Chapter 293

Jang Mu-guk’s gaze was ordinary.

He wasn’t straining his eyes like others, nor was he exuding a pressuring aura. But Jin Si-woo, who was beside Pyo Wol, froze the moment he met his gaze.

A pressure, as if a giant rock was crushing his chest, made it impossible for him to even breathe properly.

Jin Si-woo’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.

Jin Si-woo’s older brother was Jin Geum-woo, who was counted among the top prodigies of All Under Heaven. Naturally, his standard for judging prodigies was Jin Geum-woo.

Whether someone was superior or inferior to Jin Geum-woo was his criterion for evaluation.

Until now, there were only a few people he considered definitively superior to Jin Geum-woo. One of them was Pyo Wol.

With his abilities, he couldn’t ascertain the extent of Pyo Wol’s true power. So he vaguely thought Pyo Wol was superior to Jin Geum-woo.

But today, the moment he saw Jang Mu-guk, he received a different kind of shock than the one he got from Pyo Wol.

He could feel an aura like a great mountain emanating from the man’s body.

The formidable aura pressed down on him, rendering him immobile.

Jin Si-woo raised his Internal Power to resist Jang Mu-guk’s gaze.

‘Just who in the world is this man…’

The people of the world simply ranked and evaluated Jang Mu-guk in the same class of prodigies as Jin Geum-woo. But the Jang Mu-guk that Jin Si-woo saw in person was not a being who could be lumped in with mere prodigies.

Jin Si-woo felt his whole body tremble. He avoided Jang Mu-guk’s eyes and looked at Pyo Wol.

He thought that Pyo Wol, too, must be feeling some degree of burden. But contrary to his expectations, Pyo Wol met Jang Mu-guk’s gaze head-on, yet seemed to feel no pressure at all.

Rather, it was the onlookers who felt like they were suffocating.

Not just Jin Si-woo, but all the prodigies of the Golden Sky Society watched the confrontation between the two men with their lips tightly sealed.

They all thought Pyo Wol would accept Jang Mu-guk’s proposal. Just as they themselves had.

They had been impressed when they saw Jin Geum-woo in the past, but Jang Mu-guk was even more overwhelming.

They all thought it was only natural for Jang Mu-guk to become the second Society Leader of the Golden Sky Society.

Jang Mu-guk possessed the skill, character, and the immense background of the Heavenly Martial Fortress.

He had all the qualifications to be acknowledged by prodigies whose pride pierced the heavens.

But contrary to their expectations, Pyo Wol was not overwhelmed by Jang Mu-guk, nor did he give the answer they wanted.

“I refuse.”

“Hmph!”

Even at Pyo Wol’s words, Jang Mu-guk did not seem particularly surprised.

He hadn’t expected Pyo Wol to accept his proposal in the first place.

His question was largely a formality.

For the benefit of Dokgo Hwang, who was right beside him.

As he expected, Dokgo Hwang had a disappointed expression.

He said to Pyo Wol.

“How about you think about it one more time?”

“No matter how many times I think about it, my answer is the same.”

“So it’s a refusal.”

Dokgo Hwang’s expression hardened like a stone.

In his eyes, as he looked at Pyo Wol, there was no longer any trace of goodwill.

“A pity! We could have been good friends.”

“Not friends, but tools, I’d say.”

“What?”

“Am I wrong?”

“…”

Dokgo Hwang couldn’t answer properly. He had never imagined that Pyo Wol would see right through his inner thoughts.

Dokgo Hwang glared at Pyo Wol for a moment.

If Jang Mu-guk’s gaze was like a great mountain, his was like a stormy sea. Like violently crashing waves, his gaze flickered menacingly.

“I hope you won’t regret today’s decision.”

“That will never happen.”

“There is nothing as meaningless as the word ‘never’ in this world. I’ve found that to be true in life.”

“Perhaps. Still, I don’t think I’ll regret today’s decision.”

Pyo Wol’s voice was exceedingly dry.

At his parched, emotionless voice, not only Dokgo Hwang but even Jang Mu-guk felt a chilling sensation.

Jang Mu-guk spoke in a low voice so that others could not hear.

“It was a mistake for Miss Eom to invite you here. It would have been better not to have called you here at all.”

“Is it because you can’t eliminate me in front of everyone?”

“That’s right!”

“A shame, isn’t it?”

“It is a shame! But since this friend has given up on drawing you in, it’s not a complete loss. I suppose I’ll have to be satisfied with this for today.”

“Are you planning to absorb the Golden Sky Society and scheme for All Under Heaven?”

“Who knows!”

Jang Mu-guk neither confirmed nor denied it. But it was as good as having heard the answer.

Though their capabilities might be slightly lacking for now, it was clear that the people in this place were the pillars who would lead the Jianghu in the future.

In five, or perhaps ten years, their status would be remarkably different from now. If they all still supported Jang Mu-guk then, taking control of the Jianghu would not be so difficult.

One does not necessarily have to rule the Jianghu by force alone.

If one could gain the consent and support of those who would lead an era, ruling could be rather easy.

Pyo Wol thought that the Jianghu was changing.

In the past, people tried to solve everything with force.

The Divine Demon Association of a generation ago did so, and the Demonic Cult of the era before that also tried to reign over the Jianghu with power. But they all failed, and the Jianghu, having experienced turmoil, had changed greatly.

Now, the people of Jianghu no longer submitted simply because a faction was large or possessed great military might.

They were more exclusive than anyone toward beings with whom they felt no emotional kinship. Jang Mu-guk knew this fact, which was why he was trying to get his hands on the Golden Sky Society.

It was clear that he intended to take control of the Golden Sky Society, which Jin Geum-woo had created with a grand ideal, and spread his own ideals to them.

Pyo Wol thought that Jang Mu-guk was a more dangerous being than any demonic Overlord.

Jang Mu-guk already had a reliable supporter in Dokgo Hwang. If the Golden Sky Society were added to that, it would be like gaining a great pair of wings.

Jang Mu-guk and Pyo Wol stared into each other’s eyes for a while.

The one who backed down first was Pyo Wol.

He said to Jin Si-woo.

“Let’s go back.”

“Hyung-nim!”

“It’s right to retreat for now.”

At Pyo Wol’s words, Jin Si-woo’s face contorted. But he soon nodded his head.

“I understand.”

If he had his way, he wanted to grab Jang Mu-guk by the collar and confront him right now. But making an enemy of Jang Mu-guk at this moment was by no means a good decision.

No matter what he said now, the people here would not listen. Jang Mu-guk already had complete control over their hearts.

It was frustrating, but he had to retreat for now.

That was the way to protect the Jin family.

Jin Si-woo retreated with Pyo Wol. Jang Mu-guk spoke to him as he left.

“As soon as the meeting is over, I will visit the Jin family to mourn Geum-woo. Let’s see each other again then.”

“…”

Jin Si-woo clenched his teeth and did not answer.

He felt that if he opened his mouth now, no good words would come out.

As Pyo Wol was about to lead Jin Si-woo outside, Jang Ho-yeon approached him.

“Thank you!”

“…”

“Thanks to following you, I was able to meet them. They are friends with whom I can talk well. I will cherish the connections I made thanks to you.”

“You’re lucky.”

“Could I be as lucky as you? Please take care of yourself until we meet again. You won’t be able to walk out of here so unscathed then.”

“Let me give you a piece of advice too. It would be better not to get too close to them. You might get hit by a stray blade for being next to the wrong guy.”

“What?”

Bang!

At that moment, Pyo Wol closed the door of the Celestial Origin Tower and stepped outside.

Having come outside, Pyo Wol and Jin Si-woo walked the streets of Runan in silence.

Pyo Wol had already anticipated this, so he wasn’t particularly shocked, but Jin Si-woo was different.

He trudged along the street as if he had lost his soul.

Understanding Jin Si-woo’s feelings, Pyo Wol did not offer any rash words of comfort.

After a considerable amount of time had passed, Jin Si-woo, having somewhat composed his emotions, spoke with difficulty.

“The Jianghu is a truly heartless place.”

“…”

“At the very least, I thought a few of them would raise an objection to Jang Mu-guk’s words. But there wasn’t a single person who did.”

While the fight with Snow Blade Sword Manor was raging, it couldn’t be helped, but still, once they entered Runan, they should have visited the Jin family first, if only out of respect for their connection with Jin Geum-woo. If they had done so, he would have calmly accepted whatever path they chose.

Today’s events felt like they would leave a great scar on his heart for the rest of his life.

Suddenly, Pyo Wol spoke.

“It might be for the best.”

“Pardon?”

“Rather than an ambiguous journey with people who are neither here nor there, it might be better to part ways early. The immediate feeling of disappointment is unavoidable, but a day will come when you’ll think it was for the best that you parted with them today.”

“Will that really be the case?”

“I think so.”

“I understand. I will think so too.”

Jin Si-woo replied, his expression considerably lighter.

Having led the charge in the fight against Snow Blade Sword Manor, Jin Si-woo had also matured.

He clenched his teeth and made a vow.

‘I will make them regret the decision they made today.’

To do that, he had to strengthen the Jin family’s power.

To the point where no one could ignore them.

They had become financially prosperous by signing deals with numerous trading companies. Also, his grandfather, Jin Wolmyeong, had awakened and was slowly recovering his former Martial Arts.

Once Jin Wolmyeong returned to his normal state, the Jin family would possess a dignity that no one could ignore.

‘I will build up the Jin family with my own hands. So that we never have to suffer such humiliation again.’

His resolve was transmitted even to Pyo Wol.

‘Si-woo can grow even more.’

Hardship makes people despair, but it also makes them grow.

When many collapse, some rise with even greater strength.

Jin Si-woo’s case was the latter.

Pyo Wol had no doubt that he would grow even greater.

Suddenly, Jin Si-woo opened his mouth.

“Hoo! If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have called the acrobatic troupe.”

“Acrobatic troupe?”

“Yes! I called an acrobatic troupe to celebrate our victory and to boost people’s morale, but it looks like we might end up performing for them instead.”

Jin Si-woo gave a bitter smile.

Calling the acrobatic troupe was not his idea.

It was an opinion put forth by the Elders of the Jin family.

Their thinking was that after experiencing hardship, one should throw a big feast to show off one’s continued strength.

Jin Si-woo’s grandfather, Jin Wolmyeong, accepted the Elders’ opinion.

News came that a famous acrobatic troupe happened to be visiting nearby, and the Jin family sent someone and succeeded in inviting them. But the date they were to arrive at the Jin family seemed to overlap with the time Jang Mu-guk and the Martial Artists of the Golden Sky Society were to visit.

It had truly become a situation where they were welcoming Jang Mu-guk and the Golden Sky Society with an acrobatic troupe and all.

“Well, you never know how things will turn out in this world. I’ll be returning to the Jin family now.”

Jin Si-woo made a Fist-Palm Salute and started walking toward the Jin family’s estate.

His retreating figure looked particularly lonely.

He had looked more vibrant when he was holding a sword and fighting Snow Blade Sword Manor. At least then, he didn’t have to worry about this kind of human relationship.

In a way, this kind of human relationship seemed to make a person more tired and weary than a life-or-death battle.

Pyo Wol shook his head slightly and walked toward the Inn where he was staying.

By the time he arrived at the Inn, it was already late at night.

Pyo Wol had a simple meal and then entered his room.

As he returned to the empty room, Ghost Fang, which had been coiled on his forearm, began to squirm and move.

Ghost Fang climbed up Pyo Wol’s body and revealed itself between the collar of his clothes at the nape of his neck.

Ssssk!

Ghost Fang roamed freely over Pyo Wol’s body as if it were a playground.

The smooth feeling brushing against his skin felt good.

Pyo Wol opened the window.

A cool breeze blew in and caressed his body.

Just then, a procession of carriages entering Runan caught his eye.

Wagons heavily loaded with something and carts carrying people entered Runan in a line.

People coming and going on the street watched the carriage procession with curious eyes.

A large red flag was attached to the lead carriage.

On the red flag, the words Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe were written in gold thread.

It seemed the acrobatic troupe Jin Si-woo had mentioned was arriving.

“It’s the acrobatic troupe.”

“Waaaah!”

The people on the street were bursting into cheers.