Chapter 24: Red And Blue

The next day.

Namgung Yul, who had left earlier, came to the Blood Lotus Pavilion to find Cheongun.

Cheongun briefly explained the situation.

He had just happened to come here, and after quietly observing, he found it to be a den of trash, so he figured he might as well clean up while he was at it.

That was all.

And somehow, before he knew it, he had become the sect leader.

That was the entirety of his explanation.

“…”

Namgung Yul was bewildered by the absurd flow of the story, but soon, considering Cheongun’s usual temperament, he nodded, thinking it was entirely plausible.

In fact, Cheongun’s calm demeanor was impressive.

He had simply swung his sword as his heart desired, and in doing so, he had saved countless people.

It was nothing short of the very essence of a heroic swordsman’s path.

Moreover, Namgung Yul herself would have been doomed if not for Cheongun.

Perhaps because of that, Namgung Yul didn’t raise any objections to Cheongun’s words.

On the other hand, Cheongun’s master, the Jeokya Geomjon (Red Knight Sword Saint), was different.

Jin Museong sought out Cheongun, suggesting they share a drink.

“My disciple, you’ve risen in the world since I last saw you.”

“It feels strange, indeed.”

Jin Museong poured Cheongun a drink.

Then, he filled his own cup to the brim and downed it in one go.

“The Blood Lotus Pavilion is a faction of the Black Path. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“You’ve now become the leader of such a place. Do you understand what that means?”

“The responsibility is immense.”

“I’ve heard rumors that the Blood Lotus Pavilion is entangled with the Divine Cult. Disciple, does your attack on the Blood Lotus Pavilion have something to do with that?”

Cheongun felt a slight headache coming on.

His master was far too sharp.

It would’ve been fine if he were just perceptive, but the fact that he called him here for such a serious conversation meant he had a great deal to say.

Though the Jeokya Geomjon had ruthless methods, strictly speaking, his affiliation leaned closer to the orthodox factions.

Naturally, he wouldn’t be pleased to see his disciple getting tangled up with the Black Path in unsavory ways.

Cheongun stayed silent for a moment.

Their eyes met.

Jin Museong stared at Cheongun for a long while before taking another sip of wine.

Then, he spoke.

“I still remember the day I first met you. Back then, you stood before this old man without a shred of fear, declaring you’d kill some demonic bastard.”

“That’s right.”

“When I asked why you came, you answered that day: ‘The martial world is as it is. There’s a debt to settle, so I came to kill.’ Looking at you now, it seems that debt extends to the entire Divine Cult. Am I right?”

What should he say when asked something so obvious?

Cheongun answered with a nod.

“Disciple, how old are you this year?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Do you remember your parents’ faces?”

“No.”

“How did you come to learn martial arts?”

Cheongun hesitated.

What should I say to this?

I can’t just say that system windows with cheat codes float in front of my eyes, can I?

There was no other way.

When no proper answer comes to mind, silence is the only option.

“Do you not remember?”

“No. It just happened by chance.”

“Hmm, considering your talent, I suppose nothing is impossible.”

Jin Museong refilled Cheongun’s empty cup with wine.

“Remarkable. That even in such a past, you never lost yourself.”

“……”

“Refusing the offer to become part of the Namgung family, suddenly killing the Blood Lotus Sect Leader, and now declaring war on the entire Demon Cult without hesitation— you’re like a moth to flame. A being that charges forward with only one goal in sight.”

“Are you worried?”

Jin Museong chuckled faintly.

“Water is thicker than wine. Blood is thicker than water. Ideals are thicker than blood. And thicker than ideals is the bond between master and disciple.”

Jin Museong’s calm voice continued.

“I don’t care what path you walk. Even if everyone around you tries to stop you, even if your enemies themselves plead with you, a master must never doubt their disciple for even a moment. You are the one and only sword I have gained— how could a swordsman not trust his own blade?”

“……”

“A true man is one who does not bend his will. The choice of path must be weighty, but once taken, you must never look back. Just as you do not regret making this place your stronghold, I, too, do not regret taking you as my disciple. Even if you were to suddenly lose your mind and choose the path of demons, that would be your choice, and as your master, I must respect it.”

Jin Museong let out a hearty laugh and abruptly stood up.

Then, he tossed a sword scabbard toward Cheongun.

As Cheongun hurriedly caught it, Jin Museong spoke as if it were nothing.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“The ‘Crimson Knight Sword.’”

The Crimson KKnight Sword.

A famed blade forged by Goo Jincheol, the greatest blacksmith in the Central Plains, who tempered dark steel a thousand times in flames. Its blade was known to emit a crimson glow.

“Wait—why are you giving me your prized sword, Master?”

“Hahaha, how can a master maintain his dignity when his disciple abandons the sword and swings a fishing rod instead? At my level, a single word can traverse the world— what’s one sword given to a foolish disciple?”

For a moment, Cheongun was at a loss for words.

Not trusting anyone, doubting everything, scraping by just to survive—

That had been his mission since transmigrating.

He had lived like that for years, but such blind, unconditional support was something he had never experienced before.

Then—

Jin Museong chuckled and parted his lips.

“Our Blood Lotus Sect Leader… no, my disciple.”

“Yes.”

“The golden hawk I gave you has appeared in an auction.”

“…Is that so?”

Damn it.

Has he already found out?

“That sword you just received— do you know how much it’s worth?”

“No.”

“It’s expensive. Extremely expensive.”

“I see.”

Jin Museong’s calm voice continued.

“Treat it as if it were your own life.”

“Understood.”

Jin Museong locked eyes with Cheongun before adding one last thing.

“If you sell it, you die.”

“……”

****

Cheongun sat in the head seat where Hyeolyeon Gakju used to sit, watching the executives enter.

Everyone who entered did so cautiously, eyeing the situation carefully, knowing all too well about Cheongun’s fiery temper.

Among them, the only two who walked in without a care, laughing loudly, were women.

Their identities were none other than Hong Soyeon and Baek Seol.

As assassins from a non-Murim background, the two had been captured by Cheongun at the Cheongsungsan Justice League branch and imprisoned in the Geumok.

The one who had brought them out— those who should have remained locked up— was none other than Cheongun’s master, Jin Moo-seong.

“Ah, and take these two with you. The Geumok jailkeeper begged me to do something about them. They’re so stubborn they don’t listen to a word, and they eat through the fasting pills like crazy. Since you were the one who insisted on keeping them alive, it’s only right you take responsibility, no?”

And so, Hong Soyeon and Baek Seol also became members of Hyeolyeon Hakju.

Ah, of course, he didn’t forget to feed them the Godok poison.

They confidently walked in and took their seats to his right.

“You’re here, Gakju-nim?”

Jeok Hwaryeon approached his left side.

But someone was already sitting there.

It was Jin Cheonwoo.

“That’s my seat.”

Jin Cheonwoo sternly retorted.

Jeok Hwaryeon looked him up and down.

Then, as if realizing the guy was a nobody, the corner of her lips curled up slightly.

“Who are you?”

“I am Jin Cheonwoo, the Black Killing Sword.”

“Black… What sword?”

“You damn bastard!!”

Oh, that struck a nerve.

Jin Cheonwoo shot to his feet.

Are they going to fight? Cheongun watched with great interest.

Jeok Hwaryeon was a demon, one who practiced demonic arts at that.

There was no way Jin Cheonwoo didn’t know that.

For someone not even part of the Black Path, he had quite the audacity.

Jin Cheonwoo stood up abruptly and glared at Jeok Hwaryeon as if he wanted to kill her.

And then—

“Damn it, I’ll let it slide this time!”

With those words, he slunk off to a corner on his own.

Watching this, Cheongun’s expression soured.

Cheongun spoke.

“You’re off the team.”

“……”

Jin Cheonwoo pretended not to hear.

Cheongun clicked his tongue in disapproval and addressed everyone.

“Is everyone here?”

Hong Soyeon, seated on his right, answered.

“We’re all here.”

Cheongun nodded.

“Why do you think I’ve gathered you all again?”

Hong Soyeon responded once more.

“Are you fucking with me?”

“That’s not a bad idea. Should I start fucking with you first?”

“I spoke out of turn.”

Sigh, I’m already tired.

Just being around these bastards in the Black Blade Society was suffocating.

Cheongun barely suppressed the irritation creeping up on him and forced himself to get to the point.

“I made myself clear last time. Tighten internal security like an iron wall, and keep your mouths shut so not a single word leaks outside.”

Everyone in the room responded in unison.

“Yes.”

Cheongun grinned and continued.

“But I heard some interesting news. There’s a rat hiding among us, sneaking information to the Justice Alliance like a damn sewer.”

The Crimson Knight Sword Sovereign, Jin Museong— his master— had told him before leaving.

There’s a little rat hiding in the shadows. Catch it first.

“So, who could it be?”

At Cheongun’s question, the men in the room glanced sideways at each other.

“If you come forward now, I’ll let you live.”

Even after his follow-up, the silence persisted.

Then, Hong Soyeon, who had been quietly observing from Cheongun’s right, spoke up cautiously.

“Um, Boss?”

“What?”

“Want me to handle this?”

Hong Soyeon curled the corner of her eye seductively.

Honestly, she wasn’t the most reliable, but he was curious what she’d do, so he nodded.

Hong Soyeon giggled and addressed the room.

“Did you all know this?”

Huh?

All eyes turned to her.

“The leader of the Justice Alliance— that old man? He’s actually an orphan.”

Gasp.

Everyone’s mouths fell open.

“And he’s impotent, bald. No hair, no dick, no parents, doesn’t even bathe. A toothless tiger, with nasty white gunk on his tongue that smells like—”

That’s when it happened.

“What the…?!”

Only one person exploded in anger.

—Swish!

A dark shadow dart sliced through the air, aiming straight for the man’s forehead.

“!!!”

The man crossed his index and middle fingers, snatching the shadow dart out of the air at the last moment.

Hong Soyeon giggled at the sight.

“Found you.”

Clap, clap, clap!

Cheongun stood up, applauding.