Chapter 148
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Abandoning the Name of the King of Assassins (2)
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The Yanzhou branch of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon was not far from the Red Snake House. It was a distance that could be covered in three days on foot, or one day on horseback.
Late that night, the Yanzhou branch was thrown into an uproar by the arrival of three men. This was because every one of the visitors was a formidable figure.
Being so close to the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon's main headquarters, the Yanzhou branch was rarely visited by high-ranking members, so this was the first time they had the honor of hosting the top leadership.
The three men, and a spirit beast hidden in the nearby mountains, were finally able to rest properly for the first time in a long while.
* * *
*Swoooosh.*
The rain that had started three days ago had yet to stop.
The downpour wasn't heavy, but after three straight days, the air was incredibly humid. It was a bit muggy, but the sight of the rain was refreshing.
‘Hmm, this is troublesome.’
Ma Dongpil, carrying a modest table of drinks, let out a sigh.
‘No other choice.’
*Wooooong.*
A golden demonic energy rose around his body. The translucent demonic energy formed a sphere around him.
*Pat-pat-pat-pat.*
The raindrops couldn't penetrate the translucent barrier of true energy. He walked toward a large pavilion.
A subtle look of surprise appeared on the face of Jong Risan, who was standing in the pavilion watching Ma Dongpil.
“Incredible.”
Ma Dongpil turned his head toward Jong Risan.
“Pardon?”
“Your control of true energy is near perfect. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a flawless energy barrier.”
“You praise me too much.”
“It’s not praise. You are on the verge of the peak, but you have not yet transcended that wall. And yet, you display a finesse greater than that of masters who have.”
A small smile graced the lips of the usually stern Jong Risan.
“You are more than sufficient now, but soon you will become a warrior worthy of the one you serve.”
Ma Dongpil bowed his head deeply. These were words of encouragement from the great Lord of the Giant Whale House. It was daunting, but he was just as grateful.
Just then, a calm voice came from the edge of the pavilion.
“Dongpil is more than I deserve. Whether he is weak or strong, that fact remains unchanged.”
Jong Risan shook his head.
“That might be disrespectful to Guard Ma.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Guard Ma seems to feel a strong sense of duty in protecting the Inspector—no, the Third Young Master—and a sense of fulfillment that is just as strong.”
He looked at Ma Dongpil.
“Is that not so?”
Ma Dongpil smiled.
“The Lord is correct.”
“In any case, come on up. I know you are skilled, but there’s no need to waste your true energy.”
“Understood.”
Ma Dongpil climbed into the pavilion and placed the table of drinks in the center.
“Young Master?”
“Mm, just a moment. It won’t take long, so go ahead and start with the Lord.”
Seo Ryang was sitting at the edge of the pavilion.
Dressed in simple white robes, unlike his usual attire, and with his hair let down, he looked remarkably detached from the world.
Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, he resembled a young Taoist cultivating to attain the Way.
Jong Risan, glancing at Seo Ryang, shook his head.
“We should raise our cups together. I will wait, so take your time and contemplate.”
“Understood.”
As Jong Risan quietly watched Seo Ryang, he realized the young man was already completely focused on himself.
*Swoooosh.*
The rain, which had seemed to be subsiding, grew a little heavier. The sound of raindrops hitting the building and the ground was like the plucking of a zither.
Jong Risan spoke to Ma Dongpil.
“When did you first come to know the Young Master?”
“It hasn't been that long. We are now entering our second year.”
“Remarkable. They say the bond between people doesn't always deepen with time, but... I would have guessed it had been at least ten years.”
“The Young Master has done a great deal for me.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes.”
Ma Dongpil’s words were likely true. The Third Young Master he knew was not one to graciously accept anyone who simply offered their loyalty.
The Third Young Master must have been the first to show Ma Dongpil affection.
But a relationship is not something that can be explained in a few mere words. Ma Dongpil must have also cared for the Third Young Master just as much, if not more, than the affection he received.
Even so, it was a curious relationship. It seemed less like the relationship between a high-status young master and his guard, and more like that of comrades-in-arms, as close as blood brothers.
Jong Risan, who had been observing Ma Dongpil for a moment, unfolded his arms.
“Care to stretch your limbs?”
“Pardon?”
“I told you to start drinking first, but that wouldn't be right. Since it’s awkward to just wait idly, I thought we could work up a sweat.”
Ma Dongpil’s eyes widened.
“Would that be alright?”
“Why wouldn't it be? The rain is falling, setting the mood. If there's a worthy martial artist to face, there’s no reason to sit idle, is there?”
To be invited to a duel by the head of one of the Seven Houses. It was a situation he could never have dreamed of back when he was a squad leader in the Hall of Protectors.
Naturally, Ma Dongpil did not refuse.
“If the Lord is willing, I would be honored to receive your guidance.”
“Good. Let’s move a little away from the pavilion.”
A moment later, the two men stood facing each other.
Ma Dongpil looked at the spear in Jong Risan’s hand.
“That is a magnificent weapon.”
“Not as much as your sword. Isn’t that the Absolute Demonic Sword, counted among the Ten Great Demonic Swords of the Martial World?”
“I have not been able to draw out this sword’s true potential. For now, it is merely a hard and sharp blade.”
Jong Risan shook his head.
“To take an enemy’s life with a hard and sharp blade—is that not the essence of a weapon?
No matter how incredible a demonic sword the Black King Sword may be, a weapon is ultimately just a weapon.”
“…”
“The true nature of any weapon is already revealed in its form.
Your task is simply to wield that sword more effectively; there is no need to focus on drawing out some hidden power.
From the perspective of martial arts, such things are nothing but impurities.”
Ma Dongpil’s expression was as if he’d been struck on the back of the head.
Jong Risan’s eyes gleamed. Before their spear and sword had even clashed, his opponent had already realized something.
“Let me add a few more words. Do you remember the sword of the Vice Lord of the Sword Palace, who fought the Third Young Master three days ago?”
“…Yes.”
“His sword was neither a legendary divine weapon nor a famed treasured sword. It was just an ordinary iron sword.
With that sword, he pushed the Third Young Master to the brink. That means he properly understands the essence of a weapon.”
*Shhhk.*
The Sea Dragon Spear was aimed at Ma Dongpil.
Raindrops hitting the long, sharp spearhead scattered in all directions.
“Even the greatest master in the world will die if their heart is pierced. It makes no difference whether it’s done with a divine weapon or a tree branch.”
“…!”
*Shhh.*
Jong Risan walked toward Ma Dongpil.
It was an ordinary walk, with no swift movement techniques or exquisite footwork. However, the Sea Dragon Spear remained perfectly steady, aimed at Ma Dongpil’s chest.
*Wooooong.*
Ma Dongpil unleashed his Vajra Yaksha Demonic Art.
*Claaang!*
The drawn Black King Sword erupted in a brilliant golden flame.
“I’m coming.”
“Anytime.”
*Fwoosh!*
Unlike Jong Risan’s leisurely pace, Ma Dongpil’s approach was blindingly fast.
In an instant, Ma Dongpil entered striking range and swung his sword.
Jong Risan’s hand trembled slightly.
*Claaaaang!*
Even the sound of the rain could not drown out the clash. Ma Dongpil staggered back three or four steps.
Jong Risan shouted curtly.
“Again.”
*Tung!*
There was no reply. Ma Dongpil, who had been approaching swiftly, suddenly shifted to his left and swung the Black King Sword.
A diagonal slash. A flicker of admiration crossed Jong Risan’s face at the honest and weighty strike.
*Clang!*
But that was all. Ma Dongpil’s powerful sword was blocked by the shaft of the Sea Dragon Spear and sent flying back.
*Th-th-thump!*
The ground was stomped at a terrifying speed.
Rainwater soaked into the ground exploded outward, and the shockwaves from the clashing weapons drove away the humidity.
Neither was using an art that consumed a great deal of internal energy, nor were they revealing any killing intent.
They were simply two men exploring the essence of martial arts by clashing their weapons.
As he struck out, sword blow after sword blow, Ma Dongpil’s eyes gradually glazed over. He was completely immersed in this fight.
The same words can lead to different levels of enlightenment depending on when one hears them.
After witnessing Mok Gang-in's high-level swordsmanship, Jong Risan’s timely advice allowed Ma Dongpil to grasp another thread of growth.
A subtle admiration arose in Jong Risan’s eyes.
‘This one is a true prodigy in his own right.’
He was greatly impressed by Ma Dongpil’s concentration.
This was an entirely different realm from mere martial talent. Advice is only effective if one constantly thinks about martial arts and maintains an unwavering attitude toward the martial way.
To throw oneself into the sea of martial arts while never letting one’s guard down around the person they protect.
It was a warrior’s posture, different from talent and far harder to obtain.
“Good!”
He had met a talent worthy of wielding his spear against freely. Even if discussing victory or defeat was meaningless, the act of clashing weapons itself was exhilarating.
Although he had been the one to advise Ma Dongpil, seeing his opponent’s focus, Jong Risan also began to lose himself in the fight.
A duel between two masters for the sake of learning.
It was fierce without killing intent, and though they fought with all their might, there was a sense of ease.
The duel between the two ended after two hours.
Unlike Jong Risan, who was relatively unscathed, Ma Dongpil’s clothes were in tatters. Blood seeped through his rain-soaked garments in several places, but surprisingly, the wounds were not deep.
By the time the two men had washed up and changed their clothes, returning to the pavilion, the sun was slowly setting.
The dark clouds made it much darker than usual, so lanterns had to be hung around the pavilion.
For masters who had reached a high realm, their eyesight made lanterns unnecessary, but there was a clear difference between having light and not.
*Plip! Plop!*
The pouring rain had subsided a little.
How long had they been engaged in a heated discussion about martial arts over the table of drinks?
“Mm.”
Only then did Seo Ryang rise from his seat.
“You’re awake?”
“Oh? Has it gotten this late already?”
“It has.”
“My apologies. I didn't realize so much time had passed.”
“It’s fine. We all know how much time it takes for a martial artist who has entered a new realm to explore that new world.”
Seo Ryang gave a faint smile.
Just as Jong Risan said, when one enters a new realm, they must struggle fiercely to control that power. For some, it can even take several months.
But in truth, this realm was not a new world to Seo Ryang. He had reached it before; he only needed to meditate because he had ascended as a demon.
And in that short time, he was able to fully understand the realm known as the Pinnacle of Demonic Arts.
Ma Dongpil stood up.
“I will bring a new table of drinks.”
“It’s fine.”
“The food has all gone cold.”
“We can just eat it as it is. Don’t you agree?”
Jong Risan also nodded.
“It doesn’t matter to us, but aren’t you hungry, Third Young Master? There’s no need to change the whole table, but we could use more food.”
“It’s fine. I’ll eat plenty tomorrow to cure my hangover.”
And so, the three men sat facing each other around the table of drinks.
Seo Ryang filled Jong Risan’s cup and said.
“You’ve endured much on the chaotic battlefield.”
“I didn't endure anything. You're the one who suffered the most, Third Young Master.”
“I was just rampaging, unable to control my anger.”
This time, he filled Ma Dongpil’s cup.
“You went through a lot, too.”
“Thank you.”
Finally, Seo Ryang’s own cup was filled.
“Well then, shall we start with a drink?”
*Clink!*
The three men toasted and drained their cups.
As soon as he emptied his cup, Seo Ryang spoke.
“Lord.”
“Speak.”
“I won’t beat around the bush.”
“Hmm?”
*Thud.*
Setting down his cup, Seo Ryang smiled and said.
“Join me.”