Chapter 192
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: The Three Demons' War 2
-Sichuan Province, Beggars’ Sect Branch.
Mu-heun, accompanied by Gam Pa-pa, sought out the shabby-looking branch office of the Beggars’ Sect. It was a roughly constructed building. Though it would shield one from wind and rain, it was far from clean.
The beggar guarding the entrance seemed to recognize Gam Pa-pa and promptly opened the door.
“Well, I’ll be! If it isn’t the esteemed Gam Pa-pa!”
The branch leader of the Beggars’ Sect in Sichuan, Gong Heon-bi.
He greeted them with a hearty laugh. As he approached Gam Pa-pa familiarly, he seemed to be feeling a slight sense of dread.
“Heh heh, Gong Heon-bi. It’s been a while.”
“Haha, my apologies for the long silence. I should have come to visit now and then… haha.”
“Well, never mind that. First, I need you to listen to what this man has to say.”
“Ah… pardon? You mean this young man?”
“That’s right.”
“Ah…, of course! Of course! How could I refuse a request from you, Gam Pa-pa? Hahahaha.”
Gong Heon-bi laughed boisterously before turning to Mu-heun and speaking.
“By the way, who might you be… to have come looking for me?”
“Greetings. My name is Baek Mu-heun.”
“…Wha-what?!”
Gong Heon-bi couldn’t hide his shock at Mu-heun’s reply.
“Baek Mu-heun?! Are you truly that Baek Mu-heun? The merciless warrior of the Demonic Cult, the one who became the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord at such a young age?”
“Yes. I am.”
“Hiek!”
*A slip of the tongue! A grave mistake!*
Gong Heon-bi frantically tried to regain his composure.
Who was Baek Mu-heun? He was the man who had left the Demonic Cult, roamed through Qinghai, and turned Sichuan into a wasteland… no, he was the one who had exerted immense influence over the Qingcheng Sect, Emei Sect, and the Tang Clan.
Though its veracity was unconfirmed, he was said to have fought a duel to the death with Dang Baek-ho and emerged victorious. And not long ago, he had reportedly visited Wuhan in Hubei and accomplished something extraordinary…
“Th-then, what brings you here…?”
Gong Heon-bi asked, beads of sweat trickling down his face.
Some time ago, a minor issue had caused a clash between the Beggars’ Sect branch and the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance. Gam Pa-pa on that day had been… a nightmare. While he was certainly afraid of her, Baek Mu-heun was even more terrifying.
*Damn it, I already received intel that he was coming from Hubei. And that he had a connection to Gam Pa-pa! But I never thought he’d come here.*
*Why did he come to this place?*
*This can’t be the first time he’s been to Sichuan, can it?*
Just then, Mu-heun held out an old coin.
“First, take a look at this.”
“What is this… ah, my goodness! A-a Pledge Token!!”
A Pledge Token, given by the current leader of the Beggars’ Sect, Bi Chwi-hak. Gong Heon-bi was more astonished than he had ever been.
Who could have possibly imagined that a warrior from the Demonic Cult would possess a Pledge Token?
“Did you receive this from the Sect Leader himself!?”
“I did.”
“P-please, wait just a moment!”
Gong Heon-bi quickly brought out tea and sweets.
“Haha, I was rude, not realizing you carried a Pledge Token.”
“That is of no concern. The reason I am here is to request the Beggars’ Sect’s cooperation.”
“There is no branch of the Beggars’ Sect that would refuse the request of a Pledge Token’s owner. We will cooperate without considering any gains or losses, so please speak freely.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Then, I will get to the point.”
Mu-heun made two requests of the Beggars’ Sect branch leader, Gong Heon-bi.
First.
To investigate the merchant caravans traveling from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s territory, that is, from Xinjiang to Sichuan. If possible, to gather all information related to these caravans.
Second. If they were to see any powerful martial artists entering or leaving Xinjiang, Qinghai, or Sichuan… they were to inform him immediately. Also, to provide information on the Valley of the Wicked, located in the Xidamu Basin.
Mu-heun unfolded a map. Then, tracing a path with his finger, he said,
“I will be departing from here and moving along this route. If anything happens, send a messenger eagle to contact me at once.”
“Of course. We will do as the owner of the Pledge Token commands.”
“Thank you. Ah, and do not, under any circumstances, fight with the Demonic Cult members. They will not be ordinary soldiers. They might even be… masters who have reached the pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm.”
“I-I understand. I will pass on the order not to engage them.”
“I appreciate it. Well then.”
Having finished his request, Mu-heun immediately set off for the Haomun branch office.
***
-Outskirts of Chengdu, Sichuan.
Unlike the Beggars’ Sect branch, the Haomun branch was housed in a respectable building.
“This place was originally an inn. But it was burned down by a local Unorthodox Sect.”
“Then how did it become a Haomun branch?”
“The inn’s waiter, seeking to avenge his unjust loss, learned martial arts.”
“Was the one who taught him martial arts the Haomun Leader, Wi Guk?”
“That’s right. I’ve never met her myself, but I’ve heard the branch leader’s martial arts are exceptionally profound.”
“All the better.”
The warriors guarding the Haomun branch were different from the beggars. They had sturdy physiques and neat attire, boasting a dignified presence that was not inferior to that of a major sect or a prestigious family.
“Who goes there? This is not a place for outsiders.”
“I’m here to see the Haomun branch leader.”
“‘I’m here’? You insolent little brat!”
The guard, angered by the tone of Mu-heun, who looked much younger than him, shouted. However, Mu-heun was not the least bit intimidated and replied.
“I’m not in a good mood, so I suggest you step aside while I’m being nice.”
“What did you say?”
*Shing!*
The guard promptly drew his sword.
Of course, only for the purpose of intimidation.
Just then.
“Stop.”
The leader of the Haomun’s Sichuan branch emerged.
“My, my…”
The branch leader, Hwa Su-yeon. She saw Gam Pa-pa and clasped her fist in a salute as she spoke.
“My guards failed to recognize a distinguished guest.”
“Hoh, you know me? Heh heh.”
“Of course. You are Gam Pa-pa, the branch chief of the Martial Alliance’s Sichuan branch. But, who is this gentleman beside you?”
Mu-heun immediately took out the golden plaque he had kept in his robes.
“Here, before I introduce myself, please take a look at this golden plaque.”
“…This is!?”
A golden plaque, guaranteed by the Haomun Leader, Wi Guk.
“No, in that case… you are!”
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Baek Mu-heun, the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord of the Demonic Cult.”
“……!”
Hwa Su-yeon, along with the two guards, could not hide her astonishment. The reason for their shock was the same as the Beggars’ Sect branch leader’s.
“Ah, no, my lord. You shouldn’t be standing out here. Please, come inside. I failed to recognize the owner of the Haomun’s golden plaque.”
“It is fine. More importantly, I wish to ask for the Haomun’s cooperation.”
“Is there any question? The Haomun will cooperate with the owner of the golden plaque without considering any gains or losses.”
Mu-heun and Gam Pa-pa were guided inside by Hwa Su-yeon, leaving the guard pale-faced.
*Shing.*
He sheathed the sword he had drawn and muttered.
“What’s going to happen to me…”
The other guard, who had been watching from the side, felt relieved that he wasn’t the one who had drawn his sword and patted his colleague on the shoulder.
“Y-you won’t be killed, will you?”
Mu-heun and Gam Pa-pa made the same request to the Haomun branch leader, and Hwa Su-yeon replied that she would cooperate fully.
“Then, if anything happens, please relay the message along the route I mentioned earlier.”
“Is there any question? Please travel safely, owner of the golden plaque.”
***
“Travel safely!”
Two guards shouted their farewells with exceptional volume. Paying them no mind, Mu-heun, having secured the cooperation of the Beggars’ Sect and the Haomun, immediately set out on his way.
“Gam Pa-pa, I will visit again.”
“Heh heh heh, I know the Divine Doctor is a busy man. But if you ever find yourself in Sichuan, I hope you will come to see me.”
“Heh heh heh, is there any question?”
“Heh heh, well then… I wish you a safe journey.”
“Right, you take care as well.”
After bidding farewell to Gam Pa-pa, Mu-heun reunited with Seol Ha-ryeong, who was waiting for him on the outskirts of Chengdu.
“Lady Ha-ryeong.”
“Yes. I have been waiting… Something has happened.”
“Yes. No… I’m not certain, but it seems something is afoot. I’ll explain the details on the way, but let’s depart first.”
“Are we going to the Xidamu Basin?”
“No. Forget the Xidamu Basin for now. We are returning directly to the Main Cult.”
“Yes!”
Thus, Mu-heun and Ha-ryeong left Chengdu and set out on the road. The two unintentionally encountered the warriors of the Emei Sect, who were returning to Mount Emei after the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
The Emei Sect elders and their disciples, already aware of who Mu-heun was, greeted him and Ha-ryeong politely.
“We greet the hero of Hubei. I am Jang Hye, an elder of the Emei Sect.”
“I greet the elder of Emei.”
Despite his haste, Mu-heun exchanged courteous greetings and had a private conversation with the elder.
“It is not yet certain, but as soon as it is confirmed, I will inform you via the Heavenly Fragrance Owl.”
“…I understand. Please travel safely.”
“Yes, well then.”
***
*Screech! Screech!*
[Master!]
As Mu-heun and Ha-ryeong were racing away from Chengdu at high speed, Cheon-hyang spoke to him.
Mu-heun immediately replied with his thoughts.
[I’m busy right now. What is it?]
*Screech! Screech!*
[This! I was debating whether to tell you or not…]
[What is it? Speak.]
[A falcon has been following us.]
[…What?]
[I’ve seen that thing before, but this time it’s carrying something! It looks like a letter!]
[…!?]
Cheon-hyang’s words. In short, a messenger falcon had been following Mu-heun and Ha-ryeong.
“Don’t tell me, is it a letter from the Beggars’ Sect or the Haomun?”
[I don’t know! Actually, that thing has been circling around you for the past few days without leaving. Up in the sky!]
“What did you say?”
[Huh? You didn’t know?]
“This is…”
Only then did Mu-heun realize his mistake. He had always used his wide perception to detect pursuit on the ground. But what about pursuit from the air? Or surveillance?
He hadn’t prepared for it at all.
*My mistake. Even with a spirit beast like the Heavenly Fragrance Owl, I failed to prepare for something like this!*
“Catch it!”
[Sir!]
A bird soaring through the sky. Cheon-hyang flew, erupting with a powerful cold energy.
*Swoosh!*
The falcon that had been following Mu-heun was horrified to see the Heavenly Fragrance Owl flying towards it and hastily tried to escape.
However.
*Swoooosh!*
The falcon lacked the power to evade the spirit beast of the heavens.
*Crack!*
*Crr-crack.*
It couldn’t even be called a fight.
The moment Cheon-hyang caught the falcon, it was frozen solid, unable to even counterattack.
*Screech!*
[Where do you think you’re going, you cur!]
Cheon-hyang gripped the frozen falcon with its talons.
*Crack!*
And flew towards Mu-heun.
[Master! I caught it!]
“Well done.”
Mu-heun immediately unfolded the letter carried by the messenger falcon.
*What in the world is this falcon that it would follow me, and why is it carrying a letter…!?*
The contents of the letter were as follows.
[Listen well and watch closely, you filthy minions of the demon who descended from the Celestial Mountains!
The master of the Xidamu Basin, including the border of Xinjiang and Qinghai, is the Valley of the Wicked! Among them, the ones who made a name for themselves were the Sura Seven Valleys and the Three Absolutes of the World!
However! You demonic minions have defeated the Three Absolutes of the World and the Sura Seven Valleys! And with those hypocritical bastards from the Orthodox Sects, no less!
As the masters of the Unorthodox Sects, this is something we can never overlook!
But there is something you demonic minions have misunderstood! The true masters of the Valley of the Wicked are neither the Sura Seven Valleys nor the Three Absolutes of the World! As long as the Hwasa Sect and the Cheongan Sect stand strong behind them, we will not stand idly by!
We were about to come for your head…
But you, Baek Mu-heun, not knowing your place, dared to push a merchant caravan into the territory managed by the Hwasa and Cheongan Sects.
This crime is heavy! You deserve to be annihilated.
However, I will give you one chance.
You! Baek Mu-heun, the one they call the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord in the Demonic Cult! If you come alone, I will at least spare these men!
Remember! Otherwise, a cruel end awaits you!
If you do not come alone, these men will not live.
You know their names, don’t you?
Cheon Ga-rak, Un Gak, Pa-sun, Un-pyo.
If you do not wish to see your subordinates with their limbs torn apart, I trust you will make a wise choice.
However, it matters not if you make a different choice. In the end, you will walk the path of destruction.
Remember. You must come alone. The eyes and ears of the Valley of the Wicked are everywhere.]
Seol Ha-ryeong felt a chilling fear as she saw the expression on Mu-heun’s face. And she saw it. Mu-heun’s hand, clutching the letter, was trembling.
“Lady Ha-ryeong.”
“Yes, Lord Mu-heun.”
“I apologize for changing our plans again. Forget about returning straight away. We are going to the Xidamu Basin as planned.”
“Yes!”