Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Shadow Over the Imperial Family (2)
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Look at Seol Ryua's eyes.
Doesn't it seem like she'll hand in her enlistment application right this instant?
And there'll be the hidden forces and the imperial slaves too.
Do you think they'll let them go so easily?
-Better to leave some room for maneuver than to flatly refuse.
'That's right. Good. Let's do that.'
"Sure. When will we ever get another chance to visit the capital?"
Dang Yu-wol, having made his decision, spoke with a smile.
"We received so much help, after all. It only makes sense to pay a personal visit to the benefactor and express our gratitude."
"Waaah!! Brother!! Really?!"
"Big brother is the best!!"
Even among the senior and junior brothers of the Point Spear Sect, few had ever been to the capital.
The thought of having something to boast about to them filled him with joy.
"Is that alright with you, Daoist?"
"Haha. How could I refuse when my disciples are so delighted?"
"And you, elder...?"
"I don't mind."
"Then it's decided."
"Haha! Then in the capital, I'll take really good care of you all!"
Seol Ryua couldn't hide her joy.
It wasn't just because of Dang Yu-wol.
She was enjoying traveling with this group.
"You've already been taking great care of us."
"Everyone will be thrilled when you visit the capital!!"
Her expression was brighter than ever.
In the martial world, the Victory Buddha Festival was quite a major event.
It was the Shaolin Temple's affair, after all, leaders of the orthodox faction.
"There are way too many people here."
It wasn't just those attending the festival.
There were also those trying to make connections with the attendees.
Because of that, Song Mountain County was swarming with people.
"Securing an inn won't be easy, huh...? Hey. What do we do?"
Gu Hwan-gae couldn't hide his dismay.
The festival always drew crowds.
But never like this.
"Yeah."
"Why are you talking like it's someone else's problem?"
"Because it is. We're officially invited to the festival, aren't we?"
They'd at least provide lodging.
Gu Hwan-gae frowned at Dang Yu-wol's words.
"Hmph. True, but... I have a bad feeling about this."
And his premonition proved spot on.
"His Highness the Second Prince will be attending this Victory Buddha Festival unexpectedly."
"Pardon?"
"That's why the lodgings prepared by the Shaolin are insufficient..."
When they arrived at the Shaolin Temple's mountain gate and presented their invitation, the verifying monk looked distressed.
"The Second Prince? What in the world...?"
Gu Hwan-gae was quite flustered.
This wasn't his first time attending as a representative of the Beggars' Sect.
But no imperial family member had ever participated before.
"The current imperial court favors the Daoist school over Buddhism, doesn't it?"
"Namo Amitabha. Unfortunately, yes."
"So I thought they skipped Buddhist events."
Of course, the Shaolin had sent courtesy invitations to the court.
But those were just formalities.
"We received no reply, so we proceeded as usual."
Then a few days ago, the Second Prince suddenly announced his attendance.
For the Shaolin, it was like a bolt from the blue.
"Even after cutting back as much as possible, we're dozens short."
Would the Second Prince come alone?
His guards, attendants.
And the high officials following him.
In the end, they had to reserve some of the planned lodgings.
"So... there are no lodgings at all?"
The monk shook his head at Dang Yu-wol's question.
"Not quite. There is a small standalone cottage..."
"Then would it be alright if we took that for ourselves?"
"Namo Amitabha!! We would be truly grateful."
The other Nine Great Sects were sharing with allied sects too.
No need to press further.
"Allow me to guide you."
Following the Shaolin monk's guidance, they arrived at a modest two-story residence.
"This is more than sufficient for us."
-I wondered how small this little thatched hut would be.
It's much better than expected.
Dang Yu-wol bowed to the guiding monk with a smile.
"Thank you for your consideration, monk."
The monk seemed extremely embarrassed.
From the Shaolin's perspective, it was a breach of etiquette.
But Dang Yu-wol's group didn't mind.
"Oh dear... Namo Amitabha. Please call anytime if you need anything!"
As the monk, who clasped his hands several times, departed.
"It's the Divine Thief!! The Divine Thief has appeared!!"
A loud shout drew everyone's gaze to Dang Yu-wol.
"...I didn't do it."
That doesn't make sense.
The current Divine Thief is in Sacheon with the Lone Poison Worm in her heart.
-Didn't we confirm she arrived at the Tang Clan when we were in Wudang County last time?
'Yes. Via messenger pigeon.'
We also confirmed Ji Gong was training her as instructed.
So who's this Divine Thief here?
-A fake.
'What could a fake Divine Thief gain from entering the Shaolin?'
-Honestly, plenty.
Stealing even one of the Shaolin's secret manuals from the Sutra Pavilion would be huge.
"Let's go check it out."
Hwan-gyu immediately grabbed his sword and moved.
For safety, Gu Hwan-gae, Seol Ryua, Yi-kyeong, and Yi-yul stayed at the lodging.
By the time the two arrived, quite a crowd had gathered.
"Is it really the Divine Thief?"
"Erm... yes."
"What was stolen?"
"One of the items in storage is missing."
"What item?"
"The Flame Demon Blade."
"What?!"
The Flame Demon Blade.
A sword once used by the demonic figure known as the Divine Ghost Demon.
A vicious weapon that cauterized wounds, making recovery difficult.
"How could you keep something so dangerous...!!"
"We must investigate immediately!"
"Apologize to the guests!!"
The Shaolin monks bustled about.
What an utter embarrassment.
Of all times, with so many guests present.
-Who do you think it is?
Ye-ui asked as they watched the frantic activity.
'Who knows.'
Dang Yu-wol listened to the chatter around him.
Opinions were all over the place.
"I saw a woman earlier!!"
"Nonsense!! It was a grown man! Huge build!!"
"Hey! It was an old man! I saw it! A stranger went in!!"
'With superb disguise techniques and bone-shrinking arts, it's possible.'
-Too many candidates. The Blood Cult's Thousand Faces Venerable, Moonlight Bandit, the Demonic Cult's True Moon Wolf...
'The Evil Faction's Chasing White Mask too. And past masters...'
Unable to pinpoint who or why, Dang Yu-wol and Ye-ui decided to stay silent for now.
"If the Divine Thief struck even the Shaolin, this is serious!!"
"Everyone, secure your belongings properly!!"
The gathered martial artists shouted firmly.
The Divine Thief had hit the Shaolin itself.
No guarantee they wouldn't target the gifts everyone brought.
"Back to the lodgings!!"
Those with precious gifts and items for the festival hurried to their quarters.
-They're busy.
'They would be.'
As he watched, a voice came from behind Dang Yu-wol.
"Are you Dang Yu-wol?"
Blue uniform with a sword emblem.
A warrior of the Namgung Clan.
"Dang Yu-wol of the Sacheon Tang Clan."
"Namgung Cheon-gang."
-Namgung Cheon-gang. Know him?
'Leader of the Sky-Piercing Sword Troop of the Namgung Clan. The current clan head's younger brother, a transcendent realm expert.'
A big shot had arrived.
A master on the verge of the Flower Realm.
Second only to the clan head.
"I heard from Seon-jae. You gave him some pointers?"
"Not quite pointers. We just consider each other good friends."
"Haha. You're quite the smooth talker. Word is you took down even transcendent experts."
"Just got lucky."
"At your level, luck is skill."
He shrugged lightly and patted Dang Yu-wol's back.
A sign of goodwill.
"The Namgung sword is like the heavens, and no evil can stand before it."
His eyes held genuine favor.
"If you're not evil, we could be friends, couldn't we?"
-What a forthright fellow.
'Clan alliances aren't divided simply by good and evil... but no harm in it.'
"Perfect timing. I had something to discuss. Care for a drink?"
"Certainly. But I have companions..."
"Companions?"
"Namo Amitabha. Pleased to meet you, Namgung warrior."
"Oh..."
Namgung Cheon-gang's eyes sharpened.
Sizing up the swordsman before him.
"Hwan-gyu of the Point Spear Sect."
"Pleased. Namgung Cheon-gang here. Fellow swordsmen of the martial world call me Sky-Piercing Sword."
"Haha. Pleased to meet you."
Yunnan, home of the Point Spear Sect, was far from Hefei, seat of the Namgung Clan.
But distant relatives often grow close.
No reason for the Namgung not to build ties with the Point Spear Sect.
"How about the Daoist joins us too?"
He regretted the invitation immediately.
The man was a Daoist.
"Daoists don't drink?"
"Hahaha. Our Point Spear Daoists all love their alcohol."
Hwan-gyu spoke casually, putting him at ease.
"Grain wine is fine anytime."
"Excellent. Let's go."
Namgung Cheon-gang strode off briskly.
Following him out of the Shaolin mountain gate, they arrived at a large estate.
"Where's this?"
"Our Namgung Clan's lodging. Rented it a few months back."
"A few months ago? Impressive."
"We have frequent dealings with the Shaolin. Have to show our bond like this."
Tiresome business.
Busy training, yet handling clan affairs inside and out.
"Normally, the clan head should come..."
He sighed wearily.
"Worried if even I, neither head nor young head, should be here."
Dang Yu-wol, holding his cup, spoke gently.
"Who in the martial world doesn't know the Sky-Piercing Sword?"
"I-is that so?"
"Just your presence shows the bond between Shaolin and Namgung to everyone."
"Haha. Thanks for saying so."
The mood softened.
Namgung Cheon-gang smiled faintly.
'This young fellow's alright.'
"But great hero, if you wanted a quiet spot, don't you have something to say?"
"Ah, yes. You heard, right?"
"About...?"
"His Highness the Second Prince attending the festival personally."
"Yes. Caused quite a stir. Do you know something?"
"Well, honestly, I don't know the details either."
He lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret.
"But there are some strange rumors."
"Strange rumors?"
"Mm. Lately, things between Crown Prince and Second Prince have soured."
"Pardon?"
-What's this now?
'I thought their relationship was great.'
It had been in his previous life too.
The Crown Prince doted on the Second Prince, who respected and supported him.
'The Blood Cult tried every trick to ruin their bond but failed...'
-Something's changed. Worth investigating.
Likely due to Dang Yu-wol's return.
Time to respond.
"And... the Second Prince has fallen out with his consort lately."
Not just that.
He's been associating with strange people, unlike usual.
"The empire's future is uncertain..."
-Is this why he came?
'To warn us, probably.'
Don't get dragged into anything odd.
-Wise not to say it outright.
Disrespecting royalty and all.
-The real issue is that. A succession struggle between Crown Prince and Second Prince?
'Headache...'
Hard not to worry about its impact on the realm.
Dang Yu-wol tilted his cup with a grave expression.
And a few days later.
His face hardened.
'Amazing.'
Traces on the Second Prince's face, seen from afar.
Traces of the Lone Poison Worm.