Chapter 116 – Three Months (3)

“Father…?”
Elder Yi’s voice, murmuring like a moan, sounded incredibly sweet.

In private, he was a reliable father, but publicly, he was the pillar of the righteous faction, and seeing his noble lineage on the verge of death, it was only natural for him to feel despair.

However, it was unexpected.

Young Ho-kyung had brought Fang Mudo all the way here without finishing him off, indicating that Fang Mudo’s skills were beyond what he had imagined.

“But that ends here.”

He never imagined that he would be able to withstand the San Gong Duk, but now he could only feel a feeble momentum from him.

Kill Fang Mudo and only kill the boy in front of him. With Fangga’s power dropping to less than half with the disappearance of Fang Mudo alone.

“What a terrifying bastard…”

He could tell just by mixing his hands.

An inexperienced boy who had learned formidable martial arts but still didn’t know how to properly unleash its power.

That was Kang Yoon. He thought there was no need to waste time with a half-wit who could only forcibly suppress him with outstanding internal strength.

He had unexpectedly made significant progress in the fight, but if he had a fierce determination, he could kill him easily.

But even Fang Wol, who had been ignored, was unharmed by the venomous double strike of the Dokasangyo.

“He clearly hasn’t surpassed the first-class…!”

Every time he was in a crisis, without even realizing it himself, he displayed peak-level martial arts.

He must be killed. If left alone like this, this boy will undoubtedly become an absolute master within decades, posing a threat to the Minggyo.

“Hmm?”

In an instant, Kang Yoon’s eyes turned to an unexpected place. Amidst the life-or-death situation, his eyes were focused on…

“The So Gyoju?”

Was there a hidden meaning behind it?

To dare to avert his gaze from a higher-level master, it was an action tantamount to suicide. But since the person his gaze was directed at was the So Gyoju, Elder Yi was a moment too late to intervene.

Thanks to that, the opponent who should have had his throat snapped in an instant was able to turn his gaze back to Elder Yi unharmed.

However, that gaze was not fully focused on Elder Yi. Although he would avoid fatal injuries if he were to attack right away, it was not the gaze of someone concentrating on his opponent in a fight.

“As expected, the So Gyoju and the hidden meaning…”

Elder Yi had a feeling of unease for some reason.

If it were So Gyoju’s intelligence and intuition, she would have guessed what Elder Yi’s intentions were and would have mercilessly slit his throat at the moment Fang Mudo became such a pitiful sight.

Under the judgment that it would be beneficial to the Minggyo, regardless of So Gyoju’s own will.

But the fact that she had continued to stall for time even after coming here had caused Elder Yi to feel anxious.

“Why are you here?”

[Why are you here?]

[Why are you here?] I asked, wanting to know the same thing. “What the hell is the So Gyoju doing here?”

Young Ho-kyung told me to come to the Ma Gyo soon.

That means that no matter when I go to the Ma Gyo, there won’t be any problems, and for the time being, there won’t be any conflicts in the Ma Gyo.

“After saying that, you’re going to betray me like this?”

From the start, the Ma Gyo doesn’t have any gods that Young Ho-kyung needs to protect me, but honestly, it doesn’t sit well with me.

No matter where or how the Ma Gyo destroys any faction, I have no interest, but there is a woman who has fallen right in front of my eyes.

“Is there a reason why I still need to inform an outsider like you about the affairs of the main school?”

Although she has entered a state of subjugation, I blamed myself for casually turning my gaze away and started to be cautious of the old man again.

In the blink of an eye, Kang Ho’s life could be taken away.

“Didn’t you say that you were carrying out the orders of the Blood Demon? Did you lie to me?”

“Not at all. I am still carrying out the orders of the Master.”

Everything I do is the Master’s orders.

The Master only wants me to ascend, and I am looking for a woman to practice ascension with all night for that purpose.

I brazenly asked, “I wanted to tell you that the Master’s orders were hindered by the events of the main school.”

If I sell the Master’s name well, couldn’t I drive away the Ma Gyo, including Young Ho-kyung?

But I soon realized that I had underestimated the pride of a martial artist.

“Don’t be mistaken. I hope for the prosperity of the main school with the help of the Blood Demon, but if you think you have to be cautious of the Master’s every move, then you’re mistaken.”

[…]

“Do you think you can intimidate the main school in the name of the Blood Demon? Do you really believe that he alone can stop the events of the main school?”

To avoid being overheard, Young Ho-kyung’s expression was calm, but there was a deep anger in his voice.

“So Gyoju, it’s all my fault that this happened.”

“…We’ll talk about it later.”

“So Gyoju…?”

Suddenly, when the old man spoke up, Fang Wol and the other Fangga members turned their attention to Young Ho-kyung with a roar.

After learning that the female martial artist who had turned Fang Mudo into a rag was the So Gyoju of the Ma Gyo, the atmosphere in the back became gloomy, even if I couldn’t see it.

But when Young Ho-kyung was called out by the old man, he made a displeased expression.

Suddenly, one possibility crossed my mind. Could this be a situation that Young Ho-kyung was involved in?

“So Gyoju, did you not know about this situation?”

“…Yes.”

Young Ho-kyung’s voice was reluctant, but he admitted it willingly.

According to her, the old man in front of us, the elder, was the one who caused this situation. She said she had accompanied him for a different reason but ended up getting involved unexpectedly.

“So, does that mean the old man can’t actively lead this situation?”

Even though it seemed like he was the mastermind, there was no evidence to prove that he was the mastermind. The elder shouldn’t step forward to take control of this situation.

In fact, confessing that I am the mastermind is the same as confessing that I am the mastermind.

“Then, So Gyoju, release the Fangga.”

“What’s the price?”

Young Ho-kyung asked as if she had been waiting for it.

“As you can see, the main school has laid hands on the Fangga. There’s no way to avoid a showdown.”

And if there’s going to be a showdown, from the perspective of the Ma Gyo, the Fangga, especially Fang Mudo, must be eliminated without a doubt.

Fang Mudo dies?

Honestly, it could be a very appealing option for me. Without Fang Mudo, Yang Hajung becomes a widow, and I can have even more uninhibited sex.

“But no matter what…”

I’m not that much of a scumbag. Even though I’ve caused this mess by being greedy, Fang Mudo is fundamentally not a bad person.

I brought up the most tempting story for Young Ho-kyung.

“If a showdown happens, I will persuade the Master.”

Young Ho-kyung wanting me has the potential to improve my prospects as a talent, but it’s most likely because she wants a connection with the Master.

Even if I step back like this, a showdown won’t happen immediately, and if Fang Mudo remains unharmed, we can reach a reasonable negotiation.

Officially, this incident in the Ma Gyo is just “some deviance.”

Moreover, most of the martial artists may not know, but Gumsung is someone who knows very well how powerful the Sa Pa is, considering they are shouting for the eradication of the Sa Pa.

“Until the power of the Sa Pa grows, they will try to avoid fights as much as possible.”

Even if a showdown happens, the losses caused by Dojeol’s interference in the Sa Pa are much greater than the benefits gained by the Sa Pa interfering with Dojeol.

But Young Ho-kyung didn’t accept my proposal coolly.

“So, what’s the price for me personally?”

“…What do you want?”

I sighed and entered into negotiations. I couldn’t just accept it willingly, so the conversation continued through telepathy for a while.

The fact that Young Ho-kyung and I were communicating through telepathy seemed to be known to everyone here. Suddenly, the Ma Gyo and the Fangga were all looking at us, holding their breath.

“Fang Gaju.”

“…What is it?”

Fang Mudo responded weakly to Young Ho-kyung’s call, his voice filled with exhaustion. It seemed like he was struggling to hold himself together.

“It seems like there was a misunderstanding between us. We’re trying to step back, is that okay?”

“…”

The elder’s head snapped back as he stared at me. Ah, I really want to smack him on the back of his head.

“So Gyoju…!”

“The main school has no intention of clashing with the Fangga. This is an internal matter orchestrated by some disciples, and I will report it to the Master for appropriate punishment.”

It was all bullshit, but for now, the Fangga was the one at a disadvantage. Deep down, I knew that accepting this would be advantageous.

On the other hand, the elder resentfully called Young Ho-kyung several times, but he couldn’t bring himself to overturn the So Gyoju’s opinion and kill everyone.

“…I will accept.”

As if the fact that we were aiming weapons at each other and trying to kill just moments ago was a lie, the conflict between the two factions ended with a few simple words.

But there was no need to mention that the damage inflicted on the weakened Fangga was much greater, and this spark would undoubtedly flare up again.

Those of us from the Fangga returned with the injured.

It seemed like the Ma Gyo’s plan was to tear apart the Fangga’s power while pretending to be a member of the Gwanin.

They even tried to kill the most annoying Fang Mudo.

Yang Hajung fought against the elder to protect the disciples, but she collapsed due to the overwhelming number of enemies that infiltrated the interior.

“But the doctor will take care of her, right?”

I wanted to stay by her side and watch, but it would be suspicious if I continued to stick around, so I had no choice but to return to my quarters.

The doctors within the Fangga, as well as those from outside, made a lot of noise, but my quarters remained quiet.

Since my injuries were only superficial, I didn’t need any special treatment. Applying some ointment was enough to heal them.

“I’ll give you three months.”

I recalled Young Ho-kyung’s conditions as I lay on the bed. She wanted me to come to the main headquarters of the Ma Gyo in Shingang within three months.

I outright refused. It wasn’t just a matter of showing up and leaving. I couldn’t possibly agree to stay there for a whole month.

There were only a few months left until Dang Hye-won gave birth. I couldn’t afford to be tied down there for a month.

In the end, after repeated vehement protests, I succeeded in extending the deadline to six months. However, the duration of my stay was extended to a month and a half.

“Now I have to go back soon…”

Originally, I planned to return tomorrow, but I’m worried about Yang Hajung. The Gumsung must have already arrived in Seoan, so there’s no need to worry… but maybe it’s better to stay a little longer before leaving?

But if I delay any longer, Dang Hye-won and Fang Yeon-hwa will be deeply disappointed, and that worries me even more.

“It’s Sohyeop, are you awake?”

Even though the room was dark and the lights were off, a woman’s voice called out to me from outside. It must be a dispute.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing…”

I listened to the commotion and quickly followed the guide to Yang Hajung’s residence.

Her complexion, which had been relatively calm until a moment ago, had worsened noticeably.

I asked the doctor standing next to me, “What’s going on? If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

Even though he was a doctor, being a member of the Fangga meant that he was not just someone who administered medicine and prescriptions, but also skilled in treating injuries.

“It’s not that, but I heard that Sohyeop possesses strong internal energy, so I came to find you.”

According to the doctor’s explanation, the amount of demonic energy accumulated in her body was abnormal, causing severe damage to her meridians.

He said that the internal energy I had infused into her was only a temporary solution and insufficient to fundamentally treat the symptoms.

Suppressing my intense anger towards the elder who had brought her to this state, I quietly listened to the doctor’s explanation.

“While there is no way to control the internal energy that has been forced into someone else’s body, if we can infuse your internal energy into her and induce a similar state of energy circulation, it will greatly benefit her recovery.”

I readily accepted the doctor’s suggestion. If Yang Hajung herself was unconscious and unable to fight against the demonic energy, there was no other choice.

The doctor expressed his gratitude to me and went to attend to another patient, while I gathered my internal energy and performed a technique to infuse it into Yang Hajung’s body, surrounded by several other disciples.

The technique of energy circulation was originally meant to enhance the body’s healing ability by circulating one’s own internal energy, but occasionally, a similar effect could be achieved by infusing one’s internal energy into another person’s body.

“Huh?”

As I flowed my internal energy into Yang Hajung through her meridians, I suddenly remembered something that I had forgotten.

“A way to control the internal energy forced into someone else’s body? That’s…”

I looked down at my lower body.

“It exists, doesn’t it?”