Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: Is it the Will of the Hao Gate? (2)
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“I’d like to meet the Deputy League Leader. Can you help me with that?”
The remark about meeting the Deputy League Leader being like walking into a tiger’s den must have been a roundabout attempt to dissuade me.
When I reiterated my desire to meet him, Chun Aeng furrowed her brows.
“...I can’t understand why the great hero is suddenly acting like this.”
The Sword Empress professor, seated at the head of the table, also tilted her head.
“I agree with the acting chief. Director Eon, what are you thinking, saying something like that?”
I first turned to the Sword Empress and opened my mouth.
“If we receive the Hao Gate’s assistance and travel up the Yangtze, we’ll arrive at the academy unscathed for now. However, this is merely a stopgap measure, nothing more.”
With that preamble, I turned to Chun Aeng and asked.
“From what I see, the Hao Gate plans to first prevent any harm from befalling me, then somehow persuade the Deputy League Leader afterward. Am I correct?”
“...Yes.”
“If word of this gets out, the Hao Gate will be seen as defying the Deputy League Leader’s will, regardless. In that case, Baek Gwang-ho might choose the Hao Gate as a sacrificial lamb to establish his authority.”
When groups like the Sa Do League solidify their bonds, they do so either by creating external enemies or by making an internal scapegoat.
The Hao Gate’s current actions fit the latter perfectly.
Aware of this, Chun Aeng calmly replied.
“The Hao Gate is the eyes and ears of the Sa Do League. Gouging out its own eyes...”
However, I didn’t wait for her to finish.
“Of course, the Hao Gate is the Sa Do League’s eyes and ears, as well as a major source of funds, so it might pass as a minor ordeal. But at the very least, Acting Chief Chun Aeng, you won’t escape responsibility... right?”
It was at this moment that the feigned composure on Chun Aeng’s face cracked.
“...You can’t fool ghosts, let alone the great hero. But there’s no need for you to worry. I’ve been prepared since I proposed this to Madam. As long as I can protect the Hao Gate brothers and sisters and repay the great hero’s kindness, I’m fine.”
“What if there’s a better way?”
“That’s...”
At my words implying a better method, Chun Aeng bit her lip in contemplation.
In the meantime, I asked the Sword Empress.
“Professor, can you always stay by our side? The Hao Gate won’t be able to help forever. If Acting Chief Chun Aeng takes the blame, this might be the last time. Or it could splash onto other cadets entirely.”
“......”
“Is it acceptable to sacrifice others just to keep us safe?”
At my words, not only the Sword Empress but even my younger siblings fell silent, unable to respond.
The room grew quiet as a result.
Jeong Hyeon broke the silence.
“Prime Celestial Venerable. As expected, your words carry the qi of the Dao. So, the better way you mention is to try talking with the Deputy League Leader?”
Jeong Hyeon seemed to think my opinion was correct.
However, some of my siblings disagreed.
Cheon Jang-ho, who had heard things from the Beggars’ Sect, spoke up.
“Hyung Yong-un. Don’t think of meeting the Deputy League Leader because of the Bandit King. That guy Do Jung-gwang—no one who knows says he’s bad at heart, banditry aside from his first steps. But Baek Gwang-ho is notorious for his cruelty!”
Having followed me to Shanxi Province as well, he seemed worried I might misjudge the Deputy League Leader based on the Bandit King we met en route.
Then Yin Xia Lian spoke.
“Before becoming Deputy League Leader, Baek Gwang-ho was the Penalty Lord of the Evil Lord Sword Brigade, ruling the Dongting Lake area. We at the Silver Radiance Merchant Group have plenty of bad blood with them, so I know well. Dongting Tomb Tiger. That nickname wasn’t given lightly—he’s a shady character.”
Eon Yong-myeong and Paeng So-cheon also chimed in.
“Recall what Acting Chief Chun Aeng just said. This could spark a Righteous-Demonic War if mishandled. Big brother, don’t think you can handle it alone.”
“I think they’re right too!”
So Neung bit his innocent nails.
“Their words make sense, but Unnie Yin and the others have a point too. Ugh, this is tough.”
The heated atmosphere filled the guest room.
I raised my palm to calm the debating mouths.
“No one can become the head of a group solely through cruelty. Not even in a village the size of one’s palm, let alone the Sa Do League. Pure brutality wouldn’t make one a league leader. Isn’t that right?”
“...That’s true.”
“Such a person wouldn’t have spared the Left Army, who followed the previous leader. He’s not someone to trust blindly, but neither is he completely unreasonable—that’s my conclusion... right?”
I directed the last words at Chun Aeng.
Chun Aeng released her bitten lip and asked.
“...Assume you meet him. What exactly do you plan to do with the Deputy League Leader, great hero?”
“Make a deal.”
“A deal? With what...”
“First, one more question. How did the Deputy League Leader’s seal go missing?”
At my question, Chun Aeng tilted her head but began explaining the circumstances of the seal’s loss.
“There was a bloody fight for the league leadership between the incoming leader Baek Gwang-ho of the Evil Lord Sword Brigade and the deputy leader’s Pa Yang Black Path Society. But when the damage exceeded expectations, Baek Gwang-ho made a proposal to the deputy side.”
“Did he offer to spare them if they surrendered?”
“Yes. He proposed that if the deputy leader clearly renounced the succession at the Sa Do League’s general assembly, he’d let the deputy live.”
“And?”
“The deputy accepted. He was heading back to his base at Pa Yang Lake. But the boat carrying him sank in Pa Yang Lake.”
“The new leader’s doing, no doubt.”
“Pa Yang Lake narrows like a gourd neck in shape. It sank there, which is suspicious since it was practically the Pa Yang Black Path Society’s playground. Anyway, the deputy went missing in Pa Yang Lake along with the Sa Do League’s seal.”
At Chun Aeng’s words,
my master interjected.
“As Ha-yeon said, he’s a shady one? Regardless of black or white, he lacks even the minimal honor of a martial artist.... How do you plan to deal with such a man?” At that moment,
Yin Xia Lian asked me.
“Young Master Eon suddenly asking the acting chief about the seal... means you know where it is, or have a way to find out, right?”
At Yin Xia Lian’s words, Chun Aeng’s eyes widened.
“You know where the seal is? That’s exactly what the new leader wants most. But how, great hero?!”
To Chun Aeng’s question, I answered immediately.
“I have a way to hear the words of ghosts.”
In truth, this was a lie.
Ghostly voices could only be heard in fragments unless the soul was as powerful as my master’s.
Most vengeful spirits merely muttered things like ‘I want to live’ or ‘Why must I die?’
The location of the Sa Do League’s seal was known solely because I’d read the original story.
However, my nickname ‘Ghost Dragon’
and the feat of single-handedly defeating the Seven Upper Sword Guards made people believe it.
“Ah! The great hero has the Eon family’s necromancy. Right?!”
“Ghost Dragon! Hyung’s nickname is Ghost Dragon! I forgot, only saw you beating people in Northern Hebei!”
Unlike the heated debate moments ago,
the opinions in the room converged on the idea that knowing the seal’s location changed everything.
I smirked at the sight.
‘If things go according to plan, I can prevent the Sa Do League from falling helplessly to the Demonic Cult...’
And maybe squeeze out some extras in the process?
“...This guy, what’s he scheming with that twisted grin?!” ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The sun had set over Pa Yang Lake.
Hundreds of small boats encircled like escorts, and a massive flagship lit up the surroundings like daylight with countless lanterns floated leisurely on the lake.
In the luxurious cabin deepest within that flagship, the new Sa Do League Leader Baek Gwang-ho and Right Army Chief Sun Woo-uk were deep in conversation.
When Sun Woo-uk, the bald man with burn scars trailing from his head to his nape, asked a question,
“League Leader, will you leave the Left Army be?”
The man with burn scars on his temple smirked and replied.
“Won’t I be able to rein in the Left Army once Right Army Chief finds the seal quickly?”
He was none other than Sa Do League Leader Baek Gwang-ho.
At Baek Gwang-ho’s words, Sun Woo-uk bowed his head and said,
“I have no excuse for that, but the Hao Gate’s warning concerns me. No matter how I think, the Gate Lord’s claim of a potential Righteous-Demonic War feels more valid than the Left Army Chief’s baseless optimism.”
“Well, considering the entire Sa Do League, that old hag has a point.”
“...Yet why leave the Left Army alone?”
“Without authority to suppress the other division heads holding branch positions in the league, our Evil Lord Sword Brigade is dead anyway. No seal in sight? Then betting on the Left Army’s side makes sense, no?”
At Baek Gwang-ho’s words, Sun Woo-uk cautiously lifted his head.
“What do you think of allying with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
“Are they reaching out to the Right Army Chief?”
“Not directly, but among those who came over after Water Dragon Hall collapsed, some mention the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. They say it’s why Water Dragon Hall, a minor branch of the Yangtze Waterway Hall, rose so fast.”
At Sun Woo-uk’s words, Baek Gwang-ho gave a wry smile.
“Sun Woo Chief.”
“Yes.”
“If the orthodox are hypocrites, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are madmen. They say not to deal with the insane for a reason.”
“I see.”
“Yes. And if we’re oil and water with the orthodox, those guys are sponges that’ll suck us dry.”
“...I was shortsighted.”
“The other factions will bend to our will anyway, so strictly control at least our Evil Lord Sword Brigade.”
Finishing his words, Baek Gwang-ho offered a drink to Sun Woo-uk.
“Take this drink. Search thoroughly tomorrow.”
But at that moment,
a lackey outside the inner chamber spoke up.
“League Leader, a guest has arrived.”
At that, Baek Gwang-ho’s eyes narrowed.
“Here? Who?”
“We checked the signal—it’s the Hao Gate Lord’s foster daughter. She requests an audience now.”
“If it’s the Gate Lord’s foster daughter, I must see her. Bring her in.”
“But she asks if her escort warrior can enter too.”
“Which of that old hag’s foster daughters exactly?”
“Chun Aeng of the Taihu Branch.”
“That woman doesn’t know martial arts, so no fear. Let them in.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having agreed to meet the Sa Do League Leader, we traveled up the Yangtze to Pa Yang Lake.
With skilled boatmen and Hao Gate assistance, we reached Pa Yang Lake without incident.
“Follow this waterway and we enter Pa Yang Lake waters. But is this plan really okay to execute?”
“It’s fine. Let’s hurry. The school reopening schedule is tight.”
“Yes, great hero. Entering the waters now.”
Even upon reaching Pa Yang Lake, nothing noteworthy happened.
I had sent my younger siblings ashore midway for some tasks.
I wrapped black cloth around a lantern and signaled toward the Evil Lord Sword Brigade’s fleet adorning Pa Yang Lake, with Chun Aeng.
In response, the small boats escorting the Sa Do League Leader’s ship parted like opening gates.
A few black path men boarded our boat for identity checks.
From the main hall to the inner chamber where the Sa Do League Leader awaited was smooth sailing.
The problem arose here.
“Hm?”
As I followed Chun Aeng into the inner chamber, the Sa Do League Leader hurled his wine cup at me.
It wasn’t tossed carelessly but infused with inner power.
Swaeaeaek!!
The wine cup spun like a top toward me.
‘Taking this head-on would crack my skull.’
Since I planned to reveal my identity from here anyway,
I unhesitatingly unleashed the Heaven-Splitting Fist toward the incoming cup.
Paht!
Of course, with an open palm.
The cup adhered perfectly to my grasp.
Suddenly, the cabin air grew heavy,
and Baek Gwang-ho furrowed his brow, reaching for the sword beside him.
“I tested you since your face didn’t look like some courtesan’s escort, and turns out you’re not one of ours at all?”
Toward such Baek Gwang-ho, I clasped my hands in salute.
“I have a slight connection with Acting Chief Chun Aeng and requested an audience with League Leader through that bond. I am Eon Yong-un.”