Chapter 134
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Cats and Mice
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“You want me to return the Annihilation Bolt?”
Cho Ak-ryang gritted his teeth.
The memory of a life-or-death struggle he had long forgotten resurfaced.
The Lion's Seal of the Arhat Hall's master, a technique he'd forced through at the cost of his own life.
Because of it, his protective aura had shattered for an instant, and that damn steel bolt, launched from the Thousand-Hand Hidden Emperor's grasp, hadn't missed the opening.
The excruciating pain that had torn through his shoulder was still vivid in his mind.
Cho Ak-ryang unleashed a chilling killing intent.
“I refuse.”
“......!”
The expressions of the men standing behind Dang Ryeong wavered.
They were momentarily overwhelmed by an overpowering energy, unlike anything they had faced before.
What was more bewildering was that the killing intent grew stronger with each passing moment.
Then, at a certain point, that killing intent reached its boiling point.
The warriors of the Sichuan Tang Family, led by Dang Ryeong, moved their hands in unison.
Some reached for their waists, while others slipped their hands into their sleeves.
They were ready to unleash hidden weapons and poisons at a moment's notice.
Just then, a sharp, clear voice flew in from somewhere, shaking the air.
“Who dares defile the name of Emei!”
The aged voice, imbued with profound internal energy, drew everyone's gaze to one spot.
They saw a figure entering the area, leading about fifty nuns.
A rosy complexion, unmarred by a single wrinkle, defying the passage of time.
Her frame was small, but her gaze, honed through long years of cultivation, was piercing and firm.
Above all, she possessed a unique, unapproachable aura.
Cho Ak-ryang recognized the nun, having encountered her a few times in the past.
She was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, Jeongyeon Shinni.
At her appearance, Cho Ak-ryang dispersed his killing intent and stepped back.
In contrast, the Tang Family members, who hadn't yet withdrawn their killing intent, looked to Dang Ryeong for orders with flustered eyes.
A stern voice rained down upon them.
“Do you intend to disrespect our sect's guests in my presence? Is that truly the will of the Tang Family?”
Dang Ryeong let out a dry laugh.
“Of course not.”
Dang Ryeong withdrew his hand from his sleeve and bowed his head with a feigned air of respect.
“This junior, Dang, greets the Sect Leader on behalf of the two thousand members of my family.”
Seeing Jeongyeon Shinni staring at him without a word, Dang Ryeong gave a bitter smile.
Her gaze and expression were utterly cold.
It was, in itself, a silent command to leave.
“How could I dare to start a fight before those who practice great compassion for the salvation of all living beings? I am not so shameless a person.”
Cho Ak-ryang frowned at the sight of Dang Ryeong subtly backing down.
The man's lingering gaze bothered him for some reason.
Cut the grass and pull out the roots.
He would rather wash this place in blood than fail to weed out the poisonous herbs that would become a future calamity.
A blade in plain sight is not to be feared, but a hidden one is.
They were infamous for being unscrupulous, stopping at nothing to achieve their goals.
It was not for nothing they were called the Poisonous and Shadowy Sect.
This was why Jeongyeon Shinni's appearance was unwelcome.
Perhaps she had read the look in Cho Ak-ryang's eyes.
Jeongyeon Shinni spoke to a nun standing nearby.
“Since our guests are leaving, escort them politely so they do not lose their way.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Dang Ryeong's eyes grew cold as he watched an elderly nun approach them, leading several disciples.
It was guidance in name only; in reality, it was no different from assigning them a watch.
In contrast, the nuns' attitude toward Dan Ak-seon's group was impeccably polite.
“This is quite disappointing. Even if the Nine Sects One Union has parted ways with the Martial Alliance, we are still members of the Orthodox Faction.”
Despite Dang Ryeong's words, Jeongyeon Shinni didn't bat an eye.
Dang Ryeong muttered with a look of disbelief.
“Cats and mice living together, I see...”
The phrase literally means that cats and mice are living together.
It signifies two opposing parties getting along amicably.
Although the Nine Sects One Union and the Five Great Families had always checked and opposed each other, they were still nominally part of the same Orthodox Faction.
Yet, they were being treated coldly while those from the Unorthodox Faction were welcomed as guests, which twisted his insides considerably.
Even at his blatant sarcasm, Jeongyeon Shinni merely responded with silence.
Finally, Dang Ryeong turned away, leading his warriors.
Once Dang Ryeong's figure had completely disappeared from view, Jeongyeon Shinni scoffed coldly.
“This old beggar of the Beggar's Sect pays his respects to the Sect Leader of Emei.”
As Hong Jeok-mun approached and offered his greeting, Jeongyeon Shinni's stiff expression finally softened.
“It has been a long time, Elder Hong. Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you, I believe so.”
As both their sects belonged to the Nine Sects One Union, the two had shared a long-standing friendship over the years.
“However...”
After looking around once, Jeongyeon Shinni asked with a curious gaze.
“Why has the Sect Leader not come? I heard he accompanied you as far as the Diancang Sect.”
“As you know, he is always a busy man.”
Hong Jeok-mun forced a smile, hiding his troubled expression.
At this, Jeongyeon Shinni let out a quiet sigh.
How could she not know?
“I am not unaware that the position of the Beggar's Sect Leader is a busy one, but could you please relay my request for him to make time and visit our sect soon?”
“Pardon? So suddenly?”
Jeongyeon Shinni showed a bitter smile.
“For the sake of my junior sister, I implore you.”
Hong Jeok-mun suddenly had a strange feeling.
Jeongyeon Shinni had only one junior sister.
“Has something happened to Grandmaster Jeongin?”
She had never once met I Rip after becoming a nun.
It was to completely sever her ties with the secular world.
Knowing her wishes, Jeongyeon Shinni had never tried to arrange a meeting between her and I Rip.
No, she had thoroughly prevented it.
For her to now request I Rip's visit meant something truly unusual had occurred.
“The long karma that has bound them together. I believe this may be the last chance for them to lay down that heavy burden.”
“......!”
Realizing the meaning behind her words, Hong Jeok-mun nodded with a heavy expression.
“I understand. I will be sure to relay the message.”
Thinking of I Rip, Hong Jeok-mun's heart already felt troubled.
Hong Jeok-mun cast his gaze toward Dan Ak-seon.
“I'm going down the mountain for a while.”
“Don't worry, go ahead.”
Hong Jeok-mun bowed his head to the others.
“Then I will rejoin you all later.”
At his words, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi's eyes met.
A meeting of minds.
The two men smiled quietly, confirming the writhing killing intent in each other's eyes.
“Let's go together.”
Beom Gye-wi nodded at Cho Ak-ryang's words.
“We were only planning to see them off anyway.”
From the beginning, the two had no intention of climbing Mount Emei with Dan Ak-seon.
Something else was their priority right now.
Namely, eliminating Dang Ryeong and his subordinates.
They were already completely at odds with the Tang Family.
—*We can't just let those bastards who picked a fight with us walk away.*
Cho Ak-ryang gave a faint nod at Beom Gye-wi's mental message.
Those men were not the type to give up and retreat just like that.
Because the grudges of the Tang Family were something that never faded or disappeared, no matter how much time passed.
—*If the Tang Family is completely wiped out, their grudges will have nowhere to go.*
Beom Gye-wi grinned at Cho Ak-ryang's mental message.
—*Heh heh. Now, that's the Brother Cho I know.*
The two exchanged a conversation that would have made Dang Ryeong jump out of his skin, doing so as if it were nothing.
Then, Cho Ak-ryang suddenly felt a strange sensation.
He turned his head and saw Dan Ak-seon staring intently at him.
“Excuse me, may I speak with them for a moment?”
After Jeongyeon Shinni nodded, Dan Ak-seon headed toward Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.
As Dan Ak-seon approached, the two men feigned indifference.
Dan Ak-seon spoke to them as they slyly played innocent.
“I have a part to play in settling the grudge with the Tang Family, too.”
“What are you talking about? What did you do wrong?”
Beom Gye-wi's words made Cho Ak-ryang frown. He had essentially admitted to their plan.
Dan Ak-seon, having already guessed, continued calmly.
“Have you considered why the Tang Family wants the Annihilation Bolt?”
Only then did Beom Gye-wi tilt his head with a puzzled look.
“Now that you mention it, why do those bastards want the Annihilation Bolt?”
“They're probably afraid the method to make it will be revealed.”
Cho Ak-ryang answered calmly.
The Tang Family had built an absolute fortress with their hidden weapons and poisons.
If their secret hidden weapons were leaked to the outside world, their reputation would be tarnished.
He had assumed that was why they were so desperate to retrieve it.
But Dan Ak-seon's thoughts were different.
“It's probably because of the poison that was on the Annihilation Bolt.”
“The poison?”
Dan Ak-seon nodded at Cho Ak-ryang's question.
“It was a very potent and unusual poison. The Tang Family must have poured their heart and soul into creating it.”
Cho Ak-ryang's eyes wavered.
He was finally starting to understand.
Dan Ak-seon had neutralized that poison, and thanks to him, his own life had been saved.
“Those bastards won't be happy about that.”
A secret poison only holds value as a secret when only its creators can detoxify it.
“Which means...”
Cho Ak-ryang trailed off.
This made it even more likely that they would come after Dan Ak-seon.
If Dan Ak-seon analyzed the poison and distributed an antidote, one of their greatest assets would be rendered useless.
Cho Ak-ryang's gaze turned bleak.
“The two of us will handle this matter.”
He couldn't just leave the Tang Family be, as they were a clear threat to Dan Ak-seon.
But Dan Ak-seon shook his head.
“Please don't. As I said, this is my business too.”
While Cho Ak-ryang was taken aback by the unexpected words, Dan Ak-seon continued.
“The Tang Family has a long, ill-fated history with my parents as well.”
And he began to tell an old story.
“Every time the Sichuan Tang Family created a new poison, my father would create an antidote. My mother would criticize their poisons as clumsy child's play.”
“Hmm...”
“Their real target is me. So you two don't need to take responsibility.”
Cho Ak-ryang smiled bitterly.
It seemed Dan Ak-seon had also inherited this bad blood with the Tang Family from the previous generation.
“So, please promise me one thing.”
Dan Ak-seon looked at Cho Ak-ryang with a serious expression.
“Please, just hold back until you've fully recovered. This isn't a physician's request, but a personal one.”
Cho Ak-ryang's gaze wavered.
Seizing the opportunity, Dan Ak-seon pressed his point.
“Once you're fully recovered, I won't stop you. And when that time comes, I'll fight with you. Whatever form that fight takes.”
After a moment of conflicted emotions, Cho Ak-ryang slowly nodded.
*'That must be what he wanted to say.'*
They had a long conversation, but in the end, Dan Ak-seon's concern for Cho Ak-ryang came first.
Hearing Dan Ak-seon even say he would fight alongside him made his heart flutter.
“Alright.”
Beom Gye-wi also nodded silently, his face clearly showing his disappointment.
They couldn't bring themselves to be stubborn when Dan Ak-seon was pleading with them like this.
As their conversation seemed to be wrapping up, Jeongyeon Shinni, who had been standing silently, stepped forward.
“It has been a long time.”
Han Seol-hwa silently nodded in response to Jeongyeon Shinni's greeting.
This time, Jeongyeon Shinni addressed Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.
“You have suffered much coming all this way. Since you've come this far, why not stay for a cup of tea before you go?”
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi exchanged troubled glances.
They didn't have any particular grudges against each other, but they still didn't feel inclined to accept.
The gulf between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions was just that deep.
However, their opponent was the leader of a sect.
It was difficult to refuse such a polite request simply because it felt awkward.
As they were racking their brains for a suitable excuse.
“Let's go together.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly, his face full of anticipation.
“Just once, I wanted to pass through the mountain gates with all of you, proud and together.”