Dan seol-yeong
The replies from the carrier pigeons sent across the land had returned.
Yeong Heoja unfolded each letter one by one, then let out a deep sigh.
'…What a mess.'
He had long known that the unity of the righteous sects was not firm. When other sects had asked for help, even the Cheongseong Sect had responded halfheartedly.
But after sending the carrier pigeons himself, he realized this was not merely a matter of solidarity being strong or weak. The word "pathetic" suited it better.
The replies were varied.
Only three sects were cooperative:
The Jeomchang Sect, famous for never sparing themselves.
The Kunlun Sect, who would be the first to face the demonic cult if it rose in the west.
The Emei Sect, a Sichuan neighbor, who could not easily give him a lukewarm answer.
In other words, aside from those three, all the other sects' responses were unsatisfactory.
Yeong Heoja re-read the letters. First, Shaolin's reply:
[Thank you for your good opinion. However, since we cannot afford to leave our sect empty and travel far, it would be better if we gathered in Henan.]
That was actually quite cooperative.
The hidden meaning was, "It would be nice if you came to us. If you need help, then you should yield and come here." Still, at least they were willing to listen and discuss solutions.
Next was a letter from the Gongdong Sect:
[What is said to be happening in the demonic cult is extremely concerning, and I admire your foresight. However, until everything is clearly proven fact, it will be difficult to act rashly. If you have solid evidence, please present it.]
It seemed like a rational reply, but in truth it was an excuse. The "lack of evidence" was just a pretext; they simply didn't want to get involved in something dangerous.
Still, that much was understandable. If the atmosphere became certain enough, Gongdong would lend a hand.
The problem began with the next one: Namgung Clan's reply.
[In my heart I wish I could rise and act at once, but the Namgung Clan's situation is also difficult right now, so it will be hard to help you.]
It looked like a humble apology, but to understand this, one had to picture where the Namgung Clan was located.
The Namgung Clan of Anhui Province was practically the easternmost of the great sects. Similarly, the Murong Clan of Liyoning—who sent a similar reply—was at the far northeast.
In short, even if the demonic cult rose in the west and swept through the Central Plains, unless the righteous sects were utterly annihilated, these clans would not be directly endangered.
Yeong Heoja clicked his tongue.
The Namgung and Murong Clans were likely hoping the Central Plains' martial world would weaken. With rivals declining, they could easily expand their own power.
There was no reason for Namgung Jincheon to rush ahead in competition; letting others fall behind was also a fine way to seize advantage.
If, by some chance, the demonic cult did press all the way to the eastern or northeastern edge, then they could leisurely step in, crush the already-exhausted cult, and claim the credit.
'Cunning bastards.'
Many sects acted as if they had never received the carrier pigeons at all, sending no reply.
True, pigeons often got caught and killed by hawks or eagles, or lost their way. But Yeong Heoja had prepared for that, sending three or even five at a time. It was impossible all had died.
His insides boiled.
Contrary to common perception, the righteous sects were even less united than the demonic cult or the unorthodox sects.
The demonic cult didn't need to "unite"—they all lived clustered near the Western Tianshan, always together.
The unorthodox wanderers might be scattered like grains of sand most of the time, but when something happened, they gathered around their northern base in Shanxi and southern base in Guizhou.
By contrast, the righteous sects had no clear center. Occupying the broadest territory in the Central Plains meant there was no natural "heartland." Even if they barely managed to agree to meet, arguments about where to meet would flare into prideful squabbles—it was inevitable.
Imagining that scene, Yeong Heoja felt suffocated.
'I might get indigestion.'
To make matters worse, the righteous sects disliked gathering even in emergencies. When multiple sects of similar rank came together, a tacit hierarchy always emerged, leaving all but the top one or two humiliated. They wanted to avoid that.
Yet they still claimed to want "organic cooperation," forming regional groups like the Martial Alliance, the Righteous Heaven Alliance, or the Peace Society.
But those were alliances in name only, without substance. In truth, they were just local gatherings where the strongest sect or clan lorded over a handful of small fry. To put it bluntly, like a neighborhood savings club.
Yeong Heoja sighed.
'If only there were a proper system in place to respond immediately to times like this.'
But for now, nothing could be done.
Even he himself had lost enthusiasm. The responses coming back were so pitiful, his will had withered.
Besides, to be fair, the Cheongseong Sect wasn't in a position to throw themselves around either. Even if the demonic cult rose, the mountains surrounding Sichuan would not easily be breached. If danger came, the Emei Sect would surely help.
Yeong Heoja rose and stretched. His stiff shoulders loosened, and he felt somewhat better.
'There are still ten years left. Something will work out by then.'
And finally he thought: even if things went wrong, it would not be his fault.
***
Somewhat over a month after Tang Mujin had returned from the demonic cult, an old man visited the Tang family's clinic. It was the Demonic Cult's Outer General, the Soul-Crushing Elder.
"Have you been well?"
Seeing Tang Mujin tense up, the elder smiled kindly.
"Don't worry. I haven't sided with the new cult leader."
"That thought didn't cross my mind. What brings you here?"
"This old man had nothing better to do, so I came by. I just finished disbanding the Outer Hall of the cult."
"…Pardon?"
"With no duties left, what use was there in keeping the Outer Hall?"
The elder explained his situation.
Until now, as Outer General, he had roamed outside the cult's main base, acting as a channel of communication with the Central Plains. But when the main cult completely ceased all external activities, the Outer Hall lost its role.
With no demands from the main cult, there was no support either.
He wasn't exaggerating—the Outer Hall had truly become a body with no purpose.
To make matters worse, most of its members were pure doctrine-followers who disagreed with the new leader's direction. Naturally, the Outer Hall was dissolved and everyone went their own way.
Tang Mujin asked him:
"Then are you planning to stay in Chengdu, elder?"
The elder shook his head.
"No. I intend to spend my later years wandering here and there. The reason I sought you out was to keep a promise."
"A promise?"
"Yes. The situation turned strange, but I heard you carried out your role faithfully. You ought to receive your reward, should you not?"
…Reward?
It took Tang Mujin a moment to remember. The elder had promised to tell him the location of the Salmak's base.
Until now, Tang Mujin had forgotten about it.
The times had been too urgent to worry about rewards, and besides, he had already gained plenty from the cult.
Though his stay wasn't long, Tang Mujin had made remarkable progress in poison arts and had even broken through the wall of the peak realm.
And though it was not exactly a "gain," cult members had followed him to Chengdu and settled near the Tang family's clinic. If he ever needed strength someday, they would be a dependable ally.
But the mention of Salmak's base made his heart pound uncontrollably. How had he forgotten something so important?
Tang Mujin spoke respectfully:
"I should have come to you, but I had no opportunity."
"It's fine. I wanted to see Sichuan at least once anyway. But before I tell you where Salmak is, I must ask: why do you seek them?"
"Revenge. I may not be able to kill all of Salmak's lackeys, but unless I kill their leader, I won't be satisfied."
The Soul-Crushing Elder did not ask whose sake this revenge was for.
Instead, he gazed intently at Tang Mujin. Not long ago, killing the leader of Salmak would have been nothing but a dream for him. But now, he seemed to have a faint chance of success.
The elder found Tang Mujin's bold attitude pleasing. Perhaps it was because it was the opposite of his own—already worn down and content with reality.
Smiling softly, the elder said:
"Salmak's main base is in Yangyang, Hubei Province. Seek out the Jin Family Manor on the outskirts of Yangyang."
Tang Mujin had never been to Yangyang, Hubei, but he knew where it was.
Traveling northeast from Sichuan through Chongqing and Mount Nogun, one would reach that region.
For most people, it was a distance they might never cover in their lifetime. But for Tang Mujin, who was used to wandering long roads, Yangyang felt almost close.
He asked cautiously:
"Is it alright to tell me so readily? Haven't you maintained dealings with them for quite a long time?"
"They were never bonds of loyalty. And judging from the way the cult is heading now, severing ties with Salmak seems far better."
The elder expressed his dissatisfaction with the current cult leader in a roundabout way, then added:
"In any case, before leaving for Yangyang, seek help from SaAnbul. That friend will gladly assist you. The task will become much easier. It won't be as simple as crushing a bug under your hand, but you'll be able to break Salmak with relative ease."
But Tang Mujin shook his head.
"No. Revenge only has meaning if I carry it out with my own hands."
The elder smiled, satisfied even with that answer.
"A fine thought. But make sure you don't let others embark on revenge in your place."
"Yes, elder."
"If danger comes, retreat and wait for the next chance. You have many years left in your life. Opportunities will come again and again. The most important thing is not to grow impatient."
"I will keep that in mind."
Tang Mujin clasped his fists in respect. The elder gave a gentle smile and turned to leave.
***
Tang Mujin locked himself in his room and spent two days packing. No one noticed what he was doing—no one except for a single person: Dan seol-yeong.
Sensing something unusual in his expression, Dan seol-yeong seized the opportunity and barged into his room.
Just at that moment, Tang Mujin had finished preparing his belongings.
Dan seol-yeong did not ask where he was going or why. She had something else to say.
"Take me with you!"
But Tang Mujin shook his head.
At another time, perhaps—but not this time. He could not take Dan seol-yeong along. This journey could never end peacefully.
It would have to be grim, sordid, and cruel. Something that no one—not even Dan seol-yeong—could be allowed to witness.
"No."
"I can help you!"
"Do you even know what I'm going for?"
"Whatever it is, I can help."
"No. Not this time."
Dan seol-yeong read his expression. His lips were set—his mind already made up.
Even if he left in secret, he would never take her.
Instead, Dan seol-yeong offered a sharp compromise.
"Is it that urgent?"
"…Not exactly."
"Then take your time. You just came back—how can you suddenly leave again? What am I supposed to do?"
She wouldn't try to stop him outright, nor would she force her way along. But couldn't he at least delay a little?
Tang Mujin hesitated.
"…How long would you have me wait?"
A small smile tugged at Dan seol-yeong's lips. Seeing him waver—unable to ignore her words even when resolute—tickled her heart in a bittersweet way.
"I'd like nothing more than for you to stay by my side forever, but that's just my greed. A month—would that be enough?"
Tang Mujin thought for a moment. A month.
Not short, but considering how long she had already waited, her request was modest.
And it didn't mean wasting the whole time.
As the elder had said, not being impatient was crucial. He could spend that month sparring with SaAnbul or Namgung Myeong, polishing his poison arts, or crafting new hidden weapons.
After considering, Tang Mujin nodded.
"Alright. That much is fine."
He unpacked the belongings he had prepared.
Dan seol-yeong beamed, then spread her arms and stepped forward. Tang Mujin opened his own arms and gently embraced her.
In that small room, they pressed their faces into each other's shoulders, breathing deeply. The scent of each other's skin filled them, bringing peace—and a faint stir of excitement.
Though there was no one to watch, Tang Mujin suddenly felt shy.
When he released her and stood up, Dan seol-yeong warned him:
"If you disappear before the month is up, don't ever expect to see me again."
"…I understand."
She smiled and walked out.
Dan seol-yeong was not well-versed in romance, but she knew their progress was agonizingly slow compared to others.
If she left that clueless man alone, who knew when they would take the next step?
'Within this month, I'll decide it.'
Her expression grew determined.
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