Chapter 221 : Hoi Soyu's Secret (2)

Chapter 221: Hoi Soyu's Secret (2)

This Escort Chief, Go Jam-mu, remained composed.

"Go Jam-mu! You were so desperate to become the First Escort Chief, and now you must think your time has come!"

"Hahaha, how could a man be satisfied with just becoming the First Escort Chief?"

Do Gye-gong acted as if he were about to unleash his entire internal energy to attack the two, but instead kicked off the ground and leapt over Winter Gate.

He believed escaping was the wiser choice for now rather than fighting.

"After him!"

Just as Do Gye-gong was about to deploy movement arts past the last of Winter Gate—

Whiiik!

A pure white dagger flew through the air and lodged itself in Do Gye-gong's thigh.

Thwack!

"Keuk!"

Do Gye-gong faltered midair and fell to the ground.

But he immediately stood, sealed a pressure point on his thigh, and yanked out the dagger.

His eyes flared red with rage.

"First Escort Chief, why would you throw your life away over something like this? You can’t just die meaninglessly, can you? If you swear allegiance to the Second Young Mistress, your life can be spared."

Chief Administrator Wang Mu and Escort Agency Leader Yeogong stepped forward and spoke.

"Uahahaha, you thieving bastards! I was on the brink of death, and the Chairman saved me. How could I betray someone like that? I may be ignorant and uncultured, but I know what loyalty means! How can those who owe their lives to the Chairman conspire against the Chairman and Vice Chairman? What do you think will happen when the Chairman wakes up?"

These five Escort Chiefs had all joined the Sky Ocean Merchant Union after being moved by Chairman Hoi Jongbaek's character.

But after Hoi Jongbaek fell into a coma, they were gradually brought over to Hoi Soyu's side, and now, they were fully under her command.

"Uahahahaha! Even if I die today, I will not betray the Chairman!"

Do Gye-gong deliberately shouted loudly.

He hoped Yong Hwarin would hear it.

Yong Hwarin opened his eyes at the distant sound.

Sensing a subtle killing intent, he drew his sword and stepped outside.

In the distance, he saw Jeon Yeong running toward him in haste.

"Young Master Yong, Escort Chief Do is in danger."

"I already know. Let's go."

"We'll go as well."

When the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect stepped forward, Yong Hwarin shook his head.

"It may be a ruse to draw us out. Everyone, hold your positions and maintain strict vigilance here!"

Mu Iso, unable to respond, lowered his head at Yong Hwarin's correct judgment.

"Understood, Small Sect Leader."

Mu Iso yielded so easily because he trusted the assassins guarding Yong Hwarin.

"Kuaaaagh!"

As a desperate scream echoed, Yong Hwarin stepped forward using the Soaring Dragon Ascent.

With a single leap spanning ten jang, Yong Hwarin climbed atop Winter Gate.

There, he saw Do Gye-gong clutching his abdomen and running forward, while those behind him pursued with drawn sabers.

Yong Hwarin raised his sword and unleashed Severing the Tide without hesitation.

As his sword trembled uncontrollably and released sword qi, those chasing Do Gye-gong recoiled in fright and withdrew.

"Ugh!"

This Escort Chief, Go Jam-mu, who had rushed in too deep to capture Do Gye-gong, couldn't evade the sword qi and took a heavy blow to the shoulder.

His white robe was instantly stained red.

"How dare a guest try to bite his master! You’re nothing short of a mad dog!"

"Then taste what a mad dog receives!"

Yong Hwarin advanced and activated Dragon Claw Guest Mountain.

As a blue aura surged forth to engulf Go Jam-mu, Wang Mu and Yeogong stepped up to respond.

Boom!

That single clash revealed each side’s martial prowess.

Yong Hwarin stood motionless at his spot, but Wang Mu and Yeogong left deep footprints in the ground, furrowing a groove nearly one jang deep.

They barely managed to remain standing, legs trembling uncontrollably.

It was fortunate the night concealed it all.

Seeing this, both Escort Chief Go Jam-mu and Fourth Escort Chief Wol San were aghast.

Though they had heard much about Yong Hwarin’s martial feats, they never imagined that he could overpower Wang Mu and Yeogong—considered the strongest experts of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union—with a single move.

Wang Mu and Yeogong had become Chief Administrator and Escort Agency Leader due to their immense martial power.

Even among those active in the murim today, they were first-rate martial artists worthy of recognition.

To see them utterly overwhelmed was horrifying.

‘He's worse than the rumors!’

Even Wang Mu and Yeogong had no choice but to admit they had gravely underestimated Yong Hwarin.

‘Even the Chief Administrator of the Bukri Clan said he must be eliminated before he makes a move—there was a reason. If someone of that stature takes caution, there’s always a reason behind it…’

Wang Mu and Yeogong didn’t even dare to think of attacking Yong Hwarin.

Do Gye-gong had received a sword wound to the abdomen and was bleeding far too much.

“If you move from here, that movement will be your last in this life!”

As he shouted with overwhelming killing intent, those pursuing Do Gye-gong froze in place like mice before a cat.

Yong Hwarin didn’t move either, staying in place to keep the escort captains, Wang Mu, and Yeogong in check.

“Escort Chief Jeon, bring Escort Chief Do here.”

Jeon Yeong stepped forward with a slightly fearful expression.

“Brother, are you alright?”

Since Do Gye-gong couldn’t walk properly from the wound to his abdomen, Jeon Yeong lifted him and supported him.

“Take this.”

When he handed over the wooden case to Jeon Yeong, Wang Mu shouted.

“Recover the wooden case!”

Yong Hwarin drew his sword, prepared to cut down any escort captain who moved.

Fortunately, perhaps due to Yong Hwarin’s momentum, no one dared to make a move.

However, just then, when no one had yet moved, a suppressed groan escaped from Do Gye-gong’s mouth.

“Ghhhhhkk!”

As Yong Hwarin turned his head, Jeon Yeong was seen stabbing a dagger into Do Gye-gong’s chest and snatching the wooden case as he leapt backward.

“What are you doing!”

Just as Yong Hwarin, shocked, tried to attack Jeon Yeong, Hoi Soyu arrived, leading elders of the Geumwon Council, the Bukri Clan, and warriors from the Sword Poison Sect.

“Young Master Yong, what do you think you’re doing?”

“What do you mean, what am I doing?”

In a situation like this, responding emotionally would likely result in losing his position as Hoi Unkyung’s bodyguard and being driven out of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

As a guest, he couldn’t recklessly kill someone from the Merchant Union. If he did, Yong Hwarin would no longer have any justification to remain at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

“Escort Chief Do is in that state, and you’re calling this an act of violence?”

“Escort Chief Do had been embezzling this union’s funds behind the scenes. That wasn’t enough—he even killed someone and was trying to escape. That’s why all this ruckus happened, to catch him. This is an internal matter of the union. It’s not something for Young Master Yong to interfere in.”

Yong Hwarin approached Do Gye-gong and infused him with qi before laying him on the ground.

Then Do Gye-gong lifted his head, looked at Jeon Yeong, and spoke.

“Escort Chief Jeon, were you also recruited by the second young lady?”

“Hahaha, Escort Chief Do. I’ve always been the second young lady’s man. Do you think I could have become the third escort chief at my age otherwise? It was all possible because she took care of me.”

“Ah, ah… I didn’t even know that…”

Then Do Gye-gong’s eyes gleamed as he asked.

“Then, was it also you who poisoned the Chairman and Vice Chairman?”

Jeon Yeong grinned.

“I didn’t do it alone, but I definitely played a part. The two of them trusted me quite a lot, after all.”

“Hahaha… And I didn’t even know that…”

Do Gye-gong lowered his head, consumed by a sense of emptiness.

Yong Hwarin had always found it strange in his past life that his plans and movements were constantly being uncovered by the Geumwon Council.

Even when he set out for his final escort mission, he had kept his destination and route secret from the Geumwon Council.

Despite that, they had always known where he was headed, and though he had suspected a traitor, he never imagined it would be Jeon Yeong—who had always followed him alongside Hoi Unkyung.

‘So that bastard was the one leaking everything to the Geumwon Council.’

Just like Do Gye-gong, Yong Hwarin also felt a deep sting of betrayal.

But now wasn’t the time to wallow in the betrayal of a past life.

Yong Hwarin shouted loudly.

“If that’s the case, then there should be a token or treasure inside that wooden case. Let’s see it! If there’s treasure or money inside, I’ll admit that Miss Hoi is right. But if there’s not, then I’ll demand an explanation for what you’ve done to my friend!”

As he said this, Hoi Soyu walked over to Jeon Yeong and received the wooden case.

“You’re curious? Then I’ll open it.”

Hoi Soyu opened the wooden case with the smile of a victor.

“Hmm?”

Everyone staring intently at the wooden case widened their eyes and snorted.

“What the—? There’s nothing inside!”

Hoi Soyu’s face turned red as she frantically examined the case and then shouted.

“That bastard must have hidden it somewhere while he was being chased! Search the area thoroughly!”

Hoi Soyu began approaching Do Gye-gong and demanded,

“Do Gye-gong! Where did you hide it!”

As Hoi Soyu drew near, Yong Hwarin swung his sword without hesitation.

Clang!

Bukri Haeng blocked Yong Hwarin’s sword.

“If you try to pass me, you’d better leave your head behind!”

“What are you talking about? I’m the Vice Chairman of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union!”

“Who appointed you Vice Chairman? The Chairman? Or the Vice Chairman lying over there? If you cause any more trouble here, we’ll consider you rebels trying to seize control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and retaliate! If you think I’m bluffing, then go ahead and test me!”

After hearing Yong Hwarin’s words, Bukri Haeng tried to step forward, but Bukri So grabbed him from behind.

Then she shook her head to restrain Bukri Haeng’s provocation.

“Though I wish I could kill them all, it’s a shame I can’t because we’re supposed to be orthodox!”

At that moment, the demonic master who had approached from behind murmured.

“Young Master Yong, it’s not difficult to be a demonic practitioner. If you follow your emotions fully, that’s being a demonic practitioner.”

“I envy demonic practitioners. But if you kill them all, who would know who did it?”

He spoke with such calm that those opposing Yong Hwarin felt a chill run down their spines.

It didn’t sound like idle talk.

“Master Yong, please restrain yourself for the Vice Chairman’s sake. If the Vice Chairman wakes up, we need to rebuild the merchant union. What good is it if everyone is dead?”

“Why hire such traitors at all!”

Yong Hwarin shouted in genuine anger.

He was speaking with reasoning similar to that of the demonic master.

“Tell me, Escort Chief Do. What was inside that wooden case?”

Yong Hwarin knew that the contents of the wooden case were extremely important and asked as if for everyone to hear.

Do Gye-gong, pierced through the heart, seemed unable to hold on for much longer.

Only after being infused with qi could he manage to speak.

Do Gye-gong closed his eyes. Then, shedding tears of blood, he quietly opened his mouth.

“Master Yong, forgive me. There was nothing inside the wooden case.”

Yong Hwarin frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“There was nothing.”

Do Gye-gong looked at Yong Hwarin with apologetic eyes, then trembled and dropped his hand.

When Do Gye-gong died, Yong Hwarin could not understand why he did not reveal everything before passing.

“Did he pity Hoi Soyu at the end? That can’t be. He was about to hand me an important clue.”

When Yong Hwarin looked at Do Gye-gong with a sorrowful gaze, Hoi Soyu spoke to Wang Mu.

“Chief Wang, although Escort Chief Do committed a heinous crime at the end, he made many contributions to this merchant union. Please give him a grand funeral. Also, ensure the livelihood of Escort Chief Do’s family.”