The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 179
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 179
Whoooosh—
A river shrouded in thick fog.
A single boat advanced, cutting through the calm current. Soon, a small island revealed its mysterious silhouette through the dense mist.
As the boat reached the dock, Sang Gwan-su leaped lightly onto the island like a bird spreading its wings.
“No matter when I come, the scenery is truly magnificent.”
After looking back at the river that was once again swallowed by the fog, he began climbing the stairs with familiar steps.
The narrow, steep steps wound along the rocky crevices.
Though they looked slippery due to the moss growing between them, Sang-gwan-su’s posture remained perfectly steady.
How long had he been climbing?
As he reached the end of the stairs, the fog lifted to reveal the hidden landscape.
At the mountain peak stood a modest thatched cottage all by itself.
In the open courtyard of the cottage, which had no fence, sat a crude wooden platform where three people had already gathered.
“Sang Gwan-su. Is it proper to be late after calling people here?”
A giant man whose very presence radiated overwhelming intimidation.
With tiger skin draped over his shoulders, he was No Yeom-baek, the Green Forest Chief and one of the Ten Masters known as Tiger Lord.
“It has been a while since we last met.”
Sang-gwan-su greeted them with a smile, starting with No Yeom-baek, then Tal Baek-sal Wang Mag-gon, and Sa Gun-myeong, the master of Yunnan Dokgok known as Poison God.
“You look as vigorous as ever.”
While Mak-gon grinned and welcomed Sang-gwan-su warmly, Sa Gun-myeong merely nodded slightly.
“But where is the Dragon King? Did he go fishing again?”
“That’s my trade, so why ask?”
Before Sang-gwan-su could finish his question, Cheok Gwang, the Dongting Dragon King, appeared carrying strings of fish.
“In that case, give me an especially plump one.”
“With that mouth of yours.”
Cheok Gwang clicked his tongue and skillfully placed the cleaned fish on the brazier.
Sizzle—
Shortly after, well-grilled fish was served on the platform along with alcohol.
“It’s been a long time, everyone.”
When Cheok Gwang, the host, raised his cup, the four men followed suit in a toast.
After downing their first cups refreshingly, they focused silently on drinking for a while.
“Ahem.”
Then Tiger Lord No Yeom-baek wiped his mouth with his sleeve and spoke first.
“Is this Five Pavilion Meeting because of Gan-jang and Mak-ya?”
Despite his casual tone, his eyes were as sharp as blades.
“Don’t tell me we’re here to share marketplace rumors and nonsense. The price for wasting my precious time could be very high.”
Though the atmosphere seemed quite friendly on the surface, No Yeom-baek’s words were tantamount to a warning.
“Yang Gun-cheol asked to meet, so I visited the Shinchang Yang Clan.”
Sang-gwan-su swirled his wine cup as he got to the point.
“Yang Gun-cheol?”
No Yeom-baek immediately showed interest.
“Keke, that rat-like bastard?”
Cheok Gwang snickered while deboning his fish.
“What, did Yang Gun-cheol offer to trade Gan-jang and Mak-ya for something?”
Mak-gon also shrugged and giggled.
Except for Poison God Sa Gun-myeong, all three didn’t hide their contempt for Yang Gun-cheol.
“That’s right.”
“…!”
At Sang-gwan-su’s answer, No Yeom-baek, who was holding his wine cup, froze.
“Then… are the rumors circulating in public true?”
Mak-gon’s voice, which had been laughing loudly, instantly became serious.
Cheok Gwang still pretended to be nonchalant while picking at his fish, but his attention was already completely focused on Sang-gwan-su.
“What about Honcheon-gi?”
There were three protagonists in the rumors.
Gan-jang, Mak-ya, and Honcheon-gi.
“Yang Gun-cheol couldn’t give a definitive answer about that. What Yang Gun-cheol guaranteed was only Gan-jang and Mak-ya.”
“Now, let’s organize this a bit.”
No Yeom-baek, seemingly parched, drank straight from the bottle before asking again.
“So what you’re saying, Sang-gwan-su, is that Gan-jang and Mak-ya—those legendary swords—are in the Namgung Family and Moyong Family?”
“That’s a clean summary.”
Sang-gwan-su tapped the platform with his fan in confirmation.
“I heard before that they were all in the Namgung Family, but that was false.”
“That must have been the Moyong Family’s doing, hehe.”
At Tal Baek-sal Wang Mak-gon’s deduction, Dongting Dragon King Cheok Gwang slapped his knee and laughed along.
“What does Haomun think about Honcheon-gi?”
“Well…”
At No Yeom-baek’s question, Sang-gwan-su hesitated before answering.
“In my judgment, there’s about a sixty percent chance that Honcheon-gi exists. But this is also just speculation—I can’t be certain. For now, we need to investigate further.”
“Tsk, that’s a shame.”
“Ugh!”
“We shouldn’t be swayed by baseless rumors.”
“Sect Leader!”
Just then, Sang-gwan-su’s subordinate rushed over and handed him a note.
“This is urgent from Wuhan.”
If it was from Wuhan, it was likely news from the Martial Arts Alliance.
Sang-gwan-su quickly unfolded the note and checked its contents.
Honcheon-gi, Namgung Family, confirmed.
“Hah!”
A deep smile appeared on Sang-gwan-su’s lips as he crumpled the note.
“Good news?”
All eyes focused on Sang-gwan-su. He deliberately acted leisurely as he looked around at his companions.
“It’s news that you’ll like more than I will.”
“Us?”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Honcheon-gi is in the Namgung Family.”
“Are you certain?”
“Since it’s news from the Martial Arts Alliance, it should be reliable.”
At Sang-gwan-su’s confirmation, No Yeom-baek burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! Gan-jang and Mak-ya, and now Honcheon-gi!”
“Gangho will be in an uproar!”
The word ‘greed’ blazed in their eyes.
“There’s one more thing to convey.”
Sang-gwan-su revealed Yang Gun-cheol’s real request.
“Yang Gun-cheol asked us to cut off the limbs of Mo Yong-hu, the young clan leader of the Moyong Family. He’d prefer if we killed him.”
“What’s the fee?”
“Wouldn’t Gan-jang, Mak-ya, and Honcheon-gi be sufficient?”
“Planning to keep it all to yourself?”
Tal Baek-sal Wang Mak-gon immediately understood Sang-gwan-su’s intention and pointed with his finger.
“It’s just some pocket money. We’ll just watch from behind as usual, so we should at least take that much.”
“Are you truly not tempted?”
“It’s Gan-jang and Mak-ya, you know?”
“Excessive desire leads to ruin. Hao Clan’s vessel cannot contain such things.”
Sang Gwan-su was the leader of Hao Clan. To him, protecting his disciples was more important than personal gain.
“I urge you not to forget our solemn oath.”
In exchange for Hao Clan serving as the eyes and ears of Sado-ryeon, they had the obligation to protect Hao Clan.
Hao Clan was an important existence that both united Sado-ryeon and served as a buffer.
“That goes without saying.”
The remaining three nodded in agreement with Noe Yeom-baek’s heavy voice.
“I’ll yield this time.”
It was then that Sa Gun-myeong, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.
From his position as someone who dealt with poisons, swords or martial arts manuals weren’t particularly necessary items.
“You must have something you desire?”
“Wish tokens.”
Wish tokens were a rule within Sado-ryeon where one had to unconditionally grant whatever the other party desired.
Sa Gun-myeong had essentially gained three wish tokens in exchange for giving up something enormous.
After brief consideration, Noe Yeom-baek, Mak-gon, and Cheok Gwang accepted Sa Gun-myeong’s proposal.
“Fine. But only if they’re genuine.”
“Same here.”
“And we ask for your support.”
“Understood.”
The agreement was reached quickly.
One martial arts manual and two swords.
“I’ll take Gan-jang.”
Noe Yeom-baek claimed it first.
However, there was no need for them to fight over it from the beginning.
“Wouldn’t Mak-ya suit me better?”
Mak-gon grinned as he looked at the remaining member, Cheok Gwang.
Then Cheok Gwang smiled and said,
“What use is a sword for someone who just swings around a fishing rod? The Honcheon-gi is enough for me.”
Clap clap clap!
“Clean and simple. Now that the decision is made, may I tell you the strategy I’ve devised?”
Sang-gwan-su clapped his hands and made a request to the Poison Master Sa Gun-myeong.
“Could you provide some Heungshin Powder?”
Heungshin Powder was a type of stimulant that momentarily paralyzed reason and intensified emotions.
“How much do you need?”
“Let’s start with enough for a thousand people.”
When Sa Gun-myeong nodded, Sang-gwan-su continued his explanation.
“We’ll start with the Moyong Family. We’ll check Mak-ya first, then move to the Namgung Family.”
“That would be better in many ways.”
“I agree.”
“Good.”
Sang-gwan-su folded his fan and gave his instructions.
“Gather in Shenyang after seven days and nights. We’ll carry out the operation at midnight that day. Anyone who plays tricks with troop deployment or pulls any stunts will have their rights revoked.”
Sang-gwan-su firmly sealed the matter and raised his wine cup.
“Sado-ryeon Article One.”
“The decisions of the Five Pavilion Meeting are absolute. Traitors face only death.”
The five emptied their cups and concluded the meeting.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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