Chapter 74
Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Touched Something You Shouldn't Have (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Heavenly Pavilion, located on the northeastern outskirts of Soheung.
A group of people had gathered in the room at the far right on the third floor, where the pavilion master usually resided. Instead of the pavilion master, a wrinkled old man with white hair sat in the seat of honor. Unlike the lively bustle of Heavenly Pavilion even late into the night, the atmosphere in the room was gravely serious.
"I've heard about Clear Heart Clinic. They turned it into a pile of ashes."
At the words of the white-haired elder, Po Yang of Haomen, Heavenly Pavilion's master Han Seol nodded with a regretful expression.
"Yes. Not only the patients, but most of the physicians lost their lives as well."
"Hah! Even for such brutal bastards, who would've thought they'd touch Clear Heart Clinic. I never imagined it."
Po Yang sighed and reached out for his wine cup, downing it in one gulp.
"They moved faster than expected, causing all sorts of problems, and in the end, they pulled off that mess. Damn them! At least it's fortunate they didn't clash with the Sword Ghost."
"It was just a day or two's difference. If they'd come a little sooner, things might have gone wrong."
"Right. You all did exceptionally well under tough circumstances. Good work."
Everyone brightened at Po Yang's praise. The tragedy of Clear Heart Clinic seemed to have already faded from their memories.
"By the way, do you know why the main branch got involved this time? And not just to pass along information."
"We received a substantial sum in exchange for providing assistance."
Han Seol answered.
"Correct. Frankly, it's an exorbitant amount even considering the risks. But money isn't everything."
Han Seol, who already knew deeper details, was about to continue when Sang Cheon beside her cautiously interjected.
"Could it be because of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance?"
To the outside world, he was the leader of the music troupe that stayed at Heavenly Pavilion every night to entertain guests, but his primary duty was protecting Han Seol and the pavilion.
At forty years old, his small stature and hunched back made him look much older, but the sharp glint in his eyes was fiercely predatory.
Po Yang nodded with a faint smile at Sang Cheon's question.
"Yes, you've caught on."
"Master gave me a hint. And everyone knows Hongik Bureau is connected to the Yangtze Waterway Alliance."
"Exactly. It was a chance to shove it in the faces of those demonic Yangtze Waterway Alliance fiends, so we stepped in. The Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds who orchestrated this had the same intent from the start."
"But is it really possible?"
Sang Cheon asked in a somewhat skeptical tone.
"More than possible. The butchers we identified are that exceptional. If they start rampaging to find their sister, it'll be quite the spectacle. If we're lucky, even the Ha Hu Clan could get dragged in. Of course, if the Ha Hu Clan gets involved, it'll be a burden for us too."
Po Yang ground his teeth, recalling the one-sided grievances between Haomen and the Yangtze Waterway Alliance over the years.
"It's regrettable for the butcher siblings, but now that their information has reached the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds, hardship was inevitable. Whether it's the Green Forest or the Yangtze makes no difference. Anyway, as we intended, the Sword Ghost left his post, and the Hongik Bureau bastards took the butcher's child and departed Soheung as desired. Now, all we need is for the Sword Ghost or the butcher to return, and we subtly inform them of Hongik Bureau's involvement—our job is done. But the situation has changed a bit."
"The situation has changed?"
Han Seol asked.
"A while ago, Living Immortal Medical House faced a dire crisis."
"I heard they got tangled with the Demonic Cult. They nearly faced total annihilation."
"According to reports from the children present, the Demonic Cult's might was truly overwhelming. Despite aid from Namgung Clan's Soaring Heaven Lone Sword, the Beggars' Sect's Wandering Nine Beggars Fiend, and numerous other heroes, they couldn't withstand it."
"I heard there were heroes who crushed the Demonic Cult's arrogance."
Po Yang let out a hollow laugh at Sang Cheon's words.
"Heh! So the rumors say?"
"Isn't that true?"
"They did crush their arrogance. But those weren't heroes. They were Demonic Cult bastards themselves."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"The same Demonic Cult. And even more crucially..."
Thirsty again, Po Yang downed another cup and spun the empty vessel between his fingers.
"Those bastards are the butchers."
"......"
Po Yang gave a wry smile at Han Seol and Sang Cheon, who blinked in confusion without grasping his words.
"Things are shaping up to be far bigger than we thought. That's why this old man rushed here—to check for any mistakes in the operation. If there's even a minor slip-up..."
Han Seol swallowed hard as her eyes met Po Yang's.
"We were ordered to withdraw without looking back. Erase all traces of the main branch completely and as quickly as possible. They're that dangerous. Far more than we initially estimated."
"Ah!"
A regretful sigh escaped Han Seol's lovely lips as her face darkened. Po Yang, not noticing her expression, offered a faint smile.
"Don't worry too much. Let's wrap this up properly first. If we handle this successfully, you'll be the master of the new sub-branch in Soheung. But take it slow, discreetly, without drawing attention. Don't rush... What's wrong?"
Po Yang's eyes twitched at Han Seol's stiffened expression, sensing something ominous.
"There's something bothering me."
Not Han Seol, but Sang Cheon spoke up.
"Bothering you?"
"In spreading the rumors, we used the Blood Cloth Faction."
"Who... did you say?"
Po Yang shouted in shock.
As Sang Cheon briefly explained the process, Po Yang's expression shifted multiple times.
"Why! Why make such a choice? I emphasized countless times that this required utmost caution and secrecy."
"It was..."
Unable to respond, Han Seol fell silent, so Sang Cheon continued.
"Since it's not a main branch outpost, operating covertly was difficult. Especially since Hongik Bureau moved faster than the rumors could spread—we had no choice."
Han Seol shot him a grateful look. Sang Cheon had been the strongest opponent to her decision to use the Blood Cloth Faction.
"Even so, it was reckless. If the Sword Ghost—no, the Ha Hu Clan—digs in seriously, not only the Blood Cloth Faction but our identity will be exposed in no time."
"The gold flower who contacted the Blood Cloth Faction has already been sent elsewhere. No one knows of her existence, so don't worry too..."
"It's not that simple. They won't drop their suspicions just because she vanished. Do you think you and the kids here will stay safe in the process? Anyway, fine. Even if the Ha Hu Clan uncovers it, it'll be tough but manageable. They keep some boundaries no matter the situation. But the butchers—no, the Demonic Cult won't. It's about blood kin. No half-measures. They'll pursue to the end and demand accountability. Remember the brutality they've shown. If their prowess at Living Immortal Medical House is real, the main branch could face a worst-case scenario."
Pouring out frustration, exasperation, and fear like a storm, Po Yang shot to his feet.
"Sang Cheon."
"Yes, Elder."
"How long to erase all traces here?"
"We're just at the starting phase. Excluding those directly from the main branch, no one knows our identity."
"That's a relief. Time's short, but we can clean up faster than expected. Erase traces as quickly as possible and... Ack!"
With a sudden shout, Po Yang shoved Han Seol and Sang Cheon aside, rolling across the floor.
"Th-that's Heavenly Pavilion."
The sole survivor of the Blood Cloth Faction pointed at Heavenly Pavilion, his face pale with terror. He knew what had befallen his comrades just moments ago during their feast.
"Certain?"
The Thunderclap nodded at the man's confirmation, and Sima Geon and Cheol Woo brushed past him.
The man, cowering and staring at Sima Geon, suddenly tilted sideways. Unable to comprehend why the world was spinning, he closed his eyes lifelessly.
"Hurry. Don't keep your comrades waiting."
Having ended his life painlessly, the Thunderclap swiftly followed Sima Geon.
"Looks like an ordinary tavern from the outside."
Cheol Woo scanned the Heavenly Pavilion, which was winding down business, and remarked.
"Appearances can deceive. We won't know until we check inside."
Matching strides with him, the Thunderclap sharply observed people entering and exiting the pavilion.
Sima Geon halted before a young beggar pleading at the entrance.
His hair disheveled, clad in filthy rags barely qualifying as clothes, the beggar bared yellow teeth and extended a hand.
Sima Geon smirked and stomped on the proffered hand.
"Argh!"
The beggar screamed.
As the Thunderclap frowned in confusion, Cheol Woo clicked his tongue.
"Your eyes rotten? He screams suspicious. A beggar hiding martial arts."
"Huh?"
The startled Thunderclap calmly examined the beggar feigning death throes.
"Hm, he is off. Can't believe I missed it."
"Bullshit. Your instincts are dead."
Cheol Woo scoffed, and the Thunderclap looked away innocently.
"What's this place? Not just a tavern, so no bullshit."
The beggar, unable to withdraw his crushed hand, bowed deeper.
"Sp-spare me. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Doesn't matter. Looking for a courtesan named Gold Flower."
At "Gold Flower," Dong Gwang—tasked with patrolling around Heavenly Pavilion—his pupils wavered. Though his head was bowed, hiding it, Sima Geon sensed the subtle emotional fluctuations from his body.
"Definitely suspicious."
As Sima Geon turned to glance at the pavilion, Dong Gwang lashed out like lightning from below. A short blade, secretly drawn from his sleeve, gleamed in his hand.
Dong Gwang's swing halted just before Sima Geon's leg.
"This one's fun."
The Thunderclap pinned Dong Gwang's arm with his sword, grinning wickedly.
"Something's here for sure. Torture him proper and..."
The Thunderclap trailed off, turning. Sima Geon had stepped back and swung his sword at Heavenly Pavilion.
Shwaaak!
Sword qi erupted from Sima Geon's blade with a sharp whoosh, slashing diagonally across the pavilion.
"Captain?"
Cheol Woo gaped, but Sima Geon sheathed his sword.
"People dodged it. Need this much to flush out the rats."
"Yeah? Once isn't enough then."
Cheol Woo grinned coldly and punched toward the pavilion.
His fist projected qi that struck the central pillar, bypassing the sword qi.
The pillar over a foot thick snapped, shaking the entire structure. As roofs caved in places, screams erupted as people fled Heavenly Pavilion.
As Sima Geon and Cheol Woo moved, the Thunderclap yelled urgently.
"What about this one?"
"Drag him."
Ignoring the Thunderclap's grumble, Sima Geon strode inside with unwavering steps, already knowing his target as he ascended the stairs.
Cheol Woo, climbing beside him, glanced left and called.
"Captain."
"I know. Thunderclap."
"Yes, Captain."
"Rat's out. Leave him to Cheol Woo and follow."
"Got it."
The Thunderclap vanished quietly after responding.
"Heh, shall we see the rest of the rats' faces?"
Cheol Woo, with Dong Gwang slung over his shoulder from the Thunderclap, marched confidently toward Sima Geon's destination.
Many poured down from the second and third floors, but they caused no hindrance. In the chaos, people frantically avoided the pair, awed by their unconsciously emitted, murderous aura.
"No other suspects."
Scanning meticulously while moving, Cheol Woo said disappointedly.
"Yeah. A few suspicious ones, but not worth minding."
"Then just deal with those."
Cheol Woo nodded toward Po Yang and others at the end of the third-floor corridor.