****
Fortunately, Cheon Muryang, who returned without being caught by anyone, washed his body cleanly and changed clothes.
“Mm…….”
The sleeves fluttered.
Not only that, but the waist size was also wide.
However, the top and bottom lengths had become short.
Wolyeong, who brought food just in time, saw that appearance.
“Gongja-nim.”
“Right.”
Wolyeong had changed to eyes that were full of new emotion.
“Is it because you starved for ten days? You lost a tremendous amount of weight.”
It wasn't just that he lost weight.
Muscles also increased, and it seemed his height also grew.
“It seems so.”
“I think we need to fit new clothes.”
“Mm…… I suppose I should?”
Not only everyday clothes, but he also had to change all his martial arts uniforms.
The place in charge of this was Cheon-geum-gak (Heavenly Gold Pavilion).
“Are you going to go to Cheon-geum-gak?”
“Is there a need to do so cumbersomely?”
“Then?”
“I am thinking of going outside the family for the first time in a while.”
Wolyeong’s expression became dark.
It was because she remembered the Eldest Gongja who used to cause trouble whenever he went out in the past.
“Me, was I perhaps banned from going out?”
“Ah, it was already lifted.”
“That is fortunate.”
“Still, please go after filling your stomach heartily before that.”
Smoke rose thickly.
Cheon Muryang, whose appetite surged wildly upon seeing the food, ate to his heart's content with his head buried.
“Hoo……. I can't stand it.”
“Yes. You may eat it all!”
He ate to the point his stomach bulged.
Cheon Muryang, who felt satisfied, stepped outside wearing the somewhat uncomfortable clothes.
He forcibly dissuaded Wolyeong who wanted to follow him.
“Then have a safe trip!”
“Right.”
“Do not cause trouble!”
“…….”
“Street food is also not allowed!”
Wolyeong had increased her nagging remarkably.
Regarding this as natural from a certain moment, Cheon Muryang stepped outside.
“It won't take long.”
Although he was going outside the family for the first time in a while, he had absolutely no intention of causing trouble.
Because it was merely a part of rest to immerse himself in training in the future.
“Hangzhou, huh…….”
The Cheon Family was located near Mt. Cheonmok (Cheon-mok-san).
Therefore, it was close to Hangzhou.
“I am going for the first time in a while.”
He always longed for the light of Hangzhou.
He envied Hangzhou, which always emitted a light that did not set, unlike himself who was like a firefly.
“Because I was a shadow.”
Light did not suit a shadow.
However, now it had changed.
He could become the owner of that light.
“I changed.”
Everything changed.
Reaching this point, he acknowledged and accepted that changed reality.
“I am Cheon Muryang.”
The mangnani Eldest Gongja, Cheon Muryang.
Cheon Muryang headed to Hangzhou for the first time in a while.
<><><>
The streets of Hangzhou were wide.
The streets were full of people wanting to enjoy Pung-ryu (elegance and style) all year round.
U-ttuk.
Suddenly, Cheon Muryang stopped in his tracks.
He looked above the bridge.
“Shall we go to Hongmaeru today?”
“That sounds good!”
“I am buying today!”
“Oh-oh-oh!”
Tribes walking while staggering drunk from broad daylight.
Although they were hallyang (playboys), no one could touch them because they were noble young masters who grew up preciously at a glance.
‘At one time, I must have belonged to that group too.’
Cheon Muryang also.
Was a member of that group.
“…….”
They were the haves.
Therefore, they only saw the light of Hangzhou.
There was no way they would see the shadow.
The brighter the light.
The darker the shadow was bound to be.
Seu-euk.
Not above the bridge.
Cheon Muryang looked below the bridge.
Someone bowing his waist repeatedly was seen there.
“I am sorry. I am sorry.”
In front of him, martial artists harboring ferocious killing intent were swaggering with their swords drawn.
“If you are sorry, does nonexistent money spring up? Huh? What about our money? Who took your money? Hand over our money you borrowed!”
“B, but…… already the principal is…….”
“Ha! Frustrating. Look here, if we lent it because you said money was urgent, there should be something corresponding to that.”
Although that something had already exceeded the principal long ago.
It was typical usury.
“Shall we sell you as a slave, and sell your one and only daughter to that brothel over there? Huh?”
They, who opened their eyes blue and threatened, intimidated him by swinging swords here and there.
“P, please…… just my daughter……. Please…….”
Below the bridge, he begged until his knees wore out.
“Kkil-kkil-kkil! The taste of alcohol is good today!”
Above the bridge, the mangnanis were busy discussing Pung-ryu.
“…….”
It was just above and below the bridge.
However, what was this contrasting scene?
Cheon Muryang was swept by indescribable disgust.
“So hand over the money!”
The one begging until his knees wore out.
He was Mumyeong of childhood.
Mumyeong was an existence below the bridge.
“Let’s try drinking until our mouths become crooked today.”
Those hallyangs walking with their legs twisted were the mangnani, Cheon Muryang.
Cheon Muryang was an existence above the bridge.
‘Then, where am I?’
Is the current Cheon Muryang an existence above the bridge, or an existence below?
Cheon Muryang, who stopped agonizing over that answer, soon found the answer.
‘I am the existence that destroys that bridge.’
At that moment.
The bridge disappeared.
Only people were seen.
I will not turn away from the shadow.
“Can't be helped. I have to cut off one arm to make it work.”
They swung real swords.
It was to cut one arm.
Swi-i-ik!
“Stop that hand.”
However, Cheon-gwang had already moved.
Ka-ang!
Cheon-gwang dug through and advanced between them.
“What?”
They were slightly flustered.
“Who are you?”
“Me? I am called Cheon Muryang, the Eldest Gongja of the Cheon Family.”
“What?”
They laughed loudly enough to leave.
Although it was high-quality clothing, the clothes were too big so they were in a loose state.
Furthermore, because the length was short, Cheon Muryang’s appearance was ridiculous.
“Ah, you are that mangnani of the Cheon Family? Then I am the Wolf King!”
“Kkil-kkil. Then I am the Fighting King! You bastard, why would that mangnani bastard be in a place like this? He is a gentleman busy drinking booze over there.”
Blatant ridicule.
They did not believe Cheon Muryang’s words.
It was understandable, as Cheon Muryang was a famous mangnani to the extent that there was no one who didn't know him even in Hangzhou.
So, there was no way such a mangnani would be in a place like this.
“Probably, it seems you obtained that pig bastard’s clothes from somewhere, but where do you act arrogantly? Do you want to die?”
Hoo-ung!
They didn't seem to have any intention of keeping Cheon Muryang alive.
Harboring ferocious killing intent, they rushed at Cheon Muryang.
“……That sword.”
It was a familiar sword path.
Although their swords did not reach maturity, they were clearly swords Cheon Muryang knew.
“Isn't it the sword of the Cheon Family?”
A stereotyped sky.
However, even that was dyed darkly.
Greed was felt from their swords.
“What?”
Cheon Muryang let out a deep breath.
Wolyeong’s earnest plea came to mind.
『Do not cause trouble!』
Cheon Muryang shrugged his shoulders.
‘I can’t keep that promise.’
But, what could he do?
Cheon Muryang thought of an excuse.
This was not an accident he caused proactively.
“Yes, where do you dare to intervene in the execution of the Cheon Family!”
“…….”
Hoo-woo-ung!
Cheon-gwang emitted light.
Cheon Muryang recalled one of the skies he faced in the Cheonryong Library.
Seo-geok.
At that moment, deep wounds were engraved on their necks.
“Heok!”
However, no one could capture Cheon Muryang’s sword.
“Execution of the Cheon Family, you say. I am curious about the words after that.”
The spirit rising from Cheon Muryang’s whole body.
Even bleakness was felt due to the newly changed Cheon Yang Divine Art.
“Next, try speaking.”
“Who, who on earth are you! W, we are martial artists of the Cheon Family!”
In just a single exchange, they grasped that they were not his match.
Cunningly, they sold the name of the Cheon Family immediately.
That was the art of living to survive.
Perhaps it might have worked if it were someone else.
“Tsk.”
There was no way it would work on Cheon Muryang.
He was dumbfounded.
The great name of the Cheon Family was never for trash like this.
It seemed necessary to imprint it firmly on them.
“I must have told you.”
“…….”
“That I am Cheon Muryang, the Eldest Gongja of the Cheon Family.”
Hoo-ung!
Cheon-gwang dropped slightly.
Sharp energy spewed out from it.
Cheo-eok!
Cheon-gwang touched the neck of the one who ridiculed him most blatantly.
Blood was already flowing through the wet Cheon-gwang and fell to the floor.
“Heok!”
“And the name of the Cheon Family is not a name you bastards can sell carelessly.”
They just blinked their eyes.
They couldn't help but believe.
How could the Eldest Gongja called a mangnani possess such high-level martial arts?
“Speak. Who is behind you bastards?”
They were a pack of jackals.
There must be someone moving them behind.
He had to know who that was.
“Oh my, Gongja-nim. Please save us just once. We will all die. Please!”
“You die even if you don't speak. You die if you lie.”
“W, we just did as ordered.”
“What?”
“That, that is…… at the words that they would give money if we helped…… the usury business…… we just threatened a little.”
Cheon Muryang laughed quietly.
At this, perhaps thinking tension was released.
It was when their shoulders loosened.
Seo-geok.
Along with the eerie sound of flesh cutting bone, an arm fell with a tuk.
“Keu-aaaaaak!”
Blood soared like a fountain.
However, Cheon Muryang stared with cold eyes without moving even a little.
Only after he felt sufficient pain did Cheon Muryang strike the neck of the one who lost an arm.
“I said you die if you lie.”
“Hi, hi-i-ik!”
It was a lie.
The smell of blood vibrating from them was never shallow.
The scent of blood soaked deeply.
They must have killed countless people.
“Speak. Who is behind you bastards?”
“Hi, hi-ik!”
Therefore, Cheon Muryang did not bestow a shred of mercy in cutting them.
Seo-geok.
Another one, he cut the neck.
“…….”
The one who received Cheon Muryang’s gaze was completely stricken with fear.
“I, I will tell you everything! P, please just live my life……!”
“Speak.”
“T, that is…….”
The story was short.
After hearing all those stories, Cheon Muryang cut them all.
“W, why!”
“I didn't say I would save you.”
Hil-kkeum.
The one who was persecuted by them was still trembling in the corner.
“It is okay now.”
“T, thank you. H, how should I repay this grace…….”
It was a familiar face somewhere.
At this, Cheon Muryang stared intently at the face.
“Did you happen to be in the Cheon Family?”
“H, how do you……!”
He became certain.
Although he became very emaciated, Cheon Muryang remembered that face.
“Did you not happen to be in Cheon-geum-gak?”
“Yes. Although I do not know how you remembered a low-ranking person like me, that is correct, Eldest Gongja-nim.”
Cheon Muryang was dumbfounded.
This person was the one who always brought training swords that broke and clothes that grew bigger when Mumyeong was engaged in training before being appointed as an escort warrior yet.
Although he wasn't seen from a certain moment.
“Geum-san Ah-jeo-ssi.”
“……!”
“Right?”
“H, how do you know my name……!”
“Well, there is no need for you to know that…… and I heard it was usury. How can the Cheon Family do usury?”
“T, that is…….”
“Is that reason perhaps related to the reason why you cannot work at Cheon-geum-gak anymore?”
“…….”
Geum-san fell silent.
That alone was a sufficient answer.
Did he realize his mistake?
He bowed his head repeatedly to Cheon Muryang and requested earnestly.
“E, Eldest Gongja-nim, you must not dig deeper anymore. Although I am thankful you saved me…… y, you must end it at this point.”
“I cannot do that.”
“Yes?”
“The Cheon Family is my family. How can the one who will become its owner ignore it when he came to know of corruption and injustice?”
“……!”
“You do not have to speak. Since I already obtained the necessary information.”
According to the information spoken by the one already dead, they decided to contact somewhere after collecting money.
Cheon Muryang intended to go to that place.
Geum-san, who was nearby, also heard about that information.
“It is dangerous.”
Cheon Muryang laughed nonchalantly.
“I know.”
“…….”
“However, I must know. What on earth this situation is. I ask you to take care of the aftermath.”
Jeo-beok, jeo-beok.
Cheon Muryang left this place.
Geum-san, who remained alone, stared with indifferent eyes at those rolling around as corpses after dying.
“What on earth…….”
Geum-san harbored a question looking at Cheon Muryang’s retreating figure.
Chi-i-ik!
Taking out Hwa-gol-san (Bone Melting Powder) from his bosom, he sprinkled it on the corpses.
Along with the stench, the corpses began to melt down together with the bones.
“Is that really the mangnani Eldest Gongja?”
Geum-san stared in the direction where Cheon Muryang disappeared.