Chapter 815: Where is my son?

Why is Mok Ri-seon a spy?

There are several reasons for judging so.

First.

‘There are many gaps in the information.’

The condensed information provided was riddled with suspicious points.

First, while it’s true that the Gyecheon Gate isn’t exactly a reputable sect, they were overestimating the sect’s contact with outside personnel.

‘He himself said they seemed like a decent merchant guild.’

If you were to nitpick, one could be suspicious.

Was it the Choya Merchant Guild or the Chia Merchant Guild? I don’t quite recall the name, but it was at least seven days out of every fifteen.

That’s the frequency of contact between the Gyecheon Gate and that guild.

It seemed excessively frequent, even at a glance….

The important thing here is.

‘He’s reporting on this frequency with excessive sensitivity and accuracy.’

Looking at the information he sent, he had dug into it obsessively.

Especially if he went as far as to add tailing, it means he proceeded while taking considerable risks.

The problem is.

‘The justification for doing so is flimsy.’

A justification for unnecessarily overreacting to the Gyecheon Gate’s suspiciousness.

No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t see one.

As I mentioned earlier, perhaps he’s sensitive because he dismisses the Gyecheon Gate as a sinister faction?

That could be the case.

As Mok Ri-seon said, this is a time when the Tang family has ceased operations.

If so, what’s left are the Murim Alliance and the Amida Sect…. Currently, even the Amida Sect’s leader, Kwon Seon, is away from their post.

In this situation, it might be right to keep a close watch, but…

‘Then what about Gwiakchang?’

It’s the same with that Tang Deok fellow’s story.

Simply linking him to the Demonic Cult because his appearance is similar? That’s also a subtle matter.

Of course, rumors about the Demonic Cult are starting to surface throughout the Central Plains, so perhaps they made a cautious judgment about Gwiakchang, who allegedly killed the Sword King and fled?

No, rather than that, it feels more like forcing a fit.

Even the matter concerning the Azure Dragon Unit is like that.

‘They said the Azure Dragon Unit was delayed, but there was no disappointment.’

If there was disappointment, should I see it as being disregarded? No.

Look at it objectively. The Azure Dragon Unit is making its first appearance, and their experience is limited. Moreover, you can tell just by looking at me, the Unit Leader.

Someone from the later generation of disciples, who just recently became a Unit Leader.

At a point where no one knows if he has any ability, they requested help from the main headquarters, and suddenly this young brat showed up.

‘No matter how strong I’m known to be, this is a different story.’

In such a situation, the Azure Dragon Unit Leader was supposed to come along.

How would people normally react?

‘They’d cheer or sigh in relief, thinking it’s fortunate.’

It’s natural to prefer a more experienced and skilled leader over an inexperienced one, so I don’t see it negatively. That would be the normal reaction.

From that perspective, what was the Branch Chief’s attitude?

‘He did seem relieved.’

Yes, he seemed relieved. But.

‘He was relieved that the Azure Dragon Unit Leader didn’t come.’

The Azure Dragon Unit arrives a little late.

Mok Ri-seon reacted to that statement. The reaction was subtle but definitely relief.

It’s strange.

Why did Mok Ri-seon react that way to the Azure Dragon Unit Leader’s delay?

And conversely.

‘Was he displeased because he thought I was actually doing my job properly?’

A difference one wouldn’t notice without concentration.

My heightened Ki sense could even perceive those emotions.

It continued even after that.

Even when I asked for the full information, not the condensed version.

Even when I said I’d go out immediately rather than rest.

Mok Ri-seon’s reactions were truly strange.

They were such small changes that they could be my imagination.

All parts I misinterpreted due to my own sensitivity.

In a way, one could judge it like that.

However, there was another reason why I was certain Mok Ri-seon was a spy.

‘Fortunately, I knew the moment I saw him.’

Leaving aside his actions and justifications, the guy is someone I saw once in my past life.

‘The Filthy Slaughter Iron Demon (Oryukcheolma), Mok Ri-seon.’

In my past life, the Gyecheon Gate Master who had fallen into becoming a demon, and the demon guy clinging to his side.

That guy was him.

‘I had forgotten.’

That the Branch Chief of the Sichuan branch had become a demon. I lived forgetting that until I saw it.

It was a fact I had completely forgotten, as there were more than just one or two righteous cultivators who became demons.

‘Was it from now on?’

Mok Ri-seon, who was somehow involved with the Gyecheon Gate Master.

The guy seemed to have some objective.

“I thought something was strange.”

It felt odd when they suddenly said the Demonic Cult was involved with the Gyecheon Gate, but it seems there’s a hidden agenda.

And not just that, but a branch of the Murim Alliance and the Gyecheon Gate.

‘The information here says there’s contact with outside personnel….’

Since it’s information from the branch, it’s hard to trust it lightly.

This could even be a lie.

‘Hmm.’

What should I do in this situation?

‘What do you mean, what should I do?’

In times like these, there’s always a predetermined answer.

The given information is unreliable, but something is happening? Then there’s only one answer.

‘Find out.’

Confirm it by pounding the pavement myself.

There was nothing more convenient than that.

Creak.

I opened a door and stepped through.

The location was a bit outside the county of Sichuan.

As soon as I entered, a faint scent of food wafted through.

“Welcome-!”

I asked, looking at the server who ran over with a bright smile.

“I’m feeling a bit peckish. Can I get something to eat?”

“Ah, well, that is….”

The server replied, looking slightly troubled by the question.

“It is possible, but…as you can see, it’s full right now…. You’ll have to share a table. Is that alright?”

Hearing that, I turned my gaze.

Just as he said, the inn was packed with people.

It’s a small inn on the outskirts, but how delicious must it be to have so many people?

I chuckled and said to the server.

“I don’t mind.”

“Ah! Young Hero! Thank you for understanding! I’ll show you right away.”

After the server left and a short while passed, he reappeared and guided me.

“You can sit over there.”

As I took my seat, a woman who looked like a mother and her child were sitting there.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

When I said that with a smile, the woman and child also smiled and bowed their heads.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Wow-!”

“You rascal! Dongjin-ah! You shouldn’t make loud noises in the inn. Hurry and eat, it’ll get cold.”

“Yes.”

Seeing their natural interaction, I casually sat down and spoke to the server.

“Just some simple food and tea.”

“If you mean simple….”

“If you have dumplings, give me those. If not, any kind of noodles.”

“Won’t you have some drinks separately? Our food and drinks are quite delicious.”

“I don’t really feel like it. Just bring what I asked for.”

“Understood. One bowl of noodles here!”

The server who took the order left for another section. As I sat waiting, I felt a gaze from the side.

It was the child who was eating diligently.

I looked, wondering what was up.

“Excuse me, hyung.”

The child spoke to me.

“Hm?”

“Are you a martial artist, hyung?”

The mother, startled by the innocent question, stopped the child.

“You rascal! Calling the Young Hero ‘hyung’? That’s rude.”

“…Huh…?”

“I apologize, Young Hero…. My child is still immature. Please, understand with your broad magnanimity.”

“It’s alright. You don’t need to worry about it.”

I waved my hand slightly and said, looking at the child.

“That’s right. I am a martial artist, for starters.”

“Wow! But don’t you wear a sword or anything?”

“I don’t use things like that.”

“Oh. Everyone else seems to be wearing one….”

“Most people probably do.”

It was natural, as there were far more martial artists who used weapons than those who specialized in unarmed combat.

After that, the child’s curiosity seemed endless, as he kept asking me questions.

“Where do you live, hyung?”

“Far away. Do you know Shanxi?”

“No. I don’t know.”

“It’s far away. Don’t come visit, though. There’s nothing to see.”

“Then are you from there, hyung?”

“I live there, but I came from Henan.”

Hearing the answer, the woman’s eyes widened this time.

“Oh my, Young Hero, are you from Henan? I knew you were from out of town, but you’ve come quite a distance.”

“Yes. I came for a bit because of some business.”

“Business…? This place is far from the county seat too….”

“I happened to have business here and stopped by to fill my stomach.”

While we were chatting calmly, the noodles arrived on the table.

“Your food is here. Enjoy your meal!”

It looked like a truly delicious dish.

Seeing it, I was indeed getting hungry.

Before taking a bite, I first drank a cup of the tea beside me.

“Hmm.”

It was just basic tea.

I felt absolutely nothing from it.

Sensing that, I said, sounding surprised.

“No poison? I honestly expected there would be.”

The words I murmured quietly.

In response to those words, a change occurred instantly.

Swoosh.

The inside of the inn, which had been noisy just moments ago, became silent in an instant.

Amidst the strange atmosphere, I ate my food nonchalantly.

Slurp.

I took a few bites of noodles and swallowed the broth completely.

It wasn’t a large portion, so I finished quickly.

After swallowing everything, I wiped my mouth with apparent satisfaction.

“It’s decent.”

I nodded, but it remained quiet.

The chilling atmosphere pricked at my cheeks, but I paid it no mind.

After all, I had expected this.

Moreover.

‘Time to get started, I guess.’

My stomach was full, so it was time for me to make my move.

I reached out my hand.

Tap, it touched the crown of the child’s head next to me.

Feeling the texture of his hair, I gently stroked it.

“…Hyung?”

Just as the child was about to say something in response to the touch.

I grabbed the crown of his head and slammed it onto the table.

CRASH-!!

The table, hit by the child’s head, split in half.

Naturally, the tea and food on top spilled down.

Seeing that, I moved my body immediately.

Next was towards the child’s mother.

Would she scream now that her child was attacked?

Unfortunately, the woman’s reaction was not that.

Shing-!

As soon as the child fell, a dagger shot out from the woman’s sleeve.

The dagger quickly lunged towards my neck, but.

Thump.

“Hah…?!”

I grabbed the dagger’s blade with my thumb and forefinger, stopping it.

And then.

“Kuhuk…!”

I clenched my fist and drove it into the woman’s abdomen.

I felt something break inside.

It seemed like bones were shattered.

She then fell to the floor, spitting up blood-mixed vomit.

Watching that, I nodded.

“You startled me.”

“Guh…ugh….”

I nudged the woman’s head with my foot as she gagged.

“See? You shouldn’t just rush at someone like that. So scary.”

As I spoke, I looked around.

Despite the sudden violence, no surprise was felt.

What I felt was bewilderment and…

‘Hostility.’

Hostility surging towards me.

It felt too alien to be mere emotions felt in an inn.

However.

‘Good.’

As for me, I welcomed such a situation.

“Your eyes are fierce. How are you supposed to run a business like this?”

As I sat cross-legged and replied, I heard rattling sounds from all around.

As if they had been waiting, everyone drew their weapons.

The customers who were eating amicably just moments ago were nowhere to be found.

That makes sense.

‘It wasn’t a real inn to begin with.’

From the looks of it, excluding me, there isn’t a single genuine customer.

The current situation proved it.

“…Who are you?”

Someone asked, frowning, and I replied, looking at him.

“What’s there to ask? You already know who I am, don’t you?”

“…”

Hearing that, the guy shut his mouth.

As I said, these guys knew my identity.

So they must be curious.

“…How did you know?”

Conversely, how did I know?

Normally, I wouldn’t have answered, but this time, I decided to make an exception.

“Because you guys suck at acting…. Though saying that might be harsh. You weren’t bad when I saw you.”

“…”

“You played the child well. And you must have practiced the mother role a lot? It was decent. Ah, but if you’re going to hide weapons, you should work on your movements.”

I thought, ‘Who is this guy to critique acting?’ But honestly, that part was a bit off.

“Of course, this is something you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t paying attention…. But the most important thing is….”

Tap.

I tapped the fallen child’s head with my foot and said.

“Neither the child nor the mother seemed surprised when they saw my face. Usually, the mother might not be, but the child would be.”

“…!”

It was infuriating that the reason I realized it was exactly that.

What’s even more infuriating is that many of them nodded as if they understood when I explained the reason.

Fuck.

I suppressed the urge to sigh.

I had come here knowing the information, but even if I hadn’t, I would have found that part suspicious.

That makes me even sadder.

Anyway…. Gritting my teeth, I said.

“Originally, I intended to take you all down from the start. But amusingly, the food was good, so I’ll give you a chance.”

This place where I just sat and ate is not a normal inn.

Its name is the Dongyu Inn.

“Where’s your sect leader?”

It was a place operated by the Gyecheon Gate while hiding its identity.