By Zephyria Il-gwang’s Plot (1)
The situation was not good. The internal affairs were already chaotic, and the incident caused by the Henan branch would undoubtedly bring even greater confusion.
Before that, Young master must be moved to a safe place.
Il-gwang quietly approached the bed where Seong Mu-yeon was sleeping. He was lying on his side, facing the wall. Judging by the even rise and fall of the blanket, he seemed to be in a deep sleep.
As Il-gwang reached out his hand, he suddenly felt a sense of incongruity. The figure lying under the blanket…
‘Why is it so big?’
At that moment, the person lying on his side on the bed turned around. Baek Ryeo-il yawned widely and scratched his stomach.
“What is it? I was just about to fall asleep.”
“…This should have been Young master’s room.”
Il-gwang’s face darkened.
“I switched rooms, got a problem with that?”
This was a disaster. His plan to secretly take Seong Mu-yeon while Baek Ryeo-il was asleep had failed.
Baek Ryeo-il’s eyes gleamed in the darkness.
“But why are you looking for Seong Mu-yeon? At this late hour, without even a word.”
“…None of your business.”
Il-gwang turned around to leave. It was the moment he took a step into the hallway.
“Ha, this bastard.”
Thud-!
Before he knew it, Il-gwang was kneeling on the wooden floor, blocking Baek Ryeo-il’s leg with his crossed hands.
Creak.
His knees dug into the wooden floor.
“A punk like you is not even worth a handful. Where do you think you’re acting tough? What’s your purpose? What kind of petty thoughts made you crawl into Seong Mu-yeon’s room?”
“…Keuk.”
Il-gwang gritted his teeth. His eyes, looking up at Baek Ryeo-il, were filled with venom. Despite the significant difference in martial prowess, he was not at all intimidated.
“Looks like you really want to die. Fine. As you wish…”
Just as a murderous aura began to form on Baek Ryeo-il’s face, the door to the next room opened, and Seong Mu-yeon, still in his sleeping clothes, rubbed his eyes and stepped out.
“What’s all this noise?”
His face was filled with shock as he witnessed the scene before him.
“What is going on!”
He shouted. The guests staying at the inn, startled by the sudden commotion, came out into the hallway one by one.
“The floor is all broken! Master Baek! Il-gwang! Why are you fighting in the middle of the night!”
“Eek! My wooden floor!”
Before long, the innkeeper also ran over in his pajamas and was horrified to see the deeply gouged floor. He quickly identified the culprit who had damaged his precious property.
“Look here! Did you great heroes do this!”
“Uh, that’s…”
“…”
Baek Ryeo-il awkwardly retracted his leg. Il-gwang also dusted off his clothes and stood up. However, he did not take his menacing glare off Baek Ryeo-il. Baek Ryeo-il also contorted his face fiercely and glared back.
“What are you doing! Still can’t come to your senses, huh.”
“No, that guy started it first…”
“Can’t you lower your eyes?!”
Seong Mu-yeon, bursting with anger, bowed his head to the people.
“I’m so sorry. Were you all surprised? They’re not bad people, just immature. I will compensate you sufficiently. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
As he repeatedly apologized, the innkeeper, embarrassed to be angry, nodded awkwardly.
“Please be careful in the future… Let’s all go back in and sleep. Yes, yes, I’m sorry for causing a disturbance. Instead, I’ll provide breakfast for free tomorrow.”
He soothed the guests and sent them back in, then returned himself.
In an instant, only three people remained in the hallway.
“You’re not even kids, always fighting at the drop of a hat. Ugh, I won’t live to my full potential.”
Seong Mu-yeon muttered.
“No, he started it first…”
“That’s enough, both of you better not come out of your rooms until tomorrow morning! Or you’ll regret it.”
Il-gwang obediently went inside, but Baek Ryeo-il was the problem. Seong Mu-yeon pushed him with all his might, as he clung to the doorframe, refusing to go in.
“Wait a minute! Just listen to me!”
“What is it?”
“Don’t trust that guy.”
Baek Ryeo-il’s voice, whispering lowly, pierced his ear. He had used telepathic transmission. Seong Mu-yeon’s eyes widened.
“What do you mean…”
Baek Ryeo-il could speak to Seong Mu-yeon without others hearing by using telepathic transmission, but he could not, so he mumbled the rest of his words. Once again, telepathic transmission pierced his ear.
“He was sneaking into your room at night.”
“…Sounds like someone else’s behavior.”
“It’s not like that! He came looking for you. I don’t know what his intentions are, but don’t let your guard down.”
“…”
Could it be…
Baek Ryeo-il was watching with his own two eyes, so what could Il-gwang do? But Seong Mu-yeon nodded for now.
Only after Seong Mu-yeon shoved Baek Ryeo-il, who had finished his business, into his room, could the inn regain its quiet night.
Seong Mu-yeon carefully watched Il-gwang throughout the journey back, but they arrived safely at the Shaolin Temple without any particular incident. Il-gwang and the Black Shadow Unit decided not to enter the Shaolin Temple and parted ways after deciding to stay nearby. It was not wise for them, who belonged to the Demonic Cult, to set foot in the Shaolin Temple, which was one of the leading orthodox sects.
They went straight to the hermitage where Ma Jin-cheon was staying.
Ma Jin-cheon, who had been leaning on the bed, beamed with joy when he saw the two entering. His face was still pale from the aftereffects of his injuries, but he looked much better than before.
“Master. Are you alright?”
“Ryeo-il, help me up.”
Ma Jin-cheon, supported by Baek Ryeo-il, got off the bed and bowed deeply to Seong Mu-yeon.
“I heard that Young master saved my life. I owe you my life.”
At the same time, he poked Baek Ryeo-il in the side.
“How can a disciple stand there with his head held high when his Master is bowing?! What kind of manners is that? Bow!”
“Tch.”
Baek Ryeo-il scrunched up his face and bowed, then straightened up again with lightning speed. The series of movements was so fast that it left an afterimage.
Only then did Seong Mu-yeon, regaining his senses, hurriedly help Ma Jin-cheon up.
“Please don’t do this, Ma Instructor. How can you bow?”
Ma Jin-cheon smiled gently and continued.
“From now on, I will treat you as my benefactor.”
Ugh, benefactor…!
“To be honest, I have misunderstood Young master all along. The fact that chivalry remains in the Demonic Cult has been proven through Young master.”
“Th, that’s really not it. You shouldn’t think that way. Really. I’m not that righteous of a person…”
Seong Mu-yeon didn’t know what to do. Was ‘chivalry’ even a word that could be applied to him? Even the Demonic Cult’s reputation had improved because of him? It was absurd.
Ma Jin-cheon bowed again.
“In any case, the fact that you saved me is undeniable. I will never forget this grace. Please forgive my rudeness for not recognizing such a person.”
“Ugh…”
His face flushed.
Ma Jin-cheon’s face turned pale due to the strain, and he soon had to lie back down on the bed. As a patient with serious injuries, he should not have gotten up yet. If that weren’t the case, he would have praised him all day long.
Baek Ryeo-il watched the two with a strange expression, then left without a word.
“Th, th, that! Heartless bastard.”
“Don’t be too hard on him. Master Baek was very worried.”
At Seong Mu-yeon’s words, Ma Jin-cheon sighed deeply.
“I know. That’s why I’m even more worried. It’s not polite to ask this favor of my benefactor, but could Young master possibly keep an eye on that guy? I’m worried he might cause another accident.”
“What are you saying? Of course, I will. Ma Instructor, don’t worry and focus on recovering.”
Ma Jin-cheon repeatedly thanked him and then fell asleep as if he had fainted. It was normal for him to fall asleep often as he was still recovering.
He was also worried about Baek Ryeo-il.
‘He’s going to cause an accident. Definitely.’
As he hurried out, two people approached him. They were the Peng Yuan-jin and Peng Do-hwan brothers.
“Young master Seong Mu-yeon, you must be coming from seeing Ma Jin-cheon Instructor.”
“Ah, yes.”
“How is your body? I heard you took the poison instead of Ma Jin-cheon senior? I was surprised. How did you make such a decision? You are truly amazing.”
Peng Yuan-jin was amazed, but his face was filled with a warm smile. Once again, Seong Mu-yeon’s face flushed.
“It, it was nothing…”
“It was not nothing. It must have been a difficult thing to do, and we were deeply impressed. Rather, we should learn from you.”
Peng Do-hwan nodded and grinned as he patted Seong Mu-yeon on the back.
“Haha! I’ve seen you in a new light, Young master! Turns out you have a great sense of justice? To sacrifice yourself to save Ma senior, even most experts couldn’t do that!”
“Ugh!”
Seong Mu-yeon staggered. The spot where Peng Do-hwan had hit him throbbed. He was sure there would be a large handprint on his back.
Eventually, Peng Do-hwan put his arm around Seong Mu-yeon’s neck.
“Stop pretending! Hahahaha!”
Peng Yuan-jin, surprised by his overly informal younger brother’s behavior, tried to stop him.
“Do-hwan, stop it. You’re making Young master uncomfortable.”