Chapter 220: Hoiso-yu’s Secret (1)

When Yong Hwarin arrived at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Namgung Yoo was waiting.

It looked like she was getting ready to leave after receiving clean treatment.

Baek Cheonggye, the Division Leader of the East Evil Division, stepped forward and said,

“The elites of our division will be arriving in Jeongju soon. I plan to return to the division after joining them.”

These two were trained in unique outer arts, so their wounds healed quickly.

“Hwarin, you’ll join the Changcheon Sword Unit in Jeongju. I’ll return to the main family with them. I heard they’re currently at Changcheon Martial Arts Hall. I’m sorry. I want to stay and help you too, but I don’t have the time.”

“I know. Don’t worry about me. Let’s talk for a moment before you leave. Division Leader, please excuse us.”

“Hahaha, this old man will go greet the others for a moment.”

Once Baek Cheonggye stepped away, Yong Hwarin stared at Namgung Yoo and asked,

“Ayoo, I’m asking this as a friend. But if my question puts you in a difficult spot, you don’t have to answer.”

Namgung Yoo couldn’t tell what kind of question required that kind of preface.

“Ask. I’ll answer if I know.”

“Is the reason the Namgung Clan is trying to secure jiangshi because of the Heavenly Demon Sect?”

Namgung Yoo’s eyes widened at the utterly unexpected question from Yong Hwarin’s lips.

“You know about the Heavenly Demon Sect?”

“Anyone in the murim would know about the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

“Not that Heavenly Demon Sect…”

“The people we fought were from the Heavenly Demon Sect. You didn’t know?”

“I had a rough idea. But even if I said it, not many would have believed me. That’s why I didn’t tell you either, Hwarin. But how did you find out?”

“I stumbled upon it while gathering some information. Turns out, everyone I fought was a descendant of the Heavenly Demon Sect. How could I not know? When did you find out, Ayoo?”

“Grandfather has always been wary of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Unlike Blood Demon Castle or the Iron Blood Beehive, which were completely destroyed in the past, the Heavenly Demon Sect preserved much of its power and scattered. Grandfather believed they would rise again at any time. He said their ambition wouldn’t fade with time. He said they didn’t desire the Way of Demons, but a world of demons. While the Way of Demons coexists with the orthodox path, demons desire domination. He warned they’d wage war eventually. And recently, after detecting their movements, he told me to grow stronger. If war breaks out and we’re powerless, we’ll be exterminated. That’s why we’re securing jiangshi. But really, how did you find out, Hwarin?”

Namgung Yoo kept asking in surprise.

“I was curious why the Namgung Clan bought jiangshi. It’s not like them to do it without reason. But can you tell me more about the Heavenly Demon Sect? Why haven’t we rooted them out already, even before they made their move? From what I saw, even the Three Central Alliances seem aware of them.”

Namgung Yoo smiled faintly.

“Hwarin knows more than I expected.”

Namgung Yoo paused to consider how best to explain and then began with the core of the matter.

“There’s a story behind it. We know the ones recently active are descendants of the Heavenly Demon Sect, but we haven’t figured out their true origin.”

“Their origin? Aren’t they from the Heavenly Demon Sect?”

“Yes. But while they are descendants, they’re currently operating based on another power. And we haven’t identified what that is. If we only attack those who are visible, we’re just striking the branches, not the root.”

Hearing this reminded Yong Hwarin of something he had once heard from a Demonic Master. At the time, the Demonic Master had said that the Heavenly Demon Sect likely possessed a fairly well-known sect within the current murim.

And it was to uncover that truth that the soul of the Demonic Master had entered Eum Sajeok’s body.

Those who had killed the Demonic Master while tracking him were the very same group. The Demonic Master had burned with vengeance.

‘Now it makes sense. In both my previous life and this one, the Heavenly Demon Sect tried to devour the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. And I became the scapegoat in the process. Probably because I managed the merchant union well even without Hoe Unkyung. If I had shown incompetence, they would’ve mobilized the Geumwon Council to remove me. But since I managed too well, they ambushed me during a trading mission. That’s when I met the Demonic Master.’

While Yong Hwarin was lost in thought, Namgung Yoo spoke again.

“I didn’t tell you all this because nothing was certain yet. I was worried that telling you might confuse you unnecessarily. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Yong Hwarin believed her. If he were to tell others what he had just heard, very few would believe it.

“Thank you. For answering.”

“What do you mean? If I get more information about them, I’ll contact you. Looks like you’re now fully entangled with them too.”

Namgung Yoo placed her hand on Yong Hwarin’s shoulder and said,

“I’m only saying this because you’re my one and only boyfriend in the world—if you ever need me, just say so.”

“You too. If you ever need anything, just tell me.”

Namgung Yoo smiled and said,

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but to me, the words ‘anytime,’ ‘anything,’ and ‘anyhow’ are always yours. Don’t forget that, Hwarin.”

“Alright, Ayoo.”

After exchanging one last glance, the two parted.

“I’ll head off now. And if you come to Anhui, you absolutely have to visit. My grandfather probably wants to see you more than I do. He’ll be thrilled when I tell him what you’ve done. So promise to stop by. My grandfather is quite a difficult man. But you should know—he treats you more kindly than he does me.”

It was unexpected. Namgung Bi had always treated him warmly, so he had assumed the man was simply affectionate by nature.

“Really?”

“Of course. There are only a few people in the clan allowed into Akun Garden. And you’re one of them.”

“Ah, hearing about the Elder makes me miss him.”

“That’s why you must visit.”

“Alright. I want to see the Elder too, so if I go to Anhui, I’ll stop by.”

“Let’s part ways now. If we keep standing here, we’ll end up talking all day.”

Namgung Yoo seemed reluctant to part, glancing once more at Yong Hwarin’s face before mounting her horse.

Behind her, Namgung Yang approached.

“I will never forget the grace shown by Yong Master Yong.”

“No. How could you say such a thing? Between comrades-in-arms, there is no debt of life.”

Namgung Yang offered a long clasped hands greeting toward Yong Hwarin.

It was a gesture filled with respect.

Baek Cheonggye, the Division Leader of the East Evil Division, approached with a hearty laugh.

“Yong Master Yong, when we meet again, let’s drink till morning. It’s a shame not to have shared a drink after meeting a true hero. And when I meet our young ones, I’ll tell them what Yong Master Yong said. So even if we leave, don’t be surprised when they come.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll be off. I’ll never forget the battle I shared with Yong Master Yong. If there’s ever another fight like that, call me! I’ll guard the rear!”

Baek Cheonggye was as bold as ever. That boldness, which he maintained even in the face of death, drew people in.

“Our Sect will always welcome your visit, Division Leader.”

Baek Cheonggye paused for a moment to look at Yong Hwarin, then mounted his horse and followed after Namgung Yoo.

Once they disappeared completely from sight, Yong Hwarin felt a sudden emptiness.

After surviving life-and-death with them, a sense of camaraderie had naturally formed.

To settle his unsettled emotions, Yong Hwarin sat down and entered meditation.

He needed extensive contemplation to solidify his foundation in the Inner-Outer Realm.

Do Gye-gong stayed hidden until nightfall.

Because Hoiso-yu, upon realizing her item had gone missing, was interrogating Hoi Unkyung’s close aides, he couldn’t recklessly show himself.

Do Gye-gong gripped tightly the wooden case in his hand, determined to deliver it to Yong Hwarin no matter what.

‘The security is so tight I can’t get out.’

Martial artists of the Sword Poison Sect, Muho Sect, and Songcheongmun surrounded the Escort Bureau like a siege, making escape impossible.

Currently, among the escorts within the Escort Bureau, those not aligned with Hoiso-yu’s faction were being heavily monitored whenever they entered or exited.

‘I was foolish to think of entrusting this to Jeon Yeong just in case.’

He hadn’t even met Jeon Yeong, the Third Escort Chief, and ended up trapped in the Escort Bureau.

Do Gye-gong had been hiding inside Jeon Yeong’s room in the Escort Bureau.

‘If I can’t get out now, I’ll end up discovered soon. Even if it’s dangerous, I have to go to Young Master Yong. That’s safer.’

Do Gye-gong was convinced that if he could just deliver the wooden case containing the shocking contents, he could overturn the situation.

When security was this tight, rash movement was useless.

He had never racked his brain so fiercely before.

This was a matter of life and death for him, and the future of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was at stake, so he crafted the most meticulous plan he could and began to move.

‘If I get caught, I might not survive.’

Thinking that, his next actions became clearer.

After planning for about two hours, Do Gye-gong stepped out from Jeon Yeong’s room.

He knew the ins and outs of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union well, so he moved covertly while concealing his presence.

He avoided places where torches gathered and chose dark paths.

Now, if he passed two Winter Gates, he could enter Hoi Unkyung’s annex building.

‘Fools. Carrying torches while searching only makes it easier for me.’

Just as he was about to step toward the unlit Winter Gate, a chilling voice came from above.

“Knew it. See? Told you he’d come this way.”

Do Gye-gong looked up and saw First Escort Chief Go Jam-mu and Fourth Escort Chief Wolsan.

Do Gye-gong gripped his large saber.

If the two of them attacked together, he wouldn’t last a hundred breaths. Go Jam-mu’s martial prowess was close to his own, so if they combined forces, defeat was only a matter of time.

“Hahaha, what brings First Escort Chief and Fourth Escort Chief out so late at night? Shouldn’t you be off smacking courtesans’ bottoms in the brothels by now?”

“Since when did First Escort Chief take interest in our pleasures? First Escort Chief, I say this out of old friendship. Hand over what the young lady is looking for!”

Do Gye-gong glanced around.

After confirming no one else was present, he raised his saber and attacked the two.

“First Escort Chief, this is disappointing. After all our years together, is drawing blades your answer?”

Even as he said this, Go Jam-mu laughed.

“Wolsan, cover the back! The young lady said we can kill him.”

“Yes, understood.”

Go Jam-mu was known by the alias White-Robed Sword, and Wolsan by the alias Flash of Light Dominator Sword.

As the two unleashed sword techniques imbued with killing intent, Do Gye-gong shouted in rage,

“You bastards! Do you think we’re part of the demonic path? After living and dying together for over ten years, you’re killing a comrade over some petty power struggle?!”

“First Escort Chief, what are you talking about? We warned you clearly. Just hand over the item. You’re the one who drew the sword first. Don’t try to play the victim.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep