The Yin God's Shadow (2)
The great hall's stone gate remained as it had been before. However, it seemed the carving work had been done much more neatly than in the past. Unlike before, when it might have resembled a bandit's lair, it now exuded an air of byeolyucheonji—a world apart.
"It has changed quite a bit since then," Yeon Hojeong remarked calmly.
Yang Cheon struggled to suppress a chuckle that threatened to escape.
"You truly are a shameless fellow."
"What do you mean?"
"Regardless of the reasons, this was once a place where you belonged. Do you truly feel no guilt at all?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"It was merely a mission. If I felt guilt over every little thing, I could not do this work."
"You seem quite adept at professional espionage."
"I have never received formal spy training. There was no time for it. I simply did my best within my capabilities when the situation demanded deception."
The Black Faction was not composed solely of despicable or evil individuals. On the contrary, those with a heroic spirit were more highly regarded in the Black Faction.
In other words, admitting to deception before Yang Cheon, who was called the King of Combat, would earn him no favor. It would only heighten suspicion.
And precisely because of that, Yang Cheon found himself able to trust Yeon Hojeong's abilities. Those who evaluated themselves harshly tended to be more capable. 'He is not ignorant of this. If this too is a calculated statement, then he is truly a serpent-like man.'
Of course, Yang Cheon did not believe Yeon Hojeong's words were a ploy. At least from what he had seen, Yeon Hojeong possessed a brilliant mind but was no petty scoundrel.
Kugung!
The great hall's doors closed.
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
"Baek Seo, that man—his gaze was quite fierce."
"It is only natural. Baek Seo is the head of the Twelve Earthly Branches and my most trusted aide. His sense of betrayal toward you is likely greater than mine, not less."
"I thought as much."
Yang Cheon took a seat. It was not the grand seat of honor but a small chair before a table set to one side.
"There is no need to waste time here."
"Of course not."
"I will ask. How do you intend to detoxify the Shadow Emperor Divine Palm? No, before that—can you confirm this is truly a poisoning symptom?"
Yeon Hojeong spoke directly.
"When I was head of the intelligence division, did you not suddenly lose consciousness, Lord Yang?"
"……That is correct."
"Did you not feel something was amiss at the time?"
"It would be a lie to say I did not. But no matter how deeply I examined my inner self, there was no discernible abnormality in my body."
Yang Cheon's eyes deepened.
"I know my own body well. This is not arrogance. You too have broken through the Wall of Martial Mastery, so you should understand how the body and energy change after transcending to the extreme realm."
"Of course I do."
"The realm of Limitless that people speak of exists on a different plane from the Wall of Martial Mastery. Upon reaching that stage, everything changes. It varies by individual, but with focus, one can even see through to the very grain of objects."
Yeon Hojeong knew this as well. He too had once entered that realm.
"And the same applies to my own body. Though I am no physician, I can confidently say that when it comes to examining my own body, I surpass any physician in the world."
"That is a reasonable pride."
"Yet you are certain I have been poisoned?"
"I am. As I said before, you must have felt something as well, Lord Yang."
Yang Cheon gazed silently at Yeon Hojeong.
As he had said, Yang Cheon had sensed something amiss long ago. However, it remained merely a suspicion—he could not be certain.
"As you said, Lord Yang, those who have entered the Limitless realm see the world differently."
"……You speak as if you have reached that stage yourself."
"That is not important. What matters is how that 'eye' was obtained."
"What do you mean?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
"To enter the realm of a supreme master, various factors are required. But the foundation is energy."
"That is true. But that……"
"The golden palm print engraved on your chest, Lord Yang, is not a wound that causes poisoning. That print is merely a factory."
"A factory?"
"Yes."
"What kind of factory?"
"A factory designed to process and refine your true energy, ultimately turning you into a puppet."
"……?!"
Yang Cheon's eyes widened.
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
"It is understandable that you did not notice, Lord Yang. Even the Ghostly Divine Physician, the foremost physician in the Black Faction, examined your body, yet discovering this is no easy task for a physician."
"……"
"You perceive the world through energy, Lord Yang. Having reached such a lofty realm, your energy unconsciously envelops your entire body at all times."
"……That is correct."
"What the Shadow Emperor Divine Palm has poisoned is not your physical body—your tissues. It is your true energy."
"……!!"
Yang Cheon's mouth fell open slightly.
"It poisoned my true energy?"
"Yes."
"You mean it contaminated energy with energy?"
"Yes."
"……I ask again. Are you saying that my true energy, having reached the Holy Heaven realm, has been contaminated by the Saum Sect Leader's Shadow Emperor Divine Palm?"
"Yes."
Yang Cheon shouted involuntarily.
"That is absurd!"
Though he had shouted without thinking, Yang Cheon found himself gripped by the possibility that Yeon Hojeong's words might be true.
It was virtually impossible for a supreme master who had entered the Limitless realm to lose consciousness without detecting any abnormalities.
Yet Yang Cheon had lost consciousness. If it had happened during combat, his life would have been forfeit.
At that thought, Yang Cheon felt a chill he had not experienced in a long time.
Yeon Hojeong spoke in a grave tone.
"Have you never once suspected the utility of the Shadow Emperor Divine Palm?"
"……?!"
"The Shadow Emperor Divine Palm is a fearsome art. As a type of dark technique, it detonates the opponent's heart vessels, making it an art that even masters of equal skill would dread. However, it is not entirely impossible to counter—if one knows its characteristics."
"……!!"
"The Saum Sect Leader is powerful—powerful enough to defeat you, Lord Yang. Why would such a master, wielding an art whose power is great but whose countermeasures would be exposed if word spread, spare your life?"
Yang Cheon's eyelids trembled.
"……Because he was confident. Confident that I would not defy him."
"That is exactly it."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes turned cold.
Merely mentioning the four characters "Saum Sect Leader" dampened his mood considerably.
"When I was head of the intelligence division of the Black Dragon Department, I sensed something amiss in your true energy, Lord Yang. Though its aura was immense, I detected a strange flaw in the energy that leaked out. Of course, the aura itself was formidable, but it felt turbid—unworthy of the title King of Combat."
"……"
"You would not have known. After all, you were seeing the world through already contaminated true energy. Had you engaged in a life-and-death battle with someone, it might have been different. But merely examining wounds without a proper fight would yield no answers. You had not even pushed your power to its limits."
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Yang Cheon's chest with his index finger.
It was a rather provocative gesture, yet Yang Cheon could not rebuke him.
"Like paper slowly soaking in water, your true energy had already been gradually infiltrated by the sinister energy of the Shadow Emperor Palm Force."
"……I cannot believe it. No matter how strong the opponent, contaminating the true energy of one who has reached the Limitless realm is nearly impossible."
"It is the Saum Sect Leader who wields such near-impossible ability. The Saum Sect's arts have excelled at infiltration techniques for generations. In the field of dark techniques, no one in the Central Plains can match the Saum Sect Leader."
That was precisely why it had been difficult to capture the Saum Sect Leader during his time as the Black Dark Emperor.
If one engaged in a life-and-death battle, they had to capture him immediately. Otherwise, if they allowed an attack, they would have to fight later while poisoned by the Saum Sect Leader's sinister energy.
Of course, even Yeon Hojeong had not known at the time that the Shadow Emperor Divine Art possessed the ability to contaminate true energy.
However, the intuition honed through countless battlefields had warned him: he must not allow even a single strike from the Saum Sect Leader's Shadow Emperor Divine Art. And if he did allow one, he must not let the opponent escape.
That was why Yeon Hojeong had attempted to subjugate the Saum Sect Leader alongside Moyong Gun, who was revered as the Sword God. Beyond martial prowess, the Saum Sect Leader was an exceedingly dangerous enemy.
"Then," Yang Cheon's gaze had grown as cold as Yeon Hojeong's.
"If you knew this, why did you not inform me when you were head of the intelligence division?"
"Are you asking why? You are the King of Combat. Such a figure established the Black Dragon Department without a sound, and moreover, you were an enemy. Why would I do something beneficial for an enemy?"
Yeon Hojeong spoke so boldly that even Yang Cheon was left speechless.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"Besides, I did not fully understand it at the time either. However, after returning to the Martial Alliance, I pondered it. I even sought counsel from the finest physicians."
"Physicians?"
"There is such a person. Young in age, yet her skill rivals that of the Ghostly Divine Physician—a woman."
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
"In any case, there is a detoxification method she provided. It will take some time, but with your level of ability, Lord Yang, you should be able to correct the contaminated true energy in less than two days."
"……Very well."
Yang Cheon hardened his gaze.
"I will let the past remain buried. Then, how do we detoxify this?"
"The detoxification method is surprisingly simple. However, it will require some money."
"Money?"
"Yes. But I have heard that the Black Dragon Department's financial resources are immense. So it should not be difficult. Ah! Just in case, it would be best to summon the Ghostly Divine Physician to assist with the detoxification."
"What exactly is this method?"
Yeon Hojeong gave a bitter smile.
"Do you have any spirit medicines in storage? Ones with medicinal potency comparable to the Shaolin Great Return Pill?"
* * *
Two days later.
"Yeon……!"
Moyong Woo, who had nearly called him "Yeon Je" without thinking, cleared his throat and bowed respectfully.
"You have arrived, Lord Daesu."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for waiting. You heard from Kang Liang, I suppose?"
"Yes. But I find it hard to believe. Did you truly visit the Black Dragon Department?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"Why? Did you think I left my subordinates behind and went to some pleasure house to play?"
Moyong Woo waved his hands in embarrassment.
"I-I did not think that……"
"Haha, I know."
"So, how did it go?"
"How did it go? I returned safe and sound, as you can see."
"……Haha."
Kang Liang, standing with arms crossed at a distance, grumbled.
"It is fortunate you returned safely, but it seems you received a gift as well?"
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Your eyes are as sharp as ever. Is it that obvious?"
"It cannot help but be obvious. After fighting the King of Combat to the brink, not only is your body unscathed, but your energy aura is blazing fiercely."
The soldiers of the Uijeong Army who had been quietly listening to their conversation were startled. They had never imagined that Yeon Hojeong had fought the King of Combat.
"That is true as well."
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
"I received a fine medicine as a gift. I had intended to save it if possible, but he told me to take it. Said it was the King of Combat's life payment or something. So I took it."
"How considerate of you."
"It is true, you fool."
"I will believe you."
"It is not that you will believe me—it is true!"
"I understand."
At that moment, Moyong Woo spoke.
"In any case, I am glad you returned safely. Then……"
"Yes. It is time to move."
Yeon Hojeong looked toward the south.
His mischievous gaze instantly turned cold.
"I also received information about the target. We can skip the trivial reconnaissance."