Episode 146: Dan Seol-yeong

The carrier pigeons sent to various places had returned with their replies.

Yeong Heo-ja opened each letter, letting out a deep sigh.

”…It’s a mess.”

He had always known that the unity among the orthodox sects was shaky. He had experienced the lukewarm response from the Cheongseong Sect when other sects had sought their help.

But after sending out the pigeons himself, he realized this wasn’t just a matter of strong or weak cohesion. It was downright dismal.

The responses were varied.

Only three sects were cooperative.

The Jeomchang Sect, known for their fearless dedication.

The Kunlun Sect, who would be the first to face the demonic cult if it rose in the west.

And the Emei Sect, neighbors in Sichuan, who couldn’t easily ignore Yeong Heo-ja’s request.

In other words, aside from these three, the reactions from all other sects were far from satisfactory.

Yeong Heo-ja unfolded the letters again. First, the response from the Shaolin Temple.

[Thank you for your suggestion. However, we cannot leave our sect unattended, so it would be preferable to meet in Henan.]

This was quite cooperative, all things considered. The underlying message was clear: “It would be better if you came to us, and if you need help, you should be the ones to make the effort.” But at least they were willing to discuss and find a solution.

Yeong Heo-ja moved on to the next letter, from the Gongdong Sect.

[We are deeply concerned about the events involving the demonic cult and admire your insight. However, we hope you understand that we cannot act hastily without clear evidence. Please provide concrete proof.]

It seemed like a rational response, but in reality, it was an excuse. They simply didn’t want to get involved in something dangerous.

Still, this was understandable. The Gongdong Sect would likely lend a hand once the situation became more certain.

The real problem lay with the next response, from the Namgung family.

[We wish we could rise to the occasion, but the current situation of the Namgung family is not favorable for offering assistance.]

It seemed like a humble request for understanding. But to truly grasp this letter, one had to consider the Namgung family’s position.

The Namgung family in Anhui Province was the easternmost of the major sects. Similarly, the Murong family in Liaoning Province was at the northeastern edge.

In other words, even if the demonic cult swept through the central plains from the west, unless the entire martial world was annihilated, these families would remain untouched by the chaos.

Yeong Heo-ja clicked his tongue.

The Namgung and Murong families likely hoped for the decline of the central martial world. If their competitors weakened, they could easily expand their influence.

There was no need for Namgung Jincheon to take the lead in the competition. He knew that letting others fall behind was a good way to gain an advantage.

If, by any chance, the demonic cult pushed all the way to the eastern or northeastern edges, they could leisurely join the fray and claim victory over the exhausted cult.

“Cunning bastards.”

Several sects didn’t even bother to reply, pretending they hadn’t received the pigeons.

While it’s common for pigeons to be caught by hawks or lose their way, Yeong Heo-ja had sent three to five pigeons to each location to prevent such issues. It was unlikely that all of them had been caught or lost.

Yeong Heo-ja’s frustration boiled over.

Contrary to popular belief, the unity among the orthodox sects was weaker than that of the demonic or unorthodox sects.

The demonic cult had no choice but to be united, living together near the western Tianshan Mountains.

The unorthodox martial artists, though scattered like grains of sand, would gather around the northern Shanxi and southern Guizhou when needed.

In contrast, the orthodox sects lacked a clear focal point. They occupied the largest area of the central plains, making it difficult to designate a central meeting place. Even if they managed to agree on gathering, a battle of egos over the meeting location was inevitable.

Imagining this scenario, Yeong Heo-ja felt a sense of suffocation.

“I feel like I’m going to choke.”

To make matters worse, the orthodox martial artists were reluctant to unite even in times of crisis. When several sects of similar standing gathered, an implicit hierarchy would form, and those not at the top would want to avoid such a blow to their pride.

Yet, they still insisted on the need for organic cooperation among sects, forming regional alliances like the Martial Alliance or the Heavenly Alliance.

But these were just names without substance. They were merely gatherings where the most influential sects in the region lorded over a few smaller ones. To put it bluntly, they were no more than local social clubs.

Yeong Heo-ja sighed.

“If only there were a system in place for immediate response in times like this.”

But for now, there was no solution.

Yeong Heo-ja’s enthusiasm waned. The disheartening responses from all sides had drained his motivation.

Moreover, the Cheongseong Sect wasn’t in a position to be running around frantically either. Even if the demonic cult rose, it seemed unlikely that the mountainous Sichuan would be breached. The Emei Sect would help if things got dangerous.

Yeong Heo-ja stood up and stretched. His stiff shoulders relaxed, and he felt a bit better.

“There’s still ten years left. Something will work out by then.”

Finally, Yeong Heo-ja thought to himself. Even if things went wrong, it wouldn’t be his fault.

A little over a month after Tang Mujin returned from the demonic cult, an old man visited the Tang family clinic. It was the demonic cult’s external chief, Swae Hon-noong.

“How have you been?”

Seeing Tang Mujin tense up, Swae Hon-noong smiled kindly.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t sided with the new cult leader.”

“That wasn’t my concern. What brings you here?”

“The old man had nothing better to do, so I came by. I’m on my way back from disbanding the cult’s external branch.”

“Pardon?”

“With nothing to do, what’s the point of keeping the external branch?”

Swae Hon-noong explained his situation.

Until now, Swae Hon-noong had served as the external chief, acting as a liaison between the demonic cult and the central plains. But with the cult ceasing all external activities, the role of the external branch had vanished.

The cult’s main body had no demands for the external branch, and without demands, support for the branch had ceased.

Swae Hon-noong’s words were no exaggeration. The external branch had become an institution with no purpose.

To make matters worse, most of the external branch members disagreed with the new cult leader’s direction, being purists at heart. Disbanding and going their separate ways was a natural outcome.

Tang Mujin asked Swae Hon-noong.

“Are you planning to stay in Chengdu?”

Swae Hon-noong shook his head.

“No, I plan to spend my remaining years traveling. I came to see you to keep a promise.”

“A promise?”

“Yes. The situation has become peculiar, but I heard you fulfilled your role diligently. You deserve your reward, don’t you?”

…What was the reward again?

After a moment of thought, the answer came to him. Swae Hon-noong had promised to reveal the location of the Salmak’s base to Tang Mujin.

But until now, Tang Mujin had forgotten about the reward.

The situation had been too urgent to worry about rewards, and he had gained much from his time with the demonic cult.

Though his stay with the cult was brief, Tang Mujin had made significant progress in his poison techniques and had even surpassed the pinnacle.

Moreover, though it was difficult to call it a gain, the demonic cult members had followed him to Chengdu and settled near the Tang family clinic. If a time came when he needed strength, they would be reliable allies.

However, upon hearing about the Salmak’s base, Tang Mujin’s heart raced uncontrollably. He wondered how he could have forgotten about it.

Tang Mujin spoke politely.

“I should have come to you, but I lacked the opportunity.”

“It’s fine. I wanted to visit Sichuan at least once. But before I tell you the location of the Salmak, I have a question. Why are you seeking the Salmak?”

“For revenge. I may not be able to kill all of the Salmak’s minions, but I won’t be satisfied until I take down their leader.”

Swae Hon-noong didn’t ask for whom the revenge was intended.

Instead, he looked intently at Tang Mujin. Not long ago, the idea of Tang Mujin killing the Salmak’s leader would have been a mere dream. But now, there seemed to be a faint chance.

Swae Hon-noong liked Tang Mujin’s bold attitude. Perhaps it was because it contrasted with his own jaded and complacent self.

Swae Hon-noong smiled gently and said.

“The Salmak’s main base is in Yangyang, Hubei Province. Go to the Jin family estate on the outskirts of Yangyang.”

Tang Mujin had never been to Yangyang in Hubei Province, but he knew where it was.

From Sichuan, it was a region located northeast, past Chongqing and Mount Lu.

Though it was a distance most people wouldn’t travel in a lifetime, Tang Mujin, accustomed to long journeys, felt it was relatively close.

Tang Mujin cautiously asked.

“Is it alright to tell me so readily? Haven’t you had a long-standing relationship with them?”

“We’re not bound by loyalty, and given the current state of the cult, it seems better for the ties between the cult and the Salmak to be severed.”

Swae Hon-noong subtly expressed his dissatisfaction with the current cult leader and added a final remark.

“Anyway, before you head to Yangyang, you should ask Sam Anbul for help. He’d be more than happy to assist, and it would make things a lot easier. It might not be as simple as squashing a bug, but you could certainly crush your enemies with ease.”

But Dang Mujin shook his head.

“No, I need to do this myself for it to mean anything.”

Sehoon Noong smiled, seemingly pleased with his response.

“That’s a good mindset. Just don’t let others take revenge on your behalf.”

“I understand.”

“If things get dangerous, step back and wait for another opportunity. You’ve got a long life ahead of you, plenty of chances. Patience is key.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Dang Mujin bowed respectfully. Sehoon Noong gave a gentle smile and turned to leave.

Dang Mujin locked himself in his room, packing his belongings over the course of two days. No one noticed his preparations, except for one person—Dan Seolyeong.

Sensing something unusual in Mujin’s demeanor, Seolyeong seized the opportunity to confront him in his room.

Mujin had just finished packing when she arrived.

Seolyeong didn’t ask where he was going or why. She had something else to say.

“Take me with you!”

But Mujin shook his head.

Under different circumstances, he might have considered it, but not this time. This journey promised no peace, only danger and brutality. It was something he couldn’t expose Seolyeong—or anyone else—to.

“No.”

“I can help!”

“Do you even know why I’m going?”

“Whatever it is, I can help.”

“No, not this time.”

Seolyeong read the resolve in Mujin’s expression. His mind was set.

If he had to leave secretly, he would, but he wouldn’t take Seolyeong with him.

Instead, Seolyeong offered a sharp compromise.

“Is it urgent?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then take your time. You just got back, and if you leave so suddenly, what am I supposed to do?”

She wouldn’t hold him back or insist on going with him. But surely, he could delay his departure a little.

Mujin hesitated.

“How long do you want me to stay?”

A small smile played on Seolyeong’s lips. His determination wavered, unable to completely ignore her plea, and it tickled a corner of her heart.

“I’d love for you to stay by my side forever, but that might be too much to ask. How about a month?”

Mujin pondered for a moment. A month.

It wasn’t a short time, but considering how long Seolyeong had waited, it seemed a modest request.

Besides, it didn’t mean wasting a month. As Sehoon Noong had advised, taking time to prepare was crucial. He could train with Sam Anbul or Namgung Myung, refine his skills, or craft new weapons.

Having sorted his thoughts, Mujin agreed readily.

“Alright. A month sounds reasonable.”

He began unpacking his things.

Seolyeong beamed and opened her arms, stepping toward Mujin. He mirrored her gesture, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

In the small room, they buried their faces in each other’s necks, taking deep breaths. The scent of each other filled the air, bringing a sense of comfort and a flutter of excitement.

Even though no one was watching, Mujin suddenly felt shy.

As he released Seolyeong and stood up, she playfully warned him.

“If you disappear before the month is up, don’t expect to see me again.”

“I won’t.”

Seolyeong smiled brightly and turned to leave.

Though not well-versed in matters of the heart, she knew their relationship was progressing at a snail’s pace compared to others.

If she left things as they were, who knew when they’d move forward?

“I’ll make my move within the month.”

Her expression turned determined.