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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Welcome to the Xiping branch of the Hao Clan, benefactor.”
“Are you the branch leader?”
“Indeed, though I’ve only been in charge for four days. The previous branch leader was a traitor…”
A traitor in Xiping.
This stank.
“You know why I’m here, right?”
“Yes, to determine whether Yang Mun-pyeong is truly a Demonic Cult collaborator.”
Straight to the point. I liked that.
“Are you certain he’s connected to the Demonic Cult?”
“Yes. We found evidence of communication between him and the traitorous branch leader.”
The branch leader handed me a folded piece of paper. A letter. I unfolded it and read the contents.
“…This is irrefutable.”
This was solid evidence.
The letter contained inquiries about the progress of the conspiracy within the Hao Clan.
I wasn’t sure why it hadn’t been destroyed, but perhaps the traitor had been too hasty in his escape.
When your life is on the line, other things become less important.
“What happened to the traitor?”
“He’s dead.”
“You killed him?”
“No organization tolerates traitors.”
That was true.
Unless they were incredibly naive, no one would spare a traitor.
“But…if Yang Mun-pyeong finds out, he’ll try to escape.”
“Yes. We’ve already deployed surveillance. We received information that he’s preparing to leave Xiping.”
Hmm.
So, they had realized their plan had failed.
That made things easier.
“Then we need to surround his estate.”
I could take this to the Beggar Sect and have them surround the estate. Catching him in the act of escaping would be the best way to secure evidence.
While we could simply surround him with beggars and declare him a Demonic Cult member, the letter was still sensitive information for the Hao Clan.
It implicated them in colluding with the Demonic Cult, even if the traitor was dead.
Catching him escaping was the best outcome for both the Hao Clan and me.
“We should deploy our men and contact the Beggar Sect to surround the estate with beggars.”
That would prevent him from escaping by land.
By land.
“Can you determine if there are any underground tunnels leading out of his estate?”
“Yang Mun-pyeong’s estate was built twenty years ago, so finding the original architect would be difficult. However…a Demonic Cult collaborator would likely have an escape route. It’s highly probable that there are tunnels.”
“Hmm…”
Tunnels.
I had encountered those before.
We had eventually found them and eliminated everyone inside.
“We can’t dig…we could infiltrate and search…”
Without knowing the location of the tunnels, our only option was to follow him if he escaped underground.
I wasn’t sure if I could keep up.
My Qinggong prioritized power over speed. While I could ignore obstacles, I wasn’t particularly fast.
I didn’t know how fast they would be, but chasing them through tunnels could result in being buried alive.
“So, infiltration is necessary as well.”
“…Are you sure?”
“Just make sure the surveillance is tight. Mokgyeong.”
“Yes, Benefactor.”
“Have you ever scaled a wall?”
“…I have, when I was younger.”
I needed someone skilled in infiltration. I was good at charging in headfirst, but stealth wasn’t my forte.
Neither Hye-ryeong nor Mokgyeong seemed particularly adept at it.
Besides, Hye-ryeong’s…physique would make it difficult for her to hide.
“Are there any Hao Clan members working inside Yang Mun-pyeong’s estate?”
“…There was one, but we’ve lost contact…”
“So, we can’t expect any help from the inside.”
Then, our plan was to surround the estate and find a way to infiltrate, perhaps by creating a distraction?
“Just make the necessary preparations. I’ll figure out how to get inside.”
“Understood.”
Now that I had briefed them, I would visit the Beggar Sect again tomorrow morning.
I left, pondering how to deal with the Demonic Cult members.
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“So, this is the estate.”
“Yes, Hero. This is Yang Mun-pyeong’s estate.”
Wow, that wall was massive.
It would take an adult about twenty seconds to run its length.
“Benefactor, where do you intend to position yourself?”
“Near the main gate.”
Where could I observe the main gate discreetly? I looked around, searching for a suitable building or vantage point. But there was nothing.
“Everything around here belongs to Yang Mun-pyeong…”
‘Was this designed to prevent surveillance?’
The surrounding buildings were strangely low.
There should be at least one two-story building, but everything around Yang Mun-pyeong’s estate was single-story.
“I understand. Hmm…”
How could I deal with them efficiently?
Should I just charge in?
That was the easiest option. If I could create a distraction and confront Yang Mun-pyeong directly, I had a few plans.
…Should I just do it?
If I waited, they would destroy any remaining evidence. Or perhaps they had already done so.
Let’s see.
I pulled the lion mask from my pocket and put it on.
Hye-ryeong looked at me curiously.
“Mister, what’s that mask for?”
“To conceal my identity.”
“Will that really work?”
“Perhaps.”
It would only delay the inevitable. The Demonic Cult would eventually discover my identity.
Therefore, I had to cripple them as much as possible beforehand.
To prevent them from recovering even if the war began.
The Demonic Cult was outnumbered in the Central Plains.
Without internal support, they wouldn’t be able to conquer it as quickly as they had in the original story.
“Mister, you look so cool!”
“Your taste is…unique.”
What was so cool about this strange-looking lion mask?
I shook my head at Hye-ryeong’s bizarre taste. She puffed out her cheeks and punched my chest.
“My taste is perfectly normal!”
“Sure, sure.”
“Benefactor, what’s the plan…?”
“Hmm…”
I looked at the main gate, guarded by two men, and then at the long wall.
“Should I just break through?”
Stealth wasn’t my style.
Especially not while wearing a lion mask.
I walked along the wall, past the main gate.
I didn’t want to enter through the front entrance. Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong followed.
“Hero Wi, what’s the plan?”
“What was your name again?”
“Wang-chil.”
“What do you think is the most efficient way to handle this?”
“…Capture them and obtain information on the Demonic Cult.”
“No, capture them and use their escape route.”
“Ah.”
The Beggar Sect members weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed.
The secret tunnel was likely connected to a hidden safe house. We could take it over and eliminate anyone inside.
“But…”
“What do you think the Demonic Cult hates the most?”
What was the best way to provoke someone obsessed with something?
There was only one answer.
“Calling the Mamluks ‘slaves’ always got a reaction.”
Taunting opponents on the battlefield was commonplace, but those who weren’t used to it were easily provoked.
I stopped at a secluded spot along the wall.
“This might be dangerous, so stay back. Wang-chil, tell your beggars to surround the estate and make sure no one escapes.”
“Yes, Lion Sword!”
“Mister, you’re not…”
“Benefactor, you seem to enjoy destroying things lately.”
Ah, the righteous factions were so uptight.
Why were they looking at me like I was a troublemaker?
This was a righteous act.
“But what can I do if there’s a wall in my way? My Qinggong is still underdeveloped, so I can’t stop in time.”
Stop looking at me like that. I shifted my weight to my right foot and lowered my stance.
“Let’s go.”
I launched myself at the wall, using Qinggong.
“Accidentally.”
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