Chapter 370. If It’s Bad News, Bring Wine.
The Ghost Demon arrived on the street where the Unhyang Sect was located and looked around.
“…….”
At the Third’s urging, he had even changed into neat clothes on the way here. He had deliberately dressed in ink-colored garments that matched the Six Harmonies Sword.
Since he had found his way here by relying on memory, the streets felt both rather unfamiliar and somehow familiar at the same time. But the moment he spotted the inn where he had once shared drinks with the Unhyang Sect Leader, he knew he had come to the right place.
‘I found it well enough.’
Strangely, when he saw the table, the Unhyang Sect Leader’s expression and their conversation came back to him. He had been quite a dignified man. Which was why the Ghost Demon thought that the Third and Fourth were unsuited to come here, and that the Eldest Brother or he himself was the right person to visit.
It was curious that the table where they had sat and talked back then was still in the exact same place. Looking at that table, he briefly organized what he would say to the Unhyang Sect Leader.
“Mm.”
The Third had told him to convey matters regarding the Hao Sect, but now that he thought about it, he felt he should also tell him about Gwangmyeong Usa.
As he was gazing at the table, someone’s voice came from behind him.
“Master Six Harmonies, greetings.”
When the Ghost Demon turned around, a man he had never seen before was approaching from across the way, wiping his hands on the towel at his waist. Naturally assuming he was one of the Unhyang Sect Leader’s subordinates, the Ghost Demon nodded.
The man came closer and pointed at the Ghost Demon’s waist.
“How is the Six Harmonies Sword?”
The Ghost Demon gripped the Six Harmonies Sword and answered.
“I came to express my gratitude to the Sect Leader as it happens. This has saved my life several times. No matter what weapon it clashed against, it neither broke nor bent. When I saw it deflect even heavy weapons without difficulty, I knew I had obtained a famed sword that would be truly hard to come by.”
While the Ghost Demon spoke, the man who had seemed blunt and taciturn broke into a broad smile. He was a man whose joy and pride showed far too clearly on his face.
“That is a relief. The Sect Leader also poured his heart and soul into making that longsword, so he will be pleased. I will guide you, so let us go.”
“Let’s go.”
The man gestured toward the road.
As the Ghost Demon walked along with the man from the Unhyang Sect, something he had half-heard struck him as odd, so he asked the man a question.
“By the way.”
“Yes.”
The Ghost Demon stopped walking and asked.
“When you said the Sect Leader poured his heart and soul into making it, did you mean he made it himself?”
The man answered.
“Each of us is learning a craft that will allow us to make a living. Most of us are people who wish to become artisans in our own fields. Naturally, the Sect Leader is also an artisan. And when it comes to the crafting of swords, there is no need to even mention it. There are more disciples learning swordsmithing than disciples learning martial arts. Of course he made it himself. He must have wanted to present you with a fine sword.”
The Ghost Demon, who had not known that the Six Harmonies Sword had been personally made by Unhyang Sect Leader Yeon Unbyeok, briefly composed his emotions and expression. He was inwardly startled, but for some reason, it felt embarrassing to let it show.
“I did not know he made it himself.”
The man smiled as if he understood.
“Yes, he is not one to express such things openly. Let us go. If he learns that you have come, he will be very glad. Ah, please do not misunderstand just from seeing that stern expression of his. His face is always rather stern.”
In truth, the same was true of the Ghost Demon himself. He nodded, then extended his hand.
“Let’s go.”
On the way to the Unhyang Sect, several ordinary-looking people lightly bowed their heads toward the Ghost Demon, and some openly greeted him.
“Master Six Harmonies, you have come.”
Every time the Ghost Demon exchanged greetings with the craftsmen of the Muk family and the disciples of the Unhyang Sect mingled among them, chills continuously ran down his spine.
At some point, the Ghost Demon, his face flushed red, clutched his forehead. It was because memories of the foolish things he had once done had suddenly flashed through his mind.
‘Ah…….’
The Ghost Demon wanted to slap himself across the cheek, but barely restrained himself. Only, he recalled how the Third would sometimes slap his own cheek. The Ghost Demon himself could not quite understand why.
* * *
Arriving near the Martial Alliance, the Lust Demon first bought clothes with the money the Third had given him. One thing he learned upon coming here was that most men associated with the Martial Alliance dressed well. He could not immediately grasp the reason behind it, but judging by the many fabric shops and tailoring shops, it did not seem to be merely because of fashion or luxury.
In any case, the newly bought clothes suited the Lust Demon well too.
He wore light-gray martial attire with a dark-blue long robe draped over it. According to the shopkeeper, it was best not to wear white if possible. When he asked why, the reason was that it was a color worn by those who did no work.
The Lust Demon thought of that bastard, the White-Robed Scholar, and agreed with the shopkeeper.
For the moment, he did not enter the Martial Alliance and instead loitered around the vicinity. For once, neither his master nor the Third, who persistently teased him by calling him shit-pants, was around, so he felt at ease.
“What the hell do you mean, shit-pants?”
He wandered the streets for a while, searching to see if there were any women he could charm. By “charm,” he did not simply mean trying to do something with them. It was more along the lines of finding a young lady with whom, if the timing was right, he could have a cup of tea, or on a leisurely day, share some drinks. Naturally, when a man and woman drank together, they would get drunk, and while thinking that when they looked at each other in a drunken state, feelings that had not existed before were bound to sprout, he heard someone’s voice.
“Are you not Young Master Mong?”
“Pardon?”
When the Lust Demon turned around, a fellow whose entire face was dark approached him. He could not tell whether the fellow was young or older than he was. His face was tanned by the sun, and he also looked as though he had been born with an old face.
The Lust Demon asked.
“Who are you?”
The man cupped his fist to the Lust Demon.
“I am Jang San of the Martial Alliance.”
The Lust Demon returned the greeting with a bewildered expression.
“Good to meet you, Martial Artist Jang.”
Jang San asked with a smile.
“Have you come to the Martial Alliance? It seems you came alone. Is the Sect Leader well?”
The Lust Demon stared at Jang San and thought this.
‘Why is this bastard asking so annoyingly much?’
He had meant to look around a little before entering the Alliance, but he had not expected some Alliance member wandering the streets to recognize him.
Jang San asked.
“May I guide you?”
“Ah, are you not busy? It’s all right.”
“I am all right as well.”
The Lust Demon made a reluctant face, then nodded.
“Let’s go, then.”
“Yes.”
The Lust Demon walked side by side with Jang San, but he had no desire to speak, so he simply kept his mouth shut.
“…….”
Jang San, who was walking beside him, suddenly whispered.
“Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“I was also in the Hao Sect for a short while.”
“Huh?”
“To be precise, I was staying with the Black Cat Gang.”
“Oho? Why?”
“No? Ah, since I am younger than you, please feel free to speak casually.”
“Very well. Were you of the Black Path?”
Jangsan answered while looking at the Lecherous Demon.
“No.”
“Then?”
Jangsan replied.
“I was a bandit of the Southern Peak Green Forest Alliance.”
The Lecherous Demon stopped walking for a moment, then looked Jangsan up and down.
“You were a bandit?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t look that way at all.”
“How do I look?”
The Lecherous Demon answered.
“A Murim Alliance member.”
At the Lecherous Demon’s words, Jangsan broke into a truly bright smile.
“Ah, is that so? In the past, I was told anyone could see I looked like a bandit. Even at the Black Cat Gang, when the brothers saw me, they would ask if I hadn’t perhaps been born a bandit.”
The two began heading toward the Murim Alliance again, and the Lecherous Demon asked.
“But how did you become an Alliance member? If you were a bandit, it must have been difficult to join.”
This time, Jangsan laughed aloud as well.
“Indeed. I don’t really know myself.”
“You don’t know, even though it concerns you? Ah, the third must have recommended you.”
“Who is the third?”
The Lecherous Demon scratched the back of his head and answered.
“The Haomun Master. The Haomun Master is the third.”
“Ah, is that so? Then Young Master Mong is?”
“I’m the fourth.”
“Ah, yes.”
After walking for a while, Jangsan asked cautiously.
“By any chance, do this third and fourth mean something like sworn brothers?”
“Sworn brothers? Something like that.”
“I envy you.”
“There’s nothing to envy.”
Guided by Jangsan, the Lecherous Demon entered the Murim Alliance and moved quite comfortably as far as Jangsan was permitted to go. No one stopped them, and no one asked the Lecherous Demon who he was. It seemed to be because Jangsan was acting as his guide. However, when they arrived before the Alliance Leader’s Hall, even Jangsan stopped.
“I cannot enter beyond this point either. I will speak to the senior guards up ahead, then take my leave.”
The Lecherous Demon nodded.
“Thank you for guiding me, Martial Artist Jang.”
Jangsan looked at the Lecherous Demon and said.
“Young Master Mong, I doubt the Sect Master will be curious about me, but could you perhaps pass on a message?”
The Lecherous Demon nodded.
“What shall I tell him?”
Suddenly, Jangsan straightened his clothes neatly, then stood upright and looked at the Lecherous Demon.
“Sect Master, I am Jangsan, who was at the Black Cat Gang.”
“…….”
The Lecherous Demon gazed silently at Jangsan’s expression. There were times when a person spoke with all their sincerity, and Jangsan’s expression now was just like that.
Jangsan said.
“I hear news from time to time. Above all, please stay healthy. I have not forgotten your words, Sect Master. Thanks to you, I entered the Murim Alliance and am working hard every day.”
It was a message for the Haomun Master, but the Lecherous Demon could not help asking out of his own curiosity.
“What did the Sect Master say?”
Jangsan recited in a low voice.
“Born a man of honor, and yet a bandit? What nonsense is that?”
“Mm.”
“I keep those words in my heart. Please tell him that I am grateful, and that I have not forgotten. Young Master Mong.”
The Lecherous Demon could not say much else and simply nodded.
“I understand.”
“Yes.”
After bowing his head slightly, Jangsan turned around and approached the guards of the Alliance Leader’s Hall. The Lecherous Demon kept watching as Jangsan delivered the message and moved away. As Jangsan walked off, he looked back, then smiled brightly at the Lecherous Demon and pointed toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall. It looked like a hand signal telling him to hurry inside. The Lecherous Demon also smiled awkwardly and waved to Jangsan, then walked toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall. A guard spoke.
“Young Master Mong.”
“Yes.”
“Since you arrived without notice, you will have to wait a little. Let us go in first.”
The Lecherous Demon entered the Alliance Leader’s Hall with the guard.
* * *
The Lecherous Demon waited for one double-hour in the empty waiting room of the Alliance Leader’s Hall. Thinking about it, this was the first time he had ever waited that long to meet someone. But if the other party was the Murim Alliance Leader, it was not so strange. He was likely the busiest man in the jianghu. Moreover, if one focused and listened, it was not hard to tell that a meeting was in progress. Occasionally, Alliance Leader Im Sobaek’s roars would spill outside. But perhaps his subordinates had tempers of their own, for they sometimes talked back in voices just as loud as the Alliance Leader’s.
‘……They all have tempers, I see.’
He recalled Jangsan’s words and once again organized the message he had to deliver to the Alliance Leader. Suddenly, he thought that squeezing money out of the Murim Alliance Leader was not exactly a normal situation. Had that third bastard spoken too lightly? To think he would suddenly come to the Murim Alliance and say something insane to the Murim Alliance Leader, telling him to invest in Haomun.
Would this work?
The longer he waited, the more the Lecherous Demon would, from time to time, let out a long sigh.
Who am I, and just where on earth is this place?
Suddenly, he heard footsteps and looked over to see Alliance members who had come out of the Alliance Leader’s office passing beside the waiting room. Just as he was thinking that he would soon meet Alliance Leader Im Sobaek if he waited only a little longer, a guard appeared and said.
“Young Master Mong, please go in.”
“Yes.”
The Lecherous Demon sprang to his feet and headed toward the Alliance Leader’s office. The guard knocked on the door first, then reported as follows.
“Alliance Leader, Young Master Mong Yeon has come to visit.”
“Let him in.”
The Lecherous Demon nodded to the guard who opened the door for him, then entered the office. Im Sobaek, who had been sitting at his desk, gazed at the Lecherous Demon and said.
“……Mong, my boy.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Im Sobaek pointed to the tea table with his hand. When the Lecherous Demon looked, Im Sobaek continued.
“If it is bad news, bring the liquor. If it is not bad news, bring the water pitcher.”
“Yes.”
The Lecherous Demon went to the tea table, picked up the water pitcher and cups, and returned to the desk. Seeing the water pitcher, Im Sobaek nodded.
“Sit.”
When the Lecherous Demon remained still, Im Sobaek took hold of the cup before him and tapped it lightly. Only then did the Lecherous Demon pour water into Im Sobaek’s cup and his own. Im Sobaek drained the water the Lecherous Demon had poured for him in one go, then let out a long breath.
“It seems it is not bad news.”
The Lecherous Demon also drank his water, then answered.
“Yes.”
Im Sobaek stared intently at the Lecherous Demon, then said.
“Is it my imagination, or have you grown stronger since I last saw you?”
Only then did the Lecher’s expression ease somewhat as he answered.
“I have grown stronger.”
“Shall I hear it?”
But now that he was actually facing Im Sobaek one-on-one, the Lecher found himself rather tongue-tied. He had organized his thoughts on the way here, and even in the waiting room he had turned them over in his mind dozens of times, yet the words would not come easily. Perhaps it was because he was looking so closely at Im Sobaek’s grave expression. With his head in a tangle, the Lecher barely managed to open his mouth.
“Alliance Leader.”
After seeing Im Sobaek nod, the Lecher got to the point.
“……The Hao Sect Leader says he wants some money.”
Im Sobaek stared at the Lecher in surprise.
“……!”
The moment the words left his mouth, the Lecher let out a sigh despite himself.
‘Ah…….’
If it could be called a talent, then delivering such an important matter in words that made it sound so unimportant was a talent in its own right. The Lecher corrected himself.
“Alliance Leader, what I mean is…… let me explain that again.”
“Mongrang.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Im Sobaek pointed again at the tea table with his hand.
“Bring some wine.”
“Ah, yes.”
As the Lecher headed toward the tea table, he muttered.
“I mean, this is not such a bad thing.”
“Be quiet. Bring the wine first.”
“Yes.”
For now, the Lecher moved the wine to the Alliance Leader’s desk. At this rate, it was not the Alliance Leader but he himself who needed to drink first.