Mercenary Harem in Murim Novel

Their journey back to Luoyang took a week, as they avoided the main road and stuck to the forest. The path was bumpy, and they had to go around rocks and fallen trees, which slowed them down considerably.

However, they arrived safely without fighting at all.

Luoyang City's atmosphere felt slightly different from before. The martial artists gathered in the city to join the Wudang Sect already left, trying to find other opportunities to get stronger.

"Somehow, the city feels a bit colder, no?" Jack commented as he looked around.

"Yes, I feel it too." Leo added, his expression was somber.

The city's energy had become much duller. It seemed like a layer of happiness and liveliness had been peeled off the surface.

No more the energetic and excited martial artists gathered in the street. Only a few stayed behind, looking dejected and lost.

They weren't strong enough to join the Wudang Sect or other martial sects and could only remain in the city, trying to survive.

And not only that...

"It seems Wudang Sect experienced an immense loss in the war to secure the epigraph a week ago." Zhen, who returned from Hao Sect's branch to the inn they used as a temporary base, explained.

"An immense loss? What do you mean?"

"From what my informant told me, over a hundred disciples and elders of Wudang Sect died in the battle. The Sect Leader mourned for their loss and immediately returned to their sect. He swears that Wudang Sect will exact revenge on the person who was responsible for their deaths no matter what it takes."

That sounded pretty unreasonable.

However, reputation was pretty important in the Central Plains. If Wudang Sect didn't show off their power, then they would be ridiculed and laughed at.

And losing the epigraph, a treasure coveted by the whole murim, even though they already brought hundreds of disciples, could make them lose face. Hence, they resorted to the extreme way.

"By the way, who's this person they are searching for?" Leo asked curiously.

In the past week, he had been cut off from information except from Jessica and Anya's daily report. The former still did her best to collect funds while the latter had finished her mission and got a handsome payment.

Anya also reported that Tang Clan would make a big move soon so he had to return to the base as soon as possible.

Collecting information was necessary now that one of five murim great clans, Tang Clan, would undergo a reformation.

Ignoring the Wudang Sect at this moment would be foolish. This was a good opportunity to make money.

'We can even offer help to find this person they are searching for. Of course, not for free.' Leo thought as he waited for Zhen's answer.

"It seems there is someone who can control lightning. He single handedly annihilated Wudang Sect's disciples among any other factions in just a single attack. They described him as a devil incarnate with a strange artifact. No one knows his identity or background. Only that he was a young man with blue eyes and strange clothes."

Zhen didn't know the truth behind the battle. He only heard the rumor that a demon appeared and wiped out everyone.

But those present there knew who it was.

Jack and Shui only looked at each other and laughed. Meanwhile, Chiaki looked at Leo with an amused gaze.

They could never forget the image of Leo obliterating everything in his path. The thundercloud and lightning that struck the ground and burned everyone was a scene that would forever etched in their memories.

As expected of their leaders, they collectively thought.

Leo pretended to be oblivious and said, "I wonder who that Demon is. We only fought Heartless Undertaker after he opened the ruin ahead of time. Maybe it appeared after we left."

No more was said after that, but Leo decided to return to his room after exchanging gaze with Chiaki and the others.

'I can't show up in public for now. They are searching for me. Tsk! I thought they were searching for someone else. I can't make money if the person they are trying to get revenge on is me.'

They had to deliver the epigraph tonight. After that, they could return to the base.

He didn't expect the Wudang Sect to have such an intense reaction toward him.

'It's a battlefield where no one knows each other and killing is normal. Everyone was focused on their own survival. Why did they blame me for killing their disciples?'

What an unreasonable demand. These martial artists were crazy.

***

In Wudang Sect main manor, the sect leader sat solemnly as he listened to his subordinates' report.

The news of the epigraph being taken away by the mysterious group was enough to make his heart drop. Not only the epigraph, even the riches and scrolls left by Venom Sect were taken by other Sect.

Those who gathered in the Howling Ravine managed to at least benefit from their effort. But, those who failed to reach the ravine only left with a bitter taste in their mouth.

For example the Wudang Sect.

'How did it come to this?'

Zhang Tian sighed heavily and massaged his temples. He didn't want to blame anyone, but he couldn't help but feel the resentment in his heart.

Not only they had lost the epigraph, they were also forced to admit their defeat to other factions. They also received backlash because they sent many new martial artists and let them die without gaining anything.

Even the old elders were displeased.

'I will find him. I swear I will find him and make him pay for his crime. We will get the epigraph back and bring it to our sect. No one can stop me. No one!'

Zhang Tian had made a vow. Blood dripped down from his clenched fist. His Qi raged uncontrollably.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. No one dared to speak.

Just at that moment, a servant entered and whispered something in the sect leader's ear.

"What?! The Beggar Sect has information about that man?"

"Y-yes, Sect Leader. The representative of the Beggar Sect is here. He said he's a branch leader from Chengdu City."

"Bring him here."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

The servant quickly left, and a few minutes later, he returned with a middle-aged man whose clothes were tattered and he looked haggard. In simple terms, he looked like a beggar.

That man walked through the hall and bowed deeply toward Zhang Tian..

"Greetings, Wudang Sect Leader. My name is Chen Mengliang, the branch leader of Beggar Sect Chengdu City."

His voice was hoarse, but it didn't hide his arrogance. Zhang Tian nodded and let him sit.

"Welcome, Branch Leader Chen. I heard you know the person I have been searching for?"

Chen Mengliang's face brightened. He smiled like a fox as he rubbed his hands together.

"Yes, I heard you are looking for a mysterious lightning user who killed your disciples and stole the epigraph."

"Should I say as expected from the Beggar Sect? To know something that is happening in the shadows, you truly deserve to be called a group of spies."

"Haha, Wudang Sect has a reputation as well. Your intelligence network is famous. If I were not acquainted with this culprit, you might find him even without my help. However, this time, I have a little bit of enmity with that guy too. So I will provide this information for cheap."

Hearing that, Zhang Tian's interest piqued.

"Enmity?"

"Yes." Chen Mengliang's expression darkened. "A few years ago, he robbed me and my brother of a rare beast. We tracked him for a month, but we failed to find him. We only know his name and appearance."

He lied.

However, his expression and his tone looked as if he was telling a real story from the past. The way he spoke showed his hatred and grudge.

Seeing how Chen Mengliang expressed his hatred and how relatable the story was to what happened just a week ago, Zhang Tian muttered with a voice full of hatred.

"Scum! That demon deserves to die. He will never escape. I will catch him and tear him apart limb by limb."

Zhang Tian had not a shred of doubt or hesitation.

"Tell me. Who's that man? I will pay you handsomely and help you with your revenge."

"Yes, please do." Chen Mengliang replied eagerly. He bowed deeply and raised his cupped hands.

Under the shadow, the Beggar Sect's branch leader was smiling widely. He couldn't hide his joy and excitement.

'Everything is going according to plan.'

How dare that guy choose the Hao Sect and ignore the Beggar Sect. He didn't realize that ignoring a powerful organization like the Beggar Sect was a grave mistake.

In the shadows, the Beggar Sect had connections with many organizations. As proof, the leader of the Wudang Sect trusted his words without a shred of doubt.

Being greedy in Murim would lead to their downfall.

That's why Chen Mengliang would use any means necessary to achieve his goal. To make sure that guy and his group pay the price.

'Their ability is just exaggerated. Against a true 8 Stars martial artist, leader of Wudang Sect, Zhang Tian, and the might of the Sect itself, their group will be destroyed sooner or later.'

With a fox-like grin, Chen Mengliang gave a piece of paper with the man's information and background. It also included a rough description of his appearance as well as a drawing.

Zhang Tian took the paper with his Qi, making it fly to him, and scanned it, memorizing every word.

"It's him. I'm sure of it." Chen Mengliang murmured to himself, his grin widened even more. "Leo from Hallowed Insect. Their base is located in Chengdu City. He's called Thunder God by people from Sichuan, but I think his name is just exaggerated."

"Leo of Hallowed Insect." Zhang Tian's rage was focused on the man's name.

He had never heard of the organization before, but he didn't care. All he cared about was one thing. The one responsible for the loss and humiliation Wudang Sect experienced was none other than this man.

Gale swirled around the room, making the table and chairs creaked and swayed. Then, his voice boomed throughout the entire Wudang Sect.

"Find him! No matter what it takes. I will not rest until I see his head rolling on the floor."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

The servants immediately ran around to prepare for it.

With a sharp gaze, Zhang Tian looked at Chen Mengliang. His expression could now even rival Heartless Undertaker.

All Chen Mengliang could do was bow his head. He couldn't stand the pressure exuded by the Sect Leader.

And when he asked a question…

"Do you know where this man is?"

… He could only answer.

"Yes… We know where he went."

All for revenge.