Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: New Order (2)
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The rout of the Blood Cult spread like wildfire, along with rumors that even their cult leader had perished. At the same time, suspicion toward the Righteous Heaven Alliance grew ever stronger. It had been revealed as fact that the Blood Cult had been operating covertly within the alliance.
People were stunned to learn that the Blood Cult forces lurking in the Righteous Heaven Alliance had even attempted to attack the Sword Pavilion and failed. If the Zhuge Clan hadn't intervened in time to stop them, the Sword Pavilion—already locked in fierce combat with the Blood Cult—would have suffered a fatal blow.
The Righteous Heaven Alliance officially acknowledged the presence of Blood Cult operatives among the forces dispatched to Phoenix Mountain. They claimed to have eradicated them all, despite suffering massive losses, and asserted their innocence.
But the suspicious glares didn't fade easily. The number of Blood Cult members embedded in the alliance was far greater than anyone had imagined, and claims arose from Shandong Murim that they had been attacked by Righteous Heaven Alliance warriors.
The Righteous Heaven Alliance countered that those attacks were also a misunderstanding—the perpetrators were Blood Cult infiltrators masquerading as alliance members, and all had been eliminated. They bowed their heads, apologizing sincerely for the damages inflicted on Shandong Murim, admitting they couldn't claim total detachment from the incident, and vowing maximum compensation.
In the midst of the heated public dispute over the Blood Cult's defeat, their leader's death, and the truth about the Righteous Heaven Alliance, word arrived that the North Sea Ice Palace had abruptly withdrawn from their occupation of the Shandong Dark Clan.
Whether due to the Blood Cult's collapse or the return of the Shandong Dark Clan's main forces from their march toward Shaolin Temple, it wasn't clear. In any case, the North Sea Ice Palace vacated the Shandong Dark Clan's stronghold just before those forces arrived.
The Shandong Dark Clan successfully reclaimed their home without further clashes. Yet the occupation had shattered their pride, and most of the family retainers left behind had been slaughtered in the process, inflicting irrecoverable losses that would take years to mend.
With the North Sea Ice Palace's withdrawal from the Shandong Dark Clan, all eyes turned to Shaolin Temple.
It was common knowledge among those in the know that the North Sea Ice Palace had marched south at the Blood Cult's behest and even assaulted the Shandong Dark Clan. But now their leader was dead, and a huge swath of their elites wiped out. Everyone could predict the Blood Cult's power would plummet dramatically—some even claimed they'd slink back underground for good.
In such circumstances, no one expected the North Sea Ice Palace to press an attack on Shaolin Temple. Most figured their Shandong retreating forces and the contingent menacing Shaolin would withdraw in tandem. They also believed that without the North Sea Ice Palace, the Iron Blood Palace wouldn't dare assault Shaolin alone.
Though the Iron Blood Palace's might surpassed the North Sea Ice Palace, the assembled forces at Shaolin were no pushover. Even victory would come at a staggering cost, with no real gain to show for it—such recklessness defied common sense.
This view gained traction as the Iron Blood Palace, which had seemed poised to strike at any moment, now appeared to be pulling back after the Blood Cult's defeat.
The problem was that few knew the Iron Blood Palace's leader was a man unbound by common sense.
Shaolin Temple's abbot's quarters.
Late into the night, the mood among the gathered Shaolin leaders was far from grim.
The looming crises—the North Sea Ice Palace's southward advance and the Iron Blood Palace's eastward push—had shifted dramatically with the Blood Cult's rout and their leader's death.
"So, is the North Sea Ice Palace's retreat confirmed?"
Jijang Hall Leader Won Il asked Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar, the Beggars' Sect Leader and the only outsider present.
"Yes. Not just them—the Iron Blood Palace shows clear signs of withdrawing as well."
Won Il, who shared a deep bond with the previous abbot despite standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the current one, adopted a cautious tone.
"I've heard the Iron Blood Palace hasn't made any major moves."
Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar shook his head at Abbot Emeritus Gong Hu's words.
"They're just lingering out of reluctance. With the North Sea Ice Palace actively preparing to retreat, their options are extremely limited."
"The Zhongnan and Huashan Sects are calling for a preemptive strike against them," Gong Jin said.
"I've heard. Regrettably, that's impossible."
Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar shook his head firmly.
"True, but these are people who rushed here to aid headquarters, aren't they? With their sects in such peril, it's hard to flatly refuse."
"I sympathize with Zhongnan and Huashan, but frankly, even if these folks had stayed home, it's questionable whether disaster could have been averted. Don't give it ear."
"How could I not know? It's just... regrettable."
Gong Jin sighed, unable to hide his frustration. Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar turned to Abbot Gong Su.
"Such demands will continue. Not just Zhongnan or Huashan—the Shandong Dark Clan is especially likely to press the issue. You must draw a clear line, Abbot. With threats from both sides still looming, we can't strike one while the other persists."
"I have no intention of erring, so rest easy."
Gong Su turned to his disciples.
"That said, don't dismiss them too coldly. Imagine their frustration and rage. We can't act directly, but at least listen and offer solace."
"Understood."
The Shaolin leaders replied in unison.
"What of the Righteous Heaven Alliance's situation?"
"It's chaos. Their leadership admits the mistake and vows prevention, but the controversy shows no sign of dying down. It's only worsening due to the True Heaven Fist Clan and West Province Bell Clan, branded as Blood Cult puppets."
"True Heaven Fist Clan and West Province Bell Clan?"
"Yes. They lent strength to the Righteous Heaven Alliance for the greater good, even sending forces to Phoenix Mountain, yet now they're branded Blood Cult lackeys and lashing out fiercely. Of course, many Righteous Heaven Alliance warriors died fighting them, and some in Shandong Murim testify they're undeniably Blood Cult agents. Their claims aren't gaining much traction, but plenty sympathize and distrust the alliance outright."
"Leader Zuo must be under tremendous strain."
Gong Young shook his head at Gong Eung's words.
"Not Leader Zuo anymore—Alliance Leader Zuo."
"Ah, right. Enduring all that hardship at the Murim Alliance, and now this at the Righteous Heaven Alliance. Truly."
Gong Eung wore a sympathetic expression, and the others nodded in agreement.
Despite the Righteous Heaven Alliance's troubles, the Shaolin leaders' faith in former Murim Alliance Leader Zuo Yikseon remained unshaken. As alliance head, he'd covertly stoked internal strife while outwardly dashing east and west to resolve crises.
"The Spirit Tiger Clan's position must be awkward too."
Gong Su nodded at Won Il's remark.
"Undoubtedly. They were the most ardent supporters in building up the Righteous Heaven Alliance."
The others sympathized with the Spirit Tiger Clan, echoing Won Il and Gong Su. But Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar showed no reaction.
He knew exactly what had transpired on the battlefield where the Sword Pavilion clashed with the Blood Cult.
The Spirit Tiger Clan lord and many leaders had defected to the Blood Cult, while Young Tiger covertly returned to the clan to rectify it. At Late Autumn's request, Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar was blocking all information on the Spirit Tiger Clan to aid his return.
'I'll catch hell for this later.'
Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar grimaced inwardly.
He trusted Shaolin, but "what if" lingered. Any leak could ruin everything, so he kept silent.
'The problem is the Righteous Heaven Alliance was essentially raised by the Spirit Tiger Clan. Is it truly just a few bad apples, as they claim? Even Alliance Leader Zuo, backed by their lord, needs thorough vetting. If he's tied to the Blood Cult... a former Murim Alliance Leader as their puppet? Unthinkable...'
The mere thought horrified him; he squeezed his eyes shut and sighed unwittingly.
"Is the Sword Pavilion's situation that dire?"
Gong Hu asked with a stern expression.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"You sighed at Little Brother Sheng's question..."
"Ah, forgive me. I was lost in thought. What was your question?"
"About the Sword Pavilion's status. You mentioned Sword Emperor's grave injuries and their massive losses against the Blood Cult's main force. I was curious how they're faring."
"We don't get steady reports, so I can't say precisely, but they seem to be holding up."
"Could they perhaps come to headquarters...?"
"Little Brother."
Gong Su cut Gong Hu off.
"The Sword Pavilion has already paid dearly, felling the Blood Cult leader and shattering their elites. They've more than aided headquarters and earned great merit for murim. Isn't that enough? What face would we have to ask more?"
"My apologies, Senior Brother. My thinking was shortsighted."
Gong Hu apologized and fell silent.
"We can excuse the Sword Emperor or Sword Pavilion, but that brat has to show up, right?"
Apothecary Hall Leader Gong Cho spoke in his sharp, raspy voice.
"Who do you mean?"
"The punk who gobbled up headquarters' treasure."
Everyone grasped whom he meant, their expressions souring. Only Thousand-Hand Divine Beggar offered a wry smile and averted his gaze.
"Cut the nonsense and tend to the patients. You've had a surge in stomach issues lately."
Gong Cho retorted indifferently to Won Il's rebuke.
"Packed in this cramped space, how could there not be illness? Spoiled food everywhere, and the water too."
"Surely not poison?"
Gong Su asked gravely.
"I checked just in case—no suspicious signs. Everyone's suffering, but no serious harm or deaths. Just standard food poisoning from tainted water and grub."
"True, poison wouldn't stop at stomachaches."
Gong Su nodded in relief, though his face betrayed worry over the rising patient numbers.
"Preparations complete?"
Strategist Jong Yo bowed at Palace Lord Yin Mok So's question.
"Yes."
Left Sword, tearing into boiled pork, turned his head.
"Oh, right—you said Blood Cult spies in Shaolin were poisoning them. Did it work?"
"As far as we know, yes."
"But is that okay? If it's poison, their guard will skyrocket."
"It's not lethal—just something to cause diarrhea. They'll suspect bad food, not poison."
Ma Uk chuckled around his chopsticks at Jong Yo's reply.
"Who'd have thought Shaolin had spies too? Impressive Blood Cult or dumb Shaolin?"
"Wasn't just Shaolin—they infiltrated damn near every sect. Heavenly Demon Cult was a mess too."
Left Sword's jab left Ma Uk sheepish.
"Fair point—easy to criticize from afar."
"And the North Sea Ice Palace? They won't renege, will they?"
Jong Yo shook his head at Yin Mok So's question.
"They're feigning withdrawal while readying their assault."
"Certain? No last-minute screw-up like before?"
Yin Mok So snorted, recalling the prior incident.
The Iron Blood Palace had swept Zhongnan and Huashan, then raced east far quicker than expected, reaching near Shaolin.
But then the North Sea Ice Palace diverted their main force to hit the Shandong Dark Clan.
Attacking Shaolin solo without their support burdened the Iron Blood Palace immensely. Victory wasn't assured, and losses would be catastrophic. Yin Mok So burned to charge anyway, but Jong Yo's desperate opposition and pleas from the leadership forced him to relent.
There'd been no prior pact or rapport with the North Sea Ice Palace. Only later, via Blood Cult mediation, did they coordinate on striking Shaolin. Yin Mok So still harbored that grudge.
"Confirmed. Plus, they secretly aim to seize Hebei—Shaolin intact is a threat. They fear the temple's forces marching north. They must strike hard."
Yin Mok So banished his doubts at Jong Yo's explanation.
"Feasible ambush? Beggars' Sect and Shaolin scouts blanket the area."
"Blood Cult's fall and our apparent retreats have loosened things a bit. Still numerous, but we're deploying unprecedented numbers from palace and allies to seal all intel."
"If we're spotted, so be it. Depart now—we need to hit Shaolin before dawn."
Yin Mok So burst through the door. Ma Uk and Left Sword rose leisurely, chopsticks finally still.