Chapter 83
On the ship headed back to Hangzhou, Baek Mu-Gun and Byeok Cheol-Ryong sat across from each other. Cheol-Ryong’s hands and legs were tied up.
“I would like to make an offer to you.”
“What is it?”
“I hope you can help me persuade the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch.”
“Persuade him?”
“I need his help in revealing that the Hangzhou Merchant Company colluded with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“What will I gain from convincing our patriarch to reveal that the Hangzhou Merchant Company is in league with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect?”
“We will guarantee the Byeok Sword Manor’s survival. However, the upper brass related to this case will have to pay for their sins accordingly.”
“I should just pay for the sins by myself, then.”
“You’re still saying that, huh.”
“Because that’s the truth.”
“You mean to say you decided to kill the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader without the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch’s permission? Even a three-year-old kid would not believe that.”
Mu-Gun’s words put Cheol-Ryong at a loss for words.
“To tell you the truth, I actually don’t need to go through this in such a cumbersome and inconvenient way. I can just destroy the Byeok Sword Manor and Hangzhou Merchant Company by myself. As you have already seen, that is definitely possible with the martial prowess I possess. And since this is a matter related to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, I am more than willing to do that. So think about this carefully, for this is the last chance I am giving to the Byeok Sword Manor.”
Cheol-Ryong could not ignore Mu-Gun’s warning. Having witnessed Mu-Gun’s martial arts and his decisiveness to kill the demonic practitioners back at the inn, Cheol-Ryong could not turn a deaf ear to his words. From Cheol-Ryong’s point of view, the best choice he currently had was to cooperate with Mu-Gun’s demand and minimize the sacrifice to the Byeok Sword Manor’s upper echelons.
‘I have to end this with just my and Elder Brother’s death.’
He hoped to put an end to this incident by sacrificing himself alone, but that was impossible. At the very least, Byeok Cheol-Gun also had to be held responsible. Instead, no matter the cost, he wanted to protect Byeok Cheol-Seong, the Byeok Sword Manor’s second-in-command.
“Fine. I will do as you say, but let this end with just the patriarch and I taking full responsibility. We were the ones who orchestrated this incident. No one else is even aware of this.”
The core of the Byeok Sword Manor’s leadership was the three brothers Byeok Cheol-Gun, Byeok Cheol-Seong, and Byeok Cheol-Ryong. There were also the five Byeok Sword Squads’ leaders, but they were likely unaware of this incident. Even if they were core members of the clan, the Byeok brothers probably didn’t reveal the plan to assassinate Baek Cheon-Sang, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader, to them. However, Cheol-Seong was highly likely kept in the loop about the assassination plans. If that was proven to be the case, Cheol-Seong should also be held responsible for this incident.
“The Byeok Sword Manor’s second-in-command had to have been aware of this.”
“You’re right. However, he never agreed to it. The patriarch and I disregarded his objection and pushed ahead with the plan. Second Brother is not guilty.” Cheol-Ryong said in desperation, hoping to at least save Cheol-Seong.
Mu-Gun contemplated it. It was not a wise option to leave any room for future troubles, but if pressed too hard, even a cornered rat would bite a cat. Unless he was determined to annihilate the Byeok Sword Manor, he had to give them some leeway.
“If the Byeok Sword Manor actively cooperates, I will do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Well then, rest up.”
Mu-Gun left Cheol-Ryong alone in the cabin and informed Baek Cheon-Sang and Jeong Won-Hyo of the outcome of their conversation. Cheon-Sang and Won-Hyo were worried that there would be future troubles if Cheol-Seong was left alive. However, Mu-Gun reassured them that Cheol-Seong would not stir trouble rashly since he would have realized the Baek Sword Sect’s power through this incident.
Even if so, Mu-Gun did not intend to let his guard down. Mu-Gun planned to thoroughly monitor the Byeok Sword Manor’s movement through the Heavenly Secret Hall. Moreover, if discovered that the Byeok Sword Manor was up to no good, he would punish them immediately.
As the Baek Sword Sect’s group headed back to Hangzhou, the Byeok Sword Manor’s Cheol-Gun got the carrier pigeon that Cheol-Ryong had sent. The message it brought stated that the insurgency at Xiangshan was successful. Cheol-Gun, who had been anxiously on the edge of his seat due to this, finally got peace of mind.
Cheol-Ryong, whom the Baek Sword Sect held captive, sent out a carrier pigeon carrying false information under Mu-Gun’s orders to ease Cheol-Gun’s mind. As a result, Cheol-Gun now waited for Cheol-Ryong’s return with an eased mind. His dream of becoming the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader had been rekindled.
* * *
Two days later, the Baek Sword Sect’s group arrived at Hangzhou Port. Mu-Gun took Cheol-Ryong with him and immediately headed to the Byeok Sword Manor with Cheon-Sang and Won-Hyo. The martial artists from the three clans, including the Baek Sword Sect, were instructed to stay at a lodging within the port’s vicinity.
As they approached the Byeok Sword Manor, Mu-Gun untied the shackles on Cheol-Ryong’s hands and said, “If you don’t want the Byeok Sword Manor to be completely wiped from existence, it would be in your best interest not to do anything foolish.”
“Don’t worry.”
Taking the lead, Cheol-Ryong entered the Byeok Sword Manor with the Byeok Sword Manor’s martial artists opening the door for him upon confirming his identity. Cheol-Ryeong went in as if nothing had happened. The others, including Mu-Gun, followed him inside. Cheol-Ryong then led them to Cheol-Gun’s office.
They occasionally encountered Byeok Sword Manor martial artists on the way there, but they didn’t suspect anything since Cheol-Ryong was with them. Upon finally arriving at Cheol-Gun’s office, Cheol-Ryong informed the guardians standing guard in front of the office of his visit.
“Patriarch! The Great Commander has requested an audience!”
“Let him in.”
The guardians opened the door to the office with Cheol-Gun’s permission. Cheol-Ryong entered the office first, followed by Mu-Gun and the others.
“Welcome—!”
Cheol-Gun, who was pleased to see Cheol-Ryong as he entered the office, looked stunned upon seeing Mu-Gun and the others following after him. The moment he saw people who were supposed to have been killed in Xiangshan, Cheol-Gun realized something had gone wrong. Cheol-Gun racked his brain thinking about what to do in this situation.
“Consider yourself warned that it’s best not to try anything foolish,” Cheon-Sang told Cheol-Gun.
“Elder Brother! Doing as the Alliance Leader said would be for the best,” Cheol-Ryong also warned Cheol-Gun just in case he planned to do something reckless.
Cheol-Gun’s expression turned more dreadful.
“What happened?” Cheol-Gun asked Cheol-Ryong.
“As you can see, the Byeok Sword Manor’s plan to assassinate the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader has failed. I know you coveted the position, but how could you do something this wicked? You even involved the demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Even if we wipe the Byeok Sword Manor from existence now, nobody will find it wrong of us.”
“What? When did we involve the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s demonic practitioners?”
“The people the Hangzhou Merchant Company hired were demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect,” Cheol-Ryong explained.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
“It seems the Hangzhou Merchant Company is working with them.”
“What do you mean by...”
As a member of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance, attempting to assassinate the alliance leader was a grave offence. Even so, they could still preserve the Byeok Sword Manor’s existence. However, colluding with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect was a crime so severe that it would not just threaten the Byeok Sword Manor’s existence but also invalidate the history created and left behind by their predecessors. The current situation perplexed Cheol-Gun so much that he was at a loss on how to deal with this problem.
“If this fact spreads across murim, the Byeok Sword Manor would be branded as a collaborator of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. The Byeok Sword Manor would be annihilated, and you all will never be able to step foot in murim ever again.”
“Let me be clear. The Byeok Sword Manor has nothing to do with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. All we did was work together with the martial artists that the Hangzhou Merchant Company hired. I admit that I wanted to harm you, Patriarch Baek, but I really did not know the Hangzhou Merchant Company was working with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“That’s just your one-sided claim, Patriarch Byeok. If you cannot present evidence that the Byeok Sword Manor has no relation to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, the entire murim will suspect your clan to be in league with them. No matter what you say in your defence, it is an undeniable truth that the Byeok Sword Manor worked with their demonic practitioners.”
“You can just interrogate the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner to confirm it.”
“We cannot interrogate the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner simply because of suspicion alone.”
“It’s not simply suspicion. It’s something I personally witnessed and heard.”
“You are the main perpetrator of this incident, Patriarch Byeok. It is unreasonable to interrogate the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner because of your testimony.”
“What do you plan to do, then?”
“You have to induce the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner to confess.”
“What do I gain from doing that?”
“You’ll clear the suspicion that the Byeok Sword Manor is in league with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“That basically means I still have to take responsibility for what happened to Patriarch Baek.”
“However, in that situation, I will only hold the two of you accountable. That’s the most we can yield.”
“How exactly do you plan to hold us accountable?”
“You aimed for my life. You are to pay for your crime with your life in return.” Cheon-Sang’s remarks made Cheol-Gun’s face stiff.
“Elder Brother! This is the only way we can save the Byeok Sword Manor.” Cheol-Ryong pleaded to Cheol-Gun.
Cheol-Gun closed his eyes in resignation as he saw the desperation in Cheol-Ryong’s gaze.
“Fine. I will do as you please. However, please exclude my brother from the punishment. He was only following my orders. I bear all the responsibility, so let this end with my death alone.”
“We are already making a lot of concessions by holding just the two of you responsible. Don’t expect more.”
“I know this is shameless of me, but please show a little more mercy.”
“Please don’t do that. I cannot escape the responsibility for this incident either. It is only right that I am held responsible for this matter with you, Elder Brother.”
“Don’t be foolish. You only did what I ordered you to. This is completely my fault, so I should be the only one taking responsibility. I beg of you—please let this incident end with my death alone,” Cheol-Gun pleaded to Cheon-Sang.
Cheon-Sang looked troubled. It was difficult for him to pretend not to understand Cheol-Gun’s desperate desire to save his younger brother.
“Let’s go with that,” Mu-Gun told Cheon-Sang, who could not make a decision easily.
Killing Cheol-Ryong would not have made much difference anyway, and Cheol-Ryong witnessed the Baek Sword Sect’s power with his own eyes. As long as he was around, the Byeok Sword Manor would never plot against the Baek Sword Sect since he knew better than anyone that doing so would wipe the Byeok Sword Manor from the face of the world.
“Alright. In consideration of your feelings for your younger brother, I will show mercy, Patriarch Byeok.”
“Thank you. Moreover, I know this is an unforgivable crime, but I would like to sincerely apologize to you, Patriarch Baek.”
“Please understand that I cannot overlook your crimes, Patriarch Byeok.”
“I am grateful enough to you for letting my younger brother live. Please tell me what I have to do.”
At Cheol-Gun’s words, Cheon-Sang sent a look to Mu-Gun, gesturing to him to say it himself.
“Call the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner to the Byeok Sword Manor tomorrow and question him about the people mobilized for this assassination plan. All you have to do is get him to reveal their identity and affiliation.”
“Understood. Is there anyone that can bear witness to his confession?”
“The Putuo Sword Sect will stand witness.”
“Alright.”
“Also, with all due respect, you two should stay with us until you meet the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Having already let everything go, Cheol-Gun obediently followed Mu-Gun’s demands. Mu-Gun and the others stayed the night at the Byeok Sword Manor along with two of the Byeok brothers.
The next day, the Putuo Sword Sect’s Jeong Ryeo-Gun secretly arrived at the Byeok Sword Manor. As soon as Ryeo-Gun, who was supposed to bear witness to the confession, arrived, Cheol-Gun sent a messenger to Jang Hyun-Chul, the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner. He requested him to come to the Byeok Sword Manor under the pretext that he had something to discuss regarding the incident that happened in Xiangshan.
Hyun-Chul, who was frustrated about not getting any news from Xiangshan, immediately rushed to the Byeok Sword Manor.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com