Chapter 58: Darkness Under the Lamp (2)
Chapter 57 – Darkness Under the Lamp (2)
The Obscurity Society.
They were a gloomy bunch, just like their name.
However, when it came to information regarding the Martial Alliance, they could be called the best under heaven.
To exaggerate a bit, it was a place where one could know how many times the old geezer of an Alliance Leader urinated today, how many times he farted, and how many times he burped after eating.
Yes, that was a lot of exaggeration.
Anyway, it was a place that knew the Martial Alliance to that extent.
And they were a group that provided that information to unorthodox figures.
However, there was one regrettable thing.
‘It is not free.’
In addition, the cost of information was astronomically expensive.
As if he had read the thoughts that crossed Namgung Cheon’s mind, the Ghost King spoke.
“It is a pity that it is not free, but those fellows know everything inside out when it comes to information about the Martial Alliance.”
“I see. Since Wuhan was out of my interest, I had completely forgotten about the Obscurity Society.”
Namgung Cheon muttered to himself and quietly fell into thought.
The organization known as the Obscurity Society was certainly a unique place.
They collected information related only to the Martial Alliance. Because of that, they naturally had deep ties with unorthodox figures.
Of course, not all unorthodox figures knew of the Obscurity Society.
This was because the cost of information was extremely expensive, and only those who knew about it could barely make contact through word of mouth.
In any case, famous unorthodox figures had no choice but to be sensitive to Martial Alliance information, and the information collected by the Obscurity Society was sold at a high price.
Thus, it was a place always overflowing with money and information.
Since they were said to accept vessels or spiritual pills instead of money, in a way, it was no different from Wuhan’s treasure house.
‘The real jackpot was elsewhere.’
As Namgung Cheon smacked his lips and smirked, the Ghost King, who was standing next to him, felt a chill for some reason and asked cautiously.
“Um, may I dare to ask what you are thinking…”
“No.”
“I will keep my mouth shut.”
The Ghost King answered, completely frozen.
Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes and continued to think.
‘First, it is certain that I must visit the Obscurity Society.’
The problem was that he needed money to buy information.
Since these damn bastards were not doing their job, there was no money.
Namgung Cheon, suddenly annoyed, slapped the back of the Ghost King’s head again.
Smack!
“Argh! Why… why…?”
“Why?”
“Hehe. The firm feel of the back of my head is top-notch. Please use it whenever you need. I will standby so that it is easy for you to hit.”
“Can you find out the contact location of the Obscurity Society?”
“It is not difficult to find that out, but the biggest problem is that even if I find out, we do not have money right now…”
“Only answer what you are asked.”
“Ah, yes. I will find out by tomorrow.”
Namgung Cheon nodded.
To contact the Obscurity Society, one had to know the location, but that location kept changing.
It was clear only that they could make contact somewhere in Wuhan.
However, the contact location changed as long as every year, or as short as every seven days and nights.
Actually, Namgung Cheon did not have very good memories of the Obscurity Society.
‘These damn bastards did not provide information to me.’
At that time, his circumstances were not such that he could pay the price, but they said buying on credit was absolutely impossible? In the end, following his temper, he beat up one of their underlings to his heart’s content and walked away.
Because of that, the Obscurity Society leaked his information to the Martial Alliance instead, causing him to suffer to the brink of death for nearly three months.
Even though they were fellows who acted so high and mighty, the Obscurity Society was difficult to eliminate.
That was because their intelligence power was outstanding and helpful to unorthodox figures.
If someone were to destroy the Obscurity Society, it would probably only be a matter of time before they became the target of all unorthodox figures.
“How do those guys know the Martial Alliance’s information so inside out?”
“That is because of their financial power.”
“Then where did that financial power come from?”
“That was created by selling information, of course.”
“Then how did they gather information?”
“That is because of their financial power…”
Smack!
“Argh!”
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
“That… wouldn’t it be the chicken? Since the chicken lays the egg…”
“Then where does the chicken come from?”
“Uh… they probably stole the chicken.”
This was an answer even Namgung Cheon had not expected, so he could only gape.
‘I want to rummage through that head. By the way, saying they probably stole the chicken…’
Suddenly, an interesting thought came to mind.
No, was it perhaps a reckless thought?
But what if it was reckless?
No matter what happened, it would be more livable than his past life.
‘Because I was a human who tenaciously held out and survived even in that hell.’
While Namgung Cheon was busy rolling the thought in his mind, the Ghost King spoke as he stroked the back of his head.
“I know that those Obscurity Society fellows have made many connections in the Martial Alliance. They even join the alliance directly.”
“Directly?”
When Namgung Cheon turned to look in surprise, the Ghost King nodded his head.
“Yes. I know that a few guys have entered the alliance and are posing as orthodox martial artists.”
“Tell me precisely. Did they enter the alliance? Or did those who were already in the alliance defect?”
“Both. Those guys have extremely outstanding disguise techniques. So, there are some who have blended into various parts of the Martial Alliance, and I heard there are also cases where they actually coaxed orthodox martial artists into defection.”
“Disguise techniques…”
“Since disguise techniques are only proper when you waste a crazy amount of money on them.”
“True.”
When Namgung Cheon admitted it for once, the Ghost King became pleased and split his lips into a wide grin.
In fact, Namgung Cheon was also an expert in disguise techniques.
Since it was an essential skill for a fugitive.
A disguise technique was literally a technique to change one’s appearance, and there was a method of using martial arts, and another method of putting on a human skin mask.
Of course, the greatest effect could be achieved when the two methods were used together.
The problem was that disguise techniques also cost money.
To transform into someone, one had to buy clothes and shoes that suited that person, purchase that person’s information, and buy that person’s human skin mask.
Here, human skin masks were unspeakably expensive.
Of course, there was also a method of peeling off a real person’s facial skin to wear it. If chemically treated well, there would be no smell of blood and it would look the most natural.
But that was…
‘Too disgusting.’
I have a somewhat weak stomach like this. To put it nicely, I am just this human.
In any case, for that reason, I mainly purchased human skin masks made of cowhide, and even in this case, the more expensive they were, the more exquisite they became.
‘Since I was a fugitive and did not have overflowing money, I always used low-to-medium grade ones.’
Probably, only rich bastards like those of the Obscurity Society would use top-grade human skin masks.
‘Ah, now that I think about it, there is one more person. A person who uses a top-grade human skin mask…’
In any case, in the end, money was the problem.
Namgung Cheon, getting annoyed for no reason, slapped the back of the Ghost King’s head.
“Ouch. Why are you doing that again?”
“The cooking is excellent to this degree, so why can’t you save money?”
“As I told you earlier, since the eatery is a bit far from the Martial Alliance…”
Just as the Ghost King was nervously speaking, a pair of a man and a woman brushed aside the bead curtain and entered.
“Excuse me, is anyone here? Can we have a meal?”
At the man’s words, the Ghost King straightened his back and turned around.
“Welcome.”
Seeing the Ghost King’s somewhat bloodthirsty face, the man wore a slightly frightened expression before asking stutteringly.
“Is, is a meal… possible…”
“What an obvious thing to say. Sit wherever you like.”
“Ah… yes? Yes…”
“You food-wasters! A customer is here, so why are you standing blankly! Are your hips heavy? Shall I slice off the flesh from your hips to brew broth?”
“Coming.”
One of the Ghost Servers walked over grumbling and glared at the completely frozen man and woman.
“What will you have?”
“Um… well… what, what is delicious?”
“Noodles with deeply brewed broth are exquisite, though?”
As the Ghost Server replied while curling up one side of his mouth, the expression of the man and woman soured.
Since they had just heard the talk about brewing broth with hip flesh, their appetite seemed to drop even further.
“O-Other things…”
“There are other things too, but it’s noodles with deeply brewed broth that is exquisite. It is highly recommended.”
“Ahaha… um… then, then we will think about it and come back! Goodbye!”
The man and woman, who finished their greetings in a hurry, quickly held hands and dashed out.
Watching that scene, the Ghost Server twitched the bridge of his nose and clicked his tongue.
“Tch! Did they come from a competing shop to spy?”
Having watched this entire process, Namgung Cheon let out a sigh and rose from his seat.
“Seeing you now, it is not a problem with the cooking.”
“Yes? Th-Then what is the problem… Ah! Could the price be the problem? As expected, because it’s too cheap…”
“You need some mental education. Your attitude is rotten.”
“Eh…? But where are you going…?”
“I plan to steal a chicken.”
“A chicken? Ah! As expected of such a method! If we steal a chicken and make broth, we will be able to save a lot of capital! Where shall we rob first? As expected, from the neighbor next door whom we are competing with…”
Smack!
“Argh!”
As the Ghost King grabbed the back of his head again with tears in his eyes, Namgung Cheon shook his head.
“I am going to steal a chicken that will lay eggs.”
“Yes? Then… to save on egg ingredients… No. I will keep my mouth shut.”
“I will send someone soon depending on the situation, so stay quiet without causing trouble as much as possible.”
When Namgung Cheon left behind those words and departed, the Ghost King gave a sullen reply and turned around.
Glaring at the Ghost Servers, he shouted.
“You bastards! I told you to save on the cost of ingredients! From now on, beat down the price of chickens unconditionally! Got it?”
“Understood!”
The Ghost Servers answered in unison.
* * *
Jin So-hong stared blankly at Namgung Cheon and blinked her eyes.
That Namgung Cheon suddenly visited her quarters was unexpected enough, but the words that burst from Namgung Cheon’s mouth were even more unexpected.
‘Out of nowhere…’
However, those random words sounded as if he knew everything, making her heart beat even faster.
Namgung Cheon was staring blankly at Jin So-hong.
‘That look again…’
It was a look that seemed as if he was looking into an abyss that even she did not know. A look that only someone who had experienced all the ups and downs of life could have.
Jin So-hong coughed dryly once and asked.
“Visiting suddenly like this out of nowhere?”
“Was it perhaps rude?”
Namgung Cheon asked dryly.
That’s not what I meant!
Jin So-hong suppressed the rising voice from within and shook her head.
“It’s not that. Come in first.”
Jin So-hong guided Namgung Cheon to the table by the window.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“Okay. What about the answer?”
“You are in a huge rush.”
“I suddenly got busy.”
“First of all, there are too many things I am curious about.”
“Ask. But do not expect that I will answer everything.”
At Namgung Cheon’s stiff answer, Jin So-hong gaped for a moment before chuckling.
To think that a kid like this had lived as the official pushover in the past.
Jin So-hong took a deep breath, looked at Namgung Cheon intently, and asked.
“First of all, how did you know?”
“What? That you are the child of a wealthy family? Or that you used a disguise technique?”
“…!”
“Are you curious about both?”
Jin So-hong gaped at Namgung Cheon’s casual question.
She had thought he was out of the ordinary, but what on earth was this human?
Her mind was in confusion.
While Jin So-hong could only open and close her mouth, Namgung Cheon quickly spoke only the main point.
“First of all, the human skin mask was exquisite enough that I only barely noticed it after watching you for a long time. If so, it is indeed a top-grade human skin mask. Would one sheet cost about the price of a pavilion? Then shouldn’t you naturally be extremely rich?”
“…”
“On top of that, since you even used martial arts to perform a disguise technique… I thought you might be the child of a merchant group with deep ties to the Jianghu rather than an actual martial artist.”
“Just… with that?”
“Besides that, there were many things you let slip. For instance, the way calculating decisions and moving accordingly is ingrained in your body, or how it shows that you grew up thoroughly weighing practical interests since childhood.”
“Does it… show that much?”
Namgung Cheon chuckled.
“Probably other people wouldn’t know. Only I would know.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m extremely quick-witted.”
If not, I would have been destined to die long ago. Try running away for decades while avoiding the Martial Alliance’s inescapable net.
Your wit would reach the realm of the gods.
Jin So-hong asked, still with a dazed expression.
“So… you came to find me at this hour and asked for a top-grade human skin mask as soon as you saw me?”
“You can do at least that much. If you are the daughter of the Gold King.”
“…!”