Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Revenge (1)
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Lower Five Gates Hubei Branch. This branch, located in Hubei—a strategic hub even in the murim world—was on a scale incomparable to any of the others we'd seen before.
Given the Lower Five Gates' nature as neither righteous nor evil, straddling the line between the two, this place also served as a tense balance point between the Four Black Alliances and the Murim Alliance headquarters.
With security as tight as it was, safety here was guaranteed.
"Gather reliable members within the branch to protect her until I return. This is a direct order from the Gate Lord— it takes precedence over any other command, and not even a moment's lapse in vigilance will be tolerated. Keep that in mind."
"Your humble disciples obey the Gate Lord's command!"
Baek Eunhwa's gaze held no tremor. Her presence alone, conveyed through her eyes and voice, carried an imposing authority.
Even without martial prowess, the aura born from her position and demeanor was undoubtedly her greatest weapon.
Even I, who had faced down all manner of masters, felt my legs weaken under that stare.
"Now then, shall we discuss our next steps?"
Only after safely escorting the Alliance Leader's wife did we begin devising our proper plan.
In the branch's secret chamber, Baek Eunhwa unrolled a map of the surrounding area and pointed to a spot with her finger.
"This is where we are now. And this is the Murim Alliance headquarters."
"Closer than I thought."
"Indeed. But bringing a large force risks escalating into a clash between factions."
"No issue there. This was always meant to be settled between the Leader and me alone."
Both the Leader and I had debts to that Shadow Vice Leader bastard. Seeing it through just the two of us would be the cleanest way.
"In that case, I'll first lure the Vice Leader out of the Alliance. Hide nearby, and at the critical moment, capture or kill him."
"Got it. What's the Vice Leader's martial skill like?"
"He's cultivated advanced arts befitting his position, but nothing compared to yours. His escorts are the real threat, though—I'll handle them."
Perfect timing, since I was itching for a shot at his neck anyway.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Anything else I need to know?"
"This should suffice. The real challenge comes after dealing with him. Any plans?"
"Plans? I've got one."
The usual method.
"No way around a frontal assault, is there?"
Pa-bat!
The sound of a leap echoed over the quiet mountainside.
Under the night sky of early dawn, with a full moon hanging brightly, two shadows darted swiftly across the peaks.
"Impressive lightness skill."
Even as I pushed my pace, the Leader matched me effortlessly, bounding between summits with composure.
The gap in realms couldn't be bridged by mere experience, it seemed.
What took me two or three leaps, he covered in a single bound. An obvious outcome, really.
"You watch my tricks like some kid's show, yet your tongue wags freely."
"Haha, a misunderstanding. No one in the world has greater talent than you. I've simply lived a few more years."
The Leader's realm wasn't one reached merely by longevity. He was heaven-blessed in martial genius as well.
Not on the Alliance Leader's level, but a monster in his own right.
"If this goes well, the Alliance might acknowledge your merits. Ever thought of aiding them?"
"Are you from the Murim Alliance yourself?"
The Leader asked with genuine surprise.
"No. But with the Dragon Phoenix Tournament and my ties to the Alliance Leader..."
This incident started at his request, after all. Handle it right, and an alliance between the Four Black Alliances and the Murim Alliance might even be possible.
"If I were inclined to help, you'd be right. Especially since I was originally with the Murim Alliance."
"With the Shadow Party, then?"
"Yes. No family, no connections, no talent beyond swinging a sword—it was my only choice."
He gazed silently at the sky, as if reminiscing.
"One day, the Vice Leader came and asked if I'd do anything to save my ailing wife. I answered without hesitation. From then on, 'righteousness' ceased to exist for me."
He'd abandoned his identity as a righteous sect member, his pride, even the justice in his heart—all for her.
"Any regrets?"
"Not a shred of hesitation. Without it, I couldn't have saved her. But since that day, I've lived like a leaf clinging to a cliff's edge."
His tone was calm, but a tremor flickered in his eyes as he recalled the past. How had he endured starting at the bottom of the evil sects as an Alliance recruit, rising to lord over them all?
In a life where trust was impossible, protecting his wife alone must have been an unimaginable burden.
Having failed to protect anything in my own life, I couldn't presume to judge his.
"I'm neither righteous nor evil. Not even 'between' fits. Maybe that's why your will—beyond mere righteousness—stirs me."
"No desire to aid a righteous Alliance, then. Fair enough—staying hands-off might suit a life of protection."
Considering how the Lower Five Gates suffered in my past life, it was wise. Once entangled in righteous affairs, retreat becomes impossible.
"But if you truly wish it, rein in the Blood Curtain and Green Forest holdouts. Why do you think the Alliance leaves the Four Black Alliances be?"
"Light needs darkness to hold meaning, doesn't it?"
The Alliance Leader alone could annihilate the Four Black Alliances if he willed it. But to the common folk, the Alliance was both terror and aspiration.
Without evil sects like ours, terror would overshadow aspiration.
In the end, they'd be toys under the banner of righteousness.
"True. But if the light grows too bright, darkness fades. If you don't want to bid the world farewell on his blade, start holding back now."
We might be ignored now, but victory over the Demonic Cult could bring a purge backed by unprecedented public support.
Caution in uncertain times is the key to longevity. No harm in it.
"Understood. I'll keep it in mind."
He seemed to get it, so no worries there.
"We're almost there."
In the distance, buildings sprawled across a vast area, rivaling a city in scope.
Murim Alliance. The force representing the murim world—anyone you ask knows the name.
Its headquarters wasn't some minor sect's den but a fortress teeming with thousands of warriors.
Any non-righteous fighter would balk at even approaching that impregnable bastion.
"This should do."
The Leader pulled a folded paper from his bosom and flicked his wrist, sending it high into the sky.
Moonlight glinted off it as the knot unraveled, scattering hidden powder on the wind.
"What is that?"
"A variant of Thousand-Li Tracking Scent. Trained hounds pick up the smell and alert their master—undetectable to others."
Fitting ploy from that rat of a Vice Leader.
"Then I'll make myself scarce."
"One moment—take these."
In his hand were six or seven roots of fleeceflower, prime spirit herbs by size and shape.
"Fleeceflower grown over a century in the earth. Won't boost your inner power much at your level, but useful for quelling chill in a pinch."
He'd noticed that much.
Fleeceflower bolstered yang energy, ideal for excess yin. Likely gathered for his wife.
"Thanks. I'll put them to good use."
A century's worth wasn't potent, but it'd prevent another yin freeze in emergencies.
Exactly what I needed now.
"Good luck, then."
I hid behind a boulder, watching the Leader. Soon, two figures approached him from afar.
The Vice Leader and his guard, no doubt.
"It's been a while."
"So, mission accomplished?"
The Vice Leader smirked at the Leader's deferential bow and formal speech, savoring his helplessness.
That vile hobby hadn't changed.
"Yes, sir. As ordered, I deployed men and stole intel on Heavenly Mechanism Hall heading to Chang'an."
The Leader bowed deeply in report.
"Smooth as ever. That's why I value you. I put some gutter rat on the throne of evil sects—you owe me at least this much."
Fishy stench clung to the Vice Leader's booming laugh.
I wanted to smash that rat face right then. How did the Leader endure serving scum like him?
Truly a man of iron will.
I'd have drawn my sword within three days.
"But that look in your eyes—full of resentment?"
Locking eyes, the Vice Leader narrowed his beady gaze, starting a battle of auras.
Petty and obsessed with appearances, he couldn't tolerate even a hint of defiance.
Time for me to step in soon.
Chaeng!
Just then, the Leader's blade flashed toward the Vice Leader's throat. His guard parried just as swiftly.
Right on cue.
"Eek!!"
Terror-stricken, the Vice Leader abandoned his guard and bolted. I kicked off after him.
Pa-bat!
"Block him! I'll fetch reinforcements from headquarters..."
"Where do you think you're going?"
I closed the gap in an instant, blocking his path.
"Time to draw the curtain on your long, pathetic life."
At last, the moment I'd craved was here before my eyes.