Chapter 137

Sighing, he turned his attention to the object in Dang Ran-yeong's possession.

"By the way, what's that?"

"A bribe."

Bribe... It was a word Cheong-ra never expected to hear from Dang Ran-yeong's mouth. Wasn't a bribe usually something given to curry favor with superiors?

"Why would someone like Young Master Dang need to offer a bribe?"

When he asked out of curiosity, an expression that seemed... innocent flashed across Dang Ran-yeong's face. The object he was holding was a small box that looked quite light. Dang Ran-yeong opened the box in front of Cheong-ra's curious eyes. Inside were round pills. Cheong-ra looked dubious and hesitantly asked with caution,

"...Don't tell me they're poison pills?"

Even though they were part of the righteous faction, the Tang Clan was often suspected of privately selling poisons because they dealt with poison techniques. Of course, Cheong-ra didn't believe that the Tang Clan, a legitimate member of the righteous faction, would do such a thing. But this was Dang Ran-yeong he was dealing with.

"No, they're antidotes."

Closing the lid again, Dang Ran-yeong gave a deep smile to the bewildered Cheong-ra.

"Antidotes for the 'centipede venom'."

"What?"

"It's a good deal if I can request what I want in exchange for helping a few people recover about half a year earlier, isn't it?"

"No...?"

How could he be so despicable... In fact, Cheong-ra had been feeling uneasy about the hundreds of people who had been poisoned, even though it was to interfere with the Blood Cult. After all, it was an act that damaged people's faces, even if they would recover. Cheong-ra even felt guilty, though it wasn't his doing.

However, Dang Ran-yeong was a being that exceeded Cheong-ra's expectations.

Giving the disease and then the cure, all while profiting from it. Wasn't this something the evil factions would do, not the righteous ones? No, from the start, wasn't this an act that would tarnish the name of the Tang Clan of Sichuan if discovered? The clan leader who had been treating Dang Ran-yeong as a non-existent son might come running to execute him in anger. Knowing this full well, Dang Ran-yeong said nonchalantly,

"Since no one is as proficient with poisons as the Tang Clan, there's less reason for suspicion."

Cheong-ra thought it was truly fortunate that Dang Ran-yeong wasn't born into an evil faction. If he had been, he would have become a criminal that would go down in history.

As they were having this conversation, the carriage finally stopped in front of the Martial Arts Alliance. Dang Ran-yeong was the first to get out of the carriage and headed straight for the main gate of the Martial Arts Alliance without hesitation, immediately drawing sharp gazes from all directions. The gatekeeper didn't even check Dang Ran-yeong's identity. He knew his face well because of the incident three years ago.

Cheong-ra, following behind, became very tense. Dang Ran-yeong always drew attention wherever he went, but it was even more so here. Some showed open hostility, while most were wary, and not a single gaze of goodwill could be found among them.

However, none of them blocked the way or insulted or picked a fight with him. It was clear that they all knew well of Dang Ran-yeong's strength. At that moment, a young man approached the two with the only smiling face.

"Young Master Dang, Young Master Baek."

As the young martial artist approached and made a fist-palm salute, Cheong-ra returned the greeting. Only Dang Ran-yeong glanced at him indifferently. Despite this rude behavior, the other didn't get angry but spoke politely.

"I am Gong Son-pyeong, working here as a secretary. I've come to escort you two on the Alliance Leader's orders. Please follow me."

Dang Ran-yeong and Cheong-ra followed behind Gong Son-pyeong. Although there were several large and magnificent buildings in the Martial Arts Alliance, they passed by all of them and headed for a small pavilion. It was somewhat puzzling to see a single small pavilion sitting in the middle of an unusually wide open space, but Cheong-ra soon realized,

'It's to prevent eavesdropping.'

With such an open space and a small building that could barely fit a few people, it was almost impossible for anyone to eavesdrop secretly. Moreover, the Alliance Leader's people were surely monitoring from the four corners of the open space, making it an appropriate place for private conversations or secret talks.

"Please enter that pavilion. Have a pleasant conversation."

Gong Son-pyeong only guided them to the entrance of the open space before returning to his duties. As they crossed the open space and entered the pavilion, Mo Yong-hyeon, who had been drinking tea, greeted the two with a smile. Cheong-ra, feeling glad, stepped forward first and greeted him politely.

"Baek Ri Cheong-ra of Moon Lake Sect, the youngest of the martial arts world, greets the great senior."

"It's been a long time, both of you."

Mo Yong-hyeon gave a friendly look to Cheong-ra, who was like a son to his friend Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon. It was said that Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon and Mo Yong-hyeon had become even closer friends because they shared a character in their names. Dang Ran-yeong responded with arrogance bordering on rudeness, just as he had done with the sect leader of Hengshan Sect.

"It's been a while, Alliance Leader."

Mo Yong-hyeon immediately exchanged glances with Dang Ran-yeong for a moment, his eyes slightly tense. A smile played on Dang Ran-yeong's face, but unlike him, the atmosphere gradually grew heavier. After a moment, as Mo Yong-hyeon raised his teacup again, the heavy atmosphere suddenly lifted.

Cheong-ra was inwardly shocked by the brief battle of nerves that had passed between the two. Wasn't Mo Yong-hyeon a martial artist with such powerful martial arts that he was called the Sword Saint! For someone like him to be wary of Dang Ran-yeong... Mo Yong-hyeon burst into laughter.

"Ho ho, does Young Master Dang take some elixir every day? Your aura is extraordinary every time I see you."

"I do enjoy many good things."

Dang Ran-yeong answered while lifting his teacup to drink. Although the wine he often enjoyed did contain hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum, Cheong-ra didn't think it was just because of that. Dang Ran-yeong had something extraordinary about him that anyone could see. It was to the point where one would unconsciously nod in agreement even if told that he possessed martial arts far beyond what someone his age could achieve.

"It seems you haven't been neglecting your training. That's admirable."

Mo Yong-hyeon praised, as if he had instantly gauged Cheong-ra's level. Cheong-ra, who had actually been neglecting his training recently due to his focus on sword dancing, felt a bit guilty and bowed his head with a smile. However, on the other hand, he was happy and glad to meet Mo Yong-hyeon, who had a deep connection with his uncle, while he was away from Moon Lake Sect.

"So, how is Yeong-hyeon doing?"

"Yes, Alliance Leader. My uncle is always doing well, as usual. He was very pleased with the Sweet Wine of Mountain Shade you sent last time."

"I'm glad he was satisfied. I sent it thinking it would suit the beautiful mountain scenery of Moon Lake Sect well."

After a brief, friendly chat, Mo Yong-hyeon soon got to the main point.

"So, what was your reason for wanting to see me?"

Cheong-ra told Mo Yong-hyeon about what he had seen and heard regarding the Blood Cult. However, he didn't mention the mind-controlling insects in his own body. No matter how close a friend he was to his uncle, the other person held the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader before any personal relationships. He might not kill Cheong-ra, but he would have no qualms about locking him up in the Alliance's prison.

"Hmm. I was well aware that the Blood Cult's expansion of power was not to be taken lightly, as I heard from Geum Sa-cheon. But I didn't know the Golden Flower Merchant Group was behind it. And mind-controlling insects on top of that..."

Mo Yong-hyeon's expression darkened. It was understandable, as mind-controlling insects that could control someone without their knowledge were truly terrifying.

Although there was a way to identify them, even testing was difficult. Martial artists valued their bodies greatly, so they would only allow an unknown reagent to be applied if the Alliance's authority was invoked. Moreover, if word leaked out midway, it could cause serious division as people became suspicious of each other.

"This is truly troublesome. I've been saying all along that we should have eradicated the Blood Cult earlier..."

Mo Yong-hyeon's complexion was not good at all, seemingly burdened by his position as the Alliance Leader. Even when he occasionally found time to visit Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, he had looked tired, but now he seemed even worse.

"The hundreds of people who participated in the Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid Contest could become sacrifices for human offerings. If we leave things as they are, a great disaster will occur."

"Yes, I understand. I'll make sure to take proper action to eradicate them soon."

Having received a promise from the Martial Arts Alliance to properly eradicate the Blood Cult, Cheong-ra felt much more at ease. As he nodded, Mo Yong-hyeon asked with a puzzled look,

"By the way, why are you scratching your chest like that?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I must have been bitten by an insect or something, it's itchy..."

Cheong-ra, who had been unconsciously scratching his chest while talking about the Blood Cult, first glanced at Dang Ran-yeong. Seeing this, Mo Yong-hyeon narrowed his eyes for a moment, then turned to Dang Ran-yeong, who had been listening to the conversation indifferently.

"So, what about what I mentioned?"

"Here it is."

Dang Ran-yeong placed the 'centipede venom antidote' he had brought on the table. Mo Yong-hyeon opened the box and confirmed that it contained exactly a few antidote pills, then laughed heartily.

"To think you'd bring the antidote for the centipede venom that so many doctors couldn't solve so quickly... Even the Tang Clan martial artists said they were still in the process of making an antidote, but it seems Young Master Dang's abilities are truly remarkable. As expected of a direct descendant, you seem to be very proficient with poisons."

Every word Mo Yong-hyeon spoke was laced with hidden meaning, but Dang Ran-yeong replied indifferently,

"You're too kind."