Chapter 366: The Empty Seat
For two days after leaving the Northern Ice Palace, Tang Mujin and his companions maintained a somber atmosphere. They wanted to give Hyun Gong time to process his grief.
On the third day, Tang Mujin, Namgung Myung, and Hong Geolgae began to subtly lift the mood, avoiding any mention of Seolhwa. This was their way of comforting a friend.
Hyun Gong accepted their efforts without resistance. He had mourned Seolhwa long enough at the Northern Ice Palace. It was time to move forward, for his own sake and for Seolhwa’s.
There are many ways to lighten a heavy atmosphere, but the most effective is to start a conversation on a topic that’s bound to spark debate. While this might lead to heated discussions, a bit of intensity was exactly what they needed.
Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae pondered over what today’s topic should be. If they needed mild stimulation, they might discuss food preferences or which region was the best to live in. On days requiring more intense provocation, they might debate which martial arts school was superior or rank absent martial arts masters.
Hong Geolgae discreetly communicated with Namgung Myung.
“Shall we go with that?”
“Yes, today is the day.”
They had saved a particularly provocative topic for this moment—one that needed to be addressed eventually.
Namgung Myung casually turned to Tang Mujin.
“Tang Mujin.”
“What?”
“I’ve got a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Are you really a supreme master now?”
”···.”
It wasn’t a simple question. It was laced with doubt.
As soon as Namgung Myung posed the question, a tense silence enveloped the group. They often teased each other with baseless accusations, but this time, there was a kernel of truth.
Martial artists typically hone their bodies and weapon skills. The movements of a novice and a master are distinctly different. Martial artists gauge each other’s prowess through subtle cues.
But Tang Mujin was different. He claimed to have reached the pinnacle not through weapon mastery or physical prowess, but through poison techniques.
In the history of martial arts, no one had achieved such heights in such an unconventional way. It was remarkable, yet it posed a problem.
Despite claiming to be a supreme master, Tang Mujin’s swordsmanship and physical skills didn’t match those of other supreme masters. To outsiders, he seemed barely at the threshold of mastery.
In the past, he could dismiss discrepancies between his actual and perceived abilities with a quip. But now that he claimed to be a supreme master, it was time to clarify the situation.
As expected, Tang Mujin protested vehemently.
“Of course I’m a supreme master! If I were just a mere master, could I have taken down the Northern Ice Palace Lord in one strike?”
Despite having recently entered the realm of supreme masters, Tang Mujin was quick to belittle other masters to assert his new status.
Namgung Myung responded with a smirk.
“Who knows? Maybe your skills are just average, and you happened to get your hands on a rare poison.”
Tang Mujin’s voice rose.
“Do you think it’s just any poison?”
“Who said it was ordinary? I know it’s not, which is why we’re having this conversation. If I used that poison, wouldn’t it have the same effect?”
“Not at all!”
Tang Mujin insisted, but Namgung Myung continued unfazed.
“Imagine two kids fighting. One has a flimsy stick, and the other wields the finest sword. Just because the sword-wielding kid wins doesn’t mean he’s a better fighter. Similarly, having a potent poison doesn’t automatically make you a supreme master.”
“Do you think the poison is just that? Anyone who touches it dies instantly. Even you wouldn’t be exceptions…”
“Hold on.”
As Tang Mujin passionately defended himself, Hong Geolgae interrupted.
All eyes turned to Hong Geolgae.
“Tang Mujin, didn’t you say you got a new poison from Mok Wana before we left?”
“Yes.”
“Then shouldn’t Mok Wana be considered the supreme master, not you?”
Tang Mujin was momentarily speechless before retorting.
“That’s ridiculous. If Wana’s the supreme master, then what am I?”
“A mobile poison storage?”
Tang Mujin clutched his neck, speechless.
He now understood why strategies to provoke and test each other were common among generals in ancient wars. They were effective. Tang Mujin’s hands trembled with frustration.
“The poison I used to kill the Ice Palace Lord was different! It was the ‘Soul Severing Poison,’ not the one from Wana!”
“The ‘Soul Severing Poison’—that’s a name you came up with, right?”
“Yes.”
“You named it to distinguish it from Mok Wana’s poison… Hmm, interesting. Any other excuses?”
The skepticism was palpable. Tang Mujin wanted to demonstrate the poison’s power to Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae. A taste of the ‘Soul Severing Poison’ would erase their doubts.
But unlike martial arts, there’s no room for play with poison. Demonstrating it here could cost his friends their lives.
In essence, Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae were risking their lives to challenge Tang Mujin.
Aside from the risk to his friends, wasting the ‘Soul Severing Poison’ was a significant concern. Poisons, especially rare ones, aren’t limitless. It was too precious to use on a prank.
Reluctantly, Tang Mujin adopted a calm demeanor.
“A true master has a subtle and serene presence, making it hard to gauge their achievements. Unlike you, who follow the paths laid by others to reach the supreme realm, I’ve carved my own path.”
Namgung Myung nodded.
“Go on.”
“But I didn’t find my path in the mind; I created it. Even among supreme masters, there are levels. I’m far above you. I’m a grandmaster. You’re just ordinary supreme masters, like pebbles on the street. Understand?”
Whether supreme masters are as common as pebbles is debatable, but Tang Mujin’s argument flowed smoothly.
Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae nodded, murmuring.
“Creating a path in the mind…”
“See? You get it now?”
Tang Mujin smiled, thinking he’d convinced them. But Namgung Myung’s response was unexpected.
“Got any proof?”
”···.”
Namgung Myung’s question left Tang Mujin speechless. There was no way to prove what happened in his mind.
Tang Mujin turned to Hyun Gong for support.
“Hyun Gong! You saw me achieve enlightenment, right? Tell them!”
But Hyun Gong’s response was noncommittal.
“The power was undeniable. No ordinary supreme master’s technique could match it.”
“See? You heard him!”
“But if you ask whether Tang Mujin’s level truly reached the supreme… Well, I’m not sure.”
For once, Hyun Gong’s response was straightforward, without any hidden agenda.
Hong Geolgae stepped in to conclude the discussion.
“Let’s gather opinions. Tang claims he’s now a supreme master and should stand shoulder to shoulder with us. Who agrees?”
Tang Mujin raised his hand confidently. But Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae crossed their arms, maintaining a serious demeanor.
Tang Mujin turned to Hyun Gong. Hyun Gong’s hand hovered indecisively before stopping halfway.
Tang Mujin pointed at Hyun Gong.
“Isn’t that half an agreement?”
Hong Geolgae nodded.
“Alright, we’ll accept that. One and a half out of four agree… Fine. We can call you a ‘quasi-supreme master,’ ‘prospective supreme master,’ or ‘supreme master hopeful.’ Which do you prefer? Quasi-supreme master?”
”···.”
When Tang Mujin didn’t respond, Hong Geolgae and Namgung Myung clapped, teasing him.
“Congratulations on becoming a quasi-supreme master, Tang Mujin!”
“If I ever have to introduce you somewhere, I’ll make sure to say you’re somewhere between a top master and an ultimate master, so no one mistakes you for the latter. Rest assured! Among the so-called top masters, you’re the best!”
I really want to kill him.
It had been a while since Dang Mujin felt that way.
Yet, at the same time, a deep sense of unease washed over him.
The kind of unease that made him think he might never be recognized as an ultimate master.
After traveling further south for quite some time, Dang Mujin and his companions finally arrived near Lanzhou.
The four of them crossed the Yellow River on a small ferry. Once they disembarked and Dang Mujin paid the fare, the ferryman nodded and rowed away, disappearing into the distance.
Hyun Gong watched him go, a look of wistful longing on his face.
“Take care, and see you next time.”
“Yeah.”
There was no promise of when they would meet again, but none of them thought it would be the last time.
The world is vast, but the distance between people bound by fate is small. Even if they didn’t plan to meet again, they would cross paths eventually.
Besides, there was a reason they might meet again: the Great Martial War.
With the demonic sect warriors appearing everywhere, it was clear as day that the war was imminent.
However, there was one thing Dang Mujin hadn’t anticipated. Namgung Myung was standing subtly next to Hyun Gong.
Dang Mujin gestured to Namgung Myung.
“What are you doing over there? Come here.”
But Namgung Myung shook his head.
“I’m thinking of heading back home. To get to Anhui Province, I need to go southeast from here, so I thought I’d travel with Hyun Gong for a bit.”
Both Dang Mujin and Hyun Gong seemed surprised by this revelation.
Of course, Hyun Gong didn’t seem to mind. Traveling with a companion is always more enjoyable than going alone.
“You never mentioned that.”
“I just decided on the ferry.”
“Suddenly?”
“While swaying on the boat, I realized I’ll be thirty next year. I should aim to become the head of the family before then… and I can’t delay marrying Okryeong any longer.”
It seemed that marrying Jeong Okryeong weighed more heavily on his mind than becoming the head of the Namgung family. Witnessing Seolhwa’s death must have left a strong impression on him.
As the conversation reached that point, Hong Geolgae began to glance at Dang Mujin.
In truth, Hong Geolgae hadn’t given it much thought until now.
But seeing Namgung Myung and Hyun Gong maturely finding their paths, he felt it would be odd to return to the Tang family and continue living as a guest.
When Hong Geolgae subtly moved to stand beside Hyun Gong and Namgung Myung, Dang Mujin asked him.
”…Are you leaving too?”
“Yeah, I should head to Kaifeng. I think I need to meet with the elder, Hwahwa Nogae.”
In other words, he intended to become the leader of the Beggars’ Sect.
Dang Mujin was filled with a strange sense of emotion.
By chance, the four of them had come together.
A doctor who used to brew herbal medicine in his backyard. A beggar who got lost looking for a doctor. A reckless youth from the Namgung family who once stole a sword. A strangely arrogant young Taoist.
And now it was time to part ways.
When they met again, they would likely be the head of the Tang family, the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, the head of the Namgung family, and the leader of the Wudang Sect.
It seemed like nothing had changed, yet so much had changed without anyone realizing it. Eight years since meeting Hong Geolgae, five years since meeting Hyun Gong.
But suddenly, a thought crossed Dang Mujin’s mind.
“Hong Geolgae, what about Wang Jincheong?”
“Oh, right!”
”…”
Amazingly, Hong Geolgae had completely forgotten about the disciple he had taken on his own.
Hong Geolgae mumbled sheepishly.
“Then I’ll go to the Tang family first, take Jincheong, and head to Kaifeng.”
Hong Geolgae planned to appoint Wang Jincheong as his successor as soon as he became the leader. If he didn’t, Hwahwa Nogae would undoubtedly scour the world looking for Hong Geolgae.
Hong Geolgae returned to stand beside Dang Mujin.
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae looked at Hyun Gong and Namgung Myung, then chuckled.
“See you later.”
“Yeah.”
That was enough of a farewell. The four of them split into two groups and set off on their separate paths.
“Dang Mujin. How about we catch up to those guys and give them a good beating?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
That evening.
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae realized that Namgung Myung had stolen the pouch containing their travel money.