Chapter 71 : Chapter 71

Chapter 71. Let's Call the Beggar's Gang Branch Leader to Sichuan (3)

While sharing various stories, the real reinforcements began to arrive one after another.

First, the Emei Sect joined, followed by the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Among the Sichuan Tang Clan, Dang Seoyeon and Baek Sua were also present. As soon as everyone arrived, Abbess Hyeonwol, the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, approached Taoist Qingcheng with a stern look.

“I demand an explanation.”

At Abbess Hyeonwol’s words, Taoist Qingcheng let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“It is my mistake.”

“Mistake? Do you think this is a problem that ends with just saying it is a mistake?”

“…….”

“For the Sect Leader of Qingcheng to act arbitrarily and engage in a full-scale war with the Evil Way? Even if you did, you should have at least won!”

“…….”

He had no words to say.

What could he say right now?

Taoist Qingcheng simply closed his eyes gently and bore all the reprimands falling upon him.

“Say something!”

In Abbess Hyeonwol’s eyes, that did not look like a very responsible appearance.

She was angry enough to draw her sword at any moment, and the Tang Clan Head intervened to mediate.

“Please calm down, Abbess.”

“Tang Clan Head!”

“What do we stand to gain by dividing further among ourselves right here? What is done is done.”

“…….”

The words themselves were correct.

Although the anger did not subside. Abbess Hyeonwol looked at Taoist Qingcheng, who had his eyes gently closed, with a pathetic gaze once, then turned her back and left. And then…….

“You have come? Tang Clan Head.”

“Oh, is it Cheong-un? It has been truly a long time.”

Han Cheong-un greeted the Tang Clan Head, whom he had not seen in a long time, with a polite clasped hands greeting.

At that sight, the Tang Clan Head stroked his beard and smiled warmly.

‘Excellent. Truly excellent.’

The Han Cheong-un the Tang Clan Head saw in the past was a sleeping dragon still crouching his body.

Back then, the reason the Tang Clan Head supported Han Cheong-un, even sending his son, was not just because he was the benefactor of the Tang Clan.

It was also because he saw possibility in him.

And that was a huge success.

The current Han Cheong-un is not a sleeping dragon hiding his appearance from the world.

He successfully settled in the land of Yueyang and confidently secured his own domain against the Limitless Gate.

In the process, he even won against the Iron Blood Fist King Cha Mugyeom.

The moves he showed after that were also surprising, and today, he has established merit to the point where it is not an exaggeration to say that the entire Sichuan Murim owes him a debt.

“Is it true that you dealt with three Sect Leaders of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way?”

“Yes. Well…… they were quite something.”

“Hohoho…….”

A young man who has not even reached the age of twenty dealt with three Sect Leaders of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way simultaneously and even crushed one of them.

Yet such a reaction?

‘The vessel is very different. Completely different.’

“It seems my children have also learned a lot under you. As a father, I express my gratitude once again.”

“No. Rather, I rely greatly on Seoyeon and Jin.”

And Han Cheong-un thought.

For the relationship between the Ultimate Path Gate and the Sichuan Tang Clan to become more solid, wouldn’t it be good to say some words that are pleasing to the Tang Clan Head’s ears here?

Are there any parents in the world who would feel bad hearing their children being praised?

‘Mm, of course not.’

Having made up his mind, Han Cheong-un spoke with a smiling face.

“Seoyeon is already handling the Myriad Poisons Body freely. If she actively engages in the Jianghu in earnest, she will soon spread her fame.”

“Hoho. Is that so?”

“Yes. And Dang Jin is…….”

At that moment, Han Cheong-un thought.

Dang Seoyeon is excellent, but Dang Jin is the successor of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Then wouldn't praising him more than Seoyeon to establish his standing and face be satisfactory from the Tang Clan Head’s perspective as well?

In fact, Dang Jin’s martial arts skills have developed greatly, and his insight and leadership have also risen significantly while acting as the Vice Sect Leader.

He was gradually becoming closer to the image of Dang Jin, the Vice Captain of the Evil-Annihilating Squad, whom Han Cheong-un knew in the past.

What expression would be suitable to express that developed appearance in one word?

After a long contemplation, Han Cheong-un suddenly had a thought.

Come to think of it, I heard a phrase used to praise someone on the streets of Yueyang recently.

It is very implicative, but since it connotes most good meanings, it was a good phrase to use anytime and anywhere.

That phrase is…….

“Your son is awesome.”

Han Cheong-un giving a thumbs up and smiling.

And the Tang Clan Head thought.

‘What on earth is the problem with this bastard?’

* * *

The meeting was held again.

Two things were different from before.

One is that discussing whether to attack first or later is now meaningless.

Because the war has already broken out.

And the second is that the number of people gathered here has become four instead of three.

Abbess Hyeonwol, the Tang Clan Head, Taoist Qingcheng, and even Han Cheong-un, the Sect Leader of the Ultimate Path Gate.

Han Cheong-un, at a young age not yet twenty, was seated with the tycoons of the Sichuan Murim.

The first to speak was Abbess Hyeonwol.

“We took the initiative, but we lost in the battle. This is a losing move where we lost both justification and practical benefit.”

Then Taoist Qingcheng lowered his head and said.

“Everything is my mistake. If there is anything I can do to take responsibility, I will do whatever it is.”

“What do you think you can do to take responsibility for this situation?”

“…….”

Taoist Qingcheng could not answer.

Honestly, he could not see an answer.

If he could save Qingcheng’s honor that had fallen to the ground, his life would not be a waste.

But isn't this a situation that cannot be reversed with just his single life?

On behalf of him who was silent, the Tang Clan Head spoke.

“The war has already broken out. The important thing is, do we act aggressively? Or do we act defensively?”

“What is the difference? Speak concretely.”

“To act aggressively means we attack first to drive the enemies out of this land. Fortunately, Wonpyeong, Ghost Spirit King, is severely injured, so if we concentrate and attack, there is a chance of winning.”

“Hmm, that is good.”

Abbess Hyeonwol nodded as if she liked the idea. Taoist Qingcheng’s eyes also sparkled.

If they did that, he vowed to stand at the vanguard this time and fight with his life on the line. However…….

“How do you know where the enemies are?”

Han Cheong-un made a comment.

Then the Tang Clan Head answered…….

“Shouldn’t we use the Beggar's Gang’s information network? With their information capabilities, monitoring the enemies’ movements is……. Ah!”

While speaking, the Tang Clan Head realized.

Wasn’t it the Qingcheng Sect that fell into a trap after attacking first, trusting the Beggar's Gang’s information network just like that?

And Han Cheong-un said…….

“The Beggar's Gang’s information network is vast, but it is not always accurate. Especially considering that the Ghost Gate Palace’s specialty is illusion arts, it will be difficult for the Beggar's Gang to grasp all their movements.”

“Mmm…….”

“And the Ghost Spirit King’s injuries must have already healed.”

“What did you say?”

The Tang Clan Head spoke as if he could not believe it.

“Didn’t you say you left him half-dead?”

“Yes. Well, if he were an ordinary human, it was a severe injury that would require at least a year of recuperation. But…….”

“But?”

“The opponent isn’t an ordinary guy, is he?”

“…….”

Han Cheong-un sighed and said.

“The Ghost Spirit King is a human who inherited the lineage of the Ghost Spirit Faction, which was particularly notorious even within the Demonic Cult in the past. Their specialties are illusion killing arts, necromancy, curse arts, and the Great Absorption Method using human sacrifice.”

“What kind of…….”

“It is a Great Method that replenishes one’s own life force by offering others as sacrifices. That is also the reason why the Ghost Spirit King’s internal energy level is counted as the best among the Eight Gates of the Evil Way.”

Han Cheong-un sighed and said.

“He always raises and carries around close aides who have cultivated internal energy of the same nature as himself. Their purpose is guarding, but it is also to protect himself using their life force if necessary.”

“That means…….”

“He has probably recovered perfectly by now.”

“How can there be such an immoral…….”

“That is what I am saying.”

Han Cheong-un sighed and thought inwardly.

‘As expected, I should have killed him somehow. Tsk……. I failed because I was testing the waters for no reason.’

Han Cheong-un said the Ghost Spirit King was the weakest among the Sect Leaders of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way.

That is the truth.

But who is the trickiest one?

If asked that, the Ghost Spirit King would be among the top three in the Eight Gates of the Evil Way.

So he wanted to kill him if possible, but ultimately, he failed.

‘If the Red Blood Saber Ghost hadn’t been there, I would have succeeded.’

To the regretful Han Cheong-un, Abbess Hyeonwol spoke.

“Sect Leader Han. I have one thing I want to ask.”

“Please speak, Abbess.”

“You know quite a lot about the Ghost Spirit King.”

“Well, yes.”

“How is that possible?”

“…….”

“It is awkward for me to say this, but this old woman is also in a quite high position in the Jianghu. Thanks to that, I tend to receive various information.”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“Even I have never heard what you just said in my life.”

“…….”

“How do you know the information regarding the Ghost Spirit King’s martial lineage in such detail? Do you perhaps have some connection with the Ghost Spirit King?”

“Abbess Hyeonwol!”

It was the Tang Clan Head who rose in indignation at her words.

He was genuinely angry at Abbess Hyeonwol for suspecting his son-in-law (prospective), Han Cheong-un, of being in cahoots with a figure of the Evil Way.

But Abbess Hyeonwol spoke firmly.

“I am sorry, but this old woman needs to know.”

Speak straight.

At Abbess Hyeonwol’s pressure, Han Cheong-un thought inwardly.

‘Did I show off too much?’

The information Han Cheong-un knows are facts learned from the distant future.

It was information gathered by the Murim Alliance going through two Great Wars of Righteous and Evil, with countless people shedding blood and sacrificing their lives.

Naturally, he cannot tell the truth about that. Then…….

“I just heard it by chance.”

“You just heard it?”

“Yes. As you know, isn’t our sect within the domain of the Evil Way? Because of that, I could obtain this and that information that you all cannot know.”

“Hmm, that implies that you are in communication with the Evil Way…….”

“Then interpret it that way.”

“What did you say?”

Abbess Hyeonwol’s eyebrow raised slightly.

And to her, who was faintly revealing fighting spirit, Han Cheong-un spoke.

“I said interpret it that way, Abbess.”

“Do you know what you are saying right now yourself?”

“Yes. I know very well.”

“Are you saying you are not a person of the Righteous Way? Are you saying it is fine to turn your back on the Murim Alliance and the Righteous Way?”

“Yes. It does not matter.”

“…….”

Abbess Hyeonwol was rather flustered by Han Cheong-un’s answer, which came back so neatly.

But Han Cheong-un smirked.

‘Righteous Way? Murim Alliance? I dedicated my whole life and gave everything there.’

And the price returned was the death of all his subordinates and the betrayal obtained at the end.

Why should he, who has tasted such bitter bitterness, advocate for the Murim Alliance and the Righteous Way?

Han Cheong-un spoke firmly.

“Our Ultimate Path Gate is between Righteous and Evil. Do not force the frame of the Righteous Way and the control of the Murim Alliance upon us. If you desire that, we will pull out of Sichuan.”

“Isn’t the Vice Sect Leader of your sect the son of the Sichuan Tang Clan? Isn’t the wife you promised a future with the daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan? Yet you profess to be between Righteous and Evil?”

“The Tang Clan and I are unrelated. If I had to say, since we have formed a connection, there might be righteousness and affection. But there is no obligation there.”

“What kind of…….”

“Ah, and Seoyeon is not my wife. She is just the younger sister of my close friend.”

At those words, the Tang Clan Head next to him pouted his lips and grumbled.

“Sending her to marry elsewhere is ruined, what do you mean…….”

However, Han Cheong-un did not hear.

He was currently making straight eye contact with Abbess Hyeonwol, concentrating on the battle of spirits.

Abbess Hyeonwol.

The Sect Leader of the Emei Sect and the core of the Murim Alliance.

Even looking purely at skill, she is a strong person who definitely enters the top five among female masters in the Jianghu.

Seeing Han Cheong-un making eye contact with such a tycoon and not yielding a single step, Abbess Hyeonwol let out a sigh.

“It would be truly good if there was one guy like this among the lay disciples…….”

The Emei Sect only accepts women for the main mountain’s disciples, but there are quite a few men among the lay disciples.

And Abbess Hyeonwol spoke.

“I understand that matter well. Regarding your conviction and the Ultimate Path Gate’s stance, I will respect it personally.”

Abbess Hyeonwol stepped back and yielded.

Although she added the proviso ‘personally’ to the end.

“Thank you.”

“Right. Moving on to the main subject……. Your words mean that the probability of success is low even if we attack first.”

“That is correct.”

“Then you mean we must wage war defensively? Tang Clan Head. With what thought did you say such words?”

“First, we respond to the enemy’s attacks defensively while requesting support from the Murim Alliance. However, since the war has actually broken out, we must respond more powerfully this time.”

“Right. Indeed.”

It wasn’t bad.

If the war has already broken out, they had to win unconditionally.

Then borrowing the power of the Murim Alliance was not bad either. However…….

“Will the Alliance actually send reinforcements?”

Once again, Han Cheong-un rained on their parade.

“What do you mean? Are you assuming the Murim Alliance won’t send support to Sichuan?”

“That is excessive. It seems your perception of the Murim Alliance is bad, but even so, that is too excessive.”

“I agree as well. Surely the Alliance wouldn’t abandon Sichuan?”

All three were skeptical of Han Cheong-un’s opinion. Then Han Cheong-un spoke again.

“I misspoke. Let me say it again.”

And Han Cheong-un cleared his throat and spoke again.

“Will the Alliance send reinforcements on time?”

Only one word was added to the previous statement. However…….

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

This time, no one could refute.

They also realized it.

That there is a high possibility that even if they request reinforcements from the Murim Alliance, they won’t come on time.

Seeing them like that, Han Cheong-un spoke.

“If you request reinforcements, the Alliance will probably convene a meeting immediately. And the elders will debate fiercely. And they will probably do this.”

Han Cheong-un spoke as if he had seen it himself.

“How large is the scale of the war exactly?”

“If we send reinforcements, whom should we send?”

“Will a full-scale war with the Evil Way Murim break out due to this incident?”

Actually, Han Cheong-un had seen it.

At that time, Han Cheong-un was in a role responsible for guarding the Alliance’s conference room, so he could watch the meeting.

And to express the meeting he saw back then in one word…….

“The meetings held at the Murim Alliance will be the very definition of slow progress. As always.”

“Mmm…….”

“In the first place, the current Murim Alliance is like a ship that doesn’t know where to go because there are too many boatmen.”

“That is…….”

“How long will it take for the Alliance to send reinforcements to Sichuan? As you know, the Murim Alliance Elder Council does not pass anything unless they see more than ninety percent consensus.”

“That is true.”

“On top of that……. No, let’s move on from this.”

Han Cheong-un stopped speaking, but they could understand.

This is a political strife occurring in Sichuan.

That means even if they belong to the same Murim Alliance, for those in other regions, it could be taken as watching a fire across the river.

Rather, there will definitely be people who calculate politically that if the power of the Sichuan Murim weakens through this opportunity, the benefits falling to them within the Alliance will be greater. There is no way there aren’t.

‘Tsk, thinking like this makes me sick of the Murim Alliance too.’

‘It’s not like it’s a recent thing, but…….’

‘Huu……. Bodhisattva of Compassion.’

To them who were sighing, Han Cheong-un spoke.

“We should request reinforcements from the Murim Alliance. But if we want to increase our military power right now, there is a faster way.”

“What is that?”

“Borrowing the power of a giant Righteous Sect that is close by, not the distant Murim Alliance power?”

“Close by? All the major sects of Sichuan are here?”

“No. One is missing. There is a sect that is one of the Nine Sects One Gang and is right nearby.”

“……Ah!”

“The Beggar's Gang!”

Han Cheong-un spoke with a deep smile on his lips.

“Let’s call the Beggar's Gang Branch Leader in Sichuan.”