Chapter 500: If You Knew Who Was Coming
Chapter 500: If You Knew Who Was Coming
The Demon Extermination Squad, led by Jin Ha-gun, marched into the Chongqing Branch of the Murim Alliance.
Ju Gwol rushed out at the news, and the sight that met his eyes was striking. Eight warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad were entering the training ground, surrounding a single man in their center.
Ju Gwol immediately recognized the prisoner—it was the man from the portrait.
“You caught him!”
The watching Murim Alliance warriors erupted in cheers of joy.
Immediately after, a wave of murderous intent crashed toward Seo Dae-ryong. Had it not been for the presence of Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad, the crowd would have surely unleashed a torrent of curses and violence.
Ju Gwol hurried over to Jin Ha-gun, his gaze toward the man softening considerably.
“Well done.”
He had worried that Jin Ha-gun might go easy on the demonic practitioners because of his friendship with Geom Mu-geuk, but Jin Ha-gun had successfully brought Seo Dae-ryong in.
You must always maintain this level of professionalism, Ju Gwol thought.
In truth, Ju Gwol was just as guilty of letting personal feelings interfere. These incidents had occurred in Chongqing, the territory he was responsible for, and he shared personal ties with both the Yumyeong Manor Lord and the Daejeong Sect Leader. Consequently, his own emotions were heavily invested in the case.
Ju Gwol glared at Seo Dae-ryong with terrifying intensity.
However, Seo Dae-ryong ignored the gaze, staring fixedly at the back of the warrior walking ahead of him.
Young Cult Leader, I’m certainly living a colorful life thanks to you.
He had heard cheers of celebration after winning the Young Dragon Tournament, and now he was on the receiving end of intense, hateful bloodlust.
They eventually entered the interrogation room of the Chongqing Branch.
The man who used to interrogate criminals in the Huangquan Pavilion’s interrogation rooms was now sitting in one as a prisoner himself.
Seo Dae-ryong let out a soft sigh and looked around. Even though he was acting as bait for a mission, being inside a Murim Alliance interrogation room made him feel tense.
He had to keep his wits about him. Although the Demon Extermination Squad was currently guarding him with an ironclad defense, there was no telling when someone might find an opening to kill him.
Jin Ha-gun was the first to enter the room.
“Are you thirsty?”
“I am fine.”
Seo Dae-ryong answered Jin Ha-gun’s question politely.
In terms of rank alone—Pavilion Master versus Squad Leader—Seo Dae-ryong was technically higher. Yet, he showed such courtesy because Jin Ha-gun was a leading candidate for the position of Alliance Leader and, above all, a friend of the Young Cult Leader.
“Thank you for your concern.”
The one who should be thankful was Jin Ha-gun. Rumors that he had captured the culprit would spread, significantly boosting his reputation.
“Are you not afraid?”
“The Young Cult Leader promised me. He said that even if I were swallowed by a monster, he would surely pull me out. So, my only role is to be swallowed as appetizingly as possible.”
If Jin Ha-gun had heard such words before knowing Geom Mu-geuk, he would have scoffed. He would have thought, You’re just being used.
But now, he felt envious of Seo Dae-ryong. Looking at him, Jin Ha-gun reached a conclusion: no matter how he looked at it, those eyes did not belong to a mere pawn.
“The investigators will be here soon. They will try anything to wring a confession out of you.”
“I am prepared for that.”
Instead, Seo Dae-ryong showed concern for Jin Ha-gun.
“Squad Leader, please try not to stay with me if possible.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“There is no need for you to be present in a potentially dangerous situation, is there?”
Seo Dae-ryong wasn't actually worried about Jin Ha-gun’s safety. He was worried about the Young Cult Leader. He knew how devastated Mu-geuk would be if he lost a friend.
Just then, the investigators entered the room.
Jin Ha-gun spoke to them.
“Uncover the truth thoroughly.”
“Understood.”
Jin Ha-gun glanced at Seo Dae-ryong one last time before stepping out.
Branch Leader Ju Gwol was waiting outside the door.
“This man is the top disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. A Demon Lord might come to rescue him, so ensure the branch’s defenses are absolute.”
“They wouldn't dare dream of entering this branch.”
Reinforcements were arriving one after another from nearby branches, starting with the Shaanxi Branch.
“Is that why you are already letting your guard down, Branch Leader?”
Ju Gwol’s expression shifted to one of realization, and he spoke respectfully.
“I will not be careless. I will guard it well.”
Despite his words, he remained certain that no one could successfully raid this place.
Jin Ha-gun left the building.
By joining forces with Geom Mu-geuk, he had made a move that defied the enemy's expectations.
Now, how will you respond?
*
An old fortune-teller sat in a corner of a Chongqing marketplace. His face was etched with deep wrinkles that spoke of a life weathered by storms, and he watched the passersby with eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of existence.
The mat spread before him was covered in various tools of his trade. There were flickering candles and incense, a tortoise shell painted in eerie colors, jeomdong—coins specially made for divination—talismans drawn in red ink, and a bamboo tube filled with divination sticks. He had every tool imaginable.
Many pedestrians passed by, but no one paid him any mind. The old fortune-teller seemed indifferent to whether he did business or not, maintaining a relaxed posture.
Finally, a customer arrived.
A man passing by crouched down in front of him. He was a man of ordinary appearance and attire.
The old fortune-teller studied the man’s face and spoke.
“Your face is clouded with misfortune.”
“I could have guessed that myself. Would anyone whose life is going well even look this way?”
Passersby who overheard the exchange chuckled.
“Well, let’s see just how poorly things are going.”
The old fortune-teller shook the divination tube and slowly closed his eyes. The moment his eyes shut, the dynamic between the two changed.
The customer’s voice reached the old man via Voice Transmission.
—The disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon has been captured by the Demon Extermination Squad.
It was an unexpected report, but the old man did not waver behind his closed eyes.
—The Young Cult Leader gave up his right-hand man? Impressive.
The old man knew that Seo Dae-ryong was Geom Mu-geuk’s right hand, and he also knew the arrest had been intentional.
The old man opened his eyes and held out the tube filled with bamboo sticks.
“Your future is in here. Pick one.”
The man selected one.
One of the bamboo sticks was protruding slightly, and the man pulled it out.
—Write a new history with blood.
Surprisingly, the old man had anticipated the possibility of Seo Dae-ryong being captured and had already prepared a plan for the aftermath.
The man understood the meaning of this command.
It meant to attack the Chongqing Branch and turn it into a bloodbath.
If such an event actually occurred, the animosity of the Orthodox warriors toward the Demonic Cult would reach its peak.
—The warriors who came to reinforce the Chongqing Branch are gathered there. They will be off-guard, so this surprise attack will be highly effective.
Because there were many warriors from the outside, it would be even easier to throw them into chaos.
The man’s concern was this:
—However, the Demon Extermination Squad is there. Our losses will be heavy.
The level of the Demon Extermination Squad was on a different dimension compared to ordinary warriors. The experienced DES warriors would immediately stabilize any chaotic situation.
The old man held out the tube again.
“Is the first divination not enough? Then pick another.”
As if he had prepared for this as well, another bamboo stick was protruding slightly.
The man pulled that one out as well.
—The departed shall aid those who remain.
The man understood what this command meant instantly.
“How is it? Is this enough of a path for you to survive?”
The moment their eyes met, they returned to being a fortune-teller and a customer.
“It seems well worth a try. Thank you!”
The man tossed a few coins and stood up.
“Give me more for the fee!”
“If I succeed, I’ll come back to give you what I owe.”
“I’ve never seen a single fellow actually come back to pay!”
The old fortune-teller yelled at the top of his lungs, but the man disappeared into the crowd as if he hadn't heard. People watching from across the street laughed at the scene.
The old fortune-teller picked up the bamboo sticks the man had drawn and put them back in the tube. Whether it was from the customer’s fingertips or the old man’s, the characters written on the sticks had already vanished.
The old man watched the people passing by, yawning repeatedly, before eventually beginning to nod off.
*
Geom Mu-geuk and Jin Ha-gun stood side by side.
They were on a hill that offered a clear view of the Chongqing Branch below.
“That fellow must be suffering.”
“His mental strength is stronger than it looks.”
Seo Dae-ryong was being interrogated all day, except for the time he spent eating and sleeping. Even so, he was holding out well.
“He was originally an investigator for the Huangquan Pavilion, so he’s likely seeing right through the minds of the investigators facing him.”
Though he spoke lightly, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes were filled with worry.
“Does he know you’re watching over him like this, without looking away for even a second?”
“He knows.”
“How?”
“Because he would have done the same.”
“I should get myself a right-hand man too.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed at Jin Ha-gun’s joke.
It was then.
A warrior from the Demon Extermination Squad ran up and delivered a quick report. Since Geom Mu-geuk was present, he used Voice Transmission.
—We have discovered traces of the Yumyeong Manor Lord.
Jin Ha-gun was startled by his subordinate’s report. At Yumyeong Manor, there had been plenty of blood but not a single corpse.
—He is alive?
—Yes. We have confirmed he is being held by a group of warriors.
Jin Ha-gun commanded his subordinate.
“Prepare the Demon Extermination Squad for immediate departure.”
“Yes, sir!”
Once the subordinate left, Jin Ha-gun shared the news with Geom Mu-geuk.
“The Yumyeong Manor Lord is alive.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze sharpened. Since there were no bodies, he had expected as much. But for his whereabouts to be revealed at this specific time?
“I will go with the Demon Extermination Squad and rescue him.”
Jin Ha-gun had his suspicions as well, but he had to go. If the Yumyeong Manor Lord was alive, he had to be saved.
Geom Mu-geuk considered three possibilities.
One: Jin Ha-gun, who went to rescue them, dies.
Two: The Chongqing Branch warriors guarding Seo Dae-ryong die.
Three: Seo Dae-ryong dies.
Every scenario was a catastrophe.
The enemy would surely aim for one of these three.
Geom Mu-geuk had already thought of a plan for this moment.
“I have two requests.”
“What are they?”
“First, allow them to enter the Chongqing Branch.”
Jin Ha-gun knew who Geom Mu-geuk meant by "them." He had already received the reports from the Alliance.
When Jin Ha-gun hesitated to answer, Geom Mu-geuk persuaded him.
“I know. I know what a burden it is for you to allow this. But think about what would happen if you don't allow it and something goes wrong. I will make sure they move as secretly as possible.”
Jin Ha-gun’s deliberation didn't last long.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But only until I and the Demon Extermination Squad return.”
“Of course. Once this matter is settled, they will withdraw quietly.”
Truly, it was a request he would never have granted to anyone but Geom Mu-geuk.
“What is the other request?”
“Let me go with you.”
Jin Ha-gun could sense Geom Mu-geuk’s anxiety. He believed a major incident was about to break out on one of the two fronts.
“Why do you want to follow me?”
“Because I can't afford to lose you.”
The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult following the Demon Extermination Squad Leader to protect him? Who in the Murim would believe such a thing? Normally, Jin Ha-gun would have refused out of pride, but his relationship with Geom Mu-geuk had already moved past that stage. He wasn't foolish enough to let pride get in the way after everything they had been through.
In any case, if Geom Mu-geuk felt this level of crisis, the situation was truly dangerous.
“Your right-hand man might feel hurt if he hears that.”
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a meaningful smile.
“If he knew who was coming, he wouldn't feel that way at all.”
*
When Jin Ha-gun descended from the hill, Ju Gwol was waiting in his office.
“I will go with you to assist in the rescue.”
Jin Ha-gun stopped him.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Branch Leader Ju, but I will go with the Demon Extermination Squad. The enemy might be using a feint, so shouldn't you stay and guard the branch?”
Ju Gwol did not insist. He had to protect the branch, but more importantly, if the enemy was capable of kidnapping the Yumyeong Manor Lord, they needed to be handled by elites.
“Please return safely.”
“Thank you.”
After parting with Ju Gwol and before departing the branch, the last place Jin Ha-gun visited was the temporary dungeon in the basement.
The security there was so tight it made the word "temporary" seem misplaced.
Jin Ha-gun briefly dismissed the warriors guarding Seo Dae-ryong.
“Has something happened?”
Seo Dae-ryong was surprised because Jin Ha-gun was holding his great blade.
“An urgent matter has arisen that requires me to leave the branch with the Demon Extermination Squad.”
Seo Dae-ryong’s expression hardened. There was no way a situation requiring him to suddenly vacate his post would happen by chance.
If it had been Geom Mu-geuk, Seo Dae-ryong would have joked:
—Ah! So you’re finally abandoning me! Thank you for everything... Thank you for what?! I’m going to die! Save me!
But with Jin Ha-gun, Seo Dae-ryong maintained a composed demeanor.
“Please take care of yourself.”
Jin Ha-gun’s gaze deepened as he looked at Seo Dae-ryong.
Both Geom Mu-geuk and this man, Seo Dae-ryong, made him forget that he was dealing with demonic practitioners.
“Come closer.”
Jin Ha-gun released the seal on Seo Dae-ryong’s internal energy and handed him the great blade.
“Hide the blade somewhere the guards here cannot see it.”
“Thank you.”
As he took hold of his blade, Seo Dae-ryong’s heart pounded. He had an ominous premonition that something big was about to happen. It felt as though death was taking a giant step toward him.
“There is a reason I am leaving you at a time like this.”
Jin Ha-gun delivered a shocking piece of news.
“Reinforcements have been sent for you from the Tongcheon Pavilion.”
“From the Tongcheon Pavilion?”
Seo Dae-ryong had reported the situation to the Tongcheon Pavilion when he first arrived in Chongqing. That was how he had been able to use the special safe house.
It seemed Sama Myeong, judging that something might have happened to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, had sent reinforcements. That was even before Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Wu-jin had arrived in Chongqing.
“The reinforcements from the Tongcheon Pavilion were waiting on the outskirts of Chongqing.”
The atmosphere in the Chongqing Murim was hostile because of rumors that the massacre at the Daejeong Sect was the work of the Demonic Cult. That was why they had been waiting outside.
“The Young Cult Leader asked me to let them into this branch.”
Seo Dae-ryong knew then that the request had been accepted. Otherwise, Jin Ha-gun wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.
“One of my subordinates from the Demon Extermination Squad will remain behind to receive them secretly. They will enter not as members of the Divine Cult, but as external warriors the Demon Extermination Squad called upon for help. I hope to see you again in safety.”
With those words, Jin Ha-gun left. The situation was so urgent that there was no time for detailed questions.
Seo Dae-ryong was curious.
Just who did they send?
*
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
Carriages were racing along.
They were large transport carriages used for moving heavy cargo. The carriages had only tiny windows, making it impossible to see what was inside from the outside.
What was loaded in the carriages were warriors.
They wore ordinary martial robes, making it impossible to tell which organization they belonged to, but their appearances were unforgettable.
To a man, they had fierce, terrifying faces and sharp eyes that had seen every kind of battle. And they were all twice the size of an average man.
The carriages, packed to the brim with them, raced in a line toward the Chongqing Branch.