Chapter 36: The Uninvited Guest (5)

Sima Yul.

The legitimate son of the Sima Clan, one of the most prestigious demonic clans in Xinjiang.

His subordinate.

Cho Un-hwi sighed as he looked down at his subordinate, who was prostrating himself, his most vulnerable spot exposed.

“So, what’s with the ‘One-Eyed Sword God’ charade?”

Sima Yul raised his head and replied, “It’s a cover identity I created for my mission in the Murim.”

“A cover identity? You had one of those?”

Sima Yul grinned.

“It’s a meticulously crafted identity I’ve been cultivating for decades, all for the purpose of assassinating the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“…”

“My lord! Just give the order, and I, Sima Yul, will bring you his head!”

Cho Un-hwi clutched his head.

“No, no, no! Leave the Murim Alliance Leader alone! Why are you so obsessed with killing him?”

“Isn’t it standard practice to eliminate the leader first before starting a war?”

“We’re not going to war!”

This was what he had feared.

His subordinate’s unwavering loyalty and his tendency to take everything literally.

It was a headache dealing with someone who would charge into a fire with a barrel of oil if he told him to.

Sima Yul was supposed to be a brilliant strategist, the heir to the Sima Clan, but he turned into a simpleton whenever he was around Cho Un-hwi.

“If I had known about this convenient cover identity thing, I would have used it myself.”

He regretted joining the Dongcheon Hall. But Sima Yul was skeptical.

“It wouldn’t be easy for you, my lord.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve been building this identity for decades,” Sima Yul explained. “I created a fake family history, hired a double to make public appearances, and even attended righteous sect gatherings fifteen times a year. It took a lot of time, money, and effort.”

He was right.

Cho Un-hwi would never have gone through all that trouble. He would have given up halfway.

“Why did you even bother…?”

“All for the purpose of bringing you the Murim Alliance Leader’s head and presenting you with the righteous Murim.”

“Stop! Stop!”

He changed the subject.

“Okay, I understand why you created the Dokgo Yul persona. But who came up with the righteous hero backstory?”

“It’s based on the current Murim Alliance Leader’s ideal image of a hero,” Sima Yul replied. “I’ve studied his habits and preferences. He favors his left hand when eating, he enjoys a specific type of Longjing tea, and he uses the second silk cloth roughly when he relieves himself.”

(TLN: my brother in demonic arts wtf is wrong with u)

“Stop! Stop!”

“All for the purpose of bringing you his head and…”

“Shut up, you idiot!”

Cho Un-hwi had lost. He had been defeated.

He had rarely lost an argument, but he had been outmatched by his subordinate’s unwavering loyalty.

“Ugh, my head.”

He rubbed his temples.

“I told you to help the sect leader, not follow me around!”

“I’ve eliminated all the Heavenly Destruction Society’s agents.”

“The sect’s reputation has already been damaged. Who knows what kind of trouble they’ll get into next? You’re supposed to be protecting them.”

“I’ve found suitable replacements and taken care of everything. Don’t worry, my lord.”

Of course he had.

He would have followed Cho Un-hwi’s orders to the letter.

He felt sorry for the replacements.

“My lord, you’re being unfair. How can a shadow exist without its master?”

“I can.”

Sima Yul watched as Cho Un-hwi’s shadow disappeared from his feet.

“Please have some mercy on your shadow. It has feelings too.”

He had a point.

‘But that doesn’t make me feel any better.’

Damn it.

“How did you even find me?”

“I heard rumors of a one million tael banknote appearing in the Hao Clan and started investigating.”

“One million tael banknotes aren’t that uncommon.”

“I focused my search on individuals and organizations that weren’t affiliated with major clans or merchant guilds.”

Because you hate extravagance.

Cho Un-hwi understood how he had managed to track him down. He had used his knowledge of Cho Un-hwi’s personality and habits to narrow down the possibilities.

He was a clever one.

‘That’s why I never used banknotes.’

He had let his guard down for a moment, and it had cost him.

‘Of course, only someone like him could have found me.’

What was he going to do now?

“Yul, tell me the entire Dark Soul Black Wind Guard isn’t coming, right?”

The Dark Soul Black Wind Guard.

The elite organization he had personally trained after his rebirth.

Fortunately, Sima Yul shook his head.

“I came alone, my lord. I didn’t know your intentions.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But I doubt my father will remain oblivious for long.”

That was true. Damn it.

Sima Bai, Sima Yul’s father, had known Cho Un-hwi since he was a child.

He was just as sharp as his son, if not sharper.

It was only a matter of time before he found out.

“Ugh, what am I going to do?”

“My lord, you’re being cruel. Why are you wandering the Murim alone, leaving your loyal subordinates behind?”

“I’m not wandering the Murim alone.”

“You’re trying to conquer the Murim by yourself, aren’t you? I know everything. I’m hurt.”

“That’s not true!”

Leave the Murim alone!

Cho Un-hwi sighed and decided to tell him the truth.

Sima Yul’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re looking for your lover?”

“Yes.”

“Which wife is she? There’s a vacancy for wife number one hundred and eighty-two.”

“Where did you get one hundred and eighty-one wives from?”

“The Heavenly Demon Cult sent us marriage proposals,” Sima Yul replied matter-of-factly.

“I remember receiving four girls from the Ten Demonic Clans as birthday gifts. But that was it.”

“The competition has intensified since you left. I expect the number to exceed two hundred by the time you reach adulthood.”

Cho Un-hwi felt a wave of despair.

‘This is why I left Xinjiang.’

He had made a mistake by unleashing his vengeance on the Thousand Year Demon Cult after his rebirth.

He hadn’t anticipated the overwhelming number of followers he would gain.

“Is she your fifth wife? I’ve reserved a special place for the daughters of the Ten Demonic Clans, since they’re of a different class.”

Who gave you permission to do that?

Why are you arranging marriages for me without my consent?

Cho Un-hwi said wearily, “No, one lover is enough.”

“Then…”

Sima Yul’s eyes gleamed.

“Your Principal Spouse!”

“What’s a Principal Spouse?”

“Never mind. You’re right, my lord. Finding your Principal Spouse is far more important than killing the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“It’s not a sure thing yet. I haven’t even found her, and I don’t know if she’ll accept me.”

“Our sect’s necromancy techniques are the best in the world. If all else fails, we can just turn her into a jiangshi.”

“…”

Sima Yul lowered his voice.

“Everything will be fine if you just act like your old self, my lord. Look at you now! I thought you were a beggar.”

“A beggar? Look at me?”

Sima Yul slammed his head against the floor.

“I will assist you in your romantic endeavors, my lord. I might not be able to help you as Sima Yul of the Dark Soul Black Wind Guard, but I can be of service as Dokgo Yul, the One-Eyed Sword God.”

Cho Un-hwi couldn’t bring himself to scold him.

This was why he hated him.

‘He knows me too well.’

He knew exactly how to push Cho Un-hwi’s buttons, then back down at the last minute.

And it was all out of loyalty, so Cho Un-hwi couldn’t stay angry at him.

He was just tired.

‘Oh, my fate.’

Instead of reuniting with his beloved, he had been reunited with his most troublesome subordinate.

***

“What am I going to do?”

Cho Un-hwi returned to his room and flopped onto his bed.

He wouldn’t have worried if Sima Yul had been just loyal and stupid.

He could have just sent him away. But he was loyal and clever, which made him a problem.

“Here you go, my lord.”

“What’s this?”

“I raided a few Dark path sects on my way here.”

“So you were the one who destroyed all those sects…”

“I noticed you were using banknotes, so I assumed you were short on cash. It was also a good way to maintain my cover identity as the One-Eyed Sword God.”

Cho Un-hwi hesitated, but then Sima Yul added, “You’ll need money to buy your Principal Spouse a nice hairpin, won’t you?”

He accepted the money.

His subordinate knew him too well.

And that wasn’t all.

“Let me know if you want to go to Euncheon Hall. I might be a temporary Chief Instructor, but I still have some influence over personnel decisions.”

He was incredibly useful.

But Cho Un-hwi had a feeling that if he got used to this kind of convenience, he would wake up one day to find his home filled with loyal and cunning subordinates.

And they would probably try to conquer the Murim world.

“He’s too competent for his own good.”

He was competent enough to conquer the Murim world.

It wasn’t an impossible scenario.

His subordinates were strong enough to take on the Murim Alliance.

“This is why I made that old man the sect leader. They never listen to me.”

He imagined the Thousand Year Demon Cult leader sitting alone in his empty palace, eating his meals in silence and shedding tears.

*Why do I have to be the sect leader?! I want to join the Dark Soul Black Wind Guard!*

He had begged Cho Un-hwi to let him join.

Cho Un-hwi pushed the unpleasant memory aside.

He had more pressing matters to attend to.

“The other Black Wind Guards won’t be able to find me so easily.”

He needed to come up with a plan to keep his presence hidden.

‘What should I do…?’

He was deep in thought when…

He heard a knock on the wall.

“Instructor Cho, are you asleep?”

“No.”

“Can you take this?”

A small food box appeared through the hole in the wall.

“What’s this?”

“I was working late, and Dokgo Yul came to visit me.”

Dokgo Yul?

“He praised me for my hard work and ordered me some expensive takeout from the Hundred Flavors Inn. It’s the best restaurant in Muhan City. He ordered enough for you too.”

“Oh, really?”

He reluctantly accepted the food box, then a small flask appeared through the hole.

“Hehe, I snuck this out for you.”

“Good work.”

“Let’s have a toast, even though it’s late.”

“Sure.”

They clinked their glasses.

Cho Un-hwi took a sip of wine and shook his head.

‘He’s using money he stole from Dark path sects to win over the righteous faction.’

Did they know that the righteous hero’s ultimate goal was to kill the Murim Alliance Leader?

“Hehe, it’s a good day, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is.”

At least for the demonic faction.