Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Dark Currents (2)
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At the same time as the leadership meeting convened in the Gunrim Pavilion, a clandestine gathering was taking place in one of the Heavenly Demon Cult's halls.
"Hmph."
The man exhaled shortly and picked up the bloodstained letter.
The paper's quality and format were no different from the one Gwan Woong had seen, but blood smeared every corner of it, and crucially, the content differed slightly. The letter Gwan Woong read omitted Sima Geon's proposal and warning.
"'If you target my family again, I'll assassinate even your in-laws' eighth cousins'? Ha! Impressive. The only one bold enough to threaten the Heavenly Demon Cult like this must be the Divine Demon Division Leader. Then again, it's not a head-on clash but assassination—who could stop him? It's a checkmate. And I never expected him to propose exchanging the Heavenly Demon Ring for the imprisoned Divine Demon Division members. When he abandoned them and left alone, I thought he'd severed all ties. What do you think?"
In response to the man's question, a middle-aged man kneeling a short distance away slightly raised his head.
"The Divine Demon Division showed more loyalty to the Division Leader than to the Cult Leader. There must have been good reason for it."
"I wonder what the previous Cult Leader, who entrusted the Heavenly Demon Ring to him, would say if he heard that."
The man let out a sinister chuckle, then abruptly hardened his expression.
"This proposal must not reach here. Especially if the Cult Leader takes an interest in those Divine Demon Division scum and starts digging—it could give us headaches. It might even expose our existence."
"Understood."
"Did I stir up unnecessary trouble just to seize a crumbling Ten Thousand Poison Valley?"
"No. The Immortal Ten Thousand Poison Spirit Subduing Art alone makes it well worth the value."
"True, but handing the Ten Thousand Poison Valley over to the Divine Demon Division men required more thought."
"Then we wouldn't have claimed the valley at all."
"Fair enough. My eyes were blinded by vengeance against the Divine Demon Division and its Leader."
The man shook his head irritably, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Heh heh heh! That mad dog. He'll have heard his sister died this time, so he'll go berserk with revenge. I've heard his recent operations have been dragging— this could be the spark. If he wants it, provide whatever support he needs."
"I'll relay the order."
"By the way, who sent the messenger pigeon?"
"Pyo Yeong."
"Eliminate him too."
For a moment, the middle-aged man's eyes flickered. The man caught it and smirked coldly.
"Pity to kill him, eh?"
"Somewhat."
The man shook his head immediately.
"No. I'll handle the removal."
"As discreetly and swiftly as possible."
"Understood."
"I'll explain to the North Heaven Sword Demon myself... No, I'll handle it personally. You're dismissed."
At the man's order to leave, the middle-aged man bowed respectfully and withdrew.
'Divine Demon Division Leader. I hear he already meddled once in our cult's event. One misstep, and the sparks could fly here too.'
Tsking his tongue, the man circulated his inner energy, and flames erupted from the letter in his hand. The acrid smell of the ashes quickly blended into a faint herbal scent.
Cheol Woo, sitting on a bench and chewing jerky, offered a piece to Ha Hu Yeon.
"So, they're telling the Heavenly Demon Cult to officially apologize and provide appropriate compensation?"
"Yes."
"And that's the Martial Alliance's decision?"
"That's what I hear."
Ha Hu Yeon slumped listlessly onto the bench and sighed.
"Aren't they idiots? They won't back Ha Hu Clan, but they're siding with the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
Noe Jeon approached, shaking a liquor bottle, and plopped down on his rear.
Over twenty days had passed since the Heavenly Demon Cult's raid, and Noe Jeon, who had suffered the gravest injuries, seemed to have recovered somewhat.
"Looks like the meds worked well."
"Even with meds, come on."
"From what I heard chasing you last time, it was no joke. But why's this jerky so damn chewy?"
Noe Jeon grimaced, pulling the mushy jerky from his mouth.
"If you don't like it, leave it."
Cheol Woo glared at Noe Jeon and turned to Ha Hu Yeon.
"Anyway, what's their reasoning? There has to be a reason the Martial Alliance is taking the Heavenly Demon Cult's side."
"They say they lack grounds to support the main house. There's the prior clash with the Red Dragon Gang too."
Unable to bear the frustration, Ha Hu Yeon snatched the liquor bottle from Noe Jeon's hand.
"That doesn't make sense either. You didn't even clash with the Red Dragon Gang."
"Being at the scene and hanging with your brothers became the issue."
"What bullshit."
"Especially, the Five Great Clans splitting the Martial Alliance and their followers are stirring up every excuse to turn public opinion against the main house. Oh, excluding Nangong Clan."
"Why them?"
"Like I mentioned before, there was discord in selecting the Martial Alliance Leader. They didn't back their preferred candidate."
"Ha! Total clusterfuck."
"Hey, what's the Beggars' Sect saying?"
Noe Jeon asked Man Chu, who had sidled up to check the bottle's bottom.
"Chaos. The Gang Leader who visited the Alliance in person declared vengeance, but honestly, no one's backing us. Plus, those sly Heavenly Demon Cult bastards promised a polite apology and massive compensation..."
Cheol Woo tilted his head.
"Compensation? To the Beggars' Sect?"
"No. To the Martial Alliance."
Cheol Woo and Noe Jeon gaped at Man Chu's reply.
"Why would the Alliance get compensation?"
"We're nominally under them. Of course, Beggars' Sect gets the lion's share. But the Gang Leader naturally refused. The Alliance, though, claims they never heard it. Other sects that should support us are tempted and staying silent. Anyway, they're all bastards."
Cheol Woo shook his head and clapped slowly.
"Man, that's genius. Truly brilliant. Noe Jeon, you're right—they played it perfectly."
"Exactly. They just sit back, and the gravy falls into their laps. Game over."
Noe Jeon patted Ha Hu Yeon's shoulder sympathetically.
"So, what if you hold out and refuse to apologize to the end?"
Ha Hu Yeon hesitated at Cheol Woo's question. Even he couldn't predict it well.
"Not sure. Maybe it'll just fizzle out? They can't possibly march on the main house."
"You sure you're not underestimating?"
"Pardon?"
"Why couldn't they?"
As Ha Hu Yeon floundered, Man Chu, munching jerky, spoke up.
"Attacking Ha Hu Clan is entirely different from chasing Noe Jeon brother last time. No matter the feud, the Martial Alliance won't stand by. Above all, the Southern Alliance Leader won't tolerate it."
"Southern Alliance Leader? Where's that?"
"Nangong Clan."
"Ah! Nangong Clan."
Cheol Woo recalled Nangong Gyeong, briefly encountered before Golden Fox Bandit Lair and Living Immortal Medical House.
"Among the Martial Alliance, only Nangong Clan stays neutral while backing Ha Hu Clan and Beggars' Sect. Especially the current Sword Saint, famed for his impartiality. He shares deep ties with our Supreme Elder too."
Man Chu's face darkened, perhaps recalling the drunken escapade.
"He has ties with our Great Ancestor as well. As long as he's around, the Heavenly Demon Cult can't casually step into the South. Unlike chasing Noe Jeon brother with clear pretext, they won't ignore knowing it's an attack on the main house. If Nangong moves, Southern Martial World moves."
"That big a deal?"
Cheol Woo showed curiosity.
"Yes. Immensely so."
"Strong?"
"Naturally."
"As strong as me?"
"Hard to say."
Cheol Woo's eyes narrowed at Ha Hu Yeon's vague answer.
"Be precise. If I fought this Sword Saint, who wins?"
Ha Hu Yeon, looking troubled, recalled words from Ha Hu Gok.
"You only know by fighting. But they say twenty-odd years ago, he matched our Great Ancestor—at under thirty."
"Hey, I'm under thirty too."
Cheol Woo snapped. Just then, Sima Geon returned home with his brothers and asked dismissively.
"What bullshit?"
"Heard of the Sword Saint?"
"Yeah."
"This punk thinks the Sword Saint's stronger than me."
Ha Hu Yeon shrugged innocently.
"I didn't say that."
"Not directly, but implied."
"Listening to elder, it doesn't sound wrong."
"Boss!"
"Elder said the Sword Saint's growth defies imagination. Right?"
Sima Geon glanced behind Cheol Woo.
Ha Hu Gok was slowly emerging from his room. Fatally wounded in the dantian during the last battle, he'd barely survived but lost his martial arts. He looked far older, pallid with illness.
"Indeed. But that's from a normal perspective—not for you two. Haven't met him lately, so unsure of his recent progress, but even so, I don't think you'd lose."
"Obviously. Compare to me, not Boss."
Cheol Woo fussed loudly.
"Fights have too many variables—you only know by clashing. Coldly put, it'd be tough."
"For me?"
"Yes."
Ha Hu Gok shook his head without leeway, flushing Cheol Woo's face red and blue.
"So cold."
Everyone chuckled as Cheol Woo spun away peevishly.
"Anyway, back already? All handled?"
"Yes. The old ranch owner who was there first agreed to manage it temporarily. Scale's smaller now, and with no ranch work, he was bored. Took it gladly."
"You'll miss it."
Sima Hyeon shook his head nonchalantly at Ha Hu Gok's words.
"It's fine. We'll be back soon."
"Whew! After all that livestock shit smell. Time for a break. Body needs adjusting too."
Sima Ho laughed, flapping his empty sleeve. Relieved-looking, but shadows lingered under his eyes.
"Butcher shop?"
"Closing for now. No one clicks."
"Can't be helped. Jin-a's set for Living Immortal Medical House?"
"Yes."
"Tough for the young one in unfamiliar place."
"No. The physician's going with her."
"Clear Heart Clinic owner?"
Ha Hu Gok looked surprised.
"Yes."
"Fortunate, but then Clear Heart Clinic?"
Thanks to carpenters working nonstop, it had fully revived two days prior.
"Living Immortal Medical House sending physicians."
"Good."
"But Boss. This much?"
Cheol Woo spoke, displeased.
"What?"
"We warned plenty via that rat Pyo Yeong."
"Better safe. Pride might make them reject terms."
"Doubt they'll dare attack after your message. Plus, returning Heavenly Demon Ring soon—with conditions. Wonder what Gwan Hyo old man's face'll look like. Heh heh, might visit hell himself."
"But really safe?"
Noe Jeon asked, half hopeful, half worried.
"Gotta trust the rat—says they're alive in prison despite chains."
"Hah! Only twenty..."
"Twenty's a lot. Stubborn bunch—hard to sway. Thought none survived; so grateful."
"True. Lunatics—impossible to recruit."
Noe Jeon chuckled.
"Obviously? If swayable, wouldn't be jailed. Anyway, to recover Heavenly Demon Ring safely, they'll feed and house 'em properly now."
Sima Geon berated himself at Cheol Woo's words.
"Should've checked sooner. Too distracted by Jin-a."
"Nah. Ties ended leaving Heavenly Demon Cult. Boss gave us all choices. Some left for new lives. Those remaining chose it themselves. Harshly? They bear consequences—live or die. We, or Boss, can't clean forever."
"I agree. Cheol Woo said something right for once."
"For once?"
Ha Hu Gok ignored Cheol Woo's huff.
"Still, bonds are hard to sever. Anyway, sacrificing Heavenly Demon Ring for subordinates is right. We don't need it anyway."
Ha Hu Gok spoke meaningfully—whether knowing or intuiting the secret.
"Well, true."
Sima Geon smiled awkwardly.
"Alright, time to depart. Body's weak—even carriage is tough. Go slow, but hurry to reach main house ASAP. Much to do."
Losing martial arts, he'd grasped new martial principles.
For Ha Hu Clan and descendants, Ha Hu Gok's will to establish these newly comprehended principles burned like fierce flames.