mok Wigun. Dan Bulseok also followed, but there was not a hint of anxiety or worry on Mok Wigun's face. He was confident and dignified.
Seeing that, Dan Bulseok realized that he was the only one who had been anxious and worried.
'Do I really lack faith in the young master?'
It seemed so.
'He has shown such amazing things so far, but am I still thinking of him as the child I saw when he was young?'
And he remembered the things Mok Wigun had shown him. The first spar, and the guidance he had given him in his training since then. And the scene where he had scolded the Red Blood Squad's team leader and Baek Sammun.
As he remembered that, his anxiety disappeared, and he felt his mind become calm. The shadow disappeared from Dan Bulseok's face, and he became relaxed.
"There it is. Aigoo, why are so many people gathered there?"
Pyon Juksu said. As he said, a huge number of people were gathered around the inn they had gone to yesterday. It seemed the rumor that Protector Bang and Mok Wigun were going to meet had spread.
"They must have deliberately spread the rumor. So that people can see."
Mok Wigun muttered. And the surrounding people also spotted Mok Wigun's party.
"It's Captain Dan!"
"That person is Young Master Mok. The Ear-Grabbing Young Master!"
Mok Wigun leisurely waved to the people and entered the inn.
"I will show you to the second floor."
A waiter who had been waiting in advance guided them. There were also many people inside the inn. Most of them seemed to be people who had come after hearing the news.
"Welcome."
As they went up to the second floor, a thin martial artist greeted the party.
The first time seeing Bang So-eung, he was very tall. He was so tall that he was a head taller than an average person.
"I am Bang So-eung, the protector of the Baek family."
"I am Mok Wigun."
Bang So-eung revealed that he was the protector of the Baek family, trying to emphasize that it was an official occasion. But Mok Wigun did not play along.
If he had introduced himself as Mok Wigun, the third son of the Mok family, it would have become so, but he had deliberately just said his name. Seeing that, Bang So-eung had an expression that said 'not bad'.
"This must be Captain Dan, and who is this person?"
"He is a physician I know well. It's okay if he joins us, right?"
Bang So-eung wondered how he should think of this strange combination. He must know that the story of yesterday's incident would come up, so why did these three come?
Captain Dan was a party involved, so it was natural for him to come along. But why did he bring this unrelated physician? Did he bring a physician because he was worried he would get hurt? All sorts of thoughts came to mind. But he couldn't just tell him not to sit down and to leave.
"Let's do that. Then shall we all sit down?"
And so, the strange meeting of four people began: the Baek family's protector, Bang So-eung, the Mok family's third son, Mok Wigun, the Light Wind Unit captain who had knocked down the Iron Sword Squad's captain, Dan Bulseok, and Pyon Juksu, who had followed along because the food here was delicious.
(End of Chapter)