Chapter 418
## Chapter 418. The Price of Connection (6)
—
An open mouth. Unsteady, roaming eyes. Arms hovering awkwardly in midair, frozen in indecision. A chest pounding so fiercely it threatened to burst through the ribs. Throughout the world, people find themselves betrayed and ambushed for a multitude of reasons, yet their immediate responses to being caught off guard are remarkably identical. And…
“Why the sudden shock?”
“……*Heup*!”
This exact, predictable reaction never fails to amuse me every single time I witness it.
*‘It truly is exhilarating……!’*
Even the frantic inquiries they manage to stammer out after recovering their wits are virtually identical.
“H—how did you know!!!”
The intensity of their bewilderment differs, but individuals invariably experience the greatest shock when they are absolutely certain they have concealed their presence flawlessly.
*‘To be fair, they did exert quite a bit of effort.’*
They intentionally selected Wudang disciples who had never crossed paths with me before, dressing them meticulously in the authentic robes of Murim Alliance scholars and accompanying bodyguard warriors. To top it off, I had no idea how they managed to procure it, but the vehicle they utilized was a genuine ceremonial carriage belonging to the Murim Alliance. Even so.
“Completely amateurish.”
With that solitary remark casually tossed their way, the eyes of the two men trembled with even greater intensity. They had undoubtedly anticipated that I would panic upon realizing I had walked straight into an ambush. But what could I do? The pair, having been completely upended instead, flushed a deep crimson from sheer confusion, desperately racking their brains to figure out precisely where their plan had fallen apart. Their minds were likely on the verge of fracturing from the stress.
Ordinarily, the likelihood of successfully executing a forced abduction would improve if they wasted no time and pivoted to their next move the instant their cover was blown. Yet, unable to suppress the burning question inside them, four wide eyes stared intently at my face. Humans, after all, are creatures driven by a need to satisfy their own burning curiosity.
“……From what point?”
Well now. Even if they demanded to know exactly when I caught on, I had no intention of providing a straight answer. The truth was, I knew from the very first instant I laid eyes on them. No matter how flawlessly they masked their true identities, the recollections of my previous existence could never be erased. Leaning back comfortably against the carriage window, I gave a casual shrug of my shoulders.
“And why on earth should I share that with you?”
“Th—that……”
A sharp, unexpected counterargument thrown right back at them in an unforeseen scenario. It was a precise and calculating verbal strike that made these aggressors, who had arrived with absolute malice, appear utterly foolish.
*‘This is precisely why turning the tables on someone is so incredibly satisfying.’*
I extended my arms outward in a wide, leisurely stretch. The two men monitored my physical gestures with intense vigilance.
*Twitch, twitch.*
Both instinctively began to reach for the standard blade they carried and the flexible soft sword concealed around their waist, only to freeze mid-motion when they realized I was merely stretching my limbs.
“Hmm? Is there a reason you aren’t drawing your weapons?”
Because they had overreacted so transparently, their complexions flushed as red as overly ripe fruit. I suppose they possess at least a shred of dignity as practitioners of martial arts. I cast my gaze around the interior.
“Honestly, this caught me off guard. I fully expected you to escort me directly to Wudang.”
While assisting Dam Ak in his getaway, I had engaged in a fierce, violent clash against the Maengho Unit. Regardless of whether the directive had come straight from the Murim Alliance Bureau of Everything, there was simply no way the Wudang Sect would allow such an offense to go unanswered. No, even if the leadership of the Wudang Sect chose to overlook it, the individual disciples serving beneath them lacked the magnanimity to let such a slight slide.
“I take it you aren’t delivering me to the Murim Alliance either…… let’s see, did you manage to secure a private estate somewhere in this vicinity?”
The man dressed as a bodyguard warrior, who was the first to regain his composure, finally let out a low, menacing snarl.
“You have gone entirely too far this time.”
A boundary line, he calls it.
“What boundary would that be?”
When I tilted my head to the side as though genuinely perplexed, the man’s expression twisted into an even more grotesque scowl.
“Do you honestly…… intend to play dumb regarding the severe crimes you have perpetrated?”
“And what exactly is it that I did?”
In stark contrast to the venom dripping from his words, my own tone sounded remarkably light and untroubled.
“What wrongdoing could I possibly be guilty of, when I was merely executing the direct mandates of the Bureau of Everything?”
“Do you truly expect to maintain this innocent act after launching such a brazen assault against the Maengho Unit!”
A wave of pure animosity simmered up from the depths of his chest. Judging by the sheer rage boiling within him, it was clear they viewed me as a mortal foe. Right, if that’s how they want to play it.
“Hey.”
“……!”
“Dammit, tell me exactly what I did wrong.”
What reason was there to maintain polite decorum between sworn adversaries?
“Wha—what did you say?”
“I am asking you what my error was, you absolute fools. If I truly committed a transgression, you should report it properly to the Execution Pavilion or the Inspection Pavilion. Does it look appropriate for Unit Captains of the prestigious Murim Alliance Martial Pavilion to act so underhandedly while disguising themselves as scholars? It is utterly pathetic.”
Their deeply flushed faces rapidly drained of color, turning a pale, ghostly blue. The warrior gripped his hilt, preparing to draw his blade as if his patience had shattered completely, but the companion masquerading as a scholar beside him forcefully blocked his hand, his eyes radiating an even more intense desire to kill than his partner.
“Hold your hand. Is this not an issue that will be fully settled the moment we reach our destination regardless?”
“But this arrogant bastard……!”
“Control yourself.”
The freezing glare of the scholar, who was currently restraining the warrior, fixed itself squarely upon me.
“Everything will be resolved once we arrive at the estate. There is no point in wasting your energy ahead of time.”
“*Grind*.”
A suffocating tension and razor-sharp glares dominated the small space of the carriage. In an effort to disrupt that oppressive silence, I casually offered a bit of mockery.
“Ah, I certainly hope the companions waiting for us out there aren’t putting on a theatrical performance as well. If they are, I might actually die of sheer embarrassment on their behalf.”
“*Grind*!”
“Ugh!”
Judging by the volatile reaction that provoked, the joke hit its mark perfectly.
The Wuhan Branch Leader of the Hao-mun could not recall the last time he had enjoyed a proper night’s rest. It was not that he was plagued by sleeplessness due to some personal crisis or profound sorrow in his life. To put it accurately, it wasn’t a matter of being ‘unable’ to rest; rather, he deliberately chose not to close his eyes for even a second. He had grasped a monumental prospect that possessed the potential to reshape the destiny of the entire Wuhan branch—and by extension, the collective future of the Hao-mun.
The entity responsible for presenting this grand opportunity was none other than the Murim Alliance. The Murim Alliance, which historically relied solely on the Gaebang for its intelligence gathering, had extended an official assignment to the Hao-mun for the very first time. After flawlessly executing that initial task, a subsequent request arrived before they could even conclude the final details of the first, leaving the Branch Leader with absolutely no leisure time to rest. Furthermore, this secondary assignment was an immense undertaking.
“What are you saying? You claim that Young Hero Jin has made an appearance in Wuhan……?”
“Yes, sir. It appears he has already made entry into the Wuhan region.”
To think that Jin So-un, whose vanishing act had been the source of his sleepless anxiety as his path went completely cold, had suddenly arrived in Wuhan. The Branch Leader stood up from his chair in a sudden, instinctive motion.
“Give me the specifics. Every single detail.”
“As you are well aware, have we not been diligently monitoring the movements of the Wudang Sect on behalf of Young Hero Jin, whose own presence left behind no discernible clues?”
“Indeed, we have.”
“However…… those particular individuals have begun acting in an incredibly bizarre manner.”
The informant immediately unrolled a detailed map encompassing the regions of Hubei and Anhui, gesturing toward specific coordinates on the parchment.
“The Wudang Sect has gone ahead and leased every single pavilion and tavern designated right here in their entirety.”
The coordinates of these establishments were situated precisely along the main thoroughfare that intersected Eun-hyeon, Maseong, Najeon, and Danpung.
“Hmm……”
This was a development that defied all logic unless the sect was embarking on a massive group excursion, especially during a time when Cheong-su-jin-in was currently detained within the walls of the Inspection Pavilion. The Branch Leader, who had been rhythmically tapping his fingers against the wooden surface of the desk, suddenly froze as his eyes went wide.
“They are actively concealing a covert operation!”
“Precisely, sir. And there is an additional factor to consider.”
Beginning around seven o’clock yesterday evening, a substantial force of Wudang Sect disciples stationed within the Murim Alliance departed from the headquarters. The warning signal he had positioned as a precautionary measure had been triggered. The disparate pieces of evidence inside his mind were finally coalescing into a clear picture.
“……Could it be that he has already been taken by force?”
“The probability of that being the case is exceptionally high.”
“Confound it all!”
Their motives were transparent. The situation had grown far too massive to simply sweep under the rug. They undoubtedly reasoned that it would be an incredibly advantageous transaction if they could extract a favorable statement by applying immense pressure to the most crucial witness of all, Jin So-un. Incensed by the realization, the Branch Leader glared down at the map and boomed.
“Where exactly is it? Where are these scoundrels convening their secret gathering!”
“Regarding that…… it appears they detected our surveillance units midway through their journey and completely vanished from sight.”
This was precisely one of the primary reasons they consistently lagged behind in their rivalry with the Gaebang. It was the distinct deficiency in high-level martial prowess. Even so, now was not the time to be wasting breath on idle complaints. The Hao-mun needed to utilize the specific capabilities available to them.
“Lose no time. Dispatch this intelligence immediately to the Bureau of Everything…… and ensure the Tae-eul Sect is notified without delay!”
“Right away, sir.”
A tumultuous era where they could finally secure a definitive advantage was unfolding right before them. Even though a wave of profound exhaustion washed over him, causing a sharp ache at the base of his skull, the Branch Leader knew he could not afford to sleep.
*Neigh—*
The horse-drawn vehicle ground to a final halt. The scholar and the warrior stepped out onto the ground first, positioning themselves on either side of the exit while glaring inside at me.
“Step down.”
Well, it appeared they no longer felt any obligation to maintain their charade. The moment I exited the carriage, the scholar blocked my path ahead while the warrior trailed closely behind, gesturing toward the entrance of the grand estate with a sharp flick of their chins.
“Move inside.”
I wasn’t entirely certain if they interpreted my sudden quietness as a sign of intense intimidation, or if the arrival of their compatriots had bolstered their spirits, but they radiated an air of arrogance that far surpassed their previous demeanor. Observing their behavior, I found it impossible to suppress a mocking smirk.
*‘Has the Wudang lineage always consisted of such utter fools?’*
The Wudang Sect embedded within my memories was comprised of individuals who resembled transcendent immortals. Granted, they were never allies to my cause, and they certainly did not display flawless conduct at all times. Nevertheless, Wudang had always occupied a lofty position that felt utterly out of reach to someone like me, akin to an unattainable daydream. Yet, what was I witnessing right now?
“Hurry up and move inside!”
“…….”
From the warrior who was impatiently prodding me forward by roughly shoving my back, there was absolutely no semblance of dignity or profound mastery to be found. To think they were already incapable of hiding their premature celebration, entirely convinced of their triumph without even accurately assessing the true capabilities of their adversary. Perhaps it was merely these specific individuals who lacked sense. In the historic Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic forces of my previous life, did countless numbers of Wudang warriors not perish as forgotten spirits for the protection of others?
It was highly probable that because they only possessed the rank of Unit Captains, their personal talents, the prestigious reputation of the Wudang Sect, and the extraordinary liberties they enjoyed at their age had rendered them temporarily arrogant and blind. However, that lingering shred of optimism I harbored was utterly obliterated the precise moment I stepped foot into the estate’s grounds.
“The perpetrator shall drop to his knees.”
A sprawling training field was illuminated so brightly it rivaled the brilliance of high noon. Right in the center, a woven mat intended to serve as my designated spot was laid out, and encircling it were approximately one hundred Wudang disciples forming a dense perimeter. As I systematically studied each individual countenance.
*‘There is nothing here but mediocre Unit Captain-level martial artists.’*
Excluding the individual bellowing orders in the center, the vast majority were merely Unit Captains or individuals who had only recently advanced to the status of Vice Hall Masters. *‘Could this simply be a coincidence?’* There were far too many people assembled here for this to be a random occurrence. It was also highly suspicious that the upper echelon of the Wudang Sect would remain completely oblivious to the fact that their Unit Captain-level forces had mobilized on such a massive scale.
If that were the case, only one logical deduction remained. *‘They genuinely believed this meager force would suffice.’* They most likely assumed this amount of pressure would be more than enough to silence me and force my compliance through intimidation. Furthermore, they undoubtedly calculated that even if this illicit gathering were to be exposed, it could easily be dismissed as nothing more than the reckless, impulsive behavior of hot-headed youths.
“I must have appeared remarkably non-threatening to you all. Or perhaps, you view this as entirely standard practice?”
While I was quietly reflecting on these thoughts, the complexion of the Hall Master-level authority who had barked the command turned a furious shade of crimson.
“What do you think you are doing! Did you not hear the directive to kneel before us!”
“…….”
The moment I turned my gaze toward the Hall Master-level figure as though he were merely an annoying insect buzzing in my ear, the warrior and the scholar, unable to tolerate my defiance any longer, simultaneously lashed out with kicks targeting the back of my joints to force me down. And yet,
“Oh?”
My knees were certainly not weak enough to give way to such clumsy leg maneuvers.
“Knee…… drop to your knees!!”
*Thwack!*
In response to this aggressive strike that had been infused with inner force, I immediately retaliated by executing a swift backhanded strike across his face.
*Smack!*
In absolute contrast to the minimal impact of his kick against my legs, a spray of teeth shattered and went flying through the air accompanied by an incredibly crisp, resonant sound. When I lowered my eyes, the Wudang disciple who had been masquerading in scholar’s garb was already writhing and rolling across the dirt.
*Ching!*
The accompanying warrior who had assisted in the attempt to force me down quickly retreated two full paces and unsheathed his blade, but what significance does a mere rodent’s posturing hold when standing before a predator? Completely disregarding his existence, I turned my attention directly to the Hall Master.
“Have you completely lost sight of the fact that I recently engaged in a full-scale battle against a prominent Hall Master-level figure belonging to the Cheongseong Sect?”
“…….”
“Or is it your belief that the Wudang Sect exists on an entirely different plane compared to Cheongseong?”
The Hall Master bit down on his lower lip with immense force.
“You arrogant brat…… you truly have no grasp of the peril you are in.”
“In all honesty, I am entirely unaware of what infraction I have supposedly committed. Therefore—”
I locked eyes with him and offered an exceptionally courteous, brilliant grin.
“Would you mind enlightening me as to what my grand mistake was?”
At that, the Hall Master opened his jaws wide as though he had been eagerly anticipating the chance to lecture me.
“Your primary transgression is……”
The very instant the first syllable escaped the Hall Master’s lips, I unleashed a devastating strike that completely shattered the face of the individual dressed as a warrior standing right beside me.
*Smack!*
The execution of my internal energy was fundamentally transformed. Although the *Tae-eul-jin-gyeong* had never once failed to respond to my intentions in the past, at this moment, it felt as though my vital essence surged into motion even before my conscious mind could fully dictate the action. When I summoned a mere fraction of my internal reserves, less than a handful responded, yet the sheer output of destructive force was double what I typically commanded.
The Hall Master, utterly stunned by this display of raw power, instantly clamped his mouth shut. I tilted my head slightly while maintaining a steady gaze on him.
“Why have you stopped? I explicitly requested that you explain the nature of my mistake.”
“Th—this lunatics thinks he can dare……!”
*Ching-ching-ching-ching-ching!*
In a synchronized wave, weapons were drawn from every single direction. The clear indications of panic brought on by an entirely unexpected retaliation from their target were completely impossible for them to mask. The Hall Master, utterly incapable of articulating a coherent charge regarding my supposed wrongdoing, screamed at the absolute top of his lungs, his face flushed a brilliant crimson from pure fury.
“Overpower that bastard this instant!”
“““Yes, sir!”””
As the hostile circle began to rapidly constrict around me, I instinctively prepared to unleash the familiar patterns of the Twin Heaven Sword Decisive.
“Hmm.”
On second thought, employing such a technique felt like an unnecessary waste of effort against them.
*Ssssrng.*
The Red Light Sword unsheathed, radiating a vibrant, crimson glow.
*Gue-e-e-e-e.*
A disturbing, unearthly wail of mysterious origin reverberated throughout the entirety of the courtyard. The surrounding Wudang disciples, who had momentarily faltered in their tracks, charged forward with renewed aggression, as if seeking to erase the shame of their brief hesitation. Remaining entirely composed, I assumed the opening stance of the Small Heaven Sword Technique and calmly awaited the oncoming onslaught of the Wudang disciples.
