Chapter 230
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Present the Dog-Beater Cane (1)
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The Tang Family of Sichuan, the Azure Heaven Society's poison experts, had been cut loose.
The Nangong Family, the Azure Heaven Society's largest faction, had also defected.
Mount Hua Sect's current sect leader and his underlings as well.
They had all refused to back Guyang Hui's grand ambitions.
The colossal fortress that had seemed eternal was crumbling bit by bit, like a sandcastle swept away by the tide.
No, not yet.
The deputy leader of the Martial Alliance.
And in private, Guyang Hui's son, Guyang Seung, had no intention of watching the Azure Heaven Society fall.
Why?
Because everything he had enjoyed up to now was tied to it.
No matter how lenient Mount Hua was among Taoist sects in allowing its disciples to marry, he still couldn't stay there long.
Compared to his father, a heaven-sent genius, he was utterly ordinary, and the comparisons were inevitable.
He hated that more than anything.
So naturally, he had set up base in the Martial Alliance, gathered like-minded comrades who shared the Azure Heaven Society's lofty ideals, and gradually prepared to swallow the Alliance whole.
Of course, the next Alliance Leader position was rightfully his.
"That damned bitch."
To think that a little girl who couldn't even live up to her age or her cultivation level had shoved Elder Mongsong into the Leader's seat and run off.
The Shaolin Temple was one place the Azure Heaven Society's fangs couldn't reach, unfortunately, limiting his options.
But not anymore.
"Alliance Leader. The movements of the New Evil Faction Alliance are far from ordinary."
The meeting hall was filled mostly with his own people, or those under the Azure Heaven Society's influence.
And the justification was perfect.
The new leader of the Evil Faction Alliance came from the Five Evils and Poisons School.
And the reorganized Evil Faction Alliance was clearly gunning for a righteous-evil war.
If the Martial Alliance didn't act now that the signs of war were upon them, it would be dereliction of duty.
Even that stubborn old coot in the back room would have no grounds to object.
After some lengthy speeches and a few heated shouts from the minority opposition...
Guyang Seung smiled as he gazed at Elder Mongsong, who sat with eyes closed, chanting sutras.
"As Deputy Leader, I hereby decree: Our most pressing goal is to reduce the enemy forces as much as possible. Thus, we must strike the shadows behind them first."
His finger pointed to one spot on the large, unfolded map.
"The time has come to drive out the Fierce Tiger of Daibyeol Mountain."
.
.
.
With far more in favor than opposed, just as Guyang Seung's personally led detachment set out for Daibyeol Mountain...
"Kyau!"
"Nng... Kiiing...."
"Heh heh, what a pup. So tiny, yet so fierce! Was its name Silver Wolf?"
"It's a dog, sir."
"Dog suits it better!"
The man who bore the titles of Fierce Tiger in the literal sense, Twin Armored Sovereign from his youth, and King of the Mountains to boot.
Seo Taepyeong laughed heartily and departed for the western front in high spirits.
And the long, drawn-out wiki war on the Martial Wiki had officially come to an end.
* * *
"Why aren't you going west with them?"
"Is that why you followed me here? Curiosity?"
Along with my junior Baek Liyeon—whom I'd half-brainwashed into 'Senior is the best' mode— I began heading north from Daibyeol Mountain.
It wasn't because I'd made a desperate last-ditch contact with my mother.
- Oh my! Perfect timing! Double celebration!
...and fled after getting that reply.
No.
Mom. You definitely said we should be like brothers... no, like sisters.
Dohee was the one you told me to call 'big sis,' right?
...Well, I didn't have enough lifelines left to drive that nail into their hearts with facts.
On a grand strategic level.
Who'd take in a brat like that anyway?
This was all karma from my past life...
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not."
Anyway.
It wasn't because I was scared of the family chaos that would erupt if I showed up in the west.
"Those who wage war confront the enemy head-on as a matter of course and win with unorthodox tactics. Ever heard that?"
"...?"
"What did you even learn in strategy class?"
"Slept through it, sir."
"I've got a dumb junior."
These kids nowadays.
Back in my day, the Art of War was basic, and we went beyond Mencius and Zhuangzi to Rousseau and Locke, with Kant and Nietzsche as standard fare.
"Never heard of those western names in my life."
"Of course not. They haven't been born yet. Or have they by now?"
"...?"
When I saw this half-mad Martial World Land, I couldn't help but wonder if the far west had turned into Fantasy Land too.
Maybe instead of Lumiere I knew, some mustachioed swordmaster dictator had drawn an iron curtain.
Whatever, not my problem. For now.
"It's from Sun Tzu's Art of War. To put it simply, a master attacker keeps the enemy guessing where they'll have to defend."
"...So, who are we fighting?"
"Hm. Not set in stone."
The Nangong Family had taught me plenty.
Naturally, including what tail to chop next to best check the Azure Heaven Society.
Intelligence is key in war.
Sure, with smartphones, gathering info is easy.
But what if the opponent has a group specialized in intel?
If every beggar you pass on the street has eyes tracking your every move, what could be scarier?
There are beggars everywhere in the Central Plains.
This Geum Sihyeon was already a fish out of water.
A blazing man who'd burst from the bag and flaunt his size to the world.
No point hiding now; it'd only draw more attention than before.
Masks? Disguise arts?
Best to seal them away unless absolutely necessary.
That way, the arrows of hate would fly straight at me, not those around me.
"But is it okay for you to tag along? Your position might get awkward."
At my words,
Baek Liyeon silently pulled a wooden box from her robes, opened it, and showed it to me.
The antidote to Solitude I'd given her before was gone; the box was empty.
My junior grinned brightly.
...Wait, why does a guy splitting wood get described as 'brightly'?
"Return my manly Liyeon junior! You minion of the vile Azure Heaven Society!"
"... "
Right.
That sour, shit-faced expression didn't suit our Liyeon junior.
* * *
After crossing mountains and rivers with great effort, we finally arrived at Kaifeng.
What was this place famous for?
"Kaifeng Prefecture's Lord Bao— the Iron-Faced Judge— aided by righteous wanderers— and his loyal retainers—"
The legendary congee dancer extraordinaire, Lord Bao Qingtian.
Average martial artists need not apply.
Those skilled in lightness arts, strong in chivalry, or expert in fist arts, come to me. Period.
"Junior, embarrassed of your senior?"
"Please don't talk to me..."
I slung my arm over the desperately averting Baek Liyeon's shoulder.
Her height was just subtly low enough—sorry, but perfect as an armrest, great for teasing, super versatile. Very capable.
Anyway, I strolled leisurely through incorruptible Kaifeng, home to Bao Qingtian (real name Bao Zheng), soaking in the sights. Never dreamed he'd been real.
One of China's seven ancient capitals.
Northern Song's seat, sacked brutally by Mongol pals, now somewhat revived under the current regime... er, dynasty's sway.
"Hehe, milord. Spare a coin?"
"Martial artist, eh? Need a guide?"
"I know an awesome brothel, sir."
Beggars' Sect heartland.
Wonder if they stuck here because the name's Kaifeng, or some historical reason. Don't care.
My goal? Same as with the Nangong Family.
"...You're not seriously planning to wreck the Beggars' Sect too, are you?"
"Does this upright, majestic future pillar of the righteous sects look like a thug to you?"
"The righteous sects' future looks bleak."
Am I at the point where even Heavenly Killer Star says crap like that?
Hate this world...
"The wise consider all angles and grasp the relations. Fists are far, tongue is near—why lead with fists?"
"Planning to humiliate someone with that three-inch tongue again?"
"Your senior."
"...Senior Unhak?"
Finally getting through.
Why bother grabbing stinky beggars by the collar and brawling?
Hey!
Me and you bros! Eat together! Hit the sauna—Liyeon never joins!
One good scolding, and half the beggars kneel before me. Take it or leave it.
.
.
.
A moment later.
The ultimate scum who never reads MartialTalk from unknown numbers, and won't believe 'It's me' even from Dang Narin's contact.
"Oh, ooh! Junior Baek Liyeon. What brings you here?"
Finally showed up.
I promptly hurled my bamboo hat at Unhak's smug face.
But.
"Hahaha!"
Did the beggar scavenge rotten rice cakes this morning? He burst into eerie laughter and raised his hand.
And on that hand.
Clear qi energy swirled vividly.
This bastard.
He knew all along.
"My equal in peak mastery and dear friend, Geum Sihyeon, welcome to Kaifeng—"
Unhak's gaze locked onto the brilliantly sparkling qi ring blooming at my fingertip.
Uh.
Brother.
Bro's hit the Flower Realm.