Chapter 133
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Fabricating Pretexts (1)
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"Have you heard of the Secret Killer Squad, friend?"
"What's that?"
"Keep it to yourself, Park. It's like an assassination unit."
"An assassination unit? Who are they targeting?"
"Obvious, isn't it? Anyone or any group that gets in the way."
"That sort of thing happens all the time, even if it's hushed up. I thought you had some big revelation."
"If it were just a regular assassination unit, I wouldn't bother mentioning it. These guys... they're an assassin force secretly cultivated by the Zhuge Clan."
"Hey, you trying to get yourself killed? Spread nonsense like that, and you'll vanish without a trace, you idiot!"
"If it sounded like bullshit, I wouldn't have brought it up."
The rumor began spreading from whispers in the shadows, then exploded outward. It felt like someone had deliberately leaked it, but there were too many suspicious elements to dismiss as mere gossip.
Especially those unresolved assassinations and disappearances of key figures, along with the annihilation of sects and families. Slotting in the Secret Killer Squad's hits and the Zhuge Clan's gains and losses made all the mysteries fall into place. Every single one had hindered the Zhuge Clan.
Once suspicion hardened into certainty, it couldn't be brushed off as rumor. Eyes turned toward the Zhuge Clan, and an atmosphere demanding explanations took shape.
The Zhuge Clan tried to quash the escalating momentum by labeling it all falsehoods, but the amplified doubts refused to die down.
Twitch!
A middle-aged scholar in pristine robes, exuding an air that brooked no disorder—his brow furrowed ever so slightly. It wasn't even a visible grimace, a startling change for a man whose expression was usually impassive.
Heavenly Mechanism Divine Sword, Zhuge Hyun.
A monumental figure produced by the Zhuge Clan. True to his moniker, he excelled at foreseeing the future and preparing countermeasures. He had single-handedly elevated the once-declining clan to its current stature.
For a patriarch who had never known failure since taking the helm, this was an unwelcome development.
"We've been had."
"It's too early to say for certain."
"Too early? Then how did word of the Secret Killer Squad's deeds spread? You hoping we think it's an inside job?"
"My apologies!"
If secrets had leaked from within, the clan could be turned upside down. Even the elders present would face suspicion.
"Gun."
"Yes, brother!"
Zhuge Hyun treated his third brother, the String Music Sword, as an elder in public, but called him by name from childhood. It might seem like brotherly affection, but in truth, it was different. Zhuge Hyun strictly separated public and private; calling him by name in an official setting meant he was that furious.
Gulp!
Zhuge Gun swallowed dryly. His expression barely shifted, but he knew his brother's ruthlessness better than anyone. Blood kin or not, harm to the clan meant no mercy.
"This differs from your report."
"My judgment was lacking. I'll take responsibility and resolve it!"
"Resolve it? Even Commander Gwangho, who led the Secret Killer Squad, fell. How do you plan to manage?"
"...That's!"
"Praised as the String Music Sword and fawned over by those around you—did you start thinking the world lay at your feet?!"
Zhuge Gun felt himself drenched in cold sweat. His brother wasn't erupting in rage, but if there was a scariest person in the world, it was him.
"This incident isn't solely Uncle's fault. We had precious little information on the man. Who could've guessed such a figure lurked in a minor Qingyang sect?"
The sole young man in the elders' meeting chamber was Zhuge Hyun's eldest son, Zhuge Un. Resembling his father, he was training to become the next patriarch.
'Damn it!'
Zhuge Un's intervention felt like humiliation to Zhuge Gun. No uncle wanted aid from his nephew—especially not before all the elders. It underscored his own incompetence.
"Will your words calm the storm?!"
"Our own complacency shares the blame. We trusted Hongwon too much. We should have probed the man's strength first."
Zhuge Un had no intent to shame his uncle. If the Secret Killer Squad had been wiped out, the foe deserved reevaluation. Few in the current martial world could rival them.
That meant Kang Mujin had surpassed peak transcendent at minimum. Perhaps even brushing the Flower Realm. They had to admit their carelessness against such a man.
"Above all, he doesn't seem like an easy mark."
"In what way?"
"Couldn't pinpoint the rumor's source, but he has a Beggars' Sect disciple at his side. He's using the sect to orchestrate something. There are parts of the rumor that haven't surfaced yet."
"And where do you think that is?!"
"I just hope it's not the bandits."
His son's answer satisfied Zhuge Hyun, but that was precisely why he was angry. They had schemed to dump the man on the Black Cloud Stronghold bandits. Yet no rumors about the stronghold had emerged. There had to be another intent.
Thud thud thud!
Urgent footsteps echoed outside the chamber. A warrior stood at the door, observing protocol before entering.
"What is it?!"
"The bandits attacked one of our merchant caravans."
The elders' voices rose. Things had gone awry, but no one expected the bandits to act so boldly. Unless they viewed the Zhuge Clan with contempt.
"Patriarch, we can't overlook the bandits' actions!"
"Quiet!"
For the Zhuge Clan, this was the worst scenario. If the bandits had stepped in, the Secret Killer Squad's purpose was likely exposed. If intentional, it was a painful blow for underestimating him.
"Send a missive to the bandits."
"But Patriarch!"
"Unless you want all-out war with the Bandit King, shut your mouth."
"...My apologies!"
Two major crises at once. Explaining the Secret Killer Squad rumors and negotiating with the bandits—neither easy. But they couldn't leave the instigator be.
'I'll make you regret this soon.'
Zhuge Hyun ground his teeth silently. In his life, no one had infuriated him like this.
Scratch scratch!
For some odd reason lately, his ears itched fiercely. With his poison-immunity physique, skin ailments were distant, yet here it was. Scratching felt good, but it defied logic.
'Who's cursing me now?'
-Probably hurling double curses.
'Reap what you sow. People should follow the natural order. I didn't provoke first.'
-Has the martial world ever followed natural order?
True enough. If reason and logic ruled, the jianghu would bask in peace. Historically, even in "peaceful" times, blades clashed everywhere. Bloody battles raged, might making right in a world of the strong devouring the weak.
'Not just the martial world—the world's always been that way.'
-Greed is instinct. How many can truly escape desire?
We fancy reason and logic move the world, but that's a grand delusion. True peace doesn't exist; it's vain hope. Reality is harsh, and without deliberate change, the unchanging is truth.
'If only sages of non-action existed, we'd all starve.'
-Ascension is for the chosen few.
Becoming a sage and ascending would be lucky. If common, no one would devote lifetimes to rejuvenation and immortality.
'Thanks to that, things'll stay quiet for a while.'
-Not necessarily.
'What now?'
-The Bandit King isn't ordinary.
During the Demonic Cult war, the bandits had internal strife and clashed with the Yangtze River Eighteen Strongholds. Seemed like turf wars, then the Bandit King vanished. Reemerged dramatically.
'I hear he's good-natured.'
-Just like you.
'High praise. The bandits have talent.'
-Lunatic!
Let the Zhuge Clan and bandits sort it out. Mujin had no interest in their war or talks. If trouble later, he'd sweep them then.
Obviously, he monitored via the Beggars' Sect. If the head honchos schemed stupidly, he'd deliver gruesome results. Even his patience had limits.
-Massacre again?
'Unpleasant. I'm not the massacre type.'
-Indiscriminate slaughter?
'Yeah, that.'
Mujin loathed leaving scraps. They always bred annoying fallout.
Better to clean thoroughly for convenience. He'd endured once for the greater good. Ungrateful betrayal after his magnanimity pissed him off.
Mujin lit up.
"Well, well, you even carry a messenger falcon?"
"The Chief specially lent me Blue Plum."
"To report diligently—every move I make."
"...I'll filter and send appropriately."
Haedong Qing, a special carrier pigeon. Only for Beggars' Sect roles above Law Elder. Required mastery of the sect's unique signals.
"White lies are necessary sometimes. Right, Yukchil?"
"Of course."
Short time together, but worthwhile. Taught the socially inept beggar flexible living. Now he could blend without beatings.
"Any useful intel?"
"Bandits targeted a Zhuge Clan caravan."
"Outcome?"
"Seems they're attempting negotiations for now."
"Think it'll work?"
"With the Bandit King involved, probably not easy."
First time the bandits' Chief Stronghold Lord bore the "King" title. In the martial world, "king" was special. Even among Five Great Clans, only Poison King and Fist King.
Bandits were vast, but still bandits. Granting a kingly title to despised outlaws felt excessive at base.
"Must've spiced it up midway."
"Controlled the winds properly—no room for other factions."
If Zhuge Clan spun it as bandit aggression on the orthodox, it'd escalate wildly. Hence the preemptive rumors. Secret Killer Squad unproven as Zhuge assassins, but suspicion stuck. Gave bandits justification too.
"Beggars' Sect—reliable to the end. Good job."
"Thank you."
Yukchil sighed inwardly. When had the sect served individuals? But practically, allying with Mujin benefited them. If he turned away, the martial world could crumble.
'Isn't this guy far more dangerous?'
Subjective, but things ran smoothly. No rumors despite his antics. Yet always nerve-wracking—like handling thunder bombs with fire charms on and off.