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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…I wasn’t aware you possessed such information, Hero Wi.”
The goateed man conceded, maintaining his sly composure. He knew better than to provoke me.
While I was alone in enemy territory, I held all the cards.
The Hao Clan couldn’t cause trouble in Wuhan.
They lacked the strength to confront a transcendent expert.
And they had no reason to antagonize me.
If he was a traitor, he would try to recruit me.
Otherwise…he would cooperate.
Which one was he?
I leaned back in my chair and spoke.
“I’ve acquired quite a bit of information from dealing with Demonic Cult lackeys.”
I subtly released aura from my mana core.
I wasn’t planning to cause a scene, but I was ready to retaliate if he tried anything.
…Though that was unlikely.
“As expected of the Lion Sword Hero. Your reputation precedes you.”
“Enough flattery. What’s your answer?”
Acceptance or refusal.
I stared at him intently, and the goateed man, his expression slightly more respectful, answered immediately.
“I’ll provide you with information on Demonic Cult branches. However…I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“If you assist us in eliminating the traitors within our ranks…I’ll provide you with not only the information you seek, but any other information you require.”
The goateed man bowed his head. Was he sincere?
“I’m not exactly free.”
“There’s a way. We can use a sacred artifact passed down through the Hao Clan leaders to issue a summons. There’s been some talk about the next leader, so…a summons would be perfectly natural. If we can lure the traitors out…we’d like you to eliminate them.”
This was getting complicated.
Saving the Alliance Leader was proving to be a long and arduous task.
Saving the Hao Clan, gathering information, raiding Demonic Cult branches, and securing endorsements for the succession duel.
While I had brought this upon myself, I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed.
Still, if I worked hard for the next two years, I could either prevent the war with the Demonic Cult entirely or defeat them and usher in an era of peace. Then I could finally enjoy a peaceful life.
“But wouldn’t word of this summons leak out?”
“The people here at the Thousand Fragrance Pavilion are my trusted confidants. They wouldn’t betray me.”
If he said so.
“When will this summons take place?”
“In thirty days. We’ve agreed to meet in Hechang, Henan. You can accompany me disguised as a bodyguard.”
“Why are you involving me?”
I looked him in the eye.
He met my gaze and answered seriously.
“While the Hao Clan is composed of those from the bottom rungs of society, it was founded on the principle of mutual protection. Those who betray their family…must be punished.”
“Can’t the Hao Clan handle the traitors themselves?”
“As you know, the Hao Clan’s strength lies in information, not martial arts. If the traitors are receiving support from the Demonic Cult…”
So, they were Demonic Cult members.
“Why issue a summons in that case?”
“To lull them into a false sense of security. To make them think we’re unaware. Once they’re gathered, we’ll use the martial artists we’ve secretly trained to attack them.”
The original story didn’t explain how the Hao Clan fell. So, this was what happened.
Without my intervention, the Hao Clan leader would be killed, and the clan would be absorbed by the Demonic Cult.
Their information network would then be used to facilitate the Demonic Cult’s invasion of the Central Plains.
“…But they’re no match for a transcendent expert.”
Of course.
If money alone could create masters, the great sects wouldn’t invest so much time and resources in training their disciples.
Nurturing a skilled martial artist required proper guidance, a good teacher, and a powerful technique.
I thought of my own training, the grueling days at the training camp. I had pushed myself to the limit to survive.
“Well…I need the Hao Clan as well, so it’s not a bad proposition. But the timing is inconvenient.”
“The timing?”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but…do you know why I’m asking for information on the Demonic Cult?”
“…I apologize, but I’m not privy to that information.”
It was understandable. He wouldn’t know unless he had read the original story. My intention to challenge the Alliance Leader to a succession duel was probably still unknown.
“The Demonic Cult is my enemy. That’s all you need to know.”
“…Understood.”
I couldn’t reveal my true intentions.
The Hao Clan dealt in information. Sharing too much with them would be unwise.
It could come back to bite me.
I stood up.
“Send a message to the Haenam Sword Sect’s residence when the time comes.”
“Thank you.”
“Thirty days is a long time…”
I had to make the most of it.
I left the brothel.
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“Mister, you smell like perfume. Where have you been…?”
I jumped.
Hye-ryeong was waiting for me, even though it was late. A chill ran down my spine.
I felt like a husband being interrogated by his wife, even though I wasn’t even married.
“I had some business to attend to.”
“What kind of business…?”
There was no reason to hide it from her.
“I contacted the Hao Clan.”
“The…Hao Clan?”
“I needed some information.”
“Couldn’t you have gone to the Beggar Sect?”
“The Hao Clan had the information I needed.”
“What information?”
“About the Demonic Cult.”
“Oh…”
Hye-ryeong nodded.
Having witnessed the conspiracy between the two clans, she probably understood my intentions.
“But why do you smell like perfume?”
“The meeting place was a brothel.”
“Is…that so…?”
“It’s true. Do I look like the type to solicit a courtesan?”
“I believe you, Mister.”
Why was she so worried?
I chuckled at Hye-ryeong, who was acting like a child with separation anxiety. So, she was more like a puppy than a penguin. I patted her head.
“I have things to do tomorrow, so let’s go to bed. You don’t have to wait for me like this.”
“Okay…”
I led a sleepy Hye-ryeong to her room and returned to mine.
The Hao Clan operation was in a month.
I had to make the most of the time I had.
I had about six months left. I had to secure endorsements from the Haenam Sword Sect and the Peng Clan within a month.
The Shaolin Temple…I would have to deal with them after the Hao Clan operation.
“So much to do.”
I would rather live a peaceful life in the mountains.
I changed my clothes and lay down on the bed.
Another busy day awaited me tomorrow.
I closed my eyes.
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“…A succession duel with the Alliance Leader? You must be joking.”
“…I’m serious.”
Elder Baek looked at me with a dubious expression. He couldn’t tell if I was joking or not.
I carefully chose my words.
How could I convince him?
Finally, I spoke.
“It concerns the Demonic Cult.”
“…What?”
Elder Baek’s expression immediately turned serious. He had initially dismissed my request as absurd, but the mention of the Demonic Cult changed everything. He clearly hadn’t forgotten their attack.
I continued.
“Do you remember when I encountered Demonic Cult members on my way back from Mount Wudang?”
“You mentioned it. I believe the Martial Alliance sent people to investigate.”
“…I suspect there’s a Demonic Cult spy among the Alliance Leader’s closest advisors.”
I dropped the bomb.
Information only I knew.
“…Can you prove it?”
“It’s just a possibility at this point.”
“Why do you suspect this?”
“That city wasn’t far from Wuhan. As far as I know, the Martial Alliance operates its own intelligence network. The fact that they failed to detect the Demonic Cult’s presence in such a nearby city suggests someone was either suppressing or manipulating information.”
There were holes in my argument.
But my words carried weight.
“However, I don’t understand why you need a succession duel for this.”
“I need to inform the Alliance Leader about the spy’s existence discreetly. The only way for an outsider like me to meet with him privately is through a duel.”
“Hmm…so, you’re asking for our help.”
“Indeed.”
Elder Baek turned to look out the window, stroking his beard.
He was contemplating.
Putting the sect’s name on the line wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly.
“Very well. The Haenam Sword Sect is indebted to you. We’ll endorse your request.”
“Thank you.”
The first endorsement.
I had secured the Haenam Sword Sect’s support with surprising ease.
Next…the Peng Clan of Hebei.
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