Chapter 62: Bell Around the Cat's Neck
"Do you know what I heard, Elder Il?"
Sado Gi, the First Elder of the Sado Family, set down his teacup. Gathered in his office were six people, all elders of the Sado Family.
"What is it, Sixth Elder?"
"There's a strange rumor circulating within the family."
"A strange rumor?"
The Sixth Elder, who appeared relatively middle-aged, lowered his voice quietly.
"You know the Second Young Master? Well, about him."
"What about the Second Young Master? Don't make a fuss—out with it."
Urged by another elder, the Sixth Elder continued hastily.
"There's talk that he's torturing the Black Shadow Corps."
"What? Torturing?"
"Yes, torture. They say screams echo from the Black Shadow Pavilion every day. 'Please spare me,' 'I was wrong'—shrieks like that. It doesn't sound like training at all."
"Nonsense."
The Third Elder, sitting to the First Elder's left with a rather sly-looking face, snapped irritably.
"The Second Young Master's only force is the Black Shadow Corps. What are you saying? That he's torturing his own men?"
"No."
The First Elder shook his head.
"It's not just the Black Shadow Corps anymore."
"Pardon?"
"Black Shadow Corps, Black Hand Group, Asura Pavilion, Crimson Flame Pavilion, Death Physician Hall. Even by my count, four factions have turned to the Second Young Master."
"...When did that happen?!"
"He's probably like his brother."
The First Elder took another sip of tea.
"The Sixth Elder might be right. If he's inherited that ruthless temperament too."
"What does he gain from torturing his own forces?"
"That's what we need to find out. Have we ever truly grasped Sado Gwang's intentions?"
"...No."
"Maybe he's weeding out spies within the Black Shadow Corps. We couldn't touch them, but the Family Head's lackeys might be there."
The other elders nodded in agreement at the First Elder's words.
"It's frightening."
"What is?"
To the Second Elder sitting on his right, the First Elder leaned deeply into his chair and closed his eyes.
"If he weren't a cripple, his scheming mind alone would be the best under heaven. But what about the Second Young Master? Super Peak realm, and sharp as a tack? Doesn't that make him even more dangerous?"
"...It's probably fake."
The Fifth Elder, who had been silent until now, spoke up. He had an unusually sinister air about him.
"At that age, reaching Super Peak? He should've shown his talent long ago. Hot-blooded youth like him should've been stirring up trouble everywhere."
"True. Even the current Supreme One, back in his later-generation days, crashed a gathering and beat down every young talent there."
"You can't reach Super Peak holed up in your room for a hundred days straight."
The elders chimed in one by one.
"Exactly."
The First Elder opened his eyes and said,
"So, who will bell the cat?"
"......"
"I've already sent a few to test him. Men who could handle up to Peak realm in a joint assault. But... he didn't even flinch. Shows they weren't a threat at all."
The other elders fell silent as if their mouths were glued shut.
"If he becomes Family Head, he'll wield absolute power. And just days ago, someone from the Heavenly Demon Palace visited. If we let this continue, his strength will only grow."
"What should we do?"
"We need to think differently. Yesterday's enemy can be today's ally."
The First Elder continued,
"Send word to the Family Head. We need a meeting."
"...!"
"......"
I couldn't say a word at the sight before me.
"Hweeeeng! I was wrong, I was wrong!"
"Spare me, please. Please spare me. Please, please spare me."
The Black Shadow Pavilion's training ground.
Black Shadow Corps members were rolling on the ground at half-zhang intervals, bawling their eyes out with snot and tears streaming down their faces.
These were grown men, martial artists with sturdy builds, writhing like that—it was hard to watch with eyes open.
'Assassins and trackers are supposed to be slim and lithe.'
[To move silently, you need precise control over great strength. The Black Shadow Corps are among the burliest of the combat units.]
"Hweeeeng~!"
One voice stood out the loudest.
Tak Horak in the corner was sobbing outright. He wailed that he deserved death for stealing a single silver nyang from his father's pouch. Was that pathetic, or sweet that his biggest sin was so minor?
It was all because Sa Wol's simsang had struck them directly.
Sa Wol sat cross-legged in the center. Above her outstretched palms floated a small orb shining like the sun.
Those hit by its light were confessing their sins just like this.
I'd asked Sa Wol the name of this simsang.
'It doesn't have a name yet. It's not even complete—there's more to develop.'
So, with just its rudimentary form, she was creating this scene.
'I wondered why we needed this training at first... but as expected of the Young Master. I can feel myself getting better at handling my simsang.'
She was misunderstanding something again, but I let it slide.
While they trained, I joined in too.
Pretending to lounge like I was giving them a free move, I brought a table and chair, sat down, and sipped tea leisurely.
Then, when Sa Wol's simsang hit me.
'...It was horrific. And horrific that I didn't even realize how horrific it was.'
Everyone builds mental barriers to protect their minds from collapse.
Sa Wol's simsang melts them away. Like winter yielding to gentle spring, the snow thawing without resistance—the barriers just dissolve.
And it touches the deepest guilt in their hearts.
That's why the Black Shadow Corps were collectively spewing tears and snot.
Confessions they'd normally filter out were spilling forth.
'I almost fell for it too.'
The first direct hit nearly glazed my eyes over. If Pa Cheon hadn't yelled in my mind to snap out of it, I might've ended up like them.
Of course, channeling the Heavenly Demon Divine Art blocked the simsang instantly. But that defeated my purpose, so I cut it off moment by moment to endure.
The conclusion?
I could adapt.
[Cult members have natural resistance... I didn't expect the treasure artifact contract to work like this.]
'Yeah.'
When Sa Wol's simsang nearly overwhelmed me, stubborn pride kept me from channeling the Heavenly Demon Divine Art—I endured.
Of course, given its nature, I nearly toppled over. That's when Pa Cheon helped.
Pa Cheon is a powerful treasure artifact. Our souls are bound by a blood contract, allowing mental conversations like this.
It worked.
When the simsang nearly consumed me, Pa Cheon spoke directly into my mind—like plunging into ice water, I snapped awake.
Repeating that—exposing myself to the brink and pulling back—built resistance. Now, it barely fazes me.
Though, as Sa Wol said, her simsang isn't fully formed... the point is, I gained resistance.
"Still, not sure what to do with those guys."
In the corner of the training ground, unlike the Black Shadow Corps, some were trussed up like dried fish on ropes.
They weren't Black Shadow members.
Assassins or spies who'd tried to attack me.
[Elder Il is a shady one, but testing you like this?]
They'd been spying for a hit, only to get caught by Sa Wol's simsang in reverse.
No need for torture or interrogation. A poke, and they confessed everything.
Just from what they'd admitted, they deserved a year in the Punishment Cave—major crimes.
[Enemies on all sides.]
"Just what I wanted. The unseen sword is the scariest."
[Talking like a true martial artist. You've picked up a lot.]
"Yeah, from games."
[Games? What's that?]
I explained roughly. I figured he wouldn't get it, but Pa Cheon surprisingly did.
[I've heard of it.]
"...You've heard of games?"
[Not exactly what you described, but something similar.]
Even as a Murim Returner veteran, this was new to me.
[Whispers among the Daoists of the jianghu. They say immortals exist, manipulating and observing our lives. Sounds like your 'game,' no?]
"Huh, put like that, yeah, kinda similar."
[Doesn't make you an immortal, though... just a legend.]
"Creative insult."
If it's a secret Daoist legend, I might not know it. The martial arts manuals here are all real too. I knew they existed but not the exact formulas.
[Anyway, what do you think they'll do next?]
"Probably join hands."
[Who? Elder Il and the Family Head? They're bitter enemies. The Family Head killed Elder Il's son during the succession.]
"...Still, they'll ally. Against a bigger threat—me. They're more politicians than martial artists."
Politicians ally with foes for gain.
[That's bad news.]
"Got any lingering attachment to the family?"
[...Once, maybe. Not now. Just reclaim my body.]
"Exactly why it's not bad. If they merge forces, great. We can root out the rebels in one spot. Family weakens a bit, but our safety's secured."
And we'll find Sado Gwang's lackeys too.
I'd planned something more complex, but after seeing Sa Wol's power, I revised entirely. This was safer.
Time flew.
I dove back into the Punishment Cave to recharge Pa Cheon. Worried about surprises in my absence, I hunted the worst ones quickly.
But around the fifth, Pa Cheon said he felt 'stuffed' and couldn't absorb more.
Demonic arts vary; energies clashed inside.
A true Heubseong Daebeop would've handled it, but no.
Five days later.
The day to enter the Heavenly Demon Palace arrived.
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon