Chapter 646
At this rate, I was going to be branded a traitor, so I ended up explaining everything that happened at the Grand Assembly from beginning to end.
Of course, I also answered the questions that came in between.
“You gained the approval of more than half of the tribe chiefs?”
“Yes. They even cupped their fists. Said they were grateful for saving their people and kin.”
“My goodness. I had a hunch when you didn’t return, but… An outsider—no, a Han—attending the Grand Assembly? That must be a first in the history of the Southern Barbarian Region, no, in the entire history of Murim.”
At Ju Hwaran’s astonished expression, Nam Ho beside her smiled warmly and added,
“Of course, it’s a first. It’s the first time an outsider attended the Grand Assembly, and the first time that outsider fought with the Great Chief of the White Tribe. Oh yes, quite the record.”
“Haha. How proud and delightful. It makes me laugh just hearing it. Don’t mind me and continue.”
It was impossible ‘not’ to mind him, but I continued anyway.
“Anyway, the assembly started like this…”
As I went on with my explanation, Ju Hwaran’s eyes widened.
“The [Blood Monk]? I heard he’s currently causing chaos in Guizhou. They say he’s already slaughtered hundreds and is running rampant. I’d never heard that nickname before, though. Have you, Lady Ju?”
The headquarters of the Dragon Phoenix Escort Agency was in Sichuan, which bordered the southeastern region of Guizhou.
Even though their influence had waned recently, they were once one of the most renowned escort agencies in the world, so their intelligence network was still formidable.
‘So if anyone would know, it’d be her.’
But that hope quickly faded.
Ju Hwaran, after hearing the Blood Monk’s traits from me, shook her head.
“I’m sorry. There are a few faintly familiar nicknames, but none of them belong to experts of that level. And there’s no distinct physical trait either.”
“I see.”
I was admittedly disappointed, but I didn’t show it.
As she said, it was nearly impossible to identify someone just by vague characteristics without any physical clues.
All I’d managed to find out was that the person was middle-aged, seemed to have reached the super-master level, and used a steel-made spade as his unique weapon.
‘Well, Murim is enormous.’
And not just in size—there were countless people, too.
There were guys carrying cheap swords made of scrap iron who still called themselves things like “Flying Dragon” or “Sword Ghost” and strutted around proudly.
‘It’s like trying to find a single grain of sand in an endless desert.’
As I smacked my lips in frustration, Ju Hwaran, who had been thinking with a troubled look, suddenly spoke.
“Oh, but in matters like that, Escort Song probably knows better than I do. Right, Escort Song?”
Oh? She’s right.
Everyone’s gaze, mine included, turned toward one person.
As always, Song Ilseom—silent and stoic—murmured.
“Hmm, not sure.”
‘Not sure, my ass.’
Having fully grasped his personality, I tossed him a silver tael.
“Hey, [Soul Extractor]. If you know something, spit it out.”
Though he now worked as a mere escort, Song Ilseom was a martial prodigy descended from the Guangdong Jin Clan—one who had survived over a hundred life-or-death duels at a young age and become a living legend among wanderers.
And wanderers, more than anyone, were sensitive to people and rumors. Their lives literally depended on it.
‘Clack.’
Catching the flying silver tael, Song Ilseom frowned.
“Do I look like some money-hungry fool to you?”
“Then what, you don’t like it?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“If I give you more?”
“Even better.”
“There you go, take another. Money-crazed bastard.”
‘Whoosh. Clack.’
“…This feels filthy somehow.”
Having secured a hefty bonus, Song Ilseom sighed and began to speak.
“A middle-aged man who uses a spade?”
“Yeah. I heard it’s made of steel.”
“Any details on his appearance?”
“Nothing much. Bald, no beard. The survivor who made it to the Southern Barbarian Region only got that far before dying.”
“A total mess, huh. Still, three names come to mind. There aren’t many in Murim who use a spade as a signature weapon.”
“Oh, three?”
“There’s just one problem…”
“It’s fine. Say it.”
Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Song Ilseom finally said,
“They’re all dead.”
“What?”
“To be exact, I killed them. I happened to face them on commission.”
“Well… that can happen, I guess. What about the other two?”
“What do you mean, other two?”
“You just said you killed one.”
“I killed all three. Two on the battlefield, one in a duel to the death. The last one was the strongest.”
A heavy silence followed before Nam Ho muttered, echoing everyone’s thoughts.
“There’s another lunatic among us.”
Whoever the other lunatic was, I fully agreed.
I looked at Song Ilseom blankly, wondering whether to take back the silver first or punch him before taking it back.
Then I noticed someone watching him with disdain and spoke up.
“Hey, you filthy demonic scoundrel.”
“…Demonic scoundrel?”
“Yeah. You got any clues?”
The strongest demonic faction in the current Murim, the self-proclaimed ruler of Gansu—the Great Black Dragon Demon Sect. Its branch lord, Sama Pyo, frowned.
“I’ve got three things to say. First, I’m not a demonic scoundrel. Second, Gansu and Guizhou are nearly a thousand li apart, not easy to travel between. Third, why the hell would I know?”
“Because you’re from a demonic sect.”
“…What?”
“Evil folks tend to know other evil folks. That’s just how it goes. If not, whatever.”
As Sama Pyo froze like a statue, I waved him off and turned to the massive “demonic scoundrel” beside him.
But before I could speak, I heard a loud, unmistakable response.
‘Grrrgle. Rrrrumble.’
What the hell.
This wasn’t the World Cup finals—yet that deep, powerful stomach growl echoed through the Southern Barbarian Region. Nam Ho burst out laughing.
“Haha! That guy, I swear. If I’d learned any martial arts, I’d have split that damned belly open! Hahaha!”
Judging from how often he laughed lately, he was half out of his mind. Hyuk Mu-jin, looking terrified, spoke up.
“Um, Captain.”
“Head down.”
“…What?”
“Ah, habit. Sorry. But if you spout nonsense like the others, I’ll kill you.”
“No, I just meant… That Blood Monk guy, there’s barely any info on him for someone from Murim, right?”
Out of all that had been said so far, his words were the most reasonable after Ju Hwaran’s. I scratched the back of my head in frustration.
“True. How old is that bastard anyway, that no one knows him?”
Nam Ho, who had been glaring at Taesan, joined in.
“Speaking as someone old enough to know, I’ve never heard of such a man. There was a demonic monk called ‘Killer of Buddhas’ during the Great War of Justice and Evil, but his characteristics don’t match this Blood Monk. Besides, he was already ancient back then—he’s likely long dead.”
He was right. Nam Ho wasn’t just any elder; he’d once held an important position in the Shadow Pavilion.
‘Then what the hell is he? At this point, he’s like a hidden hermit.’
If even Nam Ho—who’d lived through past eras—and the current Flame Dragon Pavilion members didn’t know, then this man was truly a monster out of legend.
Still, the most important thing right now wasn’t the Blood Monk’s true identity, but his backing and motive.
As if reading my thoughts, Nam Ho tapped his knee and spoke.
“I can’t say for sure yet, but there’s a strong chance the Blood Monk is tied to Dark Heaven.”
“I agree. That’s what I said at the assembly, too.”
“What did the Beast Miao King and the other tribe chiefs say?”
“They decided to send some scouts and warriors toward Guizhou… but I couldn’t shake off the reaction I saw from Baek Sang.”
“He told you not to concern yourself, didn’t he?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t be surprised. It’s not the first time. Since the Great War of Justice and Evil, Baek Sang has loathed anything to do with the Central Plains. Even the remaining trade routes with Murim were closed due to the White Tribe and others’ opposition. But the real question is…”
Nam Ho sighed deeply.
“Whether Baek Sang’s actions come from a father’s grief for losing his only child in the Han’s war—or from a deep-seated resentment toward the orthodox Murim itself.”
“If it’s the former,” I said quietly, “then it’ll end with a grieving father’s defiance. But if it’s the latter…”
Ju Hwaran, who had been listening in silence, murmured softly,
“It would be betrayal. Enough to endanger the entire Southern Barbarian Region.”
“Exactly. If he’s joined hands with Dark Heaven, things will spiral out of control.”
An enemy within was far deadlier than one outside.
No matter how solid a fortress, if it collapsed from within, it was no different from a sandcastle swept away by waves.
And if that traitor happened to be one of the two powers ruling the Southern Barbarian Region alongside the Beast Miao King—
‘Then it’s over.’
We had to uncover and stop it—whatever internal scheme was unfolding, and wherever the Blood Monk was heading now across distant Guizhou.
Even if the system that brought me from an F-rank Hunter to where I was now existed, it couldn’t split my body in two.
‘In that case…’
I slowly scanned the people around me, recalling their skills, personalities, and temperaments.
Who would be most suitable?
Who could return alive from an unknown danger?
As I fell into deep thought, someone suddenly spoke.
“I’ll go.”
“Please let me handle it. I’ll complete the mission and return safely.”
I was startled—not because she had read my mind without me saying a word, but because the one who spoke was none other than Ju Hwaran.
And my response came out instantly, as if pre-decided.
“No.”
“Why not? Do you think that old monster, the Blood Monk, will harm me?”
“That’s…”
“I may not be your equal in martial skill, but I believe I can protect myself.”
“Lady Ju.”
“I understand your concern. Of course, I can’t defeat him alone. But the warriors selected by the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace will accompany me, along with some of your Flame Dragon Pavilion members, won’t they? Please tell me if I’m wrong.”
I remained silent. She was right.
We were planning to send some of our members with the scouts to uncover the Blood Monk’s identity and goal—possibly even fight if needed.
But what I hadn’t anticipated was Ju Hwaran’s volunteering.
“Lord… No, Benefactor.”
Benefactor—
It was the same title she’d used months ago in Sichuan, right after the Dragon Phoenix Escort Agency incident ended.
A faint scent of flowers from that time seemed to drift past my memory.
And under the moonlight, her moist eyes now gleamed with firm resolve.
“Please let me go.”
“I can do this.”
At that moment, a thought crossed my mind—that I might never be able to refuse her again when she looked at me like that.
‘Haa.’
The wind was hot, and the taste in my mouth bitter.
With a small sigh, I finally nodded.
Ju Hwaran’s face brightened instantly.
From afar, the music signaling the start of the evening banquet began to echo.