Chapter 175: I Have Good News and Bad News

TL: FoodieMonster007

I stared at my reflection in the bronze mirror and slowly took off my clothes, stripping down to my undergarments. My body was lean and smooth, honed by martial arts.

I unwound all the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk from the hilt of the Black Demon Sword. I carefully wrapped it around my vital points, including my heart, neck, and qi center. Then, I put on the Ghost Armor that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had given me.

Seo Daeryong sat perched on the bed, silently watching me prepare for the decisive battle.

I couldn't miss a chance to joke at a time like this, so I tossed a jest at Seo Daeryong.

"No 'I'll go and fight with you'?"

"I will not. The greatest adventure of my life is already over. Winning the Young Dragon Tournament! I'm going to live the rest of my life milking that for all it's worth and boasting about it. There will be no more danger in my life."

I put on a light and comfortable martial arts uniform and told him, "Your mind will change once your realm gets higher! You'll throw yourself into life-and-death situations. You'll find exhilaration there and seek out even greater dangers."

"Don't make such strange prophecies!"

Seo Daeryong stuck his head out the window, looked up at the sky, and said, "I'm pretending I didn't hear that! Nope, not happening. My adventure is over. I already have enough stories to tell my grandchildren on my knee."

He reacted so earnestly that I couldn't help but tease him.

"Please be careful on your way."

"A mysterious organization is only dangerous when it's mysterious. Once it's exposed like this, it becomes rather insignificant. Don't worry."

"No matter what you say, I'm not following you."

"It's not working, huh."

I know. I know how worried Seo Daeryong is right now. I know how much he wants to fight alongside me. The fire burning in his eyes said it all. Wait for me. Until I become stronger.

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman and Jo Yibaek sat facing each other in the manor's pavilion.

"Have you been well?"

"Thanks to you, I have been well."

Jo Yibaek had met the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman several times. The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman did not act like a man shrouded in mystery. He would visit if he needed something, and he would summon Jo Yibaek like this if he wanted to meet.

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman's martial arts skill was far superior to his own. However, the impression he gave, aside from his martial arts skill, was surprisingly 'ordinary'.

The word ordinary was not a fitting description for the leader of a shadow organization, but he was certainly ordinary. He had the kind of face and attire that made you think you might see him eating at the next table if you glanced over at an inn. His speech and actions were also ordinary.

Because a person who should not have been ordinary was ordinary, he felt extraordinary instead. He was the kind of person who could hide as a mastermind precisely because he was so ordinary.

"Why did you ask to see me today?"

"A problem has arisen."

"Please, speak."

"The Murim Alliance has found out that my son joined our society."

Jo Yibaek stared at the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman and asked another question. "When did you have my son join?"

He should have been angry, but Jo Yibaek asked calmly.

"Your son joined as well?" the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman reacted as if he had no idea. "I was not aware."

His reaction was so natural that he seemed to genuinely not know, but Jo Yibaek did not believe him. He had recruited him, the True Dragon Manor Master, so how could he not know about recruiting his son, the heir? If the organization was that sloppy, it would be wise to leave as soon as possible.

Jo Yibaek did not bother to call out the obvious pretense. He had not met the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman for an emotional argument. Today was the day he had to walk the most dangerous and important tightrope of his life.

"My son is currently locked in prison. I asked to see you, Chairman, to ask you to find a way."

"They couldn't have locked him in prison just for being associated with our society."

"He has been framed for falling into their trap and attempting to kidnap the Chairman's granddaughter."

"Goodness! That's just the sort of thing those shameless Murim Alliance bastards would do." The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Is there any way?"

"Don't you have a close relationship with the Murim Alliance Chairman, Chairman Jo?"

"Doesn't the Chairman adore his granddaughter? I don't think this matter can be resolved with just a personal connection."

"I understand. I will think about what to do."

"Thank you."

Just then, a gate opened in the distance. If Jo Yibaek had to pick the most nerve-wracking moment of his life, it would probably be this one. He had expected the Murim Alliance Chairman, but the person who entered was a young man.

The Chairman didn't come?

Since the Chairman had not come, he obviously had not brought his son either.

"……"

After wanting the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman so badly? What kind of trick is he trying to pull?

Of course, he himself was also planning a trick. It was a move prepared for the possibility that the Chairman might not release his son even after dealing with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman, or that he might try to imprison him as well. He had prepared an expert to actually kidnap Jin Haryong.

However, he had not anticipated this scenario. The Chairman didn't come, and his son didn't come. How should he react?

Jo Yibaek's gaze turned to the young man walking toward them. The Chairman could send other experts instead of coming himself, but to send just one young expert like that?

Could it be? Is this young man an expert capable of facing the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman?

That couldn't be right. He must have come to deliver a message from the Chairman.

As Geom Mugeuk walked toward them, no one blocked his path. Neither the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman nor Jo Yibaek had given any orders.

When Geom Mugeuk joined the two at their table, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman asked Jo Yibaek, "Who is this master?"

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman had assumed that Geom Mugeuk, who had walked toward them so calmly and confidently, was naturally one of Jo Yibaek's subordinates.

Jo Yibaek then feigned ignorance and asked, "Wasn't he someone you brought, Chairman?"

Geom Mugeuk said calmly, "I am the one sent by the Murim Alliance Chairman."

For a moment, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman flinched in surprise. The air around them changed. Geom Mugeuk could feel those hidden nearby hastily shifting their positions.

Just as the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman gave a natural farewell and tried to stand up, Geom Mugeuk spoke. "Sit down, Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman."

"!"

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman stared intently at Geom Mugeuk before sitting back down. "So you came knowing I was here."

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman's gaze shifted to Jo Yibaek. Jo Yibaek gave a slight shake of his head, denying any knowledge of the matter.

The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman asked, "For what reason did the Chairman send you, Master?"

"Chairman Jo here made a deal. To trade his son for you, Chairman."

Jo Yibaek was flustered, not expecting him to say it so openly. On the other hand, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman did not get angry at Jo Yibaek, perhaps assuming it was to be expected.

Jo Yibaek vehemently denied it. "Don't believe him. It's a trick by the Chairman to drive a wedge between us."

Until he knew why the Chairman had sent this young man in his place, Jo Yibaek had to deny it stubbornly. Of course, it was not an easy choice with Geom Mugeuk present.

"Don't blame Chairman Jo too much. It must have been a difficult decision, being a matter concerning his child."

"I understand." The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman nodded.

Jo Yibaek denied it to the end. "Don't be fooled. Don't fall for their schemes."

Jo Yibaek could not help but misunderstand. He thought the Murim Alliance Chairman was trying to eliminate him through the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. Because of that, Jo Yibaek was furious.

So this is how you're going to play it?

Jo Yibaek secretly sent a telepathy message to a subordinate in hiding.

[Tell them to proceed with Jin Haryong. Right now!]

"……"

He judged that he could only survive if he got his hands on Jin Haryong as quickly as possible. However, he did not know. The reason the Murim Alliance Chairman had not come here was that he had accepted Geom Mugeuk's advice to protect Jin Haryong.

Geom Mugeuk asked the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman, "I have good news and bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?"

"I like to start things on a pleasant note, so let's hear the good news first."

"I came alone."

"You really came alone?" The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman was startled. He had thought that experts from the Murim Alliance would be positioned outside.

"Then what's the bad news?"

"I came alone."

When Geom Mugeuk repeated what he had said before, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman looked puzzled. "Why is that bad news? Didn't you just say it was good news?"

"It's also bad news. Because there's no one here to stop me."

He spoke with an arrogance that went beyond mere self-confidence, but the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman actually looked pleased. "It's not easy to find such spirited young people these days. Isn't that right, Chairman Jo?"

"That's right. Not just the rising generation, but even experienced veterans are all busy looking out for themselves."

Even as he agreed, a doubt arose in his mind.

Is he really an expert capable of killing the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman? Is that why he's saying such things? Should I side with the Murim Alliance Chairman even now? With the credit from handing over the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman, I feel like I could somehow manage the aftermath.

As if reading his conflict, Geom Mugeuk said to Jo Yibaek, "Chairman Jo, I think it's time you made it clear which side you're on."

Jo Yibaek was truly conflicted. However, no matter how he thought about it, he could not believe this young man could kill the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. It might be a different story if the Murim Alliance Chairman were here, but the person close by right now was the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman.

"What are you talking about? I have never betrayed the Chairman, not for a single moment."

"May I take that as your official position?" The words carried the implication that he could not complain even if he were to be beheaded.

Jo Yibaek was engulfed in conflict. He could not predict why the Murim Alliance Chairman was acting this way, so the decision was not easy.

Just then, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman smiled and said, "I will resolve our Chairman Jo's dilemma for him."

The moment his words fell, figures began to reveal themselves from all directions. The very first person was enough to sway Jo Yibaek's heart.

The woman with a short, straight dao at her waist was the Demon Slaying Blade Gu Ryong. She was a supreme master who was once called one of the three great dao masters of the orthodox sects. The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman and the Demon Slaying Blade. Those two alone would have been enough to tip the scales, but there were others as well.

A monk appeared, holding a large iron staff and wearing monastic robes. He was the Tyrannical Monk Yorai, who had been active as an absolute master in the western regions.

It was hard to think of anyone who could stand against just these two, but finally, a hunchbacked old man with a peculiar appearance also emerged. The worn-out green pouch hanging from his waist revealed his identity. He was the Great Poison Elder Gok Chu, who had established his own school with poison. He was known to be so skilled with poison that it was said not a single blade of grass could survive where he walked, turning the land forever barren, so everyone who knew of him feared him.

However, it was not those three masters who truly changed the atmosphere of the place. Masked figures revealed themselves from all directions. As if ants were pouring out of an anthill, countless masked figures appeared from unknown locations.

They filled the surroundings. From below the walls to on top of them, in the courtyard and on the roofs. Their numbers seemed to be at least a hundred. They were not just there to fill the numbers. The eyes above their masks and their auras were fierce and sharp.

Jo Yibaek realized for the first time that the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman traveled with such incredible experts.

This is truly incredible. Even if one wanted to capture the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman, it would be absolutely impossible.

Any further hesitation was meaningless.

When Jo Yibaek gave a signal, four people appeared. They wore martial arts uniforms, each embroidered with a pattern of a plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. They were Jo Yibaek's limbs, the Four Gentlemen.

"We will take care of that young brat." If he wanted to be forgiven for this incident, he had to earn it properly. His own people had to step up and eliminate the man.

Jo Yibaek spoke frankly to the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. "As one man to another, how about we forget our past transgressions? This all started because you brought my son in without my knowledge, didn't it? Let's just forget about it."

"Excellent. As they say, the ground hardens after the rain." The two men looked at each other and laughed.

Then, Geom Mugeuk said, "After he kills me, he'll kill you. He's not likely to let a traitor live."

"You brat! Stop trying to sow discord." Once Jo Yibaek made up his mind, he did not look back. "You will never leave this place alive. Not even your Chairman would survive this."

"Honestly, I was worried. That you might take my side."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I had already decided to kill you too. If you took my side, wouldn't I feel sorry when I killed you?"

"You can still say such things in this situation? You truly are an arrogant bastard." Jo Yibaek gave an order to the Four Gentlemen. "Kill him."

The Four Gentlemen stepped into the open space. Geom Mugeuk also walked slowly and stood facing them.

They were surrounded without a single gap by over a hundred masked experts, and watched by absolute masters like the Demon Slaying Blade, the Tyrannical Monk, and the Great Poison Elder, as well as the True Dragon Manor Master and the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman.

Geom Mugeuk stared at the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman within that massive group and said calmly, "For the crime of impersonating the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to plunder the lives and wealth of jianghu martial artists, and for plotting to overthrow the Murim Alliance through marriage with the Chairman's granddaughter, I hereby sentence the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman, the True Dragon Manor Master, and all others present to summary execution on this spot."

A moment of silence fell.

However, someone soon couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, and that started a wave of sneers that spread through everyone. No one present was tense or afraid. Sure, he was probably an expert. He must be confident in his skills to say something like that.

However, their own forces were strong enough that it wouldn't be strange for them to invade the Murim Alliance right now. That was why everyone was simply enjoying the arrogance of a greenhorn who couldn't tell heaven from earth.

Just as the murmurs and sneers grew louder, as if to silence everyone.

WUUUUUUUUUUU!

Like a deep cry from the abyss, the Black Demon Sword began to wail on its own.