Chapter 92
Chapter 92
- Murim Alliance's Pursuit
Jin-sung, with his hand on his waist, looked ready to draw his sword at any moment.
I glared at him, feeling a surge of anger, and snapped,
"Is threatening someone to follow you before explaining the situation the way of the Alliance? Or the Taoist sect? Tell me exactly what investigation you want me to cooperate with. I don't appreciate being treated like a criminal out of the blue."
"……."
Jin-sung, who had been looking down at me silently, lowered his hand again.
He seemed to think there was some truth in my words, as he slowly opened his mouth.
"Your Soul-Chasing Flying Dagger was found near a corpse with traces of Demonic Arts. The Tang Clan confirmed it was yours, and they handed you over to the Alliance. Therefore, we request your company."
"……Excuse me?"
My body stiffened as if my blood had frozen.
A corpse with traces of Demonic Arts?
Are you talking about the Wanderer I buried because Hwagolsan was not enough? Did Yeon-ryang's sword contain Demonic Energy?
Just then, someone pulled me back from behind, where I had frozen.
"Taoist priests. You shouldn't threaten someone's sister like that. What do you think you're doing?"
Yeon-ryang, who stood in front of me, frowned and growled.
"This is the business of the Alliance. If you interfere, we will take you into custody as well."
"Hoh? The Taoist sect will take me? Little Taoist priest. You're full of confidence?"
I hid behind Yeon-ryang and bit my lip.
Yeon-ryang must not clash with Jin-sung.
He can't fool Jin-sung's eyes, no matter who else he can fool. The moment their swords meet, he will immediately recognize that Yeon-ryang is a member of the Demonic Sect.
Because he is a Taoist priest of the Taoist sect with the Energy of dispelling evil.
I quickly pulled Yeon-ryang back and pressed down on his scabbard.
No.
I whispered with my lips and shook my head. Yeon-ryang, who glanced at me, took the strength out of his hand. He was quick-witted.
Yeon-ryang's voice softened a little.
"So, what did my sister do wrong? Let's hear the reason."
Jin-sung looked silently at the Taoist priest standing next to him, and he hurriedly took something out of his pocket and held it out.
The paper the young Taoist priest held out had my face drawn on it.
Unlike the time of the Yuju Merchant Guild, it was a proper Facial Description. Even the Tang Clan couldn't help it with the Murim Alliance's request, it seemed.
Yeon-ryang snatched the Facial Description roughly, his eyes widening as if they would pop out.
"……What? Dang So-hye? So-hye? Kyung-ah, you lied to your brother about your name?"
Ah. That's right. I didn't tell him my name.
I smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.
"You hid that you were going to the Lowborn Sect, too, Brother. Let's talk about it later."
"What? How did you know that? Did you already know that day and chase after me? Oh my god, this brother is hurt. I never knew my sister was such a secretive person!"
Yeon-ryang shouted as if he was wronged. I hit Yeon-ryang on the back.
"Be quiet. This is a serious situation right now?"
The Three Great Disciples of the Wudang sect standing behind Jin-sung looked back and forth between Yeon-ryang and me with eyes that seemed to ask what was going on.
I felt a little embarrassed by their gazes.
Ugh, how embarrassing…….
Ignoring the squawking Yeon-ryang, I turned my gaze to Jin-sung.
"Is the reason you explained all there is to it? It has nothing to do with me poisoning the man who was supposed to be my fiancé, right?"
At my question, Jin-sung blinked blankly, then slowly nodded.
"……Yes. That matter is irrelevant."
I was wondering why he seemed so surprised, but I soon realized the reason.
"Oh my god. Sister. So that's why you ran away from home? Ugh, to poison your fiancé because you didn't want to get married. The daughters of the Tang Clan are scary."
Yeon-ryang, who had his mouth wide open, pretended to rub his arms as if he was getting goosebumps.
The Taoist priests of the Wudang sect also exchanged glances with each other and took a step back from me. They had faces as if they were looking at the villainess of the century.
I felt wronged.
"That's not true? That's just what they say. I didn't kill him. And he wasn't my fiancé. Someone else killed him and framed me."
"If I want to live a long life, I have to make sure my sister doesn't get angry. She might shove Poison down my brother's throat."
"I'm telling you, that's not it. Be quiet before I actually shove it down your throat."
I pinched Yeon-ryang's arm and met Jin-sung's eyes. He stood silently without changing his expression.
I tried to hide my nervousness and racked my brain.
If what Jin-sung said was true, there wouldn't be a big problem even if I cooperated with the investigation.
The nature of my Inner Energy is close to Poison, but it has nothing to do with Demonic Arts.
The Alliance wouldn't privately accept a mere merchant's revenge, so my safety wouldn't be threatened.
But Yeon-ryang is different.
The moment he enters the Murim Alliance, he will never be able to get out of the prison.
In a den of beasts that grind their teeth at the Demonic Sect, it would be nearly impossible for him to get out without being discovered as a member of the Demonic Sect.
Sweat gathered in my palms. I bit the soft flesh inside my mouth and looked at Yeon-ryang.
There were countless people in Mu-han who saw us together.
If I sent Yeon-ryang away now, saying that we were not together, everyone would think it was suspicious.
But taking Yeon-ryang to the Murim Alliance was even more out of the question.
I owed Yeon-ryang my life twice. I couldn't turn a blind eye to him after receiving his favor.
I raised my chin as if nothing was wrong.
"Then I will accompany you. I am innocent. But I am cooperating with the investigation for the sake of proving my innocence, not admitting that I am the culprit who left behind Demonic Energy. So don't threaten me like you did earlier."
"……As you wish."
Jin-sung, who answered, politely clasped his hands.
Yeon-ryang's fingertips trembled slightly when he heard the word Demonic Energy. I pulled out Ju-ryeong, who was sleeping in my arms, and handed him to Yeon-ryang.
"Ju-ryeong. You're heavy, so go to Brother."
"Kkyuuk."
Then I winked at Yeon-ryang.
Yeon-ryang, who seemed to have realized something, smiled.
I put on a harmless face and gestured to Jin-sung.
"Then lead the way."
"Yes. Miss."
Jin-sung nodded lightly and turned his back. The Three Great Disciples, who were watching, followed Jin-sung out of the building.
The moment I left the battlefield and stepped onto the street, I grabbed Yeon-ryang's sleeve.
"Brother."
"Yes."
"Run!"
I scattered red Poison smoke and kicked off the ground. I could feel the Wudang sect disciples, who were flustered by the Poison smoke that obscured their vision, hesitating.
I thought I made eye contact with Jin-sung, who had a shocked expression as if he was looking at a con artist, but I didn't have time to pay attention to it.
I'm sorry. Naive Taoist priest. I have to live, too.
"Kkiiik! Kkiiiiik!"
Ju-ryeong, who had been caught off guard after waking up from sleep, screamed and clung to Yeon-ryang's shoulder.
"Where should we go, Sister?"
"I don't know the way! Go as far as you can! I'll follow you!"
"Got it!"
We turned into a side street and ran aimlessly through a deserted alley.
"Brother. No matter what happens, don't draw on your Inner Energy."
"What?"
"Did you hear earlier? The reason the Murim Alliance is chasing us is because they found traces of Demonic Arts. You mustn't reveal your identity."
"What is that……."
Yeon-ryang widened his eyes.
"So-hye, you, how long have you known……."
"Let's talk about it later. No matter what happens, you can't use Inner Energy. Absolutely. Pretend to be a third-rate Martial Arts Practitioner before I feed you San Gong Poison. Got it?"
Yeon-ryang nodded at my urgent whisper.
He had a flustered expression, but he seemed to understand what I meant.
He wouldn't want to be exposed as a member of the Demonic Sect like this, but this was not a situation where I could be considerate of his feelings.
"And if I get caught, you go alone."
"What?"
"Even if I get caught, I won't die. If you get caught, you'll die. I'll create an opening for you depending on the situation, so run away."
"Come on, Sister. Are you underestimating this brother too much? I can beat those Three Great Disciples without a single ounce of Inner Energy."
Yeon-ryang smiled loosely and bluffed. He seemed to be trying to reassure me, but his complexion was not good either.
I can somehow shake off the Three Great Disciples. The problem was the support coming from the Alliance.
I didn't have much Poison left either. If even the Martial Law Unit moved…….
"Miss. Stop."
Ugh, is it because he's a Taoist priest that he flew here? When did he catch up!
Jin-sung, who had caught up closely, glared at me and drew his sword. He had a slightly angry face.
Behind him, the Three Great Disciples, who couldn't keep up with Jin-sung's speed, could be seen running with difficulty in the distance.
One, two, three……. Four including Jin-sung. One is missing. Did he go to request support? Damn it.
I bit my lip and whispered to Yeon-ryang.
"The moment Taoist Priest Jin-sung crosses swords with you, he'll recognize you. I'll deal with him, so don't step forward."
"Wow, the day has come when my sister protects me. You've grown so much. Sister. This brother is so moved that I'm crying."
Yeon-ryang chuckled and reached for his scabbard.
"Split up there. Now!"
When Yeon-ryang ran away to the left and I ran away to the right, Jin-sung chased after me without a moment's hesitation.
My heart trembled at his fierce Qi, but I couldn't back down.
It'll be okay. He's a Taoist priest, so he wouldn't kill me, right?
I took a deep breath and rolled once to reduce my speed. The ground was deeply dug, and dirt and dust flew up.
When I turned around, I saw Jin-sung walking steadily through the hazy dust.
"You refuse the toast and choose the penalty drink."
"Is a Taoist priest allowed to offer alcohol? I thought you said you shouldn't bring alcohol into the Jasogung Palace."
I retorted and put my hand in my sleeve and grabbed the Flying Dagger.
Seeing me say this as a joke, it seemed like I had picked up Yeon-ryang's habit.
"Join me now. I will pretend that you running away never happened."
"Would Taoist Priest Jin-sung go to his death willingly? It's obvious that you're trying to frame me, isn't it?"
"The Alliance is not a place to frame people. If you refuse so much, I can only think that you are running away to hide your Demonic Arts."
I shook the Flying Dagger wrapped in bluish-green Inner Energy and got angry.
"Look closely. Where does this look like Demonic Arts? This is an insult not only to me but also to my grandfather. I inherited the Poison King's unique Martial Arts Technique. Can you look at my grandfather's face and call it Demonic Arts?"
Unless he has two lives, he wouldn't be able to.
Then Jin-sung frowned and thought for a moment before turning his gaze to Yeon-ryang.
"If it's not you, then it must be that person."
"I'm sorry, but my brother has been rolling around on the streets for a long time and doesn't have a single ounce of Inner Energy. I'm afraid I can't meet the Taoist priest's expectations."
"So-hye! Your brother is not that bad!"
Yeon-ryang, who was dealing with the Three Great Disciples in the distance, shouted as if he was wronged.
He has time to argue, so he must have plenty of time. No, I told him not to clash, so why is he attracting attention?
I hurriedly threw the Flying Dagger to attract Jin-sung's attention, and Jin-sung's eyes became fierce as he lightly deflected the Flying Dagger.
"Miss. You will regret this."
"I already am."
His eyes are disgustingly scary.
Jin-sung lowered his body, gripping his sword tightly as if he would no longer show mercy.
The blade of the Songmun Ancient Sword in his hand shone sharply.
Jin-sung, who had soared into the air in an instant, swung his sword down at me.
Clang!
Jin-sung's sword and my Flying Dagger collided.
