Episode 125

Putting everything aside and suggesting to go to the treasury first was a suspicious act.

Yi-gang quietly followed Jo Gyu-seo and the Divine Monk.

They wandered around various parts of the Murim Alliance, engaging in low-key conversations.

Jo Gyu-seo, who harbored prejudice against martial artists, observed the alliance with sharp eyes.

He asked several tricky questions, but the Divine Monk, true to his reputation, skillfully dodged them.

A point of concern developed over time.

“…Do you have something to say?”

“Hmm, no. It’s nothing.”

Just like before, the Divine Monk frequently turned to look at Yi-gang.

He would blankly stare at Yi-gang’s face, and when Yi-gang reacted, he would mindlessly turn his head away, repeating this pattern.

“Hmm.”

“…”

“Um.”

As time passed, this behavior became more pronounced, until finally Jo Gyu-seo spoke up, “That kid stands out a bit, doesn’t he?”

“He resembles the Clan Head Baek Ryu-san, yet he doesn’t.”

“Haha, I thought the same at first.”

Given his position as the leader of the Murim Alliance, Yi-gang’s father, Baek Ryu-san, must have connections with him. Was that why he’s behaving like this?

“With the cold energy and a peculiar aura, I kept being drawn to you.”

“Cold energy?”

“Haha, having grown up in a temple and learned a bit of Qi cultivation, I have a bit of an eye for these things.”

The Divine Monk, the senior brother of the Shaolin abbot and the greatest martial master of Shaolin, humbly referred to his skill in Qi cultivation as “a bit.” Such modesty was rare.

Yi-gang also remained silent.

He was born with the Great Yin Meridian Blockage. His body was colder than those of other martial artists, and the internal energy he accumulated through the Great Yin Flow also reflected this.

It’s natural for a martial master like the Divine Monk to sense that.

“But…”

However, the next thing he said made Yi-gang’s hair stand on end.

“It’s different from that, like a transcendent spiritual Qi. Haha, even I, in my old age, wonder if you’ve visited the afterlife.”

He grabbed Yi-gang’s frozen hand.

It was the hand wearing the ring possessed by the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

“Your hands are cold. You should take some tonic. Will you be attending the Dragon-Phoenix Conference?”

“…I haven’t decided yet.”

“The sect leaders have brought out elixirs this time. It should help your body.”

“…”

Yi-gang remained silent.

Did it seem like he disliked it? The Divine Monk tapped the back of Yi-gang’s hand lightly.

“Yes, it must not be easy for you, born with the heavenly punishment of meridian blockage. Forget about it.”

Yi-gang chose not to respond.

It was a bit strange. The Divine Monk, who had even recognized the spiritual power Yi-gang possessed, spoke in such a manner.

His clucking tongue in sympathy seemed to suggest he thought Yi-gang knew nothing of martial arts.

“Hmm.”

Jo Gyu-seo placed his hand on Yi-gang’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. There are many things in the world heavier than a sword.”

“His Excellency speaks the truth. Hahaha.”

Somehow, it seemed like they were sympathizing with him.

Yi-gang wondered if he should join in their laughter when a member of the Righteous Heaven Guard Squad approached the Alliance Leader cautiously.

“Um, what’s the matter?”

“It’s the time you mentioned.”

“Already?!”

The Alliance Leader was surprised and looked up at the sky.

The sun was already setting.

Jo Gyu-seo asked with a puzzled expression, “What is the matter?”

“I have an appointment early in the morning. I was so pleased to serve you that I forgot about the time.”

“Aren’t you supposed to go then?”

“How could I? I still have to show you the treasury and the Criminal Repository.”

It was unclear what the matter was, but for Yi-gang, it was an opportunity.

Jo Gyu-seo quietly shook his head.

“It’s fine. I’ve confirmed that the Murim Alliance won’t harm the Imperial Court under the Buddha’s protection.”

“Still… Um, I’ll call the strategist or the Vice Alliance Leader to guide you.”

“Why go to such lengths?”

“Well then… you two.”

The Divine Monk designated two members of the Guard Squad.

“Guide them to the treasury and the Criminal Repository.”

“Yes!”

It was uncomfortable to search for the Blue Eye Gem in front of the Alliance Leader. It was a good turn of events for Yi-gang that the Alliance Leader excused himself.

The Divine Monk bowed deeply and left.

Yi-gang finally let out a sigh of relief.

‘Now he’s gone.’

「Left, didn’t he?」

Only then did the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon cautiously emerge from the ring.

She had been hiding in the ring, silent since long before. Perhaps since they first met the Alliance Leader and Jo Gyu-seo.

「Really creepy old man. He was like that in the past too.」

‘Did you know him?’

「More than knowing him…」

The time when the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was active coincided with the height of Grand Master Mu Myung’s fame.

She was cautious with her words.

「Let’s quickly go find my eye! It’s definitely here in the Murim Alliance!」

‘Yeah, let’s do that.’

Yi-gang and Jo Gyu-seo headed towards the Criminal Repository.

“It’s called the Single-handed Blade.”

“The black blade of the One-armed Blade Wielder?”

“Yes. The Alliance recovered it and now it’s stored here in the Criminal Repository.”

The Guard Squad member explained in detail, despite his curt manner.

After touring the treasury, they had entered the Criminal Repository. Jo Gyu-seo, who had admired the Murim Alliance’s collection of antique art a little while ago, now looked utterly indifferent.

“This sword doesn’t look very old or valuable.”

“Look at it. The blade is still sharp.”

The guard member elaborated on the blade of the One-armed Blade Wielder.

“It looks ordinary due to its worn appearance, but in fact, it’s made of cold iron. They deliberately covered it with ash to make it look worn, and the scabbard is also overlaid with old leather.”

“To make it look like an ordinary sword?”

“Many masters in the unorthodox sects do that.”

Yi-gang surveyed the interior with a changed perspective.

Indeed, befitting the name “Criminal Repository,” this place was filled with the weapons and belongings of notorious martial artists and villains.

There were swords and pole weapons, of course, but also clothing and various personal items on display.

“You were indifferent to the treasury just now, but you seem interested in these trivial items.”

“Eh? Ah… Yes.”

Yi-gang nodded.

In reality, already possessing the meteorite sword, Yi-gang had no reason to be interested in these swords.

However, Yi-gang, with his keen senses, felt something.

He sensed spiritual energy emanating from several items.

‘There are many objects similar to a Treasure…’

「Of course, there would be items like those not just from ordinary sects.」

The Blue Eye Gem had not yet been found.

However, another object caught Yi-gang’s eye.

“This is…”

Unlike the other objects, it was protected behind a precious crystal panel.

It was a small, one-span long flute with a black hue.

Under the worn-looking object was a metal plate with an inscription engraved on it.

< Gifted by Immortal Divine Sword >

It was a name Yi-gang hadn’t seen in a while, and it brought a sense of familiarity.

“That’s the Evil Cult Leader’s flute.”

“Ah…!”

“Some objects are stored like that, behind crystal panels.”

Somehow, he felt a demonic energy emanating from it.

‘It’s almost at the level of a Treasure.’

Like the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque he saw in the Azure Forest, it was even more eerie and ominous in its energy.

“The Evil Cult Leader used that flute to manipulate people’s spirits with his dark sound technique.”

“…I see.”

It was an object of interest, but unattainable.

Yi-gang shifted his gaze and moved deeper into the Criminal Repository.

There was a display stand about waist-high.

A long crystal panel covered the wooden display, allowing visibility inside.

Various items were inside.

What caught Yi-gang’s eye was a bright blue gem.

‘There it is!’

「Found it!」

It was similar to the object embedded in Yi-gang’s ring. The Blue Eye Gem in the ring, covered with gold around it, did not look exactly like the same gem, but Yi-gang, who already knew about the Blue Eye Gem, could distinguish it.

Especially since there was a nameplate reading ‘Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’ inside.

But there was a problem.

“Ah, these must be particularly important items, being covered with a crystal panel.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

He had found where the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s Blue Eye Gem was.

But he couldn’t think of any way to take it. The Criminal Repository was not a place anyone could just enter and leave.

‘Maybe ask for it as a reward if I win the Dragon-Phoenix Conference?’

「Who knows, wouldn’t it be strange to ask for it?」

Yi-gang even considered stealing it.

But how could he possibly break through the Murim Alliance’s security and steal it?

Only someone at the level of the Shadowless Thief, who stole the secret manual of the Wudang Sect, could possibly rob the Murim Alliance.

‘At least I know where it is, so that’s good.’

「But…」

Just as Yi-gang was about to be satisfied with that, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon threw cold water on his plan.

「Is this really the same thing that was in my eye?」

‘What?’

「I mean, it’s confusing somehow.」

‘You said you felt the spiritual energy of the Blue Eye Gem in the Murim Alliance.’

「Yes, I’m feeling it now. But it’s faint, which is the problem. I thought I would be sure if I got closer, but I’m not so sure now.」

The blue gem was not ordinary.

Yi-gang frowned. Even he couldn’t be certain.

It clearly felt like a Treasure with spiritual energy.

‘Is this a counterfeit?’

「Well, if I could touch it, I would know. Is there any way to remove the crystal panel?」

‘…Are you an idiot?’

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s eyes widened.

「Why am I the idiot!」

‘You can touch it directly.’

「The crystal panel… Ah.」

A crystal panel can stop a human’s touch, but not the touch of a spirit.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon awkwardly reached in and fiddled with the blue gem.

After pondering seriously for a while, she opened her mouth with a bitter expression.

「It’s fake.」

‘What? But I definitely felt spiritual energy.’

「I don’t know the method used, but it seems like ordinary gems have been infused with spiritual energy.」

‘Infusing gems with spiritual energy…’

This was the first time Yi-gang had heard of such a technique.

If Yi-gang, who had trained as an honor flower disciple, didn’t know about it, it wasn’t a common trick.

After all, there weren’t many who could manipulate spiritual energy. It’s something that perhaps only the absolute masters, outstanding Taoists from the Azure Forest or Taoist sects, or high monks from Shaolin could do.

Yi-gang couldn’t help but recall the Divine Monk, who had a mysteriously smiling face.

「It’s certain that my Blue Eye Gem is somewhere here in the Murim Alliance… but this isn’t it.」

‘I wish I could check it myself.’

Innate True Qi was not common, and spiritual energy was extremely precious.

Yi-gang recalled how much help he had received after obtaining the Pixiu necklace.

A Treasure was an object imbued with spiritual energy. It’s astonishing to think that it’s nearly impossible for a mere human to create a Treasure.

Yi-gang wanted to examine the counterfeit Blue Eye Gem himself.

「Maybe this will work?」

‘How?’

「If I touch it with one hand and you touch my other hand.」

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon wrapped her hand around the fake Blue Eye Gem and cautiously held Yi-gang’s hand.

Yi-gang realized her intention.

Unlike the Immortal Divine Sword, she was a being mixed with the blood of a yokai.

A tingling sensation came from the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s hand.

「Focus your mind.」

Following her instruction, Yi-gang closed his eyes.

He felt the flow of Qi through his hands.

As Yi-gang was doing this, Jo Gyu-seo approached.

“What are you looking at for so long? It doesn’t seem like anything special…”

“Uh…”

Yi-gang, with his eyes closed, started to tremble.

Just as Jo Gyu-seo was about to grab Yi-gang’s shoulder in confusion.

Yi-gang suddenly straightened his back.

“Aaaaah!”

「Aaaah!」

Both Yi-gang and the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon let out screams that were more than just cries of surprise.

There was a reason for this.

Yi-gang had only intended to examine the spiritual energy of the counterfeit Blue Eye Gem through the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon. But things took an unexpected turn.

「The spiritual energy… stop it!」

“Ugh!”

It felt as if they were being electrocuted.

The spiritual energy stored in the counterfeit Blue Eye Gem was flowing back into Yi-gang’s body.

This continued until the spiritual energy within the gem was depleted.

Yi-gang quickly withdrew his hand and gasped for breath.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

The members of the Righteous Heaven Guard Squad were also shocked by the situation.

Yi-gang quickly came up with an excuse.

“That… I was so startled, no, I was moved.”

“Moved? By that ordinary gem?”

“Yes.”

“…Do you always yell like that when you’re moved?”

“It’s my own way of appreciating it.”

Now, it was indeed an ordinary gem.

Yi-gang had absorbed all its spiritual energy.

「You crazy bastard! If you can do that, share some with me.」

‘It wasn’t on purpose.’

Though not immense, he had effortlessly gained spiritual energy that was extremely difficult to replenish.

‘Is it because it was an object artificially infused with spiritual energy?’

「Must be.」

There would be a lot more he could do with just a bit more spiritual energy. Even the possession by the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, which he had managed only once before, might become possible.

“Ahem, we’ve seen everything now, so let’s go.”

“Shall we?”

Yi-gang felt a strange sense of satisfaction, albeit mixed with a tinge of regret.

As he was about to leave, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon stopped him.

「Hey, don’t you want to take a look at the other items?」

‘…What?’

「Maybe there are other objects here that have spiritual energy.」

Indeed, the Criminal Repository had many objects that seemed to emit spiritual energy.

Naturally, Yi-gang’s decision was swift.

“There are many valuable items here. Let’s take a bit more time to look around.”

“Um…”

Jo Gyu-seo pondered for a moment before nodding his head.

Yi-gang looked around the Criminal Repository and paused thoughtfully in front of several items.

To Jo Gyu-seo and the Righteous Heaven Guard members, these items seemed unremarkable.

He appeared to be carefully examining the objects.

“Haaaah!”

He let out such a yell while wiping sweat from his forehead.

“Truly remarkable items.”

Yi-gang spoke as if satisfied.

Jo Gyu-seo muttered in a baffled voice, “Never seen such a strange way of viewing before in my life.”

Although the guard members didn’t show it, they seemed to agree.

That day, Yi-gang let out a total of five such yells inside the Criminal Repository.