Chapter 41
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Isn't It Rotten? (2)
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"The current state of Sichuan Province can be summed up in one word: total chaos."
Moo-jin said this as he surveyed the barren wasteland upon reaching the border of Sichuan Province.
"Do you know about the two great families that represent Sichuan?"
Won Yu-hwa puffed out her cheeks and nodded vigorously at Moo-jin's question.
"Of course, Brother! I know the basics. It's the Sichuan Tang Family and the Sichuan Yun Family, right?"
The Sichuan Tang Family, one of the Eight Great Families, had established its base in the provincial capital of Sichuan and was the originators of hidden weapons and poisons.
The Sichuan Yun Family had settled near Sword Edge Mountain and was known as Sichuan's fiercest sword clan, the Western Sword Family.
These two bloodline-centered families, considered the top among Sichuan's clans, were currently locked in fierce conflict.
"But it's not all-out war, is it? I thought they were just keeping each other in check."
"You're right. It's not full-scale war. According to info from the Beggar Clan and the Underground Network, it all started over business."
"Business?"
Yu-hwa tilted her head curiously.
A feud between Sichuan's two leading families starting over business?
"The Sichuan Tang Family has always been the most influential clan in Sichuan. With a history spanning over a thousand years, it's only natural."
The Tang Family's deep roots in Sichuan were so profound that the joke "The Tang Family of Sichuan is stronger than the emperor" circulated widely.
No family or sect in Sichuan had ever broken free from the Tang Family's influence.
Except, that is, for the Sichuan Yun Family.
"But then the Yun Family started rising. About a hundred years ago, their fortunes grew, and now they're called the top power in Sichuan."
From the Tang Family's perspective, the Yun Family's sudden prosperity was naturally irksome.
They were on the verge of dropping from first to second place.
And now, that Yun Family was expanding into the escort business?
To the Tang Family, that was tantamount to a declaration of war.
"Hmm... But the Tang Family and Yun Family handle different businesses, don't they? How could that cause problems?"
All clans engaged in business to maintain and grow their influence and wealth.
The Tang Family, masters of poison brewing, focused on pharmaceuticals and poison-based liquors.
"And their workshops are famous too, right? My sword was made in one of their forges."
"Exactly. They have a bunch of master craftsmen who produce hidden weapons."
In short, derivative businesses based on poison and hidden weapon tech, plus large-scale farming and escort services, formed the foundation of their power.
"Meanwhile, the Yun Family is famous for their Shu silk business."
Shu silk was one of the four great silks renowned since the Shu Kingdom era.
The Yun Family had long capitalized on Sichuan's mild climate, perfect for sericulture, to dominate the Shu silk trade.
"They're also big in construction and civil engineering. They excel in formations and mechanisms."
"Right. And they run money houses too."
Money houses, construction, Shu silk. Pharmaceuticals, liquor, workshops, farmland.
On the surface, the Yun and Tang Families had no reason to clash over business—they might have personal grudges, but not commercial ones.
"The problem was the escort agencies."
"Escort business?"
The Tang Family operated the province's most renowned Tang Escort Agency.
Its influence was once so vast it practically ruled Sichuan, but lately, it had waned significantly.
Thanks to the Yun Escort Agency, started by the Yun Family, which was now booming.
"Ah... So the two families clashed over the escort trade."
"Yeah. For the Yun Family to enter the escort business was basically a provocation against the Tangs. Daring to step into their territory."
The Tang Family didn't let the Yun provocation slide.
True to their creed of repaying favors twofold and grudges tenfold, they retaliated by poisoning Yun escorts or ambushing them.
But could the Yun Family just take it lying down?
They fought back, sending men to strangle Tang escorts with silk cords or launch raids.
An endless cycle of slaughter.
The intensifying shadow war lost even its original purpose of mutual checks, leaving only vengeance behind.
Everyone swung their swords, consumed by the grudges of family and friends.
"The martial world has always revolved around favors and grudges, but Sichuan's gone a bit overboard."
Moo-jin clucked his tongue regretfully.
"Brother knows everything!"
Yu-hwa's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Moo-jin.
Seeing this new side of him—one she rarely glimpsed—seemed to deepen her affection even more.
"Hmm... But one thing I don't get."
Yu-hwa grabbed Moo-jin's hand to avoid a puddle as she spoke.
"Doesn't Sichuan have the Nine Great Sects and One Gang?"
The Nine Great Sects and One Gang were alliances of those who upheld justice.
To curb chaos in the Central Plains, two of their sects—the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect—had bases in Sichuan.
"Aren't Emei and Qingcheng stopping them? Even with all these deaths?"
Moo-jin snorted at that.
"Those guys stopped caring about justice ages ago. Underground Network says they're just watching the Tang-Yun feud, waiting to snatch business opportunities."
The four major powers of Sichuan—Tang Family, Yun Family, Emei Sect, Qingcheng Sect—known as the Four Gates of Sichuan, eyed each other warily for openings.
This mutual suspicion plunged Sichuan into utter chaos.
"They say it's no different from a battlefield now. Over a hundred deaths a day."
The strongest powers, who should have been pillars of stability, fought for self-interest, emboldening mid- and small-sized sects and families to swing their swords greedily without restraint.
Just a week ago, a sect based in Sichuan had been wiped out.
"Heard about the Flying Sword Sect and Poison Claw Sect?"
"Yeah. They became blood enemies, fought a massive battle. Flying Sword got exterminated, and Poison Claw lost half its disciples."
"Exactly. That's the situation in Sichuan right now. Everyone's like that."
Moo-jin's gaze turned to the village ahead.
From this nameless hamlet on the outskirts of the capital, gray smoke billowed as flames danced.
The acrid stench of blood filled the air, and with no screams to be heard, everyone was likely dead or fled.
'Now I get it.'
After hearing from the Beggar Clan and Underground Network, and seeing it with his own eyes, it all made sense.
'Brother got caught in the fallout from the Tang and Yun escort agency war.'
Just as Third Brother had said.
No grand conspiracy or wicked plot had endangered his second brother.
It was merely the aftermath of greedy villains' atrocities.
"What a hopeless place."
Moo-jin shook his head with a cluck of his tongue.
This wasn't his first time seeing such scenes. Even in the Linked Qi Realm, there were regions where people died daily like this.
Still, it never failed to furrow his brow.
"So... what do we do?"
"Find Brother first."
Whom to blame, whom to target for revenge—he hadn't decided yet.
Besides, it wasn't important. The top priority was locating his brother.
"Let's head into the capital. Sorry if my explanation dragged on and bored you."
"Okay. Let's go in quick."
Sichuan. Clear Wind Pavilion.
Moo-jin and Yu-hwa entered the Clear Wind Pavilion, which felt more like a landscape painting brimming with elegance than a mere inn.
After days without proper food, they aimed to sate their hunger with greasy dishes.
"Hm."
Moo-jin's eyes caught a group already seated inside.
'A sect.'
They all wore matching blue uniforms with swords at their waists—clearly martial artists from the same sect.
'Whatever. None of my business.'
Dismissing them, Moo-jin ordered a ton from the waiter, then downed a cup of water.
"Eek?! Isn't that too much food?"
Yu-hwa's eyes widened at the plates filling the large round table.
"We haven't eaten properly in days, so we need this much. To recover our overworked muscles..."
BAM—!
The inn's door exploded inward, cutting Moo-jin off.
A group in red uniforms burst in, smashing the easily-pushable door for dramatic effect.
"You Azure Glow Sect bastards dare eat here?! Come out! I'll sever those scrawny necks!"
The red-clad warriors drew their swords and charged the diners.
"Crimson Sun Sect scum! You're begging to die! Boys, kill 'em all!"
Crash—!
The blue-uniformed men flipped their tables, hurled chairs, and rushed the Crimson Sun warriors.
Bang—! Slash—!
Chaos erupted inside the inn as the brawl began, and other patrons screamed and fled outside.
"Shouldn't we go too?"
"Mmph... We're shtayin'."
Mouth stuffed with food, Moo-jin mumbled while chewing meat.
Whoosh—!
A blind dagger flew toward Moo-jin as he picked up beggar’s chicken with chopsticks.
Clack—!
Moo-jin effortlessly caught it with his chopsticks, then skewered the chicken and popped it in his mouth.
Swish—! Thud—!
Chair fragments and more daggers flew his way, but Moo-jin ate with one hand and deflected everything with the other, displaying near-miraculous skill.
"...W-what? How are you eating in this mess?!"
Yu-hwa gawked, tilting her head in disbelief.
"Eating's crucial. We've run nonstop for days without real food. Gotta eat well for muscle recovery."
Moo-jin stabbed a pheasant piece with the fresh dagger and handed it to Yu-hwa.
"Here, you eat too. It'll help build muscle."
"Arghhh!"
A blue-uniformed warrior screamed, flying toward Moo-jin's table.
"...How dare you!"
Kang Moo-jin grabbed the intruder's head with his burly hand, hurling him skyward through the ceiling.
"Kyaaah!"
Boom—!
The man punched through the roof and vanished from Yu-hwa's sight like a streak of light.
"And a warrior who eats well lives well. Back in the Linked Qi Realm, I nearly lost winnable fights from hunger. For us, meals are part of training. You can't fight properly if you don't eat properly."
"..."
Yu-hwa took the dagger cautiously and nibbled the chicken.
Thinking it over, Moo-jin was spot on.
His actions seemed a bit eccentric, but honestly, kinda cute.
"That's it. Good eating. Try this beggar’s chicken too."
Moo-jin skewered some tender beggar’s chicken with the new dagger and offered it.
"Th-that dagger had poison on it earlier, didn't it?"
Moo-jin raised one eyebrow and gave her a slow look.
"What? Can't handle poison in your food?"
Yu-hwa blinked blankly, mouth agape as she struggled for words.
Uh, normally, yeah?!
'To stay by Brother's side, I guess I need to eat poisoned food too?'
Yu-hwa steeled her resolve once more.
She'd reach the level where she could dip her rice in poison!
That was true wifely support!