Namgung Hyun’s name was heard now and then on the streets of Wuhan. It was not in a very good sense. Rather than praise for the martial man, the rumors attached to him were consumed with greater interest.However, Namgung Hyun walked in haste as if he did not hear.It was only once, but he clearly heard the secret talk that Tang Sohwa had disappeared.During the Duel Tournament all eyes were on him, so he could not make contact with the Blood Cult. Thus, he left headquarters as soon as the finals ended.Entering the inn, Namgung Hyun sat in a spacious seat on the first floor. A black cloth screened the seat, but it was a thin curtain that could be easily drawn aside with a single reach of the hand. The server who guided him to his seat asked, “What may I bring you?”“Food is fine, just bring me a drink.”Namgung Hyun placed one tael of silver on the table. It was an excessive amount for the price of liquor. The server gave Namgung Hyun a quick glance. “There are many people, so you may have to wait a bit—will that be alright?”Even if orders were backed up, it could not possibly take long to bring a single drink, yet the server asked while pocketing the silver.“I cannot stay long, so bring it as quickly as you can.”The server nodded and quietly disappeared.However, the server did not return even after quite some time. Only the occasional sound of footsteps told him that customers were leaving.As the Zi hour (11 p.m.–1 a.m.) was about to end, the black curtain was lifted and the server reappeared. “If you are looking for good liquor, you may choose it directly from the liquor storeroom—would you like to do that?”“I would.”When Namgung Hyun stood, the server led the way.When the server opened the storeroom door and stood still, Namgung Hyun entered alone.The storeroom, relying on a single lamp, was very dark.A man sitting in the corner was holding the lamp and examining the casks. He was perhaps checking inventory; looking at the casks and writing something down, the man asked, “How has such an honored personage come to this shabby place?”There was censure in the man’s voice.“For one who carries many eyes to come without fear—this lowly one’s heart pounds and flutters.”This place was an inn operated by the Yoohyeon Unit of the Blood Cult. The man had been working here since before the Blood Demon closed the Passage, and had once belonged to the Blue Blood Hall.Close enough to the Hall Lord to have come to the Central Plains ahead of time and secured a place at the Blue Blood Hall Lord’s request, he had, however, suffered three years of hardship while watching the Red Blood Hall’s face because the Passage was closed before the Blue Blood Hall could settle.He had always hated the little brat of the Moohyeon Unit, the root of all these troubles—but who could know people’s fates.Now he was again helping the Blue Blood Hall Lord by communicating with this fellow.The man let out a deep sigh, displeased.Because Hubei was the base of the Red Blood Hall Lord, he was bothered that Namgung Hyun had come like this and drawn attention.Three years ago, when the Blood Demon punished the Yoohyeon Unit, he said that it was fine to kill all who belonged to the Yoohyeon Unit, but the Red Blood Hall Lord did not do so. The Red Blood Hall Lord spared the Yoohyeon Unit cultists who submitted to him.The man had thought of himself as someone who valued pride more than life, but that day, he had to realize that his thinking was wrong.Recalling that shameful past, strength naturally gathered in his body. After helping the Blue Blood Hall Lord kill the Hound, the next would be this fellow’s turn.Namgung Hyun felt the man’s anger. The killing intent brazenly spilling out made it hard to breathe.However, Namgung Hyun hid his inner thoughts with his characteristic gentle voice.“In the end, it is only the Red Blood Hall’s gaze, so why pay it so much heed?”“It seems you came not to draw the Hound, but to draw the Blue Blood Hall’s gaze—so I am bothered.”“The Red Blood Hall or the Blue Blood Hall, dogs of the same kind distinguishing one another—it’s an amusing sight.”The one gauging inventory gave a brief laugh and tucked a thin brush behind his ear. At the same time, a cold gaze lifted toward Namgung Hyun. “I have seen many newborn pups who don’t know their place because their master dotes on them. In the end, such creatures are torn to death from behind by a dog fiercer than I am.”At the cultist’s warning to watch his mouth, Namgung Hyun instead smiled.“Han Cheol has fallen into someone else’s hands. Only the other day you were so confident, saying you would help me win—strange.”“Blaming others because you yourself fell short and could not win. Tsk, tsk—how paltry you are.”The smile at Namgung Hyun’s lips slowly faded.A vague suspicion had become certainty.The Blood Demon had withdrawn the trial ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) he had given him.The Tang Clan’s eldest daughter, and the two Passages.It did not matter that the Blood Demon had given up on the Passages. But taking Tang Sohwa—he could not let that pass.Rather than foolishly bringing up the Tang Clan’s eldest daughter, Namgung Hyun mentioned the Passage he had not cared about.“If I were to board Han Cheol, I said I would create the path he desired for him. I heard it was a path he had long yearned for, but for some reason he seems more interested in something else.”He lengthened the end of his words in a sly voice.“If the wrong choice is made, it may take a very long time to create the Passage.”The cultist’s gaze sharpened, but Namgung Hyun’s eyes bent into smiling crescents. “This is not something I can control. Even in things unseen, there is a natural order. If you choose one thing, it must influence the next choice.”The cultist clicked his tongue inwardly.He was a young man with a delicate face but with something bizarre about him. Behind that pure-white face like a lotus blooming in muddy water, he could smell stench.'This is why one should not keep sorcerers close.'Since misfortune followed whenever one got entangled with them, sorcerers had hidden among their own since ancient times. Thanks to the Blood Demon’s grace in saving them, they could now brazenly show their faces and walk around.Having seized the position of young master of the Namgung Clan, yet wearing such an ungrateful look—this snake-like sorcerer grated on the cultist.Though the cultist let killing intent show, the sorcerer did not shrink. Rather, with an arrogant face, he smiled at the cultist. “If you break your promise and covet something else, you may not obtain the path from me.”“Mind your tongue, sorcerer. There is nothing in this world the Blood Demon cannot obtain.”“My mother told me this. She said that if you recklessly twist the natural order and covet what is not yours, Heaven will directly grant enlightenment. I heard that, to teach the way of emptying greed, much is taken away. Seeing worry seep into my heart, it seems the Blood Demon is coveting what is not mine.”The sorcerer lifted the corners of his lips high.When the cultist did not answer, the sorcerer took the brush from his ear. Then he scrawled something in his ledger. “Please convey this to the Blood Demon.”Reading what the fellow had written, the cultist muttered with a frigid face, “Your insolence pierces the sky.”Despite the man’s warning, Namgung Hyun’s smile did not twist in the least. As if he had said all he had to say, he gave no further answer and turned away.When Namgung Hyun left the storeroom, the cultist looked back down at the ledger.What was written was a line of verse by a poet born in Sichuan. It was a famous line that drunkards muttered day and night while putting on airs, so as someone working at an inn, there was no way he would not recognize it.The cultist’s face twisted fiercely.The warning was fixed in his eyes: all things under Heaven have an owner, so one must not touch even a hair’s breadth of what is not one’s own.The sorcerer had left a foreboding warning that the Blood Demon would, in the end, not achieve his desire.“This is why one must breed them well. Their numbers are so small that even when they swagger like that, it’s hard to kill them, ha….”A sorcerer’s sorcery existed solely for the Blood Demon.The fellow’s words could not be concealed at his level, and he could not harm a sorcerer without the Blood Demon’s command.Even so, as for the drivel he had spoken—those at the bottom could hardly meet the Blood Demon directly, so one could indefinitely postpone delivering it, but writing was different. Words left in writing could be delivered to the Hall at any time through the Hall Lord.'Cunning. It seems he knew the Blue Blood Hall Lord pulled his foot out and came to use me as a carrier pigeon.'Cursing the sorcerer, the cultist tore out the portion the fellow had written.In that moment, the cultist narrowed his eyes, thinking it strange. “But did that shameless fellow really come find me during the Duel Tournament just for this paltry warning?”What was more, the fellow had left no particular request. He had left only a foreboding warning not to lay hands on what was not his.'What is it, exactly, that he is telling us not to covet?'The sorcerer’s letter, whose intent he could not grasp, left him with a bad feeling.Tucking the torn paper into his bosom, the cultist swallowed a sigh. For the moment, it seemed he should report the news to the Blue Blood Hall Lord as soon as he returned.***Namgung Hyun had many thoughts. He even thought about going directly to Geumeunsan, but since he was staying at headquarters, it was impossible. If someone saw the formation left on the ground, they might grow suspicious.Even so, he could not simply watch while the Blood Demon took Tang Sohwa.'How can I get Young Lady Tang back….'A sigh came out at the stifling situation, and a strange sight entered his eyes.A long line had formed at headquarters. Seeing familiar faces, they seemed to be Alliance members who had been out drinking late.Step.When he stopped, a young man at the front recognized him and waved cheerfully. “Oh, Young Hero Namgung Hyun!” It was the Young Clan Head of the Hwangbo family, famous as a wastrel.Though Hwangbo Rim had already won once and could not participate in the Duel Tournament, he came to headquarters. He went around boasting that he had come because he missed the taste of Hubei’s liquor, but his language was coarse, the sort one did not wish to associate with.Namgung Hyun felt a deep weariness but managed a smile.At the Family Alliance, too, it had been troublesome to shake off Hwangbo Rim’s pretended familiarity, and now, at this dawn hour, he had to deal with a drunken Hwangbo Rim.When Namgung Hyun subtly averted his gaze, the thick-headed Hwangbo Rim waved big again. “Ah, come this way!”“No. There are those who have been waiting first, so I will stand at the back.”“Mm?”Blinking, Hwangbo Rim turned his gaze to those standing in front of Namgung Hyun.At the wastrel’s look, the young martial artists flinched and then sidled out of the way. In an instant, a path opened.Hwangbo Rim grinned and called out brightly, “Young Hero Namgung Hyun, come quickly to the front. Ah, you just fought in the finals—of course you should go in first and rest!”“That’s right. Please come quickly.”One of Hwangbo Rim’s companions ran over and pulled Namgung Hyun forward.When he joined the Hwangbo group, the young martial artists resumed their conversation.“By the way, it’s really unfortunate about Yeon-a’s seal. At this rate, won’t we be unable to receive Han Cheol?”Namgung Hyun knit his brows at those words. “Unable to receive Han Cheol—what do you mean?”At Namgung Hyun’s question, Hwangbo Rim answered in his stead with a bitter expression. “They say a Blood Cult bastard has appeared inside headquarters. Bold as you please, he used Young Lady Tang Sohwa’s human-skin mask and infiltrated the Alliance Leader’s residence, and because of that they locked the gates of headquarters and we are suffering like this.”Namgung Hyun flinched.So it had been exposed that Young Lady Tang was kidnapped.“Hearing it again, he has incredible nerve. I mean, to imitate the Sichuan Tang Clan’s direct line inside the Alliance Leader’s residence—does he have two lives?”“Ah, that’s what I’m saying.”Clicking his tongue in agreement, Hwangbo Rim spoke, and then the one standing next to him gave more explanation to the late-arriving Namgung Hyun. “Since there may be more Blood Cult bastards inside headquarters, they are conducting inspections. That’s why the gates are shut. And in the midst of this, will headquarters hand over Han Cheol? It might be that the Blood Cult bastards came in targeting Han Cheol.”“Headquarters saved its money.”“Eh, will Wudang sit still? They’ll get it someday.”While the Hwangbo youths exchanged opinions, Hwangbo Rim looked at the long line and let out a sigh. “Ah, I should have come back early today. The liquor will wear off before I even pass out. No point in spending good money to drink.”When he turned his head again, Hwangbo Rim flinched. It was because Namgung Hyun’s expression was dark.Only then did Hwangbo Rim recall what he had seen at the Family Alliance—Namgung Hyun and Tang Sohwa. The air between the two had not been ordinary. The rumors were even worse.Being someone who hated complicated matters in life, Hwangbo Rim did not want to get involved in other people’s romances. However, wanting to become close with Namgung Hyun, he gathered all the social graces he had worked hard to learn and tried to console him.“Right now there’s nothing Young Hero Namgung Hyun can do, so don’t be too upset. Besides, I hear the Tang Clan Head, the Heukcheon Amgui, and the Crane—no, no—the Tang Young Clan Head have gone to search. Not only that, the Alliance Leader has accompanied them too, so it will be fine.”“That’s right. The Taeguk Sword Sovereign of Wudang has gone as well!”“And the Sagye Hall Administrator went too.”“I heard from the one at the front of the line that Mount Hua’s Daoist Wu So also went?”As his attendants added their words, Hwangbo Rim clapped his hands. “Ah, you see? Then what danger can there be?”Laughing heartily, Hwangbo Rim laid a hand on Namgung Hyun’s shoulder. “What’s more, I hear that, saying the Blood Cult bastards seem to have used a formation, the Zhuge Clan Head assigned as many as four people skilled in formations. I heard even Lady Cheonyu, whom the Clan Head treasures, went along—if the situation were dangerous, would they send a Zhuge lady to such a place? So you may set your mind at ease.”Despite Hwangbo Rim’s efforts, Namgung Hyun could not relax his face.When the consolation did not work, Hwangbo Rim changed the subject. “Ahem, but what will happen to the closing banquet? In this situation, will the banquet even be held…?”“With the Alliance Leader gone, there is no one to lead the banquet, is there. And yesterday, a large number of headquarters personnel left for the Northern Sea Branch. The manpower was already short, and now with this commotion, I don’t think they will hold it.”Covering his mouth with his hand, Hwangbo Rim lowered the ends of his brows. “Haa, what a pity. In that tense atmosphere, listening for several shichen to the elders speak—that was truly delightful.”“Young Clan Head, lower that hand. It looks like you’re smiling.”With quick tact, the Hwangbo group shifted the topic to the closing ceremony, but Namgung Hyun’s face remained stiff.Lifting his head, Namgung Hyun strained with all his might to listen. However, there was no birdsong beyond the courtyard wall.Swallowing dryly, Namgung Hyun turned on his heel just like that.“Uh—? Young Hero Namgung, where are you going?”“My body is tired, so it’s hard to stand. I’ll rest at an inn in Wuhan and come back in the morning.”Watching him with a baffled face, Hwangbo Rim muttered, “…Young Hero Namgung is wise. Why didn’t we think of that?”As Hwangbo Rim marveled, the one standing next to him spoke in a worried voice. “There won’t be an empty inn in Wuhan right now—aren’t you making a useless trip?”“It’s alright. If there isn’t, it can’t be helped.”As soon as he finished speaking, Namgung Hyun stepped out of the line.Returning again to the streets of Wuhan, he searched for an empty inn. The remaining pavilion was shabby, but he did not care.Namgung Hyun immediately asked the inn staff to send a letter to Baekgeumgak. It was an action that would have made the Red Blood Hall Lord jump in fright if he knew, but Namgung Hyun made a reckless decision.Since members of the Martial Alliance, including the Alliance Leader, had gone to meet the Blood Demon, it was a good opportunity.If he informed them that the Martial Alliance had moved, the Blood Demon might send Young Lady Tang back to the Central Plains to break the pursuit.Namgung Hyun intended to lure the Red Blood Hall Lord into going to Geumeunsan to convey that news.The Red Blood Hall Lord, too, was someone who, more than anyone else, did not want the Blood Demon to exert influence over the Central Plains; if he learned that the Blood Demon had kidnapped a direct line of the Tang Clan, he would surely try to interfere.In any case, with the Blood Demon having withdrawn the trial, Namgung Hyun had no need to keep the secret.However, even after a day passed, no reply came.He had sent a message as he pleased, yet no one even came to punish him. Considering the Red Blood Hall’s strict reputation, it was strange.Namgung Hyun went back to headquarters several times, but the gates did not open even after days had passed.Despite the urgency, Namgung Hyun could learn nothing. Withering with worry, Namgung Hyun’s face grew greatly haggard.'Can Young Lady Tang endure even after facing the Blood Demon?'The Tang Sohwa he knew was someone who could not endure against the Blood Demon even for an instant, let alone for one icke. She was closer to a physician than to a martial artist.As he was returning to the inn again, Namgung Hyun abruptly turned his steps as if he had made up his mind. It was not the inn, but Baekgeumgak.When he arrived at Baekgeumgak, Namgung Hyun knit his brows.There were traces of damage as if the pillars had been hacked with an axe.He approached the main gate and stroked the grooves carved into the red pillars. They were traces of a palm technique.'Did the Red Blood Hall invade?'His instinct told him not to go inside, but Namgung Hyun did not think further and pushed the door straight open.

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