novelraw Chapter 164 : The Moving Wheel of Fate
Chapter 164 : The Moving Wheel of Fate
Chapter 164: The Moving Wheel of Fate
He who defies the thread of fate,
He who dares to defy the laws of the heavens.
Heavenly law would rage against such arrogance, and its end shall be none other than ruin.
An old man, who had been tracing the stars blooming brightly in the night sky with fingers etched by the passage of time, suddenly froze.
His eyes, tinged with an unusual light, read the heavens. Then he let out a long, deep sigh.
He stopped before a particularly ominous star. His eyes began to glow with strange colors.
“So it has begun at last.”
It was not a fortuitous omen he had sensed. Rather, the celestial energies were misaligned—he had seen an inauspicious sign.
And yet, the old man, whose name was Ilwol (日月), smiled faintly at the corners of his lips.
“Go, against the current.”
May you carve your own path through the violent current named fate.
And may the countless souls bound by the destinies of the stars finally be freed.
Like a parent watching a child take their first steps, he quietly offered a blessing to the glittering stars.
The old man, tracking the path of one starlight, raised a white aura around his body and continued his star divination.
“…Hmm?”
Then, he suddenly noticed an anomaly, and blinked in puzzlement.
It wasn’t just Heaven-Slaying Star whose fate had begun to twist. Around it, other ominous stars began to entangle and converge.
“What in the world…”
Among them was Ja Misung, known as the polar opposite, the destined nemesis. Seeing its reading circling close to Heaven-Slaying Star, Ilwol’s eyes filled with profound shock.
To make matters worse, even Heavenly River Star, said to be born with divine martial talent, and Overlord Star, said to bear the fate of a supreme ruler, had taken interest, watching the Heaven-Slaying Star.
“…Just what is this era’s Heaven-Slaying Star?”
He wasn’t merely defying fate—he was shaking even the ominous stars around him.
It was good that he approached with more caution after the previous failure, but this Heaven-Slaying Star seemed to be someone truly extraordinary.
“If the beings beyond the heavens realize this, they won’t stay idle.”
At the image of the Heaven-Slaying Star breaking fate’s shackles far more boldly than anticipated, Ilwol let out a complicated sigh.
“In the unity of starlight and spirit, let the heavens rise and grasp the world…”
Now that he had stepped beyond the realm of heavenly will, the future could no longer be foreseen.
He could only hope that someone might look upon these rebels against the heavens with pity, and watch over them from above.
Ilwol lifted his sorrowful heart to the starry sky.
Spring had passed, and before I knew it, summer had come.
I clung to the clue of enlightenment that Ilhong had dropped and threw myself into sword training without rest. Night or day, rain or shine.
And after all that training, I finally managed to grasp the essence of the sword technique that Hwang Geolgae had once demonstrated. Or more precisely, I managed to get half a foot into it.
“Mujin, you said you had something to show me? What is it?”
They say you should brag to your family first. Not the kind who’d throw you off a cliff, but the kind who supports you through thick and thin.
I took a slow breath as I looked at Eun Hwaran, who covered her mouth with a fan, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
One heart, one intent. As sweat beaded on my forehead and I focused my spirit, it began to take shape—white flames fluttered and wrapped around the blade.
Pouring in nearly a whole cycle’s worth of internal energy, a formless sword blade surged upward like rising flames.
“S-Sword flux…?”
The Head Escort and Chief Steward Jin both gasped, feeling the fierce energy that seemed to rip through the very air around them.
Eun Hwaran also blinked in surprise, her open mouth covered by her fan.
“Mujin… don’t tell me you…”
“Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. Your sworn brother is now a master-level martial artist.”
I grinned broadly and shrugged with exaggerated pride.
The little beggar brat my sister had picked up off the street had now grown into a true master.
So yeah, I puffed myself up just a little.
“Oh my! Mujin, that’s incredible!”
Eun Hwaran was overcome with joy, patting my back repeatedly.
One of the few who truly celebrated my success without weighing gain or loss.
It honestly made my lips twitch into a smile like I’d been praised by real family.
“We should throw a small celebration. With a table full of snacks and liquor.”
She smiled brightly as she said that.
Now that was the kind of line that would make the gluttonous beggars of the Beggars’ Union drool.
“Isn’t that a bit much, though?”
“You’re running a business now. Use this as a stepping stone to get your name out there, so customers keep coming and your people don’t go hungry.”
She was right. Even in ancient China, self-promotion was key.
Especially when Eun Hwaran was willing to tap into her solid network for me—how could I refuse?
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Noona.”
“What’s to thank me for? I’m proud to introduce such a capable brother.”
Good thing I showed her my sword flux first.
Next, I visited another person to show off. I put on a flashy display of my invincible sword energy, slicing through even sword qi like butter.
Zzzzzt!
I poured in every last drop of my internal energy, and a pale white sword flux extended about three chi from the tip.
I swung the glowing white blade slowly, like a lightsaber, in front of a certain old man.
On the day of our escort mission’s departure, Hwang Geolgae had launched this high into the sky to boost morale.
The Left Blood Law of the Blood Cult even used this to launch ranged attacks. Sadly, I wasn’t at that level yet.
“Oh? Sword flux, huh?”
Hwang Geolgae raised an eyebrow, sounding half-surprised as he watched my Dog-Slaying Sword Technique.
“That’s less enthusiasm than when you find a hidden stash of booze… Can’t you be a little happier for your disciple, Master?”
I withdrew my sword, my voice lacking energy.
“Why would this old man be happy about your life going well?”
Normally, a master would be happy for their disciple…
But this old man was as stubbornly self-centered as ever. He truly lived by “All three realms are suffering—only I find peace.”
Could someone like that really cast off worldly desires and ascend to immortality?
“Then why are you hanging around my office again?”
I wiped the sweat from training off my face and asked.
Lately, this grand old beggar had been emptying the snacks and tea leaves of my poor Troubleshooter office, rather than sponging off the wealthy Eunseong Trading Company.
“That’s because I’m a man striving to cut worldly ties and attain enlightenment, free from earthly worries.”
In short, now that entering Beijing was possible again, he’d run away here to avoid the persistent Beggars’ Union members tracking him down.
Apparently, some Beggars’ Union folks were even setting up a branch near Eunseong Trading Company these days.
A not-so-subtle message for the runaway Dragon Head Sect Leader: “Come home anytime.”
“……”
Perhaps sensing my judging gaze, Hwang Geolgae sprawled on the office chair and muttered something weird.
“Stars of the night sky, the immortal beings of the celestial sphere. Before the teachings that transcend all creation, what meaning do human bonds and worldly attachments hold?”
“Are you drunk? Talking nonsense again.”
Thwack.
An empty liquor bottle, imbued with a strange force, struck my forehead.
Do all those who’ve fallen into inner demons and returned to sanity end up this eccentric?
He’s supposed to be my master, but instead of admiring him, all I think is: “Let’s not end up like that.”
“Dan Mujin, you rascal.”
“Yes, Master.”
But of course, I couldn’t reveal such thoughts. I lowered my head and responded, asking what he wanted.
“With this new power you’ve gained… what will you do?”
The peak master realm. And the immense internal energy that allows me to wield that still-clumsy sword flux for an extended period.
True to a master who is both pleased by and wary of my growth, Hwang Geolgae seemed to be asking the Heaven-Slaying Star within me what I intended.
Like an adult who’s just handed a real blade to a child.
“I’m going to beat you down, Master.”
Whap.
This time, a squid leg imbued with internal energy slapped across my face.
It had the sting of a wet slap—felt like he was still chewing it.
“Heh heh, don’t joke around. Tell me for real.”
That wasn’t a joke. I was dead serious.
Perhaps reading my earnest expression, Hwang Geolgae stared at me in silence before letting out a dry chuckle.
“You reckless fool… You learned martial arts just to beat your master? What a riot.”
One day, I’ll plant my fist right in that smug face. I’ll pay him back for every beating I’ve taken.
That desire was definitely one of the driving forces behind my growth.
“Still, it’s probably that twisted mindset that let a Heaven-Slaying Star like you reach such heights.”
Laughing to himself, Hwang Geolgae nodded like he’d convinced himself.
“Don’t Heaven-Slaying Stars usually surpass the peak master realm with ease?”
“In a sane state, you idiot. Usually, they go mad before that.”
Cultivating martial arts and reaching higher realms requires mental maturity and suffering.
Like attaining enlightenment. Which is why those plagued by the killing will of the Heaven-Slaying Star rarely reach it.
“They say the previous Heaven-Slaying Star reached peak master realm at fourteen.”
“…That one had a unique origin and status. You’re different.”
I’d thought I was the most talented of all the Heaven-Slaying Stars, but after hearing that, I was reminded how the sky is vast beyond imagining.
“I’d like to reach the realm of Blazing Flame before thirty. Is there any way to speed up my progress?”
Breaking through that wall once had made me greedy.
I wanted to surpass that Cheongun Sword from the Namgung Clan. If you’re born a man, you should at least try for the title of the next Best Under Heaven.
“Of course it’s possible. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Oh? What should I do?”
“If your mind gets devoured by the Heaven-Slaying Star, it’s fully possible.”
“……”
The Heaven-Slaying Star excels at slaughter and killing.
While it may not be enlightenment-based progress, it would still result in great strength.
“So basically, my sanity would die.”
“Exactly. That’s the normal path for Heaven-Slaying Stars, you brat.”
“Son of a—”
Thankfully, I had the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method to block that path.
Come to think of it, who exactly was that Mysterious Daoist who created this heart method?
As if they foresaw all this, they saved Hwang Geolgae, passed on the method, and somehow it ended up with me.
I asked Hwang Geolgae about their identity.
“I don’t know either, you brat.”
He only barely knew the name Ilwol, and swore to one day find him.
“Useless, as always.”
Thunk.
This time, a round teacup flew into my face.
“Damn brat, I told you to keep those thoughts inside.”
After the small banquet arranged by Trading Lord Eun Hwaran, the name of one troubleshooter began to gain considerable fame in Beijing of the Imperial Capital.
A young martial master who reached the peak realm, a man active in faraway Sichuan, who would even storm the Imperial Palace for a client—
The rumors spread like wildfire across all of Beijing. And it worked: a shabby troubleshooter office on the outskirts began to overflow with clients.
“Ah, please form a line! A line!”
Clients had always been as rare as beans in a drought.
Seeing people lined up in this cramped office for the first time, Jo Harang was flustered trying to manage them all.
Watching from inside, I was honestly moved.
Like a blocked meridian finally opening. Moments like this do come when you run a business long enough.
It must’ve been thanks to Eun Hwaran’s introductions and the Beggars’ Union folks who took a liking to me and spread the word.
“Turns out you need pros to see real change.”
Like they say—promotion is the soul of business. Looking back, I’d really been running things the dumb way.
“Is this the Dan Mujin Troubleshooter Office that does anything for clients?”
“Yes, that’s right, welcome!”
Ilhong and Jo Harang were busily tending to the nonstop stream of visitors.
I rubbed my hands together and greeted the guests with a big smile.
And yet… despite business booming and having the full support of the Beggars’ Union…
For some reason, Ilhong’s busy expression looked strangely gloomy, as if something was weighing on her mind.