Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Where Are You Going Without Me?
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It was the moment Gu Jinha finished his treatment and was about to leave the clinic.
A group burst through the clinic door, blocking Gal Woheon and Gu Jinha.
Gu Jinha jumped in fright, thinking Nangong Family warriors had tracked him down.
"Who are you!"
Gal Woheon gripped hidden weapons in both hands, tensing up as shadowy figures approached.
"They're not Nangong Family warriors."
Gal Woheon was a peak master himself.
He sensed a cold, sinister aura from them in the darkness.
Nangong Family warriors didn't emit such energy.
"Are you men sent by Scholar Cheon's mother?"
"No idea. Get ready to fight."
Gal Woheon entered combat stance against these unknown foes.
A man in a conical hat stepped forward and addressed Gu Jinha.
"You must harbor deep grudges against Scholar Cheon."
"That's right. But who are you? Are you with Scholar Cheon?"
"Us? No. We hold grudges against that bastard too."
"Who are you people?"
"Petty revenge like this will just get you caught in the end, Gu Scholar. Don't you think you need something bolder?"
"Hmph, easier said than done. Even if I sold everything I own, all I could afford is a mere assassin. But I won't give up."
"Good, I like that vengeful spirit."
"Do you have a grudge against Scholar Cheon too?"
"Oh, I do. A massive one."
"Hmph, that guy hangs around with gentlemen, yet he makes so many enemies."
Gu Jinha muttered.
Gal Woheon couldn't guess the man's identity and approached cautiously.
"Before we talk grudges against Scholar Cheon, why don't you reveal who you are first."
The man in the conical hat nodded and removed it.
A fierce middle-aged face appeared.
"Who are you?"
His emanating presence was no joke.
The energy coiling around the peak-level Gal Woheon like a serpent marked him as an even greater master.
Gal Woheon realized getting involved with these people would bring nothing good, so he subtly backed away, planning to slip off alone.
"Where do you think you're going, Elder Gal?"
Gal Woheon flinched.
The speaker was the physician who had treated Gu Jinha.
He had never revealed their identities to him.
'He knows me? And these are grudge-holders against Scholar Cheon?'
Gal Woheon spoke calmly.
"And who might you be?"
The man replied flatly.
"I am Jeon Seok, Twelfth Wing Lord of the Holy Heaven Cult."
Gal Woheon swallowed hard.
'Demonic Cult's Twelfth Wing Lord, Wind Demon King Jeon Seok. Why is he here?'
Jeon Seok turned to Gu Jinha, who stared at him with rabbit-like eyes, and spoke.
"Looks like we're up against a common enemy. How about an alliance?"
Gu Jinha didn't hesitate much.
He had already joined hands with the Blood Cult; allying with the Demonic Cult held no qualms.
'Right. With the Demonic Cult, I can get real revenge. I'm just discarded trash to the Murim Alliance now.'
Clinging to the Murim Alliance he could never return to was a fool's hope.
Gu Jinha asked.
"What grudge does the Wing Lord hold against Scholar Cheon?"
"Haha, haven't you heard? My entire unit was wiped out in Nanchang."
Gu Jinha recalled the storyteller's tale.
"Ah, you mean the Heavenly Stream Ironblood Squad from the Demonic Cult—no, the total annihilation at Lake Huyeon? Did that really happen?"
Gu Jinha had laughed it off upon hearing Scholar Cheon destroyed the Heavenly Stream Ironblood Squad.
He never imagined it was true.
"Even the squad leader I cherished died. To that Scholar Cheon you're talking about. Because of him, my position in the cult is hanging by a thread."
"So you're out for revenge."
"Exactly. Revenge and mission, both."
As the conversation progressed, Gu Jinha glanced around slyly.
"But you should know, I only have revenge in my heart—nothing else to offer."
"Haha, what are you saying? A man is his own asset. We need you, Gu Scholar, not your strength."
"Can someone as unskilled in martial arts as me be of help?"
"Didn't you hear? We've perfected a technique that doubles one's power."
"I did. The great law that amplifies innate true energy."
"Right. It can turn you into a master too. And we can fit your wrist with a prosthetic for poisons and hidden weapons."
Gu Jinha perked up at that.
"Very well. I'll help."
Twelfth Wing Lord Jeon Seok asked.
"Elder Gal, what about you? Will you join us?"
It was phrased as a choice, but refusal meant death, so it wasn't easy to decline.
"Fine. I'll help too."
Only then did Jeon Seok's cold gaze soften into a broad grin.
"Good. Good. Excellent."
Whatever pleased him, Jeon Seok let out a hearty laugh.
As his laughter deepened, so did Gal Woheon's unease.
Upon entering Guang'an County in Sichuan, we headed straight for an inn.
We had rushed so much that we were covered in dust without a proper wash.
"I'd like to stay at an inn tonight and take a bath."
Moreover, with Yeoseol in tow, we couldn't march endlessly.
It was still two days to the Tang Clan's stronghold in Chengdu.
As Tang Jinok hesitated, I added.
"Besides, shouldn't Young Master Tang have his wounds checked? It could get worse and be dangerous."
Only then did Tang Jinok nod.
"Let's do that."
I had planned to stay with just Yeoseol if he refused.
Pang Soun said.
"Brother, perfect. Drinks tonight?"
"This isn't the time for drinking."
Several had died—how could he talk of booze now?
His madness had lessened, but his immaturity hadn't.
Un Sang shot Pang Soun a glare too.
We entered the street lined with inns.
Sichuan's abundant agriculture meant many escort agencies hauling produce, their flags fluttering at each inn.
Escort warriors and porters lodged there after their runs.
We headed for one that seemed empty.
Before entering, I halted abruptly.
"What's wrong?"
I shook my head calmly at Pang Soun's question.
"Nothing."
I smirked inwardly.
'Hiding here of all places? Did I catch a rat while retreating, or did they walk into the tiger's den?'
As soon as we entered the inn, I quietly called Tang Jinok, Zhuge Dowon, Pang Soun, and Un Sang to a room.
I set up a sound barrier, and the group tensed.
"What is it?"
"Is there a place nearby where we can call in reinforcements?"
Tang Jinok frowned at my words.
"Tell us what's going on first."
Tang Jinok didn't grasp storytelling structure.
I sighed and answered.
"The Demonic Cult's Fourteenth Wing Lord is staying at the inn across the street."
"What? How do you know?"
Un Sang asked in surprise.
"I saw her entering as we came in."
"Is she tailing us? I didn't sense anything."
"She's not tailing. She arrived first and is waiting. She knows we're heading to the Tang Clan, so passing through here was inevitable."
The group nodded.
I had sensed the Silken Hall's aura the moment we entered the street.
I wondered how much inner energy the Silken Hall mark I secretly planted on Oh Juhyang had absorbed.
I figured she wouldn't go far, needing time to recover from her internal injuries.
And she wouldn't leave without revenge on me.
Returning to the Demonic Cult with elite troops after a thrashing would shake her position.
Plus, it would weaken Third Young Master's faction further.
She had to kill me to regain her standing.
"If they know we're here, they'll attack tonight. We should use ourselves as bait to wipe them out."
I continued.
"Also, many need to learn about their unnatural strength. People must face them directly."
Pang Soun asked.
"You're right, brother. But how do we gather warriors from other branches? If we move, they'll notice."
"Conveniently, we have injured in our group. Spread word via clinics and herb shops to Beggar Clan disciples to rally local warriors."
Zhuge Dowon spoke up for once.
"Then Zhuge Dowon and Young Master Tang should go, rather than others."
"Yes. You two inform the Beggar Clan."
We discussed how to assault Oh Juhyang after meeting the Beggar Clan.
Once settled, Zhuge Dowon and Tang Jinok left the inn.
Sure enough, shadows tailed them discreetly.
Watching from the window, I stroked Yeoseol's head as she peered too.
"Where to hide Yeoseol?"
"Brother, do I have to hide? Can't I fight with you? I'd prefer to, but those innate true energy-amplified Demonic Cult warriors are strong. I think I should help."
"Good idea, but I want you known as an ordinary girl. That way, you can live more comfortably. If word gets out you're as strong as me, it'll be trouble."
Yeoseol pondered, then nodded.
"You're right. Me getting famous now would trouble you."
"Silly girl."
I admired how she thought of me first.
Thus, Yeoseol would relocate before nightfall.
As sunset darkened the streets, foot traffic thinned.
Patrols appeared, so I returned to the inn to prepare mentally.
"We contacted the Beggar Clan, so reinforcements should arrive soon."
Zhuge Dowon said.
"But no Alliance branch or Tang Clan outpost in Guang'an County, so only Beggar Clan will gather. Unsure if we can wipe them out alone."
Zhuge Dowon looked worried.
Soon, a Beggar Clan disciple rushed to our inn.
"I told you not to come and go carelessly—they might notice."
Tang Jinok scolded.
"It's not that. Demonic Cultists are moving elsewhere now. Did they sense our ambush and flee?"
The disciple spoke out of ignorance of their strength.
"That doesn't make sense. No reason for them to flee."
Tang Jinok said in confusion.
"Did you tail where they're going?"
"Pouch bearers are tracking. Told them constant surveillance."
I was curious.
It meant something major enough to abandon us suddenly.
"What do we do?"
Tang Jinok asked Pang Soun, but eyed me.
All gazes turned to me.
Awaiting my decision.
"Let's pursue."
I told the Beggar Clan disciple.
"Will you guide us?"
Seeing scholar me lead the group, he tilted his head but spoke.
"This way."