Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 211: Yao Hong, Sends

“Baek Seolyoung contacted us to meet four days from now.”

At Do Cheolgi’s report, Yeo Su-in furrowed his brows.

“Four days huh. That’s a bit of a timing.”

Just a moment ago, he had received a messenger pigeon from the Demonic Cult. The content ordered him to return to the cult headquarters immediately.

Do Cheolgi spoke cautiously.

“You should postpone the appointment and return at once.”

Having made a slip of the tongue regarding her before, he was being exceedingly careful. If he could have had his way, he wanted to stay completely silent about the return, but he couldn't do that.

“You’ve already disobeyed the order to return once. If you disobey again this time, the Cult Leader will be greatly enraged.”

Yeo Su-in didn't give any answer. He likely knew this as well. Nevertheless, the fact that he was conflicted was undoubtedly because of Baek Seolyoung.

“You must go!”

However, Yeo Su-in shook his head and spoke.

“Send a messenger pigeon saying I’ll come in as soon as I finish the business I’m currently conducting.”

The words that it shouldn't be done rose to Do Cheolgi’s throat, but he couldn't spit them out.

Yeo Su-in’s gaze toward him didn't contain a cold warning not to make a mistake again. Rather, it was softer than ever before.

Yes, it was this feeling.

It had been like this until now. There were moments of anxiety while fighting his fellow disciples.

But Yeo Su-in had strangely and luckily managed to pass through decisive crises.

So Do Cheolgi had always thought that there was something hidden within him that he couldn't dare to fathom. That there was something else besides what appeared on the surface.

Feeling that faith once again, Do Cheolgi bowed his head.

“Yes, understood.”

* * *

“I can't understand this.”

Yao Hong, who had confirmed the possibility of Yeo Su-in’s betrayal through the report sent by the Shadow Master, felt bewilderment before anger.

“Even if he was a flawed child, he wasn't one to plot a rebellion, was he?”

Of course, nothing was certain yet. The Shadow Master would make a final report after investigating Do Cheolgi. Until then, nothing had been decided.

The Great Demon spoke calmly.

“I think so as well, but his personality might have changed during the three years of closed door cultivation.”

The Great Demon didn't run amok saying he had to catch and kill Yeo Su-in upon receiving the Shadow Master’s report.

He behaved calmly without revealing his joy.

Truly, he never thought such heavenly luck would descend upon him.

With the Vice Cult Leader dead, what if even Yeo Su-in was eliminated? He would become the most likely next Cult Leader.

From then on, it was truly important. He had to be careful of a headwind while ensuring Yeo Su-in was definitively eliminated.

“It could be someone’s frame up.”

At Yao Hong’s words, the Great Demon replied cautiously.

“Certainly, but the evidence is too clear for that.”

The Great Demon quickly added.

“We’ll know for sure once we secure Do Cheolgi.”

“I suppose so.”

Just then, a Demonic Human entered, delivered something to the Great Demon, and withdrew.

“Young Master Yeo sent a report saying he’ll return after finishing his business.”

Yao Hong’s gaze twitched coldly.

The Great Demon saw it.

For the first time, suspicion and distrust sprouted on Yao Hong’s face.

The Great Demon spoke cautiously.

“I think you should consider the worst case scenario.”

After agonizing for a moment, Yao Hong made a decision.

“Send the Seven Asura Demons.”

The Great Demon almost screamed with joy.

The Seven Asura Demons were seven absolute master martial artists.

They were officially the strongest organization among Yao Hong’s direct subordinates. It wasn't known who the strongest subordinate was unofficially, because their very existence wasn't known.

At any rate, the Seven Asura Demons were also a force Yao Hong had prepared to eliminate the Heavenly Demon Sect later.

There were several direct organizations under the Cult Leader. The Shadow Master, who went out on a mission this time, was one of them, and there were many others.

But the reason the Great Demon rejoiced was because of the nature of the missions they undertook.

Obliteration.

They were symbolic beings used to erase even the traces of those who acted against the cult’s interests.

In short, they were the Cult Leader’s sword.

Perhaps they would have come for him even if he betrayed the cult.

Their level of martial arts wasn't known.

Because everyone who faced them died.

“Act voluntarily according to the Shadow Master’s investigation results.”

* * *

Lee Jaseung stood alone under the moonlight.

He wanted to take a walk with Baek Seolyoung, but she was in the middle of martial arts training.

She looked nervous because of the meeting with Yeo Su-in tomorrow.

Lee Jaseung didn't disturb her on purpose. Not just because of the meeting with Yeo Su-in, but controlling the mind was very important for a person of Jianghu.

The more one became an expert, or when those of similar skill clashed, it eventually became a battle of willpower.

He only hoped this experience would make her mind even stronger.

While Lee Jaseung was lost in various thoughts, someone spoke from behind.

“Would you like a drink?”

Looking back, Mujin was standing there holding liquor bottles in both hands.

Lee Jaseung spoke with a smile.

“That sounds good.”

They sat side by side on a rock at one side of the flower garden.

The two drank the liquor straight from the bottles without glasses. It was a liquor Lee Jaseung liked. It seemed Mujin had bought it specifically to drink with him.

“It felt like I met you for the first time just the other day, but time passed quickly huh.”

“Indeed.”

The two drank liquor in silence.

When the bottle was half empty, Lee Jaseung spoke abruptly.

“I wouldn't have been able to come this far if it weren't for you.”

Mujin was startled by Lee Jaseung’s words. He had never heard such a thing until now.

After staring at Lee Jaseung for a moment, Mujin spoke.

“Are you planning to give me a suicide mission or something?”

Lee Jaseung smirked at Mujin’s joke.

Mujin likely wouldn't know how much ease his jokes and playfulness had given him.

The playfulness disappeared from Mujin’s face.

“Why do you say such things? Those are the words I should be saying. If I hadn't met you...”

“You would have lived well even if you hadn't met me.”

“Again, those are words I should be saying to you.”

He meant it sincerely. Because the meeting with Lee Jaseung had changed his life completely.

Of course, the changed life was a hundred times more dangerous. A perilous life where it wouldn't be strange to die tomorrow.

But Mujin didn't regret it. Even if he died tomorrow, the life that changed after meeting Lee Jaseung was a hundred times more precious.

“You looked good lately.”

“If you’re jealous, you should get married too.”

“I would need a woman for that. It’s become harder to choose a partner because of the excessive lovey dovey behavior between you two.”

Lee Jaseung laughed. He admitted it as well. Both he and she were head over heels for each other.

Actually, that likely wasn't the only reason. His standards must have naturally become higher. Because it was never easy to meet a woman like Baek Seolyoung.

Mujin asked seriously.

“By the way, how do you plan to handle Yeo Su-in?”

“It’ll depend on how he acts.”

“I think you should handle him definitively. How do I say this… I strangely don't like the bastard.”

Mujin was the one who resembled him the most in terms of sensory perception. Mujin likely felt danger from Yeo Su-in as well.

An unpredictable cruel nature, a twisted obsession and desire, and decisively, he represented the Demonic Cult.

“I should.”

At the very least, Lee Jaseung wasn't letting his guard down regarding Yeo Su-in.

The bastard had something that grated on the nerves.

An opponent who made it impossible for the mind to be at ease, no matter how good the situation was.

He couldn't know the identity of what that was.

However, he had to remember one thing.

One can lose a game of Go even after capturing a great piece.

* * *

After leaving the inn, Do Cheolgi headed toward a safe house located on the outskirts.

It was the place in charge of reports between the headquarters and this location.

He came here once every day to check the reports that had flown in from the headquarters.

A single report caught his eye. It was a report from a confidant he had planted in the Cult Leader’s palace.

A person of Do Cheolgi’s level had several subordinates he employed personally. It was a secret report from a subordinate he had planted in the Cult Leader’s palace.

Do Cheolgi was startled after checking the report.

The content was that Yeo Su-in was under suspicion of plotting a rebellion.

“Dammit!”

Do Cheolgi quickly left the place and ran toward the inn where Yeo Su-in was staying.

Just as he was about to enter the path toward the marketplace.

Thud.

He moved backward while clutching his stomach. Seeing the opponent who struck his stomach rushing in, Do Cheolgi tried to raise his inner Qi to counterattack.

But faster than that, someone firmly grabbed both of his arms from behind.

He was horrified. No matter how much he was in a state of confusion from the surprise attack, given his martial arts skill, it was impossible to allow his back to be taken so easily.

Tap, tap, tap.

But the surprise was brief, as his blood points and sleep points were suppressed in succession by the rushing opponent.

Do Cheolgi fell asleep without even a chance to properly identify the opponent.

He didn't need to feel wronged at all.

Both the opponents in front and behind were people with stronger martial arts than his own. The man in front was Ma Young-gi, and the one who grabbed him from behind was Mujin.

A carriage was parked outside the alley he had tried to escape through. The person sitting on the driver’s seat and scanning the surroundings was Mook Young. Confirming there was no one around, Mook Young gave a signal with a nod.

Ma Young-gi loaded Do Cheolgi into the carriage. Then, another person stepped down from the carriage. He was the fake Do Cheolgi wearing a human skin mask.

As soon as he stepped down, the carriage departed.

The fake Do Cheolgi spoke with a nervous expression as he looked at the two.

“I trust only you two.”

Mujin and Ma Young-gi nodded.

It was the moment when the most important operation regarding Do Cheolgi was about to begin.

* * *

“That man is Do Cheolgi.”

Do Cheolgi was walking far away where the Killing Shadows were watching.

The man standing with three or four Killing Shadows was their leader, the Shadow Master.

“There must be no mistake.”

“Yes, don't worry. We’ve completely seized his movement route.”

“Execute the plan.”

The Killing Shadows scattered in all directions.

Of course, the target of the Killing Shadows was the fake Do Cheolgi.

Do Cheolgi, who was walking while pretending not to know, felt the Killing Shadows pressing in from the surroundings.

— To the right alley.

There was someone directing him with a sound transmission. The person who could navigate between the Killing Shadows pressing in from all directions with excellent stealth and lightness arts, it was none other than Mook Young.

Do Cheolgi moved his steps to where Mook Young told him.

— To the left again, quickly.

Urgent instructions followed.

Mook Young was giving instructions so that he could avoid the encirclement of the Killing Shadows.

— Now run!

Exiting the alley, Do Cheolgi began to run.

Realizing he was being followed and fleeing was also a planned action.

The Killing Shadows began to pursue him while revealing themselves all at once.