Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: White Cat Parade (1)
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A corner of the mountain range overlooking a vast grassland.
A man in red robes gazed down at the cliff below.
A benevolent smile graced the lips of the man as he looked at the distant grassland rippling like blue waves.
"Has summer fully arrived?"
He tilted his head, listening to the cicadas' cries echoing back as a response.
Whoosh.
A masked figure in red robes appeared beside him.
"Hail, Eightfold Apostle."
Without sparing a glance at the bowing subordinate, the Eightfold Apostle asked.
"Quite the sight, isn't it?"
"……."
"Such a peaceful scene."
The masked subordinate of the enemy faction, observing the Apostle's pleased smile, spoke up when no further words followed.
"The soul links of the Gu poisons scattered across various regions are being severed."
Drip.
The man's gentle aura vanished.
"The world is truly kind."
If only those human vermin didn't exist.
The Eightfold Apostle muttered as he clasped his hands behind his back.
"A pity. I had hoped to shake up the Murim Alliance a bit more."
"The Murim Alliance reacted faster than expected. Moreover."
The Eightfold Apostle shook his head at the continuation.
"I never knew the Beggars' Sect beggars could be this diligent."
"If you wish them eliminated, I shall do so."
The masked subordinate spoke loyally, but the Eightfold Apostle shook his head.
"No need. We've suffered too many losses for the sake of the Awakening Stones."
He had revealed his long-prepared trump cards too early, all to strangle the Murim Alliance's lifeline amid this unforeseen turn.
"Their venomous retaliation stems from sensing the crisis, no doubt."
"…My apologies."
Hardly registering the subordinate's apology, the Eightfold Apostle spoke.
"Have you located the Awakening Stones?"
"Yes, we have."
The subordinate bowed his head and continued.
"The Awakening Stones—what they call the Blood Dew Stones—are currently under strict Murim Alliance custody."
He had succeeded in inquiring about their whereabouts by planting agents in certain meeting fringes.
"They plan to move them to the Mount Hua Sect soon."
"Mount Hua, one of the Nine Great Sects and a sword sect? Not a bad choice."
They intend to hide the stones relying on Mount Hua's treacherous terrain—
The Eightfold Apostle murmured, picturing Mount Hua.
Mount Hua, where the Mount Hua Sect was located, was known as the Western Peak among the Five Peaks, a rugged mountain range.
"Mount Hua's jagged peaks, thrust up as if by a heavenly sword, make for a breathtaking vista."
It was the perfect place to hide something by leveraging the terrain.
They might even unravel his schemes there.
But they wouldn't know.
"That their decision will set the beautiful Mount Hua ablaze."
"Shall we strike Mount Hua?"
If the Eightfold Apostle before him resolved to act, crushing one of the Nine Great Sects' top powers would be feasible.
If the Apostle desires it.
I would burn my life to bring about Mount Hua's downfall.
His heart pounded as he awaited the order, but the Eightfold Apostle shook his head.
"No need to act just yet."
There was still time before the stones moved to Mount Hua.
The Eightfold Apostle also voiced another reason.
"Word from Wind Sword. They've rebuilt the altar."
"Oh—finally."
"They say they'll send me an Awakening Stone soon."
A wary glint entered the subordinate's eyes upon hearing this.
"Wind Sword is not to be trusted."
"I know. I am well aware."
The Apostles of the Eightfold were rivals, each dreaming of becoming a god themselves.
"There cannot be two skies in the heavens."
He must have ulterior motives.
"……."
"But if he hands over the vessel to godhood, playing along briefly isn't so bad."
With that, the Eightfold Apostle turned.
"Of course, the best outcome would be me claiming both Awakening Stones."
To seize both and become a god unparalleled under heaven.
—Thus, I command.
"I must personally retrieve the stone before it reaches Mount Hua."
"Your will be done!"
White Cat Parade.
The Miao Truth Sect was abuzz preparing for the event mere days away.
Originally, as a minor sect, it had been a place loved only by those with particular tastes.
But recently, its status had risen dramatically.
The minor sects had banded together under its lead and achieved great feats in the Divine Martial Jianghu Campaign.
Rumors spread, drawing more visitors seeking exchanges from far and wide.
"I've heard of your fame."
"Instructor Gwan Mu-geom. We'd like to trade with the Miao Truth Sect."
"Though neighbors, we've rarely mingled. Let's meet more often henceforth."
The reason people sought exchanges wasn't solely due to the Miao Truth Sect's renown.
—A Kunlun Sect transcendent resides at the Miao Truth Sect.
The once-legendary Kunlun Sect of the righteous faction.
Wang Wu, inheritor of the Great Kunlun legacy, staying there was a major draw.
"Please convey our request to Elder Wang Wu."
"I brought fine tea. Could you pass it to Elder Wang?"
Some with faint hopes, others with pure respect for a great hero.
People frequently crossed the Miao Truth Sect's threshold.
Typically, such attention would provoke wariness from neighboring sects.
But the Miao Truth Sect was free of such concerns.
"Our sect's martial arts are meager. What matters is how dearly we cherish cats, not prowess."
Despite some fame, as a murim sect, it had almost no presence.
This led to remarks like.
"Isn't the Miao Truth Sect less a murim sect and more a merchant or tourist spot?"
"Not entirely wrong."
Miao Gwang laughed it off upon hearing, easing people's guards further.
Unaware of what lay hidden behind the levity.
In the Miao Truth Sect's annex.
Miao Gwang presented a bundle of portraits.
"Newly drawn ones."
"Quite a few this time."
"I stayed up nights to complete them."
Flip. Flip.
He carefully examined the twenty-odd drawings.
Yet Chu Un-hwi's lips remained downturned.
"Hmm. Still no."
"Is that so?"
As Miao Gwang disappointedly gathered them.
"Hohoho. Don't lose heart."
Wang Wu—no, Sima Baek—offered freshly brewed tea with sincerity.
"Your lord's devotion is profound; surely heaven will be moved and grant the fated encounter."
"I hope so."
Sip. Sip.
As he savored the tea, the air quivered, spitting out something dark from the void.
"Maa—ster. Think you found me!"
Dan-ya's excited voice rang out, bandages dancing behind her.
"Knew it at a glance. This girl, right?"
"Really?"
Chu Un-hwi took the portrait from Dan-ya, his lips twisting.
"Ugh—blech."
"Huh? Not her? Her look stands out even from afar; seemed perfect."
"That's the Poison Butterfly of the Tang Clan."
"Poison Butterfly?"
Right—she hadn't earned her nickname in the jianghu yet.
Unlike his previous life, she wasn't a venomous assassin but still a young girl.
"Not this one."
Tang Ae-hui of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
He covered the portrait, irked by the oversized butterfly motif.
"Is this girl coming to the Miao Truth Sect too?"
"Yeah, seems so."
Best not to cross paths.
He praised the disappointed Dan-ya for her efforts, then asked Miao Gwang.
"Miao Gwang. When do you plan to hold the White Cat Parade?"
"In about five days."
"Faster than expected."
"Various regions cleared the demons quicker than anticipated."
The explanation followed: the righteous murim had moved swifter than thought against the demon outbreaks.
"Especially effective was Number One acting under Wang Wu's name."
The peerless master of the forgotten Kunlun Sect.
With the jianghu's highest-ranked figure taking the lead, even the stodgy old righteous monsters couldn't sit idle.
It matched his guess.
Even the Nine Great Sects and Ten Great Clans, who usually minded face, intervened actively.
"Hahaha. Glad to be of help."
The man focused on brewing tea, oblivious that this villain sought to conquer righteous murim.
Thanks to him, things progressed smoothly.
"Nothing else noteworthy?"
Dan-ya raised her hand and bandage together.
"Sent a letter to Pinky Toe."
The one she called Pinky Toe was Sima Ryul.
The man hailed as the hope of righteous jianghu as the Poison Eye Divine Sword.
"Went off alone for the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts, got back a blank letter."
He didn't care to know it was a paper with a single teardrop.
"Ryul will handle himself."
Turning, Miao Gwang answered.
"No unusual developments yet."
"What of the Surveillance Bureau's fiends?"
"Heard they appeared near Ha Bi Castle."
Nothing specific, then?
Good.
"Stay vigilant. Finding your bride is key, but above all, avoid letting interlopers tail us."
"As my lord commands."
Having finished business, Chu Un-hwi exited unguarded.
Gauging the time from the sun.
"Shall I visit Instructor Yeo?"
She'd be treating the wounded now.
As he muttered.
Bang!
A heavy thud, and a group entered the Miao Truth Sect's main gate.
Several familiar faces.
First up is Instructor Sim Ui.
Cheongyang County was nearby, so invited to the White Cat Parade?
Then the lighter-faced Cheong Su caught his eye.
As he considered greeting the familiars.
"Temporary Instructor Chu Un-hwi!"
A middle-aged man with a twisted scowl stormed from behind, huffing.
Seeing him, Chu Un-hwi flicked his index finger.
"Ah, right. On second thought, best nap now."
Turning to flee, another bellow resounded.
"Chu Un-hwi! You little... Temporary Instructor!"
Counting mentally to steel himself amid the strained roar, Chu Un-hwi turned.
"Aigoo. Long time no see."
He tried jesting, but the man's face soured further.
Veins bulging on his forehead—backfired?
Chu Un-hwi turned again.
"Yeah. Really need that nap."
He tried slipping away quick, but the shadowing figure struck first.
Crunch.
A hand gripped his shoulder bone like it might snap, roughly spinning him.
Forced to meet eyes, Jang Cheol-sim gritted teeth and growled lowly.
"Don't... we... have... words?"
His face and voice utterly humorless, Jang Cheol-sim said.
"Beats me. What're you on about?"
"Denying it, eh?"
"Deny? Why would I need to?"
He pushed back brazenly, but Jang Cheol-sim didn't budge.
"Come with me."
Jang Cheol-sim had suffered an absurd ordeal.
He'd just heard of the Miao Truth Sect's crisis and rushed to lend aid.
Demon outbreaks were urgent, so he set all else aside.
Relieved to hear no major disaster upon arrival, he sighed in relief.
"Haha. Elder Wang Wu."
"Seeing trouble, he rolled up sleeves without delay—truly deserving of the great hero title."
Jang Cheol-sim agreed with Sim Ui.
"We need more like him in the jianghu."
Sim Ui agreed wistfully.
"Indeed. Since when did calculation precede justice?"
"We must nurture vital talents henceforth."
Already en route, and with the Divine Martial Academy's messenger urging celebration of the Miao Truth Sect's victory, the group headed straight for the minor sects.
Arriving at Sohyo with thoughts of reuniting with his idol, the living great hero.
"Jang Cheol-sim. Senior Instructor, correct?"
Guards at the gate checked his token, then surrounded him.
"We have questions. Come to the yamen."
"We'd hate to offend a Qingcheng Sect expert. Cooperate."
What in the blazes?
Asking, he got nonsense.
"Everyone knows you attacked Jangcheon Sect!"
Don't play dumb.
Sohyo folk all know.
Flabbergasted, he shouted.
"First time in Sohyo in a year."
"Criminals all say that."
Even Sim Ui persuading tense spearmen barely cleared the suspicion.
The humiliation of near-arrest at the gate in broad daylight scarred him.
Shaking off reverie, Jang Cheol-sim glared.
"Truly nothing to say?"
He looked ready to strike with his staff any moment.