Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: A Hero's Welcome
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Despite Yong-cheon’s attempts to dissuade him, Neung Un-bi hurried to the Heavenly Pillar Gate, finding an atmosphere no different from a festival.
The wide-open main gate was teeming with people, and the leaders of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, leading warriors with swords and spears held high, greeted the First Young Master and Go Ju-dae.
“Long live the First Young Master!”
“Long live the Heavenly Pillar Gate!”
Passersby who had stopped in their tracks cheered for the First Young Master and the Heavenly Pillar Gate with every step, while never ceasing to cast scornful gazes upon the captives being dragged along.
Basking in their reaction, the First Young Master slowly rode his horse, pulling the reins to a stop before the main gate.
“Hap! You’ve worked hard.”
The head of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, Bae Hyo-gang, rushed out to the gate, not even having put on his shoes properly. He embraced his son, who had dismounted, and praised his achievements, causing the crowd's cheers to grow even louder.
Watching the scene in silence from the side, Neung Un-bi’s eyes grew chillingly cold.
His gaze was fixed on them.
The members of the Demonic Cult—no, those branded as such—seemed to exist in a completely different world amidst the welcoming crowd.
The elderly, women, children.
All of them were weak.
But as the saying goes, it’s easier to fathom a river than a man's heart. How could one know their true nature from appearances alone?
Sometimes, evil approaches in the guise of an innocent child or a delicate woman, committing murder without a second thought, does it not?
But for Neung Un-bi, who had observed them closely and repeatedly, it was hard to believe.
Perhaps in the past, but not now.
Because they showed no trace of demonic energy.
That was the nature of ki.
It accumulates in the body through breathing, and its scent changes according to the characteristics of the internal art one practices. It was like a body odor.
Furthermore, how many internal arts that manipulate ki existed in the world? There were hundreds, even thousands of them.
Therefore, in a world where some arts were so similar they were practically identical despite having different names, how could one distinguish them by scent alone?
However, there were certainly some that could be identified instantly.
The first was by their opposition.
Sacred energy and demonic energy, Buddhist energy and evil energy. Because they were natural enemies, a keen sense could vaguely perceive and grow suspicious of the other.
The second was by their similarity.
It was natural for those of a similar kind to resonate with each other.
Therefore, if those groaning while tied up in ropes were indeed followers of the demonic path, he should have felt it. He was not Cheok Wol-rin now, but Neung Un-bi, a practitioner of demonic arts.
But he felt nothing.
Then were they merely collaborators?
Collaborators—people who lived intermingled in the secret enclaves of the demonic path, unaware of its true nature.
The Orthodox and Unorthodox factions lumped them all together and called them collaborators.
There had been countless subjugations, and countless people had died without even knowing why.
Neung Un-bi, too, had participated in those foul battles in the past.
There was a time when he believed that the demonic path was unconditionally evil, regardless of his own will.
He later regretted and repented, but the sin could not be washed away, just as a sense of guilt remained in a corner of his memory even now.
And now he knew.
That those who were merely ignorant should not be treated worse than dogs or pigs.
Even if such acts were cloaked in the name of justice.
*Grind.*
Drifting through old memories, Neung Un-bi unknowingly ground his teeth.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“…Pardon?”
“No, you just look angry about something…”
“…”
“Anyway, isn’t it a bit chilly?”
Yong-cheon, standing beside him, shivered slightly as if he felt a chill and pulled his collar tight.
A mistake. It seemed his killing intent had been infused into the demonic energy that had unknowingly seeped out.
Oh, sacred messenger of the Thunder Mother…
Neung Un-bi hastily changed his expression, inwardly chanting the Demon-Subduing Mantra as he played the fool.
“My goodness, Brother. The work at the Northern Post must have been difficult. To feel a chill in this hot weather, you must be exhausted.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Yong-cheon tilted his head and muttered.
“I haven’t really done anything strenuous, other than drinking too much at the tavern a few days ago…”
“Pardon? The tavern?”
“Huh?”
“…”
“Ah! Hahahaha! At the tavern… I dealt with some troublemakers, and they gave me drinks to thank me, you see?”
“Of course! As expected of you, Brother. Even I would have treated you to a grand feast.”
“Oh? Oh-hohoho.”
As Neung Un-bi’s eyes sparkled with admiration, Yong-cheon gave an awkward laugh and looked away.
*This bastard… It’s obvious without even looking.*
*Guarding the Northern Post, my ass. He must have just been drinking and lazing around every day.*
*Well, whatever. It’s a relief.*
If it had been a true master instead of a fool like Yong-cheon, they might not have been able to deduce the nature of the energy, but they would have surely grown suspicious.
He would have to be more careful. This place might not be a tiger’s den, but it was certainly a den of wild dogs.
“What is all the commotion over there?”
“…”
But perhaps their laughter had been too loud.
An old man with a stubborn expression, who was with the Heavenly Pillar Gate Master, asked with a look full of annoyance.
“Ah, it appears to be the Jade Purity Escort Agency, Elder.”
“Jade Purity Escort Agency? What’s that?”
When So Go-yeon, an elder of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, frowned at the words of the Head of External Affairs, Gwak Chung, the Gate Master Bae Hyo-gang answered in his stead.
“Great Elder, you must have heard of them. The ones who recently performed righteous deeds in the local area…”
“Ah! That thunderbo—*Ahem*, you mean those are the ones?”
“Yes, I ordered the Head of External Affairs to summon them. How could the Heavenly Pillar Gate ignore such righteous men?”
“Hoho, the Gate Master has handled this well.”
“It is all thanks to the wise guidance of the elders.”
“…”
Watching them exchange pleasantries and praise themselves, Neung Un-bi inwardly scoffed.
The old man was likely the Great Elder of the Heavenly Pillar Gate. In the Demonic Cult, his position would be comparable to the Elder Council Head… although the comparison wasn’t quite right.
It was only in terms of position. In the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Clans, the role of the elder council was a vital one, but in a sect the size of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, it was little more than an officially recognized social club for old men who had retired from the front lines to pass their time in the back rooms.
Their job was merely to advise the Gate Master on his decisions.
In reality, the sect was run by the Gate Master and the managers below him who handled the organization.
Of course, that didn’t mean he was someone to be taken lightly. To become the Great Elder, one must have achieved great deeds recognized by the sect or have been acknowledged as an outstanding warrior.
In other words, he was an old master who possessed at least the power of the Gate Master.
“Head of External Affairs.”
“Yes, Gate Master.”
“Bring them here.”
“Yes.”
“…”
*I can hear everything from right here, so why are they ordering a subordinate to do it?*
The way they stood with their hands behind their backs, waiting as if to preserve their dignity…
“Yong-cheon!”
“Yes, Head of External Affairs!”
“Bring them over.”
“Yes!”
The command was passed down like a relay, from the Gate Master to the Head of External Affairs, and then from the Head of External Affairs to Yong-cheon.
*I’ll say it again, we’re right here, you bastards!*
It was an ordeal to smooth out the frown that naturally formed at the absurd situation.
Meanwhile, the Head of External Affairs at least seemed to know Yong-cheon’s name, as he was his subordinate.
That Gochu—no, Go Ju-dae warrior from before didn’t seem to know his name, let alone his face.
At the Head of External Affairs’ gesture, Yong-cheon led Neung Un-bi forward.
“Yong-cheon, Senior Team Leader of the Northern Post, under the Department of External Affairs, greets the Gate Master, the Elders, and the esteemed seniors of each department.”
“You’ve endured a long journey.”
“Not at all. How could I call it a hardship when it was the Gate Master’s stern command? I simply acted without delay.”
Yong-cheon, on his knees, shouted without even daring to lift his head.
*Acted without delay, he says.*
*Then what about the drinks we had together? He didn’t even pay for them…*
Although the scene was laughable, Neung Un-bi silently waited for his turn.
“You’re from the Jade Purity Escort Agency, I presume?”
“That is correct. I am Lee Jung-gil, the head escort leading the agency.”
“A fine name. I hear you aided in a righteous deed within our territory. On behalf of everyone, I thank you.”
“Thank you, Gate Master! It was something the Heavenly Pillar Gate would have naturally done, but I worry that I, in my youthful vigor, acted rashly and may have tarnished your esteemed reputation.”
With a look of such deep emotion he seemed on the verge of tears, Neung Un-bi adopted a posture far more humble than was necessary.
It was their party, anyway. There was nothing to gain by standing out, so it was best to attribute all the credit to them.
Look, they all seemed pleased.
“Hoho, the young warrior may be lacking in skill, but his spirit is quite commendable, Gate Master.”
“Indeed it is.”
“With the First Young Master, who is soon to head to the Orthodox Murim Alliance, having raised his name by achieving the merit of subjugating the demonic path, and with such righteous men stepping forward to enhance our sect’s prestige, is this not a double cause for celebration?”
“You are right, Elder. It seems I must bring out fine wine today. Hahaha!”
“Come, let us go inside.”
“Yes!”
It was quite a spectacle, with them leading and following one another.
Anyone watching would think they had dealt with all the ruffians themselves.
“You two may also enter. I have given orders to ensure you lack for nothing during your stay.”
“Thank you. We hope to stay for a long time and learn from the prestige of the Heavenly Pillar Gate.”
“Of course! You should. Indeed. Senior Team Leader, guide them to the guest quarters.”
“Yes, Gate Master.”
After giving instructions to Yong-cheon, Bae Hyo-gang led the leaders of the Heavenly Pillar Gate inside, all the while praising his son’s accomplishment of subjugating the Demonic Cult until his mouth was dry.
Only after they had disappeared did Yong-cheon finally raise his head and look at Neung Un-bi with a tilted head.
“What is it, Brother?”
“No… what you said was a bit…”
“What about it?”
“You told me your escort mission was running late and you had to leave soon, but then you said you would stay for a long time…”
“…”
*A needlessly sharp bastard.*
He seemed to be smarter than he looked. To think he remembered that.
But when the situation changes, so must the response.
With a face completely devoid of surprise, Neung Un-bi nudged Yong-cheon in the side.
“How could you say that?”
“Huh?”
“Come on, I’ve unexpectedly had the honor of meeting the Gate Master and the high-ranking members. Is an escort mission the problem right now? You have to seize an opportunity when it comes.”
“What?”
“You know what I mean… Isn’t this all thanks to the guidance you so graciously gave your little brother?”
“Th-this man! Hahaha! You’re right. Indeed! If you don’t seize an opportunity, some other bastard will snatch it away. This is great. I was just thinking that I didn’t want to part so easily with a brother like you. Come, let’s go. I’ll make sure you get the best room in the guest quarters.”
“Yes, Brother!”
Responding to Yong-cheon’s boisterousness like a sycophant, Neung Un-bi followed behind him and glanced at the people being dragged away.
“Lock these bastards in the dungeon and watch them closely!”
“Yes!”
“…”
People being helplessly dragged away by warriors.
Neung Un-bi mulled over a single word he had heard in the earlier conversation.
Merit.
That was what they had said.
In that moment, a memory from the past flashed through his mind.
Fame and reputation. For the rising stars of a clan who possessed promising skills but lacked those two things, what better way to build merit than the so-called Three Great Subjugations?
Water bandits, mountain bandits, and the Demonic Cult.
They were beings everyone considered harmful.
Of course, there were many who truly punished evil and relieved the suffering of the masses.
But in the depths of Neung Un-bi’s memory, who had walked in the darkness rather than the bright sun, the other side of those events was mostly unpleasant.
It was a world where fishermen were branded as water bandits, ginseng gatherers as mountain bandits, and people were unjustly killed under such false accusations simply because they were powerless.
Damn the government's policy of non-interference with the martial world.
There were countless cases where they didn’t even investigate properly, calling it a matter of the martial world, so there was no way to even vent their frustration.
Thus, there was a time when he sought out and killed such people.
Because he wanted to punish those bastards who took innocent lives just to build their own fame.
Because he wanted to comfort the souls of those sacrificed to those beasts.
So he prayed that this was not the case.
He prayed that those being dragged away had truly plundered and slaughtered common folk under the cover of night, that they had kidnapped children and reveled in their slaughter.
Heavenly Pillar Gate, I truly hope you were just.
“Brother! What are you doing? Let’s go.”
“Huh? Yes, Brother!”
At Yong-cheon’s urging, Neung Un-bi turned his gaze, broke into a wide smile, and quickened his pace, all the while endlessly repeating the Demon-Subduing Mantra in his mind to quell his seething demonic energy.