Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Aftermath and Admonishment
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“Hehe, my lord.”
“…”
Wang Cheon called out to Neung Un-bi, his voice dripping with a playful, nasal hum.
What in the world is wrong with this guy?
“You went too far, you know. Threatening to cut off the arm of a Peng family heir… Hehehe.”
Talk about a contradiction…
He says that, yet he's grinning from ear to ear, and why does he look so fired up?
It wasn't just Wang Cheon.
“It was excessive. You were far too excessive, my lord…”
Ju Seung walked with his head held so high his chin pointed to the sky, shoulders squared and puffed with pride.
“That's right. How excessive you were.”
“I've never seen such an excessive display in my life! Ahahahaha!”
The warriors of the Waning Moon Brigade, grins plastered on their faces, also joined in on praising—no, *chastising*—their lord.
The Three Gates Gorge's branch manager, Jeong Hyo-sang, and the branch's warriors were much the same.
They just couldn't say anything because they were intimidated by Neung Un-bi's status.
But how could he not know?
They looked absolutely ecstatic.
They all looked like people who had suffered from a decade of indigestion and were suddenly cured.
“It was excessive… but you did well.”
“What are you talking about?”
Neung Un-bi scowled at Wang Cheon's words.
“The Demonic Cult! Does not fear the Peng family or the Orthodox Murim Alliance! Ahahahaha! So excessive, indeed.”
“You can say that again. It was so satisfying to watch.”
Wang Cheon and Ju Seung exchanged remarks, bursting into laughter again and again.
“I'm so proud. Truly proud. To think our immature lord would show such a magnificent side.”
“Hey! Guard Captain! The lord has always been magnificent! I told you before! He may seem frivolous usually, but when the Demonic Cult is involved, he becomes a different person.”
“I was the one who said that.”
“What are you talking about? I said it, I did!”
“I'm telling you, I said it! You just pledged your loyalty!”
“That's better than opposing him.”
Seeing the two bickering to the point where they looked like they might grab each other by the collar, Neung Un-bi finally let out a small laugh.
He understood. After all, he had essentially landed a blow not only on the Peng family but also on the Orthodox Sect members who were watching.
But was it really for the sake of the Demonic Cult?
It was purely a personal grudge.
Even now, anger surged within him when he thought of the time he'd been tricked by the Peng and Zhuge clans and trapped in the Heavenly Net.
Their actions, framing him and his comrades as murderers to hide their own sins, were still unforgivable.
Yet, seeing them still acting high and mighty, claiming to be the Orthodox Sect, made him want to vomit.
Damn them. They say the wicked are shrewder and live better in this world than the virtuous…
It seemed that saying was spot on.
If he had his way, he felt like beating to death not only the Peng family's son but all the warriors under him.
But he held back.
Having experienced even death, how could he not have learned anything?
They were bastards skilled in dirty tricks, possessing both power and influence. A sense of justice alone was not enough to deal with them.
If he charged recklessly like an angry bull, he would be counterattacked and suffer the same fate as in the past.
The angrier he got, the colder and calmer he had to become. Instead of flying into a rage at the sight of the enemy's head peeking out, he had to gently coax and reassure them until their entire body was exposed.
And at the most critical moment, he would sever their ankles.
So they couldn't escape.
He would cut off the legs and arms of the bastard flailing on the ground, and finally, when they could no longer even resist, he would look them straight in the eyes and slit their throat.
Yes, for now, it's just the Peng and Zhuge clans.
There are still… many enemies left.
It would naturally take a long time to draw all of them out.
But that Zhuge fellow.
In the end, he didn't show his face.
Dealing with him wouldn't change anything, but… I must see his face.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Wiping away tears of emotion at Neung Un-bi's call, Wang Cheon replied with a broad grin.
Just pick one, crying or laughing. You know what they say about doing both… Ahem. In any case, Aeyang won't like it.
“How long did you say was left until the Nine Dragons Tournament?”
“Ah, that… There should be about ten days left now?”
“Hmm.”
It takes two days by boat from Three Gates Gorge to Zhengzhou.
There's plenty of time. So, I'll use this opportunity to clean up Three Gates Gorge with the Demonic Cult backing me.
The Peng and Zhuge clans. I don't know how far their influence extends.
For now, the damage isn't enough to make them reveal their full hand.
But it will certainly get on their nerves.
That Zhuge fellow probably won't be able to hide any longer, either.
The Heavenly Pillar Gate and the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild. Interfering in their business wasn't for the development of the Demonic Cult either. It was because I was angry at how they were harming people.
This time is different. It's purely because of a personal grudge.
So this time, I'll take the lead and crush them. That's the only way I'll feel even a little bit better.
Neung Un-bi concealed the cold killing intent in his eyes and smiled frigidly.
“Let's hurry! Time is short, and there's much to do!”
“Huh? Much to do…? What time?”
As Neung Un-bi suddenly quickened his pace, Wang Cheon tilted his head in confusion but followed without complaint.
Now, let's see what Jin San brings back.
* * *
After the incident on the tavern street.
Jin San parted ways with Neung Un-bi and went to the Peng family's Three Gates Gorge branch with their injured members.
“Elder, negotiations? What are you talking about? We were the ones beaten by that wicked bastard!”
“…”
The Peng family's Three Gates Gorge branch manager, Peng Won-gil, pleaded with a sense of injustice.
Jin San's brow furrowed deeply at the sight of him shouting while wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
“Hah, have you ever seen such a dull-witted fool? Is that something to be proud of?”
“Huh?”
“It was just one man, Young Master Neung.”
“…”
“There were fifteen of you, including yourself and the warriors of the Peng branch! A large group ganged up on one person and still ended up in this state, and you feel no shame!”
“Th-that's…”
Unable to hold back any longer, Jin San raised his voice, and Peng Won-gil's neck shrank.
He couldn't help but feel intimidated.
How could he possibly stand tall before Jin San?
Jin San of the Zhongnan Sect.
No one was unaware of the standing his name held. Was he not a warrior representing Zhongnan, one of the Nine Great Sects?
He was not just a representative of Zhongnan, but one of the foremost swordsmen of the Orthodox Murim. He was one of the elders of the Orthodox Sect, someone whom even the head of the Peng family, let alone the new leader of the Murim Alliance, would have to greet first.
And such a man had come to the Peng family's branch to scold them.
“And! Let's get the facts straight! Who was it that started the fight?”
“That was…”
“It was the Peng family! The Peng family!”
“…”
Peng Won-gil fell silent, unable to say a word.
“Did they draw their swords first?”
“…”
“Did they cause any harm to the common people on the street?”
“…”
“And yet you still have something to say for yourself?”
Was it because he felt it was so unfair to be interrogated by Jin San, who wasn't even an elder of his own clan?
Or was it because he was upset that Jin San was only angry, without a thought of consoling him for his serious injuries?
Peng Won-gil pouted and muttered defensively.
“But they're the Demonic Cult.”
“So what?”
“You know they've been threatening the peace of the Murim all this time.”
“What?”
“People are afraid just seeing them walk down the street.”
“…”
“I was just trying to stop them.”
“Hah!”
Jin San was so dumbfounded he was speechless.
So utterly incompetent. How could the Peng family have placed such a thoughtless fool in the position of branch manager?
Just because of his bloodline, a man with no ability…
“Did you see it?”
“Huh?”
“I asked if you saw the Demonic Cult threatening the peace of the Murim.”
“…Everyone knows it's a fact.”
“I asked if *you* saw it! With your own two eyes, did you personally witness what the Demonic Cult has done?”
“…”
Of course, he hadn't.
How long had it been since Dam Un-cheon declared their seclusion?
In the first place, since Dam Un-cheon became the Cult Leader, the Demonic Cult had never attacked the Central Plains without reason.
It was just rumors. Nothing more than secondhand stories about the Demonic Cult passed down from generations past.
Furthermore, because they had once crossed swords, even minor faults were maliciously exaggerated and recorded.
The young warriors of the Central Plains are brainwashed into believing it's the truth.
The young warriors of Zhongnan are the same.
They think that way blindly, without even knowing the reason.
The Demonic Cult is bad.
The Demonic Cult is evil.
Even though they never lived through that era of fierce warfare…
Of course, Jin San didn't think the Demonic Cult was righteous either.
They were still tyrannical, seeking to solve matters through force.
And there were times when Demonic practitioners who had fallen to their demonic nature would wreak havoc in the Central Plains.
But Jin San had seen it with his own eyes. The fact that they could change depending on who their leader was.
Dam Un-cheon had been like that, and so was Neung Un-bi.
Beyond the distinction of Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic, they were true martial artists.
They possessed power but did not wield it recklessly, and they did not involve themselves with those unconnected to the martial world.
But the situation now was different.
The Peng family and the Demonic Cult. They were both martial artists and members of the Murim.
Since Neung Un-bi had mentioned the Demonic Cult's honor in the context of the Orthodox-Demonic treaty, they would never let this slide.
And on top of that, the Demonic Cult had the moral high ground…
Jin San recalled the words Neung Un-bi had said to him.
“—It was out of respect for you, Elder, for seeing me as I am, not shackling me with the name of the Demonic Cult.”
“—I will await your wise handling of the matter.”
He had entrusted the aftermath to him.
Furthermore, he wanted the incident to be viewed not through the lens of Orthodox versus Demonic, but with an objective eye.
Meanwhile, looking at Peng Won-gil, who was just staring at him blankly, he couldn't help but sigh.
It seemed he had no choice but to bring back a gift that would satisfy Neung Un-bi himself.
“Dammit, I'm not a Taoist, but I feel like reciting a scripture.”
Jin San muttered lamentably before speaking to Peng Won-gil.
“What do you plan to do?”
“Huh? What do you mean, what do I plan to do?”
“Anyone can see that this incident is the Peng family's fault.”
“An elder of the… no, of the Orthodox Sect, how can you say such a thing? Taking the side of the Demonic Cult, no less…”
*CRASH!*
“This fool still hasn't come to his senses!”
“…”
“Do you still not understand what a huge mess this is!”
“But I've already been beaten by that bastard, and not just me…”
“Shut up! Do you think your injuries are what's important right now? Now that they've brought up the Demonic Cult's honor, this has become an issue between the Orthodox Sect and the Demonic Cult!”
“Huh?”
“Do you think the Peng family will act as your shield even if they step in?”
“…”
“I saw it, and everyone else saw it. You're not the only one who witnessed your wrongdoing. How do you, no, how does the Peng family, intend to take responsibility for this?”
Peng Won-gil couldn't say another word. The mention of his family, not just him as an individual, had struck fear into him.
“Haaah, let's stop. What more can I say to you?”
“…”
“I'll have to write a letter to your family at once. As someone who witnessed the incident firsthand, I will convey the facts objectively and fairly.”
“E-Elder Jin San, please, anything but that… If my father finds out, I'll be…”
“Tsk! You impossibly dull-witted fool… A man who doesn't even know what he's done wrong is afraid of his father's wrath?”
“…”
“I don't know how you ever became a branch manager, but you have much, much to learn.”
At Jin San's lament, Peng Won-gil could only hang his head low.
What kind of situation was this?
And why hadn't that Zhuge Min fellow shown his face at all?
He said he'd help ensure all the credit for driving out the Demonic Cult would go to me…
But he couldn't bring himself to mention that name to Jin San.
Because the man had threatened that their relationship would be over if he was ever mentioned.
Wasn't it all thanks to his advice that he, who had fallen out of his father's favor, had risen to the position of the Three Gates Gorge branch manager?
Right. He'd have to endure some scolding, but if he just held on for a bit, the man would soon tell him how to overcome this crisis.
Just like he always did.