Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Arrival at the Escort Bureau
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Of course, it was only natural for two escorts to be standing guard at the main gate.
“What brings you here?”
One of the escorts asked politely. At that, the Illusion Demon stepped forward and spoke.
“We've come to see the Bureau Chief.”
In response to the Illusion Demon's words, the escort replied courteously.
“I'll send word inside. Who should I say is calling?”
It was the standard procedure. And the Illusion Demon had expected as much. He answered without the slightest hesitation.
“Tell them it's someone from the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild.”
The escort clasped his hands in a respectful fist salute and replied.
“I'll inform them right away. Please, come inside.”
The Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild was a fairly large trading company. And though it was a closely guarded secret within the Heavenly Demon Castle, its true owner was none other than the Heavenly Demon Castle itself. In other words, the guild's master was the Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon Castle was no small operation. Maintaining its scale required no small amount of money. That lifeline was the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild. It was only natural that a mere ordinary merchant group couldn't sustain it. While it might not rank among the top five merchant guilds in the Central Plains, it could certainly claim a spot in the top ten.
For such a guild to visit an escort bureau was entirely unremarkable. Though the distance between their base in Sichuan and Hechang here was considerable.
Under the escort's guidance, the Heavenly Demon and Illusion Demon entered the bureau. They were led to a reception room.
The Heavenly Demon sat in the reception room, glanced around, and nodded.
“Not a bad place. As befits an escort bureau.”
The Illusion Demon grinned at his words.
“But it's also where the hidden young dragons lurk.”
The Heavenly Demon shook his head. Thinking about it, this Henan Escort Bureau was more terrifying than either the Heavenly Demon Castle or the Martial King Castle. Leaving aside the Sword King and Sword Demon, Dan Hyeong-u alone was a monster. Even now, the overwhelming presence he'd sensed from Dan Hyeong-u weighed heavily on his chest.
Watching the Heavenly Demon like that, the Illusion Demon cautiously asked,
“I'm worried it might not go as planned.”
“Just butter up that woman, and it'll be fine.”
“How can you be so certain? In my judgment, that Dan Hyeong-u fellow leads women rather than being toyed with by some mere woman.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded at the Illusion Demon's words.
“You're right. Good eye. That's exactly how I see it too.”
The straightforward answer left the Illusion Demon momentarily speechless. If that was the case, what was the point of coming all this way with such effort?
“But he'll listen if she tells him to.”
There was utter conviction in the Heavenly Demon's voice. The Illusion Demon couldn't accept it. By his calculations, it was impossible. Worse, they might end up dying like dogs here if things went wrong. Their opponent was Dan Hyeong-u—a powerhouse they couldn't handle even if they swarmed him.
As if fully understanding the Illusion Demon's concerns, the Heavenly Demon smirked.
“Don't worry. If your favorite concubine asked you to kill a passing ant, what would you do?”
The Illusion Demon shuddered as if struck by lightning at the question. Now he understood the Heavenly Demon's confidence. But that only made him more uneasy. No matter how strong Dan Hyeong-u was, neither the Heavenly Demon Castle nor the Martial Alliance could be reduced to mere ants.
“I must look like a madman to you, huh?”
The Illusion Demon couldn't respond. But yes, that's exactly what he thought.
The Heavenly Demon nodded at him. If he himself hadn't broken through that wall and remained stuck at that realm, he never would have dared think this way.
“Believe me. That man's power is beyond what you or I imagine.”
The Heavenly Demon's eyes, as he spoke, were filled with conviction, longing, and envy intertwined.
“Dan Hyeong-u isn't the problem. The real issue is this bureau's chief, Jo Seol-yeon.”
Jo Seol-yeon had already stepped down as chief, but neither the Heavenly Demon nor the Illusion Demon knew that yet. The news of Hyeong Pyo becoming the new chief had only just begun to spread quietly in Hechang.
Hyeong Pyo didn't want word of the changes at the Henan Escort Bureau leaking out too quickly. The bureau was still in a fragile state, vulnerable to sudden shifts. There was no need to stir things up unnecessarily.
In any case, the Illusion Demon's mind raced at the Heavenly Demon's words. If Dan Hyeong-u truly possessed godlike power as claimed, then Jo Seol-yeon was indeed the key.
“I'll handle that somehow.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded in satisfaction at the Illusion Demon's response. That was one reason he'd brought him along.
The Illusion Demon was desperate in his own way. He didn't want the Heavenly Demon Castle stagnating like this. If it did, the Martial Alliance would swallow them whole.
For now, the Alliance was hiding it out of fear that their miners would uncover the secrets of the Golden Demon Art. But once they learned the true secret, they wouldn't keep quiet. Countless people would master the Golden Demon Art, and all demonic cultivators would be doomed.
Before that happened, they needed to unite the demonic forces and break free from the Golden Demon Art.
As the two conversed quietly, the presence of someone approaching the reception room became apparent.
“Looks like they're here. Though the presence feels a bit off...”
The Heavenly Demon tilted his head. The Illusion Demon also sensed it—the presence was far from that of a woman, leaving him puzzled.
Soon, the door to the reception room opened, and Hyeong Pyo appeared. He gave the two a respectful fist salute, then eyed them sharply as he greeted them.
“I am Hyeong Pyo, Chief of the Henan Escort Bureau.”
The Heavenly Demon and Illusion Demon's expressions twisted slightly.
The Heavenly Demon clamped his mouth shut and left everything to the Illusion Demon. He'd been absolutely certain the chief was Jo Seol-yeon, so this revelation came as a mild shock.
The Illusion Demon felt awkward with the Heavenly Demon staying silent, but to achieve their goal, they needed to meet Jo Seol-yeon first. She had been the master here until recently, so he had to find out why the leadership had changed. And uncover the connections between Hyeong Pyo, Jo Seol-yeon, and Dan Hyeong-u.
“I'd heard the Henan Escort Bureau's chief was a woman. I must have been mistaken.”
Hyeong Pyo smiled at the Illusion Demon's words.
“That was true until recently. But now, I lead the Henan Escort Bureau. Have you come to see our young miss, perhaps?”
The Illusion Demon nodded quietly. Calling her “young miss” suggested they were quite close.
Hyeong Pyo glanced curiously at the Illusion Demon and Heavenly Demon. No matter how he thought about it, they weren't familiar faces. When would he have ever met demonic cultivators from the Heavenly Demon Castle? It was natural not to recognize them.
Something felt off to Hyeong Pyo. They'd said they were from the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild. But the aura they subtly exuded didn't suit mere merchants.
He knew most of Jo Seol-yeon's acquaintances. Her network wasn't vast, and having watched her grow up in the bureau, he'd mapped out even her few connections. Yet no matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't place these two men before him.
“I heard you're from the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild.”
“Yes. This gentleman is their master.”
At the Illusion Demon's reply, Hyeong Pyo looked at the Heavenly Demon in surprise. He prided himself on his eye for people. But even by his standards, the Heavenly Demon didn't fit as a merchant guild master. He might pass as a warrior living by the blade. The Illusion Demon, on the other hand, seemed far more suited—though still lacking for the head of a major guild like the Heavenly Illusion by Hyeong Pyo's measure.
“I know the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild is based in Sichuan. How do you know our young miss...?”
Jo Seol-yeon's only trip to Sichuan had been during the recent Tang Family escort mission, when she'd mostly been with Hyeong Pyo. It was unlikely she'd formed any notable ties then. His suspicion was understandable.
The Illusion Demon read the doubt in Hyeong Pyo's gaze and nodded inwardly.
'Well, I'd be suspicious too in his shoes.'
He considered revealing their true identities. Now that they were inside and had met the chief, the bureau would surely keep the Heavenly Demon's presence under wraps. Letting it leak out would spell disaster for them.
Hyeong Pyo noticed the Illusion Demon's demeanor shifting and tensed up greatly. At his level, he couldn't even tell they practiced martial arts. But living alongside extremists like the Sword Demon, Sword King, and Dan Hyeong-u had attuned him to the unique aura of the strong.
Both the Heavenly Demon and Illusion Demon carried that aura.
“We've met her once before.”
Hyeong Pyo didn't relax at the Illusion Demon's words and quickly replied,
“The young miss isn't at the bureau today. She'll return tomorrow, so why not stay here and wait?”
The Illusion Demon's eyes sharpened. He'd caught on that Hyeong Pyo had read their auras and was trying to excuse himself.
But he didn't act rashly. Hyeong Pyo was Dan Hyeong-u's man, after all. The Illusion Demon had clearly seen Dan Hyeong-u's obsession with the Sword Demon last time. Harming Hyeong Pyo would bring dire consequences later.
“That's a shame. It's urgent... It might even affect the bureau...”
The Illusion Demon let the words slip casually. Hyeong Pyo couldn't ignore them.
“What do you mean? Affect us how?”
“Oh, no need to worry. I just meant some useless rumors might spread.”
Hyeong Pyo's face hardened. This was blatant blackmail. Refuse to fetch Jo Seol-yeon now, and they'd spread malicious gossip.
“The Henan Escort Bureau isn't so fragile as to be swayed by rumors.”
With that, Hyeong Pyo stood. He gave a respectful fist salute.
“Rest well, then.”
He turned to leave. Just as his hand reached for the door, the Illusion Demon's voice whispered in his ear.
“What if those rumors involved the Heavenly Demon Castle?”
Hyeong Pyo's hand froze. He whipped his head around, staring at the Illusion Demon and Heavenly Demon in shock.
“Allow me to reintroduce us. This is the master of the Heavenly Illusion Merchant Guild—and lord of the Heavenly Demon Castle.”
Lightning struck Hyeong Pyo's mind. A dizzying shock exploded in his brain. The silently seated man was the Heavenly Demon—the pinnacle of all demonic cultivators, master of the Heavenly Demon Castle.
The Illusion Demon's earlier words unraveled one by one in Hyeong Pyo's head. Suddenly, the Sword Demon flashed to mind. He still didn't know what had transpired between her, the Heavenly Demon, and Dan Hyeong-u. He vaguely assumed they'd come for her.
“Have you come for Lady Sword Demon?”
The Illusion Demon shook his head at Hyeong Pyo's question.
“Why fetch someone who's already an escort? We're just here to have a quick chat with young lady Jo.”
Hyeong Pyo's mind reeled once more.
While Hyeong Pyo met with the Heavenly Demon and Illusion Demon, Dan Hyeong-u was at the training grounds, watching the Thunder Adepts practice.
The thirty Thunder Adepts now summoned lightning with considerable skill.
Rumble—!
The intense thunderclap and descending bolt might not qualify as true Heavenly Thunder, but it was certainly on par with a falling thunderbolt.
Impressed by their training, Hyeong Pyo had immediately formed a unit called the Fallen Thunder Squad.
In truth, these thirty Thunder Adepts had been something of an awkward burden for Hyeong Pyo and the bureau. Too impractical as escorts, yet not suited for regular escort duty. But if they could combine their power into such formidable might, they'd be invaluable in emergencies.
The Fallen Thunder Squad's display had left quite an impression on Hyeong Pyo.
Dan Hyeong-u observed their movements closely. His mere presence here was a huge boost for them. Being near him allowed them to wield far more potent lightning energy than usual.
Those who knew this gathered here to train. Chief among them was Tang Ho-gwan, who practically lived at the bureau these days to perfect his Thousand Thunders.
A few Tang Family warriors trained nearby under his lead. He was their idol—the only one to restore the battle-proven Heavenly Thunder. They followed in his footsteps, enduring grueling training to nurture lightning in their cores.
Dan Hyeong-u watched them all with interest. Under his will, the training grounds' qi density was heightened to a palpable level for anyone.
The closest to Dan Hyeong-u was Jo Seol-yeon. After handing the bureau's affairs to Hyeong Pyo, she'd stuck close to him as much as possible.
These days, with Dan Hyeong-u mostly at the training grounds, so was she.
Today, too, she swung her sword until drenched in sweat, stopping only when stamina and inner energy were depleted.
Finishing her session, she looked at Dan Hyeong-u. He stood unmoving, surveying the trainees.
“Doesn't it tire you to always stand like that, brother? It'd be much easier sitting and watching.”
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head at Jo Seol-yeon's words.
“This is the most comfortable for me.”
She'd watched him like this for so long that she'd accepted it, but honestly, she still didn't understand. How could standing—motionless in the same pose—be easier than sitting or lying down?
Jo Seol-yeon shook her head helplessly and stood beside him. If he wouldn't sit, neither would she. She might have before, but not now. She didn't want to.