HDCLSSRS Ch 130

Chapter 130 Kill and Erase the Mouths(1)

“I dare you—how could a mere Demon Sect whelp insult me, the Young Master of the Jegal Clan?”

Jegal Un snarled, worked up in fury at how things had gone awry.

“You and I stand on blatantly different sides. As proof—if I killed you right here and now, who would fault me for it?”

His hand slid toward the steel fan at his waist, a cruel smile curling his lips.

“Ah, well—except for that arrogant Merciless Sword, Baek Ryeoil. He hounded us, spouting nonsense about your innocence—just look what became of him in the end!”

The sharp fan ribs flashed with a cold, deadly gleam. Seong Muyeon let out a long sigh.

“As the Young Master says, there is a mole inside the manor. On the night of the raid, the Third Prince, Seong Muguk, came to see me.”

Jegal Un flinched.

“He claimed he had planted someone here and could reclaim the Yeongdan at any time.”

The oppressive killing intent radiating from him dissipated in a heartbeat, and in its place, his eyes lit up.

“Is that true?”

When Seong Muyeon nodded, Jegal Un’s menacing air scattered, though suspicion still glinted in his stare.

“And why confess this to me?”

“As I said, I have no intention of crossing you. My goal is to bring back the Yeongdan and the Sixth Young Master, which means I’ll be pursuing the Ghostslayer Unit anyway—our paths align regardless.”

“……”

Jegal Un stared holes through him, as if weighing truth from lie, even as the gears in his mind visibly spun.

“…We’ll see soon enough.”

Muttering that, he let go of Seong Muyeon’s collar as if tossing it aside. Seong Muyeon exhaled a breath of relief.

“I know you suspect me, but it isn’t me. Whatever plan you devise, you must take extreme care not to let information leak. Limit the number of people with access and keep thorough records.”

“Now a Demon Sect brat presumes to lecture me. Get out.”

With a final vicious glare, he added, “No matter what you do or where, remember this: in this manor, nothing escapes my eyes.”

Threats and suspicious glares had become so familiar that Seong Muyeon felt nothing at all.

As the saying goes, rumors sprout wings—overnight, word spread everywhere that the Demon Sect had appeared in Wuhan. Before dawn had even broken, third-rate fighters hungry for fame and wandering ronin scheming to make a profit flocked to the city, making it all the more crowded.

“It looks like even more people will gather from here on.”

Kang Ung, who had gone to relay the news to Biyeon Gate where they would be waiting, returned with updates from outside.

“The number of outsiders coming in and out of the manor has visibly increased as well.”

Seong Muyeon nodded, worried. Figures from the orthodox sects—Jegal and Wudang among them—had begun to converge, furious at the Demon Sect’s preemptive strike and vowing to return the insult in kind. Dozens of meetings were held daily, yet Seong Muyeon had no idea what was being discussed within.

Baek Ryeoil, as Mount Hua’s representative, lay bedridden and unable to do his part, and the only one who could stand in for him was a young disciple who knew nothing.

Not knowing how the situation was unfolding, Seong Muyeon felt a precarious sense that they were moving exactly as Seong Muguk had arranged upon his board.

Would Seong Muguk really sit idle and wait for the orthodox alliance to form a proper coalition and counterattack?

Why had he taken Seong Mujai?

“You’ll come to me eventually.”

The last words Seong Muguk left before departing gnawed at his nerves.

The next day, when the Jegal clan warriors arrived at the gate with Bang-gyeom, his agitation worsened.

“This man’s suspicion has not yet been fully cleared, so do not lift his restrictions. Also note that if he causes any trouble, responsibility will fall upon the Young Master.”

With a stern warning, the warriors practically shoved Bang-gyeom at them before turning on their heels and leaving.

“…Seventh Young Master. The Sixth Young Master… I failed to rescue the Sixth Young Master.”

Bang-gyeom’s appearance was in rough shape, but a deeper shadow hung over his face, more serious still. Like a man who had lost the will to live, his shoulders drooped and he could not even lift his head.

“Come inside for now. Wash up and change your clothes.”

“…How can I dare to wash and walk around cleaned up, when I don’t even know what state the Sixth Young Master is in right now? I’ll just stay here.”

Bang-gyeom knelt in a corner by the entrance, face clouded with gloom.

“……”

Seong Muyeon looked down at Bang-gyeom, who was volunteering to punish himself.

“That’s rough.”

Even Kang Ung couldn’t hold back a sigh of pity at the sight. But that wasn’t the end of it.

“Bang-gyeom, I’m sorry—but I have to tell you that the last time I saw Sixth Brother, he said he was expelling you.”

“Wh…? Ex… Excuse me, what did you say?”

The pitiful Bang-gyeom denied reality even though he had clearly heard.

“The Sixth Young Master expelled you.”

It pained Seong Muyeon to say it, but the words had to be spoken.

“Th-that’s impossible… It can’t be.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. He no longer wished for you to remain in the Sect. He didn’t want you bound to him any longer. Once things settle down, pack your things and go—wherever you wish.”

“……”

Bang-gyeom stared with saucer-wide eyes, mouth opening and closing soundlessly for a long time. Then he slumped down any which way, radiating an even deeper despair than before. Leaving the dazed man where he was, Seong Muyeon went into Baek Ryeoil’s room, and Kang Ung cautiously followed.

“Um… Young Master, that was too harsh. He’s already been through enough. You could’ve softened it a little.”

Seong Muyeon shrugged.

“Better to accept what must be accepted quickly, even if one doesn’t like it.”

His head was too crowded with other problems to spare much thought for Bang-gyeom’s despair.

Jegal Un had spoken as if he would never release Bang-gyeom, and yet he had returned him in the end. It was not because he trusted Seong Muyeon or out of mercy.

“He wants trouble.”

If the two did anything even slightly suspicious, he would seize on it instantly and get rid of them in one stroke. No doubt eyes and ears were watching their every move from all sides.

Seong Muyeon sighed.

It was a waste of manpower when they ought to be focusing solely on the Third Prince and the Ghostslayer Unit.

Before long, the situation worsened further when dozens of elite disciples sent by the Wudang sect arrived at the manor. They prowled about with eyes blazing, as if searching for the culprit who had reduced their senior to this state, and Seong Muyeon found it hard to even step outside for fear of getting into a quarrel with them.

Though Jegal and Wudang were cooperating, they seemed to have launched into a power struggle for command; it was common to witness Jegal Un and Elder Hyeonjin trading harsh words.

“Is this really fine as it is…?”

What’s more, countless outsiders who had rushed in, eager to capture the Demon Sect’s Young Master, kept stirring noisy commotions, and Seong Muyeon’s worries only deepened by the day.

Thankfully, a single piece of good news arrived a few days later.

“Dojang Je Cheondeuk has awakened!”

Kang Ung spoke with a bright face for the first time in a while. Since his master was injured, the boy had been downcast, but while getting food he had heard the welcome news and ran straight back to tell Seong Muyeon.

“That’s truly great news!”

A weight lifted from his heart.

With Je Cheondeuk awake, Wudang’s attitude softened somewhat; even when they crossed paths with Seong Muyeon, they merely passed by without acknowledgment.

After some time passed, and much deliberation, Seong Muyeon finally spoke.

“I should go meet Dojang Je Cheondeuk.”

“Why?”

Kang Ung furrowed his brow with concern. Even softened, the Wudang sect still seemed inclined to blame Seong Muyeon for Je Cheondeuk’s injuries, so it was obvious he wouldn’t be treated well if he went in person.

Sensing the boy’s worry, Seong Muyeon gave a gentle smile.

“I can’t just sit on my hands forever, can I? Mount Hua will send reinforcements soon enough, but before that, it’s best to grasp Wudang’s movements if possible… And my Dojang crossed blades with the Ghostslayer Unit directly—there might be small clues to glean.”

Knowing already from Seong Muyeon that there was a spy hidden within, Kang Ung nodded resolutely.

They picked an opportune time and headed to where the Wudang sect was staying. As soon as Seong Muyeon appeared in the alley, disciples swarmed toward him, bristling with vigilance—just as expected.

“Turn back.”

When Seong Muyeon inquired, a young Taoist priest who seemed to be Je Cheondeuk’s disciple crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him sharply.

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