HDCLSSRS Ch 72

Chapter 72 Ilgwang’s Plot (2)

When the elder brother spoke sternly, the younger brother clicked his tongue in resignation and stepped back.

“Anyway, Young Master, let’s have a drink together next time we meet.”

“…But are you two leaving?”

Rubbing his sore neck and back, Seong Muyeon asked. With his bamboo hat properly worn and a small travel pack slung over his shoulder, he looked as if he were just about to set off.

Paeng Wongum adjusted his hat and nodded.

“We’ve left home to gain experience, traveling through the martial world. If we get the chance, I hope we’ll meet again.”

“Until next time!”

The Hebei Twin Extremes walked off into the distance. Seong Muyeon was left bewildered. People often said the Paeng family of Hebei were hot-tempered and never held grudges—and it turned out to be true. In that sense, the gentle and mild-mannered Paeng Wongum didn’t quite seem like someone from that family.

“…”

Paeng Wongum had said he was deeply impressed by him.

With a feeling like he was floating on air, Seong Muyeon turned to go find Baek Ryeoil.

Sure enough, he spotted Baek Ryeoil coming out of his room, already packed for a journey and carrying his sword.

“Where are you going?!”

“To kill that bastard.”

Baek Ryeoil answered simply as he brushed past Seong Muyeon.

It was exactly like the original story.

In the original, when Ma Jincheon died, he had stormed into the Demonic Sect’s branch alone, vowing revenge on Poison freak. Though Ma Jincheon hadn’t died, he was gravely injured, teetering on the edge of death—so it was only natural Baek Ryeoil would seek revenge.

“Do you even know where you’re going?”

“I’ll figure it out once I start roughing people up. A clue will show up.”

“You might die!”

“Even if I die, I’ll be sure to drag someone down with me.”

Baek Ryeoil muttered. Seong Muyeon gritted his teeth inwardly.

‘So stubborn…’

Right now, Poison freak had only just begun to awaken his powers, so his poison wasn’t too strong yet. He could be crushed easily. The real problem was the person keeping him close.

By now, Baek Ryeoil had already moved far ahead. Seong Muyeon hurriedly chased after him.

“Please wait a moment.”

“You’ll only get in the way, so don’t follow me.”

“You seem to be under some kind of delusion… I don’t want to go to such a dangerous place either, you know? I don’t even plan to help! It’s not like I have any power.”

“Then what is it?”

Baek Ryeoil glared at him irritably.

“Well… if the Master dies, who’s going to safely escort Master Ma back to Mount Hua? Just hold on a little.”

“What about the assistant masters?”

By now, they had come down the mountain and were crossing the main road.

“Do you really trust them? Master Ma is a patient, you think they’ll take proper care of him? We’ll be lucky if they don’t scold him for being slow.”

Baek Ryeoil suddenly stopped. He seemed to be picturing the assistant masters trying to bring Ma Jincheon back.

“That makes sense.”

“Exactly. So there’s no need to rush. We can gather more information in the meantime. We still don’t even know where he is.”

“That’s true.”

Baek Ryeoil sighed. Seong Muyeon cheered inwardly.

‘Yes! Let’s go back quietly! I’m tired too.’

That was when—

“I know where Poison freak is.”

Ilgwang suddenly appeared and said in a low voice. Apparently, he had been nearby the whole time and had followed them.

“Really? You know?”

Seong Muyeon desperately shook his head behind Baek Ryeoil’s back so the latter wouldn’t see. He didn’t want to take any more risks. If Baek Ryeoil got hurt—it would only mean trouble later.

“Yes. I just received intel from the Black Shadow Division.”

But Ilgwang blatantly ignored Seong Muyeon’s gesture and answered as if he hadn’t seen it.

‘That bastard?!’

“So where is he?”

“A man named Heuk Majo was dispatched to manage the Hanam area in place of the Fourth Young Master. It seems Poison freak has joined under him.”

‘I already knew that!’

Among the five masters renowned within the Demonic Sect, they were collectively called the Five Butchers of Bloodlight. Heuk Majo was one of them. He also served the eldest brother, the First Young Master. Due to his formidable martial prowess, he had earned great trust and wielded significant influence—even the other young masters didn’t dare act rashly around him. In the original story, Baek Ryeoil had barely escaped with his life after confronting him.

“What kind of scheme is this?”

Contrary to expectations, Baek Ryeoil didn’t rush off but instead narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Even after I tell you, this is what I get? Fine. Forget it, then.”

Seong Muyeon also found Ilgwang suspicious. He wasn’t the type to help Baek Ryeoil out of sheer goodwill.

“Ilgwang! Why are you still hanging around?! If you’re done, go back to the sect! Don’t get caught by the sect and end up taking a hit from their Hundred-Step Divine Fist!”

Ilgwang shook his head.

“I can’t return just yet. After witnessing this incident, I need to gather more intel and report to the Second Young Master. I’ll go with this man to confront Heuk Majo and demand he hand over Poison freak. This incident has seriously damaged the sect’s reputation. Turning over the real culprit to the orthodox side for punishment is the best way to show this wasn’t the sect’s doing as a whole.”

‘It makes sense, but still…’

Something didn’t sit right. Ilgwang, who always clashed with Baek Ryeoil whenever they met, suddenly offering to help sparked suspicion.

“Hmm. That’s unusually thoughtful of you. Fine, lead the way to this Heuk Majo or whoever.”

“On one condition—Seventh Young Master must also accompany us.”

“What?”

“Me? Why me?”

Seong Muyeon recoiled.

“Time is of the essence. There’s no guarantee Heuk Majo will cooperate easily. But if you come along, it might carry more weight.”

“…”

He absolutely didn’t want to go. But Ilgwang was just a subordinate to the Second Young Master. He could report and receive orders to officially request Heuk Majo’s cooperation—but that would take too long.

It could very well damage the already fragile balance between the orthodox sects and the Demonic Sect.

Seong Muyeon knew from the original what kind of fallout this incident would trigger. The Orthodox Alliance had declared a crackdown on the Demonic Sect, and skirmishes broke out constantly.

“…I guess I have no choice.”

“No, Seong Muyeon stays behind.”

Baek Ryeoil bared his teeth like a wary beast and positioned himself between Seong Muyeon and Ilgwang.

“I don’t know what shady trick you’re up to, but I’m not falling for it. Get lost.”

Ilgwang just shrugged indifferently.

“Then go find Poison freak on your own.”

“Fine. I don’t need your help anyway.”

But Seong Muyeon, knowing what would happen if Baek Ryeoil went in alone, tried to dissuade him.

“Let’s just go together. Nothing will happen as long as the Master’s with us.”

“…But.”

Baek Ryeoil glared at Ilgwang. He still seemed convinced that the man had ulterior motives.

“Then what if I say we should protect Master Ma for now and go later? Would you listen?”

They might not have known Poison freak’s location earlier, but now that it had been revealed, there was no way Baek Ryeoil would delay. He nodded firmly.

“Of course not.”

“Exactly.”

It was practically destiny for Poison freak to die at Baek Ryeoil’s hands. Even if they let him go now, they weren’t planning to spare him forever. Better to deal with it in a controlled setting.

Ilgwang, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.

“Listen, Mujeonggeom. Let’s say I really am up to something. Even if I admit it, I’m no match for you—so what’s there to worry about?”

“You must think I’m stupid. You could’ve bribed this Heuk Majo guy. No matter how strong I am, I can’t take on a mob alone.”

Ilgwang snorted.

“You clearly don’t understand how the Demonic Sect works. Heuk Majo is one of the Five Butchers of Bloodlight—do you think someone like me, who merely commands the Black Shadow Division, could order him around? That’s nonsense. It’d be like some low-level commander in the Orthodox Alliance telling a grand elder what to do. Would that ever work?”

“…”

“And unlike the orthodox sects, we don’t follow a single leader. Each of us obeys only our own lord. Heuk Majo serves the First Young Master, so the kind of thing you’re imagining is utterly impossible.”

“Is that true?”

Baek Ryeoil turned to Seong Muyeon. He nodded.

The orders of the Second Young Master, Seong Muryong, were nearly absolute—he held power second only to the Sect Leader and the First Young Master.

But Heuk Majo was under the First Young Master’s command. Currently, the First Young Master was the most likely candidate to succeed as Sect Leader. There was no way Heuk Majo would follow the orders of another young master. Even if Seong Muryong issued a strong directive, he would first consult the First Young Master’s intentions. And the First Young Master couldn’t care less about Seong Muyeon.

“Ilgwang’s right. It should be okay.”

“…If you say so.”

With Seong Muyeon’s confirmation, Baek Ryeoil had no choice but to accept.

And so, the three of them headed to the Hanam branch, where Heuk Majo was staying.