Chapter 245: I Learned Magic From Books (3)
Chapter 244 – I Learned Magic From Books (3)
A heavy silence.
However, eyes shook as if an earthquake had occurred.
Looking at the people who kept gulping down innocent tea, one could guess how noisy their minds were right now.
In particular, the martial artists of the Namgung Clan felt a subtle fear deep within their hearts.
They knew well how harsh the consequences of being ignored by the world were.
They had thought they had finally escaped the rock-bottom situation and begun to rise little by little, but was it not as if a dizzying cliff had appeared right before them?
Facing the Martial Alliance meant facing the entire Jianghu.
That was, in other words, no different from saying that the Namgung Clan had to fight the world once again.
They were finally preparing a foothold for a comeback, yet…!
To face the world’s disregard again in this situation?
They were afraid.
However, another emotion welling up at the same time was anger.
Was it not the Martial Alliance that had so thoroughly ignored and ostracized the Namgung Clan for the reason that they were associated with the Great Killing Star?
Yet, to collude with the Demonic Cult! And to shamelessly deceive everyone while talking about justice and chivalry!
In that situation where fear and anger were turbidly mixed, Namgung Seol-hui suddenly slammed the table violently.
Slam!
Everyone flinched and looked back at her.
“Despicable wretches! If those words are true, our clan truly cannot forgive them, can we? When did they despise our clan so thoroughly! Yet, they were holding hands with the Demonic Cult behind our backs? How dare they…! That old serpent was thoroughly deceiving us! They deserve to be torn to pieces!”
At her shout, Namgung Cheon wore a faint smile.
‘Grandmother, I knew I liked you.’
Namgung Cheon could clearly understand Namgung Seol-hui’s intention.
She was someone who originally prioritized dignity.
Even if she was angry, she would only spit out words calmly and coldly; she was by no means of a temperament to shout in excitement.
Yet, was she not acting like Namgung Pyo right now?
Others might not know, but Namgung Cheon could tell that she was acting quite intentionally.
To awaken the people of the clan who were feeling both fear and anger at the same time.
To impress upon them the fact that now was not the time to feel fear, but the time to be angry.
Since Namgung Pyo was not present due to his severe injuries, she had stepped forward to take on that role instead.
The effect appeared immediately.
“If that is indeed true, we cannot just leave the Alliance alone. Has our clan not been looked down upon too much?”
“Perhaps it is the opposite. I also think that the Alliance might be keeping us in check because they fear our clan!”
“Hearing it, that makes sense! If so, I believe our clan should not bow down to the Alliance even more!”
“Correct! If they dared to do such a thing to trample our clan, we must make them pay dearly for it!”
“This cannot be viewed as a problem between our clan and the Alliance alone. The Alliance has deceived not only our clan but the entire righteous Martial World!”
The high-ranking members began to chatter in excitement little by little. Assuredly, while silence summoned fear, clamor had the effect of summoning anger.
Namgung Cheon, who had been watching the clamor for a while, spoke up during a relatively quiet moment.
“However, for now, the Alliance’s public recognition is high. Our clan cannot move hastily in this situation either. If we step forward in vain, we might get caught in a backlash instead. That is how blindly people trust the Martial Alliance.”
“Then what is the Young Patriarch’s opinion?”
An elder interrupted and asked Namgung Cheon.
The attitude of treating him only as a young child until now was nowhere to be found. Rather, the elder was looking at him with the expression of a child seeking an answer.
Namgung Cheon shrugged his shoulders.
“We have to look for an opportunity. As you said, even if we shout that we were attacked by the Demonic Cult, people won’t believe us if the Martial Alliance doesn’t acknowledge it. So, there is no need to bring up the Demonic Cult. That is better for us as well.”
“Why is that?”
“Because we won’t have to talk about possessing the Demonic Pill Valley’s elixirs.”
“Ah…!”
“If the Alliance set up this entire stage, our clan can just play along on that stage. While pulling in and using as much support funds as possible. Instead, we must clearly recognize who our real enemy is.”
Everyone in the room nodded with serious expressions.
Namgung Seol-hui let out a sigh.
“Bad guys are everywhere. Unorthodox martial artists are a problem, but for even the Martial Alliance to be in this state. And the Demonic Cult too.”
“That is how the world originally is. There are only those who use and those who are used.”
Namgung Cheon said indifferently.
Actually, in a way, it was a truly ridiculous sight.
In this place lined with quite elderly people, was Namgung Cheon, who had not even reached twenty, not speaking like someone who had gone through all sorts of hardships?
However, because his tone, expression, and thoughts were somehow different from ordinary people, they found themselves nodding in agreement.
Namgung Cheon slightly curled the corners of his mouth and continued speaking.
“So, we can just use them too. We can try using the Alliance Leader, the unorthodox martial artists, and sometimes even the Demonic Cult.”
“Then who does the Young Patriarch think is best to use from now on?”
At Namgung Seol-hui’s question, Namgung Cheon hardened his expression for a moment before speaking.
“I think the first one should be the Demonic Cult.”
“The Demonic Cult?”
Not to mention Namgung Seol-hui, the others also opened their eyes wide, considering it an unexpected answer.
That was natural, as they did not even know where the Demonic Cult was holed up right now.
Namgung Cheon nodded.
“Yes, the Demonic Cult.”
“What is the reason?”
“Because it is strange.”
“So, what is?”
“Among the Demonic Pill Valley’s elixirs, those manufactured by the Demonic Cult are not that many. Because most of them were exhausted during the Righteous-Demonic War. Rather, there are far more elixirs beneficial to those who practice righteous arts.”
“And yet?”
“But why did they go so far as to attack our clan? If they failed, the fact that remnants of the Demonic Cult remained could have been exposed. Of course, they must have thought they wouldn’t fail, but carrying out a surprise attack with this many people shows a determination to retrieve the items at all costs, does it not? That is a bit strange.”
Hearing it, it was indeed so.
The number of cultists was far greater than the number of martial artists of the Namgung Clan.
Moreover, even a Demonic Cult elder came in person.
In the case of the Demonic Cult elder, he was a strong individual to the point where, had Namgung Cheon fought him from the very beginning, the outcome would have been difficult to guarantee.
He was only easily dealt with because he was considerably exhausted from engaging in an internal energy clash with Namgung Geom.
And because of the Jiangling Divine Pill and White Spirit Pill brought by Namgung Cheon, they were able to annihilate the cultists in the end.
In short, it meant the Demonic Cult had come with a firm determination.
To steal those few elixirs. With that many people?
There was definitely something fishy about it.
“So, in my opinion, I think we need to carefully examine the items brought from Demonic Pill Valley.”
“Do you think there will be a clue in there?”
“Yes, it is a reasonable suspicion. I had a thought that if we closely examine the items brought from Demonic Pill Valley, there might be something grand that we failed to discover earlier.”
“Indeed. So that is what you meant by using the Demonic Cult.”
Namgung Seol-hui slowly nodded.
Then, Azure Eagle Squad Captain Son U-gon, who was sitting at the bottom of the table, stood up abruptly and said:
“The Azure Eagle Squad will investigate immediately!”
In the first place, it was also the Azure Eagle Squad that had moved the elixirs. They were also the most suitable for this task.
Namgung Geom, who exchanged glances with Namgung Cheon, nodded silently. Then, he looked back at Namgung Cheon.
“If you find something, what do you plan to do?”
“If it is good, we should take it, and if it is bad, we should pass it off to someone else.”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Geom groaned softly and fell into thought.
It was easier said than done.
However, did the world ever flow so simply?
Nevertheless…
‘I shall trust you.’
Trust filled Namgung Geom’s eyes.
* * *
The next day.
The cadets who had stayed overnight at the Guest Hall left the Namgung Clan, deciding to go their separate ways now.
Yun Jong-seung, who had already returned to the Mount Huang Yun Clan with his father, had also come out to the low hill at the entrance of the village to see his classmates off.
“I will return to the Eon Clan just in case. Our family and the Eon Clan will share our path with the Namgung Clan.”
At Paeng Su-hyeok’s words, Yu Hyeon also smiled faintly and said:
“Actually, the story I heard yesterday was so surprising that it is difficult for me alone to state Mount Hua’s decision. However, I cannot simply ignore it after hearing such a story. I trust Young Hero Namgung’s words completely, but I do not know what Mount Hua’s stance will be. What is certain is that I will share my path with Young Hero Namgung.”
“What if you get expelled because of that?”
“That will not happen. If Mount Hua’s Dao is so different from mine…”
Yu Hyeon trailed off with a bitter smile. Namgung Cheon could roughly guess the hidden meaning behind it.
Yu Hyeon, as seen so far, was of a character who trusted his own decisions and pushed forward. Although it was sometimes a problem because it was a bit excessive.
Finally, Jin So-hong smirked and said:
“You know me, right? Once I start investing, I don’t look back. The higher the risk, the greater the reward. I’m looking forward to it more and more.”
Namgung Cheon chuckled.
Certainly, Jin So-hong was the daughter of a merchant.
“Then everyone have a safe trip back. Tell them that Jong-seung and I have found it difficult to return to the Alliance due to family issues.”
“Leave it to us.”
“Of course.”
Yu Hyeon and Jin So-hong answered simultaneously.
Namgung Cheon looked back at Paeng Su-hyeok and shifted his gaze to the blade worn at his waist.
It was none other than the Blood Flame Saber used by the Blood Shadow Divine Demon.
“When did you steal that again?”
“St-steal! I merely picked up what had fallen on the ground!”
“Ho, finders keepers?”
“Why not? The owner is dead anyway. And you too are acting like the owner just because you picked up the Demonic Pill Valley’s elixirs first!”
Namgung Cheon looked at Paeng Su-hyeok with a slightly surprised expression. Because Paeng Su-hyeok’s rebuttal was more logical than expected.
“I see. Even your stone-like head does grow. You were smart for a split second.”
“What? That somehow sounds like you’re insulting me?”
“I said you’re smart, so how is that an insult?”
“Is that so?”
Paeng Su-hyeok fell into thought with a puzzled expression.
Namgung Cheon brushed it off and continued speaking.
“Anyway, see you all next time.”
After saying goodbye to the cadets like that, Namgung Cheon immediately returned to the clan estate.
It was a chaotic atmosphere because repair work was still in progress and expansion construction was also ongoing. In addition, one side was hectic due to a funeral.
Just then, Bok-seong ran over in a hurry and greeted Namgung Cheon.
“Young Master, you have arrived.”
“Yes, Bok-seong. I heard you persuaded the Mount Huang Yun Clan well this time.”
“Ah, that is… hehe.”
Bok-seong scratched the back of his head and smiled.
Looking back, he did not know where such courage had come from at that time.
Then, suddenly snapping out of it, Bok-seong quickly added.
“Ah, Young Master! You must go to the Patriarch’s Hall quickly. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“In the Patriarch’s Hall?”
“Yes! It seems they have found something in the box of the Demonic Pill Valley’s elixirs!”