Chapter 369: How Tenaciously He Must Have Argued
Chapter 369: How Tenaciously He Must Have Argued
At this moment, the person most deeply moved was Bi Sa-in.
There was no telling how many warriors of the Unorthodox Path Alliance would have perished had Geom Mu-geuk not slain the Poison Tyrant.
Above all, he was simply relieved that Geom Mu-geuk was safe. He never imagined a day would come when he would be genuinely happy to see the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult unharmed.
In Gung, the Escort Captain, spat out his Poison-Repelling Pearl and looked toward Baek Ja-gang.
‘The Alliance Leader believed the Young Cult Leader would pull it off.’
In Gung marveled at his master’s foresight, which far exceeded his own. In truth, however, Baek Ja-gang had been just as uncertain.
He had simply held an inexplicable sense of anticipation—a baseless hope that this Young Cult Leader, who constantly showed him a world he himself did not possess, would not meet a futile end.
The 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path also looked at Geom Mu-geuk with profound gratitude. During the previous battle against Seok Gwan-chu and Baek Mang-gi, many of their number had been killed or wounded. As Bi Sa-in became the successor and a generational shift occurred, their overall strength was arguably weaker than when they had first met Geom Mu-geuk. Had the Poison Tyrant’s toxins been unleashed, their losses would have been catastrophic.
The 1st Wolf’s gaze turned toward Bi Sa-in. There was a time when he had disliked Geom Mu-geuk and had been wary of his growing friendship with the young heir, but now he could say it with certainty.
— I believe the Young Alliance Leader’s choice was correct.
The juniors would continue to grow under Bi Sa-in’s leadership. If they survived today’s battle, the 13 Wolves would once again reclaim their place as the representative warriors of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
Bi Sa-in replied to the 1st Wolf’s voice transmission with a joyful heart.
— You have no idea how much strength your presence gives me, 1st Wolf.
— I will continue to serve you with my life.
The warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps felt the same. They were the ones who would have suffered the most.
Furthermore, their Unit Leader, Beon Cheon, harbored an additional layer of goodwill. He had heard from the Alliance Leader that if Geom Mu-geuk had not intervened, he would have been forced to take the fall for everything. Consequently, his favor toward Geom Mu-geuk was even greater.
If the warriors of the Unorthodox Path Alliance were this shocked, how could their enemies not be?
The morale of the Turang was completely shattered. The Divine Moon Blade and the Blue Killing Ghost, who had appeared alongside the Poison Tyrant, exchanged uneasy glances.
The Poison Tyrant they knew was a veteran who had survived countless life-and-death struggles.
‘And he killed him that easily?’
The Poison Tyrant was someone even they found troublesome. Who here could claim they could handle him with such ease?
The Divine Moon Blade and the Blue Killing Ghost naturally looked toward the Combat King.
The Combat King showed no agitation at the Poison Tyrant’s death. Lingering over the dead was of no help in a fight.
The Combat King calmly observed Geom Mu-geuk. His initial impression was similar to what the Poison Tyrant had felt—an air of supreme confidence that seemed to stem from being the Heavenly Demon’s flesh and blood.
However, now that it was clear that his composure was not merely a product of his lineage, the Combat King looked deeper into what lay beneath the surface.
And then, the Combat King caught the scent.
‘The smell of blood.’
In the Combat King’s mind, an image of Geom Mu-geuk standing alone on a battlefield appeared—standing amidst the carnage with a single sword hanging by his side.
He could feel it; they were of the same kind. He realized that the youth and playfulness were merely a mask hiding a predator's true nature.
‘He is the one who must die today, without fail.’
The Combat King sensed that today’s battle would not be easy. How could he win?
Meanwhile, Geom Mu-geuk approached Hyeok Sa-gun.
Hyeok Sa-gun was still in shock over the Poison Tyrant’s death. Inwardly, the person he had trusted most was the Poison Tyrant.
“By the way, why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be over on that side?”
“Are you trying to slander me again?”
Hyeok Sa-gun had a premonition that Geom Mu-geuk would not leave him alone.
Indeed, the boy immediately began to grate on his nerves. Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Beon Cheon, the Unit Leader of the Extreme Blade Corps.
“The person who framed you was this very Deputy Strategist.”
“Do not believe the Young Cult Leader’s words. It is a fabrication,” Hyeok Sa-gun countered.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Hyeok Sa-gun realized it was an inadequate response. He had reported to the Alliance Leader that evidence of Beon Cheon conspiring with the Demonic Cult had been found; to call it a fabrication now was a blunder. He should have said to Beon Cheon:
Evidence has surfaced that you conspired with the Demonic Cult.
This was the first time he had made so many slips of the tongue because of a single person.
‘It’s all because of this brat.’
His long-standing plans were crumbling and falling apart. Even at this moment, the boy was shaking his resolve.
“Aren’t you afraid?” Mu-geuk asked.
“Of what?”
“You probably made it this far with that man’s help. But once he becomes the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader, do you think he’ll let you live?”
“What are you talking about? What kind of baseless frame-up are you trying to pull now?”
“Let’s say you became the Alliance Leader. Would you want a strategist who was forced upon you by someone else’s help? Or would you want a truly capable Chief Strategist?”
“...!”
How could Hyeok Sa-gun not have thought of this? But he had tried his best to bury it deep within his heart. The higher his ambition for success, the deeper the pit where he buried his worries.
He had trusted Hwang Seok-gyeong. One would be the Alliance Leader, the other the Chief Strategist. He had dreamed of a brilliant future where they stood together by the window of the Alliance Leader’s palace, reminiscing about the past.
And now, Geom Mu-geuk had dug up what he had buried so deep. He realized for the first time that the things one thinks are buried most securely are the ones that pop out most easily with a single poke.
‘Don’t try to drive a wedge between my lord and me!’
Hyeok Sa-gun almost blurted it out. It was a mistake he couldn’t afford to make. He couldn’t let it be known that he was on the same side as Hwang Seok-gyeong just yet.
“Do not try to drive a wedge between the Alliance Leader and me.”
That was the proper response.
But Geom Mu-geuk pierced right to the heart of the matter again.
“You are deceiving yourself far too much just to cross those twenty-odd steps to where that man is standing.”
“...!”
For a moment, Hyeok Sa-gun could not find an answer.
Geom Mu-geuk continued to rattle him without pause. He shouted toward the Combat King.
“If you don’t back off, I’m going to kill your strategist here.”
The Combat King did not move a single inch.
“Look at his reaction. You still think you won't be discarded like a useless dog once the hunt is over?”
Hyeok Sa-gun was inwardly flustered. Geom Mu-geuk’s earlier words echoed in his mind. Would you want a strategist forced upon you? Or a truly capable one?
“Now, why don’t you confess whatever final trick you’re hiding and come back to this side?”
At that, the Combat King, who had been watching, stepped forward.
“Stop trying to hide your identity. The Alliance Leader already knows. He is merely mocking you.”
Hyeok Sa-gun looked at Baek Ja-gang with a sense of dread. If Hwang Seok-gyeong said such a thing, Baek Ja-gang should have reacted, but the Alliance Leader didn't even look his way. That was all the confirmation he needed.
‘He really knew.’
The source of the anxiety and dissonance he had felt throughout the journey here was finally laid bare. Baek Ja-gang didn't even ask why he had betrayed him.
Bi Sa-in didn't spare him a glance either. Since Hyeok Sa-gun had tried to kill him, he should have at least hurled insults, but he ignored him completely.
Beon Cheon and the 13 Wolves followed their master’s lead and didn't look at him at all.
Finally, he looked at Geom Mu-geuk. The Young Cult Leader gave him one last remark.
“Look closely. There might be a giant cauldron waiting behind you to boil you alive.”
It was a comment he wished he hadn't heard.
The Combat King spoke to Hyeok Sa-gun.
“Come here.”
Was it okay to go like this? Would someone ambush and kill him?
Despite his worries, he had no choice.
Hyeok Sa-gun walked slowly toward the Combat King’s side.
He felt terrible. He had intended for his betrayal to be far more dramatic and grand.
He had planned to look down at a dying Baek Ja-gang and say:
— It was I who betrayed you.
Then the Alliance Leader would have lamented:
— I can’t believe it. You were the traitor?
Though it would be the Combat King who killed the Alliance Leader, Hyeok Sa-gun had the greed to be the final protagonist. He had imagined his final moment with the Alliance Leader countless times.
Instead, his identity had been revealed in such a pathetic manner, and he was walking toward the Combat King like a scolded child.
He almost wished someone would curse at him, but no one cared.
Hyeok Sa-gun realized poignantly that being ignored was far more unpleasant than being hated.
The final blow to his pride came from the Combat King.
The Combat King did not offer him a single word of significance.
You’ve worked hard. A new history will begin now. It’s thanks to you that we’ve come this far.
Hyeok Sa-gun desperately craved such a word of praise. Only a word from the Combat King could wash away this absolute humiliation.
“Go to the back.”
But that single command was all he got.
The Combat King’s gaze returned to Baek Ja-gang.
Hyeok Sa-gun felt it. At this moment, he was nothing more than a nuisance interfering with the fight.
Though he understood the Combat King’s perspective, he couldn't help but feel resentful. Hyeok Sa-gun unconsciously clenched his fists as he walked to the rear. The water in the cauldron in his mind began to boil.
The Combat King asked Baek Ja-gang, “Since when did you know?”
“A few days.”
“There shouldn't have been any evidence.”
Baek Ja-gang nodded. It was true. If Geom Mu-geuk hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have suspected Hyeok Sa-gun’s betrayal until the very last moment.
Who would dare imagine that someone would recruit a strategist, turn him into the Chief Strategist, kill the Young Alliance Leader, and even aim for the position of the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader?
Baek Ja-gang’s gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
“He argued so tenaciously. How tenaciously must he have argued for me to believe the words of the Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader over my own Deputy Strategist?”
He used the word 'tenacious,' but in truth, it could have been replaced with 'charming.' The time spent with Geom Mu-geuk had been fresh and entertaining. That was why he had been able to come this far.
At this moment, there was no way Geom Mu-geuk would miss a chance for banter.
“Ah! It truly took blood-curdling effort. Even the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult is working this hard, so what are you doing here instead of accepting the recruit you were told to? Are you so tired of giving others a fresh start that you’re trying to make one for yourself?”
The Combat King sensed that people were easily fooled by such words. The opponent was looking at him from the battlefield, drenched in blood. It was because the Poison Tyrant had failed to see that that he was dead.
Amidst the heavy silence, Goe Ak stepped forward.
“It seems you’ve had enough conversation.”
Goe Ak pointed at one person.
“You. Let’s have a go.”
His opponent was none other than the Divine Moon Blade, one of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path.
“If we have to fight anyway, it would be more dignified to do it sooner rather than later.”
He meant that as time passed, the battle would devolve into a chaotic melee. The Divine Moon Blade accepted the proposal to fight now rather than then.
“You are right.”
As the two stepped forward, the surrounding warriors retreated, naturally creating a space for them to duel.
Since it was a battle between two of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, everyone held their breath.
Bi Sa-in was worried about Goe Ak. He had come here today for Bi Sa-in’s sake, even though his body had not yet fully recovered.
— Senior, please be careful.
In response to Bi Sa-in’s concern, Goe Ak gave a single nod with his back turned.
The Divine Moon Blade drew his sword, which was curved like a crescent moon. He unleashed a sharp energy and launched the first attack.
The crescent moon, beautiful when floating in the sky, became ferocious upon descending to the earth.
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, shaaaaa!
In an instant, dozens of blade paths were drawn. Goe Ak found his way through the lines that separated life and death. Since he had mastered the Slashing Iron Man Technique, a form of body technique, he had to close the distance.
Knowing each other’s skills well, the fight intensified instantly. Blade Qi flew, and the Gang Qi erupting from their bodies swept through the surroundings.
Boom! Boom! Crash!
Even watching was perilous. They fought with no regard for those around them.
Observers unleashed their own Sword Qi to block the stray Blade Qi or leaped away to avoid it.
Screeeech!
Half-moon-shaped Blade Qi was fired in rapid succession. It was a powerful attack that could erase bone and flesh without a trace with just a graze.
This time, screams erupted from various places. Turang who failed to dodge in time were swept away by the Blade Qi.
The onlookers retreated further. Those with weaker martial arts moved even further away.
In the midst of that chaos, Baek Ja-gang and the Combat King faced each other. They didn't look at the fight. They only stared into each other’s eyes. Blade Qi grazed past their faces, but they didn't move an inch. They were still, as if standing in a different dimension.
From the moment he realized the opponent had brought the Poison Tyrant, Baek Ja-gang stopped seeing him as a martial artist and viewed him as an assassin. If he was someone for whom only winning mattered, Baek Ja-gang intended to treat him accordingly. The opponent was someone who would jump into this fight and launch a combined attack at any moment.
‘Go ahead, try to move.’
Because Baek Ja-gang was keeping him in check so strongly, Geom Mu-geuk could watch the duel with a relaxed mind.
He projected himself into their fight. He became the Divine Moon Blade, then he became Goe Ak.
Though the Divine Moon Blade used blade techniques and he used sword techniques, and Goe Ak used body techniques while he used fist techniques, Geom Mu-geuk perfectly applied his own martial arts to their movements. If it were me, I’d do this; if it were me, I’d do that.
Watching a life-and-death struggle between two of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path was a tremendous experience for Geom Mu-geuk.
It was a razor-thin contest where a single mistake would lead to defeat. It reached a point where one would feel truly sorry for whoever lost.
The only difference was the reason the two were fighting.
And it seemed Goe Ak’s reason was more special and potent.
Piercing through the flashing blade light, Goe Ak’s elbow struck the Divine Moon Blade’s shoulder.
A momentary stumble. That was the end. If he were someone who missed such an opportunity, Goe Ak would never have reached the rank of the Seven Great Masters.
Thud! Crack.
Goe Ak slammed his back and shoulder into the Divine Moon Blade’s chest. As the man coughed up blood and was pushed back, Goe Ak seized his demonic acupoints and wrapped an arm around his neck from behind.
“Any last words?”
“This feels like hell.”
“Isn't that the way of the Unorthodox Path? Living like hell and dying like hell?”
Snap!
The Divine Moon Blade’s neck snapped at a right angle, and he died instantly.
Goe Ak turned and walked back slowly. Everyone watched him in silence.
Blood trickled from the corner of Goe Ak’s mouth from the overexertion of his internal energy.
Bi Sa-in ran out to meet him.
“Are you alright?”
Goe Ak nodded with a pale face.
“A fight like this wasn't so bad.”
He had fought only for himself his entire life; he meant that this was the first time he had fought for someone else.
“I will never forget this moment.”
At least in this moment, Bi Sa-in saw himself in Geom Mu-geuk, and Goe Ak truly embodied the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.