Chapter 52
Chapter 52
The palm force that Mok Sonkwang sent out struck the stone tablet with a tremendous roar. Everyone was startled and looked at the stone tablet.
'So that's why he moved the stone tablet over there.'
Mok Wigun could tell that the family head had prepared thoroughly today.
That stone tablet was one used by the Wind Unit. The deepest handprint on it was that of the Wind Unit captain, Pyeong Gukdo. But right next to it, a new handprint of the family head, Mok Sonkwang, had appeared, and wasn't it imprinted even deeper than Pyeong Gukdo's?
The people who knew that fact were all surprised. It was because they had known that Pyeong Gukdo was similar to or slightly superior to the family head.
"Look at that! A mark deeper than the Wind Unit captain's!"
"Hasn't the family head's martial arts risen by a level?"
Someone said out loud. It was probably someone who had been arranged in advance. At that, a chorus of admiration followed. Mok Sonkwang leisurely enjoyed the surrounding reaction and then shouted.
"I had an enlightenment this time and had a small achievement."
"Congratulations, family head!"
Everyone stood up, smiled, and said congratulations. Everyone was completely engrossed in the fact that the family head's martial arts had deepened. Weren't they martial artists? Everyone was busy talking about the palm force.
Thanks to that, what Mok Wigun had said until now was in vain. No one paid any attention to it. Mok Sonkwang, who was observing the situation, stomped his foot with a 'thud' and then shouted.
"Wigun's words are also right. But who are we?"
"We are the Iron-Blooded Mok family!"
Several people shouted. That too must have been arranged.
"We push away what blocks us. That is our way! And the path we have walked!"
At the Mok family head's words, the atmosphere of the crowd heated up. With that, the Mok family's policy was practically decided. The family head added fuel to the fire.
"To the one who achieves great merit in this fight, I will bestow a precious elixir and great wealth."
At the word 'elixir', everyone's eyes lit up. In particular, the brothers Mok Wicheon and Mok Wipyong openly showed their desire for the elixir. They must be aiming for the Azure Stone Milk. But there was something they didn't know.
Mok Wigun shook his head. To think he would pull such a scam after taking the Azure Stone Milk himself. As expected, he was a sinister person.
"Alright. It seems we've gotten too heated up, so let's take a short break."
Protector Jin stepped forward and said. Mok Wigun could feel that there was some kind of story between the family head and Protector Jin. As the two joined hands, the meeting proceeded smoothly like flowing water.
'So that's why Lady Jang was so anxious.'
Since the two had joined hands, she must have been under pressure. But the real problem was something else. Mok Wigun had doubted his ears when he heard the news a while ago. It was because it was information that was hard to believe. And he was sure that Lady Jang's side had been shaken because of that.
As he was thinking that, the Mok family head called Mok Wigun closer. And then he spoke in a voice that others couldn't hear.
"I will reject your proposal."
"The damage will be great."
Mok Sonkwang said with a gentle expression and a smile. To others, it would have looked like a father and son having a harmonious conversation.
"Even so, I will do it my way. That is the Mok family!"
There is a more certain way with less damage, but he's going to shed blood? If the family head has decided so, there's nothing to be done.
"I am against it."
"Then stay out of this matter."
Mok Wigun looked into the family head's eyes and said.
"Not only me, but all my people will also stay out."
"Do as you please. A force that is not even that large. We can do without it."
Mok Wigun's force was only Mok Wigun himself, Pyon Juksu, and the Light Wind Unit. He must have thought that although it was a pity, it wouldn't be a big hindrance.
"And also give up the position of the head of the inspection team. And from now on, there will be no support from the family."
As soon as he thinks he's become strong, he immediately bullies. They say people don't change.
"Was there any support I received? It seems I was only taken from..."
Mok Wigun said, looking straight at the family head.
"The Mok family should also not expect any support from our side. I'm thinking of becoming completely independent on this occasion."
"You're going to leave completely?"
"That's right."
Mok Sonkwang had a strange expression. He guess so. It's good that Mok Wigun is leaving, but the assets that Mok Wigun has must be coveted.
"Let's decide on that later. It's more important to wrap up the meeting well now."
"It has nothing to do with the meeting, so let's wrap it up here."
"What's the reason for this all of a sudden?"
Mok Sonkwang, trying to hold on somehow.
"Do you really not know the reason?"
Mok Wigun looked into the family head's eyes and observed him carefully. At first, he glared back, but then the family head, Mok Sonkwang, stealthily averted his gaze. He must have reacted that way because he had something to feel guilty about.
Anyway, he couldn't be with the Mok family. How could he be with a family that was worse than an enemy? And was that all? He was going to finish off the Mok family.
"I guess this is it. Then I'll be going."
"Wait a minute..."
The family head seemed to want to leave some room, but Mok Wigun cut him off sharply.
He must have thought so. He must have judged that he would plot something within the confines of the Mok family. That's why he must have come out so strongly now. But he had thought completely wrong. The fence of the Mok family was not needed.
"I have something to announce to everyone."
Mok Wigun shouted loudly, imbuing his voice with internal energy. At the sudden sound, everyone looked at Mok Wigun. Mok Sonkwang had a look of dismay, but he couldn't stop Mok Wigun.
"I have decided to become independent from the family because I have my own thoughts. Therefore, I am informing you that I will not be able to join you this time."
A sudden bombshell announcement. Both Protector Jin and General Manager Jang had surprised expressions at the sudden turn of events, and the murmuring of the people did not seem to subside easily.
"Then I bid you all farewell."
Mok Wigun left after saying that. The place was noisy for a long time due to the sudden situation.
"Alright. Alright. Let's start the meeting again. Please take your seats."
Protector Jin sorted out the situation. Mok Sonkwang also sat down and tried to prepare for the future. Thinking that a small commotion would soon be forgotten.
"Then, to prepare for the future..."
Just as the family head was about to speak, someone suddenly ran in from outside.
"Family Head!"
"What's with the commotion during a meeting?"
Protector Jin scolded him loudly. But the man who had run in ran right up to the family head and hurriedly spoke.
"There's big trouble!"
"What is it? What's with all the fuss?"
The man panted a few times and then said.
"The Baek family... the Baek family... and the Huashan Sect have joined hands."
"What?"
He was so surprised that as soon as he heard that, the Mok family head shot up from his seat. The other people were also surprised. In particular, the people from Lady Jang's side, who had maintained a good relationship with the Huashan Sect, had expressions of disbelief.
"What do you mean by that? Why the Huashan Sect?"
"I don't know the reason. But the news that the Huashan Sect has decided to support the Baek family is rampant in Chang'an. There's no one who doesn't know."
General Manager Jang's expression became serious. He had hoped it wouldn't happen, but it had finally burst. He and Lady Jang had known that it might turn out this way.
"If the Huashan Sect takes the Baek family's side, isn't this a big problem?"
Among the Nine Sects One Alliance, Huashan is considered next after Shaolin and Wudang. It's not an opponent that the Mok family can even hope to contend with.
"We don't know yet. Find out in detail what happened. It could be that the Baek family exaggerated a simple friendly relationship and spread it."
The Mok family head tried to deny reality. In fact, that could be true. But the atmosphere of the general meeting had been ruined beyond repair. The morale that had been soaring to the sky just a moment ago was nowhere to be found.
At that time, Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu were already far from the Mok family estate and were climbing Mount Yakwang.
"Foolish. Fights are not just done with fists."
It is best to win without fighting. If a war is unavoidable, you must win as quickly and surely as possible. So that the damage is small.
Mok Wigun had led wars for hundreds of years. The Mok family head's statement was something a stormtrooper captain would say to raise morale before a fight, not something a commander would say.
"The Baek family has reinforced their weak points. By bringing in a powerful ally called the Huashan Sect."
"If you can't eat it alone, it's natural to bring in an ally, isn't it? The Mok family is finished now. If you were there, there would have been some chance of winning."
It was a natural thing. But now he didn't have to care. Because they had become strangers anyway.
"Then what are you going to do now?"
"What are you asking for, it's obvious. Since I'm starting anew, I'll become the number one under the heavens."
"Oh. Now you're a little more like yourself."
Pyon Juksu was excited, saying it was good.
"Think about it. If I become independent, there will be a lot of guys who will bother me for no reason, right? How can I live while enduring that? It's better to just make them not even think about attacking."
"That's right. Crush all those guys. Hot-bloodedly."
"But can I just go all out from the beginning? Then I'll become the same as the Mok family now."
Mok Wigun smirked and continued to speak.
"It's not time for that yet. I'll make an example of a few guys and crush them."
He had to buy time until he became strong enough. In the meantime, he would also beat them up hot-bloodedly, but he also had to make a reliable ally and secure his safety.
"It reminds me of the time when I was raising the Demon King subjugation force. But come to think of it, it was fun when I was raising them somehow even though it was so hard."
"Well, that's true. To be honest, what's the fun after you've raised them all? The real fun is when you're raising them and crushing them one by one."
Mok Wigun thought it would be quite fun from now on.
"Since I've become independent, I should also move my base."
The manor in Chang'an was a strong candidate, but he was thinking of looking into other places as well. And then he planned to build a force that no one could touch. And the beginning of that was the Light Wind Unit.
He couldn't have felt more relieved after breaking away from the fence of the Mok family. Mok Wigun walked towards the detached villa with a clear mind.
* * *
When he arrived at the detached villa, an unexpected guest had arrived. It was a member of the Chang'an magistrate's household.
"Ahem. I am a person who serves the Chang'an magistrate."
A man who spoke with his head held high and an arrogant attitude. He was acting very cocky.
- If you saw him, you'd think he was the Chang'an magistrate.
- It's always the guys under the powerful ones who act more high and mighty. There are always people like that.
He said he had come for the treatment of the magistrate's mother and said to Pyon Juksu.
"You'll have to come with me. For the treatment of the magistrate's mother."
It sounded more like a threat than a request. An attitude that said, 'How dare you defy the order of the Chang'an magistrate?' Mok Wigun looked at the errand boy for a moment and then said.
"Alright. Physician Pyon. Let's get ready and go together."
Pyon Juksu looked at him with surprised eyes.
- Are you crazy? You're telling me to go when he's acting like that?
- He said someone is sick.
- Aigoo. You're doing this again because a grandmother is sick, right? Anyway, you can't think straight when it comes to children and grandmothers.
As they were talking telepathically, the person who was a member of the household said.
"The young master is troublesome. Just Physician Pyon should go."
Mok Wigun slowly turned his head.
"I'm troublesome?"
"You know. The rumors about you, young master, are rampant in Chang'an."
'You're a complete mess, where do you think you're following?' 'Are you trying to make some connection with the magistrate? No way.' That was the kind of expression he had. A sneer revealed on his face.
At that, Mok Wigun smirked.
"Then forget it. If I can't go, Physician Pyon can't go either, so just know that."
'I was going to do you a favor and treat her, but you're coming out like this? You must be mistaken, the one who's in a hurry is you.'
"Pardon? No. This is troublesome. The magistrate asked for it..."
Perhaps because it was an unexpected answer, the person who was a member of the household was flustered. But that's not my business.
"Then tell the magistrate to treat her."
(End of Chapter)
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