Chapter 165:…………………………………….
Baekryeong’s Day (2)
‘They’re imprisoning criminals without revealing it to the outside world….’
The conversation with Muangwi had helped him understand this place a little better.
First, even the prisoners here did not know exactly where they were.
And since it had been roughly twenty years since Muangwi disappeared from the Central Plains, it meant that for two whole decades, for whatever reason, the Martial Alliance had left people like him confined here.
If that was true…
‘…Then it’s possible.’
It was possible that the Sword God—whose fate the Martial Alliance had never publicly announced—was somewhere in this place.
With that thought, Baekryeong quickened his pace, carefully observing the prisoners behind the iron bars as he passed.
Step. Step.
“Hey, you there. Look this way for a moment.”
“…What is it? Food?”
“Let’s see… No. Never mind. Rest.”
He passed by those whose faces he could clearly see, and called out to those hidden in shadow to check their faces.
A few prisoners, realizing Baekryeong was not a warrior of the Martial Alliance and trying to raise a commotion, were knocked unconscious by a flick of finger wind.
He had inspected over a dozen cells this way.
Now only a few remained.
Hoping the Sword God might be in one of them, Baekryeong carefully examined the rest.
And the result…
“…What? They’re empty?”
The five or so cells at the very back were completely vacant.
Dust had piled thickly inside, as though no one had occupied them for a long time.
What should he do?
After pausing at the end cell to think, Baekryeong approached the last cell that had held a prisoner and raised his lantern.
Inside was a huge, disheveled man, nearly the size of Seokdu.
“You there. I have a question.”
“……”
“Can’t hear me? Are you deaf?”
“Tsk… Who dares disturb this elder’s sleep…”
The man answered in a gravelly voice and slowly lifted his head from the darkness.
When he opened his eyes, vivid red pupils gleamed sharply.
“A red-eyed giant…? I’ve heard of—”
As Baekryeong searched his memory, he suddenly realized the man’s identity and widened his eyes.
Around the time Muangwi disappeared, there had been an evil figure who briefly threw the unorthodox faction into chaos before vanishing.
“Don’t tell me… the Red-Eyed Blood Demon?”
“Heh heh… What’s this? You know this elder?”
At the sound of his old nickname, a crooked smile formed on the Red-Eyed Blood Demon’s lips.
“It’s been well over a decade since I came here… How admirable. To think someone still remembers this elder’s fame.”
“…Not fame. Infamy.”
Baekryeong replied indifferently.
“A murderer who dreamed of rebirth by bathing in the vital blood of a hundred virgin boys and girls, hunted down by the Martial Alliance. I thought you’d been captured and executed. Didn’t expect you to be alive here.”
“Heh… A hundred, you say? Is that what the rumor claimed? Absurd.”
“You’re saying it was false?”
“It was a thousand.”
“….”
“How could rebirth be achieved with a mere hundred lives? Heh heh. I failed only because I killed no more than about five hundred.”
“…You’re insane. Just like the rumors said.”
Clicking his tongue briefly, Baekryeong fixed him with cold eyes.
“Well, I’m not exactly pure myself, so that’s beside the point… Do you know anything about the others? Anyone who used to be here and disappeared?”
“Heh heh. Why ask? Looking for someone?”
“Quite famous. Captured by the Martial Alliance about twenty years ago. No news since.”
“Hmm… Famous, you say. Someone I would know?”
“Probably.”
The Sword God had been universally acknowledged as the greatest under heaven in his time.
The Red-Eyed Blood Demon, who had once shaken the Central Plains with his notoriety, could hardly have been unaware of him.
As if trying to read Baekryeong’s thoughts, the man’s red eyes gleamed before he curled one corner of his mouth.
“Well… I don’t know everyone here. But each of them probably has some name of their own.”
“…So you don’t know.”
“But one.”
“……”
“He’s not in this underground prison now… but there was one very famous man who entered here. Stayed briefly, then vanished. Few would know of it.”
“Who?”
“…Why should I tell you?”
With a sticky smile, the Red-Eyed Blood Demon countered Baekryeong’s question.
Mockery flickered in his oily gaze.
“I can tell just by looking at your eyes. You’ve killed plenty too, haven’t you? So why are you standing out there, and I’m locked in here? Hmm?”
“…So you won’t answer?”
“It’s agony… I want to tear someone apart right now. Bathe in blood. Instead, I live like a pig, eating the slop they feed me in this nauseating place.”
As if ignoring Baekryeong entirely, the man trembled with his head lowered.
After a moment, he raised it again and stared straight at him.
“Release me. Do that, and I’ll tell you everything I know. Including about the man you’re seeking.”
“…Nonsense. You’re locked in this tiny cell—how can I trust you know anything?”
“Heh heh. I have ears. Just picking up bits of chatter from those who come and go, one can learn more than you’d think.”
Licking his lips, he continued.
“The man you seek… strong, isn’t he? Hardly an equal in the martial world.”
“……”
“Heh heh heh… As I thought. From what I’ve overheard, it’s easy enough to guess. So? Free me, and—”
“Impossible.”
Baekryeong cut him off.
“Another prisoner made the same offer. My answer was the same. This is an underground prison within the Martial Alliance. Escaping with you is impossible.”
“Heh heh… As expected… Then I have nothing more to say. I won’t let you walk away with everything you want.”
Negotiations broken, the Red-Eyed Blood Demon closed his eyes without hesitation and leaned against the wall.
“Go. This elder wishes to return to sleep.”
A clear declaration—no release, no words.
That was as far as Baekryeong could go.
The man was sharper than he appeared. Revealing more about himself would be dangerous.
‘…That’s as far as it goes with him.’
Withdrawing the lantern, Baekryeong moved on to other prisoners.
He asked the same questions to several more, but the answers were similar.
Having gained nothing further, Baekryeong returned to Gwangpae.
“So, in conclusion—the Sword God wasn’t in the underground prison either?”
“Yes. I suspect he may have stayed there briefly… but that’s not certain.”
“Hmm….”
On the roof of their quarters, Gwangpae folded his arms and gazed at the night sky after hearing the full report.
“That one who acted like he knew the Sword God—can I meet him?”
“You’re asking me to break him out?”
“No. I mean, could I go meet him myself?”
“…Hard to say.”
Baekryeong replied skeptically.
“Unlikely. There’s nowhere to hide in that prison, and no matter how foolish the Martial Alliance may be, they won’t be breached twice. Security must be tighter.”
“Ugh….”
“And we have no way of knowing whether they were telling the truth or lying. Most are men who committed evil without hesitation. Hard to take their words at face value. Be satisfied with confirming the Sword God isn’t there.”
“…Very well.”
Scratching the back of his head, Gwangpae conceded.
“In that case… I’ll have nothing to tell Pyeongha.”
“Do you think Pyeongha even wants to know? About his father?”
“He’s only holding back because he’s deep-hearted. How could he not be curious about his own blood? It’s only a matter of time.”
“…True.”
Baekryeong sighed and looked up at the sky as well.
“…Will you tell him everything? The truth?”
“…I should. I can’t lie. But first, after we leave the Martial Alliance.”
Unbeknownst to Pyeongha, he now stood upon a board laid by his father’s enemies.
And the opponent he had vowed to defeat in the finals was none other than the great-grandson of the former Alliance Leader—effectively his father’s enemy.
Until now, Pyeongha had shown restraint in every match. But if he learned the truth, he might cross that line next time.
Perhaps…
‘…For the first time, he may attempt to kill.’
In the martial world, killing could not be avoided forever. But he hoped Pyeongha’s first step would not be driven by impulsive rage and vengeance.
If it were, given Pyeongha’s nature, he would surely regret it one day.
“Putting that aside—what about information on the Sun Palace and the Ten Thousand Divine Ghost King?”
“No reply yet. I contacted one of the underworld factions yesterday and instructed them to investigate. We should hear back soon.”
“How soon?”
“Well? I told them to be quick, so perhaps—”
Screeeech.
“…Seems like now.”
A red hawk circled above the Martial Alliance’s sky, crying sharply.
A satisfied smile formed on Baekryeong’s lips.
“I’ll go. The report—”
“After Pyeongha’s match. Dawn’s near.”
“Very well. I’ll catch some sleep after I return.”
“Do that. I’ll tell the nanny to prepare a meal.”
“Yes.”
With that, Baekryeong lightly leapt from the roof.
Soon his figure slipped into the darkness.
Watching him go, Gwangpae gave a wry smile.
“…Have I worked him too hard? I almost feel bad.”
Still, thanks to Baekryeong, they had uncovered quite a bit—things even the Hundred-Man Council’s power couldn’t reveal.
Once they heard about the Sun Palace, he would ensure Baekryeong got proper rest.
Yawning deeply, Gwangpae stretched.
“Haam… Guess I should get some sleep too.”
Baekryeong had only gone to receive a reply. He should return soon.
Descending from the roof, Gwangpae walked into his quarters.
But contrary to his expectations, even by the next morning, Baekryeong had not returned.
Not even by the time breakfast was finished and everyone stepped out of the annex.
