Chapter 125: Chapter 125
Cheon Woo-jin’s group headed straight for Dujiangyan.
Through Hao Sect, he had asked Cheol Ji-ak and Zhuge Rin in advance to investigate the Qingcheng Sect. Whether large clouds of smoke had billowed recently as if a forest fire had broken out, or whether carriages and carts had moved on a large scale.
“Is anyone having a hard time?”
Cheon Woo-jin asked the Hidden Dragon Squad members.
At that, the three looked at one another. Naturally, they were exhausted. They had previously run without rest from Dujiangyan all the way here to Lanzhou. Right away, they fought a bout at the brothel, and followed up by dealing with the affairs of the Gu Clan.
How could they not be exhausted? Yet the three could not say so. Above all, Cheon Woo-jin, who had accomplished the most work, looked completely fine, and the investigation of the Qingcheng Sect was better the sooner it occurred.
“I am fine. We must arrive before the Qingcheng Sect hears news of the Gu Clan.”
“Me too.”
Song Yi-yeon and Jin Un spoke thus, and Namgung Jin silently prepared to move as always.
Nodding his head, Cheon Woo-jin set off. He had asked Wild Flower to block all means of communication from the Gu Clan to the Qingcheng Sect. However, because they could not blockade the entire town, the movement of people itself could not be halted.
It was not particularly an issue.
Because it would suffice to arrive first.
“If it gets difficult along the way, rest before coming.”
Having spoken so, Cheon Woo-jin lightly stamped the ground.
It was merely a light motion, yet Cheon Woo-jin’s figure rebounded and flew forward like an arrow.
At that sight, the three briefly locked eyes before following after him one by one.
* * *
“Squad Leader Cheon, did Gu Yong-baek truly die?”
Zhuge Rin asked with a dazed face. In any case, the names of the Gu Clan and Gu Yong-baek in the contemporary martial world were by no means insignificant.
Cheon Woo-jin merely nodded and explained what had occurred. There was nothing to exaggerate and nothing to diminish.
When the story ended, Cheol Ji-ak placed a hand on Cheon Woo-jin’s shoulder after a brief silence.
“Well done. Then all we have to do is find the corpses in the Qingcheng Sect?”
“Yes. They are likely buried somewhere in the Qingcheng Sect. At most, around this vicinity.”
The corpses buried in the Gu Clan were considerable in number. Because they were half of the vanished villagers of Dujiangyan.
The Qingcheng Sect surely held just as many corpses. Because moving them would naturally draw attention, the Qingcheng Sect would also have buried the corpses inside.
Cheol Ji-ak nodded his head. Now that the task was determined, there was no need to delay time.
“Change clothes and depart immediately.”
Cheol Ji-ak, Zhuge Rin, and Cheon Woo-jin changed into the martial attire of the Inspection Hall. There was no longer any need to hide.
After the Hidden Dragon Squad and Black Tortoise Squad members who arrived around that time also finished changing their clothes.
“Let’s go.”
Cheol Ji-ak took solemn steps.
To think the counterpart of their first mission was a member of the Nine Sects.
How could he not tremble? However, because he had the most nonchalant youngest recruit, no, squad leader under his command in the entire world, he could not show it outwardly.
* * *
Climbing Mount Qingcheng directly, the Inspection Hall revealed their identity.
Because the authority of the Inspection Hall was potent enough to rival the Disciplinary Hall, no one dared bar their way.
Rather, eminent masters of the Qingcheng Sect came out one by one to welcome them warmly.
“Well now, Cheol Ji-ak, you!”
Cheol Ji-ak was startled for a moment.
A white-haired old man was approaching from far away, displaying an endlessly welcoming and benevolent smile. His flowing white beard exuded elegance, and the gentle brilliance held in his two eyes spoke of his realm.
The contemporary Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, Daoist Master Cheong-hak.
Had Cheol Ji-ak come in the capacity of Black Tortoise Squad Leader, the Sect Leader would never have come out immediately.
The Qingcheng Sect was also tense. Over the fact that the first place the Alliance Leader dispatched the Inspection Hall to was the Qingcheng Sect.
Of course, had they not been guilty, there would have been no reason to be nervous.
Composing such emotions, Cheol Ji-ak cupped his fists politely. In any case, until corpses were found, Daoist Master Cheong-hak was an elder of the Righteous Path and a distant senior.
“Sect Leader, my apologies for visiting so abruptly.”
“Haha, no need for apologies. You cannot imagine how astonished I was upon hearing news that our perpetual squad leader Cheol Ji-ak became not a division head, but a hall master. But do you know something?”
“What do you mean?”
“I always knew you would do well.”
“…Haha.”
Cheol Ji-ak let out an awkward laugh. It was the remark he had heard most frequently since becoming hall master. As if the Righteous Path was filled entirely with fortune-tellers, everyone blurted out words like, ‘I knew you would turn out like that. Indeed!’
It was a part where the authority of the Inspection Hall could be glimpsed.
The Inspection Hall members were lined up behind Cheol Ji-ak. Glancing at them, Daoist Master Cheong-hak wore a benevolent smile.
“Haha, it appears the entirety of the Inspection Hall has turned out. In my delight, I kept precious guests standing for too long. Come, let us go inside quickly.”
Having spoken so, Daoist Master Cheong-hak walked ahead. Since the Sect Leader was personally guiding them, no one in the Qingcheng Sect could even think of approaching to speak.
How much further did they walk into the depths of the Qingcheng Sect?
Befitting a member of the Nine Sects, a large pond, ancient trees guarding their places for hundreds of years, quiet yet majestic pavilions, and intelligent martial artists caught their eyes.
At all those sights, the Inspection Hall members felt subtly pressured. Of course, except for one single person, Cheon Woo-jin.
Moving his steps, Daoist Master Cheong-hak asked casually.
“By the way, what brings you here?”
It was truly an offhand tone. As though whatever reason you came for had nothing to do with us.
Naturally, formal words flowed from Cheol Ji-ak’s mouth.
“We stopped by the vicinity on a mission and happened to pass Mount Qingcheng, and thinking it discourteous not to pay our respects, we dropped by.”
“Is that so? It seems the deadline of your mission is quite relaxed, then?”
“Yes, well.”
Cheol Ji-ak glossed over it vaguely.
Even so, Daoist Master Cheong-hak could not ask further about the mission. Because the Inspection Hall received missions directly from the Alliance Leader.
Having walked for quite a while, there was a small pond and pavilion situated a bit apart.
It was the place where the Sect Leader resided.
“Well, it is fortunate if you have leisure. Would you care for a cup of tea before leaving?”
“It would be an honor.”
Nodding his head, Cheol Ji-ak looked back at the Inspection Hall members.
Meeting that gaze, quite a bit of tension crossed the members’ faces. Cheol Ji-ak’s eyes were speaking like this right now.
‘It is certain. I will hold the Sect Leader here, so find the corpses by all means.’
Other investigations or inquiries held no meaning.
The corpses, finding the corpses of the people of Dujiangyan was the only way.
Thus, Cheol Ji-ak entered the pavilion together with the Sect Leader, and several young Daoists of the Qingcheng Sect came to guide the remaining Inspection Hall members.
* * *
The Daoists offered to show them around the Qingcheng Sect.
Perhaps because they were people who drank clean air every day, ate only healthy food, and practiced cultivation day in and day out, their eyes were full of brilliance.
Daoists were not respected by the common people for nothing.
Because the Qingcheng Sect was so expansive, the Hidden Dragon Squad and the Black Tortoise Squad decided to split up and look around, and several of the Daoists approached and greeted Jin Un warmly.
The Daoist sects situated closest to the Qingcheng Sect were none other than the Zhongnan Sect and the Mount Hua Sect.
Naturally, interaction was bound to be frequent, so there were Daoists who had known Jin Un since childhood.
“Ahem, good to see you. It has been a long time.”
Each time, Jin Un let out an awkward laugh.
He had already learned that the Qingcheng Sect was embroiled in such a horrific affair. He simply could not look upon his old Daoist companions as he had before.
– Where do you think they buried them?
Cheon Woo-jin sent a sound transmission to Jin Un.
He thought that since Jin Un was a fellow Daoist, he might know something better than the other two.
But Jin Un shook his head.
– As you can see, Daoist sects are generally situated in the middle of vast mountains. It is highly likely they buried them in the nearby mountains, but even that is so vast that I cannot guess.
Come to think of it, Daoist sects including the Qingcheng Sect were situated in the optimal places to bury people. Because they practically monopolized this vast mountain to themselves.
Cheon Woo-jin let out a small sigh and surveyed the surroundings.
Then, he met eyes with a Daoist.
He flinched and avoided his gaze.
“…?”
Cheon Woo-jin looked at that Daoist with puzzled eyes. The Daoist slightly turned his head back, met eyes again, and hurriedly avoided his gaze once more.
Unable to hold back, Cheon Woo-jin asked.
“Why are you doing that?”
At that, the Daoist cleared his throat awkwardly a few times and spoke shyly.
“In truth, I have heard many rumors about Squad Leader Cheon. I thought you were truly wonderful. Because the exaggerated image of a martial artist everyone dreamed of as a child is none other than Squad Leader Cheon right now.”
“I see.”
Even at words that would make one blush hearing them to one’s face, Cheon Woo-jin merely nodded calmly. Even though he had hoped to gain a clue as to where the corpses might be.
Disappointed, Cheon Woo-jin examined the surroundings once more.
If what Jin Un said was true, he would eventually have to search the mountain.
However, there was a slight clue.
To bury that many people, the slope could not be steep. Because on a rainy day, the soil could wash away entirely and expose the corpses outside.
That meant he should focus his search around flat and wide areas as much as possible. The issue was how to slip past the eyes of the Qingcheng Sect Daoists.
Contemplating for a moment, Cheon Woo-jin spoke to the Daoist from earlier.
“Where might the latrine be?”
It was a classic method.
Cheon Woo-jin did not miss the wariness that flashed through the Daoists’ eyes for a moment. Could it be that even those Daoists, who looked barely in their twenties, were involved?
“Ah, I will guide you.”
Two of the three Daoists walking with the Hidden Dragon Squad stepped forward.
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
Soon, guided by them, he arrived at a latrine located nearby.
“You may use this place, Squad Leader Cheon.”
Nodding, Cheon Woo-jin approached the latrine and pulled the doorknob.
But the door did not budge in the slightest.
Rattle, rattle!
Pulling it a couple more times, Cheon Woo-jin looked back at the Daoists.
At that, the Daoists approached with puzzled faces.
“Huh, there shouldn’t be anyone using this place at this hour…”
Saying so, he pulled the door, but it did not open.
Yet even after knocking on the door several times, no sound was heard from inside.
“Ahem, it seems the door is broken. Or perhaps there is a very shy fellow disciple inside.”
Thinking he had been rather witty, the Daoist grinned and suggested going to another latrine.
Cheon Woo-jin silently followed them.
But a strange thing happened. Because everywhere they went, the doors did not open.
“No, why is it like this today? Was there a problem with dinner yesterday?”
There was no way that was true.
Because Cheon Woo-jin had fixed the doors in place via Telekinetic Attraction.
“I feel like I’m going to burst.”
“…!”
When Cheon Woo-jin spoke thus with a serious face, the Daoists grew frantic.
In that way, the Daoists guided him toward latrines situated further up the mountain. Naturally, because he moved accompanied by Qingcheng Sect Daoists, no one viewed him with suspicious eyes.
.
.
.
Soon, the three arrived at the edge of the Qingcheng Sect, practically a latrine within the mountains. This was a makeshift latrine set up for Daoists to use in emergencies while cultivating.
When Cheon Woo-jin approached and pulled the handle, the door opened smoothly, fortunately.
Only then did the Daoists breathe a sigh of relief.
“Then, since the Squad Leader might feel embarrassed, we will wait a short distance aw…”
Crack!
The Crescent Moon Staff slammed into one Daoist’s face, while a fist struck the other Daoist’s face. Which hurt more? Only someone struck by both would know.
In any case, having knocked down the two Daoists, Cheon Woo-jin surveyed the surroundings for a moment. Having come outside thanks to the kind Daoists, his task now was to find a flat and wide clearing.
Cheon Woo-jin first searched the roads from the Daoist temple to Mount Qingcheng where carriages or carts could travel.
But there were no traces whatsoever.
“Could it be they moved carrying them all on their backs?”
If so, just how many Daoists were involved in this affair? Cheon Woo-jin uncharacteristically felt an uneasy heart.
What if the entire Qingcheng Sect knew of this matter? What if not just the Sect Leader and several top leaders, but even the very young Daoists knew of this and turned a blind eye?
‘What should I do?’
Cheon Woo-jin asked in a low whisper to himself. It was a question directed at White Elder. However, White Elder’s voice was not heard, and only Black Elder merely cackled.
– What do you mean, what should you do? You have developed a habit of asking when you already know.
Sighing, Cheon Woo-jin moved once more.
This time, he searched including all paths where people could travel on foot.
However, because the mountain terrain of the Qingcheng Sect was so steep, nowhere seemed feasible to bury corpses.
Around the time when his heart grew slightly urgent, as it was about time the fallen Daoists would be discovered.
Cheon Woo-jin suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Far away, a stone statue was visible between the trees.
Drawing closer, he saw a stone statue of an immortal standing in a wide clearing. Beneath it was an altar prepared for simple sacrificial rites.
Cheon Woo-jin looked at that space for a moment.
‘Could it be…’
No matter how reckless they were, would they truly bury corpses beneath the immortal they venerated?
Around the time he thought so while gently scraping the earthen ground with his hand.
“Squad Leader Cheon! What are you doing right now!”
A booming, furious roar sounded from behind.
Over a dozen Daoists had swarmed in.
Cheon Woo-jin stopped what he was doing, looked at them for a moment, and spoke low.
“Because the latrines were all full.”
“…Do not speak nonsense. We saw that those who guided Squad Leader Cheon were knocked out.”
Smacking his lips, Cheon Woo-jin rose from his spot.
Soon, he raised the Crescent Moon Staff.
At that, the Daoists hesitated. The affair of the Gu Clan was not yet known, but Cheon Woo-jin was a terrifying existence merely from the deeds he had shown prior.
“Th-This is the Azure Cloud Altar, where the Daoists of our Qingcheng Sect offer rites to Mount Taig Laojun. How dare you emanate killing intent before the Azure Cloud Altar!”
“I did not release killing intent.”
He had merely drawn his staff. They were stained with fear and felt killing intent that was never released, so who were they to complain?
Thinking so, he swung the Crescent Moon Staff.
As energy was lightly emitted, the ground was gouged open once.
‘The scent of blood.’
As the ground was dug up, a faint scent of blood wafted.
At the same time, the faces of the Daoists turned utterly pale.
“You young heroes are at most in your twenties. No, you don’t even appear to be that old.”
Did they truly know that corpses were buried here? Their gazes were not ones fearing Cheon Woo-jin. It was the look of those who had committed vile, hideous sins, terrified that they would be discovered.
If even those young Daoists knew.
It meant virtually everyone in the Qingcheng Sect was embroiled in this.
Recalling the grief-stricken face of his master White Elder, Cheon Woo-jin swung the Crescent Moon Staff once more.
At the same time, as the ground was completely dug open, things that should never appear in a place where members of the Nine Great Sects and One Clan of the Righteous Path and aspiring Daoists gathered came into view.
Seeing this, the Daoists’ faces turned ashen. It was not an expression of shock at seeing corpses. It was merely a face of despair at the fact that they had been discovered.
“Are you truly Daoists?”