The Regressor of Mount Hua

Chapter 237. The Demonic Path Grows Restless (1)

"The Poison Dragon?"

Zhou Xuchuan’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

The Poison Phoenix Tang Hui's older brother and the successor of the Tang Family.

"The Poison Dragon is a member of the Black Shadow Division?"

The Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes represented the younger generation talents of the Righteous Faction.

In a way, it was surprising that someone who could become a representative of the Righteous Faction belonged to the dark side of the Martial Alliance.

To think it really existed...

Rumors about the Black Shadow Division had been common even in Zhou Xuchuan’s previous life. He had been curious enough to investigate them personally.

When he was one of the Five High Elders of Mount Hua, he obtained the authority to access and read the Martial Alliance's confidential information.

He had searched for records of the Black Shadow Division but found nothing. Concluding that it was just a rumor, he had dropped the matter.

Now, however, he realized his conclusion had been flawed.

It was just a level of confidential information that not even the Five High Elders of Mount Hua could reach.

Well, now that I think about it, it's the Martial Alliance's evil side. It makes sense they wouldn’t carelessly share that kind of information unless someone was directly involved.

If the dirty side of the Martial Alliance, or rather the Righteous Faction, were to be made public, it wouldn't end with ordinary criticism.

"Just like you said, Xuchuan, I don’t think the traitor would have acted in a way that made them immediately suspicious. On the contrary, it’s possible they deliberately poisoned the prisoners so that the Black Shadow Division would get suspected."

Zhuge Xiang nodded in agreement.

"However, since the perception of the Black Shadow Division and poison itself is the way that it is... the gazes looking in their direction aren't very favorable."

Poisonmasters were not viewed favorably within the Righteous Faction. They were reluctantly acknowledged as necessary, but never fully accepted.

There was no need to mention the Black Shadow Division, either. Even those who knew about their existence were reluctant to acknowledge them.

Since their missions usually strayed far from the Righteous Dao and were actually closer to the methods of the Evil Faction, such treatment was inevitable. Accepting the Black Shadow Division's methods was like having to accept the Evil Faction, which had been their enemy all their lives.

We're short on funds, and our internal enemies are running wild. Everything’s a mess. No wonder this elder, who always seemed relaxed, looks so tired.

There had been a mountain of work to do just to clean up the aftermath of the Great War of Good and Blood. However, to think that there were even more problems causing trouble.

Not even the Coruscant Realm, which surpassed human limitations, could solve everything.

"There's nothing we can do. I'll meet with the Black Shadow Division's Poison Dragon. If someone like me, a hero of the Righteous Faction, approaches him with goodwill, it might improve people’s perceptions."

"Are you really okay with that?"

"Doing so would be much better for the future. I’ll be staying in the Martial Alliance for a while because of the donations anyway. I’m also good friends with the Poison Dragon’s younger sister, the Poison Phoenix, so it shouldn’t be hard to meet him."

"The Poison Phoenix has already been summoned. She’s set to arrive tomorrow, so you can meet both of them then,” Zhuge Xiang added."

As expected of the Heavenly Strategist. His preparations were thorough.

"Then is this everything? If you have anything else you need from me, please just kill me instead," Zhou Xuchuan asked, organizing the tasks he had been assigned in his mind.

"Ahem, you little brat. I'm not that shameless."

Nangong Weiwu also coughed in embarrassment.

Zhou Xuchuan left the Alliance Leader’s office and walked down the hallway.

"By the way, Vice Strategist."

"What is it, Great Hero Zhou?"

"Well... while I just realized, with how hectic everything has been, you don’t have to be so formal. You can talk to me like before,” Zhou Xuchuan said, scratching his head awkwardly..

Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen, who had fostered a sibling relationship with Zhuge Xiang when they had first appeared in the gangho, had also told him to treat Zhou Xuchuan comfortably when the young boy had joined them on a mission. While Zhuge Xiang had refused, saying it would be rude and inappropriate, Zhou Xuchuan had welcomed him back then with open arms.

He had asked him to speak freely then, thinking that it would be a good idea to become friends with the person who would later become the Heavenly Strategist.

"I definitely can't do that," Zhuge Xiang replied immediately.

"Back then, it was because we were so young. Most importantly, we weren’t all that different, so deciding who was the elder based solely on age felt silly. Thinking about it now, it’s really embarrassing," Zhou Xuchuan joked.

"You don’t have to keep worrying about something like that..."

"Hahaha. Then, why not think about it as a courtesy you're giving to a hero?"

Zhuge Xiang sighed, reluctantly letting it go.

"By the way, how is that child Shengji?"

"He’s doing well."

"I always felt bad that I couldn’t properly take care of him as an older brother when he was young... I’m glad he’s okay."

Even though they were born of different mothers, they were still brothers. As the elder, Zhuge Xiang had wanted to support and help his younger sibling. However, the judgmental gazes of the Family had made it difficult for him to act openly.

The art of mechanisms.

Zhuge Shengji was looked down upon by those around him simply because he liked a technique that was neglected and forgotten in the Central Plains. However, Zhuge Xiang was just worried yet proud of his younger brother's ability to study diligently without paying attention to anything else.

"He is truly fortunate to have met Great Hero Zhou and have you recognize his worth. You're a better older brother than me..."

"No." Zhou Xuchuan interrupted firmly.

"While it's true that Shengji and I have a sworn brotherhood, that doesn't mean that our ties run as deep as the blood of the Zhuge Family. Of course, that doesn't mean our relationship is shallow, either."

"Great Hero...?"

"Although you couldn’t openly help him because of the eyes on you, I know that both of you—his elder siblings—have always looked after him behind the scenes."

Zhuge Xiang or Zhuge Xiuluan may not have understood the art of mechanisms, but they loved their younger brother.

When the family’s oppression became severe, they would secretly visit them later to comfort or even protect him.

It had been the same in Zhou Xuchuan's previous life.

When the war broke out, and they became busy, they could no longer care for their younger brother. However, they still tried their best to help him.

But in the end, they regretted their inability to do more and resented themselves for not understanding Zhuge Shengji’s art of mechanisms.

"Shengji... while I don't know about other people, but when he talks about his hyung and nuna, his eyes light up with pride."

"Shengji..."

Zhuge Xiang stopped walking, his eyes filled with both regret and gratitude toward his younger brother.

A genius that will be remembered throughout the Zhuge Family, no, throughout history, born at the same time as his incredible siblings—not only that, but to have them share such a deep bond... haha.

It truly was a blessing for the Righteous Faction.

Zhou Xuchuan’s words weren’t just flattery. Zhuge Shengji was genuinely happy and would show off whenever he heard stories about his siblings. Yet, when they stood in front of him, he would grow awkward and tense.

Heavenly Strategist. Tactician Phoenix. Posthumous Genius. I won't let any of you die.

***

The next day.

Zhou Xuchuan didn't know much about the Poison Dragon, Tang Mingren.

Given the current situation, it was clear that Tang Mingren knew he was being suspected and would be on guard. In order to make him let his guard down even a little, Zhou Xuchuan needed to find a common topic for conversation.

Zhou Xuchuan knew that it could become a problem if he chose a topic that Tang Mingren disliked, so he decided to be careful.

So, he tried to find some things about Tang Mingren, but for some reason, he wasn't able to find any information even after searching around.

Is it because he joined the Black Shadow Division? There was no information on him in this life or my previous one.

Tang Mingren had been a scapegoat during the Era of War and Chaos. Since the Poison Dragon hadn't been involved in any notable activities, Zhou Xuchuan didn't have any memories of him from his previous life. Even if the Poison Dragon had accomplished anything, it was likely hidden as a member of the Black Shadow Division.

All he knew was that the young man had already stood out as a talented person within the Tang Family and that he had quickly become a member of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

He had also been called over by the Martial Alliance and dispatched to the Poison Institute.

"Tang Mingren..."

"I would like to request that you not mumble to yourself as if you were calling out to someone that you're in love with while you stand in my orabeoni's workplace."

Tang Hui had just arrived that day after being summoned by the Martial Alliance.

"Oh, well if it isn't the Young Lady Poison Phoenix," Zhou Xuchuan greeted Tang Hui with a smile.

"My name is Zhou Xuchuan, the recently added Sword Dragon of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes."

While Zhou Xuchuan greeted her playfully, Tang Hui didn't even glance at him.

Her gaze remained fixed on the Poison Institute’s signboard, a complicated expression on her face.

Zhou Xuchuan studied her for a moment, recalling the past.

Not too long ago, he had accompanied Tang Hui to the Martial Alliance. She had stood in front of the Poison Institute back then too, silently observing it. He remembered being curious but refraining from asking questions, sensing she had her reasons.

"I heard you were informed about the Black Shadow Division?"

Zhou Xuchuan was surprised by Tang Hui’s question.

"...let me tell you something."

Tang Hui moved over to the side and Zhou Xuchuan followed her.

Following the outer wall of the Poison Institute, a bamboo forest appeared before them. Instead of entering the main building, they went into the bamboo forest.

"Who do you think is the closest to the Black Shadow Division?"

The tall bamboo blocked most of the sunlight, leaving the forest floor dark. The scenery looked identical in every direction, and Zhou Xuchuan couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d get lost without a guide.

Tang Hui eventually stopped, pushing aside some bushes at her feet and pulling on something.

"The elders of the murim? The Strategist or the Vice Strategist? Or the Martial Alliance Leader?"

Creak. Thunk.

The ground opened up, revealing a secret door hidden in the bushes.

“No.”

She went down the stairs past the door. After taking a few steps after her, Zhou Xuchuan heard the door close above him.

The area ahead was dark. However, it quickly brightened. A part of the wall opened up, and a Luminous Night Pearl appeared.

Tang Hui grabbed it with practiced ease, using it to light their way.

If Zhuge Shengji had been here, his eyes might have sparkled and he might have been happy.

"No, it's the direct descendants of the Sichuan Tang Family.”

Tang Hui's voice was strangely dark.

"Tang Hui, by chance, are you..."

"Watch your mouth. I don't want that sort of pity."

Tang Hui reacted fiercely, her voice sharp.

He couldn't see her face because only her back was visible, but he could tell that her expression was distorted.

"All of the direct descendants of the Tang Family would learn about it even if we didn't want to. That's all there is to it."

Zhou Xuchuan began to wonder if there had been another reason why Zhuge Xiang had called Tang Hui.

"...we aren't like those losers."

Tang Hui clenched her fist.

The ring on her finger reflected the Luminous Night Pearl and shone fiercely like her emotions.

"In your opinion, which of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Ancient Families that make up the Martial Alliance has the least influence?"

"That's..."

"The Emei Sect, which hasn't produced any Absolute Masters in ages and is on the path of decline? The Kunlun Sect, which is far from the Central Plains? The Zhuge Family, which emphasizes strategy rather than strength? No. It's the Tang Family."

The influence of the murim's forces changed with the times.

It was mainly determined by the Absolute Masters who reached the Coruscant Realm.

In particular, it was focused on the Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect, which had continuously produced these Absolute Masters to the point where they had come to be called the Highest Peak and the Strongest Yang, respectively.

"Even though we call ourselves the Righteous Faction, in the end, we're still part of the murim. If one doesn't have the power, one would be eliminated, and no matter how one protests, one would be ignored. While those hypocrites of the Righteous Faction may say that they aren't like that, that's all a lie. This is the reality."

The Tang Family also often produced monsters that surpassed human limits. However, their numbers were fewer compared to other forces, and the intervals between them were much longer.

Since there were already many within the Righteous Faction who looked down on them for working with poison, the situation grew even worse.

As time passed, those contemptuous gazes didn't disappear but deepened instead. It was natural since they didn't have any Absolute Masters.

"When our strength became weak enough to be excluded from the Five Great Ancient Families, the Tang Family gave up on producing Absolute Masters and made a decision."

“Wait..."

A terrible scream was heard from the end of the long hallway, accompanied by the stench of blood and decay.

After passing through the hallway, a space that could accommodate hundreds of people appeared. At the center stood a gaunt man who appeared to be in his forties, although he was clearly not yet thirty.

Looking at him, Zhou Xuchuan was reminded of Tang Youqi, the current head of the Tang Family, who looked old despite being middle-aged.

"Assassination, kidnapping, intimidation, torture, poisoning, and even drugging people into insanity... We took on the work that the hypocrites of the Righteous Faction don’t want to do in order to maintain our power."