Chapter 223: Hoi Soyu’s Secret (4)

In my past life, Hoi Jongbaek, while drinking heavily with his son-in-law Yong Hwarin, would occasionally mutter that ‘having no children is a blessing’ and that ‘knowing too much is a curse,’ mixing those phrases with his usual complaints.

At the time, I couldn’t understand why Hoi Jongbaek would say two things that seemed so unrelated. Now I see that his complaints reflected his inner turmoil.

‘Hoi Jongbaek knew he couldn’t father children. But when his first wife became pregnant, he drove her away under a different pretext. Later, the first wife died from illness. Feeling lonely, he took in a second wife, but she too ended up pregnant. Just how absurd must that have felt to him? There was a reason why Hoi Jongbaek didn’t long for his wives.’

I was left speechless before this strange truth.

‘If I reveal that Hoi Soyu isn’t Hoi Jongbaek’s blood, but the child of Left Protector Jin Pyeong, expelling her won’t be too difficult. But if I expose that, then the truth of Hoi Unkyung will also be revealed. I need to find a way to expose only the truth about Hoi Soyu.’

I had acquired information that could sweep away Hoi Soyu’s faction, but it was a double-edged sword I couldn’t wield recklessly.

‘I must be the only one to know this.’

I turned to look silently at Hoi Unkyung.

Then, realizing I was having strange thoughts, I let out a dry laugh.

‘Whose child is Hoi Unkyung?’

But the question refused to fade from my mind.

A shabby hut atop Mount Goi.

Inside the hut sat Lee Yung and a scrawny old man.

“I’m sorry to have invited you to such a place, Third Master.”

As Lee Yung repeatedly apologized, the old man raised his hand.

“That’s enough. Our sect is nestled in the mountains, so this is nothing unfamiliar. But is there a reason you chose this place?”

“Grain shipments to our sect will be arriving soon. Along with those, Bukri Sehee will also be coming. I thought this place, rather than somewhere bustling, would be more suitable for you to speak with her, so I brought you here.”

At those words, Lee Kangmin, known as the Third Master, relaxed a bit.

“And recently, the movements of key members of our sect have somehow been exposed to Samjeongcheon. I brought you to this safehouse to ensure no one else can approach. Please do not take offense. Moreover, it’s near the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, so it’s an ideal location for a temporary stay.”

“If it were anyone else, I might worry, but since it’s you, I’m somewhat at ease.”

“Please don’t worry. Soon, once the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance catch wind of this and gather, I’ll unite them and seize control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. If that happens, we may even be able to obtain the Heaven Sea Divine Art.”

Lee Kangmin, the Third Grand Elder, had grown up hearing how his sect had been nearly destroyed by the Heaven Sea Divine Art and driven to the outskirts. That was why, before making any moves in the Murim, he planned to take control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union first.

He also intended to prevent the reappearance of Hoi Eulshin of the Second Generation.

“Young Master Lee, a message hawk has arrived from the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.”

A member of the Blood Shadow Guards, who had been standing watch outside the hut, entered like a ghost.

Lee Yung shivered, as even he had not sensed the man’s presence.

The Seven-Star Blood Shadow Guards, who protected the Third Master, were not only stealthy but known for being individually close to the Master Level.

“Did you bring the entire personal guard of the Third Master with you?”

“Yes. I brought them all to support you.”

With the Seven-Star Blood Shadow Guards at hand, it would be a major advantage in seizing control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

“Thank you. Truly, no one compares to you, Third Master.”

Lee Kangmin quietly stared at his flattering second disciple.

“I revealed myself to the world of the martial arts not only for that reason, but also for something else. Do you know what that is?”

“I do. I attempted to offer the human elixir developed by the Bukri Clan to you, Master, but I failed due to interference from a vile man.”

“Yes. I invested quite a bit of effort into uncovering that secret. And yet, didn’t you ruin the entire plan just as it was ready to be served?”

“Since then, I’ve been tracking Bukri Sogun’s whereabouts, but she’s nowhere to be found in the Bukri Clan. It seems Bukri Chang has hidden her in a place no one knows.”

“I expect you to bring me that human elixir before I return.”

“I will do my utmost. Right now, the Bukri Clan and our sect are maintaining a cooperative relationship, so we can’t act carelessly. That’s why it’s taking time.”

“I see. But you do know that I don’t particularly favor useless disciples.”

“I understand, Third Master.”

“Good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“I will do my best.”

Lee Yung’s bowed face twisted slightly. He had thought the Third Master had forgotten the matter since there had been no harsh scolding, but to think he still remembered it.

Lee Yung felt troubled.

Bukri Sogun, who had returned to the Bukri Clan, could no longer be found.

It was as if she had vanished like smoke.

‘She’s definitely somewhere, somewhere… I just haven’t found her yet.’

Lee Yung glanced at the Third Master sipping tea and stood up.

“Then I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Wait. Where is the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword? I haven’t heard that it was brought into the sect.”

“I’ve kept the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword hidden in a secret location. I planned to retrieve it upon my return, so I concealed it somewhere no one knows.”

“I see. It would be nice to see it this time.”

“Of course. Since you’re here, Master, I must present it to you.”

“That you must. Now go handle your matters.”

The Third Grand Elder, Lee Kangmin, waved his hand.

Lee Yung stepped out of the hut and took a deep breath.

‘That perverted old man’s internal energy has grown even stronger. And now he’s even consumed a human spiritual object? Who could possibly stand against that perverted old man?’

Lee Yung had aligned himself with the Third Grand Elder, one of the three Grand Elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

He believed the Third Master would make him the true successor of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

That was why he followed his words with utmost loyalty.

Though he had slightly fallen out of favor with the Third Master for failing to complete the mission of abducting Bukri Sogun, he was still in a better position than the First Senior Brother or the Third Disciple because he had already secured the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword.

‘If I’m to appease that perverted old man, I’ll have to find a pretty girl. Should I search among the slash-and-burn farmers?’

Even just the thought gave Lee Yung a headache.

After learning the truth about the birth of Hoi Unkyung and Hoi Soyu, Yong Hwarin stepped out of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union to cool his head and saw carts loaded with grain continuously rolling out of the union.

‘So they’re finally smuggling out the grain. But they’re moving faster than I expected. Why are they in such a hurry? There’s no need for them to rush like this.’

Not even in his dreams did Yong Hwarin know the truth.

That soon, the forces of the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance would assault the Sky Ocean Merchant Union in pursuit of the Heaven Sea Divine Art.

The Heavenly Demon Sect intended to extract the grain before then.

If the grain storage burned during the assault, all the effort spent securing the grain would have been in vain.

As the outer division of the Heavenly Demon Sect expanded, the increasing number of people had led to a food shortage.

To supplement the food supply, Lee Yung had even orchestrated a grand scheme.

Once all the grain-loaded carts had left the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Yong Hwarin spoke to one of Baekseom’s subordinates.

“Is the ambush in place at Mount Goi?”

“Yes, Baekseom said all preparations are complete.”

Recently, Yong Hwarin had been treating the Blood Green Unit almost like his own limbs.

They did what even the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect could not, making them far more useful.

“Thank you. Truly.”

“It’s nothing.”

The assassin hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Recently, many in our unit have been delighted to work alongside Young Master Yong. They say it’s finally worthy of a martial artist’s pride. They may not express it openly, but they are sincerely grateful to you.”

The warriors, once members of the Hidden Saint Cult, had found it deeply humiliating to live as assassins, even with plans to rebuild the cult.

In such circumstances, the assassins of the Blood Green Unit were holding onto the hope that they would return to being true warriors by serving the Young Cult Leader.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Yong Hwarin felt somewhat relieved. He had always felt a bit guilty toward Jong Seok and Jong Munhye while making use of the Blood Green Unit.

“With dozens of our warriors stationed there, no one entering Mount Goi will be able to leave.”

Yong Hwarin spotted Cheong Geonmin and Jeok Gwang following the carts.

“Let’s head to the ambush site as well.”

“Shouldn’t we inform the others?”

The assassin seemed puzzled that only Yong Hwarin would come along.

“It’s best not to let even those close to me know of this. I must do something rather unpleasant.”

The assassin tilted his head in confusion.

He had no idea what that unpleasant task might be.

“Wait here a moment.”

Yong Hwarin turned back from the edge of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and returned to his quarters.

It was to retrieve large needles to use for Dragon Scale Finger Technique.

Knowing that the current situation was volatile and on the verge of erupting, Yong Hwarin had prepared extra large needles in advance.

He had lost many in previous battles, and so had even ordered high-quality replacements.

Since he was also ordering ones for the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, the count had gone well past a hundred.

Before that, he had already prepared about a hundred needles, wrapped in a leather scroll.

In urgent moments, there was no hidden weapon more practical than large needles.

Shortly after, Yong Hwarin returned and departed for the ambush site with the assassin.

Because the carts moved very slowly, Yong Hwarin arrived at Mount Goi half a si-jin earlier.

Baekseom looked at him and said,

“Young Master Yong, the Division Leader has joined this operation.”

“Division Leader Deuksang?”

“Yes.”

The moment Baekseom finished speaking, a large man strode forward from behind him.

His energy was so powerful that the nearby mountain birds took flight with a flutter.

That was how fierce and sharp his aura was.

It made no sense for an assassin to possess such energy.

He would be discovered before carrying out a single assassination.

Yong Hwarin realized that Deuksang was deliberately releasing his energy at him and accepted it calmly.

He let his true qi flow and harmonized with Nature’s Energy, even drawing Deuksang’s qi into that exchange.

Then, Deuksang’s aura, once brimming with killing intent, softened.

Deuksang was deeply shocked inside to witness Yong Hwarin changing the very nature of his qi in an instant.

‘What an astounding young man. How could someone his age reach such a realm? When I heard the rumors, I thought they were exaggerated, but they fall short.’

Deuksang stood before Yong Hwarin and offered a clasped hands greeting.

At the same time, Deuksang’s energy vanished as if it had never existed.

“I am Deuksang, commander of the Blood Green Unit. Thank you for helping the Young Cult Leader during her time of hardship.”

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Yong Hwarin.”

Yong Hwarin returned the greeting with a clasp of his hands.

“Have you met my sworn sister?”

“Yes, I met her and paid my respects. Our unit was planning to abandon assassination and relocate near Mount Tianzhong. But when Young Master Yong requested our aid, we gathered all our strength.”

“I apologize for causing you trouble.”

“Our Young Cult Leader commanded that we give our utmost for anything you ask. And if you are her sworn brother, then it is only right that we serve you as well.”

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