Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Finally, a Trail
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"This is strange."
I couldn't find any trace of them at the Yang Family Estate either.
"Sir Affectionate, you're the strongest, yet it feels like the Information Tower is wasting your talents with this assignment."
"Hmm. Looking at the terrain and the enemy's movements, this place seemed the most likely."
"I think we should head to Gissi County, located midstream on the Sim River."
"Alright. Let's follow the Sim River upstream and sweep the entire area. If they're not in Gissi County, they might be in Gokwon County. And if they're not there either, well, there's nothing we can do."
Letting go of my expectations actually made me feel more at ease.
I was reminded of the time we subjugated the Blood Palace last year.
The Blood Palace was considered relatively weak, yet it took six months to bring them down.
The situation back then was similar to this one.
It took over five months of playing hide-and-seek just to locate them, while the actual battle was over in ten days.
"Any word from the Alliance?"
"No, sir."
"Then let's go."
I moved stealthily, and Pure followed close behind.
Her movement arts had clearly improved.
Before, she was obsessed with sheer speed, which consumed a lot of internal energy. Now, she could achieve the same velocity while expending far less.
Gissi County.
Gissi County was smaller than Yanga County, but its dense cluster of buildings along the river made it seem more vibrant.
"I'll go buy some food."
"No. Wait."
I climbed the tallest tree and calmly surveyed Gissi County.
After a thorough inspection, I slowly descended.
"What is it?"
She must have found it strange that I was observing the entire county from such a distance.
"This town feels off. Not just one estate, but the whole place."
"The whole town?"
"Yes. Something is out of harmony. We need to investigate carefully. Pure."
"Yes, sir."
"From now on, conceal yourself completely and move as stealthily as possible. We'll rest for a bit, then infiltrate the town after dark. Get some rest for now."
"Then I'll stop by the safe house."
"I'll leave a sign. Find me."
"Understood."
I gave a quiet nod.
After she disappeared, I closed my eyes, relaxed my body, and began to rest.
The night deepened, but she did not return.
Nevertheless, I decided to scout the town and set off.
I suppressed my presence and moved with utmost stealth, ensuring none of the townsfolk noticed me.
Hwaun Tower.
It was a massive inn located in the center of Gissi County. The first two floors served as a restaurant, while the third through fifth floors were for lodging.
After a moment of consideration, I entered Hwaun Tower without a disguise.
The disguise techniques I knew were crude; a master would see through them, which would only cause trouble.
I figured it was better to go in with my real face.
Besides, this place was very far from Jeongju County, with little interaction between the two, so I doubted anyone would recognize me.
"Welcome. Are you with a party?"
"Alone. Do you have a table?"
"Please, follow me."
The waiter didn't seem surprised to see a martial artist like me.
This was proof that many martial artists frequented the establishment.
"Please have a seat. What would you like to order?"
"A bowl of noodles. Fried rice. And a bottle of liquor."
"Right away, sir."
The waiter led me to a four-person table in the center of the dining hall.
Perhaps because it was late, most of the patrons were drinking, and half of them were martial artists.
The waiter brought the noodles and liquor first.
I ate the noodles and drank while waiting for the rice.
"Brother. Mind if we join you?"
A man in blue robes and another in yellow robes were looking at me.
I gestured to the empty seats, inviting them to sit.
"Over here! Bring us some liquor, braised pork, and two bowls of noodles."
The man in blue ordered in a gruff voice as he sat down.
The man in yellow sat silently beside him, observing me for a moment before speaking.
"Where are you from?"
"Are you taking a census?"
"It's not that. It's just that outsiders are rare here. I haven't seen your face before. And your accent doesn't sound like you're from Shanxi."
"I'm from Hanae County. I'm heading to Taiyuan, following the Sim River upstream."
Hanae County was a large county located south of the Taihang Mountains.
"I see. But what business do you have in Taiyuan?"
"Strange. Why all the questions? Are you from the magistrate's office? You look like martial artists to me."
"Ah, don't get me wrong. We're from Gokwon County."
"Then what brings you here?"
"Nothing much. The Jin family, the wealthiest in Gissi County, is secretly recruiting martial artists. The pay is good, too. If you're not busy, brother, you should come with us to the Jin Estate."
"Recruiting martial artists? For what?"
"You'll find out when we get there. What do you say? Are you interested?"
Honestly, I wasn't interested, but I thought I might find a clue through the Jin Estate.
However, I didn't let it show, simply nodding with a look of indifference.
"Since fate has brought us together, let's introduce ourselves. I am Yi Su, the 'Blue Moon Saber.' This is Jo Chung-sang, the 'Red Moon Saber.'"
"A pleasure. I am Seop Cheong, the 'Lightning Flash Swift Sword.'"
I'd just made up the title and name on the spot, but on second thought, it was pretty good.
If I had to fight, I planned to hide the Ouyang Sword Art and the Heavenly Will Sword Art and use only swift sword techniques, so the title fit perfectly.
If I unleashed a series of rapid strikes, most martial artists wouldn't be able to discern my true identity.
"Here is your order."
When the waiter brought the liquor and braised pork, Yi Su and Jo Chung-sang began to eat ravenously, as if they hadn't eaten in days.
"*Burp*. Now that's more like it."
The man in yellow, Jo Chung-sang, his face flushed from the liquor, wore a satisfied expression.
"Brother. No, Brother Seop. Will you go with us to the Jin Estate?"
"Let's. I was getting bored anyway, and I have time to spare."
"An excellent decision. Here, have a drink."
I exchanged drinks with Jo Chung-sang and Yi Su, and we talked for quite a while.
They were martial artists who roamed the Sim River area, known as the 'Twin Moons.'
I also confirmed that there were no known bases for the Dark Blood Heaven Cult or any other evil sects in the Sim River area, including Gokwon County.
Of course, I couldn't fully trust their words and intended to verify the information myself, but I was admittedly disappointed at the thought that I had wasted my time.
'I hope this recruitment of martial artists at the Jin Estate is connected to the Dark Blood Heaven Cult or some other evil faction.'
While talking with the two, I eavesdropped on other conversations and heard the Jin Estate mentioned here and there.
After gathering more detailed information about the Jin Estate, I arranged to meet the Twin Moons there tomorrow and left the inn.
I wondered what to do next, then returned to my original spot.
Confirming that no one was around, I climbed a tree, circulated my energy, and then closed my eyes to rest.
The next morning.
As I completed one full cycle of my internal energy, the lingering sluggishness vanished.
Pure returned around sunrise.
"Sir Affectionate. I'm sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. Do you have any information on the Jin Estate? Even the smallest piece of intelligence will do."
Pure thought for a moment, then shared what she knew about the Jin Estate.
Combining her information with what I'd gathered yesterday, I had a rough idea of the situation at the Jin Estate and in Gissi County.
However, even Pure didn't know why they were recruiting martial artists.
"Today is the sixtieth birthday of the Jin Estate's master, Jin Gyu-ong. He invited many prominent figures from the area, but I didn't realize so many of them would be martial artists."
"I'm going to infiltrate. Lie in wait at a position where you can receive my telepathic messages."
"Understood."
"By the way, what's the situation elsewhere?"
"It's quiet."
"I get the feeling these bastards know we're on the move."
"Could the Jin Estate be a trap? To capture you, Sir Affectionate."
"The Information Tower's chain of command is top secret. If they know the specifics, then there's no hope for the Martial Arts Alliance. They've likely only detected that the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad has moved, and that a large number of enforcers from the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions are active."
"Still, please be careful."
I gave a quiet nod at Pure's advice.
If the Jin Estate was indeed a trap for me, as she suggested, then the Martial Arts Alliance was finished.
How could we win if they knew even our most secret affairs?
No, if that were the case, it would have been over long ago.
"Have you eaten?"
"Took you long enough to ask."
"Sorry. I'm all about work."
"I've eaten."
"Then let's go. Follow me at a distance."
I immediately set off for the Jin Estate.
She stared in the direction I had disappeared, then her form blurred and vanished.
The Jin Estate.
"This is much larger than I expected."
Since Gissi County wasn't a major county, I hadn't expected much, but the scale of the feast at the Jin Estate was tremendous.
Inside the estate, countless nobles, merchants, and commoners were gathered, drinking and making merry. Amidst it all, the martial artists were being guided to the rear courtyard.
"Are you a martial artist, sir?"
The Jin Estate's steward greeted me politely.
"That I am."
"Please, follow me. A separate area has been prepared for martial artists in the rear courtyard."
"May I ask why you've separated us?"
"It's nothing significant. When liquor flows, spirits can rise, but so can fists. This is merely a precaution to prevent any major incidents."
"I see."
I nodded quietly in agreement and followed him.
The deeper I went, the more I could feel a strong, unsettling aura.
I drew upon only about twenty years' worth of my internal energy, concealing the remaining hundred years in my dantian.
When we reached the entrance to the rear courtyard, the steward turned back, and two martial artists guarding the gate approached me.
One was a man in black who exuded an aura like a finely honed blade, and the other had the appearance of a pale scholar.
"You've come to aid the Jin Estate. I am Hu Eun-ryang. May I have your name?"
The pale scholar, Hu Eun-ryang, looked me up and down several times as if trying to size me up before asking.
"I am Seop Cheong, the Lightning Flash Swift Sword, from Hanae County."
"I've not heard that title before."
"I was training with my master until last year and only entered the martial world early this year. That's why few people know my title."
"I see."
"May I enter?"
"Leave your sword."
The man in black held out his hand, his tone rough and blunt.
As I glared at him, Hu Eun-ryang quickly intervened.
"If a fight breaks out during a pleasant drink, having swords involved could lead to a serious incident. Please don't take offense at this measure. We will be sure to return it to you when you leave."
"Fine. Let's have a proper introduction. Who are you?"
"'Heavy Sword.'"
"You don't have a name?"
The man in black, Heavy Sword, didn't answer further. He took my Soul-Returning Sword and placed it in a box to the side.
As he took the sword, I felt a faint trace of demonic energy.
It was a subtle aura that even a seasoned master would have trouble detecting, but I, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, could feel it.
And it was a very familiar demonic energy.
'This man must hold a high position in the Dark Heavenly Cult. Why would a master of his caliber be guarding a mere entrance in such a remote place?'
I walked slowly toward the rear courtyard, lost in thought.
No matter how I thought about it, it didn't make sense.
But when I arrived at the courtyard and saw the martial artists gathered there, I began to understand.
Famous martial artists from all over Shanxi Province were gathered here.
'So they used the birthday of a non-martial artist, the head of the Jin Estate, as a cover to avoid the Martial Arts Alliance's surveillance. But then, why invite people like me and the Twin Moons?'
My suspicions grew with every step.
"Pure. Do not break your concealment, and do not intervene no matter what happens. This place is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. That's an order."
"Understood."
"Fall back further. If they detect you and give chase, run without looking back. I can escape on my own."
"Be careful."
Her faint presence was now completely gone.
It was proof she was watching from a safe distance.
Prepared to unleash my full internal energy at a moment's notice, I walked inside.