Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
I went to Sichuan first with Miho. We received the latest information from Dao King Byeokji-sang, the head of the Open Sect’s Sichuan branch.
“The Dao King has been located.”
With those words, Dae Jong-gae, who had been staring at me blankly, said,
“And as for Dongbang Mu-gyeol, I’m sorry, but he seems to have no plans to come to the Central Plains at all.”
“Still no signs from Nanzhong?”
“None yet.”
“It’s been nearly a year since the request was made, so if that’s the case…”
“I guess we’ll have to go ourselves.”
I instinctively understood that to find Dongbang Mu-gyeol, I needed to go to Nanzhong. A year may seem short, but in the martial world, it’s anything but. If a martial artist hasn’t returned within that time, it typically indicates something serious has occurred.
Dae Jong-gae continued,
“If you want to know the whereabouts of Nanzhong, it would be quicker to ask Wan Poison Gate in Yunnan. Although the Open Sect has a vast network, we lack a dedicated branch in Yunnan.”
“Is Wan Poison Gate the overlord of that region?”
“More or less. Within Yunnan, they have no rivals, so they’re likely the most informed.”
I thought it wasn’t the right time to search for Dongbang Mu-gyeol. It would be a long and perilous journey out of the Central Plains through Yunnan and into Nanzhong. It was best to handle some tasks first before moving on. I collected my thoughts and said to Dae Jong-gae,
“Then please provide me with information about the Dao King.”
“Certainly. The Dao King appeared in the Sichuan martial world about two months ago, but for some reason, he hasn’t moved from a gambling house.”
“A gambling house?”
“The Shu Han Gambling House, the largest gambling house in Chengdu.”
The Shu Han Gambling House was not only the biggest in Chengdu but also the largest in Sichuan, with Mahjong being the primary game. Moreover, it wasn’t just a shabby third-rate gambling house, as it was frequented by high officials and the wealthy, serving a kind of social venue. Consequently, the amounts wagered here were staggering—beyond what common folk could imagine.
After explaining this, Dae Jong-gae frowned.
“That’s causing everyone quite a headache.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know what the winning rate is when Dao King Byeokji-sang is gambling? A staggering 85%.”
“……!!”
“He doesn’t lose at all when it comes to Mahjong. In that game, he possesses god-like skills.”
85%!
That was an absurd winning rate, meaning he’d win 85 out of 100 games. Plus, not losing at Mahjong made him fit to be called the King of Gambling (賭博). Having played Mahjong a few times myself, I blinked in disbelief and said,
“Isn’t he just cheating?”
“Everyone thought so. However, that’s not the case. Renowned gambling masters in Sichuan have all tried to discover his method, but it was just astonishing reads on the tiles, psychological warfare, and sheer luck. In fact, several gamblers tried to cheat him and ended up losing their hands instead.”
“……!!”
“As a result, the Shu Han Gambling House has seen a rapid decline in customers to the point where it’s barely operational.”
“That’s…”
I paused before continuing,
“This is dangerous. Does he want to die?”
Indeed.
In gambling, even if one always wins, there’s a point when one must lose. The inherent nature of gambling is always accompanied by violence, and considering the absurd sums or stakes involved, murder or threats could arise at any moment. Especially, if high-ranking officials, gamblers, or dark forces were all involved and lost to him, it would certainly lead to severe consequences.
Dae Jong-gae smirked at my inquiry.
“His martial prowess is significant enough that the Shu Han Gambling House can’t do anything about him right now. However, the major sects in Sichuan are eyeing him closely, and soon Dao King Byeokji-sang will probably be killed.”
Killed!?
If Dae Jong-gae, who worked in an information organization, was so confident, then the Dao King was undoubtedly in a perilous situation. If the Dao King were to be kidnapped or killed, I would lose access to information about Dongbang Mu-gyeol, which would be a huge problem for me.
‘I had planned to visit Geuk Ho first, but it looks like I need to find the Dao King right away instead.’
I mulled over my thoughts and asked,
“What sects specifically are targeting Dao King Byeokji-sang?”
“That information costs 50 taels of silver.”
I felt annoyed.
“How brazen! Do you think 50 taels is someone’s kid’s name?”
“Ha ha, the moment Open Sect provides you with information, we risk exposure. You should understand that.”
Reluctantly, I took out the 50 taels in silver and handed it to him. While I wasn’t short on money, I was slightly exasperated by Dae Jong-gae’s persistent greed. As he pocketed the silver, he spoke.
“There are six sects in total.”
“That many?”
“Qingcheng Sect, Sichuan Tang Clan, Blood Flame Gate, Twin Star Knife Gate, Absolute Dragon Faction, and Heavenly Heart Association.”
“……”
My heart sank heavily. While other sects can be ignored, considering that Qingcheng Sect is part of the Nine Great Sects and that Sichuan Tang Clan is the overlord of Sichuan, this was perplexing. Thankfully, the Ami Sect was not involved, but it was strange that a sect of female monks would even engage in gambling. I stared at him in disbelief.
“What reason would Qingcheng Sect or Sichuan Tang Clan have to interfere with the Dao King?”
“Previously, an elder from Qingcheng Sect lost a bet to Dao King and was forced to forfeit his Famous Sword. As for Sichuan Tang Clan, they’ve never looked favorably on him—seemed their Clan Leader dislikes him for being too overbearing.”
“Hmm.”
“Blood Flame Gate and Twin Star Knife Gate have been dark sects supporting the Shu Han Gambling House from the start, but now they’ve dragged in other forces. The Absolute Dragon Faction is an emerging sect in Sichuan. The Heavenly Heart Association, which originally was a secret religious group, has now transformed into a martial organization.”
I scratched my head.
“Ugh… This is crazy. Did the Absolute Dragon Faction and Heavenly Heart Association also get hired to take down the Shu Han Gambling House?”
“Indeed. Like the Absolute Dragon Faction, they want to capture the Dao King to boost their own reputation, and the Heavenly Heart Association likely has similar intentions.”
This was giving me a headache. If Dae Jong-gae was right, then six formidable sects were vying to take down the Dao King, which filled me with despair at the thought of how many high-level masters I would have to face when I tried to rescue him.
“Are there any elders or particularly strong masters from Qingcheng Sect or Sichuan Tang Clan involved?”
“I don’t know the details, but there’s a rumor that the elder from Qingcheng Sect will personally dive into action to reclaim his honor. As for Sichuan Tang Clan, I can’t say for sure. Other sects likely have peak experts stepping up too…”
“What about ultra-peak experts?”
“Ultra-peak experts aren’t common. If they do come, it will likely be clan leaders from Qingcheng Sect, Sichuan Tang Clan, or perhaps even Heavenly Heart Association, but would such exalted beings personally come to take down just one Dao King?”
“That’s somewhat relieving…”
At that point, Dae Jong-gae looked utterly flabbergasted.
“Somewhat relieving? Are you seriously planning to go rescue the Dao King?”
“I am.”
“Dao King Byeokji-sang’s martial arts are at a peak level, so no random person can touch him. That’s precisely why Blood Flame Gate and Twin Star Knife Gate are also fearful, hence bringing in other forces so that the congregation of peak experts wouldn’t be underestimated.”
I chuckled slightly.
“That’s something I’ll take care of myself.”
“Ha ha…”
“Please let me know the location of the Shu Han Gambling House. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Alright…”
A moment later, Dae Jong-gae revealed the location of the Shu Han Gambling House and handed me a rough map. I felt it might only take about twenty li to reach there.
After exiting, I turned to Miho and asked,
“What do you think we should do?”
Miho was munching on sweet rice cakes she had brought from Dongyoung. Since this matter didn’t concern her much, she was simply watching with detached amusement. However, she did respond as if she was paying attention.
“Why not go ask Mangryang? Don’t rush in blindly only to regret later.”
“… Hearing you say that hurts a bit.”
“Stop pretending to be all delicate. You only asked her because you’re uncertain yourself, right?”
Miho, still grumbling, went on,
“Just know this: while it’s good to try to avoid regrets, if you overly depend on Mangryang, you might end up regretting it even more.”
“Hmm…”
“The most important decisions should ultimately be made by you. And it’s only right that you tackle the crucial tasks yourself to avoid future complications. Also, if you seek advice, don’t doubt it unnecessarily. I won’t say more than that.”
I nodded.
“That’s true. Thanks, Miho.”
Just as Miho said, I occasionally debated whether to seek wisdom from Mangryang. For significant matters, I usually consulted her without hesitation but worried about whether I was being excessive. Miho’s words provided me with a suitable guideline.
Whoosh!
I headed to Jinlang Valley with Miho. Although the place hadn’t changed much, Mangryang herself had noticeably transformed.
‘She has grown stronger.’
In just a little over a year, Mangryang seemed to have accumulated significant inner power and martial skills. She must have rapidly acquired skills while digesting the Black and White Lotus. Mangryang, sitting in the great hall while reading a book, looked pleasantly surprised upon seeing me.
“It’s been a while! Have you been well?”
“Of course. I have a gift for you.”
I pulled out the clothing I had brought from Dongyoung. After inspecting the two or three pieces, Mangryang exclaimed,
“Is this a stealth outfit for ninjas?”
“That’s right.”
I had forced Miho to get it from the Senqaji Clan, one of the Three Great Families. The Senqaji Clan, also known as the Hattori Clan, is the most influential clan under the current shogunate.
“Oho… It’s sparking my collecting instincts.”
Mangryang seemed to have a particular fondness for the garments from Dongyoung. Adding on, I pulled out a doll and a sword from Dongyoung. Mangryang admired the craftsmanship of the doll but frowned upon seeing the sword.
“It’s made of inferior metal. Such a thing has no sentimental value.”
“Is that so?”
“The doll is well made. It seems Dongyoung’s doll craftsman possesses superior skills.”
For the next meal, Mangryang spent her time examining the gifts with delight. Once she felt satisfied, she turned to me and said,
“Thank you for the presents.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Now, please share what’s been happening.”
I recounted everything that had happened so far.
Mangryang pondered deeply before saying,
“It doesn’t seem like a big deal. Then follow my advice and proceed as discussed.”
“How?”
For about half an hour, I listened to Mangryang’s plan. After she finished, I was left impressed.
“Truly…!!”
“The key is not merely to rescue the Dao King, but to ensure you don’t create unnecessary enmity in the process.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Oh, and when you return, I have something important to tell you, so please drop by.”
“I understand.”
Mangryang originally intended to share something significant upon my return, but it seemed pressing matters had postponed that. I thought it wouldn’t harm to follow Mangryang’s strategy since it seemed practical, so I decided to concentrate on resolving the current issue first.
Whoosh!
I initially utilized the Vibation Technique to head to Sichuan Tang Clan.
“I’ve come to request something from the Clan Leader.”
“A request?”
In front of Tang Mugyeok, the leader of Sichuan Tang Clan, I spoke candidly,
“If you could acquire the Human Face Pillar’s inner alchemy, would you stop targeting Dao King Byeokji-sang and help me?”
Tang Mugyeok laughed heartily.
“Ha ha ha… You come back after so long and speak nonsense.”
“I’m not joking. There’s no great grudge between Sichuan Tang Clan and the Dao King, right?”
“Ha ha… Personally, I’d love to catch that insufferable guy and deal with him, but it’s true he hasn’t done anything drastically wrong.”
As he said that, he broke into a bigger laugh.
“Except for the fact that he doesn’t exist! Ha ha.”
It seemed Tang Mugyeok thought I was merely here to crack jokes since I hadn’t seen him in a while. I pondered for a moment and replied,
“Shall we have another wager?”
“What? Are you serious?”
“If I win, you have to grant my request. But if I lose, I will give you three gold bars.”
Thud
As I placed three gold bars on the table, Tang Mugyeok reacted with surprise.
“Oh, and please lend me a method to guard against poison.”
Tang Mugyeok’s expression sharpened. A hint of murderous intent seeped from him.
“Baek Woong, I’ve seen you as an exceptional prodigy with extraordinary talents. I could have brushed off your nonsense had you come just to joke around, but now that you’re going this far, you must take responsibility for your words.”
“What do you want?”
Tang Mugyeok picked up the gold bars and returned them to me.
“You can keep the gold. Should your words prove false, you shall pay with your life.”
“Understood.”
I nodded and borrowed the method before leaving the Sichuan Tang Clan. Then I used the Vibation Technique to head towards the Ruins of Su-yu. Upon arriving at the ruins, Miho seemed fascinated, looking around curiously, while I approached the Human Face Pillar lodged in the cliff.
The Human Face Pillar seemed to have mummified long ago, possibly due to the passage of time or due to its desiccated body fluids. Lifting from its legs and placing it into my Mountain Medallion slowly, I was surprised to see it fit perfectly despite its considerable size.
‘The size doesn’t seem to matter when putting it into the medallion.’
I planned to return to Tang Mugyeok with the Human Face Pillar in hand. Just then, Miho tugged at my sleeve, looking disappointed.
“Baek Woong… Can I have that spider instead?”
“Eh?”
“It looks delicious…”
Miho seemed to want to transform and devour the Human Face Pillar. I looked at her in astonishment and replied,
“Isn’t it poisonous and not digestible?”
“Not at all. Foxes are naturally fond of spiders.”
She gazed at me with pleading eyes. I struggled to contemplate but finally patted her head.
“I’ll catch you one when we visit the Lunar Ruins.”
“Hmm… I’ll hold you to that.”
“Of course.”
Seeing Miho licking her lips made me smile wryly. Despite her beautiful appearance, her true nature as a great monster was still there. I scanned the Ruins of Su-yu one last time for any essentials before heading back to Sichuan Tang Clan.
There, I approached Tang Mugyeok and retrieved the corpse of the Human Face Pillar from the Mountain Medallion.
Bang!
“Wha… Huh…!! Huh?!”
Tang Mugyeok was left speechless, utterly shocked to see me produce the Human Face Pillar’s corpse from the small medallion. He had many things to say, but I just grinned.
“You have to keep your promise.”
“Of course… of course…! The Human Face Pillar… the Human Face Pillar’s inner alchemy?!”
He mumbled, almost in disbelief, before turning to me with a determined expression.
“Give me that corpse!”
“Of course! But in return, I need your utmost support regarding the Dao King.”
As soon as I answered, Tang Mugyeok regained his menacing aura, vigorously nodding.
“Sure thing! I don’t know who else is involved, but I’ll crush them all.”
“I’ve heard that Qingcheng Sect’s elder, Blood Flame Gate, Twin Star Knife Gate, Absolute Dragon Faction, and Heavenly Heart Association are involved.”
“Ha ha! The elder from Qingcheng Sect? It’s surely that two-sword wielder. The old man really didn’t know when to stop…”
Tang Mugyeok seemed unconcerned about the other sects. He had the stature of one of the Heavenly Five Great Families and was among the top sects in Sichuan. With a frosty smile, Tang Mugyeok said,
“Don’t worry. I’ll lead Wan Poison Gate directly to the Shu Han Gambling House.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Yeah, yeah…”
After a moment, Tang Mugyeok looked at me and asked,
“… So, Baek Woong, are you married yet?”
“……”
“My youngest daughter, So-hye, is a really lovely girl…”
I hurriedly steered the conversation away.
“Ah! I really must be going now!”
“Why not stay for some tea?”
“No! I’m counting on you!”
I fled the Sichuan Tang Clan as if escaping. With Miho, we headed back to Chengdu and finally arrived at the Shu Han Gambling House. While Tang Mugyeok assured me he would act, it would still take at least a day for him to reach here, so I needed to assess Dao King Byeokji-sang’s movements before that.
To enter Shu Han Gambling House, it required ten taels of silver just for admission. A regular patron would need to save money for a year just to get in. Sure enough, even after paying, the doorman frowned.
“Uh… I’m sorry, but please dress better next time you visit. This place requires attire in line with its status…”
“I’ll make sure of that next time.”
“Please go ahead.”
Miho and I entered the Shu Han Gambling House together. Holding hands, she chuckled as we walked.
“Had it been any other time, the doorman would’ve sent us away for our appearance. It seems business is not doing well here.”
“That’s proof that the Dao King is here.”
“Ha ha, I enjoy Mahjong as well. This will make for an entertaining spectacle.”
Soon, Miho and I looked down from the first floor of the massive five-story Shu Han Gambling House. Several Mahjong tables lay within, and at the center, four players engaged in a heated game.
Among them, one woman caught particular attention. Dressed in Purple Clothing, she was a beautiful woman with a somewhat sharp appearance. Silently, she raised her Mahjong tiles, and soon the faces of her opponents turned pale.
“Wha… what the…?”
“Hu Liao!”
Moments later, the lovely woman’s voice rang out melodiously.
“Thirteen Orphans!”
Gasp!
At that instant, gasps erupted from the crowd watching the table.
“Oooh!”
“No way!!”
“Did that just happen?!”
It seemed like they had been following the Mahjong game from the beginning. Each wore luxurious clothing and half masks, likely high-ranking officials or wealthy individuals secretly visiting the Shu Han Gambling House.
‘So they’re here to enjoy the Dao King sweeping the table for fun.’
Meanwhile, the middle-aged player seated opposite to her bore a look of utter despair. He hung his head.
“H-how could this… how did you…?”
The beautiful woman responded coldly.
“Thanks for passing me the East tile.”
“Ugh… Ahhhh!!”
The middle-aged player wailed and promptly fainted backward, his comatose body being carried away by attendants nearby, while whispers spread through the audience.
“Can you really blame him?”
“It was seven thousand taels on the line, wasn’t it?”
“That loser is bankrupt now. But to lose to the top gambler in the land like that…”
Seven thousand taels!
An amount that seemed unbelievable to wager in one round of gambling. But it appeared that things got out of hand to the point where he couldn’t manage the aftermath after one missed opportunity. The crowd expressed a mix of shock and thrill at the sight.
From that spectacle, I recognized the identity of the cold beauty.
“Dao King Byeokji-sang.”
While I hadn’t heard any reports about her until now, there was no doubt.
The lady was none other than the Dao King, the greatest gambler in Sichuan, and also the one who was being proclaimed the top gambler in the world.
