Chapter 91 : Using Poison to Control Poison. -02

Chapter 91: Using Poison to Control Poison. -02

Step. Step.

In the bright and lively marketplace streets of Chengdu, Ban Hojin wandered aimlessly through the alleys.

It was to look around and to sort out his thoughts.

He knew what would happen next, but there was nothing Ban Hojin could do directly.

The affairs of the Sichuan Tang Family were something only the Sichuan Tang Family could resolve.

“Hm?”

Even so, he could not help worrying because he wanted to prevent at least the worst-case scenario.

In the coming war, there was a role that the Sichuan Tang Family clearly had to shoulder.

It might even tip the balance of victory or defeat, so Ban Hojin could not afford not to think about it.

Just then, a familiar pattern caught his eye on a crumbling wall in an alley leading toward the slums.

“Well, would you look at that?”

Ban Hojin casually passed by the wall that looked as if children had scribbled on it, not something roughly scrawled.

However, his eyes were colder than ever.

It was because he knew that the graffiti-like pattern was a cipher text.

He could not replicate it exactly, but recognizing it was possible.

“So they made it all the way to Chengdu in Sichuan Province?”

Taking a wide detour back toward the main thoroughfares that could be called the heart of Chengdu, Ban Hojin let out a hollow chuckle.

It was a bitter laugh at a result completely different from the information gathered by the Beggars’ Sect.

Yet, at the same time, he could understand it.

If one moved with determination and secrecy, no matter how capable the Beggars’ Sect was, it could not uncover everything.

‘If they were people of Miaojiang, they’d be identified at once, but if they recruit informants like Iron-Blood Castle, there’s no way to find out.’

There was a reason the Beggars’ Sect had failed to grasp Iron-Blood Castle’s informants.

If they carried out assassinations or expanded their power, something suspicious would be noticed, but if they acted solely for the purpose of gathering information, even the Beggars’ Sect would find it difficult to detect them.

That was, unless they foolishly left a trail everywhere and got their tail caught.

‘But they left traces like this?’

Ban Hojin smiled thinly.

Of course, they had put some thought into it.

As if to show they were not near the slums for no reason, all sorts of graffiti were drawn or carved chaotically all around.

Unfortunately for them, Ban Hojin could recognize the cipher of the Nine Heavens Gate.

‘Hmm. Then does that mean they’re not allied yet? Or is that just overly optimistic wishful thinking? It could also be that the Beggars’ Sect conducted a thorough background check without being noticed by Iron-Blood Castle.’

No matter how lacking they might appear at times, the Beggars’ Sect was still the Beggars’ Sect.

Moreover, since the Central Plains were practically their home ground, no matter how cautious and secretive Iron-Blood Castle was, there were bound to be limits.

Because of that, rather than drawing a conclusion, Ban Hojin kept all possibilities open.

Whoosh!

As he wandered around in case there were other cipher texts nearby, a familiar silhouette entered Ban Hojin’s sight.

Although winter was only approaching, it was a figure already wrapped tightly from head to toe in a wind cloak.

What was more, perhaps because there was something fishy going on, the person had pulled the large wind cloak up to cover more than half their face.

Even so, Ban Hojin immediately recognized who the rapidly receding silhouette was.

“Secretly heading somewhere, the Second Young Lord, huh. This smells suspicious.”

One could hide one’s appearance with a wind cloak, but build, gait, and aura could not be concealed.

Of course, a seasoned spy or assassin could freely alter their appearance, physique, and manner of walking, but aura was different.

One’s unique, inherent aura could not be changed just because one wanted to.

It was like how even people who learned the same martial art possessed different auras.

Moreover, Ban Hojin had been keeping a close eye on that silhouette for quite some time, so he remembered it clearly.

That distinctive presence belonging only to that person.

Thud.

True to the mountainous nature of Sichuan Province, the area around Chengdu was the same.

After passing through the slums, Ban Hojin concealed his presence and descended onto the roof of a shrine, following the silhouette that entered a nearly collapsed Guandi Shrine.

Four men who appeared to be underlings were hiding and keeping watch in all directions, but none of them noticed Ban Hojin.

He had not learned any particular stealth technique, but skill born of experience was more than enough to deceive the four.

‘Well, would you look at this?’

Following the silhouette, Ban Hojin landed on the roof of the old, small shrine, his eyes lighting up.

It was because a peculiar smell was emanating from the four underlings.

Faint, yet a distinctive scent that one could never forget once smelled—killing intent briefly flashed in Ban Hojin’s eyes before disappearing.

He called it a smell, but strictly speaking, it was not so much a smell as the presence unique to poison arts.

“Welcome.”

“You came early.”

“To meet the Second Young Lord, shouldn’t this lowly one arrive first, of course?”

“You found a place like this quite well.”

Removing his wind cloak, Tang Seogon slowly looked around the interior of the Guandi Shrine.

Even if the other party had already checked, it was just in case.

“Sichuan Province is vast, is it not? If you look for them, there are many good places.”

“But why did you call me today? The Seventieth Birthday Banquet isn’t over yet.”

“That’s precisely why it wouldn’t raise suspicion, would it not? They’ll think we’re maintaining an ironclad guard even now.”

“You people stand out too much.”

“If we move at night, it doesn’t matter. And just because they’re from the Central Plains doesn’t mean everyone is big.”

The man, who had revealed his face just like Tang Seogon, grinned.

Because his face was blackened from the sun, his teeth stood out all the more.

“Main point.”

“Ah, my apologies. I’ve been talking too much without reading the room. The truth is, there’s something I wanted to ask the Second Young Lord.”

“From the higher-ups?”

“That’s right. I’m not exactly in a position where I can question the Second Young Lord on my own authority, am I?”

“That’s true.”

Tang Seogon nodded arrogantly.

In truth, it made no sense for a man who wasn’t even a Rumor Lord—let alone an executive—to be sitting before him like this.

However, it would do the Second Young Lord of the Sichuan Tang Family no good to meet directly with the core figures of the Nine Heavens Gate.

So in that sense, someone like this, who could be cut off cleanly at an appropriate point, was actually much better for Tang Seogon as well.

“It’s probably more comfortable for the Second Young Lord as well.”

“I won’t deny it. Though I can’t say I like it.”

“If you wish to meet the Rumor Lord or an Elder, I can report it to the higher-ups.”

The man spoke with a grin, as though he could see straight through Tang Seogon’s thoughts.

It was a kindly smile, yet his eyes were strangely unsettling.

His mouth and eyes were clearly smiling, but there was no emotion in his pupils.

“Later. When the time comes.”

“Understood. I’ll report it that way.”

“Main point.”

“I contacted you to ask how far along the consolidation of the collateral branches has progressed.”

“You know that since it’s being done in secret, it can’t help but be slow, don’t you?”

Tang Seogon furrowed his brow.

He was well aware that he was receiving no small amount of support from the Nine Heavens Gate.

If the Nine Heavens Gate hadn’t extended a hand, it would have taken several times longer to build up his current influence.

But even so, he didn’t think it warranted this level of interference.

“Of course. We understand that well. And we also know how solid the Eldest Young Lord’s base of support is. Still, from our perspective, it’s true that it’s frustrating. There’s nothing tangible to show for it yet.”

“It’s starting to feel like interference.”

“Absolutely not. Neither the higher-ups nor I think that way.”

The man hurriedly waved his hands.

But Tang Seogon did not take those words at face value.

From the beginning, he did not trust the Nine Heavens Gate.

He would rather trust a sect that stood between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Paths of the Central Plains than trust barbarians from Miaojiang.

“Then why ask something like this?”

“As you know, the amount we’ve invested isn’t small, is it?”

“Is that so?”

Tang Seogon tilted his head, as if his thoughts were quite different.

At that, the man flinched for a moment.

Even if it wasn’t astronomical, the amount of money funneled into Tang Seogon from various directions was considerable.

Yet when Tang Seogon spoke as if it were nothing, the man was dumbfounded.

Especially since there were no visible results to speak of.

“You know as well as I do that those in high positions like clear reports.”

“That’s true. So are you asking me to write a status report?”

“Not a report per se. I’m just asking you to tell me.”

“And is there a reason I should?”

Tang Seogon fixed the man with a chilling gaze.

Even though he was receiving support from the Nine Heavens Gate, he was by no means a subordinate.

He accepted help now because the situation was difficult, but in the end, the Nine Heavens Gate was an enemy.

Once he took control of the Sichuan Tang Family, the first place he would wipe out would be the Nine Heavens Gate.

“I’m not forcing you. Not at all. But shouldn’t I have something to report to the higher-ups as well? And it’s not like we’re at a point where we can simply part ways.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Of course not. Didn’t I say so? It’s not coercion. I just want to hear about the progress. Not who has been recruited specifically—just how far things have advanced is enough. Or, if you’d like, I could even offer assistance.”

He spoke with a smile, but strictly speaking, it was both a threat and advice.

Because he understood that perfectly, Tang Seogon clenched his teeth.

But at this point, he couldn’t overturn the table.

As the man said, they had already come too far to split apart.

“……About forty percent of the collateral branches have been brought in. If you include those still wavering, it’s more than half.”

“Hmmm.”

Despite the low voice that unmistakably conveyed displeasure, the man showed no fear at all.

Instead, he slightly furrowed his brows and stroked his chin.

“I’m just as frustrated as you are. If it were up to me, I’d like to clash head-on and settle it, but now isn’t the time. If we fight now, I’ll lose for sure. So we wait until we can win.”

“That’s why I came up with an idea. Would you like to hear it?”

“Go on.”

Seeing the man trying hard to cater to him, Tang Seogon nodded his chin as if granting a favor.

Yet even then, the man showed no sign of offense.

Instead, he continued speaking with an easygoing smile.

“There’s a limit to building a base of support internally. The Eldest Young Lord is the firstborn and the legitimate heir. So no matter how much time and money you pour in, I think there’s a ceiling. So why not turn your gaze outward? There’s no need to struggle desperately over factional strife within the Sichuan Tang Family, is there? Historically, there have been many cases where outside forces were brought in to eliminate political enemies.”

“Outside forces, huh.”

“In that sense, isn’t the Seventieth Birthday Banquet a perfect opportunity? There are plenty of cards you can use and discard as needed, and also plenty of talents truly worth bringing into your fold.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Seogon’s expression turned intrigued.

He himself had been frustrated with the lack of progress.

At this rate, it was hard to guarantee when he could win.

But upon hearing the man’s words, his mind cleared, and several figures came to mind.

“What matters is winning, isn’t it? Once you take the Sichuan Tang Family, everything will go exactly as you wish, Second Young Lord. Of course, a large-scale fight would weaken your forces, so proceeding step by step is the best approach.”

“You’re quite the smooth talker.”

“As I said before, I’m merely sharing my thoughts. I’m not forcing anything. The choice is yours, Second Young Lord.”

The man raised both hands, showing his palms as he spoke.

As if he had no other intent and was thinking only of Tang Seogon’s benefit.

But Tang Seogon did not naively believe those words.

From the start, it was obvious that the Nine Heavens Gate had approached him with a purpose.

“Something just occurred to me. Is all you really want activity in the Central Plains?”

“Of course. Miaojiang is far too barren. And there are limits to procuring materials as well. In the past, we chose war with the Central Plains, but our current Sect Leader thinks differently. He prefers appeasement over failed hardline policies. There’s no need for us to shed each other’s blood, is there?”