Chapter 212 : Exposure
Namgung Hui, at the sudden cold sensation from behind, quickly drew his Thunder God Sword and turned around.
"..."
But it was extremely quiet.
There was no trace of anything.
As if Namgung Hui had really been mistaken, not only was there no presence, but nothing else could be found.
[What's wrong? Is there something?]
"I thought there was something, but since no one felt anything, I guess it was my mistake. Then, since I've packed everything I need, let's go back."
[Okay.]
Namgung Hui, just in case, looked around again, but no presence was felt, and no forgotten items were seen.
Since it was now time for dawn to break, he boldly gave up on the remaining items and left the secret repository.
And so, the moment Namgung Hui went down from the fourth floor to the first-floor passage, the chest where the Nine Yin White Bone Claw was sealed shook for a moment and then became quiet.
As if nothing had happened.
***
Namgung Hui, who had come down the underground passage, hardened his expression in a difficult situation.
The White Snake's skin that Namgung Hui had worn while coming was now being used as a bag, so unless he threw away all the items inside, he couldn't wear it like before.
But he couldn't just throw himself into the flowing filth.
'It's one way to spread a ki membrane all over my body and crawl, but the consumption of internal energy is too great.'
Just in case, he had to leave some internal energy.
If he encountered a gang from the Hoicheon Association the moment he went out of the passage, a battle might break out.
If his internal energy was depleted then, there would be no such failure.
Since it was no different from the middle of the enemy camp, he had to advance in a way that preserved his internal energy as much as possible.
But if he rushed in like this, the stench would seep into his body, and his location would be revealed because of that stench.
Either way, he had to take some method.
[Are you unable to pass because of that filth? Shall I help you?]
"How can you help?"
[Hehe. Watch carefully.]
The Sword Spirit poked its body out of the scabbard, made its real body more distinct, and pushed away the filth in the passage in all directions.
Should he say it felt as if the Sword Spirit had taken control of the space itself?
Not only did the filth not flow, but even the smell could not approach.
'What an amazing skill. Did a spirit have such an ability?'
As much as that ability, the Sword Spirit was a bit suspicious.
But for now, since there was no other sharp method than to rely on the Sword Spirit, he decided to follow him.
"I'll be in your care until the end. Please control it well so that no filth gets on me."
[Just leave it to me!]
And so, the Sword Spirit, as promised, maintained that ability until the passage ended and Namgung Hui came out safely.
[Phew... This was possible because of the spirit pill I ate earlier. If I eat something else, I might get an amazing ability.]
"Alright. I'll be sure to give you a spirit medicine when I have the chance. Now, I'm going to hide here until the sun rises, so be quiet."
[Anyway, no one can hear me but you~]
It would have been nice if he slept a lot like Chichi.
Since he was a spirit who didn't sleep at all, his words felt unusually numerous.
Looking at such a Sword Spirit, he felt a bit tired.
Even though he hadn't done much, the conversation itself had a skill of draining a person's energy.
And so, Namgung Hui hid himself in the darkness for a while and entered meditation.
'This trip to the Imperial Palace has been a considerable harvest. Getting the Sword Spirit is honestly just a bonus, but the Secret Sect Great Hand Seal, Zhang Sanfeng's Three Talents Sword Art, and the Supreme Purity Peerless Divine Art. And even the Golden Turtle Divine Pill, which was the original purpose.'
Besides that, he had also packed three volumes of documents recording secret histories and one spare precious sword.
If he could just get out of here safely, he would be leaving with a harvest that was truly beyond his imagination.
But for some reason, Namgung Hui's premonition was constantly filled with ominousness.
'I think it's all because I saw the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. As expected, when you face something impure, impure thoughts sprout.'
This was why evil arts were said to be scarier than demonic arts.
If Namgung Hui had really touched it, a big disaster might have occurred.
But fortunately, Namgung Hui had boldly turned his attention away and stepped back.
If he had been reckless and tried to break the seal, he would have been in big trouble.
And so, as time passed quietly, the sun, which had disappeared, slowly raised its head and began to brighten the world.
-Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The chirping birds also announced that the day had broken.
And the footsteps of the officials moving busily around also announced the start of the day.
Among those moving officials, there seemed to be a military officer, as he approached with a thudding sound that shook the ground.
"Captain Yang. Where are you going in such a hurry? It's hard to see your face these days."
"Can a person who receives a salary and works be lazy? You should also move busily. I'm saying you should use some strength for the people."
"For the people. Do you think the people will recognize it if you work so hard? There's no need to move this body for the ignorant. And you're not moving for the people, but because of that organization called the Association, aren't you?"
Perhaps because the word 'Association' came up, Captain Yang struck the ground with his spear and said.
-Kung!
"You, be careful with your words. If you carelessly mention the word 'Association,' you'll have a hard time. Even if you're the son of His Excellency, the Right Commander."
"Hoho. Are you threatening me now?"
"I'm sorry if it sounded like a threat. Anyway. I'm busy, so I have to go now."
And so, as Captain Yang turned and passed the other person, he muttered under his breath.
"Do you think I don't know the scheme you're plotting? Let's see who laughs last."
And so, the man also turned around and disappeared somewhere.
And Namgung Hui, looking at the two of them, nodded his head slightly.
'The inside of the imperial family is not just under their control. If he's the Right Commander, he's one of the highest officials of the first rank, so if such a person confronts the Hoicheon Association, it's a sufficient opportunity for me.'
But, the Right Commander's role in the Five Military Governor's Offices was to control the external military.
It would be difficult to respond immediately to what was happening inside the Imperial Palace like this.
For now, he didn't want to worry about the Imperial Palace, but if he had the chance, it seemed he should find out the general situation.
Namgung Hui unfolded his electric net, chose a deserted road, and walked towards the gate.
Now, if he passed through the gate with the identification plaque of the Hoicheon Association, he would safely finish this trip to the Imperial Palace.
He returned to the appearance of a clumsy official and looked around as he headed to the gate.
The soldier who had been guarding the gate yesterday was also seen.
Namgung Hui, with a feeling that it was a good thing, approached him with quick steps.
"Good morning. Thanks to you last night, I finished my business well."
"Oh. The new scholar who stopped by last night."
"Yes. I'm about to leave the palace, so could you please open the gate?"
"But I'm sorry, it seems difficult for now. Because there's someone looking for you. Oh? Just in time, he's coming over there. Captain Yang! The person I mentioned is here!"
The man called Captain Yang, who he had just encountered, came running in an instant with a spear in his hand.
'That guy was the General's subordinate. Don't tell me...?'
Namgung Hui had been contemplating whether he should break the gate and go out, but if he did, he would attract the secret masters of the Imperial Palace, so he decided to watch the situation for a while.
Captain Yang stopped in front of Namgung Hui and stared at him.
"Is this the one who showed the jade plaque of the Association and entered?"
"Yes! It's certain. Since he was the last scholar to enter just before midnight, I remember him clearly."
"Hmm... You. What's your affiliation?"
"Is it okay to say that here?"
"Alright. It's not good for many to hear, so follow me for a moment."
Namgung Hui thought it would be better to have fewer eyes watching and to be able to quietly subdue the other person, so he obediently followed Captain Yang.
And so, he returned to the place where Namgung Hui had hidden himself a while ago.
It was truly a coincidence.
"No one will hear us here. What on earth is your affiliation? It doesn't seem to be the Imperial Heaven."
"The Demonic Heaven."
"The Demonic Heaven. Why did they tell you to enter the Imperial Palace?"
Namgung Hui quickly rolled his head and thought.
"Do you know that the Mad Dragon has infiltrated the Blood Cult this time?"
"Of course, I know. We even provided support, so how could I not know?"
"Because the Mad Dragon was captured, things have gone quite wrong. I came here because I had something to report. It's a serious matter to report by message, isn't it?"
"Hmm... Alright. Then the report must have gone to the General?"
Since there was almost no one in the Association that Namgung Hui knew except for the General, he had no choice but to nod.
"Yes. I reported to the General."
"Hahaha. Both Generals have gone out, so who on earth did you report to?"
"..."
If Namgung Hui could just get away with words, he was going to retreat.
But the other person was not easy.
Well, this much interrogation might be a natural result, so he wasn't very disappointed.
In the midst of the silence, the man called Captain Yang attacked first before Namgung Hui.
He thrust his spear vigorously, aiming for Namgung Hui's glabella.
This person had no intention of simply subduing Namgung Hui, but was trying to kill him.
Namgung Hui also felt no need to spare him and was about to kill Captain Yang, but.
'This is the Yang family spear technique.'
He suddenly remembered his promise with the man from the Yang family.
The man he had met at Mount Heng Stronghold, who he had thought was a bandit, was actually a member of the Asura Division who had entrusted his body to the government office.
Hadn't he first heard of the existence of the Three Heavens of the Hoicheon Association after subduing him at that time?
At that time, he had made a promise with him.
In exchange for obediently confessing the information, if he met a member of the Yang family, he would spare his life just once.
Unfortunately, the Captain Yang in front of him was a person of the Yang family.
Although he didn't have to keep the promise, for some reason, he was reluctant to use his hand.
If so, he just had to subdue him without taking his life.
Namgung Hui, who had made his decision, tilted his head at an angle, avoided the spear, and immediately dug into Captain Yang's chest.
A series of movements that were as natural as flowing water and happened in an instant.
The moment Captain Yang belatedly recognized Namgung Hui.
-Peok!
Namgung Hui's hand was already buried in his abdomen.
"Heok!"
He couldn't breathe and collapsed, gasping.
Although the man called Captain Yang was a Transcendent martial artist, he was no match for a master of the Hwagyeong realm.
Although it was also because Namgung Hui had achieved Ascending the Peak and Reaching the Summit, Captain Yang felt unusually weak for his realm.
'It feels like he was forcibly raised to the Transcendent realm. The master of the Asura Division I met before was not like this. That person definitely felt like he had fought many real battles.'
Anyway, since the match was decided, Namgung Hui approached to strike Captain Yang's paralyzing acupoint.
Then Captain Yang, who had barely caught his breath, spoke in a hurry.
"W-wait! I know who you are!"
"So what's going to change? Ah. If you're begging me to kill you, I'd be happy to."
If the other person begged him to kill him, he wouldn't have to keep his promise with the man from the Yang family.
"That's not it. Let's talk for a moment. Namgung Hui. It will be a good thing for you too."
(End of Chapter)