Invitation to the Chatroom of the Gods - Chapter 21



Only Krnovel

Episode 21 – Investigation behind the scenes (1)

There is a saying in Buddhist teachings:

Those who gather are sure to part, and those who leave are sure to return.

In meeting there is parting, and in parting there is also meeting. Fate is truly a mysterious thing.

“Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, even though I came so suddenly.”

Kwae Cheong-cheon cheerfully took the lottery ticket and greeted them.

I, too, was delighted, so I responded by taking a lottery ticket.

But there is one person standing next to the clear blue sky.

‘Namgung Yerin?’

A silver-haired woman like moonlight, Namgung Yerin.

I was momentarily dazed when I suddenly met Namgung Yerin again.

It was the same for Namgung Yerin, who didn’t even look at me.

His face was so sullen, as if he was being grumpy.

Her cheeks were puffed out with anger.

It seemed like the constant rubbing of the body was quite uncomfortable.

‘If that’s the case, why did you come?’

I looked at Namgung Yerin quietly, wondering what she was thinking.

As if conscious of my gaze, Namgung Yerin’s eyes suddenly turned to me.

Still, as I stared at her, Namgung Yerin glared at me.

Did you learn any special martial arts for snowball fights?

Tingle-!

The look in his eyes is quite unusual.

It was not at all inferior to Eungseon.

After a while, Namgung Yerin opened her mouth.

[Hey.]

A voice whispering in your ear.

It was not audible but rather a telepathic sound.

Transmission of sound.

It was a type of sound technique that secretly transmitted voices without being heard by others.

Contrary to its appearance, it was by no means an easy skill.

First of all, this is a martial art that can only be used if you have at least half a level of internal energy.

In other words, it also meant that Namgung Yerin had internal energy of at least half a generation.

Anyway, I wondered why there was such a sudden phone call, but it seemed like he had something to say to me separately, avoiding Kwai Cheong Cheon’s attention.

I watched quietly to see what he was trying to say.

[Why have you been nitpicking like that since earlier?]

······She’s a woman I don’t really want to get close to.

* * *

Kwae Cheong-cheon and Namgung Ye-rin in the missionary’s love room.

“Are you saying that there is someone behind the salt-making incident?”

Kwai Cheong Cheon nodded his head slightly at my surprised words.

“As I conducted the investigation, I found that the planning and execution methods were extremely detailed. It was not something that could be planned and executed by a mere military officer.”

And this time I nodded quietly.

···Because I definitely agreed with that.

The meticulousness of targeting only children without connections is also like that.

They even created a secret passage inside Horonggwan to prevent any unexpected incidents.

Although Namgung Hyuk was a collateral member of the Namgung family, it was by no means something he could have planned and executed alone.

Now that I think about it, the unmanned personnel at Horonggwan were also suspicious.

Horonggwan is a military base that was built less than a month ago.

And yet, the members of the unit knew each other very well.

It’s as if we’ve known each other since before Horonggwan was built.

“The conclusion of the authorities, including the Murim Alliance, is that there must be a mastermind behind it.”

It was a very likely inference.

And the person most likely behind it is, of course, Namgung Se-ga.

But now, next to Kwaecheoncheon was Namgung Yerin.

There is absolutely no way that Kwai Cheong Cheon would act together with someone behind the scenes.

‘It seems like Namgung Se-ga didn’t know anything about it.’

It seemed like Namgung Hyuk had been secretly planning something for Namgung Se.

That’s why I could also guess why Namgung Yerin came here.

‘Have you come here to prove that Namgung Se-ga has nothing to do with Yeommae?’

Namgung Yerin is the precious daughter of the Namgung family.

He could be said to be a person who could truly represent the Namgung family.

In other words, it seemed as if Namgung Yerin herself was trying to uncover the truth behind this and prove that the Namgung family was not involved.

‘It was strange that Namgung Se-ga did something like that.’

Even though Sega is a group with a strong interest group nature, it is still a Baekdo of the Jeongpa (正派) that belongs to the Murim Alliance.

A martial arts world that pursues justice and righteousness.

It was definitely not a vicious black magician tainted by evil sects.

‘I feel sorry for no reason.’

I felt sorry when my thoughts reached this point.

Earlier, I was cold to Namgung Yerin because of a small misunderstanding.

When I looked at Namgung Yerin with a sorry heart, I saw Namgung Yerin’s face full of complaints.

For some reason, my dissatisfaction reached its peak after I brought him into the love room.

As I quietly looked at Namgung Yerin, Namgung Yerin’s eyes met mine for a moment. When I showed an apologetic look, Namgung Yerin’s mouth moved.

[Why do you keep staring at me? Are you interested in me?]

···I was speechless at the absurdity.

No, I had a lot to say.

But I didn’t know how to transmit the sound.

The sound of Jeon-eum required more than half a generation of internal energy, but who would have imagined that I would have half a generation of internal energy?

Don’t even look at a tree you can’t climb, and don’t even think about learning things like telepathy.

“In that sense, I’m trying to investigate the background···.”

I was interrupted from my thoughts by the words of Kwai Cheong Cheon.

“I came here to see if I could get some help from the Small Business Association.”

Kwai Cheong Cheon took the lottery ticket and made a polite request.

How could a country bumpkin be of any help to the leader of the Murim Alliance? But I thought so, since I was the one who had solved the salt bribery case.

And I couldn’t answer rashly.

‘I have so much to do right now···.’

I already have a mountain of work to do because I was unconscious for 8 days.

I have a ton of classes to take, and going around here and there to investigate things won’t get me anywhere.

‘hmm···.’

So, it was true that I was worried, but the worry didn’t last long.

If there really is a mastermind behind this, there is a problem that the same incident could happen again at any time.

‘I don’t have much time left, but…’

Currently, there are 78 days left to live. It is not a leisurely time.

But if you accumulate virtue and extend your life, that’s it.

Isn’t the reason why we take lessons from the immortals and become stronger to accumulate virtue?

The merit life gained from the salt-selling incident was a little over two months.

If that’s the case, then investigating and uncovering the mastermind can also accumulate merit for at least two months.

In other words, if you solve the case within two months, it’s a profitable business. If you think of it as a kind of investment, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t help.

“If I can be of any help, I would be happy to help.”

“Thank you, Sohyeop. I really appreciate it.”

Then, Kwai Cheong Cheon responded with a smile.

It was a bright and cheerful expression on Kwai Cheong Cheon’s face, as if he hadn’t expected me to help him.

However, there was something about that expression with that boar-like impression.

Well, anyway, I decided to help.

“If you ask me at any time, I will help you in any way I can.”

It may seem like it would be of any help since we are investigating together, but Namgung Se-ga could have easily made statements like saying he had nothing to do with this case.

That would be the case, since I was the one who solved the salt bribery case. I had more say than the others.

I’m sorry about what happened earlier, I could have helped you to that extent.

Then Namgung Yerin opened her mouth and sent me a message.

[I’ll tell you in advance, I’m not interested in you at all?]

···I wonder why this kid has been like this since a while ago.

From the looks of it, it seems like he thinks I accepted his offer so he can flirt with him.

But the extent of the illusion is excessive.

But on the other hand, I felt sorry for her because I thought about how much she must have suffered at the hands of men.

[So, if you are responding to the survey with the intention of making me feel uncomfortable-.]

“I have no interest in you either, young lady.”

“···Huh, huh?”

Namgung Yerin was flustered and dumbfounded by my voice.

Stupid voice and stupid face.

“Ah, no···.”

I guess he didn’t know I would answer with ‘voice’ rather than ‘speech’.

Of course, that’s not what I wanted to do. But what can I do if I don’t know how to use the phoneme?

But I couldn’t just sit by and listen to that nonsense, so I said something.

Kwai Cheong-cheon, unaware of the situation, tilted his head slightly.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Even the most brilliant of men cannot eavesdrop on teleportation. Not only the brilliant men, but also any unmanned being in the world cannot do so.

I guess it would be possible only if you are at least as good as the gods of Damsobang.

As I looked at Namgung Yerin without saying anything, Kwai Cheongcheon’s gaze also turned to Namgung Yerin.

Namgung Yerin didn’t know what to do under the concentrated gaze. Kwae Cheongcheon quickly understood the situation and spoke to Namgung Yerin.

“Young lady’s beauty may be considered the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean all the men in the world are intoxicated by your beauty.”

That’s exactly what I wanted to say.

That was exactly what I wanted to say, except that Namgung Yerin’s beauty was the best in the world.

Kwai Cheong Cheon’s tone was quite polite.

But his expression was one of utter misery.

“·········.”

Namgung Yerin’s face turned red.

Because her skin was already as white as snow, the degree to which it flushed was unusual.

It seemed as if his complexion had turned crimson like a carrot, but in an instant, he turned bright red like a ripe strawberry.

“············.”

I feel like my face might explode if I keep doing that.

Namgung Yerin lowered her head, unable to bear it any longer.

Kwai Cheong Cheon let out a small sigh and said to me while taking the lottery ticket.

“I apologize on your behalf. I am truly sorry, Sohyeop.”

But Namgung Yerin just lowered her head and blushed.

I also have no desire to get close to Namgung Yerin.

Anyway, there will be a sniper by my side who can’t keep up with me in tracking down prey.

“Since Lady Namgung also said that, I will act separately from the two of you.”

Since it had come to this, I felt it was easier to just investigate on my own.

* * *

The Gwaechengmun Gate located in E’an, Jiangxi Province.

“What?! The Imperial Central Army and the Chupung Sword Squad left the Emperor?”

The lord of the Goeseongmun Gate, Naeng Gwangmyeong, jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“Oh, it’s true! I just confirmed that the Qingchengcheon has left, following the Anchalsa!”

“That’s right···.”

Naeng Gwang-myeong’s eyes lit up at his subordinate’s report.

Yuk Yun-yeon, a member of the Goeseongmun clan who was completely destroyed by a missionary named Cheong-un about a month ago.

“The time has finally come to take revenge on Yuk Yun-yeon.”

If only I could get that revenge.

In fact, I wanted to retaliate as soon as I heard the news, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

The central imperial army and the Murim Alliance’s Chupung Sword Squad were firmly established in the village where the bastard was.

What’s more, there was the presence of the Inspector General of Gangseo Province, the Grand Master of Chupung Swords, and Kwae Cheong Cheon.

He was trying to retaliate against the missionary, but the Goeseongmun clan was about to be destroyed, so he was just sucking his thumb.

The saying, “the fox borrows the might of the tiger” was a perfect fit.

Since the royal family and the Murim Alliance were protecting the missionary, he couldn’t move rashly.

But now that was over.

The two tigers that were protecting the fox have now left Uihwang.

“What happened to Yunyeon?”

“It is said that not only was his lower abdomen blocked, he was also paralyzed and could not even walk on his own.”

To put it simply, my life as a martial artist is over.

Furthermore, my life as an ordinary person was also over.

Of course, from what I heard, it seemed like I was the one who touched it first.

However, the Goeseongmun sect was a sect belonging to the Heukdo (black path).

Right or wrong doesn’t really matter.

In this dark world, momentum is what matters.

Strength is strength, but momentum and swagger are the lifeblood of a black magician.

If this momentum and bullying is pushed back once, it’s over.

Since ancient times, a black swordsman has said that if someone hits you in the cheek, you should put down your sword, and if someone cuts off your finger, you should take out your opponent’s intestines.

So if you get hurt, you have to pay it back.

If you don’t set an example, you’ll end up looking ridiculous to other people.

Only then can you survive in the dark world.

It’s a world where if you look funny once, it’s over that day.

“You’re saying that you touched the ghost gate without fear···.”

Naenggwangmyeong’s chilling voice rang out.

“···But, Your Majesty. Are you okay?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the guy named Cheongun from Seonmu-gwan. I heard that he single-handedly swept away all the warriors of Horong-gwan, including Namgung Hyuk.”

Naenggwangmyeong also knew that from hearing the rumor.

But rumors are not something to be trusted.

It may not be entirely absurd, but it is certainly mixed with exaggeration.

“A savage warrior who hadn’t even accumulated a single ounce of internal energy just recently single-handedly swept away dozens of warriors?”

Doesn’t that just make no sense?

It was a rumor that was hard to believe.

As expected, rumors cannot be completely trusted.

“Anyway, that stupid kid Namgung Hyuk. If only he had done his job properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”

If that was the case, there would have been no reason for the inspector of Gangseo Province to come to Uihwang. There would have been no reason for the Chupung Sword Team of Murim Peng to come to Uihwang either.

Then, that guy who was the missionary’s best friend would have been torn to pieces long ago.

Above all······.

“I trusted you with the salt and entrusted you with the salt, but you’re going to throw it away?”

Naeng Gwang-myeong clicked his tongue again and asked his subordinate.

“By the way, what did the mad demon say?”

“It seems that the government and the Murim Alliance are currently investigating, so we have been asked to refrain from taking any action for the time being.”

“Hmm···.”

Naenggwangmyeong let out a sigh.

Certainly, in this situation, it was not a good idea to move around with the guards.

But that doesn’t mean we can turn down the opportunity to retaliate.

He had to pay dearly for his crime of fearlessly touching the Gosungmun Gate.

If you move quickly, there won’t be any big problems.

“Go and gather the children together.”

The cold gaze that is reflected.

“I will show that bastard the price he will pay for daring to touch the ghost gate.”

A chilling smile appeared on Naenggwangmyeong’s lips.

* * *

In the background investigation, I was separated from others, and the background investigation of the salt-selling incident was divided into four groups.

The first is the central imperial army including Ju Gwan-cheon.

The second is the Chupunggeomdae including the Kwaicheongcheon.

The third is the Cheonpung Sword Master, including Namgung Yerin.

Finally, me and Eungseon.

“Looking at it this way, I’m the only one who looks so unattractive.”

It’s so shabby that it’s almost unsightly.

There were only two people to investigate, me and Eungseon.

Above all else.

“Where and how should I start investigating?”

This was also very difficult.

I came out on my own with curiosity, but when I actually tried to investigate on my own, I had no idea where to start or how to investigate.

“I can’t just ask Eungseon to come to me all of a sudden….”

At least some trace of the prey should have been given.

But where on earth can we find traces of it?

It’s not much different from looking for a needle in a haystack.

“Hmm···.”

So, at that moment, I was at a loss as to what to do.

Boom!

Suddenly, there was a loud noise, the front door of the missionary office was shattered, and masked men rushed in.