Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Shifting Territories
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“What is this all of a sudden? Moving the branch here?!”
Un Hak, who had only just woken up to the smell of breakfast being served, shouted with a fierce glare.
“Sit down and talk.”
“How can I possibly sit down now?!”
“Then keep standing, if you wish.”
Veins bulged on Un Hak’s neck as his face flushed with anger, but Neung Un-bi simply continued to move his chopsticks with composure, picking up a piece of food.
“Mm, this is delicious. The cook is skilled.”
“……”
Watching him happily munch away and critique the food, Un Hak gritted his teeth and glared before slumping into his seat.
It takes two to tango.
You need two hands to clap, so what good would it do for him to rage on his own?
The person he was talking to was letting it all in one ear and out the other.
“Haa, Young Master Neung.”
“Let’s eat first. How about we discuss the details over tea after the meal?”
“……”
“The food is good, after all.”
Un Hak clenched his fists several times at the sight of Neung Un-bi smiling faintly and chewing his food.
Infinite Buddha, Infinite Buddha…
Though he was a recognized disciple of the Taoist way, his anger wouldn’t subside, and he had no appetite for the food before him.
How could this be?
To suddenly change something that had already been agreed upon…
Even if the Demonic Cult walked the path of supremacy, wasn’t this far too arbitrary?
Soon, the meal was finished, and a maid brought tea.
“Alright, shall we talk now?”
“Absolutely not!”
“……”
As if he had been organizing his thoughts the entire time he waited, Un Hak shouted his refusal at once.
But Neung Un-bi had already expected such a reaction.
“Right, you wouldn’t agree. But can the Orthodox Murim Alliance truly object?”
“What?”
“This agreement never had a clause about the branch’s location in the first place.”
“…What does that…?”
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Neung Un-bi’s call, Wang Cheon stood up as if he had been waiting and unfurled a scroll.
“This is the Orthodox-Demonic treaty signed after the Heavenly Pillar Gate incident.”
“The… treaty?”
“Yes. I had a carrier pigeon sent to the main cult, and this is a transcription of the reply. It’s a copy, but the content is the same. You probably already know it, but let me go over it once more.”
“…?”
“Wang Cheon, read it.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Neung Un-bi’s command, Wang Cheon began to read the contents of the scroll.
The Orthodox-Demonic Treaty.
First, on a certain day and time, the Demonic Cult shall establish one branch in each province of the Central Plains.
Second, the established branches will minimize friction with the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions and shall not use coercive force to encroach upon their territories.
Third, the business interests of a branch shall not extend beyond a hundred li in any direction from its location. However, if any illegal activity occurs due to a conflict of interest, the corresponding branch will be immediately withdrawn.
“…As an additional clause, if an incident occurs invoking the name of the Demonic Cult, the Cult will dispatch its own investigators. That is all.”
Wang Cheon finished reading the scroll and stepped back.
“…What is the meaning of this?”
Un Hak, who had been listening with a frown, glared at Neung Un-bi.
“You heard it, didn’t you?”
“……”
“Was there any clause in the treaty that restricted the location of the branch?”
“Th-That is…”
“There wasn’t.”
“But the location for the Demonic Cult’s branch in Shaanxi has already been decided.”
“Correct. But I don’t like that location.”
“What?”
“How can the demonic and the divine coexist?”
“…Pardon?”
“My goodness, a Demonic Cult branch in the territory of Mount Hua, a place of polar opposites. A passing dog would laugh at the thought.”
“……”
At Neung Un-bi’s laughter, Un Hak’s eyes went blank.
Come to think of it, that was true. Hadn’t there been a lot of talk about it within Mount Hua?
“I don’t know what was going through Mount Hua’s mind when they accepted, but I, for one, find it utterly deplorable. That’s why I’m moving it. To here.”
“Umm.”
“Although Zhongnan may have started from Taoist roots, it’s practically a sect of worldly people, isn’t it? For us, Zhongnan’s territory is much better than Mount Hua’s, which has such outstanding demon-quelling power. What do you think?”
“Well…”
As Un Hak hesitated, Neung Un-bi inwardly smiled in triumph.
*Tempting, isn’t it, you fool?*
*Of course, it is. Do you have any idea how hard we worked to get our stories straight while you were sleeping?*
In truth, that copy was hastily fabricated. A carrier pigeon can’t teleport. How could a decision made this morning have already been relayed to the Demonic Cult?
But Un Hak was in no position to question such things.
From Mount Hua’s territory to Zhongnan’s territory.
When you thought about it, only the location had changed, so it wasn’t a major issue.
It wasn’t a violation of the treaty.
Besides, from Mount Hua’s perspective, wasn’t this a decision to be celebrated?
“I’ve already sent word, so our side should have begun negotiations with the Orthodox Murim Alliance.”
“A-Already?”
“Yes.”
“But there’s no way Zhongnan will accept…”
“That’s a matter for the Orthodox Murim Alliance to coordinate. Well, if Mount Hua objects, then we have no choice but to establish the branch right on your doorstep. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter where it is. It’s just a little unsettling, that’s all.”
“……”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Un Hak’s mind began to race.
*What should I do?*
If the Demonic Cult branch were to set up in Zhongnan’s territory, there would be no better news for Mount Hua.
They wouldn’t have to worry about them causing trouble and dispatch disciples to monitor the Demonic Cult branch…
Furthermore, Mount Hua, which already distanced itself from worldly matters, had few business interests to begin with. If the Demonic Cult branch were established there, they were bound to lose what little they had.
They were taught to avoid greed, but didn’t they need at least a minimal standard of living to cultivate the Tao?
“Umm.”
Though he appeared to be contemplating, Un Hak’s expression showed that he was already ninety percent convinced.
Weren’t his ears perked up, his eyes darting about, having lost their focus moments ago?
“So, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor?”
“Yes. I think a word from Mount Hua would be enough… if the one they call the Sword Saint were to subtly mention it to the Orthodox Murim Alliance… Don’t you think? It’s a good thing for all of us.”
“But…”
“Come now, I’m not asking you to do something that goes against your character as a Taoist, am I? I’m just asking you to pass on a message.”
“That may be so, but…”
“It’s good for Mount Hua, and it’s good for the Demonic Cult… Hmm? Hmmm?”
“……”
“And who would say anything to Mount Hua? This is all my decision, a request made by the Demonic Cult. Isn’t that right?”
As the words were whispered like a devil’s temptation, Un Hak found himself nodding unconsciously.
Right, he wasn’t saying this because he wanted to.
Neung Un-bi had decided it.
When he thought about it, as he said, it didn’t particularly violate the treaty…
“Now, hurry and inform your main sect. The Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult intends to move the Shaanxi branch to this location. What should we do? That’s all you need to ask. You’re my monitor, after all, so that should be enough. The higher-ups will make their own decision, won’t they?”
“……”
He was right. As if he had been brainwashed, Un Hak was now nodding vigorously at Neung Un-bi’s words.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you get a move on? It’ll be troublesome if Zhongnan hears the news first and makes a move.”
“Huh? Ah! Yes! Then just a moment… No, I’ll see you again later.”
“Alright, take your time.”
Neung Un-bi waved energetically at the back of Un Hak’s head as he shot up, bowed, and rushed out of the room.
*He’ll do well.*
Hadn’t he already told him exactly what to say and how to say it?
*So what if he cultivates the Tao?*
For Neung Un-bi, who had been through thick and thin, swaying a mere plum blossom that had just begun to bud was no trouble at all.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes.”
“This…”
“…?”
With a pleased smile, Neung Un-bi handed Wang Cheon a silk bundle.
It contained the unmarked account ledgers and tokens from the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild that Ju Seung had swiped.
“Take the boys and clean them out. Scrape up every last coin.”
“Heh, understood.”
Taking the silk bundle, Wang Cheon dashed off like an arrow.
Weren’t they illicit funds anyway?
Given that they were kept in unmarked accounts, the chances of the money being legally earned were close to nil.
*Then of course I should take it.*
And that money would now become the capital to bring down the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild.
*Alright, the stage is set. From now on, I’ll show you hell.*
Neung Un-bi blew on the steam rising from his teacup before bringing it to his lips.
“…Delicious. Sweet as honey.”
* * *
“What is the meaning of this! A Demonic Cult branch is moving here all of a sudden!?”
“…The Orthodox Murim Alliance has sent an official request for cooperation.”
“What? How is this a request in any way! It’s practically a notification!”
A single letter had thrown the Zhongnan Sect into an unexpected turmoil.
It was because of the location of the Demonic Cult branch to be established in Shaanxi.
They had heard it was supposed to be in Mount Hua Sect’s territory, and since Mount Hua hadn’t said anything, they had secretly thought it was for the best.
Who would welcome the Demonic Cult setting up shop in their domain?
But now, the Orthodox Murim Alliance had sent a sudden request for cooperation.
The Demonic Cult had requested to establish its branch in Mei County, which was in Zhongnan’s territory, and they asked for their understanding.
“Understanding, my foot! I must protest to the Alliance Leader at once!”
The Zhongnan Sect Leader, Eun Pyeong-san, roared with fury.
“Sect Leader, please calm yourself. This is not a matter to be dealt with by anger alone.”
“What? Are you suggesting we just stay quiet!”
“That’s not it… The Orthodox Murim Alliance seems to be in a difficult position as well. They said that if we handle this matter smoothly, they will grant our sect special appointment rights.”
“Appointment rights?”
“Yes. As you know, since the new Alliance Leader took office, he has been overhauling the Alliance’s personnel.”
“…Indeed.”
At the words of the First Elder, Yu Mu-hwan, the fury in Eun Pyeong-san’s eyes softened slightly.
The new Alliance Leader, Lee Ok-sang. He was a well-known reformer and revolutionary in the Orthodox Faction.
The first thing he did after becoming the Alliance Leader was to reorganize the structure. It was, in a sense, a dismantling of the established powers.
It began with personnel changes in the Alliance’s Elder Council and the heads of the combat units.
“A total of five positions, including two Elder seats.”
“…Hmm?”
“The strategist sent a secret letter promising them.”
“The strategist?”
“Yes. The Demonic Cult’s demand must have been difficult for him as well. The Demonic Cult is not an ordinary bunch, are they? Aren’t they the type to throw a punch at the slightest provocation? However, this demand does not violate the previous treaty in any way, so it seems the Alliance has no other choice.”
“Hmm…”
Five positions. Even Eun Pyeong-san couldn’t help but be swayed.
The Nine Great Sects, the Five Great Families, and countless other small and medium-sized factions.
But there were only eight Elder seats in the Alliance.
Although the Orthodox Murim Alliance was a coalition of various sects, was its power ordinary?
The sects that had produced elders for generations had reaped enormous benefits.
And hadn’t Zhongnan, despite being one of the Nine Great Sects, always been pushed to the background, overshadowed by Mount Hua?
The saying that Shaanxi was Mount Hua’s territory didn’t come from nowhere.
The gap had widened even more since the Sword Saint’s emergence.
But what if they had two elders in the Alliance?
“Has there been no word from Mount Hua?”
“They are quiet.”
“Quiet?”
“Yes. But that makes me more concerned.”
“What do you mean?”
“Weren’t they also quiet when the Demonic Cult branch was first said to be established in their territory?”
“They were.”
“But if we were to protest this time, I wonder how they would react…”
“Hmm…”
It was impossible not to be concerned.
If the Sword Saint were to find this displeasing and so much as clear his throat, the two Elder positions promised by the strategist might become null and void.
“Damn it… It can’t be helped. Tell them we accept.”
“Yes.”
“However, don’t make it seem like we’re accepting it easily.”
“Leave it to me, Sect Leader.”
Eun Pyeong-san nodded at Yu Mu-hwan’s words and then looked at the Third Elder, Eon Jung-yang, who managed the Zhongnan Sect’s secular affairs.
“Third Elder.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“From now on, you will have much to do.”
“Of course. I will watch carefully to ensure the Demonic Cult does not engage in any unnecessary activities.”
“Good. Manage our connections in the merchant world well. We must not cede a single business interest to those Demonic Cult bastards.”
“Absolutely. You are right. I will send the disciples of the White Cloud Hall down to the secular branches and order them to tightly manage the sects and merchants in our territory. The Demonic Cult bastards will find nothing and wither away on their own.”
“…I will leave that to your discretion, Third Elder.”
Eun Pyeong-san, seemingly entrusting everything to Eon Jung-yang, smiled with satisfaction.
Right, so what if they build a branch in their territory? As he said, they just had to make them wither away and die.
And they could just pocket the Elder positions in the Alliance.
“Oh, by the way, the Grandmaster has left the mountain again.”
“The Grandmaster?”
“Yes.”
Eun Pyeong-san thought of Zhongnan’s Grandmaster, Jin San.
The great elder of Zhongnan. He was once a martial artist who represented his era, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Mount Hua Sword Saint.
Eun Pyeong-san was certain that if he hadn’t lost his arm in an unfortunate accident and switched to the left-handed sword, Mount Hua would have never gained the name of the Sword Saint.
“Haha, isn’t he a free spirit by nature? He has probably gone off somewhere again and will return after a long while. Did he take enough for his travel expenses?”
“I told Hyeon to pack him a hefty sum.”
“Well done. Stay in constant contact with Hyeon to ensure he lacks nothing.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Now, everyone, stay sharp. We were forced to accept the Demonic Cult’s branch, but we must not let our guard down for a single moment.”
“Yes.”
Zhongnan began its own preparations to welcome the Demonic Cult branch.
They were the hosts, and the Demonic Cult was merely a guest.
A guest is bound to leave eventually, so all they had to do was make their stay uncomfortable enough to hasten their departure.