Chapter 135

Chapter 135
## Chapter 135: Heading to Yushan (1)

—

Located in the heart of Jiangsu Province is the vast expanse of Hongze Lake.

Perched along its northeastern banks sat the legendary Golden Manor, a residence more commonly referred to by the populace as Crimson Tears Manor.

Calling Crimson Tears Manor a mere estate was an understatement; it was a sprawling citadel. Within its walls functioned the central operations of the Taoguang Merchant Guild—the undisputed titan of trade in the Central Plains—alongside the Yanghui Escort Bureau, a name that commanded equal respect as the realm’s premier security force.

The natural protection of the shoreline notwithstanding, the manor’s borders spanned nearly twenty li, encompassing a dense network of hundreds of structures varying from modest dwellings to palatial halls.

History suggested that the Taoguang Merchant Guild established its roots by the waters of Hongze Lake roughly six decades prior. Naturally, its initial footprint was far smaller than the fortress seen today.

Like any business venture, its origins were unassuming. However, five decades ago, leadership fell to a man who would eventually be revered as both the God of Wealth and a Living Buddha: Yagul Jae. At the age of thirty, he took command, and under his guidance, the Taoguang Merchant Guild experienced a meteoric rise.

By the time he reached forty, his guild dominated Jiangsu. By fifty, it was the hegemon of the entire nation’s economy.

Two decades ago, at the age of sixty, Yagul Jae made the sudden decision to step away from public life. He handed the reigns of Taoguang to his firstborn, Yagul Soseong, while gifting the newly formed Yanghui Escort Bureau to his second son, Yagul Cheon-gyeong.

The final public appearance of Yagul Jae occurred during the inauguration of Crimson Tears Manor, specifically when he personally mounted the entrance plaque featuring his own brushwork.

He had remained a ghost to the outside world ever since.

While his offspring proved themselves efficient administrators of Taoguang and Yanghui, the public still felt the void left by Yagul Jae.

It wasn’t merely his business acumen that people missed, but his legendary altruism. He was a man who used his fortune as a shield for the vulnerable.

Yagul Jae’s charity was so extensive that locals claimed hunger was unknown within a thousand li of his guild. He personally funded relief efforts for regions devastated by drought or deluge, and he provided medical aid to those suffering from pestilence when the imperial government had turned a blind eye.

The massive bronze monument standing before the gates of Crimson Tears Manor was the result of a grassroots movement by those he had saved. Even the base of the monument held prestige, having been fashioned from stone gifted by the Emperor himself as a mark of high honor.

Such a tribute—a statue built upon imperial stone—was a source of immense pride. The common folk treated the image of Yagul Jae with a reverence bordering on the divine.

As the years passed, the site turned into a landmark where crowds gathered daily to walk circles around the bronze figure, whispering silent petitions for good fortune.

“The gathering seems particularly large this afternoon.”

Seated in a high pavilion with a view of the monument, an elderly man fanned himself with a peacock-feathered tool, speaking as he sipped his brew.

“The dry spell has lingered too long. They are likely petitioning for relief from a failed harvest.”

The man of middle years sitting across from him put down his tea, opting instead for a vessel of rice wine.

“The heavens are fickle. Last year we suffered from a lack of rain, and now we face the same frustration.”

“That may be so. However, one reality remains undeniable.”

“And what reality is that?”

“The heavens are currently favoring our cause.”

A subtle smirk crossed the elder’s face at his companion’s remark.

“You are referring to the state of the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

“Precisely. The Heavenly Demon Cult managed to consolidate the fractured dark sects, only for their most formidable leaders to vanish or depart. Then, with perfect timing, internal strife broke out and the seat of power shifted. The rhythm of it all is quite convenient, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed. We barely had to lift a finger compared to the other factions. Had that Divine Demon Division Leader remained in his post, our path would have been far more treacherous. Remember how our operatives were discovered and eliminated by him?”

“Which is why I say the heavens are on our side. And who could have anticipated that the Three Elders would rise to the position of Alliance Leader? We supported him with resources and influence because we saw his potential, but his ultimate success is a blessing from above.”

The elder nodded with genuine enthusiasm.

“I never expected the Ha Hu Clan to challenge the Five Great Clans so boldly. Their defiance made it far simpler for the Heavenly Demon Cult to exert force. Every piece of the puzzle is clicking into place, just as you noted.”

With a smile, the younger man refilled the elder’s cup.

“Yet, turning these chaotic events to the advantage of our cult? That is entirely your doing, Left Elder.”

“Haha! Coming from the leader of the realm’s most powerful merchant guild, such praise is almost overwhelming.”

“It isn’t empty praise; I am merely acknowledging the truth.”

“If you say so. I shall accept the compliment then.”

Sima Sang, the Left Elder of the Blood Slaughter Cult, smiled gently while smoothing his long beard that reached his midsection. He then transitioned the topic.

“As you’ve observed, the narrative is playing out mostly as we intended. However, our influence within the imperial palace is proving more difficult to solidify than I anticipated.”

“I was under the impression we had successfully placed several of our people into vital military roles during the last transition.”

“We did. But they are merely figureheads with no real power. The individuals with genuine talent were purged from the ranks.”

Sima Sang’s expression soured as he raised his tea.

“Is this the work of Yi Hwang-suk again?”

The patriarch of the Taoguang Merchant Guild, Yagul Soseong, inquired while lifting his own glass.

“To be specific, it is the Azure Orchid Lord.”

“I see.”

Yagul Soseong let out a heavy sigh.

“We missed our chance to eliminate Yi Hwang-suk long ago. I fear that mistake will continue to plague us.”

Sima Sang shook his head with a look of regret.

“No one could have predicted the interference of the Divine Demon Division Leader. It is quite paradoxical. He inadvertently helped us during the chaos within the Heavenly Demon Cult, yet he becomes a wall when we try to move elsewhere. The loss of the Blood Flame General remains a bitter pill.”

“The news of his downfall was a shock to everyone.”

“That reminds me—how is the grandson of the Blood Flame General doing?”

“He was wandering aimlessly for a time, but he has regained his footing. He recently gained notoriety for decimating the Yellow River Four Ghosts when they attempted to hijack a caravan. People are starting to compare his prowess to that of Imu Jin from the Yongseung Escort Agency.”

“Imu Jin? I am unfamiliar with the name,” Sima Sang remarked, tilting his head.

“A caravan master of some reputation. He is competent, certainly. But he couldn’t hold a candle to your associate’s grandson, who finished the job in three strikes.”

“As expected. If he truly inherited the techniques of the Blood Flame General, he is a force to be reckoned with. Keep a close watch on him. Not just out of respect for his lineage, but because he will be a vital asset for the cult’s future operations.”

“I will ensure it.”

“Give me a pour of the wine as well. Thinking of the Blood Flame General makes me yearn for a stronger drink.”

Sima Sang held out his cup.

“With pleasure. It has been too long since we shared a proper drink. I will have the staff bring more spirits and refreshments.”

Yagul Soseong laughed and turned to summon an attendant.

“A report for the Pursuit Unit Leader.”

A hushed voice drifted from the hallway.

Sima Sang set his drink down without a sound.

“You may enter.”

The door slid open to reveal a man with sharp, aggressive eyebrows that gave him an intimidating appearance. He stepped inside with visible caution.

“Speak.”

“We have encountered a setback.”

“A setback?”

The skin on Sima Sang’s forehead tightened.

The fact that the director of the Blood Slaughter Cult’s shadow network was reporting in person suggested the news was dire.

“Every one of our deep-cover operatives within the Zhuge Clan has been apprehended.”

Sima Sang’s expression turned to cold stone.

“What is this madness? How could this happen so suddenly…”

He swallowed the dregs of his cold tea, slammed the cup onto the table, and commanded:

“Give me the full report. I want to know exactly how this disaster unfolded.”

His previous warmth had vanished, replaced by a chilling, razor-sharp focus. The friendly host was gone; only the high-ranking cultist remained.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“…And that encompasses the current state of affairs.”

After a lengthy briefing that included the study of a tactical map, Manchu reached out as if his throat were on fire. Cheol Woo reacted instantly, sliding a bottle of spirits toward him.

“Much obliged.”

Manchu smiled, drained the contents in a single long pull, and gave a respectful nod.

“I expected them to collapse quickly given the initial chaos, but they are proving surprisingly resilient.”

Cheol Woo looked at the regions under the Heavenly Demon Cult’s control with a look of curiosity.

“Indeed. I thought the Southern Martial World would have been completely overrun by now, but the Cult’s momentum seems to have hit a plateau.”

Manchu looked at Noejeon as if he had just said something incredibly naive.

“Not at all. The ‘Southern Martial World’ is anchored in Jiangsu and stretches across the vastness of Hunan Province. Do you have any idea how many organizations and clans reside there?”

When neither Cheol Woo nor Noejeon answered, Manchu gestured broadly to emphasize his point.

“More than you can possibly conceive. They have formed a unified front. The Heavenly Demon Cult’s initial blitz caused staggering casualties, but that trauma only served to fuse the survivors together. Furthermore, reinforcements have arrived from every corner of the land. The fact that they’ve lost this much territory even with those reinforcements is actually a testament to the Cult’s terrifying efficiency.”

Manchu’s voice rose with intensity, but Cheol Woo and Noejeon simply looked at each other, largely unaffected by the gravity of the situation.

“The most vital metric is the body count on both sides.”

Manchu’s posture slumped, his eyes turning somber.

“The initial strikes were so devastating that the true scale of the loss hasn’t fully sunk in yet. We don’t have a final tally, but intelligence suggests that eighty percent of the Southern Martial World’s standing forces have been wiped out. Even though the Nangong Clan remains standing, they are a hollow shell of what they once were.”

While Cheol Woo and Noejeon lacked a frame of reference for the scale of the south, Dang Cheon-hwa reacted with visible anger.

“A bunch of idiots squabbling over table scraps! That is why they are bleeding. Even an old man tucked away in Haenam saw the clouds gathering long ago—their incompetence is pathetic!”

Dang Cheon-hwa cursed the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans for prioritizing their internal politics over the obvious threat of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Sima Geon, who had been silently dissecting the map, turned to Manchu.

“The Ha Hu Clan is taking this route, aren’t they?”

Manchu nodded toward the coordinate Sima Geon pointed to.

“Yes. After they dismantled the Golden Sword Gate, they began moving north along the outskirts of Mount Wuyi. Their target is undoubtedly the Feitian Stronghold.”

“The Feitian Stronghold is a hard target; they won’t buckle easily. But if they fall, the repercussions will be catastrophic.”

Sima Geon looked at Dang Cheon-hwa.

“Are you familiar with Feitian?”

“Their lineage and prestige are almost on par with the Nangong Clan. I have some history with their leader, Gwan Hae. He’s a stubborn, thick-headed fool, but he’s capable enough to be useful.”

The group looked at Dang Cheon-hwa with surprise.

Based on their time with him, they knew that for him to call someone “useful” meant they were likely a master of the highest order.

“Are we joining forces with the Ha Hu Clan?” Cheol Woo asked.

“I am weighing the options.”

“So you’ve committed to taking action?”

“I have a final promise to keep.”

“For the old man, Yeon?”

“Yes.”

A somber atmosphere settled over Sima Geon, Cheol Woo, and Noejeon as the memory of Yeon Jeok-chu weighed on them.

“Are you bringing the girl along?”

Sima Geon snapped out of his thoughts at Dang Cheon-hwa’s question.

“Is she ready to travel?”

“Not this second. I should finish her treatments by tomorrow, but it would be wise to observe her for a few more days.”

Sima Geon went into deep thought, then asked:

“What about your plans, Elder?”

“What are you getting at?”

“I heard the Dang Family subordinates who came to pay their respects are now marching with the Ha Hu Clan.”

“Are you asking if I intend to go with them?”

“I am.”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to settle the score for a dear friend. If you youngsters hadn’t cornered me here, I would have been on the road days ago.”

Sima Geon saw his opening.

“The Ha Hu Clan is delayed for a few days due to complications with the Blood Slaughter Cult. When you depart to join them, could you take Surin under your wing?”

“You little devil! Stop pushing your luck. Why do you keep trying to make your problems mine?”

“Come now, I told you before—she might seem a bit slow, but she’s taken down more Demon Buddha Temple monks than the rest of us combined.”

Dang Cheon-hwa’s face soured at the mention of the Demon Buddha Temple.

“I believe the saying goes: return a slight tenfold, but return a favor a hundredfold…”

“Quiet. Fine. But this is the final favor.”

Sima Geon gave a wide, appreciative bow.

“My thanks, Elder.”

“I meant it—this is the last time.”

“Understood, completely.”

“But Captain, are you planning to move ahead of us?”

Sima Geon ignored Cheol Woo’s question and turned his attention to Gwayu.

“I recall hearing that Yushan lies on the mountain pass leading toward the Feitian Stronghold. That is where the Blood Forest is located, correct?”

“Uh, how did you come by that information?”

Gwayu stared, surprised, as the location of the Blood Forest was a closely guarded secret he hadn’t shared.

Sima Geon glanced briefly at Manchu.

“I gave you ample time to make up your mind.”

Gwayu looked conflicted.

“I…”

Just as Gwayu was about to speak his heart.

“Actually, forget it. There is no rule saying I can only repay the Dang Elder’s kindness tenfold.”

Sima Geon had already made his choice, regardless of Gwayu’s hesitation.

“Our destination is Yushan.”