Reaper of the Drifting Moon

“It is certain that they infiltrated through this mansion.”

Cheong-yeob made a slight impression on Cheongsan’s tired voice. Just finding the assassin’s infiltration route has already consumed a lot of mental energy. Finding its traces was as laborious as finding a needle on a sandy beach.

Dozens of times he searched for a place where he could infiltrate, but he couldn’t find any traces. In the end, they had to change direction and reason by analyzing the most efficient penetration route from the assassin’s point of view rather than looking for traces.

In doing so, they found the mansion to the west of Thunder Clan.

Cheong-yeob questioned whether the assassins had actually used the mansion where there were many people, but he had no choice but to follow Cheongsan’s inference..

“He’s a clever guy. He purposely picked a place where people can see the most. It’s the same reason that if you want to hide a tree, it’s best to hide it in the forest.”

Cheongsan seemed to have a strong sense of pride for the assassin whom he did not know. He was completely focused as he searched for the assassin’s whereabouts.

The disciples who had come with him, at his command, dispersed and explored the people of the mansion. Even now, the people of the mansion held their breath and watched the masters of the Qingcheng sect.

They had thus become accustomed to being on the lookout for strangers other than themselves.

Cheongsan was sure that if he asked them, he would find out the stranger who had visited that day.

He also lived in such a place before entering the Qingcheng sect, so he knew the habits of the people well. He was confident that he would be able to find the whereabouts of the assassin before this evening.

But to his surprise, until the sun went down, he did not once meet any person from the mansion who testified that they saw a stranger that day.

“No, does this make sense? That many people didn’t see a stranger that day.”

Cheongsan muttered with a puzzled expression on his face. Cheong-yeob comforted him.

“Maybe the assassin broke in through another route, so don’t be heartbroken.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. This is obviously the best route.”

“Hu! It’s getting late today, so let’s try again tomorrow.”

“But…”

“Think of the other disciples as well.”

At that moment, Cheongsan looked at his disciples.

The second and third generation disciples were looking at Cheongsan with a straight face. They were very tired from exploring Cheongsan’s command all day.

It was unreasonable to push them further.

“I apologize, everyone. Namu Amida Butsu! Then we’re going to rest today at a guesthouse and look for the assassin again tomorrow.”

“You thought well.”

“But, is there an inn that can hold this many people?”

“Why are we going to an in? When you go to Chengdu, there is the Golden River ClanSS.”

“Oh!”

Cheongsan let out a sigh.

Golden Gate is a sect closely related to the Qingcheng sect. They were located north of the Chengdu, ready to provide accommodation for the Qingcheng sect a at any time.

“We must hurry to enter the Golden Gate.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The two left Jintang County with the disciples of the Qingcheng sect

In order to get to the Golden Gates, one had to pass through the downtown area of Chengdu.

As the dozens of disciples moved, people looked at them with curious eyes. It was because they recognized that they were the masters of the Qingcheng sect.

It was not easy to see the disciples of the Qingcheng sect on the streets, no matter how strong they were. It was even rarer for such a large number of disciples to travel in a group.

People looked at the disciples of the Qingcheng sect as if they were a rare spectacle.

Cheong-yeob was concerned about the gaze of those people, but he worked hard to pretend he was calm and moved on. But when he arrived at the center of Chengdu, his footsteps had no choice but to stop.

It was because of a group of people walking from the opposite side.

Unlike the disciples of the Qingcheng sect, the other group was dominated by women.

Cheong-yeob’s expression turned cold. Because he knew the identity of the opponent.

“Emei sect!”

They were the disciples of the Emei sect and Baekhwabang, whose main focus was on Jeonghwa. The Emei sect also recognized the disciples of the Qingcheng sect.

“The disciples of the Qingcheng sect are coming down here.”

Jeonghwa’s expression, who was at the forefront, changed terribly. With a look as if she was about to devour them, she glared at the Qingcheng sect’s disciples including Cheong-yeob.

It was the same for the disciples of the Qingcheng sect.

Chaeeng!

When the disciples of the Qingcheng sect unsheath their swords in unison, the martial artists of the Emei sect took out their weapons as well.

A sudden tension flowed between the two forces. But they did not clash. It was because they believed that a sudden clash without any preparation would only lead to destruction.

Cheong-yeob raised his hand to make the disciples restrain themselves, and then stepped forward.

Of course, on the side of the Emei sect, Jeonghwa came out.

“It’s been a while, Jeonghwa.”

“Heh! What did you come down here for? To eat? Your nickname is Swordsmanship Scholar, so you should keep living in the mountains like one.”

“Are you not coming down because of something urgent, Jeonghwa? It would be overwhelming just to protect the main sect, but you have the time to worry about other things, no, do you not understand the situation properly?”

“Shut up, Cheong-yeob.”

“Heh! The fart guy got angry. That’s exactly the case. Who created this situation in the first place dares to shout it out?”

Explosive momentum flowed from Jeonghwa and Cheong-yeob.

Although they started fighting seven years ago, the two were friends before that. It was clear that the both of them would lead the Emei sect and the Qingcheng sect, so they greeted each other right away.

The situation suddenly changed after the assassination of Woo Gunsang seven years ago. When it was revealed that the person who commissioned the assassination was the Emei sect, the Qingcheng sect erupted.

Due to his uncontrollable anger, Mu Jeong-jin attacked the disciples of the Emei sect who had entered the underground cave with him.

Jeonghwa was also there.

Jeonghwa had to face the humiliation of escaping with only a few disciples.

The Emei sect pleaded innocent, saying that it was nothing more than a delusional accusation. The public opinion of Sichuan Province was divided because the Qingcheng sect could not provide any clear evidence other than Mu Jeong-jin’s words.

The Qingcheng sect was greatly outraged by the Emei sect’s behavior who was denying it to the end.

In the end, the two sects clashed violently, inflicting numerous casualties.

After that, they collided frequently, and the emotional rift deepened as time went on.

Jeonghwa looked at Cheong-yeob with eyes full of malice. She wanted to kill all of the Cheong-yeob and Qingcheng sect disciples right away, but given the opponent’s power, it would not be easy to do so.

Even the martial artists of the Hundred Flower Room joined, so the weight was still inclined towards the Qingcheng sect. The results of the last few big clashes show that the Qingcheng sect was stronger.

Yong Seol-ran who was beside Jeonghwa whispered.

“Now is the time to step down. If we clash with them for no reason, our damage will be greater.”

“Quiet. Are you talking about escaping in front of the Qingcheng sect? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Jeonghwa criticized Yong Seol-ran.

Yong Seol-ran sighed and backed away when her words didn’t reach Jeonghwa. Jeonghwa looked at Cheong-yeob again and said,

“Did you ordered the assassination after knowing that the young master of the Thunder Clan and the sect leader of the Hundred Flower Room were having an affair? That’s amazing. Qingcheng sect! You threw all the people in the trash.”

“Where are you going to dig your ears? You’ve invested seven years to kill the most promising member of our sect. Where did you learn such devotion? Oh! Of course, you learned from your master, the Abbess of Nine Calamities.”

“Quiet.”

Jeonghwa, who could not even find the main temple, was furious and looked at it. The eyes of some martial artists were so intense that anyone would tremble just by just looking at their eyes. However, Cheong-yeob did not blink an eye even when he looked into her eyes.

Although he was often underestimated compared to his friends because of his gentle personality, he was still a great disciple of the Qingcheng sect.

His achievements were not far behind compared to Jeonghwa.

Knowing that fact, Jeonghwa only taunted, but did not attack. There was an atmosphere that they were about to stab each other at any moment, but neither the Cheong-yeob nor the Jeonghwa made such a move.

This was Chengdu.

It was the center of Sichuan Province and the place where the largest number of people lived. All the wealth of Sichuan went to this place. It was clear that if a riot were to happen here, they would lose a huge amount of money along with the people of Chengdu.

If they really had to fight, they had to do it somewhere other than Chengdu. At least far from the center of Chengdu.

‘After all, this is what it is.’

Yong Seol-ran, who was standing behind Jeonghwa, sighed softly. If possible, she wanted to return to Mt. Emei immediately but that was impossible. There should not have been such a collision between the Qingcheng sect and Emei sect in the first place.

‘Where did we go wrong?’

The root of the problem was clear.

It was the Emei sect.

No matter how many words and excuses she made, that fact did not change.

Yong Seol-ran did not deny that fact.

She was the only one who felt regretful about what happened since she could have stopped the situation before it deteriorated out of control.

‘Seven years ago, that assassin was the problem. He crossed the inescapable net from which everyone can’t come back while killing Woo Gunsang.’

After that incident, all escape routes were blocked.

At the edge of a cliff with nowhere to retreat, the two sects were facing each other.

‘If it wasn’t for that, the situation wouldn’t have gotten this far.’

The more he thought about it, the more amazing the assassin’s feats became.

Because of one assassin, the Qingcheng sect and the Emeis ect had to make such a life-and-death decision.

Even the assassin died seven years ago.

Just as San Sima Yi was being harassed by the dead Zhuge Liang, the Emei sect and Qingcheng sect were still being influenced by what the assassin did.

‘But in the end, we don’t even know his name.’

Yong Seol-ran sighed and looked around.

In the confrontation between the two factions, all the people nearby came out to watch.

Most of the eyes contained fear and curiosity at the same time. However, there was a pair of eyes that felt like her chest was pierced like a dagger.

Yong Seol-ran looked in the direction where she felt the gaze. But she didn’t see any strange eyes.

“Was I mistaken?”

* * *

”Her senses are sharp as ever.”

Pyo-wol, who disappeared from the crowd, softened his eyes.

It was the first time he saw Yong Seol-rang in seven years. It was a face he couldn’t forget, even if he tried to forget it. Because it was engraved so deeply.

Yong Seol-ran and Jeonghwa.

Both of them were people who had entered the underground cave after chasing Pyo-wol. Of course, the impression was bound to remain strong.

He heard from Seolha that the two had entered the city, but seeing them with his own eyes like this was different.

The same was true of the martial artists of the Qingcheng sect.

Although Cheong-yeob and Cheongsan were not the warriors who participated at the time, the reason that they were disciples of the Qingcheng sect alone was enough to attract Pyo-wol’s interest.

Pyo-wol left the seat quietly after imprinting the faces of the Qingcheng sect and Emei sect as they confronted each other in his mind one by one.

They were fighting sharply as if they were going to fight right away, but he knew that it was only for show. To make them really fight, they needed a proper spark.

‘Still, it’s not a bad start.’

Both sides still have quite a few giants.

All of the great disciples of the Qingcheng sect and the Emei sect were among the most prominent in Jianghu.

If he can keep the fire bigger, he will be able to lure out all the humans who are still hiding in the mountains.

Pyo-wol came back to the guesthouse, organizing his thoughts. However, an unexpected person was waiting for him in the guest cup.

‘Heo Ranju!’

It was Heo Ranju who wore clothes that showed off her breasts and voluptuous body. However, it was not only Heo Ranju who was waiting for him.

There was a man with a strong impression, who seemed to be in his mid to late forties, with Daoshi Goh.

When Pyo-wol came into the guest house, Heo Ranju stood up and greeted him.

“Where are you coming from like that? We had waited a long time.”

Heo Ranju smiled bashfully. It was a bright smile, as if she had been captivated by Pyo-wol.

Pyo-wol looked at her without saying a word, then shifted his gaze to a man in his mid to late forties.

He gave off a similar atmosphere with Heo Ranju. He felt the wildness that only those who lived roughly and freely could exude.

Even the Daoshi Goh, who usually likes to joke around, looked like he was restraining himself by his side. That meant that a middle-aged man was superior to Daoshi Goh.

Pyo-wol immediately recognized his identity.

‘This is the leader of the Black Cloud Corps.’

When Pyo-wol’s gaze reached him, a middle-aged man stood up.

“As Daoshi Goh said, he’s a good man. I’m Jang Muryang, the leader of the Black Cloud Corps. It’s nice to meet you!”

“Why are you here?”

“I’m here to see you.”

“I have no business with you.”

“They said you punched Ranju, whom I cherish like my younger sister? I think this is enough for me to visit.”

Jang Muryang gave strength to both eyes.

It was usually Jang Muryang who was casual and friendly , but when he gives strength to his eyes like this, the atmosphere changes like other people.

A good person can never lead a group of mercenaries like the Black Cloud Corps. It required strong leadership and cruel hands to unite these ruthless people. Jang Muryang was a leader who possessed both qualities perfectly.

Pyo-wol also recognized that fact. But he wasn’t scared nor discouraged. Pyo-wol narrowed his eyes and said.

“So you want to get revenge on your sister?”

“What revenge? I just came here to see your face because my sister who I love was beaten.”

Jang Muryang’s face was red as he was forced to hold back his laughter. Heo Ranju clicked her tongue.

“Ack! Who got hit? It’s just rubbing.”

“Cheat the person you want to deceive. You had a deep internal injury, don’t you remember that the doctor stayed up all night to treat you? They said four weeks of work was exhausted from cleaning out cheap passives.”

“Damn! Do you really have to say that out loud?”

Heo Ranju protested, but Jang Muryang ignored her and looked at Pyo-wol.

“So, let’s say we have dinner together. Isn’t that what we can do? We are not enemies of any kind…”

He was looking at Pyo-wol with a smile on his face. But his eyes were not smiling at all.

Editor’s Notes

Enjoy~