Chapter 528: The Man Trusted by the Young Cult Leader

TL: FoodieMonster007

"…You really came."

Dan Ah's voice trembled with surprise. Had she ever been this shocked in her entire life?

"Haa, haa, haa…"

The sound of labored breathing slowly began to quiet down.

The back she was staring at was no longer a small one. It was the back that had shielded them from the terrifying sword qi of the four men. It was the back that had slammed shut the gates of hell, which had been swinging wide open for her and her sisters.

Seo Daeryong gradually turned to face her.

A flicker of relief that he had not been too late showed in his trembling eyes.

Overwhelmed with emotion at having saved her in the nick of time, Seo Daeryong was unable to speak a single word.

"…How did you get here?"

At Dan Ah's question, Seo Daeryong finally managed to open his mouth.

"…I heard you were looking for me."

The moment Dan Ah heard his words, her heart clenched not with gratitude, but with guilt. She had believed he would not come. She had not trusted him.

And yet, this man had run so hard to reach this place that he was completely out of breath.

The person just as astonished as Dan Ah by those words was Kang Dal.

He really exists!

A master with a small build who wielded a giant dao.

He too had been half-skeptical. No, he had assumed it was a lie. He had accepted her request only because of her admirable resolve to protect her sisters and the client, even at the cost of her own life.

But to think the person she spoke of was real?

If that man was a master from Headquarters as she had claimed, Kang Dal should have stepped forward to greet him. However, they were still surrounded by the bastards from the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad, locked in a tense standoff with swords drawn.

Of course, his own subordinates, and even the men from the pursuit squad, were all completely fixated on the man who had just appeared.

And the individual most surprised by the current situation was Yeo Gwing.

What is this? Who is this guy?

He was utterly confused. The face looking at the woman was full of innocence and shyness.

The man who had sent four men flying with a single strike was making a face like that? Yeo Gwing was so bewildered that he glanced back at the corpses of the four men.

Yeo Gwing secretly began to gather inner arts in both of his hands. He was preparing to launch a surprise attack with his unique martial art, the Bloody Hand Palm, should an opportunity present itself.

"Where have you come from?"

He asked with as much politeness as he could muster.

The dozens of pieces of the four men, scattered so widely that it was impossible to tell whose limbs were whose, were a clear warning for him to be careful.

Seo Daeryong slowly turned toward him.

In that moment, Dan Ah saw it. The shy expression he had when looking at her turned impossibly cold. Her heart pounded.

"Who are you?"

Yeo Gwing answered Seo Daeryong's calm question.

"I am Yeo Gwing, the one in charge of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad," he stated.

He did not completely humble himself, nor did he act arrogantly. A chaotic battle could erupt again, so he had to consider both his subordinates' morale and his opponent's skill.

"And who are you?"

Instead of replying, Seo Daeryong pulled the giant dao up from where it was planted in front of him. He handled the weapon, which was as large as his own body, with ease. His small frame made the sight even more impressive.

The Seo Daeryong who joked around with Geom Mugeuk was a completely different person from the Seo Daeryong who now stood before Yeo Gwing.

"The Seven Roads Pursuit Squad, I've heard of you."

Though he seemed calm on the outside, Seo Daeryong was seething with fury. If he had arrived even a little later, she would have been killed by trash like them.

"I'm moved that you know of insignificant people like us."

"The fact that I know of you is probably not a good thing."

Because the end for the villains who crossed their path was either prison or execution.

"When I heard the rumors about you, I had a thought."

Yeo Gwing grew tense, wondering what Seo Daeryong was about to say. He was hoping for some pleasant words that might create a good atmosphere.

"Just get caught by my hands once."

Yeo Gwing's expression hardened into a cold mask.

"However, if you answer this question, I might forgive you."

At the word 'forgive', the corners of Yeo Gwing's eyes twitched with killing intent. He barely managed to suppress the urge to unleash a palm strike right then and there.

"What question?"

"Who was the client for this job?"

Yeo Gwing replied coldly.

"If it was a client we could speak of, do you think we would have come over this wall?"

His determination to never reveal the name was palpable.

Instead, a smile of relief formed on Seo Daeryong's lips.

From that smile, Yeo Gwing could tell.

You want to kill me, don't you?

In response, Yeo Gwing's expression softened.

"We've seen enough blood, so we'll withdraw here. What do you say? If you just let us go…"

As he watched for an opening, a palm technique shot out from Yeo Gwing's hands.

PWAAAAANG!

The red-tinged palm technique that Yeo Gwing unleashed flew toward Seo Daeryong. It was a move of terrifying power.

SWHIIIIIIISH!

At the same time, Seo Daeryong's giant dao sliced through the air.

KWAAANG!

The two energies collided with a deafening roar. Yeo Gwing had anticipated that his Bloody Hand Palm might be blocked by his opponent's attack. That was why he was prepared to unleash his next move in succession.

However, he hadn't expected his opponent's enhanced qi to slice through his palm technique and fly straight toward him.

No!

The young master standing before him had opened his the Conception and Governing Vessels and had even consumed two miracle herbs. The martial arts he wielded was none other than the Demon Supreme's demonic art. And above all, she was watching.

No matter how successful a mercenary master Yeo Gwing was, he couldn't block the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique unleashed by such a Seo Daeryong.

the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique the First Technique the Annihilation Blade Slash.

The enhanced qi that had split the red palm technique flew onward and struck Yeo Gwing's body.

PWUUUUUNG!

Yeo Gwing's body exploded into pieces right before their eyes.

Watching the corpse rain down in all directions, the seventy-odd members of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad were horrified. To them, Yeo Gwing had been so terrifying they couldn't even meet his eyes properly.

They never dreamed he would die like this in a single blow.

A suffocating silence descended.

The one who broke the silence was Kang Dal.

He spoke to those who had their swords pointed at him.

"Your Captain is dead. Lower your swords."

At his words, the members of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad looked at each other, uncertain of what to do.

SHWIK! PUK! SHWIIK! PUUUK!

Kang Dal thrust his sword, quickly stabbing two of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad bastards in front of him.

The two men, who had lost their focus, collapsed while spewing blood.

"Drop your swords or you'll die!"

Intimidated by Kang Dal's fierce momentum, about ten men nearby lowered their swords.

However, there were even more who became agitated and ran wild.

"Kill that bastard!"

"We have to kill him!"

About twenty of the pursuit squad bastards charged toward Kang Dal. It was clear why these men were called madmen. They were the type to swing their swords and charge even in a situation like this.

"Protect the Branch Chief!"

Just as the Demonic Cult members were about to block their path.

SWAAAAAAAANG!

Seo Daeryong's giant dao once again cut through the air.

the Heaven Destroying Demonic Blade Technique the Second Tecnique the Annihilation Blade Tidal Wave.

PWAPWAPWAPWAPWAK!

The charging pursuit squad was swept away by the wave of blade energy and exploded. With that single move, everyone who had been running was turned into a bloody mess and scattered in all directions.

Dealing with villains was Seo Daeryong's usual job. He knew their nature better than anyone. They were strong against the weak and weak against the strong, the type to bite and tear at the slightest opening. There was no mercy for them today.

Seo Daeryong pointed his dao at those who still had not dropped their swords.

Even madmen have their limits. The remaining pursuit squad bastards could no longer hold out and threw down their weapons.

The branch's Demonic Cult members suppressed their inner arts and forced them all to their knees. Having their lives spared was nothing to be happy about. Once they were locked in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's prison, a pain worse than death would be waiting for them anyway.

Kang Dal approached Seo Daeryong.

"Thank you so much for your help. I am Kang Dal, Chief of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's the Zheng'an Branch."

Everyone's attention was focused on Seo Daeryong.

At last, Seo Daeryong revealed his identity.

"I am Seo Daeryong, Director of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's the Sanzu River Hall."

For a moment, Kang Dal was utterly shocked. It was a position he could have never imagined. It wasn't just Kang Dal who was surprised, the other Demonic Cult members were as well.

There was a world of difference between a Branch Chief and a Director. Moreover, he wasn't just any Director.

The Sanzu Hall Director?

The Sanzu River Hall was the inspection agency that investigated treason, corruption, and decay within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Due to the nature of the organization, it was the most powerful body, holding precedence over all other internal organizations.

The ghosts who captured Demonic Cult members, the Sanzu River Hall that made them tremble in fear, was truly the real power within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!

Kang Dal, who had been standing there blankly, quickly performed a clasped hands greeting and bowed his head.

"Greetings to the Sanzu Hall Director."

At that, the branch's Demonic Cult members all straightened their posture and saluted in unison with sharp discipline.

"Greetings to the Director!"

Their voices echoed like thunder.

Kang Dal was overjoyed. It was surprising enough that her words were true, but for that master to be the Sanzu Hall Director?

Something like this is happening to me?

He thought that perhaps this incident might bring a bright ray of sunshine into his life.

Maybe I'll even get to go to Headquarters!

He could only earnestly hope for it to come true.

When Seo Daeryong revealed his identity, Dan Ah and Dan Yeon were also startled. In truth, they did not know much about the Sanzu River Hall. However, seeing the reaction of those fearsome branch Demonic Cult members, it was clear he was a person of high rank.

After revealing his identity, Seo Daeryong turned back towards Dan Ah.

The fearsome man who had exploded his enemies with a single slash, the man who held a high position in the Demonic Cult, was smiling at her. He was shy, just like that day. His gaze was pure, just like that day.

Seo Daeryong asked her, "You seem to be injured. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

Just then, Dan Bi and Cho Hwi came out of the building. Dan Bi, who had woken up late, had heard the sounds of fighting outside and had come out to help her Unnie despite Cho Hwi's attempts to stop her.

However, they were startled by the scene unfolding in the courtyard. Corpses were scattered about, and the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad were all kneeling. Her surprised gaze turned to Seo Daeryong, who was standing in the center of everyone.

That person?

She, of course, recognized Seo Daeryong. How could she not know the man who had followed her Unnie and revealed himself to be a Demonic Cult member?

Before her younger sister could misspeak, Dan Ah quickly said.

"He is the Sanzu Hall Director of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. He saved our lives, so hurry and greet him."

Dan Bi was startled at the words 'the Sanzu Hall Director'. He was really a Demonic Cult member, and a high-ranking one at that?

Dan Bi politely bowed her head and greeted him.

"I will not forget this debt of gratitude."

Just then, the youngest, Dan Yeon, whispered to Dan Ah.

"Unnie, I take back what I said about you having bad taste in men."

Dan Ah's face turned red.

The moment the tension eased like that, she suddenly coughed up blood. Her suppressed internal injuries had flared up.

"Are you alright? Are you okay?"

A startled Seo Daeryong rushed over and helped her sit down. He was so shocked and flustered that Dan Ah was even more taken aback.

"I'm fine."

"Fine! Please come out and help."

Kang Dal said urgently.

"I'll call for a physician."

"I wasn't talking to you."

Seo Daeryong said, looking up at the empty air.

"Please, hurry and help!"

Then, someone leaped down from the roof.

It was Geom Mugeuk, who had been watching the situation.

He had deliberately not intervened, wanting Seo Daeryong to finish this matter on his own. He had hoped that today's hero would be Seo Daeryong, and no one else.

Even while coughing up blood, Dan Ah took care of her sister first.

"My sister is hurt too. Please look at my sister first."

"Unnie, what are you talking about! Please look at Unnie first."

Geom Mugeuk started with Dan Ah, injecting a stream of qi into her back to check her condition. When it came to a martial artist's internal injuries, he was more skilled than most physicians.

"By coughing up the blood instead of it rupturing internally, you've actually avoided a serious injury."

Fortunately, both women had avoided fatal internal injuries. Their wounds would heal after a period of Jeong Yang.

"Thank you. I won't forget the grace of your treatment."

When Dan Ah expressed her gratitude, Geom Mugeuk passed the credit to Seo Daeryong.

"Give your thanks to Director Seo. He ran here without rest to save you."

Dan Ah looked at Seo Daeryong. The sound of his ragged breathing from earlier was still vivid in her ears. If it were not for him, she and her sister would have died on the spot.

Seo Daeryong made an awkward expression under her gaze. Just like the shy gaze that had first captured her heart, his current expression also pleased her.

Watching the gazes exchanged between the two, Geom Mugeuk smiled.

Seeing this, the youngest, Dan Yeon, asked Geom Mugeuk.

"Who are you, Master? I'd like to know your name."

Everyone naturally assumed this young martial artist was a subordinate of the Sanzu Hall Director.

In that moment, Seo Daeryong realized his mistake.

I was so caught up with a woman that I forgot to introduce the Young Cult Leader.

Seo Daeryong shouted to Kang Dal and the other Demonic Cult members of the branch.

"This is our Cult's Young Cult Leader. Everyone, show your respects!"

Young Cult Leader?

At first, Kang Dal thought he had misheard. The Sanzu Hall Director had come because he had sent for him via messenger pigeon, but the Young Cult Leader?

"What are you all doing?"

At Seo Daeryong's shout, Kang Dal and the other Demonic Cult members all performed a clasped hands greeting and bowed low.

"We greet the Young Cult Leader."

With the appearance of the much-rumored Young Cult Leader, no one could keep their wits about them.

The women were just as surprised. They knelt along with the others.

To think that person was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult!

Geom Mugeuk had them all rise.

Seo Daeryong bowed his head deeply to Geom Mugeuk.

"My mind was rushed, and I have committed a discourtesy."

No matter how urgent the situation, he should have introduced Geom Mugeuk first before having him provide treatment. The closer you are, the more you should show respect.

That was what Geom Mugeuk always said.

Looking at the apologetic Seo Daeryong, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly.

How could he not know what was in Seo Daeryong's heart? He was simply happy that the bond between Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah was continuing.

"I understand, Director."

Since Dan Ah was watching, Geom Mugeuk also politely performed a clasped hands greeting and showed his respects.

"The Director is the one I trust and cherish the most. The person the Director seeks to protect is someone I must also protect."

Geom Mugeuk was treating Seo Daeryong more politely than he ever had since they met.

How could Seo Daeryong not understand the sentiment behind being treated with such great respect in front of the woman he liked?

…Thank you so much.

Dan Ah looked at Seo Daeryong with a newfound sense of wonder. This man, he has the trust of the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

Kang Dal, for his part, felt his heart pound. The arrival of the Sanzu Hall Director was surprising, but the fact that the Young Cult Leader was at his branch was simply unbelievable.

He was having an experience that was hard to come by even once in a lifetime as a Demonic Cult member.

Even if he could not go to Headquarters, he could live on, boasting about this memory for years to come.

Just then, his subordinates drew their swords in unison, on guard.

Kang Dal's gaze turned outward.

Far in the distance, a single carriage was rushing toward them.