Chapter 403: Hide and Seek
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 403: Hide and Seek
A man gazed up at a sky that had no business being so dark. Though it looked like an ordinary night, the sun should have been high overhead—a clear sign that something was terribly wrong.
He stood calmly, staring upward, until…
Boom-! Boom-!
A series of heavy impacts echoed from somewhere in the distance. Just as the man began to wonder about the source of the noise, he sensed it—a dense, powerful presence heading straight for him. He turned toward the sound.
There, approaching through the gloom…
Screeeech—!
…came a figure dragging a Demon the size of a small hill with one hand.
The Demon was clearly dead. Its body was riddled with stab wounds, bones jutting out at broken angles—evidence of a brutal, violent end.
The man didn’t need to guess who was responsible. His eyes shifted to the one who had brought the corpse.
The figure had dark green hair and wore a slight smile. He was massive, and the blood dripping from his chin somehow suited him.
This was the Green King of the Central Plains.
The first man spoke, his voice cold.
[Captain Tang. What is the meaning of this?]
[Oh, Captain. It’s been a while.]
The Green King’s smile only made the other man frown deeper.
[Consider it a gift. I heard this one was causing trouble, so I hunted it down. You should try it on your way back.]
[…]
The man waved a hand dismissively. Whoosh—! Black flames instantly engulfed the Demon’s corpse.
[Tsk.]
The Green King clicked his tongue and threw a punch toward the burning remains.
Boom-! Crack-! Hiss—!
A shockwave erupted from his fist, obliterating the Demon and its pyre into nothing but ash.
[I brought it all this way, and this is how you treat my goodwill?]
[Why are you here?] the man repeated, unmoved.
[Hehe… You’re no fun at all.]
The man didn’t react. His violet eyes remained fixed on the Green King, calm and penetrating. After a moment, the Green King finally sighed and grew serious.
[You’ve heard about the complete annihilation of the Heavenly Black Army, I assume?]
The man’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He already knew. The Heavenly Black Army was one of the Heavenly Demon’s main forces—a significant power, wiped out in an instant.
[And it was done by a single person.]
The master behind it was known as the monster of the Peng Clan: the Dao Emperor, Peng Woojin.
[Surprising, isn’t it? I never thought that old man would fall to someone like him.]
[What is your point, Captain?]
[Just making conversation. It’s quite the event.]
The Green King chuckled, but the man grew visibly irritated.
[I simply find it hard to believe he managed it alone.]
[…]
The man tilted his head and rose to his feet. As he did…
Rumble-!
The black sky seemed to roar in response. A scorching heat stormed through the air, as though the heavens themselves were enraged.
[What are you implying?]
[I wonder.]
[Are you suggesting that I had a hand in the Unyielding Demon’s death, Green King?]
The Green King was hinting that this man had assisted Peng Woojin in killing the captain of the Heavenly Black Army.
[Well, not necessarily… Why, do you know something?]
[…How pointless.]
Crack-!
A sharp sound came from the man’s body.
Seeing this, madness flickered in the Green King’s eyes.
[Green King.]
[Speak.]
[I heard you’ve been eyeing my position. Is that true?]
The Green King’s smile widened.
[Who’s been flapping their cheap mouth to you?]
It wasn’t a false rumor. The Green King coveted the man’s rank. Hearing the evasion, the man let out a soft sigh.
[…I’ve overlooked your ambition until now because the Leader advised against unnecessary conflict.]
The Heavenly Demon commanded four armies directly.
The Green King led one of them—a high rank among demon-blooded cultivators, but not high enough for his greed.
He didn’t dare dream of overthrowing his ruler, but he wanted, at the very least, to be second-in-command.
The man standing before him was the only obstacle.
The four armies were:
- The Heavenly Black Army
- The Ghostly Sword Army
- The Green Aerial Army
And the man in front of him commanded all three. His authority was second only to the Heavenly Demon herself.
The man took a step forward. Heat radiated from his body with each movement.
[So you want my position…]
What emotion lay in those dark violet eyes? The Green King believed it was fury.
[How dare a bastard like you even dream of it?]
Combat Qi flared around the Green King. Though he stood two heads taller, the man’s presence did not yield an inch.
When they were finally face to face, the man glared and uttered a command.
[Kneel. You will not look down on me.]
That was the beginning.
The Green King flexed his muscles and threw a punch, but the man’s form dissolved into black flames, scattering into the air.
When the battle ended, the Green King had lost an eye, and the southern mountain—once dotted with trees—was now a desolate wasteland, half blown to dust.
The memory faded, and consciousness returned.
…A dream.
Had thinking about that bastard before I fallen asleep summoned this? An unwelcome recollection, leaving me in a foul mood. Not quite a nightmare, but far from pleasant.
As I stirred, preparing to rise, a faint whisper reached my ears.
“…Cheek…”
“Or…”
The voice was soft, blurred by the remnants of sleep. I couldn’t make it out clearly.
Forcing myself awake with a surge of Qi, I groaned.
“Ugh…”
Rubbing my tired eyes, I sat up. Something nearby flinched at my sudden movement.
Blinking, I realized I had been lying with my head on someone’s lap. I was sure I’d fallen asleep on Namgung Bi-ah’s knees, but now Wi Seol-Ah was there instead. Had I used her as a pillow?
She…
Wait. Had Wi Seol-Ah even said she was joining us? I had no memory of it.
To make matters worse, my mind still felt heavy and sluggish. That was strange—using Qi should have cleared the fog instantly.
“Master Gu…?”
Wi Seol-Ah spoke softly as I moved. My vision was blurry, but her golden eyes shone clearly.
“…Whew.”
“Are you alright…?”
I studied her worried expression and asked, “…Is it really okay?”
“Huh?”
“…That you’re coming with us.”
“Oh.”
Her pupils flickered. It was a sudden question, especially right after waking.
“Um…” She hesitated, meeting my gaze, then smiled lightly. “It’s alright.”
Maybe it was the sleepiness, but her smile seemed brighter than usual.
“I’ve decided… not to worry about that anymore.”
She said it with such calm certainty. Just as I was about to respond—
-Come out if you’re awake. How long do you plan to laze around?
I frowned. The Dishonored Venerable. How did he know I was up? Was that creepy old man watching me?
-Tsk, tsk. At your age, you should be ready to move the moment you open your eyes. Such laziness.
-…I was just about to get up.
-I’m sure.
-…
Sighing at his mockery, I gave Wi Seol-Ah’s head a light pat and stepped out of the carriage.
Night had fallen. I’d only meant to nap briefly—how had I slept so long? I should’ve told the girls to wake me.
…This place.
I scanned the area with weary eyes: a valley, a gravel path. Most carriages had stopped; it seemed we were camping here for the night.
I tried sharpening my senses to get a better feel for the surroundings, but everything felt… slower than usual.
Huh? What’s going on?
As I puzzled over it, the Dishonored Venerable’s voice echoed in my mind again.
-Don’t be surprised. It’s to be expected.
-Expected?
-Indeed. This is the result of you forcibly entering a state of selflessness.
-Oh.
He meant when I’d relinquished control and let my body move on instinct. The Dishonored Venerable had called it the Heaven Destruction Art thrusting me into a state I wasn’t ready for—and this was the recoil.
-I told you. You reached a realm beyond your current level.
So that’s why I felt so drained and disoriented. No wonder my Qi hadn’t fully roused me.
Is this fatigue and sensory confusion the price?
Cradling my throbbing head, I looked around. I needed to find the Dishonored Venerable, but my senses were too muddled.
-…Where are you?
-Head left, into the forest.
I moved immediately. Beyond a small stream stood a dense forest—that had to be it.
Using a flicker of flame to light my way, I ventured inward. Even with the light, the darkness felt oppressive. Another side effect?
Deeper in, I found the Dishonored Venerable waiting in a small clearing.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
“Hehe… You look terrible.”
“…It’s manageable.”
It was exhausting, but not enough to stop me from training. As I steadied my breathing, he spoke again.
“Since you’re physically ready, I’ll teach you the next step now.”
My eyes widened. He meant the Single Strike.
“I intend to teach you the Single Strike of the Heaven Destruction Art. Any objections?”
“None.”
I’d rolled in the dirt for this. I wasn’t about to rest now, not when I had to make the most of every moment on the road to Sichuan.
“Good. Now then…”
The Dishonored Venerable rolled his shoulders. Was he going to demonstrate without even explaining?
“But first, there’s something I must do.”
“And that is…?”
Slash—
A chilling sensation, followed by a sound like cutting wind. Before I could process it, my vision flipped upside down.
I was looking at the ground. Then, rushing toward it.
Was my head severed?
My body shuddered as my head plummeted toward impact.
“…Haa…!”
I jolted back to awareness, gasping, hands flying to my neck. Still intact.
Then what was that feeling?
As cold sweat dripped down my face, the Dishonored Venerable’s voice cut through the panic.
“I told you last time. Your biggest flaw.”
Was it that I felt no fear? He’d said that while fearlessness could be useful, mine was excessive.
“I would have taken time to correct it gently, but now we have the perfect teacher.”
“…What do you mean?”
“You died just now. You know that, don’t you?”
“…!”
“Your head was cut off—of course you know.”
So that sensation was his doing. An illusion? A formation?
As I struggled to comprehend, a figure emerged from behind the Dishonored Venerable. I barely stifled a gasp.
The Dark King.
Why was he here? Seeing my shock, the Dishonored Venerable continued.
“I hadn’t planned to use this method, but you’ve exceeded my expectations. I grew greedy.”
“…What?”
“My disciple must be perfect. After all, you are the student of the Dishonored Venerable.”
“What does that have to do with the Dark King?”
“Everything. This friend will assist in your training.”
The Dark King? Training me? What nonsense was this?
I frowned, demanding an explanation, but the Dishonored Venerable only smiled brightly.
“You have only one task. From moonrise to sunrise, you must catch this friend.”
I was speechless.
“The Dark King…?”
“Yes. You’ll repeat this every night until you succeed.”
Catch the Dark King? In the middle of the night?
“It would be impossible under normal circumstances… so he’ll be coming for you. Constantly.”
At least he’s giving me a chance. Still, it felt absurd.
I’d expected to learn the next step of the Heaven Destruction Art, and now I was playing hide-and-seek. At my age. With the king of assassins, no less.
And what was that “welcome” earlier? My head hitting the ground—too vivid for a simple greeting.
The Dishonored Venerable had orchestrated it. There had to be more to this.
As I pondered, the Dishonored Venerable began to walk away.
“Do your best. I hope you finish quickly. I have much more to teach you.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve said all that’s needed. Your task is clear.”
He was really leaving? As I stared in disbelief, he glanced back over his shoulder.
“Oh, one more important thing. I almost forgot.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t break.”
“What do you m—”
Stab—
Something pierced my heart.
“…!”
There was no pain, but blood rushed to my head, and I nearly blacked out. Through the shock, I looked down at the dagger in my chest—and followed the hand holding it to the Dark King’s cold, impassive eyes.
Neigh—!
Beneath a crescent moon, a horse raced down a path, the carriage behind it shaking violently.
“Blegh…”
Inside, a beautiful woman clung to the window, pale and nauseous, one hand clamped over her mouth.
It was her first time in such a wildly rocking carriage, and Moyong Hi-ah was suffering mightily.
“P-Please… sl-slow do— ugh…”
She pleaded pitifully, but the horse only sped up.
I’m going to die…!
Moyong Hi-ah felt her life flashing before her eyes—and strangely, most of the images were of one man’s face. Closing her eyes, she sent him a final, mental message.
…Master Gu… I think this is the end for me.
As she teetered on the brink of consciousness, the woman riding the horse called out cheerfully.
“Niece! Look outside! The moon is beautiful tonight!”
“A-Aunt… Please… slow do—”
“Hmm? What’s that? Go faster? You really know how to have fun!”
“Ah…”
Taking her niece’s “request” to heart, the woman beamed and urged the horse to an even greater speed.
Moyong Hi-ah finally passed out, but her aunt, unaware, continued to accelerate into the night.