The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 321: In the Darkness Beneath the Lamp

I stayed behind on the duel platform for a moment, watching the people scatter in groups of twos and threes.

“......”

Night was falling.

It didn’t seem like the duels would resume after dinner. I stepped down from the platform, hands behind my back, and strolled slowly toward the group I had in mind from the beginning—the White-Robed Scholar’s lot.

Their voices were quiet, but the tone made it clear they were arguing.

“Why do you call that bastard a comrade?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“Just for a moment—”

Their conversation cut off abruptly, probably because someone had noticed me walking by.

I could feel their eyes from the White-Robed Scholar’s group, but I didn’t bother to turn my head. A tense silence hung in the air. Eventually, I looked over, annoyed—and saw them all glaring at me as I passed.

I said to the White-Robed Scholar,

“Wuje, enjoy your dinner.”

“......”

I didn’t even say anything rude, yet he stared daggers at me. Especially Dengpyeong—he looked like he downright hated me. Judging by the posture of their conversation, it seemed Dengpyeong had been interrogating the White-Robed Scholar about his connection to me.

Not surprising.

The Jeunjong footwork, the “comrade” remark, the sudden duel...

From the looks of it, Dengpyeong wasn’t his disciple. If he had been, he probably wouldn’t even dare to ask such a question, knowing what the White-Robed Scholar is like.

Why was I so concerned about that group?

Because the White-Robed Scholar was being too shameless.

How did he even hear about the duels?

Why walk into the Murim Alliance so boldly?

I couldn’t shake the feeling there was a deeper reason behind his brazenness.

Especially since I knew something no one else did—he had entered the Murim Alliance in my previous life.

That’s knowledge only I possess.

How could someone once branded a scourge of the martial world—the Evil Scholar—have status high enough to set foot in the Alliance?

I arrived at Wolhagwan and sat down at a table with the Four Great Villains to have dinner.

There was a bit of unspoken understanding between us...

As we ate, we spoke quietly. The Eldest Brother seemed to have the same thoughts as me and asked mid-meal,

“Didn’t that guy attack the Beggars’ Sect Leader before? Strange to see him here.”

I nodded.

The Lecher looked at the Sword Demon.

“He must have a reason for being so shameless. Honestly, if Third Brother had exposed him, the kings would’ve attacked him on the spot.”

The Sword Demon nodded and asked me,

“Was there a reason you hid his identity?”

I nodded.

“Let’s finish eating first. I’ll explain after.”

Though there were several lodgings, the restaurant in Wolhagwan was filling up, so we quietly focused on the meal for now.

***

We talked over tea in the Sword Demon’s room.

“...This might sound strange, but I’m trying to figure out the reason behind his shamelessness.”

The Ghost Demon asked,

“Speak freely.”

I looked at the Four Great Villains and said,

“We never became enemies of the Muga.”

“True.”

“And we probably won’t become enemies of the Farmer’s Sect the Muga mentioned. The scholar faction seems to operate independently. What I mean is... if we label the White-Robed Scholar as an enemy, we’ll have to treat him as one. But if we leave him be, he might not be. He’s a variable. Anyway, now that his face and skill have been exposed, Strategist Gongsun or Gongsun Wol will have already drawn and recorded his likeness. And now that he’s shown the strength of a Wuje—a Martial Emperor—he can’t hide in mystery or act like a puppet master anymore.”

The Lecher asked,

“Then what about his previous attack on the Beggars’ Sect Leader?”

“That’s even simpler. I intervened and neutralized it. Senior Shin Gae is still alive and well. Actually, I was the one who killed most of the scholar faction. That’s what started the conflict with Scholar Chu.”

The Ghost Demon asked,

“Then the White-Robed Scholar and Cheonak—do they walk different paths?”

“From what I saw, they’re not subordinate to one another. They looked like equals or close friends. So it makes me think... isn’t there someone above them? Like a commander of all scholars...”

I suspect that’s the Leader of the Swift Party, but I wasn’t going to name that without solid evidence.

At that moment, we paused and turned toward the hallway.

Footsteps approached. Then an alliance member called out,

“Rest for the night. The duels will continue tomorrow morning.”

Once the footsteps faded, I spoke again.

“...These scholar bastards are inherently suspicious. You never know whether they’re allies or enemies.”

If I had to simplify what I was doing—I'd left room to sow discord between the White-Robed Scholar and the rest of the scholars.

The Sword Demon said,

“We should inform the Alliance Leader about him.”

“Mm.”

“That way, there won’t be any misunderstandings.”

I looked at him and replied casually,

“What if Alliance Leader Im is one of the scholars?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

The Lecher looked shocked.

“Whoa, now you’re even suspecting the Alliance Leader?”

“I’m saying it’s fine even if he is. But we should be cautious. The scholar faction has both villains and non-villains. It’s chaos. The real problem is we don’t know who else is in it... Like today—I didn’t even know some of the Northern Five Tigers might be scholars.”

The Lecher said,

“So basically, even if Im is a scholar, he might be a good scholar, like the Muga?”

“Exactly.”

The Sword Demon asked,

“Is that your intuition talking?”

“There’s very little chance he is. But I still don’t know why the White-Robed Scholar came into the Murim Alliance so shamelessly. He’s too bold. No matter how curious he was about the duels, it’s not worth risking his life. If I had twisted the situation with a few words earlier, he would’ve been killed or captured. I could’ve exposed him as the one who attacked the Beggars’ Sect Leader with Cheonak and looked straight at the Alliance Leader. He’d have given the kill order or drawn his sword. Once he gave the command, the kings would have had no choice but to follow. The Blade King, the Sword King, the Fist King, Seomun, Namgung—and if we stepped in too? No way he’d survive. But even if we caught him, he’s the type that wouldn’t talk. He’s a real lunatic. Torture, threats—none of it would work.”

The Ghost Demon nodded.

“So it’s better to figure out why he came here so boldly in the first place.”

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

“But your reasoning has a flaw.”

“What is it?”

“He probably didn’t know you would be here. He might have entered under the guise of being an acquaintance of the Northern Five Tigers.”

“Yeah, that’s possible.”

At that moment, I looked down at my arm.

I’d been lost in thought, and goosebumps had risen on my forearm. The Four Great Villains noticed.

The Lecher asked,

“What’s with your arm?”

What I know from my past life and what I know now—there’s a discrepancy. Back then, I heard the White-Robed Scholar was a librarian for a demonic sect.

Now, he’s the archivist of the scholar faction.

The difference is small but meaningful.

The part where he supposedly switched to the Murim Alliance after being hated by someone—that happened in my past life, but I now doubt its validity.

It might’ve been misinformation.

Or maybe I never really knew the truth because I was never close enough to catch his lies.

As I thought about this, that’s when the chill hit me.

I stood up and said to the Four Great Villains,

“I’ll go meet with Alliance Leader Im. We need to exchange information. I’ve got questions.”

The Sword Demon nodded.

“Go on.”

I quietly left the room and made my way to the Alliance Leader’s Hall.

I gathered my thoughts as I walked. I’d been acting mostly on instinct, but to clear up this confusion, I needed Im Sobaek’s help.

I did have one hope.

That Im Sobaek wasn’t one of the scholar faction.

He fit the role of Alliance Leader far too well.

When I reached the hall and informed the guards of my purpose, they told me to wait.

A moment later, an alliance member said,

“This way, please.”

It was my second time visiting, but it felt different. Still, the man said the exact same thing as last time.

“Alliance Leader, I’ve brought the Lord of Haomun.”

“Let him in.”

The alliance member opened the door.

“Please, go ahead.”

I looked at Im Sobaek, seated at his desk, drinking dark tea.

“Alliance Leader.”

He gestured to the other seat while pouring more tea.

“Sit. I knew you’d come.”

“Yes.”

I saw an extra cup already on the desk. Im Sobaek poured dark tea into it and said,

“If the Alliance Leader offered poisoned tea, would you drink it? If you do, it’s poison. If you refuse, it’s defiance.”

He slid the tea to me.

He sipped his own tea while watching me. I asked,

“I suppose I must drink it. Looks awful though. Is this medicine? You should’ve at least added honey.”

Im Sobaek nodded.

“It’s medicine. Can you guess what kind?”

I lifted the cup and sniffed.

“It’s for fire illness.”

Im Sobaek looked genuinely surprised.

“Oh? How’d you know?”

How do you think... Moyong used to brew it for me.

I drank the tea while looking at him and winced. It was similar, but this batch was a lot more bitter.

“Ugh...”

Im Sobaek chuckled.

“What if it was poison? You drank it down without flinching.”

“I’ve built up immunity to most poisons. But how did you know I was coming?”

“We both had questions. Whether I summoned you or you came yourself, this had to happen. Who should speak first?”

I nodded.

“I think I’d prefer to hear your thoughts, Alliance Leader.”

Im Sobaek folded his arms, leaned back slightly, and looked at me.

“Where to begin... Why did you protect the White-Robed Scholar? Don’t ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) tell me you’re one of his disciples. Though I doubt it.”

Wow, that’s a fresh one.

Seems I was doubting if he was a scholar, and he was doubting if I was a disciple of one.

Yet back on the duel platform, we both kept a straight face.

Truly a refreshing conversation—like we were both studying the shadows under each other’s lamps.

I looked at Im Sobaek.

“Looks like this conversation will be a long one.”

“I agree.”

“So—how did you know he was the White-Robed Scholar?”

Im Sobaek answered,

“Actually, I didn’t.”

“Hmm.”

“But the moment you said ‘White-Robed Gentleman,’ it became obvious. Not Gentleman, but Scholar.”

Right... he is the Alliance Leader. I have no idea how much intel has been updated and delivered to him. But it must be a lot.

That’s when I asked about someone else.

“What’s Nosin up to these days?”

“Currently imprisoned for various reasons.”

“But I assume he gave you plenty of intel on the scholar faction?”

“The moment he was brought in, he started talking. Just needed a few drinks in him.”

Nosin betrayed his master after being seduced by the White-Robed Scholar. Of course he knew plenty. And once in the Alliance, he would’ve spilled it all to Im Sobaek.

Which meant that Im Sobaek now knew more about the scholars than I did in my past life. He didn’t show it, but he was a meticulous man—careful, patient.

He said,

“Lord of Haomun, you still haven’t answered. Why did you cover for the White-Robed Scholar? He tried to kill the Beggars’ Sect Leader. That makes him an enemy of the Alliance. Even if Senior Shin Gae let it go, I can’t just do the same.”

I nodded.

“Same reason you didn’t kill him on the duel platform. As you know, the scholars are vague. Treat them as enemies, they become enemies. Leave them alone, and they might not be. Even if I tried to protect him, if you had ordered it, he’d be dead now. Just like how you let Scholar Chu go in Dongho.”

Im Sobaek nodded.

“True. That, and I figured you had your reasons.”

In the end, it seemed both of us trusted each other enough to delay judgment for now.

“In the end, he fought Seomun and the result wasn’t bad. Anyway, what brought you rushing over right after dinner?”

“Good question.”

Truthfully, I’d come to align thoughts and assumptions that weren’t quite settled yet.

I looked at him and said,

“There’s somewhere I’d like to go. Either with you or alone. But either way, I’ll need your permission.”

“Where?”

Watching his face carefully, I answered directly,

“I want to see the Secret Vault of the Murim Alliance.”

As soon as I said the name, his expression dropped.

“The Secret Vault?”

“Is it possible?”

There’s no limit to deduction and instinct. That chill I felt while talking to the Four Great Villains—that’s where it was pointing.

The Murim Alliance has a vault no one enters lightly.

The Secret Vault, as the name implies, holds hidden treasures—including a library.

Im Sobaek said,

“That’s quite a surprise. No one enters the vault without my permission. You don’t strike me as the type to covet weapons or manuals. Should I take this as simple curiosity?”

“Yes.”

“If this has anything to do with the scholar faction, I might be too shocked to speak.”

“I won’t know until I see it myself.”

Im Sobaek pressed his thumb to his temple for a moment, then spoke.

“Zaha.”

“Yes.”

“You’re not an alliance member, but I trust you. Still, that place is off-limits to most. I’ll take you there myself. Once it’s a bit darker. Drink your tea. If I take a non-member there suddenly, the others might panic.”

“Yes.”

We sipped our tea for fire illness and waited for night to deepen.

Tonight, Im Sobaek looked more thoughtful than ever. As if recalling something long past. Or trying to piece together what lay ahead.

In the darkness beneath the lamp...

It truly felt like we were about to uncover something hidden.