The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 10

'Eldest son Mok Wicheon, second son Mok Wipyong. And me. General Manager Jang Baekmun, Protector Jin Jaryun.'

That was the order we were sitting in. You could see this as the hierarchy of the Mok family. Of course, I was an exception. Wouldn't it be strange if the third son of the Mok family was way down there? That's probably why they placed me in this seat.

But as time went on, it honestly got a bit boring. Good food came out, and music and dance livened up the mood. That wasn't bad, but it felt like something was missing.

And it seemed everyone else felt similarly.

"Is it really going to be like this? It's not exciting at all."

Protector Jin Jaryun raised his cup and proposed a toast. Everyone once again celebrated the Mok Family Head's birthday and drank, and right after, the eldest son Mok Wicheon stepped forward.

"Our Mok family may command merchant guilds and businesses, but we started as a martial family."

Mok Wicheon looked to be in his mid-20s, and his body was very sturdy.

"Since everyone says there's a lack of excitement, I will entertain your eyes. It's a humble skill, but I would be grateful if you would watch for fun."

He was resolute yet skillful. He knew well how to present himself in a place like this.

As he spoke, all the dancers left, and a wide space was created. Mok Wicheon went to the center and took a stance.

"It's Wudang's Jinshan Zhang."

The General Manager said in a whisper.

Mok Wicheon's martial arts demonstration wasn't bad. He extended his hands as fast and strong as a lightning strike, and showed movements as majestic as a mountain.

The reaction from the surroundings was also good. Applause erupted several times.

"His achievement is considerable."

"Isn't he getting attention even among the rising generation?"

But in Mok Wigun's eyes, it wasn't so.

'He hasn't properly learned the footwork. That's why he can't produce proper power.'

Footwork is like the foundation of a building. How can a proper building be built if the foundation isn't strong?

'Dull. Slow. Who would get hit by an attack like that?'

Mok Wigun clicked his tongue and shook his head slightly. An action that said it was no good at all. But Mok Wipyong, who saw that from the side, glared and said in a whisper.

"Do you think you're the number one master under heaven? Where do you get the nerve to be so arrogant?"

An action to pick a fight no matter what. Mok Wigun turned his head and looked Mok Wipyong straight in the eye.

"I keep getting the feeling that I'm going to see blood on a good day."

And Mok Wigun's predictions tended to be highly accurate.

Mok Wipyong's face turned red again, and he trembled. If it were up to his temper, he would have jumped up right away and grabbed his brother's collar. Or shouted at the top of his lungs.

But what kind of place was this? There was nothing he could do.

"Why is your face so red? You don't look well, you should take some medicine."

Mok Wipyong knew he couldn't beat his brother with words. He let out a deep breath and said. Grinding his teeth.

"You. Just you wait."

Mok Wigun didn't care one way or the other and went back to watching the martial arts demonstration. Mok Wicheon's demonstration was already coming to an end.

'Is this Mok Wicheon's real skill?'

If so, it was a bit disappointing.

It looked strong and destructive, but it was a martial art that was not effective in a real fight. Well, that could be. At a banquet like this, a spectacular show is needed. So it was understandable if he performed the martial art he just showed for that reason.

'I'll have to see a real fight to know his true skill.'

Mok Wicheon went in with a big round of applause.

In fact, the situation up to now was all planned. From Jin Jaryun livening up the atmosphere to Mok Wicheon stepping up to show his martial arts, it was all a pre-arranged progression.

'Protector Jin Jaryun is Lady Jin's older cousin.'

He had created the opportunity for Mok Wicheon, Lady Jin's son.

Even if it was a banquet for enjoyment, if you looked inside, there were all sorts of complicated things hidden.

"That's amazing."

Sa Hongmyeong of Huashan praised him greatly.

"Then is it our turn to show our skills this time?"

He sent out one of the Huashan disciples. The person who came forward held a sword and began to perform martial arts.

"It's the Plum Blossom Sword Art."

The General Manager informed me in a low voice.

‘I know. I saw it to the point of being sick of it when I was in that other world.’

That crazy dragon must have robbed the Martial Alliance's library, because all the secret manuals of the Central Plains were there. If you just wanted to, you could learn any martial art.

‘People probably don't know. The fact that I know Wudang's martial arts better than Daoist Master Cheongun, and that I know more of Huashan's martial arts than Sa Hongmyeong.’

As Mok Wigun was thinking that, people went wild.

"It is indeed the Plum Blossom Sword Art. It's worthy of being called the ultimate skill of Huashan."

"Excellent. I have broadened my horizons today."

At that reaction, Mok Wigun let out a hollow laugh.

'They're being ridiculous. What kind of Plum Blossom Sword Art is that?'

It was not good. He couldn't control the sword properly. The tip of the sword was shaking, so he couldn't bring out the original flavor of the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

'It only looks plausible, but the foundation is weak.'

‘But well. That's none of my business. They're people who have nothing to do with me.’

When the demonstration of the Plum Blossom Sword Art ended, Mok Wipyong stepped forward. Seeing the General Manager's slight surprise, it seemed to be an unplanned event.

"Wouldn't it be less exciting with just demonstrations? So how about we show a sparring match this time?"

Mok Wipyong said that and then turned his gaze to look at Mok Wigun.

'Me? He wants to do it with me?'

Mok Wipyong was smiling triumphantly. Without even knowing what he was doing.

'You're digging your own grave.'

Mok Wipyong, excited, encouraged the crowd's applause and chattered on.

"We brothers will show you a trick."

Oh? If you want to die that badly, it would be rude to refuse.

Mok Wigun stood up from his seat, receiving the gazes of the crowd.

"I wonder?"

Protector Jin Jaryun stood up from his seat and said.

"The Third Young Master was seriously injured not long ago, so his physical condition is not good."

The crowd's attention shifted to him. He used gestures appropriately and said.

"So how about he spars with a skilled warrior from the Mok family instead?"

It was an interesting situation. Protector Jin, who had never even spoken to him before, was trying to protect Mok Wigun. But although it looked that way on the outside, the inside story was different.

'He can't stand to see Mok Wipyong stand out, can he?'

That's why he was arranging a sparring match with a Mok family warrior, and a skilled one at that, rather than Mok Wigun.

He would probably pit him against a warrior who was not only skilled but also listened to his words well. He would try to humiliate Mok Wipyong. To make such a cunning judgment in an instant. As expected, when you become a Protector of a family, you're not just skilled in martial arts.

"The Third Young Master was treated by an outstanding physician and is now fully recovered."

This time, the General Manager stepped up.

"Besides, it's a sparring match, so what does it matter? As you all know, wasn't the Third Young Master also famous for his outstanding talent in martial arts when he was young?"

General Manager Jang Baekmun was even more cunning. He was encouraging the sparring match while praising Mok Wigun. He exchanged a subtle glance with Lady Jin, Mok Wipyong's mother and his own niece.

"He hasn't trained in martial arts for over 10 years, how can a sparring match be possible?"

This time, Pung Oksan stepped up. He cupped his fists to Jin Jaryun and said.

"Zhongnan hasn't shown anything so far, so please yield to us this time."

And he suggested that he spar with So Jeonghak. So Jeonghak was startled and whispered urgently.

"Me? I'm not ready."

"You punk, what do you mean ready? You can just go out, scuffle a bit, and come back."

Pung Oksan said, glaring.

"Then should Wigun, who just came back from the dead, step up? You punk."

"Ah. That's not it, but."

So Jeonghak sighed deeply, whether because it was burdensome or because he lacked confidence.

As the situation suddenly became disorganized, the hall became noisy. People murmured and chattered about what was going on. Then Mok Seonkwang opened his mouth.

"What are your thoughts?"

He was asking Mok Wigun himself for his opinion.

"It's been a long time since I've used my hands, so my control is clumsy."

"So you're saying you can't do it?"

Mok Seonkwang said in a slightly disappointed tone.

"Of course not. I said that because I thought I might seriously injure my opponent since my control isn't good."

The people murmured again. It was a statement that implied Mok Wipyong was no match for him.

"Hasn't the Third Young Master gone a bit strange?"

"Strange? Isn't he a famously known troublemaker?"

All sorts of stories came out, like his troublemaker personality was showing, or that he wasn't in his right mind. But when the Mok Family Head opened his mouth, it became quiet in an instant.

"What can you do if you're worried about getting hurt? Don't mind it and give it a try."

When Mok Seonkwang's permission was granted, the one who was most triumphant was the second son, Mok Wipyong. As Mok Wigun came out to the center, he approached him and said in a low voice.

"Your older brother won't be too harsh. But you'll have to lie down for a few days."

"I guess so. Though the person lying down will be different."

Further conversation was meaningless. The two of them took their stances.

"It's the starting stance of the Tiger Subduing Fist."

Someone who saw Mok Wipyong's stance muttered. Sa Hongmyeong of Huashan also nodded after seeing the stance.

It was clear that he had trained quite hard. On the other hand, Mok Wigun wasn't even taking any particular stance. They thought this was a match that wasn't even worth watching.

"The Second Young Master will win, right?"

"How can someone who hasn't used his hands for ten years win? It's not even worth talking about."

Everyone said that Mok Wipyong would win an easy victory. And with that, a flood of sarcastic remarks about Mok Wigun poured out.

"No. Did that troublemaker step up without even knowing he would be humiliated?"

"He can't tell heaven from earth. He deserves it."

Such criticism was even more severe from the people living near the Mok family estate. Because they had seen Mok Wigun's troublemaking countless times.

"Alright. Here I come!"

Mok Wipyong approached quickly and swung his hand fiercely.

Tiger Subduing Fist. A fist technique that felt powerful, befitting its name of subduing a tiger. His fierce attack was on the verge of crushing Mok Wigun.

"Huh?"

But soon, Mok Wipyong had a bewildered expression. He had clearly attacked, but he was the one who was staggering.

Thinking he had made a mistake, he attacked again. But a similar thing happened again. Mok Wigun dodged the attack by a hair's breadth, and Mok Wipyong couldn't withstand his own strength and staggered.

"Oh my. This can't even be called a sparring match."

"I know, right. The Third Young Master is just barely dodging."

The people murmured, saying it was a one-sided situation. And they said that Mok Wigun wouldn't last long and would collapse.

In fact, Mok Wigun's body was not perfectly normal. The poison and curse were not completely removed yet, and the fact that he had lived so debauchedly for so long was also a big factor.

So he was in a state where he couldn't even use his strength properly, and he couldn't display his true skills. But he had something else.

'Do you know what was the first thing I learned when I was dragged to that other world?'

The Demon King's army was too strong. It was crawling with monsters that could blow a person away in one hit. So Mok Wigun learned desperately. The method of deflecting the opponent's strength. The technique of using the opponent's strength against them.

Mok Wigun was showing that right now.

(End of Chapter)