Three days ago, late at night at the official office buildings.
Around dawn, while everyone was asleep, I sat before the campfire, practicing the heavenly qi.
A voice then called to me.
[Sect leader.]
It was a message made using internal qi. Rousing myself from my deep concentration, I felt the qi. I noticed a familiar presence in the lush trees around me.
[How did it go?]
The voice then answered my question.
[It has been confirmed. The Wudang Sect has moved. We are moving quickly to the south to match them.]
…This was the thing I feared the most.
In the first place, this was a scenario made by the Murim Alliance, and I knew that there would be a hidden trap. When I moved to Guizhou alone, the roads were also blocked, as expected.
We could respond if that was the extent, but they also moved some of the Eight Great Warriors.
[The sub-leader?]
[The First Elder has ignored the sub-leader’s words and moved towards the border of Shinnyeong.]
And that was the right choice.
The only person who could stop one of the Eight Great Warriors was our First Elder, who had also crossed the wall.
And the voice continued earnestly.
[Sect leader, you need to come back. The situation is precarious. This is clearly a trap made by the Murim Alliance’s leaders.]
I know.
But I cannot return now.
If I did, we would end up facing the government and the Murim Alliance at the same time.
I had to find a way to break through and reverse the situation.
“I heard that the leader of the Blood Sect had made their way here. As a member of the alliance, I have spent a month rushing here to help.”
Hearing my words, the expressions of Sima Jung-hyun and Man Jong, the Alliance’s 6th Elder, changed.
“Huh.”
Elder Man Jong’s expression was as if he was admiring an upstanding junior.
-This is too bold. Are you planning to use this?
Short Sword stuck her tongue at me.
I never thought that I would simply be accepted like that, either. The title I was given was that of the Second New Star, someone considered to be one of the promising future warriors.
If I used that, I might be able to use this to my advantage in this situation. Who would think that the leader of the Blood Sect was someone with such renown in the Murim Alliance?
However, the problem was also here.
The Second Military Head, Sima Jung-hyun.
Unlike Elder Man Jong, he was looking at me with strange eyes.
-Is he suspicious?
It was probably closer to doubt than suspicion.
Until now, no one in the Murim Alliance knew my real identity. No one knew anything about me except for my grandfather, father, and Sima Young.
But this opponent was a leader of the Murim Alliance.
Although he didn’t stand out much because Zhuge Won-myung had overshadowed him, he was still a man with remarkable talent.
“How did you come to know about this?”
Sima Jung-hyun asked me
“On my return to the Yunnan Province, I heard rumors that the Blood Sect Leader was being escorted away by the Justice Department.”
“Rumors seem to have spread a lot.”
Elder Man Jong nodded and said,
“I heard so much about the young warrior’s skills during the tournament, especially from Elder Ho Yang. I really wanted to meet you.”
Elder Ho Yang, Second Elder of the Murim Alliance. It seemed that he had been conducting some work outside.
He was one of the few Murim Alliance leaders who had seen my face. Although it was for her escape, Baek Hye-hyang’s group seemed to have made their trip more comfortable by leaving behind some bombs.
“That is an exaggerated statement. It is an honor to meet the Elder and the Second Military Head like this.”
“Huhuhu, you indeed share the humility of your master.”
Okay, Elder Man Jong seemed to at least like me. I was not particularly familiar with him, so why would he be so kind… ah!
I did meet Hyun Jin, a skilled Taoist.
-I guess people talk.
I guess so.
No one knows how a relationship will affect someone after all. I needed to use this to know what they were planning.
“Come over and sit down.”
Elder Man Jong offered one of the empty seats at the round table he was seated at. I approached and lightly bowed to them, taking my sword out of my sheath before placing it on another chair as I sat down.
Elder Man Jong smiled like he was in a good mood.
“It feels good in many ways that such a strong junior had come here on his own accord, Military Head.”
“… right.”
I politely nodded and bowed as I said,
“There are many things I lack compared to my seniors, but as a member of the Justice faction, please allow me to lend you a hand.”
“Hehehe. Do you mean it? The Second New Star….”
Hearing my words, Elder Man Jong looked as if he wished to say something more but was cut off by Sima Jung-hyun.
“Thank you for coming here. This is a matter related to the alliance, so can you step aside now?”
Just as I expected.
Well, he wouldn’t be given the title of military head if he wasn’t smart enough to see what was likely happening.
Elder Man Jong, who was about to speak, fell silent. Judging by how Sima Jung-hyun’s throat was moving, he was speaking directly to him.
I then stood up and said,
“It seems like I came here without thought and foresight. I apologize.”
“Why would you apologize for that? I ask that you understand that I don’t have another choice since this is a serious matter.”
“I understand. Then, I will head out. Ah, if you call me back in again, may I leave my sword here?”
At my words, Sima Jung-hyun smiled and nodded. I bowed to them again as I headed out.
Once So Wonwhi left the room, and his presence could no longer be felt, Sima Jung-hyun continued.
[We never know, so let us talk like this.]
“There is no need for that. I have made sure that no one can hear our words.”
At those words, Sima Jung-hyun nodded.
Elder Man Jong smiled and said,
“More than that, look at that young friend acting his age. He was worried that we wouldn’t call him, so he made sure to leave his sword.”
“He left the room with a good understanding. This is a time when their blood is flowing strongly.”
Elder Man Jong looked at the iron sword hanging over the chair and said.
“Although the Blood Sect is going wild with its own people, I can feel our side is also alive. The South Heavenly Swordsman, Ho Jong-dae, is amazing, and so is his disciple.”
“You like him?”
“There is nothing lacking for him to be called the Second New Star. Although he played an active role during the tournament, I thought he was inferior to Lee Jung-gyeom, our leader’s disciple, but he isn’t.”
Hearing those words, Sima Jung-hyun asked,
“He’s that good?”
Although he held the position of military head, he wasn’t that proficient in martial arts. On the other hand, Elder Man Jong was extremely skilled and deserved his position as a sect leader.
The older man seriously replied.
“Honestly, the boy’s trying to hide his qi. However, I can judge his skills when we fight using qi alone.”
Elder Man Jong had continued to check So Wonwhi by using his qi.
He didn’t speak of it since he wasn’t entirely sure, but being capable of hiding his qi meant that they had a certain degree of skills.
This was why he claimed that the future of the Justice Faction was bright.
“Still, Military Head, did you need to say that to him? If you sent him to us and then let him wait with my disciples…”
“We need to be careful.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Our alliance gave him the title of Second New Star, but the South Heavenly Swordsman had disappeared for many years and never responded to our summons.”
“Right, but….”
“I just mean that we should be careful at least once.”
“With his level of strength, wouldn’t he be of great help in subduing the Blood Demon?”
“I am quite bothered by how suddenly he decided to visit. Well, it isn’t with power alone that we can subdue the Blood Demon.”
“Then, will you tell him to return?”
“No, it isn’t just about being suspicious. At this moment, we can test if we can trust him to side with the alliance.”
Man Jong asked,
“How?”
Sima Jung-hyun opened up a map and pointed.
“We have placed ambush troops in five locations. One way or another, they would come up with a most suitable route to escape, but when we speak of it, we can indicate a different location.”
“Huh. Then….”
“If the Blood Demon attempts to move to an unlikely spot, then there will be no doubt.”
“Hmm.”
Elder Man Jong stroked his beard and nodded in agreement. There was nothing wrong with being careful.
According to the words being said, even if the information was leaked, there was no way they could miss the Blood Demon. That was because all of the escape routes had been blocked.
However, with this, they would have a way to confirm if the South Heavenly Swordsman’s disciple was with the Blood Sect or not.
Elder Man Jong, who had blocked all noise to the outside, lifted his barrier and said,
“Are you outside?”
“… well, I want you to guard this corner.”
I nodded as I saw where Sima Jung-hyun had pointed.
As expected of this man. He was doubting me still in all situations and was trying to test me. He would likely be even more suspicious if I hadn’t been the South Heavenly Swordsman’s disciple.
No, even coming here would have been dangerous. This was part of my luck.
“I understand. I will guard this place and prepare an ambush. Thank you for giving me this mission.”
“No, it is something that we should be thanking you for instead since you had come here for our sake. Since we have time until the trial, how about a meal?”
“No. I do not want to stay here without reason and get caught by the Blood Demon. I will move to my assigned point.”
Hearing my words, Sima Jung-hyun smiled and nodded as I bowed and stood up.
Elder Man Jong then said,
“Let’s meet at the Murim Alliance’s headquarters if things go well. The alliance leader is creating new ways to deal with the remnants of the Blood Sect. Shouldn’t a friend like you be there taking the lead?”
‘A new way?’
It seemed like the Murim Alliance had ended up in a mess because of how the Blood Demon Sword was being used, but they were now using it as an excuse. I had already been looking for a way to enter the alliance, but this was more natural.
However, digging too deep was also risky.
I could get caught too easily if the alliance leader was there?
“How can I take on such a huge responsibility? But thank you for the kind words.”
“Huhuhu, you are too modest, my young friend. That man truly raised you well.”
I wasn’t being humble, but I was being called that. At that moment, the door opened.
Thud!
“T-teacher!”
Judging from his uniform, he was a disciple of the Jeonjin Sect. Elder Man Jong then asked.
“What is it?”
“I think you need to come to the main office right now.”
“Why are you saying that? It is still two hours before noon.”
The disciple then replied.
“The trial is being pushed forward on the order of Prince Kyung. It is being held now.”
“What!?”
The Second Military Head, Sima Jung-hyun, looked dumbfounded as he pushed his chair back. Seeing their reaction, I laughed inside.
“Why would he do this?”
It seemed like things had worked out when the hidden people around him were manipulated.
He was one who was heavily monitored, after all.
Elder Manjong looked shocked, as if he couldn’t understand this.
“What is this?”
“Damn it! We’ve been tricked! Prince Young was a distraction.”
“Just how….”
“It looks like Prince Kyung was the one who joined hands with the Blood Demon!”
It’s too late to notice now since the trial was in progress.
Of course, they used Pricne Kyung’s authority while I wasn’t even present. Actually, he was the one who suggested it to me.
He said that if the trial went smoothly, he would have to deal with the two princes. He expected that it would be better to push the trial forward.
“That wicked bastard. We took the Blood Demon too lightly!”
“How long has it been since the trial began?”
“I do not know. The entrance to the office is blocked, so I had no way to confirm it.”
Hearing this, Sima Jung-hyun said.
“Dammit. We need to hurry! Elder Man Jong, please bring Prince Jin and Prince Young there. I will head to the court right now. Your third class disciples should head immediately towards the ambush points and inform them that the plan has to be moved forward.”
“I understand.”
“I will inform them.”
The situation was tense for them. To me, it felt like nothing.
But I had to match their mood.
“Military head. I will also hurry to the ambush spot.”
“You…”
He seemed as if he wished to say something more but stopped and then continued.
“It’s nothing. Do make haste.”
I leisurely headed towards the place that he had assigned me to. If I went 4 li south of here, there would be a forest.
If I was going to kill time, I might as well play the role well. If not, they would accuse me of being late and missing the Blood Demon.
Once the role was done, they would believe that I returned to Guangxi as the Blood Sect Leader. Such a perfect plan.
-What did the military head want to say earlier?
Perhaps he hesitated about the ambush location since the situation was urgent.
Still, if we looked at how he handled it, he seemed to be more thorough than Baek Wei-hyang.
Well, it didn’t matter if I knew the location or not. After all, I was So Wonwhi at the moment.
-That’s right. If they find out about this later, they will be so upset.
Short Sword was giggling as if she was enjoying it. As we headed towards the fake ambush location…
The moment I entered the forest, I felt a scent hit my nose. The smell of blood.
I felt a presence not far away and looked to the side.
‘Taoist of Jeonjin?’
The outfit seemed to be from that sect. He was holding onto his stomach, which was dripping blood, and his face looked pale.
What happened here?
“H-help me.”
The warrior cried out as he noticed me. I wasn’t sure if I should help or leave him alone, but I ran to him since I needed to be faithful to my role right now.
“W-what happened?”
As I asked him, he gasped and spoke.
“Ugh… guh… I don’t know who you are… but this place is… dangerous…”
“Relax now.”
The man didn’t seem to be in good condition and looked as if he could die at any moment. Escaping all the way here with his body was already a miracle.
“I don’t have time for that… right now… head to sect leader Man Jong… the ambush location… raided by the Blood Demon….”
‘…?!’
What kind of bullshit was this?
I was right here!
