Chapter 820: Where is my son?

The office of the Murim Alliance’s Sichuan Branch Chief.

Inside, Branch Chief Mok Ri-seon and Ilcheonggeom had just finished a lengthy conversation.

“I received the information well. With the Branch Chief’s help, the investigation should proceed more easily.”

“Not at all…! If I can be of even the slightest help, I will prepare more and visit you.”

“Your willingness alone is appreciated. I truly feel reassured.”

“Hahaha…”

Having spoken, Ilcheonggeom tucked the letter given by the Branch Chief into his inner pocket.

The information was sufficient. Although it didn’t show the exact location due to the detailed investigation, there was a common place among the sighted locations, so it seemed they could start searching from there.

In the first place, the information about the Sect Leader and the sect members was brought from the main alliance.

Ilcheonggeom thought the search itself wouldn’t be too difficult.

The problem was.

‘How far the Seongryongdae has progressed.’

The Seongryongdae arrived about three days earlier. How much had they truly approached the issue? That was the perspective to focus on.

‘…Star King.’

Just thinking about him made his expression involuntarily furrow.

What should I do about that damn bastard? Ilcheonggeom forcibly suppressed his grinding teeth.

‘How dare he…’

Kku-uk-! His fist clenched.

Three days ago. Ilcheonggeom recalled the humiliation he had experienced.

Around the second day since starting the journey to Sichuan, he received a letter from one of his members.

It was an order for the Cheongryongdaeju and the Cheongryongdae to return to the main alliance as soon as possible.

Ilcheonggeom was flustered by the sudden letter, but without much deliberation, he followed the order and returned to the main alliance.

To doubt it would have been difficult; the seal imprinted on the letter was too certain.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘The Alliance’s seal is made of a precious item.’

Its unique property. Using that, one could verify if this was a letter from the Alliance or not.

Because of that, Ilcheonggeom was certain.

This letter was indeed from the Alliance, and it was definitely a letter sent by Advisor Muk.

He dismissed his doubts. Although this journey began with a purpose, the Alliance’s will came first.

So, he returned to the main alliance.

‘…What?’

Ilcheonggeom’s eyes widened immediately. He had heard shocking words.

“Are you saying you never sent such an order?”

None of the people at the main alliance, including Muk Yeon, said they had sent an order to Ilcheonggeom.

It was unbelievable. Even with the seal made of a precious item imprinted on it. How could that be?

He couldn’t understand. However.

‘Could it be.’

Ilcheonggeom strangely could recall the culprit. There was no physical evidence, but his suspicion was firm.

‘It’s him.’

It was Star King. That bastard’s doing.

Ilcheonggeom thought so. The reason was none other than this.

The way he looked when receiving the letter. That bastard’s smile he met just before leaving. It surfaced belatedly, wrapping around Ilcheonggeom’s mind.

‘That son of a bitch…!’

Had Star King toyed with him? Judging this, Ilcheonggeom bit his teeth as if they would break.

However, it wasn’t certainty, nor was it a time to hesitate.

First, he took the Cheongryongdae and urgently chose the trip to Sichuan.

If someone had forged the order and sent false information, it would have been right to temporarily suspend the mission and change the plan. But Ilcheonggeom did not do so.

It was partly due to the suspicion mentioned earlier. And furthermore.

‘Not yet.’

There was a reason he specifically chose this trip to Sichuan.

For that reason, he wanted to go back to Sichuan somehow.

So, he moved much faster than his usual travel speed.

His members quickly reached their physical limits, but Ilcheonggeom increased the speed, knowing that.

Thanks to that, he could reduce the time difference in arriving at Sichuan.

Thus, Ilcheonggeom faced Star King again. The moment he saw him, he was certain.

‘It really was you.’

His gaze, his breathing, and even the aura he felt – Star King wasn’t speaking, but he was telling Ilcheonggeom.

That he was the culprit. And how did it feel to be played like a dog.

At that level, he wasn’t even thinking of hiding it.

While anger rose up to his throat.

In a corner of his mind, he calculated rationally.

Then why?

If Star King was indeed the one who caused this, how did he forge the seal made of a precious item, and what was the reason for going this far?

He couldn’t know.

If he simply wanted to mess with him, he wouldn’t have used such a method.

It was a method with too high a backlash for him.

In Ilcheonggeom’s view, Star King wasn’t foolish enough for that. Therefore, there must have been a reason to do it this way.

‘What could it be?’

What was this done for? Was it truly just to mess with him?

‘If that’s the case, he made a big mistake.’

Even if he’s hailed as a genius and acts like the world is his, this time he crossed a major line.

No matter how thoroughly it was handled, if it went as far as forgery, physical evidence would surely remain, and if pursued, it couldn’t be easily dismissed.

As Ilcheonggeom shifted his thoughts, his eyes gradually gained intensity.

Then, a chilling glint flickered in his eyes.

‘Even if that’s not the case.’

Perhaps there’s no need to go to the Alliance. Didn’t he have a reason for coming to Sichuan in the first place?

‘…He won’t be able to return to Hannam.’

Perhaps, with a very slim chance, an accident could occur during the mission, couldn’t it?

It was common for people to die in accidents while investigating and moving for a mission.

In such a situation.

‘This time won’t be any different.’

No matter how young a king he is, it wouldn’t be much different.

Accidents are inherently unexpected.

Recalling that, Ilcheonggeom took a breath.

‘Don’t regret it, just in case.’

It was him who provoked me when I was minding my own business.

Things that wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t unnecessarily appeared and interfered with me and the Alliance.

But ultimately, it was Star King who created this situation.

As he recalled that, just as Ilcheonggeom was about to move.

“Ah, excuse me…. Cheongryong Daeju.”

At Mok Ri-seon’s voice calling him, Ilcheonggeom quickly composed his expression.

He had already shown himself arguing with Star King, but his current expression felt rather menacing even to himself.

“What is it?”

“Ah, i-it’s nothing else. I have something specific to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s about the Seongryongdaeju…”

Seongryongdaeju? Hearing it was about Star King, Ilcheonggeom’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Just then.

“Our member saw something last time…. I thought perhaps you might know something…”

“What are you talking about?”

What did they see? As he asked back with a question, Mok Ri-seon spoke to him.

“W-well, there were reports that Star King sometimes coughs up blood or appears to be in an unusual condition…. Do you happen to know anything about that?”

“…”

At Mok Ri-seon’s words, Ilcheonggeom wore a peculiar expression.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. We are trying our best to keep people quiet…. Regarding this part, Ilcheonggeom-ssi-“

“You did well.”

“What?”

“Continue to manage it strictly as you have been. This is something that should not yet be known even by the main alliance.”

“Ah-! I-I see.”

At Ilcheonggeom’s words, Mok Ri-seon reacted as if he finally understood.

“Then, I will definitely ensure everyone keeps quiet.”

“I’ll count on you.” Tap, tap. With his words, Ilcheonggeom patted Mok Ri-seon’s shoulder a couple of times, then turned his back to leave again.

As Ilcheonggeom turned his back, the corner of his mouth was definitely slightly raised.

---

Immediately after, the Cheongryongdae’s search began.

It proceeded based on the information Mok Ri-seon provided, and the scope wasn’t that wide.

Not only was there information, but there was also something previously confirmed.

Namely, the locations where the Seongryongdae had moved. Even without sharing information, there were things that could be known. Based on this and Mok Ri-seon’s information, they searched.

The primary objective was the movements of the Gyecheon Sect. They needed to confirm the exact location first to delve deeper.

The main sect known to the Alliance was practically in ruins.

A few people could be seen coming and going, but no matter how they looked, they didn’t seem like members of the Gyecheon Sect.

‘This means they’ve already moved.’

It seems they relocated long ago.

This might mean they’ve already left Sichuan, but.

‘Looking at it that way, their recent routes are all within Sichuan.’

Occasionally, they were seen leaving Sichuan, but that was very rare.

Almost all sightings were within Sichuan.

Moreover.

‘Since the Seongryongdae isn’t searching outside Sichuan either.’

It was right to search all of Sichuan first.

‘At this speed… at the latest, fifteen days.’

Within that time, they should be able to catch the Gyecheon Sect’s tail.

“Daeju-nim.”

He turned his head at the voice. One of his members was handing him a letter.

“This is the search status report for the eastern region.”

He received the letter and examined it. The location and situation were precisely written.

“Nothing was found within the current area.”

“Yes. They might be further out in the outskirts… or perhaps.”

“The possibility of them using a formation?”

“That’s what we judge.”

A formation.

There was certainly a possibility of that. However.

“For now, we’ll keep it in mind and proceed with the search, excluding the possibility for up to three days.”

“Understood.”

There wasn’t enough suspicion to change the search route.

It was only the first day. If they cast too wide a net, problems were bound to arise.

For now, it was right to handle things one by one.

“And this…”

Right after giving the search progress report. As if he still had business, he presented something else.

“This is the Seongryongdaeju’s movement log.”

Hearing that, Ilcheonggeom’s eyes lit up.

His eyes were much clearer than during the search status report.

Ilcheonggeom, having received the letter, strangely narrowed his eyes quickly.

“Is this all?”

“…I-I apologize.”

The member replied urgently to the voice that clearly conveyed discomfort.

“There are too many eyes watching if we approach quickly, and the members’ cultivation levels are too high to infiltrate the Seongryongdae itself…. This was the best we could do for now.”

“Tsk…”

Although he wasn’t pleased, he couldn’t find fault.

Ilcheonggeom knew this was the best they could do, just as the member said.

The warriors of the Seongryongdae have high cultivation levels.

There was quite a difference compared to other units.

Just the identified individuals included four Hwagyeong masters, excluding the Daeju.

Even if they were at the initial stage, having four Hwagyeong-level individuals was unbelievable.

Because of this, there was definitely opposition within the main alliance, but Advisor Muk cut them off, saying it was possible because these were individuals who volunteered.

‘This is troublesome.’

Since such individuals were currently in Sichuan with Star King, it was difficult to watch Star King while avoiding notice.

‘In this state, even fifteen days might not be enough.’

The mountain to climb to achieve his goal was high. Ilcheonggeom bit his lip slightly.

What should he do? It was difficult to link it to the mission as he hadn’t learned anything yet.

“…You worked hard. You may return now.”

“Understood.”

After sending the member back, Ilcheonggeom bit his fingertips.

He must have bitten a little too hard, as his own blood entered his mouth.

“Gu Yangcheon.”

The face of the bastard he wanted to cut down immediately surfaced.

Just thinking about it made killing intent rise. It felt like a deep wound.

‘For someone like him, he seems to have good luck with people.’

The problem being the watchful eyes around him, not something else. It was troublesome in many ways.

‘This is the perfect time.’

He was also impatient.

Ilcheonggeom had to forcibly suppress the emotions he felt.

That guy is strong. No matter how young he is, Ilcheonggeom couldn’t help but acknowledge his cultivation level.

If they fought with all their might, it was to the point where victory couldn’t be easily predicted.

It was unbelievable, but this was reality. He could tell from the few encounters.

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, that guy was a powerhouse who might soon reach the top ten masters.

Therefore, knowing that, this is all the more the perfect time.

‘He sustained internal injuries.’

He didn’t know how deep or where the injuries were, but he knew the guy had internal injuries.

He tried to control it somehow, but his energy felt unstable somewhere.

To the point where it was visible.

‘One cannot intentionally emit such energy.’

If one could control their energy, they could control it, but disrupting their own energy like that is impossible.

If they made a mistake, their energy could become disordered, causing problems in their meridians and leading to cultivation deviation.

Even that instability was barely noticeable unless one looked closely. Controlling it so precisely was close to impossible.

‘So it’s confirmed he sustained internal injuries.’

The problem was.

‘Even in that state, he easily defeated the Geumryongdaeju.’

Even if he sustained internal injuries, it doesn’t mean he’s weak.

Around the time he brutally beat the Geumryongdaeju. Ilcheonggeom was watching.

Star King ultimately defeated the Geumryongdaeju. And easily at that.

Even if he coughed up blood due to the backlash and seemed to feel pain, he was still strong.

If it wasn’t a chronic illness, the internal injuries would heal. Then, even if a situation like this arose again, it wouldn’t be the same.

That’s why now was the perfect time.

An opportunity to seize before it was too late.

Recalling this, Ilcheonggeom sighed. Whether it was the Sinryongdae or the Seongryongdae, nothing was going as he wished.

It felt like everything he had painstakingly prepared was shaking. It seemed all of this had appeared with Star King’s arrival.

But even so.

‘I will not crumble.’

What position did I climb to get here? I absolutely cannot crumble over something like this. If anything, I’ll remove what shakes me; I cannot be swayed by mere trifles like that.

Ilcheonggeom steadied his energy as if making a vow. And then.

Sssurung-! Shiiiik–!!

Suddenly, Ilcheonggeom drew his sword and swung it simultaneously.

The sword blade, imbued with qi, cut through the air. Then, the sword tip stopped as if aiming at someone.

“Who’s there?”

His voice, laced with killing intent, pierced the side. Ilcheonggeom’s eyes held certainty.

It seemed like nothing was visible, but there was definitely something there.

“If you don’t come out, I will cut you.”

The warning is only once. As no movement was felt, Ilcheonggeom’s sword drew a semicircle.

Just as his signature flamboyant sword energy was about to slice through the night air.

“Excuse me.”

Someone appeared from the seemingly empty space.

It was an old man with long black hair. The moment he saw him, Ilcheonggeom tightened his grip on the hilt.

‘Strong.’

The old man was strong.

Very much so.

Seeing that he couldn’t properly gauge his cultivation level, it meant he was on a similar level.

Who could he be? As Ilcheonggeom observed the old man, raising his vigilance.

“I am Daehwan, who leads the Gyecheon Sect.”

“…!”

At the introduction the old man uttered, Ilcheonggeom’s eyes widened.