Chapter 80: Guanyin Palm-3
Chapter 80: Guanyin Palm-3
Once all the peak-level masters were subdued, the rest could only be scattered and helpless.
With the added might of Gyeoljin Satae, an elder of the Ami Sect, and the combined forces of Bi Sa-yeong, Jeong Yeon, and Jeong-an Sojeo, the thirty or so Blood Cultists were soon all either killed or forced to surrender.
But even though the battle ended in victory, the atmosphere was far from pleasant.
Three of the ten Ami Sect disciples had already perished.
The disciples of the Ami Sect could only gather the bodies of the dead with somber expressions.
Moreover, the attitude of Gyeoljin Satae, the one in charge, was also exceedingly strange.
She flew into a rage at Jeonghye Sojeo without warning.
Jeonghye Sojeo was the direct junior sister-disciple of Jeong-an Sojeo and the very young lady Bi Sa-yeong had rescued at the start.
"Jeonghye! All of this is because of your rash actions! Three are dead because of you!"
At that, Jeonghye Sojeo, who had been biting her lip as if feeling wronged, finally bowed her head and spoke.
"...I am sorry."
"Do you think saying sorry is the end of it?! How do you plan to take responsibility for all of this?! When I return to the main sect, I shall report this to the sect leader and ensure your crimes are severely punished!"
Just then, Jeong-an Sojeo, who had heard the situation from her fellow senior and junior sisters, stepped forward and said,
"Sago-nim! How is that the fault of Jeonghye Sajeo?! Was it not the investigation team's objective to expose them as Blood Cultists, and was it not thanks to Jeonghye Sajeo that they were revealed as Blood Cultists?! If it were not for Sajeo, without even knowing they were Blood Cultists...!"
But Gyeoljin Satae cut off Jeong-an's words and snarled.
"Shut your mouth! Jeong-an! And Jeong Yeon! You are the same! Daring to slip out with Jeong-in without the sect's permission and ultimately causing this disaster! Know that you will face heavy punishment when you return!"
Gyeoljin Satae raged as sharply as a wildcat, but Jeong-an Sojeo was not cowed in the slightest.
Rather, she raised her voice even louder and shouted.
"I will gladly accept punishment for leaving without permission! But isn't that because the sect leader failed to investigate properly despite the repeated abductions of women?! Even when Blood Cultists are kidnapping women in the Ami Sect's own domain...!"
At that, Gyeoljin Satae screamed as if she had completely exploded.
"Shut your mouth, you wench! Daring to mention the sect's internal affairs before outsiders! Have you gone mad?!"
In the meantime, having exchanged telepathic transmissions with Jeong Yeon, I could roughly grasp how the situation was unfolding.
She must have wanted to shift her own responsibility onto Jeonghye Sojeo.
For a person like that to be a close aide to the sect leader of the Ami Sect—it was astonishing.
When I had only heard Jeong Yeon's words, I had doubted whether the Ami Sect could have fallen so far... but this was a scene that drove home just how serious it truly was.
Unable to watch any longer, Hwa Yeong-bin sighed and interjected.
"Isn't the most important thing right now to quickly rescue Lady Jeong-in before something happens? Let us first look for Lady Jeong-in."
At that, Gyeoljin Satae retorted with a furious expression.
"Hwa Sajil, even as a disciple of Cheong-gwang Jinin—would it not be a breach of etiquette to meddle in the internal affairs of the Ami Sect?"
At her sharp reaction, Hwa Yeong-bin forced a smile and soothed her.
"How would I dare interfere in the internal affairs of the Ami Sect? I was merely concerned for the safety of Lady Jeong-in, a disciple of your sect."
But Gyeoljin Satae seemed to have no intention of softening her heart easily.
She glared fiercely at Hwa Yeong-bin, then suddenly asked with a sneering expression.
"Why is Hwa Sajil so concerned about Jeong-in? Could it be that you are trying to forget Jeong-seon and form a new bond with a fresh young thing? All this time you pretended to be a chivalrous hero of utmost devotion, yet you're quite the libertine, aren't you? Ohohoho!"
She even burst into laughter, as if thinking herself terribly witty, but those words ultimately crossed a line that Hwa Yeong-bin could not endure.
His expression now ice-cold, Hwa Yeong-bin slowly began to emit his momentum as he asked in return,
"...What did you just say, Satae?"
The sneering expression of Gyeoljin Satae hardened rigidly before the immense force blossoming right in front of her.
There was simply no way a minor last-ranked elder of a fallen Ami Sect could withstand the momentum of Hwa Yeong-bin, who was on the cusp of the transcendent peak realm.
Gyeoljin Satae swallowed dryly and spoke.
"Hwa, Hwa Sajil, do you now dare to our Ami Sect...."
At that moment, Bi Sa-yeong and I approached the leader, whose arms we had both severed, and asked,
"Hey, where did you imprison the women?"
Having roughly gauged the situation, we had thought it better to interrogate the bastard first rather than try to stop that mess.
Just as expected, the gazes of Hwa Yeong-bin and Gyeoljin Satae, and indeed everyone who had been focused on the two of them, turned toward us.
At our question, the bastard laughed, his face filled with venomous energy.
"Keuheuheuheu, what a stupidly idiotic question. Did you think we would still have the women here when the Ami Sect even sent a visiting notice announcing their arrival? They were all moved yesterday. Keuheuheuheu."
"...What? They sent a visiting notice?"
We looked at the Ami Sect members with dumbfounded faces.
At that, Jeonghye Sojeo was staring at Gyeoljin Satae with resentful eyes.
Gyeoljin Satae, meanwhile, her face flushed bright red, cleared her throat with a 'Hmm, hmm,' and avoided her gaze. We could instantly guess how the situation had come to be.
Then the ever-unreserved Bi Sa-yeong opened his mouth.
"Oh-ho?! This demon spawn is lying? Are you telling us to believe that someone sent a visiting notice while coming to investigate Blood Cultists? Who would do such a thing unless they had lost their brain? Can't you speak properly?!"
Upon hearing those words, Gyeoljin Satae's face was turning red enough to burst.
I barely managed to suppress the laughter that threatened to escape and tapped the guy to restrain him.
"Hey, Sa-yeong."
But the guy instead got even more worked up and said,
"Ah, what?! Isn't that bastard making an excuse that makes no sense? Does it make any sense to send a visiting notice while coming to conduct an investigation?! It practically means they intended to obstruct the investigation outright, and who would do that unless they were a Blood Cult spy?!"
Then, astonishingly, he looked squarely at Gyeoljin Satae, whose face now looked like it was about to explode, and asked,
"Isn't that right, Gyeoljin Satae-nim?! To slander the honor of the Ami Sect with such absurd lies! Why, even I am getting angry!"
For a moment, seemingly at a loss for words, Gyeoljin Satae could only open and close her mouth a few times, unable to answer Bi Sa-yeong's question.
Then, she finally forced her voice out as if wringing it dry.
"Wh-Who exactly are you people? Just which sect's disciples are you...."
Asking about our sect and affiliation at this point.
I thought I knew what she wanted to talk about.
She must want to pressure us by invoking the authority of the Ami Sect.
So this time, I answered first with a grin.
"Ah, you mean us? We are merely wandering chivalrous heroes. While pursuing Blood Cultists, we happened upon a connection and were able to rescue the two young ladies, Jeong Yeon and Jeong-an. We have circumstances that prevent us from revealing our identities, so we ask for your understanding."
Since our identities were unknown, she couldn't press us with her prestige, and at my answer, Gyeoljin Satae's face contorted.
She seemed to be seething with rage at a situation she could do nothing about.
And then, as if to vent that anger, she shouted at Jeong-an and Jeong Yeon.
"To have been rescued by outsiders whose identities are unknown! How dare you disgrace the honor of the Ami Sect...!"
Just then, Bi Sa-yeong quickly cut her off and said,
"Ah, we also saved Satae's life from the Blood Cult demons just a moment ago. I mention it just in case you might have forgotten, since you haven't offered any thanks. You need not bother with a formal expression of gratitude."
"W-Well, that...."
Gyeoljin Satae was once again at a complete loss for words.
Since it was true that she herself had her life saved by us, she could no longer bluster on about the honor of the Ami Sect.
I caught sight of Jeong Yeon and Jeonghye Sojeo struggling to manage their expressions.
They seemed to be holding back laughter.
In the midst of it all, only Jeong-an Sojeo burst out into bright, clear laughter.
"Ahahahaha!"
She was no less of a young lady who didn't care for consequences than Bi Sa-yeong. Now that I thought about it, the two of them secretly suited each other quite well.
At that, an incensed Gyeoljin Satae shot a furious glare and was just about to say something to Jeong-an Sojeo when Hwa Yeong-bin interjected first.
"If the aim is not truly to obstruct the investigation, then shouldn't you be looking for the women now?"
"Wh-What did you say?!"
At Hwa Yeong-bin's words, Gyeoljin Satae stared at him with a furious expression. But after the earlier incident, Hwa Yeong-bin seemed to have no intention of treating her with any further courtesy.
Faced with his cold glare and terrifying momentum, Gyeoljin Satae flinched and could not utter a single word.
Afterward, we searched every inch of Guanyin Hall.
But just as the demon head had said, they had found nothing inside.
It seemed everyone had been moved to Jeonghyeopbang.
Hwa Yeong-bin asked me,
"If they say the women were moved not long ago, what about we strike Jeonghyeopbang right away ourselves? What do you think?"
"Hmm...."
If we only considered the safety of Ami Sword Peak Lady Jeong-in, that would indeed be the correct course.
But charging into Jeonghyeopbang's main base with our current numbers was highly likely to be an overreach.
I asked him in return,
"What would you say is the expected scale and timing of the forces coming from the Cheongseong Sect?"
At that, his face darkened slightly.
"Scale is nothing to worry about. There will be at least twenty peak-level masters alone. But timing is the issue. Even if they set out as soon as possible, it would be a stretch for them to arrive by today or tomorrow. And if the sect leader disapproves of my master's event, it could be delayed much further. The Cheongseong Sect, though not quite like the Ami Sect, is rather noisy internally as well. But... the reason you ask that is probably because you think it's too much for just us."
At his accurate guess, I let out a sigh and nodded.
"Yes, honestly, that's what I think. If they moved the women out of wariness toward the Ami Sect, they've probably tightened security far more than usual."
He then sighed heavily and said,
"Right, you're correct. But we can't exactly buy time like this, can we? The slightest difference could decide Lady Jeong-in's life or death...."
That was when.
We suddenly felt the presence of a group approaching this way and turned our heads to look.
Then a moment later, a crowd of people came into view.
About thirty women, disciples of the Ami Sect.
Gyeoljin Satae, recognizing them, brightened and cried out,
"Sect leader-sajae!"
They were the Ami Sect's sect leader, Gyeolhan Satae, and her close associates.
It was an entirely unexpected appearance.
Gyeoljin Satae, who had run over joyfully, reported to Gyeolhan Satae, who was asking about the situation, that the people of Guaneumjang were Blood Cult members and that they appeared to have already moved the women to Jeonghyeopbang.
She had made a huge fuss earlier about disciples dying because of Jeonghye Sojeo, but at least for now, it seemed she had no intention of bringing that up.
'She's probably afraid that if she does, the part about her sending a visiting notice in advance and giving them time to move the women might come up.'
It was obvious at a glance.
But we didn't bring up that matter either.
Because I felt now wasn't the time to quibble over such things.
Having heard Gyeoljin Satae's full account, Gyeolhan Satae nodded and said,
"As expected, Jeonghyeopbang was a den of the Blood Cult. Just as I predicted. You've done well, Gyeol-jin sama. I rushed here fearing something might happen, so it's a relief that you're safe."
Gyeoljin Satae put on a slightly awkward expression, then bowed her head in thanks.
"Thank you for worrying, sect leader-sajae. Indeed, I cannot hope to match your wisdom, sect leader-sajae."
It was a strange exchange.
Just listening to the conversation, didn't it sound as if Gyeolhan Satae had suspected Jeonghyeopbang from the very beginning?
It was completely different from everything I had heard so far, and from what I had just heard from Jeonghye Sojeo.
I asked Jeong Yeon via telepathic transmission.
- Sojeo, who are the people accompanying Gyeolhan Satae right now? Is your master or Jeong-an Sojeo's master among them?
- No. They're all just the sect leader's close associates.
Hmm, so that was how it was?
I had a rough guess of what was going on.
After exchanging a few words with Gyeoljin Satae, Gyeolhan Satae glanced at Hwa Yeong-bin and us, then spoke to Jeongan and Jeong Yeon with a terrifying expression.
"For you to dare rush out without the sect's permission and cause this kind of disturbance, this will absolutely not be overlooked! Prepare yourselves thoroughly! If Jeong-in is found, Jeong-in shall also receive a heavy disciplinary punishment!"
I smirked and sent a telepathic transmission to Jeong Yeon about the situation as I had deduced it.
At that, Jeong Yeon smiled faintly and opened her mouth with a respectful attitude.
"Leaving without the sect's permission may indeed warrant punishment. But was it not because we exposed the existence of the Blood Cult followers and the true nature of Jeonghyeopbang that the Murim Alliance also moved? I believe that is a merit more than sufficient to offset the transgression."
"...What did you say?"
"I speak of the Murim Alliance. Did the sect leader not also move after receiving communication from the Murim Alliance?"
At Jeong Yeon's question, Gyeolhan Satae could not answer right away.
If Gyeolhan Satae, who had been of a pro-Jeonghyeopbang stance and had even received tribute from them, suddenly came out like that, the reason was obvious.
'She must have received communication from the place she considers more important than Jeonghyeopbang, the Murim Alliance. Probably because Sak hyeongnim made a report to the Alliance.'
And Gyeolhan Satae, having been contacted by the Murim Alliance about Jeonghyeopbang's true nature, must have been stricken with urgency.
Because it was the Murim Alliance, the place she valued most, that informed her of the fact that Jeonghyeopbang, with whom she had formed a certain relationship, was actually a den of the Blood Cult.
If by any mishap the facts of having received tribute from Jeonghyeopbang were to be revealed, wouldn't that be a critical blow to her?
That was probably why she hurriedly decided to strike Jeonghyeopbang first, leading only her close associates.
To show the world she had no ties to Jeonghyeopbang while simultaneously sealing Jeonghyeopbang's mouth.
And for that reason, people other than her own followers must not have been allowed to be present.
Jeong Yeon took a step further and asked,
"Did you perhaps come without receiving the communication? We clearly asked the Murim Alliance's warrior to send word to the Ami Sect as well. How strange. I suppose I'll have to ask him again...."
At that, Gyeolhan Satae hastily answered,
"No! It is true that I received the Alliance's communication! But... is it true that you separately established contact with the Alliance?"
"Yes, not we, but we met a warrior of the Alliance who was said to be conducting a secret mission. After hearing our story, he said we had rendered a great merit."
"I-Is that so. Then where is that warrior?"
As she asked this, Gyeolhan Satae's gaze flicked toward us. She probably wanted to check if we were that warrior.
At that, Jeong Yeon, as I had instructed her, shook her head and answered.
"That warrior is currently investigating Jeonghyeopbang. He said he is investigating whether the demon heads of Jeonghyeopbang might have formed some collusive ties with other sects."
"I-Is that so?"
At the mention of investigating ties with other sects, all color drained from Gyeolhan Satae's face.
It seemed she had imagined something truly terrifying.
Now, I've applied the pressure. Let's make her act, shall we?
I sent a telepathic transmission to Hwa Yeong-bin.
At that, Hwa Yeong-bin glanced at me, smiled faintly, and said to Gyeolhan Satae,
"We were just deliberating whether we should go to Jeonghyeopbang now to rescue Lady Jeong-in. We must save her as quickly as possible, but we were wondering if it might be a bit too much with just our forces. What does Satae intend to do now?"
Then Gyeolhan Satae answered immediately, as if she had been waiting.
"How could one possibly hesitate to rescue a disciple of our own sect?! We shall go to Jeonghyeopbang at once! Furthermore, as this is a matter of the Ami Sect, we will accept no further aid from outsiders!"
To put it simply, she was telling us not to follow anymore.
Hwa Yeong-bin asked again with a regretful expression.
"Is that so. But still, as this is a matter related to the Blood Cult's demon heads, wouldn't it be better to contribute even our small strength?"
It was a reasonable point, but Gyeolhan Satae instead hardened her expression and retorted,
"Are you perhaps slighting us, thinking that the Ami Sect's strength is not what it used to be? That we cannot punish Jeonghyeopbang with our own power?"
"Ah, that's not what I meant. How could I possibly do so?"
"Then say no more."
Gyeolhan Satae firmly closed the matter and spoke to the Ami Sect disciples standing behind her.
"We shall now go to Jeonghyeopbang, defeat the Blood Cult's demon heads, and rescue Jeong-in! Every moment counts, so all of you must move with utmost haste!"
"Yes! Sect leader!"
Then she addressed the investigation team that had come earlier.
"Gyeol-jin sama, follow me! The other disciples shall return to the main mountain under Jeonghye's command, and Jeong Yeon and Jeongan, you two shall also follow them! If you fail to follow instructions this time as well, you will be severely punished!"
"Yes, sect leader."
Having said that, Gyeolhan Satae immediately led the group and left Guaneumjang.
She appeared to be in an immense hurry.
After they left, Hwa Yeong-bin approached me and asked,
"It went just as you said. What do you plan to do now?"
I gathered my thoughts for a moment, then opened my mouth.
"Let's obtain some information first."