Chapter 246
Chapter 246. Where the Blood Demon Will Head
So-hwa's eyes, which had been darkening, suddenly turned toward Zhuge Ji-hwi's back.
No sound could be heard, yet she sensed a faint waft of pine incense drifting in.
She stared at the door, then lifted her gaze to the sky.
Namgung Hyun had said they needed to return once the moon passed a certain point, but she could not distinguish its position at all.
Even though he had told her several times, she could not remember, which suggested that the eyes of a practitioner of dark arts were not exactly ordinary.
So-hwa simply gauged the time by Namgung Hyun's presence. It seemed it was already time to go back.
"If the records held by the Zhuge Clan are those from Jin Yin Mountain, how much has been transferred?"
Zhuge Ji-hwi, as if conceding defeat to Tang So-hwa's persistent suspicion, confessed.
"I don't know how extensive the records of Jin Yin Mountain are, but it must still be a long way to go. The Blood Sect said it would take twenty years, so that means there is still plenty left to move."
Zhuge Ji-hwi's voice was strange. It sounded heavy, as though tinged with regret.
So-hwa did not miss that nuance.
"It seems something is bothering you."
“Yes, there is content I need, but since I don't know when it will be delivered, I am a bit anxious.”
"May I ask what kind of content you need? I've seen some things myself, so it might help."
Zhuge Ji-hwi let out a small laugh.
"It's nothing much. A method to restore the sight of someone who went blind after falling into Qi deviation."
So-hwa fell silent for a moment.
She felt she knew who the record was meant for.
After quietly thinking it over, So-hwa spoke.
"I don't know whether such a method exists, but if it is recorded in the archive, there is a way to find it immediately."
"What do you mean by that?"
"There is someone who manages the archive in the Black Pavilion. It is difficult to fully trust what he says since it came from his own mouth, but he claims to have memorized every record in the archive and to be fluent in all languages of the Outer Regions. Because of that, even after committing a grave crime, the Blood Demon spared his life. If we could extract that administrator, you would be able to obtain the record you want without wasting time."
For a moment, a strange light flickered in Zhuge Ji-hwi's eyes, then they turned murky.
"... Are you telling me to enter Jin Yin Mountain alone and kidnap one of the Blood Demon's people? Haha, waiting twenty years sounds more realistic."
So-hwa understood why Zhuge Ji-hwi was afraid.
If even the Alliance Leader had failed to defeat the Blood Demon at Jin Yin Mountain, then Zhuge Ji-hwi would fear that place all the more.
Rising from her seat, So-hwa said,
"I offered this in hopes it might help, but if it's difficult, it can't be helped. I slipped out while things were hectic, so I should be heading back now. I hope we can speak again later."
“Yes, let us do that.”
Zhuge Ji-hwi also stood up.
As he opened the door, he added,
"Next time, instead of summoning me to the Four Seasons Hall, let's meet at the Platinum Pavilion. The headquarters has too many eyes from our retainers, so it's burdensome."
So-hwa nodded lightly.
"By the way, what happened to the Tang Clan? Are they all right?"
Only now, as his tension eased, did Zhuge Ji-hwi ask something so mundane.
It was a question he could ask because he already knew they were fine. Seeing Tang So-hwa here, calmly conversing, he could infer that the Tang Clan's situation was favorable.
He swallowed a hollow laugh inwardly.
'Then again, what is there to fear when even the dark arts practitioner whom the Blood Demon is obsessed with has sided with her?’
In an instant, the vessels the Blood Demon had invested most heavily in, the North Sea and the Great Desert, had become hers, and even the dark arts practitioner had joined her.
‘Now that the Demonic Sect has disappeared, if even the Blood Sect collapses....’
A thin crease formed between Zhuge Ji-hwi's brows.
It was because the thought crossed his mind that, should the Blood Demon disappear, that woman might come to hold the world in her grasp.
Of course, it was just one of many absurd worries that flickered through his head.
As he opened the door, he flinched.
It was because Namgung Hyun was standing in front of him.
He was surprised to see Namgung Hyun openly walking around the headquarters. It was far removed from the cautious temperament he had heard about.
'Wasn't it announced that he went to the Tang Clan? If someone sees him moving like this, suspicion will arise.'
Namgung Hyun passed Zhuge Ji-hwi and looked at Tang So-hwa. Tang So-hwa, sensing his unusual mood as well, spoke first.
"Let's return now."
However, Namgung Hyun seemed to have no intention of going back.
"Before that, there's a place we need to stop by briefly."
"... Are you openly ignoring me? That's disappointing."
Zhuge Ji-hwi joked, trying to break the gloomy atmosphere.
But Namgung Hyun did not play along. Instead, he said something cryptic even to him.
"Young Lord, it would be best for you to return to the Zhuge Clan immediately."
"Hmm. I was planning to do so anyway, but hearing it from you makes going home feel frightening."
After hesitating for a moment, Namgung Hyun spoke cautiously.
"The gatekeeper has crossed into Hubei."
At those words, all expression vanished from Zhuge Ji-hwi's face.
"He just left the headquarters, so he may already be heading for the Zhuge Clan. If they find out you stayed at the Four Seasons Hall, you could be subjected to unnecessary questioning, so you should return before they arrive."
"Where are you two heading?"
Namgung Hyun seemed to harbor some lingering doubts, but reluctantly revealed them.
"The gatekeeper confirmed that the Tang Clan's residence within the headquarters was relocated, so part of them will likely head to the Tang Clan. Before that, we plan to go to the Platinum Pavilion to check what the situation is and then return. It's the only organization that gathers Blood Sect information quickly and is favorable toward Young Lady Tang."
Zhuge Ji-hwi nodded slightly. The playfulness had disappeared from his face.
"I'll return straight to the main estate as well and look into the situation."
After Zhuge Ji-hwi left, Namgung Hyun split off in another direction with Tang So-hwa.
Zhuge Ji-hwi glanced back.
The two were heading toward the rear of the hall.
‘Was he someone who could move so cooperatively?’
It was strange to see such a calculating man, who even demanded compensation from the Blood Demon, moving as if it were his own affair.
He grew curious about what Tang So-hwa had offered him as terms.
* * *
So-hwa, who had slipped in over the wall, swept her gaze across the Platinum Pavilion with a strange look.
She did not feel the distinctive warmth of the Solar Palace bloodline.
"Please, go inside."
They quietly climbed the stairs. When the two reached the floor where the Deputy Hall Lord usually stayed, they looked around. Their expressions darkened.
Not only was the Deputy Hall Lord absent, but there was no one guarding the area either.
So-hwa turned to Namgung Hyun and asked,
"Is there any chance the gatekeeper stopped by the Platinum Pavilion first?"
Namgung Hyun shook his head.
"The gatekeeper is the most loyal follower of the Blood Demon. He despises established vessels and does not get along with the Main Blood Hall, so the likelihood that he came here seeking help is low. At the same time, he is not powerful enough to force orders upon the Main Blood Hall."
As she listened, So-hwa looked over the Deputy Hall Lord's office again. Seeing how neatly it was arranged, it seemed he had deliberately vacated the place.
"It seems the Deputy Hall Lord has gone to the Great Desert. I don't know how many, but it looks like he took his subordinates with him as well. Those left behind don't seem to care, so they're working at their own pace without watching anyone's mood."
"... He's out of his mind. If he knew the temperament of the Main Blood Hall Lord, he wouldn't dare leave the hall so carelessly."
So-hwa had an idea of what was going on, so she could understand their actions.
It might not be that the Hall Lord had simply stepped away, but that he had reclaimed the Great Desert, and thus no longer regarded the Platinum Pavilion as his base.
Without looking for anyone who remained, So-hwa continued up the stairs. Namgung Hyun followed behind her.
When they reached the top floor, Namgung Hyun hesitated in front of the door.
"It's difficult to go in here."
It wasn't merely about courtesy toward an ownerless room.
It wasn't merely out of politeness because the room was empty. For a member of the Profound Emptiness Pavilion, it was natural to fear entering the territory of the 'mad dog'.
"You can stay here, young warrior."
So-hwa opened the door and entered alone.
A room with walls wide open to the outside was revealed.
There was no overwhelming aura lingering in the hall. The night streets were quiet as well.
So-hwa sat conspicuously by the window, yet no one came to seize her.
"It really seems there's no one in the Platinum Pavilion. There doesn't appear to be any follower keeping watch either. For now, let's return to the Tang Clan, and later you can ask Young Lord Zhuge Ji-hwi why the gatekeeper came."
It was then.
Namgung Hyun suddenly leaned sharply backward.
He had sensed an enormous presence rising from below.
Thinking it an intruder, Namgung Hyun tried to block the way, but the other party passed him with ease. In that brief instant, Namgung Hyun realized who it was.
"Deputy Hall Lord?"
As Namgung Hyun murmured to himself, the Deputy Hall Lord was already standing in the center of the Hall Lord's room.
The Deputy Hall Lord approached Tang So-hwa and collapsed as if crumpling.
Thud!
In a disheveled state, the Deputy Hall Lord pressed his head to the floor.
"Please help me."
His severely cracked voice trembled.
"I'll do anything, so please, just go with me to the Great Desert right now."