Chapter 37: The Sect Leader's Request
“...It seems we've detected movement from the Demonic Cult.”
For a moment, my mind went blank.
The Demonic Cult.
For anyone belonging to Kunlun, even jokingly mentioning that name was something to be avoided.
And now that ominous subject had come directly from the Sect Leader's mouth....
That fact alone made the atmosphere around us feel heavier.
I instinctively steadied my breathing and waited for him to continue.
Even Jin Gwangung had already uncrossed his arms and straightened his posture.
“The Demonic Cult?”
Jin Gwangung asked with a stiff expression.
“Sect Leader, what exactly do you mean?”
"..."
Cheon Gwangcheon didn't answer immediately.
He closed his eyes for a moment as though organizing his thoughts.
Then he slowly looked at us.
“A few days ago, we lost contact with the disciples who were scouting the northwestern border region.”
Kunlun's unique location placed it close to the territory of the Demonic Cult.
Because of that danger, Kunlun regularly operated scouting teams.
Their task was to patrol the border region and observe any movement from the Demonic Cult.
Jin Gwangung frowned.
“And that's enough for you to suspect the Demonic Cult?”
“Didn't you send an investigation team?”
“I already did.”
The Sect Leader immediately cut him off.
His expression grew even darker.
“...And as of yesterday, we've lost contact with the investigation team as well.”
"...!"
Cheon Gwangcheon continued with a grim face.
“Both the scouting team and the investigation team have disappeared.”
“And both near the border with the Demonic Cult.”
He paused.
“Of course, we still need to investigate further...”
“but I don't believe this is a coincidence.”
I could understand why the Sect Leader was taking the situation so seriously.
Both the scouting team and investigation team consisted of martial artists trained in Kunlun's martial arts.
Not one or two people.
Several people had disappeared at once.
Near the border of the Demonic Cult.
...This isn't ordinary.
There was no way not to suspect some connection to the Demonic Cult.
Jin Gwangung seemed to realize the seriousness as well.
His expression grew increasingly hard.
After a short silence, he spoke.
“If both the scouting team and investigation team have vanished, shouldn't we send out a search party immediately before it's too late?”
Cheon Gwangcheon nodded slowly.
“Yes...”
“We should.”
Then he hesitated.
“But....”
Jin Gwangung frowned.
The Sect Leader slowly shook his head.
“We still cannot say for certain that the Demonic Cult is responsible.”
“At this point, it is only my suspicion.”
His expression remained grave.
“We don't even know exactly what happened.”
“And if we move a large search force now....”
He stopped and looked at both of us.
“You both know what the atmosphere outside is like right now.”
Baek Cheongu's death had caused more disturbance in the martial world than expected.
One of the rising young masters known as the Five Dragons and Two Phoenixes had suddenly died.
Officially, his death had been declared an accident.
Even so, many martial artists still suspected some kind of conspiracy.
Kunlun's location near the Demonic Cult only made the rumors worse.
Some were even claiming Baek Cheongu's death might have been caused by the Demonic Cult.
Their reasoning was that the conclusion surrounding his death had been reached too quickly.
They believed the Righteous Alliance and Kunlun were hiding something.
Those ominous rumors were already spreading throughout the martial world.
And now...
people had disappeared near the border with the Demonic Cult.
If it became known that Kunlun had even formed a large search party...
...the entire martial world would be shaken.
And that would inevitably bring unwanted consequences to Kunlun as well.
I understood exactly what Cheon Gwangcheon was worried about.
“The outside world would interpret it as a sign that Kunlun had detected an imminent invasion by the Demonic Cult and was moving in haste.”
Pressure from the Righteous Alliance and other outside forces would immediately flood into Kunlun.
The internal stability that had only recently returned could be shaken again.
...He's right.
Organizing a large search party would be dangerous.
Jin Gwangung raised his voice in frustration.
“Then what are you suggesting?”
“That we simply sit here and do nothing because we're worried about what outsiders might think?”
He glared.
“Our disciples have disappeared.”
“We have to do something!”
“Of course I intend to send a search party.”
Jin Gwangung paused.
“You do?”
He frowned.
“But just now, you said...”
“I intend to send only a small group of elites.”
Cheon Gwangcheon spoke calmly.
“Small enough that outsiders won't even notice a search party was formed.”
Jin Gwangung narrowed his eyes.
“A small elite group?”
“Who exactly do you plan to send?”
“People skilled enough for me to trust...”
The Sect Leader continued.
“and whose names are not widely known outside Kunlun, allowing them to move relatively freely.”
Jin Gwangung stared at him.
“Who exactly are you talking about...?”
Then his expression changed.
“Don't tell me....”
Cheon Gwangcheon nodded.
His gaze briefly shifted toward me.
Then he looked back at Jin Gwangung.
“That's right.”
“The representatives from the Elders' Lecture Gathering.”
"...!"
My chest trembled slightly.
The Sect Leader continued.
“They all possess outstanding martial skill.”
“And even if outsiders see them moving up and down the mountain, they'll simply assume a few young Kunlun disciples are traveling somewhere.”
Jin Gwangung muttered under his breath.
“The representatives?”
He looked incredulous.
“Those kids?”
Cheon Gwangcheon nodded lightly.
“Of course, I don't intend to send only them.”
“They will also need a leader.”
He continued.
“Someone with enough strength and experience to overcome any situation...”
“while also being capable of moving without attracting much outside attention.”
Jin Gwangung asked,
“Who?”
Cheon Gwangcheon looked directly into his face.
“The person I want to entrust with that role...”
“is you, First Elder Jin Gwangung.”
Jin Gwangung shook his head.
“What are you talking about?”
“Why suddenly me...?”
“Gwangung.”
Cheon Gwangcheon's voice softened.
“You know that you're the person I trust most within the sect.”
“Don't start saying unnecessary things.”
