Chapter 397
Chapter 397
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 397
Chapter Title: Ghost-Faced Elder (4)
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Sagyeom was on his way.
I spoke to Dokgo Cheol, who was once again donning the Ghost-Faced Elder's mask, about matters he needed to keep in mind.
"The rendezvous point Sagyeom headed to was Ningming. Before departing there, he was wounded in the battle against the Blood Wind Corps."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I even asked him about the extent of his injuries at the time."
"I'll remember that."
"Judging by the time it took to get here, he probably called in some of the Gold Tiger Unit members under his direct command. Keep that in mind as well."
"Understood."
After finishing what I had to say, I went with my Eon family siblings to stand at our positions for escorting him.
Then Master posed a question.
- Will it be alright?
'Are you speaking of Sagyeom?'
- Yes. Cheol's impersonation of the Ghost-Faced Elder is quite convincing. Even the Dokgo family members were fooled. However, upon reaching the realm of absolute experts, one's senses sharpen, and their instincts become razor-keen. You know this, don't you?
'...Yes. Moreover, Sagyeom is a man who's rolled around in the underworld. We must be even more cautious.'
- ...You know this, yet you still put Cheol forward?
'In any case, Cheol must stand before Sagyeom as the Ghost-Faced Elder. I actually think now is the right moment.'
The best outcome would be Sagyeom failing to notice anything about Dokgo Cheol's act as the Ghost-Faced Elder.
However, even if Sagyeom realized the person impersonating the Ghost-Faced Elder had changed, he wouldn't immediately cause a scene.
'When he decided to stand against the Blood Wind Corps, Sagyeom already became one of us. Even if he judges the Ghost-Faced Elder before him to be a fake... he won't act rashly.'
He would think I was testing him or ponder if there was some deeper scheme.
While conversing with Master like this for a moment.
Namgung Young brought new tidings.
"Division Leader. The South Sea Archbishop and his followers have arrived and request an audience."
At this new report, my Eon siblings and I exchanged glances and nodded before following behind Dokgo Cheol, disguised as the Ghost-Faced Elder, out of the tent.
As we emerged, Sagyeom and his subordinates, already kneeling, bowed their heads in unison and clasped their hands in salute.
"South Sea Archbishop Sagyeom, carrying out the Division Leader's command, has brought the True Blood Unit members assembled at Ningming."
"I see faces from the Silver River Archipelago among them?"
"Yes. I've also summoned some members of the Gold Tiger Unit under my lead."
Dokgo Cheol received them with a stern demeanor.
"You have all made difficult choices. Once the followers coming from other rendezvous points arrive here, we shall set forth on the true path to Blood Flame World Dominion. All of you, rest and prepare your mind and body fully."
"As you command!"
"The two Blood Fairy Maidens will guide you to your encampments."
"Yes."
"Archbishop, follow this old man."
With that, he led Sagyeom into the tent.
And began receiving the report with composed ease.
"So, were there any issues on the way here?"
"No. Normally, moving followers on this scale would draw the cult's attention... but it seems thanks to the Blood Wind Corps being annihilated by the Division Leader's hand."
"With their reports suddenly cut off, the cult's chain of command, already operating covertly, must be temporarily paralyzed."
"Yes. It appears so."
I focused all my senses, observing Sagyeom and Dokgo Cheol's manner of speech.
"Earlier, this old man told the followers to prepare fully, but what of you, Archbishop? Your wounds from the battle with the Blood Wind Corps."
"...Ah. The wounds have fully healed."
"Then, as in Ongnyeong, you and your Gold Tiger Unit members will handle security in the vicinity."
"Yes."
After a short while.
Sagyeom bowed with clasped hands and left the tent.
A hush fell over the tent in his wake.
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
The silence broke when Dang Ok-gi and Namgung Young, sent to guide the followers to their encampments, returned.
"...What's this? Why is everyone sitting like corpses? Oh, the pirate uncle went to the encampment side."
"Yes. No one's around."
At that, my Eon siblings exhaled the breaths they'd been holding.
Among them, Eun Ha-seong looked around to confirm.
"He backed off like that, so he didn't notice, right? That's good, right?"
At her words, Jang Seon scratched his head.
"I'm not really sure."
Eun Ha-yeon and Jeong Hyeon tilted their heads in unison.
"...Today, I have to agree with Seoni's opinion. Cheol didn't seem to make any mistakes, but since I've rarely faced the Archbishop directly, I'm not sure."
"Prime Celestial Venerable. In truth, isn't the heart of someone in the same field harder to fathom than ten miles of water beneath the waves?"
Woo So-ryeong smiled awkwardly as he voiced his own hopes.
"Yeah, hopefully it went well. Whew. Just standing there still had my heart pounding... Cheol, impressive."
As my Eon siblings each chimed in.
Master asked.
- Yong-un, what do you think?
'Sagyeom was always deferential before the Ghost-Faced Elder since the Nanyoung Bishops' Conference, but he still had that bold sailor's air. Now he feels eerily settled... I think he noticed.'
- Then what will you do?
'As I said, even if he noticed, Sagyeom isn't one to act recklessly.'
As I opened my mouth to answer the continued query, I recalled the blueprint I had in mind.
'...The newly reborn Blood Cult will ultimately revolve around Dokgo Cheol, Sagyeom, and Son Cheon-jeong.'
With that realization.
My thoughts cleared.
'This might actually be both a rite of passage and an opportunity.'
- ...The rite of passage must refer to Cheol. But an opportunity? What do you mean?
'Yes. It's a rite of passage to see how far we can trust Cheol with. And a chance to precisely gauge Sagyeom's true intentions.'
- ...Sounds like you're saying just leave it be?
'I think watching for now is best. Sagyeom might make some move... but to prepare for any contingency, we can't stay too distant.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While Eon Yong-un had vanished, saying he had business to attend to.
The time came for Dokgo Cheol to practice the Blood Bird Technique.
As such, his Eon siblings, as they had done the past few days, spread out widely to stand guard, clearing a large space around Dokgo Cheol.
As Dokgo Cheol was about to wrap his hand in the energy of the Blood Bird Technique in the prepared clearing.
Sahak-
Namgung Young, acting as one of the Blood Fairy Maidens, relayed a message.
"...Division Leader. Archbishop Sagyeom requests a private audience."
"The Archbishop?"
"Yes."
Dokgo Cheol thought it was clever in many ways.
'The Ghost-Faced Elder has no reason to snub or fear Sagyeom.'
Thus, summoning the other Eon siblings here would itself admit he wasn't the Ghost-Faced Elder.
'Did the Archbishop notice something?'
Alarm bells rang in Dokgo Cheol's mind.
But refusing a private audience would likewise admit he wasn't the Ghost-Faced Elder.
In this dead-end situation, the alarm in Dokgo Cheol's head grew louder.
'Dangerous.'
At the fleeting thought, Dokgo Cheol reflected on his life so far.
'But has there ever been a day in my life without danger or unease?'
The happiest memories he could claim were his days at the Righteous Martial Academy.
Yet even those were filled with lies, so Dokgo Cheol always agonized.
Over the moment he might have to draw his sword on laughing friends.
Over the betrayal-filled glares from those who had rejoiced in the Dokgo family's revival.
Dokgo Cheol, who had lived days like mayflies that could end in a dream at any moment.
'...A symbol of reconciliation. Not a cult that pushes you onto cracking ice, but one that can be a pillar of support.'
Just recalling the future Blood Cult Eon Yong-un had described dispelled the fear creeping into his heart and body.
Suppressing the inner alarm, Dokgo Cheol spoke in the Ghost-Faced Elder's voice.
"Let him in."
As expected.
Sagyeom entered quietly, silently showing his respects, then suddenly surged toward Dokgo Cheol like lightning.
Pat-
Dokgo Cheol knew he was no match for Sagyeom, so he didn't move rashly.
In an instant, Sagyeom closed the distance and pressed a cold blade to Dokgo Cheol's nape before speaking.
"Who are you? You're not the Division Leader."
Sagyeom twisted the blade slightly as he spoke.
A thin line of blood appeared on Dokgo Cheol's nape.
Drip.
Sagyeom was someone who could drive the blade deeper if he wished.
Dokgo Cheol had anticipated danger upon accepting the private audience.
Yet in this moment, he couldn't help feeling fear.
'I'm afraid.'
But that fear wasn't merely from losing his life.
It was from the path to true Blood Flame World Dominion being derailed by his death.
'I met someone named Eon Yong-un... but the masses of the world won't all have such fateful encounters.'
If so, a second or third Dokgo family and Dokgo Cheol would plunge into the demonic abyss.
Dokgo Cheol ruthlessly pushed aside the fear seeping into his heart and spoke.
"So? What do you want to say to this old man?"
"...So? Old man? You stand here knowing you're not the Ghost-Faced Elder, yet you keep imitating the Division Leader? What trickery is this!?"
"Even if this old man isn't the Ghost-Faced Elder you know, does that mean the true Division Leader must consult you on every matter personally?"
"......"
At Dokgo Cheol's question, Sagyeom was momentarily speechless before countering.
"...Could this be the Division Leader testing me?"
"That's what I want to ask. In the Archbishop's heart, is the true Blood Unit Leader the type to do that?"
"......"
"And one more thing I want to ask. What does the Archbishop truly value? Is it who hides behind the ghost mask? Or is it the realization of the true path to Blood Flame World Dominion?"
"......"
At Dokgo Cheol's stern rebuke, Sagyeom was silenced once more for a moment.
"...Do you mean there's some deeper intent? That you impersonating him aligns with the Blood Unit's will?"
As Sagyeom spoke again, Dokgo Cheol replied.
"Everything has its time."
Sagyeom withdrew the blade from Dokgo Cheol's throat and turned away.
"...I'll be watching."
Dokgo Cheol stared at Sagyeom's departing figure, wiped the blood trickling from his nape, and stepped back into the tent.
A good while after Sagyeom and Dokgo Cheol had left.
Nearby bushes rustled lightly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, Gyeong-mong, supporting the Thunder Demon Gal Hyo-bong as they escaped the Beast Palace, ground his teeth recalling the later-generation talents of the Orthodox Murim.
"I should have gouged out those arrogant eyes and torn their mouths!"
Unable to contain his rage, Gyeong-mong bellowed before promptly bowing to Gal Hyo-bong.
"My apologies, Master. It seems I've bungled things due to my disciple's folly."
"If I saw your antics as a mistake, I'd have silenced you long ago. I let you rant because I believed it would stir Maeng Ryeong's fury and create an opportunity for us."
"I see."
"Separate from your dullness. From the start, the Southern Barbarians have deep ties with the Central Plains. It's a game we joined midway."
Gal Hyo-bong continued.
"Their arrogance reflects the Orthodox Murim's strength. The history deeply rooted in the Central Plains, the wealth and connections born from that history, and even the blind following of the ignorant masses. We can't stop at mere anger. We must fear them, guard against them, and prepare the moment to break them."
"...Yes."
"...Speaking of which, the Orthodox side isn't just led by that young dragon. Whether by design or not, that Namgung Yun fellow knew his own worth precisely."
"......"
"Especially that Jeon Gal Seolji—he deftly brought up matters even his grandfather, who laid down the bluster, couldn't easily retract."
As Gal Hyo-bong recalled each of the Orthodox Murim's later-generation talents.
Gyeong-mong spoke up again.
"...Master. Before coming here, you outlined several plans. Which one do you intend to choose?"
"Using the Beast Palace as a bridgehead won't work like this. Well, at least we've confirmed the young dragon isn't here. If not here, he must be at the front lines pressing the Blood Cult."
Having said this much, Gal Hyo-bong glared toward Guangxi and furrowed his brows.
"So why has this brat sent his father to Hebei, Gong Son Mu-gyeol to Kunlun, and holed himself up in Mangap Mountain... There are other sprouts to watch besides the young dragon, but he's the biggest problem in the end. For now, hand over ink and brush. I need to write a letter to the Blood Demon after a long while."