Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: A Request to the Tang Clan
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-Guest quarters of the Cheonbu Merchant Guild in Chengdu, Sichuan-
Mu-heun placed the messenger hawk from the Sacred Fire Palace on his wrist.
‘Is this the reply from the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden?’
He immediately unfolded the letter tied to its leg.
[ I have received the letter you sent, Lord Dragon Demon.
Seol Ha-ryeong of the Sacred Fire Palace. You said there is a high probability she is under a soul-stealing technique. Thus, she could be a spy under a restriction curse... You were asking for permission to investigate, correct?
It is a truly shameful matter, but I cannot refuse as I have my own suspicions.
However, I cannot simply accept your request. This is clearly a matter that the Sacred Fire Palace should be asking of you.
I request that you investigate that child, Seol Ha-ryeong. Furthermore, I will delegate to you the authority to handle all matters that may arise from it.
I implore you to break the soul-stealing technique placed upon her.
If you resolve this matter successfully, I promise you a fitting reward.
-Mi-wol, Palace Lord of the Sacred Fire Palace. ]
“Seeing her agree so readily and make a request of me, it seems the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden had her suspicions as well. And she's even offering a reward... Not bad at all.”
For a moment, Mu-heun thought about Seol Ha-ryeong, his former colleague.
A soul-stealing restriction curse...
‘How dreadful.’
Wouldn't she have to act as a spy for her entire life, unaware that she's being controlled? It felt like looking at a bird in a cage.
Of course, after crossing the Xinjiang region and entering Qinghai province, she seemed to have regained her senses a few times. He had heard from Cheon-hyang that she had sent news to someone and had come out alone at dawn to mutter to herself.
However.
‘It's time. I want to set her free.’
He didn't know if her true self, once the curse was broken, would be a martial artist of the Orthodox Sects or still a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But all humans need freedom.
Moreover, doing so would make it much easier to move toward his grand ambition.
As long as he didn't know her true intentions, her presence would be a seed of uncertainty.
And the one connected to her. The man called the Soul-Stealing Immortal...
If he didn't figure him out, he might become a seed of discord in the great catastrophe that would soon arrive.
‘Soul-Stealing Immortal... I don't know who you are yet, but no fool carries an uncertain element before attempting something great. I will find you, who has infiltrated my sphere of influence. And when you meet me, you will pay the price.’
If there were capable people in the Orthodox martial world, he had to recruit them. He very much wanted the Soul-Stealing Immortal to join him as well.
However, this person's abilities were far too dangerous; if he wouldn't join, he had to be eliminated.
Mu-heun reviewed the tasks ahead in his mind.
‘Dealing with Dang Baek-ho, the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, was merely a rite of passage.’
The biggest reasons he had returned to the world of the living were for revenge and his disciples, but there was one more.
His Heavenly Demon Master's request.
To protect the world from the transcendents.
With my Heavenly Demon Master's help, I, who had already lost my life once, was revived. In other words, I gained a second life, something everyone in the history of the Central Plains believed impossible.
I've experienced death and rebirth, so there's no reason not to believe my master's words about transcendents capable of destroying the world.
The problem was how to prepare for them...
First, he had to find a clue about the enemy, those who were still just a vague concept.
‘The martial world is still severely lacking information about them. I'll have to see if there's anyone who might already be investigating the transcendents.’
For gathering information, there was the Beggars' Union or the Underworld Net... Come to think of it, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng also seemed to know something.
Second.
He had to weed out the unworthy and unite the forces of those who remained.
According to his Heavenly Demon Master, the enemy was so strong that even the combined forces of the entire Central Plains martial world would not be enough. And yet, the martial world was busy trying to tear each other apart, still fighting amongst themselves...
The path forward was clear. No matter how urgent things were, he could not join hands with people like Dang Baek-ho. There was scum littered not only in the Demonic Cults and the Unorthodox Sects but within the Orthodox Sects as well.
He would try, but he had no intention of unconditionally joining forces and cooperating with those who were beyond hope. It was better to cut out those who could not be united beforehand and gather the strength of those who could.
That was the way to strengthen their forces without dividing them.
Furthermore, winning the war against the transcendents was not the final goal. The real issue was saving the Central Plains martial world itself...
Let's say he joined hands with villains for the sake of the war.
If, after the war, those villains he was forced to ally with declared a second round against the weakened martial world, that would be another disaster.
In that case, even if it meant a reduction in their overall strength, it was right to eliminate the irredeemable villains beforehand.
Also...
Before being a candidate for the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I was a Divine Doctor. Using my knowledge and the power of the Myriad Fragrances, it should be possible to raise the martial prowess of the entire Central Plains.
The next goal to achieve these things.
He had to become the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The world was not so lenient as to listen to someone with no intelligence, martial power, or wealth.
It was the same for the Orthodox Sects, the Unorthodox Sects, or the Demonic Cults. To persuade others when expressing his opinion, he first needed power, status, and influence.
To gain influence and status, he had to win the competition to become the next Cult Leader. There was no faction as reliable as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
However..., his senior brothers and sister were not to be underestimated.
Due to the nature of the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon, they could temporarily reach a higher realm, so their true martial prowess had to be considered at the level of Transcendent Demon, the Profound Realm.
He too had now reached the Pinnacle Demon realm and could draw out the power of a Transcendent Demon if he took some risks... but it still wasn't enough to handle them at the same level.
He also had to consider the possibility of his seniors allying against him, so he had to be able to surpass them all on his own.
This wasn't too difficult a problem, as long as he achieved great mastery in the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon as his master had taught him.
The problem was the lack of time.
How long would time wait for him?
Having set his priorities, a single, clear sentence settled in Mu-heun's mind.
‘I must become stronger.’
Whether it be my friends, my subordinates, my faction, or myself.
Having made his final resolve, Mu-heun went to find Seol Ha-ryeong.
“Lady Ha-ryeong, there is a place we must go together.”
“What? Weren't we returning to the main cult?”
“Yes, a different mission has come up.”
“What is it?”
“It is to investigate the Martial Alliance.”
“...!”
Seol Ha-ryeong's eyes widened as she spoke.
“Is this a mission from the Radiant Heavenly Demon Brigade? And have you received permission from the Palace Lord of the Sacred Fire Palace?”
“Of course. Here is the letter of delegation signifying the Palace Lord's permission. I received it via messenger pigeon this morning.”
“Ah...”
“Let's go together.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Seol Ha-ryeong had no choice but to be led away by Mu-heun.
Mu-heun had noticed that Seol Ha-ryeong was having more moments of clarity. However, the Seol Ha-ryeong who believed herself to be a member of the Demonic Cult was still dominant.
***
Mu-heun and Seol Ha-ryeong visited the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Mu-heun and Ha-ryeong had already concluded their deal with Dang Yeon-hwa, the Family Head of the Tang Clan, but their method of visiting the clan was anything but ordinary.
Although they had informed the new Family Head, Dang Yeon-hwa, of their intent to visit and received her permission, they ended up climbing over the wall instead of entering through the main gate.
The reason was that a large number of high-ranking officials from the Martial Alliance had flocked to the Tang Clan.
They had come to investigate the death of Dang Baek-ho and the events that had transpired, and there was nothing to be gained from having Mu-heun and Seol Ha-ryeong, who practiced demonic arts, present.
Just like the Tang Clan and the Demonic Cults, the leadership of the Martial Alliance was not composed solely of good people. Among them were many who would never acknowledge or accept that this incident was a rescue carried out by members of a demonic cult.
Thus, it was publicly announced that Dang Yeon-hwa had stepped up and resolved the matter, and the incident was closed.
Another reason the Martial Alliance officials had come.
It was to give the Dragon and Phoenix Plaque to the rising star of the Tang Clan who would participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, thereby confirming their eligibility. Currently, Dang So-so was the only participant from the Tang Clan.
Following the path Dang Yeon-hwa had shown them, Mu-heun and Seol Ha-ryeong avoided the eyes and ears of the Martial Alliance officials and reached her office.
‘I've wrapped the Demon-Sealing Paper around my wrists and ankles... but it wouldn't hurt to be more careful.’
*Creeak*
As he opened the office door and entered, Dang Yeon-hwa greeted him with a very apologetic expression.
“To have no choice but to treat our heroes this way, I am truly sorry.”
Mu-heun was a little surprised to find that Dang Yeon-hwa's attire and impression had changed drastically.
When he first saw her in the devastated Tang Clan estate, he had seen a fierce martial artist, sharp as a honed sword. But now, she was like a scholar skilled in politics; how could he not be surprised?
Moreover, he could feel the solid inner strength piercing through her gentle exterior, proving she was truly the rightful Family Head of the Tang Clan.
‘I can just imagine... how hard she must have worked.’
“Haha, it's quite all right. I'm used to this sort of thing.”
However!
Who am I!
I am the Divine Doctor who has been through thick and thin!
That's right.
Politics was not the sole domain of martial artists.
Mu-heun intentionally put a barb in his words, trying to justify the request he was about to make.
“Hoh... there's a bite to your words. Very well. You've been quiet for a while, so you must have a reason for seeking me out. What is it? If it's a request I can grant, I will gladly do so.”
“As expected, you don't beat around the bush. It's good that we can speak directly.”
“Haha, the reason I began a life of seclusion was because of vile scheming and political battles. Now, I intend to become a Family Head who lacks in no area.”
“That's admirable. The world isn't made up of only upright people.”
“This time, too, the Martial Alliance officials were such a nuisance... They used Dang Baek-ho's case as a pretext to try and place the Sichuan Tang Clan under their control.”
“...And what did you do?”
“I told them not to say such things unless they intended to go to war with the Tang Clan. Dang Baek-ho and his cronies are gone, but many masters who left because they were fed up with him have returned to the clan, so our strength is greater than before.”
“Hahahaha! You're skilled at threats, too. Truly befitting the Family Head of the Tang Clan.”
“You flatter me. By the way, I've felt this before, but I get a strange feeling when I talk with you, Lord Mu-heun.”
“A strange feeling? What kind of...”
“Your appearance is that of a young, powerful man in his prime... but strangely, when we speak, I don't feel any of a young man's rashness. No, it feels more like I'm conversing with a wise, old immortal.”
Mu-heun flinched at Dang Yeon-hwa's words but inwardly thought it was only natural.
‘As an old man who lived past seventy in my previous life, I can't very well show the impulsiveness of a child.’
However, he didn't let it show and spoke.
“Haha, that can't be true. More importantly, you seem busy, so may I get straight to the point?”
“Please do.”
“I heard that Lady Dang So-so will be participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly hosted by the Martial Alliance.”
“That is correct.”
Mu-heun gestured toward Seol Ha-ryeong with his hand and said.
“For the assembly, would you be willing to include this person and me as her companions? I wish to observe the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
“Hmm...”
Dang Yeon-hwa seemed to contemplate for a moment. But she soon opened her mouth.
“Very well. Of course, I'll have to ask that child, Dang So-so, but she will probably accept if I ask her to. She was also very curious about you, Lord Mu-heun.”
“Haha, thank you for saying so.”
He could feel the trust Dang Yeon-hwa had for him in her gaze and tone.
Mu-heun thus smoothly concluded his conversation with Dang Yeon-hwa. He decided to wait in the guest reception room until she asked for Dang So-so's opinion and came back to him, and so he left.
As he was heading to the reception room, a chilling sensation brushed past him.
‘...What was that?’
[ You are not a warrior of the Tang Clan. ]
A voice, imbued with profound internal energy, seemed to echo directly in his mind.
‘This feeling... is the same one I felt from the Cult Leader, Cheon Mu-jin.’
At the cold, monotonic voice, Mu-heun hurriedly turned around, only to see a swordsman standing before him.
He wore a Plum Blossom Sword at his waist, was dressed entirely in white robes with a white overcoat, and had a plum blossom crest embroidered on his chest.