Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Peng Li-hyeok of the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch
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Peng Li-hyeok, an investigator from the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch. He visited the Black Dragon Inn, the scene of the incident. He sought out the innkeeper to continue his investigation.
However, the innkeeper of the Black Dragon Inn claimed to know nothing, stating he had never even had such a man as a guest.
‘Then where did that giant of a man come from, and where did he go?’
Peng Li-hyeok approached a woman leaving the Black Dragon Inn and asked her about the events of the previous day. One thing was strange: the woman was stunningly beautiful, but her expression was remarkably cold.
Her defining feature was her hair, as white as snow.
“I am Peng Li-hyeok, an investigator from the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch. What is your name? Do you know what happened here last night? Tell me what you know. I will pay you for your time.”
“My name? Why do you ask? Oh, for your investigation? Well, my name is Ha-ryeong. Next time, don't ask for a lady's name so carelessly. If by chance you have feelings for me... you can put those away. You're not my type.
You don't? Good.
You're asking if there was such a man among the guests that day? My companions and I were the only ones staying here that night. I've never heard of a man with such a large build.
You want to see my companions?
Two of them have already departed, and the other two are over there. More importantly, we need to leave now, so could you let us go?”
Peng Li-hyeok turned his head to look at Ha-ryeong's companions. He carefully examined their builds just in case, but none of them had the massive frame that so many witnesses had described.
‘It doesn't seem to be them.’
“Thank you. Here is the payment I promised.”
“Hoho, I hope I was of some help.”
After Ha-ryeong and her companions left, Peng Li-hyeok was lost in thought.
“Hmm... I suppose I have to visit the Tang Clan.”
* * *
Peng Li-hyeok eventually went to the Sichuan Tang Clan and sought out Ga Se-pyeong.
“I am Peng Li-hyeok, an investigator from the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch. What is your name? Do you know what happened here last night? Tell me what you know. I will pay you for your time.”
“You're from the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch. It's a pleasure to meet you. Yes, I am Ga Se-pyeong.
Yesterday's events... don't even ask. It was truly terrifying. If you had seen him yourself, Investigator, you would have been paralyzed with fear. Even though I myself have reached the first-rate level, before him, I felt as insignificant as a fly.
No, perhaps I was even less than a fly.
Why did he kill Cheol-bi? This is something most people already know... In a word, it's a trade conflict.
The Demonic Cult kidnapped and killed the Divine Doctor of Sichuan, and then they even murdered the Golden Fang Poison Claw, who was investigating to get him back. They are arrogant and cruel bastards.
It's strange that we'd let those fiends stretch their legs and trade freely in the Central Plains. But they shamelessly forgot what they had done and came here to brutally slaughter the warriors of the Tang Clan.
In this situation, Cheol-bi was the one monitoring the trade between the Demonic Cult and the Central Plains. So he must have been a thorn in their side.
You ask how I survived when every other Tang Clan warrior present died? Isn't it obvious? The fiend gave me a message. He told me to deliver it to the Tang Clan. Isn't that what you came here to find out, Investigator?
I can tell you, but... for nothing?
Now we're talking. I'm glad you're not one of the rigid types. I'll tell you the truth.
The fiend gave me two messages.
First, his name is Hwang Cheol-ung, the Red Demon Pavilion Lord. The leader of the Red Demon Pavilion, one of the five pavilions of the Demonic Cult. He is known to use the Twenty-Four Arts of the Red Demon and is a master of at least the Transcendent Demon level.
Hwang Cheol-ung's first message was this.”
Ga Se-pyeong lowered his voice and spoke.
“Tang Clan of Sichuan. We used to do business just fine, weighing the pros and cons of our mutual interests. Why are you changing your tune now? Your interference with the trade has put me in an awkward position. If you do not cease this interference at once, the Tang Clan will face a terror unlike any before.”
“Do you know why he sent such a message?”
“How would I know? Anyway, the second message is this.”
Ga Se-pyeong lowered his voice again and spoke.
“Ten days from now.”
“On the night of the full moon.”
“I will come for you.”
Peng Li-hyeok could not hide his bewilderment.
“Is that really true?”
“True? Of course it is. He said that ten days from now, on the night of the full moon, the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung, will visit the Tang Clan. In any case, I have told you everything I can.”
Peng Li-hyeok meticulously wrote down Ga Se-pyeong's testimony.
“This is tantamount to a declaration of war from the Demonic Cult to the Tang Clan. Is the Tang Clan preparing for it?”
“Well... the higher-ups don't believe the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung, would do such a thing. They say it's more likely someone else is behind this, but if the Red Demon Pavilion Lord does attack, the only thing he'll be taking with him is death.”
“So you are confident.”
“That is correct.”
“I understand.”
After completing his investigation, Peng Li-hyeok turned to head back to the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch to make his report.
* * *
“Granny... I'm back.”
Peng Li-hyeok greeted her warmly as he entered the office of the branch leader of the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“There was a major incident yesterday, so I was investigating.”
“You fool, we have guests.”
“Guests?”
The guests introduced by Granny Gam Pa-pa, a former Elder of the Emei Sect. They looked somewhat familiar.
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Among them were two people Peng Li-hyeok had just investigated.
It was Pa-sun and Seol Ha-ryeong.
“What are you two doing here...?”
Peng Li-hyeok directed his question at Seol Ha-ryeong and Pa-sun, but the one who answered was Mu-heun, who looked to have just passed the age of twenty.
“We came to see Gam Pa-pa and you.”
“What business could you have with me?”
“I heard from Gam Pa-pa that the woman you admire is dying from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. Is that correct?”
“...!”
Peng Li-hyeok shot a fierce glare at Gam Pa-pa.
“What do you think you're doing, Granny!”
At that, Mu-heun stopped him.
“Now, now, calm down...”
“Calm down? What do you know...!”
As Peng Li-hyeok vented his anger and drew upon his internal energy, a powerful wave of cold air swept through the room.
*Crrrackle*
Suddenly, Peng Li-hyeok's legs froze solid. Not only that, but the cold energy crept up his legs, past his waist, chest, and shoulders, all the way to his neck.
“Th-this is... Yin Arts...?”
Mu-heun, standing before the startled Peng Li-hyeok, spoke with a chillingly firm expression.
“I heard you have been searching for someone who has mastered Yin Arts for about two years to save the woman you admire. You asked what she was doing, didn't you? To the granny.”
“Ugh... what is this?”
“This is your answer. One of my companions has mastered Yin Arts. Get us into the Emei Sect without anyone knowing. In return, we will cure the woman with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.”
An excruciating pain shot up from his frozen legs.
“Gah!”
Peng Li-hyeok cried out in pain, but his eyes were still filled with fury.
“You want to meet the woman with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians? Don't get cocky just because you can use a little Yin Arts. The Nine Yin Severed Meridians can't be cured by something so trivial!”
“So full of vigor... haha, then how about this?”
Mu-heun roused his internal energy.
*Fwoooosh*
A crimson flame erupted from Mu-heun's body, transforming into a giant fire demon.
“Devour it.”
In an instant, the fire demon voraciously consumed the yin energy from Seol Ha-ryeong that had enveloped Peng Li-hyeok's body.
*Shwaaaaa*
The absorption of the Heavenly Demonic Energy was carried out with Mu-heun's meticulous control, so Peng Li-hyeok was not harmed in the process.
“H-how can this be...”
“Now, how about it? I possess an energy of extreme yang that can soothe yin energy. After I expel and control the young lady's yin energy, my companion can teach her Ice Arts. Then she will be able to live a normal life.”
Peng Li-hyeok was speechless. Not only had the people he had been searching for all this time suddenly appeared, but they had come looking for him?
This was a clear opportunity. Not only was there no one else who could control this much yang energy, but the fact that he was with someone who had mastered Ice Arts was unbelievable.
It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for that very reason, he couldn't help but be suspicious.
Just then.
Seeing the astonished Peng Li-hyeok, Gam Pa-pa spoke.
“Do you take me for a fool?”
“No, it's just...”
In that moment, Gam Pa-pa vanished from Peng Li-hyeok's sight.
And then...
*Smack!*
Appearing instantly before Peng Li-hyeok, Gam Pa-pa slapped him across the face.
*Smack! Smack! Smack!*
She slapped him relentlessly.
“You disrespectful brat...! I coddled you, and now you think you can lecture me?”
“Kkhh... ugh.”
“Stop being arrogant in front of our guests and listen. Otherwise, I'll throw you out using my authority as the head of the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch.”
“...”
Peng Li-hyeok was stunned. Not only had the ever-kind Gam Pa-pa slapped him, but she was now emitting a terrifying killing intent. He didn't know what to say and could only stare blankly...
Just then, Mu-heun stepped forward.
“Haha... please don't be too harsh, Gam Pa-pa.”
“Hoh hoh hoh, should I?”
“Yes.”
“Hoh hoh hoh, since the Divine Doctor of Sichuan's disciple says so, I suppose I must listen. Hoh hoh.”
“Huh?”
Peng Li-hyeok couldn't understand their conversation or reactions.
And it was the same for Seol Ha-ryeong, Un-pyo, Pa-sun, and Gu Yang-baek.
Ignoring everyone's reactions, Mu-heun looked at the bewildered Peng Li-hyeok and said.
“Haha, hasn't it been tough working in Sichuan? So, if you don't want to listen to us, you can just leave now. We won't stop you.”
A cold sweat broke out on Peng Li-hyeok's back.
This was bad. The branch leader he trusted and followed, Gam Pa-pa, trusted this young man—the disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan—more than him. And this young man was smiling amiably while telling him to leave if he didn't want to work.
After being assigned to the Sichuan Branch, he had visited the Emei Sect and met the woman of his destiny. He had fought hard for her, and he would do anything for her.
But now, he was being told to leave the Sichuan Branch? Leaving it to people like this?
‘I can't let that happen.’
He had two choices left.
Either abandon the woman he admired and leave the Sichuan Branch, or, for her sake, work with these suspicious people.
Peng Li-hyeok chose the latter.
“N-no, that's...”
“Are you leaving, or are you staying?”
“I... I'll stay.”
“Then, when I'm being polite, you will listen.”
“Yes...”
* * *
- Two hours before meeting Peng Li-hyeok.
On a warm, sunny morning, Mu-heun went to the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch alone. The air was cold, but the reunion was warm.
Mu-heun met with the Sichuan Branch Leader, Gam Pa-pa, and told her everything that had happened to him.
Even in his past life, she was one of the few people Mu-heun could trust with his stories. As a venerable elder of the Emei Sect, he hadn't been able to meet her often.
But when he heard that she had become the leader of the Martial Alliance's Sichuan Branch, he had rushed over at once.
Their reunion was as natural as flowing water.
Mu-heun had met Gam Pa-pa as soon as he entered the Sichuan Branch and asked for a moment of her time. Gam Pa-pa had gladly accepted his request and believed every word he said.
Mu-heun considered her the finest of all the nuns he knew. But there was something he was curious about...
“For Gam Pa-pa to leave the Emei Sect... and to be the branch leader of the Martial Alliance in Sichuan... haha... my! All sorts of things happen.”
“I left around the time rumors were rampant that the Divine Doctor had vanished, or died, so you might not have known.”
“How did you come to leave the Emei Sect?”
“No matter how large a sect is, if it has more than one master in the Transformation Realm, it's bound to be kept in check. And since Sichuan is the territory of the Tang Clan, we must be cautious about certain things.”
“I see. With you gone, the Emei Sect Leader is the only one who has reached the Transformation Realm. The Tang Clan's watch over Emei must have lessened.”
“Aren't those who call themselves the Orthodox Sects so petty?”
“Haha, what right do I, now a member of the Demonic Cult, have to say such things?”
“...”
Gam Pa-pa chose her words carefully for a moment before speaking.
“I've heard the whole story... but what will you do from now on?”