Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 224 : Turning a Blind Eye (3)

Son Muk, who had entered the inn, looked around the wide open space. Although he had heard that there were quite a few buildings in the past, he could not find them now.

He looked at the large, half-destroyed building of the guest rooms and headed for the guest hall with Namgung Ji.

"I heard that Miss Namgung has had a lot of trouble."

"I had a hard time because thieves frequently appeared, but I'm fine now. After the innkeeper came, the thieves' footsteps also stopped."

"Brother Jin's martial arts are so high and his reputation is so high that the thieves must have been scared."

Hearing Son Muk's story, Namgung Ji nodded.

But the reason the thieves' footsteps had stopped was because of Seo Mun-ryeon. She had ordered the Hao Faction members not to go to the inn. Because they would only die if they went anyway.

Namgung Ji's eyes met with one of the escort warriors who were following behind Son Muk.

It was Gung Tae-yeong.

He bowed his head to Namgung Ji.

"Young lady."

"Brother Gung."

Gung Tae-yeong showed a smile to the surprised Namgung Ji and then retreated. Son Muk, after observing the two, entered the room of the guest hall and sat down.

Namgung Ji and Gung Tae-yeong were standing in the yard.

Son Muk, who had observed the two from beyond the window, shook his head.

"Was he a competitor?"

Son Muk had a great liking for Namgung Ji.

Although she was Namgung Min's daughter, she did not live like a flower, and she wanted to be helpful to her family rather than receive the family's protection.

He was interested in her because he thought she was a progressive woman.

Gung Tae-yeong was from the Loyalty Sword Sect, a warrior of the Namgung family, and a disciple of Namgung Min. He was one of the few talented people whom Namgung Min had taught martial arts himself.

It was perhaps natural that the two knew each other well.

Gung Tae-yeong was a little flustered to be standing with Namgung Ji.

Because this was the first time he had had a conversation with her alone like this.

Gung Tae-yeong was a quiet person with a quiet personality. Because of his taciturn personality, he did not have many close people.

"What brings you here?"

"I came because of Wonju Son's escort."

Gung Tae-yeong answered and then showed a sorry expression. The escort was just a pretext to come to the inn, and in reality, it was an investigation of the inn's people and an inquiry into the surroundings.

And there was one more thing.

"It's time to go to the alliance. The Alliance Leader has ordered you to return to the alliance."

"So you came in person?"

"Yes."

Gung Tae-yeong answered and then smiled.

Namgung Ji did not want to go back. But since it was her father's order, she had no choice but to obey.

"Since my father told me to come, I have to go."

She let out a sigh full of regret.

Just then, Jin Sa-wol entered the guest hall. As he entered, Gung Tae-yeong made a fist and greeted him.

"I am Gung Tae-yeong."

"I am Jin Sa-wol."

Namgung Ji explained from the side.

"He is my father's disciple. They say he is now in charge of the Shadowless Division."

"Ah, nice to meet you."

Hearing her explanation, Jin Sa-wol showed a smile.

Gung Tae-yeong had seen Jin Sa-wol for the third time. But he did not know if Jin Sa-wol would remember him.

He had entered the Thousand Gold Vault when he was moving a lot of gold from the Thousand Gold Vault on Muyeon Island to the Namgung family.

Also, when Namgung Min had come to the inn, he had escorted him. And now, he had met Jin Sa-wol for the third time like this.

'He feels younger than when I first saw him. Is it because he has a baby face?'

Although he thought he wouldn't know because he was one of the many warriors of the Namgung family, Jin Sa-wol knew his face.

'He was an escort.'

He remembered him as one of Namgung Min's escort warriors. He did not know that he was a warrior who had entered the Thousand Gold Vault.

He had not followed him that far and had not examined the warriors of the Namgung family one by one.

Gung Tae-yeong quickly examined Jin Sa-wol's whole body and then followed him into the room.

Son Muk was sitting in the room. When he saw Jin Sa-wol, he stood up, made a fist, greeted him, and then sat down together.

"Your complexion is brighter today than when we met in Kaifeng. Is it because you've rested well?"

"I'm comfortable in my own house. I like it better now than then. It's light."

"That's a scary thing to say."

Son Muk shook his head and showed a smile.

Gung Tae-yeong, who was standing behind Son Muk, frowned at the conversation between the two. Son Muk and Jin Sa-wol were talking in a comfortable tone, as if they were old friends. It was difficult to get used to that.

Gung Tae-yeong and Namgung Ji, who felt the heavy atmosphere, quietly went outside when their eyes met with Son Muk's.

As they went out, Son Muk drank his tea and said.

"Is the Hao Faction Master well?"

"She's on her way. Did you come because of the Hao Faction Master?"

"That's right. In fact, the Hao Faction's military power is not much, so I'm not very interested. But where people live, there is information, and where there is information, there is money. Although it's very different from the original plan, I thought it would be good to have our people in the Hao Faction, so I made a concession. But what is your relationship with the Hao Faction Master? An elder? Did you enter the Hao Faction?"

Son Muk was still asking questions and answering them.

"That's a matter to be discussed when the Hao Faction Master comes. And I have no relationship with the Hao Faction Master."

"It doesn't seem like you have no relationship."

If they had no relationship, he would not have taken the Hao Faction Master from Kaifeng.

Son Muk drank his tea and said with a calm expression.

"It's not good to be an enemy of the Martial Alliance. Will it be okay for you to suffer a loss because of the Hao Faction Master? It's better to sever ties with the Hao Faction Master. Then you will also be comfortable. If there's anything you want, tell me. If there's anything I can do for you, I will."

Son Muk said he would give a reward if he followed his will. Jin Sa-wol shook his head.

"There's nothing I want."

"Is that so? It's a pity."

Son Muk was disappointed that he could not make any negotiations with Jin Sa-wol.

Jin Sa-wol said in a calm voice.

"I have no relationship with the Hao Faction Master. It seems you don't believe me, but it's true."

"Then you won't interfere if I take the Hao Faction Master? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes."

"Did you fight? A fight that lovers often have?"

Son Muk asked with a curious face, his eyes sparkling. Jin Sa-wol sighed.

"Haa..."

'This guy is not normal either.'

Jin Sa-wol stood up from his seat as if he were frustrated. At the same time, Seo Mun-ryeon came in.

Jin Sa-wol had stood up because he had felt Seo Mun-ryeon's presence.

"The two of you solve your own problems."

Jin Sa-wol said to Son Muk and then passed Seo Mun-ryeon. Jin Sa-wol's lips moved.

Turn the attention of the Martial Alliance to the Hao Faction.

Seo Mun-ryeon, leaving the telepathic message lingering in her ears, showed a smile to Son Muk and sat down in front of him.

"For the Martial Arts Garden Master of the great Martial Alliance to come all the way to a shabby inn to meet a lowly Hao Faction Master like me, it is truly surprising and an honor."

"Are you teasing me?"

"Of course not. How could I dare to tease the great Son Wonju of the Martial Arts Garden? You dog bastard."

"See."

Son Muk shook his head as if he had expected it and then said again.

"Your mouth is rough, so you must be in a bad mood."

"My mood soured when I saw that face. Please understand. I was reminded of the tortured Pavilion Master Mae and those traitors. My curse was directed at those traitors."

"They didn't betray, but each went their own way to live."

Son Muk said with a gentle smile.

Seo Mun-ryeon, deciding to stop talking about that matter, changed the subject and asked the main point.

"What brings you here?"

"I didn't come to ask you to go to the Martial Alliance together. In any case, you wouldn't go even if I asked you to, right?"

"Of course. If you came to threaten me, go back."

"I didn't come to threaten, but to cooperate."

"You've already destroyed our faction's main headquarters in Kaifeng, and you want to cooperate?"

"It's the martial world to give medicine after giving a disease. Let's cooperate. We must forget all the past. Isn't the martial world a place where yesterday's enemy can become today's friend? Are you going to refuse? Then I can't help it either."

At Son Muk's smile, Seo Mun-ryeon understood why he had become the Martial Arts Garden Master.

He was a guy who didn't listen to reason. He was a person who moved only according to the will of the alliance.

"I haven't said anything yet."

"Give me a position in the Hao Faction. I was going to take it all, but when I think about it, it seems there's no need to take it all. What we want is the information of the martial world. That's all. We're not interested in anything else."

In Son Muk's story, Seo Mun-ryeon recalled Jin Sa-wol's words to attract the attention of the Martial Alliance.

"It's not a matter for me to decide alone. In two days, there will be a council of elders of the Hao Faction in Guguang. Please attend. I invite you."

"Oho... That's a very interesting proposal. I understand."

Son Muk had no reason to refuse.

"If our faction and the Martial Alliance mix blood, I want the heads of those two traitors as a reward."

"That's an impossible proposal. The Martial Alliance is a just place. It's the alliance's important duty to prevent the Jongnam Sect from disappearing from the martial world. It's also the alliance's important duty to re-establish the Jongnam Sect."

Son Muk flatly refused Seo Mun-ryeon, who wanted the heads of Wang Hong and Gwak Ji.

***

Jin Sa-wol, who was heading for the Golden Garden, found Gung Tae-yeong and Namgung Ji standing at the entrance of the Golden Garden and approached them.

"What are you doing here?"

When Jin Sa-wol asked, Namgung Ji answered.

"Brother Gung wants to enter the Golden Garden, but I had to get permission, so I waited."

"You may enter."

As Jin Sa-wol gave permission, the two showed a smile and entered the Golden Garden.

Seeing them walking towards Seosan, Jin Sa-wol went into his room and sat down.

He thought Seo Mun-ryeon would handle Son Muk well.

Although he had said he had no relationship with the Hao Faction, that was on the surface, and he had already discussed his plan with Seo Mun-ryeon.

The Hao Faction was in a chaotic situation internally. Because the oppression of the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance had come at the same time.

He foresaw that if he kept the Hao Faction by his side at this opportunity, it would be helpful in many ways.

"Namcheonhoe... The name Namcheon is a bit bad."

Jin Sa-wol sighed, thinking of the group name Namcheonhoe. As he felt a presence, Jin Sa-wol turned his head.

Jo-rim opened the door and came in.

"The ships have arrived."

Jin Sa-wol nodded. Jo-rim said again.

"I met Gung Tae-yeong and Namgung Ji on my way out of the pier. I told them they were ships to go to Muyeon Island, but will it be okay?"

"It should be okay. What about the Flower Ghosts?"

"They will all gather tomorrow. I'm going to throw away the names Flower Ghost and Hwahwaru. The Moonlight Pavilion looks good."

"It's a good name."

Jin Sa-wol showed a smile, stood up, and headed for the pier with Jo-rim.

***

There were five cruise ships that went to and from Muyeon Island.

Namgung Ji and Gung Tae-yeong, who were looking at the ships, talked about various things because they were large.

"Were there originally many ships at the inn?"

"Yes, I heard there were many. When I came, there were two, but three more have been added."

"Since there's a lot of money, it's not difficult to buy ships."

Gung Tae-yeong said, thinking of Muyeon Island. It was not strange for there to be a cruise ship at the pier.

As Jin Sa-wol and Jo-rim approached and looked at the ships, Gung Tae-yeong approached and asked.

"Is Wonju Son alone?"

"He's with the Hao Faction Master."

"Ah... then."

At the words 'Hao Faction Master', Gung Tae-yeong, as if he were worried about Son Muk's safety, hurriedly turned his body.

Jin Sa-wol had been worried about how to answer if he had asked about the ships, but he was glad that he hadn't.

These ships were all warehouses to store the gold and silver treasures of the Thousand Gold Vault.

'Now, all that's left is to move them without being noticed.'

(End of Chapter)