Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Aftermath and Arrival
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“This way, Young Master.”
As Bu Eun-seol walked down, an attendant standing at the front politely guided him to a window seat.
“What would you like to have?”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been gazing out the window, widened his eyes.
He had expected a desolate, hellish landscape, but instead, an ordinary marketplace stretched out before him.
“Young Master.”
Jolted by the attendant's prompt, the dazed Bu Eun-seol asked,
“Where is this place?”
“This is the central area of Hellfire Island.”
“The central area…”
Bu Eun-seol nodded as if he had realized something.
During his investigation of Hellfire Island, this central area was the one place he could never enter.
“Would you like to order later?”
“What do you have?”
“We can prepare any dish you desire. The chef here is particularly skilled at the Six-Treasure Cold Platter, stir-fried shark's fin, fried shrimp, and…”
“Noodles.”
“Pardon?”
The attendant, who had been rattling off dish names, stared with wide eyes as Bu Eun-seol spoke softly.
“Two bowls of noodles will be enough.”
“Ah, very well.”
The attendant went to the kitchen and, a short while later, placed two bowls of steaming noodles on the table.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
After the attendant left, Bu Eun-seol stared down at the noodles with a vacant expression.
―You little rascal. We finally come to a nice inn, and you order noodles?
It was the year Bu Eun-seol turned ten.
Bu Jan-yang had taken him to the largest inn in their city.
But even there, the only thing Bu Eun-seol ordered was a bowl of plain noodles with no toppings.
When Bu Jan-yang asked why, Bu Eun-seol had replied with clear, bright eyes.
―You always said that once a person tastes sweetness, they’ll never want to taste bitterness again.
Hearing the answer, Bu Jan-yang nearly burst out laughing.
But Bu Eun-seol’s gaze was so earnest that he could only let out a sigh.
―You silly boy. What I meant was… if you give in to the temptation of taking the easy and comfortable path even once, you’ll never walk the righteous path again.
―In any case, I won’t fall for the temptation of delicious food. If I do, I might never be able to eat plain noodles again.
It was a strange thing to say, but Bu Jan-yang smiled and nodded. And he truly did eat just one bowl of noodles with Bu Eun-seol before they left.
―Do you know why this old grandpa ate only noodles, just as you wished?
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head, Bu Jan-yang laughed cheerfully and patted his head.
―Because today will be an unforgettable day for both this old grandpa and for you.
Bu Jan-yang’s prediction had been correct.
Bu Eun-seol could never forget what happened that day.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
A bright shadow appeared across from Bu Eun-seol, who was lost in his memories.
“What’s wrong? Are you still not feeling well?”
When he came to his senses, a handsome young man with long, flowing hair was sitting in the opposite chair. It was Seo Jin-ha.
“Are you a fan of noodles? You even ordered two bowls.”
“…”
“Well, are you feeling better now?”
“If you have something to say, don’t beat around the bush. Just say it.”
“You arrogant brat. And here I was, actually worried about you for a change.”
Frowning, he shook his head, then let out a deep sigh and said,
“No, I’m not in a position to be annoyed with you.”
“What do you mean?”
Seo Jin-ha cleared his throat and smacked his lips.
“I came to thank you. If it weren’t for you, I would have become a lonely spirit, wandering the netherworld.”
“I never saved you. I merely cut down the enemy before me.”
Seo Jin-ha blinked as he studied Bu Eun-seol’s expression.
“You… do you really not know? Or are you just pretending not to?”
“Know what?”
“From what I heard, there were supposed to be twelve people left at the end of the third trial.”
“So?”
“What do you mean, ‘so’?”
Seo Jin-ha, his arms crossed, couldn’t hide his dumbfounded expression.
“When you, who had cut down three in an instant, were about to be killed by a Murderous Spirit, the Chief Instructor stopped the third trial midway. That’s why you and I are still alive.”
“What did you say?”
As the surprised Bu Eun-seol raised his eyebrows, Seo Jin-ha scratched his cheek with a flustered look.
“What? You really didn’t know? Well, it has been four days…”
“Four days?”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand why his limbs felt slightly thinner.
He thought he had only lost consciousness for a moment, but four days had already passed.
“I thought it had only been a day.”
A bitter smile touched Seo Jin-ha’s lips at Bu Eun-seol’s words.
“You were incredibly lucky. The Mad Physician happened to be staying on this island.”
The Mad Physician, Cheok San-rim.
Once called the Divine Hand, he had been afflicted with a strange illness that made his mind wander after he failed to cure the woman he loved.
Nevertheless, his medical skills were second to none, so the martial world called him the Mad Physician.
‘So it was the Mad Physician.’
The doctor who had healed his injuries so completely was none other than the Mad Physician, who was said to be able to save anyone as long as they were still breathing.
“In any case, I owe you my life. So, I’ll say my thanks.”
Seo Jin-ha’s natural disposition was cold and proud; he wasn’t the type to approach others casually.
But not only had he crossed the line between life and death with Bu Eun-seol, but upon realizing that the boy’s swordsmanship rivaled his own achievements, he had developed a considerable liking for him.
‘He’s cold, yes, but he’s not the type to betray someone or stab them in the back.’
It is always better to keep an exceptional rival close.
Knowing this truth, Seo Jin-ha had approached Bu Eun-seol in a friendly manner.
“Hmph.”
Bu Eun-seol quickly scanned the interior of the inn.
Here and there, he saw the faces of the boys who had fought for their lives. Their expressions were bright, and any trace of killing intent or hostility had vanished.
“So, are all the people here now Sip-ma-jeon-in?”
Seo Jin-ha nodded in response to Bu Eun-seol’s question.
“For now.”
“For now?”
“The leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects are scheduled to visit Hellfire Island soon to select the Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
“How do you know that?”
“You were unconscious, but the rest of us were all briefed by the Man-bak-dang-ju.”
Hearing this, Bu Eun-seol immediately stood up.
He realized that he alone was ignorant of the various pieces of information he should have known about the four days he had been unconscious.
“No need to trouble yourself running around.”
Seo Jin-ha, guessing Bu Eun-seol’s thoughts, said calmly.
“If you have any questions, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just call it a favor for a former comrade.”
A strange smile graced Seo Jin-ha’s lips.
“And I wanted to talk with you a bit more.”
“Hmph.”
As he sat back down at the table, Seo Jin-ha looked out the window and began to speak.
“Ask me anything. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“By what method will the Ten Demonic Sects choose from those who remain?”
“What method?”
“Will they decide based on the opinions of the Chief Instructor or the Man-bak-dang-ju?”
The only ones who had directly witnessed the bloody battle on Hellfire Island were Hyeok-ryeon-eung and Baek Jeon-cheon.
If so, that meant the successors to the Ten Demonic Sects would be chosen based on their opinions…
Considering the scale and importance of the Sip-ma-jeon-in Tournament, that story didn’t quite add up.
“Ah.”
Seo Jin-ha chuckled and shook his head.
“The masters of the Ten Demonic Sects were watching the third trial directly. No, you could say they even participated.”
“Participated?”
At that moment, a thought flashed through Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
“Don’t tell me, it was them.”
“That’s right. They say those Murderous Spirits were actually masters dispatched from each of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Seo Jin-ha wore a bitter smile.
“Apparently, while watching us fight tooth and nail, they were already deciding who would become a Sip-ma-jeon-in and who they would take if they passed.”
“Is that so.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand why the martial arts of the Murderous Spirits, who were merely killing applicants, were on par with those of the instructors.
“But what did you mean earlier when you said the Chief Instructor stopped the third trial to save me?”
“Originally, the third trial was supposed to end when only twelve remained. But the Chief Instructor stopped it midway to save you.”
*Why?* The question arose, and Bu Eun-seol stared intently at Seo Jin-ha.
“Actually… the Man-bak-dang-ju didn’t tell us the reason for that. But it’s obvious even if he didn’t say it.”
Uncrossing his arms, Seo Jin-ha’s eyes flashed.
“The Chief Instructor desperately wanted to make you a Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
After a brief pause, he asked calmly.
“So I have to ask… does your home sect have some connection to the Chief Instructor? Or are you perhaps acquainted with him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“No matter how talented you are… I just can’t understand why he would break the rules to save you.”
“We have no connection whatsoever.”
Seo Jin-ha stared into Bu Eun-seol’s eyes, then shook his head.
“This really doesn’t make any sense.”
“What doesn’t?”
“The Chief Instructor received a heavy punishment for this.”
Seo Jin-ha’s gaze was fixed on Bu Eun-seol’s face.
“He stepped down from his position and returned to the Demonic War Hall. There are rumors he’s been tasked with dealing with the demonic factions that refuse to join the Hall.”
Not all demonic sects were affiliated with the Demonic War Hall.
In particular, factions with their own independent power were openly hostile toward the Hall. It seemed that instead of punishment, Hyeok-ryeon-eung had been assigned the task of dealing with them.
‘This is all incomprehensible.’
He had no connection with the Chief Instructor, not even having spoken to him.
So why would the man risk such a punishment to save him?
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t even begin to imagine.
He couldn't know that his desperate tenacity and will to live, his killing intent, and his remarkable talent for mimicking practical swordsmanship in a short time had all made Chief Instructor Hyeok-ryeon-eung’s heart race.
*Clang, clang.*
Just then, the sound of a large bell echoed from a distance.
Seo Jin-ha’s brow furrowed deeply.
“If you’re done eating, let’s get up.”
As Bu Eun-seol watched him wordlessly, Seo Jin-ha bit his lip.
“That’s the sound of a summons for everyone remaining on Hellfire Island.”
“In that case…”
“Yes.”
His expression turning utterly serious, Seo Jin-ha’s eyes flashed as he spoke in a low voice.
“The leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects have arrived on Hellfire Island.”
* * *
On the southern shore, figures disembarked one by one from ten anchored sailing ships.
Though their attire varied, the aura emanating from each of them was sharp enough to tear the sky asunder.
They were the ten pillars supporting the current Demonic Martial World, the sects and clans that had reached the pinnacle of demonic martial arts.
These were the masters dispatched from each of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Welcome.”
Baek Jeon-cheon, who was standing in front of the ships, clasped his hands together.
“You must be weary from your long journey. We have prepared a banquet at the Seol-eum Pavilion…”
As the Man-bak-dang-ju, he was a high-ranking official, number twenty in the order of precedence, yet his attitude toward them was extremely respectful.
“We did not come here for a scenic tour.”
Among the ten masters, a gaunt man carrying a two-part long spear on his back cut Baek Jeon-cheon off sharply.
“Let’s begin immediately.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m saying there’s no time to waste. Bring all the Sip-ma-jeon-in candidates here at once.”
“Understood.”
Baek Jeon-cheon nodded without another word.
He had indeed prepared a banquet just in case, but he had known they likely wouldn’t attend anyway.
An invisible power struggle existed among the Ten Demonic Sects. While some were on good terms, others snarled at each other like mortal enemies.
“The selected talents are waiting in the Yeong-ma-gak. Please follow me.”
The ten masters then glanced at the Murderous Spirits standing behind Baek Jeon-cheon.
Only after the Murderous Spirits gave a slight nod did they finally begin to walk.
Yeong-ma-gak.
It was a massive pavilion in the central area of Hellfire Island.
Originally, it was a place where the masters of the Demonic War Hall secretly practiced their martial arts or entered seclusion for training.
And now, inside the Yeong-ma-gak, fourteen boys stood with hardened expressions.
*Thud.*
With a low vibration, the doors opened, and Baek Jeon-cheon, dressed in scholar’s robes, entered, followed by over twenty others.
They were the masters dispatched from the Ten Demonic Sects, along with the Murderous Spirits who had been staying on Hellfire Island.