Chapter 446: I’ll Help You Pack.
Chapter 446: I’ll Help You Pack.
When I returned to my quarters after meeting Sama Myeong, someone was already waiting for me in the courtyard.
It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He sat leaning against his massive blade, which he had driven deep into the earth, nursing a drink.
On my way back, I’d had a sudden inkling that he might show up. It seemed our bond had grown to the point where such premonitions actually came true.
“Have a drink.”
“I’d love to.”
I accepted the cup the Blood Heaven Blade Demon offered and drained it in one refreshing gulp.
“It’s wonderful to share a drink with you after so long, Elder.”
“I assume you’ve been drinking your fill with that drunkard?”
“Hardly a drop. He’s sworn off alcohol until we cut down the bastards behind all this.”
“Is that so?” The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked surprised. “A drunkard’s world is a mysterious place, isn't it?”
At my joke, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon gave a faint smile and took a sip of his drink. After we had exchanged a few more pleasant rounds, he finally brought up what was on his mind.
“The Cult Leader will grant your request.”
“What makes you so sure?”
Staring down at his cup, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied, “Because if I were the Cult Leader, I would have allowed it.”
Was that really the only reason? The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had a unique intuition regarding my father. After all, he was the first to realize that my father had moved to achieve the Unification of the Murim.
“I just came from meeting the Strategist. He said the same thing—that Father would likely permit it.”
Even though his hunch was proven correct, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't gloat. He seemed both pleased and worried about this upcoming departure from the Cult.
“Are you happy to be heading out with the Cult Leader?”
“Yes, I am.”
Just the thought of leaving the Cult with my father lifted my spirits. However, I couldn't afford to be complacent. No matter how safe I was with my father, our enemy was Hwa Mu-gi.
After forcing the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Murim Alliance, and the Unorthodox Path Alliance into Sealing the Gates, Hwa Mu-gi had pursued the ultimate principles of martial arts through endless training. No matter what atrocities his followers, the Twelve Zodiac Kings, committed, he never officially appeared in the Murim.
In other words, he wasn't a man driven by mundane greed.
Why, then, did he kill the three leaders of the Murim? What kind of life did he lead before, and what kind of life did he lead after?
It was deeply regrettable that I hadn't learned more about him while I was preoccupied with gathering materials for the Great Regression Art. Back then, I was afraid that approaching him would ruin everything. If anything, I tried to distance myself from him, believing that once I regressed, I could set everything right.
Regardless, one thing was certain: he was no ordinary man.
That was why he might not appear until every last one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings was dead, or he might suddenly burst onto the scene without warning. Perhaps it was because of Hwa Mu-gi that my way of life was decided as it is now.
I live my life to the fullest without obsessing over him. Even if I wanted to tailor my responses to him, I couldn't.
So, Hwa Mu-gi, you’re the one who will have to adapt to my life!
Just as I was before the regression, it won't be easy for you to predict and counter me. I, too, am someone who defies common sense and expectations.
As I was lost in thought, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon suddenly spoke.
“The Cult Leader is lucky to have a son like you.”
It was the first time he had said something like that since we met. I almost joked that Father must be at the top of the 'Lucky Father' rankings, but I asked seriously instead. It was a rare sentiment from him.
“Do you really think so?”
“How many people in this entire Cult would be this happy to head out with the Cult Leader?”
“True. Probably not many in the whole Murim, either.”
“That said, don't get too cocky with him once you're out there.”
“Are you worried about me?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head, then nodded, then shook it again.
“One moment I think, 'Who am I to worry about someone who does everything better than me?'” He looked at me. “But then I look at you, and you’re just a green kid, aren't you?”
How could I not understand his heart? The reason elders feel anxious when looking at the youth is because of their own experience. Back then, we all made ridiculous mistakes.
That was why he was worried. He feared I might make a mistake while out alone with my father. He worried that the reason I hadn't made any mistakes so far was that I was saving them all up for this trip.
“I’m not a kid.”
“In my eyes, you are.”
“And yet, you wish you could go back to being my age.”
I often felt his nostalgia for his youth, even though he always denied it like this:
“I wouldn't go back even if you told me to.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don't want to live this life all over again.”
His longing for youth was sincere, but these words felt just as genuine.
“You could live it differently.”
“If the person is the same, can the life really be lived differently?”
“It can. Because you’ve lived this life well.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at me in silence, drained his final cup, and stood up. He pulled his Heaven Extermination Great Blade from the ground and bid me farewell.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yes, Elder.”
As he turned and walked away, I called out to him.
“I’m going to see many things with Father and return. So, Elder, you should make sure to see all the sights you want to see as well.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked back at me and spoke firmly.
“I am already doing so.”
In the gaze he turned toward me, I felt it. I was part of the scenery he chose to watch.
* * *
After the Blood Heaven Blade Demon left, I entered my room and immediately activated the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
Reaching the Twelve-Star Stage of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art was something even I couldn't achieve in just five years under normal circumstances. It required an absolute amount of time for training.
The reason I promised to do it in five years was because I trusted the Time Heaven Secret Technique. The technique, which used to grant me three times the normal amount of time, had now increased to four times as a result of my consistent training and reduced sleep. This meant that while others trained for one hour, I could train for four.
Furthermore, my internal energy had increased significantly during the trip to the North Sea, making training even smoother. Somehow, I had to push the time gained from the Time Heaven Secret Technique to ten times. However, as my realm rose, training would become more difficult and progress would slow. Only effort was the way forward.
I performed the forms of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, from the First Form: Annihilation Form to the Fourth Form: Dark Flash. Then, I circulated my mental method to replenish my internal energy and calmed my mind.
Now, I was about to attempt the Fifth Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art for the first time.
Once I went out with Father, there would surely be an opportunity to learn the essence of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art from him. I wanted to be able to perform up to the Fifth Form before we left.
Nine Calamities Demonic Art, Fifth Form: Soul-Severing Demonic Strike.
The Fifth Form was dangerous even to practice. It was a technique known to cause fatal injury or death to the practitioner if even the slightest mistake was made. Therefore, I focused my mind more intensely than ever before. I had to execute it with the mindset that a single mistake meant death.
I recited the oral formula for the Fifth Form and slowly drew my sword.
In that instant, the atmosphere shifted. The sky and the surroundings grew dark and bleak, as if a typhoon were about to strike. Then came the silence.
It wasn't just any silence. It was an absolute silence that seemed to swallow all the noise in the world. Even in the middle of a clamorous battlefield, all sound would have vanished.
The moment I lunged with my sword!
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!
Ten streaks of sword qi poured down vertically from the sky.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
The sword qi slammed into the ground around me! They carved thin but incredibly deep holes into the floor—so deep the bottom couldn't be seen. It was an attack that literally struck down like lightning onto the enemy's crown.
Since it was my first time, the streaks of sword qi didn't land exactly where I wanted. Two of them even fell right next to me. They had almost hit me.
Of all the human vitals, the crown of the head is the most difficult to defend. Even with Body Protection Qi, protecting the crown is the hardest task. Imagine sword qi striking down there as fast as a lightning bolt.
Moreover, this wasn't ordinary sword qi. Infused with the essence of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, this sword qi was a powerful attack capable of tearing through an opponent's Body Protection Qi and splitting their skull vertically. Of course, it consumed a massive amount of internal energy, making it a technique that couldn't be used recklessly.
Finally, the true essence of the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike was that it was a technique for facing multiple enemies. Currently, there were ten streaks, but as my mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art grew, the power of the strikes would increase, and their number would multiply.
Imagine it. Dozens of streaks of sword qi raining down simultaneously like divine punishment, piercing the heads of dozens of enemies at once.
I wondered how many enemies Father could strike at once with the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike. Twenty? Fifty? A hundred? I couldn't know for sure, as I hadn't yet witnessed the Nine Calamities Demonic Art at its stage of Great Achievement.
I performed the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike a second time.
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!
The lightning-like sword qi poured down vertically again.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
The strikes were still beyond my perfect control. Overall, they landed a bit further from me, but one streak fell even closer than before. It was truly a perilous technique. I took a deep breath and steadied my heart.
It will never hit me. Trust yourself!
Without this self-belief, one could never master this deadly technique. I performed the Fifth Form again and again. The sword qi continued to defy my will and threaten my life, but that was fine. Repeated training would protect me more surely than any Body Protection Qi.
My nights were long, after all.
* * *
Three days later, Sama Myeong visited my quarters.
“Strategist, welcome!”
“Have you rested well?”
“I’ve rested perfectly.”
In truth, I should have answered like this: Isn't martial arts training the best rest for a warrior?
I had been engrossed in training within the Space-Time Displacement Technique until just moments ago. I had spent the last three days honing the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike, and now I could finally drop the strikes more or less where I wanted. My accuracy wasn't perfect yet, but I was at least past the stage where my heart skipped a beat every time I used it.
Sama Myeong had come to deliver a single piece of news.
“The Cult Leader has officially given his permission.”
As expected, Sama Myeong’s prediction was spot on.
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to your hard work, Strategist.”
If he had been dead set against it, I wouldn't have been able to go. Even if Father wanted it, he couldn't easily ignore the strong opposition of the Chief Strategist. This was definitely thanks to Sama Myeong’s concession.
“While you are away, we will announce that the Cult Leader has entered closed-door training. We considered informing the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance, but we concluded it is better not to, in case information leaks.”
Since Father’s safety was his top priority, it was a natural decision. He added one more layer of caution.
“And the Heavenly Demon Escort Agency will follow you secretly.”
These were the men led by Hwi—the Murim’s finest guards who always accompanied Father wherever he went. I really wanted this trip to be just the two of us, but I couldn't insist on that now. Since Sama Myeong had compromised, I had to as well. Instead, I offered a counter-proposal.
“Let’s just have Uncle Hwi follow us then.”
I guessed the reason Sama Myeong wanted to send them. Protecting Father was important, but it was more about maintaining regular contact with the Main Cult. They needed to know when, where, and how we were moving so the Cult could respond to any emergencies. But for that kind of task, Hwi alone was more than enough.
“The guards will be following from a distance in secret anyway, so you won't even notice them.”
“It’s not because of that. If those bastards are watching us, they’ll focus on Father’s closed-door training. It’s not exactly the season for it. If they suspect it’s a ruse, they’ll definitely check on the Heavenly Demon Escort Agency. If they notice their absence, they’ll realize Father has left the Cult.”
Of course, I didn't believe their spies had infiltrated as far as the Heavenly Demon Hall. I was just trying to keep our departure as low-profile as possible. I expected I’d need more persuasion, but Sama Myeong agreed readily.
“Very well. We’ll have only Captain Hwi go.”
I feigned a look of realization. “Strategist, you intended to send only Uncle Hwi from the very beginning, didn't you?”
“If I had said only Captain Hwi was going, you would have found another reason to insist on going with only the Cult Leader.”
“Ah! You read me like an open book.”
At my lament, Sama Myeong chuckled. “The destination is Shaanxi.”
Shaanxi was quite a distance from here, so I would have plenty of time with Father.
“It is not an urgent matter, so you may take your time.”
He didn't elaborate on the mission, as if implying I would find out once we arrived. It was his consideration—telling me not to worry about the mission until we got there and to just enjoy my time with Father.
“How would you like to travel?”
“By carriage sometimes, walking at others... I’d like to go however the mood strikes us.”
“I will prepare accordingly.”
Finally, he informed me of the time for this historic first departure.
“Departure is tomorrow. You will leave at dawn, blended in among the transport carriages heading out.”
* * *
After meeting Sama Myeong, I went to Father’s quarters.
“Father, I’m here.”
Then, Father’s voice came from inside. “What is it?”
“I came to see you and have a word.”
A moment later, Father opened the door and stepped out. He looked slightly flustered, which was unusual for him.
“Isn't this the first time you’ve left the Cult for such a long period since becoming the Cult Leader? I’ll help you pack. I’m quite the expert at traveling, you know.”
“No need.”
Father refused with a blunt face and turned away. I thought he was acting a bit different than usual today, but then I caught a glimpse of the room through the closing door.
Clothes were spread out on the bed, and a large leather pouch was visible. Various other items were scattered here and there.
Father was packing his bags!
I thought he had sent Sama Myeong to my quarters instead of calling me to the Heavenly Demon Hall to keep things quiet, but it turned out he was just busy preparing for the trip. Father was looking forward to this trip, too.
I beamed and shouted loudly from outside the door.
“Father, don't forget to pack your pajamas!”