Cho Janyeo was an expert no less skilled than the four leaders, but he didn't associate with them.
He was a typical lone wolf, a solitary martial artist who roamed alone, not forming any alliances.
He would pick fights with every martial artist he encountered, spilling blood, but because he didn't harm civilians or resort to ambushes, he wasn't labeled a criminal.
'Actually, he almost made it onto the wanted list…'
After entering the Sword Saint's Tomb, Cho Janyeo ignored Wu Se-hyeon's subtle proposal for cooperation, made for the sake of everyone's survival, and roamed around alone.
And here's where things got interesting.
He continued the same behavior he'd exhibited outside the tomb.
Kang Il-san at least showed some deference to the experts, but Cho Janyeo committed slaughter without any restraint.
'Honestly, it was crazy. Picking fights when there wasn't even enough food?'
The righteous sects were understandably upset, but Wu Se-hyeon and Jo Il-geon were truly seething.
Since Cho Janyeo belonged to the demonic sect, they shared the responsibility for his actions.
Even among the demonic sect members, complaints arose about the demonic expert who would cut down anyone he met.
They argued that if he were from the righteous sect, it would be one thing, but it was especially galling that a demonic expert was slaughtering his own(?) side.
They subtly pressured Wu Se-hyeon and Jo Il-geon, asking if they would just stand by and let this happen.
In the end, the two leaders had to address their subordinates' complaints.
No matter how skilled they were, they couldn't ignore such collective protests.
Especially in this unusual situation, it was necessary to quickly quell any discontent.
The two, who had tolerated Cho Janyeo's troublesome behavior to preserve their forces, finally decided to expel him.
But why am I telling this story?
"Cho Janyeo, this is truly a proposal that isn't bad for you either."
Because I ended up attending that very meeting today!
"Think carefully. If you ignore even this offer, I will truly have no choice but to make up my mind. I would prefer to cooperate with you."
Behind the shrine, I was holding back tears as I watched the scene unfold. Ha, my life…
Wu Se-hyeon continued, with a grin.
"We are fellow members of the demonic sect, aren't we?"
Ha, my life…
***
Fortunately, I managed to infiltrate the residential area without incident shortly after leaving the cave.
Everything went smoothly after that. As I'd mentioned, the residential area was a zone of peace, so unlike the riverbank, the likelihood of life-threatening situations was low.
It was still a time when the influence of the four experts remained strong.
The area was relatively controlled. Even 'that' Kang Il-san wouldn't dare cause trouble here.
If anything, the greater threat to me would be the righteous sect rather than the demonic sect.
Because of the Namgung Clan jade pendant in my possession.
Why this 'Namgung body' person was hiding pathetically in a cave, away from the righteous sect members, why they tried to conceal their face with a silver mask – there were many questions surrounding this body.
'Why couldn't this person enter the residential area?'
I couldn't help but suspect that this 'Namgung body' person was a criminal.
Why would a righteous sect member avoid their own kind?
Even demonic sect members were moving around freely, so what wrongdoing had this person committed to risk leaving the safe zone?
For reference, the bonds within the righteous sects were very deep.
The demonic sect was more of an interest group, so divisions sometimes arose depending on gains and losses, but the righteous sect, united by ideology, tended to stick together.
There were some regional tensions between the northern and southern factions, but they would still unite for the greater good.
Especially within the clans, where blood ties often connected the older generations, the bonds were even stronger.
Having interacted for generations, they wouldn't betray each other even in the face of death.
There were exceptions, of course, but they were extremely rare.
In any case, the Nine Sects and Eight Great Clans maintained their positions by cooperating with each other.
That was how they preserved their hierarchical structure.
Uniting in times of crisis, strengthening their bonds through camaraderie!
That was why it was said that the members of the Nine Sects and Eight Great Clans had remained largely unchanged for over two hundred years.
Except for the Jeonjin Sect, which had been annihilated, the power structure of the righteous sect remained constant, even though the demonic sect's leadership had changed numerous times.
There was one thing to note here: this meant they would also unite against a common enemy.
That was precisely why I was avoiding the righteous sects.
'…If I run into them, I'm really screwed.'
Since it was a peace zone, open bloodshed wouldn't occur… but there was no need to take unnecessary risks, right?
I moved, avoiding people's eyes. Fortunately, the streets weren't crowded.
It would be stranger if they were bustling at this point.
Food was running low, and the atmosphere was tense, so who would be strolling around leisurely?
Were they crazy?
The more reckless younger members would have been disciplined by their sect elders. Ironically, I was able to maintain my safety thanks to this unsettling atmosphere. The streets were deserted.
I headed towards the shrine, avoiding attention.
The shrine was located at the northernmost point of the residential area, set apart from the other buildings. It was quite dilapidated and empty inside.
More accurately, it had been empty.
I had intended to follow the events described in the novel, but an unexpected guest appeared.
'…!'
I realized that the previous owner of this body was a true martial artist.
While striking a flint to light incense, I felt a chill down my spine.
Reacting instantly to the eerie sensation creeping up my back, I flicked my fingers.
A large piece of sand from the incense burner flew out, grazing the tip of the incense just as it was about to ignite.
Extinguishing the incense, I hid behind a folding screen.
I didn't even have time to be surprised that I had used martial arts unconsciously.
Rustle…
'What's that?'
Frozen, I peeked through the screen.
…Someone was entering the shrine.
I could sense their presence. I instinctively concealed my own.
Unlike my efforts to avoid detection by Kang Il-san's group, my body naturally blended with the surroundings.
It felt like my body was dissolving like sugar in water. Was this a martial art?
…No, that wasn't important right now.
After a moment of thought, I groped the wall behind the screen.
There was a small groove in a section of the smooth wall. It was a passage leading to a side room behind the shrine.
I opened the door silently and slipped inside.
Just as I closed the door, I heard a low voice.
"Do you think the Bloodthirsty Berserker will come?"
"…Although Cho Janyeo has a violent and disrespectful temperament, he's not devoid of human compassion. In fact, he's rather loyal."
Cho Janyeo…?
"Your granduncle saved Cho Janyeo's life, so he will try to repay the favor, even if he doesn't go as far as betraying his principles. He'll save your life someday. I don't know if this is the right course of action.
Phantom Sword, the fact that he doesn't listen to us and acts on his own isn't because he looks down on us or intends to insult us. It's simply his nature.
The Bloodthirsty Berserker can't stand it if he doesn't kill. Considering his usual behavior, you and I are actually being shown respect."
I widened my eyes and looked through the crack in the door.
The names mentioned in their conversation were familiar.
Cho Janyeo? Phantom Sword?
'Could this be…?'
"He's showing us goodwill, so are we really going to turn the Bloodthirsty Berserker into an enemy just because a few of our subordinates died? I think you're being hasty. Besides, isn't he a more valuable asset to you, Phantom Sword, than to me?"
"But he's an uncontrollable asset."
"…"
"Jiao-Long, you understand what I mean, don't you?"
I swallowed hard and peered through a crack in the rotten wood.
I saw a man in purple robes gesturing with his hand.
The man's face was contorted with intense emotion.
He spoke in a harsh voice.
"An uncontrollable asset must be eliminated! Especially at this juncture, we don't need any variables. Don't you agree that removing future threats is the best course of action? Why are you being so passive, Jiao-Long? It's not like you."
The man with the gentle demeanor tried to dissuade him for a while, then sighed deeply and fiddled with his folding fan.
"Granduncle Jo is fond of him. Are you sure about this? Aren't you worried about the repercussions? This is too impulsive. I don't approve. But it can't be helped. We're in this together… and I do agree to some extent. I'll follow your lead."
The slightly thin man grinned at those words.
The man with the gentle demeanor smiled wryly and said,
"It's his own fault for not controlling his behavior! Who's to blame? He lived freely all his life, only to be broken in the end."
…It was the day Cho Janyeo's arm was cut off.
****
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