Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Unexpected Ally.
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I recalled the sensation of touching Suryeon's hand during her training. The First Demon had said that hands hold many things within them.
There was no smell of blood. What was melted into it was simply effort.
Her level was high as well. At least peak transcendent... or so.
The righteous sects have many hidden masters. Or no... perhaps she is just special.
"...Where have you been so late at night?"
Myo Chowa stood in front of the inn we had returned to. Leaning against the wall opposite her was Geum Pyeong.
Since I had suddenly vanished while they were following me, they must have searched but given up and come back.
"I was just looking around the area, wondering if there was anything to gain."
"......"
Myo Chowa clicked her tongue softly. She turned and headed inside.
Geum Pyeong stared at me intently. Then he turned away wordlessly.
Having two sets of eyes following me around felt strange.
"......."
Geum Pyeong. He hopes that as a member of the Murim Alliance, I will weed out the corruption.
In contrast, Myo Chowa is filled with thoughts of only getting in my way.
I could probably win one of them to my side. But I didn't want to use either. It might be convenient, but it would be no different from picking a side in the power struggle.
I came here only to do my job. I had no interest in politics or power. Nor did I want to get involved.
I watched the two walking ahead, then glanced back at the street.
Shaolin and the missing persons.
The Killer Gate and the monster monk Grandmaster Cheonil, who is said to still be alive.
To verify all those connections...
I need to first check if what the Killer Gate said is true.
Suryeon.
What that woman said felt like the truth. But hadn't my master told me several times?
This is not my hometown. It's enemy territory.
There's nothing more foolish than letting your guard down in enemy territory. I need at least some verification.
Being used without knowing anything...
Once is enough.
...
Myo Chowa narrowed her eyes.
The sudden shift in the direction of the investigation.
It had flowed toward the old tales of Shaolin rather than the missing persons. Red Cloud, who had been gathering information on foot, was chasing the remnants of a crushed unorthodox sect.
"So..."
Drifters babbling old stories like heroic epics over a few drinks were laughable.
No way... Is he considering them provisional suspects?
Myo Chowa snorted. Nonsense. They weren't capable of that, nor did they have the ability.
The real culprit was probably someone connected to Shaolin. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense that they hadn't been caught by now.
If anything...
It would be better to start by investigating the surrounding businesses. Money means flow. Follow the money trail, and you'll find those spending even more than what comes in.
Chasing them would reveal the overall picture. Of course, checking businesses would be difficult...
But that would be the fastest way to uncover the truth.
In other words, listening to past stories meant nothing. We needed to focus on the present. Dead people from the past aren't coming back to kidnap people.
Of course, that would be ideal.
The more incompetent Red Cloud proved, the more the current Murim Alliance Leader's prestige would suffer for appointing him as inspector.
But...
"........"
Myo Chowa glanced sideways.
She looked at Geum Pyeong, who was quietly following at a distance.
He was the Murim Alliance Leader's man. That was certain. Geum Pyeong of the Nangong family. A man like the right hand of the Alliance's strategist.
But for some reason, he wasn't helping Red Cloud. What was the reason?
He's not an ally...? Or just a discardable pawn?
Show for appearances? Dispatching him to Shaolin already used up the title of Silent Sword?
If not even that...
Keeping an ambiguous distance... ready to abandon him if needed...
"...Ah."
Bait.
Myo Chowa belatedly realized her misunderstanding.
From the Murim Alliance Leader's perspective, no matter which way it went, he could only gain.
If Red Cloud solved the case, great. The moment he cleared Shaolin's corruption, the faction threatening his position would be greatly weakened.
If Red Cloud failed, also good. If he kept digging into Shaolin, they would eventually plan to kill him, and the current Leader could use that as leverage to pressure Shaolin.
"......."
If he succeeded, it wouldn't end with just Shaolin. To solidify his own position, the Leader would send him to other factions.
And then? After endlessly solving cases?
If that absurd success continued... his fame would grow uncontrollably. The moment the one being used had honor surpassing his own...
He would be discarded immediately.
These were things anyone with a brain could deduce right away. It was because she hadn't considered the possibility that Red Cloud was the Leader's man.
Does he know?
...If he knew, he wouldn't act like that!
This guy had already bitten the bait. Drawn in by the title of inspector, no doubt.
To resolve the current situation without sacrifice, there was only one way. For the one called Silent Sword to step down from the inspector position, blaming his own lack of ability.
He would bear all sorts of dishonor, but he could save his life. Myo Chowa strode forward.
She grabbed Red Cloud's arm.
"Let's talk later."
".......?"
"It's about your life."
Myo Chowa lowered her voice. So softly that Geum Pyeong wouldn't hear.
"I'll come find you tonight."
...
In the middle of the night, Myo Chowa came to see me.
Her attitude was the same, but the look in her eyes as she regarded me had changed. After firmly closing the door, she even lowered the curtain by the window.
"Shh."
She closed her eyes. With that, I could see an invisible thread-like sense spreading out in all directions.
This is...
Control worthy of admiration.
Impressive.
After scanning the surroundings for a while, Myo Chowa opened her eyes.
"...Geum Pyeong is already asleep. I checked before coming, so no need to worry."
"......."
"Silent Sword. Do you know what position you're in right now?"
I leaned against the wall. Quietly gazed at the flickering lantern.
"What do you want to talk about."
"You're trapped in a net you can't escape. There's one exit, but even that's so narrow you'd have to shed your scales to get out."
"........"
"Before Shaolin kills you. Or before the Murim Alliance kills you... leave. This place. Step down from the inspector position yourself."
"Explain."
"The current Murim Alliance Leader is vicious. He wears the mask of benevolence, but inside he's twisted. The Nangong family's corruption is already infamous. Everyone keeps quiet, but there's no one in the Central Plains who doesn't know of that darkness."
"......."
"Don't look at me like that. Do I seem like I'm lying? It's not just the Nangong family. The Five Great Families. The Nine Great Sects. Most existing sects are the same. Like competing with each other, piling up wealth and power through all sorts of injustices. My master and I are at least trying to resolve things in the right direction."
Myo Chowa furrowed her brow.
"To fix everything, we must start from the top. At least make the current Leader step down. Only by pulling down someone who wields power arbitrarily can we make a proper start."
"Then who will take that empty seat?"
"Someone righteous and fair. Someone who won't be corrupted even with power. There's only one such person in the world. With talent and experience, both...
"Are you speaking of Elder Danri Jinsu?"
"...It sounds strange when you put it that way. No other intentions. Neither my master nor I care for glory or wealth. We're only standing for that position for the greater good."
A fight for power.
Two sides split over the Murim Alliance Leader position.
One side is the corrupt current Leader, Nangong Hyeok, and...
The other is Murim Alliance Elder Danri Jinsu, who claims not to be corrupt.
Having neatly sorted it in my mind, I stared at Myo Chowa.
"Miss Myo."
"Yes."
"I know the Murim Alliance Leader is trying to use me."
".......?!"
"And I know you are trying to stop that. You're building a force from various sects to oppose the Leader, right? So he won't be re-elected. And of course, Shaolin Temple is included in that force."
"...Surprising. I thought you lived without thinking, but that's not the case."
"I have a brain and ears too. If I couldn't even organize what I've heard, I wouldn't have taken the inspector position."
Myo Chowa clicked her tongue.
It seems like a habit now. Clicking her tongue whenever an unexpected situation arises.
"We can't pressure the Leader alone. We need to gather forces equal to them, at least matching their level, to barely maintain balance. It's already been secretly arranged. Half of the Nine Great Sects have agreed to work with us, and one of them is this Shaolin."
"......."
"We need them to keep the balance, and now you're trying to destroy it with your own hands. If this chance passes, there won't be another. The moment the Leader is re-elected, the alliance will shatter, and we'll be purged."
"......."
"And this concerns your life too. Silent Sword. Think about it. If you keep poking into Shaolin's affairs, you'll die. To Shaolin, or to a third force. An outsider meddling in another sect's business is tantamount to smashing their face. The Leader is declaring war on Shaolin through your hands."
"Let's hear more."
"Even if by some chance you don't die and solve the case, you'll be given more like this. Fine... suppose you solve every assigned task. Suppose you're incredibly capable, fend off countless assassination attempts, and root out all corruption. But do you think that'll be the end?"
Myo Chowa put a pipe in her mouth.
She exhaled smoke in a manner unfit for her refined and elegant features.
"Silent Sword. Your fame will soar enormously. And the current Leader Nangong Hyeok won't leave that alone. It signals the emergence of another threat to him."
"......."
"No matter how well you do, you'll die by the Murim Alliance's hands in the end. So follow my advice. Before dying by someone's hand, admit your lack of ability and step down from the inspector position. You'll be followed by dishonorable rumors for a while, but that's the best. The best way to save your life."
The lantern flickered.
I turned my head.
I looked at the sword leaning against the wall.
"Miss Myo."
"Yes."
"I have a question."
"Ask."
"I understand your intent. The greater good. It's important. I agree. A world with no starving people. No one threatened by life. A world where the weak aren't helplessly crushed... I think it's very important. I too am willing to wield my sword for that."
"......."
"But let me ask separately. That current alliance. Even if you sit at the center of power as the force opposing the Leader... do you think you can change the world?"
"We already have the plan."
"I don't know what kind of person Elder Danri Jinsu is. But assuming he shares your greater good. With thick prestige and excellence... I suppose he might even implement reforms for the common people."
I stood up.
Stood before Myo Chowa.
"But the foundation is still power built on the strength of the corrupt. Even if you and your master draw your swords for justice, will the rest agree?"
"......."
"You vaguely feel it too, I think. But you push forward anyway because this is the lesser evil."
"......."
"I have no desire to condemn your decision itself. Miss Myo. You have your reasons, your own plans. Since I don't know them all, I won't say you're wrong. However..."
I reached for my sword.
"On my way here, I confirmed how rotten the current murim is."
"......."
"The Sacheon Party tried to expand their territory by directly freeing prisoners, and Kunlun was colluding with bandits and thugs, taking money to keep silent."
"......."
"For the sake of murim, we need to change the head? I agree. We need a force to check the corrupt Leader? That's right too."
I sheathed the Blood Sword at my waist.
"But in the meantime, those without power to fight are trampled."
I sheathed the Ghost Sword White Night at my waist.
"The used are discarded."
I sheathed the Ghost Sword Black Dew at my waist.
"Those who dreamed lose even the strength to dream."
I sheathed the Ghost Sword Nine Illusions at my waist.
"Your master called it a necessary sacrifice for me."
I draped the Windbreaker Cloak over my body. Myo Chowa's eyes widened. The fallen pipe ash scorched the floor.
I crushed it out with my foot.
"A few years ago, I was discarded by the Demon Cult. Miss Myo. They packaged it as for the greater good, but from start to finish, it wasn't enough for me being used."
"...That..."
"I'm not the Murim Alliance Leader's dog. But that doesn't mean I'll act according to your will either."
I stepped forward.
"Miss Myo. To me, the Leader and you lot don't look all that different."
"......."
"Ignoring the sacrifice of a few for a brilliant future?"
I brushed past her.
Opened the door and went out.
Suryeon.
To meet her, now trustworthy based on the information gathered so far.
"Can you call that 'brilliant'?"