The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 82

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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 82

“To call it the actions of the Gonggong Sect, there were some unnatural aspects.”

“Really? What aspects?”

“First, even though their relationship wasn’t particularly good, wasn’t there no warning signs whatsoever?”

The young priest’s words were not wrong at all.

To say it was something the Daoist of Gongdong had done, the methods were far too cruel.

So much so that one would question whether he was truly a Daoist.

“You’re right. What I discovered could also serve as evidence supporting the priest’s words.”

The Female Daoist took something from her bosom and placed it on the table.

A torn and tattered Daoist robe.

No matter how torn it was, there was no way they couldn’t recognize Zongnan’s robes.

“This is…”

“Right. I found it hidden away.”

“You said it was hidden?”

“Yes. We can suspect two things. One is that some unknown person tried to hide what they had done. And the other is…”

“That they wanted it to appear that way.”

The Female Daoist smiled at the young priest’s words.

It was accurate.

The very fact that this sword-marked robe was deliberately hidden.

That itself was very suspicious.

“Then… we could also see it as someone trying to sow discord.”

“Would there be such a place?”

“Doesn’t one place come to mind?”

“…It would be Mount Hua.”

For some reason, the Daoist sects didn’t have very good relationships with each other.

Especially when the distances weren’t that far apart.

Kunlun was almost the only one that was relatively fine, and that seemed to be because it was alone and far away.

“That’s true, but Mount Hua wouldn’t do something this insane either.”

“You’re right. Then there’s another force, isn’t there?”

“I hope not, but… that might actually be better.”

As the Female Daoist said, if that were the case, the situation wouldn’t be simple at all.

If it were Mount Hua’s doing, at least the purpose would be clear, but if it were some other force?

This would only be a precursor, and the detailed intentions couldn’t be grasped.

In a situation where it was hard to distinguish between the worst and second-worst outcomes, nothing was more frustrating than not knowing who was behind it.

“Sigh… Let’s return to the main sect for now. I need to report to Master.”

“Yes, Sajeo.”

Since the situation wasn’t good, the Daoists chose to return first.

Cheongun, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, soon drained his last cup.

‘The death of Daoists.’

It seemed like this kind of thing hadn’t happened before.

Since Cheongun didn’t know how this matter had concluded, he couldn’t be certain whether it hadn’t happened or had happened.

The atmosphere itself was definitely different from his previous memories.

Gongdong and Zongnan.

If he had to choose one of the two, Cheongun was thinking of choosing Gongdong.

But today, his thoughts changed a little.

The young Daoist who looked slightly younger than Cheongun.

Despite his young age, he showed a demeanor that was perfectly befitting of being called a Daoist.

His martial arts didn’t look too bad either.

Martial arts were actually not that important.

If one is a Daoist, shouldn’t they be Daoist-like?

Cheongun briefly watched the Daoists leaving the inn.

Since they said they were heading to the main sect, the path was already determined anyway.

Following them immediately would be good, but there was nothing wrong with being careful.

Since he hadn’t been at the inn for very long, he remained to listen to other stories as well.

After that, there wasn’t much noteworthy information.

Throughout both the upper and lower floors.

‘It certainly wasn’t an ordinary incident.’

Most of the conversations were about the deaths of the two sects’ Daoists.

Some people even argued about whether there was another mastermind behind it or not.

Eventually, Cheongun had no choice but to leave the inn.

As soon as he left the inn, Geou came to Cheongun as if he had been waiting.

“You were spending time at the inn. Did you happen to hear any interesting stories?”

“You seem to have found something. There’s already a smile spreading across your lips.”

“Hehe, I won’t deny it.”

“Is it about the mysterious deaths of the Daoists?”

“That’s right. It seems you heard something at the inn after all.”

“I heard a bit of the Zongnan Sect Daoists’ conversation. It was a young Daoist and a Female Daoist.”

At the mention of a young Daoist and Female Daoist, Geou briefly recalled his memories.

“Were they master and disciple to each other?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Oh ho, the old folks of Zongnan made quite a bold decision.”

“Do you know these Daoists?”

“I haven’t seen them directly, but if they’re Zongnan Daoists who are master and disciple, they’re quite famous in this area. They’re direct disciples.”

Direct disciples.

It seemed the Daoist of Gongdong had withdrawn so readily for this reason as well.

If they were direct disciples, they would be ones that Zongnan put their heart and soul into.

“It seems they came out directly for the investigation.”

“They seem to want to give them experience in Gangho. In a place that’s neither too far nor too close.”

“They said they’re returning to the main sect. It seems they judged there was nothing more they could find.”

“So, what are you thinking of doing?”

Geou’s eyes were already filled with interest.

A beggar might not chase gold, but to chase thrills like this.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Is that so?”

Cheongun’s intuition was telling him.

That nothing had properly happened yet.

Daoists lost their lives without warning?

That was definitely not the case.

The deaths of the Daoists were not a result but a process, and soon a precursor.

“The path to Zongnan’s main sect is…”

Cheongun’s gaze reached toward where Zongnan’s main sect was located.

“That way.”

What is a plan?

It’s one of the processes to make advancing toward a goal effective.

Following the Daoists going to Zongnan didn’t fit with this plan, but depending on how things flowed, it was an opportunity to leave a debt with Zongnan.

If lucky, with Mount Hua and Gongdong as well.

* * *

“Priest. Are you preparing well for this martial arts competition?”

“Yes, Sajeo. I’m preparing so as not to bring shame to Master’s name.”

“Since you were evenly matched last time, you should be able to overwhelm them this time, right?”

“…I’ll do my best.”

The evenly matched opponent Sajeo spoke of was a disciple of Mount Hua.

They held regular sparring matches under the pretext of friendship and exchange, but the true meaning had been distorted quite some time ago.

It was like a venue to preview and confirm in advance which of the rising stars who would lead each sect in the future was superior.

“I’m telling you not to feel too burdened. Anyway…”

Just then, the Female Daoist suddenly hesitated.

For some reason, she could sense an ominous aura from the surroundings.

“Sajeo?”

“Wait.”

“…Understood.”

The Young Daoist also sensed that aura, albeit belatedly.

It was an unsettling aura.

What was even more peculiar was that it seemed to have no intention of concealing that aura.

A place with few people around.

Should they be grateful that it was at least a secluded place?

With this kind of aura, it seemed like it would surely eliminate anyone whose presence was detected.

“…Prepare yourself. Priest. The situation doesn’t look good.”

“…Yes. Sajeo. It seems so.”

The instinct for survival exists in everyone.

When combined with the exceptional senses of a martial artist, this becomes intuition.

That intuition was telling them.

That they should flee right now.

However, since they couldn’t do that, they were drawing their swords and taking full precautions.

“Your senses are sharp.”

Just then, a voice could be heard from somewhere in the forest.

Internal energy so profound that they couldn’t pinpoint exactly where it came from.

“…Which master might you be?”

“Is that so important?”

“There have been many unpleasant incidents in the area recently, so I have committed a breach of etiquette.”

“Haha! It sounds as if you suspect me.”

“…I apologize.”

Since they still didn’t know the identity, they couldn’t carelessly speak.

Though not at their master’s level, with this degree of profound internal energy, it was certain they could easily handle her and the priest.

Soon, someone revealed themselves from one side.

The man with a massive blade and sturdy build was unexpectedly a young man.

“…Who are you?”

How could this young man, who appeared to have just passed his coming of age, possess such profound internal energy?

However, the real problem lay elsewhere.

The smile that man wore was definitely not a friendly smile.

His gaze, filled with all kinds of desires, was the kind that aroused disgust just by looking at it.

It was a blatant gaze.

That gaze was clearly directed at her, who was a woman.

“For a Daoist, you’re quite something. It’s nice to see you hiding it so tightly.”

“…You’re a shameless bastard not even worth dealing with.”

“Why such a reaction? Pleasure and ecstasy are what everyone pursues.”

“Do you know what we call those who pursue only that?”

The Female Daoist’s sword tip aimed at the man’s throat.

“We call them beasts.”

At those words, the man’s expression hardened.

“Since you’ve regarded me as a beast, I’ll treat you like a beast. I’ll make you beg to be killed instead.”

She could feel internal energy being channeled through the massive blade.

A vast amount of internal energy, as profound as she had sensed.

“…Priest. Go first.”

“Sajeo. What are you saying?”

“You can sense it too, can’t you, Priest? That man…he’s not someone we can handle. I’ll buy time, so hurry and go.”

“Absolutely not…”

“It’s an order. Go back and request support. I’ll hold out until then.”

“….”

Blood flowed from the Young Daoist’s tightly clenched lips.

As Sajeo said, that man was not someone they could handle right now.

“Hurry!!”

With the sharp command, the guard and Young Daoist began to leave this place.

But he wasn’t pursuing them.

She had planned to block if he chased, but he didn’t seem to have any such intention from the start.

“What a pity. Your priest should have watched everything here.”

“Shut up. That will never happen.”

“Right. Go ahead and struggle. In the grasp of one you called a beast.”

A moment of silence.

And soon, the Female Daoist’s movement began first.

Bang.

A heavy explosive sound echoed around once.

Though it was an attack with considerable force, the man easily blocked the Female Daoist’s attack with the blade held in one hand while remaining in place.

“Zhongnan’s heavy sword technique. It seems to have been somewhat overrated.”

“How dare…!”

The Female Daoist tried to continue her attack, but soon her body was pushed back by the tremendous impact felt in her side.

“Oho. Quite sturdy. What a resilient body.”

“Ugh…! I will definitely kill you…!”

The Female Daoist had tried to drag it out as long as possible to buy time for the priest to escape.

However, in just one exchange, she clearly realized the gap between them.

That man could kill her right now and pursue them if he wanted.

‘One chance…!’

Just once.

The moment he lets his guard down.

The man rested his blade on his shoulder and still showed a leisurely gaze.

Watching the Female Daoist’s changed energy, he began to show an even more greedy look.

“Haha! Yes. Come. Flowers must be plucked when they are most beautiful.”

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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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