Chapter 38

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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**

Because Wudang Mountain, where the Wudang Sect—one of the two major pillars of the Hubei martial world—was located, was situated at the northwestern end, the most remote frontier of the Hubei region, there was a limit to covering the entirety of Hubei with the influence of only the Wudang Sect’s headquarters.

This was a statement that applied to all sizable sects, without exception, whether it was the Nine Sects and One Association or the Seven Great Families.

Most of them established branch sects and branch offices that encompassed those branch sects in key regional strongholds, and the Wudang Sect was no exception.

Among the numerous branch sects and branch offices in the Hubei region, I headed to the Wudang Sect’s Yichang branch office adjacent to the Yangtze River.

It was to join the figures of the Tang Family and the Beggars’ Sect that I had heard of in the earlier explanation regarding the mission, and also to look into the information a bit more before starting the mission.

“It is an honor, Uncle-Master. I am Mun-yang, a disciple of the Sea Fog Pavilion.”

“I am Jung-yang, a disciple of the Sea Fog Pavilion.”

The Yichang branch leader, deputy branch leader, and others were away. It was said that the personnel of each branch sect and branch office were also busy moving in accordance with the chaotic situation in the Jianghu, leaving only the minimum number of people.

“We were told to support the visit of the True Martial Pavilion members without sparing anything. There is no restriction on information documents, so please read as much as you like.”

“Thank you. And it was said that people from the Tang Family and the Beggars’ Sect are coming here. Please let me know when they arrive.”

“Yes. Then.”

I began to devour the information from various parts of the Jianghu compiled by the disciples of the Sea Fog Pavilion.

The first thing I looked at was the matter regarding the imitation poison of the Tang Family seized from the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest.

The bamboo scrolls piled up similarly to what I had seen in Master’s office had small tags attached to them.

They appeared to be classified according to their importance, and among them, I selected and examined those with high importance.

– Ouyang Clan’s Iron Cavalry Demon-Repelling Squad, slaughtered monsters that appeared on a large scale in the Great Wall area. Empty Gate closed. Presumed to have slaughtered one of the Eight Great Doctors of the Ghost Immortal Valley. A large number of Dharma-power monks of the Great Virtue rank among the Shaolin Temple’s meditative monks dispatched. Presumed to be for the purpose of restoring the Great Wall’s barrier.

– Mount Heng Sect’s Cloud Sword Lineage Elder, the Revered Sword of Liaoyun. Murdered by the Young Spirit Slayer of the River of Three Crossings. Corruption of the Revered Sword of Liaoyun exposed. Attention required for Mount Heng Sect’s internal strife.

– Beggars’ Sect’s Successor Beggar, presumed to have emerged from secluded cultivation.

…

…

I was trying to find documents regarding the Tang Family’s imitation poison, but there was a pile of critical information at a glance.

‘He keeps all of this in his head and considers it when assigning missions.’

As a significant number of missions carried out by the True Martial Pavilion were structured based on the information from the Sea Fog Pavilion.

Respect for Master grew rapidly in my heart once again.

I could predict that countless reviews of information had been conducted to swing the Wudang Sect’s sword in the right place, at the most appropriate moment.

While rapidly flipping through the bamboo scrolls like that,

I finally reached the information I was looking for.

It was information that detailed the location of the Danyang Sect, the buildings of the businesses they owned, their structures, and even the times their disciples stood night watch.

However, the disappointing thing was that the information regarding the martial arts used by the Danyang Sect was strangely flimsy.

‘Although it is a pity.’

I quickly familiarized myself with the information. Then, I noticed that the area beneath the relevant bamboo scroll was strangely damp.

‘The ink hasn’t even fully dried yet.’

Below the Danyang Sect’s bamboo scroll, there was an additional new bamboo scroll. Judging by the classification, it was also information about the Danyang Sect, and considering the acquisition date and time written on the scroll, it was truly piping hot new news.

It was clearly information that had not reached the headquarters yet.

– Danyang Sect Leader, signature martial art, similarity discovered with the Zhurong Seal of the Red Yang Demonic Immortal. Verification required.

The moment I saw the clue regarding the Danyang Sect Leader’s martial art, which I had thought was lacking, I felt my mind snap wide awake.

‘Red Yang Demonic Immortal?’

In my childhood, the name of the villain in the short novels I read from time to time was precisely the Red Yang Demonic Immortal.

He was a real person, and at the same time, a great devil who had shaken the world with his grand reputation in the past.

‘I think I heard that he lost his life at the hands of the Black Society Alliance Leader.’

Surprisingly, the man rumored to have taken the head of the great devil, the Red Yang Demonic Immortal, was not a righteous martial world’s chivalrous hero, but the giant of the unorthodox path, the Black Society Alliance Leader.

After defeating the Red Yang Demonic Immortal, the Black Society Alliance grew continuously and occupied a seat among the Six Great Evils.

Sure enough, it was also the beginning of their notorious reputation.

‘If the legacy of the Red Yang Demonic Immortal was truly inherited by the Danyang Sect Leader…’

The imagination I had cultivated while reading novels in the Library Pavilion in my youth spread its wings like a giant Peng bird.

‘What if the Black Society Alliance Leader, who killed the Red Yang Demonic Immortal and took the secret manual, raised the Danyang Sect Leader to plunge the Hubei martial world into chaos?’

A somewhat plausible picture was drawn.

Among the Six Great Evils, in terms of the scale of their power alone, the Black Society Alliance was second to none compared to the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest. At the same time, it was a unique sect whose alliance leader’s identity was barely known except for a few anecdotes like the affair with the Red Yang Demonic Immortal, and instead, the notoriety of the strategist, Sima Zhongda of the Demonic Path, was high.

Since it was known that half of the conspiracies and trickery that occurred in the Jianghu’s martial world were committed by the Black Society Alliance, that said it all.

Just in case, I was about to search for more documents related to the Black Society Alliance. At that moment, a stealthy presence was felt near the main entrance of the branch office building.

I immediately organized the bamboo scrolls and put them back in place.

A stealthy presence and a familiar presence approached the door, and a stench that was now even familiar shook my nose.

“Hahaha. What happened in the meantime, Young Hero Yeon!”

The door opened, and the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar with a friendly smile entered the building. However, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar was not alone.

Beside him, a beggar I had never seen before stood side-by-side. What was most unusual was…

‘Why is he clean?’

The beggar’s appearance was too neat.

The bamboo hat worn on his head had a vivid color, unlike those worn by other beggars, and the clothes he wore were clean except for being patched in places.

Whether he captured the light of question in my eyes, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar quickly stepped forward.

“This is Yang So, the four-knot disciple of the Hall of Rectitude. He is a very capable fellow.”

Unlike his name, Yang So’s lower face, barely revealed beneath the bamboo hat on his head, was not smiling at all. Well, there was nothing uncomfortable about him not smiling, so I greeted Yang So.

“I am Yeon Baek-jung, a disciple of the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion.”

When I cupped my fists, Eight-Knot Elder Yang So also cupped his fists.

“I have heard much of the reputation of the Bringer of Chaos. It is an honor to meet you.”

Although the content of the words itself was politeness itself, Yang So’s voice was blunt without any pitch.

I was slightly taken aback by the attitude of the four-knot Yang So, which was even stiffer than the five-knot Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, but what was even more unusual was…

‘A beggar… washes?’

The back of the hand revealed while cupping fists looked even whiter in contrast to the skin of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar right next to him, which was shining with grime.

A clean and white beggar.

He was an existence like the coiled dragon in legends, but I decided to think positively.

‘Because there is nothing bad about it.’

I was only puzzled because he was too disparate from the Beggars’ Sect beggars I had met so far, but since he did not give off a foul odor, he might be more suitable for this mission than the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

However, because there was one issue to clarify, I sent a sound transmission to the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

[Is it really alright for a four-knot disciple to be deployed in this mission?]

In my wild imagination, the Danyang Sect Leader was already committing all kinds of evils under the instigation of the Black Society Alliance. It was a question of whether he could hold out with only the martial arts of a four-knot rank.

At my sound transmission, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar winked his eye and answered.

[Even though he looks like that, he is the junior I cherish the most. Besides, I am a Beggars’ Sect branch leader, so shouldn’t I carry at least one subordinate around? If we use that fellow as a liaison, we can bring and use the Beggars’ Sect members at any time, so it won’t be bad.]

‘Then why did you come alone last time?’

Although my doubt did not completely fade, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s words were also not unacceptable, so I quietly nodded my head.

And not long after, as a pungent scent was captured through my sense of smell, which had become even better after reaching the Elixir Condensation Stage, the Tang Clan’s Third Young Master, Tang Jong-hyeok, entered through the door and greeted me warmly.

“Even though it has not been long, it is good to see you as if we have not met in a long time, Young Hero Yeon. Or should I call you brother-in-law?”

**

Sparks flew from the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s eyes.

Tang Jong-hyeok was the only one who came from the Tang Clan.

“If it is the Tang Clan’s imitation poison, even I can verify it. Besides, I brought the Flesh-Generating Tendon-Connecting Pill this time as well, so do not worry.”

There was no movement in the physical form of Tang Jong-hyeok, who was displaying lightweight movement skill at the same time he spoke. It was the footwork force study of the Tang Clan’s secret Netherworld Stride. After taking a glance at Tang Jong-hyeok’s steps, unlike before, I did not immediately apply them to my own steps.

Since Tang Jong-hyeok was also different from the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, my actions should not get ahead of myself.

‘Good. I’ve grown.’

Painstakingly suppressing the steps that tried to move according to instinct, I was satisfied with myself. Because sometimes, being satisfied with even a small achievement becomes the driving force to advance toward the Tao.

In the meantime, my eyes met with the Beggars’ Sect’s four-knot disciple, Yang So, who was displaying lightweight movement skill beside me. Yang So seemed to look closely at my feet, but the moment he felt my gaze, he turned his eyes away.

Apparently, the story of my earlier inspiration from the Beggars’ Sect’s footwork force study had also spread among the Beggars’ Sect members.

Seeing us like that, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar spoke up.

“On our way, how about we divide our roles in Chibi first?”

I agreed by nodding my head at the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s words.

Even so, no one expressed an opinion first.

‘Since Brother Tang is also shy, and that beggar named Yang So seems to be even worse.’

Naturally, I offered my opinion first.

“I will meet with the disciples of the Cloud Sword Hall to secure their statements. The Cloud Sword Hall is also an affiliate branch of our Wudang Sect, and according to the Sea Fog Pavilion’s information, there is also news that the Danyang Sect Leader’s martial art is unusual. I have something to verify regarding that.”

“Is that so? If Young Hero Yeon takes charge of the Cloud Sword Hall, I will release the kids at the Chibi Beggars’ Sect sub-branch. Our beggars are fantastic at sniffing things out, so they should be able to bite onto some useful information.”

The question of ‘Didn’t he say he would send the four-knot disciple as a liaison?’ arose, but in a way, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s action was more rational. After all, the authority of a five-knot would carry more weight than a mere four-knot.

It was something I knew well from the experience of the dream world: the higher the commander, the more swiftly the work proceeded.

I nodded my head, and…

“Yang So, stick close to Young Hero Yeon and leave secret markers. You must keep in touch with me.”

“Yes.”

After Yang So’s short answer, the only one remaining was Tang Jong-hyeok.

“Then I will also go with Young Hero Yeon. Strictly speaking, this matter is also our Tang Clan’s business. If they truly used the imitation of the Immortal Ruiner, I am the only one who can properly investigate and detoxify it.”

“That is true. Besides, the Cloud Sword Hall Master must have been an expert of internal energy. Since the corpse has not decayed yet, there should be something to salvage.”

Although he had a somewhat displeased look, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar nodded as if there was nothing he could do, and…

The thought ‘Isn’t this a bit imbalanced?’ flashed through my mind, but then again, this was only natural. Just as Tang Jong-hyeok said, a Tang Clan person would recognize the Tang Clan’s imitation poison best, so it would also be awkward for him to move with the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

**

In that way, all of our roles were decided.

“Then, let’s part ways here for now.”

“Yes.”

“I will see you again soon.”

“Then.”

We parted ways at the entrance of the castle gate entering Chibi.

Since the Chibi Beggars’ Sect sub-branch mentioned by the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar was located by the river outside the castle, parting ways was unavoidable.

In that way, I walked inside the castle with the clean beggar of the Beggars’ Sect and Tang Jong-hyeok.

“Where are the remaining disciples of the Cloud Sword Hall?”

The fact that the hall master had been killed meant that they had completely lost their interests in that area. Even on the bamboo scrolls I read at the branch office, the original location of the Cloud Sword Hall had already become the Danyang Sect’s den.

“I understand they have taken refuge in an inn at the very corner of the Chibi North Gate street.”

At my words, this time the Beggars’ Sect’s four-knot disciple stepped forward.

“I know the geography of Chibi well… please follow me.”

At those words, we let the Beggars’ Sect’s four-knot disciple lead without a word of complaint. It was because we knew well the capability of the Beggars’ Sect through a series of events.

After turning through narrow alleys a few times, we arrived at our destination in an instant, and…

There, people who appeared to be members of the Cloud Sword Hall were staring blankly into the air while holding a charred wooden signboard. After examining the surroundings, I carefully approached them.

“I have come down from the mountain.”

At my single word, Yin and Yang crossed in the eyes of the martial artist who had been blank as if he had lost his vitality.

It meant that fire and water occurred simultaneously.

“Hic. Hic. Hic!”

‘Huh?!’

As soon as the Cloud Sword Hall martial artist saw me, he shed tears as large as chicken droppings with eyes burning fiercely. I slowly stroked the man’s Gate of Life acupoint by guiding soft true qi, and soon he stopped weeping and stared straight at me.

“Is it true that you have come down from the mountain?”

“Yes.”

“But how is someone so young…”

At his words, I showed the jade plaque from my chest, and…

The man’s swollen eyes grew as large as brass bells.

“I am sorry for daring to doubt you.”

“It is fine. Everyone does that when they see me.”

I formally greeted him once again.

“I am Yeon Baek-jung, a disciple of the True Martial Pavilion dispatched from the headquarters to investigate this Cloud Sword Hall Master murder case.”

At that moment, the man’s eyes, which were difficult to grow larger due to swelling, widened even more, and his mouth mouthed silently. Judging roughly by his lips, he seemed to be saying ‘Bringer of Chaos?!’

I nodded appropriately to that hideous nickname that I was now familiar with. After a brief commotion as a few haggard Cloud Sword Hall disciples gathered around, we were able to talk about the case in earnest.

“First, may we verify the body of the Hall Master?”

“Of course.”

The reason they stayed in such a shabby inn was also because they had been pushed out of the center of Chibi, but it was also because a cold storage was equipped here.

“Please examine it to your heart’s content, and please resolve our Hall Master’s grievance!”

We nodded at the Cloud Sword Hall disciple’s words.

The white-frosted corpse of the Cloud Sword Hall Master was in a state where decay had not yet progressed, fitting for an expert during his lifetime.

Among us, Tang Jong-hyeok stepped closer to the corpse.