The Fortunate Sword God of the Zhuge Clan - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42.
Yang Mujin regarded Mu Heun with eyes full of suspicion.
“I’m curious, certainly, but first I’d like to know how you knew I had the children with me in the first place.”
Mu Heun nodded as though the question were only natural.
Of course, he could not speak of past lives directly. But there were other ways.
Yang Mujin was a man whose mind worked quickly, after all.
“The Sacred Sword that you obtained from your uncle was bestowed upon him by my grandfather, the former patriarch of the Main Branch.”
“Ah. Damn.”
Yang Mujin let out a quiet curse upon hearing Mu Heun’s explanation.
“I had no intention of drawing the Jegal Family’s attention. If I’d known who Seong Cheol was from the start, I would have talked Uncle out of wagering the sword.”
“The Main Branch regards it as your uncle’s independent decision. There will be no harm to you or the children.”
“Is that so….”
Yang Mujin lowered his suspicious gaze and recovered his composure.
“But even for the Jegal Family, to learn the connection between me and the children in a single day—it seems the saying that in Hobuk, even birdsong reaches the Jegal Family’s ears holds truth.”
When Yang Mujin deduced that the Jegal Family’s information network had caught him, Mu Heun made no attempt to deny it and simply nodded.
“Yet if you knew I’d never lost at gambling, why send him to retrieve the sword?”
Yang Mujin knew Mu Heun was talented from firsthand experience, but even so, it seemed too young to send to a gambling den.
“That was my own request.”
“Hmm?”
“Upon hearing your story, I came to believe you were precisely the talent I required.”
“…All right. Since you offered to explain, let’s hear it. What is this Cheon-eung-dan? How does it benefit me?”
Yang Mujin picked up his noodles again, first performing the peculiar feat of rejoining the chopsticks he had deliberately broken by force.
“Thank you.”
Mu Heun assumed a respectful posture and expressed his gratitude, then sent his words through sound transmission.
-The Cheon-eung-dan is a unit organized to oppose the Heuksawi, the assassins of the Imperial Palace.
Clatter.
Yang Mujin dropped his chopsticks and stared at Mu Heun with an expression of shock quite different from moments before.
“…If that’s the case, why come to a noodle shop? Now I can’t even eat.”
“Haha. I had no idea you would react so strongly.”
“React so strongly—do I not look like it? Forgive me for saying so, but are you sure you’re not sick somewhere?”
Yang Mujin raised a finger to his temple and made a circular motion.
Mu Heun showed no displeasure and smiled lightly.
“How much do you think I know about you?”
“What? I figure you know everything. Where I live with the kids, how long I’ve worked here… that sort of thing?”
“I’m speaking of what came before that.”
Mu Heun delicately alluded to Yang Mujin’s status as a remnant of the Yang Family, then took a sip of water and watched his expression.
Yang Mujin’s face did not contort with rage as it had when the children were mentioned.
It was merely blank.
That blankness stirred various emotions in Mu Heun.
Rage, hatred, and beneath it all, a helplessness that swallowed everything.
Sensing such things, Yang Mujin opened his mouth, his voice now heavier.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What was passed down as a story may in fact have been truth. Have my suspicions struck the mark?”
At Mu Heun’s question, which unmistakably pointed to the patriarch of the Yang Family, Yang Mujin’s eyes shifted for a moment.
“…No matter how I think about it, learning all that in a single day defies common sense. And this isn’t even something that happened in Hobuk.”
He was right.
In truth, Mu Heun had confirmed Yang Mujin’s identity as a scion of the Yang Family only by tracing his movements after his death—that is, after his past life.
Since Yang Mujin itself was not even his true name, the claim of discovering it in a day lacked credibility.
But since this could not be revealed, Mu Heun resorted to a weak excuse.
“Common sense is ultimately just a framework that people have constructed.”
At this hollow-sounding remark, Yang Mujin stared at him expressionlessly for a moment, then let out a low chuckle.
“Hm. Fine. Let’s say you’ve learned what you’ve learned. But.”
Yang Mujin’s next words came through sound transmission.
-Assassins, whatever—if they answer to the Imperial Palace, standing against them is treason. You may not know it, raised in a noble house as you were, but there are some things in this world that simply cannot be opposed.
Mu Heun set down the glass of water he had been drinking.
-Even what cannot be opposed can be met with resistance if the other side strikes first. The Heuksawi….
-I’m not ignorant of the Heuksawi. As you noted, they destroyed my clan and pursued me without end. It took escaping them dozens of times before I finally broke free.
Yang Mujin’s lips curved into a bitter smile as the memory surfaced.
-It wasn’t because my skills were exceptional. My family’s reputation protected me. Those who knew my father, those who knew those who knew him—I hid myself within all manner of clans that way. Do you know what became of them?
Mu Heun knew.
Those who hid Yang Mujin and upheld Righteousness—figures worthy of being called men of Chivalry.
They were all….
-Dead. Every last one. I… I managed to slip away from their pursuit by passing off the corpse of a boy who’d died before me, someone close to my age. Fortunately, they’d set a fire that had mangled the boy’s face beyond recognition.
Yang Mujin offered a faint smile, but his eyes were hollow.
-After that, I changed my name, hid my martial skills, and lived for over a decade as someone completely different from who I’d been. And I realized—revenge and all that, it’s easier just to live without showing my face to the world.
With these words, Yang Mujin signaled his refusal indirectly.
Mu Heun studied him quietly, then transmitted his voice.
-Is your protection of the orphaned children an aftereffect of that incident?
It was a rather direct question, but Yang Mujin’s expression didn’t darken.
-Yes. That boy was my friend. But I… I stole everything from him simply by existing.
-Atonement, then.
-I don’t think it’ll accomplish that. I’m just trying to satisfy myself alone.
Yang Mujin added bitterly.
“But even that isn’t easy. Working at Geumsa-ru, gambling through the night—afterward I’m so drained I sleep the whole day. Some days I don’t even see the children’s faces properly. The oldest one does look after the younger ones’ meals, but… it’s a rotten way to live.”
“All the more reason you should accept my proposal, surely?”
“What were you listening to?”
Yang Mujin scowled with irritation and transmitted his voice.
-You’re saying confronting the Imperial Palace means extermination of the clan? I’ve seen that ruin firsthand. Yet you urge me to stand against them again—is this the way of the Jegal Family?
Though Yang Mujin spoke with a mocking edge toward the Jegal Family, Mu Heun showed no displeasure.
At this, Yang Mujin let out a sigh.
-You spoke of the children’s environment, their education, and all that. Yes, I want them to learn well. But survival comes first, you understand? Safety is paramount.
-Wise words indeed.
-But then why—
-If that’s your conviction, then to protect the children, you should accept my proposal.
Yang Mujin looked at him as if to ask what he meant.
-If you become the captain of Cheon-eung-dan, our Main Branch will publicly declare that the Yang Family Lord, whom we’d thought to be merely legend, actually existed and his descendants still remain.
“…What?”
Yang Mujin’s face went pale with shock.
He’d walked the path of extermination under the Imperial Palace’s suppression, and now they’d announce it to the world?
-That’s nonsense. Are you mad? That’s the most dangerous path there is.
-It is not. It is the safest path.
Mu Heun continued his explanation calmly.
-There exists a treaty called Gwanmu Bulga-chim. The Imperial Palace broke it when they destroyed the Yang Family Lord, but it went unquestioned only because it was never discovered.
“…That’s true.”
-However, if the Main Branch stands as guarantor that the Great Chivalrous One is the Yang Family Lord’s descendant, the matter becomes different.
The Jegal Family is one of the Five Major Orthodox Families that upholds the righteous sects.
Would such a colossal power openly attack a martial family it had publicly endorsed?
That would be blatantly violating Gwanmu Bulga-chim.
Of course, in his past life, the Imperial Palace had broken it too—but that came much later than now.
At this point in time, they were not yet prepared for direct action.
In such circumstances, they could not openly defy the will of a great power like the Jegal Family.
Yang Mujin’s eyes flickered as understanding dawned.
-…But how will you explain discovering I’m a descendant of the Yang Family Lord? If I reveal my whole story, won’t that be evidence that the Jegal Family went against the Imperial Palace’s wishes?
-We are martial artists, are we not?
Mu Heun shrugged his shoulders.
-As warriors, we saw your martial prowess and thought, “Ah, he must be of Yang bloodline!” How could we have known the Imperial Palace’s intentions?
“….”
-With such an explanation, they’ll have nothing to say. After all, it was they who broke Gwanmu Bulga-chim without warning.
This logic would apply equally to Cheon-eung-dan itself.
To speak of merely upholding Righteousness and Chivalry as warriors might seem naive at first glance, but this very principle had built the Murim as it stood today.
Since Heuksawi clearly acted against Chivalry, this became the perfect justification for opposing them.
Of course, if things proceeded this way, ever-stronger enemies would come to target Cheon-eung-dan, but Mu Heun had not yet mentioned that.
He had some countermeasures in mind, and having noticed Yang Mujin’s eyes beginning to tremble, he judged this was the moment to drive the final wedge.
-And so, it would become possible to give the children the Yang surname within the near future. I believe you understand what that means.
“…!”
A surname. For the children.
Especially if the Jegal Family guaranteed their status and allowed the Yang Family to inscribe its name anew in the Murim, merely bearing that surname would transform how the world treated them entirely.
Though Mu Heun himself made no distinction of rank, the world did.
Mu Heun was offering not just Yang Mujin, but the children as well, a completely new life utterly different from before.
Sensing Yang Mujin’s eyes beginning to tremble more violently, Mu Heun did not pause.
-And annually, I would provide you with three Geumwon-bo worth of salary.
“What.”
Three Geumwon-bo was equivalent to roughly six moderately-sized houses.
Faced with such extraordinary terms, Yang Mujin found himself uttering a low whistle without thinking.
-Not only that, should you remain in Hobuk, the Main Branch would take full responsibility for your children’s living conditions, education, and leisure—providing all of it at an excellent standard.
Mu Heun knew this well.
Righteousness and Chivalry were important, yes, but practical conditions were equally vital to how a person lived.
Especially for someone in Yang Mujin’s position.
From beginning to end, there wasn’t a single point where his heart wouldn’t be moved by such terms.
The salary was incomparably better than what he received at Geumsa-ru, and most alluring of all was the prospect of his children taking the family name and gaining a new life.
“Continuing your work as a commander at Geumsa-ru, or accepting what I propose—I shall leave the choice entirely to your judgment, Yang.”
Mu Heun presented the choice to Yang Mujin with an affable expression.
This too was a crucial element.
People invariably threw themselves into a task with greater fervor when they believed they had chosen it themselves rather than been forced into it.
Yang Mujin fell silent for a moment, then reached out and gathered a handful of noodles.
Slurrrp—
Having emptied the bowl of noodles in an instant, Yang Mujin turned his gaze to Mu Heun with a serious expression and opened his mouth.
“This doesn’t add up.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ll grant it’s a good offer, but even for the Jegal Family, you’re just a lesser heir. How could you have that kind of authority? It doesn’t make sense.”
“What strikes you as unreasonable?”
“Setting aside the affairs of my house—you’re offering me three Geumwon-bo, and on top of that, the Jegal Family will provide the funds to raise my children? And I’m supposed to take your word alone? It’s illogical. That money doesn’t just spring from the earth, does it?”
Yang Mujin’s skepticism was sound.
Even with Mu Heun’s influence, did the Yang Family and the Jegal Family share enough obligation to justify dispensing Geumwon-bo, raising his children, and elevating his house name?
Every matter requires justification.
In Yang Mujin’s view, not even a lesser heir of such a house could make all of this happen with a single word from Mu Heun.
Yet Mu Heun showed no sign of alarm.
“Haha. How considerate of you to worry over our financial sinews already—truly, your qualities as a commander shine through.”
“Ha. This isn’t something to laugh off. This is no trifle, so show me you actually have the power to back these words.”
Yang Mujin offered a slight smile, but it was merely habit.
To anyone watching, it was plain he doubted Mu Heun’s word.
“Even so, one shouldn’t speak carelessly of what one cannot deliver.”
“You speak truly. And it’s correct to say that, at this very moment, I lack the power to fulfill all that I’ve promised.”
“Then—”
“But.”
Mu Heun’s smile became enigmatic.
“I do possess the power to make others ensure my promises are kept.”
Faced with such confident words from Mu Heun, Yang Mujin’s expression grew thick with questions.
“…Who exactly is going to make sure you keep such a promise?”
***
The man who had brought Mu Heun to meet Yang Mujin.
Geum Dae-yun, master of Geumsa-ru and proprietor of the Geumsa Merchant Guild, wore a peculiar smile as he stroked his whiskers, which resembled those of a scholar.
The soft gleam in his eyes fell upon the letter the commander had just delivered.
“Commander Wang. Who did you say sent this letter?”
The commander who had brought the letter answered at once.
“A lesser heir of the Jegal Family. One Mu Heun, he said.”
“Mu Heun. Is that the poor lesser heir afflicted with Pulse Obstruction Disease?”
“Yes. Is there a problem, sir?”
“A problem…”
At the commander’s question, Geum Dae-yun laughed in disbelief.
“He’s asking that I transfer Yang, who belongs to our Geumsa-ru, to an organization of his own making, and demanding three Geumwon-bo worth of assistance annually.”
“…Pardon?”
The commander was so taken aback he could scarcely form words.
“What do you mean? Why should we accept such terms? What debt could we possibly owe the Jegal Family?”
“Exactly. And according to what’s written here, he has the audacity to claim he’ll take responsibility for Yang’s children on his own side, speaking as if he’s doing us a favor.”
“Preposterous! Such arrogance! This young pup relies on his family name and dares challenge you, the master? Shall we file a formal complaint with the Jegal Family at once?”
“Hmm…”
Despite hearing such an outrageous, sudden demand, Geum Dae-yun continued to smile, slowly caressing his whiskers.
This was because the letter was far more than a mere threat or ultimatum.
“Still, there’s something curious about it.”
“Pardon? A curious detail, you say?”
“Well, it doesn’t feel like some young master’s prank meant merely to provoke me.”
Mu Heun studied Geum Dae-yun, watching for his meaning.
Geum Dae-yun caught that scrutiny and smiled slightly before asking his question.
“Are you affiliated with Heuksawi—that band of assassins?”
“!!”
At those words, the expression of the man called Wang shifted in an instant.
More precisely, the moment the name Heuksawi was spoken, he reached for the whistle he kept hidden in his sleeve—the signal to call the other members of his cell who were woven into Geumsa-ru and the merchant guild alongside him.
“Kuh… hack….”
“Well, well. So it’s true, then.”
But Geum Dae-yun’s dart found the man’s throat far more swiftly than his fingers could sound the whistle.
Geum Dae-yun paid no heed to the corpse crumpling to the ground as he returned to reading Mu Heun’s letter.
“How could he possibly know all of this?”
Before making his request, Mu Heun had explained to Geum Dae-yun both Heuksawi and the Cheon-eung-dan he intended to establish, and had even provided a complete list of every Heuksawi operative embedded within Geumsa-ru and the Geumsa Merchant Guild.
And when one of those names appeared right before his eyes, the test confirmed that Mu Heun’s words were truth.
For Geum Dae-yun, who had always prided himself on his meticulous judgment of character, this alone was profoundly unsettling—but what truly captured his attention was what came next in the letter.
—This is merely the seed of trust between us. Should the esteemed Merchant Lord join us, I shall provide abundant information capable of bearing fruit in countless ventures.
“Merely a seed, he says….”
As for Yang Mujin’s true identity, Geum Dae-yun himself did not know it precisely.
He had suspected something dark in his past, but he’d never pressed the matter. How many people in positions like his carried tainted histories?
What mattered was that Yang Mujin never lost at gambling and executed every task assigned to him flawlessly.
Beyond that, he was a master of rare and exceptional skill—difficult even to meet. This alone was reason enough to harbor him.
But then—was this Mu Heun truly a figure of enough consequence to entrust with Yang Mujin himself?
And to do so while also adding the Geumwon-bo to the arrangement?
Geum Dae-yun’s deliberation did not take long.
To extract every name of the spies embedded in Geumsa-ru—names even he himself did not know—and lay them bare?
This could only mean either that these Heuksawi were laying a trap, or that Mu Heun possessed an ability so formidable that even Geum Dae-yun could scarcely comprehend it.
Either way, this was an opponent beyond his capacity to handle. The prudent choice was to keep well away from such entanglements.
In ordinary circumstances, that is.
‘One misstep and I could lose my life.’
It was the first time in the ten years since he had built Geumsa-ru that he sensed such peril.
And Geum Dae-yun understood clearly that one could not ascend further without the courage to stake one’s life in moments like these.
“This will be interesting.”
Geum Dae-yun smiled with genuine warmth and composed a letter of acceptance to send to Mu Heun.

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