Chapter 65 : Chapter 65

Chapter 65. Those Who Want to Die, Come at Me! (1)

Late at night.

Han Cheong-un personally visited Eon Sohui's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

When he opened the door and entered at the voice heard from inside, there was Eon Sohui looking at documents piled up higher than her head.

"How can you tell someone to come in without checking who visited at this late hour?"

At Han Cheong-un's words, Eon Sohui pushed aside the documents she was looking at for a moment and said with a smile.

"The only person who would visit at this time is you, Sect Leader, right?"

"Oho, if a man recklessly enters a woman's quarters at this late hour, a scandal might arise."

"Then it's a huge gain."

"Huh?"

"No, it's nothing."

Eon Sohui stood up, poured tea herself, and spoke.

At her words, Han Cheong-un sat down, and Eon Sohui poured tea with an elegant attitude.

Watching the series of movements of brewing tea, pouring it into a teacup, and sitting opposite him, Han Cheong-un thought.

'Elegant.'

How can every gesture and every gaze be armed with elegance?

Considering her murderous workload, she should be tired, but Han Cheong-un had never seen her disheveled.

"You came because you have something to tell me, right?"

"I couldn't find time during the day."

"I see. So? What is it?"

Han Cheong-un explained all the results of the meeting during the day to Eon Sohui.

She listened to all explanations calmly.

After hearing all the explanations, she took a sip of the slightly cooled tea in front of her, sighed, and said.

"You decided such an important matter well without me."

"No, Sohui, you are busy. You weren't at the sect, so what could I do?"

"You should have waited."

"Then it's late. I'm going to leave tomorrow immediately."

"Haaa..."

Eon Sohui sighed.

In fact, she understands.

Because she is really busy.

She is the one who created the Eon Clan Merchant Group and manages all businesses in Yueyang.

Furthermore, that's not all.

To wipe out the water bandits of the Yangtze River, she chose a method of linking with small and medium sects in the Yangtze River basin.

Maintaining and managing the network with them is also her job.

Plus, she manages five hundred ronin warriors hired in the name of the Eon Clan Merchant Group.

Also, although not known to the world, managing the 'children', the hidden trump card of the Ultimate Path Gate, is also her job.

She was a busy body that seemed to need two, three, no, five bodies.

"Anyway, that's how it happened. It's a necessary task, and I won't accept objections."

"If the Sect Leader says so, it can't be helped. But..."

Eon Sohui pressed her eyes with her thumb and index finger and said.

"You said you are taking Miss Baek Sua and Miss Dang Seoyeon to Sichuan too?"

"Right."

Then Eon Sohui frowned and said.

"It's better than taking just one, but..."

"Hm? What is?"

"No, it's nothing. Rather than that, please take one more person."

"Wouldn't it be okay if it's a person with skills but not a revealed force of the sect?"

"Is there such a person?"

"Take Yeonhwa."

"Ah..."

Right. There was that child.

Yeonhwa, she was a beautiful woman who turned twenty, and her figure was like a single lotus flower.

Working as a formal courtesan of Jinju Tower starting this year, she put her name on the list of special courtesans as soon as she became one.

Guests who saw her once offered to buy her out of the register and make her a concubine, saying millions of gold wouldn't be a waste.

But her true identity is...

'An assassin who has stabbed my belly before.'

Of course, such an event has become something that never happened now, but it is true that she possesses excellent skills as an assassin.

In fact, after taking her in, he tried to make the girl live as a normal person, but failed.

Those children were already thoroughly completed assassins.

No, assassination tools.

With faint egos, they didn't even have the will to live on their own without someone's order.

Eventually, Han Cheong-un had accepted those children as the hidden power of the Ultimate Path Gate.

"If it's Yeonhwa, she will definitely be of help."

"Understood. Then I will take her."

"And she serves as a check on the other two..."

"Hm? Checking whom?"

"It's nothing. Are you going to Sichuan tomorrow?"

"I have to."

Han Cheong-un looked far away.

Although Sichuan wouldn't be visible just by looking from here now, the tragedy of the past was clearly engraved in his eyes.

Mount Emei and Mount Qingcheng dyed in blood.

And the pain and tragedy of the civilians living in Sichuan...

'I cannot go through that again.'

* * *

The Sichuan Murim had already entered a state of readiness for war.

At the point they heard the fact that the Evil Way group was gathering power in the south, Qingcheng, Emei, Tang Clan.

Centering on these three sects, they were gathering power.

And three leaders gathered to discuss this situation. And...

"The Evil Way bastards clearly lost their minds."

The one most furiously angry was the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect.

Abbess Hyeonwol, So Myeong.

Usually, she was a benevolent Sect Leader treating disciples with a gentle nature, but she was also a heroine who saw things through once angry.

And now...

"If they dare cross the land of Sichuan and attack, it must not end with simply repelling the attack. We must see the end."

She was clearly unable to suppress her anger.

And the middle-aged Taoist with a sharp impression sitting opposite Abbess Hyeonwol also added a word.

"The Abbess' words are correct. They are not people who will repent and reflect just because we act moderately. We must show them a lesson this time."

Taoist Qingcheng, Heonwon Jin.

He is the current Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect.

A man who became Sect Leader at an early age, still in his 50s. His skills are impeccable.

Becoming the Sect Leader recently while receiving attention as a rising star who would lead the Qingcheng Sect before even reaching the age of standing firm (30) was also because he was recognized by his master as having sufficient qualifications. However...

'This is an opportunity. An opportunity to spread the name of Qingcheng beyond Sichuan to the world through this war.'

As young as he was, he had ambition, and he lacked the self-control to control that ambition.

"Waiting for the bastards' attack is a low plan. How about we attack first instead?"

"The Qingcheng Sect Leader's words are correct. Attack is essentially the best defense..."

"Now that we gathered our power, if we attack first, we can seize the victory against the flustered enemies."

They get along perfectly.

If one said it was a proud sight of becoming largely one beyond the religious wall of Taoism and Buddhism, it would be great, but...

"Please calm down, both of you."

The Tang Clan Head didn't view this sight very favorably. He spoke to the two who seemed like they would lead their disciples south right away.

"It is not confirmed that enemies are invading yet. According to information sent from the Beggar's Gang, they merely gathered troops."

"Isn't that the same thing? Surely they didn't gather like that to have a friendly unity rally?"

"Isn't it obvious what kind of trick it is?"

At the words of the two, Dang Jin nodded and said.

"Of course, I also think the possibility of the Evil Way bastards attacking is high. But does it make sense for us to strike first when we haven't even received a declaration of war? We are the Righteous Way."

"Tang Clan Head. To protect a greater cause, we must face reality and move accordingly."

"I also agree with the Abbess. Waiting for the bastards to attack is no different from volunteering for a disadvantage."

At the words of the two, the Tang Clan Head had a headache.

"That is too radical a remark. If we discuss practical benefits without keeping the justification, how can we call ourselves the Righteous Way?"

While speaking, the Tang Clan Head thought.

'Why am I, a person of the secular world, saying this to a Buddhist and a Taoist? Isn't it usually the opposite?'

In fact, the Tang Clan Head isn't a person with a slow and good temper either.

But since the two humans in front were acting more recklessly relatively, he had no choice but to put on the brakes.

Otherwise, he would have to lead all forces of the Sichuan Tang Clan to fight a war with the Evil Way tomorrow immediately.

"Even if we fight a war, we must do it after gathering all power. So I am absolutely opposed to moving south right now."

"Didn't we gather all the power of Sichuan?"

"That is so. Practically, since our three sects are together, the remaining small and medium sects' power... although careful to say this, wouldn't it be less than ten percent of the total power?"

The words themselves are correct.

Of course, these three sects did their best to prevent the outflow of even that ten percent though.

However, the power the Tang Clan Head spoke of here meant something else.

"They say we gathered the power of Sichuan, but this alone is insufficient. We must contact the Murim Alliance and receive support."

Then the expressions of the two in front changed subtly.

First, Abbess Hyeonwol...

"That is also one way."

She showed a positive reaction saying so.

Her thought that it was an unavoidable war remained unchanged, but she thought if they could gather more power, that was good in its own way. However...

"I oppose. Murim Alliance? What kind of weak words are those?"

Taoist Qingcheng opposed firmly.

He shook his head as if it wasn't worth considering and said.

"The matter of Sichuan must be solved by our Sichuan sects. We must discard the weak mindset of relying on the Murim Alliance."

At his words, the Tang Clan Head frowned and said.

"The Nine Sects One Gang and Five Great Families are strictly sects belonging to the Murim Alliance. Yet if we don't ask the Alliance for help, isn't there no meaning for us belonging to the Alliance?"

"My point is that we can solve it sufficiently among ourselves without the Murim Alliance."

"Can't we solve it more easily if the Alliance is here?"

"The matter of Sichuan must be solved in our Sichuan. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise?"

Seeing Taoist Qingcheng hesitating and unable to continue, the Tang Clan Head frowned.

'Playing politics even in this situation? Even in this situation?'

A sigh came out naturally.

Probably Taoist Qingcheng seems to think this war is an opportunity to heighten the fame of the Qingcheng Sect.

Just seeing his strangely excited appearance facing the war, his intention was obvious.

Probably being reluctant to ask the Murim Alliance for help is also with the intention of hating to share the credit they would establish.

The Tang Clan Head spoke, revealing faint anger.

"Taoist Qingcheng, isn't the most important thing for our three sects not winning the war but protecting this Sichuan against the Evil Way?"

"Of course. Who said it wasn't?"

"Then!"

The Tang Clan Head slammed the table hard and said.

" shouldn't we move prioritizing victory itself above anything else!"

"Are you saying I am not doing that?"

"That is so."

"What?"

As explained before...

"I see you only as someone putting disciples in danger drunk on trivial desire for fame. To think a person like you is the Sect Leader of Qingcheng? Has the Grand Elder of Qingcheng gone senile?!"

It's not that the Tang Clan Head held back because he lacked a temper.

"Th... This person just..."

"Why, did I hit the nail on the head with my words?"

"You want to have a go?"

"Anytime!"

Taoist Qingcheng brought his hand to the sword at his waist, and the Tang Clan Head also pulled out a dagger from his sleeve.

Then Abbess Hyeonwol of the Emei Sect intervened this time.

"Calm down, everyone."

And Abbess Hyeonwol spoke strictly.

"Is this the time to be at odds among ourselves when the danger of the Evil Way bastards is right under our noses?"

"..."

"..."

The number three seems truly subtle.

When two go crazy and run wild, one still comes to their senses.

But the atmosphere of the conference room already turned nasty.

Eventually, the three came out of the conference room without reaching any conclusion.

* * *

Dragon Horse Inn of Chengdu.

This place, one of the biggest inns in Chengdu, is currently rented entirely by the Qingcheng Sect for use.

And Taoist Qingcheng returned here with a severely distorted expression.

Considering he was slightly elevated when leaving for the meeting, it is a subtle situation.

"Did something happen? Senior Brother Sect Leader."

The one speaking to the fuming Taoist Qingcheng is True Master Cheonghak, Heon Sang, an Elder of the Qingcheng Sect.

To the words of the First Elder of the Qingcheng Sect and also the closest aide of the Sect Leader, Taoist Qingcheng...

"Whew... Bring me a cup of cold water. Make it head-splittingly cold."

At Taoist Qingcheng's words, a disciple quickly brought cold well water.

"Here it is."

Taoist Qingcheng opened his mouth only after drinking a bowl of cold water.

"I thought I would die of frustration."

"Did opinions not match?"

"It wasn't just not matching."

Taoist Qingcheng sighed and spoke.

"The Tang Clan Head is a coward, and Abbess Hyeonwol was cooperative only at first but suddenly pulled back."

"Are the two sects opposed to the war?"

"Is this a war that won't happen just because they oppose?"

"That is not so."

"Right. It is a war that will happen anyway. Yet the Tang Clan Head and Abbess Hyeonwol are passively stepping back... Do you know what they said?"

"What did they say?"

"They suggested asking the Murim Alliance for aid."

"..."

Heon Sang fell into thought while fingering his beard. And he said...

"They want the status quo."

"Isn't that probably so?"

Taoist Qingcheng sighed and continued.

"Even if they win with the help of the Murim Alliance, they will maintain the same status as before just by winning this war."

"That is correct."

"But that is not a gain from our Qingcheng's perspective. Doesn't Junior Brother know well too?"

"Of course. How could I not know?"

Heon Sang nodded fiercely at Heonwon Jin's words and agreed.

Three huge Righteous Way sects dominating the Sichuan Murim.

Emei, Tang Clan, Qingcheng.

Which sect among these is the strongest?

If asked, it is difficult to answer hastily.

But if asked which sect is the weakest among these? Most pick one.

Qingcheng Sect.

Considering fame or achievements among the three great Righteous sects of Qingcheng (Sichuan), the weakest sect was Qingcheng.