readsfreenovel Chapter 280 : No?
Chapter 280 : No?
Dragged along by the Alliance Leader, Jin Seong-un entered a quiet tea house.The establishment had three floors and was fairly large, yet strangely empty.
That was only natural—its tea was absurdly expensive even by the standards of Beijing.
In truth, it was not meant to sell tea at all. It was a hidden pavilion of the Martial Alliance disguised as a tea house.
The middle-aged owner bowed.
He was Dark Voice, a squad leader of the Martial Alliance’s intelligence organization, Hidden White Forest. Of course, that was not his real name but a code name used within the organization.
“Alliance Leader, how did it go?”
“As you can see, the three seniors have returned safely. Disband the infiltration unit.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hearing this, the Wudang Sword Immortal narrowed his eyes.
“Alliance Leader, you were not planning anything reckless, were you?”
“Of course not. As a junior, is it strange for me to ensure the safety of the seniors who uphold the righteous path?”
The Alliance Leader had prepared from the moment the Princess summoned them. If necessary, he had planned to personally infiltrate the Imperial Palace and extract them.
Everyone was horrified by such a ridiculous plan, yet the Alliance Leader remained calm, patting Dark Voice on the shoulder.
“You always work hard. The Alliance runs thanks to your unseen efforts.”
“It is nothing. I see the seniors are here as well. And beside them…”
Dark Voice’s gaze turned to Jin Seong-un.
“So you are the Inn Dragon. A pleasure.”
Though he spoke politely, his eyes were sharp as blades.
As an information handler, he had thoroughly investigated Jin Seong-un.
Yet no matter how much he dug, there was a gap.
Before and after the establishment of Seongun Inn, Jin Seong-un was like two completely different people.
‘What exactly happened during that time?’
He could never uncover the truth—the deal with the Martial Gods was beyond his reach.
Meanwhile, the Alliance Leader casually went upstairs and took a seat in a corner of the second floor overlooking the outside.
“Please, sit.”
Everyone took their seats, and Dark Voice served refreshments.
The Wudang Sword Immortal asked,
“What is this about? Why bring us to a hidden pavilion? And what about the Death-Calamity Ghost?”
Jin Seong-un was also curious.
The Alliance Leader spoke quietly.
“Recently, in a small village in Guizhou, forty corpses were found—completely drained of blood, like mummies. Who do you think did it?”
Everyone except Jin Seong-un stiffened.
The Wudang Sword Immortal set down his teacup.
“Could it be the Eight Bats?”
Eight Bats.
Official enemies of the Martial Alliance—wherever they went, only blood-drained corpses remained.
The Alliance Leader nodded.
“That is my thought as well. It is obvious why they have reappeared after ten years.”
He glanced at Jin Seong-un.
“Ten years ago, their first and second were killed by the Death-Calamity Ghost. They must have been sharpening their blades ever since. Now that the Assassins’ Guild is gone, they have made their move.”
Retired assassins inevitably get killed.
It was happening now.
The Alliance Leader continued,
“I do not care what the demonic factions do among themselves. But the Eight Bats are a problem. The more blood they consume, the stronger they become. Countless massacres will follow.”
The sect leaders nodded gravely.
The Eight Bats had slaughtered hundreds before disappearing.
Abbot Myeongwon asked,
“Do you know their location?”
“No. If I did, I would have killed them already. Hidden White Forest and the Beggars’ Sect are searching, but they are elusive.”
“How did the Assassins’ Guild find them before?”
“They did not. The fools walked into it themselves. They sought refuge there to escape the Alliance, not knowing the Death-Calamity Ghost was waiting.”
The atmosphere grew heavy.
After a pause, the Alliance Leader said,
“Do you truly intend to keep the Death-Calamity Ghost? If he dies, their motivation for slaughter will weaken.”
He knew the Death-Calamity Ghost was in Yichang.
And that Jin Seong-un was protecting him.
After a moment of thought, Jin Seong-un answered,
“Is that the only solution? I cannot help with killing him.”
There was no room for discussion.
The Death-Calamity Ghost was Chef Seo’s master.
The Alliance Leader said seriously,
“You always choose the difficult path. Are you perhaps a pervert?”
“…What?”
“A joke.”
He continued,
“Not only the Eight Bats, but many will target him. You and your companions may be dragged into danger.”
He was forcing a choice—friends or the Death-Calamity Ghost.
Jin Seong-un could not choose.
“Am I too greedy?”
“Yes. Among all I know, you are the most greedy.”
The Imperial Court saw him as a man without desire.
But the Alliance Leader saw the opposite.
Jin Seong-un replied,
“I will try to find another way. If you learn their location, inform me.”
“No. Even ten years ago, they were strong. Now, even one breakthrough would make them too much for you.”
The Alliance Leader sighed.
“I will not force you. But do not keep him close. He will bring disaster to your inn.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
Then suddenly—
“Oh, by the way. Would you like to become my disciple?”
A casual tone.
Even the sect leaders were shocked.
Disciple of the Alliance Leader—the greatest of the righteous path.
“...No?”
Jin Seong-un refused just as casually.
“...I see.”
The Alliance Leader accepted, but his expression soured.
The sect leaders sighed inwardly.
‘...He is sulking.’
After a moment, the Alliance Leader spoke again,
“You once said you wanted a peaceful life.”
“Yes.”
“Then become stronger. If you reach my level, no one can interfere. Not the Imperial Court, not demonic factions, not assassins.”
He concluded,
“Peace requires absolute strength.”
The Wudang Sword Immortal sighed.
“Have some dignity.”
“I am serious.”
They continued debating.
Jin Seong-un listened in disbelief.
Then he asked,
“Do you know of someone named Daji?”
The conversation stopped.
The Alliance Leader replied,
“The infamous wicked enchantress.”
Abbess Jeonghye added,
“In Mount Emei, we teach Biographies of Exemplary Women. The final volume records wicked women like Daji.”
Jin Seong-un grew conflicted.
Daji—his master—was nothing like that.
Abbess Jeonghye said gently,
“Do not judge by appearance. Always look within.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“I will remember that.”
---
Back at the Martial God Realm—
Daji greeted him with a warm smile.
“Did things go well?”
Jin Seong-un explained everything.
As he spoke, her expression hardened.
That same cold expression appeared again.
“So they dared mock us. The Imperial Court cannot be trusted. Remember that.”
Then—
Jin Seong-un asked,
“Master, do you know of the book Biographies of Exemplary Women?”
At that moment—
Daji’s face turned incomparably colder.