Chapter 78: Into Another Danger (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: Into Another Danger (3)
First, I had to send the Demon Subjugation Group back to the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, so I began my explanation.
“I have some urgent business at the Nine Demons Chamber, so I’ll be stopping by there first. The rest of the Demon Subjugation Group should head back to the fortress ahead of me.”
The men looked shocked. They had just witnessed the warriors of the Nine Demons Chamber engaged in a bloody internal slaughter, and now that I was saying I’d go with them, their faces were filled with worry.
“They have a patient who needs treating, and they say they absolutely need me. It seems the patient’s condition is critical.”
As I explained, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang pressed closer to my side.
“Is this something you must do, Master? From what I’ve heard, the Nine Demons Chamber has a healer known as the ‘Ma Ui,’ a man said to be the equal of the legendary Hua Tuo. I don’t see why they would need you.”
As expected, only my subordinates truly care for me.
I felt a swell of pride seeing them step forward out of concern.
In response to Xing Youzheng’s question, Director Woo spoke up.
“The Ma Ui said it himself. He said Young Hero Eo is essential. To be precise, it’s not Young Hero Eo himself they need, but an item he possesses.”
Sensing that this conversation would drag on, I spoke firmly.
“Say no more. I am going of my own volition. I owe Lady Ham a debt, and I must repay it. Is it not the way of the martial world to settle one’s debts?”
I wanted to look cool even as I was leaving.
Only then did the others nod, seemingly understanding my reasoning.
“Please inform the Fortress Lord. Tell him that this might take some time, and I ask for his understanding even if I am late.”
Ye Woon nodded at my words.
“Do not worry.”
Director Woo then added to Ye Woon, “And pass on my words as well. Tell him we will visit in person to explain the situation regarding Young Hero Eo, so please wait for us.”
Ye Woon gave a curt nod. “Understood.”
I turned back to the Demon Subjugation Group.
“The rest of you, head back first. The fortress will surely grant you the rewards you deserve for your service in this group.”
The Sword Palace Squad began their preparations to depart for the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.
“Fairy Doyeon, I trust you will lead the Demon Subjugation Group and escort them safely back to the fortress.”
My plan was to take only the Twin Heroes of Guiyang and Jeok Yeong with me to the Nine Demons Chamber.
However, there were those who insisted on staying.
Poison Wolf Ibu, Smiling Face Sword, So Gu-chi, Sim Geol, and the Seven Cats remained behind.
“What is the meaning of this?” I asked.
Smiling Face Sword stepped forward.
“Until now, we have served under you, Young Hero Eo, as our unit leader, risking our lives against the Blood Lama. We cannot simply return to the fortress and leave you behind now. Didn’t you say we would all go back together?”
Wait, what? They’re staying because of that?
Something surged in my chest at his words. How could a man’s heart not be moved by the sight of others willing to share in danger for his sake?
“Until we return to the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, we are still Young Hero Eo’s Demon Subjugation Group.”
When even Poison Wolf Ibu spoke up like that, my eyes began to sting. My vision blurred as tears threatened to fall. They might have been "weaklings" in terms of martial arts, but their loyalty was anything but third-rate.
“What about you, Little Brother Jeok?” I asked, noticing Jeok Yeong’s silence.
He stared at me blankly for a moment before answering.
“What do you mean? Where you go, Brother, I go. There is no need to even ask me.”
Seeing even this guy act this way, I muttered to myself.
‘I guess I haven’t lived my life all wrong.’
Doyeon watched us with a bright smile.
“I would like to go with you as well, but I have my own duties to attend to. It is a shame I cannot follow.”
I turned to her.
“I am grateful for the sentiment alone. Fairy Doyeon, please lead the group and ensure their safe return. Knowing you are with them allows me to go to the Nine Demons Chamber with a light heart.”
Doyeon cupped her fists in a polite salute.
“Then I shall go ahead and wait for you there.”
I returned the salute. Doyeon then led the remainder of the Demon Subjugation Group toward the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.
Surprised by the number of people who were now following me to the Nine Demons Chamber, I turned to Ham Bi-hye.
“There are quite a few of us. Is this alright?”
Ham Bi-hye replied graciously, “They are all your followers, Young Hero Eo. Why would there be a problem?”
Still, the thought of going with people I had shared life and death with, rather than going alone, made me feel much more secure.
I looked at each of their faces and smiled.
“This Eo shall keep your loyalty deep within his heart.”
As I spoke, So Gu-chi grumbled a response.
“To be honest, we’re only staying because we think we can learn more by following the Unit Leader, so don’t be too touched.”
I just grinned. No more words were needed. For the first time in my life, I truly understood what people meant when they said men communicate through their hearts.
I turned back to Ham Bi-hye.
“Let’s go.”
I spoke as if I were the one leading the way, rather than being taken away.
Behind me followed Jeok Yeong, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang, the Seven Cats, Poison Wolf Ibu, Smiling Face Sword, So Gu-chi, and Sim Geol.
*
The Nine Demons Chamber was located in Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan.
Fortunately, it was adjacent to Sichuan; had it been further away, the journey would have been grueling. Luckily, we were able to secure a carriage from a local branch of the Nine Demons Chamber, which lessened the fatigue.
Inside the carriage were myself, Jeok Yeong, Ham Bi-hye, and Director Woo.
I had expected us to travel by horse or use lightness skills since they said the patient’s condition was urgent. I was puzzled when they stopped at a nearby branch to fetch a carriage instead.
“You said it was urgent, so why are we using a carriage?”
Ham Bi-hye hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Actually, we will use the carriage until we reach the border of Yunnan. Once we enter the province, we will move immediately using lightness skills. We are using the carriage now to conserve our strength until then.”
It made sense. Traveling continuously by horse or lightness skill is incredibly taxing on one’s stamina. Weaklings like us would have collapsed within days.
Though four of us were packed into the small carriage, there wasn't much to say. After two days of traveling in silence, I spoke up to break the awkward atmosphere.
“Why did the Nine Demons Chamber establish itself in Yunnan?”
I asked the question thinking it would lead to a long explanation that would kill some time. I was genuinely curious why, of all places, they chose Yunnan, a province known for being a barren wasteland for martial sects.
Yunnan didn't have a single decent sect to its name. Because there were no prestigious families or great sects, the region was plagued by constant, fierce infighting among small and medium-sized factions trying to build power.
“You’re thinking exactly what I expected, Young Hero Eo,” Ham Bi-hye said as I looked up. “Our Chamber intentionally chose a place where the Nine Great Sects have no presence.”
That one short sentence explained everything. The Nine Demons were originally people who loathed the prestigious families and the Nine Great Sects. There was no reason for them to set up shop where those groups resided.
“But why Kunming? It’s the provincial capital—there must be a lot of people there.”
I asked because it was surprising for an unorthodox sect to show itself so openly in a major city. It was one of the many questions I had about the Nine Demons Chamber.
“When people hear the Nine Demons Chamber is in Yunnan, they immediately assume we’re hidden in the Ailao Mountains, the most rugged terrain in the province. But that’s just a prejudice.”
I listened quietly, not interrupting her.
“Why must an unorthodox sect be hidden deep in the mountains? We are of the Black Path, not the Evil Path. That is why the Nine Demons proudly built the Chamber right on the main road. Do you know the founding philosophy of the Nine Demons Chamber?”
Ham Bi-hye posed the question to me.
“What is it?” I asked politely.
“Stronger than the Demonic Path, more righteous than the Orthodox Path.”
Seeing the conviction in her voice as she spoke those words, I could feel her immense pride in the Nine Demons Chamber. Even to my ears, it was a grand sentiment.
This confirmed that the Nine Demons Chamber was a neutral faction within the Black Path. I knew what it meant for a Black Path sect to live more righteously than the Orthodox Path. It meant they wouldn't be hypocrites. It meant they would practice true chivalry, not the fake kind.
Long ago, during my days as an attendant, the warrior I served died instantly in a duel because he pursued power more ruthlessly than the Demonic Path.
Looking out the window at the Blood Wind Squad marching in perfect order, I felt a sense of respect. You can’t create a martial force like that with ideology alone.
As I thought about the Blood Wind Squad, another question came to mind.
“By the way, what happened to Senior Mad Demon? Why were you so isolated?”
If Mad Demon Seop Jung had been there, Ham Bi-hye wouldn't have been cornered and harassed by the Iron Blood Demon Group.
“Grandfather returned to the Chamber ahead of us with the manual.”
From her words, I could deduce a few things. The manual she mentioned was undoubtedly the Heart-Guiding Blood Flow Divine Art. I knew all too well how much effort she had put into obtaining it. Furthermore, the fact that they needed the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet along with the manual made me feel that something was off.
‘What kind of illness requires both of those things to cure?’
As I pondered, Ham Bi-hye remained silent, not wanting to disturb my thoughts.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t seen any other members of the Nine Demons Chamber. Only Ham Bi-hye and her personal warriors were desperate to get that manual. Even Mad Demon Seop Jung got involved.’
Piecing the facts together, it was clear the patient was someone very important to Ham Bi-hye. Given that both she and the Mad Demon were involved, it had to be someone of high rank.
‘If Ham Bi-hye, of all people, is this anxious, it must be a direct family member. Since she doesn't have any other siblings, the patient is...’
A name struck my mind like a bolt of lightning.
‘The patient is the Chamber Leader, Ham Jeok.’
I gasped, startled by my own deduction. Then, the realizations began to pour out like a flood.
‘Chamber Leader Ham Jeok is a man who has mastered demonic arts to their peak; he’s not someone a common illness could touch. But a man like that is sick? And if it’s an ailment that requires the Heart-Guiding Blood Flow Divine Art and the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet, there’s only one possibility.’
I stared at Ham Bi-hye with wide eyes.
‘If my hunch is correct, going to the Nine Demons Chamber is literally digging my own grave. It would be better to just cut off my wrist and give them the bracelet.’
Cold sweat began to pour down my back. My deduction was almost certainly correct.
‘And there’s no way out.’
I was currently being escorted—or rather, surrounded—by fifty members of the Blood Wind Squad.
‘Dammit, it’s just one disaster after another.’
The rule from the Eight Iron Rules for the Weak about never getting involved in other people's business wouldn't leave my head. I finally understood why a cow sheds tears on its way to the slaughterhouse. It’s not just that it doesn't want to die; it’s the sheer unfairness of having no way to escape that brings the tears.
“We must move on foot from here,” Ham Bi-hye said, breaking my trance.
“Pardon?”
“This is the border of Yunnan. From here on, we need to move stealthily, so we will be using mountain paths rather than the main roads.”
“Let’s do that. Let’s take the shortest route possible. If we delay, your elder’s condition will only become more dangerous, will it not?”
At my words, Ham Bi-hye and Director Woo snapped their heads toward me. Their eyes asked how I could possibly know that.
I replied nonchalantly, “I was just guessing. Is it possible your elder is suffering from Qi Deviation?”
Ham Bi-hye finally let out a gasp of shock.
“Young Hero Eo, how did you know?”
“It’s easy to figure out if you think about it. Seeing that you need both a manual and an artifact, and that both you and your maternal grandfather, Senior Mad Demon Seop Jung, are involved, I figured it couldn't be just anyone.”
Ham Bi-hye and Director Woo nodded, looking impressed by my explanation.
“As expected of Young Hero Eo.”
Director Woo nodded as if he were finally seeing my true value.
The reason I had revealed that I knew their secret was simple. Since I was going anyway, I wanted to pile on the debt they owed me and ensure my safety was guaranteed. If I went to the Nine Demons Chamber and treated someone without knowing who they were, I couldn't leverage the debt as effectively.
A random person and the Chamber Leader, Ham Jeok, carried entirely different weights. This was an opportunity to obtain enough gold and jewels to live in luxury for the rest of my life. The more dangerous the opportunity, the greater the reward.
Still, if I could back out right now, I’d throw all of that away in a heartbeat. But since I couldn't, I had to change my mindset, right?
‘It’s do or die.’
I never thought I’d be reciting such reckless words more often than the Eight Iron Rules for the Weak.
I gritted my teeth.