The moment surprise exerts its power is when it's completely unexpected.
Bi Sa-in's surprise was just like that.
―What do you mean?
His wide-eyed telepathic message trembled.
―It's exactly as I said.
The children bought from the Black Snake Gang were being sent to the Unorthodox Alliance.
I am merely a middleman.
Taejo truly hadn't intended to reveal this secret.
But he couldn't just stand by in an atmosphere where they were about to summon the Black Snake Division Lord.
Being dragged to the Martial Alliance or the Demon Sect to pay for his crimes was not an option.
―I was only handling things as ordered.
―Who ordered it?
―I cannot say.
As far as Bi Sa-in knew, there was no organization within the Unorthodox Alliance that purchased children.
This meant someone was carrying out this matter in secret.
―Tell me who it is.
Despite the coldness in Bi Sa-in's tone, Taejo did not say who it was.
―If you don't speak, you may die at my hands.
Though his life was threatened, the intimidation didn't work on Taejo.
―Still, I cannot say.
Taejo was certain.
Bi Sa-in could not kill him over this incident.
After all, the matter of buying and sending the children was for the sake of the Unorthodox Alliance.
You cannot kill me.
―Can you take responsibility for what you've just said?
―In what safe place would I tell a lie? First, you must send those two away.
Bi Sa-in did not respond to Taejo's telepathic message.
―Young Alliance Leader, if this fact becomes known to the outside, it will become a headache.
Bi Sa-in was lost in thought.
As the two's telepathic conversation deepened, Geom Mugeuk guessed that the children were being sent to the Unorthodox Alliance.
In this situation, that was the only thing that could make Bi Sa-in ponder so deeply.
He offered no advice.
This was a moment where a martial artist named Bi Sa-in was deciding his own destiny.
Depending on that choice, not only Bi Sa-in's personal fate but also the fate of the Unorthodox Alliance, and by extension, the martial world, would be affected.
Bi Sa-in, please make the right choice!
After a long deliberation, Bi Sa-in finally opened his mouth.
“A moment ago, Sect Master Tae confessed on his own. He said he was aware of the regular purchasing of children.”
Taejo was horrified.
He never imagined Bi Sa-in would say such a thing.
And this was just the beginning of his unexpected actions.
“Young Alliance Leader! Why are you doing this? Did you not understand what I told you?”
“I understood. You said you sent those children to the Unorthodox Alliance, did you not?”
For a moment, silence filled the place.
Taejo was astounded.
He never thought this important story would be revealed in front of everyone.
It was a place where even the Demon Slaying Branch and the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path were present.
The words ‘Are you insane?’ rose to his throat.
He truly almost blurted them out.
Geom Mugeuk had already guessed the details, but Jin Ha-gun had not.
What was surprising was not that the children went to the Unorthodox Alliance, but that the fact was revealed.
The Unorthodox Alliance he knew was always busy covering up and hiding incidents.
Their very existence was that of villains.
In fact, he had expected their telepathic conversation to go like this:
―They are making such a big problem out of kidnapping a few mere children.
Would Bi Sa-in's thoughts be much different? He would probably only hesitate due to his relationship with Geom Mugeuk.
But Bi Sa-in's current response completely surpassed his expectations.
To admit it so readily? This was something even he would find difficult to do.
Bi Sa-in stated the reason he revealed the truth.
“To hide one secret, ten lies are needed. I have no intention of hiding this matter as a secret.”
He could see Geom Mugeuk looking at him and smiling.
Seeing that smile, he felt that his choice was not wrong.
Yes, perhaps he was being swayed by that Geom Mugeuk.
To such a concern in his head, his heart replied.
It's alright.
Geom Mugeuk was in a good mood.
As time passed, this day's event would become just a moment in the past, but this choice would have a great impact on Bi Sa-in's future life.
Well done, Bi Sa-in.
Only by living this way will you be able to establish your own Unorthodox Path.
Jin Ha-gun sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
―Young Cult Master, did you know things would turn out this way?
―I did not know the children were being sold to the Unorthodox Alliance.
However, I believed that the Young Alliance Leader would not let this matter rest.
Jin Ha-gun looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk's deep gaze was directed at Bi Sa-in.
―We may be witnessing the birth of an excellent future leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, one who will be remembered in the history of the martial world.
And Bi Sa-in was handling the situation wisely.
Bi Sa-in asked Taejo,
“When the Main Sect wanted the children, did they tell you to kidnap and send them?”
“That is not the case.”
“Then it is not the fault of the Main Sect. Why did you entrust the job to the Black Snake Gang?”
Taejo could not answer.
The one who saw through his inner thoughts was Geom Mugeuk.
“It's because it costs less money. The difficult part of this job isn't finding talent. It's persuading their families."
"After spending so much time successfully persuading them, you then have to give them proper compensation. But if you join hands with the Black Snake Gang, the matter becomes very simple."
"You just have to kidnap them. Weren't you able to sit back and earn a lot of money without doing anything?”
Taejo could not refute a single word.
It was as if Geom Mugeuk had entered his heart and spoken.
Bi Sa-in did not miss this opportunity.
“You have tarnished the honor of the Main Sect for your own selfish greed.”
He guided the narrative to make this incident not the fault of the Unorthodox Alliance.
He confined the blame to Taejo and the Black Snake Gang.
“I cannot understand why the Young Alliance Leader is acting this way.”
Bi Sa-in acknowledged his words.
Yes, if he hadn't met Geom Mugeuk, an incident of this level might have been dismissed as nothing.
He would have lived a completely different life.
But he had been greatly influenced by meeting Geom Mugeuk, and crucially, the moment he was asked, ‘What is your Unorthodox Path?’, his own life had changed.
“Until now, it might have been a matter of course, but from now on, it is not.”
Bi Sa-in issued an order to the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path.
“Send a dispatch to the Black Snake Division Lord immediately and arrange a meeting.”
He showed his resolve to solve the child abduction problem for good.
“Tell him that if he doesn't show up at the meeting place, the name of the Black Snake Gang will disappear from the martial world.”
A martial artist belonging to the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path ran out to send the dispatch.
Taejo realized he had no idea what kind of person the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance was.
‘Was the Young Alliance Leader this kind of person?’
Taejo asked with a trembling heart,
“Then what will happen to me?”
Bi Sa-in pressured him with a calm tone.
“Sect Master Tae. I am not such a broad-minded person. Nor am I generous enough to forgive someone who challenges my authority.”
Bi Sa-in glanced at Geom Mugeuk.
The quick-witted Geom Mugeuk understood what he had to do just from that look.
“We will take Sect Master Tae.”
At Geom Mugeuk's words, Taejo's heart pounded like crazy.
He had thought, 'Surely they wouldn't send me to the Demon Sect,' but Bi Sa-in gave a slight nod.
Before Bi Sa-in's permission was given, Taejo shouted first.
“No. Absolutely not the Demon Sect.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled kindly.
“We will treat you well.”
He knew that was impossible.
If he were taken away, not only would his energy core be destroyed, but he would also be tortured and then locked in the Thunder Prison.
It would be better to die.
“Young Alliance Leader, I beg you.”
He pleaded, but Bi Sa-in was cold.
What was needed now was to hear from him about the mastermind behind this incident.
“If you're going to send me somewhere, please let me go to the Martial Alliance instead.”
Jin Ha-gun also joined the two's joint operation.
“I refuse.”
“Why are you doing this? Please take me with you!”
“No. Your crime is too grave for that.”
In other words, it meant he should be dragged to the Demon Sect and suffer even more horribly.
Geom Mugeuk feigned an aggrieved expression and said,
“You are all being too harsh. Anyone would think our Main Sect is a monster's den. The Main Sect's Thunder Prison is also a place where people live. It's bearable once you get used to it.”
This was even more terrifying than direct threats.
In the end, Taejo could not endure it any longer.
He could accept anything else, but being dragged to the Demon Sect was unacceptable.
―Division Lord Pyo arranged this matter.
An unexpected name came up.
―Division Lord Pyo? Which Division Lord Pyo?
There was no one with the surname Pyo among the Division Lords.
Then one person came to mind.
―Could it be? The former Black Dragon Division Lord?
―That's right.
Pyo Gi-gwang.
He had been the Division Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance's Black Dragon Division, but he stepped down from his position after a severe injury more than ten years ago.
I heard that since then, he has been living like a wreck, scrounging for drinks at banquets.
And he was a person who had faded from memory.
―Why him?
―Several years ago, that man came to find me.
He said the Unorthodox Alliance was secretly creating a secret organization.
For that reason, they needed children with outstanding martial talent.
He warned me sternly that it was a top secret matter, and that I would die if I leaked it.
―But he's a man who stepped down from the Division Lord position.
You believed him?
―He said that the higher-ups had entrusted him with the task.
He said that the fate of the Unorthodox Alliance rested on the secret organization he was creating.
At that time, he gave me a large sum of money as a down payment.
It was money that Division Lord Pyo could not have gathered on his own.
He also said the Alliance would grant me various benefits later on.
―Did he keep his promise?
―He did.
Thanks to that, the Flowing Sword Sect was able to expand its influence, and even host the Blue and White Twin Swords as guests.
Bi Sa-in could tell.
This was not a simple child abduction case.
Something was happening within the Unorthodox Alliance that he did not know about.
Something that even he, the Young Alliance Leader, was unaware of.
“We will handle this man's punishment.”
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Ha-gun readily accepted Bi Sa-in's decision.
“Escort Sect Master Tae to the Main Sect.”
At Bi Sa-in's command, the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path subdued Taejo's pressure points and led him away.
Taejo did not dare to resist.
As he was dragged out, he looked at Bi Sa-in with a pleading gaze.
At least, he was grateful that he wasn't being sent to the Demon Sect.
―If you want to live, help me from now on.
He had secured Taejo because he seemed to need his help to dig into this matter.
Bi Sa-in said to the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path,
“We are going to meet the Black Snake Division Lord right away.”
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Ha-gun naturally moved with him.
Geom Mugeuk had something to say to Bi Sa-in, and Jin Ha-gun wanted to see the matter through to the end.
Geom Mugeuk, Bi Sa-in, and Jin Ha-gun rode together in one carriage.
The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the Demon Slaying Branch rode on horseback, escorting the carriage.
The martial artists of the Flowing Sword Sect, including the Blue and White Twin Swords, could only watch as the storm that had swept away their sect master departed.
The Blue and White Twin Swords finally relaxed and conversed.
“The Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Sects... it's the first time seeing the three successors traveling together.”
“It's probably the first time in the history of the martial world.”
“Do you think the Sect Master can return alive?”
That was something even the Blue and White Twin Swords could not know.
But they knew one thing.
The reason they had survived until now was because they had always adhered to one principle.
When the wind and rain blow, secure the gates and refrain from going out.
The two turned to go inside and said,
“Close the gates.”
A breeze came in through the carriage window.
Bi Sa-in silently watched the wind flutter the hem of Geom Mugeuk's robes.
Just this morning, he never dreamed he would be riding in a carriage with them to meet the Black Snake Division Lord.
He certainly never imagined he would be the one to warn the Black Snake Gang.
He felt an inner anxiety, unable to know if this incident would become a disaster or a blessing for him, the future leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk said to Bi Sa-in,
“I have seen your Unorthodox Path well.”
Yes, this was the reason.
The reason he had made such a decision.
It was to show that his Unorthodox Path was one that, at the very least, protected children.
“My Unorthodox Path, how was it?”
“It was magnificent.”
“You are such a good liar with your sweet words that I cannot believe you.”
It seemed he wanted to hear the word 'magnificent' again.
Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“It was truly magnificent.”
He drew in Jin Ha-gun, who was next to him.
“What about you? Young Alliance Leader, wasn't he truly magnificent?”
“I am not a person who says 'magnificent' to someone's face as easily as you do.”
Jin Ha-gun turned his head and looked out the window.
“However, I believe that at least today's decision and the matter of going to meet the Black Snake Division Lord are the right things to do.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“That is such a long way of saying 'magnificent'.”
That night, under a sky full of star clusters, only the three of them—Geom Mugeuk, Bi Sa-in, and Jin Ha-gun—stood side by side on a meadow.
The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the Demon Slaying Branch were left at the campsite, while only the three of them gathered.
The time had come to tell Bi Sa-in.
“A certain power is plotting to take over the martial world.”
“!”
Even more shocking words followed from Geom Mugeuk's mouth.
“They have infiltrated the Main Sect, and they have infiltrated the Martial Alliance. They were even in the Wind Heaven Sect of the Outlands.”
Bi Sa-in was stunned.
Judging by Jin Ha-gun's serious expression, it was not a joke.
“In the Main Sect, they targeted the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign. In the Martial Alliance, they targeted Branch Master Jin here. In the Wind Heaven Sect, they targeted the new young Cult Master.”
“No way?”
“That's right. I believe that there is someone sent by them secretly working within the Unorthodox Alliance as well.”
They were unbelievable words.
If anyone other than Geom Mugeuk had said them, he would not have believed it.
“Even if I die, I do not want to fall to these bastards. They are the kind who secretly infiltrate, find our weaknesses, and try to stab us in the back."
"The moment we start suspecting each other, we will be defeated one by one. Let us join forces, at least when it comes to dealing with these people."
"Let's show them that the martial world is not something to be handed over to scum like them. For the sake of the martial world we will lead in the future.”
After a brief pause, Bi Sa-in asked abruptly,
“Is that really the only reason? Are you not the one behind this dark curtain?”
“If you ask so openly, would I really answer that I am the mastermind?”
“If that's the case, we're doomed anyway. So tell me in advance. From today, I'm only going to eat what I want and be a picky eater.”
Geom Mugeuk felt that Bi Sa-in had definitely matured.
To be able to make such a joke comfortably meant that he had gained that much mental composure.
“There is another reason.”
Geom Mugeuk first looked up at the night sky, and the gazes of the other two also roamed among the dense stars.
As they were looking up, wondering which star was their own, Geom Mugeuk calmly conveyed his true feelings.
“Because while we are enemies, we are also friends.”