Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: The Variable (2)
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Sixty li south of Cheonri Plain lay a small village called Sekyo.
The group led by Sima Geon, who had rescued the Ha Hu family's reinforcements, arrived at Sekyo's only inn well after nightfall.
After an exhausting day, they filled their stomachs with the subpar meal prepared by a half-asleep cook, then nursed their fatigue with drinks, using a few side dishes as accompaniments.
Cheol Woo and Manchu attacked the alcohol like fish to water, downing jar after jar at an astonishing pace, their momentum suggesting they'd empty the inn's entire stock. The middle-aged innkeeper and cook's face turned ashen as if ascending to the heavens.
Dang Cheonhwa and So Surin shared serious thoughts on the morning's battle over drinks, while Noe Jeon and Gwa Yu joined in, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Yet one person, Sima Geon, seemed out of place at the table.
He occasionally chimed in to keep things going, but an undercurrent of gloom hung about him. So Surin was the first to notice.
"Division Leader, something wrong?"
"What?"
"Your face is full of worry."
"Mine?"
Sima Geon unconsciously touched his face.
"Your expression's stiff. Even when you smile, your eyes don't. And you seem lost in thought."
Sima Geon gave a wry smile at So Surin's words.
"Was I?"
"Definitely. Don't you all think so?"
As So Surin turned to ask, everyone nodded cautiously, aware to some degree—they even caught Manchu, who had been chugging drinks with Cheol Woo, agreeing with a nod.
"Why ask about something so obvious?"
Cheol Woo shook out the last drop from an empty bottle and downed it before speaking.
"Obvious?"
So Surin frowned.
"The Ha Hu family—no, more precisely, Ha Hu Yeon. He's brooding over that guy."
"Really?"
Sima Geon said nothing to So Surin's question, just lifted his cup.
"That bastard's pretty tough. You'd think he'd ask for help outright, but he kept his mouth shut to the end."
Cheol Woo chuckled, recalling Ha Hu Yeon spouting useless jokes until the last moment.
"The situation didn't allow it. The Ha Hu people were furious knowing how that Walless Sky Pavilion's branch leader treated us—they were ready to explode. Honestly, I thought they'd beg us to come along anyway. They're impressive too."
Everyone nodded at Noe Jeon's words.
The Ha Hu folk had been genuinely outraged by the Walless Sky Pavilion leader's folly, even apologizing on his behalf. In that atmosphere, it was only natural Ha Hu Yeon couldn't speak up.
"That's why it weighs on you? He's the first real connection we've made since leaving the Heavenly Demon Cult."
Sima Geon sighed and nodded at Cheol Woo's question.
"That's part of it, but Sword Ghost Senior's situation makes it worse."
"If it bothers you that much, just go help."
Cheol Woo looked exasperated at So Surin's suggestion.
"No pride? He said he doesn't want our help. Made it clear indirectly, but obvious why. We're Heavenly Demon Cult alumni, so basically 'get lost.' After that treatment, how do we offer aid? Even if we went, no welcome—just grief."
"It's not about helping them—it's for the Ha Hu family. What does it matter? Keep it simple, Division Leader. If you want to help despite the bruised ego and their sneers, go. If not, don't."
"Who dares sneer? I'll snap their necks."
Dang Cheonhwa slipped in slyly.
He hadn't spoken rashly, but no one hoped more for Sima Geon to change his mind and head to Walless Sky Pavilion.
Even if the leader was a fool with distasteful decisions, he couldn't fully ignore Walless Sky Pavilion—or those gathered there.
As Sima Geon fell silent, Cheol Woo grinned knowingly.
"No need to worry too much, boss. We smashed the Wind Demon Division. That's the Heavenly Demon Cult's main force for attacking Walless Sky Pavilion—wiped out, so they've taken a huge hit. The outer sect rabble might pad numbers, but they're done too. Think about it: nearly two hundred gone from Cheonri Plain. At least a third or fourth of their strength vaporized. They won't take Walless Sky Pavilion easily without us."
"But with the momentum from toppling Golden Sword Sect, it won't be easy. Especially since the Heavenly Demon Cult's commander is said to be a top expert."
Manchu voiced his concern.
"The one called Mok Noe Gang?"
"Yes."
"Boss, heard of Mok Noe Gang?"
"No."
"You all?"
Noe Jeon and So Surin shook their heads in unison.
"Never heard the name while in the Heavenly Demon Cult. Where'd this guy pop up from? To sideline old-timers like Sword Demon Dragon or Ghost Soul Fist for a key role, he must be formidable."
Cheol Woo, puzzled, suddenly raised his voice.
"Wait a sec. It's not just Wind Demon Division. We sent packing Sword Demon Dragon, Ghost Soul Fist—all those heavy hitters. No real worry."
So Surin and Noe Jeon, well aware of those figures' stature and prowess in the Heavenly Demon Cult, nodded emphatically at Cheol Woo's fuss.
"Still, if it nags, we move. Time left—think it over. By the way, these rat bastards keep tailing us. Thought crushing a few would end it."
"But this one's different. Never seen a rat flaunt his presence so boldly."
Before Dang Cheonhwa finished, Cheol Woo had dashed out and dragged back the man lurking by the door by his nape.
He roughly slammed the man down, then tilted his head at the groaning figure.
"What? What's with the state?"
The group instantly understood upon seeing the man struggle to rise.
His left eye was missing. The sunken socket still oozed pus, injury unhealed. His left sleeve flapped empty. His right leg dragged with every step.
No one would call that body normal.
"Kinda pathetic for a rat..."
Cheol Woo asked the struggling man.
"Who are you?"
"Pyo... Pyo Yeong."
Pyo Yeong bowed toward Sima Geon, not Cheol Woo.
"We met before? Face rings a bell."
"In Sohung once. You alone spared my life, Division Leader."
"Ah!"
Sima Geon recalled, frowning.
"If memory serves, I let you go in one piece. What happened to you?"
Sima Geon scanned Pyo Yeong's form thoroughly.
Pyo Yeong's face twisted in anguish. He bit his lip until it bled, suppressing rage.
"You knew we were here?"
"Yes."
"Got something to say."
"Yes."
"Hey, sit first. Can't watch you wobble."
Cheol Woo awkwardly sat Pyo Yeong in his spot, regretting the rough handling without context. The group stifled laughs.
"Thank you."
Pyo Yeong thanked Cheol Woo, downed the cup Sima Geon offered, then spoke.
"This happened after you spared me, some time later. Wrapping up in Sohung, heading back—suddenly hit by Dark Fragrance's assassination squad."
"Dark Fragrance? Attacked by your own?"
Cheol Woo interjected, but Sima Geon gestured to continue.
"Couldn't make sense of it. Assassination squads only move for betrayal. Thought maybe punishment for Sohung failure—but no, my mission succeeded. As Dark Fragrance agent, I gathered intel on you all and guided paths. Battle outcome wasn't my responsibility."
"Good job. So why the attack?"
Cheol Woo snorted.
"Didn't know then. Didn't care. Barely escaped with life, minus eye and arm—grateful just to breathe. But healing sparked curiosity. So I investigated discreetly. Bad shape, target of assassins—asked trusted comrade for help. Ended up like this. My helpers all dead."
"Found the reason?"
"Some clues. Didn't grasp then, but recent info let me piece it."
"What?"
Sima Geon refilled his cup.
Pyo Yeong gulped it down, exhaled deeply.
"Remember your warnings and proposal relayed upward?"
"Yes. Kill all if family targeted again. Swap Heavenly Demon Pills for imprisoned Divine Demon Division members."
"Right. I reported verbatim. But they say my report differed from what the Cult Leader mentioned in meeting. No warnings, no swap proposal."
The room's mood shifted oddly. Listeners' faces hardened, intrigue turning grave.
"Thought maybe so at first. No need to air humiliation in official meeting. But slight doubt lingered. Then, Blood Slaughter Cult spies arose in both camps."
"Ah!"
So Surin gasped.
"Wondered: Did a spy block my report to Cult Leader? Alter it?"
"Why suspect that?"
"Blood Slaughter Cult wants Heavenly Demon Cult and you at odds."
"Hm."
Sima Geon grunted softly.
"Confirmed odd happenings in Myriad Poison Valley too."
So Surin's eyes flashed murder at the name.
"Divine Demon Division prisoners, meant for Thunder Prison, moved there for experiments. Info leaked just days ago. Dark Fragrance in uproar. Linking report tampering, Blood Slaughter Cult, Myriad Poison Valley—I realized why I had to die."
Pyo Yeong laughed hollowly.
"My disappearance hides the tampering. Culprits oppose mending ties with Heavenly Demon Cult and you—or hiding prisoner transfer to Myriad Poison Valley. Prime suspects..."
"Blood Slaughter Cult?"
"Yes."
Pyo Yeong nodded firmly, face eased after spilling.
"Why tell me first? Report up the chain."
Pyo Yeong's expression darkened at Sima Geon's question.
"Only Dark Fragrance leadership moves assassins, alters reports. Mistook once—comrades died, I ended like this. Can't act without knowing the spy."
Sima Geon nodded understanding, then asked.
"Still, why me?"
"Wanted to thwart Blood Slaughter Cult's plans. Knowing they're meddling in your affairs suffices. Oh, and I'll report up again."
"You said avoid spies—what nonsense?"
A faint smile touched Pyo Yeong's lips at Cheol Woo.
"Situation changed. Someone definitely not a spy arrived."
"Who?"
Pyo Yeong glanced around.
"Blood Light Martial Emperor, Supreme Elder."
"Who...?"
Sima Geon and Cheol Woo paled.
Pyo Yeong missed it.
"Leadership shuffled here. To crush Walless Sky Pavilion, Supreme Elder came. Immediately purging Blood Slaughter Cult spies. Not all caught, but he's trustworthy."
"Trouble."
Cheol Woo shot up, yelling.
So Surin and Noe Jeon's faces stiffened.
"He's strong, huh."
Dang Cheonhwa said lowly.
Sensing gravity from reactions.
"Very. But not just strength."
"If not, what?"
"Iron Blood Family's Eighteen Blade Guests—Blood Light Martial Emperor's shadows."
Sima Geon, lifting his cup, looked gravely serious.