Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: The Human Demon, Ak Mu-ryeong
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Bu Eun-seol's expression turned frigid as he looked down at the letter.
‘The Lord of the Gak has completed his seclusion?’
Coincidentally, the Lord of Nang-ya-gak was said to have finished his seclusion around the same day Bu Eun-seol dealt with Geol-wang.
And upon hearing of all that had transpired, the Lord of Nang-ya-gak had ordered him to return to the Gak immediately.
The Human Demon, Ak Mu-ryeong.
One of the Three Demons and Three Revered Ones, a man whose martial prowess was so beyond imagination that he could face the Ma-cheon-je alone.
—A bizarre existence that could be called neither demon nor human.
This was how the martial world described the Human Demon, Ak Mu-ryeong.
He was born with such innately powerful strength and physique that he could hardly be called human.
And because his level of martial arts had long since surpassed the limits of a human, he was called the Human Demon.
‘I had longed for the day I would meet him... but to think it would be now of all times.’
In truth, Bu Eun-seol had always hoped to meet the Lord of Nang-ya-gak ever since he first entered the Gak.
But with him in seclusion, he had momentarily forgotten about his existence.
To be summoned back to Nang-ya-gak at such a crucial time, just as he was finishing his duties as a successor candidate and preparing to return to the Ma-jeon.
‘I have a bad feeling about this.’
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
There was no choice in the matter. The Lord himself had commanded his return, so he had to go back to Nang-ya-gak at once.
Leaving Seong-do, Bu Eun-seol immediately employed his movement arts and headed for Mount Geom-mi.
His figure, which had been slicing through the air, finally descended to the ground upon reaching the mountainside of Mount Geom-mi.
He had finally arrived at Nang-ya-gak.
Though it appeared to be a peaceful village on the outside, Nang-ya-gak was where the most formidable masters of the demonic martial world gathered.
‘What is this?’
But upon entering the threshold of Nang-ya-gak, Bu Eun-seol could not hide his bewilderment.
At the entrance stood a high, thick wall that hadn't been there before, and in its center was a massive iron gate, three *jang* high.
Judging by its exterior alone, it looked no different from the Ma-jeon.
“To build such a massive gate and not even post guards.”
With a hollow smile, Bu Eun-seol stepped through the iron gate.
In that instant, his eyes gradually widened.
The scenery of Nang-ya-gak, once like a shabby village, had vanished.
Glittering pavilions stood on all sides, and the once-bumpy roads were now paved, smooth enough for carriages to pass through.
It looked like a street in the magnificent Imperial Capital.
‘Could it be that the Gak moved elsewhere, and another sect has taken its place?’
There was not a single person passing by.
Master Blacksmith Wang Geol and his smithy, which used to be near the entrance, were also gone.
Just as Bu Eun-seol, sensing something was amiss, hurried further inside,
“You’ve come.”
A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar slowly walked out from the opposite path.
It was Baek Yeon, the Lord of the Pung-un Division.
“Lord.”
Bu Eun-seol bowed his head deeply.
When he raised his head, he saw a face as cold as if carved from ice, one that looked as though it wouldn't bleed a single drop even if pierced.
In reality, however, he was a man of great affection and the one who looked after Bu Eun-seol most diligently.
“Have you been well?”
“I almost didn’t recognize you.”
As Baek Yeon nodded and smiled, his expression softened, like spring arriving at a frozen lake.
“You have now become a true successor of our Gak.”
Baek Yeon's face was flushed with excitement as he gazed at Bu Eun-seol.
A disciple who had joined Nang-ya-gak only a few years ago had slain one of the Seven Kings of the Four Deities.
Such a rate of growth was unprecedented in the martial world.
“You have truly worked hard.”
Baek Yeon shook Bu Eun-seol’s shoulders vigorously.
Baek Yeon always restrained his emotions, but this time, he openly revealed his heartfelt gratitude.
Geol-wang, Gu Hong-cheong. He had mercilessly slaughtered eight members of the division that Baek Yeon had personally trained.
A blood debt must be paid in blood.
However, because they couldn't refute the false accusation that Bu Eun-seol had used a joint attack, Nang-ya-gak had been unable to move against Geol-wang.
But then, Bu Eun-seol, as if to prove them all wrong, killed Geol-wang single-handedly.
Furthermore, he had avenged the division members and upheld the prestige of Nang-ya-gak...
From Baek Yeon's perspective, he was beyond pleased; he was deeply moved.
“What in the world happened here?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought I had arrived in the capital.”
“Hahaha. That is all thanks to you.”
Baek Yeon couldn't hold back his laughter and let out a hearty chuckle.
“Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong has invested a vast sum of money into our Gak, more than we could ever spend.”
He shrugged and continued.
“Thanks to that, the disciples of our Gak no longer need to engage in economic activities and can focus entirely on their martial arts. Not only that, but as our finances became plentiful…”
—Hah!
Just then, the clear shouts of young boys echoed from a distance.
As Bu Eun-seol tilted his head in confusion, Baek Yeon smiled brightly and said,
“Countless boys and young men have flocked here, seeking to join our Gak.”
Baek Yeon wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
“Thanks to them, we've set up ten large training grounds. And the masters of our Gak are so busy teaching the disciples that they have no time for anything else.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand why he hadn't seen any of the Nang-ya-gak members around.
They were selecting disciples from the throngs who had gathered at Nang-ya-gak and were busy training them.
“Were you completely unaware of the Gak’s situation?”
“My apologies.”
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head with an embarrassed expression.
“I was so preoccupied with my own affairs... I haven't been receiving reports on the Gak's situation.”
“You were busy with many things. There’s no need to feel sorry for that.”
Then, as if just remembering, Bu Eun-seol spoke with a serious expression.
“I heard that the Lord of the Gak has ended his seclusion and returned.”
At that moment, Baek Yeon’s eyes darkened.
“That’s right. You must go and see the Lord now.”
“It doesn’t seem like he summoned me for a pleasant reason.”
“Hmm.”
Baek Yeon hummed and nodded.
“As you know, the Lord feels a considerable sense of rivalry toward the Lord of the Ma-jeon.”
Baek Yeon stared into the distant sky with a grave expression.
“And yet you, who could be called the greatest talent of our Gak, are struggling to become the successor of the Ma-jeon…”
He didn't need to hear the rest to understand.
The Lord of Nang-ya-gak, Ak Mu-ryeong, was furious, thinking that the Ma-cheon-je had stolen his disciple.
“Is it alright if I go see him now?”
“No, the Vice Lord will be here shortly. You must go with him.”
Baek Yeon's eyes were tense.
That alone was enough to guess the nature of the Lord of Nang-ya-gak.
No, of the Human Demon, Ak Mu-ryeong.
“Where is the Vice Lord? I will go find him myself.”
“He’s swamped. Too many disciples have poured in, and the scale of the Gak has grown. On top of that, Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong has sent their elite disciples to be split between our Gak and Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.”
“From Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong, you say?”
“I don't know how you managed to win over that eccentric old man, Geuk Hye-ryeong... but he's giving our Gak his full support.”
Baek Yeon let out a sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a gasp.
“He's not only providing funds but is even sharing Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong’s intelligence network with our Gak.”
“Their intelligence network?”
Bu Eun-seol couldn't hide his surprise.
An intelligence organization is a sect's greatest secret and its very core.
And yet they're offering their own network? That's tantamount to handing over the entire sect.
“Indeed. To repay their deep generosity and to foster exchange between our two factions, the Vice Lord sent some of our disciples to Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong. In return, Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong sent their disciples to our Gak.”
The masters of Nang-ya-gak were truly supreme warriors, each a match for a thousand.
With such individuals entering Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong for exchange, the prestige of both factions would surely rise in tandem.
“I see.”
Bu Eun-seol looked bewildered. Even he had not predicted such a development.
The exchange between sects is a bit different from personal relationships.
Simply by opening up and interacting, they could achieve dazzling progress and expand their influence.
“However, the Lord dislikes such exchanges, so we were in the middle of persuading him. Then he heard the news about you and issued the order for your return.”
“Bu Eun-seol.”
Just then, a low voice spoke, and a tall, handsome middle-aged man appeared.
His expression was one of world-weary languor, but a glint of light flashed in his eyes from time to time. It was the Vice Lord, Dan Cheong.
‘The Vice Lord's martial prowess has advanced another level.’
Dan Cheong's aura and presence were much softer than before.
But a deeper, more tenacious power coiled within his entire body. Bu Eun-seol could sense that his martial realm had progressed even further.
“Vice Lord.”
As Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply, Dan Cheong smiled and nodded.
“I raised you with such painstaking care, and you’ve returned like the swallow from the fable, bearing treasure.”
He said as much, but Dan Cheong’s expression wasn’t particularly bright.
“Thanks to you, the Gak has not only grown in size, but disciples have flocked to us like clouds. Because of that, no one in the Gak has had a moment's sleep in months.”
An ordinary martial artist would have been overjoyed.
But from the perspective of Dan Cheong, who found everything besides martial arts training to be a hassle, the expansion of Nang-ya-gak didn't seem to be an entirely welcome development.
‘They're so similar.’
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly without realizing it.
Only now did he realize how much Dan Cheong’s personality resembled Hyeok So-jin's.
Just then, Dan Cheong looked at Baek Yeon and said,
“The Lord is waiting. Are you coming with us?”
“I will absolutely decline.”
“Hmm, you haven’t told him about the Lord yet?”
“I have not.”
“Then I’ll tell him. You go take care of your business. You’re busy selecting new members for the Pung-un Division, aren't you?”
Eight positions in the excellent Pung-un Division had become vacant because of the mission to save Bu Eun-seol.
Therefore, Baek Yeon seemed to be once again pouring his heart and soul into finding replacements for them.
“Understood.”
Baek Yeon gently patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder once more and said,
“Bu Eun-seol.”
“Yes.”
“The Vice Lord will explain, but whatever you do, do not argue with the Lord.”
Bu Eun-seol didn't quite understand the intention behind his words, but he answered politely.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Good. I know you’ll handle it well.”
After Baek Yeon nodded and turned away, Dan Cheong spoke.
“Let’s go now.”
“Where is the Lord?”
Bu Eun-seol asked, and Dan Cheong replied nonchalantly.
“Cheol-jang Peak.”
Bu Eun-seol walked shoulder to shoulder with Dan Cheong, passing through the center of Nang-ya-gak.
Beyond the wide, grand pavilions, he could see disciples sparring in large training grounds scattered about.
And beyond the forest, there were others honing their movement arts or practicing various other martial skills.
Finally, after passing the central area of Nang-ya-gak, they reached the path leading up to Cheol-jang Peak, and Dan Cheong began to speak.
“As you may have heard from the rumors in the martial world, the Lord’s temper is not very pleasant.”
Dan Cheong said in a low voice as he walked slowly.
“And he is also extremely displeased with the fact that you are to become the successor of the Ma-jeon.”
“Is that why he summoned me?”
“If that were the only reason, I would have persuaded him.”
Dan Cheong then sighed, looking at the distant sky.
“What truly angered the Lord is that you yourself requested the position of Dae-ju of the Ma-jeon.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol let out a soft sound of understanding.
To deal with Geol-wang and to continue the fight for succession... he absolutely needed dozens of outstanding subordinates.
But it seemed his choice to become a Dae-ju of the Ma-jeon had ultimately provoked the Lord’s temper.
“Is a disciple of Nang-ya-gak not allowed to become a Dae-ju of the Ma-jeon?”
“The position of Dae-ju in the Ma-jeon is a rather political one, wouldn’t you say?”
Dan Cheong smiled bitterly.
“Acquiring a position that allows you to wield the Ma-jeon’s power throughout the martial world also means you have a duty to preserve that power.”
The fundamental duty of Nang-ya-gak is to achieve the pinnacle of martial arts.
But to ask for the position of a Ma-jeon Dae-ju in order to become the successor...
From the Lord of Nang-ya-gak’s perspective, it could seem as if Bu Eun-seol had been consumed by a lust for power or had fallen onto a wicked path.
“I…”
“I know. If you had any lust for power, you wouldn't have chosen our Gak in the first place.”
Gazing at the distant sky, Dan Cheong sighed.
“I tried to advise the Lord in my own way, but it was no use.”
Before long, the summit of Cheol-jang Peak came into view.
But suddenly, a voice like thunder echoed from the distant sky.
[I will speak with the boy alone.]
The voice was not just a Six Harmonies Voice Transmission that resounded from all directions at once; it also seemed to rise up from the ground itself.
Moreover, the voice held a strange demonic power that made Bu Eun-seol feel dizzy for a moment.
“Lord. This boy is…”
[I said I will speak with him alone.]
Hearing the cold reply, Dan Cheong bit his lip.
Then, as if he had no choice, he looked at Bu Eun-seol and said,
“Bu Eun-seol. It seems you’ll have to go up alone.”
Then he added via voice transmission.
「The Lord will probably tell you to quit as a successor candidate for the Ma-jeon. Do not argue. Just say you understand. I will take care of everything after that.」
[Dan Cheong!]
An angry voice rang out, as if he had detected Dan Cheong’s use of voice transmission.
“Understood, Lord.”
Dan Cheong gave a wry smile and patted Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder.
“Go on up.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly ascended to the summit of Cheol-jang Peak.
‘Why is the Lord waiting on Cheol-jang Peak?’
This was where Hyeol-geum-gang, who had taught him the Ban-geuk-sim-beop, resided. As such, it was a special place for Bu Eun-seol.
So why would the Lord of Nang-ya-gak summon him here, instead of to a proper pavilion?
Sssk.
When Bu Eun-seol finally reached the summit, he saw the silhouette of a giant figure standing at the edge of the cliff, hands clasped behind his back.
His broad back seemed three times wider than that of an average man, and his forearms were as thick as logs.
His hair was tied up haphazardly with a tree branch, and he wore a worn-out martial robe with sleeves torn off, revealing his entire forearms.
He looked like a warrior who had descended from a deep mountain valley after training in seclusion.
[Hmph.]
With a low grunt, the silhouette finally turned around.
He saw the face of a middle-aged man with majestic, lion-like eyes and a straight, high-bridged nose.
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol drew a sharp breath.
Ma-cheon-je Sa Do-myeong, Blood Demon Jeok Bung, Dark King Yeop Hyo-cheon...
The supreme masters he had met so far who had reached the pinnacle of the martial world, those who could shake the heavens and the earth, had all looked like beings of flesh and blood—like humans.
But the being before him was not a person.
It was as if a ruler of demons from another world had descended upon this land.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to exude such a terrifying yet alien presence.
Flash.
Finally, the glittering eyes of the Lord of Nang-ya-gak, Ak Mu-ryeong, fell upon Bu Eun-seol.