Murim Login - Chapter 456

“Out of nowhere, you’re talking about Dongting Lake? What’s going on?”

Zhuge Gyun’s confusion was brief. Though he occasionally displayed quirky behavior, his intellect, a hallmark of the Zhuge family lineage, shone through.

His moniker, *Shingi Myoryong (Mysterious Divine Dragon)*, wasn’t just a testament to his expertise in engineering and mechanics. It reflected his sharp analytical mind.

“You’re looking for Dongting Fisherman, aren’t you?”

Zhuge Gyun had already been briefed on the situation when I arrived at the Zhuge Family. He knew that Dongting Fisherman had been identified as one of the *Fiends*.

“That’s right.”

“I take it the information came from the Beggar Sect and Hao Sect?”

“Specifically, Hao Sect. They’ve been monitoring him for three years.”

“Monitoring, or more like keeping a close eye on him. It was rumored within the family that something had happened between Dongting Fisherman and the Hao Sect Leader.”

“Whatever the case, it works to our advantage. Take a look.”

I handed the bamboo scroll to Zhuge Gyun, whose eyes scanned the contents with lightning speed. Within moments, he finished reading and rubbed his temple as he muttered.

“So Dongting Fisherman is still in Hubei Province?”

“According to Hao Sect’s intel, yes.”

“But this isn’t enough. Based on the scroll, Hao Sect didn’t pinpoint his exact movements; they only noted that he hasn’t left Hubei.”

“I’ve taken that into account. But if the information holds?”

“If it’s true…”

The notion that Dongting Fisherman, thought dead by many, was still alive and somewhere in Hubei could only mean one thing:

“If Dongting Fisherman really is one of Dark Heaven’s fiends and responsible for the Dongting Stronghold massacre, then this makes it all the more certain.”

Zhuge Gyun nodded gravely.

“Indeed. If he wasn’t with Dark Heaven, he would’ve exposed the tragedy at Dongting Stronghold and sought help from us or the Wudang Sect.”

Three of the Yangtze River’s major *water clans*—including Dongting Stronghold—had been wiped out. If not for our timely arrival and the intervention of Mu Song and his fast ship, the massacre beyond *Cheonryeong Falls* would have remained hidden much longer.

“But there’s something odd,” Zhuge Gyun said, frowning. “This kind of event isn’t something that can stay concealed forever. It would’ve eventually been discovered, even without our involvement. If Dark Heaven wanted to keep it secret, they could’ve handled it more quietly, without drawing attention. They could’ve framed the Yangtze River Clan instead.”

He was right. The only reason the Zhuge Family and Wudang Sect hadn’t crossed Cheonryeong Falls earlier was the lack of sturdy ships and skilled sailors.

Even without Mu Song and his crew, capable individuals could have been summoned from other regions.

Zhuge Gyun stared intently at the scroll before looking up at me.

“Then why go to such lengths?”

I tilted my cup and sipped before replying.

“In most cases, it’d be to buy time.”

“Exactly. Dark Heaven probably needed time to escape. But if Dongting Fisherman is still in Hubei, it doesn’t add up.”

“Exactly. It’s strange—so strange that it doesn’t align with logic.”

As I agreed, Zhuge Gyun raised an eyebrow.

“You have another theory, don’t you?”

“I said it before. In most cases.”

“Then…?”

“Dark Heaven isn’t bound by logic. You experienced that firsthand in Henan, didn’t you?”

“They’re the kind who throw pebbles to divert attention before dropping a boulder. Taking out the Hesa Guild and three water clans is just the start. They must have a larger target.”

Dark Heaven’s power and boldness defied common sense.

They had already claimed the lives of two former *top-tier martial artists* among the Ten Kings and caused thousands of deaths.

And in both of Dark Heaven’s bloodbaths, one thing stood out clearly:

“Divine artifacts…”

At Zhuge Gyun’s murmured words, I nodded silently.

In Henan, they had stolen the *Jade Buddha Staff* from the Shaolin Temple. In Sichuan, they tried to seize the *Mandokjihwan (Pill of Ten Thousand Poisons)* but failed.

Their objectives were obvious: *divine artifacts* or the destruction of prestigious sects, known as the *Nine Great Sects* and the *Five Noble Families.*

It was hard to believe they would go to such lengths just to eliminate minor groups like the Hesa Guild and the three water clans.

If anything, targeting the Yangtze River Clan’s headquarters, where the Sea King resided, would have made more sense.

Zhuge Gyun’s expression stiffened.

“In that case, there’s sufficient reason for Dongting Fisherman and the fiends to remain in Hubei.”

“At this point, it’s speculation. But it seems likely they’re diverting attention for a bigger plan. They’re stalling to make people think they’ve already left Hubei.”

“Like hiding under the lamp? They could’ve vanished using that strange *Eudangjin* formation.”

“Cheongpung skipping a dumpling shop is more believable than that.”

“Ah, now it makes perfect sense,” Zhuge Gyun replied with a wry smile.

I stared at the ceiling as I spoke.

“The Hesa Guild and Dongting Stronghold were just pebbles. Next comes the boulder.”

Hubei Province was vast. A pebble’s ripple would fade quickly, but a boulder would send waves crashing across the pond, devastating everything within.

Before the pond turned red with blood, the boulder had to be stopped.

“I’ll notify the authorities and the Wudang Sect to strengthen defenses inside and out.”

“Watch out for disguised military forces. You’ve heard what happened in Sichuan, right?”

Dark Heaven, led by the *Western Heavenly Demon Lord,* had disguised their army as government troops to sweep through the Tang Clan, Emei, and Qingcheng.

Zhuge Gyun, the Zhuge Family’s young lord, nodded grimly.

“We’re already keeping an eye on that. I doubt they’d try the same tactic twice, though.”

“Also, inform Dongting Stronghold. The Sea Dragon’s fast ship is waiting at the Zao Yang port, so you can send a message through the retainers.”

While carrier pigeons would’ve been faster, they risked interception, and the Zhuge Family didn’t have pigeons trained to navigate to Dongting Stronghold.

*The other two water clans capable of contacting Dongting Stronghold had already been massacred.*

The horrific bloodshed flashed through my mind, and I clenched my fists involuntarily.

From Shanxi to Henan, Sichuan, and even modern Sichuan’s monster wave… I had witnessed far too much death in both worlds.

*Clack.*

I rose from my seat, and Zhuge Gyun asked.

“You’re leaving now?”

“The sooner, the better. I don’t know exactly where he is, but I need to get to Dongting Lake to find his trail.”

“It won’t be easy. Dongting Fisherman has spent his entire life around the lake. He likely knows countless hidden places that no one else is aware of.”

I clenched my fist and opened my mouth.

“Hey, are you with *Dark Heaven*?”

“What? Uh, no?”

“Then stop saying unlucky things and just cheer us on, idiot.”

Zhuge Gyun, stealing a glance at my fist, promptly replied.

“Yes, understood. I’ll mobilize the family’s entire information network and coordinate with the Beggar Sect and Hao Sect to search every corner beyond Dongting Lake.”

“Good. Get it done.”

Just as I was about to leave, I paused, realizing I’d forgotten an important question.

“Wait. Does the Zhuge Family have any *divine artifacts*?”

“Of course. Our ancestor Zhuge Wuhou left behind the *Four-Wheeled Chariot*, the *Twenty-Four Strategies of Warfare*, and the *White Feather Fan.*”

“…That’s quite a collection.”

A chariot, a book, and a fan—how extraordinary these so-called divine artifacts might be was uncertain. Still, it was worth verifying just in case.

“Let me take a quick look. I need to confirm something.”

“They existed, but they don’t anymore.”

“What?”

“The *Twenty-Four Strategies* were lost during the war, the *White Feather Fan* crumbled from age, and the *Four-Wheeled Chariot* was broken about two hundred years ago by one of our ancestors. Can’t recall which one.”

*Seriously?*

“Perhaps it’s some master plan to destroy them before Dark Heaven could take them.”

Although these so-called artifacts didn’t seem especially significant beyond their association with Zhuge Wuhou, the situation was absurd nonetheless.

“We still have the broken chariot. Would you like to see it?”

“No, forget it.”

With that decisive reply, I left the hall. Outside, under the dimming evening sky, three figures stood ready. No—four, to be precise.

“The prisoner still breathing?”

“Yes, Benefactor.”

Cheongpung, much like I had in Sichuan, was carrying a *ji-ge* on his back. Inside it was the heavily restrained *Three Monsters*, his vital points sealed and body wrapped in chains.

“He’s weakened, but if I keep replenishing his vitality with inner energy, he should be fine.”

“That’s good enough.”

The reason for bringing the Three Monsters along was simple: to see if he could identify any secret codes or markings known only to members of Dark Heaven.

That was his only remaining value.

“Let’s go. To Dongting Lake.”

Leaving the Zhuge Family, we raced down the straight road like shooting stars.

The rushing wind felt tainted with the scent of blood.

*Shhhhhh!*

We sprinted at full speed without holding back.

While Cheongpung, Gong Gi-bang, and I maintained a steady pace, Hyeok Mu-jin lagged behind, his weaker stamina and inner energy becoming apparent. Still, it wasn’t a major problem.

“Hop on.”

Dripping with sweat, Hyeok Mu-jin shook his head vigorously.

“Huff, huff… No, I can still run!”

“I can see you’re struggling. Get on.”

“No, really! I’m fine! As the deputy captain of the Jinryong Corps of the Taewon Jin Family, I can’t disgrace—”

“And yet you were running around collecting silver coins earlier?”

“Get on unless you want to be left behind.”

“Yes, sir!”

Hyeok Mu-jin, despite his considerable frame, posed little difficulty for me to carry. My strength stats made carrying a full-grown man while running a minor inconvenience at best.

*This must be what a warhorse feels like.*

—

We continued running, the evening sky deepening into night, and the road ahead growing emptier with each step. Two hours passed before Gong Gi-bang, still running at full tilt, spoke up.

A sharp, sour voice cut through the air.

“Wuhan.”

Wuhan was the capital city of Hubei Province, situated near Dongting Lake.

Yet, contrary to its usual bustling nightlife, the streets were eerily quiet, devoid of even a single mouse.

*Of course. Nobody wants to risk a pointless death wandering around at night.*

As I thought this, traversing Wuhan’s empty streets, a sudden cry shattered the oppressive silence.

“A ship has sunk! At Dongting Lake!”

Someone’s scream echoed from the distance, piercing the darkness.