Chapter 635: These Bastards Are Messing with My Brother and My Friend at the Same Time?
Chapter 635: These Bastards Are Messing with My Brother and My Friend at the Same Time?
Jin Ha-gun watched the Heaven’s End Recluse, waiting for a reaction.
He expected that upon hearing that a great evil had awakened, the man might offer a meaningful look or a telltale sign.
Yes, I am that evil.
However, Hwa Yul-cheong showed no such thing. Instead, his reaction—one of genuine surprise, bewilderment, and concern—made Jin Ha-gun feel as though his suspicions were entirely misplaced.
"Captain Jin, what on earth do you mean? A great evil?"
Jin Ha-gun spoke while looking at the Charge hidden weapon that Chief Manager Ju had produced earlier.
"That hidden weapon is a sophisticated counterfeit. Recently, these fakes have been circulating secretly throughout the Murim."
At those words, the gathered leaders began to murmur in agitation. The One Sword Sect Leader, who harbored a particular loathing for the Demonic Cult and believed this was their handiwork, furrowed his brow. If they were counterfeits, it wasn't necessarily the work of the Demonic Cult.
"I cannot provide more specific details at this time."
Jin Ha-gun did not explicitly state that it wasn't the work of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Nor did he mention the death of the White Dragon Unit Leader. There was nothing to be gained by provoking them right now.
Hwa Yul-cheong’s eyes shone with a sense of chivalry.
"If you need help, tell me at any time."
Following Hwa Yul-cheong’s lead, the other sect leaders gave Jin Ha-gun reassuring looks, as if they were ready to be called upon at a moment's notice.
Jin Ha-gun offered a polite cupped-fist salute.
"It is thanks to all of you, great heroes of justice, that the spirit of the Murim is being preserved. On behalf of the Alliance, I offer my sincere gratitude."
After his greeting, he bid them farewell.
"I shall take my leave now. Please, get some rest."
"I'll walk out with you."
Despite being told to rest, Hwa Yul-cheong rose from his bed. As had been the case throughout his life, he was not a man who could remain idle for even a moment.
Jin Ha-gun went over to support him. The old man's rough hand was so thin that he could feel nothing but bone.
"It has been a long time since I held your hand."
Jin Ha-gun tried to recall if he had ever held the man's hand before, but no memory surfaced. It must have happened a long time ago, when he was still a child.
Hwa Yul-cheong spoke to the other leaders in the room.
"The rest of you should head back as well."
Jin Ha-gun had viewed these men as a wall protecting Hwa Yul-cheong, but the old man was sending them all away. With every word the Recluse spoke, Jin Ha-gun’s suspicions lessened by a fraction.
The leaders followed behind the two men.
"There may be another sneak attack. We will protect you," the Byeoksong Sect Leader insisted.
Hwa Yul-cheong shook his head. "I am at an age where I can die without regrets."
"Do not say such things!" This time, the One Sword Sect Leader stepped forward. "You must protect the Murim for at least another thirty years."
"My dear fellow, even you can't guarantee that much time for yourself."
The following leaders laughed. Everyone was relieved and happy that Hwa Yul-cheong was safe.
Feeling the hand that leaned on him for support, a sudden thought occurred to Jin Ha-gun.
What if he really is a villain?
Perhaps a life spent under a mask for decades had eventually become his real life. Maybe, in the process of pretending to be a good man, he had actually become a great hero. If that were the case, how could anyone see through such a life? He would be deceiving even himself.
Then, a certain person naturally came to mind.
A person who seemed capable of unearthing the truth no matter how much someone hid it. A person who would stick his head deep into someone's heart and innocently ask, "What's this pitch-black hole right here?"
A person who would likely say, "I'll tell you if you promise to dance with me!"
Just then, Hwa Yul-cheong asked from beside him, "Why are you smiling like that?"
Jin Ha-gun flinched and looked at him. It seemed he had been smiling without realizing it.
"I am simply glad that you are safe, Elder."
Jin Ha-gun brushed the thought of that person from his mind. This was a matter he had to resolve himself, one way or another.
They stepped out into the main hall.
The martial artists waiting outside cheered with joy upon seeing Hwa Yul-cheong. They all called him by different names: Manor Lord Hwa, Hero Hwa, Elder Hwa, Great Hero Hwa.
However, the respect filling their faces was the same. There wasn't a single person gathered there who hadn't received help from him at least once. As the rumors spread, the number of martial artists gathered was even greater than before.
Hearing the cheers from inside, those outside also began to shout. It seemed the martial artists who couldn't enter the manor had set up camp outside. At this rate, every martial artist in Wuhan would know about the sneak attack on Hwa Yul-cheong before the day was over.
Jin Ha-gun silently watched the people chanting Hwa Yul-cheong’s name in the courtyard. They were as excited as men going off to war. A single hidden weapon had truly set all of Wuhan boiling.
Just then, a martial artist entered from outside and reported something to the One Sword Sect Leader. The One Sword Sect Leader immediately turned to Hwa Yul-cheong.
"We have found where those Demonic Cult bastards are hiding!"
The person most surprised by those words was Jin Ha-gun.
The One Sword Sect Leader gathered his subordinates and headed out first. "I will go."
Others followed suit. "We shall help."
Several sect leaders moved with him. Half of the people present rushed outside together. Jin Ha-gun couldn't just stay behind. If they had truly discovered Geom Mu-yang’s location, he had to go and prevent a clash.
"I will go as well."
As Jin Ha-gun followed them out, Hwa Yul-cheong spoke.
"Great evil possesses conviction. A wicked and distorted conviction. That conviction is what makes evil even stronger."
Their gazes locked in mid-air. Jin Ha-gun wanted to ask how one was supposed to defeat that, but there was no time for such a conversation now.
"I'll be back."
Jin Ha-gun took flight. Behind him, he heard Hwa Yul-cheong’s voice. Just as when they were alone, the old man called him by his name.
"Be careful, Ha-gun."
*
The Tongcheon Pavilion operation room was busy again today.
Because a top-level emergency had been declared, it was essentially a wartime situation. Not only Tongcheon Pavilion but also Eun-wol had joined forces, pouring all their intelligence-gathering capabilities into Wuhan. As a result, faster and more accurate information than ever before was flowing between the headquarters and Wuhan.
And today, unexpected news arrived.
An attendant strategist brought an urgent missive with a shocked expression and reported, "The Forbidden Demonic Order has been broken."
The bustling operation room fell into an instantaneous silence. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the reporting strategist.
Sama Myeong’s expression hardened. This was the first time such a thing had happened since he became the Chief Strategist.
The Forbidden Demonic Order has been broken?
This was a report that should never have happened, especially not in such a dire emergency.
The Forbidden Demonic Order was a special punishment handed down by the Cult Leader’s decree. It was primarily given to demonic practitioners who had performed great services but then committed a crime. It was used when their past contributions were too great to lock them in a dungeon, yet their crimes could not be overlooked.
They lived in various parts of the Central Plains with their internal energy suppressed, hiding their identities. They usually lived as hunters, woodcutters, or herbalists—professions that didn't require much contact with people—though occasionally, they were permitted to trade in the marketplaces as an exception.
They were strictly forbidden from leaving their designated regions. If they violated the Forbidden Demonic Order and left their assigned area, they faced execution. Since it was a violation of the Cult Leader’s decree, they were killed only after being subjected to agonizing pain. Because of this, they would rather commit suicide than break the Forbidden Demonic Order.
"Who broke it?"
Then, a surprising name was uttered.
"Ma Yeom-gun has violated the Forbidden Demonic Order and left his region."
Ma Yeom-gun was a demonic practitioner of the previous generation who possessed the strength of a Demon Lord even back then. The attendant strategist retrieved a flag marked with 'Yeom' (Flame) from a box. The flag placed on the strategic map was covered in dust from long disuse.
"And it is reported that he has broken his internal energy seal."
This was even more shocking than the news of his escape.
Naturally, when they were confined, their pressure points were suppressed so they couldn't use internal energy. A seal was placed on them; if they broke it themselves instead of having the headquarters release it, they would die within a few days. The day of death varied depending on their martial arts prowess, but it was as short as one day and as long as seven. They would invariably die after seven days.
They couldn't possibly be ignorant of this fact, yet they had broken the seal and escaped? Either they were prepared for death, or they believed they wouldn't die.
And he wasn't the only one who had broken the Forbidden Demonic Order today. Another urgent report flew in.
"The White Bone Soul Demon has broken the Forbidden Demonic Order and deserted."
A flag marked with 'Gol' (Bone) was also placed on the strategic map. The White Bone Soul Demon was a practitioner from two generations ago, even older than Ma Yeom-gun—a man whose age reached a staggering one hundred and fifty years.
He was still alive!
Even Sama Myeong had forgotten his existence.
If one person had left, it might be considered an impulsive choice, but two leaving meant there was outside influence.
Someone pulled them out.
Someone who knew their secret locations—information known only to the Cult—and who was capable of persuading them. As expected, the following report confirmed it.
"They are heading toward Wuhan."
Sama Myeong’s brow furrowed. These were individuals who could cause a massive bloodbath in the Murim if even one of them was released. And such monsters were going to Wuhan? The worst possible scenario was unfolding.
It was already like walking on thin ice with the Demon Lords there, and now these old demons who had broken the Forbidden Demonic Order were heading that way? It was as if the ice was breaking, and there was no telling who they would grab as they dragged everyone into the abyss.
"Shall we send a pursuit squad?"
Normally, they would have dispatched elites, including the Demon Army, to hunt them down. No matter what happened, no matter how great the sacrifice, they had to be caught. They had to show that the Forbidden Demonic Order was a principle that could never be broken.
But Sama Myeong shook his head. He didn't do so this time. No, he couldn't. He couldn't afford to dispatch the Demon Army to Wuhan in this situation.
Sama Myeong looked at the two newly appeared flags and asked, "Do you two even know who is already there?"
Sama Myeong’s gaze turned toward one spot.
"Send an urgent missive to relay this fact."
It was toward a new flag that had just arrived in Wuhan today.
Geok (Extreme).
*
"I have people I know in Wuhan."
The connections Demon Buddha had diligently woven with his short legs existed here in Wuhan as well.
"I plan to use their help to dig into the Heaven’s End Recluse's side."
Would a mere acquaintance help with such a task? Demon Buddha was planning to use a cherished card for his sake. Sensing this, Geom Mu-yang offered his sincere thanks.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. It's only natural."
Since the First Young Master had asked for help, Demon Buddha would mobilize everything he could to assist Geom Mu-yang. If there was nothing else left to give, he was prepared to sell the very underwear he was wearing to help.
It was then that Ho-myeong rushed in and reported, "The Demon Extermination Squad and the Wuhan martial artists are coming this way. You must leave immediately."
Geom Mu-yang and Demon Buddha left the room without a second word. There was no way the Demon Extermination Squad was bringing the others along to join forces. They were likely coming with the Wuhan martial artists as they stormed the place, trying to prevent a clash somehow. Leaving quickly was the best way to help Jin Ha-gun.
Geom Mu-yang hadn't expected to be in a situation where he had to flee this place again. Truly, the situation in Wuhan was moving like a rapid current.
They quickly escaped through the back door. Since it wasn't her first time, Gwak Yeong followed behind them without fear.
Swish!
A man monitoring the end of the alley collapsed from Demon Buddha’s finger wind. Demon Buddha didn't kill him, only knocked him unconscious.
Geom Mu-yang spoke to the branch warriors. "Even if you encounter them, do not kill them!"
That was exactly what the forces behind the scenes wanted.
As soon as they escaped, the Demon Extermination Squad and the Wuhan martial artists swarmed the area.
"They just left! Let's pursue them!" At the One Sword Sect Leader’s shout, Jin Ha-gun spoke to him.
"From here on, the main unit will handle the pursuit."
But the One Sword Sect Leader would not back down easily. "This matter concerns the Recluse. Let us help."
The eyes of the martial artists standing behind him were equally earnest. He could stop them by force if he had to, but he couldn't do that in this situation. Moreover, this was the One Sword Sect Leader, who had lost an arm to a demonic practitioner.
I trust you'll find a way to escape safely.
Jin Ha-gun trusted Geom Mu-yang. Besides, Demon Buddha was with him.
"Very well, let us pursue them together."
And so, the chase began.
From atop an old tree in the distance, two people watched the scene. Standing on a thin branch, they were handsome and youthful. They were none other than Geom Mu-geuk and the Poison King.
"Look at him. Acting so high and mighty to me, and yet there he is, being chased around by Murim Alliance warriors."
"If it were you, you'd have even more people trailing behind you."
Geom Mu-geuk ignored him and continued. "Ugh, look at Demon Buddha. He's practically glowing. How does he expect to run away like that?"
Just the sight of the two of them standing together on the branch created a picture-perfect scene. Watching the pursuit of Geom Mu-yang and Jin Ha-gun in the distance, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes deepened.
"Anyway, these bastards are messing with my brother and my friend at the same time."
Geom Mu-geuk turned to the Poison King and added, "And even our Poison King’s faithful collector."
The Poison King nodded, his expression showing that this was what angered him the most.
"What are you going to do now?"
The Poison King was desperate to finish things in Wuhan quickly so he could go back to digging up poisonous herbs with Demon Buddha. But Geom Mu-geuk knew that this matter was not so simple. That was why he had come in person. Furthermore, he had promised Sama Myeong that he wouldn't step in directly. Of course, that was a promise he likely wouldn't keep.
"Let's start by going to a tavern where lots of pretty heroines gather and have a drink. I've really been running without a moment's rest. I hear the women of Wuhan are quite beautiful."
The Poison King looked toward the chaos in the distance. With all that going on over there? At his expression, Geom Mu-geuk laughed.
"The two of them will handle it just fine on their own. Let's use this opportunity to let those two boring guys get a bit closer. We'll have a drink with the heroines and come up with a plan."
Geom Mu-geuk looked down at the sprawling streets of Wuhan and added calmly, "Who says they're the only ones allowed to plot?"