Chapter 149
'Oh no...!'
It was Jeon Woo-chi who felt embarrassed by the rude attitude of the masked men.
'This... if that brat So-ah loses his temper, it's going to be a big problem.'
His worry was not unfounded.
Although So-ah was an endlessly righteous and affectionate person to the righteous, he was no different from a 'devil' to the wicked.
Besides.
'So-ah's creed is to beat those who try to torment him to death... I wonder if a war with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult will break out before we even negotiate.'
While Jeon Woo-chi was agonizing over such anxiety.
So-ah let out a sigh and said.
"Hah! People of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I am actually on very close terms with your esteemed cult's young leader. Please don't be like that, just send a message to your superiors once. It will be confirmed right away, won't it?"
Really, at this point, he had given them more than enough leeway.
Please, since what's good is good, let's just go with the flow, misters?
In fact, for So-ah, who considered cost-effectiveness and efficiency in everything, this was not a concession, but a level of bowing his head and begging.
Because So-ah knew better than anyone in the world that for a person who wouldn't listen to reason, a beating was the best special medicine.
But.
"A brat from the Orthodox Path is on close terms with our cult's young leader? Nonsense! We will send you back to avoid committing a diplomatic discourtesy between the black and white paths, but if you keep being stubborn, we will have no choice but to consider you as an enemy and subdue you."
'Dammit!'
Although he had expected it, the masked man, as if he had no intention of backing down even a bit, had closed his ears and was just saying what he wanted to say.
In an instant, So-ah was in a situation where he could neither do this nor that.
The duty of a negotiator.
And considering his relationship with Wi-ji Chan, it was something he should never be rude about, but since they wouldn't give way at all, what a dilemma this was!
[Brother Woo-chi. What should we do?]
[Hmm... I don't think we can get through to them with words.]
[Should I just split their heads open?]
[Are you crazy?]
[Then what should we do?]
[Get on.]
[Huh?]
Jeon Woo-chi had come up with a brilliant plan.
It was his intention to put So-ah on the carpet, break through the path, and somehow reach the main gate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
At the same time, Jeon Woo-chi threw the carpet into the air.
Then, the carpet, as befitting a 'dharma treasure of power', floated on its own as if it were a living, breathing organism and emitted a faint, mysterious light.
Soon, So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi flew like tigers and got on the carpet...
"Wh-What is that?!"
"As expected, they were suspicious guys!"
"They are demonic people who are performing the arts of the unorthodox path. Attack all at once!"
'Crazy! Who are you calling a demonic person?'
'In all my life, I'm hearing that I'm a demonic person from the guys of the Demonic Cult!'
As the situation took a strange turn, Jeon Woo-chi immediately performed a technique and unfolded his flying skill.
But.
The figures of the masked men, with an unexpected speed, charged towards So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi.
Although they had already flown nearly five feet from the ground, perhaps because the masked men's lightness skill and footwork were of a high level, weren't they lightly leaping that height and flying their swords?
Seven treasured swords rushed towards So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi in seven directions.
Since they were masters of hiding and stealth, perhaps this kind of martial prowess was to be expected...
'O Lord... what should I do, what should I do!'
In that moment, Jeon Woo-chi closed his eyes tightly.
Even with his eyes closed, it was a moment when the things that would unfold in the future were clearly drawn in his mind's eye.
***
"Keung..."
"Ugh..."
"Y-You brat..."
The time it took for the masked men, who had been brandishing their swords with a menacing aura, to roll on the floor and let out groans was only a quarter of an hour (about 15 minutes).
"Phew. So why did you resist like that, resist? Ah... I did it without even realizing it."
So-ah had not intended to beat the masked men like a dog to this extent.
But because their martial arts were better than he had thought, and their will was so full that they wouldn't stop no matter how much he beat them, he had ended up crossing the line.
"You brats... what... what is your identity? How dare you... wreak havoc in our cult!"
Even if he was about to die, his mouth was still alive.
So-ah was so dumbfounded that he was at a loss for words.
'Should I just stomp on them so they can't even talk back?'
A vein popped out on his temple on its own.
If it were up to his temper, he would have pulled out all their teeth and broken a couple of their ribs...
Just then.
One of the masked men, who had been crumpled in a corner, took out a signal flare from his chest and shot it into the air.
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi, who saw that.
'Ah... we're f*cked, really.'
'This... is going to get bigger than I thought.'
...had no choice but to make a face as if they had eaten shit.
***
"Then... are you saying that you are Young Hero Jin of the Moyong family?"
"That's right!"
It was a relief.
The people who had rushed to the scene after seeing the signal flare were none other than the members of the Heavenly Spirit Unit, his direct unit that obeyed only the orders of the Cult Leader and Wi-ji Chan within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Since they had heard countless times of the close relationship between Wi-ji Chan and So-ah, they were able to resolve the misunderstanding.
"We have been very rude to our distinguished guests. There was a strict order to strengthen the security recently, so an unfortunate incident..."
"It's a relief that the misunderstanding has been cleared up now. Brother Chan... no, can I see the young leader?"
"Yes, let's go."
Thus, So-ah, who had been guided by the Cheonryeongdae, soon passed through the main gate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
'Wow... what is this... the scale of a single group...'
'It's much bigger and more magnificent than the Martial Alliance headquarters?!'
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi clicked their tongues at the splendid appearance of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
If they had not considered their dignity and duty, they would have burst into a shout.
'Even the imperial palace where the emperor lives wouldn't be this much...'
That's right.
Although the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had a shorter history than the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, it had always reigned as the strongest since its founding.
By now, it was richer than any chaebol family in the martial world, so it was able to achieve such a splendid prosperity.
[So-ah... isn't it really amazing?]
[Don't even mention it, brother. I'm being stimulated right now.]
[Huh? What stimulation?]
[Seeing this, I can't. I was planning to aim for the Namgung, Zhuge, and Tang and work hard to make money. I have to revise my goal from today.]
[Surely?]
[Yes. I will make the Moyong family this rich too.]
[Kekekek. Stop it, you punk! Is this an area that can be achieved with an individual's power?]
[Just you wait!]
It was when So-ah was confirming his ambition, which would not be accepted at all, through a telepathic message...
Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the building of the Cheonryeongdae where Wi-ji Chan was staying.
***
"So-ah... is it really So-ah?"
"Brother Chan!"
"So-ah!"
"Hahaha! Brother! You're still the same."
"You've grown up so much that I can't recognize you. You seem to be taller than me now. Hahaha!"
While So-ah had recognized Wi-ji Chan at a glance, Wi-ji Chan had not.
The last time he had seen So-ah, Wi-ji Chan had finished his growth period and had the appearance of an adult, but since So-ah was at an age where he was still growing, there was a big gap between the So-ah of that time and the So-ah of now.
'He's grown so much taller, and his shoulders are broader. Besides, not to mention the muscles all over his body, and looking at the light in his eyes...'
Wi-ji Chan, who was observing So-ah's demeanor, suddenly let out a cry of admiration.
"So-ah, you! How much has your martial arts improved? Considering the aura of your body... you!"
At that.
"You're not so bad yourself, brother. Hahaha."
"You punk. I was always strong. Looking at you, I think you could even beat me now."
Of course, it was just a joke.
No matter how much of a master one was, it was absurd to predict the outcome of a fight just by looking at the opponent's body.
However, Wi-ji Chan had said such a thing with a pleased heart, seeing the growth of his cute little brother.
So-ah was not unaware of Wi-ji Chan's intentions.
"Aww! Of course I have to win. Haven't you heard the rumors about me? They say that in the martial world these days, if you say 'Jin So-ah!', even a passing child stops crying."
"Hahaha! You brat. You're still the same, still the same."
The eyes of the two, who were staring at each other, were filled with a deep and sticky emotion.
'What, what? What is this scene?'
Jeon Woo-chi, who was watching the two, felt bewildered.
Because the two were creating a harmonious scene as if a family that had been separated for decades had been reunited...
And that bewilderment soon.
'That brat So-ah. The way he treats me and the way he treats Wi-ji Chan are a bit different. Is he discriminating against people, or what?'
...turned into a strange emotion.
Of course.
'Sigh. What am I thinking now? How childish... tsk, tsk. Let's get a grip, Woo-chi.'
...he soon erased such thoughts.
In that moment.
"But, Brother Chan."
"Yes?"
So-ah opened his mouth with a somewhat cautious gaze.
"You know... that is..."
"What is it?"
"I just beat up some of your people, but it will be alright, right?"
"Huh?!"
"That is..."
Even So-ah, who was speaking, found it difficult.
How on earth should he explain this?
But the answer came from an unexpected place.
"Ah! That is, Young Hero Wi-ji. That ill-tempered brat So-ah beat up the people of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as if he were beating the dust off on a rainy day. Ah! For reference, I only tried to stop him. Ahem!"
Jeon Woo-chi, who said that, packaged himself with an embarrassed expression and a fake cough, while at the same time turning So-ah into a world-class mudskipper.
At that.
[So-ah. What is that person?]
Wi-ji Chan sent a secret telepathic message to So-ah.
[Hmm... that brother... he's just simple and kind.]
Fortunately, So-ah's answer was also a telepathic message.
If Jeon Woo-chi had heard it, his blood would have boiled.
***
It was a long time later that So-ah opened the door as a negotiator.
Because he was originally talkative, and because he was so happy to see Wi-ji Chan, he had spent almost half a shichen just exchanging greetings.
And...
"That's what happened... Brother Chan."
"Hmm..."
So-ah, from the appearance of the White Lotus Cult at the Heroes' Tournament and No Yeong-myeong's terrifying techniques, to the connection between them and the Eastern Depot, and the matter of Eunuch Han.
...he worked his mouth hard, persuading Wi-ji Chan, while at the same time preaching the opinion that the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult must cooperate.
At that.
"There is a point to what you're saying, So-ah. If the Martial Alliance and our cult really cooperate temporarily and attack them with a pincer movement, even they won't be able to do much."
"Right? You think so too, right, brother?"
"Of course. But this is not something I can decide. I have to persuade the elders of our cult, and I have to persuade the Cult Leader. It's a good idea, but I doubt that the conservative elders of our cult will cooperate."
"Just by having a meeting, won't we be able to instill a sense of caution in the higher-ups?"
At So-ah's question, Wi-ji Chan narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice.
"The higher-ups of our cult are already well aware of all the matters concerning the White Lotus Cult. The information our cult has obtained is probably more specific and clear than the information of the Martial Alliance."
"Really?"
"Yes. Because..."
"..."
"Actually, I have been infiltrating the White Lotus Cult as a spy for quite a long time and have been conducting espionage activities."
"Ah!"
In an instant, the eyes of So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi became as wide as lanterns.
'As expected of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!'
'It's not for nothing that they say a single force is on par with the entire Orthodox Path!'
The two could not hide their admiration.
Although they had knocked on the door of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, priding themselves that their achievements so far were by no means small...
Since Wi-ji Chan had gone a step further and had even infiltrated the inside of the White Lotus Cult and had been conducting secret espionage activities, it was not unreasonable for them to be surprised.
Just then.
"Young Leader. May I come in for a moment?"
The voice of a Heavenly Spirit Unit member was heard from beyond the reception room.
Wi-ji Chan asked for So-ah's and Jeon Woo-chi's intentions with his eyes, and when they nodded, he opened his mouth.
"Come in."
Screech—
The man who had entered the room prostrated himself and reported to Wi-ji Chan.
"Young Leader. It is a summons from the Cult Leader."
"The Cult Leader?"
"That is correct. He has been informed that guests have arrived from the Martial Alliance... and has ordered everyone to enter the Cult Leader's office."
"Ah! That's great. I was just about to discuss an important matter with him anyway."
"But, Young Leader..."
"Yes?"
"Please be especially careful."
"What...?"
Wi-ji Chan asked with a questioning gaze at the man's words.
"That is... he was quite angry when he learned that the guests had assaulted our cult's security personnel..."
At those words, the faces of So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi turned pale.
'Ah! What? Wasn't that matter settled?!'
The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
At that name, even the strong-hearted So-ah of the world felt his heart sink.
'Aww! I don't know either!!'
(End of Chapter)