Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Zhenzhou Yan Clan (1)
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“What kind of nonsense is that? You either know or you don't.”
“A brief amusement. You may dismiss it as mere wordplay.”
“...What?”
Cheol Pung-gae frowned, finding the words utterly incomprehensible.
In truth, the very assumption that Ouyang Jue already knew what he was about to say was terrifying.
To think he already knew of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan's malicious plot, which was only just beginning to unfold—how was that even possible?
After all, Ouyang Jue had been tied up at the Martial Alliance. It made no sense that he could have been monitoring the Zhenzhou Yan Clan's movements.
‘Unless he's some immortal with four heads, six arms, and clairvoyance...’
But considering the Ouyang Jue he had seen so far, it didn't seem entirely impossible.
Cheol Pung-gae let out a short laugh and said.
“Well, it's good if you already know. Makes explaining things easier, doesn't it?”
“Is that so.”
Ouyang Jue, with an enigmatic smile, gestured with his eyes toward a nearby tavern.
-This doesn't seem like a conversation for here. It would be best to move.
Coincidentally, the place was a branch office that served as an information hub for the Beggars' Sect.
While not important enough for top-secret matters, it wasn't a place known to just any riffraff either.
*Was this bastard born a martial artist?* Cheol Pung-gae muttered to himself as he followed Ouyang Jue.
He, who had always gotten the better of the younger generation, was being led around by Ouyang Jue alone.
‘Well, it's not like I'm only losing out.’
Cheol Pung-gae sat down and ordered some simple vegetable dishes.
Just then, Ouyang Jue asked.
“Was it two months ago? Is the item you recovered in Chang'an still with you?”
“...Huh? What item?”
As Cheol Pung-gae tilted his head in genuine confusion, Ouyang Jue gave him a playful look.
“Are you pretending not to know, or did you forget?”
“No, I really don't remember... Ah! That thing!”
Belatedly remembering the item, Cheol Pung-gae slapped his knee without thinking. But then, worry washed over him.
“But you're going to use that? No, more importantly, I haven't even told you what the Zhenzhou Yan Clan is up to yet.”
“Seeing you, who rose to become the Shaanxi Branch Leader, chase me all the way here in such a hurry, isn't it obvious?”
Ouyang Jue said in an indifferent tone.
“It must be because the Zhenzhou Yan Clan is making some unusual moves. Moves dangerous enough to make you come running out of breath.”
“...”
It was so accurate it was almost embarrassing. It seemed the man would know even without him saying another word.
Cheol Pung-gae's voice carried a hint of futility.
“If you just spill it all out like that, it makes me feel like I came all this way for nothing. Aish, tsk.”
“Not at all.”
Ouyang Jue smiled bitterly. If Cheol Pung-gae hadn't come, he wouldn't have even known that the Zhenzhou Yan Clan was on the move.
Since this hadn't happened in his past life, he was admittedly a bit flustered.
However, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Ouyang Jue stroked his chin unconsciously.
‘I thought a few sects would start becoming wary of the Mount Hua Sect soon... but this is a little early.’
After organizing his thoughts, Ouyang Jue looked at Cheol Pung-gae.
“As you know, I am a man who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty if necessary. So, make your choice. Either you lend a hand in this matter, or you pretend you know nothing.”
At those words, Cheol Pung-gae fiddled with his chopsticks for a moment, lost in thought.
For a very long time.
The fates of two sects hung in the balance.
If he interfered recklessly, he could be cast aside by the Beggars' Sect after being used—no, he could have his limbs and meridians completely severed and be excommunicated.
What would become of Cheol Pung-gae then?
‘A real beggar, or an outcast with no affiliation?’
Failure meant the end. He would be in a state where he couldn't even hope for a comeback.
Cheol Pung-gae leaned back and stared intently into Ouyang Jue's eyes, as if trying to peer into the depths of a lake.
He was about to ask, without thinking, if Ouyang Jue was confident.
Cheol Pung-gae knit his brows and shook his head. A futile question. The answer he would get from this man was obvious.
*I act because I am confident.* Ouyang Jue's eyes seemed to say as much.
‘If we use that item... it might be possible, but.’
Could they really pull something like that off without any commotion?
As Cheol Pung-gae's deliberation dragged on, the number of Beggars' Sect members watching them in the tavern slowly increased.
In particular, the beggars from Guangdong and Guizhou, who followed Cheol Pung-gae with steadfast loyalty, began to reveal themselves.
“...”
“...”
Only when the vegetable dishes had grown cold and hard did Cheol Pung-gae finally make a decision.
“What the hell, it's not like it can't be done.”
“I was waiting for you to say that.”
As soon as those words were spoken, Ouyang Jue raised his cup. Seeing this, Cheol Pung-gae frowned, looking dumbfounded.
“Anyone watching would think we're having a celebration.”
“We're having it in advance.”
“...?”
Ouyang Jue grinned.
“Isn't it funny to be nervous about a fight you're going to win?”
“Damn it. Someone agonized over this for ages, and you're just taking it easy by yourself.”
Cheol Pung-gae immediately cursed.
***
Just a few days ago, on the day Ouyang Jue entered the Martial Alliance.
*Pitter-patter...*
Heavy drops of rain pounded on the roof, trickled down the bricks, and fell to the ground.
In the deepening dusk, only the moon cast a lonely light.
Anping in Hebei.
The master of that place, Yan Yang-gun, head of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan, was face to face with a man.
*Fwoosh!*
The flame illuminating the room flickered precariously, as if about to go out.
Finally, Yan Yang-gun's lips parted slightly.
“...Didn't I tell you the preparations are going well? Demonic Doctor, Heavenly Dragon.”
The Heavenly Dragon replied in a cold voice.
“From my perspective, it's difficult to trust you blindly.”
At those words, Yan Yang-gun let out a hollow laugh, tinged with a slight sneer.
“Why, are you worried you'll end up dead after standing around foolishly like the Black Dragon Gang? Or that I might stab you in the back?”
“...”
“You needn't worry about such things. For a Demonic Doctor, you worry too much.”
As Yan Yang-gun spoke mockingly, a pair of eyes, tinged with purple or perhaps amber, flashed.
The Heavenly Dragon's eyes were nothing short of demonic.
Indeed, the aura emanating from the Heavenly Dragon was sharper and more chilling than that of any ordinary master.
Yan Yang-gun recalled that the man had once been called the Heavenly Principle-Stealing Eye and held his tongue.
“The Mount Hua Sect... didn't you say it became a place of no consequence after Jin Mu-wol?”
“It's become difficult to see it so simply.”
“...?”
Yan Yang-gun's expression hardened. It was the first time he had ever heard such an uncertain tone from the Demonic Doctor, Heavenly Dragon.
“In truth, the Black Dragon Gang shouldn't have ended there. As you know, their role was to rule the underworld of Huguang and keep the Heretic Factions in check... but they made too early an exit.”
“Well, that's how our Zhenzhou Yan Clan got its chance, isn't it?”
Yan Yang-gun wore a venomous smile.
“And it became the reason our dear Demonic Doctor, Heavenly Dragon, lost a bit of trust. I heard you even used a Death Mark?”
“Because it had to be cut off there.”
The Heavenly Dragon continued calmly.
“The flow of heaven's energy has been unusual lately. It feels like something unexpected has intervened.”
“You're a bit ridiculous yourself. Since when did martial artists believe in things like the flow of heaven... Tsk!”
*Crack!*
The mere act of clenching his fist extinguished the candle flame. The flow of air in the room instantly converged on a single point.
Then, he opened his fist.
*Bang!*
The energy, compressed to a single point, exploded, causing the Heavenly Dragon's collar to flutter.
The Heavenly Dragon offered his impression with an emotionless expression.
“I heard you were in seclusion for several years. It seems you've reached the pinnacle of the Yan Clan Fist.”
“Is that all?”
Despite Yan Yang-gun's subtle show of expectation, the Heavenly Dragon responded calmly.
“There's no need to say more. You'll at least have to take a step onto the narrow path at the edge of the world.”
“...Still a boring man. Would it kill you to show even a little admiration?”
“My business here is done. I'll be leaving.”
Watching the Heavenly Dragon speak, Yan Yang-gun was engulfed in complex emotions.
The move he had just shown wasn't meant to simply make his collar flutter; it was intended to tear it to shreds.
But he had blocked it so easily.
A heavy sigh escaped Yan Yang-gun's lips.
‘That monster... I thought I had finally caught up to him to some extent, but was I wrong?’
The fact that a gap still existed between them made Yan Yang-gun's stomach churn.
But things would change if he could bring down the Mount Hua Sect.
‘If I can just succeed in this...!’
If he could dismantle the Mount Hua Sect's martial arts and absorb them into the Zhenzhou Yan Clan, wouldn't he be one step closer to being the strongest under heaven?
Moreover, Mount Hua was now called the number one Taoist sect in Shaanxi. With a few allies, he could even covet their influence.
Watching the Heavenly Dragon leap over the wall, Yan Yang-gun shouted to his subordinate outside.
“Here! Bring in the guests!”
“Yes, sir!”
A moment later.
As the subordinate opened the door, two Taoists entered the room.
The shorter Taoist seemed to be drunk, looking somewhat dazed, while the other had a sharp impression, like a well-honed blade.
Yan Yang-gun looked at the two starkly different Taoists and greeted them.
“Sang Won-gyeol, the Master of Shaanxi's Zhongwan Gate, and Sang Hyeon-geom, the hero who killed the Red Tiger Demon! I am Yan Yang-gun. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Having just heard about the situation, Sang Won-gyeol's eyes widened as he cupped his fist in greeting to Yan Yang-gun.
“It is an honor to meet the great Clan Head Yan!”
“...”
Sang Hyeon-geom, however, offered no greeting and silently glared at Yan Yang-gun and Sang Won-gyeol.
He looked as if he felt betrayed, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
His killing intent was particularly directed at Sang Won-gyeol beside him.
“Master of Zhongwan Gate, are you in your right mind?”
“Hmm?”
“The Zhongwan Gate has ties with the Mount Hua Sect, studying the Dao together, does it not? How could you...!”
At those words, Sang Won-gyeol burst out in anger.
“I wouldn't be doing this if that bastard Ouyang Jue hadn't humiliated me!”
“You petty man!”
Sang Hyeon-geom turned his head, as if he didn't want to speak another word. Besides, it wasn't as if he would just stand there and let the man attack him.
Presently, his gaze turned to Yan Yang-gun.
“And you call yourself a member of the Orthodox Factions? Can you claim to be a pillar of the Martial Alliance?!”
At those words, Yan Yang-gun let out a scornful smile.
“It would have been amusing to burn down the Mount Hua Sect right before your eyes, if possible.”
“Y-You! I, Sang Hyeon-geom, will punish you!”
“I'm afraid that won't be possible.”
*Whoosh.*
Yan Yang-gun's fist shot out. It was fast. So fast that Sang Hyeon-geom couldn't even perceive its trajectory.
*Thwack!*
“After all, I have to return your corpse to the Mount Hua Sect.”
“...?!”
“Farewell, hero who defeated the Red Tiger Demon.”
At that, Sang Hyeon-geom chuckled. It seemed Yan Yang-gun planned to use the pretext of returning his body to attack Mount Hua.
‘You're wrong, so wrong... all of you.’
To the outside world, it might be said that he defeated the Red Tiger Demon, but the truth was different.
That all the brilliant strategies had come from a single mind.
Yan Yang-gun would realize it too late.
Knowing this, Sang Hyeon-geom could laugh without regret.
Even as he lay dying, his only regret was that he wouldn't be there to see it himself.
*Thud.*
Yan Yang-gun watched the fallen Sang Hyeon-geom become submerged in a pool of his own blood, a greedy smile on his face.
“Mount Hua... is now mine!”
***
Three or four days later.
Upon receiving a letter, Ouyang Jue immediately moved from Huguang to Shanxi.