Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Chongmyeong Island (1)
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"It's a message from the Hangzhou branch. Everyone, take a look."
Haomen Leader Eun Se-chong tossed the crumpled letter.
The executives of Haomen held their breath, sensing the thick fury in his hardened expression and subdued voice, as they unfolded the letter. The message, written in blood, was short but shockingly unbelievable.
"I-is this... true?"
Elder Mong Yang, whose hunched back made his already small stature seem even tinier, asked in a trembling voice.
"I wish it weren't so, but it probably is."
"Ahh!"
Mong Yang, who had shared a harsh childhood with Poyang, collapsed to the floor and shed tears. The other executives were equally stunned by the deaths of comrades and subordinates they had lived and died beside, lost for words. Even Eun Se-chong, who had opened his mouth to speak, clenched his teeth and fell silent.
After some time passed and Mong Yang finally regained his composure, he forced his mouth open.
"What do you plan to do?"
"That's what I want to ask you. What do you think we should do?"
Eun Se-chong scanned the room as he asked.
"Our relations with the Hahu Clan and the Beggars' Sect have gone completely sour. Especially if the Hahu Clan decides to come after us in earnest, we'll be in deep trouble—not just one or two issues."
"We need to apologize to the Hahu Clan and the Beggars' Sect as quickly as possible. If we claim it wasn't our intention but that we had no choice due to pressure from the bandits, we might be able to calm their anger to some extent."
"That won't be enough. The Hahu Clan has been clashing heavily with the Five Great Clans lately, so how about providing them with information on their movements?"
"The Beggars' Sect, which overlaps with us in so many territories, won't let this opportunity slip. Unfortunately, yielding on certain concessions where we can might help salvage the situation."
Amid the flood of opinions, Supreme Protector Pyeon Gwang—the true culprit behind this mess—remained silent. Eun Se-chong, displeased by this, shot at him.
"Why are you so quiet, Supreme Protector?"
"What words does a sinner have? Due to this old man's stubbornness, the sect's disciples have suffered great losses. I have no face left to show."
Pyeon Gwang bowed his head weakly, without any excuses.
His self-deprecating attitude surprised not only Eun Se-chong but the other executives as well. After all, the Supreme Protector and his faction had always wielded tremendous influence.
But Pyeon Gwang was scheming in his own way.
He had succeeded in pitting the Butcher Brothers from the Demonic Cult against the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, as originally intended. Though there had been regrettable casualties in the process, he had achieved his goals, so he saw no need to further antagonize the Leader.
"Even so, you must have some opinion on how to resolve this. Speak."
"The measures for the Hahu Clan and Beggars' Sect seem sufficient with what's been suggested so far. The real issue is how the Butcher Brothers will react."
"That's exactly what worries me. If they decide to target the main sect in earnest, just thinking about how to respond is terrifying."
Eun Se-chong pressed his temples, his head throbbing, and continued.
"Do you have any countermeasures, at least?"
"Before countermeasures, there's something we need to clarify first."
"Clarify? What do you mean?"
"No matter how it happened, they've killed numerous elders and disciples of our sect. Are we just abandoning revenge?"
"That's..."
Eun Se-chong couldn't answer Pyeon Gwang's question easily. He had pondered it himself, but no clear solution had emerged.
They should declare revenge, but the incident had originated from Haomen itself, leaving them without justification. Ignoring it outright, however, could shake the disciples' faith in the sect.
"What do you think we should do, Supreme Protector?"
Mong Yang asked on behalf of the troubled Eun Se-chong. His voice carried a sharp edge, likely due to losing close friends and disciples to Pyeon Gwang's personal grudge against the Yangtze Waterway Alliance.
"We must seek revenge, of course."
"The incident started with us. Declaring revenge without justification will only invite criticism—don't you know that?"
"Justification be damned. Their power is hard enough to handle as it is. Even if we all charged in, we might not win."
Gyo Hwe, sitting beside Mong Yang, let out a self-mocking lament.
"Do we really need to fight them head-on?"
Pyeon Gwang curled the corner of his mouth as he asked.
"What?"
"Have we ever fought out in the open? We just need to fight them our way—stealthily, without drawing attention."
"Is there a method?"
"If we look, there are a few. First, though, the Leader and everyone here must give their approval."
"What is it?"
Eun Se-chong asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
"We must declare that the full responsibility lies with the Hangzhou branch."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Outrageous!"
Objections erupted from all sides, led by Eun Se-chong. The reactions were especially fierce from executives friendly with Poyang, Dumirok, and others.
"I have no face toward those who sacrificed, but it's the best option."
Pyeon Gwang bowed to Eun Se-chong and raised his voice to the executives.
"Think about it calmly. If it was a plan from the main sect, we'd bear infinite responsibility. But if we claim it was the Hangzhou branch's independent action, unable to withstand bandit threats?"
Pyeon Gwang fixed his gaze on Eun Se-chong.
"Haven't they already paid with their lives?"
"Hm."
A short groan escaped Eun Se-chong's lips. It was a valid point—perhaps the best course for Haomen right now. Yet he was reluctant to admit it.
"While shifting blame to the Hangzhou branch, we should portray them as innocent victims as much as possible. And subtly spread word that those butchers are ruthless fiends from the demonic path. It'll narrow their room to maneuver."
"Winning public opinion, eh? So they won't dare attack the main sect recklessly, since the planners paid with their lives."
"Exactly."
"I'm not sure it'll work. Especially if something happens to the kidnapped sister..."
Eun Se-chong shuddered, as if the thought was too horrific to voice.
"Tipping them off about the Hongikbang's movements is another option."
"The Hongikbang's whereabouts?"
"Yes. Didn't they say they're pursuing the Hongikbang? And the Hongikbang is heading to Chongming Island right now."
"Ah!"
"Chongming Island—that's the place."
Most grasped it immediately. Though it didn't hold markets regularly, Chongming Island was infamous for its open slave trade. Government crackdowns had reduced the frequency lately, but slave traders always found a way. Even recently, an underground market had opened.
"If we apologize for the Hangzhou branch's actions and share the Hongikbang's movements to show maximum sincerity, we might mitigate some of the past blame."
"It could just be the Supreme Protector's delusion."
Mong Yang interjected.
"Whatever they think, public perception will shift—that alone is enough. And that's not the end. We'll leak the Hongikbang info to them, and the Hongikbang info to them as well."
"To the Hongikbang?"
Everyone looked puzzled at his intent.
"Here's the play: Tell the Hongikbang that the Hahu Clan's elites pursuing them have left Hangzhou."
"Not them, but the Hahu Clan?"
"Yes. It's plenty convincing that the Hahu Clan has family among those massacred at the Clear Heart Clinic. They already know the Hahu Clan has been mobilizing."
"Supreme Protector, you don't want them rescuing their sister."
Pyeon Gwang shook his head at Eun Se-chong's mocking jab.
"Not particularly. We're just feeding info to both sides and letting heaven decide the outcome."
"But if the sister dies, their rage will turn straight to us."
Gyo Hwe shouted.
"It'll hit the Yangtze Waterway Alliance first, won't it? The Hangzhou branch that led the plan has already paid the price."
"That blade could still turn toward us."
"That's why we wage the opinion war. If they believe we've paid enough, those so-called righteous factions won't stand idly by while they rampage—not when their own reputations for justice and honor are on the line."
Pyeon Gwang's explanation was unflinching, but the stares directed at him weren't friendly. Especially galling was how, despite the disaster from his own stubbornness, he proposed shifting blame to the Hangzhou branch to resolve it. Dissatisfaction was rife.
Yet no one raised a strong counterargument. Setting aside grudges, his method was the best for Haomen.
Pyeon Gwang's scheme didn't end there.
"But that alone won't be full revenge. I have one more plan."
"What is it?"
Eun Se-chong asked with a displeased face, unhappy at the mood being pulled toward the Supreme Protector.
"According to the earlier report, didn't the Living Immortal Medical House clash with them and the Demonic Cult? Remember?"
"How could I forget? That's why I warned so sternly not to leave traces of our involvement. Though it all went to waste."
Eun Se-chong muttered bitterly.
"Think about why the Demonic Cult was rampaging for a while."
"The Demonic Cult..."
Eun Se-chong trailed off, then snapped his head up. Realization dawned clearly on his face.
"Someone they suspect has the divine relic they're seeking joined forces with them."
"You're saying we tip off the Demonic Cult? They probably already know."
Pyeon Gwang shook his head at Mong Yang's words.
"Just subtly mention their hideout."
Pyeon Gwang lifted his cold teacup and smiled cruelly.
"If they want it badly enough, they'll figure out a way."
"We'll arrive in Soju soon. Shall we detour?"
Gwan Seung, leading at the front, turned and asked. Yu Wol pondered briefly, then chuckled. It was because of the desperate looks from his subordinates watching him. After all, they had marched relentlessly without proper rest.
"When does the market open?"
Yu Wol asked the man beside him. Jin Woo-gi, his eyes equally eager like the others, replied promptly.
"It starts tomorrow, but we've already reported securing that woman to the Chief. Word's spread there too. Anyone who wants her will wait ten days or a hundred."
"You managing her well?"
"Yes. We're keeping her sedated just in case. No worries, so..."
Jin Woo-gi trailed off, gauging Yu Wol's mood. Catching on, Yu Wol nodded lightly.
"Got it. We'll rest a day, then..."
His expression suddenly hardened. Yu Wol whipped his head around and snatched something flying swiftly from the left. Confirming it was an arrow, Jin Woo-gi and Gwan Seung shouted simultaneously.
"Enemies!"
"Stay alert around us!"
At their cries, the Hongikbang warriors scattered instantly, bracing for attack. For mere foot soldiers, their response was remarkably swift and orderly.
"No need for panic."
Yu Wol shouted as he untied the cloth strip bound to the arrow he'd caught.
The palm-sized cloth bore a short message.
'The Hahu Clan is pursuing us?'
Yu Wol's face stiffened at the name.
'Why?'
The doubt didn't last. The next line explained that Hahu family members had been at the Clear Heart Clinic.
'Damn it! Of all things.'
They hadn't checked patients one by one, and even if they had, the outcome would likely have been the same.
"What is it, Deputy Chief?"
Jin Woo-gi asked cautiously.
"We've got pursuers."
"Pardon?"
Startled, Jin Woo-gi quickly scanned the cloth Yu Wol handed him.
"If it's true, we're in a real bind."
"Not sure if the info's reliable, though."
Gwan Seung peered over Jin Woo-gi's shoulder at the message, his face skeptical as he continued.
"We don't know who sent it or their motives."
"Can't just ignore it, though. Intent aside, with the Clear Heart Clinic incident... If the Hahu Clan really is after us..."
Jin Woo-gi trailed off, watching Yu Wol's expression.
Even across the entire Yangtze Waterway Alliance, few surpassed Yu Wol in martial prowess. But this was the Hahu Clan. No telling their pursuit party's size, but a direct clash meant zero chance of victory.
Yu Wol snapped the arrow in his hand after a moment under their worried gazes.
"Chongming Island is right ahead. No matter the intent or who's chasing us, we finish the deal fast and head back."
"Then Soju... Ugh!"
Gwan Seung yelped as his side was struck.
"You keep yapping nonsense. Didn't you hear the Deputy Chief say we're wrapping it up quick?"
"Who said otherwise? I was just saying..."
As Jin Woo-gi glared, Gwan Seung clutched his side and groaned.
"Jin Woo-gi."
"Yes, Deputy Chief."
"We split the forces."
"You sure? Could be a trap."
"I'm setting bait."
Jin Woo-gi grasped the meaning immediately.
"Understood."
At his gesture, the group divided into two in an instant. But the bulk of the elites clustered around Yu Wol, vastly outnumbering the rest.
"We bypass Soju and head straight to Chongming Island. Jin Woo-gi."
"Yes, Deputy Chief."
"Erase our tracks as you follow, pass through Soju, then move separately."
"Rendezvous at Chongming Island?"
"For now. But if the vibe's off or things look dangerous, use your judgment."
"Got it."
Jin Woo-gi replied solemnly. Yu Wol gave him a trusting look, then led his group away. Moments later, Jin Woo-gi's party began moving cautiously, erasing the tracks of those ahead.