Chapter 622: What Are You Doing Squatting Down?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Geom Muyang gazed out the window of his residence, his eyes fixed on the Branch martial artists in the courtyard. They were scattered about, appearing to lounge as if on a break, but they were maintaining their own ironclad perimeter.

Gwak Yeong's earlier words suddenly came back to Geom Muyang.

"You must have a brother, don't you? If you do, you should understand how I feel, right?"

He had replied that he was someone who had once wished his brother dead, but that was a feeling from the past.

What if his brother were taken hostage?

The first thought that entered his mind was a simple one. Please, someone just take him away.

A subsequent thought naturally followed. It wasn't as if someone could just take him even if they wanted to, but even if they did, they would probably die from frustration. Truly, after listening to all his nonsense, they would get confused about who the real hostage was. They would find themselves begging, "Please, we'll let you go, just be the Patriarch."

As Geom Muyang entertained such thoughts, a faint smile naturally formed on his lips. It was no longer surprising to have these thoughts when thinking of his brother. The only surprising thing was how unsurprising it all felt.

Just then, Ho Myeong's voice came from outside the room.

"The investigation is complete."

The door opened, and Ho Myeong and Gwak Yeong entered. Ho Myeong handed Geom Muyang a paper containing the results of the investigation.

Geom Muyang read it over carefully.

The report detailed when and how the culprits had approached her and what they had said. It also described their appearances, manner of speech, and even their physical characteristics. She also remembered how far she had traveled in a carriage while blindfolded to forge the hidden weapons, and what sounds she had heard along the way.

As he read, Geom Muyang looked up at Gwak Yeong. She seemed to know why he was looking at her without him needing to ask.

"I memorized everything desperately. I had a feeling a day like this might come. I just didn't think it would be you all instead of the Murim Alliance."

Geom Muyang's gaze returned to the paper. It described whom she met at the forgery site and the process of making the hidden weapons. It even detailed the type of iron used and the tools required for the work.

She was certainly sharp. This wasn't because she had a good memory, but because she had memorized only the most essential parts.

Geom Muyang handed the paper back to Ho Myeong.

"Send this to the All-Knowing Hall immediately."

With such detailed information, the All-Knowing Hall would surely be able to find a clue about the culprits.

Ho Myeong left, leaving only Geom Muyang and Gwak Yeong in the room. She was the first to speak, expressing her gratitude for Geom Muyang's promise to save her brother.

"I was in such a state earlier that I couldn't thank you properly. Thank you so much."

Geom Muyang didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head back toward the window.

Now that the investigation was over, Gwak Yeong grew even more tense.

What would happen to her now? The crime of having forged the Demonic Cult's hidden weapons still remained. He had promised to save her brother, not to forgive her.

"I suppose I'm useless now."

She had told them everything she knew.

"I won't resent you even if you kill me and bury me. I won't come back to haunt you as a ghost either."

Of course, she didn't mean it. She didn't want to die. Saving her brother was more important than her own life, but what if this man succeeded in rescuing him?

She wanted to continue living with her brother. She wanted to see him get married, have children, and live his life. In place of their parents who had passed away early, she wanted to protect him until he could stand on his own. If she died too, he would be left all alone in the world.

Just then, Geom Muyang said abruptly, "Weren't you going to get me promoted?"

Her eyes widened for a moment. She had said that while shouting at him in the torture chamber. She had said she would do whatever he ordered for the rest of her life, making anything he wanted. That if he took her with him, he would even get a promotion.

Of course, she had just been spouting nonsense in her agitation. She had never once considered a life of making weapons for the Demonic Cult.

"Are you really saying you'll take me with you? You're joking, right?"

Just as a flustered Gwak Yeong was at a loss for words, Ho Myeong rushed back in. The look on his face alone showed how urgent the matter was.

"I think you need to evacuate."

Geom Muyang shot up from his seat.

"An urgent message has arrived from the All-Knowing Hall. An emergency operation has been issued to the White Dragon Brigade, and their target is this location."

Outside the window, the Branch martial artists were already on the move. They retrieved weapons hidden among lumber and piles of dirt, climbing onto the walls and roofs to begin their true watch.

It was surprising that the Murim Alliance knew of this location, but their objective was even more so.

"They say it's an operation to rescue this woman."

Because it was an official Alliance operation and not a secret one, the All-Knowing Hall was able to learn of it quickly and send word.

Despite the urgent situation, Geom Muyang did not rush.

"How much time do we have?"

"We must be out within a quarter of an hour."

Geom Muyang understood why they had kept Gwak Yeong alive. Their intention was clearly to use her to create a clash between them and the Murim Alliance. That way, they could make them retreat from Wuhan without having to get involved themselves.

At this point, the most important question was how the enemy had found this place. He had checked several times on the way here to avoid any tails or surveillance.

Then, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

With a look of dawning realization, Geom Muyang asked Gwak Yeong, "Did you happen to receive anything from them?"

"No, nothing."

Then she flinched.

"There is one thing."

She took a single letter from her robes.

"It's from my brother."

Geom Muyang did not take the letter she offered with his hands. As it floated up via telekinesis, Ho Myeong realized what Geom Muyang was thinking.

Ho Myeong took out a leather pouch. When he unfolded it, a dozen or so bottles of various sizes were nestled inside. He took out one of the bottles, uncorked it, and dropped a single drop onto the letter.

The letter immediately turned blue.

"It's tracking incense."

Gwak Yeong gasped at his words.

"They must have anticipated that we would find this woman and applied the tracking incense. Or they might have put it on in case she tried to escape."

Geom Muyang nodded at Ho Myeong's words. He could tell that whoever was behind this, they were very clever. Because it was a letter from her brother, she would always carry it with her.

Gwak Yeong was afraid. More than the fear that this man might erupt in anger at her, she was terrified that he might cancel his promise.

Just then, the letter floated over to her. Catching the letter reflexively, she asked Geom Muyang in confusion.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

Geom Muyang said with an impassive gaze, "This is the last time."

The moment she heard those words, her heart sank. She took it to mean he was going to kill her.

However, that wasn't it. She belatedly understood. He meant for her to read it one last time before he burned it. If they failed to save her brother, this letter would be his last words to her.

A wave of emotion washed over her. She was truly grateful to Geom Muyang for thinking of her even in this urgent situation.

"I've read it dozens of times, so I've already memorized the contents."

She held out the letter again with a trembling hand.

"Thank you."

FWOOSH.

The letter burst into flames in mid-air from Geom Muyang's Yang energy.

Meanwhile, Ho Myeong took another vial from his pouch and splashed its contents all over her. Since she had carried the letter on her person, the scent of the tracking incense would still be on her. He masked the scent with another one.

Geom Muyang led the way out of the room, followed by Gwak Yeong and Ho Myeong.

The martial artists split into scout, main, and rear teams. Two martial artists flanked Gwak Yeong, protecting her from any potential hidden weapons.

And so, before the White Dragon Brigade could storm the manor, they slipped away.

A man sat drinking in the Red Flower Pavilion, which was known as Wuhan's most luxurious brothel. He possessed white hair, a chiseled face, and the eyes of a wounded beast, for he was a man carrying deep emotional scars. This man, who had sent away the courtesans to drink alone, was none other than the Cold Moon Warrior. He had lost his family to demonic practitioners, making him the kind of man who would jolt awake at the slightest mention of the Demonic Cult. His hatred for them was so immense that he would kill any demonic practitioner he faced without a moment's hesitation.

He had come to Wuhan because of a request from a particular individual. This request came from someone who seemed as if he would never ask for anything in his life, a fact that made the plea feel all the more significant. The Cold Moon Warrior was also more aware than anyone of the profound depth of his own hatred for the Demonic Cult.

"I will prepare the stage for you, so I ask that you perform a sword dance. A demonic practitioner is heading to Wuhan, and you are the only one who can stop him."

The Cold Moon Warrior did not refuse the request.

Fine, he thought. If my opponent is a demonic practitioner, I'll dance as much as they want.

Just then, a martial artist serving as a messenger arrived. He paid his respects politely before delivering his report.

"The time has come."

A powerful killing intent immediately emanated from the Cold Moon Warrior's eyes.

He drained his last cup of wine and spoke with a cold voice. "Go and tell them. Not a single one of the Demonic Cult bastards who entered Wuhan today will leave this land alive."

After leaving the Red Flower Pavilion, the Cold Moon Warrior began to walk quickly. His eyes were then drawn to someone nearby. A young man was squatting beside the brothel's wall, his attention fixed on a small weed that had pushed its way through a crack in the stone. Next to the young man sat a bamboo collection tube and a small herb pouch that held a few medicinal roots. Inside the collection tube were several unidentifiable insects.

The Cold Moon Warrior's expression soured. His personality made it impossible for him to tolerate such a sight.

He spoke to the young man as he passed him. "What's a young man like you doing squatting down?"

The young man glanced up at the Cold Moon Warrior. He appeared very youthful and handsome.

"You're a perfectly fine-looking lad! You should be swinging a sword at a time like this. If you slack off, you'll get your head cut off by those Demonic Cult bastards." The Cold Moon Warrior was the type of man who never tolerated what he considered unsatisfactory behavior from his juniors. He was well aware that the youth of today hated being nagged by their Seniors, but that knowledge only encouraged him to do it more. He believed that if these kids fell apart, it would spell the end for the murim of the orthodox sects.

Having delivered his heartfelt nagging, the Cold Moon Warrior strode past the spot.

The young man watched his back for a moment before turning his gaze back to the weed.

Once the Cold Moon Warrior had disappeared from sight, an old man approached the youth. "What kind of plant has captured your attention so intently?"

The young man replied, "Look at this. The Secet Sedge Grass is blooming in a place like this."

This young man was none other than the Poison King, and the old man was his aide, Sangseon.

The Poison King wore a long robe over his clothes, which concealed the poison pouches fastened to his belt. For this very reason, the ordinary-looking garment could be considered the most powerful weapon in the entire murim. The moment the Poison King cast off his robe to reveal the twelve zodiac animals drawn on his twelve poison pouches, any opponent would surely flee in terror.

"It really is the Secet Sedge Grass," Sangseon said, sitting down next to the Poison King with a surprised look on his face. He had already spotted several poisonous herbs that were new to him. This was because the Poison King had never before had a reason to come to Wuhan to gather such plants.

It was at that exact moment that someone came running toward them from a distance. It was the same Cold Moon Warrior who had just passed them. He rushed over, looking as frantic as if he had forgotten something important. His previously stern face was now pale and filled with urgency.

"Out of the way!"

The Cold Moon Warrior blew past the Poison King and Sangseon like a gust of wind. He had no time for nagging on this occasion.

He ran directly into the Red Flower Pavilion and dashed toward the latrine. Although the Cold Moon Warrior was a master capable of controlling his own bodily functions, things were not going according to his plan today. It was genuinely the first time in his life he had ever been in such a rush. His reputation and the demonic practitioners could all wait.

As he watched the man enter the Red Flower Pavilion, Sangseon smiled and remarked.

"Looks like he'll be stuck in the latrine for the rest of the day."

The Poison King nodded in agreement with Sangseon's words. The very moment the man had spoken to him while passing by, the Poison King had administered a poison that causes stomach upset. He had not lifted a single finger, only glanced at the man, but in that brief instant, he had successfully poisoned him.

In some ways, the most frightening aspect of the Poison King was not his poison but rather his youthful appearance, which caused others to lower their guard upon seeing him. In any case, the Cold Moon Warrior should count himself lucky that the incident ended there. If the Poison King had been truly serious, the man would no longer be among the living.

"I brought several interesting poisons with me this time." Even without the Poison King's statement, Sangseon already knew that the poisons used during this trip to Wuhan would be different. Unless it was a matter of life and death for Geom Muyang, no one would die from the Poison King's poison. The Poison King himself understood this better than anyone.

He understood his specific role within the murim. He also knew the consequences he would face if he killed a member of the orthodox sects with poison right in front of the Murim Alliance Headquarters.

The two of them began to walk away side by side. No one would ever suspect that this young man, carrying an herb pouch and an insect collection tube, was actually the Poison King.

"Please go rest at the inn. I'll let you know as soon as the First Young Lord's new hideout is decided."

Since arriving, the Poison King had been watching over Geom Muyang without taking a single moment to rest.

"When is that person coming?"

"They say the Demonic Buddha is coming as fast as he can, so he should be arriving in Wuhan soon."

A strange look of anticipation appeared on the Poison King's face. Sangseon naturally assumed this was because he was pleased that he could soon share the burden of protecting Geom Muyang. However, the true source of the Poison King's anticipation was something Sangseon could have never imagined.

"Draw me up a list of the rare poisonous herbs that are only found in the Wuhan area."