Chapter 157: Climbing Duckweed to Cross Water

After a farewell banquet, Baek Moo-jin and his companions mounted the horses Hong Yu-gang had prepared and set out early the next day for Hanjung.

Seo Mun-geuk and Hong Yu-gang remained briefly in Nanju.

As Baek Moo-jin had said, it was to act separately.

Baek Moo-jin’s party heading straight for Hanjung numbered six in total, and the combination was quite good.

Two absolute masters: the King of Fist and the King of Sword.

Two disciples of the absolute masters: Go Seon-woo and Dang Gwi-sun.

Baek Moo-jin and Jin So-hye, both supreme masters and lovers.

After setting out, they naturally paired off into two groups. Of course, advice and exchanges of opinions on martial arts followed one after another.

It was a surprising experience for all six of them.

Especially Kwonwang and Dowang, who had urged restraint in sparring, found common ground as they talked—without harming each other—and began showing off their respective martial arts skills to one another.

For instance, Kwonwang would knock down a tree with his martial wind while walking, and Dowang would send it flying with his martial wind before it even hit the ground.

Then, they would simultaneously snort in derision… or, when they absolutely couldn’t help but praise the other, they would leave a lukewarm remark like, “Not bad.”

Occasionally, when the two would stop talking and exchange words as if they were about to properly face off, Baek Moo-jin would immediately step in to calm his two seniors.

The funny thing was, neither of them ever challenged Baek Moo-jin to a fight anymore. They acknowledged him.

Amidst this, Baek Moo-jin enjoyed the journey like a sightseeing tour, exploring unfamiliar sights with Jin So-hye and discussing martial arts. The two constantly talked about the Sun-Moon Divine Sword Technique, and sometimes even drew their swords and silver-lined blades to engage in mock combat. Each time, the remaining four found watching their martial skills utterly fascinating.

Where else could one witness such a spectacle?

Watching Baek Moo-jin and Jin So-hye spar was so captivating it made the day’s fatigue vanish. Moreover, Jin So-hye’s skill in resisting Baek Moo-jin improved daily. Now, both the Sword King and the Fist King cherished her like a daughter-in-law, doting on her affectionately.

So, some days Jin So-hye received instruction from the Prince of Gwon, and other days she sought advice on weaponry from the Prince of Do.

During those times, Baek Moo-jin kept a watchful eye on Go Seon-woo and Dang Gwi-soon.

The two were truly worthy opponents.

Dang Gwisun’s attacks were all deflected by the iron chain wrapped around Go Seonwoo’s arm, making their offensive and defensive battle extremely fierce. Moreover, Dang Gwisun’s martial arts were growing increasingly sharp, allowing her to engage Go Seonwoo in close combat.

However, whenever the duel grew too heated and someone seemed likely to get hurt, Baek Moo-jin, who was watching, would intervene to save the person in danger.

As a result, this became an immense ‘opportunity’ for Han Jung-haeng and the other five, serving as a catalyst for each of their martial arts skills to steadily develop and solidify.

How could they not know?

At the center of it all was Baek Moo-jin.

After mediating between the Martial King and the Fist King, he had arranged for both to showcase their martial arts, gradually easing their relationship.

Whenever he had the chance, he rigorously trained Jin Sohye.

Gao Xianwu and Dang Guishun always sought out Baek Moo-jin first before beginning their martial arts practice.

No one could have anticipated that the journey to Hanjunghaeng would become a path of cultivation.

2.

After ten days had passed, the journey to Hanjung itself had become an intriguing adventure.

The group, who had eaten early in the morning and headed toward Hanjung until sunset, now spent their evenings having a light meal, discussing martial arts, or gathering to engage in sparring.

Baek Moo-jin found the journey itself enjoyable.

The experience and teachings of the veteran martial artists, Kwonwang and Dowang, proved immensely beneficial to the young men, including Baek Mujin.

Yet, even as time passed, Baek Moo-jin never boasted about his own martial prowess. Even after the Martial King and the Martial King had provided such wondrous displays on multiple occasions, Baek Moo-jin focused solely on looking after the group.

After another ten days passed in this manner, everyone except Jin Sohye began to wonder about Baek Mujin.

‘Just how strong is Lord Baek, anyway?’

They were nearly driven mad by the curiosity. They had already traveled together for over twenty days.

It was an unspoken truth they all understood: Baek Moo-jin’s martial arts prowess, his lightness skill, and even his inner strength surpassed both the Sword King and the Fist King.

At some point, even the Sword King had started actively suggesting he show them just how high his realm truly was.

Dowang spoke.

“Lord Baek.”

“Yes.”

“The Demon King will be a formidable foe. Judging by the situation so far, you will be the one to face him.”

“I understand.”

“Before showing it to them, shouldn’t we show it to us elders and disciples first?”

After days of persistent persuasion, Baek Moo-jin finally nodded.

“Understood. At a suitable location, once…”

After agreeing, Baek Moo-jin stopped near an unnamed lake. It wasn’t a large lake.

Everyone in the group knew Baek Moo-jin could use ice magic.

As he gazed at the lake, everyone could vaguely guess what he intended to do. Yet, as Baek Moo-jin descended alone toward the lake, his thoughts were elsewhere.

Baek Moo-jin had never flaunted his martial arts prowess before.

It was understandable that people grew increasingly uneasy the closer they approached Hanjung. This was because he had repeatedly stated that even with insufficient troops, Baek Moo-jin and Jin So-hye would handle it.

Therefore, it was time to show them.

Baek Moo-jin gazed at the tranquil lake and thought.

‘If I’m going to show them, I have to do it properly.’

That said, he didn’t intend to attempt what he did best. Baek Moo-jin gazed at the lake and thought.

‘It doesn’t matter if I fail.’

What exactly was he planning to do?

His plan to display martial arts on the lake was also partly because he had the demon-haunted lake, Soryuho, in mind.

Baek Moo-jin now intended to perform Dengping Doushu, the realm of lightness kung fu that allows walking on water, using ice kung fu.

Was such a feat even possible?

Looking back at martial history, had any master ever truly achieved Dengping Doushu?

Baek Moo-jin couldn’t know for certain, but he believed it was within his grasp.

Of course, this was partly because he had mastered the White Flower Divine Skill, a unique divine skill unparalleled throughout history.

As Baek Moo-jin walked toward the lakeshore, the group stopped and watched him.

Jin Sohye also watched him, unable to easily predict Baek Moo-jin’s actions.

‘What on earth is he trying to do…’

Arriving at the lakeshore, Baek Moo-jin turned back and said.

“I’m going to cross over.”

“What?”

Dang Gwi-soon blinked her eyes and muttered.

“You mean you’re going to swim across?”

The blind Duke tilted his head and asked.

“How wide is the lake?”

Dang Gwisun replied.

“Well… just walking around it… with my lightness skills, it would take about half an hour.”

“It’s quite large… How do you plan to cross it?”

At that moment, the King of Quan murmured his conjecture.

“Is it the Dengping Lake?”

At Kwonwang’s words, the people fell silent.

At that moment, Baek Moo-jin shook his head vigorously and retreated backward once more. Acceleration was clearly needed.

Baek Moo-jin, who had retreated quite a distance, dashed toward the lake.

Light and swift.

As the crowd’s eyes widened in astonishment… Baek Moo-jin rose as if skimming the water’s surface, finally placing his first foot upon the water.

Of course, the White Flower Divine Art was activated. Beneath his feet, the ice barrier honed through the Body Protection Art and the explosively released cold air were erupting.

Meanwhile, Baek Moo-jin’s body was feather-light, made so by the subtlety of the Snowfall Technique…

If one had to describe it, Baek Moo-jin’s figure slid across the lake surface like a flat stone tossed onto water, floating as it ran.

In that instant, people could see the water surface Baek Moo-jin stepped on freeze solid white, flowing along with the current.

Only then did it become clear.

He instantly froze the water’s surface, then stepped on it to propel himself forward like a springboard. Moreover, his speed was bizarrely fast.

Before long, Baek Moo-jin had crossed the lake and stepped ashore on the opposite bank.

His feet, however, were submerged in the water and soaked.

What more explanation was needed?

Even the Demon King stood transfixed, marveling at Baek Moo-jin’s feat.

It felt like witnessing a myth come to life.

The invisible King of Tao, as if appreciating it through his ears, murmured, “Huh…” savoring Baek Moo-jin’s lightness of footwork. His keen ears could even hear the faint sound of each step striking the water’s surface.

The Dao King murmured.

“Freezing it instantly is remarkable, but to walk on it and maintain balance…”

Truthfully, few in the martial world could cross a lake frozen only thinly.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

From the opposite shore, Baek Moo-jin spoke, channeling his inner strength.

“I shall cross.”

In that instant, Baek Moo-jin soared high into the air. He was deploying the method he normally used to cross rivers. While the level was far below Deng Ping’s technique, somehow, watching it unfold was far more awe-inspiring.

Soaring instantly to the lake’s center, Baek Moo-jin drew the White Mist Sword mid-air. He instantly scattered cold air, executed a single sword strike, then spun mid-air before landing on the water’s surface. But he kicked off the surface frozen by Baek Hwajang’s cold air. This time, he spun his body while firing a palm strike toward the lake, using the recoil to land on the ground in an instant.

This time, his movements were truly magnificent.

Goseonwoo and Dangguishun clapped.

Even Jin Sohye smiled and said,

“Ah, I should have learned ice magic too. I’m so jealous.”

Kwon Wang nodded and said.

“There’s no need for us to discuss what level of mastery that represents now.”

Dowang also offered his praise.

“I envy all of you. It was a scene I should have witnessed with my own eyes.”

Baek Moo-jin, however, spoke to his companions in a matter-of-fact tone.

“I was worried we might fall behind, but luck was on our side.”

At that, the Duke clicked his tongue.

“Don’t act so humble after pulling off something like that. It looks bad.”

“Yes, haha.”

Baek Moo-jin finally broke into a bright smile, and the others burst into laughter along with him. It was a moment when every trace of unease vanished cleanly.

Who else could possibly pull off that move?

To his peers, Baek Moo-jin’s skill seemed impossibly high.

3.

It was when they approached the vicinity of Soryu Lake at the end of their journey.

Somehow, the number of people recognizing Baek Moo-jin’s party was increasing everywhere. They were an eye-catching group to begin with, but here, people seemed to recognize Baek Moo-jin specifically.

Finding Soryu Lake itself wasn’t difficult.

What was surprising was that guides appeared to lead Baek Moo-jin’s party.

People emerged from the inn prepared near Soryu Lake and, surprisingly, conveyed Mahon Jongju’s words.

“He is waiting for you.”

Baek Moo-jin looked at the man delivering the message and replied.

“Are you a Demon Cultist too?”

“Yes, I am.”

But the moment the man answered that he was a Demon-Human Hybrid, everyone in the vicinity was staring at Baek Moo-jin. Their gazes seemed to say they were all Demon-Human Hybrids too. Yet, despite spotting Baek Moo-jin’s group, they showed no signs of attack or even a word of caution, which was even stranger.

The man pointed toward the inn and said.

“Just stay here for now. Rest for a few days, then come back with your other companions. The boat will always be waiting. Well then…”

As the man bowed his head as if to leave, Baek Moo-jin called out to him.

“What the hell is this?”

The man replied, still bowing his head.

“We were instructed to treat you as an honored guest, so we are merely following orders.”

Even Baek Moo-jin was taken aback by this response.

“Even though you know I came here to kill you all?”

At those words, the man raised his head and answered.

“…Unless we attack first, might you not take your time with that? The Master wishes Lord Baek and his party to arrive without incident. My role ends here, so I shall withdraw.”

The man bowed only to Baek Moo-jin before quietly retreating with his waiting men.

Then the King of Tao assessed the situation.

“This is different from the demonic arts I’ve heard of and known. This is an invitation, isn’t it? It means they knew of our visit beforehand. They never intended to flee. After all, we weren’t ambushed even once on our journey from Nanjou to here.”

Gwonwang nodded in agreement.

“It was an invitation. Not exactly a welcoming atmosphere, though.”

Go Seon-woo asked.

“Why?”

“Everyone was only looking at Baek Gaju.”

When Kwon Wang hesitated, Jin So-hye, who had been watching, guessed Mahon Jongju’s thoughts and spoke up.

“They likely intend to treat my brother as the Grand Patriarch. But ultimately…”

Jin Sohye continued, gazing at Baek Mujin with a sullen expression.

“It means treating him as a Grand Patriarch of the same demonic path.”

Baek Moo-jin smiled at her words.

“So it’s a tease, is it?”

Yes. This was the mockery of demonic hybrid supremacy.

It defined Baek Moo-jin as a demonic master.

Moreover, it was treating Baek Moo-jin in the same manner as other demon lords or demon masters had been taken under their wing.

Baek Moo-jin, in a battle like this, his subordinates needn’t be sacrificed, right?

It was an attitude demanding to settle who the true overlord of the demonic path truly was.

Baek Moo-jin accepted the Demon Lord’s meaning and gazed intently across the lake, shrouded in a hazy mist. Only then did his interest in the Demon Lord himself begin to grow rapidly.

Baek Moo-jin gave a slight nod and smiled.

‘Mahon Jongju, we shall meet soon.’

Climbing Floating Weeds, Crossing Water End