Chapter 27: Seolyoung, Makes a Commission
“The Phantom Demon was killed by Young Master Hae?”
Baek Seolyoung was shocked by Chu Sang-gi’s report.
“Yes, it turns out that Gu Yucheon, who had advanced to the main bracket, was actually the Phantom Demon of the Asura Demon Sect.”
It was shocking enough that the Phantom Demon had disguised himself and infiltrated the tournant as part of the Orthodox Faction, but it was even more shocking that Hae Ryang was the one who killed him.
“Just how?”
“That part wasn’t disclosed by the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan, but it seed like there were many witnesses.”
Bae Seolyoung felt a chill in her chest at the ntion of the Demonic Cult. In Jianghu, rely hearing the na ‘Demonic Cult’ struck fear into most people.
She had never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that an elder of the Asura Demon Sect would take part in her tournant.
“How poor was the preliminary investigation?”
“I’m sorry.”
Chu Sang-gi bowed deeply. Although soone else was in charge of the investigations, he still felt responsible for not overseeing it more closely.
“It’s not sothing you should be sorry about.”
“As you know, Gu Yucheon passed all the background checks without any problem.”
Baek Seolyoung felt a heavy burden. She had personally reviewed that report.
Just as Chu Sang-gi said, there was nothing suspicious about him. And yet, such a major flaw had slipped through. This ant that it was possible for other Demonic Humans or the Unorthodox Faction to have infiltrated as well.
“Even if we have to delay the tournant, we must thoroughly re-investigate all the participants.”
It was obviously necessary. A new investigation team would need to be assembled to investigate the contestants again.
But she wasn’t able to make an easy decision. A proper investigation wouldn’t take days, but months.
With the entire world watching, she couldn’t afford to delay the tournant for that long.
“But did he really kill the Phantom Demon?”
She sought confirmation again. Chu Sang-gi replied with confidence.
“It’s hard to believe, but it appears true. It was possible he got lucky. Or perhaps he’s been hiding his skills. After all, Young Master Hae is the blood relative of the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan.”
But still, Baek Seolyoung’s face was filled with doubt. Hae Ryang only seed like a spoiled son of a noble clan rather than a master who was hiding his skills.
“In any case, Seop Mu-pyeong has now advanced to the quarterfinals without fighting in the round of sixteen. The remaining round of sixteen matches are scheduled for tomorrow.”
Just then, a man entered and handed a secret letter to Baek Seolyoung.
After he left, Chu Sang-gi asked.
“What is that?”
“I commissioned an inquiry. This is the result.”
“An inquiry? Where?”
“The Golden Ants.”
It was a highly renowned intelligence organization in Jianghu.
Chu Sang-gi’s eyes widened in shock.
“You really made a deal with those ant swarms?”
“Yes.”
“What!”
The Golden Ants were the most famous organization for selling information. They were said to be nurous beyond count, like their na serves.
“They are mad for money.”
“But they are best at what they do.”
“My Lord!”
“I had no ti.”
“What information did you buy from them?”
I asked them to investigate whether anyone connected to Yang Sebang is participating in the tournant.”
Yang Sebang seed unusually excited on the first day of the tournant. Seeing that, Baek Seolyoung sensed that sothing was strange and commissioned the Golden Ants for an investigation.
Baek Seolyoung opened the letter with a tense mind. Her eyes widened after seeing the content inside.
“I knew it!”
She pushed the letter to Chu Sang-gi. One na was written there.
Gwak Pil.
He had already advanced past the round of sixteen and was gaining attention as a dark horse.
The letter detailed his past etings with Yang Sebang, when and where they t. It wasn’t just once or twice either.
“Damn it!”
Chu Sang-gi’s expression worsened. As if the Phantom Demon’s infiltration wasn’t enough, now Yang Sebang’s minion was revealed. They had failed to discover it themselves both tis.
He lowered his head deeply as he felt like it was his fault. Baek Seolyoung had no ti and space to comfort him either as her thoughts were racing.
“Gwak Pil, he must be eliminated at all cost.”
* * *
Lee Jaseung was training in a forest near the inn.
The Asura slashed through the air swiftly and precisely. Each move was lethal. If anyone had been in the path, they’d have surely lost their life.
He put more effort into his movents today. Was it because of that? His body was soaked in sweat.
For soone of his level to sweat like this wasn’t because of physical exhaustion. It ant that he was expending an enormous amount of ntal energy.
Around him, elite martial artists of the Guard Hall led by Mook Young, were standing guard with an impenetrable defense.
Since the tournant was filled with master fighters, Mook Young had selected only the best n to guard Lee Jaseung.
Mook Young had three criteria for judging his n.
First was, of course, martial skill. This needed no explanation.
Second, was stealth. It was vital for unobtrusive protection, especially for a Lord like Lee Jaseung.
Third was the most important, regardless of the order. It was the willingness to sacrifice beyond loyalty.
Escorts had to be ready to die at any ti. At a certain point, it wasn’t just loyalty, but closer to fate.
In the entire Jianghu, Mook Young’s n were unmatched in all three aspects.
With these escorts surrounding him like a wall of steel, Lee Jaseung was trying to combine his second and third techniques into one.
But it wasn’t easy. Each technique was already highly refined, and he was already way too familiar with using them separately.
He wondered if there really was a need for him to combine them the whole ti he was training, but he shook it off.
It was because he chose to trust his instinct. He hadn’t had this thought up until recently, but he felt like a change was needed.
But he felt a tall, sturdy wall blocking his path. It wasn’t just about effort anymore, He needed a new breakthrough.
“Phew.”
He exhaled and ended his training. The ending was more important than the start when it ca to training. He recalled his movents from earlier as he cald himself.
After he finished, he walked out the forest and saw Dan Woobin waiting outside.
“I have urgent news. Are you familiar with the Golden Ants?”
“The ant swarm?”
“Yes, it’s them. Lord Baek commissioned them.”
“What kind of commission?”
“She asked them to investigate whether Yang Sebang sent soone to participate in the tournant. Through them, she discovered Gwak Pil was his minion.”
The Golden Ants leaned more toward the Unorthodox side. It was rather surprising that she involved herself with them.
“But how did you find out?”
The Golden Ants were famous for their intelligence, but also their secrecy.
Even with the Three-Eyed Pavilion on his side, it wouldn’t have been easy for Dan Woobin to learn about this.
“We didn’t learn it from the ants, but from Yang Sebang’s side instead.”
Dan Woobin focused on extracting information about Yang Sebang with the Three-Eyed Pavilion. The latest piece of information was also uncovered through that process.
“The fact that the source is Yang Sebang is very significant.”
In other words, Yang Sebang now knew that Baek Seolyoung commissioned the Golden Ants. It was possible that everything was part of his plan.
“It seems most likely they leaked the information to her on purpose.”
Lee Jaseung’s gaze sharpened. If this was true, then it was a very serious matter.
Dan Woobin worked his brain quickly. He started to connect all the pieces together.
“Ah!”
In the end, he reached two conclusions.
“This is the first possibility. He planted two people in the tournant. After revealing Gwak Pil who’s the bait, the other wins unnoticed. And Lord Bake won’t suspect the winner is Yang Sebang’s man because she already caught his spy. She’ll be totally deceived.”
It was a plausible guess.
“And the second?”
“To lead her into making another commission to the Golden Ants.”
Lee Jaseung’s eyes sharpened.”
“You an hire an assassin?”
“Yes, exactly that.”
“Do the Golden Ants have the power to kill Gwak Pil?”
“They’ve amassed great wealth through selling information. They are more than capable.”
This scenario was very possible as well.
Even Yang Sebang couldn’t guarantee that his man would win in the tournant.
But if Baek Seolyoung were caught making a deal with the Golden Ants for murder?
It would destroy her reputation. She’d beco Yang Sebang’s puppet, or be ruined if she resisted.
“Of course, the second scenario is less likely. She wouldn’t make such a commission.”
“You don’t know that.”
Lee Jaseung knew people could act irrationally when desperate.
“If she does make such a commission, then there’d be no turning back. We must stop her at all costs.”
Lee Jaseung thought of Baek Seolyoung. She had bright eyes, confident tone, but he was certain of one thing.
“She wouldn’t commission murder.”
At the very least, he didn’t believe she’d kill a person to solve her problems.
Dan Woobin agreed.
“But she might ask them to remove soone from the tournant. Even that would be a huge blow to her. Manipulating the outco of a tournant she’s hosting would damage her honor. It’d be a point of no return.”
Then, Lee Jaseung said sothing unexpected.
“It’s her who’s in the point of no return.”
“Huh? What do you an?”
“Can’t we use that against her?”
Lee Jaseung was asking if they could threaten and use Baek Seolyoung. Dan Woobin gulped nervously.
“You’re joking, right?”
Lee Jaseung looked into his eyes with a serious expression.
“Why? Can we not do that?”
A mont of silence fell. Dan Woobin realized that Lee Jaseung was being serious, and responded while bowing his head.
“No, it’s a valid option.”
“Focus all intel on her. Report the mont she makes a move.”
“Understood.”
Dan Woobin turned and left with a troubled look on his face. Lee Jaseung’s gaze deepened as he watched his back.
Sotis he noticed Dan Woobin had special hopes for him. Now was an instance. He hoped that his Lord wouldn’t exploit a woman. Especially a potential future wife.
Lee Jaseung appreciated Dan Woobin’s pureness and innocence, but also set a boundary at the sa ti.
He wasn’t the perfect man Dan Woobin believed him to be. The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointnt.
Dan Woobin returned eight hours later, late into the night.
“She’s on the move.”
Lee Jaseung’s eyes slightly twitched.
Dan Woobin couldn’t read his emotions at this mont. It seed like he was sowhat disappointed, but also pleased.
Lee Jaseung spoke calmly.
“We’re all going. Wake Jin and Young-gi.”
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