Chapter 497: The Things That Shouldn't Have Been Touched

TL: FoodieMonster007

Elder Seong was an old man with white hair, but his back was ramrod straight and his gaze was intense. The neat black robes he wore contrasted with his white hair, creating a peculiar atmosphere. He carried a large box, and various unknown tools poked out from under the white cloth covering it.

The one who greeted him first was Jin Hagun.

"It's been a long time."

Jin Hagun had known Elder Seong since he was young. Elder Seong was an indispensable figure in the Murim Alliance for demonic art, recognized by all for his research on the subject. From the Alliance's perspective, how could they not treasure someone who studied their most powerful enemy's martial arts? He was training several disciples and remained vigorously active despite his old age.

"Have you been well, Commander Jin? I've heard much about your exploits as the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade."

Jin Hagun introduced Geom Mugeuk to him.

"This is the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult."

Elder Seong was surprised, not expecting the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult to be here. He examined Geom Mugeuk with a renewed gaze.

"You're quite different from what I imagined."

Geom Mugeuk smiled and offered a greeting.

"I've heard much of your reputation, Elder."

"I'd think your people would hate me."

"How could that be? On a day like today, it's thanks to you being here that we might be able to clear our name."

Elder Seong's eyes narrowed.

"We'll find out once I investigate."

Ju Gwol, who had brought Elder Seong, made a polite request.

"As you know, this is a grave matter. The truth of this incident rests solely in your hands, Elder."

Just then, Geom Mugeuk spoke to Ju Gwol.

"Are you hoping the culprit is one of us?"

Ju Gwol thought that perhaps he was. If someone else besides the Demonic Cult could commit such a cruel act, it would be far more terrifying than the culprit being from the Demonic Cult.

Ju Gwol once again politely requested of Elder Seong.

"I'm counting on you."

It was a plea filled with the hope that he wouldn't miss any signs of demonic art.

"Regardless of what you all hope for, I will only reveal what is there."

Elder Seong walked over to the body of the Great Justice Sect's leader. He opened the box, took out his tools, and began his investigation in earnest.

He collected a sample of the corpse's blood and mixed it with a liquid from a vial. He carefully examined the wounds, applying different medicines to the severed flesh, bones, and organs.

He didn't just examine the body. He investigated where the blood had splattered and what kind of traces were left on the walls. He sprinkled a powdered chemical on the floor to reveal footprints, trying to determine what kind of movement arts had been used. He conducted every possible investigation.

Unless a technique that left very distinct traces was used, it was difficult to accurately identify the martial arts employed, even with all this. There were just too many similar martial arts in this murim.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun, who had been watching for a while, walked over to the window.

Ju Gwol couldn't follow and watched them from a distance. He was displeased that Jin Hagun was associating with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult in this situation.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun stared out the window in silence. The Murim Alliance martial artists were moving the bodies into the courtyard.

Jin Hagun saw it. The look in Geom Mugeuk's eyes as he watched the scene was no different from his own. He was just as angry and sorrowful as he was.

Knowing he was this kind of person, he thought that perhaps his earlier suspicion of Geom Mugeuk was due to his own personality. He was someone who didn't truly trust anyone. No, perhaps he was someone who didn't know how to trust.

"Why did you go to Shaanxi?"

Geom Mugeuk answered Jin Hagun's question honestly.

"Our Cult's the All-Knowing Hall discovered the financial pipeline of the masterminds in Shaanxi. I went to cut it off."

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"Did you cut it?"

"SNIP."

A faint smile touched Jin Hagun's lips before vanishing.

"Do you think they're the ones who committed this act?"

"Could be, could not be."

Revenge for eliminating the Death King? If so, this would be the first time those who have been plotting in the shadows have launched a proactive attack.

However, the Death King died only a short while ago. Would they launch a revenge attack so quickly? This incident seems to have been meticulously planned. Would they really have had enough time to prepare in between?

Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathy to Jin Hagun.

[Father is out here with me.]

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk with a surprised expression.

[I'm telling you because I don't want to deceive you.]

[Where is he now?]

[He's at our Cult's safehouse.]

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun.

[That's the proof. That we didn't do this. Would I commit such an act while my father is with me?]

Jin Hagun now believed him completely. He knew how much Geom Mugeuk liked and respected the Heavenly Demon. He wasn't the type of person to use his father in a deception, no matter the trick.

[Thank you for telling me.]

[When we become the Cult Leader and the Chairman, we might face something like this again. At that time, you must tell me too. Be honest, just like I am now. Then we'll be able to overcome any attempt to drive us apart, any misunderstanding.]

The two men looked at each other, then turned their gazes back to the courtyard. The bodies were still being moved.

Meanwhile, Elder Seong's investigation continued. His examination was meticulous and passionate. He didn't even frown at the foul-smelling chemicals. He lay prone on the blood-pooled floor, searching for something. He tried to recreate the fight by stringing red thread throughout the hall.

How much time had passed like that?

Everyone gathered around Elder Seong. As tense gazes focused on him, Elder Seong spoke calmly.

"I've identified the martial arts."

Finally, Elder Seong had finished his investigation. Not only Jin Hagun and Ju Gwol, but Geom Mugeuk too waited for his answer with a tense expression.

"The martial arts that killed the leader of the Great Justice Sect was…"

Elder Seong's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"demonic art."

Jin Hagun flinched in surprise, while Ju Gwol wore an 'I knew it' expression.

Geom Mugeuk, on the other hand, was calm.

This conspiracy was truly well-planned. Although he had told Elder Seong that he would clear their name, he had anticipated that the culprit might have used demonic art to kill.

Ju Gwol asked Elder Seong.

"Did you also find out specifically what kind of demonic art it was?"

To his surprise, Elder Seong nodded. A shocking fact flowed from his lips.

"It's a Demon Supreme's demonic art."

All three men listening were shocked.

This time, Geom Mugeuk, who had been calm before, was the most surprised. He truly hadn't expected a Demon Supreme's demonic art to be mentioned.

Even Ju Gwol, who had been certain it was demonic art, tensed up at the mention of a Demon Supreme. The culprit was a Demon Supreme? This was a problem on a completely different level than before.

"Who is it? That Demon Supreme?"

To Ju Gwol's trembling question, Elder Seong named a single person.

"the Blood Heaven Blade Demon."

"!"

"The one who killed the leader of the Great Justice Sect was his the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique."

A heavy silence fell over the place. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had annihilated the Anonymous Manor and the Great Justice Sect.

If this news spread to the jianghu, not just the Chongqingmurim but the entire murim would be thrown into an uproar. It was an incident that could easily serve as the catalyst for a war between the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk was silently staring at Elder Seong.

Ju Gwol, taking that reaction as an admission to Elder Seong's words, quickly darted toward the entrance. He then called in all his subordinates from outside. Geom Mugeuk paid him no mind.

The first thought that came to mind after hearing Elder Seong's words was this.

Could this Elder Seong also be someone recruited by Hwa Mugi's side?

He had produced such a ridiculous result.

However, in his life before regression, Elder Seong had never appeared in connection with the Twelve Zodiac Kings. He could have helped them from the shadows, but that was unlikely. The Twelve Zodiac Kings had appeared after the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had closed itself off, and in that era, Elder Seong would have been an unnecessary person.

Besides, there was one more thing. If he had been recruited by them, he wouldn't have presented such a result in front of him, knowing he would be immediately suspected. He would have claimed it was a different martial arts here, then gone to the Murim Alliance Lord to sow discord, saying something like, 'I couldn't speak the truth in front of the Young Cult Leader.'

This man is not their pawn.

That was why this result was so surprising and shocking to Geom Mugeuk.

Jin Hagun confirmed again with Elder Seong.

"Are you certain it's the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's martial arts? As you know, Elder, this is a truly important matter."

Elder Seong then stated firmly.

"I am certain."

Elder Seong showed not a hint of hesitation. He reinforced his assertion with a confident expression.

"Even if the Demonic Cult Leader were here instead of the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, I would give the same answer. I can stake my name on it."

He had thought they had recruited someone to do the job. But a Demon Supreme's martial arts? Jin Hagun was confused by his certainty. When he had first said it was demonic art, Jin Hagun had assumed the masterminds had simply used an expert in demonic art. But now… 'Could someone forge a Demon Supreme's demonic art?' The thought seemed impossible.

What if it really is the work of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk. What on earth was he supposed to say to Geom Mugeuk in this situation? He couldn't say he trusted Elder Seong's judgment, nor could he say he trusted Geom Mugeuk in front of Elder Seong.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk asked Jin Hagun.

"If evidence came out that the Murim Alliance Lord committed this act, would you believe that evidence?"

It was such a ridiculous hypothetical that Jin Hagun didn't even answer.

"You'd never believe it, right? That's how I feel right now."

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Elder Seong.

"If that man isn't falsifying the results, then I'll have to figure out how those bastards created this outcome."

Elder Seong then said resolutely.

"I didn't deceive you. Whether you believe it or not is unimportant."

Geom Mugeuk nodded silently.

"You'd better not have. I don't know who they are, but they keep touching things they absolutely shouldn't. They pissed off my father, and now they've pissed me off."

It also meant the enemy knew a lot about his father and him.

Meanwhile, the Chongqing Branch martial artists swarmed into the main hall and surrounded Geom Mugeuk in layers. Thinking an incident had broken out, even the Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists all entered to watch the situation. Fortunately, nothing had happened to Jin Hagun.

Geom Mugeuk said to Jin Hagun.

"I should get going now."

Jin Hagun couldn't find any trace of bewilderment from a discovered plot in Geom Mugeuk's eyes. His gaze was as clear and deep as ever.

"You'll have to uncover the truth as quickly as possible."

Jin Hagun trusted Geom Mugeuk. He didn't trust the Demonic Cult, he didn't trust demons, and he didn't trust the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but he trusted his friend.

"I will. Thanks."

As Geom Mugeuk tried to leave, Ju Gwol blocked him. The Branch martial artists raised their qi and aimed their swords at him in unison.

"Now that the culprit's martial arts have been revealed as demonic art, we can't let him leave like this."

He thought that if this incident was the work of the Demonic Cult, this was a golden opportunity to capture the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

Then Jin Hagun said to him.

"Even if we wanted to capture him, we can't do it with just us. So just let him go."

Ju Gwol wasn't the only one surprised by those words. The Chongqing Branch martial artists present had the same thought.

We might not be enough, but with Commander Jin and the Demon Slaying Brigade here, you're saying we can't capture one Young Cult Leader?

In that moment, Ju Gwol greatly misunderstood.

You're letting him go because he's your friend. Look here, Commander Jin. This incident could drag you down from your position as successor.

Jin Hagun looked at Ju Gwol and said.

"Clear the way."

Jin Hagun's gaze was so resolute that he could no longer insist. When Ju Gwol gave the order to his subordinates, the Branch martial artists finally sheathed their swords in unison and cleared a path.

Geom Mugeuk walked quietly out between the Murim Alliance martial artists.

Jin Hagun stood by the window, watching Geom Mugeuk cross the courtyard and leave the building. He felt the anger and agitation from Ju Gwol and the Branch martial artists watching his back.

Not many people would understand the friendship between the grandson of the Murim Alliance Lord, a strong candidate for successor, and the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. Moreover, Elder Seong was a figure everyone trusted when it came to demonic art.

Looking at how things were unfolding, this result would also spread quickly through rumors.

Friend, you don't have much time.

When I returned to the safehouse, my father was circulating his energy in the courtyard. Lately, my father had been dedicating himself to practicing his internal art.

I held my breath and waited for my father to finish his training.

And in the moment my father finished circulating his energy, I saw it. The true qi swirling around my father's body coalesced like a mirage in the shimmering heat. That form was the Heavenly Demon Soul.

I had the illusion that the Heavenly Demon Soul, made of true qi, was looking at me. It was a frightening sight no matter how many times I saw it, but I was happy to see the Heavenly Demon Soul after so long.

The happiness was brief. The Heavenly Demon Soul dispersed back into true qi and was absorbed into my father's body. Father slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as an abyss.

"Did you see it?"

"Yes, I saw it."

Father's gaze intensified.

"The true qi of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art is only visible to those who have learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, and only when one's level reaches the seventh star does the form of the Heavenly Demon Soul begin to appear faintly. This means your level has reached the seventh star."

Father looked surprised by the fact that I had already reached the seventh star.

"That's much faster than my own achievement."

And my father was said to have had one of the fastest achievements in history. Considering when I learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, it was an absurdly fast achievement.

This achievement was only natural. In addition to my father's repeated lectures, I had been training for much longer using the Heavenly Space Secret Art.

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Father."

My achievement was surely stimulating my father. I want to achieve complete mastery even a day sooner and manifest the Heavenly Demon Soul. I was so curious about how my Heavenly Demon Soul would differ from my father's.

"What happened with the matter you went to attend to?"

"It was just as you predicted, Father."

Before contacting the Murim Alliance Lord, Father had told me to go and first confirm what kind of martial arts the Great Justice Sect had been struck by. The reason he had me confirm was that he also thought they might have been struck by demonic art.

"What kind of demonic art was it?"

Father was clearly thinking it would be a known demonic art. That would be the surest way to frame us.

I relayed a fact that even my father couldn't help but be surprised by.

"It was Elder Blade Demon's martial arts."

Father's gaze turned cold and sank. They had touched the demonic path and a Demon Supreme, so his anger was natural.

"I don't know how they fabricated it, but since Elder Seong, an expert in our Cult's demonic art, uncovered it, the Murim Alliance will demand an explanation for this incident. Of course, Elder Blade Demon is reading books and teaching Daeryong in our Cult, so there won't be any problem."

Just then, a person entered, guided by a safehouse martial artist.

I truly hadn't expected him to come, so I stared at him with a surprised expression.

Seo Daeryong, with a great dao on his back, was entering the safehouse.