Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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About two days later, Mangnyang received a jar of cold water the size of a child's fist. He carefully added various ingredients in his workshop and began mixing them. After about three or four processes, a pungent smell like gunpowder spread, and soon enough, a dose of poison sufficient for one gourd was completed. Mangnyang handed the finished product to me.
"Here you go."
"What happens if a human ingests this?"
Mangnyang chuckled.
"Before they can take ten breaths, paralysis will set in across their entire body, and before another ten breaths, they'll be completely immobilized. Left as is, they'll perish after about half a gogyo."
"......"
"First, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Is that cult truly so vicious that we must resort to this poison?"
I felt it was time to tell the truth. Since he was accompanying me all the way to the village of the massacre, Mangnyang was currently my greatest ally. The more he knew, the better it would be for me. I calmly revealed the facts.
"Those aren't just ordinary cultists. The Brocade Guards are assisting the sorcerers."
"......!!"
Mangnyang's eyes widened. He had never heard a word about the Brocade Guards' involvement until now. He looked flustered, as if deep in thought. Glaring at me, he said,
"Why haven't you told me this until now?"
"I needed time to observe you as well."
If I'd told Mangnyang everything from the start and he reacted extremely, it wouldn't have been good for me. There was no guarantee he'd show loyalty either. He might panic at the sudden truth and back out of the matter, so I had to secure the poison first and then observe if I could trust him.
And in the end, Mangnyang had given me the finished product. That's why I confessed. Reading my mind, Mangnyang sighed.
"Haa, whatever... So you're saying you're fine making enemies of the Brocade Guards and the imperial family?"
"Those bastards risk nothing themselves while forcing sacrifices on others. If we leave them be, it'll reach a point of no return."
I honestly shared my feelings about the Brocade Guards and the imperial family. Mangnyang nodded in admiration.
"You're right. Still, if you'd told me sooner, I could've prepared more. What a shame."
"More preparations?"
"If the enemy is the Brocade Guards, I could've sought my master's help. Too late now—forget it."
Master?
Only then did I realize I hadn't heard how Mangnyang acquired such profound knowledge and wisdom. I'd assumed he was a genius who self-taught, but he had a master figure too. Curious, I asked about his master, but he brushed it off.
"Give me time to observe you too."
"...Understood."
Tit for tat.
I shrugged and told Mangnyang everything I'd seen and heard about the Brocade Guards and the sorcerers. After organizing the information, he calmly outlined our next steps.
"It'll take at least three days on horseback to reach that village. For some reason, you're convinced the massacre will happen there. By then, what stage do you think the Brocade Guards and sorcerers will be at?"
I'd advanced the timeline by at least ten weeks, maybe even fifteen. The trip to Mount Huang had been greatly shortened by my increased internal energy, and I hadn't detoured to my hometown for pointless revenge, leaving plenty of time.
Compared to when I first encountered the massacre, a significant amount of time had been shaved off. Moreover, when Hyeoncheon Taoist discovered their atrocities, the human sacrifices hadn't fully begun—it was still the brainwashing stage. Considering all that, I replied,
"High probability they're still scouting the village and selecting assassination targets. Or they haven't even left Luoyang yet."
"If as you say, the Brocade Guards only move after the sorcerer's flute sounds, then yes—neutralizing the sorcerer in the village before they act is ideal."
I nodded.
"Exactly. That's why I thought infiltrating the village quickly would be best."
"So, subdue the sorcerer the moment they appear?"
"Something like that."
Mangnyang thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Hmm, no. It looks good but it's a poor plan. We have time, so we should go for the best plan."
"What do you mean?"
"Before explaining... Do you have any other allies for this? Besides me, I mean."
I answered immediately.
"On the way here, I found a Taoist temple called Taijeong Temple. Its master, Hyeoncheon Taoist, is a Peak Expert and former elder of the Wudang Sect. If we confirm the massacre, he'll definitely help us."
"Impressive. I was thinking of hiring mercenaries from the Twin Gates, but that should suffice."
"Mercenaries?"
"The Luoyang Twin Gates—Azure Sword Sect and Iron Blood Sect—often send out instructors or higher from their shaman faction disciples to take commissions abroad. It's not frequent, but with connections, you can hire their experts for a high price. They don't overdo it, but they deliver value, from what I hear."
"......"
"The Four Great Families occasionally take paid jobs too, but their networks are so exclusive it's hard to approach."
Probably hall masters of Iron Blood Sect or chief disciples of Azure Sword Sect. First-Class Experts like them go on external assignments to earn for their sects. Even elders might work as mercenaries.
Just in case, I said,
"Mangnyang. How about hiring mercenaries with that silver ingot?"
"Not a bad idea, but too late. We're pressed for time—how could we go to Luoyang now? Two days ago, I could've sent a messenger pigeon to my master and timed a group hire perfectly."
"......"
"Don't worry. You, me, and Hyeoncheon Taoist should be enough."
Chwarak.
Mangnyang pulled out a map from somewhere and spread it. It detailed the area within thirty li around the massacre village. Amazed, I said,
"You drew this map of there?"
"As if. Two days ago, I had a subordinate in Jinrang Valley steal this classified document from the county office. They always stock military maps in warehouses for emergencies."
"......"
As expected, he used any means without hesitation. And he acted the moment I spoke.
"Why that look? I'm doing my best to prepare."
Grumbling, Mangnyang pointed to a spot on the map.
"Look closely. This mountain's midpoint connects to the Jingha River's source. The village barely reaches a tributary from that source, which links directly to the wells. It's not just groundwater pumping. Otherwise, fetching water from the Jingha River dozens of li away would be too arduous."
"I see."
"If we find the tributary's passage and release the poison there, we can paralyze the village for sure. The deep wells are all interconnected."
Mangnyang slyly moved his finger and grinned.
"...Of course, that's only if we're late and have to subdue the village by force."
"What do you mean?"
"If we can strike first, there's an even better plan. Using this poison would kill at least a hundred—better to save everyone than accept that sacrifice. It's a nerve toxin with no real antidote."
"......?"
Mangnyang's next words were utterly shocking.
"Let's burn the village."
Three days later, Mangnyang and I arrived at Taijeong Temple on horseback.
Purruk.
Mangnyang eyed the temple uncomfortably and said,
"I'm not close with Taoists like these."
He's a master of formations and illusions, but essentially a con artist living off divinations without real supernatural powers. Naturally, he'd find Taoists off-putting. I chuckled and said,
"Hyeoncheon Taoist isn't a bad guy—don't worry."
"Tch."
As Mangnyang and I dismounted and approached, the disciples in Taoist robes at the temple gate were startled. They raised their Subduing Demon Swords at us. While not ideal for real combat, these bladed swords were common for Taoists' self-defense.
"Who are you?"
I chuckled and said,
[I've come to see the master of Taijeong Temple. Not for any ill intent—please excuse us.]
"Th... transmission of sound."
Realizing my internal energy was at least Peak Expert level, the Taijeong disciples stiffened. Though I looked like a boy in his teens, they quickly assumed I was a rejuvenated master. One disciple in his twenties, sweating profusely in extreme tension, said,
"We'll fetch the master—stay put."
[No rowdiness here—relax.]
"......"
It didn't take long to bring out the master, Hyeoncheon Taoist. The worldly hermit emerged slowly. Seeing him after so long stirred deep emotions in me.
The Taoist glanced at me and politely said,
"A great master honors us. Which sect are you from?"
I saw no need to flaunt my skills to him. As an outstanding Peak Expert, he could gauge my level with a glance. Instead, I clasped my hands in greeting and replied,
"I'm Baek Woong, and this is my friend Mangnyang. We've come seeking Master Hyeoncheon of Taijeong Temple's aid for a grave matter."
"Aid..."
Hyeoncheon Taoist laughed heartily, amused.
"Kekeke... Baek Woong, your internal energy has reached superhuman heights—why seek this old Taoist's help? I merely cultivate with my disciples amid nature, uninvolved in worldly affairs."
As expected.
Hyeoncheon wouldn't actively join force unless he'd witnessed it himself. Without seeing the massacre, he wouldn't ally. And as a noble Taoist, bribes wouldn't work—convincing him would be tricky.
But I needed his power. Though my internal energy and arts had surged, a single Brocade Guard unit was too much for me alone. They even trained in joint attacks and formations—easy prey for them otherwise. With him, it'd be twice as easy.
Then Mangnyang stepped forward.
"Does the Taoist not read the heavens? Ominous stars rise, heralding calamity soon—how can you sit idle awaiting misfortune?"
Hyeoncheon gazed warmly at Mangnyang.
"This old Taoist has sensed the recent celestial anomalies. But it's a great calamity of the world—beyond one weak man's power. I bear too much to be swayed by external lures."
The heavens being off seemed true. Both Mangnyang and Hyeoncheon read the stars, and lately, ill omens abounded. Useful info, I noted mentally. Mangnyang smirked and said,
"No matter how great a Taoist you are, you can't read the world's misfortunes better than I. I declare: evil ones will rampage nearby soon."
"What? Who are you to speak so boldly?"
Hyeoncheon said, incredulous. As a former Wudang elder, he mastered not just martial arts but all Taoist practices, including star-reading. No sane person would belittle him so.
Mangnyang confidently replied,
"I'm Mangnyang Seonsa. Never heard of me?"
What nonsense?
I nearly yelled in shock. "Mangnyang Seonsa" was just a famous local diviner around Luoyang—nothing more to Jinrang Valley folk. Boasting to a Wudang elder was absurd. Thinking we'd failed to recruit him, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Unexpectedly, Hyeoncheon was startled.
"You?!"
"I'm the one called Border's Mangnyang."
"Hehe... Incredible... You're the supreme sorcerer of the Central Plains' Left Way and Side Gates?"
"Indeed."
Chwarak.
"This is my credential, the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan."
Mangnyang proffered his usual feather fan. Hyeoncheon examined it closely. After a long look, he sighed deeply.
"Indeed... The legend of a mortal receiving this treasure directly from an immortal is true... No human craft could make this genuine relic. I acknowledge you as Mangnyang Seonsa."
That was a treasure?!
I'd seen Mangnyang use it to scratch earwax—unbelievable.
"Thank you."
"Follow me. For a fellow of the Way, I'll hear you out."
Hyeoncheon was a Right Way master, but couldn't ignore the Left Way's top authority. Dazed, I followed into the temple, astonished. Wasn't "Mangnyang Seonsa" just a made-up alias? It had a real identity as the Central Plains' supreme sorcerer?
'Didn't he lack powers and barely manage basic spells?'
I secretly transmitted,
[What's going on? Are you really the top sorcerer?]
Mangnyang glanced, signaling explanation later. No choice but to trust and see it through. Soon, in the reception room, we three sat at a table sipping tea.
Mangnyang said,
"Hyeoncheon Taoist. On my name, I say: calamity strikes a nearby village soon—not natural disaster, but man-made. My divination shows an evil cult poised to use people as sacrifices."
"Hmm... But why this remote village..."
"Poor traffic makes isolation easy. The cult noticed that."
Mangnyang pushed with utter conviction; Hyeoncheon couldn't doubt. Half-convinced, he glanced at me and said,
"Baek Woong's power surpasses supreme peak—yet you need this old Taoist's? Is the cult that strong?"
"They're casual with human sacrifice and slaughter. An unknown Peak Expert backs them. Baek Woong is my bodyguard with great skill, but can't handle them alone."
My bodyguard?
Mangnyang's instant setup left me speechless, but it worked on Hyeoncheon. Hearing "human sacrifice," he paled in fury.
"Such fiends...!! Backed by the Eight Demonic Sects?"
"Unknown. But two or three Peak Experts trained in joint formations—not to underestimate."
"Hehe... Such forces are rare."
Hyeoncheon seemed baffled. Peak Experts weren't common; only top executives or elders in great sects had them. Operating three or four required Nine Great Sects scale.
Mangnyang said,
"We aim to draw out the evils and eliminate them without harming innocents. We sought righteous martial artists nearby, but all avoided. For rivers and lakes' justice, we need your aid!"
"Hmm, understood! I'll help!"
"......"
Thus, Mangnyang swiftly won him over, said we'd return tomorrow, and we left. Tomorrow, a resolute Hyeoncheon would be a solid ally. Far from the temple, I said, incredulous,
"What lies did you tell? You're no supreme sorcerer..."
"True. As you know, no supernatural powers— just basic spells."
"Then what..."
Mangnyang smiled bitterly.
"Not all lies. The treasure's real, and Mangnyang Seonsa exists. Just... not me."
What did that mean?
But he shook his head.
"Explaining fully is too complex. Let's scout the village now."
"Right."
Our top priority was clear.
Scout the village and assess its state!
Without that, later goals were impossible.