Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Drawing the Big Picture (1)
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The regular meeting of the Hao Gate, where they decided all matters great and small, was drawing to a close when a single letter arrived.
Sect Master Eun Se-chung's expression turned grave as he scanned its contents.
"Has something happened, Sect Master?"
Elder Mong Yang asked cautiously.
"They've left."
"Pardon?"
Mong Yang couldn't make sense of Eun Se-chung's curt reply, but Pyongwang understood immediately.
"Where are they headed?"
"West, for now, it seems."
"West is tricky. Hongik Hall first, you think?"
"They kidnapped my brother and attacked Clear Heart Clinic, so probably. Word is they openly declared revenge too."
At the mention of Hongik Hall and Clear Heart Clinic, Mong Yang and the other leaders present finally grasped the conversation.
"What are your plans? Intervene again this time?"
Before Mong Yang could finish, Jowoe chimed in.
"We need to tread carefully. After hearing how they handled the Heavenly Demon Cult..."
Jowoe trailed off, his body trembling. The thought of that power turning on them made him hesitant to even speak.
"Hmm. Not sure what to do. Oh right, did I mention we offered our help anytime?"
"Yes. We passed the word through the Beggar Clan, but they refused. Seems they figure the Beggar Clan can help without us."
Everyone's faces darkened at Mong Yang's words. Most fretted over the strained ties with Sima Geon, but some looked outright resentful.
"So we're dropping revenge on them?"
Elder Jeok Insul asked, his eyes narrowing sharply.
"And if we don't? You saw what happened to the Heavenly Demon Cult, yet you say that? Associating with them got the Wanderer Demon killed. The Sword Demon's practically a cripple now. Do you have any idea how on edge we were, wondering if the Heavenly Demon Cult would catch on that we fed them info through the Beggar Clan?"
No one, not even Jeok Insul, dared speak after Mong Yang's tirade.
Raising his voice before the sect master might come off as rude, but most shared his view. The sect master nodded in silent agreement.
"For the record, no contact with Hongik Hall whatsoever. No information from us should leak out."
"Understood."
They chorused their assent and bowed as one. But shortly after the meeting adjourned, discussions defying the sect master's will began.
"The sect master's being too cautious."
Jeok Insul, who hadn't mustered a single rebuttal to Mong Yang's outburst, now raised his voice.
"Keep it down. You know the sect master's ears are everywhere."
Pyongwang scolded him with a fierce glare, and Jeok Insul flushed red, bowing his head.
"My apologies."
"Still, Elder Jeok isn't entirely wrong. Turning a blind eye to vengeance for our disciples who died so miserably? That's no way for a sect master to act."
Pyongwang nodded mutely at the words of Ju Hang, the protector who was practically his right hand.
"If we leave things as they are, Hongik Hall falls to them—it's only a matter of time. We have to tip them off about their movements, if only to drag the Yangtze Waterway Alliance into it."
"Agreed. It's obvious—just toss on some kindling, and the flames will roar. Too much of a waste to let it fizzle out. Find a discreet way to alert Hongik Hall to their moves."
"Already on it."
"Already?"
"Yes. After the thrashing they took, Hongik Hall's on high alert. Drop a few clues, and those bastards will handle the rest themselves."
Pyongwang flashed a satisfied smile at Ju Hang's confident reply.
"Excellent."
Pyongwang stared at the cup Jeok Insul had poured, then downed it in one gulp.
That night, a single messenger pigeon beat its wings vigorously and took to the sky.
"This is the fork."
Manchu, who had been leading the way, halted his steps.
"Left takes the rugged mountain path. Right is comparatively easier."
"How many days' difference?"
Cheol Woo alternated glances between the diverging paths as he asked.
"At our current pace, three to four days."
"What do you think, boss? The timing's a bit iffy."
Sima Geon made the call without a second thought.
"Mountains. If we're handling the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds on the way back too, better hurry even one day."
"Fair enough. Climbing mountains like this ain't our first rodeo."
Cheol Woo turned to Manchu.
"Question is whether this guy's gonna keep up."
"Scrawny as I look, I'm confident in my walking."
Manchu flexed his calf muscles for show.
"Let's see."
Cheol Woo prodded them lightly.
"Ow!"
"And that's supposed to be muscle."
Cheol Woo tsked his tongue at Manchu's yelping leap, his playful expression vanishing.
"It ain't just walking like you think. It'll be rough. So think it over and answer straight. Turn back now, no one's gonna say a word."
"I'm good. I can handle it."
"Why go this far? No real reason to help us out like this. Be honest—the Wanderer Demon elder's death ties back to us, in a way."
"The Sword Demon elder gave strict orders."
"Elder did? What'd he say?"
"Learn with everything you've got."
"Learn what? Beggar Clan and us got no overlap. Martial arts are worlds apart. Nothing special to teach."
"Beats me. He just said observe everything and learn. You'll get strong. So please don't tell me to head back."
Cheol Woo looked troubled at Manchu's resolute stance. Noejeon snickered watching him.
"Funny?"
"Aren't you overthinking it?"
"What?"
Cheol Woo shot him a bucktoothed glare.
"Obvious the elder handed us some homework, right? And responsibility."
"Homework? What responsibility?"
"This ain't a joyride. Could get dangerous. Going through it together, we'll pick up plenty."
Noejeon slung an arm over Manchu's shoulder.
"Where's this kid gonna get experience like that? Fights he's seen are kid stuff at best. Elder's hoping he racks up some real-world grit."
"Fine, but what's the responsibility part?"
Noejeon gave Cheol Woo an exasperated look.
"I just said—the Wanderer Demon elder who spotted his talent and took him under his wing. That guy's dead now."
"T-taken under wing? He just taught me some martial arts."
Manchu shook his head vehemently in denial.
"Tomato, to-mah-to. Oh, seniority snag? Whatever—since he died 'cause of us, we're supposed to step up, make the kid strong in his place."
"Makes... sense."
Cheol Woo furrowed his brow deeply but nodded, looking a touch sulky at being talked around.
"What about you, boss? Sound like the right read? Elder really dump this guy on us on purpose?"
"No clue on the elder's intent. If Manchu wants in, he comes."
"Th-thank you!"
Manchu beamed and bowed deeply.
"Hey, Chuya."
"Yes, brother."
"You actually learn any martial arts from the Wanderer Demon elder?"
"Yes. Basic forms, but I'm still lacking."
"Yeah. Time together was too short."
"Still, the Supreme Elder left me this."
Manchu drew a fairly thick book from his bosom. Barely worn—clearly made recently.
"What's that?"
Cheol Woo couldn't hold back his curiosity.
"The essence of the Supreme Elder's lifetime of martial arts, he said."
"Damn, impressive. Not a fortune teller, yet he foresaw... Ow!"
Noejeon, mid-admiration, clutched his head after Cheol Woo's punch.
"Read the room before spouting nonsense."
Cheol Woo glared at Noejeon, then asked with utmost seriousness.
"Does upper Beggar Clan know about this book? From their view, it'd be a treasure beyond treasures."
"I mentioned it, but he said it was left for me. Just to cherish it, master it properly, and not disgrace the Supreme Elder's grace."
"Huh!"
Cheol Woo's face lit up in surprise.
"Upperechelon rarely makes the right call there. Good choice."
"And..."
Manchu trailed off, glancing at Sima Geon.
"Spit it out."
"Sword Demon elder said to entrust it to brother."
Manchu proffered the book left by the Wanderer Demon to Sima Geon.
"..."
Sima Geon scowled but didn't take it, his eyes demanding explanation.
"Well..."
As Sima Geon refused, Manchu's face fell, at a loss.
Sima Geon sighed softly, coaxing.
"The martial arts manual from the Beggar Clan's greatest elder. Know what it means to show it to an outsider?"
"Yes. I do."
"Even so?"
"Sword Demon elder added this: Treasure to anyone else, but meaningless to brother. Hold onto it awhile..."
Manchu hesitated, still glancing nervously. Cheol Woo yelled impatiently.
"Hold it, then what?"
"Suck it down to the marrow..."
Sima Geon, wearing an incredulous look, finally burst out laughing.
"Haha! Noejeon's right—the elder gave us a real homework assignment. When I asked him to look after Hyun and Ho at the Hahu Clan, he agreed readily, even joked about trying to raise an immature sapling. I figured he meant Ha Hu Yeon, but I got it wrong. He was entrusting you."
"Whoa, the elder was playing the long game. I thought Ha Hu Yeon too. No wonder he made that guy stay back despite wanting to come."
Cheol Woo clapped in admiration, then grabbed Manchu's shoulder as he grinned ear to ear.
"Happy?"
"Yes!"
"Heh heh heh! Wanna bet then?"
"Bet? What kind..."
"That grin turns to tears. Month's booze on it."
Noejeon sidled in slyly.
"I'll take it. Make it two months."
Manchu sensed something seriously off from the victory-sure expressions of Cheol Woo and Noejeon.