Chapter 295: Yang Gwak’s Scheme

Yang Gwak frowned at his subordinate’s report.

“What? They escaped?”

“Yes, First Young Master.”

“We sealed their acupoints and even locked them in shackles. How could they escape?”

Yang Gwak asked, barely holding back his anger.

In times like this, he was much better than Third Young Master, who lashed out blindly, or Second Young Master, who simply cut off the head of the one responsible.

“Someone infiltrated and freed them.”

“Who?”

“We’re trying to find out now.”

“Did you send a pursuit unit?”

“Yes. A unit composed of elite members from the Dark Heaven Guard has been dispatched.”

“Idiots! Get out!”

He dismissed the subordinate, thinking he might kill him if he heard any more of the report.

“Who would know about the safehouse and rescue them?”

Yang Gwak asked the military strategist Mak Gyo, who stood nearby.

“There are many possibilities. Perhaps someone who knows them intervened. Or, perhaps a warrior from Jeong Family Manor or Geum Family Manor, who hasn’t been captured yet, carried out the rescue.”

“It really is fortunate that we prepared a scheme for something like this.”

“Regardless, they won’t escape from our grasp.”

“That’s true. Still, it would’ve been easier to negotiate with Yong Hwarin if we had kept them captured.”

“We can just revise the plan.”

“No. Things have come this far already. Proceed as planned.”

“Understood, my lord.”

At that moment, Eum Sajeok opened the door and stepped in.

“Senior Brother, the manor is in chaos. What happened?”

Without replying to Eum Sajeok’s question, Yang Gwak scolded him first.

“Where have you been wandering around?”

Originally, Yang Gwak had planned to send Eum Sajeok back to the Heavenly Demon Sect, treating him like a burden after he had lost both the Blood Heaven Ghost Demon Unit and his power.

But when Eum Sajeok volunteered to assist him, Yang Gwak decided to let him stay in the manor.

Though Eum Sajeok currently had no power, Yang Gwak deemed his resourcefulness and cunning to be second only to Mak Gyo’s, so he planned to use him as a subordinate.

Eum Sajeok chuckled sheepishly and scratched his head.

“I’ve been checking inside and outside to see if there’s anything I can do to help, Senior Brother.”

Just as he replied with a sycophantic smile, Jo Heon entered from outside.

“Protector Jo.”

Upon seeing Jo Heon, Yang Gwak’s expression immediately changed.

“Everyone’s here now.”

“Is that so? Protector Jo, you’ve worked hard.”

As Yang Gwak stepped out, Eum Sajeok watched Jo Heon with a strange look in his eyes. Jo Heon had clearly been ordered by Yang Gwak to track down Jeong Minji, but he returned empty-handed in less than half a si-jin.

Yet Yang Gwak didn’t reprimand Jo Heon at all.

Eum Sajeok found it strange that Jo Heon had failed to apprehend Jeong Minji.

Jo Heon was more than capable of capturing someone like her.

‘He must have only pretended to pursue her, but I can’t figure out why.’

Yang Gwak hadn’t breathed a word of the current plan to either him or his junior sister.

‘Who did he meet that made him so pleased?’

It seemed Yang Gwak had orchestrated some scheme while Eum Sajeok had stepped away to rescue the people from Jeong Family Manor and Geum Family Manor.

Eum Sajeok followed behind them.

But as Yang Gwak approached the pavilion and noticed Eum Sajeok trailing him, he spoke.

“Junior Brother, do not enter.”

“I said I would assist you, so let me accompany—”

“If you truly wish to help me, it’s best you follow my words.”

For an instant, a gleam flared in Yang Gwak’s eyes.

Eum Sajeok realized that if he provoked his Senior Brother the wrong way, it might cost him his life, so he backed off.

“Understood, Senior Brother. I’ll guard this place.”

“Yes, that’s best.”

Yang Gwak nodded and entered.

Watching him, Eum Sajeok’s cheek twitched.

“You bastard, we’ll see how long you get to act high and mighty.”

Eum Sajeok had no intention of simply waiting here like Yang Gwak had said.

‘I’ll see who he’s meeting.’

After a moment’s thought, Eum Sajeok considered calling upon the spirit that had recently taken residence in his Upper Dantian.

He didn’t know how the spirit had entered his Upper Dantian, but ever since the battle between Yong Hwarin and himself in the manor, something had felt off.

At first, he thought Yong Hwarin had secretly embedded a Soul Reaping Art in him and tried to remove it with sorcery, but he soon realized that what was residing in his Upper Dantian wasn’t a Soul Reaping Art, but an actual spirit.

He had exercised restraint even during Sam Taegong’s presence, in hopes of removing it.

Later, he considered informing Sam Taegong, but feared that doing so might arouse suspicion and lead to his silent death — the kind of death no one would even notice.

Because even among Senior and Junior Brothers, there was no trust, the Demonic Master’s soul had survived.

A martial artist of Sam Taegong’s level, like Lee Kangmin, would have had no trouble erasing a spirit like that.

Especially since the spirit had left its power in Yong Hwarin’s body, it likely stood no chance against Sam Taegong’s cultivation.

And Eum Sajeok had recently come to realize that the spirit occasionally took control over him—and he also came to recognize just how formidable its power was.

Lately, he had placed a sorcery upon himself, one that would allow him to retain memories even during moments when he lost consciousness.

And he was shocked to discover that the ones who freed the people of Jeong Family Manor and Geum Family Manor were actually the work of the spirit dwelling in his Upper Dantian.

Thus, Eum Sajeok realized that this spirit was somehow connected to Yong Hwarin.

For the first time, Eum Sajeok attempted to establish a resonance with the spirit residing in his Upper Dantian.

‘Can you hear me? You ghost residing in my Upper Dantian?’

The spirit of the Demonic Master responded as soon as Eum Sajeok initiated conversation.

‘You only now sensed my existence?’

‘What are you talking about? I knew about you long ago—I was trying to figure out who you were. Why are you residing in my Upper Dantian?’

‘There was information I wanted to obtain from you.’

‘Then wouldn’t it have been better to go to my Senior Brother or First Senior Brother who are more powerful than me?’

‘You were the most optimal choice.’

‘So this was Yong Hwarin’s doing, huh?’

‘Something like that.’

‘That bastard from the Yong Clan! Pretends to be an orthodox hero on the surface, but in the shadows does things worse than the unorthodox.’

‘To confront a demonic being, one must become a demonic being.’

‘And just who are you?’

The Demonic Master had prepared his answer long ago, anticipating that Eum Sajeok would eventually discover his existence.

He knew Eum Sajeok wouldn’t believe a claim of having come from the future, so he planned to offer limited information.

‘I’m a demonic practitioner from a hundred years ago.’

He chose “a hundred years” because Eum Sajeok would have no way of verifying who he was, nor could anyone else uncover such old information.

‘Hmph, a ghost from a hundred years ago. As you know, I don’t know much. You ancient ghost.’

‘Ancient ghost, is it? Ha, your personality resembles who I was in my younger days. I know you don’t know much either.’

‘So you wanted to learn about the original manuscript through me, and pass that information on to Yong Hwarin.’

‘Indeed, clever one, aren’t you?’

‘I can use my sorcery to extinguish you, you know.’

If it were anywhere else, perhaps not—but within the Heavenly Demon Sect, there surely existed sorceries capable of obliterating the Demonic Master’s soul.

Even the Demonic Master’s spirit feared that.

If Eum Sajeok set his mind to it, there’d be no way to stop him.

‘I propose something. If I help you, you can become the next successor of the Heavenly Demon Sect.’

‘Me? What about First Senior Brother?’

‘Even that has its method.’

Hearing that, Eum Sajeok’s eyes widened.

‘Don’t tell me… you plan to use that Yong Clan bastard?’

‘Hehehe, you really are sharp. Even sharper than that Yong brat. Do you really think the Yong brat can’t kill that Yang brat?’

Eum Sajeok gave it some serious thought.

‘No matter how strong First Senior Brother is, honestly, he can’t match that Yong brat. He’s an enemy, but I can’t deny his ability.’

‘Exactly. That brat gives me chills—he’s terrifying. If he grows even more, he’ll be able to fight even your so-called Sam Taegong or Il Taegong.’

Eum Sajeok couldn’t refute those words.

It might be difficult now, but he believed that once Yong Hwarin grew further, he’d be capable of challenging even his own masters.

‘If someone like that helps you, wouldn’t you be able to become the successor of the Heavenly Demon Sect?’

Eum Sajeok muttered to himself.

‘Do you think I’m stupid? Why would that brat help me? He’s probably trying to destroy the Heavenly Demon Sect.’

‘You still don’t understand him. That brat from the Yong Clan is a cunning one who knows how to leave behind necessary evils to confront greater evils. He’s not like those stiff orthodox heroes who want to wipe out all evil. If he and I help you, becoming the successor isn’t difficult.’

Eum Sajeok, having fully witnessed Yong Hwarin’s capabilities, couldn’t help but be swayed by those words.

‘But how can I trust that?’

‘And what do you lose by not trusting me?’

That made him think.

Even if Yong Hwarin didn’t help, he had nothing to lose.

But if he did help and Eum Sajeok became the successor, he’d be able to realize his ambition.

‘If you make a deal with me, I’ll even make that junior sister you long for into your woman.’

Those words shattered the last bit of hesitation in Eum Sajeok’s heart.

“You’ll make her my woman?”

The shock made the words escape aloud.

‘Yes, I can make that happen. With the help of the Yong brat and myself.’

Eum Sajeok didn’t hesitate much after that.

‘What do I have to do?’

Half of Eum Sajeok’s foundation had already crumbled, and even if he returned to the Heavenly Demon Sect, he knew things would no longer be as they once were.

Though his master favored him, there was a limit to how far he’d defend someone who failed a mission.

At this rate, he would end up demoted under Yang Senior Brother or transferred to administrative duties—never again having a chance to pursue his ambitions.

That’s why the Demonic Master’s spirit’s proposal might be the only true opportunity left to him.

He couldn’t refuse a deal that would make him both successor of the Heavenly Demon Sect and give him Hong Ayul as his woman.

‘Fine. I accept the proposal. What should I do?’

‘First, you must obey what I say. So I can penetrate deeper into your consciousness.’

‘You mean to erase my soul completely?’

Eum Sajeok couldn’t help voicing that concern.

‘No. If your soul disappears, those who know you will notice something’s changed, making it difficult for you to become the successor. That must not happen. The important thing now is for you and me to become one. For that, I must reach the depths of your consciousness. So you must trust me.’

‘I understand what you mean.’

Eum Sajeok, being well-versed in mental sorcery, understood what the Demonic Master’s soul was saying.

Only by dissolving the boundaries of consciousness could he fully resonate with the spirit residing in his Upper Dantian.

‘Fine. First, it’s important to find out who that Yang brat is meeting. It’ll serve as a clue to predict how he’ll move going forward.’

That was exactly why Eum Sajeok intended to observe who Yang Gwak was meeting.

‘But my Senior Brother went into a secret chamber. There’s no way to see inside.’

‘The ones who came to meet your Senior Brother wouldn’t have come alone. Surely, they brought guards with them. Find them. Then you’ll get an idea of who they are.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep