Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Demonic Phantom! The military strategist Bukgung has invaded with his troops!"

The Demonic Phantom frowned and said.

"Even if he is a military strategist. To raid my residence, the Radiant Left Emissary. How arrogant. Where is the military strategist?"

"He is waiting in the main hall, having set up a formation."

"Alright. I'll go right away."

"Yes!"

As the subordinate stepped back and went outside, the Demonic Phantom scanned Namgung Hui's party and said.

"It seems the military strategist came because of you. I suppose you'll have to come with me."

"Alright."

Namgung Hui was not unaware that things would turn out this way.

He was just puzzled as to what kind of scheme the military strategist had to have planned such an obvious plan and stormed in.

Could it be that he was planning to expose Namgung Hui's identity here and annihilate him?

If so, it would be difficult.

Although he didn't know how Beak Seolhwa had decided on her future course of action, even if she took Namgung Hui's side.

She wouldn't be able to deal with all these people.

Even if the Blood Qilin descended, she wouldn't be able to deal with all the masters of the Extreme Demonic.

'There's no other answer than to run away.'

He was confident in his ability to escape.

Although he was slightly worried about Beak Seolhwa, she was also quite outstanding in lightness techniques, and due to the nature of her ice art, it was much easier to block the enemy's pursuit.

Because she could turn the floor into an ice rink or freeze the air to seal the enemy's movements.

If so, although his identity would be revealed, his life would not be in danger.

In the first place, the fact that he had fought with the Blood Cult was not something to be suspected by the orthodox faction.

They would judge that he had acted to infiltrate, as he had accompanied Muchi under the pretext of protecting him.

And so, as he followed the Demonic Phantom and came out to the spacious main hall, as expected, the members of the Dugu family he had met at the Blood Heaven Peak were with Bukgung Jinwu.

The middle-aged man of the Dugu family looked at the Demonic Phantom with his sharp eyes and cupped his fists.

"I greet the Radiant Left Emissary. I ask for your understanding that I cannot show proper etiquette as the situation is what it is."

"Dugu Cheol. You arrogant thing. You should have asked for my understanding in advance. To come into another's residence so recklessly and what? You ask for my understanding? It seems you have nothing to fear now that you have reached the realm of the Extreme Demonic."

"Left Emissary. Didn't I say the situation is not good? So I'm asking, who on earth are the young ladies next to you? They all seem to be faces I've never seen before."

Dugu Cheol's sharp eyes now turned to Namgung Hui's party.

It was so eerie, as if he were looking at the eyes of a snake aiming for its prey.

"These are the children I have recently taken in as my disciples. One of them lacked the talent, so I did not take her in as a disciple. Don't tell me. You're not eyeing my disciples, are you? If so, I will present you with a very special illusion."

"Hmph. How can I eye those whose identities are not even certain. So have you confirmed their identities?"

"It's a good thing the military strategist is here. The pretty child here is the daughter of the Seomun family."

"The Seomun family!"

Perhaps because an unexpected family name had popped out.

Not only Dugu Cheol, but also Bukgung Jinwu narrowed their eyes and asked the Demonic Phantom.

"If my knowledge is not wrong, isn't the Seomun family a prestigious family of the orthodox faction? But how did you take her in as a disciple?"

"I ask the military strategist. What do you think comes first? The person? Or the family?"

"Hmm... It's a dangerous question that could change depending on the perspective. And that's especially true for us, the people of the Divine Cult. If I have to give my opinion, I believe the person comes first."

At Bukgung Jinwu's remark, Dugu Cheol's eyes flashed, and he raised his voice.

"What are you talking about. We are people who could not exist without the Divine Cult! And because the Six Families exist, this person, Dugu Cheol, exists! So are you saying that you can even sacrifice your family for personal glory?"

"Dugu Cheol. Your words are too harsh. When did we say we would make our family a scapegoat? It just means that the child of the Seomun family here wishes to become my disciple for her own happiness. And military strategist Bukgung. Isn't it welcome news for us that people from the orthodox faction are converting to our cult like this?"

Bukgung Jinwu unfolded his fan and nodded.

"That's right. It wouldn't be bad for propaganda. We could also erase some of the image of being despised as the Demonic Cult in the past... Most of all, the common people might change their perception of us."

"If so, we might not have to live an isolated life like now. Of course, that would be a story for much later. Still, if it becomes known to people little by little that our cult is not such a bad place, it will be easier to get food from merchants and easier to proselytize."

Namgung Hui, who was listening from the side, also nodded at the plausible long speech.

Hadn't his own perception of the Blood Cult changed considerably?

In fact, the people living in the Blood Cult were just on a different side, they were not vicious people.

Of course, those belonging to the radical faction were not without a violent and radical side.

But still, some people, including Elder Ma Jincheol, were people he could talk to.

'Hmm... Starting with the Great Elder, the Demonic Poison, he's a bit annoying. His hobby of handling corpses, starting with the Bone-Melting Powder, is something that will never be welcomed.'

On top of that, the Young Cult Leader and the Great Prince, whom he had not yet met.

And the rest of the radical faction members were surely talents that the orthodox faction could not welcome.

Since they were still advocating for invasion and plotting, not only the orthodox faction but also the Hoicheon Association would try to keep them in check.

Because the Hoicheon Association was a group that tried to control the Central Plains.

They probably wouldn't welcome the Central Plains being wounded.

'The one who wants to destroy and the one who wants to protect. And even the one who wants to snatch what is being protected. The martial world will be very chaotic in the future.'

The noise within the Blood Cult might also mean that storm.

The united and gathered forces would turn their attention to the place called the Central Plains.

Because the comfortable life that the moderate faction advocated for was impossible without trading through the Central Plains.

Dugu Cheol, who was listening to the conversation between Bukgung Jinwu and the Demonic Phantom, continued with a displeased expression.

"Anyway. It's a clear fact that our Blood Heaven Peak was attacked by outsiders. No matter how much of a disciple of the Left Emissary she is, an investigation is necessary. Moreover, if she is the daughter of the prestigious orthodox faction's Seomun family, isn't she quite suspicious?"

"Oh my. Are you going to persecute my disciple?"

"This is a matter of the cult, even if you are the Left Emissary! A member of our Dugu family has died!"

Perhaps because a victim had occurred, the Demonic Phantom also spared her words.

How could she not know the value of life?

And the Demonic Phantom was a neutral faction, not a person on either side.

She was a person who had lived for the Blood Cult.

"Then what are you going to do to my disciple?"

"Please make her confess with the Left Emissary's illusion what she was doing until an hour ago and whether she had any companions."

"That wouldn't be difficult. My disciple. Is it okay if I cast an illusion on you for a moment?"

"Of course! This disciple is upright."

The Demonic Phantom, with a satisfied smile, cast a hypnosis on Seomun Hye and asked what she had been doing for about an hour.

"The young lady was looking at the master's buttocks..."

Such an outrageous word came out that the Demonic Phantom hurriedly released the hypnosis and cleared her throat.

"Ahem! My body is not in good condition today, so the hypnosis is not working well. Anyway. She was with me since an hour ago, so she is an upright child. I brought her from the Central Plains myself, so there is no room for doubt."

"Hmm... I did hear that the Left Emissary brought a person from the Central Plains. That person is the daughter of the Seomun family... But why did you take a person from the orthodox faction as a disciple? Our cult members are enough."

"Because her talent is outstanding, of course. There are no children in the cult who catch my eye. And the child of the Seomun family is the owner of a spiritual eye."

"Oho. A spiritual eye. May I ask what kind it is?"

Not only Dugu Cheol, but also Bukgung Jinwu and Namgung Hui showed interest.

Perhaps because of that.

Seomun Hye straightened her shoulders and put on a triumphant expression.

"My disciple. Is it okay if I tell them?"

"Of course. You can tell them as much as you want."

She was as bright as a girl who had something to boast about.

Since it wasn't wrong to say it was something to boast about.

The Demonic Phantom nodded and opened her mouth.

"It's called the Direct-Seeing Eye. As its name suggests, it is a spiritual eye that sees through the essence of things. To explain in more detail, it can see through formations and illusions, and even see through a person's disguise."

No wonder she had seen through the disguises of Beak Seolhwa and Namgung Hui in an instant.

And if she had such a Direct-Seeing Eye, it would surely be helpful for illusions.

It was similar to the Insightful Eye that the First General possessed, but its ability was different.

As everyone looked at Seomun Hye with admiration, her nose rose endlessly.

At this rate, her nose would reach the heavens.

Dugu Cheol, who was nodding, now looked at Namgung Hui and opened his mouth.

"Then where did you bring the people next to her from?"

At his question, Bukgung Jinwu answered.

"I brought those people."

"What? Why didn't you say so until now? Wasn't this all planned by the military strategist from the beginning? Come to think of it, didn't the military affairs department also take charge of this supply maintenance? The outsiders were able to invade because they had a pass... Military strategist. I think an explanation is needed."

Bukgung Jinwu said with a faint smile.

"Elder Dugu. I am a military strategist, so would I have used such an obvious trick? If you just think about it a little like now, you would immediately be suspected."

"That's true. That's why I thought 'no way' at first, but it's still suspicious, isn't it? It's not just me. All the members of the Six Families are wondering how the intruders got in."

Bukgung Jinwu folded the fan he had been holding and said.

"It's quite a coincidence that all directions are pointing at me. As if I were the culprit. Then, I will add an additional explanation. It's true that I brought those outsiders, but it was the Great Elder who officially invited them."

"The Great Elder?"

"Yes. The young lady over there is the manager of the Pungun Merchant Guild and is mainly in charge of external affairs."

Dugu Cheol, with a complicated mind, rested his chin on his hand and was lost in thought for a moment.

"Hmm... Then it could be a more serious sign. It means there could be a spy or a traitor among us. Anyway. I will report this matter to the Great Elder."

"Yes. It would be better to consult with the Great Elder. Since you have even made a direct deal with the Pungun Merchant Guild here."

Dugu Cheol, who had been lost in thought for a moment, ruffled his hair and opened his mouth.

"Alright. Well, the people I was looking for were men, so I'll let this go. If you see a red-haired man and a man with a scar on his left cheek. Let me know right away. Left Emissary. I've been rude. Then I'll be going."

"I won't see you off. Take care."

Dugu Cheol, who had cupped his fists, disappeared with his subordinates.

As he had said, the ones who had escaped were all men.

Since Namgung Hui's current appearance was that of a woman, if his identity was certain, there was no need to pursue him.

And the Pungun Merchant Guild was a merchant guild that the radical faction had threatened.

Since it was a place they guaranteed, it was rather difficult to interrogate them.

Because if the deal fell through, the blame that Dugu Cheol would have to take would be indescribable.

"Left Emissary. I also have to return for now, so I will contact you separately later."

"Military strategist, take care too."

Bukgung Jinwu winked at Namgung Hui and then disappeared.

It seemed like a signal to come and find him.

Namgung Hui was on the verge of being disappointed that the matter had ended so anticlimactically.

If something had happened here, he would have been able to grasp the inner thoughts of the Demonic Phantom and Bukgung Jinwu to some extent.

This feeling of not being able to wipe after relieving oneself was quite uncomfortable.

He was very curious about what kind of thoughts Bukgung Jinwu was harboring.

He was also puzzled as to why the Demonic Phantom had called him a disciple and taught him illusions.

Hadn't he just revealed his weakness?

And so, as even Bukgung Jinwu disappeared, the Demonic Phantom looked at Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa and gave them an expulsion order.

"You two should also be on your way. I've been using illusions for a long time, so my body is aching."

"Sister. Anyone who hears you would think you're an old woman over sixty."

"Tsk. You be quiet."

"I've been quiet all this time."

-Jjak!

The man who had been slapped on the back again rubbed his back and teared up.

Still, they looked like a good brother and sister.

Such a playful attitude could not be shown unless they were real siblings.

"Then, Master. Let's see each other again when we have the chance."

"The day will come when we will see each other. Don't lose your manners even then."

"I understand. Then we'll be going."

Namgung Hui took Beak Seolhwa's hand and went outside.

For some reason, because of the overwhelming pressure felt from the surroundings, he felt a little relieved by holding her hand and leading her.

"Jayeon. Why are you holding my hand?"

"Because it's reassuring. Even if we fall into an illusion in the middle, it will be okay if we hold hands."

"Hmm... But what's that red thing on your collar? It doesn't look like blood."

Only then did Namgung Hui look at the red stain on his collar.

He hadn't noticed it at first, but it had appeared after the rain had dried.

'This smell is the smell of safflower. Come to think of it, the Red-Haired Monster also had the scent of safflower.'

Come to think of it, safflower was mainly used as a dyeing material.

As its name suggested, it was said to be used to dye clothes red and even hair.

It seemed that the Red-Haired Monster's hair was dyed red with safflower.

'Indeed. I perform a disguise, so there's no law that says the Red-Haired Monster doesn't have his original identity. If so, he might be one of the Ten Great Masters.'

A Transformation master was by no means common.

If so, there was a very high probability that a Transformation master who had hidden his identity was one of the Ten Great Masters.

On top of that, since the martial art he performed was close to an orthodox martial art, he did not seem to be a person of the Blood Cult.

'It seemed to be a martial art that used the wind, so I'll have to look for it when I go to the Central Plains.'

The Red-Haired Monster was not a very important person to Namgung Hui.

He just hoped that he had escaped alive.

And so, Namgung Hui, who had returned to the guest hall located in the military affairs department, entered Beak Seolhwa's room with her.

Beak Seolhwa looked at Namgung Hui with a puzzled expression as to why he had followed her to her room.

At that, Namgung Hui put on a determined expression, took off his outer garment, and said.

"Seolhwa. Let's finish what we were going to do last time.”

(End of Chapter)