Chapter 206: I Know Everything

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Gongsul Dan-gyeong recalled the warning her maternal grandfather Woo Yong had given before.

-If the Sun Moon Demon Cult is definitely harboring ambitions to advance into this land again after eighty years and is secretly active… they will surely have prepared this and that. Exercise caution in all matters.

But then.

The contents of the letter Cheol Ryu-heun had written were the exact opposite.

Rather, it said he would expose the hidden reality of the Sun Moon Demon Cult to the entire orthodox and unorthodox martial world.

It was bold.

Almost to the point of seeming reckless.

But she knew.

That he also held the conviction to definitely punish that group.

The same went for Gongsul Dan-gyeong’s heart after reading the text.

‘If it’s him…’

A premonition that Cheol Ryu-heun would really pull it off.

She had already felt such conviction through Mun Bin’s attitude.

He was a wise person.

There was no way the head responsible for leading such a large martial world organization would go along with mere vague expectations.

Soon, Gongsul Dan-gyeong adjusted her expression and casually spoke.

“It matches. The related information…”

“What is it?”

“First, let me explain the circumstances behind why the Beggar Sect began investigating. The initial informant was the Kunlun Divine Palace.”

“Ah…”

As Mun Bin let out a brief sound, Gongsul Dan-gyeong shared the hidden matters one by one.

Starting with how a key figure from Kunlun Divine Palace, the deeply-rooted Taoist prestigious sect in the Qinghai region of the Western Regions, had informed a Beggar Sect branch of the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s suspicious movements about a year ago. The fact that a few months ago, one of the Kunlun Sect’s great disciples had made contact with a mysterious demonic person appearing in the Gansu region.

And how he had committed suicide when his whereabouts were discovered.

Also the story that upon the Beggar Sect Chief grasping that incident and conducting an investigation after lengthy persuasion to obtain the related information from Kunlun Sect, the said demonic person was presumed to be secretly active after coming to this Hunan region.

Having heard all those words, Mun Bin deeply sank his gaze and nodded.

“Indeed… Hearing this, it fits together perfectly.”

“Yes. That the Sun Moon Demon Cult Leader, having created a new martial art, might scheme for territorial expansion through advancing into the martial world… Such cautious concern from the Kunlun Divine Palace ultimately became reality. There was a possibility that another person besides the Kunlun Sect great disciple had been recruited… and at that time, the masked person appearing at Netherworld Sword Fork’s death was the key agent.”

“Sect Leader Cheol said they’re definitely from either orthodox or unorthodox faction origin. That means they’ve prepared a forward base somewhere in this land.”

“Yes. Most likely. This makes it impossible not to believe. Sect Leader Cheol’s plan.”

“I appreciate you believing.”

“Leaving other things aside, his bold decisiveness and driving force are admirable. However… know just this. It’s because I trust Hall Master Mun that I trust Sect Leader Cheol too.”

She was subtly revealing her feelings.

Although Mun Bin, an utter dunce at romance, didn’t seem to notice.

He merely smiled pleasantly at the agreeable words.

‘TSK. Fool.’

But what can you do when even such an appearance is cute?

Immediately after, Mun Bin spoke while touching the Ink God Robe wrapped around his body.

“Perhaps hearing this story will increase your faith in Sect Master Cheol even more.”

The quick-witted Gongsul Dan-gyeong quickly spoke.

“MY! Could it be that you achieved success with Sect Master Cheol’s help…?”

Sure enough, Mun Bin nodded.

“That’s right.”

“GOOD HEAVENS… How? Is such a thing possible in such a short time?”

“Yes. I’ll show you here.”

Mun Bin quietly rose and went to stand off to one side.

Following that.

FLUTTER-

As he circulated his internal power, the hem of the Ink God Robe fluttered and generated a strange sound.

PIT, PIPIT, PIT…

Bluish sparks that crackled.

A light turquoise color.

Soon.

HWARARUK-

Light turquoise flames covered his entire body.

“This is called Person Fire Energy.”

“AH…!”

The instant Gongsul Dan-gyeong made a surprised expression, the flames vanished and new-colored sparks burst with crackling sounds.

PIPIT, PIT…

A deep purple color.

Once again, Gongsul Dan-gyeong’s eyes widened.

Without being told, she knew.

It was Phosphorus fire Energy, which paired with Person Fire Energy.

Thus, Mun Bin was now in a state where he could freely handle the two divine powers dwelling in the Ink God Robe.

Mun Bin, having put away the Phosphorus Fire Energy, sat back down.

“You were quite surprised, weren’t you? I couldn’t believe it at first either.”

“WOW, I never expected you’d awaken so quickly! Just what is Sect Leader Cheol’s ability… I’m curious. What method did he use?”

“A kind of secret realm, shall we say. I went to a place Sect Leader Cheol told me about called Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground and awakened the Ink God Robe’s potential.”

“Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground?”

“Honestly… I nearly died.”

Mun Bin shared the matter related to the Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground secret realm with those words.

Gongsul Dan-gyeong was greatly shocked again after hearing.

“That’s incredible! Even a fortuitous encounter arranged by the Ghost Flame Sword God…!”

Ghost Fire Sword God Jong Ri-yung.

The person who last possessed Ink God Robe and a supreme master who had been famed as the unorthodox faction’s strongest.

It was shocking.

That Mun Bin had obtained even his true transmission…

What she had heard earlier grew greater.

The trust in Cheol Ryu-heun.

Suddenly, the text at the end of the letter came to mind.

-This is not a fight but a hunt.

Following that, she spoke as if quietly murmuring.

“If the enemy acts according to Sect Leader Cheol’s predictions… they will repeat the past’s result.”

Repeating the past’s result.

That referred to how the Sun Moon Demon Cult raised an ambitious bloody chaos eighty years ago but was defeated by the orthodox and unorthodox forces united around the Great Yaksha Demon Sword Helian Ryung.

At that, Mun Bin made a meaningful expression.

“Yes, to be precise, they’ll pay an even greater price than that.”

Because back then, the Great Yaksha Demon Sword Helian Ryung had almost been placed at the crossroads of life and death, but Cheol Ryu-heun, who was leading this plan, was a completely different caliber of existence.

Yes, the enemy didn’t know.

Cheol Ryu-heun’s unfathomable abilities.

That would become a massive variable.

Also,

Whatever the Sun Moon Demon Cult Cult Leader anticipated would all become meaningless.

-There will be a time when I reveal my hidden power before long. You’ll find out soon too.

Having thought of Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, he smiled inwardly.

‘HA. Once this matter is concluded, Sect Leader Cheol will… become the new order of this era’s martial world.’

At that moment, a beautiful voice reached his ears.

“Oh, we got so caught up in surprising stories that I put it off. What’s the thing you wanted to ask of us separately?”

As soon as Gongsul Dan-gyeong’s question ended, Mun Bin changed his gaze and parted his lips.

“A background investigation.”

That was something Cheol Ryu-heun had requested.

-Entrust one task to the Celestial Flower Tower Tower Master. Thoroughly hide facts related to me.

-Ah… Yes. What kind of task is it?

-Investigating the backgrounds of martial world wanderers.

-…?

-The standard is martial might. Focusing on those who can be considered upper first-rate level.

-Why are you trying to find out about that?

-It’s just personal.

Mun Bin recalled the conversation from not long ago and relayed the contents as is.

Gongsul Dan-gyeong tilted her head and asked again.

“Why is that?”

However, the answer was fixed.

“It’s just personal.”

Since Mun Bin didn’t know either, he had no choice but to deflect with the same words.

Gongsul Dan-gyeong, having quietly cast her gaze, didn’t press further.

“Alright. I understand. Is the investigation scope the entire region?”

“Yes. And one more thing – please also look into those whose behavior seems suspicious.”

“Yes, no problem. But it’s so extensive that it’ll take time. I hope you’ll understand that part.”

“Yes. HAHA. It’s fine.”

“Then I’ll return to this tower immediately and get started. Please don’t bother seeing me off.”

Gongsul Dan-gyeong said her farewell and headed for the inner room door.

At that moment, Mun Bin said something to her back, and she, having turned around, opened her eyes wide.

As if it was unexpected.

What could the conversation have been?

Before long, as Gongsul Dan-gyeong closed the door and came outside, Xuan Dao Grand Master Yeok Bi-mang, the top master of the Celestial Flower Tower who had been waiting in the wide garden, approached her.

“Tower Master-nim. Did the conversation conclude well?”

But Gongsul Dan-gyeong, as if that question didn’t reach her ears, was staring blankly, then soon wore a bright smile.

“HOHO. What shall I do? He wasn’t a complete fool after all.”

“Pardon?”

“AH… HM, never mind. Something like that. Let’s head back. It’s going to get quite busy from now on.”

“Is there some business?”

“Yes. A lot of it. I’ll tell you on the way.”

Thus Gongsul Dan-gyeong left Dark Hall while recalling again what Mun Bin had said earlier.

-Tower Master, no… Young Lady Gongsul. When this fight is over, could you spare some separate time? I mean… Um… I’d like to get to know the young lady better. If I’m not burdensome to you. Ah, saying this is a bit embarrassing.

A hint of smile lingered at her mouth as she walked with light steps and wouldn’t fade.

* * *

Dark night.

“Smiling?”

At those suddenly heard words, the complexions of Moon Gleam Sword Wu Yong and Iron Brush Young Master Wan Ryeom turned stone-hard.

‘…!’

This place was a large room in a high-end tavern.

And

On a plush divan placed on one side of the rectangular space, Jade Robe Swallow Lady Mae Yak-bang lay in disheveled clothing, deeply asleep.

Earlier, the two had rented this special room while instructing the owner to let no one in, then secretly mixed a charm drug that made one faint as if losing consciousness into the alcohol and fed it to her.

To satisfy their filthy lust.

Then Cheol Ryu-heun barged in.

Without the slightest sign.

Flicking the unconcerned comment “Smiling?” at them who had been smirking while thinking of undressing and fondling her.

Moreover, what was even more surprising was.

“You wretched fools!”

Mae Yak-bang, who they thought was under the charm drug, suddenly opened her eyes wide and expressed fury.

‘URGH!’

‘H-how…!’

As Wu Yong and Wan Ryeom were shocked and flinched, Mae Yak-bang kicked off the divan and stood up.

“What, surprised? Earlier, Sect Leader Cheol gave me an antidote! Just in case!”

At that, the two felt their minds go blank.

They finally realized.

That Mae Yak-bang, having taken the antidote in advance, had pretended to faint on purpose.

Suddenly.

JJOK-!

Wan Ryeom, struck in the face, was driven into the side wall.

UJIGEUN!

His whole head was shoved in.

The moment Wan Ryeom went limp like a corpse from the impact.

JJEOJEOK-!

Wu Yong’s body shot up and went through the ceiling.

His form dangled, shoved in like a display decoration.

HUDUDUK, HUDUDUK…

Debris and blood fell down together.

His teeth were broken too.

Mae Yak-bang, having straightened her clothes, bowed her head.

“I’m truly grateful, Sect Leader Cheol. I didn’t know those two would be like this…”

She recalled what Cheol Ryu-heun had said when he handed over the antidote.

-Those two guys’ eyes weren’t truly repentant, yet they followed you here? Then they have ulterior motives.

He was an impressive person anew.

Really, you can’t even hide your gaze from him.

Soon, Cheol Ryu-heun put his fingers behind his head and asked nonchalantly.

“Do you have anywhere else to go?”

“Ah… Well. Not yet…”

“Then come to this sect.”

“What?”

“Well, depending on what you do, I’ll give you one Guest Retainer position.”

“…!”

“Handle the two fainted guys yourself.”

Cheol Ryu-heun left only those words and exited the room while murmuring inwardly.

‘Those guys also would have ended up like that. As his prey.’

Following that, one person’s face flashed through his mind.

The county magistrate of Wuyang, Ju Yu-gang.

‘Go ahead and bite to your heart’s content.’