Chapter 104: The Gathering Crowds-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: The Gathering Crowds-1
Un-jeok-ja, the First Sword of Qingcheng.
If anyone were asked about him, many would answer the same way.
They would call him a swordsman who ranks among the top ten within the Nine Sects and One Gang.
And they would call him the greatest blade in the Qingcheng Sect.
The title of "First Sword" is a distinction granted only to the supreme swordsman representing a sect. Un-jeok-ja possessed the martial prowess to more than justify such a title.
Even within the Nine Sects and One Gang, where countless master swordsmen were as common as trees in a forest, his strength occupied a peerless position. It was often said that the only reason the financially struggling Qingcheng Sect managed to maintain even the lowest seat among the Nine Sects was due to the existence of the First Sword of Qingcheng.
He was, in every sense, a powerful master recognized by all.
And now, such a master had arrived at the Sichuan Tang Clan.
It was an event that necessitated an immediate state of high alert.
Un-jeok-ja and the disciples of Qingcheng were being led toward the External Guest Accommodations. An inexplicable heat flickered in the eyes of the disciples.
Un-jeok-ja was no different. He was currently quite flushed with excitement.
As he was guided to the guest rooms, he had taken the opportunity to survey the landscape of the Tang Clan. Half of the pavilions he saw along the way bore clear marks of fire, and many had collapsed entirely.
It was a fragmentary yet vivid illustration of the Tang Clan’s current state.
This was why he couldn't help but feel triumphant. The rumors were indeed true.
In truth, when the rumors first circulated that the Tang Clan had suffered damage bordering on total annihilation, Un-jeok-ja had dismissed them as nonsense. How could the Tang Clan—a power that looked beyond being the greatest in Sichuan to challenge for the title of greatest in the Central Plains—collapse so suddenly?
Furthermore, the Tang Clan had the Poison King. How could a clan fall when it possessed a monster who operated on an entirely different level from ordinary martial artists?
But the rumors were true, and Un-jeok-ja was now confirming it with his own eyes.
This was an opportunity. An opportunity to seize the title of the Greatest in Sichuan.
Simply because they were located in the same province, how much financial damage had they suffered over the years? The Tang Clan had monopolized all the major, lucrative businesses in Sichuan. Consequently, no merchant group dared to even think about starting a business in Sichuan without their blessing.
Because of this, merchants felt no need to establish ties with Qingcheng, and naturally, the number of secular disciples began to dwindle. The mere presence of the Tang Clan prevented secular disciples from gathering at Qingcheng.
With no secular disciples, it was only natural for the sect’s recognition and influence to wane. Eventually, while the Tang Clan spread its fame as the greatest power in the Central Plains, Qingcheng was left in a state of constant anxiety, fearing they might be ousted from the Nine Sects.
As the days passed, their deficit worsened, and eventually, Qingcheng was forced to sell off all the businesses it operated directly at bargain prices. Yet, even then, the financial burden remained.
Without money, they couldn't train disciples; without disciples, they couldn't earn money. It was a continuous vicious cycle.
This cycle reached its peak due to a disastrous choice made by the previous Sect Leader and Un-jeok-ja’s master, Jeokheoja.
In an attempt to break through the situation, Jeokheoja had busied himself, trying to secure funds by any means necessary. During this time, he heard news that Mangeum Bank was recruiting investors for a Western Merchant Caravan Expedition.
A Western Merchant Caravan Expedition carried immense risk, but it was also a high-stakes gamble that promised astronomical profits. The fact that it was being led by Mangeum Bank, which had enjoyed a long-standing reputation in the Central Plains, increased its credibility. Jeokheoja believed that a business venture led by such a massive bank could not possibly fail.
Jeokheoja gathered all the money received from liquidating their businesses, along with every scrap of Qingcheng’s operating funds, and invested it all into Mangeum Bank. Not stopping there, he even dispatched two first-generation disciples who had reached the Super-Peak Realm and ten second-generation disciples in the Peak Realm.
He had staked the very life of the sect on this expedition.
Because all operating funds had been drained, everyone in Qingcheng was forced to live a life of extreme poverty. However, they endured, pinching every penny they didn't even have, sustained by the thought that their investment would return dozens of times over in just a few months.
Everyone shared the same dream of success.
But the Western Merchant Caravan Expedition ended in failure due to an attack by mysterious assailants, and the disciples sent on the journey became ghosts who would never return.
Jeokheoja fell into despair. It was a venture he had staked everything on, only for it all to vanish in an instant.
It wasn't just money they lost. They had lost two first-generation disciples, the core strength of the sect, and ten second-generation disciples, the very future of the sect. Ultimately, Jeokheoja succumbed to his illness, and the position of Sect Leader passed to Jeoksongja.
In truth, none of the first-generation disciples wanted the position. None of them had the confidence to lead a sect riddled with debt and holes. Jeoksongja, who was forced into the seat, suffered from constant headaches. No matter how he looked at it, the mess left behind by his senior brother, Jeokheoja, was so massive he didn't even know where to start cleaning.
There is a limit to how much trouble one can fix. But since every last bit of Qingcheng’s capital had been thrown away, he didn't even have the courage to attempt a solution.
However, he couldn't let the sect perish, so Jeoksongja made a desperate decision.
It was a reform of the secular disciples.
Normally, for someone without exceptional martial bones or comprehension to enter Qingcheng as a secular disciple, they had to have a connection with a main sect disciple or pay a substantial sum.
Qingcheng drastically lowered these standards. They accepted anyone as a secular disciple as long as they provided money, and the requirements for martial bones and comprehension were significantly reduced. Furthermore, they increased the quantity and quality of the martial arts made available to secular disciples, drawing the attention of many.
The age limit was also relaxed; while they usually accepted disciples under the age of ten at the latest, they expanded the criteria to include those under fifteen.
Jeoksongja’s radical reforms sparked much backlash, but the elders of Qingcheng, who were desperate for a way to survive, had no choice but to agree. Thanks to this, Qingcheng gained a chance at a miraculous recovery.
Because they could learn higher-level martial arts and the age limit was lenient, crowds of people flocked to Qingcheng with bags of money, allowing the sect to escape some of its financial pressure.
However, many of the sect's elders viewed this as a disgrace. They had recruited disciples by selling the sect's martial arts. It was a humiliation. Even if it prevented the sect from collapsing, it was a shameful scar to their fierce pride.
What hurt their pride even more was that despite these reforms, Qingcheng’s finances remained in the red. Although they managed to attract secular disciples, their quality was so low that none showed any noteworthy results. Furthermore, the money they brought in was barely enough to maintain the status quo.
In the end, Jeoksongja’s ambitious secular reforms only managed to keep the sect from going under.
And through this, they realized the sorrow and humiliation of being penniless.
But looking at the state of the Tang Clan now, it seemed they had fallen into the same pathetic state Qingcheng once had. How could he not feel good?
Hehehehe.
Un-jeok-ja let out a silent laugh. Though he had heard they were ruined, he hadn't expected the situation to be this dire. It felt like he had stumbled upon a fortune.
They say a rich man can live off his ruins for three years, but looking at them, it wouldn't be strange if they collapsed this very moment, let alone three years. Of course, the Tang Clan, having built a massive power once called the greatest in the Central Plains, wouldn't fall easily, but it was clear they had taken a devastating blow.
Hadn't it been said that a swarm of Tang Clan elders and seniors, their primary strength, had been killed? No matter how large a business is, it is bound to fail if there is no power to protect it.
The Tang Clan was currently powerless. Qingcheng would strip away countless interests from the weakened Tang Clan. Just as the Tang Clan had once done to Qingcheng.
"We are here."
The servant acting as their guide spoke. It seemed they had arrived at the External Guest Accommodations while he was lost in thought.
Creeeak.
As the servant opened the door, the interior of the large guest room was revealed. Upon seeing the inside, Un-jeok-ja furrowed his brows. There were unwelcome early arrivals already present.
"So we meet here, Un-jeok-ja."
The unwelcome guest spoke to him.
"It has been a long time, Bulheo Satae."
Indeed. The identity of the guest was none other than Bulheo Satae, an elder of the Emei Sect. She was a master representing Emei and a rival who vied with Un-jeok-ja for the title of the second-best in Sichuan.
Perhaps because of the appearance of her rival, the look in Bulheo Satae’s eyes as she watched Un-jeok-ja was unusual.
"What brings you here?"
"I was about to ask the same. What business do you have?"
The two continued their conversation with smiling faces, masking their discomfort.
"We heard the Tang Clan suffered significant damage from the Demonic Cult, so we have come to investigate the facts and offer aid in their reconstruction."
It was, of course, total bullshit. She had personally dragged her heavy body here to swallow up their businesses after confirming the facts, but Bulheo Satae kept those intentions hidden. It was the pride of the Orthodox Faction, which claimed to pursue the martial path while distancing itself from profit.
"Qingcheng is here for the same reason. As fellow members of the Orthodox Faction, how could we ignore the Tang Clan’s crisis? We have come to offer them our help."
Un-jeok-ja was the same. In reality, he had come to gobble up the lucrative businesses held by the Tang Clan, but he saw no reason to reveal his true thoughts.
"Hohoho, your bearing is truly worthy of a prestigious sect. As expected of Qingcheng."
"Hahahaha, for Emei to show such vast magnanimity and consideration, your bearing is truly that of a disciple of the Buddha's teachings."
They burst into laughter, plastering gold on each other's faces. Of course, while their mouths were forced into smiles, the mirth never reached their eyes. They knew better than anyone else why the other had come to the Tang Clan.
That raccoon-like bastard.
That vixen-like bitch.
In truth, their appearance was entirely predictable. An opportunity to seize hegemony over Sichuan—which had become a power vacuum due to the loss of the Tang Clan’s strength—had unfolded before them. Who would refuse such a thing? Especially Qingcheng and Emei, who had been overshadowed by the Tang Clan for decades.
Creeeak.
It was then.
"Do you know who I am? I am Geum Taesan, the father of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Third Madam!"
The sound of someone raising their voice could be heard from outside.
"There were orders to guide every single visitor to the External Guest Accommodations."
"You rascal! Do you really need to be beaten to a pulp before you come to your senses?"
"Even if I am beaten to a pulp, I must carry out my orders. Please, wait in the guest room."
Un-jeok-ja quickly turned his head at the familiar voice. Geum Taesan. Was he not the primary culprit who, along with the Tang Clan, had nearly ruined Qingcheng?
His eyes began to gleam with a sharp light.
"Hmm?"
Shiver.
And Geum Taesan, meeting his gaze, felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine. Who was this man, and why was he looking at him with such a murderous glare?
Geum Taesan slowly began to examine the man’s appearance. He wore a martial uniform of deep indigo with a crane embroidered on the sleeve, and a sharp, gleaming sword hung at his waist.
Upon seeing this, Geum Taesan’s complexion rapidly paled.
The most important thing for a merchant was their eye for detail. Therefore, merchants basically memorized all the representative patterns and characteristics of the major sects to prevent making mistakes. The master of Mangeum Bank was no different, and he was able to identify the man glaring at him.
There was only one place that wore indigo martial uniforms with crane embroidery.
'...Qingcheng.'
That was it. The man glaring at him was a Taoist from Qingcheng, the sect that had invested its entire fortune in the Western trade route years ago and lost it all.
"It has been a long time, Master of Mangeum Bank."
Un-jeok-ja spoke to him, his voice thick with murderous intent.
In the past, he had followed his master, Jeokheoja, during his training, so he was acquainted with Geum Taesan. The very person who had wagged his snake-like tongue to convince his naive master to sign those papers was Geum Taesan. There was no way he could look upon him kindly.
"It... it is a pleasure to see you, Un-jeok-ja!"
"I cannot say the pleasure is mutual."
Un-jeok-ja replied, still radiating killing intent. If he had his way, he would have slit the man's throat right then and there, but he held back. Regardless of everything, it was his master who had ultimately made the decision to invest. He couldn't simply take out his anger on Geum Taesan. Besides, Geum Taesan himself had nearly ruined Mangeum Bank in the process.
But if I find a justification, I'll take your head immediately.
Un-jeok-ja prayed fervently in his heart for a reason to dispose of the master of Mangeum Bank.
"Is everyone going to just stand there? Please, take a seat."
Perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere, Bulheo Satae stepped in to clear the air. She had no desire to create a grim mood before proper negotiations had even begun.
Hearing her, Un-jeok-ja sat toward the center of the guest room with his disciples. After hesitating for a long time, Geum Taesan took a seat as far away from Un-jeok-ja as possible. He was clearly terrified of being near him.
Afterward, numerous people visited the guest room, and the large space was soon filled to capacity. They were all jackals who had rushed here to claim a piece of the delicious prey known as the Tang Clan.
They kept a wary eye on one another, waiting and praying for the representative of the Tang Clan to arrive as soon as possible.