How to Live as a Mage in the Murim World

Chapter 25 – Episode 6: The Green Forest Road Alliance (4)

“A Demonic Cultivator? Could you explain in more detail?”

Zhuge Jun’s expression hardened instantly.

A Demonic Cultivator wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

Why did the current Jianghu have an organization like the Murim Alliance?

It was none other than to exterminate Demonic Cultivators and ensure that Demonic Arts or Demonic Artifacts wouldn’t fall into people’s hands.

‘And it’s also a convenient way to earn merit.’

This was precisely why Zhuge Hyeonmong thought he could lure the younger generation of martial artists into this hunt.

Of course, whether or not this could happen depends on Zhuge Jun, that’s why he conveyed this information through him rather than speaking directly himself.

“Well, the story goes like this.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong began recounting what he had heard.

“Oh? A serial killer targeting bandits?”

“That alone seems insufficient. I doubt bandits would be able to sense demonic energy. Couldn’t it just be animal attacks?”

“No, that’s not it. If it were animal attacks, they wouldn’t repeatedly perform the bizarre act of only eating internal organs. Human sacrifice is a common practice among Demonic Cultivators those who cultivate Demonic Arts, so it’s reasonable to assume this is related.”

“You say many bandits have fallen victim? Bandits dying isn’t much of a concern, but if they’re being used as fodder for a Demonic Cultivator, that’s a different story. To think a Demon Cultivator is operating near our Sichuan Tang Clan—truly courting death.”

“So, what’s the plan? You must have something in mind since Zhuge Jun vouches for you.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong grimaced inwardly at the sight of the swarm of young martial artists gathering around him.

‘This is incredibly burdensome.’

He had thought that since they were members of the Murim Alliance and from the Orthodox Faction, perhaps only a few of them might show interest if he mentioned Demonic Cultivators.

But he hadn’t expected so many to come forward with curiosity.

“Young Master Zhuge Hyeonmong, was it?”

At that moment, Sima Lin addressed Zhuge Hyeonmong.

“I understand why you’ve come here. You’re here to ask us to help subjugate the Demonic Cultivator, aren’t you?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm. That’s a difficult request to accept outright.”

Sima Lin smiled sweetly.

Despite her beautiful appearance and seemingly friendly smile, Zhuge Hyeonmong instinctively sensed that this wouldn’t be easy.

“If there truly is a Demonic Cultivator, we would naturally have to act. However, we lack sufficient information. We can’t verify whether this is true, and even if it is, we don’t know how many Demonic Cultivators there are. The level of their martial arts is also unknown. Of course, I must report this to my superiors, but following proper procedures will take some time. Don’t you agree?”

A few of the gathered young martial artists nodded at her words.

Sima Lin smiled.

‘Your scheme is transparent.’

Judging from the circumstances, the appearance of a Demonic Cultivator didn’t seem to be a lie. Moreover, considering the scale and nature of the incidents, there probably weren’t many of them, nor were their Demonic Arts particularly advanced.

This was likely something the young martial artists present here could handle.

It would bring merit and cause no harm.

‘But I can’t let the Iron Flame Gang gain any advantage.’

Sima Lin, who slightly furrowed her brow due to a headache caused by her constitution, took a deep breath.

Now, all she had to do was drive the final nail in the coffin, and Zhuge Hyeonmong would return with his shoulders slumped.

The Iron Flame Gang and the Green Forest Road Alliance would collapse on their own without any intervention.

“Hmm.”

Just one final push…

“Haaaah, hmmmm.”

She took a step forward. Then she slowly took another deep breath.

Her mind felt incredibly clear.

The headache that had always plagued her subsided, and she felt as if some unknown refreshing energy was purifying her.

“Phew.”

“…Lady Sima?”

Her strange behavior drew puzzled looks from her surroundings.

Of course, the most confused was Zhuge Hyeonmong, who was standing right in front of her.

“Excuse me, what’s wrong? Is something strange…?”

“Huh? No, it’s nothing. More importantly.”

Sima Lin came to her senses and looked at Zhuge Hyeonmong with sharp looks.

‘What a pleasant scent. It’s like a fragrance that clears the mind.’

For a moment, she almost blurted that out but managed to hold her tongue at the last second.

“But that wouldn’t be chivalrous, would it?”

“Pardon?”

The expressions of the young successors turned strange at Sima Lin’s words.

‘Did she eat something strange?’

Sima Lin’s bodyguard tried to recall today’s meals. It wasn’t something Sima Lin would normally say.

Of course, Sima Lin herself was also flustered.

‘Why did I say that all of a sudden?’

But words, once spoken, couldn’t be taken back. Sima Lin quickly racked her brain and continued.

“Young Master seems to possess a mysterious talent. With someone like you by our side, we should be able to tackle this problem easily, right?”

“Me?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong asked in disbelief.

What help could he possibly be in hunting down a Demonic Cultivator?

He couldn’t understand why Sima Lin would suddenly say such a thing.

‘What’s she up to?’

Zhuge Hyeonmong wondered.

Besides it didn’t seem like he could back out now

In truth, what Sima Lin said wasn’t entirely wrong.

It wouldn’t look good for him to make a request and then slip away.

Furthermore.

‘I need to change their perception of the Green Forest Road Alliance through this incident.’

To do that, he needed to travel with the young martial artists and periodically smooth things over. That would be much better than just handing over the task.

Zhuge Jun was there, but he alone wouldn’t be enough.

“Honestly, I’m just a scholar, so I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I understand. In fact, this is what I’ve been hoping for as well. Although it’s an unfortunate situation, if it weren’t for this, how else would I have the chance to meet the dragons and phoenixes of the Jianghu?”

Im Jun-gyu gave him a strange look.

‘That’s different from what you told me earlier.’

‘The situation has changed, hasn’t it?’

Zhuge Hyeonmong answered Im Jun-gyu’s questioning gaze with his own. He was about to discuss further details when…

Thud!

Peng Ak drove his saber onto the floor and spoke, “I’ll go.  I’ve been looking to test my new techniques, so this is perfect timing.”

“I’ll go too. I don’t like the idea of Demonic Cultivators running loose in my territory. And that fellow over there looks a bit suspicious too.”

Tang Hwa-ryeong said this while looking at Zhuge Hyeonmong.

Feeling burdened by her gaze, Zhuge Hyeonmong turned his eyes to Im Jun-gyu.

“Why did you even come along? You happy now that you’re being treated suspiciously?”

“You’re the one to talk, you brat.”

***

“…And that’s how we ended up bringing them here.”

Jo Gwol and Hang Gon were speechless.

Including Zhuge Jun, Peng Ak, Tang Hwa-ryeong, and Sima Lin, more other five successors had volunteered.

Not all the young martial artists at the meeting had volunteered, but it was by no means a small number.

‘This is truly impressive. To think he could bring these arrogant Orthodox Faction brats along like this.’

The rising generation from the Orthodox Faction was generally difficult to deal with. Coming from prestigious backgrounds they were often picky and not easily swayed by words or material incentives. Let alone willingly lending a hand to help the Iron Flame Gang, it was an almost impossible feat.

‘It’s like when Zhuge Liang went alone to Eastern Wu and successfully formed an alliance.’

At that time, Eastern Wu was divided between the war faction and the peace faction, and while Shu Han had barely established itself in Sichuan, it was insignificant compared to Eastern Wu and Wei.

In such a situation, Zhuge Liang achieved the great feat of going to Eastern Wu alone, advocating for war, successfully establishing an alliance with Shu Han, and opening the Era of the Three Kingdoms.

“As expected of Master Zhuge.”

“…No, that’s enough. Let’s get going?”

“Ah? You are coming along too, Master Zhuge? I thought you weren’t going!”

‘I thought so too.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong gave a bitter smile but couldn’t show it due to the presence of others.

“With something like this happening, how can I just sit back and do nothing? I need to see if there’s anything I can do.”

“Indeed! It’s like we’ve gained an army of ten thousand!”

Jo Gwol was delighted at Zhuge Hyeonmong’s words. Several of the young martial artists also nodded.

“He is quite smooth with his words.”

“Well said. That’s how a man should be.”

“And Im Jun-gyu is coming as well.”

“Ah? Young Ma—I mean, Escort Im is coming along too?”

“Huh?”

Im Jun-gyu flinched at the sudden mention, and Zhuge Hyeonmong smiled slyly as he patted his shoulder.

“Isn’t that what you said?”

He had said that.

But after encountering the current rising generations of the Jianghu, he’d lost his enthusiasm.

‘They’re not even paying attention to me.’

He’d been planning to slip away unnoticed, but Zhuge Hyeonmong had seen through him.

‘This sly fox.’

‘Well, you can’t let me die alone, can you?’

As Zhuge Hyeonmong and Im Jun-gyu exchanged glances in silent conversation, Jo Gwol nodded.

“I understand. Let’s go then.”

***

It took about three days to travel from the Great Dragon Escort Agency to the Green Forest Road Alliance.

During those three days, Zhuge Hyeonmong, Jo Gwol, and Im Jun-gyu did their best to promote the Green Forest Road Alliance to the successors.

For reference, Hang Gon had been ordered to remain silent. The more he spoke, the worse the perception of the alliance seemed to become.

“I’m looking forward to it. The Green Forest Road Alliance, huh? I’ve heard about it, but I’m curious what it’s actually like.”

“You can look forward to it. It’s not just because we built it, but it’s truly impressive.”

Jo Gwol thumped his chest as he made the bold claim.

Zhuge Hyeonmong also nodded in agreement. He had visited a few times himself, and the mountain stronghold was truly magnificent.

Honestly, it was much better than most martial arts sects.

“This area is known for its maple trees… hmm.”

Jo Gwol suddenly furrowed his brow while speaking. Shortly after, the young martial artists also seemed to notice something, as their expressions changed.

“Something’s wrong?”

At Zhuge Hyeonmong’s question, Jo Gwol nodded and slightly changed direction. As they continued forward, Zhuge Hyeonmong could also sense it.

A thick stench. The smell of rotting corpses and blood filled the air.

Soon after, the source of the stench came into view.

“Hmm.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong grimaced. Human corpses were strewn about, dismembered and hung like meat in a butcher shop.

And in the center was a grotesquely positioned corpse with its internal organs missing.

“It’s a Demonic Cultivator.”

Jo Gwol spat out.