Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 88

“….”

Beneath his bamboo hat, Namgung Cheon’s eyes glanced toward Yang So’s waist.

Yang So’s hand was already resting on his sword hilt.

If he refused, Yang So looked ready to draw his sword immediately.

‘First disciple…’

Though not a transcendent master, his aura was that of a mature peak-level expert.

He could cut him down in an instant.

‘But refusing here and starting a fight would be the worst strategy.’

If that happened, he’d face pursuit from all of Kunlun, let alone conduct any investigation.

‘I have no choice.’

Swish.

Namgung Cheon removed the bamboo hat he had been wearing low.

His face, hidden in shadow, was revealed under the sunlight.

Fair skin with perfectly harmonious features.

His cold expression made him look sharp, but that was all.

There was nothing particularly problematic about it.

Yang So’s brow furrowed.

‘Was I mistaken?’

His gaze sharply swept over Namgung Cheon’s eyes and then his dantian area.

‘At most first-rate… perhaps just beginning level.’

Yang So couldn’t hide his inner disappointment.

Had the strange sense of unease he felt when the bamboo hat was on been just his imagination?

After quietly observing Namgung Cheon for a moment, Yang So removed his hand from his sword hilt and stepped back.

“My apologies. There have been so many suspicious individuals lately that verification was necessary.”

Namgung Cheon nodded lightly and put his bamboo hat back on.

Just as Yang So, having lost interest, turned to head back toward the city wall.

His gaze casually fell upon Mujin, who sat slouched on horseback beside Namgung Cheon.

Worn martial robes and an enormous bundle.

The common appearance of a wanderer you could see anywhere.

But Yang So’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

‘I didn’t get a proper look earlier.’

Could it be.

Yang So’s eyes shook violently.

“By any chance…”

Mujin awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth at the gaze directed toward him, trying to avoid it, but.

“Aren’t you the Eulmyeol Sword?”

“….”

In an instant, the eyes of the Kunlun disciples nearby widened greatly.

Eulmyeol Sword Mujin.

The Wandering King’s only disciple and a transcendent master.

Why would he be doing something like escorting a caravan?

Mujin let out a deep sigh and scratched his head.

“How on earth did you recognize me… I was just trying to pass through quietly.”

“I saw you once at a gathering of rising masters.”

“…A gathering that included Kunlun would have been ten years ago. Your memory is remarkable.”

Yang So smiled awkwardly and carefully opened his mouth.

“But what brings the Eulmyeol Sword all the way to Qinghai…”

“Well, this might sound strange, but I came looking for my master.”

When Yang So looked at him with puzzled eyes, Mujin gestured with his chin toward the western Kunlun Mountains.

“I heard rumors that my master was seen in this area. While I was at it, I did some escort work to earn meal money on the way.”

“Ah…”

The statement about looking for his master was quite strange, but considering who the Eulmyeol Sword’s teacher was, it made perfect sense.

The Wandering King. True to his title, wasn’t he an eccentric who wandered the world like the wind?

Therefore, the story that his disciple, the Eulmyeol Sword, had come all this way searching for his master was quite convincing.

At Yang So’s reaction, Mujin looked around and continued speaking.

“So, I was thinking of knocking on Kunlun’s gates soon—would that be alright?”

At Mujin’s question, a deep shadow fell across Yang So’s brow.

He hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice to answer.

“…While we would welcome a guest like you, Great Hero, Kunlun is currently strictly forbidding outsiders from entering. Therefore, even for you, Great Hero, setting foot in our gates won’t be easy.”

“Circumstances? Has something happened to Kunlun?”

Mujin probed subtly, but Yang So didn’t take the bait.

“It’s difficult to discuss. However, if you formally visit our gates, I’ll report it to the Elders. And…”

A cold light flashed in Yang So’s eyes.

“Given the current situation, I ask that you refrain from any actions that might arouse suspicion while staying in the city.”

“….”

Mujin’s eyes narrowed.

Displeasure dripped from his expression.

The position of the Wandering King’s disciple was by no means light in the martial world.

In terms of status, he should stand shoulder to shoulder with Kunlun Sect’s Elders.

Yet Yang So, merely a first disciple, was openly warning him to refrain from suspicious behavior.

It was a clear breach of etiquette.

But thinking about it from another angle, it also meant Kunlun’s internal situation was desperate enough to risk such rudeness to prevent outside masters from interfering.

‘This smells worse than I thought.’

Though Mujin was certain inwardly, outwardly he shrugged and spoke casually.

“Goodness, you’re so sensitive it’s scary—how can I even breathe properly? Fine. I’ll quietly search for traces of my master, so don’t worry too much.”

Instead of answering, Yang So briefly cupped his fists and cleared the way.

“Then, I ask for your cooperation. Please pass through.”

At those words, all the government soldiers stepped aside, and the Iron Flying Merchant Guild’s carriages passed through the gate into the city.

Even before the Iron Flying Merchant Guild’s procession had completely entered the city.

Yang So spoke to a second disciple standing beside him.

“Report to the main mountain immediately. Tell them the Eulmyeol Sword Mujin has appeared in Xining. And…”

Yang So, who had been staring at Mujin’s retreating back, added with sharp eyes.

“From now on, monitor the Eulmyeol Sword’s every move. Don’t miss a single moment.”

* * *

The Iron Flying Merchant Guild’s procession stopped in front of a large inn that also served as stables in Xining.

However, everyone was watching one person and couldn’t easily move.

After a long silence.

“…Great Hero Mujin.”

Caravan leader Cheoljung carefully approached Mujin and bowed deeply.

Gwak U, standing beside him, also just scratched the back of his head while reading the mood.

That reaction from Kunlun’s first disciple at the city gate.

That single incident had revealed everything.

The fact that the ‘Jin Muin’ they had hired as an escort was actually the Eulmyeol Sword Mujin.

Gwak U in particular felt suffocated.

‘I was joking around calling him Ilmu and Imu…’

Though he held the position of vice-caravan leader, Gwak U was fundamentally a martial artist.

That’s why he clearly understood what it felt like to hold the position of a disciple of the Wandering King, the pinnacle of wanderers.

“Please don’t be angry about how I treated you rudely without knowing who you were.”

Cheoljung’s voice trembled.

However, Mujin smiled and waved his hand.

“Hey, don’t be so stiff. We’re just in an employer and wanderer relationship anyway, aren’t we?”

“….”

At Mujin’s words, Cheoljung and Gwak U’s faces hardened even more.

Feeling awkward, Mujin opened his mouth again.

“Since you’re so uncomfortable, and we’ve reached our destination anyway, I’ll take the remaining payment and leave.”

“Ah, yes! Please do.”

Cheoljung hurriedly pulled out a promissory note from his chest and handed it to Mujin.

It was much thicker than the promised amount.

Seeing Mujin collect the note, Namgung Cheon also spoke indifferently.

“I also have somewhere to go, so I’ll take my leave now.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Cheoljung showed a momentarily regretful expression before nodding.

It was originally a one-way contract made with the plan to find another way for the return journey.

So Cheoljung also spoke to the other guest warriors who had gathered.

“Everyone worked hard. As agreed, I’ll settle the remaining payments here. If anyone wants to return to Luoyang with us, please speak up separately. Since we plan to accompany other escort agencies on the way back, we don’t need many people, so please decide quickly.”

As soon as Cheoljung finished speaking, the wanderers crowded around, chattering noisily.

Some planned to rush to Xining’s giru as soon as they collected their remaining pay, while others negotiated compensation, saying they’d return to Luoyang together.

When all the settlements were finished.

“Now, now, everyone worked hard! How about we all have a drink to commemorate?”

Mujin laughed good-naturedly and mingled among the wanderers.

Namgung Cheon also passed by such Mujin indifferently, as if treating a stranger.

Though the two left the inn at almost the same time, they clearly looked like different groups.

While Mujin noisily chattered at the head of a group of about ten wanderers, Namgung Cheon was walking at the very end of that group.

The main road of Xining where they emerged had quite a few people, but the atmosphere was heavily subdued.

This was because Kunlun disciples in white robes stood tall at various places throughout the city and at major intersections.

They were scanning passersby with sharp eyes, especially warriors carrying weapons.

And the group of wanderers that poured onto the main road was also their target of surveillance.

Namgung Cheon maintained a distance of more than five zhang from Mujin while hiding himself in the crowd.

―They’re already tailing us.

Namgung Cheon stared straight ahead and sent a quiet voice transmission.

Mujin, who was far ahead browsing street stalls, answered with a voice transmission while still wearing a smile.

―I expected as much. The eyes of those guys we saw at the city gate earlier were quite persistent. At least three are tailing me right now.

Namgung Cheon expanded his qi sense without turning his head.

‘Among the pedestrians and at the window of the teahouse across the street.’

Kunlun disciples were following Mujin like shadows.

On the other hand, he barely felt any gazes directed at himself.

Mujin’s voice transmission continued.

―Young master, find your own way out.

―What are you planning to do?

At Namgung Cheon’s question, Mujin adjusted his bundle.

―First, I need to unpack at an inn near the sect. I’ll look for traces of my master there while having some squabbles with the Taoists. You go take care of your business.

He was saying he’d become the bait himself.

Namgung Cheon took a short breath and sent a voice transmission.

―Thank you. Take care of yourself.

―Don’t worry. No matter how suspicious this business is, they’re still one of the Nine Sects. Would they lay hands on me without good reason?

Soon, at a three-way intersection on the main road.

The group of wanderers scattered in all directions to find their respective destinations.

Mujin swung his bundle and walked toward the path leading to the Gonryun Mountain Range.

Following him, the Kunlun disciples moved in unison.

Namgung Cheon confirmed that the Kunlun Sect disciples’ attention was focused on Mujin and slowly moved his steps.

‘Xueqiang Village….’

The village where Yonghopioguk, which Jegal Hyeon had pointed out, had stopped.

‘No matter how much they scheme and erase traces.’

They won’t be able to escape my eyes, which learned the Demonic Sect’s tracking techniques.

‘I’ll definitely confirm it.’

The Kunlun Sect and Yonghopioguk.

Whoosh―.

‘What it is you’re trying to hide.’

Namgung Cheon’s figure became a streak of wind and melted into the darkness.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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