The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 28: No One Remains

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The Zhongli Clan was in utter chaos.

The entirety of the Flying Tiger Corps had been incapacitated.

It wasn’t a simple matter of minor injuries; their bodies had been so brutally battered that they would need an extended period of recuperation before they could move again.

The only reason they weren’t killed outright was their affiliation with the Zhongli Clan.

Had the Unorthodox forces exacted their vengeance to the fullest, it wouldn’t have been enough to simply kill them all. However, considering the potential consequences, they couldn’t go that far.

Regardless, the Flying Tiger Corps was effectively removed from the Zhongli Clan’s combat strength—likely for a very long time.

The Zhongli Clan had two other warrior corps aside from the Flying Tiger Corps.

These two were its main forces, and there were even more warriors beyond them, resulting in a significant total number.

This gradual increase in their martial force was intended to lay the groundwork for future ambitions.

But the larger the number of warriors, the greater the maintenance costs.

Until now, the Zhongli Clan had maintained this expense by squeezing funds from the Unorthodox path, but with the Unorthodox Path rebelling at the exact moment payment was due, the clan’s finances had come to a standstill.

The Zhongli Clan’s patriarch, Zhongli Cheon, looked at his general manager with a stunned expression.

“Is it really that serious?”

“Yes.”

They were in deep trouble, with issues in food supply expected to arise in just ten days.

“You must act swiftly to find a solution,” the manager urged.

Zhongli Cheon scowled.

“We should’ve made our move on the Golden Wall Merchants sooner.”

Had they taken over the Golden Wall Merchants as planned, such problems wouldn’t have arisen.

No, they would’ve wiped out the Unorthodox Path long ago, eliminating any loose ends.

After all, the best way to cover up their receipt of tribute payments was to kill everyone involved.

“Is there no reserve capital left?”

“We used all of it during our recent maneuver against the Golden Wall Merchants.”

Zhongli Cheon shook his head.

“The timing is so frustratingly precise, I have no words.”

“My apologies. I should have been more attentive.”

“No, this isn’t your fault. I’m well aware the clan’s finances were already strained.”

After reassuring his manager, Zhongli Cheon began contemplating a solution.

There were a few options.

One was to procure funds from weaker groups nearby. However, this would severely damage the Zhongli Clan’s reputation.

Another was to appeal to the Golden Heavenly Alliance for assistance. Yet this, too, carried the risk of future repercussions, especially when dividing the spoils from the Golden Wall Merchants.

Would it be wise to mortgage their future for the sake of resolving immediate concerns?

“That leaves us with no choice but to wipe out the Unorthodox Path rebels entirely.”

“However, you must proceed cautiously. There’s something behind them.”

“I’m sure there is.”

After all, how else could the Flying Tiger Corps have been so thoroughly defeated by mere Dark Path rogues?

Even if the rogues had numbers, a pack of stray dogs shouldn’t be able to overpower a tiger.

“For now… we’ll deal with this step by step. There’s no way those bastards will unite against us completely.”

“Then I’ll take steps to ensure they remain divided.”

“Do that. Whatever it takes, make sure it’s thorough.”

The manager bowed and withdrew.

Left alone, Zhongli Cheon ground his teeth in rage.

“Those filthy Unorthodox Path scum dared to stab me in the back?”

He had betrayed others countless times, but this was his first time being blindsided like this.

And it stung all the more.

He had to return this pain tenfold.

“There’s no turning back now.”

If they seized the Unorthodox Path rebels and stripped them of their wealth, there would be nothing left to salvage.

The Zhongli Clan couldn’t lower itself to the Unorthodox Path’s methods, extorting funds from the underworld.

They needed to resolve the situation with the Golden Wall Merchants swiftly while they still had resources.

“Everyone must be mobilized.”

The matter required an all-out effort.

Failure was not an option.

•••

“Young Master, when did you establish such ties with this Escort Agency?”

Byeok Taesan and Cheon Kyungwan were now staying in a small but ornate pavilion at the heart of the Eastern Tiger Escort Agency.

The Escort Agency was treating the two with utmost hospitality, even vacating an entire pavilion for their use and assigning numerous attendants to serve them.

Meanwhile, the tasks Byeok Taesan had instructed were proceeding without issue.

The head of the Eastern Tiger Escort Agency carried out Byeok Taesan’s orders without the slightest complaint or doubt.

Not only that, but they even provided all the information the escort agency had gathered since establishing themselves in the area, offering it freely.

Thanks to this, Byeok Taesan and Cheon Kyungwan now had a detailed understanding of when and how the Zhongli Clan had entrenched themselves here and what actions they had taken since.

This allowed them to gauge the Zhongli Clan’s current strength and formulate a precise plan.

The first step had been successfully taken.

“It seems it’s time to head back,” Byeok Taesan remarked.

“What? Already?” Cheon Kyungwan asked in surprise.

Byeok Taesan smirked. “What, don’t want to leave because it’s too comfortable here?”

“No, it’s just… you’ve just set things in motion, and now you’re leaving before wrapping them up.”

“The cleanup isn’t our job.”

“But… they’re up against the Zhongli Clan. If things go awry, shouldn’t I at least lend them a hand?”

At this, Byeok Taesan grinned.

“Do you think you could beat this escort agency’s leader in a fight?”

“What? Uh, well… I’m not sure. Maybe we’re evenly matched?”

“And the escort captains?”

“I think I’m slightly better.”

“You’re wrong.”

“What?”

“You might be better than the escorts, but you’re still far from matching the captains. And the escort agency leader? He’s far beyond you.”

Cheon Kyungwan’s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t accept it.

When he had encountered the escort captains, he had evaluated their strength. His statement just now had even been modest; he was confident he could overwhelm them.

“What you see isn’t always the whole story.”

The escort agency leader and captains were all people of the Demonic Cult.

However, not all of the escorts were from the cult.

Only those who had fought alongside the Unorthodox against the Zhongli Clan were cult members.

Non-members were excluded entirely from the plans and kept in the dark.

Even as the fight against the Zhongli Clan progressed, the same secrecy would apply.

The reason Cheon Kyungwan had failed to gauge their true strength was their expertise in masking their abilities.

Their skill in concealing their martial arts was so refined that even a highly skilled warrior would struggle to discern it.

Disguising themselves as a security escort agency required avoiding suspicion, which meant their martial arts skills couldn’t be overly advanced.

At the same time, if their skills were too weak, they couldn’t accomplish their missions effectively.

Therefore, dispatching under qualified individuals was not an option.

Byeok Taesan thought of the Dongho Escort Agency after deciding it was time to stir up some trouble with the Zhongli Clan.

Recalling memories related to the Zhongli Clan, he naturally and vividly remembered that the Eastern Tiger Escort Agency was situated near them.

It was a situation reminiscent of when he had discovered a hidden branch of the Demonic Cult in Wuhan.

In any case, now that he remembered them and had encountered them again, he planned to make good use of them.

Although they still didn’t know his true identity, suspicion wasn’t something they could afford.

For them, obedience to a superior was absolute.

At a glance, this might seem like an opportunity for the wrong people to take over the organization, but such a possibility was exceedingly slim.

Anyone sent by the Demonic Cult to this location would go through multiple verification stages.

“So all we have to do is leave.”

The rest would be up to them.

They would complete their assigned tasks and return to their original lives.

“Young Master, do we really need to take this route?”

“It’s a shortcut.”

“But… we’re heading to the Golden Wall Merchants, not the Yeon Manor. Going this way will actually make the trip longer.”

It wasn’t just “a little longer”—it was significantly out of the way.

While the schedule wasn’t particularly tight, there was no reason to go the long way around.

Besides, both the Heavenly Divine Healer and Yoo Seoyeon had been told to meet them at the Golden Wall Merchants.

“We’re not the only ones using this shortcut.”

At Byeok Taesan’s words, Cheon Kyungwan fell silent. He now understood why they were taking this path.

Who would use this shortcut?

It was clear: people from the Zhongli Clan traveling in haste from the Yeon Manor.

“You intend to meet the Zhongli Clan members along the way.”

“It’s a great opportunity for live training.”

Cheon Kyungwan’s expression darkened slightly.

The last time they had crushed eleven Zhongli Clan warriors, Yoo Seoyeon had been with him.

Now, he would have to face them alone.

The Zhongli Clan warriors he had seen before leaving the Yeon Manor were clearly stronger than those they had faced previously.

Moreover, there were two formidable experts among them.

‘Can I really defeat such opponents on my own?’

Even knowing their weaknesses, it was no guarantee.

“They’re coming.”

At Byeok Taesan’s words, Cheon Kyungwan quickly lifted his head and looked ahead.

At first, he saw nothing.

Squinting and channeling his internal energy into his eyes, he began to see a small dot in the distance.

The dot grew larger, eventually forming into the shape of a person.

To his surprise, it was only one person.

‘Is he not from the Zhongli Clan?’

As Cheon Kyungwan was wondering this, Byeok Taesan muttered under his breath.

“His aura is quite sharp.”

Hearing this, Cheon Kyungwan felt his tension spike.

There weren’t many people Byeok Taesan had assessed with such regard.

Soon, the approaching figure became clear enough to identify. Recognizing the face, Cheon Kyungwan knew who it was.

“It’s that expert from the Zhongli Clan.”

“The one you said you wouldn’t even dare to fight?”

Cheon Kyungwan nodded slightly.

This was one of the two terrifying warriors he had seen at the Yeon Manor.

Byeok Taesan also nodded. “Impressive, indeed.”

The two continued walking straight toward the approaching individual, their pace unwavering.

Before long, both sides met.

“Well, well. Fancy meeting you here. I thought you’d scurried back to the Golden Wall Merchants like a rat, but here you are.”

Zhongli Seong-nak smiled brightly.

In truth, he had gone to great lengths to track down Byeok Taesan, traveling back and forth between the Golden Wall Merchants and the Yeon Manor multiple times, even investigating whether Byeok Taesan was truly in the Golden Wall Merchants.

In the midst of all this, an incident had broken out at the Zhongli Clan, forcing him to return to the clan.

His companion, Won Mungwang, had remained at the Yeon Manor, unable to leave due to other obligations.

Zhongli Seong-nak had all but given up on meeting Byeok Taesan. To encounter him here was unexpected.

“Judging by your direction, you must have come from Dongho.”

Zhongli Seong-nak tilted his head.

Why had Byeok Taesan come from Dongho, where the Zhongli Clan was located?

Could it be that he and Cheon Kyungwan had visited the Zhongli Clan? But he hadn’t heard any reports of their presence there.

“Surely you didn’t visit our clan? No, that can’t be. I’ve heard nothing of the sort.”

“Of course not. We stayed within the Eastern Tiger Escort Agency.”

Byeok Taesan’s answer made Zhongli Seong-nak’s eyes widen.

“The Eastern Tiger Escort Agency? What’s your connection to them?”

Byeok Taesan grinned. “Why would I tell you?”

Zhongli Seong-nak frowned deeply.

“How impudent. I’ve been meaning to have a chat with you anyway, and now’s the perfect time.”

Cheon Kyungwan stepped forward, blocking Byeok Taesan, and glared at Zhongli Seong-nak.

“I don’t see why you would need to meet our Young Master.”

Zhongli Seong-nak smirked. “Oh, I think he could use a good lesson. It’s a responsibility we elders must fulfill, after all.”

With those words, Zhongli Seong-nak unleashed a surge of aura.

The oppressive energy swept over Cheon Kyungwan like a wave, wrapping him tightly and pressing down with great force.

Though the pressure was intense, Cheon Kyungwan stared back calmly.

Ordinary pain no longer fazed him. He had wielded his sword without flinching even as chunks of his flesh were torn away; this was nothing in comparison.

“Well, well. You’re quite composed. But something doesn’t add up. You’re strong, but not strong enough to overpower my men all at once.”

At that moment, Byeok Taesan interjected.

“That’s because I know the weaknesses of the Zhongli Clan’s martial arts.”

“What?”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s expression hardened. That was not a statement to take lightly.

“You know the weaknesses of our martial arts?”

“Every single one of them. The gaps in your attacks, the vulnerabilities in your defenses, the fatal blind spots that inevitably arise in certain situations.”

“Unbelievable. Are you serious?”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s gaze shifted to Cheon Kyungwan, seeking confirmation.

After a moment of hesitation, Cheon Kyungwan nodded. He trusted that Byeok Taesan had a reason for making such a claim.

“If that’s true, a mere reprimand won’t suffice. I think you’ll have to come with me to our clan.”

Byeok Taesan grinned as he glanced around.

“But, you see, there’s no one else here but us.”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s expression darkened instantly.