Chapter 49

"Po… Poison Lord?"

Yang Cheon-deok was visibly flustered.

He was a man born and raised in Sichuan. In Sichuan, the Tang Clan’s influence was comparable to that of a king.

And it was not just anyone, but the Poison Lord. As one of the Tang Clan’s Elders, he was second only to the Clan Leader, the Poison King, wielding immense power.

Moreover, his personal martial prowess placed him among the top ten masters in all of Sichuan Province.

Considering that mighty forces such as the Heavenly Poison Alliance, the Emei Sect, and the Qingcheng Sect all stood in Sichuan, that meant he was truly an extraordinary master.

"Could it be… you are acquainted with the Poison Lord?"

Yang Cheon-deok’s tone grew markedly cautious.

If these men were friends of the Poison Lord, he would have no choice but to abandon all the plans he had in mind.

Fortunately for him, Jin Seong-un shook his head. There was no reason to mention his ties to the Tang Clan in a place like this.

He was simply curious about the martial prowess of this Heavenly Poison Alliance Leader.

"The Poison Lord and the Heavenly Poison Alliance Leader…"

Yang Cheon-deok wore a solemn expression as he pondered.

One was the overlord of the Sichuan Unorthodox Faction, the other was among the Tang Clan’s strongest.

Both men were far beyond the reach of Yang Cheon-deok’s level to predict.

"I do not know who would win, but neither of them would treat the other lightly. At least, that is my opinion."

It was a fairly reasonable judgment.

Jin Seong-un felt disappointed with that vague answer.

"I see."

Jin Seong-un stared intently at Yang Cheon-deok.

Inside, Yang Cheon-deok’s stomach tightened. There was only one reason he kept answering these questions so honestly.

Because the formation he had prepared still needed time to activate.

But the way Jin Seong-un’s eyes looked at him now seemed to say there were no more questions to be asked.

So Yang Cheon-deok hurriedly spoke again.

"You two. Why don’t you join hands with me?"

It was such an abrupt question that Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom exchanged glances. Then, both turned to stare at Yang Cheon-deok, their gaze practically telling him to spew more nonsense.

Yang Cheon-deok obliged.

"The Hwa-un Trading Company will collapse within half a month at the latest. Since everything is already revealed, there’s no point in hiding. And besides, you two have no reason to provoke the Heavenly Poison Alliance either."

"……"

"I acknowledge that your martial skills are formidable. And I also admit that our Four Dragons River Gang’s strength is inferior to the other Unorthodox Faction groups in Deyang."

"Admitting that much—now that’s refreshing."

Jin Seong-un’s candid remark warmed Yang Cheon-deok’s heart slightly. But Yang Cheon-deok was a thoroughly calculating man. He never let emotions ruin his plans.

"You two should become my allies and bolster Four Dragons River Gang’s strength. Think about it—if the Hwa-un Trading Company falls, who do you think will seize the greatest profit? The shadowy assassins of Cheongyagok? The decadent rogues of Flower Moon Pavilion? Or those ignorant, short-tempered, savage apostate monks of Mukyangmun who detest thinking?"

He listed them off one by one: Cheongyagok, Flower Moon Pavilion, and Mukyangmun.

Cheongyagok was an assassin guild, Flower Moon Pavilion was an orthodox Unorthodox Faction group built upon trade, and Mukyangmun was a sect of apostate monks.

As Jin Seong-un listened quietly, Yang Cheon-deok’s words grew more animated.

"It will be us, the Four Dragons River Gang. They scoff at us for merely dabbling in money games, but when the Hwa-un Trading Company crumbles, they will learn. They will learn how terrifying money truly is."

"So the Gang Leader is saying… if we lend our strength, you’ll share the profits with us?"

Yang Cheon-deok jabbed his finger sharply at Jin Seong-un.

"Exactly! A structure where neither you nor I lose anything, and we both profit. The balance of power itself may change. It will no longer be the Four Great Black Path Gangs of Deyang—"

"……"

"—but perhaps the Deyang branch of the Heavenly Poison Alliance. I, as Branch Leader, and you two as Elders, perhaps."

Yang Cheon-deok grew more excited the more he spoke, swept up in his own words.

In truth, Yang Cheon-deok had a sense of inferiority. He feared the assassins of Cheongyagok, and he feared the apostate monks of Mukyangmun. But the one he feared most was the master of Flower Moon Pavilion.

Flower Moon Pavilion’s master was a man who had clawed his way up from the very bottom of the Unorthodox Faction, expanding his power step by step. Men like that exuded a certain aura, even if they led only a small sect.

"In my opinion, the two of you would not fall behind even the master of Flower Moon Pavilion."

"Is that so?"

"Without a doubt! My head and your martial prowess together could achieve something truly extraordinary."

Jin Seong-un nodded slowly. The more he did, the more Yang Cheon-deok’s lips curled upward.

Then Jin Seong-un suddenly asked.

"But there is one important point."

"Speak freely."

Yang Cheon-deok filled their cups with more wine as he replied. He had truly not poisoned the drink, so being doubted over it annoyed him slightly.

"If the Heavenly Poison Alliance is so powerful, why do they not crush the Hwa-un Trading Company directly? Why entrust the task to weaklings like you? And even if you succeed, what stops the Alliance from going back on their word afterward?"

Jin Seong-un’s suspicion was reasonable. Going through the Deyang Black Path groups only meant more mouths to share the spoils with.

Even if they managed to topple the Hwa-un Trading Company, the Heavenly Poison Alliance could simply step in and take everything for themselves.

Yang Cheon-deok gave a sly smile.

"You’ve pinpointed it exactly. Yes, you are right. But there is one detail you overlooked. We were very close with the Hwa-un Trading Company. We still are, in fact."

"Explain yourself."

Yang Cheon-deok hesitated. Should he reveal such inside matters to outsiders?

But if they were to ally with him, it would not matter. And even if they intended to kill him, he would still need time for the formation to activate anyway.

After a moment’s thought, Yang Cheon-deok spoke.

"We Deyang Black Path groups were raised on the Hwa-un Trading Company’s money. To be precise, on the money of the late former Company Head."

Seo Yu-gyeom flinched at that. After all, it was he who had killed that very former Company Head—his adoptive father.

Yang Cheon-deok glanced at him.

"What’s the matter?"

"Mind your own business. If you don’t want to die."

"……"

What a lunatic, Yang Cheon-deok cursed inwardly, but he still had patience to spare.

"We grew fat on his money, and in return, we helped when he needed us. That relationship went on for quite some time. Along the way, we collected ledgers that prove all of the Hwa-un Trading Company’s corruption."

"Disgusting."

"Exactly. We are trash. And what of it?"

"……"

Jin Seong-un stared at the brazen trash before him. With an attitude like that, there was nothing more to say.

Savoring a rare sense of victory, Yang Cheon-deok continued.

"That is why the Heavenly Poison Alliance uses us. Because we hold all the information and leverage needed to bring the Hwa-un Trading Company down. We already have countless spies planted inside their ranks."

"……"

"Even once it is over, the Alliance will not be able to discard us. They may be the deterrent keeping other factions away, but we are the justification itself for taking over the Hwa-un Trading Company."

Jin Seong-un looked into Yang Cheon-deok’s feverish eyes and thought.

So inner demons came for everyone, no matter their martial level.

"Young Master, what do you think?"

Jin Seong-un asked Seo Yu-gyeom.

Seo Yu-gyeom had maintained a slightly withdrawn attitude throughout the conversation.

But now that the deep ties between the Hwa-un Trading Company and the Deyang Black Path had been revealed, he could not help but ask.

After pondering with a rare seriousness, Seo Yu-gyeom opened his mouth.

"That evidence you mentioned. You’ll need to show us as well, if you want us to trust you and lend our strength."

Yang Cheon-deok’s face twisted instantly. How could such precious information be shown to outsiders?

Even if blinded by greed, that would be crossing the line. Yang Cheon-deok was a greedy man, not a fool.

"That’s…"

"If you refuse, you die now."

Thud—!

Seo Yu-gyeom pulled the Heaven-Slaying Dagger from his robe and slammed it into the table. Yang Cheon-deok could not even follow the sequence of movements with his eyes.

All he heard was the sharp sound ringing out, and when he looked, a razor-sharp dagger was quivering in the table.

Yang Cheon-deok stared fixedly at the Heaven-Slaying Dagger. A chill seeped through his entire body, as though ice were being rubbed against his nape.

The unique killing intent of the Heaven-Slaying Star.

Seo Yu-gyeom was deliberately releasing his killing intent, using it to crush Yang Cheon-deok with pressure.

"Choose. If you’re joining hands, then grasp firmly. If you doubt, then let’s end it here."

Seo Yu-gyeom was skilled in dealing with people. He had lived as an assassin, enduring all manner of training.

Psychologically pressing until one’s reason blurred—this was the most basic of basics.

Seo Yu-gyeom let out a low voice.

"Three…"

"?"

Yang Cheon-deok looked at him with trembling pupils. Seo Yu-gyeom’s lips curved.

"Two…"

At the same time, his hand slowly moved toward the Heaven-Slaying Dagger. Yang Cheon-deok’s heart pounded as though it would explode.

The moment Seo Yu-gyeom grasped the dagger—

"Let’s go!"

Yang Cheon-deok cried out.

Seo Yu-gyeom withdrew the Heaven-Slaying Dagger. Yang Cheon-deok hastily gathered his qi, lowering his head.

But the dagger returned not to Yang Cheon-deok, but back into Seo Yu-gyeom’s robe.

"……"

"Let’s go, then."

Seo Yu-gyeom rose from his seat.

Yang Cheon-deok watched him for a moment, then sighed deeply.

The Four Dragons River Gang was a very large manor.

Naturally, its pavilions were nearly the size of those belonging to a great clan.

As Yang Cheon-deok walked ahead through a long corridor, he sank into endless deliberation. It had been a long time since he had thought so hard, his head felt as though it would split.

A voice came from behind.

"If you take us somewhere strange, it won’t end well for you."

"……"

"No reply. So it is true?"

"Of course not. It is only that my worries run deep. These ledgers have never been shown to outsiders before. I don’t even know anymore if this is the right thing to do."

A lie must always be hidden within truth. It was true his worries ran deep—but not simply over whether or not to show them the ledgers.

Should he lead them to the underground chamber where the ledgers were kept, or to the rear garden where the formation had been prepared?

If he could only trap them inside the formation, he could kill them without fail. It was a formation built with an enormous fortune, even by Yang Cheon-deok’s wealthy standards.

But the words he had just blurted earlier had begun to tempt even him.

If he truly gained the power of these men, then the likes of the Cheongyagok Leader, the Flower Moon Pavilion Master, and the Mukyangmun Leader, who had always scorned him, would no longer be frightening.

Step, step.

In the silence, the footsteps of the three men echoed loudly.

But to Yang Cheon-deok, his heartbeat sounded even louder. Fortunately, they would not be able to hear that, since they were walking at some distance.

Your heart is pounding quite fast.

How in the world do you even know that?

As they followed behind, Seo Yu-gyeom shot Jin Seong-un a weary look.

Jin Seong-un only shrugged.

The sound.

Just like back at the Deyang Inn.

He simply heard it.

.

.

.

Yang Cheon-deok stopped before a door.

Behind him, Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom waited.

"This is the place. Swear it. Swear you will never reveal to anyone what you see here, other than me."

"I swear."

"……"

Yang Cheon-deok let out a small sigh.

Then the door opened.

A small square chamber was revealed. On all four walls, shelves were built, crammed with countless books.

"Go in."

Yang Cheon-deok gestured toward the chamber.

Seo Yu-gyeom narrowed his eyes at him.

"You go first."

"You go too far. You accused me of poisoning the wine and food, of hesitating even after I made my decision—and now you want me to enter first?"

Instead of answering, Seo Yu-gyeom drew the Heaven-Slaying Dagger.

Yang Cheon-deok clamped his mouth shut and glared at him, then turned and entered the chamber.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Oh."

The two nodded and entered after him.

Nothing happened.

Clicking his tongue lightly, Yang Cheon-deok pulled a few ledgers from the shelves and placed them on the table.

"Check them. They will record the deeds committed together by the Hwa-un Trading Company and Four Dragons River Gang over the past ten years."

The two immediately approached the table. As Seo Yu-gyeom reached out to touch the cover of a ledger—

Whoosh—!

The table and the space they stood on suddenly sank away.

"……"

Yang Cheon-deok’s lips twisted into a grin, but then his face froze dumbly.

For floating in midair where the floor had collapsed—was Jin Seong-un.

The Realm of Stepping Upon the Void.

Yang Cheon-deok realized that the young man before him was a master who had reached Peak-level.

Jin Seong-un looked down. A bottomless darkness stretched endlessly below.

The moment the floor gave way, he had caught Seo Yu-gyeom. But all that remained in his hand was a torn fragment of Seo Yu-gyeom’s sleeve.

As though some powerful force beneath the ground had dragged Seo Yu-gyeom away, he vanished in an instant.

There was no scream, no sound of the table breaking. Only a strange energy could be sensed.

"There’s something below."

Even Jin Seong-un was not deeply versed in Murim history. Let alone formations—he had never seen nor heard of such a thing, making it hard to grasp the situation.

Jin Seong-un raised his head and locked eyes with Yang Cheon-deok.

"Explain yourself."

At that moment, Yang Cheon-deok’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor.

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