Chapter 251
Chapter 251
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 251
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Resignation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Hwagolsan?”
Wi Mu-yeom and Lee Se-cheon hurried toward Gonggong Shintu's corpse.
*Sizzle!*
Pushing through the white, poisonous fumes, they saw Gonggong Shintu's skin already melting away like water, revealing the bone beneath.
“What in the world happened?”
Hwagolsan was toxic enough to melt skin and bone, but it was also highly volatile. Moreover, it only reacted with bodily fluids.
For this reason, Hwagolsan couldn't be used by coating it on hidden weapons or blades.
“Commander Wi! Why did you use Hwagolsan!”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Are you saying the corpse drank Hwagolsan on its own?”
“Hmph, perhaps you slipped him the poison while pretending to examine the body?”
Wi Mu-yeom said coldly.
“It would be troublesome if it was revealed the Murim Alliance killed him, after all.”
“Nonsense.”
Neither Wi Mu-yeom nor Lee Se-cheon had seen Gonggong Shintu bite down on the fake tooth.
That was why they were now suspecting each other.
“There's no getting through to you.”
At a glance from Wi Mu-yeom, the members of the Cheonsal-dae drew their weapons.
In response, the members of the Murim Alliance also drew their swords immediately.
As the standoff reached its peak, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward.
“He swallowed the poison himself.”
“What?”
“When I arrived, he was already swallowing the poison.”
Wi Mu-yeom's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Didn't you just say he had stopped breathing when you arrived?”
“He was swallowing the poison just as I arrived.”
*This bastard…*
Wi Mu-yeom bit his lip.
It was hard to take Bu Eun-seol's words at face value. But with the corpse already dissolved, there was no way to verify the truth.
“How absurd.”
Lee Se-cheon wore a look of utter defeat.
As the commander leading the Murim Alliance's elite sword unit, he had confidently faced the Demonic Cult.
But he had gained nothing.
Worse, due to the interference of the Sa-yeong-dae on Gwanmo Peak, he had arrived later than the Cheonsal-dae commander, losing face in the process.
And now, far from capturing Gonggong Shintu alive, he was left staring at a puddle of blood that was once a corpse, having failed to even witness the man's final moments.
Wi Mu-yeom felt the same.
If he had killed Gonggong Shintu himself, he could have at least saved some face.
But when he found him, the man had already suffered a fatal wound and was on the run.
And to think the one who found him first was the Sa-yeong-dae commander, a man he held in contempt.
For the renowned commander of the Cheonsal-dae, who had personally taken charge of this mission, the result was utterly hollow.
-Damn it.
The same curse echoed in the minds of both Wi Mu-yeom and Lee Se-cheon.
There was nothing they could do now.
Gritting his teeth, Lee Se-cheon turned around.
“We're leaving.”
As the Murim Alliance members followed him out, Wi Mu-yeom questioned Bu Eun-seol.
“Is everything you've said the truth?”
“Yes.”
Staring intently at Bu Eun-seol's unwavering face, Wi Mu-yeom spat out his words.
“Return to the main hall.”
*Fwoosh.*
The Cheonsal-dae members followed him, vanishing with their movement techniques.
However, one member remained behind, not using any technique.
It was the third squad leader of the Cheonsal-dae, Seo Jin-ha.
*Nod.*
Seo Jin-ha met Bu Eun-seol's gaze, gave a slight nod, and then vanished into the air with his movement technique.
“…”
Left standing alone, Bu Eun-seol silently gazed down at the almost completely dissolved remains of Gonggong Shintu.
Until now, he had strived relentlessly to gain the power to defy fate.
But he had forgotten what was truly important.
*Grandfather…*
A fierce light swirled in Bu Eun-seol's eyes. He had now decided what he must do.
***
For the first time in his life, Bu Eun-seol was able to attend a meeting of the hall lords, presided over by the Chong-gyo-ryeong.
This was possible because he temporarily held the rank of a first-class commander, and secondly, because he was the one who had discovered Gonggong Shintu first.
Wi Mu-yeom, the commander of the Cheonsal-dae, in particular, had not let go of his suspicions about Bu Eun-seol.
In the meeting hall, he publicly demanded that Bu Eun-seol once again explain the situation when he encountered Gonggong Shintu.
“…And that is what happened.”
Bu Eun-seol explained in detail the circumstances that led him to pursue Gonggong Shintu.
The decisive cause of death was a fatal stab wound near the heart.
It was true that he had been hit by a hidden weapon and that he had ingested Hwagolsan himself.
He only omitted the fact that Gonggong Shintu had a poisoned false tooth and that they had spoken right before he died.
Gonggong Shintu's corpse had already become a pool of blood, making any further investigation impossible.
Wi Mu-yeom questioned Bu Eun-seol repeatedly, but he couldn't find any flaws or inconsistencies to latch onto.
*This isn't a meeting; he called me here to interrogate me.*
“I, too, have a question for Commander Wi.”
Having finished his explanation, Bu Eun-seol looked Wi Mu-yeom straight in the eye and spoke.
“I faithfully guarded Gwanmo Peak under your orders, Commander Wi. I then pursued Gonggong Shintu, and my unit held off the Murim Alliance's pursuers.”
Seated at the table, Bu Eun-seol stared intently at Wi Mu-yeom and continued.
“However, you, Commander Wi, who was in overall command of Gonggong Shintu's capture, failed to produce any results.”
“What did you say?”
A stark white killing intent rose in Wi Mu-yeom's eyes.
“What did you just say?”
“Did you not hear me?”
A crimson light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as well.
“My Sa-yeong-dae held off the Murim Alliance pursuers, and I pursued Gonggong Shintu and found him first.”
Bu Eun-seol stared directly into Wi Mu-yeom's gleaming eyes and spoke, enunciating each word clearly.
“And yet, Commander Wi, you are treating me like a criminal.”
“That is because the process was questionable.”
“Am I, a commander, to be interrogated simply because you find it 'questionable'?”
“Enough.”
As the argument between the two escalated, the Chong-gyo-ryeong, Yeop Hyo-cheon, raised his hand.
“As long as the information Gonggong Shintu possessed did not fall into the hands of the Murim Alliance, the matter is closed.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon looked at the two and sighed.
“There is no need for further debate on this issue.”
Who would dare defy the august Chong-gyo-ryeong's command?
Wi Mu-yeom and Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to clasp their hands and bow their heads.
Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded slightly and said.
“Let us move on to the next matter.”
A moment of silence fell over the great hall.
The next topic of discussion was far more important and difficult than the last.
“Originally, dealing with Gonggong Shintu was a task that the successor of the Hwau-geom-mun was supposed to handle.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon took a deep breath and continued.
“But because the Murim Alliance got involved, the matter grew uncontrollably, and in the end, the masters of our cult had no choice but to intervene.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the hall lords.
“How do you all judge this matter?”
At that, the Amyeong Hall Lord from the Hwau-geom-mun, Sim Ui, spoke in a low voice.
“Since this happened regardless of our sect's intentions, I believe it is only right to give him a chance at another mission.”
He cleared his throat and continued.
“As of now, only the Hyeolyeom-doga and the Nang-ya-gak have completed their successor missions.”
“Hmm.”
As Yeop Hyo-cheon hummed and nodded in agreement, Sim Ui spoke with more force.
“Furthermore, the Geuksal-mil-gak and the Myeolin-gung are still in the process of completing their missions. Considering that alone, it is only natural to grant another chance.”
Nodding, Yeop Hyo-cheon looked around the hall and asked.
“Are there any other opinions?”
As if he had been waiting, Do In-cheong, a first-class commander from the Hyeolyeom-doga, clasped his hands.
“May I say a word?”
“Speak.”
“The matter of Gonggong Shintu was not a battle of arms, but one of intelligence. And in a war of intelligence, maintaining secrecy is paramount.”
Do In-cheong said with a calm gaze.
“In other words, the mere fact that information was leaked to the Murim Alliance means the Hwau-geom-mun has already made a grave error.”
Sim Ui immediately retorted.
“Our sect handled this matter in utmost secrecy. It was merely spies, hidden who knows where, who passed on the information.”
Sim Ui said.
“The source from which the information about Gonggong Shintu actually spread was the Demonic Cult, not our sect. How can you place all the blame on us?”
“Aren't the ears of spies open everywhere? In the end, failing to prevent that is an admission of incompetence.”
“Watch your words, Commander Do.”
Sim Ui said with a cold glare.
“Do you think you are qualified to judge the abilities of our sect's successor?”
“Qualified?”
As the argument flared up again, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke once more.
“Commander of the Sa-yeong-dae.”
He stared intently at Bu Eun-seol and said.
“What is your opinion?”
It was a completely unexpected question.
Bu Eun-seol was slightly taken aback, but he soon replied in a calm voice.
“I do not believe this is a matter I can comment on.”
“Why not?”
“Because I am competing with him for the position of successor.”
“Hahaha.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon gave a strange smile.
“I am not asking you to answer as a candidate for the cult's successor, but as the commander of the Sa-yeong-dae.”
Judging by his firm expression, it seemed Yeop Hyo-cheon was determined to hear his answer.
After a moment of thought, Bu Eun-seol calmly began to speak.
“If I may venture an opinion as the commander of the Sa-yeong-dae…”
He paused, taking a deep breath to continue, when suddenly,
*Click.*
The door to the meeting hall opened, and a man with a slender build walked in slowly.
He wore ornate martial robes, but his features were clean and innocent, giving him a rather simple air.
It was none other than the successor of the Hwau-geom-mun, Wijihye-sang.
“Wijihye-sang, a disciple of the Hwau-geom-mun, greets the Chong-gyo-ryeong and the esteemed hall lords and commanders.”
Everyone in the hall wore a puzzled expression.
Although he was the successor of the Hwau-geom-mun, he held no official position in the Demonic Cult. Therefore, he was not qualified to attend this meeting.
Yet he had boldly walked into the Dokmyeong Hall while a meeting was in progress?
However, Yeop Hyo-cheon showed no surprise and simply nodded.
“What is it?”
“I know this is impolite, but I came here to take responsibility as a candidate for the Demonic Cult's successor.”
“Responsibility?”
“I heard there is a heated debate regarding my future.”
Wijihye-sang clasped his hands with a very polite expression.
“However, there is no need for any of you to discuss that matter any further.”
“And why is that?”
When Yeop Hyo-cheon asked, Wijihye-sang smiled faintly and spoke in a clear, bright voice.
“As of today, I will step down from my candidacy as successor to the Demonic Cult.”
A murmur went through the meeting hall at the shocking declaration.
Although his mission had not been successful, he was the successor of the Hwau-geom-mun, the leading sect of the Ten Demonic Sects.
As the most influential sect in the Demonic Cult, if they demanded another chance at the mission, it would have been difficult for even Yeop Hyo-cheon to refuse.
But for him to voluntarily resign from his candidacy?
*Murmur, murmur.*
As the various hall lords and commanders whispered amongst themselves, Yeop Hyo-cheon raised his hand to silence them.
Then he asked in a heavy voice.
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“Why have you made such a decision?”
“Considering the gravity of the matter, I should have implemented double, even triple security measures.”
Wijihye-sang answered calmly.
“But I failed to do so, and information was leaked. As a result, the core forces of our cult nearly clashed head-on with the Murim Alliance.”
Clasping his hands, Wijihye-sang's eyes shone as he spoke.
“That fact alone proves I am unqualified to be the successor. How could I shamelessly hold on to the position?”
A silence fell over the hall as the unexpected remarks continued.
Yeop Hyo-cheon's eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded.
“If that is your will, then so be it.”
He then continued in a low voice.
“As of today, you are disqualified from the position of successor candidate. I will report this to the Heavenly Demonic Emperor as well.”
“Thank you.”
Wijihye-sang clasped his hands without hesitation.
The meeting ended in a state of disarray.
Wijihye-sang's sudden announcement left not only the hall lords from the Hwau-geom-mun but also the members of the Hyeolyeom-doga who had opposed his continued candidacy, completely dumbfounded.
Judging by the situation, it seemed Wijihye-sang's declaration had not been fully discussed with the Hwau-geom-mun.
*Wijihye-sang.*
Stepping out of the Dokmyeong Hall, Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
He had seen through and predicted many things up to this point. But he simply could not fathom Wijihye-sang's true intentions.
*He must have leaked the information intentionally.*
Wijihye-sang was cautious enough to choose the slip with the successor's mission written on it last.
It was impossible that such a man would have managed the information carelessly, without considering the spies rooted throughout the Demonic Cult.
Hadn't even Seo Jin-ha judged that this situation was aimed at disrupting the current successor structure, in which Bu Eun-seol had the upper hand?
But shattering all those predictions, Wijihye-sang had given up the position of the Demonic Cult's successor with almost anticlimactic ease.
*Is he satisfied with just being the successor of the Hwau-geom-mun?*
No matter what anyone said, the Hwau-geom-mun was the leader of the Ten Demonic Sects.
It boasted a deep pool of masters, a vast sphere of influence, and a sword art that was second to none.
In truth, no other faction of the demonic path could compare to the Hwau-geom-mun.
*No, that can't be it.*
If he had no ambition for the successor's seat in the first place, he never would have done something like picking the slip last.
Hadn't he even clashed with Do Cheon-rin, who was the designated successor?
Judging from that alone, it was clear that at the time, he certainly had his eyes on the position of the Demonic Cult's successor.
*Step, step.*
Lost in deep thought, Bu Eun-seol was making his way toward the east gate where the Sa-yeong-gak was located, when…
“…”
In the distance, he saw a shimmering, heat-haze-like figure.
Despite the bright daylight, the figure was so transparent and faint that it looked like a mirage.
*Wijihye-sang.*
The person standing in front of the Sa-yeong-gak was none other than Wijihye-sang.