The Hidden Filth Beneath the Cult
In the Military Council office, stacks of documents rose like walls on every side.
Even though it was well past midnight, Sama Ryang was still combing through one book after another, hunting for a clue about human trafficking.
Nothing here either. So as expected... they’ve been keeping it somewhere separate.
The door creaked open, and a man in a neatly tailored crane-patterned robe stepped inside.
“I thought you’d gone in early, but here you are back again.”
“Yes, I had something I needed to look into, so I returned.”
Sama Ryang lowered his head, looking faintly sheepish.
Chief Military Counselor Sama Hyeok watched him without changing expression.
Tsk.
Ever since Sama Ryang had joined, the work of the Military Council had proceeded far more smoothly than anyone had expected.
That was satisfying in its own way, and yet when he faced scenes like this, he still found himself mildly displeased.
Was this man still stubbornly clinging to a foolish course already known to be wrong?
After reading Sama Hyeok’s expression, Sama Ryang carefully spoke.
“As you advised me before, Third Young Master met Imaje and received a favorable answer. He even heard that Imaje was willing to look into the Senate as well, so I wanted to thank you for your guidance.”
Sama Hyeok’s brow twitched.
“You’re saying Imaje personally expressed an intention to deal with the Senate?”
“Yes.”
“...”
Sama Hyeok looked at him in silence.
It was an unexpected report. No matter what obstacle appeared, Imaje was the sort of swordsman who walked only his own martial path with a mind as still as a clear pool.
Because of his fiercely independent nature, he had never formed deep ties with anyone, yet not only the Senate but also the Cult’s combat forces contained countless masters who owed him favors or admired him from afar.
Helping with this can be understood. But the Senate too?
Even if nothing changed immediately, the fact remained that Cheon Sohyeon had achieved some measure of success.
Gathering his swelling questions, Sama Hyeok asked, “Then you’ve made a good first step. What is the problem that has kept you digging through records until this hour?”
“According to the information Third Young Master brought back, it appears human trafficking is being carried out inside the Cult. I searched the records hoping to verify it, but there was no suitable mention of it.”
“You’re telling me there are vermin buying and selling people?”
“Yes.”
“How did Third Young Master learn of it?”
Sama Ryang organized his thoughts for a moment.
If there was any way to help, even a little, the situation might improve, so he related the events at Jagui Sect exactly as he had heard them.
“Jagui Sect... Was there such a sect around Unambong?”
The question was asked simply because the name was unfamiliar.
“It wasn’t a sect based on Unambong. It seems they were hiding in remote mountains and valleys, which made them difficult to track. Naturally, it probably wasn’t a name known publicly either.”
“Hmm. More importantly, you said the sect master’s name was Yang Bong?”
“Pardon? Yes. That was definitely the name.”
“Yang Bong...”
Sama Ryang caught the subtle shift in his reaction at once.
“It seems you know something about him.”
“I do. Do you know anything about his appearance or any distinguishing features?”
Sama Ryang recalled the earlier conversation.
In truth, aside from a vulgar remark that he looked like a snake’s bastard, he had learned nothing about the man’s appearance. Then something came to mind, and he spoke.
“He was definitely a swordsman wearing a long robe similar to protective armor.”
“Protective armor, eh. Then it must have been a Monk’s Lined Robe.”
Sama Ryang’s eyes sharpened.
“You know about Yang Bong?”
“I was briefed on him. His vile conduct was exposed, and it was decided he’d be removed from office. After that, I heard his tendons and veins were cut and he was taken into custody...”
“If he was removed from office, then you’re saying the Jagui Sect master held an important post in the Cult?”
“That’s right. He had risen as far as deputy leader of the White Ghost Squad. The Monk’s Lined Robe was his divine weapon. And yet to be alive and hiding all this time, only to die by Third Young Master’s hand...”
“...!”
Sama Ryang’s eyes wavered violently for an instant.
He knew all too well what the rank of deputy leader meant to the demonic martial ranks.
He’s already raised his martial prowess to that level?
The White Ghost Squad was one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s five combat forces.
Its name came from the ferocious, ghostlike brutality of the way they fought, and a deputy leader among them was one of the top masters in the entire Cult.
Already this far...
Yet in their earlier conversation, Third Young Master had made no mention whatsoever of Jagui Sect master’s martial level. There must have been a life-and-death battle. And yet he had not even hinted at it. Sama Ryang could only feel admiration at that fact.
But if the execution wasn’t properly carried out... does that mean there really is something wrong with the Law Enforcement Hall?
Sama Hyeok asked in a low voice, “Was Imaje involved in the destruction of the sect?”
“No. Jagui Sect was destroyed before Third Young Master went to find Imaje.”
Sama Hyeok nodded, then closed his mouth firmly.
The fact that human trafficking had occurred inside the Cult, and that the Law Enforcement Hall’s report had been false, were both matters that would naturally disturb him.
And yet Sama Hyeok maintained a calm as still as a lake.
A truly perfect organization could not exist. There were only forces that strove toward perfection.
The larger a power grew, the larger its flaws became as well, which was why the process of discovering and removing them mattered even more.
Still... this is unexpected.
The very reason he had accepted Third Young Master’s request had been to search for such flaws, but this was beyond anything he had anticipated.
Sama Ryang asked cautiously, “There are no records of human trafficking in the Military Council?”
“None that occurred after the Cult sealed its gates. These matters are generally too sordid, too shameful to expose, so they’re kept separately. If you’re curious, would you like to see them?”
Sama Ryang’s eyes widened.
“Pardon? Me?”
“You brought the clue here, so you’re qualified. Do you not want to?”
“No, that’s not it. If possible, I would very much like to examine them.”
“Good. Follow me.”
As Sama Hyeok left the office, the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
* * *
The Military Council’s archive was located deep underground.
It was a forbidden ground within the Military Council, a place one could only enter after descending for a long time and unraveling a maze of intricate mechanisms and formations.
It stored all manner of divine relics, as well as every report that had been submitted to the Chief Military Counselor.
“Well?”
As Sama Ryang looked over the records related to human trafficking, his expression hardened.
“It’s unpleasant. Why do these things keep happening...?”
“It’s not a matter that can be pinned down so easily. Some arise from greed, while others have emerged in the process of cultivating twisted demonic arts.”
“Demonic arts?”
“Yes. In the past, there were many evil techniques that extracted a person’s vital essence. They were strictly controlled, but that never meant they could be erased at the root. Before long, similar great arts would appear again.”
Sama Hyeok’s eyes flickered with ashen light.
“The biggest problem is that... sometimes it reaches even the Cult’s inner depths.”
“...!”
“This will cause quite a stir. We’ll need an investigation.”
Sama Ryang quickly read the document Sama Hyeok handed him.
Report to the Chief Military Counselor.
A complaint has been received alleging that an individual has been abusing his position to exploit Cult members. Upon investigation, the culprit was confirmed to be Yang Bong, deputy leader of the White Ghost Squad.
Yang Bong has fled the White Ghost Squad. Based on the circumstances, he appears to have chosen escape. His name has been listed at the bottom of the wanted roster. We are currently tracking his trail.
Flap.
The page turned.
The report continued:
Members of the party apprehended Yang Bong. His limbs and tendons were severed, after which he was escorted to Thunder Prison.
At the end, even the seal of the Law Enforcement Hall had been stamped on the report.
* * *
The next day.
Cheon Sohyeon was drenched in sweat, utterly absorbed in training.
“Haaah!”
He believed that either Sama Ryang or Imaje would bring back some kind of hopeful news. For the moment, all he could do was raise his martial prowess, and in truth that mattered more than anything else. So he pushed his body to its limits, carefully gauging what was still lacking.
WOOOONG!
As he stamped down with a martial step, the fierce force of Muryeonggi mingled with the strength rising from his lower body, forging an even sharper surge of qi.
The power that had filled him to the brim trembled as though it might burst forth at any moment.
Not yet. Further than this.
Fwoosh!
Inner and outer power interlocked in perfect harmony, achieving balance. That also meant it was time to move on to the next stage.
So he roused the Muryeonggi in his dantian to the fullest, drawing it up and intensifying its force.
WOOOOONG!
At last, a sound like a swarm of bees erupted from within his body.
Done!
Exhilaration flooded Cheon Sohyeon’s eyes.
He stepped forward and drove out a single palm strike, and a white trajectory tore through the air.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWAAANG!
Along with the thunderous impact, palm force of an entirely different order detonated outward. It was Great Strength Palm, one of Shaolin’s signature arts, said to lead to the Seventy-Two Ultimate Arts at their peak.
“Hahaha!”
The martial studies the Thousand-Year Shaolin had built up could almost be said to begin right here, so a wave of overwhelming accomplishment crashed over him.
He also confirmed that no pain was rising from his acupoints. That was proof that the quality and quantity of Muryeonggi were both fully supporting him.
“Heh-heh-heh, good!”
He was still puzzled over how he could use Shaolin techniques with demonic energy, but he set that question aside for now.
“Shall I try again?”
Cheon Sohyeon steadied his breathing and adjusted his posture.
He had only just managed to find his balance, and now was the time to run at full speed. No matter what situation came hurtling toward him in the future, the only thing he could truly rely on was his own martial prowess.
How much time passed after that?
GURGLE!!
At a sound like a thunderclap, Cheon Sohyeon jumped and froze.
“...!”
So martial strength and hunger really were separate things. Regardless of insight or enlightenment, the rough complaint boiling up in his stomach was telling him to put something in it first, and fast. Cheon Sohyeon hurried back into his quarters.
* * *
Crunch, crunch.
Cheon Sohyeon devoured his meal as though he’d been starving for days.
So eating was part of training too, was it?
At that moment, he truly realized how right Imaje’s advice had been.
“How is it, Young Master? Does it suit your taste?”
“It’s good, really good. I could sell this as is. If you opened a restaurant out front, there’d be no danger of starving to death, Yeon Hong.”
Yeon Hong smiled in satisfaction.
“Isn’t that right? I didn’t become the greatest personal maid in the world for nothing.”
“True enough.”
His cheeky reply brought out an involuntary laugh. He had made the remark as a joke before, and she seemed to have taken it to heart.
“What about you?”
Apparently blessed with a good appetite, Sama Ryang—who had arrived at just that moment—swallowed the food in his mouth and answered.
“It’s delicious. I had only seen medicinal meals being prepared before, so I had no idea your cooking skill was so extraordinary.”
“Well, duh. Stop talking and eat slowly.”
“Haha, understood.”
Then Cheon Sohyeon, wearing a grave expression, cut in.
“Hmm... but listen, Yeon Hong.”
“Yes, Young Master?”
“How do I put this? It’s tasty, but maybe too proper—too honest, if that makes sense. I think there’s room for improvement. I like something a little more scandalous.”
“Scandalous? If you tell me specifically what you mean, I’ll make it that way next time.”
“Hmm. Something with plenty of seasoning, but not so much that it becomes dangerous... though actually a little dangerous. Sweetness should come in first, then salt should sneak up and smack the back of your head. You know what I mean?”
Yeon Hong nodded.
“You want me to season it more heavily, so it keeps provoking the appetite.”
“Exactly! And if possible, please focus on meat.”
“Understood. I’ll make it right away.”
“Huh? I wasn’t asking you to make it right this second.”
“It’s all right. Since I’ve got my cooking skills out, I may as well really put them to use. Please wait a moment!”
Yeon Hong’s eyes shone with enthusiasm before she vanished like the wind.
“Fast. Very fast.”
After taking a refreshing gulp of water, Cheon Sohyeon looked at Sama Ryang.
“So? Did you actually investigate properly?”
“Pardon? Yes. I obtained some unexpected information.”
“What is it?”
“First, regarding Jagui Sect... the sect master, Yang Bong, was originally the deputy leader of the White Ghost Squad.”
“...?”
Sama Ryang lowered his voice as if unveiling some hidden conspiracy, but Cheon Sohyeon only kept tearing into meat with a look that said, So what am I supposed to do with that?
At that reaction, the tips of Sama Ryang’s ears reddened.
Ah... I misunderstood.
He had thought Cheon Sohyeon would naturally be pleased, since he had brought down a deputy leader of the White Ghost Squad. After all, for someone walking the path of tyranny, there could be no greater achievement than defeating the strong.
I was foolish to think someone who’s only just stepped onto the threshold would celebrate as though he’d already reached the summit...
Cheon Sohyeon set down the bone he had stripped clean.
“So Yang Bong quit his post and was off in the borderlands doing lowlife thug work. That’s what you’re saying?”
“Yes. Though he didn’t leave of his own accord—his past crimes were exposed, and he was removed from office. There was even a report that his limbs and tendons had been severed before he was taken away.”
“What the hell does that mean? The guy had all his arms and legs just fine.”
“It means the Law Enforcement Hall submitted a false report. Since they’ve now been recognized for merit, I intend to investigate them at once.”
“So my suspicion was right. Then...”
Just then—
“Young Master! Young Master!”
Yeon Hong burst in, breathless, waving a letter.
“A letter just arrived!”
“Already?”
Cheon Sohyeon took the letter and read it quickly.
As expected of a man who never wasted time, the news had arrived much sooner than he’d anticipated.
“Baekmyeongok, huh... sounds like a place crawling with lunatics.”