164. Dragon-Phoenix Gathering (6)
Namgung Jin casually rolled up his sleeve as if this were routine. Jin So-cheong carefully inserted needles along his meridians with a focused expression.
It's not a suspicious acupoint. On the contrary, it smooths the flow of qi and clears the mind.
Pa Cheon spoke after watching where Jin So-cheong placed the needles.
She can't pull any tricks with everyone watching, so that's only natural.
'Either way, she's the one who can approach Namgung Jin more naturally than anyone else.'
I quietly watched Jin So-cheong.
With her calm and refined features and petite stature, she exuded an aura of gentle benevolence that anyone would find soothing.
Those who practiced sorcery usually had a different vibe—something sly or unsettling lurking beneath the surface.
Chu Tae Su was a perfect example. Regardless of his character, just looking into those transparent eyes sent a chill down your spine.
But with Jin So-cheong, there wasn't a trace of that. If anything, being around her put your mind at ease.
'Seongsu Bong... Is she really using sorcery?'
Jin So-cheong was the granddaughter of Ui-seong—also known as the Divine Physician—and had inherited his legacy, making her a renowned expert in medicine among the younger generation.
However, she wasn't a major player in Return to the Murim, so that was the extent of my knowledge. She rarely had any significant appearances.
In terms of frequency and importance, she was on par with Dang Si Hyeok from the original story? You know, the kind where you recognize the name and they've popped up in a few scenes, but that's it.
'Back then, I figured she didn't appear much because she was just a physician treating the injured.'
Hell, even the cult's Ma Ui only showed up as background in his clinic most of the time, so I chalked it up to a common trait for doctors.
'Turns out she was busy pulling strings with sorcery and plotting schemes from the shadows... something like that?'
I couldn't be certain yet. It was just a hunch—no hard evidence.
That said, I couldn't drop my suspicions either. The world had deviated from what I knew far too many times already.
It was a frustrating stalemate, neither able to advance nor retreat.
Unlike with Gongjin, I couldn't just confront her outright with "You're using sorcery, aren't you?" Her background played a big role too. She was Ui-seong's granddaughter, after all.
'Making an enemy of Ui-seong... is basically declaring war on half the martial world.'
Ui-seong might not even be at the Peak realm in martial arts, but his heavenly medical skills had earned him the gratitude of countless people across the jianghu.
He led relief efforts regardless of righteous or demonic factions, so even among the heavyweights of the Murim Alliance or Sa Wang Castle, plenty owed him their lives.
Accusing his successor of sorcery?
Might as well march into Shaolin Temple and confess, "Actually, Gongjin is the thief Muyoung Sintu,"—that might be safer.
That's why she's suspicious. Who would ever suspect Seongsu Bong of sorcery?
'...You're right. She could be exploiting that blind spot.'
Think about it. If Namgung Jin suddenly felt unwell here, who would he turn to? Seongsu Bong. Perfect setup for sorcery.
Pa Cheon's words hit the nail on the head, leaving me groaning in frustration.
Whenever something seemed illogical, an overreach, or a wild twist, it inevitably turned out true—whether I said it or Pa Cheon did.
No reason this time should be different.
The best-case scenario was that Jin So-cheong's sorcery was just a personal lapse. Maybe she was smitten with Namgung Jin and wanted his attention.
We could spin that as a minor scandal and smooth it over, even if it dinged her reputation a bit.
'But in the worst case...'
No, better not say it aloud—might jinx it.
The worst case? The sorcery trail leads to Ui-seong himself, and even he's with the Blood Cult. He's definitely not a cult member or their spy, at least.
'Ah.'
Jinxed it hard.
'You're banned from speaking.'
Injustice!
'Seriously, shut up. Be quiet for a bit.'
Too many threads dangling right now.
Yi Seong Ryeong and the Ice Palace, Cheon Gi-ja.
Jin So-cheong, sorcery, the Blood Cult.
Impossible as it seemed, my mind itched like something was just out of reach. A little more prodding, and it all might click.
Was this the martial artists' "pre-enlightenment haze"?
Right on cue, Namgung Jin stood up, claiming fatigue and excusing himself early.
Once he left the banquet hall, the mood finally loosened.
Hard to party when the toughest, scariest guy around is scowling.
"I'll take my leave as well."
"Ah, are you heading out too, Lady Jin?"
"Yes. The journey was long; I'm quite tired."
"Please, go ahead."
"See you tomorrow."
Jin So-cheong rose with Dang Si Hyeok's escort. It was getting late, so no one batted an eye.
That's when it hit me.
Why everything felt so tangled.
I was trying to act without even confirming if Namgung Jin was under sorcery.
'First things first: verify the sorcery.'
Pa Cheon sensed it, so the odds were high, but maybe Namgung Jin was just stubbornly thick-headed beyond common sense, leading to a false alarm.
If the sorcery lifts, the sorcerer will notice. She might hide or flee.
'That might actually work in our favor.'
Work in our favor?
I discreetly summoned Dang Si Hyeok.
"What's the matter, brother?"
His face flushed from the event and the drinks, he asked cheerfully.
"From what I overheard, some of the younger experts have business and need to leave early."
"Oh, really? Who?"
"Things were so hectic, I don't remember details. Here's an idea: Anyone leaving early will pass the gate. Have the guards prepare gifts in advance for them to take."
"Why not just ask who's leaving now?"
"I don't want to kill the vibe we've finally built."
"As expected of you, brother. Such consideration. I'll arrange it now."
The silent Pa Cheon finally spoke.
Tracking who leaves the Tang Clan, eh?
'Yeah. On the first day of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, who bails early? Even if it's not Jin So-cheong, they're all sorcery suspects.'
Clever little scheme.
'Ever collected offerings at a stranger's wedding? You know how awkward the guestbook is?'
What nonsense is this?
'Just testing.'
I excused myself citing fatigue and headed straight to my quarters.
"Sa Wol. Tak Horak."
"Yes."
"Yep!"
Sa Wol emerged from the shadows like a ghost. Tak Horak, waiting in my room, responded promptly.
"From now on, monitor Jin So-cheong discreetly without alerting anyone. If she suddenly slips out of the Tang Clan, shadow her and subdue her in a secluded spot, then report back to me. But beware—she might use sorcery, so never let your guard down. Your simsang will block it anyway, Sa Wol. Generally, you handle surveillance, and Tak Horak relays messages."
"Understood."
"Understood!"
Neither questioned or objected—just eyes gleaming as they vanished.
Well-trained Black Shadow elites rivaled the Heavenly Demon Guard. Looking back, plotting to win Sa Wol over when I first arrived in this Return to the Murim world was my best move.
What remained was simple.
Sling the dozing Mugyeok-i over my shoulder from the windowsill and pay Namgung Jin a visit to test with fire.
Please, let it not be true.
And.
.
.
.
"...What is this?"
Namgung Jin had indeed been under sorcery.
He started with an annoyed grimace at Mugyeok-i's flames but soon wore a look of utter refreshment.
I knew that reaction well from personal experience.
"How's that? The spirit beast's power?"
"Impressive. Truly astounding. Flames that invigorate the spirit."
But I decided to keep the sorcery revelation under wraps.
Why not tell him it's sorcery?
'Facts first.'
Spreading word of his bewitchment would only stir chaos.
So I framed it as Mugyeok-i's flames restoring stagnant qi.
"Care for a drink while you're here?"
"Tempting, but duty calls tonight."
"Hahaha, fair enough. Plenty of time later."
The sorcery's lift seemed solid.
I hadn't seen him chat with others yet, but the hysterical edge was gone. He even gave off a wholesome young man's vibe now—heartwarming, almost.
On my way back after dispelling Namgung Jin's sorcery.
— House Lord.
Sa Wol's jeon-eum transmission came through. She used "House Lord" instead of "Young Master" since it was telepathic.
'What's up? I told you to watch Jin So-cheong. Where's Tak Horak?'
— Tak Captain is monitoring her.
'...I specifically said the opposite.'
— Well...
Hearing the full story from Sa Wol left me dumbfounded.
'Jin So-cheong came to me?'
I quickened my pace.
Sure enough, there she was at my quarters.
Calm and composed—not scared or flustered—she sipped tea Tak Horak must have offered.
"You've arrived. I've been waiting."
"What brings you here so late, Lady Jin?"
Glancing between me and Mugyeok-i, she said,
"Coming from Namgung young hero's, I take it."
"..."
"I figured you'd notice."
"Notice?"
"Of course. As the true and righteous lord who commands all demons, you'd sense the sorcery's aura. Even Paeng Yu-gun fell for it, yet you saw through—must be the truth."
...This woman. Cultist?
'No way.'
No Heavenly Demon Divine Cult member would call me "lord of all demons"—that's reserved solely for the Heavenly Demon.
Undeterred by my silence, Jin So-cheong continued calmly.
"Fools mistake the Medicine Sage from the East for a sage, but his true master is the King of Demons."
No cultist would ever call me "King of Demons."
Only the other mad faithfuls who served the First Heavenly Demon could say such things.
"Blood Law Emissary Jin So-cheong pays respects to the returned Blood Cult Lord."
Only Blood Cultists.
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon