Chapter 60
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Hazy Illusions
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As if in answer to someone's earnest prayer, Cheongju Prefecture basked in clear skies day after day.
At the hour when the sun hung high overhead, the assembly grounds cradling Cheonryong Pavilion looked much the same as before.
"How is it, Seol unnie?"
The only subtle difference was that the lavish banquet was now held outdoors.
The towering pavilion was a double-edged sword—its isolation had created barriers between people, so to bridge that gap, they'd prepared a vast open feast hall where many now enjoyed the festivities with the pavilion as a stunning backdrop.
"This dongpo pork is as good as anything in Hangzhou, right?"
In one corner of the banquet hall, three young women sat together as Seo Mun Young-ryeong worked her chopsticks without pause.
She might have minded the stares from others, but she shunned the alcohol while devouring the food with relish—a sight both endearing and plump.
"Delicious."
Baek Ri-seol gazed softly at Seo Mun Young-ryeong.
She'd often seen the warrior's sharp edges honed to a fine point, but these two women, just a year apart, suited this relaxed vibe far better.
"Unnie, you should eat some too."
It was an old bond between them.
"With Junsang oppa not here today, we might as well enjoy ourselves or we'll miss out."
The open space tore down walls, allowing free mingling.
It wasn't just the two women's demeanors that had shifted—the Seo Mun siblings and the younger generation had all set aside their positions and formalities for the moment.
Deepening old ties and forging new ones.
If everything until now had been mere prologue and skirmish, the main event was about to unfold in earnest.
"Ha oppa isn't here at all, though."
The Nine Great Sects, One Gang, and Six Great Clans.
Countless smaller martial factions mingled as the younger generation flaunted their social graces without restraint.
Amid the web of connections forming like interlocking tails, talk centered on rivalries and heroic feats.
By comparison, this spot felt utterly ordinary.
The guests filling the seats were anything but commonplace, yet they could fend off trivial advances and savor private time thanks entirely to Dang So-so's presence.
"Haha... I hope this turns into a good time."
Dang So-so brushed off yet another man with her sharp tongue.
Her string of victories was only natural.
Anyone who'd witnessed Yang Su-il's final, devastating form at the isolated peak could barely muster a single word.
"I hope this gathering proves fruitful for you too, young hero."
Seo Mun Young-ryeong handled the pleasantries, sending the man on his way.
She tilted her head at his crisp retreating figure.
"He seemed like a nice guy... Did I read him wrong?"
"Young-ryeong."
Dang So-so clicked her tongue at the girl's innocence.
"Listen up."
"Yes, unnie?"
"Women have to be wary of all men in the world, but especially ones like that."
"Like what?"
"Anyone who name-drops public discourse to act familiar is third-rate. Ignore the blatant flirts too. But watch out for those who seem sloppy or unreadable. They're the real masters."
Seo Mun Young-ryeong glanced back at the departed man once more.
The unreadable type made sense.
"Sloppy ones too?"
"That's even more dangerous. Whether they're faking it or genuinely that way..."
"If they're genuine?"
"They're born charmers."
"I see!"
"Think about it—don't you want to help pitiful people? Then they use repaying a favor as an excuse to meet up. Whether it's goodwill or not, one thing leads to another, and before you know it, your oppa's turned into a baby daddy."
"Ah!"
Seo Mun Young-ryeong's eyes widened as she clapped her hands.
"Got it, unnie! I'll remember!"
Dang So-so flashed a bright smile and patted her head.
"Good, as long as you know."
Baek Ri-seol, watching the beaming girl, let a smile play on her lips too.
It was as warm and cloudless as the weather.
Gazing quietly at Baek Ri-seol as she sipped her tea, Seo Mun Young-ryeong pointed at Dang So-so again.
"By the way, Dang unnie."
"Yeah?"
As if the thought had just struck her.
"What about oppa?"
She had four oppas in her life, but everyone knew who she meant.
"That master you mentioned?"
"...Well, he's a bit ambiguous on that front. That's why."
"Why?"
"Never mind, nothing."
If she had to categorize him, his mind was the unreadable sort.
"Oh yeah, Wirani told me. I was worried he might be hurt, but he seems fine."
As the women thought of that one man, another man's face grew darker.
Peng Ho-rip, staring at the trio.
Baek Ri-seol had barely nodded at him throughout the assembly, showing not a shred of interest, and it gnawed at him more with each passing moment.
'Sigh, she's saying that much.'
He couldn't resort to overt advances.
He knew no other way, nor did it suit him.
Fidgeting anxiously despite his sturdy build, he awaited the Seo Mun-ha he'd longed for—only for a familiar Taoist to approach the women instead.
"You all look like you're having fun."
Tae-cheong Sword Han Myeong.
"And you, young hero Han?"
Baek Ri-seol spoke for the group.
They'd gotten acquainted through the recent sparring, but it wasn't close enough for Seo Mun Young-ryeong to chat freely.
"Same as always. No one welcomes a boring Taoist, so here I am, making the rounds."
Dang So-so shook her head, deeming him unworthy of reply.
"Such excessive humility."
Baek Ri-seol gave an awkward smile.
"That friend of yours skipping out again today?"
Han Myeong pretended to scan the crowd.
"Who do you mean?"
"Seo Mun young master. Thanks to him, I stuffed my face—shouldn't I at least say hello?"
He pressed on, ignoring Dang So-so's bafflement.
"Anyway, pass on my thanks. Next time, I'll treat big."
"I'll make sure to tell him."
The worldly Taoist looked pleased, then pointed at an empty seat.
"No sign of young Lady Ha today either?"
"She should be here soon. If you have business, I can relay a message..."
Right then.
"Speak of the devil."
Han Myeong eyed Ha Eun-ye from afar.
She disliked flaunting her status, but Murim Alliance warriors and familiar faces clustered around her.
"What's going on?"
Han Myeong asked with uncharacteristic gravity.
"Any word on your sect uncle and martial brothers?"
Not a few harbored such doubts amid the outwardly flawless assembly.
Doubt turned to suspicion, suspicion to harsh reality.
Like a bolt from the blue, the news hit, and voices trembled everywhere.
"C-Could you say that again?"
"I must have misheard?"
"The assembly's suspended."
Ha Eun-ye fought back frustration, her face pitying as she replied uncharacteristically emotional.
"All the younger generation members who haven't arrived at the grounds are missing."
"Surprised?"
Woo Hak-bong slumped in exhaustion.
After delivering the news, he'd shoved Bi Ju-seong aside and barged straight to Bi-ga to find Seo Mun-ha.
"Still processing."
"What?"
Woo Hak-bong just sighed repeatedly, too drained for snark.
"Rash action won't change a thing."
"True, but..."
"To sum up: Hwang Bo Woo-jun is dead, and every younger disciple from factions not yet at the assembly is missing."
"The Hwang Bo Clan's eldest young master hasn't been announced publicly yet. Everything's under wraps. Mind your words, Bi gong-ja."
"...Understood."
Bi Ju-seong nodded blankly.
He couldn't calm down.
But Seo Mun-ha's composure steadied him, leaving Bi Ju-seong dazed in turn.
"Found the culprits?"
"Nothing solid either way."
Murim Alliance and Beggar Clan disciples scurried about, but time shortages prevented pinpointing suspects.
"Thanks for the heads-up."
Seo Mun-ha offered thanks.
This was where he'd met Hwang Bo-in the night before.
As one of the Beggar Clan's Five Great Beggars, Woo Hak-bong had provided solid intel, and though timing differed, Seo Mun-ha appreciated the gesture.
"Heh, live long enough and even I get thanks from Seo Mun gong-ja. But it's too soon for gratitude. You think I ran here just to pass on rumors?"
"If not?"
"I put in real work this time! Didn't you chew me out for freeloading off your meals?!"
"I said leeching, not freeloading."
"Same difference!"
Woo Hak-bong puffed his chest and glanced at Bi Ju-seong.
The fewer who knew top secrets, the better.
"This one's fine."
With Seo Mun-ha's nod, Woo Hak-bong continued.
"One more bad bit for you, Seo Mun gong-ja."
The info he divulged far exceeded a Five Great Beggar's authority and network.
"Remember the Black Killer Gang branch chief we handed to Murim Alliance?"
Seo Mun-ha tuned out the backstory, focusing on the new intel.
"He got ambushed during escort."
"..."
"Your name's probably reached Black Killer Gang HQ by now."
Disrupting assassins meant no more sleeping soundly with legs stretched.
"Murim Alliance will handle initial measures, but..."
"I'm good."
Seo Mun-ha remained unflappable. If he feared assassin reprisal, he'd have acted more covertly.
"That's not the end. The original client who targeted Murim Alliance? Burn Response Hall."
"Burn Response Hall?"
"Know it? Big name in Jiangnan martial world. Solid skills too."
Seo Mun-ha recalled the gaze fixed on him during the assembly.
"If they're exposed as demon-linked, what'll they do?"
"Cornered, they'll lash out."
Bi Ju-seong piped up loudly from between them.
"You mean they'll target hyung-nim?"
"Easier than Murim Alliance intel. But get this—this Burn Response Hall's a real gem."
Seo Mun-ha mentally traced back, recalling the half-crippled elder.
Black Killer Gang branch chief.
"Coastal Merchant Group."
He named not Burn Response Hall, but a mere trading firm.
He disliked interrogation and torture, but no reason for lies.
"That's the hookup to Burn Response Hall."
Woo Hak-bong paused, eyes closing as he gathered thoughts.
"Murim Alliance pegged government offices and Hwang Bo Clan biggest for hiding demon activity. Seo Mun Clan dodged that thanks solely to you."
His eyes snapped open, stern now—vitality replacing prior dullness.
"All wrong."
"Right. Not clans or groups. Individuals. We got properly had."
Demonic cultists acting beyond expectations.
No one imagined cultists hiding traces while covertly marking sites everywhere.
"Bait was demonic arts."
"Yep. We don't catalog every demonic art, so tempted folks—knowing or not—number nearly a hundred."
The goal of such rogue actions was simple.
Woo Hak-bong rubbed his forehead, slowly listing nearly a hundred names.
"Hyunwon Sword Sect, Cheon Yong Gate, Jung Young Gang, San Ho Manor, Gangju Escort Agency, Seogwang Merchant Group..."
Affiliations of those individuals.
Demonic arts varied, but sowing chaos was undeniable.
"Even a key landholder under government in Lianzhou—major branches aplenty, all tainted."
The litany would chill any Beggar Clan disciple.
Hwang Bo Woo-jun was just one.
"Discarded pawn?"
"Hwang Bo heir could've stirred plenty chaos. Culprits uncertain earlier, but suspects nailed."
Bi Ju-seong mumbled, lips twitching.
"Then those missing now..."
"As you heard: dancing in demon palms or dead by them. Latter likelier, but either way, no hope."
More numbers than expected, but no leverage to hold White Path young elites hostage.
"Can't be..."
"Assembly's halted, obviously. Murim Alliance mobilizes soon, but casualties inevitable."
Woo Hak-bong eyed Seo Mun-ha past Bi Ju-seong.
"What'll you do, Seo Mun gong-ja?"
Despite urgency, Seo Mun-ha smiled calmly.
"Advice: stay put. Safest spot in Shandong's right here—ideally under Bi-ga's wing."
Not doubting his skill, but this scale of turmoil changed things.
"That's all I can share. Worth the meal?"
Amateur meddling could fan flames.
"More than worth it."
Yet the inscrutable Seo Mun-ha showed no waver.
"Now just to collect on the charity."
"...Huh?"
"One favor."