Chapter 346: Let's Kill Him First

TL: FoodieMonster007

The carriage sped toward the Evil Alliance.

Bi Sayin stared silently out the window, thinking about the mastermind behind the incident.

An enemy plotting against the entire murim. How grand.

History showed that individuals who caused such major incidents appeared once every few generations.

Normally, their plotting would have continued. This time, however, everything was exposed because of one person. They chose to execute their scheme in an era where that man existed.

Bi Sayin's gaze shifted to Geom Mugeuk, who sat across from him.

Geom Mugeuk had his eyes closed. Whenever their conversation paused, he would fall into training and recite some kind of oral formula. Geom Mugeuk seemed like a man brimming with talent, but Bi Sayin now learned he was, in fact, a man of great effort.

Bi Sayin's gaze moved to the seat beside Geom Mugeuk. The box for the Sun Moon Sword, which Bi Sayin had given as a gift, was propped up there. Bi Sayin had told him to put it in the luggage compartment, but Geom Mugeuk stubbornly kept it by his side like a child.

Just then, the carriage jolted violently.

CLATTER.

The shake lifted them from their seats and sent the sword box flying.

The box looked like it would crash to the floor with a THUD, but it hovered in mid-air before gently descending to its original spot.

Geom Mugeuk had protected the sword box with telekinesis. Bi Sayin had thought Geom Mugeuk was circulating his qi or sleeping, but even then, he paid attention to the sword box.

"I'm grateful you cherish my gift, but wouldn't it be more comfortable to discard the box and just wear the sword?"

Geom Mugeuk replied with his eyes still closed.

"Because I'm going to give the sword as a gift. Wouldn't it be better to give it in its sword box?"

The box was the official case for the Sun Moon Sword, handsomely engraved with a sun and a moon.

"Who are you giving it to that you're being so careful?"

"I'm going to give it to my heart."

Bi Sayin looked at him, wondering what kind of joke this was. Geom Mugeuk opened his eyes.

"There's someone as important to me as my own heart. Would I give such a precious sword to just anyone?"

The image of Geom Mugeuk sincerely caring for someone suited him. At the same time, Bi Sayin felt Geom Mugeuk was also a different kind of person.

"Because you seem like the type who'd give a treasured sword even to a stranger on the street."

"You've got me wrong. I hate being at a disadvantage. If I gave a sword to a stranger, it'd be because I was aiming for something they have that's ten times more valuable."

"Then what are you aiming for by giving it to that heart of yours?"

"My heart is an exception. That person tries to give me everything they have, even if I'm not aiming for anything."

At those words, Bi Sayin wondered who he would give a gift to.

No one came to mind.

If he had to choose, he might give one to the First Wolf of the Thirteen Evil Wolves. It occurred to him then that he did not yet have a friend to whom he could readily give such a precious gift.

He hoped the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult would not become his only friend.

Bi Sayin looked at Geom Mugeuk again. Geom Mugeuk was not his usual playful self. He watched the passing scenery with a calm, deep gaze.

Just as Bi Sayin turned to the opposite window, Geom Mugeuk spoke abruptly.

"My demonic path and your evil path, both have a long way to go. If it's built wrong, we build it again. If a better idea comes along, we tear it down and build it again. So let's not be in too much of a hurry."

"Why are you suddenly saying that?"

"It just came to mind. I've found that if I think I'll say something later, I end up forgetting and never saying it. So these days, I try to say everything as it comes to mind."

"So that's why you're so talkative."

"Isn't a talkative Young Cult Leader better than a silent one whose intentions you can't fathom?"

"The problem is that even though you're a chatterbox, I still can't figure you out."

Geom Mugeuk smiled enigmatically and looked out the window again.

Bi Sayin would never know how lonely Geom Mugeuk's life was before his regression, or how precious this talkative life felt to him.

"What did the master of the Flowing Sword Sect confess?"

Geom Mugeuk had guessed that Dae So, the master of the Flowing Sword Sect, had revealed something.

"He said the person who arranged for the Flying Sword Gate to retrieve the children was the former Black Dragon Commander, Pyo Jigwang."

Pyo Jigwang.

The name was not in Geom Mugeuk's memory. He was probably a disposable pawn, used and then discarded by someone.

"Pyo Jigwang stepped down as the Black Dragon Commander over a decade ago after a severe injury. He has been living like a wreck ever since."

"Someone must have recruited him."

"It seems so. Considering he secured various benefits for the Flying Sword Gate, the person behind Commander Pyo must be someone with power."

Geom Mugeuk had naturally assumed as much.

"It might even be someone you know well."

Bi Sayin acknowledged Geom Mugeuk's words. If it was a powerful figure within the Evil Alliance, there was no way Bi Sayin would not know them. The question was who.

"Why did they say they needed the children?"

Bi Sayin hesitated before answering. What if this incident was unrelated to the organization that had infiltrated the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance? What if it was truly a secret organization within the Evil Alliance? That would be like revealing the Evil Alliance's secrets to the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

"Did they say they were creating a secret organization?"

Bi Sayin flinched. Geom Mugeuk was so perceptive that it was impossible to deceive him.

Bi Sayin answered honestly after Geom Mugeuk read his worries perfectly.

"Are you worried that this secret organization might be unrelated to the one I mentioned?"

"……"

"Even so, if a secret organization is being prepared without your knowledge, isn't it a problem? You'll gain advantages by leaking information to me. So think of it in a positive light."

Geom Mugeuk had followed him to the Evil Alliance, saying he would help. If Geom Mugeuk got angry and asked if Bi Sayin was planning to hide information, Bi Sayin would have no excuse.

However, Geom Mugeuk was considering his position.

"If it really bothers you, handle that part discreetly. Let me know if you need help."

Geom Mugeuk was still making him the protagonist.

Right. If I had intended to calculate gains and play tricks on a man like Geom Mugeuk, I should never have brought him along in the first place.

"No, I will share all the information. Please help me."

Geom Mugeuk smiled. It was the same smile he had shown when he handled the matter with Dae So publicly.

You're doing well.

The smile seemed to say just that.

Whether Geom Mugeuk knew his thoughts or not, he began to narrow down the masterminds.

"If a secret organization is actually being formed within the Alliance, who would know about it?"

"Most information comes to me one way or another. However, if it's something that proceeded without my knowledge, it must have been led by the Chairman and the Head Strategist."

The two most difficult people to deal with in the Evil Alliance were mentioned.

Are they connected to the mastermind?

Geom Mugeuk immediately ruled one person out.

The Evil Alliance Chairman. He was killed by Hwa Mugi before my regression, so he can't be on the same side.

"What kind of person is the Head Strategist?"

"He's a man with incredibly strong loyalty to the Chairman. If you suspect the Head Strategist, I'd tell you it's a waste of time. His loyalty to the Chairman and the Evil Alliance is very deep."

One could never know a person's heart. However, if he excluded the Head Strategist as Bi Sayin suggested.

"Who else could it be?"

"Who else?"

"Isn't it possible that someone proceeded with this without those two knowing?"

If this was done without the knowledge of the Evil Alliance Chairman or the Head Strategist, it could be called treason. In that case, it was highly likely to be the work of the people Geom Mugeuk had mentioned.

"To have the power to grant benefits to the Flowing Sword Sect, it would have to be someone at the Director or Commander level. It could also be someone at the Elder level."

"Let's keep our options open and consider various possibilities."

"First, I will discreetly investigate Commander Pyo."

Geom Mugeuk shook his head at Bi Sayin's words.

"There's no time for that. By the time we arrive at the Evil Alliance, the mastermind will know that the master of the Yellow Dragon Escort Agency is dead and the master of the Flowing Sword Sect has been taken to the Evil Alliance. The person behind this will think they can no longer retrieve the children and that their own identity might be revealed."

He was right. Investigating discreetly would only give the opponent time to prepare.

"Let's tackle this head-on. The martial artists active in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Murim Alliance, and the Heavenly Wind Cult were nearly at the level of a Demon Supreme. Their infiltration methods were also extraordinary. If we don't push them with speed, they'll cut their tails and disappear."

Bi Sayin agreed with Geom Mugeuk. However, there was a problem.

"It won't be difficult to capture and investigate Commander Pyo. However, something he said bothers me. The master of the Flowing Sword Sect said Commander Pyo told him that the fate of the Evil Alliance was at stake with this secret organization. If he truly believes he's carrying out a secret mission for the Alliance, he won't confess easily. He might even kill himself."

That was not the only concern. Bi Sayin had one more.

"The mastermind who ordered this might kill Commander Pyo to cut their losses."

Geom Mugeuk had a solution for that concern. It was an unimaginable method.

"Then let's kill him first."

"What?"

Bi Sayin's eyes widened as he stared at Geom Mugeuk, but the incomprehensible words continued.

"Let's cut off that tail and take it for ourselves first."

"Just how long are you going to live like that?"

At someone's shout, the noisy banquet hall fell silent. Everyone's gaze turned to the two people there.

"I used to respect you once, but why have you become so broken?"

Pyo Jigwang had once again gathered martial artists at the banquet hall to boast about his exploits as a Commander. Perhaps he got too carried away while drunk, because someone had stepped forward to scold him.

"Aren't you ashamed in front of your juniors?"

The opponent was a martial artist who had been his subordinate in the Black Dragon Brigade. Just as he said, the man had once followed his orders well.

Ashamed in front of my juniors? Of what? What's so shameful about telling old stories while drunk?

He wanted to yell.

How much I've dedicated myself to the Alliance! And you people can't even listen to a story like this?

However, he could not bring himself to say the words. The people around him looked at him with pity. It was not the first time they had seen him like this.

Pyo Jigwang staggered out of the hall. He was not that drunk, but he stumbled on purpose. He felt that if he did not, he would feel even more miserable.

In the past, he had truly acted like a wreck. Recently, however, he was only acting the part to show he was still a useless person.

Experiencing something like today made his heart sink. He had never intended to receive such a rebuke from a former subordinate.

If he were a real wreck, he would have smashed a bottle and screamed. Now, he just turned away with a bitter heart.

If my martial arts were the same as before, would you all have been able to do this?

As long as this thought lingered, his bitterness could only deepen.

He had just turned onto a quiet path.

Suddenly, a masked person blocked his way.

Before Pyo Jigwang could even ask who it was, the masked person drew their sword and charged.

Pyo Jigwang tried to draw his sword to block, but the opponent's movements were too fast.

I'm going to die like this!

Just as despair washed over him.

CHAENG!

Someone stepped in front of Pyo Jigwang and blocked the opponent's attack.

Having failed the surprise attack, the masked person fled in an instant.

The man who blocked the attack turned toward Pyo Jigwang. Pyo Jigwang was startled when he confirmed the identity of the person who saved him.

"Young Alliance Chairman?"

Several martial artists from the Thirteen Evil Wolves leaped after the fleeing masked person.

"Are you alright?"

"You saved my life."

"I'm glad I wasn't too late."

Pyo Jigwang was inwardly surprised and puzzled.

"Young Alliance Chairman, why are you here?"

"I didn't save Commander Pyo by chance. I was on my way to meet you, Commander Pyo."

"Me?"

For Pyo Jigwang, this was completely unexpected.

Just then, the members of the Thirteen Evil Wolves who had chased the masked person returned.

"We lost him. He was a master of movement arts."

However, Pyo Jigwang did not realize that the number of martial artists who gave chase had increased by one upon their return. The masked person who had attacked Pyo Jigwang was Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk had pretended to flee, changed into the uniform of the Thirteen Evil Wolves, and returned with them.

Of course, Pyo Jigwang had no way of knowing such a fact. He was just wondering why Bi Sayin had come to find him.

"Who was the one who tried to kill you, Commander?"

Pyo Jigwang shook his head.

"I don't know either."

One thing was certain. They had undoubtedly tried to kill him. The sword that flew toward him had been filled with true killing intent and aimed precisely at his heart. If it had not been for Bi Sayin, he would be dead.

"Why did you come to see me?"

"Commander Pyo's name came up during the investigation of the Black Snake Society kidnapping children and handing them over to the Flowing Sword Sect. I've also heard that you asked the master of the Flowing Sword Sect to retrieve the children. They said it was to create a secret organization. Is that true?"

Pyo Jigwang was flustered. He never imagined Bi Sayin would suddenly seek him out and ask such things. Just as Geom Mugeuk had said, Bi Sayin was tackling the issue head-on.

"It seems the assassin from before was sent to silence you, Commander Pyo, because I found out about this."

Bi Sayin deliberately emphasized the words 'to silence you'. Geom Mugeuk's plan was to get Pyo Jigwang's confession by making it seem as if the people who gave him the job were trying to kill him.

"What kind of secret organization are you creating? What is happening without my knowledge?"

Pyo Jigwang said nothing.

He did not suspect for a moment that the Young Alliance Chairman had orchestrated this attack. There was no reason for Bi Sayin to do such a thing. Crucially, Pyo Jigwang had always anticipated a moment like this.

If the secret operation is leaked, they will try to eliminate me. That day has finally come.

A sacrifice for the great cause. He felt that what was bound to happen had finally happened.

"I know that you are someone who has dedicated himself to our Alliance, Commander Pyo, and that you are not someone who deserves this kind of treatment. So please, allow me to protect you, Commander."

Pyo Jigwang had resolved to sacrifice himself for the Evil Alliance, so he simply bowed his head and gave no answer.

"I understand. I will withdraw for now. Instead, I will assign one of my subordinates to you as a bodyguard."

"Please don't sacrifice your subordinate for no reason."

"If you have such concerns, then please tell my subordinate everything."

Bi Sayin turned to his subordinate and said, "Protect Commander Pyo well."

"I will obey your command."

The person who stepped forward after receiving the order was Geom Mugeuk.

The operation began. They would catch a tail that did not even know which body it was attached to, and then they would find that body.

"I will protect you."