Chapter 356: I Know Who He Is
Chapter 356: I Know Who He Is
The three occupants of the carriage were each lost in their own thoughts.
Geom Mu-geuk sat with his eyes closed, focused on refining his Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. He practiced the technique relentlessly, refusing to let even a single moment go to waste.
When training in martial arts, there are times when a specific sensation takes hold. It is a prickling, stimulating feeling—the moment when a flower bud seems ready to burst, the threshold of ascending to the next stage. That was exactly how the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art felt to him now.
‘We’ve become quite close, haven’t we? Just one more step.’
Whether it sensed Geom Mu-geuk’s intent or not, the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art—now on the verge of Great Achievement—remained just out of reach, teasing him from across the finish line.
The person who had actually moved a step closer to him was staring out the carriage window, preoccupied with an absurd thought. He was envisioning himself dancing before a crowd.
Bi Sa-in loathed those who broke their promises above all else. If he treated his word as a joke, Geom Mu-geuk would likely tease him for a long time, but he wouldn't necessarily be forced to dance. However, he wanted to prove to Geom Mu-geuk that he was a man of integrity. He wanted to demonstrate that he kept his promises, no matter how much he detested the task.
‘Of all the things I could have said, why did I have to say I’d dance?’
While Bi Sa-in pondered this grave dilemma, Goe Ak sat beside him, making a silent vow as he thought of Gwang Seom.
‘I will never let my guard down again.’
Humans were a breed that should never be trusted in the first place. He had lived his life by that creed, but perhaps due to his age, he had allowed his heart to soften for a fleeting moment.
That was why he was worried about Bi Sa-in. He could sense that the young man truly trusted Geom Mu-geuk.
‘Young Alliance Leader, if you trust people so recklessly, you will come to regret it deeply.’
Goe Ak himself had been undone by a man of few words, and now Bi Sa-in was being swayed by a man who talked far too much. However, he did not voice these thoughts. He wasn't the type to offer unsolicited advice; it simply wasn't in his nature.
Nevertheless, he observed the relationship between Geom Mu-geuk and Bi Sa-in with a keen eye. A life debt was a life debt, and he still had ties to the Unorthodox Path Alliance and martial arts secrets he needed to reclaim.
It was then that Geom Mu-geuk spoke, his eyes still closed.
“What do you intend to do now?”
Bi Sa-in’s gaze shifted toward him. Once again, Geom Mu-geuk was asking for his opinion first. In the past, he would have accepted this without a second thought, but now he understood that this was a gesture of consideration.
Geom Mu-geuk surely had a superior plan in mind, yet he still asked. Knowing how brilliant the man was, Bi Sa-in realized that such humility must be difficult for him.
“He tried to kill me, so I will kill him.”
All that remained was a life-or-death struggle.
The problem, however, was Hwang Seok-gyeong’s skill. He was powerful enough that Gwang Seom, one of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, had lost to him and eventually come to respect him.
Even so, Bi Sa-in couldn't simply ask Geom Mu-geuk to kill the man for him. It wasn't a matter of pride; since victory wasn't guaranteed, he couldn't bear to put Geom Mu-geuk in danger. Furthermore, this was an internal affair of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
‘How should I resolve this?’
He had sought out Gwang Seom and Goe Ak for help, but now only Goe Ak remained. And Goe Ak alone was not enough. He considered other masters within the Alliance who might assist him, but the issue was that any one of them might have already conspired with Hwang Seok-gyeong. Since even Gwang Seom had been recruited, no one was above suspicion.
“I want to deal with everyone who conspired with him as well. I was just wondering how to root them out.”
Since he didn't want to ask Geom Mu-geuk for the solution, he turned to Goe Ak and asked politely.
“I would like to ask for your wisdom, Senior. Is there a way to flush them out?”
It would have been nice to present a brilliant plan and prove that "old ginger is spicier," but Goe Ak couldn't think of anything.
“Leave the thinking to the young people. I’ll just be at the front when it’s time to beat that bastard down.”
Goe Ak clenched his fist. Though the Energy-Scattering Poison had completely left his system, the unpleasant lingering sensation remained. He would not forgive the man who had corrupted Gwang Seom. He had lived his life repaying those who harmed him with a hundred times the pain.
“I will give it more thought,” Bi Sa-in said, turning back toward the window.
His heart felt heavy. If they had tried to kill him, they might even attempt to assassinate the Alliance Leader. Of course, the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader was not someone who would easily fall to an ambush, but the opponents were no ordinary foes.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up, his tone almost interrogative.
“Why don’t you ask me for a method?”
Because he felt guilty. He had just incurred a massive life debt, and he felt ashamed to ask for more.
“I suppose I just don't want to spend my time staring at the stars and clouds,” Bi Sa-in joked, implying he didn't want to be led around by Geom Mu-geuk’s brilliance.
“Suit yourself. I did have a good idea, though.”
Geom Mu-geuk closed his eyes again. When Bi Sa-in remained silent even after a long wait, Geom Mu-geuk opened them once more. Bi Sa-in was still staring out the window.
“Hey, I said I had a good idea!”
“I heard you the first time.”
“Aren't you going to ask?”
“I'm not.”
“I want to act smart! Please, give me a chance!”
A faint smile played on Bi Sa-in’s lips. This was the kind of person Geom Mu-geuk was. He could have acted superior, but instead, he lowered himself. Bi Sa-in realized anew that true confidence doesn't need to boast.
“No! I don't want to see you acting smart.”
“Just listen this once.”
“Fine. Let’s hear it.”
“Until now, Hwang Seok-gyeong likely hasn't met with his conspirators. He probably assumes you are watching him.”
“That’s likely true.”
Then, Geom Mu-geuk proposed an unexpected hypothetical.
“What if you were dead?”
Bi Sa-in wasn't the only one startled; Goe Ak was also surprised. Bi Sa-in immediately grasped the intention.
“Are you saying we should trick Hwang Seok-gyeong into thinking I’m dead?”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded. “If he believes you are dead, he will undoubtedly contact his accomplices. He’ll need to discuss what comes next.”
It was a plausible plan, designed to exploit the moment of complacency that follows the removal of an obstacle.
“To do that, wouldn't I have to inform the Alliance Leader?”
“That is for you to decide.”
Bi Sa-in fell into thought. Informing the Alliance Leader meant the Leader would be involved from that point on. He had wanted to resolve this himself, but since the enemy was so powerful, he felt the time had come to seek help.
One concern was that if they moved according to a prearranged plan, their reactions might not seem natural. Conversely, what would happen if he proceeded without informing him? He couldn't predict the reaction. Specifically, he didn't know how the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader would act. What if he didn't grieve at all upon hearing his son was dead? Human hearts are petty; even with the fate of the Alliance at stake, he found himself worrying about his own feelings.
“He might just appoint a new Young Alliance Leader,” Bi Sa-in muttered.
“Take this opportunity to find out who’s next in line after you,” Geom Mu-geuk remarked, half-joking.
Bi Sa-in chuckled softly. After a moment of deliberation, he reached a conclusion.
“I will proceed by informing the Alliance Leader.”
There was another reason for his decision.
“If I go missing, the 1st Wolf will be summoned to the Alliance Leader’s palace.”
“And he’ll talk about me?”
Bi Sa-in shook his head. “It’s the opposite. The 1st Wolf will never speak of you.”
He had faith in the man’s loyalty—faith that he would keep the secret even if the Alliance Leader himself questioned him.
“I cannot have him lie to the Alliance Leader. To lie to the Leader is a grave crime, regardless of the reason.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled. “Your care for your subordinates is admirable.”
“Stop with the nonsense and let me ask a favor. Please keep an eye on Hwang Seok-gyeong. It’s my job, but as you can see, I’m supposed to be dead.”
Knowing that this was a task no one could easily perform given the opponent’s level of martial arts, he turned to the only person he could trust.
“Fine, let’s do that.”
Seeing Geom Mu-geuk agree so readily, Bi Sa-in thought that one day, he might actually have to sit the man in the front row and perform that dance for him. He didn't want to be a man who broke his promises to someone like this.
*
“There are rumors circulating that the Young Alliance Leader is dead.”
Despite Sa Hon’s startling report, the Combat King showed no reaction.
“The atmosphere in the Alliance Leader’s palace is currently unusual. The 'Ant Army' has been deployed, and the Evil Squad Leader has been summoned.”
The Blood Ant Army, often called the "Ant Army," were the elites of the Unorthodox Path Alliance specialized in scouting and investigation. The Evil Squad was an organization directly under the Alliance Leader, elites who followed only his personal orders.
“Is he truly dead?”
The Combat King slowly nodded. He had said the boy would die if left alone, and now the Young Alliance Leader was truly gone.
“How exactly did you handle it?”
“It was a task Gwang Seom handled using Energy-Scattering Poison. It was a mission that couldn't fail.”
“They are investigating the details while keeping the death strictly confidential, but given the gravity of the matter, the palace is already in an uproar.”
Since Gwang Seom had decided to cut off contact and go into hiding after finishing the job, no amount of investigation would reveal the truth.
“He should have reported to the Alliance Leader sooner, but the Young Alliance Leader made a foolish choice,” Sa Hon added.
The Combat King did not agree. He would have handled it alone as well. Of course, he wouldn't have died like that. He wouldn't have lost any fight.
“And he has requested an audience.”
“In this situation?” The Combat King tilted his head. Given the circumstances, he had expected no contact for a while. Since the man was cautious, there must be a reason he asked to meet. “Tell him we will meet tonight.”
“Yes, understood.”
With the death of the Young Alliance Leader, the situation was entering a new phase.
*
At midnight, the Combat King stood in a field far from the Unorthodox Path Alliance headquarters. The terrain was open on all sides, making it impossible for anyone to hide and watch. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the moon.
A man appeared. Wearing a bamboo hat pulled low, the man walked slowly toward the Combat King.
“It has been a long time, My Lord.”
It was the voice of a middle-aged man, calm and stable. He addressed the Combat King as "My Lord."
“There is no one around, so you may take it off.”
“I know your martial prowess better than anyone, My Lord, but it is still better to be cautious.”
It was an act of discourtesy that showed a lack of faith in his strength, but the Combat King was not offended. The man was that important.
“What did you wish to see me for?”
“To inform you of one important fact.”
“Speak.”
A shocking revelation flowed from the man in the bamboo hat.
“The Young Alliance Leader is alive.”
The Combat King’s expression hardened. “Are you certain?”
“I am. The Young Alliance Leader contacted the Alliance Leader directly through the 1st Wolf.”
Surprisingly, the man knew the secrets of the Alliance Leader’s palace in great detail. The Combat King finally understood why the man had asked to see him at this critical juncture.
‘That means Gwang Seom is dead?’
The Gwang Seom he knew wouldn't have been defeated easily, especially not when using Energy-Scattering Poison.
“Then why did the Young Alliance Leader pretend to be dead?”
Remarkably, the man in the bamboo hat had accurately grasped Bi Sa-in’s intentions.
“He must be trying to uncover my existence behind you, My Lord. All these results point to one fact: I don’t know who it is, but a very clever and powerful master is helping the Young Alliance Leader.”
Then, following the bad news, good news was delivered.
“I know who he is.”
The man finally took off his bamboo hat, revealing his identity. He wanted to emphasize that what he was about to say was of the utmost importance. Under the moonlight, the eyes of the two men met. This was the man the Combat King had put the most effort into recruiting.
The Combat King was smarter than most, but the person standing before him now was far more brilliant. The answer to how he knew the top secrets of the Alliance Leader’s palace lay in his identity.
Hyeok Sa-gun, the Deputy Strategist of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
Since the Chief Strategist, Hwang Seo-seong, had been suffering from the infirmities of old age for the past two years, Hyeok Sa-gun had been acting in his stead. It was only a matter of time before he officially took the title.
“The one helping the Young Alliance Leader is...”
The Combat King had heard many surprising things today, but Hyeok Sa-gun’s next words were the most shocking of all.
“Geom Mu-geuk, the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.”
Hyeok Sa-gun knew everything. However, there was one single fact he did not know: the fact that someone was watching him right now. Someone was clearly seeing his face from a distance that even the Combat King’s martial realm could not detect.
From a distance where they looked as small as ants, Geom Mu-geuk was utilizing his New Eye Technique. When the man took off his bamboo hat, Geom Mu-geuk saw his face clearly.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't know the faces of every master in the Alliance, but he knew who this man was. At the very least, he hadn't expected this person to have joined hands with the Combat King. He was a man more difficult to deal with than anyone else in the Alliance.
‘The Combat King joined hands with Hyeok Sa-gun?’
It was the moment when the identities of both Geom Mu-geuk and Hyeok Sa-gun were revealed to each other.