Chapter 602: Prove It Wrong This Time
Chapter 602: Prove It Wrong This Time
Like a cry of fate, a low rumble of thunder echoed from the distance.
Rumble.
Dark clouds massed on the horizon. The wind carried the heavy, metallic scent of moisture. Geom Mu-geuk felt it in his bones—just like the rapidly shifting weather, this encounter was about to rewrite his destiny.
From within the veil of his Space-Time Displacement Technique, Geom Mu-geuk stared at the Dark Palace Master.
He was witnessing a meeting between people who should never have met, in a place they should never have been.
Why on earth are you making contact with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult here?
From his vantage point, Geom Mu-geuk could see every detail of the man’s face. From the Dark Palace Master’s intense gaze, he felt two conflicting sensations: a chilling cold and a searing heat.
The first impression was heat. A fierce flame of desire burned in his eyes—a hunger to achieve his goals at any cost. Yet, at the heart of that fire lay a frigid ruthlessness, a willingness to sacrifice anything for his ends.
Geom Mu-geuk had encountered countless villains in his time, and he knew the type. This was a man who forged answers out of death. A man who solved every problem by killing.
Geom Mu-geuk shifted his gaze to the masked man. He had seen him from a distance before, but today, he was close enough to truly observe him.
He’s no ordinary expert.
Judging by his aura, he wasn't a Demon Lord, but he was a demonic practitioner with skills at least at the level of a Unit Leader. He seemed well-versed in handling such clandestine affairs.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had met with Jo Ung of the Murim Alliance, and now they were meeting with the Dark Palace Master of the Heavenly Will Palace. In other words, they had established lines of communication with both sides.
"It looks like it will rain soon," the masked man remarked, glancing at the darkening sky. "Isn't the darkness your ally? It seems the heavens are helping you."
The Dark Palace Master turned toward the masked man standing behind him. In that moment, Geom Mu-geuk saw his gaze shift instantly, becoming neither cold nor hot, but a lukewarm, unreadable stare.
He is a master of disguise and self-concealment.
The Dark Palace Master gave a composed, unexpected reply.
"The notion that darkness is inherently evil is merely a prejudice. Surprisingly, most wicked deeds occur in broad daylight. To mankind, darkness offers nothing but rest and sanctuary."
The masked man’s eyes crinkled in a smile at the jest.
"I know exactly what kind of darkness yours is, so hearing you speak of sanctuary is quite amusing."
The masked man spoke as if he knew the Dark Palace Master’s true nature. He wasn't walking on eggshells, yet he wasn't being outright disrespectful either. Their gazes locked in the air.
Between them, Geom Mu-geuk watched.
They don't trust each other.
They had joined hands only because they both needed something. What kind of deal was the Dark Palace Master trying to strike with such a dangerous counterpart?
The masked man asked, "Who has it right now?"
"The Palace Master has it," the Dark Palace Master replied.
Geom Mu-geuk knew immediately. The 'it' they referred to was the Secret Casket.
So the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult knows the Secret Casket has awakened.
If so, their reason for intervening was undoubtedly the casket as well.
"Has he obtained the power?"
"Not yet."
"Why are you so certain? Could he not have obtained it already?"
"No." The Dark Palace Master was firm. "If he had, the Martial Emperor Divine Sword would already be a dead man."
He knew the Heavenly Will Palace Master’s personality better than anyone. The man was not the type to let the Martial Emperor Divine Sword live if he had already gained such power.
"Here, take it."
The masked man handed over a leather pouch he had been carrying on his back. The Dark Palace Master checked the contents.
"Everything will be over by tomorrow. Since we won't be meeting again, let me congratulate you in advance on ascending to the position of the Heavenly Will Palace Master."
As the masked man turned to leave, the Dark Palace Master spoke with a warning tone.
"You must keep your promise. Unless you want the darkness to become your nightmare for the rest of your life."
A flash of mockery crossed the masked man’s eyes, as if to say, 'Are you seriously threatening us?' but his spoken words were smooth.
"I already have trouble sleeping at night. Do not worry. The Cult always keeps its promises."
Geom Mu-geuk confirmed the truth right then and there.
The Dark Palace Master has betrayed the Heavenly Will Palace Master.
At first, he thought this might be happening under the Palace Master’s orders—an attempt to bring in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to assassinate the Murim Alliance Leader. But this was different. This was the Dark Palace Master’s rebellion.
What on earth was inside that leather pouch?
Rumble.
As the thunder drew closer, the Dark Palace Master slung the pouch over his shoulder and began his slow descent down the mountain. Once he disappeared, Geom Mu-geuk emerged from his Space-Time Displacement Technique.
The Dark Palace Master was undoubtedly heading to meet the Heavenly Will Palace Master. To find out what he was plotting, Geom Mu-geuk had to reach the camp first.
I must hear their conversation.
If the Heavenly Will Palace Master was inside his tent, entry would be impossible, but he would worry about that when the time came. Geom Mu-geuk looked down the cliff. It was a precarious jump with his current level of internal energy, but...
"Wind God, I'm counting on you!"
Geom Mu-geuk threw himself off the cliff.
*
Shuaaaaaaa!
Amidst the torrential downpour, the Heavenly Will Palace Master sat cross-legged on a rock. The falling rain did not touch his body; it bounced away as if an invisible barrier surrounded him. He was centering his mind in a secluded spot away from the camp, preparing for tomorrow's decisive battle.
The power of the Secret Casket had yet to reach him. If he fought like this... could he truly defeat the Martial Emperor Divine Sword?
He couldn't even bring himself to say "of course," even as a vague hope. His opponent was a man whose name bore the title of 'Emperor' in martial arts and 'God' in the sword.
O Heavens, are you mocking me?
A sense of resentment began to well up within him. Just then, the voice of the Guardian Palace Master reached him.
"The Dark Palace Master has arrived."
The Heavenly Will Palace Master’s eyes snapped open. The emotion flickering in them was one of pure anticipation.
When the two returned to the main tent, the Dark Palace Master was waiting, studying a map of the Central Plains pinned to the wall. As the Heavenly Will Palace Master entered, the Dark Palace Master bowed with the utmost respect.
"I greet the exalted Palace Master."
"Welcome, Palace Master Hwa."
The Dark Palace Master, Hwa So-gang.
He also exchanged greetings with the Guardian Palace Master. Though they were polite on the surface, the looks they exchanged were far from friendly. The Guardian Palace Master, in particular, had always been suspicious of Hwa So-gang, believing he harbored the ambition to seize control of the Heavenly Will Palace.
Of course, he had never voiced these suspicions. There was no evidence, and more importantly, the Heavenly Will Palace Master trusted the Dark Palace Master. He knew the leader favored Hwa So-gang over himself. It made sense; unlike the Guardian Palace Master, who often spoke harsh truths, the Dark Palace Master primarily said what the leader wanted to hear.
His first words today were no different.
"Tomorrow, the master of the Orthodox Murim will finally change."
Hearing the words that guaranteed victory, the Guardian Palace Master realized something. The Palace Master has been waiting to hear exactly that.
Despite being by the leader's side this whole time, the Guardian Palace Master hadn't said anything of the sort. While he believed the Heavenly Will had descended upon the Palace Master, a part of him still felt uneasy about this war.
The Heavenly Will Palace Master reacted with feigned humility.
"I cannot guarantee tomorrow's battle. The Martial Emperor Divine Sword is not an opponent to be taken lightly."
"The Heavenly Will has reached you, Palace Master. No mere mortal can stand in its way."
At that, the Heavenly Will Palace Master brought up the Divine Maiden, intending to hear Hwa So-gang's thoughts on the prophecy.
"The Divine Maiden was here."
The Dark Palace Master asked cautiously, "Did she deliver a prophecy?"
When the Heavenly Will Palace Master nodded slowly, the Dark Palace Master offered a respectful fist salute. "I dare to ask of the sacred prophecy."
After a brief pause, the Heavenly Will Palace Master answered.
"The prophecy said I would lose this war. It said our Heavenly Will would only be realized three hundred years from now."
Despite those shocking words, the Dark Palace Master’s expression didn't change in the slightest.
"You aren't surprised."
The Dark Palace Master replied calmly, "Three hundred years... it is a tale so distant it fails to resonate. Surely we cannot just wait for three centuries, can we?"
A faint smile touched the Heavenly Will Palace Master’s lips. The Guardian Palace Master saw it clearly—these were exactly the words the leader had been yearning for. He needed someone to validate his defiance.
"A prophecy is, after all, nothing more than a prophecy."
"But it is a prophecy that has never been wrong."
"Then prove it wrong this time."
The Heavenly Will Palace Master let out a loud laugh. The Dark Palace Master had prepared more than just pleasing words.
"To that end, this will be of help."
The Dark Palace Master pulled something out of the leather pouch. "Please wear this, Palace Master."
What he presented was a set of protective armor.
"It is the Ice Dragon Divine Armor."
Both the Heavenly Will Palace Master and the Guardian Palace Master were stunned. The Ice Dragon Divine Armor was an incredibly rare artifact, nearly impossible to obtain.
"How did you find this?"
"I searched far and wide and barely managed to secure it. The Martial Emperor Divine Sword’s martial arts are based on Extreme Yang internal energy. This Ice Dragon Divine Armor possesses the essence of Extreme Yin, making it the perfect protection for facing him."
The Heavenly Will Palace Master was overjoyed. "Thank you."
The Dark Palace Master pulled a small box from the pouch. "Please consume this as well."
When the Heavenly Will Palace Master opened it, he found a single pill. Both he and the Guardian Palace Master gasped. It was a spirit medicine they both recognized.
"The Heavenly Yin Pill."
The Heavenly Yin Pill was a spirit medicine even more potent than Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
"This, too, is a medicine based on Extreme Yin. It will be of great help when you face the Martial Emperor Divine Sword."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
"It will take time for the Extreme Yin energy to spread throughout your body. Therefore, please consume it now. We will stand guard over your meditation."
"I shall take it now."
At that moment, the Guardian Palace Master sent a voice transmission to the Heavenly Will Palace Master.
— I believe it would be best if you did not consume that pill.
He knew how this would sound. The Dark Palace Master had brought divine armor and a spirit medicine, yet he was questioning the man's goodwill. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that the leader should not consume a pill given by Hwa So-gang right before a critical duel.
— Do you think the Dark Palace Master would betray me?
— The Palace Master Hwa I know is a man of great ambition. I worry he might be plotting something.
The Dark Palace Master noticed the exchange of voice transmissions but acted as if he saw nothing. The situation was on his side.
Surprising words flowed from the Heavenly Will Palace Master’s lips.
— You are right. Palace Master Hwa is a man of greater ambition than anyone. He is a man whose lifelong dream is to sit in my seat.
The Guardian Palace Master was shocked. — Then why do you intend to take the pill?
— Because of that, he would never do something as crude as lacing the pill with poison. The moment I am poisoned to death, the position of Palace Master will vanish into thin air.
He meant that the followers of the Palace would never accept a leader who had poisoned his predecessor. The Guardian Palace Master looked at his leader with wonder. He had thought the man was being swayed by a sycophant, but the leader saw through everything.
"The two of you, stand guard."
The Heavenly Will Palace Master consumed the Heavenly Yin Pill on the spot. He sat down and began to circulate his qi, melting and absorbing the medicine's energy.
While the Heavenly Will Palace Master refined the medicine, the Guardian Palace Master waited with an inward sense of tension. On the other hand, the Dark Palace Master stood with his arms crossed, staring at the map as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
After a while, the Heavenly Will Palace Master opened his eyes. His gaze had grown even deeper. Just as he had predicted, there was no poison.
"It has been a great help. By tomorrow, the Extreme Yin energy will protect me from the Martial Emperor Divine Sword’s Extreme Yang true qi. Thank you."
"I would gladly give even my life for your victory, Palace Master."
"Please put on the Ice Dragon Divine Armor as well."
The Heavenly Will Palace Master donned the armor. Once he was fully armored, he spoke to the Guardian Palace Master.
"You, please step outside for a moment."
The Guardian Palace Master bowed respectfully and left the tent.
Shuaaaaaaa.
He walked slowly into the rain. Since the Heavenly Will Palace Master was aware of Hwa So-gang's ambition, he wasn't exactly worried, but he felt a strange sense of dejection. Everyone was using one another, and he felt like the only one falling behind.
Inside the tent, the Heavenly Will Palace Master turned to Hwa So-gang. He had a secret order to discuss.
"Did you bring the Secret Casket?"
"Yes, I have brought it."
He had brought the large Secret Casket from the treasury of the Heavenly Will Palace. The reason the Heavenly Will Palace Master had started this war, and the reason he continued to fight despite the prophecy, was all because of the casket. He believed it had chosen him.
However, as time passed and he failed to gain power from the small Secret Casket, his anxiety had grown. The conclusion he eventually reached was this: perhaps he needed the large Secret Casket to unlock the power of the small one.
"Where is it now?"