The Youngest Member Chapter 125

Cheon Woojin's party imdiately headed for Dujiangyan.

Through the Beggars' Sect, he had asked Cheol Jiak and Zhuge Lin to investigate the Qingcheng Sect in advance. Whether there had been any large plus of smoke recently, as if from a forest fire, or whether there had been any large-scale movents of carriages or carts.

"Is anyone tired?"

Cheon Woojin asked the Hidden Dragon Unit mbers.

At that, the three looked at each other. Of course, they were tired. They had run nonstop from Dujiangyan to Lanzhou. They had imdiately had a brawl at the gisaeng house, and then had even handled the matter of the Gu family.

How could they not be exhausted? But the three could not say so. Above all, Cheon Woojin, who had done the most work, looked perfectly fine, and the investigation of the Qingcheng Sect was better the sooner it was done.

"I'm fine. We have to go first before the Qingcheng Sect hears the news of the Gu family."

" too."

Song Yiyeon and Jinun said so, and Namgung Jin, as always, silently prepared to move.

Cheon Woojin, who had nodded, set off. He had asked Yahwa to block all ans of communication from the Gu family to the Qingcheng Sect. However, since it was impossible to blockade the entire town, the movent of people itself could not be stopped.

It wasn't a particular problem.

He just had to arrive first.

"If you get tired on the way, rest and then co."

Cheon Woojin, who had said so, lightly rolled his feet on the ground.

It was just a light movent, but Cheon Woojin's figure shot out like an arrow.

At that sight, the three looked at each other for a mont and then followed him one by one.

* * *

"Commander Cheon, is Gu Yongbaek really dead?"

Zhuge Lin asked with a bewildered face. In any case, the nas of the Gu family and Gu Yongbaek were by no ans light in the current martial world.

Cheon Woojin just nodded and explained what had happened. There was nothing to exaggerate or downplay.

After the story was over, after a mont of silence, Cheol Jiak placed his hand on Cheon Woojin's shoulder.

"Well done. Then, all we have to do is find the bodies at the Qingcheng Sect?"

"Yes. They are probably buried sowhere in the Qingcheng Sect. At most, it would be around here."

The number of bodies buried at the Gu family was considerable. It was half of the disappeared people of Dujiangyan village.

There would surely be that many bodies at the Qingcheng Sect as well. Since moving them would naturally attract attention, the Qingcheng Sect would also have buried the bodies inside.

Cheol Jiak nodded. As long as the task was set, there was no need to delay.

"Change clothes and we'll leave imdiately."

Cheol Jiak, Zhuge Lin, and Cheon Woojin changed into the martial uniforms of the Inspection Hall. There was no longer any need to hide.

After the Hidden Dragon Unit mbers and the Black Tortoise Unit mbers who had arrived around that ti also finished changing.

"Let's go."

Cheol Jiak took a solemn step.

To think that the opponent of their first mission was a mber of the Nine Sects.

How could he not be nervous? But since he had the calst newcor, no, commander, under his command, he could not show it on the outside.

* * *

The Inspection Hall, which had imdiately climbed Mount Qingcheng, revealed their identity.

Since the authority of the Inspection Hall was as strong as that of the Disciplinary Hall, no one dared to block their way.

Rather, the respected mbers of the Qingcheng Sect ca out one by one and greeted them cheerfully.

"No, Cheol Jiak, you!"

Cheol Jiak was montarily surprised.

A white-haired old man approaching from a distance with a very cheerful and benevolent smile. His long white beard made him feel dignified, and the subtle light in his two eyes spoke of his level.

The current sect leader of the Qingcheng Sect, the Qinghe Zhenren.

If Cheol Jiak had co in the capacity of the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, the sect leader would never have co out imdiately.

The Qingcheng Sect was also nervous. At the fact that the place the Alliance Leader had sent the Inspection Hall to for the first ti was the Qingcheng Sect.

Of course, if their conscience was clear, there would have been no reason to be nervous.

Cheol Jiak, putting aside such feelings, took a respectful posture and clasped his hands. In any case, until the bodies were found, the Qinghe Zhenren was a great elder of the Orthodox Path and a far senior.

"Sect Leader, I apologize for visiting so suddenly."

"Haha, apologize? I don't know how surprised I was at the news that our eternal commander, Cheol Jiak, had beco not a division commander, but a hall master. But, do you know sothing?"

"What is it?"

"I knew you would do well."

"...Haha."

Cheol Jiak let out an awkward laugh. It was the story he had heard the most since becoming a hall master. As if there were only fortune-tellers in the Orthodox Path, everyone would say things like, 'I knew you would beco so. Yes!'

It was a passage where one could glimpse the authority of the Inspection Hall.

The mbers of the Inspection Hall were lined up behind Cheol Jiak. The Qinghe Zhenren, who had glanced at them, smiled benevolently.

"Haha, it seems all the mbers of the Inspection Hall have co out. In my delight, I have kept my precious guests standing for a long ti. Now, please co in."

The Qinghe Zhenren, who had said so, walked ahead. Since the sect leader was personally guiding them, no one from the Qingcheng Sect even thought of approaching and talking to them.

How much further had they walked into the depths of the Qingcheng Sect?

Perhaps because they were not just any mber of the Nine Sects, there was a large pond, huge trees that had stood their ground for hundreds of years, halls that were tranquil yet did not lose their dignity, and intelligent martial artists.

At that whole scene, the mbers of the Inspection Hall felt subtly pressured. Of course, with the exception of one person, Cheon Woojin.

The Qinghe Zhenren, who was walking, asked casually.

"But, what brings you here?"

It was a tone of asking as if just passing by. As if to say, "No matter what reason you ca for, it has nothing to do with us."

Naturally, formal words flowed from Cheol Jiak's mouth.

"I was passing by Mount Qingcheng on a mission nearby, and I thought it would be rude not to pay my respects, so I stopped by."

"Is that so? It seems the deadline for your mission is quite lenient."

"Yes, well."

Cheol Jiak was vague.

Nevertheless, the Qinghe Zhenren could not ask further about the mission. It was because the Inspection Hall were those who received missions directly from the Alliance Leader.

After walking for a long ti, there was a small pond and a hall in a slightly isolated place.

It was the place where the sect leader resided.

"Well, it's a relief if you have ti. Would you like to have a cup of tea before you go?"

"It would be an honor."

Cheol Jiak, who had nodded, looked back at the mbers of the Inspection Hall.

A sense of tension flickered across the faces of the mbers who t his gaze. Cheol Jiak's gaze was saying this.

'It's certain. I'll hold the sect leader, so find the bodies sohow.'

Other investigations or questions were aningless.

The bodies, finding the bodies of the people of Dujiangyan, was the only way.

And so, Cheol Jiak entered the hall with the sect leader, and the remaining mbers of the Inspection Hall were guided by a few young Taoist priests of the Qingcheng Sect.

* * *

The Taoist priests said they would show them around the Qingcheng Sect.

Perhaps because they were people who breathed fresh air every day, ate only things that were good for the body, and trained every other day, their two eyes were full of intelligence.

It wasn't for nothing that Taoist priests were respected by the common people.

Since the Qingcheng Sect was so large, the Hidden Dragon Unit and the Black Tortoise Unit decided to split up and look around. A few of the Taoist priests approached Jinun and acknowledged him.

The Taoist sects located closest to the Qingcheng Sect were the Zhongnan Sect and the Mount Hua Sect.

Naturally, since exchanges were bound to be active, there were Taoist priests who had known Jinun since they were young.

"Ahem, it's a pleasure. It's been a long ti."

Every ti that happened, Jinun would let out an awkward laugh.

He had already learned that the Qingcheng Sect was involved in such a terrible incident. He could no longer look at his old Taoist friends as before.

- Where do you think they buried them?

Cheon Woojin sent a telepathic ssage to Jinun.

In any case, since he was a fellow Taoist, he thought he might know sothing more than the other two.

But Jinun shook his head.

- *As you can see, Taoist sects are usually located in the middle of a vast mountain. There's a high possibility that they were buried in a nearby mountain, but even that is too wide to guess.

Thinking about it, the Taoist sects, including the Qingcheng Sect, were located in the most optimal places to bury people. It was because they monopolized this wide mountain almost by themselves.

Cheon Woojin let out a small sigh and scanned his surroundings.

Then, his eyes t with a Taoist priest.

He flinched and avoided his gaze.

"...?"

Cheon Woojin looked at the Taoist priest with curious eyes. The Taoist priest stealthily turned his head again, t his eyes again, and then hurriedly avoided them.

Cheon Woojin couldn't stand it and asked.

"What's wrong?"

At that, the Taoist priest let out a few awkward coughs and said shyly.

"Actually, I've heard a lot of rumors about you, Commander Cheon. I thought you were really cool. The exaggerated image of a martial artist that everyone dreams of when they are young is exactly what you are now, Commander Cheon."

"I see."

Even at the words that would make one's face burn if heard in person, Cheon Woojin just nodded calmly. He had hoped to get a clue as to where the bodies might be.

The disappointed Cheon Woojin scanned his surroundings again.

According to Jinun's words, he would have to search the mountain in the end.

However, there was a slight clue.

To bury that many people, the slope could not be steep. If it rained, the soil could be washed away and the bodies could co out.

In other words, it ant that he just had to search around the flattest and widest places. The problem was how to evade the eyes of the Qingcheng Sect's Taoist priests.

Cheon Woojin, who had been contemplating for a mont, said to the Taoist priest from before.

"By any chance, where is the latrine?"

It was a traditional thod.

Cheon Woojin did not miss the wariness that flickered in the Taoist priests' eyes. Don't tell

that even those Taoist priests, who looked to be just over twenty, were involved?

"Ah, I will guide you."

Two of the three Taoist priests who had been walking with the Hidden Dragon Unit stepped forward.

Cheon Woojin nodded.

Soon, under their guidance, he arrived at a nearby latrine.

"You can use this place, Commander Cheon."

Cheon Woojin, who had nodded, approached the latrine and pulled the doorknob.

But the door did not budge.

Rattle, rattle!

Cheon Woojin, who had pulled a couple more tis, looked back at the Taoist priests.

At that, the Taoist priests approached with curious faces.

"Oh, there shouldn't be anyone using this place at this ti..."

Saying so, he pulled the door, but it did not open.

But, even when he knocked on the door a few tis, no sound was heard from inside.

"Ahem, it seems the door is broken. Or there is a shy Taoist friend inside."

The Taoist priest, who thought he had been quite witty, grinned and said to go to another latrine.

Cheon Woojin silently followed them.

However, a strange thing happened. Every place they went, the door did not open.

"No, why is it like this today? Was there sothing wrong with last night's dinner?"

That couldn't be.

It was because Cheon Woojin had fixed the door with telekinesis.

"I think I'm going to burst."

"...!"

As Cheon Woojin said so with a serious face, the Taoist priests beca urgent.

And so, the Taoist priests guided him to a latrine further up the mountain. Naturally, since they were moving with the Qingcheng Sect's Taoist priests, no one looked at them with suspicion.

.

.

.

Soon, the three arrived at a latrine at the edge of the Qingcheng Sect, practically in the mountains. This was a latrine that had been temporarily made for the Taoist priests to use when they were in a hurry during their training.

As Cheon Woojin approached and pulled the doorknob, the door fortunately opened lightly.

Only then did the Taoist priests let out a sigh of relief.

"Then, since the commander might be embarrassed, we'll wait a little further away..."

Crack-!

A Crescent Moon Staff was stuck into one Taoist priest's face, and a fist in the other's. What would hurt more? Only soone who had been hit by both would know.

In any case, Cheon Woojin, who had knocked down the two Taoist priests, looked around for a mont. Thanks to the kind Taoist priests, he had co outside, so now all he had to do was find a flat and wide space.

Cheon Woojin first searched the paths that could be traveled by carriage or cart from the Taoist temple to Mount Qingcheng.

But there was no trace.

"Don't tell

they carried them all."

If so, then how many Taoist priests were involved in the work? Cheon Woojin felt a rare sense of anxiety.

What if the entire Qingcheng Sect knew about this? What if not only the sect leader and a few leaders, but also the very young Taoist priests all knew about this and condoned it?

'What should I do?'

Cheon Woojin asked himself in a low voice. It was a question directed at the White Master. But the White Master's voice was not heard, and only the Black Master giggled.

- What do you an, what should you do? You've developed a habit of asking what you already know.

Cheon Woojin, who had sighed, moved again.

This ti, he searched, including all the paths that a person could travel on foot.

However, since the mountain terrain of the Qingcheng Sect was so steep, he could not find a place to bury the bodies.

Just as he was getting a little anxious, as it was ti for the fallen Taoist priests to be discovered.

Cheon Woojin suddenly stopped walking.

In the distance, a stone statue was visible between the trees.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a stone statue of a deity placed in a wide open space. Below it was an altar made for simple rituals.

Cheon Woojin looked at the space for a mont.

'Don't tell ...'

No matter how much of a ruffian they were, would they really have buried those bodies under the deity they served?

Just as he was thinking so and was about to lightly scratch the dirt floor with his hand.

"Commander Cheon! What are you doing now!"

A thunderous roar was heard from behind.

A dozen or so Taoist priests had rushed over.

Cheon Woojin stopped what he was doing, looked at them for a mont, and then said in a low voice.

"The latrine was full."

"...Don't talk nonsense. We saw the ones who were guiding you, Commander Cheon, lying on the ground."

Cheon Woojin, who had smacked his lips, got up from his seat.

He then picked up his Crescent Moon Staff.

At that, the Taoist priests flinched. Although the matter of the Gu family was not yet known, Cheon Woojin was a fearso existence just from the actions he had shown before.

"Th-this is the Cheongundan where the Taoist priests of our Qingcheng Sect offer rituals to the Taishang Laojun. How can you exude killing intent in front of the Cheongundan!"

"I did not exude killing intent."

He had just taken out his staff. What were they saying, feeling a killing intent that wasn't even there, steeped in their own fear?

Thinking so, he swung his Crescent Moon Staff.

A slight energy was released, and the ground was dug up once.

'The scent of blood.'

As the ground was dug up, a faint scent of blood wafted.

At the sa ti, the Taoist priests' faces turned completely pale.

"You, Young Masters, are at most twenty. No, you don't even seem to be that old."

Did they really know that bodies were buried here? Their gazes were not those of fear of Cheon Woojin. It was the gaze of those who had committed a dirty and ugly cri, afraid that it would be discovered.

If even those young Taoist priests knew.

Then the entire Qingcheng Sect was involved.

Cheon Woojin, recalling the sad face of the White Master, swung his Crescent Moon Staff again.

At the sa ti, the ground was completely dug up, and things that should not have co out from a place where those who wanted to beco Taoist priests, a mber of the Nine Sects of the Orthodox Path, had gathered, were seen.

The faces of the Taoist priests who saw this turned blue. It was not a look of surprise at seeing the bodies. It was just a face of despair at the fact that they had been caught.

"Are you really Taoist priests?"

(End of Chapter)