Taejo stared at Geom Mugeuk with a look of surprise.
What was that young whelp saying?
That it was impossible to kill them for silence? What a joke.
There was no one he couldn't kill if he set his mind to it.
He had lived such a life.
Those he could defeat, he mocked and killed in front of everyone, and those he couldn't, he killed by stabbing them in the back.
If that didn't work, he would hire an assassination organization, and if that failed, he would win over an acquaintance of his target to poison them.
To him, who had lived such a life, what? Impossible to kill for silence? It was laughable.
‘He’s bluffing. He’s trying to get me to confess, one way or another.’
Taejo asked Geom Mugeuk with a relaxed smile, “Seeing how highly the Demon Slaying Branch Master thinks of you, you must be someone remarkable. Who are you?”
Geom Mugeuk revealed his identity.
“I am the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
Taejo, who had been staring blankly for a moment, burst into laughter.
It was the most absurd and out-of-the-blue answer he had ever heard in his life.
“Yes, I suppose one would need that kind of status for the Demon Slaying Branch Master’s words to be true.”
He spoke as if acknowledging it, but he didn't believe a word.
“Then let me ask you one thing. What is the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect doing with the Martial Alliance’s Demon Slaying Branch, of all people, a group created to annihilate demons?”
Geom Mugeuk opened the box, looked down at the sleeping child, and replied.
“We are conducting a trash cleanup operation.”
For a moment, Taejo’s expression twitched.
Geom Mugeuk adjusted the child, who was lying uncomfortably, and continued.
“If you ask martial artists who is the most evil, most will say it’s us. It’s truly an unfair accusation. When you come out into the world, you find so many vile creatures you wonder if they’re even human. This case is no different. Kidnapping someone else's child to sell for money, and who knows what the buyer plans to do with the child. This is the kind of trashy act even we don't commit.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted from the child to Taejo.
“What exactly were you trying to do?”
Having just called it trash, asking such a question was the same as calling Taejo trash.
Taejo felt like rushing over and tearing the man to shreds.
But he couldn't.
With the box containing the child found in his warehouse, he had to get out of this situation somehow.
He quickly sent a telepathic message to Manhong.
—You’ll have to suffer a bit.
I'll get you out as soon as possible.
—Yes, Sect Master.
Manhong was truly reluctant.
With the Demon Slaying Branch Master himself leading the raid, he had no idea what would happen if he were dragged away like this.
But he couldn't disobey his Sect Master’s order.
His only options were death or being taken away.
Manhong stepped forward.
“Actually, I was the one who did it. I apologize.”
Taejo feigned surprise and scolded him.
“Is that true?”
“I didn't know it was a kidnapped child. I just requested that children were needed.”
“You fool! You should have investigated properly before proceeding.”
“I’m sorry.”
Taejo also put on an apologetic expression.
“My subordinate says he didn't know they were kidnapped children. It is also my fault for not checking beforehand.”
He tried to pass it off as a minor mistake that happened while carrying out his work.
His subordinate would insist he didn’t know they were kidnapped children, and he would insist he didn’t know about this fact.
Now, what are you going to do about it?
Unfortunately for them, they were not just dealing with Jin Ha-gun.
Geom Mugeuk raised his hand high.
“That’s why a witness is needed. The witness is right here. I heard everything. I even heard you say to call you when the child wakes up.”
Taejo glared fiercely at Geom Mugeuk, but like a true madman, he showed no fear at all.
Right, that must be why they made this kind of guy a witness.
“Since there’s a witness, you’ll have to come with us for now.”
“I will not go.”
A tense atmosphere flowed between Jin Ha-gun and Taejo.
Taejo knew well that the moment he was dragged away, the problem would become a headache.
“You will have to.”
“Are you threatening me now?”
“If you have committed a crime, it would be a threat. If you are innocent, it would be cooperation.”
Taejo could feel it.
He wouldn't be able to get away with just words.
“I was going to understand and let it pass, respecting Branch Master Jin's commitment to saving the children, but since you’re being so stubborn, I can't let this go. Does Branch Master Jin understand what kind of situation this is?”
“Go ahead and say it.”
“The Martial Alliance has attacked the Unorthodox Faction. This could be the start of a war between the righteous and unorthodox factions.”
He deliberately mentioned the provocative words 'war between the righteous and unorthodox factions.' It was time to push hard.
Taejo knew Jin Ha-gun’s weakness well.
“Branch Master Jin has not yet become the official successor. What do you think will happen if you cause such a major conflict with the Unorthodox Alliance? Shouldn't you be more cautious, for your own sake?”
Just then, Geom Mugeuk obnoxiously interjected.
“Are you okay with it? Causing a conflict with the Martial Alliance?”
Eventually, Taejo couldn't hold back and bellowed.
“You, shut up!”
He couldn't stand Geom Mugeuk's taunts and lost his composure.
Just when he was about to do something, the man kept cutting him off.
Seeing him erupt in anger, Jin Ha-gun laughed inwardly.
Yes, it’s infuriating.
I know that feeling well.
Deciding that words were useless, Taejo shouted to the outside.
“Come in.”
At his call, the martial artists of the Flowing Sword Sect who had been waiting outside swarmed in.
The Demon Slaying Branch showed no fear, pointing their swords and confronting them.
The number of Flowing Sword Sect martial artists who rushed in was larger than expected.
Moreover, their aura was anything but ordinary.
The thought came to him naturally.
‘The Flowing Sword Sect commands this many masters?’
This was the reason for Taejo’s confidence.
He was sure that, at least here, he wouldn't be dragged away.
“Do you think we’d tremble just because you’re the Demon Slaying Branch?”
It wasn't just them.
The two people Taejo ultimately trusted entered last.
They were two old men in distinctive attire.
Jin Ha-gun recognized them at a glance.
“The Blue and White Twin Swords!”
As their title suggested, they wore blue and white martial robes.
Even their shoes and scabbards were blue for one and white for the other.
They were notorious masters in the Unorthodox Faction.
If the Demon Slaying Branch was made up of young, rising masters, these two were seasoned veterans of the martial world.
The aura of the Blue and White Twin Swords overwhelmed the warriors of the Demon Slaying Branch.
It seemed a difficult fight would ensue if they joined forces with the masters of the Flowing Sword Sect.
“I didn't expect you to be with the Flowing Sword Sect.”
Taejo took Jin Ha-gun’s words as a reprimand.
“You? These two seniors were roaming the martial world before Branch Master Jin was even born. Show some respect.”
He seemed to want Jin Ha-gun to treat him as a senior in the martial world, but Jin Ha-gun’s reaction was cold.
He had no intention of respecting those with such notorious reputations.
The two old men spoke to each other as if for everyone to hear.
“The Martial Alliance Leader was a few years younger than us, wasn't he?”
“I think he was three or four years younger.”
“That man had an unusual personality even when he was young.”
“Who would have known he would become the Martial Alliance Leader like this?”
Though they had probably never actually met, Jin Ha-gun’s eyes turned cold as they mentioned his grandfather in such a manner.
“He is not someone you should speak of so carelessly.”
At that, the White Sword smiled and said in a gentle tone.
“That’s right. He is a man worthy of respect. We had no intention of insulting your grandfather. Likewise, we do not wish to be insulted either. We will handle what happened here and inform you, so please withdraw.”
“What is a man who can be called the face of the Martial Alliance doing, coming to the Flowing Sword Sect, the legitimate successor of the Unorthodox Faction, and being so rude?”
“If you act like this, the Alliance Leader will be in a difficult position as well.”
“Listen here, we are people who no longer have any attachment to life. If you and we were to fight, who do you think has more to lose?”
The two old men took turns relentlessly pressuring Jin Ha-gun.
Though many of their words were grating, Jin Ha-gun couldn't treat them carelessly as they were respected old masters among the Unorthodox Faction.
Of course, there was one exception.
“Of course, you have more to lose.”
The one who interjected was Geom Mugeuk.
Jin Ha-gun was still too young to deal with old men from the Unorthodox Faction.
“How much greed must you have to show up in this warehouse brimming with desire? You should have washed your hands in a golden basin and lived like an old tale behind a folding screen. What desire was so great that you tore through the folding screen and came out?”
The expressions of the two men hardened coldly, but Geom Mugeuk continued speaking.
“Everything you’ve collected your whole lives must be piled up somewhere. You probably don’t trust each other, so you haven’t even said where or how much you’ve hidden, have you? Am I right?”
The faces of the two men flushed crimson.
The Blue Sword openly revealed his killing intent and asked.
“Who is that ill-mannered brat?”
At that, Taejo smiled and said.
“He claims to be the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.”
When the Blue and White Twin Swords showed surprised expressions, Taejo quickly said.
“It's just some crazy nonsense.”
Only then could the Blue and White Twin Swords understand the situation.
Could any sane person mock them like this?
“That man is someone the Demon Slaying Branch Master hired as a witness to frame me.”
Taejo quickly sent a telepathic message.
—Just get rid of that man.
He had been a thorn in his side, and thankfully, he had committed such a rude act.
Now there was sufficient reason to kill him.
As the Blue and White Twin Swords walked forward, the warriors of the Demon Slaying Branch all stood in their way.
The White Sword spoke to Jin Ha-gun.
“As Branch Master Jin has heard, that man has been rude to us. Regardless of factions, there is a code of conduct in the martial world that warriors must follow. Even from your perspective, this cannot be overlooked, can it?”
At that, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.
“Open the way. Let’s see if they truly have no regrets about life, just as they claimed earlier.”
When the Demon Slaying Branch looked at Jin Ha-gun, he glanced once at Geom Mugeuk.
Even in this situation, Geom Mugeuk was brimming with confidence.
Yes, at first glance, he looks like a complete madman.
But once you get to know him, you understand.
You understand how thoroughly calculated that confidence is.
“Open the way.”
At Jin Ha-gun's command, the Demon Slaying Branch parted to the left and right, creating a path.
The Blue and White Twin Swords walked slowly along that path.
They showed no fear at all, even as they walked the path lined by the Demon Slaying Branch on both sides.
As they walked, they suddenly stopped.
The Blue Sword looked down at his own hand.
It was trembling spasmatically.
The White Sword looked at him with a surprised face.
“What's wrong?”
The Blue Sword shook his head.
This was the first time his hand had ever trembled so suddenly.
This time, it was the Blue Sword who was surprised.
The White Sword's cheek was twitching.
“And you?”
The White Sword’s face was not the only thing trembling; his entire body began to shake.
The same was true for the Blue Sword.
His legs started to tremble.
This had never happened since he first entered the martial world.
—Is it poison?
—It's not poison.
—Then what is it?
The two, who were exchanging telepathic messages, turned their gazes toward Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk, who had been looking at the child in the box, slowly lifted his head and looked at the two of them.
The moment their eyes met Geom Mugeuk's, the Blue and White Twin Swords knew.
‘It's because of him.’
It wasn't the profound aura that Geom Mugeuk usually displayed.
The energy Geom Mugeuk was emitting towards the two was killing intent.
The clear intention to kill them announced that the path opened by the Demon Slaying Branch was a path to hell.
“What are you doing? Not coming?”
The Blue and White Twin Swords swallowed hard.
Taejo, who was watching, was bewildered.
Because the killing intent was directed only at the Blue and White Twin Swords, Taejo did not know why the two had stopped walking.
“What’s wrong, seniors?”
The person who answered Taejo's question was Geom Mugeuk.
“Your precious seniors are trembling.”
He didn't know what it meant, but it was clear that a problem had arisen.
This was the moment for an enraged roar from the Blue and White Twin Swords, but it wasn't coming.
Geom Mugeuk took a step towards the two men.
Pressed by his momentum, the Blue and White Twin Swords simultaneously retreated.
“Didn't you say you have no regrets about life?”
Geom Mugeuk's eyes sank menacingly.
The Blue and White Twin Swords couldn't dare to meet his gaze and lowered their heads.
Seeing this, Jin Ha-gun knew.
‘He has grown stronger again in the meantime!’
Geom Mugeuk was completely overwhelming the veteran masters of the Unorthodox Faction, the Blue and White Twin Swords.
He was showing a different side than when they had last met.
It felt like for every step he took closer, Geom Mugeuk moved ten steps further away.
“Who is this great warrior?”
The words “great warrior,” not “young hero,” came from the White Sword's mouth.
“That person told you earlier, didn't he?”
Startled, the White Sword quickly turned to Taejo and asked.
“Is this man really the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect?”
Taejo replied in surprise.
“No, he’s not. What are you talking ab—.”
Suddenly, Taejo flinched and this time looked at Geom Mugeuk.
“Are you really the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect?”
“I told you earlier, didn't I? The Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
Taejo's voice naturally trembled.
“Why is the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect here?”
“I told you that too. I’m in the middle of a trash cleanup.”
The Blue and White Twin Swords scolded Taejo.
“Did you push us toward the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect?”
“I didn't know either.”
The Blue and White Twin Swords looked at each other, exchanged glances, and then retreated.
“It seems there was a misunderstanding, so we ask the Young Cult Master to understand.”
It was one thing that their opponent's skills overwhelmed them, but they knew that if they messed with the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect, they wouldn't die a peaceful death.
This was not the time to think about pride.
Taejo finally understood what Jin Ha-gun had said earlier.
The meaning of his words that it was impossible to refute, to argue, or to kill for silence.
“I heard it myself. I am the witness.”
Hearing Geom Mugeuk’s thunderous declaration, he also understood.
The meaning of the words that everyone except himself would believe it.
Who would dare refute the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect? In a situation where even the Blue and White Twin Swords, who had stepped up for him, had tucked their tails and retreated.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to him.
“Confess willingly and you'll be taken to the Martial Alliance. Keep resisting, and you'll be taken to our Main Sect. The choice is yours.”
Taejo's heart sank.
Taken not to the Martial Alliance, but to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect? He might be able to talk his way out with the Martial Alliance, but being taken to the Demon Sect would be the absolute end.
Just looking at the Young Cult Master was enough to know.
That man who hangs out with the Demon Slaying Branch Master and shouts about cleaning up trash is a madman.
He could not be dragged to a den of madmen.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and the Martial Alliance are involved, but I am merely a single sect.”
“For a single sect, you were trying to intimidate us quite a bit earlier, weren't you?”
“A frightened dog tends to bark loudly.”
He was desperate enough to have to say such words.
And this was his only way to survive.
“I demand that this matter be handled under the mediation of the Unorthodox Alliance.”
The Unorthodox Alliance would never abandon him and the Flowing Sword Sect.
Because of his contributions so far.
He believed they would surely save him.
“I believe that is a fair way to handle things. As it is, I am being treated too unfairly. It will be rumored in the martial world that we were framed.”
“What if the Unorthodox Alliance also acknowledges your guilt?”
“Then I will also admit it cleanly.”
Geom Mugeuk, who had been staring at Taejo, nodded readily for some reason.
“Fine, call them. Let's get all three of us together and figure out who the real villain is.”