Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: A Deceptive Offer
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Pung Yeo-ryang continued, his eyes filled with deep concern.
“Hiding it won't solve anything. He's bound to find out eventually.”
“It makes no difference whether he finds out now or later.”
“You, really...”
“It's fine. I'm fine.”
Hyeok Gong-baek offered a calm smile.
“It's the kind of truth that will only bring him pain, isn't it? If so, it's right to delay that moment as long as possible.”
He then patted the shoulder of Pung Yeo-ryang, who was looking at him with worry.
“Now, let's go see just how much our grandson has changed.”
Hyeok Gong-baek could hardly believe his eyes.
His grandson, Hyeok So-jin, who had always been pessimistic and bothered by everything, had now become a mature martial artist with a solemn aura and a stern gaze.
“Grandfather.”
In the past, his grandson would have run up and thrown his arms around him.
But now, he stood tall and dignified, bowing his head in a respectful greeting.
“Hohoho.”
Seeing the composed Hyeok So-jin, Hyeok Gong-baek let out a hearty laugh.
Wasn't he exhibiting an aura and demeanor unimaginable in the past?
Just then, Bu Eun-seol, who was standing beside him, clasped his hands in a polite gesture.
“Bu Eun-seol, disciple of Nang-ya-gak, greets the Lord.”
“You've done well.”
Placing a hand on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder, Hyeok Gong-baek wore a deeply moved expression.
“Even though I set such an unreasonable condition... you have done far more than I asked.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly shook his head.
“Not at all.”
“Hahaha.”
Hyeok Gong-baek let out a hearty laugh.
In life, one sometimes encounters a benefactor.
To Hyeok Gong-baek, Bu Eun-seol was exactly that.
“We shouldn't just stand here. Let's move. I've prepared a banquet.”
Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin left San-cheon-jae and moved to Eun-hwi-gak, where the banquet was prepared.
Walking alongside Bu Eun-seol and observing his surroundings, Hyeok So-jin's mouth fell open.
“It's changed so much. The entire sect.”
With funds from Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong, the fortunes of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji had improved to an extent incomparable to the past.
Everything old and worn was replaced with new. They also hired young maids and servants to attend to the demonic masters residing in Do-won-hyang.
“Lord.”
Moreover, young people passing by would bow deeply upon seeing Hyeok Gong-baek.
Backed by immense financial power, they had not only recruited young masters of the demonic path but also accepted young disciples to learn the various martial arts of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.
“Come, sit here.”
Hyeok Gong-baek seated Bu Eun-seol in the seat of honor and personally poured him a drink.
Upon entering the banquet hall, they saw a large table laden with delicacies from land and sea, and fine wine.
Young martial artists were seated in rows on either side.
These were the young hall masters and leaders who would one day lead Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.
Bu Eun-seol looked around with a puzzled expression.
The grand demonic masters of Do-won-hyang, who could be called the very essence of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, were nowhere to be seen.
“The elders from Do-won-hyang are not here.”
“Hahaha. You're the only one who would look for those old folks.”
Hyeok Gong-baek said with a low laugh.
“How could we simply accept the goodwill of Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong without reciprocating?”
“In that case...”
As Bu Eun-seol's eyes lit up with realization, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded.
“I sent them to Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong. To personally impart their various demonic arts.”
Hyeok Gong-baek, well aware of the situation at Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong, had ordered the demonic masters of Do-won-hyang to pass on their martial arts.
Though old and ailing, with their internal energy incomplete, they still had enough strength left to teach others.
If these masters, who were a treasure trove of demonic arts, were to pass on their skills?
The martial prowess of Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong's disciples would skyrocket in a short period.
Furthermore, they would also be passing on the knowledge and experience gained from countless battlefields...
The women would gain a wealth of insight without ever having to venture into the Jianghu.
“You've made a difficult decision, my Lord.”
Originally, Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji was a reclusive sect that did not interact with any of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Hyeok Gong-baek smiled gently at Bu Eun-seol's words.
“It's all thanks to you for opening the floodgates.”
Then he let out a deep sigh and said.
“Our sect's inclusion in the Ten Demonic Sects was born purely of 'necessity'. This was the only place for aging demonic masters whose powers were fading.”
Hyeok Gong-baek spoke in a voice filled with deep regret.
“But thanks to you, an exchange between sects has begun. And the results are what you see before you now.”
An exchange between sects.
It is different from the connection between individuals. If sects open their hearts to one another, helping to fill what the other lacks...
They can develop to an extent that the outcome is unpredictable.
“Lord.”
Just then, Jin-wi Leader Un-gyeom cautiously entered the banquet hall and whispered something quietly to Hyeok Gong-baek.
As he listened silently, Hyeok Gong-baek's expression changed slightly, and he shook his head.
“There's no need to let him in. Send him away.”
“But...”
Just as Un-gyeom was about to shake his head,
“Hahaha. Brother Hyeok. Why do you seek to cast this little brother out?”
The man who entered the banquet hall was of average build, a middle-aged man with a goatee.
He had the scruffy appearance of a street thug, but in reality, he was Gwa-hyeol-seong Yu Hyeok-sim, one of the top ten poison masters from the Hell Blood Fortress.
He was originally an old man of a similar age to Hyeok Gong-baek, but he maintained a youthful appearance due to the fearsome poison arts he had mastered.
“How did you get in here?”
Hyeok Gong-baek furrowed his brow.
Even if Leader Un-gyeom couldn't stop him, wasn't Gwang-sa Pung Yeo-ryang, whose skills were no less than his own, at the entrance?
“Hahaha. Of course, I explained the situation to Brother Pung.”
“The situation?”
“That this little brother simply brought a precious gift for Brother Hyeok.”
Yu Hyeok-sim extended his wide sleeves and clasped his hands.
Suddenly, a small wooden box appeared resting on his hands.
“I heard that Brother Hyeok has been searching for Hong-gwan-yeop and Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok.”
For a moment, Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes wavered.
Within Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, the only one who knew that fact was his closest friend, Pung Yeo-ryang.
“That's right. From Brother Pung's perspective, what's most important is Brother Hyeok's well-being.”
Hyeok Gong-baek glanced around and waved his hand.
“We are holding a banquet here. Let's speak elsewhere.”
“Haha, very well.”
Hyeok Gong-baek looked at Bu Eun-seol and said in a low voice.
“I need to step out for a moment. Please, continue drinking.”
“Understood.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded calmly.
After Hyeok Gong-baek and Yu Hyeok-sim left the banquet hall, he spoke in a low voice.
“So-jin.”
“Yes.”
“Go and stay by the Lord's side.”
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was incredibly grave.
“There is no need to worry.”
Although he sensed something was amiss, Hyeok So-jin forced a smile and said.
“They say the Ten Demonic Sects don't interact, but our relationship with the Hell Blood Fortress isn't that bad.”
“Protect him.”
Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
“Make sure the Lord does not make a wrong decision.”
Inside the office of San-cheon-jae.
On the large table meant for receiving guests, a small wooden box was placed.
It was the box Yu Hyeok-sim had brought.
“It can't be for nothing.”
Hyeok Gong-baek swept his sharp gaze over Yu Hyeok-sim.
“State your terms.”
“It's simple.”
Yu Hyeok-sim said with an affable smile.
“Just promise to remain neutral and not interfere in the current succession battle.”
“What did you say?”
“Bu Eun-seol. It is the decision of our Fortress that he must not become the successor of the Demon Palace.”
“Hahahaha.”
Hyeok Gong-baek laughed boisterously before abruptly stopping.
“Are you asking me, the Lord of this sect, to go back on my word?”
It was as if purple lightning was continuously striking within his eyes.
But Yu Hyeok-sim maintained a relaxed expression.
“Support for a successor is something that can be withdrawn at any time, isn't it?”
Not only that, but a faint smile played on his lips.
“I hear your grandson has become a very fine successor. But isn't this a time when he still needs his Lord's guidance and touch?”
“...”
“In any case, this too falls within the scope of the succession battle. Our Fortress will take full responsibility for whatever happens next.”
Yu Hyeok-sim said in an insinuating tone.
“Isn't Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji a place that doesn't care who becomes the successor of the Demon Palace? Now that your grandson has come to his senses... shouldn't you, Brother Hyeok, be by his side to ensure he becomes a great Lord?”
“Hmm.”
“Brother Hyeok's power must have already reached the Heavenly Being stage. If you were to recover your health, you could live for at least another forty or fifty years.”
Yu Hyeok-sim pointed to the wooden box on the table with a sinister gaze.
“There are only two Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok in the entire martial world, and right now, our Fortress is the only one that possesses one.”
“Hmph.”
Hyeok Gong-baek grunted and rose from his seat.
In truth, his body was in a critical state. Without the peerless elixir Hong-gwan-yeop and the precious treasure Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok, he would not be able to survive.
However, the only one who knew this was Pung Yeo-ryang.
He had told everyone else that he had simply collapsed from overexertion...
Yet somehow, the Hell Blood Fortress had found out and was now bargaining with him, using the Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok.
“Hmm.”
Grunting, Hyeok Gong-baek turned his head to look at the crescent moon visible beyond the window.
If he refused Yu Hyeok-sim's offer, he would draw his last breath before that crescent moon could become full.
“If you think of your beloved grandson, and the future of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji... shouldn't you choose practicality over pride?”
“Hmm. If my body recovers, living past a hundred would hardly be surprising.”
“Exactly, Brother Hyeok.”
“But do you think I, the Lord of this sect, would live a cowardly life, coveting my remaining years and failing to keep my word?”
Hyeok Gong-baek looked down at Yu Hyeok-sim with a solemn gaze.
“Leave.”
A purple light flashed in Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes.
In the past, he would have killed Yu Hyeok-sim and seized the box, no matter the consequences.
But now, not only was his body in no condition to fight, but Yu Hyeok-sim had also brought some four hundred poison men with him.
He could not yet burden Hyeok So-jin with such a risk.
“Indeed, Brother Hyeok, you possess a spirit worthy of the leader of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji.”
Yu Hyeok-sim gave a thumbs-up and glanced outside with a strange smile.
“But I wonder if your grandson shares the same opinion.”
For a moment, Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes widened in surprise.
How could he have failed to sense Hyeok So-jin's presence when Yu Hyeok-sim had?
Hyeok Gong-baek's body was not in a normal state, and his internal energy had been greatly diminished.
*Fwoosh.*
A faint sound of slicing air was heard, and soon a tall figure entered the office.
Hyeok So-jin, who had been hiding his presence and eavesdropping from the roof, had immediately entered after being detected by Yu Hyeok-sim.
Hyeok So-jin's eyes, as he entered the office, were dark and heavy.
“Grandfather.”
“It's nothing. I'm just feeling a little unwell.”
Just then, Yu Hyeok-sim interjected.
“Did you not know? The Lord is suffering from Pa-geum-jeol-jeung, a condition where his qi and blood are hardening.”
Hyeok So-jin's vision went dark.
Pa-geum-jeol-jeung.
It was an incurable disease where the brain meridians slowly became blocked, initially causing movements and reactions to slow down.
As the illness worsened, the muscles and joints would harden like stone, rendering the body completely immobile.
‘Was it not enough for the heavens to take my father and mother? Must they now take my grandfather as well?’
Hyeok So-jin clenched his fists.
What sin had the Hyeok family committed to deserve such repeated punishment from the heavens?
“The only cure for Pa-geum-jeol-jeung is Hong-gwan-yeop and Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok.”
At that moment, Yu Hyeok-sim spoke again.
“Only two Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok have been passed down through the martial world. One was at Mu-ha-su-yu-jeong but was lost, and the other is in the possession of our Fortress.”
Hyeok So-jin scanned Yu Hyeok-sim with a sharp gaze.
“So? You're here to see Brother Bu killed?”
“I'm only asking you to withdraw your support.”
Yu Hyeok-sim said with a faint smile.
“If you just promise to withdraw your support, I will give you this Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok immediately. Then the Lord will recover completely... and maintain his health for decades.”
Hyeok So-jin bit his lip.
Most martial artists who contract Pa-geum-jeol-jeung choose to end their own lives.
No one wants to become a living mummy, completely paralyzed with only their breath remaining.
“Just like my Palace, isn't the demonic path always a place that revolves around practical gain?”
Yu Hyeok-sim said with a smile.
“Passionate loyalty is fine, but surely the life of one's own flesh and blood is more important.”
In that instant, a purple radiance flared in Hyeok So-jin's eyes.
If this had been the old him, he would have attacked without a second thought.
But he was different now.
From Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin had learned not only composure but also how to quickly assess a situation and make the best decision.
“Brother Hyeok. Judging by his expression, it seems your grandson has a different opinion.”
“You've seen wrong.”
Though he was forcing himself to remain calm, purple lightning was also crackling in Hyeok So-jin's eyes.
“My opinion is the same as my grandfather's.”
“Hmm. If that is what you both wish, then there is nothing to be done.”
Yu Hyeok-sim's reaction was surprisingly compliant. As if he had expected this all along.
“Well then, we shall meet again.”
Watching Yu Hyeok-sim's back as he left as if nothing had happened, Hyeok So-jin felt a surge of killing intent.
If he mobilized the masters of Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji, he could strike him down right now.
But doing so would trigger an all-out war with the Hell Blood Fortress.
Not only that, but killing a master from the Ten Demonic Sects without reason could also invite sanctions from the Demon Palace.
“Well done.”
After Yu Hyeok-sim left, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded and began to speak.
“The moment we negotiate with men like him is the moment our sect is finished.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
The Hyeok So-jin of the past would have either accepted the offer without hesitation to save him, or lost his reason and attacked Yu Hyeok-sim.
But the Hyeok So-jin of today was looking at the bigger picture, like a true leader of a sect.
If they were to abandon their promise between sects for such a shallow trick?
Hyeok Gong-baek might survive, but Jeol-cheon-myeol-ji would never again be able to stand as one of the ten pillars supporting the demonic path.
“Why didn't you tell me sooner? I had no idea...”
As Hyeok So-jin bit his lip, Hyeok Gong-baek gave a faint smile.
“What would have changed if I had told you? It would have only prolonged your suffering.”
“You don't need to worry about anything.”
Hyeok So-jin said, clenching his fists tightly.
“Now that I know where the Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok is, by any means necessary...”
As he spoke, an inexplicable sense of unease flashed through his mind.
It was like grasping an unknown object, only to have filthy sewage ooze out.
“This was the plan from the very beginning.”
“Hm?”
“That man never had any intention of giving us the Cheong-hwa-yeon-ok.”
Hyeok So-jin's eyes flew wide open. He had finally seen through Yu Hyeok-sim's sinister plot.