Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Guests Have Arrived
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Byeok Taesan quietly looked down at the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, who was prostrated before him.
"Thanks to your help, Young Master, I was able to conclude matters decisively."
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion said this, then took several documents from her robes and respectfully offered them.
Byeok Taesan took them and read; they were densely filled with details on how she had seized control of the Underworld Sect.
Everything was there: what she did first, whom she killed, and whom she spared to use in what way.
Honestly, he was a little surprised.
After reading all the documents, Byeok Taesan tossed them into the air.
With a rustle, the papers fluttered in the air.
Then, flames suddenly ignited on each sheet.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the documents turned to ash and scattered in the air.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion stared at the sight, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
Who in the world could accomplish such a feat so nonchalantly?
"Impressive. So, are you the Underworld Sect Leader now?"
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion bowed her head.
"Yes. I am now the Underworld Sect Leader."
A smile formed on Byeok Taesan's lips.
He had actually expected this. The confidence she had shown back then was formidable.
But he hadn't known she would seize control of the Underworld Sect so quickly.
He had just read about the method and process, but it was by no means something that could be prepared in a day or two.
She must have been steadily preparing to devour the Underworld Sect for a very long time.
And for her to be prostrated before him even after becoming the sect leader was as good as declaring that she and the Underworld Sect would now serve under him.
There was no one left to object to such a thing.
Anyone who might have had the standing to do so had all disappeared this time.
From the previous sect leader to the old elders, caked with nothing but fear and greed from their age.
Byeok Taesan took a booklet from his robes and tossed it over.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion saw the booklet land with a soft thud in front of her forehead, which was nearly touching the floor. With trembling hands, she carefully picked it up.
"A reward."
She wanted to open the booklet right away. But she knew she shouldn't.
Byeok Taesan read her feelings clearly.
"You may check it."
"Th-thank you."
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion touched her forehead to the floor once more, then raised her upper body and carefully opened the booklet.
It was, as she'd hoped, the Dark Shadow Steps. Not just fragmented pieces like she had received before, but the complete manual.
Her eyes filled with ecstasy.
"On your way out, meet with the Divine Doctor of the Ages and get some medicine. That is also part of your reward."
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion prostrated herself once again to express her gratitude.
As she did, Byeok Taesan's quiet voice reached her ears.
"I've decided to crush them."
She almost lost her composure. But in truth, she had anticipated this to some extent from the moment she first got involved.
"I will begin the investigation immediately."
"You can take your time until you've properly mastered the Dark Shadow Steps."
At those words, the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion looked at Byeok Taesan with a moved expression.
In reality, Byeok Taesan had said it because the Underworld Sect's capabilities would improve once they had properly assimilated the Dark Shadow Steps, but that was not how the recipient took it.
Byeok Taesan nodded and waved his hand dismissively.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion bowed respectfully and withdrew.
From now on, the Underworld Sect would establish itself in Wuhan. The Wuhan branch would become the true Underworld Sect.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion suppressed her pounding heart and headed for the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
***
Within the Golden Jade Manor was Byeok Taesan's personal training ground.
And today, Cheon Gyeongwan stood on that training ground.
It was the day Byeok Taesan would personally instruct Cheon Gyeongwan in martial arts, one-on-one.
Cheon Gyeongwan looked at Byeok Taesan with a complex mix of half fear, half anticipation.
Byeok Taesan's expression was as placid as usual.
But Cheon Gyeongwan could tell that Byeok Taesan was in a reasonably good mood.
Of course, he couldn't be certain. To get an answer closer to certainty, he would have to call for Yu Seoyeon.
She would definitely be able to tell.
Cheon Gyeongwan heightened his tension. He couldn't let his guard down.
*'He said I'd think it would be better to die, didn't he?'*
Byeok Taesan had said that before.
But Cheon Gyeongwan had already undergone similar training.
He had sparred with his life on the line against Yu Seoyeon, and the Limitless Steps on the swaying bridge had pushed him past the limits of pain every time.
Byeok Taesan looked indifferently at Cheon Gyeongwan, who stood there with his own brand of grim determination.
It seemed a day or two more of the Limitless Steps would suffice. His mind, spirit, and body had settled almost perfectly.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it. If his body were to break down from a debauched lifestyle, he would have to realign his mind, spirit, and body through the Limitless Steps again.
And even if he maintained a disciplined life, it was natural for his mind, spirit, and body to gradually fall out of alignment.
Just as the members of the Secret Heaven Group, who had already corrected their alignment with the Limitless Steps, now found themselves needing to train in it again.
Byeok Taesan walked to the center of the training ground and plunged a spear into the ground.
Thunk!
The spearhead sank so deep it was no longer visible, and the shaft stood erect, quivering.
Cheon Gyeongwan looked back and forth between Byeok Taesan and the spear shaft with a puzzled expression.
"Today's training is to split this spear shaft vertically."
"Pardon?"
Cheon Gyeongwan was momentarily flustered.
"Is that all I have to do?"
"If you split it precisely, today's training is over. You can just go back to your room and rest."
"W-without even doing the Limitless Steps?"
"Of course."
Cheon Gyeongwan's eyes sparkled like stars.
*'The Young Master must have called me here today specifically to give me a day off.'*
That was Cheon Gyeongwan's thought.
He knew Byeok Taesan was absolutely not that kind of person, but no matter how he looked at it, there was no other explanation for today's task.
"Then I'll get right to splitting it."
Cheon Gyeongwan strode toward the spear shaft. As he walked, he naturally drew his sword.
If someone of a lower realm had seen this, they wouldn't have even noticed when Cheon Gyeongwan drew his sword.
Before he knew it, the spear shaft was within his range.
And Cheon Gyeongwan's sword descended straight toward the tip of the shaft.
This was a guaranteed success. Cheon Gyeongwan had no doubt about the outcome.
Crack!
If not for the sudden pain that slammed into his side.
Thud, thud, tumble!
"Kuaargh!"
An immense, excruciating pain that started in his side spread through his entire body like a wave.
The pain didn't fade; it lingered in his body.
It hurt so much he could barely breathe.
"Who told you to sit there and rest?"
At Byeok Taesan's voice, which sounded like thunder, Cheon Gyeongwan forced himself to his feet.
He then looked at Byeok Taesan, his eyes a mixture of resentment and emptiness.
Byeok Taesan stood in his original spot, not having moved a single step.
Then again, Byeok Taesan had never said he would just stand by and watch while he tried to cut the spear shaft.
Cheon Gyeongwan now had a sense of just how difficult today's training would be.
*'How am I supposed to do that!'*
Split the shaft while getting past Byeok Taesan's interference? Not just cut it, but split it?
It was impossible.
As Cheon Gyeongwan was lost in that thought, excruciating pain erupted in his stomach.
Thwack!
"Kuaargh!"
Thud, thud, tumble!
Horror filled Cheon Gyeongwan's eyes. Byeok Taesan hadn't moved. No, he hadn't even looked in his direction.
But what in the world was this excruciating pain? It felt as if he had been kicked hard in the solar plexus.
"Cough! Cough!"
"So you have time to think? How leisurely."
Despair clouded Cheon Gyeongwan's eyes. But his body, moving beyond his will, was already getting up and approaching the spear shaft.
"Open your senses wide. Then you can do it."
The moment Byeok Taesan finished speaking, an impact that felt like his chest would shatter struck him.
Crack!
Thud, thud, tumble!
"Kuaargh!"
Cheon Gyeongwan endured the pain and reflexively got back up.
And as he walked toward the spear shaft again, he thought.
*'Is there really anyone who could split that shaft?'*
Watching Cheon Gyeongwan, whose will remained unbroken as he was sent flying back by impact and pain while trying to swing his sword again, Byeok Taesan was suddenly reminded of the old days.
*'Who was it that cut it?'*
This was one of the training methods of the Howling Heavens Brigade.
Of course, back then, he hadn't supervised them one by one like this; the entire Howling Heavens Brigade had combined their strength to split a single shaft.
In any case, there was one person who succeeded back then.
And Byeok Taesan had intentionally kicked that person out of the Howling Heavens Brigade.
Byeok Taesan, lost in reminiscence for a moment, lightly pushed Cheon Gyeongwan's side as he brought his sword down.
Crack!
"Gyaaaah!"
It seemed like a few bones might have cracked, but the Divine Doctor of the Ages would take care of it. Having a skilled physician around was certainly convenient.
"Should I bring in a few more physicians?"
***
Go Jungwang wore a look of disbelief.
Twenty men were prostrated before him.
They were the ones who had fled from Wuhan.
Originally, there were more, but he was told that a few hadn't managed to escape and were caught.
In truth, it wouldn't matter if all these men disappeared. They knew almost nothing, so even if they were captured and tortured, they had no information worth divulging.
Besides, they were under a restriction spell, making it impossible for them to speak even if they wanted to.
It would be the same even if the Underworld Sect bastards used their mind-clouding drugs.
That had already been verified.
The problem wasn't these men.
"Seo Dogun and Deung Jayeop were taken down?"
"Yes. That is correct."
One of the prostrated men answered, trembling.
He stammered out a report of what the person in charge had told him before he left Wuhan.
After hearing the full report, Go Jungwang frowned.
"Just how much did we lose in this one incident?"
He would have to wait a bit longer for the Half-Jiangshi. There was a chance they might return.
But the funds invested in the Wuhan plot were substantial. That was all considered lost now.
Moreover, all that money had come from Go Jungwang's own pocket.
"The ones who couldn't get out were caught by the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance?"
"Yes. The Namgung Family and the Jegal Family were formidable as well."
The reason they were caught was that they had moved too conspicuously to divert the attention of the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance.
Hearing this, Go Jungwang thought for a moment, then frowned.
"Don't tell me you brought a tail with you?"
Neither the Martial Alliance nor the Black Alliance were pushovers.
They wouldn't just let the people who had schemed against them slip out of Wuhan.
"We did pick up a tail, but we shook them off. We used ten men to lose them."
It meant ten men had sacrificed themselves to lead the pursuers in a different direction.
"Hoo. It seems we'll have to move our base."
Their current location was a city called Hancheon, near Wuhan.
They had set up a base here for the Wuhan operation, but it was now time to abandon it.
Go Jungwang stood up without any lingering attachment and went outside.
There was a lot to pack, so he had to hurry. The plan was to pack everything and leave by the end of the day.
The day after Go Jungwang finished relocating, warriors from the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance raided the place.
They had arrived just one step too late.
***
"Young Master, a guest has arrived."
"A guest?"
Byeok Taesan glanced at Danyeong, who stood with her head bowed respectfully.
Who could possibly be visiting him?
"They say they are from the Martial Alliance."
"The Martial Alliance?"
Danyeong lowered her head further.
Byeok Taesan nodded calmly. In truth, from the moment he heard the Martial Alliance had set foot in Wuhan, he had expected they would meet soon.
"I have shown them to the reception room for now."
Byeok Taesan nodded at Danyeong's words.
"Summon Hwaok."
"Yes."
He didn't know who had come from the Martial Alliance, but they surely had some intention.
In that case, it was better to meet them with Hwaok than alone.
Hwaok sometimes viewed people and situations from a slightly different perspective than Byeok Taesan.
Furthermore, in a first meeting, she could see things that others might miss.
Just as Danyeong was about to leave to carry out Byeok Taesan's order, Chaewol rushed in.
"Young Master, another guest has arrived."
"Another? Don't tell me it's the Black Alliance this time?"
Chaewol bowed her head slightly.
"Yes, it is. What should I do?"
Byeok Taesan let out a smirk. He had a feeling things were about to get interesting.
"Send them to the reception room."
"Yes."
Chaewol bowed and quickly left Byeok Taesan's room with Danyeong.
Byeok Taesan spoke to the two as they left.
"If any other guests arrive from anywhere else, gather them all in the reception room."
A slightly mischievous smile formed on Byeok Taesan's lips.
Danyeong and Chaewol stopped, turned, and answered Byeok Taesan.
"Yes."
"And tell Hwaok to go directly to the reception room as well."
The two bowed in response and quickly withdrew.
Byeok Taesan watched them go and murmured to himself.
"This should be fun."