Mok Gyeong-un listened to the partial memories Gyu So-ha had read from Ling Hwa-yang’s body and found it interesting. Though he still had no interest in how this martial world operated, the information So-ha had read allowed him to guess the relationship between the organization called the Righteous Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Society.
‘A hostile relationship.’
The interesting part was the reason they fought. They were hostile to each other simply because their beliefs and ways of thinking were different. Mok Gyeong-un found this point terribly old-fashioned.
What kind of emotion could possibly lead people to risk their lives not over a simple grudge, but because the values they believed in were different?
“The righteous and demonic paths… How inefficient.” -Inefficient.
Yes, that’s also true. But there is nothing more terrifying than values or beliefs.
“Why is that?” -What wears a person down more than a relationship of grudges is believing oneself to be right.
“Ahhh. I can sympathize with that.”
Blue Spirit was right. Though he hadn’t met that many people, Mok Gyeong-un also found the most tiresome folk to be those who believed they were unconditionally right. Most of those people considered everything other than themselves to be wrong.
Perhaps that was why Mok Gyeong-un loathed such people the most.
“Just hearing the name of the organization is tiring. The Righteous Alliance? Is it because they consider themselves to be justice?”
“That’s the kind of people they are.”
“But the Righteous Alliance calls the Heaven and Earth Society the Demonic Arts or a demonic sect?” -Nonsense!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Blue Spirit raised her voice. -Those things have a dichotomous way of thinking. They are single-minded fools who believe that if they are white, everything else is black.
“Is that so? Then I suppose the Heaven and Earth Society is not the demonic sect they think it is.” -The Heaven and Earth Society we created was not such a simple organization.
‘The one we created?’
Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes narrowed. Had she also contributed to the creation of this massive organization? But without showing any particular sign, he questioned another point.
“It wasn’t a simple organization, you say?” -That’s right.
The frame imposed upon us by those disgusting hypocrites is the counter-belief of demonic sect, Demonic Arts. But the Heaven and Earth Society was established to deny that and create a true martial world.
“A true martial world?” -Since when do you think the martial world became a place where the righteous path is justice and everything else is the axis of evil?
“I wouldn't know about that.” -Ahhh.
There was no way Mok Gyeong-un would know. He had lived a life far removed from the martial world in the first place. At this, Blue Spirit clicked her tongue and said. -What the Heaven and Earth Society sought was for the martial world to return to its most primal form.
“Primal? What is that?” -The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.
The essence of martial arts is ultimately to prove one’s own strength. In the beginning, it was called the martial world because people were entangled in clashes to determine pure strength. But the martial world of today is just a war of rotten values.
“……” -Where is there black and white in the world?
White paper turns black when ink is poured on it, and a butcher becomes a Buddha when he puts down his blade. If you want to discuss the world in colors, shouldn’t it be gray? Her voice was filled with anger.
That anger felt not like a one-dimensional one like Mok Gyeong-un’s own, but like a fury directed at the entire world. At this, Mok Gyeong-un asked with curiosity.
“Then is the Heaven and Earth Society gray?” -……
At that question, Blue Spirit suddenly fell silent.
‘I see.’
That alone was enough to tell him what she thought of the current Heaven and Earth Society. At the very least, it would not be the gray she spoke of. That must be why she felt disgusted with the current Heaven and Earth Society.
Mok Gyeong-un changed the subject.
“Well, be that as it may, thanks to you I’ve learned some good information. A spy from the Righteous Alliance…”
When one becomes possessed, they read a part of the target’s memories. It wasn't everything, but he had obtained useful information. -When the scale of an organization grows to the thousands or tens of thousands, gaps naturally form, and it becomes common to send spies to one another. It’s a natural thing, so there’s nothing to be surprised about.
But they are more foolish than I thought.
“What is, you mean?” -I’m talking about these spies, the Shadow Walkers.
“These people?” -Yes.
For a spy, secrecy for the sake of espionage is life itself. But for the deployed spies to be sharing information about each other to this extent.
Tsk tsk.
Mok Gyeong-un nodded his head, agreeing with her words. Though it was his first time seeing a spy, considering they were infiltrators posing as fake members in an enemy organization, it seemed they had made quite a strategically poor choice.
A situation like the current one, where if one person opens their mouth, they are all exposed in a line, would arise. However, the important thing now was not their foolishness. -Anyway, what are you going to do?
“Well…” -It seems too late to just leave them be.
From the looks of it, he had thoroughly earned the hatred of the Shadow Walkers’ spies. Of course, he understood.
Because of him, the number of spies had decreased, and the probability of their mission succeeding had also dropped significantly. -It is partly revenge for their lost comrades, but it seems those bastards think that killing you, mortal, will make it easier for them to pass the future gates.
“From the latter perspective, it’s not exactly the wrong choice.” -It’s not the right choice either.
“That’s true.”
If they succeeded, it would be one thing, but if they failed, they would have to pay a corresponding price. This was such a situation. Gyu So-ha, who had taken over Ling Hwa-yang’s body, spoke in a voice full of motivation.
“Master. Shall I go and take care of them one by one?”
She had obtained the body of their colleague, Ling Hwa-yang. Since they knew each other’s identities, she could easily induce their carelessness to kill them or, as they had intended to do, destroy their dantian and turn them into cripples. At this, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head. -What is it?
Don’t tell me you’re going to let them off?
“No. It seems there’s no need to go through such trouble.” -No need?
Then what are you planning to do?
“This way might be better.”
The corners of Mok Gyeong-un’s mouth twisted up into a smirk.
-Tap, tap!
“Hahahahahat! Finding the spy, it’s all your achievement!”
One of the red-belted guards patted Mok Gyeong-un’s back, praising his contribution. Mok Gyeong-un’s choice regarding the Shadow Walkers’ spies was simple. There was no need to deal with them one by one.
It was to inform the red-belted guards who the spies were.
‘One stone, two birds?’
He dealt with them without having to bloody his own hands, and by revealing the spies’ existence, he gained an opportunity to build credit with the Heaven and Earth Society. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
Of course, the only one in a regrettable situation was Green Spirit Gyu So-ha, who had to play the role of confessing to being a spy with the body she had just obtained, only to have to discard it again.
“Oh? That person over there is also one of my fellow Shadow Walkers!”
But Gyu So-ha was faithful to her role. The place Gyu So-ha pointed to was toward the stairs leading to the upper floor, where a boy stood, flustered and at a loss for what to do.
‘Hmm?’
Mok Gyeong-un recognized who that boy was. It was the boy who had passed the second gate in his group. He remembered him because he had tried to kill the unconscious Mo Ha-rang, even while getting into a scuffle with Mok Yu-cheon.
Ma-sang, was it? Just then. -Swish! Ma-sang hastily threw himself up the stairs.
“Catch him!” -Tat tat tat tat!
At this, the red-belted guards shouted and chased after the man. If the information in the memory of the Shadow Walker spy, Ling Hwa-yang, was correct, he would be the last of the four spies who had barely survived. To show up on his own like this, what an unlucky fellow.
But, ‘Why is he glaring at me like that?’ Mok Gyeong-un looked at Mok Yu-cheon, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to kill him. It was a gaze filled with considerable resentment.
Come to think of it, he seemed to have come down the stairs alongside the Shadow Walker spy, Ma-sang. At this, Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes narrowed.
‘He seems to know something.’
Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to glare at him like that. What a simple fellow. If it were him, if he were connected to or had colluded with the spies, he would not have revealed his emotions so openly.
But Mok Yu-cheon was very honest with his feelings. At this, Mok Gyeong-un let out a smirk.
‘Simple-minded.’
Is it because he’s still young? Should I just take this opportunity to frame that guy as a spy along with the one running away and deal with him? After a moment of consideration, Mok Gyeong-un dismissed the idea internally.
‘Not yet.’
Although it was a fabrication, to the Heaven and Earth Society, he and Mok Yu-cheon were from the same Lotuswood Sword Manor. If he was connected and gave even the slightest pretext for suspicion, it might create a hitch in his efforts to blend into the Heaven and Earth Society’s inner circle.
‘I’ll have to leave him be for a while longer.’
There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with him. Mok Gyeong-un waved his hand at Mok Yu-cheon and gave him a smile. At that, as if he had become even angrier, Mok Yu-cheon’s face turned red and blotchy as he stomped up the stairs.
As he was doing so, someone approached and spoke to him.
“Mok Gyeong-un.”
“Ah. Yes.”
It was a middle-aged man who looked older than the other red-belted guards. The senior guard, he was called. He pointed to the lower floor and said to Mok Gyeong-un.
“The Valley Master is calling for you.”
‘Valley Master?’
Is he talking about the one with the demon mask? At this, Mok Gyeong-un followed the senior guard down to the lower floor.
The lodgings on the first floor were being used by the red-belted guards who were conducting the gates, and the Valley Master of Corpse Blood Valley was using the room attached to the centermost office. -Knock, knock! Someone knocked on the door and said. -Valley Master, I have brought him.
At the voice coming from outside, someone sitting in the office chair and looking at a bronze mirror opened their mouth.
“Wait a moment.” -Yes.
The person sitting in the chair moved the bronze mirror aside. Between the shifted bronze mirror, a face with burn scars flashed by for a moment. Soon, someone put on the mask that was on the office desk.
It was the demon mask.
“Let him in.” -Yes.
At the demon mask’s command, the door soon opened and a handsome boy entered. He was none other than Mok Gyeong-un. Mok Gyeong-un bowed his head slightly in greeting.
At this, the demon mask waved his hand and pointed to the chair for guests.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
As Mok Gyeong-un sat in the chair, the demon mask also rose from the office chair and walked over to sit opposite him. The demon mask stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un. At this, Mok Gyeong-un did not avoid his gaze and met it straight on.
‘Look at this one.’
To not avoid his eyes, how bold. In the demon mask’s eyes, visible through the gaps in the mask, a strange light flickered. Since taking on the role of Corpse Blood Valley's Master, this was the first time he had seen a fellow like this.
Of course, there were occasionally cunning ones who passed the gates in a short time due to their outstanding martial talent, or who used unexpected methods, but this one was somehow different. They say you can tell a promising tree from its sprout.
This fellow seems to have something that could allow him to climb higher than any of the others he had seen so far. But there was something he needed to make certain of.
“Mok Gyeong-un.”
“Yes.”
“You are from the righteous path’s Lotuswood Sword Manor, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You do not have to give one-word answers now.”
“……I understand.”
“This Valley Master has heard that you and the one named Mok Yu-cheon were brought here as hostages in exchange for leaving the Lotuswood Sword Manor after sealing its gates. Is that correct?”
At the demon mask’s words, Mok Gyeong-un felt a sense of doubt inwardly. Does he not know the real reason I’m here? He had thought he would know the fact that he was here for memorizing and learning the secret manual called the treasure of the Heaven and Earth Society, but it was unexpected.
‘Then…’
There seemed to be no need to reveal this. Mok Gyeong-un simply nodded his head and answered.
“That is correct.”
At this answer, the demon mask’s eyes, visible through the gaps in the mask, narrowed. Then, he opened his mouth with a somewhat heavier voice.
“But it is strange.” -Screech!
As soon as those words ended, a sword was suddenly at Mok Gyeong-un’s neck.
‘!?’
At this, Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes sharpened. He had clearly heard the sound of the sword being drawn and had even seen the muscles move. But though he hadn’t blinked, in an instant, a sword was at his neck.
‘……Fast.’
It was a swift sword art, so fast it was hard to perceive. He felt he could now understand why Blue Spirit had said that with his current skills, it was still a long way before he could accomplish anything within the Heaven and Earth Society. It was difficult to gauge just how strong he was.
As he was thinking this, the demon mask continued speaking.
“You were brought here against your will, not of your own accord, so why did you report the Righteous Alliance’s spy?”
The thing the demon mask wanted to confirm. It was precisely this. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand why Mok Gyeong-un had reported it.
“I was hoping for a reward for reporting the spy. This is unexpected.”
“Before you mention a reward, you must first convince this Valley Master of this.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
One of the demon mask’s eyebrows shot up. The tip of a sword was at his neck, and with just a little force, the sword would pierce through. In a situation where he himself was being suspected, he showed no sign of wavering.
At this, the demon mask said in a tone of disbelief.
“Are you aware that this is a situation where you could be under suspicion?”
“With a sword at my neck, how could I not know?”
“Then are you just full of guts? Or do you have something that can clear up the suspicion at once?”
“Let’s just say it’s the latter.”
At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, the demon mask clicked his tongue. And then, he warned in a low tone.
“Let me tell you in advance. Within Corpse Blood Valley, the right to decide life and death belongs to this Valley Master. You could leave this office as a corpse.” -Sizzzzzle!
As soon as those words ended, a scorching heat flowed out from the sword. As he wondered what this was, with the heat of the sword rising, he heard Blue Spirit’s voice by his ear. -I wondered who it was, but it seems he is a blood descendant of that fellow.
‘Huh?’
What does that mean? As he was wondering, Blue Spirit said. -Mortal. Ask the fellow before you.
With that, Blue Spirit told Mok Gyeong-un something. As she did, the demon mask brought the tip of the sword, hot with heat, even closer and said.
“This Valley Master’s patience is not very long. Quickly convince…”
“Has the Lee family now become able to control the fiery yang energy within their bodies?”
‘!?’
As soon as those words ended, the demon mask’s pupils trembled. The only part of his body visible from the mask was his eyes, but it was clear that he was considerably surprised. As Mok Gyeong-un had predicted, the demon mask was truly surprised.
How does this kid know this story? The matter of the fiery yang energy was something known only to a few within the Heaven and Earth Society. -Thwack! The demon mask put away his sword, grabbed Mok Gyeong-un’s collar with his other hand, pulled him close, and pressed him in a whispered voice.
“What in the world are you? How do you…”
To him, whose words trailed off, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said.
“Are you asking if I know about the Red Flame Sword Art?”
‘!!!!!!!!!’