The Cunning Treasure Hunter

The pain felt as if it would never end.

Even though Namgoong Ak (남궁악) had resolved the issue in an instant—

Even though Namgoong Hyeong (남궁형) had not been entirely consumed or eroded by demonic energy—

Even though it had only been a single strand, a single shard of demonic energy—

To Namgoong Hyeong, it felt like an eternal torment.

"Hah… Haa… Haa…"

Cold sweat poured from his entire body as if he had been caught in a storm.

Even now, the Young Lord's (소교주) final scream, heard just as the demonic energy was burned away, echoed like a hallucination in his ears.

So much so that he could not even respond when Namgoong Ak called out to him.

"…Wake up! Get a hold of yourself!"

It was only after the fourth shout that Namgoong Hyeong managed to turn his gaze toward his father.

He immediately examined his dantian again.

Fortunately, the demonic energy had been completely incinerated.

"...Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Father."

Namgoong Hyeong staggered as he stood up.

Though he said he was fine—

Though he forced himself to speak in his usual composed tone—

The cold sweat drenching his collar and his pale complexion betrayed the truth.

"If you're not fine, then lie down."

"…Are you really allowing that?"

Namgoong Hyeong narrowed his eyes, looking at Namgoong Ak.

His father was never one to tolerate him lying down in his presence unless it was time for sleep.

A talentless man wasting time resting? How could he improve if he did that?

For him to allow it now meant one of two things:

Either his fate was already sealed—he was past forty, had already hit his limit, and was no longer worth pushing further.

Despite being known as the Sword King (검왕) among his peers, he had no more room to grow.

And in the end, his father's true dream would be fulfilled by Namgoong Seon (남궁선).

Or…

Perhaps Namgoong Ak truly felt sympathy for his pain.

For a brief moment, Namgoong Hyeong considered the possibility.

Then he scoffed at himself internally.

That was impossible.

"Well then, I'll gratefully accept your offer."

With a short nod of acknowledgment, he lay down on the long, cushioned guest chair.

Namgoong Ak took a seat across from him.

As he stroked his white beard, he spoke in a low, contemplative tone.

"Have you gathered any more information regarding Yeom Doje Ak Ju-pae (염도제 악주패), the former Lord of Heaven's Net (천망대주), and his defection to the Demonic Cult (마교)?"

"None. He entered Ten Thousand Great Mountains (십만대산) and has not been seen since. No witnesses have surfaced, either."

"He may have killed them all."

"Even so, no corpses have been found."

Yeom Doje's Flame Dragon Saber Art (화룡도법) was a devastating technique—

An art that engulfed its victims in a blazing inferno, fueled by his mastery of Sunfire Energy (열양공).

If he had killed someone with it, even if the bodies were reduced to nothing but ashes, there would have been clear traces.

Like the remnants of a forest fire.

"…And yet, there is not even a trace."

"Not even footprints? No signs of movement?"

"No. I have already sent the Night Sky Agents (야천객)."

Namgoong Ak furrowed his brows.

Night Heaven Hall (야천당).

Its Lord and Vice Lord were dead, leaving only the remaining agents.

Even so, it was still a powerful clandestine force directly under the Clan Leader.

Only the previous Lord and Vice Lord had been exceptional—

Each individual member was still a skilled martial artist who had sworn loyalty to the Namgoong Clan.

They had even mastered the assassination techniques of the Blood Reaper Sect (살막), taken from Ten Thousand Great Mountains after the Demonic Cult's defeat.

"If even they found nothing, then it is highly likely there is truly nothing to find."

"Yes, Father."

"And what of Night Heaven Hall's leadership? Are you planning to appoint a new Lord and Vice Lord?"

Namgoong Hyeong shook his head.

Namgoong Ak, finding the decision unexpected, raised an eyebrow.

"Since their deaths, commanding the agents has become easier."

"Oh…?"

"I am not an assassin. I do not know how to manage an assassination force. However…"

Namgoong Hyeong glanced around subtly.

A silent message—

Even here, in the depths of the Clan Leader's Hall (가주실), agents from Night Heaven Hall were lurking in the shadows.

Namgoong Ak had, of course, already noticed.

But the fact remained—

Only someone of his caliber or someone with extraordinary sensory abilities would have detected them.

"I am the Clan Leader of the Sword Family (검가), Namgoong Clan. I know how to command a protection force."

"So you intend to alter the nature of Night Heaven Hall."

"I do not plan to abandon intelligence and sabotage entirely, but the previous Lord and Vice Lord sought to make it too independent."

Namgoong Hyeong nodded, continuing his explanation.

"I did not like it. I found it… unsettling."

"A purge, then."

"I did not kill them. But by refusing to appoint successors, it is effectively a cleansing of positions and authority."

Namgoong Ak sat in silence, considering.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

It was not a bad decision.

At this point, it was impossible to find replacements for the former Lord and Vice Lord of Night Heaven Hall (야천당) who had come from Blood Reaper Sect (살막).

Besides…

"The Dark Emperor (암황) is dead, isn't he?"

"Yes. It seems he was killed by Jeong Gang, the Sword Prodigy of Mount Hua (화산검제 정강)."

"There truly is no one left to take command of Night Heaven Hall. Running it as an assassination force like before would be difficult."

Their role had never been limited to just operating and managing assassins.

They were raised as mentors, warriors who had learned Blood Reaper Sect's martial arts from childhood, absorbing its essence from the start.

Because of this, the Night Sky Agents (야천객) did not simply learn assassination techniques—

They also internalized the mindset and discipline of assassins.

That was something Namgoong Hyeong (남궁형) could never replicate.

And no one else could replace them either.

Even if the remaining Night Sky Agents passed down their martial knowledge to new recruits—

Without a rare prodigy, it would be impossible to surpass their predecessors.

Gradually, the Night Sky Agents would shift from an assassination force to a bodyguard unit.

Not immediately… but with each passing generation, as personnel changed.

If that was inevitable, it would be better to prepare early and reshape them into a dedicated protection force.

"You don't intend to use them purely for defense, do you?"

"They're far too valuable for just that."

They had been trained directly by the last Sect Master of Blood Reaper Sect.

As assassins, their capabilities were more than sufficient for this generation.

"Good…"

"Is there someone you need eliminated?"

"I do not wish to see anyone standing above Seon."

Namgoong Hyeong's eyes narrowed.

That could only mean one thing…

Namgoong Ak (남궁악) was determined to ensure Namgoong Seon became the strongest in the martial world.

Even if it meant eliminating his potential rivals before they could rise.

The Night of the New Moon.

Darkness blanketed Mount Hua (화산), just as it did the lands below.

And within the unlit areas…

It was the perfect time to move unseen.

"…Are you certain about this, So-yak?"

Cheon Jeong (천정) whispered softly.

There was no one nearby who could overhear him.

Still, Cheon So-yak (천소약) raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

Before them stood the residence of Myeong-jeok (명적).

A modest yet elegant house with tiled rooftops.

Fortunately, the house was empty.

Not even a single servant sweeping the courtyard, nor a maid tending the hearth.

Only an eerie, chilling silence filled the space.

A house so cold and desolate, it seemed as if no one had ever lived there.

Cheon So-yak placed her hand on the hilt of her Falling Blossom Sword (낙화정검) and cautiously stepped into the courtyard.

Her heightened senses absorbed every detail around her—

The sound of crickets, the rustling leaves in the wind…

Yet inside the house, there was no sound of movement.

"…It seems truly empty, Senior Brother."

"That would be fortunate, but…"

"It is not fortunate."

Cheon So-yak removed her shoes, stepping lightly onto the wooden porch.

She slowly slid open several doors, one after another.

Each room was empty.

Even the main bedroom, where someone should have been sleeping, was deserted.

"…Please check the hearth's ashes for me."

"The ashes?"

"Yes."

Though puzzled, Cheon Jeong obeyed without question and headed to the kitchen.

The fireplace had once burned fiercely, judging by the soot-blackened walls.

But now, it was cold.

There was no lingering warmth whatsoever.

Reaching inside, he rubbed the remaining ashes between his fingers.

They did not crumble.

They had clumped together.

A result of moisture.

"So-yak."

Returning from the kitchen, Cheon Jeong called out.

Cheon So-yak's sharp black eyes met his.

"Yes, Senior Brother?"

"It has been several days since anyone has lived here. The morning dew has dampened the ashes."

"I suspected as much."

Cheon So-yak sighed.

There was no one here.

That meant…

Not only Eunbyeok (은벽), but even Myeong-jeok had vanished.

"…This is the only explanation, isn't it?"

"Yes."

After scanning the empty house one last time, Cheon So-yak stepped outside.

Then, she spoke with certainty.

"Myeong-jeok Tae Sa-baek (명적 태사백)… is the current host of the Young Lord of the Demonic Cult."