Chapter 127
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Grasp of Greed (1)
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“This is rather embarrassing.”
“What do you find so embarrassing?”
Ho Yoseong smacked his lips.
“I said I would pay you a visit, yet you’re the one who has made the difficult journey again.”
Mu Dam shook his head.
“Let’s not concern ourselves with such trivial matters.”
“Ahem! Your words leave me at a loss.”
Ho Yoseong filled Mu Dam’s cup.
“Is the Gulsong tea to your liking?”
“It is fine.”
“It’s been difficult to find good quality tea leaves with a fine aroma these days.”
“It is fine.”
After filling his own cup, Ho Yoseong smiled faintly.
“I intentionally brewed it a bit weaker. It should be quite drinkable.”
The two men drank their tea at the same time.
Unlike Ho Yoseong, who smacked his lips as if the flavor was weak, Mu Dam seemed rather surprised. Though, of course, his expression was incredibly faint.
“The unique aroma of the tea leaves is usually quite strong, but brewed like this, it’s not overwhelming at all.”
“Is that so? I’m glad it suits your palate.”
Ho Yoseong slapped his thighs.
“You never did like long preambles, did you? Now then, what brings you all the way here today?”
Mu Dam did not answer. He simply stared intently at Ho Yoseong.
Ho Yoseong scratched his head.
“That kind of look is truly…”
“Hm?”
“Ahem! It’s nothing.”
“Grand Marshal.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“It seems you haven’t been able to rest at all lately. The bags under your eyes are quite dark.”
Ho Yoseong touched his skin.
“It’s not just the bags under my eyes; my skin has gotten rough too. Honestly, I can’t stand this work anymore.”
“…”
“Ah, I shouldn’t have said such things in front of the Great Protector.”
Mu Dam shook his head.
“Do not overexert yourself.”
“I wish I could, but things don’t always go as planned.”
Ho Yoseong drained the hot tea and asked.
“So, what is it?”
“I came to confirm one thing.”
“And what might that be?”
“Regarding the matter of the recent inspection.”
Ho Yoseong’s eyes gleamed.
“Is there something you’re curious about regarding the Third Young Master?”
“To be precise, I’m not curious about the Third Young Master, but about what will happen as a result of the external inspection.”
“What do you mean by that?”
After a moment of silence, Mu Dam spoke.
“Do you recall the trouble the Garden of Joy’s transport unit faced from the Beast Palace’s forces a while back?”
“Of course. It was an incident that is hard to forget.”
“…”
“But what of it?”
“Don’t you know better than I, Grand Marshal?”
Mu Dam’s eyes deepened.
“Recently, masters of unknown identity have appeared near northern Guangdong. We haven’t yet formed a proper pursuit team, so we haven’t been able to determine where they came from or who they are.”
Ho Yoseong smiled.
“I see.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No, I was aware.”
“Then why…”
“I was merely surprised. The Great Protector is indeed the shield of our Cult, but I didn’t expect you to concern yourself with matters that far out.”
He was essentially asking why Mu Dam had come all this way to inquire about something that wasn’t even under his jurisdiction.
Depending on how one heard it, the words could be offensive. But Mu Dam did not seem displeased at all.
“If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t, but now that I am aware, I cannot help but be concerned about it.”
“Even if you are aware, the investigation and extermination of those individuals fall under the purview of the Office of the Grand Marshal.”
“Of course, I am aware of that as well.”
“Then there can only be one reason you’ve come all this way to ask me.”
Ho Yoseong’s eyes shone.
“Is there a special escort target in that vicinity?”
Mu Dam was once again surprised by Ho Yoseong’s sharpness.
Though it was in his nature to be unable to lie, Mu Dam was a man of few expressions. Yet, Ho Yoseong had accurately discerned the reason for his visit.
“That is correct.”
Ho Yoseong smiled as if he couldn’t be helped.
‘Aren’t you admitting that a bit too quickly?’
He was truly a remarkable man, different from the military strategists who wielded all sorts of weapons behind the shield of a smiling face.
That was what made him seem so great, and that was what made him wary.
People are incapable of seeing clearly those to whom they give their hearts. Ho Yoseong believed he was no different from such ordinary men.
“Currently, the first unit of the Hall of Protectors is secretly heading towards the special escort target. We, too, must take measures, just in case.”
“I understand your concerns.”
Ho Yoseong’s face turned serious.
“Let me be clear. Those mysterious masters will never touch the special escort target.”
“…?”
“To be precise, the special escort target is not their objective.”
“Do you know who the escort target is?”
“I do not. That is strictly under the jurisdiction of the Hall of Protectors.”
“Then how can you be so certain?”
“Because the objective of those mysterious masters is clear.”
“Who are those masters?”
“That’s as far as I can say.”
“…?”
“Great Protector, if it were something you absolutely needed to know, I would have informed you long ago. However, I judged that it was not necessary.”
Ho Yoseong refilled the teacup and continued.
“To ease your anxiety, I can tell you their identity and their objective. If you truly wish it, I will tell you now.”
“…”
“Do you wish it?”
Staring at Ho Yoseong, Mu Dam shook his head.
“The Grand Marshal is right. I was making a fuss over needless anxiety. I apologize.”
“Not at all. A special escort target is a rare occurrence, sometimes not even appearing once in a decade. I understand that the Great Protector would naturally be on edge.”
“I am only embarrassed.”
Mu Dam sighed, which was unlike him.
“It is a strange feeling. I have never been like this before, but perhaps I am getting old. I find myself increasingly concerned with the affairs of the Central Plains.”
Ho Yoseong’s eyes deepened.
‘It’s not because you’re getting older.’
This was the instinct of an absolute master.
It had been a long time since he had bared his fangs and claws, but Mu Dam was still a beast among beasts.
The undying instinct of that beast had sensed the ominous air. Even without any information, the old master, who had dedicated his entire life to the Cult, could read the unseen clouds of war.
Furthermore, this old tiger would come to know. No, perhaps he already knew subconsciously.
Who it was that brought those clouds of war. Who stood at the center of the unseen vortex.
“Let’s take a break and chat for a while. Would you care for another cup of tea?”
“Very well.”
* * *
Gadeuk-hyeon, contrary to his affiliation with the Berserk Demon Unit, had a quiet personality.
He was quick-witted, meticulous, and looked after others well. In many ways, he didn’t fit in with the Berserk Demon Unit.
In fact, that was the reason he, a man with stronger martial arts than Cha Gwang, had become the second squad leader instead of the vice-commander. He knew very well that he was not skilled at commanding people.
So, he became the second squad leader. Wi Hongryeon had opposed it, but in the end, she could not sway Gadeuk-hyeon’s will.
His was a rare mindset in the Divine Cult, where martial prowess was power.
But his skills were impeccable. The true second-in-command of the Berserk Demon Unit was not Cha Gwang, but Gadeuk-hyeon.
Even so, Gadeuk-hyeon couldn’t help but tense up at the powerful energy wave approaching from the distance.
‘Strong.’
He was different from the demonic practitioners he had seen until now.
Unlike the masters who radiated their energy like an active volcano or a storm, the giant man’s energy was endlessly heavy.
It was like the breath of a whale swimming in the deep sea. The closer he came, the more his body tensed, and the harder it became to breathe.
‘So that is Jong Risan, the Lord of the Giant Whale House.’
Behind Jong Risan, about a hundred masters in blue uniforms followed. Each had a stern face, a large build, and held a black iron spear.
Gadeuk-hyeon’s eyes hardened.
‘The legendary Sea King Guard.’
They were the Giant Whale House’s greatest escort unit and its strongest military force, said to obey only the Lord’s command. Sending them alone would be enough to make any mid-to-small sized sect vanish without a trace in less than an hour.
The head of the house was just one man, but he had brought a hundred soldiers with him. If the first squad had been here, it might have been different, but the second squad alone would struggle to gain an advantage in a battle against the Sea King Guard.
A moment later, Jong Risan stopped ten yards from the entrance of Sohyang Valley.
The entire second squad of the Berserk Demon Unit had already formed a single line.
Gadeuk-hyeon stepped forward and cupped his fist in a salute.
“I am Gadeuk-hyeon, leader of the second squad of the Berserk Demon Unit from the Divine Cult’s main sect. I greet the Lord of the Giant Whale House.”
Jong Risan’s eyes flashed.
“Impressive.”
It was a calm assessment.
To say such a thing to someone he had just met. It could be seen as arrogant, but no one could point a finger at him.
He was a man for whom such strength and arrogance were fitting.
“I have come at the summons of the Inspector’s Deputy, the Special Inspector.”
“I am aware.”
“Lead the way.”
Gadeuk-hyeon bowed his head.
“Please wait a moment. I will send word inside.”
“Send word?”
His thick eyebrows twitched.
A very small change in expression. Yet, it was enough to make the air in the area tremble.
“Is he not here?”
“That is correct.”
“How unpleasant.”
Jong Risan did not hide his feelings.
“If you summon the head of a house, you should at least show some basic courtesy.”
“…”
“Where is he now?”
“He went into the narrow path behind us. We were ordered to guard this place.”
Guard.
It meant to let no one pass inside. Even if that person was the Lord of the Giant Whale House.
Even if it was an order from a superior, it was not something to be said lightly in front of a figure like the Lord of the Giant Whale House. Though he had a quiet and meticulous personality, Gadeuk-hyeon was still a member of the Berserk Demon Unit, possessing more than enough spirit as a follower of the demonic path.
Jong Risan’s eyes narrowed.
Flash!
A powerful demonic energy flickered in his sharp eyes as he stared at Gadeuk-hyeon.
Drip.
A cold sweat formed on Gadeuk-hyeon’s forehead. But his expression did not change in the slightest.
Jong Risan nodded.
“Tell the Inspector that thanks to his fine subordinate, I will tolerate it this once.”
It was a sign that he acknowledged his opponent’s skill and courage. Gadeuk-hyeon bowed his head once more to express his gratitude.
It was then.
“My, how frightening. How am I supposed to conduct a proper inspection when everything is so scary?”
Everyone’s gaze turned towards the narrow valley. A woman was walking out from it.
She was quite a beauty, but her sharp gaze and the scar that ran diagonally across her face created a subtle sense of intimidation.
She carried two swords on her back. One was an oddly shaped blade, its width reaching ten inches, while the other was a flawless, pure white longsword.
Sssst.
Faint black smoke rose from the ground where she stepped.
A subtle look of surprise appeared on Jong Risan’s face. The demonic energy he felt from her was beyond his imagination.
“So, what should we do? Should we also tolerate your rude attitude just once? Hmm?”
“…”
“But it seems we don’t have a reason to be as patient as you.”
“Who are you?”
Wi Hongryeon grinned.
“I’m the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon’s officially certified craziest bitch.”