Chapter 24
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Numerical Superiority and Dirty Tricks
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Sichuan had erupted into chaos.
In a province boasting three pillars of the righteous factions, right in Chengdu—the seat of the Tang Clan—no fewer than several masters' corpses had turned up.
They weren't demonic cultists, presumed to linger only as vengeful spirits, nor brazen unorthodox demonic wanderers flaunting their power.
Remnants did exist, but most demonic overlords were too busy hiding their own skins, and the scant few from the black path couldn't even raise their voices in Sichuan.
'This wasn't what I intended.'
Doubts and suspicions had spread like wildfire across the entire martial world, frighteningly fast.
Groan.
Seo Mun-ha found himself nursing an unexpected headache.
The mood in Chengdu, civilians included, had turned downright vicious.
Forget the soldiers mimicking assassins—that was secondary. The real issue was the unfamiliar sword techniques sparking real combat, which had somehow jumped and torched part of a barley field.
"Part" was relative; in truth, it covered a considerable swath.
Seo Mun-ha, transformed into a bizarre arsonist.
He couldn't very well grab passing commoners and explain every detail, so for once, he let out a deep sigh.
Compensation for the damage and depleted funds were minor concerns.
The problem was that Sichuan's warriors as a whole were clamoring for a conference—and gunning for him.
Even if he revealed the truth behind the weird rumors and his own actions, without an official announcement from the Murim Alliance, it'd be no different from buttonholing random civilians for explanations.
'And it's questionable if they'd cooperate anyway.'
It wouldn't drag on forever, though.
'Once it's clear they're military personnel, the warriors will back off.'
Just then, the maid assigned by the Tang Clan entered to take over A-so's duties.
"Did you sleep well, young master?"
"Any discomfort last night?"
"It was fine. More than adequate. Is the Tang Clan still swamped with clan affairs?"
"Given the current situation, yes. You'll have some free time this afternoon, though."
"I see."
"The patriarch asked me to guide you to the inner gardens."
Seo Mun-ha shook his head. He wasn't uninterested, but he had no desire to leisurely tour the Tang Clan grounds right now.
"My group has secured lodgings at an inn. Just pass that along, please."
He'd been forced to accept their aid the night before—using their meeting hall without permission and crashing there to boot—yet not a single Tang clansman had shown their face.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan, famed for their pride.
He'd wanted to express thanks and apologies, but it wasn't meant to be.
With their next steps already decided, Seo Mun-ha exited through the main gate once more, scratching his head at this second failed visit.
'The situation.'
Something unspeakable must be afoot, but as the very one who'd stirred up the extra work, he harbored no particular complaints.
"This is far enough. Head back."
"...Yes, take care, young master."
It was Seo Mun-ha's second day in Sichuan.
Another day slipped by without incident.
No incidents meant no progress, either.
"Even for one of the Six Great Clans, isn't this too rude?"
Yang Jeong voiced his displeasure with uncharacteristic restraint.
Seo Mun-ha had his own views, and so did the other man. Minds couldn't always align perfectly.
"How long has it been since we arrived? Not a single word—and their servants act like their faces are plated in gold!"
A-so said nothing, but his dissatisfaction was plain.
"Don't get too heated. If there's no response until our business wraps up, that's just how it is."
He hadn't come dreaming of a glimpse of their lofty faces.
Seo Mun-ha's purpose in Sichuan was to procure a spear.
First priority: spear. Second: spear.
The Tang Clan was merely a side branch; the trio had been pounding the pavement, meeting various artisans.
"Not easy, is it?"
Even the ever-energetic A-so betrayed a flicker of frustration at the lack of headway, forgetting his youthful vigor.
"No need to rush."
They'd anticipated difficulties.
"Nothing's changing. Might as well take it easy now—sightsee a bit."
Seo Mun-ha brushed off his two loyal retainers with casual reassurance.
"Chengdu shouldn't lag behind Hubei’s Mount Shang. More people, more specialties—way more variety."
Not quite a vacation, but A-so and Yang Jeong exchanged silent glances anyway. Having griped nonstop until now, they hesitated to beam too eagerly, lest it seem unseemly.
"What about you, young master? Not joining?"
"They say the virtue of a superior is knowing when to tactfully bow out."
Seo Mun-ha shoved A-so toward Yang Jeong.
The young rascal, whose lectures had lately tapered off.
"...We'll bring souvenirs!"
After wrestling with a familiar dilemma, the pair slipped out of the inn first.
Clink.
A teacup settled onto the table.
"It's heartening to see you all get along so well."
Turning, Seo Mun-ha spotted the innkeeper, a mild-mannered man holding a tea set.
"This is on me—I'd like to treat you to a cup. No need to hold back."
"Much appreciated."
"Mongding tea. Hope it suits your taste."
As their stay stretched on, familiarity had bloomed with the innkeeper, who now graciously offered premium leaves—for free.
"Our Ga-won Inn may be on the outskirts, but we have plenty of regulars."
"I could tell."
"Even the young scions of prestigious houses never forget to drop by. Ah, another cup?"
"Thank you. I'm no tea connoisseur, but the aroma is exquisite."
He promptly refilled the empty cup.
"Knew it'd suit you. Not for nothing have I run this place for thirty years."
As he poured, he continued.
"Truth be told, I could tell at a glance you're no ordinary fellow. But unlike other young lords, you're a cut above."
Evidently the reason for the lavish tea.
"How so, in your esteemed eyes?"
"Many ways, but above all, you know how to look after your servants."
The innkeeper lavished praise on Seo Mun-ha.
"They've earned their rest and respite aplenty. Besides, rest when you can—that's my motto."
What was so remarkable about that?
"Speaking of which, we've checked every ironsmith you recommended. Any others come to mind?"
In the quiet early evening, Seo Mun-ha had opened up to the innkeeper—who wasn't fond of warriors—for intel gathering.
Not purely selfless; fewer steps meant efficiency. Still, he avoided major networks like the Beggars' Sect to sidestep needless hassles.
"Heh, even that fellow's skills fell short? He's top three in Chengdu."
Trading info was a double-edged sword—disclosing one's own details in kind.
The Beggars' Sect wouldn't collude with demonic outsiders, of course, but Seo Mun-ha still found the so-called upright factions unfamiliar.
Especially while inadvertently concealing his quasi-identity.
Sipping tea leisurely in the idle hour, the innkeeper pondered deeply, then lit up.
"One man. Far superior to any I mentioned. But that artisan..."
Chengdu buzzed with ceaseless human traffic.
In simple terms, finding someone truly idle was a rarity.
Harvest season loomed, too.
Clack.
In all Chengdu, the most leisurely spot was doubtless this one.
Clack.
A pavilion by the riverbank.
Fallen petals drifted on the breeze from fully bloomed flowers, while the gentle current and warm sunlight evoked a paradise straight out of legend.
"......"
Three souls inhabited this tiny haven.
"Your turn."
The two elders, appearances deceiving, waged their private battle of wits and wills.
"What're you dawdling for?"
Despite similar ages, one's short white hair and beard contrasted the other's long mane.
"Can't you yield just one move?"
Like the black and white stones crowding the board.
"Naturally not."
"Bah, a stingy old codger like you—spot me one, just one!"
The burly elder slammed the floor.
"Told you, no dice. You've only gotten more stubborn with age, tsk tsk."
The slighter elder stroked his long beard.
The sages of paradise bickered merrily.
"You venomous wretch—gonna keep acting this childish?!"
"Hmph, after decades, you still don't get it? Blind as a bat, you ironclad oaf."
The mystical scene shattered like illusion.
The air grew not just tense, but murderous. A knife fight wouldn't have seemed out of place. Into this silent standoff intruded an unexpected clack.
Clack.
"There, that should do it."
The third presence, hitherto invisible.
Unremarkable beside the elders, yet his timely intervention marked Seo Mun-ha.
"Clinging too hard to your layout—that's why you're cornered. You have to know when to sacrifice. Even a single flower point, if it opens the board and frees your vital points. Basic basics, straight out of any manual."
Silence fell. Setting aside his abrupt arrival, one modest move had reshaped the game. Or rather, revealed what eyes had missed.
"Such a play existed!"
Clear as day to both elders.
"Thanks, young friend!"
"Pathetic as ever—you can't accomplish a thing alone."
"If you can't borrow aid, you're just as pathetic. Mortals aren't iron; no point in endless stubbornness."
"Watch your tongue! I don't need help—I choose not to!"
After much huffing, the pair settled back in sync.
Clack.
Placing another stone.
"Not there."
Seo Mun-ha's guidance continued.
"There instead... and next..."
His opening move had seized initiative, methodically restoring balance. He kept intervening thereafter.
Sporadic nudges tipped the scales; the "venom" elder flushed red.
Crunch.
He resigned at last.
A position ripe for conceding in the endgame—yet the long-bearded elder flipped the board.
"Invalid! Obviously!"
"You let him linger unchecked; isn't silence assent?"
"Shameless! Leaning on some snot-nosed whelp's shallow tricks!"
"Hey now, words matter. Where's my grandson? You called him over, didn't you? Even the Thirty-Six Stratagems endorses winning over enemy generals. Fallen for his natural charm. Say what you will—I'm savoring my first win over you, Tang Poison Dagger King."
The flushed elder shot to his feet, denying defeat.
"...Hold on."
Something dawned; he eyed them alternately.
"Not your grandson?"
"Hating to admit defeat? Now rewriting my lineage too? He's your grandson!"
"You try overturning centuries of Tang bloodline. Where among my six grandsons is a boy like this?!"
The burly elder followed suit in realization.
"......"
"......"
The staring elders turned to Seo Mun-ha.
"Pleased to meet you, elders. The Ga-won Innkeeper sent me. Name's Seo Mun-ha."