Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: They're in Here
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Dang Gon was immediately summoned to Kwi Je-gal's office.
"Why the hell are you calling me back and forth when I'm exhausted from the trip?"
Ever since their days in the Gale Wind Corps, Dang Gon had always bickered the most with Kwi Je-gal.
If Dang Gon represented the martial might of the Gale Wind Corps, Kwi Je-gal embodied its strategy and intellect.
In executing operations, neither strategy nor force could be absent, so the two were always paired together—though that also meant they clashed frequently.
To be precise, it was Dang Gon who unilaterally butted heads with Kwi Je-gal.
As a strategist, Kwi Je-gal was always full of explanations.
The problem was that "full" didn't even begin to cover it—they were excessively verbose.
Whenever any situation arose, he'd launch into explanations based on his vast knowledge, to the point where Dang Gon's ears felt blistered.
That's why Dang Gon was constantly telling Kwi Je-gal to shut up,
while Kwi Je-gal, refusing to do so, would chatter on like a sparrow, insisting Dang Gon just listen.
They squabbled often, but even so, the two acknowledged each other's abilities.
Dang Gon trusted Kwi Je-gal's cunning schemes.
Kwi Je-gal believed in Dang Gon's martial prowess, sense of responsibility, and sharp judgment.
"Because I like you."
Kwi Je-gal winked with the one eye visible through his mask.
Dang Gon glared at him murderously.
"...I'm not into guys."
"Misunderstanding seems likely, so I'll clarify: my tastes run to the opposite sex."
"Who asked? Anyway, cut the bullshit. If you have nothing to say, I'm out."
"But as comrades, I trust and like you immensely."
"Ah! Fuck!! Quit with the creepy shit! So why the hell did you call me!!"
"Ehehe. I've got a question."
"You think I'll grovel and say, 'Yes, sir, ask away anything!' just because you're curious?"
"You won't."
"You know me well. So then—"
"But you should."
"Why the hell should I!"
"If you don't want to cough up all the rations and pay you've pocketed so far, you need to earn your keep now."
"...Fuck."
"And I hear you've been completely fleeced by Young Master Yunhwi lately, living off advances? Want me to block that? One order from me to halt payments, and it's all clean-cut."
"Fuuuuck! The cheapest thing in the world is threatening someone with money!!"
"That's why I can wield this power so freely on a guy like you who won't listen otherwise."
"That's abuse of power, you bastard!!"
"So? What'll it be? Shall I issue the halt order?"
Dang Gon quickly bowed at the waist.
"Ask away, anything at all, Elder Chief Officer!! This humble one will gladly answer!"
"See? This is why I like you. Your about-face is a gale wind itself, Gale Wind."
"...Fuck."
Dang Gon ground his teeth.
Lately, watching Yunhwi had given him such strong déjà vu, and now he realized it was probably because of Kwi Je-gal.
Maybe the "kwi" in Kwi Je-gal didn't stand for cunning schemes, but for the mischievous ghost that loved pranking people.
"Tell me about Young Master Yunhwi."
Kwi Je-gal now crossed one leg and tilted his chin upward arrogantly.
The sight was so infuriating that Dang Gon wanted to punch him just once.
"I said I'd submit a report separately."
"Not that."
"Then what?"
"Your personal assessment of Young Master Yunhwi, as the former deputy commander of the Gale Wind Corps."
"!!"
In an instant, Dang Gon's eyes sharpened.
Kwi Je-gal's lips curled into a smile.
To the old Gale Wind Corps members, "Gale Wind" was a word laced with both love and pain.
Like a fresh wound stinging the skin.
Kwi Je-gal spoke.
"Speak. Do you think Young Master Yunhwi can really revive the Gale Wind?"
* * *
By the time they arrived at Doseong County, night had fallen.
The marketplace was bustling with crowds.
The issue was that most of those crowds consisted of armed martial artists, each with weapons at their waists.
"This is way more people than I expected..."
「It seems they've gathered because the Dark Lord's visit is not far off, Your Excellency.」
「I've heard that the inns in the Nine Dragons County are so full they can't take any more guests.」
「That's probably why they've overflowed here.」
It was a reasonable explanation.
"First, let's get a proper grasp on the situation here."
Doseong County was completely unfamiliar to Yunhwi, so he knew nothing of its layout.
With so many martial artists mixed in chaotically, distinguishing the cultists would be no easy task.
His plan was to overlook the city from above, surveying the geography, structure, and the faces in the crowds.
He scanned the surroundings and headed for the tallest building nearby.
Dasan Tea House.
It had the refined atmosphere of a teahouse frequented by elegant ladies of leisure.
"Welcome!"
"Is there a spot on the top floor?"
"There's exactly one left, but—"
The waiter trailed off, giving Yunhwi a quick once-over from head to toe.
Having pushed his lightness skill to the limit the whole way here, Yunhwi was covered in dust.
In a high-end teahouse catering to dignitaries in formal attire, he probably didn't look like someone who'd spend money.
Irritation flickered, but understanding the waiter's position, Yunhwi casually flicked a coin.
"That spot, please."
"Oh my! We'll serve you right! What are you all standing around for? Seat the guest!"
Money's effect was indeed straightforward.
Yunhwi was promptly led to the prime window seat on the top floor, perfect for viewing the outside.
Planning to camp out for quite a while, he ordered only the most expensive items from the menu before turning his gaze outward.
'Found anything?'
The spirits he'd scattered throughout the marketplace beforehand began returning one by one.
「We've narrowed down suspects but haven't pinpointed individuals yet, Your Excellency. A bit more time, and—」
「The crowds are too dense to distinguish easily. But we've definitely sensed demonic qi, so with a little more time—」
Even if the Sichuan region was a frontier, it was still the Central Plains.
Traditionally, the realm of the orthodox sects.
Naturally, any demonic cultivators roaming such a place would thoroughly conceal their auras.
Fortunately, the faint lingering traces of demonic qi scattered throughout the marketplace confirmed that the bastards hadn't left Doseong County yet.
Amid this massive crowd were the Angma Divine Transformation Cult's followers—and their pursuers trailing them.
'Wish Onma were here.'
With a familiar lord's keen sight and senses, sifting out the demonic cultivators would be faster and surer—but lacking that was regrettable.
"Expand the search radius."
「As you command!」
「As you command!」
The spirits scattered swiftly.
Yunhwi looked down at the marketplace again.
He needed to find the cultists as quickly as possible.
The thought of one slipping away, dying or getting injured while he searched, filled him with dread.
"Your tea, sir."
He sipped halfheartedly at the tea the waiter brought while keeping his Violet Demon Eye wide open.
Iron Goddess of Mercy.
As expected of an expensive brew—the aroma sharpened his mind.
.
Time passed.
.
.
How much time?
「There's a hidden watcher here!」
「An assassin using concealment arts—」
The spirits finally began reporting back one by one. The first discoveries were the pursuers.
As expected, they blended into the crowds, hid on rooftops, or wandered in groups like casual sightseers.
Their appearances and directions varied so much that they didn't seem connected.
'Track their destinations. The cultists will be there. If they're signaling each other, note that too.'
「We've been observing closely and have some findings already.」
'What?'
「Fortunately, the cult followers seem aware they're being tailed. They're vigilant, watching their surroundings constantly, making them hard to catch.」
'How many of our cultists?'
「Around three, it seems.」
Three.
Neither too many nor too few.
'Pursuers?'
「Nine spotted so far.」
「We suspect more; expanding the search!」
「And though uncertain—」
'Though?'
「One appears to be a demonic cultivator from one of the Nine Great Sects.」
Nine Great Sects?
Utterly unexpected.
Yunhwi had figured at most the Black Bone Ghost Valley's Four Swordsmen or one of the Seventy-Two Minor Sects skilled in pursuit.
A major sect stepping in personally?
It jolted him fully awake.
'Can't identify the exact origin?'
「Their internal energy is tightly controlled; hard to gauge the depth.」
'The Semi-Return Ghost Realm expert?'
「Yes. That's our judgment for now.」
The Semi-Return Ghost Realm was a stage reachable only by those transcending the peak or glimpsing beyond.
It denoted a state so transcendent it appeared ordinary.
Even if Yunhwi unleashed his full power with the Evil Spirit Battle Robe, victory would be unlikely.
He'd need to observe more carefully.
But one thing was certain.
—He'd finally latched onto the tail of the traitor closest to the council.
Yunhwi clenched his fist.
Save the cultists, catch the tail.
He couldn't let this chance slip.
Moreover, even if the Semi-Return Ghost Realm expert hid their identity, it wasn't entirely unknowable.
—Blade Demon North Sea Sect.
Far at the northern edge: beyond the deserts, steppes, and great forests where nomads dwell lies a frozen world of nothing but icebergs and icy seas.
The Blade Demon North Sea Sect hailed from that barren land.
Long ago known as the North Sea Ice Palace, they suffered mysterious destruction and flowed into the Heavenly Mountains.
Their frigid winds and chills could freeze the world in ice, earning them swift entry into the Nine Great Sects upon arrival.
Especially their sacred treasure, the Ice Crystal, brimmed with yin energy, making it the essential material for Black Bone Ghost Valley's superior corpse refinement.
Thus, Black Bone Ghost Valley had long served the North Sea Sect as loyal hounds.
It was on White Bone Net Demon's list of traitor sects, confirming them as the culprits.
'The North Sea Sect was the one plotting to assassinate the Dark Lord. The other four Black Ghosts vacated the shrine to meet them.'
Yunhwi had wondered how mere Black Bone Ghost Valley could target the Dark Lord—now the pieces fit perfectly.
Backed by the council, the North Sea Sect could plausibly target the Dang Clan too.
He considered moving now but decided to watch a bit longer.
Rash action might expose him instead.
When he moved, it'd be in one strike: rescue the cultists, eliminate the pursuers.
.
.
Thus more time passed.
Outside, the sun had dipped low.
The moon rose.
Night.
Then.
"No seats? You call that an excuse?"
"Sorry, sir. As you see, the streets are packed... It's not just our teahouse—every inn and teahouse in Doseong County is the same. Please understand."
"Then what's that? One guy's hogging a whole spot alone!"
The stairs erupted in commotion.
Among the crowds Yunhwi had observed, these three possessed the most formidable reservoirs of energy.
His gaze naturally turned.
A man and two women were bullying their way up the stairs as the waiter floundered to block them.
They appeared around Yunhwi's age.
Their attire suggested scions of a prestigious house with some arrogance.
Just to check, he scanned with his Violet Demon Eye—no demonic qi from any.
Likely just customers here for tea.
He started to look away, back to the window, when the man who'd briefly met his eyes grinned and shoved his obnoxious face closer.
"Well, well? Isn't this Yunhwi of the Nine Dragons Branch Family?"
Reincarnated Demon God Temple