Chapter 745: Begin.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 745: Begin.
Ssk.
I snapped my eyes open.
The sudden influx of light was blinding. Perhaps because I had been trapped in such a dark, void-like space, the sensation was overwhelming, searing my retinas.
“Young Master Gu…!”
A voice reached me through the haze.
Instantly, my body’s instincts kicked in, registering the situation. I was gripping the wrist of the man before me—Yung Pung. He was staring back at me, his eyes trembling with a mix of shock and confusion.
“...”
What had been happening just a moment ago?
I paused to collect my thoughts, and the memories came rushing back. I looked at my other hand and saw the Holy Spear. Right. With this, I was… no, I was threatening the old man residing inside Yung Pung.
My head was spinning. It was a relief that my consciousness had returned to the real world, but the transition had left a backlash; my limbs felt stiff, as if they didn't quite belong to me yet.
Fwoosh!
Recalling the Holy Spear into my void, I quickly circulated my Qi. I needed to assess my condition immediately.
‘Hmm.’
The Qi raced through my meridians, completing two full rotations in a heartbeat before gathering in my core. My physical state became clear.
‘…As I thought.’
It was exactly as I’d expected. My physical body was in the same state it had been before I entered that mental space. The damage I had sustained there hadn't followed me back to reality. It was a relief, though entirely logical when I thought about it.
“Hoo.”
I let out a long, steady breath. I didn't have the mental energy to survey my surroundings any further. My racing thoughts made my head feel like it was filled with lead.
“…What?”
As I suddenly withdrew the Holy Spear, Yung Pung reacted with bewilderment, but…
Swish!
Thwack!
“Guh…?”
Before he could finish his sentence, I lashed out, my palm connecting squarely with his jaw. His head snapped back, his jaw twisting slightly, and Yung Pung crumpled to the ground.
Fwoosh!
The plum blossom petals that had been swirling through the air instantly burst into nothingness. The caster had lost consciousness, and the technique died with him.
Saaaaa—.
The lingering energy slowly subsided. I reached down and casually helped the unconscious Yung Pung into a more comfortable position.
‘…I feel a little bad about this.’
Looking at his limp form, I gave a bitter smile. Normally, I would have played along a little longer. I could have ended the fight in a single blow from the start, but I had held back as a courtesy to the "changed" Yung Pung. Knowing his target was me, I felt a sense of responsibility for his growth—not out of pity for a genius, but out of duty.
I had intended to let him gain something from our clash. That had certainly been my plan, but…
‘The situation has gotten complicated.’
It was no longer a situation where I could afford to indulge him.
As I stood over the fallen Yung Pung…
“Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu Clan wins!”
The judge finally announced the end of the duel.
Waaaaaaaaah!
The moment the words left his lips, a roar erupted from the crowd. The cheers were deafening, pouring down from the stands like a tidal wave. Even as the sound washed over me, my expression remained grim. It was the victory I had vaguely hoped for, but my circumstances never seemed to allow me to fully enjoy the moment.
This time was no different.
* * *
Right after my brief yet agonizingly long conversation with the old man ended…
Looking at him, I’d had a choice: I could have absorbed him.
Though he was a soul, the old man was a manifestation of the Taoist Qi within Yung Pung. I predicted I could have consumed him using Demonic Absorption, much like I had with the Celestial Sword. If I had, my Taoist Qi would have surged, providing a massive boost to my strength.
Furthermore, since he was a being with such a powerful presence, keeping him around as a soul might have been as helpful as having the Elder Shin I knew. But…
I chose not to.
Part of it was because I didn't particularly need more Taoist Qi. Part of it was a sense of loyalty—an apology of sorts—to the Elder Shin who was originally with me.
But the most fundamental reason was suspicion.
‘If that old man truly existed before Yeon Il-Cheon regressed…’
The very fact that he appeared in this world made no sense. This was clearly the result of someone’s deliberate intention and necessity. Only that could explain why there were two Solar Lights and two Elder Shins.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I sat in my room, the frequency of my fingers tapping my knee increasing.
‘Who could it be?’
Who on earth had orchestrated this? A being capable of intervening in a world that should have long since vanished to create such a phenomenon… at the very least, they didn't seem human. I ran through every powerful entity I knew, but no one fit the profile.
Then, setting aside the identity of the being, what was the motive?
‘It’s too much to dismiss as mere coincidence.’
It would be easier on my mind to call it a miracle or a fluke, but I had to operate on the assumption that it was calculated.
Squeeze.
I stopped tapping and gripped my left arm—the arm where the Solar Light was bound.
What would happen to this Solar Light? The problem struck me suddenly. I could accept the existence of two Solar Lights, but…
‘…Is this one really Elder Shin’s Solar Light?’
If the artifact itself had come from another world… then was this one the "real" one, or was the other…?
“Ah, fuck…”
My thoughts trailed off into a curse. It was a mental loop that would repeat endlessly if I let it.
Regardless, these were the reasons I hadn't absorbed the old man. The cause and the reasoning were too uncertain. Since there was a possibility that the Blood Demon had intervened, bringing that old man along was fraught with potential traps.
Furthermore…
‘…I’ll have to discuss this with Elder Shin.’
I felt this was something I needed to ask the real Elder Shin about. Normally, I would have ignored the old geezer's opinion and acted on my own, but this time, it felt like I shouldn't.
‘The problem is, how do I even find that old man…?’
My head throbbed. It had been a year or two since Elder Shin disappeared with Kkurung. He’d said he’d be back soon, but I still hadn't been able to track him down. Dammit. If I’d known things would get this messy, I never would have let him leave.
“Hooo…”
A heavy sigh escaped me. Was it really right to let him go like that? No matter how I looked at it, it didn't seem so.
“…What’s the point of regretting it now?”
It was a futile thought. The water was already spilled. Since things had become this tangled, I needed to focus on how to unravel them.
To do that…
‘First, the task at hand.’
The other world, Elder Shin, the Blood Demon—to deal with all of that, I had to finish what was right in front of me.
The moment I reached that conclusion…
“…Are you done thinking?”
A weary voice drifted from across the table. I lifted my head to see Cheol Jiseon looking at me with a deep frown.
“What’s with the look? You’re looking pretty fierce, my dear Jiseon.”
“You’re not one to talk.”
“…And what might that mean?”
When I subtly clenched my fist, Cheol Jiseon looked away and took a sip from his cup. He had grown a lot. He was even talking back to me now. I considered punching him once just for the hell of it, but I held back, thinking it would be a hassle if I accidentally killed him.
Seeing me restrain myself, Cheol Jiseon finally spoke again.
“…What happened to make you wear an expression like that?”
“Something did. A bit of contemplation on parallel worlds and my fucked-up life.”
“…I don’t understand a single word of that.”
“You should have studied more.”
“What does this have to do with studying…? And for the record, I did study.”
I smirked at his outburst. He was right; even at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, Cheol Jiseon’s grades had been quite good. It’s just that…
“I was the top of the class. You weren't.”
“...”
I was simply better. As I brought up my past achievement, Cheol Jiseon’s mouth clamped shut. He clearly had no rebuttal. His expression was such a spectacle that I gave a dismissive wave of my hand.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just something that’s bothering me.”
“…When something bothers you, Yangcheon, it’s usually a disaster.”
“…When did I ever—”
I started to protest, then paused. He actually had a point.
When I dealt with the Sichuan Branch, I’d said the branch manager seemed "strangely bothersome." In reality, he was a bastard making back-alley deals with the Unorthodox Faction, and I’d ended up having to slaughter those lunatics from the Black Dragon Sect to bury the rumors.
And when I said something in Gwangju was bothering me, it turned out there were guys mass-producing Thunderclap Bombs for a massacre. As if to prove my rotten luck, every "bothersome" feeling had led to a major incident over the past few years.
“…Hmph.”
I gave an awkward laugh and clinked my cup against his. Continuing this conversation would only hurt my pride.
Gulp.
I took a sip of tea, moistening my throat. I was drinking barley tea, while Cheol Jiseon was drinking alcohol. I’d learned recently that he was much more of a drinker than I’d thought.
“So.”
After we shared a few more rounds…
Cheol Jiseon, his face slightly flushed from the liquor, spoke up.
“What are you planning to do now?”
“Hmm…”
This was the reason we were meeting privately today. The room in the inn was quiet. The surrounding area, which should have been bustling with the post-tournament crowd, was silent. It was only natural; I had rented out this entire floor through Moyong Hi-ah and set up a sound barrier. With all the eyes on me lately, such precautions were mandatory.
“Young Master Tang’s transport is complete… He should be undergoing torture by now. You’ve heard the report, right?”
“I know. Nahee told me everything before she left.”
“What on earth are you thinking?”
Cheol Jiseon was definitely feeling the alcohol. He was likely drinking on purpose to find the courage to speak his mind.
“Yangcheon. Why are you going this far?”
“About what?”
“Why did you let him get captured and tortured when you knew full well it would happen?”
Tang Duk was currently a prisoner in the Murim Alliance’s basement, being interrogated. Did that bother Cheol Jiseon so much? Seeing his reaction, I suddenly burst out laughing.
“You’re pretty angry, my dear Cheol Jiseon.”
“Is this really the time for laughter…?”
“No? Should I be getting angry instead?”
Did he sense the underlying edge in my voice? Cheol Jiseon’s eyebrows twitched.
“I already explained that this is all part of the plan.”
“It’s because I don’t understand the plan. The reason you’re going this far is…”
“You already know why.”
“...”
As I cut him off, Cheol Jiseon’s expression crumpled. This wasn't just a reaction to being interrupted. I knew those words hit home.
“You know everything, so why do you keep asking?”
“You…”
“Then, you tell me. Is there a better way than this?”
Trickle.
I poured more tea into my empty cup and continued.
“Soon, the Lord of the Hwangbo Clan will make his move.”
When he hears that Tang Duk has arrived.
“And he will go to the Alliance Leader and tell him.”
I had told Nahee, of all people, for a reason.
—I’ve heard some news from the intelligence unit.
—They say a group called the Demonic Cult will attack the Alliance to retrieve the captured prisoner.
At the earliest, now. At the latest, tomorrow. That news would reach the ears of the Murim Alliance leadership.
“Was that the Lord of the Hwangbo Clan’s purpose?” Cheol Jiseon asked, his eyes wide.
I looked at him and shook my head.
“Of course not. You think I'd use such a valuable card on something so trivial? I’m just using him since he’s available.”
My tone treated a person like a mere tool. Perhaps because of that, Cheol Jiseon’s face darkened further. It didn't matter. I was being cold on purpose.
“My prediction is that this will be enough. But who knows? The Lord of the Hwangbo Clan’s words might only raise their suspicion.”
Are they crazy enough to actually attack? This is Henan, of all places.
A place where the full military power of the Orthodox Faction was currently concentrated. Because of the martial arts tournament, every renowned master in the land was here. Knowing that, would the Demonic Cult dare to strike? It could easily be dismissed as a ridiculous rumor.
Honestly, the probability of a direct attack was low. Still, this was a warning coming from the Lord of the Hwangbo Clan. His name carried weight, so the Alliance would likely move as I predicted… but I couldn't leave it to chance.
So, I would use one more lever.
“After the Lord of the Hwangbo Clan delivers the news, with a bit of a time lag, one more person will go.”
The Sect Leader of the Emei Sect would make her move. This wasn't originally in the plan, but since she had become a card in my hand, I intended to play her.
“Then how will the Alliance Leader react?”
A warning delivered by both the Lord of the Hwangbo Clan and the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect. Even if their own intelligence units were in the dark, I had prepared the "evidence" and justification to back it up.
“I don’t know for sure, but the alert level will skyrocket.”
Suspicion regarding this unknown group called the Demonic Cult would reach a fever pitch. The idea that they might attack the Alliance carried two implications: first, that the Demonic Cult possessed the power to strike the heart of Henan; and second, that Tang Duk was an indispensable figure to them.
Having heard this much, Cheol Jiseon asked, “…If you say they might attack, isn't there a risk the martial arts tournament will be suspended?”
A valid point. He was asking if I’d overlooked the obvious.
However…
“There’s no way they’ll suspend it. Why would they? Think of how much money and prestige they’ve invested.”
Considering the significance of this tournament, they could never cancel it. The Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament was a festival held to mask the growing dangers of the era. It was a PR stunt for the Murim Alliance to maintain its image as a symbol of peace. To end the tournament because of a crisis?
“The Sword Immortal… that bastard would never allow it.”
Even if it weren't for the Sword Immortal, it would be like the Alliance slitting its own throat. Would the leaders of the Orthodox Faction, who live and die by honor and fame, ever admit to being afraid?
What’s more…
“There won’t be a safer situation than during the tournament. They won’t suspend it.”
Masters from all over the Central Plains were gathered in one spot. Henan was currently an iron fortress, packed with the most elite forces in the world. Several of the Ten Great Masters were within walking distance. When would Henan ever be safer than right now?
The Alliance Leader must know that this safety is entirely due to the tournament.
‘He will try to maintain this status quo no matter what.’
For fame, for safety, and for the sake of the merchant associations funding the whole thing, the tournament had to go on. If so, what could the Alliance Leader do? He had intelligence that the Demonic Cult might attack. Henan appeared safe, and he knew why.
He had only one logical choice.
‘Either they'll double the security around the prisoner…’
Or, conversely, move the prisoner to the "safest" possible location. He would surely make a move.
‘It doesn’t matter which one it is.’
Either outcome was fine. As long as he took action, I would have my opening.
“So…”
At that moment, Cheol Jiseon finally reacted to the full scope of the plan.
“…So… for that, you let Young Master Tang be captured and tortured?”
“That’s right. He was the most suitable man for the job.”
A body as hard as steel and a high tolerance for pain. His lack of poison was a drawback, but he was a tenacious survivor, and since he’d been corrupted by Demonic Qi, he was tight-lipped. Where else would I find a more perfect candidate?
‘I deliberately showed his face near Wudang for this very purpose. Of course I’m going to use him.’
I had exposed Tang Duk to the public during the attack on Wudang specifically for this moment. This was the culmination of the trap and the bait. I would set the trap with Tang Duk and subtly scatter the bait.
By the time the Orthodox Faction bastards started gathering one by one, a few days from now… that would be the turning point. And that point was only a few days away.
Cheol Jiseon’s expression remained tense, but I didn't care. He was clearly struggling with the morality of it all. It didn't matter.
‘The fact that you aren't arguing means you know it too.’
Even if this wasn't the "right" way… it was the fastest way. And the conclusion of this method aligned perfectly with what he desired.
It was truly contradictory. Or perhaps, it was just human. He felt sorry for Tang Duk, yet in the end, he acquiesced to the decision. Whether he did so because he feared me or because he wanted to achieve his own goals didn't change the fact that he was complicit.
But the contradiction remained.
‘If you ask me if I find Cheol Jiseon repulsive for that, the answer is no.’
Whatever the case, it no longer mattered to me. What was important was that the gears were in motion. Whether or not I would be in the position I desired by the time the dust settled—that was the only thing that mattered.