Chapter 500: If You Know Who Is Coming
The Demon-Slaying Brigade led by Jin Hagun entered the Chongqing branch of the Martial Alliance.
The scene that appeared in Joo Gweol’s eyes as he ran out upon hearing the news—
Eight martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade were escorting a man, surrounding him in the center, as they entered the training ground.
Joo Gweol immediately recognized that the man being brought in was the one from the painting.
“Got him!”
The martial artists of the Martial Alliance who had been watching erupted in cheers of joy.
Killing intent poured out toward Seo Daeryong right after. If it weren’t for Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade, they would have hurled curses and jeers at him.
Joo Gweol rushed to Jin Hagun. His gaze toward Jin Hagun had softened noticeably.
“Well done.”
He had been worried that Jin Hagun, being friends with Geom Mugeuk, might show leniency toward the demons, but he had brought in Seo Daeryong himself.
‘This is how one must keep public and private matters separate.’
In truth, Joo Gweol wasn’t good at separating those either.
These incidents had occurred in Chongqing, the region he was responsible for, and naturally, he had personal connections with the Famed Name Manor’s master and the Great Justice Warrior. So, this case stirred a lot of personal emotion in him as well.
Joo Gweol glared at Seo Daeryong with a chilling gaze.
But Seo Daeryong, pretending not to notice, simply stared at the back of the martial artist walking ahead.
‘Young Cult Leader, I’m truly experiencing all kinds of things in this life.’
He had once stood on the Soaring Dragon Tournament platform of the Martial Alliance and received cheers of celebration for his victory. Now, he was receiving fierce and hateful killing intent like this.
The place they arrived at was the investigation room of the Chongqing branch.
He, who had once interrogated criminals at the Underworld Pavilion's interrogation chamber, was now sitting here as a criminal himself.
Seo Daeryong let out a light sigh and looked around. Though he was just acting as bait in a greater plan, stepping into the Martial Alliance’s interrogation room still made him tense and fearful.
From this point on, he had to stay sharp. For now, the Demon-Slaying Brigade was guarding him tightly, but who knew when someone might seize an opening and try to kill him.
The first to enter the room was Jin Hagun.
“Are you thirsty?”
“I’m fine.”
Seo Daeryong answered Jin Hagun’s question with courtesy.
In terms of rank—whether branch master or leader—Seo Daeryong was actually higher. Even so, he was being polite because Jin Hagun was a strong contender for the next Alliance Leader and, more importantly, a friend of the Young Cult Leader.
“Thank you for your concern.”
The one who should have been thankful was Jin Hagun. The rumor that he had caught a vicious criminal would spread, and that would greatly enhance his reputation.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“The Young Cult Leader made a promise. Even if I’m swallowed whole by a monster, he said he’d pull me out. So all I have to do is get swallowed deliciously.”
If he had heard such words before getting to know someone like Geom Mugeuk, he would have scoffed inwardly.
You're being used.
But now, he found himself feeling envious of Seo Daeryong. And the conclusion he reached—
No matter how you looked at it, that gaze wasn’t of a mere seven points of trust.
“The investigators will be coming in soon. They’ll try everything to extract a confession from you.”
“I’m prepared.”
Rather, it was Seo Daeryong who worried about Jin Hagun.
“Leader, please try not to be seen with me.”
“You’re worried about me?”
“There’s no reason for you to stay in a potentially dangerous situation.”
Seo Daeryong wasn’t worrying about Jin Hagun. He was worried about the Young Cult Leader.
He knew how devastated he would be if he lost a friend.
At that moment, the investigators entered the room.
Jin Hagun spoke to them.
“Thoroughly uncover the truth.”
“Understood.”
Jin Hagun gave Seo Daeryong one last look, then stepped out.
Outside the door, Branch Leader Joo Gweol was waiting.
“This man is the top disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The Demon Supreme may come to rescue him, so ensure the branch’s defenses are perfect.”
“He wouldn’t dare think of entering our branch.”
Support martial artists from nearby branches were already arriving, starting with the Shaanxi branch.
“Then why are you, Branch Leader, letting your guard down?”
Caught off-guard, Joo Gweol responded with a respectful expression.
“I’ll stay alert and guard it well.”
Even so, he was confident they wouldn’t dare launch an attack here.
Jin Hagun exited the building.
He had joined hands with Geom Mugeuk and made an unexpected move.
‘Now then, how will you respond?’
In a corner of the marketplace in Chongqing, an old fortune teller sat.
The old man’s face was covered in wrinkles that told of the harshness of time. His eyes watched the passersby as if he knew every secret life held.
In front of him, laid out on a mat, were various objects used in fortune telling:
a candle and incense emitting smoke, a turtle shell painted in strange colors, specially made fortune coins called jeomdong, talismans written in red ink, and a wooden container filled with fortune sticks. It was an assortment of all imaginable items.
Many people passed by in front of him, but no one paid him any attention. The fortune teller himself looked relaxed, as if it didn’t matter whether he did business or not.
Eventually, a customer arrived.
A man who had been passing by crouched down in front of him. He had an ordinary appearance and dressed in plain clothes.
The fortune teller looked at the man’s face and spoke.
“Your face is full of misfortune.”
“Even I could’ve guessed that. If I were someone whose life was going well, would I be glancing this way?”
Passersby who heard that line burst out laughing.
“Well, let’s see just how bad things are.”
The fortune teller closed his eyes as he shook the stick container.
And in that moment his eyes shut, the fates of two men were changed.
A secret message flew into the old man’s ear.
―The disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon has been captured by the Demon-Slaying Brigade.
It was an unexpected report, yet the old man, eyes still closed, showed no sign of agitation.
―The Young Cult Leader gave up his right hand? Impressive.
The old man knew that Seo Daeryong was the right hand of Geom Mugeuk.
He also knew that his capture had been intentional.
Opening his eyes, the old man extended the container filled with bamboo sticks.
“Your future lies in here. Pick one.”
The man picked one of the sticks.
One of the bamboo sticks was slightly protruding, and the man drew it.
―Writing a new history in blood.
Amazingly, the old man had anticipated the possibility of Seo Daeryong being captured and had already prepared a plan for what would come after.
The man understood the meaning of the command.
It meant to attack the Chongqing branch and turn it into a sea of blood.
If that really happened, the orthodox martial artists’ hatred for the Demonic Cult would reach its peak.
―Martial artists sent to support the Chongqing branch are all gathered there. That means they’ll be complacent. This ambush could be highly effective.
Since there were many martial artists from outside, the chaos would likely be far greater.
But the man’s concern was this:
―However, with the Demon-Slaying Brigade there, our casualties will be heavy.
The Demon-Slaying Brigade operated on a completely different level from ordinary martial artists.
Even in chaotic situations, experienced members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade would restore order instantly.
At that, the old man extended the container once more.
“Is one fortune not enough? Then pick another.”
As though prepared in advance, one of the bamboo sticks was again slightly sticking out.
Again, the man pulled it.
―The vanished shall aid the ones who remain.
The man immediately understood what the command meant.
“How is it? Think this is enough to survive?”
The moment their eyes met, the two of them returned to the roles of fortune teller and customer.
“Seems worth a shot. Thank you!”
The man tossed a few coins to the ground and stood up.
“Leave more payment!”
“If I succeed, I’ll come back to pay the rest.”
“Not one of you ever actually comes back to pay!”
The fortune teller yelled at the top of his lungs, but the man disappeared into the crowd as if he hadn’t heard.
People watching from the street across the way laughed at the scene.
The fortune teller picked up the bamboo stick the man had drawn and returned it to the container.
Whether it was from the customer’s fingertips or the old man’s, the characters that had been written on the stick had vanished without a trace.
The old man yawned repeatedly as he watched the passing crowd, and soon he began nodding off.
* * *
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun stood side by side.
They were on a hill overlooking the Chongqing branch.
“He must be having a rough time.”
“He has more mental strength than he looks.”
Seo Daeryong had been undergoing investigation all day, except for the time he ate and slept.
And yet, he was enduring it well.
“He used to be an investigator from the Underworld Pavilion. He probably sees right through the investigators' minds.”
Though he said so, Geom Mugeuk's eyes still held concern.
“Do you think he knows that you’re watching over him without taking your eyes off for even a second?”
“He knows.”
“How?”
“Because he would’ve done the same.”
“I guess I’d better find myself a right hand too.”
At Jin Hagun’s joke, Geom Mugeuk laughed with him.
It was at that moment.
One of the Demon-Slaying Brigade’s martial artists came running and gave a rapid report. Since Geom Mugeuk was beside him, he delivered the message through a secret voice transmission.
―We’ve discovered traces of the Famed Name Manor’s lord.
Jin Hagun was taken aback by his subordinate’s report.
At the Famed Name Manor, only blood had been left behind—no corpses were ever found.
―He’s alive?
―Yes. We’ve identified that he’s being held by a group of martial artists.
Jin Hagun gave an order to his subordinate.
“Prepare the Demon-Slaying Brigade for immediate deployment.”
“Yes, sir!”
Once the subordinate had departed, Jin Hagun relayed the news to Geom Mugeuk.
“The Famed Name Manor’s lord is alive.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze sharpened.
He had already suspected as much since no bodies were found. But now, of all times, his whereabouts were revealed?
“I’ll take the Demon-Slaying Brigade and rescue him.”
Jin Hagun also had his doubts, but he had no choice but to go.
If the Famed Name Manor’s lord was alive, he had to be saved.
Geom Mugeuk considered three possibilities.
Jin Hagun dies while attempting the rescue.
The martial artists protecting Seo Daeryong at the Chongqing branch die.
Seo Daeryong dies.
Each scenario was the worst-case outcome.
They would surely attempt one of these three.
Geom Mugeuk had already thought of a plan to prepare for this.
“I have two requests.”
“What are they?”
“First, let them enter the Chongqing branch.”
Jin Hagun already knew who Geom Mugeuk was referring to.
He had received the report from the Alliance.
When Jin Hagun hesitated to answer, Geom Mugeuk persuaded him.
“I understand. I know how much pressure this request puts on you. But think about what might happen if you don’t allow it. I’ll make sure they move as secretly as possible.”
Jin Hagun’s hesitation didn’t last long.
“Fine, we’ll do that. But only until the Demon-Slaying Brigade and I return.”
“Of course. Once this is dealt with, I’ll step back quietly.”
Truly, if it hadn’t been Geom Mugeuk, Jin Hagun would never have agreed to such a request.
“What’s the other request?”
“Let me go with you.”
Jin Hagun understood Geom Mugeuk’s concern. He believed that a major incident would erupt on one side or the other.
“Why do you want to come with me?”
“Because I can’t afford to lose you.”
The Young Cult Leader wanting to accompany the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader to protect him? Who in the martial world would believe such a story?
Normally, pride alone would have compelled a refusal. But the relationship between them had already gone beyond that stage. After all they had been through together, he wasn’t foolish enough to let pride get in the way.
In any case, if Geom Mugeuk was sensing this kind of urgency, then the situation was truly dangerous.
“If your right hand hears this, he might feel a bit hurt.”
Geom Mugeuk gave a meaningful smile.
“If he knows who’s coming, he won’t feel that way at all.”
When Jin Hagun descended from the hill, Joo Gweol was waiting in his office.
“I’ll go with you and help with the rescue.”
Jin Hagun stopped him.
“I understand your intention, Branch Leader, but I will lead the Demon-Slaying Brigade and handle this. The enemy might be using a feint-and-strike tactic, so you need to stay and guard the branch.”
Joo Gweol didn’t argue. The branch did need guarding, but more than that, if the enemy was strong enough to abduct the Famed Name Manor’s lord, it would require elite forces to handle them.
“Please return safely.”
“Thank you.”
After parting with Joo Gweol and before leaving the branch, Jin Hagun made one last stop—
the temporary underground prison.
Despite being labeled “temporary,” the level of security there was nothing short of airtight.
Jin Hagun dismissed the martial artists guarding Seo Daeryong for a moment.
“Is something wrong?”
Seo Daeryong was startled because Jin Hagun was holding his great blade in his hand.
“I must leave the branch urgently, leading the Demon-Slaying Brigade.”
Seo Daeryong’s expression hardened.
There was no way such a sudden absence could be a mere coincidence.
If it had been Geom Mugeuk standing there, Seo Daeryong would have made a joke.
―Ah! So you’re abandoning me in the end! Thank you for everything... No, forget it! I’ll die! Please save me!
But toward Jin Hagun, Seo Daeryong maintained a composed demeanor.
“Please take care of yourself.”
Jin Hagun looked at Seo Daeryong with deep eyes.
Both Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong made him forget that he was facing people from the demonic path.
“Come closer.”
Jin Hagun released the suppression on Seo Daeryong’s internal energy and handed over his great blade.
“Hide the blade somewhere the guards here can’t find it.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as he accepted his blade, Seo Daeryong’s heart began to pound.
A foreboding sense struck him, as if something terrible was about to happen.
It truly felt like death was drawing near.
“There’s a reason I’m leaving you behind at a time like this.”
Jin Hagun delivered a surprising message.
“Your Heavenly Communication Pavilion sent support for your sake.”
“Heavenly Communication Pavilion?”
He had reported the situation to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion after arriving in Chongqing. That was why he had been able to enter the special safe house.
It seemed that Sima Myung had judged that something might have happened to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and had sent reinforcements.
That was before Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin even arrived in Chongqing.
“The support sent by the Heavenly Communication Pavilion has been waiting outside the city.”
As rumors spread that the Great Justice Warrior’s tragedy was the work of the Demonic Cult, the atmosphere in Chongqing’s martial world had become tense.
So they had been waiting on the outskirts.
“The Young Cult Leader asked me to let them into this branch.”
Seo Daeryong could tell.
Jin Hagun had accepted that request—otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought it up at all.
“One of my Demon-Slaying Brigade subordinates will remain and discreetly bring them in. Of course, they’ll appear not as members of the Divine Cult but as external martial artists brought in by the Demon-Slaying Brigade for assistance. Let’s hope we meet again safely.”
Leaving those words behind, Jin Hagun departed.
The situation was too urgent to ask for more details.
Seo Daeryong was curious.
‘Just who did they send?’
* * *
Thud thud thud thud thud.
Wagons were rolling across the road.
They were large transport wagons typically used for hauling massive cargo.
The wagons had only tiny windows, making it impossible to see what was inside from the outside.
What was loaded into those wagons—
Were martial artists.
They wore ordinary martial robes, giving no hint of affiliation, but their appearances were unforgettable at a glance.
Each one had a savage, terrifying face with eyes honed through countless battles, and physiques easily twice the size of an average person.
The wagons packed with those men were rushing toward the Chongqing branch in a long procession.