Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Two-Faced
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"Tak Bu-yong."
His visuals and demeanor alone were enough to make anyone shrink back instinctively.
"I serve as the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect."
Even his voice carried refined elegance.
It felt utterly different from the time he'd borrowed Song Myeong-cheon's body.
Just then, a gentle breeze swept in.
Tak Bu-yong's salt-and-pepper sideburns fluttered lightly in the wind.
Han Ibi thought.
'Damn it. He's... really handsome.'
Yes.
A scene straight out of a painting.
If there'd been a woman beside him, anyone would have fallen head over heels for that dashing figure.
'Of course, excluding Master Bok...'
What was it... like a movie star who only grew more distinguished with age.
Once just a strikingly handsome youth, now a paragon of mature elegance.
Yeah... infuriating bastard, but credit where it's due.
Tak Bu-yong offered a faint smile.
"How fares Sect Leader Bok?"
Han Ibi replied.
"Well, sir. Aside from being rather busy."
Tak Bu-yong let out a deep sigh.
"She is... no, Sect Leader Bok is a woman of grand ambitions. Always more than one could shoulder. Ah, to me... she was far too good."
A flawless expression and tone that would fool anyone else.
But Han Ibi, privy to the truth, couldn't buy it.
"Indeed. Sect Leader Bok is a true loss."
Tak Bu-yong flinched, as if doubting his own ears.
Who dared treat him this way?
The Wudang Sect Leader!
A living legend that any martial artist would dream of meeting once in a lifetime.
And yet, this prickliness!
But he soon burst into hearty laughter.
"Young Master Zhongli lives up to the rumors—quite the entertaining fellow."
Han Ibi grinned back.
"Sect Leader Tak seems every bit the fine~ gentleman they've said."
Tak Bu-yong picked up on the sarcasm, his expression turning awkward.
"Word is you're a disciple of Sect Leader Bok."
"That's right. The Sect Leader is my master."
Tak Bu-yong smiled anew.
"Young Master Zhongli, you were granted the title of Azure Dragon among the Murim Alliance's Little Five Dragons not long ago, yes?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha. To raise such a fine disciple in so short a time—Sect Leader Bok is no ordinary man."
"Well, you've known him far longer. You'd know best, Sect Leader Tak."
Tak Bu-yong's face finally hardened.
"Young Master Zhongli."
"Yes."
"Might you have some complaint with Wudang's hospitality?"
Han Ibi shrugged at the question.
"Heavens, no, Sect Leader. How could I possibly complain about such warm treatment?"
Tak Bu-yong furrowed one brow.
Han Ibi pressed on.
"Sect Leader Tak."
"Speak."
"What message would you have me pass to our Sect Leader?"
Tak Bu-yong creased his smooth brow.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You didn't summon me here for nothing, did you?"
Tak Bu-yong burst into laughter.
He eyed the baffled Han Ibi.
"Did Sect Leader Bok say something? It seems you're under a grave misunderstanding."
"Pardon?"
"We were husband and wife. Though we've grown distant... we once shared a bed as the closest of intimates."
Tsk tsk tsk.
Fooled by the very axe you trusted.
Poor Master Bok.
Tak Bu-yong continued.
"If she had words for me, she'd deliver them herself, not through an intermediary. I merely wished to ask you a few questions."
Han Ibi replied evenly.
"Then by all means, ask."
"Very well."
Suddenly, Tak Bu-yong's face turned solemn.
"The Zhongli Clan tragedy is most regrettable. The Murim Alliance and all righteous folk of the jianghu are hard at work hunting the culprits."
'Doesn't seem like anyone's paying much mind...'
Tak Bu-yong went on.
"I've heard you're the sole scion of the clan to escape those villains' clutches. Is that correct?"
Whoa. This conversation's veering off.
"Well, one could say that..."
Though there's one more left...
Tak Bu-yong drew closer, slowly.
"Sadly, most of the clan perished within the estate... yet the fates of a few remain shrouded. No shadow of them to be found."
'And why are you looking...'
Han Ibi cut in.
"What is it you wish to ask?"
"Our investigations revealed that some of the Zhongli clansmen fled. Their last traces were found near Wuhan... not far from your estate."
Han Ibi's brow twitched.
Wuhan lay close to Demon Valley Mountain.
Tak Bu-yong said.
"Were you there, Young Master Zhongli?"
For a moment, their gazes locked across the space between them.
Han Ibi spoke first.
"No. I had left ahead on personal matters. I only learned of the calamity later."
Tak Bu-yong peered deep into Han Ibi's eyes.
As if he himself were a lie detector.
They held like that for a beat.
But soon enough, he reverted to his sage-like demeanor.
"Just a passing question—pay it no mind. I wondered if it might aid in unmasking the fiends. Should you desire, Wudang stands ready to help avenge your kin."
Han Ibi answered curtly.
"My thanks."
Tak Bu-yong waved it off as no great matter.
"That region is where a certain Demonic Taoist was sighted... I merely wondered if he'd brought harm to your clan. Think nothing of it, Young Master."
Demonic Taoist!
Han Ibi's pupils quivered at the unexpected term.
Tak Bu-yong watched him intently.
That was when it came.
A voice from afar.
"Sect Leader!"
A young Wudang disciple.
Tak Bu-yong responded.
"What is it?"
The disciple said.
"The Shaolin Sect Leader has arrived."
Tak Bu-yong replied.
"Oh? Much later than announced. Hold a moment—I'll be there shortly."
He turned to Han Ibi with an apologetic nod.
Han Ibi spoke quickly.
"You should go greet such an honored guest. Surely no time to waste on the likes of me."
Tak Bu-yong said.
"What talk is this? You're far too modest. My thanks for indulging me. Until tomorrow, then."
He set off toward the main hall with his disciple, practically gliding.
The preliminary Murim Alliance conference convened in Wudang's Practice Hall.
The Alliance encompassed the Nine Great Sects and Great Four Clans alongside countless mid- and small sects.
Naturally, a great throng gathered.
The attendees seemed well-acquainted, exchanging warm greetings.
Han Ibi alone sat like a sack of barley, out of place.
The only one he knew was Mount Hua Sect Leader Hwang Pil-bong...
But even he was occupied with his own circle.
Preliminaries limited each sect to one representative.
Given the stakes, sect leaders or their worthy proxies attended.
Qingcheng's presence was a rare exception.
Thus sidelined, Han Ibi propped his chin at the back, lost in recollections of his talk with Gae Pal-muk.
[Our Beggars' Sect investigations reveal three challengers for next Alliance Leader: Nangong Ming of Nangong Clan, Kunlun Sect Leader Jin Ho-ryang, and Wudang's Tak Bu-yong.]
[Fewer than expected.]
[Heh heh. Factions form. Allies spare each other by custom.]
[Vote herding, you mean. Sub-factions within?]>
[Precisely. No formal names, but they divide into traditional prestigious sects, rising powers, and the Five Great Clans alliance.]
[Humans gonna human...]
[At any rate, this preliminary outranks even the true Jianghu Conference in import.]
[How so?]
[The real decisions happen here. The conference is mere proclamation.]
A voice rang out.
Wudang elder Cheon Du-hong, master of ceremonies.
"We now commence the Murim preliminary conference."
Idle chatter vanished in an instant.
And so the Murim conference proceeded...
'Ugh! So boring!'
Han Ibi clamped his mouth shut against yawns, but the tears were unstoppable.
'Master Bok... why on earth send me here...'
They traded news of sects' joys and sorrows.
This and that, back and forth.
Incomprehensible babble...
Thankfully, after time for a cup of tea, the tedium ended.
Next came debate on the current Murim state.
The situation summary fell to Beggars' Sect Vice Leader Won Dae-uk.
A hulking, muscled figure with thick brows exuding heroic aura.
Won Dae-uk rattled off affairs across the jianghu.
Worthy of the "foremost ears of the jianghu."
One detail pierced Han Ibi's ears.
Won Dae-uk said.
"One month past, Pingshan Sect was annihilated. Three weeks ago, Red Feather Society wiped out. Not an ant left alive."
Mount Hua's Hwang Pil-bong spoke.
"Hm. One mid-tier righteous, the other black path minor faction, no?"
Won Dae-uk nodded.
"Correct. Truth be told, the Alliance paid them little heed."
Hwang Pil-bong asked.
"Who stands behind it?"
Won Dae-uk met his gaze.
"Unknown."
Jeonjin Sect Leader Song Won-in interjected.
"Should we not uncover the perpetrators?"
Won Dae-uk eyed him.
"Who shall?"
The hall fell silent as if doused in cold water.
Won Dae-uk continued.
"Someone moves in shadows, purging the weak or overlooked sects. Starting with those none would miss."
Shaolin Abbot Hyeonbeop spoke.
"Indeed... I heard even the once-prestigious Zhongli Clan fell to such a raid. A tragedy."
Murmurs rippled among attendees—many unaware till now.
Yes.
Won Dae-uk spoke true.
The Zhongli Clan was no longer a name to command notice, even in ruin.
A voice cut through.
"Mind your words, all. They were not fully exterminated."
Eyes turned.
Wudang Sect Leader Tak Bu-yong.
"Some Zhongli kin escaped the calamity."
He turned to Han Ibi.
"Isn't that right, Young Master Zhongli?"
All gazes flooded Han Ibi.
Caught off guard, he quickly composed himself.
"Greetings. Jong Ri-mae of Qingcheng Sect."
Murmurs swelled.
A minor sect leader spoke.
"Qingcheng's Jong Ri-mae... the one named Azure Dragon of the Murim Alliance's Little Five Dragons...?"
"Yes. That's me."
Han Ibi glanced skyward with a dramatic sigh, then said.
"But to what end... I, the worthless scion who couldn't shield my house from calamity. Ah..."
He tensed his arms till his body quivered.
"...This grudge... I shall... avenge it... no matter what."
He'd ceased blinking earlier, bloodshot eyes lending gravitas.
The hall fell deathly solemn amid his resolute vow.
(To be continued)