Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Wei Zong was watching the meeting in the main hall with boredom.

They were in the middle of discussing how to divide up business rights. Everyone had fire in their eyes. They were all desperate to gain even a little more profit.

‘Foolish b*st*rds.’

Wei Zong sneered inwardly.

It was like the story of three in the morning and four in the evening. They might be happy now that their businesses would increase and they’d make big money, but they would have to pay a portion of those profits to Poison Valley for the rest of their lives.

Looking outside the main hall, it was already dark even though it was still afternoon.

In any case, it was about time to wrap up the discussion. After all, shouldn’t he declare himself the first leader of the unified poison sects and conclude the assembly?

But then a warrior rushed up to Wei Zong urgently and handed him a bamboo slip and a silver plaque.

The moment Wei Zong saw the silver plaque, his eyes narrowed.

It was a silver plaque symbolizing the rank of investigator in the Martial Arts Alliance.

“Ahem.”

Wei Zong turned the bamboo slip around and read the characters written inside.

㑌密入 (You Mi Ru)

The moment he read it, Wei Zong was greatly surprised.

㑌 means limping 

‘The limping one has secretly entered?’

Wei Zong frowned.

The person who sent this bamboo slip was most likely Mang Ryo.

The authenticity of this information was somewhat questionable.

Mang Ryo had changed his story countless times. To him and the Shadow Bureau, he had said that the culprit behind this incident was a single limping man, but to the righteous faction’s Five Birds Sect, he had said there were other forces and the limping one was merely their lackey.

How could he trust the words of such a person?

But…

Wei Zong checked the enclosed silver plaque.

Even if Mang Ryo had other intentions, he couldn’t use the Martial Arts Alliance’s silver plaque privately.

The fact that he had enclosed the silver plaque probably meant he was guaranteeing the authenticity of the information as much as possible.

“Who sent this?”

“Advisor Mang sent it through a messenger.”

It was indeed Mang Ryo.

Wei Zong stared intently at the characters on the bamboo slip.

‘The limping one… is here right now?’

Let’s assume the information is true for now. With so many people coming and going, the limping one could have mixed in among them.

However, to be honest, it was hard to think that he would be so bold as to enter here.

This was a place where not only Poison Valley but also the leaders of all the small and medium poison sects had gathered.

‘Come to think of it…’

Mang Ryo had been very eager to catch the limping one. Perhaps that’s why he had sent this information so urgently.

‘But why didn’t he come himself?’

It was somewhat suspicious.

He didn’t feel like trusting this information.

It wouldn’t be difficult to verify. He could just call together all the outsiders except for the uninvited poison sect members and check if the limping one was among them.

But what if he was wrong? What if the information was false?

Just when he was about to become the leader of the unified poison sects, he didn’t want to be seen as someone who made a fuss over just three characters written on a bamboo slip.

That would make people doubt Wei Zong’s abilities and seriously damage his authority.

Most of all, the fact that he had to move based on Mang Ryo’s words was extremely irritating.

But he couldn’t just not verify it either…

After pondering for a while, Wei Zong made his decision.

Wei Zong gave orders to the warrior.

“Gather all the outsiders and servants in the valley in front of the main hall. Everyone, including those doing odd jobs.”

“Yes, understood.”

Wei Zong went in front of the poison sect members who were in heated discussion and said:

“Have you finished your deliberations?”

The poison sect members looked awkward.

“Well, not yet…”

Since it involved their interests, they couldn’t help but be sharply opposed.

Wei Zong suggested:

“Then, shall we take a break and look at this?”

“What is that?”

“Elder Mang Ryo… ah, Advisor Mang, who is now serving as an advisor to the Poison Control Bureau of the Martial Arts Alliance, has sent some interesting news.”

Wei Zong showed them the bamboo slip.

“The limping one!”

The expressions of the poison sect members froze. They had heard all sorts of rumors about the limping one. So the fact that the limping one was here made them shudder.

Didn’t that mean they were targets!

“Whether the limping one is truly the culprit… or just a lackey. Or whether this information sent by Advisor Mang is true… aren’t you all curious?”

The poison sect members swallowed dryly and reluctantly nodded.

Some hoped it wasn’t true.

“Then let’s play an interesting game.”

Wei Zong smiled slyly.

“I’ll wager one of the wine houses that our valley owns by Kunming Lake. How about it?”

* * *

‘Something’s happened!’

Jin Ja-gang realized that the hall had suddenly become noisy. Warriors were running around everywhere.

A warrior approached where Jin Ja-gang was sitting.

“Hey, you. You’re a construction worker, right?”

His nerves were on edge. Had he been discovered?

“Come to the front of the main hall. The Valley Master has something to say.”

The warrior’s attitude wasn’t particularly hostile. But he couldn’t relax his tension.

Jin Ja-gang followed the warrior to the front of the main hall.

In front of the main hall, not only Jin Ja-gang but also servants, workers, and cooks working in Poison Valley had been summoned in large numbers.

Their number reached nearly fifty.

Soon, an elderly man with the feel of a village school teacher walked out from the end of the main hall.

The workers who recognized him as the Valley Master hurriedly knelt on the ground.

“Valley Master!”

Jin Ja-gang also knelt following the others.

‘That’s Wei Zong, the Valley Master of Poison Valley!’

His eyes were sharp and his face was as smooth as someone in their twenties. You could tell at a glance that he was a master.

The greatest master of Yunnan’s poison sects…

As Jin Ja-gang was sizing up Wei Zong with sidelong glances, a warrior standing below Wei Zong spoke.

“Thanks to your hard work, the important event has been completed successfully. Therefore, the Valley Master will personally commend your efforts and pour you each a cup of wine.”

The workers looked puzzled.

‘Wine?’

The warrior urged the workers.

“Come forward one by one!”

As if pushed along, one servant hesitantly walked forward.

The servant clearly looked terrified. And rightly so, since Wei Zong alone was scary enough, but behind him stood a crowd of poison sect leaders.

The servant trembled and dropped the cup while receiving wine from Wei Zong. The servant’s face turned pale.

“I-I’m sorry!”

“It’s alright, it’s alright.”

Wei Zong smiled and poured wine into the cup again and gave it to the servant.

“Drink it.”

The poison sect leaders praised Wei Zong’s magnanimity.

“As expected, the Valley Master is truly magnanimous.”

“For the Valley Master to personally care for even the lowly servants moves us to tears.”

“Consider it an honor and drink, you fools. Hahaha!”

The servant hurriedly drank the wine and returned.

The warrior pushed the next person. He too went out, received wine, and returned.

Jin Ja-gang observed them carefully.

He wondered if they had been given poisoned wine. But for now, there seemed to be no major problems.

‘Are they really just pouring wine to thank us for our hard work?’

Since they weren’t scolded even for making mistakes, and there was no intention to interrogate or torment them, the workers’ faces became much more relaxed.

Looking at the expressions of the warriors pushing them to drink, Wei Zong pouring the wine, and the poison sect leaders standing behind Wei Zong, there seemed to be nothing special.

However, Jin Ja-gang remained uneasy throughout. This situation felt awkward somehow.

Most of all, wasn’t it suspicious to call fifty people forward one by one!

Something felt wrong…

A thought flashed through Jin Ja-gang’s mind.

Distance.

To receive wine from Wei Zong, you had to go to the main hall.

That distance was ten steps.

When Jin Ja-gang’s turn came, the distance Jin Ja-gang would have to walk would be ten steps.

‘Ah…’

Only then did Jin Ja-gang realize the subtle point of the current situation.

‘They’re looking for me!’

What could be confirmed by making someone walk ten steps?

It was aimed at the limping one.

Jin Ja-gang bit his lower lip.

If he wanted to hide his limp, it was possible. But that was only when glimpsed briefly – with dozens of martial arts masters staring intently, he couldn’t walk normally enough to fool them.

He looked at the sky.

The sky was overcast as if it would pour rain at any moment.

But it still wasn’t time.

Dark clouds gathered in Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

* * *

“Next!”

The bored warrior was about to push the next person’s back.

But before he could even touch him, a young man stepped forward first.

The young man took one step.

Limp.

At that moment, Wei Zong’s eyes changed.

Limp, limp.

As the young man walked forward, the expressions of the poison sect leaders behind Wei Zong gradually hardened.

Unlike just moments before when they had been joking and praising Wei Zong, the poison sect leaders completely shut their mouths.

The young man must have clearly felt that the atmosphere had completely changed.

Even the workers were looking around nervously, thinking that Wei Zong and the leaders had somehow changed.

However, the young man himself was walking toward the main hall as if nothing was wrong.

Limp, limp.

Everyone’s attention was focused on walking that short distance of ten steps. The young man’s each step was very slow, and he limped each step as if showing off.

The young man finally reached Wei Zong and stopped.

The young man held up a wine cup and offered it to Wei Zong. Unlike the previous workers who received it while cowering or being afraid, he was very confident. He looked like he was naturally receiving what he deserved.

Wei Zong was quietly looking at the young man.

The young man also stared directly at Wei Zong while holding out the cup.

A warrior beside them shouted:

“Insolent fool! Kneel!”

The young man didn’t resist and knelt on one knee. Then he held out the cup again.

A smile slowly formed on Wei Zong’s lips.

It wasn’t a comfortable smile.

It was a smile that contained meanings of admiration, or perhaps brazenness, or ridiculousness.

Wei Zong poured wine with a smiling face.

Trickle.

The young man looking up at Wei Zong’s smiling face also smiled.

But it was definitely not an awkward reciprocal smile.

So it’s you?

The b*st*rd who did terrible things to the Medicine Sect. The ringleader of the poison sects who ordered all those past evil deeds.

Wei Zong also understood the meaning of the young man’s smile. That’s why he smiled even more coldly, raising the corners of his mouth.

Yes, it was you. The one Mang Ryo had been desperately searching for.

You’re the one who attacked our poison sects and massacred them cruelly?

Jin Ja-gang’s smile also deepened. The more it did, the more killing intent showed, making even his eyes glisten.

Trickle, trickle, trickle.

The wine Wei Zong was pouring had already overflowed the cup and was flowing to the ground.

But there was no movement in the actions of the two glaring at each other.

Drop.

Finally, one bottle of wine was completely emptied and the last drop fell.

The corners of smiling Wei Zong’s mouth stretched so long they almost reached his ears.

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Wei Zong was watching the meeting in the main hall with boredom.

They were in the middle of discussing how to divide up business rights. Everyone had fire in their eyes. They were all desperate to gain even a little more profit.

‘Foolish b*st*rds.’

Wei Zong sneered inwardly.

It was like the story of three in the morning and four in the evening. They might be happy now that their businesses would increase and they’d make big money, but they would have to pay a portion of those profits to Poison Valley for the rest of their lives.

Looking outside the main hall, it was already dark even though it was still afternoon.

In any case, it was about time to wrap up the discussion. After all, shouldn’t he declare himself the first leader of the unified poison sects and conclude the assembly?

But then a warrior rushed up to Wei Zong urgently and handed him a bamboo slip and a silver plaque.

The moment Wei Zong saw the silver plaque, his eyes narrowed.

It was a silver plaque symbolizing the rank of investigator in the Martial Arts Alliance.

“Ahem.”

Wei Zong turned the bamboo slip around and read the characters written inside.

㑌密入 (You Mi Ru)

The moment he read it, Wei Zong was greatly surprised.

㑌 means limping 

‘The limping one has secretly entered?’

Wei Zong frowned.

The person who sent this bamboo slip was most likely Mang Ryo.

The authenticity of this information was somewhat questionable.

Mang Ryo had changed his story countless times. To him and the Shadow Bureau, he had said that the culprit behind this incident was a single limping man, but to the righteous faction’s Five Birds Sect, he had said there were other forces and the limping one was merely their lackey.

How could he trust the words of such a person?

But…

Wei Zong checked the enclosed silver plaque.

Even if Mang Ryo had other intentions, he couldn’t use the Martial Arts Alliance’s silver plaque privately.

The fact that he had enclosed the silver plaque probably meant he was guaranteeing the authenticity of the information as much as possible.

“Who sent this?”

“Advisor Mang sent it through a messenger.”

It was indeed Mang Ryo.

Wei Zong stared intently at the characters on the bamboo slip.

‘The limping one… is here right now?’

Let’s assume the information is true for now. With so many people coming and going, the limping one could have mixed in among them.

However, to be honest, it was hard to think that he would be so bold as to enter here.

This was a place where not only Poison Valley but also the leaders of all the small and medium poison sects had gathered.

‘Come to think of it…’

Mang Ryo had been very eager to catch the limping one. Perhaps that’s why he had sent this information so urgently.

‘But why didn’t he come himself?’

It was somewhat suspicious.

He didn’t feel like trusting this information.

It wouldn’t be difficult to verify. He could just call together all the outsiders except for the uninvited poison sect members and check if the limping one was among them.

But what if he was wrong? What if the information was false?

Just when he was about to become the leader of the unified poison sects, he didn’t want to be seen as someone who made a fuss over just three characters written on a bamboo slip.

That would make people doubt Wei Zong’s abilities and seriously damage his authority.

Most of all, the fact that he had to move based on Mang Ryo’s words was extremely irritating.

But he couldn’t just not verify it either…

After pondering for a while, Wei Zong made his decision.

Wei Zong gave orders to the warrior.

“Gather all the outsiders and servants in the valley in front of the main hall. Everyone, including those doing odd jobs.”

“Yes, understood.”

Wei Zong went in front of the poison sect members who were in heated discussion and said:

“Have you finished your deliberations?”

The poison sect members looked awkward.

“Well, not yet…”

Since it involved their interests, they couldn’t help but be sharply opposed.

Wei Zong suggested:

“Then, shall we take a break and look at this?”

“What is that?”

“Elder Mang Ryo… ah, Advisor Mang, who is now serving as an advisor to the Poison Control Bureau of the Martial Arts Alliance, has sent some interesting news.”

Wei Zong showed them the bamboo slip.

“The limping one!”

The expressions of the poison sect members froze. They had heard all sorts of rumors about the limping one. So the fact that the limping one was here made them shudder.

Didn’t that mean they were targets!

“Whether the limping one is truly the culprit… or just a lackey. Or whether this information sent by Advisor Mang is true… aren’t you all curious?”

The poison sect members swallowed dryly and reluctantly nodded.

Some hoped it wasn’t true.

“Then let’s play an interesting game.”

Wei Zong smiled slyly.

“I’ll wager one of the wine houses that our valley owns by Kunming Lake. How about it?”

* * *

‘Something’s happened!’

Jin Ja-gang realized that the hall had suddenly become noisy. Warriors were running around everywhere.

A warrior approached where Jin Ja-gang was sitting.

“Hey, you. You’re a construction worker, right?”

His nerves were on edge. Had he been discovered?

“Come to the front of the main hall. The Valley Master has something to say.”

The warrior’s attitude wasn’t particularly hostile. But he couldn’t relax his tension.

Jin Ja-gang followed the warrior to the front of the main hall.

In front of the main hall, not only Jin Ja-gang but also servants, workers, and cooks working in Poison Valley had been summoned in large numbers.

Their number reached nearly fifty.

Soon, an elderly man with the feel of a village school teacher walked out from the end of the main hall.

The workers who recognized him as the Valley Master hurriedly knelt on the ground.

“Valley Master!”

Jin Ja-gang also knelt following the others.

‘That’s Wei Zong, the Valley Master of Poison Valley!’

His eyes were sharp and his face was as smooth as someone in their twenties. You could tell at a glance that he was a master.

The greatest master of Yunnan’s poison sects…

As Jin Ja-gang was sizing up Wei Zong with sidelong glances, a warrior standing below Wei Zong spoke.

“Thanks to your hard work, the important event has been completed successfully. Therefore, the Valley Master will personally commend your efforts and pour you each a cup of wine.”

The workers looked puzzled.

‘Wine?’

The warrior urged the workers.

“Come forward one by one!”

As if pushed along, one servant hesitantly walked forward.

The servant clearly looked terrified. And rightly so, since Wei Zong alone was scary enough, but behind him stood a crowd of poison sect leaders.

The servant trembled and dropped the cup while receiving wine from Wei Zong. The servant’s face turned pale.

“I-I’m sorry!”

“It’s alright, it’s alright.”

Wei Zong smiled and poured wine into the cup again and gave it to the servant.

“Drink it.”

The poison sect leaders praised Wei Zong’s magnanimity.

“As expected, the Valley Master is truly magnanimous.”

“For the Valley Master to personally care for even the lowly servants moves us to tears.”

“Consider it an honor and drink, you fools. Hahaha!”

The servant hurriedly drank the wine and returned.

The warrior pushed the next person. He too went out, received wine, and returned.

Jin Ja-gang observed them carefully.

He wondered if they had been given poisoned wine. But for now, there seemed to be no major problems.

‘Are they really just pouring wine to thank us for our hard work?’

Since they weren’t scolded even for making mistakes, and there was no intention to interrogate or torment them, the workers’ faces became much more relaxed.

Looking at the expressions of the warriors pushing them to drink, Wei Zong pouring the wine, and the poison sect leaders standing behind Wei Zong, there seemed to be nothing special.

However, Jin Ja-gang remained uneasy throughout. This situation felt awkward somehow.

Most of all, wasn’t it suspicious to call fifty people forward one by one!

Something felt wrong…

A thought flashed through Jin Ja-gang’s mind.

Distance.

To receive wine from Wei Zong, you had to go to the main hall.

That distance was ten steps.

When Jin Ja-gang’s turn came, the distance Jin Ja-gang would have to walk would be ten steps.

‘Ah…’

Only then did Jin Ja-gang realize the subtle point of the current situation.

‘They’re looking for me!’

What could be confirmed by making someone walk ten steps?

It was aimed at the limping one.

Jin Ja-gang bit his lower lip.

If he wanted to hide his limp, it was possible. But that was only when glimpsed briefly – with dozens of martial arts masters staring intently, he couldn’t walk normally enough to fool them.

He looked at the sky.

The sky was overcast as if it would pour rain at any moment.

But it still wasn’t time.

Dark clouds gathered in Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

* * *

“Next!”

The bored warrior was about to push the next person’s back.

But before he could even touch him, a young man stepped forward first.

The young man took one step.

Limp.

At that moment, Wei Zong’s eyes changed.

Limp, limp.

As the young man walked forward, the expressions of the poison sect leaders behind Wei Zong gradually hardened.

Unlike just moments before when they had been joking and praising Wei Zong, the poison sect leaders completely shut their mouths.

The young man must have clearly felt that the atmosphere had completely changed.

Even the workers were looking around nervously, thinking that Wei Zong and the leaders had somehow changed.

However, the young man himself was walking toward the main hall as if nothing was wrong.

Limp, limp.

Everyone’s attention was focused on walking that short distance of ten steps. The young man’s each step was very slow, and he limped each step as if showing off.

The young man finally reached Wei Zong and stopped.

The young man held up a wine cup and offered it to Wei Zong. Unlike the previous workers who received it while cowering or being afraid, he was very confident. He looked like he was naturally receiving what he deserved.

Wei Zong was quietly looking at the young man.

The young man also stared directly at Wei Zong while holding out the cup.

A warrior beside them shouted:

“Insolent fool! Kneel!”

The young man didn’t resist and knelt on one knee. Then he held out the cup again.

A smile slowly formed on Wei Zong’s lips.

It wasn’t a comfortable smile.

It was a smile that contained meanings of admiration, or perhaps brazenness, or ridiculousness.

Wei Zong poured wine with a smiling face.

Trickle.

The young man looking up at Wei Zong’s smiling face also smiled.

But it was definitely not an awkward reciprocal smile.

So it’s you?

The b*st*rd who did terrible things to the Medicine Sect. The ringleader of the poison sects who ordered all those past evil deeds.

Wei Zong also understood the meaning of the young man’s smile. That’s why he smiled even more coldly, raising the corners of his mouth.

Yes, it was you. The one Mang Ryo had been desperately searching for.

You’re the one who attacked our poison sects and massacred them cruelly?

Jin Ja-gang’s smile also deepened. The more it did, the more killing intent showed, making even his eyes glisten.

Trickle, trickle, trickle.

The wine Wei Zong was pouring had already overflowed the cup and was flowing to the ground.

But there was no movement in the actions of the two glaring at each other.

Drop.

Finally, one bottle of wine was completely emptied and the last drop fell.

The corners of smiling Wei Zong’s mouth stretched so long they almost reached his ears.

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