Chapter 131
131
- Cold Sword's Edge and a Burning Heart
"Pardon?"
As I turned my head, repeating his words, I jumped back in surprise at Jin-sung's face, which was right in front of me.
Unlike my startled reaction, Jin-sung's eyes remained unwavering.
"Please be honest with me. This is a personal inquiry, unrelated to the Murim Alliance."
"Well... yes, it is..."
Why is he asking this?
I couldn't fathom his intentions. As I hesitated, gauging his reaction, Jin-sung asked again,
"Is the Soul-Reaping Flying Dagger yours?"
"Excuse me? The Soul-Reaping Flying Dagger? That's..."
"Never mind. If it's difficult to answer, I won't press you."
He said softly.
"Then, you wouldn't have... killed anyone either. Nor would you possess the Bone-Melting Powder. I understand."
That's mine, though. Yeon-ryang killed them, and I used the Bone-Melting Powder.
It seemed he was misunderstanding something, but I felt that saying more would only stir up trouble. I awkwardly closed my mouth and subtly changed the subject.
"By the way... what happened to Chief Peng?"
"He returned after seven days and nights of disciplinary action. He was happy about the vacation, so you don't need to worry."
"Ah, I'm glad nothing serious happened."
"Chief Peng asked me to send his regards. He said to have a cup of tea with him when you come to the Murim Alliance."
"Chief Peng?"
"Yes."
Jin-sung nodded. I smiled at the welcome news and replied,
"Sounds good. As long as I don't end up locked in the prison."
At that, Jin-sung hesitated and opened his mouth as if to make an excuse.
"We are only escorting you for a light investigation. There will be no imprisonment for you."
"Really? You were chasing after me so fiercely that I thought you wanted to throw me in jail."
"...That's not the case. As I said, the Murim Alliance is not a place that frames people. We only seek to uncover the truth clearly, so I hope you don't misunderstand."
Then, he awkwardly added,
"I will help you return to Sichuan as soon as the investigation is over. If necessary, I can accompany you."
"Pardon? Ah, no. Disciple Jin-sung. You don't have to do that. I have no intention of returning to my family."
As I declined, waving my hand, Jin-sung's voice lowered.
"Then, do you need another place to stay?"
"...Excuse me?"
"If you're amenable, you could stay as a guest of Wudang..."
"Wait. Just a moment. Disciple Jin-sung. What are you suddenly talking about?"
I urgently cut off Jin-sung's words.
What's this? Why is he suddenly like this?
Whatever change of heart he had, his excessive kindness made me uncomfortable.
We had grown a little fond of each other while fighting together, but that didn't mean we had become close enough for me to entrust myself to him overnight.
Even at my bewildered expression, Jin-sung calmly said what he had to say.
"If you wish, I can offer you guest quarters."
"I appreciate your concern, but it's really okay. Disciple Jin-sung. I'm going with Yeon-ryang."
"You can come together."
A faint tension flickered in Jin-sung's eyes as he replied as if he had expected it.
I frowned.
I see. This guy suspects Yeon-ryang, and since he's likely to be released, he's trying to reel him in by laying the groundwork.
"I appreciate your kindness, but I'll gratefully accept your offer in spirit only. I'll take care of my own accommodations."
At my firm refusal, Jin-sung's eyes darkened.
"Well... yes. I understand. But my offer is always valid..."
"Hey, you kids. Stop arguing and hurry up. If you keep lagging behind, I'm leaving you behind!"
Just then, Beopgong called out to us. Turning around, I hurriedly ran towards the two of them.
"Let's go together!"
As I shouted and stuck close to Yeon-ryang's side, Beopgong looked down at me and whispered with a sly expression.
"Kid, that guy seems to like you."
"Excuse me? What are you... Don't talk nonsense."
Despite my grumpy reply, Beopgong didn't care and chuckled to himself.
"Nonsense, my foot. Do you think a first-generation disciple of a Martial Sect like Wudang invites just anyone to their Sect? He's acknowledging you as a worthy opponent. He wants to take you back and treat you as a guest."
"How do you come to that conclusion?"
"You fought together, didn't you? Martial Artists originally get close by exchanging sword blows and fighting each other, you know? Your brother and I also became close through a life-or-death duel."
"... ."
They had a fight, but it was a fight with their lives on the line?
As I narrowed my eyes and looked at Yeon-ryang, Yeon-ryang chuckled and avoided my gaze. He awkwardly kicked Beopgong.
"Ahem, Monk. Stop talking nonsense and tell me about the plans ahead. Are you moving with that Taoist Priest to Wuhan?"
"Yeah. He's the person in charge, so we have to go together. I called him because it's a hassle to coordinate the procedures in the middle. If we're together, we can resolve things with words."
At that, annoyance appeared on Yeon-ryang's face. He tried to hide his expression as soon as he met my eyes, but it was clear that he was not in a good mood.
It was a natural reaction.
Yeon-ryang wasn't a Buddha, and he must have been uncomfortable with what happened yesterday. His Inner Energy and Jin-sung's are incompatible, so it must be awkward for him. Honestly, I would be too.
Beopgong glanced at Yeon-ryang but didn't say anything and pointed to the inn.
"Enough, let's wash up and rest for a bit. I'm thirsty for alcohol after running around all night. Everyone looks like beggars... What? Why is that guy so clean on his own?"
"Maybe it's because he's a noble Taoist Priest."
Yeon-ryang retorted sharply.
Hmm. Yeon-ryang is in a really bad mood.
Jin-sung's eyebrows seemed to furrow slightly at the sharp reaction. But he didn't show it and silently followed behind.
Watching the two of them, I swallowed hard.
Somehow, I had a feeling that the journey to Wuhan wouldn't be easy.
It was late afternoon when I washed away the accumulated grime and came down to the private room of the inn.
When I opened the door to the private room, I saw Beopgong diligently writing something. Next to him, Yeon-ryang was hunched over, polishing his sword. Jin-sung seemed to be away.
Seeing me, Yeon-ryang winked and stood up.
"Sis, you're here? Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Should I order some meat?"
"Yeah. Let's eat meat. Where's Disciple Jin-sung?"
"He went to look for a Beggar Sect beggar. He needs to use a Letter Carrier Bird, but he doesn't know the location of the branch here."
"Ah, I see."
I nodded and sat down on a chair. It seemed that the meal hadn't been ordered yet, as there was only a bottle of alcohol on the table.
"If it's an important letter, should I leave?"
"Your brother sees it too, so what's the big deal? It's nothing much. Just the locations of the surrounding Water Dragon Strongholds that the Wang family kid told me."
He's already become the Wang family kid.
Beopgong, who replied nonchalantly, dipped the tip of his brush in ink.
"Seeing that the place where Chi-yong was dispatched and the place where another guy was dispatched are all the same, it seems to be accurate information. Rumors that the Water Dragon King is dead will be spreading, so I need to send a subjugation force before they run away."
"...Monk. You're surprisingly diligent."
"Of course. I'm a diligent person."
"Saying that while holding a bottle of alcohol is not convincing at all. Monk."
Yeon-ryang clicked his tongue and shook his head.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the private room. Beopgong didn't even lift his head and asked,
"Is that you? Did you find it? Where is it?"
"May I come in?"
"Just come in, why are you being so polite? Hurry up and come in."
Beopgong chuckled and replied, and the door slid open.
Jin-sung, with his hair up, was dressed neatly without a single flaw, just like the day I saw him in Gyunhyeon.
He greeted me with a nod and sat opposite Beopgong.
"I have brought Hong the Beggar. He is eating downstairs. He said he would wait patiently, so it seems the Great Monk can move after the meal."
"Okay. Thank you."
Beopgong nodded and put down his brush. He fanned the paper with his hand, waiting for the ink to dry. Then, he scratched his chin and spoke.
"Hey, Jin-sung. About the Water Dragon Stronghold. Isn't it a bit strange?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something's bothering me. It was a short period, but the fact that the kid took over the Water Dragon Stronghold itself seems strange."
"Why do you think so?"
"The guy named Chi-yong, whom they put forward as a substitute, is only big, but he's not top-notch. If the leader is noticeably weak, the organization should collapse due to insubordination, but it's been maintained perfectly fine, right?"
Jin-sung also frowned.
"I didn't think that far, but you make a valid point. It's definitely strange."
"When I interrogated them, the pirates didn't even seem to know that the Chief had changed. The guys we faced were so low-ranking that they didn't know the Water Dragon King's face."
"...That's a bit surprising. There must have been quite a few pirates on the flagship."
"I don't know if the kid hid it skillfully or killed all the guys who knew his face. Anyway, those ignorant bastards. The leader's face changed, but they were happy and called him 'King,' 'King'... They live like that because their heads are just decorations."
Beopgong, who muttered curses, continued.
"Anyway... what I'm saying is that there was no one who seemed to be a high-ranking officer. The ships they brought were only a few, right? It's too small for the Water Dragon King's reputation. If there are no officers or ships, it means they sent the troops somewhere."
"Are you saying...?"
Jin-sung's expression darkened. Beopgong also pressed his temples as if he had a headache.
"I think the Crimson Rainbow Sect is involved."
"Are you referring to Killers and Rapists?"
"Yeah. I suspect that the main officers left to meet with the Evil Monk Alliance, leaving the Water Dragon Stronghold empty. Otherwise, there's no way a weak kid could have taken control of the Water Dragon Stronghold."
"If your guess is correct, we need to keep a close watch on the movements of the Evil Monk Alliance."
"Yeah. If the pirates have joined hands with the Evil Monk Alliance, things will get complicated. If they block the waterways, we'll have to engage in a dogfight. Because the flow of logistics will be cut off."
Beopgong had an unusually serious expression. The serious atmosphere made my heart heavy as well.
Is it okay for me to hear this? It seems like an important conversation, so I'm a bit concerned.
"This won't do. Where's the beggar? Tell him to get up, there's no time to eat. I need to send a Letter Carrier Bird to every branch of the Murim Alliance right away... No. I'll go myself. Let's go."
Beopgong, who spat out words in a flurry, jumped up from his seat. He grabbed Jin-sung and gestured to Yeon-ryang.
"Yeon-ryang, you fill your stomach with your sister. I'll go take care of some work."
"Sure, go ahead. Call Jeomsoi on your way."
Yeon-ryang, who waved his hand indifferently, quickly changed his expression as the door closed. He looked strangely relieved.
He pulled up a chair with a smiling face.
"Don't worry about the Murim Alliance's affairs. They'll take care of it themselves. Let's eat."
"...Okay."
I nodded awkwardly.
