Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Just Enough to Bite
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That's all it takes.
“So, the Jongli Family is pretty well-known?”
At Byeok Taesan’s question, Cheon Gyeongwan told him what he knew.
“They’re the most famous around here.”
“Well, of course they are, since their family is based here. I meant besides that.”
“Compared to the other great families, they’re certainly lacking. After all, they were a family that was once nearly wiped out.”
“It’s impressive they managed to survive without being completely destroyed.”
Byeok Taesan was genuinely impressed by that fact.
In truth, he had intended to crush them so thoroughly that he thought they'd never recover.
Dismantling the Jongli Family’s martial arts back then had been half an act of venting his anger.
“The Jongli Family struggled a great deal. It was fortunate that a few of their main warrior units were on missions elsewhere when they were struck by the Heavenly Demon. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to recover to this extent.”
“Aha. So they had some stashed away. That makes more sense.”
Considering the power they still had left in the family even after sending away their main warrior units, they must have been quite a formidable family.
Honestly, back then, he had dismissed them as nothing special.
“Still, they’re not on the level of the Namgung or Jegal families, right?”
Cheon Gyeongwan shook his head firmly, as if the suggestion was absurd.
“They can’t be compared. It would take ten Jongli Families to equal one Namgung Family.”
“Is the difference that great?”
In fact, he had indirectly felt the Jongli Family’s influence on his way here.
The Jongli Family’s influence cast a deep shadow over all the villages near East Lake.
Furthermore, he could gauge their level of skill through the warriors they had brought to the Yeon estate.
From what he'd gathered, the Jongli Family was quite impressive.
But to hear that ten such families couldn’t match a single Namgung Family—just how powerful were those people?
Of course, compared to the Heavenly Demonic Cult, it would be like dealing with children.
‘Back then, I paid them no mind.’
Among those who had ambushed the Heavenly Demon and his Heavenly Guard were members of the Namgung and Jegal families.
‘Their fighting spirit was quite something.’
They were the kind who fought like demons, never sparing their own lives until the very end.
That’s why he didn’t hold a grudge against them.
He had only punished the Jongli Family, who had fled so cowardly.
And now, whether by chance or by fate, things had become entangled like this again.
“The Jongli Family has stopped at nothing to rebuild their clan. That remains true even now.”
“So it seems. Not very becoming of a righteous faction.”
“Honestly, they only claim to be a righteous faction. Among the actual righteous factions, they’re considered to be closer to the line between righteous and unorthodox.”
“So they’re like bats.”
“However, they have recently started to pay more attention to their reputation. They probably can’t stand being treated that way forever.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“They were famous for being despicable even back then. Does a leopard change its spots?”
Cheon Gyeongwan gave a bitter smile.
Because what Byeok Taesan had just said was the exact assessment of the Jongli Family circulating among the righteous factions.
“By the way, to get to the Jongli Family, we need to take that road.”
Byeok Taesan changed the subject.
“The Jongli Family aren’t good people, are they?”
“That’s right.”
“Then there must be plenty of people who hold a grudge against them, right?”
“Correct.”
“Among them, who do you think holds the deepest grudge?”
Cheon Gyeongwan’s expression hardened slightly.
“Surely you’re not thinking of using them to strike at the Jongli Family? That’s reckless.”
“Strike them? With what? They’re clearly just a bunch of riffraff.”
“Then…”
“Just answer the question. Who would it be?”
Cheon Gyeongwan hesitated before speaking.
“The members of the Underworld.”
Byeok Taesan grinned and nodded.
“So you’re not completely clueless. Lead the way.”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s go see the Underworld lackeys who clean up the Jongli Family’s messes around here.”
“Young Master, the Underworld is just the Underworld. They will scatter helplessly in the face of profit or fear.”
“That’s why we need to give them profit and remove their fear.”
Cheon Gyeongwan spoke with a look of resignation.
“For now, in this area… the Blood Axe Sect is the largest. We’ll probably have to go to them to find out about the others.”
“Let’s go. It’s been a while since I’ve had some fun.”
Cheon Gyeongwan let out a soft sigh and shook his head.
* * *
The new person sent from the Jongli Family to the Yeon estate was Jongli Seongrak, one of the family’s elders.
Accompanying him was Won Mungwang, the family head’s trusted subordinate.
The two of them, as if determined, brought ten of the Jongli Family’s most elite warriors.
The warriors who had been injured by Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon were sent back to the family immediately, where they would likely face a grim reception.
Won Mungwang and Jongli Seongrak first met with the Master of the Yeon Family to pay their respects before returning to their quarters.
“Hoo. The Master of the Yeon Family seems a bit too strict.”
As Jongli Seongrak spoke, shaking his head, Won Mungwang gave a bitter smile.
“It can’t be helped. After the commotion we caused…”
Jongli Seongrak frowned.
“But is it really true? No matter how I think about it, I can’t believe our Ung would commit such a… disastrous act…”
Having known Jongli Ung for so long, he couldn’t easily imagine it.
To think he soiled himself while eating.
The rumor had already spread far and wide in the area.
On the way from the Jongli Family to the Yeon estate, he'd lost count of how many times he had heard the story.
There were even stories circulating that the stench was so foul, people who were with him almost vomited.
Jokes about it were being made and spread everywhere; soon, Jongli Ung might become famous throughout the land as the ‘Pants-Shitter’.
“Our men were there that day. The incident is the truth, without any exaggeration.”
Won Mungwang said, letting out a deep sigh.
He was supposed to make a name for himself by punishing a demonic leader, but instead, he was about to become famous for soiling his pants. It was beyond frustrating.
Bad rumors like this always spread much faster. The more sensational they are, the more attention people pay.
“And in that situation, what did we go and talk about? The marriage, of course. The Master of the Yeon Family was probably suppressing his anger.”
“Ahem. It did seem that way. I suggested we leave quickly because it felt like swords would be drawn if we talked any further.”
“You did well.”
Honestly, from the Yeon Family Master’s perspective, he couldn’t possibly have a favorable view of the Jongli Family.
Not only had they committed such an act, but now they had sent experts to investigate.
“What will you do now? Should we meet with Byeok Taesan first? Or…”
“It would be best to meet the Divine Doctor of the Ages first.”
“If we can recruit him, it will be a great boon to the family’s future. I hear the Divine Doctor’s disciples are also incredibly skilled.”
“Then what about Ung…”
Jongli Seongrak frowned.
“I can’t even stand the sight of him. Let’s leave him be for now. I hear he’s been keeping quiet lately anyway.”
“Then I will first make inquiries to find out where the Divine Doctor of the Ages is.”
Jongli Seongrak looked puzzled at his words.
“Didn’t they say the Divine Doctor of the Ages was also here at the Yeon estate?”
“Would he be the Divine Doctor otherwise? They say he’s rarely at the Yeon estate. It seems he’s busy traveling the area, caring for the sick.”
“Hah. At this rate, the Golden Jade Trading Company’s reputation will rise along with his. Won’t that interfere with our plans?”
“The Golden Jade Trading Company is one thing, and the Divine Doctor is another. I’ve checked, and there isn’t much talk about the Golden Jade Trading Company. Rather…”
“Rather?”
“It seems stories about Byeok Taesan are circulating from time to time.”
“Byeok Taesan? It seems the Divine Doctor is truly determined to promote him.”
“It appears so. I wonder what he’s thinking…”
However, the two of them didn’t know that as the Divine Doctor treated the sick, he was also subtly spreading the rumors about Jongli Ung.
The Divine Doctor sprinkled rumors about Jongli Ung and his… accident… into the stories about Byeok Taesan, like adding a bit of spice.
There were far more stories about Byeok Taesan, but what people really remembered was the story of Jongli Ung soiling himself.
“In any case, we must proceed cautiously with recruiting the Divine Doctor. An opportunity like this doesn’t come easily.”
“Just plan it well. I will help with all my heart. If we recruit the Divine Doctor, our Jongli Family can absorb his fame, can’t we?”
“That’s right. Which is why we must prepare even more thoroughly.”
As the two were talking, the warrior sent to inquire about the Divine Doctor’s whereabouts returned.
“I have news.”
“Yes, where is he today?”
“He has finished his schedule for the day and returned to the Yeon estate. You should be able to meet him if you go to his residence.”
“Is that so? Then there’s no time to waste.”
Won Mungwang was about to move, but the warrior continued his report with a troubled expression.
“But there is one more thing you should know.”
“Hm? Is there more to your report?”
“Yes. Byeok Taesan has left.”
“What? Left? When?”
“They say he left this morning.”
“Leaving the Divine Doctor behind?”
“Yes. He only took Cheon Gyeongwan with him.”
Won Mungwang’s eyes glinted as he stroked his chin.
“So he only took Cheon Gyeongwan…”
He thought this might not be a bad thing.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages is Byeok Taesan’s man. He didn’t know why the Divine Doctor had made such a choice, but Byeok Taesan was undoubtedly a crucial part of the reason.
Therefore, with Byeok Taesan around, it would be difficult for him to accept their recruitment offer.
As Won Mungwang was lost in thought, Jongli Seongrak spoke.
“This seems like an opportunity in its own way, don’t you think?”
“Yes. But we’ll have to split our forces.”
The original reason for calling Byeok Taesan to the Yeon estate was to sow seeds of discord between the Golden Jade Trading Company and the Jongli Family.
Jongli Ung was supposed to handle it, but since that went awry, they had to resort to other methods.
“Third Elder, you will have to pursue Byeok Taesan.”
Jongli Seongrak grinned.
“I will discipline him appropriately. I’ll try to be gentle, but… he might just get scared and soil himself.”
Won Mungwang bowed his head slightly and said.
“Our ultimate goal is to keep the Golden Jade Trading Company so focused on the Jongli Family that they can’t turn their attention elsewhere. So please, exercise restraint. The key is to apply pressure without losing face.”
Jongli Seongrak nodded emphatically.
“That’s what I do best. So don’t you worry, just focus on roping in the Divine Doctor.”
“Leave it to me.”
The two men exchanged a meaningful glance and then hurried off on their separate ways.
Now, the real game began.
* * *
“This is the Blood Axe Sect?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Hoh. It’s bigger than I thought.”
“They have a tight grip on this area. You could say the Blood Axe Sect controls about half of the region around East Lake.”
“And behind the scenes, they pay tribute to the Jongli Family?”
“I haven’t confirmed it, but isn’t it obvious?”
If the Jongli Family decided to, they could wipe out a group like the Blood Axe Sect in an instant.
Byeok Taesan scanned the rather large pavilion that served as the Blood Axe Sect’s base.
The rough and violent energy emanating from within was considerable.
“They aren’t exactly weak, are they? Their martial arts are decent.”
“That must be why the Jongli Family uses them instead of getting rid of them.”
“It’s a classic method.”
“But it is not the right path. For a righteous faction to hide behind an Underworld group and extort profits is absurd.”
Cheon Gyeongwan said, gritting his teeth as he glared at the Blood Axe Sect’s headquarters.
“I don’t know about all that. But why do you think these filthy scoundrels are groveling at the feet of the Jongli Family? I bet the tribute they pay is substantial. Maybe that’s why they act so viciously.”
“Because they have no power.”
There was a faint lack of energy in Cheon Gyeongwan’s voice.
It seemed the conversation had touched upon something in his memories.
Byeok Taesan said coldly.
“It’s not just that they have no power; it’s that they are overwhelmingly powerless. They know that nothing will change no matter how much they struggle. Do you know what happens then?”
Cheon Gyeongwan looked at Byeok Taesan.
At times like this, Byeok Taesan didn’t seem like a young master. At a glance, one could see decades of experience in him.
“Their venom disappears.”
Cheon Gyeongwan pressed his lips together. He was right. It might not apply to everyone, but…
‘Because I experienced it myself.’
Cheon Gyeongwan looked at Byeok Taesan, then turned his head back to stare at the Blood Axe Sect.
“Then what must be done?”
“They just need enough power to become a threat.”
“Enough power to be a threat…!”
“They don’t need a lot. Just enough to land one good bite. Enough that it hurts when the Jongli Family gets bitten. Just that much is enough.”
“What would that change? The Jongli Family could still wipe them out if they chose to.”
“They get to land one good bite.”
“And then they all die?”
Byeok Taesan shook his head.
“No. From that point on, the story changes. Because they’ll have venom. With fangs grown and venom in them, they’ll become a real headache.”
Byeok Taesan continued as he walked toward the Blood Axe Sect.
“All you have to do is plant the courage in them to do it.”
“Is that even possible?”
Byeok Taesan gave a meaningful grin.
Seeing that grin, a chill ran down Cheon Gyeongwan’s spine.
Cheon Gyeongwan stared blankly at Byeok Taesan’s back as he walked past him.