Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The Aftermath and a Wanted Poster
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Following Neung Un-bi, Wang Cheon gazed at the wide-open doors of the main hall.
“They say a person should swim in the big leagues…”
Back in the Demonic Cult, he was nothing more than a troublemaker just entering the fray of competition. But since coming to the Central Plains, he had been making everything go his way.
And it all started with a war against a massive sect, the Heavenly Pillar Gate.
While not one of the Nine Great Sects, its position within the Orthodox Murim Alliance was by no means small. Weren't they the rulers of the vast northern Gansu region?
Now that they were rendered incapable of recovery, northern Gansu was as good as unclaimed territory.
Although the area near the Great Snow Mountains was a stronghold for unorthodox factions, it was clear as day that the influence of the Dancheon Gate, the protagonist of this incident, would grow in the future.
Moreover, the perception of the Central Plains' people was changing because he had returned those who were sold off through the backroom deals between the Heavenly Pillar Gate and that branch manager to their original homes.
Those who were promised substantial compensation were spreading word of the Demonic Cult's good deeds far and wide.
Already, in taverns throughout the streets, praises for the Demonic Cult and the Third Young Master were frequently heard.
They said the Demonic Cult had accomplished what even the government authorities had ignored.
Though he was of the demonic path, the Third Young Master was a man who knew righteousness and duty.
The blame was pointed at the authorities and the Heavenly Pillar Gate, while all the praise went to the Demonic Cult and the Third Young Master.
Destroying a sect was something anyone could do, but getting people to feel so favorably was an incredibly difficult task.
Especially for the Demonic Cult.
The Demonic Cult, which had always been scorned, always treated as the vilest, most cruel and wicked dregs of humanity.
Neung Un-bi had accomplished that difficult feat.
A martial artist barely of age.
“Wait, a minute! Surely he didn't predict all this when he started this?”
The sudden thought made Wang Cheon's eyes widen, but he soon chuckled and shook his head.
Nah, no way…
But it was clear that with this, the man named Neung Un-bi had left a significant mark on the martial world.
It was an achievement that couldn't even be compared to the so-called Three Great Subjugations (bandits, pirates, and the Demonic Cult) that the Central Plains folks were so fond of.
“It's on a whole different level, a whole different level!”
Wang Cheon barely suppressed the laughter that kept escaping as he walked toward the main hall.
What was even better was that this incident had made the Dancheon Gate develop a sense of loyalty toward Neung Un-bi.
And amidst it all, the Demonic Cult's Central Plains branch, which had been hounded by both orthodox and unorthodox factions and forced to live in secrecy, could now proudly step into the light.
A long-held wish had been fulfilled.
What could be better than being able to proudly reveal their identities without hiding anymore?
Even if it was a result of the Cult Leader pressuring the Central Plains, everyone would consider it Neung Un-bi's accomplishment.
“At this rate, I wonder if the entire Central Plains branch will pledge their loyalty to our lord. Hehehe.”
Wang Cheon tried to cover his mouth, but the laughter just kept coming.
Of course, things would get more dangerous. The opposing faction wouldn't just stand by and watch Neung Un-bi's influence grow.
The same went for the Orthodox Murim Alliance, whose pride had been wounded in the fight with the Heavenly Pillar Gate.
Those bastards, who loathed the Demonic Cult, had taken a solid hit…
Nevertheless, his dream was getting closer.
His dream of placing Neung Un-bi on the Cult Leader's throne.
“I will make it happen. No matter what.”
Unaware of Neung Un-bi's inner thoughts of only looking for a chance to escape, Wang Cheon burned with determination and made a firm resolution.
But… why did he have such a sad expression?
A pang shot through his heart.
The look on his lord's face as he cut down the Heavenly Pillar Gate Master kept replaying in his mind.
“It's not the first time he's used a killing blow…”
He looked so gleeful when he was beating me up.
Then again, it wasn't just any ordinary fight.
Perhaps what he had seen was the sense of emptiness that comes after a fierce battle.
At times like this, simply being by his side would be helpful.
Though they bickered regardless of their positions, how could words describe their strong bond?
Yes, who was he?
The Guard Captain.
So close that Ju Seung couldn't even compare, having weathered the storms of their short lives together.
“Hmm, I should have brought some wine. To help our lord unwind a little.”
Licking his lips in regret, Wang Cheon stepped into the wide-open main hall.
What he saw was Neung Un-bi's back, huddled in a dark corner without any lights on.
“…My lord.”
His heart ached again.
He felt he could understand the pressure Neung Un-bi must have endured as a disciple at such a young age.
I should comfort him. Like a reliable guard.
“My lord!”
“…?”
As Wang Cheon cleared his throat and called out forcefully, Neung Un-bi whipped his head around.
“Oh, you're here?”
“Yes.”
“What took you so long?”
“…Pardon?”
“What are you doing? Get searching.”
“…Pa-pardon!?”
Momentarily stunned, Wang Cheon blinked his eyes.
He then noticed something scattered all around his lord.
“Damn it, this whole place. There's nothing valuable.”
“…”
His lord, whom he thought was lost in despair, whom he had intended to comfort with a drink… was ransacking every corner of the main hall.
Grumbling that there was nothing of value.
“M-my lord? What in the world are you doing?”
“What do you think I'm doing?”
“…”
“I have to gather the compensation money, don't I? They said the main sect won't provide any support.”
“Ah, the compensation…”
“I can't figure out where these bastards stashed their money, so for now, I have to grab anything that's worth something.”
“…”
In the end, Wang Cheon could only manage an awkward laugh.
Could it be that he looked sad… because of the massive compensation he promised the people?
“Hey! Are you just going to stand there gawking? Get searching. The fight's over, so we have to clear out soon.”
“Ah, that…”
That was right.
The Orthodox Murim Alliance had permitted the war, but not the territory.
Hadn't there been a clause in the negotiations for establishing the branch, stating not to encroach on their territory?
“This won't do. Let's just grab this and this, and then search the other buildings. Summon the entire Lunar Eclipse unit. Tell them to take anything of value.”
“…”
“Oh! And don't call the Dancheon Gate guys. Those bastards might secretly pocket some stuff. Got it?”
“…”
At the specific and meticulous command, Wang Cheon could only stare blankly.
What was I even worried about?
But he smiled.
He was glad Un-bi was in good spirits.
“My lord!”
“Yes?”
“You should take the items on that weapon rack over there.”
“…”
“Refined steel is worth money.”
“Ah!”
At Wang Cheon's earnest advice, Neung Un-bi exclaimed.
“Right. It's worth money.”
“Is that all? We should take the secret manuals too, shouldn't we?”
“The manuals too?”
“Of course. That's the real prize. It's incomparable to mere gold.”
“Hmm, but… isn't taking the manuals going a bit too far? It'll be a problem if the Orthodox Murim Alliance complains after we sell them.”
“My lord.”
“Yes?”
“The black market exists for a reason, doesn't it? If need be, we can secretly establish connections with the unorthodox factions. The Dancheon Gate probably knows a lot about that side of things.”
“Oh!”
“We should also raid the businesses managed by the Heavenly Pillar Gate. I saw quite a few gambling dens and night markets before.”
“Right! That's it, there were those places.”
“They've been making money through illegal businesses, so it should be quite profitable. If we leave it, the Orthodox Murim Alliance might make a move first, so we should hurry.”
“Ah, Wang Cheon. You truly are…”
Scum.
But reliable.
I didn't know you were so knowledgeable in this area, of all things.
“Spare me your praise. I am simply doing my best as your guard.”
“R-right.”
Neung Un-bi, whose inner thoughts were quite different, laughed awkwardly.
In the dead of night.
The lord and his subordinate, united by trust, became thieves, and that day, the Heavenly Pillar Gate was stripped of everything it had accumulated throughout its long history.
For the people's compensation.
And also to secure some travel expenses.
* * *
Two days at the Heavenly Pillar Gate.
Thanks to searching frantically without a moment's rest, they were able to secure a hefty sum. It seemed the compensation money would be more than enough.
On the third day, after sending off all the Heavenly Pillar Gate's assets with the Dancheon Gate martial artists, Neung Un-bi changed into clean clothes and walked the night streets of Jiuzhou.
“Hmm, it's peaceful.”
“Indeed.”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung, walking beside him, nodded.
Just three days.
The leaders of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, handed over to the authorities, confessed to all their past crimes, and the rumor that the Heavenly Pillar Gate had fallen to the Demonic Cult spread like wildfire.
As if the fierce war had happened in another world, the world was spending a night no different from any other.
Drunks were causing a nuisance by shouting and singing loudly, and touters were busy competing to attract customers.
Inns and taverns were bustling with customers, full of life.
Inside, talk of the battle between the Heavenly Pillar Gate and the Demonic Cult was in full swing. There was sometimes praise and sometimes criticism, but it wasn't a matter worth paying attention to.
Occasionally, a few people would glance at Neung Un-bi's group, but no one in the party paid it any mind. They figured it was natural, given they were walking around with swords in this situation.
But there was just one thing missing from their usual lives.
The martial artists of the Heavenly Pillar Gate who patrolled to maintain public order—they were gone.
Yet, no one seemed to care.
Perhaps people's lives had been the same all along, whether they were there or not.
“By the way, where will you go now?”
“Well…”
“The closest branches to the Dancheon Gate are in Sichuan and Shaanxi.”
“Huh? There's one in Sichuan too?”
“Yes. Since the Tang Clan's influence is so strong there, it's quite far from Chengdu, but there is a branch there.”
“Hmm…”
After frowning in thought for a moment, Neung Un-bi made a decision.
“Let's go to Shaanxi.”
“To Shaanxi… understood.”
Wang Cheon nodded.
To martial artists, Shaanxi meant Mount Hua.
In other words, Neung Un-bi's group was heading toward a place where a true orthodox sect was located.
As it was a place akin to a sacred land for Taoists, the Demonic Cult could never be free there.
Nevertheless, the reason Neung Un-bi chose Shaanxi as their destination was to prepare for their parting.
After Shaanxi, wasn't it Henan?
The place where the Orthodox Murim Alliance was, and where 'that person' he always missed resided.
It was a shame his connection with Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Lunar Eclipse unit had to end, but what could he do?
A person has to wear clothes that suit them.
Neung Un-bi would disappear, and he would return to being Cheok Wol-rin.
But for some reason, he felt sad. The thought of being separated from Wang Cheon made his chest feel tight.
He couldn't tell if it was because of the bond he had formed with him, or because of the original Neung Un-bi's memories.
His heart already in turmoil over the impending farewell, Neung Un-bi asked in a deliberately cheerful voice.
“Shall we have a drink?”
“Shall we?”
“Yes. The fight is over, we should have a drink.”
“Let's.”
As Wang Cheon nodded, Ju Seung gave an order to a member of the Lunar Eclipse unit.
To find a place with a good atmosphere that wouldn't disturb people.
Neung Un-bi walked the main road of Jiuzhou with a heart half-filled with regret and half with anticipation, thinking about the future that would soon arrive.
It was then.
“Hey! You there!”
“…?”
A voice called out to someone.
It was a strangely familiar voice.
But who would recognize him?
Neung Un-bi chuckled and quickened his pace, but the voice came again, louder than before.
“Hey! Jung-gil! Escort Master of Okcheong!”
“…Huh?”
The familiar voice was directed at him.
Lee Jung-gil, Escort Master of Okcheong.
Wasn't that the false identity he used when he first visited the Heavenly Pillar Gate?
And the owner of this familiar voice, who would know his identity?
“…Yongcheon?”
He stopped and whipped his head around to see Yongcheon peeking his head out from the darkness at the mouth of an alley.
“Well, if it isn't you, brother?”
“Shh! Lower your voice.”
“…?”
“Come here, over here. Hurry!”
At Yongcheon's call, Neung Un-bi tilted his head and approached him.
His face looked extremely anxious, but he had managed to survive the chaos.
Or perhaps, like before, he was out drinking and luckily avoided their blades.
As Neung Un-bi and his companions entered the alley, Yongcheon once again scanned his surroundings and then sighed in relief.
“Phew…”
“…?”
“My friend, what brings you here?”
“Pardon?”
“All hell broke loose. Those Demonic Cult bastards invaded and turned the Heavenly Pillar Gate into a wasteland.”
“…”
He was that Demonic Cult bastard.
Though it seemed Yongcheon still thought he was Lee Jung-gil, the Escort Master of Okcheong.
“I'm glad you're safe.”
“It was pure luck. I heard the news while having a drink because I missed you, so I managed to escape harm. I've been hiding in a gisaeng house for three whole days and just came out.”
…As expected.
“Anyway, have you seen any of those Demonic Cult bastards around?”
“I'm not sure.”
Neung Un-bi could only laugh awkwardly.
How would he feel if he knew that Demonic Cult bastard was standing right in front of him?
“Phew, I'm planning to leave Jiuzhou right away. You should leave quickly too. If those vicious Demonic Cult bastards find out you had ties with the Heavenly Pillar Gate, there's no telling what they might do.”
“But the rumors about them seem good? In fact, there are far more people cursing the Heavenly Pillar Gate…”
“Nonsense! That's all a trick by those Demonic Cult bastards. People are being deceived.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi could only be amazed at his deep-seated prejudice.
Then again, what fault was it of his?
He was just a low-ranking martial artist who wasn't even treated properly at the Heavenly Pillar Gate.
“Oh, look at this. I brought it just in case.”
“What is it?”
“It's a wanted poster for the disciple leading the Demonic Cult branch.”
“…Pardon?”
“I didn't know either, but it seems the Heavenly Pillar Gate distributed these in Jiuzhou before the attack, to prepare for Demonic Cult members sneaking in. I just managed to get this one off a wall a little while ago.”
Such a consistent person. He must have been so scared to say he 'managed to get' something off a wall… Huh?! Wait a minute!
In that instant, Neung Un-bi's eyes widened.
What did he just say?
The Heavenly Pillar Gate distributed what to the people?