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Why was the betrayal story of the Emei Sect left out?

Kwon Seon’s reaction to the words I spat out was truly intense.

Eyes widening and breath becoming hurried. Even the thumping of her heart was palpable.

Everything pointed to one result.

Seeing her response, I couldn’t help but smirk.

“To be honest, I was just testing the waters.”

I was firmly convinced of it.

A creeping discomfort began to rise within me. I organized my thoughts while feeling it.

And so, that was my conclusion.

Crush!

I tightened my grip on Kwon Seon’s cheek.

Gnnngh…

A short gasp escaped her lips.

“Almost everything you said is wrong.”

Is the reason why the Emei Sect is looking for Bong-Soon to clear the Eulryeong Sword Queen’s name?

What a pretty story that is.

It would be nice if there was some circumstance that caused the former Sword Demoness to leave the Emei Sect and act independently, but still, since she was part of the Emei, they should clear the name if it was a false accusation.

If that’s the case, it’d be quite commendable.

However, there was a problem.

“If that were the case, you should have done it sooner.”

Why now?

“It’s been at least twenty years since the war ended.”

A long time has passed since the Great War ended.

But what has the Emei Sect been doing all this time?

“Nothing at all.”

They did nothing.

Is the false accusation regarding the Sword Demoness the reason they instigated a war? If they knew about it, they should have acted!

“This old man… no, since Bong-Soon… I mean, Pi Yeon-Yeon, came out, you could finally step forward, but that’s just a flimsy excuse.”

They should have at least done something before.

“Oh, they did do something.”

Things that happened in the Emei Sect over the last decade.

I knew about it.

“I already looked into it when the connection with Bong-Soon was established.”

It wasn’t particularly secretive information. It was something anyone could find out with a little digging.

Putting it together with the current situation seemed rather odd.

“Over the last twenty years, the sect has been quite active. It’s not like the Upper House has increased its sponsorship in any sort of way.”

“…!”

I could see Kwon Seon’s body tremble slightly at my words.

Seeing that, I continued.

“Now they call themselves the guardians of Sichuan, but… wasn’t that only a recent development?”

The Tang Clan had previously occupied most of the territory.

The differences in influence were stark.

Most of Sichuan belonged to the Tang Clan.

Of course, the Upper House’s sponsorship was increasing, and because of its growing business, the Tang Clan’s position was practically soaring.

Even the Demonic Gate, which was taking place throughout Sichuan, was under the Tang Clan’s purview, meaning that the Emei was relatively struggling to make its presence felt.

However.

“The rebuilding of buildings, expanding land… they’ve even held quite a few festivals.”

Where on earth did the money for all of that come from?

The Gu Paibang would definitely have money, but compared to their standing, it would be excessive spending.

“I wonder where that money actually came from.”

Skepticism abounded.

“Huh? Where did it come from?”

Moreover, the Emei Sect almost never participated in the main events of the Alliance.

While the Dragon Meeting occasionally had late-stage talents emerge, they never actually achieved any good results.

Still, the number of disciples has been increasing.

The number of disciples reflects the sect’s prominence, but naturally, having more people means the costs for management increase.

‘Without specifically forming relations with the Alliance and with negligible support from the Upper House, how did the sect’s influence neither diminish but instead rise?’

How could that be?

Is there an overflowing amount of money within the sect?

That might be possible.

‘They might have secretly discovered the Biwaegun.’

Money fluctuates based on various situations, so that might be a reason.

Additionally, the fact that the Emei Sect had not acted on matters concerning the Eulryeong Sword Queen until now could also be because they did not know of Bong-Soon’s existence and had only recently learned about the false accusation.

But.

“That’s not it.”

I can’t believe in such miraculous circumstances.

“Ugh… ugh…”

I pressed down harder with my hand on her cheek.

Grrt!

As a result, blood began to trickle under my hand.

It was Kwon Seon’s blood.

Heat radiated through my clenched hand.

Despite my body heating up from emotion, my mind was colder than ever.

“Okay, let’s see this clearly.”

The Emei Sect had been stuffing their pockets, and now they’re showing up. What’s the reason for that?

Is it truly because of Bong-Soon’s appearance?

No.

They found Bong-Soon only after coming to Hanam.

So, they must have been unaware of her existence up until now.

Then why did they show up?

It became rapidly apparent upon piecing together the situation. The real reason the Emei was making an appearance again is plain:

“It’s because the Tang Clan has collapsed.”

The Sichuan Tang Gate collapsed due to the incident.

That’s the reason.

As the Tang Clan’s influence waned, the Emei’s influence naturally rose.

Their involvement with the Demonic Gate likely increased as well.

Accordingly, the frequencies and amounts of sponsorship from the Upper House likely grew.

What does that mean?

‘What happens? Their heads grow fat.’

Anyone would know this.

When a person receives more than their capacity, they lose sight of their position.

They forget how they lived in the past.

I understood this well and deemed it quite normal.

‘Everyone is like that.’

My expectations of humanity were already at rock bottom.

It was only natural, given that’s what beings inherently are.

Yet.

‘What I despise are those who deny this while knowing it.’

Those who think they’re exceptions.

Seeing those kinds of people made me want to burn them alive.

Just like this.

“So, they decided to reveal themselves?”

The reason the Emei appeared in Hanam.

“Feeling a bit stronger now, are they? Suddenly remembering past mistakes?”

This is a warning regarding the Martial Alliance.

They don’t want you to forget what they’ve done.

How ludicrous is that?

I’m aware the Emei intended to garner ridiculous tricks from those participating in the Martial Arts Tournament.

What their intentions were—who knows. However, the important thing is always the same.

“Has your head gotten so big that you just want to surface?”

With that, I swung my hand, flinging Kwon Seon away.

Bang—! Thud!

Kwon Seon’s elderly body tumbled across the ground.

“Cough… cough!”

I stomped down on Kwon Seon as she coughed up.

“Grrrkk… eek…!”

“Pathetic little insects. Old lady, you’ve still never grown up, have you?”

Yes, Kwon Seon hasn’t matured.

So.

‘She’s only subjected to foolishness by her own disciples.’

Kwon Seon was in deep trouble now.

Ah, but naturally, I had no intention of informing her of this.

The pangs of pity that briefly arose—of course, respect has long since vanished from my words.

My respect for ‘adults’ was limited to the definition of the term.

In my eyes, Kwon Seon was no ‘adult.’

What remained toward her was only contempt and aversion.

“What do you want?”

“Hurg… you…”

“What are you trying to do by looking for Pi Yeon-Yeon?”

Grrk.

“Grrghh!”

I pressed down harder. The ground shook with a thud. Kwon Seon’s chest was likely cracking.

“What help would her existence be to you?”

I pondered.

And thought.

My cold mind turned swiftly.

It wouldn’t take long for me to reach a conclusion.

I already knew.

But.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter.”

It was now meaningless.

I released my foot and reached out.

Kwon Seon, who had been lying down, rose before me, her neck firmly held in my hand.

“Grrgh… ah… ack…”

“I think I’ve gathered enough of my confirmation.”

No need to see more.

“You’re not human to me.”

That was my judgment upon Kwon Seon.

I felt no need to observe further.

“What… what are you saying?”

Kwon Seon struggled as if she didn’t understand my words.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and turmoil.

“Do you think… will you really harm me…?”

“Oh dear. What a terrifying thing to say.”

I smiled.

“You must be aware that a renowned member of the Emei Sect would not come to me unnoticed. Killing you here would just bring trouble down the line.”

For now, it’s only a little annoying. But I’m not sure what will come after.

“Besides, you can’t harm such a precious presence, can you?”

As I uttered, my heart surged with power.

Thump—!

My heart pounded as the demon energy surged throughout my body.

Sssssss—!! The heat surged to my eyes.

Kwon Seon widened her eyes in astonishment.

“W-what…?”

As she gasped in shock, her body became rigid.

She couldn’t help but, considering the substantial energy now coursing through her.

“Uuugh… Kkeuhhh!!”

Kwon Seon’s body began to tremble.

I watched calmly.

‘If there had been even a smidge of good in her, I wouldn’t have gone this far.’

While I thought that, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Or maybe not?’

It felt kind of off. I already knew it would lead to this.

‘When the moment comes, it’ll likely be on the day of the Martial Arts Tournament.’

Just a few days ago, right after I killed an Emei martial artist who had been fleeing from Bong-Soon.

If I knew about it then, I would have known long before.

‘That it would come to this.’

The real problem was that I had entertained useless expectations.

Maybe there wouldn’t be a decent person.

Just maybe there wouldn’t be a not-so-corrupted individual.

Those silly expectations.

“I have plenty of problems too. My body rejuvenated, making me overly sentimental.”

At this time, mocking Cheol Jiseon seemed laughable now.

“Well, at least it’s a relief. Thanks to you, I’ve confirmed it.”

I cleared away the expectant thoughts inside me.

And because of that, I could finally smile.

“I’ll use you well, especially since you have a lot of things to do.”

What I’ll throw away.

There’s no need to mention that. It’s common knowledge anyway.

I spoke to Kwon Seon with a smile.

“Gggghh-!!”

Soon her eyes turned dark.

 

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