By Zephyria Il-gwang’s Plot (2)
When his older brother spoke sternly, the younger brother reluctantly backed down, clicking his tongue.
“Anyway, Young master. Let’s have a drink next time we meet.”
“…Are you two leaving, then?”
Seong Mu-yeon asked, rubbing his sore neck and back. They had their bamboo hats properly on their heads and small packs on their backs, looking ready to hit the road.
Peng Yuan-jin adjusted his hat and nodded.
“We’re traveling the Jianghu to gain experience. I hope we’ll have the chance to meet again.”
“See you around!”
The Habuk Twin Extremes walked away. Seong Mu-yeon was dazed. He’d heard that everyone from the Habuk Peng family had fiery tempers and didn’t hold grudges, and it seemed to be true. In that sense, the gentle and mild Peng Yuan-jin seemed unlike the rest of his family.
“…”
Peng Yuan-jin had said he was deeply impressed by him.
Seong Mu-yeon, feeling like he was floating on air, went to find Baek Ryeo-il.
Sure enough, Seong Mu-yeon saw Baek Ryeo-il packing his things and coming out of his room with his sword.
“Where are you going!”
“To kill that bastard.”
Baek Ryeo-il answered simply and brushed past Seong Mu-yeon.
It was just like the original story.
In the original story, after Ma Jin-cheon died, he charged into the Demonic Cult branch alone, determined to avenge Dokgoe. Ma Jin-cheon hadn’t died, but he was severely injured and on the verge of death, so it was obvious he would seek revenge.
“Do you even know where you’re going?”
“I’ll just go and beat people up until I find a clue.”
“You could die!”
“Even if I die, I’ll take someone with me.”
Baek Ryeo-il muttered. Seong Mu-yeon cursed inwardly.
‘So stubborn…’
Right now, Dokgoe’s abilities had only just blossomed, so his poison wasn’t that potent. He could be easily crushed. But the problem was the person who was with him.
In the meantime, Baek Ryeo-il had already gone far ahead. Seong Mu-yeon hurriedly chased after him.
“Wait a minute.”
“You’ll just get in the way, so don’t follow me.”
“You seem to be mistaken… It’s not like I want to go to a place that’s obviously dangerous, you know? I have no intention of helping you! What power do I have?”
“Then what is it?”
Baek Ryeo-il glared at him, annoyed.
“Well, you know. If Ma Instructor dies, who will safely escort Ma Instructor to Mount Hua? Just be patient.”
“There are martial uncles.”
They had already come down from the mountain and were crossing the main street.
“Do you trust them? Ma Instructor is a patient, do you think they’ll take good care of him? It’ll be a miracle if they don’t scold him for being slow.”
Suddenly, Baek Ryeo-il stopped. He seemed to be imagining his martial uncles taking Ma Jin-cheon back.
“That makes sense.”
“So, you can catch him slowly. It would be good to gather more information in the meantime. You don’t even know where he is yet, do you?”
“I guess not.”
Baek Ryeo-il sighed. Seong Mu-yeon cheered inwardly.
‘Yes! Let’s go back quietly! I’m tired too.’
That’s when it happened.
“I know where Dokgoe is.”
Il-gwang, who appeared out of nowhere, said in a low voice. Seong Mu-yeon thought he was waiting nearby, but it seemed he had followed them.
“Really? You know?”
Seong Mu-yeon desperately shook his head at Il-gwang from behind, so Baek Ryeo-il wouldn’t see. He didn’t want to take any more risks. What if Baek Ryeo-il got hurt? It would be a pain later.
“Yes. I know where he is now. I just got the information through the Black Shadow Unit.”
But Il-gwang pretended not to see Seong Mu-yeon shaking his head and answered.
‘That bastard?!’
“So, where is he?”
“A man named Heukmajo was dispatched as the manager of the Honam area in place of Fourth Young master, and I heard he went under him.”
‘I knew that too!’
The five most famous experts in the Demonic Cult were collectively called the Bloodlust Five, and one of them was Heukmajo. He was also under the command of First Young master, the eldest brother. He had gained great trust with his powerful martial arts and possessed power that even the other Young masters couldn’t easily disregard. He was such a strong figure that Baek Ryeo-il barely survived in the original story.
“What’s his scheme?”
Baek Ryeo-il, who Seong Mu-yeon thought would rush off immediately, didn’t trust him and only glared at him.
“I tell you, and you still complain. Forget it if you don’t want to.”
Seong Mu-yeon was also suspicious of Il-gwang. He wasn’t the type to offer to help Baek Ryeo-il for no reason.
“Il-gwang! What are you doing, not going back yet! Go back to the Cult quickly when you’re done. Or you’ll get caught by the Shaolin and get hit by the Hundred Steps Divine Fist!”
Il-gwang shook his head.
“I can’t go back yet. Now that I’ve witnessed this situation, I need to gather more information and report it to Second Young master. I’ll take this guy to Heukmajo and demand that he hand over Dokgoe. This incident has also greatly damaged the Cult’s reputation. It’s best to hand over Dokgoe, the culprit, to the orthodox sect for execution, which is the best way to show that this incident was not the will of the entire Demonic Cult.”
‘That’s true, but…’
Something felt off. Il-gwang, who growled whenever he met Baek Ryeo-il, was suddenly offering to help him, which made Seong Mu-yeon suspicious.
“Hmm. For once, you’re thinking straight. Then guide us. To that Heukmajo or whatever.”
“However, Seventh Young master must also accompany us.”
“What?”
“Me? Why me?”
Seong Mu-yeon was horrified.
“These things will become more disadvantageous the longer they drag on, and I don’t know if Heukmajo will easily cooperate. If Seventh Young master accompanies us, it will be more persuasive.”
“…”
He absolutely didn’t want to go. But Il-gwang was just a subordinate of Second Young master. He could report to the higher-ups and receive instructions to formally elicit Heukmajo’s cooperation, but that would take too much time.
It was an event that could break the balance between the orthodox sect and the Demonic Cult, which had been maintaining a precarious line.
Seong Mu-yeon knew the consequences of this incident through the original story. The orthodox martial alliance declared the extermination of the Demonic Cult, and clashes occurred frequently.
“…I have no choice.”
“No, Seong Mu-yeon is staying here.”
Baek Ryeo-il bared his teeth like a wary wild animal and hid Seong Mu-yeon behind him.
“I don’t know what your dark intentions are, but I won’t fall for your shallow tricks. Get lost.”
Il-gwang shrugged as if it were nothing.
“Then find Dokgoe by yourself.”
“I will. I don’t need your help.”
But Seong Mu-yeon, who knew what would happen to Baek Ryeo-il if he went there alone, stopped him.
“Let’s just go together. What could happen with Ma Instructor with us?”
“…But.”
Baek Ryeo-il glared at Il-gwang. He still seemed to think that Il-gwang was hiding dark intentions.
“Then what would you do if I said let’s protect Ma Instructor now and plan for the next time? You wouldn’t listen even if I told you not to go, would you?”
He didn’t know where Dokgoe was earlier, but now that he knew for sure, Baek Ryeo-il wouldn’t delay any longer. He nodded firmly.
“Of course not.”
“Exactly.”
In any case, it was Baek Ryeo-il’s destiny to kill Dokgoe. Even if they let him go now, they wouldn’t keep him alive. If it was something that would happen someday, it was better to deal with it in a controllable situation.
Il-gwang, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“Look at this, Heartless Sword. Let’s say I’m going to do something. I hate to admit it, but I’m no match for you, so what are you worried about?”
“You must think I’m an idiot, but you could have bribed that Heukmajo or whatever, right? No matter how good I am, it’s not easy if they come at me with numbers.”
Il-gwang snorted.
“You’re saying that because you don’t know what the Demonic Cult is like. Heukmajo is one of the Bloodlust Five, do you think he’d listen to me, a mere Black Shadow Unit leader? Don’t be ridiculous. In your martial alliance, it’s like a regular military commander telling an Elder what to do, do you think that would work?”
“…”
“And unlike you orthodox sects, we each only follow the orders of our own lord. Heukmajo is under First Young master, so what you’re thinking will never happen.
“Is that true?”
Baek Ryeo-il asked Seong Mu-yeon. He nodded.
Second Young master Seong Mu-ryong’s orders were almost absolute. He was in a position of great power, second only to the Cult Leader and First Young master.
But Heukmajo was under First Young master. Currently, within the Demonic Cult, First Young master was considered the most likely candidate to be the next Cult Leader, and Heukmajo was not in a position to receive orders from a Young master other than his lord. Even if Seong Mu-ryong came on strong, he would first confirm First Young master’s intentions. Of course, First Young master had no interest in Seong Mu-yeon.
“Il-gwang is right. It’ll be okay.”
“…If you say so.”
Baek Ryeo-il had no choice but to be convinced when Seong Mu-yeon confirmed it.
Thus, the three headed to the Honam branch where Heukmajo was staying.