Chapter 59: The Mastermind (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: The Mastermind (1)
I felt like I had been bombarded with an endless barrage of questions.
Wang Chuyi, the Sect Leader of the Sea King Fortress Sect, pelted me with all sorts of inquiries: "What happened?" "Did your father teach you this?" "Were you hiding your martial arts?"
It was only natural for him to be suspicious.
After all, the martial prowess I displayed now was worlds apart from what he had seen earlier that day.
If I let it seem like my abilities had surged unnaturally fast, I would be no different from Gu Yang-gyeong, the Sect Leader of the Seomgyeong Martial Sect. So, I maintained the facade that I had been hiding my true strength all along.
Fortunately, not even a seasoned veteran like Wang Chuyi recognized that the new New Path Life-Drawing Sword Technique belonged to the Namcheon Sword Guest.
The other warriors of Peerless Fortress were the same.
Perhaps it was because the sword forms were entirely different from the True Life Bright Sword Technique.
'The Namcheon Sword Guest?'
Then again, what swordsman wouldn't feel a sense of awe toward the Sword Immortal?
He was the ultimate master who had reigned as the supreme figure of the martial world with nothing but a single blade, unaffiliated with any faction.
It was thanks to his teachings that I was able to defeat Gu Yang-gyeong, even after his internal power had exploded.
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its metaphorical tongue.
Gu Yang-gyeong’s condition was currently critical.
It wasn't just the injuries from the sword forms; his rampaging blood vessels had finally given out. His entire body was covered in black bruises, and he was trembling uncontrollably.
His mind seemed fractured as well; he was staring blankly and drooling, unable to utter anything but gibberish.
It was doubtful whether he would even survive.
True.
However, a master of Gu Yang-gyeong’s caliber must have known that.
The fact that he chose that path anyway showed just how cornered he had felt.
I’m not sure.
It might be possible if his condition improves, but for now, it seems out of the question.
Regardless, Wang Chuyi, the Sect Leader of the Sea King Fortress Sect, was handling the aftermath well.
"Vice Leader Oh, request assistance from the Buyeo, Dohyeon, and Gagu Sects. Lead the troops and surround the Seomgyeong Martial Sect’s Star Tower."
"I obey your command, Sect Leader."
"Hurry."
Wang Chuyi’s judgment was sound.
Since their Sect Leader was effectively dead, there was no telling how the Seomgyeong Martial Sect would react.
Striking first was the only answer.
'Hmm?'
Ah...
So that’s what it meant.
Indeed, until it was determined whether the entire Seomgyeong Martial Sect was involved with the mysterious mastermind, they wouldn't be able to move freely.
The same would apply to Gu Yang-san.
As the Lesser Conversation Sword said, he had been eliminated from the running on his own.
Though, I doubted Sama Chak would take this lying down.
"Vice Leader Kang, take your warriors and tend to the physician."
"Understood, Sect Leader."
"The rest of you, transport Sect Leader Gu to the Golden Prison."
"Understood!"
Having finished issuing orders to settle the situation, Wang Chuyi approached me and spoke in a bitter voice.
"How tragic. For Sect Leader Tian to lose his life in such an absurd manner."
He seemed genuinely saddened by the death.
The real Tian Wuxing truly had a miserable end to his life.
Letting out a sigh, he spoke to me tentatively.
"I must head to the Seomgyeong Martial Sect’s Star Tower as well. Young Lord, will you join us?"
I politely declined with a fist-and-palm salute.
"I apologize. I do not believe it is my place to interfere that far."
Even though I had become the Young Lord of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect, getting too involved in internal affairs didn't seem wise.
Besides, I had unintentionally turned Gu Yang-gyeong into a vegetable.
I didn't want to face the people of the Seomgyeong Martial Sect and become the target of their resentment.
Of course, that would happen naturally once they heard the news anyway.
"By the way, Sect Leader, I don't see my father. Is he still in the Golden Prison?"
"He is. Your father is currently purging poison to save the man named Mu Ak."
"Pardon?"
What was that about?
It seemed I needed to go to the Golden Prison myself.
'Ah...'
Inside the dark Golden Prison, illuminated by torches.
There, my father, the Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek, had his hands placed on the back of Mu Ak, who was half-submerged in a bamboo tub.
The man whose face was covered in burn scars was indeed Mu Ak.
Once the human skin mask with its rubber-like elasticity was removed, his face was revealed to be hideously scarred by burns.
With his face contorted in pain, he looked like a literal demon of slaughter.
A haze of heat was rising from my father’s body, and the water in the tub where Mu Ak sat had turned pitch black.
He was likely purging the poison, which caused the water to change color.
Touching it would surely lead to poisoning.
The Lesser Conversation Sword made a sharp point.
I watched my father, Jin Seong-baek, who was sweating profusely as he detoxified the man.
If Mu Ak had died or been in perfect health, my father wouldn't be stuck here like this.
'...It was a distraction.'
That poison was likely something that couldn't be neutralized unless by someone with internal power as deep as my father's.
It seemed they intended to tie my father down here so they could target Tian Wuxing.
No matter how strong the man claiming to be Han Ji-sang’s master was, he would find it difficult to handle the prowess of one of the Eight Great Masters.
"Gah!"
At that moment, a clump of black blood erupted from Mu Ak’s mouth.
Simultaneously, my father removed his hands from the man's back.
"Phew."
It seemed he had succeeded in purging the poison.
My father took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
Then, frowning, he hurriedly turned his head toward me.
"Unhwi?"
"Father."
Jin Seong-baek stood up with a look of disbelief.
Approaching me, he asked, "What on earth happened to you?"
I could only marvel at his perception.
It seemed my father had instantly realized that my prowess had increased.
He wasn't one of the Eight Great Masters for nothing.
Seeing this made me realize that I was still lacking compared to those who had broken through the wall and reached the realm of superhumans.
Staring intently at me, Jin Seong-baek said, "You have gained enlightenment."
"Actually..."
Since I couldn't deceive my father, I told him what had happened.
Of course, I didn't mention meeting the Sword Immortal in my mindscape; instead, I said I had gained enlightenment through a spirit treasure shown to me by Tian Wuxing.
If I told him everything, there would be too much to explain.
So, I told him the spirit treasure had been destroyed by the man claiming to be the Dagger-Killing King’s master.
"A spirit treasure with sword marks profound enough to grant you enlightenment..."
"The sword marks were truly extraordinary."
"Perhaps it was a treasure of the Sword Immortal, known only in legends."
"The Sword Immortal?"
"I can think of no one else capable of granting enlightenment through mere ink-drawn sword marks."
He was incredibly sharp.
It was a lucky guess, but for him to mention the Sword Immortal immediately...
It seemed the Sword Immortal truly was a legendary figure long revered by martial artists.
"I wish you could have seen the treasure as well, Father."
At my words, Jin Seong-baek gripped my shoulder and said, "What does it matter whether I saw it or not? Seeing you grow so rapidly makes me nothing but proud."
Anyone else would have lamented the loss of the treasure, but not Jin Seong-baek.
It might be because he was my father, but it also showed the greatness of his character.
After a brief moment of joy, his expression darkened slightly.
"However, if what you say is true, too many incidents have occurred in this fortress in succession."
Mu Ak posing as Tian Wuxing, the man claiming to be the Dagger-Killing King’s master who targeted both Mu Ak and the real Tian Wuxing, and Sect Leader Gu Yang-gyeong of the Seomgyeong Martial Sect.
In a single day, numerous events had erupted within Peerless Fortress, one of the two great powers of the martial world.
With things reaching this point, it was hard to be certain that something like this wouldn't happen again.
Sect Leader Wang Chuyi of the Sea King Fortress Sect likely felt the same.
I pointed at Mu Ak and asked, "Did Sect Leader Wang Chuyi find out who is behind him?"
Jin Seong-baek shook his head.
"No matter how much they torture him or offer deals, he refuses to open his mouth. It’s only been half a day, so there’s no choice but to continue the interrogation."
He was a man once known as one of the Five Great Villains.
He must be full of spite.
Of the three people who could talk, only two were still breathing.
One of them, Gu Yang-gyeong, was mentally unstable, likely due to the side effects of the restoration pill.
That meant information could only be extracted through Mu Ak.
I stared at the man.
'Hmm.'
'I don't know if it'll work, but I think it's worth a try.'
I didn't answer the sword's question and spoke to my father instead.
"Father."
"What is it?"
"If it's alright, could I speak with him for a moment?"
"You?"
I didn't tell him my method.
Perhaps because of that, my father stroked his chin and pondered for a long time before finally giving his permission.
Inside the dark Golden Prison, where not a single torch was lit.
Because I was utilizing my Innate True Qi and had my Golden Eye open, I could clearly see Mu Ak lying there.
With his Dantian destroyed, he was in an incredibly weakened state.
When a functioning Dantian is destroyed, the energy accumulated in the body leaks out temporarily, making the person weaker than an ordinary commoner who has never practiced martial arts.
That was exactly Mu Ak’s current state.
I injected internal power into him to force him awake.
"Gah!"
Startled, the man instinctively scrambled up and threw himself backward.
However, there was nowhere for him to run within the Golden Prison.
I silently recited the oral formula for the Illusion Eye and stared intently into his eyes.
When I flicked my fingers near my eyes, he looked toward the sound.
Even with his Dantian destroyed, he still reacted sensitively to noise.
Soon, the man suddenly prostrated himself on the floor.
'With the third stage of the Illusion Eye, I made him see the person he fears most.'
Then I’d have to try something else, but the probability was high.
A man once called one of the Five Great Villains was acting according to someone else's orders, regardless of his pride.
He wouldn't follow orders unless he was terrified.
Mu Ak spoke in a trembling voice.
"N-Nameless. Have you finally come to kill me?"
'Nameless?'
Was that the title of the leader behind the scenes?
If he was called "Nameless" (無名), it meant he had no name, likely a measure to thoroughly hide his identity.
I didn't have much time.
What question should I ask to make him spill the most information on his own?
After a moment's thought, I spoke.
"You seem to value your life despite your failure. Do you even remember the orders I gave you?"
At that question, the man let out a groan and said, "There was an unforeseen variable."
"Are you making excuses?"
"It’s not an excuse. If it weren't for that brat Ha Un, I could have killed the Merciless Wind God as planned and moved Peerless Fortress according to your wishes, Nameless."
'Move Peerless Fortress according to his wishes?'
As expected, my memories from before the regression were accurate.
He had intended to kill my father, Jin Seong-baek, change the system of Peerless Fortress—which was led by the four Sect Leaders—and appoint himself as the first Fortress Lord.
It had ended in success back then, but as he said, I had become the variable, and it resulted in failure.
However, I had already guessed this much.
I needed more decisive information.
"What use do I have for a failure like you?"
I tried to lead him into saying more, and unexpected words came out of Mu Ak’s mouth.
"I couldn't help what happened this time, but please send me to the Blood Cult as well. I will make up for losing the Blood Demon Sword last time."
'What is he talking about?'
Losing the Blood Demon Sword?
Does that mean the guard who tried to kill Zhuge Won-myeong, the First Strategist of the Martial Alliance, and steal the Blood Demon Sword was Mu Ak’s man?
...Wait, now that I think about it, he said "me as well."
Does that mean they have spies in the Blood Cult too?
My head was spinning.
What should I say here to make him reveal more details?
After some thought, I spoke.
"I’ve already given you two chances. As you said, you even lost the Blood Demon Sword; how do you plan to make up for it?"
"Nameless. Strictly speaking, the Blood Lord was the one who moved both of the Blood Demon's successors, creating that variable. He’s the one who escalated a situation that only required one person to move; how can this be solely my fault?"
'!!!'
I was momentarily shocked by his words.
That’s right.
But the problem was that it wasn't just one person.
Both the Third Venerable Blood King Gu Je-yang and the Second Blood Star, Asura Blade Yu Baek, had made that suggestion.
Both had pledged their loyalty to whoever possessed the Blood Demon Sword, according to the sect laws.
The fact that he referred to "the Blood Lord" as a single person meant that one of those two must be the one recruited by them.
I had to find out who it was.
Otherwise, the Blood Cult would face a crisis similar to Peerless Fortress.
The man slammed his forehead against the floor and spoke to me with a voice full of resolve.
"Please, give me a chance."
A good idea came to mind.
"...If I give you a chance, can you carry out the plan under the Blood Lord?"
I had to get him to name the Blood Lord.
Even a small piece of information would let me know for sure who it was.
The man lifted his head as if moved by my words.
"If you give me a chan—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
I wondered why he stopped, but then Mu Ak shouted at me in panic.
"Y-You! How did you—?"
Ah... damn it.
The illusion of the Illusion Eye had broken.