Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Merit
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Two weeks after Dang Baek-ho's death, the new Family Head, Dang Yeon-hwa, demonstrated overwhelming leadership.
The warriors, branch families, and sub-clans of the Tang Clan followed her as if mesmerized by a decisiveness that seemed meticulously calculated and prepared over a long time.
Thanks to her, she stabilized the Tang Clan in an instant, and as the turmoil within the clan subsided, the Sichuan capital also found peace.
It was the first peace after the chaos of Dang Baek-ho's disappearance, and the people of the Sichuan capital experienced such quiet and calm tranquility for the first time in a long while.
Dang Yeon-hwa apologized to the Qingcheng, Emei, Kongtong, and Kunlun Sects, requested to build new, positive relationships, and compensated for past wrongdoings.
This included everyone, from the major sects belonging to the Nine Sects and One Union down to the smaller ones.
Since there was no master in the martial world who didn't know of her, most sects acknowledged the new Family Head of the Tang Clan without much fuss or complaint.
The Divine Doctor's disciples, Baek Ji-pyeong, Baek Yeon-ho, and Baek So-so, bid farewell to Gam Pa-pa and Mu-heun. Despite Dang Yeon-hwa's repeated apologies, they did not accept her request to remain in Sichuan.
And so, they left Sichuan.
The disciples mentioned they were heading to a place called the Heavenly Dragon Escort Service and shared a simple farewell with Mu-heun.
Meanwhile, Mu-heun stayed at the Cheonbu Merchant Guild, with which he had formed a connection, and persuaded its guild master...
He proposed that he would make the Cheonbu Merchant Guild the number one guild in the Sichuan capital if they would engage in trade with the Demonic Cult.
"What do you say? Geographically, our cult's lands are largely barren, but because of that, there are many places untouched by human hands. These places hold many precious and rare items. If you, Guild Master, engage in trade with our cult, you will soon become the number one merchant guild in Sichuan."
"Haha, I know you are a good person, and I've learned that not everyone in the Demonic Cult is evil. However, even so, I am in a place where the influence of the Orthodox Sects is strongest..."
"Hahaha! You need not worry about that."
"What!?"
"Publicly, the Demonic Cult is the enemy of the Central Plains' martial world, but with this incident as a turning point, the major sects near Sichuan, such as the Sichuan Tang Clan, Kunlun, Kongtong, Emei, and Qingcheng, will not obstruct trade with us. This is because I will be the one overseeing the trade with this region, including Sichuan."
"You will?"
"Yes. On my way to Sichuan, I visited all the major sects, including Kunlun, and succeeded in persuading them. Therefore, we will enter a temporary truce, and any minor issues will be resolved through dialogue rather than war."
"In that case..."
"That's right. This is an opportunity for you, Guild Master!"
"G-Good! Ah, no! Th-Thank you! Sir!"
"Haha, while you're at it, teach your son about trade as well. It seems you'll be busy from now on."
"Yes, yes!"
The guild master was very pleased with how smoothly the conversation with Mu-heun was flowing.
This man named Baek Mu-heun was young, but the more he observed him, the more inscrutable he seemed, as if a cunning serpent resided within him.
He felt a strange sense of déjà vu, but his instincts, honed as a merchant, told him to accept the offer.
"Then you accept. The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord will be here soon. You can tell him the same thing then!"
"Wh-What?!"
Who? The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord?
The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord... wasn't he a key figure in the Demonic Cult, said to be superior to Dang Baek-ho of the Sichuan Tang Clan in terms of martial prowess alone?
What is he doing here?
Before he could satisfy his curiosity, Baek Mu-heun had already left.
A few days later, the Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord, Jin Mu, visited the Cheonbu Merchant Guild in the Sichuan capital.
* * *
Mu-heun, along with the guild master of the Cheonbu Merchant Guild, went outside and greeted Jin Mu with a cupped fist salute.
The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord, Jin Mu, seeing Mu-heun again after a long time, also returned the salute.
"It has been a while, Lord Dragon Demon. But... what brings you to a place like this?"
"Haha, I will explain in due time. Please, come inside. The guild master has prepared a reception room and a banquet. Ah, this gentleman beside me is the guild master."
At Mu-heun's introduction, the guild master, Cheon Hak-man, greeted Jin Mu.
"Greetings... I am Cheon Hak-man, the guild master of the Cheonbu Merchant Guild. I have heard much about you from Master Mu-heun."
"Oh...! A pleasure to meet you. I am Jin Mu, the Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
Cheon Hak-man, thoroughly intimidated, wiped his sweaty palms on his robes a couple of times before bowing his head in greeting. Seeing this, Jin Mu used his internal energy to gently raise the guild master's head and greeted him warmly.
"There is no need to be so afraid. I do not kill people so easily, unless it is a war against the members of the Orthodox Sects."
"Ha, hahahahaha. I see. Haha."
And so, Jin Mu, Cheon Hak-man, and Mu-heun sat down together.
Mu-heun explained the events that had transpired and conveyed that the Divine Cult no longer had any reason to fight with the Sichuan Tang Clan, Kunlun, Kongtong, Qingcheng, and Emei.
He then showed them the truce agreement he had received and said he would request the Cult Leader's approval.
"...I have no words other than to say that this is truly incredible."
"Haha, you flatter me. The new Family Head of the Tang Clan, Lady Dang Yeon-hwa, also wished to meet you, Lord, but she said she could not come as the current atmosphere in the capital is not very welcoming of contact with us."
"Is that so..."
"However, she said that by the time you visit again, the perception and atmosphere in the Sichuan capital will have changed considerably, so you should meet then."
"Hah, not Dang Baek-ho, but Dang Yeon-hwa said that?"
"Yes."
"You have done very well, Lord Dragon Demon. The Cult Leader will also greatly praise your achievements."
"Thank you."
"And to have even arranged a meeting like this..."
The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord, Jin Mu, turned to Guild Master Cheon Hak-man and spoke.
"What do you say, Guild Master? From our cult's perspective, if the Cheonbu Merchant Guild takes charge of the trade, selecting and exchanging goods, we will reward you accordingly."
"Haha, I would be grateful. I look forward to working with you."
Jin Mu offered his hand to Cheon Hak-man, and Cheon Hak-man took it. This time, his hand was not drenched in sweat.
Now, under Mu-heun's initiative, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had opened a trade route and, with the help of the merchant guild, could engage in more prosperous trade.
Furthermore, all of Mu-heun's achievements were confirmed after the Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord, Jin Mu, who held one of the highest ranks in the Divine Cult, personally visited the Sichuan capital.
He could not hide his astonishment at what Mu-heun had accomplished and said he would hurry back to report to the Cult Leader.
"Lord Dragon Demon, now that everything seems to be resolved, won't you return to the main cult with me?"
"I would like that, but I have some personal matters left to attend to. Could you give me about two months?"
"Do not worry about that. The Cult Leader also said to let you do as you please, Lord Dragon Demon. However..."
"However...?"
"We have received reports of potentially dangerous movements. Of course, you would be safe if you moved with me, no matter who the opponent is... but will you still stay here alone?"
"Haha,"
Mu-heun said with an awkward smile.
"Of course."
At that, Jin Mu chuckled and said.
"Please take care of yourself. You, Lord Dragon Demon, are now an indispensable talent to the Divine Cult."
"Your words alone are thanks enough."
As Jin Mu turned to leave, Mu-heun asked him to take Gu Yang-baek of the Killing Palace. Seol Ha-ryeong had also intended to return with Gu Yang-baek, but Mu-heun strongly persuaded her that she still had things to do here, so she remained with him.
Mu-heun couldn't let Seol Ha-ryeong go. There was still something he needed to do here.
The next day.
Mu-heun left the Cheonbu Merchant Guild early in the morning and went to the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance, where he had a private conversation with Gam Pa-pa in her office.
The reception room of the Martial Alliance branch was filled with the rich aroma of green tea, and Gam Pa-pa and Mu-heun spoke while calmly savoring the scent.
"Gam Pa-pa, do you have any idea who placed the Soul-Stealing Prohibition on Seol Ha-ryeong?"
"Yes, as far as I know, there is an immortal from the Zhuge Clan at the Martial Alliance headquarters in the Hubei region."
"An immortal from the Zhuge Clan..."
"It's highly likely that he, known as the Soul-Stealing Immortal, is the one who placed the prohibition on her."
"I see... so that's how it is..."
"Yes. However... he is so elusive that it will be difficult to find him right away."
"It seems you don't know him well either."
"No. But..."
"But...?"
"That's true... but there are rumors that he has a great interest in the rising stars of the Orthodox Sects. I've heard he is waiting for someone..."
"Rising stars?"
"Yes."
"That's even more vague. The rising stars of the Orthodox Sects are scattered throughout the Central Plains. How am I supposed to find the one who has his attention among them?"
"Fortunately, there is good news."
"Good news? What is it?"
"In about three weeks, the Martial Alliance headquarters will host a martial arts tournament for the rising stars who have not yet reached the age of thirty."
"D-Don't tell me it's that?"
"Yes. It's the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly."
"Hah... haha... the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly. But I won't have the right to participate or even spectate, will I?"
"I have an idea. I hear that Dang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan will be participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly for the last time. When the children of the Five Great Clans participate, they are allowed to bring up to five people, including guards and servants. Why not use the debt the Tang Clan owes you for this opportunity?"
"Hah... Gam Pa-pa. Haha! Haha! It seems the heavens are on my side."
Mu-heun smoothly concluded his conversation with Gam Pa-pa and left the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance.
The weather was clear, and a gentle breeze seemed to blow.
Mu-heun first returned to the Cheonbu Merchant Guild. Pae-seon, who had left on business with the Qingcheng and Emei Sects, had returned and was packing his belongings.
"Elder Pae-seon, when did you arrive?"
"Just got here. About to leave again."
"Are you returning to Kunlun?"
"Yes, and I'm taking my immortal weapon with me. For my hideout."
"Could you possibly take Un-pyo and Pa-sun with you? Please look after them for... about a month."
"What? You rascal..."
Mu-heun leaned in close to Pae-seon and whispered.
"No, according to Gam Pa-pa, it seems Seol Ha-ryeong is under a Soul-Stealing Prohibition... which means she might originally be from the Orthodox Sects, acting as a spy in the Demonic Cult."
"What? Is that true?"
"Yes, so I'm planning to go find the one who cast the prohibition. I heard there's a high chance he'll be at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly being held at the Martial Alliance."
"The Dragon and Phoenix Assembly? How do you plan on getting in?"
"I heard Dang So-so of the Tang Clan is participating for the last time. I'm going to tag along as her companion..."
"Then I should go with you!"
"It's already a big ask to include Seol Ha-ryeong and myself in the group. How can I add you as well?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll find my own way there. Besides, I've already taught Pa-sun and Un-pyo everything I can. Try leaving them with Gam Pa-pa this time."
"Hmm..."
Mu-heun thought Pae-seon's words also made sense.
"Alright. So, when do you plan to leave?"
"I'll head to Kunlun first to check on the situation, then make my own way. Let's not acknowledge each other there."
"That's what I was hoping for."
And so, the two old men bickered as they went their separate ways, and Mu-heun went to find Pa-sun and Un-pyo to explain the situation.