Qi Arts Master - Chapter 15 (15/200)
Nim Daehyeok spoke up. “I'll help with the search too.”
Moyong Dan saw the determination in Nim Daehyeok's eyes but shook his head. “No, that's not necessary. So many people are already looking—stay calm. I understand your feelings since he was a precious connection to you, Young Master Dam, but rushing won't solve everything. Rest at our clan house while the search continues and soothe your weary hearts.”
Nim Daehyeok had to agree; he and his sister wouldn't make much difference amid all these searchers. Seeing his sister's lips parched and her face etched with worry, resting at the Moyong Clan as the patriarch suggested seemed wisest.
“Thank you for your consideration, Clan Lord.”
Moyong Dan smiled at Nim Daehyeok's earnest tone, tinged with reluctance. At such a young age, most would be brash and quick to anger if things didn't go their way, but Nim Daehyeok had calmly weighed his advice, sorted his thoughts, and chosen the most practical path. It was commendable.
Moyong Dan called over a nearby Moyong warrior. “Escort these two to the clan house. They're honored guests—treat them with utmost respect.”
“Yes, sir!”
Having given the order, Moyong Dan turned back to Nim Daehyeok and Dam Soyeon. “Make yourselves at home at our clan. I'll investigate the scene a bit more with my father and return later. We'll talk then.”
“Understood. Thank you. We'll see you soon.”
Moyong Min and Moyong Dan nodded. They handed their horses to the Moyong warriors and walked back toward the site.
Nim Daehyeok pictured Tian Ailang's face. Memories flooded in: the man who had saved his near-fatal life multiple times, and just hours ago, their cheerful conversation. Dam Soyeon half-expected Tian Ailang to pop up any moment, grinning as he asked casually, What’s all the fuss about?
Even amid the tension on Baekdu Mountain, he'd simply said, Just asking for directions.
The memories only deepened the sorrow swelling in his chest. Tears welled up, spilling down in the chill morning air.
“Don't worry, Soyeon. He's not one to die easily. He's probably patching himself up somewhere. And one day, he'll show up out of nowhere saying, I nearly kicked the bucket—what's for eats? Let's grab some dumplings.”
Dam Soyeon, mid-sob, let out a choked laugh at her brother's words. Tian Ailang really was the type—even gushing blood, he'd demand dumplings. That's what he'd ordered at the inn before rushing off to save Bang Deok.
Seeing his sister calm a little, Nim Daehyeok turned to the Moyong warrior. “Lead the way.”
* * *
Inside the grand hall of the Heavenly Demon Cult. People stood on either side, with the Heavenly Demon at the center.
“The emperor's death was actually an assassination? And what else? Crown Prince Togtemoor is dead too?”
The Heavenly Demon leaned halfway back in his chair as he asked. Demonic energy rippled through the space, laced with displeasure.
Maroe, feeling awe at the Heavenly Demon's terrifying realm, replied deferentially. “Yes, Your Excellency. The imperial family announced it as death from health issues, but our investigation points to assassination. Crown Prince Togtemoor appears to have met the same fate.”
“What makes you think that?”
The Heavenly Demon asked slowly.
“Recently, intelligence came in about a beautiful woman guarding Crown Prince Kusila. She turned out to be Yo Hyang, leader of the Blood Cult's Yin Seduction Squad. Linking her to Crown Prince Togtemoor's death revealed significant connections. And there were many reports of the emperor taking in beautiful concubines before his death—looking back, they were likely that squad's women.”
“Those bitches who do that blood-harvesting yin-supplementing nonsense?”
The Heavenly Demon scowled. If they were going to stoop to such trash, they should at least be strong—but from his vantage, they weren't, just filth.
Maroe continued even more deferentially. “Yes, Your Excellency. And there's one more piece of intelligence we've uncovered.”
“Speak.”
“The Yin Seduction Squad, who tried to kidnap the Dam Clan heirs, was wiped out by Tian Ailang. Yo Hyang likely lost to him and fled to Crown Prince Kusila. Their martial arts... they work well against men, after all.”
“Tch, true enough.”
As he spoke, the Heavenly Demon glanced at the man standing opposite Maroe. The man, bare-chested to flaunt his massive, muscular build, was Ji Hwiung. He grinned sheepishly under the Heavenly Demon's gaze and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, you still remember that old story from my youth?”
Ji Hwiung, who had studied under the Supreme Cult Leader alongside the Heavenly Demon, was his sworn brother. As the Guardian Elder protecting the Heavenly Demon and the cult, he was known for his hot temper. Ranked second in the cult's martial hierarchy, he practiced the Hot Yang Gong and loved going shirtless. He was also the only one in the Heavenly Demon Cult who could banter casually with the Heavenly Demon.
“How could I forget the hilarious tale of you, master of the Heavenly Demon Art, getting bewitched by that Yin Seduction leader? Kahahaha!”
Ji Hwiung scowled at the Heavenly Demon's words. “Hey, you have no idea how stunning she was. She cast some illusion out of nowhere—how was I supposed to resist that with your brother's Heavenly Demon Art? I just stood there thinking, What's a pretty girl gonna do? Then in bed, she suddenly drills a hole near my heart and starts sucking blood. She got scorched by my hot yang energy and croaked. Tsk.”
“Hahaha! That's the Blood Cult scum for you.”
After laughing heartily, the Heavenly Demon glanced at Maroe, who cautiously asked, “May I continue?”
The Heavenly Demon nodded carelessly.
“With the emperor and his first prince—supported by us—dead, Kusila, backed by the Blood Cult, will likely ascend as emperor soon.”
“Tch.”
The Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. Ties to the imperial family were a major boon for the Heavenly Demon Cult's growth. Though the Qi Arts Master had stalled them briefly, they were swiftly rebuilding ties, poised to surpass their peak. But now the emperor was dead, and even the primary heir, the crown prince—who had repeatedly rejected offers of cult experts—followed. The Heavenly Demon regretted not forcing a protector on him.
“As for this Tian Ailang: initially, Salma's report suggested he might be a Qi Arts heir. The Yin Seduction Squad's annihilation all but confirmed it. Add Draku's homing pigeon report on his way back, and it's certain.”
Intense demonic energy leaked from the Heavenly Demon at Maroe's words.
“Certain he's a Qi Arts heir?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. But Draku suffered severe injuries.”
Ji Hwiung, listening, blurted in surprise, “What? That pervert?”
Maroe nodded lightly to affirm, then continued to the Heavenly Demon. “Yes. Draku, who went to Shenyang for fun, ran into the Beggar Clan's branch leader by chance and tried to kill him. But Tian Ailang intervened, leading to a fight.”
“Details.”
“Yes. Draku's report was brief, but we infer Qi Arts techniques were used—lifting the earth with internal energy, massive power strikes. They match the Qi Arts martial arts from twenty years ago, corroborated by Salma Squad battle traces. We conclude the Qi Arts heir died in the clash with Draku.”
“Hmm...”
The Heavenly Demon's excitement surged at the mention of the Qi Arts. Thinking of their lord, Cheon Seoksan—who humiliated him and killed his master—roused him even in sleep. Back then, he'd thought himself invincible, yet Cheon Seoksan bested him. Now stronger, he was sure he'd win a rematch. But with Cheon Seoksan gone forever, it weighed on him like a burden.
Early reports of a possible heir had sparked hope of resolving that nightmare. But Maroe's claim of death brought scorn—he was that weak?—mingled with regret, complicating his heart.
“Where's Draku now?”
“I sent him to the palace to protect the Young Cult Leader. With Kusila's ascension, the Blood Cult won't leave our Young Cult Leader in the palace alone.”
“Manhoho, that kid?”
“Yes. You know he fancies an imperial princess?”
The Heavenly Demon tsked at the mere thought. “Tsk tsk. A kid with peerless talent, wasting it on a girl. Still, he shouldn't fall into danger easily.”
Maroe and Ji Hwiung nodded. Maroe added, “Of course. But if the Blood Cult's elder moves, it could be risky.”
“Hmm...”
Ji Hwiung grunted lowly. “That old monster?”
The Heavenly Demon soured deeply. The Blood Cult's Earth Elder, glimpsed once during his Young Cult Leader days. The unimaginable gap had crushed him then, fueling his rapid rise to the Flower Realm—the fastest in cult history. The Qi Arts incident had buried it since, but hearing it now rankled.
“Yes. That elder demands utmost vigilance above all. To secure a decisive edge, targeting our Young Cult Leader in the palace now would be perfect—and no surer way than deploying him.”
“Hm... Manhoho could escape alone. But that fool's infatuation might make him do something stupid. An injured Draku won't suffice.”
“Yes, so without your permission, I sent the Black Wind Brigade from the main camp to the palace. They also retrieved the wounded Draku. It was urgent... Forgive me.”
Maroe started to prostrate, but the Heavenly Demon waved him off. “Enough. Nothing trumps the Young Cult Leader's safety. I won't fault this overreach. I appointed you Chief Strategist for such judgment. With Draku and the Black Wind Brigade, he should be fine. Is that all on the palace front?”