Chapter: 816
The atmosphere feels chillingly tense.
Their eyes are fixed on me, and the boiling rage stimulates my heart.
Thump.
Feeling the short, rapid beats, I moved my hand.
Huh-! Even my slight movement provokes a reaction from them.
A heightened sense of vigilance washes over me.
The fingertips that moved grasped the teacup.
Before I smash the table, I intentionally kept it floating in midair.
Letting it spill like this would be a shame, right? The food is tasty, but the tea is also quite good.
Slurp. I took a sip to moisten my throat.
Until that moment, the surroundings remained eerily quiet.
Just as the silence was about to be maintained,
“… how on earth did you know…?”
The man who questioned me earlier throws the same question my way.
I know exactly what the question implies.
“What’s that?”
But I feigned ignorance and shot back.
Then the man furrows his brow and adds,
“How did you know where this place is?”
“Ah, that.”
What he means is how did I know this is the territory of Gyecheonmun?
“Of course, that’s a secret.”
“…”
There’s no way I’d spill that.
Why would I divulge such precious information?
While it is valuable information, it’s just something I caught wind of in my previous life; it would probably surprise them.
Naturally, I intended to leverage that.
“It’s not really important how I knew. At least to me.”
Creak. Leaning back, the chair squeaks underneath me.
It didn’t seem like a very good chair.
“What’s important right now is not that…”
“Eek-!”
I yanked the hair of the woman sprawled on the floor.
“Where is your master? That’s what I asked, didn’t I?”
“… you bastard-!”
Thud.
“—!!”
A harsh sound echoes as the woman screams.
I twisted her left arm.
It bent in a weird manner, clearly depicting agony.
“My words are short. If I say they’re short, should you also have a brief reply?”
“That brat-!”
“Can’t you shut up!?”
“Ha ha.”
It continues to be annoyingly short.
This time, I seized his right arm and was about to break it.
“Wait, just a second.”
The man abruptly halts my actions.
“D-Don’t.”
“…”
I was planning to exert pressure despite the lack of a response.
Seeing that, the man shouted again,
“Stop it!”
It was only when I noticed the change in his tone that I ceased my actions.
I smiled brightly at him.
“Now, that’s more like it.”
“… snap.”
“Open your eyes a bit wider. It’s only right that a guest is treated with some respect, don’t you think?”
“What on earth is the reason for this?”
“… Uh, I’m not really fond of repeating myself. Are you, by any chance, a bit slow on the uptake?”
I already explained my reasons from the get-go. I wonder why he keeps asking.
“I told you to call your master.”
“…”
“You still don’t get it? Should I help you understand?”
I released the woman and picked up something else.
It was a kid who had fainted after smacking his head on the table.
“Hey.”
No response from calling out to him.
Watching that, I stifled a laugh.
“The kid’s pretending to be unconscious. Want me to wake him up? It might hurt a bit if I do.”
“…!”
Finally, the guy slightly shudders awake.
“… Hyung…”
The kid, who had long been caught, now calls out to me with a tinge of sorrow.
“You’re quite the loser. How can you call me Hyung when you’re older than me? I might just yank your tongue out.”
This method was bound to be utterly futile.
This kid isn’t exactly innocent.
Although he’s made up, he probably looks like this due to illness.
I recognize this since there are occasionally brats like him among the hidden guests.
I clutched the kid’s head tightly.
“Ugh…!!!”
As I applied pressure, he immediately started drooling.
I tried to keep the strength at just the right level until a problem arose, but considering my recent troubles regulating my strength, I’m not too sure I can manage that.
It doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t work. My head won’t explode from this, right?
“Ugh… Ugh…”
“Stop it!”
“How can a greeting from the Murim Alliance be this cruel-!!”
The things I’m hearing are quite comical.
Cruel?
“Those who come near claiming to seek information must think of themselves as noble. Anyone who sees me would think I’m a clean-cut person.”
I noticed it from the moment I first entered the inn.
These guys were aware of my arrival from the start.
To be precise, they probably prepared the moment they realized I was nearby.
I caught the hint when I arrived in this neighborhood.
I sensed eyes on me from every direction.
They were so meticulous that I might not have noticed if I hadn’t been using my instincts.
This was a considerable level of hiding.
Bringing it up only raises their curiosity even more.
“Now, I’ve said this four times. Normally, I wouldn’t tolerate more than three… but seeing as you foot the bill for the food, I’ll let it slide this time. Listen carefully.”
“Ugh… Ugh…”
“Where is your Moonju? If you don’t answer within three counts, this kid dies.”
I raised three fingers and began folding them one by one.
“One. Two…”
I folded my fingers slightly faster as I quickly reached the last finger.
Just as I was about to apply force while folding my thumb…
“The Moonju isn’t here right now.”
“Oh.”
I heard a reply.
“Finally, an answer.”
If he had taken just a second longer, I would have had to clear away a corpse, so I’m grateful.
“The Moonju is absent?”
“… That… is correct. The Moonju is not currently present.”
“Where did he go?”
“…”
“Answer.”
“Ughhh!!!”
“It’s because of business…! He won’t return today.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Releasing my grip, I started to ease back on the head I held.
“Ughh…”
Once I loosened my hold, he fell back, clutching his head tightly.
It seemed it had been rather painful for him.
I turned my back on that fellow and stroked my chin.
‘He’s vacated.’
I repeated that thought in my head.
It’s likely that the power within the inn isn’t here at full strength.
However, it appears to be at a higher level than known.
That’s understandable though; aren’t they all wary of me?
With this number of people, they’re cautious of just one person – me?
This doesn’t stem simply from knowing I’m the head of the Murim Alliance.
‘I feel like they sense something.’
They likely intuitively recognize that I’m strong.
While I might have let some information slip on purpose, it’s still a peculiar feeling.
‘There’s definitely something different.’
Just based on the information Mukyeon provided, there’s no way this was possible.
It serves as evidence that something differs from what’s known.
In that case, is the intel provided by the Alliance flawed? Or is it otherwise?
‘Has something changed since acquiring this information?’
This is not how it should be, but it’s oddly intriguing.
If there’s something, it’s bothersome.
It keeps nagging at me.
“Hmm. That poses a problem… I need to talk to the Moonju.”
“… If you let me know what you wish to discuss, I will relay it respectfully.”
“Hey. I told you it’s a matter that concerns the Moonju directly. Forget the damn food.”
“…”
His brow furrows slightly at my words.
Seeing him stand up to speak, it seems he holds a position of some sort.
So I looked at him and asked.
“By the way, do you understand why I came?”
“… I don’t know.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“I know. In this situation, it’s unreasonable not to know you.”
“Who am I?”
When I asked with a sly grin, the man responded right away.
“The Star King of Shanxi. The hero of Henan and the next biggest figure of the next generation. That is you.”
“Hmm…”
I shouldn’t have asked.
Listening to the description only made me feel uneasy.
It’s filled with проблемы, but in the end, it confirmed my identity is known.
“Well then, think about it. Why do you suppose I came looking for you?”
“… I have no idea. That’s what we want to ask. Why in the world would a top figure come to such a distant place?”
Why ask such an obvious question?
“Of course, the target is you all. I certainly wouldn’t have come all this way just to cause a scene.”
“…”
I know that’s true.
That’s precisely the expression on his face. It felt rather peculiar.
“I’m the same way. I don’t particularly enjoy causing a fuss like this… But what can I do? I need to follow orders from above, right?”
It was more of a decision I made, rather than something imposed upon me, but I didn’t feel the need to elaborate on that.
“What do you mean by that-.”
“So… let’s skip the unnecessary talk. Let’s make this straightforward.”
“We’re not playing around…! I must reiterate, the Moonju…”
“Bow down.”
“…!”
Thud—!!
The man and everyone else around him instantly knelt down at my command.
Surprise surged across their faces at the sudden turn of events.
At the same time,
Fwaaaah—!!!
Kuuuu—!!
I released my energy, filling the room.
The vibrations spread and people clutched their chests in haste.
“Cough—!!”
“Ugh…!”
They staggered as the pressure grew, and those who were in dire pain coughed up blood, collapsing onto the floor in a daze.
This isn’t simply energy.
It’s a blend of seething rage and murderous intent, ramping up the intensity.
With everyone kneeling beneath my feet, I nodded.
“I must have been quite amusing.”
As always, speaking kindly didn’t register with them.
This foolish procedure never seemed to change, no matter the location.
“I suppose so. How funny would it be to attempt to trick someone with such nonsense?”
“I…”
The man remains fairly composed, as if his strength is not lacking.
Not bad. It would complement Seongyul quite well.
It was a shame that he was part of a minor sect, and not even one of rank like the Gyecheon sect.
Which, in turn, makes it all the more impressive.
Why would a guy like this even be here? That’s quite the mystery…
Well, that’s something to ponder later, right now, I need to prioritize other things first.
Creek—!!
The force weighs down the guest house, gradually bending it in.
Looking at the strength, I could tell it wouldn’t last long.
How would the human body fare against this?
They might be a bit sturdier since they are martial artists, but they certainly wouldn’t hold out long.
At this intensity, they would collapse in no time.
As I sensed that, I turned my head away.
“This isn’t a warning or anything. If I must, I’ll make it happen.”
I looked towards the kitchen, visible beyond the collapsed people.
I said it while staring at that spot.
No answer came.
I continued speaking as if I didn’t mind.
“If you want to confirm, feel free to carry on.”
Thump.
I filled my heart with strength to raise my energy. There was no hesitation.
I genuinely thought about destroying it all.
Might as well add some heat into the mix.
Just as I was formulating that thought,
“Heh heh.”
I briefly halted at the sound of laughter.
It was the voice I had been waiting for.
“… This is certainly worse than the rumors I heard.”
Clunk.
With soft footsteps, someone emerged from the kitchen.
An elderly man holding a kitchen knife appeared.
The peculiar thing was how his thick black hair starkly contrasted his wrinkled face.
I asked, slightly astonished.
“Did you, by any chance, prepare the food?”
“Yes. I’m glad it matched your taste.”
“Well, this is unexpected.”
I spoke honestly. The food was actually delicious; could this old man really have made it?
As I stood there in surprise, the old man addressed me again.
“It’s an honor to meet the great leader of the Alliance.”
As he grinned, the wrinkles around his eyes deepened.
“Since I’ve presented myself as you wished, could you please temper your anger?”
“It’s an honor, but it’s quite hard to see you like this.”
“Heh heh… I apologize. I tend to be a bit shy.”
The old man with black hair gradually closed the distance, moving through the air.
That old man was indeed him.
‘Gyecheonmunju Daehwan.’
I remembered catching a glimpse of his face before.
Whiiissh…
As if listening to someone, he retrieved his energy.
The energy circulating wildly around him coalesced, and coughs echoed repeatedly in the vicinity.
“Cough cough…!”
“Ugh…!”
As those freed from the oppressive pressure gasped for breath, Gyecheonmunju approached me, drawing up a chair to sit opposite.
He glanced first at the table, broken in half, then at the people who had fallen.
“Can I send the kids away for a while?”
“As you wish.”
Once granted permission, he waved his hand.
Whoosh-! A shadowy figure, resembling a child and a woman, swiftly launched into the air and landed elsewhere.
“Clear this up.”
“… Yes, yes.”
As the relatively unharmed ones tended to the injured,
“I am Daehwan, who oversees the main branch.”
The head of Gyecheonmun introduced himself.
“I’m aware.”
“First off, it appears the children may have been somewhat rude to the great leader… As the lord of the clan, I would like to apologize on their behalf.”
Gyecheonmunju slightly bowed his head.
I chuckled softly as I looked at him.
“Apology is nonsense.”
“…”
“You likely knew this already. No need to act so modest.”
“… Heh.”
It was unexpected to see him cooking in the kitchen.
But it was clear he knew I was coming.
“Old man, stop feigning innocence and just do your usual routine. It looks ridiculous.”
“…”
After I expressed my annoyance, it seemed a shift occurred in Gyecheonmunju.
The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that were previously trying to smile faded, and an eerie composure took over his demeanor.
“Ah, you sure have a sharp tongue for your age.”
Both his tone and manner of speaking had shifted.
“What I’m saying is, your little brats have a hell of a tongue. How dare you speak informally to the leader of the Alliance? You’ll take a beating for that.”
“Is it your deep power making you arrogant… or is this simply your nature?”
“How does it look?”
“I’m not interested. That’s not what concerns me. And yes, I’ve heard the rumors. The kid from Shanxi has become king… and that kid has now taken the mantle of the Alliance. However…”
The ominous look in Gyecheonmunju’s eyes flared.
“What brought such an esteemed king to seek out this old man?”
Grind—!
I felt something against my skin.
It didn’t feel pleasant. Ignoring it, I opened my mouth.
“Nothing too critical.”
As I spoke, I pulled out a letter from my pocket, displaying it to him.
It was a document branded with the Alliance’s seal.
“The Gyecheonmun of Sacheon. We have received reports linking you to the Demonic Cult that attacked Hanam. We plan to conduct a search for this… do you agree?”
“…”
Gyecheonmunju wore a look of utter disbelief at my declaration.
“Are you saying you came all this way alone for that? And openly, no less.”
“Should I have come just to eat peaceably? Forgive me, but I’m not one to indulge in feasts, so that’s not my intention. Oh, even if you don’t agree, it’s fine. It’s not like I actually need your consent.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“Hmm… then…”
After pretending to contemplate for a moment, I chuckled and replied,
“I’ll have to cuff you all and render you powerless. You guys are just a bunch of minor players anyway.”
“… Ha ha ha ha ha.”
Perhaps it struck him as amusing, as Gyecheonmunju burst into hearty laughter.
The sound was so loud it reverberated throughout the guesthouse.
As the laughter subsided, Gyecheonmunju’s expression abruptly shifted, almost as if flipping a switch.
“… I figured you came here alone.”
“Correct. We’d just arrived earlier today, and our kids seemed rather worn out.”
“But for you to act so brazenly, what confidence do you have?”
I tilted my head at Gyecheonmunju’s words.
“Was what I demonstrated not sufficient?”
Wouldn’t that be enough to disrupt them?
Gyecheonmunju responded to this thought with a chuckle.
“Hehe… No, it is sufficient. Moreover, you absolutely have the right to act with arrogance. I couldn’t fathom it from the rumors, but seeing it firsthand indeed prompts admiration. How can this be…?”
“Wow. Should I express my gratitude for your praise?”
“However, Daehwan.”
Gyecheonmunju’s eyes gleamed as he added.
“I acknowledge your divine status, but your pride has led you to lose your caution.”
“Hmm.”
A brief lapse from the celestial beings.
Seems they’re treating me like some great genius, but it came off oddly.
“The world isn’t simply what it seems.”
“That’s true. The world isn’t just what meets the eye.”
I couldn’t help but resonate with those sentiments.
“Seeing isn’t all that exists. That’s absolutely correct.”
“… Huh?”
“Anyways… There are many inquiries I wish to push for, yet I’ll provide you with an option. There’s something I would like to recommend.”
The furrowing of Gyecheonmunju’s brow deepened at my words.
“You refused to listen just now.”
“First. Keep squawking, and you’ll face a beating from me before ending up dragged into the Alliance.”
“W-What!?”
As Gyecheonmunju attempted to rise, ready to counter,
“Second. Team up with the Blue Dragon Lord later and prepare your plot against me.”
Stiff.
Upon uttering that phrase, Gyecheonmunju’s body froze completely.
At the same time, a look of confusion spread across his expression.
I found joy in his response and grinned broadly.
“What’s your preference? Which path do you wish to take?”
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.