Chapter 38

It was early dawn. The voice of Jang Dae-san, Clan Lord of the Palm Heart Clan, rose sharply.

"What? The Ancient sword was stolen?"

Wang-oh, kneeling before him, lowered his head deeply.

Considering Jang Dae-san's personality, it was fortunate if he didn't get beaten to death with one strike.

At least the worst-case scenario was avoided. He escaped the misfortune of having his face smashed by that brutal fist.

"How in the world did this happen?"

Listening to Jang Dae-san's rough breathing, Wang-oh explained in detail.

When he woke up in the morning and went to the underground vault, all the Mechanical Device were destroyed, and the door was wide open. Of course, all the antiques held by the Ancient Sword Merchant had disappeared.

Crack!

The railing of the chair shattered at Jang Dae-san's fingertips.

Swish.

A splinter of wood grazed Wang-oh's head.

"Didn't you say the Mechanical Device were so strong that even the best Martial Artist in the world couldn't break them!"

"That's right. That is correct."

Terrified, Wang-oh prostrated himself on the floor. His grazed forehead throbbed. He only thought that angering Jang Dae-san any further would mean death.

This morning, witnessing the empty warehouse, Wang-oh felt like the sky was falling. He realized that today was finally his death anniversary.

The only way to save his life was to run away as he was. Of course, he would soon be caught by the Palm Heart Clan's pursuit team, but he couldn't just sit and die. However, he had spent all his hidden wealth to purchase the God-Demon Jade Buddha. He couldn't leave even if he wanted to.

Then, he realized something.

'Wait a minute?'

Im Yun-oh, who had visited yesterday, came to mind.

He gets robbed the day after Im Yun-oh visits? After being safe and sound until now? No matter how he thought about it, it was too coincidental.

Wang-oh saw a way to survive.

"But there was something strange."

"What is it?"

"Yesterday, Im Yun-oh, the leader of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, came to visit."

At the mention of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, Jang Dae-san's face hardened.

"Which Im leader are you talking about?"

"Im Yun-oh, the leader of the Inner Affairs Division."

He was someone Jang Dae-san also knew. The large wart next to his nose was an unforgettable feature.

"Im leader? What did he come for?"

"He entrusted me with an item."

"What was it?"

"It was the God-Demon Jade Buddha."

"What!"

Jang Dae-san jumped up from his seat.

"What did you just say?"

"It was definitely the God-Demon Jade Buddha."

The God-Demon Jade Buddha was a treasure among the treasures of the Jianghu.

Wang-oh quickly explained about Im Yun-oh's visit. He didn't forget to add the final touch.

"I was going to report it to you as soon as day broke, but..."

"How much did you pay for it?"

"Two hundred thousand nyang."

He had already manipulated the books to make it impossible to know that his own assets were involved. He had to state the amount accurately, even if it meant facing cross-examination later.

"So, you lost two hundred thousand nyang and the item as well."

Jang Dae-san's tone was so cold it was ominous.

Wang-oh, sweating profusely, kowtowed, begging to be killed.

When there was no response, Wang-oh cautiously raised his head to gauge Jang Dae-san's reaction. Jang Dae-san was narrowing his eyes and looking down at him. Wang-oh was startled and lowered his head.

Jang Dae-san said calmly.

"I will investigate Im Yun-oh first. You may leave."

Secretly sighing in relief, Wang-oh left the room.

Wang-oh's prediction was correct. It was a strange incident to anyone, and the suspicious Jang Dae-san would think it even stranger. He had gotten over one hurdle.

Now, the focus of this incident would be on why the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan targeted the Palm Heart Clan, rather than his own incompetence.

But that was just his delusion.

The look in Jang Dae-san's eyes as he watched his back was filled with murderous intent.

As soon as he left, a curse escaped his lips.

"Damn bastard, trading the God-Demon Jade Buddha and trying to report it this morning?"

Jang Dae-san knew that Wang-oh was usually greedy. He also knew that he was accumulating wealth illegally. However, the amount was not excessive, and he was more knowledgeable about the Ancient Sword Merchant's affairs than anyone else, so he had been turning a blind eye for the time being.

At that moment, someone walked out from behind the folding screen.

"The more complicated things seem, the simpler the truth tends to be."

It was Yang Pil, the 'Sheep Brush', one of the Palm Heart Clan's honored guests who had a knack for intellectual matters. He had recently been serving as the strategist of the Palm Heart Clan.

"What do you think of this matter, Teacher Yang?"

Jang Dae-san sought his advice.

Yang Pil calmly expressed his thoughts.

"We can make several assumptions. First, there is a very high possibility that this Wang-oh is staging the whole thing himself. As you know, no one can easily break through the Ancient Sword Merchant's Mechanical Device."

Jang Dae-san nodded.

A self-made play....... Of course, there were points that didn't make sense. If he had done it, he would have tried to run away. Would he have come to him with the determination to die after doing that? That point alone was definitely strange.

Could he be taking advantage of that? But would Wang-oh have the guts to do that?

Yang Pil continued calmly.

"Second, we can assume that Im Yun-oh of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan acted independently. It is widely known that Im Yun-oh is an antique enthusiast. The Ancient Sword Merchant is a place he might be very greedy for. But as far as I know, Im Yun-oh is not such a reckless person. Moreover, he is not foolish enough to visit the Ancient Sword Merchant the day before committing the act. Of course, it is possible if his purpose was to steal the payment for the God-Demon Jade Buddha twice."

Jang Dae-san said nothing. Knowing that he was furious, Yang Pil was very careful with every word he spoke.

"Finally, we can assume that the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan intentionally orchestrated the whole thing."

"Isn't that too blatant to see it that way?"

"That's right. But it is also something that should never be ruled out. If the guess is correct, the damage will be enormous."

Jang Dae-san let out a heavy groan.

"Why the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, especially at this time?"

The Northern Sky Hegemon Clan was hosting this Dragon Phoenix Gathering and Heavenly Dragon Battle. It was truly difficult to understand that they, who were busy enough with the preparations alone, had bothered with them.

"The affairs of the Jianghu are truly complex, and it is not easy to know the inside story."

Jang Dae-san's chest felt stuffy.

At that moment, a Martial Artist rushed in.

"Something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?"

"The Iron Fortress has been attacked!"

Jang Dae-san jumped up. Surprised, he shouted.

"What in the world is going on!"