‘How can this…’
Byeok-woong was shocked.
He couldn’t overcome the fear that took over his body because of Mumu, so he lost control of his mouth.
The relationship was purely monetary, so it didn’t matter to him. Neither was he known for being loyal or self-sacrificing, yet this situation was embarrassing.
‘This guy, he cannot be a human, right?’
It had taken them less than half an hour to fly to the capital. This was impossible for even the best light footwork users and was unheard of for those capable of Void Movement.
To reach here in such a short time…
The old man, Yang Jung-myung and owner of this palace, frowned at this sight.
Of the Six Departments that administered the land, he was head of the Finance Ministry and worked directly for the Imperial Family.
He dominated the palace’s political sphere after working in it for more than thirty years. He was also one of the three main contributors to the enthronement of the current Emperor and was also the father of the Imperial Consort.
“Is it that old man?”
Mumu asked the shell-shocked Byeok-woong.
Byeok-woong wasn’t sure how to respond to this. If he confirmed it, his employer’s identity would be exposed, and his name as a great warrior would be tarnished.
“Looks like you want to have your back twisted…”
“Y-yes. It is him.”
Byeok-woong’s pride collapsed in an instant under Mumu’s threat. He had no doubt that this monster could actually do it.
He was already 74 years old, and going through pain was scarier than humiliation. At that moment…
“Enemy!”
“Protect elder Yang!”
Swish!
Warriors assigned to guard the palace began to converge to their location. The warriors gathered in an orderly manner and surrounded the still-disguised Mumu.
Yang Jung-myung, who shook off his surprise at the situation when his guards arrived, asked.
“Old man Byeok. What is this?”
Byeok-woong was unable to respond to his question. This was no longer a situation where they could just look at each other and talk.
A middle-aged man wearing blue robes stood alongside the old man.
“Elder, are you alright?”
‘Messenger.’
The Messenger Troop was in charge of communication between the Emperor and the finance halls.
Mun Kyung could be considered Yang Jung-myung’s right hand and was of the fourth rank inside the Messenger Troop.
Despite being the same age, he was active in Murim. Unlike Byeok-woong, he didn’t possess a title as part of the top ten but was still a hard worker.
And at his appearance, Yang Jung-myung could finally speak confidently.
The warriors here were all first-rate warriors, so he was confident they could handle this situation.
And…
‘You cannot fight this man!’
Byeok-woong was trying to tell them this with his eyes as he couldn’t speak openly. As expected, his warning was not able to be communicated.
Yang Jang-myung stood up with his hands behind his back and asked Yuk Cheon, a warrior among his retinue.
“Old man Byeok seemed to have decided to change the direction his sword points to.”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man asked sharply.
“Do you know him?”
“I don’t know. Even when I was active, I had never seen him before.”
“And if he subdued Byeok-woong, he cannot be an ordinary person.”
“… A strange one.”
“Strange?”
“The intimidation…”
‘The feeling he gives is just below a first-rate warrior. But he took down Byeok-woong?’
Yuk Cheon couldn’t understand this. He couldn’t be careless because of that.
The steam rising from the enemy’s body was also extremely intimidating.
“Can he be subdued?”
“I am not sure.”
Yuk Cheon was being honest. There were those whose energy levels could not be comprehended with just one look.
Even if this opponent didn’t look like much, he still took down Byeok-woong.
‘We cannot jump into a fight.’
Yuk Cheon stepped up and declared.
“I am Yuk Cheon of the Messenger Troops. If you know the rules of the central plains, then reveal your name.”
At least if he knew his name, he could identify this person. However, Yang Jung-myung didn’t like how this scene made his men appear as if they were lowering themselves.
“How can you act like that to this person with no manners?!”
At this, Yuk Cheon whispered softly.
“Elder, if that person was who made old man Byeok-woong into that state, then he is likely strong. The strongest person here, most likely. It might be better to coax him than be arrogant about it.”
“Stronger than the top 20 warriors?”
Yang Jung-myung was an official of the state, but he also had a reputation for being well-versed about the top 20 warriors.
He heard that each of them was skilled at their own things. Hearing the advice from his men, Yang Jung-myung touched his beard.
‘Hmm.’
As Yuk Cheon said, appeasing a strong warrior wasn’t a bad move.
After all, it wasn’t every day that you had the chance to come across someone who could leave Byeok-woong in this state.
Yang Jung-myung nodded.
“Go ahead.”
At those words, Yuk Cheon raised his voice.
“This person here is the esteemed father of the Imperial Consort and highly regarded by many warriors. You are in his presence right now, so…”
But before he could finish his words, Mumu cut him off.
“Don’t care. Did that old man send this one to the river?”
‘Old man?’
Everyone around him frowned after hearing Mumu’s words. The man appeared to be a middle-aged man with a tough expression, but his voice and words felt young and naive.
While they wondered among themselves, Mumu said,
“I came here to give a warning because you are constantly sending people and bothering me.”
“Warning?”
“Yes. To tell you to stop. But even if I warn you, you will continue to send people, right?”
‘Ha!’
Even Yang Jung-myung was dumbfounded at this.
How dare this cheeky bastard come to his place, one of the top three powers in this nation, and question him!
There was no way that a man who was hostile right from the start would even consider siding with them. Convinced, he shook his head this time.
“…”
This only made Yuk Cheon sigh.
He only wanted to avoid a fight as much as he could, but this felt like a lost cause, so Yuk Cheon pulled out his sword from its sheath.
Srng!
Yuk Cheon aimed the tip of his sword at Mumu and declared.
“I have no choice since the lord I serve has repudiated your rudeness! Let’s compete!”
Pat!
As soon as he declared that, Yuk Cheon rushed forward to Mumu like lightning. Those who saw this all exclaimed. His speed was expected of a person known to be as skilled as the top ten warriors.
‘Taiyi Fate Sword, fourth form, Integrity Sword!’
Chachacha!
Yuk Cheon’s sword, which was shining blue, flew towards Mumu. Mumu, however, didn’t move or avoid it but simply stood there.
‘Cheeky bastard!’
Did he actually think he could avoid this when they were so close? If he thought that, then it was a huge mistake…
Chang!
‘!?’
Yuk Cheon’s eyes widened as his sword, which was supposed to have pierced Mumu’s chest, broke instead.
“This…”
“What was that?”
“Y-you have a Diamond Bod….”
Clench!
“Euk!”
Before he could even finish his question, Mumu grabbed Yuk Cheon by the head. This shocked him and made him attempt to cut off Mumu’s wrist.
But…
It was something that his intact sword could not do. A broken blade had no hope of doing it either. The rest of his blade also shattered into nothing.
Yuk Cheon then decided that kicking would be the next method.
Kwak!
But before that could happen, his head was crushed.
‘!!!!!’
Everyone who was watching this was thoroughly shocked.
Who could have thought that Yuk Cheon, the master of the Taiyi Sword, would die with his head being crushed after being unable to properly use his sword?
Thud!
‘T-that monster!’
Byeok-woong was even more terrified now. Yuk Cheon was someone even he would have difficulty fighting against, but this man had killed him as easily as crushing a bug.
Chak!
Mumu wiped the blood from his hand onto the ground. Yang Jung-myung, who was at a loss for words, decided to make his order.
“K-kill him right…”
Bang!
“Huk!”
But he couldn’t finish his words either as Mumu appeared in front of him instantly. Seeing this, Mun Kyung drew his sword and tried to behead Mumu.
“This….”
Chang
Mumu grabbed his sword without even looking at him, making his face pale.
This man was a monster beyond common sense. There was no way he could go against this.
“Y-you are a master of the academy? Do you think that a master of that place, supported by the nation, will be safe if he touches the member of the Imperial Palace?”
Based on the information he had received, Mun Kyung guessed that Mumu was a master from the academy. Since the academy was helped by tax reductions and supported by the previous Emperor, he thought his words would be heeded.
But…
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“What?”
“You are the ones who touched me first. And it wouldn’t matter if no one knows who did it, right?”
‘!?’
Mun Kyung was shocked at this. He couldn’t believe that someone dared to say this here.
Huh!
At that moment, Mumu put his finger on Mun Kyung’s forehead and lightly snapped his fingers.
Pak!
The force was so strong that Mun Kyung’s head flew off, and his body fell limp while spurting blood.
‘!!!!’
Seeing this, Yang Jung-myung stiffened, unable to move.
Where the hell did such a monster come from?
Drip!
Yang Jung-myung felt his pants go wet. He had never felt such fear in his life.
Although he was old, it wasn’t like he had lost control of his body yet, but he could not control this fear.
Mumu then stretched his hand out to him, shocking Yang Jung-myung and causing him to kneel on the ground as he begged with all his might.
“I-I was wrong! Great man! Please spare me!”
His face or pride didn’t matter. He only wanted to survive.
“This stupid old man did a foolish thing. And If you wish, I will hand over all my things to you, p-please spare me…”
Tak
Mumu put his hand on Yang Jung-myung’s head and spoke softly at him without emotion.
“You should have said that earlier.”