Chapter 413
Chapter 413
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 413
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Visitor
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Moon-Gazing Pavilion.
This was a luxurious annex built in the backyard of the Southmoon Inn, with a single night's stay costing over five hundred taels.
As such, even the considerably wealthy dared not dream of staying here; it was reserved for high-ranking officials and titans of the merchant world.
But now, a martial artist from Yunnan had boldly rented the entire place.
It was none other than Jin Cheon-gon, the master of the Poison Demon Sect.
“Thanks to that crazed Third-Rank Grand Lord, things have become much simpler.”
As soon as he left the Dang Clan, he had a subordinate send a letter to the Demonic Alliance.
No matter if he was only a Third-Rank Grand Lord, he was still an envoy from the Martial Alliance.
Since he had declared his intent to intervene in a conflict between sects, the Demonic Alliance would certainly not stand idly by.
This would lead to a war between the Dang Clan and the Three Poison Sects, backed by their respective alliances.
Regardless of the outcome, it had the potential to become a prolonged power struggle between the two alliances.
The Dang Clan, having been rooted in Sichuan for generations, would surely want to avoid such a situation at all costs.
“In the end, they'll have no choice but to concede their own front yard in Sichuan.”
Just as Jin Cheon-gon was gazing at the moonlight outside his window with a faint smile,
*Click.*
The door opened, and a dark shadow slipped inside.
Without even turning around, Jin Cheon-gon spoke leisurely.
“Did you send it?”
“…”
“I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I wonder how that arrogant Young Lord and that Martial Alliance Grand Lord will react.”
But no answer came.
Sensing something was amiss, Jin Cheon-gon turned to see a shadow with eyes that blazed with a crimson light.
Despite being touched by light, it was dyed completely black. It was unleashing such a powerful wave of internal energy that its form was obscured.
At the bizarre sight, Jin Cheon-gon instinctively took a step back.
“Wh-who are you?”
[Hmph.]
The voice emanating from the shadow spread in all directions as if using the Six Harmonies Voice Transmission technique, piercing sharply into Jin Cheon-gon's ears.
In that instant, his stomach grew hot as if he had drunk potent liquor, and he began to feel so dizzy he could barely stand.
Though the sound was brief, it was imbued with an overwhelming pressure and internal energy that felt as if it could rupture his meridians.
‘Could it be?’
In a flash, figures to whom he owed absolute obedience came to Jin Cheon-gon's mind.
Beings who not only possessed a faction so vast it was immeasurable but also wielded martial prowess beyond imagination.
“Has the... Envoy... come?”
At that, the crushing pressure subsided slightly.
Realizing it was a silent affirmation, Jin Cheon-gon spoke with a trembling voice.
“My-my apologies. I failed to... recognize you.”
As he bowed his head with the utmost respect, a low voice came from the shadow.
[The Dang Clan matter.]
The voice was endlessly low and chilling, but it no longer carried the immense internal force that crushed his organs.
“Do not worry. It is proceeding well.”
[The Martial Alliance.]
As the voice flowed from the shadow, Jin Cheon-gon felt a pressure so intense it seemed his back would break.
[They already know everything.]
“What do you mean?”
[Did you think he was an ordinary Third-Rank Grand Lord?]
A heavy silence fell. Then, with another wave of immense pressure, a red mist began to rise from the shadow's eyes.
[They have already seen through our plans and are trying to induce the Demonic Alliance to intervene.]
“That can't be possible.”
Tilting his head, Jin Cheon-gon blinked and said.
“Didn't you say you had confirmed intelligence that the Martial Alliance had completely washed its hands of the Dang Clan's affairs?”
Jin Cheon-gon's expression was respectful, but his eyes held clear doubt.
[Fool.]
Seeing the doubt in Jin Cheon-gon's face, the shadow unleashed a blood-red light from its eyes, as brilliant as the sun.
[Do I have to spoon-feed you everything?]
*Crrrack.*
Once again, an immense pressure bore down.
Jin Cheon-gon's vision blurred as if he were underwater, and his airway felt completely constricted.
Without lifting a finger, the being was using tremendous internal energy to crush his body.
‘It really is an Envoy.’
Jin Cheon-gon trembled in bewilderment.
The Envoys of the Three Realms not only possessed outstanding martial arts but also shared a common trait.
They possessed a terrifying internal energy that one could not attain even if they trained until they were a stooped old man.
[The Demonic Alliance has already grasped the situation and sent a letter refusing to intervene.]
*Swoosh.*
The shadow withdrew its energy, and Jin Cheon-gon could finally breathe again.
“Gasp. Gasp.”
As he gasped for breath, clutching his throat,
*Knock, knock, knock.*
A knock sounded at the door, followed by the voice of Jin Cheon-gon's trusted subordinate, Mak Chung.
“Sect Master. It is Mak Chung.”
“What is it?”
“Well... a letter has arrived for you from the Demonic Alliance.”
Jin Cheon-gon looked at the shadow with a stunned expression.
When the shadow nodded, he quickly said.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Mak Chung entered, handing Jin Cheon-gon a letter stamped with the crest of the Demonic Alliance.
“Before we could send our letter, one had already arrived for you from the Demonic Alliance. They say they will absolutely not intervene in this matter...”
“What?”
Jin Cheon-gon hurriedly unfurled the letter.
It stated that since the Martial Alliance was involved, they were not to provoke the Dang Clan any further.
“How can this be?”
“I do not know, sir.”
“The source. Is it reliable?”
“Yes, sir. Look at the envelope.”
At Mak Chung's words, Jin Cheon-gon examined the letter's envelope.
It was stamped with the Seal of the Twin Dragons Contending for the Pearl, which only the highest echelons of leadership could use.
“I understand for now. I will handle this myself.”
“Understood.”
After Mak Chung left, Jin Cheon-gon looked at the shadow that seemed to melt into the darkness and asked.
“Then... what should we do?”
[Return to the Poison Demon Sect immediately until further orders are given.]
“Right now... you mean?”
[Yes.]
Jin Cheon-gon said with a confused expression.
“Then I will call for Sect Master Jang and Sect Master Hyeong. And contact the Grand Master...”
[You make me repeat myself.]
“No, it's not that. It's just that there's a procedure...”
*Cruuunch.*
But Jin Cheon-gon could speak no more.
An immense pressure crushed down on him, making him feel as if he had shrunk to a height of three feet, his neck retracting into his torso and sealing his windpipe.
*Drip, drip, drip.*
Feeling as if his skull could no longer withstand the pressure and was about to burst, Jin Cheon-gon screamed.
“Gaaah!”
Until now, he had endured countless pains while mastering his poison arts.
But the pressure now was not pain; it was like the labor pains that give birth to death itself.
[Bugs that don't listen must be crushed.]
Every time the voice flowed from the shadow, Jin Cheon-gon felt as if he were shrinking by a handspan.
‘With this level of martial might, he could wipe out my entire sect with a single finger.’
*Shudder.*
Jin Cheon-gon trembled as he lay prostrate.
But if he tried to move even a finger, let alone circulate his internal energy, he felt a pain as if his skull were shattering.
He couldn't even die if he wanted to.
He was a man who had never known fear.
But now, he finally understood what true terror was.
The stripping away of choice.
The inability to even choose death was a truly unbearable horror.
“I will do as you command!”
On the verge of a state between life and death, Jin Cheon-gon mustered every last ounce of his strength and shouted.
“Please, spare me!”
As he cried out, it felt as if his entire body would explode. Yet, Jin Cheon-gon forced himself to his knees with all his might.
“I have committed a crime worthy of death!”
The shadow looked down in silence at the kneeling, trembling Jin Cheon-gon.
“I will never question you again!”
As the pressure receded, Jin Cheon-gon, his face pale with terror, continued to speak frantically.
“I was only trying to fulfill the order to kill Dang Pae... I was greedy! Please forgive me!”
For a moment, the red glow emanating from the shadow intensified.
‘Kill the Dang Clan Head?’
In truth, the shadow disguised as an Envoy of the Demonic Alliance was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
From the moment he received this mission, he had secretly mobilized the Soul Devouring Brigade to investigate the Dang Clan's situation.
Even if they walked the same path, the chances of the Three Poison Sects, located in different regions, simultaneously experiencing a rapid rise in power and martial arts were nil.
And he finally discovered that a powerful force was backing the Three Poison Sects.
—Just like the Blood Poison Valley that threatened the Dang Clan in the past, we have confirmed signs that they are receiving support from a powerful, unidentified faction.
Upon receiving the report from the Soul Devouring Brigade, Bu Eun-seol immediately knew that the faction was the Three Realms.
And he began to devise a plan to resolve the situation.
—If an Envoy of the Three Realms were to arrive at a critical moment, they would be thrown into chaos.
Throughout his time in the martial world, Bu Eun-seol had constantly encountered masked figures with a strange luster.
He had faced and even clashed with the Envoys of the Three Realms.
They all possessed immense internal energy, martial arts that defied common sense, and peculiar eyes and voices.
—If I, as the Martial Alliance's special envoy, declare my intention to stay involved until the end, they will immediately contact the Demonic Alliance.
Foreseeing the events to come, Bu Eun-seol came up with an ingenious plan.
He would imitate an Envoy of the Three Realms to confuse them and force Jin Cheon-gon and the Poison Demon Sect to retreat.
After all, the figures of the Three Realms never reveal themselves, except for those in command.
He believed that by exploiting this weakness and maintaining a terrifying atmosphere with an immense level of internal energy, he could fool them completely.
—Afterward, if I use the Soul Devouring Brigade, the Serene Abode of Nothingness, and the Wind and Cloud Brigade to cut off all communication networks around the Dang Clan's estate... the Three Poison Sects will fall into disarray on their own.
The Three Realms always manipulate other factions and individuals, never revealing themselves on the front lines.
Bu Eun-seol used this fact to formulate a plan that would make the Three Poison Sects retreat on their own accord.
Furthermore, before coming here, he had stopped by a branch of the Demonic Alliance and sent a letter stamped with the Seal of the Twin Dragons Contending for the Pearl to this Moon-Gazing Pavilion.
This was because he must never reveal his identity as the Lord of the Martial Soul Order.
If it became known that he had intervened in this matter?
The Martial Alliance would surely become suspicious of the man known as Seonwu Jin.
‘The annihilation of the bedridden Dang Clan Head.’
Hearing Jin Cheon-gon's words, Bu Eun-seol's mind raced.
To think they would manipulate the Three Poison Sects to target not the Dang Clan as a whole, but just Dang Pae.
‘Such a foolish plan from the Three Realms?’
To support the Three Poison Sects for so long, strengthening their power and martial prowess, just to kill a single man, Dang Pae?
For that amount of cost and effort, it would be more logical to hire an entire assassination guild to attack the Dang Clan.
‘What in the world do the Three Realms want?’
It was no exaggeration to say their power was already enough to control the entire martial world.
So why were they wasting time and money to orchestrate something like this?
‘Besides, this case is different in nature from the Namgung Clan's.’
The faction that orchestrated the fall of the Namgung Clan had planted a spy, Elder Pung, long ago and created a tragedy of kinslaying.
The plan was so cunning and vicious that if Bu Eun-seol hadn't intervened, a great tragedy would have befallen the Namgung Clan.
But the Dang Clan's current ordeal was of a different sort.
Weren't the enemies they had to deal with far too exposed?
This plan was too naive and foolish to be the work of the Three Realms.
*Tremble, tremble.*
Unaware that Bu Eun-seol was deep in thought, Jin Cheon-gon couldn't bear the terror of being stared at in silence.
Thinking he had to say something, he hastily opened his mouth.
“Ah, perhaps the First Heaven has made a move?”
Then, Jin Cheon-gon said something utterly shocking and unexpected.
“The one called... the Infinite Realm.”
Instantly, the eyes of the masked Bu Eun-seol widened as if they would tear.
If he hadn't been creating a mist-like aura with his powerful true energy,
his shocked expression would have been fully revealed to Jin Cheon-gon.
‘So they weren't backed by the Infinite Realm.’
They were called the Three Realms, but the one that had been manipulating the factions and figures of the martial world, the one Bu Eun-seol had clashed with, had always been the Infinite Realm.
But the one moving the Three Poison Sects was.
Surprisingly, not the Infinite Realm... but another power.
‘Another power within the Three Realms.’
Of course, there was a chance a third party had appeared.
But Bu Eun-seol was certain it was one of the Three Realms.
Because no one else would provide long-term support to a poison sect like the Three Poison Sects, which existed in the gray area between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions.
“M-my apologies. I have overstepped my bounds.”
As Bu Eun-seol stared at him intently, Jin Cheon-gon lowered his head again.
“I will return immediately. But... what about the assassination squad we have on standby?”
‘They've stationed an assassination squad near the Dang Clan?’
Bu Eun-seol's mind raced.
Each of the Eight Great Families thoroughly manages its own territory and uses its intelligence network to keep a close watch on all movements.
And to station an assassination squad not just anywhere, but near the Sichuan Dang Clan?
‘If I ask this guy too many questions now, I'll arouse his suspicion.’
Jin Cheon-gon was a suspicious man.
Asking about this and that out of curiosity could easily make him suspicious.
‘The important thing now is to immediately send back the Poison Demon Sect, which has been incorporated into the main alliance.’
Gathering intelligence on the Three Realms is good, but the most urgent task is to send them back.
If he failed to do so, he would no longer have a reason to stay with the Dang Clan as Seonwu Jin.
[There is no need to worry about it. Return at once.]
Bu Eun-seol said curtly, his voice modulated even lower.
[If you delay for even a moment, I will sever not only your head but that of Go Gung as well.]
Go Gung was the Grand Master of the Poison Demon Sect.
“Thank you for your boundless grace!”
Jin Cheon-gon knelt and bowed his head.
The Envoy before him not only could crush him to death with ease but also possessed the authority to make the Poison Demon Sect vanish with a single word.
“…”
After a long while with no sound, Jin Cheon-gon raised his head.
The black shadow was already gone, and his limbs felt fine again.
Only then was Jin Cheon-gon finally able to escape the pit of terror.
“I cannot delay for even a moment.”
His body was drenched as if he had just stepped out of water.
Leaping to his feet, Jin Cheon-gon went outside and assembled his subordinates.
There was no time.
If he didn't return as quickly as possible, not only his own head but the Grand Master's would roll as well.
* * *
Hwaun Pavilion, the grand banquet hall on the third floor.
“That bastard!”
*CRASH!*
Hyeong-geuk, who was with Jang Song, slammed his fist on the conference room table.
It was because of the report he had just received from his subordinate.
Something utterly incomprehensible had happened.
The Poison Demon Sect—the only one of the Three Poison Sects to be incorporated into the Demonic Alliance and a safeguard against the Martial Alliance's intervention.
Jin Cheon-gon, who had come to the Dang Clan representing the will of the Poison Demon Sect's Grand Master, Go Gung, had fled to Yunnan in the middle of the night with all his men.
“Jin Cheon-gon! Is that man insane?!”
Hyeong-geuk shouted, bursting with indignation.
It was completely unexpected.
Not only was it part of the Demonic Alliance, but the Poison Demon Sect was also the largest of the Three Poison Sects.
But with him having fled in the night, their attempt to threaten the Dang Clan had lost all its teeth.
“He wouldn't have done something like this on his own. What in the world happened...?”
Suddenly, he recalled the face of the young man from the Martial Alliance, with his beaming smile.
“Could it be that he really pulled some strings?”
For a mere Third-Rank Grand Lord of the Martial Alliance, he had been too calm, too strangely confident. It had been odd.
Could he have really mobilized the Martial Alliance to drive out Jin Cheon-gon and his men?
“No, that's impossible.”
A massive federation like the Martial Alliance moves according to the consensus of its many leaders.
It couldn't just change its stance overnight and intervene so actively.
“It seems that place they mentioned, the First Heaven, has made a move.”
Hyeong-geuk said to Jang Song, clenching his fist.
“Within the Dang Clan's estate, they've blocked all communication to the outside, not just carrier pigeons and hawks, but everyone who could carry a message.”
“So the intelligence network is completely down.”
“Exactly. It's as if a massive intelligence organization has severed all communication lines around the Dang Clan's estate.”
“Hmm.”
Hyeong-geuk bit his lip.
“If it's not the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Alliance, then they are the only ones who could do something like this, aren't they?”
As Jang Song hummed thoughtfully, Hyeong-geuk spoke.
“At this point, we're in a situation where we have no choice but to quietly slip away as well.”
An unexpected situation had arisen, and they couldn't contact the faction backing them.
This meant that Hyeong-geuk and Jang Song would also have to lead their men and retreat quietly.
“That's not an option.”
But Jang Song shook his head firmly.
“If we go back now after picking such a big fight, it would be the greatest humiliation. Trying to pick a fight with the Dang Clan again in the future would just be a joke.”
The three sects had come in full force, making a huge fuss, only to suddenly flee without a word?
And if this rumor spread throughout the martial world?
The Three Poison Sects would become such a laughingstock they wouldn't be able to show their faces, and it would become awkward to challenge the Dang Clan ever again.
“If we pull out now, they might pin all the blame on us. They might even stop supporting our sects.”
At Jang Song's words, Hyeong-geuk let out a pained groan.
“So we have to make the decision ourselves.”
Originally, their plan had been meticulous, with no room for error.
In the Sichuan Dang Clan, the clan head's power was absolute, but the current head, Dang Pae, was bedridden.
Furthermore, the Young Lord, Dang Gon, was known to be unremarkable in both martial skill and strategy... they were in no position to wage war against the Three Poison Sects.
The Three Poison Sects planned to use this to first force a concession from the Dang Clan through unreasonable demands, expanding their territory to the doorstep of Sichuan...
Then, they would mobilize their forces for an all-out attack on the Dang Clan, simultaneously deploying the assassination squad they had prepared in Sichuan.
But with Jin Cheon-gon, the master of the Poison Demon Sect, having fled with his men,
they could no longer even pretend to pressure the Dang Clan.
“We can't just retreat in disgrace. How about this?”
As Hyeong-geuk muttered, Jang Song, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.
“One thing is certain: with the Poison Demon Sect gone, neither the Demonic Alliance nor the Martial Alliance has any room to intervene. In other words, that special envoy from the Martial Alliance has become a scarecrow.”
“It's not just about the Martial Alliance's intervention, is it? How are we supposed to pressure the Dang Clan in this situation?”
Hyeong-geuk said in frustration.
“If things continue like this, not only will the Poison Demon Sect be blamed, but we'll also be falsely accused of ruining the plan with them.”
Jang Song's eyes flashed as he continued.
“Let's just challenge that Young Lord to a duel.”
“A duel?”
“Since that Young Lord has learned the Eight Great Secret Arts, he'll be confident of victory.”
The corners of Jang Song's mouth lifted.
“That Dang Gon fellow has ordinary talent and aptitude. Even if he learned the Eight Great Secret Arts, he's no match for us.”
They were not the same sect masters of the Three Poison Sects from the past.
They had received extensive support over the years, greatly expanding their power,
And they had been supplied with miraculous elixirs that enhanced their internal energy, building up a level of power that would not fall short against any expert in the martial world.
“So you're saying we should at least save face before we leave.”
At Hyeong-geuk's words, Jang Song gave a sinister smile.
“Exactly. Since pressuring the Dang Clan is no longer an option, we might as well break that Young Lord's spirit before we go. We will have done our part, so they can't say anything to us.”
Hyeong-geuk, who had been looking blank, realized something and clapped his hands.
“Then how about this?”
“What is it?”
“While the duel is underway, what if we order the assassins stationed in Sichuan to launch an all-out assault? They'd never expect an attack right then and there.”
The powers of the Three Realms that had been supporting the Three Poison Sects of Yunnan wanted the annihilation of the Dang Clan and the death of Dang Pae.
In response, the Three Poison Sects had prepared for war with the Dang Clan and, as a contingency, had spent a great deal of time and money to form an assassination squad near the Dang Clan's estate.
This was to ensure Dang Pae's assassination, even if they failed to conquer the clan.
“Hmm. Sending them in recklessly now could lead to failure.”
At Jang Song's words, Hyeong-geuk laughed sinisterly.
“Aren't there plenty of assassination guilds in the martial world anyway? We have more than enough funds. When the time comes for an all-out war, we can just buy another one.”
Jang Song stroked his chin and then nodded.
“Let's consider it.”
Assassins could always be bought with money. Since they were already doing it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make a proper mess of things.