Chapter 20
The letter Hyang-I had sent—
Its contents were as follows.
[Praying that this letter safely reaches the lea4er.
This is Hyang-I, Hao Sect Ansun Branch's secretary, reporting.
First, I am reporting information regarding the new leaders of the Kaiyang Society.
I had previously relayed news that a mysterious master suddenly appeared at Kaiyang Society, killed the previous leader, and took up the position of new leader.
The original leader of Kaiyang Society was Cheon Gi-ja.
However, it is said that the number of leaders has recently changed to seven.]
At these words, Jaseong's brow lifted slightly.
"Seven leaders? Isn't there usually only one leader...?"
Muttering, he unfolded the letter again.
[We are still verifying the pasts and backgrounds of those leaders.
As soon as anything is confirmed, I will send an additional letter pigeon.
More important, however, is the second piece of news.
This is actually the reason I hurried to send you this letter pigeon, leader.
Murong family, one of the Five Great Clans of the Central Plains.
Its collateral branch, Mocheon Sect, established by Murong Dangcheon, has stepped out of Guiyang in the capital and is making deep inroads into Gaeyang, a territory belonging to Fierce Sky Faction.
More precisely, their hand is reaching into Fierce Sky Faction's shady business operations.]
At these words, Jaseong's brows twitched even more.
For the collateral branch of a famed Central Plains clan, and a member of the Righteous Faction, to be meddling in the underworld's illicit businesses—
Such a thing was unthinkable within the just martial world.
[Gaeyang is the place where the most black money flows in Guizhou Province, and its Red Light District is the largest in Guizhou.
It is said that the amount of money Fierce Sky Faction handles each year rivals the five branches of the Ten Thousand Gold Hall, so it's a financial power that should never be ignored.
That's likely why Mocheon Sect is reaching for the shadows, coveting Fierce Sky Faction's businesses.
Unlike its splendid exterior, the relatively short history of Mocheon Sect means its finances are not in good shape.
Of course, it seems unbelievable that a Righteous Faction sect belonging to the Murim Alliance would covet underground money.
However, no matter how many times I checked, this information is solid.
Since Mocheon Sect is drooling over Gaeyang's shadow business, the power dynamics among all the dark forces in Guizhou Province may change.
Since you're in Gaeyang, and also heading to Fierce Sky Faction, I am even more concerned for you, leader.
Please be careful.]
With Hyang-I's information in his hand, Jaseong fell silent for a moment in thought.
"... A new leader has appeared at Kaiyang Society, and Mocheon Sect is after Fierce Sky Faction's business. And now, both Kaiyang Society's dark faction and Mocheon Sect's young master have appeared in a Fierce Sky Faction-controlled territory...."
... Could it be that Mocheon Sect has joined hands with Kaiyang Society?
If so, it would shake the entire martial world.
If a collateral branch of the Murong family—a member of the Five Great Clans—were to join hands with underworld criminal groups,
It would be a stain in the history of the just and righteous Murim Alliance, which proclaims honor and justice.
"... I should dig deeper into this."
Immediately, Jaseong took out a brush and ink from his robe and wrote a reply.
[Look into the relationship between Kaiyang Society and Mocheon Sect thoroughly. I will also stay in Gaeyang for now and gather information myself.]
A black hawk, which only the head of Hao Sect could use,
Jaseong tightly fastened the letter to its leg, and, by then, a plan was already forming in his mind.
If Mocheon Sect and Kaiyang Society really were conspiring together in secret... that would be a great opportunity for Jaseong's revenge.
And the true meaning of the third Heaven's Mandate—'Eliminate Little Evil'—would become clearer as well.
"Go."
With a light motion of his wrist, the black hawk soared up into the night sky.
Flap! Flap!
Watching the dark hawk's silhouette fade away, Jaseong finally turned on his heel.
In the moonlight, his profile was no longer that of a young boy.
Like a coldly shining blade, his gaze was that of an organization's leader.
His steps now headed straight for Fierce Sky Faction, at the very heart of all these events.
* * *
The next morning.
The capital Guiyang of Guizhou Province was living up to its reputation.
Beyond the towering city gates stretched wide streets bustling with people clad in splendid silks.
It was a scene where all the wealth and honor of Guizhou Province seemed to flow into this place.
Standing tall to the north of the capital was the grand gate of Mocheon Sect.
The red roof tiles, blue pillars, and the beautiful trees of the visible garden over the high wall exuded an air befitting the greatest Righteous Faction sect of Guizhou Province.
"Wow, the wealth of the Five Great Clans is something else. To think a collateral branch can build a sect of this scale."
A passing traveler exclaimed in admiration.
In truth, Mocheon Sect hadn't been in Guizhou for long, but thanks to its backing as a collateral of the Murong family, one of the Five Great Clans, it had quickly secured a place as an eminent Righteous Faction sect.
Yet beneath this outward splendor, angry voices rang out in the front yard of the Mocheon Sect leader's official residence.
"You have dragged the name of Mocheon Sect through the mud."
A harsh voice resounded beyond the wall.
"How could a member of the Righteous Faction consort with mere criminals and return in disgrace?!"
A middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, his face flushed with rage, shouted thunderously.
This was the Mocheon Sect leader, Murong Dangcheon.
Renowned as the 'Azure Rain Swordsman(靑雨劍客)', he was a highly respected martial artist in the martial world.
He was reputed to have mastered the swift sword art of the Murong family, Flash Cloud Splitting Sword, and so in Guizhou Province, he was considered one of its top masters.
"As disciples of Mocheon Sect, tasked with upholding righteousness and restoring the order of the world—you!"
Before the leader's explosive rebuke, Murong Jin's entire body trembled.
In contrast, his three elder brothers behind him watched on with sneering grins.
'That lowborn concubine's son has finally fallen from father's favor.'
'There goes another competitor for the successor's seat. Not that he ever stood a chance. Hmph.'
Normally, the position of sect leader goes to the most skilled and respected disciple.
But for sects like Mocheon Sect—established by a collateral branch after leaving the main clan—the succession often follows the family's line.
Thus, Murong Jin's siblings fiercely competed behind the scenes for the next leader's spot.
Because of this, Murong Jin couldn't possibly reveal that he had been poisoned by Sound Resonance Sect's gu poison.
'If it comes out that I've been poisoned by gu poison... Father will disown me for sure... He'll throw me away for the sake of the sect's honor rather than save me...! And if that guy finds out too...!'
At that moment—
Swoosh—
Murong Dangcheon grabbed a wooden practice sword from the wall.
"You have sullied the Righteous Faction's name and brought shame to Gaeyang, so you must be punished."
With a chilling air, Murong Dangcheon channeled internal energy into the wooden sword.
He only put in enough energy for about a single strike, but with Murong Jin's level, even one hit would leave him bloodied.
Yet, just as Murong Jin's face turned pale, something unexpected happened.
Thwack!!!
"Aagh!"
The sect leader's wooden sword did not strike Murong Jin.
Instead, it was Murong Jin's fellow disciple next to him who screamed in pain.
"Your sin is also severe, for not supporting your senior brother and letting him stray onto the path of evil."
"I—I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me just this once...!"
Whack! Thwack!!
"Do you know why I assigned you to Murong Jin? What were you doing while your senior was beaten half to death?"
Whack! Whack! Thwack!!
"Aagh! Aah! Nooo!"
With an icy stare, Murong Dangcheon repeatedly struck Murong Jin's disciple with the practice sword.
In an instant, he was a bloody mess and collapsed convulsing on the ground.
Clatter—
Only after venting some of his anger did Murong Dangcheon throw down the wooden sword.
Then, glaring at his trembling fourth son, he delivered a stern warning.
"Jin, you will enter closed-door training for the next three months. And if you ever again bring disgrace upon the name of Mocheon Sect, I will not forgive you."
With those words, Murong Dangcheon returned to his office.
Watching his father's retreating figure, Murong Jin trembled so badly that he couldn't even think of rising to his feet.
"Whew...."
Back in his office, Murong Dangcheon let out a long breath as he sat down.
After a moment of calm breathing with his eyes closed, he suddenly spoke toward what appeared to be an empty spot behind the folding screen.
"Faceless Ghost."
A shadow emerged from behind the screen.
"Yes, sect Leader."
"Send letters to the seven leaders of Kaiyang Society."
"The letters you mentioned previously?"
"Yes. We need to proceed quickly."
"Understood. I'll send messenger pigeons immediately."
"Since those arrogant Fierce Sky Faction bastards dare touch my bloodline... I have given them enough chances. It's time to uproot them and seize their business."
A chilling murderous glint flickered in the Mocheon Sect leader's eyes.
At the same time, a burning greed for the black money beneath Guizhou Province roared within him.
* * *
At that very moment, Jaseong was in the deepest office of Fierce Sky Faction.
It was a broad, majestic room, as if carved out of a rock wall.
Dozens of weapons crossed on the walls, and the glassy eyes of taxidermied beasts gleamed savagely in the dimness.
Most notably, there was not a single window. Only faint lamps illuminated the office,
making it feel like stepping into a pitch-black cave.
"It's only been three months, young leader of Hao Sect Ansun Branch."
Fierce Sky Faction leader Pacheon Gong spoke with his usual menacing presence.
He had just returned with executives from a field visit, yet for some reason, he was still dressed in nightwear.
Black cloth covered his burly body, and the looming shadows on his face made it impossible to read his expression.
"I heard about the incident at Cheongha Pavilion last night."
"......."
"While I and my officers were away, you drove off Kaiyang Society and Mocheon Sect at Cheongha Pavilion, in our stead, no less."
At Pacheon Gong's question, Jaseong only nodded.
Then, without warning, Pacheon Gong opened a wooden box on the desk.
Clack!
When the box opened, a hefty gold bar appeared.
That golden brilliance was blinding as the sun.
It seemed to smash through the darkness for a moment.
"Take it."
Pacheon Gong tossed a gold bar to Jaseong.
As he caught it, the weight pressed heavy in his palm.
This was enough money to buy a mansion in Luoyang several times over.
"... Why are you giving me this gold bar?"
"Don't want it? Then give it back."
"I'll make good use of it."
"Hmph. I thought you'd at least refuse twice..."
"I learned that polite refusals are a privilege of those born to wealthy clans. But, really, why give me solid gold?"
"That gold is the price for the life of Heartless Demon Gu Nuong. Since you eliminated a Kaiyang Society leader that only our own officers could have handled, this is your reward."
Jaseong clicked his tongue inwardly.
'... Even if Heartless Demon was a famous dark path master, to give away a bar of gold for taking down just one criminal—'
He was again reminded of the sheer financial might of Fierce Sky Faction.
In any case, it was an enormous benefit for Jaseong.
With this gold bar, he could surely recruit many warriors and informants to the Hao Sect Ansun Branch.
After tucking the gold away, Jaseong spoke to Pacheon Gong again.
"Since the leader has given me a gift, I'll offer a return present."
"A return present?"
At these unexpected words, a sly smile crept to Pacheon Gong's lips.
"Hmph. The young branch leader who was nothing but reckless three months ago, now dares speak of reciprocation... You've grown much."
"......."
"So, what is this return present?"