Chapter 786: Live Like a Dog, Die Like a Wolf (Part 1)

 

“This... This is madness!”

Hong Dae-Kwang's face twisted in horror as he read the letter brought by the beggar from the Beggars’ Sect.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s... chaos, Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon!”

“What’s the fuss about?”

In stark contrast to Hong Dae-Kwang’s grim expression, Chung Myung remained calm.

The beggar delivering the message furrowed his brow, watching the contrasting reactions between the two men.

‘Why is he even here instead of the branch office?’

Even though this wasn’t Hong Dae-Kwang’s home branch, the Beggars’ Sect had a branch here as well. As a Beggars’ Sect member, he should be handling matters at the office, not sitting around in a place infested with river pirates and bandits... But before that, why had the branch leader from Huaum come here?

“Nanjing, Taizhou, Wuhu, Huanggang, and Yueyang are all at war!”

“...What do you mean?”

“I mean war has broken out! It looks like a full-scale war between the unorthodox sects and the orthodox sects in the cities along the Yangtze River tributaries!”

“Huh?”

The situation was so serious that even Hong Dae-Kwang’s complexion had darkened.

“It’s not just a small brawl. They’re fighting like they want to end this once and for all.”

Hyun Jong, listening nearby, furrowed his brow and asked.

“Branch leader, is this information reliable?”

“It is, Sect Leader. The message came directly from the Beggars’ Sect’s main headquarters.”

“...If it came from the main headquarters, it must have been thoroughly verified. But why has this escalated so suddenly...?”

Hong Dae-Kwang swallowed and spoke carefully.

“As you know, in large cities with many people, the orthodox and unorthodox sects have coexisted to some extent.”

“That’s true.”

“In the Central Plains, the orthodox sects are so powerful that unorthodox factions can’t gain much of a foothold. But that’s not the case elsewhere. Even in Shaanxi, where Mount Hua is located, there are quite a few unorthodox sects, aren't there?”

“That’s true.”

“There are unorthodox sects even in Shaanxi, where Zhongnan and Mount Hua are present. So it’s no surprise that they exist in other regions as well. Most people don’t like the unorthodox factions, but going to war with them to the point of mass killing benefits no one. So they tend to be tolerated to some extent.”

In contrast, in regions like Jiangnan, where the Nine Great Sects have little presence, orthodox sects struggle to gain a foothold. For example, Guangxi and Guangdong, where the Maninbang (만인방) holds sway, and Zhejiang, where brothels dominate the market, are virtually ruled by unorthodox factions.

One of the reasons Hainan Sect from Hainan Island joined the Nine Great Sects was partly to check the power of these unorthodox factions.

But in areas where neither side could claim total dominance, the orthodox and unorthodox sects usually coexisted.

“So why the sudden escalation?”

“It seems to be because of Shaolin and Wudang.”

“Hmm.”

“Shaolin and Wudang have come to the Yangtze to eliminate the river pirates, but the problem is that they didn’t inform the other sects of their intentions beforehand. So the other sects along the Yangtze...”

Hyun Young interjected.

“They think the Nine Great Sects and the Five Noble Families are joining forces to wipe out the pirate factions along the Yangtze?”

“Exactly.”

“Haha... That’s certainly how it would seem.”

Shaolin and Wudang are the leaders among the Nine Great Sects. And when you add the Namgung Family, one of the Five Noble Families, it’s a formidable alliance.

Although the combined strength of those three sects doesn’t represent even half of the orthodox sects in the Central Plains, to those watching from the sidelines, it would seem as though all the orthodox factions were uniting to attack.

Chung Myung, who had been listening quietly, smirked and spoke up.

“If they actually manage to wipe out the Yangtze pirates, great. And even if they don’t, they can at least clean up the eyesores while they’re at it.”

“Well... that’s one way to look at it.”

Not every sect moved with a single purpose, but from the way things were unfolding, it was clear what was driving their actions.

Someone murmured.

“But even so, how did it escalate so quickly...”

It wasn’t just one or two sects.

Hong Dae-Kwang had mentioned several cities already. That meant battles were taking place in at least five locations. And if you counted the smaller sects and factions, or those not deemed important enough to be mentioned, it could easily be dozens of places where fights were breaking out.

It was clear that this war was spreading like wildfire.

“They see things differently now. The situation is clearly different.”

“Because Shaolin and Wudang are involved?”

“It’s not just those two. The Namgung Family hasn’t left their domain in decades.”

“...Now that you mention it.”

“For a great sect to leave their domain is no small matter. Mount Hua may rush off to wherever trouble arises, so you might not think much of it...”

Chung Myung shot him a sharp look.

“What, are you saying we’re trigger-happy?”

“That’s not what I meant...”

“It sure sounds like it.”

Watching Hong Dae-Kwang sweat nervously, Hyun Sang sighed.

“Branch leader, just ignore Chung Myung and continue.”

“I’d love to, but I fear the consequences...”

“The Sect Leader will shield you.”

Notably, Hyun Sang made no offer to shield him himself.

“Anyway... After the war with the Demonic Sect, the great sects have mostly stayed within their own territories. The fact that they’re mobilizing now might mean that the peaceful Jianghu we’ve known is coming to an end.”

“Hmm.”

“And the fact that their target is not another orthodox faction but the unorthodox sects is important. Every time the orthodox sects have gained enough power, the first thing they’ve done is launch a campaign to exterminate the unorthodox factions. History has proven this over and over.”

Chung Myung let out a scoff.

“First they deal with the bandits.”

“...”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Im So-Byeong. Tears were streaming down his face.

“As expected! Already three bandit camps have been attacked! Those righteous warriors are so zealous that our camps are being obliterated...”

“Stop crying and tell us what happened.”

“I... I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

“It’s so tragic it’s funny...”

Im So-Byeong sighed deeply.

“I’ve told my people not to fight back. If anyone attacks, I’ve ordered them to run to the next camp. Those who have shifted their operations to something more legitimate have already reached out to the nearby orthodox sects for permission to conduct business in the cities, so they’ll be fine...”

“Conduct business?”

“Half of success is in the advertising! You do what you have to do to survive.”

“...”

So bandits have started doing business in the cities now?

“...What exactly is going on inside his head...”

“Sect Leader, you said that out loud.”

“C-Cough. It was a slip.”

Im So-Byeong shook his head.

“Of course, I didn’t personally handle the business. We outsourced it to local merchants. In any case, those who adapted might survive, but the rest are going to be wiped out by this tidal wave.”

His words trailed off, and he let out another deep sigh. Chung Myung, looking bored, spoke up.

“What are you sighing for? Isn’t it a good thing that those thieves are getting wiped out?”

“Well, I’m a bandit myself, you know.”

“It’s karma. Time to turn a new leaf.”

At this nonsense, Hong Dae-Kwang coughed and continued.

“The movement alone is enough to recognize the anomaly. But other sects are involved as well.”

“Which sects?”

“The ones that specialize in eating up the unorthodox sects... And now they’re taking on the Nine Great Sects and the Five Noble Families.”

“You mean the Heavenly Alliance?”

“Mount Hua?”

“Exactly.”

Hyun Young let out a sigh.

“So the other orthodox sects think the Heavenly Alliance, the Nine Great Sects, and the Five Noble Families have joined forces to wipe out the pirate factions along the Yangtze?”

“Isn’t that how it would look?”

From any perspective, it seemed clear.

For those who belonged to Mount Hua and the Heavenly Alliance, it was obvious that the relationship between the Heavenly Alliance and the Nine Great Sects wasn’t exactly friendly. But the smaller sects wouldn’t understand that nuance. To them, it would seem like a coordinated effort to defeat the pirate factions.

“Great sects influence the surrounding regions. The reason unorthodox factions can’t survive near major orthodox sects isn’t because the orthodox sects directly control their territory. It’s because the smaller sects, backed by the great sects, wipe them out.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The reason no unorthodox sects existed in Shaanxi was largely because of Zhongnan Sect. The sects in their sphere of influence had simply stamped out any unorthodox groups before they could gain a foothold.

In fact, the reason Maninbang attacked Xi’an was because Zhongnan Sect had sealed its gates.

“And the same is true for the unorthodox sects. In other words, the unorthodox factions along the Yangtze have been thriving under the protection of the pirate factions. Now, with the pirates being destroyed...”

“They’re retaliating?”

“Yes. That’s what I think.”

“Hoo...”

Hyun Jong let out a long sigh.

‘This is becoming a real mess.’

The battle taking place here might seem small, but the fact that it was spreading made the situation even more concerning.

“The orthodox sects have dominated the north, while the unorthodox sects have been strong in the south, with the Yangtze as the dividing line.”

“Yes. This place is the dividing line between orthodox and unorthodox. But now... that line is blurring. In fact, it’s being connected...”

Everyone’s eyes turned to one person.

“What?”

“...”

“Why does it matter to me whether unorthodox sects rule the south or orthodox sects rule the north? I’m just trying to make a living! What difference does it make to me where the power lies when I’m just trying to make money?”

Chung Myung’s words made sense, though they didn’t seem fitting for a Taoist.

“Branch leader.”

“Yes, Sect Leader?”

“How do you think this will end? It doesn’t seem like this will just blow over. Could this...”

Hyun Jong couldn’t finish his sentence.

He wanted to ask if this situation could lead to a major war between the orthodox and unorthodox sects, but the idea was so ominous that he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

But Hong Dae-Kwang, quick to read between the lines, understood what he meant.

“I don’t think it will go that far.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because they’re unorthodox sects.”

“Hmm?”

“In the orthodox sects, when Wudang is attacked, Shaolin helps. When Zhongnan is attacked, Mount Hua...”

“Attacks with them.”

“That example’s a bit off, but yes. It’s natural for the orthodox sects to help each other. But the unorthodox sects don’t help one another. If the pirate factions are attacked, instead of coming to their aid, the unorthodox factions are more likely to swoop in and try to steal their territory.”

“Haha. Like vultures.”

“Exactly. That’s why they’re unorthodox.”

Hong Dae-Kwang nodded.

“Yes. So I think the smaller unorthodox sects in the north will be wiped out, and the pirate factions will take heavy losses as well. Unless some other sect steps in, no unorthodox faction would dare fight against the likes of Shaolin, Wudang, and the Namgung Family.”

“...That is certainly an intimidating lineup.”

“Haha! Why aren’t you mentioning Mount Hua?”

At Hyun Young’s lighthearted remark, Hong Dae-Kwang forced a smile.

“The real issue is that this could spread the perception that the orthodox and unorthodox sects are at war. Once that perception takes root, you never know when or where a conflict might break out.”

“That’s right. Once that idea spreads, situations that could have been ignored before will escalate. On both sides.”

“Yes. That’s the real problem. But for now, I don’t think this will escalate any further.”

“That’s a relief.”

Just then, Chung Myung, who had been sitting with his arms crossed, let out a chuckle.

“Will it, though?”

“Hmm?”

Hong Dae-Kwang looked at him curiously, but Chung Myung didn’t elaborate. Instead, he fell deep into thought.

‘In the end, it depends on how the unorthodox factions respond...’

Realistically speaking, Hong Dae-Kwang’s assessment was probably right.

But what if someone had been orchestrating this entire situation from the start, manipulating events from behind the scenes?

In that case, that person would definitely use this opportunity to their advantage.

“People don’t always act rationally. Especially someone like him.”

“Him?”

Chung Myung’s lips curled into a sly grin.

‘That’s why people are scarier than ghosts or monsters.’

His gaze turned southward.

Toward the place where a man, like the embodiment of greed, was likely watching this chaos unfold with a smile.