"A deal?"

Jin Sa-wol showed interest and aimed his sword at Dam-ji's neck. Dam-ji, who was walking forward, was startled and stopped as the tip of the sword touched her neck.

'A fast sword? It's faster than lightning.'

Dam-ji thought that if Jin Sa-wol decided to, everyone here would be greeting King Yama.

That was not what she wanted.

"Are we in a position to make a deal?"

Although Jin Sa-wol said that, Dam-ji did not withdraw her smile. She grabbed Jin Sa-wol's sword with her hand and pushed it aside.

"Trust me. Originally, the relationship between the Seo Mun family and the Na family was good. And Na Hyeon-gi and I were engaged. Because we were both children of concubines."

"That's not enough."

"Yuk Sam-yuk and Kang Hang, who could be called the Cult Leader's close aides, died at the Esoteric Sect's main headquarters. The Cult Leader's power has weakened a lot."

"A rebellion?"

At the word 'rebellion', Dam-ji nodded.

It meant that since the Demonic Cult Leader's power had weakened, they would pull him down. Rebellions were a frequent occurrence within the Demonic Cult.

The previous Cult Leader had also suppressed two rebellions, and as a result, he had been able to solidify his position.

If a Cult Leader suppressed a rebellion, he could prove his power. On the contrary, if he failed to suppress a rebellion, he had to die.

Those who started a rebellion would all have to die if they failed, but if they succeeded, the leader of the rebellion would become the Cult Leader.

Jin Sa-wol shook his head.

"That has nothing to do with me. That's still not enough."

Dam-ji sighed as if she had no choice and said.

"The Martial Alliance has captured a woman. She's a woman Young Master Jin also knows well. Jin Sa-wol's maid, Son Ae-hwa, who parted ways in Luoyang."

Hearing Son Ae-hwa's name, Jin Sa-wol's expression hardened for a moment, and then he sheathed his sword.

'Why the Martial Alliance?'

"Is that true?"

"Yes. A female prisoner has entered the Martial Alliance's prison, and they say she's a woman from the Demonic Cult. One of the prison guards is married to one of our informants. It's information obtained in bed."

"Who in the Martial Alliance captured her?"

"Zhuge Qing."

Hearing Dam-ji's specific answer, Jin Sa-wol was silent.

He observed Dam-ji's expression with an indifferent face. It was to determine whether her words were true or false.

If it was true, it was a more serious problem than he had thought.

"What are the terms of the deal?"

"Assassination of the Cult Leader."

At Dam-ji's words, Jin Sa-wol smiled.

She had killed the target he had to kill.

The fact that he couldn't kill Seo Mun-ok had upset him. But Dam-ji did not know that fact.

"There's no need to make a deal with a subordinate. What about the leader?"

"She's not someone who will show herself easily. On top of that, if Young Master Jin has other intentions and tries to kill her, won't we be the only ones at a loss?"

"What if you die?"

"It doesn't matter if I die. There are many around here to replace me."

As she said, spreading her hands, Jin Sa-wol looked around at the flower ghosts. Dam-ji was also a flower ghost, and so were they.

Jin Sa-wol looked at Mun-gang over Dam-ji's shoulder. Mun-gang had already returned to his original body and was putting on his clothes.

Since he took off his clothes every time he unfolded his martial arts, he was no different from a pervert.

"I'll make a deal with the leader."

Jin Sa-wol turned around Dam-ji and stood in front of Mun-gang. Mun-gang frowned when he saw Jin Sa-wol.

"Do you have any business left with me?"

"No."

Jin Sa-wol passed Mun-gang and entered the forest.

After Jin Sa-wol disappeared, Mun-gang approached Dam-ji's side.

Dam-ji's gaze was directed at the forest where Jin Sa-wol had disappeared, and she had a wistful look as if she were about to say something.

"A look of being in love?"

"A little."

At Dam-ji's answer, Mun-gang's eyes widened. It sounded like an absurd story.

But Dam-ji didn't care.

Mun-gang sighed and asked.

"What now?"

"We'll have to say the Pavilion Master died here. If we go back, aren't we dead anyway?"

"That's right."

Since he had been sent to protect Seo Mun-ok, if only Seo Mun-ok died and he returned alive, the Cult Leader would naturally kill him.

Mun-gang knew that well.

"Life is hard."

Mun-gang grumbled and stroked his beard.

As long as he had joined hands with Dokgo Hyeon, he had to endure even if it was tiring and difficult.

"Even if life is hard, if you're alive, a good day will come someday."

With the sound of words, a black figure with a sturdy physique walked out from behind Dam-ji and Mun-gang.

Since he was wearing a mask, Dam-ji and Mun-gang could not see the opponent's face. But they could tell just by hearing the voice.

The masked person entered between Dam-ji and Mun-gang, who were stepping back to the left and right, and took off his mask.

A handsome young man poked his head out. The young man with a high nose and thick eyebrows was Na Hyeon-gi.

He spoke towards the forest where Jin Sa-wol had disappeared.

"You've become a tremendous master, Jin Sa-un."

* * *

Jin Sa-wol, who had jumped up, kicking the cliff, stood on an unnamed peak among the many peaks of Doksan.

When he looked at the east where the sun was rising, all he could see were mountains. Beyond those mountains, a river would flow, there would be a plain, and the Martial Alliance would be there.

If Namgung Min had a bold, larger-than-life personality, Zhuge Qing was a cunning man.

When he had told him to rescue the orthodox faction members trapped in the Infinite Hell, the thought that came to him was that it was bait.

And taking Son Ae-hwa seemed to mean that he would release her if he rescued them.

Of course, if he rescued the hostages trapped in the Demonic Cult, he could just exchange them for Son Ae-hwa.

But if he died, Son Ae-hwa would die after that.

Did Namgung Min know what Zhuge Qing was doing?

"There's no way he doesn't know."

Jin Sa-wol showed a cold look and then ran to the west.

* * *

In a wide tea room, Seo Mun-ryeon was sitting with Dokgo Hye, drinking tea. The two would occasionally meet like this, drink tea, and spend a small amount of time.

With urgent footsteps, a woman in black who had entered the tea room whispered in Seo Mun-ryeon's ear.

Since it was a small voice, Dokgo Hye could not hear it properly. But seeing Seo Mun-ryeon's expression harden and her whole body tremble, it seemed it was not good news.

As the woman in black retreated, Dokgo Hye asked.

"What is it?"

"The Flower Pavilion Master is dead. I'll go."

Seo Mun-ryeon hurriedly stood up and went outside.

Dokgo Hye, who was watching her leave, drank her tea and then smiled. Since the person who had to die had died, there was no reason to be sad.

As footsteps were heard, Dokgo Hye's smile disappeared.

She sat with her usual dark expression and drank her tea. The door opened, and not Cheon Woo-hyeon, but Cheon Mun-jung poked his face in.

His eyes were cold and sharp, and he felt arrogant.

Cheon Mun-jung entered with his shoulders squared and stood in front of Dokgo Hye. Although he had entered, Dokgo Hye did not stand up.

"An adult has come, but there is no greeting."

Cheon Mun-jung sat down in a chair with cold words. Dokgo Hye poured tea for Cheon Mun-jung and asked.

"What is it?"

"Why did the Seo Mun Pavilion Master come?"

"She just came because she had no one to talk to."

"What did you talk about?"

"Nothing."

Dokgo Hye answered and then drank her tea. At her indifferent behavior, Cheon Mun-jung raised his voice.

"The Hwayeong Pavilion Master is an important person in the cult, so refrain from meeting her unnecessarily."

"I can't stop a guest who comes."

Dokgo Hye did not even pay attention to Cheon Mun-jung.

Although Cheon Mun-jung was angry at Dokgo Hye's attitude and way of speaking, he did not force her anymore.

Cheon Mun-jung, who seemed to have finished what he had to say, went outside and headed for the cult.

Dokgo Hye sat alone in silence and spent her time.

As the sun set and darkness fell, a dark shadow seeped into Dokgo Hye's room.

"Because the Hao Faction Master is dead, the elders of the Hao Faction have attached themselves to the Martial Alliance."

"A betrayal."

"It's not a betrayal, but it seems they are looking for a way to live. Since our cult killed the Hao Faction Master, the elders of the Hao Faction are trying to cut ties with our cult on this occasion."

"What about the Seo Mun family?"

"They sent a suitable person to take over the Hao Faction Master, but he died in Luoyang. It seems it was the Martial Alliance."

"Pfft!"

Dokgo Hye burst out laughing without realizing it and then hid her expression.

"Since Seo Mun-ok and the Hao Faction Master are also dead, have the eyes and ears of the Seo Mun family also disappeared?"

"The Martial Alliance is asking us to inform them of the Hwayeong Pavilion's branch."

"Those crazy bastards... Since I'm providing information for free, it seems they think I'm a spy for the alliance. Those pieces of shit... If a favor continues, they think it's a right. I'm cutting off contact for a while."

"Yes."

If the Cult Leader changed, the Hwayeong Pavilion had to become the eyes and ears of the Demonic Cult. There was no reason to inform the Martial Alliance of that place.

"What about the main family?"

"They are preparing."

"Give my regards to my brother."

Asking for regards meant that they would see each other soon, and the words 'preparing' meant that they were gathering forces.

As the black shadow disappeared, Dokgo Hye returned to her indifferent face. Her emotionless pupils were looking at the teacup.

* * *

Seo Mun-ryeon, who had entered a tea room full of bright lamps, saw Cheon Yu-myeong and Ma Chung sitting next to a brazier and bowed her waist.

Seo Mun-ryeon approached Cheon Yu-myeong and said.

"The Flower Pavilion Master is dead."

"Convey Jin Sa-wol's appearance to the cult and search for him. As soon as he is found, execute him. If you cannot execute him, find out his location."

"Yes."

"Yes."

As Ma Chung stood up and Seo Mun-ryeon was about to turn her body, Cheon Yu-myeong smiled.

"The Seo Mun Pavilion Master will stay."

At his words, Seo Mun-ryeon stopped moving with her waist bowed. Ma Chung bowed to Cheon Yu-myeong and then left the room.

Cheon Yu-myeong seemed to have no great interest in Seo Mun-ok's death. After drinking his tea, he clicked his tongue when he saw the trembling Seo Mun-ryeon.

"The Hwayeong Pavilion Master is so timid, tsk! tsk! It seems you have no experience with men."

"Pardon? Yes."

"It seems the Seo Mun family head raised his daughter delicately."

Cheon Yu-myeong clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Seo Mun-ryeon, with her waist bent, said.

"There are two others besides me who can become your concubine. It would be good to meet them as well."

"Hahahaha! I do not sleep with women. I was just teasing the Seo Mun Pavilion Master. I had no intention of taking a concubine in the first place."

At those words, Seo Mun-ryeon let out a sigh of relief.

But she could not easily believe the words that the Cult Leader did not sleep with women.

'He's buying a large number of slaves... Could it be men? Oh my!'

As Seo Mun-ryeon suspected that the Cult Leader might like men, she trembled her body without realizing it.

"Have you decided on the Ghost Spirit Valley Master?"

"Not yet."

"How about going to the Ghost Spirit Valley at least once during the time you're chatting?"

"I will go tomorrow." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Recalling the Ghost Spirit Valley, Seo Mun-ryeon frowned. That place, full of only men, was a smelly and dirty place.

"Go."

"Yes."

Seo Mun-ryeon answered and then carefully left the tea room. After coming outside, she let out a deep sigh and stroked her chest.

* * *

The area around the Ghost Spirit Valley was always quiet.

After the valley master died, a new valley master had not yet been decided. Perhaps because of that, the general manager, Jang Sam-ik, had a lot of work to do.

It was because he had to manage the Ghost Spirit Valley in place of the valley master.

Although it was past midnight, Jang Sam-ik was organizing the ledgers and registers that he had to report tomorrow and was thinking about how to look good to Seo Mun-ryeon.

Because he had heard the news of Seo Mun-ryeon's visit, he had cleaned the entire Ghost Spirit Valley and had even cleaned with water to get rid of the smell.

"It's a chance to become the valley master, so I have to look good."

Jang Sam-ik, who was looking at his face in a small bronze mirror, saw a man in black entering the door and waved his hand.

"What brings you to me at this hour? Go away."

"I've never seen your face before."

"Huh?"

Jang Sam-ik, who had turned his head at the arrogant voice of the man in black, frowned when he saw a strange young man.

"I've never seen your face before. What's your number?"

"Number ninety-nine."

(End of Chapter)