Guanyin - 4
The disciples of Mount Emei decided to return directly to their main sect.
Lady Jeong-hye, who had accompanied us as part of the investigation team during the Qianjin incident, as well as Lady Jeong-yeon and Lady Jeong-an, who had been with us until now, were all leaving too.
Though we had moved together for several days and parting was not without regret, it would be burdensome for them to ignore the warnings of the Qianjin incident and keep moving with us. More importantly, I judged that with their skills, it was impossible for them to infiltrate Zhengxie Sect.
Just before their departure, Bi Sa-yeong and I watched as the young ladies of Mount Emei surrounded Hwa Yeong bin, squealing and chatting like schoolgirls as they said their goodbyes.
Seeing their eyes sparkle at him as if looking at a beloved, it was clear that Hwa Yeong bin was indeed the man admired by every disciple of Mount Emei.
"Brother Hwa, thank you once again for saving us."
"Brother Hwa, please save Sister Jeong-in too! Always take care of yourself."
"Brother Hwa, you must visit Mount Emei again. Promise us!"
"Brother Hwa…!"
"Brother Hwa…!"
Even Lady Jeong-an clasped her hands tightly and looked at Hwa Yeong bin with the same expression, which made Bi Sa-yeong, who was watching with a bitter face, look even more miserable. I leaned over and commented softly:
"Hwa Daxia must really love that Lady Jeong-seon. To stay unmoved even when so many young ladies are gazing at him."
It was my way of saying don't be too discouraged—there's no chance there anyway.
Bi Sa-yeong muttered under his breath.
"…I really need to become a true master."
I blinked at the sudden remark.
"What are you talking about, all of a sudden?"
He sighed bitterly.
"I can't surpass Hwa Daxia in looks, that much is clear. At least if my martial arts reach his level, then I might stand a chance."
"Ah…"
Well, that was true enough…
But then I thought—was it really possible to catch up in martial arts? After all, Hwa Yeong bin wouldn't be sitting idle either. For someone like Bi Sa-yeong, who was merely at first-rate level now, to catch up with someone at near peerless heights seemed nearly impossible.
Still, I decided to just nod along.
What else could I say? Telling him to give up because he can't win in looks or martial arts would be too cruel.
He looked at me and chuckled.
"You were just thinking that I couldn't do it anyway, weren't you?"
Cough!
Caught off guard, I glanced at his expression. Since he didn't look too upset, I just admitted it honestly with a laugh.
"Yeah, man. Honestly, can you even compare to Hwa Daxia? In looks, martial arts, background, even personality—you're a third-rate warrior standing before a pinnacle."
"Ugh! Why the sudden truth assault? And at least in personality, I'm better, right?"
I replied as firmly as possible.
"Nope. Not even close."
"…Hah. Some friend you are."
"If I weren't your friend, I'd have told you to reincarnate instead."
"What did you say?!"
While we were bickering like this, Lady Jeong-yeon and Lady Jeong-an, having finished their farewells to Hwa Yeong bin, approached us.
Lady Jeong-yeon, her face flushed, bowed politely to me.
"Lord Seonu, thank you so much for everything. I owe you more than I can say. If by chance we meet again…"
She couldn't even meet my eyes properly as she spoke. I cut her off with a gentle smile.
"There's no need for thanks. Anyone would have done the same. Please stay safe, my lady. And don't worry too much about Lady Jeong-in of the Emei Sword Peak—I will certainly rescue her."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Though I had no real experience with women, recently even in Flying Dragon Corps, there had been quite a few who showed interest in me. So I could easily guess her feelings.
Honestly, it wasn't hard to see, with her always flushed face and inability to look me in the eyes.
But I didn't want to leave her with any false hope. I'd recently learned it was better to be firm than to pretend to be a "nice guy."
She was a kind and beautiful woman, but… my heart had no room left.
Lady Jeong-yeon lowered her head with a lonely expression, as if not wanting to show me her teary eyes.
Meanwhile, beside me, Bi Sa-yeong was saying farewell to Lady Jeong-an with an unusually solemn air.
"Please take care, my lady. When I have become a master to rival Hwa Yeong bin Daxia, I will come find you again."
But Lady Jeong-an blinked and tilted her head curiously.
"Huh? Until then, we can't see each other?"
"…Eh?"
Her once-bright face dimmed with disappointment.
"I really enjoyed the time we spent together and thought we had grown close… I suppose it was just my mistake."
Now it was Bi Sa-yeong's turn to panic.
"Eh? N-no, my lady, that's not a mistake—"
As he floundered, Lady Jeong-an bowed sadly.
"I'm sorry. I must have misunderstood again."
Flustered, Bi Sa-yeong blurted out:
"No! I truly enjoyed our time together too!"
Oh!
That came out like a sudden, passionate confession. Even I was startled.
"Really? You mean it?"
When Lady Jeong-an looked up at him with a radiant smile, Bi Sa-yeong froze, dazzled by her beauty.
He looked half-entranced, and I could barely suppress my laughter.
Then she frowned slightly again, puzzled. Truly, she was a young lady of many expressions.
"But if you enjoyed it, why don't you plan to visit sooner? Were you lying just so I wouldn't feel bad…?"
Bi Sa-yeong stammered quickly.
"I'll visit! I'll definitely come during my next leave!"
Her face lit up, and she clapped her hands.
"Really?! That's wonderful!"
After saying farewell to the two ladies, we watched them leave. Bi Sa-yeong turned to me with a dazed look.
"I feel great… but why does it feel like I was toyed with? How should I interpret this?"
I snorted.
"Hmph! You think I'd know? Since when do I understand women's hearts?"
"…True enough. Neither of us do."
The way he accepted it so easily left me oddly bitter.
Still, maybe I was doing a little better than him?
After sending off the disciples of Mount Emei, we immediately visited the nearest Hao Clan branch, seeking information.
We went to the Misang branch in Sichuan Province, and perhaps because of Hwa Yeong bin Daxia's reputation, the branch master himself came out and very politely gave us what he knew.
"…And so, after their crushing defeat by Mountain Sword Sect, the remnants of Zhengxie Sect returned to Sichuan."
"As expected!"
Bi Sa-yeong and I clenched our fists in joy at the news of Zhengxie Sect's defeat.
We had firm faith in Captain Seol-pung and Lady Cheong-yeon, but that didn't mean we had been free of worry.
From what we heard, just as I had thought, it was Lady Cheong-yeon's strategy and the captain's performance that had decided the outcome.
Relieved to hear of our comrades' success, I asked about other matters. Now was the time to gather proper intelligence.
"So, what is Zhengxie Sect doing now after their defeat?"
"They seem to be preparing for a rematch. They are rallying their remaining peak experts and concentrating forces in Guizhou Province."
"I see."
I nodded. That was only natural. Zhengxie Sect couldn't allow themselves to suffer defeat and retreat at the hands of Mountain Sword Sect. Now it was a matter of pride and honor.
And for us, this was very good news indeed.
If their forces were concentrated in Guizhou, it meant their headquarters would be left weakened.
I asked again.
"What of the Zhengxie Sect Leader? Has he moved as well?"
The branch master frowned awkwardly.
"That… we do not know. As you know, the identity of the Zhengxie Sect Leader has never been revealed."
Indeed, the leader's true identity was still unknown.
I suspected he might be a demonic commander directly under the Blood Demon.
In any case, we had gathered about as much as we could as clients.
Now it was time for some intimidation.
I grinned at the branch master.
"By the way… I'm curious. Are you planning to report everything we've asked to Zhengxie Sect?"
For a brief moment, his eyes flickered.
But he quickly recovered, answering calmly like a seasoned snake.
"Excuse me? I don't know what you mean…"
Indeed, he was a veteran of this world. But unfortunately for him, the situation wasn't in his favor this time.
"It seems you've mistaken me for someone probing you, Branch Master. But if that's what you thought, I'd suggest you change your mind. This may well be your last chance."
His expression suddenly hardened.
"…What exactly are you trying to say?"
I answered with a cold, twisted smile.
"I'm saying that the Misang branch of Hao Clan has become a pawn of the Blood Cult. Perhaps not just the Misang branch either."
"What?!"
At my words, not only the branch master but even Hwa Yeong bin's face was filled with shock.
Only Bi Sa-yeong gave a faint laugh, as if he had expected me to say that.
Hwa Yeong bin glared at the branch master with blazing eyes.
"A pawn of the Blood Cult?"
The branch master hurried to deny it.
"What nonsense! That's slander! Young Lord, you're slandering us!"
But I smiled thinly and pressed on.
"Slander? What part is slander? Was it slander that you sold the information of Lady Jeong-in of Emei Sword Peak, leading to her abduction by Blood Cultists? Even though Lady Jeong-yeon and Lady Jeong-an, who were abducted with her, managed to escape safely and testified?"
He cried out, indignant.
"W-we sold the information only to Guanyin Hall! How could we possibly have known they were Blood Cultists…!"
"Oh, you sold it to Guanyin Hall? Still clinging to that excuse? From what I've heard, Guanyin Hall had already been swallowed up by Zhengxie Sect. Didn't you sell that information knowing full well it was to Lady Jeong-in's party?"
"T-that's…"
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, at a loss for words.
He tried to hastily add something, but I cut him off first.
"Ah, forget it. Listening to you, I suppose next you'll claim you didn't know Zhengxie Sect was part of the Blood Cult either. Very well, I understand."
With that, I rose and addressed Hwa Yeong bin and Bi Sa-yeong.
"Let's go. There's no point talking further."
The branch master shot to his feet, shouting.
"We truly didn't know they were Blood Cultists! What on earth are you planning to do?!"
I chuckled.
"For a Hao Clan branch master, your judgment is awfully slow. What we were planning—we've already done. We let Hwa Yeong bin Daxia hear everything we just discussed. Now imagine what he'll do with that knowledge, and what will become of Hao Clan from here."
The branch master turned pale as he glanced at Hwa Yeong bin in terror.
Of course he knew. He knew exactly what kind of background Hwa Yeong bin had, and how deep his hatred for the Blood Cult ran.
Now, before Hwa Yeong bin, his collusion with the Blood Cult had been exposed. Worse, he had tried to cover it up and been caught.
Hwa Yeong bin's eyes were now filled with killing intent as he stared at him.
He spoke slowly.
"I will inform Qingcheng Sect, all the sects of Sichuan, and the Martial Alliance of this fact. I do not know what judgment the Martial Alliance will make, but one thing is certain: Hao Clan of Sichuan will have to wash its sins away with blood."
The room was filled with Hwa Yeong bin's murderous aura.
The dense killing intent of a master on the verge of reaching the supreme peak—how could a mere second-rate like the branch master possibly withstand it?
Trembling, his face pale, the branch master stammered.
"D-Daxia, w-we never…"
But Hwa Yeong bin had no intention of listening further. He simply turned his back, his eyes cold as ice.
As the branch master collapsed into his seat in despair, I opened my mouth.
"There is one way…"
The branch master looked up at me in shock, desperate. Hwa Yeong bin, too, paused at the door and turned to me.
I slowly addressed the branch master, whose eyes showed the desperation of a drowning man clutching at straws.
"There is only one way Hao Clan can survive now."
"W-what is it?!"
I looked into his eyes and spoke clearly.
"What else could it be? You must stand at the forefront of exterminating the Blood Cult."
"…What?"
I sneered.
"You must mobilize all of Hao Clan's information and expose every sect Zhengxie Sect has taken over, just like Guanyin Hall. Then, you must formally apologize to Emei Sect and all the other sects harmed by Zhengxie Sect's schemes."
As I went on, his face grew paler and paler.
To him, it must have sounded like a nightmare.
Hao Clan had survived by remaining neutral, belonging to neither orthodox nor demonic side. Now I was telling him to make an enemy of the Blood Cult.
But that wasn't my concern.
They had crossed the line, lost their justification. If they still wished to claim neutrality, they would have to pay with blood.
I drove the point home.
"Above all, you must swear eternal enmity against the Blood Cult. Only then will your excuse—that you did not know Zhengxie Sect was part of them—gain even the slightest credibility. Though even then, bloodshed may be unavoidable."
I looked toward Hwa Yeong bin.
His glare was still fixed on the branch master, but after a moment he sighed and spoke.
"Yes. If you do that, it may carry some weight."
The branch master now looked as though he might burst into tears.
"B-but… that's not something I can decide on my own…"
I cut him off with a final word.
"Don't mistake me. I am only offering advice. The decision lies with the various sects of the martial world and the Martial Alliance. Of course, I understand that it must be a heavy burden for Hao Clan, which has always claimed neutrality, to oppose such a powerful force as the Blood Cult."
At that, he nodded furiously, grateful that I seemed to sympathize with Hao Clan's plight.
But my next words froze him completely.
"Still, isn't that better than having every member of Hao Clan branded as public enemies of the martial world and exterminated? Think it over carefully. I suggest you hurry."
I turned and walked out.
The branch master remained slumped in his chair, dazed, until we were gone.
Outside, Hwa Yeong bin asked me:
"Was this your plan all along?"
"Yes. Zhengxie Sect couldn't have sunk its claws into only Guanyin Hall and Gwa Sword Sect. I'm sure they've turned countless other sects into puppets. To uncover them, we'll have no choice but to use Hao Clan's network. And if, in the process, we make sure the Blood Cult can no longer use Hao Clan, all the better."
Though I spoke lightly, this was no small matter.
In my previous life, Blood Cultists had infiltrated far and wide beyond the front lines. But in this life, I might have just blocked that at the root.
Perhaps not completely, but at the very least, the situation would unfold very differently from before.
I was deeply satisfied.
This time, I felt I could truly be proud of myself.
Hwa Yeong bin shook his head with a half-laugh.
"Really… you're incredible."
At his admiration, Bi Sa-yeong grinned at me proudly.
Embarrassed, I gave a sheepish smile.
"Well, it was only possible because you were here, Hwa Daxia. If it had just been Sa-yeong and me, the threats wouldn't have worked at all."
Hwa Yeong bin gave a hollow laugh.
"No need to be so modest. Isn't this just proof that I myself failed to do what you did using me? I wonder what it would have been like, back when I was with the Flying Dragon Corps, if I had had a friend like you to make use of me. Anyway… what do you plan to do now?"
I smirked.
"Since Zhengxie Sect's forces are focused in Guizhou, of course we're going to rescue Lady Jeong-in."
At long last, the time had come to march directly against Zhengxie Sect—the true culprit behind this entire incident.
READ MORE CHAPTERS HERE: https://payhip.com/Beastnovels