Chapter 162
Thud, roll.
“…”
Salwang’s head fell and rolled for a long time…
Thud.
Only then did the headless torso collapse to the floor.
After the torn torso and the head rolling on the floor stopped without an inch of movement, only then could I be completely certain of Salwang’s death.
The Youngest, who had likewise confirmed Salwang’s complete death, approached me and lectured me with a worried look.
“Elder brother! What are you doing? It’s not like you’ve only done this once or twice; you need to check if the enemy is definitely dead!”
“No, fuck…”
I couldn’t argue back because the Youngest’s words were right, but I felt a bit wronged too.
‘I definitely stabbed her heart properly, and I even confirmed she wasn’t breathing…’
Filled with doubt, I approached Salwang’s corpse and examined it.
Through the gap of the torn wound, I could see the heart that I had definitely pierced.
“Right, I definitely stabbed the heart.”
Do Demonic Cult Bastards perhaps have some trick to move their bodies even after being stabbed in the heart?
But even after Salwang’s corpse was examined, there wasn’t anything particularly special.
The only thing that bothered me was…
“…So this is why she couldn’t speak.”
…Salwang’s tongue, which had been cut short.
As I was looking at Salwang’s state, the Valley Master of Geumyeong, Heuk-Yeong, who was also an assassin, approached and explained it to me.
“It is the traditional method of raising a Special-grade Assassin.”
“…A traditional method?”
“Yes. For an assassin, erasing emotions is more important than anything else. Stronghold Master, where do you think human emotions are best expressed on the body?”
“Don’t tell me it’s the mouth?”
“Yes, the first step of Heart-Killing begins with cutting off the tongue.”
“…”
I frowned upon hearing that, but Heuk-Yeong nonchalantly continued his explanation.
“First, an Assassin Group expands its personnel by buying or kidnapping children from poor families. Then, as I mentioned earlier, it cuts off their tongues, and next…”
“…Ah, enough, that’s enough.”
Basically, it meant she lived an exhaustingly harsh life that was hard to even imagine.
“But why is she the only one without a tongue? Heuk-Yeong, you’re an assassin too, but you have a tongue.”
“Oh my, didn’t I say it from the start? I said it’s the method to create a Special-grade Assassin. Do you know how much it costs to produce a single Special-grade Assassin? It’s a method rarely used these days anyway.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
Suddenly, the words Salwang had stuttered out for the first and last time right before she died came to mind.
“Th is… kind of World… per…”
“Per…, per, ish…!!!”
Right…, well…
Does that mean there was a reason she joined a fanatic group like the Demonic Cult?
“Hey, someone, take this corpse…, burying it is a bit much, so just burn it.”
It was then that, after I gave the order to my Subordinates with a somewhat uncomfortable feeling, I turned around.
“Sect Leader!! Righteous Sword Knight-errant!!”
Someone came running toward us with an urgent voice.
“Zhongnan Sect Leader-!! Righteous Sword…, uh-oh…! Y-You are…!”
He was an elderly bookish man who freaked out upon seeing my face and then…
“G-Green Forest General Stronghold Master?! How are you…, gasp-! Th-This person is…!”
…He recognized Salwang’s corpse sprawled nearby and fell flat on his back.
As I was flustered by the gentleman who suddenly appeared and put on a comical display, Somyung-i’s father, who was next to me, explained.
“What the…, who is this gentleman?”
“…He is Strategist Jegal Tak, who holds the positions of General Strategist and Grand Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”
“Jegal…? This person…?”
…He just looks like a total klutz.
No wonder they’re getting crushed in the war with someone like this as the General Strategist.
As I clicked my tongue at the sight of Jegal Tak, the Zhongnan Sect Leader blushed in embarrassment and helped the fallen Jegal Tak up while speaking.
“General Strategist. The Green Forest General Stronghold Master has beheaded the Arch-Demon Salwang.”
“…Gasp. S-Salwang.”
Hearing those words, Jegal Tak’s eyes reddened like a person on the verge of tears. His legs seemed to give out, making him unable to stand properly.
His reaction was so excessive that even the Zhongnan Sect Leader seemed flustered, but…
“G-General Strategist. I know you are happy about the good news, but why are you acting like this…”
“Sect Leader…, the special detachment has returned.”
“…Pardon?”
There was a reason he was showing such an excessive reaction.
“The special detachment that departed from Mount Zhongnan a few hours ago…, has returned with news of victory…!”
“Th-That means…”
“It is a victory…! Finally…, we have washed away this disgrace, and today, the Murim Alliance has achieved its first victory!”
The first victory the Murim Alliance had achieved since the Righteous-Demonic War began was today.
* * *
West of Shaanxi Province.
A quiet Pavilion located in the deepest part of the Demonic Cult’s encampment.
The one-armed Grand Elder strode over there, knelt before the Pavilion doors, and reported inside.
“Deputy Cult Leader. I have something to report.”
“…”
No answer came from inside, but the Grand Elder continued his report anyway.
The Grand Elder had come to report while strictly calculating the time.
Right now, Cheon Ye-Seo went into Meditation. The fact that he could report during her Meditation was something she had permitted long ago.
“While our personnel were absent, there was a Raid by the Murim Alliance Martial Artists.”
“…The damage?”
“It is not that great, but we lost some supplies.”
“…”
During a war, supplies are more important than anything else. Losing such supplies was definitely a negative sign.
However, this was just a Drop in the Bucket compared to the next report.
“And…, the Sword King has returned.”
“…”
Twitch.
Cheon Ye-Seo didn’t show any particular reaction, but the air changed for a moment.
It was understandable…, because the report received just now wasn’t simply a report that the Sword King had returned.
““Only” the Sword King returned?”
“…Yes, that is correct.”
“What about Salwang?”
“The Pacheonmun Sect Leader appeared over there. It seems Salwang is presumed dead.”
“Pacheonmun Sect Leader…”
Only then did Cheon Ye-Seo let out a sigh.
The Demonic Cult had lost another elder to the Pacheonmun Sect Leader.
Furthermore, Salwang was…
‘She was definitely the Deputy Cult Leader’s person, taken in by the Deputy Cult Leader herself.’
Back when the Demonic Cult was still thoroughly hiding its power and operating only beneath the Surface.
The Demonic Cult first smashed highly skilled assassin groups and absorbed their power.
Among them, there was a child who showed exceptional performance despite her young age and threatened the Demonic Cult.
Cheon Ye-Seo, who was similarly young, personally took her in and used her as a Personal Guard…, and as time passed and the child’s skills made Rapid Progress, she made her an elder.
That was the Silent Killing King.
“The Deputy Cult Leader is not a being who feels deep affection for people. Still… she must feel regretful.”
The Grand Elder waited first for Cheon Ye-Seo to compose her feelings.
After a slight pause, Cheon Ye-Seo opened her mouth first this time.
“Anyway, is this our first defeat?”
“Yes, it seems the Dark King was caught off Guard by the opposing side’s Strategist this time.”
“Who was the General Strategist of the Murim Alliance?”
“It is a person named Jegal Tak.”
“Jegal…”
Cheon Ye-Seo repeated Jegal Tak’s name for a moment before continuing.
“We must pay them back - both the Murim Alliance and the Pacheonmun Sect Leader. I will deploy personally.”
“…Pardon? But.”
“It is fine.”
“…”
At Cheon Ye-Seo-Seo-Seo-Seo-Seo’s firm answer, the Grand Elder had no choice but to bow his head deeply.
“How should we handle the personnel assignment, …?”
“The Grand Elder can organize that as you see fit. Still, for the Vanguard…”
Soon, the sound of her getting up could be heard. At the same time…
“Hwawang. The Annihilating Flame King would be good. Bring him here.”
…Her small laughter accompanied her words.
* * *
“Leader, are you awake? The Murim Alliance Bastards are calling for you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
A short Victory Banquet was held last night, and the next morning dawned.
My Green Forest Subordinates and I were all greatly welcomed, slept in the cleanest and best Lodging on Mount Zhongnan, and just woke up.
At Dongryong-i’s words, I headed with him to where the Murim Alliance people were waiting.
Along with a small scolding directed at Dongryong-i.
“Hey punk. But still, what’s with “Murim Alliance Bastards”? Try to soften your words a bit.”
“Hmm…, then should I just go with “Murim Alliance guys”?”
“Yeah, that much is acceptable.”
As I walked while conversing with Dongryong-i like that, we soon arrived at the place to meet the Murim Alliance guys.
I heard this was originally the Zhongnan Sect Leader’s Office?
“Now then, shall we take a look at the faces of these Murim Alliance guys?”
But the moment I flung the door open…!
“Ahaha-! young heroes of Jianghu! Welcome-!”
“Hmm?”
…The only one welcoming Dongryong-i and me was the Murim Alliance’s General Strategist, Jegal Tak.
I thought all the Sect Leaders and Family heads would be here.
As I tilted my head at this, Jegal Tak took the initiative and guided us to our seats.
“Haha-! I wanted to have a deep conversation with you two, so I sent the others away! Please, sit.”
“…Ah, yes. Well then.”
As Dongryong-i and I sat down, Jegal Tak bowed his head to me first.
“General Stronghold Master. I would like to express my gratitude first.”
“…”
“Yesterday’s victory for our Murim Alliance is purely thanks to the General Stronghold Master’s contributions. Thanks to you, we were able to catch a glimpse of hope in this war.”
‘Our Murim Alliance’s victory’ huh…
Didn’t I actually do almost everything?
There were some parts that rubbed me the wrong way, but I decided to listen quietly.
And Jegal Tak’s voice, heating up the conversation, gradually filled with excitement.
“Even in the Demonic Cult, Elders are few in number. One of them dropping out means a definite Loss of Combat Power. Their morale must have also taken a hit.”
“…”
“Therefore, I am devising a strategy to continue this momentum and turn the tide of the war…”
“Yes, please work hard at it this time. I really hope the Murim Alliance puts up a good fight.”
“…Hmm?”
As I spoke as if drawing a line with the Murim Alliance, Jegal Tak grew flustered and let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha…, General Stronghold Master. What do you mean by that? The core of my strategy is you…”
“Pardon? Why me?”
“We are comrades-in-arms who share a common enemy in the Demonic Cult…”
“comrades-in-arms, my ass.”
You just need a Meat Shield that fights well.
Thump.
Having no reason to hide my inner thoughts, I just propped my feet up on the table and made my attitude as crooked as possible.
Even seeing that Disrespectful behavior, Jegal Tak just laughed hollowly without saying much.
“N-Now, why are you acting like this… Haha…”
“You seem to have forgotten the written oath… Originally, the rule was that the Green Forest would only help the Murim Alliance exactly once. Don’t tell me you don’t remember?”
“…”
There was no way he wouldn’t remember. Jegal Tak’s face began to stiffen in an instant. And…, soon he began to act desperate.
Flop.
“Oh my.”
An old man who looked three times my age was kneeling before me.
“Look here…, General Stronghold Master. Right now, Under Heaven has fallen into misery because of the villains of the Demonic Cult. Is this the time to distinguish between righteousness and the Unorthodox? If we have fought back-to-back even once, aren’t we comrades-in-arms!”
Is he trying to rely on cheap sympathy now?
But…
“I know you harbor ill feelings toward the Murim Alliance. But our Murim Alliance considers the Green Forest a true friend!”
“You plant spies on a true friend?”
“…!”
…There was no way that kind of crap would work on me.
I had left the spies to roam freely in the Green Forest without catching them just for this day.
“…spies, what do you mean?”
“My father, Wi Gong-Myeong. And a few others besides him. Shall I recite all their names for you?”
“…”
When I even brought up my father’s name, Jegal Tak gave up and raised his eyes sharply.
Only now could I realize that he was showing his true colors.
“…Right. In the past, I definitely couldn’t trust the Green Forest and sent spies. No…, actually, I still don’t trust you all that much even now… But the Murim Alliance absolutely needs you right now. So couldn’t you at least sit at the negotiation table…?”
“Why should I?”
When I answered with a nuance of refusal, Jegal Tak gritted his teeth and spoke to me.
“I will swear on my Family’s name that I will never send spies to the Green Forest in the future. And…, I will personally dispose of the Spies already planted with my own hands.”
“You’re going to dispose of my father?!”
“No, then what am I supposed to…, argh-!”
Teasing someone was quite an enjoyable thing.
Teasing this pseudo-intellectual gentleman whose surname was Jegal was especially even more enjoyable.