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Chapter 409. The Reason for Living (3)
Pine Blossom Pavilion.
One of the three most expensive taverns even within Wuhan. A single table's bill could easily exceed an ordinary family's monthly living expenses—no common folk were found here. Even the guests on the lowest first floor were said to have clout wherever they went.
A man who had been drinking with two courtesans on each arm felt the call of nature and rose from his seat.
"Don't kill the mood while I'm gone. If the atmosphere is ruined when I get back, I'll spank the lot of you."
"Hohohoho."
Е n u mā
"Kyahahaha."
As the guest and courtesans dissolved into laughter, the man stood up in a satisfied mood.
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TAP.
But someone bumped his shoulder from behind, sending him stumbling forward and planting the dignity he'd just displayed face-first into the floor.
"Who the hell goes around leaving their eyeballs at home!"
With three shops in Wuhan, there was virtually nothing he feared. Most problems could be solved with money, and if that failed, pulling strings with the Murim Alliance did the trick. But then—
Ẃёb̃ ń о̆v̄ еl Ѐn̆ ū m а̊
"Wait, the Red Dragon Pavilion?"
The moment the man recognized the attire of the person who had bumped him, his buzz evaporated instantly.
"......Is there a problem?"
"N-No, not at....... No."
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Had it been just one, he might have tried something. But behind that person, more Red Dragon Pavilion members kept filing into Pine Blossom Pavilion.
The patrons who had been enjoying music, dance, and wine began to turn their gazes one by one toward the uninvited guests.
Е̊ ṅu mа̀.і d
"What's going on?"
"A company dinner?"
"Huh? Since when does the Murim Alliance have that kind of money?"
Their attitude clearly wasn't that of customers. Unless a gold mine had been discovered inside the Red Dragon Pavilion, there was no way they'd hold a dinner at Pine Blossom Pavilion. Something must have happened.
The servers and staff, flustered by the sudden intrusion, moved to block them. An ordinary tavern would have meekly yielded, but this was Pine Blossom Pavilion.
"What is the meaning of this?"
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"Please cooperate with our investigation."
"You cannot simply barge in like this!"
As the Red Dragon Pavilion members tried to force their way in, the Pine Blossom Pavilion patrons frowned in displeasure. Then the Pavilion Owner descended from the second floor.
"What place do you think this is, causing such a commotion!"
"......"
His commanding voice momentarily halted the standoff between the Red Dragon Pavilion and the staff. But Great Hall Master Jang Bo-geuk soon stepped before the Pavilion Owner with a resolute expression.
E nũm̈а .і d
"This is Murim Alliance business. We ask for your cooperation."
"Do you have an order of authorization?"
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"......We only wish to conduct a brief inspection."
A brief inspection? In all his years running this establishment, the Pavilion Owner had never encountered such a situation. He scoffed.
"Cooperation without an order of authorization? Do you not know where you are?"
"I am well aware. This is a venue operated by the Righteous Path Association."
Е̇n̆u mȧ.
"Then leave. This is not some marketplace full of gullible fools."
At the Pavilion Owner's words, the patrons roared with laughter as though thoroughly vindicated.
"If you truly wish to enter, pay the admission fee. Fifty silver taels per person. Wine and appetizers are extra, of course. Though I doubt you could afford it."
Another round of jeering laughter erupted at the continued mockery. Even the Red Dragon Pavilion members' faces began to flush. When Great Hall Master Jang Bo-geuk reached for his sword, unable to contain himself, a subordinate stopped him.
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"Most of the people here have direct or indirect ties to the Righteous Path Association. A misstep could hand them a pretext."
"......I know."
W е b̃n о̀.v́ ё l̄_ E̊num̃ӓ
They were fully aware that an arrest warrant for Clear Water True Man—a member of the Elder Hall—could not be issued, and were brazenly mocking the Red Dragon Pavilion because of it. Jang Bo-geuk swallowed his frustration and released his sword. The Pavilion Owner's lips curled into a sneer at the sight.
"Run along now. You can't very well spend a month's stipend in one sitting here."
"""KAHAHAHAHA."""
Unable to meekly endure the ridicule, yet unable to act rashly either. At that moment, the Red Dragon Pavilion members at the rear suddenly stirred and parted to both sides, and Great Hall Master Jang Bo-geuk likewise stepped back to clear a path.
STEP, STEP, STEP.
All eyes naturally gravitated toward the figures pushing past the Red Dragon Pavilion members and striding to the front.
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"Now who......"
The Pavilion Owner's confident face began to harden. The patrons who had been laughing from every direction also lowered their voices at his unsettling reaction.
The man who had pushed to the very front stared the Pavilion Owner dead in the eye and flipped the large pouch in his hand upside down.
CLINK, CLINK.
Gold coins poured out endlessly from the pouch. Falling, rolling, scattering in every direction—the sound of gold filled the tavern that had been wrapped in silence. And then silence returned. The man's gaze had not shifted from the Pavilion Owner by so much as a hair; only his lips curled upward.
"Is this enough?"
Ěn ǔ m ӓ.і̇ d̊
"......G-Grand Strategist?"
The Pavilion Owner stared dumbly at the gold coins rolling across the floor and asked a stupid question. But no answer came.
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"I asked whether this is enough."
At Jegal So-myeong's calm yet frigid voice, the Pavilion Owner failed to hide his flustered expression for the first time.
"......W-Well, you see."
"Not enough?"
W̊ẽb̀ n о̊v е̌ l̆ É n̈ǔ m̄а
Jegal So-myeong produced another pouch and emptied it onto the floor.
"No matter how expensive Pine Blossom Pavilion's prices may be, this amount should cover tonight's sales and the cost of the furnishings, wouldn't you say?"
"......"
Jegal So-myeong's gaze swept to the second and third floors.
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"Hmm, compensating all these people might require more money."
At his chilling words, those with smaller nerves began rising from their seats one by one. Most of the people here valued their own hides more than gold coins.
E ńum ǎ
After a short while, Jegal So-myeong surveyed the scene behind the stupefied Pavilion Owner, and his brow creased slightly. Some had hurried out, but curiously, over half remained—sitting with terrified faces yet refusing to move.
"......"
In the silence that permeated the tavern, Jegal So-myeong was certain of it.
'He's here.'
They couldn't very well show disloyalty to the Righteous Path Association right in the association's home base. That was why they couldn't leave their seats despite being unable to hide their fear.
STEP, STEP, STEP.
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And then the reason appeared at the top of the stairs.
Clear Water True Man, languidly fanning himself with a small folding fan, looked down at Jegal So-myeong with an air of arrogance.
"Why is the Murim Alliance's Grand Strategist interfering with another's business?"
"The gold coins I've scattered here alone should more than cover the next seven days' and nights' worth of sales."
Clear Water True Man clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk. With such a superficial perspective, it is no wonder the murim is plunged into ruin."
Ѐn_ù mа . і̆ḋ
Clear Water True Man descended one step at a time.
"Do you think the people who come here do so merely to indulge in drink? When cheap inns are everywhere, why come to a place this expensive? Is it not for the tranquil and comfortable atmosphere?"
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The Pavilion Owner's face lit up upon spotting him.
"But after an experience like this, what happens? Can they ever return, considering this place as tranquil and comfortable as before?"
"Then perhaps one should reflect on one's own failure to serve the guests well."
With every step Clear Water True Man descended, warriors from each floor fell in behind him one by one.
E̊ṅ ů m̌ӓ
"On the contrary. Once an impression is formed, it is not easily erased."
Pausing mid-step, Clear Water True Man folded his fan and fixed Jegal So-myeong with a long, steady stare.
"Just as when the Black Path sets foot inside the Murim Alliance, the people of the murim believe the Alliance has capitulated to the Black Path."
Jegal So-myeong received that gaze with impassive eyes. His dispassionate voice slipped between his lips.
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"Was that what you wanted to point out?"
The Red Dragon Pavilion members tensed at the faces of those falling in behind Clear Water True Man. Most of them belonged to the Murim Alliance's Martial Pavilion.
W̆ еbṅо̄ v́е_l Е nu̇m̊ a
"And that is precisely why it must be demonstrated. What becomes of those who recklessly shatter this peace. Then people will gather again with renewed trust."
"Are you speaking of tavern business? Or the Murim Alliance?"
By the time Clear Water True Man finally stood before Jegal So-myeong, a force twice the size of the Red Dragon Pavilion contingent had formed a wall behind him. Clear Water True Man fanned himself once more and curled his lips.
"What do you think?"
Jegal So-myeong, who had been glaring at Clear Water True Man as though the man were beneath contempt, spoke.
"I've heard you deployed sects affiliated with Wudang and hired wanderers across Hubei and Anhui."
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"I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about."
"Call off the pursuit."
"I have no idea what you mean."
"Do you truly intend to see this through to the end?"
For the first time, Clear Water True Man's eyebrow twitched.
"Speak plainly. You were the one who started this."
Ѐn̈ů m̈ а̂ . і̊ d
Jegal So-myeong continued, his gaze boring into Clear Water True Man.
"As of midnight yesterday, I issued an order to restrain any individuals engaging in unreported use of force in the Hubei and Anhui regions."
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"......!"
"The order includes a provision authorizing summary judgment for those who refuse to comply."
A crimson tint crept into Clear Water True Man's eyes.
"......How far do you intend to go against your own allies?"
E nūm̄ӓ
"If excising one or two parasites from the inside restores its health, what a profitable endeavor that would be."
"......"
"I strongly suggest you call off the pursuit as quickly as possible. You will not be able to bear the consequences of the orders you've given."
Jegal So-myeong turned his back on Clear Water True Man and began to walk away. As he took several steps, the others in the tavern dared not even breathe aloud. Then, from behind him, Clear Water True Man spoke through gritted teeth.
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"It is already done."
Jegal So-myeong stopped dead.
W е̊b̀ n о̊ v е.l̄ E̊n̄ ŭ m̌ a
"Did you not hear? Casualties have occurred at the Tianchang Branch. Fighting has broken out between the Black Path and the Murim Alliance branch members."
Clear Water True Man's voice continued. And Jegal So-myeong's eyes and mouth twisted with shock.
"What did you say!!!"
"The war...... has already begun."
***
Had Eunhyeon always been this hot a city for martial artists? I couldn't fathom what these damned bastards expected to find, crawling all the way out here. Wudang Sect lay-affiliated sects and sects with deep ties to Wudang seemed particularly numerous. Surely that was just a coincidence, right? Fuck.
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"A sudden curiosity has arisen."
Dam Ak, riding on my back, had the luxury of asking questions since he wasn't the one fighting. When I ignored him, he tried again a short while later.
"A sudden curiosity has arisen."
When I was too exhausted to respond, he'd repeat the exact same thing with relentless persistence. Not changing a single particle.
"......What is it?"
"In all of history, has there been an Orthodox Path man who fought as many Orthodox Path men as you, Young Master Jin?"
E ńù m_а́
Dam Ak's voice carried an amused lilt.
"At this point, shouldn't you technically be called Black Path?"
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I was curious about that myself. I'd never imagined I'd end up in this many bloody brawls with fellow Orthodox Path men after the Regular Exam.
"That guy over there is actually Black Path, though."
I jerked my chin toward one side. Among the attackers, the wanderers were especially irritating. Not just Orthodox Path wanderers—Black Path wanderer bastards had crawled all the way to Eunhyeon to catch me too.
Well, technically they were here for Dam Ak. Hey, isn't he supposed to be your Grand Strategist? No matter how much you love money, isn't this a bit much? Dam Ak, who had been chattering away, went quiet for a moment before murmuring softly.
Е̄ ṅ u m̌ а̌ . і̌d́
"......Those men are undoubtedly corrupted by the Blood Cult."
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say."
THWACK-THWACK-THWACK-THWACK-THUD!
I deployed Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist and caved in one side of a charging wanderer's cheekbone. I'd planned to crush both sides evenly for symmetry, to give him a nice smooth face. But my fists wouldn't cooperate anymore.
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Two shi—no, just one shi of rest and recovery would make all the difference. The Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear's regeneration didn't seem to be working properly given how bad my condition was. Had I already burned through all the Earth Bear's energy? Wasn't it supposed to last a lifetime once acquired? Feeling betrayed here.
"Hm?"
En ù m̃ а.і̊ d
But strangely, past a certain point, the density of pursuit dropped noticeably.
"Huff, huff. These bastards, did they finally realize how terrifying I am?"
While I wore a triumphant grin, Dam Ak—clinging to my back like a parasite—stated flatly.
"Jegal So-myeong probably made his move. Though it's far too late as it is. A man who did nothing while the Righteous Path Association was in motion, only now stepping in—disappointing beyond words."
Says the man who can't take a single step off my back because those small fry might kill him. But there was no time to rest.
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
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CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
While wanderers with weak ties to Wudang or those acting independently had peeled off to save their own skins, Wudang's lay disciples still pressed their attacks ferociously.
"They probably don't want me arriving on time."
The same reason I couldn't rest for even a moment. Right now, we were in a race against time.
Among the carrier pigeon letters the Hao Gate had relayed was intelligence that tensions between the branches were escalating. If the tension boiled over and fighting erupted at even one branch, forcing the Black Thought Alliance into a declaration of war, then even if Dam Ak returned on time, there'd be no way to stop the war.
"HAAAAARGH!"
Wе b̀ n̆ о̂ v е̊ l Е́ṅǔm̆a
Ten Thousand Swords swung wildly, devastating the area. My qi center hit rock bottom almost immediately, but I didn't care. Just a little further and we'd reach Anhui Province.
Just past here......
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Just past here......
"Hah, hah, hah."
Leaving Orthodox Path men strewn in every direction, I ran again. My legs wobbled, moving of their own accord. No matter how much my inner arts had grown, there was nothing to be done about the blood I'd lost.
"Young Master Jin, how about resting a moment? There don't seem to be any more pursuers."
Ẇ е b̀.ǹо̆.v е̃ĺ Е̇n̄um̌а
He turned to check my face.
"Young Master Jin, you look like you could drop dead any second. Let's at least do a brief Qi Circulation before going."
"I'm fine."
Dam Ak let out a small sigh and gripped my shoulder tightly.
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"I'm worried you'll collapse. If you collapse, I'll have to go on alone, won't I?"
"If I rest now, won't the war start?"
E_ṅ ùmа̊
"......"
A sigh from Dam Ak.
"Is that what's been worrying you?"
"What else would I be worried about?"
"You needn't worry about that."
Before I knew it, his hand was patting my shoulder.
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"Even if fighting breaks out between the branches and demonstrators, the Black Thought Alliance will not issue a declaration of war."
"!!!???"
I calmed the inner arts I'd been forcing upward and stopped in my tracks.
"Wh......what do you mean?"
"If the assassination failed, the least I could do was buy time. I told them in advance to respond to demonstrations and attacks, but under no circumstances to issue a declaration of war or announce hostilities, even if casualties occurred. Staying put is the better way to rally the Black Thought Alliance's people."
"......"
Е n ú m а̊. їd
I felt as though I'd been slapped hard across the back of the head. That endlessly brilliant, impossibly composed voice. Wow, this man, seriously.......
"Why...... are you only telling me this now?"
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He could have told me sooner, or he could have kept his mouth shut until the end!
My shoulders were trembling, and Dam Ak gingerly removed his hand.
"You never asked. You wouldn't even respond to what I said."
"FUUUUCK!!!"
Е n̆ûm̊а̇
"......Young Master Jin?"
I undid the Heavenly Silkworm Thread. Before Dam Ak could even say "ow" after hitting the ground on his backside, I'd already sat down in meditation posture and plunged into Qi Circulation.
You. Just wait until I finish one Small Heavenly Circuit. Then we'll see.
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