Chapter 510: The Problem is Who Didn't Come

TL: FoodieMonster007

When many people gather, there's bound to be someone whose body moves faster than their thoughts.

SHWIIIIK!

A young martial artist lunged forward, thrusting his sword.

As he moved, another martial artist, not to be outdone, followed suit and charged.

Seo Daeryong calmly swung his giant dao to block the attack.

The onlookers were stunned. He had moved the massive giant dao as swiftly as a regular sword to parry the blow.

He simply deflected the first strike, but for the second defense, he imbued his blade with powerful inner arts.

KAANG! KANG!

The two men's grips tore, and they dropped their swords.

Having knocked his opponents' swords away, Seo Daeryong sheathed the giant dao on his back and shouted.

"Calm down and listen to what I have to say!"

The martial artists who had dropped their swords picked them up and retreated. Perhaps feeling humiliated, the two glared at Seo Daeryong with menacing eyes.

Dozens of sword blades glinted as they were aimed at him, but Seo Daeryong remained composed.

One reason was that his martial arts skills had greatly improved, but there was an even bigger reason.

He had not come here alone today.

No matter how deep a trap he fell into, there was someone who would dig through the dirt to pull him out… no, where in the world are you!

If Geom Mugeuk wasn't here, he would have to navigate this situation himself.

I must not use the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique!

If the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique was unleashed, someone would surely die or be gravely injured. Then this place would turn into a hell of killing and being killed. Just as that man wants.

I will never move according to your wishes, you bastard.

For some reason, Ja Jyeong was watching him with a strange smile. If that man charged in himself, it would become an uncontrollable fight.

Why isn't he attacking?

Considering the methods he used to corner me earlier, he's not the type to miss an opportunity just to enjoy the situation.

What in the world is he plotting?

He was a man whose true intentions were impossible to fathom. In any case, he had to calm these excited and enraged martial artists first.

If the Young Cult Leader were in this situation, what would he have done?

He had to speak like Geom Mugeuk and act like Geom Mugeuk. As his right-hand man, he had to fully utilize everything he had seen and learned.

Seo Daeryong spoke in a calm tone to the martial artists surrounding him.

"I only found out later that he is the Blue Cloud Hero."

After revealing that he didn't know the man's identity, he revealed his own again.

"As I've said, I'm a disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the one who will become the next Blade Demon."

Whether he could truly become the next Blade Demon remained to be seen, but he deliberately mentioned it. It was to prevent his opponents from acting rashly, even if just a little.

Despite this, the killing intent from the tips of the aimed swords did not subside. The moment they misunderstood that he had framed the Blue Cloud Hero, he had become a villain in their eyes.

Seo Daeryong sent a telepathic message to Ja Jyeong, provoking him.

[Does your Master know? That his disciple is going around posing as a hero of the orthodox sects.]

[My Master knows everything that is happening here today.]

At least, those words sounded like the truth.

Is he really the Master?

If his master had been Geom Mugeuk, he would never have believed Ja Jyeong's words.

But the current Master? It wasn't that he didn't trust the Master, but that he didn't know him well enough yet. There was no way to know if he had ever taken such a disciple in the past.

Ja Jyeong began to incite the heroes again.

"The fact that you're a disciple of the Demon Supreme isn't important. What's important now is that you're the villain who annihilated the Great Justice Sect. No matter how you try to intimidate us with the Demonic Cult at your back, you won't be able to break the spirit of us orthodox sects members."

A war of words unfolded between the two men, with the martial artists standing between them.

"You're the one using the orthodox sects as a shield to trap me. The evidence that I annihilated the Great Justice Sect! Present that evidence first."

Seo Daeryong retorted confidently, not backing down. The moment he lost this verbal battle, a real fight would break out. Then, it would be irreversible.

"I'm the evidence. Because I heard you say it myself."

The claim that the Blue Cloud Hero had heard it himself was more trustworthy than any other words. There was no way he would lie to them.

Seo Daeryong's rebuttal followed.

"Do you believe I would say something like that to a man I met for the first time today? I didn't even know he was the Blue Cloud Hero."

"Stop wasting time and let's kill him now!"

"Let's attack together!"

"Filthy Demonic Cult bastards!"

However, no one believed his words.

When one person shouted, others quickly followed.

However, no one moved rashly. Among those gathered here were the leaders of the sects invited today. They were cautious.

Rather than ordering an attack, they sent telepathic messages telling their people not to be the first to move. It wasn't because they trusted Seo Daeryong, but because experience taught them that in fights like this, the first to act suffer the most damage.

Moreover, there was no need to become the protagonist of the 'who attacked first?' story.

Ja Jyeong began to pressure Seo Daeryong again.

"Why are you, a demon, here?"

"I determined that someone would target this place today."

"Do you have evidence to support that judgment?"

"I can't show you, as I burned all the materials."

Ja Jyeong sneered openly.

"Of course, you did."

Just as the surrounding heroes wore similar expressions, Seo Daeryong added.

"But I can tell you about it."

Seo Daeryong quickly summarized why the Mount Phoenix Sword Sect had become the target. He mentioned the various sects from the data he had received and explained why this place was chosen.

Finally, he added Geom Mugeuk's analysis, including the theory that this place would be targeted because of its poor relationship with the previously annihilated Great Justice Sect.

Ja Jyeong could have interrupted the explanation, questioning why he was rambling in such a situation and inciting an attack, but he just listened silently.

Since he remained still, the other martial artists listened as well. After all, he was the one leading this situation.

And so, Seo Daeryong explained the reason. The martial artists exchanged glances with each other. It was a plausible analysis.

As the atmosphere shifted, this time Seo Daeryong pressed Ja Jyeong.

"Were you invited to today's meeting?"

"I was not."

"Then why did you come?"

The gazes of the orthodox sects martial artists turned to Ja Jyeong. They were also curious why the Blue Cloud Hero had come to today's meeting.

"I also obtained evidence that the Demonic Cult was targeting today's meeting."

"Can you show me that evidence?"

"If I reveal the person who gave me the information, they will face retaliation from you people."

When Ja Jyeong flatly refused, Seo Daeryong added a remark.

"Or perhaps such a person never existed in the first place."

A few martial artists gave Ja Jyeong a look that said, 'Just reveal it. It's not like that man is getting out of here today, right?'

However, Ja Jyeong pressured Seo Daeryong in a different way.

"The martial arts that killed the master of the Great Justice Sect was the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique that you practice. Now, how will you explain this?"

This was his biggest weakness in this matter.

"Surely you're not going to say that the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique is a martial art that just anyone can learn?"

Ja Jyeong had cut off his escape route.

Seo Daeryong was at a loss for words at this question. It was something he couldn't understand either.

Having seized the momentum, Ja Jyeong incited the heroes again.

"Do you remember how this man tried to frame me earlier? Just by looking at that, can't you tell what kind of person he is?"

Seo Daeryong was in a difficult position. He knew that in the current situation, claiming that man was the real villain would only backfire.

"The master of the Great Justice Sect must not have been able to close his eyes even in death. Let us all avenge the grudge of the Great Justice Sect's master."

Ja Jyeong raised his giant dao high.

In response, the martial artists simultaneously unleashed their energy, revealing their killing intent.

With a smile in his eyes, Ja Jyeong sent a telepathic message to Seo Daeryong.

[Kill all these orthodox sects bastards! I'm helping you do it, aren't I? Wipe them all out with the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique!]

The stigma of being a coward was as fatal as any wound.

Seo Daeryong took a step back.

If I don't fight, I die.

The martial artists slowly closed in, their swords aimed. The leaders, including the master of the Flying Sword Manor, could not stay out of this fight. To survive, just as that man had said, he would truly have to unleash the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique.

It was a truly explosive situation!

Just then, someone's voice was heard.

"Then the master of the Great Justice Sect will shed tears of blood from his unclosed eyes."

Everyone's gaze focused on the person who had just appeared from among the heroes. It was none other than Geom Mugeuk, the man Seo Daeryong had been so desperately waiting for.

Young Cult Leader!

Seo Daeryong felt as if a ray of light was descending through the darkness. It was like being in a pit with dirt pouring in, and a hand reaching out through it.

Truly, if people weren't watching, he would have run to Geom Mugeuk.

I was so nervous I almost died! You were watching on purpose, weren't you? To make me suffer! To make a grand entrance at the critical moment!

Of course, thanks to that, he had gained a valuable experience. When else would he have the chance to persuade orthodox sects martial artists with their swords aimed at him to clear his name?

Geom Mugeuk slowly walked forward and said.

"The master of the Great Justice Sect was a man who lived his entire life upholding justice. Do you think he would be pleased if you killed the wrong person after framing them for his murder? That is what would truly make the master of the Great Justice Sect unable to close his eyes in death."

Geom Mugeuk's voice was low and calm, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The master of the Flying Sword Manor asked Geom Mugeuk.

"Who are you?"

Geom Mugeuk did not hide his identity.

"I am Geom Mugeuk, the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock. Who would have expected the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult to appear here?

"Someone is trying to drive a wedge between our Cult and all of you, so I have come to Chongqing myself to resolve this matter."

Even hearing that his opponent was the Young Cult Leader, Ja Jyeong showed no fear.

"Aren't you the one who came out to perpetrate this incident yourself?"

Geom Mugeuk could have avoided an unnecessary battle of wills with Ja Jyeong or the martial artists here.

He could have released his energy and suppressed them with overwhelming power. A clumsy provocation leads to a fight, but overwhelming energy can make an opponent lose their will to fight entirely.

It was certainly an effective method, but Geom Mugeuk did not choose it.

It was because of Ja Jyeong. There was no surprise or fear in Ja Jyeong's eyes as he looked at him.

He knew I was here.

That meant he also knew I would appear before anything happened to Seo Daeryong. If so, he must have also known that Seo Daeryong wouldn't end up killing the orthodox sects martial artists.

Could it be? Is he trying to provoke me, not Seo Daeryong, into killing them?

Such a question arose in his mind.

Regardless of the man's intentions, he first had to calm the agitated martial artists.

Geom Mugeuk kept his gaze on Seo Daeryong as he spoke to the heroes.

"That man over there is not only a disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but he is also the Director of our Cult's Sanzu River Hall."

Geom Mugeuk began his persuasion by reframing Seo Daeryong's identity.

"In other words, he is a man appointed by the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

Having only thought of him as a disciple of the Demon Supreme, everyone tensed up at the mention of the Demonic Cult Leader.

"Do you know what kind of place the Sanzu River Hall is? It is the place that handles our Cult's discipline. Among the many organizations in our Cult, it is the strictest. That man is the one in charge of such a place."

Geom Mugeuk slowly walked toward Ja Jyeong.

As the two drew closer, a suffocating tension filled the air. However, both Geom Mugeuk and Ja Jyeong were completely at ease.

Why did you come here? You should know you could die by my hand.

Even though he must have read the warning in Geom Mugeuk's eyes, Ja Jyeong was actually smiling.

Stopping a short distance from Ja Jyeong, Geom Mugeuk said calmly.

"You said that man told you he annihilated the Great Justice Sect? That an extraordinary man who became the youngest Director of the Sanzu River Hall would say such a thing to you, a person he met for the first time today? Just how stupid do you think the people here are to pull such a stunt?"

He deliberately used the word 'stupid'. Implying that anyone swayed by those words was stupid.

"Leaving the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique at the scene of the annihilation is also suspicious. We're not trying to start a war with you, so why would the Director of the Sanzu Hall leave traces of his martial arts at the scene of an annihilation? The Cult Leader would not let that slide. Do you think that intelligent man would commit such a reckless act?"

Some of the listening martial artists nodded slightly. They too had suspected that someone was trying to cause discord. However, hearing that the martial arts of the Demon Supreme had been used, they had assumed it was a plot by the Demonic Cult. Now, hearing this directly from Geom Mugeuk, the thought that someone might be instigating things occurred to them.

"Furthermore, the Director of the Sanzu Hall was recently investigated and released by the Murim Alliance's Chongqing Branch regarding this matter. If the Director of the Sanzu Hall was guilty, would the Murim Alliance have released him? If you think so, you should go and complain to the Murim Alliance, not here."

There was no flaw in his words, one by one, so no one could offer a rebuttal.

Listening, Seo Daeryong felt both admiration and self-reproach.

Ah, I should have said it like that.

Just then, a man walked out from among the heroes. He was Bang Cheongmun, the Sect Leader of the Mount Phoenix Sword Sect.

"Sheathe your swords."

At his command, everyone sheathed their swords without complaint. After all, they couldn't possibly fight the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

"I have heard the Young Cult Leader's words well. You said both the Young Cult Leader and the noble hero came because you heard there might be blood threads in our sect, but thankfully, nothing has happened."

Bang Cheongmun faced Geom Mugeuk with a gentle gaze, but he was still half-convinced and half-doubting. Although Geom Mugeuk could have killed him earlier but didn't, that could also have been part of a conspiracy.

In any case, he had made a promise with Geom Mugeuk in the Sect Leader's hall. At least for today, he would not clash with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Just then, Ja Jyeong stepped forward and gave Bang Cheongmun a polite clasped hands greeting.

"I judged the situation to be urgent and came without contacting you in advance. I apologize."

"No, I can't tell you how reassuring it is that you came."

Watching this, Geom Mugeuk felt a strange sense of unease.

A fight hadn't broken out between Seo Daeryong and the orthodox sects members, and the same went for him. Yet, that man didn't seem disappointed at all.

[His goal isn't to make you fight the orthodox sects members.]

Seo Daeryong was startled by Geom Mugeuk's telepathy.

[It's not? Then why did he try so hard?]

Standing among the orthodox sects members, Ja Jyeong looked at Geom Mugeuk with the same friendly smile he had first shown Seo Daeryong.

It wasn't a smile that came from the thought, 'You can't kill me while I'm among the orthodox sects members, can you?' What was that smile?

[By the way, he's a really audacious one. If he was targeting me, he should have expected you to come too, Young Cult Leader. How could he come here alone?]

The moment he heard that telepathy, Geom Mugeuk realized something.

[The problem isn't that he came here.]

[Then what is the problem?]

[The problem is who didn't come.]

[What?]

[Why didn't the Elder come here?]

He surely knew that an incident would occur here. If so, he would have definitely come to stop it somehow.

In that moment, Geom Mugeuk's gaze deepened. He had figured out the meaning of Ja Jyeong's smile. It didn't matter whether a fight broke out or not.

The man's objective was elsewhere.

[His purpose is to keep us tied down here.]

[But why?]

The reason was simple.

[Because the real conspiracy isn't happening here.]