Chapter 46

The clash between the Yeon Mok Sword Manor warriors and the masked figures was momentarily halted by the cry of Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the Heaven and Earth Society.

However, it was not a time for relaxation.

The Heaven and Earth Society, a violent organization still pursuing unification of the Central Plains, would not hesitate to resume the battle if the Bright Blade King Son Yun changed his mind.

“This is serious,” Lady Seok, the first wife, whispered to the guard Ho-aeng.

From what she’d heard, they were after a secret manual, apparently hidden within the Medicinal Hall.

-Glance!

She furtively glanced at Mok Gyeong-un, still channeling energy.

That child… It seemed he’d found the Manor Master’s exclusive secret manual in the Medicinal Hall.

Otherwise, how could he have negotiated with her while never leaving the Hall?

At this, guard Ho-aeng said to her,

“Madam… Shouldn’t we inform the Manor Master?”

“We should, but…”

Lady Seok’s eyes held a peculiar expression.

Considering the future of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, informing the Manor Master now would allow swift action.

However, a clever idea struck Lady Seok.

‘He said he only gave me two stances of the Ignited Wood Sword Formation, and the rest of the oral formulas were all in his head.’

If that were true, given that cunning fellow’s personality, there was a high probability he’d memorized and destroyed the secret manual.

She was convinced this was the case.

Then, there was no need to inform the Manor Master immediately.

If someone had memorized a secret manual so valuable to the Heaven and Earth Society, how would they react?

“I think it’s best to inform him later,” Lady Seok said, a slight curl to her lips.

If things went well, she might be able to eliminate a troublesome problem here.

As the situation remained stagnant, Mok Gyeong-un, having finished his energy circulation, finally opened his eyes.

“Young Master!” Guard Go Chan, standing beside him, called out softly.

Mok Gyeong-un glanced at him, then surveyed the surroundings.

Seeing the standstill, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips, seemingly disappointed.

‘No wonder the death energy stopped mid-flow.’

The fighting had ceased.

Mok Gyeong-un was actually disappointed that no more people were dying.

However, assessing the situation was paramount.

“What happened?”

Come to think of it, why had the Demonic Monk, in the form of a vengeful spirit, abandoned the Outer Manor Master’s body?

“Well…”

As Mok Gyeong-un looked puzzled, Go Chan whispered in his ear, explaining the events.

Mok Yu-cheon eyed Mok Gyeong-un with a touch of envy.

‘When did that scoundrel acquire such a guard?’

He’d never seen Go Chan before, and was curious about his introduction as Mok Gyeong-un’s guard.

Not only was his appearance striking, but Mok Yu-cheon was particularly impressed by his martial prowess.

Having grasped the situation, Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin and let out a soft groan.

“Hmm.”

‘What are you going to do about this?’ Go Chan looked at Mok Gyeong-un with a perplexed expression.

They were caught in a difficult situation.

Soon, the masked Heaven and Earth Society member sent to search the Medicinal Hall would return.

A catastrophe could then unfold.

“Young Master… The Heaven and Earth Society is a truly dangerous organization. If we’re not careful…”

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

While Go Chan was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un approached Manor Master Mok In-dan, who was anxiously waiting.

Mok In-dan admonished him softly,

“If you’re injured, rest. Right now…”

“May I ask who inflicted that wound on your side?”

“What?”

Manor Master Mok In-dan frowned at Mok Gyeong-un’s sudden question.

As if the uncertain future wasn’t enough, why was this child asking such a thing?

The Manor Master sighed,

“Now is not the time for that…”

“There’s nothing in the Medicinal Hall’s underground.”

At those words, the Manor Master was momentarily flustered, but managed to compose himself and surveyed the surroundings.

The Bright Blade King Son Yun stood with arms crossed, leaning against the wall, observing him.

Aware of him, the Manor Master lowered his voice further,

“What do you mean? Nothing in the underground? What in the world…”

“Exactly as I said. So, if you tell me where, how, and by whom you were wounded, I will handle this.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Manor Master Mok In-dan’s eyes sharpened.

Mok In-dan glared at Mok Gyeong-un,

“Did you perhaps go to the underground?”

“Yes.”

“How did you… Ha!”

For a moment, he wanted to grab his neck.

How did this kid find out about that place and go there?

And he couldn’t understand why he was so fixated on this wound.

But that wasn’t the point.

“Don’t tell me you tampered with it?”

“Please tell me first.”

“You!”

The Yeon Mok Sword Manor was in a life-or-death crisis, so what kind of behavior was this?

Anger rising, Manor Master Mok In-dan grabbed Mok Gyeong-un’s wrist.

-Grip!

“Where is it? Tell me now. The future of our clan is at stake. I can’t tolerate your recklessness in this situation…”

“Does this seem like recklessness to you?”

‘!?’

Manor Master Mok In-dan frowned.

Was this really the same child he knew?

He was gripping his wrist tightly, imposing his authority, yet the child didn’t avert his eyes, showing no fear.

“You…”

At that moment.

-Tap tap tap tap!

A masked figure rushed over.

Seeing this, Manor Master Mok In-dan’s expression hardened.

It was the masked figure he’d sent to the Medicinal Hall.

The Bright Blade King Son Yun, straightening, said,

“Did you find it?”

“It’s here.”

The masked figure knelt and respectfully presented an old wooden box, adorned with talismans.

Son Yun received the box with both hands, his excitement evident.

“It has returned to our society.”

Seeing this, Manor Master Mok In-dan asked Mok Gyeong-un,

“You… Did you lie to your father?”

Otherwise, there was no way the box would be so intact.

Mok In-dan, relieved that a major disturbance was avoided, sighed.

If they took it and left, there would be no further damage…

-Click!

At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun raised an eyebrow and opened the box.

He wanted to check the contents.

However,

-Whoosh!

A surge of immense killing intent erupted from the Bright Blade King Son Yun.

Everyone, from the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and the masked figures, flinched.

‘Why all of a sudden?’

Manor Master Mok In-dan, feeling relieved, was baffled.

Mok In-dan looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

Could the contents be missing?

“I told you.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Mok In-dan was not only angry but also dumbfounded.

Was this kid really in his right mind?

However, unlike him, one person welcomed this situation.

Lady Seok, the first wife.

‘Perfect!’

She’d wondered if Mok Gyeong-un hadn’t tampered with the box.

But judging by that man’s reaction, it wasn’t the case.

Now was her chance.

Lady Seok stepped forward.

And just as she was about to speak, the Bright Blade King Son Yun took something out of the box with his thumb and index finger.

It was…

‘An earring?’

A lavish jade and silver earring.

Unique, and seemingly a woman’s accessory.

‘!!!!!!!’

Lady Seok was bewildered.

It should have been in her jade ornament box.

But why was it here?

It was enough to make ghosts wail.

‘Wait, could it be?’

Startled, Lady Seok looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

But her eyes met Mok In-dan’s, who was standing beside him.

Mok In-dan’s expression asked what was going on.

And for good reason…

‘Of all things, that one…’

It was one of the ornaments Manor Master Mok In-dan had given her.

Mok In-dan’s suspicion was natural.

Flustered, she noticed Mok Gyeong-un chuckling and shrugging beside him.

‘You!’

Only then did she realize it was Mok Gyeong-un’s doing.

He was the only one who had been there.

At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun held up the earring towards Manor Master Mok In-dan, radiating killing intent,

“Manor Master Mo. What is this?”

Mok In-dan was speechless.

The missing secret manual was a problem, but he couldn’t admit the earring belonged to his wife.

“You’ve finally chosen to be punished.”

-Shing!

The Bright Blade King Son Yun drew his Taoist sword.

The masked figures followed suit.

The Yeon Mok Sword Manor warriors also drew their weapons, tense.

An explosion was imminent.

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un shouted,

“First Madam! When our clan is in danger, do you intend to remain silent? Isn’t that earring yours?”

‘!?’

Lady Seok was momentarily speechless.

She knew it was hers, but hadn’t expected Mok Gyeong-un to bring her into this.

“You! Wh- What are you…”

“Hoho. So this earring belonged to the Manor Master’s wife?”

The Bright Blade King Son Yun glared at Lady Seok.

Fearful of his sharp gaze and aura, Lady Seok stumbled back.

“Warrior Son, I think there’s a misunderstanding. This is…”

“Eldest Madam! You can end this without bloodshed, so why are you doing this? If you have the secret manual, please give it quickly.”

‘This bastard!’

At Mok Gyeong-un’s shout, she felt like she was going crazy.

She wanted to rip his mouth apart, but the Heaven and Earth Society’s terrifying master was glaring at her, so she couldn’t speak.

-Grip!

Manor Master Mok In-dan grabbed Mok Gyeong-un’s wrist, urging him softly,

“Enough!”

“Pardon?”

“What are you doing? No matter how much she’s not your birth mother, how could you…”

“You’re more naive than you look.”

“What?”

“That woman even used a diviner to find out where the Manor Master’s secret manual was, and then tried to have you killed. And you still think of protecting her?”

‘!?’

At those words, Mok In-dan’s expression hardened.

What in the world was this about?

Puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un whispered with a curl of his lips,

“So, you don’t have to feel too guilty. If, by some stroke of luck, we can save everyone with the sacrifice of that one woman, wouldn’t that be a good thing in its own way?”

It was like a devil’s tempting whisper.

A chill ran through Manor Master Mok In-dan.