One by One, They're Falling Into Place
Chapter 20: Falling Into Place One by One
The first martial art that Geumran decided to pass on to me was a fist technique called the Wall Scattering Fist.
[It's a midway fist art that's hard to pin as righteous or demonic.]
As Bongmareung said, the Wall Scattering Fist was a martial art without a distinct color. It was just right for someone like me, who walked the line between good and evil.
The Wall Scattering Fist consisted of the initial three forms, middle four forms, and final five forms. I mastered the initial three forms in just two days.
"...Like this here. Then next, like this. Finally, pivot on the left foot, flow, and strike. Right?"
When I flawlessly demonstrated the initial three forms, Geumran let out a hollow chuckle.
I unclenched my fist, shook out my wrist, and stood straight. Her face twisted into a complicated expression as she muttered,
"How is this possible?"
"What is?"
"The initial three forms are simple, sure, but they still take a full ten days to learn properly. Yet you mastered them in just two..."
"I was always good at memorizing stuff."
"Memorizing well and quickly acquiring martial arts are completely different things. If that were the case, all masters would come from academies."
"Hm."
Her words left me scratching my head. I had nothing to say to that.
It just stuck perfectly in my mind. All I had to do was follow what I'd learned—why would I ever get lost? I was the one who didn't get it.
Bongmareung, who'd been watching, clicked his tongue in amazement.
[Looking closely, your talent for martial arts isn't ordinary either. Come to think of it, perfectly mimicking the White Dragon Soaring Sword was no small feat. Perhaps you have aptitude rivaling Yong Baekheon's.]
Me? That kind of talent?
I couldn't help but snort in laughter.
'Yong Baekheon was a total monster. The Crimson Heavenly Demon didn't make him Young Cult Leader for nothing. Can't compare a commoner like me to him.'
[Heh heh heh... We'll see.]
I didn't agree, but Bongmareung just chuckled it off.
In any case, we'd learn the middle four forms tomorrow. Tonight, I had plans to infiltrate the Bok Clan Manor.
The Bok Clan Manor wasn't far from Wayong Hall.
"Geumran, keep a close eye on Gyeon Sohee. Oh, and don't lay a hand on her."
"What?"
Geumran narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously. She seemed to have badly misunderstood.
What the hell is she thinking?
"Gyeon Sohee possesses the Profound Qi Sense."
"...!"
"So if you touch her, she'll read the nature of your inner energy. It won't cause immediate problems, but there's no benefit to letting her know."
Once I explained, her eyes widened. The tension that had stiffened her face finally eased.
"Why'd you take in a girl like that? She's basically a spy planted by the Dokgo Clan Manor."
"Exactly. That's why I took her in. To disrupt the Dokgo Clan Manor."
"Not because you liked the pretty young thing?"
I let out a wry laugh. So that's what she thought.
"Hey, Geumran. What do you take me for?"
"You're a man too..."
[Kuhahaha! Jealousy, eh?]
Bongmareung burst into raucous laughter in my head.
I knew she'd misunderstood, but not like this. Good thing I cleared it up before it blew up.
"Listen up. My plan is this."
I briefly outlined how to turn Gyeon Sohee's Profound Qi Sense against her—feeding false info to the Dokgo Clan Manor. I'd also gather advance intel on the other challengers to counter them.
"That's why you're heading into the Bok Clan Manor."
"You think you can uncover the other challengers' identities there?"
Geumran tilted her head. I explained further.
"Yong Baekheon is public enemy number one to the other demonic clans, right? So the clan heads must be sharing info. And..."
"And?"
"I know of a group that can serve as my intel network. You know the 'Anti-Cult Alliance'?"
"Anti-Cult Alliance...? No way!"
Realizing what I meant, Geumran's eyes bulged.
"Too dangerous!"
"Gotta take some risks."
She knew I'd roamed the Hundred Thousand Mountains freely, evading Yong Baekheon's eyes. Now that I'd claimed his position, shouldn't I be even more cautious? That was her argument.
But I judged the opposite: bold action was needed.
"Geumran, I'll do everything I can. That's how we boost our odds of escaping the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
I was convinced of it. Reluctantly, she nodded.
I turned back, changing the subject.
"How's Gyeon Sohee holding up?"
"No issues so far. Her speech and behavior are demure and proper. But..."
"But?"
"...She doesn't feel like a living person. More like a pretty doll? Probably some sorcery from the Dokgo Clan Manor."
"Likely."
There were many arts to control the human mind; I couldn't pinpoint it yet. I glanced toward where Gyeon Sohee was staying.
"Keep watching her closely. You're a disciple of the Emei Sect, so you know plenty about monstrous strength and divine anomalies, right?"
"Got it. I'll keep an eye. Be careful, Hosam."
I left her behind and dashed toward the Bok Clan Manor.
Under the moonless sky sprawled the vast manor of the Bok Clan.
The Bok Clan was third in rank among the Eight Subordinate Clans, a major house. Currently, young clan head Bok Sasong was acting in place of his bedridden father.
He lounged loosely in his study, awaiting something. Soon, a voice came from beyond the door.
"Young lord, a letter from the Yaryul Clan Manor has arrived."
"Bring it here."
The white-haired steward entered and respectfully handed over a small, rolled note—delivered secretly via messenger pigeon.
Bok Sasong scanned it and smacked his lips in disgust.
"They're all playing it safe. Yong Baekheon isn't even Young Cult Leader anymore."
"Still, the young master retains the Grand Cult Leader's favor. It's only natural to hesitate before committing to an assault."
"Pathetic. And they call themselves demonic warriors? Spineless fools..."
This was about selecting challengers for the Great Tournament. Dissatisfied with the exchanges, Bok Sasong vented.
The steward pondered alone before speaking again.
"The Yaryul Clan's plan isn't bad. If our Gyeon Mujin teams up with their Yaryul Sata against him, even Yong Baekheon won't have it easy."
"Hm, Yaryul Sata and Gyeon Mujin..."
"They wield polar-opposite martial arts."
"True. If those two strike together and wound him, it'd be perfect."
"I agree, my lord."
Bok Sasong nodded slowly and tossed the note into the brazier. It vanished in flames.
"Anyway, we must unite with the other clans for this. Now that Yong Baekheon's off the Young Cult Leader throne, we squeeze him dry."
"Indeed."
"Set aside the Dokgo Clan Manor—who knows what they're thinking—and deepen ties with the others. To corner Yong Baekheon as much as possible."
"As you command, young lord."
Their talk ended there. Bok Sasong left first; the steward extinguished the brazier and followed.
Moments later.
"......"
One window of the study quietly opened. A shadow slipped soundlessly inside.
Two iron chopsticks, diligently filed thin and shaped to perfectly interlock with any latch—a universal lockpick I'd invented myself.
Using it, I'd unlocked the outer latch from outside.
Bongmareung chuckled in my head.
[Truly ingenious. How do you insert it so precisely into the latch?]
'Trade secret.'
The Bok Clan's security wasn't tight. Most demonic clans in the Hundred Thousand Mountains were lax like this.
With the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's isolation, external intrusions were impossible. They skimped on internal guards.
[Demons guard their secret manuals of demonic arts and spirit herbs like their lives. Hidden away in secret spots.]
'Yeah. And they guard their concubines like fortresses while leaving vaults wide open. Hilarious.'
Anyway, I'd infiltrated the Bok Clan Manor and reached Bok Sasong's study. Now I moved with perfectly silenced steps.
In the still-warm brazier, I found the note's charred remnant.
It read:
"......This is the will of Yaryul. Thus ends my words."
A note from the Yaryul Clan head to Bok Sasong. I'd already heard his son, Yaryul Sata, was a challenger.
But to learn the exact contents, I'd snuck in—only for it to be ashes now.
'There must be more to their plan.'
Too bad; nothing readable left. I set it down and clicked my tongue.
'Mister Bong, no past-view function in Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art or Ghostly Azure Divine Eyes? Can't recover what it said?'
[Quit dreaming. Find other clues.]
Nothing much. Just an unfinished letter from Bok Sasong hinting at meetings with other heads.
Then, Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art activated. Footsteps approached.
'Someone's coming.'
[Hide! Out the window!]
But I did the opposite. I relocked the window latch, then squeezed into a dark corner of the study.
[What are you doing? Get out!]
'Can't. I can unlock from outside but not relock. Gotta exit through another door.'
To avoid detection, I had to stay hidden inside. And I figured I could manage.
My hyper-enhanced hearing from Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art revealed irregular steps—far from a martial artist's gait. An old man's shuffle.
'Bok Sasong's steward, back again.'
Sure enough, the white-haired steward reentered. Unaware of intruders, he placed another note on the desk and left.
I checked it immediately and grinned.
'Nice. One by one, they're falling into place.'
"Our Dongbang Clan Manor will not recommend a challenger. However, we plan to sell information on Young Master Yong Baekheon. We have secured a very reliable source. We'll guarantee far more detail than what each clan has grasped. Reference this."
Second-ranked among the Eight Subordinate Clans, Dongbang wouldn't send a challenger. Instead, they'd sell intel from a 'reliable source'...
And it implied the other clans were also digging into Yong Baekheon.
[The others might try planting spies in Wayong Hall too.]
Bongmareung tsked. Spot on. I'd caught Gyeon Sohee early, but slip up and more could infiltrate.
'Gotta stay sharp.'
Then, the note's back caught my eye—scribbled hastily:
P.S. Yong Baekheon inherited not a shred of Yong Daeseok's inner energy. Don't waste your effort.
'...Yong Daeseok?'
Grand Cult Leader Yong Mugeuk's eldest, Yong Baekheon's father. A dead demon now.
Seeing the name stirred something deep in my chest.
'Why am I like this?'
I swallowed dryly, struggling to compose myself.
Then Bongmareung spoke.
[Yong Daeseok, eh...]