Chapter 313 : I Might Be Able To

Abbess Jeonghye narrowed her brows as she sank into thought.

Throughout the Emei Sect’s long history, the number of times men had been permitted entry could be counted on one hand.

However, Jin Seong-un was undeniably a benefactor of the Emei Sect, and she had already promised to grant his request.

After much deliberation, Abbess Jeonghye finally spoke.

“……Once we return, I shall search for a solution. It is an ancient rule, so even as Sect Leader, I cannot make such a decision arbitrarily.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

It was true that he needed to visit the Emei Sect to search for clues related to Master Noble Enchantress, but he had no intention of forcing the matter immediately.

‘If it comes down to it, I could just wear a mask…….’

Jin Seong-un suddenly flinched after unconsciously falling into “Divine Thief-style thinking.”

Abbess Jeonghye continued:

“Still, is there not something we should discuss?”

She referred to the simultaneous reaction shown by Cheon Bi-yeon and Jin Seong-un when she attempted to use the Emei Sect’s ultimate art, the Extermination Sword.

The moment Jin Seong-un nodded—

The immature voice transmission of the remarkably perceptive Murong Hyeon reached his ears.

* Tell them you’ll discuss it at the Emei Sect.

Though he did not know the exact details, Murong Hyeon had more or less grasped the situation.

There was definitely something Jin Seong-un and the Emei Sect Leader needed to discuss regarding the Extermination Sword.

And for some reason, Jin Seong-un wanted to visit the Emei Sect.

It was probably connected to the same reason he had come here in the first place.

Using his naturally sharp mind to summarize the situation, Murong Hyeon continued through voice transmission.

* If it concerns the Extermination Sword, the Emei Sect will have no choice but to summon you, even if they must rewrite their old rules.

When Jin Seong-un followed Murong Hyeon’s advice and spoke accordingly, Abbess Jeonghye let out a low groan.

Just like him, she could not simply force the issue through authority or status.

As a leading figure of the Orthodox Faction, she could not oppress the benefactor of the sect in front of everyone.

“……I shall contact the sect as quickly as possible.”

Behind his back, Jin Seong-un secretly raised a thumbs-up toward Murong Hyeon.

Murong Hyeon looked extremely pleased.

Around then, the Hao Sect Leader approached Jin Seong-un and spoke in an incredibly casual tone.

“So when exactly is Seong-un Inn joining our Hao Sect?”

“…….”

“After observing you for a while, I noticed something. You keep saying you don’t want to live as a martial artist, yet you stir up the Murim more than anyone else of this generation.”

Jin Seong-un had no real response to that.

It was true that he did not want to live as a martial artist, but fulfilling his masters’ wishes inevitably forced him to become entangled with the Murim.

The Hao Sect Leader stared directly at him.

His eyes always appeared carefree, yet somehow they carried a depth that seemed capable of peering into one’s essence.

The Hao Sect Leader continued:

“If you keep wandering around causing trouble everywhere, eventually even you will face danger. Blades are like that. You can dodge them ninety-nine times, but a single strike is enough to send you to the grave. Though honestly, it looks more likely your friends will die before you do.”

The Hao Sect Leader glanced toward Seo Yu-gyeom, Murong Hyeon, and Seomun Ak.

Naturally, the weaker one’s martial prowess, the more frequently one would encounter life-threatening situations.

Recently, Jin Seong-un had worried about similar things himself.

The Blood Monster incident had been one example, and this matter was another.

He had been encountering enemies difficult even for himself to handle, and every time that happened, his friends were forced to risk their lives alongside him.

“Would that change if I joined the Hao Sect?”

Jin Seong-un asked dryly.

Saber King and Abbess Jeonghye wore expressions filled with sorrow.

The future of the Orthodox Faction stood on the verge of joining a cunning organization like the Hao Sect.

In contrast, the Hao Sect Leader displayed a relaxed grin.

“Perhaps not to the extent of protecting you, but we could certainly assist you in many ways. Even this incident—if you’d been one of us, you could’ve prepared far more thoroughly.”

“And the price?”

“You’d occasionally have to help the Hao Sect when our people are in trouble. The Hao Sect is a place where we help one another. Up until now, I’ve continued helping you because you aided Lingbo Immortal Maiden, and because I personally found you admirable. But that cannot continue forever.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

He had no intention of endlessly expecting help from the Hao Sect without compensation.

The Hao Sect Leader’s proposal was certainly worth considering.

Unlike ordinary Orthodox martial artists, Jin Seong-un had once been an inn waiter, so his perception of the Hao Sect was not particularly negative.

“But what exactly is the Hao Sect?”

A group that gathered and sold information.

That was already widely known.

However, Jin Seong-un was asking about the Hao Sect’s true essence.

The side the Hao Sect Leader occasionally displayed went far beyond that of a mere information broker.

Especially his insight often overwhelmed even the most experienced masters.

And simply observing how he treated giants of the Murim like Abbess Jeonghye and Saber King made that much clear.

The Hao Sect Leader drew his usual sly grin.

“A place where inn waiters, coachmen, courtesans, porters, ferrymen…… all those bottom-feeding lives who would otherwise die meaninglessly band together to survive. Well, that’s only the surface explanation.”

The Hao Sect Leader glanced around.

Not only Guest Dragon and his friends, but everyone present awaited his answer.

There had always been endless rumors surrounding the Hao Sect—more precisely, the Hao Sect Leader himself.

People said less than half of his actions were ever revealed publicly, and that in truth he wielded enormous influence over the current Murim from the shadows.

Others claimed he was a servant of the Imperial Palace or the Demonic Cult, the child of a famous astrologer family, or even—absurdly—that there were multiple Hao Sect Leaders.

Countless speculations circulated.

The abilities he displayed every time he appeared were simply too mysterious.

“A gathering of those who pursue truth. Of all the things we see and hear, how much do you think is genuine truth?”

“…….”

“We pursue that truth. You may not understand now, but someday even you, Jin Seong-un, will become curious about the truth.”

Jin Seong-un blinked with a completely baffled expression.

The Hao Sect Leader chuckled.

“What I mean is, if you keep rejecting us only to come crawling back when you need us, it won’t be charming. So you should show sincerity in advance.”

Having said all he wished to say, the Hao Sect Leader abruptly turned away.

He was always a man whose arrivals and departures resembled the wind.

As the Hao Sect Leader disappeared with lazy steps, the remaining people stared at one another awkwardly.

Among everyone present, Saber King probably knew the Hao Sect Leader best.

“Eighty percent of the nonsense that comes out of that bastard’s mouth is meaningless drivel. Don’t take it too seriously. And Guest Dragon, you said you’re better with the sword than the saber, didn’t you? Someday, you must visit the Peng Clan. I’ll show you properly that the king of all weapons is not the sword, but the saber.”

Before Jin Seong-un could even respond, Saber King stamped heavily against the ground and vanished.

Apparently, he had sensed Jin Seong-un was about to say, “No thanks.”

Watching Saber King disappear into the distance, the Master of the Thunderclap Sect spoke to Jin Seong-un.

“Guest Dragon, I understand how you feel. We too are people who want nothing to do with the Murim, yet trouble keeps finding us everywhere.”

As he spoke, he glanced toward Abbess Jeonghye.

After all, the woman who had approached the Thunderclap Sect had also ultimately been a secular disciple of the Emei Sect.

Abbess Jeonghye cleared her throat awkwardly.

“We shall maintain stricter discipline.”

“Please do. Guest Dragon, if you ever require our help, feel free to ask. We’ll be taking our leave first.”

Soon, the Master of the Thunderclap Sect also departed.

Being part of the gray area between orthodox and unorthodox factions, he likely felt uncomfortable surrounded by Emei Sect disciples.

Now only Jin Seong-un, his friends, and the nuns of the Emei Sect remained.

Even amidst the ongoing conversations, Seomun Ak’s gaze remained fixed upon Seo-wol, the Emei Sect’s eldest disciple.

After remaining silent during the adults’ discussion, Seo-wol carefully approached and asked:

“But what exactly is your inn?”

It was pure curiosity.

“So all four of you are an inn owner who used to be an inn waiter, a chef, an inn waiter, and another inn waiter, right?”

Three Peak Masters and one perfected Supreme Peak master.

Seo-wol let out a hollow laugh once more.

Their group possessed strength equivalent to a major sect.

Honestly, among the Emei Sect’s internal organizations, only the Council of Elders composed of senior masters might stand a chance against them.

Jin Seong-un replied:

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. An inn.”

“That’s a lie.”

“If you ever pass through Yichang, come visit sometime. Then you’ll understand.”

At that moment, Seomun Ak added:

“You absolutely must.”

Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Murong Hyeon simultaneously turned to look at Seomun Ak.

All three shared the same thought.

This bastard definitely has ulterior motives.

Seomun Ak coughed awkwardly.

Seeing that, Seo-wol smiled gently.

“Alright. I’ll definitely visit. And once again, thank you. If Young Hero Seomun hadn’t blocked it, I might have died.”

“It was only natural…….”

Seomun Ak began speaking in a cool voice, but after feeling his friends’ stares once more, he clicked his tongue awkwardly.

Soon after, the nuns led by Abbess Jeonghye and Seo-wol each bid farewell to Jin Seong-un’s group before gradually departing one by one.

It appeared the Emei Sect intended to take in all the martial artists of the Moon Command Sect, who had lost their sect leader.

On the road back to Yichang—

The four walked silently for some time, each lost in their own thoughts.

Jin Seong-un organized the enlightenment he had gained from fighting Cheon Bi-yeon.

Murong Hyeon’s mind was filled entirely with thoughts of the Sword Immortal.

Meanwhile, Seomun Ak’s heart was quietly breaking over the fact that Seo-wol was a nun.

Then Seo Yu-gyeom spoke quietly.

“Jin Seong-un, I believe you now.”

Jin Seong-un looked at him.

Seo Yu-gyeom continued:

“What we fought was something abnormal.”

Seo Yu-gyeom was the Heaven-Slaying Star.

His instincts were naturally sharp, and he had also undergone Deathshroud training.

Watching the fake Moon Command Sect Leader Cheon Bi-yeon’s bizarre evil arts, inexhaustible inner power, and martial arts, he concluded she was utterly unlike any normal martial artist.

Without any clues, he would merely have found it strange.

However, he had already heard the story of Jin Seong-un’s masters earlier.

Seo Yu-gyeom asked:

“So tell us about your masters. How exactly is a villainess from history your master?”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

It seemed his friends were finally prepared to believe his story completely.

After hearing the explanation, Murong Hyeon blinked several times before speaking.

“So basically, all of Noble Enchantress’s infamous reputation was a misunderstanding. And what we fought was actually…….”

“That’s right.”

Murong Hyeon still seemed unable to fully grasp it.

Massive truths had suddenly become reality before their eyes.

Jin Seong-un understood the feeling well.

“I felt the same way for quite some time after meeting my masters.”

Even now, it sometimes felt like a dream.

Whenever he visited the Martial God Realm—that place completely isolated from the world, flowing separately from reality—he often felt that way.

Suddenly, Seo Yu-gyeom asked:

“So did you accomplish your goal by coming here?”

“To some extent. The Moon Command Sect disciples’ energy was merely imitating Women’s Moon Qi. More precisely, the Nine-Tails Fox was using them in an attempt to imitate Master’s energy.”

“That’s horrifying.”

Seo Yu-gyeom sincerely admired the absurdity of it.

He had already decided to believe everything Jin Seong-un said.

In the first place, Seo Yu-gyeom had lived his entire life surrounded by abnormal situations, so this was nothing new.

“But why does she envy and hate her so much?”

“……Even I don’t know. It seemed Master herself didn’t know either.”

“And now she’s dead, so you can’t even ask.”

At Seo Yu-gyeom’s words, Jin Seong-un quietly sighed.

It was an incredibly subtle change in expression, but if no one else noticed it, Seo Yu-gyeom certainly did.

“What is it?”

“Honestly… I’m not convinced she’s dead.”

“What?”

Murong Hyeon and Seomun Ak also stopped walking and stared at him.

Jin Seong-un explained what he had sensed inside the cave.

The phenomenon where Cheon Bi-yeon’s energy had dispersed deep within the cave alongside the wind.

“It seemed the Hao Sect Leader sensed the same thing. He also stared outside the cave for quite a while.”

“If she’s actually alive…… that’s a pretty serious problem.”

Seo Yu-gyeom frowned deeply.

She excelled in evil arts, possessed martial prowess at least at the Huajing Realm, and was an inhuman being that had lived thousands of years consumed by malice.

If she truly intended to, she could create endless catastrophes.

“So what do we do?”

For the first time, Seo Yu-gyeom asked a question without having any answer himself.

Yet neither Seomun Ak nor Murong Hyeon could provide one either.

Jin Seong-un replied:

“For now, I intend to inform Master.”

“Wait. Hold on.”

Seo Yu-gyeom raised a hand, stopping him.

Then he asked with a serious face:

“Can you really meet those incredible beings whenever you want?”

“Yes.”

“……That cabinet?”

Seo Yu-gyeom had been with Seong-un Inn since the very beginning.

The storage shed in the backyard, and now the cabinet door located within Jin Seong-un’s room.

No matter how carefree Jin Seong-un normally acted, he always repeatedly warned everyone never to approach that door.

At Seo Yu-gyeom’s question, Jin Seong-un nodded.

“That’s right.”

“I’m coming too.”

Seo Yu-gyeom spoke seriously.

Murong Hyeon and Seomun Ak wore similar expressions.

For a moment, Jin Seong-un imagined his masters meeting his friends.

It would certainly be an amusing scene.

Unfortunately, such a scene would likely never become reality.

“There’s no way. Back when Elder Byeok suspected both me and the inn and searched everything, he eventually opened the door himself, yet nothing happened. It seems only I can enter that place.”

“But I might be able to.”

Seo Yu-gyeom’s expression remained serious from beginning to end.

He continued:

“If it’s possible because you possess the Heavenly Martial Body—because you’re the Heavenly Martial Star—then I, born as the Heaven-Slaying Star, might also be able to do it. Unlike these ordinary mortals here.”

Murong Hyeon and Seomun Ak, who had suddenly become “ordinary mortals,” looked deeply offended.

Ignoring them entirely, Seo Yu-gyeom remained serious.

According to what he had heard, one of Jin Seong-un’s masters was none other than the legendary thief from history, the Divine Thief.

A thief and an assassin were separated only by the thinnest line.

The greatest thief throughout history was not all that different from the greatest assassin.

If he could meet the Divine Thief—

If he could speak with him—

Perhaps he might discover a clue toward a new realm.