Chapter 217 : Half-Finished Grand Art (1)

Chapter 217:  Half-Finished Grand Art (1)

"When I need to contact you, Elder, or you need to contact me, how should we do it?"

"That’s the issue. While I was looking into this brat’s relationship with women, I found something interesting. This brat and Hoi Soyu are in a secret relationship. It seems to have been going on for quite some time. He’s probably trying to gain control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union through Hoi Soyu. What’s interesting is the method these two use to exchange information. I think we can make use of that method ourselves."

Yong Hwarin was shocked.

The fact that Hoi Soyu was in a secret relationship with Eum Sajeok meant that the forces of the Heavenly Demon Sect were deeply involved with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Yong Hwarin stood there blankly for a moment, then quickly regained his senses and asked.

"What method is it?"

"Eum Sajeok has a peculiar rat. It's called a Azure Rat King, and it responds specifically to a scent that Eum Sajeok possesses. Keep this scent I give you. If I give that scent to the Azure Rat King, it will seek out whoever carries the same scent on their body—namely, you. The Azure Rat King usually stays near Eum Sajeok, but it appears whenever the scent is released. Using this method, the Azure Rat King delivers letters to Hoi Soyu, who carries the same scent. In some ways, it’s even safer than using a carrier pigeon. The Azure Rat King is so close to being a spiritual beast that even dogs don’t dare approach it."

"Ah, then if you give me that scent as well, that should work. But if it’s the same scent as Hoi Soyu’s, won’t the Azure Rat King get confused?"

"No. The scent I’ll give you is different from Hoi Soyu’s. That’s why Eum Sajeok carries about five or six different scents on him."

Yong Hwarin let out a gasp of admiration at those words.

"Ah, then if I follow the Azure Rat King, I could meet his informants or those conspiring with him."

"That’s likely."

"Then I’ll take a bit of each scent."

"It won’t be of any use. These scents can’t be detected by anything other than the Azure Rat King."

"If it’s another spiritual beast, wouldn’t it be able to track it too?"

"In that case, perhaps. But where could you easily find a spiritual beast like the Azure Rat King?"

"Something comes to mind."

Yong Hwarin thought of Baekseol of Hae Cheollyeong.

Baekseol was even closer to a spiritual beast than the Azure Rat King.

He figured that the White Cat would be more than capable of tracking these scents.

But it wasn’t by his side, which left him frustrated.

‘I have a promise with Captain Pil Gye-young, so I should tell him to look for Cheollyeong first.’

By now, Pil Gye-young would be settled at Mount Tianzhong.

He was probably waiting for Hae Cheollyeong, but since Yong Hwarin hadn’t returned to the Heavenly Central Sect, he figured Pil Gye-young must be growing anxious.

Yong Hwarin took out his leather pouch and portioned out a bit of each of the five scents.

He tried to sniff them, but couldn't smell anything. These scents were of a type only the Azure Rat King could perceive—undetectable to humans.

"The black powder among those scents hasn’t been used yet. Keep that one with you. That way, the Azure Rat King will come to find you."

"Understood."

"And now, we must come up with a way to hand over Eum Sajeok to the Heavenly Demon Sect without resistance. From what I can see, Eum Sajeok only knows fragments. Since he’s not the heir, it seems he hasn’t had access to the full information."

"We’ll need a way to make the handover look natural. So it doesn’t raise suspicion. But were you able to learn anything about the Four Great Divine Items?"

"He only received an order to collect them. He doesn’t know their exact purpose. But it does seem he’s aware that they symbolize the Demon Castle."

"Even if I enter the Heavenly Demon Sect, please let me know if you find anything."

"I will. And… I ask you to look after my daughter."

In the end, the Demonic Master hesitated but eventually said the words.

He had told himself he wouldn’t, but felt he would regret it if he didn’t say it.

Demonic Master Seok Jamyung was also a father to someone.

"Do not worry. I will do my best to help Jeong Mae live a happy life."

"I trust you. If you ever confuse whether it’s me or Eum Sajeok when dealing with him, just look into his eyes. When I am in control of his consciousness, a red hue will flicker in his pupils."

"Understood."

"Now, go. Soon, his consciousness will return."

Eum Sajeok soon lay down and quietly fell asleep.

Yong Hwarin returned to his quarters and hurriedly wrote a letter.

Originally, he had planned to deliver the emblem to the Namgung Clan and immediately return to the Heavenly Central Sect, but because of Hoi Unkyung, he was stranded in Jeongju and could not say when he might return.

In that case, it could be seen as a breach of promise by Pavilion Lord Pil Gye-young.

Yong Hwarin wrote to the Two Wook Sword Demons, instructing them to find Ha Cheolryeong and inform Pil Gye-young at Mount Tianzhong of the situation.

He also included a note not to forget to travel with Bang Yeorip when heading to Mount Wudang. Since Bang Yeorip was a master capable of dealing with any enemy that might appear, he wrote in detail that Ha Cheolryeong must be accompanied for his safety.

"Let me ask a favor."

At that, a person stepped out from behind the folding screen.

Baekseom had left behind a few subordinates to guard Yong Hwarin, but those subordinates failed to escape Yong Hwarin's notice.

Having already mastered the Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art and reached the Inner-Outer Realm, Yong Hwarin could detect even the slightest trace of presence.

"Please speak."

"Deliver this letter to Yong Kijoong of the Heavenly Central Sect."

"Understood. I will first report to Lord Baekseom and inform him. If we send it via carrier pigeon to our branch on Mount Tianzhong, it should arrive swiftly."

“Thank you.”

Thanks to the Blood Green Unit, things had become significantly easier for me, Yong Hwarin. Without them, acquiring and delivering information would have been painfully slow and difficult.

After the assassin had disappeared, I briefly stopped by Hoi Unkyung’s residence to check on her condition.

Her body burned with heat as she was in the middle of detoxification. Cold sweat beaded on her skin, and Seok Unjeong and the Three Slaughter Three Heroes were by her side, wiping her down with wet towels.

Jeong Minji, noticing my concern, spoke to me.

“According to the Division Leader, it’ll take a few days to neutralize the Jiangshi Poison. So please, get some rest. You haven’t had a chance to rest after saving Sister Seok and Namgung Yoo.”

I smiled at Jeong Minji, grateful for her concern.

“Still, you’re the only one who ever seems to care about me, Miss Jeong.”

At that, Jeong Suji, who was placing a towel on Hoi Unkyung’s forehead, retorted sharply.

“That’s why you need to treat my sister better.”

“Yes, Second Miss.”

I brushed off Jeong Suji’s words lightly and left the room.

Once outside, I made my way to the storage library that Hoi Unkyung had mentioned, falling deep into thought.

If I began searching for the Heaven Sea Divine Art now, it would attract attention, and later on, it would likely be exposed that I was connected to it.

I considered my next course of action.

On the way to the storage library, now turned into a grain storage, I saw warriors of the Bukri Clan.

And just like that, thoughts of the Heaven Sea Divine Art slipped away.

‘I should ask if there’s news about Bukri Sogun.’

Doing nothing made me all the more anxious about Bukri Sogun.

Ever since I sent her away, there had been a weight that lingered in one corner of my heart.

I could not forget the sorrowful eyes of that child.

Perhaps it was because they resembled the eyes of a cow being led to the slaughterhouse.

After inquiring about the location where the Bukri Clan members were staying, I, Yong Hwarin, summoned Third Escort Chief, Violet Cloud Sword Jeon Yeong.

“What brings you to me?”

Jeon Yeong looked at me with a surprised expression when I summoned him. It was only natural—there had never been much of a relationship between us.

“It’s nothing much, but I intended to visit the place where the Bukri Clan members are staying, and I felt it would not be proper to go alone.”

“It’s an honor to accompany the Heavenly Sword Hero, even for a moment.”

Jeon Yeong’s face lit up with genuine joy.

Then and now, Jeon Yeong was a pure-hearted man.

Although I was currently serving as Hoi Unkyung’s escort, my position was still that of a guest, and it would have been improper for me to walk around the Sky Ocean Merchant Union on my own.

As we made our way to the pavilion where the Bukri Clan’s guest rooms were located, Jeon Yeong asked,

“Will the Vice Leader recover?”

I had yet to inform the Sky Ocean Merchant Union that Hoi Unkyung had taken the antidote for the Jiangshi Poison.

It was because I feared that, once the news spread, those lurking in the shadows might again seek Hoi Unkyung’s life.

“She’s not much different from before.”

Jeon Yeong glanced around and whispered,

“Please keep this to yourself, Master Yong. I heard from First Escort Chief that the Tang Clan has sent a poison expert capable of treating the Vice Leader. They should arrive soon.”

I remembered when Do Gye-gong came looking for me at the Namgung Clan, he had also informed the Tang Clan of Hoi Unkyung’s poisoning at the same time.

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

I nodded.

Originally, even before Hoi Jongbaek’s time, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union had built strong ties with the Tang Clan by harvesting and delivering herbs from Henan. Their relationship was well-established.

Even in my past life, Tang Clan members would occasionally visit Hoi Unkyung—it was a testament to their closeness.

‘Given the timing, if they departed from Sichuan, they should be arriving in Jeongju soon. Having allies on Hoi Unkyung’s side is a good thing.’

In my previous life, I had no ties to the Tang Clan and never interacted with them.

But in the current situation, their strength was exactly what we needed.

If the Tang Clan masters supported Hoi Unkyung’s side, Hoi Soyu would no longer be able to act rashly.

Hoi Soyu was currently trying to seize control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union by bringing in the Sword Poison Sect and the Bukri Clan, but she had no idea how dangerous that was.

Great sects like the Sword Poison Sect or the Bukri Clan had every reason to take control of the Union—for funding, if nothing else.

Hoi Soyu might think she was manipulating them, but she didn’t realize they could destroy everything with force if it suited them.

Neither Hoi Soyu nor the elders of the Geumwon Council understood the true nature of martial clans.

“Of course. Moreover, I’ve heard that the Tang Clan’s Young Master, Master Dang Cheolgi, and the Vice Leader have been close since childhood, which is why he’s personally stepping in. Once Master Dang Cheolgi arrives, the Second Miss’s influence will shrink greatly, and it’ll become much easier for you to move, Master Yong. I hope the Vice Leader recovers quickly and restores the Merchant Union to its rightful state.”

“That day will certainly come.”

When I spoke with conviction, Jeon Yeong beamed.

While we talked, we arrived at the guest rooms where the Bukri Clan members were staying.

Jeon Yeong asked the guard,

“Is someone from the Bukri Clan staying here?”

“Yes.”

“Then please go inside and inform them that Master Yong of the Heavenly Central Sect wishes to see them.”

“Understood.”

As the man turned, I added,

“When you deliver the message, tell it only to Miss Bukri Sehee. Do not pass it to anyone else.”

The guard looked at me briefly, then turned with a smirk.

His eyes seemed to suggest he thought I had come, infatuated by Bukri Sehee’s beauty.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Thank you. Also, if guests from the Tang Clan arrive, please inform me as well.”

“Of course.”

“And Master Jeon.”

Jeon Yeong, who had just started walking away, turned back.

“Did you have something to say?”

His demeanor was perfectly courteous, as though speaking with a highly respected master of the martial world.

“Master Jeon, hasn’t your mother’s condition worsened recently?”

“What! How do you know that?”

“I heard it from Escort Chief Do. You must not send your mother back to her family because of this. It will only worsen her condition. The person the Tang Clan is sending should certainly be able to cure her illness. You must wait.”