Chapter 396
Chapter 396
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 396
Chapter Title: Ghost-Faced Elder (3)
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Jeong Chak shot a glare at the old man standing at the forefront of the Demonic Cultists.
The attendant supporting him spoke up.
"That must be the Heavenly Mechanism Mysterious Immortal, right? Well, you're not someone who's ever troubled my master despite your title of reading the heavens' flow."
He was pretending to be polite, but the words were clearly an insult.
At the insult directed at her grandfather, Jeong Seolji opened her mouth to speak.
"What did you just...?"
However, Jeong Chak held out his palm toward his granddaughter, signaling her to stay put.
Then he retorted to the cheeky attendant.
"Do you think you should say such things?"
"I don't think I said anything wrong."
"No, you're right. It's true that I've spent my life trying to drag that old man out but failed."
As laughter rippled through the Demonic Cultists at Jeong Chak readily admitting the insult directed at him...
"I'm just a retired old fool, so knocking me down doesn't cost you anything. But your master is still one of the Four Great Guardians of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, isn't he?"
Jeong Chak smiled broadly as he spoke.
"If what you say is true, then the Demon Brain who dominates the Ten Thousand Great Mountains would be dragged out by a greenhorn like the Ghost Dragon?"
"......"
"Doesn't sound wrong to me either."
At Jeong Chak's words, as the Demonic Cultists fell silent...
The faces of the Orthodox Murim's younger generation lit up with satisfaction.
Among them, Mae Jinak was the first to speak.
"As expected of the elder."
Jeong Seolji smiled and lifted her chin.
"You've bickered with the Sword Emperor your whole life. You're not the type to get caught up in such low-level provocations."
Nangong Yun nodded slowly, arms crossed.
"That's true, but Eon Yong-un did drag those guys out, so..."
As the young Demonic Cultists ground their teeth...
The Demon Brain raised a hand slightly to silence them, then addressed Jeong Chak.
"I am Gal Hyobong."
"Jeong Chak."
Their gazes locked in midair as they exchanged names.
The air around them grew heavy as a result.
Clap!
Wild Beast Palace Lord Meng Ryong clapped his massive hands and spoke.
"Hahaha, this is awkward. It seems I've put both of you in a tough spot."
"......"
"......"
"This Meng Ryong may be holed up in the Southern Barbaric Lands, but I keep my ears open to the Jianghu. I know about the conflicts between the Orthodox and Demonic paths. But I couldn't refuse either side's visit, so here we are."
Both Jeong Chak and Gal Hyobong had come all the way to the Southern Barbaric Lands to secure the Wild Beast Palace's support.
"For the sake of this Meng Ryong's face, please set aside old grudges for now."
Meng Ryong's words carried the day for the moment.
Thus, the banquet resumed in tense silence.
But such shallow peace couldn't last forever.
Seemingly deciding it was time to weigh the Orthodox and Demonic sides, Meng Ryong turned to the Orthodox envoys and spoke.
"You treated our Wild Beast Palace disciples who went as exchange students to the Righteous Martial Academy well, didn't you? This banquet is also to repay that kindness. How is it? Satisfied?"
At Meng Ryong's words...
Jeong Seolji politely gathered her sleeves and replied.
"Yes. Thank you for your hospitality, Palace Lord."
"Good. I won't hold the earlier sword-drawing against you. Enjoy yourselves."
"Since it came up, Lady Yun drew her sword because she knows the true nature of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cultists. It wasn't out of disdain for the Wild Beast Palace."
"I said I already put that aside. True nature? What do you mean?"
"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is not a suitable conversation partner for the Wild Beast Palace. They schemed to swallow the Northern Sea Ice Palace with cunning plots and deliberately stirred up chaos on the steppes for that purpose. That's not all. They've committed unspeakable atrocities across the Central Plains and even the Southern Sea. Do they truly seem like people worth talking to?"
At those words, the Demon Brain's disciple who had insulted Jeong Chak earlier shot to his feet.
Meng Ryong spoke.
"Does the Demon Brain's disciple have something to say to me?"
"I am Gyeong Mong. Actually, something to say to that woman."
Jeong Seolji lifted her chin as if to say, go ahead.
Gyeong Mong let out a hollow laugh and continued.
"Why is that a problem?"
"...You don't even know what the issue is."
"You're our enemies. And the ones you listed all refused to be our friends and tried to help you instead."
"How many innocent civilians got caught up in it... What muddled thinking! That's pure Demonic path!"
"Who is it that calls us Demonic and slaughters us like bugs, using phrases like 'righteous path' and 'heroes of the age'? And then you claim your side is righteous while labeling our Cult's actions as Demonic. The height of arrogance!"
Sparks flew between Jeong Seolji and Gyeong Mong.
Meng Ryong awkwardly cleared his throat.
"I was thinking of mediating, but the rift between Orthodox and Demonic runs deep."
It was then that the Demon Brain, who had been silent since sitting down, finally spoke.
"My disciple was rude due to his inexperience. Our Cult simply distinguishes between enemy and ally. If we were truly a band of demons from hell as they claim, how could people live in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?"
Thus opening, Gal Hyobong subtly prodded Meng Ryong's phrasing.
"And Palace Lord, whenever you must refer to both our Cult and them, you put 'Orthodox' first. It seems your ties to them run deep."
But Meng Ryong replied confidently.
"This is my first meeting with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, while I've long been friends with the Central Plains guests, so that's how it comes out."
This stemmed from his certainty that he held the hilt of the sword.
"I'm not blaming you. Even this old man knows you've sent exchange students, maintaining long ties. But remember, there are no eternal friends in this world. Lose your teeth, and your gums ache—should our Cult fall, the Wild Beast Palace's position will become precarious."
"What do you...?"
"Think about it. There's surely some truth that our Cult keeps the Orthodox Murim's tyranny in check."
At Gal Hyobong's continued words...
Meng Ryong furrowed his brow.
"In fact, when our Cult became a threat, even your old rival Jeomchang sent their great disciple, the One-Sword Observer, to bow first, didn't they?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As Meng Ryong showed signs of wavering, Gal Hyobong pressed on.
"I thought we'd have a private meeting to introduce them, but since you value old ties, I feared missing the chance. So I'll introduce them here."
With that, the bald monk and hook-nosed warrior beside Gal Hyobong offered clasped hands and a fist salute.
"These two hail from Tianzhu's Thunder Sound Temple and the Sun Palace beyond the Great Desert. They prove this old man's words about merely distinguishing enemy from ally are no empty talk."
Thunder Sound Temple and Sun Palace.
At the appearance of the two groups dominating beyond the seas...
Not only Meng Ryong but the entire Orthodox delegation tensed.
Confirming this, Gal Hyobong ended with a sly smile.
"If we set aside the Central Plains, our Cult appears to be retreating somewhat. That's why they hesitate to set foot in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Moreover, we wish to eradicate the Blood Cult entrenched in Manyeop Mountain. Consider which ally benefits the Wild Beast Palace more."
A heavy silence descended on the banquet hall.
After a moment, Nangong Yun shot to his feet, offering a fist salute.
"Nangong Yun of the Nangong Family. I may be lacking now, but I will one day become the family head. I swear to be the Wild Beast Palace's ally. We can put it in writing if you wish."
Following him, Mae Jinak sprang up.
"Mae Jinak, great disciple of Jeomchang, makes the same pledge."
At their display, Jeong Seolji tugged her grandfather's sleeve.
Patting her hand reassuringly, Jeong Chak gazed fondly at the two young ones before turning to Meng Ryong.
"The young ones' resolve is heartening, but I wish to discuss something else, Palace Lord."
"...What might that be?"
"What happens if the Jeongga steels its resolve."
"Pardon?"
"If the Jeongga commits fully and mobilizes kin and allied families, we could move not just the Orthodox Murim but the Imperial Court to send the Southern Expedition Army here."
At Jeong Chak's words, Meng Ryong slammed the table with a bang!
"Are you threatening me right now?!"
But Jeong Chak burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Spot on! Since you're weighing options, I have to show all our weights on the scale. Only then can you calculate properly."
At that, Gal Hyobong twisted his brow and spoke.
"...Bluff moderately. Those words directly violate the taboo against court interference. If it comes out that a mere clan moved Heaven's will, your Jeongga faces annihilation."
"That's why I said 'steel our resolve.' Thanks for the concern, but I dote on my granddaughter too much."
"......"
"Better to commit harshly than watch her charge in like a moth to flame."
Jeong Chak's bold threat left Meng Ryong, Gal Hyobong, and even the Orthodox youths gaping.
The banquet hall felt like a thunderbolt had struck.
Jeong Seolji raised her hand to break the mood.
"Palace Lord, you'd best stay out of it."
At her words...
Meng Ryong scowled deeply.
"Relying on your grandfather to act so brazenly?"
"I came with him, but I'm here as an envoy too. And the future head of the Jeongga."
"......"
"That old Demonic wanderer told you to consider which makes a better friend."
"......"
"That means fighting alongside them. Isn't a friend who says 'don't shed blood' better than one who says 'shed blood together'?"
"What do you...?"
"Stop weighing sides and withdraw completely from the Orthodox-Demonic conflict."
"......"
"No gain whoever wins, but no loss either. Of course, this proposal comes with a promise to cede Chamago Pass's profits for the next ten years."
As Meng Ryong relaxed his furrowed brow and stroked his chin at Jeong Seolji's words...
Gal Hyobong rose abruptly.
"Palace Lord, we'll leave the reply gifts here. We'll meet again someday."
He turned coldly toward the exit.
"Let's go."
With that, the Demonic Cultists ebbed away like the tide.
Nangong Yun asked Jeong Chak in surprise.
"...The Palace Lord hasn't answered yet, but they're just leaving?"
Jeong Chak stroked his beard.
"Seolji's proposal is a checkmate for the Demonic ones."
"...Checkmate?"
"Why choose 'shed blood together' from the Cult over our 'shed no blood'?"
"But wasn't our original plan to secure the Wild Beast Palace's support?"
"Strategy requires flexibility. Ruining what the enemy wants is success in itself... We sought their support to block the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's large force from entering Manyeop Mountain."
"Ah. Just their neutrality fulfills that...!"
"Exactly."
Replying to Nangong Yun, Jeong Chak looked proudly at Jeong Seolji.
"You've grown."
"I wondered how Yong-un would screw over that old man, then it hit me."
"...Screw over?"
"Anyway, Grandfather, no time to waste. We need to head to Manyeop Mountain."
"Right. We blocked the Cult's large force, but the Demon Brain brought his own. Keeping that sly old fox in check will be arduous. Everyone, prepare thoroughly."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Eight days since taking Dokgo Cheol as Ghost-Faced Elder's disciple.
In that time, I had diligently taught him the Blood Bird Technique and the Ghost-Faced Elder's mannerisms.
'Patrol squad's presence?'
Thus, I stealthily moved between the Sungjwa Stronghold and the Blood Cultists' assembly point.
Master commented as he watched me suppress my presence and hug the ground.
- ...You live such a hard life. So damn hard.
'...Didn't you say just days ago that you were ashamed of living freely upon seeing me?'
- Humans feel all sorts of emotions.
'...You're a sword.'
- ?
'?'
Well, it was rewarding.
Dokgo Cheol had trained to infiltrate the Orthodox Murim from the start.
With sharp eyes and acting skills, he began convincingly mimicking the Ghost-Faced Elder.
He adapted quickly to the Blood Bird Technique I taught him too.
- ...What did you just say?
'Didn't say anything.'
- You definitely muttered something.
'Anyway. This ends today.'
Since Dokgo Cheol could now convincingly pull off my appearance.
I pushed forward with the Ghost-Faced Elder arriving at the assembly point.
"I shall receive gravely the resolve of those who chose to come to this assembly point."
Standing before the Cultists he led, Dokgo Cheol calmly played his role in the Ghost-Faced Elder's guise.
"Once the Cultists led by Sa Gyeom and Son Cheongjeong arrive, the path to true Blood Flame Heaven will open. Prepare thoroughly to survive the coming Blood Calamity."
Eon's siblings, disguised as the Blood Fairy and her guards, watched Dokgo Cheol.
Back in the moved tent, when Dokgo Cheol removed the mask, they exclaimed in admiration.
"Whoa!"
Woo Sorung's eyes nearly popped out.
"Sorung, quiet. We cleared the perimeter, but be careful."
"...S-Sorry. I still thought it was Big Brother Eon as the Ghost-Faced Elder, so Cheol coming out startled me."
Yin Hayeon and Yin Haseong each chimed in.
"I thought only Young Master Eon could make wings with the Blood Bird Technique, but Cheol did it too."
"The technique is one thing, but his speech and bearing were spot-on. Jeonghyeon Dojang can't even mimic bandits properly—how'd you mimic Yong-un hyung?"
"...Why bring that up?"
As Eon's siblings reacted, Dokgo Cheol puffed up with pride.
I shot him a stern look.
"Don't get complacent. Mess up the act, and it's not just Blood Pills—you'll be bean powder."
"...Yes."
"You memorized the speech I wrote?"
"Yes! Every word struck my heart, so it stuck naturally."
"That's key. This is the Blood Unit's official founding ceremony. No stumbling or faltering—review it constantly."
"Yes!"
As I reined in Dokgo Cheol...
Nangong Young, guarding the tent perimeter with Dang Okgi, brought word.
"Unit Leader. The Cultists led by the Southern Sea Archbishop have arrived nearby."
I donned my mask again.
"Then first, we need to fool Sa Gyeom, who's rolled through the Black Path factions."