Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Invasion (6)
"Shh."
So Iryeon and I leaned in to listen to the speaker.
"Cult Leader, can't we just go see for ourselves?"
"Going there now would be strange."
"I should have joined the operation too."
"Say something that makes sense."
"But I'm curious."
"Shh, it's starting."
The two of us and Hundred Tiger Ghost sat down and focused on the sound coming from the small speaker.
Currently, Jimun Seo-saeng was meeting with Nakhwa in China. It was an official visit, and Cheong Ak-sal was accompanying him.
—It's an honor to meet Ehwa Palace in person.
—I'm also honored to meet directly with the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Both greeted each other calmly.
—The appearance of Zhongnanhai has changed considerably. It seems Ehwa Palace's touch has reached many places.
—Not as much as the Heavenly Demon Cult's main headquarters.
—I was a bit surprised that the old traces have disappeared. There should be traces left by our Cult Leader here.
A subtle jab came in.
"Ah! Take it a bit slower! The atmosphere was good!"
"That's right."
As So Iryeon and I clenched our fists in disappointment, Hundred Tiger Ghost looked at us as if he didn't understand.
—Decorating the inside of a house is the owner's prerogative. It seems a rather rough guest passed through, as there were many places that needed fixing.
—Occasionally there are cases like this. The owner rented out the place, and the tenant decorated the house as they pleased. Mistaking themselves for the owner.
Sharp words were exchanged. Just listening created tension.
—A passerby stayed overnight in an empty house. And when leaving the next day, they put up a nameplate before going. They must have thought that would make it their house.
Nakhwa was no pushover either.
—Just because someone new comes and decorates the house doesn't make it theirs.
—The neighbors wanted it. They said they needed someone to get along with rather than someone who stayed one day and only left terror behind.
—It seems there wasn't time to evaluate whether they were capable of protecting it. Desperate people grasp at straws, after all.
Terror. Straws.
They emphasized these words, grating on each other's nerves.
"Cult Leader, when does the pink conversation come out?"
"I was expecting that too."
At our conversation, Hundred Tiger Ghost had a puzzled expression.
"If you're curious about something, ask."
"No, it's nothing."
"The Cult Leader is telling you to ask."
Only after So Iryeon's words did Hundred Tiger Ghost ask.
"Isn't Protector Jimun currently carrying out an important mission for the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
"That's right."
"But hearing you two talk, it's exactly like secretly watching someone on a blind date."
"That's also right."
Hundred Tiger Ghost looked even more confused.
"Can't it be both?"
I asked, looking at So Iryeon.
"It can be. A warrior should be able to do that."
So Iryeon agreed with my words, then looked at Hundred Tiger Ghost and said,
"Think about the previous life, what kind of women the Cult Leader met. He met them regardless of whether they were enemy or ally."
"Hey, why are you putting it that way?"
I was about to protest when Hundred Tiger Ghost answered first.
"Ah! I understand now."
"What do you understand? You two!"
I was about to say something when the voice from the speaker was heard again.
—I came here carrying the Cult Leader's will, but honestly, I don't understand why such a meeting is necessary.
—What do you mean?
—The Heavenly Demon Cult gives those who block its path two choices. Be trampled, or step aside.
—How rough. But Ehwa Palace is used to such words. In the previous life, everyone who met us greeted us like that first. But we never heard their final farewell. Because not a single one survived.
I became curious about what expressions they were making.
"Cult Leader, this is somehow fun."
"Me too."
I was about to focus on the speaker again when I looked at Hundred Tiger Ghost and said,
"This is a secret from Jimun Seo-saeng."
"Understood."
Having secured his confirmation, I focused again.
The war of words between Jimun Seo-saeng and Nakhwa became more intense as time passed. Threats and persuasion were repeated, and traps and accusations also appeared.
"If I had heard such words, I would have thrown a punch right away."
"Me too."
"Right? I'm boiling inside right now."
The war of words lasted for a full two hours.
Even though quite some time had passed, they hadn't even brought up the actual negotiations.
'They're going for a long-term battle.'
As expected, they spent three hours exchanging courteous verbal battles before ending the meeting.
—I'll see you again tomorrow.
—We've prepared accommodations.
—Thank you, but I'll come back tomorrow. I still have many things to do.
—That's unfortunate.
Their final farewell gave me goosebumps.
"How can they be like that? They just cursed at each other for three hours."
"They're holding back because they have to curse again tomorrow."
"I don't want to listen from tomorrow."
I also lost the desire to keep listening.
For three hours, only the words were soft, but it felt like we'd been hit with every curse in the world.
Of course, Jimun Seo-saeng fought back refreshingly, but since the opponent calmly deflected it, this was also unpleasant.
Shortly after, Jimun Seo-saeng appeared. He had declined the accommodations prepared by Ehwa Palace and returned to the main headquarters.
"The Cult Leader was right. I'm impressed once again."
"Huh? About what?"
Jimun Seo-saeng said with a smile.
"She's a charming woman."
At those words, I got goosebumps once again.
From the next day, I didn't eavesdrop on Jimun Seo-saeng's war of words. I just trusted him and waited for the results.
The negotiations unexpectedly dragged on.
On the fifth day.
"Jimun Seo-saeng, what are you doing?"
Having briefly gone to the conference room, I witnessed Jimun Seo-saeng looking at a mirror.
"The foundation of all negotiations begins with how we look at each other. Checking one's appearance is essential."
"You're not concerned about the woman's gaze?"
"Does it seem that way?"
I nodded.
"As expected, I can't deceive the Cult Leader's eyes."
"Are the negotiations dragging on because you're doing this on purpose?"
"That's not it. I don't let emotions ruin my work."
I believe him on this part.
"Do you want me to finish quickly?"
"No. It's work I've entrusted to you anyway. Even if it takes a year, it doesn't matter, so do as you see fit."
"Then, Cult Leader, may I hold the next negotiation here? Constantly going there myself might look like I'm losing, depending on how you see it."
"I should be present."
"No need. You don't have to worry. I'll handle it myself."
"Good."
I gave Jimun Seo-saeng sufficient time.
'If the two become allies, I should never go to that place.'
They could create hell with words alone.
With that resolution, I left the conference room.
After a long time, I went to the Ice Castle. Just in case, I checked on the Witch's condition.
Since the work was being done in transparent ice, there was no need to go inside.
The Witch had already finished inscribing all the magic circles and was immersed in research again. She kept writing something in the notebook she was holding, and suddenly came outside to experiment with it.
'I haven't seen the Witch in a long time, so I feel empty.'
I watched the Witch for a moment.
'Did she eat?'
After thinking this, I was surprised at myself.
'I'm even worrying about such things.'
Surprised by that fact, I turned around.
But then I heard the Witch's cheer from behind.
The sight of her throwing the notebook and cheering was like Heavenly Demon Cult members graduating from Hell Hall.
'She accomplished something.'
I smiled without realizing it.
For several days, I trained at the Ice Castle. In the process, I naturally ended up watching the Witch.
The Witch, who seemed to have achieved great results, erased all the magic circles she had painstakingly drawn and began drawing them again.
This time, it was a magic circle she was drawing directly without any reference materials.
'There's no way she memorized all those complex things.'
It was probably a drawing based on understanding the formulas.
'No, maybe she memorized them all. Because she's the Witch.'
The Witch cannot be judged by common sense. I just turned off my attention and immersed myself in my training.
Three days passed that way, but the Witch didn't leave the magic circle.
'Good.'
There's nothing good about the Witch coming out to the main headquarters right now.
'If she finds out that Jimun Seo-saeng sold her name...'
I said I would take responsibility, but I don't know what I should give.
She definitely won't let it pass easily.
After confirming the Witch was absorbed in her work, I stood on the teleportation magic circle to go to Korea.
"Wait."
If my cultivation wasn't high, I definitely would have fainted. I was so surprised my body felt like it was freezing.
"Long time no see."
"Why did you glare at me?"
"I never glared."
"You're plotting something, aren't you?"
I confidently shook my head.
The Witch asked me with suspicious eyes.
"Is something wrong at home?"
"No. Nothing's wrong."
"Really?"
"Just continue your training. The family is all safe. There's no threat whatsoever."
Only then did the Witch feel relieved and turn around.
'Damn perceptive woman.'
Before the Witch could turn back, I quickly moved to Korea.
During the three days I was gone, many things must have happened, as a special scene was unfolding.
"Cult Leader, please come quickly."
So Iryeon bowed and guided me.
The place we arrived at was Lake Park.
A man and woman were sitting on a bench in Lake Park.
Jimun Seo-saeng and Nakhwa.
They were having a conversation while smiling.
Although it was something I had permitted, I didn't know it would progress this quickly.
To eavesdrop on their conversation, I approached while hiding my body behind a building. But someone else was already in the spot I wanted.
"Huh?"
"Oh, Heavenly Demon."
Myohwa was already eavesdropping on their conversation.
Having discovered me, Myohwa tried to run to Lake Park. I quickly grabbed her arm.
"I don't know what's going on, but do it later."
"Why?"
"Because it's time between a man and a woman."
Myohwa didn't seem to understand.
So Iryeon stepped forward.
"If you go out now, you might shatter Nakhwa's happiness."
So Iryeon skillfully persuaded Myohwa.
"I don't want that."
"Then watch from here."
The three of us hid in the building and eavesdropped on their conversation.
Although it was quite a distance, there was no problem hearing.
The first sound heard was this.
"It seems the Cult Leader has arrived."
"He must be eavesdropping in the same place as the Palace Master."
"Let's stand up."
I frowned and went outside.
Then Jimun Seo-saeng greeted first, and Nakhwa also showed courtesy.
"Then I'll see you shortly."
Nakhwa went to the accommodations assigned to them with Myohwa.
Jimun Seo-saeng watched them with a smile until they disappeared.
"The negotiations went well, it seems."
"That's right. We're almost at the final stage."
I went to the conference room with the Protectors.
"How do you plan to wrap it up?"
"Liaoning Province, Jilin Province, and Heilongjiang, which border with us, will be designated as special districts and opened to Korea. Starting with this, we agreed to completely transfer ownership within five years."
"What will they receive?"
"The name of the Heavenly Demon Cult. We will declare that we are in a cooperative relationship and help each other. Based on this, they seem to plan to dominate China."
On the surface, it looked like they would each get what they wanted and form a solid alliance.
However, internally, it's a method that could cause tremendous problems.
Above all, this decision is not the direction I desired.
What I wanted was simple.
'Either step back from our path or follow along, make a decision.'
But the current decision feels like an equal exchange of necessities between equals.
"Understood."
I let it pass since it was Jimun Seo-saeng's decision. I already entrusted him with the decision-making authority, so this result is also my responsibility.
But Jimun Seo-saeng seemed to have more to say.
"This is just the surface negotiation. The real meaning of this negotiation is something else."
"What is it?"
"The Heavenly Demon Cult and Ehwa Palace cannot be together as things stand now. This meeting was to confirm that."
"So?"
Jimun Seo-saeng said with a smile.
"It seems we'll have to wage all-out war with Ehwa Palace."
"Then why did you drag things out until now?"
"To assess the opponent. Nakhwa was the same."
"So you're saying you both knew you couldn't work together and assessed each other, is that it?"
"That's correct."
I barely held back the urge to call him a lunatic.
"Still, Nakhwa was charming."
"You lunatic!"
I ended up saying it after all.