The King of the Underworld (2)
It wasn’t until Sima Qian returned to his office that he finally shared his thoughts.
“That man, Baekpyo, is exactly the kind of person I expected.”
Jo Byeok responded cautiously.
“So, you believe he didn’t receive the sword from Galsaryang, but rather saw it?”
“That’s what I initially thought. But…”
Sima Qian paused for a moment before speaking softly.
“When I suddenly questioned him at the end, he was too calm. Of course, he’s led the Mengho Group for a long time, so it’s natural for him to be composed. But his calmness was different, as if he had practiced for such a situation.”
“Your insight is sharp as always.”
Yet, Sima Qian soon shook his head, puzzled.
“It’s strange. If he hid such a precious sword, why linger around the Martial Alliance? Why not disappear far away?”
Sima Qian would never understand. Baekpyo couldn’t leave the Mengho Group because he missed the world of martial arts too much, and that’s why he couldn’t stray far from the Martial Alliance.
“He must have some ulterior motive.”
Jo Byeok was the one who initially suspected Baekpyo. Since nothing came up in the investigation of Galsaryang, he hoped the sword was with Baekpyo. That way, he could prove his investigation wasn’t flawed.
“We should look into it.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“How?”
Jo Byeok believed that conventional methods would never uncover the sword. The opponent was the former leader of the Mengho Group, and the object in question was the King of the Underworld Sword.
“It’s better if you don’t know the details.”
He intended to handle it personally, meaning he would take full responsibility if anything went wrong.
“You do know, right? That he was the top bodyguard of the Martial Alliance.”
“Of course.”
Only after warning him to be cautious did Sima Qian entrust the task to him.
“Alright, I’ll leave this matter to you.”
After Jo Byeok left, Sima Qian walked over to the window.
In the distance, Galsaryang was approaching, carrying a stack of books and documents. Despite the late hour, he was still working.
Sima Qian watched him with an expressionless face.
When Galsaryang noticed him, he greeted him politely.
“Still not asleep, sir?”
Sima Qian, like an actor on stage, suddenly wore a gentle expression.
“You’re working hard at this late hour.”
Even though he knew the workload he had given was the reason for Galsaryang’s toil, Sima Qian smiled shamelessly.
“I’m getting older, and my efficiency is declining. Good night, then.”
After another polite bow, Galsaryang continued on his way.
He could feel the cold gaze following him from behind.
Though he had his back turned, Galsaryang didn’t even smirk. He was aware he was being watched.
For now, he had to play the part of a defeated man perfectly. He knew Sima Qian still didn’t trust him.
But one day, he would. And when that day came, Sima Qian would believe he had truly subdued him.
But that would be the beginning of the counterattack.
So, was he just biding his time, waiting for that day? Not at all. He had already activated his secret network. Having spent a lifetime in the Martial Alliance, much of it as the chief strategist, he had many loyal followers.
Many of them were spies, embedded not only within the Martial Alliance but also in key positions across various organizations in the central plains. They would assist him.
His target wasn’t Sima Qian.
It was Ma Bong-gi, and beyond him, someone else.
Since Ma Bong-gi’s appointment, he had secretly observed and investigated him. His conclusion was clear: there was someone else behind the scenes. Judging by Ma Bong-gi’s actions as the leader, it was evident he wasn’t the one pulling the strings.
“I don’t know how you managed to kill the leader, but I will uncover the truth and avenge him. Even if it takes ten or twenty years.”
He would do whatever it took for that day.
I rented a room at an inn not far from Baekpyo’s tavern.
The first thing I needed to do was find out what Sima Qian was looking for. If Baekpyo had it, he was in grave danger.
Earlier, Sima Qian had asked if Galsaryang had entrusted him with something.
Was he searching for Galsaryang’s item? Or was it mine?
Given that Sima Qian was personally involved, it had to be something significant. What could be so important? I couldn’t know about Galsaryang’s belongings, so I thought about my own.
I wasn’t one to collect or embellish things, so there wasn’t anything particularly valuable. I didn’t have any jewels like night pearls, nor any elixirs or treasures.
I’ve lived my life relying on a single sword, haven’t I?
Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I jumped up in surprise.
Could it be?
I stood up abruptly without realizing it.
The King of the Underworld Sword?
A conversation with Galsaryang from about ten years ago came to mind.
“The leader always uses the King of the Underworld Sword. Even though there are many treasured swords in the alliance’s report, he always returns them after a few months, doesn’t he?”
“Did I do that?”
“The fact that you weren’t even aware of it shows how much you cherish the King of the Underworld Sword.”
“I’ve had it for so long that it feels like a part of me. If I die, make sure to find someone worthy of it.”
“Don’t joke about such things. That’s decades away.”
“Haha. My friend, I’m already over sixty.”
Ah, the thought that I might have really hidden the King of the Underworld Sword crossed my mind. If that were the case, Sima Qian wouldn’t give up easily.
Another scene naturally came to mind.
The sword and shield decoration hanging on the wall of the tavern.
Goodness!
When I first saw it, I thought it was just for decoration.
But I had never seen Baekpyo carve anything in my past life. I had never heard he had such a hobby.
Could he have hidden the King of the Underworld Sword in that decoration?
The next day, after retrieving ten thousand nyang from the battlefield, I went to see an information broker.
Since the Martial Alliance’s main base was in Wuhan, there were many information organizations there.
Information networks weren’t run secretly like before; they operated legally and competitively, so you could find signs of information brokers all over the marketplace.
I went to the Tianwanghui’s Wuhan branch.
The place I had visited to find Galsaryang was run by the head of Tianwanghui.
Of course, that was where the head was, and the Wuhan branch of Tianwanghui was elsewhere.
The information I requested there was about the man who accompanied Sima Qian. From what I felt yesterday, he wasn’t an ordinary bodyguard.
Sima Qian had only brought one person with him to the tavern.
In other words, he was someone Sima Qian trusted for a secret mission. I anticipated that Sima Qian would use him for this task.
Even if not, it was a worthwhile investment. It wouldn’t hurt to know who the right-hand man of the Martial Alliance’s chief strategist was.
Investigating Sima Qian directly would require extreme caution, but looking into his subordinates wasn’t much of an issue. Various organizations within the Martial Alliance collected information to keep each other in check.
The information fee for the man was three thousand nyang. Quite a sum for a mere martial artist. It was likely priced several times higher because he was the chief strategist’s right-hand man.
After placing the order with the information broker, I headed to the tavern.
When I arrived, Baekpyo was just opening the door.
“You really came back!”
“Oh dear, I came too early.”
“Not at all. I was just about to open. Please, come in.”
“Forgive me. I couldn’t sleep, longing for the taste of the wind in your wine.”
“Haha. I’ve never heard anyone describe our wine as having the taste of the wind.”
What wine could taste like the wind? It’s just that looking at Baekpyo makes me feel like I’m standing on a vast plain, feeling the breeze.
“Please, come in.”
At that moment, I noticed Baekpyo discreetly move a small palm-sized container hanging by the door. I pretended not to see, but I knew what it was.
It was a night-crying insect, commonly used by the Mengho Group. It only awakens at night and cries when someone approaches. It’s an excellent method for nighttime vigilance, guarding against intruders.
Inside, I took my usual seat.
“I just opened, so it’s a bit chaotic.”
“I’m the one who should apologize.”
“If I had more customers like you, I’d be rich in no time.”
“Then I should come every day to make you rich.”
“Hahaha.”
Baekpyo laughed heartily.
“Please, have a seat for a moment.”
“Don’t mind me. I’ll just sit here and enjoy the view outside.”
“Please do.”
The scenery here was truly beautiful.
Beyond the reeds swaying in the wind, the river sparkled in the sunset.
It’s a place that makes you want to live here.
Perhaps Baekpyo, while enduring the tough and challenging duties of a bodyguard, dreamed of one day running a tavern in a place like this. If so, this would be Baekpyo’s ‘someday sanctuary.’
“Where is your family?”
I asked, and Baekpyo replied.
“There’s a house attached to the tavern right behind me. My wife can’t help with the work because our child is still young.”
“Ah, I see.”
In truth, I wasn’t too worried about Baekpyo.
I was one of the few who knew his true nature. People didn’t realize how strong he was.
There’s a saying in the martial world: if you want to live long, don’t reveal all your strength.
The ones who adhere most strictly to that principle are the bodyguards. By nature, they despise standing out. Baekpyo was one of those individuals.
He was a skilled fighter who had once fended off the combined assault of the Seven Demons of Heukcheongung. Hearing “Seven Demons,” you might think they were just some notorious villains, but that wasn’t the case. The Seven Demons were masters of dark arts and illusions, embodying the very essence of what it means to be sinister. Or rather, they were wicked women.
Countless martial arts masters from righteous sects had fallen to their tricks. Yet, Baekpyo had managed to withstand their combined attack.
Of course, after another battle, I personally stepped in to eliminate the Seven Demons, but Baekpyo had held them off for over seven hundred moves.
What worries me is his family. The stronger Baekpyo becomes, the more those scoundrels will try to exploit his weaknesses.
Vile people never hesitate to commit the unthinkable. Their methods are always the same.
My gaze naturally drifted to the ornament hanging on the wall.
In a past life, I had shared a bond with the Suramyungwang Sword.
After spending many years together, a legendary sword recognizes its master. Not that the sword has emotions, but it understands me, senses my feelings. If I was angry, it knew how much. When our emotions aligned, the sword’s power was amplified.
In the past, if I channeled my energy into the Suramyungwang Sword, it would respond.
But now, with my body changed by the Wall of Separation, I wasn’t sure if it would recognize my energy. The Heavenly Martial Heart Technique remained the same, so it seemed likely, but I wouldn’t know until I tested it.
When Baekpyo stepped out to take out the trash, I quickly approached the ornament.
I extended my hand and sent a small amount of energy into the wooden sword.
In the next moment, the wooden sword vibrated slightly in response. I knew then.
It truly was the Suramyungwang Sword!
He had hidden the legendary sword within the wooden one.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
How on earth did Baekpyo think to hide such a sword in plain sight?
Then again, it made sense.
He must have considered it more precious than life itself. Entrusting it to someone else or burying it somewhere would have been too risky. He must have decided it was safer to keep it where he could watch over it all day.
The enemy is formidable.
Baekpyo would protect the sword with his life.
How should I resolve this?