Chapter 63
The Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, was implicated in colluding with the black path and selling off items that should have been recovered!
Deputy Commander Zhuge Lin, knowing this, had remained silent. She must have split the money with the unit commander.
Such rumors swept through the Martial Alliance like a whirlwind.
Although the Punishment Hall tried to investigate secretly, they could not cover the eyes and ears of everyone in the alliance.
There were those who disbelieved the rumors, but a new fact was revealed in the process of the Punishment Hall investigating Cheol Jiak.
The tavern that Cheol Jiak frequented was actually run by someone related to the black path, and he had often abused his authority as a Martial Alliance unit commander to not pay, and had even harassed the courtesans...
Anyway, as a rather sordid rumor began to circulate again, public opinion regarding Cheol Jiak gradually changed.
"Does this make sense?"
"...I don't know."
Opinions were divided even at the regular meeting of the unit commanders. Those who knew Cheol Jiak well doubted the rumors to the end, and those who had a shallow acquaintance with him mentioned the possibility that he had turned his eyes elsewhere as his promotion was continuously blocked.
The ones who benefited the most from this incident were two people. They were the Poison King Unit Commander and the Golden Wolf Unit Commander, who were mentioned as candidates for the next commander promotion along with Cheol Jiak.
"Well, what do you think, Poison King Unit Commander?"
At a unit commander's question, the Poison King Unit Commander frowned. He was a person from the Tang family who was certain in his mission handling, but he was a man who was evaluated as having a very cold disposition.
Even such a Poison King Unit Commander could not say anything for sure and answered vaguely.
"I don't know. But it's true that it's fishy. Anyway, I was supposed to compete with Unit Commander Cheol for the commander position, but to be eliminated like this."
It was a situation where he had won not by skill but by scandal.
The matter regarding the Black Tortoise Unit Commander would be known only after the results of the Punishment Hall's investigation came out, but by then, the selection of the commander would already be over.
The Golden Wolf Unit Commander, who was next to him, let out a smirk.
"Money has a way of easily grasping and shaking a person's heart. Moreover, it's a corruption that often happens in the alliance where a high-ranking official whose promotion has been repeatedly missed turns his head and colludes with the black path."
"Do you really think Unit Commander Cheol did that, Golden Wolf Unit Commander?"
"Well. All the circumstances are saying so, aren't they?"
The Golden Wolf Unit was an armed force. However, unlike other armed forces, it mainly handled the business of the black path, or to be more blunt, matters related to money.
Naturally, they must have seen countless people corrupted by money.
While the unit commanders were exchanging their thoughts, there was a man who was unusually silent.
The White Dragon Unit Commander, Jang Seohwi, was constantly stroking his insides.
If it were the usual him, he would have been excited and would have babbled something, but he couldn't.
'I-I didn't intend to go this far...'
Although it was unlikely, if things went wrong, he would be hit by a proper backlash.
He had plotted a scheme to slander a fellow unit commander and drag him down to ruin. Given the disposition of the Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, if the inside story of the incident was revealed, it was highly likely that it would not end with just a disciplinary action such as dismissal.
It was then.
"Someone must have slandered him."
At the cold voice heard from the side, the White Dragon Unit Commander's heart seemed to drop.
When he turned his head, the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who rarely attended the unit commander meetings, was sitting there.
He, who had attended the meeting as soon as he returned from his mission, was looking at the unit commanders as if they were pathetic.
Since the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's position as the next hall master was already confirmed, there was no one who dared to openly refute his words.
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's words continued.
"Do you all not know even after seeing the Black Tortoise Unit Commander like that? In the first place, if he were a person who would use such petty tricks, he would have become a commander, not a unit commander, and would have been more than that. Do you all really not know, or are you pretending not to know for personal reasons?"
The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, who clicked his tongue, got up from his seat as if he didn't want to associate with them anymore. Before he left the banquet hall, he looked at the White Dragon Unit Commander blankly.
At that sight, the White Dragon Unit Commander's brow narrowed.
'Does that guy know something?'
No. That couldn't be.
Although the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander had his own information network and judgment, the real power of the Zhuge family was not a person who would handle things so sloppily.
The White Dragon Unit Commander just drank his cup of wine with a very complicated heart.
* * *
There was also a place where a heated discussion was taking place as much as the unit commanders' meeting.
It was the Black Tortoise Pavilion, surrounded by the martial artists of the Punishment Hall.
The Black Tortoise Unit martial artists were gathered around Do Seonghwi, who was the most senior after Cheol Jiak and Zhuge Lin.
They expressed their thoughts one by one.
"Why would the unit commander join hands with the Xiangyang Society? It doesn't make sense."
"Of course it doesn't. We need to find evidence that he didn't, but what should we do?"
"Shall we ask the Zhuge family for help?"
"They'll be a great help."
Most of the discussion was about how to clear the unit commander's name. Not a single person doubted the unit commander. Because they had carried out the mission together, and they were the ones who knew Cheol Jiak's disposition better than anyone else.
While they were talking for more than an hour about a problem for which there was no answer.
Jang Woopyeong, with a rather tragic expression, said in an even more tragic voice.
"Shall we attack the Punishment Hall?"
Do Seonghwi hit the back of Jang Woopyeong's head.
"What do you mean, attack, man? Are you trying to get us all killed?"
After all, the Punishment Hall was a higher organization than the Black Tortoise Unit. If they recklessly attacked, their heads would be properly cut off under the pretext of insubordination.
Jang Woopyeong scratched his head.
"I'm saying it because there's no answer. I'm frustrated too!"
"No, this bastard..."
Do Seonghwi raised his hand again. For some reason, the atmosphere among the Black Tortoise Unit members was also sinking.
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon did not offer any particular opinion. The atmosphere was so menacing that it was a situation where the newcomers could not easily open their mouths.
However, Cheon Woojin ignored their conversation and was thinking deeply about something by himself.
'The rumor is spreading maliciously right after the Shadowless Divine Thief stole the item. It means that it was by no means the Shadowless Divine Thief's independent action...'
No matter how much he thought about it, it was difficult to predict who was behind it. If it were his masters, how would they have overcome this situation?
- Shouldn't you go and find that child, Beili Tian, with a switch? After all, all the corruption that happens in the alliance is the responsibility of the alliance leader.
- What nonsense. First, let's smash the heads of the Punishment Hall guys in front and then think about it. They've been looking at us with disrespectful eyes since a while ago.
Cheon Woojin let out a deep sigh. It seemed that his masters' methods would not be of any help right now.
'In the end, is it the Shadowless Divine Thief?'
The answer was with that guy.
He was a difficult guy to catch. Even his masters acknowledged his movement skills, and he had felt it enough when he was actually chasing him.
However, if he just sat in the Black Tortoise Pavilion, it would be completely impossible to catch him.
In the end, Cheon Woojin, who thought so, got up from his seat.
At that, the Black Tortoise Unit members, including Song Yiyeon, who were having a heated discussion, all looked at him.
"Young hero Cheon, what's wrong?"
"Are you going to the bathroom?"
Song Yiyeon and Jang Woopyeong asked in turn.
Cheon Woojin nodded his head.
"Yes."
At that short answer, everyone instinctively knew.
The newcomer Cheon was about to do something rash again.
The Black Tortoise Unit members stealthily got up from their seats. The martial artists of the Punishment Hall had thoroughly surrounded the Black Tortoise Pavilion. If he did something rash now, it would surely have a negative impact on the unit commander.
Soon, Song Yiyeon and Jang Woopyeong exchanged glances and then blocked Cheon Woojin's front and back.
Also, the Black Tortoise Unit members, including Do Seonghwi, drew a slightly larger circle and blocked the escape route.
However.
It was truly a meaningless thing.
"..."
"I'm going crazy, really."
It was as if they were possessed by a group of ghosts. The newcomer Cheon, who was clearly in front of them, had stealthily disappeared. There was no sound, no presence. He had not soared into the sky, nor had he sunk into the ground.
He had just disappeared.
Unfortunately, a member of the Punishment Hall, who had sensed the commotion, approached and asked.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
"Uhm..."
The member of the Punishment Hall looked at the unit members with suspicious eyes. His pupils moved here and there. As if he were counting.
The quick-witted Black Tortoise Unit members moved here and there for no reason to interfere with his work.
However, unfortunately, the member of the Punishment Hall was a man who was well-known for his good eyes even in the Beggars' Sect.
"One person is missing?"
"Ah, he went to the bathroom."
Do Seonghwi answered nonchalantly. However, not only his back but also the soles of his feet were sweating.
The member of the Punishment Hall said with narrowed eyes.
"Why without permission?"
"He must have been in a hurry."
"I see."
The member of the Punishment Hall nodded his head. The moment Do Seonghwi let out a sigh of relief, he said to another martial artist.
"Check the bathroom immediately. One person is missing."
"Yes, senior."
Do Seonghwi squeezed his eyes shut. Song Yiyeon let out a sigh, and Jang Woopyeong even slapped his forehead with his palm.
How much time had passed like that?
"Uh, he's not there!"
"What did you say!"
The member of the Punishment Hall glared at Do Seonghwi as if to kill him.
Do Seonghwi gave an awkward smile.
"Did you also check the latrine? He might have fallen in."
It was a story that wouldn't even be believed.
Soon, the martial artists of the Punishment Hall moved busily.
* * *
Cheon Woojin, who had left the Martial Alliance, headed straight for the marketplace.
As he stood still and looked at the bustling people, he felt a new sense of helplessness.
The Shadowless Divine Thief was a man who was one of the best in the martial world for being elusive. Such a guy had gone into hiding with determination. Where on earth should he start looking, and how?
He had learned how to kill people well from his Black Master, and he had learned everything else from his White Master. However, among the teachings, there was no method for finding a hidden person.
"In the end, is that the only place?"
Cheon Woojin, who had been thinking for a long time, headed for a small inn.
The shop assistant greeted him cheerfully and guided him to a seat.
Cheon Woojin, who had taken a seat, ordered somen, dumplings, stir-fried bok choy with tofu, two bottles of bamboo leaf green wine, sweet and sour pork ribs, and flower cakes in order.
At that, the shop assistant's gaze changed.
"Where are you from?"
"I came flowing on a dark cloud."
It was an ambiguous answer. However, the shop assistant's eyes flashed. In the Beggars' Sect, each martial arts figure was referred to by a specific word. Among them, the dark cloud meant the Black Master, who was a guest of honor among the guests of honor of the Beggars' Sect.
"I will serve you."
The inn was one of the few branches of the Beggars' Sect.
Also, the shop assistant was the hidden owner of the inn and the branch manager of the Beggars' Sect, Deng Pinghou.
As Deng Pinghou disappeared to the back of the inn, another shop assistant who looked just like him appeared and filled his empty spot.
* * *
It was easy to approach the deepest part of the Beggars' Sect.
Because the disciple of the Black Master had already been personally declared a top guest of honor by the Beggars' Sect Leader, Wildflower.
He went through the branch manager to the main headquarters of the Beggars' Sect, and he entered with the polite greetings of the guards of the main headquarters.
There was no one who questioned the credibility of his identity.
It was just that there were people who were carefully observing Cheon Woojin all along the way to the deep place.
'Is this how they verify?'
The martial might of the observers was quite high. In particular, the highest one was on par with the Sex Demon he had fought before.
If masters of that level were observing directly, there was no need to question the credibility with a sore mouth in the first place.
How long had he walked through the dark path like that?
A door studded with luminous pearls opened, and inside, Wildflower, lightly dressed in black silk clothes, was waiting, burning a Forget-Worry Herb.
She, who had discovered Cheon Woojin, raised the corners of her bright red lips.
"I didn't think you would come. It's surprising, isn't it?"
"Well, something came up."
Cheon Woojin bowed his head. After all, the Beggars' Sect Leader, Wildflower, was an acquaintance of his Black Master.
Wildflower looked at Cheon Woojin as if she were amused and said.
"You really resemble the Black Master."
"Is that so?"
It was an interesting thing. The alliance leader said he resembled his White Master, and the Beggars' Sect Leader said he resembled his Black Master.
Cheon Woojin looked at the mirror placed on one side of the office and let out a smirk.
At that sight, Wildflower's eyes curved.
"Why? Do you think you're handsome too?"
"Ahem, it's not that."
Wildflower burst into a thin laugh. For some reason, unlike the Black Master, he was a young man who was fun to tease.
"So why did you come?"
"I want to find a person."
"Well, that's our specialty. Who is it?"
Wildflower nonchalantly nodded her head. Handling information was the job of the Beggars' Sect Leader, and especially finding a person was the most basic of the basics.
So Cheon Woojin also said nonchalantly.
"The Shadowless Divine Thief."
"..."
Wildflower's hand, which had been continuously writing something even while talking, stopped.
"Hmm, from the first request..."
"Is it impossible?"
For a moment, a shallow furrow formed on Wildflower's brow. Her thin eyebrows twitched a few times, and then she let out a smirk.
"Is there anyone our Beggars' Sect can't find?"
"Is that so? I don't know the Beggars' Sect well."
At that attitude, Wildflower's eyebrows twitched even more.
'Hah, he has this side to him too?'
Cheon Woojin was subtly provoking Wildflower's competitive spirit. Of course, since Wildflower was someone who had traded with the talents of the world beyond the heavens, she could see through such a scheme.
However, she had no choice but to be deceived even while knowing.
The reason was simple. Because this young man who was spitting out audacious words with a dry expression was the disciple of the Black Master. Although he was quieter than expected for now, he would surely become an existence that would exert the greatest influence in the martial world before ten years had passed.
Thump, the Beggars' Sect Leader, who had closed the book, looked straight at Cheon Woojin with her unique deep, dark pupils.
"Alright. I'll find him for you. How much will you pay for the request?"
Cheon Woojin nodded his head.
For reference, he didn't have any money.
(End of Chapter)