Chapter 177
Chapter 177
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Traveling Together (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Sword Empress and her group departed from the Tang Clan.
Sima Geon and his companions, who had planned to linger for a few more days, ended up following after them. Little So Surin's complaints about having to leave her diligent training with Tang Cheon-hu fell on deaf ears.
Tang Cheon-hwa showed her regret but couldn't bring herself to join them. The situation around them was dire—the Huicheon had provoked them, even attacking their main household.
Just as the Sword Empress and Sima Geon's group were about to leave the Tang Clan amid farewells from Tang Cheon-hwa and the others, a victory report arrived: they had successfully annihilated the Huicheon forces that had attacked the Emei Sect.
Even with the victory report in hand, the mood wasn't celebratory. The Emei Sect, the Sichuan martial world, and the Tang Clan's reinforcements had suffered heavy losses in the process of wiping out the Huicheon.
The Emei Sect, their main force, had lost their sect leader Geumjeong Satae and most of their leadership. It was a devastating blow—they'd have to seal their gates and rebuild for at least a few years.
The Qingcheng Sect's reinforcements had been completely wiped out, and most of the martial artists who rushed to save the Emei Sect had perished as well. It was a victory marred only by wounds.
"Tch, in the end, we've just done the Heavenly Demon Cult a favor."
Once the Tang Clan's main gate was out of sight, Cheol Woo clicked his tongue and spoke up.
"I can't help but think the Heavenly Demon Cult might have intended this outcome from the start."
Cheol Woo's brows furrowed at Manchu's words.
"Intended it?"
"Yes. Do you remember? Before we headed north chasing the Yin Demon's traces, the Heavenly Demon Cult and Huicheon were fighting fiercely."
"Yeah. It was brutal. That's why Huicheon held out this long despite their inferior forces. Otherwise, it would've ended in a flash."
"But that intense fighting suddenly died down, turning into them just pushing Huicheon out of their territory. At first, everyone thought the Heavenly Demon Cult, sensing unrest in the southern martial world, was holding back and wrapping things up moderately without overexerting themselves."
"Pathetic. With enemies who could stab you in the back anytime, what's 'moderate'? They clearly had ulterior motives."
Cheol Woo was baffled that others hadn't noticed what was obvious to him.
"Then Huicheon, practically chased into Sichuan, launched a full provocation by attacking the Emei Sect. In the end, they dealt a fatal blow to the Emei Sect and the Sichuan martial world. The Qingcheng Sect sent massive reinforcements and took heavy losses, as did the Tang Clan. In this state, even if trouble brews in the southern martial world or elsewhere, Sichuan won't have the capacity to help."
"Exactly! We've handed the Heavenly Demon Cult a win on a platter."
"Precisely. They eliminated the pesky Huicheon and ensured Sichuan can't meddle in any southern or other conflicts. One stone, two birds."
"Still, leaving after hearing the victory report puts my mind at ease. Honestly, I was a bit worried."
"Worried about what?"
Cheol Woo responded indifferently to So Surin's words.
"That Huicheon might win. Their next target would've been the Tang Clan."
"No chance of that."
"What're you talking about?"
So Surin snapped at Noe Jeon, who had suddenly chimed in.
"Think about it. Despite the overwhelming difference in power, Huicheon survived this long thanks to Noeumsa Temple. They kept supplying funds and men nonstop."
"True."
"So what happened to those Noeumsa bastards? They got smashed trying to attack the Tang Clan. If the Tang Clan had fallen as they planned, the situation would've flipped. But since they failed, the fight was a foregone conclusion. The losses were heavier than expected, but Huicheon could never win. That's why the Division Leader left without worry, and the Poison Lord didn't object. If things were as bad as you said, sis, they'd have begged us to stay—or the Division Leader wouldn't have left in the first place."
"Wow, your head used to be as thick as a tripping stone, but when did you get so sharp?"
So Surin was impressed by Noe Jeon's logical tone.
"This is basic."
Noe Jeon, who had just exchanged ideas with Manchu and the others, winked at them.
"By the way, I wonder if we can get Black Fang on a boat."
Manchu worriedly eyed Black Fang, walking alongside Noe Jeon.
"That's my concern too. Forget riding a boat—he'll freak out the moment he sees one."
Noe Jeon's face, petting Black Fang's head, was full of worry.
"Don't worry. This'll solve everything."
Cheol Woo chuckled, shaking his bundle.
The group knew exactly what was inside that bundle.
The Tang Clan hadn't forgotten Sima Geon's merit in saving their clan from Noeumsa's attack. They prepared an unimaginable sum of gold for their journey home.
Sima Geon declined it several times due to the excessive amount. Even after whittling it down, it still exceeded a hundred taels in gold.
The Tang Clan tried to give a similar amount to the Sword Empress's group, but she refused. She cited Sword Pavilion traditions and was so firm that the Tang Clan felt slighted.
"Can't take Black Fang on a boat? Heh heh heh! Then we buy the damn thing."
The Sword Empress's group ahead turned in shock at Cheol Woo's outrageous remark.
Cheol Woo ignored their stares, but the group quietly averted their eyes and put distance between them—even Sima Geon bowed his head silently.
"It's me, Left Elder."
Sima Sang, lost in deep thought under the warm morning sun, turned his head.
"Come in."
The door opened, and the heads of Dogwang Merchant Association and Yanghui Escort Agency entered the room.
"Welcome. It's been a while."
"Yes. You said you'd be back soon, but it's already been over a year."
Ya Hul So-seong, head of Dogwang Merchant Association, poured tea with a smile.
"Has it? There was more to handle than I thought."
"Thanks to your efforts, Left Elder, we minimized the damage. Those vicious bastards."
Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong, head of Yanghui Escort Agency, shuddered recalling the martial world's relentless pursuit of the Blood Slaughter Cult over the past year.
Decades of preparations had been ruined countless times, and many lives lost in vain.
Thanks to Sima Sang's swift actions and cleverly using the rapidly growing Jeongcheon Alliance as a proxy for the Murim Alliance, they kept losses to a minimum. Without the Alliance intact or Jeongcheon as a shield, the damage would've been far worse.
"It's the ripple from the previous Sword Empress's death. We got hit hard."
Sima Sang gave a wry smile and lifted his teacup.
"Yes. Brilliant move. She wagered her life and won big. It halted the Heavenly Demon Cult's clash with the southern martial world and turned eyes to our cult."
Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong frowned at Ya Hul So-seong's words.
"If that petty Guardian Law had grasped her intent, she wouldn't have acted so recklessly."
"The situation was ambiguous enough not to blame him entirely. He judged that the Sword Empress's mediation could stop the Heavenly Demon Cult and southern martial world's fight. It was a prime chance to eliminate an enemy. Anyone might've thought the same. The problem was her staking her life on multiple contingencies."
"Either way, the Sword Empress is trouble. The previous one wrecked our event, and now this successor steps up—no pushover. Heh heh! I was shocked to hear even you failed, Left Elder."
Sima Sang let out a hearty laugh at Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong's words.
"Honestly, I didn't expect to fail either. I thought it sufficient, but her skills exceeded expectations. I should've acknowledged that the youngest Sword Empress candidate in history had exceptional talent. My misjudgment cost us good lives—I'm ashamed."
"Nonsense. We were stunned to confirm her survival too. Given the forces deployed, failure wasn't even on the table. Perhaps that's why the previous one dared such a gamble—with a successor like her."
Sima Sang and Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong nodded at Ya Hul So-seong's words.
"By the way, has Left Elder moved to Jeongcheon Alliance?"
"Yes. Three days ago, I accepted their proposal to wrap things up. I'll head there soon. Construction on Jeongcheon Alliance's main base is nearly complete."
"Already?"
Sima Sang looked surprised.
"We linked a few existing estates. It wasn't huge. Cheon-gyeong worked hard mobilizing men and materials."
"Haha! Brother funded it. I just spent freely."
Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong downplayed it, but Ya Hul So-seong, who watched him toil day and night for the past year, and even Sima Sang, who received reports during his travels, knew better.
"Anyway, everyone worked hard. Once Left Elder ascends as Jeongcheon Alliance's new leader, our grand plan—paused by the previous Sword Empress—resumes."
"Heh heh! Wonder what faces the Murim Alliance will make knowing their own elder becomes Jeongcheon leader."
Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong laughed in delight at the thought, and Ya Hul So-seong smiled back.
"For the Alliance, already reeling from internal strife, it's a deathblow. Their fall accelerates. I worried elevating Left Elder might strain things, but your judgment was spot on."
"The show of elevation matters. Yeong Ho-jung did well."
"Yes. As you said, Left Elder, he's exceptional. Treating him as an equal, not a pawn, was wise."
"Easier said. Chasing him for triple courtesy visits. Or was it more? I heard five."
Ya Hul So-seong smiled at Sima Sang's question.
"Exactly nine visits."
"Ha ha! That'd move a stone Buddha."
"Yes. Public opinion flipped completely."
"Nine bows. Doubting his sincerity would be the odd one out."
Sima Sang burst into laughter.
He was right.
Yeong Ho-jung's tearful efforts to install Cheongsan Ilhyeon Jwa Ik-seon—former Murim Alliance leader who quit in fury over its corruption—as Jeongcheon Alliance leader were legendary.
Initially, Yeong Ho-jung's declaration drew poor reactions. Despite the Alliance's fallen prestige and mockery, installing its former head elsewhere felt wrong.
Jwa Ik-seon knew and refused repeatedly. But Yeong Ho-jung persisted.
Once, twice—with each visit, cold stares turned to support after eight earnest shows of respect.
Public sentiment shifted: Jwa Ik-seon upheld loyalty; now lead Jeongcheon for the martial world.
On the ninth, Jwa Ik-seon finally accepted, dramatically concluding the saga that drew eyes like the Blood Slaughter Cult's expulsion.
"Jeongcheon leader's first move: thwart North Sea Ice Palace's intrusion."
Ya Hul So-seong and Ya Hul Cheon-gyeong started at Sima Sang's abrupt words.
"North Sea Ice Palace? What do you mean?"
"Father did something amusing."
"Has he ended his seclusion?"
They asked together.
"A year ago, apparently. Right after the previous Sword Empress died. Ha ha! Seeing the Cult Leader suddenly was a shock and joy."
"A year ago? Where was he?"
"Is he well?"
Sima Sang responded to the barrage with a cryptic smile.
"Look forward to it. You'll be shocked too."