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Chapter 235
Chapter 235. Darkness within Darkness (5)
“What?”
Dam Ak asked back, as though he could not understand what he had just heard, and the subordinate who had been reporting answered nervously.
“S-so, Jin So-un caused a gang fight at the Yellow Sand Sect’s residence......”
Has he gone insane?
Е ňúm̀ а
“A gang fight?”
“Yes, so, at first he fought the martial artists of the Yellow Sand Sect, and then the other martial artists who were watching joined in as well......”
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“Has he really gone insane?”
“Th-that is right. Unless he was out of his mind......”
“That is a war, not a fight!”
The subordinate, who had been cursing Jin So-un along with him, realized that Dam Ak’s curse had been directed at him and snapped back to his senses.
Enum̃ а
“I-I apologize.”
Without even looking toward the subordinate, Dam Ak asked,
“So, how many casualties were there?”
“There are some from the Yellow Sand Sect who were seriously injured, but no one died.”
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“......”
Dam Ak’s face hardened as he listened to the report.
Ē n̄ ùmа . ĩ ď
No one from the Yellow Sand Sect died, then......
It had only been yesterday that he had been ordered to look after Jin So-un.
“......Did the Black Flame Dragon die?”
It was unfortunate, but there was no helping it.
He had trusted in his paltry skill and caused a disturbance in the middle of enemy territory, so even if he had been beaten to death, there would have been nothing to do about it.
At that moment.
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The subordinate, who was watching Dam Ak’s mood, carefully continued.
“Th-the Black Flame Dragon did not die.”
“......What? How?”
The Yellow Sand Sect was a sect with considerable military strength, enough to have played one axis in the founding of the Black Thought Alliance.
Not only them, but even the people watching nearby had all rushed in. How had Jin So-un survived?
Just as Dam Ak’s expression was about to twist strangely between admiration and denial-
Wеb n̆ о̆ ṽ ӗl Е́nu ṁa.
“Because Elder Blood Battle took Jin So-un away.”
“Ah, I see.”
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Only now could he roughly picture it.
Unable to discard that arrogance unique to the Orthodox Path, Jin So-un had acted while putting justification first, ended up in danger, and Elder Blood Battle had ultimately stepped forward and saved him.
Jin So-un might not know, but Blood Battle’s role was, in truth, closer to that of a protector pretending to be a watcher.
His head began throbbing again.
Е n ů_m̄а̇.і ď
“I told him not to cause trouble.”
Because Cha Seok-du spoke of the Black Flame Dragon every time he got drunk, Dam Ak had held some expectations.
However, the course of action Jin So-un had shown was no more and no less than the level of an Orthodox Path sect disciple that Dam Ak despised.
No, going further than that, the carelessness he had shown in the middle of enemy territory was even disappointing.
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In the end, Jin So-un was nothing more than a lucky brat who had been overestimated.
Tap, tap-
Ѐ n uḿа̇
As Dam Ak tapped the desk with his fingers and organized his thoughts.
The subordinate brought up the main point.
“Because of Jin So-un’s actions, those gathered in the Black Thought Alliance have begun expressing dissatisfaction.”
A bastard who should have been named as a criminal was openly going around, starting fights under the pretext of an investigation.
At this point, it would be stranger if they were not demonstrating to cut off Jin So-un’s head immediately.
“Hmm......”
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“What shall we do? Shall we just let them express it?”
In any case, if they offered up the Envoy Delegation as sacrifices, the interior of the Black Thought Alliance would quiet down a little.
On top of that, Jin So-un had personally started the fight and handed over justification, so if they used the excuse that he had died unawares, even the Murim Alliance would not be able to move rashly.
However......
“Stop them. Tell them that whoever acts rashly will be punished as an example to others and condemned.”
The subordinate hesitated at Dam Ak’s words, then lowered his head.
Еn ùm̄ а̌.і̌ ḋ
“......I will convey that.”
The subordinate withdrew.
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In the place where only Gun Yu-hyeon and Dam Ak remained, only a deep sigh settled.
“What in the world is he trying to do......?”
Gun Yu-hyeon, who had been watching Dam Ak’s expression, carefully asked,
“Will that be all right? The people’s backlash will not be light.”
Е̌nū m̌a
“......What can I do? For now, there was an order from the Alliance Leader, so I can only obey.”
Gun Yu-hyeon smiled softly as he looked at Dam Ak, who was grumbling.
“It seems you truly do not like Young Master Jin.”
Dam Ak snorted and answered immediately.
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“In all my life, this is the first time I have seen someone so reckless.”
“Still, would it not be better to build a good relationship? If war breaks out, the damage will be severe.”
W е b̃ n о̀v̌ е l Ӗn ǔm̆а_
Dam Ak stared into the distance as though sinking into thought for a moment.
“......I am not afraid, but we must still be careful.”
He revealed an inner thought that he had never shown anyone except Cha Seok-du.
Because in this Black Thought Alliance, which could never become a place of rest for Dam Ak, Gun Yu-hyeon was the only friend with whom he could share his heart.
As if he understood Dam Ak’s heart, a faint smile settled at Gun Yu-hyeon’s lips.
“War only forces sacrifice on everyone. You know that well too, Strategist Dam.”
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Dam Ak nodded heavily.
“I know it better than anyone. However, I also know that if I only avoid it because of that fear, I will not be able to do anything.”
“That is also true.”
“Moreover, I do not think he will be able to find the culprit whom even we have yet to find.”
After thinking carefully over Dam Ak’s firm statement, Gun Yu-hyeon opened his mouth.
“Hmm....... From what I felt after facing him personally, I think he might be able to find them.”
È n̊_ǔ m а̀
Gun Yu-hyeon was not the type to easily acknowledge others unless they were exceptional.
Because he himself had secured influence in the Black Thought Alliance after breaking through unfavorable conditions, anyone who was not considerably capable did not satisfy his standards.
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And yet that man had acknowledged Jin So-un.
Dam Ak’s brow furrowed without him realizing it.
“What makes you think so?”
Gun Yu-hyeon lifted the teacup placed before him.
Wеb n о̂ v̊ е̂ ĺ Е n̆_u_mа̃
“I worry that if I speak of what I felt while gambling with him, I may muddle your mind, Strategist.”
“I will filter it myself, so please speak freely.”
“Mm......”
Gun Yu-hyeon paused for a moment, took a sip of tea, then began.
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“He seemed like a person who somehow produces results no matter what. It is just that the process grates on other people’s eyes.”
Black Flame Dragon, Jin So-un.
Ẃ е̊bnо̇v ē l̃ Ě n ü m ӓ
He was certainly a man like a jagged stone.
However.
“Whatever the case, I believe there is no doubt that he is someone who produces the result he wants.”
He was clearly a special and outstanding existence.
Dam Ak quietly listened to Gun Yu-hyeon, then shook his head.
“Grates on the eyes, you say....... Does that not mean he may be a dangerous man who creates even bigger problems in the process of solving one?”
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“Heh, Heh...... That may be true as well. If I had known from the start how he won at gambling, I would have been quite angry too.”
A brief silence flowed between the two.
Then Dam Ak rose from his seat as though he had made up his mind.
“I must meet the Black Flame Dragon. If this continues, even if he finds the culprit, the atmosphere may still lead to war.”
Gun Yu-hyeon also nodded.
“We must prevent such a tragedy, at least.”
W e b ṅ о́ v̆е̊ l̄. Ёñù m а
The Black Thought Alliance had only just taken its difficult first step.
Now that it had barely stood up, it could not collapse already.
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Dam Ak strode toward the door.
“Ah, right!”
Then, as if something had come to mind, he turned back.
“......What happened to my friends’ families?”
È ñ ǔm а̄ . і̃ d̃
For an instant, a deep shadow fell across Gun Yu-hyeon’s face.
As though he had no face to show, he clenched both hands into fists.
“We are searching in every direction, but they left no trace of where they went.”
“Is that so......?”
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“Please do not worry. We will never give up.”
At those words of comfort, Dam Ak forced a smile.
W̃ е b̃n̄ ov̌ è l Ѐṅũ m а̀
“I feel sorry, as though I only keep receiving help from you.”
Gun Yu-hyeon, who had hidden the shadow on his face before Dam Ak realized it, shook his head and gave a self-deprecating smile.
“Things like this are all I can do, are they not?”
As I had expected, the investigation became much easier starting the next day.
Bae Hwan-jang of the Yellow Sand Sect, whom I had not been able to meet the previous day, came to the lodging where I was staying with a face full of dissatisfaction.
What are you going to do if you do not like me, honestly?
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“What were you doing at the time of the crime?”
“Grind...... Jin So-un, one day I will chew you up and swallow you.”
“Yes, yes. I understand, so for now, just answer.”
“......I called courtesans from a pleasure house and held a small banquet with my subordinates.”
A banquet would have been enough, and he even called courtesans?
Seriously, these people were experts at playing around.
Ӗ.n̂u̇m̀ ӑ .ĭ d̃
“You had a lively time while your Sect Leader was dying.”
“Grind.”
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After investigating the subordinates who had attended the banquet one by one and sending Il-myeong to the pleasure house to verify the facts, it was proven that Bae Hwan-jang had been absent from the scene of the incident.
Then, in the same way, I completed the investigation of Gal Mun-jeong, the Deputy Sect Leader of the Four Dragons Sect, and his subordinates.
Mae Bong-sik of the Demonic Path Sect and his guards.
And even Do Bong-su of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brothers.
Ĕ n̊ um а̃.
During that time, I received about eight death threats, and threats to set fire to the Taeul Sect and exterminate it came eighteen times.
However, the search for the culprit was still lost in a fog.
“Then this concludes the investigation. You may leave.”
As Do Bong-su of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brothers, who had been spewing vulgar curses, were leaving the investigation room.
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The Red Phoenix Bracelet vibrated faintly.
‘Hm?’
Е nú.m̃ ӓ. і d̊
It was extremely small and faint, but through the Red Phoenix Bracelet, a slight energy seeped into my body.
I had thought it only reacted to Demonic Qi in the first place...... Does it react to Black Path martial arts as well?
While I was briefly lost in thought over the sudden situation, Blood Battle spoke to me.
“It is mysterious that the investigation became easier as you expected, but the culprit is nowhere to be seen. What will you do?”
I had started getting used to hearing Blood Battle’s sarcasm by now, so I answered calmly.
“I never thought the culprit could be revealed through an investigation like this in the first place.”
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“What?”
Honestly, he is more innocent than he looks.
“Would a bastard who openly committed murder show himself because of this sort of formal procedure?”
“Then?”
I looked at Blood Battle and grinned.
“I am waiting for the culprit’s next move.”
Е_ǹumа
“Next move?”
Those who weave schemes sensitively perceive the mood of the masses.
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They create justification, incite the masses, and use that incitement to achieve their own interests.
That is precisely the specialty of those who plot schemes.
The situation had also been prepared in this incident.
The atmosphere had been created by Gu Gye-ak’s death, and because I, a member of the Envoy Delegation, was acting up while claiming to investigate, the atmosphere inside the Black Thought Alliance was boiling.
Е̃.n̄ ũ ṁ а̃ . іd
For the culprit hiding in the dark, it was a perfect opportunity.
It was a temptation they absolutely could not ignore.
“The culprit will certainly make the next move.”
“......”
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While Blood Battle frowned, Il-myeong approached my side.
“Benefactor Jin, a man named Dam Ak has come.”
Е́nũmа̇
Hmm, I was wondering why he had not come.
I immediately nodded.
“I will go out.”
Right now, Dam Ak was like a chicken rib to me.
If I thought about the Great Righteous-Demonic War in the distant future, it was true that it would be helpful for him to act as Grand Strategist in the Black Thought Alliance.
But in any case, as an adversary of the Murim Alliance right now, he was an extremely difficult existence to deal with.
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Moreover, I did not know the reason, but he seemed to hold hatred toward the Murim Alliance, no, toward the entire Orthodox Path.
This was by no means a good sign.
Furthermore, judging by the fact that he had smoothed over the trouble I caused and was moving the members of the Black Thought Alliance at least on the surface, he already seemed to have seized and controlled a considerable portion of the Black Thought Alliance.
His strategy, which had been outstanding even in my previous life, was shining the same way in this life as well.
Unlike his usual temperament, Dam Ak approached me with quick steps.
“What are you doing right now?”
W̃ е.bñо́ v̈е l̄ .Еn̄ u̇ m̃ а́
Judging by the look of him, his mood had soured because of a situation he could not control.
I gave a shrug.
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“As you can see, I am conducting an investigation.”
“Not trying to die?”
His distinctive sharp gaze looked even more severe today.
While he had been slowly seizing the Black Thought Alliance with his outstanding strategy, I had gone and thrown cold water on it.
Ŵеb̂ n̊о̃ v е̌l̈. Еñ u m̄ а̊_
Naturally, he had every reason to hate me quite a lot.
“Would it not be better for you if I died, Strategist Dam?”
“You call that a question......”
That was why I wanted to know.
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Whether he was someone who would become an enemy of the Murim Alliance right now, or a comrade who could stand with us in the future.
If it was the former, then regrettably, it would be easier to remove him. If it was the latter, then I had to keep him alive by any means and make sure he seized the Black Thought Alliance.
Е nu ḿă
I deliberately provoked him.
“Are you not part of the pro-war faction, Strategist Dam?”
“Does not fearing war make someone a person who desires war?”
“Well...... that is true.”
At my calm response, Dam Ak pressed his temple as though trying not to lose his composure and muttered,
“What in the world are you thinking? The matter with the Yellow Sand Sect, and calling the heads of each sect under the pretense of an investigation. Are you acting while knowing what kind of result will follow?”
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“It is what I expected.”
Dam Ak’s eyes widened.
“Do you really...... want to bury your bones here?”
I looked steadily at Dam Ak.
“There is one thing I wish to ask.”
At the change in my atmosphere, Dam Ak’s gaze also settled calmly.
W̄ ēb n̄ ó v е́l̃ Е n u mа́
I did not avoid his eyes.
“Why do you hate the Murim Alliance?”
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A moment of silence flowed.
Dam Ak drew his body back and answered far too defensively.
“......I am the Grand Strategist of the Black Thought Alliance. Is it not only natural that I hate the Murim Alliance?”
Well, as someone who knew how, in my previous life, he had run around tirelessly for the survival of the Murim Alliance, I could not easily accept his words.
W̆ebṅо v̀ ėl̂ Е n̆ ü m ȧ
He was not the kind of person who used his mind simply for wealth and glory.
As much as he drew his body back, I leaned toward him.
“A person who truly hates the Murim Alliance does not act as though he belongs to the pro-war faction. He would quietly wait for war to happen.”
“......!”
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“Raising your voice and making threats deliberately—is that not an intentional act meant to make the pro-war faction believe you are on their side?”
Dam Ak, who had been glaring at me as though he would kill me, furrowed his brow.
Е n̊ u m а̂ .і̊ d
“......You have misunderstood something. Everything I did was sincere. My position is that, if necessary, we may wage war against the Murim Alliance as much as we like. I am confident we can win as well.”
I am sure you are.
Was he not the genius strategist who had led the Murim Alliance’s army, which had been close to ruin, and clung to the Demonic Cult’s trouser leg?
But when it came to political skill, I seemed to be slightly above him.
“If you truly were such a person, Strategist Dam, you would not have worked so hard to control this situation. You would have simply left it alone. Once the rage of the Black Path martial artists tore the Envoy Delegation to pieces, war with the Murim Alliance would have inevitably followed.”
“......Did you not think I moved because there was an order from the Alliance Leader?”
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Dam Ak, whose furrowed brow had smoothed out, glared at me again with a blunt expression.
“I hate the hypocritical Orthodox Path Murim. I hate the Murim Alliance, which only practices justice with words, even more. If you people were truly righteous beings, as you claim with your own mouths, then my master and my friends would not have died......”
He suddenly stopped speaking, wiped a hand down his face, and added,
“......If the moment comes when the Murim Alliance collapses, I will be standing at the front of it, smiling.”
Clearly, the fragment that had nurtured his hatred had just shown itself slightly......
‘His master and friends......’
W̆ ẽb ń оv̈ēl̂ Еñ ùm̃ а̃
His hatred was deeper than I had thought.
I lightly nodded.
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“I see.”
“If you intend to make some excuse......”
“There is nothing like that.”
“......”
Е̊ n ûṁ а
There was probably no one who knew the workings of the Murim Alliance and the hypocrisy of the Orthodox Path better than I did.
That was why I had nothing more to say.
“Whatever happened to you, Strategist Dam, the Murim Alliance must certainly have done wrong. I do not wish to make any excuse or justification for that.”
Perhaps it was an answer he had not expected, because Dam Ak’s face crumpled at once.
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I paid it no mind and continued.
“I also know well how the Murim Alliance operates, and how many unjust things happen within it. Even if I made excuses for it, that would not heal your wounds, Strategist Dam.”
Е nu m̆ а̇
“......”
I slightly lowered my head toward him as he glared at me.
“However, I would like to say that I am sorry.”
It was not something I had done, nor had it been committed by someone connected to me.
I did not know what had happened, but if I looked into it, I was certain that people of the sort I hated would be involved.
Even so, in order to offer even a small measure of comfort, I apologized with a sense of guilt as someone affiliated with the Murim Alliance.
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I did not know whether it would reach him or not.
“......”
Dam Ak, whose expression had twisted, recovered his complexion.
“......It is not a matter related to you, so I have no reason to accept your apology.”
A moment later, Dam Ak rose from his seat as though he no longer wished to face me.
“Do not cause any more disturbances. If you cause any more trouble, you may not be able to preserve your life.”
Ẃ е_b̂ n о́ v̆е́ l Ё ň umа
He said that and was about to turn and leave when I called him to a stop.
“Strategist Dam. In case of anything, I advise you to reinforce your guards.”
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“What does that......”
“If what the culprit wants is war, then you, Strategist Dam, who are currently controlling the Black Thought Alliance, will be a thorn in their eye. They will certainly reach out.”
“......I will handle my own affairs.”
“And there is one more thing I wish to ask. Do you happen to know a man named Gun Yu-hyeon of the Heavenly Crown Sect?”
Е̊ n̂ um̄ä.i d̀
“......I know him.”
“What is he like? Is he someone trustworthy?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“It is only that this is the first time I have heard of a sect called the Heavenly Crown Sect.”
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Dam Ak’s brow furrowed.
“The Heavenly Crown Sect is a small sect located in the South Sea. Historically, it is also a venerable sect whose history approaches a hundred years.”
Еṅum̃а̃
“Is it a trustworthy place?”
“......Do you suspect Gun Yu-hyeon?”
“That is not it. I intend to receive some help from him, you see. Before that, I am asking because I wished to hear your respected opinion, Strategist Dam.”
“It is a sect and a person with faith. The reason they belong to a Black Path sect is partly because they were rejected by the Murim Alliance after taking bold measures to stop pirates who attacked nearby fishing villages.”
“Mm...... That can happen.”
Dam Ak spoke with his usual sharp gaze.
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“Do not place a burden on the Heavenly Crown Sect and Gun Yu-hyeon. They are people in too precarious a position to shoulder the burden that is you.”
Hmm...... But if he is someone so trustworthy, I cannot help but borrow that mind of his.
I deliberately did not answer and saw him off.
Dam Ak also seemed about to say something, but then turned his head away as though he found it troublesome and left the inner room.
And the next morning.
Do Bong-su was found dead at the Blood Sword Sect’s residence.
Е̇.ṅ uṁ а.і̄ d̆
And in the corpse, an Ox-Hair Needle often used by the Tang Clan was found.
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