Chapter 140 Moorim (3)

Tributary of the Sky. At first, he wondered why they were reacting sensitively… until one thing was belatedly pointed out.

‘Ah, is he talking about that?’

The mental suppression was neutralized thanks to Heart of Liberty. Come to think of it, they said this just now: he broke through the Tributary of the Sky and trespassed into their manor.

‘Maybe that was the gateway to protect this manor…’

If so, their actions were somewhat reasonable. In their eyes, Yoon-seok was a suspicious man who had smashed open their entrance and was now flagrantly trespassing.

“…”

Yoon-seok ran a hand over his chin and pondered. He didn’t have to fight them. It was just a misunderstanding anyway, but if he could get some information, he would leave satisfied. But the problem was…

‘I don’t think she’ll answer even if I ask.’

It was not Yoon-seok’s style to seize information by threatening with force. In the end, the best situation would be to resolve the misunderstanding and calmly talk to them. Yoon-seok decided to explain the current situation somehow, regardless of how tedious it was. But then.

“Z-zombie!”

“He must be an assassin sent by the Demon Cult!”

The swordsmen interrogating him suddenly freaked out and prepared their sword energy, getting ready for battle. As he wondered why…

Thud.

Asura, whom he’d told to walk far behind because he was irritating, finally arrived, sending the situation spiraling out of control. To make matters worse, one of the swordsmen pointed at the magic scarf Yoon-seok wore around his neck.

“Magic Scarf! He’s the Co-Sect Leader of the Demon Cult! The Co-Sect Leader of the Demon Cult is here to attack the Namgoong Family!”

Magic Scarf? The Rank B accessory was gifted to him by Cheon-ma.

‘How do they know about this?’

Well, the Demon Cult and factions were hostile to each other, so maybe there had been spies. Instead, Yoon-seok focused on something else.

‘Namgoong Family…?’

He did suspect it, but he didn’t expect he would be involved again. At this point, he felt a strange connection to the Namgoong family name. Though, it was hard to call it a good one.

“You have the guts to come here alone.”

“I’ll rip your body apart and feed it to the dogs.”

An elevated tension weighed in the air as hundreds of swords pointed at Yoon-seok. He sighed.

“I know what you’re thinking, but can we talk after you lower your swords?”

Yoon-seok felt everything was useless. Regardless of their purpose, it would be difficult for him to please them anyway. So, he recommended they drop their swords. Of course, as expected, they didn’t listen, but he tried to talk things out.

“What are you doing? He’s our mortal enemy, the Co-Sect Leader of Demon Cult! Get him!”

The moment their commander finally ordered the attack, all hundred of them rushed Yoon-seok at once. At the same time, a black hemisphere covered the ground.

「By Lady’s Commandment, beings below Rank SS- in the area will freeze.」

Yoon-seok’s magic stats, even though it broke the limit of Transcendence, couldn’t hold it for more than ten seconds. But, the effect was excellent. All the warriors stopped at the same time. Many of them suddenly fell to the ground as their momentum came to a sudden stop.

Yoon-seok filled his sword with Skywrath Energy.

Boom!

He fired the uncontrollable, black sword energy into the sky. As a result, his magic power hit rock bottom, and the power of Lady’s Commandment was lifted, but there was no problem. They were able to move again. Yet, no one dared move.

“…”

Still, why would they? It was clear that no one would survive if that attack were shot at them, not into the sky just now. They stared blankly up to where the sword energy was fired. The dark clouds were split in half, and warm light spread past them to reach the ground. Yoon-seok quietly spoke.

“I want to talk. Will you lower your swords?”

It was a little different from before when they faced him with an unwavering will. They remained silent, but…

Clang, clang. Clang.

Their weapons fell to the ground while Yoon-seok smacked his lips bitterly. Now it felt like a route he had to go through.

“What are you doing? Everyone, stand up!”

The commander shouted fiercely. He thought this previously, but their voice was rather young. It didn’t seem like their skills were better than the others, but were they the type born with a silver spoon? At least no one picked up their weapons again, following the commander’s orders.

For a very simple reason.

“…”

Unlike the commander, they were exposed to Yoon-seok’s magic at close range. Although they hadn’t experienced the delirium it caused yet; they were already experiencing extreme fear. He did retrieve his magic, but Yoon-seok used Light of Purification so that they wouldn’t fight among themselves.

However…

Swaaaaaaaa-!

Was it his imagination that their fear seemed to have heightened from the black glow that leaked out of his body and glowed around him?

“I’m Choi Yoon-seok. What’s your name?”

Yoon-seok took off his mask and offered his name. He wondered if he had to take off his mask, but even if it wasn’t his intent, he was still in the wrong. In addition, it was just a natural reaction after a misunderstanding that he was part of the Demon Cult. It appeared that this would open the door for a proper conversation.

Well, although the other person remained silent. This was a minor problem.

Thud.

Yoon-seok took a silent step toward the silent commander.

“…Nam, Namgoong Jin-jin.”

They reluctantly revealed their name and took off the veil that was covering their face. He knew she was a woman by her voice and body curves, but Yoon-seok had no choice but to pause as soon as he saw her face. She looked extremely familiar.

“Namgoong So-so…?”

From the eyes, nose, and mouth to the shape of her face. It perfectly lined up with her, whom he’d met for the first time in the Great Battle and later lived together after their waiting room wall broke. The only difference was the atmosphere around her, but…

“…You know my sister?”

Namgoong Jin-jin was also surprised. They must be sisters. Well, considering that, he thought the atmosphere was too different. Come to think of it, when they first met, Namgoong So-so was as crooked as her sister.

“Yes, we’ve met before.”

Yoon-seok nodded. He didn’t have a particular grudge against Namgoong So-so. So, now that he’d said her name, the conversation might proceed more smoothly. But perhaps it was the wrong answer.

“…Was it you guys who did it? Kidnapping So-so.”

Namgoong Jin-jin’s eyes turned cold. However, she calmly suppressed her anger, maintaining her reason for now.

“…Is So-so still alive?”

“…I don’t know. I didn’t even know it happened.”

He only belatedly understood what misunderstanding she had, but sadly, she didn’t believe him.

“Don’t try to make fun of me. Do you think I wouldn’t notice that you came to offer ridiculous conditions in exchange for Soso’s life?”

“…”

Yoon-seok sighed silently. He thought they could finally talk, but they were back to square one. What should he do now? Would it be better to just go outside and walk around in search of someone else? As those many thoughts ran through his mind.

“Jin-jin, stop it.”

Without any sound or presence, an old man appeared as if he had been there the whole time. An old man with a coarse navy robe and a sword on his waist, appearing normal at first glance. But he was no ordinary old man. Aside from the sea-deep energy that he kept well-hidden, Yoon-seok only sensed his presence after hearing him speak.

‘Who is this?’

In the middle of a place that could be considered enemy territory. Looking at the way he spoke, it was certain that he was a member of the Namgoong Family. Yoon-seok looked at the elderly man without lowering down his guard.

“Namgoong Jin-jin, the first leader of the guards, humbly greets the Elder Patriarch.”

Although she didn’t prostrate herself as the Demon Cult would, Namgoong Jin-jin bowed to show her courtesy toward the old man.

“My, my. You can just call me Grandpa…”

The old man didn’t seem to feel bad despite saying that. Yoon-seok carefully raised his Skywrath Energy. He hadn’t even drawn his sword yet, but he could instinctively tell that the old man was a formidable enemy the moment he saw him.

“There’s nothing to be wary of because I won’t hold a sword against you. At least for a month.”

‘…A month?’

Yoon-seok realized one more thing: this old man was a challenger among the 507 people from Moorim who reached the 20th floor of the Tower of Duel.

—No one except So-so knows that I’m a challenger in this family. Will you keep it a secret?

Yoon-seok nodded slightly at the sound. Something was going on, but he felt no hostility. No, he didn’t know why, but he was even friendly unlike Namgoong Jin-jin over there.

“Elder Patriarch! He’s the Co-Sect Leader of Demon Cult! How can you say that?”

“I know he’s a demon, but wouldn’t it be okay to talk to him?”

“Maybe he knows about So-so’s whereabouts! You must arrest him properly and dig up what information he knows through torture….,”

“Stop.”

“…”

“Didn’t I tell you before? Stop it. I can guarantee that this young man is not related to So-so.”

The moment she disagreed, it was the same as ignoring her elder’s authority and being disrespectful. But, Namgoong Jin-jin eventually continued after a few minutes of consideration.

“But he broke through the Tributary of the Sky and invaded the manor. According to the family law, you have to make an immediate decision.”

“You’re talking about the family law in front of me?”

“…”

The old man only showed slight intimidation, but Namgoong Jin-jin trembled and shut her mouth. But what followed the stick was the carrot. The old man recovered and spoke softly.

“A person shall be subjected to punishment with the condition of intentional invasion. So, this young man is not subject to such.”

“…I understand that the clause was made on the assumption that those unrelated to Moorim would be involved in an accident.”

“That’s good then. This young man has nothing to do with Moorim. He came here for the first time through the Tower, and this place just happened to be here. Well, am I wrong?”

He didn’t know how he knew and spoke with such reassurance, but everything the old man said was true. But when Yoon-seok nodded, Namgoong Jin-jin found fault with him again without growing tired.

“I also know about the Tower. And if the Elder Patriarch is right, I will admit that it was an accident. But, how can I believe his words?”

Her logic was well-organized for someone so stubborn. Even Yoon-seok thought it was natural that Namgoong Jin-jin thought that way. Then how would her elder respond this time? Yoon-seok was curious and waited for his answer along with Namgoong Jin-jin.

“This is our family member talking, wouldn’t you believe him?”

“…?”

Namgoong Jin-jin and Yoon-seok’s heads both tilted at the same time.

“Jin-jin, greet him properly. He will be your brother-in-law in the future.”

Her sister’s husband.

“I heard it from So-so last time. How many days have you stayed together?”

Yoon-seok sincerely regretted it. When he found out that this place housed the Namgoong family, he should’ve turned around and found someone else. What kind of surprise was this?

He didn’t know where to start… he couldn’t make sense of it.