Chapter 367. Villain versus Villain versus Villain.
“Why has the Right Envoy gone so mad?”
In the middle of the meal, the leader of the Jecheon Alliance asked me. I answered while busily picking up this and that with my chopsticks.
“Did you know the Right Envoy before?”
“I heard rumors now and then. They said the Left and Right Envoys of the Light were the most gentlemanly men in the cult. That makes today’s sight all the more shocking. Was he always that sort of man?”
My eldest brother answered the Jecheon Alliance leader’s question.
“He was not.”
It was a well-known fact that my eldest brother was a dignified man, and it seemed the Right Envoy had been of a similar disposition.
I told the Jecheon Alliance leader why the Right Envoy had gone mad.
“Near Baekeungji, I annihilated the troops the Right Envoy had brought with him.”
The Jecheon Alliance leader nodded.
“Were there many?”
“Many. Most of them died in an instant. Without a trace… I should have killed the rest of them then, too. If a man witnesses a sight no person could believe with his own eyes, and the people he knew and the subordinates under him die in a single moment, even someone of the Right Envoy’s caliber can’t help but be shaken.”
The Jecheon Alliance leader, who had suddenly put down his chopsticks, said to me,
“So that supreme technique was Ilwol Gwangcheon. Why did you tell me so readily?”
The Jecheon Alliance leader seemed to have lost his appetite, but I answered while eating.
“Because I had no intention of fighting from the start.”
“Why?”
“You saw the look in the Right Envoy’s eyes, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“If we and the Jecheon Alliance had joined forces and attacked, the Right Envoy would likely have fought us fiercely while holding the children in his left arm. Then, if one child died, he would have taken another into his arms and kept fighting. Even if someone rushed in to rescue the other children, it wouldn’t have been easy. With one swing of his hand, he would have spilled blood. Then, once everyone was about to die, he would probably have held the last child still alive and threatened me.”
“……”
“He would have told me to reveal the secret of Ilwol Gwangcheon… From the beginning, the situation itself was a losing battle. In that case, I had no choice but to give the Right Envoy what he wanted.”
The Jecheon Alliance leader, the only one who had stopped eating, poured wine and passed it around to the Four Great Villains.
“Was Ilwol Gwangcheon the reason you were so confident you could kill eighty percent of the Jecheon Alliance?”
Only now did I reveal the basis for my old boast.
“If the Jecheon Alliance had rushed me all at once, yes. But since you, Alliance Leader, said you would fight one-on-one, it turned into a duel.”
The Jecheon Alliance leader nodded with an absurd expression.
“So that was why you told the Right Envoy that challenging you one-on-one was the easiest way to kill you?”
“That’s right.”
In other words, what had happened to the Right Envoy could have happened to the Jecheon Alliance leader in exactly the same way. Now that he had come to understand all the circumstances at once through the Right Envoy, the Jecheon Alliance leader nodded several times and cursed at me.
“You’re a madman in every sense.”
“Alliance Leader, you blocked it like a man. Of course, Senior Divine Beggar also arrived at just the right time.”
“The Jecheon Alliance nearly collapsed, didn’t it?”
I glanced at the Jecheon Alliance leader with a faint smile.
“Indeed. Please spread a suitable rumor about me among the black path. If they touch the Hao Clan, I’ll come find them and annihilate only about eighty percent.”
Even a man like the Jecheon Alliance leader seemed unable to keep from sighing.
“How absurd. If my subordinates disappear, I am no longer an alliance leader. If I had fallen that way, what were you planning to do next?”
“What could have happened? I was going to run away, then lend strength to Alliance Leader Im. In any case, it wasn’t an empty boast. That expression, eighty percent.”
“I admit it. I’ve lost my appetite. Stuff yourself all you want.”
“You are too kind.”
I ate with the Four Great Villains as if nothing had happened. This time, the Sword Demon asked the Jecheon Alliance leader,
“He went northeast. Can you catch him?”
“It would be difficult.”
The Lust Demon asked,
“Why would it be difficult?”
The Jecheon Alliance leader looked around at us and said,
“You all saw it, but he was not moving at a speed anyone could catch up to. And the northeast is as vast as the Central Plains. In the Central Plains, there are the noble clans and the Murim Alliance. Somewhere in the northwest is the Demon Cult, and in the southern regions there are us and rows upon rows of old sects. If he deliberately headed northeast, perhaps he truly intends to create a Blood Cult in a place where strong warriors are rare.”
Something suddenly came to mind, and as I held my wine cup, I recalled a scene I had seen before.
“I don’t think he’ll go into hiding right away.”
“……”
Everyone looked at me.
I recalled the look in the Light’s Right Envoy’s eyes and tried to fathom the heart of a villain.
“I think he’ll cause one more incident…”
The Ghost Demon asked,
“What incident? Shouldn’t we be chasing after him?”
I looked at the Four Great Villains and the Jecheon Alliance leader, then tilted my head.
“Wouldn’t he bid farewell to the Demon Cult Leader in his own way?”
I did not bother to voice my conjecture. There was no need to let them know that I understood the hearts of villains so well.
* * *
Because the Light’s Right Envoy had run northeast as if testing the limits of his lightness skill, he naturally knew that no one could follow him. He entered a commoner’s house and casually took the clothes hanging on the laundry line, then washed himself in a flowing stream and changed, yet no one caught up.
Since he had resolved to walk the path of something inhuman, he did not exchange words with the ordinary people he encountered along the way. A person passing by was no different from livestock passing by. However, he did not continue northeast. He changed clothes several times, spent the days regulating his qi and sleeping, and moved southwest again at night. By the time the sun and moon had changed places seven times, he had arrived, perfectly unharmed, at a familiar safe house.
When he entered the safe house, the man sweeping the courtyard lowered his head.
“You have arrived.”
The Light’s Right Envoy asked as he headed toward the main hall,
“Where is Grand Duke Yang?”
“He is inside.”
The Light’s Right Envoy stopped before opening the door to the main hall and looked at the man sweeping with the broom.
“Has there been any notable news?”
“No.”
After checking the man’s expression, the Light’s Right Envoy entered the main hall. Grand Duke Yang, who had been eating alone in the spacious hall, spoke with a startled expression.
“Right Envoy, you have come. Why was there no word from you? Have you eaten?”
The Light’s Right Envoy sat down across from Grand Duke Yang and answered,
“Let us eat together.”
Grand Duke Yang spoke to the maidservant inside.
“Prepare more food.”
“Yes.”
Grand Duke Yang looked at the Light’s Right Envoy as he chewed his rice.
“What on earth happened?”
The Light’s Right Envoy answered,
“The Left Envoy’s party followed me, so I was delayed somewhat shaking them off. On top of that, even the Jecheon Alliance latched on.”
“Even the Jecheon Alliance?”
Grand Duke Yang nodded as he looked the Radiant Right Envoy up and down.
“You have been through much. In any case, how am I supposed to report this failure? I cannot bring myself to return. It seems I would have to bring back the Hao Gate Master’s head for him to forgive me. It is not as if I lack money—should I hire an assassin? What do you think, Right Envoy? No matter how I look at it, capturing him alive will be difficult.”
The Radiant Right Envoy nodded.
“Capturing him alive would be difficult. Now there is no choice but for the Cult Leader himself to step forward. We lost troops, the wraiths were weakened, and Grand Duke Yang and I both lost many of our subordinates. This is the first time in my life I have suffered such a great failure. If the Cult Leader does not intend to act personally, it would be better not to advance into the Central Plains for the time being. With the situation as it is, it would not be strange if the main altar were attacked instead.”
Grand Duke Yang shook his head.
“The main altar would be too much for them as well. It also does not suit Lin Shaobai’s disposition.”
A maidservant brought rice and several side dishes on a large tray and set them down before the Radiant Right Envoy. Only after the three maidservants had laid out the dishes and rice did the Radiant Right Envoy pick up his chopsticks and say to a maidservant.
“Bring water as well.”
“Yes.”
The maidservant hurriedly bowed her head and withdrew at a quick trot.
Grand Duke Yang said,
“Ah, I heard after returning here that the Wei bastard became the Left Envoy after all.”
“So he did.”
“Right Envoy, isn’t that Wei fellow your junior by about ten years?”
“Was it that much?”
“Seven or eight years? In any case, he is not of an age to be placed alongside you, Right Envoy.”
“When has the Cult ever cared about age? It cares about ability. If it is that Wei fellow, he is fit to sit as Left Envoy. His background is not bad either.”
Grand Duke Yang shook his head.
“Would it not be better for you, Right Envoy, to take this chance to rise to the vacant position of Chief Strategist, and hand the seats of Left and Right Envoy over to younger men? I know you dislike that Wei fellow quite a bit, so why try to compete for merit from a seat of equal rank?”
The Radiant Right Envoy drank the water the maidservant brought, then rummaged through the rice and side dishes.
“…….”
Watching the Radiant Right Envoy stir through the food with his chopsticks before eating, Grand Duke Yang muttered,
“There is no poison, so eat at ease.”
The Radiant Right Envoy replied,
“Did you not show interest in the position of Chief Strategist?”
“How could I sit in such a lofty seat?”
The Radiant Right Envoy nodded once, then picked at his rice as he asked,
“By the way, is the Second Young Master all right?”
Grand Duke Yang pointed to his own shoulder.
“It was completely shattered. His wrist was crushed and dislocated as well. Still, it is fortunate that the bones are knitting well. Since it is difficult for him to move, he is focusing only on circulating his qi and regulating his breath.”
The Radiant Right Envoy clicked his tongue and replied,
“He has suffered. I will pay him a sick visit, then return to the Cult first.”
“There is no need to go so far as to visit him.”
“Still, since I have come all this way, I should see the Second Young Master’s face before I go.”
The Radiant Right Envoy picked at the food as if he had no appetite, then looked at Grand Duke Yang, who had fallen silent.
Grand Duke Yang was staring fixedly at him.
“…….”
“Grand Duke Yang, why are you looking at me like that?”
After gazing silently at the Radiant Right Envoy for a long while, Grand Duke Yang opened his mouth.
“Right Envoy.”
“Speak.”
“I cannot permit the sick visit.”
“Permit?”
Grand Duke Yang nodded.
“Return quietly. I will see you later when I enter the Cult.”
“If I say I will see the Second Young Master, must I receive your permission? Grand Duke Yang, since when did a Grand Duke stand above the Left and Right Envoys?”
Grand Duke Yang replied,
“A Grand Duke does not stand above you, but neither is he beneath you. It is not as if you and the Second Young Master were particularly close, and nothing grave will happen if you do not visit him. Let us take it lightly. Think of it as him being in closed-door cultivation. In truth, he is doing nothing but circulating his qi and regulating his breath, so he dislikes people coming and going.”
The Radiant Right Envoy set down his chopsticks and laughed through his nose. As the Radiant Right Envoy laughed and looked around the main hall, Grand Duke Yang asked,
“Why are you laughing like that? It seems to me neither you nor I are in a situation where we should be laughing. Please return first and put in a good word for me with the Cult Leader. Even so, the Cult Leader has always respected you, has he not?”
“Grand Duke Yang.”
“Speak.”
“If I am to report to the Cult Leader, I naturally must convey the Second Young Master’s condition as well. What is the true purpose behind stopping this sick visit?”
“What true reason could there be?”
The Radiant Right Envoy spoke in a different tone.
“Tell me.”
Grand Duke Yang leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
“It is not as though there is no true reason.”
“…….”
Grand Duke Yang pinched his nose shut with his fingers and continued speaking.
“Right Envoy, from the moment you entered the main hall, the smell of blood has been overwhelming. It is not that you have not washed. What in the world is going on? Have you perhaps gone around the sects and committed massacres alone? I do not recall there being anything of the sort in the Cult Leader’s orders. Well, I am not in a position to receive your report, so I will let it pass. Return and discuss it properly with the Cult Leader. In my safe house, however, your reek of blood is extremely unpleasant.”
Hearing the true reason, the Radiant Right Envoy smiled, then glared at Grand Duke Yang while lifting his sleeve to sniff it. When no smell came from it, he rolled up his sleeve and sniffed his forearm again.
“…….”
The scent of blood was so thick it could not be denied. It was as if it had been carved into his very skin.
Grand Duke Yang gave a dry cough, then spoke toward the rear.
“The Right Envoy is leaving.”
A man’s voice, not a maidservant’s, was heard.
“Yes.”
Then the doors of the main hall flew open, and Grand Duke Yang’s subordinates looked into the hall. When the Radiant Right Envoy glanced around, more subordinates emerged from within the hall, and outside the hall, the troops who had been staying at the safe house gathered one by one.
The Radiant Right Envoy rose and said,
“I will go.”
Grand Duke Yang nodded.
“Take care on your way. Please tell that Wei bastard congratulations as well. When the Second Young Master has recovered, I will return with him.”
The Radiant Right Envoy looked over Grand Duke Yang’s subordinates who had come out into the main hall, then stepped outside and stared at those who had gathered there.
“…….”
They were all staring at him with their heads held stiffly upright.
The Radiant Right Envoy said,
“Are you not cultists?”
Only then did the gathered men lower their heads and say,
“Take care on your way.”
Grand Duke Yang’s subordinates split to the left and right, creating a passage leading out of the safe house. The Radiant Right Envoy walked down the central path that resembled an encirclement, then stopped and looked back at the main hall.
Grand Duke Yang stood before the entrance, staring at him.
The Radiant Right Envoy asked,
“Is this all?”
Grand Duke Yang let out a sigh.
“……Let’s not do this. Have you gone mad?”
The Right Envoy of Light said as he drew the longsword at his waist.
“Grand Duke Yang, choose two men and order them to take the Second Young Master back. I had originally intended to kill you all, but I should express my gratitude for the Cult Leader not having failed in courtesy toward me all this time. I don’t know whether that bastard worries about his child or not, but consider it a gift.”
Grand Duke Yang replied with a startled expression.
“You’ve gone completely insane. Cheoljong, Byeoksa. Take the Second Young Master and return. Report to the Cult Leader that the Right Envoy has fallen into qi deviation.”
“We obey.”
The Right Envoy of Light pointed at Grand Duke Yang with his finger.
“No. That is not the proper report. Tell him the Right Envoy has attained enlightenment and is walking his own path beyond the demonic. The Cult Leader will understand what that means.”
As the two men moved swiftly, Grand Duke Yang said,
“Kill him. Your opponent is not the Right Envoy of Light. He is an apostate fallen into demonic madness.”
No sooner had Grand Duke Yang finished speaking than the Right Envoy of Light’s eyes turned crimson.