RM-Bab 357

Chapter 357: Killing Them and Retiring Today

As soon as he heard the words “the small sect leader of the Demon Sect,” Tu Wang soared into the air, glancing around.

After confirming that no one was nearby, he descended back to his original position.

This reaction alone showed how much he was concerned about the Demon Sect.

“Why is the small sect leader of the Demon Sect here?” The appearance of such an unexpected person was completely beyond Tu Wang’s imagination.

On the other hand, Hyuk Sa-gun had some knowledge about the relationship between Geom Mu-geuk and Bi Sa-in.

“I understand that the two have formed a bond during their previous activities.”

Tu Wang was surprised, but at the same time, all his previous doubts were resolved.

The assassins were annihilated, his identity was revealed, and the plan of Guangseom failed.

When he applied the small sect leader of the Demon Sect to all those questions, the answers became clear.

“Yes, that makes sense.”

Tu Wang had also heard rumors about how outstanding this small sect leader of the Demon Sect was.

“Do you know where they are now?”

“They are hiding in a secret residence near the main sect.”

As he was in charge of the overall military operations, he knew not only the location of the secret residence but also who was staying there.

“Is the small sect leader of the Demon Sect with them?”

“No, he is currently with Goeak.”

The small sect leader was pretending to be dead while hiding in the secret residence, and the small sect leader would likely be investigating his background.

“What do you think we should do?” The only person Tu Wang asked for an opinion was Hyuk Sa-gun.

He valued Hyuk Sa-gun’s intelligence and calmness highly.

Above all, he knew exactly what he wanted.

He read that intention and made plans accordingly.

“If the small sect leader wishes for the small leader to be dead, then we must kill him.”

Moreover, Hyuk Sa-gun was also known for his decisiveness.

He would handle things he was sure about first and report later.

He had that much confidence.

“I have already sent someone.”

“It won’t be easy with Goeak there, will it? Who did you send?” Hyuk Sa-gun revealed the names of those who would resolve this situation.

“I sent the Yan Tian Shuang Jian.”

They were unexpected figures, just like the small sect leader of the Demon Sect.

“Are they still alive?” They were notorious figures in the martial world, known for their fierce reputation.

They were also masters who belonged to the Seven Great Masters of the Demon Sect, but they had committed numerous evil deeds and were said to have been killed by the martial alliance’s traps.

“They were smuggled out just before they died. They have been secretly used by the sect since then. I only learned about it recently when I took on the role of the overall military commander.”

Hyuk Sa-gun believed that the Yan Tian Shuang Jian could kill Goeak and Bi Sa-in.

“Once we find out their location and use the Yan Tian Shuang Jian, won’t it be a problem later if you get involved?” Hyuk Sa-gun expressed his concerns, which he considered unnecessary worry.

“Do I look like I have time to scheme such things?” His meaningful smile indicated that another person was prepared to take the blame for this incident.

He would eliminate the political rival that had been a thorn in his side.

Hyuk Sa-gun’s handling of matters was not only perfect regarding the small leader but also prepared for Geom Mu-geuk.

“The problem is the small sect leader. We absolutely cannot kill him. If we do, everything will fall apart. We need to send him back to the new sect.”

Tu Wang nodded in agreement, showing he shared the same thought.

“Do you have a method in mind?”

“There are two methods. The first is to send him back by force. If we want to defeat him without killing him, the lord must take action personally.”

“What if he holds out until the end?” Tu Wang believed he could win against the small sect leader.

The problem was when he would not want to leave with the Demon Sect backing him.

“I doubt he is genuinely helping the small leader. He must have some ulterior motive. If he feels his life is in danger, he will withdraw.”

“And the second method?”

“The second method is to use the leader of the Seven Great Masters to send him back. Right now, the leader of the Seven Great Masters is unaware of how close the small leader is with Geom Mu-geuk. Once he finds out, he will definitely send the small sect leader back. The small leader will receive a command to return.”

They were deliberately blocking information for use at a critical moment.

“If you were to choose, which method would you take?”

“The second method is safer and more certain.”

“Then why did you mention the first method first?”

“Because I know it is the method the lord desires.”

Tu Wang smiled with satisfaction.

“I look forward to a future with you.”

He had given him the position of overall military commander, and now he sought the position of the leader of the Seven Great Masters.

Tu Wang had recruited Hyuk Sa-gun long ago.

Without Tu Wang’s support, he would never have risen to the position of deputy commander.

There had been several decisive moments in Hyuk Sa-gun’s life that determined his fate.

He was intelligent, but how many smart people were there among the military? Tu Wang had eliminated potential strong competitors in advance.

They died from illness or accidents.

It was a gradual process that took time, so it never raised suspicion.

“Let’s proceed with the second method.”

“Yes. I will move the leader of the Seven Great Masters to send the small sect leader back.”

Hyuk Sa-gun wrote again.

“Then take care until we meet again.”

Hyuk Sa-gun slowly walked away from that place.

Left alone, Tu Wang looked up at the moon again.

“Small leader, it seems you will die today as you wish. Or perhaps you have already died?” When the moon sets, the sun will rise.

+++

Bi Sa-in and Goeak were staying in the secret residence.

Although it was late at night, the two could not sleep.

They sat in a small pavilion set up in the courtyard, drinking tea.

Outwardly calm, Bi Sa-in’s mind was filled with thoughts about the current situation.

Would Geom Mu-geuk truly uncover the truth? How would the leader of the Seven Great Masters view his handling of this matter? Just how strong was Hwang Seok-gyeong? Various thoughts swirled in his mind, making it complicated.

Perhaps moved by the gentle moonlight, Goeak spoke with a carefree tone.

“I want to retire and live in a place like this.”

It seemed Goeak liked this place.

It was hard to find from the outside, and the inside was quiet and charming.

“You should buy a house in a more scenic place.”

Goeak shook his head.

“Perhaps because I have lived a life full of grudges, being in such a secluded place where no one knows me makes me feel more at ease.”

This place indeed gave a sense of safety.

“Small leader.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Don’t forget our promise.”

“I will present the secret technique to you on the day I become the leader.”

This was why Goeak was risking his life to help Bi Sa-in.

When Bi Sa-in readily answered, Goeak ultimately offered one piece of advice.

“Listen, small leader. Don’t be deceived by the kindness of others. Everyone has a hidden agenda.”

This was a warning not to trust Geom Mu-geuk.

A life debt is a life debt, and when in doubt, one must be suspicious.

How could Bi Sa-in not understand what he was worried about? Geom Mu-geuk was someone who worried about himself first.

“I will keep that in mind.”

After responding politely, Bi Sa-in asked, “I have something I want to ask you, senior.”

“Go ahead.”

“Now that you have reached the level of the Seven Great Masters, do you have a reason to want to become stronger?” Bi Sa-in wondered if he was aiming for the title of the strongest in the world or the strongest among the Seven Great Masters, but that was not the case.

Goeak’s gaze, looking down at the empty teacup, was filled with anger.

“There are people I want to kill.”

“Who are they?” Just as Goeak hesitated to answer, the door leading to the outside opened, and someone appeared.

It was a martial artist managing the secret residence.

The moment they saw him, Bi Sa-in and Goeak jumped up.

The martial artist, who was exuding the smell of fresh blood, collapsed.

His back was stained red with blood.

The two men walked over the corpse.

Goeak’s expression turned cold as he recognized them.

“Yan Tian Shuang Jian!” At Goeak’s words, Bi Sa-in was taken aback.

The Yan Tian Shuang Jian were figures who had once instilled fear in the martial world.

Yan Luo Jian and Qian Shou Jian.

Together, they were called the Yan Tian Shuang Jian.

Though they seemed similar, the aura they emitted was completely different.

Yan Luo Jian felt rough and powerful, while Qian Shou Jian appeared cold and without a single flaw.

Bi Sa-in was not surprised because they were the Yan Tian Shuang Jian.

“How did they find this place?” The fact that this secret place had been breached was unthinkable.

In other words, it meant that the confidentiality system of the Seven Great Masters had been compromised.

The Yan Tian Shuang Jian also recognized Goeak.

“Has it been ten years?” Yan Luo Jian asked, to which Goeak replied,

“It has been twelve years.”

Goeak remembered their last meeting clearly.

“Since we have an old connection, you may leave now.”

Although they were younger, they referred to Goeak as a junior.

This was because Goeak had already risen to the position of the Seven Great Masters before them.

The two had occupied a position among the Seven Great Masters under the name of Yan Tian Shuang Jian, but they each had the strength to claim a position of their own.

Together, they were not one.

That was why they were evaluated as the strongest among the Seven Great Masters.

If their swords had not dulled, this fight would have had no chance of winning.

Bi Sa-in could sense Goeak’s inner conflict.

He could tell the strength of the Yan Tian Shuang Jian from Goeak’s hesitation.

“Goeak is not confident he can handle them.”

Soon, a merciless decision was made.

“Small leader, please understand.”

What that meant was this: I will leave, so you must die here.

“Are you being cowardly?” He could have coldly retorted or begged for his life.

But Bi Sa-in did not do that.

Perhaps in the past, he would have reacted that way.

Why were such words coming out now?

“I am sorry that I cannot present the secret technique with my own hands. I hope you can kill those you wish to kill safely.”

He was not the kind of person to act cool even in a situation like this.

Was he trying to show off even when facing death? This was something Geom Mu-geuk would say.

Ah, perhaps he had been influenced by that person.

Geom Mu-geuk could act with such composure and still survive, but he would surely die.

Bi Sa-in did not feel disappointment or betrayal.

Such feelings only arose from someone deeply trusted.

In the past, he would have regretted this moment.

He should have just reported everything to the leader.

Yet he felt no such regret.

“I have definitely changed!”

That was why he felt regretful.

The crises of death kept coming, and each time, he felt regret.

He wanted to live longer and feel the changes in himself.

He wanted to show that change to him.

So he wished again.

He wished that Geom Mu-geuk would sit on that wall, smiling, and say, “Let’s dance if we survive this time.”

But today, such a thing would not happen.

He was in a safe secret residence.

There was no reason for him to come running.

Goeak glanced at Bi Sa-in for a moment before turning his back and walking away.

The Yan Tian Shuang Jian silently watched him pass by.

At the moment Goeak brushed past the two,

Swish!

Boom!

Goeak and the Yan Tian Shuang Jian turned at the same time, launching their swords and dual daggers at each other.

Although he pretended to leave Bi Sa-in behind, Goeak knew that the Yan Tian Shuang Jian were sending him to ambush and kill him easily.

They knew better than anyone what kind of people they were.

Bang!

With a loud explosion, they were pushed back.

The Yan Tian Shuang Jian took three steps back, while Goeak, who faced their inner strength, was pushed back seven steps.

“You still resort to cowardly tricks.”

Goeak mocked, and Yan Luo Jian laughed.

“You still have quick wits like a rat.”

Goeak leaped and landed beside Bi Sa-in.

Bi Sa-in was surprised and moved that he did not run away but came toward him.

“Why are you coming this way?” Just a moment ago, during their exchange, he could have taken advantage of the momentum and jumped over the wall to escape.

Then the Yan Tian Shuang Jian would have scattered, with one chasing Goeak and the other trying to kill him.

Or they could have let Goeak go and just killed him.

After all, the target that needed to be killed today was him.

No matter what situation unfolded, the chances of survival would have been greater than now.

Goeak must have known that.

“Earlier, you asked who I wanted to kill to become stronger, right?” Only then did Bi Sa-in realize that the people Goeak wanted to kill were the Yan Tian Shuang Jian.

“Then you should have left even more!” He must have wanted the secret technique because he thought he could not win yet.

Goeak sighed lightly.

That was true.

As could be seen from their earlier clash, he still could not win against them.

The gap in strength between Bi Sa-in and them would be even greater.

In the end, it was a fight he could not win.

Yet why did he stay? It was troubling to leave the small leader of the Seven Great Masters to die, but there was a bigger reason.

“This is all because of Guangseom.”

He felt dirty for being betrayed by Guangseom.

He had been cursing all along, but if he ran away like this, he would ultimately be just another human.

If Bi Sa-in had said something cold or cursed, perhaps he would have exchanged blows and then fled.

But seeing him send him off with kind words, he ultimately could not leave.

He should not have given such advice not to be deceived by kindness.

“I want to receive the secret technique from you.”

Bi Sa-in could not understand.

Was it that people changed when it was time to die? Or had he changed because of the way he treated him?

People were truly unpredictable.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have stolen the secret technique and given it to you earlier.”

Goeak clenched his fists tightly.

A tremendous aura of someone prepared for death flowed out.

“I no longer need it. I will kill those guys and retire today.”

Bi Sa-in slowly drew his sword.

A sharp chill emanated from his blade.

“On the day you retire, I will prepare the largest and most splendid golden basin in the martial world.”

And if he could survive today… he would dance that day.