Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Warning
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The northwestern edge of Gansu, the Jade Gate Pass.
Neung Un-bi safely crossed the Jade Gate Pass, guarded by government troops, and arrived in a town called Sangnak.
The moment his feet crossed the border, a tingling sensation shot through them, and he was overcome with emotion. He nearly burst into tears.
How long had it been since he'd set foot in the Central Plains?
He wasn't born in the Central Plains, but he had grown up there, so it felt like home.
Fortunately, he had used a disguised identity to get through the pass and had not aroused any suspicion. Who would suspect a wandering young master enjoying his travels?
The New Moon Unit, disguised as a merchant caravan and hunters, would cross soon enough. They had decided to move separately for now and regroup in Sangnak, a town near the Jade Gate Pass.
He was now in the territory of the Central Plains, and though it wasn't a place where martial families held great power, he didn't need to worry about being attacked.
That was because of the government troops guarding the Jade Gate Pass.
*Gwanmu-bulgachim*. The government and the martial world do not invade each other’s domains.
Like the old saying, they were reluctant to clash with one another.
But to Neung Un-bi, who knew the truth behind it, the phrase was utterly ridiculous.
Non-aggression? What a load of crap.
It would be more accurate to call it a close-knit relationship.
It was all due to the mutually beneficial understanding that had solidified between them like a secret pact.
Didn’t martial artists cause a lot of trouble?
Since their daily lives consisted mostly of eating and training in martial arts, they were so overflowing with energy that fights and property damage were commonplace.
Inns were the most frequent victims.
How else could there be sayings like, "The disputes of the martial world are settled in inns, and the heroes of the age are born in inns"?
But that was just a romanticized way of putting it. In reality, chairs and tables were rarely left intact, countless people who just came for a meal ended up injured, and sometimes, even murders occurred, leading to widespread complaints from the common folk.
If they had to fight, why not do it on a deserted mountain? Why in an inn or a tavern? Especially in places where so many people gathered?
Because of this, complaints constantly poured in, and government officials were always plagued by problems caused by martial artists.
Typically, such culprits were not easily caught. They used lightness skills and footwork to leap across rooftops, driving officials mad. They treated the government like dirt, thinking nothing of drawing their swords at the slightest provocation.
But what happened after the matter was entrusted to the martial world?
By recognizing the major sects in each region as local authorities and saving them face, the government had them maintain public order on their behalf. There was no better self-policing force.
That was precisely why the first place a newly appointed official visited was the master of the sect that dominated their assigned territory.
Of course, this understanding wasn't limited to the Orthodox Faction.
In places where the so-called Unorthodox Factions were established, officials would accumulate vast wealth in exchange for turning a blind eye to their illegal activities.
Sometimes, even when a murder occurred, their investigations were nothing more than a sham…
That wasn't to say the martial world completely ignored the government.
Those who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts might look down on the government, but they were few and far between. The reality was that if trained government soldiers were deployed, they could easily wipe out most sects.
The same went for the Demonic Cult. The damage would be immense, but if they fought to the end, the government troops would always win.
So, a martial artist causing trouble in Sangnak?
Not a chance.
…Which meant that for as long as he stayed in Sangnak, he would be safe from any threat.
Martial artists roamed the streets, and among them were surely agents sent by the Demonic Cult to watch him, but it didn't matter.
He planned to disappear once all his preparations were complete.
For that reason, Neung Un-bi brazenly rented a room at an inn on Sangnak’s main street. He needed to stay for a while to wait for the New Moon Unit and also had something to teach Wang Cheon.
"Repeat after me. 'Oh, my Lord of Thunder, by the authority of the Mother of Lightning…'"
"Oh, my Lord of Thunder… by the authority of the Mother of…"
"Lightning."
"Ah, by the authority of the Mother of Lightning, rid this body of all ailments… Dammit! Why do I have to do this crap!"
"…"
Neung Un-bi stared blankly at the exasperated Wang Cheon and said.
"Do you want to go back, then?"
"…"
"We're about to enter the territory of the Orthodox Faction. Are you planning to walk around reeking of demonic energy? You want to put me in danger too?"
"That's not it, but…"
"Then stop complaining and memorize it. It's excellent for concealing demonic energy."
"…"
"Are you going to do it?"
"Damn it all…"
Wang Cheon looked like he was about to cry.
He, a proud warrior of the Demonic Cult, who had been verbally promised the position of being second only to one and above all others by Neung Un-bi, the future Cult Leader, was now sitting in an inn reciting a Taoist exorcism chant…
"As a member of the Demonic Cult, this is utterly shameful."
"I, the master you serve, did it too."
"…"
He had seen that.
He had also seen him get called in by the Cult Leader and beaten for it.
"Are you not going to do it? Then let's part ways here. I'll just take Ju Seung with me; he’s loyal to a fault and listens well."
"…"
As Neung Un-bi moved to sever their ties so coldly, Wang Cheon hurriedly began reciting the chant.
"Oh, my Lord of Thunder…"
"That's right."
Wang Cheon's lips were pursed in a massive pout, but he continued to recite the exorcism chant to the end.
*You have no choice, even if you don't like it. You'd follow me even if I told you to leave, so I can't let you put me in danger, can I?*
Come to think of it, it might not be a bad idea to make him wear a Taoist robe while he was at it.
*Heh, serves you right, you who were so eager to tear me apart.*
Neung Un-bi chuckled inwardly.
"Alright, that's ten times. Let's eat now."
"...I've lost my appetite. I feel like I've committed a grave sin."
"So, I'm eating alone?"
"…"
As Neung Un-bi moved to pull the plate of food toward himself, Wang Cheon quickly picked up his chopsticks.
*Should have just done that from the start.*
In any case, his route after Sangnak was already set.
First, he would go to Jiuquan in Gansu.
That was where the Dancheon Gate, a branch of the Orthodox Faction, was located. Near there, at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, was a Demonic Cult branch disguised as a merchant caravan.
He didn't care about the inspection itself, but shouldn't he at least make an appearance?
If he didn't even stop by the nearest branch, he might arouse the Cult Leader's suspicion.
And once he pretended to inspect a few branches and put some distance between them?
He would vanish without a trace.
He would cast off all the shackles and restraints that came with the name Neung Un-bi and set off to find happiness for Cheok Wol-rin.
Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, the New Moon Unit—farewell to you all!
It was a shame to leave behind the time he had spent building connections with them, but what could he do? Their paths were destined to diverge.
"Heheheh."
"…?"
Wang Cheon tilted his head at the sight of Neung Un-bi suddenly laughing.
"Eat. It's nothing."
"...You're being silly."
He must have been hungry. He ate with such gusto that in the short time Neung Un-bi was lost in thought, he had cleaned out an entire plate.
He needed to hurry up and eat too.
Just as Neung Un-bi began to move his chopsticks, determined not to be outdone by Wang Cheon, a man who had just entered the inn stared at them with a peculiar glint in his eyes.
"Excuse me, young brother."
"…?"
An amiable-looking old man had suddenly struck up a conversation.
At his sudden approach, Wang Cheon stopped his chopsticks and quickly sized up the man's appearance.
A very shabby Taoist robe… a T-Taoist?
Of all the people…
It wasn't for nothing that there was a saying in the martial world to be wary of the elderly, children, and women.
This was especially true for an old Taoist master in a worn robe. While it could sometimes be a fortuitous encounter, for members of the Demonic Cult, it was the worst possible meeting.
Wasn't it said that Taoism was the natural enemy of the Demonic Cult for a reason?
Especially if the man had reached the pinnacle of the Tao, he might be able to detect their demonic energy at a glance.
[Wang Cheon! The exorcism chant!]
[Yes!]
Neung Un-bi urgently sent a telepathic message, and Wang Cheon began fervently reciting the chant in his mind.
"Hmm."
"…!"
At that moment, a strange light flickered in the old man's eyes.
*No way. Are we too late?*
"I don't know if I should say this."
"…"
Neung Un-bi swallowed nervously, his ears perked to the old man's voice.
"No matter how I look at it… you have a very fine physiognomy."
"…Huh?"
"Should I say a peculiar energy surrounds you?"
"…"
*What is this? This familiar-sounding opening?*
Neung Un-bi blinked, staring at the old Taoist master with a dumbfounded expression.
"The energy around you is strong, but unfortunately, there is a hint of trouble between your brows."
"…"
"I have cultivated the Way in this field for decades. How could I simply pass by after seeing your face, young brother? This too is fate. I shall tell you how to avoid misfortune."
"…"
He hadn't even given permission.
But the old Taoist master abruptly pushed Wang Cheon aside and plopped down in his seat.
"Let's see… yes, a talisman like this should do nicely!"
*Ssk, sskssk.*
Taking out a portable ink-brush set and a yellow piece of paper from his sleeve, the old Taoist master began to write a talisman with a single, fluid stroke.
"There. Be sure to carry this with you at all times. It will surely be of help."
"…"
He was so dumbfounded he couldn't even speak.
He had been worried for nothing.
An old Taoist master? He was clearly a charlatan.
"Here, take it."
The old Taoist master forcibly pressed the talisman into Neung Un-bi's hand.
"Ahem, a talisman is only effective if a price is paid for it… but I shall be generous. I happen to be hungry, so let's call the food payment for the talisman. Hahaha!"
"…"
With a hearty laugh, the old Taoist master picked up his chopsticks and began shoveling food from the table into his mouth.
Not only an unwanted talisman… but also dining and dashing?
This crazy Taoist bastard, he had no idea how fearsome members of the Demonic Cult could be.
Neung Un-bi frowned, and just as he was about to kick the old man out.
"What! This fake Taoist bastard is here causing trouble again!"
"…?"
"Oh my. I am so sorry, Young Master."
The innkeeper rushed over, bowing at a ninety-degree angle in apology.
"Get out, you old geezer! Are you trying to ruin my business?"
"Hmph! What is the meaning of this? To treat one who reads the heavens so rudely! Do you not fear heavenly retribution?"
"Cut the crap. Get out! Before I give you a good beating!"
"My, why are you so angry? I see you have a fine physiognomy too, but your energy is blocked. Let me write you a talisman…"
"I said get out!"
"Hey, let go of me! Let go!"
Grabbed by the scruff of his neck by the innkeeper, the charlatan Taoist yelled continuously as he was dragged out of the inn.
"Get lost!"
"You rascal! Heavenly retribution will…!"
"Hah!"
Finally, when the innkeeper even picked up a club, the Taoist scrambled away.
His mind was blank. It felt as if a storm had just swept through.
"Oh dear, my apologies. That old geezer has been showing up since yesterday, bothering the customers as if he's determined to ruin my business… I'll have a fresh meal prepared for you right away."
"…"
At the innkeeper's repeated apologies, Neung Un-bi shook his head with a dazed expression.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Go back to your work. We've already eaten our fill, so don't bother cooking again."
"But…"
*Clink.*
Neung Un-bi took out his coin pouch and placed the payment for the meal on the table. The innkeeper bowed immediately and withdrew without another word. He must have been worried about the bill.
"Phew, what a relief. I thought he was a real Taoist master."
"I know. There really are all sorts of people in the world."
Neung Un-bi chuckled at Wang Cheon's words and nodded.
Still, it was a relief. That he wasn't a real Taoist master…
Otherwise, the first step of his journey into the Central Plains could have ended in disaster.
Anyway, a talisman, how absurd… Huh?
Neung Un-bi's gaze fell upon the talisman the old Taoist master had given him, and his face instantly hardened.
*Third Young Master, many eyes are watching.*
*The innkeeper is in on it. Move rooms at once.*
*If you don't want to die screaming in the middle of the night.*