Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 190

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 190

“No, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Why would Baekryeong-wi meet with the Vice Commander of Baekseol Wiryeong Dan?”

“…This bastard… Hey, are you suspecting me? Why are you being so hurtful? We’re comrades who crossed the line of death together.”

At my gaze indicating that an explanation was needed, Sim Mun-ryong finally let out a sigh.

“He said he wanted to meet once, that man.”

“The reason?”

“What else would it be? Close cooperation between Baekseol Wiryeong Dan and Baekryeong-wi. Something like that.”

“Cooperation?”

At my words, Sim Mun-ryong’s eyes widened instead.

“Wow… You seemed to know everything about the world, but I guess you didn’t know this?”

“Don’t beat around the bush, get to the point.”

“It’s nothing special, but even though I’m at the bottom, I’m still one of the Twelve Cold Commanders. I have a few subordinates, but fewer than the other Twelve Cold Commanders. He said he wanted to recommend about four people and asked what I thought.”

It was interesting.

Four people…

“What are you planning to do?”

“What do you mean what? I already accepted.”

“The reason?”

Sim Mun-ryong smiled mysteriously.

“Hey. Do you think I’m an idiot? Given the positions of Baekryeong-wi and Baekseol Wiryeong Dan, they’re in a relationship where they can’t become close even if they try, but he deliberately approached me? He has a purpose.”

“For example?”

“What example is there? Everyone knows I’m Baekryeong-wi but I’m your person, and even though I’m a newcomer among the Twelve Cold Commanders, I should notice by now. It’s you, you.”

Sim Mun-ryong grinned.

“He’s probably trying to stick close to me to find something to exploit from you. Or maybe he’s trying to align himself with you. Either way, accepting is the right choice, isn’t it?”

“Hmm…”

“If the number of stones I can use increases, it’s only good for you. You’ll make the judgment later anyway. Is that enough now? So stop staring at me like that. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable when you keep looking at me that way.”

I had prided myself on being good at reading people, but it seems I somewhat underestimated Sim Mun-ryong.

“Bastard… Your expression changed immediately. Are you sorry?”

I patted his shoulder.

I knew he was a man who followed gratitude and grudges. But the fact that he willingly took on the role of bait and set up a small scheme to help me later.

Honestly, I was a bit moved.

“Come to Ice White Gorge in eighteen days.”

“Why there again? Is there someone to kill? Don’t tell me it’s the Original Blood Sect?”

I shook my head.

“The secret realm of Plum Blossom Swordless will open there.”

“…Oh…?”

“Plum Blossom Swordless Cheong Mun was a martial artist positioned in Tae Heo Mu-sang according to remaining records, but the true meaning of that secret realm doesn’t lie with Cheong Mun.”

It had to be that way.

“The master of Plum Blossom Swordless is Plum Blossom Sword God Cheon Hwa Jin-in.”

“So, Cheon Hwa Jin-in’s martial arts would also be left in that secret realm?”

“Do you think there wouldn’t be any?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t even know if that secret realm will appear.”

That’s right.

I’m the only one who knows that secret realm will appear.

Although I didn’t personally enter that secret realm in my previous life, I know what came out of it.

When I reviewed the materials, what Cheon Hwa Jin-in left behind were a few philosophical questions and murals carved on the walls, but unfortunately, nothing remained about those murals.

Originally, it was testimony from someone who barely survived among the many who entered that secret realm, and since he died less than two weeks after escaping due to injuries sustained in the secret realm, it would be stranger if he knew more.

“Sim Mun-ryong.”

“What?”

“Make sure to prepare your mind firmly.”

“Suddenly scaring me?”

“It’s that dangerous a secret realm. And bring all the people Yeon Su-on designated.”

“Just those four?”

“Just those four.”

“Alright. Got it. And I’d like to escort you to Yang-ryeong, but one of those four is over by the Wind Wall. I have to go get him, so I can’t escort you.”

I chuckled.

“I wasn’t expecting it anyway. Ice White Gorge in two weeks, don’t forget.”

After sending Sim Mun-ryong away, I borrowed a carriage from the Main Palace.

A burly man came and politely performed the Embracing Fist.

“I greet Hyeon Seol-rin.”

It was Yang Cheol from Baekseol Wiryeong Dan.

The same Yang Cheol who had killed traitors together with me at Yaksu, was present when we obtained the ledger with traitors’ names written on it, and had been my eyes and ears until recently.

“It’s been a while. But… I heard Cheon Pung left.”

“He left.”

“That’s unfortunate. He was definitely going to achieve great things.”

“He’ll return, so don’t worry.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s depart immediately.”

“Yes. I’ll escort you to Yang-ryeong…”

“Not Yang-ryeong.”

“…Pardon?”

“Han Cheon Hyeop.”

At the suddenly mentioned place name, Yang Cheol’s eyes widened greatly.

That’s right.

Han Cheon Hyeop is where the main headquarters of Baekseol Wiryeong Dan is located.

“How… are you going to Han Cheon Hyeop…”

“I’m thinking of meeting Yeon Su-on.”

“…Ah.”

“Do you dislike it?”

“No. I’ll depart immediately.”

“And, I’m thinking of taking a detour.”

“If you’re taking a detour… Yes. I think I understand what you mean. I’ll do so.”

Yang Cheol began driving the carriage, and I sat down for a moment and closed my eyes.

Vice Commander of Baekseol Wiryeong Dan, Yeon Su-on.

I don’t know much about him in detail. But one thing was certain.

His assigning Baekseol Wiryeong Dan members to Sim Mun-ryong had nothing to do with ‘me’.

If Yeon Su-on had been in communication with Yang Seol-jin, he would have been certain I was dead.

Not only that. He would have been certain Dae Seol-rin was dead too, so why would he deliberately assign people to Sim Mun-ryong?

This is two cases.

First, assuming me and Elder Brother were dead, laying the foundation for plans regarding other matters to be carried out later.

And second, he has no relationship with not only Yang Seol-jin but also Yu Cheong, and simply tried to give Baekseol Wiryeong Dan members experience with good intentions.

If it’s the former, it would be troublesome, but if it’s the latter, I’d be damaging my own reputation.

“Yang Cheol.”

At my call, Yang Cheol, who was driving the carriage, turned his head.

“Yes. Hyeon Seol-rin.”

“In your view, is Yeon Su-on someone who would betray Seol Palace?”

Yang Cheol scratched his head.

“As I mentioned before, the Vice Commander lost all his internal energy due to Qi Deviation and even lost his left arm.”

I quietly looked at Yang Cheol.

“You said you would step down from all positions and retire after 8 years, is that what you said?”

“Yes. And it’s been 7 years this year… roughly half a year has passed since I told you that. Yes, now there’s half a year left.”

When he said those words, Yang Cheol had said how could such a person sell out the Main Palace, but there was a somewhat implicit expression in that.

For example, something like, how could you not think of such a person’s loyalty and righteousness that way.

“Certainly, it would appear that way.”

“…Yes?”

“Someone who lost an arm and lost his internal energy, but serves the Snow Palace by nurturing disciples with the experience he’s accumulated over his remaining life, yet engages in slander and scheming against him… This is what, a person so morally bankrupt that even a great demon would shake his head.”

“That’s… it’s not to that extent…”

“There’s no need to desperately deny it. Just suspecting Yeon Su-on alone receives negative looks like yours now, but if it becomes certain that Yeon Su-on is not a traitor, I would face a situation where I’d have to step down from my position in the Snow Palace.”

This wasn’t wrong.

But he had to think about the opposite as well.

“Yang Cheol.”

“…Yes. Lord Hyeon Seol-rin.”

“Setting aside personal feelings about him, try answering once. Commander Juche is a man who can naturally carry out affairs while avoiding everyone’s eyes. There’s sufficient reason to suspect him. In the case of Instructor Gok Jin-bung, he’s neither a commander nor a vice-commander, but he possesses influence comparable to them. Regardless of motive, looking at ability alone, he’s a man who could certainly accomplish it. Then what about Yeon Su-on?”

“…”

“Even though his martial prowess may be lacking, the mere fact of suspecting him like you do makes one furrow their brow. Sometimes intangible power is more frightening than tangible power, and now is similar to that.”

“…That’s… going too far.”

“So, you don’t suspect him?”

“…Listening to Lord Hyeon Seol-rin’s words, certainly Yeon Su-on would also be included among men who could carry out affairs while avoiding everyone’s eyes. Because there’s no one who doesn’t know of his loyalty. Beyond suspecting him, if someone were to secretly investigate him, others would immediately inform on them or move on their own accord – he is the spiritual pillar of the Baekseol Wiryeong Dan to that extent.”

He folded his arms and spoke.

“Does it still seem like I’m suspecting an innocent person?”

Yang Cheol let out a deep sigh and continued speaking.

“…No… If someone among the high positions of the Baekseol Wiryeong Dan committed betrayal, Vice-Commander Yeon Su-on cannot be excluded.”

He buried himself in place.

“Someone will come looking for me. Until then, don’t wake me.”

“Understood.”

He closed his eyes, but peace didn’t last long.

The carriage stops.

Opening his eyes, he saw Yang Cheol with a flustered expression.

It felt like he had experienced a similar situation before.

“…Um, by any chance, is that person the one who came looking for Lord Hyeon Seol-rin?”

It was before he could ask who.

“It’s Third Lady.”

To be clear, it wasn’t, but she was someone he had to meet at least once.

* * *

Woon-hwi, who came out opening the carriage door, stopped right there in place.

He didn’t show it, but he was a bit flustered.

Yang Cheol felt the same way.

That was right.

There was a woman before their eyes.

A woman wearing a purple silk long robe.

She was Jin So-yeom, Third Lady of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. Her face, which combined beauty and dignity, was now filled with deep worry, but that wasn’t the important thing.

Jin So-yeom wasn’t standing, but kneeling.

Yes.

This was important.

She raised her head to meet Woon-hwi’s calm gaze.

Even in this situation, there was no disturbance whatsoever from Woon-hwi.

Jin So-yeom opened her mouth in the calmest tone possible.

“Hyeon Seol-rin. Please save my son.”

Woon-hwi silently looked at the kneeling Jin So-yeom.

Third Lady was one of Seol Jung-cheon’s legitimate wives in the Snow Palace, and the birth mother of Polar Descendant Seol Woon-hae.

That she, being such a person, knelt before him, a illegitimate son, was certainly unexpected, but Woon-hwi’s heart was as calm as a still lake.

“Third Lady.”

“…Yes. Hyeon Seol-rin.”

“That you’re doing this here now seems to mean you know the ‘inside story.’ Is that correct?”

“…I don’t know the details. I just heard the story from Woon-hae and judged that the matter was very serious.”

“I see.”

Having finished those words, Woon-hwi quietly continued.

“First, please rise from your position.”

“I cannot rise.”

Jin So-yeom looked up at Woon-hwi with a face filled with determination.

“My son has committed a wrong. But that child is still young and foolish. I have no other path than kneeling before Hyeon Seol-rin and pleading. Please, I hope you will give him one chance.”

Woon-hwi gazed at her with deep eyes.

The events that occurred in the Secret Realm came to mind.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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