Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Division and Fragmentation (2)
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“May I ask who you are?”
Yeong Hopyeong tilted his head as he regarded Sima Geon and his entourage.
Before Zhuge Su could open his mouth, Sima Geon stepped forward.
“Sima Geon.”
Sima Geon’s response to Yeong Hopyeong was icy cold.
“Ah, so you’re the renowned Brother Sima. This old man is Yeong Hopyeong.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Yeong Hopyeong and even the watching retainers of the Yeongho Clan all wore unpleasant expressions at Sima Geon’s arrogant demeanor. Yet Yeong Hopyeong showed no sign of discomfort. At first, he hadn’t realized it, but now he’d recalled just who Sima Geon was.
‘Damn it! Why the hell is this guy here?’
He couldn’t fathom why an elite from the Heavenly Demon Cult—a figure who had once shaken the entire martial world—was here of all places.
“I’ve long heard of your fame. The Dark Owl Sect’s…”
“Something interesting happened.”
Zhuge Su cut in, interrupting Yeong Hopyeong. The latter’s brow twitched at having his words severed so abruptly.
“What do you mean?”
“A portion of the Righteous Heaven Alliance’s forces moved in secret, aiming to strike the Sword Pavilion.”
“The Righteous Heaven Alliance? Is that true?”
He already knew the facts, but Yeong Hopyeong feigned shock.
“We intercepted them. Had we not stopped them in time, the Sword Pavilion—already locked in fierce combat with the Blood Cult—would have been in grave danger.”
“What a stroke of fortune. You’ve all become benefactors to us every one.”
Yeong Hopyeong lavished Zhuge Su and the Zhuge Clan warriors with praise that bordered on excessive.
“I was utterly shocked. The Righteous Heaven Alliance, lackeys of the Blood Cult? I can’t wrap my head around how such a thing could be.”
“Indeed. A truly lamentable affair.”
As Yeong Hopyeong sighed, the corner of Zhuge Su’s mouth curled up ever so slightly.
“There’s a flaw in that statement.”
Zhuge Su’s gaze shifted behind Yeong Hopyeong.
“What do you think you’re doing? I told you not to interfere recklessly.”
Yeong Hopyeong glared at Yeong Hogi as the man strode forward.
Ignoring Yeong Hopyeong’s words, Yeong Hogi addressed Zhuge Su directly.
“Is it true that some Righteous Heaven Alliance troops tried to attack the Sword Pavilion?”
“Yes. Our clan’s forces blocked them.”
“Are they confirmed as Blood Cult lackeys?”
“Indeed. We verified it.”
“Regrettable. But branding the entire Righteous Heaven Alliance as Blood Cult puppets just because some faction fell to them is dangerous. We mustn’t slander the vast majority of heroes still battling the Blood Cult at Phoenix Mountain even now.”
Only then did Yeong Hopyeong realize his slip, his face flushing red.
“Haha! That could be. Still, we had no choice but to suspect. After all, men bearing the Righteous Heaven Alliance banners tried to hit the Sword Pavilion with Blood Cult aid.”
“I understand fully. However…”
“Do you know something?”
Zhuge Su slyly cut him off again.
“It’s not just the Righteous Heaven Alliance. We suspect the Yeongho Clan as well. Or rather, we’re fairly certain.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Yeong Hogi’s face hardened rigidly.
“Are you saying our clan is tied to the Blood Cult?”
He seemed to be holding back his rage with utmost effort, but the fury in his tone reached everyone present.
“Precisely. We suspect the Yeongho Clan too.”
“Reckless…”
“First, it defies logic that the Yeongho Clan—right in front of the Dark Owl Sect’s main branch, which fell to Blood Cult puppets—knew nothing of their movements.”
Zhuge Su cut Yeong Hogi off once more, continuing in a voice calm and sunken.
“Second, your messenger reported over fifty assailants in the raid on your clan. But our agents confirmed far fewer. And despite their scant numbers, you claimed to have mobilized your full strength in pursuit. An overreaction by any measure. Especially inexplicable from the Sword Pavilion’s rear guard, who entrusted their backs to you. As you know, the Blood Cult struck immediately after successfully luring you away.”
“Fifty… you say?”
Yeong Hogi echoed in disbelief.
“Yes. Unless I misheard, over fifty.”
“Correct. The messenger from your clan reported over fifty raiders. They repelled them and were in pursuit.”
Danli Hwa bolstered Zhuge Su’s words.
“…”
The raid had indeed happened, but with fewer than twenty men. Yeong Hogi couldn’t comprehend why that number had ballooned to fifty.
Suddenly, he recalled Yeong Hopyeong’s unusually agitated urging of the pursuit.
Yeong Hogi’s demanding gaze turned toward Yeong Hopyeong, who had sent the messenger.
“Hm, seems there was some mix-up. Likely exaggerated the numbers a bit to emphasize the situation.”
Yeong Hopyeong maintained composure under the scrutinizing stares as he offered his excuse.
“Is the messenger from then here now?”
Yeong Hopyeong’s eyes flickered at Zhuge Su’s question.
“Things were hectic, so he’s probably elsewhere…”
“He’s right there.”
Yeong Hogi marched over, planting himself before the trembling man.
“Come here.”
Yeong Hopyeong bit his lip faintly as the messenger was dragged forward, looking like a hog bound for slaughter.
“Did you report being ambushed by over fifty foes?”
Yeong Hogi’s voice was ice-cold.
“P-Pardon? Yes.”
“Why?”
“W-Well…”
The messenger glanced at Yeong Hopyeong for a split second before bowing his head.
“T-To boost our clan’s merits… We wanted to convey that even our rear guard was fighting hard.”
“You call that an excuse?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Hah!”
Yeong Hogi was speechless with shame.
“Well, it happens. If that’s truly what he said.”
Zhuge Su hadn’t missed the glance exchanged between the messenger and Yeong Hopyeong before he spoke; a mocking smile played on his lips.
“Third and most conclusively, let me present irrefutable proof.”
Yeong Hopyeong flinched at the words “irrefutable proof.”
“The Blood Cult forces that attacked the Sword Pavilion from the rear were led by none other than the Blood Cult Lord himself.”
A major commotion erupted at the mention of the Blood Cult Lord.
Those who had fought the cult directly already knew, showing little reaction, but the Yeongho Clan retainers gasped in shock or dismay.
Zhuge Su noted every one of their reactions as he continued.
“For reference, the Lord met his end here.”
The uproar this time dwarfed the previous one upon hearing the Lord was dead.
Yeong Hopyeong was the most stunned of all.
He had maintained his composure until now, but even he couldn’t stay calm before the Blood Cult Lord’s death. He hadn’t even known the Lord had mobilized.
What was intriguing was how reactions varied subtly.
Most mingled shock with relief, cheers, and joy, but some harbored dismay and unease.
Yeong Hogi exemplified the former; Yeong Hopyeong, the latter.
But the shocks weren’t over yet.
“The Blood Cult forces lying in wait here from the start, and the reinforcements led by the Lord—all perished. Only two survivors.”
Astonishing results left everyone dazed.
“One of the survivors was the Lord’s cherished blood kin. He too suffered near-fatal wounds, but we spared him via a deal with the Lord.”
“A deal with the Blood Cult Lord?”
Yeong Hogi asked with clear displeasure.
“Yes. We had matters to confirm.”
Zhuge Su glanced at Yeong Hopyeong, who had grown extremely agitated, before speaking.
“Like whether the Righteous Heaven Alliance are Blood Cult lackeys.”
“Impossible. As I said, some might be suspect, but we can’t condemn the whole alliance.”
Unlike Yeong Hogi’s firm headshake, Yeong Hopyeong’s eyes quivered with greater anxiety.
“Doubtful. The Lord claimed otherwise—said they’d seized the alliance. Maybe not fully, but they wield influence over parts. Enough to enable the Sword Pavilion strike.”
“S-Such nonsense…”
Yeong Hogi shook his head in bewilderment.
“We confirmed one more thing.”
Zhuge Su stared straight at Yeong Hopyeong as he continued.
“The Blood Cult’s ties to the Yeongho Clan.”
“Don’t insult our clan!”
Yeong Hogi erupted in fury, poised to draw his sword any moment if retracted not.
“Hear me out without flying off the handle. I don’t know if the entire Yeongho Clan is involved, but the Lord named someone specifically.”
“Who?”
Yeong Hogi’s blazing eyes promised no mercy for lies.
“He’s right beside you. Yeong Hopyeong—the name the Blood Cult Lord confirmed as his ally at Phoenix Mountain.”
“Slander!”
Yeong Hopyeong straightened, raising his voice indignantly.
“You’d believe the words of a Blood Cult wretch? Dare to dishonor this old man and our clan on such vile testimony?”
His voice rang with such righteous outrage that even the wary onlookers began nodding in agreement.
“The elder’s right. Even if the Lord said it, it’s more likely a ploy to frame us and sow discord than truth.”
Yeong Hogi forced down his anger to speak.
“Is it, now?”
Zhuge Su sneered.
“You think that because you didn’t witness the Lord’s end. Limbs severed, organs shredded—would he stake his blood kin’s life on lies then?”
“Of course. It’s the Blood Cult. They’d exploit even family.”
“Really? Shall we verify?”
“How? If you can prove our innocence, anything goes.”
“Just ask the Lord’s blood kin.”
“D-Didn’t you release him?”
Yeong Hopyeong’s voice betrayed raw panic.
“We spared him, but never said we released him. Injuries were severe; he’s under treatment. He can speak a few words, so if you wish, I’ll fetch him now.”
“Where is he? Our clan’s honor and pride are at stake. I’ll confirm personally.”
‘Definitely not this one.’
Sima Geon, who had observed Yeong Hogi and Yeong Hopyeong since Zhuge Su’s full push, leaned toward the former having no Blood Cult ties.
‘But this old rat is guilty for sure.’
Sima Geon eyed Yeong Hopyeong, whose eyes darted like a cornered rodent, certain of his complicity.
“The Lord also said that with proper baiting…”
“Enough.”
Sima Geon cut Zhuge Su off.
“Evidence is clear. What’s left to explain? Excuses just annoy.”
Sima Geon advanced on Yeong Hopyeong.
As Yeong Hogi moved to block the menacing Sima Geon, a transmission arrived.
[Step aside a moment. No need to worry.]
Yeong Hogi froze at Sima Geon’s transmission. Passing him, Sima Geon addressed Yeong Hopyeong.
“Didn’t think traces would linger at the Dark Owl Sect main branch? Your name was there too.”
‘No way? Or… possible.’
Yeong Hopyeong’s eyes raced wildly.
“Circumstances, Lord’s testimony, Dark Owl Sect records confirming Blood Cult puppets. Need more?”
“S-Slander.”
“Fine. Let the Lord’s kin confirm if slander. He’s just regained consciousness.”
Sima Geon turned toward where the wounded were treated.
Yeong Hopyeong, following his gaze, spotted a figure rising slowly amid the injured—a man far bulkier than average. He knew excuses were futile. Without a thought, he launched himself away.
As Yeong Hopyeong fled, some retainers bolted too.
“Just as you said. The rats have finally shown themselves.”
Sima Geon glanced at Zhuge Su and slowly drew his Heavenly Demon Ring.