For now, I had decided to follow Lady Cheong-yu’s suggestion and contact Shaolin about inyun—the karmic connection—which was supposedly the key to unlocking the Second Gate.

I would still ask Hwa-eun and Sister Seol, but I doubted they had a better method than the one Cheong-yu had proposed.

Hope rekindled. My mood, which had nearly sunk, lifted a little.

Realizing there were still many things to discuss, I collected myself and moved on to the next question.

Ah, Lady Cheong-yu, there's something else I want to ask...

—Siaa. “Next comes the story about the Bloodshade Unit’s commander dying, doesn’t it?”

Even before I could say anything, Lady Cheong-yu asked as if she already knew what I was about to bring up.

I nodded and replied.

“Yes. I heard her stomach burst. I assume it happened because she got caught by us?”

—Siaa. “Yes, probably. The fact that her stomach burst means one half of the Yin-Yang Paired Parasite must have been killed.”

“I thought so.”

Cheong-yu had once told me that the Five Venoms Clan implanted something called the Yin-Yang Paired Parasite into their high-ranking members. It boosted internal energy flow and made energy gathering far more efficient.

But it wasn’t entirely a blessing—while it guaranteed fast growth, whoever received the parasite also surrendered their life to the Clan Leader of the Five Venoms Sect.

If one of the pair died, the other would explode and die as well. The other half of the pair was always kept under the control of the Sect Leader, or so it was said.

So the commander’s death meant she was likely eliminated to prevent further exploitation now that she had been captured by us.

That matched my expectations, so I nodded again and asked,

“Then the rest of them are probably hiding by now, making it hard to strike again, right?”

From the moment the commander of the Bloodshade Unit died, I had all but given up on targeting the others.

They must have already prepared for it.

So I didn’t take any specific countermeasures—just asked Lady Cheong-yu out of lingering regret. But her answer was unexpected.

—Sia. “No. If we move quickly, we might still have a chance.”

“Really!? But haven’t they already handled it?”

I perked up at the mention of a chance still remaining.

I raised my doubt, wondering if they hadn’t already dealt with it, but Lady Cheong-yu shook her head.

—Siiia. “No, the intel units of the Five Venoms Sect and the Blood Cult don’t communicate between regional branches. When something happens, it’s reported to the main sect, and orders are handed down from there.

The Central Plains is vast, right? Even if word of the Bloodshade commander’s death reached the main sect, it would take a while for them to issue new orders.

Especially now, with the borders sealed off by the Martial Alliance’s forces. It’ll take even longer than usual.”

“Ohh...”

So, what she meant was that the intel networks of the Blood Cult and the Five Venoms Sect operated as isolated cells.

They didn’t communicate with one another and only reported to headquarters. That kept one cell’s exposure from endangering the others, but also meant they had to wait for the central command’s orders, causing inevitable delays.

Which meant we still had a window of opportunity.

—Sia. “Try asking for help from the Beggars’ Union. Since time is short, let’s go for a simultaneous assault.”

“Understood. I’ll send word to them as soon as dawn breaks.”

***

After the talk about the Blood Cult and Five Venoms Sect, I asked about martial arts.

I needed help—and Lady Cheong-yu was perfect for it.

When it came to the Five Poison Techniques, she knew even more than my grandfather.

“Oh, and Lady Cheong-yu, one last thing—could you take a look at my technique?”

—Siiia. “Of course. You mean the Five Poison Techniques?”

“Yes. I’m having trouble with the final three forms of Venomous Snake Life-Seizing Hand.”

I’d been practicing it here and there, but I’d hit a wall.

I had mastered the basic moves, but something felt off in the last three secret techniques, which were supposed to be the real essence of the style.

Normally, martial arts weren’t taught outside one’s sect, but Lady Cheong-yu was a victim of the Five Venoms Sect. She had no hesitation in guiding me.

—Siaa. “Show me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

At her request, I demonstrated the forms.

Lady Cheong-yu stepped closer and adjusted my stance.

Then, tilting her head, she asked,

—Sii? “Your posture will refine itself with practice... Your Qi flow and form are fine. But something’s strange about the final three moves of Venomous Snake Life-Seizing Hand? What exactly feels off?”

“It feels... like something’s missing? It’s supposed to be the climax, but it doesn’t seem lethal. Feels like I’m throwing a half-finished attack.”

When I explained the discord I felt, Lady Cheong-yu smiled.

—Sia. “You really are something, So-ryong. You noticed what’s wrong. That’s because you’re supposed to launch hidden weapons with those moves.”

“Hidden weapons?”

—Siiiee. “Yes, the last three forms were created late in life by one of the Five Venoms Sect’s founders.

You’re meant to fire special projectiles from your wrist. Only the Black Serpent Unit of the sect was granted those.

They’re thick needles, about this size.”

“Ah...”

So I needed those specific hidden weapons.

Which meant unless I got my hands on them—or had Lady Cheong-yu help me craft some—I couldn’t complete the style.

That meant I wouldn’t be able to use it anytime soon. So I figured I’d shift focus to another technique I hadn’t yet learned.

—Siiia. Sii. “Still, So-ryong, I’m impressed. You noticed the discrepancy.”

Smiling, Lady Cheong-yu praised me, and I made another request.

“Well, since I can’t use that right now... Could I maybe learn Scorpion Tail Swift Kick? I think learning it from you would be better than from Grandpa.”

Then, suddenly, Lady Cheong-yu stopped talking mid-chatter.

After a short silence, she asked again,

—Si ah? “Scorpion Tail Swift Kick?”

As I nodded in confusion, the tip of a snake’s tail swayed behind her.

“Hurk!”

I had just asked someone without legs to teach me a leg technique.

I immediately scrambled to apologize.

It was like asking an amputee soccer player to teach you how to shoot a goal.

“I—I’m so sorry!”

So-ryong, use your brain for once!

That version of me a moment ago... was a real thoughtless idiot.

***

Despite the awkward moment, Lady Cheong-yu still gave me a lot of useful martial arts advice.

We trained until dawn, and when she noticed my mind starting to cloud from exhaustion, she looked toward the brightening sky and smiled.

—Sia. “The sun’s coming up. It’s time to go, Young Master So.”

“Oh, it’s morning already? Then I’ll see you next time.”

—Siiia. “Um... well...”

“Yes? Did you still want to say something?”

—Sii. “No, it’s fine. Let’s meet again in fifteen days.”

She hesitated, like something was left unsaid, but then smiled and waved.

As Lady Cheong-yu vanished into the distance, the Golden-Crowned Death King’s expression slowly shifted.

With her gone, the normally expressionless Golden-Crowned Death King leaned against my shoulder.

She had few facial expressions but felt a lot like a spoiled pet.

—Sia.

“You’re awake, Cheong-yu.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

As I petted Cheong-yu’s head, birds chirped outside, and the cabin door creaked open. Yang Seong-hu walked out, stretching.

—Creak.

“Oof, my shoulder... Did I swing the spear too much yesterday? Y-Young Master, you're up early?”

Yang Seong-hu had been scolded by Geom-bong yesterday for slacking on his training.

He had reluctantly picked up the spear again and overexerted himself. His shoulders were now paying the price.

“Yes, I didn’t sleep because Lady Cheong-yu was visiting today.”

“Ah, it must’ve been the full moon last night then?”

“Yes, but by the way... is your shoulder all right?”

“It’s fine. It’s just sore from swinging the spear for the first time in a while.”

Glad to hear he was okay.

Because I needed someone to run an errand.

“Oh, then could I ask a favor?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Could you send a message to the Beggars’ Union to see if we can meet them today? Just say it’s urgent—they’ll understand.”

“Got it. Then I’ll go right away.”

As soon as he heard my request, Yang Seong-hu wiped the sleep from his eyes and leapt off the deck.

Since martial arts weren’t allowed in Yeongcheonbu, he sprinted down to the riverbank and started running along it toward the port.

All right. That takes care of one thing.

After Yang Seong-hu vanished, the next person to appear on deck was Hwa-eun.

She had insisted on staying with me last night despite being tired, and now she seemed to have gotten up early because she felt bad for falling asleep so quickly.

She approached, her forehead and hair still damp from washing her face.

“So, did you talk everything through, So-ryong?”

“Yes. There’s some good news and some not-so-good news.”

“Good news and bad news? Tell me already.”

“Well...”

After explaining what had happened during the night, Hwa-eun nodded thoughtfully and asked,

“So the good news is that we still have a chance to hit the Blood Cult’s bases, and the bad news is that we need to visit Shaolin to learn more about this karmic connection?”

“Yes, Hwa-eun.”

As I nodded, Hwa-eun spoke reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. If it’s something like that, Shaolin won’t refuse.

Once Young Master Peng wakes up, I’ll ask him to send a message to Shaolin and request an audience. The Peng Clan has a closer relationship with them than we do. I heard they donate regularly, too.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“And once the message to the Beggars’ Union is sent, it’ll take a couple back-and-forths to settle on a meeting time and place, so go back inside and get some rest in the meantime.

I’ll take care of everything else. You didn’t get any sleep last night, So-ryong.”

Hoooh! Is this... wifely support?

Was this what they called “wifely devotion”?

The way she said she’d handle the rest made me think—maybe this is why people start families.

So I headed back inside the cabin to get some rest, just like Hwa-eun suggested.

I was trying to be obedient for once.

“All right.”

***

How much time had passed?

A soft, apologetic voice reached my ears.

“So-ryong, I’m sorry to wake you after such a short nap, but it’s time to get up. The branch leader of Yeongcheonbu is here.”

“The branch leader of Yeongcheonbu?”

“Yes. It seems he came straight here after hearing from Yang Seong-hu.”

The branch leader of Yeongcheonbu meant the local head of the Beggars’ Union in this area.

I’d asked Yang Seong-hu to send them a message, and it looked like they had taken the situation seriously and rushed over in person.

Usually it took several exchanges to settle on time and place, but they must have thought it urgent.

As I sat up, I noticed the little ones sprawled across my chest and stomach.

Seemed like they’d all gathered and climbed on top of me while I slept.

No wonder I felt pinned in my dream...

“Hey, could you guys move for a sec? Dad has to step out real quick.”

—Tssss.

—Pii.

—Myu-myu.

—Myuu.

At my request, the little ones slithered and fluttered away, giving me space.

I quickly stepped outside the cabin.

“Here, please have some tea.”

“Oh dear, what a fine tea this is. I’ll gladly drink it.”

The branch leader was already seated at a spot the Dragon Fangs had prepared on deck, sipping tea. As I approached, I asked why he hadn’t been invited inside, and he answered with a smile.

“Why bring a guest inside?”

“If ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) a beggar goes into a closed room, he’ll stink up the place.”

“Ah, I—I see... haha...”

So he knew?

Last time I’d visited the Beggars’ Union headquarters, I’d suffered through the smell. Apparently, he was aware of it himself.

Just as we were all awkwardly chuckling at his words, the branch leader shifted the topic to business.

“So then. Since you called for me, it must mean you’re ready to move on to the next step. I heard the commander of the Bloodshade Unit is dead. Have you already confirmed the intel?

Ah, should we start with that eunuch Heo business? Don’t worry about that. There were two guys who escaped from the brothel, but we’ve already dealt with them.”

Even though the matter had occurred within the Imperial Court, he already knew the commander of the Bloodshade Unit was dead.

And now he was saying that the ones who escaped the brothel under Eunuch Heo had been eliminated.

As expected of the Beggars’ Union.

And he even knew why I’d called for him.

“As expected of your organization. That’s right. So, what happened is...”

I informed him that the commander’s death wasn’t just a death.

That she had been captured and spilled information before being disposed of.

“We took down two of their strongholds—that’s a huge achievement. But we can’t be satisfied with just that.

We need to move quickly.”

The branch leader agreed that we needed to act fast.

That aligned perfectly with my thoughts, so I nodded.

“Yes, but won’t the Martial Alliance be too busy right now?”

“They’re probably too tied up. Most of the major sects have pulled their disciples to fortify the borders. So we can’t count on help from them either.”

It was practically wartime.

As expected, the Martial Alliance and the major sects had their forces spread too thin to help.

“Then?”

“We’ll have to borrow the Hao Clan’s strength.”

“You mean the Hao Clan?”

“Yes. North of the Yangtze, we of the Beggars’ Union hold sway. But south of it, the Hao Clan has the stronger influence. So we’ll rely on them.

We’ll muster everything we have for the north, but for the south, we’d better bring them in.”

“The Hao Clan...”

I remembered Hwa-eun explaining it to me during one of our martial world lessons.

They were sort of like the martial world’s labor union.

A coalition of people from various lower-tier professions.

“Come with me. We’ll go visit the Hao Clan branch here in Yeongcheonbu.”

I guess until we hear back from Shaolin, we should check out the Hao Clan first.

I was curious to see what this martial world union looked like.