WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Alyo
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈
Chapter 83: The Calm Before the Storm
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My first thought was that this was not bad.
When I met him in my previous life, we had sparred once.
At the time, rumors claimed I had learned Demonic arts, and I was at war with the Heavenly Intelligence Gate. After exchanging exactly three attacks and defenses with me, Gwak Jeong said this.
‘You have not learned Demonic arts.’
Once he realized the rumors were false, he held out his hand to me as he had now.
He said it had been a good spar.
That my sword and fist were truly fierce, and that he thought we could become good friends.
Then, a month later, Gwak Jeong died.
He had been in the Divine Entrance Realm then.
That would happen about thirteen years from now.
This was much like that time.
I took his hand.
“You need not worry about Green Forest. To be honest, this is a matter for the Yan Martial World, so we will handle it ourselves.”
“I haven't lived so disgracefully that I would ignore goodwill. If you need help, send a letter to Jangam County.”
Gwak Jeong smiled brightly.
“Thank you, even if it is only for the offer. Haha.”
He lowered his hand.
Then, as though he had just remembered something, he asked me.
“But why have you been speaking informally to me from the beginning...?”
“Do you object?”
“It isn't that I object, but it is strange... Have we met somewhere before?”
“I don't think so.”
“Then why does this feel so natural? I am certainly older than you...”
I snorted and patted Gwak Jeong on the shoulder.
“Take care of yourself, and don't forget what I said.”
What I meant was that he should not forget my offer to help if he needed anything.
Gwak Jeong smiled.
“Yes. We will clean things up here.”
“I keep adding to my debt.”
Gwak Jeong’s gaze went to my right arm.
“You have been troubled by demonic practitioners of the Yan Martial World. As someone from the Yan Martial World, I am only doing what I should.”
He was quick-witted. He knew my right arm was not normal. I let it be. It would heal completely in a day or two anyway.
I started walking. Un Do-hyeon and Myeong-hyeon followed after me.
Un Do-hyeon asked, “Are you trying to prevent the conflict with the Five Great Clans from escalating?”
I shook my head.
Even if war broke out with all Five Great Clans tomorrow, I would not avoid it.
The reason I joined hands with Gwak Jeong was because of his breadth of spirit and character.
A man who understood the ways of the martial world and strove not to do things he would be ashamed of.
The Gwak Jeong I knew was that kind of man.
I had not joined hands with the Five Great Clans. I had joined hands with Gwak Jeong himself.
He had suggested we become friends, and that was not bad.
That was enough.
This time, Myeong-hyeon asked, “But isn't this more serious than it seems?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don't understand how Green Forest could be using Demonic arts. Cho Ryong-pung is not Green Forest’s overall stronghold chief, but he is certainly close to the Bandit King. He is also one of the martial artists the Bandit King trusts most. If someone like Cho Ryong-pung uses Demonic arts, shouldn't we assume the Bandit King uses them as well?”
“Most likely.”
“...I have a very bad feeling about this.”
I looked at Myeong-hyeon.
I knew well enough what he was thinking.
He was probably thinking about war.
The martial world had been far too peaceful until now.
It was time to change the balance. Time for those who had kept their heads bowed to move.
All of this was groundwork.
“Don't worry. We have plenty of time to prepare.”
At that, Myeong-hyeon and Un Do-hyeon smiled.
Loyalty was a good thing.
That was how we returned to Jangam County.
* * *
Late at night, Myeong Mu-seong, the Great Elder of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect, was climbing a mountain.
A man approached him.
He had a neat appearance and a burly build.
Both his fists were covered in calluses. Even at a glance, his aura was at least that of Five Qis Return to Origin.
He smiled faintly.
“You seem to be in high spirits.”
Myeong Mu-seong nodded.
“To think the Junior Sect Leader would come out to greet me. It is cold. Let us go inside.”
“Haha, did you not know? I am a true man. Whether the weather is cold or hot, it does not matter to me.”
Myeong Mu-seong was not saying that for no reason.
Lion Iron Fist, Song Ja-myeong.
Despite the late hour, he wore no outer garment. His two protruding nipples were remarkably striking.
Song Ja-myeong came to Myeong Mu-seong’s side, and they began walking together.
“It seems Elder Han has much dissatisfaction with the sect.”
“Is that so?”
“The carrier pigeon that arrived bore no message. And two hundred corpses have been found near Jangam County... Hmm. I do not know. What do you think?”
As though there was nothing to consider, Myeong Mu-seong said, “It is clear Elder Han has left that group. But as you said, he must have much dissatisfaction. The sect prevented him from avenging his disciple, so he could not have been pleased with how the sect handled things. He is likely hiding in some mountain right now, gathering his thoughts.”
“When do you believe he will return?”
“You need not worry. He will certainly return soon.”
Neither these two, nor indeed anyone in the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect, thought Elder Han Beom-seong could be dead.
There was no reason for him to die.
No matter how strong Cruel Demonic Way Yi Do was, he was only at the initial stage of Five Qis Return to Origin. Han Beom-seong had been in the Creation Realm for fourteen years, an expert among experts. Even if he lost, he would have torn off Cruel Demonic Way Yi Do’s limbs.
Yet according to the information reaching them, Cruel Demonic Way was alive and moving about with all four limbs intact.
That was proof that he had not fought Han Beom-seong.
At least, that was how they saw it.
Song Ja-myeong asked, “Did the matter you went to handle go well?”
Myeong Mu-seong smiled faintly.
“Yes. It went very well.”
Song Ja-myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Then now... it begins?”
“Yes.”
“The conflict between the Asura Sword Sect and the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect has lasted far too long.”
“Mm.”
“It is time to settle it. If we remove one particularly troublesome bastard, victory will surely fall to our side.”
Myeong Mu-seong stopped walking and turned his head. The night sky shone brightly.
“Within ten days, the Asura Sword Sect will be destroyed.”
Song Ja-myeong smiled.
Myeong Mu-seong smiled as well.
* * *
Three days passed.
My arm had fully healed, and my Properly Aligned Qi was full.
Myeong-hyeon had recovered the power of Five Qis Return to Origin, while Un Do-hyeon had recovered all the strength of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown.
Curious about what had happened at Seven-Sage Mountain, I looked into it. Apparently, the Yan Martial World was slaughtering the Green Forest bandits miserably.
Jangam County was peaceful.
And I did not think this peace would last long.
Then today.
As though they had arranged it, Jang Sang-bo and Cheon Chung-myeon entered the Jangam Branch together.
Their expressions were extremely serious, and I was curious why.
Because they had not come alone.
“Why have you come together?”
At my question, the other man beside them removed his black gat.
It was an extremely familiar face.
Ak Wi-cheon of the Heavenly Forest.
“That is how it turned out. More importantly, this is the first time since then, is it not?”
“It is.”
“I see.”
Ak Wi-cheon handed me two large bundles.
When I opened them, they contained a considerable amount of gold coins and twenty Hundred-Year Ginseng roots.
“These are the profits we discussed then, along with the Hundred-Year Ginseng I promised.”
A smile spread over my face.
Our beginning had not been good, but I was more than satisfied with this much.
“I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Ak Wi-cheon shrugged. As though they had been waiting for that, Cheon Chung-myeon and Jang Sang-bo cut in.
“Yi Do, there is something urgent we must tell you...”
“There is information I urgently wish to report...”
They stopped midway and glared at each other.
Ak Wi-cheon, who had been watching them, stepped forward.
“I will just say it.”
My gaze turned to Ak Wi-cheon.
“You are aware of the Asura Sword Sect’s present circumstances. Last night, our Heavenly Forest obtained some information.”
“Information?”
“The Asura Sword Sect’s internal division is hardly a great secret. Everyone knows about it. The elders’ factions are large, and with the Sect Leader and Great Elder of the Asura Sword Sect entering secluded cultivation one after another, they had no time to attend to internal matters. Still, vaguely knowing something and knowing it properly are different. Let me state it clearly. It would not be wrong to say the Asura Sword Sect has already split in half. In such circumstances, there will inevitably be people entertaining other thoughts.”
I crossed my legs.
Ak Wi-cheon continued.
“It seems at least two elders have defected to the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect.”
“Two?”
“There are eight elders in the Asura Sword Sect in total. Great Elder Myo Man-ri, then Chodong, Neung-don, Pung Chae-gyeong, Su Jin-hon, Seo Jwa-ryang, Jeon Wi, and Yeong So-pyeong. Among them, Jeon Wi and Yeong So-pyeong met secretly with Myeong Mu-seong, the Great Elder of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect.”
“Do you have proof?”
Ak Wi-cheon glanced toward Cheon Chung-myeon.
Cheon Chung-myeon continued, “...They communicated in writing rather than speaking, so impressions remained on the paper beneath. We created friction with thinner graphite and confirmed its contents... Before I tell you, I wish to make one thing clear. This is one of the Beggar’s Gate’s most confidential pieces of information and must never be made public. So please do not say you heard it from me.”
“Don't worry. I have enough sense for that.”
I held out my hand.
As though waiting for it, Cheon Chung-myeon handed me a stack of papers.
I took them out one by one and read them.
Some parts were ambiguous, but some were clear.
-Where do you intend to attack?
-Cheongyang County, Boseong County, Cheongan County, and Mungang County.
-All of them will be difficult. Even if we have taken control of the Asura Sword Sect, we cannot ignore the Sect Leader’s power. Aim for about two of those four.
I handed the papers I had read to the two behind me, telling them to read them for themselves.
Cheon Chung-myeon wore a serious expression, as did Ak Wi-cheon.
I did not doubt the Beggar’s Gate’s capabilities.
Neither did I doubt the Heavenly Forest’s information network.
I turned my head. Meeting my gaze, Jang Sang-bo spoke as though he had been waiting.
“The source of the information is certain. Our Heavenly Intelligence Gate agents confirmed those two elders entering a Heavenly Forest branch.”
Three information organizations had brought me the same information.
All three people had reason to make a good impression on me.
For now, this written exchange was certainly real.
Handwriting analysis and the like were meaningless. It could not be made public anyway.
“Jang Sang-bo. Cheon Chung-myeon.”
The two raised their heads.
“Thank you. I owe you both.”
They smiled.
“I need time to sort things out. I will reward you generously later.”
The two men left.
Only Ak Wi-cheon remained.
His expression was serious. He seemed to be waiting to hear something.
I had a rough idea of what it was.
I held out my hand behind me. Un Do-hyeon, who had organized the papers, carefully placed them in my hand. I tied them together and set them on the table.
“The Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect is playing tricks.”
“...Oh?”
“Do those two fools, Jeon Wi and Yeong So-pyeong, know they are being used?”
“That much, I do not know.”
“What a spectacle.”
“...”
“And we cannot conclude that this is not a trap. I appreciate the information, but it is not information we can act on immediately.”
Ak Wi-cheon looked at me strangely.
“...I thought you were someone who could not control your temper and would not live long. But now that I see you, your insight is remarkable.”
“Did you come here to evaluate me?”
“Rather than evaluate you, I came to gain certainty.”
“And did you gain it?”
“I did. Martial artists who charge ahead recklessly like you usually do not meet a good end... but I do not think you will be one of them. More than that, reaching Five Qis Return to Origin at your age... I wish to maintain a good relationship with you. Is there something you want?”
This was usually what happened when one gained power.
People came from everywhere to establish ties.
Some offered information, others money. There were all kinds.
But eating whatever was placed before you would make you sick. You had to choose carefully, and the Heavenly Forest was worth taking.
And I said something entirely unexpected.
“I need all information regarding Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi, the Asura Pavilion Master.”
Perhaps he had not expected it. Ak Wi-cheon’s eyes widened.
“...Information on the Asura Pavilion Master, of all people?”
“I am not interested in the basic details. I can hear enough of that from my subordinates here. I need secret information that even these two do not know.”
“...Truly, I have no idea what you are thinking. Very well...”
He was clearly about to say yes.
I reached out and grabbed Ak Wi-cheon by the shoulder.
“Ak Wi-cheon.”
“...Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“I do not give trust easily.”
“...”
“We have not known each other long. We are merely business partners connected by money. But right now, I am giving you a chance to build firm trust with me.”
“...What is your point?”
“It is simple. Very few people must know what I told you. Find out alone, without anyone in the Heavenly Forest knowing. Can you do that?”
“You do not want it reaching Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi’s ears?”
“He is the man who manages the Asura Pavilion, and his eyes and ears must be everywhere. If possible, I would prefer that it not reach him, but it does not particularly matter if it does.”
“I do not understand. This is information about the Asura Pavilion Master... yet it seems your attention is directed elsewhere. Who exactly are you targeting?”
It was good that we understood each other so easily.
I did not explain at length.
“It does not matter if it takes a long time. Do you understand what I mean?”
Ak Wi-cheon smiled oddly.
“...The more I learn about you, the more unusual you seem. Fine. I will investigate it myself.”
As I said before, I am a man who clearly distinguishes favors and grudges.
I released his shoulder and casually said, “Move the black market in Three Phoenix County to Jangam County. This place will become the center from now on.”
“...Oh?”
“And I will lower the profit share from two tenths to one tenth.”
Ak Wi-cheon snorted.
“What about the number of Hundred-Year Ginseng roots I send each month?”
“Do you want me to reduce those as well? Your greed is excessive.”
“I was joking.”
Ak Wi-cheon rose from his seat.
“I will learn as much as I can. May I consider the relationship between the Heavenly Forest and you to have deepened because of this?”
I shook my head.
“Strictly speaking, the relationship between you and me has deepened. Not the Heavenly Forest’s.”
“I like that even more. I will bring you news soon.”
Ak Wi-cheon turned and left.
It was quiet.
Myeong-hyeon and Un Do-hyeon did not ask me a single question.
They were simply waiting for me to speak.
So I did.
“No matter how impressive the Beggar’s Gate and Heavenly Forest’s information networks are, the Great Elder of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect and elders of the Asura Sword Sect met. If they were meeting directly, it should have happened somewhere no one knew. Yet they met in a Heavenly Forest black market. And if the conversation they supposedly exchanged was merely about this written message, they could have used subordinates or sent carrier pigeons. This was done with the intention of being discovered.”
Un Do-hyeon asked, “Then, as you say, my lord, those two elders are being used?”
“There are two possibilities. Either they are being used, or the Great Elder of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect devised a scheme to manipulate the situation. In the latter case, it seems he wants to involve himself in this affair. But if it is the former... I have nothing to say.”
I could understand them desiring stability. But if they were truly being used, I could not forgive them for acting so stupidly.
In any case, I could roughly see the picture.
Normally, when an external enemy appeared, those within united. But the Asura Sword Sect’s insides had already been ruined, so unity was impossible.
“If either of you knows, answer immediately. Among the four regions mentioned there, Cheongyang County, Boseong County, Cheongan County, and Mungang County, are any connected to Jeon Wi or Yeong So-pyeong?”
The two looked at each other and exchanged opinions with their eyes.
Myeong-hyeon spoke.
“The Branch Lord of Cheongyang County is Jeon Wi’s person, and the Branch Lord of Mungang County belongs not to those two elders, but to Chodong.”
“And Boseong and Cheongan?”
“They have been trying to attach themselves to various people... but for now, it is difficult to say they belong to anyone in particular.”
I tapped the table.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The steady sound filled the branch.
The situation was clear.
Who in the Asura Sword Sect currently wanted an all-out war?
Dokgo Dan-ya would not avoid a fight that came to him, but he needed preparation. He was a man who thought deeply.
It was nothing new for the elders to desire stability. As for Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi, the Asura Pavilion Master, I could not see what lay within him.
For now, it seemed there were only two people. Myo Man-ri and me.
But now that I looked at it, unlike the Asura Sword Sect, the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect seemed fully intent on dragging things into all-out war.
This was an omen.
As I saw it, the Asura Sword Sect must never avoid this fight.
The more time passed, the more disadvantageous it would become for the Asura Sword Sect.
Because they were united, and this side was not.
“Myeong-hyeon.”
“Yes, Branch Master.”
“How much of Five Qis Return to Origin’s power can you use?”
“About two hours.”
“So you have not fully recovered.”
Myeong-hyeon scratched his head.
“Eat five Hundred-Year Ginseng roots.”
“Five?”
“Yes. Eat them and return to being a complete Five Qis Return to Origin practitioner. Will that be enough?”
“Yes. It will be enough.”
Myeong-hyeon answered without complaint, then asked me with some curiosity.
“But why are you investigating the Asura Pavilion Master? Even I can see he is a loyal servant of the Sect Leader.”
It was not a clear reason, but there was something suspicious.
I had roughly grasped what sort of man Dokgo Dan-ya was.
He valued strength.
As Sect Leader, he supported the Asura Sword Sect with strength.
Above all, I heard that Dokgo Dan-ya had mainly practiced closed-door cultivation.
There was no Junior Sect Leader, and the Great Elder was far too free-spirited. It was natural for the elders to run wild, but could Dokgo Dan-ya have failed to foresee it?
The people enforcing the rules he established were clearly those beneath him, and as Myeong-hyeon said, Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi, the Asura Pavilion Master, was Dokgo Dan-ya’s loyal servant.
Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi should have controlled the internal factions.
Yet he had not.
Should I say he seemed to be holding himself back?
The Asura Pavilion Master could have dealt with the matter of the Three Phoenix Branch himself. Yet under the pretext of being pushed back by the elders, he did nothing. Then what about before that?
There was no way he could have been unaware of the entire process of elders forming factions and rotting the sword sect from the bottom up. He was the master of the Asura Pavilion.
Factions forming wherever people lived was natural. I could fully understand turning a blind eye to them.
But that was only if they headed in the same direction.
If their direction differed, they had to be cut off decisively.
That was separate from Dokgo Dan-ya cherishing him. I did not care what kind of man he was either.
What mattered was that he had left it alone despite knowing.
Even if he reported it to Dokgo Dan-ya, he should have handled that much himself.
Even if the factions were divided, as master of the Asura Pavilion, he should have put the Asura Pavilion’s own factions in order without waiting for the Sect Leader’s orders.
He had not done so.
It was obvious even from what Myeong-hyeon and Un Do-hyeon had said.
One Branch Lord belonged to a certain elder, another Branch Lord belonged to someone else.
Honestly, it was bothersome. The Asura Pavilion oversaw the sword sect’s martial force. This was only my opinion, but Sang-gwan Yeon-hwi seemed more suited to being an elder than to being the Asura Pavilion Master.
That was why I was investigating him.
To gain certainty.
Then.
“Un Do-hyeon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How is the recruitment going?”
“I requested ten second-generation disciples with no backing and martial cultivation of at least Twin Sun Manifestation.”
“Some among them will have been tempted by the elders.”
“...That is likely.”
“No matter what they do, overlook it as long as they do not cross the line.”
“May I ask what line you mean?”
It was simple.
“If they are involved in something that could endanger the lives of you, me, or Myeong-hyeon, execute them immediately. Otherwise, if they are merely taking small handouts, overlook it.”
“Yes. I will do so.”
I thought for a moment.
First, I had to send this information to the sword sect.
I had no intention of moving myself. They had clearly played a trick, and I had no desire whatsoever to enter their game and be played by them.
I had no loyalty to the Asura Sword Sect, but I had no intention of turning away from what needed to be done.
“Affix my official seal, organize everything we just heard, and send it to the Sect Leader.”
“What should we say about the source of the information?”
“Do not write it. Say we learned it ‘by good fortune.’ That will be enough.”
“Yes. I will do so.”
Then.
“When will those we requested arrive?”
“It has been quite some time since we sent word, so they should arrive sometime today.”
Not bad.
“You should go recover as well. I permit you five Hundred-Year Ginseng roots.”
“Thank you.”
The two headed underground, each carrying five Hundred-Year Ginseng roots.
I reviewed my plans for the future.
Five Qis Return to Origin.
It was not a low realm, but it was not satisfying.
At least one year.
Within that time, I intended to enter the Creation Realm.
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