Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Having Too Much (5)
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"......"
Hwang Gyu's eyes sharpened as he gazed at the moon.
'Did something happen?'
It was well past midnight.
Yet the daughter he had sent to the Murong family still hadn't returned.
'There's no reason for it to take this long.'
She had left the sect with Yi Jeong and Yeong over two hours ago.
Even on foot for an ordinary person, it wouldn't take half an hour.
For martial artists, it should have been less than fifteen minutes.
Even allowing a full half hour each way, it still shouldn't have taken more than an hour round trip.
'What could they be talking about that's dragging on like this?'
Hwang Gyu knew his eldest daughter's personality well.
There was no way she'd dawdle without reporting back once the job was done.
She hated wasting time so much that even in the finance hall, she never opened her mouth unless it was necessary.
For such a daughter to not return after more than two hours...
"No way... something didn't happen to her, did it?"
It couldn't be.
His daughter Hwang Jihwa's martial arts alone ranked among the top three late-stage disciples of Infinite.
And that was just her. Yi Jeong, who was even stronger, and Yeong, who approached Yi Jeong's level despite specializing in a different field, had gone with her.
Those three together had the power to utterly dismantle any middling family or sect in Infinite.
Numbers wouldn't matter against them.
'But there's still no reason for them to be this late.'
Unless...
Unless those three had been taken down.
"Impossible."
According to Myeong's testimony and the scene analysis report, Murong Bi's skills were exceptional.
Exaggerating a bit, he might even rival the Ten Sword Sect's grand elder.
Even so, there was no reason those three couldn't handle him.
At similar realms, the one with more experience could easily crush the novice.
Before realms even mattered, consider Murong Bi's age—he couldn't have much combat experience.
'And that body of his.'
Reports said he was still skin and bones.
With a frame like that, even abundant inner energy wouldn't compensate for stamina issues.
If he couldn't disperse impacts properly, one solid hit would drop him flat.
In short, no matter how you sliced it, the odds of those three losing to Murong Bi were practically zero.
'Or maybe the Murong family's forces were stronger than expected?'
He racked his brain, but there was no way to know right now.
"......Before forces even come into play, there's no reason for a fight to break out in the first place. Unless they're idiots, why would they?"
Even if they had forces overwhelming those three, they couldn't stand against the Ten Sword Sect.
That much was certain.
Who in their right mind would pick a fight with the Ten Sword Sect in Infinite?
"Even the Hong Sword Clan only keeps the main sect in check—they wouldn't dare fight."
Hwang Gyu sighed.
"There must be some reason for it."
He should have sent a messenger with her.
Hwang Gyu sipped his liquor, trying to shake off the growing unease.
And another half hour passed.
"Dark Shadow."
Sss...
A man appeared behind Hwang Gyu.
The black-hatted assassin's build was exceedingly slender.
He was Hwang Gyu's strongest bodyguard, Dark Shadow—the former top killer of a renowned assassin group before becoming a protector.
"That foolish girl is giving her old man grief. Even sent Flame Sword Yi Jeong with her, and still no sign."
"......"
"You go check it out."
"Wipe them all out?"
He meant kill them all and come back.
Dark Shadow could manage that.
His assassination skills were top-tier, martial arts aside.
Hwang Gyu started to shake his head but changed his mind.
"If nothing's wrong, come back quietly. But if you sense something's gone awry..."
Hwang Gyu's eyes flashed.
"Kill two of the bloodkin and bring one back alive."
"This makes the second time."
"......"
"You have only one command left for me."
"Don't worry. I'll save that last command, cherish it even."
Under the hat, Dark Shadow's lips twisted.
Moments later.
Sss...
He vanished like smoke.
Hwang Gyu's face hardened.
"Insolent bastard."
He wanted to lop off his head with one sword stroke, but he couldn't.
Dark Shadow's assassination prowess was top-tier across not just Infinite, but all of Hubei.
For a mere assassin, his raw combat power nearly matched the grand elder.
The Ten Sword Sect's bodyguards owed their strength to Dark Shadow's training.
"What a joke. A lowly assassin droning on about promises and convictions."
Pathetic, but useful nonetheless.
Hwang Gyu tilted his cup again, then after some thought, summoned another.
"You called for me, Sect Leader?"
"Sorry to drag you out at this hour."
"No need for apologies."
It was Ice Sword Han Kyung, an elder with the opposite temperament of Flame Sword Yi Jeong—calm and prudent in all things.
One of the Ten Sword Sect's four great elders.
"You know I sent my eldest with Yi Jeong to the Murongs?"
"Yes."
"I meant to send you, but you know how Yi Jeong causes trouble if I don't loosen his reins now and then."
"I understand."
Ice Sword and Flame Sword were polar opposites, as their titles suggested.
"It's been ages since they left, and no sign of them. Probably nothing, but a father's got no choice, eh?"
"Shall I go check?"
"Can't send an elder like you on that long trek at dawn. Just poke around the Infinite market district and come back. That'll do."
It wasn't a task for an elder.
But Han Kyung understood. It involved his daughter—no, his most cherished eldest.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine."
"Heh, I believe so too."
"I'll be off then."
"If you can't sleep after, come have a drink with me."
"Sounds good."
And so he sent off Han Kyung too.
Dark Shadow and Ice Sword. With those two out, answers would come soon.
Yet Hwang Gyu felt an inexplicable anxiety.
'Beats me. Why's my heart pounding like this?'
Another half hour passed.
Hwang Gyu's face was fully set.
"What the hell are they doing?"
Anger toward Dark Shadow and Han Kyung surged.
Dark Shadow's stealth was so profound that even he couldn't detect him until within a zhang.
Lightness skill? Twice as fast as his own.
With those skills, he should have accomplished the task and returned in moments.
And Han Kyung?
Not even sent to the Murong estate—just told to check the market, and half an hour later, no sign.
"Are they messing with me right now?!"
Bam!
The liquor table shook from his fist.
It was more impatience than rage. Things felt off, like the world was twisting strangely.
'Should I have mobilized troops from the start?'
There was a reason he couldn't.
It was right after Murong Bi crushed the Black Tiger Gang.
With his second daughter already sniffing around there, sending forces along would draw suspicious eyes from the public.
He could ignore that ten times over, but the real issue was the Hong Sword Clan.
They had more numbers, yet it was still a close match. The Hong Sword Clan was that strong, and they tread carefully around the Ten Sword Sect too.
But if rumors spread of collusion between Ten Sword Sect and Black Tiger Gang?
The Hong Sword Clan would pounce immediately—first sealing off the sect's movements with public opinion, then infiltrating their businesses one by one.
The Ten Sword Sect wouldn't sit idle, so war was inevitable.
He'd judged the time wasn't right and proceeded with utmost caution.
'Maybe send them now anyway...'
That was when it happened.
"Sect Leader, Ice Sword Elder requests an audience."
"Send him in!"
The outer gate opened afar, and Han Kyung entered.
Hwang Gyu's face lit up.
"What took you so long? Did you find Jihwa?"
"Apologies, but no."
"......I see."
"However, I heard some strange rumors. It took a bit to verify them."
"Rumors?"
Looking closely, Han Kyung's face was rigidly tense.
"Talk of the main sect backing the Black Tiger Gang—and that Division Leader Hwang, Elder Yi Jeong, and others raided the Murong family for revenge—is circulating nonstop among those still drinking at this hour."
"What? What kind of talk?"
"Well..."
"Out with it!"
Han Kyung reluctantly spoke.
"That the main sect was protecting the Black Tiger Gang's back, and Division Leader Hwang and Elder Yi Jeong went to the Murong family for revenge."
Hwang Gyu's jaw dropped.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So, did it spread well?"
"Yes, it did."
Yeonpyeong's breathing was rough upon returning to the estate.
Even in the pre-dawn dark, his flushed excitement was clear.
"I spread it vaguely in places, but the rumor of collusion between Ten Sword Sect and Black Tiger Gang is solidly taking root."
"Good."
Murong Bi grinned.
Yeonpyeong grinned back, then tilted his head.
"But, Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"Are you unwell? Your complexion..."
"You think I'd be fresh after chugging booze all night, even with inner energy? I'm dying here."
"Ah, I see."
Embarrassment crossed Yeonpyeong's face.
"Anyway, Team Leader Jin and the others are standing by at the inns?"
"No one would peg them as from the main house. Told them to act casual, like just drinking and gazing out windows if anyone gets nosy."
Murong Bi burst into laughter.
"You're really something! So reliable!"
An awkward expression crossed Yeonpyeong's face.
The young master, just a year younger, spoke like a friend.
Not unpleasant, but the carefree, boyish tone amid all this made it hard to respond.
"But weren't you a bit late? Infinite's markets bustle till dawn, but you missed peak hours."
"Didn't expect the Ten Sword Sect Leader to send his daughter."
"Ah, true."
Yeonpyeong felt a thrill of wonder.
To not only kill an elder and bodyguard but take the sect leader's daughter hostage?
When he first heard, he thought his heart would burst out.
But as time passed, excitement built. From yesterday to this dawn, the Murong family faced storm-like changes unlike any before.
That wind stirred Yeonpyeong's chest.
Youth played a part, but his comrades' testimonies of Murong Bi soloing three foes fueled endless hype.
"Anyway, good work. Bet the sect leader's sweating bullets now."
"Will this really hit the Ten Sword Sect Leader hard?"
"No real damage. But psychological? Absolutely."
"Pardon?"
Murong Bi tapped his temple with a finger.
"Lose composure, and your thinking narrows. Then you do things you normally wouldn't."
"Ah......"
Yeonpyeong nodded, then lowered his voice with a sudden thought.
"What if he goes berserk and brings all his disciples?"
"If he's ready to hand Infinite's hegemony to the Hong Sword Clan on a platter, sure."
Meaning, never.
"If they really charge in, wake everyone and we bolt. What's left to lose in reputation at the main house?"
Yeonpyeong grinned.
"Head back. Keep tabs on the rumors."
"Yes!"
After sending Yeonpyeong off, Murong Bi approached the remaining team members.
"Where's that bastard?"
"H-Here."
Jonghwan dragged in a collapsed man.
Bound in ropes and acupoints sealed all over, the man looked up at Murong Bi with trembling eyes.
"Hah, you cockroach. Nearly slipped away."
Drip...
Blood trickled from Murong Bi's nose and mouth again.
"Pushed too hard catching you. Can't wait to do something with this carcass of yours."
Squatting without wiping the blood, Murong Bi thrust his face close, grinning wickedly.
Droplets splattered the man's face.
"Not bad skills, huh. Sent by the Ten Sword Sect Leader?"
The man's—Dark Shadow's—face went pale.