Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Three Techniques
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"Well, it's a legend, you see. Old tales tend to get exaggerated and built up over time like that."
Only then did Han Ibi finally understand why so many martial artists in Dream of the Ant Snake had coveted the 'Zhongli Formless Art'.
At that moment, Maeng Gap-son spoke up.
"Now, the reason I've gone on about this at such length is because there's a good reason for it."
Han Ibi felt a bad premonition creeping in.
"What... would that be?"
"According to our intelligence network... all of this seems far from unrelated to the Heavenly Star Palace. A long tail gets stepped on eventually, after all."
Han Ibi said,
"Actually, I've heard similar stories from the Beggars' Sect."
Maeng Gap-son gave him a look of approval.
"Oh ho. So the sharp-eyed Beggars' Sect Leader was already moving on it separately. Hmm? But hold on. You're already exchanging information with the Beggars' Sect?"
"Come on. Aren't you my partner, Great Hero Seon Mu-jae?"
"Ah, right, now that you mention it. Even so..."
"Anyway, what is this 'me' you're talking to at such length?"
"I need you to handle a job for me."
It seemed his premonition had been spot on.
"What kind of... job?"
"It might be a bit tiring."
"Just tiring?"
"It could also be... dangerous."
"Stop beating around the bush and just tell me."
Then, Prince Ye Seong-wang, who had been watching with a smile until now, spoke up.
"It's simple. Infiltrate the Heavenly Star Palace."
Han Ibi reacted with shock, as if he'd leap out of his seat.
"Pardon?"
This time, Zhuge Yu-hyeon spoke.
"It's been nearly half a year since we lost contact with our agent who infiltrated the Heavenly Star Palace. We'd like you to become the new spy and take charge there."
Prince Ye Seong-wang added,
"Truth be told, I witnessed you using a demonic art. Back at the Qingcheng Sect that day. I've been keeping an eye on you ever since. Your visit there was actually to scout suitable young experts whose faces and names aren't widely known."
'Ah, the demonic art—he means the Crimson Dream Technique. Damn... That's why Maeng Gap-son didn't bat an eye when he saw me.'
Prince Ye Seong-wang continued,
"The Heavenly Star Palace's Jade Throne Sovereign is a highly suspicious man. It's hard to slip past his notice with ordinary means. So we need someone truly exotic—not just a disguise technique."
'In other words, they need a Murim Alliance member who can wield demonic arts.'
Han Ibi said,
"But Your Highness, how do you know so much about all this?"
Prince Ye Seong-wang's expression darkened slightly.
Han Ibi worried he might have asked something wrong.
Then the prince spoke again.
"I was the one who first sent a spy to the Heavenly Star Palace. He was a heroic turncoat who surrendered to me during the Western Rong subjugation campaign, and also my sworn brother."
'Ah... haha. Your Highness. Playing the hero is fine and all, but... striking up sworn brotherhood between royalty and a commoner really muddies the family tree...'
"This was before the imperial family allied with the Murim Alliance. I judged the Heavenly Star Palace a threat to the throne and sent my most trusted subordinate. We'd received intelligence they were aiming for the imperial authority."
Han Ibi asked,
"Did that man know some demonic arts too?"
"Not quite demonic arts, but... he stood out in appearance. He was a man of the Xi Rong hue."
Han Ibi turned to Maeng Gap-son as if something had just occurred to him.
"Hold on, Branch Leader Maeng."
"Hmm? Why'd you switch back to 'Branch Leader'?"
"Didn't you say you didn't like 'Division Leader'? Should I change it again?"
"Nah, it's fine."
"You knew everything, so why did the Murim Alliance order my arrest?"
Maeng Gap-son grinned.
"Why? Feeling slighted?"
"Of course I am! And you personally... personally..."
"Right. I saw you turn into a demon. That's why I agreed with His Highness. You looked like a real bad guy."
"And if I were a real bad guy?"
"Then we kill you later. No big deal."
"How convenient."
Then Maeng Gap-son grew somewhat serious.
"We can't interfere with the Inspection Unit's investigation, no matter who we are—even the Alliance Leader. That's their operating principle. So we just waited for the natural course. Besides..."
"What else happened?"
"Someone tipped us off that you were a Demonic Cult member."
Han Ibi ground his teeth.
"I knew it. Baek Mi-hu... Didn't realize she was such a blabbermouth."
"Baek Mi-hu? You mean my cute junior from Emei Sect?"
Oh right.
Maeng was from Emei...
"No?"
"Far from it."
"Then who?"
"Who do you think?"
Han Ibi thought for a moment, then it hit him.
"Ah! No way..."
"Bingo."
"Damn. So he's awake."
"Yeah. Heo Son-dam has opened his eyes."
"Hmm..."
"He hasn't gotten out of bed yet, though."
"Still, that could be a nuisance."
"Hmph. He doesn't even know I was in that cave anyway."
"What will you do?"
"It'll take time for him to fully recover... but I'm letting him run loose for now. Need to see who his backers are."
"Fair enough."
"But why'd you ask the Alliance Leader for time?"
"What do you mean?"
"Just accept if you're accepting. Why delay?"
"Ah, that? I've got some unfinished business."
"Business?"
"Yes. Very important. I need to pay a visit to the Jeomchang Sect."
Maeng Gap-son's eyes lit up.
"You don't mean..."
"Exactly what you're thinking. The Qingcheng Sect will rejoin the Nine Great Sects. Just give it a little time."
Of course, the system prompted it too.
The quest was still hanging in my status window... Felt wrong to bail midway.
Maeng Gap-son chuckled.
"Handle it neatly. Can't have you tangled in drama before the mission."
"That's the plan."
"Good. Then..."
Maeng Gap-son stared straight at Han Ibi.
"Before you go, we need some training. You and me."
"Training?"
"Yes."
"Ah... I think we've done plenty already."
"You won't regret it. It'll be invaluable for spy work."
"What's that?"
"I'm going to teach you three techniques in total."
Han Ibi raised an eyebrow.
"Not one, but three?"
"Don't like it? Then forget it."
Han Ibi mulled it over briefly.
A bit of a hassle, but learning is always better than not.
Han Ibi said,
"Alright. Mind telling me what they are?"
"Of course. The first is..."
Han Ibi was startled.
Shockingly, Maeng Gap-son was speaking in the voice of an elderly woman.
"Gasp... Th-this is..."
"...Voice Mimicry Technique. I've shown it once before, right?"
Now it was a boy's voice.
Truly ghostly.
Han Ibi said,
"Wow. That's impressive."
"Master the knack, and you can do it too."
"Kids would love it especially."
"Cut the nonsense."
"Suit yourself. What's next?"
"Next is the Disguise Technique."
"Just disguise arts?"
"Not ordinary ones. Tailored for Murim Alliance spy training."
"Still disguise arts. And last?"
"The Immovable Wisdom King Step."
"Immovable Wisdom King Step?"
"Yes. A lightness skill."
"Feels like it carries a Buddhist aura."
"Spot on. It's passed down in Emei Sect, and similar ones in Shaolin too. With slight variations."
"But why teach me Emei lightness skill..."
"My lightness skill is the best under heaven."
Pfft. Didn't seem that way.
"Among them, the one I rate highest is the Immovable Wisdom King Step."
"So in other words..."
Han Ibi and Maeng Gap-son's eyes met.
"...if things go south, run without hesitation."
"You catch on quick. Makes it easy."
"Oppa. You can't do this."
A coquettish girl's voice.
Han Ibi muttered to himself and giggled alone.
'Whoa, this is insane. Internal energy's capabilities are beyond imagination. Changing the shape of my vocal cords to alter my voice like this.'
Indeed.
Han Ibi was testing the Voice Mimicry Technique while walking down the road.
He decided to check his status window for the first time in a while.
Internal Arts: Zhongli Pure Heart Method (Lv. 10), Kaesan Stream Flow Art (Lv. 10), Crimson Dream Technique (Lv. 6)
External Arts: Dark Ghost Art (Lv. 7)
Forms: Zhongli Pure Swordsmanship (Lv. 9), Light Slice Sword (Lv. 8), Demon Illusion Blade (Lv. 8), Fierce Tiger Palm Technique (Lv. 7), No-Fence Swordsmanship (Lv. 3)
Lightness Skills: Zhongli Swift Leopard Step (Lv. 10), Eight Trigrams Step (Lv. 7), Immovable Wisdom King Step (Lv. 3)
Other Martial Arts: Service Mastery (Lv. 3), Culinary Skill (Lv. 5), Eagle's Eye Technique (Lv. 8), Flying Knife Technique (Lv. 7), Voice Mimicry Technique (No Level), Murim Alliance Disguise (No Level)
Subordinate Structure (Rare Skill): Phantom Voice Technique (No Level)
Thanks to Maeng Gap-son, three new skills had been added.
The list was now so long it didn't fit on one screen.
'When reading novels, I'd comment that authors get paid for padding, but seeing it on my own status feels great.'
And moreover...
'Oh! Already past Level 50. All that fighting paid off... And now I'm a High-Grade Warrior!'
Han Ibi whistled a tune and activated the Immovable Wisdom King Step lightness skill.
He regulated his breathing, then unleashed it.
Whoosh.
Was the wind blowing, or was he summoning it?
His body shot forward at incredible speed...
Yet astonishingly, his feet barely seemed to move.
This was the power of the Immovable Wisdom King Step!
Testing it out, Han Ibi raced toward the Qingcheng Sect like a shooting star.
Finally, the foothills of Qingcheng Mountain.
Han Ibi released the technique and began strolling leisurely.
"Oh! Isn't that Junior Uncle Jong Ri-mae? You're back."
"How was the Murim Alliance?"
Leaving the now-respectful Qingcheng disciples behind...
He headed straight to the Sect Leader's quarters where Bok Yeon-hwa was.
"Is the Sect Leader in? Jong Ri-mae has returned."
A presence stirred from within.
"Yes. Come in."
Han Ibi offered his return salute.
"Greetings, Sect Leader. I hope you've been well."
Bok Yeon-hwa nodded and gestured for him to sit.
Han Ibi sat and spoke.
"Sect Leader Bok. The Wudang Sect Leader..."
Bok Yeon-hwa cut him off with a blank expression.
"I've already heard everything. No need to repeat."
Ha... Rumors travel a thousand li without legs, huh.
Everyone postured as martial world luminaries, but none could match their gossip game.
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"The marriage with Tak Bu-yong was as good as broken anyway. Nothing changes."
Her face looked troubled.
Likely reminded of Song Myeong-cheon and Gu Gab-hwi.
Han Ibi waited silently for her to compose herself.
Finally, he spoke.
"The Murim Alliance Leader election has been postponed indefinitely. Also..."
Han Ibi met Bok Yeon-hwa's eyes directly.
"...our Qingcheng Sect has formally challenged the Jeomchang Sect."
"I've confirmed that too."
Gasp.
Rumors spread so fast, reports were pointless.
Though he had detoured to the Alliance...
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"In one month."
Han Ibi raised one eyebrow.
"What's that?"
"The date we agreed with Jeomchang Sect."
"Pardon?"
"We head to Jeomchang Sect."
"To Jeomchang Sect?"
"The challengers visit as per custom."
"That's not what I meant."
"No time to waste with preparation shortages—not a single moment!"
(To be continued in the next chapter)