The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 6

The first impression I got of the Mok Family Head in his office was that he was very solid and sturdy. His expressionless face even gave off a somewhat desolate feeling.

"What have you done this time?"

A voice devoid of any emotion.

"Shouldn't you first ask how my body is?"

At Mok Wigun's retort, a subtle flicker appeared on the Mok Family Head's face. But it soon returned to its original expression.

"I asked what you have done."

This person also only says what he wants to say. A person who only knows himself and thinks the world revolves around him.

"My body has gotten much better."

They each spoke their own piece, as if having different conversations. The General Manager tensed at Mok Wigun's answer. But the Family Head let out a short laugh and asked again.

"I heard there was a commotion with the second son?"

"What commotion? He was trying to steal my things, so I just stopped him."

The Family Head, Mok Seonkwang, probably knew the whole situation. Yet he was still asking. To see how I would answer. To see what actions and expressions I would show while answering. He was trying to test me by pressuring me.

But listen here. I'm the guy who fought tooth and nail with the Demon King. This level of pressure doesn't even feel like pressure to me.

"Is that why you called me?"

Mok Wigun said calmly. As if it were a trivial matter, and he was called for just that. At that sight, the eyes of Mok Seonkwang, the head of the Mok family and master of the clan, changed.

"You are not Wigun, are you?"

Mok Seonkwang laughed loudly. So loudly that it echoed throughout the room. It was a hearty laugh that suited Mok Seonkwang's large frame.

"I would believe it if you said you were a completely different person. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Isn't it natural for a person to change after going through a great ordeal?"

The General Manager also said with a smile.

"Yes. Does the world look a little different now that you've come back from the dead?"

"That's not it."

Mok Wigun still spoke calmly.

"Does the world ever change? It's the people who change."

"Oh? What has changed?"

"Before, I only thought about it but couldn't act on it. From now on, I don't intend to do that."

It wasn't a lie. Mok Wigun had wanted to do that too. Who likes being looked down upon? But he lacked the courage.

"That's right. Now you can finally fulfill your role as a member of the Mok family."

The Mok Family Head was very pleased.

"So. What are you planning to do from now on?"

"First, I need to do some organizing."

"Organizing? What do you mean by organizing?"

Mok Wigun took out the documents detailing the recent situation from his bosom and said.

"Someone has been helping themselves to my things quite a bit. I can't just let that be, can I?"

Hearing those words, Mok Seonkwang stared intently at his third son. Mok Wigun did not avoid his gaze either. After staring at each other for a moment, Mok Seonkwang spoke first.

"It is your fault for having it taken."

Memories flashed through my mind. Mok Seonkwang was that kind of person. He considered taking and being taken from as a natural thing. A person who pursued strength rather than justice.

"If you are hoping for my help, dismiss the thought."

As if.

"If I wanted help, wouldn't I have asked to see you first?"

I never expected such a thing in the first place. I just hoped he wouldn't interfere.

Revenge is best served by oneself. So I'll take care of it myself. If anyone gets involved or interferes, I won't stand by idly.

"Good. Do as you think. But the responsibility that follows is also yours."

"That is what I wished for."

Interesting things are going to happen from now on. I plan to stir things up a bit while preparing to get my things back. I was already curious as to how the other party would react.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

Originally, I had nothing to ask. But suddenly, a memory of Mok Wigun came to mind. The question he had always wanted an answer to from his father.

"What kind of son am I to you, Father?"

At those words, Mok Seonkwang's expression hardened.

"That question again?"

He was clearly angry. It was the same as in my memories. Whenever Mok Wigun asked this question, the Family Head always got angry.

"I thought you had gotten a little better, but you still have a long way to go."

"Is it a difficult question to answer?"

"You always asked that question after causing trouble and getting an earful."

It seemed Mok Wigun had wanted to say something. Why am I the only one being scolded like this? I'm not the only one who did wrong, so why are you so cold only to me?

"Don't ever say such weak things again. Do you think living as a member of the family is that easy?"

"I understand."

That was the answer. From Mok Seonkwang's expression and attitude, I could tell what he was thinking. He didn't consider an incompetent child as his child.

"Then I will take my leave."

Mok Wigun bowed and was about to go outside when Mok Seonkwang spoke.

"Attend the dinner tomorrow evening. You know what day it is, right?"

The birthday of the Mok Family Head, Mok Seonkwang. Since his mother, Lady Son, had died, Mok Wigun had never been invited nor had he attended.

He thought it was better to be out of sight. But this time, he was told to attend.

"This is a first. I understand. I will be there on time."

After saying that, Mok Wigun went outside. As he left, the General Manager approached the Family Head and said.

"I think you were a bit harsh this time. He wasn't asking because he was being scolded."

The Family Head thought the General Manager had a point, but he shook his head.

"Is leading a family child's play? It's troublesome if such a weak heart remains."

"Still, doesn't it seem like he's come to his senses this time?"

"Rather than coming to his senses, I should say he's become a completely different person."

Mok Seonkwang muttered to himself, 'He might really be a different person.' It was a voice so soft that even the General Manager couldn't hear it.

"Still, with the third son acting like that, the other two will be a bit on edge."

Mok Seonkwang knew that the two older brothers were embezzling their youngest brother's assets. But he condoned it. These were chaotic times. To survive in chaotic times, one had to be strong. A world where it was natural for the weak to be taken from.

"More importantly, you said his maternal family sent someone?"

"Yes. He was a physician with very outstanding skills."

"Well, it would take more than ordinary medical skills to bring a nearly dead person back to life."

The General Manager told him what had happened with the physicians. That he was so knowledgeable and skilled that the other physicians were in awe. Mok Seonkwang tilted his head.

"I thought they were on the verge of collapse, but did they have some strength left?"

Mok Wigun's maternal family was once a clan that boasted immense power. A family that had produced an Empress Dowager, so one can imagine their influence. But their downfall began when a political upheaval occurred and the Empress Dowager lost all her power.

"Don't they say that even if a rich man goes broke, he still has enough to live on for three generations?"

"Well, they may not have power in the imperial court, but they probably still have some people left."

He asked the General Manager in detail about the physician.

"That physician. His name?"

"He is called Pyeon Jeoksu."

The General Manager told him everything he knew about Pyeon Jeoksu. After hearing the whole story, Mok Seonkwang asked as if his interest was piqued.

"So. How long is Physician Pyeon scheduled to stay at the annex?"

"He said he will be with the Third Young Master for the time being."

"Then arrange a meeting soon."

The General Manager said he had tried himself, but he had refused to meet.

"He says he will not meet anyone other than the Third Young Master."

"Still, make it happen."

Having been with him for so long, how could the General Manager not know the Family Head's disposition? When he spoke like this, the order had to be carried out no matter what. It meant he considered it that important.

"I will do so."

"It would be a waste to miss out on such a skilled physician."

"That is correct. I will bring him over no matter what."

Skilled physicians are rare. Just because one is a master doesn't mean they don't get sick or ill. And getting injured is a common occurrence in the Martial World, isn't it? That's why the powerful families of the Martial World maintain friendly relations with skilled physicians.

But to have the skill to save someone whom other physicians had declared dead? Then his value is immeasurably high. Mok Seonkwang's thought was that he had to be secured by any means necessary.

"And the guests from the Nine Sects One Alliance are scheduled to arrive today."

"Let me know when they arrive. I must greet them personally."

The Mok family, like other powerful families, had friendly relations with the Martial Alliance. Among the Nine Sects One Alliance, they were close with Wudang, Huashan, and Zhongnan.

An event hosted by a powerful family like the Mok family is not a simple anniversary. It's an important occasion where close factions gather and strengthen their ties under that pretext.

Knowing this, Wudang, Huashan, and Zhongnan sent people who could be considered real powerhouses. Wudang sent Daoist Master Cheongun, Huashan sent the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Sa Hongmyeong, and Zhongnan sent Pung Oksan.

"Then I will take my leave."

As the General Manager left, Mok Seonkwang looked outside. In the distance, Mok Wigun was walking away. His third son, who had changed so much.

"Whether he's changed or is a different person, as long as he is helpful to the Mok family, that's all that matters."

Mok Seonkwang, called the Iron-Blooded Sword. It was a cold statement, just like him.

* * *

"Martial Uncle. You can't."

The Zhongnan disciple, So Jeonghak, grabbed his martial uncle Pung Oksan's arm. No. He tried to grab it.

But he was no match for Pung Oksan, who was once the top master of Zhongnan. He dodged with his footwork and then teased his martial nephew, So Jeonghak.

"Hey. I'm telling you, you can go alone."

"Does that make any sense? All the high-ranking people are there, what am I supposed to do there alone?"

So Jeonghak was on the verge of tears. If he had known this would happen, he regretted having accompanied him to the Mok family banquet.

"Do you think those guys will even care? It won't matter at all if I'm not there, so don't worry."

"No. Absolutely not."

So Jeonghak was desperate. If he lost Pung Oksan here, something terrible would happen. The event of having to be alone in such an uncomfortable place full of people with higher seniority than him.

He used his footwork with all his might. He wondered if he had ever concentrated this hard in his life. So Jeonghak's body blurred and then moved quickly towards Pung Oksan.

"Hey. I'm telling you, it's not about just putting in strength, you punk."

But Pung Oksan was someone who had reached a much higher realm. He easily dodged him with just a few light movements of his body.

"Don't you like making connections in places like that?"

"Martial Uncle!! That's only possible if you are there and introduce me so I can get acquainted with them!"

He was sure to become a laughingstock by himself. He truly resented his martial uncle for pushing him into this ordeal.

"You punk. It's better to leave an impression on people in some way than to just occupy a seat without any presence."

Pung Oksan said with a laugh. And then he quickly moved in the opposite direction of the distant Mok family estate.

Behind him, he could hear So Jeonghak's voice calling him desperately. But he did not stop moving.

(End of Chapter)