Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Shadows Over the Imperial Court (1)
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“Ah. I’m full.”
“It was delicious!”
Everyone had enjoyed a satisfying meal.
It had cost a pretty penny.
But what was there to worry about? The Wudang Sect would foot the bill anyway.
“Please come to Wudang. We’ve prepared accommodations for our benefactors.”
The Mongryun Inn was a fine establishment, of course.
But could it compare to the quarters Wudang had prepared for their honored guests?
At their repeated invitations, Gu Hwan-gae nodded.
“Alright, why not? Hey, everyone, grab your things.”
They all sprang into action.
Watching them, Dang Yu-wol pointed toward the basement.
“Most of my stuff is down here, so… you all go on ahead.”
“Ah, right. You made the medicine here. Got it.”
While they packed, Dang Yu-wol headed to the basement of the Mongryun Inn.
The Minor Water Saintess sat there.
“This matter has concluded successfully. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Thanks to you, we were able to eliminate those from the Demonic Cult’s Demon Deployment Division as well.”
Dang Yu-wol had been outstanding.
He had taken down not only the Blood Cult but the Demonic Cult too.
“We are truly grateful.”
“Isn’t helping each other just part of our agreement? No need for thanks.”
“Even so…”
She bowed politely, then continued in a calm tone.
“Knowing that Gi Gwang-tae’s face will be all twisted up over this outcome… it puts me in a great mood.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.”
“In gratitude for your help… please accept this.”
“What is this?”
What the Minor Water Saintess offered was a set of clothing.
An upper garment suitable for wearing beneath outer robes.
“It’s Thousand Silkworm Clothing.”
“……”
-Thousand Silkworm Clothing? You mean the stuff woven from thousand silkworm silk. Even the sharpest blades can’t scratch it.
‘It can block sword qi too.’
“It might suit you better than me, young hero.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I believe the Blood Cult—and the Demonic Cult—will now turn their eyes toward you after this incident.”
‘They will.’
-Especially the Blood Cult. You’re starting to become a real nuisance to them now.
‘Until now, I was probably just a roadside pebble.’
-But now, you’re more like a mosquito buzzing right in front of their face.
Dang Yu-wol smiled.
It was music to his ears.
‘I’ve already made preparations.’
He had concentrated much of the Tang Clan’s power there.
And now, even the King of Ronin was settling in Sacheon.
That should be enough to shrug off most attacks.
“Assassins may come for you, Tang young hero.”
He wasn’t particularly afraid of assassins.
But refusing such a sincere gift would be rude.
Dang Yu-wol accepted it.
“Saintess. I look forward to seeing you smile next time as well.”
At his farewell bow, the Minor Water Saintess calmly returned the gesture with a bow of her own.
“Welcome!!”
Upon returning to Wudang, Sect Leader Hye-seong greeted him warmly.
It was a welcome unbecoming of the leader of Wudang, one of the Nine Great Sects and a prestigious Daoist sect.
He personally escorted Dang Yu-wol to the sect leader’s quarters.
“I can’t even lift my head before you, young hero!!”
No sooner had they sat than he bowed deeply to Dang Yu-wol.
It was excessive gratitude.
“Please speak comfortably. I’m just a much younger junior.”
“How could I before our benefactor?”
“It’s fine.”
After several refusals, he finally relented.
Seated, he let out a deep sigh.
“Truly… truly, you are the Murim’s greatest blessing!”
Dang Yu-wol was so young he could almost be called a child.
For such a person to accomplish this great feat.
How could a senior of the orthodox Murim not be overjoyed?
“Your words alone are thanks enough.”
“Don’t say that. And please accept this.”
What he offered was a hand mirror.
A mirror bearing the Taiji pattern.
The Taiji Mirror.
“General Seol wanted it, but I heard it was what you desired.”
“Yes.”
“It no longer has the power to absorb evil qi, so it’s just a mirror now. I can’t fathom why you want it.”
Dang Yu-wol examined the mirror as he half-listened.
And smiled faintly.
-Evil qi is gathered inside.
The energy of Reverse Heaven.
Over ages of absorbing evil qi, it had amassed power beyond the Taiji Mirror’s capacity.
He could use this to raise his realm.
‘And purify the evil qi to make the Taiji Mirror usable again.’
One job, two rewards.
No reason not to be pleased.
“And one last thing.”
“This is more than enough…”
“Taecheong Pills. They should be of great help to you.”
It was too substantial a reward to refuse.
-You needed spirit medicines anyway.
‘True.’
Up to the transcendent realm, he could grow using the Reverse Heaven energy as a shortcut.
But the Flower Realm was different.
Especially following the Tang Clan’s methods.
‘Though they’re giving too much—it’s burdensome.’
Dang Yu-wol looked at Hye-seong.
It was hard to believe Wudang was giving so much out of mere goodwill.
“What you’ve given already feels excessive.”
“I’m saddened you think so.”
He smiled softly.
“Tang young hero. You saved Wudang and my martial brothers in the process.”
“Is that really all?”
“Ahem.”
Under Dang Yu-wol’s sharp gaze, Hye-seong cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Truth be told, I have a favor to ask.”
“Please speak.”
“I heard from General Seol that you’re on very close terms with the noble.”
“Close… I wouldn’t say that far.”
“I think otherwise.”
He knew of the trump card Dang Yu-wol held.
It wasn’t something to be handed to just anyone.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So, I’d like to ask a few favors through the noble.”
“I can’t say how the noble will receive it.”
Of course, he was on good terms with the hidden prince.
But in the end, it was a relationship of give and take.
“Even so, I’ll pass it along. What is it?”
“I’ve heard the imperial palace will hold the Heavenly Purification Rite.”
“Heavenly Purification Rite?”
“Yes. Could you recommend Wudang for it?”
A ritual praying for the imperial family’s peace and the empire’s tranquility.
For Daoists, it was the greatest honor.
“Isn’t it traditionally Wudang’s role?”
“It was. But lately, Huashan and Osa Sects are vying for it too.”
Huashan was strengthening its influence in the imperial palace.
One misstep, and they could lose the rite’s oversight.
“Of course, I know Daoists shouldn’t covet such positions.”
“Yes.”
“Still, losing a role our ancestors held for generations… and with this incident too.”
Even as he spoke, Hye-seong couldn’t raise his head.
But with their unity shaken by this event.
To lose the rite on top of it?
Wudang could face a major crisis.
“Ahem. It’s embarrassing to even bring this up.”
“These things happen.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t dream of asking.”
He sipped tea to hide his embarrassment.
“But… with what’s happened this time.”
He sighed deeply.
“Amitabha… Please don’t think we seek worldly power as Daoists.”
Even so, he kept his head bowed in apology.
“It’s not a difficult request.”
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
‘It benefits me if Wudang maintains its power too.’
Even if caught in the Blood Cult’s schemes, Wudang remained a major player.
-No, it’ll become an even stronger ally now.
‘True. Having been played by the Blood Cult, they’ll harbor that much more resentment.’
Hostile to the Blood Cult?
Then they were on the same side.
“I’ll contact the noble.”
“Thank you!!”
The Third Prince was trusted by the current Emperor and Crown Prince.
If he mentioned Wudang, there’d be no issue.
“In the meantime, please get Wudang in order.”
“Understood. Don’t worry about that.”
Investigations into those connected to the deputy leader were underway.
Thanks to that, Hye-cheon, managing the Repentance Cave, hadn’t slept in days.
“And I heard from Elder Hwan-gyu that Wudang planned to send a poisoned Buddha statue to Shaolin?”
“Yes.”
“I swear on my life, we had no part in it.”
“I know.”
Dang Yu-wol pulled out documents stored at the Mongryun Inn and handed them over.
“The chief steward and deputy leader were Demonic Cultists.”
As he read, Hye-seong’s expression hardened.
Not just the Blood Cult—the Demonic Cult had infiltrated Wudang too.
“Amitabha. It’s my fault. All my fault.”
He was ashamed to face his ancestors.
Hye-seong covered his face.
“They’re cunning, ruthless, and patient. If they set their minds to it, no place is safe from infiltration.”
“Haaa… Thank you. Truly.”
Reality seemed to weigh heavily on him.
He sighed as if the ground might cave in, then raised his head.
Even briefly, his face looked haggard.
“Hoo. I knew the Demonic Cult was despicable, but I never imagined it would be to this extent.”
“It was the Demonic Cult’s Demon Deployment Division.”
“Demon Deployment Division… How much do you know of the Demonic Cult?”
“That it’s divided into the Demon Deployment Division and the Blaze Sanctum?”
“Exactly.”
“I know the Blaze Sanctum was expelled from the Demonic Cult after losing a power struggle.”
“Impressive. I didn’t expect someone so young to know that.”
“The Blaze Sanctum helped considerably this time.”
“……!!”
“Please keep that in mind.”
Hye-seong’s expression stiffened slightly.
But Wudang was the one in need now.
“I know the Blaze Sanctum aims for stability.”
“I’m glad you see it that way.”
The Blaze Sanctum would be useful against the Blood Cult later.
He had to prevent future conflicts between them and the orthodox factions.
-That’s why lay the groundwork now.
‘Do it later, and it’ll be too late.’
Of course, some would still be dissatisfied despite this.
But that could be managed.
“Anyway, thank you. Wudang owes you a great debt.”
“There’ll come a day to repay it.”
Dang Yu-wol gave a light fist salute.
Hye-seong returned it in kind.
With that, their meeting ended.
“You’re heading to Mount Song now, I presume. I pray your journey is uneventful.”
-Will it be?
‘As if.’
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
“So much happened in Wudang County too.”
Lee Kyung murmured softly as they left Wudang County, still bearing traces of battle.
“We’ll have tons to talk about back at Jeomchang.”
“Right?!”
For these two on their first Murim excursion, it had been eventful.
They could hardly wait to boast to their sect siblings.
“Yu-wol hyung. Will you go back with us?”
“Probably.”
To return to Yunnan’s Jeomchang Sect, they had to pass through Sacheon anyway.
He could travel with them that far.
“Awesome!!”
“Heh heh. Aren’t you two tired?”
“Not at all!!”
“To be Murim wanderers, you have to go through stuff like this all the time!”
“And I’ll get a cool nickname someday too!”
“Like Brother Yu-wol!!”
The two Daoists gazed at him admiringly.
Dang Yu-wol just smiled wryly.
“Poison Dragon. Hmm. Sounds cool, right? Wonder who came up with it.”
Gu Hwan-gae snickered and nodded beside him.
Lee Kyung beamed at him.
“The Great Empire’s soldiers!”
“What?! No! I subtly dropped hints first!!”
As Gu Hwan-gae jumped in denial, Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
Put that way, it did sound lame.
“By the way, Tang young hero. Do you plan to stop at Shaolin then head straight back?”
“That’s the idea, but…”
“Why not visit the Imperial Capital while you’re here?”
The Great Empire’s capital lay in Henan.
A few days from Shaolin.
A detour wouldn’t hurt.
‘The capital has plenty to pique Tang young hero’s interest.’
And he could make connections in the military.
“W-whoa!”
“The capital!! Hyung! I wanna go too!!”
“The capital…”
-Not a bad idea.
There were Blood Cultists in the palace to purge anyway.
But Dang Yu-wol couldn’t hide his reluctance.
‘Going to the capital seems like a headache.’
-Why?
‘The military, officials, palace—they won’t let me go.’
-…Fair point.