Chapter 119

Chapter 119
## Chapter 119: The Outbreak of Turmoil (1)

—

A brilliant light that had once guided the world of martial arts had finally extinguished.

The memory of Ha Hu Gok—who had dedicated the final embers of his life to the prosperity of his bloodline and the safety of his heirs—was carved forever into the souls of the Ha Hu Clan’s loyalists.

Official notices of his passing were dispatched to every corner of the land. Following the specific instructions left by the patriarch himself, the funeral ceremonies were conducted with modest dignity rather than lavish display.

Even after the formal burial was concluded, a relentless stream of visitors from distant sects and noble houses continued to arrive, having received the word late. It appeared the gates would not see rest for at least half a year as mourners paid their respects.

“Brothers.”

As the moon hung high, a weary-looking Ha Hu Yeon sought out the quarters where Sima Geon was resting.

“You’ve arrived.”

Cheol Woo greeted him, resting a heavy, supportive hand on Ha Hu Yeon’s shoulder.

“You have carried a heavy burden lately.”

Ha Hu Yeon offered a thin, tired smile in response to Sima Geon’s words of empathy.

“A burden? It was merely my obligation as a son. Truthfully, I feel I did very little.”

“The number of visitors is quite immense, from what I hear.”

“Indeed. The chaos will persist for some time. Though, thankfully, I am not required to oversee every minor detail personally.”

Despite his attempt at a composed face, the shadows of grief still lingered in Ha Hu Yeon’s eyes.

“Moving forward, what is your intent?”

Ha Hu Yeon asked, consciously pushing his sorrow aside to focus on his friends.

“My intent regarding what?”

“The Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. Your business with them was left unfinished when you returned here.”

“I have been weighing that. I unsheathed my blade and struck, but the work was incomplete. Returning now to finish them off feels somewhat clumsy.”

Sima Geon shifted his attention toward Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho, who had previously escorted Ha Hu Gok back to the clan’s estate.

“I will remain here with the family for the duration, so do not fret, brothers. Your absence won’t cause any trouble for me.”

“Trouble? You’ve treated us with such hospitality it’s becoming embarrassing. I feel like a parasite. Just look at this one’s midsection.”

Sima Hyeon made a face and gestured toward Sima Ho’s waistline.

“What midsection? I don’t see anything!”

Sima Ho puffed out his stomach with comedic timing. The room erupted in booming laughter, momentarily lifting the heavy shroud of mourning that had hung over them.

“In all seriousness, Boss, what is the plan?”

Cheol Woo asked, taking a long sip from his vessel.

Having spent the day with little to occupy him but drink, his complexion was a vivid shade of crimson.

“I don’t intend to cause a massive upheaval like I did with the Yangtze River Water Alliance. However, I must tie up the loose ends.”

“And how do we conclude this?”

“With this.”

Sima Geon gestured toward his own temple.

“We simply take their leaders. The masters of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds must fall.”

Neung Cho, busy chewing on a piece of dried meat, offered a clarifying note to Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho.

“Will that truly end it? They might just continue to plot from the shadows.”

Sima Geon offered no verbal retort to Cheol Woo’s concern. He merely raised his cup in a slow, deliberate motion.

The chilling sharpness in his eyes provided all the confirmation needed.

“On another note, where has Man Chu gone? I assumed he would be here.”

Ha Hu Yeon inquired, noticing the empty seat.

“He went to consult with some contacts from the Beggars’ Sect a while ago. He wanted to verify some information. He is quite late in returning.”

Cheol Woo smacked his lips, clearly annoyed that his favorite drinking companion was missing.

“You’re referring to the Hangzhou Branch Leader.”

“You encountered him as well?”

“Only for a moment. But is he not supposed to be heading back to the Beggars’ Sect headquarters?”

“He claims the timing is off. Said there are still plenty of opportunities to exploit here.”

Sima Geon let out a short, dry chuckle at Cheol Woo’s report.

Before the sound had even faded, the door swung open and Man Chu stepped inside.

“Ah, Brother Yeon, I didn’t realize you were here.”

“He just walked in. You were with the Hangzhou Branch Leader—did you get what you needed?”

“I did. I just finished seeing him off.”

“Sit and drink.”

“Heh heh! My thanks!”

Man Chu reached out for the cup Cheol Woo held out to him.

After emptying three cups in rapid succession, the lightheartedness left Man Chu’s face.

“Regarding the matter you asked me to investigate earlier, Brother.”

“Yes. Did you uncover anything?”

Sima Geon’s expression sharpened into one of focus.

“Yes. While I cannot provide absolute proof, the evidence is highly suggestive.”

“It involves Haomen, doesn’t it?”

Man Chu’s eyes widened, shocked by Sima Geon’s intuition.

“How could you have known?”

“The feeling was wrong the moment we struck the Hongik Merchant Group. It was as if they were standing there, waiting for our arrival.”

“That could have been nothing more than heightened vigilance.”

“It exceeded standard security. My instincts told me otherwise.”

“Wait, so you’re suggesting Haomen betrayed us and warned Hongik that we were coming?”

Cheol Woo broke in, looking between the two.

“You heard the man.”

“But for what purpose?”

Cheol Woo shook his head in confusion.

“They practically begged for our forgiveness. They even used the Beggars’ Sect to crawl back into our good graces. Why risk it?”

“It’s transparent. Those snakes were smiling at us while keeping a blade hidden behind their backs.”

Neung Cho spoke with a look of pure loathing.

“That’s what is so baffling. Unless they are complete fools, they’ve felt our strength. They know the consequences of discovery.”

Cheol Woo knitted his brows.

No matter how he looked at it, the logic of Haomen’s betrayal didn’t seem to add up.

“They aren’t fools, which is exactly why they might risk it.”

Cheol Woo looked at Sima Geon with total disbelief.

“What are you getting at?”

“From Haomen’s perspective, this was a calculated play. They understood the penalty of being found out. If they proceeded regardless, the prize must have been worth the danger. A massive reward.”

Sima Geon cleansed his palate with a sip of tea, a knowing smirk touching his lips.

“They were likely attempting the ‘Kill with a Borrowed Knife’ tactic.”

“A borrowed knife… You mean the Yangtze River Water Alliance?”

Cheol Woo’s eyes practically popped out of his head.

“That is my theory. And the events unfolded exactly that way. The Hongik leader knew we were coming and fled; we pursued him, and that pursuit led us directly into a confrontation with the Yangtze River Water Alliance.”

“Doesn’t that seem like a stretch? Would Haomen, who is terrified of us, truly manipulate things to that extent? What is their motive?”

Cheol Woo remained doubtful. Man Chu, who had been listening to Sima Geon with growing amazement, quickly intervened.

“The motive exists.”

“What?”

“The Branch Leader confirmed that Haomen has deep-seated animosity toward both the Yangtze River Water Alliance and the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. They’ve been victimized by them for years. He held the exact same suspicion as you, Brother.”

With Sima Geon’s logic reinforced by Man Chu’s report, Cheol Woo’s temper finally flared.

“Ha! Those pathetic beggars must have a death wish. Boss, forget the mountain bandits for a moment—let’s go wipe those wretches out first. They think they can move us like pieces on a board? Man Chu!”

“Yes, Brother?”

“Tell me where they are. Where is their main stronghold?”

Cheol Woo looked ready to sprint toward Haomen’s base that very second.

“It’s located in Nankin, but I don’t believe a journey there is necessary.”

“What? You’re suggesting we let them get away with it?”

“No. I’m saying it would be a wasted trip.”

“Why? Did they tuck tail and run?”

“Don’t make me laugh. I would hunt them to the gates of the underworld to finish the job.”

Bolstered by the alcohol, Cheol Woo was impossible to settle.

“It’s not that. Their entire leadership has been decimated.”

“What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“How?”

“The specifics are still unclear, but they were victims of a mass poisoning. Nearly half of their high-ranking officials, including the sect leader, are dead. Even those who survived are in such a wretched state they likely won’t recover.”

“Heh heh! They got what they deserved. Plotting in the dark and they get struck by heaven’s justice.”

Unlike the boisterous Cheol Woo, Sima Geon remained analytical.

“Is there any indication of who was responsible?”

“None.”

“Could it be an internal coup? A grab for power?”

“If it were internal, a clear winner would have emerged, but the organization is in shambles. As I said, even the survivors are incapacitated.”

“If it wasn’t an inside job, then who? I’d like to buy them a drink for doing us the favor.”

Man Chu gave a strained smile at Cheol Woo’s comment.

Regardless of the politics, Haomen had long-standing ties to the Beggars’ Sect, and seeing so many of them in such a state left him feeling uneasy.

“Haomen might lack martial standing, but their eyes and ears are everywhere. For them to be caught off guard like this suggests an opponent of immense capability. Near Nankin, there is only one power with that kind of reach.”

“Who is it, then?”

“The Yeongho Clan.”

The room went silent as shock registered on every face at the mention of that name.

“The Yeongho Clan.”

Sima Geon slowly closed his eyes.

The image of Yong Jung, who had recently departed this world, flickered in his mind.

“The identity of the culprit is irrelevant. In the end, they completed our task for us. Isn’t that right, Boss?”

Sima Geon gave a slow nod to Cheol Woo’s question.

“Yes. There is no reason for us to interfere.”

“So, that just leaves the bandit kings?”

A look of eager anticipation returned to Cheol Woo’s face.

“I will settle that matter swiftly. Please look after these two until I return.”

Sima Geon made the request to Ha Hu Yeon with a tone of genuine apology.

“Have no concerns. You are the saviors of our house. The elders share my sentiment. There is no need for you to feel indebted.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

Sima Geon toasted Ha Hu Yeon in a gesture of mutual respect.

“When do we set out? Are we bringing this one along?”

Cheol Woo ruffled Man Chu’s hair as he spoke.

“Bringing him isn’t a bad idea, though his combat skills might slow down a quick strike. No… actually, he’d be an excellent scout. And it would keep the drinking from getting dull.”

“Ha! You never change. For a moment, I thought you had actually matured.”

Neung Cho sighed, shaking his head as Cheol Woo continued to chatter to himself in excitement.

“Be still.”

Sima Geon’s head snapped toward the entrance. He stood up and spoke in a low, commanding tone.

“A visitor has arrived.”

“What?”

Even Cheol Woo, despite his drunken state, felt the shift in the air and went rigid. His playful demeanor vanished instantly.

“How bold. Someone actually has the nerve to challenge us here.”

Ha Hu Yeon’s expression darkened at the word “challenge.”

He hadn’t detected any presence himself, but the immediate reactions of Sima Geon and Cheol Woo told him everything he needed to know.

As Ha Hu Yeon moved to investigate—

“Young Master Sima, do you have a moment to spare?”

The tension in the group evaporated at the sound of Neung So Hwa’s voice. However, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo remained on high alert.

“Certainly. Please, enter.”

Sima Geon waved the others back to give her space.

The door opened, and Neung So Hwa walked in. She was accompanied by two others: Jin Rim, a familiar face, and a middle-aged woman they did not recognize.

“Sword Empress. It is a profound honor to stand before you.”

Sima Geon offered a deep, respectful bow to the elder woman.