Chapter 507
Chapter 507
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 507
Chapter Title: The House of Peng Unravels
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Dae Gu-hwi, who had been confined in the Peng Clan’s meditation cave for days in Peng Mun-cheon’s place, felt like he was suffocating.
Not only did light barely penetrate this place, but a nauseating scent also wafted from somewhere.
It was the Incense of Lingering Madness, which clouded the human mind and unleashed one's killing intent.
Peng Ak considered his son, Peng Mun-cheon, nothing more than a tool.
One of the reasons he had locked up his rebellious son in the meditation cave was to conduct an experiment.
And the Incense of Lingering Madness was a device for that test.
Peng Mun-cheon, knowing this, had constantly recited the Mind-Clearing Art, despite having no internal energy.
‘This is trouble.’
But for Dae Gu-hwi, a practitioner of the Beast Martial Arts, the scent of the incense caused a powerful killing intent to surge within him.
Until now, he hadn't been able to unleash his killing intent, which meant he couldn't properly wield the Power of the Beast.
But thanks to the rage he had unleashed in the Valley of Lost Souls, he could once again draw upon the Power of the Beast.
And thanks to the teachings of Noe Bi-hon, who had been his constant companion, he had entered the threshold of the Way of the Beast.
Now, he could summon and dismiss the Power of the Beast at will.
But the scent of the Incense of Lingering Madness, regardless of his control, stirred a vicious killing intent within him.
If he failed to endure it, he would unintentionally unleash the Power of the Beast.
And if that happened, he would lose his reason and become a mere animal craving only slaughter.
‘I have to endure.’
Dae Gu-hwi calmly circulated the Lightning Spirit Divine Art that Noe Bi-hon had taught him.
The dormant Lightning Spirit Energy within his body began to rapidly course through his meridians.
*Crackle.*
As he circulated the Lightning Spirit Divine Art while suppressing the explosive killing intent, the Incense of Lingering Madness that had been absorbed into his body slowly dissipated.
*Crack.*
As he continued his cultivation without stopping, the sound of bones cracking echoed incessantly from his muscles and body.
The fusion of the Power of the Beast and the Lightning Spirit Energy was restructuring his physical form.
To complete the Way of the Beast, the process of calming one’s killing intent is more crucial than unleashing it.
This is because the Beast Martial Arts could easily become the martial arts of a madman, driven solely by instinct.
Therefore, after entering the threshold of the Way of the Beast, the first thing one must do is…
Learn to control the immense beastly power and instincts bursting forth from the body.
In other words, without realizing it, Dae Gu-hwi had found a fortuitous opportunity in the Peng Clan’s meditation cave to advance from the threshold of the Way of the Beast to the next stage.
‘I must be of help when Great Hero Bu and Great Hero Noe arrive.’
His mind was filled with nothing but concern for Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon.
According to the plan, a battle would soon erupt within the Peng Clan to capture the descendant of the Saber Emperor.
He had to become even a little stronger to be of assistance.
‘I’ll give it my all until then.’
In the darkness, Dae Gu-hwi continuously circulated the Lightning Spirit Divine Art, suppressing his killing intent.
***
The current situation in the Peng Clan was structured in a very peculiar way.
Normally, the leaders of each organization should cooperate with the Patriarch to lead the clan.
But Peng Ak had granted the leaders of each organization considerable autonomy.
For instance, the Privy Council, which dealt with the Peng Clan’s external enemies, could arbitrarily handle and eliminate any threats to the clan without the Patriarch’s permission.
The Wind and Rain Pavilion, responsible for intelligence gathering and security, could independently plan and execute related operations and missions.
However, such a structure has the drawback of causing clashes of opinion between leaders and constant friction between organizations.
But within the Peng Clan, such incidents rarely occurred.
Peng Ak.
The absolute ruler and tyrant of the Peng Clan had given them this autonomy himself.
To avoid displeasing him, the leaders of the organizations cooperated on their own and carried out their duties.
Of course, apart from the clan running smoothly, most members and leaders of the organizations expressed dissatisfaction with Peng Ak.
In principle, the Grand Patriarch was merely an honorary position. He held no power, nor the authority to command them.
Moreover, Peng Ak would immediately replace or demote any leader who did not follow his will.
“Where in the world is the Patriarch?”
Several organization heads asked the Grand Patriarch about Peng Mun-cheon’s condition.
But the only response they ever received was a curt, “He is undergoing treatment.”
As this situation persisted, more and more people began to harbor doubts and complaints about Peng Ak.
And Peng Mun-cheon took advantage of this very point within the Peng Clan.
“The Grand Patriarch has joined hands with a wicked faction and is conducting cruel experiments. If this becomes known, our clan is finished.”
Peng Mun-cheon, who had secretly escaped the meditation cave with Bu Eun-seol’s help, began to covertly contact and persuade the leaders of the Peng Clan’s organizations.
“However, this is a fight within our clan. If outside forces get involved, or if rumors like this spread… our clan’s shameful name will be passed down for all eternity.”
The moral high ground was with Peng Mun-cheon.
The figures in the Peng Clan, already discontent with Peng Ak, immediately flocked to Peng Mun-cheon upon hearing his story.
As he gathered allies one by one, soon the majority of the Peng Clan’s organization leaders and warriors had decided to follow him.
“It’s done.”
Peng Mun-cheon rejoiced.
The Lord of the Martial Soul was a man who kept his promises.
Now that he had gathered more than half of the clan’s forces, the Lord could no longer interfere in the Peng Clan’s affairs.
“I must detain the Grand Patriarch and quickly restore the Peng Clan to its former state.”
He did not doubt his victory.
No matter how formidable Grand Patriarch Peng Ak’s martial arts were, nearly the entire strength of the Peng Clan had risen against him.
“The day of the uprising is in four days, in front of the Grand Patriarch’s Hall.”
The leaders all agreed with Peng Mun-cheon’s words and prepared thoroughly for the uprising in four days.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
However, when he pictured the face of Grand Patriarch Peng Ak, Peng Mun-cheon’s expression turned exceedingly dark.
‘Grand Patriarch, I pray you will follow the will of the majority.’
In truth, he had not given up hope for Peng Ak.
He hoped that since most of the Peng Clan’s forces had turned their backs, Peng Ak would follow the tide.
He hoped Peng Ak would not choose an all-out war that would bring down the Peng Clan, which had been passed down for generations.
At the end of each month, Peng Ak would inspect the skills of the warriors he had personally selected.
This practice was another reason the clan’s leadership had grown discontent.
The Peng Clan’s saber arts, with their tyrannical power, were extremely difficult to master.
Furthermore, a master had to properly transmit and demonstrate the practical applications and movements.
The careful guidance of exceptional warriors was necessary.
Peng Ak, as an elder of the Peng Clan, should have taught the martial arts equally without discrimination.
But he only cared for the combat squads under his personal management.
*Creeak.*
For the first time in a while, the doors of the Grand Patriarch’s Hall within the Peng Clan swung wide open.
An old man in loose-fitting clothes slowly revealed himself.
He was not large in stature, but his eyes glinted sharply, and his entire being was imbued with a noble aura.
It was the Grand Patriarch of the Peng Clan, Peng Ak.
“Grand Patriarch.”
As he appeared, Peng Seo-un, who was standing guard in front of the hall, clasped his hands together.
“You have returned.”
Seeing the bright smile on Peng Seo-un’s lips, Peng Ak asked nonchalantly.
“What is it?”
“I have joyous news.”
“Joyous news?”
“The successor of the Hall of Demons visited our clan and returned the Five Tiger Saber. He also brought several gifts.”
“...”
“Of course, the matter was handled secretly and unofficially.”
Peng Ak silently stared at Peng Seo-un, then clicked his tongue.
“So, we’ve finally been caught.”
“Pardon?”
“You fool. Do you think a man of his stature would return our clan’s treasure for no reason?”
Peng Seo-un quickly explained.
“No, that’s not it. He visited not only our clan but also the other Eight Great Clans and returned the treasures they were keeping.”
“...”
“And he seemed to earnestly desire to establish a relationship with our clan. If he gains our clan’s recognition, it will be easier to… with the other orthodox factions.”
“You have reached that age and still have not grasped such a simple truth.”
Peng Ak cut him off coldly.
“When someone tries to give you something for nothing, that person is a swindler.”
“Grand Patriarch.”
“It cannot be helped. It’s not as if I can stay here forever.”
*Rumble.*
At that moment, shadows poured out from all directions.
They were all armed with sabers, their expressions solemn. Warriors from every organization within the Peng Clan had emerged.
*Thud, thud.*
The assembled warriors parted to the left and right, forming a path.
Simultaneously, a middle-aged man in white robes slowly walked forward. It was Peng Mun-cheon.
“You’ve recovered your internal energy.”
Recognizing Peng Mun-cheon’s condition at a glance, Peng Ak’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Will you not regret that decision?”
“I will not.”
Peng Mun-cheon spoke in a clear voice.
“Although our clan has the shortest history among the Eight Great Clans, we have served as a pillar of the martial world and have done much to uphold justice! But you, Grand Patriarch…”
“That’s enough talk.”
Peng Ak cut Peng Mun-cheon off and smiled coldly.
“I can just slaughter you all and rebuild the Peng Clan from scratch.”
“Grand Patriarch!”
“Did you think I kept you alive out of familial affection?”
Peng Ak said coldly.
“You mastered the clan’s saber arts without undergoing body modification, and without divine power or talent. I kept you alive merely for the sake of an experiment.”
Peng Ak looked at Peng Mun-cheon and snorted.
“But with your foolish choice, you’re not even useful as an experiment subject anymore.”
Peng Mun-cheon bit his lip.
He realized that not only was there no fatherly affection left, but his father’s humanity had long been annihilated.
Still, he had held a sliver of hope.
That even if his father didn't love him, he wouldn't destroy the clan. That he wouldn't abandon the Peng Clan, which had taken root in the martial world for hundreds of years.
But Peng Ak showed no hesitation.
He was declaring that he would wipe out all the Peng kin who defied him and create a new Peng Clan.
“Everyone, listen!”
Having made his decision, Peng Mun-cheon raised his internal energy and shouted in a booming voice.
“The Grand Patriarch has joined hands with a malevolent force and is destroying our clan! Let us subdue him and restore the glory of our clan once more!”
*Rumble.*
But then, something strange happened.
Half of the Peng Clan warriors standing behind Peng Mun-cheon began to stride purposefully towards Peng Ak’s side.
Faced with this unexpected turn of events, Peng Mun-cheon could only watch with wide eyes.
“What are you all doing?”
Peng Mun-cheon shouted, regaining his senses, but they avoided his gaze and did not answer.
After a moment of silence, one of them, Peng Jin-myeong, Master of the Cloud Forest Pavilion, spoke in a low voice.
“The Grand Patriarch has led our clan in the Patriarch’s absence. Shouldn’t we, as family, overlook a few of his faults?”
Beside him, Peng Gi-un, Lord of the Golden Manor, nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. Should our clan be divided and fight amongst ourselves over such a matter?”
Peng Mun-cheon swallowed the rage that threatened to erupt and yelled.
“The Grand Patriarch has committed cruel human experiments that no person should ever commit. You all know this well, don’t you?”
“If the Patriarch keeps his mouth shut, who will ever know of such things?”
Their shameless attitude made Peng Mun-cheon let out a hollow laugh.
The Lord of the Martial Soul was right.
If these men had been righteous in the first place, they would have already driven out the Grand Patriarch or fought to normalize the Peng Clan.
But they were no different from Peng Ak.
They were accustomed to clinging to power and tasting the sweet fruits that fell from it.
‘I see.’
Peng Mun-cheon finally understood what Bu Eun-seol had said.
‘The clan must be thoroughly destroyed.’
If there were any righteous people left in the Peng Clan, they would never have joined hands with a force like Mugunggye.
They would never have allowed cruel human experiments to take place.
The Peng Clan had already become one with the Three Realms, to the point where they were indistinguishable.
In that case, the only thing left was…
To reduce everything to nothing and build a new Peng Clan once more.
Taking a deep breath, Peng Mun-cheon looked at the warriors lined up behind him.
They were all loyalists of the Peng Clan, men who, like him, knew what was right.
*Shing!*
Just as Peng Mun-cheon drew the saber from his waist to give the order to attack,
“As Patriarch, I command you…”
Peng Ak’s voice spread even faster than Peng Mun-cheon’s.
“Get rid of them.”
*Swoosh!*
At his command, warriors in black uniforms shot up from the ground in front of the Grand Patriarch’s Hall.
They were the saber experts Peng Ak had personally trained.
They had remained completely hidden, always staying near Peng Ak, obeying only his commands.
*Clang!*
Without a word, they rushed towards Peng Mun-cheon’s formation and began their attack.
They had undergone body modification, giving them massive physiques, and they had mastered the Five Tiger Single Gate Saber Art to its peak.
Their prowess was such that one could take on a hundred.
They were confidently unleashing their saber arts against a force that was nearly half of the Peng Clan’s military strength.
“Their skill level is just right for practice, to see if they’ve learned the saber arts properly.”
Peng Ak, watching the fight, sneered.
“The rest of you can watch or fight, do as you please.”
Then, as if he had lost interest, he turned and entered the Grand Patriarch’s Hall.
“Grand Patriarch!”
Peng Mun-cheon charged towards Peng Ak.
But he was quickly surrounded by the warriors in black uniforms.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Peng Mun-cheon continuously unleashed his saber art, engaging in a fierce battle with the black-clad saber experts.
‘Was even mutual destruction impossible?’
His face filled with despair.
Fights between members of the same school often dragged on indecisively, with neither a winner nor a loser.
No matter how skilled one’s saber art was, they were fighting against those who had learned the same techniques and knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses all too well.
Peng Mun-cheon had thought that even if he couldn’t achieve a complete victory, mutual destruction was possible.
But contrary to his expectations, the Five Tiger Single Gate Saber Art of the experts Peng Ak had raised was completely different from the one passed down through the generations.
The Peng Clan’s Five Tiger Single Gate Saber Art could be characterized by the eight characters: a perfect blend of hardness and softness, firm and unyielding.
But the saber art of the warriors personally trained by Peng Ak was savage, cunning, and treacherous.
In other words, it was fierce and sly, prioritizing speed over weightiness.
It had become a completely different saber art from the orthodox Five Tiger Single Gate Saber Art.
“Ugh!”
“Gah!”
As the two different saber arts clashed, it was not a balanced, drawn-out fight.
It was a fierce life-or-death struggle, as if they were fighting external enemies.
Furthermore, when those who had submitted to Peng Ak joined the battle, the tide turned completely.
In the end, this battle was not the downfall of the Peng Clan, but the downfall of Peng Mun-cheon and the forces that had sided with him.
‘If only there was one more master to turn the tide.’
What was needed in a chaotic battle like this was an exceptional master who could turn the tide in an instant.
If Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon were here, this fight would have been easily settled.
But the only one they wanted was Grand Patriarch Peng Ak.
Before the fight had even begun, the two had already secretly infiltrated the Grand Patriarch’s Hall.
Moreover, to prevent the situation within the Peng Clan from being exposed to the outside, they had activated the array formations installed within the clan estate.
Even if reinforcements arrived from outside, they would not be able to enter the Peng Clan grounds immediately.
‘This is the end.’
Just as Peng Mun-cheon closed his eyes in despair,
“Kaaaaah!”
With a roar that shook the heavens and the earth, a shadow shot up into the sky from the meditation cave in the northern section.
*Swoosh!*
The shadow, soaring into the sky with a powerful leap, looked down upon the battlefield, then streaked across the air towards them.
Its eyes were burning red, and a dark crimson aura rose from its gaunt body.
It was Dae Gu-hwi, who had fully unleashed the Power of the Beast.
*Swoosh! Hiss!*
He ran across the battlefield on all fours, attacking the saber experts raised by Peng Ak.
His entire body was wreathed in red fighting spirit, and wherever he passed, the saber experts collapsed, spewing blood.
‘That man.’
Peng Mun-cheon’s eyes widened as he finally recognized Dae Gu-hwi.
‘Did he predict this situation?’
The young man from the Beast Palace who had rescued him from the meditation cave. Wasn't he a subordinate of the Lord of the Martial Soul?
‘Thank you, Lord of the Martial Soul.’
Finally realizing his own arrogance, Peng Mun-cheon looked to the distant sky and cried out.
‘As promised, the clan will be completely destroyed. But one day… it will be reborn.’
***
“I wonder if that boy will be alright on his own.”
Noe Bi-hon, who was entering the Grand Patriarch’s Hall, sensed Dae Gu-hwi’s movement as he burst out of the meditation cave and spoke to Bu Eun-seol.
“As much as real combat experience is good, is there really a need to risk his life for it?”
From the beginning, Bu Eun-seol had predicted that the forces gathered by Peng Mun-cheon would be betrayed and that they would not be able to withstand Peng Ak’s forces.
He had instructed Dae Gu-hwi to escape the meditation cave as soon as the battle began and attack Peng Ak’s warriors.
“Wreak havoc as you please. Release the killing intent you have suppressed until now.”
Dae Gu-hwi, having spent over ten days in the meditation cave, had advanced another level in that time.
His Power of the Beast had also grown several times stronger than before.
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Dae Gu-hwi had unleashed his long-suppressed killing intent and charged onto the battlefield like a wild beast.
“He will be fine.”
Bu Eun-seol replied in a calm voice.
“Gu-hwi has raised his martial prowess another level while he was here. He might get injured, but he will not be in any real danger.”
“I saw that much myself, I know.”
Noe Bi-hon sighed, which was unlike him.
“But do you really think Peng Ak would deploy ordinary men?”
Bu Eun-seol offered a faint smile.
He knew all too well that Noe Bi-hon was on edge because he thought of Dae Gu-hwi as a son.
“Since Gu-hwi has learned the Beast Martial Arts of the Beast Palace, he needs a lot of real combat experience, just like the masters of our pavilion.”
Bu Eun-seol explained calmly.
“He has grown too quickly during this journey. Now, he must internalize it all through life-and-death battles.”
“He’ll do well, right?”
“Of course.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“He has become a peerless master who has inherited not only the Power of the Beast but also the Lightning Spirit Energy. He will fight while recovering from most injuries.”
At those words, a proud smile spread across Noe Bi-hon’s face.
Though not his biological son, Dae Gu-hwi, who had inherited his martial arts and Lightning Spirit Energy, was like a part of himself.
“Well then, shall we go and catch him?”
Noe Bi-hon walked into the Grand Patriarch’s Hall without hesitation.
It had been too long.
He had suffered from madness due to the tragic deaths of his son and wife, and had wandered the martial world alone in search of the culprit.
And now, finally, he was going to take revenge on the murderer he had longed to catch even in his dreams.
*Sssss.*
Upon entering the Grand Patriarch’s Hall, a strange scene unfolded.
This place was not where people lived; it was like a haunted house, devoid of any furniture or signs of human life.
The interior was empty, and only the faint hum of machinery could be heard.
“He’s lined the interior with mechanisms.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded at Noe Bi-hon’s words.
This Grand Patriarch’s Hall was not where Peng Ak worked or slept.
It was merely a secret passage to get somewhere else.
*Grrrnd.*
Bu Eun-seol immediately found and operated a mechanism inside, and a section of the wall began to rotate with a groan.
*Clank.*
When the mechanism stopped, a wide staircase leading down to a basement was revealed.
“The people of the Three Realms seem to have a fondness for basements.”
Bu Eun-seol made a rare joke.
It was because Noe Bi-hon’s expression was so grim.
‘It’s only natural.’
After a long time, this was the moment he would face the enemy he had always wanted to catch.
Even if it meant mutual destruction, he could not let Peng Ak live.
“Brother. I have a request.”
At that moment, Noe Bi-hon turned his head and spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Do not, under any circumstances, interfere in this fight.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“Of course.”
He had also intended to avenge the Great Hero of the Southern Sky.
The man had saved him from the Eccentric Elder’s attack and was the benefactor who had told him his grandfather was the wielder of the Seven-Branched Demonic Saber.
But his desire for revenge could not compare to the grudge of Noe Bi-hon, who had lost his son and wife and had everything stolen from him.
It was only right to yield this fight to Noe Bi-hon.
‘However.’
Bu Eun-seol’s expression darkened.
Although Noe Bi-hon had regained even greater power than before, it was uncertain whether he could achieve a complete victory against the Eccentric Elder.
The power of the Lightning Spirit Energy was ineffective against the Saber Emperor’s arts.
The only hopeful observation was that Noe Bi-hon, who had been unable to use the subtleties of his martial arts due to his long-standing madness, could now unleash all the profound techniques of the Lightning Spirit School.
‘Moreover, Brother Noe would rather die than accept help.’
Even if he were to die, Noe Bi-hon would not want him to interfere.
Bu Eun-seol could only watch the fight from a distance.
‘But if my thoughts are correct…’
The actions of the Peng Clan’s Grand Patriarch, Peng Ak, had consistently deviated from those of the Eccentric Elder.
This meant there was a high probability that another person was behind him, besides the elder.
*Thump, thump.*
As they descended into the basement, a large hall came into view.
And there, an old man sat on a grand chair, his chin resting on his hand.
It was Peng Ak.