Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Hearing the Answer
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In response to the ominous tone in Ye So-ha's voice, Yeo So-ha spoke with a somewhat serious expression.
“Frankly speaking, I’m not entirely sure. Whether the leader of Tyrant Heaven Fortress knew the man was from the Demonic Cult and still joined hands with him, or if he was simply being used. Even the Beggar's Sect's information network isn't omnipotent.”
“…….”
“But this much I can say for certain. The Bloodwood Cult was definitely involved in the assassination of your father, the Tyrant Sword Ju Cheon-mu.”
Hearing those words, Hwa-ryeon trembled, biting her lip.
Seeing her unable to contain her rage, I quietly gripped her fist under the table.
“Hwa-ryeon.”
At my call, Hwa-ryeon turned her head toward me.
The sharp fury in her eyes gradually faded as she looked at me, and the trembling in her body subsided.
She then closed her eyes tightly, took several deep breaths, and regained her composure.
“…I’m okay now.”
Relieved inwardly at Hwa-ryeon returning to her usual self, I released her hand.
“Hmm?”
Turning my head back to the front at the strange hum, I saw Ye So-ha watching us with an intrigued gaze.
Feeling as though a weakness had been exposed, I spoke in a voice laced with even greater wariness.
“I get the gist of the situation. But how did the Beggar's Sect come to know of the Bloodwood Cult's existence and end up as their enemies?”
“Why do you think? Naturally, because our disciples were sacrificed to them.”
The Beggar's Sect, the faction dwelling at the fringes of the martial world.
Long ago, a portion of their members—whose numbers rivaled even those of Tyrant Heaven Fortress—were kidnapped by the Bloodwood Cult and used for human experimentation.
“The Bloodwood Cult forced those captured disciples to cultivate the Blood Burst Art. You know what the Blood Burst Art is, right?”
“…Too well, unfortunately.”
At Ye So-ha's words, we exchanged glances.
Blood Burst Art, human experimentation.
The same kind of horrors we'd experienced at the Zhuge Clan had been happening before.
That alone was more than enough reason to become enemies….
“Is that the only reason?”
“…Of course. What other reason could there be?”
Ye So-ha feigned nonchalance.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something.
Something told me she had an even greater reason to oppose the Bloodwood Cult.
“In any case, that makes us and the Bloodwood Cult irreconcilable enemies who cannot share the same sky.”
But—Ye So-ha paused for a moment, glancing sidelong at Hwa-ryeon before continuing.
“As for Tyrant Heaven Fortress, it's a bit ambiguous. We still don't know if they're cooperating or just being used. Does that explain everything?”
“…Yes.”
I decided not to press Ye So-ha further on her circumstances.
She'd likely slip away like a sly fox anyway, and more importantly, I had another question.
“But why did you come here?”
“Why do you think? To meet you, of course. We promised to see each other again, didn't we?”
“…Cut the nonsense.”
At her overtly playful words, I shot Ye So-ha a cold look while glancing at Hwa-ryeon.
Her tone made it seem like we'd arranged a secret rendezvous, which felt awkward.
To put it bluntly, I was anxious Hwa-ryeon might get jealous again.
But what was this?
Surprisingly, Hwa-ryeon's expression showed no change.
Was she too preoccupied with her father's matters?
Normally, she'd glare daggers at me.
Puzzled inwardly but not showing it, I glared at Ye So-ha to pressure her.
“Why don't you just come out and say it honestly?”
“Ugh, you're no fun….”
Muttering softly, Ye So-ha didn't seem intent on hiding it and spoke plainly.
“The reason I came here is similar to yours. To investigate that blood-red energy and check on the Wudang Sect's situation. Then I heard you were here and came looking.”
“Investigate… you mean the mountain's…?”
Before I could finish, Ye So-ha nodded.
“Yes. That energy surging from Wudang Mountain is definitely connected to the Bloodwood Cult. I saw something identical not long ago at their secret base by Lake Poyang. I'm certain.”
With that, Ye So-ha narrowed her eyes and said.
“You probably saw something similar in Yangyang, didn't you?”
“…Who knows what you're talking about.”
“Pretending otherwise won't help. Word of the Zhuge Clan’s skies turning blood-red has already spread as far as here in Gyunhyeon.”
At Ye So-ha's words, which suggested she already knew everything, I clicked my tongue briefly and nodded with a sigh.
“…Fine, I won't deny it. But I can't explain in detail.”
What happened at the Zhuge Clan was a sensitive matter that could be tied to treason if mishandled; I couldn't carelessly divulge it to Ye So-ha.
She smirked at my response.
“No need to worry. I'm not particularly curious about the details.”
Fortunately, she didn't seem inclined to dig deeper.
Relieved by her reaction, I mentally organized the information I'd gathered so far using syllogistic logic.
The blood-red energy on Wudang Mountain is linked to the Bloodwood Cult.
The blood-red energy closely resembles the energy of the Blood Jade absorbed by Zhuge Cheon-sang.
Therefore, So-so, who manipulated the Zhuge Clan from behind the scenes, is a member of the Bloodwood Cult.
“…Hah.”
A hollow laugh escaped me unwittingly.
So, for the past several decades, there really had been a Demonic Cult lackey in the Zhuge Clan.
Moreover, the anomaly on Wudang Mountain after that lackey, So-so, fled the Zhuge Clan.
It wasn't my imagination that she was involved in all this.
My conviction grew that her footsteps had naturally led her to Wudang.
And there were many things I wanted to ask her.
To do that, I would have to enter that blood-vomiting Wudang Mountain myself.
“You're planning to head into the depths of Wudang Mountain now, right?”
As if reading my mind, Ye So-ha asked, and I nodded.
“Yes. We have to visit the Wudang Sect.”
“Then, to cut to the chase, how about we cooperate?”
“Cooperate….”
I murmured softly, lost in thought.
I could guess what Ye So-ha was getting at.
We sought an alliance with the Wudang Sect.
Ye So-ha and the Beggar's Sect wanted to investigate the blood-red energy, evidence of the Bloodwood Cult.
Our goals differed, but the tasks to achieve them were the same.
Resolving the anomaly unfolding on Wudang Mountain.
The Wudang Sect would prioritize handling the crisis on their own mountain, naturally drawing us into the matter.
Whether straight or roundabout, our destinations aligned, so there was no need to go separately.
I turned to Hwa-ryeon.
“What do you think? I don't think it's a bad proposal.”
At my words, Hwa-ryeon nodded without hesitation.
“I agree. We'll accept the offer of cooperation.”
“Great! Then, I'll be in your care for a while?”
Clapping her hands at Hwa-ryeon's acceptance, Ye So-ha beamed with a bright smile and spoke in a subtle tone.
“Actually, I've already sent one of my subordinates to scout Wudang Mountain.”
“One person? You sent them alone?”
We didn't even properly know what was happening inside Wudang Mountain yet, and you sent them solo?
“Isn't that too dangerous?”
“It's fine. It's just reconnaissance, and she's capable of extracting herself from any situation.”
As Ye So-ha answered nonchalantly, the sound of someone hurriedly ascending the stairs reached us.
“Ah, perfect timing. Looks like she's back.”
—Milady, it's Cheong.
“Come in.”
With permission to enter, the door burst open, and the blue-robed woman to whom we'd entrusted the carriage at the brothel's entrance stepped into the room.
But her light attire was splattered with fresh blood in several places?
Seeing this, Ye So-ha's expression hardened slightly.
“…What happened?”
“Hong has returned. She brought someone who appears to be a Wudang Taoist, but his injuries are severe.”
At that report, everyone jumped to their feet.
*
“Ugh, ugh…!”
Following the blue-robed woman called Cheong, our eyes fell upon a young Taoist whose pine tree-patterned robe was soaked in blood, and a red-robed woman carefully removing his robe.
“Hong.”
“Ah, Sect Leader.”
The red-robed woman called Hong, also covered in blood like the Taoist, lit up upon spotting Ye So-ha.
From her reaction, she herself didn't seem badly hurt.
“What happened?”
“Well, we happened to spot him being attacked on Wudang Mountain. He looked so grave, so I hurriedly brought him out.”
As Hong said, the Taoist's condition after his upper garment was removed was dire.
Three gashes crossing his torso—like those from a massive bear's claws—continuously oozed blood.
Especially the lowest one, slicing across his abdomen, had his entrails nearly spilling out.
Assessing the Taoist's state, Ye So-ha said gravely.
“We can't treat him like this. We need to stop the bleeding first.”
“B-but he's already lost so much blood. If we delay…!”
Indeed, his blood loss was severe; his face was deathly pale.
If left alone, he'd die, so I stepped forward.
“Hold on a moment.”
“Young hero, this isn't the time… Huh?”
As I reached toward the Taoist, Ye So-ha tried to stop me but froze, dumbfounded, as the bleeding halted the moment I pressed his acupoints.
“Is this sufficient?”
“Y-yes? Ah, yes!”
Snapping to at my question, Ye So-ha nodded and brought her hand to the Taoist's wounds.
Then, an astonishing sight unfolded.
A green light emanated from Ye So-ha's fingertips, and as she applied it to the wounds, the flesh visibly began to knit closed at an incredible speed.
Is this… sorcery?