NOVEL NEXT Chapter 225
225th Chapter: Scary Grandmother
“I came here to help Jiyagi feel better.”
I said while embracing Sosumahu.
“But I feel a bad energy coming from inside. It’s ominous. Dad, I’m scared.”
As I spoke, Sosumahu snuggled deeper into my arms.
Bad energy?
I wanted to dismiss it as childish nonsense from the regressed Sosumahu, but her words likely had a strong basis.
The Mosan Sect before us was a huge trap set by the Blood Sect.
This meant it was probable that the entire Mosan Sect had been taken over by the Blood Sect.
‘Maybe it has been a forward base for the Blood Sect from ancient times.’
If you look at the clichés of martial arts novels, many orthodox sects seem to be controlled by hidden dark forces, and perhaps the Mosan Sect was one of those cases.
Suddenly, the Mosan Sect felt like a dragon in a den of wolves.
When I spread out my senses, I didn’t feel any eerie energies, but it could easily be assumed they had already been taken over by the Blood Sect.
[Mosan Sect has likely been under the influence of the Blood Sect for a long time and may have become their secret lair. Do not let your guard down.]
No, I was certain that the Mosan Sect was the Blood Sect’s secret lair.
Although Mosan Sect is renowned as the top faction in the Martial World, compared to the Blood Sect, which developed the resurrection techniques that defy heaven, their capabilities were like writing characters before Confucius.
Considering the 1,000-year age of Hyulma, it was highly probable that the Mosan Sect was established from the start as a decoy faction for the Blood Sect.
Investigations into faction formations were easy; after all, the Gongdong Sect claimed a thousand years of history through simply fabricating a record involving the character Gwangseong from the Sanhwagojel era.
So, there was no harm in being cautious.
[Understood, older brother.]
[Got it. This Confucian disciple.]
[I will keep it in mind. Eungong.]
Voices of Wi Soryeon, Yeomwang Jeoksawol, and Geumhu echoed.
I shouted towards the Mosan Sect’s mountain gate, bringing my companions along.
“Is anyone there? Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Sect has arrived!”
As soon as I finished speaking, the gates opened automatically.
A disciple of the Mosan Sect wearing a sky-blue robe and a hat embellished with trigrams greeted us.
“The little hero from the Gongdong Sect and your companions, I’m honored to meet Sado Ryeonju, Yeomwang Jeoksawol, and Geumhu, whose names resonate throughout the Nine Provinces and Eight Monarchs.”
The Mosan Sect’s Taoist bowed respectfully.
The allocation of Jeoksawol and Geumhu was something worthy of such respect, suggesting their seniority was undeniable.
“Hmph.”
Upon receiving the polite greeting, Jeoksawol’s expression flickered behind her veil. Her lips twitched slightly.
Her crimson eyes turned toward me.
Without words, it felt like she was saying, ‘Did you see? A lady like me is on this level.’
And I was certain she was thinking that way.
On the other hand, Geumhu stood expressionless, but when our eyes met, she flashed a smile.
“Uuu······.”
Sosumahu made a low sound as she clutched my sleeve tightly.
“It’s okay. Our Jiyagi.”
Wi Soryeon embraced such a Sosumahu, who snuggled into her arms.
I pulled out the letter written by my master and handed it to the Mosan Sect Taoist.
“Here, an introduction letter written by our master.”
It was an authentic introduction bearing the seal of the Gongdong Sect Leader, whose reputation was rising once more in the martial world.
The Taoist nodded after breaking the seal and reading the contents.
“Welcome to our sect. Allow me to guide you to the inn.”
With the Taoist’s words, we entered the Mosan Sect grounds. Creeeak.
The massive gate closed behind us. True to the Mosan Sect’s reputation as the origin of ‘Do You Know The Way?’ that profits greatly from talismans and rituals, the temple grounds were adorned brilliantly.
“This way.”
Where we arrived was, of course, a lavishly decorated royal chamber, a separate wing created specifically for the inn.
My companions and I unpacked our belongings in the separate wing.
“Soon, the leader of our sect will call for the little hero and Sosumahu. Until then, please rest comfortably and recover from your journey.”
After finishing the guidance, the Taoist bowed his head and left the separate wing.
“Uuuh······.”
Sosumahu lay on the floor, groaning.
“It’s okay. Mommy is here. It’s okay.”
Wi Soryeon pressed her knee on Sosumahu and patted her head.
Seeing this, I transmitted a message to everyone.
[From here on out, considering the surveillance, it would be best to discuss important matters via private messages.]
Geumhu, Jeoksawol, and Wi Soryeon responded they understood.
[I would like to ask Yeomwang-senpai, is there any location within the Mosan Sect grounds where you feel an ominous or sinister energy?]
The greatest sign of dark sorcery, or ‘Jusul’, was the presence of evil energy.
Hiding the sinister energies that rise when true dark sorcery is performed is nearly impossible.
Especially to summon a monster like Hyulma properly using a dark summoning ritual requires substantial prior preparation.
At my words, Jeoksawol’s expression slightly brightened. She replied through a private message.
[Before you spoke, I had already extended my senses to secretly examine every corner of the grounds, but there were no signs of evil energy or dark sorcery.]
No signs found.
Given that, it would be foolish to conclude there was no summoning of monsters.
Clearly, they were preparing thoroughly enough to hide even the signs.
[So, you’re saying they are preparing so meticulously that they’re hiding the signs, huh?]
[Indeed, Eungong! You were thinking exactly the same thing! Kya! Ah, I’m sorry. Eungong. I got too······.]
The first to react to my private message was Geumhu. She burst out with an exclamation through the private message, then flushed with embarrassment.
The sight of Geumhu, blushing while doing a cold wash, looked unnecessarily cute.
Is she really 51? She looks like a genuine young girl.
At that moment.
[You’re not acting your age in front of the Confucian disciple, Geumhu. Keep your dignity.]
[Isn’t it the Yeomwang-senpai who isn’t acting her age? And Eungong likes that side of me!]
[What kind of confidence is that? Unbelievable.]
Jeoksawol and Geumhu’s gazes clashed in the air. Their energies radiated throughout the room.
I sighed involuntarily.
Why on earth are they acting like this?
In the heart of the enemy territory, such behavior was forbidden.
[Both senior ladies, please refrain from any overt actions.]
I sighed inwardly while sending another private message.
Why are they acting like this when we all know?
[So, so sorry. Eungong.]
Geumhu lowered her spirit and apologized to me. Her shoulders slumped.
I turned my head. Since there was no one else around, Jeoksawol removed her veil, revealing her bare face.
Our gazes met. Her face turned red as she looked away and spoke.
[Hmph, I, I apologize too.]
Jeoksawol, who could barely apologize, still had her pride as the best of the rogue sects.
[Anyway, it’s clear that considerable time will be needed to prepare for the Great Method. Therefore, during this time, I would like you all to investigate the Blood Sect’s grand plan cautiously so as not to raise suspicion.]
There was still time before the Great Method was carried out.
If the preparations were complete, instead of guiding us to the inn, the entire Mosan Sect would have turned into a trap the moment we entered, summoning the Hyulma.
The very fact that we were being guided to the inn was a sign that we were being stalled.
Thus, it would be appropriate to dance to their tune a bit more while carefully uncovering their plans.
After all, this was the only way to succeed in the joint operation with the emperor and expose the Blood Sect’s headquarters.
[Understood. Eungong.]
[Got it. This Confucian disciple.]
As soon as I heard their responses.
A new presence emerged from a distance.
It was a Mosan Sect Taoist.
Drrrrrr.
Soon after, the door opened.
“This little hero and Sosumahu-senpai, the leader has called for you.”
I glanced at Sosumahu.
She was glaring at the Taoist while clinging to Wi Soryeon.
“Can you come along, Sister Wi?”
“I have no objections.”
At the Taoist’s words, I signaled to Wi Soryeon. She took Sosumahu’s hand and stood up.
“Well then, senior ladies, we’ll be going now.”
“Farewell. Eungong.”
“Sure, be safe.”
As Jeoksawol and Geumhu saw us off, I stepped out of the inn with Wi Soryeon and Sosumahu.
Stepping out of the inn, we were guided by the Taoist to the Upper Clear Palace, where the Mosan Sect Leader resided.
The door to the Upper Clear Palace opened, and at last, I could meet the Mosan Sect Leader.
Seated there was a middle-aged woman clad in a blue robe, namely the female Taoist, Cheonhyo-rang-gun Hwang Suk-ran.
“It is an honor to meet the eminent leader of Mosan Sect, known for her prowess in the Martial World, renowned throughout the Nine Provinces and Eight Monarchs, the Gongdong Sect’s disciple, Lee Cheol-soo.”
I greeted the Mosan Sect Leader on behalf of everyone.
She seemed younger than her age, but the wrinkles around her eyes and the laugh lines near her mouth were telling tales of years gone by, reminding me of Lady Gu in the Yongbong Society.
Perhaps there’s a certain connection among those of the Blood Sect.
“Hohohoho, I am truly honored to meet the little hero, the leading disciple of the Gongdong Sect with your name soaring high in the Martial World.”
Cheonhyo-rang-gun spoke to me.
“Uuu······. Scary grandmother!”
Seeing that, Sosumahu hid behind Wi Soryeon.
Grandmother.
At those words, the laugh lines on Cheonhyo-rang-gun’s face froze momentarily.
“Uuu, Jiyagi has a headache······. Ugh! Ugh?!”
Sosumahu clutched her white hair. The fierceness returned to her eyes.
“Ugh······.”
Sosumahu pressed her temple and stepped forward, still holding Wi Soryeon’s hand.
“······Ah, so you are the leader of the Mosan Sect.”
With her mind back, Sosumahu’s gaze turned towards Cheonhyo-rang-gun. She said, grasping my hand tightly with her right hand.
Earlier, she called her Grandmother, but now she’s calling her a ‘child’?
I didn’t know which rhythm to follow.
“I have found a way to free you from the gold restriction.”
“Yes, indeed. Sosumahu-senpai.”
Cheonhyo-rang-gun smiled.
“Recently, due to some fortuitous events, we regained the Upper Clear Secret, missing since the chaotic times of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It contains the spells to release you from the Heavenly Demon Zombie’s gold restriction that you suffered from.”
She spoke to me like that.
The Upper Clear Secret, huh.
I had heard of its existence. It was a magical text said to have been passed down from a celestial being who descended to the Lower Realm but was allegedly lost during the chaotic times of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
It was said to contain spells of heavenly techniques, but no one knew the actual content as it had never appeared.
In my previous life, I hadn’t come across any information that the Mosan Sect had regained the Upper Clear Secret. A spell that didn’t exist in my previous life had suddenly shown up.
Even though I had changed a lot of the future, I hadn’t touched the Mosan Sect at all.
Clearly suspicious.
“I see.”
“However, as this is a first-time attempt for us, preparation will take some time. During that period, I plan to conduct the treatment, so I hope Sosumahu-senpai can wait until the Great Method is ready.”
“Understood.”
Sosumahu nodded. Alongside, her intent was conveyed into my mind.
[Dad. That woman is pretending to be an immortal while cloaked in heavenly energy, but she hides an evil energy underneath. I cannot be deceived by her senses.]
In that moment, my suspicion turned into certainty.