Chapter 138

Mo Yong-hyeon's eyebrow twitched for a moment before he took out a box from under the table and handed it over. Dang Ran-yeong pocketed the item without even checking its contents. As Cheong-ra was wondering what that could be, Mo Yong-hyeon asked,

"By the way, contrary to what I've heard, the relationship between you two doesn't seem as bad as I thought."

"...We juniors wouldn't dare raise our voices in front of the Sword Saint and the world's Martial Arts Alliance Leader."

Cheong-ra, feeling a pang of guilt, quickly answered. His relationship with Dang Ran-yeong was truly difficult to explain honestly to anyone. Especially if the other party was the Alliance Leader. Mo Yong-hyeon looked at the two slowly with a meaningful gaze.

"Well, if you say so, I suppose that's how it is."

"Yes... it's true."

"Anyway, Cheong-ra. Since you've come all the way to Henan, don't you want to visit your family?"

At the Alliance Leader's words, Cheong-ra's face hardened. Family, the Baek Ri household... He hadn't returned to his family home once since joining Moon Lake Sect. Even when he happened to have business in Henan, he would only send gifts through messengers, never setting foot in the direction of his family home. It was because he had realized that his childhood had been hell after becoming a disciple of Moon Lake Sect.

"I met your uncle recently, and he was very worried about his nephew."

Cheong-ra knew that the uncle the Alliance Leader was referring to was not Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, but another uncle. Although it went against propriety, Cheong-ra didn't consider anyone other than his uncle Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon as family. The wounds left on his heart were that deep. He would even forward all the letters from the Baek Ri household to Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon without reading them.

"I feel terrible for causing my uncle worry. I was planning to visit if there was time in my schedule."

Cheong-ra answered, feeling Dang Ran-yeong's gaze on him. Of course, he had no intention of visiting the Baek Ri household even if there was time. Mo Yong-hyeon just seemed to have been making a suggestion, as he slowly nodded. After putting down his teacup, Mo Yong-hyeon was silent for a moment before bringing up his request.

"And may I ask you for a favor?"

***

It was when Dang Ran-yeong and Cheong-ra were coming out after finishing their conversation with Mo Yong-hyeon. They heard a voice shouting, "Young Master Baek!" and turned around to see Geum Sa-cheon approaching with energetic steps. His movements were light, as if his previous injuries had fully healed.

"Young Master Baek has finally come to the Martial Arts Alliance!"

Geum Sa-cheon asked with sparkling eyes, his voice full of joy and expectation. His face showed that he thought Cheong-ra had come to help eradicate the Blood Cult in cooperation with the Martial Arts Alliance. However, due to the mind-controlling insects in his body, Cheong-ra couldn't leave Dang Ran-yeong's side for a long time, so he shook his head and said,

"It's good to see you again, Young Master Geum. I just stopped by briefly to speak with the Alliance Leader, so unfortunately, I must leave soon."

"Ah, is that so... And this person is..."

Geum Sa-cheon, showing signs of disappointment, turned his gaze to Dang Ran-yeong. Although he didn't know him personally, he seemed to recognize who he was from his appearance, the red whip, and the unique aura of a Tang Clan martial artist.

"Are you Green-Eyed Poison Dragon Dang Ran-yeong? I'm Geum Sa-cheon."

"Where did you get that?"

Dang Ran-yeong ignored Geum Sa-cheon's greeting and nodded his head. His gaze was directed at the jade pendant hanging at Geum Sa-cheon's waist. It was the moon-engraved jade pendant he had been wearing when they first met. Geum Sa-cheon answered reluctantly with an embarrassed face,

"It's a gift from my wife, why do you ask?"

"A gift, you say?"

As Dang Ran-yeong was completely crushing Geum Sa-cheon's dignity in front of others, Cheong-ra hurriedly intervened. He didn't know why Dang Ran-yeong was suddenly picking a fight with Geum Sa-cheon, but this was the Martial Arts Alliance. He didn't want to cause unnecessary commotion, if only for Mo Yong-hyeon's sake.

"Ah, Young Master Geum. Isn't that a fashionable accessory these days? I've seen quite a few people wearing them. Your wife has good taste."

"That's right, Young Master Baek."

Geum Sa-cheon, reluctantly answering Cheong-ra's words, looked at Dang Ran-yeong with displeasure. Regardless, Dang Ran-yeong seemed lost in thought for a moment before moving on without another word. Completely ignored, Geum Sa-cheon's face reddened with shame as he exclaimed in disbelief. Feeling embarrassed, Cheong-ra apologized on Dang Ran-yeong's behalf.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Geum. We have some urgent business to attend to, so we must go... I'll see you next time."

"Young Master Baek must be very busy. Yes, I'll see you next time."

Geum Sa-cheon replied in a sulky voice before turning around and disappearing. After that, Cheong-ra hurried to follow Dang Ran-yeong out of the Martial Arts Alliance, only to find him already seated in the carriage. As soon as Cheong-ra got in with a sigh, the carriage started moving. Cheong-ra crossed his arms and asked,

"Young Master Dang, why did you do that just now?"

Dang Ran-yeong ignored Cheong-ra's question and kept looking out of the carriage throughout the journey before finally speaking. His gaze was scanning people's attire.

"Beauty, do you know that the Blood Cult was originally a faction of the Demon Cult?"

"I know the basics."

After realizing he had become properly entangled with the Blood Cult, Cheong-ra had done his own research on them. They weren't a cult group that appeared suddenly overnight. They were formed when disciples dissatisfied with the existing Demon Cult split off to worship their own god. It wasn't even appropriate to call it a branch, as the Demon Cult and the Blood Cult weren't on particularly good terms with each other.

"The Heavenly Demon worshipped by the Demon Cult, and the Heavenly Demon Horse worshipped by the Blood Cult. Looking at just the words, they can be considered the same concept."

Heavenly Demon or Heavenly Demon Horse. Both the Demon Cult and the Blood Cult regarded this as a heavenly being, the master of the Six Heavens of Desire and the ruler of all demons. It was also one of the proofs that the Blood Cult had split from the Demon Cult. Cheong-ra knew this much, but the explanation that followed was new to him.

"In the Demon Cult, the Heavenly Demon is a powerful figure with overwhelming strength, like a sect leader or king. However, the Blood Cult members were dissatisfied, believing that the Demon Cult's Heavenly Demon was no different from worshipping a mere mortal human, which they considered apostasy. They believed that only a god could be the true lord of demons. So they started an internal war, were defeated, and were eventually driven out of the Demon Cult."

"I see..."

Although Cheong-ra nodded, listening attentively as it seemed to be important information, he still couldn't understand why Dang Ran-yeong was telling this story.

"We call them the Demon Cult, but they call their religion the Sun and Moon Divine Cult. That's why the Demon Cult's symbol is the sun and moon (明), but the Blood Cult bastards removed the moon from it. They believe that the sun alone is perfect and unique, and that their god, the Heavenly Demon Horse, will only descend when the moon, which steals the sun's light, disappears."

Moon...! Only then did Cheong-ra understand why Dang Ran-yeong had asked Geum Sa-cheon that seemingly random question. Cheong-ra's face hardened as he recalled what was engraved on the jade pendant Geum Sa-cheon was wearing.

"So the Blood Cult's symbol is a setting moon. A crescent moon, a waning moon, or a moon obscured by clouds - these are their marks. Now, look at the street."

Following Dang Ran-yeong's words, Cheong-ra looked out of the carriage and noticed the attire of several people. The engraved patterns on jade pendants worn at the waist, embroidery on handkerchiefs - all of them had moon patterns. Cheong-ra frowned as he recalled that not only these people, but also others he had met recently had been carrying moon-shaped accessories.

"It's not just a simple fashion trend."

"It's highly likely that the Golden Flower Merchant Group led this trend. At least my merchant group doesn't sell such things."

Dang Ran-yeong muttered indifferently, but his eyes showed displeasure at what he was seeing. Thinking about people wearing not just crescent moons but setting moons, Cheong-ra didn't feel good either. It was surprising to see so many people wearing the Blood Cult's symbol.

"Then what should we do? Shouldn't we stop the spread of the Blood Cult's symbol?"

"Simply wearing moon-shaped accessories isn't a big problem in itself. The real issue will arise elsewhere. They're not doing this just to start a fashion trend in accessories."

Dang Ran-yeong spoke as if it wasn't a big deal and got out when the carriage stopped. Cheong-ra, having realized a truth he hadn't known before, followed him out, filled with concern. As they entered the Henan branch building, Dang Ran-yeong asked the branch manager who had quickly come out to greet them,

"Where are my companions?"

"The young lady is in the east wing, and the young masters are in the west wing. Shall I guide you?"

"No need. Go finish your work."

"Yes, Lord Owner."

As the branch manager bowed deeply and retreated with a respectful attitude, Dang Ran-yeong stared at Cheong-ra and demanded,

"What are you doing, Beauty? Guide me to the east wing."

"No... Do you get lost even in a place like this? It doesn't seem that big..."

"Wi Je-ho and Nam Gang-ryong's presences are unique, so they're easy to find, but not Hwan-hong's."

Dang Ran-yeong said with a confident attitude. Cheong-ra suppressed the corners of his mouth that were trying to rise and laughed inwardly. No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn't believe that Dang Ran-yeong had such a poor sense of direction. Although it was said to be an innate trait, it didn't suit this man at all. It was as if he was wearing ill-fitting clothes.