Chapter 108
Yeo Il led Namgung Hui-myeong by the nose and made him stop Jin Cheong-ak, who now lied without even breathing.
“Jin Daehyeop.”
Of course, in a voice as small as an ant.
Jin Cheong-ak’s way of speaking was exaggerated to anyone’s eyes, yet Mo Yong-sanghwi sighed with a face that said he “understood,” much like Unhui had.
“…I fully understand the seniors’ feelings of wanting what’s best for Jegal Hyeonmun-nim. However, Namgung Sojeo has nothing to do with the rumors circulating in the world, so please be careful with your words.”
After that, the martial artists tried to add ten, twenty more lines to justify themselves, but Mo Yong-sanghwi cut them off cleanly and led the three of them inside.
“I apologize, you three. I am very late.”
“Can you really leave them like that, Chief Steward? If you just watch, it’s going to turn into a complete mess.”
“Even if their behavior is willful, their hearts for Jegal Hyeonmun-nim are sincere… so there are aspects that make it difficult to restrain them harshly.”
Namgung Hui-myeong nodded roughly, wearing the face of someone forcing down the urge to say, What’s difficult about it? You can just beat them until they come to their senses.
Then, after scanning the area—its mood distinctly heavy—he leaned in and whispered to Yeo Il.
“Stick close to my side, Soyo.”
“…….”
“I have a bad feeling. For simply helping search for one missing girl, an unusual number of people have gathered.”
Yeo Il could tell easily that there were plenty of presences around.
Jianghu people who had willingly come to lend a hand in an incident entangled with the Cheonma Divine Cult.
Doesn’t it bother him?
Jin Cheong-ak, that is.
In a situation where practically everyone was an enemy, the fact that he was following along so leisurely felt unnatural.
And among all these Jianghu people, not a single one recognized Jin Cheong-ak’s face, either.
[You.]
When she sent a voice transmission, Jin Cheong-ak asked back in a voice that sounded quite surprised.
[Hm?]
[Are you really the Cheonma Divine Cult’s Second Young Master?]
[…That’s a hard question. Should I answer that I actually wasn’t?]
[How is it that not one person recognizes your face?]
As if they had reached their destination, Mo Yong-sanghwi stopped and announced their arrival in a cautious voice.
“Master, I have brought Namgung Sojeo and Gongja.”
[That’s because… my face was a bit expensive?]
“Come in.”
A calm reply came from inside.
[I didn’t expect to suddenly be suspected like this. Even though Gwangbyeok guaranteed my status, you still can’t trust me?]
“Please go in first.”
[I don’t even know what that old man used to be.]
The moment she finished replying by voice transmission, Namgung Hui-myeong supported her and brought her into the room.
A faint scent of incense treewood mixed with medicinal herbs drifted through. The presences inside were not just one or two, either. Three, five, seven… maybe about twelve.
[Hm? Ah… right. Even at my peak, it’s not like the name Gwangbyeok was infamous.]
Jin Cheong-ak’s voice was relaxed and soft, in stark contrast to the rigid air inside the room.
Infamy.
Since even a First Young Master would personally move to deal with a member of the Cheonma Divine Cult, Yeo Il had assumed he was no ordinary old man—
Yeo Il sat beside Namgung Hui-myeong and asked.
[Then what were you called?]
The answer she heard was an epithet beyond even her vague expectations.
[Sword Demon.]
…Sword Demon?
It was a name she had definitely heard before.
It could not be otherwise.
Sword Demon was the Cult Leader’s right-hand man who had earned infamy during the Jeongma Great War, and the supreme commander of the demonic army that had ridden a black steed and galloped across the Jianghu.
[Waaah—]
[Hey. Stop. If you don’t stop crying, Sword Demon will catch you and take you to Xinjiang, got it?]
Even before Salmak, he had been invoked as casually as breathing to scare children. She had heard he was over eight cheok tall, but as expected, old rumors were not worth believing.
[So you’ve heard of Sword Demon. He’s quite strange too. To the very end, he didn’t reveal his identity to you.]
…He even lived alone in that damned ruin. Did he meet a bad end?
If the Cheonma Divine Cult had come in person to dispose of someone once called the Cheonma’s right-hand man, he must have fought the Cult Leader head-on at some point.
No sooner had she settled than a kindly old voice spoke.
“Hui-myeong. You’ve grown well. The last time I saw you, you were a little boy who didn’t even reach my waist.”
“It’s been a long time, Great One. I’m relieved to see you still in good health.”
From Namgung Hui-myeong’s voice—filled with sincere concern—Yeo Il could indirectly sense Jegal Hyeonmun’s character.
“How is Jeok-myeong?”
He’s doing more than well—he’s flying around. My elder brother couldn’t come in person, but I came in his place, and I’m no less than him, so don’t be disappointed.”
“Heh heh. Full of confidence then and now….”
Amid the warm conversation that could have passed for a grandfather and grandson, Jin Cheong-ak’s voice transmission came through.
[So what are you curious about now?]
“Aha. Then you are Namgung Soyo.”
[You’re always so happy to show interest in me. Haha. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this, so should I show off a little… what else do you want to know? Ask anything you like.]
“I will ask you one question that may be somewhat uncomfortable. How did you come to meet Cheonmu Ryeong, the First Evil?”
Wait.
Wait a second.
Both of those statements were hard to ignore.
But if she had to choose what was more urgent, it wasn’t the first—it was the second.
‘How did you meet him’… is that a question being thrown not at Namgung Soyo, but at Wolgeom Ilsal?
Does Jegal Hyeonmun know who I am?
No. That’s a rash conclusion. I’ve never been entangled with someone on the Jegal Clan’s side.
And yet, she could clearly sense the intent to probe her.
And for it to be said in such a tone of certainty—by none other than Jegal Hyeonmun—
…It means he sensed something as a sorcerer.
Yeo Il recalled Thousand-Faced Demon’s warning from the days of Salmak—someone who had served Cheonmu Ryeong as his limb half a decade before her.
[Looking at you, your lifespan’s going to be very short?]
[…]
[…]
[…]
[Aren’t you going to ask why?]
[…]
[Really not curious?]
[…]
[Pfft. Keh-heh-heh. Ah, you’re curious, aren’t you? I know. I know everything. You’re just trying to look cool by holding your tongue. I was like that when I was young too~ Pfft… Fine! I’m in a good mood. For the sake of a junior who’s fallen into empty vanity, this Thousand-Faced Demon will kindly tell you the reason.]
[…]
[The truth is~ haa… the things the Munju-nim takes interest in… they break very quickly, you know.]
[…]
[Whether they break because it’s fun, or it’s fun so he breaks them, I still don’t know. Mm-hm. Anyway, you’re going to break. If it’s long… two years? Want to overestimate it and call it two years?]
[…]
[But I don’t really like that. It’s a pain to rub shoulders with rookies~ and it’s disgusting. Words~ damn~ don’t get through worth shit… Keh-heh. Still, you’re the type who understands what’s being said, so it’d be better if you lived a bit longer~]
[…]
[So if I’m going to butt in once… watch your mouth.]
[…]
[Don’t lie. Got it? Munju-nim—he doesn’t not know. Damn~ he sees even who you went slacking off with, like the Buddha sees all. Feels like I’m being controlled by my mom at this age. Not that I have a mom.]
[…]
[What was it—sorcery-wise—even if ordinary people leave no trace, people with strong qi leave presence on objects or people they keep close… and a powerful sorcerer can notice that presence?]
[…]
[So don’t slip up and misspeak, that’s what I’m saying. Live honestly, honestly. At least in front of Munju-nim.]
[…]
[Keh-heh-heh. And if you meet a sorcerer outside, be careful, okay? You’re already soaked in Munju-nim’s presence. Especially. A whole lot…]