Chapter 49

Chapter 49
## Chapter 49: Setting Out on the Road (2)

“It is I, Brother.”

The familiar voice drifting through the entrance caused Namgoong Hu, who had been deep in seated meditation, to slowly blink his eyes open.

“Enter.”

Namgoong Seon pushed the door open softly and stepped inside.

“I hope I am not interrupting your cultivation.”

“Do not worry. I was on the verge of seeking you out regardless. I assume your visit concerns the Heavenly Demon Cult?”

“Correct. A report just arrived stating they have moved past Yeochun.”

“Their pace is impressive. I recall you mentioning they were traveling in a significant force—upwards of a hundred men?”

“If we do not count the scouts, that is roughly the figure.”

“What of their capabilities? Did the Azure Wind Unit Leader not make contact with them himself?”

“Since they did not come to blows, he could not provide a perfect assessment, but he admitted quite candidly that they do not appear inferior to the Azure Wind Unit.”

A faint, amused sound escaped Namgoong Hu.

“When a man with pride as high as the clouds says such a thing, it essentially means they surpass the Azure Wind Unit.”

“I would hesitate to be that certain.”

“No. It has been an age since the fractured Demonic path was consolidated under the Heavenly Demon Cult, and this is their first foray back into the martial world. They would not dispatch mediocre warriors. I truly should have investigated the quality of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s vanguard myself.”

Namgoong Hu voiced his dissatisfaction before pivoting the conversation.

“On another note, what was the details regarding the friction with the Haecheon Sect? The Murim Alliance gave their word of cooperation, so they shouldn’t be causing friction without cause.”

“There were no injuries, so it appears to have been a minor spat. They likely took offense at seeing them marching through what they consider their private domain. You are well aware of how stubborn the Haecheon Sect leader can be.”

“Stubborn is a kind word—narrow-minded is more accurate. Even so, he isn’t the type to ignite a conflict without purpose.”

“The situation resolved with more grace than anticipated. The report says the Heavenly Demon Cult was deferential to the point of being pathetic. It actually left the Haecheon Sect feeling foolish because their targets were so apologetic.”

Namgoong Hu’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment.

“That is truly shocking. Such restraint is rare. To be honest, those people usually possess a pride far more intense than those of us in the orthodox sects.”

“It simply suggests their desperation is absolute.”

Namgoong Seon’s face took on a calculating look.

“And what of the fugitive they claim to be hunting?”

“The Clear Cloud Unit Leader performed a silent search of the vicinity but found nothing.”

“Then the runaway is skilled. How are they maintaining the trail?”

“They assert that the traitor is marked by a unique fragrance. They are trailing that scent.”

“A technique akin to the Thousand-Li Tracking Scent, perhaps. A strange group indeed…”

Namgoong Hu’s voice trailed off, his expression suddenly clouding as the mood in the room grew heavy.

“Brother?”

“Consider a hypothesis for a moment. What if their target isn’t a traitor at all?”

“What are you implying?”

“It crossed my mind just now. What if the hunt for a defector is merely a screen for a different objective?”

Before Namgoong Seon could offer a thought, Namgoong Hu continued his rapid deduction.

“What if this is a trial run? A prelude to a larger offensive.”

“An offensive…?”

Namgoong Seon knit his brows.

“Think on it. They have the Murim Alliance’s blessing, and they have spent their time bowing and scraping, discarding their dignity. In such a climate, they could traverse the entire martial world and no one would lift a finger. They are essentially being given a free pass to map out the strengths of the various clans and sects.”

“You suspect they have designs on the Central Plains? That they are using a convenient pretext to conduct reconnaissance?”

“Is it so far-fetched?”

“I find the probability low. Despite being unified as the Heavenly Demon Cult, these Demonic factions have been divided for two centuries. The internal friction must be immense. They likely lack the stability to challenge the martial world at this moment.”

While Namgoong Seon remained doubtful, Namgoong Hu’s conviction only seemed to sharpen.

“That is precisely why they would do it. To unify internal factions, a leader often points toward an external foe. Furthermore, if you look at the annals of our history, a unified Demonic front has never remained within its own borders. Not even once.”

The grimness of Namgoong Hu’s words caused Namgoong Seon’s face to stiffen.

“Send word to the Clear Cloud Unit Leader—no, to the Azure Wind Unit Leader as well. Order them to dedicate every resource to finding this supposed traitor. We must determine if he truly exists or if he is a ghost used to mask their true intent.”

Namgoong Hu’s gaze, as he gave the order, felt weightier than ever before.

—

“Wait, so that wasn’t just some tall tale? It’s the truth?”

“I’m telling you, it’s been going on for a month. Those Cult devils are roaming the lands like they own the place.”

“Blast it! What is the Murim Alliance thinking, letting those monsters wander around?”

“If the Namgoong family of Gangnam is keeping their distance, what do you expect the Alliance to do?”

“I never imagined the Namgoong family would show such restraint.”

“It wasn’t their choice. I heard the Murim Alliance specifically asked them to stay on the sidelines from the start.”

“Impossible. The Alliance is supposed to be the shield against them!”

“Who can say? Some rumors say the Cult asked very nicely. Others say they arrived with a mountain of gold as a bribe.”

“Forget it, there’s no way they’d be that subservient.”

“Bah! You never truly know what people will do for an advantage.”

“Still, we shouldn’t just be cursing them without knowing the whole story.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I heard several groups have run into the Cultists. You can’t blame them for being furious about outsiders walking through their front yard.”

“I’d be livid too. Anyone would.”

“But every single time, the Cult backed down completely. They were so polite it made it impossible for the local sects to keep arguing.”

The men sharing the conversation stopped, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

“The Cult did that?”

“Those bloodthirsty lunatics?”

“On my life. That’s why the Namgoong family and the Murim Alliance are just standing by.”

“What kind of trap are they setting by acting that way?”

“No idea. Doesn’t involve us anyway.”

“Doesn’t involve us? If the martial world descends into war, we’ll be the ones caught in the crossfire.”

“Fair point. A man can break his nose even falling backward if his luck is bad enough. Best to stay far away from it.”

As the guards from the famous Dragon Victory Escort Bureau of Jeongju continued their chatter, a man sitting at the adjacent table, who had been listening closely, chimed in with a relaxed tone.

“So, what has the Cult so worked up? They wouldn’t leave their mountains without a damn good reason.”

The man, Cheol Woo, who now had the full attention of the escorts, smirked and placed a hefty container of spirits on their table.

“Couldn’t help but overhear. It’s a wild story, but I’m missing the ‘why’ of it all.”

One of the escorts chuckled and pulled the liquor closer.

“Haha! It’s nothing complicated—they’re hunting a runaway, I believe. Isn’t that right?”

The escort looked to his companion for support.

“That’s the word. The Demon Cult—or rather…”

“The Heavenly Demon Cult, wasn’t it?”

Cheol Woo’s clarification prompted a nod.

“That’s the one. Heavenly Demon Cult. Word is, someone did something unforgivable and fled. Some say he tried to kill their leader, others say he made off with a sacred relic. Nobody knows for certain.”

“I heard the Murim Alliance warned everyone not to fight them because they are just chasing a criminal.”

“Yeah, I heard that too.”

“And here I thought it was something serious. Just useless talk in the end. Thanks for the spirits.”

Satisfied with the information, Cheol Woo gave a quick nod and moved back to his own spot.

“You catch that? Doesn’t seem like much.”

Sima Geon put his cup down, his forehead creased in thought at Cheol Woo’s summary.

“A traitor? They broke every major sect. Who would have the nerve?”

“Who knows. People kill their own kin for a throne every day. Maybe that fool Gwan Pae tried something?”

As Cheol Woo stirred his drink and asked the question, Sima Geon shook his head dismissively.

“Gwan Pae doesn’t have the guts. Or the talent. Gwan Jong manages the logistics and has a brain, but he doesn’t have the martial power to pull it off.”

“True enough. The rest of that bloodline is garbage. Only Gwan Ung ever had any real potential on that side of the family.”

“Gwan Ung?”

Sima Geon tilted his head in confusion.

“Don’t you recall? The leader’s nephew.”

“I have a faint memory from when we were kids, but nothing solid. We didn’t cross paths much. Besides, the leader’s inner circle suppressed him so much he didn’t even make a ripple during the unification.”

“Right. But unlike you, Brother, I actually served with him once. Remember? Back at Dragon Blood Mountain against the Phantom Ghost Divine Cult, when the Black Heaven Demons made that surprise appearance.”

After a moment of searching his memory, Sima Geon nodded.

“Yes, we had to divide our strength in a hurry.”

“Exactly. I was paired with Gwan Ung then. We did the heavy lifting, but his unit held their ground well enough.”

“So, how was his martial prowess?”

“Hard to say. I finished the fight before he really had a chance to show off. Heh.”

Sima Geon gave him a dry look.

“Then how can you say he was any good?”

“You just know. His soldiers were loyal to a fault. I didn’t think on it much then, but looking back… his aura and his way of doing things reminded me of the boss in a way.”

“…”

Cheol Woo finished his drink slowly before continuing.

“I looked into it later—he had a core of devoted followers, and some of the older generation supported him in secret.”

“So you think Gwan Ung is the one they’re hunting?”

“He’s the best candidate. If it’s an internal matter, it’s likely him.”

“If Gwan Ung actually did something, it explains the pursuit. The leader would have to eliminate him to keep his position secure.”

“But who’s leading the search? Our people? If it’s this important, you’d think the Divine Demon Division would be out there.”

“No. These guys back down from every fight. Can you picture them doing that?”

Cheol Woo shook his head decisively at Sima Geon’s question.

“Never! Not even if the leader ordered it. We didn’t train them to be doormats. Maybe if the boss himself gave the order, but otherwise, no.”

“Forget it. It’s not our concern.”

“Yeah. We have our own problems.”

Cheol Woo watched the men from the Dragon Victory Escort Bureau stand up to depart, then raised his cup one last time.

“The Shaolin Temple is just ahead.”