Episode 179: Return to the Demon Sect
Ham Cheon-seok’s expression turned icy cold.
“Do you really think you’re in a position to be making demands right now?”
“No matter what, you can’t just accuse us like this…!”
“Accuse? And what do you call these gold bars right in front of us? How do you explain this? How can we trust the sect leader when we see this?”
“I swear, I have no idea how this happened!”
Wonsang felt like he was about to explode.
How on earth did all this gold end up here?
It was as if a ghost had played a trick on them.
Ham Cheon-seok narrowed his eyes.
“Is it possible that the secret message supposedly from Lord Deungwang is also a fake?”
“How dare you! Are you saying that message was forged?”
“Then explain these gold bars. Why are they here? And they only account for about half of the gold that disappeared from the Dongbang family. Where’s the rest?”
“This is so frustrating! I told you, I don’t know!”
Wonsang pounded his chest in exasperation.
He was on the verge of losing his mind.
If he could, he would have laid his heart bare to prove his innocence.
A tense silence hung between Ham Cheon-seok and Wonsang.
Wonsang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke in a calmer tone.
“Let’s all take a moment to calm down.”
“It seems the sect leader is more agitated than I am.”
“Alright, I admit it. I’m extremely flustered right now. Think about it. We’re on the verge of being branded as traitors. How can I stay calm? I swear, we had nothing to do with this!”
“We know about the Dongbang family’s gold, and the body of Jeokmu-dae, who fell to the Bokmyeong Divine Sword, was found. Now, the gold has been discovered within Bukmyeong News. How can you claim ignorance in the face of such clear evidence? Even if Lord Deungwang knew, he might have given the same orders.”
“Are you suggesting we defy Lord Deungwang’s orders now?”
Ham Cheon-seok clamped his mouth shut, glaring at Wonsang.
Wonsang struggled to keep his composure as he spoke.
“Let’s stay focused. We have a mission to complete tonight, don’t we? Let’s concentrate on that first. I assure you, these are Lord Deungwang’s orders.”
Ham Cheon-seok continued to glare silently, prompting Wonsang to shout in frustration.
“If it weren’t for Lord Deungwang’s orders, do you think we’d be crazy enough to try and eliminate the Cheonmyeol-dae? Without the Black Wolf Brigade to clean up, we’d be branded as criminals in the martial world!”
After a long pause, Ham Cheon-seok finally spoke.
“We should send a message to headquarters, inform them of the situation, and seek Lord Deungwang’s opinion once more.”
“Do you really think that’s feasible? Do you think the Cheonmyeol-dae won’t discover these gold bars while we wait for another secret message? I don’t know why they’re here, but if the Cheonmyeol-dae finds them, we’re all doomed! Lord Deungwang wouldn’t be pleased with that. Think carefully.”
There was some truth to Wonsang’s words.
Ham Cheon-seok turned to Churyang, who stood beside him, and asked telepathically.
[What do you think?]
[They don’t seem to be lying. What do you think, sir?]
[If you say so, then it must be true.]
No one could match Churyang’s observational and judgment skills.
Trusting Churyang’s judgment over his own instincts had always proven more reliable.
Ham Cheon-seok didn’t believe they were lying either.
As he remained conflicted, Wonsang spoke again in a conciliatory tone.
“Let’s focus on the task at hand first. I promise I’ll clear our name somehow! We have nothing to do with these gold bars. Please believe that.”
Without the Black Wolf Brigade’s cooperation, the mission couldn’t proceed.
No other organization could cover their tracks as perfectly.
Finally, Ham Cheon-seok spoke heavily.
“Fine. We’ll deal with this after the mission. But we won’t participate in the battle, only in the cleanup. Tonight, we’ll stay at a nearby inn.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t impose on you any further.”
Wonsang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been worried that the entire operation against the Cheonmyeol-dae might fall apart.
Ham Cheon-seok still had many questions, but he saw no harm in eliminating Sabigang and the Cheonmyeol-dae first.
After all, the Bukmyeong News wouldn’t dare to target the Black Wolf Brigade without going mad.
Without them, there would be no one to cover their tracks, and the backlash would be severe.
Once Ham Cheon-seok and Churyang left, Wonsang slammed his fist against the wall.
Dust fell from the ceiling as it shook.
“What on earth is going on? How did these gold bars end up here?”
As he shouted, Bok Il-ryong quickly responded.
“I’ve checked with our subordinates, and they swear these weren’t here until yesterday. This place was just a storage for odds and ends…”
“Does that even make sense? Where did all this gold come from?”
Bok Il-ryong fell silent.
Pressing him wouldn’t yield any answers.
The odds and ends that should have filled the basement had vanished, replaced by gold bars. It was baffling.
“Hmm. Even after this mission, things will get complicated.”
“Why not eliminate the Cheonmyeol-dae and the Black Wolf Brigade as well?”
“What are you talking about? We couldn’t handle the aftermath! Don’t even suggest such nonsense!”
Wonsang sighed deeply and asked.
“Let’s focus on what needs to be done right now. What’s the status of the Cheonmyeol-dae?”
“They’ve been informed of a reception tonight at the hour of the boar, and they’ve accepted the invitation.”
“Good. Make sure everything is prepared without a hitch.”
“Don’t worry.”
Bok Il-ryong replied with a determined expression.
**
The Bukmyeong News had called it a small reception, but it was more like a grand banquet.
Though an inspection was underway, it was customary for each sect to host lavish receptions for the inspection teams, so it wasn’t seen as unusual.
Moreover, Sabigang didn’t shy away from such gatherings, so the Bukmyeong News assumed this inspection team was no different from the others.
The students enjoyed the food laid out in the courtyard, while Sabigang, seated at the head table, leisurely sipped his drink.
An ensemble played gentle music in one corner of the courtyard.
Wonsang approached with a warm smile.
“I hope the food is to your liking.”
“It’s a bit salty, but it’s edible.”
‘That arrogance…’
Wonsang’s brow furrowed slightly, but Sabigang continued with a smile.
“Why go to such lengths for us?”
“You’re working hard here, so it’s only right to treat you well.”
“Haha. I hope our Cheonsangcheonhayuadokjonhyeolpungmyeolsaldae hasn’t been too forceful in its search.”
“Not at all. A thorough investigation is necessary. That way, if there’s any injustice, it can be cleared up, and if there’s wrongdoing, responsibility can be taken without any lingering doubts.”
“Hahaha! I didn’t expect the leader of the Bukmyeong News to be so straightforward.”
The two laughed heartily and clinked their glasses.
Of course, Wonsang immediately used his internal energy to expel the alcohol from his system.
His eyes narrowed.
‘Yes, drink to your heart’s content. I’ll pour the leftover wine on your grave.’
Sabigang drank heavily, just as Wonsang had hoped.
Whenever a beautiful maid approached to refill his glass, he ogled her with lecherous eyes.
As the atmosphere grew more lively, Wonsang signaled to the ensemble.
The music, which had been gentle, shifted to a more lively tune, and the doors opened to reveal warriors entering with quick steps.
The warriors, dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, moved to the center of the banquet.
Sabigang turned to Wonsang and asked.
“Who are they?”
“They’re the pride of the Bukmyeong News, the Thunder Sword Brigade. These are the elite. Tonight, they’ll perform a sword dance for you. It’s meant to liven up the gathering, so please enjoy.”
“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”
Sabigang’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, while Wonsang smirked inwardly.
‘Yes, I’m looking forward to it too. To seeing your head roll!’
As the music picked up, the Thunder Sword Brigade began their dance in sync with the rhythm.
The twenty warriors moved in unison, their power and elegance magnified.
At times, they broke into individual movements, creating a natural, wave-like flow.
How long did the dance continue?
In a flash,
Swish, shiiing!
The warriors, who had been performing a dazzling sword dance, suddenly lunged at Sabigang and the Cheonmyeol-dae with their swords.
Shiiing!
Clang! Clang!
In an instant, the Cheonmyeol-dae members reflexively deployed their shields, deflecting the swords and leaping back.
Meanwhile, Bok Il-ryong, who had aimed his sword at Sabigang, widened his eyes in shock.
Incredibly, Sabigang had caught the blade with his chopsticks, frowning as he muttered.
“This doesn’t seem edible at all.”
”…!”
Bok Il-ryong was speechless.
Catching a sword with chopsticks!
‘Who is this man…!’
Feeling his pride wounded, he tightened his grip even more.
“Grrr…!”
His hands and arms trembled violently.
He was now at a point where he couldn’t thrust or withdraw his sword.
‘How can he be this strong…!’
Finally, Sabigang released the chopsticks.
With that, Bok Il-ryong staggered backward, nearly losing his balance.
“Oh, my apologies. Lately, I’ve been breaking swords left and right whenever I clash with someone. I almost made the same mistake again. By the way, that’s quite an impressive sword dance you’ve got there.”
Sabigang spoke with a carefree grin, as if he hadn’t a care in the world, and raised his cup.
Wonsang, who had been watching, was frozen in shock, unable to believe how easily Bok Il-ryong’s attack had been thwarted.
Seeing Sabigang casually sipping his drink, Wonsang snapped back to his senses and lunged forward with his sword.
“You scoundrel!”
He charged with a fierce shout,
Whoosh!
Clang!
Sabigang casually tossed his cup, and it shattered against the blade, sending shards flying.
Wonsang stumbled back, his arm tingling from the impact.
‘What… what kind of strength is this…!’
Just then, Sabigang flashed a sly smile and said,
“Are you joining in on this sword dance too, Master?”