“I can’t believe it.”
Gwak Yeong was deeply shocked when she learned that the White Dragon Corps Leader was involved in this affair.
She could understand, to a point, that the merchant who had supplied materials to the iron workshop had been involved. But the White Dragon Corps Leader had been colluding with the people behind it?
‘Could this man be deceiving me?’
How unbelievable did it have to be for such a thought to cross her mind?
But Gwak Yeong trusted this man. That was why even this thought occurred to her.
‘If he intended to deceive me, I’d be deceived helplessly.’
How many times had they even met? And yet now, she trusted this man more than the White Dragon Corps Leader.
“If it hadn’t been you who told me, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Geom Muyang, who normally would not have said anything, for some reason offered a single remark.
“If you trust just anyone like that, it will be hard to survive in this murim.”
After a brief pause, Gwak Yeong said,
“You’re not just anyone. You’re the benefactor who will save my younger brother, aren’t you? I have to trust you. Even if I can’t trust anyone else, I have to trust you. Even if everyone in the world curses you, I alone won’t.”
When Geom Muyang stared at her, Gwak Yeong said to him,
“Yes, I know I’m putting pressure on you. It’s just that this is all I can do right now.”
Geom Muyang, who had been looking at her, turned his head toward the window.
Just then, Homyeong entered the room.
“These are the materials sent by Tongcheon Pavilion regarding the White Dragon Corps Leader.”
Geom Muyang took the few sheets of paper Homyeong handed him and read them. They contained personal information on the White Dragon Corps Leader—what sort of temperament he had, and through what path he had risen to the position of corps leader.
“His wife died early, and he has one daughter.”
At that, Gwak Yeong cried out,
“His daughter must have been kidnapped.”
She had naturally assumed everyone would think so.
“Why do you think that?”
“What?”
“It could be something he chose to do himself, couldn’t it?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, Gwak Yeong was left speechless.
She had always thought the White Dragon Corps Leader was a good person. Whenever he saw her, he treated her warmly, with a smile.
But thinking about it, she knew almost nothing about the White Dragon Corps Leader.
If she judged it coldly, the man who had just read those documents likely knew more about him than she did, despite having known him for over ten years.
Could it truly have been his choice, not because of threats?
“What will you do now?”
“I’ll meet the White Dragon Corps Leader.”
“Will he agree to meet you?”
There was no way the White Dragon Corps Leader would meet him. And even if he did, he would surely have countless experts lying in ambush.
But Geom Muyang said something she had not expected.
“The one meeting the White Dragon Corps Leader won’t be me. It will be you.”
Gwak Yeong was startled. She could tell he meant it. Since meeting him, this man had never once made anything like a joke.
“You told me to use you to catch them, didn’t you?”
“That’s true, but…”
She knew it too. This was not a problem that would be solved by hiding as though they were being chased.
To find out where her younger brother was, they had to follow this clue. Right now, everything they knew about the enemy began and ended with the White Dragon Corps Leader.
But that was not the important part.
“You said my brother would die if I went outside, didn’t you?”
Geom Muyang nodded.
“And you’re still telling me to go?”
Once again, he nodded. Rather than resentment, bewilderment came first. She knew well that he was not the sort of person to break a promise so easily.
“You promised you would save my brother.”
“This is to keep that promise.”
Gwak Yeong stared at Geom Muyang. His eyes seemed to say this. No, she hoped they were saying it.
If you’ve decided to trust me once, trust me to the end.
Last time, she had begged and shouted for him not to let her out even if she died. She had said that even if he told her to lie buried in the dirt breathing through a reed, she would do it.
But this time, those words did not come out. Because despite everything she had said, he was telling her to do this. That meant it was something that had to be done.
“Fine. In return, make me one more promise.”
She spoke honestly.
“If you’re going to save him anyway, make sure you save me too.”
* * *
“Bring me some porridge.”
At the customer’s request, the restaurant owner was about to say that they did not sell porridge, but then he flinched.
The customer was a martial artist with white hair and a square face, and his face was filled with anger.
From long experience, the owner knew very well that he must not offend the temper of such a guest.
“Yes, I’ll prepare it at once and bring it out.”
The martial artist was none other than Han Wolgaek.
After going in and out of the privy all day, he had only just managed to settle down. This was truly the first time he had ever suffered such a severe stomach upset.
‘To think I couldn’t regulate it with my internal energy. Have I grown old too?’
It never occurred to him that someone might have deliberately caused him to suffer an upset stomach.
Since it had happened after he drank wine and ate side dishes at Honghwaru, he ought to have turned the place upside down. There was only one reason he held himself back.
They say Han Wolgaek had a stomachache. They say he spent the whole day running to the privy.
He absolutely could not tolerate such rumors spreading through the murim.
A short while later, the owner brought the porridge.
After eating even a bowl of porridge like that, he finally felt somewhat alive again. To think skipping meals for just one day could leave him this hungry.
Just then, a little child entered the restaurant and handed Han Wolgaek a note.
“A martial artist told me to give this to you.”
Then the child scampered away.
After checking the contents of the note, Han Wolgaek burned it with his Fiery Yang true qi.
Fwoosh.
Those Demonic Cult bastards he had failed to kill yesterday—he could simply kill them all today. Those miserable lives had merely been granted one more day by his mercy.
Han Wolgaek rose from his seat and left the restaurant.
As he walked toward the entrance, he saw a familiar young man eating.
‘Where have I seen him before?’
Then his eyes fell on the collecting basket and herb pouch set beside the young man.
‘Ah! That fellow from then!’
The one who had been crouching by the roadside staring at grass, to whom he had advised that he should swing a sword instead if he had time for that. Of course, he was the Poison King.
Han Wolgaek was about to simply pass by, but then turned back and walked over to the Poison King.
He had met this man right before his stomach trouble began. With a faint suspicion, he looked down at him. If the man had done something to him, surely he would not show his face again like this.
As if he had no idea someone was standing before him glaring, the Poison King simply kept his head lowered and continued eating.
“Hey.”
Only when Han Wolgaek called out did the Poison King raise his head.
“Why are you loitering around me?”
The Poison King wore an expression that said he had no idea what Han Wolgaek was talking about. He even seemed not to remember him.
I remember him, but he doesn’t remember me? It was a subtly irritating blow to his pride.
How dare he not remember me?
He was displeased, but he could not get angry over something like that.
“Fine. If your head is dull, then I suppose you’ll have to dig up herbs diligently to make a living.”
Han Wolgaek turned away. For one reason or another, he was in a foul mood.
Was failing to remember his face really something to snap at the man over? How petty. Truly petty.
That thought crossed his mind, but he did not go back and apologize.
How long had he walked after leaving the restaurant?
Han Wolgaek began scratching his arm. It itched as though he had been bitten by a mosquito, but scratching did not make it feel better.
At first his arm prickled, and then his back began to itch.
‘Damn it, why am I suddenly so itchy?’
When he rolled up his sleeve, his arm was covered in millet-sized hives. The sight startled him.
‘No way. Did that porridge upset me too?’
It was not only his arm. His back, stomach, legs, and even his buttocks—his whole body itched so much he could not bear it.
Forget dignity or anything else; he stood in the street and scratched himself furiously. Passersby went far around him to avoid him. It itched too much for him even to get angry.
He tried to draw up his internal energy and do something about it, but no method he knew could stop the itching.
At that moment, an old man who had been telling fortunes by the roadside spoke to him. His words were enough to make Han Wolgaek forget even the itching.
“Sir, you have come to a place you should not have come.”
Han Wolgaek looked at the fortune-telling old man while scratching himself. The old man’s gaze was rather deep, and he seemed to possess some spiritual insight.
“What are you talking about?”
The fortune-telling old man said to Han Wolgaek,
“You came to drive out devils, only to become possessed by one yourself.”
Han Wolgaek stood blankly for a moment and stared at the fortune-telling old man. The reason he did not roar at him for spouting nonsense was that the old man had guessed he had come to drive out devils.
“Leave the land of Wuhan at once, before a greater disaster befalls you.”
In the end, he could not hold back and shouted,
“Enough nonsense!”
He was going mad from the itching, and now what was this old man saying? What was wrong with everyone today?
He should have spoken with the old man a little longer, but Han Wolgaek could no longer endure it.
He began running with lightness skill toward a physician.
Once Han Wolgaek left, the Poison King came over and sat side by side with the old man.
The fortune-telling old man was none other than Sangseon, who served the Poison King.
“He won’t be able to move today either.”
If a mere physician could solve it, how would he be called the Poison King? Perhaps if the Martial Alliance’s Divine Physician came, it would be another matter. As for today, he would get nothing done but scratch himself.
“I had originally intended to use something less painful.”
It was the result of Han Wolgaek letting his mouth run carelessly.
Sangseon looked at the Poison King with a smile. Though he so hated coming out into the world, once he did, the Poison King handled anything this well.
“Still, this much won’t make him leave.”
At Sangseon’s words, the Poison King spoke with meaning.
“If he sees even a ghost, he’ll believe your fortune.”
* * *
“Artisan Gwak has returned.”
At his subordinate’s report, the White Dragon Corps Leader was startled.
Indeed, Gwak Yeong was entering after following his subordinate.
“What on earth happened?”
“That’s what I want to ask. I went out briefly for outside business and came back, only to hear that I had been kidnapped.”
At those words, not only the White Dragon Corps Leader, but all the martial artists with him were shocked.
“Then you weren’t kidnapped?”
“As you can see.”
The White Dragon Corps Leader looked her over. Since she did not have a single injury, her words seemed true.
“Who on earth said that? That I had been kidnapped?”
“There was an anonymous report from someone who claimed to have witnessed you being kidnapped. After receiving the report, we checked your residence and found you gone.”
“It was a false report.”
The White Dragon Corps Leader looked at her for a moment, then smiled broadly.
“It is fortunate that you have returned like this.”
The White Dragon Corps Leader said to his subordinates,
“Stop the search and return to the Alliance. Prepare a carriage to escort Artisan Gwak.”
The subordinates who received the order moved busily. They also sent people to relay the order to those searching other areas.
The White Dragon Corps Leader said to Gwak Yeong,
“Come, let us return together.”
“I’ve made you go through trouble for nothing because of me.”
“It is enough that you are safe.”
The two boarded the carriage, and the subordinates escorted it as they went.
No matter how Gwak Yeong looked at him, she could find nothing suspicious about the White Dragon Corps Leader. He asked her several times whether she was hurt anywhere.
‘This man is a villain?’
This time, it seemed that man had made a mistake. Seeing him again, she could tell. The White Dragon Corps Leader was a good person.
As they were returning, the White Dragon Corps Leader had the carriage stop.
He said to his subordinates,
“You go back first.”
And so the White Dragon Corps Leader sent the carriage and his subordinates back ahead of them.
“You and I should have a brief talk.”
The place where the carriage had stopped was the very estate where Geom Muyang had first hidden.
The two entered the estate. Traces of construction remained here and there.
“What is this place?”
At that, the White Dragon Corps Leader said coldly,
“You know, don’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“The place where they first brought you.”
He seemed certain that she had been kidnapped.
“Why are you lying?”
“I am not lying.”
The White Dragon Corps Leader’s expression changed. It was an expression that made her think, So this man can wear such a cold face too.
“Where are they now?”
At the White Dragon Corps Leader’s interrogation, a question arose in her mind.
“Why didn’t you ask this when everyone was present, instead of here, when it’s just the two of us?”
“For your sake.”
Gwak Yeong’s expression also settled calmly.
“You think I am in league with them.”
“Are you not?”
At that, Gwak Yeong said with a meaningful expression,
“I am in league with you, Corps Leader.”
For an instant, the White Dragon Corps Leader’s expression flinched.
“I know as well. That you are on my side.”
The White Dragon Corps Leader silently stared at Gwak Yeong. From that gaze, Gwak Yeong could tell. This man had truly joined hands with them.
“If you suspected me, isn’t it dangerous for you to be here alone like this?”
Just then, a voice came from behind.
“He must have something he’s relying on.”
Geom Muyang emerged from behind the building. Behind him, Homyeong and the martial artists of the Ji Corps followed.
But even at their appearance, the White Dragon Corps Leader showed no surprise or fear whatsoever. Rather, a trace of gladness crossed his face.
“You must have intended to use this woman to lure me out, but I had already expected as much.”
At those words, Gwak Yeong looked at Geom Muyang in shock.
They had set a trap, only to be caught in one themselves.
Geom Muyang’s face remained impassive, revealing no emotion.
The White Dragon Corps Leader shouted loudly.
“Please come out now and wipe out all these devil bastards!”
The person he was relying on was Han Wolgaek. If it was him, not a single demonic practitioner here would be able to return alive. The Han Wolgaek he knew was an absolute master who represented the orthodox sects.
“Please come out!”
But Han Wolgaek did not reveal himself.
The White Dragon Corps Leader’s expression hardened. He had proceeded with this matter believing that he would definitely come. He had said he would definitely come.
“Whoever it was, it seems he isn’t coming.”
At that very moment!
The manor gates slowly began to open.
‘He’s here!’
The White Dragon Corps Leader, who had been rejoicing, was startled out of his wits. The person who entered was not Han Wolgaek. Someone truly unexpected had appeared.
‘Why is this person here?’
He was so shocked that he was at a loss for words for a moment.
But soon, one thought occurred to him. There was no way this man could be on the same side as those demonic practitioners.
‘He sent this person instead of Han Wolgaek!’
Inwardly, the White Dragon Corps Leader was truly astonished. To think his influence was enough to move even this person.
Amazingly, the person who had appeared there was Jin Hagun, the leader of the Demon Extermination Unit.
Martial artists climbed up and surrounded the manor atop its walls. They were the warriors of the Demon Extermination Unit.
Homyeong and the martial artists of the Ji Corps all drew their swords at once and formed a ring around Geom Muyang.
A smile appeared on the White Dragon Corps Leader’s lips.
“Leader Jin! Quickly eliminate these wicked enemies of the Demonic Cult!”
Jin Hagun’s and Geom Muyang’s gazes met in midair.
Among their subordinate warriors, a taut tension flowed, as if it might burst at any moment.
Geom Muyang’s gaze shifted from Jin Hagun to the White Dragon Corps Leader.
“When is the person you called coming?”
At the unexpected question, the White Dragon Corps Leader turned to Jin Hagun with an incredulous expression and shouted.
“What madness are you spouting? Is he not right here?”
Then astonishing words flowed from Geom Muyang’s mouth.
“That man is someone I called.”