Chapter 6
****
"Let me be frank."
A man in moon-white robes sat on a taishi chair.
He held a closed folding fan in one hand, gripping it tightly.
He appeared remarkably composed.
His words and actions were uninhibited, yet not frivolous.
The novel hadn't described his appearance, but seeing him in person, he seemed to be in his late twenties or early thirties—likely appearing younger due to his mastery of martial arts, his actual age probably closer to late forties—quite tall, with a pleasant demeanor.
He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but his upright posture, speech, and tone were elegant, leaving a more refined impression than his features alone would suggest.
Even his casual remarks, delivered in his characteristically polite and composed manner, didn't sound disrespectful.
The nobleman, Wu Se-hyeon, propped his chin on his folding fan and spoke with a smile.
"I like you."
'I don't like you.'
Speak of the devil, why did they have to come to the shrine at a time like this?
I smiled wryly, suppressing my churning emotions.
An hour had passed since I arrived at the shrine.
I was still in the side room, observing the scene outside through a crack in the old, rotten door from the same hiding spot Muk Cheon-woo had used in the original story. The difference was that he was avoiding Kang Il-san's group, while I was facing something far more disastrous.
I had inadvertently stumbled upon this scene of the demonic sect experts plotting to expel Cho Janyeo.
'Please just leave.'
Sadly, the conversation showed no signs of ending soon.
"Who said the demonic sect pursues the path of evil without regard for righteousness? Such a martial world vanished centuries ago. Who in this era roams the martial world so independently? Only ruffians remain. Or wanted criminals."
Wu Se-hyeon finished speaking and stared intently at the man in the black conical hat sitting opposite him.
"As far as I know, you're practically the only one."
The man in the black hat leaned against one armrest, his chin resting on his hand, sitting in a slanted, casual posture.
While Wu Se-hyeon was dressed entirely in white, the man in the black hat was clad in black from head to toe.
Wu Se-hyeon wore a robe with long sleeves, while he wore black martial arts attire with narrow sleeves.
While Wu Se-hyeon's demeanor was uninhibited yet maintained a certain level of grace, the man in the black hat exuded a rude and fierce aura, even in the way he rested his chin on his hand and turned his head slightly.
The man, sitting without a shred of decorum, had a mocking glint in his eyes, visible beneath the brim of his hat.
His aura was distinctly fierce, unlike Wu Se-hyeon's.
However, it wasn't the kind of overwhelming presence that dominated a room; his presence was subtle.
It was the kind that seeped into the darkness, sending chills down one's spine upon eye contact.
The atmosphere was surprisingly calm and composed.
But that didn't mean he was any less dangerous.
It was simply restrained.
Was this really 'that' Cho Janyeo from the original story?
I swallowed hard, scrutinizing his face.
'Right now, Wu Se-hyeon has the upper hand…'
In the original story, Cho Janyeo was defeated and suffered a crushing loss here.
Originally, Cho Janyeo was slightly stronger than Wu Se-hyeon and significantly stronger than Jo Il-geon.
Normally, such a difference in skill would allow for a one-on-two victory.
However, Cho Janyeo would lose this fight because Wu Se-hyeon and Jo Il-geon had set a trap.
I was witnessing firsthand what I had only read and imagined.
There were people lying in ambush within this shrine.
Wu Se-hyeon's most trusted subordinate, Jo Il-geon, and a subordinate of Jo Il-geon's granduncle were their backup.
All three were formidable experts.
Wu Se-hyeon's subordinate, like his master, was meticulous and cold-hearted, while the subordinate of Jo Il-geon's granduncle was skilled in poisons.
The trap they had devised was incredibly elaborate, and in the original story, Cho Janyeo barely escaped with his life.
Not only that, but he lost his left arm.
A left-handed swordsman, no less.
'Considering that, I should be worried about Cho Janyeo.'
But for some reason, I wasn't worried about him at all.
A faint light crossed the man in the black hat.
I saw his lips curve into a slight smirk beneath the brim.
At that moment, my heart sank.
"Would you believe me if I said I envied you?"
"…"
"When you first appeared in the martial world, everyone expected you to die young. How many factions did you offend? The Cho Clan, the Biha Palace, the Kunlun Sect, the Blood Cult… But to think you would remain unyielding for over ten years?"
Now that I looked closely, Wu Se-hyeon didn't seem entirely relaxed; he appeared to be wary of his opponent.
His back was unusually straight, and his gaze, fixed straight ahead, was subtly serious.
Leaning back in his chair, Wu Se-hyeon continued, his voice laced with emphasis.
"Bloodthirsty Berserker, you've already proven your integrity through your actions! What more needs to be said? The path you've walked already demonstrates the pride of a demonic sect member. The image of one who pursues only strength, walking the path of tyranny. How could I not be captivated!"
A glint flashed in his eyes.
"I cannot live such a life, but I wished to befriend you. I personally regret how things have turned out. That's why I'm saying this. I don't want to become your enemy. I'm sincere."
Having witnessed the conversation between Wu Se-hyeon and Jo Il-geon, I could ascertain the truth in his words.
Wu Se-hyeon was clearly uncomfortable with attacking Cho Janyeo.
'…It was Jo Il-geon who instigated this.'
Wu Se-hyeon disliked using force against a fellow demonic sect expert.
Moreover, judging by his words and actions, while he was cunning and deeply calculating, it stemmed from a sense of pragmatism.
He never intended to recklessly expend an asset like Cho Janyeo.
He was only participating because Jo Il-geon had forcefully pushed for it.
Nevertheless, he seemed to be extending a final offer of help.
"Do you intend to change your mind?"
"…"
"If you cooperate with us even now, I can swear on everything I have and show you sufficient good faith."
However, the outcome didn't look promising.
"…But you refuse."
Wu Se-hyeon finished speaking and stared intently at the face of the man in the black hat.
Cho Janyeo was smirking, as if he'd heard something utterly preposterous.
I let out a quiet sigh.
The negotiation had failed.
I had felt it while reading the original story, but this person was truly stubborn.
Someone who wouldn't compromise, even in this precarious situation.
Wu Se-hyeon let out a dry sigh, much like mine.
For a moment, he muttered the name "Cho Janyeo, Cho Janyeo," his voice heavy as if burdened by a troublesome matter, then suddenly exclaimed,
"Are you truly going to live without a single friend?"
Well, in fact, he did live that way until the end.
"Even the experts of the past generation didn't drift like rootless weeds without any connections! How long do you think your arrogance will be tolerated? Don't self-destruct."
A sharper, colder voice followed.
Wu Se-hyeon straightened up from his relaxed posture in the taishi chair, his eyes fixed on the man before him with a chilling gaze.
His grip on the folding fan loosened slightly. Then a gentle voice continued.
"I know why you're like this. Wasn't it the tragedy of the Shanxi Cho Clan that shook you? After the main branch of the Cho Clan, to which you belonged, was attacked and completely annihilated by the collateral branch of Namchang, you became cruel…"
"You're using agitation tactics. Typical of Jiao-Long."
Wu Se-hyeon closed his mouth.
The man in the black hat removed his hand from his chin and slightly raised his head. Cho Janyeo's face became clearer.
He wore a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Wu Se-hyeon with a knowing look, as if witnessing something absurd.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Cho Janyeo was a highly skilled martial artist. Unfazed even by words that provoked his deepest vulnerabilities.
Wu Se-hyeon had mentioned Cho Janyeo's past to exploit his weakness, intending to unsettle him by stirring up murderous intent.
However, Cho Janyeo didn't fall for the trap.
****
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