Why is Mok Riseon a spy?
There are a few reasons to make that judgment.
First.
‘There are many gaps in the information.’
There was an abundance of suspicious points within the summarized information provided.
First, while it's true that Gyecheonmun isn't exactly a righteous sect, they were overestimating the extent to which they made contact with external forces.
‘He even said with his own mouth that it was a decent-looking merchant guild on the surface.’
If one were to nitpick, it could be doubted.
Whether it was the Choya Merchant Guild or the Chia Merchant Guild. I'm not sure of the exact name, but at least seven times a fortnight.
That is the number of times Gyecheonmun and that merchant guild made contact.
It was a frequency of contact that seemed excessive even at a glance...
The important thing here is,
‘He is overly sensitive and precise regarding this frequency.’
Looking at the information sent, he had dug into this almost obsessively.
Especially if he went as far as adding a tail, it meant he proceeded while taking considerable risks.
The problem is,
‘The justification for going that far is flimsy.’
A justification to move excessively just because Gyecheonmun is suspicious.
No matter how I looked at it, I couldn't see one.
As I said just before, is he viewing them sensitively because Gyecheonmun is perhaps dismissed as an Unorthodox faction?
That could be the case.
As Mok Riseon said, this is the point where the Tang Sect has halted its activities.
Then, what remains is the Murim Alliance and the Emei Sect... Right now, even the Gwonseon of the Emei Sect's Sect Leader is away from their seat.
In this situation, it might be right to keep a close eye on them, but...
‘Then what about the Gwiakchang?’
The story about that bastard Tang Deok is the same.
Tying them to the Demonic Cult just because their physical description is similar? This is also a subtle matter.
Of course, rumors about the Demonic Cult are slowly starting to rise across the Central Plains, so perhaps he judged the Gwiakchang, who killed the Dowang and fled, cautiously?
No, rather than that, it feels closer to somewhat forcibly making it fit.
Even the matter regarding the Azure Dragon Squad was like that.
‘He said the Azure Dragon Squad would be late, but he showed not a single hint of disappointment.’
If he were disappointed, should I see it as an act of ignoring me? No.
Look at it objectively. The Seongryong Squad is on its first sortie and lacks experience. Moreover, you can tell just by looking at me, the Squad Leader.
A guy from the later generations who just became a Squad Leader.
At a point where one doesn't even know if he has the ability or not, we requested help from the Alliance, and suddenly this young bastard came.
‘Even if it's known that I'm strong. That's a different story.’
In such a situation, the Azure Dragon Squad Leader decided to come along.
Then what would normally be the case?
‘They would either cheer or be relieved that it's a blessing.’
It's only natural to prefer an experienced and skilled Squad Leader over an inexperienced one, so I don't view this badly. This would be the normal reaction.
From that standpoint, what was the attitude shown by the Branch Leader?
‘He was relieved, yes.’
Yes, he was relieved. However.
‘He was relieved that the Azure Dragon Squad Leader was not coming.’
The Azure Dragon Squad Leader will arrive a little late.
Mok Riseon reacted to those words. And that reaction, though subtle, was definitely relief.
It's a strange thing.
Why did Mok Riseon react like that to the Azure Dragon Squad Leader being late?
And conversely.
‘Did he feel uneasy because he thought I would do the job properly?’
A difference one wouldn't notice without focusing.
My heightened aura perception could grasp even those emotions.
It was the same even after that.
When I asked for the full information instead of the summarized version.
When I said I would move around immediately rather than take a rest.
Mok Riseon's reactions were truly strange.
They were such minute changes that it could have been my illusion.
Parts I mistook because I was being overly sensitive.
From a certain perspective, one could judge it that way.
However, there was a separate reason I could be certain that Mok Riseon was a spy.
‘Fortunately, I knew as soon as I saw him.’
Leaving aside his actions and justifications, he was a guy I had already seen once in my past life.
‘Filth-Slaughter Iron Demon (汚戮鐵魔), Mok Riseon.’
The demonic human who had been stuck next to the Gyecheon Sect Leader who fell and became a demonic human in my past life.
That guy was him.
‘I had forgotten.’
That the Sichuan Branch's Branch Leader became a demonic human. I had lived forgetting it until I saw it.
Since there were more than one or two who fell from the Orthodox faction to become demonic humans, it was a fact I had completely forgotten.
‘Was it from now?’
Mok Riseon, who was entangled in something with the Gyecheon Sect Leader.
It seemed the guy had some kind of purpose.
“I thought something was strange, you see.”
I felt it was subtle when the Demonic Cult was suddenly mentioned as being entangled with Gyecheonmun, but it seems they certainly have some ulterior motive.
And that too, between the Murim Alliance branch and Gyecheonmun.
‘And yet, the information here says there is contact with external personnel...’
Since it's information provided by the branch, it seems difficult to believe it lightly.
Because even this might be false.
‘Hmm.’
If it comes to this, what should I do?
‘What is there to do.’
At times like this, a predetermined answer already exists.
The given information can't be trusted, but something is going on? Then there is only one answer.
‘Just find out.’
Run directly with my own feet and confirm it.
There was nothing easier than that.
Creak.
I open a door and step inside.
The location is a little away from the county in Sichuan.
As soon as I entered, a faint smell of food wafted in.
“Welcome-!”
I asked, looking at the waiter running over with a bright smile.
“I'm feeling a bit famished. Can I fill my stomach?”
“Ah, w-well...”
The waiter speaks as if slightly troubled by the question.
“It is possible, but... as you can see, we are fully seated right now... You would have to share a table. Would that be okay?”
Hearing the words, I turn my gaze.
As he said, the tavern was packed with people.
Although it was a small tavern in the outskirts, how delicious must the food be for there to be this many people.
I smirked and said to the waiter.
“I don't mind.”
“Ah! Young Hero! Thank you for understanding! I will guide you right away.”
The waiter left like that, and after a little while passed. He reappeared and guided me.
“You can sit over there.”
When I took my seat, a woman who looked to be a mother and her child were sitting there.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
When I said it with a smile, the woman and child also smiled and bowed their heads.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Wow-!”
“You little rascal! Dongjin! You shouldn't make loud noises in a tavern. Eat quickly, your food is getting cold.”
“Okay.”
At their natural appearance, I sat down lightly and said to the waiter.
“Some simple food and tea, please.”
“If it's something simple...”
“If you have dumplings, I'll have that. If not, any kind of thin noodles is fine.”
“Won't you have any alcohol separately? Our food and alcohol taste really good.”
“I'm not really craving it. Just bring what I ordered.”
“Understood. One noodles here!”
The waiter who took the order left to the other side. I was sitting still waiting, but I felt a gaze from the side.
It was the child who was eating his food diligently.
I looked at him, wondering why he was acting like that.
“Hey, big brother.”
The child spoke to me.
“Hmm?”
“Are you a martial artist, big brother?”
At the bright question, the mother was startled and stopped the child.
“Y-you rascal! Why are you calling a Young Hero 'big brother'? You shouldn't be so rude.”
“...Huh...?”
“I'm sorry, Young Hero... The child still lacks manners. P-please understand with your generous heart.”
“It's fine. There's no need to worry so much.”
I waved my hand slightly and spoke looking at the child.
“That's right. I am a martial artist, at least.”
“Wow-! But you aren't wearing a sword or anything?”
“I don't use things like that.”
“I see. Everyone else was wearing them...”
“Normally, people carry them around.”
Since martial artists who use weapons vastly outnumber those in the unarmed combat styles, it was obvious.
Even after that, the child's curiosity seemed endless as he continued to ask me questions.
“Where do you live, big brother?”
“Far away. Do you know Shanxi?”
“No. I don't know.”
“It's way over there. Don't ever come there. There's nothing to see.”
“Then did you come from there, big brother?”
“I live there, but I came from Henan.”
Hearing the answer, this time the woman widened her eyes.
“Oh my, did the Young Hero come from Henan? I knew you came from out of town, but you've come from far away.”
“Yes. I'm here for a short while because of some business.”
“Business... This place is far from the county, though...”
“I happened to have an errand, and I stopped by to fill my stomach as well.”
While we were having a quiet conversation, the noodles arrived on the table.
“Here is your food. Enjoy your meal!”
It was a dish that looked truly appetizing.
Looking at it definitively, I was indeed a bit hungry.
Before taking a bite, I first drank a cup of the tea next to it.
“Hmm.”
It's just basic tea.
I truly don't feel anything.
Feeling that, I spoke as if it was unexpected.
“No poison? I thought it would obviously be poisoned.”
Words muttered quietly.
At those words, a change came in an instant.
Sshhh.
The interior of the tavern, which had been noisy until just now, fell silent in an instant.
In the heterogeneous atmosphere, I ate the food as if nothing was wrong.
Slurp.
I ate a few chopsticks-full of noodles and swallowed even the broth.
Since the portion wasn't large, I could finish it quickly.
After swallowing everything, I wiped my mouth as if satisfied.
“Not bad.”
I nodded, but it was still quiet.
The chilling atmosphere pricked my cheeks, but I didn't pay it any mind.
Because I knew it would be like this from the start.
On top of that.
‘Shall I slowly begin?’
Since I filled my stomach, it was time for me to make my move.
I reached out my hand.
Tap, it touched the crown of the child's head next to me.
Feeling the texture of the hair, I stroked it slightly.
“...Big brother?”
The moment the child was about to utter something at the contact.
I grabbed his crown and slammed it straight into the table.
Bang-!!
The table that collided with the child's head split in half.
Naturally, the tea and food on top spilled down. Seeing that, I immediately moved my body. Next was toward the child's mother.
Since her child was struck, would she scream?
Unfortunately, the woman's reaction was not that.
Shing-!
As soon as the child fell, a dagger popped out from the woman's sleeve.
The dagger swiftly rushed toward my neck, but.
Tap.
“Gasp...!?”
I pinched the dagger's blade between my thumb and index finger, stopping it.
And then.
“Ugh...!”
I clenched my fist and drove it into the woman's abdomen.
I felt something break inside.
It seemed her bones were shattered.
After that, she fell face down on the floor and vomited blood. Seeing that, I tilted my head.
“You surprised me.”
“Keo... uugh...”
I lightly tapped the head of the woman, who was gagging on the floor, with my foot.
“See, it's no good to just suddenly pounce on someone. It's scary, you know.”
I said that and looked around. Even though violence had suddenly erupted, no shock was felt.
What was felt was bewilderment, and
‘Hostility.’
Hostilities surging toward me.
It was too alien to be emotions felt in a tavern.
However.
‘It's good.’
For me, I rather welcomed this kind of situation.
“Your eyes are murderous. How are you going to do business like this?”
As I sat cross-legged and answered, the sound of clattering was heard from all directions.
As if they had been waiting, everyone drew their weapons.
The customers who were just eating in a harmonious atmosphere were nowhere to be seen.
Of course not.
‘It wasn't a real tavern in the first place.’
Looking at it, excluding me, there wasn't a single proper customer.
The current situation was proof of that.
“...Who are you.”
Someone asked with a frown, and I looked at the guy and said.
“Why bother asking. You already know who I am.”
“...”
Hearing the words, the guy shut his mouth.
As I said, these guys knew my identity.
So they would be rather curious.
“...How did you know?”
Conversely, how did I know?
Normally, it was something I wouldn't answer, but I decided to give them a special answer this time.
“Because your acting was trash... though saying it like that might be a bit much. It wasn't bad to watch.”
“...”
“You pretended to be a child well. Must have practiced the mother role a lot? It was decent. Oh, but if you're going to hide and carry a weapon, it'd be better to fix your movements.”
I wonder who's telling who about acting. But actually, that part did bother me a bit.
“Of course, this is a part you wouldn't have noticed if you didn't pay attention... But the most important thing is this.”
Tap.
I touched the fallen child's head with my foot and said.
“Whether it was the kid or the mom, neither was surprised when they saw my face. Usually, even if the mom isn't, a kid would be surprised.”
“…!”
Even though I spat out the reason I noticed, it was really true.
What pissed me off here was that many guys nodded as if they understood when I explained the reason.
Fuck.
I held back a sigh that was about to come out.
I came knowing the information from the start, but even if I hadn't known, I would have thought it was strange if I saw that part.
That makes me even sadder.
Anyways... I spoke while holding back my grinding teeth.
“I originally planned to flip everything over and start, but funnily enough, the food was delicious, so I'll give you a chance.”
The place where I just sat and ate is not a normal tavern.
The name of this place is Dongyu Tavern.
“Where is your Sect Leader?”
It was a place operated by Gyecheonmun while hiding their true identity.