Pandangan Kepala Biro Ji Dae-hyeong dan para pendekar pengawal tertuju pada satu orang saja.
Orang itu tidak lain adalah Chung Baek, pendekar pengawal yang bertanggung jawab menyerahkan barang kepada Faksi Tangan Hitam.
"Ini fitnah yang tidak masuk akal!"
Terikanahnya bergetar, sama seperti matanya yang gelisah.
Sebagai kontras, Geom Muyang tetap tenang. Ia berjalan perlahan menuju Chung Baek. Bukan hanya Chung Baek, tapi Ji Dae-hyeong dan para pendekar pengawal lainnya ikut menegang.
Geom Muyang berhenti beberapa langkah darinya dan menatap Chung Baek. Même tanpa menatap dengan sengaja, tatapannya memang sudah dingin secara alami.
Itu adalah pernyataan yang menyiratkan: apakah kau benar-benar berpikir kami datang sejauh ini hanya untuk menjebak seorang pendekar pengawal?
Suara tenang itu memiliki persuasi yang alami. Bagaimanapun juga, Pemimpin Cabang Ho Myeong datang sendiri, dan pembicara，似乎 memiliki otoritas yang bahkan lebih tinggi dari seorang pemimpin cabang.
Sebelum Chung Baek sempat membuat alasan apa pun, Geom Muyang melanjutkan. Suara rendahnya membawa bobot, dan kesopannya justru membuatnya lebih berkuasa.
"Aku tidak akan mempersoalkan masalahmu menipu Kepala Biro. Itu adalah urusan biro kalian sendiri."
"Hanya ada satu hal yang ingin kudengar. Siapa yang mempercayakan barang itu?"
Keheningan singkat mengikuti.
Ji Dae-hyeong tidak melangkah maju untuk membela Chung Baek dengan bilang dia tidak perlu menjawab. Sebagian karena dia merasa ter压倒 oleh Geom Muyang, dan sebagian karena dia mulai menyimpan keraguan tentang Chung Baek.
"Bukan sesuatu seperti itu! Kepala Biro! Tolong percayalah padaku! Ini jebakan! Aku dizalimi!"
Namun, mereka tidak bisa menuduhnya secara membabi buta. Lawan他们是 ruthless Demonic Cult.
Ji Dae-hyeong melangkah dan bertanya kepada Chung Baek dengan nada lembut. Bagaimanapun juga, Chung Baek masih tetap menjadi bawahannya untuk saat ini.
"Pengawal Chung, tenangkan dirimu dan ceritakan apa yang terjadi."
"Barang itu tidak ada yang tidak biasa."
Meskipun menerima berbagai laporan terkait misi pengawalan baru-baru ini, tidak ada yang besonders mencurigakan. Itu berarti entah Chung Baek telah mengajukan laporan palsu, atau Demonic Cult sedang menjebaknya.
"Itu adalah senjata militer standar."
"Siapa yang mempercayakannya padamu?"
"Aku tidak bisa membicarakan itu di depan orang luar."
Lalu datanglah kata-kata yang tidak seharusnya diucapkan dalam situasi seperti ini.
"Apakah kalian curiga padaku?"
Dia memang terlihat mencurigakan.
"Tidak. Tapi jika ini benar-benar konspirasi seperti yang kau katakan, bukankah kita harus mengungkap kebenaran?"
Seolah dia akan merendahkan suaranya dan mendekati Kepala Biro—
Whoosh!
Chung Baek menghamburkan tubuhnya ke arah pintu masuk.
Tapi seseorang bergerak lebih cepat.
Sebelum dia bisa meloloskan diri, tendangan terbang menghantamnya, mengirimnya berguling di lantai. Baru saja dia bangkit—
Orang yang menendangnya menyerang titik tekanannya dan menahan pulsa iblisnya.
Orang yang telah mengantisipasi pelariannya dan memblokirnya tidak lain adalah Ho Myeong, Pemimpin Cabang Changsha.
Sebagai kepala cabang terbesar di wilayah Honam, skill bela dirinya luar biasa.
Geom Muyang berbicara kepada Ji Dae-hyeong.
Meskipun sopan, tatapan Geom Muyang dingin. Makna di baliknya jelas: kita sudah cukup sopan—sekarang giliran kalian.
"Kami akan membawa pria ini ke Cabang Changsha."
Sambil menatap ke bawah pada Chung Baek, Geom Muyang memiringkan kepalanya sedikit.
"Kau lebih takut pada pembuat senjata palsu itu daripada pada kami?"
Wajah Chung Baek penuh ketakutan. Demonic Cult di hadapannya memang menakutkan—tapi juga那些 dia已经 membuat kesepakatan dengan.
Ho Myeong melepaskan tekanan titik secukupnya agar dia bisa berjalan.
Sshhhhhhhhk!
Kreitan angin yang merobek telinga—diikuti suara memotong daging!
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Semua mata tertuju pada satu orang.
Sssssszzzzzz.
D dadanya, yang disengat senjata tersembunyi yang terkonsentrasi, telah meleleh terbuka, meninggalkan lubang menganga.
Tubuh Chung Baek ambruk ke depan tanpa perlawanan.
Berdiri di hadapannya adalah seorang pria yang membidik senjata tersembunyi berbentuk silinder. Dia terlihat seperti pemuda biasa.
Baik Ho Myeong, yang berjalan di samping Chung Baek, maupun Geom Muyang, yang mengikutinya dari belakang, tidak bisa阻止 pengintaian itu.
"Dasar bastar!"
Saat Ho Myeong akan menyerang—
Geom Muyang berteriak.
Ho Myeong membeku sejenak. Sebagai Pemimpin Cabang, dia tahu persis senjata tersembunyi jenis apa Blitz Blade itu—salah satu dari Sepuluh Senjata Tersembunyi Emas Naga Agung yang ditunjuk oleh Martial Alliance.
Pria itu menggeser Blitz Blade, yang sebelumnya ditujukan ke depan, dan mengarahkannya ke Geom Muyang.
Tapi Geom Muyang tidak menunjukkan ketakutan—ekspresinya berkata: jika kau akan menembak, silakan.
Saat itulah Ho Myeong menghunus pedangnya dan melangkah di depan Geom Muyang. Posisi它的nya jelas—dia akan memblokir serangan bahkan dengan tubuhnya sendiri.
Lalu, dia menggerakkan Blitz Blade—yang sebelumnya ditujukan ke Geom Muyang—ke bawah dagunya sendiri.
Swaeeek!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Sebelum siapapun bisa menghentikannya, dia telah mengakhiri hidupnya sendiri dengan Blitz Blade. Sejak awal, tujuannya jelas adalah membunuh Chung Baek dan kemudian bunuh diri.
Geom Muyang mendekati dan memeriksa Blitz Blade yang masih dipegang pria itu di tangan. Itu adalah Blitz Blade palsu itu—yang telah hampir membunuh saudaranya sendiri.
Tatapan Geom Muyang menjadi dingin membeku.
Bahwa seseorang telah memantau kedatangannya di sini, melakukan serangan mendadak, dan kemudian bunuh diri setelahnya—semuanya sangat berbicara. Bunuh diri terdengar sederhana, tapi membuat seseorang rela mengakhiri hidupnya sendiri setelah menyelesaikan misi bukanlah hal yang mudah. Itu berarti mereka tidak berhadapan dengan organisasi biasa.
Merasa bahwa masalah ini tidak akan mudah diselesaikan, Geom Muyang segera mengeluarkan perintah kepada Ho Myeong.
"Ya, dipahami."
Setelah itu, Geom Muyang berbalik pergi dari tempat itu.
Ho Myeong, yang mengikutinya, bertanya.
Karena mereka sudah datang ke pihak yang menyerahkan barang, sekarang waktunya pergi ke yang menerima.
"Kami akan pergi ke Faksi Tangan Hitam."
Geom Mugeuk baru saja keluar dari Heavenly Demon Pavilion ketika seseorang muncul di depan.
"Tuan Muda Kedua!"
"Lengan kananku! Apa kabar?"
Ketika Geom Mugeuk menyapanya dengan hangat, Seo Daeryong berlari mendekat dengan senyum lebar.
"Aku pasti telah mempertimbangkan ratusan kali apakah akan datang menyapa Tuan Muda Kedua di Heavenly Demon Pavilion atau tidak."
"Kau seharusnya datang."
Seo Daeryong mendongak menatap Heavenly Demon Pavilion. Struktur megahnya dan patung raksasa Heavenly Demon Spirit yang menjaganya sangat压倒性 untuk dilihat.
"Bagaimana aku bisa datang? Hanya melihatnya saja sudah mengerikan."
Mendengar itu, Geom Mugeuk memberinya tatapan curiga.
"Kau tidak lupa padaku karena sudah menghabiskan waktu dengan Nona Dan, kan?"
Rona merah muda samar muncul di wajah Seo Daeryong. Itu bukan asumsi yang sepenuhnya salah. Setiap waktu luang yang dia miliki, dia habiskan bersama Dan Ah.
Semua kakak-beradik Dan sibuk. Adik kedua, Dan Bi, dengan rajin bekerja sebagai pendekar penegak di Underworld Pavilion, dan yang bungsu, Dan Yeon, dimanja di Tenebrous Ghosts Corps.
Yang sulung, Dan Ah, setelah menerima instruksi pedang dari One-Slash Sword Supreme, telah mendedikasikan dirinya untuk latihan pedang.
"Hanya memikirkannya saja sudah membuatmu bahagia?"
Seo Daeryong merespons dengan seringuman bodoh alih-alih kata-kata.
Memiliki seseorang di sisinya—hanya fakta itu saja sudah membuatnya bahagia.
Seo Daeryong mengangkat bahu.
"Pada akhirnya, ada sesuatu yang telah kumenangkan dari Tuan Muda Kedua!"
"Apakah kau bisa menyebutnya kemenangan?"
"Jangan mengatakan sesuatu yang tidak menyenangkan dengan wajah seserius itu!"
"Ada sesuatu yang telah mengganggu pikiranmu akhir-akhir ini, bukan?"
"Apa yang membuatmu berpikir seperti itu?"
"Aku adalah lengan kananmu, ingat? Aku hanya tahu."
Tapi apakah dia benar-benar hanya tahu? Di masa lalu, mereka akan minum beberapa gelas di Kedai Flowing Wind sekarang. Seiring waktu berjalan, segalanya berubah—orang, keadaan.
'Même jika segala sesuatu di dunia ini berubah, aku tidak ingin ikatan ku dengan Tuan Muda Kedua pernah berubah! Aku ingin menjalani kehidupan di mana aku selalu memiliki seseorang yang dengan senang hati akan kuberikan hidupku.'
Bagaimana Geom Mugeuk bisa tidak memahami hatinya? Inilah tepatnya mengapa dia bisa menggodanya seperti ini.
"Karena bahkan lengan kananku pun telah menumbuhkan hati, mungkin sudah waktunya aku melepaskannya."
"Maaf, tapi même jika lengan kanan itu memiliki selusin anggota yang menggantung darinya, tetap tidak akan mau lepas!"
"Saudaraku telah meninggalkan sekte."
Fakta ini masih merupakan rahasia tertinggi—bahkan Master Underworld Pavilion belum tahu.
"Apakah dia telah undertake misi berbahaya?"
"Aku tidak tahu. Justru itulah yang membuatnya lebih mengganggu."
"Haruskah aku pergi dan membantu Tuan Muda Pertama?"
"Dia menganggapmu merepotkan, bukan?"
"Bukan hanya merepotkan—dia menakutkan. Tuan Muda Pertama itu mengerikan."
Jika demi Tuan Muda Kedua, dia bahkan bisa menemanai Tuan Muda Pertama. Apa yang tidak bisa dia lakukan?
"Kau kini memiliki seseorang untuk dijaga, jadi sebaiknya kau lebih berhati-hati dengan hidupmu."
Seo Daeryong tersentak—dia merasa ini bukan hanya lelucon, tapi pernyataan dari hati.
"Aku bahkan belum punya kesempatan untuk benar-benar menikmatinya, dan sekarang sudah harus berhati-hati?"
Saat itu, seorang prajurit Heavenly Communication Pavilion berlari menuju mereka.
"Intelijen baru telah tiba. Anda perlu datang bersama kami."
Saat dia mulai berjalan, mengikuti prajurit itu, Geom Mugeuk menoleh ke belakang pada Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong mengawasinya dengan kekhawatiran di matanya.
Dia pernah mengatakan ini kepada ayahnya setelah kembali melalui regresi:
Kini kata-kata ayahnya datang ke pikiran.
Jika kau berjalan di jalur ini, jangan bahkan berpikir tentang kebahagiaan.
Ya, Ayah. Saat itu, aku berani menyatakan bahwa aku akan bahagia, tapi semakin kuat seni bela diriku tumbuh dan semakin dalam hubungan yang kubangun, semakin sulit jalur ini terasa. Aku juga kini menyadari bahwa lebih mudah untuk berbicara dengan berani ketika kau tidak memiliki apa-apa untuk hilang.
Namun, seperti biasanya—aku akan menemukan jalan.
"Aku akan menemuimu segera. Mari minum bersama saat itu!"
"Pengawal yang menyerahkan barang kepada Faksi Tangan Hitam telah meninggal. Untunglah, T
Chapter 614: Wrinkles on This Handsome Face
The eyes of Bureau Chief Ji Dae-hyeong and the escort warriors turned toward a single man.
That man was none other than Chung Baek, the escort warrior responsible for delivering the goods to the Black Hand Faction.
“This is a ridiculous slander.”
His cry trembled just as much as his wavering eyes.
In contrast, Geom Muyang remained composed. He slowly walked toward Chung Baek. Not only Chung Baek, but Ji Dae-hyeong and the other escort warriors tensed up.
Geom Muyang stopped a few steps away and stared at Chung Baek. Even without intentionally glaring, his gaze was inherently cold.
It was a statement that implied: do you really think we came all this way just to frame an escort warrior?
That calm voice held a natural persuasiveness. After all, Branch Leader Ho Myeong had come personally, and the speaker seemed to be someone of even higher authority than a branch leader.
Before Chung Baek could make any excuses, Geom Muyang continued. His low voice carried weight, and its courtesy only made it more authoritative.
“I won’t press the matter of you deceiving the Bureau Chief. That’s something your own bureau should handle.”
“There’s only one thing I want to hear. Who entrusted the goods?”
A brief silence followed.
Ji Dae-hyeong did not step forward to defend Chung Baek by saying he didn’t need to answer. That was partly because he felt overwhelmed by Geom Muyang, and partly because he was starting to harbor doubts about Chung Baek.
“It wasn’t anything like that! Bureau Chief! Please believe me! This is a setup! I’m being wronged!”
Still, they couldn’t blindly accuse him. The opponent was the ruthless Demonic Cult.
Ji Dae-hyeong stepped in and asked Chung Baek in a gentle tone. After all, Chung Baek was still his subordinate for now.
“Escort Warrior Chung, calm down and tell us what happened.”
“The item was nothing unusual.”
Despite receiving various reports related to recent escort missions, nothing stood out as particularly suspicious. That meant either Chung Baek had filed a false report, or the Demonic Cult was framing him.
“It was a standard military weapon.”
“Who entrusted it to you?”
“I cannot speak of that in front of outsiders.”
Then came the words that should not have been uttered in this situation.
“Are you suspecting me?”
He certainly appeared suspicious.
“No. But if this is a conspiracy as you say, shouldn’t we uncover the truth?”
Just as he seemed to lower his voice and approach the Bureau Chief—
Whoosh!
Chung Baek hurled his body toward the entrance.
But someone moved even faster.
Before he could escape, a flying kick slammed into him, sending him rolling across the floor. Just as he sprang up—
The one who kicked him struck his pressure point and subdued his demon pulse.
The person who had anticipated his escape and blocked him was none other than Ho Myeong, the Branch Leader of the Changsha Branch.
As the head of the largest branch in the Honam region, his martial skill was extraordinary.
Geom Muyang spoke to Ji Dae-hyeong.
Though polite, Geom Muyang’s gaze was cold. The meaning behind it was clear: we’ve shown enough courtesy—now it’s your turn.
“We’ll be taking this man to the Changsha Branch.”
Looking down at Chung Baek, Geom Muyang tilted his head slightly.
“You’re more afraid of some counterfeit weapon makers than us?”
Chung Baek’s face was full of terror. The Demonic Cult before him was frightening—but so were the ones he had made a deal with.
Ho Myeong released the pressure point enough to allow him to walk.
Sshhhhhhhhk!
The screeching of wind that tore at the ears—followed by the sound of it slicing through flesh!
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
All eyes turned toward one person.
Sssssszzzzzz.
His chest, struck by concentrated hidden weapons, had melted open, leaving a gaping hole.
Chung Baek’s body collapsed forward without resistance.
Standing in front of him was a man aiming a cylindrical hidden weapon. He looked like an ordinary young man.
Neither Ho Myeong, who was walking beside Chung Baek, nor Geom Muyang, who followed behind, could stop the ambush.
“You bastard!”
Just as Ho Myeong was about to charge—
Geom Muyang shouted.
Ho Myeong froze for a moment. As a Branch Leader, he knew exactly what kind of hidden weapon Blitz Blade was—one of the Ten Great Golden Dragon Hidden Weapons designated by the Martial Alliance.
The man shifted the Blitz Blade, which had been aimed forward, and pointed it at Geom Muyang.
But Geom Muyang showed no fear—his expression said: if you’re going to fire, go ahead.
That was when Ho Myeong drew his sword and stepped in front of Geom Muyang. His stance made it clear—he would block the attack even with his body.
Then, he moved the Blitz Blade—previously aimed at Geom Muyang—beneath his own chin.
Swaeeek!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Before anyone could stop him, he had taken his own life with the Blitz Blade. From the start, his goal had clearly been to kill Chung Baek and then commit suicide.
Geom Muyang approached and examined the Blitz Blade still held in the man's hand. It was that counterfeit Blitz Blade—one that had nearly killed his own brother.
Geom Muyang’s gaze turned icy cold.
That someone had been watching his arrival here, had carried out a surprise attack, and then committed suicide afterward—it was all telling. Suicide sounded simple, but getting someone to willingly take their own life after completing a mission was anything but easy. It meant they were not dealing with an ordinary organization.
Sensing that this matter would not be easily resolved, Geom Muyang immediately issued an order to Ho Myeong.
“Yes, understood.”
After that, Geom Muyang turned back to Bureau Chief Ji Dae-hyeong.
Ji Dae-hyeong, startled and flustered, cried out.
“That man is not one of ours! We have nothing to do with him!”
“I know.”
At Geom Muyang’s calm reply, Ji Dae-hyeong let out a breath of relief.
He had suspected whether the Demonic Cult was up to something, but this ambush wiped away all such doubts.
“That man wouldn’t have gone so far as to commit murder and then eliminate himself over a one-time delivery.”
“Can you hand over the escort mission records from the time he served as an escort warrior?”
In the current situation, even if he had said, “Hand them over or die,” he would have had no choice but to comply. Yet Geom Muyang handled the matter with politeness and rationality.
“Don’t worry about those records leaking. Our only goal is to find the ones who killed him. Your escort warrior died—you deserve to know the truth, don’t you?”
Ji Dae-hyeong did not hesitate and gave a straightforward answer.
“Send them to the Changsha Branch of our cult.”
“Understood.”
Geom Muyang turned and left the place.
Ho Myeong, following behind, asked him.
Since they had come to the side that handed over the goods, it was now time to go to the ones who received them.
“We’re going to the Black Hand Faction.”
Geom Mugeuk was just exiting the Heavenly Demon Pavilion when someone appeared up ahead.
“Young Cult Leader!”
“My right arm! Have you been well?”
When Geom Mugeuk greeted him warmly, Seo Daeryong ran up with a wide smile.
“I must have agonized a hundred times over whether or not to come greet you at the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”
“You should have come.”
Seo Daeryong looked up at the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. Its majestic structure and the giant statue of the Heavenly Demon Spirit guarding it were overwhelming just to gaze upon.
“How could I come? Just looking at it is terrifying.”
At that, Geom Mugeuk gave him a suspicious look.
“You didn’t forget about me because you’ve been spending time with Lady Dan, did you?”
A faint blush rose on Seo Daeryong’s face. It wasn’t exactly a wrong assumption. Every bit of free time he had, he had spent with Dan Ah.
All of the Dan sisters were busy. The second sister, Dan Bi, was diligently working as an enforcement martial artist at the Underworld Pavilion, and the youngest, Dan Yeon, was being doted on in the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps.
The eldest, Dan Ah, after receiving sword instruction from the One-Slash Sword Supreme, had devoted herself to sword training.
“Just thinking about it makes you happy?”
Seo Daeryong responded with a goofy grin instead of words.
Having someone on his side—just that fact made him happy.
Seo Daeryong shrugged.
“Finally, there’s something I’ve beaten the Young Cult Leader at!”
“Can you really call it a victory?”
“Don’t say something so ominous with such a serious face!”
“Something’s been bothering you lately, hasn’t it?”
“What makes you think that?”
“I’m your right arm, remember? I just know.”
But did he really just know? In the old days, they would’ve had a few drinks at the Flowing Wind Tavern by now. As time passed, everything changed—people, circumstances.
‘Even if everything in the world changes, I don’t want my bond with the Young Cult Leader to ever change! I want to live a life where I always have someone I’d gladly give my life for.’
How could Geom Mugeuk not understand his heart? That was precisely why he could tease him like this.
“Since even my right arm has grown a heart, maybe it’s time I detached it.”
“I’m sorry, but even if that right arm had a dozen limbs hanging from it, it still wouldn’t come off!”
“My brother left the cult.”
This fact was still top secret—even the Underworld Pavilion Master didn’t know yet.
“Has he taken on a dangerous mission?”
“I don’t know. That’s why it bothers me even more.”
“Shall I go and assist the Great Young Master?”
“He finds you hard to deal with, doesn’t he?”
“Not just difficult—he’s scary. The Great Young Master is terrifying.”
If it were for the Young Cult Leader, he could even accompany the Great Young Master. What couldn’t he do?
“You’ve got someone to protect now, so you’d better be more careful with your life.”
Seo Daeryong flinched—he felt it wasn’t just a joke, but a heartfelt statement.
“I haven’t even had the chance to really enjoy it yet, and I already have to be cautious?”
At that moment, a Heavenly Communication Pavilion soldier came running toward them.
“New intel has arrived. You’ll need to come with us.”
As he began to walk, following the soldier, Geom Mugeuk looked back at Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong was watching him with worry in his eyes.
He had once said this to his father after returning through regression:
Now his father’s words came to mind.
If you’re walking this path, don’t even think about happiness.
Yes, Father. Back then, I boldly declared that I would be happy, but the stronger my martial arts grow and the deeper my relationships become, the more difficult this path feels. I also now realize that it’s easier to speak boldly when you have nothing to lose.
Still, as I always have—I’ll find a way.
“I’ll go see you soon. Let’s have a drink then!”
“The escort warrior who delivered the goods to the Black Hand Faction has died. Fortunately, the Great Young Master is unharmed.”
At Sima Myung’s report, Geom Mugeuk breathed a sigh of relief. He lightened the heavy atmosphere with a joke.
“Didn’t I tell you my brother’s no good? He should’ve saved the guy if he caught him. Instead, he saved only himself.”
“Once again, a counterfeit Blitz Blade was used. The assassin committed suicide on the spot.”
Both were alarming reports. This time, the fake item was a Blitz Blade with power close to the real thing.
What if that Blitz Blade had been fired at his brother?
On top of that, they were facing a group capable of forcing their assassins to commit suicide.
“Shall we send additional support?”
Geom Mugeuk’s deepening gaze turned toward the main division marked on the map.
Flags of various colors, the Demon Supreme Banners, were planted throughout the field. Geom Mugeuk’s gaze fell upon the golden banner symbolizing the Demonic Buddha.
If he were to send reinforcements now, his brother would be furious. It was a matter tied directly to his pride. The one person who might be able to soften that fury would likely be the Demonic Buddha.
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