Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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It only took three days to reach Chengdu, the heart of Sichuan Province and the stronghold of the Sichuan Tang Clan. After arriving in Chengdu, I rented a room at an inn and flopped down onto the bed.
'Now I need to head to the Sichuan Tang Clan and ask about Dongbang Mukeol's whereabouts.'
From my experience, barging into a murim clan and demanding information was beyond idiotic—it was suicidal. At minimum, to extract info, you needed justification, influence, cause, and power, all in equal measure. And for me to build that here in Chengdu right now would take years.
Instead, I decided on a roundabout approach. I would visit the Beggars' Sect Sichuan branch first and gather intel on the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Finding the Beggars' Sect Sichuan branch was relatively straightforward. Beggars tended to cluster under bridges or in shadowy alleys, just like in Luoyang. Sure enough, there was a huddle of beggars under a bridge in Chengdu, living in shanties. I eyed them from afar, subtly gauging their martial prowess, and once convinced there were real experts among them, I was sure this was the branch.
I walked up to the pack of beggars under the bridge and said,
"The honor of meeting the Beggars' Sect heroes as a humble murim wanderer."
Every beggar in the vicinity turned to stare at me. Out of nowhere, flattering the sect—they must have thought it was some kind of joke. Most ignored me and went back to their business, showing the restraint of seasoned murim folk who didn't leap into rash action. As I pushed further in, three or four staffs barred my path.
"Hey now, that's far enough."
"What's your business?"
I glanced down at the staffs. Their wielders looked ordinary at first glance, but they were highly trained in martial arts. Fixing my gaze on the grizzled elder lounging against the wall at the deepest part of the bridge hovel, I infused my voice with substantial inner energy and said,
"I've come to purchase some information. Is the shop closed for the day?"
The elder twitched. Moments later, he sprang up like a carp and shuffled toward me. Scratching his head vigorously, he said,
"Argh, what kind of thunderbolt is this? Kid, whose clan's spawn are you?"
He seemed to peg me as some murim clan's young master. I smirked and replied,
"The name's Baek Woong. I'd like to buy some info from the Beggars' Sect, but it seems there are all sorts of restrictions."
"Restrictions be damned—what's a brat like you gonna do with info anyway?"
"That's not very befitting of a Beggars' Sect disciple. If you're so unwilling to take my commission, I'll be on my way."
As I spun on my heel to leave, three or four beggars who'd been holding me at staff-point lunged at once. They were far beyond mere escort captain level—true experts. In an instant, bamboo tubes filled the space, faintly infused with qi. Clearly, they intended to beat me into submission.
But this was underestimating me badly.
Swoooosh
My body moved according to the principles of Thunder Cloud Soft Fist, the most basic fist technique of the Thunder God Style. Faint afterimages bloomed as my hands simultaneously claimed the eight directions of empty space. The next moment, like proclaiming that softness conquers hardness, I smoothly deflected and snatched their staffs. Before they could even react, I tossed them into the air, stepped forward with Thunder Shadow Step, and sealed all the attackers' acupoints.
Thud
"......!!"
The grizzled beggar elder and everyone watching were stunned. In just one exchange, the sect's experts had been subdued. I released the hand of the beggar I'd grabbed and smirked.
"You ignore me when I say I'll stay, and use force when I say I'll go—is this the true face of the Beggars' Sect?"
"Watch your tongue. We get it—you're no ordinary expert."
The elder's eyes sank deep. His tone shifted markedly. In the murim world, where might made right, his attitude toward me—an undeniable superior—had no choice but to change. As I stared at him impassively, the elder said,
"I'm Dae Jonggae. I run the Beggars' Sect Sichuan branch."
"So you'll finally hear me out properly?"
"...This way."
I followed Dae Jonggae to a more secluded spot away from the others. Facing me one-on-one, he spoke after a pause.
"Who the hell are you to wield such renowned arts at your age?"
"Do I have any reason to tell you that?"
"If you don't, I won't sell you the info."
Irritated, I muttered,
"You're still treating me like a sucker, old man!"
"What..."
Flash
Without warning, I lunged and thrust my hand at him. Dae Jonggae flinched and reacted. True to his title as branch chief, his skills surpassed first-class, edging into peak realm, and his movements were deft.
But the instant he dodged this strike, I seized the opening and struck his acupoints and meridians. His footwork was excellent, but to me, battle-hardened through countless fights, it was riddled with flaws.
"Guh."
Dae Jonggae's body went numb in a flash, and one knee hit the ground. I instantly drew a dagger from my bosom and pressed it to his throat. Subdued in mere three exchanges, he looked incredulous. Radiating intense killing intent, I said,
"Know this—you keep choosing the hard road."
"......!!"
"I'll assume you get it and let you go."
I sheathed the dagger and released his acupoints. Freed once more, Dae Jonggae's face was ashen. He'd realized I was utterly accustomed to violence and wouldn't hesitate to threaten if needed. No longer would he see me as some pushover.
Lips trembling, Dae Jonggae said,
"Impossible... How can someone your age possess transcendent martial arts..."
"As you know, I have no intention of being enemies with the Beggars' Sect. I just want to get to the point."
With that, I subtly pulled out silver taels. A hefty sum, well over a hundred. Spotting them, Dae Jonggae finally spoke.
"What do you want to know?"
"Nothing major. Just the Sichuan Tang Clan's members, key martial arts, and recent activities."
"You must be from out of province..."
"Haha, think what you like."
He'd tried slyly probing, but I brushed it off, and he smacked his lips in regret. His frustrated expression showed he now saw me as no easy mark. With no choice, he said,
"Payment upfront."
"Any guarantee you'll give solid info?"
He replied bitterly,
"No shame left, but trust me. Who'd have thought I'd stoop to begging like this..."
"Money's here."
Clink
"I'll tell you everything I know."
With the fee in hand, Dae Jonggae finally opened up. Everything I'd asked about the Sichuan Tang Clan, in full detail. I sat there listening intently for about half a shichen, committing most of it to memory.
After pondering, I asked Dae Jonggae,
"I'd like to buy some additional info."
"What kind?"
I reached into my money pouch and pulled out more pre-exchanged silver—twice the previous amount. His eyes bulged at the sight, but I continued calmly.
"Info on Dongbang Mukeol of the Heavenly Stranger!"
"Dongbang Mukeol...? One of the Five Great Doctors?"
"That's right. If he's shown up in Sichuan lately, tell me what you know."
"Hmm."
He scrunched his face, rummaging through his mind. After a moment, he said,
"Come to think of it, that guy—Dongbang Mukeol—did appear in Chengdu's underworld with the Gambling King about a month ago."
"Gambling King? Who's that?"
"You don't know him? Well, he only operates in Sichuan..."
Smacking his lips, Dae Jonggae continued.
"He's a gambler said to have reached divine heights in gambling. Classified as an unorthodox murim man, but a weirdo with no interest beyond the game itself."
"Hoo..."
"I heard Dongbang Mukeol and the Gambling King cleaned out the underworld, then held some bizarre gamble at the Martial Marquis Shrine before vanishing. No idea the details—the shrine keeper won't say a word."
"What's the Martial Marquis Shrine?"
"It's also called the Han Zhao Lie Temple. A shrine honoring Zhuge Liang Kongming."
Things were getting interesting. In other words, Dongbang Mukeol had set up a gambling table at the shrine with the gambling-mad Gambling King, then disappeared. I set my next destination as the Martial Marquis Shrine, not the Tang Clan.
"Where's the Gambling King now?"
"No clue on his movements. He pops up wherever big games are. Otherwise, he's a rootless wanderer with no fixed abode."
"I see."
Dae Jonggae added,
"If you're after Dongbang Mukeol, I'd advise against it. The guy's a lunatic."
"I'm hearing that a lot..."
"Anyway, that's my advice. Time to go."
With his dismissal, I nodded lightly and left the beggars' den.
'Looks like I need to prepare before meeting Dongbang Mukeol.'
Three people had already called him mad. No doubt an extraordinary figure. Possibly someone indulging life in pure hedonism.
Back at the inn, I steadied my mind and body, then headed straight for the Martial Marquis Shrine. Asking directions several times along the way, I found it quickly. The shrine seemed Chengdu's top landmark. To Sichuan folk, Zhuge Liang Kongming held a special place in history.
Plenty of worshippers and visitors. But judging by their fine clothes, they were wealthy merchants or affluent families. Thinking my ragged attire would stand out if I mingled, I decided on new clothes. After commissioning an outfit at a fabric shop and bathing thoroughly, I revisited the shrine the next day.
The innermost shrine was off-limits due to the keeper's restrictions. Most seemed there to enjoy the site's ambiance, unconcerned. I approached the middle-aged man who appeared to be the keeper and said,
"I'm Baek Woong. If it's no trouble, could I hear about Dongbang Mukeol and the Gambling King who visited here recently?"
His face hardened. He sighed.
"Haa... Now even young murim wanderers are coming to hound me..."
"Can't you answer?"
"Impossible!"
"Is it because you're scared of Dongbang Mukeol and the Gambling King's influence?"
Provoked, he pointed incredulously at the guards patrolling nearby.
"You say that with them around? These are elite experts from the Six Gates of the military. Some are from the imperial prince's guard. Even a major sect elder wouldn't dare act up here."
The Martial Marquis Shrine symbolized Chengdu. Security was tight. The guards looked top-tier. Gruffly, I said,
"But still, it's true Dongbang Mukeol and the Gambling King gambled here and vanished, right?"
"Urgh... Those bastards trashed the place for half a shichen in the dead of night and bolted—what was I supposed to do, catch them? The imperial prince already approved it, so it's not my fault."
"Imperial prince?"
"An imperial clansman with deep interest in and oversight of the shrine."
"......"
Imperial prince.
As I mulled the name, the keeper scowled.
"Anyway, no comment! You look like some clan's kid—don't waste time here, just go."
I left for now and returned to the inn. Too many eyes to subdue the keeper and torture him with Thunder God Style methods. Plus, he was constantly guarded by Six Gates elites—acting rashly would stir up a storm. I felt the need to visit the Sichuan Tang Clan next.
'Another roadblock... How can I get Dongbang Mukeol's info from the Tang Clan?'
After much deliberation, I used the fire bull to head to Jin Rang Valley. Time had passed, and the valley felt much more stable and quiet. Mang Ryang, training in martial arts, spotted me and lit up.
"Baek Woong! How's things in Sichuan?"
"A bit stuck."
I filled Mang Ryang in on everything I'd learned. He listened quietly, then pressed his index finger to his temple and said,
"Then stay here a few days and relax."
"Huh...?"
"The solution will come to you on its own."
I understood Mang Ryang's meaning about ten days later.
I'd been helping him with odd jobs when someone somersaulted out of nowhere from midair. Red-faced and panting, they bellowed at me,
"You—damn—old—coot—!!!"
"......"
Scratching my head, I grinned.
"Sorry, Miho."
"Don't act familiar, human!! Gaaah... You give me the chills!"
Indeed.
After enduring the Queen Mother of the West's trial, Miho had come to the Central Plains from Dongyeong via Goryeo. But because I'd been roaming the world with the fire bull, she'd wandered aimlessly until stumbling into Jin Rang Valley.
Grinning awkwardly at her, I said,
"Came to help me?"
"Hmph! I heard you spoke up for me to the Queen Mother."
Of course, I knew exactly why Miho was here better than anyone. Just then, Mang Ryang approached and bowed politely.
"Greetings, Heavenly Fox."
"And who's this punk?"
"Mang Ryang, your future comrade."
"Who decided he's a comrade?!"
As Miho bristled, I calmed her.
"Miho, hear me out."
I explained everything to her. Mang Ryang listened from the side. Miho heard my tales up to the 13th cycle silently, her face growing increasingly bizarre. But glancing at the nonchalant Mang Ryang beside her, she eased her suspicions somewhat.
Incredulous, Miho said,
"Haa... So what do you want, Baek Woong?"
"Well... Head back to Sichuan and meet Dongbang Mukeol, I guess."
Miho burst out laughing.
"Fine! This lady will help you."
Indeed.
That was the 'solution' Mang Ryang had mentioned.
With Great妖 Miho's seduction arts, I could easily track down Dongbang Mukeol in Sichuan without much hassle.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Second time this year being a perv... Uwaaaah, just one more and... liberation!