Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Chaos Begins (1)
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A great star that had illuminated the martial world had fallen.
The image of Ha Hu Gok, who had burned fiercely like a flame until his final moments for the sake of his clan and descendants, was eternally etched into the deepest hearts of the Ha Hu Clan's retainers.
Death announcements were sent across the entire martial world, and as per the deceased's standing wishes, the funeral was kept brief and simple.
Even after the funeral ended, mourners from various sects and clans who had heard the news late continued to arrive without end. It seemed guests would be coming and going for at least half a year.
"Brothers."
Late at night, Ha Hu Yeon, looking a bit weary, came to where Sima Geon was staying.
"You're here."
Cheol Woo patted Ha Hu Yeon's shoulder with his large hand.
"You've worked hard."
Ha Hu Yeon gave a faint smile at Sima Geon's words of comfort.
"Worked hard? It's just what I had to do. Honestly, I didn't do much."
"I heard there are a lot of mourners."
"Yes. It'll be hectic for a while. Though it's not something I need to handle personally."
Though he spoke with a bright face, Ha Hu Yeon's expression was filled with sorrow.
"By the way, what are your plans now?"
Ha Hu Yeon asked, shaking off his grief with effort.
"Plans for what?"
"The Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. You came back without finishing them off."
"I've been thinking about that. I drew my sword and swung it, but I didn't cut them properly. Going back to finish the job feels a bit awkward now."
Sima Geon's gaze turned toward Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho, who had come to the Ha Hu Clan with Ha Hu Gok previously.
"I'll stay with the clan for the time being, so don't worry, brothers. Even without me, you won't face any inconveniences."
"Inconveniences? You're treating us too well—it's burdensome. Even freeloading is getting tough. Look at that gut."
Sima Hyeon grimaced and pointed at Sima Ho.
"What gut? Where?"
Sima Ho exaggeratedly thrust out his belly. Laughter erupted boisterously, and the slightly subdued atmosphere in the room regained its liveliness.
"But seriously, boss, what're you gonna do?"
Cheol Woo asked, bringing his cup to his lips.
With nothing much to do and drinking all day, his face was flushed bright red.
"I'm not planning to make a big fuss like with the Yangtze River Water Alliance. Still, I need to wrap it up."
"Wrap it up how?"
"This."
Sima Geon tapped his own head lightly.
"Just take their heads. The heads of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds."
Neung Cho, who had been gnawing on jerky, turned to Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho to add an explanation.
"What if that doesn't solve it? They might keep scheming."
Sima Geon didn't reply to Cheol Woo's question and simply lifted his cup silently.
His cold gaze was answer enough.
"By the way, where's Man Chu? I thought he was with us."
Ha Hu Yeon asked.
"He went to meet some guests from the Beggars' Sect earlier. Said he had something to check. He should've been back by now, but he's late."
Cheol Woo smacked his lips repeatedly, clearly disappointed at the lack of a drinking partner.
"You mean the Hangzhou Branch Leader."
"You met him too?"
"Just briefly. But isn't he returning to the Beggars' Sect?"
"He says the time isn't right. Said it himself—still plenty of good stuff to squeeze out."
Sima Geon let out a snort of laughter at Cheol Woo's words.
Before the laughter faded, the door opened, and Man Chu entered.
"Oh, Brother Yeon is here too."
"He just arrived. You went to see the Hangzhou Branch Leader—everything sorted?"
"Yes. I just saw him off."
"Have a drink."
"Heh heh heh! Thanks."
Man Chu eagerly reached for the cup Cheol Woo offered.
After downing three cups in a row, Man Chu's expression shifted slightly.
"About that thing you asked me to check on before, brother."
"Yeah. Find anything?"
Sima Geon asked with a serious look.
"Yes. Well, I can't say for sure it's true, but there are suspicious circumstances."
"Haomen, right?"
Man Chu's eyes widened at Sima Geon's casual question.
"How did you know?"
"It felt off from the moment we attacked Hongik Merchant Group. They were clearly waiting for us."
"Could've just been tight security."
"It was too much for mere security. I had my suspicions."
"So, you're saying Haomen tipped them off that we were coming for Hongik?"
Cheol Woo interjected between them.
"You just heard."
"Why, though?"
Cheol Woo tilted his head repeatedly.
"They apologized profusely to us, even wagged their tails through the Beggars' Sect to get on our good side. Why?"
"Obvious. These bastards smiled to our faces while hiding daggers behind their backs."
Neung Cho said with a disgusted look.
"That's what makes it weirder. Unless they're idiots, after getting thrashed by us like that, they'd know better than to scheme. They know the price if they get caught."
Cheol Woo furrowed his brow.
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't fathom why Haomen would act that way.
"They're not idiots, so they could pull it off."
Cheol Woo shot back incredulously at Sima Geon's words.
"What does that even mean?"
"From Haomen's perspective, it was a gamble. They knew the consequences if caught, like you said. If they still did it, there must be a damn good reason. Something worth the risk—a hefty payoff."
Sima Geon rinsed his mouth with tea and continued with a sly smile.
"Probably aiming for the 'Borrow a Knife to Kill' scheme."
"Borrow a knife... You mean the Yangtze River Water Alliance?"
Cheol Woo's eyes bulged.
"That's my guess. And that's how it played out. Hongik's leader knew we were coming and fled, we chased them, and ended up clashing with the Yangtze River Water Alliance."
"Isn't that a bit of a stretch? Haomen, who fears us, would go that far? What's their grudge?"
Cheol Woo asked skeptically. Man Chu, who had been amazed from the start of Sima Geon's explanation, quickly spoke up.
"They do have a grudge."
"What?"
"According to the Branch Leader, Haomen has tons of bad blood with both the Yangtze River Water Alliance and the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. They've suffered a lot. So he had the exact same theory as you, brother."
With Sima Geon's prediction backed by Man Chu's testimony, Cheol Woo exploded in rage.
"Ha! These beggar scum must be suicidal. Boss, forget the bandits—let's clean these bastards out first. Treating us like pawns on a chessboard. Man Chu."
"Yes, brother."
"Where are they? Where's their headquarters?"
Cheol Woo was raring to charge at Haomen's main base right then.
"It's in Nankin, but I don't think we need to move."
"What? You're saying leave them be?"
"No. I mean it'd be pointless even if we went."
"Why? They run off?"
"Don't make me laugh. I'd chase them to the ends of hell and send them off."
The alcohol fueling him, Cheol Woo couldn't calm down.
"That's not it. Their leadership has been wiped out."
"Huh? What bullshit is that?"
"Why?"
"We don't know the exact reason yet, but they were all poisoned. Nearly half the top brass, including the sect leader, died. Even the survivors who barely made it aren't recovering properly."
"Heh heh heh! Serves 'em right. Scheming from the shadows and got divine punishment."
Unlike the delighted Cheol Woo, Sima Geon approached more cautiously.
"No idea who did it?"
"No."
"Internal strife? Power struggle?"
"If it was internal, someone should've profited from this, but no one has. Like I said, even the survivors are in bad shape."
"If not internal, who? I'd wanna thank them if I met 'em."
Man Chu gave a wry smile at Cheol Woo's joke.
Regardless of the full story, Haomen was tied to the Beggars' Sect in many ways, with plenty of folks in similar straits, so he felt a pang of sympathy.
"Haomen may be weak in martial prowess, but their information network is no joke. For them to get hit this hard means their foe is no pushover. Near Nankin, there's only one group with that kind of power."
"So, where is it?"
"Yeongho Clan."
Everyone's faces registered shock at the unexpected name.
"Yeongho Clan."
Sima Geon closed his eyes slowly.
The face of Yong Jung, who had passed away not long ago, came to mind.
"Whoever did it doesn't matter. In the end, they did our job for us. Right, boss?"
Sima Geon nodded at Cheol Woo's question.
"Yeah. No need for us to get involved."
"So, just the bandit leaders left?"
Anticipation lit up Cheol Woo's face.
"I'll handle it quick, so watch these guys till then."
Sima Geon made the request apologetically to Ha Hu Yeon.
"Don't worry. You're benefactors to our main house. The elders think so too. No need to feel burdened at all."
"Good. Thanks."
Sima Geon clinked cups with Ha Hu Yeon in gratitude.
"When you heading out? Taking this guy too?"
Cheol Woo placed a hand on Man Chu's head as he spoke.
"Not bad to bring him, but for a quick cleanup, his skills might be a stretch. Nah. Still, he'd make a good guide. And drinking won't be boring."
"Ha! Some things never change. Thought you'd mellowed a bit."
Neung Cho shook his head at Cheol Woo chattering excitedly to himself.
"Quiet."
Sima Geon turned his head toward the door, stood, and said lowly.
"We have a guest."
"Huh?"
Even Cheol Woo, who had been yapping away, sensed something and stiffened. His playful expression vanished in an instant.
"Interesting. Someone's bold enough to provoke us like this."
Ha Hu Yeon's face hardened at the word "provoke."
He hadn't sensed anything himself, but judging by Sima Geon and Cheol Woo's reactions, something was happening.
As Ha Hu Yeon moved to check—
"Young Master Sima, may I have a moment?"
The tense group relaxed at Neung So Hwa's voice. But not Sima Geon or Cheol Woo.
"Of course. Come in."
Sima Geon signaled everyone to step aside.
The door opened, and Neung So Hwa entered. But she wasn't alone. Two women followed: Jin Rim, whom they knew well, and an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.
"Sword Empress. It's an honor to meet you."
Sima Geon bowed politely to the middle-aged woman.