Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Severed Contact
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Communication had been cut off.
At Ji Wolhon's words, the boisterous Divine Demon Blood Death Squad fell silent in an instant.
They pricked up their ears, focusing intently on their captain's report. Amid them, Hyeok Mulin spoke to Ji Wolhon.
"Tell me the details."
"As per your orders, Your Holiness, we assigned squad members especially skilled in lightness arts and stealth techniques to the tracking mission. They kept their distance from the lanterns, observing without getting too close."
Everything up to that point had gone exactly as Hyeok Mulin intended.
Normally, surveillance and intelligence gathering fell to the Secret Affairs Hall, but this target was full of variables.
Uncertain what might happen, it was wiser to deploy martial artists capable of handling sudden developments on their own. That's why he'd separately tasked the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad with the pursuit.
"The trackers sent cipher reports every three hours. They dispatched them periodically via carrier pigeons back to headquarters."
Ji Wolhon's already stern face grew even graver as he continued.
"But starting from yesterday, all contact has been severed."
Ji Wolhon had waited half a day for their response before sending an urgent sealed message via pigeon. Yet no reply came.
Something had clearly happened to them.
Hyeok Mulin, having heard the account, asked him.
"What was the content of their last report?"
At that, Ji Wolhon drew a letter from his bosom and respectfully presented it to Hyeok Mulin.
Hyeok Mulin unfolded it immediately and read the contents.
It was a cipher used by the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
"The owl raises its sword" meant the surveillance target had entered through the gate inspection at night.
And "yet it does not take to the skies to become a bunting" signified that even after daybreak, the target had not reappeared.
Hyeok Mulin stared at the letter, deep in thought.
"Where was contact lost?"
"Severed Realm."
"Severed Realm..."
Danri Hyang's expression hardened at the words.
Hyeok Mulin glanced at him briefly before turning his head back and speaking.
"To confirm their survival and locate the lanterns' whereabouts, we'll have no choice but to go there ourselves."
"Y-Yes. But..."
Ji Wolhon said with a troubled look.
"By the time we arrive, a considerable amount of time will have passed. I'm not confident we'll find any solid traces there."
"I think the same. The trail won't remain intact by the time we get there."
Hyeok Mulin nodded in agreement.
"Which is why we should bring along a tracker who can resolve such issues."
"A master tracker...? Does the cult have someone like that?"
Ji Wolhon tilted his head in puzzlement.
Hyeok Mulin merely responded with a calm smile.
The sun blazed high in the midday sky.
Tak Gae, warden of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's underground prison, was holding a drinking party in a private room of a tavern.
Sitting across from him was Mak Yeop, the leader of the Hwamok Merchant Group, which primarily supplied silk.
They had met for the first time today.
Yet they chattered noisily as if reuniting with an old friend.
"The prisoner after that was an arsonist who'd burned down a three-story inn. When he first arrived, he didn't know his place and resisted, but the moment I stepped in, he shut his mouth and averted his eyes."
"What imposing presence! I've heard tales of your fame, Warden, but hearing heroic stories firsthand like this is an unparalleled honor!"
"Hahaha! It's not that grand. Glad you enjoyed it."
Tak Gae laughed heartily before continuing.
"Speaking of which, that reminds me of my days before becoming warden. Back then, I led the vanguard in the cult's assault units, charging fearlessly through enemy lines..."
Tak Gae boasted of his exploits.
But it was all lies.
He had become a guard right after coming of age, spent decades as one, and then rose to warden.
Yet Mak Yeop applauded and cheered his tall tales.
"Heavens! To think one man could sway a battlefield so profoundly—it's beyond the imagination of a humble merchant like me."
The reason was simple.
What mattered to Mak Yeop wasn't whether the stories were true or false.
After their lively exchange, as Tak Gae refilled his cup, Mak Yeop cautiously asked.
"Warden, is it alright to be away from the prison during the day? What if something goes wrong...?"
"No need to worry. Though I oversee the prison, I've trained the guards to handle most situations in my absence."
"I see! As expected of you!"
"And today, there's even less reason for concern."
Tak Gae smirked slyly, curling the corner of his mouth.
"Today is one of those rare full holidays we get only a few times a year."
"Oh...! To share such a fine day with you is truly an honor!"
"Hahaha! So let's drink until the sun sets and the moon falls. Don't think of leaving early."
Mak Yeop beamed and ordered premium liquor.
Moments later, as Tak Gae poured the fresh liquor into his cup, he spoke leisurely.
"By the way, Warden. I have something important to discuss..."
"What is it?"
"I wonder if I should even mention it..."
As Mak Yeop hesitated with a troubled expression, Tak Gae thumped his chest confidently.
"Come now! What can't we say between friends? Speak freely."
Mak Yeop glanced around cautiously before whispering.
"Truth be told, my son was recently falsely accused and thrown into the prison."
"Good grief! What happened?"
"Late one night, he was walking the streets and found a drunken woman staggering. He kindly took her to an inn. But the ungrateful wretch claimed the next day that he'd assaulted her!"
"Heavens..."
Tak Gae sighed deeply and asked.
"Was it truly innocent? The cult wouldn't imprison without evidence."
Mak Yeop flinched at Tak Gae's slightly stern tone.
He then admitted part of the truth.
"It's true he was intimate with her that night, but it was with her full consent."
"...I see."
Tak Gae let out an incredulous chuckle at the excuse.
The story kept changing.
First, it was just helping her to the inn. Now, intimacy was involved.
And full consent from a woman on the verge of passing out from drink.
With decades as a warden, he could picture the scene with his eyes closed.
"So, what is it you want?"
When Tak Gae cut straight to the point, Mak Yeop revealed his submerged intent.
"W-Well, he's currently locked in the seventh layer of the underground prison. I've heard the conditions there are so harsh that his health has deteriorated badly."
That figures.
It wasn't meant to be comfortable.
"So, if you could mercifully move my poor son to a less severe layer, I would never forget this grace."
"Hmm..."
Mak Yeop clasped his hands, pleading earnestly.
Tak Gae closed his eyes, hummed thoughtfully, and finally spoke after deliberation.
"Very well. I'll see what I can do."
"Really?! Thank you, thank you!"
Mak Yeop bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
With a sigh of relief, he detailed his son's name and appearance.
Once finished, he rose before resuming drinks, tension eased.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
"Take your time."
Thud.
As the door closed behind him, Tak Gae was left alone in the room.
He downed his cup and sneered coldly.
"Like father, like son. No remorse for their crimes, just schemes to evade punishment."
The cult didn't convict without solid evidence.
Especially for grave offenses like murder, rape, or arson—they followed strict procedures.
So the claim of false accusation was obvious nonsense.
Having committed the crime and entered prison, one should accept the sentence quietly.
'Move to a comfortable layer...'
Ridiculous.
What did he think the cult's laws were?
'Mak Yeong, confined to the seventh layer.'
Remembering the name clearly, Tak Gae resolved.
You're headed to the ninth.
Short of the deepest tenth layer, he'd impose the worst punishment for such a criminal.
Adding insolence to the charges, Tak Gae idly toyed with his empty cup, eyes vacant.
"Even this farce is wearing thin."
The warden's life was a monotonous repetition of the same dreary scenes.
To escape, he accepted these overtures and bribes on days off from relatives or acquaintances of inmates.
But Tak Gae had never once granted their requests.
Quite the opposite—he'd add to their sentences for impropriety.
'Listening to these feigned injustices from prisoners is a chore now.'
Tak Gae decided today would be his last such indulgence.
He poured himself liquor and sipped.
Fine vintage, yet it tasted bitterly on his tongue, mirroring his mood.
Then.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Urgent footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Creak!
Soon, the private room's door burst open.
Tak Gae turned with a puzzled look.
"Heh, why the rush..."
...Huh?
But the figure in his view wasn't Mak Yeop.
It was a very familiar face.
The guard stationed at the prison entrance today.
"...Why are you here?"
Tak Gae asked, puzzled. Sweat-drenched, the guard spoke urgently.
"W-Warden, big trouble! You must return to the prison immediately."
"...?"
Tak Gae furrowed his brow.
Nothing irritated like being called back to work on a holiday.
That's why he'd drilled protocols and training for every contingency.
What could possibly require his presence?
Tak Gae let his irritation seep into his voice.
"What the hell is going on?"
The guard, panting heavily, met his gaze and blurted.
"His Holiness the Cult Leader has arrived at the prison...!"
Whoosh!
"Let's go!"
"Y-Yes!"
Tat-tat-tat!
At his subordinate's words, Tak Gae bolted from the tavern without a backward glance.
No time for cleaning up or farewells to the abandoned merchant leader.
His mind reeled from the Cult Leader's visit.
He hadn't even used inner energy to hasten, yet the alcohol burned off in his haste.
'Why a sudden unannounced visit?'
The previous one had surprised him too, but at least there'd been prior notice.
Was it an inspection for prison flaws?
Ominous thoughts swirled as he reached the underground prison entrance.
His eyes locked on the target instantly.
The Cult Leader, familiar yet radiating an unapproachable aura, stood at the entrance with his escorts.
Tak Gae hurried forward and bowed deeply.
"I greet Your exalted Holiness!"
"I hear it's your day off. Sorry to summon you suddenly."
"Not at all! Command me as you will!"
Tak Gae boomed. Hyeok Mulin chuckled softly.
"Good. Then guide me to the prison."
"Yes!"
Tak Gae strode ahead toward the prison.
As he stepped onto the descending stairs, he spoke.
"Your Holiness, shall I guide you to the lowest level as before?"
Hyeok Mulin slowly shook his head.
"No. Our destination this time is elsewhere."
"Then...?"
In response, Hyeok Mulin's lips curved slowly.
"The third layer."
The place in the prison with the most inmates from Xinjiang.
Their objective was none other than.
"Initial Thirst Hell."