novelraw Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11 - Moyong Family (4)
To implement Ice Arts capable of affecting the surrounding air, one would need at least one cycle of internal energy.
The rumors about the Law Enforcer Ice Rakshasa, who had surpassed the Peak Realm at an age just past twenty, were not exaggerated in the slightest.
“When observing the surroundings.”
Ice Rakshasa, who was examining the expressions of the group one by one, opened her mouth.
“Even without asking in detail, quite a few strange points were visible. As a result, I reached two conclusions. One is that Young Hero Jaun is lying.”
Ice Rakshasa, staring at Jaun with cold eyes, slowly turned her body towards Nam Chung and Mad Beggar.
“If not that, then it means the Moyong Family and the Murim Alliance dared to insult the Sado Alliance and ordered Young Hero Jaun to lie.”
In an instant, energy exploded violently from Ice Rakshasa's body, and with a cracking sound, the surrounding ground began to freeze.
Jaun’s expression hardened as he listened to Ice Rakshasa.
He thought he could roughly gloss over the situation, but the atmosphere was such that he absolutely couldn't do that.
‘……It’s a mistake.’
The investigator's martial arts were higher than expected, and the traces remained for a long time.
On top of that, his own statement was not complete either.
‘Should I pin it on the Moyong Family? Or should I just cause a scene regardless of the Sado Alliance or whatever?’
Countless endings depending on his choice flashed through Jaun’s mind.
However, neither side was good.
To stand against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, he had to create as many allies as possible within the Murim.
‘What do I do?’
While racking his brain for a while to get through the situation, Jaun felt a strange gaze from Ice Rakshasa.
When Jaun raised his head, Ice Rakshasa stuck her tongue out at him and winked one eye.
‘Huh?’
As Jaun tilted his head, Ice Rakshasa smirked and turned away.
Ice Rakshasa's voice continued to the bewildered Jaun’s ears.
“However…… there are some problems with the two assumptions I made. First of all, there is absolutely no reason for Young Hero Jaun to lie. There is nothing for Young Hero Jaun to gain by lying.”
Ice Rakshasa continued speaking with one hand on her waist.
“But to say the Moyong Family coerced him to speak falsehoods…… the situation is too contrived. If they really intended to destroy the fortress, choosing a time other than when the Moyong Merchant Group was present would have attracted less suspicion.”
Since the flowing situation was a bit different from his thoughts, Jaun kept his mouth shut and waited for Ice Rakshasa’s words.
“And I watched your expressions carefully from beginning to end during the investigation process, but no matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem like you are lying. Since it was such a desperate situation for Young Hero Jaun, his memory might not be accurate.”
The cold energy that had been spreading from Ice Rakshasa slowly subsided.
Mad Beggar, who had been looking around and lost in thought, hurriedly nodded and opened his mouth.
“I also agree with Miss Pan’s opinion. The Moyong Family is not a place that causes accidents without thought, and Young Hero Jaun has no reason to lie.”
Mad Beggar pointed to the traces left on the ground with his hand and continued.
“Judging by the traces, the one who clashed with the Fortress Master was definitely First Rate or higher. Especially looking at the depth of that footprint from the stomp, I think they might be at the Peak level. No matter how much the scale of the trade group exceeded imagination, the Moyong Merchant Group wouldn't have brought along a master of that caliber, so it is certain that there was third-party intervention.”
Ice Rakshasa, who was looking around while listening to Mad Beggar, stopped at a spot a little distance away and crouched down.
After digging through the ground here and there with her hands and smelling this way and that, Ice Rakshasa took out a piece of white paper from her bosom and placed it on the ground.
Confirming that the paper placed on the ground was dyed with a bluish light not long after, Ice Rakshasa nodded.
“The angelica extract included in the Energy Dispersing Poison does not wash away easily with water. Even if all the components of the Energy Dispersing Poison have evaporated, if the extract touched the ground once, there is a high possibility that traces remain in that spot for quite a long time.”
Ice Rakshasa carefully lifted the paper she had placed on the ground.
“This paper is dyed with a dye that hardens when it tangles with angelica extract. The fact that the color of the paper changed means that angelica extract, an ingredient of the Energy Dispersing Poison, remains here. The story that Yongho Fortress used poison seems to have been sufficiently proven.”
Folding the paper dyed in blue light neatly into her bosom, Ice Rakshasa dusted off her hands and stood up from her seat.
“Ahem.”
Watching Ice Rakshasa conducting the investigation, Mad Beggar cleared his throat.
In fact, before departing, Mad Beggar had received instructions from the Beggars’ Sect Leader to investigate in a direction that would cause no harm to the Moyong Family as much as possible.
‘If the investigation proceeded in an unfavorable direction, I intended to set up a confrontation from the start to take the Moyong Family’s side even if there was a conflict…….’
The way Ice Rakshasa investigated was fair, and the contents revealed were not biased to one side.
Mad Beggar hurriedly opened his mouth to emphasize the traces Ice Rakshasa had found.
“We must focus clearly. Yongho Fortress and Moyong Merchant Group. The most important agenda is which of the two approached with intent first.”
Mad Beggar swallowed his saliva to wet his dry throat.
“We have just confirmed that Yongho Fortress used poison. This implies that it is decisive evidence proving that Yongho Fortress tried to attack the merchant group using poison.”
Listening to Mad Beggar, Ice Rakshasa clapped her hands once.
“That’s right. I think it’s fine to consider that the Moyong Family’s words were not lies, and we also confirmed that Yongho Fortress attacked using poison. Then…… I will ask just one last thing.”
Ice Rakshasa shifted her gaze to Nam Chung.
“……Did the Yongho Fortress Master, that trash-like bastard, really try to kidnap the daughter of the Moyong Family?”
Upon hearing Ice Rakshasa’s words, a fire flashed in Nam Chung’s eyes as if lightning had struck, and a grinding sound flowed from his teeth.
“I heard it clearly with my own ears. If not for the help of a hidden master, a truly terrible thing would have nearly happened.”
Checking Nam Chung’s eyes blazing with anger, Ice Rakshasa let out a deep sigh.
“Anyway, since he couldn't hide that dirty nature, this mess happened……. Tsk tsk. Even if that dog-like guy were alive, I might have killed him myself for the crime of hurting our cute Young Hero Jaun’s arm.”
Ice Rakshasa, who roughly scanned the surroundings, continued.
“Since a guy who deserved to die in various ways has died, I don't really have the motivation to investigate. Since we secured evidence that unauthorized poison was used, we also have justification on our side……. Hmm. Then the Sado Alliance will take our hands off here.”
Nam Chung’s face brightened brightly at Ice Rakshasa’s words.
“Haha. Thank you, Young Miss. Then now that it’s all over…….”
Cutting off Nam Chung’s words, Ice Rakshasa continued.
“However, this is strictly a story I tell as an investigator belonging to the Sado Alliance. It means that the grudge relationship is for the Moyong Family and the Green Forest to resolve on their own, as it is not something for the Sado Alliance to join in.”
“……Huh?”
“Because it’s not like we can do anything about the anger of the Green Forest King who lost a cherished subordinate. When the Green Forest King comes, the Moyong Family can directly resolve the remaining ill feelings well.”
Nam Chung, tilting his head upon hearing Ice Rakshasa’s words, asked.
“The Green Forest King is coming? What does that mean?”
“Oh? Did you not know? I heard the Green Forest King departed for the Moyong Family immediately after hearing the news of the Yongho Fortress Master. Since he departed from Hunan Province……. He must have almost arrived by now. Wouldn't he arrive in Shenyang within three or four days at the latest?”
Nam Chung’s face, which had been blankly looking at Ice Rakshasa, began to turn pale white.
***
─ Kuuuung
It felt like a giant fortress was moving.
A man who had wrapped his entire body in beast skins as clothing raised his head slightly and looked ahead.
“Not yet?”
A low voice that seemed likely to dig up the earth and go down rumbled the surroundings.
“You just have to go a little further. Chief Green Forest Leader.”
A man of small stature wearing a black eyepatch over one eye bowed his head to the giant.
─ Jiiiiik
Behind the giant, who started moving again dragging an axe larger than his own body on the ground, over a hundred bandits followed in an orderly fashion.
The leader of the Green Forest, Chief Green Forest Leader.
For the Green Forest to develop from a mere gathering of bandits into a dignified single organization, the leader who bound the bandits into one and led them played a big role.
The status of the Green Forest used to fluctuate depending on the martial arts level of the Chief Green Forest Leader, the head of the Green Forest; currently, the Green Forest Supreme Ruler Sa Han-pyeong, who holds the position of Green Forest head, was leading the golden age of the Green Forest with martial arts that even the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects could not treat lightly.
Naturally, the respect of the bandits for Sa Han-pyeong, called the Green Forest Supreme Ruler, or Green Forest King for short, was tremendous.
When rumors spread that the Green Forest King was heading to the Moyong Family alone to question the death of a cherished subordinate, bandits from nearby mountain fortresses closed their businesses and all came down the mountains.
It started with a lone body, but the Green Forest King, who came to lead over a hundred bandits before he knew it, finally arrived in Shenyang where the Moyong Family was located after a journey of over ten days.
***
“The Sado Alliance’s investigation passed without any trouble. However…….”
“Right. The Green Forest King. So Han-pyeong is coming personally.”
Moyong Man, who scratched his head once, quietly sighed.
“I have an acquaintance with that guy. He is a guy who only looks forward regardless of the surrounding situation. He will have absolutely no interest in what the Yongho Fortress Master did. It is obvious that he will come recklessly and act violently.”
Nam Chung, looking at the back of Moyong Man who was looking down out the window, bowed his head deeply as if apologetic.
“Sir. I have nothing to say. First, I will have the family assume a defensive posture and order the activation of the family's Guardian Array. Also, we will request support from the Murim Alliance and ask for help from sects with which we have friendly relations nearby…….”
“Wait, wait. What are you talking about now?”
Moyong Man tilted his head and turned around upon hearing Nam Chung’s words.
“No matter how high that guy Han-pyeong’s martial arts level is, it would be beyond his power to handle the Moyong Family alone. Wouldn't it be fine to just appease him well and send him back?”
Nam Chung wiped the sweat forming on his forehead and opened his mouth.
“Sir. Certainly, the Green Forest King departed alone, but…… it is said that the bandits who joined on the way saying they would follow the Green Forest King’s will number over one hundred.”
“……Huh?”
“Among them, many experts of First Rate or higher are included, and even now, they are increasing their numbers little by little. On top of that, as members of the Sado Alliance who usually admired the Green Forest King began to join, I heard that enough personnel have gathered to wage a small war.”
Moyong Man, who was standing with his hands behind his back, looked down at Nam Chung with a blank face.
“What did you say just now? Over one hundred?”
Nam Chung nodded and wiped the sweat on his forehead once again.
***
“Move quickly! There is no time.”
“Have you not retrieved the weapons from the smithy yet? Are you saying you will fight with bare hands?”
Late night.
The brightly lit Moyong Family was in the midst of preparations to welcome the Green Forest King.
Among the people running around busily here and there, Jaun looked up at the sky with a complex expression.
‘It’s properly twisted.’
Jaun, who had never thought his actions would become such a big deal, watched the bustling Moyong Family blankly.
‘I felt somewhat relieved since the investigations of the Sado Alliance and the Murim Alliance seemed to end without much problem…….’
He hadn't thought that an absurd variable called the Green Forest King would appear here.
If the Green Forest and the Moyong Family clashed like this, many people would get hurt.
That was absolutely not what Jaun wanted.
‘But I can't tell the truth now either.’
Through the rapidly moving people, the figure of Moyong Man wrapping his arm around Eun-wol’s shoulder was visible.
‘It would be best if the Moyong Family Head resolves the situation well, but…….’
Judging by the current atmosphere, he had to prepare for the worst case too.
‘Tsk. I’ll have to finish it somehow.’
Since it was something he committed, he had to tie the knot himself.
If he let innocent people get hurt just for his own comfort, he felt his sleep wouldn't be peaceful for a while.
Besides, causing a clash between the Murim Alliance and the Sado Alliance would only needlessly grow the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s momentum.
Jaun, who had been contemplating for a while, soon turned his body as if he had made up his mind and moved to the Guest Hall.
***
─ Snore
Jaun, who looked down for a moment at bearded man who was lying on the bed snoring peacefully, shook bearded man’s body slightly.
“Uuuhm……. Huh? Little Brother?”
“Can you stand guard for a moment?”
bearded man, who rubbed his eyes and turned his head, glanced up at Jaun and then turned back to one side, muttering.
“Yaaawn. You are trying to eat the medicine given by the Moyong Family, right? I guess you’ve made up your mind now. I thought you were going to sell it somewhere. Nothing special will happen, so just eat it. My sleep is not deep, so if someone comes in, I will be able to block them.”
bearded man, waving his hand towards Jaun, yawned loudly.
Jaun walked slowly to the bed, sat down, contemplated for a moment, and then opened his mouth.
“And there is one more thing I need to ask for your help with.”
At Jaun’s words, bearded man raised his hand as if annoyed, signaling him to speak first.
“About the thing that happened on the mountain that day. The fight with Yongho Fortress.”
Jaun paused for a moment and then continued.
“Brother, you know that I did it, right?”
At Jaun’s sudden words, the body of bearded man, who was lying down, flinched, and for a moment, cold air began to flow in the room.
Silence filled the room and lingered for a while.
“In the midst of clashing with the Fortress Master, I felt a change in Brother’s breathing. It seems you woke up then. Since you didn't show it, I didn't say anything separately either, but the situation is not good.”
Jaun scratched his head and continued.
“I am grateful that you kept it hidden all this time. And I would like you to do so in the future as well. However, the situation is flowing in a difficult direction. Can we talk for a moment?”
bearded man, who was quietly listening to Jaun, let out a big sigh, slowly rose from the bed, and cracked his neck left and right.
─ Crack
The sound of bones interlocking was heard from bearded man’s neck.
bearded man, who sat on the bed thinking while facing the door for a moment, turned his head towards Jaun.
Inside bearded man’s puffy swollen eyes, a light sharp enough to be terrifying was burning.