Chapter 77: Jaseung, Gives False Information

"The ant nest has sent word."

Yang Jo, who had entered Ban Yeo’s office, wore a pleased smile, satisfied that his prediction had been correct.

"Do you know where the man’s hometown is?"

"Where is it?"

"Hainan Island."

At the words "Hainan Island" Ban Yeo flinched.

"But when he entered the Flying Dagger Sect, he hid his identity."

"Does that mean?"

"Yes. He is a descendant of the Hainan Sect."

It was the moment when the false information Lee Jaseung had given through the Golden Ants began to take effect.

The mention of the Hainan Sect made Ban Yeo’s expression completely harden.

"A descendant of the Hainan Sect that was destroyed long ago?"

From his master’s overly sensitive reaction, Yang Jo sensed there was some dark history that needed to be hidden.

"He lived under a false identity and then became the husband of the Northern Sky Clan’s Lord, entering the Murim Alliance."

"Why?"

At Ban Yeo’s question, a thought rose in Yang Jo’s mind.

‘That’s what I want to ask. Why has he come to the Murim Alliance?’

There was a rumor that the Murim Alliance had been involved in the destruction of the Hainan Sect.

‘So isn’t he here for revenge?’

Yang Jo wanted to ask this outright.

But he could not. No matter how much loyalty they had pledged to each other.

If it became known that the sect’s destruction had been the work of the Orthodox Faction, the martial world would be thrown into chaos, and anyone involved would not survive.

Yang Jo was half in doubt.

Half thinking, surely the Murim Alliance wouldn’t have done it, and half thinking maybe they did.

If the Murim Alliance’s involvement was true, then why? Was it really, as the rumors said, because the Hainan Sect had obtained an ancient treasure?

Yang Jo was curious. At the time, he had not been a member of the Murim Alliance.

But Ban Yeo had been. Of course, back then he was young, so it was very possible he had not been involved.

Still, now that he was the second-in-command of the Murim Alliance, it seemed likely he knew the truth.

Yet Ban Yeo was pretending not to know.

"Why has he come to the Alliance?"

Yang Jo also pretended not to know and replied.

"Could the rumors from back then be true?"

"What rumors?"

To the very end, he acted ignorant, and Yang Jo replied just as if he were ignorant.

"I hear it is a fairly well-known rumor. That the Murim Alliance had a hand in their destruction…"

"Nonsense!"

Ban Yeo denied it in one stroke.

"Even if that were true, the man might simply be misunderstanding."

Ban Yeo nodded without denying that much.

"So that’s where this remarkable fellow came from, he's a descendant of the Hainan Sect."

At that time, the Hainan Sect’s martial arts were truly great. There had even been open talk that the Zenith would emerge from their ranks.

"In any case, now that we know his identity, we should think about how to deal with him."

Ban Yeo looked relaxed. In Jianghu, what was truly fearsome was not knowing the opponent’s identity. Once you knew it and understood their purpose, you could find a way to respond.

Just then, a subordinate entered, reported something, and left.

Yang Jo relayed the report.

"Seop Mu-pyeong is meeting with Elder Yeo in the Council of Elders."

"Yeo Beom?"

Ban Yeo feigned surprise, then let out an incredulous laugh.

"Trying to draw him in to build influence? Hahaha."

"Will you just leave him be?"

"For now, let’s just watch."

Ban Yeo thought about how he might use Seop Mu-pyeong. Using someone for gain was what he enjoyed most.

When he saw people bring him great benefits while heading toward ruin, he felt immense pleasure.

Now he had found a new amusement. One that promised an even greater thrill than before, and he could not hold back the laughter that burst out.

"Kghahahahaha."

* * *

Laughter was also ringing out in the Hall of Honored Guests.

"Hahahaha! I had no idea you were such a hearty man."

Yeo Beom laughed so loudly his throat was visible.

Just an hour ago, when he received Lee Jaseung’s message asking to meet, he had worn a grim expression like a general facing an enemy.

Not long ago, he had told Baek Seolyoung to postpone the wedding since the Alliance Leader’s whereabouts were unknown. At that time, Lee Jaseung had flatly refused and gone ahead with the ceremony, ignoring him.

Of course, with the missing Alliance Leader attending the wedding, the matter had been quietly dropped, but his feelings toward Lee Jaseung could hardly have been good.

What eased his mood was a combination of things.

First, this room. Hall of Honored Guests.

As its name suggested, it was notorious near the Murim Alliance for being expensive. Not just expensive, but extraordinarily so.

A single night of drinking here could cost the equivalent of several months’ pay for a Captain of an army, and that was for the most basic set menu.

Even Yeo Beom had only been here two or three times, always accompanying the Alliance Leader or on official Council business.

Yet now, he was in the VIP room of this building. A place where only the wealthiest in the martial world could drink.

And the courtesan beside him was as beautiful as if she had descended from the heavens. Though not normally lustful, just looking at her made his heart race.

Of course, this meeting had been arranged by Mujin. He had chosen the venue and even the woman to sit beside Yeo Beom, having learned of his preferences through Dan Woobin.

Dan Woobin had initially opposed the idea.

He thought Yeo Beom would not fall for such crude hospitality, and it could even backfire.

But Mujin was confident.

"He will fall for it no matter what."

"He is not a man who enjoys going to pleasure houses."

"That is exactly why he will fall for it."

Indeed, Mujin’s prediction was spot-on. The important thing was not whether it was a brothel, but making him feel he was receiving treatment no one else got.

With a rare beauty who was his exact type pouring his drinks and feeding him food, his mood naturally softened.

And the attack did not end there.

Lee Jaseung presented him with a small scroll.

"What is this?"

"I happened to come across it by chance."

Curious, Yeo Beom unrolled it.

It was a painting, a famous work by one of the greatest artists of the era. Every line seemed alive, delicate yet full of movement.

Yeo Beom’s eyes widened.

"Where on earth did you get such a treasure?"

His voice trembled. His hobby was collecting calligraphy and paintings.

He especially loved collecting paintings, and this was one he had tried to acquire for over ten years but had failed to obtain, mainly for lack of funds.

He was a moderately worldly man. Moderately corrupt, so he had saved a moderate amount of money.

But the painting before him was not something a moderate sum could buy. It was worth a full hundred thousand silver coins.

Seeing his jaw drop, Lee Jaseung smiled faintly.

He had spared no expense for this. In truth, a hundred thousand silver coins was not a huge sum for him.

In the future, he would gladly invest even more if necessary. He would reap tenfold or twentyfold returns no matter what.

This was not a battle of negotiation, but of scheming.

When dealing with trash, Lee Jaseung always used trash’s methods.

Shameful?

Not at all.

The only shame for him would be to fail to achieve his dream.

"Hahaha, here, have a drink."

Pouring him a drink, Yeo Beom asked casually.

"Are you in some sort of trouble lately?"

He knew well there was no such thing as a free gift. With this level of hospitality, there must be a favor to ask.

Lee Jaseung smiled and spoke directly.

"I’m giving this as an apology for the other day so you don’t need to worry about it. My wife was there, and I was rude to you."

Giving such a reasonable explanation erased any suspicion of why he might be acting this way.

"Hahahaha. The more I see of you, the more I see you are a hearty man. Come now, younger brother, have a drink."

Starting that moment, the impudent brat became a polite younger brother who knew how to respect his elders.

From Yeo Beom’s perspective, befriending the Northern Sky Clan’s Lord’s husband was no loss. It could help solidify his standing in the organization.

Even as they rose from their seats, Lee Jaseung had made no requests.

Yeo Beom was deeply impressed.

"Then I’ll see you again next time."

Leaving the courtesan with him, Lee Jaseung rose first.

At the entrance of the building, Mujin was waiting.

From Lee Jaseung’s expression, Mujin could tell how well it had gone. Of course, for a man who knew no such word as impossible, this was nothing.

"Well done."

"Not really. Let’s get a drink."

"I’m always ready for that."

The two walked side by side toward the market. Mujin teased him lightly.

"Why did you leave so early? There must have been plenty of pretty girls there."

"Not interested."

"Fair enough. When the most beautiful woman in the world is waiting for you, I suppose no others can compare huh?"

"That’s not why."

"Then what is it?”

"I’m a married man, you know? Whether my wife is beautiful or not has nothing to do with it."

"Then I’d better marry much later."

"Make sure you don’t let go of the woman you love until I give you an order to marry."

"Why make such scary jokes on a fine day?"

"It wasn’t a joke."

"Hahaha."

"I told you it wasn’t."

"Hahahahaha."

With Mujin’s laughter hiding his unease, the first night of winning over the Elders deepened.

***The next morning, Baek Seolyoung was taking a walk in the forest behind the Murim Alliance.

She had been living separately from Lee Jaseung. It was partly out of awkwardness. His disciples were in the adjoining room, and all in all, it was a somewhat uncomfortable arrangement.

She took a deep breath and looked around. The fresh morning air, the warm sunlight, and even the birds flapping their wings as they flew about, it was truly a pleasant morning.

Of course, the current state of affairs was not quite as refreshing.

The Murim Alliance had officially announced that the Virtuous Heroes  would be in charge of the matter. The Virtuous Heroes was the elite unit of the Murim Alliance, commanded by Ban Yeo.

The martial world was greatly satisfied with the Alliance’s swift and powerful response, and people hoped that this would be the chance to wipe out the Undying Ghouls completely.

In the past, she would have been genuinely moved.

But in the present, she knew. All of this was not driven by sincerity but by political maneuvering.

If Lee Jaseung had not pressed the matter that day, would the Virtuous Heroes have been given the task? Certainly not.

How had things ended up like this?

When she was young, the world she had seen through her father’s eyes had not felt like this.

It was a place where martial heroes fought to protect justice, to destroy the wicked, and to act in the name of good.

A place where moral retribution was alive and breathing, making her vow that one day she too would roam that world, practicing chivalry.

But Jianghu now… she was no longer sure.

Was it Jianghu that had gone wrong, or was it she herself who was wrong for blaming the times?

As she walked slowly, she heard the sound of shouts from deeper in the forest.

Curious, she followed the sound.

In a clearing surrounded by great trees, Lee Jaseung was training in martial arts.

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