Chapter 62
Bu Eun-seol's fingers clenched tightly around the letter he held.
This was utterly unbelievable.
The Gong Twin Demons were masters who had made their names known throughout the Demonic Path for over a decade. How could such figures be spies for the Martial Alliance?
"And if I refuse?"
At Bu Eun-seol's words, the masked man's eyes—which had been smiling all along—turned icy.
"Are you saying you would reject a Grade A Mission?"
"Too much trouble."
The masked man's voice grew cold in response to Bu Eun-seol's answer.
"A Grade A Mission is effectively an order. Refusing it would mean defying the Demon Hall's command."
"Hmm."
"Having worked as a member of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad, you should know well... the consequences won't fall on you alone."
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
Refusing a Grade A Mission could result in punishment for the Crime of Disobedience. Of course, he wasn't afraid of being imprisoned.
The problem was that Bu Eun-seol was one of Langya Pavilion's Ten Demonic Heirs.
'If I refuse, the Main Pavilion will suffer the repercussions.'
Moreover, Dan Cheong had gone out of his way to ensure Bu Eun-seol could become a member of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad.
But if he rejected a direct mission from the Demon Hall and committed defiance? The aftermath would undoubtedly extend to Langya Pavilion—and to Dan Cheong himself.
"Do you intend to refuse?"
The masked man's tone was playful, yet laced with an unidentifiable suspicion.
For a brief moment, a strange thought flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
'Does the Demon Hall suspect me?'
The Demon Hall was home to countless masters.
Even if the Gong Twin Demons were spies for the Righteous Path, there were more than enough skilled warriors to deal with them.
Yet they had issued a Grade A Mission specifically to him? Unless he was under suspicion, there was no logical explanation.
"Fine."
As Bu Eun-seol indifferently accepted the letter, the masked man's eyes curved into crescents.
"A wise decision."
The next day.
Bu Eun-seol rose early in the morning and dressed in travel attire.
Dealing with the Gong Twin Demons required caution. Not only were they formidable martial artists, but they were also responsible for the Yueyang Branch.
What if someone had used high-level intelligence to orchestrate a deception? What if the masked man wasn't a member of the Demon Hall but rather a spy for the Martial Alliance?
'Unlikely, but...'
If nothing else, the Slaughter-Seeking Squad's unique emblem was nearly impossible to replicate.
The ink used to stamp it was a special pigment produced exclusively within the Demon Hall.
'I should still verify it properly.'
Unleashing his gale-like Lightness Skill, Bu Eun-seol headed for Guilin.
That was where the Gong Twin Demons had beaten a Demon Hall spy to death. If so, the Guilin Branch of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad would undoubtedly hold records of that day's events—and the truth behind them.
Traveling day and night without rest, Bu Eun-seol finally arrived in Guilin.
'I need to find the branch leader.'
Thanks to Sang-ryang's recommendation, Bu Eun-seol had unrestricted access to the Yueyang Branch's intelligence.
He understood better than anyone how the branch processed and stored its information.
The Guilin Branch of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad.
Here, the Righteous Path's intelligence networks held more influence than those of the Demonic Path.
As a result, the Demon Hall's intelligence operatives had no choice but to work in secrecy.
A shabby back alley just outside the city.
An old manor located there served as the Guilin Branch headquarters.
Shhh—
Moving like a ghost with his Ultimate Speed Shadowless technique, Bu Eun-seol infiltrated the manor.
Disguised as an ordinary estate, the interior bustled with activity—yet no one noticed his presence.
'There's a secret chamber here too.'
Entering a hall labeled Hall of Gentle Echoes, his eyes sharpened at the sight of shelves crammed with books.
Creak— Rumble—
Shifting the books haphazardly, the sound of grinding metal revealed a hidden passage.
"Gi Hyeon?"
As he emerged from the dimly lit secret passage, a deep male voice called out.
Inside, a stocky middle-aged man sat drinking tea at a table piled with letters.
This was Jin Dong, the branch leader of the Guilin Branch.
"Who are you?"
Seeing a young man he had never met before glaring at him, Jin Dong swiftly moved to press a hidden mechanism beneath the table.
"Pressing it won't do you any good."
Thud.
Bu Eun-seol dropped a long metal rod onto the table.
"I disabled all the alarm mechanisms on my way in."
Jin Dong, who had been silent for a moment, narrowed his eyes.
"What do you want?"
"All the information on the Gong Twin Demons from four years ago in Guilin."
"The Gong Twin Demons?"
Jin Dong stared at Bu Eun-seol with a puzzled expression.
"Why would you want information on something so useless?"
"Just hand it over. I have no intention of harming this branch."
Tap-tap-tap.
Bu Eun-seol lightly tapped the floor a few times.
It was the signal used by members of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad when forced to reveal their affiliation.
"Which branch are you from?"
"No need to know. I don't have time—just give me the information."
"And why should I?"
Members of the Slaughter-Seeking Squad always concealed their identities, and there was no interaction between branches—only direct orders from the Demon Hall held any weight.
"You will provide it."
Bu Eun-seol drew his longsword in a flash and sheathed it just as quickly.
Clang.
The moment the blade returned to its scabbard, the teacup in front of Jin Dong split into eight clean pieces.
"Because if you refuse, your skull will split the same way."
"Even for a reckless Slaughter-Seeking Squad operative, do you really think you can kill a branch leader from another division?"
Jin Dong chuckled dryly before speaking in a measured tone.
"If this gets officially reported to the Demon Hall, do you think you—or your sect—will walk away unscathed?"
Though Slaughter-Seeking Squad operatives worked alone under hidden identities, they were not without oversight.
Killing a fellow demonic practitioner or disrupting the system would bring severe repercussions—not just on the operative, but on their affiliated sect as well.
Jin Dong, well aware of this, spoke with deliberate calm.
"I don't know which reckless sect spawned you, but if you back off now—"
"Bu Eun-seol of Langya Pavilion."
Jin Dong's breath hitched.
"Langya... Pavilion?"
A flash of bloody light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he looked down at Jin Dong.
"I could kill a dozen lowlifes like you and still face no punishment. Do you understand?"
"Wait—Bu Eun-seol? The Ten Demonic Heir?"
The composed smile on Jin Dong's face froze in an instant.
As the head of an intelligence branch, he was well-informed.
Bu Eun-seol was the most notable rising star among the Ten Demonic Heirs—even the Elders' Hall had their eyes on him.
Put bluntly, even if he killed a mere Guilin branch leader, there would be no consequences.
"Even if you're one of the Ten Demonic Heirs... the information handled by the Slaughter-Seeking Squad is strictly for its operatives."
"Slow-witted, aren't you? Did you forget I already proved I'm a Slaughter-Seeking Squad operative?"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was icy.
"I am Eighteen of the Yueyang Branch."
Jin Dong's mouth fell open.
For the past year, tales of Eighteen—a legendary Slaughter-Seeking Squad operative who appeared like a comet in Yueyang and accomplished impossible missions—had spread like wildfire among intelligence circles.
And now, that Eighteen was standing before him as Bu Eun-seol?
"You're... Eighteen...?"
As Jin Dong gaped wordlessly, Bu Eun-seol sighed.
"Too much trouble. Maybe I should just kill you and take it myself."
He drew his sword without hesitation.
A chilling killing intent instantly filled the secret chamber, and Jin Dong felt an illusion of frost crawling up his neck.
"W-Wait! I was just stunned for a moment!"
Wiping cold sweat, Jin Dong hastily stood and pointed to a section of the bookshelf.
"I'll find it right away! Just give me a moment!"
"Hmph."
Bu Eun-seol let out a low scoff and sheathed his sword again, dispersing the suffocating pressure.
Jin Dong unconsciously rubbed his throat before speaking.
"The information stored here is all encrypted in the Secret Language..."
"I know. Just lead me to the chamber."
Bu Eun-seol was already an expert in handling intelligence.
He had mastered both the classification of high-grade intel flowing into the Yueyang Branch and the decryption methods used by the Demon Hall.
He was so proficient that he could have seamlessly joined Langya Pavilion's Wind and Cloud Corps without issue.
"You can verify it here."
Jin Dong opened the chamber door and gestured to a bookshelf.
Bu Eun-seol began rapidly scanning through the stack of documents piled there.
"...This is..."
His eyes widened as he combed through the intelligence exchanged at the time.
At last, he had confirmed the truth with his own eyes.
—Every faction in the orthodox and unorthodox sects professionally trains spies. Let alone united forces like the Demon Hall and the Martial Alliance.
Suddenly, the words Dan Cheong had spoken before he joined the Slaughter-Seeking Squad echoed in his ears.
—In personal duels, victory depends on who draws their sword faster. But in conflicts between sects or factions, it hinges on who operates a superior intelligence network.
"So that's how it was."
Closing the book, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Even now, the Martial Alliance and the Demon Hall... were still waging a silent war.
After returning from Guilin, Bu Eun-seol rested for a day at his hideout.
Then, as evening fell, he bought three jars of premium yellow rice wine and ginger-roasted chicken from Gyeongha Tower. He also had the young waiter deliver a letter to Hoehyeon Old Bookstore.
—Tonight, let's share a drink in the bamboo grove by the West Gate.
Before he knew it, dusk had settled.
Beyond the West Gate stretched a bamboo grove, where a small pavilion stood.
This pavilion had been built in the past for drinkers to drink while admiring the scenery.
But as fine taverns and wine shops sprouted up nearby, no one visited this place anymore.
Drip, drip.
Sang-ryang and Ma-un, seated in the weathered pavilion, continuously ladled generous portions of yellow rice wine into large bowls.
Gulp, gulp.
As the liquor slid down their throats, its potent yet fragrant aroma settled warmly in their stomachs.
"Haah. Truly excellent."
A rustling sound followed as bamboo leaves scattered in the wind.
Sang-ryang, gazing up at the bright moon peeking through the bamboo, muttered,
"Still, who would've thought I'd live to see the day?"
Taking a small sip from his cup, he looked at Bu Eun-seol and said,
"Never imagined the young master would be the one inviting us for drinks first."
"Indeed."
Ma-un, sitting beside him, grinned crookedly.
"In all my years, I never dreamed I'd be treated to drinks by the young master."
"..."
As always, Bu Eun-seol remained silent, opting to drink instead of answering.
"You know what?"
Ma-un suddenly spoke up, grinning at Bu Eun-seol.
"Both the branch leader and I have started copying the way you drink sometimes."
Bu Eun-seol's drinking method was always the same.
Not downing the liquor in one go, but sipping it slowly, like tea—steadily and consistently.
It seemed slow, but he drank without pause. As a result, he ended up consuming far more liquor than someone who emptied their cup in one gulp.
"True. At first, it seemed like an unsatisfying way to drink... but the more I saw it, the more I found myself doing the same."
At Sang-ryang's low mutter, Ma-un chuckled.
"They say when you grow fond of someone, you start copying their habits, don't they?"
But Bu Eun-seol still didn't speak, continuing to drink in silence.
In less than the time it took to eat a meal, all three jars had been emptied clean.
"Never in my life have I drunk so freely."
As Sang-ryang let out an admiring sigh, Ma-un nodded.
"Indeed."
For a moment, silence filled the bamboo grove.
Sang-ryang, wearing a dry smile, looked at Bu Eun-seol and nodded.
"Well, now that we've finished drinking—if you have something to say, say it."
Both of them already knew.
That Bu Eun-seol had invited them tonight because he had something difficult to say.
"Do I seem like I have something to say?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Sang-ryang smirked.
"It's been nearly a year since we met, hasn't it?"
Normally, Sang-ryang spoke to Bu Eun-seol with utmost respect.
But for some reason, he now spoke casually, like an elder.
"A year is hardly a short time."
"Then you should know I don't talk much."
"True. You're a man of few words. But you don't usually drink this fast."
Sang-ryang spoke plainly.
"Anyone who has something they don't want to say will borrow the courage of liquor."
"I see. I didn't know that."
"If you have something to say, say it."
"Fine."
Bu Eun-seol's spoke with a downcast, gloomy gaze.
"Are you really the righteous faction's spy?"