Chapter 25: Inevitably Blowing Something Up
I froze in place. Damn it.
“……”
The sliding door behind me had opened silently, catching me completely off guard. I'd been too absorbed in scanning the protectors' duty roster. But more than that, the intruder's realm was extraordinarily profound.
“I asked what the hell you are, skulking around my office in that suspicious bamboo hat.”
His heavy voice sent a shiver rippling down my spine. In my mind, the layout of the Jibbeop-gak flashed up again. The owner of the office right behind me.
'Shit. It's the Red-eyed Blood Ghost.'
Hong-an Hyeol-gwi, Maeng Yeom-ro. A demon infamous for his blood-red face and ghostly techniques. He ranked among the top of the Twelve Law Demons and could very well ascend to Great Protector in place of the late Cheok-san Do-wang.
[Hrmm, this one's got real skill. Worthy of eyeing the Great Protector seat.]
Maeng Yeom-ro kept calling out to me from behind.
“You seem awfully suspicious. Hey, you! Turn around. Now!”
This time, escape routes flickered through my mind. It was simple.
'Just obey Maeng Yeom-ro like a good boy.'
Take off the hat, show my face, and start acting like the arrogant Yong Baek-heon. I'd slip out of this mess easy. The safest path.
But it would inevitably get reported to the Cult Leader's Palace.
'Yong Baek-heon shows up out of nowhere at the Jibbeop-gak, poking through the protectors' duty roster.'
Maeng Yeom-ro, the Red-eyed Blood Ghost, was the type to rat everything out to the Grand Cult Leader and the elders. No brushing that off casually. In short, revealing my face was safe now but a nightmare later.
So, then...
'Toss a smoke bomb here and bolt?'
[S-Smoke bomb? You brought one of those? Made it yourself?]
'If I can whip up thunder bombs, a smoke bomb's child's play.'
To me, roaming the Hundred Thousand Mountains, it was standard gear. Never used one yet, though.
Right then, Maeng Yeom-ro bellowed in fury.
“Move! Are you deaf? Turn around now!”
Kurrrung! Infused with inner energy, his voice made the whole Jibbeop-gak tremble faintly.
I sensed the thunder bomb in my bosom as I slowly turned. At the same time, presences converged on me.
“Protector Maeng!”
“What happened?”
Over a dozen low-rank protectors assembled in seconds, surrounding me. Perfect setup for a smoke bomb. The more chaos, the easier the escape.
[Already set on the smoke bomb?]
'Yeah. Been dying to try one.'
[You mad bastard...]
Bongmareung sighed deeply. As I slipped a hand into my bosom—
A familiar energy registered amid the protectors. Activating my Gwi-ryeong Sin-byeok-an, I spotted a well-known face through the hat's veil.
'That guy's here too?'
Okmyeon-saekong, Gu Man-bong. The Great Elder who'd shielded my soul back at the Cult Leader's Palace.
“What? What's going on? Why the fuss?”
The handsome old codger craned his neck among the protectors. Probably here prepping for tomorrow's event.
'No need for the smoke bomb then.'
A cleaner path dawned on me. I shot a transmission at Gu Man-bong.
—Hey. It's me. Great Elder.
“……Huh?”
—Want Yo-hui's jade hairpin back? Get me out of here slick. Now.
“……!”
Gu Man-bong's eyes shook wildly. Quick on the uptake, he was. Bulging his eyes to assess, the elder stepped forward hastily.
“Hey, Yong...! No, Baekheon-ryong! I was wondering where you'd gone—turns out you're here!”
Western color wood folk tack surnames onto names, or so they say. Gu Man-bong improvised one on the spot. I swallowed a laugh, touching the hat lightly in acknowledgment.
Gu Man-bong's gaze shifted to Maeng Yeom-ro.
“Ahem! Protector Maeng? Gu Man-bong here.”
“An honor, Great Elder.”
“This lad's with me—got lost in the Jibbeop-gak, my oversight. Doesn't look like he snooped any secrets, so no need to blow it up.”
Gu Man-bong's face was the picture of calm, unleashing his peerless acting chops as my shield once more.
Of course, Maeng Yeom-ro wasn't one to trifle with.
“Then why's he hiding his face so suspiciously? And ignoring orders?”
“Ah, well...”
[This is getting intriguing.]
I felt the same. How would Gu Man-bong talk his way out of this?
He eyed Maeng Yeom-ro, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Truth is, the poor guy's got horrific burns on his face. Eyes and nostrils blown wide open. Tears and snot streaming together—real ugly sight. That's why the hat stays on. Don't peek, or you'll regret it.”
“Then why hesitate to turn? Deaf?”
“Legs probably won't move.”
“Pardon?”
“Think about it. Protector Maeng, you're no ordinary warrior—poised for Great Protector. The lad's legs are paralyzed by your aura. Gotta cut him slack for that too. Hahaha!”
“Ahem...”
A demon gunning for Great Protector. Gu Man-bong poured on the flattery. Maeng Yeom-ro's mood lifted; he coughed and smirked.
[That old tongue's slick as an oiled loach.]
From under the hat, I watched his expression. If suspicion crept back onto that red mug, smoke bomb and run.
But no need.
“Ahem. Understood. Take him and warn him proper. Jibbeop-gak's a sensitive spot, as you know. Protectors, back to posts—focus on duties!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Maeng Yeom-ro's command, the demons scattered like rain-soaked ants. Gu Man-bong sidled up naturally.
“Let's go, Baekheon-ryong.”
“Right.”
We walked together. Confirming the Red-eyed Blood Ghost back in his office, Gu Man-bong whispered.
“Young master, have you lost your mind? Sneaking into here?”
“Needed something.”
“Even so, the Jibbeop-gak! Your guts are hanging out!”
“Thanks to you, smooth exit. Appreciate it, Elder Gu.”
I grinned. Without him, it'd be a chase with the protectors. Though I was a bit bummed about missing the smoke bomb test.
'Really wanted to try it.'
[Give it up, you lunatic.]
Gu Man-bong led me to the Jibbeop-gak entrance. We nodded past a few demons mid-hall. Not the Cult Leader's Palace, but a Great Elder commanded that respect.
He gave me a look.
“Know how big a debt you owe me now, young master?”
“Time to hand over the jade hairpin.”
“Damn right. Gimme.”
Gu Man-bong extended his palm eagerly, like the noose was off. But I smirked.
“One snag, Elder Gu.”
“What now?”
“You're my accomplice now. In the same boat.”
“……?”
“We looted the Jibbeop-gak together.”
I pulled treasures from my sleeve: gold, jewels, artifacts thick with demonic qi. Color drained from Gu Man-bong's face.
“Y-You actually stole?”
“Harsh words. As a Yong Clan scion leading the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I'm just requisitioning necessities.”
“Haaa...”
Now he got it—the mistake. Pulling me from Maeng Yeom-ro was fine, but the fallout? The noose tightened.
I grinned.
“But I'm no deadbeat who takes without giving.”
I pressed one spoil into his hand: a bracelet with a strange purple sheen.
“Not the hairpin, but take this. Wear it always. Handy for you, Elder Gu.”
“Young master! That's not what we agreed!”
“Rare stuff. Ja-hon Bi-hwan—ring a bell?”
“Ja-hon Bi-hwan? Oh! Ah!”
Ja-hon Bi-hwan (Purple Soul Arm Ring)—a bracelet that replenished qi for demons, especially boosting yang for the elderly. Great for 'night duties,' irresistible to lechers.
“Kuhm!Ja-hon Bi-hwan, eh...”
“Different deal? Knew you'd like it.”
“Still, the hairpin!”
“Don't have it now. I'll deliver eventually. You think I want you butchered by Dang Cheon-gung-ma?”
I smiled. Gu Man-bong sighed heavily.
“Toying with this old man.”
“Take it as your oath of loyalty.”
No choice now. No scheming with Yong Jin-seok either.
As I turned to go—
“Young master, know who you're facing tomorrow? Grand Cult Leader wanted it secret, but...”
Gu Man-bong trailed off slyly, fishing for points toward the hairpin. I twisted my lip.
“I know. Beom Se-un of the Beom Clan Manor, right?”
“……!”
I'd pieced it from the duty roster. First challenger: Beom Clan heir, Beom Se-un.
“See you, Great Elder.”
“Yes... good luck, young master...”
I left the deflated Gu Man-bong behind and moved on. Identified the first challenger from the Jibbeop-gak—next step.
Needed to pin down Beom Se-un's movements. Bongmareung nodded.
[Beom Clan eldest grandson? Makes sense—he arrived a day early. Beom Clan's way out there.]
'Yeah. Had to come early.'
Beom Clan Manor sat on the distant outskirts, unlike the other Eight Great Vassal Clans clustered near the Cult Leader's Palace. Beom Se-un prepping a day ahead? Normal.
Which meant...
[Can't reach Beom Clan Manor, and even if you did, no way to stall him.]
'He's already here.'
I hustled, but the first challenger beat me. Beom Se-un had one foot in Wayong Hall already.
But...
'Not out of options.'
Nay—perfect. I dredged a memory from Yong Baek-heon about the Beom Clan and Beom Se-un.
—Hate dealing with Beom folk. They run filthy businesses without a care.
—Agreed, milord. Gambling's the worst.
—Eh, but their tributes are fat.
Beom Clan's gambling dens. Beom Se-un's inheritance. A plan to torch those precious operations formed in my head.
'Always hated the sight. Perfect timing.'
[Inevitably blowing something up...]
Bongmareung's mutter drew a laugh from me. Raze a few gambling joints? Trivial compared to infiltrating and escaping the Jibbeop-gak.
'Easy, right?'
[Burns real nice.]
Before sunset, I reduced five dens to ash heaps. Gave prepping Beom Se-un a proper workload.