Crunch!
A middle-aged man with a scar under his left eye, who was sitting on the wooden floor chewing on a sweet, sighed as he looked towards the pavilion leading to the main building. The pavilion, which should have been bustling with guards, was empty. 'Is this really alright?'
His name was Jang Myeong-in. He was the Inner Hall Master of the Lotuswood Sword Manor, responsible for overseeing the guards of the main building. In his youth, he was a master of the blade arts, famed around Shaoxing in Zhejiang.
He came to the Lotuswood Sword Manor nineteen years ago after forming a bond with the Manor Lord during the pirate subjugation in the Sea Salt region.
'Manor Lord.'
In his youth, the Manor Lord had been a true hero. He had admired him and believed everything he did was right. But how did things turn out this way?
[Inner Hall Master... surely you don't wish for that lowly son of a courtesan to become the heir to the great Lotuswood Sword Manor, do you?]
[That is...]
[Think carefully about what is the right thing to do for the Lotuswood Sword Manor.]
At first, he had tried not to get involved. But the words of the great madam, Madam Seok, had swayed him. Even if the youngest Young Master, Mok Yu-cheon, possessed overwhelmingly superior martial talent, he had no foundation and no allies within the family.
If he were to become the successor, it would surely lead to the division of the Lotuswood Sword Manor.
'Yes.
This is the right thing to do.' Although the first son, Mok Yeong-ho, was somewhat tyrannical, he was the eldest. His maternal family was none other than the Golden Flower Seok family, more than enough to support him.
In many ways, it was right for him, the eldest son, to become the successor. The only thing that bothered him was, [Even the physician could do nothing, so how could a mere occultist...]
[It won't take long. Just pretend you don't know anything for about one shichen.]
[.........]
[He is a skilled occultist from Dream City. If we find out, we won't have to clash with the vassals or the second son, that child Mok Eun-pyeong.]
The Manor Lord's official seal. With the seal, a successor could be appointed at any time. The division among the vassals could also be prevented.
'Is it possible?' But he couldn't erase a sliver of doubt. How could a mere occultist who dealt in Demonic Arts possibly find out where the seal was from the Manor Lord, who was on the verge of death?
He wondered if this was all a waste of time. 'They call it occult arts, but surely they don't plan to threaten the Manor Lord, weakened by illness, with medicine or something like that, do they?' No matter how much the first Young Master, Mok Yeong-ho, wanted to be the successor, that was not right.
It was an insult to the Manor Lord to whom he had sworn loyalty.
Grip!
Jang Myeong-in's hand tightened. 'Right, it can't be that.' He had been told to keep the area clear for about one shichen, but he should check just in case.
They said not to interfere, so it should be fine if he just took a look. With that, Inner Hall Master Jang Myeong-in passed the pavilion and headed for the main building.
Shk!
Mok Gyeong-un placed his hand on the neck of Occultist Myo Shin, where veins bulged grotesquely. Myo Shin's pulse, his breath gone, no longer beat. Confirming this, Mok Gyeong-un's expression returned to its usual dry, impassive state.
'It's fine.'
It didn't look like he had died at the hands of a person. A mysterious death. Such was the death of Myo Shin.
Sssshhh!
Just then, a pale, colossal monk materialized above the dead Myo Shin. Around its neck hung Skull Prayer Beads that clattered. Mok Gyeong-un reached out and touched them.
At that, the monk's white eyes, which emanated a ghastly glow full of ghostly energy, wavered.
"You wear an interesting thing around your neck." -.........
The reason was simple. It was because it allowed direct contact with a spiritual being like himself. Mok Gyeong-un fiddled with the Skull Prayer Beads and asked.
"You said you would be a faithful slave. What should I call you?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, the colossal monk, who had been still, muttered something under its breath. It looked as though it was only moving its lips. -.......... It was not something that could be heard with human ears.
But Mok Gyeong-un heard it clearly.
"Demonic Monk? That sounds more like a title than a name. Well, as long as I can call you something, I suppose it doesn't matter."
The anomaly called itself a Demonic Monk. Gazing at the Demonic Monk, Mok Gyeong-un let out a small laugh, then turned his head to look at the Manor Lord, who was unconscious with his arm severed. Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin.
"Hmm."
He was conflicted. Whether it was better to kill the Manor Lord as well, or to let him live. The deliberation did not take long.
If he were to kill the Manor Lord now, he would be the one in a difficult position. Therefore, it was better to let him live.
"Then I'll have to change the scene a bit. Demonic Monk, can you move that person in front of the Manor Lord?" -..........
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the still Demonic Monk shook its head. Hearing this, Mok Gyeong-un muttered, slightly disappointed.
"Don't tell me you can't do it?" -.........
He thought it would be able to exert physical force since it had killed the occultist, but he didn't expect it to be unable to perform such a simple physical act. Or was it deliberately pretending it couldn't?
Besides, Sssshhh!
The moment the materialized parts of its body touched the sunlight, they vanished like a heat haze. The phenomenon was similar to a shadow disappearing in the light. 'This is a difficult realm to understand.'
It was interesting, but hard to grasp. Mok Gyeong-un's gaze turned to the dead Occultist Myo Shin's book chest. Several books related to occult arts were shelved there.
If he referred to those, perhaps he could understand a little more about this being called an anomaly.
Thump! Thump!
Just then, the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor came from outside the room's door. Soon, Guard Go Chan's voice was heard from outside.
"Are you not done yet?"
"Come in."
At these words, Guard Go Chan opened the door and entered. As Go Chan opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes widened.
"W-what is all this..."
Go Chan was surprised because of the dead Occultist Myo Shin. He had expected him to be performing his occult arts, so he couldn't help but be bewildered by the sight of him having lost his life in the meantime. But strangely, it seemed Guard Go Chan could not see the Demonic Monk.
Mok Gyeong-un gestured with his head towards the left side and asked.
"Do you see anything here?"
"Pardon?"
"It seems you can't see..." -.........
"Ah... is that so?"
"Pardon?"
"No. I wasn't talking to you, Guard Go Chan." '!?'
At those words, Go Chan frowned. Did that mean he was just talking to himself a moment ago? While he was feeling puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un looked to his left and said something incomprehensible.
"No. I don't think you need to reveal yourself." -..........
"Young Master? What on earth are you talking about?"
To the flustered man, Mok Gyeong-un said with a gentle smile.
"Don't mind me. More importantly, could you move the occultist over there in front of the Manor Lord?"
"No. Young Master, why is the occultist...?"
The appearance of Occultist Myo Shin was bizarre beyond compare. He was dead with the veins all over his face bulging hideously, and his expression was filled with pain, shock, and terror. 'How was he murdered... is this even the appearance of someone who was murdered?'
Was it poison? It was strange to call it poison. It was utterly grotesque.
'Is it possible this kid didn't kill him?' Even if the boy's blood was poisonous, this was quite different. It didn't seem like he was killed by physical means either.
What in the world was it? While he was lost in confusion, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"Could you please move him instead of just staring?"
"Y-yes."
Having been told the same thing twice, Go Chan, perhaps feeling self-conscious, hurriedly moved the dead Occultist Myo Shin in front of the Manor Lord. Then, Mok Gyeong-un said.
"Lay him down in front of him as naturally as possible. As if he died after going berserk on his own."
'What?'
How was he supposed to lay him down to make it look like he went berserk and died on his own? Feeling awkward, Go Chan just haphazardly laid down Myo Shin's corpse. He did as he was told for now, but what was the intention?
'Don't tell me he's planning to frame the occultist for all of this?' Looking at the messy state of the room, it did seem that way. The one saving grace was that the Manor Lord was still breathing.
His arm had been cut off, but that was better than being dead.
"Young Master... what will you do now?"
"Ah, I forgot something important."
In response to Go Chan's question, Mok Gyeong-un picked up the sword that had fallen on the floor. Holding the sword, Mok Gyeong-un approached the bed where the Manor Lord lay and swung it around.
Swish, swish!
"Let's do this. The occultist, who was trying to treat the Manor Lord with his arts, was possessed by an anomaly, cut off the Manor Lord's arm, and tried to kill him. We stopped him."
"........."
At those words, Guard Go Chan was inwardly speechless. In the midst of all this, he had created a plausible excuse to get away. Indeed, seeing how Occultist Myo Shin died, grotesquely as if possessed by something, made the story seem plausible.
However, 'Will they believe it so easily?' The great madam was not a woman to be taken lightly. Go Chan, who had been debating whether to say anything, finally spoke cautiously.
"Young Master... but if we try to deceive them clumsily, we might arouse suspicion."
"Is it clumsy?"
"To say we appeared at the perfect moment, though it was a coincidence, and saved the Manor Lord—the great madam will not be easily convinced. Besides, she was the one who hired this occultist, so it's even more..."
"I see. Then it needs to look more plausible."
Shk!
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un reversed his grip on the sword hilt. Just as he was wondering what he was about to do, he suddenly brought the tip of the sword to his own thigh.
"Y-Young Master? What are you doing right now?"
"It has to look plausible. This should be about right."
"W-wait..."
Before he could even stop him.
Stab!
The sharp sword pierced through Mok Gyeong-un's thigh. '!!!!!' At this sight, Go Chan's expression stiffened. Not just pinching himself, but stabbing his own thigh with a sword without a hint of hesitation?
What was even more absurd was that despite the pain, he didn't even let out a single groan. No, his expression didn't even change. 'D-doesn't it even hurt?'
Even he himself would have clenched his teeth or contorted his face to endure the pain. But this boy, as if he felt no pain at all, showed almost no change in his expression.
'Vicious bastard...'
He couldn't help but be flabbergasted. To do it to avoid suspicion was one thing, but to stab his own thigh without hesitation was astonishing. He was truly a venomous breed.
"There was no need to go this f-far..."
"Because this is the most effective way."
"I'll stop the bleeding!"
"No. I need to lose a bit more blood to look a little pale."
"..........."
This boy was becoming not just daunting, but terrifying. 'A madman like this... you must never make an enemy of...'
Bang!
At that moment, the door burst open and someone barged inside. Seeing him, Go Chan jumped in surprise.
"Inner Hall Master?"
The middle-aged man with a scar under his left eye was none other than Inner Hall Master Jang Myeong-in. In fact, it wasn't surprising. Since he was in charge of guarding the main building, he was someone who should have been stationed here all along.
It was stranger that he had left his post.
Clang!
Just then, Inner Hall Master Jang Myeong-in drew the blade from his waist and aimed it at them.
"What have you done?"
At his roar, Guard Go Chan waved his hands dismissively.
"Inner Hall Master. It's a misunderstanding. The Young Master and I..."
Before he could even finish his excuse.
"M-more importantly, the Manor Lord first..."
Thud! '!?'
Mok Gyeong-un swayed and collapsed beside him. Watching him, Guard Go Chan was momentarily at a loss for words. Don't tell me he's pretending to faint right now?
And while saying to check on the Manor Lord before himself?