Chapter 663: Villain and Hero (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 663: Villain and Hero (3)
My first reaction to the Unyielding Demon’s words was pure disappointment.
What a letdown.
I thought he was plotting something truly grand. But what was his master plan?
Resurrecting a White-Grade Demon?
It was unexpected, but in a thoroughly underwhelming way. Under normal circumstances, I might have been surprised, but right now...
It’s just not that impressive.
Perhaps it was because I had recently witnessed all sorts of cosmic absurdities, but even though I knew I was hearing something monumental, I wasn’t particularly moved.
It’s a massive undertaking, to be sure.
A demon sealed beneath the soil of Henan, and the Unyielding Demon planned to wake it. On paper, the scale was immense.
This is fucking ridiculous.
They really are hiding in the damnedest places. At this rate, why not just say there’s a demon sealed in every single province? My head was already starting to ache.
If what he says is true...
Why was it buried there? How did he find out about it? How did he plan to control it once it was resurrected? A dozen questions flashed through my mind. But setting those aside...
I remember clearly that this never happened in my past life.
In my previous life, the man known as the Unyielding Demon was a survivor of the Zhuge Clan, but he was just another martial artist from the Unorthodox Faction. He was a reclusive master slowly making a name for himself—an old man who proved his strength by slaying two of the Murim Alliance’s captains the moment he finally emerged.
He eventually entered the service of the Heavenly Demon and took command of the Heavenly Black Army, but...
Looking at it now, something is off.
I never knew he had been dreaming of revenge against the Murim Alliance or the revival of the Zhuge Clan here in Henan. Even if he had been, the fact that it remained unknown meant only one thing.
He failed.
It was proof that, in the original timeline, the Unyielding Demon’s ambitions never bore fruit.
In that case, is his current plan also destined for failure?
I couldn’t be sure. So many things had already deviated from my past life. It was entirely possible that the Unyielding Demon’s current actions were a direct result of my own meddling.
This isn’t going to be easy.
He seemed to have prepared well, but his objective was still ambiguous. I thought he might use that strange power of his—that sorcery or whatever it was—to pull off something unique.
To think he’s just relying on a demon.
Of course, if it truly was a White-Grade Demon, its appearance would cause massive ripples.
News from the North Sea probably hasn’t reached this far south yet.
The fact that the North Sea is currently a war zone and that its strongest fighter, the Palace Lord, is in a precarious state is a top-tier secret. The moment that information leaks, there’s no telling how the Murim Alliance will react. Consequently, the news of a White-Grade Demon appearing in the North Sea would have been kept under heavy wraps.
The Central Plains are already in an uproar over the Red Demons.
It had been three years since the Red Gate of Demons—which hadn't appeared for centuries—first opened. The Alliance was barely managing to patch up the shattered peace, maintaining a thin facade that everything was fine "on the surface."
But what if a White-Grade Demon appeared now? All hell would break loose.
Perhaps that’s exactly what he’s aiming for.
He’s likely trying to resurrect the White-Grade Demon specifically because of the current instability. It would allow him to shatter the fragile peace the Alliance is desperately trying to maintain.
Then the reason he didn’t do it in my past life was...
The Red Demons appeared much earlier in this life than in my last. Events that should have coincided with the Heavenly Demon’s arrival are erupting now. With the Alliance’s authority faltering due to disasters like the one at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, the Unyielding Demon must have seen this as his moment to strike.
If that’s the case, am I partly responsible for this too?
I stared at the old man from behind my mask. The giant of a man seemed strangely tense as he looked at me. I had cultivated this intimidating persona to achieve exactly this effect, but he seemed far more nervous than I had anticipated.
Why? I hadn't done anything particularly special today. Was he just displeased because I had torn through his barrier?
...How was I supposed to know it would rip so easily?
If it was that fragile, isn't it the fault of the person who built it? Yes, that had to be it.
Anyway.
Ultimately, it was undeniable that I played a role in the current state of affairs.
Well, when has it ever not been my fault?
I didn't feel guilty. Or rather, I tried not to.
[...A dragon, you say? There is such a thing beneath Henan?]
“That is correct.”
[And how did you come to know this, Captain?]
“...It was part of the secret records left behind by my ancestors.”
Ancestors?
The word implied information from the exterminated Zhuge Clan. Since they were legendary masters of formations and hidden knowledge, it carried a certain weight of credibility.
Whether it’s actually true is another matter.
For now, I had to focus on the variables.
A White-Grade Demon.
Assuming his words were true, I had to weigh the chaos its release would cause against the potential gains.
The advantages.
I mentally calculated how I could turn these people to my benefit.
The Unyielding Demon is no fool.
Public order in Henan was currently tight thanks to the Alliance. Moreover, with the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament just around the corner, masters from across the land were already gathering. Renowned noble clans and ancient, prestigious sects would all be present.
Is there any point in summoning a demon into the middle of that?
I knew from experience what it took to fight a White-Grade Demon. It was strong—incomparably stronger than a Red Demon. However...
It’s not immortal.
We only won before because my father was there, but that didn't mean a coordinated horde of masters couldn't take one down.
There would be heavy casualties, but it wouldn't be enough to topple the Alliance.
It might be different if the Unyielding Demon’s own forces were elite, but aside from the man himself, there were no other notable martial artists in his ranks. Could he be unaware of this?
Unlikely. He wasn't incompetent. If he was proceeding despite knowing the risks, he had to have an ace up his sleeve—something that would allow him to capitalize on the chaos after the demon was unleashed.
[Hmm.]
I rested my chin on my hand, feigning deep thought. I saw the wrinkles on the Unyielding Demon’s face twitch. His excessive nervousness was still bizarre, but...
It doesn’t matter. In fact, it makes things easier.
If he viewed me as a threat, the advantage was mine.
If his plan succeeds and a demon appears in Henan...
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I drummed my fingers on the table next to my teacup. Aside from that rhythmic sound, the cave was so silent it felt as if everyone had stopped breathing. A minute passed in that heavy stillness.
Tap.
My fingers stopped. The calculations were complete.
[So.]
I looked directly at the Unyielding Demon.
[What is it you require this venerable one to do?]
The outcome of his plan wasn't bad for me. In fact, it was better than "not bad."
This could be very useful.
With this, I could accelerate my own plans significantly.
* * *
The moon was still high when I emerged from the cave. The conversation hadn't taken long, mostly because I hadn't allowed it to drag on.
Crunch.
I walked across the grass, scanning the area. The insect chirps I had heard earlier were gone, likely silenced by the energy I had unleashed.
It’s not just the sound.
The terrain looked subtly different. To be precise, it wasn't distorted anymore; it had returned to its natural state.
Did they mask the physical landscape as well?
Had they hidden their hideout by overlaying the terrain with an illusion? The bizarre technique triggered a memory.
It’s just like what I saw in Sichuan.
The Yeon Clan’s secret vault, which I had discovered less than a year after my regression. What I saw there was remarkably similar to this. It had been disguised as a solid cliff, but inside was a tree with falling white leaves.
‘...’
The memory caused a resonance in my heart.
If this is sorcery, does that mean the Yeon Clan’s vault was also protected by sorcery?
I had assumed it was a complex formation, but it was too strange for that.
They said sorcery was the legacy of dragons. How did the Yeon Clan use it to hide that place?
The Yeon Clan’s vault was hidden by a dragon’s power, and its descendants were cursed, transforming into Half-Dragons. How did all these pieces fit together?
As I frowned at the strange connection...
“Master.”
Nahee, who had followed me out, spoke up. I turned, simultaneously undoing the technique I was using.
Crack, pop.
My bones shifted and my muscles spasmed as the energy receded. My body returned to its original form. Thanks to my increased cultivation, the duration and precision of my Qi Body Transformation Technique had improved significantly.
I stretched my limbs and looked at Nahee.
“What is it?”
“...Are you really going to go along with that man’s plan?”
“Hm?”
I hadn't expected her to question me. I narrowed my eyes.
“What are you getting at?”
“That man... he does not seem trustworthy.”
I gave a slight nod, signaling for her to continue.
“My intuition tells me so. There are too many suspicious elements.”
“Such as?”
“...The most glaring issue is that he withheld information and twisted the truths he did share.”
I nodded as I listened. She was right. The Unyielding Demon had given me almost no complete information. He was terrified of me, and while he claimed our goals were aligned, he was clearly holding back his true cards.
Nahee had judged this to be a problem, but...
“I know.”
I already knew.
“I know he’s hiding things. I know he’ll likely try to betray me. I knew that from the moment I walked in.”
“Then...”
“It doesn’t matter. I plan on using him and discarding him anyway.”
“...!”
Nahee’s eyes widened. Was it really that shocking?
“Why the face?”
“It’s just...”
“Did you honestly think I would keep that old man around forever?”
“...”
If she did, I’d have to reconsider her intelligence.
“Haha. Don’t be ridiculous.”
I had no such intention. The Unyielding Demon was an old dog—and an ambitious one at that. Trusting someone like him would be idiocy. Hadn't I learned that lesson a thousand times over in my past life?
I didn't trust him for a second. I was simply using him because he was a convenient tool for the moment.
And when this is over, I’ll deal with him.
Before the plan reached its final stage, I would kill him and erase his existence. The Heavenly Demon might have been willing to absorb and utilize even someone like him, but...
I have no appetite for scraps that have already rotted.
I was not the Heavenly Demon.
“Your concern wasn't misplaced, but...” I looked Nahee in the eye. “You overstepped your bounds.”
“...!”
Nahee immediately dropped to her knees.
“Since when did you start offering unsolicited advice on matters I haven't raised? Or was that an order?”
“...I... I apologize...”
She trembled, even though I hadn't raised my voice. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
“Get up.”
She rose instantly. I considered berating her further but decided against it. My relationship with Nahee was forged in Demonic Qi. To me, she wasn't a confidant.
I trusted no one.
She was a disposable pawn, just like the other Demonic Humans I kept close. That was their only value. I didn't appreciate these displays of "concern." Especially if Nahee was starting to develop some sort of misplaced loyalty.
Ignoring the unsettling thought, I pulled a letter from my robes and handed it to her.
“Send this to that Hyuk bastard. And tell Jiseon to get his ass to Henan if he’s got nothing better to do.”
“...I will obey.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
I stopped her just as she was about to vanish.
“Tell the Spearman to come here.”
“...!”
A flash of genuine surprise crossed Nahee’s face.
“Shall I deliver the message immediately?”
“Yes. Tell him to be here by next month at the latest.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
With a final bow, Nahee vanished in a puff of smoke. Once I was sure she was gone, I scratched my cheek.
Honestly, I’d rather not have called him.
Over the last few years, I had created and tamed several more Demonic Humans to serve as my subordinates. The Spearman was one of them.
But he’s a nightmare to manage.
Even among the Demonic Humans I had gathered—all of whom were destined for madness or bloodlust—he was an exceptionally unhinged bastard. He reminded me of the Sword Demon from my past life. I wasn't sure which of them was worse, but they shared the same unsettling aura.
I wanted to avoid summoning him if possible, but...
He was the perfect tool for the job I had in mind. I had no choice.
Besides, it’s about time I gathered them all anyway.
The Demonic Humans I had scattered across the provinces. It was time to call them home. As the climax of my plan drew near, I needed every piece on the board.
...Will it be okay?
They were all lunatics. Even I felt a flicker of hesitation.
It can’t be helped.
There was no other way. I had to succeed, no matter the cost.
Sigh.
The plan...
Just thinking about the upcoming steps made my stomach churn. I turned around. Seong Yul, who had been waiting patiently, approached and stood before me. I looked into his murky yellow eyes.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
As I started walking, Seong Yul followed a few paces behind. I looked up at the sky. A thin crescent moon hung above us.
The first night back in Henan was drawing to a close. There was less than a month left until the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament.
...Once that time passes.
I would become a villain the entire world feared.
And at the same time...
I would become a hero who shone brighter than any other.