Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Translator: Penny
Chapter 19
The True Owner of the Elixir (2)
That afternoon, I arrived at the Qufu Branch of the Martial Arts Alliance.
Smaller branches like this typically maintained a staff of around fifty people, and I expected this one to be no different.
I had purchased expensive clothing and donned a Human Skin Mask, which I had acquired from a Martial Arts General Store that sold a variety of miscellaneous tools.
Despite the name, Human Skin Masks weren't actually made from human skin. While ancient versions might have used real skin, modern masks were simply crafted with exceptional precision and lifelike detail.
Few in the Martial Arts World knew as much about Human Skin Masks as I did.
During the war with the Heretics and Deviants, as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, I wore a mask almost daily for my own safety. It was a time when the enemy sent assassins multiple times a day.
Human Skin Masks typically came in four grades: low, medium, high, and supreme. Low-grade masks were easily noticeable, while medium-grade masks could only be distinguished by those with exceptionally keen eyes. High-grade masks were indistinguishable to anyone but mask experts, and supreme-grade masks were so meticulously crafted that even mask experts struggled to tell them apart—the type I usually wore.
I spent a considerable sum to purchase a high-grade mask.
One might be shocked to learn that a single mask cost a thousand taels, but masks have always been extraordinarily expensive.
In the Martial Arts World, the ability to change one's face held profound significance. If dismissed as a mere novelty, it might be worth a few taels. But when it meant saving one's life, its value became immeasurable.
Donning a high-grade mask, complete with matching attire and a voice-altering technique, I transformed into an entirely different person. This elaborate disguise was solely to deceive my target.
Part of me longed to drag him into a dark corner and beat him until he confessed everything, but a wiser and more decisive solution presented itself.
"Who are you here to see?" I asked the gatekeepers, making no attempt to conceal my true aura. To them, I must have appeared as a formidable martial artist.
"I've come to see the Branch Head."
The gatekeepers exchanged wary glances, unnerved by my audacious demeanor.
"Where shall I say you're from?"
"Tell them I'm from the Heavenly Blade Gate."
The gatekeeper martial artist visibly startled at the mention of the Heavenly Blade Gate. It was one of the Five Great Forces of the Central Plains, representing the five most powerful factions in the Martial Arts World of that era.
These were the five clans and sects that would have undoubtedly plunged the Central Plains into chaos in their struggle for hegemony, had I not been there. Their immense power was undeniable.
I had suppressed them entirely through my own martial prowess. Knowing they would be crushed by my hand the moment they dared to act, they remained cautiously restrained.
"May I ask who from the Heavenly Blade Gate I should announce?"
"Would you even recognize the name? Take me to the Branch Head immediately."
"P-please wait just a moment."
One of the gatekeepers hastily darted inside.
I knew the inner workings of the Five Great Forces of the Central Plains like the back of my hand.
Among them, the Heavenly Blade Gate was the one I knew best and found easiest to infiltrate.
The reason was simple: Sect Leader Ma Bonggi had a complicated personal life, particularly with women. He had over ten wives and dozens of children—so many that even he reportedly struggled to keep track of them all. As the saying goes, blood runs true, and Ma Bonggi's brothers were no different. It was truly a chaotic household.
Whether one knew these internal affairs or not, the Heavenly Blade Gate's name carried undeniable weight. The gatekeepers' sudden alertness made that abundantly clear.
Shortly after, I was escorted to the Branch Head's office.
Their discipline is utterly shambolic.
My expensive clothes and the mere mention of my affiliation with the Heavenly Blade Gate were enough to bypass proper identification. Had I been an assassin sent to kill the Branch Head, he would have been dead without a doubt.
Even for a small branch far from Headquarters, this negligence was a clear violation of the Alliance Decree and warranted severe punishment.
The Branch Head's name was Gong Jong, the very man Gwangdu had earlier referred to as "Great Hero Gong." With his impressive bearing and dignified appearance, he certainly looked the part of a Great Hero.
"Welcome! You've come from the Heavenly Blade Gate?"
"That's right."
"May I inquire as to Your Honorable Name?"
"I am Ma Yeongchung. The current Sect Leader is my uncle."
Gong Jong bowed his head involuntarily. "Your Honorable Name is well-known. It is an honor to finally meet you."
It was likely just polite flattery, but knowing the truth, it sounded absurd.
Ma Yeongchung was a real person, but he lived in seclusion within his clan, so little was known about him outside. What could Branch Head Gong possibly have heard about him?
"Please, have a seat here," Gong Jong said, guiding me to the seat of honor.
I walked over and sat down as if it were natural, but inwardly I felt nothing but contempt.
No matter how powerful the other party was, Gong Jong was still the Branch Head of the Martial Arts Alliance. Moreover, Ma Yeongchung wasn't even the legitimate heir. If this was his reaction to that, I wondered if Gong Jong would have bowed in worship had a direct descendant of the Heavenly Blade Gate arrived.
Perhaps it was my preconceived notion that he might be in league with Gwak Dosu, but several aspects of his behavior rubbed me the wrong way.
I forced myself to suppress my discomfort. Harboring unwarranted prejudices would cloud my judgment.
We exchanged a few stories. I subtly hinted at the inner workings of the Heavenly Blade Gate, information only the Martial Arts Alliance Leader would know. From Gong Jong's perspective, it would seem like details Ma Yeongchung would naturally be aware of.
Gong Jong asked about some of the rumors he'd heard regarding the Heavenly Blade Gate. Naturally, I knew them all. In fact, when I corrected a few of his misconceptions, he finally seemed to trust me.
Soon, I got to the point.
"I stopped by because I have something urgent to tell you."
"Please, speak freely."
"My family has been pursuing a man."
"Who is it?"
"Gwak Dosu."
The moment I mentioned Gwak Dosu's name, I saw a slight flicker of disturbance in Gong Jong's eyes. It was clearly more than mere surprise at an unexpected name.
"Why are you looking for Gwak Dosu?"
"Do you know who he is?"
"Of course. He's a notorious criminal wanted for countless atrocities, with a hefty bounty on his head."
"That's him. My investigation suggests he took hostages here. I heard you acted as the mediator."
"That incident did occur some time ago."
"What kind of idiot gets taken hostage by a guy like that?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm talking about the one who was held hostage."
"Oh, that's Byeok Ridan, the heir to the Byeok Clan Sword School."
"Sounds like a fool."
Gong Jong offered a sympathetic smile, as if reluctant to say it himself.
"The information I received suggests you two were seen together."
At this, Gong Jong lowered his voice.
"Sometimes, life forces you to drink with fools, doesn't it?"
"Indeed. Hahaha!"
Gong Jong laughed along, clearly pleased that his joke had landed. The atmosphere relaxed noticeably.
"By the way, Great Hero Ma, why are you looking for Gwak Dosu?"
The term "Great Hero" slipped out naturally, and I casually lowered my tone, casting out bait to hook him.
"That bastard committed a grave crime against Our Sect. All our warriors are currently mobilized to hunt him down."
That's when I caught his second reaction. Gong Jong's face stiffened slightly, and his eyes flickered betrayingly, clearly struggling to suppress his panic.
This reaction confirmed my suspicions: Gong Jong and Gwak Dosu were connected in some way.
If Gong Jong had conspired with Gwak Dosu and drawn Byeok Ridan into this, he would deserve the death penalty without any room for defense. For a Branch Head of the Martial Arts Alliance to associate with a notorious criminal was a crime punishable by death alone.
"What exactly did this man do?"
"That's an internal matter I can't disclose. However, this is a highly significant case that has even drawn the attention of the elders in the Main Family. You can tell how urgent it is by the fact that I rushed here without even completing my cultivation."
He preemptively addressed any suspicion about his lack of training.
"Of course."
"Now that Our Sect has taken action, it's only a matter of time before he's apprehended. Let me be frank, Branch Head Gong: I want to capture him myself before anyone else from the Main Family does. This is my chance to prove my abilities surpass those of the other heirs."
Gong Jong swallowed hard, his mind no doubt racing with possibilities.
This was the perfect moment to cast the most potent bait.
"Wouldn't you like to advance to the Center as well?"
Gong Jong's eyes snapped open at the mention of "the Center." I knew that many regional officers in the Martial Arts Alliance dreamed of transferring to the Alliance Headquarters.
Advancement to the Center.
And with the backing of the Heavenly Blade Gate?
"If you uncover Gwak Dosu's whereabouts this time, I'll arrange for your transfer to Headquarters."
Gong Jong's pupils trembled.
"Are you serious?"
"I need trustworthy people at Headquarters too. I swear this in the name of the Heavenly Blade Gate."
To leave no room for doubt, I rose from my seat. In situations like this, lingering would only invite suspicion. Retreating now would paradoxically tighten the pressure.
"I'll await your contact. But you must find out as quickly as possible. The window of opportunity for you is narrow."
This was his final test.
If he discovered the truth "as quickly as possible," he would be forced to confess his sins "as quickly as possible."
The outcome was exactly as I'd anticipated. Two days later, Gong Jong arrived at the inn where I was waiting.
"I risked everything to find him," he declared.
He found his whereabouts in just two days? I wondered. Even if Gal Saryang had mobilized the full force of the Martial Arts Alliance under his command, how could he possibly have done it so quickly?
If I asked him why they hadn't apprehended this heinous criminal sooner, given his supposed efficiency, what explanation could he possibly offer?
But the truth was that Gong Jong, blinded by ambition, was openly aligning himself with Gwak Dosu. He likely already knew Gwak Dosu's location and had spent the past two days verifying my authenticity.
Yet there was no way he could have exposed me as a fake Ma Yeongchung in just two days. He must have merely confirmed a few of the details I'd shared.
Even that alone would have been enough to deceive him. The information I had leaked was on par with Alliance Leader-level intelligence.
"Where is he now?" I asked.
"He's in Jinan."
Jinan! Fortunately, that was exactly where the Black Market's Jinan Branch was located. Gwak Dosu had been hiding in a large, crowded city.
"Where in Jinan?"
"I don't know the exact location."
My expression hardened instantly. "Are you toying with me? Do you expect me to search all of Jinan myself?"
He spoke hastily, "No, of course not! There's a way to find him. There's something he's absolutely obsessed with."
"What is it?" I asked.
"He's a gambler. He'd sell his own children for a stake. You'll likely find him if you search the gambling dens in Jinan."
"That's not exactly solid information," I said.
"It is. He's definitely in a gambling den. We suspect all the murders he committed were to raise gambling funds."
"Good. I'll trust your word."
"And look at this."
He produced a piece of paper bearing a detailed sketch of the man's face.
"He has a distinctive scar on his left cheek, making him easy to identify."
This was truly a blatant betrayal.
"If I capture him, I'll recommend you for the position of Deputy Head at the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters."
He added a realistic caveat:
"Of course, it will be a small-scale Dan."
Even so, for a Branch Head in this backwater region to be promoted to Deputy Head of Headquarters would be an unprecedented leap.
"From now on, I will serve you with unwavering loyalty," Gong Jong said, bowing deeply on the spot.
"This matter must remain strictly confidential."
"Of course."
"And what's the bounty on that bastard's head?"
"Five Thousand Taels."
"Twenty Thousand Taels? That's quite a sum."
I deliberately inflated the figure by Fifteen Thousand Taels.
At first, he seemed to think he'd misheard me.
"Not Twenty Thousand Taels..."
But seeing my stern expression, he quickly corrected himself.
"That's right. Twenty Thousand Taels it is."
Having accepted many bribes himself, he immediately understood my unspoken implication: to advance to the Center, he'd have to pay that price.
He probably had amassed that much wealth through his illicit dealings. It was the Five Thousand Taels he had extorted from his father, now doubled with interest to Ten Thousand Taels.
"How would you like the payment delivered? We could send it to the battlefield..."
"In small, untraceable bills."
"Understood."
"And come to Jinan yourself with the money in three days. I plan to return to Our Sect immediately after you hand over that worthless wretch's head. Shouldn't we expedite matters?"
"Yes, let's do that."
They arranged the meeting point near the Black Market.
If everything went smoothly, they could reach the Black Market by the agreed-upon deadline.
As I stood to leave, the man cautioned me, "Be careful. He's truly vicious."
A man driven mad by gambling who slaughtered an entire innocent family—that's viciousness incarnate. And you're the one who profited by aligning with such a monster. I wonder what becomes of two such vile creatures.
"See you in three days."