Chapter 207 : Operation, Commences
Chapter 207: Operation, Commences
At dawn, Dan Woobin summoned Mujin, Ma Young-gi, and Mook Young.
For this mission, Dan Woobin even called upon Mook Young, who had been guarding Baek Seolyoung. Mook Young’s role in this particular operation was of great importance.
As this was a gathering to issue formal orders, the atmosphere was serious and solemn. Not a trace of Dan Woobin's usual playfulness could be found.
“From this moment, we enter a new operation. The codename for this mission is ‘The Great Piece Must Die’.”
The name played on the term "Great Piece Immortality," a Go proverb meaning a large piece cannot be killed, by changing it to mean "A large piece must die."
The "Great Piece" in this context was Yeo Su-in, the successor of the Demonic Cult.
“This operation will be the starting point of the war against the Demonic Cult.”
If the great work reached completion, this gathering today would be recorded as one of the most important moments in history.
“Here are the operation plans. Read them and destroy them immediately.”
The three men read the plans meticulously. Each had been assigned a different role, with precise instructions on when, where, and what to do.
After they memorized the details, they burned the papers in the lamplight.
Dan Woobin looked at them and spoke in a low voice.
“As you know, this operation is critical. I won't tolerate a single mistake.”
Dan Woobin emphasized success more than usual. Everyone understood the weight of the mission better than anyone else.
“Yes. We will keep that in mind.”
When the three answered in unison, Dan Woobin signaled the start of history.
“The Great Piece Must Die, the operation begins now.”
* * *
The operation started by sending a letter to Yeo Su-in.
“A reply has come from the Murim Alliance stating they will accept the meeting we requested.”
At Do Cheolgi’s report, Yeo Su-in asked back.
“When is it?”
“Five days from now.”
The Murim Alliance's answer had finally arrived regarding the proposal to join forces and strike the Black Way Alliance.
Yeo Su-in showed a satisfied smile.
“The result is already decided anyway.”
There was no way Lee Jaseung would agree to strike the Black Way Alliance, which was his own base of power.
“I'm curious what kind of excuses he’ll make to refuse. Hahaha.”
Yeo Su-in was preparing various remarks to counter Lee Jaseung’s excuses. He intended to turn him into a coward in front of everyone.
Do Cheolgi felt that Yeo Su-in’s laughter was unnatural.
It was different from the usual Yeo Su-in; in short, it felt like something was twisted.
From the meeting with Baek Seolyoung to the way he treated Lee Jaseung.
He wasn't moving for the sake of a grand cause but was moving purely out of personal motives. It was a sequence of sensitive emotions rather than cool logic.
This proposal itself was proof. He was forcing a proposal that didn't even need to be made just to insult Lee Jaseung.
At any other time, Do Cheolgi would have believed that Yeo Su-in had some hidden plan he didn't know about.
But this case was different. He could vividly feel the boiling anger through his skin.
‘He is still young, after all.’
Do Cheolgi reached that conclusion.
However, he didn't bring up the subject to Yeo Su-in. He judged that the situation wasn't grave enough yet to do so.
“Will you meet Lady Baek again?”
“I must.”
“Have you prepared an answer?”
Then Yeo Su-in showed a peculiar smile. It was an expression that clearly showed he had something in mind.
“Let’s meet Lee Jaseung first. Go and tell them we accept the proposal.”
* * *
Do Cheolgi stepped out of the room.
The New Ten Demon Kings guarding the hallway gave him a light nod. Their relationship was like that of a right arm to left arms. Because of the struggle for initiative, they weren't on particularly good terms.
After leaving the inn, Do Cheolgi headed toward the Murim Alliance. He intended to deliver Yeo Su-in’s formal response.
Mook Young watched him from a distance. As Mook Young had established his own school of stealth arts, Do Cheolgi never realized he was being monitored.
Seeing Do Cheolgi head toward the Murim Alliance, Mook Young released a prepared messenger hawk. The hawk cut through the wind and flew toward the Alliance.
Long after the hawk arrived, Do Cheolgi reached the Murim Alliance.
“The Young Cult Leader of our cult has sent a formal letter.”
“Please come this way.”
A Murim Alliance warrior guided him inside.
Under normal circumstances, Sa Jo-pyeong, the strategist, should have received the letter.
However, Sa Jo-pyeong wasn't at the Alliance at that time. Ma Young-gi had called him out, saying there were matters to discuss regarding guard duties.
The person who met Do Cheolgi instead of Sa Jo-pyeong was Mujin. As the head of the Virtuous Heroes, a direct organization under the Alliance Leader, he was in a position to stand in for Sa Jo-pyeong.
“I am Mujin, leader of the Virtuous Heroes.”
“I’ve brought a message from the Young Cult Leader. This is the formal reply.”
“Yes, I’ll deliver it to the Alliance Leader immediately.”
“I’ll take my leave then.”
After delivering the letter, Do Cheolgi left the room at once.
As he walked down the hallway outside Mujin’s office, a maid approached from the opposite direction holding a bundle of flowers to her chest.
She was Dan Ah, the maid of Baek Seolyoung.
Dan Ah and Do Cheolgi brushed past each other in the narrow hallway.
Do Cheolgi caught the scent of the flowers Dan Ah was holding. At the fragrant scent that refreshed his mood, he realized he had been living a desolate life for quite a long time.
Well, even if that were true, his life wasn't one where he could start enjoying nature starting today.
Do Cheolgi then exited the building.
Meanwhile, when Dan Ah, who was carrying the flowers, turned a corner in the hallway, someone was waiting there.
It was Dan Woobin. Dan Woobin was covering his nose and mouth with a mask. He took the flowers she handed over, quickly placed them in a prepared box, and closed it.
Only then did he remove his mask. Through that series of actions, Dan Ah could tell. The flowers Dan Woobin had prepared beforehand were treated with a scent that only had an effect on men.
“You’ve worked hard.”
At Dan Woobin’s words, Dan Ah bowed and spoke.
“Not at all. But did I perform my role correctly?”
“Did that man not smell the flower scent intentionally?”
“It didn't seem that way.”
“Then you did an excellent job.”
Since Dan Woobin looked busy, Dan Ah didn't ask further and left after saying goodbye.
Sure enough, when she looked back from the corner, Dan Woobin was nowhere to be seen in the hallway.
* * *
After leaving the Murim Alliance, Do Cheolgi went straight back to the inn and reported the result to Yeo Su-in.
Afterward, he ate and spent time as usual, but when darkness fell, he left the inn again.
He turned his steps toward the bustling marketplace.
As evening came, he felt restless for some reason and kept thinking about wanting to hold a woman.
He had been holding back because the atmosphere didn't seem right for leisurely embracing a woman, but after dinner, he reached the limit of his patience.
Do Cheolgi entered an alley lined with brothels.
Courtesans with heavy makeup vied to attract him.
“Young Master! Come this way.”
“Handsome brother, come here.”
Do Cheolgi entered a brothel located in a corner that didn't engage in solicitation. He wanted to find a quiet place.
The surging Yang energy was so strong that even the middle aged woman guiding him to a room looked beautiful.
‘Well, I’ve been starved for too long lately after all.’
It was because he hadn't been able to embrace a woman at all while coming down the mountain with Yeo Su-in.
“Bring a table of wine and the prettiest girl here.”
As he spoke, he gave the middle aged woman a generous tip.
The woman smiled broadly and said.
“I’ll bring you a girl who is absolutely stunning.”
A moment later, the wine was served, followed by a courtesan with a magnificent figure.
After a couple of drinks, Do Cheolgi immediately pulled the woman toward the bed. Having had a drink, he simply couldn't endure it any longer.
The two became lost in pleasure.
While they were in the middle of the act, a small bamboo tube was inserted through the door, and a fine smoke was blown through it.
Pshhh.
Engrossed in the woman, Do Cheolgi didn't notice the subtle movement.
A moment later, Do Cheolgi fell into a deep sleep as if he had collapsed. The courtesan had already fallen asleep before him.
Once the two were asleep, a different bamboo tube entered.
Sssss.
Another powder was scattered.
Soon, the door opened and two men entered.
The visitors were Mujin and an old man. The old man was Master Go, who had created the human skin mask for Lee Jaseung.
The powder scattered from the second tube was a medicine that neutralized the sleeping incense used earlier.
“There isn't much time. Please hurry.”
“I will.”
Master Go quickly applied something to the sleeping Do Cheolgi’s face. He began to take a mold of his face.
The flowers Dan Ah had been holding earlier were mixed with a scent that produced an aphrodisiac effect. Since it only worked on men, it was a drug that didn't harm Dan Ah at all.
Mujin stood by and watched throughout the process. It was unlikely, but he stayed prepared in case Do Cheolgi woke up.
Fortunately, Do Cheolgi didn't wake until the work was finished.
Before leaving, Mujin took a small medicine bottle from his robes and opened the cap right under Do Cheolgi’s nose. The flowing scent entered Do Cheolgi’s nostrils.
With that task finished, Mujin and Master Go left the place.
Do Cheolgi woke up at dawn, four hours later.
He was startled when he confirmed that much time had passed.
It would be a disaster if Yeo Su-in had looked for him in the meantime.
Separate from such worries, his mood and body felt incredibly refreshed and clear.
‘They say holding it in for too long becomes a sickness.’
Moreover, he truly hadn't expected to fall asleep like this. He felt as if all his accumulated fatigue had vanished. Of course, he didn't know.
That this effect wasn't because of the act with the woman, but because of the medicinal scent Mujin had him smell. It was a medicine that made one sleep deeply and left the whole body refreshed.
Do Cheolgi was about to put money for the woman on the table, but he put it back in his robes. He thought it was a waste to give money since it was over with this courtesan anyway.
Do Cheolgi dressed and left the place humming a tune.
The one monitoring that sight from a distance was, as expected, Mook Young. This time too, Do Cheolgi didn't know he was being watched.
In fact, it didn't matter if he didn't know. Mook Young, who no longer needed to monitor him, disappeared silently.
What Do Cheolgi truly needed to know was this.
That a face exactly like his had been created, and a second version of himself had begun to live and move.