Chapter 58

Chapter 57

While Jowoo was meditating to adapt to his new realm and organize his martial arts, Namgung Jangho and Jang Ilryong came to his office together.

They were momentarily taken aback upon discovering Jowoo deeply engrossed in meditation, but given the urgency of the matter, they had no choice but to make their presence known.

"Hmm."

"Brother Jowoo?"

Jowoo, still seated, quietly opened his eyes and looked up at Jang Ilryong.

"What's the matter?"

Jang Ilryong nodded solemnly.

"Since last week, the leader has been waiting for your return."

"Last week?"

If it had been a week, it meant he had only recently set out for the Sima family.

It seemed that Chuseongae had made a quick decision, without even needing to think it over.

"Okay. Bring him here."

"Okay? What do you mean by that?"

"......"

Although nearly a decade had passed since he fell into the martial world, his occasional use of modern language showed no signs of changing.

It was time to consciously correct it.

"It's nothing. Bring him here quickly."

"Understood, Brother."

As Jang Ilryong left the office to bring Chuseongae, Namgung Jangho sat down, his face turning serious.

"I have something to say."

"Hmm? What is it, Brother Namgung?"

Namgung Jangho's face betrayed a sense of humiliation.

"While investigating the internal affairs of the Jowadaishanghui, I also checked the main house, just in case."

The Namgung family was a prestigious lineage in the martial world, with a history spanning several hundred years.

Jowoo had never given specific instructions to Namgung Jangho or the family head, Namgung Su, assuming they would handle the management of their retainers well.

"Hmm. If the young master of the Namgung family made such a judgment, there must be a reason. But what is it?"

"......Some of the elders have gone missing."

"What?"

The Namgung family's council of elders was particularly significant to Jowoo.

The very fact that he had formed a connection with the Namgung family was due to his relationship with the elders of the Damborwon.

"Are you serious? I can't even believe it myself. The elders of the Damborwon are all pure and upright. How could they go missing as soon as the investigation began?"

"Yes. That's why the atmosphere in the main house is terrible."

The fact that they went missing as soon as the investigation began was clear.

They were either long-time spies or corrupt.

"Brother Namgung, don't hastily conclude that the elders of your family are spies. First, let's look into the flow of funds entering and leaving the Damborwon."

"The investigation of the Damborwon's financial records is already underway."

However, Jowoo had one question he couldn't ignore.

"Is Elder Namgung Seongchan...... No, that can't be right, can it?"

Fortunately, Namgung Jangho nodded.

"It seems unrelated to the head of the Damborwon."

Jowoo was genuinely relieved.

Changcheon Gamsun, along with the family head Namgung Su, was one of the most respected elders in the Namgung family.

If such a respected elder were to suddenly fall, it would be difficult for Jowoo to bear.

Jowoo smiled warmly.

"It's the great Namgung family. I trust the blue of Changcheon, so the young master should naturally trust it too."

Encouraged by Jowoo's words, Namgung Jangho's slumped shoulders straightened a bit.

He turned his head, feeling his eyes welling up, and stood up.

"I'll come back once the investigation is complete."

"Sure. I trust you."

Though Jowoo's tone was casual, it deeply moved Namgung Jangho.

Ah, this is what it means to be a subordinate's joy, right?

With a brightened face, Namgung Jangho left the office.

Not long after, Jang Ilryong and Chuseongae arrived.

At Jang Ilryong's nod, Chuseongae sat opposite Jowoo with a stern face.

"I have a question first."

Jowoo's respectful attitude.

Now that the Beggar Sect and the Martial Alliance had formed a true alliance, he could no longer treat Chuseongae, the leader of the alliance, casually.

"Speak."

Chuseongae, recognizing Jowoo as the head of a major force and a direct disciple of the Sword God, was also being formal and respectful.

"The Beggar Sect, though composed of the lowest in society, is known for its noble spirit and integrity, as the whole world believes."

Chuseongae, puzzled by Jowoo's different attitude, blinked in confusion.

But his face soon turned regretful, as he had already anticipated Jowoo's next words.

Jowoo pulled out a document from his sleeve.

"This contains all the information about Chuseongae's life. I bought it from the Night Contact at a considerable price."

"......"

"Chuseongae's life, as recorded here, was indeed worthy of the 'Xian' in his nickname. Every action was filled with righteousness and justice. I don't believe the famous Night Contact fabricated a person's life."

Jowoo's eyes grew even more serious.

"......Why did you do it?"

This was a sincere question from a junior in the martial world, not as a captor of the Beggar Sect's leader.

Jowoo was very curious about the motivation behind the noble leader of the Beggar Sect choosing to become a dog for a secret sect.

Surely it wasn't for material desires?

The beggars of the Beggar Sect sought ultimate truth in a life of hunger and wandering.

In some ways, they were similar to Taoists, and it was impossible for them to be tempted by mere wealth.

Moreover, given their expertise in information, if they had decided to accumulate wealth, the Beggar Sect could have become the richest group in the world.

However, Chuseongae's answer was unexpected for Jowoo.

"I had a woman I loved."

"Really? A woman?"

"For a long time, I yearned for her, who came into my life like a spring flower, enduring loneliness through the winter. I couldn't bear a single day without drinking to forget her."

Jowoo nodded silently.

This answer helped him understand why the character for 'drunk' was part of his nickname.

"Years of drinking to remember her, and then I met her again. She finally responded to my passionate sincerity. It felt as if I had gained the whole world."

Jowoo's sharp mind easily deduced what happened next.

"Ha, did you fall for a beauty trap?"

"......You don't understand the depths of love. Don't speak so lightly. The emotions of someone in love are not so simple."

Chuseongae closed his eyes, bit his lip, and trembled all over.

"When I realized things had gone wrong, my soul was already bound to her. In the end, I was led by her hand to the grand gathering of the secret merchants. After that......"

He seemed unable to continue and tightly closed his mouth.

Jowoo waited for a long time for him to speak again.

The basic principle of interrogation is to break down the subject's mental defenses.

Given his emotional turmoil, he would undoubtedly reveal everything and cooperate.

Jowoo's prediction proved accurate.

"Anyway, if you plan to live as Chuseongae and infiltrate the secret sect, you must act quickly. If she realizes something is wrong, it will all be over."

Jowoo was puzzled.

"Why?"

"She...... implanted a secret poison in my body while we were intimate."

"Huh?"

What a despicable woman!

Even if the beauty trap was ordered by her superiors, how could she implant a secret poison in a man who devoted his soul to her?

"Of course, as the leader of the Beggar Sect, I am valuable to them, so they won't kill me easily. But if my betrayal is confirmed, they will surely trigger the poison in my body."

Only then did Jowoo understand everything.

What was most surprising was that the noble Chuseongae had even involved his disciple in the secret sect. If the despicable woman had implanted the poison to threaten him, it made sense.

Jowoo, lost in thought, suddenly brightened.

"Would it be alright to kill her if the opportunity arises?"

She would continue to disrupt the martial world until her life ended.

Jowoo wanted to punish her.

Surprisingly, Chuseongae nodded.

"Please kill her painlessly."

His resolve was remarkable.

Though he had devoted his soul to her, his hatred for her was palpable.

"Alright. Starting tomorrow, I will take everything from you. Please get plenty of rest."

"I will."

As Chuseongae was about to leave, Jowoo called him back.

"By the way, what's the woman's name?"

"Her code name is Chunseon. I don't know her real name or surname."

The code name Chunseon...

Translating it, it means 'Spring Temptation.'

The overt code name made Jowoo chuckle.

"You must have been drunk for life."

When he heard the code name Chunseon from the woman he loved, how much self-loathing and shame must he have felt?

Jowoo couldn't even imagine the extent of his despair.

"And I will remove the poison for you right now."

As Jowoo raised his intent to search his body, Chuseongae panicked and shook his head.

"No! If the poison disappears, she will immediately sense it! She will report it to her superiors, and your infiltration will fail!"

"Hmm......"

Jowoo sighed and nodded.

"Alright. I'll remove it after everything is over."

"Thank you......"

After Chuseongae left, Jowoo immediately spread his powerful intent to search the entire headquarters of the Jowadaishanghui.

Finally, with a faint smile, he vanished.

Snap!

Hanseolhyeon, who was hanging laundry, was startled to see Jowoo suddenly appear before her.

Jowoo's lips twisted oddly.

"Hey, still not giving up?"

"Master? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"Stop your nonsense and show me Han Seon's face."

"Master, I didn't know you were so disrespectful."

Suddenly, Jowoo's eyes glowed strangely, and a vast, boundless intent began to rise.

The immense power of his intent made Hanseolhyeon's face turn pale with fear.

"Ah! Alright! I get it!"

With a pout, she returned to her original face, Tianbianxuehou Bai Huarin.

But even that might not be her true face.

Jowoo couldn't help but laugh.

"Because of you, I have to keep my intent active all the time. Before I wrap myself in Bingling, it's impossible, so you should give up pretending to be Han Seon."

"Damn, I get it! It's so annoying!"

Suddenly, Jowoo's face turned serious.

"Want to work with me on something?"

"Work? What kind of work?"

Her anger quickly turned to curiosity, her big eyes sparkling.

"Rescuing a pitiful man."

"Damn, my life is the most pitiful. Who's saving who?"

"You don't look that pitiful."

Bai Huarin's voice sharpened.

"Do you know my sordid past?"

"Who doesn't have a sordid past? Anyway, will you work with me or not?"

"What is it? I'll listen."

Jowoo smiled meaningfully.

"The underground merchant world."

"Eh?"

For those in the martial world who aligned with the evil path, there was an unwritten rule to avoid the underground merchant world and its connections.

Challenging the underground merchants was a matter of risking one's life.

"You can't be serious about infiltrating the underground merchant world together?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Are you crazy? No way! Absolutely not!"

Bai Huarin shook her head wildly, as if sprinkling salt.

"I'll pay you generously."

"Hey! Do you think I can be swayed by money?"

Madwoman.

There was a rumor that if you lined up the men who had been ruined by Tianbianxuehou, they would circle the vast Poyang Lake.

"Then what do you want?"

Bai Huarin pointed at Jowoo without hesitation.

"You?"

"Shh! No way."

Jowoo glared at her once, then smiled lecherously.

"Instead, I can introduce you to a man who is incomparably handsome."

"Really?"

"Yes. You'll experience enlightenment. You've never seen a man as handsome as him. He's the epitome of beauty, a celestial beauty, and he's still a bachelor."

"Wow......!"

The mention of a bachelor finally made Bai Huarin's eyes widen.

"Who is this woman I have to pretend to be?"

"Chunseon."

Bai Huarin's expression twisted strangely.

"What a despicable woman."

* * *

The Heavenly Demon Sect.

The Goddess Palace.

The goddess was prostrate before the statue of the Demon God, who reigns over all demons, in a posture of utmost devotion.

She wore a white silk robe, but it was so thin that her skin was almost visible.

A more seductive sight than her nakedness.

Around her, numerous female attendants of the Goddess Palace chanted spells incessantly.

Today was the day when the moon's magic was full, and the divine words of the Light God would descend.

Only the chosen goddess could hear the pure voice of the god, so venerating and praying for her was a natural and heartfelt act for the female attendants of the Goddess Palace.

However, the great goddess was different today.

Unlike her usual serene and solemn expression while waiting for the divine words, her face was filled with confusion and fear.

For the female attendants of the Goddess Palace, seeing the goddess's agitated appearance was unprecedented.

Knowing her strong and unwavering character better than anyone, they instinctively felt that something was seriously wrong.

After a tense moment, the goddess finally opened her beautiful eyes.

She solemnly called Li Xiaoli, the head of the female attendants.

"Though you lack the qualifications to receive the divine words and become the goddess, it is now unavoidable. From today, you will take my place. I will bestow upon you the title of Demon Empress."

Li Xiaoli looked extremely confused.

"How can a humble servant like me take on the noble duties of the goddess?"

The goddess nodded calmly.

"You are right. You are humble. But there is no other choice. There is no one else suitable for this role."

"Great Goddess! May I ask the reason for this sudden decree?"

At that moment, the goddess's face hardened with a stern expression.

"Today, my holy fire will ascend to heaven. The Light will take my humble soul."

"What?"

"Goddess!"

For the followers of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the ascension of the holy fire meant death.

Naturally, the female attendants were in great turmoil.

The death of the goddess!

This was an unthinkable event.

The goddess, second only to the Heavenly Demon in power and influence, was a figure whose influence over the followers was on par with the Heavenly Demon himself!

This was a matter that would shake the very identity of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

At that moment, the entire Goddess Palace was enveloped in a powerful demonic aura.

A demonic old man slowly walked through the corridors of the Goddess Palace.

He was a storm of demonic aura so overwhelming that it made breathing difficult.

The intense pressure of his demonic aura, as heavy as a mountain, made the hearts of the female attendants race with each step he took.

Thud, thud.

He was the High Priest of the Heavenly Demon Sect, responsible for the sect's rituals, and in practice, the one who had represented the Heavenly Demon's authority all along—Hegelian Gang.

One of the Four Great Demons of the evil path, comparable to the Eight Great Seats of the righteous path, and the only demon capable of challenging the world's greatest swordsman, Danchienyang of the Zijiancheng.

He was the absolute demon who now effectively led the current Heavenly Demon Sect, Dark Heavenly Demon.

The female attendants of the Goddess Palace could not believe their eyes.

The goddess was sacred to the followers of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

For such a goddess to be present in the Goddess Palace, emitting such a wicked and terrifying demonic aura, was unimaginable!

More shockingly, the visitors to the Goddess Palace were not just him.

The de facto vice-leader, the Demon Order Master, the Six Great High Priests, and the Eight Demon Left Seats—all the core figures of the Heavenly Demon Sect—were also present, each emitting intense demonic auras and killing intent.

Only then did the goddess realize, with a deep sense of pain, that Dark Heavenly Demon Hegelian Gang had completely taken control of the Heavenly