Episode 232: Return to the Demonic Sect
“How much of the budget do we have left?”
At Sabikang’s question, Hongyeom replied with utmost respect.
“About thirty percent of the gold bars we acquired last time remains.”
“We’ve been spending quite a bit, haven’t we?”
Indeed, after a period of lavish spending, it was only natural that the funds would start to dwindle. They had hired countless workers to construct impressive buildings in Cheonsang Palace. The fact that even thirty percent remained indicated just how substantial the last haul of gold had been. But if they continued at this rate, they’d soon run dry. It was time to manage their resources more carefully.
“How are things on the side of the Justice Alliance?”
“They’ve mostly stabilized after some initial restructuring.”
“So, the regional leaders have some breathing room, then.”
“Yes, it seems there are no major issues at the moment.”
“Good. We should pull Damugi from the Heavenly Bloodstorm Division.”
“I’ll pass on the message.”
Damugi was more adept at handling finances than martial arts. He could likely restore their financial standing.
“Assign Damugi full control over financial management, and ensure all related tasks follow his lead.”
“Understood.”
Hongyeom bowed deeply. Sabikang nodded and asked, “Anything else to report?”
“We’ve located the merchant you mentioned.”
Sabikang’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Oh? Where?”
“At a brothel called ‘Sohwaru’ in Bogang County.”
“Sohwaru, huh…”
“It’s the cheapest brothel in the area, mostly filled with retired courtesans. It’s frequented by laborers and gamblers who spend their earnings as soon as they make them.”
“I see.”
Sabikang nodded slowly. A brothel filled with those at the bottom of society. It wasn’t surprising that a merchant would be there. Perhaps it was…
“A branch of the Underworld Gate, perhaps?”
Hongyeom nodded. “Our investigations suggest it’s more than ninety percent likely.”
“So, the Underworld Gate has been looking after him?”
The picture was becoming clearer. A sect made up of society’s lowest, yet one with the widest reach and the most information. It wouldn’t be strange for the Underworld Gate to know something about demonic tools. Perhaps Seolbaek had dealings with them. If so, were the masked figures who rescued Seolbaek from the Underworld Gate? No, that seemed too neat. The aura they exuded was too refined, unlike the chaotic and messy style of the Underworld Gate’s fighters. Their energy was so polished it was hard to tell if they were orthodox or unorthodox. One thing was certain…
“They were manipulating mana.”
Sabikang’s eyes narrowed. Who were they, then? Could they be related to the White Tiger Hall? It was still unclear. More investigation was needed. For now…
“I need to visit Sohwaru.”
“Please be careful.”
Hongyeom’s expression was genuinely concerned. This mission felt like it would be anything but straightforward. It might not just be a simple clash with the Underworld Gate.
Sabikang nodded.
**
Ryu Yeojoong paused with a teacup in hand. Sabikang had come to see him, piquing his curiosity. What could this man, who had been making waves since arriving at the Blood Lotus Sect, possibly want? Despite the trials thrown his way, Sabikang had navigated them effortlessly. His visit surely meant he had a request.
As expected, Sabikang entered the military office, declined the offered seat, and got straight to the point. Ryu Yeojoong looked up, surprised by his words.
“What did you say?”
“I need to go somewhere for a while.”
“Where exactly?”
“I’d rather not say.”
Ryu Yeojoong set down his teacup with a sigh. This man was certainly intriguing, but also quite frustrating. How could a hostage so boldly declare he was going somewhere? True, Sabikang had left Cheonsang Palace several times before, whether to visit nearby gambling dens or capture the Meng family gang. Even when he subdued the Seol siblings, he had left the palace. But those were all within the local area, under the influence of the Blood Lotus Sect. In other words, if Cheonsang Palace was the inner circle of the Justice Alliance, the surrounding area was its outer circle. Everyone there was connected to the palace, so there was no need to report Sabikang’s movements. But this time was different. Sabikang’s request implied he intended to leave the sect’s territory.
Ryu Yeojoong looked up at Sabikang and said, “In that case, I’ll have to assign a watcher.”
“That’s not acceptable. I have a right to privacy.”
Ryu Yeojoong’s expression hardened. ‘Permission isn’t yours to grant!’ The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he forced a smile. A military strategist must never show their emotions. They must remain calm to see the situation clearly. ‘A hostage talking about privacy…’
Suppressing his thoughts, he spoke again. “I can’t let you go alone. I’ll assign a watcher.”
“I don’t need a watcher.”
‘But we do!’ Ryu Yeojoong swallowed his rising frustration and took a sip of tea. The hot liquid soothed his irritation. In a calm voice, he said, “It’s not that I don’t trust you, Sabikang. But I have my responsibilities.”
“If you trust me, just let me go. I’ll leave my disciple here as a guarantee.”
“Your disciple…?”
“Churyang.”
“Ah… But he’s not a suitable substitute for you.”
“Are you underestimating my disciple?”
“It seems more like you don’t value him much.”
“Hmm. I care deeply for my disciple.”
‘You don’t sound convincing at all!’ Ryu Yeojoong hid his thoughts and shook his head. “Still, I can’t agree.”
“Then I’ll just sneak out.”
‘This man…!’ Ryu Yeojoong’s frustration boiled over. How did the Justice Alliance’s chief strategist manage to work with someone so unyielding? He found himself admiring the strategist’s patience.
“Are you really going to do this?”
“I must.”
Ryu Yeojoong sighed and stood up. “I have no choice, then. Please wait a moment.”
He left and returned shortly with a wooden box. Opening it, he said, “If you refuse a watcher, I’ll have to use this.”
“If it’s poison, I refuse.”
“Anticipating that, I prepared something else.”
With a faint smile, Ryu Yeojoong held up a small vial. “This is Red Mouse Scent.”
Red Mouse Scent. Made from the saliva of the mystical Golden Red Mouse, it’s undetectable to humans. However, the male Golden Blue Mouse, which mates with the Golden Red Mouse, can detect it from miles away. Moreover, the Golden Blue Mouse can run as fast as a martial artist using light footwork. In other words, if Sabikang disappeared, they would release the Golden Blue Mouse to track him. The only way to remove the scent was to cover it with the Blue Mouse Scent, the saliva of the Golden Blue Mouse.
“Shall we agree on this compromise?”
Sabikang pondered for a moment. It was certainly better than having a watcher or ingesting poison.
“Fine. Let’s do that.”
“Then when you return, I’ll remove the scent with the Blue Mouse Scent. How long will you need?”
“I’ll be back within fifteen days.”
“Understood. If you’re not back by then, I’ll release the Golden Blue Mouse.”
“Do as you wish.”
Ryu Yeojoong opened the vial and began applying the Red Mouse Scent to Sabikang. Suddenly, Sabikang remembered something.
“Oh, and don’t even think about secretly assigning a watcher. I’ll kill them all.”
“Hmm. Understood.”
**
“Isn’t this a bit much? Leaving me as a hostage while you go off on your own?”
Churyang protested, clearly upset. Sabikang shrugged nonchalantly.
“Well, they didn’t accept you as a hostage, so it worked out, didn’t it?”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better!”
“Hmm. Did you want to be a hostage?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Churyang shouted, feeling betrayed. He had trusted his master, yet here he was, being tossed aside like an old shoe while Sabikang went off alone. The more he thought about it, the more hurt he felt. And to top it off, it was the Blood Lotus Sect that rejected him as a hostage!
‘Do I really have so little value?’
Churyang sighed deeply as Sabikang stopped and glanced up at a sign.
“This is the closest inn to Sohwaru. Let’s stay here.”
The two secured a room and settled in. Churyang went to the window, watching the people bustling about in the street below.
‘So this is Bogang County…’
It had been a while since they ventured beyond the influence of the Blood Lotus Sect, and the change of scenery left him feeling inexplicably excited.
“Master, why don’t you teach the squad members how to handle mana?”
Up until now, Sabigang had never taught the squad members how to manipulate mana.
Yet, whether during lessons or surprise attacks from the squad, he always defended himself using magic.
“They’ll rely solely on their inner strength when facing demons. Just as the martial artists of the Central Plains know little about magic, demons are equally unfamiliar with our martial arts. Sometimes, pure martial arts from the Central Plains can be more effective than magical attacks.”
“I see…”
“In essence, they’re like a special unit that uses only the martial arts of the Central Plains.”
“So, when you defend with magic, it’s to…”
“Get them accustomed to facing magic.”
“Understood.”
Churyang nodded in agreement.
Sabigang sprawled out on the bed.
“I’m heading to Sohwaru tonight.”
“Should I come with you?”
“No, you stay here. We still don’t have a clear picture of who’s in Haomun. It could be dangerous.”
“Master, are you worried about me…?”
“I just don’t want you getting in the way.”
“Oh, right…”
Churyang sighed again.