novelraw Chapter 137 : Self-Inflicted
Chapter 137 : Self-Inflicted
Chapter 137: Self-Inflicted
To the northwest of Chengdu in Sichuan Province stood a renowned mountain, known for its precipitous and rugged peaks.
Yet, the people revered not the mountain itself, but the sect that had established its base upon it.
Thus, the mountain took its name from that very sect—
Mount Qingcheng.
And the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Sects and One Gang, as well as a pillar among the Three Great Forces of Sichuan, was that very sect.
In order to align themselves with the Qingcheng Sect, which held sway over Sichuan, countless donations—some voluntary, others coerced—had flooded in.
Their Taoist temples scattered across Mount Qingcheng numbered in the dozens.
Unlike the Emei Sect, which showed no interest in expanding its influence, the Qingcheng Sect had taken the opposite approach. Until just a year ago, most had predicted with certainty that the rule of Sichuan would fall into Qingcheng’s hands.
……But now, that had become a thing of the past.
Lately, people had begun referring to the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect together as the Twin Powers, while regarding the Qingcheng Sect as a step below them.
Of course, no sane person would utter such words in front of the Taoist priests of Qingcheng.
Still, everyone whispered behind their backs.
“Just watch and see.”
“In no time, the ruler of Sichuan will not be the Qingcheng Sect, but the Tang Clan.”
Qingcheng Sect.
Upper Purity Palace.
Among the many Taoist halls of Mount Qingcheng, the most lavishly decorated was this Upper Purity Palace—a structure that was virtually the symbol of the sect itself.
Though the Taoists were meant to cultivate the Way (道) amidst purity and frugality, this palace stood in complete contrast.
It could not be helped, however—this was the residence of none other than the Sect Leader of Qingcheng.
“……That information. Can it truly be trusted?”
The Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, Jeok Seongja, also known as the Solitary Flying Sword, spoke in a cold, subdued tone.
Before him, one of the First Disciples bowed deeply, his posture filled with utmost respect.
For some reason, however, the disciple’s expression was exceedingly grim as he delivered his report.
“Yes, Sect Leader. Last night, at a banquet attended by only a select few, Tang Muyeol himself brought up the matter.”
“What? That’s absurd…!”
“He actually handed over the clan to that whelp already? Has the Tang Clan Head lost his mind?”
“You mean Tang Sewoon has truly become the Head of the Tang Clan!?”
Jeok Seongja remained silent as he listened, but the eight elders seated around him were visibly shaken.
The disciple’s report contained but a single, shocking piece of information.
Tang Sewoon—the legitimate heir of the Sichuan Tang Clan, despised by all disciples of Qingcheng—
That very man had suddenly been declared the new Head of the Tang Clan.
Given the weight of the matter, the hall was thrown into uproar, and calm did not return easily.
While the elders clamored noisily, Jeok Seongja alone assessed the situation with a composed mind.
‘To hand over the position of Clan Head at such a time… That isn’t a thought that could’ve come from Tang Muyeol’s feeble mind.’
A flash of killing intent glinted in Jeok Seongja’s eyes as a certain man came to mind.
Tang Sewoon.
That thunderous brat was clearly scheming again.
Crack.
Jeok Seongja gritted his teeth so hard that a faint grinding sound escaped.
Ever since Namgung Myeong had declared his intention to withdraw from the Murim Alliance and establish the White Path Union, Jeok Seongja had worked tirelessly to bolster Qingcheng’s presence and influence amidst the shifting tides.
He could not allow the Namgung Clan to monopolize all power indefinitely.
Hence, he had sought to bring Sichuan firmly under Qingcheng’s control, even at great risk—only to face one painful failure after another.
‘The escort agencies I secretly bought at inflated prices barely receive any commissions, and the stream of donations to the sect has all but dried up.’
The backlash from their reckless expansion had returned to poison them far sooner than expected.
Worse still, the Lee Trading Company (李家商團), which had been their strongest financial support, had severed ties after Lee Hoseong’s expulsion.
Jeok Seongja had considered rekindling the relationship under the pretense of retracting that expulsion, but Lee Jamyeong, the company’s head, had already allied himself with the Kongtong Sect and ignored all attempts at contact.
‘If Tang Sewoon steps onto the stage, the Sichuan Tang Clan will expand its sphere of influence far more aggressively than before.’
Unlike Tang Muyeol, who was full of hollow benevolence, Tang Sewoon was cut from the same cloth as Jeok Seongja himself.
That wicked, cunning man would no doubt aim the blade hidden in his sleeve straight at Qingcheng.
Yet, while Jeok Seongja’s thoughts seethed with unease and fury—
“Hmm, well, it’s not like that brat has much longer to live anyway. Is this really worth such concern?”
“That’s right. Why are we all gathered here, worrying over some boy?”
“Once he dies, the Tang Clan will lose its center and crumble like a sandcastle!”
“Indeed! Unlike Qingcheng, with its solid history and tradition, the Tang Clan was a fallen house barely clinging to life just a year ago!”
“By the time he breathes his last, the White Path Union will have been founded! If we prevent the Tang Clan from joining them, we can swallow all the achievements they’ve built!”
The elders spoke lightly, treating the grave situation as if it were gossip over tea.
Idiots.
Jeok Seongja cursed them inwardly.
Not a single one among them truly grasped the severity of the situation.
“Oh ho, you may be right. Sect Leader, perhaps you should now open communications with the Namgung Clan Head and—”
“Are you seriously saying that now?”
“!!”
“If the things atop your necks are not mere ornaments, perhaps you should try using them for once.”
The Sect Leader’s harsh rebuke left the elders stunned, their faces paling.
But Jeok Seongja did not stop there.
“It’s because you fools swallowed the words of that two-faced old monster whole that things have become this dire.”
“S-Sect Leader!”
“Your words are too harsh!”
“Silence!!”
Boom!
As Jeok Seongja stomped his foot and unleashed a lion’s roar, the clamor of the elders died instantly.
While cold sweat trickled down their necks, Jeok Seongja continued, radiating a chilling aura.
“Think about it. Isn’t the timing far too coincidental? Tang Sewoon, who was said to be at death’s door, now stands as Clan Head, proving his body to be sound. And while we grew complacent, the Tang Clan seized control over countless profit lines across Sichuan.”
“……!”
“And do you truly believe they achieved all that with their own strength?”
The elders’ eyes trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
There was only one implication behind Jeok Seongja’s words.
There was a force secretly supporting the Sichuan Tang Clan.
And that force was—
“Could it be… the Namgung Clan?!”
“Namgung Myeong—!”
Jeok Seongja gave a grim nod.
Indeed. Jeok Seongja had mistakenly assumed that Namgung Myeong was the one supporting the Tang Clan’s recent rise.
And truthfully, it was a misunderstanding he could hardly be blamed for.
‘Namgung Myeong. That bastard must be trying to make the Sichuan Tang Clan his second Hwangbo Clan.’
The Namgung Clan had already absorbed the expelled Hwangbo Clan, achieving a level of prosperity that was incomparable to its former state.
There was no law that said what had been done once could not be done again.
“Judging by the current flow of events, it’s clear that Namgung Myeong must have made some kind of deal with that Tang Sewoon.”
“A deal… you say?”
“Why else would Namgung Myeong give him the Heavenly Flame Furnace? If Namgung’s warriors receive Divine Relics from him, could we ever hope to match their power, even if the Murim Alliance itself split in two?”
“!!”
“Then… in exchange for that…!”
“Exactly. He must have agreed to hand over Sichuan (四川) itself.”
And the moment the Tang Clan took control of Sichuan, the White Path Union would be established.
‘Then, just like the Hwangbo Clan, the Namgung Clan will completely devour the Sichuan Tang Clan.’
If that happened, the Namgung Clan would become an unmatched single force, one that even the Wudang Sect or the Shaolin Temple could not rival.
Namgung Myeong would accomplish what even the Sword Emperor Yoo Jinhak had failed to achieve.
‘Damn it! I realized that bastard’s scheme far too late.’
Jeok Seongja inwardly seethed with rage toward Namgung Myeong.
It was, of course, an utterly absurd misunderstanding—but an understandable one.
The White Path Union was an alliance gathered solely for mutual benefit; suspicion and paranoia ran rampant among its members.
There was no such thing as trust between them.
“What?! That’s outrageous!”
“How could the Namgung Clan betray us like this!”
“But if that’s true, what can we do now? If they’ve really joined hands with Namgung, how could we ever stand against them…?”
As the elders voiced their rising panic—
Clack!
“I can handle this!!”
The heavy doors of the Upper Purity Palace suddenly swung wide open, and a man strode in.
His appearance was far too flamboyant for a Taoist priest.
With makeup lightly brushed on his face and ornate decorations hanging from his Taoist robe, he looked closer to a performer than a cultivator.
He was Ma Geollyun (馬杰崙), who had recently been accepted as Jeok Seongja’s disciple and ascended to the rank of Great Disciple.
Born with exceptional martial talent and aptitude, yet because of his violent temperament and excessively cruel hand, he had never been able to solidify his position, often being sent to the Hall of Repentance.
Jeok Seongja had never favored him much either, given his unimpressive family background.
He had been the disciple whose place as Great Disciple was taken by Lee Hoseong, the rising star from the Lee Trading Company.
But after Lee Hoseong’s death, Ma Geollyun had opportunistically claimed the vacant position, and recently, he had experienced a remarkable surge in power—reaching the realm of Supreme Peak Mastery.
As everyone’s gaze turned to him, Ma Geollyun spoke with a faint, mocking smile.
“If the Namgung Clan intends to protect that brat, then all we need to do is make it impossible for them to protect him.”
“You insolent fool!! Do you even know where you stand, speaking so recklessly in this sacred hall!?”
“You may be the Great Disciple, but have you no sense of propriety!?”
“Silence.”
The elders burst out in fury, but Jeok Seongja calmed the uproar.
Why is that bastard suddenly—?
Jeok Seongja narrowed his brows and spoke in a low voice.
“What method do you have in mind?”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Explain it.”
Straightening his shoulders proudly, Ma Geollyun began to speak.
And as he explained, the expressions of the elders—flushed red with anger just moments ago—began to change rapidly.
Ma Geollyun’s plan was unexpectedly brilliant.
‘If that actually works…!’
‘It’s risky, but as long as we don’t get caught…!’
‘We could completely destroy the Sichuan Tang Clan!’
When Ma Geollyun finally finished his explanation, the elders were full of excitement.
However, Jeok Seongja’s reaction was entirely different.
“Who is it?”
“…Pardon?”
“There’s no way you came up with that. Tell me who devised this plan.”
“……!”
Ma Geollyun’s face stiffened—struck precisely where it hurt.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he bit his lower lip under Jeok Seongja’s sharp gaze and spoke quietly.
“……There is a strategist assisting me recently. His skills are exceptional—practically my own Zhang Liang.”
“Bring him in.”
Step.
At once, as if waiting for that cue, a man stepped through the door.
He appeared to be an ordinary scholar, bowing courteously to everyone in the hall.
Yet, within his crescent-shaped eyes gleamed a chilling, calculating light that reminded one of a snake.
“It is an honor to meet you, Sect Leader. My name is Do Hoe-myeong, of the Murim Academy of Strategy.”
Do Hoe-myeong.
No—he was Elder of the Blood Cult, the Blood Brain, Gui Yeongja, who smiled faintly at Jeok Seongja.