Who Will Provide the Endorsement? (3)
"...I see. I didn't realize Hero Wei possessed that kind of information."
The goatee kept his sly poker face firmly in place as he readily admitted it. No doubt he figured half-heartedly denying it might invite some unpleasant retaliation from me.
Even though it looked like I'd walked alone into enemy territory, there was no question who held the absolute advantage here.
The Hao Sect couldn't cause trouble in Wuhan.
The Hao Sect lacked the martial strength to oppose a Super Peak expert.
The Hao Sect had no reason to make an enemy of me.
That was why, if this man truly was the traitor, he would try to win me over. If not... he would choose to cooperate.
The question was which side the goatee in front of me had chosen.
I leaned back comfortably in my chair and spoke.
"After shaking down a few bastards clinging to the Demonic Cult, all sorts of information fell into my lap."
I slowly released a thread of aura from my mana core. I wasn't planning to cause a scene, but if he tried anything stupid, I intended to repay him in full.
...Not that I expected him to be that foolish.
"As expected of Hero Wei. The reputation spreading through the gangho doesn't seem to be an empty one."
"Skip the flattery. What's your answer?"
Acceptance or refusal.
When I fixed him with a steady gaze, the goatee answered immediately, his expression turning slightly more respectful.
"I will provide the information on the Demonic Cult's branch. However... I have one request."
"What is it?"
"If you assist us in punishing the traitor... I will give you not only all information related to them, but any other intelligence you desire."
The goatee bowed his head toward me. It seemed like a sincere plea.
"I don't have that much time to spare myself."
"There is a method. We can issue a summoning order using the sacred artifact passed down through generations to the Hao Sect leaders. Since there's already some discussion about the next Hao Sect leader... it will appear perfectly natural."
"If we succeed in drawing out the traitors... I hope you will strike them down."
Things were growing more complicated by the minute.
Who would have thought saving the Wulin Alliance Leader would involve such a long and convoluted process? Saving the Hao Sect, securing information to raid the Demonic Cult branch, and even laying the groundwork to gain approval for the succession duel.
It was all something I'd brought on myself, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret at having no time to rest.
Still, if I pushed hard for the next two years—either making sure the Demonic Cult couldn't start a war at all, or crushing them outright to bring peace—then I could spend the rest of my life in tranquility.
"But won't this story leak out soon?"
"The people at Tianxiang Pavilion are ones I raised personally. They won't betray me so easily."
Well, if he said so, I'd take his word for it.
"When will this summoning order happen?"
"In thirty days. We're gathering in Xuchang, Henan. You can disguise yourself as my escort warrior and accompany me then."
"Why are you trying to pull me into this?"
I looked straight into the goatee's eyes.
He met my gaze with serious intensity and answered.
"Though the Hao Sect may be an organization formed by those from the bottom of society, it was created to protect one another. Those who betray their own family... must receive fitting punishment."
"Is it that difficult for the Hao Sect to handle the traitors on your own?"
"As you know, the Hao Sect built its power on information rather than martial strength. If the traitors are receiving support from the Demonic Cult..."
Demonic practitioners, huh.
"In that kind of situation, why deliberately issue the summoning order?"
"To induce complacency. We'll summon them as if we know nothing. Once they gather, I planned to have the warriors we've secretly trained strike them down."
The original work never went into much detail, so it never clearly explained how the Hao Sect had been swallowed up. So this was the backstory.
If I didn't intervene, the Hao Sect Leader would be assassinated and the sect taken over instead. The Hao Sect's intelligence network would then play a major role in the Demonic Cult's invasion of the Central Plains.
"...But compared to a Super Peak expert, they're nothing but small fry."
That was true enough.
If throwing money at the problem was enough to create experts, the great sects wouldn't need to invest so much effort in taking on disciples.
Nurturing outstanding martial artists required proper support, good mentors, and superior techniques.
I had once been trained that way myself. It brought back memories of those days rolling around in the training camp like a polished gem. I'd gritted my teeth and pushed desperately because I didn't want to die.
"Well... from my perspective, since I need the Hao Sect too, it's not a bad offer. The timing is just awkward."
"The timing?"
"I'm not sure if this has reached you yet, but do you know why I'm requesting information on the Demonic Cult?"
"...My apologies, but I do not."
Of course he didn't. You'd have to have read the original work to understand why I was after information on the Demonic Cult. It made sense that he was unaware. It probably hadn't become known yet that I intended to challenge the Alliance Leader to a succession duel.
"The Demonic Cult is my enemy. That's all you need to know."
"...Understood."
I couldn't exactly give him the full story.
Whatever else it was, the Hao Sect was still an organization that bought and sold information. Revealing too much about myself wouldn't do me any favors.
If things went south, they could use it to put a noose around my neck.
I rose from my seat in a leisurely motion.
"Send word to Hainan Hall when the time comes."
"Thank you."
"Still, thirty days is rather long..."
I'd have to make good use of the time I had.
I left the pleasure house.
"Mister, you smell like perfume. Where have you been...?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
My spine went cold at the sight of Hyeryeong waiting up for me despite how late it was.
I wasn't even married yet, but here I was feeling like a husband about to get an earful.
"I had some business to take care of outside."
"What kind of business...?"
There was no reason to hide it from her, so I might as well tell the truth.
"I made contact with the Hao Sect."
"The... Hao Sect?"
"There was information I needed."
"Couldn't you have just gone to the Beggars' Sect?"
"This was the kind of information the Hao Sect would know more easily than the Beggars' Sect."
"What information?"
"About the Demonic Cult."
"Ah..."
Hyeryeong nodded slowly at my answer. Having seen those schemers plotting between the two families herself, she probably had a rough idea of what I was after.
"But why do you smell like perfume?"
"The meeting place with the Hao Sect happened to be at a pleasure house."
"Is that all...?"
"It's the truth. Besides, do I look like the type to fool around with women?"
"If you say so, I'll believe you."
Why did she worry about so many things?
I let out a small chuckle at Hyeryeong, who was acting like a child with separation anxiety. Looking at her now, she seemed less like a penguin and more like a puppy. I stroked her head and said, "We have things to do tomorrow, so let's get some sleep. You don't need to wait up like this next time."
"Okay..."
I escorted the sleepy-looking Hyeryeong to her room, then entered my own.
Helping the Hao Sect would happen in a month.
In the meantime, I'd take care of everything I could.
There was still about half a year left, so within the next month I would secure endorsements from the Hainan Sword Sect and the Hebei Peng Family. As for Shaolin's certification... I'd have to finish the Hao Sect matter first and handle it slowly afterward.
"There's a damn lot to do."
It would be easier on my mind to throw everything away and live in some remote mountain village.
I changed my clothes and lay down on the bed.
When I woke up, another hectic day would begin.
I closed my eyes.
"...A succession duel with the Alliance Leader? That's quite the joke."
"...I'm serious."
At my words, the White Elder looked at me with an expression caught between belief and doubt. He probably couldn't tell whether I was joking or not.
I carefully chose my words to persuade him.
How could I convince him effectively?
After some thought, I spoke.
"It's related to the Demonic Cult."
"...What did you say?"
The White Elder's face grew serious in an instant. The fact that his attitude changed the moment the words "Demonic Cult" left my mouth—when he'd initially thought it absurd—showed he hadn't forgotten their attack.
I continued, pressing my case.
"Do you remember how I encountered the Demonic Cult's underlings on my way back from the Wudang Sect?"
"You did mention it. I understand the Wulin Alliance sent people to verify the matter."
"...From that incident, I've come to suspect that a spy from the Demonic Cult is among the Alliance Leader's closest aides."
I dropped the bomb.
Information that only I knew—information this world's people had no way of knowing.
"...Can you stand by those words?"
"It's still only a possibility."
"Why do you think so?"
"That city wasn't far from Wuhan. As far as I know, the Wulin Alliance operates its own intelligence network. The fact that they noticed nothing despite how close it was suggests someone was blocking or manipulating the information from behind the scenes, doesn't it?"
There were holes in my explanation that couldn't be hidden.
However, the weight of my words wasn't something that could be easily dismissed.
"Even so, I don't see how that leads to a succession duel."
"To secretly inform the Alliance Leader of the spy's existence and root them out, I need a private audience. But as an outsider, the only way for me to secure a private meeting with the Leader is through a duel."
"Hmm... So that's why you're asking for our help."
"Correct."
The White Elder turned his head to look out the window for a moment and stroked his beard.
He seemed to be deep in thought. Putting his sect's name on the line wasn't something he could agree to lightly.
"Very well. The Hainan Sword Sect owes you a debt, so we will take your side."
"Thank you."
The first endorsement secured.
Fortunately, obtaining the Hainan Sword Sect's support had gone smoothly.
Next... it was time to head to the Hebei Peng Family.