“Is he dead?”
“It seems that way. There’s no way he could still be alive looking like this.”
Unless there was some sort of super regenerative ability, there was no chance he could still be alive with his dantian destroyed and blood gushing out of every conceivable orifice.
I gazed at the Black Shadow Sect Leader whose breathing had completely ceased, feeling a pang of regret.
I wanted to learn more about the Demonic Sect.
Since even the original story didn’t provide much information about the Demonic Sect, if I had been able to subdue the Black Shadow Sect Leader cleanly, I might have obtained some meaningful information.
Though, as a minor underling, it would’ve been difficult for him to give internal information.
“Great Hero Wi, the cleanup is complete.”
“Are there any injured?”
“Thanks to Great Hero Wi’s restraint, other than a few people with minor abrasions, everyone’s fine.”
What’s with that admiring look? Feeling a bit uncomfortable from the respectful gazes of the men around me, I averted my eyes and picked up the fallen hood I had discarded just before the fight.
…I should probably just buy a new one. There’s no way I can use this one with the hole in it.
I placed the ruined hood over the Black Shadow Sect Leader’s face.
Not only was it unpleasant to keep looking at that horrific appearance, but it was also my way of letting him go to the underworld with a bit more dignity, covered by the hood.
“Hmph.”
Now, time to get to work.
“Listen up. Make sure to keep a close eye on them and prevent any escape or unrest. I’ll search the mansion.”
“We will assist you.”
“I’ll only take a couple of sharp-eyed warriors with me. The rest of you, please proceed with the interrogations. We need to get the full story of these events, don’t we? And send someone back to the clan to report our success.”
“Someone’s already been sent to the clan, so reinforcements should arrive soon.”
Well then, no need for me to worry about that.
I turned my head to the pavilion where I had created a hole. Though it might take an entire night to search thoroughly, at the thought that there might be valuable treasures and secret martial arts manuals hidden inside, I could already feel the saliva gathering in my mouth.
Shall we go in?
I boldly stepped into the pavilion.
——————-
“…Thank you. Really, thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I simply did what needed to be done.”
“No, helping others out of their troubles is not simply doing one’s duty. You’ve done a great deed.”
The head of the Jiang family choked back tears as he looked at me. Beside him, the head of the Gu family also had reddened eyes. As I took turns looking at these two old men, I scratched my head in awkwardness and asked,
“Did the interrogation go well?”
“We’ve learned much. These villains have been secretly plotting to divide and weaken our clan for many years and eventually aim to seize control of this city.”
“Rather bold of them.”
True to the Chief’s words, this was not the kind of scheme that a mid-sized sect could pull off.
How could a small sect with barely a hundred disciples aim to dominate even a modest-sized city?
Even here, we have a somewhat weakened but still functional government. Not to mention the combined strength of both clans which could obliterate such a sect in half a day.
Thus, it was only natural to suspect they had some larger backing, and upon seeing the Black Shadow Sect Leader’s internal energy, it became clear that the Demonic Sect was behind it.
…While it’s unclear why the Demonic Sect is involved in this,
there was no useful information found in the mansion, as if everything was systematically burned.
Based on the information gathered so far, isn’t it likely that they were trying to establish a secret branch of the Demonic Sect close to the Martial Alliance in this city, with the aim of launching a surprise attack when war breaks out?
Surprise attacks from unexpected places have always proven effective throughout history. And should the righteous sects embark on a grand expedition, passing through this city would be the most convenient route.
If a war were to break out, Martial Alliance members would highly likely pass through this city, and if they were to be ambushed the moment they arrived, the damage would be irreversible.
Being attacked unexpectedly in what they consider their own territory, their ranks would easily fall apart.
Since martial artists, fundamentally, are not accustomed to coordinated actions, this would only exacerbate the situation.
From this perspective, this incident could be considered an unexpected windfall.
It’s like defusing one bomb inside their ranks.
At the very least, the Martial Alliance wouldn’t suffer repeated defeats helplessly like in the original story.
… Though the hurried ending of the original story, akin to hastily frying beans in a lightning storm, was truly problematic.
As the story progressed, the narrative increasingly leaned towards convenience-driven twists and changes to the setting. Though, since this is reality now, such things wouldn’t actually happen… right?
Like how side characters had their names forgotten, appearing after dozens of chapters only to have their names changed, it would be absurd and likely prompt an uncontrollable laugh.
Anyway…
“Although we thoroughly searched the Black Shadow Sect’s pavilions, we found no traces of the Demonic Sect. They were quite thorough in covering their tracks. I had hoped to find something, given that this was a late-night raid…”
They were far too meticulous.
Well, hence why they nearly conquered the entire martial world by the end.
“Hmph. That is quite disappointing.”
“All we obtained were the ill-gotten gains they extorted from the commoners, various weapons, and what we suspect to be secret manuals of the Black Shadow Sect.”
“Suspect?”
“What exactly do you mean?”
I took out the manual from my robes.
“Out of precaution, I didn’t read through it. Should this contain any demonic martial arts, it would be unwise to peruse it, wouldn’t it? Could you please deliver this manual to the Martial Alliance on my behalf?”
… Though I did skim through it, there wasn’t much of value.
“Understood.”
“We will have a trustworthy warrior deliver it to the Martial Alliance with your request.”
“If this matter is settled, then… I suggest we return the Black Shadow Sect’s wealth to the local townsfolk. Not only will it be morally right to return what’s been stolen, but it’s also better not to harbor any ill intentions toward such tainted wealth, don’t you think?”
“You, sir, are remarkable to be so unselfish!”
“If only I had a daughter…”
The appreciative gazes of the clan heads almost soaked me in a warm, awkward glow.
Were this a game, your affection meter would be completely full, unable to increase any further, wouldn’t it?
“I will leave this matter in your capable hands.”
“Understood. I swear, I will handle this matter fairly and openly.”
“I, also, pledge to resolve this with my reputation on the line.”
With everything proceeding smoothly,
It truly proves that one must build a reputation.
After all, the words of an unknown soldier and those of an esteemed individual carry worlds apart in influence.
“Wouldn’t it also be good for both clans to reconcile this time?”
“Reconcile?…”
At my suggestion, the two clan heads exchanged uneasy glances and cleared their throats. Clearly, reconciliation between such long-standing rivals isn’t an easy task. But as long as the two clans remain divided, those who prey on such tensions will inevitably rise again.
Better to establish peace and resolve things definitively while this opportunity lasts.
“…Very well, Jiang Clan Head, let’s give this a try.”
“Hmph, Gu Clan Head, I never expected we’d be reconciling now.”
That’s settled.
Now to leave after claiming my reward.
“And, regarding the reward…”
————————
“Sir, are you sure accepting so little is okay?”
“Hyeri, do these gold ingots look like child’s play to you?”
Just ten gold ingots might seem little. Sure, it’s far less than what the clan heads offered as a reward, but carrying excessive wealth around has no meaningful purpose.
While not completely incorruptible, I know better than anyone that having too much money just isn’t particularly meaningful.
“Still, it seems less considering what you’ve done…”
“We’ve also received three spirit pills.”
“But you’ve already given one to me!”
“Me too. Even though you didn’t have to…”
Hyering and Mokkyeong looked at me with hesitant expressions. Not that they necessarily needed to.
“Don’t worry. The stronger you get, the easier my life becomes.”
It’s meaningless for me to become strong alone.
After all, wars aren’t fought alone.
Companions to protect my side.
What I truly need are such people, not those I must protect.
“Still…”
“Hyering. Don’t overthink it and take it.”
Hyering reluctantly nodded.
“Mokkyeong, don’t be burdened and take it. If you’re to avenge yourself, you need to grow stronger. To break through the peak master barrier, you would at least need to consume around ten spirit pills of this caliber.”
Hearing my mention of revenge, Mokkyeong reluctantly agreed as well.
“Then that’s that? Don’t change your mind midway and say it’s not enough or something.”
I turned my gaze from the two who nodded to watch the funeral procession.
The young masters of the Jiang and Gu clans.
The sight of people in mourning robes walking in a group was, while somewhat inappropriate to say so, intriguing.
It was like something from a movie or a drama.
“…It’s fortunate that things turned out well.”
The Black Shadow Sect was wiped out, the disciples of the Black Shadow Sect are heading to the Martial Alliance for questioning, the head of the sect’s severed limbs and head were publicly displayed in the marketplace, and the runaway physician’s corpse was found in a well behind a building, likely the result of a self-destruction technique.
As for Mingxi, she attempted to flee after realizing things had gone awry but was caught by Mokkyeong…
Clean and tidy.
Watching the funeral procession, I naturally offered a common saying.
“May the deceased rest in peace.”
Though our first meeting wasn’t the best, there’s no need to speak ill of the dead.
As I watched the funeral procession gradually disappear from sight, I thought to myself…
————————
