Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Chapter 3: The Match (7)
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Cheonwi turned to Dongpungneung this time and asked.
"Are you curious about how this mess came about?"
"Indeed."
"I heard on the way over from this friend here. That Taihang Guild martial artists burst in, right? As you might suspect, they're fakes. Not from the Taihang Guild."
"I figured as much. But they weren't."
"?"
"See the one collapsed right in front of you? Face down by the table."
"Yes. I see him."
"He was someone I knew. Just a squad leader, but he had distinctive eyes."
Oho's eyebrows shot up.
It was an unexpected turn.
The Taihang Guild martial artists he'd seen were clearly fakes. Yet one of them was someone Dongpungneung personally recognized.
That made the situation far more serious. If the man were alive, it might be different, but dead like that, it was even worse.
But Cheonwi's thinking differed from Oho's.
As if he'd anticipated it, he spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"Mixing fakes with ones that seem real... Just as I thought. They're definitely one step ahead."
"Mixing them?"
"To be precise, complete fakes mixed with fakes that pass for real. Even if this guy was deep enough in the Taihang Guild for the Guild Leader to recognize him, that doesn't change the fact he wasn't a real Taihang Guild member."
"A Taihang Guild member who's not a Taihang Guild member? So you're saying that dead guy was a spy from another sect?"
"That's the most plausible explanation."
"He was someone the Army Marching Sword valued. That's why I remembered him."
"A spy is someone skilled at winning hearts and minds."
"Even granting your point a hundred times over. Even if he truly was a spy from another sect, the end result is I killed one of the Army Marching Sword's men. There's no way to prove he was a spy."
"Exactly as you say. And that's the crux of this whole affair."
Dongpungneung's small eyes sparkled.
"I see...!"
He'd finally realized it. He spoke in a slow, grave voice.
"We got it wrong from the start. Someone's been sowing discord between the Taihang Guild and us."
"That's my thinking too."
"It was about a month ago, right after the fight on Xiaoshan Lake Street. A letter came in the Army Marching Sword's own hand. Claiming they had no intent to attack. I thought they were just blaming us after starting it themselves, but it seems that wasn't the case. Maybe that letter was genuine."
"Looking back, it probably wasn't just then. Whether by territory or balance of power, a conflict between our two sects at this point makes no sense."
"The mastermind... There's someone scheming this fight."
"Yes."
"What could they possibly want?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Obvious?"
"The downfall of the Il Mountain Five Rivers."
Dongpungneung's face hardened in an instant.
"Absurd!"
"Is it? What other reason could there be?"
The downfall of the Il Mountain Five Rivers meant the complete collapse of Shanxi Province's power structure.
It wasn't just about one clan or sect rising or falling. It was about the fates of thousands, tens of thousands.
"You're awfully casual about something so monumental. Not ordinary at all. Makes me curious about your backgrounds."
"Just a bit more honest than most."
"Honesty alone wouldn't let you act like this in front of me. You've surely met far greater figures than I. Otherwise..."
"The Guild Leader has already made a name for himself. No need to compare you to anyone."
"Sharp tongue too."
Dongpungneung glanced around once more before fixing his gaze back on Cheonwi. The wrecked interior of the Jinsung Pavilion was eerily quiet, despite the chaos visible.
"So, where do you think the mastermind is?"
"No idea."
"You say that so definitively. Surely you have some guesses."
"No guesses either."
"Ha ha ha. You, my friend, are either truly honest or a consummate liar."
"I'm quite curious about the mastermind's identity myself. But right now, there's no way to even speculate. All we know is they're cunning enough to pit the Guild Leader's Great East Depot and the Army Marching Sword's Taihang Guild against each other, organized enough to plant spies in traditional sects, and ambitious enough to involve even the Blue Spear Society. If that's a clue, it's a clue."
"Wait. The Blue Spear Society's tangled in this too?"
"Seems like it."
"The Three Rivers of the Il Mountain Five Rivers. Can't rule out the other two either."
"Of course."
"Few sects in the world could orchestrate something this big. Only the Nine Great Sects make sense."
"True."
"Can't exclude the Six Great Clans either."
"No exclusions."
"Nine Great Sects or Six Great Clans... If Nine, then Huashan and Shaolin are closest. The Nine don't usually play at schemes, but Shaanxi's Huashan Sword Immortal is known as a master strategist. For his sect's gain, he'd spare no ploy."
Cheonwi neither affirmed nor denied.
Possibilities were everywhere. Cheonwi inwardly dismissed the Nine Great Sects but lacked certainty. As Dongpungneung said, even a prestigious sect like Huashan might scheme in the shadows.
"Not just Huashan. Shaolin, the North Star of Mount Tai, can't be ruled out. Lately, there've even been disturbing rumors about Shaolin..."
"Disturbing rumors?"
"Like a ghost story. Rumors of a secret elite assassin group called the Rakshasa Assassins run by Shaolin. Most scoff at it, but I see it differently. As a sect leader, it's entirely plausible. For a sect at the pinnacle of the world, not having an assassin unit would be the odd thing."
"That makes sense."
Dongpungneung was sharper than expected. Sensing something in Cheonwi's words, he smirked and continued.
"You don't think it's the Nine Great Sects. Right?"
"Well, as I said, can't exclude anywhere."
"Then the Six Great Clans?"
"Can't rule it out."
"The closest is the Peng Clan in Hebei... But I've met their leader, Peng Il-gang. A true hero like that is one of a kind. He wouldn't scheme something this convoluted. If he disliked the Great East Depot and Taihang Guild, he'd march in himself. The title Blade God doesn't go to just anyone. Peng Il-gang was born a warrior."
This time, even Cheonwi had to nod.
Full agreement. Hebei's clan head was a rare hero. Among the Six Great Clans' heads, Guyang Cheon of the Guyang Clan might top in martial arts as the Invincible War God, but Peng Il-gang was a genuine hero the whole world acknowledged. The very word "hero" fit him perfectly.
"Sichuan Tang Clan and Zhejiang Moyong Clan are too far... Huangbo Clan not that close either. Distance-wise, Guyang Clan fits, but the world's top Guyang Clan meddling in our affairs feels unrealistic."
Dongpungneung shook his head and trailed off. He fixed his gaze on Cheonwi again, letting out a hollow laugh.
"Heh heh heh. This could go on forever."
"Just speculation for now."
"Who the enemy is matters, but how we respond next is more crucial."
Sound judgment.
Dongpungneung knew exactly what needed doing.
He was fully qualified as a sect leader.
What happened had happened. No point agonizing over unsolvable riddles.
"Oho."
"Yeah?"
"How much did you tell the Guild Leader?"
"Everything."
"Even the one-on-one duel?"
"Even that."
"Good. This'll move fast."
Cheonwi, who'd glanced at Oho, turned back to Dongpungneung. He continued immediately.
"Since we've discussed the future, let me propose again. As this friend mentioned before, we'll push for a one-on-one duel with the Taihang Guild Leader. Things being what they are, settling it ASAP benefits us both."
Dongpungneung nodded.
Settle it quick.
Absolutely right.
Over ten Taihang Guild corpses lay here.
Couldn't silence all witnesses. Even if not real Taihang members, that's how it'd look. That's the jianghu. By morning, rumors would fly of Dongpungneung slaughtering Taihang martial artists. Then it'd be all-out war between Taihang Guild and Great East Depot. Had to stop it before then. He didn't fear war, but bleeding from someone's schemes? No thanks.
"So I just wait here?"
"Call in every available subordinate. Seal the Jinsung Pavilion until the Army Marching Sword arrives. Block all entry. Hordes will come picking fights, but don't show yourself, Guild Leader. No matter what you hear, stay calm."
"That I can do. But what about the authorities? They won't ignore a slaughter like this."
"We'll handle the authorities."
A sharp glint flashed in Dongpungneung's eyes. Narrowing them, he asked in uncharacteristically grave tone.
"You'll handle the officials... Don't tell me you're from the Imperial Guard or the Eastern Depot?"
"What do you think?"
Cheonwi countered with a question. Dongpungneung couldn't relax his furrowed brow. Shaking his head, he continued.
"Don't look like government men. But in these times, new players wouldn't surprise me."
"Better if you don't know who we are, Guild Leader. Think of us as hired fixers to keep things from escalating."
"Fair enough. I won't pry further. As you say, pretending ignorance and proceeding might be best. My gut says so. But one thing to clarify. When I came down to this floor, I saw an impressive fellow. Wielding a blood-red sword ferociously. Formless blade work. Pure instinct. I've broken countless blades in my time, but never seen its like. So I ask: is he with you? Will I see him again?"
"Yes. You'll likely see that guy again, Guild Leader."
"Disappeared suddenly. I'd love a bout if the chance comes."
Cheonwi and Oho exchanged glances. Cheonwi shook his head at Dongpungneung.
"He's still way below your level, Guild Leader."
"Maybe now. But I saw overflowing talent in his sword. He'll be a fearsome swordsman."
"He'll be thrilled. I'll pass it on."
Thrilled?
Empty words.
Danmun wouldn't care for such praise. Unless from his master, he'd ignore even recognition from Dongpungneung.
"Just to be safe, protecting those kids while handling this won't be tough? Looks like the Flame Jade Merchant Guild's bloodbath involved the same mastermind."
"No worries. We have the capacity."
"If needed, I can ensure their safety."
"We're good."
Cheonwi cut off Dongpungneung firmly.
Taking it at face value was impossible. Dongpungneung didn't fully trust Cheonwi and Oho. Trusting them would be odder. Keeping them meant holding hostages, pressure to handle things right.
"Time to go. We'll make the duel happen, so show the world the prestige of mighty Tongcheon Province."
With that, Cheonwi turned. He tapped Seol's shoulder, seated on a chair.
"Get up. Let's go."
Strange. Cheonwi's voice carried an inhuman echo.
Seol, who'd been unconscious, snapped her eyes open like magic.
Oho's pupils trembled faintly. Cheonwi had many odd skills, but this was new. Waking someone acupointed unconscious with just voice? Beyond martial arts. Had to be some supernatural power.
"Sis, you okay?"
"Uh... yeah."
"You good?"
Seol gripped the chair arms and stood shakily. She straightened up fine, as if never acupointed.
"Oh, Guild Leader. Just in case, tails won't help. If I feel followed, I'll cut them down. Let's not make things awkward."
Brazen, almost provocative.
Didn't even take Dongpungneung's farewell. He strode out briskly, parting the bloodied curtains. Seol and Hyang followed, Oho last, exiting the Jinsung Pavilion.
Dongpungneung watched their backs silently, then called in a low voice.
"Qi bodyguard."
"Yes."
"Investigate them. Clan, sect, family, martial arts. Everything."
"Understood!"
His bodyguards, unused to such insolence before their lord, now nodded as if to say, "About time."
But Dongpungneung felt differently from his men.
"Strange bunch. Not like cocky young pups relying on bravado."
The world wasn't kind.
He wouldn't indulge youthful bluster like this.
These had something fundamentally different.
The one with the crimson blade, the long-haired with white streaks—none ordinary.
Especially the one with the golden sword sheath. Felt inhuman.
He wasn't one for legends or ghost tales, but that one? Could be a yokai in disguise.
"Wonder if ordering a background check was smart."
Maybe best to play ignorant as first instinct suggested.
No helping it.
At least learn their origins. Then he could disengage timely or eliminate threats properly.
He turned to the broken window.
Chilly wind mixed with blood stench. He ordered.
"Clear the bodies first. Let's get some sleep."
Dongpungneung's subordinates sprang into action.
In the pitch-black night, dawn was still far off.