Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Taiji Sword Lord's Decision
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The task of explaining the situation fell to Wi Seongcheon, as even the Taiji Sword Lord did not yet know the full, intricate details of the incident involving the Demonic Cult's spy, Peng Yeonhwa's sudden rampage, and the presence of Howan's fang.
Nam Myeong's eyebrows twitched visibly as he sat listening to the unfolding story, while veins bulged on his clenched fists, which were gripped with enough force to shatter stone.
If the Taiji Sword Lord hadn't been sitting right there in front of him, several pieces of furniture would surely have been shattered by the sheer impact of Nam Myeong's fury.
"How dare they...!"
Even the presence of the Taiji Sword Lord couldn't completely suppress the wave of rage crashing through Nam Myeong, and he spat out the words in a voice boiling with fury while radiating a sharp, oppressive aura.
The Taiji Sword Lord looked at him with indifferent eyes and calmly asked,
"What exactly do you plan to do about it?"
"Pardon?"
"This entire matter."
"Shouldn't we immediately conduct a thorough search for any remaining Demonic Cult spies within our ranks?"
"There is absolutely no need for that," the Taiji Sword Lord replied.
At that nonchalant tone, Nam Myeong's eyebrows shot up in surprise and confusion.
"No need? What exactly do you mean by that, Senior?"
"Why do you think the spy specifically targeted Peng Yeonhwa in the first place?"
"...To exploit her outburst and cause chaos, wasn't it?"
"And what were they truly aiming for through her?"
Nam Myeong didn't answer the Taiji Sword Lord's question right away, his mind racing to find the connection.
Peng Yeonhwa's rampage....
Was it truly something the Demonic Cult would go so far as to sacrifice a high-level spy for? No. Her rampage was something the academy instructors could have suppressed on their own eventually.
Of course, some instructors might have been injured in the process, but it simply wasn't worth the Demonic Cult deploying a valuable asset just for that.
Thinking further, perhaps they used her rampage to draw attention away from something else.... But the students' joint practical classes had clearly divided, secured areas.
What the Demonic Cult might actually target was the Heavenly Person, Mu Yeonjun, but that child was at Bokun Peak, completely separated from the Sword Blade Grove. It was tactically impossible to target Bokun Peak by making Peng Yeonhwa rampage in the Sword Blade Grove.
"It is an entirely separate matter," the Taiji Sword Lord muttered.
"Making this pitiful child rampage has absolutely nothing to do with the Heavenly Person currently at Bokun Peak."
"...Even after going to the lengths of sending a spy?"
"To the Demonic Cult, spies used for diversionary tactics like this are treated as nothing more than expendable tools with nothing to regret losing."
Demonic Cult spies were fundamentally different from ordinary ones, as their Blood Eye of the Dead could transmit everything they saw and heard directly to the Demonic Cult's divine realm. They were incredibly difficult to cultivate, yet to the Cult, even such valuable spies were treated as disposables.
"The spy had Howan's fang, enhanced with evil sorcery, hidden in his stomach. We can't know the exact reason yet, but it seems Howan has developed quite an interest in her, his last remaining blood kin."
"No...!"
"Howan is a heaven-defying wretch lost in a fit of eternal rage. It is both tiring and pointless to even guess what a madman like him, who long ago lost his mind, might be thinking."
"But, Senior, we cannot simply assume there was only one Demonic Cult spy who infiltrated the Sword Blade Grove, can we?"
"I already told you, there is no need."
"...I still don't fully understand what you mean by that."
"Heavenly Demon Hyeok Wolun."
At the mention of that name by the Taiji Sword Lord, Nam Myeong's face hardened instantly, and Wi Seongcheon, who was listening silently beside him, swallowed hard.
"Do you truly think a man of his stature would resort to something as petty as assassination through a lowly spy?"
"...That's..."
"Absolutely not. He has no reason to stoop to such Despicable (Bǐliè) tricks. The spy's goal was never the assassination of the Heavenly Person, nor was it harming other students or scouting Mount Yi Cheon."
"...Then what was it...?"
"He simply wanted to catch a brief glimpse of a future great foe."
"But Senior, what if the spy's goal was indeed to assassinate the Heavenly Person after all?"
"I did not raise him to be someone who could be killed by a mere spy, and if he could be assassinated so easily, he wouldn't qualify as the Heavenly Person in the first place."
The Taiji Sword Lord spoke in a cold, sharp voice that was a completely different demeanor from his earlier gentleness.
Nam Myeong lowered his gaze, unable to find a single word in response to those harsh yet logical words.
"Now, what will you do with this girl?"
Thud. The Taiji Sword Lord placed Howan's fang on the table and waited for an answer.
"...Even if it wasn't her own will, she still caused severe injuries to several students and instructors."
"And yet, no one died."
"We were simply lucky."
"If nurtured properly, she could become a fine talent capable of standing against the Demonic Cult in the distant future."
"The Yi Cheon Academy already has many gifted children among its ranks."
"There should always be more."
The Taiji Sword Lord's eyes flashed with a sudden intensity.
"The Peng Clan's tragedy is not something I enjoy recalling.... Eight years ago, Howan was a true monster. Even at that young age, he slaughtered the Peng Clan head, the elders, and the disciples, and even massacred the Murim Alliance pursuit team. How old was he then?"
"...Twenty-five."
"Yes. Just twenty-five. Fresh out of Yi Cheon Academy, he was the Silver White Tiger soaring above the Dragon-Phoenix Ranking—that was Peng Yeonwoo, that absolute bastard. If he hadn't gone mad, that child would have easily aimed for a spot among the future Ten Heroes."
With that, the Taiji Sword Lord let out a long, weary sigh.
"Peng Yeonhwa. This girl shares the exact same blood as that Peng Yeonwoo."
"Senior. Anything more regarding that..."
Nam Myeong glanced nervously at Wi Seongcheon as he spoke, but the Taiji Sword Lord didn't stop his explanation.
"What is the problem with them hearing the truth? The Peng siblings are the result of the Peng Clan's heaven-defying greed, but what sin do the children bear for simply being born into it?"
"...The fact that her blood carries an inescapable madness was proven by Howan eight years ago. When Yeonhwa first enrolled at Yi Cheon Academy, everyone worried about this very thing happening."
"I won't deny the madness in the blood, but madness can be controlled. If it can be mastered, this girl could grow strong enough to rival Howan himself. Howan has definitely joined the Demonic Cult, and while they already have monsters aplenty, who do we have in the orthodox sects? The Ten Heroes? Ha! We're barely a match for the Heavenly Demon alone."
"She might be the one able to stand against him," the Taiji Sword Lord muttered with a wry smile.
"This child is far too valuable a seedling to cast out into the world. I will stake my own name on taking responsibility for her, so do not expel her."
"Responsibility...? Do you mean to take her as your direct disciple?"
"I'll teach her how to control the madness, and I'll personally check over her martial arts while I'm at it."
"Good heavens...! The Wudang Sect leader and the elders won't stand for such a thing!"
"What can they do if they don't like it? My martial arts began in Wudang, but my sword and techniques are mine alone. I have no intention of teaching her Wudang's secret martial arts, so don't be so shocked."
As he said that, the Taiji Sword Lord turned his attention to Wi Seongcheon, who had been listening attentively to the entire exchange.
Thanks to the Taiji Sword Lord's protection, Peng Yeonhwa had successfully avoided expulsion—a fortunate outcome that greatly relieved Wi Seongcheon.
"And this child as well."
"Yes?"
Caught off guard by the sudden mention, Wi Seongcheon startled and looked at the Taiji Sword Lord. Nam Myeong was even more shocked, his mouth agape as he alternated glances between the two.
"Why the surprise? This child was the first to spot the Demonic Cult spy and the first one to successfully subdue Peng Yeonhwa."
Come to think of it, Nam Myeong had been so focused on the spy and the rampage that he'd completely overlooked Wi Seongcheon's role. Composing his surprise, Nam Myeong fixed a sharp gaze on the boy.
"How exactly did you manage to find the spy?"
"Uh... it was just a hunch."
"A hunch?"
"Well, I don't really know myself. I just felt uneasy for some reason and went to check."
"You saw through a professional spy's concealment on a mere hunch...?"
"I've always had pretty good instincts."
That was what he said, but Wi Seongcheon truly couldn't explain the exact reason, as he didn't know the answer himself.
"Anyway, Nam Myeong, I've said all I have to say on the matter."
With that, the Taiji Sword Lord rose to his feet, and Wi Seongcheon beside him shot up as well, almost instinctively.
He hadn't intended to stand, but an intangible, commanding force seemed to compel him to his feet.
"Ah.... Understood."
Nam Myeong didn't press the issue further. His opponent was one of the Ten Heroes, the Taiji Sword Lord—not someone who could be swayed by simple argument.
Besides, the logic wasn't entirely unconvincing. As the Taiji Sword Lord said, truly talented people always felt too few, no matter how many there were.
Peng Yeonhwa was like a bomb that could explode at any moment, but with a figure like the Taiji Sword Lord staking his name on taming that madness, Nam Myeong had no grounds to argue any further.
'Heavenly Flower Gate.... Wi Seongcheon.'
What was truly astonishing was that Wi Seongcheon was talented enough to pique the interest of a legend. He'd heard from Inspector Seok that he was no ordinary boy, but he hadn't expected this level of latent potential.
'I'll have to hear the full details from the Shadow Division Chief and the instructors later.'
The Taiji Sword Lord left with Wi Seongcheon and Peng Yeonhwa, leaving the office empty. Nam Myeong sighed and stood up, still feeling deeply worried about the situation at Bokun Peak.
* *
She had a nightmare.
In the dream, she realized it was a dream, but the nightmare refused to end. Even though it was her own mind, it wouldn't bend to her will, which was exactly what made it so terrifying.
The nightmare's content was always the same: the vivid, metallic smell of blood, the sound of a beast's howls, and a room strewn with half-eaten corpses.
Her brother, whom she once idolized as the Silver White Tiger, left bloody footprints among the corpses in the hallway.
She raced after those footprints leading to the clan head's quarters, gasping for breath through a veil of tears.
Oh, Father. You were benevolent yet strict, but in truth, a terrifying man. That was when she first realized it. Father's corpse was more mangled than any other.
His torso was nearly gone, and the head that remained intact was being held casually in her brother's hand.
She screamed and lunged at him, her nails breaking and skin tearing. It hurt, she hated him, and she was absolutely terrified.
Savoring her screams, her brother grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and forced her to look directly at Father's head. Father's protruding tongue and dead eyes gleamed with terror and despair, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Do you truly think you're worth those tears?"
That was what her brother asked as he crushed Father's head right before her eyes.
"Beneath the Peng Clan lies a beast's cage."
Her brother said that as he dragged her along.
Behind the seat where Father always sat hung a grand scroll painting of a majestic tiger. Her brother lifted the scroll and kicked away the decorative stand.
Creak,
the mechanism activated.
Just as her brother said.
Beneath the Peng Clan was a beast's cage.
* *
"Ah."
Whenever she had the nightmare,
Peng Yeonhwa was strangely grateful for it. These irregular nightmares etched that day's rage and hatred into her anew.
They were memories she never wanted to forget, and at the same time.... memories she desperately wished to forget, ensuring they would never truly fade away.
'This time too.'
She couldn't see the dream through to the end.
For that, she was grateful again. She didn't want to recall 'that place' ever again. If she saw it once more.... Peng Yeonhwa bit her lower lip hard.
'...Where exactly is this?'
The realization came late. Her memories were fragmented, and she had clearly lost consciousness.
The last thing she remembered before blacking out.... was Hwangbo Seong-u's face. At that time, Peng Yeonhwa had been in the Sword Blade Grove, but this place was different.
The air was thick with the distinct, bitter smell of medicine.
"You're finally awake?"
Peng Yeonhwa startled and turned her head toward the voice.
Wi Seongcheon was sitting right beside her bed.
"...Why are you...? No.... More importantly, where is this place?"
"You really don't remember?"
Wi Seongcheon gave a small, wry smile.
"This is the academy's medical office."
"...What about the practical class?"
"It's long over."
Peng Yeonhwa had been asleep for a full day.