Chapter 65: Chapter 65
Following the guide of the gatekeeper warriors, Hyeon-jin stepped forward first, and behind him, Cheon Yu and the other three Plum Blossom Swordsmen followed while carrying the coffin containing the corpse of the Black Valor Slaying Demon.
‘It’s quite large?’
Cheon-hwi, who was following at the very end of the group, moved his eyes around.
‘At this level, it wouldn’t fall behind at all even if compared to the Five Great Clans of the Heavenly Demon Cult.’
As if speaking of its long history, the manor of the Namgung Clan was lined with wide courtyards and antique pavilions in all directions.
Just by looking at it, one could guess how much money and manpower had been invested, and how great the prosperity of the Namgung Clan was.
While the group walked past the vast courtyards and corridors of the manor, they encountered the household members of the Namgung Clan coming and going while laughing.
“Are they guests?”
“But those Daoist robes are…….”
In an instant, their laughter abruptly stopped.
Along with that, their gazes became sharp and pierced through the group like arrows.
“It is not a welcoming atmosphere.”
Flustered by Cheon-hwi’s sudden remark, the group sharply turned their heads.
“Am I wrong?”
“Hwi-ya.”
Cheon Yu quickly approached.
He stole a glance at the gatekeeper warriors, covered his mouth with his index finger, and whispered softly.
“You must watch your mouth here.”
“Why? Is it because this is the Namgung Clan?”
“Yes. Because it is the Namgung Clan……. Don’t tell me you did that on purpose even while knowing?”
“I just don’t like their eyes.”
Cheon-hwi glared back at those who were staring.
Their gazes were too blatant.
“Are we some kind of spectacle……. Eup.”
Feeling the gatekeeper warriors glaring at them, Cheon Yu hurriedly blocked Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
“Shh. You have to be quiet.”
Cheon Yu spoke while reading the room.
In truth, he too was feeling that atmosphere. No, he was certain that not only he but the entire group was feeling it.
But what could they do?
This was the Namgung Clan, enemy territory.
If they said anything, they might be the ones to suffer harm instead.
Cheon Yu brought his face close to the frowning Cheon-hwi’s ear and whispered.
“Let’s talk about that later.”
Looking at Cheon Yu’s desperate eyes, Cheon-hwi grabbed and removed the hand that was blocking his mouth.
He was in a bad mood.
When had he ever imagined that he would suffer such a sight from the Namgung Clan?
However, he endured it for now.
It was because the stinging gazes of the group were directed at him.
A short while later, the group was guided to an annex.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
The moment the group entered the annex, the gatekeeper warrior left after leaving only those words.
“It is no different from poor treatment.”
“That is so.”
At the remark that pierced through the situation, Hyeon-jin let out a bitter smile.
He had predicted to some extent that it would turn out like this if they visited the Namgung Clan.
The Murim Alliance and the Flying Heaven Society.
Because the two were sworn enemies.
However, the degree was worse than he thought.
“……For now, let’s unpack our luggage.”
Hyeon-jin forced himself to change the topic.
Even if they complained here, nothing would change. They had no choice but to finish the mission quickly and return to the Murim Alliance.
It was then.
Click…
Suddenly, the door to the annex opened, and a sharp-looking middle-aged man entered along with the scent of ink.
Discovering the group, he approached and gave a light silent bow towards Hyeon-jin.
“I am the Chief Steward, Namgung Jinsu.”
Just as the group’s brows were furrowing at his rude attitude of not even cupping his fists.
“I am Hyeon-jin of Mount Hua.”
Hyeon-jin replied while cupping his fists.
“So it was the One Red Plum Blossom Great Hero.”
Hearing Hyeon-jin’s Daoist title, a strange light flickered in Namgung Jinsu’s eyes before disappearing.
“I heard that you brought the corpse of the Black Valor Slaying Demon, but is that true?”
“That is correct. And I have also brought a letter sent separately from the Murim Alliance here.”
Hyeon-jin took out the letter from his embrace and handed it to the frowning Namgung Jinsu.
“It was sent by the Vice Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”
“That is so.”
Holding the letter with a sour expression, Namgung Jinsu read it all and put it in his sleeve.
“I have confirmed it.”
Namgung Jinsu nodded his head.
“Then, everyone follow me.”
Hyeon-jin’s eyebrows scrunched together.
“What do you mean to follow you?”
“The Patriarch is waiting.”
At the sudden words, the group moved to follow the Chief Steward without even being able to unpack their luggage.
How much time had passed as they continued to walk?
Suddenly, the group felt something strange.
The Namgung Clan, which had been bustling with numerous people just a moment ago, was quiet.
To the point where it gave off a dreary atmosphere because there was not a single person coming and going in the corridors.
Was it because they read the silence and atmosphere that was like the calm before a storm?
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, led by Hyeon-jin, raised their tension as they followed behind the Chief Steward walking ahead.
“It is here.”
The Chief Steward stopped his steps.
What greeted the group at the end of the long corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly was a large gate made of antique wood.
[Azure Heaven Great Hall]
When the Plum Blossom Swordsmen grew tense upon seeing the Great Hall, the gatekeeper warrior pushed the closed door.
Creak…
The door slowly opened, and a faint light leaked out from the gap.
“Please enter.”
The moment Hyeon-jin entered first, piercing through the light, and finally Cheon-hwi also stepped in.
“Is that the corpse of the Black Valor Slaying Demon?”
“To think that the Plum Blossom Swordsmen would come all the way here.”
Voices could be heard from the left and right.
‘Were they all here?’
He observed the Great Hall with half-closed eyes.
Even though it had barely been fifteen minutes since their arrival was known, the inside of the Great Hall was bustling with many people wearing splendid blue and white martial uniforms.
‘It was exactly the kind of things that those with nothing to show for themselves often did.’
Normally, it was standard to have an exclusive meeting or lightly converse over a small table.
But why were they called to the Great Hall, and why was it filled with the clan’s people?
‘Making a fuss because they want to show off.’
Cheon-hwi, who smirked, scanned them.
Their gazes were by no means favorable. Rather, it could be said that they were gazes filled with vigilance and hostility.
‘But it is fascinating. To think I would see the Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the Eight Great Clans, who used to be so tightly knit, treating each other with hostility.’
It was quite an amusing sight.
‘If the Demonic Brain were alive, he would have cheered.’
In the past, the Heavenly Demon Cult had made all sorts of efforts to divide the Orthodox Faction, but they had never succeeded even once.
But now, they were split in two.
And even being hostile to each other at that.
“Junior Brother, what are you doing?”
At that time, Gu Gyeom-wi’s whispering voice knocked on his ears.
When he came to his senses, he realized that he had stopped walking at some point, and a considerable distance had grown between him and the group walking ahead.
“Hurry up and come.”
At Gu Gyeom-wi’s urging glance, Cheon-hwi took a step forward from his brief pause.
How many steps did he take?
The group walking ahead came to a halt.
“Patriarch. I have brought the guests.”
As soon as the Chief Steward’s voice ended.
“I am glad to meet you.”
A stiff voice came from above.
Raising their heads, they saw a man sitting on a massive jade throne above the stairs.
His appearance was extraordinary.
He wore splendid silk clothing and a luxuriously decorated crown, and next to the jade throne leaned a sword adorned with all sorts of precious jewels.
The man, who brandished his prestige for all to see, stood up from the jade throne and straightened his back.
“I am the Patriarch, Namgung In.”
A coercive attitude and gaze.
However, Hyeon-jin did not yield to such things at all and politely cupped his fists.
“I am Hyeon-jin of Mount Hua.”
At that moment, the Azure Heaven Great Hall buzzed.
“One Red Plum Blossom……?”
“To think that the One Red Plum Blossom would come all the way here.”
At that time, the Chief Steward walked up the stairs and carefully handed the letter to Namgung In.
“This is the letter sent from the Murim Alliance.”
Namgung In’s expression as he read the letter changed every moment before soon hardening stiffly.
“A transaction…….”
Muttering softly, he stood up.
“I would like to confirm if it is indeed the corpse of the Black Valor Slaying Demon.”
“If it is the corpse, it is right here.”
When Hyeon-jin looked back and gave a signal.
Thud…
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen set down the coffin.
Following that, one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen opened the closed lid of the coffin, and the heavy stench of death spread out from within.
“Is that the corpse of the Black Valor Slaying Demon?”
Killing intent surged from all over the place.
‘They must have been quite the bitter enemies, huh?’
Cheon-hwi felt a thick killing intent and hostility that was incomparable to the emotions directed at their group, and his interest was piqued as to what kind of relationship they had with the Black Valor Slaying Demon.
‘A grudge relationship tangled between a person who learned the martial arts of the Blood Cult and the Namgung Clan. This is interesting.’
At that moment, Namgung In took a step forward.
Stepping down the stairs slowly, one step at a time, he walked past Hyeon-jin, approached the coffin, and slowly looked down into it.
“……It is the exact same face as that bastard.”
A heavy killing intent was buried in his voice.
Soon, he sharply turned his head, stared at Hyeon-jin, and opened his mouth.
“Who killed this bastard?”
“It was us.”
“……Between yourselves?”
Namgung In asked back with a face that showed he could not believe those words at all.
“That is so.”
“That is hard to believe.”
It was a condescending remark.
However, Hyeon-jin smoothly brushed it off.
“It does not matter if you do not believe it. However, he was definitely someone who learned Blood Qi Arts, and he personally admitted himself to be the Black Valor Slaying Demon.”
“Are you saying he learned Blood Qi Arts?”
Namgung In glared at the corpse for a moment.
“Heavenly Wind Squad Leader.”
“Did you call for me?”
A middle-aged man with a blunt impression appeared like the wind and knelt on one knee.
“Check this corpse.”
“Understood.”
The Heavenly Wind Squad Leader covered the lid of the coffin.
At the same time, four men revealed themselves like mirages, hoisted the coffin on their shoulders, and stomped their feet.
Taat!
In an instant, they disappeared, and Namgung In looked at Hyeon-jin and the group as he spoke.
“Then, you all may return to the annex now.”
Words that were no different from an order of eviction.
Hyeon-jin and the other Plum Blossom Swordsmen felt a momentary surge of anger, but they merely bit their lips and could not voice their dissatisfaction.
This was the Namgung Clan.
It was because they were inside the jaws of a tiger.
Left with no choice, Hyeon-jin turned his body and spoke to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
“Let’s head back now.”
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen gritted their teeth.
Their blood boiled at the treatment that completely ignored them, but what made them even angrier was their own silence.
Cheon-hwi muttered while watching Hyeon-jin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen pass by him.
“This is why I hate dealing with ungrateful bastards.”
It was a small voice.
However, those who were close by could hear the words he spat out clearly.
“……!”
The group stiffened like stone statues.
Along with that, they looked at Namgung In while praying that he hadn’t heard it, but he, who had already been about to climb the stairs, had stopped in his tracks.
“Wait.”
Turning his head, Namgung In sharply opened his eyes and coldly glared at Cheon-hwi.
“What did you just say?”
“Did you hear that?”
With those words, Cheon-hwi turned his body.
Afterwards, he looked straight into Namgung In’s eyes, and a fishy smirk spread across his lips.
“You’re narrow-minded, but you have sharp ears.”
“Junior Brother!”
“……!”
“Hwi-ya!”
Hyeon-jin and the other Plum Blossom Swordsmen freaked out and opened their eyes wide.
The opponent was the Patriarch of the Namgung Clan.
Here, he was someone who could control their lives at any time.
But a provocation?
They urgently tried to stop him, but.
“Then I will say it again, so open your ears wide and listen carefully.”
Cheon-hwi did not stop his provocation.
“D-Don’t say it…….”
“J-Junior Brother!”
“Don’t do that!”
The terrified Hyeon-jin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen tried to stop him urgently, but before they could, Cheon-hwi’s lips parted.
“This is why I hate dealing with ungrateful bastards.”
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