3
8
8.
There was no one who was first.
As soon as our eyes met, we started running toward the side story.
There was nothing I could predict about the situation or what was going on.
Nevertheless, I instinctively moved my feet. ‘I have to check on Damak’s life first.’ It’s possible that Damak wasn’t attacked.
It is possible that Ghost Oma and the remnants of the Thousand Killers’ Group attacked the side story to cause trouble after failing their mission.
Yeah, it might not be a big deal.
No matter how formidable the Thousand Killers are, their fundamental nature is that of assassins.
There is no way I could face the numerous masters of the Murim Alliance head-on, whose guard is already on high alert…
Kwa kwa kwa kwa bang!
Unsettling loud noises are heard one after another.
The things I had been trying so hard to hope for optimistically are shattering into pieces like sand. ‘Fuck. Yeah, since when was I ever that positive?’ There are two possible scenarios.
First, the remnants of the Thousand Killers’ Group, having failed to assassinate Jeon Gal-somyeong, attempted to assassinate Dam-ak in an attempt to do something.
If Dam-ak dies in the Murim Alliance now, the Murim Alliance and the Black Alliance will never be able to be together again.
No, furthermore, the Black Alliance will not miss this opportunity and will wage a battle against the Murim Alliance.
Because there is no better justification than war with the Murim Alliance to solidify the position of the Black Alliance.
“It will cause the same turmoil, but the second one is more dangerous. ‘Dam-ak might have been the target from the start.’ At this moment in my previous life, the Black Alliance did not exist, and Dam-ak, the supreme commander of the Black Alliance, had not come to the Murim Alliance.”
However, Damak is now at the Murim Alliance.
In that case, couldn’t we seriously target Damak instead of Jegal Somyeong?
“Since the side story has a relatively lower level of vigilance. ‘Surely… … it’s not one of the Seven Demon Lords who has come.’ *CRASH!*
The continuous explosions create an unsettling feeling.
I quickly ran ahead of the surrounding allies who were rushing toward the side battle.
At that moment.
Tap tap tap tap.
The sound of quick footsteps came from behind.
I turned my head and saw Dang Seo-hui, wearing a turquoise robe, chasing after me.
And after that. ‘Why is she here again…’ I also saw the hateful figure of Yong So-ah. ‘How is she chasing me?’ Even if I’m not running at full speed, it should be impossible to catch up to the speed of the Heavenly Solitary God with the martial arts of the Tang Clan and Wudang.
I didn’t know the principle, but somehow the two of them were following me.
Watching that, I was somehow reminded of the time when Murong Jiang used the explosion of energy in the past.
Because geniuses are all beings who defy the laws of the world in their own way.
The guys who succeeded in assassinating Zhuge Xiaoming, which was thought to be absolutely impossible in a previous life, were also the same kind of humans as them.
“What if the guy who came to Damak is that kind of person?” “I can’t be too late.” He raised his internal energy even further and ran even faster toward the side.
Upon reaching the outer gate, dozens of allies were guarding the surroundings.
Stop!
These people are on high alert and have even drawn their swords.
I stopped right in front of them.
“What happened inside?”
Who are you?
I am Jin So-un of the Taeeul Sect.
The man’s eyebrows twitched for a moment at my self-introduction, but that was all.
“……
Part of the palace and the garden were blown away by an explosion of unknown cause.
To think an explosion strong enough to blow away the palace and garden…
Even for the Demonic Cult, would they really resort to such drastic measures?
May I come inside?
There might be intruders. This Bonganjeon is under control.
Although it is a place where guests from outside stay, in reality, due to the visit of Damak and the delegation, others are staying in Songhwajeon.
In other words, only Damak’s party must be in the Bonganjeon now.
The priority was to ensure their safety first.
“it’s okay.”
As I tried to walk past them, a man blocked the way with his body.
“We don’t know what major trouble might unfold inside! Can you take responsibility for it!”
“…….”
While I was looking at the warrior who was blocking my way.
Dang Seo-hui and Yong So-ah arrived a little late.
Then, warriors began to appear one by one running toward the side battle from afar.
“Why aren’t you going in?”
They say it has been controlled.
“Control? What on earth do you mean?”
Dang Seo-hui tilted her head and looked around.
“The accident just happened, but are you saying it’s already under control?”
Dang Seo-hui asked a question, but no one answered.
Then, as Yong So-ah stepped forward.
Swoosh
The warriors who were blocking us began to move aside one by one.
It looks like I can go in.
For some reason, I couldn’t easily smooth out my grim expression because of the unpleasant feeling, but that wasn’t important right now.
As soon as I passed them and entered the Bongjeon Hall, a pungent smell of fish stung my nose.
The cause was the pond that was decorated on one side.
It was because it had been completely destroyed and overturned by the bombing just moments ago.
I also saw crucian carp that had been flung out of the water and were gasping for air.
Turning my gaze to the Bonghuan Hall, I saw that part of it had been completely blown away.
“Is this all?” Just then, the warriors standing guard at the main hall entered with the allies.
I could hear the warriors reporting to the alliance members from the side.
“What about the damage? How much damage is there?”
Two warriors on guard duty were attacked and knocked unconscious.
“Who are in the delegation?”
The extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
“What do you mean you can’t figure it out?”
Two bodies were found, appearing to be those of the guards, and as for the rest of the personnel… we could not confirm them.
“So, what on earth does that mean!”
Yong So-ah answered first before the warrior could open his mouth in response to Maeng-won’s frustrated urging.
So that’s the reason.
Yong So-ah’s gaze was directed toward the small pavilion behind the Bonganjeon.
A black mist-like substance enveloped the site where the pavilion used to be on all sides, and the only indication that this was the original location of the pavilion was a part of the roof that had risen high and was barely visible.
That black fog formed the moment the accident occurred, and judging by the fact that the other members of the delegation have not been confirmed… I suspect they are inside there.
A few of the members approached and shouted into the formation.
However, no answer came back from within the formation surrounded by black mist.
The Murim Alliance’s commander-in-chief was exposed to assassination threats, and the Black Alliance’s commander-in-chief hid himself inside a formation.
Faced with this unprecedented situation, people had absolutely no idea what to do. #Raid on the Murim Alliance.
This unprecedented crisis of the Murim Alliance ended in an unimaginable conclusion.
Additional raid on Bonganjeon.
The two consecutive attacks that broke out overnight caused a chilling atmosphere to spread beyond the Murim Alliance to the entirety of Infinite.
This was because although Zhuge Xiaoming ordered the lifting of the state of emergency, all warriors in charge of internal and external warfare had mobilized urgently to reorganize their ranks and set up guard, and all the waiting warriors had also been mobilized.
Everyone was on edge.
It meant that the Murim Alliance’s security had been breached, even though the state of emergency had been lifted but it was effectively at its highest level of security.
As soon as dawn broke, the Murim Alliance thoroughly investigated the area around Jegal Somyeong’s quarters and Bonganjeon to find evidence of the villain.
Furthermore, all intelligence departments, including Tenmokugaku, took to the streets in unison and completely turned the entirety of Wuhan upside down.
The beggars of the Beggar’s Sect, who would normally lazily accept alms, completely disappeared, and investigators and warriors visited every inn and tavern in the Infinite and continued to conduct intense investigations.
Influenced by this, taverns and brothels ceased operations, and inns also stopped selling alcohol until late at night.
The fifteen days passed in hushed silence.
However, despite a fifteen-day investigation, not a single clue emerged as to who carried out the attack.
Meanwhile, news of the attack on Jegal So-myeong and the delegation reached the distant Saheukryeon, and the Saheukryeon sent an official letter to the Murim Alliance inquiring about the facts and the safety of the delegation.
Jeon Gal-somyeong, one of the victims, visited the Alliance Leader’s Hall regarding this official document, which could potentially trigger a war between the Black Alliance and the Murim Alliance if mishandled.
Are you feeling alright?
At Hyeok Mu-gang’s question, Jegal So-myeong shook his head as if it were no big deal.
“Is this old man’s body important right now?”
“Don’t say such things. Do you have any idea how surprised I was?”
I wasn’t joking, either. Because I’m not the important thing right now.
The two finished their casual conversation faster than usual and got straight to the point.
An official letter from the Black Alliance. How should I respond?
Usually, Zhuge Xiaoming was the one who did the answering.
However, this time, even he had to ask Hyuk Mu-gang a question.
Zhuge Xiaoming asked again.
I have to make a decision.
Unsettling movements by dark sects have begun to be detected in the regions of Shanxi, Chongqing, Jiangxi, and Guangxi provinces.
It is likely a precaution for contingencies, but in the worst-case scenario, one must also assume a situation where all those people swarm in infinitely.
Hyeok Mu-gang let out a groan and looked at the general.
Is there still no answer from inside the memorial hall?
I was desperately hoping for some new news, but.
“doesn’t exist.”
That expectation quietly crumbled.
“Hmm…….”
Starting the day after the incident, the Murim Alliance tirelessly conveyed the message that they were safe inside the formation activated at the Bonganjeon.
However, no answer came back from within the black fog.
Now that fifteen days have passed, I even find myself wondering if the people inside are still alive.
“Can’t Haejin do it?”
“Even without the need for the clans to summon a formation expert, the level of those in the Alliance is already unrivaled in the Jianghu. If they cannot defeat it, you can consider it impossible for anyone to defeat it in a short period of time, no matter who comes.”
However, if it is about destroying, I think I can do it.
“Then… what about the people inside?”
He will probably die.
The reason he went out of his way to mention this absurd plan was that Zhuge Xiaoming was just as frustrated.
To respond to the official letter from the Saheukryeon, we must confirm whether Damak is alive or dead.
However, as of now, it is impossible to confirm whether Damak is alive or dead.
“Has the villain targeting Soldier Dam not appeared yet?”
The scheme of Zhuge Xiaoming has been roughly identified.
Their methods or the energy they use.
Even the iron components commonly used in the Central Plains.
That is why it becomes even more frustrating.
Nothing came out. Really… almost to the point of being perfect.
There were no clues to infer who had raided Damak’s quarters.
The leader barely managed to voice the uncomfortable truth.
“Soldier Dam… might think we are the villains?”
Since Dam-ak would not be aware of the raid by Je-gal So-myeong, it is a situation where he could easily misunderstand.
And if such misunderstandings are continuously accumulating within the system…
“It’s terrible just to imagine it.” It was highly likely that things wouldn’t work out any further.
“Even I would have thought it better to prepare a sure plan rather than gamble on uncertain odds.”
“Do you think there is a possibility that they will come out on their own?”
“If that were the mindset, he probably wouldn’t come out.”
That’s a big problem.
A quiet silence fell over the Alliance Leader’s Hall, and Hyeok Mu-gang, who had been contemplating, soon made a decision.
“For now, I will answer that it is not an emergency.”
Do you think it will be resolved with such a self-serving excuse?
“What can we do? There is nothing we can do right now. We have no choice but to scramble to simply weather the crisis.”
Zhuge Xiaoming could not offer any rebuttal.
First, please ensure that there is no shortage of food and supplies in the camp.
Hyeok Mu-gang continued speaking.
At the very least, even if a war breaks out, Damak must return alive and well for a ceasefire to be possible.
An unexpected war has suddenly taken a step closer.
For the first time since rising to the pinnacle of the Jianghu, Hyeok Mu-gang and Jegal So-myeong had ever felt so powerless.#“Reported from the Tang Clan as well is that the Black Dao factions have increased their weapon purchases.”
Looking at Dang Seo-hee, who was confidently eating sweets, he asked.
“I am aware of that news as well. There is no need to go all the way to Sichuan. The price of iron swords has skyrocketed even in the Hubei region.”
Dang Seo-hui, who had hesitated, pops a candy into her mouth again and chews.
“A war could break out between the Black Alliance and the Murim Alliance.”
I can tell that without even hearing it.
Did you come to tell me that?
Dang Seo-hee, unable to hide her flustered expression, suddenly became furious.
All the other confectionery shops are closed!
Who would want to do business in such a nerve-wracking atmosphere?
I deserve to eat Jin’s sweets.
A true chivalrous hero expects no reward, you know?
Dang Seo-hui flinched in surprise and looked at the candy in her hand.
I could feel the greatest conflict of his life in his violently trembling eyes.
I decided to stop teasing and pushed the sweets and plates forward.
Since you are a true chivalrous hero, I will treat you. Please feel free to eat.
“Um, is that really true?”
“Yes. We will continue to provide Hongga sweets. For free.”
It’s… it’s touching.
Dang Seo-hee looked as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.
When she had eaten about four pieces of candy like that, Dang Seo-hui mumbled.
“Do you think there is no way to get Junior Jin to come out, either?”
The biggest problem right now is whether Damak is alive or dead, and the situation inside Jinsik.
If the work there isn’t resolved, nothing can be resolved.
“Unless they want it, it probably won’t be possible to come out.”
But it’s a little strange.
“What do you mean?”
Dang Seo-hee gurgled her cheeks and nonchalantly spat it out.
“I am talking about the warriors in the area of the Bonganjeon. There are too many of them for them to be on regular duty.”
In fact, I, like Dang Seo-hui, harbored serious suspicions about this part, but I did not easily voice them.
“Wasn’t that exactly when the Murim Alliance was declared on high alert? It must be a coincidence.”
“In any case, if the commander-in-chief of the Black Alliance doesn’t step forward, something terrible will happen.”
What a big deal.
Are you perhaps worried about the war between the Murim Alliance and the Dark Alliance as well?
When did you grow up so much…
Hongga can’t eat the sweets.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
No, please have more.
In fact, Dang Seo-hee’s words contained a very important point.
Whether it is a small matter or a major one, war destroys the very foundations of people’s lives and brings daily life to a halt.
“So, for the sake of the Hong family, we must not let a war break out.” “But there is no particular way.” That was when he was spending time with Dang Seo-hui.
Someone visited and came out of the accommodation.
There, a boy who appeared to be a waiter, slightly taller than Dang Seo-hui, was holding a small bundle.
“Ah, by any chance, are you the Great Hero Black Flame Dragon?”
No.
“What? You’re saying he’s not? I was sure I heard he’s at the Murim Academy’s representative dormitory.”
Damn it, who is it? Who did this?
“Did you come looking for Jin So-un by any chance?”
“yes!”
Then I’m right.
“yes?!”
The waiter stared at me with a look that said, “What kind of nonsense is this?”
“If it’s Jin So-woon, then it’s me, but I’m not the Black Flame Dragon.”
Oh, is that so?
The waiter somehow adopted a businesslike tone and handed me a bundle.
This is an item ordered for Hero Jin So-un.
“To me?”
“Yes. He was a strange customer who told me not to make deliveries if he returned, but to make them if he didn’t.”
Who is it?
“I don’t know about that. You didn’t reveal your identity. There should be a note inside.”
I took the bundle the waiter handed me and returned inside the lodging.
Dang Seo-hui, who was eating sweets, became interested in the contents of the bundle, but soon lost interest upon seeing several bottles of liquor and snacks.
I checked the contents and immediately looked for the note.
When I unrolled what was rolled up like a scroll, numbers (one, two, ten…) packed tightly on a piece of leather the width of two palms
This was written.
Dang Seo-hui looked at the sequence of numbers whose meaning she could not understand and asked.
“What is that?”
Of course, I didn’t know what this meant either.
Because the numbers were also not written side by side, but were written haphazardly and spaced out.
Then, suddenly, the Infinite Invincible Soul-Slaying Formation came to mind.
Because the Life Gate and Death Gate of the Infinite Invincible Soul-Destruction Formation were composed solely of arithmetic calculations.
He carefully placed the scroll on the table.
For some reason…
It seems like a clue to prevent the war.
What do you mean?
I urged Dang Seo-hui not to touch alcohol and left the lodging.
