Episode 198. The loser of seclusion
At that time, Han Ibi intervened.
“But there is something that strikes me as a bit strange.”
Then people’s attention focused on Han Ibi.
Han Ibi continued speaking.
“No matter how scary the Demonic Cult is,…”
Maeng Gap-son interrupted the conversation and came in.
“joy. “I never said I was afraid.”
Han Ibi quickly understood the meaning and corrected herself.
“…I may say it bothers me, but they are still just a denomination, and aren’t we the Murimmaeng, a union of historic Jungwon sects? Will they really be such a big threat to the future of the midfielder?”
Zhuge Yuxian heard those words and said with a serious expression.
“Zhonglimae. “I also acknowledge that your martial arts skills are outstanding.”
Han Ibi said while showing her respect.
“That’s too much praise.”
“But… I think I need to gain more knowledge. Where are you? “Would you like to tell me?”
He said to his son, Zhuge Wei, who was working undercover at Cheongwol Guesthouse.
Although he was dressed in shabby clothes, Zhuge Wei, who resembled his father and was a Honam brother, responded.
“yes. “There is currently a suspicion that a person known only by the nickname ‘Evil Spirit Duke’ is leading the political chaos.”
Han Ibi perked up her ears when the name ‘Evil Spirit Ball’ was mentioned.
“This person has never revealed his identity. “I was just wondering if it was either Ok Tae-je, Lord of Cheonseong Palace, or Gwak Nam-geon, Lord of Giryeonmun.”
At that time, Han Ibi intervened and said.
“It was definitely not Emperor Okta. “I could have been at the level of Annigong (安寧公).”
Many people frowned at his lame joke.
“sorry. Please continue.”
Zhuge Wei said.
“The person who is noticeably moving in the current situation is Kwak Nam-geon, the master of Giryeonmun. Qilianmun itself is a demonic cult disguised as a normal sect. “He has not been seen at all, but it is presumed that he has attracted a large number of political figures through threats and appeasement.”
At that time, Dam Hwayeon intervened.
“you’re right. According to what I researched while staying at Cheonseong Palace, he even exterminated small and medium-sized sects that did not work for him. “There were many cases where the whole thing went missing.”
Han Ibi immediately remembered hearing stories about several small and medium-sized sects that had become extinct.
After hearing those words, Zhuge Yuxian spoke to Yan Hwayeon as if he had just remembered something.
“ah! Come to think of it, Dam Sojeo. “It’s been a lot of hard work.”
Dam Hwayeon answered.
“no. How can anything compare to the Lord’s hard work? Anyway, thanks to a ‘good person’, I was forced to return this time.”
Dam Hwayeon’s gaze was directed at Han Ibi.
“Adventure.”
Han Ibi could only cough dryly.
Zhuge Wei spoke again.
“If Qilianmun steps to the forefront, non-alliance allies will move together.”
Han Ibi tilted her head and said.
“How do you know that they will not betray and act together? It’s not like there’s any strong bond. “Have you planted a poisonous insect in your head?”
As if it appears regularly in martial arts novels.
Zhuge Wei shook his head and said.
“no. They are just holding the relatives of key figures hostage. “It is believed that he was kidnapped and detained within Qilian Gate.”
Han Ibi’s smile disappeared.
Yes.
Why not?
This method is very primitive, but it is an effective means of intimidation.
Why didn’t I think of that?
At that time, a voice intervened.
“That’s not the only thing to consider.”
The audience’s attention was focused in that direction.
It was Seonmujae of openness.
“Not long ago… Jinjinga revived the recipe for making jiangshi, a hex that had almost been lost. Or, to be more precise, that is what Jinju Unssi’s famous troublemaker Eongeukbyeong did. “After hearing the rumor that he was making a jiangsi with Cheonseong Palace and its affiliated factions of the Five Gyeong Yabang… we tracked them for a long time.”
At that time, Dam Hwayeon spoke with a face that looked like it had been bitten by a bug.
“Ugh. It’s terrible. What a river. “Are you saying such a thing really exists?”
Seonmujae nodded and said.
“exactly. “It is a real hex.”
Dam Hwayeon said with a still disgusted expression.
“It’s a story that’s hard to believe.”
Then Seonmujae said.
“It’s not like that. “There are witnesses.”
“Who is that?”
“Not only is she alive, but she is also the daughter of the Lord of the Ark. And…”
Seonmujae continued, pointing his finger at Han Ibi.
“…that’s Zhonglimae over there.”
Then, Dam Hwayeon looked back at Han Ibi with a surprised expression for a moment.
A face that seems to ask if there is any place where it won’t get involved.
Seonmujae added.
“Furthermore, Jongrimae contributed the most to catching the Eomgeukbyeong. “He is now detained in our prison and undergoing intense interrogation.”
Dam Hwayeon looked at Han Ibi with a surprised expression for a moment.
However, he slowly shook his head as if he understood.
At any rate, he must be reminiscing about the scene when Han Ibi unfolded Hongmong Dabeop.
‘It’s a fight between a demon king and a jiangshi… If that’s the case, there’s a good chance of victory…’
“Don’t let your imagination run wild!”
Han Ibi said quickly.
At that time, Seonmujae cleared his throat and attracted attention.
“Adventure. So the point is this.”
As the crowd’s attention focused on Seonmujae again, he spoke.
“It is a fact that I found out by interrogating the Ungeuk soldier… but the recipe for making jiangshi has already been passed on to Qilianmun.”
Dam Hwayeon asked, surprised.
“Are you saying that the terrible method was leaked?”
Seonmujae shook his head and said.
“From the beginning, they divided the factory into two halves just in case. One was the Five Views Night Room under Cheonseong Palace that I mentioned earlier… and the other one… based on what Eongeukbyeong said, I think it is at or near the main base of Qilianmun.”
Han Ibi said, squinting one eye.
“But how can we be sure that the Jiangxi factory… no, the Jiangxi manufacturing plant is located in Qilianmen? “The old man didn’t seem very trustworthy.”
“You are a bold young man.”
A new voice.
It was Saeungcheon, the ark of openness.
Han Ibi said politely.
Ebi Han said.
“I apologize if I violated etiquette.”
Si Eung-cheon said with a smile.
“I like courtesy. It was a compliment. “For us open-minded people, there is nothing we feel more terrible about than bad manners.”
Ebi Han said.
“I couldn’t understand the deeper meaning.”
Si Eung-cheon said.
“It is good to have doubts. It is difficult for those who are not suspicious to survive in the river. We sent people out to check the situation near Qilian Gate. “A lot of people went missing.”
“ah! okay.”
“And that number… has been increasing ever since the Pangogi took over.”
Han Ibi said while clenching her molars.
“They are truly a bunch of idiots.”
Si Eung-cheon said.
“But that doesn’t seem to be enough. It is said that many large-scale carts were recently discovered passing through the area near Qilian Gate.”
“It looks like you’re buying something, right?”
“okay. “What could it be?”
Si Eung-cheon looked at Han Yi-bi with transparent eyes.
Han Ibi was soon able to realize it.
“They are buying corpses.”
And fresh corpses.
“that’s right. To be precise, they are live corpses. Since they are not as familiar with the method of making jiangshi compared to the Ungeuk soldiers, I killed them directly and immediately…”
Han Yi-bi said while waving her hands.
“oh my. “I understand, so don’t say more.”
And then I thought.
‘I see. Because the yield of Gangsi manufacturing is low, large quantities of fresh raw materials are used. Since we overexerted ourselves to that extent, it is no wonder that we got caught in the surveillance network of openness.’
Si Eung-cheon said.
“Moreover, the abilities of the Jiangshi are proportional to their abilities in life… They are hell-bent on stealing the corpses of the martial arts people.”
At that time, Zhuge Yuxian spoke.
“So, our Murim Alliance decided to attack Qilian Gate first before they went out.”
Ebi Han said.
“okay. That’s good. No matter what, it’s a good idea… Oh, I’m sorry. Because attacking first is the best defense. If that’s the case… we need to hurry up and convene the Murim League faction.”
Then Zhuge Yuxian shook his head.
“There is no time. If we convene now, it will take at least a month. “We will have to strike before Ki-ryeon-mun, who may come out at any time, creates a Jiangxi army made of martial people.”
Han Ibi had a premonition of something ominous.
“So that’s what you’re talking about…”
“That’s right. “With the people gathered here and with the support of the Kunlun faction, we will launch a surprise attack.”
Then Han Ibi said while foaming at the mouth.
“It makes no sense. “Are you talking about fighting with the Jiangshi guys?”
Zhuge Yuxian nodded.
“Of course not. However, this operation was established based on Seonmujae’s advice.”
Huh.
Han Ibi said stuttering.
“Did… Elder Seon agree?”
“okay. that’s right. “It was conditional, though.”
“What were those conditions?”
“It was a condition that you participate together.”
‘Ahh!’
Han Ibi glared at Seonmujae while throwing a tantrum.
However, for the first time since meeting Han Ibi, Seon Mu-jae just gave off an awkward smile as if he were embarrassed.
* * *
The Dunhuang region is far to the west of the central plains.
An extremely bleak land that straddles the border between desert and grassland.
However, here in Dunhuang, there was an oasis and a place for people to live was prepared.
Giryeonmun, known as the loser of this desolate land of seclusion.
They were just a branch of the Northern God Church, which had once been powerful as a demonic religion.
However, as time passed, they came under the influence of the religion of Pasaguk (波斯國) and merged with each other to form a unique sect.
However, in order to eradicate the prejudice against Demonicism, they attempted to convert to a general sect and changed its name to ‘Gilianmun’, omitting the religious flavor.
Most of the western region is desolate.
Still, there was quite a floating population near Saju-ro, where supplies were actively coming and going…
The merchants passing through the sandy area could be seen as one of them.
It was a common sight to see large-scale merchants carrying luggage on carts like this.
But…
there was a group blocking them.
Men wearing black robes and riding horses.
They all had wide swords on their backs, which were quite different from the style of the central plains.
One of them, a hairy man with a beard and mustache, spoke.
“Why are you so late? Was there some problem?”
Then the man who was driving the cart in front got off the driver’s seat and said.
His face was bluish, as if he had lung disease, and at first glance he looked quite sickly.
“Hehehe. sorry. Adult. “The wheel broke on the way back, so I spent a lot of time fixing it.”
The furry man glanced at the wheel.
It’s not that it’s not, but there are clear signs of repairing what was broken.
The man said.
“What is the condition of the item?”
The pale man spoke in a whisper-like voice.
“Everything is fresh. “I’ve put it to sleep for sure so there won’t be any disturbance.”
“joy. If the one with the maggots gets mixed up like last time…”
“That will never happen. “I checked it several times.”
The furry man nodded and said.
“The elder has been waiting for you since the morning, so hurry up.”
“yes. All right.”
The men of Gall turned their horses and set out first.
Then the pale man quickly got on the cart.
There were a total of three carts loaded with supplies.
A pale man drove two cars connected to a ring, and the other car was led by an old driver.
At that time, the furry man who was ahead of me spoke without even turning his head.
“Remember that the reason we do business with Liaohaimen is because they are loud-mouthed and punctual.”
Then the man with a pale complexion became even whiter and spoke.
“All right. “Thank you. I will keep this in mind.”
How many days passed like that?
A natural canyon made up mostly of rocks appeared.
However, the scale was so vast that you could taste the majesty just by looking at it.
The moment they entered the canyon.
This place is lined with huge rocks made up of one lump.
Finally, away from the desolate landscape, man-made structures came into view.
It’s crude yet beautiful at the same time.
Surprisingly, there were many impressive buildings that could be considered the border between nature and man-made.
(Continued in the next part)
