Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Discovery (1)
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‘Poison...?!’
“Wh... When did this happen...? Don’t tell me it was that bottle from earlier...?”
“No antidote if you don’t tell the truth.”
“Y-You ruthless bastards... We’re on the same side, no matter what...!!”
“We discard those who aren’t helpful.”
Dang Yu-wol’s voice held no emotion.
It sounded exactly like a Blood Cultist to anyone listening.
“You don’t know that’s the Blood Cult’s logic?”
‘This guy... This guy’s a real Blood Cultist...!!’
The coldness in the eyes visible through the mask.
That arrogance viewing him as mere vermin.
Definitely someone high up in the Blood Cult.
“...We’ll hold the Blood Cult responsible for this!!”
“Do as you like.”
“...First, Yanggan Merchant Group’s steward, and then...”
Chu Kang ground his teeth as he named them.
The steward also revealed the locations of the related documents.
-Will you trust that guy?
‘I’ll have the Minor Saintess handle the rest of the investigation.’
Can’t spoon-feed everything.
“...That’s all of it.”
“I see.”
“Hurry and give me the antidote.”
Dang Yu-wol nodded toward the snarling man.
Then approached calmly.
-Stab!!
“Gaaack...!!”
He pierced the steward’s throat with his Black Ghost Sword.
“Wh... Why!!”
The steward’s scream.
Dang Yu-wol looked down at Chu Kang’s face filled with shock and disbelief.
And casually shoved him aside.
“Why!! Why!! We’re with the cult... the Blood Cult...!!”
“Sure.”
Dang Yu-wol flicked the blade.
“But... do you trust me?”
“...What?”
His doubts remained unresolved to the end.
For Dang Yu-wol’s Black Ghost Sword pierced his head.
He infiltrated Yanggan Merchant Group and secured even the documents the steward had hidden.
The information seemed genuine, no lies in what he’d said earlier.
‘This is enough.’
-The Demonic Cult side went smoother than expected.
If Dang Yu-wol couldn’t pass perfectly as a Blood Cultist, it wouldn’t have worked.
He chuckled and sought out the Minor Saintess.
“What... is this?”
“Documents related to what Chu Kang and the Demonic Cultists were doing.”
“I-Is this real?!”
The Minor Saintess quickly checked the documents.
They were authentic.
All connected to the Demonic Cult.
“And this one’s supposedly a collaborator and Demonic Cultist.”
“H-How did you...?”
“Got lucky. I’ve also noted the location of the Milyeom Mine... so you can handle the rest, right?”
“......”
The Minor Saintess stared blankly at Dang Yu-wol.
Meeting her gaze, he shrugged lightly.
“We’re on the same side, aren’t we? I can do this much, so don’t look at me like that.”
There was still work left.
Dang Yu-wol turned away nonchalantly.
Making the Blood Raksha Powder took more time than expected.
Not even finished by the time everyone returned.
“Is this really working right?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. But where’d you learn this?”
“One of the Tang Clan’s secret techniques.”
Of course, a lie.
But what could Gu Hwan-gae say if it was a clan secret?
“Does the Tang Clan have that deep a grudge against the Blood Cult?”
“Not bad.”
“Huh? Don’t tell me the Five Poisons Sect are Blood Cult lapdogs?”
“Maybe.”
Not true.
But the Five Poisons Sect was already wiped out.
Their records long gone.
Not even the Beggars’ Sect could dig up their past.
“What are the others doing?”
“Hwang-gyu and the kids are meeting martial world figures alongside training.”
“What about Elder Xue?”
“Overseeing the Wudang County soldiers’ training.”
“And you, sir?”
“Hey. I’m busy too...”
Gu Hwan-gae averted his gaze guiltily.
He hadn’t been doing much, really.
“I had the Beggars’ Sect kids in Wudang County investigate the Suban.”
So he quickly changed the subject.
“I see.”
“But something odd came up.”
“Odd?”
“The Suban started showing real power only after his thirties.”
“Pardon?”
“Before that, his martial arts were at best first-rate.”
First-rate in his thirties.
Not bad.
But disappointing for a Wudang disciple.
“His mental cultivation wasn’t deep either.”
Just.
Just a mediocre Wudang Taoist with no real skill.
“He even drank alcohol, ate dog meat, and loved playing with women.”
Perfect candidate for the Repentance Cave.
“Then suddenly, one day, he changed.”
“......”
“Like a completely different person.”
“Hmm.”
“Cut off all indulgences, focused solely on training.”
p>And reached peak level in his forties.
In a mere ten years.
“Impressive.”
“Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”
“Feels like it.”
“Right. Maybe the Suban was hiding his true nature.”
-You think so?
‘No way.’
-Then what?
‘Blood Fate Ghost Light Technique.’
The Blood Fate Ghost Light Technique was one of the Blood Cult’s secret arts combining Shrinking Bone Skill and Reverse Appearance Technique.
-Then the real Suban...
‘Dead. It’s a brutal art that uses the target’s body and organs.’
Hard to learn, and the materials rare.
Not used except in major operations.
-Infiltrating Wudang qualifies as major.
‘Makes me want to push this harder.’
Chance to screw the Blood Cult big time.
“Hm? Hey, the color changed.”
“So it has.”
While talking with Ye-ui, the medicine’s color shifted.
He took it out and mixed with the prepared other medicine.
Infused it with internal energy, and it gradually completed.
“Done.”
“Ooh... But how do we use it?”
“Feed it to them.”
“Hmm... Can’t exactly kidnap the Suban and force it down...”
“Need to?”
“Huh?”
“Would the top Elder Council member dirty his own hands?”
“Ah...”
“Just mix it into the food.”
“Who does that?”
“I will.”
“Huh? How?”
Dang Yu-wol explained his plan.
Listening intently, he nodded.
“Sounds good.”
“Let’s execute right away.”
No need to drag it out.
For this, he needed authority.
Not difficult.
He had the imperial token.
“Such esteemed guests visiting us. An honor.”
“No need for such words.”
“You’ve always seen Wudang as the pinnacle of the Dao.”
“Ooh... Truly an honor.”
He spoke gravely, then glanced behind Xue Liu-a.
Jeomchang’s Hwang-gyu, Yi-gyeong, Yi-yul. And Beggars’ Sect’s Gu Hwan-gae stood there.
“Wasn’t the Tang Clan’s Young Clan Head with you last time?”
“He had business elsewhere briefly.”
“I see... And what’s your relation to these people?”
To the Taoist’s question, Xue Liu-a replied confidently.
“They helped the imperial family on the way here.”
“Indeed. As fellow Nine Great Sects members, I envy you.”
“Please let Wudang join this journey.”
“Ooooh... Of course.”
Following imperial orders.
Couldn’t refuse, thinking of honor and future gains.
“Why not dine with the Elder Council first?”
“Yes, let’s. Ah, and this friend is a servant following to attend us.”
Behind, a young man with an unfamiliar face.
Checked if Dang Yu-wol, but no.
“If it’s alright, may I help prepare the meal?”
“Hmm? Our Taoists can handle meal prep...”
The Wudang elder tilted his head.
No reason for outsiders to help with food, even if.
“This friend is a servant attending the noble guest.”
“Ooh...!! Really?!”
“The noble guest has long admired and respected Wudang Taoists.”
“Amitabha! Amitabha! Virtue of the Primeval Lord!”
Third prince or not, still imperial blood.
How could they not be pleased?
“He wishes to try the food Wudang Taoists eat, just once.”
She pushed the youth forward.
The youth in eunuch garb bowed politely.
“So please teach this friend the recipes.”
“Hmm. Indeed. Can’t be too careful with disguised weirdos...”
He saw it as an opportunity too.
Shouted without suspicion.
“Understood. Hey!! Anyone there?!”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Guide this one to the kitchen.”
“Yes.”
“I request personally: teach him how to cook.”
“Got it.”
The Wudang Taoist obeyed the elder readily.
“May I have your name, friend?”
The politely standing youth.
Dang Yu-wol, disguised as a mere eunuch, smiled.
“Call me Wol.”
-Going smoother than expected.
‘My disguise technique’s pretty useful, huh.’
The disguise using poison to harden facial parts and alter features worked well.
One of his confident skills, great for revenge.
No way a mere Wudang elder would spot it.
-But is it fine? Using the imperial token so freely... the fallout...
‘Better focus on making poison.’
Bi-seon would forgive with some rare poisons as gift.
“Here.”
Taoists bustled about.
All looked like first-rate or better experts.
Needed to slip the drug into the food without their eyes catching it.
-Ready?
‘Of course.’
“This dish is Seaweed Stir-Fry...”
The preparing Taoist began explaining earnestly.
Listening, Dang Yu-wol glanced around and quickly sprinkled the powder.
As expected, none noticed.
“Done.”
“Excellent. The noble guest will surely be pleased.”
“Heh. Hope so. Now, take the food out!”
Taoists began carrying out the dishes.
Watching, Dang Yu-wol smiled.
-Just wait now.
If the target’s a Blood Cultist trained in Blood Arts.
Reaction soon.
-Crash!!
-Wh-What’s this!!
Screams from the banquet hall.
‘Perfect.’
Dang Yu-wol rose slowly.
Now it begins.
Unlike Taoists entering, he headed out.
-There they are.
As pre-arranged, Yi-gyeong and Yi-yul waited outside the kitchen.
“Kids.”
“Yes, hyung.”
“What do we do?”
Tension mixed with excitement.
“Heard the plan already?”
“Yes, Master told us.”
“Then go to the armory now and fetch weapons.”
“Uh... Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Dang Yu-wol placed the imperial token in Yi-gyeong’s hand.
“Show this if anyone asks.”
“Ah...”
“If they interfere, ask ‘Are you plotting treason?’”
“Gasp.”
“I-Is that allowed?”
Treason, even.
As the two Taoists tensed, Dang Yu-wol grinned.
“Don’t worry about the aftermath. I’ll take responsibility.”