Chapter 51

Chapter 51. Eight Guardians (1)

Watching Kang Yujin corner Jegal Geum, I couldn't help feeling impressed.

That guy's instincts are surprisingly sharp.

Even though I hadn't sent Number 49, Kang Yujin's group and Jegal Geum were still being broadcast properly from inside the train, including their voices.

The Constellation who had set up the Quest had ordered his own Apostle to provide live coverage from the scene.

Of course, right now the broadcast had switched to Seok Taejun and Joo Minha fighting the Wyverns outside the train.

Did he want to show the other Constellations a scene where Jegal Geum fought alongside Kang Yujin's group and gave them some guidance? Then the moment things went wrong, he immediately switched the broadcast outside?

Still, I had already dispatched Number 49.

Soon enough, I would be able to watch the situation inside the train again.

I already knew Jegal Geum was suspicious back in Cheonan...

Before the train departed, I had spotted Jegal Geum among the crowds at Cheonan Station.

He was a major figure, so naturally I kept an eye on him.

And before long, I realized that Jegal Geum was watching Kang Yujin's group.

I figured he had something planned.

Jegal Geum was over seventy years old and still held a position among the Eight Guardians.

It had only been ten years since the Material Realm merged with the Fantasy Realm, which meant Jegal Geum had only become a Contractor after reaching his sixties.

Even so, he had displayed skills far beyond those of much younger people and eventually became known as one of Korea's leading Contractors.

According to rumors, before becoming a Contractor he had been an old man who secluded himself in the mountains and trained in martial arts.

I didn't know whether that was true.

The problem is how Kang Yujin handles this.

I folded my arms and watched the observation screen.

Let's see what he does.

Number 49 had reached the area.

The inside of the train finally appeared on the broadcast again.

"You sound awfully confident."

Jegal Geum spoke first.

"Do you have any proof?"

He stroked his white beard.

"You believe I created this Quest in order to lure you in?"

"That's quite an absurd accusation."

"If you have evidence that made you reach that conclusion, then show it."

"I never said you personally created the Quest."

Kang Yujin looked directly at Jegal Geum.

"Quests are set up by Constellations, not humans."

"..."

"It feels like you're subtly trying to steer the conversation."

"But what I care about isn't whether you personally created this Quest."

Kang Yujin's eyes narrowed.

"What matters is whether you approached us with hidden intentions."

"You're the one changing the subject, Kang Yujin."

Jegal Geum's expression remained calm.

"This is baseless slander."

"You have no physical evidence at all."

"Then I'll bring back that man and woman who moved to the dining car."

Kang Yujin answered immediately.

"We can put everyone face-to-face and talk it through."

"Is this really the time for that?"

Jegal Geum looked toward the outside.

"The Wyverns are still attacking."

"Don't worry."

"Seok Taejun and Joo Minha are handling them."

Kang Yujin raised his head slightly.

"The impacts against the train have almost completely stopped."

"That proves they're doing fine against the Wyverns."

"..."

"Like you said, I don't have physical evidence."

Kang Yujin stared at him.

"So let's bring those two back and question everything properly."

Even if they denied everything, Kang Yujin intended to keep pressing them.

"Hey, Kang Yujin."

Lee Jukheon suddenly interrupted.

"Enough."

Kang Yujin turned toward him.

"This old man will never admit anything."

"Why?"

"Because a huge number of Constellations are watching this."

Lee Jukheon raised one finger upward.

"Even though this Quest appeared suddenly, there are already more than a hundred viewers."

He grinned.

"If he admits this was all staged right now, he'd humiliate himself in front of everyone."

"He'll never admit it."

"Even if those two confess right in front of us, he'll just say he knows nothing about it."

[B-rank Constellation 'Golden and Silver Children' agrees that Lee Jukheon's argument makes sense.]

[A-rank Constellation 'Fairy Who Controls Water' finds Lee Jukheon's unexpectedly sharp observation amusing.]

"See?"

Lee Jukheon shrugged.

"The Constellations agree with me."

He looked upward.

"I'm curious what the others think."

The moment he said that, messages began pouring in.

[D-rank Constellation 'Ghost Who Burned the Tower' argues that Jegal Geum is suspicious enough to justify caution.]

[B-rank Constellation 'Murderer with Two Axes' shouts that something feels rotten and suggests simply killing him.]

[A-rank Constellation 'Naval Commander Holding a Pitchfork' suggests remaining cautious for now.]

[C-rank Constellation 'Prince Who Killed His Father' argues that one should not suspect someone without evidence.]

[C-rank Constellation 'Attendant Faster Than Light' says Jegal Geum has shown nothing suspicious so far.]

[A-rank Constellation 'Prodigy with Three Heads and Six Arms' becomes angry and tells them to stop wasting time with pointless suspicion.]

The Constellations continued throwing out their opinions.

It looked almost evenly divided.

"Hmm..."

Lee Jukheon scratched his chin.

"I thought maybe a Constellation who had watched this old man's movements would expose everything."

"Guess that won't happen."

"Didn't they say doing that violates etiquette and gets you penalized?"

"Maybe."

Lee Jukheon shrugged.

"You never know."

Then he looked at Jegal Geum.

"Old man."

"Let's end this here."

Jegal Geum raised an eyebrow.

"End it?"

"We're not going to get anywhere by arguing."

"The Wyverns are still outside too."

Lee Jukheon waved one hand.

"Let's drop this and go our separate ways."

Forget everything.

Stop getting involved with one another.

That was what Lee Jukheon was suggesting.

"Lee Jukheon, why are you deciding that on your own..."

"Hey."

Lee Jukheon lightly smacked Kang Yujin's shoulder.

"Shut up."

"Seok Taejun and Joo Minha aren't here."

He sighed.

"That means I have to act as your guardian."

[A-rank Constellation 'Fairy Who Controls Water' is pleased by Lee Jukheon's line.]

[A-rank Constellation 'Fairy Who Controls Water' sponsors Lee Jukheon with 500,000 Coins.]

[A-rank Constellation 'Fairy Who Controls Water' sponsors Kang Yujin with 500,000 Coins.]

"This Constellation has been sending donations at the strangest times for a while now."

"What exactly is her standard?"

"No idea."

There probably was one.

But nobody could figure it out.

"So."

Jegal Geum smiled.

"You want to end things here?"

"Yes, old man."

"Hoho..."

Jegal Geum's smile deepened.

"You really are interesting young men."

Then his voice changed slightly.

"But after humiliating this old man so badly, do you intend to end this without even apologizing?"

"What?"

"You just severely damaged the honor of Jegal Geum, one of the Eight Guardians."

He smiled, yet pressure filled the narrow train passage.

"Shouldn't you take responsibility for that?"

"Hah..."

Lee Jukheon roughly scratched his head.

"This is ridiculous."

"I said we'd just forget the whole thing, and now you're picking another fight over it?"

"Picking a fight?"

Jegal Geum's eyes sharpened.

"I'm disappointed that you would interpret it that way."

"Have you ever considered that your attitude is exactly what caused this conflict?"

"No, what I'm saying is..."

"Enough, Lee Jukheon."

Kang Yujin cut him off.

"This old man already decided what he's going to do."

Jegal Geum's eyes narrowed.

"If he just lets us leave like this, he'll still lose face."

"So he changed his plan."

Kang Yujin looked straight at Jegal Geum.

"Now he's decided to teach the arrogant youngsters a lesson."

"So in the end..."

Lee Jukheon frowned.

"He's saying he wants to fight us."

"Exactly."

"Even if you kneel and apologize now, it probably won't matter."

"Why would I kneel and apologize?! You're the one who started this!"

"Either way."

Kang Yujin turned fully toward Jegal Geum.

"I already suspected you."

"And I already planned to use force to subdue you."

His voice remained calm.

"If you're the one picking the fight, I have no reason to refuse."

"Arrogant brat."

Jegal Geum's smile disappeared.

"You don't even understand your place."

"Your attitude changed a lot compared to when you first spoke to us."

Kang Yujin stared at him.

"I guess this is your real personality, old man."

"..."

"The part about seeing through lies was a lie."

"But I can still read people like you pretty well."

Kang Yujin slowly clenched his fist.

"You're not even some great villain."

"You're just a petty little man."

"You insolent brat!"

"Then shut my mouth yourself."

"You bastard...!"

At last...

Jegal Geum moved.

Inside the narrow space between train cars, he thrust his hand toward Kang Yujin.

Fast.

Kang Yujin tried to step backward.

But he was too late.

Pshk!

Blood burst from his left shoulder.

Jegal Geum stood there with blood dripping from his fingertips.

The gentle smile from before was gone.

What remained was a murderous grin.

"I'll make you regret this, brat."

In one corner of the Spirit Realm stood a Constellation's throne.

Its owner sat there bare-chested, revealing tattoos covering his upper body.

He silently watched the scene through an observation device.

Then someone behind him burst into crude laughter.

"Kukukuk! Things got complicated, didn't they?"

The visitor had dark skin and a rough face covered in a thick beard.

"Jegal Geum is definitely experienced, but he picked the wrong opponent!"

"Kang Yujin isn't someone you can easily manipulate!"

The owner of the throne sighed and turned around.

"Why are you here, Black Whirlwind Li Kui?"

Li Kui.

That was the rough man's True Name.

During the Song Dynasty, he had been a member of the famous armed group known as Liangshan.

He carried the spirit of the Heavenly Killing Star and wielded two axes while slaughtering countless people.

Even among the many villains of Liangshan, Li Kui had been the one who enjoyed killing the most.

And yet...

He had also been loved as a hero who represented the anger and frustration of the common people.

"Weren't you watching from your own throne?"

The throne's owner frowned.

"I saw a message from the 'Murderer with Two Axes' earlier."

Exactly.

The infamous B-rank Constellation "Murderer with Two Axes," known for constantly shouting about killing people...

Was Li Kui.

"It looked like you were involved."

Li Kui grinned.

"So I came straight here."

He slapped his knee.

"You should thank me."

"I could've exposed that Nine-Tattooed Dragon Shi Jin was clearly involved, but I kept quiet!"

Shi Jin.

That was the True Name of the A-rank Constellation "Hero of Nine Dragons," the owner of this throne.

Like Li Kui, he had been a member of Liangshan.

He was called Nine-Tattooed Dragon because of the nine dragon tattoos covering his body.

He had learned martial arts from several masters and could use many different weapons.

Within Liangshan, he had distinguished himself as a cavalry commander.

Among the 108 heroes appearing in Water Margin, Shi Jin was the first one introduced.

"I admit it."

Shi Jin saw no reason to deny it.

"Jegal Geum and I planned this."

"I also created the Quest."

"Kukukuk."

Li Kui laughed.

"Maybe it's because of those dragon tattoos, but you've always liked using dragon species."

"I figured this was your work."

"And Jegal Geum is your Contractor too."

Li Kui grinned.

"So Kang Yujin's deduction was completely right."

"What do you want?"

Shi Jin frowned.

"Did you come here to mock me?"

"Mock you?"

Li Kui laughed loudly.

"Why would I?"

"I came to give you advice because of our old friendship!"

"Advice?"

Shi Jin snorted.

"Ridiculous."

Although both were Constellations from Liangshan, there was a major difference between them.

Shi Jin had developed ambition early and manipulated several Contractors to expand his influence on Earth.

In Korea, especially, he had contracted with Jegal Geum and become involved in many incidents.

Li Kui, on the other hand...

Had absolutely no interest in increasing his influence as a Constellation.

He simply watched interesting things through his observation device and shouted things like fight, kill, and smash them.

And someone like that was offering advice?

Shi Jin could only laugh at the idea.

"Shi Jin."

Li Kui's expression grew serious.

"People like us aren't suited for grand schemes."

"What?"

"Song Jiang Hyung and people like him were good at that kind of thing."

"We..."

Li Kui grinned.

"We're better at charging ahead and killing enemies."

Song Jiang had been the leader of Liangshan.

He was also the man Li Kui had sworn loyalty to while alive.

"You seem determined to use your head and build power on Earth..."

Li Kui continued.

"But you don't have the capacity for it."

"Don't compare me to you."

Shi Jin glared.

"Things may have gone well for you so far."

Li Kui shrugged.

"But once you clash with the real thing..."

"You'll collapse immediately."

"That's the limit of what you're capable of."

"Ridiculous."

Shi Jin's eyes hardened.

"Are you saying Kang Yujin is the real thing?"

"Your attempt to recruit Kang Yujin failed."

"That's unfortunate for both me and Jegal Geum."

Shi Jin folded his arms.

"But if Jegal Geum defeats Kang Yujin here, this still benefits me."

"..."

"This incident isn't going to destroy me."

"Don't misunderstand."

"Hey, Shi Jin."

Li Kui narrowed his eyes.

"Have you ever actually watched Kang Yujin fight live?"

"I don't waste time watching every little thing happening in some remote place like Korea's central-western region."

"I know what he accomplished through information reports."

"Don't tell me you haven't even watched his Constellation Tube videos."

"Constellation Tube?"

Shi Jin frowned.

"I have no intention of entering such a childish place."

Li Kui let out a huge sigh.

"I knew it."

"What?"

"Do you seriously think Jegal Geum can defeat Kang Yujin?"

Shi Jin nearly laughed.

Li Kui clearly rated Kang Yujin very highly.

But Kang Yujin had only recently become a Contractor.

Jegal Geum, meanwhile, had trained in martial arts for decades.

Through his contract with Shi Jin, he had also gained combat abilities comparable to ancient heroes.

Even if Kang Yujin possessed superior physical ability...

That shouldn't be enough to overcome the difference in skill and experience.

"Li Kui."

Shi Jin sneered.

"Have you spent so much time lazily watching fights that you've even lost the ability to read the flow of battle?"

"..."

"Kang Yujin cannot defeat Jegal Geum."

"Even now, he's completely helpless against Jegal Geum's Spear Hand..."

Shi Jin turned away from Li Kui and looked back toward the observation screen.

Then...

He froze.

"Huh?"

"Oh, Nine-Tattooed Dragon."

Li Kui chuckled behind him.

"You missed the fun part while talking to me."

"Anyway..."

Li Kui grinned.

"You underestimated Kang Yujin too much."

"...!"

On the screen...

Kang Yujin's entire body was covered in wounds from Jegal Geum's fingertips.

Blood ran everywhere.

And yet...

Kang Yujin had grabbed Jegal Geum by the head...

And slammed him into the floor of the train passage.