Because of Jang Ho-sam
The Doggo Clan Manor was the head of the Eight Great Families, a true pillar of the demonic world.
In terms of position and scale, it rivaled the Dongbang Clan for supremacy. But unlike the insular Dongbang Clan, the Doggo Clan closely collaborated with the other families to get things done. That made it the biggest threat to the Yong Demon Clan Manor.
'But noticing my infiltration is a whole different issue...'
How the hell did this happen? Did intel really leak from somewhere?
I climbed a tall tree, hid my body, suppressed my presence, and observed the situation below.
That's when I noticed something odd.
'The warriors' uniforms are a bit different?'
Hmm? Now that you mention it, yeah. Looks like warriors from two groups are moving together. One side's definitely Doggo Clan, but the other...
'Taesa Clan. They've got bronze mirrors on their waists.'
Then those must be the shamans of the Shinmu Association.
"Yeah."
The Shinmu Association. The Taesa Clan's special unit of sorcerers who wielded all sorts of spells. Their hallmark was carrying a sword and a bronze mirror at the waist.
Compared to other clans' elite units, their martial prowess was lacking, but every one of them was a spellcaster. Masters of formations, disguises, talismans, arrays, and other mystical arts.
They said if ten or more gathered, victory was assured before the fight even began.
That's the power of sorcery. Once the spells start, the enemy struggles just to keep their wits. Unless they're exceptionally trained, they lose the will to fight.
'And right now, that enemy's me. Tsk.'
......
While the Doggo Clan warriors protected the Shinmu Association shamans, the sorcerers drew their bronze mirrors in unison.
They held them level with the ground and began chanting incantations.
"Vital energies of life and death, six gaps of living sound, rising qi of the five elements..."
Then something astonishing happened.
The shamans released the mirrors into the air, and defying gravity, they floated up to eye level.
They began moving on their own, forming a straight line.
I furrowed my brow.
'A spell to track human traces.'
The floating mirrors pointed exactly to the paths I'd taken. It was uncanny tracking magic.
The encirclement was closing in real time. At this rate, my position would be exposed soon.
My mind raced.
Did Tae Sa-rok betray you already? No, it's only been days since you allied...
'I thought that for a second, but nah.'
Tae Sa-rok had lost the succession battle to his half-brother Tae Sa-seok. That's why he'd agreed to take over the Changgong Association and side with me.
For him to suddenly send his clan's special unit to stab me in the back? It didn't add up.
'Why would Tae Sa-rok do anything to boost his half-brother's achievements?'
I see. Then what the hell are these guys?
'Beats me...'
One possibility had crossed my mind, but it wasn't confirmed, so I kept quiet.
First, I had to break this encirclement.
And wait for the next chance, right?
'Eh, maybe...'
Huh? What're you planning here? If the outer guards are like this, the manor inside must be locked down tight.
He had a point. But I said nothing, just rummaged in my bosom.
Bongmareung's jaw dropped.
Again...? Thunder bombs...?
'Not thunder bombs this time—smoke bombs. Anyone hearing this would think I only throw thunder bombs.'
Please, no!
But right then—
Boom!
"...?"
Someone beat me to it. A deafening roar erupted near the Doggo Clan Manor, accompanied by shouts. It wasn't a thunder bomb, but the shockwave shook the forest and scattered birds.
The warriors whipped around, exchanging sharp glances.
"Northwest direction."
"Looks like they've shown themselves. Let's go!"
The Shinmu shamans silently recalled their mirrors and followed. A few glanced back suspiciously but had no choice with their protectors moving out.
'They said "those guys" just now? What's going on over there?'
Now you're the one saying "beats me."
After a short wait, I slipped down the tree and started moving again.
That's when a familiar presence hit my senses.
But I didn't dodge—I just turned.
"Ga Bi-cheong?"
"Young Master Yong Baek-heon."
It was Ga Bi-cheong, who should be at Wayong Hall. Ever since I allied with Tae Sa-rok, he'd been awkwardly distant. Guess it was weird seeing a mere trading partner become his boss's boss.
But why show up here?
"Our young master sent me urgently. Did you run into anyone?"
"Yeah. Doggo Clan guards and your Taesa Clan's Shinmu Association, patrolling together."
"Ah..."
Embarrassment crossed Ga Bi-cheong's face. He seemed about to explain, but I cut in.
"No need to defend Tae Sa-rok. I don't suspect him."
"Phew, thank you. Our young master doesn't even have authority over the Shinmu Association. If anything, it's the opposite."
"Yeah, figures. But what's with them? They didn't all come out for a midnight stroll. Know anything?"
Ga Bi-cheong sighed deeply.
"Let's head back to Wayong Hall first. I'll explain what we just learned."
Like Bongmareung, he wanted to bide time for another chance.
But I shook my head.
"No. I'll listen on the way to the Doggo Clan Manor."
"Pardon...?"
Ga Bi-cheong blinked in shock. I voiced what I'd been mulling.
"Isn't some new player involved tonight?"
"How did you...?"
"Then we strike while the chaos peaks. Guards will be tighter tomorrow."
"Mm, makes sense."
He nodded, convinced. We left the mountain path, heading straight for Doggo Clan Manor—my original infiltration route.
But his story nearly threw me off track. It started like this:
"Tonight's mess is all because of your body double, Young Master."
"What...?"
"Name's Jang Ho-sam, right? We got word a boy who impersonated you is alive and lurking around here."
That's me. The Jang Ho-sam who'd been Yong Baek-heon's double.
Another Young Cult Leader double?
'As if.'
I was the only double for Yong Baek-heon. So how was word spreading that I was alive? This was crazier than Bongmareung photosynthesizing in the sun.
"Let me explain step by step."
Ga Bi-cheong began.
* * *
Tae Sa-hyeong, Tae Sa-ryang, Tae Sa-seok. The three generations of the Taesa Clan. Like other families, they were called the previous head, current head, and eldest son.
And the one leading the Shinmu Association at the Doggo Clan's request was Tae Sa-seok, the eldest son.
"It makes no sense. Even if Jang Ho-sam survived against all odds, why call in the Taesa Clan?"
"News of Jang Ho-sam being alive drew a reaction from a new force."
"Which one?"
"Coincidentally, the White Path Sect you've been hunting. We caught signs they're moving."
"...!"
My mind blanked for a second.
Let me recap...
Someone spread rumors that 'Jang Ho-sam' was alive and prowling nearby.
The dormant White Path Sect stirred, and the Doggo Clan called the Taesa Clan for backup.
Figured the White Path Sect might use sinister spells, so they needed a counter-shield. Must've cost a fortune to borrow the Shinmu Association. Taesa Clan made bank.
One weird part: Why would the White Path Sect react to me being alive?
Were they looking for me too?
'They never showed when I was slaving as the Young Cult Leader's double.'
I wanted to find the White Path Sect. But I couldn't blurt that out—Tae Sa-rok and Ga Bi-cheong thought I was Yong Baek-heon.
For now, listen quietly and piece together the clues.
"We haven't confirmed if your double's really alive. But White Path Sect activity's spiking nearby, so the two clans are responding. That's why I said return to Wayong Hall."
"..."
"Know anything about the double's survival or the White Path Sect? Give us a lead, we'll investigate."
Time to shut it down firm.
I shook my head.
"Nah. He's dead from that day. Wrapped in dozens of thunder bombs that nearly took me out too. No way a lowly punk without a single technique survived."
"Then why the rumor?"
Good question. It sparked a new theory—flipping cause and effect.
"Maybe someone leaked 'Jang Ho-sam' to lure out the White Path Sect."
"So they want the White Path Sect?"
"Just a guess."
"Fits the pieces. You used our Changgong Association to hunt them too, right?"
That so? Well, technically yes.
Made tonight unmissable. Might snag real White Path Sect intel.
But it'll be insanely dangerous. That big boom earlier's probably White Path Sect-related.
'Yeah. Need a safety net.'
Worst case, I had to survive.
I told Ga Bi-cheong:
"If I don't return to Wayong Hall by dawn, tell Ok the warrior to go to the Cult Leader's Palace and meet the Vice Cult Leader."
"Pardon? What—"
"She'll understand."
"..."
"Go."
"Understood. Stay safe."
Ga Bi-cheong vanished into the dark.
I circulated the Geuk-cheon Gu-ryun-gong, attuning to distant sounds.
Clashing blades rang out. Fierce battle near the Doggo Clan Manor.
'About twenty presences.'
Had to see for myself.
I unleashed lightness skill and raced forward.
The scene was brutal.
Doggo Clan warriors lay cold in death everywhere. Shockingly, the living ones surrounded just one man.
I climbed a high tree for a better look.
The instant I saw his face—
"...!"
I clenched my fist without thinking.
Bongmareung gasped in my head.
That big brute! Isn't that the guy you've been looking for?
'Looks like it.'
No—definitely.
The voice from my first Geuk-cheon Gu-ryun-gong training. The face in the hallucinatory haze of Hyeol-ryeong Gye-ma-sul. Even the Total Lightning Divine Sword.
His current ragged, street-rat look didn't fool me.
Oh ho. That big boom was him carving this bloodbath.
Bloodbath fit perfectly.
Twenty or so warriors left, but as many down. He'd taken out twenty alone.
All limbs severed in one strike. Fitting for an Absolute Heaven Severing Realm master.
A peak transcendent swordsman.
The middle-aged giant had wounds, but none fatal. Blood streaming made him look like a madman, wielding otherworldly swordsmanship. Doggo warriors hesitated to close in.
And the brute bellowed again.
"Where the hell is Yong Jeong-heon!"
"..."
I gripped my sword hilt, itching to charge.
Then two newcomers dashed up from afar and halted. A youth resembling Dokgo Jae, and a pale, handsome man like Tae Sa-rok.
"First time meeting. I'm Dokgo Hyeop, eldest son of the Doggo Clan."
"Tae Sa-seok of the Taesa Clan. May I have your name, senior?"
Dokgo Hyeop and Tae Sa-seok scanned the carnage in shock, voicing my question.
I stared holes into the giant's mouth.
Bearded lips parted slowly.
"I am......"