3
8
4.
I didn’t urge him.
Because I also needed time to calm down and regain my composure.
Amusingly, it was the branch manager who spoke first.
“I, I am sorry, Master. I almost got in the way of your work.”
Judging by his still stiff expression, it seems he decided he should apologize first, even though he wasn’t in his right mind.
To think you’re thinking about how to handle the situation in the midst of this.
It certainly seemed that everyone who reached the level of a Hao Sect branch manager possessed extraordinary mental strength.
I understand.
I didn’t go out of my way to question him.
If war breaks out, there are endless instances where humanity will be lost.
Therefore, there is no need to abandon humanity for the sake of efficiency from this point forward.
“……
So this person wasn’t the real Songbaekpungsa after all… …”
The branch manager looked at Songbaekpungsa with a look of disbelief, as if realizing the reality once again.
After seeing him clinging on and screaming so desperately just now, who could possibly doubt that he is not Songbaekpungsa?
“Since when… have I been going around imitating?”
It is impossible to know for sure.
However, judging by the appearance shown in Infinite, he must have prepared for quite a long time and gone around impersonating Songbaekpungsa for a considerable period.
After all, seamlessly blending into Songbaekpungsa’s existing network without creating any sense of unease is not something that can be achieved with just a day or two of preparation.
You’ll have to look into that, Branch Manager.
“Ah… that’s right.”
The other four of the Ghost Oma are probably in a similar situation.
He must have been preparing for quite a long time to get close to Jegal Somyeong and hiding himself perfectly.
“However, Young Master Jin, there is one thing I am curious about.”
Please speak.
“If you were so convinced… why did you drag this out?”
I looked down at Songbaekpungsa, no, Oryeongyuma, whose body had grown cold.
He couldn’t endure my interrogation, which bordered on torture, and burst out.
If he had finished it with a quick murder, he might not have revealed his body in the end.
“…….”
The Ghost Oma are those who caused great chaos in the Murim Alliance by successfully committing many acts of murder in their previous lives.
In particular, the person who brought chaos to the Murim Alliance by eliminating Jegal Somyeong.
From my perspective, they were people who absolutely could not be killed easily before their true identities were properly revealed.
Also, I wanted to experience once again just how vicious those guys are.
However, it was not possible to reveal all those facts transparently.
Don’t human relationships fundamentally remain healthiest when there is a certain degree of distance?
The head of the Haomun Infinite Branch and I also liked this distance just right.
I answered briefly.
I was worried that the other four might show themselves.
I see.
But in the end, it didn’t come out.
“yes.”
The branch manager stared blankly at the corpse of Song Baek-pungsa, which had been disfigured into a grotesque state with its facial skin peeled off.
“For now, please let Songbaekpungsa’s death go unnoticed.”
“Yes. I understand. Are you intending to verify the remaining people you mentioned earlier…?”
As mentioned earlier to Song Baek-pung-sa, I completely erased the traces of chasing him.
Someone might immediately suspect death regarding his disappearance.
However, if there is anyone linking me to the cause of that death, we must assume that Songbaekpungsa left traces on his comrades without our knowledge.
“And if there is someone who has found the traces we failed to discover… that guy is the culprit.” When I answered with silence, the branch manager nodded slightly.
“It seems like this could escalate, so I have gathered as many personnel as possible from nearby branches. I will let you know immediately if even the slightest rumor starts to spread.”
I would like to ask for your help.
Just as I was about to leave after handing over the cleanup.
“Young Master Jin…….”
The branch manager hesitated, looking somewhat indecisive.
Why are you doing this?
“Hmm… Actually, as an informant, I intended not to pass this on since it is uncertain information that I should not be disclosing, but….”
The branch manager glances at Songbaekpungsa once and continues speaking.
“I just thought it would be better to tell you and get Confucius Jin’s judgment.”
Then, he handed me a list that I hadn’t seen.
“What is this?”
These are the figures Songbaekpungsa met before entering the Infinite.
The names of the people I met at the inns and taverns I stopped by before coming from Jiangxi to Hubei were written down.
“Since we met by chance, I didn’t report it separately… but seeing how things are unfolding, I think it would be better for you to know.”
I scanned the list and asked.
“Are there any people among you who have entered infinity organized separately?”
There isn’t one.
Notable names came in among the lists.
Jamsa Seosaeng, Deokhun, Choi Hwasusa, Gam-eung Bopal Biwol-do, and Bang Sa-won are the first two people from Baekdo, and the last, Bang Sa-won, is a renowned ronin from Jiangxi Province.
I quickly pointed at three people.
Please check if they have entered infinity now.
These are people with relatively secure identities.
Of course, these are the people who have not been in the pool of candidates capable of concealing their identities until now.
However, besides that, they had another significant thing in common.
Their commonality is precisely.
It means that within one year from now, they will die or disappear without a trace.
“I’m not sure yet, so may I tell you later?”
Despite my circumstances, which I could not properly explain, the branch manager nodded with a stern expression, perhaps having gained trust from the matter of Songbaekpungsa.
“I will move as quickly as possible.” #While the disciples of Haomun were searching for the three people.
I picked out an iron sword at the blacksmith’s and bought an ordinary blue martial arts uniform and hood, then changed into them.
Now that it was confirmed that the three people were not from the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Clans, the Ghost Demons could not be distinguished using the same method as before.
While waiting with the branch manager at the Infinite Branch, I found the first suspect.
“I heard that Bang Sa-won of Palbiwoldo came out of the inn.”
“Where is it?”
This is Choewol Manor.
Choewojangwon is the place where a tavern called Choewolu used to be located.
Chowolru was a high-class tavern featuring eight multi-story pavilions clustered around a central pond.
“Did they go to Choewol Manor? At this hour?”
That place, away from the bustling city center, was once frequented by high-ranking officials and martial arts masters, but now it has gone bankrupt and is completely empty.
Since then, merchant houses and escort agencies were established, but no business could survive for even a year before disappearing.
What reason could there be to go to that place, now abandoned and in ruins?
I guess I should go.
“Shall I assign someone?”
Please just tell me to keep my distance and watch.
“All right.”
I left the Haomun Infinite Branch and moved quickly.
He quickly passed through the streets, climbed onto a roof in a secluded spot, and from then on unleashed the Heavenly Solitary Spirit with all his might, heading toward the Transcendental Manor.
Boom, boom, boom.
Not long after I had been running while listening to the sound of the wind breaking against my ears, the Choeol Manor began to come into view.
I walked slowly across the roof of the Transcendental Manor while maintaining my gait.
The deserted Choeol Manor is even more desolate than the scenery in the mountains.
A fishy smell wafted from the waterway flowing around the pond in the center of the manor, and the intermittent sound of insects seemed to further heighten the eerie atmosphere.
And not long after.
I found Bang Sa-won drinking alone while gazing at the pond in the center of the manor.
Gulp gulp gulp.
“Ugh.”
Bang Sa-won took his mouth off the liquor bottle and roughly wiped the area around his mouth.
Then, he put a piece of jerky spread out beside him into his mouth and chewed it vigorously.
I just quietly watched the scene.
Until I finish one bottle of liquor, and then finish the second bottle as well.
Bang Sa-won just stared at the moss-covered pond without saying a word.
And so, by the time the second bottle of liquor was completely emptied.
“How long do you plan to hide like a rat?”
As I expected, the radiation worker noticed me.
I remained silent and did not move.
Did you think I wouldn’t know if you pretended not to know?
Until he looks directly in my direction.
Clang.
Bang Sa-won roughly threw the liquor bottle.
Then, staring directly at me, he drew his sword.
“If you don’t come out, I will blow your head off and kill you.”
I withdrew my spirit-saving steps, gathered my internal energy, and jumped off the roof.
And at the same time, he drew up his Jade Blue Heavenly Power and shot a Flying Dragon Bird at the guy.
wedge
The flying dragon bird, flying at a tremendous speed, struck the flying dagger in mid-air and was embedded in the ground.
“What on earth are you doing!”
Whoosh.
I said as I gathered the Flying Dragon Bird.
“You’re a guy whose skill at concealing your identity is inferior to Song Baek-pung-sa’s.”
“What the hell is that……!”
“Bang Sa-won is a ronin who wields a crescent sword. How can he sense my concealment just by the difference in ‘form’?”
The stories I heard until my ears ached while receiving the teachings of Gwisikhaengbo were ‘gam’ and ‘hyung’.
It was said that being unable to sense energy makes one a novice, while being unable to grasp even by form makes one a master.
That is precisely why he deliberately used the Ghost Style and wore a conspicuous blue martial arts uniform.
Unless it were a ghost Oma, there is no way Bang Sa-won, a mere wanderer, could detect the sense of ‘brother’s’ strangeness in this dark manor.
The silence was brief.
Soon, a terrifying demonic energy rose from the guy’s body.
Yeah, that’s actually better.
I unfolded the Taeeulpalmansinbo and grabbed the guy from behind.
The fellow discarded Bangsawon’s main weapon, the crescent sword, and drew a flying sword from his bosom, swinging it.
Even the rain that narrowly misses my head.
At the same time, he stepped back and threw two flying daggers, and I quickly unleashed the Socheon Sword Technique to block them.
I shot out the Flying Dragon Bird again and grabbed its ankle.
Crash.
The moment the guy fell to the ground.
He pulled the Flying Dragon up with all his might and slammed it onto the ground once again.
puck!
But at the same time, he used the recoil to spring up from his seat and approached me like a ghost.
In the blink of an eye, someone who was two paces away appeared before my eyes and attempted to strike my neck with a sword wrapped in aura.
At this rate, I am bound to get my head cut off.
I quickly raised my right hand and blocked the middle path.
visor.
“……!!”
The guy’s eyes widened when he failed to cut off the hands and neck of the Middle Sword imbued with sword energy.
I grinned at the guy who was making a very amusing face.
Do you know what a predatory armor is?
The moment he could not hide his surprised expression, I grabbed his neck and activated the Blue Dragon Orb.
Whoosh.
A blue light flashed between the flying dragons, and the strength began to drain from his body little by little.
“Cough cough…….”
Unlike his body, which is wasting away in an instant, his face is still plump.
This is proof that I am wearing a human skin mask unrelated to my body’s energy.
I threw him to the ground and plunged my iron sword into his lower abdomen.
Deeply
“Where are the other three?”
“Ugh.”
He twisted the qi and blood just as he had done to Songbaekpungsa.
With the pain of his lower abdomen shattering, his energy channels twisted, and he gushed out blood.
“Ugh.”
However, Oryeong Yuma remains silent.
“Tell me. Where are the other three?”
“Descent of the Heavenly Demon…….”
I immediately wrapped my fist in energy and smashed two of the guy’s shinbones.
Thump, thump.
Both of his legs turned to dust so easily, like rotten wood, but he didn’t let out a single scream.
And at that moment.
Pow pow.
Tension shot out from both of his hands.
The tension that narrowly grazed the earlobe bursts out in the air.
My ears sting, as if the poisonous energy residing in the demonic aura is already trying to penetrate my body. ‘I clearly shattered his dantian.’ I quickly turned to look at him, and his skin had turned crimson, with blood vessels swollen all over his body as if they were about to burst.
Damn demonic magic.
Soon, his hands come together and a massive force is unleashed.
Bang!
I hurriedly dodged, but I could not completely escape the influence of the tension.
The ceremonial robe had melted into pieces, and only the silk robe worn underneath barely retained its shape.
That damn dog-like demonic magic…
Swish swish.
I turned my head at a strange sound.
“Ha, damn it.”
I saw the sight of the guy cutting off his own shattered calf.
Crunch.
I gritted my teeth, feeling like I was going to lose my spirit at his behavior.
The moment he stood stiff with blood gushing from his legs.
He unleashed the Manhae Cheonji Sword Technique toward the guy.
Shhhhhh.
Four thousand swords formed and began to move, and the surroundings began to brighten like day with golden sword energy.
Bang Sa-won, who was desperately trying to approach me by moving his severed legs while holding daggers in both hands.
He soon saw the horde of ten thousand swords swirling as if to engulf him, and he calmly murmured.
The age of the new religion is coming. You will not escape hell.
As soon as he finished speaking, his body began to be ground up among the horde of ten thousand swords.
Amidst the storm of sword energy, demonic energy burst forth several times, and for a brief moment, its power surged as if to engulf the myriad swords, but
Kukwakwakwakwakwakwakwa.
In the end, the guy oxidized into a handful of blood and vanished within the myriad swords.
The traces indicating that he was in the manor.
Thump
Only the leg he had cut off himself and pieces of jerky remained.
