Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: A Shortcut to Trouble
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Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Lunar Eclipse Squad went on a rampage like Sun Wukong released from a centuries-long seal.
Crack, crunch!
“……”
Neung Un-bi stared blankly as they wrecked the inn.
Do Demonic Cult members not have parents?
It's not like they were all found under a bridge or raised from kidnapped vagrants.
Even Wang Cheon had the highly esteemed So Seol-ok-su for a mother, did he not?
So naturally, they wouldn't stand for their parents being insulted, and the Demonic Cult members showed no mercy.
Against about ten men, the Demonic Cult was strong. Before Neung Un-bi could even open his mouth to tell them to stop, the situation was already over.
“My lord, what should we do with these damn bastards?”
“……”
Wang Cheon asked, turning his head and panting with rage.
“My lord, give us the order.”
“……”
Not just Wang Cheon, but the entire Lunar Eclipse Squad awaited Neung Un-bi's command.
They stood with their feet on the men who were now no different from corpses.
The blood on Wang Cheon and the Lunar Eclipse Squad was all theirs.
“My lord, what should we do?”
“……”
Wang Cheon asked, but what was he supposed to say?
*Wipe the blood off before you talk.*
*You all heard what that Taoist said. And you still beat them into this state?*
But he couldn't bring himself to scold them for ruining everything.
*Who could tolerate their parents being insulted...?*
Sigh. All he could do was sigh.
“Get them out of here. It's an eyesore.”
“How? Should we tear them to pieces and scatter them in the fields? Or feed them to the dogs?”
“……”
Wang Cheon spat out the cruel words without hesitation.
*You bastards. This is why people call you the Demonic Cult.*
“Just... get them out of sight. Don't kill them. Just find out roughly who they are and where they're from.”
“Yes, sir!”
Having received his orders, Wang Cheon gave a sinister smile and commanded the Lunar Eclipse Squad to drag the fallen men down the stairs.
“Ugh!”
“Gah!”
“……”
As they dragged the blood-covered men down, it was no surprise that the onlookers were shocked.
*And on the stairs, no less, dragging them like sacks of potatoes...*
“Ju Seung.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Clean this up. What is this mess?”
“Understood.”
At the command given with a heavy sigh, Ju Seung and the remaining Lunar Eclipse Squad members began to tidy up the second floor.
Tidy up was an understatement; it was more like clearing away wreckage.
How could they tidy up when nothing was intact? The floor was covered in spilled food...
“Heh heh, Young Master Neung.”
“……”
Neung Un-bi shot a sideways glance at Un Hak, who had called his name in a sly voice.
*His mouth is splitting from ear to ear.*
*Well, look at that. A person's eyes can actually curve like that.*
*Are you really a Taoist?*
*The Demonic Cult just beat people up. You're not stopping them, you're just laughing?*
*And look around.*
*Everything's destroyed.*
*How many holes are in that wall?*
*And the tables, the chairs—not a single one is intact!*
The only things left undamaged were the table and chair Neung Un-bi had been sitting at.
“Well, what do we have here? They've caused trouble after all... You were so stern about your orders, I was almost fooled.”
“……”
Un Hak, trying hard to hide his overjoyed expression, was infuriating.
*Yeah, right! I'm the one who told them not to tolerate insults to their parents and to slit their throats, so what!*
“Hey, but... are you okay with this?”
“With what?”
“Those bastards... they seemed to be from the Orthodox Faction.”
“Haha, didn't they deserve it?”
“What?”
“No matter that the Orthodox and Demonic walk different paths, how could they utter such unfilial remarks? They deserved to be beaten to death. Indeed, they did.”
“……”
As Un Hak spoke, nodding his head, Neung Un-bi couldn't hide his dumbfounded expression.
“A Taoist... is it okay for you to say that?”
“Is it not?”
“Aren't you people the kind who guide even villains to become good men?”
At least, the Taoists Neung Un-bi knew were like that. Even Cheong Jin, who had nearly killed him, hadn't drawn his sword from the start.
He had discussed sin, spoken of human nature, persuaded, persuaded, and persuaded again...
Only after Neung Un-bi—no, Cheok Wol-rin—had grown so tired of it that he screamed at him to shut up and drew his sword did they fight.
But this guy...
“Heh heh, Taoists are people too. Guide men like that? What for? If a man commits murder and repents, is his sin forgiven? Those who deserve to die should die. Infinite Buddha.”
“……”
Seeing Un Hak chant a Buddhist mantra with a look that said it was only natural, Neung Un-bi let out a deep sigh.
*How dare he say 'Infinite Buddha' after openly saying they should be killed?*
*This bastard isn't normal either.*
For some reason, it felt like strange people kept sticking to him.
There was Hyang-i, that person of indeterminate gender, and now this Taoist who preferred a mace to guidance for villains...
“A promise is a promise. Surely you wouldn't go back on your word?”
“...Damn it.”
“Kek kek, I'll take that as a yes. Starting tomorrow, I will accompany you.”
“……”
What was there to say?
He had already made the promise...
Neung Un-bi waved his hand dismissively and flopped down into a chair, and Un Hak sat down across from him.
“Um...”
“What? What is it! I already said you could come along!”
“It's not that... It's about those men from before. You won't really kill them, will you?”
“Why? Worried now?”
“Haha, as a Taoist of Mount Hua... I can't just turn a blind eye to murder.”
“You're full of it.”
“I suppose I am.”
Neung Un-bi, thoroughly annoyed, had responded with a half-curse, but Un Hak paid it no mind, simply gazing in the direction Wang Cheon had gone.
“Don't worry. I gave the order. They might torture them for information, but they won't kill them.”
“……”
Un Hak watched suspiciously as Neung Un-bi, his throat apparently parched, drank straight from the bottle.
“Damn it! What? What is it! What do you want?”
“No, it's about that order.”
“……”
“It seems they don't listen very well. Weren't you so confident earlier? That because you gave an order, they would never respond to provocation...”
“……”
Neung Un-bi couldn't offer any reply to Un Hak's words.
*Sigh, I hate the Demonic Cult, and I hate Taoists even more.*
*I wish they would all just die...*
***
The personal information Wang Cheon extracted with a few punches was simple.
They were martial artists from a place called the Great Dragon Clan, which had a minor affiliation with the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
Apparently, they hadn't even known Neung Un-bi's identity.
They had simply overheard passersby lamenting that the world was coming to an end because Demonic Cult bastards had come to Yeonso, and decided to show up.
All to earn some merit.
That damned merit...
Then again, for martial artists from a rural sect, what better path to success was there?
It was a world where taking down just one Demonic Cult member could instantly change your standing in the martial world.
“What is the Orthodox Murim Alliance doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“If they signed a pact, shouldn't they have promptly announced it to prevent such unpleasant incidents?”
“Hmm. That is true.”
Un Hak nodded at Neung Un-bi's irritation.
“‘That is true?’ Why such a lukewarm response?”
“Because I understand the Alliance's position.”
“The Alliance's position?”
“Yes. Wasn't the pact signed rather abruptly?”
“……”
“Just informing the regions where the Demonic Cult requested to establish branches and mediating to prevent fights is no easy task. It's impossible for the news to spread throughout the Central Plains so quickly.”
“……”
*How annoying.*
*Wasn't the Demonic Cult different?*
*An order from the Cult Leader didn't take long to reach the lowest ranks.*
“I know what you're thinking. But the Orthodox Faction is different from the Demonic Cult.”
“……”
“The Demonic Cult is like a single giant tree—the Cult Leader—whose shade covers everything. The Orthodox Faction, however, is like a forest, where many trees come together to form a single shade.”
For some reason, Un Hak's expression darkened.
Neung Un-bi knew why.
Because the Orthodox Faction people imagined and the real Orthodox Faction were different.
The idea that the Orthodox Faction was righteous was nothing more than a concept born from people's ideals.
Of course, they did follow the cause of doing what was right.
But even that 'right thing' was just a facade tied to their individual interests.
The Nine Sects, the Five Great Clans, and the countless martial families and factions beneath them...
The Orthodox Murim Alliance might seem to represent them all, but in reality, that's only how it appears on the surface.
Each family and sect in the Orthodox Faction has its own characteristics and acts independently. They always talk about the greater good, but in the end, they only unite when it's to their own advantage.
The reason they don't do bad things openly?
It's because of public perception.
The Orthodox Faction can be the 'Orthodox' Faction precisely because they are conscious of that perception.
If they did whatever was profitable, how would they be any different from the Unorthodox Faction?
On the outside, they must be saints.
Just like the Heavenly Pillar Gate, they might commit all sorts of dirty deeds behind the scenes, but on the surface, they must receive the respect of all.
Of course, not everyone was like that. The true Orthodox Faction was closer to the ideal.
Like Mount Hua, where Un Hak belonged...
“Young Master Neung, from now on, you won't have to worry about getting caught up in provocations.”
“...Really?”
“Indeed. I am the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua. As I said, while I may not compare to you, Young Master Neung, my reputation in the Central Plains is not insignificant.”
“……”
His tone was humble, but his words were dripping with pride.
“Ah, you said you were a Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua, right? At your age?”
“Keuheheh... Ahem, it is merely an undeserved title.”
“……”
*No, it's not. That laugh just now was incredibly genuine.*
*The tip of his nose is higher than Mount Tai, and his mouth is split just as wide as before.*
“A Plum Blossom Sword at such a young age...”
“Kehahat... Ahem.”
“That's incredible. They say you have no equal among your peers?”
“Eheheh... Ahem.”
“……”
This guy, contrary to his first impression, has a very transparent personality.
He has a solemn appearance and neat attire, but he's the type to start dancing and acting silly after a few words of praise.
To think a guy like this is one of Mount Hua's rising stars... Taoism has really gone downhill. It's the end of the world, truly.
“Sigh, well, since we're traveling together, let's try to get along.”
“I shall serve you with utmost devotion, Young Master Neung.”
“……”
*Please do.*
*With utmost devotion. Just don't be a bother.*
But on the other hand, a thought occurred to him.
Could it be as Un Hak said, that the Orthodox Murim Alliance simply lacked the resources, and that's why it was taking time to announce the matter concerning him?
He wasn't so sure...
From what he knew, having been immersed in the deep darkness of the Orthodox Faction, their capabilities were by no means lacking.
If they unleashed the Beggars' Sect, who boast of a hundred thousand members, thousands of carrier pigeons would fly across the land in a single day.
It seemed the Orthodox Murim Alliance was not pleased with this pact.
So they were deliberately taking their time.
With the intention of making the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult suffer as he roamed the Central Plains.
They'd probably be grateful if he happened to cause some trouble.
They could use it as an excuse to immediately break the pact.
“Now, let's have a drink! Kehahahat!”
“……”
Un Hak offered him a cup of wine, laughing heartily all the while.
*This damn Taoist drunkard.*
*What kind of Taoist drinks so damn much?*
Sigh, he could clearly see a path of hardship ahead.
Neung Un-bi emptied his cup with a deep sigh.
***
The day broke.
Though many things had happened overnight, the merchant caravan set off without delay.
“Third Young Master, we are ready to depart.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
Oh Deung, who had finished the preparations and approached them, tilted his head as he looked at Un Hak standing beside Neung Un-bi.
“This gentleman is...?”
“Ah, you saw him yesterday, right? This is Taoist Master Un Hak from the Mount Hua Sect.”
“I know that, but...”
He had seen him on the first day they arrived in Yeonso, so they were familiar faces.
“He will be accompanying us to Shaanxi.”
“What? A Taoist from the Mount Hua Sect?”
“He insisted.”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Oh Deung's eyes widened.
A disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, a major pillar of the Orthodox Faction, volunteering to guide a member of the Demonic Cult?
Meanwhile, according to what he had found out, Un Hak was no ordinary famous person.
A martial artist of Mount Hua expected to become the next Sect Leader, or hold a position of similar rank.
He could form a connection with such a person?
It was a golden opportunity.
The Nakmyeong Merchant Guild already had ties with the Demonic Cult, but what did that matter?
The pact between the Orthodox and Demonic has been signed. Countless merchant guilds will surely be contacting the Demonic Cult's branches.
In such a situation, what about the Mount Hua Sect?
...Must secure it first!
Oh Deung, who had quickly run the calculations in his head, grasped Un Hak's hand with a friendly expression.
“Oh, so that's how it is. I am Oh Deung of the Nakmyeong Merchant Guild. I'm counting on you, Taoist Master Un Hak.”
“The pleasure is all mine. Shaanxi and Gansu are like my own backyard, so you can count on me!”
“That's truly reassuring. Hahahat!”
“Ehehehet!”
“……”
The two of them were hitting it off perfectly.
But what did it matter?
Whether they did or not, Neung Un-bi couldn't care less.
He just wanted to get to Shaanxi quickly and shake off the troublesome Taoist.
“Alright, let's go.”
“Yes!”
With Neung Un-bi's annoyed command, the procession set off for Shaanxi.
They already had a set route, but they had changed direction because Un Hak claimed they could save three or four days by taking a shortcut.
And just one day later.
“Huh? Is this not the way? I think we took a wrong turn. Hahahat.”
“……”
Neung Un-bi's eyes narrowed to slits as he stared at the awkwardly laughing Un Hak.
*That son of a bitch! Is this something to laugh about?*
“It can happen. I do it sometimes too.”
“……”
Seeing Oh Deung go a step further and defend Un Hak, Neung Un-bi shook his head.
*They're both crazy.*
And to top it off...
“Stop! You bastards! Kehahahat!”
They had suddenly run into bandits.
*Un Hak, that bastard, surely not?*
*I had a feeling... You have another secret order from the Orthodox Murim Alliance besides sticking to me and watching me, don't you?*
*To make me suffer, huh? Huh!?*
*Spit it out, you bastard!*