Necrotic Pacts and the Righteous Delusion
The moment I sensed presences at the Kunlun Sect, the door swung open via the Air Grasping Technique. With visits so frequent they'd become routine, I stepped into the familiar room. There, atop the massive lab table in the office, lay Namgung Hyo's corpse—right next to Sima, who was toying with it, lips curled in a smirk.
"What brings our busy Vice Military Officer here?"
"What else? I've always met with you for deals, so today's no different."
"I thought maybe you came to bully this old man who can't even offer tribute. Heh."
This wrinkly geezer, pissed off beyond his years—fucking disgusting.
"Sigh... Why so upset? You hated the hassle, so you dumped it on me, right?"
"If you say so, then I suppose that's it. Fine, if not that, why are you here?"
Sima pulled his hands from Namgung Hyo's naked body and wiped them with a clean silk cloth before asking.
"I don't know what you got from Gwang-ma to yield the vanguard command, but are you satisfied with that?"
"..."
"Don't you want to skip fiddling with corpses all day and hit real testing grounds?"
"...Getting long-winded today, aren't we?"
Sima's eyes chilled as he stared. Amid the deathly aura permeating the room, I dropped my interrogating tone, flashed a sly grin, and sauntered to the armchair in the corner, reclining.
"Sima. Geom-ma's secured independent action rights as vanguard leader, but how about teaming up with me?"
"Inde...pendent action rights?"
"Yeah. Like sweeping enemy lines solo, assassinations, hit-and-runs to sow chaos."
Sima's sharp aura vanished in an instant, replaced by a kindly grandfather's smile as he sat before me.
"That's why I like you."
"Same here—you get me like no one else. Heh."
Sima chuckled briefly at my words, then leaned forward, smile lingering.
"What do you need from this old man?"
"Heh. Simple. Whip up a few dogs and one jiangshi."
"Huh? Jiangshi's fine, but dogs?"
"More fun if you hear the report later, right?"
Sima tilted his head, puzzled by my intent, then eyed my boldness, snorted a laugh, and nodded.
"Deal. Not a tough ask... We'll hear results at the grand meeting. So... split ratio?"
"Fifty-fifty. Can't even start without your help—fair's fair."
"Heh. Sucking my thumb for half works for me."
"Right. Consider it done. Got prep to do, so I'll head out."
"Sure... Got the jiangshi materials? I could pick prime ones if not."
His words conjured an unforgettable face in my mind. Smiling warmly, I shook my head.
"Nah. Got a top-tier vessel. I'll send a proposal with it via messenger. Should make for satisfying research, even for you."
"Oh? Looking forward to it. Heh heh heh."
Grinning at the crisp laughter behind me, I left Sima's room.
All that's left is sourcing from the real world.
If it's feasible, gotta try it. Our ancestors' masterpiece in world wars. Heh.
"Welcome. Alliance Leader."
"Sorry to swarm for grim reasons, Sect Leader."
"How could it be grim? Though geography keeps us from central Murim battles, Kunlun stands with the righteous. No worries, Alliance Leader."
The Alliance Leader inwardly fretted over feeding and housing thousands at remote Kunlun, allied with the Western Factory. But under the sharp gazes of the warriors behind him, he chanted softly and pressed palms together in salute.
"We'll cover all costs during your stay generously. Forgive any disruptions, Sect Leader."
At that, the Kunlun Sect Leader's tense face—daunted by the horde—eased.
"No time wasting here—enter. We've set barracks for rank-and-file via our training grounds; disciples will guide."
"Amitabha... Then under Elder Lone Wanderer, all forces save leaders will rest with Kunlun escorts."
The Alliance Leader spoke, and Gu Yang-so—at the fore, scanning—nodded at the implied order, bellowing to the ranks.
The warriors, buzzing yet obedient to the famed Lone Wanderer Elder of Beggar Clan, followed smoothly. Sect Leaders—including Kunlun's and the Alliance Leader—watched their retreat with varied eyes, battle eve weighing heavy, then entered at Kunlun's invite.
In the grand hall, Kunlun Sect Leader and heads from Nine Great Sects, Five Families, and great clans sipped tea, reviewing troops and rations.
The Alliance Leader stroked his goatee, turning to Kunlun's leader.
"Sect Leader, any rumors or intel from within?"
As Demonic Cult talk turned serious, eyes sharpened. All peak Superb or Fire Realm masters, confident in foes, they craved vanguard details.
"Funny you ask—we just got intel, awaiting your forces."
Butts shifted eagerly.
"Scouts spotted about a thousand near Shin River. They know our numbers, so likely vanguard."
"Oho..."
Righteous warriors, honoring pact and duty, burned with battle lust. Alliance Leader sighed inwardly, urging more.
"A thousand fits vanguard intel..."
"Any on composition?"
Hyeonheo Jin-in interjected; Kunlun's Taoist kin chanted softly, nodding gravely.
"We sent a Superb scout. Notables: two Fire Realm, five-six Superb."
Leaders exhaled smirks and snorts, tension easing. Here alone: seven Fire Realm, rest Superb. Relief at easy vanguard cull mixed with outrage at underestimation, murmurs rising.
Alliance Leader leaned in, ruling out risks.
"Any jiangshi sightings?"
"Hm... Jiangshi? None reported..."
"Good."
"Just... wild dog packs stirring unrest lately. Nothing else, Alliance Leader."
Tension deflated.
"Heh heh. Out this far, might treat Beggar specials if we meet those mutts."
Not Fire Realm like Sect Leaders, but revered elder Gu Yang-so drew nods and grins.
"Then Beggar monopolizes vanguard merit—feast on tonics, wipe demons. Heh."
"Naturally! My tonics rival heavenly elixirs—get excited!"
Laughter thawed stiffened leaders pre-battle, easing into final rest amid chatter.
Alliance Leader smiled, hiding spine-tingles. Dice rolled long ago; among monsters, the unscathed were monsters too...
Amitabha...