#144. Those in Black Masks (3)
The atmosphere in the room dropped as cold as if frost had fallen. The name Demonic Cult—long vanished from the pages of Murim history—carried enough weight to crush any buoyant spirits. And these people had witnessed the cult firsthand during the entrance exam alongside me.
"What do we do... what should we do... how the hell are we supposed to handle this?"
Jang Dowon, his usual sharp gaze utterly gone, paced the courtyard like a man who'd lost his mind.
"Elder... why do you think the Demonic Cult is behind this?"
"...Rumors have been circulating in Akyang for months now. That the Demonic Cult has revived, and they're plotting to take over the world."
"Then the disappearances..."
"They started around the same time as those rumors."
Jang Dowon suddenly wore a look of realization and clung to me desperately.
"Y-you! Didn't you say you enrolled at the academy? I've heard all the rumors about you. Do you know anyone in the Jeoncheong Sect?"
"Why the Jeoncheong Sect?"
"They're the top dogs in Akyang. If anyone can find my granddaughter from those cult bastards, it's them."
"..."
Helping him out was fine, but should I tell him straight up that Jeoncheong and I weren't on good terms? I wrestled with the dilemma.
"Help me out here. I'll never forget this favor."
Jang Dowon bawled like a child, snot and tears streaming down his face. Why did looking at him stir memories of my own reflection? No need to agonize long.
"Let's go, Elder. I can't promise it'll help, but I'll stick with you."
Seongsa Branch was Akyang's famed teahouse—and the Jeoncheong Sect's local outpost. Even ordinary folk rarely got to see the branch head, but flashing my Murim Academy student status got me ushered right in.
"Hmph... We're already investigating the disappearances in Akyang to some extent. Go home and wait; we'll let you know when we have results."
"There are rumors it's tied to the Demonic Cult... Is that true?"
The branch head furrowed his brow.
"You lot getting shaken by tall tales from ignorant fools?"
Jang Dowon pleaded at the utterly untrustworthy words.
"Please, sir, save my granddaughter. She's all I have left in this world after losing her parents."
The branch head scowled and waved him off dismissively.
"I said we're investigating. These things take time—be patient."
I listened quietly before speaking up.
"Any suspects on your radar?"
The branch head eyed me up and down.
"Can't discuss an ongoing investigation."
"Someone Jeoncheong fears?"
"...Young hero. Watch your tongue. Jeoncheong fears no injustice—even if it's the real Demonic Cult."
"...Even the real Demonic Cult?"
His odd phrasing made me press further, but Namgung Seonhwa stepped in front of me.
"Where's Jong Byeokgi right now?"
"...You know Jong Gongzi?"
"No personal friendship, but we've exchanged names."
"And who might you be to pry into personal matters?"
Namgung Seonhwa shot back at the branch head's dismissive tone.
"I'm Namgung Seonhwa of the Namgung family. That enough to tell me where Jong Gongzi is?"
"..."
After leaving Seongsa Branch, Jang Dowon glanced slyly at Namgung Seonhwa and whispered to me.
"H-how'd you end up connected to a Namgung young lady?"
I could've spun a long tale, but he wouldn't hear a word right now.
"It just happened."
"...Anyway, thanks. Things are looking up thanks to you."
"No big deal—it's the right thing to do."
"...Should've set up a place somewhere sooner."
I picked up on Jang Dowon's offhand remark.
"Someone offered to take you in?"
"Take me in? An old trinket-maker like me... They just said they'd protect me if I joined their group. Turned 'em down 'cause they treated me like a servant, though. In hindsight, should've taken it. At least under Jeoncheong's shadow, this would've been easier."
"..."
Our chat halted in front of the pleasure house where Jong Byeokgi was holed up.
"Just me and Elder Jang will go in."
Mindful of the brothel's nature and not wanting to expose the women to awkward sights, but my courtesy drew exasperated looks from Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran.
"I've crashed at places like this before—what's with the sudden chivalry?"
Seong Moran shoved the door open, referencing the entrance exam. A strange fragrance wafted out, mingled with ecstatic moans. Barely dressed men and women—hard to tell who was wearing what—swarmed the interior.
"There he is."
At the VIP seats: Jong Byeokgi and his crew, women on their laps, guzzling booze like there was no tomorrow.
"Jong Gongzi."
"Hm?"
Jong Byeokgi, half-lidded eyes on a courtesan as he drained his cup, turned to Namgung Seonhwa.
"Oh, Namgung Sojeo! What brings you here? ...And dragging those ragtags along?"
His entourage hastily straightened their clothes at her appearance—but too drunk to do it properly.
"I came about the disappearances in Akyang."
"Disappearances? Oh, right... That. No big deal. Happens all the time to folks who can't keep their houses in order."
"...This gentleman's only granddaughter went missing. I'd appreciate your help, Jong Gongzi."
"Gentleman...?"
Jong Byeokgi squinted at Jang Dowon and smirked.
"Ha, that arrogant old coot."
"...You know him?"
"Came sniffing around Jeoncheong once, thinking we'd value him. Acted all high and mighty. But... lost his granddaughter?"
"..."
Jang Dowon dropped to his knees right there.
"Sir, I was arrogant and out of line. Please, save my granddaughter."
"Heh, if you'd joined Jeoncheong sooner, none of this would've happened... Tsk tsk."
Namgung Seonhwa chimed in.
"Jong Gongzi, I beg you."
Jong Byeokgi, smirking mockingly, waved his hand twice.
"Fine. For you, Namgung Sojeo, I'll look into it. But remember—you owe me one now."
"...I'll remember."
"Now scram. Staring at that old fart's ruining my buzz."
With his dismissal, Jong Byeokgi resumed flirting with the courtesan, his crew grinning in satisfaction.
Back at Jang Dowon's place, I tucked him in after some acupuncture to help him sleep, then stepped into the quiet courtyard.
"Should've pressed Jong Gongzi more."
Namgung Seonhwa couldn't hide her regret.
"What you did was plenty."
Especially since she'd even agreed to owe him a debt. As a Namgung, she knew full well how heavy those words weighed. She'd done her absolute best.
"But you look uneasy, Jin Gongzi."
"..."
Doubts swirled around Jang Dowon's granddaughter's disappearance—too many to count. Mantongbu records on Akyang vanishings showed no Demonic Cult links. Sure, in my past life, I learned the cult's true nature much later, so maybe... But assuming these cases were their doing stretched credulity. The Demonic Cult were mad enough for human sacrifices in their bizarre rituals, but stupid enough to operate in a bustling tourist hub like Akyang? The world overflowed with orphans and folks beyond official reach—no need to risk exposure here, where the world converged.
A cult obsessed with total secrecy, slinking into Akyang?
'Doubt it...'
Having felt their cunning to my bones on the front lines, it didn't add up.
And.
"Didn't you catch anything off at Seongsa Branch?"
"Something off?"
"The branch head said even the real Demonic Cult holds no fear for Jeoncheong."
"..."
"Why's he so sure it's not the real deal? Rumors are everywhere in Akyang. Just skepticism?"
Might be overthinking, but it left the same nagging itch as getting scammed in the Small Justice Squad.
Times like this, you dig through every pocket at the table.
I turned to the Tae-eulmun kids.
"Reassure Elder Jang as best you can when he wakes."
"Yes, hyungnim."
"Jin Gongzi, where to?"
I answered Seong Moran's question.
"Gonna poke around on my own."
"Gotta gather intel first."
"Shouldn't we hit the beggar village for the Beggars' Sect? They control most Jianghu info."
Fair point—Beggars' Sect first for most. But I knew an equal.
I headed to a modest fabric shop tucked in a busy corner.
"Why here?"
"We just bought clothes."
The two eyed me puzzled at the return visit. I silently approached the shopkeeper and flashed Yeo Mi-mi's black token.
The friendly merchant stiffened, bowed politely, and led me inside. Stairs descended to a basement—larger than the shop itself. Oddities of every stripe awaited their owners.
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran gaped at the successive shocks.
"This is... a black branch, isn't it?"
"Black branch?"
At Seong Moran's question, Namgung Seonhwa replied, barely containing her surprise.
"Haomen's secret shop. From women's secrets to corpses—anything above-ground won't sell. But getting access rights is no small feat..."
The shopkeeper, ahead of us, smiled at her explanation.
"Black branch goods have grades too. What you mentioned? Standard for regular customers."
"...So special grade's different?"
"There, you can get anything. Living blood, dead men's bones—whatever exists, we'll fetch it, no matter the means."
"...How do you qualify for that grade?"
Seong Moran swallowed hard. The shopkeeper, still smiling, replied.
"Can't just want it—you need the qualifications."
He glanced at Namgung Seonhwa.
"For reference, even Sword Immortal—your grandfather, Sojeo—lacks them."
The two gasped.
"You know who I am?"
The man chuckled.
"Not know Anhui's three beauties? I'd hardly be a man."
Still stunned, they pressed.
"If even Sword Immortal doesn't qualify, who does?"
Seong Moran sounded pained. The shopkeeper shifted his gaze wordlessly—and it landed on...
"Whoa..."
"What kind of guy is Jin Gongzi?"
Embarrassed, I pivoted quickly.
"You're the Akyang branch head?"
"Yes."
"Here to ask some questions."
"This way. Someone's waiting."
Someone waiting for me? Knew I'd come? Baffled, I followed silently.
Past the black branch, through a maze-like interior, his steps finally stopped. He opened the door without hesitation.
"Busy with affairs, but finally paying respects."
An unexpected figure greeted me inside. A familiar face, polite demeanor...
No way—this guy's here?!