Chapter 175: I Have Good News and Bad News
Chapter 175: I Have Good News and Bad News
I stared at my reflection in the bronze mirror and slowly began to undress.
I stripped down until I was wearing nothing but my undergarments. My body was lean and corded with muscle, forged through years of grueling martial arts training without a single ounce of wasted fat.
I unwound the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread I had wrapped around the hilt of the Black Demonic Sword and carefully wound it around my vital points—my heart, neck, and dantian. Over that, I donned the Ghost Guard Robe given to me by the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Seo Dae-ryong sat on the edge of the bed, watching me in silence as I prepared for the decisive battle.
Since it would be a shame to skip a bit of banter at a time like this, I tossed a joke his way.
“Aren’t you going to say, ‘I’ll go and fight with you’?”
“I won’t. The greatest adventure of my life is already over. I won the Young Dragon Tournament! I’m going to spend the rest of my life milking that for all it’s worth. There will be no more danger in my life.”
I put on a light, comfortable set of martial robes and replied, “Your mind will change once your realm rises further. You’ll find yourself throwing your body into dangers where life and death hang in the balance. You’ll find ecstasy there and seek out even greater risks.”
“Stop making those weird prophecies!”
Seo Dae-ryong leaned his head out the window and looked up at the sky.
“I didn’t hear that! No, sir. My adventures are over. I already have enough stories to tell my grandkids while they sit on my lap.”
He reacted so earnestly that I couldn't help but tease him.
“Please come back safely,” he added.
“A secret organization is only dangerous as long as it remains a secret. Once exposed, they’re usually quite pathetic. Don’t worry.”
“No matter how much you say that, I’m still not following you.”
“It didn’t work, then.”
I knew. I knew how much Seo Dae-ryong was worrying about me right now. I knew how much he wanted to fight by my side. The fire burning in his eyes said it for him: Please wait for me. Until I become stronger.
* * *
The Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society and Jo Yi-baek sat facing each other in a pavilion within the manor.
“Have you been well?”
“I have, thanks to you.”
Jo Yi-baek had met the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society several times. The Leader did not act like a man shrouded in mystery. He would visit if there was a need, and he would summon Jo Yi-baek like this if a meeting was requested.
The Leader’s martial prowess far eclipsed Jo Yi-baek’s. However, setting that aside, the impression he gave was unexpectedly ‘ordinary.’
‘Ordinary’ wasn't exactly a fitting description for the head of a shadow organization, but he was undeniably plain.
He had the kind of face you might see sitting at the next table while eating at an inn, and his attire was unremarkable. His manner of speaking and his actions were equally mundane.
Because a man who shouldn't be ordinary was so ordinary, it actually gave off an air of the extraordinary. He was the kind of person who could hide in the shadows precisely because he was so plain.
“Why did you ask to see me today?”
“A problem has arisen.”
“Speak.”
“The Murim Alliance has discovered that my son joined this society.”
Jo Yi-baek stared at the Leader and added a question.
“When did you induct my son?”
Though it was a situation that called for anger, Jo Yi-baek asked calmly.
“Your son joined as well?”
The Leader reacted as if he hadn't known.
“I was unaware of that.”
He looked so natural that it truly seemed like he didn't know, but Jo Yi-baek didn't believe him for a second.
How could he not know that he had recruited the successor of the Jinryong Manor after already bringing the Manor Lord himself into the fold? If the organization were truly that sloppy, it would be wise to leave as soon as possible.
Jo Yi-baek didn't bother to press the obvious lie. He hadn't come today to engage in an emotional spat with the Leader. Today was the day he had to perform the most dangerous and important tightrope walk of his life.
“My son is currently held in the dungeon. I asked to see you, Leader, in hopes that you might find a way to help.”
“They couldn't have imprisoned him just for being associated with this society.”
“He’s being framed for attempting to kidnap the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter after falling into their trap.”
“My goodness! That is exactly the kind of shameless thing those Murim Alliance bastards would do.”
The Leader shook his head, clicking his tongue.
“Is there any way?”
“Aren't you close with the Murim Alliance Leader, Manor Lord Jo?”
“The Alliance Leader dotes on his granddaughter, doesn't he? I don't think this matter can be resolved through friendship alone.”
“I see. I shall consider what can be done.”
“Thank you.”
Right then, a gate in the distance opened.
If Jo Yi-baek had to pick the most nerve-wracking moment of his life, it would be this one.
He had naturally assumed the Murim Alliance Leader would appear, but the person who walked in was a young man.
‘The Alliance Leader didn't come?’
Since the Alliance Leader hadn't come, he obviously hadn't brought Jo Yi-baek's son either.
‘Why?’
After wanting the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society so badly?
‘What kind of trick is he playing?’
Of course, Jo Yi-baek was playing his own tricks.
It was a move prepared in case the Alliance Leader refused to release his son even after dealing with the Heavenly Mandate Society, or in case the Alliance Leader tried to imprison Jo Yi-baek himself. He had prepared experts to actually kidnap Jin Ha-ryeong.
But he hadn't expected this. Neither the Alliance Leader nor his son had shown up.
How was he supposed to react?
Jo Yi-baek’s gaze fixed on the youth walking toward them.
Given his high status, it was possible the Alliance Leader wouldn't come personally and would send other experts instead. But to send only a single young master?
‘Could it be? Is this youth an expert capable of facing the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society?’
That was impossible. He must have come to deliver a message from the Alliance Leader.
Geom Mu-geuk walked toward them, and no one blocked his path. Neither the Leader nor Jo Yi-baek had given any orders.
As Geom Mu-geuk joined them at the table, the Leader asked Jo Yi-baek, “Who is this young hero?”
The Leader assumed that Geom Mu-geuk, who had walked up so calmly and boldly, was surely one of Jo Yi-baek’s subordinates.
Jo Yi-baek feigned ignorance.
“I thought he was someone you brought, Leader.”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke calmly.
“I was sent by the Murim Alliance Leader.”
The Leader flinched for a brief moment.
The air around them shifted. Geom Mu-geuk felt the people hidden in the surroundings busily repositioning themselves.
“Since an esteemed guest has arrived, I shall take my leave. Please, carry on with your conversation.”
The moment the Leader tried to stand up naturally after giving his greetings—
“Sit down, Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society.”
“!”
The Leader stared at Geom Mu-geuk for a moment before sitting back down.
“You came knowing I was here.”
The Leader’s gaze turned toward Jo Yi-baek. Jo Yi-baek shook his head slightly, feigning total ignorance.
The Leader asked, “For what reason did the Alliance Leader send you, young hero?”
“Manor Lord Jo here made a deal. To trade the Society Leader for his son.”
Jo Yi-baek was flustered; he hadn't expected the youth to be so blunt. On the other hand, the Leader didn't seem angry at Jo Yi-baek, as if he had expected such a thing.
Jo Yi-baek denied it vehemently.
“Do not believe him. This is a trick by the Alliance Leader to drive a wedge between us.”
Jo Yi-baek had to deny it desperately until he figured out why the Alliance Leader had sent this young man instead.
Of course, that was no easy task with Geom Mu-geuk standing right there.
“Don't blame Manor Lord Jo too much. It must have been a difficult decision, seeing as it involves his child.”
“I understand.”
The Leader nodded.
Jo Yi-baek continued to deny it until the end.
“Do not be deceived. Do not fall for their schemes.”
Jo Yi-baek couldn't help but misunderstand. He thought the Murim Alliance Leader was trying to eliminate him using the Heavenly Mandate Society Leader. This realization made Jo Yi-baek’s blood boil.
‘So, this is how you’re going to play it?’
Jo Yi-baek secretly sent a Voice Transmission to a hidden subordinate.
— Proceed with the plan for Jin Ha-ryeong. Right now!
— Yes, sir.
He judged that he could only survive if he got his hands on Jin Ha-ryeong as quickly as possible.
However, he didn't know that the reason the Murim Alliance Leader hadn't come was because he had accepted Geom Mu-geuk’s advice to stay behind and protect Jin Ha-ryeong.
Geom Mu-geuk asked the Leader, “I have good news and bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?”
“I prefer to start anything on a pleasant note, so let’s hear the good news first.”
“I came alone.”
“You truly came alone?”
The Leader was genuinely surprised. He had expected the Murim Alliance’s experts to be lying in wait outside.
“Then what is the bad news?”
“I came alone.”
When Geom Mu-geuk repeated his previous words, the Leader looked puzzled.
“How is that bad news? Didn't you just say it was good news?”
“It is also bad news. Because there is no one here to stop me.”
His words were beyond confident—they were arrogant. Yet, the Leader actually seemed to be in a good mood.
“It’s not easy to find young people with such spirit these days. Wouldn't you agree, Manor Lord Jo?”
“Indeed. Not just the youngsters, but even the experienced veterans are all too busy looking out for their own skins.”
Even as he played along, doubt gnawed at Jo Yi-baek.
‘Is he really an expert capable of killing the Society Leader? Is that why he’s talking like that?’
Should he side with the Murim Alliance Leader even now? Since he had technically delivered the Society Leader, he might be able to clean up the aftermath somehow.
As if reading that internal conflict, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Jo Yi-baek.
“Manor Lord Jo, I think it’s time you made it clear which side you’re on.”
Jo Yi-baek was truly torn. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't believe this young man could kill the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society. If the Murim Alliance Leader were here, it might be different, but the person standing closest to him right now was the Society Leader.
“What are you talking about? I have never once betrayed the Leader.”
“May I take that as your official stance?”
The words carried the weight of an ultimatum—that he would have no choice but to face execution.
Jo Yi-baek was swept up in conflict. Since he hadn't anticipated the Alliance Leader’s move, the decision was not easy.
Then, the Leader smiled and spoke.
“I shall resolve our Manor Lord Jo’s dilemma for him.”
The moment he spoke, figures began to reveal themselves from all directions.
The very first person to appear was enough to sway Jo Yi-baek’s heart.
The man with a short straight blade at his waist was Horse-Cleaving Blade Gu Ryeong. He was a top expert once called one of the three greatest masters of blade techniques in the Orthodox Faction.
The Society Leader and the Horse-Cleaving Blade.
Those two alone would have been enough to tip the scales, but there were others.
A monk appeared, dressed in Buddhist robes and holding a massive iron staff. He was the Defeated Monk Yorai, who had been active as an absolute master of the Western Regions.
It was already difficult to think of anyone who could match these two, but finally, a hunchbacked old man with a peculiar appearance emerged.
The worn-out green pouch hanging from his waist revealed his identity. It was the Great Poison Elder Gok Chu, a man who had mastered the art of poison. It was said that not a single blade of grass could survive where he walked, turning the earth into a land of eternal death. Anyone who knew of him feared him.
But it wasn't those three masters who truly changed the atmosphere of the place.
Masked men began to reveal themselves from all sides. Like ants swarming out of a nest, countless masked men appeared from unknown hiding spots.
They filled the surroundings completely. From the base of the walls to the tops of the walls, in the courtyard, and on the roofs. There had to be at least a hundred of them. And they weren't just there to fill the numbers. The gaze and aura emanating from behind their masks were savage and sharp.
Jo Yi-baek realized for the first time that the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society traveled with such formidable experts.
‘Truly incredible. Even if one wanted to capture the Society Leader, it would be impossible.’
Further hesitation was meaningless.
At Jo Yi-baek’s signal, four people appeared.
They wore martial robes embroidered with patterns of plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums, and bamboo—the Four Gentlemen, Jo Yi-baek’s right-hand men.
“We will handle that young brat ourselves.”
To be forgiven for this incident, he had to act decisively. His own people had to be the ones to eliminate the intruder.
Jo Yi-baek spoke candidly to the Leader.
“As man to man, why don't we forget our past mistakes? This whole thing started because you brought my son in behind my back, didn't it? Let’s just put it behind us.”
“Very well. They say the ground hardens after the rain.”
The two men looked at each other and laughed.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke.
“After they kill me, they’ll kill you. They won't leave a traitor alive.”
“You brat! Stop trying to sow discord.”
Once Jo Yi-baek made up his mind, he didn't look back.
“You will never leave this place alive. Not even your Alliance Leader would survive this.”
“To be honest, I was worried. Worried that you might take my side.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve already decided to kill you, too. If you had taken my side, wouldn't I feel a bit guilty when I killed you?”
“You can still spout such nonsense in this situation? You truly are an arrogant bastard.”
Jo Yi-baek gave the order to the Four Gentlemen.
“Kill him.”
The Four Gentlemen stepped out into the open space.
Geom Mu-geuk also walked forward slowly to face them.
He was surrounded by over a hundred masked experts, watched by absolute masters like the Horse-Cleaving Blade, the Defeated Monk, and the Great Poison Elder, as well as the Jinryong Manor Lord and the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at the Leader amidst that massive force and spoke calmly.
“For the crimes of pillaging the lives and property of the people of the Jianghu by impersonating the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, and for plotting to overthrow the Murim Alliance through a marriage alliance with the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter—everyone here, with the exception of the Society Leader and the Jinryong Manor Lord, will be subject to summary execution on the spot.”
A moment of silence followed.
But soon, someone couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. Starting with that, ridicule spread to everyone. No one present felt tense or afraid. Sure, he might be an expert. He probably said those things because he was confident in his skills.
But their current strength was enough that it wouldn't be strange if they marched on the Murim Alliance right now. Thus, they all simply enjoyed the arrogance of a greenhorn who didn't know his place.
At the very moment the murmurs and mocking laughter grew louder, as if telling everyone to be silent—
Wuuuuuuuuuuu!
With a deep resonance rising from the abyss, the Black Demonic Sword began to wail of its own accord.