WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Alyo
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈
Chapter 66: Three Phoenix County Stained with Blood
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Pung Bi-chang burst into laughter.
No matter how he thought about it, it was a truly ingenious method.
In Hak, the Deputy Branch Leader of the Jangam Branch, chimed in.
“As expected of you, Branch Leader.”
“So, what is the situation in Three Phoenix County now?”
“According to the news we just received, it is in great confusion.”
“Only confusion?”
In Hak quickly continued.
“Several clans say they will abandon Three Phoenix County and side with our Jangam County. They are using those clans to agitate others, and it appears to be working well.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. A joint petition will arrive as early as today, or tomorrow at the latest.”
Pung Bi-chang laughed.
“Good. Good. Then all that remains is to wait.”
“Yes, that is right. Everything will proceed as you intend, Branch Leader.”
The plan was simple.
First, they would thoroughly isolate Yi Do in Three Phoenix County.
After that, they would go there and kill him.
The Asura Sword Sect would not be able to say much, considering all Yi Do had done.
To be honest, while clashes between the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect and the Asura Sword Sect were frequent, neither side wanted them to escalate into all-out war.
The Martial World of Jeok Nation was already in turmoil. Would the two sects fight at a time like this? It would be difficult.
It would become difficult in every way. No matter who won, the losing side would be completely annihilated, while the victor would suffer no small amount of damage. Both sects would suffer nearly catastrophic blows, and then they might become the Six Great Sects.
Yi Do had crossed the line. He had crossed it by far too much.
They intended to create a situation where even the Asura Sword Sect could not endure without abandoning him. And the final destination of all this was...
“...I hear the ranks of the Heaven-Breaking Pavilion will be reorganized soon. Branch Leader, you will not forget me when you go somewhere better, will you?”
At In Hak’s words, Pung Bi-chang burst into loud laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha! You little bastard. I might forget the others, but how could I forget you? Whatever position I receive, you will come with me. Even if you cannot, you will at least become the Branch Leader of this Jangam County.”
“Ha ha. If that happens, I will bow every morning in the direction where you reside, Branch Leader.”
“Heh heh heh. What a fellow...”
The mood was exceedingly pleasant.
Every martial artist of the Jangam Branch firmly believed this matter would be resolved with ridiculous ease.
* * *
The leaders of Three Phoenix County’s factions were moving exactly as the Jangam Branch had expected.
The remaining factions of One Sect, One School, Three Clans, excluding the Un Clan Manor.
The Two Schools, Four Clans, which coveted their positions.
And five other fairly prestigious clans.
In all, the heads of fifteen factions had gathered at the octagonal pavilion in the annex of the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
Won Ju-gong, Clan Head of the Won Clan, one of the Three Clans, was delivering a lengthy speech with a grave expression.
“Cruel Demonic Way Yi Do, the things he has done are ultimately threatening our lives. Regardless of his intentions, such consequences have arisen. Do you truly believe this will end here?”
“Clan Heads and Sect Heads of Three Phoenix County, think about it. How far do you believe the Cruel Demonic Way’s actions will go?”
“In the end, it will lead to everyone’s ruin. To put it bluntly, no matter how strong that man is, is he not still a martial artist of the Four Qi-Cultivation Realms? Of course, I do not mean to belittle that realm, but the Branch Leader of Jangam County is an expert of Five Qis Return to Origin. Furthermore, the Jangam Branch has at least twice as many branch members as the Three Phoenix Branch. That fact will likely never change. Why? Because the Three Phoenix Branch has only two branch members!”
“I made inquiries myself, and I heard that no additional branch members are being assigned. Including the Branch Leader, there are only three of them. That is right. Only three. What can three people do? Do you believe they can protect all of Three Phoenix County? If the Jangam Branch attacks, the Cruel Demonic Way will be tied down. If the other branch members slaughter us in the meantime, can we stop them? I do not believe we can. We will all be killed in the end, so what would revenge or anything else afterward matter? Is that not so?”
“I am not speaking empty nonsense. I am speaking of the clear facts that will unfold. Respected Clan Heads and Sect Heads of Three Phoenix County, we must act now. Let us add our names to this joint petition and send it to the Jangam Branch. Let us unite and seek a way for us all to live.”
It should have been a tedious speech, yet quite a few were persuaded. Most listened with serious, intrigued expressions.
Among those who did not agree with Won Ju-gong, Hong Chik-seo of the Hong Clan voiced an objection.
“I listened well, but this is territory of the Asura Sword Sect, while Jangam County is territory of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect. Do you believe the Asura Sword Sect will remain still if we sell the Branch Leader of Three Phoenix County to Jangam County?”
“You are making me repeat myself. Revenge after we are all dead has no meaning. In the end, Jangam County will rule Three Phoenix County, and together with the clans of Jangam County, we can seize control of Bibong Mountain and gain enormous profits in the future.”
“How can someone who calls himself a martial artist join hands with Jangam County? Have you not considered the warriors of Three Phoenix County they have killed until now?”
“One cannot carry a grudge forever. Everything is ultimately for the future. Is it not only natural for the lesser to be sacrificed for the greater good?”
“Hmph... How can someone who calls himself a martial artist become frightened in advance and run away?”
Won Ju-gong gave a dry laugh.
“I apologize, but I am a merchant, not a martial artist. And even if I were a martial artist, would it not be better than dying? One must live first to plan for the future and seize opportunities. Of course, Clan Head Hong says such things because he has received something from the Cruel Demonic Way, but that is not true of the others gathered here.”
“Sophistry. No matter what you say, I will not agree.”
“That is also Clan Head Hong’s freedom, so I will say no more...”
“And why is the Un Clan Manor absent from this gathering?”
Won Ju-gong’s brow furrowed slightly.
The Un Clan Manor was certainly a prestigious clan. It had faltered somewhat after the Three Phoenix County tragedy, yet it still held one of the places in One Sect, One School, Three Clans. Yet everyone had gathered here except the Un Clan Manor.
The intention was too obvious.
They had excluded it because the second son of the Un Clan Manor was a branch member of the Asura Sword Sect’s Three Phoenix Branch. Seen another way, it meant that if this went well, they intended to destroy the Un Clan Manor by whatever means necessary.
“Everyone here knows what it means to exclude the Un Clan Manor, so I see no reason to answer. However, I wish to make one thing clear. Clan Head Hong’s circumstances are clearly different from those of everyone else here.”
Won Ju-gong then took out a large joint petition from his robes.
“It says this: We hereby condemn the acts of Cruel Demonic Way Yi Do, agree that his actions have crossed the line, and swear that we cannot stand with him.”
Won Ju-gong spread the petition wide and placed it on the floor.
“If you add your names here and send it to the Jangam Branch, our clear intentions will be conveyed to them.”
Hong Chik-seo did not so much as move. He had no interest in it, nor did he intend to sign it. He had not come here to add his name to such a thing.
Hong Chik-seo spoke.
“As that man said, my circumstances may indeed differ from yours. But I can say this much with certainty. Until now, the clans of Three Phoenix County have turned a blind eye to every act committed by Jangam County. Even when merchant caravans were wiped out, we did no more than demand answers. We never responded with force. We could not avenge the subordinates we lost. The one who accomplished that was the current Branch Leader of Three Phoenix County. The other branches turned away, but he alone acted. At the very least, if we die, he is the only one who will avenge us.”
Hong Chik-seo rose from his seat.
“I have no intention of putting my name on that wretched petition, so do as you please.”
Just as Hong Chik-seo turned to leave, he froze.
This was a detached building. More precisely, it was an octagonal pavilion in the most secluded part of the Plum Blossom Pavilion. Trees rose all around it, and there was a pond in one corner. Warriors from each clan stood guard, while all the Clan Heads were gathered within the pavilion.
Into such a place...
Three men were now walking in.
The moment Hong Chik-seo saw the man leading them, a smile rose to his lips.
The surrounding warriors did not stop the three. No, they could not.
Hong Chik-seo naturally sat back down. Just as Won Ju-gong was about to say something about his unexpected behavior, the three men stepped into the pavilion.
The moment everyone present saw them, they drew in sharp breaths.
Yi Do silently walked over and picked up the joint petition from the floor.
Everyone was baffled.
Why was Yi Do here?
Had he not gone to the main headquarters? Even if he had traveled swiftly, it should have taken at least four days... How had he returned in only two?
After reading the petition, Yi Do raised his head.
“What a sight.”
He tossed the petition in his hand to the ground.
“Is there anyone who wishes to sign?”
“...”
“I am the uninvited guest, so continue what you were doing. Those who wish to sign may do so. Those who do not may wait.”
Silence fell. No one could easily speak.
Won Ju-gong was no exception. But this matter was an opportunity for Won Ju-gong.
If the Won Clan took the lead in this and formed ties with Jangam County, it could aim beyond One Sect, One School, Three Clans.
It was already a gamble, and there was no turning back.
“...May I say something to the Branch Leader of Three Phoenix?”
“Go ahead.”
“We have no choice. Pung Bi-chang of Jangam County, that formidable man, and his branch members say they will cut off our heads. Is there another way? To be honest, were not the Branch Leader’s actions excessive as well?”
“Continue.”
“We are not selling you out, Branch Leader. We merely wish to live, so... I hope you will understand. To be honest, Jangam County’s forces are immense. The government troops, the martial clans, we cannot stand against them.”
Yi Do remained silent.
Won Ju-gong closed his mouth as well.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“...For now... yes.”
“You are so pathetic that words fail me.”
Won Ju-gong’s brow furrowed. Yi Do continued.
“It is almost remarkable that you would be shaken so badly just because a distant blade made a few threats.”
“...If you came to persuade us, then speak.”
Yi Do gave a faint laugh.
“I did not come here to persuade you.”
“...What? Then why did you come...”
“Un Do-hyeon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“What businesses does the Won Clan own?”
“Two taverns, one smithy, and three merchant caravans traveling between Yan Kingdom and Jeok Nation.”
“I see.”
What happened next shocked everyone greatly.
More precisely, they were shocked twice.
The first time was when Yi Do drew the Cloud Dragon Sword.
The second was when he used that Cloud Dragon Sword to cut off Won Ju-gong’s head.
Slice.
The sound struck like thunder.
Thud.
Won Ju-gong’s headless body collapsed to the floor.
“Today, two taverns, one smithy, and three merchant caravans have lost their owner.”
Those who understood the meaning of Yi Do’s words gasped inwardly.
Yi Do turned his head.
“Who is Jeon Yi-sang of the Jeon Clan?”
This time, Un Do-hyeon acted rather than spoke. He grabbed the hair of a middle-aged man gulping in the corner and dragged him before Yi Do.
“This is him.”
It was the same as before.
Yi Do’s Cloud Dragon Sword cut off the man’s head.
“The businesses owned by the Jeon Clan have also lost their owner today. Who is Sun Bang-jin of the Sun Clan?”
Myeong-hyeon, who had been watching from behind, sighed. He grabbed the hair of a trembling middle-aged man in the corner, then threw him before Yi Do.
Yi Do’s Cloud Dragon Sword cut off the man’s head.
“The Sun Clan’s businesses have also lost their owner.”
Yi Do shook the blood from the Cloud Dragon Sword and swept his cold gaze around the pavilion. Everyone held their breath.
“You have surely heard the lesson that picking up and eating just anything will give you a stomachache.”
Yi Do’s pleasant voice quietly echoed through the heavy atmosphere.
“The men who just died received a verbal promise that the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect would help them rule Three Phoenix County in the future, along with a modest payment. Even if you were briefly swayed by the righteous-sounding words of such men, I will overlook it once. Consider this your final chance.”
Yi Do planted the Cloud Dragon Sword into the floor and slowly continued.
“Do not ask questions until I have finished speaking. If you ask one, I will certainly kill you. Ask after I am done. Understood?”
“Y-Yes!”
“Three Phoenix County is territory of the Asura Sword Sect. Yet in such territory, you dare sell someone from the Asura Sword Sect to Jangam County? If that happens, no matter what situation unfolds, I will kill you first.”
“...”
“I will destroy your clans, kill every member of your households, and distribute your businesses among those who kept faith.”
The sounds of people swallowing rose from all around.
“However, after seeing this matter, I realized that trust cannot be secured through words alone. Un Do-hyeon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Bring it.”
Un Do-hyeon promptly approached Yi Do, took out a large stack of paper from his robes, and handed it over.
It was a joint petition like the one Won Ju-gong had placed down earlier. Naturally, its contents were different. This one declared that its signatories would share the Asura Sword Sect’s fate.
“Draw blood from your own hand and leave a handprint here.”
The meaning was simple.
“It means you will share the Asura Sword Sect’s fate. The Asura Sword Sect will protect only those who leave their handprints here. Those who do not will become like those three over there.”
“...”
“For those dull enough to require further explanation, the businesses those three owned will all become the property of those who leave their handprints. Choose well.”
Yi Do tossed down the petition. Without a moment’s hesitation, Hong Chik-seo of the Hong Clan hurried forward, drew blood from his own hand, and firmly left his handprint.
That was only the beginning.
Most of the faction heads present left their handprints on it.
There were no fewer than ten.
That was right. Ten.
Three of the fifteen people had died.
There should have been twelve palms remaining, yet there were only ten.
Yi Do’s gaze turned to a man with his eyes closed.
The Sect Head of the Sun Sword Sect, one of One Sect, One School, Three Clans.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“I do.”
“Good. Save it for when you reach the underworld.”
“...What?”
The Sect Head of the Sun Sword Sect had much to say. He had received money from the Jangam Branch, and like Won Ju-gong, had been promised that his sect would be made into the foremost faction ruling Three Phoenix County in the future.
He wanted something equivalent to what he had been promised.
Not offers to share a fate or businesses granted to those who kept faith. He wanted something guaranteed.
But it was excessive greed.
Yi Do’s left hand seized his hair. His body rose into the air.
Yi Do’s straightened right hand.
Crack!
It shattered his neck.
Yi Do turned his head.
One person remained.
The Clan Head of the Hwang Clan, one of the Two Schools, Four Clans.
“I... I will do it. I only... hesitated for a moment...!”
Yi Do asked,
“The Hwang Clan was listed among those who had received secret promises from Pung Bi-chang. Are you not the Clan Head of the Hwang Clan?”
“...I... I am, but what promise... I know nothing about it...”
Yet their eyes trembled without pause. What more was needed?
Yi Do swung the Cloud Dragon Sword.
Crack.
The Hwang Clan Head’s body split cleanly in two.
Un Do-hyeon handed the petition to Yi Do.
Yi Do ran his gaze over the handprints and smiled softly.
“Good. But do you all have time to remain here like this?”
Yi Do’s eyes swept across the pavilion.
“More than ten businesses lost their owners today... Should you not go and claim them?”
At those words, everyone except Hong Chik-seo sprang to their feet.
“I... I have something urgent to attend to... I will be going first.”
“Me too...”
“Come to think of it, today is the anniversary of a death in my family...”
“I will take my leave as well...”
Everyone departed the annex. Hong Chik-seo, left alone, spoke to Yi Do.
“Do not take it too much to heart. They are exceptionally dull people, after all.”
“Clan Head Hong.”
“Yes.”
“Do you not desire the businesses?”
“I would be lying if I said I did not, but is there not something more important?”
“What is it?”
Hong Chik-seo respectfully gave a cupped-fist salute.
“Thank you for accepting us.”
“That is enough.”
“Do not worry too much. I may be overstepping to say this, but... even if the Hong Clan is destroyed tomorrow, we will support and stand behind you, Yi Do.”
“You may regret it.”
“Ha ha ha. I am somewhat old. As I have lived, I have come to realize that life is ultimately like waves. There are times when it rises and times when it falls. Then it rises again. Is that not all part of life?”
Yi Do found himself smiling for the first time in a while.
“It is good to see you smile. Then I will take my leave.”
Yi Do nodded. Hong Chik-seo left.
Yi Do handed the petition in his hand to Un Do-hyeon.
“It has been neatly resolved.”
Myeong-hyeon and Un Do-hyeon looked on in admiration.
That day.
Three Phoenix County was stained with blood.
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