Chapter 56 : Chapter 56

Chapter 56: The Righteousness of the Evil Path

The Evil Faction Alliance's Alliance Lord Hall.

“Are you crazy, you brat?”

Peerless Might Demonic Emperor Wiji Han's first words were this.

I understood him. It was right to say that this expression was rather polite.

It was because a Murim Alliance Leader who visited the headquarters of the Evil Faction Alliance without any notice was probably not normal.

“What is it, old geezer Wiji. Are you acting all high and mighty because this is your home turf?”

As Yeom Gi-ha chuckled, a vein popped on Wiji Han's forehead.

Sreung.

“You mustn't, Alliance Lord!”

If the Evil Faction Alliance's Grand Marshal, Heavenly Brain Sima Yi, had not blocked the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor with his whole body, the War of Righteousness and Evil might have started right here. The Jianghu Murim should rightly remember the dedication of Heavenly Brain Sima Yi today.

“I understand. Let go.”

“You mustn't.”

“……I said I understand.”

It was pitiful to see Sima Yi relaxing his strength only after hearing repeated assurances.

Both Singija and Sima Yi, the Grand Marshals, go through a lot of trouble.

“Hoo—”

The Peerless Might Demonic Emperor, who had composed his mind with a deep breath, asked again.

“What place do you think this is for you to come here?”

The Peerless Might Demonic Emperor was right.

A Murim Alliance Leader causing a ruckus single-handedly at the entrance of the Evil Faction Alliance headquarters, it was right to describe this as a strange affair. And Yeom Gi-ha, who had performed that strange affair, would be described as an eccentric.

However…….

“What's so hard about coming to see a friend?”

The way Yeom Gi-ha said it while picking his ear seemed as if he genuinely thought so.

“I'm your friend?”

“What's wrong with that?”

If I were to deduce Yeom Gi-ha’s thoughts, it seemed to be something like men becoming friends while fighting.

“Why am I your friend?”

The thoughts of the Lord of the Evil Faction Alliance, Peerless Might Demonic Emperor Wiji Han, were different.

“I've lived three years longer than you, so I'm the older brother.”

He replied this way.

‘……Was that the problem?’

I couldn't bring myself to say this thought out loud.

Despite appearances, wasn't this a meeting between the supreme leaders of the righteous and evil factions?

But Yeom Gi-ha was indeed Yeom Gi-ha.

“Hmph. I have no history of serving someone weaker than me as an older brother.”

Since Yeom Gi-ha was soon to be mentioned as the greatest under the heavens in the current Murim, it seemed he was a person without an older brother. He was truly self-important.

Sreung.

“You mustn't!”

The sight of Heavenly Brain Sima Yi desperately throwing his body was seen again.

Hmm. Perhaps the Emperor Breaker and the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor were truly close friends, such a thought occurred to me.

“It's fine. Let go.”

“……Yes.”

Perhaps having decided to ignore Yeom Gi-ha, the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor's gaze turned to me.

“It's been a while.”

“It has been a while.”

His expression was quite different from when he was dealing with the Emperor Breaker, and I could read his favor towards me. It seemed the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Spirit Grass had shown its effect.

“Yes. Have you come to join the Evil Faction Alliance? I welcome you anytime.”

I beat Yeom Gi-ha to it before he could open his mouth.

“I'm sorry, but that would be a bit difficult. I am a body belonging to a clan.”

It was from the thought that I should at least do my part, even if not as much as Singija or Sima Yi. The Emperor Breaker, who had missed the appropriate moment to intervene, remained silent, so I would say it was a success.

“Well, that's a shame. Let me know anytime if you change your mind.”

The Peerless Might Demonic Emperor must have been well aware that the Dancheon Clan was a prestigious family of the righteous path. It seemed he just wanted to get on Yeom Gi-ha’s nerves.

“Yes. It seems you have business here, rather than that brat.”

His judgment was correct.

“I came to collect a payment.”

Although he walked the Evil Path, I knew that the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor was a man of faith, so I spoke comfortably.

“How much do you want?”

Just thinking about the grand and splendid entrance of the Evil Faction Alliance, I knew he was not a person short of money.

However…….

“I don't need money, may I receive it in something else?”

The Peerless Might Demonic Emperor nodded.

It must be because he too was well aware that there were many things in the Jianghu Murim more precious than money.

“What do you want? Just say it.”

Encouraged by the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor's favorable voice, I said confidently.

“May I erase one evil faction sect?”

Without answering my words, the Lord of the Evil Faction Alliance and Grand Marshal Sima Yi were blinking their eyes.

I could feel Yeom Gi-ha looking at me with a 'what is that madman?' gaze.

Even I thought it was not a normal statement, but for you, Yeom Gi-ha, to think of me that way is a bit much.

“Hmm.”

I needed to clear up the misunderstanding quickly.

* * *

-Discuss the practical matters with the Grand Marshal.

Saying so, the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor left without any lingering attachment.

It was a passage from which one could see how much he trusted Heavenly Brain Sima Yi.

-Alliance Lord, don't cause trouble and stay quiet.

-Do you think I'm you?

-It's because I'm not you that I'm worried.

-Puheng.

-…….

Only after a somewhat unpleasant conversation with the Emperor Breaker could I have a private meeting with Heavenly Brain Sima Yi.

“Collusion with the Demonic Path……”

“That's right.”

I wasn't a murderer, so would I have tried to erase an innocent sect, even if it belonged to the evil faction?

The sect I intended to erase was a force that had colluded with the Demonic Path, just like the Heuksu Mun.

If there was a difference, it would be that the Heuksu Mun was originally founded by a spy of the Demonic Cult, and the place I was trying to erase now had colluded with the Demonic Path.

“Do you have proof?”

Heavenly Brain Sima Yi's sharp gaze examined me, and I answered confidently.

“I do not.”

Future experience cannot be proof. But I had conviction.

“To say so without proof must mean you have definite information.”

“That's right.”

“May I ask for the source?”

“It's a secret.”

“I suppose so.”

This aspect of information is truly great.

No one thinks it strange even if the source of information is kept a secret. It is because the nature of informants is like that in the first place.

“The Evil Faction Alliance will investigate on its own. If we find circumstances that they have indeed colluded with the Demonic Cult, our Alliance will punish them. Would that be sufficient?”

I shook my head.

“No. We will handle it. The Evil Faction Alliance should just stay still. That is the price of the grace I am demanding.”

The proof was something I could secure and present myself. If I had to be technical, it was action first, report later.

However, since it was an attack on a sect belonging to the Evil Faction Alliance, their prior consent was necessary, if only to prevent a war between the righteous and evil factions.

“Hmm.”

Heavenly Brain Sima Yi pondered while observing me.

His gaze was truly sharp, so I knew that he was not in the position of Grand Marshal just to hold onto the coattails of the Lord of the Evil Faction Alliance to prevent him from causing trouble.

“Insisting on moving personally, it seems you have something to gain there.”

I had expected him to notice this much, so I remained silent without being flustered.

“It must have a value at least equivalent to the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Spirit Grass.”

Since I had learned and practiced the attitude of an informant in my life as Myeong-gae, there would be nothing he could read even if he tried to sound me out.

“No, that's not it. Since the Murim Alliance Leader himself has come, it would be right to see it as having a greater value.”

However, I could not stop his deductions.

“I'll have to calculate the abacus properly, but it seems it might be a loss for the Evil Faction Alliance……”

Saying so, Sima Yi trailed off.

When I still showed no reaction, he let out a chuckle.

“Well, we'll concede this time.”

Soon, Sima Yi concluded as such.

I knew that he had said that because he wanted to make it clear that the Evil Faction Alliance was not being taken by surprise, but was conceding.

“Because you are the Alliance Lord's benefactor.”

For this reason alone.

From the beginning, the only reason I believed things would go well was that one reason.

As I've said repeatedly, it was because I believed in the righteousness of the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor.

“Thank you.”

When I spoke plainly, Sima Yi did not forget to give a reminder.

“But you must do it properly. So that no problems arise.”

“Do not worry.”

Since it was a clear fact that they had colluded with the Demonic Cult, there would be no problem.

* * *

Zhejiang Province.

It was a province located at the eastern end of the Central Plains Murim.

I knew that beyond Zhejiang Province to the east was a mysterious country called the Eastern Nation, but since that was not the Central Plains, it was right to describe Zhejiang Province as the end of the Central Plains.

Bordering Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces, and with the vast sea to the east, Zhejiang Province was famous for its mild climate and fertile land.

It was said, "In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou", and it was also the place that embraced Hangzhou, considered one of the two great scenic cities of the Central Plains Murim.

And this prosperous land was also under the dominion of the Evil Faction Alliance. It could be said to be one of the sources of the Evil Faction Alliance's wealth.

This was precisely the reason I had visited the Evil Faction Alliance before coming to Zhejiang.

Since I intended to carry out a major task in Zhejiang Province, the territory of the Evil Faction Alliance, I had prevented problems in advance by using our past connection.

That's right.

It meant that the supreme elixir, the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure, was dormant in this Zhejiang Province.

The southernmost part of Zhejiang Province.

Just short of the border with Fujian Province, there was a city called Wenzhou.

It was called Wenzhou because it was a place where hot springs had been flowing since ancient times.

As someone who had been active as a Beggar's Gang member and learned various things, I knew.

The abundance of hot springs meant the existence of a volcano in that region.

And a volcano was precisely the condition under which the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure could be formed.

“Alliance Leader, have you ever seen a volcano in person?”

“Isn't Mount Hua in Shaanxi? I have been there many times. Their Plum Blossom Sword Art is worthy of being called a masterpiece.”

“……I see.”

It was a peaceful journey with nothing out of the ordinary.

After a four-day journey, Yeom Gi-ha and I set foot in Wenzhou.

Since our starting point was the Murim Alliance headquarters, we had passed through at least four provinces in just four days.

Considering the vast size of the Central Plains, I would say it was a travel speed that the word 'swift' was insufficient to describe.

And finally, we arrived at our destination.

“Is this it?”

“That's right.”

The place we arrived at was the Blazing Flower Sect, located on a mountain ridge on the outskirts of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.

With three 'fire' characters in its name, I would say it was a group with a firm identity.

Tonight.

The Blazing Flower Sect will disappear from the Central Plains Murim, Yeom Gi-ha will extend his lifeline, and I will enter the Fifth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art.

* * *

The existence of the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure became known through sheer coincidence.

If one were to trace its origin, it would be the fierce volcanic eruption that suddenly occurred in Wenzhou.

In truth, how could humans predict and control the harmony of nature, but this was an event with many suspicious points.

The point that there were no warning signs at all despite it being a huge eruption that turned the prosperous Wenzhou into ruins.

The point that unlike typical volcanic eruptions that start from the top of the mountain, this massive eruption began from the mountainside, specifically from the depths of the Blazing Flower Sect.

And the point that the lava that decorated the land from the volcanic eruption was strangely hot and did not cool down.

Since Wenzhou was completely closed off for nearly a year due to the non-cooling lava, I knew the damage was immense.

There is no result without a cause. If a suspicious result was shown, investigating its cause was inevitable, so the Murim Alliance's investigation team also investigated Wenzhou.

Although the Evil Faction Alliance ruled Zhejiang Province, the common people living on that land did not belong anywhere, so it was like that.

The Murim Alliance's investigation team finally uncovered the secret, thanks to discovering the cooled Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure.

And the Murim Alliance investigation team, composed of various extraordinary people, was able to find out more facts.

The biggest one was that a technique of Going Against the Heavens was discovered in the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure.

-It seems the Blazing Flower Sect had joined hands with the Demonic Cult. It appears something went wrong while they were performing some kind of trick.

The Blazing Flower Sect, which should have been the target of punishment, was already gone from the world.

It was an incident that was passed over quietly, treated as a natural disaster, with only those in the know knowing.

For reference, I, who was Myeong-gae, was also included in that investigation team, so I knew the inside story in detail.

Since my current age is twenty-one, it is an event that will happen six years from now.

It was an event that happened after the Murim Alliance Leader Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha had already disappeared. Looking back on it now with full knowledge, I would describe it as a truly regrettable matter.

Didn't they say that what determines the value of information is the right time?

Since I have matched that time with my own power, this time, I will be able to change history.

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