Chapter 505
"..."
The contents of the voice transmission were as follows:
The sender identified himself as a personage of the Paeng Clan and expressed a desire to speak privately with Bu Eun-seol.
"Very well."
When Bu Eun-seol readily agreed, the mysterious figure who had sent the transmission invited him into a certain lavish courtesan house.
Following the attendant's guidance into a private room, Bu Eun-seol found a man seated there whose attire bore a striking resemblance to his own.
Several courtesans stood waiting around him.
Yet the attendant paid them no mind, instead running his hand along an interior scroll.
Then, a concealed door silently appeared on one side of the wall.
'Impressive.'
Bu Eun-seol nodded in appreciation of their meticulous planning.
Should any tails have followed him, this setup would create the illusion of Bu Eun-seol drinking with courtesans in a private banquet room.
"This way."
Following the attendant deeper inside, Bu Eun-seol found a dark secret chamber at the end of the passage.
Within stood a giant of a man whose eyes gleamed like a tiger's.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation."
The man clasped his hands together toward Bu Eun-seol.
"I am Paeng Jong-gang, Chief of the Paeng Clan's Inspectorate."
Surprisingly, the one who had summoned Bu Eun-seol was none other than Paeng Jong-gang - the Inspectorate Chief who wielded formidable authority within the Paeng Clan.
"Bu Eun-seol."
"We heard that the Lord wished for discreet communication with our main house. That's why you planned to return the Five Tigers Saber to us."
"Indeed."
"Then let me speak plainly. The truth is, our main house is in grave disorder."
"Disorder? What do you mean?"
When Bu Eun-seol feigned ignorance, Paeng Jong-gang lowered his voice.
"The Family Head isn't ill - he's been imprisoned in the Wall-Facing Cave by the Retired Family Head."
"By the Retired Family Head... You're saying the Family Head is confined in the Wall-Facing Cave?"
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed.
Did this mean the person opposing the Retired Family Head Paeng Ak was none other than the current Family Head, Paeng Mun-cheon?
"Correct. If the Lord could secretly extract the Family Head from our estate and rescue him, you would become our clan's eternal benefactor."
He withdrew an envelope from his robes and handed it to Bu Eun-seol.
Inside were detailed diagrams of secret mechanisms installed throughout the Paeng estate and the exact location of the Wall-Facing Cave where the Family Head was imprisoned.
"If you choose not to involve yourself in our clan's affairs, please forget what you've heard today."
Paeng Jong-gang added one final remark:
"I'll be stepping down as Inspectorate Chief in a few days. Truthfully, I can offer little practical assistance."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned somewhat incredulous.
Didn't this mean there was effectively no one inside who could help with this matter?
"We've heard the Lord possesses not only exceptional martial arts but remarkable wisdom as well. Should you assist us in this, our clan will forever be in your debt."
Despite his words, uncertainty colored Paeng Jong-gang's expression.
Who would help the Paeng Clan after hearing such a story?
Yet the response he received defied expectations.
"All I need to do is secretly extract the Family Head from the Wall-Facing Cave?"
When Bu Eun-seol readily agreed, Paeng Jong-gang's eyes widened.
"You'll do it?"
"Indeed."
"My deepest gratitude!"
Paeng Jong-gang bowed deeply, hands clasped together.
That the Heir of the Demon Hall would take such risks for the Family Head of one of the Eight Great Clans - with whom he had no connection?
"However, I'll require some assistance."
"As I mentioned, I'm soon to be relieved as Inspectorate Chief—"
"No, nothing so grand. I merely need help from a few of the Paeng Clan's servants."
Bu Eun-seol whispered his instructions in a low voice.
As he listened, Paeng Jong-gang's eyes grew as round as copper coins.
After their lengthy discussion in the secret chamber, Bu Eun-seol departed the courtesan house and boarded a carriage bound for the Demon Hall.
Clatter-clatter.
The carriage raced along the official road.
Gazing out the window, Bu Eun-seol sank deep into thought.
His conversation with Paeng Jong-gang had provided a rough understanding of the Paeng Clan's internal situation.
"If we take Paeng Jong-gang at his word, the Paeng Clan was never originally a den of the Three Realms."
According to Paeng Jong-gang, the Paeng Clan appeared to have become corrupted under the influence of Retired Family Head Paeng Ak.
Moreover, Paeng Mun-cheon had apparently discovered his father's evil deeds by chance, leading to an irreparable rift between them.
"But that makes no sense."
Even if the Paeng Clan had been corrupted by Paeng Ak's influence, no matter how formidable his martial arts might be...
He could never have seized complete control of the clan.
The Eight Great Clans.
These eight families representing the Righteous Path weren't considered great merely for their size or for producing a few exceptional talents.
They maintained deep reserves of masters comparable to the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, wielding influence not only in the martial world but also among merchants, financiers, and government officials.
"To think that a mere Retired Family Head like Paeng Ak could turn traitor in such a place, imprison the current Family Head in the Wall-Facing Cave for so long, and seize control of the clan?"
That was simply impossible.
"Which means there must be many blindly loyal to Paeng Ak. On the other hand, there are also factions like Paeng Jong-gang who harbor doubts, investigate the internal affairs, and oppose Paeng Ak."
Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
From his perspective, this was an unmissable, golden opportunity.
"First, we collapse them from within."
Bu Eun-seol gazed out the window at the distant sky.
If he could rescue Paeng Mun-cheon, imprisoned in the Wall-Facing Cave—
He could swiftly dismantle the Paeng Clan from the inside.
Several days later.
Three carriages entered the grounds of the Paeng Clan.
The lead carriage was a passenger vehicle, while the other two were freight wagons laden with cargo.
Creak.
As the carriages passed through, the Paeng Clan's great gate shut firmly behind them.
Click.
The door of the passenger carriage swung open, revealing a tall, striking figure clad in plain black martial attire.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
He had come as promised to Paeng Seo-un—to return the Five Tigers Saber without any conditions.
"Welcome, my lord."
Chief Steward Paeng Seo-un approached, clasping his hands respectfully.
"Truly, Lord Bu is a man of his word."
"Think nothing of it."
"But what are all those?" Paeng Seo-un pointed at the freight wagons.
Bu Eun-seol waved a hand dismissively.
"Though my visit is discreet, having been formally invited by the Paeng Clan, how could I arrive empty-handed?"
Paeng Seo-un's eyes widened.
Bu Eun-seol had not only brought the Paeng Clan's treasure, the Five Tigers Saber, but also various gifts.
A faint smile flickered in Paeng Seo-un's heart.
'He must truly be desperate to curry favor.'
Hiding his inner thoughts, he shook his head.
"How could we possibly accept such things?"
"You must accept them. Otherwise, I'll have wasted a fortune for nothing."
"What do you—?"
Bu Eun-seol signaled his attendants to unload crates from the wagons.
When opened, one box revealed stacks of silver taels.
Another contained rare medicinal herbs like reishi mushrooms, poria mushrooms, and ginseng.
Yet another held precious ingredients difficult to procure even in Hebei.
"Hmm."
Paeng Seo-un hesitated.
Aside from the silver, most of the crates held expensive ingredients and spiritual herbs.
If they were hauled back in this sweltering heat, they'd all go to waste.
"Very well. We shall accept them with gratitude."
Reluctantly, Paeng Seo-un ordered servants to store the items in the warehouse.
"On behalf of the Family Head, I express our thanks."
He then guided Bu Eun-seol to the guest hall, intending to offer proper hospitality this time—since their guest had returned a treasure like the Five Tigers Saber.
"Here it is."
Without delay, Bu Eun-seol placed a wooden box on the table without hesitation.
"Please inspect it yourself, Chief Steward."
Click.
With a tense expression, Paeng Seo-un opened the antique wooden case.
Inside lay a rugged saber with a blade nearly a foot wide—the Paeng Clan's treasure, the Five Tigers Saber.
As the saber was revealed, every master of the Paeng Clan, including Paeng Seo-un, bowed deeply in reverence.
The Five Tigers Saber was the clan's most iconic blade.
To have it returned in their generation was nothing short of moving.
"Excuse me briefly."
Paeng Seo-un carefully lifted the saber and disappeared into another room—likely to store it in the clan's most secure vault.
A short while later, he returned to the guest hall and bowed again.
"Thanks to the Lord's assistance, we have fulfilled one of our clan's long-cherished wishes. We are truly grateful."
"Think nothing of it."
Bu Eun-seol rose calmly.
"Then I shall take my leave."
"So soon?"
Paeng Seo-un's face stiffened awkwardly.
Of course, since this wasn't an official visit, they couldn't openly host a feast—word might spread that the Heir of the Demon Hall had entered the Paeng Clan.
But even after returning such a priceless treasure, none of the clan's other key figures had shown their faces.
Even someone as shameless as Paeng Seo-un couldn't hide his embarrassment at this point.
"My apologies, Lord Bu."
Though the Paeng Clan vehemently opposed the Demonic Path, such shoddy hospitality damaged not only Bu Eun-seol's dignity but also the clan's own prestige.
Moreover, Bu Eun-seol was the future leader of the Demon Hall.
For him to go to such lengths to open the door to friendship, only to be sent off like this—it was downright mortifying.
"Later, this Chief Steward will use his influence to formally invite the Lord to our main estate."
Though it was a promise unlikely to be fulfilled, his apology was sincere.
"It's fine."
Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"Then I'll take my leave."
As Bu Eun-seol turned to depart, Paeng Seo-un spoke again, sounding apologetic.
"At least stay for a cup of tea."
It was merely a polite gesture.
But Bu Eun-seol paused, then made a small sound of realization.
"In that case, I'll pass on the tea—but would it be possible to take a brief tour of the Paeng Clan's grounds?"
"The main estate?"
"Who knows when I'll have another chance to visit? Since I'm already here, I'd like to witness the majesty of the Paeng Clan with my own eyes."
Bu Eun-seol winked one eye.
"Of course, I'll keep my mask on."
Allowing a figure from the Demonic Path to see the internal layout of a noble clan was strictly forbidden.
Under normal circumstances, such a request would be impossible. But Bu Eun-seol had returned the Five Tigers Saber without conditions and sent numerous gifts.
To refuse such a simple request—just to look around—would be unreasonable.
Paeng Seo-un hesitated briefly.
'A mere visual inspection shouldn't be an issue.'
The strength of the Paeng Clan lay in its people, not its architecture.
Besides, no matter how much one observed the layout, there was nothing of strategic value to be gained from sight alone.
'Even the Retired Family Head wouldn't object to this.'
"Very well. I'll personally guide you on a brief tour."
At Paeng Seo-un's words, Bu Eun-seol smiled and nodded.
"Thank you."
At that moment—
Creak.
From within the empty crate unloaded from the wagon, another hidden compartment opened.
Beneath the false bottom was a concealed space—and inside it, a man had been hiding in secret.
Dae Gu-hwi.
'No time to waste.'
Trained in Beast Martial Arts, Dae Gu-hwi could mimic the movements of various animals and completely suppress his presence.
He was, in essence, the perfect infiltrator.
Sniff. Sniff.
Analyzing the scents around him, Dae Gu-hwi activated his Beast Force.
Crack.
His lean frame instantly swelled with muscle, and he leapt lightly onto the roof.
Swish. Swish.
Moving swiftly between the buildings, he advanced in silence.
Recalling the map Bu Eun-seol had shown him, Dae Gu-hwi headed straight for the northern gate of the Paeng Clan.
After a while, he arrived at a small structure with walls and roof entirely made of iron.
Inside, a heavy iron gate stood, its surface barely allowing a sliver of a view within.
Peering through the gap, Dae Gu-hwi saw a bed fixed to the wall, a well-like pit for waste, and—
A middle-aged man, staring blankly at the wall.
His appearance was disheveled, but his eyes were clear, brimming with vitality.
This was none other than the current Paeng Clan Head—Paeng Mun-cheon.
Mumble. Mumble.
Like a rain-soaked monk, he continuously recited something under his breath.
Listening closely, Dae Gu-hwi recognized it—the Clear Mind Secret, a technique to maintain mental clarity under any circumstance.
'It's him.'
Dae Gu-hwi examined the locked iron gate, then drove his elongated fingernails into the mechanism.
Clank.
With a metallic click, the lock disengaged.
"Family Head."
Entering, Dae Gu-hwi clasped his hands respectfully.
"I've come at the Inspectorate Chief's request to escort you out."
"I heard you wished to aid this Family Head in order to establish friendly ties with our clan."
Paeng Mun-cheon shook his head as if recalling something.
"It's pointless."
"Huh?"
"Even if we escape the estate safely, we cannot escape their grasp."
Narrowing his eyes, Paeng Mun-cheon wore a bitter expression.
"Tell Jong-gang this—there's no need to struggle any further."
His gaze and voice carried an unfathomable depth of regret, the weight of years of resignation.
"Do not worry."
Dae Gu-hwi smiled brightly.
"That person can protect you safely, even if the entire Murim rises against you."
"Even if the entire Murim rises against me, he can keep me safe?"
"Yes."
"Just who is he?"
"You'll understand once you meet him."
Dae Gu-hwi's eyes were pure and clear, yet brimming with immense power.
"For a young man like you to speak so boldly... I must admit, I'm curious."
Paeng Mun-cheon inhaled deeply, sighing.
"Perhaps I'll allow myself to be fooled one last time."
"Climb onto my back."
When Dae Gu-hwi turned, offering his back, Paeng Mun-cheon let out a dry chuckle.
"Like a beast of burden."
"Is that so?"
"You're from the Beast Palace, aren't you?"
Dae Gu-hwi's expression turned startled, and Paeng Mun-cheon spoke.
"Without even circulating your Internal Energy, to have such a powerful force flowing within your body—there's nothing else it could be but the Beast Force of the Beast Palace."
He seemed not only to have the broad knowledge befitting the Family Head of the Paeng Clan but also remarkable insight.
"You're correct. I am a disciple of the Beast Palace."
"The Beast Palace, you say. You've come from quite far away."
Paeng Mun-cheon climbed onto Dae Gu-hwi's back as though he were someone who had never trained in martial arts, utterly devoid of strength.
He was in a state where his Internal Energy had been suppressed by a formidable Vein-Sealing Technique, rendering him unable to use his martial arts.
Whoosh!
Dae Gu-hwi began running like a beast once more.
Even with Paeng Mun-cheon on his back, his speed didn't drop in the slightest, as if he were running alone, and his movements remained agile.
After stealthily leaping between buildings several times, Dae Gu-hwi finally brought him inside the warehouse where the chest had been stored.
Then, clearing away the wooden lid of the chest he had lain in earlier, he said,
"Remove the robes you're wearing and give them to me, then lie down inside here. If you do, we'll soon be able to leave the Paeng Clan grounds."
Paeng Mun-cheon, who had been staring at the chest, blinked.
"Inside this?"
"That's right."
"And how exactly do you plan to smuggle this chest back out?"
Instead of answering, Dae Gu-hwi pointed at another chest.
At that, Paeng Mun-cheon let out a quiet exclamation.
"Ah, I see. There truly is someone with outstanding ingenuity here."
Then, reassured, he lay down inside the chest.
Once Paeng Mun-cheon was settled, Dae Gu-hwi carefully closed the wooden lid over him.
Then, he donned the robes Paeng Mun-cheon had been wearing.
Crack.
Using the Bone-Shifting Technique to adjust his physique, Dae Gu-hwi stepped out of the warehouse and headed toward the northern gate.
Meanwhile, Paeng Seo-un had briefly but earnestly guided Bu Eun-seol through the interior of the Paeng Clan.
With warm hospitality, he showed him places outsiders were normally forbidden to enter—the training grounds and even the Inner Courtyard.
Though the tour hadn't been long, thanks to it, Bu Eun-seol had been able to scrutinize every corner of the Paeng Clan's grounds.
"I've seen enough."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together before the Great Gate, Paeng Seo-un smiled and said,
"I'm glad you found it satisfactory, Lord."
"Then."
"Safe travels."
Just as Bu Eun-seol was about to board his carriage, a panting servant of the Paeng Clan came rushing toward Paeng Seo-un.
Leaning in, the servant whispered something urgently into his ear.
"Wait! Please hold on, Lord!"
At once, Paeng Seo-un hastily called out to Bu Eun-seol, who was stepping into the carriage.
"What is it?"
"Though we are grateful for the gifts you've brought the main house... we must ask you to take back the chest you delivered."
"The chest?"
"That's correct."
Paeng Seo-un spoke with an awkward expression.
"It seems the chest you brought bears the Twin Dragons Vying for the Pearl emblem—quite prominently—symbolizing the Demon Hall."
Even if they had reluctantly accepted the gifts, they couldn't possibly keep a chest marked with the Demon Hall's insignia in the Paeng Clan.
What if the lower-ranking members were to see such a thing?
Rumors might spread, casting suspicion on the relationship between the Demon Hall and the Paeng Clan.
"I understand."
Bu Eun-seol, as though resigned, instructed the servants,
"Have the chest we brought loaded back onto the carriage."
The servants retrieved the chest from the Paeng Clan's warehouse and placed it back onto the wagon.
"Is this acceptable now?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Paeng Seo-un nodded with a smile.
"Thank you."
"Then."
Clack, clack.
As the gates of the Paeng Clan opened, the carriage carrying Bu Eun-seol and the wagons departed.
Paeng Seo-un, who had been watching intently, smiled faintly.
"This is nothing short of a windfall."
There was no other word for it.
He had obtained the Five Tigers Saber—the very blade that symbolized the Paeng Clan and could further refine their Five Tigers Gate Breaking Blade method.
Moreover, in doing so, he had also uncovered a weakness of the Demon Hall's Successor.
'Seeing how desperately he's reaching out to the Righteous Path, his standing in the Demon Hall must not be very secure.'
Paeng Seo-un smiled contentedly.
What if word spread through the Demon Hall's information network that Bu Eun-seol had secretly made contact with the main house?
His position would become even more precarious.
"Wait."
His smug grin faltered as he suddenly recalled the sight of the chest being loaded onto the wagon. His eyes widened.
"Surely not."
A foreboding premonition struck him, and he swiftly turned on his heel.
'If something like that has happened, we must absolutely not let that Successor of the Demon Hall leave Hebei!'
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
Rushing into the Inner Courtyard, he immediately headed toward the Wall-Facing Cave at the far end of the northern gate.
Peering through the small opening in the door, he saw a figure in tattered robes, facing the wall.
It was none other than the Family Head, Paeng Mun-cheon.
'Whew.'
Confirming that Paeng Mun-cheon was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief.
"So he truly was just acting out of greed as the Demon Hall's Successor."
If Bu Eun-seol had already known the Paeng Clan's secret, he wouldn't have needed to go through such an elaborate scheme.
He would've openly deployed his subordinates to carry out his plot.
Feeling that his suspicions had been excessive, Paeng Seo-un shook his head.
"The Retired Family Head will be pleased when he returns."
With a faint smile lingering on his lips, he slowly turned away.