Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Chang'an Ink Sword Grove Three Colors (1)
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The biggest drawback of this era is how slow everything is.
If I had a question, I could just search for it right away or at least ask an AI.
The answer would come immediately, and all I'd have to do was verify its accuracy or cross-check it.
Simple answers that pop up easily. Information obtained without effort.
But not here. Everything has to be done by people, one step at a time, watching closely and searching manually.
That's why it takes quite a bit of time for the information I want to reach my hands.
Even though the Tang Clan's intelligence network is impressive.
Without it, I'd truly be wandering blind.
That's why I targeted the Shadowless Gate right upon arrival.
The Tang Clan's intelligence network is solid, no doubt. But it's still lacking.
The need for a specialized intelligence organization grows even greater.
One where I can sit in one place and receive all the information about the world's happenings.
But that's a pipe dream. The Shadowless Gate is too tough to swallow, and the Beggars' Sect is wiped out.
Building a new one from scratch is impossible, and taking over an existing one is out of the question too.
Ah, the Beggars' Sect. What a shame. If they were still around, they would've been useful in so many ways.
Anyway, for now, I'm content with using the Tang Clan's network.
Hey, this is something. I should be grateful for even this much.
Sohye handed me what I'd asked for after just ten days.
Ten days. In this era, that's incredibly fast.
I can imagine how much effort the Tang Clan's network put into compiling this.
So I told Sohye to provide support to them from our side as well.
We have plenty of money anyway. The only reward I can give for their efforts is financial.
I read the letter Sohye gave me.
Sects that had grown alongside the rise of the Mount Tai Sect and the Red Band Sect.
It wasn't just righteous or demonic factions. There were merchant houses, trading companies, and escort agencies too, and quite a few of them.
They must have worked hard to compile all this.
Contrary to my expectations, there were no groups spanning both the Mount Tai Sect and Red Band Sect.
Well, maintaining true neutrality isn't easy.
Nowhere is the black-and-white logic as clear-cut as in the martial world.
To deal with both righteous and demonic factions, you'd need considerable power.
Neutrality without power is hard to sustain. Almost impossible.
So, no one playing puppet master from the shadows, controlling both sides?
Well, that was just my assumption. That's how I would've done it.
Besides, even if someone was doing that, they wouldn't be so sloppy as to get caught in just ten days.
Anyone at that level would be incompetent. They couldn't have avoided detection this long.
Just in case, I read through it carefully again, and one sect caught my eye.
Black Merchant Sect. What is this? Have I seen it somewhere? Or heard it?
But no matter how much I think, nothing comes to mind. I haven't heard that many sect names since coming to this martial world.
So it should ring a bell... Why doesn't it?
I definitely saw it somewhere.
After pondering for a while, it suddenly hit me.
Right, that's it. Yeah, I remember now.
I rummage through the drawer and pull out a letter.
The one Sohye reported on the White-Haired Ghost Flower last time.
A list of those who destroyed Mount Hua Sect. Sects the White-Haired Ghost Flower wants to exterminate.
And there it was: Black Merchant Sect.
Ha. Right, that's where I saw it.
I look at the details on the Black Merchant Sect in Sohye's letter.
It wasn't a major power. Among the demonic sects, maybe fifth in rank?
And second among those who destroyed Mount Hua Sect.
Meaning, not prominent enough to stand on the front lines.
But crucially, it's connected to both matters.
Quietly profiting in the shadows while others take the forefront?
Being out front isn't all upsides.
You draw all the checks and interference.
If you have overwhelming power to crush it all, fine. Otherwise, it's a net loss.
Even racing games are like that. First place gets all the focus fire. Always.
So, it's important to build strength, step out moderately, and then go all-in when the moment's right.
Such strategies are common in sports too. Running, horse racing, motorsports—nothing special.
In the end, another place I need to keep an eye on.
At least it's fortunate that the Black Merchant Sect isn't far away.
This one's worth watching. Not even half the distance to Mount Qing.
Anyway, I've roughly picked out what needs doing.
Check out Mount Tai Sect, Red Band Sect, Black Merchant Sect.
Not monitor continuously, but visit in person at least once.
It's deep winter, so I'm not thrilled, but I don't want to waste time either.
I'm not sensitive to cold anyway. Camping in this weather won't kill me.
I'd love to head out right now, but there's one thing to do first.
And I'll leave tomorrow. Time's a bit tight today.
So I sneak over to the training grounds.
The sun still lingers. But it'll set soon. Winter nights come early.
"Seolha."
"Yes, Young Hero."
"Training's done for today. I'm going to bathe. Draw some water. We're all bathing together today."
At my words, all three show surprise.
Can't blame them. I've never called all three to the bathhouse before.
"Yes, Young Hero."
But Seolha answers promptly, finishes training, and heads to the bathhouse.
I stay behind and smile at Yeonhwa and Sohye, who look lost.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
They hesitate, then follow me, heads slightly bowed, a bit embarrassed with each other.
We stroll leisurely to the bathhouse, where Seolha has everything ready and waiting.
The bath filling up. Hot water steaming out. The room warming from the boiling water.
Good enough. I approach Seolha and remove her martial robe.
It slips off easily. Seolha naked in moments.
"Yeonhwa. Come here."
Yeonhwa approaches hesitantly.
My hands move without pause. Yeonhwa naked.
Then I look at Sohye, who's averting her eyes, flustered.
She's usually stoic, but now she looks extremely shy.
Is seeing another woman naked that much? Or is she just shy?
Anyway, I strip Sohye's martial robe off too.
Yeonhwa's mouth falls open in awe at Sohye's body.
"Like a sculpture, right?"
"Yes... Young Hero. It's a feast for the eyes..."
Pure admiration, no jealousy.
I thought only I felt that way, but aesthetic sense seems similar for men and women.
Seolha's sensual type, Yeonhwa petite with large breasts—Sohye's like a work of art.
The kind anyone would admire.
"Anyway, let's get in. It's steamy and warm, but standing around gets cold."
Then Seolha quietly approaches and undresses me.
Yeonhwa and Sohye, a step behind, watch as I strip and enter the water, then follow.
I settle in, Seolha naturally taking my left. Yeonhwa familiarly on my right.
Sohye hesitates, unsure where to go.
"Come to the front. Face me or lean against me."
Seolha makes an "oh" face. She'd probably have boldly faced and leaned in. Definitely.
Sohye sits a bit away in front, submerging in the water.
She looks awkward. Natural for an unfamiliar situation.
"Closer. Between my legs."
Sohye's face flushes deeper as she inches forward timidly.
I trap her body with my legs and pull her right up close.
Flustered and embarrassed.
Seeing her like this after always stoic and bold is just enjoyable.
"Nice. Perfect."
A truly splendid sight.
Surrounded by three beauties, soaking in warm water—pure bliss.
I'm probably the one who bathes most in this Central Plains.
These girls too.
Honestly, yeah. No matter the era, I don't want to associate with the unclean.
I can't help it. Physiological repulsion.
Makes me wonder if I'd even hang with the Beggars' Sect if they survived.
Would've been tough.
Unlike my leisure, the three are quiet and awkward.
Never like this when just Seolha and Yeonhwa.
Yeonhwa chattered, Seolha conversed softly.
But now, no one's in the mood to speak.
So I have to break the ice.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be out checking Mount Tai Sect, Red Band Sect, and Black Merchant Sect. Won't see you much for a while. Keep training on your own and cooperate well."
Only then does Sohye look at me curiously.
"Black Merchant Sect?"
"Yeah. Dig deeper on them too."
"Yes, Young Hero. Any other orders?"
"Orders? Still so stiff. Relax. Sohye, let's go soft and easy like this."
I reach out and lightly pinch Sohye's breast.
She flinches. Even more embarrassed with Seolha and Yeonhwa watching.
"Why so worked up? Anyway... Don't worry. After tonight, none of this embarrassment will linger."
At that, all three women look at me simultaneously.
They probably expected it.
What comes after a bath is obvious.