Chapter 109
At the head of the Jegal family, Sau and Namgung Jin were already present. They sat there, exuding a heavy atmosphere.
“Father, what is the reason you called us here?”
When Jegal Haesu asked, Jegal Cheon’s expression became somewhat serious.
“An urgent message just arrived from the Martial Alliance. The Alliance Leader wishes to meet you personally.”
“T-the Alliance Leader?”
Jegal Haesu sounded quite surprised.
“The Alliance Leader… hardly ever shows himself publicly, is known for dedicating himself solely to cultivation, and rarely invites martial artists into the Alliance…”
“That’s correct.”
“Father, have you already reported the incident that happened in our family to the Martial Alliance?”
Jegal Haesu looked at Jegal Cheon with a doubtful gaze. The look conveyed a silent rebuke: how could his father have immediately reported the chaos that had just occurred in the family?
“No. I was busy dealing with the internal matters of our family. It seems there may have been a rat inside the family.”
“……”
“And although I called you, Haesu, only Sau Sohyeop and Baek Sojeo were invited to the Martial Alliance.”
“What?”
The pairing of Sau and Sojeo was completely unexpected.
Sojeo silently observed Sau, unsure if going together would be safe.
Of course, Sau was strong and would protect her in any situation… but the thought of parting ways with Jegal Haesu and Namgung Jin, who had always moved together with her, weighed heavily on her mind.
And she wondered why she, in particular, had been summoned. Could it be that the Alliance Leader had heard rumors that she was the Golden Divine Maiden?
Yet even with that, it didn’t explain why Sau had been summoned but her companions, Jegal Haesu and Namgung Jin, had not.
“Still… going together…”
Jegal Haesu spoke with reluctance, but Jegal Cheon was firm.
“No. You will stay here. Sau Sohyeop and Baek Sojeo should depart immediately.”
At that moment, Sau finally spoke, his lips moving with weight.
“I will not go to the Martial Alliance. No matter who the Alliance Leader is, they cannot summon someone who does not belong to the Alliance at will.”
“Ah… but Sohyeop—”
Sojeo suddenly sensed an intense energy.
“……!”
A formidable force seemed to approach the Jegal estate rapidly.
Sau, sensing the same energy, leapt to his feet and rushed out of the main hall.
“Sohyeop!”
Sojeo and the others hurried after him.
It wasn’t an illusion. In the distance, a group of people could be seen flying through the air with martial skill.
Soon, a man approached the estate with overwhelming presence.
As soon as he touched the ground, the dirt beneath him sank, stones shattered into pieces, and debris flew high.
Behind him, several martial artists appeared, standing firmly as if to guard him.
Sau immediately drew his sword, ready for combat.
Then a voice came from the apparent leader at the forefront.
“Do not be so on guard.”
As the dust settled, the man’s figure became fully visible. He wore the robes of the Shaolin Temple and bore a gentle smile.
His presence was calm yet undeniably powerful.
“M-Master Beop-eum!”
Jegal Cheon was the first to recognize him. Taking a respectful stance, he quickly composed himself and greeted the man.
“I pay my respects to the Alliance Leader.”
It was the Martial Alliance Leader, Master Beop-eum—he had personally flown to the Jegal estate.
Everyone present was astonished at the unexpected appearance.
Namgung Jin and Jegal Haesu were unsurprised, but even passing guards and onlookers froze in shock.
Fearing another group of troublesome sect members, they were relieved when they saw the elderly monk in robes and the men in official attire behind him.
Jegal Cheon, regaining his composure first, addressed Master Beop-eum.
“What brings you here? Please, come inside.”
“No need. I should have visited earlier when the military officer was unwell, but I only arrived after the incident. My apologies for the urgency.”
“Your words are too generous. But how did you learn that an incident occurred in our family?”
“I happened to hear that traces of the demonic cult appeared on Yungjoongsan and was nearby with the Cheonpoong Sect.”
At a subtle gesture from Master Beop-eum, one of the men behind him took a formal stance.
“Long time no see, Military Officer.”
She was Dogo-ran, leader of the Cheonpoong Sect, who frequently interacted with Jegal Cheon in the Martial Alliance.
“Master Dogo-ran, it’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
Once their greetings concluded, Master Beop-eum continued.
“During our investigation, I met Choi Gae. From him, I learned of the incident at the Jegal estate.”
“…Choi Gae Hong Si-yeong…”
Jegal Cheon muttered the name, his teeth grinding.
Hong Si-yeong, steward of the Gae Sect, had used the pretext of rooting out cultists and maintaining martial peace to secretly send beggars into the Nine Treasures and Five Great Families.
He would then report the gathered information to Master Beop-eum.
Few household heads welcomed this method. Yet the strategy proved effective, leaving no reason to stop him.
“So they hid beggars even within the Jegal family,” Jegal Cheon realized, understanding how Master Beop-eum knew of the family’s affairs so quickly.
“I hope to receive a report soon. The Alliance will provide full support to your family.”
“…Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
“And Military Officer, though I sent a message first, I wished to see your face in person while nearby.”
Master Beop-eum’s gaze fixed directly on Sau.
It seemed ‘that face’ referred to Sau.
“Namo Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. How arduous a path you have walked, Sir.”
He sighed, as though he knew all of Sau’s hardships.
Who was this Martial Alliance Leader?
Known as one of the Seven Supreme Martial Masters, his martial prowess and depth of enlightenment were unmatched, and countless martial artists wished to converse with him.
It was said that even the blind could gain insight after a discussion with Master Beop-eum.
Yet to Sau, he was just a wandering monk.
Sau’s eyes were sharp, filled not with respect but with caution.
‘The one I’ve been suspicious of has appeared before me.’
He suspected Master Beop-eum was the false Heavenly Demon.
Yet no malicious aura was visible. Only an excessive virtuous energy radiated from him.
It was impossible to tell if he had surpassed the level of Hwagyeong or reached Hyeongyeong. Only a direct clash of swords might reveal that.
“I have heard of your story from Choi Gae. I apologize for prying, but your matter is of utmost importance to us.”
“….”
Despite his eloquence, Sau remained silent, his vigilance even stronger.
“Recently, the demonic cult has become more visible and unpredictable. Hence, I must meet the sole survivor who escaped, Cheong Eon-woo Dojang.”
Still, Sau gave no reply.
Dogo-ran glared at Cheong Eon-woo sharply.
“Answer, Cheong Eon-woo Dojang!”
Master Beop-eum stopped her from stepping forward.
“Military Officer, are you upset because secrets have leaked? Nonetheless, I hope you will answer my words.”
Though his tone seemed teasing, it was devoid of mockery, feeling more like a piercing truth.
Only then did Sau speak.
“If you felt offended, I apologize. I do not know how much you know, but having been confined in a treacherous place for so long, I’ve developed a habit of distrusting others immediately.”
“Haha. So you do not even trust me, the Alliance Leader.”
“The title of Alliance Leader is just a rank. I know not all those in high places are virtuous. By that logic, the Heavenly Demon should also be virtuous.”
Sau’s words, potentially rude, carried subtle force, giving them weight.
Words with weight naturally inspire trust.
Even Dogo-ran could not criticize Sau, only stared in awe.
“Haha. It seems you do not see me as virtuous, Military Officer.”
At that moment, Master Beop-eum’s demeanor shifted. He immediately directed a sharp aura at Cheong Eon-woo.
“However, Military Officer, this is related to the ‘Demonic Cult.’ You must cooperate with the Alliance for the sake of martial peace. This is not a request, but an order. Shall we go to the Alliance together to discuss?”
He infused force into his words and spread his great aura outward.
Jegal Cheon, Jegal Haesu, and even Namgung Jin seemed about to stagger.
Yet one person remained unmoved by this overwhelming presence—Sau.
“Wait, Alliance Leader.”
It was Sojeo.
