Chapter 135:

Chapter 135:

Special report

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

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

Judging by their appearance, the young men seemed to be the clan 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 Clan will not forget the favor you have done for our young lady.”

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

“If there is anything lacking in our hospitality, please do not hesitate to tell us. We will provide whatever you need, young hero Kang.”

Even Tang Pae-jin, the clan leader, wore a friendly smile.

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

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

– Clan 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.

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

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

“Young hero Kang, please return and rest comfortably. 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 explained the situation to his companions, 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 Clan members.

On the fortress-like walls of the Tang Clan’s main residence, Tang Pae-jin and the clan’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 Clan, Qingcheng, and Emei were subtly glancing at the onlookers.

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

They were mindful of the onlookers who had gathered around.

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

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

The Tang Clan’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 glances.

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

They seemed eager to join in and claim the treasures.

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

“I was planning to travel the central plains and challenge others anyway. This is a great opportunity! Haha. Surely, the distinguished disciples of Qingcheng and Emei won’t send ‘elders’ or ‘first-class 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-class 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 Clan 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-class 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 his composure.

‘So she did notice.’

He

had managed to defeat the Black Claw Blood Demon by exploiting its weaknesses, but since its level was comparable to Hye-gwan’s, he couldn’t hide his skills.

After dealing with the Black Claw 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.