Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 218 : Family Trip (3)

Jin Sa-wol had not clearly decided yet, so he contemplated for a moment. But he judged that if he had made a decision, it was better to move quickly.

"When we get to the inn, we should prepare right away. The sooner, the better."

"I think so too."

Bi-sun answered and then asked.

"What are you going to do with those training ghosts of the Ghost Spirit Valley?"

"If Brother Bi teaches them and Sister Jo also helps Brother Bi, they will become useful timber in a few years."

"In the end, you're telling us to take care of it."

Although Bi-sun sighed with an annoyed expression, thinking about the future, it was not bad to have more people. And if they were people who were absolutely loyal to them, they should be welcomed.

Jin Sa-wol thought that if it were Bi-sun and Jo-rim, there was no need to worry much.

"I was just looking for a place where I could live comfortably, but it feels like things have gotten bigger."

While saying that, he smiled as if he didn't dislike it.

But everyone gathered in the room knew well how difficult and hard the thing he had said was.

***

An interesting rumor was spreading in the martial world.

It was a rumor that the dead Jo Han-yu had stored the gold and silver treasures he had received as bribes from numerous evil sects in a place called the Thousand Gold Vault.

The Thousand Gold Vault was in the Gangnam Grand Inn in Guguang, and a group of evil sects who had been aiming for the Thousand Gold Vault had attacked the Gangnam Grand Inn and had killed many people.

Seo Mun-ryeon, who was standing on the deck, listened to the stories of the merchants who were chattering not far away.

"They say the reason the Martial Alliance managed and protected the Gangnam Grand Inn was because of the enormous gold and silver treasures in the Thousand Gold Vault."

"I heard there are many who are aiming for it, but didn't most of them die? If you aim for the Thousand Gold Vault, they say you'll be killed by an assassin called the God of Death without a mouse or a bird knowing..."

"That's a rumor. What's certain is that the Thousand Gold Vault is in the Gangnam Grand Inn. They say if you take the gold and silver treasures inside, you can get the world."

"How much is it?"

"I don't know, maybe tens of millions of nyang?"

"It might be more. Not only that, but it seems that priceless martial arts manuals and weapons are also stored there."

"They'll be aiming for it from all over."

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had heard the stories of the several chattering merchants, frowned and wrinkled her nose.

'It doesn't seem like the rumor came from our faction... It seems to be a rumor that came from somewhere while I was away for a while.'

Seo Mun-ryeon decided to investigate the source of the rumor as soon as she arrived in Kaifeng.

The matter of the Gangnam Grand Inn was Jin Sa-wol's business. She couldn't help but be interested.

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had gotten off the merchant ship that had arrived at the pier of Kaifeng Fortress, instinctively became anxious when she saw the numerous warriors of the Martial Alliance.

There seemed to be at least three hundred of them.

Two men and women who were approaching from behind her passed her as if nothing had happened.

-Tell Sa-wol to come to Kaifeng.

Seo Mun-ryeon's telepathic message was transmitted to the two people. But the two moved as if they had not heard anything.

The warriors of the Martial Alliance, after examining the wanted poster with Seo Mun-ryeon's face, confirmed her face and blew a whistle.

As the sound of the whistle echoed at the pier, numerous warriors gathered around Seo Mun-ryeon.

-You guys get out of here too. Don't step forward and just watch the situation.

Seo Mun-ryeon, after throwing a telepathic message to someone, looked at the young man in his early thirties who was approaching her.

"We greet Master Seo Mun."

"Do you know me?"

"I have seen the master's appearance in a picture."

The young man handed over the wanted poster he was holding in his hand. Seo Mun-ryeon read her own face and the writing next to it.

"Her personality is like a crazy dog, but her appearance is remarkably beautiful. Hmph! I like it."

As if she were satisfied with the word 'pretty', Seo Mun-ryeon showed a smile and asked the young man.

"Do you have any business with me, a warrior of the Martial Alliance?"

"The Wonju has ordered me to bring you, so I have come. Let's go together."

"How can I follow you without knowing who you are?"

Seo Mun-ryeon showed a displeased expression. Then, the young man, with a hardened expression, made a fist and said again.

"I am Bae Min, the master of the Sword Wind Hall of the Martial Alliance. Is that enough? Then."

Seo Mun-ryeon recalled the name Bae Min among the disciples of the Baekgeomun. He was the junior of the dead Sword Wind Hall Master, Buk Myeong-woo, and had been the grand master of the Sword Wind Hall.

It seemed he had taken the position after Buk Myeong-woo's death.

"Who is the Wonju? If he has business, shouldn't he come himself?"

At Seo Mun-ryeon's words, Bae Min frowned.

"I think I've shown enough courtesy to the Hao Faction."

"It seems you think you can ignore the Hao Faction because it's the Martial Alliance."

"The Hao Faction... "

As Bae Min's voice echoed at the pier, the workers who were working stopped their movements for a moment.

Many merchants, as well as burly men, stopped their actions and gathered behind Seo Mun-ryeon.

As many people suddenly gathered, Bae Min's expression hardened.

"What about the Hao Faction!"

"We are also the Hao Faction. Does that mean the Martial Alliance can persecute the Hao Faction!"

The warriors of the Martial Alliance could not hide their flustered expressions at the voices of the many people.

Bae Min, after examining the people who looked like low-class ruffians, said to Seo Mun-ryeon.

"The order I received is to escort the young lady. If these people interfere, I will kill them all."

"Are you saying the Martial Alliance also kills people who don't know martial arts?"

"I'm just following orders."

Bae Min said and then grabbed the hilt of his sword. Then, his subordinates all drew their swords at once.

*Clang! Clang!

As the sound of swords being drawn and held in hand echoed loudly at the pier, the burly men who were standing behind Seo Mun-ryeon were surprised and slowly retreated.

Life was one, and they seemed to have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the Martial Alliance.

"Stop playing around and let's go. The Wonju of the Martial Arts Garden is waiting."

At the words 'Wonju of the Martial Arts Garden', Seo Mun-ryeon thought of Son Muk. Various pieces of information about Son Muk flashed through her mind at a rapid speed.

"Okay. Lead the way."

Hearing Seo Mun-ryeon's answer, Bae Min soon turned his body and headed for the prepared carriage.

As Seo Mun-ryeon got on the carriage, Bae Min also got on.

***

A carriage, along with about three hundred warriors, was entering a small manor located on the outskirts of Seo Mun, not Kaifeng Fortress.

There were also a large number of warriors inside the manor. They were standing guard, surrounding the manor in layers.

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had gotten off the carriage, examined the warriors who were standing guard tightly.

'Is it because of the assassins?'

Since there were many warriors, it seemed it would not be easy to escape. Was it a mistake to have followed them?

Her mind became complicated with various thoughts.

"This way."

Seo Mun-ryeon soon entered the main hall with Bae Min.

A round table was placed in the center of the wide main hall. Son Muk, who was sitting at the head of the table, stood up and greeted Seo Mun-ryeon when he saw her.

"I am Son Muk, the Martial Arts Garden Master of the Martial Alliance. It is an honor to meet the Hao Faction Master."

At Son Muk's polite greeting, Seo Mun-ryeon showed a smile.

"I am Seo Mun-ryeon of the Hao Faction."

"Please sit."

As Son Muk offered a seat, Seo Mun-ryeon sat down in a nearby chair. Son Muk sat down in his original seat and said.

"Recently, because of an assassin called the God of Death, the number of guards has increased a lot. Even if it's inconvenient, please understand."

"Of course. I have also heard the rumors."

"I will prepare Longjing tea."

Son Muk said and then nodded to Bae Min. It meant it was safe, and it was also an order to leave.

Bae Min quietly left the main hall. Then, the waiting maids approached, put down tea and refreshments, and retreated.

Sweets and rice cakes were prepared, and there was also syrup to dip them in.

Seo Mun-ryeon drank the Longjing tea and tried her best to show a calm expression. Son Muk said.

"I heard that the eldest daughter of the Seo Mun family has come as the Hao Faction Master, which is a very unusual case. I heard you came as the Hao Faction Master because there were many changes in the Demonic Cult... How is the Demonic Cult?"

"I think the Martial Alliance also knows well how things are going."

"Dokgo Hyeon has become the Cult Leader. I have heard such rumors."

Son Muk already knew that Dokgo Hyeon had become the Cult Leader. That meant he had information power.

"You already know everything, so what do you want to confirm?"

"The fact that the Hao Faction is the Demonic Cult can be known just by looking at Master Seo Mun."

"I have severed ties with the Demonic Cult. It seems you are misunderstanding, but the Hao Faction has no connection with the Demonic Cult. It's just selling information."

"If you have severed ties with the Demonic Cult?"

"My father has passed away. To the Demonic Cult Leader... The Demonic Cult is my enemy."

Seo Mun-ryeon's expression was not a lie. Of course, she did not say that it was the former Cult Leader. The important thing was that the Demonic Cult was her enemy.

Son Muk stroked his short beard and contemplated for a moment. He was judging what was for the sake of the alliance.

"Tell me the main point. Why did you call me to such a secret place?"

When Seo Mun-ryeon asked, Son Muk sighed and answered.

"The last remaining disciple of the Jongnam Sect has asked the alliance for help. You will know him well as Gwak Ji."

Hearing the name Gwak Ji, Seo Mun-ryeon's expression hardened.

"It was a Demonic Cult member named Na Hyeon-gi who annihilated the Jongnam Sect, but they say it was the Hao Faction who helped him from behind."

"That's a lie. Is there any reason for our faction to get involved in the annihilation of the Jongnam Sect?"

"I heard you wanted the secret manuals. Gwak Ji and some Hao Faction members have already confessed. They all said it was all ordered by the master."

"What did I order?"

"They said you joined hands with a Demonic Cult member named Na Hyeon-gi, annihilated the Jongnam Sect, and then tried to steal all the secret manuals."

Hearing Son Muk's story, Seo Mun-ryeon felt like a fish trapped in a net that she could not escape.

Seeing the silent Seo Mun-ryeon, Son Muk drank his tea and said again.

"You know Wang Hong, right? That gisaeng said that the Hao Faction Master annihilated the Jongnam Sect to get the secret manuals of the Jongnam Sect. Pavilion Master Mae also admitted it."

"Mae Gang-hwa?"

Seo Mun-ryeon showed a 'don't tell me' expression. She had not even imagined that she would betray her.

Seo Mun-ryeon could roughly guess how the situation was going just by hearing Son Muk's story.

While she was away in the Demonic Cult for an urgent matter, Gwak Ji and Wang Hong had either run away to the Martial Alliance or Mae Gang-hwa had taken them to the Martial Alliance.

If not, they had informed the Martial Alliance.

But for what reason did she abandon her and choose the Martial Alliance? Was there any reason for Mae Gang-hwa to do that?

She suddenly recalled that Mae Gang-hwa had moved to join hands with the Martial Alliance, not the Demonic Cult, before.

Son Muk showed a smile to Seo Mun-ryeon, who was showing a complicated expression.

"For the sake of the justice of the martial world, Master Seo Mun must enter the alliance with us and receive punishment for your sins."

"What do you want?"

When Seo Mun-ryeon asked, Son Muk showed a hardened expression.

"The Hao Faction."

Hearing Son Muk's answer, Seo Mun-ryeon laughed loudly without realizing it.

"Hohohoho!"

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had been laughing loudly, calmed her mind and said with a calm face.

"It seems you promised Mae Gang-hwa the position of the Hao Faction Master. But what can you do? The Hao Faction is mine, not the Martial Alliance's. It seems you are mistaken that you can have it if you play some tricks."

"Hahahaha!"

This time, Son Muk laughed loudly.

"Is there a reason I can't have it?"

(End of Chapter)