“Ugh.”
In a private residence established in Yunnan by the Wolbok-dang.
The group without Ho Cheon-an stayed at the residence, each spending their time. Tang Do-yeon was checking the Bicheongmacha, Tang So-yeol was pulling out hidden weapons, and Miss Yeo Il-ye was training with her sword.
Black Cat was also working hard to master the Nine Yin while keeping an eye on the movements of Yunnan and Jeong Cheol.
As the major sects in Yunnan slowly prepared to draw their swords, Black Cat couldn’t help but smile bitterly upon hearing the report that Jeong Cheol was sighing heavily in Sadoryeon, acting as if he had a headache.
“What luck he’s had.”
On the flip side, Jeong Cheol was incredibly unlucky. Just when he was about to raid the Tang Clan, he ran into Ho Cheon-an, and the Poison Doctor Tang settled in at the Tang Clan.
What of the Podalap Palace’s movements?
It wasn’t like Ho Cheon-an had been scouting for opportunities, yet Jeong Cheol just happened to call a meeting of Sadoryeon when Ak Gyeong-cheol stepped in.
Jeong Cheol was probably planning to initiate the invasion of Sacheon at that meeting. However, the Sokryeong Sect dealt a blow to him first.
Even after reflecting on the situation, he was truly one unlucky guy.
Or was it just that luck was following Ho Cheon-an?
In any case, it was a situation where Jeong Cheol had every reason to sigh heavily. His plans that should have come together smoothly were constantly going awry.
“It’s amazing that even with such a mess, there’s still a path forward.”
What Jeong Cheol had planned was twisted twice, but that didn’t mean he was in danger.
Black Cat recalled the new information received today.
There were reports of forces trying to contact Jeong Cheol through the backchannels, increasing significantly.
And… those Outcast Faction Forces weren’t from Yunnan, but from different regions.
Upon receiving that news, Black Cat realized that Jeong Cheol’s strategizing wasn’t limited to just one or two steps ahead.
Sadoryeon was a careful setup considering so many factors.
“Right now, Sadoryeon could be called a sandcastle, but…”
Sadoryeon was on the steady path of collapse. The sects in Sadoryeon were reaching out to engulf the Sokryeong Sect.
Even if they gained the spearhead of the troublesome Ak Gyeong-cheol and the Sokryeong Sect, they couldn’t escape the collapse of their organizational strength.
What kind of trust could form among those who exposed their weaknesses and devoured each other?
However, this was irrelevant to Jeong Cheol.
As long as Sokryeong and Ak Gyeong-cheol started the fight against the Sacheon Righteous Faction, Jeong Cheol could still pursue his goals, even if the Yunnan Outcast Faction’s unity broke down.
Once the curtain rose on the fight between Sacheon and Sadoryeon, he could simply bring in Outcast Factions from other regions to bolster Sadoryeon.
“Surely, from the beginning of naming Sadoryeon to considering the situation until now was likely calculated.”
Black Cat judged that the choice of a vague name like Sadoryeon instead of something more intuitive and impactful like ‘Yunnan Outcast Alliance’, as well as the reason for not clearly stating the organization’s name when distributing the initial notice, stemmed from this.
If the situation allowed, the intention might have been to strengthen the bonds of the Yunnan Outcast through a name like Yunnan Outcast Alliance. Ultimately, the reason for using the name Sadoryeon was likely foresight of future regional Outcasts joining in when things went wrong.
“I wonder if my senior has figured out Jeong Cheol’s intent…?”
Black Cat recalled Ho Cheon-an, who had said he would infiltrate alone. Considering that conclusion was drawn as soon as he received the information, it seemed possible he had already predicted the current situation.
“What a mysterious person.”
Black Cat shook their head, recalling the news that Ho Cheon-an had been captured at the headquarters of ‘Best Beauty in Yunnan’ Dokgo I-seol yesterday. With no information provided, how on earth had he discovered the new entrants into the Dark Dragon Sect and sparked a dispute?
Ho Cheon-an’s actions were mere coincidence and the result of luck, yet Black Cat couldn’t help but admire Ho Cheon-an’s skills.
“Since he’s my senior he should be fine, but still, it would be much easier with someone to assist.”
Turning away, Black Cat gazed at Dong-gyeong. The exquisite beauty illuminated against the smooth yellow fabric, with striking white hair catching the eye.
“Haaa.”
So noticeable, yet too noticeable. Black Cat glared at their own reflection in Dong-gyeong’s luxurious appearance. Even if their hair had turned black, this look certainly didn’t give hope for infiltration.
“I resolved to help you…”
Black Cat sighed, recalling the resolution made at the gambling house in Nangyang. Ever since understanding that Ho Cheon-an wouldn’t look at his feet and would boldly move forward, Black Cat had decided to assist him and also serve as a safety net.
Yet again, Ho Cheon-an had placed himself in a dire situation.
At that moment, having decided to support him from behind, it seemed like they could only pray for his safe return.
What a truly frustrating situation.
As Black Cat was sighing while glaring at Dong-gyeong, a member of the Wolbok-dang appeared to deliver a note.
Recognizing it as a note used for communications within the Podalap Palace, Black Cat stopped the staring contest and unfolded the note.
Written on the front was an unexpected inscription.
[Message of the Golden Moon]
“… Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin?”
The Golden Moon was a secret code used by the Wolbok-dang to refer to Princess Yuya of the Imperial family.
After witnessing the gambling battle between Ho Cheon-an and Dogwi, Black Cat had formed an alliance with Hyeok Gi-rin. Setting aside matters of affection, they had proposed to collaborate where they could assist Ho Cheon-an, and Hyeok Gi-rin nodded in agreement.
“That foolish senior doesn’t even realize this…”
Before making such resolutions, he had already been making out with Miss Yeo Il-ye, hadn’t he? Black Cat felt a surge of emotion but sighed. Hadn’t they tentatively agreed to a truce until Ho Cheon-an found peace of mind?
Black Cat’s eyes widened as they checked the content of the note.
[Returning to the Martial World]
Hyeok Gi-rin, a member of the Ten Prodigies, a cross-dressing woman, the princess of the Imperial Family, and the Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Faction had declared her return to the Martial World.
*
In Dokgo Yeongcheon’s quarters, four people were bowing their heads.
“Hmmm.”
The Black Cloak, the supreme of the Dark Dragon Sect, Dokgo Yeongcheon, glanced at the children kneeling before him: his eldest son I-du, eldest daughter Yoran, second daughter I-seol, and his youngest son Dae Mak.
“You must have heard about the recent disgrace caused by the troublesome Ak Gyeong-cheol.”
“Yes, Father! In Yunnan, is there a martial artist who hasn’t heard the news?”
Dokgo I-du’s reply prompted a nod from Dokgo Yeongcheon.
“Does Ak Gyeong-cheol even realize that he has brought disgrace to the Yunnan Outcast Faction? He is currently holed up in his sect, hiding from the world. The Sokryeong Sect is also in disarray after losing their leader.”
“Haha, defeated by barbarians, how could he raise his head?”
“Ultimately, Ak Gyeong-cheol is one of the martial artists representing Yunnan. His humiliation is, in turn, the humiliation of the Yunnan Outcast Faction. With Ak Gyeong-cheol’s status fallen, my dignity and that of Sabok Seol have likewise diminished.”
“Who would dare doubt your strength, Father? If there’s anyone, this Dae Mak will twist his neck!”
“That’s unnecessary.”
At Dokgo Yeongcheon’s nod, Dae Mak bit his lip and bowed his head. I-du and Yoran secretly held back laughter. It was amusing to see the youngest, who always exaggerated his antics to gain praise, floundering now.
“Forgive my youngest’s folly!”
“In the end, Ak Gyeong-cheol must restore his honor for Dokgo Yeongcheon’s dignity to be salvaged. There is but one way for him to reclaim that honor.”
The four focused intently on Dokgo Yeongcheon’s words.
“By leading the Sokryeong Sect to Sacheon and crushing those hypocritical Righteous Faction members, once more proclaiming his martial prowess to the world.”
“Indeed…!”
“What a vision!”
“I had hoped Sokryeong and Ak Gyeong-cheol would come to that realization themselves, but those fools show no signs of even considering it… someone must help them make the decision.”
Dokgo Yeongcheon’s children understood what he meant.
This was precisely the justification for the Dark Dragon Sect to target the Sokryeong Sect.
“However, if Ak Gyeong-cheol and the Sokryeong Sect are forced into becoming spearheads against the Yunnan sects, can they truly regain their honor even branded as such?”
“Of course, it’s impossible!”
“I understand this must be handled discreetly!”
It was also a justification for conducting the operation without revealing the name of the Dark Dragon Sect.
“Although it pains me to attack fellow Sadoryeon members, if this is truly the way for Ak Gyeong-cheol and the Sokryeong Sect to survive, I intend to carry out this operation with the mentality of removing rotten flesh.”
As Dokgo Yeongcheon’s children swallowed dryly, it was apparent that the reason for their gathering would soon be revealed.
“The task of ‘prompting’ Ak Gyeong-cheol and the Sokryeong Sect must never reveal any trace of our Dark Dragon Sect. That’s why I’ve selected a separate group of personnel to assign to you.”
“What do you mean…”
Doctor Yeongcheon suddenly fell silent. Just as I-du, Yoran, and Dae Mak were bewildered by the sudden silence of the head,
“Haaa.”
Dokgo I-seol sighed audibly. The other three looked at I-seol in surprise at the unexpected sigh.
Dokgo I-seol didn’t hide her discontented gaze as she looked at Dokgo Yeongcheon.
“I-seol! What disrespectful eyes are you giving Father!”
I-du reprimanded, but I-seol briefly glanced at him and opened her mouth.
“Since Ak Gyeong-cheol caused damage to Father’s reputation, how can a child just sit idly by? I should gather ‘people’ ‘personally’ to guide the Sokryeong Sect.”
“A…!”
“That’s right!”
Dokgo Yeongcheon smiled silently, while the three, except for I-seol, swallowed hard.
In essence, that meant they were to engage the Sokryeong Sect with merely twenty new sect members, not to mention that they would be accountable if caught by the Sokryeong Sect without any support from the Dark Dragon Sect.
“If there are any such children…”
Dokgo Yeongcheon looked at the pallid faces of his children and said,
“As a father, I should find that commendable.”
Dokgo Yeongcheon’s cryptic words made the siblings swallow hard. Was this a declaration of him choosing a successor?
“I gathered you all here for casual conversation after a long time, yet it seems I must vacate this place for my busy affairs.”
After establishing the reasons for their gathering, Dokgo Yeongcheon exited the stage, and only after he vanished did his children, who had been diligently maintaining their composure, let out sighs of relief.
“Whoa… I knew something would happen with the suddenly allocated sect members.”
“Father’s actions are always beyond imagination.”
“Haha, if you’re scared, feel free to back out. This junior will handle everything.”
At the youngest Dokgo Dae Mak’s provocation, I-du and Yoran shot them a glare.
“It seems you’re still too young to be talking so boldly.”
“Just don’t mess things up and speak in vain!”
The three glared at each other. Dokgo Yeongcheon had given no direction regarding the sect leader title or the succession line. In such circumstances, hearing any hint about a successor from the Black Cloak Dokgo Yeongcheon became a matter of unyielding pressure.
“It seems Father intends to fill the vacant sect leader position with this opportunity.”
“It’s time to clarify the succession line.”
As the three exchanged fierce stares,
“Speak your minds. I need to return now since this meeting is concluded.”
Dokgo I-seol announced her departure with an uninterested demeanor. The three frowned at her.
“Hmph, I guess you think you’re special just because Father favored you a bit for your looks.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Yoran provoked I-seol, but she ignored Yoran, lightly bowing before moving away.
Yoran bit her lip.
‘Just because you look a little better and Father dotes on you a bit, you act so high and mighty!’
“By the way, I heard an interesting rumor that there were some issues with the sect members you are managing?”
Here we go again. I-seol sighed internally. Yoran was always eager to pounce on her, looking for any opportunity to pick a fight. With their quarrel igniting again, I-seol lightly responded while moving her feet.
“Human affairs are just like that. It turned out well.”
“Really? I heard there was a vacant position and an outsider was rushed in. Doesn’t that sound like a forced entry?”
I-seol realized Yoran was watching over the headquarters. Moreover, she understood that there was certainly no one among the nineteen newcomers who was under Yoran’s influence.
If there had been Yoran’s informant among the new members, she wouldn’t let yesterday’s events slide without mention.
‘If you planted a spy, you should just remain silent… venting your frustrations by exposing your cards is so childish.’
“Thank you for your concern, but it’s something I can handle just fine.”
“Is that so?”
Yoran smirked, twisting her lips upward.
“That person doesn’t seem to be someone who was arranged by anyone, right? For instance… someone might take them away.”
I-seol stopped in her tracks. As Yoran watched with an amused expression at the sight of I-seol, who had ignored her all along finally pausing, Yoran felt satisfied.
Yoran mused, seeing I-seol’s reaction.
She held no interest in the nameless outsider, but if it bothered I-seol, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring that person along.
“I will make sure to mark that down.”
I-seol looked at Yoran’s face and recalled yesterday’s incident.
‘Yongji Maeng.’
The one who had expressed a desire to join as a subordinate. I-seol naturally accepted Yongji Maeng’s request.
And,
She had returned to her room, pulled the blanket over herself, and…
Kicked the blanket all night long!
With all the memories of persuading, pressuring, and shouting at her subordinates not to accept Yongji Maeng’s requests as they planned to safely take her in swirling in her mind!
If only she could turn back time to before meeting Yongji Maeng, she felt she would pay anything for that intense sense of shame!
It was truly a dark history!
I-seol kept kicking the blanket throughout the night, making promises to herself again and again.
“Absolutely! No matter what! Without fail! I will make you my subordinate!”
This intense shame was to be washed away with Yongji Maeng’s ultimate loyalty!
So, after making that promise and spending a sleepless night, she ended up here!
Did they dare to take a jab at Yongji Maeng?
“If you touch even a hair on my subordinate, I’ll pluck every strand of hair from your head and lock you in your room for the rest of your life.”
With a mixture of anger, rage, and shame, I-seol’s fierce momentum made Yoran’s face pale.
Looking even at the innocent bystanders, Dokgo I-seol stormed out of Dokgo Yeongcheon’s quarters, thinking,
“Just wait! Yongji Maeng! I will definitely have you beneath my feet!”
And at that moment, the person going by the name Yongji Maeng, Ho Cheon-an was.
“What are you looking at? Eyes down.”
He was picking a fight with I-seol’s subordinates.
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