Chapter 505: This Enemy is Different
Chapter 505: This Enemy is Different
The Demon Army stood guard over a building within the Chongqing Branch.
They surrounded the structure at regular intervals, maintaining a vigilant watch not only over its roof but also the rooftops of all adjacent buildings.
Even if ordinary martial artists had been deployed, the security would have been described as ironclad, but these were the elite of the Demon Army. It was a perimeter so tight that not even an ant could slip through.
Just then, a martial artist from the Chongqing Branch approached and bowed deeply to the Demon Army soldiers.
"I survived thanks to you. Thank you."
He was a man who had been snatched from the brink of death by the Demon Army's intervention.
While many martial artists of the Murim Alliance had been killed or wounded in the recent ambush, it was impossible to imagine how much higher that number would have climbed if not for the Demon Army.
The soldiers merely acknowledged the greeting with a single nod, remaining silent and stoic.
Seo Dae-ryong stood by a second-floor window, watching the scene. There was someone in this room he also needed to thank. If it hadn't been for Jang Ho, who was currently sitting at a desk reading a report, he would have been a dead man himself.
I really almost died.
However, there was a feeling that preceded that fear.
The sheer thrill of fighting like a madman. Seo Dae-ryong could not forget that moment.
He felt that his training would change once he returned. He had gone to the very threshold of the underworld and confirmed for himself what he was training for—and how and when that training would truly shine.
After staring out the window for a moment, Seo Dae-ryong turned toward Jang Ho.
"What on earth do you think is happening over there?"
Had anyone else asked, Jang Ho would have remained silent. Or, at most, he would have said he was simply following orders.
But because it was Seo Dae-ryong, he offered a word of comfort.
"The Demon Lord will be safe."
It was a blunt statement, but it was exactly what Seo Dae-ryong wanted to hear most.
"I believe so as well."
Seo Dae-ryong forced a bright smile, and Jang Ho returned it with a faint one of his own.
"By the way, how is your painting coming along?"
Jang Ho was a man who wouldn't bat an eye if hundreds of enemies charged at him, yet now his eyes widened in surprise.
"How did you know?"
"A certain man of few words was bragging quite a bit about receiving a painting as a gift from Commander Jang. It’s not just me; everyone who needs to know probably knows by now."
Jang Ho couldn't help but chuckle. He had recently gifted a portrait to Geom Mu-geuk. He had wanted his very first piece of art to go to him.
Since then, he had painted many things. He painted everything and anything. He painted his subordinates, buildings, and the giant statues within the Cult. He painted fruit, swords, and blades. In truth, he had even painted portraits of Seo Dae-ryong and Lee An. He just hadn't found the courage to give them as gifts yet.
At first, he thought painting was a good hobby because it allowed him time to himself. He believed that while he was painting, he could forget all his worries.
But what he gained was something entirely different.
Through painting, he realized he had a side to himself he had never imagined.
He wanted to show his paintings to others. He felt a desire to gather his best works and hold an exhibition. He wanted to show people that he was someone capable of creating such art. He wanted to be praised.
To think he possessed such a longing... He had lived his life believing he wasn't the type of person who wanted to show off or brag.
That was why painting was so enjoyable. Though he drew others, what he discovered was himself.
"You should find a hobby as well, Pavilion Master Seo."
"I just can't seem to find the time."
Jang Ho was about to tell him to make time, even if he had to carve it out, but he simply smiled and said, "Well, you are still young."
He knew that until a catalyst arrived, it wasn't an easy thing to do. He himself had procrastinated for a long time.
His own catalyst had been this:
When he once mentioned wanting to paint, Geom Mu-geuk had immediately run out to buy paints and brushes.
His catalyst was becoming close with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.
To even begin painting, one had to befriend the Young Cult Leader.
Seo Dae-ryong watched Jang Ho, who was smiling to himself as he lost himself in thought. It was a sight he could never have imagined in the past.
I've changed, but Commander Jang has truly changed a lot as well.
It was then that the door opened, and the catalyst who had brought about all these changes walked in.
Recognizing the newcomer, Seo Dae-ryong's eyes widened, and he immediately rushed toward him.
"Young Cult Leader!"
Seo Dae-ryong threw his arms around him. Normally, the man would have lightly dodged and teased him, but today, Geom Mu-geuk did not pull away.
"I'm glad you're safe."
After a firm hug, Geom Mu-geuk patted Seo Dae-ryong on the shoulder.
"I almost had this precious right arm of yours cut off. I really almost died!"
"I wasn't particularly worried."
"Because the Commander was there?"
"No."
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Jang Ho as he revealed the reason.
"Because I have a reliable person to replace my right arm."
At that, Seo Dae-ryong's expression turned triumphant.
"What should we do? That replacement just saved your right arm. It seems he's withdrawn his candidacy!"
Geom Mu-geuk walked over to Jang Ho.
"You worked hard."
"Saving Pavilion Master Seo was one thing, but I imagine getting us into this Chongqing Branch was the harder task."
Jang Ho shared the credit for saving Seo Dae-ryong with Geom Mu-geuk. He meant that he was only able to save him because Geom Mu-geuk had made it possible for him to be there.
"Don't even get me started. I had to beg and plead with Captain Jin. I promised I'd grant his every request, that I'd never force him to dance again, and that I wouldn't tease him for being boring. Only after making all those promises was I able to get you all into the branch."
Seo Dae-ryong beamed at Geom Mu-geuk's banter.
Then, he bowed formally.
"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."
Geom Mu-geuk delivered the news the young man had been desperately waiting for.
"The Elder is safe."
Seo Dae-ryong asked in surprise, "Did you meet my Master?"
Geom Mu-geuk nodded. Not only Seo Dae-ryong but Jang Ho as well looked relieved.
"Why didn't he come with you?"
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a meaningful look in his eyes.
"That's what we have to find out from now on. Why he couldn't come with us."
*
Half an hour later, a quiet farewell took place at the back gate of the branch.
First, the carriages carrying the Demon Army departed.
Ju Gwol, the Branch Leader, expressed his gratitude to Jang Ho.
"Thank you. I won't forget this debt."
Not only had Jang Ho saved his subordinates, but he had also personally saved Ju Gwol's life.
"If you ever need my help in the future, please come find me."
In contrast to Ju Gwol's emotional state, Jang Ho remained calm.
"I've stayed well thanks to you. Until we meet again."
With that, the large carriages carrying the Demon Army quietly slipped away. Whether they would return to the Main Headquarters or wait elsewhere would depend on the instructions from Tongcheon Pavilion.
Geom Mu-geuk, Seo Dae-ryong, and Jin Ha-gun were also there. Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Jin Ha-gun regarding Seo Dae-ryong.
"I'll be taking this man with me."
Normally, this would have been unacceptable. Since the appearance of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in the basement of Hyangsu Villa, it had become clear that this incident was indeed related to him.
Jin Ha-gun was still unaware of the Voice Transmission shared between Geom Mu-geuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Geom Mu-geuk had kept it a secret, as it seemed the Blade Demon had a specific reason for standing on the other side.
Nevertheless, Jin Ha-gun readily accepted.
"Do as you wish."
Ju Gwol, who had been listening, stepped forward.
"That cannot be. The possibility remains that he is the culprit."
He still hadn't let go of his suspicion that this was the work of the Demonic Cultists.
Geom Mu-geuk said to him, "If it turns out he is the culprit, I will take responsibility and bring him before you myself. I give you my word as the Young Cult Leader."
Since Jin Ha-gun had already agreed and Geom Mu-geuk had gone this far, Ju Gwol could no longer remain stubborn.
"Do not forget that promise."
As Ju Gwol withdrew, Jin Ha-gun spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
"If you need help, tell me anytime."
"It's not me who needs help, it's you."
"Me?"
"You're the one they're after, aren't you?"
As Geom Mu-geuk said, they might continue to target him.
"That's why I'm suggesting this: how about staying in a Murim Alliance safe house for a while and observing how things unfold?"
Jin Ha-gun hadn't considered going to a safe house. He had intended to deal with the masterminds right here at the branch.
"Don't think of it as hiding; think of it as an ambush. The less we reveal our hand, the harder it will be for the enemy. Think of it as neutralizing one of their moves."
Indeed, Geom Mu-geuk was pointing out things he hadn't considered. At this point, Jin Ha-gun felt no jealousy toward Geom Mu-geuk—only swift acceptance.
"I'll do that."
Come to think of it, staying here would only put the branch martial artists in more danger. Going to a safe house with the Demon Extermination Squad was the better choice.
As he left, Geom Mu-geuk said, "Once we crush those bastards, let's call Sa-in and have a drink."
Jin Ha-gun nodded once and walked in the opposite direction. Seeing as he actually felt like seeing Bi Sa-in—someone he usually didn't give a second thought to—it seemed he truly did want to crush the people behind this.
*
Where there is success for one side, there is failure for the other.
The person sitting before the old fortune-teller in a corner of the Chongqing marketplace was Yu Beom.
"Looking at your state, it seems your luck wasn't great today."
Yu Beom's face was swollen, marked by a bright red handprint. It was the mark left by the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Yu Beom hung his head low.
He was tense. Depending on how his report was received, his life could be forfeit.
While the old fortune-teller slowly shook his wooden container, a conversation took place via Voice Transmission.
—We failed to kill the Demon Extermination Squad Leader.
At the report of the mission's failure, the old man's hand shaking the container paused for a moment.
Yu Beom quickly provided the reason for the failure.
—The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult arrived. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon refused the order to stop him.
The old man slowly opened his eyes. They were filled with nothing but coldness.
Both the plan to kill Seo Dae-ryong and the plan to kill Jin Ha-gun had failed.
—Please, forgive me.
Fortunately, the old man's anger did not manifest as a volatile murderous intent.
—If the Young Cult Leader came, then I suppose it couldn't be helped.
He seemed to understand the relationship between Geom Mu-geuk and the Blade Demon well.
After ending the Voice Transmission, the old man shook the wooden container even more vigorously.
"If it doesn't work the first time, try a second. If it doesn't work the second time... then you must consult the heavens. Here, draw one."
The old man held out the container filled with bamboo sticks.
As if prepared for everything, there was one stick slightly protruding.
Yu Beom pulled it out.
—The lack of rage shall be filled with blood.
After checking the contents, Yu Beom looked at the old man with a tense face. He knew what this meant. It meant they would proceed with the third clan annihilation.
Since this operation had failed, this third annihilation would be a major incident that would throw the Murim into chaos.
"Go and deliver the divination."
*
I returned to the safe house with Seo Dae-ryong.
I immediately went to see my father and told him exactly what had happened.
I told him everything from start to finish. The only moment my father showed anger was when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was mentioned.
If they had previously provoked the Demonic Path by leaving messages in blood, it was now certain they had provoked a Demon Lord.
Whoever they were, they'd better hope they run into me instead of my father. My father was very angry.
"Do you have any idea what might be going on with Elder Blade Demon?"
I hoped my father might know something, given that he had known the Blade Demon since they were young.
But my father said nothing. I couldn't tell if he didn't know or if he knew but wouldn't say.
"This enemy is different."
I shared exactly what I had felt so far.
"At first, I thought it was those masterminds behind the scenes. But now, I'm starting to think it might not be."
"Why do you think so?"
"While we were cutting off their funding in Shaanxi, they were plotting here in Chongqing by involving Elder Blade Demon. These were separate operations."
It meant that, at the very least, this wasn't revenge for the Shaanxi incident.
And if my father hadn't turned the carriage around, this situation would have unfolded in an entirely different manner.
"Furthermore, their methods are different. Until now, they've hidden in the shadows, building their strength and planning for the future."
In the Cult, Hwan-yeo was hidden as the owner of the Flower Garden; in the Murim Alliance, they were Jin Ha-gun's master; in the Unorthodox Path Alliance, they were an instructor. It was the same with the Pungcheon Cult, the North Sea Ice Palace, and the Golden Dragon Merchant Group.
They were plotting and building power. Naturally, the Twelve Zodiac weren't those completed versions from the future yet.
"But this case is different. They boldly attacked the Murim Alliance's Chongqing Branch to kill Pavilion Master Seo. At the same time, they tried to eliminate the Demon Extermination Squad Leader and the entire squad. You know what the result of that would have been, Father."
Their intention was clear.
"They are trying to start a war between the Cult and the Murim Alliance."
My father's eyes gleamed coldly. Though he dreamed of the Unification of the Murim, there was no way he would want a war where he was being played like a puppet.
"It could be that they changed their strategy because they've suffered so much at our hands, but something feels subtly different."
It was a feeling based on instinct, so I couldn't give a clear answer.
However, even if I didn't know...
"I believe you know the answer, Father."