Chapter 30: I'll Give You a Discount
The name he'd heard in the illusion of Seon-mong-hyeon, which was like a journey to hell. There had been no way to investigate the mysterious title the giant had screamed.
So he'd thrown out a question, hoping to get a clue from Ga Bi-cheong first.
And the man was nodding as if he knew the name.
"I remember it clearly. 'Yong Jeongheon' was once a name we at the Changgonghoe tracked down. We never caught him, though."
"The Changgonghoe tracked 'Yong Jeongheon'? Why?"
Good thing his face was masked. He'd let a huge grin slip out without realizing it.
It felt like a ray of light piercing the dead end.
But.
"I don't know why we were tracking him. The investigation was halted midway on the Leader's orders."
"I see. So what did you find out?"
"That he's a descendant of the Yong Demon Clan and doesn't reside in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. He must've descended from the mountains."
"……?"
What? Who didn't know that? Of course he was from the Yong Demon Clan since his name was Yong-something, and that's why they were seeking info—because he wasn't in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Ga Bi-cheong was spouting obvious nonsense with total confidence.
"Hey, you think I'm asking because I don't know that much?"
"Fair point. Then……."
Ga Bi-cheong scratched the back of his head after a moment's thought.
"Sorry. It'd be more accurate to say I know nothing. Our Leader might be different, though."
"What? You bastard?"
As he scowled, the man coughed awkwardly and made excuses.
"Anyway, since it's a Yong name ending in 'heon,' he's the same generation as the Young Cult Leader. We could look into it again."
"Now you're talking sense. You couldn't find him before—what makes you think anything'll turn up now? Who do you think you're fooling?"
"……."
In the end, there was no real info to squeeze out on 'Yong Jeongheon.'
So close, yet so far. He tapped the Red Demon Sword with his fingertips and clicked his tongue.
"Where should I hawk this damn Red Demon Sword to a junk dealer? My intel source sucks……."
"Don't say that!"
"You're no help at all. All talk, no substance."
In truth, it wasn't entirely useless. At least he'd confirmed the name 'Yong Jeongheon' had come up in the Hundred Thousand Mountains before.
That alone was a decent haul.
But to squeeze out more gain, he pressed harder.
"So what now? Gotta haggle scrap value?"
"W-wait a sec."
Ga Bi-cheong broke into a cold sweat and pondered again.
He finally cracked his lips.
"Got any other questions? As you know, info on Yong clansmen isn't easy to come by."
That's more like it.
He feigned regret in his voice.
"Can't be helped, then. Tell me what you know about the Total White Thunder God Sword martial art."
Total White Thunder God Sword. Bongmareung had recognized the swordsmanship the giant troublemaker used and tipped him off.
This time, a strange, enigmatic expression came back.
"Hmm. Interesting. The Total White Thunder God Sword was also something the Changgonghoe tracked down once……."
"Try saying you know nothing again, and this Red Demon Sword really becomes scrap! Got it?"
"Got it! I actually know something this time!"
"What?"
"The Total White Thunder God Sword was a martial art created long ago by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. But now it's the signature art of a descended sect that's left the Cult and gone into hiding. The Baekdo Church."
Baekdo Church.
At the words, scattered memories from Yong Baek-heon surfaced.
The Young Cult Leader had investigated that sect too.
But nothing after the kidnapping.
Why?
No need to investigate the Baekdo Church after kidnapping you?
Right on the money. Exactly.
Threads were starting to connect.
He turned back to Ga Bi-cheong.
The man flinched and spilled everything he knew.
"The Baekdo Church's last known activity was in Fujian Province. They're estimated to number around ten now."
"Stop. One more question. Why was the Changgonghoe tracking the Baekdo Church?"
"Huh? Well……."
Ga Bi-cheong thought for a bit, then shook his head.
"Sorry, but I can't disclose that."
"Why?"
"It's tied to internal Changgonghoe matters. Can't just blab."
He had a 'line' he wouldn't cross as a member.
Fair enough—no argument there. Ga Bi-cheong had declared he wouldn't betray the Changgonghoe.
Instead, a new condition arose.
"As far as I know, the Murim Alliance is still tracking the Baekdo Church. I'll look into it separately and report back. How's that?"
More digging on the Baekdo Church and a follow-up report? Not a bad offer.
But he had to say it.
"So when do I get the Red Demon Sword back?"
"Urk."
Impatience crept into Ga Bi-cheong's grimace.
"How about another deal right here? I'll count these two as one special package."
"So you're giving me a discount?"
"I need my sword back today, no matter what."
"Hmm."
He stared the man down.
"You planning to snatch the Red Demon Sword and bolt?"
"How dare you think that of me!"
"Backstabbing isn't Spy 101?"
"Hey!"
"What? It's true."
"……."
Backstabbing was Spy 101 for infiltrators spying on enemy camps.
No comeback for that.
Ga Bi-cheong sighed and rummaged in his robes.
"Fine. Take this as collateral instead. Not as valuable as the Red Demon Sword, but close."
What he pulled out was a palm-sized wooden plaque. Two characters—'Changgong'—were embossed on the front.
Recognizing it, he was speechless for a moment.
Ga Bi-cheong was handing over a Changgonghoe 'identity token.'
As he stared, the man said casually,
"Just hold onto it. The Red Demon Sword stands out if I don't carry it, but the token? No one'll notice. Gotta survive first, right?"
Hahaha. This guy's as crazy as you.
Bongmareung nailed it.
So he liked the deal. Worst case, he could storm the Changgonghoe and grab something bigger.
From Yong Baek-heon's memories, he knew a bit about the Changgonghoe and its Leader, Yu Jin-bong.
From the Yong Demon Clan's view, the guy had plenty of weak spots.
"Deal. Two questions, then. Solid answers, and we swap—this sword for your token."
"Ask away."
"First one……."
Luckily, he got answers to both this time.
Back at Wayong Hall, he sorted the two new facts in his head.
First: The order of challengers coming to Wayong Hall.
Thanks to leaks from the Eight Great Clans, Ga Bi-cheong had the sequence nailed down.
It went exactly like this:
'Beom Se-un, Gye Cheon-bing, Yarul Sa-ta, Gyeon Mu-jin, Dokgo Hyeop.'
One surprise: He'd delayed Beom Se-un by hitting their gambling dens.
He figured the Beom Clan slot might get pushed back entirely…….
'The Grand Cult Leader set the order in stone?'
No reason given. As usual, the Cult Leader's Palace stayed mum on details.
End result: Beom Se-un would clean up the mess, then come calling.
Bought time, but no slacking.
'Better assume he'll show within ten days at latest.'
He planned serious training—and securing one solid weapon.
So his second question:
'Do you know when the Ten Thousand Demons Mausoleum opens?'
The Ten Thousand Demons Mausoleum was a massive crypt and holy site for burying great demons post-mortem.
Ancient demon relics stored there—a treasure trove for him.
But it didn't open daily.
'Once or twice a month. Only when there's a burial—opens and shuts.'
Unlike clan estates, security was ironclad—no forcing entry.
Timing was key.
He'd consulted Bongmareung and picked a target.
Find the 'Death Chopsticks' left by Man-sal Yo-ho. Her resentment and insights linger in those chopsticks.
Like absorbing Geom-cheon-ma Yong Bi-jeong's White Dragon Flying Open Sword before.
This time, snag the signature technique of old witch Man-sal Yo-ho.
Ga Bi-cheong knew the exact opening: three days from now, at midnight.
Got some breathing room.
Yeah, something like that.
No loafing, though. He'd train at Wayong Hall till then.
Learn Wall Mountain Fist and Protect Body Meridian from Geum-ran noona, finish basics—perfect timing.
Then unexpected news hit.
-Found a way to obtain Dokgo Jae's blood.
A note on his bed. Ok Geum-ran, who'd been hunting a way to extract the Boiling Blood Gu from Gyeon So-hee, had finally found something.
"Here, this one's edible."
At the table, Geum-ran noona shoved a noodle bowl forward with smug confidence.
He tasted the broth skeptically—and his eyes flew wide.
Edible? Way better.
"D-delicious?"
"Told ya."
"Yeah. How?"
"Followed So-hee's instructions from start to finish this time."
Come to think of it, Gyeon So-hee was lurking in the distance, glancing over curiously if the food was okay.
Couldn't straight-up ignore her, so he nodded sternly.
The girl flashed the faintest smile and vanished.
She's a funny one.
Chopsticks in bowl, he scratched his chin.
"Noona, so what's the method? What do we do to get Dokgo Jae's blood?"
"Over food."
"I'll eat while you talk."
"Stubborn as ever."
She rubbed her forehead sheepishly at his firm tone and spoke from across the table.
"Apparently, there's a 'Blood Storage Vault' inside the Dokgo Clan Manor. Exactly what it sounds like—a vault for storing blood."
"A vault for storing blood……?"
First he'd heard of it. Nothing in Yong Baek-heon's memories.
"They draw and store blood in advance to easily handle gu-worms like the Boiling Blood Gu."
Hmm, efficient. Drawing blood every time would be a hassle.
"Dokgo Jae's blood should be there too. Extract it, and we can save So-hee."
He pondered.
Infiltrating Dokgo Clan Manor? Easy.
But location and setup of the Blood Storage Vault? Problem.
Ask Ga Bi-cheong to dig?
As he thought that, Bongmareung spoke up.
You should delay this as much as possible.
Why?
First, the commander might not be Dokgo Jae. Could be one of his demon underlings. Confirm who's issuing orders first.
Solid point.
And second reason.
Think. Even if you extract the gu-worm, no guarantee the girl's on your side.
……!
Spot on again.
This was the Hundred Thousand Mountains. He'd met all sorts of demons here.
Insane freaks beyond imagination.
A den of 'martial maniacs' who'd do anything for power.
And Gyeon So-hee’s a full-fledged demon cultivator.
Geum-ran noona, born a righteous disciple with a good heart, believed saving her was enough.
But what true nature would emerge post-gu-worm? No telling.
Trusting people in the Hundred Thousand Mountains is foolish.
True in the Central Plains too.
Bongmareung's advice was dead right.
He sighed inwardly and slurped noodles.
Cruelly delicious. Umami-packed broth.
So he hedged.
"Let's scout the Blood Storage Vault first, then strike at the right moment."
Failure risk nearly escaped his throat, but he swallowed it.
Geum-ran noona brightened.
"Yeah. I'll look into it."
Then a new question hit.
How'd noona learn about the Blood Storage Vault—unknown even to Yong Baek-heon?
He pressed, but she slipped away.
"I got my own sources."
"Who?"
"Secret for now. Later."
"……?"
"Anyway, sparring day with me, right? Get ready. Going all out."
Sparring with noona!
Noodles suddenly tasteless.
Geum-ran noona at full Sura Blood Art power…….
A real monster.
Tonight wouldn't be easy. For real.