Chapter 255 : The Purpose of the Heretic Path's Alliance

“I don’t want to.”

“Seo-seola?”

“Hmph!”

At Cha Seol’s cold attitude, who had always been obedient, Jin Sohyun couldn’t help but be very flustered.

Cha Seol, who was glaring at Jin Sohyun with sharp eyes, pouted her lips.

“I was so worried! You didn’t even think about me one bit, big brother!”

“Th-that’s not true.”

“Then you should have come to see me as soon as the fight was over! I… I… thought something had happened to you, big brother…”

Tears like chicken droppings welled up in Cha Seol’s eyes.

The surprised Jin Sohyun flailed his arms.

Since he was young, Jin Gahyeon had not cried, and Siu’s crying was an act to trick Jin Sohyun.

So he had no immunity to a young girl’s crying.

Jin Sohyun, who had no idea how to soothe Cha Seol, sent a look of help, but Moyong Susu and Oh Seolhwa, who were with him, burst out laughing at Jin Sohyun’s flustered appearance, which they had never seen before, rather than helping.

“There are times when Young Master Jin gets flustered.”

“I know, right?”

As the two women just laughed instead of helping, this time he looked at Peng Sopyeong and Hyeok’ugun, but they also seemed not to know how to help.

At that moment, an unexpected person approached to help Jin Sohyun.

“Huck!”

“Why is that bastard!?”

“Did he eat something wrong?”

The person who had surprised everyone was none other than Cheon Gasung.

—Stay close to Jin Sohyun. If possible, to the point where he can entrust his back to you.

For the command of Cheon Yusin, which was like the sky, Cheon Gasung, although reluctant, personally stepped forward to help Jin Sohyun.

“Should I take this girl?”

“She’s not a girl, she’s Seol. Cha Seol.”

“…”

Cheon Gasung looked down at Cha Seol with a dry gaze.

At his cold gaze, Cha Seol had to tremble her body.

“Now… let’s go.”

As Cheon Gasung held out his hand, the terrified Cha Seol, who was about to hug Jin Sohyun as usual, quickly changed direction and hugged the most conspicuous woman.

The person Cha Seol had chosen was none other than Cheon Yerang.

“Big sister!”

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes!”

At the appearance of a welcome face, Cha Seol buried her face even deeper.

Cheon Gasung, who was watching the two, asked Jin Sohyun.

“What did I do wrong?”

“Isn’t not knowing that what’s wrong?”

“What?”

“Forget it. You’re no help.”

Cheon Gasung’s fists trembled with anger, but he couldn’t bring himself to swing them at Jin Sohyun.

Although he hated to admit it, his martial arts were superior to his own, and now was not the time to antagonize each other, but to gain as much trust as possible.

“Jin Sohyun.”

“What?”

“I don’t dislike you.”

“What?”

“That doesn’t mean I like you. To be precise… the feeling of dislike is greater, but it’s tolerable. To the point where I can… protect your back.”

With these words, Cheon Gasung turned his back and left.

“What’s with that guy all of a sudden?”

Jin Sohyun picked his ear and approached Cha Seol, who was in Cheon Yerang’s arms.

“Seola.”

“I don’t want to! You just use me and don’t look for me, big brother!”

As the firmly angry Cha Seol did not raise her head, Jin Sohyun became quite troubled.

‘I need Seol.’

Cha Seol was essential for the meeting with Mu Yu.

The reason was that he had to distinguish between truth and falsehood in Mu Yu’s words and actions through Cha Seol.

As the troubled Jin Sohyun didn’t know what to do, Cheon Yerang, who was watching this, gently stroked Cha Seol’s head and said.

“Seola.”

“Yes!”

“Then, can you help your big sister?”

At Cheon Yerang’s warm smile, Cha Seol’s eyes widened.

“Pretty…”

Warmth and expression were felt on the face of Cheon Yerang, who had always had a taciturn and cold expression.

Cha Seol smiled brightly and nodded her head vigorously.

“Yes! I can help you, big sister!”

“Thank you.”

“Hehe.”

“With this…”

Cheon Yerang raised her head and met Jin Sohyun’s face.

At that moment, a blush appeared on Cheon Yerang’s face.

“That’s a relief. I was going to ask you to take care of Seol in case of an emergency anyway, so it’s a good thing. Thank you.”

At Jin Sohyun’s words of thanks, Cheon Yerang couldn’t meet his eyes and lowered her head.

Cha Seol’s mouth dropped open as she witnessed this right in front of her.

‘Th-this is…!’

Although Cha Seol had no social or dating experience, she was not slow-witted.

‘Love!?’

One of Cha Seol’s eyes trembled as she realized that Cheon Yerang had developed feelings for Jin Sohyun.

‘I didn’t think it would be big sister Yerang…’

The Cheon Yerang that Cha Seol knew had never once shown any feelings for Jin Sohyun.

But now it was different.

This was clearly the embarrassment caused by affection.

“Ah… ah…”

At the appearance of the most powerful rival, Cha Seol felt a sense of betrayal, but she did not leave Cheon Yerang’s arms.

Because Cheon Yerang’s embrace was too warm and soft to leave.

“Big sister.”

“Yes?”

“Although I am younger and not as pretty… I won’t give up easily.”

Cheon Yerang tilted her head, not understanding the meaning of Cha Seol’s words.

In the meantime, So Soil, who had come to find Jin Sohyun, said.

“Young Master Jin. The preparations are complete.”

***

The ones who faced the Great General Manager of the Heretic Path's Alliance, Mu Yu, were the temporary alliance leader of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Yusin, and the sect leader of the Beggars' Sect, Gu Daepil.

They met on the highest floor of the Blue Dragon Pavilion as they had promised in advance.

Cheon Yusin and Gu Daepil, who had come first and were seated, slowly stood up from their seats when they discovered the old man who had appeared as the door opened.

The old man bowed his head lightly instead of a fist salute and introduced himself.

“I am Mu Yu, who… was the Great General Manager of the Heretic Path's Alliance.”

“I am…”

“I know. The White Moon Divine Lord, Cheon Yusin, and the Beggars' Sect Leader, Gu Daepil. Since we know enough about each other, there’s no need for personal talk, is there?”

“Indeed. That’s true.”

Cheon Yusin offered Mu Yu a seat and sat down in a chair.

Mu Yu also leaned back and sat in a chair.

Gu Daepil personally poured tea between the two and said.

“There is no poison, so don’t worry.”

“I know.”

Mu Yu calmly drank the tea and moistened his throat.

“So… the Great General Manager of the Heretic Path's Alliance wanted to see me?”

“That’s right. I’ll say it first, I am no longer the Great General Manager of the Heretic Path's Alliance. I am just a useless dog that has been abandoned and chased away by its master.”

“Hmm.”

“I know that you won’t easily believe me.”

Mu Yu opened his front and showed the wound that was wrapped in bandages.

“I was almost killed by a subordinate I trusted, and I had no choice but to run away without being able to take anything.”

“That’s what I don’t understand. Usually, a general manager or a general manager is purged on the pretext of defeat in a war, but didn’t the Heretic Path's Alliance win? Then why… were you discarded?”

Cheon Yusin’s voice as he asked this was cold.

“Because I found out something I shouldn’t have, and because of this, I have come crawling to the hateful righteous martial world on my own.”

“Something you shouldn’t have known?”

“The true purpose of the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader.”

“The true purpose of the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader! What on earth is it!?”

Cheon Yusin asked in a very excited state, unlike his usual self.

After the great explosion, the tide of the war had greatly tilted towards the heretic path.

If they had taken one more step, the righteous martial world would have been broken and would have been annihilated.

But.

The Heretic Path's Alliance Leader, Ju Cheon, had stopped the fight.

And then he had left the battlefield with the words to challenge him again after being fully prepared.

Since then, Cheon Yusin had constantly harbored doubts about Ju Cheon’s purpose.

And finally, Mu Yu, who held the answer in his hand, had appeared in front of him on his own, so even Cheon Yusin couldn’t help but be excited.

“Hurry and tell me! What is the purpose!”

Even at Cheon Yusin’s shout, Mu Yu was not agitated.

He looked at Cheon Yusin with eyes that contained an unwavering, firm belief and said.

“If you want to hear the answer.”

“If I want to hear it?”

“Bring Jin Sohyun. Anyway… he must have come with you.”

“…”

As expected, the Great General Manager of the Heretic Path's Alliance was not easy.

At his attitude, which seemed to know the movements of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Yusin calmed his excitement and said.

“Why do you need Jin Sohyun?”

“Because it’s a story he has to hear too.”

“Can’t we tell him?”

“I have to tell him with my own mouth.”

The moment Mu Yu’s words ended, Jin Sohyun’s voice was heard from the darkness.

“Speak.”

Jin Sohyun appeared as if he had been there from the beginning.

“It’s like a painting.”

Since it was the first time he had faced Jin Sohyun from this close, Mu Yu stood up in admiration and stretched out his hand towards Jin Sohyun.

As Cheon Yusin and Gu Daepil tried to stop him, Jin Sohyun stopped them.

“It’s okay.”

Mu Yu stretched his hand forward and fumbled with Jin Sohyun’s arm.

“So this is the arm that flies the flying swords. There are no unnecessary muscles. It’s a very perfect body.”

Mu Yu, who had seen and touched Jin Sohyun himself, couldn’t help but admire him.

“You must have faced the Blood Demon with this amazing body and talent. Hehehe…”

“Now speak. What is the true purpose of the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader.”

“Heulheul.”

Mu Yu returned to his seat, sat in a chair, and drank tea.

Mu Yu, who had moistened his lips, opened his mouth with a long, deep breath.

“Ju Cheon’s purpose is… the end of the martial world. To be precise… he wants all martial artists, regardless of the righteous and heretic paths, to disappear from this world.”

“The end of the martial world?”

Behind Cheon Yusin, who was repeating Ju Cheon’s purpose, Gu Daepil asked in disbelief.

“Why on earth does the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader want the end of the martial world!?”

“I don’t know his purpose, but I know who instigated it.”

“The imperial palace.”

“Heulheul!! The Martial Alliance is not completely blind, I see.”

“To get that much explosives, the help of the imperial palace would have been needed… then is Ju Cheon a person of the imperial palace?”

“I don’t know that much. Nothing is known about the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader’s past.”

“To summarize… you found out that the imperial palace is behind the Heretic Path's Alliance, and Ju Cheon, who found out about this, tried to kill you, the Great General Manager, to silence you?”

“Half is right and half is wrong.”

Mu Yu looked down at the empty cup and said with an empty voice.

“Ju Cheon probably doesn’t care if I live or die. That’s why he hasn’t sent an assassin until now.”

“Then.”

Cheon Yusin put his hands forward.

A cold chill emanated from his body.

“What is your purpose? There must be a reason you came to find us.”

“My purpose?”

Mu Yu passed Cheon Yusin and Gu Daepil and looked at Jin Sohyun.

“My purpose is simple… I just wanted to get a glimpse of the future of the martial world.”

***

Mu Yu, who had left the Blue Dragon Pavilion, placed his hand on the head of the trembling Mangryang next to him.

Mangryang’s trembling subsided a little.

“Are you still afraid?”

“…”

Mangryang nodded his head vigorously.

He should have left his fear in the pits of hell, but the existence of Jin Sohyun had firmly engraved what fear was in the mind of Mangryang, who had forgotten fear.

“I would have regretted it if I hadn’t met him.”

Mu Yu had no expectations of the Martial Alliance.

He had no intention of taking anyone’s side anymore.

He was too old for that, and he had no enthusiasm left.

Mu Yu was like the ashes left after the charcoal had burned.

Nevertheless, Mu Yu wanted to know.

Where the future of the martial world was heading.

“Ju Cheon… I will watch with my own two eyes. But the future you are drawing will not come easily. Because you have made a mistake you shouldn’t have.”

Mu Yu muttered as he retraced the path he had come.

“You… should have killed Jin Sohyun when you had the chance.”

Next to the shaking Mu Yu, Mangryang began to emit a killing intent.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something… is coming.”

Mu Yu looked forward with a hazy gaze.

There stood a familiar man with his hands behind his back.

“Heulheul. I was wondering why I couldn’t see you. You were here?”

He was the first of the Ghost Star Travelers that Mu Yu had captured.

The First Guest.

Behind the First Guest, who was holding a sword, Wiso appeared.

“The Martial Alliance and Young Master Jin let you go in exchange for information, but I won’t.”

Ronin appeared around Wiso.

The number was by no means small.

Grrr!

Next to Mangryang, who was baring his teeth and raising his fighting spirit, Mu Yu let out a hollow laugh.

“Yes. I made a mistake too. I should have killed both of you then.”

“For people like us, a mistake… is death.”

“You are right.”

Wiso, who had nodded his head, pointed at Mu Yu and said softly.

“Kill him. I have no more lingering attachments.”

(End of Chapter)