Invitation to the Chatroom of the Gods - Chapter 23



Only Krnovel

Episode 23 – Investigation behind the scenes (3)

If you follow the Jiankang River that flows along the western coast of Poyang Lake, you will come across a city called Nanchang.

The capital of Jiangxi Province, it is the most prosperous and large city in the province.

It was also the city where the Tengwang Pavilion, said to be the best of the three great pavilions in the world, was located.

As Namgung Yerin entered the entrance of Deungwanggak, the splendid and magnificent interior of Deungwanggak unfolded before her eyes.

It is indeed a famous tower known as one of the three greatest towers in the world.

And there was a reason why Dengwang Pavilion was called the best of the three greatest pavilions in the world.

The Yellow Crane Tower in Hubei Province and the Yueyang Tower in Hunan Province.

While these two were initially built for military purposes, the Dengwang Pavilion was originally built to enjoy singing, dancing, and banquets.

Nothing could compare to the pavilion’s splendor, grandeur, and scale.

Inside the Dengwang Pavilion, high-ranking officials of Jiangxi Province were each seated, enjoying singing, dancing, and a banquet.

Namgung Yerin walked through the hallway filled with soldiers and headed toward the stairs.

When I climbed to the top floor of the Dengwang Pavilion, I was able to meet the governor of Jiangxi Province, Zhu Guanqian. Next to Zhu Guanqian was the previous Qingqingtian.

“Namgung Yerin of the Namgung Se family, meet the inspector of Gangseo Province.”

“You’re here at just the right time. Come and have a seat.”

As Namgung Yerin sat down, Ju Gwan-cheon opened his mouth again.

“To continue the story we were talking about, they issued a warrant to the county magistrates of Gangseo Province and searched the entire province thoroughly… but so far, nothing has been found.”

“The Chupung Swordsman and I searched every village in Oksan County… but as expected, there were no results.”

In short, it meant that neither Ju Gwan-cheon nor Kwai Cheong-cheon had found any traces or clues about the mastermind behind the salt-smelling incident.

Joo Gwan-cheon and Kwai Cheong-cheon’s gaze turned to Namgung Ye-rin at the same time.

Namgung Yerin shook her head slightly.

“I haven’t really found out anything···.”

I investigated the records of Namgung Hyuk recorded in Namgung Se-ga to trace Namgung Hyuk’s footsteps. However, I could not find any significant clues.

“I think it will be difficult to find out who is behind this.”

Joo Gwan-cheon’s voice was heard mixed with a sigh. As a result, Namgung Ye-rin’s expression also darkened rapidly.

The case cannot end without uncovering the truth behind the salt bribery scandal.

No matter how much they claim innocence, the one who committed the crime was a member of the Namgung family. It was the Namgung family that allowed Horonggwan to use the Namgung family’s name.

If the incident ends like this without finding the mastermind, the Namgung family will be in an awkward position.

Namgung Yerin bit her lower lip.

Then suddenly, a person’s face appeared in my mind.

The missionary’s blue cloud.

Did Cheongun find out something?

‘······That can’t be.’

Namgung Yerin quickly shook off her thoughts.

The inspector of Gangseo Province, the Chupung Swordsman of the Murim Alliance, and the Cheonpung Swordsman of the Namgung Sega family all went out to investigate, but they were unable to find anything.

But what can a small, unsophisticated criminal from a remote rural area do?

It was clear that there would be no results, so a dark shadow fell over Namgung Yerin’s face.

That was when.

Knock knock.

Suddenly, a knock was heard on the window, but there was no way it could have been a knock on the window on the top floor of the Dengwang Pavilion.

Namgung Yerin’s head turned towards the place where the sound came from.

“······hawk?”

There was a falcon sitting on the railing of the Dengwang Pavilion, pecking at the window. I suddenly wondered what a falcon was, but when I looked closely, I saw that it was a familiar falcon.

“Isn’t that falcon the one raised by Cheongun Sohyeop?”

The person who rejected Namgung Yerin at the missionary office was Jang Bon-eung. No, it was Jang Bon-eung.

Knock knock.

As soon as the gaze was focused, the hawk knocked on the window again. The sudden glare in its eyes seemed to indicate that it wanted the window opened.

Namgung Yerin, who was sitting closest to the window, got up and opened the window.

As soon as the window opened, a hawk flew in and landed in front of Namgung Yerin.

And then he pecked Namgung Yerin’s arm and nodded.

Namgung Yerin was finally able to see the letter tied tightly to the falcon’s leg.

Knock knock.

The hawk pecked Namgung Yerin’s arm again. Anyone could tell that it was telling her to take the letter.

Even when I was being treated coldly, I felt that the falcon was so intelligent that I thought it might be a spirit.

When the letter tied to its leg was released, the falcon flew away as if it had done its job.

“Is this a letter sent by Cheongun Sohyeop?”

“Open it quickly and see what’s inside.”

Kwae Cheong-cheon and Ju Gwan-cheon spoke almost simultaneously, and Namgung Ye-rin carefully opened the letter.

And upon checking the contents of the letter······.

[I found the person behind the salt-making incident. I will give you a more detailed explanation when we meet, so please come to the mission office right away.]

“······to?”

A foolish voice came out of Namgung Yerin’s mouth.

* * *

Name, Naenggwangmyeong.

Affiliation, ghost story.

To be exact, he was the lord of the Goeseongmun sect.

“You attacked the missionary without warning in order to take revenge on me for crippling Yuk Yun-yeon.”

“That, that’s it···.”

Naenggwangmyeong answered my question with a slurred pronunciation. The initial air of him trying to kill me had now completely disappeared.

Thanks to that, his mouth, which had been reluctant to confess, became as light as a feather.

“Coming back, do you know anything about what’s behind the salt-selling incident?”

“······And, you are so cute”

I chewed over Naenggwangmyeong’s answer.

I’m so sorry.

But what does this mean for the time being?

After a while, Naeng Gwang-myeong took a deep breath and spoke word by word, one by one.

“Gwang. Ma. Um. Gwiimi!”

A mad demon and a lustful ghost.

It was a nickname for a martial artist. Judging from its meaning, it seemed like he was an extremely evil person.

“Gwangmaedaegyu!”

Suddenly the boar roared.

When I turned my head, there was Kwai Cheong-cheon, who looked like a wild boar, with his eyes wide open in surprise.

After receiving the letter I sent, Kwai Cheong Cheon went from Namchang to Ui Hwang in just one day.

It wasn’t a very long distance from Namchang to Uihwang, but it wasn’t a distance that could be covered in one day.

It was only possible by practicing lightness techniques day and night, and it usually doesn’t require any internal energy.

I could tell what kind of person Kwae Cheong-cheon was, and I could also tell that Namgung Ye-rin, who came with Kwae Cheong-cheon, was no ordinary person.

If you think about it, there was no way that the eldest daughter of the Namgung family would be ‘ordinary’.

“Do you know him, my lord?”

“In the past, he was known as the Red Blood Lord of the Demonic Cult.”

This was the answer that Kwai Cheong Cheon gave to my question.

The devil’s cult.

The Demonic Cult was a sect of people who had mastered the art of magic.

The reason it is called a demonic sect and not a demonic sect is because its religious nature is too strong.

They worshipped and followed the leader, Cheonma (天魔), almost like a god, so they were no different from fanatics.

To put it simply, a group of people who are not in their right mind.

It could be said that this was a group that gathered even crazier people from the already crazy group called ‘Murim’.

And originally in the martial arts world, when demons or blood enter, most of it is not normal.

They were often mad, bloodthirsty, or murderous psychopaths, or groups of such people and their martial arts skills.

The Demonic Cult also fell into that category, and that is why it no longer exists.

This was because it was completely uprooted by the alliance between the imperial family and the martial arts alliance in the past.

It happened over 50 years ago.

It happened before I was born, so I only heard about it through rumors, but they say it caused a stir in the world at the time.

They say it wasn’t an easy fight even though the royal family and the martial arts alliance were allied, so I couldn’t even imagine how much it would have been.

Could it be that the remnants of that evil cult are still alive?

“Please explain in detail what happened.”

“That, that thing···.”

Naenggwangmyeong seemed to hesitate, but now he spoke fluently about Gwangmaumgui, who said he didn’t know.

But the explanation was so long and detailed, and the pronunciation was so muffled that it was hard to understand.

“therefore.”

I organized the disorganized explanation of Naenggwangmyeong.

“Are you saying that a year ago, a man named Gwangmaumgui appeared and took control of the Black Taoist sects throughout Oksan County?”

“That, that’s it.”

Naenggwangmyeong nodded as if his opinion was correct.

“He said that he would spare the Black Sword sects that followed his will, but destroy those that disobeyed him.”

“Yes, yes, yes. If you do it right, even Sasumugo will tell you.”

“You taught me the art of ascending martial arts? Wait, then that passing spell that you used on me was also taught to me by that mad demon?”

At my words, Naenggwangmyeong shivered for a moment and then nodded cautiously.

‘somehow.’

I thought it was quite noble for a black bastard who fights and gets into fights.

“What kind of qualification is this?”

“I, I am the one who killed you-.”

“Please tell me everything, one by one.”

“It’s a lower rank called Jeon.sal.sip.yuk.jin.”

Then Kwai Cheong Cheon nodded and answered.

“In the past, it was a passing mark used by the Red Blood Cult’s bastards.”

It seemed that the Gwangmaumgwi were the remnants of the Demonic Cult. And when it came to the Demonic Cult, they were truly the ‘Demonic Cult’, people who would not hesitate to commit the most heinous crimes.

It was almost a done deal that Gwangmaumgui was behind this salt-smelling incident.

“Where is the mad ghost now?”

“I, I don’t know···.”

Before I could say anything, Naenggwangmyeong jumped up.

“I, I really don’t know! Even if we keep trying to do it, we’ll still be here and do it anyway!!”

Cold-lightning was shouting something urgently, but honestly, I couldn’t quite hear what he was saying.

To summarize what I understand, they only receive orders and act accordingly, and even if they contact them, it is not easy to meet them in person, and the meeting location changes every moment, so you don’t even know where they are.

“It’s the method used by the Demonic Cult. It’s easy to cut off the tail, so it’s said that in the past, even the Murim Alliance had a hard time tracking down the Demonic Cult’s headquarters.”

It would be impossible for Naenggwangmyeong to know the methods of the Demonic Cult, so it seemed that the methods of Gwangmaumgui were the right ones.

In other words, it wasn’t a lie, but that made it all the more difficult.

“I thought it was strange that we couldn’t find even a trace of it despite all the searching···.”

If this were the case, it would be impossible to catch the madman.

Kwae Cheong-cheon also looked embarrassed as if he had no other way, but then a good idea suddenly crossed my mind.

“Then how about trying it like this?”

* * *

Namgung Yerin’s mind was in turmoil.

Suddenly, Cheongun contacted me saying that he had found the mastermind behind the salt-smelling incident. I came to Uihwang with Kwaecheoncheon in one breath, but honestly, I didn’t believe it.

I thought it would be nothing more than a ‘trace’ or a ‘clue’ at best.

however.

“Gwang. Ma. Um. Gwiimi!”

······I never imagined that they would actually reveal the true identity of the mastermind.

A person named Naeng Gwang-myeong who is believed to be the mastermind behind the scenes.

Even though the government, the Murim Alliance, and Namgung Sega had joined forces, not a single trace of it could be found.

But where on earth did Cheongun catch this guy and how did he make him open his mouth?

Even Kwai Cheong-cheon was impressed by Cheong-un’s interrogation skills. Kwai Cheong-cheon had interrogated countless criminals in the martial arts world.

‘What kind of man is he?’

At first, I just thought he was a country bumpkin from a remote village. I also thought he was just a worthless man who was pestering me.

However, Cheongun was behaving in a way that made it difficult to believe he was a country bumpkin.

And Cheongun really didn’t show even the slightest interest in himself.

It was treated like a sack of barley that had been borrowed.

‘······Strange.’

Strange man.

Namgung Yerin couldn’t understand the man named Cheongun.

“Then how about trying it like this?”

Cheongun suddenly shouted.

“I will be the bait.”

bait······?

Namgung Yerin’s expression turned suspicious.

“If the lord of the Goeseongmun clan were to contact me and say that he has caught the person who ruined the salt-making incident, wouldn’t even the mad demons be tempted?”

“······ah!”

Namgung Yerin let out an exclamation without realizing it.

If Gwangmaumgui was the mastermind behind Yeommae, he would not just sit by and watch Cheongun ruin Yeommae, so he would definitely reveal himself.

A strategy for catching fish with bait.

but······

“That’s too dangerous!”

The sacrifice of bait to catch fish was inevitable.

“There is a saying that if you see a madman, a first-rate master will keep a distance of at least three zhang, a second-rate martial artist will not even look at you, and a third-rate person is as good as dead the moment they enter your sight.”

In other words, the life of Cheongun, who had become bait, could not be guaranteed.

“Isn’t this the only way?”

However, Cheong-un was willing to be the bait, and Namgung Ye-rin couldn’t understand Cheong-un.

‘······why?’

If you think about it, Cheongun had nothing to do with this incident.

Namgung Yerin was desperate because the life of the Namgung family depended on it, but Cheongwoon was only in a position to provide ‘help’.

There was no reason whatsoever to risk one’s life to help.

“He is a man who has been hiding cleverly for 50 years and has committed evil deeds. If we don’t catch Gwangmaumgui this time, he will plot evil deeds again.”

···He was a type of person I had never seen before.

Just looking at Namgung Yerin, she’s completely different from the busy men who are always nagging her······.

‘It’s strange.’

A truly strange man.

perhaps.

That might be why.

“Me too, I’ll be the bait along with you!”

* * *

Namgung Yerin’s voice was heard all of a sudden.

As I was looking at him wondering why he was acting like this all of a sudden, the surrounding Cheonpung Swordsmen shouted in fright.

“What is that···!”

“No! It’s bait!”

However, Namgung Yerin did not even pay attention to the soldiers of Cheonpung Sword Squad.

Namgung Yerin’s gaze was constantly directed at me.

After a while, Namgung Yerin opened her mouth again.

“A person called Gwangmaumgwi. I think he is crazy about women.”

I’ve never met him before, but I thought so. He wasn’t given the nickname ‘Eumgwi (淫鬼)’ for nothing.

“If I say I caught it too, I will reveal myself even if I realize it is bait.”

It was Namgung Yerin who was confident in her own beauty.

To put it simply, I thought she was pretty, and in fact, I wasn’t wrong.

Compared to Gucheonhyeonnyeo, she was just average, but that was because Gucheonhyeonnyeo’s beauty was transcendent.

Based on human standards, Namgung Yerin could be said to be a beauty beyond the pale, so if Namgung Yerin was captured, Gwangmaumgwi would definitely show up.

Even if you know it’s bait to lure yourself.

but······.

“That’s too dangerous, my lady.”

No matter what, it was a bit much to use Namgung Yerin as bait.

Using the eldest daughter of the Namgung family and the most beautiful girl as bait? What if things go wrong?

According to Kwae Cheong Cheon, when a first-rate master sees the Gwangmaumgui, he should keep a distance of at least three zhang, a second-rate martial artist should not even look at him, and a third-rate martial artist is as good as dead the moment he enters his sight.

Being bait is like getting right in front of the nose of a madman, so it is practically no different from being dead.

It’s too dangerous to use Namgung Yerin as bait.

But Namgung Yerin didn’t seem to have any intention of giving up.

“Isn’t bait originally dangerous? And the person doing it isn’t dangerous?”

Namgung Yerin’s determination, visible on her white jade-like face, was firm.

“Above all, it’s about proving the innocence of the Namgung family. I don’t plan on just sitting back and receiving help.”

Namgung Yerin does not nod despite Cheonpunggeomdae’s persuasion.

I thought she was just a beautiful young lady, but she also had the temperament of a warrior.

Would the eldest daughter of the Namgung family be foolish?

If I didn’t catch the evil spirit this time, I didn’t know what kind of evil scheme he would come up with next. So, it was better to have a solid bait.

I nodded.

“Okay. But if you have to, run away.”

“You are the one.”

It was at that time that the plan to lure the ‘big fish’ called Gwangmaumgwi using me and Namgung Yerin as ‘bait’ was established.

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard above the missionary’s roof, and a thick cloud of dust rose up.

The dusty fog slowly cleared, revealing the wrinkled, white-haired figure of an old man.

His eyes were gloomy yet shining, and it would not be an exaggeration to call him an ‘old man’, but rather an ‘old monster’······.

“Hee, heeeek!!!”

Suddenly, the head of the Goeseongmun sect, Naeng Gwang-myeong, was startled and fainted. The other members of the Goeseongmun sect were the same.

A look of terror and a body trembling like an aspen tree.

“Oh, my gosh, you little punk!”

Naenggwangmyeong shouted as if he was having a seizure. His pronunciation was very muffled, but his meaning was clearly conveyed.

A mad demon and a lustful ghost.

It was a word directed at the old man standing proudly on the roof of the missionary office.