Chapter 76
“…….”
Zhegal Haisu remained silent, while Nangong Jin tried to coax him with words.
“If you hesitate to speak the truth because of your father, there’s no need to worry too much. Of course, I will inform your father, but he won’t recklessly spread rumors even to the Martial Alliance.”
Zhegal Haisu finally nodded weakly.
Now that it was certain the Demonic Sect had interfered with the secret garden incident, this was no longer something he could handle alone.
Moreover, since he would likely remain close to Nangong Jin, he wouldn’t be able to hide it completely.
Nangong Jin valued righteousness and loyalty above life itself; once he spoke, he would not go back on his word.
‘If it’s only to inform the Zhegal family and not the Martial Alliance, that might be fine.’
Zhegal Haisu revealed that the secret elixirs and medicinal herbs hidden by his Uncle Zhegal Taek were scattered across various parts of the Central Plains.
“So what exactly did you go looking for this time?”
“Gu Ye Zi Zi Cao.”
Haisu also recounted what he had seen in that cave.
“Does your uncle have ties to the Demonic Sect?”
“I… want to believe he doesn’t. But one thing is certain: only my uncle and I know the location of this secret garden.”
“……I see.”
“Where is your uncle now?”
Soso thought that to resolve this matter, they would need to meet Zhegal Taek in person.
“I don’t know. But I think we need to find the next secret garden even before the Demonic Sect does.”
“Where is the next one?”
“It’s in Sichuan…”
Haisu hesitated, glancing at her.
Sichuan.
It was a place Soso knew very well—a place that naturally reminded her of her hometown, a place she had always held in her heart.
‘Where the Qingcheng Sect once stood.’
Now, five years after Soso’s death, what had become of the place where the Qingcheng Sect had been?
Was it abandoned, a ruin where no one dared to go?
She couldn’t lie—she wanted to go.
But the thought of seeing the place, now devoid of even remnants of the buildings, scared her.
If she stood there, she feared she would be haunted by the horrific final moments of the Qingcheng Sect, ravaged by fire.
Soso’s face paled.
“But for now, we should probably stop elsewhere first.”
Zhegal Haisu naturally changed the subject, noticing her distress at the thought of Qingcheng Sect.
“San’a, if you wish, we can skip Sichuan. It’s a bit far, and we could visit another place first.”
“No. I really want to go to Sichuan at least once. But for now, as you said, we should stop elsewhere first.”
“Alright.”
“You mean the Wudang sect, right?”
“Ah… about that…”
Haisu exhaled deeply, speaking with a serious tone.
“Could we stop at the Zhegal family first? It seems something has gone wrong there.”
“……!”
“Could it be…”
Nangong Jin trailed off, as if sensing something.
Haisu nodded and, in a very low voice, revealed what he had heard from his sworn brother:
That a member of the Demonic Sect had infiltrated the Zhegal family.
“San’a, Brother Nangong, I apologize for changing our schedule because of me.”
His apology was sincere, devoid of the usual playful tone.
“Don’t mention it. If I heard my own family was in danger, I’d rush back immediately too.”
Soso placed a plate with delicious-looking dumplings in front of Haisu.
“Eat and gather your strength. Being listless doesn’t suit you.”
“You really are a fairy, aren’t you? Your kindness… it moves me so much I feel like crying.”
“Ah, stop exaggerating! I haven’t gone entirely easy on you either.”
Soso lowered her voice and continued:
“You said there are ties to the Demonic Sect. Let’s find their remnants in the Zhegal family and interrogate them. I know you’re skilled in interrogation.”
Unlike usual, Soso boosted Haisu’s confidence. A faint smile appeared on Haisu’s previously tense face.
“I will give them a thorough scolding with my pressure points.”
“That’s perfect.”
Soso smiled softly. She was glad Haisu smiled, even slightly.
“Anyway, I don’t entirely trust what you told me, Haisu.”
“Really?”
“We will go to the Zhegal family, but before that, let’s meet Wuye Yao Xian and gather more information about them.”
“…….”
“The Zhu Lou, where Wuye Yao Xian is expected to appear, is a place frequently used by the Zhegal family. We should get a sense of how things are going there.”
The two listening to Haisu nodded in agreement.
“But what about the payment? You didn’t get the Gu Ye Zi Zi Cao, right?”
“Haisu eventually received it from San’a. But don’t mention it—I got it by chance myself.”
With that much excuse, no one could press Haisu further. Soso assumed the money was given out of pity.
“Yes, San’a.”
“Haisu, I agree with Lord Bai. It doesn’t matter if we go to the Wudang sect or the Zhegal family first. But…”
Nangong Jin had looked serious the entire time, and now he revealed what he considered urgent.
“After hearing what you said, two questions remain unresolved.”
“What are they?”
“First, whether your uncle is colluding with the Demonic Sect is still uncertain.”
“I was wondering the same.”
“And second, why the Demonic Sect is targeting the elixirs and medicinal herbs.”
Soso naturally spoke her thoughts aloud.
“Could it be because of the ‘mania’?”
“……!”
“Perhaps the Heavenly Demon suffers from mania, and the Demonic Sect is trying everything to cure it.”
Otherwise, there’d be no reason for someone of the Soul Mage’s rank to act personally. And they wouldn’t give the elixirs to just any Demonic Sect member.
“San’a, you really are smart!”
“I was thinking along the same lines as Lord Bai.”
A Heavenly Demon suffering from mania…
Soso wondered who that could be. One of the people kidnapped during the Eight-Person Blood Chaos, or someone she had never known?
“But I don’t think the elixirs or herbs could cure mania.”
This wasn’t mere speculation.
Soso had witnessed Nangong Hyeok transforming into a madman. Seeing his magical energy erupting violently across his body gave her goosebumps.
Even if one succeeded in expelling a portion of his magical energy, it was still terrifying.
Speaking as someone who possessed elixir-like energy, she could never suppress mania with it. Something equally explosive was clearly required.
‘Was the Golden Divine Maiden’s healing ability 50 years ago that explosive? Or did she have another method?’
It was hard to know.
“According to Lord Bai, that’s the fortunate part.”
“But, San’a…”
“Yes, Zhegal Haisu?”
“If, as you said, the Heavenly Demon suffers from mania and is gathering those with elixir-like energy to cure it…”
“Yes.”
Haisu’s face was graver than when confessing he lost the herbs.
“Should we find the Golden Divine Maiden?”
“……What?”
“Fifty years ago, everyone hushes about the Golden Divine Maiden, but the tale remains. Even the Zhegal family remembers it.”
“Yes… that’s true.”
“The Demonic Sect would know as well. They must know about her.”
Soso began to understand what Haisu was implying.
“You mean… I could be in danger?”
The two men nodded, unable to answer directly.
