Chapter 75: Perhaps, Brotherhood

Small Scalpel Blade, Murong Hui.

Back in the days of the Murong Clan, he was someone who had constantly ignored and oppressed Murong Cheongjin.

In short, he was like a trauma button for Murong Cheongjin.

And now I was being asked to save that guy? Risking my life against Blood Cult bastards to do so?

"No, that's a bit…"

I shook my head firmly.

I might’ve gone if it were a complete stranger.

Murong Cheonghye, seeing my reaction, gripped my hand again.

"We must rush back to our base, so you're the only one I can ask to help him, sir."

Urgency flowed from her clasped hands. Just as I had helped the Chivalrous Unit before, she was asking me to show chivalry once more.

"That guy called me a petty thief who stole your honor, you know."

"……"

But the karma stacks that bastard had accumulated were too many for chivalry to override.

Even during Murong Cheongjin’s days, and again when I stood in front of him as Dan Mujin, he was downright vile.

At least the Chivalrous Unit guys had the decency to fight against injustice. But that guy? Tsk tsk.

"Alright… then I’ll make a formal request through the Wanderers’ Guild."

Seeing I wasn’t swayed, she brought up compensation, wondering if that was the issue.

"Wanderers’ Guild requests must go through an intermediary. It’s tied to their livelihood."

It was a roundabout rejection, using the guild as an excuse.

Honestly, this wasn’t about money—it was about pent-up emotions.

When I refused again, Murong Cheonghye paused for a moment before saying something unexpected.

"You said this before, didn’t you…? That one day you’d like to open your own office and work as a troubleshooter."

"……"

Then she brought up something I had muttered in passing a long time ago.

It was a random thought I’d spilled while on my way to meet Captain Jeok Unyeop. I couldn’t believe she remembered it.

"You said you wanted to take on requests rejected even by the Murim Alliance or the Wanderers’ Guild and become the best troubleshooter in the Central Plains."

I didn’t expect anyone to pay such close attention to the ambitions of a lowly third-rate wanderer.

Embarrassed by the warm feeling spreading in my chest, I scratched my cheek.

"So please, Troubleshooter Dan Mujin. Save my younger brother, Murong Hui."

There was desperation in her voice.

"Ugh."

I’d always been weak to this kind of thing.

This feeling of someone desperately needing me.

As someone abandoned by both parents and the world, realizing I could still be of use to someone always made my chest ache.

Maybe that’s why I ended up becoming a troubleshooter.

"Sigh, hurry and head back to your base."

It felt like the Murong Cheongjin inside me was backing down.

As I waved my hand and told her to go, she asked me with a face full of hope.

"Then, sir…?"

"Yes. I’ll try to save that guy, Murong Hui. So go now."

I used to think some religion’s preaching to love thy enemy was complete nonsense.

"Thank you, sir! I’ll definitely repay this favor!"

But it felt like I was putting that spirit of philanthropy into practice now.

Whether favor or grudge, Dan Mujin always paid it back double.

Life really was worth sticking around for.

‘傻逼 (idiot).’

Apparently displeased with my decision, Heaven-Slaying Star scrawled a red insult across the air.

I was unsure if I’d made the right call, but thanks to that, I felt more certain.

If that bastard was pissed off, I was probably headed in the right direction.

"Let’s go."

Murong Cheonghye unfolded her Body Movement Technique and sprinted toward the base.

Feeling the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method ignite within my chest, I launched myself in the opposite direction.

Taat.

Murong Hui lay on the clinic bed, staring blankly at a plain ceiling.

‘How did it come to this?’

It all started when the eldest son of the Murong Clan—his older brother—ignored the family’s wishes and chose to enter public office, claiming he had no interest in martial arts.

When the heir to a martial family turned his back on the sword, their father naturally shifted all his hopes onto the legitimate son. Murong Hui had done everything he could to meet those expectations.

But after repeatedly losing to Cheongun Sword of the Namgung Clan, their eternal rival, his father’s gaze gradually filled with disappointment.

To make matters worse, the third sibling was born with an ominous constitution that could explode at any moment.

Their sister, feeling pity, neglected him and focused all her attention on the youngest. From that point on, Murong Hui’s personality had begun to twist.

‘I really… tried my best.’

He thought that, with Namgung Jin of the Cheongun Sword not participating this time, he could finally meet expectations. But once again, all he got was that same disappointed stare.

When he began to falter under the opponent’s staff, he saw Murong Cheon shaking his head and walking out of the duel arena.

That was the moment Murong Hui’s world crumbled.

"I really am pathetic…"

In a corner of the clinic tent.

A man was muttering in utter despair.

Just then, the tent tore open with a sharp rip as a murderous aura flew in with a blade.

"Then die!"

Though caught in despair, his martial instincts kicked in.

Murong Hui hastily grabbed the Small Scalpel Blade left behind by the physicians.

Chaeng!

It was a small blade, but imbued with Sword Qi, it barely blocked the attacker’s strike.

But his opponent must have been a Peak Master Level martial artist too. Crimson Sword Qi flared up as they pressed in.

Kagagak!

"Khk!"

The force from above pushed the blade closer and closer to his face.

At this rate, his face would be skewered and he’d die on the spot.

"Damn it…!"

As the blade touched him, blood trickled from his cheek.

Was he really going to die like this?

Always disappointing others, only to die meaninglessly in a surprise attack—was that really his fate?

As Murong Hui silently cried out at the cruelty of it all—

"Do you know what kind of world has no one who cares for their brother?"

An inexplicable voice suddenly echoed.

Puk!

A long staff shot up and viciously struck the intruder's head, sending it flying.

"Keuk!" With that sound, the assailant crashed to the ground with a thud.

"The answer is, a pathetic world."

In this grave moment, there was a man throwing out a joke that wasn’t even funny.

"Y-You, why are you here…?"

And that man was none other than the wanderer who had once beaten Murong Hui like a dog—Dan Mujin.

"Came to save you."

At those words, Murong Hui's expression changed in disbelief.

"Why would you save me…?"

"Your sister was terribly worried. It’s a long story, so get up."

There could be more enemies nearby.

I reached out and helped him up from his dazed state.

"Is that so, Cheonghye-noona sent you to save me…"

Then Murong Hui mumbled something in front of me.

"Can you move?"

"I can move, at least."

"How about your martial arts?"

"Thanks to you beating me to a pulp… not so great right now."

Murong Hui responded while retrieving the blade from the Blood Cult member who had almost killed him.

In short, he was dead weight.

"I’m off to find Jo Harang and Tang Yeo-hye. Follow if you want."

I’d kept my promise to Murong Cheonghye. I saved him from the Blood Cult bastards, now it was time to handle my own business.

I had searched near the other duel stages for any trace of them, but no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t sense their presence.

Did something happen while they were heading to their matches?

"You’re Small Scalpel Blade Murong Hui, right? Hello, I’m Ilhong."

Ilhong stepped up without missing a beat to greet a high-ranking figure from one of the Five Great Clans.

"Ah, yeah."

Murong Hui nodded awkwardly at the overly friendly approach from the unusually handsome boy.

"I wandered all over, and I still can’t sense Jo Harang’s energy."

Heaven-Slaying Star’s rival—Zami Star.

Usually, when I activated Heaven-Slaying Eye, I could faintly sense her presence as long as it was within a reasonable distance.

But this time, it felt like some greater presence was covering hers.

Instead, I could feel some random star’s energy snagging on my senses.

"Boss, why are you touching around your dantian?"

"Just… felt something weird."

Maybe it was because an incredible amount of virtuous energy had built up in my body, more than I’d ever seen.

If I converted all this into internal energy, it would amount to years’ worth. No wonder the weakened Heaven-Slaying Star was already trembling.

"Where are you headed?"

A low question from Murong Hui.

"Where my companions might be."

"You said earlier that those guys were targeting the heads of the orthodox factions and the Murong Clan, right? Then let’s head to the base. Cheonghye and Father might be in danger."

"No, thanks."

"……"

Murong Hui’s brow furrowed at my curt rejection.

I was just dragged into someone else’s grudge. Normally, you’d want to stay far from the battlefield, right? My plan was to find Tang Yeo-hye and Jo Harang first, then bolt.

"Please…"

Of all the memories of Murong Cheongjin I retained, I had never seen Murong Hui act so humbly.

"Is that how you ask someone for a favor? To the guy who just saved your life? Tsk tsk."

A much younger and lower-status wanderer clicked his tongue, and Murong Hui clenched his teeth in silent fury.

"Father once said they were beings who used bizarre evil arts beyond reason. Even a high-level martial artist could fall into danger in a split second."

"As I said, I’ll look for my companions first. Whether I come to help after that is up for debate."

With that, I began to scour the expansive Murim Alliance grounds.

It seemed most had rushed to the main battlegrounds, leaving only scraps of the enemy behind.

Then, after walking a bit more, a familiar voice stabbed into my ears.

"Die, you bloody brat!"

A sharp-voiced shout from a short woman in her twenties, clearly sensitive about her height.

A dark green poison bomb exploded with a puff, and Blood Cult members screamed as they were wiped out.

"Miss! I almost got caught in that too!"

"You’ve been tagging along for years! Dodge it yourself!"

A man and woman bickering as always.

"That’s Uncle Neungsam and Lady Tang Yeo-hye."

Ilhong, standing next to me, shrugged as if he immediately recognized them.

***

"Hey! Where the hell have you been?!"

Upon seeing my face, Tang Yeo-hye dashed over, her martial arts uniform fluttering.

Amid her angry voice, I could faintly feel a hint of relief.

"The ones who ambushed us were swept away, then we went looking for you, but all we found were corpses of Blood Cult members! We were shocked, split up to search, and still couldn’t find you anywhere...! Where the hell had you gone!"

"Well, I was out looking for you two as well."

It seemed we had passed each other while I was heading to rescue Murong Hui.

I explained this to calm her fiery temper. After hearing my explanation, she took a deep breath.

"But why are you dragging this rude bastard along?"

Tang Yeo-hye raised one eyebrow as she pointed at Murong Hui beside me with clear displeasure.

"Ahem, Lady Tang. Rude bastard, you say…?"

"You little shit. Didn’t I tell you to call me Lady Hero? You’re two years younger than me, what’s with this 'Lady' crap? You wanna die?"

"Alright, alright. Let’s stop now."

She was brutally harsh to anyone she hadn’t yet opened up to.

Knowing this well, Murong Hui backed off a few steps with a face full of disdain.

"Dan Mujin Gongja, I’m relieved you’re safe."

"Oh, Uncle Neungsam. You’re still alive, huh."

I took the antidote just in case and greeted Neungsam, who had approached.

"Yes, I’m somehow still alive. Once the lady couldn’t see you, she caused such a ruckus. I almost got caught in it and died screaming."

"Goodness, that must’ve been tough."

He looked like a middle-aged office worker suffering under a short-tempered boss.

"Don’t even get me started. She was shooting around everywhere screaming your name. I’ve never seen her like that before."

"W-What nonsense are you spouting…? I was just looking, that’s all?"

Flustered by Neungsam’s vivid testimony, Tang Yeo-hye stammered her words.

"It was like she was panicking, worried something had happened to her future husband... kuh!"

A dull thud sounded as she struck him in the side.

"You son of a bitch! Spewing nonsense again!"

Thwack thwack thud thud. With tiny fists, she beat her servant like she was keeping rhythm.

At any rate, judging from that scene, both of them seemed fine.

Now I just needed to find Jo Harang.

"...You."

"What?"

I responded dryly to Murong Hui’s question as he patted me on the back.

"I’ve noticed this for a while now... what exactly is your relationship with that woman?"

He pointed at Tang Yeo-hye, who was rampaging like a mad dog.

"Nothing special. Just a close older sister–younger brother kind of thing?"

"With that wild dog...? You’re saying that kind of relationship is possible…?"

He looked at me like he’d just seen a mythical creature.

Just what kind of image did she have among her peers?

"Miss! That hurts!"

"You should be hurting more, you bastard!"

Watching that, I kind of understood why.

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