Chapter 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Unexpected Gift
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Don't say a word. I'd rather force you to swallow the Fury Demon Pill. Watching you writhe in agony suits me just fine."
I flashed a grin and shoved my finger deeper into his mouth, prompting a shout.
"F-Fine, I'll talk! Get your finger out!"
I pulled my finger free and released his jaw. His lips trembled as if seized by spasms.
"I-It was me. I slipped it to Yi Makseong in secret."
At those words, Yi Woong stormed over and bellowed.
"Why! Why the hell would you do that to us? What did we ever do to you?"
He drew his sword as if ready to cut Gu Jinha down right there, but Wang Cheong grabbed his shoulder.
"Calm down. Killing him here means we'll never get the full story."
Wang Cheong glared at Gu Jinha and continued.
"This isn't the place for an interrogation. We need to take him back to the Alliance and get to the bottom of it properly."
Wang Cheong had a good guess at what else might spill from Gu Jinha's mouth, so he held back from pressing further.
He simply couldn't risk airing the Murim Alliance's dirty laundry in front of so many witnesses.
The power struggles between the Alliance Leader and the elders.
And I knew Gu Jinha was spilling his guts not just out of fear from the Fury Demon Pill, but because he had some ace up his sleeve.
'He probably thinks the Elder Council will protect him.'
But there was one thing Gu Jinha had overlooked.
He didn't realize he was nothing more than a disposable lizard's tail to them.
'He's only tasted the sweet side of power, so the bitter side is still a mystery to him.'
I'd seen enough power plays in the Murim Alliance to understand one truth.
For power to be just and righteous, it must be wielded upon oneself, not others.
Even a petty bit of authority, swung like a whip at others as Gu Jinha did, would inevitably lash back at its wielder.
Yet I'd never seen anyone turn that power on themselves.
Wang Cheong approached the bellowing Gu Jinha again and sealed his jaw acupoint, silencing him completely.
Gu Jinha flapped his mouth like a fish dragged onto dry land, thrashing wildly when no sound came out.
"I'll seal his movement acupoints too, so he can't budge an inch."
At those words, Gu Jinha's struggles ceased.
He knew that being fully conscious yet utterly immobile was torture in itself.
"We'll hold Scholar Gu under restraint and escort him back to the Alliance. We'll report the Jeongryong Sect incident too and set things right."
Wang Cheong left to relocate the White Tiger Unit to another safehouse.
Yi Woong seized my hand tightly.
"Scholar Cheon, thank you for your help. We nearly got branded as Demonic Cultists—our entire family could've been wiped out."
Yi Woong saw Scholar Cheon as a true benefactor.
He knew the man had risked everything to aid him.
"That said, your son is still a problem. I've suppressed the demonic energy for now, but it could flare up again anytime."
"Isn't there some way to fix it?"
Yi Woong clung to hope, figuring that if Scholar Cheon had uncovered the Fury Demon Pill, he might know how to remove it too.
"The Fury Demon Pill's demonic energy transfers on skin contact. No one can treat your son that way. Better for him to absorb it himself. The only path is cultivating a demonic heart method to store it in his dantian."
Yi Woong spoke in desperation.
"That would make him look like a real Demonic Cultist."
He continued.
"He's already infamous as a wastrel. Learning demonic martial arts would seal his fate beyond redemption."
"This ordeal will straighten him out. Even the worst wastrels come to their senses after a harsh wake-up call."
I phrased it to imply that Yi Makseong wouldn't pull any more stunts now that I'd siphoned off his energy.
"Where am I supposed to find a demonic heart method in times like these?"
I couldn't answer that one.
It was Yi Woong's problem to solve, not mine.
Yi Woong stared glumly at his son and muttered.
Without meaning to, I'd focused in, so even from afar, his voice reached my ears clearly.
"Son, I'll save you no matter what. Hiding it might keep us safe, but for you, I'll face any danger."
Hearing that, I thought to myself.
'He's got something up his sleeve.'
Yi Makseong was his only son.
No other heirs. If he died, the lineage ended.
Jong Sobin approached me.
"Scholar Cheon, could we meet privately before heading to the Murim Alliance? With my little sister too."
"......"
When I didn't reply, Jong Sobin pressed on.
"I just want one proper look before we go. No other talk—just see her face once."
"Doesn't sound like a good idea."
"It's because I have something for your sister. Not as a condition, but if you agree, I'll hand over the business we've set up in Hefei. We don't have time to liquidate the teahouse and clinic, so you could manage it until your sister comes of age, then give it to her. I'll throw in the land and house deeds too."
"That makes for a fine excuse to see my sister."
Jong Sobin beamed at my words.
"That's what I like about you, Scholar Cheon. You get the worldly side of things. I wouldn't trust it to someone rigid."
Jong Sobin spoke her honest mind.
"I'll come to the safehouse tomorrow."
"Please do."
With that, Jong Sobin departed for the White Tiger Unit's second safehouse.
Wang Cheong had gone after the Demonic Cult and Blood Cult stragglers but couldn't return with just Jong Sobin, so he committed to the search.
To cooperate with the Nangong Subduing Demon Unit, he sent a man to the Nangong Family.
The original safehouse felt empty now, with only the Murim Alliance warriors left.
Yi Woong approached me.
"Scholar Cheon, would you come with us all the way to our sect?"
Yi Woong felt a mix of anger and shame. They'd escorted us in like a besieging army, only to ditch us once the job was done.
Heading home with his still-unconscious son, they might run into Demonic Cult or Blood Cult thugs—too risky to fight while protecting him.
The two looked so pitiful, I couldn't bring myself to refuse coldly.
Running into those cults by chance while guarding an unconscious boy would be suicidal.
'I did take the Seven Stars' energy from Yi Makseong, so a little consideration is in order.'
That thought sealed it—I couldn't say no.
"Very well. I'll go to Jeongryong Sect with you."
"Truly, thank you."
Yi Woong borrowed a carriage from the safehouse and set off for Jeongryong Sect.
The trip to Jeongryong Sect passed without incident.
So uneventfully that my earlier wariness felt foolish.
The Demonic Cult and Blood Cult were too busy hunting the Ice Sacred Body to bother with us.
Yi Woong thanked me profusely upon arrival.
His courtesy bordered on excessive, but I understood his feelings and let it slide.
"Is there no way to save my son? Truth be told, I brought you here hoping you'd know a method."
A desperate grasp at straws.
"As I said, the only way is for your son to control the demonic energy with a demonic heart method."
Yi Woong grew serious.
"Scholar Cheon, can you keep what I'm about to say a secret?"
"Of course."
He acted like he was about to reveal a massive secret, yet hesitated for a long while.
It must have taken immense resolve to voice it.
Finally, Yi Woong's reluctant lips parted.
"Long ago, I stumbled upon a demonic martial art manual by chance. But despite the name, something felt off when I examined it."
"What about it?"
"It gave off a righteous aura like orthodox arts, but the incantations were gibberish. Even famous scholars couldn't make sense of them. So I shelved it, figuring it was some prankster's joke."
Yi Woong had slapped a no-entry seal on the area but still glanced around warily.
"With my son like this, that demonic manual came to mind. Could it help?"
"Bring it here first. I'll take a look. And don't worry—your lips are sealed about him learning a demonic heart method."
Yi Woong relaxed, relieved at Scholar Cheon's understanding.
"Please wait just a moment."
Yi Woong vanished in a blur of lightness skill.
'Yi Woong's a first-rate master, yet he couldn't decipher this demonic art. What could it be?'
Yi Woong returned swiftly.
He'd used lightness skill even within the sect grounds—his urgency was palpable.
"Here it is."
I took the manual from Yi Woong and flipped through the pages.
The title made me freeze.
'To think this was here!'
After mastering the Nine Ghosts Drifting Shadow Divine Method at the Alliance, I'd scoured the archives for Ghost Immortal's arts.
The Alliance's secret vault held only that one manual of his.
And even that was rotting away from neglect.
Nine Ghosts Bright Jade Heart Method, Nine Ghosts Four Spirits Sword, Nine Ghosts Soul Subduing Palm, Nine Ghosts Escaping White Finger, Nine Ghosts Escaping Life Claw.
A compilation of Ghost Immortal's martial arts.
The title hinted at demonic origins, but no creator's name was mentioned.
No wonder no one realized it was Ghost Immortal's work.
Yi Woong eyed me cautiously and spoke up.
"The name seems demonic in origin, but even the Demonic Cult has no record of it."
He'd looked into it, sensing something unusual.
I calmed my shock and feigned composure.
"I'll give it a quick read. See if this heart method can save the young master."
"I'd be grateful."
With his son's life on the line, even as sect leader, Yi Woong kept a humble posture toward me.
I sped through the pages.
In moments, I'd memorized the entire multi-dozen-page manual.
"You can grasp the contents just like that?"
Yi Woong looked skeptical, as if I were skimming too hastily.
To keep him from fixating on the manual, I wove in a lie.
"It looks like a sorcery sect's handiwork. As you said, no real value as martial arts. But the heart method here draws clear inspiration from demonic ones—it should guide the Fury Demon Pill's energy to the dantian."
"Really?"
"I studied demonic heart methods in the Inspection Unit for research. Similar structure."
I gave him an alibi in advance with those words.
"The Alliance will investigate later—how you removed your son's demonic energy."
With the Fury Demon Pill involved, inspectors or branch investigators would come calling.
"Tell them I taught you a demonic heart method to purge it. Best option right now."
Admitting to an unknown manual would leave no escape.
"Is that safe? They might drag you into it, Scholar Cheon."
"I'm infamous for going my own way in the Alliance. Saving a life like this? They won't hold it against me much."
"I'm grateful, even if it stains your reputation to save my boy."
"No other way to save him now."
Truth be told, it was all to hide acquiring Ghost Immortal's arts.
But seeing him treat me like a savior made me uneasy.
Better to dispose of the manual right here in front of him.
"And we should burn this manual on the spot."
"Is that necessary...? If you want it, take it, Scholar Cheon."
"No. Better for both of us to destroy it now."
Yi Woong nodded at my words.
"You're right. Makes sense."
Yi Woong pulled a fire starter from his bosom and lit the manual.
Having memorized every page already, burning it here left no loose ends.
"No copies hidden away, I hope?"
"Copies? Why keep something this dangerous?"
"You and your sect lordship need to forget this ever existed. Could be used against you."
"Understood."
I was content with unearthing Ghost Immortal's arts from such an unexpected place.
Sometimes good deeds don't return kindness, but occasionally, unintended acts do.
This was one such case.
'Yes. My turn for luck like this.'
Looking back, my life had been rather star-crossed.
Soon after, Yi Makseong regained consciousness. I taught him how to channel qi through the key meridians of the Nine Ghosts Bright Jade Heart Method.
In truth, Yi Woong had led Cheon Taesan to Jeongryong Sect because he knew the scholar's reputation well.
Word from Alliance contacts confirmed his genius interpretive skills—that's why he'd sought his help.
'Just as rumored. He deciphers incantations at a glance. A true genius. I pored over them dozens of times and got nowhere.'
Ghost Immortal's arts weren't qi-circulation based, so ordinary martial artists couldn't grasp the incantations no matter how often they read them.
As Yi Makseong settled into qi circulation, Yi Woong was overcome with emotion, at a loss for words.
With Yi Makseong as his only child, he was more precious than anything.
"Storing the demonic energy in his dantian won't cause issues?"
"As long as he doesn't use demonic arts, it won't stir. No need to worry."
"From now on, I'll keep a close eye on him."
Yi Woong vowed solemnly to himself.
As I rose to leave Jeongryong Sect, a disciple came rushing in.
"Sect Leader!"
"What's with the fuss? We have guests."
"It's not that—the Nangong Subduing Demon Unit is clashing with Demonic Cultists right now."
"Where?"
"A bloody battle at the market."
I gritted my teeth.
'The market—the second Murim Alliance safehouse in Hefei.'