Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: One Day Shy of Ten
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Mu-heun clicked his tongue as he walked out.
‘To think a martial artist can't even endure a little pain. Tsk, tsk.’
Outside, the Qingcheng Sect Leader and elders were waiting for Mu-heun. Seeing him emerge, the elders rushed inside to check on Mok-yeong.
Only the Sect Leader remained. Mu-heun smiled warmly at him.
‘A favor I couldn't grant during the war. This time, I've fulfilled it.’
He swallowed his inner thoughts and spoke.
“The treatment is complete.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“From now on, if you feed him elixirs and teach him Qingcheng's internal arts, he will grow strong quickly.”
“We are grateful for your benevolence, Doctor.”
“Will you not go and see for yourself?”
“It is enough for the other elders to confirm it.”
“In my opinion, I heard that even when he couldn't accumulate internal energy due to his Clogged Blood and Severed Meridians, he laid the groundwork for external martial arts training, incorporating it into Qingcheng’s techniques and advancing the sect's essence by a level.”
“That is correct.”
“It’s only natural for someone skilled enough to be in charge of the external training of Qingcheng disciples. But now, he has overcome his natural limitations… It seems the Qingcheng Sect will be busy from now on.”
“Indeed. But… how do you know all of this?”
“……”
‘Oops.’
It seemed he had revealed too much knowledge from his past life.
“W-well, my master told me.”
“Haha, the Divine Doctor of Sichuan must have trusted his disciple a great deal.”
“Y-you could say that.”
“Thanks to you, a day like this has come. That child has the talent to one day become the Sect Leader of Qingcheng. Before he fell into despair due to his congenital condition, he was brighter than anyone else in the sect.”
“……”
“Thank you, once again.”
“Haha, well then, I shall be on my way.”
“Yes. The Qingcheng Sect will be closing its gates starting today. However…”
“……?”
“The Sichuan Tang Clan did not become the true power of Sichuan through empty fame and pretense. Be careful of the Poison King, Dang Baek-ho.”
“I know that better than anyone.”
“……Since the Cloud Dragon is with you, I trust you have a plan, but I still pray for a smooth resolution.”
“Thank you.”
After bidding farewell to the Sect Leader, Mu-heun left Mount Qingcheng with Pae-seon and Paeng Ri-hyeok. He had now cut off all the major sects that supported the Tang Clan.
“It’s about time we met face-to-face… Poison King, Dang Baek-ho.”
* * *
- Office of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Family Head
Dang Baek-ho, the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, was furious. And for good reason—every report he had received recently had only served to anger him.
First, the message from the warriors sent to the Western Regions to interfere with the Demonic Cult's trade.
[ Family Head! A fight broke out between our clan warriors and the Demonic Cult’s warriors in the Western Regions. ]
[ What? Who from the Demonic Cult showed up? ]
[ The Blade Leaf Demon? The Blade Leaf Demon? ]
‘He should have been killed by the Golden Fang Poison Claw… What happened?’
[ That man is known as a master of the Transcendent Demon level. A mediocre force will be useless. Send Dang Mu-seung and Dang Mu-ryong. ]
[ Elder Dang Mu-seung and Dang Mu-ryong… ]
[ Both are masters of the Pinnacle Realm, so they should be more than a match for him. ]
[ Understood. ]
‘Dang Mu-seung and Dang Mu-ryong. They were getting stronger and stronger, and it was becoming difficult to keep them in check… If they happen to die during the conflict, well…’
Furthermore, the forces sent to the Western Regions already constituted thirty percent of the Tang Clan’s current strength. Even if they couldn’t achieve a great victory against the Demonic Cult, they could at least buy some time.
Just as he sent the reinforcements, another report came in.
[ Family Head! It is said that Kunlun has closed its gates. They also stated that there were many suspicious points about obstructing the Demonic Cult’s trade and that they will no longer be involved. ]
[ What? What on earth! Why the sudden change in attitude? ]
[ It was a unilateral notice, so we could not find out the reason. ]
[ Damn it…! Is it only Kunlun? ]
[ Well… the Kongtong Sect says they share Kunlun’s position. ]
[ Those… Are they protesting because I wouldn't treat the two Cloud Dragons? Why are they acting like this all of a sudden! ]
[ Whatever the reason, at this rate, it seems we will have to dispatch more forces to Qinghai Province. ]
[ Right, if Kunlun’s two Cloud Dragons are already dead, that could be a possibility. In that case, dispatch warriors to block the trade immediately, and send an envoy to Kunlun. ]
[ Yes! ]
‘This is ominous…! With the two Cloud Dragons in such a state, Kunlun turns its back on the Tang Clan? Strange. It’s impossible. They wouldn’t give up on the Cloud Dragons. Could they really be dead?’
Dang Baek-ho had no choice but to send another thirty percent of his forces to Qinghai Province.
And then, a short while later, another report.
[ Family Head! The Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung, has come to Sichuan. Last night, after brutally murdering the entire Poison Blood Unit and Cheol-bi, he delivered a declaration of war to Ga Se-pyeong. ]
[ What? The Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung? ]
[ Yes, he said he would attack the Tang Clan in ten days. ]
[ The Red Demon Pavilion Lord is attacking the Tang Clan? ]
[ Yes… ]
What kind of bullshit was this?
Dang Baek-ho sensed a strange current.
It was strange.
Unbelievable things were happening.
Of course, someone of the Red Demon Pavilion Lord’s caliber could easily handle the Poison Blood Unit and Cheol-bi. But unless he had a death wish, there was no way he would attack the Tang Clan.
It would be a different story if he had brought other forces with him…
[ What about the sketch? ]
[ This is the sketch drawn by Ga-pyeong. Please take a look. ]
[ ……! ]
Anyone could see it was the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung.
‘He certainly looks the same as when he made a deal with me in the past. But the operation we planned together ended in a major defeat. Because of that, I lost the Golden Fang Poison Claw, and he lost his power within the Demonic Cult, didn't he? So, if he’s here, shouldn't he be thinking of negotiating with me? Why would he attack me?’
‘No, in the first place, the reason I interfered with the Demonic Cult’s trade was to go to the Blade Leaf Valley and retrieve the fruit of the Myriad Fragrance Blood Jade Tree, a key ingredient for the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation. Why does it feel like things are getting more and more twisted…’
[ I have a bad feeling about this. Immediately search every corner of Sichuan and find the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung. And check if there are any other forces that look like they belong to the Demonic Cult! Also, send this sketch to the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect and request their cooperation in finding Hwang Cheol-ung. ]
[ Yes! ]
Perhaps dealing with the Demonic Cult was a mistake after all…
And then, a short while later.
[ Family Head… um, the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect have announced that they are closing their gates starting today and cannot cooperate. ]
[ What? Closing their gates? ]
[ That is correct. ]
‘Have they all lost their minds? A key figure from the Demonic Cult has declared war on the Tang Clan, and now the major sects are closing their gates one after another? Something is very, very wrong.’
If the enemy forces were to attack now, things would get troublesome.
[ Send carrier pigeons immediately and recall the forces scattered in the Western Regions and Qinghai! Tell Dang Mu-seung and Dang Mu-ryong, masters of the Pinnacle Realm, to return at once. ]
[ Yes. ]
[ And deploy all forces in Sichuan to find the Red Demon Pavilion Lord! ]
[ Yes. ]
[ Ah! Also find the reclusive Profound Realm master, Dang Yeon-hwa, and tell her to come here. ]
[ ……! Lady Dang Yeon-hwa is currently in seclusion, so we do not know her location. Do you perhaps know where she is, Family Head? ]
[ How the hell should I know, you bastard! Just find her, whatever it takes! And tell her the Tang Clan is in danger, so she must return! ]
[ Y-yes… I understand. ]
[ What about Dang So-so? ]
[ She has entered secluded training to surpass the Pinnacle Realm. ]
[ Tell her to come out immediately! ]
[ Yes! ]
‘It’s just a hunch… but things are taking a bad turn. I need every master I can get.’
[ Contact the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance. Gam Pa-pa should be there. Ask for her help. ]
[ Yes! ]
The carrier pigeons sent by Dang Baek-ho flew towards the Western Regions and Qinghai. Or rather, they were supposed to.
The carrier pigeons sent from the Tang Clan were frozen by the Heavenly Fragrance Owl’s ice arts and fell to the ground.
All the letters sent by Dang Baek-ho ended up in Mu-heun's hands.
* * *
- Martial Alliance Sichuan Branch
After leaving Qingcheng, Mu-heun was having a private conversation with Gam Pa-pa. Impressed that Mu-heun had intercepted all of Dang Baek-ho’s carrier pigeons, she asked.
“What did Dang Baek-ho say?”
“He said that the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung, and his followers have come down from the Demonic Cult, and he’s asking for support.”
“Heh heh heh. Just as expected.”
“He’s also looking for Dang Yeon-hwa.”
“……What are your plans for Lady Dang Yeon-hwa?”
“Well, if she were to join the battle, our chances of winning would be as good as gone… Gam Pa-pa, do you happen to know Dang Yeon-hwa’s whereabouts?”
“I have an idea.”
“Then please deliver a letter to her. After Dang Baek-ho is dead, she must take over the Tang Clan.”
“So you were thinking of Lady Yeon-hwa as the next head of the Tang Clan.”
“Isn’t it obvious? Dang Yeon-hwa and I were close in my past life, and you know as well as I do that there is no one else as talented. Because of the cowardly methods Dang Baek-ho used to seize the position of Family Head, his constant checks and shameless actions, many masters of the Tang Clan left. The same must be true for Dang Yeon-hwa.”
“So you’re saying she is necessary for the Tang Clan to rise again, even if Dang Baek-ho and many of its warriors die.”
“That’s right… Also, among those who remain, Dang Mu-seung, Dang Mu-ryong, and Dang So-so do not support Dang Baek-ho. That’s why he must have sent them to dangerous areas. Thanks to that, I can now pick off and kill Dang Baek-ho’s people.”
“Those who fell out of Dang Baek-ho’s favor were mostly sent to combat zones like the Western Regions or faraway places like Qinghai, so that makes sense.”
“Indeed.”
Mu-heun thought for a moment before speaking.
“Anyway, I will write a letter, so please deliver it to Dang Yeon-hwa. This time, I will write it not as myself, but in the name of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan from my past life, Baek Jung-hyeok.”
“If you write it, I will deliver it.”
“I’m always grateful.”
“How could I refuse a request from my benefactor?”
Mu-heun wrote the letter and entrusted it to Gam Pa-pa. He knew her skills were exceptional, so the letter would reach Dang Yeon-hwa faster than any of Dang Baek-ho’s messengers.
With all preparations complete, the day of the decisive battle finally arrived.
* * *
As the group looked at Mu-heun, he spoke calmly.
“Today is the day of the decisive battle. I will now explain the plan.”
Everyone except Pae-seon answered with a resounding shout.
“Yes!”
“Currently, their main forces are scattered across the Western Regions, Qinghai, and various branches in Sichuan. All that remains in the Tang Clan are a few individuals Dang Baek-ho cherishes. We will exploit that opening.”
“So, we find opponents matching our strength, defeat them, and then join up with the next ally?”
“That’s right. First, Lord Pae-seon, please take care of Dang Cheong-cheon, Dang Baek-ho’s current right-hand man and a known Profound Realm master. He should be outside Dang Baek-ho’s office.”
“Understood.”
“What remains are Dang Baek-ho’s three hidden blades. The first is Bang Sa-sa of the ‘Deadly Poison Dance.’ She may look like she’s performing an elegant dance, but every movement is laced with lethal poison, so you must be careful. Her level is known to be Pinnacle, in other words, Transcendent Demon.”
At that moment, Seol Ha-ryeong volunteered.
“I’ll take him.”
“Very well. The second is Hwang Ja-hang, the ‘Shadow Ghost.’ He is famous as an assassin who kills people by throwing hidden weapons from the darkness. His level is Peak.”
Gu Yang-baek volunteered.
“I will take him.”
“Very well. The third is Bi-yu of the ‘Poisoned Iron Sword.’ As his name suggests, he wields a poison-coated sword, and his level is known to be Peak. Pa-sun and Un-pyo will handle this one.”
“Sir!”
“You two have just reached the Peak Realm, while he has been at that level for a long time. Even if you are at the same level, your proficiency will be different. So do not let your guard down for a second.”
“Yes. Understood.”
“The remaining warriors will be handled by the Heavenly Demonic Corpse, Hyeok. Though he looks like a corpse, he is beyond the Peak Realm, and as an undead body, he neither tires nor can he be killed. He can also unleash a wide-area skill, Poison Mist, which will be effective against many warriors.”
“Yes.”
“Furthermore, Cheon-hyang will relay the entire situation from the air, so I expect swift communication.”
“Understood.”
“Remember this. Now is our chance, while the Tang Clan’s forces are scattered across the Western Regions, Qinghai, and throughout Sichuan. Cheon-hyang has caught all the carrier pigeons, so they won't be coming back. We will proceed according to the plan, and of course, I will be the one to take down the Family Head, Dang Baek-ho.”
“Yes!”
A mere youth who had just come of age was declaring that he would take down the head of the Tang Clan, the man known as the Poison King.
It was, in truth, an impossible feat, but it was happening.
Right here, right now.