Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Translator: Penny
Chapter 66
You Don't Know (1)
After confirming that the Three Shadows had entered the brothel, I immediately set to work.
Jo Byeok had been so startled by the incident a few days prior that he'd given them a large sum of money. For the time being, nothing would happen.
This was a precious opportunity for me to devise a plan to eliminate them.
To eliminate both the Three Shadows and Jo Byeok, the most crucial element was this:
The Culprit.
Who would I have kill them?
In truth, the Three Shadows were of little concern. They were merely Jo Byeok's hired swordsmen, and no one would care if they died. The only person who might care would be dead alongside them.
The real problem was Jo Byeok.
If Jo Byeok died, Sama Cheon would investigate who killed him.
At that moment, someone capable of killing him had to be present—and they had to be a villain. Otherwise, Sama Cheon might seek revenge.
Of course, the Sama Cheon I knew was not one to seek revenge. Would he shed even a single tear if Jo Byeok died? I didn't think so. To Sama Cheon, Jo Byeok was merely a disposable pawn.
I commissioned the Heavenly Net Society's Wuhan Branch to conduct a more thorough investigation into Jo Byeok, requesting far more detailed information than the previous inquiry. I demanded every trivial detail, with particular emphasis on his financial affairs.
The man had casually handed over hundreds of taels in banknotes to the Three Shadows. If this mission had been canceled, that money couldn't have come from Sama Cheon.
Where did all that money come from?
Did he retrieve savings from the Financial House on the battlefield and hand it over? Impossible.
He demanded information via Ultra-priority Delivery, which cost three times the standard rate. More than half of the Ten Thousand Taels earned from selling the Alliance Leader's writings went right back to the Heavenly Net Society. As information flowed back and forth, the same money circulated repeatedly.
I didn't begrudge the expense. I considered it farewell money tossed to those I sent to the afterlife.
Throughout this process, I wore the Human Skin Mask. From now on, I planned to wear it at all times, except when visiting Pung Tavern or returning to the inn to sleep.
Leaving the Heavenly Net Society's Wuhan Branch, I felt the urgent need for my own intelligence network.
I couldn't rely solely on buying information forever. While the Heavenly Net Society's strict confidentiality made it a reliable source, unforeseen variables always lurked in the world.
To expand my family's influence and pursue my own ambitions, an intelligence network was essential.
Having observed Gal Saryang manage the Pavilion of Righteous Intent up close, I knew firsthand how challenging such an undertaking would be.
Most intelligence networks relied heavily on spies. Of course, managers were needed to gather their intelligence and issue directives. The Pavilion of Righteous Intent's strategists filled this role.
Of course, the Pavilion of Righteous Intent didn't need its own military support team since it received assistance from other branches of the Martial Arts Alliance. But for us, having our own armed support was essential. We needed someone to rescue our spies if they were ever in danger behind enemy lines.
Training spies was far more challenging than training martial artists. Handling sensitive information required absolute secrecy, which meant demanding far greater loyalty.
Moreover, establishing branches across the entire Central Plains would require a massive amount of funding.
It still seemed like an overwhelming task.
"You're late today," Baek Pyo greeted me with his usual warmth.
"I was busy handling various matters."
"Being busy is a good thing."
"Is it? I prefer being idle. I'd love to spend my days doing nothing but relaxing."
"Hahaha. That's just proof you're still young."
I laughed along with Baek Pyo.
"So I sent word home and asked them to send someone. I was getting too bored playing alone."
The person I had requested was none other than Gwangdu.
Before coming here, I had left the Heavenly Net Society's Wuhan Branch and stopped by the Yang Association's liaison office.
The liaison office was a place where trained Messenger Hawks and the Martial Artists who managed them resided. It was the same office I had established earlier to connect the Yang Association with my home in Shandong. Of course, to avoid public scrutiny, it couldn't be located within the family compound and had to be set up outside.
I sent an urgent message to Jeong Yeo, using the agreed-upon cipher. My request was twofold:
First, I asked him to send two trustworthy and skilled spies.
I needed spies who could serve as my hands and feet, not just for this current matter but for any future tasks that might arise.
Secondly, I sent word to my home in Shandong, requesting that Gwangdu and Gong Suchan be sent here.
Even after eliminating the four targets, it would be necessary to remain here for a while to observe how things unfolded. I also wanted to hear news from home and see Gwangdu again, which was why I summoned them.
I had a separate task for Gong Suchan.
I planned to establish a base in Wuhan. Creating something related to the Byeok Clan Sword School would attract attention, so I intended to have him set up a small Merchant Guild—both to earn money and serve as a liaison point.
While such an investment might be questionable elsewhere, Wuhan was home to the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters. Here, such an investment was well worth the risk.
Baek Pyo joked, "If more people come, I'll be able to earn even more money."
"And I'll have even more fun."
"Ha ha ha!"
I laughed heartily with Baek Pyo.
That's right. Even though tough times keep coming, we'll face them one by one with a smile.
At the same time, Ma Cheolgun entered the Alliance Leader's Hall.
As the fifth son of Ma Bonggi, he currently held the Interim Sect Leader Position of the Heavenly Blade Gate.
With his tall stature, handsome features, and an air of nobility, he possessed the perfect appearance for an heir of a prestigious clan. It was hard to believe he was in his forties.
Ma Bonggi sat on the Grand Seat, watching Ma Cheolgun approach him.
Ma Cheolgun stopped about ten paces from the Grand Seat—a somewhat distant greeting for a father and son reuniting after so long.
"Have you been well?"
"You've come?"
"You look to be in good health."
"You look well too."
"How does it feel to have risen to a position above ten thousand men?"
"Just more work."
The conversation flowed naturally, yet it felt strangely businesslike.
"I handled Jeongsu's funeral."
This was the true purpose of Ma Cheolgun's visit to Ma Bonggi today. Though they were half-brothers, they were still blood relatives.
"You did well."
"I informed all the other brothers, but... none of them came."
Ma Bonggi nodded silently.
"I heard the Night Merchants of Shandong and the Shandong Merchant Guild were involved in Jeongsu's death. Shouldn't we send someone? If we let this go, everyone will take Our Sect lightly."
"I've already sent someone."
"Who did you send?"
Ma Bonggi didn't answer, as if it were none of Ma Cheolgun's concern.
"You must be tired from your long journey. Get some rest."
Ma Cheolgun didn't press the matter.
"Yes, I'll take my leave now."
As Ma Cheolgun bowed respectfully and turned to leave, Ma Bonggi called out to him.
"Cheolgun."
"Yes?"
Ma Bonggi hesitated, about to voice something deep within him, but quickly swallowed the words.
"When do you plan to return?"
"Since I'm here, I thought I'd visit some people and take care of a few matters before heading back."
"I see."
Ma Cheolgun bowed again and retreated.
As Ma Bonggi watched his retreating figure, his eyes reflected a complex mix of emotions.
Sama Cheon entered the room.
Though he lacked the wisdom befitting a Chief Strategist, his ability to read people's hearts was uncanny. He could discern Ma Bonggi's mood from the slightest shift in his breathing.
"Shall we go to the Palace for a drink?"
"Let's."
Ma Bonggi rose from his seat.
The two men entered a secret door behind the Grand Seat, a passage reserved exclusively for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Descending the spiral staircase, they reached a vast underground chamber.
This had once been Cheon Hajin's secret training ground, but it had now been completely transformed.
Night-Shining Pearls were embedded throughout the chamber, illuminating lavish furniture and ornate decorations. The central bed was large enough for ten people to lie comfortably, adorned with vibrant floral bedding.
This was Ma Bonggi's Abang Palace.
Sama Cheon had renovated this place. Since his youth, he had brought countless women here as tributes. After becoming Chief Strategist, Sama Cheon's first act was to construct this palace.
A lavish banquet was quickly prepared.
"That brat is mocking me. He's been doing this since he was a child."
"Surely not, Your Excellency."
"Ingrate!"
Though he always catered to Ma Bonggi's moods better than anyone else, he never joined in the insults. He knew well that despite these outbursts, Ma Cheolgun remained Ma Bonggi's favorite son.
This excessive favoritism had bred countless misunderstandings and distortions. To an objective observer, most of their conflicts stemmed from trivial matters.
In truth, if Sama Cheon had actively intervened each time to clear up misunderstandings and soothe their hearts, the distance between the two men wouldn't have grown so vast.
But Sama Cheon chose not to. The more isolated Ma Bonggi felt, the more essential Sama Cheon's presence became.
The door swung open, and three slender beauties entered.
"At times like these, you should clear your mind and enjoy yourself," one of them said.
"You, you... come here!" Ma Bonggi gestured, seating two women who pleased his fancy on either side of him.
Watching Ma Bonggi, now flanked by his "wings" and wearing a smug smile, Sama Cheon beckoned the remaining woman to sit beside him.
With a satisfied grin, he raised his wine cup high, as if to say, One wing is all I need.
Outside the Alliance Leader's Hall, two men waited for Ma Cheolgun.
One was Mister Noh, Ma Cheolgun's strategist. A long-time companion and Ma Cheolgun's most trusted advisor.
The other man had been sent by Ma Bonggi.
Chilho had been dispatched to Ma Jeongsu, and this man was none other than Third Guard. Ma Cheolgun's personal guards were also waiting outside the hall, but Third Guard had managed to slip inside.
"Did you tell him?" Mister Noh asked cautiously.
Ma Cheolgun shook his head. "I couldn't."
"You must tell him before we leave," Mister Noh insisted.
Ma Cheolgun nodded.
The moonlight shone brightly, but his expression remained deeply troubled.
Before retiring for the night, I climbed the mountain behind the inn to practice my martial arts.
I started with physical conditioning. It had always been important, but now it was even more crucial.
The Immortal Crane Secret Art required the full use of my body, making foundational physical strength far more critical.
I still couldn't grasp the profound martial intent behind the Immortal Crane Secret Art. I was merely imitating the movements.
Yet even this imitation possessed extraordinary power.
After a vigorous session that engaged every muscle, I felt refreshed. I savored the novelty of this new martial art and the vitality that came with change.
Of course, this didn't mean I had any intention of replacing my unique martial arts with the Immortal Crane Secret Art.
My ultimate aspiration remained achieving the Heart Sword.
There were two reasons I practiced the Immortal Crane Secret Art. The first was practical: it offered tangible benefits.
Though the moment my sword might fall from my hand would be rare, there could come a time when I'd have to fight barehanded. In such a moment, the Immortal Crane Secret Art would save my life.
The second reason is the primary reason I'm learning the Immortal Crane Secret Art.
It stems directly from the realization I gained through my conversation with Chilho.
That day, Chilho had said that the Foremost Person Under Heaven wouldn't be bound by such constraints. They wouldn't be shackled by formalities. This was her response to my assertion that Sword Arts and Fist Arts were incompatible.
It was then that I realized I had been unknowingly bound by something. I had become like a stagnant river, unable to flow into the sea. I even began to suspect that I might have been living my entire life mistaking the river for the sea.
I believe that Hand-to-Hand Combat, like Fist Arts, is fundamentally incompatible with Sword Arts.
In fact, I thought it even more so, since it uses the entire body as a weapon. Instead of developing the lean muscles required for Sword Arts, one would need to build bulky, unnecessary muscles all over the body, which would inevitably hinder agility.
But I intend to prove her words true: that the Foremost Person Under Heaven would not be bound by such limitations.
I have a premonition that fusing these two Martial Arts will somehow aid me in reaching the Heart Sword Realm.
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pang!
My fist sliced through the air, my elbow slamming into an imaginary foe. Had it been real, their jaw would have shattered, sending them crashing to the ground.
Rolling across the floor, leaping up, charging with my knee, and then spinning into a kick—the Immortal Crane Secret Art flowed with absolute freedom.
The next day, I visited the Heavenly Net Society's branch to obtain information about Jo Byeok.
As revealed in my previous investigation, he had been involved in numerous incidents since his days as a ronin.
While searching for someone to frame for his crimes, I uncovered a shocking truth: every person connected to him through these incidents was already dead.
Some had died in accidents months or years later, others under mysterious circumstances, and still others by suicide. All of them were gone.
I realized then that he had unleashed the Three Shadows to eliminate them all, erasing every trace of his past that could potentially harm him.
The man was a devil.
In the financial records, the second area I had specifically requested information on, I discovered another startling revelation.
The man's spending habits were extravagant. For instance, when he drank at brothels, he always chose the most luxurious establishments and indulged with the most renowned courtesans.
This level of extravagance was beyond the means of even Sama Cheon's right-hand man.
There had to be a source of funds somewhere.
I had a hunch that uncovering this source could resolve this entire affair cleanly.
After all, where money is involved, plausible narratives always emerge.
As I left the Wuhan Branch and walked through the bustling marketplace, a cold wind suddenly swept through. The chill in the air signaled the end of autumn and the approaching winter.
"It's going to get cold soon," I muttered.
I longed to live as the King of the Underworld, but the Martial Arts World kept trying to turn me into an Asura.