Dokgo Pae and Cheon Mubaeck, who had seemed to be about to act right away after finishing their negotiations, watched the situation for a while.

‘The reliability of the information is the problem.’

The information that Jongri Hong was in Zhejiang Province was information that had come through the Blood Demon Valley.

For Cheon Mubaeck, he had no choice but to keep in mind the possibility that it was a trap. If Jongri Hong had gone all the way to Zhejiang, a rumor would surely have spread in the martial world. There was no such rumor in the world.

So Cheon Mubaeck cautiously waited for information from the Hao Faction.

Since it was none other than Guk Jihum who had moved himself, all the Hao Faction members in Fujian and Zhejiang were mobilized, and it was not long before they brought back information.

“A person ‘presumed’ to be Jongri Hong is in Zhejiang. And he’s thoroughly hiding his identity.”

First, it was not a trap by the Blood Demon Valley.

It was not certain whether it was exactly Jongri Hong. But it was an undeniable fact that a person presumed to be Jongri Hong was in Zhejiang Province.

“To think that he’s being chased by the martial artists of Zhejiang.”

Although the Zhejiang Province was dominated by an Orthodox Path sect called the Yugeom Mountain Manor, it was a small-scale sect that aimed for a small number of elites. So the Unorthodox Alliance and the Orthodox Path were mixed, and their respective proportions were literally on par.

Even so, the entire Zhejiang martial world could not chase Jongri Hong.

In any case, Jongri Hong was a great elder of Jongnam, and the next sect leader.

No matter how much Zhejiang was a remote area of the martial world, and no matter how weak Jongnam’s influence was once it left Shaanxi Province.

It was not something they could chase as if they were chasing a public enemy of the martial world.

“He hid his identity.”

“He hid his identity? Ah… to steal?”

“He went to Zhejiang, thoroughly hiding his identity. That’s why the rumor that the Wind and Cloud Sword Army had moved did not spread in the martial world.”

“Well, if he was stealing, it’s understandable that he would hide his identity.”

“And then he got caught stealing, and because of that, he’s being chased by the Zhejiang martial world…”

“That man must have a headache too. If he reveals his identity, he can escape the chase, but then the prestige and face of Jongnam will be thrown into the mud.”

Neung-heo clicked his tongue. It was an obvious story. The great elder of the Nine Great Sects, the next sect leader, had hidden his identity in a completely unrelated province and had stolen something.

“Tsk. I can clearly see them chattering about it in the brothels and everywhere.”

“If such a rumor spreads, the position of the next sect leader will also be gone.”

“Is the next sect leader the problem? It looks like it’s hard for him to even get out of Zhejiang Province right now.”

“It’s clear that he’s in a troublesome situation in many ways.”

“What did he steal that the entire Zhejiang martial world is chasing him? It’s not a treasure map…”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Cheon Mubaeck’s brows furrowed.

In any case, what Jongri Hong was aiming for was clearly a sacred object. If the Blood Demon Valley was also aiming for it.

“I’ll have to start moving soon. In any case, the news that I’m getting from Fujian, which is a thousand li away, is too late.”

“I understand. I will prepare right away. Uh, what about Guk Jihum?”

“Leave him.”

“Leave him? He’s useful…”

But there was no choice.

‘In case I have to turn Jongri Hong into an enemy.’

The purpose was to retrieve the sacred object that was presumed to be in Jongri Hong’s possession.

He might have to inevitably cross swords with Jongri Hong.

Could he show such a move to the leader of an information group like Guk Jihum?

“First, call Guk Jihum. We’ll leave him here.”

“If you’ve decided so, then… what about the work at the Black Assembly?”

The Black Assembly was now somewhat organized. Wang Jeonyu had become the leader. Although the Great Strength King was also displeased, he had cooperated with Wang Jeonyu, judging that he was better than Dokgo Pae.

But the leaders of the various organizations that made up the Black Assembly were strongly influenced by Dokgo Pae. The leaders of the organizations under the Great Dragon Gang, or the subordinate organizations of the Great Dragon Gang, were appointed.

Of course, Wang Jeonyu, the leader, could not help but complain, but at that time, Dokgo Pae had opened his arms.

“The position of the head of the inspection hall. It’s a bit much to leave it empty.”

He had offered the position of the head of the inspection hall to the Black Heart Gang leader.

“Is there any organization that is as powerful as the inspection hall in any organization? To have handed that over, Dokgo Pae had prepared a good position, so wasn’t Wang Jeonyu also secretly pleased? In any case, since he knows that the Lord is Wang Jeonyu’s man.”

“What do you mean, goodwill? Do you think Dokgo Pae showed goodwill just by giving one of those organizations?”

“No one knows that dark inner thought.”

“He’ll just give the position of the head of the hall to the Black Heart Gang leader, and fill the rest of the members with his own people. It’s no different from putting a leash on him.”

“But isn’t it a pity to just leave it and go? It’s the inspection hall of the Black Assembly. If you just take control of the members well, you’ll be at the center of the Black Assembly’s power.”

“That’s great. You’ll be the head of the inspection hall. The executive of a rural Unorthodox Alliance sect has now become the head of the inspection hall of the Black Assembly.”

“Hey. Everyone already knows that I’m the vice-leader.”

“Gang leader, did you call for me?”

Just then, Guk Jihum arrived. At Guk Jihum’s greeting, Cheon Mubaeck waved his hand roughly and did not stop his conversation with Neung-heo.

“The Black Heart Gang leader is you. When did I ever make you the leader? Wear this mask.”

“Our body types are different.”

“Ask Guk Jihum for that.”

In an instant, Guk Jihum, who had entered the room and was standing quietly, flinched.

“Hey. That’s not a disguise, it’s a transformation. How can Guk Jihum even change his body type?”

“Neung-heo.”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever seen me ask for something I can’t do?”

“Many times.”

“But you did it all, didn’t you?”

“That’s because if I don’t, you’ll beat me up…”

In an instant, he felt a flinch from the side again.

“If you can’t do it properly, I won’t be able to give you any more of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword, so he’ll do his best to make you look like me. Don’t worry about that.”

This time, it was not just a flinch. He trembled so much that a sound was heard.

Only then did Cheon Mubaeck turn his head.

“Youngest. What’s wrong?”

“What?”

“Why are you sweating?”

“Ah… no. It’s a little hot.”

“Anyway, you’ve come at a good time.”

Guk Jihum, who still thought that his identity had not been revealed and was pretending to be a member of the Unorthodox Alliance. Neung-heo held back his laughter. No, it was so hard to hold back that he turned his head away. How funny was it to see that strong martial artist flinch at a word or two?

“You’re the third in command here, right?”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

“Neung-heo and I are going somewhere for a while, so you take care of our kids here and stay at the Black Assembly.”

“What?”

In an instant, Guk Jihum’s eyes trembled. Because he immediately understood what Cheon Mubaeck was saying.

“Are you saying that I should be in charge of the inspection hall?”

“That’s right. Since the Black Heart Gang leader and the vice-leader are away, you, the third in command, will be in charge as a proxy.”

Guk Jihum’s eyes closed. In an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

‘This is a chance!’

The head of the inspection hall of the Black Assembly. Just by infiltrating the Black Assembly, Guk Jihum had obtained a lot of information that the Hao Faction could not have gathered.

From the power dynamics between the Unorthodox Alliance sects to the level of the martial artists belonging to them.

He had obtained that much information just by being by Cheon Mubaeck’s side.

But if he were to act as the head of the inspection hall?

At that moment, Guk Jihum looked straight at Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes with a very stiff expression.

“Do you know who I am?”

In an instant, his momentum changed. Not the clumsy youngest of the Black Heart Gang, but the leader of the Hao Faction, Guk Jihum, had returned.

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

“Did you think I didn’t know? Faction leader?”

“How did you know?”

“Let’s just say it’s a person’s intuition.”

In fact, if it weren’t for Cheon Mubaeck, his disguise was so natural and amazing that no one would have noticed. He was so free in the use of his internal energy that it was impossible to notice. So Guk Jihum was quite flustered.

“Did you know from the beginning?”

“It’s a pity to say so, but unfortunately.”

“You’ve been using me well, knowing all along.”

“You worked hard to disguise yourself, how could I pretend not to know that effort?”

At the shameless answer, Guk Jihum sighed. He was dumbfounded. He became afraid of this man again. Hadn’t he been in the palm of Cheon Mubaeck’s hand after all?

Guk Jihum clicked his tongue.

‘At such a young age, to be this much, when he reaches the age of fifty, the martial world will be in the palm of this man’s hand.’

He could not help but think so. The role of the proxy of the head of the inspection hall. He knew what it meant to suggest that, and what it meant.

A tempting fruit that he could not refuse. But there was a reason why he could not rashly nod his head.

‘The transmission of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword is not over…’

He had to somehow stay by Cheon Mubaeck’s side and receive the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword completely.

The verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword and the enormous information for the future of the Hao Faction.

Guk Jihum, who had been contemplating between the two, soon nodded his head with a determined face.

“Then please do me a favor.”

“You want the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword, right? Since it’s a reasonable price, I’ll give you some of the verses.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“…?”

Guk Jihum smiled bitterly.

“It was indeed a powerful ultimate technique. I have not yet been able to make the verses you have given me so far completely my own. It was profound, and also difficult.”

“Hmm. It’s not an easy martial art.”

It was not the strongest ultimate technique of a sect for no reason.

“So if you give me more verses now, I think my inner demon will only get worse.”

“Then?”

“I want to ask for your guidance. To see if what I have learned and accepted so far is correct. Then I will faithfully act as the proxy of the head of the inspection hall and do what you need.”

A slight smile appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s lips.

‘As expected of the Hao Faction leader. He’s quick-witted.’

What Cheon Mubaeck wanted was not just to occupy the position and act as a substitute.

The members belonging to the inspection hall would mostly be Dokgo Pae’s puppets.

To completely take control of that inspection hall and increase his influence at the Black Assembly was what Cheon Mubaeck wanted.

‘A person who can control the Black Assembly on my behalf, even if I am away.’

Rather, Cheon Mubaeck was putting a leash on Dokgo Pae’s neck.

And for that role, not himself, nor Neung-heo, but Guk Jihum was the right person.

Since he was already the leader of the Hao Faction, his ability to take control was beyond question. Because the Unorthodox Alliance and the Hao Faction had many similar corners.

A strange joy appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s face.

‘He’s made up his mind.’

That was right.

Guk Jihum had bowed his head here.

To act, as he wished.

What would it mean to move according to Cheon Mubaeck’s will?

It meant that he would become a subordinate.

Guk Jihum was now saying that he would do what he was told, like his subordinate.

Cheon Mubaeck withdrew his smile. Since he was taking the leader of the Hao Faction as his subordinate, he would have to give him a sincere teaching.

“Guk Jihum.”

“…!”

A heavy voice flowed out. At the same time, at the sudden change in momentum, Guk Jihum’s eyes widened.

‘What is this…’

His eyes trembled, and his cheeks twitched. He barely managed to lift his head and look at Cheon Mubaeck.

Indifference.

There was nothing. Nothing appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s face. But his gaze was hard to bear. It was intense. It was hard to even look at the brilliant gaze. It was as heavy as if Mount Tai were pressing down, and it gave a shock that pierced his whole body like a thunderbolt.

Why was that?

Guk Jihum, a long time ago, in his childhood that he could not even remember.

He recalled the gaze of the man who had saved him and had left him among the courtesans, and had walked towards the enemy, exploding with anger.

‘The Azure Sky Sword God…’

At this moment, the man in front of Guk Jihum was the Azure Sky Sword God.

* * *

“…”

Cheon Mubaeck, accompanied by Neung-heo, left the Black Assembly and headed for Zhejiang Province.

Guk Jihum remained and decided to perform the duties of the head of the inspection hall on behalf of the Black Heart Gang leader.

So there was a mountain of work to be done. He had to subdue the members who were Dokgo Pae’s puppets and take control of the inspection hall, and he had to increase his influence within the Black Assembly and put a leash on Dokgo Pae’s neck before Cheon Mubaeck returned.

The given task was not simple, and it was not small.

But Guk Jihum just looked up at the sky with a dazed face.

‘The sky…’

The blue sky, the Azure Sky.

‘It was the sky.’

That day.

The day he had received teachings from Cheon Mubaeck. The day his sword had been split in half.

Guk Jihum was astonished and thrilled.

That the man in front of him had the same gaze as the Azure Sky Sword God of the past.

And soon, that he would have that much martial power.

“Hehehe…”

A hollow laugh flowed from his mouth. For him, who had honed his martial arts for decades, it was an overwhelming talent that was hard to even acknowledge.

But he had seen it with his own eyes and had felt it with his own body, so he had no choice but to acknowledge it. Guk Jihum lowered his head.

‘The Azure Sky of the past has disappeared, and a new Azure Sky has come.’

The sky is blue. Not the dark red sky like the Demonic Path of the Blood Demon Valley, nor the sinister and gloomy sky that the Unorthodox Alliance wanted, nor the clean sky that the Orthodox Path wanted.

Just a blue sky. The Azure Sky had come.

No matter how much Guk Jihum flew and crawled, in the end, he was just a person under the sky.

Guk Jihum gathered his mind.

The work that Cheon Mubaeck had ordered.

He was in a hurry to handle it all.

“First, let’s start with this side.”

Guk Jihum, who had stood up from his seat, moved to the newly created medical hall.

There, lying on a sickbed, was Haei.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep