Jaseong's mind beca tangled as he held the correspondence in his hand.
The very thing that the forr Tianxia Association Leader, Gun Hanmaek, had requested, was for them to find the one who had assassinated the Evil Path Association Leader.
'The Eternal Divine Physician killed the Evil Path Association Leader... Could this really be true?'
Even after that, news about the Eternal Divine Physician continued to stream into the Shadow Pavilion.
Jaseong and Lee Rin examined every carrier pigeon, gathering all the information on the Eternal Divine Physician into one place.
'... Conflicts among the orthodox factions are becoming even more intensified.
It's because of the struggle for the Seven-Star Cloud Blade that I started in the past.
Back then, I killed Yun-hyeon, the eldest disciple of Zhongnan, who was my mortal enemy, and Yun-hak, his first disciple. I also killed Murong Hwang, young head of the Murong Clan. Then, I staged it so it looked like the two Zhongnan disciples and the Murong Clan's young head died fighting over the Seven-Star Cloud Blade.
Due to that, the orthodox factions are now split into two major powers: the Nine Great Sects, led by Zhongnan, and the Five Great Clans, led by the Murong Clan.
Sects have grouped with sects, clans with clans.'
However, there were also those who tried to diate instead of getting involved in the conflict.
The Murim Alliance's Alliance Leader, Namgung Cheon-rui, was one, and the Eternal Divine Physician as well.
In particular, the Eternal Divine Physician sharply criticized the two Zhongnan disciples for rcilessly killing minor orthodox martial artists in their quest for the Seven-Star Cloud Blade.
He also blad the Murong and Namgung Clans for threatening minor orthodox groups with their strength.
[Afterwards, the Eternal Divine Physician took down the Evil Path Association Leader alone to unite the orthodox powers.]
Having read up to this point in the carrier pigeons' reports, Jaseong asked his attendant,
"Is the source of this information really the Murim Alliance?"
"Most of it, yes. The information that leaked from the Murim Alliance is spreading all over the Central Plains."
At that mont, Lee Rin spoke up. Her gaze was cold as the snow blossoms of the North Sea.
"Great hero, sothing's off. Why would the Eternal Divine Physician suddenly kill the Evil Path Association Leader? Looking at these carrier pigeons' ssages, it doesn't seem like there was any animosity between them..."
"......"
"And it's strange that the Murim Alliance is deliberately spreading the story that the Eternal Divine Physician killed the Evil Path Association Leader. The orthodox and unorthodox factions are enemies, and since the Eternal Divine Physician eliminated the unorthodox leader, shouldn't they praise and protect the Eternal Divine Physician instead?"
"......"
"But from what's happening now, it feels like they're trying to make the Eternal Divine Physician the target of all the unorthodox sects' ire... What if the one who killed the Evil Path Association Leader was actually a different orthodox expert, but they pinned it on the Eternal Divine Physician to avoid repercussions?"
Though she usually acted sowhat clueless, at tis like this, Lee Rin's brilliance as the Little Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace shone through. Jaseong nodded silently.
"I agree, sothing isn't right. To confirm whether these rumors are true, I need to et the Eternal Divine Physician. Then I'll be able to uncover the whole story behind this case."
Jaseong checked the last carrier pigeon that had arrived.
It contained information about the most recent sighting of the Eternal Divine Physician.
[Last seen location: Shaanxi Province]
***
Shaanxi Province was a strategic stronghold of the orthodox factions, ho to Mount Hua and Zhongnan.
Given the current climate, with orthodox tensions running high, it was nearly impossible to move a large group of Dark Path mbers to Shaanxi Province.
So, Jaseong set out for Shaanxi Province accompanied only by Lee Rin, Gu Janghu, and the North Sea guards.
To avoid suspicion, they disguised themselves as a rchant guild.
"This won't be an easy journey either, branch leader."
Gu Janghu, disguised as the coachman, said as he drove the wagon.
"Looking at the carrier pigeons you got from the Shadow Pavilion, the rumor that the Eternal Divine Physician killed the Evil Path Association Leader has spread even among the unorthodox factions. All of them will probably target the Eternal Divine Physician now."
Lee Rin, in her disguise as the rchant guildmaster, nodded in agreent.
Each ti she nodded, her ornate gold earrings shimred beautifully.
"mbers of unorthodox sects are obsessed with making their nas known. Wanting revenge for the slain Evil Path Association Leader, they'll want to defeat the Eternal Divine Physician and spread their na far and wide."
"......"
"But the orthodox sects' attitude toward the Eternal Divine Physician is also unusual. Maybe because the Eternal Divine Physician sided with minor orthodox sects and criticized the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans..."
"In any case, both Mount Hua and Zhongnan will be on high alert. If word gets out that the Hao Sect has appeared in Shaanxi, the orthodox factions will surely try to detain us."
While listening to Gu Janghu and Lee Rin's conversation, Jaseong, disguised as a bodyguard, was briefly lost in old mories.
'Zhongnan Sect. Among the enemies who killed my eldest brother and sister-in-law... Soday, I'll make the entire Zhongnan Sect kneel before ...'
About fifteen days later, the disguised rchant party arrived at Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province.
Murmur—murmur—
As befitting the capital of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an was grand and imposing.
Beyond the city walls, the rugged peaks of Mount Hua jutted skyward like blades, and in the distance, Zhongnan Mountain's mist hung thickly.
The grand halls adorned with red tiles and blue painted eaves sparkled brilliantly, and the streets bustled with countless rchants and passersby.
However, beneath the vibrancy there was an underlying tension.
As expected, orthodox Taoists in Mount Hua and Zhongnan Sect martial robes, swords girded at their sides, patrolled all around.
So Taoists even stopped passersby to check their identities, clearly searching for unorthodox faction mbers.
Seeing this, Lee Rin spoke in a low voice.
"Looks like information that unorthodox faction mbers are chasing the Eternal Divine Physician to Shaanxi Province has reached Mount Hua and Zhongnan. If anyone even suspicious shows up, they look ready to start a massacre."
Han Soweol, one of the North Sea guards and Jaseong's nursemaid, nodded.
"This tense atmosphere feels just like the War of Orthodox and Unorthodox from decades ago."
"Nursemaid, did you go through the war?"
"When I was very little. Back then, whenever the orthodox and unorthodox t, they fought until one side died."
After entering Xi'an, Jaseong's party went into a nearby inn for a al.
They intentionally avoided the larger inns, so as not to attract unnecessary attention.
Thus, they chose the most out-of-the-way inn on Xi'an's outskirts. But the mont they entered—
'Just my luck today.'
Jaseong's gaze wavered slightly. Of all people, there were Taoists from Mount Hua eating at the inn.
Dressed in red martial robes embroidered with plum blossom patterns, it was clear at a glance that they were formidable experts.
[Branch chief, those martial robes are worn only by the Plum Blossom Swordsn among Mount Hua's Taoists—a sign of 1st-rate skill or higher.]
Gu Janghu quickly sent a telepathic ssage. Lee Rin tugged at Jaseong's sleeve, signaling with her eyes that they should go elsewhere.
But it was too late.
The Plum Blossom Swordsn, who had been eating, locked eyes with Jaseong's party at the entrance.
'If we leave now, it'll only raise suspicion.'
Left with no choice, Jaseong's party took seats in a corner and called the errand boy over to order food.
Among the Plum Blossom Swordsn, their eldest disciple, Cheongho, watched Jaseong's party closely.
'They look like rchants, but their ki all marks them as experts.'
As befit the eldest among Mount Hua, one of the top-tier Nine Great Sects, Cheongho was an expert who had reached the peak realm. Just from looking at soone, he could gauge the depth of their internal power.
'Could they be unorthodox faction mbers in disguise...? Maybe I should test them.'
Cheongho set down his chopsticks and strode right over to Jaseong's group.
"Greetings. I am Cheongho, eldest disciple of Mount Hua. Where do you rchants hail from?"
At Cheongho's sudden appearance, Jaseong frowned inwardly.
"We are rchants of the Jaryeong Guild from Guizhou City."
"The Jaryeong Guild... From Guizhou City all the way to Shaanxi, that is a long journey. What brings you so far?"
"We're here in search of celestial ganoderma. I have heard it grows deep in the mountains of Shaanxi."
"Celestial ganoderma... You have co for a precious herb."
Cheongho stroked his long beard and continued,
"However, the martial world is in turmoil now. Unorthodox scoundrels have gathered in Shaanxi for so reason, making it a dangerous ti for rchants."
"rchants often profit by taking risks."
"Hmm. But your ki is hardly typical for rchants. Have you trained in martial arts?"
"You flatter . I have learned a little self-defense, out of necessity in troubled tis."
"A little...? With that degree of ki, you must be quite an expert."
Cheongho's gaze sharpened, and the tension in the inn rose further.
Shiiik—
Behind Cheongho, the Plum Blossom Swordsn subtly put their hands on their sword hilts.
Lee Rin and Gu Janghu also quietly began circulating their internal energy, just in case.
A true powder keg.
Of course, Hao Sect was neither orthodox nor unorthodox, so even if their true identities were revealed, the Plum Blossom Swordsn wouldn't attack recklessly.
Still, there was no way the Plum Blossom Swordsn would just let Jaseong's party act freely in Shaanxi, their territory.
Just as Cheongho was about to question Jaseong further—
KWA-KWANG!
Suddenly, a violent crash resounded from outside the inn.
"How dare you filthy unorthodox scum run amok here!"
"Cut the hypocrisy, you fake Taoists! Hand over the Eternal Divine Physician who treacherously assassinated our Association Leader!"
Shouts and uproar erupted from outside the inn.
When they turned to see the commotion's source, a brawl was underway in the street between ten Zhongnan Sect Taoists and several unorthodox mbers.
But as he caught sight of the unorthodox mbers, Cheongho's expression hardened.
"Those martial robes—Biweol Gate...?!"
Biweol Gate was a giant sect, ranked highly among the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects of the unorthodox factions.
They had deep ties to the deceased Evil Path Association Leader.
They had co to Shaanxi to avenge the Evil Path Association Leader's death, but were now being confronted by Zhongnan Taoists.
Puh-puh-pung!
Explosions of internal energy rang out outside. But the Zhongnan Taoists were being firmly pushed back.
Unfortunately for them, five Elders from Biweol Gate, once known as the Five Ghosts of Chongqing (五鬼), had co.
You needed at least that level of strength to go after soone as formidable as the Eternal Divine Physician.
In contrast, the Zhongnan Taoists were quite young.
Even with double their numbers, they were no match and were overwheld.
"Damn! The Zhongnan brats are getting beaten!"
Cheongho and the Plum Blossom Swordsn, unable to just sit and watch, turned their attention from Jaseong's group and rushed outside.
"All Plum Blossom Swordsn, follow !"
"Yes, eldest disciple!"
Cheongho and five Plum Blossom Swordsn unleashed their dazzling mandala sword techniques, attacking the Five Ghosts of Chongqing headlong.
As befit their reputation, resplendent plum blossoms flew from the tip of their swords.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA!
The main street of Xi'an swiftly descended into chaos from the clash of experts.
Seeing this, Gu Janghu quickly spoke.
"Branch chief, now's our chance. Let's get out of here."
Jaseong nodded and rose to escape.
But at that mont—
"...?"
He saw sothing...the sight of soone grabbing his ankle.
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