Chapter 41: Don't Wait in Wayong Hall
The next day.
After a simple lunch, Jang Ho-sam called out to Gyeon So-hee, who was sweeping the courtyard.
"Put on some light training clothes and come to my room in a bit."
"Yes, Young Master."
At his words, a dangerous glint flashed in the girl's eyes.
The summons from Yong Baek-heon, infamous even at his young age as a lecher. And specifying her clothes? That could only mean one thing.
Bedside service.
It's finally come.
Sabak, sabak.
Gyeon So-hee's footsteps quickened ever so slightly as she walked the corridors of Wayong Hall. In her chest, she could feel the faint pain from the demonic creature stirring.
Every morning, the Doggo Clan sent letters urging her on. The content was always the same.
Hurry up. Somehow make contact with Yong Baek-heon and analyze the nature of his qi.
Each time, the Tanghyeol-go writhed violently, inflicting agony, and Gyeon So-hee did her utmost to catch Yong Baek-heon's eye.
But strangely, he kept her at arm's length. For the Young Cult Leader, notorious for his debauchery, to refuse nighttime service was downright odd.
Does Young Master Yong Baek-heon somehow know about the Doggo Clan and my intentions?
Anxiety sometimes washed over her. If so, she had no idea what to do.
Fortunately, the summons had finally come, even if late.
Though his tastes are a bit weird.
Training clothes? That was odd. Not easy to remove.
Whatever. It didn't matter.
Fine. Training clothes or mourning garb—what's the difference?
If it meant easing her pain, she'd offer her body anytime. And she'd report every detail of Yong Baek-heon's internal energy to the Doggo Clan.
The Tanghyeol-go was devouring every shred of her humanity.
"Young Master, it's So-hee."
Gyeon So-hee arrived at the door and called out softly. A reply came from inside.
"Wait a moment."
"Yes."
She stood there, fists clenched tight. Just a little longer.
The excited Tanghyeol-go squirmed, making the wait feel eternal.
But the one who opened the door was none other than Ok Geum-ran.
"Come on in."
"Senior Ok?"
Gyeon So-hee held a certain respect for Ok Geum-ran. She'd heard the woman was a disciple of the prestigious Ami Sect from the orthodox martial world, kidnapped into this fate—yet she endured the capricious Young Cult Leader's whims. That alone was impressive.
And she was always kind to Gyeon So-hee.
But in the end...
She's just another of Yong Baek-heon's playthings, like me?
Gyeon So-hee gritted her teeth. Pity, gloom, and pain struck her chest all at once.
But the moment she stepped inside...
"...Huh?"
All thoughts flew from her mind.
In the spacious room Yong Baek-heon used, seven or eight servants bustled about.
In one corner, glossy black fur pelts were spread out in abundance.
This was clearly not that kind of atmosphere.
"What is all this, Senior?"
"The Young Master hunted a Great Black Wolf Pack yesterday. We're making fur coats from the pelts—one for each of us."
"Fur coats...?"
"Great Black Wolf fur is incredibly light and warm. Just stand there, and the servants will take your measurements."
The Hundred Thousand Mountains had fickle weather, making fur coats invaluable. And from spirit beasts like Great Black Wolves? In the Doggo Clan, only direct blood relatives wore such treasures.
For me?
Gyeon So-hee stared blankly at Yong Baek-heon. He gazed out the window with an indifferent expression.
"The weather's rotten today. Dinner should be hot soup."
"..."
"Warrior Gyeon, did you hear me?"
"Y-Yes? I heard. We'll prepare it that way."
"Hm."
Playing the arrogant Yong Baek-heon, Jang Ho-sam nodded curtly as he passed her.
Then he placed a hand on her shoulder and added, "Make it a bit spicy. Sichuan-style if possible."
"...!"
Zzirit!
Her Sim-se Seom-gam detected his internal energy, sending a thrilling jolt through her body.
At the bizarre sensation, Gyeon So-hee nearly buckled but barely held firm.
Jang Ho-sam gave a faint smile and withdrew his hand.
"I'll look forward to it."
"...Yes, Young Master."
After he left, Gyeon So-hee trembled.
The contact was too brief for deep insight, but...
His internal energy feels so strange.
Noble yet savage, sharp yet profound. The fleeting trace of Yong Baek-heon's qi left an oddly peculiar sensation.
The servants beckoned the dazed girl.
"Warrior, why are you just standing there? Come here. We need measurements for the coat or pants, right?"
"Ah, got it."
In a daze, Gyeon So-hee let them take her measurements. Now she realized—the light training clothes were just for easy measuring.
Once again, Yong Baek-heon had no intention of touching her.
But I got a glimpse of his qi's nature. Thanks to food, not my body...
What a strange feeling. No, she felt like bursting into tears right then.
Yong Baek-heon wants to make me precious clothes, and here I am scheming to steal and analyze his cultivation...
An indescribable sense of ingratitude overwhelmed her.
But stopping was impossible. The Tanghyeol-go in her chest still thrashed.
Wincing at the cruel pain, Gyeon So-hee squeezed her eyes shut.
And Ok Geum-ran watched her all the while.
Just hold on a little longer, So-hee.
It wouldn't take much longer. Ok Geum-ran was certain of it.
* * *
The day to meet Ga Bi-cheong.
Unexpectedly, he was already at the cemetery, having lit a small bonfire.
As I appeared, he stood and cut straight to the chase.
"Wang Ga-myeong, we got a reply from the Central Plains. Secured the Murim Alliance's intel on the White Path Sect."
"Oh yeah? What'd they say?"
"Problem is, it's gotten tricky."
"Tricky how?"
"Hoo..."
The man, who usually spilled everything he knew, suddenly hesitated.
I tilted my head, and he crossed his arms, blurting it out.
"According to the Murim Alliance's network, not a single White Path Sect remnant remains in the Central Plains. They've all returned to the Hundred Thousand Mountains without exception."
"What?"
"No White Path Sect demons in the Central Plains now. They're all operating secretly here in these mountains."
"...!"
The unforeseen development furrowed my brow.
Ga Bi-cheong looked just as grim.
"I don't know who you are, but thanks to you, things are a real mess."
"What'd I do?"
"Hand over the token."
A deal's a deal. I pulled the Changgonghoe plaque from my bosom and tossed it.
He caught it with a slight sigh.
"Wang Ga-myeong, you once asked why our Changgonghoe was tracking the White Path Sect, remember?"
"Yeah. But you said that was internal Changgonghoe business and wouldn't tell me."
I nodded, recalling our prior talk.
Ga Bi-cheong finally explained.
"In the past, White Path Sect spies infiltrated our group. So we rooted them out."
"You fought to weed out double agents?"
"Right. Caught two in the end."
I'd once tested if Ga Bi-cheong was a double agent myself. It wasn't surprising that White Path Sect spies had wormed into Changgonghoe.
"But how'd that make things tricky because of me?"
"At this point, Changgonghoe had no idea the White Path Sect had returned to the mountains. But you commissioned me for the info, so we stirred things up."
So what? I still needed more explanation and tilted my head again.
Ga Bi-cheong sighed.
"They caught on."
"Caught what?"
"You're dense today. The White Path Sect sensed they're being tracked! We had no intention of poking the hornet's nest!"
"Ah..."
I finally got it. Complicated situation.
Changgonghoe and White Path Sect had long known of each other, waging a shadow war. But when White Path Sect pulled back to the mountains and advanced into the Central Plains, the conflict paused.
We thought it was over, but...
You asking for info reignited it, huh?
Yeah, something like that. But it's not my fault, right?
I hadn't known the White Path Sect was active in the mountains either. So that demon from Hyeol-ryeong-ro's illusion—the giant matching Cheok-san Do-wang's blows with Total Lightning Sword—might be somewhere in these peaks?
If I meet him again, I can ask why he called me that name.
The three syllables "Yong Jeong-heon" were etched indelibly in my mind. I had to find out.
Then Ga Bi-cheong spoke again.
"You might have to pay a steeper price for this intel."
"What're you talking about? I just paid up."
"Ignorance is bliss, you know."
"Knowledge is power too."
"..."
I shot back, and he let out a hollow chuckle.
But he had more to say.
"Regrettably, our Chief Yu Jin-bong is personally figuring out how to handle this. Know what that means?"
"The Chief might come after me?"
"Exactly. If things escalate with White Path Sect, he might toss you under the bus to smooth it over."
Use me as a sacrifice?
"Sounds fun."
"Watch yourself. This isn't a threat or warning. Call it a 'heads-up' instead."
"Heads-up, huh?"
I smirked.
Ga Bi-cheong frowned slightly.
"Hey, Wang Ga-myeong. Still not grasping how serious this is? Me coming alone today is my courtesy. You've dealt fairly with me so far, so I'm giving you a heads-up."
"And?"
"And? Hide right after leaving here. Stay off Changgonghoe's radar!"
The guy's got some loyalty after all. Didn't expect that.
Bongmareung's words made me laugh again.
As Ga Bi-cheong scowled in confusion, I tapped my sword hilt, loosening it for a quick draw.
And spoke.
"Enough talk. Let's spar, Ga Bi-cheong."
"Huh? Suddenly...?"
"And if I win, pass a message to Chief Yu Jin-bong."
"To the Chief? What message?"
"Tell him if he wants to find me, bring the White Path Sect's leader. Show up empty-handed, and he'll see blood instead. Consider that a heads-up too."
"Wh-what?"
"Quit stuttering and draw."
Sswik.
The blade caught moonlight, flashing brilliantly.
Ga Bi-cheong drew his Crimson Demon Sword with spirited resolve despite his surprise.
But as my newly mastered arts unfolded—Asura Heavenly Chaos Sword Method and Myriad Changes Red Dragon Soaring Step—his jaw dropped.
Planning to show Dragon Demon Clan's arts, eh?
Yeah. Gotta bait him with something irresistible.
Chaeng!
Ga Bi-cheong's sword flew from his grip, sending him staggering back, speechless.
He couldn't fail to recognize Dragon Demon Clan arts as a spy.
"Y-you're from the Dragon Demon Clan? Distant kin...?"
"Who knows? Looked that way?"
I grinned, savoring his shaken eyes.
If Changgonghoe and White Path Sect tangled, it was good for me. I could escalate and use even Chief Yu Jin-bong.
Turning away, I left my final words.
"Want to know who I am? Bring the White Path Sect leader here to this cemetery. No other terms."
Could Yu Jin-bong track down the White Path Sect leader and drag him before me?
And uncover the truth behind "Yong Jeong-heon"?
Still uncertain.