The Chase (5)
The Chase (5)
Even with that cryptic exchange still echoing in my ears, I had to focus on what was important now. When Gwak Ryong turned his head, I regained my composure and mulled over his words. Come to think of it, he had clearly come to confirm who I was. And once he realized that I was the Crimson Ring Sect's sect leader and the Docheol he knew, he acted as if that settled the matter.
So, Gwak Ryong hadn't come simply to see me. He came because he suspected I might not be the Docheol of the Crimson Ring Sect. This wasn't mere curiosity. If he just wanted to know whether the sect leader Docheol was the Docheol he knew, he could have sent a letter. There was no reason for a master of his caliber—one whose presence even made Sannyeo tense—to visit a backwater like this in person.
Even after seeing my face firsthand, Gwak Ryong tried to verify something more; if I had slipped up, his sword might have flown at me immediately.
Gwak Ryong came here believing I might not be Docheol.
Then who exactly did Gwak Ryong think I was when he came looking for me?
Gwak Ryong, still facing away, glanced around the sect compound. He occasionally let out exclamations and called over a distant attendant to ask questions. I stroked my chin and began to review what I knew about Mount Hua Sect and Gwak Ryong.
I didn't know exactly what position Gwak Ryong held in Mount Hua Sect, but a master of his caliber would surely hold high rank. If such a master personally sought someone out, it was highly likely that person was connected to Mount Hua Sect's great undertaking.
And the one person closely tied to Mount Hua Sect's current objective—someone he would need to interrogate in detail and confirm with his own eyes, even if he knew him—was exactly one person.
The Hao Sect Leader alone.
"Hm?"
"What's the matter?"
"No, it's nothing. I was thinking about adding a decorative piece to the courtyard, but nothing suitable comes to mind."
When I let out that quizzical sound, Gwak Ryong gave me a strange look. I shook my head, changed the subject, and continued racking my brain.
The Hao Sect Leader?
To sum up the situation so far, did Gwak Ryong think I was the Hao Sect Leader? He came to see my face in person because he thought the Hao Sect Leader might be in disguise?
I mustn't let confusion show on my face. I desperately kept my expression rigid and began racking my brain. Was there anything about me that could make them suspect I was the Hao Sect Leader?
I objectively reviewed my own activities.
I appeared out of nowhere when Venerable Geumbok was in the middle of his schemes and seized the sect.
My martial arts growth was unimaginably fast, surpassing the ordinary second-rate level.
Yet I had been staying very quiet lately.
And recently, suspicious figures had been visiting various sects and then leaving.
There were no records of my movements before seizing the Crimson Ring Sect.
.
.
.
.
This was plausible.
The Zhuge Family members who knew me wouldn't even consider that possibility, but from the perspective of Mount Hua Sect, which had just launched an intelligence war, I had to be one of the prime suspects.
I looked at Gwak Ryong again.
If he truly came to see my face because he thought I was the Hao Sect Leader, that fact alone revealed a great deal.
First, they think I'm the Hao Sect Leader but have no solid evidence. Currently, they have almost no clues to find the Hao Sect Leader, and their intelligence network isn't properly established yet.
Second, judging by the fact that a core figure like Gwak Ryong came personally, the other candidates besides me are still in the 'maybe' stage, and perhaps there are no other candidates at all.
Third, they don't know that the Zhuge Family is also searching for the Hao Sect Leader. If they knew, they'd never put me on their candidate list.
A powerful master who lacked proper information about me currently held a favorable view of me. A master who knows nothing is easy to exploit. As long as I didn't plan to blatantly cheat him, he could become a reliable ally in any situation.
If I could make Gwak Ryong move as I wished, I might be able to negotiate quite favorably with the Hao Sect Leader.
I decided to change my plan.
After all, you only live once; and if my thinking was wrong, then I was just a doomed bastard anyway.
******
"What is that luggage?"
As I reached for the luggage, Gwak Ryong asked. I smiled and said,
"I recently reached the first-rate realm, but whenever I advance, my heart grows impatient and arrogant, which is unavoidable. A haughty heart is a dwelling place for heart demons, isn't it? So I thought I might go on a sightseeing tour of Shaanxi, and thus I packed some luggage."
Gwak Ryong nodded at my words.
"There's a saying: the more urgent the matter, the more you should take a roundabout path. It's the most important thing for a martial artist, but also the hardest to put into practice. So, where do you plan to go?"
I hesitated for a moment. Was it true he knew nothing? Was he actually trying to probe me and fish for information? Did he know everything—the relationship between the Zhuge Family and me, and that the Zhuge Family was searching for the Hao Sect Leader—and was trying to deduce something from the place name I gave?
"I plan to go toward Shangzhou."
That couldn't be it.
To think a man like Gwak Ryong would come in person just to play word games with someone who had barely entered first-rate was too grandiose a delusion. I decided to bet that Gwak Ryong truly didn't know the inside story of this affair. His face still brimmed with arrogance and confidence, but the more a man was like that, the wider the gaps in his armor.
"Shangzhou. Not too far from Mount Hua. Did you think of returning to Mount Hua?"
A smile played on his face. After our talk about great heroes earlier, Gwak Ryong's mood had shifted sharply. But since he always spoke in a calm tone, the change was gentle, like ripples on a long stretch of water. I shook my head and said,
"How could I entertain such an impertinent thought? I heard through rumors that there is a decent scenic spot in Shangzhou, so I wish to visit it."
"Interesting."
Gwak Ryong said so. He was stroking his chin and looking at me. I bowed my head and spoke. This was the most crucial question.
"Great Hero, where do you plan to go?"
"I must return to Mount Hua. I have urgent business."
That was obvious. He had no reason to follow me to a scenic spot, and no time to waste on such a place.
"Then, I will pack my things right away—how about we set off together? I won't bother you, so please permit me to accompany you only as far as Shangzhou."
Gwak Ryong stared at me. His expression, which had seemed pleased just moments before, hardened as his gaze swept over my whole body. As if trying to read my intent, he furrowed his brow and stroked his chin, but it was impossible for him to detect any hidden scheme.
Of course. Because I had no intention of doing anything to Gwak Ryong.
"I'll say this beforehand: I'm in a hurry, and I'm a man of Mount Hua Sect. I can't look after your posture or give you advice. Even if we're acquainted, I can't help you, an outsider to the sect."
I wasn't going to persuade Gwak Ryong of anything, nor was I planning to engage in annoying conversation.
I had no intention of lying to Gwak Ryong for gain, nor would I propose any deal.
"That is not what I was asking for."
Gwak Ryong simply had to walk the road with me.
That alone would allow me to pressure the Hao Sect Leader.
"......You're asking to accompany me because you want something. Tell me honestly."
Gwak Ryong's tone was sharp. He was indeed a man not to be taken lightly. His gaze was fierce, and a chilly aura pervaded the yard. Seon-go flinched, and the attendants froze stiff, watching for cues.
"In truth, the Crimson Ring Sect may have a modest name in Shaanxi, but because of its small size, there are occasionally warriors who pick fights."
"Who would dare touch a sect backed by the Zhuge Family?"
"How many unorthodox masters are there who believe that claiming the neck of such a sect's sect leader would be a badge of honor? I've just reached a new realm and am trying to pacify my mind; I don't want to be disturbed even during a sightseeing tour."
"Hmm......"
Gwak Ryong stroked his chin again.
A brief silence passed,
and Gwak Ryong finally opened his mouth.
"Fine. If you don't bother me, since we're going the same way, I'll grant you companionship."
From the moment Mount Hua Sect began hunting the Hao Sect, it was only natural that the Hao Sect would gather information on Mount Hua Sect's every move. Especially a heavyweight like Gwak Ryong, whose name was known across Shaanxi, would be a person of interest to the Hao Sect.
I intended to borrow his prestige and name.
The information the Hao Sect Leader would receive about Gwak Ryong's whereabouts would be this:
Gwak Ryong had suddenly visited the Crimson Ring Sect, and the sect leader accompanied Gwak Ryong until arriving in Shangzhou.
But what kind of relationship existed between Gwak Ryong and me was something the Hao Sect couldn't know. If they could figure out the brief private talk at a nameless inn near Mount Hua and the chain of events leading to this reunion, that would already be in the realm of supernatural abilities.
The void of information would pressure the Hao Sect Leader and be the key to persuading him.
"Thank You, Great Hero."