Chapter 16: That's All There Is to It
The Law Enforcement Hall Master studied Rock Demon, who appeared utterly unfazed.
His countenance is calm. However, the situation itself is anything but normal.
'...'
I showed up without any heads-up, and he's already meeting with me? Just like that?
Before, I couldn't have even dreamed of this happening.
'There's definitely something going on here…'
Rock Demon asks calmly.
"Well, I'm sure you're swamped with work. So what brings you all the way here?"
The Hall Master's instincts quickly size up the situation.
Something was happening that I didn't know about. Something crucial. And Squad Leader Yu was deeply involved in it.
That's why Rock Demon agreed to see me because I'm Yu Gyeonseong's direct superior.
So then, how should I fish that information?
His tone remains just as calm as he speaks.
"First, let me apologize."
"..."
"Our Squad Leader Yu caused quite a mess. I just received a report that his conflict with Squad Leader Dong of the Rock Demon Clan was quite serious. That's why I rushed over here immediately."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
The Law Enforcement Hall Master brought up that incident while gauging his reaction.
Maybe it was because the natures of their martial arts were complete opposites, the relationship between Crushing Demon and Rock Demon wasn't exactly warm. They are like an invincible spear versus an unbreakable shield.
And according to the report, one of Rock Demon's key subordinates had been brutally beaten by what appeared to be Crushing Demon's martial art. So it’s obvious that he isn’t in a good mood. That’s why the Hall Master thought that he could fish out information if he poked through this matter.
"Well... they're both martial artists. These things happen. Nothing unusual about it."
Yet somehow, Rock Demon seems way calmer than he should be..
'Should I dig deeper?'
He throws out a question meant to test the waters.
"I need to conduct an investigation. Would it be possible to meet with Squad Leader Dong?"
"Hmm… he's not in great shape, so I don't think that'll work."
"I see."
The Law Enforcement Hall Master seemed to accept this indirect refusal, but then continued speaking.
"But... I heard there were two other members of his squad there at the time."
Meaning: if Dong Gong's too injured to talk, what about the other two?
"…From what I heard, Squad Leader Dong picked the fight first. So he's reflecting on his own mistakes. That's why even his father isn't making a fuss about it. If the victim isn't pressing charges, do we really need to keep investigating?"
It was a clear message: don't blow this up any bigger, just drop it here.
But the Law Enforcement Hall Master pretended to play dumb and fired back immediately.
"The Law Enforcement Hall views this incident seriously. No matter who started it, how could someone use such excessive force against a fellow cult member!"
In other words, I'm continuing this investigation.
"..."
Rock Demon just stares at him wordlessly. The Hall Master continues.
"If the Clan Lord wishes it, I believe this case warrants severe punishment."
He's reminding the Rock Demon of his power.
Rock Demon stared at him for a moment, then his lips slowly parted.
"...This matter should be concluded here."
After a brief silence, the Law Enforcement Hall Master's voice emerged.
"If that's your wish... I'll comply."
Their eyes met as he did so.
The Law Enforcement Hall Master thought to himself,
Coming here in person did yield something, at least.
Rock Demon owes him now, so he'll return the favor down the line.
This isn’t a small gain at all.
Still, he's not exactly happy about it as he hadn't achieved his main objective.
'Seeing how tight-lipped he is, he has no intention of telling me….'
Should I just ask directly?
Maybe it's exactly because he has no clue what's going on behind the scenes that he wants to know so badly. His curiosity itself kept pushing him forward.
Before he can stop himself, the question tumbles out.
"Squad Leader Yu is..."
But the moment he mentioned Yu Gyeonseong, his question was cut off.
"Stop."
Rock Demon's heavy voice filled the space once more.
"That's where this ends. Don't ask me anything more."
It was a firm declaration that he wouldn't reveal anything related to Yu Gyeonseong, no matter what.
"..."
Rock Demon watches the Hall Master, who's gone quiet. Then spoke as if it were nothing important.
"The fate of our cult hangs on this matter. I hope you can understand."
His eyes went wide at those words.
Of course, he'd assumed it was something important. Otherwise, why would the Six Demons be with Squad Leader Yu during such a critical time?
But...
The fate of the cult?!
Even just this brief glimpse was enough to plunge him into confusion. It was truly beyond imagination. But the Law Enforcement Hall Master's instincts quickly grasped the true meaning.
'So this is about…'
They're preparing to face the Martial Alliance that's heading their way?!
And...
'Squad Leader Yu… will face the Sword God?'
Impossible!
The Hall Master laughed at himself for even thinking something so ridiculous. But then, the report that Byeon Wu had submitted flashed through his mind.
'Crushing Demon's Hand Aura... the realm of manifesting Aura...'
He was starting to get a sense of what was happening.
'With the threat bearing down on them, they must have decided to work together.'
But no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't buy the idea that Yu Gyeongseong was the Six Demons’ people. If that were true, why would the Cult Leader have treated him with such favor?
Right, that must be it.
Things must have gone sideways after the Six Demons came back beaten by the Sword God.
The Cult Leader and the Clan Lords joined hands and worked together to make Squad Leader Yu stronger in a short time in preparation for his clash with the Sword God.
As for their method, he wasn't sure.
'So that's why he lost his memories.'
And if they're hiding everything this thoroughly, it means he's a secret weapon. One that could turn the tide of war.
If that's the case, no wonder Rock Demon was so dead-set on keeping quiet about it. Rock Demon was actually doing him a favor by hinting that this was way beyond his weight.
The Law Enforcement Hall Master bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you. From now on, I'll make sure anything involving Squad Leader Yu stops with me."
Rock Demon felt pleased.
Now that he looked at it, the Law Enforcement Hall Master was pretty sharp and knew how to conduct himself properly. He might be worth promoting later on.
Actually, agreeing to see him right away when he showed up wasn't because of any special reason. He'd been thinking he should meet with him anyway, so he just allowed it.
Why had that kid messed up Dong Gong like that?
His instincts told him he needed to figure out the intention behind it.
And to do that, he needed to look at what happened right after. During that time when everyone's attention was diverted elsewhere, what had Yu Gyeongseong done?
That's what he'd wanted to find out by meeting the Hall Master. But the guy turned out to be sharp and knew exactly how to play along, so how could he not be pleased?
"I heard Squad Leader Yu... met with his squad members that day."
"Yes. I already confirmed it."
"..."
Rock Demon said nothing more after that mention. So, the Law Enforcement Hall Master continued.
"Money pouches."
"...?"
"Squad Leader Yu met with his squad members one-on-one and asked for what he'd left with them. What he received back were money pouches. It seems he had divided all the money he'd earned over time among his four squad members for safekeeping."
"...That's."
The Hall Master could tell Rock Demon was skeptical. Of course, he could; he'd felt exactly the same way.
That's why he answered with even more certainty.
"Yes. That's all there is to it."
"..."
Rock Demon organized his thoughts.
'He caused all that commotion… just to get his money back?'
It was hard to believe.
But he could hear the certainty in the Hall Master's voice. If the guy was this sure about it, then he probably hadn't missed anything.
The explanation that followed matched that assumption.
"I questioned each squad member individually and cross-verified their statements. What Squad Leader Yu left with them was definitely just money pouches. Nothing else."
He had confirmed one side. Then what about the other?
"After that, I met with Squad Leader Yu and asked him directly..."
Rock Demon quickly caught his own voice as he tried to interject. He was so focused on the Law Enforcement Hall Master's answer.
"Squad Leader Yu couldn't even remember what he'd left with them. And he confirmed that what he received was only money pouches. In my judgment, there was no sign of deception whatsoever."
Rock Demon nodded silently.
'Did I… overreact?'
Come to think of it, he has no memories, so what could he possibly do?
Maybe he just wanted to show the Six Demons he wasn't someone to mess with.
That's the only thing that makes sense...
'Was it a message not to underestimate him?'
If he hadn't cast an illusion on Dong Gong to provoke him like that, he wouldn't have been able to use such excessive force. Had he openly used such brutal methods unprovoked, the Rock Demon could have tightened the rope he had on that kid even more tightly than anyone else.
What if he'd moved with all of that in mind?
'That's just his nature.'
Rock Demon decided to wrap this matter up here. Either way, the kid was following the Six Demons' will. From now on, he'd be too busy to think about anything else anyway.
"Thank you. I won't forget this."
The Law Enforcement Hall Master bowed his head.
***
Day after day, Yu Gyeongseong ended up drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted.
The Six Demons pushing him relentlessly were in the same state. They were going all-out every moment to the point that you had to wonder if they'd ever train this hard again.
After a crash-course-like one-on-one transmission of insights, their entire daily schedule was filled solely with brutal sparring that was closer to actual combat rather than training. The Six Demons openly ganged up on Yu Gyeongseong as if to demonstrate the superiority of the original masters; they showed no mercy in their attacks.
Didn't they care if he got hurt?
"If you can't handle even this, forget about facing the Sword God!"
Yu Gyeongseong faced attacks that left him breathless.
In his mind's eye, an imaginary Sword God emerged.
The guy who'd easily beaten back all of these attackers when they'd come at him together.
'I need to be like him too...'
Following his will, a massive ashen Aura materialized ominously from Yu Gyeongseong's hands. It was stronger and sharper than it used to be.
But it couldn't catch Flying Demon, nor could it penetrate Rock Demon's defense.
Unable to break their momentum, he was pushed back relentlessly.
Crushing Demon's Hand Aura sliced through his skin, causing sprays of blood to paint the air.
[You need to work on drawing out your abilities properly!]
Rock Demon was telling him to use the Art of the Undefeated properly.
Then, Crushing Demon’s voice transmission crashed into his mind.
[Dodge!]
Immediately, Flying Demon's blur of daggers went for several vital points at once.
Yu Gyeongseong quickly executed his footwork, but his body suddenly froze.
Ssssshhh
Even though he deployed the Art of the Undefeated with greater effort than usual, cuts appeared all over his body in a flash.
While Yu Gyeongseong's body healed over, Life Demon came at him with a relaxed stance.
While Yu Gyeongseong's body healed over, the Life Demon came at him looking completely casual.
Suddenly, her saber whipped toward his body like a whip.
'...!!'
It felt like it could chop down even the biggest tree in one hit.
Yu Gyeongseong healed his leg wound and quickly backed away, but Rock Demon's palm came flying at him from behind.
He tried to slip past, but the hand’s reach extended in an instant.
[You're not thinking I'd be slow just because of how I look, did you?]
That single move of his was truly fast.
'...!'
In an instant, a mighty wall formed by giant palms formed in the air.
Gasp!
Yu Gyeongseong's body suddenly moved to the side as if some invisible giant had just grabbed him and yanked him over.
But what met that impossible move was also an invisible force. One huge punch that felt like it came from a giant.
Thwack!
Yu Gyeongseong's body bounced back to where it started. What reached him was Mind Demon's voice transmission with something like amusement tinged within it.
[Nice try, but you lack both composure and strength.]
But he couldn't even process that properly. It was hard enough to block attacks when he could see clearly, and now everything suddenly went black.
But he couldn't even fully process that intention. Even with his full concentration, it was hard to block everything, and suddenly his vision went dark.
In a flash, something incredibly fast cut across his face.
Swish1
Illusion Demon, controlling flying swords from far away, whispered.
[The Sword God's sword is much faster and more powerful than this. Imagine a single strike from him.]
And so, the Six Demons kept hammering him with their martial arts.