Chapter 201

Chapter 201
## Chapter: 201

### Chapter Title: Snaring the Phoenix (3)

—

“I hurried here because your summons sounded so dire, yet you’ve been drinking since the break of dawn?”

Zhuge Jincheong, the Head of Intelligence, queried as his eyes fell upon the array of liquor containers cluttering the surface.

Zhuge Chu allowed his focus to wander toward the window for a beat before offering a faint grin.

“The sun is climbing; can we truly still call this morning?”

“Regardless, this is no hour for such heavy indulgence.”

Zhuge Jincheong poured more liquid into Zhuge Chu’s vacated vessel and probed,

“What is weighing on your spirit?”

“Is it not obvious?”

Zhuge Chu exhaled a heavy breath and went on.

“By my count, they should be nearly there.”

Zhuge Jincheong caught the meaning behind Zhuge Chu’s words instantly.

“Given the reports of their arrival yesterday evening, your forecast was precise, young master. They would have reached their destination by this hour.”

“This is a total shambles, brother. We are moving with the frantic haste of parching beans during a thunderstorm.”

“Haha! Who could possibly anticipate that fellow’s whims? As the rumors suggest, eight out of ten prodigies from the Central Plains originate from our main branch, and even among those elites, he is an anomaly.”

“I do not know about being an anomaly, but he is certainly peculiar.”

Another weary sigh left Zhuge Chu’s mouth.

“Restrain your worry, for the Crouching Dragon Squad is accompanying them.”

“It is not the full strength of the Crouching Dragon Squad, though? Merely a score of men.”

“It was unavoidable. He argued correctly that if the Crouching Dragon Squad destined for Shaolin suddenly veered off course, it would stir the hornet’s nest of suspicion. However, the deputy leader assures us they selected the finest blossoms of the unit, so we must place our faith in them.”

“My concern isn’t just for him—it’s for the youths of the Crouching Dragon Squad alongside him. In many respects, this path could be far more perilous than the journey to Shaolin.”

“We can do nothing but offer prayers for their safety.”

“I even fret over whether he will harmonize with that group. They aren’t exactly pushovers, are they?”

“He is strange, yes, but he doesn’t harbor malice. They will find their rhythm together, so ease your mind.”

Despite the comforting words from Zhuge Jincheong, the tension in Zhuge Chu’s brow remained tightly knotted.

—

‘What a fascinating individual.’

Sima Geon observed the youth with an entertained expression—a young man who looked absolutely terrified yet was desperately attempting to strike up a friendship with Black Fang.

Sima Geon thought back to their initial encounter three days prior.

As the confrontation between the Sword Empress, the Sword Pavilion, and the Blood Cult drew near, an unidentified faction had materialized before their hurrying group.

Sima Geon and Cheol Woo had pinned them as Blood Cult killers and were on the verge of a lethal strike. Had Manchu not identified them quickly and intervened, a gruesome tragedy would have unfolded just from a moment’s misconception.

The party intercepting Sima Geon’s group was actually the Crouching Dragon Squad from the Zhuge Clan, ostensibly on their way to Shaolin.

From the premier fighting force of the Zhuge Clan, the Crouching Dragon Squad, exactly twenty top-tier martial artists had been drafted, commanded by Deputy Leader Zhuge Geom.

Yet, the true navigator of this Crouching Dragon Squad was a notably delicate young man.

Identifying himself as Zhuge Sura, he displayed more than just happiness—it was pure rapture—at encountering Sima Geon’s team.

The group around Sima Geon was stunned to discover that Zhuge Su—the very individual who played a critical role in unmasking the Blood Cult to the world when the Sword Empress visited the Zhuge Clan—was this person.

Immediately, skepticism took root.

Why had the Zhuge Clan—or rather, Zhuge Su—gone out of his way to find them?

Zhuge Su’s clarification, delivered in a breezy and whimsical manner, sent a shockwave through everyone who had been listening with doubt.

Through gathering intelligence at the Zhuge Clan alongside the former Sword Empress, Zhuge Su had validated the Blood Cult’s hidden operations within the martial world. Following that, he had dedicated massive energy to stripping away their anonymity and tracking their steps.

Nonetheless, apart from weeding out a few minor Blood Cult puppets surfacing in various sects, no significant victories had been won. While those efforts earned him the respect and thanks of many, they left Zhuge Su unsatisfied.

For the following year, Zhuge Su obsessively scrutinized every scrap of incoming data, slowly encircling the Blood Cult’s true essence. He placed a heavy focus on groups he believed were functioning as Blood Cult marionettes.

Then came the Beggars’ Sect’s raid, which exposed Haomen as mere pawns of the Blood Cult.

Upon hearing from the Beggars’ Sect that the Blood Cult was hunting the Sword Empress and the Sword Pavilion as they traveled north, Zhuge Su abandoned the clan’s safety immediately.

Though Zhuge Chu had panicked and attempted to halt this rash move, he was eventually swayed by the logic of Zhuge Su’s claims.

The organizations Zhuge Su suspected most of being tied to the Blood Cult were, shockingly, the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Spirit Tiger Clan. He was certain of their duplicity as well.

The Sword Empress and the masters of the Sword Pavilion whom the Blood Cult aimed for were currently traveling in the company of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.

Zhuge Su concluded that following the Sword Empress and the Sword Pavilion would eventually force the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Spirit Tiger Clan to reveal their true faces. The issue was that even with the elite members of the Crouching Dragon Squad, his numbers were pathetically low compared to the Blood Cult. It wasn’t just a matter of prowess, but of sheer volume.

If his theories were correct and the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan were indeed extensions of the Blood Cult, then the Sword Empress and Sword Pavilion were walking into a flawless ambush—and his own team would be annihilated with them.

At that critical juncture, Zhuge Su received word through the Beggars’ Sect that Sima Geon’s party, having dismantled Haomen’s base, was moving north. He chased them with everything he had.

In the current climate, where moving large battalions was impossible without leaking secrets and while harboring doubts about the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Spirit Tiger Clan, Sima Geon and his allies—titans of strength who could shatter a crisis with a small team—were a godsend.

And three days ago, Zhuge Su finally intercepted Sima Geon’s party and made his pitch.

“He is a peculiar one, isn’t he?”

Zhuge Geom approached Sima Geon with a grin and a question.

“One of a kind, certainly. His mannerisms and speech are almost infantile, yet his comprehension of the current martial landscape is flawless. It is quite startling.”

“Since he was small, his ridiculous behavior caused such a stir that even the elders were at their wits’ end. However, there was always a logic behind those strange antics and eccentricities. Because no one could perceive his true goals, they were written off as simple mischief.”

“That is the hallmark of a genius.”

Soh Surin, who had been observing the conversation, looked toward Zhuge Su as he cautiously stroked Black Fang’s neck and spoke.

“Though it sounds like bragging, ‘genius’ is too small a word for him.”

Zhuge Geom’s expression was full of warmth and pride as he watched Zhuge Su.

“Not long ago, predicting a bloodbath in the Central Plains, he identified young master Sima as the most vital person to watch.”

“Me?”

Sima Geon gave a short, dry laugh.

“Indeed. He called you the heart of the cyclone and said: ‘He is the ultimate ally, but if that path fails, do not even attempt to deceive him. Never turn him into a foe, not even in the afterlife.’”

“Witty words.”

Sima Geon chuckled.

“More than just witty—the boy has spine. Who else would dare use the Sword Empress as a lure?”

At Cheol Woo’s biting comment, Zhuge Geom offered a sheepish grin.

“We have our suspicions, but no concrete evidence. We are talking about the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Spirit Tiger Clan. Striking out based on a hunch would be a disaster.”

“That does not concern me. But you are using the Sword Empress as bait to smoke out the Righteous Heaven Alliance, correct?”

“That is the reality. But we only dared this because we have confidence in your strength. Without you, we would have pivoted to a different strategy. For the record, even the Beggars’ Sect is unaware that we linked up with you on the path to Shaolin. We are being extremely discreet.”

“We fully grasp the intentions of the Zhuge Clan, so there is no need for concern.”

As Sima Geon smiled in response, Zhuge Geom offered a shallow bow.

“My thanks.”

Cheol Woo, having lost the urge to argue, shifted the topic.

“Regardless, shouldn’t we start moving? Didn’t you mention the strike on Phoenix Mountain has commenced?”

—

“Is the food to your liking?”

At Yahul Hon’s inquiry, Yahul Jae gave a nod of approval.

“It is adequate.”

“I regret that I could not provide a more refined feast.”

“Do not be concerned. For being in the middle of the wilderness, this is quite good. A fine meal.”

Yahul Jae placed his utensils down and took a sip of the alcohol provided.

“Did you receive word that I have organized a present for you?”

“I heard a mention of it from the Left Reverend.”

“With the aid of the Immortal Physician, I acquired a magnificent blade. It will suit you well.”

Yahul Hon was taken aback, knowing his grandfather’s definition of “magnificent” was incredibly restrictive.

“Is it truly that exceptional?”

“It is. Before I broke my isolation to head toward the North Sea Ice Palace, I spent three months instructing him. Shockingly, in that short window, he managed to unearth all of my techniques.”

“Incredible!”

Yahul Hon’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

Knowing the sheer power of Yahul Jae better than anyone, Yahul Hon found the claim hard to process.

“A prodigy. No other description fits.”

“Just how capable is he for you to speak of him this way?”

“I knew the moment our paths crossed. Born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, he is a gift from the heavens. Even so, I put him to the test with martial arts. He soaked them up like a sponge. To hear one thing and master ten—no, to hear one and master a hundred would not be an exaggeration. He is terrifying.”

Yahul Jae shook his head in wonder at the recollection.

“A person of that caliber—it seems a waste to simply give him a sword. He could be a weapon for the ultimate victory of our cult.”

At those words, Yahul Jae gave a thin smile.

“That is what I am weighing. Should I use him to consume the Heavenly Demon Cult, or integrate him entirely into our own ranks?”

“Is there no risk of him turning on us?”

“Zero. It is an impossibility. The grand procedure performed by the Immortal Physician was a total success. With devotion to our cult carved into his very soul, he is incapable of betrayal.”

Yahul Jae had complete confidence in the Immortal Physician’s work, having confirmed the results with his own eyes.

As Yahul Hon prepared to ask further,

“Cult Leader.”

Dam Dong, the Deputy Leader of the Golden Command, approached in a rush.

Yahul Hon stood abruptly and asked,

“Has it begun?”

“Yes. We just received confirmation that they have set out.”

Yahul Jae inquired,

“What is the nature of their movement?”

“Generally consistent with the previous pattern. Only minor adjustments in the specifics.”

“The Sword Empress?”

“She moved first.”

“To the pre-arranged location?”

“Yes.”

“Send word to Elder Yi immediately. The Sword Empress and the Sword Pavilion are moving toward him.”

“It is already done.”

“Excellent work.”

Yahul Jae looked pleased with Dam Dong’s efficiency.

“Should we not intervene now?”

“You refer to the engagement with the Sword Empress?”

“Yes.”

“How? Her obstinacy is without equal. You would think at her age, that competitive spark would have faded.”

Yahul Jae sighed, thinking of the stubborn resolve Goyang Sun had shown during their brief encounter the night before.

“Regardless, she gave her word to retreat if the danger became too great, so do not fret. And you are aware of Elder Yi’s prowess. I do not believe he is in any way inferior to the Sword Empress.”

“I have faith in him, certainly, but…”

Yahul Hon could not quite mask his anxiety.

“Coordinate the temporary withdrawal of the Spirit Tiger Clan. Stage a light skirmish, then pull back. The plans are set, so that will be enough.”

“Understood.”

“Once the Spirit Tiger Clan makes their exit, we begin the true slaughter. It is time to clip the Phoenix’s wings for good. We must ensure she never takes to the sky again.”

“Yes.”

At the mention of the “hunt,” Yahul Hon’s hand tightened into a fist.

His pulse began to race with anticipation.