Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 185 : Angry Shadow (2)

"There is no connection with the Tang family."

Tang Hyu shook his head, reading the atmosphere in the room. But few would take his words at face value.

"How can you be so sure? If the poison used by the culprit is the Tang family's One Point Red, it is clear that it is related to the Tang family."

A middle-aged official of the Jeongcheonwon, who was standing behind Namgung Min, raised his voice.

"Why would the Tang family kill the Zhuge Wonju? Do you think that makes sense?"

"Who said they killed him? I'm saying we need to find out why the culprit used the Tang family's poison."

"It must be a trick to drive a wedge. If not, it's really a person from the Tang family."

As the room became noisy at someone's voice, Namgung Min frowned.

"Quiet."

At Namgung Min's one word, the noise in the room disappeared as if it were a lie.

Tang Hyu opened his mouth impatiently.

"I will solve this problem."

"You can't. Since it's a matter of the Tang family, you, senior, must take a step back. In order to investigate fairly."

At Namgung Min's cold voice, Tang Hyu showed anger but quickly regained his composure.

The arm bends inward.

If Tang Hyu investigated the source of the poison and found out that it was related to the Tang family, he would immediately kill and destroy the evidence.

In the first place, since the Tang family's One Point Red had come out, it was a fact that the Tang family was involved, and Tang Hyu had to make sure that there was no connection with the culprit in any way.

Since Zhuge Qing had died, a big problem had arisen between the Tang family and the Zhuge family, and in the end, the relationship with the Martial Alliance would also cool down.

"I will clarify once again that the death of the Zhuge Wonju has no connection with our family."

With his words, Tang Hyu went outside.

No one blocked his way.

A middle-aged Hobeopwonju approached Namgung Min's side and whispered.

"We must monitor Elder Tang. We also need to investigate the source of the poison, so how about leaving this case to our Won?"

Since it was an opportunity to gain merit, the eyes of Ak Seon-eung, the Hobeopwonju, sparkled.

Namgung Min looked at Ak Seon-eung for a moment with an untrusting gaze.

In Namgung Min's standards, Ak Seon-eung was a person who was far from being a Hobeopwonju. But the reason he had placed him as the Hobeopwonju was because he listened well. The Hobeopwonju had to be a person who sat in that position.

After contemplating for a moment, Namgung Min soon nodded.

"You take charge."

"Thank you."

Ak Seon-eung answered and then took a step back. Song Mu-pung, who was standing with a hardened expression, examining Zhuge Qing's neck, said to Namgung Min.

"There is another problem."

"Is there another one besides this?"

"Yes."

"Speak."

At Namgung Min's words, Song Mu-pung looked around and then bowed his head.

"There are many eyes and ears here. I will tell you at the Inspection Pavilion."

At his serious voice, Namgung Min showed a subtle expression as if he knew everything.

***

Namgung Min, who had entered the underground stone chamber outside the Inspection Pavilion, looked around at the corpses lying in the coffins.

Song Mu-pung, who had followed him in, dismissed the surroundings.

"They are the ones who attacked the guest hall's Innkeeper Jin... They are all members of the Shadowless Division."

"Hmm..."

Namgung Min let out a groan and turned his head to look at Song Mu-pung.

"Is it true?"

"Yes. I have confirmed it with the Shadowless Division Master."

Song Mu-pung bowed his head. Just then, Gwak Yun, the Shadowless Division Master, who had rushed in with the sound of footsteps, prostrated himself before Namgung Min.

"Gwak Yun, the Shadowless Division Master, greets the Alliance Leader."

Gwak Yun was a person in his late thirties with a slender figure and a sharp impression.

Although his appearance was ordinary, his gaze was cold. It was an eye that naturally contained the killing intent of a person who had killed frequently.

A man with a prayer that an ordinary person could not even dare to look at.

But to Namgung Min, he was just a novice.

Namgung Min asked with an indifferent face.

"Are these really the Shadowless Division of our alliance?"

"Yes."

"By whose order did they try to kill the guest of the alliance who was staying at the guest hall?"

"It was the order of the Zhuge Wonju."

"Since when did the Shadowless Division follow the orders of the Zhuge Wonju, not me, the Alliance Leader?"

Cold sweat flowed down the forehead of Gwak Yun, who was bowing his head. As he felt a sharp killing intent, the hair on his back stood on end, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

"I'm sorry. I have no excuse."

At this moment, all he could do was apologize.

The mission had failed, and Zhuge Qing had died. There was no one to protect him.

He thought he might die here.

'Will my neck be cut off?'

Gulp!

Dry saliva went down his throat on its own.

"You'll have nothing to say even if you die."

Namgung Min, as Gwak Yun had expected, drew his sword. Then, Song Mu-pung hurriedly said, "Pavilion Master Gwak followed the order. He must have thought it was the Alliance Leader's order. Isn't that so?"

"I'm sorry. I thought it was the Alliance Leader's order."

"That's not even funny. You rotten bastards! Damn it! The elders are already looking for my flaws with their eyes wide open, and the Shadowless Division tries to kill a guest? Are you telling me to endure this!"

Whoosh!

Namgung Min, who had struck the empty air once with his sword, put his sword back into its scabbard.

Gwak Yun's hair was cut and fluttered in the wind.

It was then that a red line was made on Gwak Yun's earlobe.

'Phew...'

Although Gwak Yun felt a slight sting, he was relieved. Because he had saved his life.

It was a situation where he would have nothing to say even if his neck were cut. As he overcame the crisis, his mind became clear and calm.

Namgung Min had cut Gwak Yun's hair and ear slightly instead of his neck. If Gwak Yun died, there was no suitable person to lead the Shadowless Division.

"Your life is now the alliance's. Know that a second mistake will not be tolerated."

"I, Gwak Mo, promise to be even more loyal to the Alliance Leader's grace. Thank you."

Gwak Yun hit his forehead on the floor once with a thump! and then prostrated himself again.

"Get up."

At Namgung Min's words, Gwak Yun stood up from his seat and stood in an at-ease posture. His head was slightly looking up, and his pupils were also staring at the ceiling.

"The Shadowless Division only moves on my command. Do not follow anyone else's command."

"I will keep that in mind."

Hearing Gwak Yun's answer, Namgung Min said to Song Mu-pung.

"These are not the Shadowless Division. They are assassins who have invaded our alliance. Since these people tried to insult our alliance, they must pay a corresponding price."

"But..."

Song Mu-pung's eyes widened, and he soon understood Namgung Min's words.

The Shadowless Division had never tried to kill Jin Sa-wol, and Zhuge Qing had never given such an order.

"I understand well."

"There are surely assassins who are doing business not far from the alliance. Find a suitable place and annihilate them. If you look with Pavilion Master Gwak, you'll find one or two."

"Yes. I will handle it as soon as possible."

"Don't worry too much."

Hearing the answers of Song Mu-pung and Gwak Yun, Namgung Min glared at Gwak Yun.

Gwak Yun, who had met Namgung Min's eyes, quickly bowed his head.

Gwak Yun thought of numerous assassin organizations in his head and thought about which ones to choose.

Namgung Min's words were heard.

"Who else knows about this?"

"Only we know."

At Gwak Yun's answer, Namgung Min raised his hand and covered his mouth.

"Shh!"

It was an instruction to be careful with his words.

Song Mu-pung and Gwak Yun covered their mouths with their hands at the same time.

As soon as Namgung Min left the underground stone chamber, he turned his head when he saw the guest hall master who was quickly approaching.

"What's going on?"

The guest hall master bowed deeply and said, "Mr. Jin of the Gangnam Grand Inn says he will leave. It seems he is uncomfortable being in the alliance."

"That's understandable. Since he went through such a thing at night."

Jin Sa-wol was a victim who had been struck by a thunderbolt while staying at the Martial Alliance. No one in the alliance suspected that the person who had killed Zhuge Qing last night was Jin Sa-wol.

He had stayed at the guest hall last night and had not gone anywhere.

The guest hall master, observing Namgung Min's mood, asked carefully.

"What about the meal?"

"It's not polite to hold back someone who is leaving. Cancel it. Now is not the time to leisurely have lunch. There will be no internal or external meetings for the time being, so know that and cancel it."

"I understand."

As the guest hall master retreated, this time a warrior from the Elder Council approached.

"The elders are waiting."

"Let's go."

Namgung Min, at the word 'elder', put strength into his face and glared at Gwak Yun again. Gwak Yun quickly bowed his head.

"Pavilion Master Gwak, have a cup of tea with me tonight."

"Yes."

Namgung Min ignored Gwak Yun's answer and left the Inspection Pavilion.

As Namgung Min's figure disappeared, Song Mu-pung patted Gwak Yun's shoulder.

"You've overcome a big crisis."

"Haa..."

As Song Mu-pung said, he had overcome a big crisis, but the rest of the crisis remained. A hellish one-on-one interview.

Song Mu-pung asked the silent Gwak Yun.

"Did the Wonju have any other orders? It doesn't matter if it's a trivial story. Do you remember anything?"

"Besides the order to kill the innkeeper, there was nothing."

"Is there a suitable assassin organization?"

"There is. It's a place called the Blood Demon Society of Shandong. It's a large-scale assassin organization in Shandong."

"That's a good name. Let's go there."

"I understand. I'll prepare."

As Gwak Yun left the Inspection Pavilion, Song Mu-pung headed for the Jeongcheonwon.

A month later, the Blood Demon Society of Shandong disappeared without a trace.

***

Around noon, a small carriage slowly and leisurely came out of the main gate of the Martial Alliance.

Woo Jeong-bong was sitting in the driver's seat, and Jin Sa-wol and Jo Geom-ok were sitting in the carriage.

It was a small carriage with no wall between the driver's seat and the carriage.

If Woo Jeong-bong turned his head, he could see the sitting Jo Geom-ok and Jin Sa-wol.

Bi-sun and Jo-rim were scheduled to leave the alliance with Namgung Ji tomorrow.

If it weren't for Namgung Ji's help this time, it would have been very difficult for Jo-rim to infiltrate.

Fortunately, she had helped, and through Namgung Ji, who had entered before Jin Sa-wol, Jo-rim was able to enter the alliance smoothly.

"If we go back to the inn, it will take a long time to rebuild, right? To complete the gisaeng house... it will probably take another half a year."

Woo Jeong-bong licked his lips and looked at the sky with a face full of regret.

"The weather is good, but my gisaeng house is not in front of my eyes. Sadness fills my throat."

"I'm contemplating whether to rebuild the inn or just build it in the form of a manor and live there."

"What!"

At the words that he might not rebuild the inn, Woo Jeong-bong's eyes widened.

Woo Jeong-bong, who had turned his head, and Jin Sa-wol's eyes met in the air and started a sparkling fight.

"The inn is ruined."

"You have a lot of money, don't you?"

"Even if I have a lot of money, it's a business that has failed once, so should I do it again?"

"It would be good if you did."

"Even after seeing that corpse?"

Woo Jeong-bong, who had recalled the corpses of Muyeon Island, turned his head with a sigh.

As a heavy atmosphere continued, everyone was silent.

The carriage slowly crossed the main road and passed a quiet field. It was a place where the plain continued beyond the horizon.

After going for a while again, a forest was visible not far away. It was a place with tree shade, and a tavern was visible.

A short while later, the carriage rattled and slowly passed the tavern.

In the eyes of Jin Sa-wol and Jo Geom-ok, an old man in white was seen sitting at an outdoor table of the tavern.

The old man's and Jin Sa-wol's eyes met.

"Tang Hyu..."

In that instant, Tang Hyu's right hand moved towards the carriage.

(End of Chapter)