Chapter 505: This Enemy is Different

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Demonic Army was guarding a building inside the Chongqing Branch. They surrounded the building at a set distance, their security net extending not only to its roof but also to the roofs of adjacent buildings. It was an ironclad perimeter, manned by elites, that not even an ant could breach.

Just then, a martial artist from the Chongqing Branch approached and bowed his head to the Demonic Army.

"I'm alive thanks to you. Thank you."

He was a martial artist who had survived a near-death experience with the help of the Demonic Army. Many Murim Alliance martial artists had been injured or killed in this ambush. One could only imagine how much that number would have grown if not for the Demonic Army.

The Demonic Army simply nodded once to accept his gratitude but said nothing at all.

Seo Daeryong stood by the second-floor window, watching the scene. There was someone in this room he needed to thank as well. If it hadn't been for Jang Ho, who was sitting at the desk reading a report, he would be a dead man too.

I really almost died.

However, a feeling surpassed that fear. It was the thrill of fighting like a madman. Seo Daeryong could not forget that moment.

His training would be different now when he returned. He had gone to the very threshold of the afterlife. He had confirmed what he needed to train for, and when and how that training would shine.

After gazing at the scenery outside the window for a moment, Seo Daeryong turned toward Jang Ho.

"What on earth is happening over there?"

If anyone else had asked, Jang Ho would not have answered. Even if he had, he would have just said that he was only following orders. But because it was Seo Daeryong and no one else, he offered him a word of comfort.

"The Demon Supreme will be safe."

It was a blunt remark, but it was what Seo Daeryong wanted to hear most right now.

"I believe so too."

Seo Daeryong forced a bright smile, and Jang Ho smiled as well.

"By the way, how is the painting going?"

This was Jang Ho, who wouldn't bat an eye even if hundreds of enemies charged at him. Yet now his eyes widened as he asked.

"How did you know?"

"A certain tight-lipped individual boasted so much about receiving a painting from you, General Jang. It's not just me, anyone who's anyone probably knows."

Unable to hold it in, Jang Ho laughed. He had previously gifted Geom Mugeuk a portrait of him. He had wanted his first gift of a painting to be for him. Since then, he had painted many pictures of all sorts of things.

He painted his subordinates, then buildings, and even the giant stone statue on the Cult's grounds. He painted fruits, and he painted swords and daos. In fact, he had even painted a picture of Seo Daeryong and Lee Ahn. He just couldn't bring himself to give it as a gift.

At first, he thought painting was a good hobby because it allowed him to have time to himself. He thought that while he was painting, he could forget all his worries.

However, what he gained was something entirely different. As he painted, he came to realize something. He realized he had an unexpected side to him.

He wanted to show his paintings to others. He felt the desire to gather his best works and hold an exhibition. To show that he was someone who could create such art. And he wanted to be praised for it.

To think he had such a desire within him. He had lived his life thinking he wasn't the type of person who wanted to show off and boast to others. That was why painting became even more fun and interesting. Although he painted others, what he discovered was himself.

"Director Seo, you should find a hobby too."

"I don't have the time for that."

Jang Ho was about to say he should try to find one even by carving out time he didn't have. Instead, he smiled and said, "You're still young."

He knew it wasn't an easy thing to do before the right catalyst came along. He himself had put it off again and again. His own catalyst was this. When he once mentioned wanting to paint, Geom Mugeuk had immediately run off and bought him paints, brushes, and other supplies.

His catalyst was becoming close with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. To paint even once, you had to get close to the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

Seo Daeryong watched. He watched Jang Ho's face, who was smiling to himself, lost in thought. It was an expression he could never have imagined in the past.

I've changed too, but General Jang has really changed a lot.

It was then. The door opened, and the catalyst who had brought about all these changes walked in. Recognizing the person who entered, Seo Daeryong was startled, then immediately ran toward him.

"Young Cult Leader!"

Seo Daeryong threw his arms around him. Normally, Geom Mugeuk would have dodged slightly to tease him, but today, he did not.

"I'm glad you're safe."

After hugging him tightly, Geom Mugeuk patted Seo Daeryong's shoulder.

"This precious right-hand man of yours almost got cut off. I… I almost died."

"I wasn't too worried."

"Because the Demon Supreme was here?"

"No."

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jang Ho and revealed the reason.

"Because I had a reliable person to replace my right-hand man."

At that, Seo Daeryong's expression became triumphant.

"What to do? The replacement saved the right-hand man. It seems he has withdrawn his candidacy for the position!"

Geom Mugeuk walked over to Jang Ho.

"You worked hard."

"I think getting us into the Chongqing Branch was probably harder than saving Director Seo."

Jang Ho shared the credit for saving Seo Daeryong with Geom Mugeuk. He meant that he was only able to save him because Geom Mugeuk had made it possible for him to be there.

"Don't even mention it. I had to beg and plead with Commander Jin, promising I'd grant all his future requests. I promised that I wouldn't force him to dance, that I wouldn't tease him for being no fun. Only after making all sorts of promises was I able to get you guys into the Branch."

Seo Daeryong beamed at Geom Mugeuk's jest. Then he formally bowed his head in greeting.

"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk delivered the news he knew he had been anxiously waiting for.

"The Elder is safe."

Seo Daeryong asked in surprise.

"Did you meet my Master?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. Not only Seo Daeryong, but Jang Ho also felt relieved.

"Why didn't he come with you?"

Geom Mugeuk answered with a meaningful look in his eyes.

"That's what we need to find out now. Why he couldn't come with us."

One hour later, a quiet farewell took place at the rear gate of the Branch. First, the carriage carrying the Demonic Army departed.

Branch Manager Ju Gwol expressed his gratitude to Jang Ho.

"Thank you. I will not forget this debt."

Not only had Jang Ho saved his subordinates, but he had also personally saved his life.

"If you ever need my help in the future, please be sure to seek me out."

Compared to his passionate display, Jang Ho was calm.

"Thanks to you, we were well taken care of. Let's meet again."

And so, the Big Bro carriages carrying the Demonic Army quietly left the premises. Whether the Demonic Army would return to the Headquarters or wait somewhere else, they would move according to the instructions of the All-Knowing Hall.

Geom Mugeuk, Seo Daeryong, and Jin Hagun were also there. Geom Mugeuk looked past Seo Daeryong and said to Jin Hagun.

"I'm taking this man with me."

Normally, this would be an unacceptable request. With the appearance of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in the basement of the Reminiscent Mountain Manor, they now knew this incident was truly related to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Jin Hagun was not yet aware of the telepathy shared between Geom Mugeuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Geom Mugeuk had kept it a secret. It seemed the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had a clear reason for having to be on the other side.

Nevertheless, Jin Hagun readily accepted.

"Do as you wish."

Ju Gwol, who had been listening, stepped forward.

"You can't. The possibility that he is the culprit still remains."

He had not yet let go of his suspicion that this incident was the work of the Demonic Cultists.

Geom Mugeuk said to him, "If this man is revealed to be the culprit, I will take responsibility and bring him before you. I promise this as the Young Cult Leader."

Since Jin Hagun had already given his permission and Geom Mugeuk had gone this far, how could he remain stubborn?

"Please, do not forget that promise."

As Ju Gwol stepped back, Jin Hagun said to Geom Mugeuk, "If you need help, just say the word."

"It's not me who needs help, it's you."

"Me?"

"They're after you, aren't they?"

Just as Geom Mugeuk said, they might continue to target him.

"So, how about you stay at a Murim Alliance safehouse for a while and observe the situation?"

Jin Hagun hadn't considered going to a safehouse. He had intended to face the masterminds here at the Branch.

"Don't think of it as hiding, think of it as an ambush. The more you keep your position hidden, the harder it will be for the enemy. Think of it as taking away one of their moves."

Indeed, Geom Mugeuk was pointing out things he hadn't considered. At moments like this, he no longer felt jealousy toward Geom Mugeuk. There was only swift acceptance.

"I'll do that."

Come to think of it, if he stayed, the Branch martial artists would only be in more danger. Going to the safehouse with the Demon Slaying Brigade might be the better choice.

As he was leaving, Geom Mugeuk said, "Once we crush those bastards, let's call Sayin and have a drink."

Jin Hagun gave a single nod, then turned and walked in the opposite direction. The fact that he found himself wanting to see Bi Sayin, someone he normally never thought about, must have meant he really wanted to crush the bastards who orchestrated this.

If one side succeeds, there is always another that fails. The person sitting before the old fortune-teller in a corner of the Chongqing marketplace was Yoo Beom.

"Judging by your appearance, your luck isn't good today."

Yoo Beom's face was swollen, with a bright red handprint on it. It was the mark from where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had struck him. Yoo Beom hung his head low.

He was tense. His life could be forfeit depending on how the report he was about to give was received.

While the old fortune-teller slowly shook a wooden cylinder, the two conversed through telepathy.

[We failed to kill the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade.]

At the report of the failed mission, the old man's hand, which had been shaking the cylinder, paused for a moment.

Yoo Beom quickly gave the reason for their inevitable failure.

[The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult came with them. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon refused the order to stop the Young Cult Leader.]

The old man slowly opened his eyes. They were filled with nothing but coldness. The plan to kill Seo Daeryong and the plan to kill Jin Hagun had both failed.

[Please, forgive me.]

Fortunately, the old man's anger did not escalate into a neurotic killing intent demanding accountability.

[If the Young Cult Leader was there, I suppose that would happen.]

He seemed to understand the relationship between Geom Mugeuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon well.

Soon, after ending the telepathic conversation, the old man shook the wooden cylinder even more vigorously.

"If it doesn't work the first time, you do it a second time, and if it still doesn't work… you consult your fortune. Now, draw."

The old man held out the fortune-telling cylinder filled with bamboo sticks. As if prepared for every eventuality, there was once again a stick protruding slightly.

Yoo Beom drew it.

[We shall fill the lack of fury with blood.]

After reading the message, Yoo Beom looked at the old man with a tense expression. He knew what this meant. It meant they would proceed with the third annihilation. Because this operation had failed, this third annihilation would be a major incident that would turn the murim upside down.

"Go and deliver the divination."

I returned to the safehouse with Seo Daeryong. I went straight to my father and told him everything that had happened. I told him everything from beginning to end.

The only moment my father showed anger was when the story of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon came up. If they had previously provoked the Demonic Path by leaving a message in blood, it was now certain that they had provoked the Demon Supreme.

Whoever they are, they should hope they get caught by me and not my father. Because my father is very angry.

"Do you have any idea what might be going on with Elder Blade Demon?"

I had hoped that my father might know something. After all, he had known the Blade Demon since his younger days. However, my father said nothing. I couldn't tell if he didn't know, or if he knew but wasn't telling me.

"This enemy is different somehow."

I conveyed exactly what I had felt so far.

"Why do you think so?"

"At first, I thought it was those masterminds. But then I started to think that might not be the case."

"While we were cutting off their funding in Shaanxi, they were plotting something here in Chongqing by dragging in Elder Blade Demon. The two events were proceeding separately."

It meant that this was, at least, not revenge for what happened in Shaanxi. And if my father hadn't turned the carriage around, this incident would have unfolded in a completely different way.

"Not only that, but their methods are different. Until now, they have secretly hidden themselves, building their strength and planning for the future."

In our Cult, Hwan Yeo was hiding as the owner of the flower garden. In the Murim Alliance, one was Jin Hagun's Master. In the Evil Alliance, one was an instructor. It was the same in the Heavenly Wind Cult, the North Sea Ice Palace, and the Geumryong Trading Company. They were plotting conspiracies and building their power. Naturally, the Twelve Zodiac Kings were not yet their completed future selves.

"However, this case is different. They boldly attacked the Murim Alliance Chongqing Branch to kill Director Seo. At the same time, they tried to eliminate the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade and the entire Demon Slaying Brigade. You know what the result of that would be, Father, don't you?"

Their intention was clear.

"They are trying to start a war between our Cult and the Murim Alliance."

Father's eyes gleamed coldly. Although he dreams of unifying the murim, would he ever desire a war manipulated by the hands of others?

"They might have changed their strategy because they've suffered many losses so far, but something is subtly different."

It was a feeling based on instinct, so I couldn't offer a clear answer.

However, while I may not know.

"I believe that you, Father, know the answer."