Chapter 63: Chapter 63
Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak had colluded with the Unorthodox Path and sold off the item that was supposed to be recovered!
Vice Squad Leader Zhuge Rin turned a blind eye to this despite knowing it. She must have split the sum with the squad leader.
Such rumors swept through the Martial Alliance like a whirlwind.
The Disciplinary Hall made efforts to investigate covertly, but they could not cover the eyes and ears of everyone in the Alliance.
Although some people doubted the rumors, new facts were revealed in the process of the Disciplinary Hall’s investigation into Cheol Ji-ak.
The tavern Cheol Ji-ak frequented was actually run by someone connected to the Unorthodox Path, and not only did he frequently abuse his authority as a Martial Alliance squad leader by failing to pay, but he had even harassed courtesans…
At any rate, once rather sordid rumors began to circulate once more, public opinion concerning Cheol Ji-ak shifted little by little.
“Does this make any sense?”
“…Who knows.”
Opinions were divided even at the regularly held gathering of squad leaders. Those who knew Cheol Ji-ak well doubted the rumors to the end, while those with shallow acquaintances with him mentioned the possibility that, with his promotions continually blocked, he might have turned his eyes elsewhere.
The ones who benefited most from this incident were two people. They were the Poison King Squad Leader and the Golden Wolf Squad Leader, who had been mentioned alongside Cheol Ji-ak as candidates for promotion to division head.
“Wh-what does the Poison King Squad Leader think?”
At one squad leader’s question, the Poison King Squad Leader furrowed his brow. He was a man of the Tang Clan who handled missions thoroughly, but was evaluated as having an exceedingly cold disposition.
Even that Poison King Squad Leader could not make a definitive assertion and replied ambiguously.
“I do not know. However, it is an unsettling matter. In any case, we were in a position where we had to compete with Squad Leader Cheol for the seat of division head, yet to have him eliminated like this.”
It was a situation won through scandal rather than skill.
The matter concerning the Black Tortoise Squad Leader would only be known once the results of the Disciplinary Hall’s investigation came out, but by then, the selection of division head would have already ended.
The Golden Wolf Squad Leader beside him let out a smirk.
“Originally, money easily holds and sways a person’s heart. Furthermore, an officer repeatedly passed over for promotion turning his head to collude with the Unorthodox Path is an act of corruption that often occurs in the Alliance as well.”
“Does the Golden Wolf Squad Leader truly believe Squad Leader Cheol did such a thing?”
“Well. All the circumstances point to it, do they not?”
The Golden Wolf Squad was an armed squad. Yet unlike other armed squads, it mainly handled the businesses of the Unorthodox Path, or to put it more bluntly, affairs related to money.
Naturally, they must have witnessed countless people corrupted by money.
While the squad leaders were exchanging various thoughts, there was a man who remained unusually silent.
White Dragon Squad Leader Jang Seo-hwi repeatedly stroked his chest in relief.
Normally, he would have babbled excitedly about something, but he could not do so.
‘I-I didn’t intend to go this far…’
It would never happen, but if things went awry, he would face severe backlash.
He had plotted a scheme to slander a fellow squad leader and drag him down into the abyss. Given Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon’s disposition, if the inside story of the incident came to light, there was a high likelihood it would not end with mere disciplinary action like dismissal from office.
It was at that moment.
“Someone clearly framed him.”
At the chilly voice heard from beside him, the White Dragon Squad Leader’s heart felt as though it dropped with a thud.
Turning his head, he saw the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader sitting there, someone who rarely even attended the squad leaders’ gatherings.
Having attended the gathering as soon as he returned from completing a mission, he was looking at the squad leaders as if they were pathetic.
Because he was the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader whose next post as hall master had already been confirmed, no one dared to refute his words head-on.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s words continued.
“Have you all not seen Squad Leader Cheol and yet still do not understand? In the first place, if he were a person to devise such petty tricks, he would have long since become a division head rather than a squad leader. Do you all truly not know, or are you pretending not to know out of personal wishes?”
Clicking his tongue as if he had no wish to associate with them any longer, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader rose from his seat. Before leaving the banquet hall, he gazed blankly at the White Dragon Squad Leader.
At that sight, the White Dragon Squad Leader’s brow furrowed.
‘Does that fellow know something?’
No. There was no way.
Although the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was a man with his own information network and discernment, the real power of the Zhuge Clan was not someone who handled matters so sloppily.
With thoroughly complicated feelings, the White Dragon Squad Leader merely downed his cup of liquor.
* * *
There was a place where a discussion as heated as the squad leaders’ gathering was taking place.
It was the Black Tortoise Pavilion surrounded by the Disciplinary Hall martial artists.
Centered around Do Seong-hwi, the most senior member excluding Cheol Ji-ak and Zhuge Rin, the martial artists of the Black Tortoise Squad were gathered.
They voiced their respective thoughts one by one.
“Why would the squad leader join hands with the Xiangyang Society? That makes no sense.”
“Of course it makes no sense. We need to find evidence that it isn’t true first, but what do we do?”
“Shall we ask the Zhuge Clan for help?”
“As if they would ever help.”
Most of the discussion revolved around how best to clear the Black Tortoise Squad Leader of the false accusation. Not a single person doubted the squad leader. That was because they had carried out the mission together, and they knew Cheol Ji-ak’s disposition better than anyone else.
Around the time they had been debating this insolvable problem for over a double-hour.
Jang Woo-pyeong, wearing an inexplicably solemn expression, spoke in an even more solemn voice.
“Shall we strike the Disciplinary Hall?”
Do Seong-hwi smacked the back of Jang Woo-pyeong’s head.
“Strike what, you punk? Are you planning to get us all killed?”
Regardless, the Disciplinary Hall was an organization superior to the Black Tortoise Squad. Rashly rebelling against them was an act that could rightfully cost them their heads under the pretext of mutiny.
Jang Woo-pyeong scratched his head vigorously.
“I’m only saying it because there’s no other answer! I’m frustrated too!”
“Why, you little…”
Do Seong-hwi raised his hand again. Somehow, the atmosphere among the Black Tortoise Squad members was sinking quite heavily.
Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon did not voice any particular opinions. Because the atmosphere was so grim, it was difficult for the youngest members to carelessly open their mouths.
However, ignoring their conversation, Cheon Woo-jin pondered something deeply on his own.
‘Right after the Shadowless Divine Thief stole the item, rumors are spreading maliciously. That means it was by no means the Shadowless Divine Thief’s unilateral action…’
No matter how much he deliberated, it was difficult to anticipate who was behind it. How would his masters have resolved such a situation?
– “Should you not take a rod and go seek out that child Bukli Cheon? From time immemorial, all corruption that occurs in the Alliance is the responsibility of the Alliance Leader.”
– “What nonsense. Let us first crush the heads of those Disciplinary Hall bastards in front of you and think about it. They have been glaring with insolent eyes for a while now.”
Cheon Woo-jin let out a deep sigh. It seemed his masters’ methods would not be of immediate help right now.
‘In the end, is it the Shadowless Divine Thief?’
The answer lay with that bastard.
He was a fellow who was difficult to catch. Even his masters acknowledged his lightness art, and he had sufficiently felt it when chasing the bastard earlier.
However, if he merely sat inside the Black Tortoise Pavilion, catching him would become entirely impossible.
Having ultimately reached that conclusion, Cheon Woo-jin rose from his seat.
At that, the Black Tortoise Squad members who were engaged in heated discussion, including Song Yi-yeon, all looked at him simultaneously.
“Young Hero Cheon, what is the matter?”
“Are you heading to the latrine?”
Song Yi-yeon and Jang Woo-pyeong asked in turn.
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
“Yes.”
At that short reply, everyone instinctively realized.
The youngest member Cheon was about to take unexpected action again.
The Black Tortoise Squad members stealthily rose from their seats. This was a situation where the Disciplinary Hall martial artists had thoroughly surrounded the Black Tortoise Pavilion. Taking unexpected action now would undoubtedly have an adverse effect on the squad leader.
Soon, Song Yi-yeon and Jang Woo-pyeong exchanged glances and blocked Cheon Woo-jin’s front and rear.
In addition, Do Seong-hwi and the Black Tortoise Squad members formed a slightly larger circle to cut off his retreat.
However.
It was a truly meaningless effort.
“…”
“I’m seriously going crazy.”
It felt as though they had been collectively possessed by a ghost. The youngest member Cheon, who had clearly been before their eyes, had quietly vanished. There was neither sound nor presence. He had not shot up into the sky, nor had he sunk into the earth.
He had simply disappeared.
Most regrettably, a member of the Disciplinary Hall who detected the commotion walked over and asked.
“What is going on?”
“Ah, it is nothing.”
“Mhm…”
The Disciplinary Hall member looked at the squad members with suspicious eyes. His pupils darted this way and that. As if counting heads.
The quick-witted Black Tortoise Squad members moved about needlessly in order to obstruct his scheme.
However, most regrettably, that particular Disciplinary Hall member was a man well-known within the Beggars’ Sect for having sharp eyes.
“One person is missing?”
“Ah, he went to the latrine.”
Do Seong-hwi replied nonchalantly. However, sweat was already pouring not only down his spine, but even from the soles of his feet.
The Disciplinary Hall member spoke with narrowed eyes.
“Why without permission?”
“It seems it was very urgent.”
“Is that so.”
The Disciplinary Hall member nodded. The instant Do Seong-hwi let out a sigh of relief, he spoke to another martial artist.
“Check the latrine immediately. One person is missing.”
“Yes, senior.”
Do Seong-hwi squeezed his eyes shut. Song Yi-yeon let out a sigh, and Jang Woo-pyeong smacked his forehead with his palm.
Just how much time had passed like that?
“H-he’s not there!”
“What did you say!”
The Disciplinary Hall member glared at Do Seong-hwi as if he would kill him.
Do Seong-hwi drew an awkward smile.
“D-did you check the cesspool as well? He might have fallen in.”
It was an excuse that would not work in the slightest.
Soon, the Disciplinary Hall martial artists began to move busily.
* * *
Having slipped out of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Woo-jin headed straight for the marketplace.
Standing quietly and watching the bustling crowd, he felt a fresh sense of helplessness.
The Shadowless Divine Thief was a man who ranked among the fingers of one hand in the Jianghu when it came to being elusive. Such a fellow had deliberately hidden himself. From where and how on earth should he begin searching?
He had learned how to kill people well from Master Black Elder, and he had learned everything else from Master White Elder. However, among their teachings, there was no method for finding a hidden person.
“In the end, is there nowhere else but that place?”
After pondering for a long time, the place Cheon Woo-jin headed toward was a small tavern.
The waiter welcomed him warmly and guided him to a seat.
Having taken his seat, Cheon Woo-jin ordered somen noodles, dumplings, stir-fried bok choy and tofu, two bottles of Bamboo Leaf Green Liquor, sweet and sour pork, and confectionery in that exact sequence.
At that, the waiter’s gaze changed.
“Where has the guest come from?”
“I drifted in riding a dark cloud.”
It was an ambiguous answer. However, the waiter’s eyes flashed. That was because the Hao Sect designated prominent figures of the martial world with specific terms, and among them, a dark cloud referred to Black Elder, a guest of honor among guests of honor of the Hao Sect.
“Allow me to guide you.”
The tavern was one of the few branches of the Hao Sect.
Furthermore, the waiter was the hidden owner of the tavern and the branch manager of the Hao Sect, Deung Pyeong-hu.
When Deung Pyeong-hu vanished into the back of the tavern, another waiter who looked identical to him appeared to fill his empty place.
* * *
Accessing the deepest depths of the Hao Sect was an easy task.
That was because Hao Sect Leader Wild Flower had personally proclaimed Black Elder’s disciple to be the highest guest of honor.
Having passed through the branch manager, he headed to the headquarters of the Hao Sect and stepped inside while receiving polite bows from the guards of the headquarters.
There was no one who questioned the credibility of his identity.
There were merely people who observed Cheon Woo-jin closely all along the path leading deep inside.
‘Are they verifying me like this?’
The martial prowess of the observers was fairly high. In particular, the highest among them was on par with the Lust Demon he had fought before.
If masters of that caliber inspected him in person, there was no need to waste breath questioning credibility in the first place.
Just how long had he walked along that dark passageway?
A door embedded with luminous night pearls opened, and inside, Wild Flower, lightly draped in black silk clothing, was waiting while smoking worry-forgetting herb.
Discovering Cheon Woo-jin, she raised the corners of her crimson lips.
“I didn’t expect you to visit. How surprising.”
“Well, a reason came up.”
Cheon Woo-jin bowed his head slightly. At any rate, Hao Sect Leader Wild Flower was an acquaintance of Master Black Elder.
Wild Flower looked at that Cheon Woo-jin with amusement before speaking.
“You really resemble Venerable Black Elder.”
“Is that so?”
It was an amusing thing. The Alliance Leader said he resembled Master White Elder, while the Hao Sect Leader said he resembled Master Black Elder.
Gazing at the mirror placed to one side of the office, Cheon Woo-jin let out a smirk.
At that sight, Wild Flower curled her eyes.
“Why? Do you think you look very handsome yourself?”
“Ahem, it is nothing like that.”
Wild Flower burst into a slender laugh. Unlike Venerable Black Elder, he was a young man who was fun to tease.
“So, why did you come find me?”
“I wish to find a person.”
“Well, that’s our specialty. Who is it?”
Wild Flower nodded nonchalantly. Handling information was the job of the Hao Sect Leader, and finding people in particular was the very basics of basics.
Therefore, Cheon Woo-jin also spoke casually.
“The Shadowless Divine Thief.”
“…”
Wild Flower’s hand, which had been continuously writing something down even while conversing, came to an abrupt stop.
“Hmm, right from your very first request…”
“Is it impossible?”
In that instant, a shallow furrow formed between Wild Flower’s brows. After her slender eyebrows twitched several times, she let out a smirk.
“Could there possibly be a person our Hao Sect cannot find?”
“Is that right? I do not know the Hao Sect well.”
At that attitude, Wild Flower’s eyebrows twitched even more furiously.
‘Ha, he had this side to him too?’
Cheon Woo-jin subtly provoked Wild Flower’s competitive spirit. Of course, since Wild Flower was someone who conducted business with eccentrics of the Heavens Beyond Heavens, she could clearly see through scheming of that degree.
However, she had no choice but to let herself be fooled even while knowing it.
The reason was simple. Because this young man who uttered impudent words with a dry expression was none other than the disciple of Black Elder. Though he was calmer than anticipated for now, within ten years, he would undoubtedly become a being who exerted the greatest influence in the martial world.
Thwack. Closing the book, the Hao Sect Leader looked straight at Cheon Woo-jin with her distinct, deep black pupils.
“Very well. I will find him for you. How much will you pay for the commission?”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head.
For the record, he did not possess any money in particular.