Swordless Demonic Path

A carriage, along with the warriors of the Namgung family, slowly entered the main gate of the Gangnam Grand Inn.

The door of the carriage opened, and Namgung Ji revealed herself.

She moved with quick steps and disappeared into the inn.

Bi-sun, who was sitting in a chair, stared at Namgung Ji, who was sitting opposite him.

'I needed someone to manage the front, but I never thought the Martial Alliance would send Young Lady Namgung.'

Bi-sun was momentarily flustered by the visit of an unexpected person.

"Is there a problem?"

"No."

Bi-sun shook his head. Namgung Ji smiled, drank tea, and looked around.

Various pieces of furniture, orchids, and murals were all filled with luxurious things.

Jin Sa-wol did not have this kind of sense. What he had felt when he visited his house was dryness itself.

"Where did the innkeeper go?"

Namgung Ji looked at Bi-sun with sparkling eyes. Bi-sun, who saw her clear eyes, thought for a moment whether she would be suitable for the front. They were eyes that could not deceive people.

'She's like a rabbit.'

Bi-sun thought of a rabbit and waved his hand.

"The innkeeper is out on business right now."

"When will he be back?"

"At the earliest, three days? At the latest, he will be back within fifteen days."

"I see. Then I should do my work. My father told me to try managing the front. He said he would give me a position in the Martial Alliance if I get used to the work here."

"Alright. There was no one in the front, so it's a good thing."

Bi-sun knew that he could not oppose Namgung Ji taking charge of the front.

"Should I call you Steward Bi?"

"Please do so."

Bi-sun headed for the shopping street with Namgung Ji. On the way there, he ran into Jo-rim.

Jo-rim smiled when she saw Namgung Ji, and Namgung Ji's expression hardened when she saw Jo-rim.

"How is the Hao Mun here? Ah... I heard there is also a Hao Mun at the inn, so it was you."

Namgung Ji recalled her encounter with Jo-rim. But Jo-rim, unlike Namgung Ji, showed a gentle smile.

"The young lady of the Namgung family has come. I was worried because there was no one in charge of the front, but it's a great relief. If the young lady takes charge, I can be at ease."

At her mature tone and behavior, Namgung Ji's gaze turned to her chest.

Jo-rim's sensual body tormented Namgung Ji. Jo-rim, as if conscious of Namgung Ji's gaze, crossed her arms, gathered her chest, and then spoke again.

"The affairs of the world are originally a cycle. The martial world is a place where yesterday's enemy can become today's friend. The family head specifically asked me to take good care of you, so don't worry. We are a family now."

At Jo-rim's words, Namgung Ji's expression turned cold.

'It means that they have a deep relationship of trust to the extent of exchanging contact with my father.'

Jo-rim had already exchanged contact with the head of the Namgung family several times in Nanchang.

Namgung Ji, who had just found that out, had the illusion that all her movements were in the hands of her father and Jo-rim.

That made her feel bad.

But now, there was no need to worry about the past. Namgung Ji tried hard to show a calm smile and said.

"Since we are a family now, please take good care of me."

"I'm glad to be with you."

Jo-rim answered and then turned her gaze to Bi-sun.

Jo-rim nodded and then passed Namgung Ji and Bi-sun. Behind her, Il-hu and three courtesans walked together.

"Is that woman in the brothel?"

"Since she's the brothel master, you'll see her often."

"I see. I won't see her every morning, will I?"

"You have to see her every morning."

Unfortunately, at the words that she had to see her every day, Namgung Ji sighed. Jo-rim was a woman who was not easy to deal with.

Namgung Ji looked around the inn, guided by Bi-sun.

* * *

The reason that the martial arts of the Demonic Cult were scary was because they could obtain a lot of internal energy through a shortcut and become a master of the peak.

But as it was called a demonic art, it put a great strain on the body, and there were many cases of falling into qi deviation. There were also demonic arts with weaknesses or decisive flaws.

Nevertheless, the reason they tried to learn the demonic arts was because of the one and only desire that humans have. It was strong power.

The leader of the tracking team of the Wall Demonic Hall had the Silver Demonic Palm of the deceased Yeon Jeok-sim in his bosom.

Since he was dead, the owner of the Silver Demonic Palm was now himself.

He believed that if he learned this, he could also become a strong master like Yeon Jeok-sim. That was why he had not fought with Jin Sa-wol and the Namgung family recklessly.

When he saw the disciples of the Yin Immortal Palace, he had a premonition of certain defeat. The Yin Immortal Palace was a place that had broken away from the Yin-Yang Palace, which was one of the four great palaces of the Demonic Cult in the past.

Now, the Yin-Yang Palace had disappeared, and the Ilyangjeon, one of the seven halls, remained.

Although it was said that more than a hundred years had passed since they had left the Demonic Cult, he had heard that their power was still strong.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The leader, who had jumped up the mountain, entered Nokokjang with five subordinates and rested.

Nokokjang was also a place without a master now. It was because everyone had died.

"If we return to the Wall Demonic Hall, we will all die."

At Yeo-hong's words, the subordinates' expressions hardened. The master of the Wall Demonic Hall was not such a good person.

It was not a big deal for him to create a tracking team again.

"It seems the way to live is to leave the Cult. Since the third pavilion has been almost annihilated, it doesn't seem like it will be a problem if we disappear."

At his words, the surviving members showed complicated expressions.

"I see this as an opportunity to leave the Cult. We'll die if we go back, and we'll die if we're caught."

"The Cult's pursuit is persistent."

"I know. But too many have died. The disciples who died on Muyeondo couldn't even have their corpses properly recovered. We are also dead. Although there will be a pursuit from the Cult, I want to live freely, leaving the Cult, even for a few days, and then die."

The leader's words deeply resonated in the hearts of the members.

No one wanted to die.

Thwack!

The leader's eyes widened in that instant. The leader stared at the sword that had pierced his neck with wide eyes.

"Hmph!"

"Leader."

The subordinates were startled and retreated.

The leader's figure collapsed helplessly on the floor.

"You should have reported it, but you were going to run away?"

The man who had pulled the sword from the leader's neck was a man with a strong gaze who appeared to be in his mid-thirties.

He, who was wearing black clothes and holding a blood-soaked sword, cut down four of the remaining five in an instant with his sword.

The man in his prime, who had subdued the last remaining one's demonic blood, took out the secret manual of the Silver Demonic Palm from the bosom of the deceased leader.

He smiled and took the secret manual.

"It's a relief that the secret manual of our family has returned."

He muttered, turned his head, and looked at the young man who was standing blankly.

"Name?"

"It's Jang-yak."

"Jang-yak, it's a good name. So, what happened? Tell me in detail."

"Who are you?"

"Me? I am Yeon Ga-jin."

Hearing the name of the man in black, Jang-yak's eyes widened as if he were startled. Yeon Ga-jin was Yeon Jeok-sim's nephew and the young master of the Yeon family.

The reason he had come without hesitating the thousand-li road was because of the secret manual of the Silver Demonic Palm that Yeon Jeok-sim had.

The secret manual was more important than Yeon Jeok-sim.

Jang-yak reported in detail about Jin Sa-wol killing Yeon Jeok-sim. Hearing that, Yeon Ga-jin frowned.

"Who knows about this?"

"Only me. Everyone is dead."

Jang-yak looked at the comrades who had just died. The face of the leader, full of resentment, came into his eyes.

"Please save me! I have a sick old mother and a weak wife at home!"

Jang-yak shouted loudly. Seeing him even shed tears, Yeon Ga-jin chuckled.

"I'll show you mercy."

"Thank you!"

At the word 'mercy', Jang-yak raised his voice again.

"The blood will be released after a moment, so after that, find your own way to live."

"I have nowhere to go. If I return to the Wall Demonic Hall, I will die. Please take me in at the Yeon family instead. I will be loyal."

"You're an interesting guy."

Yeon Ga-jin looked at Jang-yak, who was struggling to live, as if he were looking at an ant. Nothing would change if he killed an ant. But it didn't matter if he didn't kill it.

It was a being that he could kill just depending on his mood.

Since Yeon Ga-jin had found the secret manual, he was in a good mood.

"Follow me."

Yeon Ga-jin pressed Jang-yak's Cheondol acupoint, then spoke and turned his body. Jang-yak, as his demonic blood was released, chased after Yeon Ga-jin.

"Are you going to take revenge?"

"If your words are true, that Jin Sa-wol is not someone we can deal with. We're going back."

Yeon Ga-jin smiled and then grabbed Jang-yak's shoulder.

"And you should keep your mouth shut about Jin Sa-wol. You are dead."

"The reason... I'm sorry!"

Jang-yak felt Yeon Ga-jin's sharp killing intent and lowered his head.

"You don't ask questions. Understood?"

"Yes!"

Jang-yak answered in a loud voice.

* * *

Jin Sa-wol, who had arrived at the Namgung family, handed over Yeon Jeok-sim's corpse and then came out right away. There was no reason to stay long.

Woo Jeong-bong accompanied Jin Sa-wol, who had left Nanchang City and was walking on the main road.

"We have to take a boat to return to the inn, so why this road?"

The place to take a boat was to the east, but now they were heading west. Jin Sa-wol said with an indifferent face.

"We're not going to the inn, but to the esoteric sect."

"What?"

"We're not going to the inn for a while."

At the words 'esoteric sect headquarters', Woo Jeong-bong's expression hardened. Although he had heard a lot about the esoteric sect, he did not know where the headquarters was.

He had only heard that it was somewhere on the border of Guizhou and Guangxi.

"Isn't it a ten-thousand-li road? If we go there and come back, a year will have passed."

"If we're unlucky, it might take a few years."

"Hmph!"

At the words 'a few years', Woo Jeong-bong's eyes widened. Woo Jeong-bong turned his gaze to Jo Geom-ok as if asking for help.

"It might take a few years. Please stop him."

"I like it."

Jo Geom-ok answered with a smile.

Jin Sa-wol spoke again to Woo Jeong-bong.

"The Sea Peak Spirit Map is near the esoteric sect."

"Really?"

"It's true."

"I guess we have to go."

Woo Jeong-bong recalled the story about the Sea Peak Spirit Map and asked.

"What about the Sea Peak Spirit Map?"

Jin Sa-wol touched his head and smiled.

"It's in my head."

At Jin Sa-wol's answer, Woo Jeong-bong's expression hardened again.

Although his faith and trust in Jin Sa-wol were strong, the Sea Peak Spirit Map was a story like a legend. If that place really existed, it would bring a lot of blood to the martial world.

"The Martial Alliance will also move. No, perhaps soon, everyone in the world will know."

Jin Sa-wol spoke in a low voice and then unfolded his lightness skill. Jo Geom-ok and Woo Jeong-bong hurriedly chased after Jin Sa-wol.

* * *

The Martial Alliance.

In a wide room located in the deep part of the Martial Alliance, where numerous buildings were lined up, a dozen or so people were sitting or standing.

They were looking at the Sea Peak Spirit Map placed on a round table.

Namgung Min, who was sitting in the seat of honor, slowly looked around at the faces of the important figures of the Alliance.

He saw greed, indifference, desire, and trust.

There were also famous strategists in the martial world, and they had faces as if they had already solved the problem.

"It seems to be the place where the esoteric sect was."

As someone's words ended, a few people stood up from their seats.

"My stomach is upset, so I'm in pain."

"I have something to do suddenly, so I'll leave first."

As they went out, other people looked around and then went outside.

Namgung Min smiled and said to Zhuge Qian, who was standing next to him.

"We have to investigate the Sea Peak Spirit Map, so who do you think is the right person in the Alliance?"

"It would be good to send the Jeongui Pavilion."

Namgung Min, who recalled the Jeongui Pavilion, nodded. In the meantime, a few more people went out.

As about four people remained in the room, Zhuge Qian asked.

"Did you inform everyone because you had a separate plan?"

"It's just because I hate secrets."

"If so, it would be good to spread it moderately in the martial world."

"Really?"

Namgung Min's and Zhuge Qian's eyes met in the air. The two smiled, knowing that they had the same thoughts.

(End of Chapter)