Jin Hagun had expected Cheonae Geosa to show some reaction.
He thought that, at the words that a great evil had awakened, the man might send him some meaningful look.
Yes, that evil is me.
But Hwa Yulcheong showed no such sign at all. He looked shocked, flustered, and worried—a reaction that made Jin Hagun’s intentions seem pointless.
“Captain Jin, what on earth do you mean? A great evil?”
Jin Hagun looked at the Jingeok that Chief Steward Ju had shown earlier and said,
“That concealed weapon is an exquisitely crafted counterfeit. Recently, those fakes have been circulating through the murim in secret.”
At those words, the leaders around them murmured in agitation. In particular, the Sect Master of Ilgeom, who hated the Demonic Cult and had believed it to be their doing, frowned. If it was a fake, then it could not necessarily be said to be the Demonic Cult’s work.
“I cannot speak in more detail here.”
Jin Hagun did not say that it was not the work of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Nor did he speak of the death of the White Dragon Corps Leader.
For now, there was nothing to be gained by provoking their feelings.
Hwa Yulcheong’s eyes shone with righteous fervor.
“If you need help, tell me anytime.”
At Hwa Yulcheong’s words, the sect leaders also sent him reassuring looks, as if to say he had only to call on them at any time.
Jin Hagun cupped his fist respectfully and said,
“You all, great and righteous heroes, are protecting the upright spirit of this murim. On behalf of the Alliance, I offer you my sincere gratitude.”
After greeting them thus, he took his leave.
“I will be going now. Please rest.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Though he had told him simply to rest, Hwa Yulcheong rose from the bed. As his entire life had shown, he was not a man who rested for even a moment.
Jin Hagun went over and supported him. His rough hand was dry, all bone beneath the skin.
“It has been a very long time since I held your hand.”
Jin Hagun tried to recall whether he had ever held hands with him, but he could not remember. It must have been something from long ago, when he was young.
Hwa Yulcheong also said to the leaders present,
“You all should return now as well.”
Jin Hagun had thought of them as the wall protecting Hwa Yulcheong, but Hwa Yulcheong was trying to send them all away. With each word he spoke, Jin Hagun’s suspicions lessened by another fraction.
The leaders followed behind the two of them.
“They may attempt another ambush. We will protect you.”
At the words of the Byeoksong Sect Master, Hwa Yulcheong shook his head.
“I am of an age where I would have no regrets even if I died now.”
“Please do not say such things.”
This time, the Sect Master of Ilgeom stepped forward.
“You must protect the murim for another thirty years yet.”
“You fool, by then even you cannot guarantee you’ll still be here.”
The leaders following behind laughed. Everyone was relieved and happy that Hwa Yulcheong was safe.
Feeling the hand that leaned on him, Jin Hagun suddenly had this thought.
What if he truly is an evil man?
Perhaps the disguised life he had lived for decades had become his real life. Perhaps, while pretending to live virtuously, he had ended up becoming a great hero.
If that were the case, how could anyone see through such a life?
He might even be deceiving himself.
Then someone naturally came to mind.
A person who, no matter how much the other party hid and hid again, seemed as though he would eventually dig it all up.
A person who would thrust his head deep into the other’s heart and brightly ask, “What is this pitch-black hole here?”
A person who seemed like he would say, “I’ll tell you if you promise to dance with me!”
Just then, Hwa Yulcheong asked from beside him,
“Why are you smiling like that?”
For a moment, Jin Hagun flinched and looked at him. It seemed he had been smiling without realizing it.
“Since you are safe, Elder, I am in a good mood as well.”
Jin Hagun shook that person from his mind. This matter was something he had to resolve himself, no matter what.
And so they came out into the main hall.
When the martial artists waiting outside saw Hwa Yulcheong, they cheered in joy. Each person called him by a different name.
Manor Lord Hwa, Great Hero Hwa, Elder Hwa, Hero Hwa.
But the respect that filled their faces was all the same. There was no one gathered here who had not received help from him at least once.
Perhaps the rumor was spreading, for there were even more martial artists gathered than before.
Hearing the cheers from inside, those outside also shouted. It seemed the martial artists who had not been able to enter the manor had formed ranks outside.
At this rate, before the day was over, all the martial artists of Wuhan would know that Hwa Yulcheong had been ambushed.
Jin Hagun silently watched the people in the courtyard chanting Hwa Yulcheong’s name.
They were excited, like men going off to war.
With a single concealed weapon, Wuhan was truly boiling over.
Just then, a martial artist came in from outside and reported something to the Sect Master of Ilgeom.
The Sect Master of Ilgeom reported to Hwa Yulcheong.
“We have found the place where the Demonic Cult bastards are hiding!”
The person most startled by those words was Jin Hagun.
The Sect Master of Ilgeom gathered his subordinates and went out first.
“I will go.”
The others followed after him.
“We will help.”
Several leaders moved with him. Half of the people there ran outside together.
Jin Hagun could not simply stand by either. If they truly had found Geom Muyang’s residence, he had to go and prevent a clash.
“I will go as well.”
As Jin Hagun followed them out, Hwa Yulcheong said to him,
“A great evil possesses conviction. A wicked and distorted conviction. That conviction makes evil even stronger.”
Their gazes intertwined in midair.
Jin Hagun wanted to ask how one was supposed to overcome that, but now there was no time for such a conversation.
“I will return.”
Jin Hagun launched himself forward. From behind him, Hwa Yulcheong’s voice reached his ears. As he had when they were alone, he called him by name.
“Be careful, Hagun.”
* * *
The operation room of Tongcheon Pavilion was busy today as well.
Because the highest level of emergency had been declared, the situation was, in truth, wartime.
Not only Tongcheon Pavilion but even Eunwol had joined forces, pouring all their intelligence resources into Wuhan.
Because of that, information was moving between the main headquarters and Wuhan faster and more accurately than ever before.
And today, an unexpected piece of news arrived.
An adjutant brought in an urgent dispatch with a shocked expression and reported,
“The Demon-Banning Order has been broken.”
The operation room, which had been moving busily, was suddenly enveloped in silence. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the adjutant who had made the report.
Sama Myeong’s expression hardened. It was the first time this had happened since he had become Chief Strategist.
The Demon-Banning Order had been broken?
It was a report that absolutely should not exist. And at a time of such extreme emergency, of all times.
The Demon-Banning Order was a special punishment issued by the Cult Leader’s decree.
It was usually imposed when a demon who had rendered great service committed a crime: when his past achievements were too great to imprison him in the thunder prison, yet the crime could not be overlooked.
They would have their internal energy suppressed and live throughout the Central Plains with their identities hidden. They usually lived as hunters, woodcutters, herb gatherers, or in other occupations that brought them little contact with people, though in rare cases they were permitted to run businesses in marketplaces.
Each of them was absolutely forbidden from leaving their assigned region.
If they violated the Demon-Banning Order and left their designated area, the severest punishment was imposed. Since they had violated the Cult Leader’s decree, they were killed only after being subjected to terrible agony.
That was why they might rather take their own lives, but they would never break the Demon-Banning Order.
“Who broke it?”
Then an astonishing name flowed out.
“The Demon Flame Lord has violated the Demon-Banning Order and left his area.”
The Demon Flame Lord was a demon of the previous generation, a figure who had already possessed Demon Venerable-level strength in those days.
The adjutant went to the box containing the flags and brought out the flag marked with Flame. The flag placed on the strategic map was covered in dust, having gone unused for a long time.
“And it is said that he has released the restriction on his internal energy.”
It was an even more astonishing report than the news that he had escaped.
Naturally, when they were confined, their acupoints were suppressed so that they could not use internal energy. At that time, a restriction was also placed upon them, and if it was not released by headquarters but instead undone through their own internal energy, they would die within a few days.
The day of death varied depending on the martial skill they possessed—at the shortest, one day; at the longest, seven days. After seven days, death was certain.
There was no way they would not know that, yet they had released the internal energy restriction and escaped?
Either they had resolved themselves for death, or they believed they would not die.
And the person who broke the Demon-Banning Order today was not only him.
Another urgent report flew in.
“White Bone Soul Demon has broken the Demon-Banning Order and departed.”
The flag marked Bone was also placed on the strategic map. White Bone Soul Demon was a demon of two generations past, older than the Demon Flame Lord, and a figure who had reached the astonishing age of one hundred and fifty.
‘So he was still alive!’
Even Sama Myeong had forgotten his existence.
If only one person had left, it could be considered an impulsive choice, but if two had left, that meant there had been external influence.
‘Someone has drawn them out.’
Someone who could discover their locations, which were secrets of the cult, and also persuade them.
As expected, the next report followed.
“They are heading toward Wuhan.”
Sama Myeong’s expression hardened. Either one of those two experts, if released, was capable of stirring up a great bloody storm in the murim. And such great demons were going to Wuhan? It was truly the worst possible situation.
It was already like treading on thin ice with the Demon Venerables there, and now the old demons who had broken the Demon-Banning Order were going there as well?
It was impossible to know whose hand they would seize and drag down into the abyss when the ice shattered.
“Shall we send a pursuit force?”
Under normal circumstances, they would have dispatched the elites, including the Demon Army, and pursued them.
No matter what happened, no matter how great the sacrifice, they would absolutely pursue and capture them. In doing so, they had to show that the Demon-Banning Order was a principle that must never be broken.
But Sama Myeong shook his head. Not this time. No, he could not. In this situation, he could not dispatch even the Demon Army to Wuhan.
Looking at the two newly appeared flags, Sama Myeong asked,
“Do you even know who is there before you go?”
Sama Myeong’s gaze turned to one place.
“Send an urgent dispatch and inform him of this.”
It was toward the new flag that had arrived in Wuhan only today.
Extreme.
* * *
“There are people I know in Wuhan.”
With those short legs of his, the Demon Buddha had diligently woven connections, and he had them here in Wuhan as well.
“I intend to use their help to dig into Cheonae Geosa’s side.”
Would mere acquaintances help with something like this? The Demon Buddha was trying to use a card he had been saving for his sake. Guessing as much, Geom Muyang expressed his gratitude politely.
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. It is only natural.”
Now that the Eldest Young Master had asked for help, the Demon Buddha would use everything he could to assist Geom Muyang. If there was nothing more he could do, he intended to help even if it meant selling the underwear he was wearing.
It was then. Homyeong quickly entered and reported,
“The Demon Extermination Squad and the martial artists of Wuhan are coming here. You must leave immediately.”
Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha left the room at once without a word.
There was no way the Demon Extermination Squad would have joined forces with them and come here. The martial artists of Wuhan were probably attacking, and the squad was coming along with them, trying to prevent a clash somehow. Leaving quickly was the way to help Jin Hagun.
Geom Muyang had not expected that a situation would come in which he had to leave this place again. Truly, the situation in Wuhan was riding a rapid current.
They quickly escaped through the back gate. Since it was not his first time, Gwak Yeong was not afraid and ran after them.
Swish!
At the Demon Buddha’s finger wind, the man keeping watch at the end of the alley collapsed. The Demon Buddha did not kill him, only knocked him unconscious.
Geom Muyang said to the Jidan martial artists,
“Even if you run into them, you must not kill them!”
Because that was likely what the forces behind this wanted.
No sooner had they escaped than the Demon Extermination Squad and the Wuhan martial artists burst into the place.
“They just left! Hurry, let us pursue them.”
At the Sect Master of Ilgeom’s shout, Jin Hagun said to him,
“From this point on, our unit will pursue them.”
But the Sect Master of Ilgeom did not withdraw meekly.
“This matter concerns Geosa-nim. Please allow us to help.”
The eyes of the martial artists standing behind him were also earnest.
If he forced them to stop, he could stop them, but in the current situation, he could not do that. Moreover, the Sect Master of Ilgeom was a man whose arm had once been severed by a demon.
‘I trust you will get away on your own.’
Jin Hagun trusted Geom Muyang. Besides, the Demon Buddha was with him as well.
“Very well. Let us pursue them together.”
And so they began their pursuit.
And far away, on top of an old tree, two people were watching the scene. Standing on a slender branch, they looked handsome and fresh.
They were none other than Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King.
“He acts so high and mighty with me. Look at that. He is being chased in a panic by martial artists of the Murim Alliance.”
“If it were you, you would have even more of them trailing behind you.”
Pretending not to hear, Geom Mugeuk said only what he wanted to say.
“Good grief, light is practically shining from the Demon Buddha’s body. How does he intend to run away like that?”
The mere sight of the two of them standing side by side on the branch formed a scene like a painting.
As he watched Geom Muyang and Jin Hagun far away, chasing and being chased, Geom Mugeuk’s eyes deepened.
“In any case, these bastards are touching both my brother and my friend at the same time.”
Geom Mugeuk turned to look at the Poison King and added,
“And even our Poison King’s faithful gatherer.”
The Poison King nodded with an expression that said that was what angered him most.
“What will you do now?”
The Poison King was eager to quickly finish the matter in Wuhan and go dig up poisonous herbs with the Demon Buddha.
But Geom Mugeuk knew this matter was not so simple. That was why he had come personally.
Besides, he had even promised Sama Myeong that he would not step forward himself. Of course, it was a promise he would not be able to keep.
“Let us first go to a tavern where many pretty female heroes come and have a drink. I really came here without resting for even a moment. I hear the women of Wuhan are very beautiful.”
The Poison King looked toward the distant scene of pursuit. His expression seemed to say, And yet that mess is happening over there? Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“The two of them will handle it just fine. Let us take this opportunity to let those two boring people become a little closer. We will have a drink with the female heroes and make our plans.”
Looking down at the dazzling streets of Wuhan, Geom Mugeuk added calmly,
“Who says they are the only ones allowed to weave conspiracies?”
Absolute Regression, Chapter 636