Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Catch the Phoenix (3)
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“You called so urgently that I rushed over, but what's with all the drinking from morning?”
Intelligence Leader Zhuge Jincheong glanced at the liquor bottles on the table and asked.
Zhuge Chu let his gaze drift out the window for a moment before smiling.
“Isn't the sun too high for it to still be morning?”
“Even so, this isn't the time for heavy drinking.”
Zhuge Jincheong refilled Zhuge Chu's empty cup and asked,
“What's troubling you?”
“Isn't it obvious?”
Zhuge Chu let out a sigh and continued.
“They must be almost there by now.”
Zhuge Jincheong immediately understood what Zhuge Chu meant.
“Considering the report of their arrival last night, the young master's prediction was spot on. They should've arrived by this time.”
“What a mess this is, brother. It's not like we're stir-frying beans under lightning.”
“Hahaha! Who could predict that guy's actions? As the gossips say, eight out of ten geniuses born in the Central Plains belong to the main family, and even among them, he's special.”
“Special, I don't know, but he's definitely peculiar.”
Another sigh escaped Zhuge Chu's lips.
“Don't worry too much since the Crouching Dragon Squad is moving with them.”
“It's not the entire Crouching Dragon Squad, is it? Just about twenty men.”
“Can't be helped. He was right that if the Crouching Dragon Squad heading to Shaolin suddenly changed direction, it would raise suspicions. Still, according to the deputy leader, they picked the best from the squad, so we have to trust that.”
“It's not just him I'm worried about—the Crouching Dragon Squad kids going with him too. In some ways, this path might be far more dangerous than heading to Shaolin.”
“We can only pray they're safe.”
“I'm even worried if he'll get along with those guys. They're no pushovers, right?”
“He's eccentric, but not one to hold grudges. They'll get along fine, so don't fret.”
Despite Zhuge Jincheong's reassurances, Zhuge Chu's furrowed brow refused to smooth out.
'What an interesting guy.'
Sima Geon watched the young man, who wore a thoroughly frightened expression yet tried to befriend Black Fang, with an amused look.
Sima Geon recalled meeting the youth three days ago.
As the clash between the Sword Empress, Sword Pavilion, and Blood Cult loomed, an unknown group appeared before their frantically moving party.
Sima Geon and Cheol Woo judged them as Blood Cult assassins and prepared to attack immediately. If Manchu hadn't realized their identity and stopped them quickly, a horrific disaster would've unfolded just from imagination.
The ones blocking Sima Geon's party were the Crouching Dragon Squad from the Zhuge Clan, en route to Shaolin.
From the Zhuge Clan's sole martial force, the Crouching Dragon Squad, they had handpicked exactly twenty elites, led by Deputy Leader Zhuge Geom.
But the one truly leading the Crouching Dragon Squad was a strikingly frail young man.
Introducing himself as Zhuge Sura, he showed not just joy but outright ecstasy at meeting Sima Geon's party.
Sima Geon's group was astonished to learn that Zhuge Su—the one who played a pivotal role in revealing the Blood Cult's identity to the world during the Sword Empress's visit to the Zhuge Clan—was this person.
Doubts arose simultaneously.
Why had the Zhuge Clan—no, Zhuge Su—suddenly sought them out?
Zhuge Su's explanation, starting in a light and playful tone, shocked everyone who had been listening skeptically.
Based on information gathering at the Zhuge Clan alongside the former Sword Empress, Zhuge Su had confirmed the Blood Cult's covert activities in the martial world. Afterward, he poured immense effort into uncovering their identity and movements.
However, aside from rooting out a few Blood Cult lackeys emerging from various sects, there were no major breakthroughs. Of course, even that earned admiration and gratitude from many, but it didn't satisfy Zhuge Su.
Over the next year or so, Zhuge Su relentlessly analyzed incoming information, gradually closing in on the Blood Cult's true nature. He particularly scrutinized factions suspected of being Blood Cult puppets.
Then, the Beggars' Sect's assault revealed Haomen as Blood Cult pawns.
Upon learning from the Beggars' Sect that the Blood Cult was targeting the northward-moving Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion, Zhuge Su left the clan immediately.
Though Zhuge Chu panicked and tried to stop his impulsive action, he ended up convinced by Zhuge Su's arguments.
The factions Zhuge Su most strongly suspected as Blood Cult or their puppets were shockingly the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Spirit Tiger Clan. He was convinced of their involvement too.
The Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion experts the Blood Cult targeted were traveling with the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
Zhuge Su judged that tailing the Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion would definitively expose the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan's true colors. The problem: even with elite Crouching Dragon Squad members, their force was laughably inadequate against the Blood Cult. Not just in skill, but in numbers too.
If his predictions held and the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan were indeed Blood Cult-linked, then the Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion were walking into a perfect trap—and his group would face certain doom too.
Right then, Zhuge Su obtained info via the Beggars' Sect that Sima Geon's party, having cleaned out Haomen's headquarters, was heading north. He pursued them with all his might.
In the current situation, unable to move large forces without exposing secrets while suspecting the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan, Sima Geon and his companions—true powerhouses who could break crises with a small team—were like rain in a drought.
And three days ago, Zhuge Su finally found Sima Geon's party and stepped forward.
“He's a weird one, huh?”
Zhuge Geom approached Sima Geon with a smile and asked.
“Unique, for sure. His speech and actions seem so childish, yet he grasps the current martial world's situation so perfectly. It's surprising.”
“From young, he caused so much trouble with his absurd antics that even the clan elders had headaches. But there was always reason behind those bizarre pranks and eccentricities. No one could see it or understand his intentions, so they were dismissed as mere mischief.”
“That's what they call a genius.”
Soh Surin, who had been listening quietly, looked anew at Zhuge Su stealthily petting Black Fang's mane and remarked.
“Boastful as it sounds, 'genius' doesn't do him justice.”
Zhuge Geom's eyes brimmed with affection and pride as he gazed at Zhuge Su.
“Not long ago, foretelling bloodshed in the Central Plains martial world, he named Sima young master as the one to watch most.”
“Me?”
Sima Geon let out a hollow laugh.
“Yes. Called him the eye of the storm and said something like: 'Best as an ally, but if it fails, don't even try tricks. Never make him an enemy, even in death.'”
“Amusing words.”
Sima Geon chuckled.
“Not just amusing—he's got guts too. Who else would use the Sword Empress as bait?”
At Cheol Woo's thorny remark, Zhuge Geom gave an awkward smile.
“We suspect, but lack hard proof. It's the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan, after all. Attacking on mere suspicion would backfire badly.”
“I don't care about that. But you're using the Sword Empress as bait to probe the Righteous Heaven Alliance's moves, right?”
“That's true. But it's only possible because we trust you all. Without you, we'd have another plan. For reference, even the Beggars' Sect doesn't know we joined you on the way to Shaolin. So please know we're being cautious.”
“We fully understand the Zhuge Clan's intentions, so no need to worry.”
As Sima Geon smiled and replied, Zhuge Geom bowed slightly.
“Thank you.”
Cheol Woo, no longer inclined to press, casually changed the subject.
“Anyway, shouldn't we move now? Didn't you say the attack on Phoenix Mountain has begun?”
“Does it suit your taste?”
At Yahul Hon's question, Yahul Jae nodded.
“Passable enough.”
“I apologize for not preparing better food.”
“No need. For wild mountains, this is excellent. Good meal.”
Yahul Jae set down his chopsticks and sipped the liquor served as an accompaniment.
“Did you hear this old man prepared a gift for you?”
“I overheard the Left Reverend mention it.”
“Thanks to the Immortal Physician, I got a fine sword. You'll like it.”
Yahul Hon knew his grandfather's standards for “fine” were sky-high, so he was stunned.
“That good?”
“Yes. Before ending seclusion and heading to the North Sea Ice Palace, I taught him for three months. Astonishingly, in just three months, he uncovered all my secrets.”
“My god!”
Yahul Hon's mouth gaped open.
Knowing Yahul Jae's prowess better than anyone, Yahul Hon couldn't believe it.
“A genius. Nothing else fits.”
“Just how skilled is he for you to say that?”
“Knew it the moment we met. Born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, truly heaven-sent talent. Still, I tested him with martial arts, just in case. He absorbed them like water. Hear one, know ten—no, hear one, know a hundred wouldn't overstate it. Terrifying.”
Yahul Jae stuck out his tongue recalling the memory.
“Someone like that—giving him just a sword seems wasteful. He could wield a weapon for our cult's great cause.”
At Yahul Hon's words, Yahul Jae smiled faintly.
“That's what I'm pondering. Use him to devour the Heavenly Demon Cult, or bring him fully into ours?”
“No chance of betrayal?”
“None. Impossible. The Immortal Physician's grand technique succeeded perfectly. With loyalty to our cult etched into his soul, betrayal can't happen.”
Yahul Jae had absolute trust in the Immortal Physician's skills—having verified it personally, of course.
As Yahul Hon was about to ask more,
“Cult Leader.”
Golden Command Deputy Leader Dam Dong hurried over.
Yahul Hon shot up and asked,
“Has it started?”
“Yes. Just got word they've departed.”
Yahul Jae asked,
“How exactly are they moving?”
“Overall same as before. Just minor differences in details.”
“The Sword Empress?”
“Moved first.”
“Same place as planned?”
“Yes.”
“Notify Elder Yi immediately. Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion are heading there.”
“Already done.”
“Good work.”
Yahul Jae smiled contentedly at Dam Dong's swift action.
“Shouldn't we stop her now?”
“You mean the fight with the Sword Empress?”
“Yes.”
“How? Her stubbornness is unmatched. At her age, you'd think her competitive fire would've dimmed.”
Yahul Jae sighed, recalling Goyang Sun's resolute demeanor from last night's brief meeting.
“Still, she promised to retreat if it's dangerous, so don't worry too much. And you know Elder Yi's skills. I don't think he's inferior to the Sword Empress.”
“I trust him, of course, but...”
Yahul Hon couldn't hide his unease.
“Prepare to withdraw the Spirit Tiger Clan for now. Pretend to attack lightly, then pull back. We've already coordinated, so that'll suffice.”
“Understood.”
“Once the Spirit Tiger Clan clearly retreats, we launch the full hunt. Time to clip the Phoenix's wings properly. So she never flies again.”
“Yes.”
At the word “hunt,” Yahul Hon unconsciously clenched his fist.
His calm heart began pounding wildly.