Chapter 651

There are countless things in this world that cannot be solved by conviction alone.

That was true for the 21st century I lived in—a modern world governed by laws—and it was no different in the Murim, which was, in comparison, a near lawless land.

And if the issue concerned someone who stood at a level “below one, above ten thousand” in the vast land of the Southern Barbarian Region, then it went without saying.

However…

– The Great Chief Baeksang has been colluding with Dark Heaven.

If that’s true, then the story changes entirely.

I unconsciously set down the chopsticks I had just broken in half.

The old stall owner shot me a dissatisfied look, muttering under his breath, but all my attention was focused solely on one man—Heukung.

– Are you certain about what you just said?
– I’m certain. Or at least, I believe I am.

‘What?’

I barely managed to stop myself from frowning.

– That sounds like you don’t have solid evidence. This kind of matter can’t be “believed to be certain.” It must be certain.
– Hmph… But still.

Heukung swallowed dryly before sending another sound transmission.

– That’s the best I can tell you. The Great Chief Baeksang is a man filled with secrets. Even though I, too, lead one of the four great tribes of the Southern Barbarians… he’s never once truly discussed anything of importance with me.

For a brief instant, I caught a glimpse of something flickering across Heukung’s face as he spoke.

It was humiliation.

That feeling had likely been festering within him for many years.

As I watched him silently, I finally parted my lips.

– Is that why?
– Why, what do you mean?
– The reason you betrayed the man you once followed and sent me that secret letter. The reason you’re telling me this now. Is it because of how you feel toward Baeksang?
– Be… betrayal? That’s…
– If this isn’t betrayal, then I’m not a Central Plains man but a Southern Barbarian. So don’t bother denying it.

Heukung bit his lip tightly, then gave a small nod.

– Fine. I won’t deny it. Ever since my father fell in the Great War of Justice and Evil, I’ve lived under Baeksang’s shadow. Or rather, I’ve been dragged around by an invisible leash. But meeting you… that wasn’t just because of resentment.

– Then why?

– I want to protect the Southern Barbarians—my people.

– The Baeksang I know was always cold and brilliant. He would never bend his will. He’ll always believe his choice is right. But at this rate… the Southern Barbarians are doomed.

I silently stared at Heukung.

In the corner of a bustling street, inside a small food stall, we exchanged words that could topple nations. Yet I couldn’t tell how much of it I could trust.

‘Can I believe him?’

It wasn’t just the information that was in question. It was Heukung himself, the man who had appeared out of nowhere seeking secret contact.

In fact, whether or not I could trust him mattered most. Only then could I trust what he hadn’t yet told me.

‘So far, everything about him seems sincere. But what if it’s all an act?’

The Murim is a ruthless, ever-changing world where tomorrow can’t be predicted.

Knights, rogues, demonic cultivators, and hypocrites—countless kinds of people living by deceit, betrayal, and hidden daggers.

‘In Murim, nothing is impossible.’

As I quietly weighed the situation, the old stall owner broke the silence.

Tap.

His trembling hands set down a steaming bowl, and the broth spilled over the edge.

The cheap noodles, barely worth a few coins, were tangled together chaotically—much like my own thoughts.

“Here it is. Drink the broth first—that’s where the real flavor is.”

Heukung tried to sound cheerful, but his eyes darted nervously as he scanned the surroundings.

– Be careful. The Great Chief Baeksang has unseen eyes and ears everywhere. I’ll have to return within half an hour to avoid suspicion.
– You slipped away while accompanying him, didn’t you?
– No. But there are always watchers nearby—spies planted long ago to monitor my every move. It should be fine for now, though.

He didn’t have to say who planted those spies. The answer was obvious.

‘Baeksang, of course.’

Staring blankly at the steaming noodles would be too suspicious.

I began eating naturally while sending another sound transmission.

– Since when have you been under surveillance?
– Hard to say. But I first noticed it in my twenties. For over twenty years, I’ve lived under Baeksang’s scrutiny. I even secretly mastered the [Bone Shrinking Technique] because of it. It leaves almost no trace during cultivation.

At that point, I had to adjust my opinion of Heukung.

‘Not bad.’

It was almost funny, judging a man well past forty like that—but compared to the smiling, carefree face I saw earlier, this was a completely different person.

‘He learned how to survive in his own way.’

Heukung’s sudden secret contact was still suspicious, but the more I listened, the more believable he became.

And maybe, just maybe, the surprisingly good taste of these noodles helped.

Slurp.

After finishing the rich broth, I pulled out a few coins and placed them beside the empty bowl.

Then I stood up without hesitation, lightly patting Heukung’s shoulder as he stared up in surprise.

“You were right. The broth’s good here.”

“Th-that’s good to hear. But where are you—”

“What do you mean? Once you’re done eating, it’s time to get moving. You look like you’ve got somewhere to be too, no?”

His eyes widened slightly. He must have heard the transmission I sent with those words.

– Follow me. Keep your distance.

The appetizer was done. Time for the main course.

– Let’s hear it all. Everything you’ve seen and heard by Baeksang’s side.

—

The crowded street bustled with life.

Blending into the flow of people, Heukung and I walked apart but stayed within earshot, exchanging quiet transmissions.

– Let’s get to the point. Are there clear signs that Baeksang is working with Dark Heaven?
– I have no tangible proof, but from what I’ve seen, I’m certain.
– Without proof, that’s not enough.
– I had no choice. I was nothing more than livestock living inside Baeksang’s pen.
– Then when did you start suspecting it, and why?
– I may have been trapped in his pen, but I wasn’t blind. I could still peek outside. As a Great Chief myself, I sometimes shared seats with him. Or perhaps he simply didn’t care enough to notice me. Which, to be fair, isn’t wrong.

His self-deprecating voice carried through the sound transmission.

– Do you know what kind of man Baeksang is? Or what the Baek Tribe really is?

– I don’t know much about the Southern Barbarians, but I’ve heard things from reliable sources. And I’ve made my own judgment about Baeksang.

– Judgment, huh? Interesting.

– Interesting? What’s so funny about that?

– It’s simple. I’ve known him since childhood, and I’ve had to revise my judgment of him countless times. The older I got, the more I realized how little I understood.

– That’s the kind of man he is. This land of dense forests and deep swamps—secrets here never leak. For example…

His voice trailed off.

Then, catching my gaze, Heukung’s eyes gleamed sharply.

– Even now, the Baek Tribe’s elite warriors may be waiting in some secret location within the Southern Barbarian lands.

I froze. Pretending to look at a nearby stall, I quietly replied.

– Go on.

– Did I ever tell you about my father? He was a respected Great Chief and an exceptional warrior. His loyal followers risked their lives to help me. Thanks to them, I learned of that secret place.

– Do you know the exact location?

– I did. Twenty years ago.

– …Twenty years?

– The only thing that came back was a letter, written in blood. When I went to the location days later under the pretense of a beast hunt, I saw the mountain engulfed in flames.

– The fire burned for more than a month before it finally died down. When it did, nothing remained but ashes. Strange, isn’t it?

Heukung’s tone grew bitter.

– As my father’s loyal men died one after another, I learned more. Baeksang exchanged secret letters on the first day of each month, between 3 and 5 a.m. He also disappeared once every three months. Last year, that became once a month.

– The man who last followed him was my most trusted subordinate. I never saw him again.

Silence fell.

Laughter and cheers filled the street around us, but not between us.

‘Baeksang and Dark Heaven… and Heukung.’

Which part of this was truth, and which was a lie?

My mind felt clouded, as if wrapped in poison fog.

But beyond that haze, one face lingered—the one I had always kept in sight, both in mind and in heart.

‘Baeksang.’

And another, still unseen.

The name flashed in my mind. I turned to Heukung.

– What about the others?
– Others? Who?
– The other Great Chief—Yohee.
– …You’ve been curious, haven’t you? I’ve avoided mentioning her for a reason.

His gaunt body shuddered faintly as his gaze trembled.

– She’s done nothing wrong.
– …What?
– Only made a wrong choice. All she ever wanted was to restore her tribe.

His words faded, and I blinked slowly, feeling the back of my neck go numb.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’

– Don’t tell me you actually… like her?
– Like? No. I love her.
– Are you out of your damn mind?

Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable.

So that goofy smile every time Yohee was mentioned—wasn’t an act after all.

And now he was even defending her like some tragic romantic hero.

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to yell aloud as I sent a sharp transmission.

– Can you say that in front of the Beast Miao King? That she’s not at fault?
– That’s why I came to you. First, because I knew the Palace Lord wouldn’t trust me more than Baeksang. And second… because I knew you wouldn’t forgive her.
– Wow. “Our Yohee,” huh?
– Ah, sorry. But please understand. If you and the Palace Lord will allow it, I’m willing to testify at tomorrow’s tribal council. But I need a promise of safety for both of us.

A good offer—and a troubling one.

And both shared one thing in common: I couldn’t decide here and now.

Heukung was one thing. But Yohee? That would be like granting amnesty to a traitor. I’m no fool who forgives collaborators.

‘But if the Beast Miao King allows it…’

If that happened, everything would fall neatly into place. If Heukung’s words were true, we could uproot Dark Heaven’s influence from the Southern Barbarians—and perhaps even bring the Beast Miao Palace into the Murim Alliance.

As long as… it was all true.

– Then it must be true. Absolutely.

Swoosh!

A surge of energy filled the air.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Heukung’s face turned pale as he whispered:

– I swear it… on my life.

I withdrew my energy.

Heukung, panting, gave one last glance around, nodded slightly, and disappeared into the crowd.

Half an hour had already passed.

“…Phew.”

Only then did I let out a deep breath and turn away.

Before reporting this to the Beast Miao King, I had to stop by my quarters to discuss it with the Fire Dragon Pavilion members.

‘Those damned troublemakers… hopefully they haven’t caused any chaos yet.’

—

Out in the yard, Sama Pyo drew his blade with a metallic whisper.

He wondered whether his wretched fate was his own doing—or the karmic burden of that damned drunkard he served.

“So let me ask you this…”

Srrrk—

The Black Dragon Blade glimmered coldly as he took a step forward.

“What do you all think?”

Rustle—

The bushes surrounding the training ground began to stir.