Chapter 156: Baek Moo-jin’s Ambition

Baek Moo-jin stayed at the safe house, contemplating the personnel to send to Hanjung.

They were going to fight anyway. Those whose martial arts skills lagged behind would only be a burden if brought along.

Baek Moo-jin actually intended to reduce the numbers.

The Martial King and the Taoist King would naturally accompany him.

And Tang Guishun, who served as the Taoist King’s attendant, possessed martial arts skills unique enough to protect himself. Moreover, as a master of the Tang Sect, his knowledge of potential poisons was also necessary. Furthermore, Tang Guishun had come to regard the Taoist King as a mentor, showing no inclination to part ways, so Baek Moo-jin intended to take him along.

Moreover, if the King of Quan moved, his disciple, Go Seon-woo, would undoubtedly follow him.

The problem lay with Hong Yugang and Seo Mun-geuk.

If these two encountered someone like the Blood Demon Bai Muzhen had faced, how long could they possibly hold out?

Baek Moo-jin didn’t want Seo Mun-geuk sacrificed in such a fight. He would grow stronger someday, but right now, Seo Mun-geuk’s martial arts skills offered no help in the battles Baek Moo-jin was stepping into.

Therefore, Baek Moo-jin was sharing a rare drink with him to convey that he had a separate task to entrust to Seo Moon-geuk.

“Seo Mun-geuk.”

“Hmm?”

“When I met Bihonglian, I encountered a mysterious master.”

“An unknown master? Was he strong?”

“He was quite impressive. But then the next day, when I fought the Demon Clan, about ten people appeared who seemed to belong to the same group as that mysterious expert. To cut to the chase, they were all incredibly strong.”

Ximen Gyeok frowned as he spoke.

“Who could they be…?”

“Their martial arts varied. Some wielded swords, others used entirely different sword techniques. There were even those who used sword qi… Seomun, do you remember? The first faction you mentioned when you told me about the mysterious organizations of the martial world.”

“Ah… So it was the Bicheon!”

“That’s my guess. If they are the Bichun, something’s off. One of them was undercover, posing as the lover of the information merchant, Bihongluzhu, keeping watch.”

“…The Lowly were undercover? That is indeed strange.”

Baek Moo-jin said, looking at Seo Moon-gyeok.

“Where did you hear about the Bicheon? Is there anything else I should know?”

Baek Moo-jin had expected to hear it from Seo Mun-yeop, the head of the Seo Mun clan, but… he waited a moment for Seo Mun-geuk to speak.

Xu Wenju spoke.

“Of course, I heard it from Father. Regarding Bicheon…”

Baek Moo-jin nodded, and Seo Moon-geuk continued.

“He said he had contact with him just once. He came to see Father. There seemed to have been a martial arts contest, but Father was tight-lipped about that. Anyway, that man told him to join the Heavenly Sect. Father said he had no reason to join the Heavenly Sect, nor any reason to oppose it, so he just sent him away. After that, Father personally looked into Bicheon a little. Of course, he didn’t tell me anything. This is all I know. But as far as I recall… well, ever since Bicheon came, I just had this feeling that things for our Ximen clan weren’t going well. How should I put it… Even though I was young back then, I felt like someone was watching me. Like when a stranger passes by and glances at you as they walk away. He didn’t speak to me, nor did he come back, but I distinctly felt he was watching me.”

Baek Moo-jin responded with a stiff expression.

“You mean Bicheon was monitoring the Seomunse family?”

“Of course, there’s no proof. It’s just my feeling. It was when I was much younger than I am now…”

Baek Moo-jin nodded.

“Anyway, I told them the Mahon Sect’s base is at Soryu Lake in Hanjung. But I don’t know if they’ll send reinforcements.”

“Is that so?”

Seo Mun-geuk couldn’t answer Baek Moo-jin, but inwardly, he felt he understood why Baek Moo-jin was asking him this.

‘Bicheon probably won’t come…’

That was Seo Mun-geuk’s premonition. Baek Moo-jin spoke.

“Brother Seomun, for this trip to Hanjung, Elder Kwonwang, Elder Dowang, their two disciples… and me and Sohye will be going.”

“Is that all?”

“Does it seem small?”

Baek Moo-jin smiled, and Seo Mun-geuk chuckled in response.

“No, come to think of it, that’s sufficient.”

“Yes. Brother Seomun, while you’re in contact with the head of the Hongyugang, I’d like the two of you to gather a bit more detailed information about Bicheon.”

“In detail… when we don’t even know what it does or where it is.”

At that, Baek Moo-jin revealed his thoughts.

“We’ll keep an eye on them. Whether they appear at Soryu Lake or follow me… We’ll act separately. You’re welcome to come to Soryu Lake.”

“Hm?”

Baek Moo-jin concluded.

“If those watching are the ones from Bicheon, then someone will inevitably watch my battle with the demonic hybrid too. Brother Seomun, watch those who are watching. If I don’t know Brother Ximen is nearby, then Bicheon won’t know either.”

“Ah.”

Seo Mun-geuk smiled.

Watch the watchers, he said…

Especially when the opponent is Bicheon.

It wouldn’t be easy.

But it wasn’t just about martial arts; it required a certain amount of wit. It was a job that demanded frequent thinking, hiding one’s presence, investigating, and uncovering the truth, depending on the situation.

And it was something Seo Mun-geuk was quite good at.

As Baek Moo-jin raised the topic, Seo Mun-geuk found his mind already unfolding thoughts on how to uncover the lowly one.

Seo Mun-geuk replied.

“Alright. Understood. I’ll speak with Hong Family Head and we’ll figure it out together. Whether we go to Xiaoliu Lake… or take another approach…”

As Baek Moo-jin nodded and prepared to rise, Seo Mun-geuk asked.

“Where are you going?”

“I should also have a word with Elder Dowang after all this time.”

“You’re right.”

As Baek Moo-jin stood up, Seo Mun-geuk remained alone, tilting his wine cup and lost in thought.

The moment Baek Moo-jin spoke in a tone wary of Bicheon, Seo Mun-geuk also began to recall Bicheon’s affairs, his memory slowly coming back to him.

2.

Baek Moo-jin, who had entered the private room where the Duke was staying, soon emerged for a walk alone with the Duke.

The King, whose eyesight was poor and who had never been to this place before, followed Baek Moo-jin’s guidance as they entered the walking path.

“The night air is pleasant.”

“Yes.”

The two walked leisurely with their hands behind their backs. The King tilted his head slightly when Baek Moo-jin, walking beside him, kept glancing at him.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

“Ah, your complexion looks a bit better since we last met.”

“Is that so? That’s news to me.”

“Did you take Dang Gwi-sun as your disciple?”

“Disciple? Well… He’s a lad who, with just a little more polishing, could establish his own school with the martial arts he’s mastered. I merely offered a few words of advice… He followed them well. That’s all.”

“I see.”

Baek Moo-jin thought that was precisely what a disciple should be, but he made no further comment. In any case, seeing that the King’s complexion had improved compared to before, it seemed Dang Gwi-soon was doing a splendid job as his disciple.

After Baek Moo-jin remarked on the King of Tao’s improved complexion, the King of Tao countered.

“By the way, you’ve grown stronger since we last met. What happened?”

“Huh?”

Dowang sighed softly, his voice tinged with envy.

“Master Baek.”

“Yes.”

“I cannot see, you see. Sometimes, the masters of the martial world feel like masses of power to me. Some feel like energy condensed with the will to kill. When someone like you approaches, even though we have no reason to fight, my body sometimes reacts first. Look at this.”

Dawang extended his left arm.

Baek Moo-jin looked and saw the hair on Dowang’s left arm standing on end. The absurd sight left Baek Moo-jin flustered as he asked,

“Why is this happening?”

“It’s my trait. I don’t quite understand it myself. Since maximizing my senses, my perceptions seem different from ordinary people. When I saw you before, it wasn’t like this… Somehow, the moment you came near, my body reacted like this. So you can’t deceive me. What happened?”

It was difficult for Baek Mujin to recount everything that had happened, so he could only make up a plausible excuse.

“I discussed martial arts extensively with the young princess. There were also several fights before that. Truthfully, I don’t really know either.”

At that, the King of Tao let out a hollow laugh and said.

“That sounds like you just breathed and got stronger. I’m jealous.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Envious, you say…”

Baek Moo-jin scratched his head and replied.

“Yes.”

“Anyway, is there something you want to talk about? The night air is cool, so it seems like a good time for serious talk. Just don’t ask about women—I don’t know much about that either.”

“Ah, it’s nothing that serious. There’s no way there’s a woman involved.”

“That’s a relief. Go ahead.”

Baek Moo-jin said, inhaling the night air.

“While fighting the demon hybrid, I think I encountered a master from Bicheon.”

“Ah… Bicheon.”

A sneer touched the corner of the King of Tao’s mouth.

Baek Moo-jin found the King of Tao’s expression unexpected, but he could only ask cautiously.

“Is there something I should know about the Heavenly Realm?”

“Hmm. Ah, this much is certain.”

“What is it?”

“Bicheon doesn’t take an interest in those who walk alone like me. The only figures of that caliber besides me would be Senior Sword Saint or King Kwon. Those without power.”

“He shows no interest in those who walk alone?”

“Yes. On the other hand… he would have approached those with power. For example, the Five Great Lords or the heads of martial arts sects…”

Baek Moo-jin stared blankly at the King of Tao, hearing this for the first time. The King of Tao stopped walking and continued.

“That’s all. But… it’s become laughable lately that ‘that’s all’ is all there is. Think about it again. Only approaching those with power means they’re likely very interested in power themselves. That’s all I know. You make the judgment.”

“Understood.”

Dowang said.

“I suppose I’d like to see what kind of fellow this Bicheonju is.”

“Hmm…”

“Ah, of course, I wouldn’t recognize him even if I saw him.”

“Huh?”

When the King of Tao made this sudden remark, Baek Moo-jin couldn’t tell whether he should laugh or not. Then the King of Tao explained.

“Heh heh, usually Dang Gwisun would laugh out loud in a situation like this… You really should talk with me more often.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Only then did Baek Moo-jin burst into belated laughter, joining the King of Tao in a hearty laugh.

Dowang suddenly looked up at the sky and said.

“Ah, this is frustrating. I haven’t been able to spar with my disciple, and the King of Fist keeps avoiding me, saying he has to deal with the Demon King. I haven’t used my body in days, and I’m feeling restless. Care for a spar?”

Baek Moo-jin immediately retorted.

“No.”

“I knew you’d say that. Is there no suitable opponent?”

At that, Baek Moo-jin grinned and said.

“There is.”

Dowaeng assumed he was referring to Jin Sohye and immediately retorted.

“I’ll pass on Lady Jin. I don’t like swinging my sword at women. No matter how skilled she is. When I think of her as a woman, somehow my arms go limp. I’d end up killing her.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha…”

Dowang made Baek Moo-jin laugh again, then smiled himself.

“Well, what can I do? I suppose I’ll just have to torment Dang Guishun instead.”

“Ah… I see.”

“What?”

“Dang Gwisun’s martial arts skills must have improved quite a bit.”

“Of course. She’s been living under my sword. It’s only natural her skills would improve.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded.

“Please bear with me, even if it’s frustrating. Once we reach Hanzhong, the enemies we’ll face will be too numerous to count. Until then, it’s best to refrain from sparring with the Kwonwang Elder or others like him.”

“Huh huh huh… Enough with the nagging. I get it. When do you plan to depart?”

“I’ll discuss it with Hong Yugang, the head of the Hong family, and decide. Ah, and does Elder Kwonwang happen to know anything about Bicheon?”

“Forget it. That bastard would throw punches the moment he showed up. He hasn’t come, judging by how things are.”

“Understood.”

Dowaeng said with a smile.

“By the way, it’s been a while since we’ve had such a long talk. Let’s chat more often.”

“Yes.”

The two chatted about this and that as they returned to their quarters. After escorting the Duke to his private chambers, Baek Moo-jin finally asked him this question.

“But while we’re heading to Hanjung, might there be any other masters who could assist us?”

“Hanzhong, you say…”

Baek Moo-jin looked at the King of Dowang.

He hoped for the kings’ participation.

Dowang nodded and replied.

“I can think of a few. I’ll have someone tell them how to contact Dang Guishun and deliver my letter. I don’t know if they’ll be able to come.”

“Wouldn’t even one person make us feel more secure?”

“That’s true. We should make contact. It’s a good suggestion.”

Dowang, who had hesitated as if about to say something, spoke to Baek Mujin with his head slightly bowed.

“Hmm, the night is deep. You should retire. Ah, and before you leave, let’s have a drink to mark your departure.”

“Understood.”

Only then did Baek Moo-jin go to find Jin So-hye, who was alone. The two had set a time and practiced martial arts every evening until the early dawn in a place where no one else was around.

The Sun-Moon Divine Technique had expanded into the Sun-Moon Method.

They were establishing the rules for when to merge their techniques after each had displayed their own. Baek Moo-jin was formidable even when fighting alone, but he was meticulously refining his combination with Jin So-hye, as if guarding a secret unknown to the world.

Even if they faced a ‘force’ stronger than Baek Moo-jin—meaning an entire group—they were preparing to respond together with Jin So-hye.

This was a fact unknown even to Seo Mun-geuk, Hong Yu-gang, Kwon Wang, and Do Wang.

Baek Moo-jin was preparing for future events to such an extent that Jin So-hye found it burdensome. Amidst this, Baek Moo-jin had made up his mind alone.

Whether the lowly were enemies or not, he would not allow them to take action to rise above him.

Even while preparing to strike the Demon Clan, Baek Moo-jin kept the entire realm in mind.

Baek Moo-jin’s Ambition End