Episode 178: Return to the Demon Sect
“Aaaah! I can’t take it anymore! I really can’t figure it out!”
Out of nowhere, Churyang clutched his head with both hands and shouted in frustration.
Startled by the sudden outburst, Ham Cheonseok furrowed his brow deeply.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“Well, you see, last night I…”
Churyang began to speak but then shook his head, dismissing the thought.
“Never mind…”
“What are you babbling about?”
“Sir, is your goal to solve the case, or is it to understand the whole story?”
“Obviously, it’s to solve it.”
“See, that’s the problem. It just doesn’t sit right with me.”
Muttering something incomprehensible, Churyang abruptly stood up and strode off purposefully.
Watching him go, Ham Cheonseok shook his head in disbelief.
“That lunatic…”
Just then, a subordinate from the Black Wolf Brigade approached Ham Cheonseok.
“Sir, Master Wonsang wishes to see you.”
**
When Ham Cheonseok arrived at Bukmyeong Hall, Wonsang was seated at a table, looking unusually relaxed. A faint smile played on his lips, a stark contrast to his demeanor the previous day.
As Ham Cheonseok entered, Wonsang greeted him with a triumphant expression.
“Tonight, we strike the Heavenly Destruction Squad.”
Ham Cheonseok flinched and looked at Wonsang.
‘Is he serious?’
He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Are you really serious about this?”
“Hahaha. Do you think I’d call you here just to joke around?”
“And how do you plan to handle the aftermath?”
Wonsang smirked and handed over a letter. Ham Cheonseok took it, reading it carefully, his expression growing more serious with each line.
When he finished, Wonsang spoke again.
“Isn’t that up to the Black Wolf Brigade?”
Ham Cheonseok returned the letter, his mind racing.
‘So, the plan is to eliminate Sabigang and the Heavenly Destruction Squad here?’
It was indeed an opportunity. With the Black Wolf Brigade present, they could easily dispose of Sabigang and the squad, framing them as outlaws. Bukmyeong News could then claim they fought against these sudden intruders.
However, one thing still bothered him…
‘Wonsang’s innocence hasn’t been fully proven yet.’
Would the leader have given such orders if he knew the Red Martial Squad had fallen to Bukmyeong’s sword? It’s not wise to blindly trust Bukmyeong News, but neither is it wise to doubt them without evidence.
Observing Ham Cheonseok’s reaction, Wonsang raised an eyebrow.
“Not to your liking?”
Ham Cheonseok replied coldly, “It’s not about liking it. Just make sure it’s handled without mistakes. We’ll take care of the cleanup.”
Orders were orders, regardless of personal feelings. Without clear evidence of betrayal, they had to proceed. Eliminating Sabigang and the squad might even make it easier to trace the missing gold.
Wonsang laughed heartily. “Hahaha! We’re on the same page today. Let’s pull this troublesome tooth before it festers any further.”
As he finished speaking, a bird perched by the window took flight.
**
Sabigang lay on his bed, his eyes rolled back as if possessed. After a moment, he released the observer spell, and his eyes returned to normal. With a faint smile, he stretched and loosened his muscles.
‘Just as I thought.’
He spoke to the air, his voice casual.
“You’re here?”
“Yes, Lord Hongyeom is at your service.”
A shadow emerged beside the bed, as if from nowhere. Sabigang waved a hand dismissively.
“Not you. Them.”
“Ah, yes. They’ve all arrived.”
“Something’s going down tonight.”
“Understood. I’ll pass it on.”
After the brief exchange, Hongyeom’s presence vanished as if it had never been. Sabigang’s lips curled into a sly grin.
“Time to reel them in.”
**
A little past noon, Ham Cheonseok and Churyang headed to a nearby inn. Although Bukmyeong News had its own dining facilities, they chose to eat outside to avoid the prying eyes of the Inspection Bureau.
They sat by a window on the second floor, enjoying their lunch. Suddenly, Churyang stood up abruptly.
“What? They’re attacking the Heavenly Destruction Squad…!”
He quickly swallowed his words under Ham Cheonseok’s sharp glare, noticing a few patrons glancing their way.
Ham Cheonseok clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Why don’t you just shout it from the rooftops?”
“Sorry, I was just surprised.”
“A true master doesn’t show their emotions.”
“I’m not a master, though, am I? Haha.”
Churyang scratched his head sheepishly, and Ham Cheonseok sighed.
“Why don’t you try a little harder? You’re part of the Black Wolf Brigade, but you’re a martial artist first. It’s not all about tracking skills. One day, you’ll see the need for advanced martial arts.”
“Why does this always come up? I know, I just haven’t found a master worth respecting yet.”
“I could teach you.”
“Ah, you’re not quite there yet, sir.”
“I’ll train you until you eat those words.”
“Hahaha. I’ll politely decline.”
Ham Cheonseok was about to retort but shook his head and sighed instead.
“Just eat your food.”
“Thank you for the meal, sir!”
“When did I say I was paying…?”
“But sir.”
Churyang interrupted, and Ham Cheonseok paused, noticing a change in Churyang’s demeanor.
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Churyang hesitated, torn about whether to mention the gold he saw yesterday. If he told Ham Cheonseok, he’d confront Wonsang, and who knew where that would lead?
Churyang shook his head.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Speak.”
“It’s really nothing.”
“Don’t make me force it out of you.”
“Seriously, it’s nothing.”
Ham Cheonseok’s eyes narrowed.
“If you’re hiding something like last time, I’ll kill you. I swear.”
“Haha! When did I ever…?”
“Remember when you kept the most crucial clue to yourself, and we spent a month chasing our tails?”
“But we caught him, didn’t we?”
“Yeah, dead. We were supposed to capture him alive. If you’d shared that clue, we could’ve caught him alive. When will you break that habit?”
“Well, sometimes you just want to solve the puzzle yourself.”
“You weirdo. I don’t have that problem.”
“Actually, sir, I… Hmm… No, never mind.”
In a flash, Ham Cheonseok stood and grabbed Churyang by the collar, lifting him. He held a chopstick in one hand, ready to strike.
“Let’s end this now.”
“Okay, okay! I’ll talk! People are watching.”
Ham Cheonseok released him with a shove.
“Spit it out.”
“You’re so sensitive about these things, sir. And about your kids, too.”
“Just get to the point.”
Churyang rubbed his neck and glanced around before his expression turned serious. He whispered.
[I saw it. With my own eyes.]
[Saw what?]
[The gold.]
[You saw the gold?]
Ham Cheonseok stood up again, unable to contain his surprise.
Churyang continued, still deep in thought.
[I saw a significant amount. Not as much as what the Eastern Family lost, but still.]
[Where?]
[Inside Bukmyeong News.]
[Where exactly in Bukmyeong News?]
**
Bok Ilryong, the leader of the Thunder Sword Brigade, reported in a low voice.
“We’ve assembled the best of the best. Everything is proceeding smoothly.”
Wonsang nodded.
“Good. Tonight’s the night. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
“Of course. The reception is also going as planned.”
“Good work. Make sure they don’t suspect a thing.”
“Don’t worry.”
“How many do we have?”
“Two hundred and fifty.”
“That’s plenty. I hope we haven’t overprepared for just twenty-two people.”
“Better safe than sorry.”
Wonsang chuckled at Bok Ilryong’s words.
“True. Ideally, they won’t even need to get involved.”
“They won’t.”
“Heh heh heh. Well, if there’s one thing I can trust, it’s my luck with Bok Daeju.”
Wonsang chuckled warmly, giving Bok Il-ryong a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Just then, the chief officer burst into the room, his face a mask of urgency.
“Master! We have a serious problem!”
“What now?” Wonsang snapped, irritation creeping into his voice.
The chief officer, pale as a ghost, stammered, “It’s… it’s the gold bars…”
Wonsang’s expression grew increasingly grave as he listened.
**
Wonsang stood there, mouth agape, unable to utter a word.
Beside him, Bok Il-ryong was equally stunned.
The two of them were frozen, eyes wide as if they’d been struck on the back of the head with a hammer.
Next to them, Ham Cheon-seok spoke in a cold, cutting tone.
“What is the meaning of this?”
”…”
“Why are they here?”
When he pressed again, Wonsang shook his head, bewildered.
“I… I have no idea. I should be the one asking. Why on earth are they here? Bok Daeju… what is all this?”
But Bok Il-ryong was just as clueless.
His mind was a fog.
Before them lay a pile of gold bars.
Bok Il-ryong muttered, dazed, “I have no idea. How did this happen…?”
Suddenly, Ham Cheon-seok shouted, his voice booming.
“Do you expect us to believe that? Are you really going to deny everything when things have come to this?”
“I truly don’t know!”
“Hmph! Perhaps…”
Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Did you betray the master? Was the plan to eliminate Sabigang and Cheonmyeoldae, and then target us next? To claim these gold bars for yourself…?”
“Enough! How dare you suggest such a thing!”
Wonsang shouted, his face darkening with anger.