Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Infiltrator (2)
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"What crime did he commit to deserve that?"
"They say he accepted bribes and taught martial arts."
It was a more serious issue than expected.
"...Wait a minute. Isn't leaking martial arts a clan-extermination offense?"
"That's right."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
It wouldn't be strange if his head were chopped off right away.
Gu Hwan-gae shook his head at Dang Yu-wol's question.
"Yeah. Apparently, it's not that severe."
"Leaking martial arts isn't..."
"The guards of the Yang Merchant Group... you know, the secular affiliates? They say he taught it to them."
"Ah, I see. But did that person confess?"
"I don't know about that much."
How could he know once the man had entered the Repentance Cave?
Gu Hwan-gae smacked his lips bitterly.
"In my opinion, it feels like a frame-up."
"Is that so?"
"There were quite a few elders jealous of him."
It was then.
Seol Ryu-a opened the door to the inn and entered.
"I've received the decree."
She held out an envelope.
The seal bore the image of a golden bird.
A crest only the imperial family could use.
And there was a small plaque engraved with the same golden bird.
"This is a decree issued directly by a noble of the imperial house."
"Hm. Let me see... They've permitted the use of Shadow Steps."
It was the response to the request he'd sent before leaving Uichang.
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
He had expected this kind of reply.
"It also says we can use the noble's name if anything happens."
"What?! Is that true?"
The Third Prince wasn't one to lend his name lightly.
That's why Seol Ryu-a was shocked.
And she looked at Dang Yu-wol with admiration.
'As expected of the empire's loyal servant...'
"That should make things a bit easier."
Having an imperial backer was no small matter.
Dang Yu-wol grinned and rose from his seat.
"For now, let's head to the Wudang Sect."
As one of the Nine Great Sects and a famed scenic spot of Taoism, many people were trying to enter the Wudang Sect.
The bustling crowd began to split into two lines.
"Warriors, this way!!"
"You must stop by the Sword-Surrendering Ground!!"
To enter the Wudang Sect, one had to leave their sword behind.
Dang Yu-wol's group also stopped at the Sword-Surrendering Ground to deposit their weapons.
-If a fight breaks out inside the Wudang Sect, this could be a headache.
'We need to make some preparations.'
Suppose they found a Blood Cultist inside the Wudang Sect.
If they had to fight him then, they'd need a way to retrieve their weapons.
"Welcome. We are honored by the visit of such renowned figures from the orthodox faction."
The guests' statuses were far from ordinary.
From Jeomchang, the Beggars' Sect, and even a general from the military.
And the young clan head of the family closest to being Sacheon's overlord.
"We are truly grateful. If there's someone you'd like to meet..."
Thus, a Wudang Daoist had come out to greet them personally.
Dang Yu-wol spoke calmly to the composed-looking man.
"Would it be possible to meet someone in the Repentance Cave?"
"I'm sorry. That would be difficult..."
Toward him, Dang Yu-wol pulled out the plaque Bi-seon had given him from his bosom.
"Even with an imperial decree?"
"...Please wait a moment."
As the stiff-faced Daoist withdrew, Gu Hwan-gae marveled.
"Hey. How do you use it right after getting it?"
"Isn't it weirder not to use what you have?"
'Use everything you can.'
"No matter how much they claim the martial world is untouchable by officials, they can't ignore an imperial plaque, right?"
"...Hah. Yes. Please wait a moment."
The Daoist went to consult his superiors and returned shortly after.
"This way."
He guided them deep into the Wudang Sect, to the innermost area, and spoke gravely.
"Please be cautious here."
No matter how esteemed the guests, a warning was necessary.
He continued in a serious tone.
"Many wicked fiends who have thrown the empire and the martial world into chaos are held here."
"I see. Thank you for the advice."
"By the way, who in the Repentance Cave do you wish to meet?"
"Immortal Hye-gak."
"......"
The Wudang Daoist's expression hardened at the name Hye-gak.
"Is there a problem?"
"...You're not planning to harm Immortal Hye-gak, are you?"
"Why do you think that?"
"We believe the Immortal is merely staying in the Repentance Cave due to some misunderstanding."
"I see."
"So please, don't think of him as a criminal."
Gu Hwan-gae shot Dang Yu-wol a look that said, See?
-He really seems like a good person.
He nodded to the worried Daoist.
Only then did the man relax and knock on the Repentance Cave door.
Moments later, the firmly shut iron door opened.
"Meal time is still far off. What is it?"
They were sturdy Daoists.
All of them were peak-level warriors and above.
"A noble of the imperial house wishes to meet a criminal in the Repentance Cave."
"Hmm. I see. Understood. Then just the two of you may enter."
"Two? Can't we all go in?"
"As you know, the criminals here are far more vicious than those in other sects' repentance caves."
Though unaware, they all roughly caught on and simply nodded.
"Some use wicked forbidden arts."
"Some wield demonic arts."
"Who knows what tricks they might use to deceive you."
"There are those who'll disguise evil demonic arts as supreme techniques and beg for release in exchange for teaching them."
"Once, one even promised to reveal a treasure's location for a chance to escape."
They recounted tales of past inmates in the Repentance Cave.
Dang Yu-wol burst into laughter.
"Do people actually fall for that?"
"Yes."
There was precedent, so nothing to be done.
"For now, you should go, Elder."
"Alright."
"Then the remaining one..."
"Little Brother. You go."
"Yes. Young Master Dang would be better."
The Daoists guarding the Repentance Cave were taken aback by their words.
To them, Dang Yu-wol looked the most dangerous.
"W-wait. Hold on. That friend might be a bit much."
The youthful bravado, sense of justice, and thirst for power unique to the young.
They had seen far too much of it.
"He looks like peak realm."
As if concerned, one Daoist cautiously said,
"Of course, reaching peak realm at his age is plenty praiseworthy."
Then he seriously refused.
"But that's exactly why he might be impatient."
"Young Master Dang has defeated several superhuman experts."
"He even won a spar against a Fusion Realm master."
The Daoist gaped at the group's words.
"...Are you perhaps referring to the one who achieved the Return to Truth?"
"No. He just used poison and hidden weapons."
"Even so... Hah. Goodness."
'What in the world is happening in the martial world...'
But they couldn't block him after hearing this much.
"Then please be careful."
"Thousand-Li Flying Swallow, please ensure the young man doesn't get swayed by the villains' words and act on bravado."
'This guy's the one acting on bravado?'
Gu Hwan-gae glanced at Dang Yu-wol.
He might tempt others, but he didn't look like someone who'd fall for the criminals' lures.
"Got it, don't worry."
"Then enter."
"The rest of you, there's a cabin over there. Please rest there. Yu-gang."
"Yes, Immortal Hye-cheon."
"Escort them."
"Understood."
The Daoist called Yu-gang led Hwan-gyu, Seol Ryu-a, and the two disciples to the cabin.
As they moved away, the lead guard of the Repentance Cave—the eldest, Immortal Hye-cheon—boldly shut the door.
-It's dark.
'Bound to be, with criminals here.'
-Still better than the Blood Cult's prison.
The Blood Cult definitely had prisons too.
A cult of beasts in human skin.
But even there, rules and discipline existed.
Meaning criminals weren't automatically executed.
-But wasn't the prison basically a waiting room for test subjects?
'True.'
A place to house test subjects for analyzing and testing acquired martial arts.
Or for experimenting with poisons.
Or storing subjects for other experiments.
-At least no voices begging to be killed.
"Hye-cheon. Sorry, but could you step aside when we meet Hye-gak?"
Gu Hwan-gae broke the silence.
But Hye-cheon coldly shook his head.
"I cannot."
"Come on. We need to talk secrets."
"He is a clan-extermination offender."
"Hah... goodness. More than that, do you really believe it?"
"......"
"You know how sincere Hye-gak was to Wudang."
"The elders' council has already decided. And witnesses have come forward."
"Witnesses?"
"Yes. That Hye-gak transmitted the sect's core martial arts without permission."
And that wasn't all.
"There's also evidence he analyzed them and created countermeasures."
"Countermeasures too?"
He couldn't believe his friend Hye-gak would go that far.
"No... Why would Hye-gak do such a thing?"
"Who knows. You can't know the heart of a man even if you know ten fathoms of water."
Hye-cheon was cold.
No matter how much he revered Thousand-Li Flying Swallow like an older brother, he couldn't yield on this.
"I think differently. Hye-gak isn't the type."
Gu Hwan-gae's voice held confidence.
As far as he knew, Hye-gak absolutely wasn't.
"And Sect Leader Hye-seong wouldn't abandon Hye-gak so easily..."
"Take that to the elders' council. This disciple only follows Wudang's orders."
"So frustrating."
"My apologies."
A faint bitterness laced his curt tone.
Dang Yu-wol didn't miss it.
"Do you also believe Immortal Hye-gak wouldn't have done such a thing, Immortal Hye-cheon?"
He fell silent at Dang Yu-wol's sharp point.