Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Man Ho's Return
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Generally speaking, human emotions tend to dull over time as the years pass.
Having seen, felt, and experienced so much, the breadth and depth of one's heart expand, making it less prone to great upheavals.
Jang Wi was no different.
Now at an age where his back was beginning to stoop and white hairs streaked his head, he rarely showed his emotions outwardly.
To put it more precisely, it was closer to say he no longer felt shocks strong enough to stir his emotions.
Whether joy or sorrow, nothing could elicit a significant response from the vast expanse of his heart.
Thus, Jang Wi was the sort who maintained an impassive expression at all times and reacted with calm indifference to whatever he witnessed.
But not in this moment.
Gulp—
His mouth parched, Jang Wi barely managed to swallow his dry saliva.
Was what he had just witnessed truly real?
Jang Wi still couldn't believe what he had seen moments ago.
"How in the world...?"
The exalted position of the Heavenly Demon's Protector demanded both skill and unwavering loyalty.
Though Jang Wi's mastery fell short of Hyeok Mulin's, he was still a veteran expert who had fought countless battles in the martial world.
As such, he could sense with perfect clarity whether his attack would land on his opponent.
And in that previous exchange...
'It was an attack impossible to evade.'
Jang Wi had snapped the necks and pierced the hearts of countless warriors.
His fingertips had closed in to a distance where they inevitably should have reached the Cult Leader.
No matter how supreme an expert, at that proximity, evasion was out of the question.
Yet the outcome shattered that certainty entirely.
Whoosh.
As Jang Wi's fingers clutched at empty air, he could only stare blankly ahead in a daze.
Before any sense of relief at not harming the Cult Leader could set in, he simply couldn't comprehend the situation.
Unlike Jang Wi's bewildered gaze, however, Hyeok Mulin nodded as if realizing something profound.
He then looked back at Jang Wi and made his request once more.
"Continue attacking me."
"...Understood."
Though questions about what had just happened lingered, Jang Wi could tell the Cult Leader was conducting some kind of test.
Thus, he followed Hyeok Mulin's instructions and attacked with all his might.
Folding his index and middle fingers against his thumb, Jang Wi thrust his fingertips toward Hyeok Mulin's throat in a pinpoint strike.
Branch Swallowing Demon Claw.
His fingers, condensed with demonic energy, glowed crimson.
The motion was even sharper and more precise than before.
However...
Whooosh!
"...!"
The same thing happened again.
Standing perfectly still, Hyeok Mulin waited until the attack was nearly upon him—right at the verge of contact—before shifting his body to evade it.
Once might be coincidence, but twice was deliberate skill.
Jang Wi's eyes widened as he launched strike after strike, but the result remained the same each time.
Facing the incoming attacks, Hyeok Mulin paused and waited before narrowly dodging every one with hair's-breadth precision.
"Enough. That's sufficient."
At Hyeok Mulin's words, Jang Wi's movements halted abruptly.
Finally calming his shocked heart, he turned to Hyeok Mulin and asked,
"Cult Leader, what in the world...?"
Hyeok Mulin, who had been reflecting inwardly, slowly parted his lips with a faint smile and provided the answer.
"It seems my reflexes have reached an extreme level of enhancement."
When people see something and react, they first judge it with their mind before acting.
But in situations too urgent for that process?
The body moves on its own instinct, deciding and acting before thought catches up.
Hyeok Mulin was now in that extreme state—his body's natural reactions heightened to an astonishing degree.
He had evaded attacks that seemed impossible to avoid at such close range.
'Now I understand the nature of this elixir.'
Cherished and preserved by the Southern Wild Beast Palace for a millennium, it was fundamentally different from ordinary elixirs.
Most elixirs aimed to boost internal energy, restore stamina, or replenish vitality.
But this one defied categorization.
Its effect was purely...
'Instinctual movement.'
An elixir designed to infuse the razor-sharp reflexes of a wild beast into human flesh.
Thus, the movements after consumption transcended human limits—a fact that naturally left Jang Wi stunned.
Moreover, since reflexes were an innate instinct, no adaptation was needed.
'I didn't expect much, but the reward far exceeded my hopes.'
In truth, when he first opened the box and saw the elixir, he had felt underwhelmed.
Hyeok Mulin currently felt no shortage in internal energy or vitality.
Yet its effect was precisely what he needed most—perfectly suited to him.
Raising internal energy, external power, and martial mastery was crucial, but external factors couldn't be overlooked.
In clashes between experts of similar realms, such minute differences decided victory or defeat.
"Looks like I need to expand my support items."
He had thought subjugating the Southern Wild Beast Palace and securing the loyalty of its Lord and eldest princess had yielded all possible gains.
Yet it went further, enhancing his own abilities.
A millennium's legacy. He would show them it had not been in vain.
The elixir held not just its effects, but the Beast Palace's faith in him as well.
Fully accepting it, Hyeok Mulin curved his lips in satisfaction.
A few days later, in the Pure Heaven Pavilion.
With Sima Jin away on business, Hyeok Mulin sat alone handling affairs. He glanced briefly at the door.
Then, setting down his brush, he murmured,
"Was I mistaken?"
It had already been a fortnight since his return to the Heavenly Demon Palace from the south.
Yet no word had come from Man Ho.
'I thought there would be some change in his heart.'
For most of his time in the south, Hyeok Mulin had been with Man Ho, the temporary Protector.
He hadn't tried to show off deliberately.
He simply revealed his true self without filter.
How Man Ho interpreted it was up to him.
Over time, he had sensed Man Ho's demeanor growing more at ease.
At first, it was merely the relationship between Cult Leader and Protector.
The free-spirited Man Ho bound by rules, responding stiffly to orders—that was their starting point.
But after shared trials in the south, on the return journey, their conversations had become more relaxed while maintaining decorum.
Yet still, no sign of him.
"I'll wait until today, then."
Though regretful, Hyeok Mulin resolved to let go of any further attachment.
He couldn't waste time pining for Man Ho's visit.
Pressing matters demanded attention, and future tasks loomed large.
Besides, if not now...
'Opportunities will come again.'
Of course, Man Ho pledging loyalty would bring one of the Seven Great Demon Clans under his banner—a significant gain. But seeking him out first was unwise.
The parched man seeks the well only when thirst strikes.
For now, Hyeok Mulin would wait.
Swish.
He picked up his brush and resumed work.
As night deepened and the moon sank...
Mid-stroke, Hyeok Mulin's hand paused.
Slowly turning toward the door, he soon heard a sound.
Knock knock.
To the courteous Jang Wi at the door, Hyeok Mulin asked,
"What is it?"
"Cult Leader, Man Clan Patriarch has arrived at the palace and requests an audience."
Finally.
"Keep him waiting. I'll go out."
Setting down his brush, Hyeok Mulin rose.
Donning a light robe, he opened the door.
Beyond it stood Jang Wi and, beside him, Man Ho.
"I greet the Cult Leader."
Man Ho bowed, and Hyeok Mulin nodded.
"It's only been a fortnight since we parted, yet it feels like years."
Man Ho chuckled lightly.
Half-turning, he said to Hyeok Mulin,
"Cult Leader, care for a walk?"
'...He meant an actual walk.'
Hyeok Mulin followed silently behind Man Ho.
Unconcerned by his trailing presence, Man Ho briskly changed directions toward their destination.
It suited his personality, but stemmed also from certainty that Hyeok Mulin wouldn't lag behind.
Tap—tap—tap—
Two men moved freely under the moonlight.
After considerable travel, they reached their goal.
"This place..."
Hyeok Mulin surveyed the surroundings, then turned to Man Ho.
Who promptly replied,
"It's the finest scenic spot in the New Frontier, as I know it."
It was the summit crater of Flame Mountain in the Turpan Basin.
Once erupting fiercely, melting all around, it now stood as a mere sunken husk, its fury spent.
Nothing surrounded it.
No great trees, no underbrush, not even a blade of grass.
In the empty heart of the barren crater, Hyeok Mulin and Man Ho stood.
The New Frontier held dozens of places more beautiful, Hyeok Mulin wondered briefly why Man Ho called this the best.
But soon, he smirked and looked skyward.
"The surrounding darkness makes the starlight shine brighter."
"As expected of the Cult Leader. You see the true value at once."
Grinning, Man Ho turned to face him.
"I have much to say to you, Cult Leader."
"I know."
"But."
Man Ho drew his sword without hesitation.
Catching the moonlight on its blade, he reflected Hyeok Mulin's image as he continued,
"In the martial world, doesn't this come before words?"
Hyeok Mulin chuckled and placed his hand on his scabbard.
Slowly, he drew the Storm Heaven Demon Sword.
"I agree."
Their gazes clashed sharply.
And soon, without signal, their figures surged toward each other.