Became a God-Level M Chapter 210 : Let’s Hear the Excuses Later

Chapter 210: Let’s Hear the Excuses Later

“Is sothing like that even possible?”

“It must be, or I wouldn’t have said it.”

At Jin Seong-un’s question, the Hao Sect Leader replied with a gentle smile.

If there was a spy within the Special Task Force, they had to catch them. In a situation where information kept leaking, even what could be accomplished would surely fall through.

After moistening his throat with a sip of tea, the Hao Sect Leader gazed at the three for a mont before speaking in a playful tone.

“But I need soone to help. There’s no suitable person within the Hao Sect. So you’ll have to choose soone from your own side, Guest Dragon. Of course, the three of you here are excluded.”

“What kind of person are you looking for?”

“Soone trustworthy. Honest and strong. Among those who co to your mind right now, soone who distances themselves from money, soone who wouldn’t bow to power. Soone so upright and stiff-necked they’d probably stick to their principles even with a blade to their throat.”

A series of faces passed through Jin Seong-un’s mind.

The Hao Sect Leader continued.

“Do you know soone like that?”

“Yes, there is one person.”

“I think I know who you’re thinking of. An excellent choice. Ask that person for help. If they betray your trust, then perhaps your luck with people only goes that far. It can’t be helped.”

“……”

Jin Seong-un hesitated.

There was a reason he had tried to resolve everything with only the strength of his party until now.

He couldn’t even trust a Branch Captain of the Murim Alliance. That didn’t an he doubted the one who ca to mind.

He simply wanted to keep the number of people in the know to a minimum until things were resolved.

Sensing Jin Seong-un’s thoughts, the Hao Sect Leader, wearing an uncharacteristically serious expression, said,

“Believe.”

“Pardon?”

“Just believe. From the start, the Murim—the world—isn’t sothing you can shoulder alone. Why would an innkeeper try to bear such a heavy burden?”

Jin Seong-un and the Hao Sect Leader stared intently at one another.

After a brief silence, the Hao Sect Leader said,

“If this is truly a world where no one can be trusted, why are you even here? You could’ve just stayed in Yichang quietly running your inn. Just believe. Even if you’re betrayed later—believe first. That’s how life is.”

Jin Seong-un mulled over the Hao Sect Leader’s words. The line ‘Even if you're betrayed, believe first’ left an impression.

After a brief mont of thought, Jin Seong-un nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

“Good decision.”

“But… is your real purpose truly to catch the spy?”

Jin Seong-un’s dry question made the Hao Sect Leader widen his eyes as if taken aback.

Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak also looked puzzled as they glanced between the two.

The Hao Sect Leader replied.

“You’re sharper than you look. Yes, you’re right. Catching the spy is important, but that’s not the only reason. I just don’t want you to die.”

If Jin Seong-un asked soone for help to catch the spy, that person would undoubtedly get entangled in this matter.

Inadvertently, he’d be dragging them into the conflict with the Myriad Gold Manor and relying on their assistance.

And the Hao Sect Leader was telling him to do just that.

“You’re still young. You need the help of adults like .”

“You don’t look that old though.”

The Hao Sect Leader appeared, at most, to be in his mid- to late-twenties.

The Hao Sect Leader chuckled.

“Don’t judge people by appearances.”

“So you’re actually much older than you look?”

“No, I’m about as old as I look.”

Is this guy insane?

That thought flickered through Jin Seong-un’s mind, but he didn’t bother saying it aloud.

The Hao Sect Leader gave a sly smile.

“Then I’ll cheer you on. If you ever need help, call for

with all your heart. Who knows, I might just pop up with a ‘ta-da’.”

“Well, uh…”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

He didn’t seem like a villain, but the more they talked, the more drained he felt. It was ti to wrap this up.

The Hao Sect Leader, looking satisfied as if all objectives were fulfilled, waved his hand.

“Then, see you again. Yichang Branch Leader of the Hao Sect.”

“……”

“Just kidding, kidding.”

The Hao Sect Leader let out a long, hearty laugh and soon disappeared.

Left alone, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak exchanged glances and nodded.

The current Hao Sect Leader was nuts.

Though not much had been said, the three silently reached that consensus.

Jin Seong-un’s group headed straight for the quarters of the Special Task Force martial artists.

They seed to have been in the middle of an urgent eting, as they imdiately fell silent and looked around nervously when the group appeared.

Moyong Hyeon’s particularly intense gaze could be felt.

As Jin Seong-un stared at him, Moyong Hyeon—as always—spoke up.

“Ahem. Guest Dragon, this ti… truly, this is the final ti I’ll say this…”

“I’ll give you the information.”

Everyone, including Moyong Hyeon, widened their eyes like lanterns. They had just been trying to persuade Moyong Hyeon to reconcile with Jin Seong-un.

The result of their long eting was this:

Right now, the Guest Dragon held the power. So they should cooperate with him as much as possible to obtain information.

After all, as later-generation prodigies of the Orthodox Faction, subduing evil was just as important as pride.

So when Jin Seong-un volunteered the information, they all looked confused.

Regardless, he continued.

“I heard from the Hao Sect Leader who the ones kidnapping the children are.”

Murmurs spread through the room.

Jin Seong-un looked calmly at the Special Task Force martial artists and continued.

“They’re opponents the three of us can’t handle alone. So, I’d like the help of you young masters and mistresses.”

“Who are they?”

At Moyong Hyeon’s question, Jin Seong-un paused for a mont before answering.

“There’s no proof yet. It’s a one-sided claim from the Hao Sect Leader.”

“What do you an…”

“But according to him, a carriage carrying decisive evidence is currently making its way through Chang’an to here. Once we secure the evidence, I’ll speak. That is, if you’re willing to help.”

At his words, the Special Task Force martial artists exchanged glances.

They had also heard the Guest Dragon’s reputation.

Though there were exaggerations and downplays, one thing was certain: he never hesitated once he acted.

And now that Guest Dragon was saying the enemy was beyond his ability to handle and was asking for help.

As heirs of clans and sects, they all fell silent for a mont.

“I shall help, as I must.”

Bald-headed Seung-ryong rose to his feet and spoke. While others hesitated, considering their clans and sects, the chief disciple of Shaolin showed no such reluctance.

That was Shaolin. They didn’t care who the opponent was.

“Thank you.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

Following Seung-ryong’s lead, several others joined in—Tang So-yeon, Huamyeong, Baek Sang of Wudang, Jeonghyeon of Qingcheng, and Neung Sogae of the Beggars’ Union. Most were from the Nine Sects and One Gang, who were relatively freer from worldly interests than clans.

Those from the Five Great Clans, including Namgung Rin of the Sword Phoenix, stayed quiet.

Regardless, Jin Seong-un nodded once more, as if he had said all he needed to, and left.

He didn’t forget to send a voice transmission to Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong as he did.

Imdiately after Jin Seong-un left, the Special Task Force martial artists were divided in opinion.

So said they couldn’t trust the Hao Sect Leader’s intentions. Others insisted they should go to the Guest Dragon and demand the enemy’s identity now.

While various opinions flew around, Moyong Hyeon, who had been silently thinking, finally spoke.

“Let’s wait.”

The room fell silent at once.

The one expected to object the loudest—Moyong Hyeon—had surprisingly suggested they wait.

He continued.

“There’s no other way, is there? Also, I’m against informing the Murim Alliance. We still don’t have definite proof. Though, we should at least report the eting with the Hao Sect Leader.”

Moyong Hyeon was reacting more cautiously than expected.

Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong were watching him closely.

.

.

.

Thus, after deciding to wait for the evidence.

The later-generation prodigies gathered in the dining area, sharing drinks and food. So excused themselves early and headed to the guest rooms on the second floor to sleep.

Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong sat in a quiet corner, sipping tea.

That was when it happened.

They sensed a furtive movent with their qi perception. Soone had quietly slipped out from a room on the second floor.

Having prepared for this after receiving Jin Seong-un’s signal, they had been spreading their senses intentionally—and so, they noticed.

The two exchanged nods and rose from their seats.

“Yawn… I’m tired, so I’ll be heading to bed.”

“I suppose I’ll go sharpen my dagger a bit.”

Feigning nonchalance, they split up and soon regrouped behind the inn.

They imdiately took off, following the qi traces with their movent arts.

Both Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong were confident in their movent techniques.

Moyong Young Master’s room is empty.

No way… Is Moyong Hyeon really the spy?

Even as they exchanged voice transmissions, the two couldn’t be certain.

However, Moyong Hyeon’s sudden disappearance right after Jin Seong-un shared the intel was undoubtedly suspicious.

After a stealthy pursuit, they arrived in a secluded forest.

It’s Moyong Young Master.

The faint moonlight illuminated Moyong Hyeon’s face as he stood in the center of the woods. The two watched him silently from their hiding spot.

Moyong Hyeon looked around, as if waiting for soone.

That bastard really was the spy. Well, the Moyong Clan is different from the other clans of the Central Plains, after all.

Just as Tang So-yeon quietly shifted to rise, Huamyeong grabbed her arm and shook his head.

Let’s wait a little longer. Nothing’s confird yet.

Tang So-yeon looked at him with frustration, but Huamyeong firmly shook his head again.

Around the ti Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong tracked Moyong Hyeon into the forest—

An unexpected visitor arrived at Jin Seong-un’s quarters.

“What brings you here, Jeonghyeon?”

When Jin Seong-un asked in his usual dry tone, Jeonghyeon gave an awkward smile and raised the wooden container in his hand.

“As you can see, I’m a Daoist, so I don’t drink. I ca to see if you’d share so tea. I brought so tea leaves from the inn—I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste.”

Even though it had been decided to wait for the evidence, there were still so who insisted they should convince Guest Dragon right away and learn the enemy’s identity.

Gwang-ryong of the Diancang Sect was one such person.

Jeonghyeon had been pushed into coming here by them.

Jin Seong-un looked silently at Jeonghyeon, then nodded.

“Co in.”

“Thank you.”

The two soon sat facing each other in the empty room.

Jeonghyeon gave several awkward smiles, as though uncomfortable with the atmosphere.

Jin Seong-un, unfazed, silently steeped the tea. He was not one to force a smile for others.

As the tea fragrance gradually filled the room, Jeonghyeon finally opened his mouth.

“Guest Dragon, this may be presumptuous, but I hope you won’t hate Moyong Young Master too much.”

“I don’t particularly hate him.”

“…Ahem. That’s a relief, then. Truth is, there’s a reason why Moyong Young Master acts that way toward you.”

Jin Seong-un looked at him, intrigued.

Jeonghyeon continued.

“It has to do with the background of the Moyong Clan. After the fall of Later Yan, the surviving royal family founded the Moyong Clan.”

“Is that so?”

Jin Seong-un nodded nonchalantly. After all, most famous surnas had so history behind them.

Jeonghyeon gave a bitter smile.

“Because of that background, the Moyong Clan is extrely averse to losing what’s theirs. It’s also why they live isolated together in Liaoning, far from the Central Plains.”

“I have no intention of taking anything from Moyong Young Master.”

Jin Seong-un replied firmly.

Jeonghyeon nodded.

“I believe you. But sotis, even without intention, so people influence those around them. If they’re virtuous, they’ll form righteous clans and sects. If they’re evil, they’ll establish unorthodox or demonic factions.”

“I founded Seong-un Inn.”

Jin Seong-un said seriously, causing Jeonghyeon to struggle to determine whether it was a joke or not.

Jeonghyeon continued with a cough.

“Ahem… Anyway, you’re that kind of person. When soone like you—young and already walking a path others can’t even imagine—erges, those in power are bound to grow wary.”

Jin Seong-un simply shrugged.

He didn’t particularly care what Moyong Hyeon thought of him.

“And honestly, their desire for power isn’t always entirely negative. This may sound strange, but it’s partly thanks to their constant suppression of new powers that order in the Murim is maintained.”

“What are you saying?”

“Let’s say you were evil. Of course, that’s highly unlikely—but just hypothetically.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

Jeonghyeon picked up his teacup, then set it down again as he continued.

“You harbor darkness in your heart, but outwardly put on a virtuous front, gradually expanding your influence. And then, at a decisive mont, you reveal your true nature. Who would be able to stop you by then?”

“So, you’re saying that whether one is good or evil, those who pose a threat are imdiately crushed to prevent chaos from ever taking root in the first place?”

Jin Seong-un asked in disbelief. Jeonghyeon scratched his cheek in embarrassnt and nodded.

“Yes. I’m not trying to justify their actions, only stating the facts.”

“Well… that could be.”

Silence fell again.

Within that uncomfortable stillness, Jeonghyeon shook his head and spoke.

“Sorry. I just wanted to say that Moyong Young Master isn’t a bad person, but I ended up saying things I didn’t need to.”

“It’s fine. I think what you said made sense.”

“Haha, thanks for saying so. Truthfully, the other young masters pushed

to go and get the information, but what could I even do, really?”

“I’ll tell them once the evidence is secured.”

When Jin Seong-un said this firmly, Jeonghyeon gave a small nod.

“I understand. But if they ask, tell them I begged you desperately for the information. That way I have an excuse.”

“Well, I’ll do that.”

With that, Jeonghyeon finished his tea and left. Jin Seong-un silently watched his retreating back.

At the eastern edge of Gansu Province lay Seo-hwa County.

If one were heading from Chang’an in Shaanxi to Lanzhou in Gansu, they had no choice but to pass through here.

In the shadowy forest.

Two figures clad in black, their faces covered to the top of their heads, were perched atop a large tree.

They spoke through voice transmission.

This could be a trap.

Even so, it must be confird. Didn’t we receive a report that Guest Dragon’s group is waiting in Lanzhou without any movent? If necessary, we kill everyone and leave.

He had confidence in his skills.

He believed few in this era could cross swords with him.

Then—

A carriage ca speeding from afar. It bore no flags, indicating it wasn’t from an escort agency.

The two figures exchanged glances and, without hesitation, leapt down from the tree.

They imdiately drew their swords and swung.

Even considering the pitch-black night, their sword strikes were so fast and clean they were nearly invisible.

In a flash, the two horses pulling the carriage collapsed, dead.

The coachman and the carriage rolled violently to the ground.

The black-clad figures wasted no ti and yanked open the carriage.

Their goal was to handle whatever was inside as quickly as possible and leave. As they flung the door open, their swords thrust inward.

Clang—!

But the sword was blocked far too easily. The attacker’s eyes wavered.

Who in the world could so effortlessly block a surprise strike from him?

Just then, the clouds parted, and moonlight spilled into the carriage.

The black-clad man barely held back a curse.

“So you were the spies?”

Though fully masked, the man who blocked the sword guessed the attackers’ identities imdiately.

Just one clash had told him much—the hallmark of a true master of the sword.

Srrng—

He brushed the sword aside and stepped out of the carriage.

Rubbing his neck and shoulders like they were sore, he looked at the black-clad intruders.

Even against two swordsn, he showed no sign of tension.

“I’ll hear your excuses later.”

With that, he gently flicked his Taiji Sword. As if to say, Co at .

The Seven Masters of Wudang.

White Cloud Sword, Hyeon-un.

The one Jin Seong-un chose—the strongest, most reliable, and most stubborn man in the world.