2
3
6.
Even the few people who used to crack jokes or secretly drink alcohol disappeared, and as if by prior agreement, everyone kept silent and watched the situation.
Ak Byeong-bi, who was receiving treatment at Euidang, also eventually had no choice but to return to his lodgings.
Although he needed a long time to recuperate for his wounds to fully heal, he eventually had no choice but to leave the Uidang due to the Black Daoists who suddenly stormed in several times a day.
For now, the council member has agreed to visit once a day, so please do not worry too much.
“…….”
Even with the consolation of Il-myeong, Akbyeongbi could not easily speak.
Regardless of the outcome, if one were to trace the cause of the matter, it all stemmed from himself.
As if aware of Akbyeongbi’s feelings, Ilmyeong smiled slightly and said.
What has already happened can be done. It wasn’t your fault in the first place, either. The important issue now is how to resolve this going forward.
A so-called effort to comfort.
However, in the somber atmosphere, no one could easily speak up.
at that time.
“Hmm… I don’t think this is going to be that simple. The atmosphere right now looks ominous.”
Breaking the silence, Yeom Gwi-bi’s shrill voice rang in.
It was a remark that spoiled the already bad atmosphere, but no one refuted it.
As she said, the delegation is now facing the worst situation.
“Hmm, on top of that, the situation has gotten so bad that I can’t even escape.”
Yeom Gwi-bi-gi paused for a moment, touched his lips, and looked at Dang Seo-hui.
“If you run away now, every single Dark Sect member gathered in the Dark Alliance will start chasing you to hunt you down.”
Dang Seo-hui’s clenched fists began to tremble, but she could not bring herself to say anything.
The atmosphere became brutal after Dobongsu of the Blood Sword Sect died.
Stones and hidden weapons fly into the delegation’s quarters every hour, and beyond the wall, people wielding weapons continue to pile up, demonstrating that they will kill the delegation.
As if blocking Yeom Gwi-bi’s gaze, Il-myeong blocked Dang Seo-hui.
“But Master Yeom, don’t you know? Master Dang… did not.”
The person identified as the culprit who killed Do Bong-su this time is none other than Dang Seo-hee.
There was no official announcement from the Black Alliance leadership, and no witnesses came forward, but…
Based solely on the single feather needle found on the corpse, the Black Daoists were pointing to her as a suspect in the murder of Dobongsu.
“Since Master Yeom was watching over us all night, wouldn’t that prove that Master Dang could not have left the lodging?”
Yeom Gwi-bi nodded obediently.
Of course I can prove it.
However, he soon stares at Il-myeong with a sharp gaze.
The important thing is, who would believe that?
At the point when Ak Byeong-bi was identified as the culprit who killed Gu Gye-ak, distrust of the delegation had already reached an extreme.
In the midst of this, Dobongsu was murdered and Umochim was discovered, so it seemed like a natural progression for suspicion to fall upon the Dang family, a renowned family of hidden weapons and poisons.
Moreover, it just so happened that one of the specialties of the White-haired Goddess Dang Seo-hui was throwing poisoned feather needles.
A situation where all the arrows fly toward the envoys’ necks as if prepared.
Yeom Gwi-bi pointed at Ak Byeong-bi with the tip of her chin.
“I don’t know if this will be any consolation, but I think the fastest way to resolve this right now is for that commander to put his head on the line.”
Then, running his smooth fingers through his hair, he spat it out.
“Otherwise, everyone will die.”
At Yeom Gwi-bi’s words, Dang Seo-hui’s gaze sharpens.
Amidst the heavy silence enveloping the interior.
“Jin So-un… where did that guy go?”
Ak Byeong-bi, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.
Il-myeong answered immediately.
He went out saying he had business outside.
“now?”
“yes.”
With tens of thousands of Dark Daoists gathered in the Black Alliance targeting the heads of the delegation, what could possibly be important enough to warrant taking action even at the risk of one’s life?
But if it’s that guy… … ‘He will surely be able to save them and return somehow.’ The fact that he broke through the encirclement of the Nine Great Sects during that fierce battle and finally arrived in Muhan became a topic of conversation among the Inspection Bureau personnel for quite some time.
Ak Byeong-bi looked at Il-myeong with a detached expression, as if he had made up his mind.
“life.”
“When Jin So-un returns, devise an escape plan.”
Even though Ilmyeong did not respond, Akbyeongbi continued speaking.
“I will stay behind. Any agreements or alliances are already a lost cause, so find a way to return without me. This is my final order as the commander.”
Ilmyeong, who had been quietly listening to Akbyeongbi’s story, shook his head.
I am sorry, but I cannot comply.
“what?”
Master Jin has already spoken.
“What do you mean by that?”
Ilmyeong shrugged his shoulders and told me.
“He told me that if the team manager spouted nonsense like, ‘I’ll stay here,’ or ‘Try to get rid of me!’, I should put him to sleep by pressing on his pressure points.”
Il-myeong smiled gently as he looked at the Evil Disease Monument.
Jin Si-ju said that he has not given up yet, and will not give up in the future.
Ak Byeong-bi bit his lip tightly.
Then, Dang Seo-hui’s voice is heard as she has regained her composure.
“The command has already passed to Jin So-un. Therefore, the commander has no authority whatsoever.”
When even Dang Seo-hui said that, Ak Byeong-bi could no longer speak.
I simply couldn’t understand why Jin So-un was trying to take such a difficult path. ‘Does he… really consider me a comrade?’ For some reason, I felt a tightness in my chest.
Actually, Akbyeongbi couldn’t understand it.
If he had accompanied the disciples of the Five Great Clans with whom he had maintained close ties, he would likely have been abandoned long ago.
And, if the situation had been reversed, he would have made the same choice. ‘Because it is the right choice and a rational judgment.’ No matter how close they were, they couldn’t stay on a sinking ship together.
However, he is not from the Five Great Clans, and Jin So-woon even risked his life for himself, who had previously made a huge mistake toward me.
Ak Byeong-bi could not easily accept that fact.
Nevertheless.
A small desire to hold the hand Jin So-un extended blossomed in my heart.
So, Commander, please rest for a while. We will all return together.
“……
I get it.”
The right to choose is not granted to those who have given up on taking responsibility.
Ak Byeong-bi kept his mouth shut tight so as not to be a burden any longer.
dripping
The sound of knocking on the door was heard, and maids entered the room with food.
I was worried about how to eat since I couldn’t go out. It’s a relief, at least.
Yeom Gwi-bi stretched and sat at the table, while Il-myeong took the gruel and brought it to Ak Byeong-bi first.
Just as everyone picked up their spoons to fill their hungry stomachs.
Suddenly, Dang Seo-hui reached out her hands to both sides and threw a feathered needle.
Ting
– Ting
– Ting!
Consort Yeom, who dropped her spoon due to the feather acupuncture, frowned, while Consort Ak Byeong, who spilled the gruel, stared at Dang Seo-hui with a blank expression.
“What on earth are you doing?”
Yeom Gwi-bi, whose nerves were frayed from being confined to the inner chambers, subtly raised her killing intent, but Dang Seo-hui’s gaze remained fixed on the table.
“The alms-giving monk…….”
Eventually, Dang Seo-hui silently approached the table and inserted a long needle into the meat dish that Yeom Gwi-bi was about to put into her mouth.
“……!”
The moment she saw the color of the long needle that had turned black, Empress Yeom immediately realized what it meant, even though Dang Seo-hui had not said anything.
“poison!”
Dang Seo-hee then began sticking needles into the other foods one by one.
All of the dozen or so side dishes and the needles stuck in the rice turned black.
Dang Seo-hui, who had only gotten up after checking all the food, turned to look at her companions and murmured softly.
You should be careful.
Although the tone was as emotionless as usual, people felt a strange chill. Hostile stares fall upon every single one of me.
There are also those who gnash their teeth.
There are also those who caress the hilt of the sword.
Among them was a man whose martial arts uniform was puffed up, perhaps because he had drawn up his internal energy… … .
Soon, the man’s colleagues spotted the person next to me and hurriedly stopped him.
Bloody Battle, who had been watching the whole scene, clicked his tongue in disapproval.
You are a man who has gone mad wanting to die.
Is that so?
Come to think of it, in my past life, I often thought I just wished I were dead.
Especially after the Great War of Righteousness and Demons broke out, on nights when I survived by stepping over the corpses of Sojeongdae and the Alliance members, I earnestly wished that I would never open my eyes again.
A bitter smile formed on my face without me realizing it.
Does it look that way?
Or do you think it will look different?
However, the reason I was able to keep moving forward while hiding the desire to die deep within my heart was precisely because of anger.
Anger toward the Murim Alliance, who consider our lives to be nothing more than numbers.
Anger toward the vested interests who tried to use them as expendables, claiming they were not as important as themselves.
And above all, anger toward the Demonic Cult for believing they could control our lives and deaths at will.
That anger kept me going.
The malice to gouge out at least one of the opponent’s eyes, even if it means my heart is torn out and my neck is severed.
A venomous determination to inflict damage on the opponent no matter what, even if my own death is confirmed.
That is the driving force that kept our Sojeongdae alive.
I intend to unleash that malicious venom to my heart’s content in this life as well.
“It doesn’t matter how it looks. Obsessing over appearances is exactly what the villain wants.”
That is why I am acting like a madman who has put his life on the line.
Because that guy will surely want us to hide like criminals.
Because they will want you to run away in terror.
If that is what he wants, then at the very least, wandering around as if he has laid down his life is a scene he would not want.
If he hates it, I am confident I can run around the Black Alliance naked.
As soon as I entered the largest hall on the east side of the Black Alliance, the boisterous atmosphere inside froze in an instant.
A joint hall used by members of the alliance who are not particularly powerful.
That is why it was a place where more Black Sword warriors had gathered than any other place I had visited so far.
Pushing through the crowd, a huge man stood in front of me holding an axe handle.
“Isn’t that the Black Flame Dragon!”
He looked me up and down, then scowled his face.
“How dare you come here?”
I have business here, so please move aside.
“Hmph! Who on earth are you trying to kill this time!”
I let out a chuckle without realizing it.
“Even if I were a villain, would I risk my life walking around in broad daylight like this just to kill a rat like you?”
“What?! You bastard!”
The hulking man tried to grab my neck with his left hand as if he had nothing more to hear.
I lightly pushed his hand away, grabbed the sleeve of my clothes, and Snowflower
He spread it out and slammed him headfirst into the floor.
bang!
The giant who had pierced through the wooden floor fainted on the spot, and the Black Sword warriors, as if they had been waiting, each drew their weapons and prepared for battle.
Chae chae chae chae chae chaeng!
Just before another large-scale battle breaks out at any moment.
A deep sigh was heard from beside me.
“ha…….”
thud.
As the bloody battle struck the ground, the warriors standing nearby could not maintain their posture and slumped to the ground one after another.
Oh my goodness. What on earth is that trick?
The scoundrels gathered here must be big names in the martial arts world, too.
Those guys, as if their legs were trembling with fear, each of them could not hold on and knelt down.
Anyway, the more I look at him, the more I realize he is an amazing person.
Bloody Duel let out a low growl as he surveyed the cleared situation.
Did you not hear the order not to act rashly?
Everyone wore expressions full of dissatisfaction at the words of bloody battle, but even after witnessing the extraordinary move he displayed, no one had the guts to dare refute it.
I moved again once the area was cleared, and Hyeol-ttuk asked me as if it were absurd.
“Why on earth did you come here?”
It’s simply impossible for me to handle this on my own, so I’ve come to ask for help.
“help?”
“Yes. If it’s difficult to do alone, shouldn’t you ask for help?”
At my words, Hyeoltu even lets out a hollow laugh.
“You mean that’s the attitude of a guy who just came to ask for help?”
I shrugged my shoulders lightly.
“In the Dark Path of martial arts, isn’t it true that the strong ones can do as they please?”
One of the absolute rules of the Dark Martial World is survival of the fittest.
I used to think it was a really unfair rule, but in my current situation, there is no rule as comfortable for me as this.
Doesn’t that mean if you’re in good shape, you don’t have to use your head to persuade ignorant fools?
I entered confidently according to the rules of the Black Dao martial arts world.
and.
“welcome.”
Gun Yu-hyeon was waiting for me at a table on one side, with a smile that made me feel good just by looking at it.
An overly nonchalant attitude.
As expected, he is no ordinary person.
“Did you know? That I was coming?”
I thought that could be the case.
The fact that he anticipated my arrival made visiting Gun Yu-hyeon worthwhile.
I got straight to the point.
“Could you help us?”
“hmm…….”
If you move with me now, I cannot predict what kind of inconveniences you will face within the Black Alliance later.
That is why, unless it is a bloody battle, it would not be easy for a disciple of a small sect like Cheongwanmun to readily step forward.
however…….
“Am I absolutely necessary for that job?”
If you ask whether it is absolutely necessary or not, of course it is.
I chose my words for a moment and then answered.
“I believe that without Lord Yuhyeon, it will be difficult to properly resolve this matter.”
Gun Yu-hyeon lowered his head for a moment, as if deep in thought. ‘Should I have asked where no one was around?’ As expected, with so many eyes watching, he couldn’t help but hesitate.
However, an unexpected answer soon came back.
I will help.
Gun Yu-hyeon spoke without changing his expression at all.
“Are you really… okay?”
Although I made the request, I didn’t expect them to readily accept it.
“Isn’t this all for the sake of the Black Alliance and the Murim Alliance? Of course, we must help.”
Thank you for thinking that way.
As I grasped the bow, Gun Yu-hyeon added with an apologetic expression.
However, may I make the decision after obtaining permission from Military Officer Dam beforehand?
Why is the story of Damak suddenly coming up?
He is someone precious to me, so I do not want to upset him.
I thought it was truly an action befitting Gun Yu-hyeon’s personality.
I readily nodded.
Of course. Even if we cannot be together, I will remember what you said today.
Gun Yu-hyeon flashed his signature bright smile once again.
Thank you for your understanding.
Leaving Gunyuhyeon behind, I left the palace with a bloody battle.
“Smiling in a situation like this…….”
Bloody Battle grumbles at my monologue.
“What are you talking about?”
I shook my head.
“no.”
“Is all the crazy stuff over now?”
With this, all preparations are complete.
Now is the time to start the hunt for the hidden culprit in earnest.
