Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: The Black Dao Lurks Everywhere
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The Black Dao was everywhere and yet nowhere.
This held true even for Namchang, where the white path sect known as the Baekui Gate had reigned as overlord for long years.
"Who the hell knows where all those Black Dao bastards crawled out from."
"It's Namchang, isn't it? In a major city like the provincial capital, it'd be weirder if there weren't any Black Dao gangs."
"Over ten gangs banding together to demand tribute? Isn't Namchang squarely in Baekui Gate territory?"
Come to think of it, Brother Gu had a bit of an innocent side.
In the territory of a white path sect, that's exactly why Black Dao gangs proliferated.
"Brother Gu. What do white path sects need to earn the acclaim of the common folk while patrolling the roads?"
"Superior martial arts... Ah, I see."
"Exactly. They need Black Dao or evil sect scum to beat down."
Black Dao thugs or evil sect bastards might keep popping up like rats in the shadows no matter how much you exterminate them.
Fundamentally, to white path sects, the Black Dao and evil sects were a necessary evil.
A means for sword-for-hire warriors to bask in worship instead of fear from the powerless.
"But aren't Black Dao gangs practically nonexistent in our Baek Clan Manor's territory?"
"True. We've poured excessive effort into rooting them out and reforming them."
This was what made the Baek Clan Manor special.
Even in Gangbuk Province, where two or three of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans were based in a single province, there were surely more Black Dao gangs than in Baek Clan territory.
"Anyway, Brother Gu. Please bring Subleader Chu and Leader Yeo. I have something to say in front of everyone."
A short while later, four people gathered in Yang-hui's guest quarters.
No, five if you counted little Ado munching on rice cakes in the corner of the room.
"I'll get straight to the point. The Baekui Gate is behind this mess with the Black Dao gangs."
Not "probably," but "is."
His tone carried utter certainty.
"Young Lord, do you have some reason for thinking that? Even when this Yeo was on friendly terms with the Baekui Gate Leader, I never heard a word about ties to Black Dao gangs."
"Isn't the timing too convenient?"
"It's the Black Dao's nature to prey on the weaker clans."
That was true. Most people in the martial world would think the same.
That's why the Baekui Gate Leader could resort to such tactics.
Because scum like them drew little suspicion from the start.
But.
'Even in my previous life, the Baekui Gate used the Black Dao to build their reputation.'
A fact he'd only realized belatedly after being hired by them, once everything was done.
Back in his early days as a wandering swordsman after leaving his clan, his lack of world experience had delayed the insight.
'I was furious enough back then. Time to pay it all back.'
Besides, it didn't even matter if the Baekui Gate wasn't behind it.
Because.
"Even if they aren't, we'll make it so. This uprising of Namchang's Black Dao is the Baekui Gate's doing."
"......"
"......"
After a brief silence, Yeo Gu-wi spoke up.
"That's a bold claim."
"Is it? Then let me ask you this."
Yang-hui smiled faintly and continued.
"With the Black Dao rising up in force, why hasn't the Baekui Gate, self-proclaimed overlord of Namchang, made a move?"
"......"
Because they wanted their fierce rival, the Baek Clan Manor, to suffer losses.
Because simply sitting back achieved their ploy to borrow a knife to kill the chicken.
"The Baekui Gate prioritizes its own gains over the suffering of the common folk. Thus, as the young lord of the Baek Clan Manor, I intend to set things right."
"......"
"......"
Silence hung in the air once more.
Gu-ak nodded deeply, Yeo Gu-wi was taken aback by this bold new side of Yang-hui he'd never seen before...
And Chu Yong-wol simply watched him quietly.
'As expected... the young hero is remarkable.'
The reason for Chu Yong-wol's renewed admiration was simple.
The Ascending Sword Dragon of the Baek Clan Manor in Wuju, Young Lord Baek Yang-hui.
A junior famed enough to bear the sobriquet of dragon, and a rising young hero whose fame grew with every righteous patrol.
At first glance, Yang-hui seemed to place righteousness above all.
But in truth, it was slightly different.
'Take this business with Subleader Somwolhyang... He's building fame through righteous deeds, but the young hero isn't pursuing righteousness itself.'
The Yang-hui she'd known since childhood always acted for his clan.
It just so happened that the Baek Clan Manor's core value was righteousness and chivalry.
'I might be misjudging him...'
But to Chu Yong-wol, that's the kind of man Yang-hui was.
And when it came down to like or dislike, she leaned toward like.
"Our main house has always prioritized the lives of the common folk. If Namchang becomes part of our territory, its people will enjoy better lives too. For instance, a daily routine free from torment by Black Dao gangs, like in this incident."
In other words, driving out the Baekui Gate was also an act of righteousness.
A thoroughly self-serving and convenient claim...
But rational and calculated.
He walked the path of chivalrous righteousness his clan pursued, sparing no means as long as the premise of chivalry held firm.
Like a merchant.
'What happens when a warrior from a chivalrous clan also possesses merchant-level acumen?'
With such thoughts, Chu Yong-wol rose to her feet.
Her long robes swirling, she bowed deeply to Yang-hui.
"Our merchant group also has a shop on Yongnak Street. We've suffered massive losses from the Black Dao unrest. Thus, we beseech the young lord of the Baek Clan Manor to take pity on us wretched commoners and dispense your chivalry."
Allies of the Baek Clan or not, the Baek Book Merchant Group was an independent entity of commoners.
In that moment, Chu Yong-wol and Yang-hui had forged a pretext.
A justification for the Baek Clan Manor of Wuju to march an armed force into Namchang.
'As expected, Subleader Chu's sharp.'
Yang-hui chuckled softly and posed a question.
"Leader Yeo. Can you hold them off right now with the escorts from Baekik Pavilion and the Heaven-Covering Escort Agency?"
"Difficult. The Black Dao scum hit and run every time."
When foes employed guerrilla tactics, even ten times their number on the defensive couldn't fully contain the attackers.
"And their numbers even outstrip ours..."
"I see. Then, as Subleader Chu said, the plight of commoners visiting Yongnak Street must be dire."
"Indeed. Wails echo from every direction."
"Yet the Baekui Gate sits on its heavy asses without stirring... We can't stand by as a chivalrous white path clan."
Yeo Gu-wi's face stiffened slightly.
"But young hero. If the Baek Clan Manor dispatches a large force... that means war with the Baekui Gate."
"I know."
That's why the Baekui Gate assumed the Baek Clan wouldn't move lightly.
They'd never imagine sending a massive force capable of wiping out ten Black Dao gangs in Baekui Gate territory.
'Truthfully... they'd be right. Handing them the pretext would be idiotic.'
Killing intruders in your own front yard wasn't wrong; it was natural.
And judging purely by numbers and quality of warriors, the Baek Clan Manor was still vastly inferior to the Baekui Gate.
Exterminating Black Dao gangs was one thing, but a head-on clash with the Baekui Gate...
Just like the Jeongwol Gate in his previous life, the Baek Clan Manor would face annihilation.
But.
But still.
'In the end, it's all about pretext.'
Conflicts between white path sects could only be won by the one holding the moral high ground.
And Yang-hui had another pretext to turn the Baekui Gate's blunder into an irreversible fatal mistake.
'Sorry about this, Seol-ha.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Namchang was a great city.
As the capital of a province, it bustled with commerce, its outskirts lined with markets and surrounded by countless hamlets.
Yang-hui glanced around, gauging the number of dwellings.
'Plenty of spectators will gather if a commotion breaks out.'
The simple reason he'd come all the way to Namchang's outskirts was today.
The reinforcements from the main house were due to arrive.
"Young Lord. Word just came—they'll arrive in about one hourglass."
The report from the messenger he'd sent to confirm the exact time.
Yang-hui nodded and surveyed his surroundings briefly.
Baekik Pavilion members led by Gu-ak, Heaven-Covering Escort Agency escorts from the Namchang branch standing behind Yeo Gu-wi.
And Ado too.
For the record, he'd deliberately left out Zhuge Seol-ha.
There was a reason she couldn't join today.
"Seol-ha, you didn't send a separate letter to Uncle, right?"
"No. But why do you keep asking since yesterday?"
Zhuge Seol-ha continued with a puzzled look.
"You know Dad would send dozens of guards the moment he learns I'm out in the mundane world. Too much fuss—we couldn't walk the righteous path properly."
"That's true, but."
"Plus, he'd sulk about me not visiting the main house. Annoying."
"......"
The adorable girl who'd once shouted "I love you, Daddy!" openly was gone.
All that remained was the slightly cheeky, fiercely independent Zhuge Seol-ha.
'Who the hell did she pick this up from... Oh, rude thought toward my master.'
Anyway.
"Just curious."
"Nervous before the big event? So silly."
It was then.
A commotion erupted from behind as nearly a hundred warriors appeared.
At the forefront stood the Baekui Gate Leader.
"Puhahaha! Who's this? If it isn't the Baek Clan's young lord!"
"Baekui Gate Leader. What brings you all the way out here?"
Yang-hui offered a light fist salute in greeting, but the Baekui Gate Leader responded with mockery instead of courtesy.
"What else? As the self-proclaimed master of Namchang, how could I ignore such disturbing news? I had to step out!"
'Coming right on time to greet the arrivals. As expected, they've been watching the main house's movements closely.'
Since it was anticipated, Yang-hui kept a straight face instead of panicking.
But the Baekui Gate Leader mistook it for dismay.
—Who knew you'd play the fool so blatantly. You've made this easy, kid!
Sound transmission for posturing? That's our specialty.
A shame he couldn't retort since revealing his thoughts prematurely was unwise.
As such notions crossed his mind, a powerful aura began radiating from the front.
Warriors charging forth with lightness skills, led by a sword bearer.
Baek Mu-ryang, the clan head, and the Baek Clan Manor's elite Cheonu Corps.
"All units, halt!"
The Cheonu Corps stopped in perfect unison at the command.
Baek Mu-ryang eyed those ahead with deep, piercing gaze.
The first to speak was the Baekui Gate Leader.
"Baek Mu-ryang, head of the Wuju Baek Clan Manor?"
Baek Mu-ryang returned a fist salute.
"You must be the leader of Namchang's foremost sect, the Baekui Gate. This Baek offers greetings to the famed leader of the renowned Baekui Gate."
His courteous greeting was met with a cold retort.
"All units, draw swords!"
At the order, Baekui Gate disciples drew their blades in unison.
"Namchang has been our Baekui Gate's domain for generations! Explain yourselves clearly—what possessed the Baek Clan Manor to march such a force into Namchang? If there's no convincing reason, you'll pay the price!"
The Baekui Gate Leader added as if it had just occurred to him.
"Oh, and if you try using the Black Dao gangs as an excuse, we won't let it slide. Our gate hasn't ignored their uprising—we've merely awaited the right moment to uproot them!"
A flush of glee from his scheme's success and anticipated victory colored the Baekui Gate Leader's face.
"......"
Baek Mu-ryang silently stared down the Baekui Gate Leader.
Yang-hui watched his father quietly as well.
Not a trace of panic showed on either man's face.
Because they'd already exchanged letters regarding today's events.
'Father, today is the day.'
At last, our Baek Clan throws down the gauntlet.