Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Translator: Penny
Chapter 64
Asura Radiant King (3)
The next day, the Heavenly Net Society's Wuhan Branch provided information on the man who had guarded Sama Cheon.
The man's name was Jo Byeok.
Originally a skilled ronin, he had caught Sama Cheon's eye and been appointed as his right-hand man, serving him loyally for many years.
The records showed that Jo Byeok had been implicated in numerous illegal activities, including assassinations, but had always escaped prosecution thanks to the Heavenly Blade Gate's protection.
This confirmed the long-standing close ties between Sama Cheon and the Heavenly Blade Gate.
Among the various miscellaneous details, one piece of information stood out:
Since his ronin days, Jo Byeok had been followed by three swordsmen who clung to him like shadows. They were known as the Three Shadows.
It seemed likely that if Jo Byeok intended to handle this matter himself, he would undoubtedly summon them.
I commissioned the Heavenly Net Society to investigate the Three Shadows again. I didn't need details about their skills or past; I only wanted to know their current location and recent movements.
I urged them to provide the information as quickly as possible. To expedite the process beyond the standard timeframe, I offered to double the payment.
But I didn't hesitate to spend the money. This concerned Baek Pyo, and I wouldn't regret spending every last tael if it meant helping him.
This matter required careful handling.
Sama Cheon was a central figure in the Martial Arts Alliance. Getting entangled with them so early would be disastrous.
Today, Baek Pyo greeted me warmly as usual.
"You're back again?"
"Didn't I promise to make you rich?"
"Haha. I might have to open a branch in the marketplace."
This incident, and my future plans, reinforced the need to cultivate a closer relationship with Baek Pyo.
I revealed everything about myself to him: that I was the heir to the Byeok Clan Sword School of Shandong Province, currently traveling the Martial Arts World to broaden my horizons.
This was a strategic move, laying the groundwork for the future in case I ever brought him to Shandong. Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship. Starting with deception would leave an indelible stain of unease, no matter how well I later explained myself.
This incident not only saved him from danger but also served as a crucial opportunity for him and Byeok Ridan to forge a close bond.
"Young Master Byeok, you're at the prime of your youth," Baek Pyo said, his voice tinged with envy.
"Innkeeper, aren't you still young yourself?"
"Ha ha, my youth has long since passed."
"I believe the spirit matters more than age."
"Perhaps you're right."
"It must seem presumptuous of me, being so young, to speak so freely about age."
"Not at all, Young Master Byeok. You possess a maturity beyond your years."
"So you're saying I look old?"
Baek Pyo waved his hands in flustered denial.
"That's not what I meant! It's just... you have a certain... unique presence."
Of course I do, I thought. How could I not, when I'm looking at you with such longing? Baek Pyo! I desperately suppressed the urge to shout his name, run to him, and embrace him.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Absolutely."
"Then let's celebrate with a drink! Pour me some wine!"
That evening, several guests arrived at the inn. I carefully scrutinized each one for any signs of danger, but they all appeared to be ordinary patrons.
As usual, I drank late into the night before returning to my room at the inn.
The next day, I received information about the Three Shadows through the Heavenly Net Society.
They were on their way to Wuhan.
My suspicions had been confirmed. Their sudden arrival from distant regions could only mean Jo Byeok had taken charge of this matter.
The Three Shadows had even darker reputations than Jo Byeok himself. This was only natural, as they were likely the ones who carried out his dirty work.
Rage surged within me toward Sama Cheon and Jo Byeok.
They'd stoop to hiring such filth to handle this?
But I quickly regained my composure.
The Martial Arts World was overflowing with scum. What mattered now wasn't anger, but ensuring a clean resolution for Baek Pyo.
The estimated time for their arrival in Wuhan was five days—a period that felt both long and short. I had to resolve this matter within that window.
If we fail to prevent them from reaching this place, we'll ultimately have to eliminate them all. Eliminating them wouldn't be difficult, but the problem is that Baek Pyo would likely take the blame.
After leaving the Heavenly Net Society branch, I wandered through the marketplace, lost in thought.
In my past life, whenever I faced a dilemma, walking like this often led to a breakthrough, resolving the issue.
How much easier would this be if Gal Saryang were here?
I recalled a conversation we once had:
"How are you so clever?"
"Your praise is excessive."
"There's no need to be so modest."
"The more complex and difficult the problem, the simpler the solution often is."
"Do you realize how much that remark mocks people like us? The simple solution you see so clearly remains utterly invisible to us."
What if the solution to this problem was simpler than I thought?
The problem was that Sama Cheon wanted the Asura Radiant King Sword. He suspected Baek Pyo had it, and Baek Pyo did indeed possess it.
The solution? Simply convince Sama Cheon that Baek Pyo didn't have the sword.
But how?
That wasn't the only problem. Even if we managed to resolve this situation, Sama Cheon would still suspect Gal Saryang. The Asura Radiant King Sword was too precious for him to simply give up.
Then, an idea struck me.
What if we made him believe the sword had vanished entirely? What if it became known that I, the former Alliance Leader, had destroyed it before my death?
I stood on the road for a long time, lost in thought.
How long had I been there?
I began to move again, my steps now firm and purposeful, no longer hesitant with worry.
Ban Seojeong, Society Head of the Heavenly Net Society, silently gazed down at the tea before her.
She sat in the Bulu Teahouse, the very place where Byeok Ridan had come to find Gal Saryang.
"Troubled by something?"
An elderly woman emerged from the kitchen, her apron still tied. This was Feng Laoda, Ban Seojeong's personal bodyguard and an elder of the Heavenly Net Society.
Having cared for Ban Seojeong since childhood, Feng Laoda's relationship with her was more akin to that of a grandmother and granddaughter than Society Head and elder. She could read Ban Seojeong's thoughts with a single glance.
"The Martial Arts Alliance has summoned me."
"Ma Bonggi? What does that ugly old man want?" Feng Laoda knew Ma Bonggi well and harbored a deep dislike for him, especially due to his scandalous past.
"It wasn't Ma Bonggi who contacted us, but Sama Cheon. It seems they've also sent separate messages to Ghost Eye Valley and the Myriad Connections Society."
"Are they planning to summon us one by one and 'tame' us?"
"That seems to be the case."
"How audacious! The Alliance Leader and Strategist, birds of a feather flocking together. I truly worry about the future of the Martial Arts World!" Feng Laoda clicked her tongue, her expression sour.
The Heavenly Net Society, along with Ghost Eye Valley and the Myriad Connections Society, comprised the Three Great Information Organizations of the Martial Arts World. In other words, they were among the most powerful organizations that controlled the flow of information in the Martial Arts World.
During Cheon Hajin's era, they never issued such unilateral summons to join the Martial Arts Alliance.
After years of close ties with the Pavilion of Righteous Intent, they naturally met with the Chief Strategist. The entire process was conducted with utmost courtesy and respect.
Compared to that, this unilateral notification was utterly disrespectful.
Ban Seojeong's gaze drifted down to the half-filled teacup, a flicker of longing crossing her eyes.
"Have you heard any news about him?"
Ban Seojeong lifted her head, her expression questioning who Feng Laoda meant. But she already knew who Feng Laoda was referring to, and a slight unease flickered across her face.
Feng Laoda feigned ignorance. "I'm talking about the former Chief Strategist."
"I heard he was demoted to a regular strategist," Ban Seojeong replied, her tone suggesting that was all she knew. But she knew far more. She knew he was being harassed by Sama Cheon, and even that Sama Cheon was searching for the Asura Radiant King Sword. She was deeply involved with the Pavilion of Righteous Intent and the Heavenly Net Society Wuhan Branch, keeping a close watch on the situation.
Lianhai remained alert, her senses sharpened.
"He... he'll endure. He's always been strong."
She had long sensed Gal Saryang's affection for her, and she didn't dislike it.
Yet Gal Saryang had never confessed his feelings. If he had, would things be different now? Perhaps, she thought.
Feng Laoda had noticed the mutual attraction between the two.
These frustrating fools!
But she couldn't interfere in the romantic affairs of grown adults.
Just then, a subordinate entered disguised as a customer.
As he ordered tea, he whispered, "You need to go to the branch immediately."
After waiting for about fifteen minutes at the Heavenly Net Society's Wuhan Branch, a new figure emerged from behind the drooping curtain.
I immediately recognized the newcomer.
It had to be the Society Head of the Heavenly Net Society.
"You've come to sell some exceptionally valuable information?"
The calm voice that came from behind me was subtly altered, yet I could still discern that it belonged to the Society Head.
However, she didn't recognize me. I was wearing a new Human Skin Mask and had even altered my voice.
"That is correct."
While information organizations primarily sold information, they also occasionally purchased it—though only when the information was exceptionally significant and valuable.
"And this information is a document left behind by the Former Alliance Leader?"
"Indeed. A document never before revealed to the public."
This was why she had personally appeared here.
I produced a single sheet of paper.
"This is a document left by Former Alliance Leader Cheon Hajin."
"How do you know it's Cheon Hajin's?"
"You should recognize his handwriting."
"Can you let us verify it?"
"Of course."
An elderly man entered the room.
I folded the paper, revealing only the first few lines.
The old man used a magnifying glass to compare the handwriting on my paper with that of a letter he had brought.
After examining it for a long while, he nodded toward the curtain, confirming that it was indeed Cheon Hajin's handwriting.
This was only natural, as I had written the document myself. I had even taken care to use aged paper and ink to make it appear as though it hadn't been written recently.
"I need to see the entire document to determine its value. Is that acceptable?"
"Very well. I trust the reputation of the Heavenly Net Society. Surely you wouldn't steal a client's information."
"There's no need to worry," I assured him, handing the paper to the old man. He took it and slipped it through the curtain.
Behind the curtain, I sensed the woman's startled reaction.
On the paper, I had written a few stories about martial arts—nothing particularly important. However, I included a subtle reference to the Soul-Chasing Asura Sword Technique, a technique known only to me, to ensure the message's authenticity.
The crucial part was this passage:
...I have failed to reach the Heart Sword Realm, the lifelong goal of my existence. Now, I intend to challenge this realm anew by destroying the Asura Radiant King Sword, my unique weapon and lifelong companion. I can only hope that this endeavor bears fruit. The reason I leave this record is that today marks a turning point in my martial arts journey...
I had written that I had destroyed the Asura Radiant King Sword.
I knew Gal Saryang had feelings for her. That's why I visited the Teahouse she ran last time.
I hoped for a deeper connection between them than I imagined. If that were the case, she would likely know that Gal Saryang was under suspicion because of the Asura Radiant King Sword.
The Society Head of the Heavenly Net Society would certainly have access to such information. And someone with a personal interest would be even more certain to know.
If so, this information could save Gal Saryang from danger.
What if she leaked this information to Sama Cheon?
The Society Head would handle the details of how and where the information was discovered. Once the Heavenly Net Society possessed it, it became their intelligence.
Even if she didn't act as I hoped, it wouldn't matter.
I planned to wait a day or two before personally leaking this information to Sama Cheon, specifically that sword-related intelligence had reached the Heavenly Net Society. This would force Sama Cheon to investigate the matter himself.
"How much will you pay for this information?"
The answer came swiftly, as if there were a fixed price.
"Ten Thousand Taels."
She didn't ask where I had obtained the information. It was an unspoken rule among information traders.
Frankly, I had no desire to profit from her. In fact, I would have paid her to take it. But I couldn't afford to arouse suspicion.
"Fifteen Thousand Taels."
"The value of this information is Ten Thousand Taels."
I tried to raise the price several times, but each attempt was firmly rejected.
Finally, I relented with a resigned expression.
"Very well. I'll sell it for Ten Thousand Taels."
"Thank you for yielding."
A moment later, the man returned and handed me the money. Like transactions in the Black Market, this deal was conducted with untraceable small-denomination banknotes.
By then, the woman behind the curtain had vanished.
I had no idea what she would do with the information. My only hope was that it would reach Sama Cheon.
From Sama Cheon's perspective, receiving this information at this time might arouse suspicion.
However, since the note was written in the Alliance Leader's own hand, he would have no choice but to accept the fact that the Asura Radiant King Sword no longer existed in the world.
If that happened, Sama Cheon would abandon his pursuit of the sword, and Baek Pyo would finally be free from this ordeal.
There might be unforeseen flaws in my plan, and the outcome remained uncertain, but this was the best course of action I could devise. I could only pray that luck would be on my side.
Though the Heavenly Net's web was vast and sparse, I hoped it would miss nothing.