Chapter 161: Sometimes, Tragedy is Close By

TL: FoodieMonster007

The two presences were different from each other.

Father's presence chilled my body, slowed my qi, and seized me with the fear of suffocation, as if I were falling into an endless abyss. The Murim Alliance Chairman Jin Paecheon's presence was like a typhoon on a dark sea.

I stood firm against Jin Paecheon's presence. Stormy waves tossed me into the air and plunged me to the bottom of the sea, but I did not lose consciousness.

My martial arts reacted reflexively. The Four Strides of the Wind God always stimulated me like this when I faced a powerful enemy.

Let's fight. Let's tear that presence to shreds! Let's break through the typhoon!

I struggled to suppress the supreme martial art's temptation and endured the Murim Alliance Chairman's presence to the very end. Just as the duel with Father in the tavern had helped me greatly, simply enduring this presence would be a great lesson.

As I endured, an expression that said, 'Look at this one,' surfaced on the Murim Alliance Chairman's face.

Simultaneously, the pressure intensified. Lightning now struck the sea where the typhoon raged. Giant waterspouts formed, pulling up the seawater. Jin Paecheon's presence was truly terrifying.

So the Murim Alliance Chairman was such a domineering person. Perhaps Father dreams of unifying the murim because of this Murim Alliance Chairman. The existence of such a powerful adversary must have provoked Father.

Enduring had reached its limit. It was time to either collapse or flee.

Just then, I saw it again.

Two giant eyes with massive pupils stared at me.

Some colossal being was looking at me. I knew it was the Heavenly Demon Soul I had seen in the painting.

I haven't even learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art yet, so why do I keep seeing illusions of the Heavenly Demon Soul?

The colossal Heavenly Demon Soul stood tall in the sea, blocking the typhoon and looking down at me. Its gaze seemed to find me pathetic, yet it also seemed longing and pitiful. At the same time, it seemed to hold no emotion at all.

The illusion of the Heavenly Demon Soul slowly faded.

The Murim Alliance Chairman's surging, murderous presence was already gone. Standing far away, Jin Paecheon looked surprised that I had endured until the end.

I was on the verge of collapsing. If the Heavenly Demon Soul had not blocked it at the last moment, I would have lost consciousness and fallen. The Heavenly Demon Soul was likely an illusion my own mental strength created, but it felt so vivid, as if the real Heavenly Demon Soul had visited.

I repeated what I had said before to Jin Paecheon.

"Only I can save your granddaughter."

This time, Jin Paecheon did not react with blind anger. After all, I was someone who had withstood his presence.

"What do you mean by that?"

Meeting the Murim Alliance Chairman and revealing my identity was a choice I normally would not have made. I ultimately chose it because of the two weapons I possessed.

The first was my belief in my experience. I believed in the experience from before my regression and the experience I gained dealing with the Demon Supremes after my regression. I believed in myself.

However, I would not have made such a reckless choice relying solely on my experience. I needed my second weapon.

My second weapon is his granddaughter, Jin Haryong.

As long as Jin Haryong was deeply involved, I was confident the Murim Alliance Chairman would have no choice but to help me.

I feel sorry for her, but I intend to use her completely. Since it's for her sake anyway, she'll probably understand.

"Have you heard of the Heavenly Enlightenment Society?"

Jin Paecheon nodded. The Murim Alliance would naturally know about them, since they had recently committed various evil deeds while impersonating our Cult.

"I was tracking them under Father's orders and obtained information that they're plotting something related to this Young Dragon Tournament."

"What's the source of the information?"

"The Evil Valley Lord."

Jin Paecheon was not surprised. Just as with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society, he must have heard about the Evil Valley Lord's recent death. He just did not yet know that the two incidents were connected.

"I've heard that the master of the Valley of Evil has changed."

"The information is reliable. He revealed it in a moment of killing intent. That's why I had my subordinate participate in the Young Dragon Tournament and came here to catch them."

"If such a thing was happening, you should have informed us."

"There were circumstances that prevented me from doing so."

"What circumstances?"

"Because dealing with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman is the succession test I've been given."

Jin Paecheon's gaze grew cold and deep as he released his presence again. This presence was different from the raging typhoon. It was a gentle presence that wrapped around my body like a spring breeze, an attempt to read the changes in my emotions and confirm if my words were true.

"Tell me about Haryong."

"I'm certain that the Heavenly Enlightenment Society is targeting Miss Jin."

"The reason for your certainty?"

"I found out they were plotting something related to the Young Dragon Tournament. When I came here, I saw Miss Jin participating and that she's even a strong contender for victory. Do you think this is a coincidence? Not a chance. They're undoubtedly targeting Miss Jin. No, they planned this from the start, knowing she would participate."

"Even if that's true, it's a matter I can resolve myself. Why would I entrust my granddaughter's safety to you?"

"Because if anyone other than me intervenes now, Miss Jin will be in danger."

The presence that had gently enveloped me turned cold in an instant. The mere mention of his granddaughter's danger made his presence radiate killing intent.

"The Heavenly Enlightenment Society is a much larger and more powerful organization than we initially thought. It's possible that some high-ranking members of our Cult, the Murim Alliance, or the Evil Alliance have already been won over by them. That's also why we must speak through telepathy right now."

I told him how the Evil Valley Lord and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had already been won over. If figures of their caliber had been recruited, this was not a matter to be taken lightly.

"If you investigate, you'll find that my words are true. Fortunately, they don't yet know that I've come this far to track them. If you trust me, I'll root them out completely."

Jin Paecheon stared at me without a word. Normally, he would have considered it a plot by our Cult and would never have believed me. However, with Jin Haryong involved, he could not easily dismiss it.

Right now, I am the only one who can save your granddaughter.

My persuasion, backed by my most powerful weapon, continued.

"I believe you've heard various things about me. I don't know what that information was, but this much is certain. I'm trying to establish a different demonic path than before. At the very least, I don't stoop to plotting things using the young granddaughter of an opposing faction."

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Murim Alliance, and the Evil Alliance send countless spies to one another, so they all know basic information. I assumed he had some grasp of my activities as the Sanzu Hall Director.

"Do you know why I've resolved to save your granddaughter no matter what?"

"Why is that?"

"Because even though she's the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Chairman, she's someone who would offer marriage just to protect a mere servant's life. You've raised her truly well."

It was both sincere and a form of flattery.

Jin Paecheon strode towards me.

"……"

In an instant, Jin Paecheon's sword was at my neck.

"Go back and wait. I'll give you an answer soon."

"Yes, I'll wait."

I gave him a polite bow and turned away.

The gaze on my back felt powerful enough to pierce through me.

His suspicion was natural, but I could only hope he would make a wise decision.

When I returned to the inn, Seo Daeryong had already packed his bags, ready to leave at a moment's notice.

"Ah! You're back!"

"What is all this?"

"What do you think? I packed so we can bolt if things go south."

"What about me?"

"Don't worry. I packed your bags too, Director."

"No. If something happened, that would mean something happened to me, right?"

"Just because you're in trouble doesn't mean I have to be, does it?"

"……"

"……"

"Ah! You have no idea how much I missed your lame jokes."

"I wasn't joking. Anyway, how was it? You met the Murim Alliance Chairman, right?"

"I thought I was going to die."

"He's strong, isn't he?"

I nodded.

"It's good to have you back."

Seo Daeryong began to unpack his bags again. The playfulness vanished from his face, replaced by a look of complete relief.

I knew enough about Seo Daeryong now. It was not a joke. If something happened to me, he would flee immediately. He was not the type to rush in emotionally, seeking revenge.

Only after returning and reporting the entire situation would his revenge begin. Just as he memorized the personal details of the Demonic Army to avenge a Sanzu River Hall Senior, he might memorize every single Murim Alliance martial artist. Whether it took ten years or a hundred, he would dream of revenge until the day he died. That was the kind of man Seo Daeryong was.

"What about your identity, Director?"

"He knows who I am now."

"Then he must know about me too."

"That's right."

"And I can still win the tournament?"

Seo Daeryong's expression was too serious for me to ask, 'Can you even do it?'

"Now, you have to win no matter what."

"……"

"The Murim Alliance Chairman knows about the Heavenly Enlightenment Society now, right? Do you think he'd want his own granddaughter to win and become their target?"

"So he'll want me to win and become their target instead."

"Exactly."

"Ah, how can a man without a grandfather live with such sorrow? Grandfather! Are you watching?"

I laughed at Seo Daeryong's joke.

"Think positively. This is a moment in your life when you have the support of the Murim Alliance Chairman."

"Ah! You're right. I've got another story to brag about at drinking parties, but is it really okay to reveal everything to the Murim Alliance Chairman like this?"

"You have to discard any thought of deceiving the Murim Alliance Chairman to get something done. From now on, I'll deal with him honestly. I'll show him ninety-nine truths."

"Then what's the one remaining lie?"

"Why do you assume it's a lie?"

"……"

"It could be a truth I just haven't told him yet."

"What truth?"

I looked at the Murim Alliance building visible in the distance outside the window.

"Later. You'll find out much, much later."

The next day at dawn, I woke from my sleep.

The Heavenly Demon Defense Art had woken me.

I left my room and went down to the first floor, where I found someone sitting alone in the closed inn. He revealed no presence, yet his silhouette in the darkness announced his existence. The mere sight of him sitting with his back to me was enough to make me tense. It was the Murim Alliance Chairman, Jin Paecheon.

"You've come."

I sat across from him. There was no sign of the Lake Chao guards nearby, but they were surely not far, guarding the surroundings like an iron wall from hidden places.

Jin Paecheon abruptly brought up Father.

"I've met your father about twice in my life."

I listened to his story in silence.

"He was the kind of person who made me feel I had to try harder every time we met. It was your father who kept me from stopping."

I thought I understood what Jin Paecheon was feeling. Father was a man who desired to become stronger than anyone else.

"I had forgotten for a while, but yesterday, you rekindled the dying embers in my heart."

He had received a strong impression from me for withstanding his presence. If I was this strong at my young age, what would I be like later? He must have felt a sense of crisis.

"Alright. I'll entrust this matter to you."

He must have agonized a great deal before making this decision. I wondered who he discussed it with, who the person he trusted the most was.

"However, there is one condition."

"Please, state it."

"I must know every detail of the process from now on. Starting now, one of my men will be assigned to you. That person will watch your every move."

Even now, I could feel someone hidden around us. He was a master of stealth, on par with Father's bodyguard, Hwi. Of course, I did not reveal that I had detected him.

The Murim Alliance Chairman was not entrusting this matter to me solely because of a potential traitor.

He also intended to test me. It stemmed from a desire to find out what kind of person I, the potential next Cult Leader, was. In the end, I was being tested by both the Demonic Cult Leader and the Murim Alliance Chairman.

"In return, I also have a condition."

"What is it?"

"We'll handle the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. In return, we'll deal with it as secretly as possible and then leave."

Jin Paecheon nodded and rose from his seat.

"Just do what you have to do and go."

I understood what Jin Paecheon worried about. He was telling me not to sway Jin Haryong's heart.

"The subordinate who came with me teases me. He says that the end of a fateful love is always a tragedy, but young people these days don't like tragedies. That's true not only for me but for your granddaughter as well."

I knew very well why Jin Paecheon was so worried. His son and daughter-in-law had met a tragic end together, and he did not want his granddaughter, at least, to be caught up in a tragedy caused by matters of the heart.

"Sometimes, tragedy can be found in a nearby place."

"What do you mean?"

"When your granddaughter announced in front of all those people that she was dating me, it wasn't just because of a simple crush or goodwill towards me."

"Are you saying it's because of that person who is trying to kill you?"

"Miss Jin resembles you, Chairman. She's someone who can never tolerate injustice."

"That's why I worry about her even more sometimes."

"Then please investigate who that person is and how they're pressuring your granddaughter. That one investigation will do more to improve your relationship with your granddaughter than a hundred worries."

Jin Paecheon, who had been glaring at me, left with one last remark.

"Don't worry about useless things and just do the job you've been given."

I watched Jin Paecheon's back disappear into the distance before heading up to my room on the second floor. Before entering, I spoke to the empty air.

"You can sleep when I sleep. I'll let you know if I go anywhere."

Despite my pointless attempt at friendliness, the hidden man gave no reply.