Chapter 144

While Cheong-ra was doubting his ears, Dang Ran-yeong pushed the plate of braised meat forward, looking at him as if he were clumsy, and said,

"It seems they're quite short-handed. If they're asking even a friend's nephew for help, the Martial Arts Alliance must be in quite a state internally."

"Just last week, the Nangong Family and the Zhuge Family had a big fight over the ownership of a silver mine area... As the Alliance Leader, he can't afford to give up either faction."

Hwan-hong answered indifferently while diligently feeding meat to Yong-rin and Aho. Looking at Nam Gang-ryong and Wi Je-ho, they didn't seem surprised at all either. Feeling betrayed, Cheong-ra asked Dang Ran-yeong,

"You say they found out about Broken Cloud Valley? What do you mean by 'found out'?"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"No, then are you saying the strange occurrences in Broken Cloud Valley were caused by Young Master Dang? Not by the Blood Cult?"

"To be precise, we set things up so that the Blood Cult would get involved."

Cheong-ra lost his appetite from guilt towards Mo Yong-hyeon and put down his chopsticks. So that's why Dang Ran-yeong had been so quick to offer help... because it was his own doing... Even going so far as to make the Alliance Leader owe him a favor...

"Then what about the people reported missing?"

"They're staying in the basement here, eating and sleeping well. Believing we're Blood Cult members."

"Monk Gang-ryong..."

Cheong-ra turned his head. Even for a defrocked monk, how could a monk from Shaolin, which could be considered the head of the righteous martial arts world, cooperate with such actions... As he looked at him with such a gaze, Nam Gang-ryong chanted "Amitabha" and averted his eyes. Cheong-ra looked back at Dang Ran-yeong, but there wasn't a trace of guilt on his face.

"Now that we've met with the Alliance Leader, I suppose it's time to explain about Broken Cloud Valley. Beauty's acting skills aren't bad, but he's such an honest and good junior who knows how to respect his elders. He's a true chivalrous hero, willing to help without even asking for details or compensation."

"...So that's why you didn't tell me."

The water was already spilled; there was nothing he could do now. Cheong-ra wasn't even angry, he just sighed deeply. After taking a few sips of tea, he asked resignedly,

"So what's this all about?"

"Broken Cloud Valley is a kind of trap."

A few years ago, Dang Ran-yeong had carefully prepared several locations to track down the Blood Cult that had infiltrated various parts of the martial arts world. Then he placed bait that the Blood Cult couldn't resist at those locations and waited for a long time.

"The bait was things like this. Places suitable for secretly raising livestock and good for hiding due to low human traffic. Or the essence of mountain ranges where yin or yang energy accumulates. We spread rumors about toad or rabbit spirit beasts appearing in such places."

"Why specifically toad or rabbit spirit beasts?"

"Because they're the spirit beasts most closely associated with the moon."

"Ah," Cheong-ra let out a belated sound of realization. The toad was the creature that the legendary Chang'e had turned into as punishment, and the rabbit needed no explanation. His plan was to lure out the Blood Cult and then wait for them to settle in after confirming the location, and Broken Cloud Valley was one of those places. Moreover, it was a place where the Blood Cult had properly taken the bait.

"They're probably making Demon Soul Insects there. It's cool and has flat ground inside the valley, suitable for raising livestock."

As soon as he heard the word Demon Soul Insects, Cheong-ra's face hardened. He reflexively started to raise his hand to his chest without realizing it, but quickly lowered it after meeting Dang Ran-yeong's gaze. His soles tingled for no reason, and he swallowed dry saliva.

"Demon Soul Insects aren't easy to make. You need at least thirty cows, eighty pigs, and over a hundred goats. You can't even make them with chickens. Also, they grow slowly, taking at least ten years. So they must have lost at least nine-tenths of their Demon Soul Insects at the Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid Contest."

Cheong-ra barely managed to recall that night. The disgusting and creepy sight of those blood-soaked, wriggling insects rolling on the ground and dying... It was somewhat fortunate that they had lost over nine-tenths of their Demon Soul Insects.

"So it's natural for strange things to be happening in Broken Cloud Valley. They must be rushing to make Demon Soul Insects. Since it's such an important place, there must be executives guarding it as well."

"Then do we just need to go and deal with the Blood Cult members?"

Since they were settled in a valley, it would be easy to block the entrance and deal with them. Dang Ran-yeong smiled sinisterly, his mouth corners lifting. Cheong-ra flinched reflexively, seeing the expression Dang Ran-yeong usually wore before tormenting someone.

"No, we should make good use of this excellent opportunity."

***

A white robe covered a muscular body with a large frame. Cheong-ra watched with curiosity, as it was the first time he had seen Dang Ran-yeong wear white clothes that weren't silk. The white fabric suited him quite well. He also wore three or four expensive-looking accessories, but unlike before, they now looked only like hidden weapons.

Hwan-hong and Wi Je-ho had also finished changing beside him. They were now disguising themselves as Blood Cult members. Looking at the iron mask Dang Ran-yeong picked up, Cheong-ra asked with a slightly worried face,

"Is that level of disguise really enough?"

"This is sufficient. Even if we're discovered, we'll at least achieve our minimum goal."

His plan was to infiltrate Broken Cloud Valley and gather as much information as possible before being discovered, since they were going to slaughter these people anyway. Wi Je-ho grumbled as he picked up a wooden mask beside him,

"I don't like being a lay disciple. The quality is poor too. Did they use cheap wood?"

Cheong-ra wanted to go along, but the thought of a place full of Demon Soul Insects made his chest churn and feel unwell. It wasn't just the Demon Soul Insects. Recently, Cheong-ra had been on edge every time he went outside, startling at even the slightest sound resembling a flute. It was because he kept thinking of the flute that Yeon Jeok-san had in his bosom when he fled during the Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid Contest.

My mind was more at ease when I was staying in that villa... Thinking this and hesitating, Cheong-ra asked,

"Wouldn't it be better if I went along?"

"It's better for you to stay here. If you have another heart demon attack there, I can't guarantee your life. If you really want to go, I can knock you out and carry you."

Cheong-ra's mouth clamped shut at Dang Ran-yeong's words. Heart demon... It could be considered the most terrifying illness for a martial artist. The shadow of something that was difficult to overcome even with any elixir or good medicinal decoction was still following Cheong-ra. He couldn't bear to be carried like baggage, let alone be of help in this important plan.

"But if I..."

If the blood insects awaken and I'm controlled? Swallowing the rest of his words, Cheong-ra frowned. But then he remembered that Dang Ran-yeong had once caught Gwang Yeon-jong, nicknamed "One Wind Ten Thousand Miles," who was said to be unmatched in lightness skill. So catching him if he was controlled by Demon Soul Insects would be a piece of cake. As he was agreeing that it would be better to stay here, Dang Ran-yeong said,

"Don't worry, Beauty. Didn't I say I'd take responsibility and keep that body safe no matter what happens?"

"No... I don't think you said it quite like that..."

Cheong-ra was flustered. He had asked Dang Ran-yeong to stop him from harming the people of Moon Lake Sect if he was controlled by the blood insects, but he had never asked him to take responsibility and keep his body safe. Didn't it sound a bit strange when he put it that way? Unfortunately, Nam Gang-ryong chose that moment to softly chant "Amitabha," making Cheong-ra flinch.

"Don't worry, Devotee Baek. I'll be here with you."

Nam Gang-ryong comforted Cheong-ra with a kind face. Although his words were appreciated, Cheong-ra felt heavy-hearted, thinking he was being a hindrance to the group.

"As if a bald monk who's just good at throwing punches could do anything."

Dang Ran-yeong said with a snicker before putting on his mask and going outside. Wi Je-ho and Hwan-hong also gave brief glances before following him. Nam Gang-ryong laughed like a Buddha, but his fist was clenched and trembling in Dang Ran-yeong's direction. Watching him, Cheong-ra tilted his head.

'Come to think of it, Dang Ran-yeong... seems to be quite fond of Monk Gang-ryong in his own way?'

Getting the Ink-scaled Centipede's inner core for Hwan-hong and subtly teasing Nam Gang-ryong, he definitely treated them differently from others. It was the same with how he suddenly started teasing Cheong-ra after taking him in as his own person, and even teased the blacksmith at the Tang Clan's forge.

Observing this group for a long time, Cheong-ra could understand Dang Ran-yeong's attitude towards those he considered his own people. And at the same time, he could tell that Wi Je-ho wasn't included in that range. Not once had he teased Wi Je-ho.

Cheong-ra suddenly recalled the jade token he had received from Wi Je-ho. A token that could be used to ask for help from Wi Je-ho or those carrying the token at any time... The pattern on that token suddenly came to mind. What did the large and small circles mean? Why had Dang Ran-yeong been displeased about him receiving it? Nam Gang-ryong approached and spoke, scattering Cheong-ra's thoughts that had been on the verge of understanding.

"Disciple Baek, the rain makes for a nice atmosphere. Would you like some tea?"

"Ah, thank you, Monk."

Cheong-ra chatted while drinking the tea Nam Gang-ryong offered. Then he practiced his sword dance, admired the Dark Moon Sword Dang Ran-yeong had made for him once again, carefully maintained it with great care, and listened to Nam Gang-ryong's Buddhist scripture lecture.

One day passed like this, then two. Since it was quite far from here, it would take several days just to travel back and forth, so it would be a while before they returned. Knowing this, Cheong-ra was already looking forward to Dang Ran-yeong's return. Looking at the misty mountainside, Cheong-ra muttered,

"I miss the sect. It always had fog like this too..."

It had been well over half a year since he left Moon Lake Sect. Cheong-ra pressed his chest and wondered when he would be able to return to his sect with peace of mind. Nam Gang-ryong, who had been sitting upright looking outside, nodded at Cheong-ra's words.

"This humble monk understands that feeling well. Isn't it when you want to return but can't that the longing grows strongest?"

Come to think of it, Nam Gang-ryong, being a defrocked monk, was also in a position where he couldn't easily return to Shaolin Temple. To Cheong-ra, there was something not quite right about him for someone who had completely left the monastic life, but in any case, he could empathize with him as someone who also had circumstances preventing him from returning.