Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: A Trip to Shaolin
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“That is the Great Hall.”
“I see.”
“Over there is where the elders hold their meetings, and that is where the Alliance Leader resides.”
“And that building is approximately a few decades old…”
He explained the purpose and history of each building.
However, I was not allowed to look inside. Even as a guest, they couldn't show the interior to someone from the Demonic Cult.
It was a matter of secrecy.
But Neung Un-bi was barely listening, his mind preoccupied with what Jin San had told him.
The Orthodox Murim Alliance was already as good as split in two.
Into the Alliance Leader’s faction and the elders’ faction.
But could the elders be unaware?
Impossible. If they were the successors to the ones he knew, they must know everything.
Just as the Alliance Leader's side was aware of them, they too were surely keeping a close watch on the movements of the Alliance Leader and his forces.
They were merely waiting for a justification, for the most perfect moment.
They all knew.
If they couldn't bite down and sever the throat in one go, they would be the ones to fall.
And so, they watched each other, walking a precarious tightrope with blades hidden behind their smiles.
And he had stepped right into the middle of it…
But if ‘that person’ were alive somewhere, could he possibly be unaware of this situation?
Throughout Hwang Byeong-chan’s explanation, Neung Un-bi tried to piece together the countless scattered fragments in his mind.
First, there were Sin Ye-rang and Kim San, whom he had met.
They had been waiting for contact, with the painting of insects and plants hanging in the calligraphy shop. It meant that even though ‘that person’ was in hiding, his information network was still intact.
Furthermore, there was something Kim San had said offhandedly.
-It’s just strange. We also lost contact ten years ago…
Ten years ago.
That was when Dam Un-cheon decided to seal the cult’s gates for the sake of fostering the next generation.
The same time Yi Ok-sang, having been assured that the Demonic Cult would not invade the Central Plains, began to set his plans into motion with Jin San and the others.
“Elder Hwang.”
“That building is… Yes?”
“It seems you have been an elder for quite some time?”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“The names of the halls are one thing, but you even know the details of when and how they were built.”
“Haha, I was wondering what you were getting at.”
“…”
“It has not been that long. It has only been about five years since I became an elder, thanks to Elder Namgung’s recommendation.”
“It hasn’t been as long as I thought?”
“Indeed. I was given this important position through Elder Namgung’s consideration, but I am still nothing more than a fledgling.”
“A fledgling? That’s not true at all. The way you handle matters seems in no way inferior to the other elders. I was truly impressed.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. The meals, the lodging—nothing was lacking. I was inwardly amazed.”
“Haha, I am glad to hear it. Elder Namgung personally instructed me to take good care of you. Now, shall we head over there?”
Hwang Byeong-chan smiled brightly and continued his explanation of the next building.
But there was no need to pay close attention. It was all a superficial explanation, with the truly important details omitted.
What mattered was the fact that he had been an elder for five years.
Five years…
Jeong Chi-su had clearly said this.
-…I saw him just once.
-It was five years ago, in Jeongju.
He had said that, for some reason, ‘that person’ was with those who had been their enemies.
The people Jeong Chi-su saw were likely not the current elders.
They were the ones who had set a trap and driven him and his death squad to their demise.
The ones who had tried to uncover the mastermind through brutal torture.
They would have been the fathers or grandfathers of the current leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans.
Hadn’t Jin San said it?
The real enemies were not the elders, but those behind them.
If Hwang Byeong-chan was recommended by Namgung Hak, and Jeong Chi-su saw ‘that person’ with his enemies…
Could it be that ‘that person’ had also defected?
After his death, did he feel his limits and decide to join them?
For a moment, his mind became a tangled mess.
Of course, nothing was certain yet.
But there was no way ‘that person’ would ever do such a thing.
There had to be a reason.
Besides, wasn’t the timing too coincidental?
Hwang Byeong-chan, who had cried out for the self-reflection of the Orthodox Faction, had suddenly retired to the countryside after his death, only to become an elder five years ago through Namgung Hak’s recommendation.
What if Hwang Byeong-chan was still aligned with ‘that person’?
…A false defection.
The moment the thought occurred, the speculation took over his mind.
What if they had simply changed their method?
Neung Un-bi went back to the beginning and organized his thoughts.
What if ‘that person’ knew of Yi Ok-sang’s movements and deliberately infiltrated the enemy’s ranks to help them?
It was a good plan.
With allies moving on the outside, he could slowly uncover their true nature from within. Then, at the decisive moment, he would stab them in the back.
Attacked from both within and without, they would never be able to escape as they had in the past.
Yes, that must be it.
Since he had remained silent until the moment of his death, they wouldn't know the identity of ‘that person,’ would they?
But it was all just speculation. First, he had to confirm Hwang Byeong-chan’s true colors.
Whether his defection was real or fake.
He had asked Hyang-i, but she didn’t know the full story, did she?
He had to see for himself.
To do that, he had to escape not only the eyes of the Orthodox Murim Alliance but also those of Wang Cheon and the Sakwol Corps.
“Well, this should conclude the introduction to the Orthodox Murim Alliance.”
“My, the day is still young, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. Do you have anything else in mind? If you tell me, I will do my utmost to accommodate you. Elder Namgung also instructed me to do so.”
“Hmm…”
At Hwang Byeong-chan’s question, Neung Un-bi thought for a moment.
What was the best place to hide, to escape the sight of the Orthodox Murim Alliance?
A place where even Wang Cheon and the Sakwol Corps couldn’t follow…
After a long moment of thought, one place came to Neung Un-bi’s mind.
A place where he had often hidden in the past.
A place that had always maintained neutrality in all matters, unless it was an event so great as to require the protection of the Central Plains.
The only sanctuary in the Central Plains that could not be carelessly searched, even if a murderer were hiding there, and even if the pursuer was the Orthodox Murim Alliance itself.
“There is still some time before the Nine Dragons Tournament begins, correct?”
“Five days remain. The Mount Hua Sect suddenly decided not to participate, so we must wait for the son of the Peng Clan, who was selected as the new participant, to arrive.”
“That’s a relief. That should be more than enough time.”
“Pardon? Where are you planning to go?”
“Since I’ve come all the way to the Orthodox Murim Alliance, shouldn’t I also visit the birthplace of Murim martial arts?”
“Excuse me? The birthplace of Murim martial arts… surely you don’t mean to visit Mount Song?”
“I do.”
“…”
As he answered with a slight smile, a look of bewilderment spread across Hwang Byeong-chan’s face.
The expressions of Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol Corps, who were following behind, became similar, but with Hwang Byeong-chan present, they could only widen their eyes without a word.
Of course, their thoughts were all the same.
The Demonic Cult, at Shaolin?
“Are you serious?”
“Why? Is it not allowed?”
“It’s not that, but demonic energy and Buddhist energy are polar opposites…”
“I recently visited the Mount Hua Sect, a sacred site of Taoism, which is just as much of an opposite, you know?”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, were you not aware?”
“…”
He hadn’t heard. Jin San, who had accompanied Neung Un-bi, had not mentioned anything about it to the Council of Elders.
Of course, there was no reason to blame him. Jin San had no obligation to report every little detail he wasn't asked about.
Furthermore, even if Neung Un-bi declared he wouldn’t watch the Nine Dragons Tournament and left immediately, they had no authority to stop him. He was, after all, a guest.
“Young Master Neung, the distance from Jeongju to Mount Song is over a hundred li.”
“If we hurry, it should take about half a day.”
“Pardon?”
“My boys are fast runners. Also, they tend to enjoy training, so if I suggest we go as part of our movement technique practice, they will all be delighted.”
“Still, for the Demonic Cult to go to Shaolin…”
“What about it?”
“Pardon?”
“I have heard that Wudang does not bar anyone from ascending its peak, provided they leave their sword behind, and that Shaolin opens its gates wide to any guest who does not harbor ill intentions, regardless of their ideology or values. Am I perhaps mistaken?”
“…”
Hwang Byeong-chan was at a loss for words.
When he put it like that, what more could he possibly say?
“The Alliance Leader also said I was free to go anywhere.”
“The Alliance Leader said that?”
“Yes.”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Hwang Byeong-chan blinked with a flustered expression.
Of course, it was a lie.
But how would they know? The two of them had met alone.
Even if they tried to confirm it with the Alliance Leader, it wouldn’t matter. The man had taken a liking to him, so he would surely say he had gladly given his permission.
“In that case, please wait a moment. I will inform the Council of Elders and have them prepare an escort.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“Pardon?”
“The entire Murim must already know that I am a guest of the Orthodox Murim Alliance. I doubt anything untoward would happen, would it? If necessary, please just send a carrier pigeon to Shaolin.”
“…”
“Well then, thank you for your time today. The thought of going to Shaolin already fills me with such excitement that I cannot bear to wait. I shall leave immediately. Please pass on my regards to the others.”
“Even so, for you to leave so suddenly…”
“It is the way of the Demonic Cult to act immediately once a decision is made.”
“Y-Young Master Neung!”
Hwang Byeong-chan called out desperately, but Neung Un-bi was already walking away with a wave of his hand.
“My lord! Wait a moment!”
Wang Cheon hurriedly followed and whispered.
“Shaolin? What on earth are you talking about?”
“What do you mean? You all heard me.”
“My lord!”
“We’re just going to have a look. You all can wait in Dengfeng County.”
“How does that make any sense?”
“Why doesn’t it? We’ve already been to Mount Hua…”
“That’s my point!”
“…”
“Taoism, Buddhism… why are you doing this?”
As Wang Cheon looked on the verge of tears, Neung Un-bi let out a deep sigh and said.
“You’re so dense.”
“Pardon?”
“Have you not heard the saying, ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles’?”
“…Pardon?”
“Who are our most troublesome opponents?”
“That would obviously be…”
“Taoists and Buddhists. It’s most difficult to face those who wield anti-demonic power, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“That’s why we have to go.”
“What does that mean?”
“Who am I?”
“…The Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult?”
“You fool.”
“…”
“You told me to become the Cult Leader, didn’t you?”
“Well…”
“To become the Cult Leader, don’t I need to understand the power of the enemies I will have to face in the future?”
“…Don’t tell me?”
“That’s right. I’ve seen Mount Hua, so I understand Taoism. I’ve seen the heart of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, so now I must see Buddhism as well.”
“Ah!”
Persuaded by Neung Un-bi’s coherent explanation, Wang Cheon let out a cry of realization.
“Which disciple has seen Taoism, Buddhism, and the Orthodox Murim Alliance?”
“I-I see your point.”
“We are taking one step forward, into the future.”
“Indeed!”
Completely taken in by Neung Un-bi’s words, Wang Cheon’s attitude suddenly changed.
“Did you all hear the lord’s words?”
“Yes!”
“Follow the lord to Dengfeng County at full speed. You’d better keep up!”
“Yes, sir!”
Now it was Wang Cheon himself, spurring on the Sakwol Corps.
Of course, the fool had no way of knowing it was all a bold-faced lie.
*After all the years I’ve spent with you…*
*Deceiving you is no trouble at all anymore.*
“Oh! Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Leave one of the Sakwol Corps warriors behind.”
“Pardon?”
“We need someone to wait for Hyang-i.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Leaving behind a warrior to inform Hyang-i of his whereabouts, Neung Un-bi headed for Shaolin.