Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: A Drink Under the Moonlight
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Bu Eun-seol's fingers tightened around the letter.
It was an unbelievable truth.
The Gong Twins were masters who had made a name for themselves in the Demonic Path for over a decade. And they were spies for the Martial Alliance?
“What if I refuse?”
At Bu Eun-seol's words, the eyes of the masked man, who had been smiling all along, turned cold.
“Are you saying you’ll refuse an Alpha-level mission?”
“It’s a hassle.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s reply, the masked man spoke coldly.
“An Alpha-level mission is, for all intents and purposes, an order. To refuse it is to defy the Demonic Palace's command.”
“Hmph.”
“You've worked as a member of the Nine Kill Squad, so you should know… the consequences don't end with you.”
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
Refusing an Alpha-level mission could lead to punishment for insubordination. Of course, he wasn't afraid of being thrown in a dungeon.
The problem was that Bu Eun-seol was one of Nang-ya Pavilion’s Ten Demonic Successors.
*'If I refuse, the main pavilion will be harmed.'*
Moreover, Dang Cheong had pulled strings to help him become a member of the Nine Kill Squad.
So what if he were to refuse a direct mission from the Demonic Palace and commit insubordination? The repercussions would undoubtedly extend to Nang-ya Pavilion, and even to Dang Cheong herself.
“Do you intend to refuse?”
The masked man's voice was playful, but there was an undercurrent of suspicion woven into it.
In that moment, a strange thought crossed Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
*'Does the Demonic Palace suspect me?'*
There were countless masters in the Demonic Palace.
Even if the Gong Twins were spies for the orthodox faction, there were plenty of masters who could deal with them.
So why issue an Alpha-level order and assign him specifically? If he wasn't being suspected, there was no other explanation for it.
“I have no choice.”
As Bu Eun-seol calmly accepted the letter, the masked man's eyes curved into crescents.
“A wise decision.”
The next day.
Bu Eun-seol woke early and put on his travel attire.
Dealing with the Gong Twins had to be done with caution. Not only were they powerful martial artists, but they were also the heads of the Akyang branch.
What if someone was using high-level intelligence to create a diversion? What if the masked man wasn't from the Demonic Palace, but was actually a spy for the Martial Alliance?
*'That's probably not the case, but…'*
If nothing else, the unique insignia of the Nine Kill Squad was difficult to replicate.
The special ink used to stamp it was produced directly within the Demonic Palace.
*'I'll have to confirm it properly.'*
Unleashing his gale-like lightweight technique, Bu Eun-seol headed for Gyerim.
That was where the Gong Twins had beaten a Demonic Palace spy to death. If so, the Gyerim branch of the Nine Kill Squad would surely have a record of that day's events and the truth behind them.
Traveling day and night without rest using his lightweight technique, Bu Eun-seol finally arrived in Gyerim.
*'I need to find the branch chief.'*
Thanks to Sang-ryang’s offer, Bu Eun-seol had free access to the Akyang branch's information.
He knew better than anyone how the branch processed and stored its intelligence.
The Gyerim branch of the Nine Kill Squad.
This was a place where the intelligence organizations of the orthodox faction held more sway than those of the Demonic Path.
As a result, the Demonic Palace’s intelligence network was forced to operate in secret.
A shabby back alley just outside the city walls.
A dilapidated manor located here was, in fact, the Gyerim branch of the Nine Kill Squad.
*Sssk.*
Unleashing his Extreme Speed Formless Steps, Bu Eun-seol infiltrated the manor with ghost-like movements.
Disguised as an ordinary manor, the interior was bustling with quite a few people. But not a single one noticed Bu Eun-seol's movements.
*'There's a secret room here too.'*
He entered a building with a plaque that read ‘Ja-hyang-jae.’ His eyes gleamed as he saw a study filled with stacks of books.
*Creeak, ruuumble.*
As he shifted the books on the shelf in a disordered pattern, a secret passage was revealed with the grinding of metal.
“Is that you, Gi-hyeon?”
As he emerged from the lamp-lit passage of the secret room, he heard a low male voice.
Inside, a fleshy middle-aged man was drinking tea at a table piled with letters.
He was the chief of the Gyerim branch, Jin-dong.
“Who are you?”
Seeing a young man he had never seen before glaring at him, Jin-dong quickly tried to press a mechanism beneath the table.
“It’s useless to press it.”
*Tak.*
Bu Eun-seol placed a long piece of scrap metal on the table.
“Because I destroyed all the alarm mechanisms on my way in.”
After a moment of silence, Jin-dong narrowed his eyes.
“What do you want?”
“Four years ago. All information regarding the Gong Twins in Gyerim.”
“The Gong Twins?”
Jin-dong looked at Bu Eun-seol with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you after such useless information?”
“Just bring it to me. I don’t intend to harm this branch.”
*Tap, tap, tap.*
Bu Eun-seol lightly tapped his foot on the floor a few times.
It was a signal used to reveal one's identity as a Nine Kill Squad member under unavoidable circumstances.
“Which branch are you from?”
“You don’t need to know. I don’t have time, so just give me the information.”
“Why should I provide you with information?”
Members of the Nine Kill Squad always had to conceal their identities, so there was no interaction between members, let alone between branches.
In short, they had no obligation to follow any orders other than those coming directly from the Demonic Palace.
“You’ll have to.”
Bu Eun-seol drew and sheathed his longsword like a flash of lightning.
*Clack.*
The moment he released the sword, the teacup in front of Jin-dong split into eight pieces.
“Refuse, and your head will be split into eight pieces as well.”
“No matter how reckless the Nine Kill Squad is, you’d kill the chief of another branch?”
Jin-dong let out a smirk and said calmly.
“If this is officially reported to the Demonic Palace, do you think you and your clan will be safe?”
Although the members of the Nine Kill Squad operated alone with their identities hidden, the organization was not without a system.
If one were to kill a fellow member of the Demonic Path or disrupt the system, not only the individual member but also their affiliated clan could face severe sanctions.
Knowing this well, Jin-dong spoke in a relaxed voice.
“I don’t know which hooligan clan you’re from, but if you back down now…”
“Bu Eun-seol of Nang-ya Pavilion.”
“Nang… Nang-ya Pavilion?”
A bloody glint flashed in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he looked down at Jin-dong.
“Even if I kill a few runts like you, I won’t be punished. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Wait, if you’re Bu Eun-seol… one of the Ten Demonic Successors?”
The relaxed smile that had been on Jin-dong's face instantly hardened.
He, too, was the head of an intelligence organization.
He had received information that Bu Eun-seol was the most prominent rising star among the Ten Demonic Successors, one that even the Council of Elders had their eyes on.
To put it bluntly, he wouldn't be punished for killing a mere branch chief in Gyerim.
“Even if you are a successor of one of the Ten Demonic Sects… information handled by the Nine Kill Squad can only be acquired by its members.”
“You’re slow-witted. Have you forgotten that I already proved I’m a member?”
Bu Eun-seol said in a cold voice.
“I am Number Eighteen of the Akyang branch.”
For a moment, Jin-dong’s mouth fell open.
A legendary member of the Nine Kill Squad who had appeared like a comet in the Akyang branch over the past year, completing impossible missions.
Tales of Number Eighteen's exploits were spreading like wildfire among the intelligence organizations.
And to think that Number Eighteen was none other than Bu Eun-seol…
“You’re Number Eighteen…”
As Jin-dong just stood there, stammering,
“It’s a hassle, but it seems I’ll just have to kill you and take it.”
Bu Eun-seol drew his sword without hesitation.
A chillingly sharp aura spread through the secret room, and Jin-dong felt as if his neck was freezing over.
“W-Wait! I was just so surprised that I blanked out for a moment!”
Wiping away his cold sweat, Jin-dong hurriedly stood up and pointed to one side of the bookshelf.
“I’ll find it for you right away. Please wait a moment.”
“Hmph.”
With a low snort, Bu Eun-seol sheathed his sword again, and the oppressive aura that had been pressing in from all sides vanished.
Jin-dong unconsciously touched his neck and said.
“All the information stored in the branch is in coded language…”
“I know. Just guide me to the secret room.”
Bu Eun-seol had already become an expert at handling information.
He had mastered how to classify the high-purity, top-level intelligence that came into the Akyang branch and how to decipher the coded language used by the Demonic Palace.
He was skilled enough to join Nang-ya Pavilion’s Pung-un-dae right away without any issue.
“You can check over here.”
Opening the door to the secret room, Jin-dong pointed to a bookshelf.
Bu Eun-seol began to quickly read through the documents piled there.
“This is…”
His eyes widened as he searched through all the information exchanged at the time.
He had finally confirmed the truth with his own eyes.
—Every faction, orthodox or demonic, professionally trains spies. Not to mention alliances like the Demonic Palace and the Martial Alliance.
Suddenly, the words Dang Cheong had told him before he joined the Nine Kill Squad echoed in his ears.
—In a fight between individuals, victory depends on who can draw their sword faster. But in a fight between clans or factions, it depends on who operates the superior intelligence organization.
*'Was that so?'*
Closing the book, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
The Martial Alliance and the Demonic Palace… were still fighting a silent war.
***
After returning from Gyerim, Bu Eun-seol rested at his hideout for a day.
When evening came, he bought three jugs of premium yellow wine from Gyeong-ha-ru and grilled chicken topped with plenty of ginger. Then, he had the young server deliver a letter to the Hoe-hyeon Old Bookstore.
—Tonight, let's share a drink in the bamboo forest by the west gate.
Twilight was already falling.
In the bamboo forest that spread out beyond the west gate, there was a small pavilion.
It was a place built in the past by drinkers to enjoy wine while gazing at the scenery.
But as good taverns and breweries began to spring up like mushrooms in the area, no one visited this place anymore.
*Gurgle.*
Sang-ryang and Ma-un, seated in the old pavilion, continuously ladled generous amounts of yellow wine into their large bowls.
*Gulp, gulp.*
As the yellow wine went down their throats, a strong yet fragrant aroma filled their stomachs.
“Kaaah. This is really good.”
With a soft rustle, bamboo leaves scattered on the wind.
Gazing up at the bright moon between the bamboo stalks, Sang-ryang muttered.
“Well, live long enough and you see everything.”
Taking a small sip from his cup, he looked at Bu Eun-seol and said.
“To think Young Master Bu would be the one to invite us for a drink first.”
“Indeed.”
Ma-un, sitting next to him, also grinned and spoke.
“In all my life, I never imagined I’d be treated to a drink by the Young Master.”
“…”
As usual, Bu Eun-seol remained silent, simply drinking his wine without a word.
“Did you know?”
Ma-un then spoke to Bu Eun-seol with a smile.
“That both my brother and I often imitate the way you drink.”
Bu Eun-seol's way of drinking was always the same.
He didn't down the strong liquor in one go, but sipped it little by little, like tea. He drank at a very steady pace.
It seemed slow, but he never stopped. As a result, he ended up drinking a much larger quantity than those who emptied their cups in one go.
“That's right. At first, it seemed like an unsatisfying way to drink… but the more I watched, the more I found myself copying it.”
At Sang-ryang’s low mutter, Ma-un smiled faintly.
“They say when you grow fond of someone, you even start picking up their habits, don't they?”
But Bu Eun-seol still said nothing, just kept drinking.
In less than an hour, all three jugs of wine were completely empty.
“I wonder if I’ve ever had such a satisfying drink in my life.”
As Sang-ryang exclaimed in admiration, Ma-un nodded.
“Indeed.”
For a moment, silence flowed through the bamboo forest.
A dry smile on his lips, Sang-ryang looked at Bu Eun-seol and nodded.
“Now, the wine is finished. If you have something to say, say it.”
The two of them already knew.
That Bu Eun-seol had invited them here today to say something difficult.
“You think I have something to say?”
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Sang-ryang let out a soft laugh.
“It’s been almost a year since we’ve known you.”
Normally, Sang-ryang spoke to Bu Eun-seol with formal respect.
But now, for some reason, he was speaking casually, like an elder.
“A year is by no means a short amount of time.”
“Then you must also know that I’m not a man of many words.”
“True. You are taciturn. But you don’t usually drink this fast.”
Sang-ryang said calmly.
“Anyone who has to say something they don't want to say is bound to borrow courage from wine.”
“I see. I didn’t know.”
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke, his eyes incomparably low and somber.
“Are you really spies for the orthodox faction?”