Chapter 413
Autumn Moon Pavilion
This was an opulent detached pavilion built in the rear courtyard of the Southern Moon Inn, where a single night's stay cost over five hundred taels.
Because of this, even wealthy merchants hesitated to stay here—only high-ranking officials and leaders of the Upper Realm frequented the place.
But now, a martial artist from Yunnan had reserved the entire pavilion for himself.
None other than Jin Cheon-gon, the hall master of the Poison Demon Sect.
"Thanks to that lunatic Third-grade Commander, things have worked out smoothly."
The moment he left the Tang Clan's estate, he had sent a subordinate to deliver a letter to the Demon Hall.
Even if he was just a Third-grade Commander, he was still a special envoy of the Martial Alliance.
Now that he had openly declared his intention to intervene in the conflict between sects, the Demon Hall would never stand idly by.
With both alliances backing them, the Tang Clan and the Three Poison Sects would inevitably go to war.
Regardless of who won, it would likely turn into a prolonged, exhausting struggle between the two factions.
For the Tang Clan, who had put down roots in Sichuan for generations, such an outcome was something they would absolutely want to avoid.
"In the end, they'll have no choice but to surrender Sichuan's front yard to us."
As Jin Cheon-gon gazed at the moonlight streaming through the window, a faint smile curled on his lips—
Click.
Just then, the door opened, and a black shadow stepped inside.
Without turning around, Jin Cheon-gon spoke leisurely.
"Did you send it?"
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I wonder how that arrogant young clan head and that Martial Alliance Commander will react."
But no answer came.
Sensing something amiss, Jin Cheon-gon turned his head—only to see a figure with eyes blazing like crimson flames.
Though bathed in light, the figure was shrouded in darkness, its form indistinct beneath the overwhelming shockwaves of internal energy radiating from it.
At the bizarre sight, Jin Cheon-gon instinctively took a step back.
"Wh-Who are you?"
[Hmm.]
The voice that flowed from the shadow resonated as if amplified by the Six Harmonies Voice Transmission, echoing from all directions and piercing sharply into Jin Cheon-gon's ears.
In that instant, his stomach burned as though he had swallowed strong liquor, and dizziness overwhelmed him to the point where he could barely stand.
Despite being just a single syllable, the voice carried an unfathomable depth of internal energy and pressure—enough to rupture his meridians.
'No way...'
In that moment, the faces of those he could never defy flashed through Jin Cheon-gon's mind.
Beings who wielded unimaginable martial prowess and commanded forces beyond reckoning.
"A Messenger... has arrived?"
The crushing pressure then faded slightly.
Realizing this was a silent affirmation, Jin Cheon-gon spoke in a trembling voice.
"M-My apologies. I... failed to recognize you."
As he bowed his head with utmost deference, a low voice emerged from the shadow.
[The matter with the Tang Clan.]
Though the voice was soft, it carried a lethality that sent chills down his spine—though the overwhelming internal energy no longer weighed upon him.
"You need not worry. Everything is proceeding smoothly."
[The Martial Alliance.]
The moment the shadow spoke again, Jin Cheon-gon felt a pressure so immense it threatened to bend his spine.
[They already know everything.]
"What do you—"
[Did you truly think they were just ordinary Third-grade Commanders?]
A heavy silence followed before an even greater pressure surged forth, and a crimson mist rose from the shadow's glowing eyes.
[They have already discerned the Upper Realm's plans and deliberately provoked the Demon Hall's intervention.]
"That can't be possible."
Jin Cheon-gon blinked rapidly, tilting his head in confusion.
"Didn't you say we had confirmed intelligence that the Martial Alliance had completely withdrawn from the Tang Clan's affairs?"
Though his expression remained respectful, the doubt in his eyes was unmistakable.
[Fool.]
Seeing the skepticism on Jin Cheon-gon's face, the shadow's eyes blazed with a bloody radiance like the sun.
[Must I spoon-feed you every little detail?]
Crrack.
Another overwhelming pressure crashed down.
Jin Cheon-gon's vision blurred as if he were drowning, his breath stifled in his throat.
Without so much as lifting a finger, the shadow was suppressing him with sheer internal energy.
'It really is a Messenger.'
Jin Cheon-gon shuddered in bewilderment.
The Messengers of the Three Realms not only possessed exceptional martial arts but also shared one terrifying trait—
An unfathomable depth of internal energy, the kind that could never be attained even after a lifetime of cultivation.
[The Demon Hall has already grasped everything and sent a letter refusing to intervene.]
Whoosh.
As the shadow withdrew its energy, Jin Cheon-gon finally gasped for air.
"Hah... Hah..."
Clutching his throat as he panted, he heard—
Knock knock knock.
The sound of knocking, followed by the voice of his trusted subordinate, Mak Chung.
"Hall Master. It's Mak Chung."
"What is it?"
"Well... a letter from the Demon Hall has arrived for you."
Jin Cheon-gon shot a startled glance at the shadow.
When the shadow nodded, he quickly replied,
"Come in."
The door opened, and Mak Chung entered, handing Jin Cheon-gon a letter stamped with the Demon Hall's emblem.
"The Demon Hall had already sent this letter before we dispatched ours. It states that they will absolutely not intervene in this matter..."
"What did you say?"
Jin Cheon-gon hastily unfolded the letter.
Written inside was a directive: Now that the Martial Alliance has intervened, do not provoke the Tang Clan any further.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I don't know either."
"Is the source... reliable?"
"Yes. Look at the envelope."
At Mak Chung's words, Jin Cheon-gon inspected the letter's envelope.
Stamped upon it was the official seal of the Twin Dragon Dispute—one that only the highest echelons of command could imprint.
"Understood. The Hall Leader will handle this matter himself."
"Understood."
As Mak Chung left, Jin Cheon-gon turned to the shadow that seemed to melt into the darkness and asked:
"Then... what should we do?"
[Return to the Poison Demon Sect immediately, until further orders are given.]
"Right now... you mean?"
[Yes.]
Jin Cheon-gon's face twisted in confusion.
"Then I'll summon Hall Masters Jang and Hyeong. And contact the Sect Leader to—"
[Must I repeat myself?]
"No, it's not that. But there are procedures—"
Crack.
But Jin Cheon-gon could no longer speak.
An overwhelming pressure crashed down upon him, as if his body had shrunk to about three feet tall. His neck sank into his torso, his breath stifled.
Gggk—
Just as his skull seemed on the verge of bursting from the pressure, Jin Cheon-gon let out a scream.
"Ggghh—!"
Until now, he had endured countless agonies while refining his Poison Art.
But this pressure was not mere pain—it was the birthing agony of Death itself.
[A disobedient insect must be crushed.]
With every word that flowed from the shadow, Jin Cheon-gon felt himself shrink another inch.
'With martial prowess like this... they could wipe out our Hall with a single finger.'
Shudder.
Jin Cheon-gon trembled, still prostrated.
Yet even attempting to move a single finger—let alone muster his Internal Energy—sent searing pain through his skull, as if it were about to shatter.
He couldn't die even if he wanted to.
Until now, he had been a man who knew no fear.
But now, he understood what true terror was.
The deprivation of choice.
The inability to even choose death—that was an unbearable horror.
"I'll do as you command!"
Fearing he would be trapped in a state neither alive nor dead, Jin Cheon-gon mustered every ounce of strength left in him and screamed.
"Spare me!"
The moment he raised his voice, his entire body felt on the verge of exploding. Yet, with the last of his strength, he forced himself to kneel.
"I have committed a capital offense!"
The shadow remained silent, gazing down at Jin Cheon-gon as he trembled on his knees.
"I will never question your orders again!"
As the pressure receded, Jin Cheon-gon, his face pale with terror, continued pleading without pause.
"I only acted out of greed—trying to carry out the order to kill Tang Pae! Forgive me!"
Suddenly, the crimson glow emanating from the shadow intensified.
'Kill the Tang Family Head?'
The shadow disguised as the Demon Hall's envoy was none other than Bu Eun-seol.
From the moment he received this mission, he had secretly mobilized the Evil Soul Squad to investigate the Tang Clan's situation.
After all, though the Three Poison Sects walked the same path, the probability of all three—scattered across different regions—simultaneously rising in power and martial prowess was impossible.
And soon, he confirmed it:
The Three Poison Sects had the backing of a formidable force.
—Just like Blood Poison Valley, which once threatened the Tang Clan. Traces confirm they are receiving support from an unidentified, overwhelming faction.
Upon receiving the Evil Soul Squad's report, Bu Eun-seol immediately recognized that faction as the Three Realms.
And so, he began devising a scheme to resolve this matter.
—If the Messenger of the Three Realms arrives at the critical moment... they will fall into chaos.
Throughout his travels in the martial world, Bu Eun-seol had repeatedly encountered masked figures—those with eerie, shimmering masks.
The Messengers of the Three Realms.
He had clashed with them before.
They all possessed unfathomable Internal Energy, martial arts that defied common sense, and bizarre eyes and voices.
—If I, as the Martial Alliance's Special Envoy, declare my involvement until the end... they will immediately contact the Demon Hall.
Foreseeing what was to come, Bu Eun-seol devised a brilliant plan.
Imitate the Three Realms' Messenger—throw them into confusion and force Jin Cheon-gon and the Poison Demon Sect to retreat.
After all, the Three Realms' agents never revealed themselves unless commanded.
Exploiting that weakness, if he maintained overwhelming Internal Energy and an intimidating presence—he could deceive them.
—Then, by cutting off the Tang Clan's communication network using the Evil Soul Squad, the Fleeting Moment Boat, and the Wind and Cloud Corps... the Three Poison Sects will collapse on their own.
The Three Realms only manipulated others—they never stepped into the light themselves.
Bu Eun-seol planned to use that to make the Three Poison Sects retreat.
Before arriving here, he had stopped by a Demon Hall branch and sent a letter stamped with the Twin Dragon Dispute's seal to this Autumn Moon Pavilion.
He could not reveal his identity as the Martial Soul Lord.
If word spread that he had intervened in this matter?
The Martial Alliance would undoubtedly grow suspicious of Seon-u Jin.
"The assassination of the Tang Family Head, who is bedridden with illness."
Upon hearing Jin Cheon-gon's words, Bu Eun-seol's mind raced rapidly.
To manipulate the Three Poison Sects into targeting Tang Pae rather than the Tang Clan—
'Is the Three Realms really this foolish?'
To kill a single man like Tang Pae, they had spent years supporting the Three Poison Sects, bolstering their power and martial prowess?
If they were willing to expend that much cost and effort, it would have been far more rational to simply hire the entire Killing Sect to assault the Tang Clan outright.
'What in the world does the Three Realms want?'
Their influence was already so vast that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they controlled the murim itself.
So why waste time and resources on something like this?
'Moreover, this situation is fundamentally different from the Namgung Clan's ordeal.'
The factions that orchestrated the downfall of the Namgung Clan had long planted an informant—a spy named Elder Pung—and engineered a tragedy of kin slaying.
That scheme had been cunning and ruthless. Had Bu Eun-seol not intervened, the Namgung Clan would have suffered a great calamity.
But the trial facing the Tang Clan now was of a different nature.
Wasn't the enemy they had to deal with far too exposed?
This plan was far too naive and idiotic to be the work of the Three Realms.
Shiver.
Unaware that Bu Eun-seol was lost in deep thought, Jin Cheon-gon could not endure the oppressive silence and the weight of his gaze.
Desperate to say something—anything—he hastily opened his mouth.
"Ah, perhaps... could it be the First Heaven's doing?"
And then, he uttered something utterly unexpected.
"The Infinite Realm... that's what they call it."
For an instant, Bu Eun-seol's eyes behind the mask widened as if they might tear apart.
Had he not been shrouding himself in a dense, fog-like shockwave of formidable true qi—
His startled expression would have been laid bare before Jin Cheon-gon.
'They received support from the Infinite Realm?'
Though they were part of the Three Realms, the ones who had been manipulating murim factions and figures—and even those who had clashed with Bu Eun-seol—had always been the Infinite Realm.
Yet, the ones who had mobilized the Three Poison Sects...
Shockingly, it was not the Infinite Realm—but another faction entirely.
'Another force within the Three Realms.'
Of course, there was also the possibility of a third party emerging.
But Bu Eun-seol was certain it was the Three Realms.
If not them, who else would have supported a poison sect like the Three Poison Sects—a faction straddling the line between orthodox and heterodox—for so long?
"M-my apologies! I spoke out of turn!"
As Bu Eun-seol's piercing gaze bore into him, Jin Cheon-gon bowed his head once more.
"I will withdraw immediately. But... what of the assassination squad we have on standby?"
'They've stationed an assassination squad near the Tang Clan?'
Bu Eun-seol's thoughts spun rapidly.
The Eight Great Clans each maintained strict control over their territories, monitoring all movements through their intelligence networks.
And yet, they had positioned an assassination squad—of all things—near the Sichuan Tang Clan?
'If I press him for details now, I'll only arouse suspicion.'
Jin Cheon-gon was a man prone to suspicion.
If he started asking too many questions, it might backfire.
'The priority now is to send this Poison Demon Sect, which has been absorbed into the main force, back immediately.'
Gathering intel on the Three Realms was important, but the most urgent matter was ensuring their retreat.
If he failed to do so, he would lose any justification to remain near the Tang Clan under the guise of Seon-u Jin.
[There is no need for concern. Withdraw at once.]
Lowering his voice further, Bu Eun-seol spoke curtly.
[If you delay even for a moment, I will sever not just your head, but Go Gung's as well.]
Go Gung was the Sect Leader of the Poison Demon Sect.
"I-I am eternally grateful for your boundless mercy!"
Jin Cheon-gon kowtowed, pressing his forehead to the ground.
The messenger before him could crush him effortlessly—and with a single word, erase the Poison Demon Sect from existence.
When no further sound came even after a long moment, Jin Cheon-gon hesitantly raised his head.
The black shadow had already vanished, and his limbs had regained their strength.
Only then did he realize he had finally escaped the abyss of terror.
"Not a single moment can be wasted."
His body was drenched as if he had been submerged in water.
Springing to his feet, Jin Cheon-gon rushed outside to gather his subordinates.
There was no time.
If he did not return immediately, not just his own head—but even his Sect Leader's—would roll.
Flower Cloud Pavilion, Third Floor Banquet Hall.
"This is madness!"
BANG!
Hyeong Geuk, who had been meeting with Jang Song, slammed his fist down on the table with enough force to crack the wood.
The reason?
A report he had just received from his subordinate.
Something utterly incomprehensible had happened.
The Poison Demon Sect—the only sect among the Three Poison Sects officially absorbed into the Demon Hall, and their safeguard against interference from the Martial Alliance—
Jin Cheon-gon, who had come to the Tang Clan as Go Gung's representative, had fled back to Yunnan under cover of night with all his men.
"Jin Cheon-gon! Has he lost his mind?!"
Hyeong Geuk roared, his fury erupting like a volcano.
This was completely unforeseen.
The Poison Demon Sect was the largest of the Three Poison Sects, and now that they had deserted—
They had lost face in threatening the Tang Clan.
"There's no way he could act so recklessly on his own. What in the world happened...?"
Suddenly, he recalled the face of that grinning young bastard who had crawled out of the Martial Alliance.
"Surely, he couldn't have actually pulled off some kind of trick, could he?"
It was strange—for a mere Third-grade Commander of the Martial Alliance, he had been far too composed. Strangely unshaken, even.
Could it be that he had truly mobilized the Martial Alliance to drive out Jin Cheon-gon and his subordinates?
"No, that's impossible."
The Martial Alliance, that colossal coalition, moved only in accordance with the collective decisions of its many High Command members.
It couldn't suddenly shift its stance overnight and intervene so aggressively.
"More likely, it was that so-called First Heaven they mentioned that made its move."
Hyeong Geuk clenched his fist as he spoke to Jang Song.
"They've completely severed our communications within the Tang Clan's territory—not just the messenger pigeons, but every possible means of contacting the outside world."
"So our information network is entirely paralyzed."
"Exactly. It's as if a massive intelligence organization has cut off all communication channels around the Tang Clan's estate."
"Hmm."
Hyeong Geuk bit his lip.
"If it's neither the Martial Alliance nor the Demon Hall, then the only ones capable of this are them, no?"
As Jang Song fell into thought, Hyeong Geuk continued.
"Given how things have unfolded, we've reached a point where we have no choice but to withdraw quietly."
An unforeseen situation had arisen, and they could no longer reach their hidden backers.
Under these circumstances, Hyeong Geuk and Jang Song had no option but to lead their subordinates away in silence.
"That won't do."
But Jang Song shook his head firmly.
"If we back down after provoking them like this, there'd be no greater humiliation. Trying to pick another fight with the Tang Clan later would only make us a laughingstock."
If the three sects had come in with bluster, only to suddenly flee without a word—
And if rumors of this spread throughout the murim—
The Three Poison Sects would become a joke, unable to show their faces, let alone challenge the Tang Clan again.
"If we retreat now, they might pin all the blame on us. Our backers may even withdraw their support entirely."
At Jang Song's words, Hyeong Geuk let out a pained sigh.
"So we're left to decide for ourselves, is that it?"
Originally, their plan had been flawless, leaving no gaps.
Though the Sichuan Tang Clan's Family Head wielded absolute power, the current head, Tang Pae, was bedridden.
Moreover, the Young Clan Head, Tang Gon, was known to be mediocre in both martial prowess and intellect—there was no way the Tang Clan could wage war against the Three Poison Sects in their current state.
The Three Poison Sects had intended to exploit this weakness, first forcing concessions from the Tang Clan to expand their influence into Sichuan—
Then, in one swift move, they would mobilize their forces for a full-scale assault, simultaneously deploying their assassination squad prepared in Sichuan.
But now that Jin Cheon-gon, the Poison Demon Sect's Hall Leader, had fled with his subordinates—
They could no longer even maintain the pretense of pressuring the Tang Clan.
"We can't just slink away in disgrace. What if we do this instead?"
As Hyeong Geuk muttered, Jang Song, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke.
"One thing's certain—with the Poison Demon Sect gone, neither the Demon Hall nor the Martial Alliance has any room to intervene. In short, that Martial Alliance envoy is nothing but a scarecrow now."
"But that's not the only issue! How do we pressure the Tang Clan in this situation?"
Hyeong Geuk spoke irritably.
"If we leave like this, not only will the Poison Demon Sect bear the blame, but we'll also be accused of botching the entire operation."
Jang Song's eyes gleamed as he continued.
"Then let's challenge that Young Clan Head to a duel."
"A duel?"
"That brat must be confident in his victory, thinking he's mastered the Eight Great Secret Arts."
Jang Song smirked.
"But Tang Gon is mediocre in both talent and aptitude. Even if he's learned the Eight Great Secret Arts, he's no match for us."
They were no ordinary sect leaders of the Three Poison Sects.
With the substantial support they'd received, their forces had expanded greatly—
And they had been supplied with elixirs to enhance their Internal Power, raising it to a level where they could rival even the strongest in the murim.
"At the very least, we should salvage our pride before leaving."
At Hyeong Geuk's words, Jang Song's smile turned sinister.
"Exactly. Since pressuring the Tang Clan is no longer feasible, we might as well crush that Young Clan Head's spirit before we go. We've done all we could—our backers won't fault us for this."
Hyeong Geuk, who had been staring blankly, suddenly clapped his hands as if struck by inspiration.
"Then how about this?"
"What is it?"
"While the duel is underway, we order the assassins stationed in Sichuan to launch their full assault. They'd never expect an attack right now."
The factions of the Three Realms, who had long supported the Three Poison Sects of Yunnan, desired the Tang Clan's annihilation and Tang Pae's death.
To that end, the Three Poison Sects had prepared for war, spending considerable time and resources to station an assassination squad near the Tang Clan's estate—
Just in case they failed to conquer the Tang Clan outright, ensuring at least Tang Pae's assassination.
"Hmm. If we send them in blindly now, they might fail."
Hyeong Geuk grinned darkly at Jang Song's concern.
"There's no shortage of Killing Sects in the murim. We have ample funds—if this escalates into a full-scale war, we can always buy another one."
Jang Song stroked his chin, then nodded slowly.
"Let's consider it, then."
Assassins could always be bought with money. Since they were going all out, they might as well make it count.