Chapter 115

Chapter 115
## Chapter 115: Challenge Certificate (3)

“The Sect Leader plans to desert us.”

Jeok Insul spoke with a raised tone, and Ju Hang gave a somber nod in agreement.

“Observe the way they managed the events in Hangzhou. They make a show of caring for us, but the moment significant gains are on the line, they populate every position with their own puppets.”

The rebuilt leadership of the Hangzhou branch—which had been utterly leveled by Sima Geon and his companions—was now composed entirely of associates belonging to the Sect Leader and Mong Yang. Deviating from the traditional balanced appointments, they had ensured that every vacant post was occupied by those loyal to the Sect Leader’s faction.

“It was an inevitable outcome given our failure,” Pyeon Gwang remarked evenly. He gripped his tea, acknowledging the blunder while attempting to pacify his associates. However, Jeok Insul, Ju Hang, and the other loyalists gathered in Pyeon Gwang’s private chambers were in no mood for understanding.

“Yielding once only invites them to seize twice as much. Before long, they will attempt to bleed us dry. The recent assembly proved it. While the Hangzhou catastrophe is unfortunate, the current crippled state of the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance is a massive victory for us. We have endured so much at their hands, yet the leadership labels it a total failure. It is preposterous,” Ju Hang shouted.

“Then what path do you suggest we take?” Pyeon Gwang asked, masking his true thoughts with a hint of annoyance. Secretly, he was pleased to see the resentment among his men reaching a boiling point.

“Hangzhou is a lost cause, and we cannot change that. However, do we not have a chance to reclaim our standing?”

Pyeon Gwang instantly understood Ju Hang’s implication. “You are referring to the vacant elder seats?”

“Precisely. Two elder positions have opened up. Since we were forced to relinquish the Hangzhou branch, we must demand those seats for our own faction.”

“And you believe the Sect Leader will simply gift them to us? He is well aware of the influence those positions carry,” Jeok Insul replied, shaking his head with doubt.

Ju Hang’s expression turned grim. “That is exactly why we cannot let them slip away. If those elder seats also fall to the Sect Leader’s men, we will be left with nothing.”

“He speaks the truth. Those belong to us.”

“We must unite and voice our demands.”

“Supreme Guardian, we need you to represent us once more.”

The chorus of frustration, led by Ju Hang, poured out like a torrential flood.

Pyeon Gwang, who had been listening in silence, eventually raised a hand. The room fell into an immediate, heavy quiet.

“I have heard your grievances. Let us conclude this gathering for now.”

“Supreme Guardian!”

“That is enough.”

A single, stern command silenced Ju Hang’s attempt to protest further.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure our requirements are met. Do not let anxiety rule you; place your confidence in me and follow my lead.”

“If you are that certain, we will obey. We trust your word,” Ju Hang said, bowing low. The others in the room followed his gesture, reaffirming their devotion to Pyeon Gwang.

With that, the secret meeting ended.

Once the room had cleared, the door creaked open slightly a moment later, and a figure stepped inside. Pyeon Gwang remained still, having already detected the intruder’s approach.

“Hwan Su offers his respects to the Guardian.”

“Why have you come? Has a situation developed within the cult?”

“No, Guardian.”

“Then why are you here? Our scheduled contact isn’t for some time.”

“A confidential directive has arrived from the cult.”

“A secret writ?” Pyeon Gwang’s eyes sharpened with intensity.

“Yes.”

Hwan Su reached into his robes and produced a silk envelope alongside a small box carved from jade, presenting them with deep respect.

“This was sent by the Left Elder.”

Noting the specific seal on the silk, Pyeon Gwang opened the envelope, his posture stiffening with tension. He scanned the parchment quickly before shifting his focus to the jade container.

“Is the contents of this box what I suspect?”

“It is.”

“I knew the Heavenly Demon Cult was preparing something unusual, but it appears they are finally initiating their plan in full,” Pyeon Gwang remarked.

“I suspect similar messages have been dispatched throughout the entire martial world.”

“I see. You are dismissed.”

“Be well, Guardian.” Hwan Su gave a polite bow and slipped out into the shadows.

When the sound of retreating footsteps had faded entirely, Pyeon Gwang slowly lifted the lid of the jade box.

“Tsk, they should have known when to stop. What a waste, Sect Leader.”

As he looked down at the two squirming parasites inside the box, a smirk touched Pyeon Gwang’s lips. Despite his words of pity, his face held nothing but cold indifference.

—

“Has the leader of the Secret Investigation Hall still not arrived?” Neung Cheong Kang demanded, his features flushed from heavy drinking.

“Not yet, Father,” Neung Sa-jin answered while refilling a cup. He felt the weight of the repetition, having answered the same inquiry multiple times.

“Those slow-moving maggots! How can it take this much time to shadow a small group of people?”

“Go Eung is doing everything possible. We should have word shortly,” Neung Sa-jin offered, trying to shield the Secret Investigation Hall Leader from his father’s wrath, though Neung Cheong Kang remained fuming.

“Sa-jin.”

“Yes, Father?”

“Was my decision a mistake?”

“It was not.”

Neung Sa-jin answered firmly, but Neung Cheong Kang could only manage a cynical laugh.

“There is no need to protect my pride. We should have halted our involvement much sooner.”

“But they defeated our youngest—your own brother. How could we have sat idly by?”

“Regardless, I should have shown restraint. Not as a grieving brother, but as the commander of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. I should have looked at the reports from the Hao Clan with more skepticism and logic.”

Neung Cheong Kang swallowed his drink in a single gulp.

“They fought the Soaring Heaven Lone Sword to a standstill, murdered our own elders, associated with the Sword Ghost, and dominated the Ha Hu Clan’s tournament—yet the leader was living as a common butcher. It defies all sense. Why did I fail to see how dangerous they were?”

The cup in his hand crumbled into fine powder. It was the fifth one he had destroyed that night.

“If they march against us, can we hold our ground?”

“Naturally. Numbers alone cannot stand against the collective might of the Green Forest,” Neung Sa-jin declared.

Neung Cheong Kang smiled bitterly. “You are naive, my son. We are currently being suffocated by the sheer momentum of those ‘numbers.'”

“You have only held the title of Total Stronghold Chief for a year. We haven’t had the decades of unity that those under the Gunsan Mad Dragon enjoyed. Time will bridge that gap. Besides, that particular threat has been neutralized.”

The news had already reached them: Yu Ak was a cripple, and the core of the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance had been obliterated. The same alliance that had once looked down on the Green Forest had been reduced to rubble.

“If that were our only concern, it would be a blessing. We could have moved in on the fractured alliance and taken their territory for ourselves. But that only works if those monsters don’t realize we were the ones pulling the strings. Curse that Hao Clan! Incompetent fools!”

They had been horrified to learn that the Hao Clan members beaten by Sima Geon’s group had confessed the alliance between the Green Forest, the Hao Clan, and Hong Ik Bang. Initially, they hadn’t panicked. But as reports came in that those few individuals had saved the Living Immortal Medical House, defeated the elite of the Heavenly Demon Cult, and then successfully sought vengeance against Hong Ik Bang, their dread grew.

The final blow was the news that both Hong Ik Bang and the entire Yangtze River Waterway Alliance had been destroyed. It was obvious that the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds would be next on the list. What was once a vague worry had become a looming shadow of death.

“It couldn’t have been their strength alone.”

“What are you implying?”

“The Sword Hou has surfaced. Word is that she was the one who actually brought down the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance, not them.” Neung Sa-jin tried to minimize the threat posed by Sima Geon and his group.

“Talk is cheap, though I hope you are right.”

As Neung Cheong Kang reached for another drink, the door flew open. Go Eung, the Secret Investigation Hall Leader, rushed in, breathless and covered in sweat.

“Where have you been—” Neung Cheong Kang started to roar as he stood up, but he caught himself and sat back down, forcing a calm exterior.

“My apologies, Chief,” Go Eung panted, bowing.

“Enter quickly,” Neung Sa-jin said, handing him a cup of water. Go Eung drank it greedily, took a moment to steady his breathing, and stood straight.

Neung Cheong Kang waited as long as his patience allowed before asking, “Have you located them?”

“Yes.”

“Are they marching toward us?” Neung Cheong Kang’s voice wavered slightly.

“No. Our confirmation shows they traveled to Wuhan and boarded a vessel the following morning.”

“They left? For where?”

“It isn’t certain, but reports suggest their destination is Nanking.”

“Are you sure of this?” Neung Sa-jin pressed.

“Yes. We checked several sources. While some minor points are still being verified, it is a fact that they are on a boat and moving away.”

Neung Sa-jin felt his fist clench involuntarily as a wave of relief washed over him. He realized only then that his back was soaked with nervous sweat.

“And the Sword Hou? Did you see where she went?” Neung Cheong Kang asked, his voice much more controlled now.

“She departed with them.”

“With that group?”

“Yes, Chief.”

“But why?” Neung Cheong Kang was truly baffled. Sima Geon’s ties to the Heavenly Demon Cult were known, while the Sword Hou was a legendary figure of the righteous factions. The idea of them fighting together was strange enough, but traveling together afterward was completely illogical.

“We couldn’t determine the reason. I am sorry.”

“No matter. Following the Sword Hou is no simple feat. It isn’t your failure. Still, it is a curious development.”

A momentary doubt crossed the minds of both Neung Sa-jin and Go Eung.

“I had anticipated they might be coming here. Perhaps with a challenge certificate in hand,” Neung Cheong Kang added. He seemed to realize how unlikely that sounded now, glancing at his subordinates as he raised his cup.

A small smile touched Neung Sa-jin’s face. His father was making jokes again, which meant his mind was finally at ease.

“Regardless, one weight has been lifted. We must focus on the task at hand,” Neung Cheong Kang said, clapping his hands to bring them back to business.

“The Yangtze River Waterway Alliance?” Go Eung asked.

“Yes. The beast is bleeding and vulnerable—it is time we take what we want from them. Summon the leaders.”

“Understood.”

“And do not stop monitoring those people. This isn’t over. They may not be coming today, but eventually, they will turn their attention to us.”

“The orders have already been issued, Chief.”

“Excellent.” Neung Cheong Kang nodded, showing his approval of Go Eung’s efficiency. After a moment of silent reflection, he looked up again.

“One final thing. Establish a link with the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

“Father!” Neung Sa-jin exclaimed, shocked.

“I know your objections. But after everything that has happened, I am reconsidering the offer they made previously. Those people will eventually come for us. If the Gunsan Mad Dragon could fall, so can we. To be honest, we lack the power to stop them on our own.”

Neung Cheong Kang gave a sad, mocking laugh and finished his drink. He had loved this liquor his whole life, but tonight, it tasted like ash.