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8. Private revenge (8)
After sunrise, not many people go to the entertainment district.
Even then, most of them are waiters who clean up the traces of those who had a wild night the previous day or wake up people who have collapsed on the street unable to stand and send them home.
Having worked hard all night, it was time for the employees of the good entertainment establishment to go to bed.
It is the time when everyone closes the doors to get some sleep.
A doll wearing an outfit not typically seen in entertainment districts was entering the alley.
A waiter sweeping the alley patted his colleague on the shoulder.
“Hey… over there.”
The man, noticing the stranger’s attire, was stunned and covered his colleague’s mouth.
“Shh! Watch closely! It’s a Shaolin monk’s robe!”
“Oops… I almost got into big trouble.”
No matter how much they lowered their voices, the street was so deserted that the waiters’ voices echoed around them as if resonating.
With his wrinkled scalp flushed red, Hye-seong clenched his teeth tightly, pretending not to hear anything, and displayed extreme patience. ‘Of all places, why a place like this…’ I understand.
Given the situation where they have openly rebelled against the Mantongbu and the Alliance Leader, it would be only natural to hide in a place like this for a while to avoid encountering figures from the Alliance.
Because even now, within the Murim Alliance, Zhuge Xiaoming was in the process of turning the Elder’s Hall upside down.
Nevertheless, a bit more tame(?)
I can’t help but feel a sense of regret, thinking that it wouldn’t have been bad to set up a place in one spot.
As Hye-seong stepped into the base, “Ah! Welcome.”
A waiter with bloodshot eyes staggers over to greet me.
I will serve you.
The interior had already been cleaned of the traces from the previous day and was in the process of ventilation.
As I followed the waiter to the back of the tavern, Cheongsu Jin-in was standing with his back to the pavilion, gazing at the pond with his hands clasped behind his back.
“……
Welcome.
Did you get some sleep last night?
In response to Hyeseong’s question, Cheongsujinin looked at the carp swimming in the pond and answered.
I plan to sleep after confirming his death.
Is that so?
It would be more accurate to say that I couldn’t fall asleep.
Hyeseong swallowed a groan.
Actually, it did take longer than expected.
The Baron Damak they originally expected should have died inside infinity.
Far from dying, he was brazenly alive and trying to escape Hubei Province.
Because of that, things got even more complicated.
Nevertheless, Hyeseong had no choice but to deliver additional bad news.
The General Staff has found out the truth.
Suddenly, Cheongsujinin’s body stiffens.
After composing himself from the momentary murderous aura emanating from his body, he opened his mouth, feigning nonchalance.
So there was a reason the Master of Cheonmokgak could not come.
However, the comet’s complexion continues to darken.
Things are not going as expected.
“Don’t worry. The Beggar Sect is on the move…….”
“Now that the entire army knows, it is only a matter of time before the leader finds out!!”
Chak
Hyeseong, who had been raising his voice, suddenly fell silent.
He was dumbfounded by the sight of Cheongsu Jin-in leisurely enjoying the breeze while holding up a pure white fan.
Hye-seong, who had briefly twitched his brow, soon noticed the cold glint in Cheongsujin’s eyes behind the fan and could not easily break his silence.
After a moment.
Are you afraid of them?
A question thrown in low voice.
“What kind of nonsense is that…….”
Then why are you looking so wavering?
Ahem.
As Hye-seong remained silent out of embarrassment, Cheongsujin slowly moved and sat on the opposite side of him.
Pitter-patter.
A fragrant scent fills the teacup placed instead of a wine glass.
“In the end, war is bound to break out anyway. After this inevitable war ends… how do you think historians will record our story?”
“…….”
Cheongsujinin slowly sipped his tea, as if giving himself time to answer.
Hye-seong could not easily open her lips.
“Those who blindly followed the rotten orders of the Murim Alliance and aided in its downfall. Or…”
This time, Cheongsujinin smiles brightly and continues speaking.
“Those who eliminated the brains of evil before war and brought peace to the world. How do you wish to be evaluated, Great Master Hye-seong?”
“Do not be afraid, Ambassador Hye-seong.”
I was not afraid.
Hye-seong frowned as he looked at the neat face of Cheongsujinin, who had no doubt that Jeongdohoe would win.
“However, I am only concerned that that fellow Jin So-un has gotten involved. He is completely unpredictable.”
Jin So-un.
As the most annoying name is mentioned, a crack briefly appears on Qing Shui Zhenren’s face.
However, he soon composed himself and slowly stroked the teacup, and he.
That is why I sent Hyeonyeong myself.
“Huh… Is that so?”
The eyes of Cheongsujinin shone with a radiance for a moment.
“That child will not be swayed by evil things, just like Ilgak.”
“……!”
As soon as the disciple’s name was mentioned, Hye-seong’s face turned bright red.
Since Ilgak, who was considered a prominent latecomer, began to disobey Hyeseong, Hyeseong’s prestige had also been plummeting.
“That, that child was not swayed by evil!”
“Then why did you apply to Baekranggak?”
Hyeseong’s face turned so red that even his ears and scalp turned bright red.
At this point, Hye-seong was so enraged that he could not maintain his composure.
Even if he didn’t listen to me, Il-gak was a direct disciple who had mastered the Shaolin Temple’s Muscle Strengthening Sutra.
“It is true that that fellow is currently going through a brief period of confusion.”
No parent calls it filial impiety simply because an adolescent boy rebels.
I just blame the friend who corrupted me.
Some are merely wandering for a moment.
“But all of this happened entirely because of that bastard Jin So-woon. He is just that cunning and terrifying.”
Cheongsujinin looked at the comet as if finding it laughable.
“I admit that he is no ordinary fellow. However, is there any need to go out of your way to elevate him just to hide your disciple’s shortcomings?”
Hyeseong’s lips trembled, but he could not continue speaking.
Because someone was running hurriedly across the garden.
“Who is it! I told you not to let anyone in!”
As Hye-seong’s nervous voice vibrated all around, the footsteps of the approaching person stopped.
The terrified doll hurriedly bowed its head.
Dog, I came from Gaebang.
“Open?”
“Yes. Something urgent has arisen during the pursuit, so I would like to report it.”
“What do you mean, Bogo? Did you deal with Damak?”
“no.”
“You’re saying no?”
Then what message are they trying to deliver by coming all the way here? At a time when every moment counts.
Isn’t it time to find out which carriage Damak is in and concentrate our forces?
Just as various questions and anger were swirling in my head, a strange remark came out of Gaebeodo’s mouth.
“Among the fleeing carriages…… a man using the military’s spear technique has emerged.”
“The military? What do you mean?”
Cheongsu and Hyeseong’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected story.
The degree of openness was hastily elaborated.
A person using the Yukgachang style has appeared.
“Lu Jia Chang style… You mean the Lu family of Beijing?!”
“yes.”
Cheongsujinin and Hyeseong’s eyes were intricately intertwined.
“Beijing Six Families….”
The appearance of such an unexpected name left me feeling numb.
How could the military interfere in the affairs of the martial arts world?
It has been an unwritten rule since ancient times that officials do not interfere in the affairs of the martial arts world.
This is substituted by the fact that the Murim also does not interfere in government affairs.
However, the military is a little different.
The military listens only to the orders of the Imperial Family, and ultimately, it is the Emperor’s authority to move the Imperial Family.
“It was said that Damak once served the imperial family. Do you think there is a connection to that?”
At Hye-seong’s words, Cheongsujin quickly covered his mouth.
“He has not worked at the imperial court for very long. It could be nothing more than a deception.”
Then, the degree of openness intervened.
We are telling you this after cross-verifying it ourselves. It is definitely the Yukgachang style.
At the confirmation of the degree of openness, the comet began to urge Cheongsujinin on.
“I told you it’s certain. What are you going to do now?”
“Nothing changes. If he were such an important figure in the first place, would the Imperial Family have simply stood by and watched him go to the Black Alliance?”
Even the comet knows.
That Cheongsujinin’s words are nothing more than wishful thinking.
It’s not the first time the Imperial Family’s whims have turned the martial arts world upside down.
But we have already come too far to turn back.
I could not carelessly add any words.
“Um… how do we track them down?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s the matter’?”
The carriage of the Taeeulmun sect and the carriage carrying the one wearing the Yukgachangsik are traveling in different directions.
“Have both carriages chased.”
“We don’t have enough personnel right now to do that.”
At the words of Gaebeopdo, Cheongsu Jinin frowned deeply.
However, there is no other way.
The Jeongdohoe will send someone.
“All right.”
Even after Gae-wi-do had gone around the garden and left, the two of them still remained silent.
Because my mind started to become extremely complicated. The pursuers, startled as if they had encountered a goblin upon seeing Yukgachangsik, vanished without a trace.
Thanks to that, I was able to cross Mount Horyeong by the time night approached.
“Ugh… my whole body feels stiff from riding in the carriage all day.”
Damak, having quickly finished a bowl of meat soup in front of the brazier, stretches leisurely and voices his grievances.
I have no idea who on earth is the one being chased.
“Can I have more?”
Unlike the unruly Dam-ak, Dang Seo-hui and Jegal Cheon-gi, who were in the carriage with Dam-ak, did not utter a single word of complaint.
Take a look at our kids and learn, you wicked giant of the Dark Martial World.
I stroked Dang Seo-hui’s head and nodded.
“sure.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Dang Seo-hui and Jegal Cheon-gi quickly put a wooden ladle into the pot and shared it amicably.
Damak, who had been watching the scene, shifts his gaze intently toward me.
It seemed like there were no pursuers since the afternoon. How on earth did you manage to do it?
It is classified, so I cannot tell you.
That’s stingy.
Huh, good grief. I’m speechless.
Is the chase over now?
That can’t be true.
Even though they were startled by the Yukgachang style, the tenacious Jeongdohoe wouldn’t give up here.
Their obsession with justice is no different from the bloodthirsty obsession of a demon.
I reminded Damak of the dangers.
Do not let your guard down until you reach Anhui Province.
“I see. Yawn.”… …
No, don’t let your guard down and be so carefree…
“Then, may I get some sleep first? As expected, perhaps because I haven’t practiced martial arts, I get tired quickly.”
As if he had swallowed my words, Damak suddenly lay sprawled on the floor and closed his eyes.
I approached the people of Taeeulmun who were located a short distance away.
Most of the people, excluding the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers, were gathered in one place, quietly sharing a meal.
Are you okay with your meal?
“Have you eaten?”
I quickly nodded at Munju’s words.
“Still, come and rest a little. I saw earlier that you must have had a hard time fighting alone.”
Phew, as expected, the stranger is the only one who cares about me.
Father, how can you be so lacking in affection?
I looked at my father with a desperate hope.
What are you staring at?
Wow! Whoever the father is, that kid is really pitiful.
“Why on earth did you get involved here? I said go with Lord Wang.”
“You bastard! I was also one of the top five martial artists in the Taeeulmun.”
That’s true. As the head of the outer clan, it’s not like I haven’t taken force once or twice to stop the money from leaking out.
“Oh come on… but that’s based on past standards.”
My father’s face, which I thought would surely be enraged by my attack, turned serious, contrary to my expectations.
“I have to go with you no matter what. I need to see with my own eyes just how dangerous your antics are.”
I don’t go around doing things that are that dangerous.
“Hmph! I trust a swindler more than you.”
Good heavens, what kind of father would say something like that to his own child?
“Don’t worry, Brother. I will escort the Master.”
“Not my older brother! Senior Brother!”
Saryeon stands in the way at Soso’s words.
What is this? Soso is smiling and Saryeon is expressionless, but why am I the one who’s scared just watching this?
“D-Big Brother…… I, too, will do my utmost, however small my contribution may be.”
Yuseong, who had been sitting demurely beside me, also blushed and bowed his head, and I stroked his head.
Right. Thanks for the concern.
Although I didn’t know how much Soso had accomplished so far, I agreed to her father accompanying her, thinking that as long as Sa-ryeon and Yu-seong were there, no critical situation would arise.
I don’t know how much more attention the carriage carrying the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers will attract, but in the end, it is the people of Taeeulmun here who must draw the attention.
I just hope that no one gets seriously injured in the process.
Did my feelings get conveyed?
A stranger, the clan leader, patted my shoulder with a firm hand.
“Do not worry too much. The Taeeulmun are on their way back to Hefei after completing their schedule in Wuhan. No one has the justification or reason to block our path.”
Is this what it means to be on the same wavelength?
Even though Sa-ryeon and the brothers Geum, Eun, and Dong were always together during that time, she felt a terrible loneliness at every single moment.
Sometimes the burden carried on my back feels so heavy.
However, at least for this moment, I felt reassured by the thought that I was with Taeeulmun.
Even if the entire Jeongdohoe attacks, I am not afraid.
The hand of the unfamiliar clan leader, who had been patting my shoulder, gradually began to tighten.
“If they stand in the way…….”
A rough, fierce aura radiates from around him.
Then, a calm voice escaped from his lips.
“I will show you hell.”
The very unfamiliar Munju, whose eyes have now become those of a warrior, smiles sweetly at me.
“Sowoon, don’t worry about what happens afterward.”
Like a demon just emerging from a fire pit.
Ah… I really can’t get used to it.
Who on earth are you? Give our Munju back.
