Chapter 19: Then Let's Proceed
Chapter 19: Then Let's Proceed
Bongmareung had noticed that Gyeon Sohee possessed a unique constitution called Profound Qi Sense. That's why he'd insisted she couldn't be brought in.
[Profound Qi Sense is an innate gift for sensing inner energy. And that girl has cultivated the demonic art known as Heaven-Piercing Art. She'll naturally be attuned to demonic energy...]
'Yong Baekheon and I cultivated completely different inner arts, so she can discern the difference in our energies?'
[Exactly.]
Yong Baekheon had trained in three different inner arts. As a child, the Supreme Stream Demonic Art; after becoming Young Cult Leader, the Great Overlord Subjugation Art... and recently, he'd even dabbled in the Iron Blood Divine Art.
As a result, Yong Baekheon's inner energy was a tangled mess of properties from multiple arts. It was utterly different from my pure Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art.
[If skin touches skin, she'll read the nature of your energy. Don't let it happen!]
That went without saying. I was already sick to death of the demonic mindset that treated people like objects.
"Black Snake Squad Leader."
I smirked, lifting my teacup.
"I appreciate the thought, but take the girl back. Wayong Hall has no empty rooms."
"Pardon? When it's so empty here?"
"I'm talking about the room in my heart, Black Snake Squad Leader."
Playing the spoiled Young Cult Leader had its perks. I could spout whatever nonsense I wanted without issue. Hell, it even worked in my favor.
"Hm. I see."
Dokgo Jae's eyes twitched faintly with discomfort as he lifted his teacup. But he didn't back down easily. After a moment's thought, he tossed out another curveball.
"Has Young Master learned anything about the 'five challengers' that the Grand Cult Leader will send your way?"
The five who would challenge me. Or rather, the ones I'd have to break to escape these Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Dokgo Jae had brought up a topic I couldn't ignore.
What the hell is this?
[Sounds like he knows something.]
It was exactly what I'd been mulling over. But I couldn't show my hand.
Managing my arrogant Yong Baekheon facade, I opened my mouth again.
"Do I really need to bother? There's no challenger who can beat me anyway."
"Of course... but..."
Dokgo Jae's words trailed off. He suddenly turned to Gyeon Sohee with a small smile.
"This girl's half-brother is the captain of the Green Bear Unit's detachment. Name's Gyeon Mujin. He's got quite the reputation in our cult as a rising star."
'Gyeon Mujin of the Green Bear Unit?'
A well-known name. The giant warrior famous as the Red-Eyed Demon Bear, wielding bizarre blade techniques that belied his massive frame.
Dokgo Jae chuckled lightly and continued.
"From what I've gathered, one of the five challengers is none other than Gyeon Mujin. The Bok Clan Manor strongly recommended him to the Grand Cult Leader."
"The Bok Clan Manor?"
"Yes. They control the Green Bear Unit, don't they? None of their younger generation match your age bracket, so they went with Gyeon Mujin as the next best thing."
"If I recall, Captain Gyeon is seven or eight years my senior."
"Precisely why he's perfect. He fits right at the age limit for the Great Tournament. He'll be a formidable opponent for you, Young Master."
"...!"
It didn't sound like a lie. I had to lift my teacup again to hide my expression.
Dokgo Jae turned back to Gyeon Sohee.
"And this girl trains in the same blade style as her brother. Truth be told, she has even greater talent. That elusive technique suits lithe bodies far better. You can tell at a glance, can't you?"
"So...?"
"Exactly. That's why I'm lending her to you, Young Master. I hope she'll help—even a little—when you face Gyeon Mujin. If there's no room in Wayong Hall, make one. Haha!"
Dokgo Jae's beaming laugh felt loaded with meaning.
Bongmareung, who'd been listening quietly, clicked his tongue.
[He's made an offer you can't refuse. As expected of the Dokgo Clan.]
'I can just grit my teeth and say no.'
[Kid, refusing now might look even more suspicious.]
True enough.
How to handle this?
But as I pondered, something felt off.
'Mister Bong, I get that Gyeon Sohee can distinguish between Yong Baekheon and me. But has she ever even met Yong Baekheon?'
[What are you getting at?]
'Think about it. No matter how refined your palate, you can't tell beef dumplings from pork ones unless you've tasted the beef first. Right?'
By my reasoning, Gyeon Sohee couldn't expose me. To differentiate us, she'd first need to know Yong Baekheon's demonic energy signature.
'For comparison's sake.'
But she'd never met him.
Even her Profound Qi Sense-wielding grandfather couldn't uncover that I was Jang Hosam.
[Hah! Good point. So why bring the girl?]
'Simple.'
The Bok Clan had recommended Gyeon Mujin.
Who would the Dokgo Clan send?
[Someone your age, at least.]
The moment Bongmareung muttered that, a face flashed in my mind.
The eldest son of the middle-aged man before me. Dokgo Hyeop, two years older than Yong Baekheon.
'That's definitely it. Has to be him.'
[How can you be so sure?]
Bongmareung tilted his head at my certainty.
[The Dokgo Clan has always been the top contender for the demonic throne. With their power, they've got talent to spare.]
'True. But if they think they can win, they'd bet big.'
Dokgo Hyeop was the Dokgo Clan's rightful heir.
Yong Baekheon was the Yong Demon Clan's.
If the Dokgo Clan won this clash?
'It'd shake the cult to its core. The Great Tournament would be the least of it—the Young Cult Leader seat itself could be in jeopardy.'
[No way...!]
Bongmareung's jaw dropped at my analysis.
And Gyeon Sohee was likely a scout.
A prelude to Dokgo Hyeop's challenge, probing Yong Baekheon's energy weaknesses.
The Dokgo Clan had orchestrated this to exploit my arts.
[Slippery snakes.]
'And we were jumping at shadows like guilty thieves.'
I had this obsession with not being exposed as Yong Baekheon's body double.
So I'd missed the mark briefly.
Anyway, the Dokgo Clan's scheme was separate.
[We need to refuse, no matter the excuse.]
Bongmareung tsked.
He assumed I'd reject her outright.
But...
'Does it have to be that way?'
A new idea sparked.
We'd read their play. Why not turn it against them?
'Mister Bong, let's flip the Dokgo Clan's plan on its head.'
[How?]
'Use her against them. Listen up.'
I outlined my plan simply. Bongmareung pondered, then nodded.
No issues.
'Then let's proceed.'
[Heh heh heh! This'll be fun!]
I nodded to Dokgo Jae.
"I had no idea the Black Snake Squad Leader cared this much. I'll gladly accept."
"Hahaha! Knew you'd like it. Hye-ah, pay your respects. This is the future Grand Cult Leader."
"An honor to serve you, Young Master."
That was when my eyes met Geumran's. She shot me a look that screamed, How could you?
'Gotta explain later.'
I nearly cracked but held it together.
I eyed Dokgo Jae's subtle smile—glee too faint to notice at a glance.
"Thank you for your sincerity. When you head to the Central Plains, stop by our family's establishments."
"Of course."
Nominally, these "gifts" strengthened ties between the Dokgo and Yong Demon Clans.
Dokgo Jae emphasized it once more, then rose.
"I'll take my leave. Hye-ah, serve the Young Master with all your heart."
"Yes, Squad Leader."
Gyeon Sohee bowed silently. Her lifeless eyes betrayed no emotion.
[Probably some soul-binding spell. The Dokgo Clan excels at that.]
'Figures. Damn demonic bastards.'
I shuddered inwardly at Bongmareung's words but kept my face straight.
"Safe travels."
Once Dokgo Jae was gone, I turned to Geumran.
She glared daggers at the demure Gyeon Sohee but bowed quietly.
With the girl right there, I had to treat her as Yong Baekheon to the hilt.
"Take her with you. Use her as a handmaid."
Geumran blinked.
"Pardon? Under me? Why?"
"You questioning my orders?"
"N-no, Young Master."
A transmission poured from the flustered woman.
—What are you up to? Why make me keep her?
I could only shrug vaguely. I hadn't mastered sending transmissions yet.
Geumran sighed softly.
—Gotta teach you that first. So frustrating.
[Heh heh...]
Explanations could wait. She'd understand.
Our plan: Sow "false intel."
Simple mind game.
'Trick the Dokgo Clan into thinking my energy is totally different.'
If it worked, we'd fool the whole clan.
It required prep, and no contact with Gyeon Sohee until ready.
"Go."
"Yes, Young Master."
"..."
As they left, my thoughts shifted.
'The Dokgo Clan knows the Bok Clan's recommended challenger, huh?'
Interesting.
Were the Eight Subordinate Clans sharing challenger intel on the down-low?
Bongmareung nodded.
[Plausible. They all want to trip you up in the Great Tournament. Conspiring makes sense.]
I agreed.
The clans competed fiercely, but against the Yong Demon Clan? United front.
The Yong Demon Clan had monopolized the Heavenly Demon throne for ages, cementing their supremacy.
Its heir, Yong Baekheon, was public enemy number one.
'They've got their alliances, but they all want me gone equally.'
So the clan heads were likely swapping notes.
Snag that info, and things got easier.
[How?]
'Sneak in and rummage every corner.'
Stealth ops. My old specialty.
Yong Baekheon's memories made it even easier.
I'd hit the Bok Clan Manor tonight.
Bongmareung muttered.
[Time crunch, though. Prioritize.]
'Prioritize? Oh, right.'
Nightly training with Geumran, cultivating Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art.
No more leisurely prowls.
So...
'Need an info network.'
Someone to fetch intel when I couldn't move.
A perfect group came to mind. One Yong Baekheon had eyed before.
[Who?]
'You'll see. Might even meet them at the Bok Clan Manor if lucky.'
The sun dipped below the peaks, ushering in a moonless night.
I donned black night clothes and stepped out.
Geumran, waiting, approached with gleaming eyes.