Episode 444
Dust and stone chips filled the floor.
A wall covered in scratch marks that look like animal scratches.
A shattered display case.
‘and······.’
Footprints strewn about.
I knew it intuitively.
There was something important here related to Wolhwajang, and an uninvited guest came and damaged it.
A conversation I had with the pirate team’s vice-captain not long ago flashed through my mind.
[Five days ago, an old man appeared on the island we use as a base.]
[old man?]
[I couldn’t figure out his identity because he was wearing a mask, but I could tell at a glance that he was a great expert.]
The scattered pieces came together.
Which group holds the most information and materials related to Wolhwajang?
It was none other than a demonic religion.
The culprit that destroyed Wolhwajang.
A demonic cult that swept away all books containing family secrets, military secrets, and historical records could have discovered the existence of this place.
‘I thought it was strange, though.’
The old man who appeared at the pirates’ base was an expert with absolute or equivalent skills.
I was wondering where an expert of that level suddenly appeared, but now I felt like I knew where he belonged.
‘Was it the Eight Great Demon Army that was dispatched under the orders of the religious leader?’
I thought it was unlikely that he was a member of a demonic cult, but seeing the messed up cavity changed my mind.
If you think about common sense, there would be no reason for an ordinary warrior to do something like this if he was lucky enough to find the space where Wei Yeon (奇緣) was sleeping.
It should be seen that the uninvited guest visited Haenam Island from the beginning with the intention of destroying it.
“······.”
Cheon Ji-ryeong, who followed them into the hall, had a serious expression on his face.
It seemed like she didn’t expect to see a scene like this.
‘Damn it.’
Cursing words naturally flowed out.
My excited heart subsided as if cold water had been poured on it.
It was obvious that it was the Demon Cultist’s intention.
It was probably an attempt to eliminate factors that could be an opportunity for my growth.
Of course, just because I had obtained something that had been lying dormant in this cave, I would not have been instantly reborn as a person of equal skill to the cult leader.
Whether it is an elixir, a piece, or a starting point for learning the twenty-fifth herbivory.
The level that the religious leader had achieved was not easy, to the extent that he could have achieved it just by gaining an opportunity.
Nevertheless, the fact that the leader used such a petty move could be interpreted as meaning that he saw my growth potential as high.
Perhaps the battle that took place in Banghyeon (房縣) made him feel alert?
‘If only we had arrived a few days sooner.’
The identity of the uninvited guest was roughly guessed.
An absolute master of the Demonic Cult who has the same inner strength as the Great Sea and is capable of crossing the sea without a ship.
There weren’t many people who met these prerequisites.
‘The cult leader himself would not have stepped forward.’
Because the damage and risk that the supreme leader of the Demonic Cult must endure is too great to step directly to the southernmost part of the central plains.
Above all, the outward characteristics of the masked person I heard from the vice captain were clearly different from that of the demonic leader.
The sect leader had the appearance of a young man in his twenties because he had achieved anti-rohwandong (返老還童).
No matter how many masks they wore, it didn’t occur to me that the pirates wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference between young people and old people.
Unless the group has knotholes instead of eyes.
‘It’s not like a hundred-faced death god has been dispatched.’
The White-Faced Reaper, who can become young or old if he wants, is a prime suspect, but the area where his location was most recently confirmed was Hebei.
Considering the time when the telegram arrived, it made no sense for him to have arrived in Haenam Island earlier than me.
So there is only one suspect left.
“It must be a horse ship.”
“what?”
“It seems like Ma Seon has been here.”
“Are you talking about that demon ship I know? “An absolute master who took the top spot in the eight great demon armies?”
I answered by nodding once.
Demon Seon (魔仙).
The head of Maseondang (魔仙堂).
The best doctor of the Demonic Cult, located on the opposite side of Hyeok Ryeon-wook, the doctor of life and death.
A notorious old monster known to have killed more people than he saved.
He, who managed and supervised the production of magic potions and other elixirs, was the best among the eight great demons in terms of power output.
It is said to be on a level comparable to that of the Demon Cult leader, so what more can I say?
“······!”
Cheon Ji-ryeong’s eyes opened wide.
Is it because it occurred to me that an absolute expert might be nearby?
She quickly put her hand on her waist and looked around.
“Don’t be too guarded. “The goal must have been achieved, because it is highly likely that he has already left Haenam Island.”
“They may know that you have set foot in Haenam Island and are looking for an opportunity to sneak attack, right?”
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“You can tell by looking at the traces, but it was a few days ago that Ma Seon set foot here. “He wouldn’t have had to waste time finding a ship heading to the mainland, but it would be rather unnatural for him to still remain in Haenam.”
“but.”
“Even if he is staying in Haenam Island for some reason, he won’t try to fight me in the middle of the political faction’s territory.”
Ma Seon was not a fool.
He couldn’t have known that if he fought in the enemy’s camp, he would be the only one at risk.
Regardless of whether he wins or loses the fight, the entire Baekdo Murim will be chasing after him, so will he have the courage to make a hasty move?
“ha.”
A heavy sigh came out.
I didn’t know what was sleeping here.
That’s why I felt even more disappointed and disappointed.
Unable to let go of my regrets, I searched every nook and cranny of the cave and headed outside only late at night.
It was difficult to hide my mixed feelings.
Cheon Ga-ryeong carefully offered me words of comfort.
“Don’t be too discouraged. “Because you are getting stronger quickly enough even without any chance.”
“okay.”
I let out a bitter smile and shook my head vigorously to shake off the distracting thoughts.
Even though I regretted the past, nothing changed.
‘I don’t know what was sleeping, but there’s no good in consuming more emotions than necessary.’
I tasted bitterly and looked at the cliff again.
After staring at the huge sword marks for a while, I took a big leap and jumped onto the cliff.
Is it because the excitement has subsided?
Fatigue suddenly set in.
‘I’ll have to go back and get some sleep first.’
* * *
Noon the next day.
I woke up just as the sun was rising in the sky and got out of bed with a wet face.
I fell asleep longer than expected.
This was the first time I had slept for such a long time since I ascended to the absolute state.
Except for the time when I lost consciousness due to the recoil of using a bomb attack.
When I woke up and opened my eyes with a fortune-telling exercise, my stomach began to tremble as if it had been waiting for me.
After leaving the accommodation, I asked a nearby Haenam Mundo for directions and headed straight to the restaurant.
An old Taoist monk who was eating at that moment waved his hand to welcome me.
Jeolhaegeom, an elder of the Haenam faction.
I approached him, who was gesturing to take the empty seat across from me, and I tilted my head and asked.
“Do you usually eat here?”
“Is it strange?”
“It’s not particularly strange. I just have doubts. “I wonder if it is a unique trend unique to the Haenam faction, or else…”
“Well, most elders instruct Idae disciples to bring food to the dormitory. “I am a unique case.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s because I’m such a big eater. “I couldn’t fill my stomach with the meals my disciples brought me here and there.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the elder overeat.”
“It has to be that way. “Isn’t it impossible to gather food on your own in the midst of a journey that involves frequent homelessness?”
“······.”
“When I ate at the guesthouse, I had no choice but to restrain myself because you had to pay for all the food.”
“When you say that, I feel somewhat sorry. “There was no need to worry about your junior’s financial situation.”
“But how can you do that when you are the one taking advantage of it?”
As we were having a light conversation, the disciples of the Haenam faction brought food and placed it on the table.
Dishes filled with various meats and seafood gave us an idea of the Haenam school.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a luxurious diet. “It looks like Suksu has exerted himself for the first time in a while because a distinguished guest is visiting.”
“I am grateful.”
“Feel free to do as much as you want.”
As I scanned the feast of the banquet with my eyes, I never lost my appetite again.
As he himself said, he was quite a glutton.
It didn’t take long for all the plates on the table to be emptied.
‘I feel a strange sense of kinship.’
The Haenam disciples around looked at Jeolhae Sword and me alternately with shocked expressions.
Jeolhaegeom wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, not paying attention to their gaze.
“So, is there something you want to say to me?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you had something you wanted to ask me earlier.”
“Is that how you got pregnant?”
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. “The Haenam faction is not a faction that treats guests who come from far away for favors.”
“Then let me ask you directly. “Have there been any exchanges between Wolhwajang and Haenam faction in the past?”
“Wolhwajang? Are you referring to the martial arts family of Hanam that was exterminated by the Demonic Cult?”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t know. There must have been one or two martial arts forces that interacted with the Haenam faction. “I think we can only find the answer by looking through past records.”
“······.”
“Why are you asking that? “I heard that you have learned the secret of Wolhwajang.”
I scratched my chin and looked around, wrapping my surroundings with a breath of air.
When the noise was blocked, the Haenam believers who had been eavesdropping on the conversation all turned to look this way.
“The night before, we found traces believed to have been left by Wolhwajang’s character in the nearby waters.”
“Is that really true?”
“yes. When I looked around closely, I saw that there was a bidong left behind for later use. However, when we looked inside, it was so badly damaged that nothing could be salvaged.”
“Huh. Who on earth would have committed such a heinous act?”
“I expect it to be the work of a demonic cult.”
“What did you say just now, demonic?”
“Calm down the commotion. “Isn’t this in front of the disciples?”
Jeolhaegeom nods his head heavily.
After taking a deep breath and regaining his calm complexion, he placed his clasped hands on the table and asked.
“You found traces of demonic cults invading Haenam Island?”
“yes. “It probably hasn’t been that long since I last visited.”
“Why are you telling me that fact until a day later?”
“Some say there is a high possibility that the target has already left Haenam Island, and others decided that there would be no good in throwing the current Haenam faction into chaos.”
“Hmm.”
“Now that I haven’t finished the treatment of Elder Flame Soul Sword, I can’t be away to catch the demon cultist.”
“······.”
“For now, I sent you the letter. “You can leave it to the Murim Alliance to track down the demon cultists who have fled to the mainland.”
“I understand.”
“Anyway, if there are any records left about the exchanges between the Haenam faction and Wolhwajang, could you pass them on to me?”
“It’s not difficult. “If you wish, I will tell Jangmunin and make arrangements to allow you to enter Jangseogak.”
“Please do me a favor.”
martial arts,
