The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

The Hongjung Sect was heavy with a subtle tension.

The martial artists of the Hongjung Sect, wearing dark brown martial arts robes, were constantly letting out hot breaths due to tension.

"The preparations?"

"The Red Sword Unit, which has finished its treatment, has also returned, and one hundred and fifty disciples have finished preparing to fight."

"Hoo."

Ju Hyeol wiped the sweat that had formed in his palm on his long robe.

How long had it been?

Even the life-and-death duels he had fought with bravado when he was a young man full of vigor had not been this nerve-wracking.

A time when the stakes were his own life.

But now it was different.

He was the head of a minor sect with over five hundred members.

The lives of everyone who lived and breathed in this estate were in his hands.

And yet, the reason Ju Hyeol could stand his ground was thanks to one person.

"Then I'll be going."

"Be careful."

"Have a safe trip."

Jin Sohyun, who had said his goodbyes to his colleagues, left the Hongjung Sect alone.

A master who might have reached the Transformation Peak. There must be a way, right?

Ju Hyeol, ridiculously, believed in Jin Sohyun, who had come from the Martial Arts Alliance.

That he would have some way.

"Father... can we really trust that person and risk the existence of our sect?"

"Do we have any other choice right now?"

Ju Hyeol swallowed dryly.

"Steel your heart. Today will be a long day."

Ju Gilseok silently placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

As he said, today would be a long day.

"Is it going to rain?"

The sky was full of dark clouds.

Jin Sohyun frowned as he looked at the sky, which looked like it would rain at any moment.

"This is where it gets important."

So far, things had gone as Jin Sohyun had expected.

The problem was from now on.

A war between sects.

War had too many variables, so it was impossible to calculate them one by one.

From now on, he had to hope that things would go well according to plan.

And Jin Sohyun had something he believed in.

"By now, it must have reached the ears of the Daoist Temple Master."

Jin Sohyun's gaze turned to the distant forest.

Bung-geut— Bung-geut—

"What is he saying?"

"It seems like he's saying... to watch... carefully?"

The instructors of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, under Gwak Myeong's orders, were monitoring the officials who had left to carry out their requests from a distance.

It was in case they were in unexpected danger, so they could step in to help or request support from the Daoist temple.

And the news about the conflict at the Deungho Sect, the Hongjung Sect, and the Saseong Sect had already been sent to the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

"Don't tell me... he knows our location?"

"If it's Official Jin, it might be possible."

The two instructors knew well about Jin Sohyun's strength.

It was because they had clearly seen with their own two eyes Jin Sohyun defeating the Four Sword Unit single-handedly and blowing away the main gate of the Deungho Sect.

"Ah! He's gone!"

"What should we do?"

The faces of the two instructors who had been secretly monitoring Jin Sohyun became troubled.

The person they were monitoring had disappeared.

"For now, we have no choice but to leave Official Jin alone. The rest are more urgent right now."

"Tsk."

The instructors gave up on chasing Jin Sohyun.

If he were to use his movement technique with all his might, it would be impossible to chase him.

The two instructors had no choice but to focus on the safety of the remaining officials in the Hongjung Sect.

***

"What!? A war between sects?"

Gwak Myeong's face contorted as he heard the news from Hebei.

"I sent them to mediate, and they started a war!?"

Gwak Myeong, the Daoist Temple Master, had a headache.

A war between minor sects, not a war between prestigious sects or families, was quite common.

Competition was inevitable to pick up even the crumbs left by the large sects or huge families that dominated a region.

The problem with the war between the sects located in Hebei this time was that the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple were there.

"So what happened?"

"From the looks of the situation, it seems the fight between the Deungho Sect and the Hongjung Sect has turned into a war between the Hongjung Sect and the Saseong Sect."

At the news delivered by the swift messenger, Gwak Myeong caressed his temples.

"And at the center of it... is Official Jin."

"Why that lazy bum?"

"It is Official Jin who is leading the situation. The rest seem to be following him."

Gwak Myeong, who had heard the report that Jin Sohyun had wiped out the Four Sword Unit, ground his teeth.

"I told him to go quietly...! How many instructors are available to move now?"

At Gwak Myeong's question, Seo Hu, the Daoist Temple Master's assistant, answered quickly.

"Most of them are out for the protection and monitoring of the officials, so the number of instructors is insufficient."

"Tsk! First, send a message to the Hebei branch of the Beggars' Sect. Hurry!"

"Yes!"

The messenger moved busily, and Gwak Myeong also got up from his seat.

"Are you planning to move yourself, Daoist Temple Master?"

"Since the situation is what it is, I'll have to go and see for myself."

"I'll prepare."

A while later, two people on horseback quickly left the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

***

Two men and women were dragged into the Saseong Sect, which was busy preparing for a fight with the Hongjung Sect.

Go Palsak, who had greeted the two men and women, asked with a suspicious face.

"So you're saying... that brat Jin Sohyun forced the Hongjung Sect and the main sect to fight... is that what you're saying?"

"Yes!"

Tears welled up in Ju Gilyeon's eyes.

"As soon as he found out that an iron ore vein was buried in the Deungho Mountain, his face changed. That handsome face turned greedy... and he's planning to make the Hongjung Sect and the Saseong Sect fight and get rid of both of them."

"You're saying he's trying to kill two birds with one stone?"

"That's right!"

"How did you two escape?"

Go Palsak was cautious.

Ju Gilyeon, who felt that he was suspecting her, quickly knelt on one knee.

"My father trusts me, so I barely managed to escape. Sect Leader! If we go to war with our Hongjung Sect like this, only the Martial Arts Alliance will benefit. So please look at the situation more carefully."

"Hmm."

Ju Gilyeon's argument was plausible.

"Young Lady Ju!"

And at that moment, Go Cheolji appeared.

"Are you... are you alright!?"

Go Cheolji ran, panting, and looked Ju Gilyeon up and down.

"This girl is fine."

"Ah... thank goodness! Thank goodness!"

Go Cheolji, who had confirmed that his fiancée, Ju Gilyeon, was safe, hurriedly helped her up.

"Why are you doing this? Please get up."

"Go Cheolji! What are you doing!"

"Father! Are you suspecting Young Lady Ju!?"

"This is a situation where no one can be easily trusted. So..."

"W-Wait a moment, please."

At that moment, Ju Giltae, who had come to the Saseong Sect with Ju Gilyeon, prostrated himself on the floor.

At his sudden action, not only Go Palsak and Go Cheolji, but also Ju Gilyeon made a surprised face.

"Sect Leader! Please believe me just this once."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I am Ju Giltae, the third son of the head of the Hongjung Sect, Ju Hyeol."

"I'm not interested in your name or identity. Just get to the point."

Ju Giltae raised his head with a determined face.

"Don't trust Ju Gilyeon."

At his words, Go Palsak's expression became strange, and Ju Gilyeon's face turned pale.

"Wh-What do you mean by that? Young Hero Ju."

As Go Cheolji stuttered and asked, Ju Giltae continued.

"Ju Gilyeon has been won over by a cunning brat named Jin Sohyun and is deceiving the Sect Leader and the Saseong Sect! The Hongjung Sect has already finished preparing for war and has even called for reinforcements from afar!"

"Is what you're saying true?"

"Why would I lie, even selling out my own sister? Besides, I... have secret information."

"Ju Giltae!!"

Ju Gilyeon shouted and grabbed Ju Giltae's collar.

"You son of a bitch! What are you doing!"

"Look at this! Ju Gilyeon is a traitor. A traitor of the Saseong Sect!"

"Th-That's... that's not possible."

While Go Cheolji was whimpering, Go Palsak gave an order.

"Bind Ju Gilyeon!"

The martial artists of the Saseong Sect, who had been on standby, ran and grabbed Ju Gilyeon and bound her.

"You son of a bitch!!"

"What are you doing! Take this spy bitch away at once!"

As Ju Gilyeon was dragged away by the sect leader's order, Go Cheolji wandered around with a dazed face.

Go Palsak, who did not like the sight of him, sent Go Cheolji away as well and then approached Ju Giltae.

"Alright, what is this secret information of yours that you brought, even selling out your own sister?"

"Before that, please promise me one thing."

"A promise? Spit out the information first."

"I want to secure my safety first. The moment I hand over the information I have, I will be a body that cannot return to the Hongjung Sect... if the Saseong Sect accepts me, I will devote my body and serve with loyalty!"

Go Palsak looked at Ju Giltae with a suspicious face.

Go Palsak, who had been staring at his face, suddenly began to laugh.

"Hahaha! Looking at your face, you're full of greed. I like greedy people. That's why I accepted your sister as my son's fiancée."

Go Palsak lowered his knees and met Ju Giltae's eye level.

"I'll accept you. But don't even dream of betrayal. If you don't want to beg me to kill you."

"Of course!"

"Alright. I promise you a high position in the Saseong Sect. So don't drag it out any longer and give me the information."

"I understand."

Ju Giltae, who had swallowed dryly and licked his lips, opened his mouth.

"Currently, Jin Sohyun is acting separately from the Hongjung Sect or his colleagues. And I know where he is."

"Ho? Is that really true?"

"Yes. Why would I lie, knowing it would be found out soon? If I did, my neck would be on the line."

"Yes! That's right!"

At the news that Jin Sohyun was alone, Go Palsak's face brightened.

"Where is that brat now?"

"Jin Sohyun told me to act as a spy, but I have decided to devote my loyalty to the Saseong Sect. So."

Ju Giltae took out a map from his bosom and handed it to Go Palsak.

On the map, an abandoned farmhouse not far from the Saseong Sect was marked.

"He said he would be waiting for me here."

"If this is a lie or a trap..."

"Then don't hesitate and cut off my head."

"Good. You've brought us a golden egg, so I should treat you accordingly. Hey! Escort Mr. Ju to the guest room."

"Yes."

"Thank you! Thank you! Sect Leader!"

While Ju Giltae was being escorted to the guest room, Go Palsak hurried his steps with the map.

The place he arrived at was the inner chamber located in the center of the Saseong Sect.

It was originally the residence of the sect leader, Go Palsak, but now it was being used by someone else in his place.

Go Palsak, who had approached the front of the door, said cautiously.

"Elder... it's me, Go Palsak."

"Come in."

As permission was granted, Go Palsak opened the door.

'Ugh!'

As soon as he opened the door, his whole body trembled.

A cold chill that was so cold it pricked his nose.

Go Palsak, who was walking on the frosty floor, bowed his head in front of the man in the black robe.

"A brat named Ju Giltae from the Hongjung Sect has brought some high-quality information."

"The fact that you brought it to me means it's information about Jin Sohyun, right?"

A smile spread across Go Palsak's lips.

"Yes, Elder."

"How reliable is the information?"

"The brat who brought this is a greedy brat who would sell out his own sister to find his own way to live. He's not a brat who would play games with his own life on the line."

The man took the map that Go Palsak had handed him and checked the area marked on it.

"You're saying Jin Sohyun is here?"

"And he's alone."

The man in the black robe slowly raised his body.

At that, nine shadows appeared behind him.

The shadows, which rose, scattering a cold chill, passed Go Palsak without a word.

"Ugh!"

Go Palsak, who had felt a chill all over his body, trembled.

"Jin Sohyun... you're as good as dead."

Go Palsak's gaze was fixed on the empty space where the shadows, which had disappeared, leaving only a chill, had been.

"The Cold-Blooded Grim Reapers have gone to you."

(End of Chapter)