Chapter 116
Yang Merchant Guild's empty hall.
A middle-aged man, though slightly small in stature, looked very strong-willed as he stood by the window, looking outside.
Although the plum blossoms outside the window were in full bloom, they did not catch the eye of the Namil Sect Master, Ling Yunchan.
His mind was complicated.
The rice was all cooked and ready to be eaten, but the rice pot had been overturned.
A being like a disaster that had suddenly appeared.
'The Alliance Leader's disciple... and an absolute master? Why is such a person here, blocking my path? At this point in time...'
Although he resented the heavens, there was nothing he could do.
A person had come in a hurry from the Zhongnan main mountain. He had said not to cause trouble with the Alliance Leader's disciple.
No, even if it wasn't an order from the main mountain, he would have been standing in this place.
He had to come.
He had heard what he had done.
The White Mountain Sect had disappeared without a trace, and the Meixian Fang had been reduced to a third-rate sect overnight.
There was no law that said the Namil Sect would not be the same.
For the first time, Ling Yunchan felt a sense of doubt about his own martial arts.
A brat in his teens was becoming an absolute master, but he, who had trained for fifty years, was now only at the 'true realm'...
How happy he had been when he had formed his dantian's inner core... it was as if he had the whole world.
There are truly many masters in the world...
'If I want to protect what I have, I have to keep my wits about me.'
The Namil Sect, a member of the 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi'.
His own sect, which he had built with a single sword received from Zhongnan.
There had been days of blood and sweat, and nights spent worrying, to get to this point.
So he stood in this place.
To protect the Namil Sect.
He could fight... but it was more advantageous to resolve it with words.
And yet, a sense of anticipation remained in a corner of his heart.
Because the rumors of the martial world were often exaggerated.
Seeing the brat who entered the empty hall, his anticipation grew slightly.
Is that brat really an absolute master?
He quickly hid his inner thoughts and stood up, cupping his fists.
"I greet Young Master Yang."
"Yes. I'm not a young master from a noble family... why did you come?"
Yes? The rumors said he spoke informally to everyone?
So there was some exaggeration?
He's just a child-like child!
"I came in person because I thought there was a misunderstanding."
Looking at the youthful face, he couldn't bring himself to use honorifics.
"A misunderstanding?"
"Guild Master Yang was under the protection of the Namil Sect. Moreover, to rescue his wife and daughter who were confined in the Meixian Fang..."
Baekji raised his hand and cut him off.
"I know all that. You've done well."
"...?"
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
"..."
"Surely you didn't do it hoping for something in return? If the Zhongnan school expected a reward for practicing chivalry, I would be disappointed..."
"Of course not. But I heard that the members of our sect are being held captive. If the misunderstanding has been cleared..."
"Ah, you came to get the sect members. To take care of even the lower-ranking warriors... the sect master is a decent person. Take them."
"Thank you."
Ling Yunchan, as things were resolved more easily than he had thought, went a step further.
"Our sect values its friendship with the Yang Merchant Guild and hopes to maintain a good relationship in the future..."
"That's none of my business..."
Baekji cut him off and stared at Ling Yunchan.
For some reason, he felt uneasy. It had been too easy. It was a look that wanted something.
Ling Yunchan fumbled with the bank note in his sleeve.
He had come prepared, as there were rumors that he was fond of money.
Should I give it to him or not? He asked first.
"Ahem, why are you looking at me with those eyes..."
"Looking at your features, the sect master seems to be the right person."
"What do you mean?"
"The 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi', was it? I'd like to invite the leaders... but as you can see, my status doesn't match, right? I'm young, and I'm not the leader of a sect... just an Honored One."
He also knows how to lower himself.
He said he was the only one in heaven and on earth. As expected, rumors are not to be trusted.
Looking at his bright face, it was hard to believe that he was the one who had seized the White Mountain Sect and had saved the Poison King.
He even felt the urge to test the realm of an absolute master.
'Stop it. Ling Yunchan. Get a grip. Are you going to defy the order of the sect?'
He could not defy the order that had come down from Zhongnan.
Never make an enemy of him. Form a good relationship. As much as possible, use the name of Zhongnan...
Although it had been decades since he had left the mountain, it was the first time he had received an order from the Sect Master.
He could not make a mistake.
"What do you mean by that...?"
"I'd like to send an invitation in the sect master's name. Let's meet here at the Yang Merchant Guild."
"...!"
He had thought he would ask for money, but he had demanded something absurd.
The leaders of the 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi' gathering in one place?
He had never even imagined it.
It would not end well if they met. They had a lot of accumulated resentment towards each other, both known and unknown.
"They are the four pillars that protect Shaanxi, right? Shouldn't they at least know each other's faces? If they're in the mood, they can have a match. I heard that all the leaders are among the top hundred masters. It would be a sight to see if they fought, right?"
Does he want to see a match? He's still a child.
But there are things that can be done... to gather the leaders of the 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi', who are sworn enemies, in one place.
"They will be uncomfortable with each other. To be honest, they are not on good terms..."
"So they have to see each other. Don't you get closer by seeing each other often?"
"It's too unexpected a proposal... give me some time to think..."
"I don't have much time to stay. I'll give you three days. Let's meet here in three days..."
Baekji, without even listening to the hesitant Ling Yunchan, set a date.
Ling Yunchan was flustered.
"It's too soon. The 'Iron Horse Sect' is far away, near the border, so it will take several days just to get there."
"I know they're nearby. Weren't you planning to settle the score for the hegemony of Shaanxi this time?"
"..."
Ling Yunchan was inwardly surprised.
While the Namil Sect was dealing with the Meixian Fang and the 'Zhaoling Sect', the 'Iron Horse Sect' had secretly moved south and had promised to attack the 'Zhaoling Sect's' base.
It was a secret agreement to divide Shaanxi...
'How did he know that?'
In fact, it wasn't difficult. It was just sending an invitation.
Still, he had to leave a way out.
"Ahem, ahem! There's no guarantee that they will accept my invitation. Even if they don't come..."
"Alright. I won't say anything... ahem, write my name at the bottom of the invitation. Won't they know if you say 'Honored One of the Yang-Bai Merchant Sect'? My presence must be at least that much, right?"
It was more than enough.
Because the person who was currently heating up Xi'an was the Honored One of the Yang-Bai Merchant Sect.
Even now, the 'Tianshan Brothel' was in the midst of boosting Baekji's presence.
"The Alliance Leader's disciple... don't write things like that. It feels like I'm borrowing the authority of the Martial Alliance."
That's right. He was also the Alliance Leader's disciple.
He suddenly understood the position of the sect that was aiming for the hegemony of the Martial Alliance.
"Alright."
Ling Yunchan nodded and stood up.
As Baekji saw Ling Yunchan off to the main gate and turned around, Hongyan was loitering nearby.
"Why are you looking at me with those eyes?"
"To use honorifics with Ling Yunchan. It's strange."
He had spoken informally to even the white-haired Jian Yi.
Is he discriminating between the Demonic Cult and the righteous path?
"Yes. Should I say I've become aware of my age? It's tiring to live as a child. You, of all people, should know. What is your real age?"
"How many times do I have to tell you? What you see is my age."
"Yes. That's right. What others see is my age. That was a very useful piece of advice."
What is his scheme?
Hongyan did not believe Baekji's words. There must be some ulterior motive.
Baekji suddenly approached and brought his face close to Hongyan's neck.
"Oh my, what are you doing?"
While Hongyan was embarrassed.
"Sniff, sniff."
Baekji sniffed and asked, "Did you apply the 'Thousand Li Tracking Scent'?"
"H-how did you know?"
Baekji had smelled it when Menghua had used the 'Thousand Li Tracking Scent'.
"This is a scent that only the 'Yellow Weasel' can detect... it's strange. Is the Honored One's nose at the level of a 'Yellow Weasel'...?"
"Why are you wearing something like that?"
Hongyan was definitely honest.
Like now.
"If I applied it to the Honored One, I would be beaten, so I had to apply it to myself."
"Hmm. So the Demonic Cult is chasing me? Did they order you to watch me?"
"If they want to realize their ambition of conquering the Central Plains, they have to grasp what the Martial Alliance Leader's disciple is doing."
"Really? What did you report about me?"
Baekji asked, his ears perked up as if he were interested.
"There's nothing much these days. What you ate today, what you bought, what play you saw. Things like that."
"Hmm, you're reporting such trivial things in detail?"
Hongyan sighed.
"The Honored One is not doing anything. I've already received a warning from my superiors, asking if I'm not filing false reports. Sometimes, you should visit sects and have important talks... and also beat up the Black Path. Do something that looks plausible. Don't absolute masters also train? I have to at least glimpse your training to grasp your martial arts background. This is the worst opponent for a spy."
"Hmm... you're being too blatant about your spying."
"It's all in the Honored One's palm anyway... so what does it matter. It's useless even if I say no."
"That's true."
Baekji, after thinking for a moment, said, "Alright. I'll tell you something important. Say that I was shocked to see the Blood Fiend achieve the 'Blood Demon Body' the other day. And that I'm worried that there might be brats who have achieved the 'Blood Demon Body' here and there, and that I'm trying to rally the forces of the martial world. The first step is the 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi' alliance."
Hongyan said as if she couldn't believe it.
The 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi', who were sworn enemies, forming an alliance?
It was an absurd thing.
"If I file a false report, I really die. You don't have to make things up."
"You saw the Namil Sect Master just now. In three days, the 'Four Hegemons of Shaanxi' will gather here."
"Really? This is a big deal..."
"Ahem. Go and tell them. It seems I'm just playing and eating... but actually, I was a duck. I'm paddling hard below the surface."
"Hmm. But is it okay to tell our cult about this?"
Hongyan asked with a suspicious gaze.
It didn't seem like he was joking, but he was revealing his current situation too readily.
"Everyone will know in three days anyway."
When Hongyan thought about it, that was true. Still, the three-day time difference had informational value.
"Do you really think they will form an alliance?"
"If they don't, they'll be beaten."
"..."
"Isn't the fact that there might be a group of 'Blood Demons' useful information? Go and prove your worth as a spy."
"Hmm. Why are you suddenly doing this...?"
Hongyan came to her senses.
He was a brat with at least ten vipers in his belly. He wouldn't give such information for no reason.
"Ah! Are you making me a double agent...? I can't do that!"
"Why do I need a spy? I don't need anything like that. Just... think of it as interest on the assets of the Hongmeng Brothel."
"Honored One..."
Hongyan said with a very serious face.
"What goes around comes around with money."
'Hmm. I shouldn't carelessly touch women's money.'
Baekji thought to himself.
She would risk her life to collect even a single penny of interest.
"Hmm. Then tell the Demonic Cult's leadership something for me."
"..."
At the unexpected request, Hongyan closed her mouth.
"You guys are fighting the Blood Sect, right? You must have gathered a lot of information in the meantime. Let's share it with each other."
"..."
"I'll give you the information I know first. The Blood Fiend needs time to properly achieve the 'Blood Demon's' realm. But what about the other 'Blood Demons'? The 'Blood Demon' that the Blood Cult Leader controls as a puppet will become a monster right away... something like a Demonic Cult 'jiangshi' will be torn apart like a piece of paper."
"Hmm. If the Blood Fiend, who is not even a proper 'Blood Demon', escaped from the Honored One's hands... that could be the case."
"Ah, that's not it."
Baekji waved his hand.
"When you write the report, write it clearly. I let him go because I had a deep meaning. He's no match for me."
"..."
"Really."
"I'll deliver it... but I can't guarantee that our cult will accept the Honored One's proposal."
Although Jian Yi had not said it, Hongyan knew that something serious had happened in their cult.
Would the leadership really meet Baekji?
Hongyan went to the 'Tianshan Brothel', worrying.
Baekji, watching her back, was lost in thought.
The 'Tianshan' where the Demonic Cult was located was too far. He wanted to go and confirm his identity, but after seeing the Blood Cult Leader's consciousness, he felt that there was no time.
The Blood Cult Leader, that madman... he didn't know what it was, but it was clear that he was about to do something absurd.
If the calamity of the Blood Sect were to happen again, the Central Plains martial world would...
That's none of my business...
'Don't touch the Yang-Bai Merchant Sect. Blood Cult Leader...'
If you do, you'll get hit.
(End of Chapter)