Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: An Old Friend
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Ok Ho-bang’s expression changed.
He suddenly recalled what Heuk-pyo had said.
—If you want to see Dong-pyo-seo-rang get blown away, then be my guest!
“Bu Eun-seol… is a successor of Nang-ya-gak?”
“That is correct.”
‘Then isn’t he more than capable of destroying Dong-pyo-seo-rang?’
The masters of Nang-ya-gak were all supreme powerhouses.
Just a few of them could wipe out a powerful clan entirely.
And what if someone provoked a disciple of Nang-ya-gak, of all people? Dong-pyo-seo-rang would be wiped out without a trace.
“Why would a Sip-ma-jeon-in of Nang-ya-gak…?”
Ok Ho-bang was so shocked that beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
“Of all places, why would a master from one of the Ten Demonic Sects come all the way to Dong-pyo-seo-rang in Guizhou to participate in a martial arts tournament…?”
Muttering to himself, his eyes shot open.
“Could it be that Nang-ya-gak finds Dong-pyo-seo-rang disagreeable?”
Mu Sam-rang shook his head.
“Nang-ya-gak generally does not involve itself in the affairs of the martial world. They wouldn’t care whether Dong-pyo-seo-rang dances or self-destructs.”
“Then it doesn’t matter, does it?”
Ok Ho-bang said, a thought occurring to him.
“In fact, if he’s a disciple of Nang-ya-gak, shouldn’t he be fighting you?”
“I cannot do that.”
“And why not?”
At Ok Ho-bang’s question, Mu Sam-rang’s eyes curved like crescent moons.
“Because he is my friend.”
* * *
A bonfire crackled in front of a desolate, abandoned temple.
*Crack, crackle.*
Around the fire, skewers of meat dripped with fat as they cooked.
Heuk-pyo, who had been stealing glances at Bu Eun-seol, pouted.
“I mean, why are we eating in a place like this when there are so many fine inns around?”
The vicinity was full of excellent inns with skilled chefs.
And it wasn’t as if they were short on money. Bu Eun-seol had spared no expense on promissory notes, bringing fine liquor and side dishes with him.
“Young Master.”
“I told you to rest at an inn instead of following me.”
“But I have to eat dinner, too.”
Heuk-pyo retorted grumpily.
“The employer is responsible for the room and board of a hired warrior. That is an unwritten rule of the martial world.”
When Bu Eun-seol silently reached into his robes for a promissory note, Heuk-pyo shook his head.
“Ah! It’s fine. You’ve bought so much already, let’s just eat.”
Bu Eun-seol had brought a large gourd filled with ten-year-old kaoliang wine and enough roasted chicken to feed five grown men.
“I didn’t buy this for you.”
“What, you mean you’re going to eat all this by yourself, Young Master? That’s just too much!”
As Heuk-pyo chattered on, Bu Eun-seol fell silent, as if annoyed.
But his silent gaze was somehow gentle, as if he were tracing a memory.
*Rustle.*
The sound of leaves crunching underfoot reached them. Judging by the light footsteps, it was clearly a tall man with a wide stride.
“I’ve kept you waiting.”
Heuk-pyo turned his head to see a masked man in an ink-black cape standing there.
He was well over six feet tall, with arms as long as an ape’s. His glittering eyes, visible through the mask, were reminiscent of a wild beast.
‘Why is he here?’
Heuk-pyo was so startled he nearly jumped to his feet.
The masked man was none other than Mu Sam-rang, who had forfeited his match against Bu Eun-seol.
“Sit.”
But Bu Eun-seol gestured to the spot opposite him, as if he had been expecting him.
*Thud.*
As Mu Sam-rang sat down without hesitation, Heuk-pyo discreetly shuffled away.
When the man came closer, he felt a pain as if invisible needles were piercing his entire body.
‘He’s an even more incredible master up close.’
“Catch.”
Bu Eun-seol tossed the gourd, and the masked man slowly untied the mask covering his face.
*Swish.*
For a moment, it felt as if the surroundings had brightened.
Surprisingly, Mu Sam-rang possessed features so handsome they could be mistaken for those of a beautiful woman.
*Gulp, gulp.*
After drinking for a long while, Mu Sam-rang tossed the gourd back to Bu Eun-seol.
“This is good liquor.”
“Have you been well?”
“Heh heh heh.”
Mu Sam-rang chuckled and said.
“When did you figure it out?”
“After I heard you say you were forfeiting.”
“You recognized me just from that?”
Bu Eun-seol, taking a swig from the gourd, grinned.
“You can hide your face, but not your voice.”
Bu Eun-seol’s smile was unique.
It was just a faint smile, yet it was as if a lake, frozen all winter, had thawed, and a warm spring breeze had begun to stir.
“How is Jiok-hyeol-seong?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Heuk-pyo, who was squatting some distance away, flinched.
‘Mu Sam-rang is a master from Jiok-hyeol-seong?’
“Nothing special. All I did was consume bizarre poisons until I was on the brink of death and practice poison arts.”
Taking another drink, Mu Sam-rang chuckled dryly.
“I’d even say it was better fighting back-to-back with you on Hell Island.”
Mu Sam-rang’s identity.
He was none other than Seo Jin-ha, the man who had fought alongside Bu Eun-seol on Hell Island.
Why had he, who had been accepted into Jiok-hyeol-seong for his prodigious talent in poison arts, appeared in the martial world as Mu Sam-rang?
“Why…”
“I suppose it’s because I perfected the poison body too quickly. There were two others in the main sect already marked as successors.”
As if anticipating Bu Eun-seol’s question, Mu Sam-rang—no, Seo Jin-ha—spoke calmly.
“When my Poison Arts True Scripture began to show signs of surpassing theirs, the successors’ factions persuaded the Sect Leader to send me to the Demonic Legion. The official order was for me to gain experience befitting a Sip-ma-jeon-in of Jiok-hyeol-seong, but…”
Seo Jin-ha took another swig from the gourd, a bitter expression on his face.
“They must have been worried. That if I continued to display my superiority, the Sect Leader might choose me as his successor instead.”
The Sip-ma-jeon-in, all possessing immense talent.
Ever since joining the Ten Demonic Sects, they had all been subject to the vigilance and scrutiny of the designated successors.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already joined the Cheon-sal-dae, so now I belong to the Demonic Legion.”
Cheon-sal, Myeol-hon, Am-cheon.
Not only were these three units comprised of the Demonic Legion’s finest elites, but they also wielded immense authority.
Therefore, the moment one joined, their chances of becoming a high-ranking member of the Demonic Legion were considerably high.
“The Sect Leader of Jiok-hyeol-seong was being considerate in his own way. To send a peerless talent like you to the Demonic Legion instead of holding you back.”
“Who knows. Maybe the Sect Leader was afraid the succession structure he’d already planned for Jiok-hyeol-seong would be ruined.”
Though his words were dismissive, a warmth lingered in Seo Jin-ha’s eyes and expression when he mentioned the Sect Leader.
From Jiok-hyeol-seong’s perspective, it was like handing over a peerless martial talent they had painstakingly nurtured to the Demonic Legion for free.
But the Sect Leader had willingly sent Seo Jin-ha, and in turn, Seo Jin-ha respected the Sect Leader who had shown him such consideration.
“Anyway, seeing you makes me realize just how terrifying Nang-ya-gak is.”
Changing the subject, Seo Jin-ha smiled calmly.
“What on earth have you been doing to become so strong?”
Seo Jin-ha could feel that the aura emanating from Bu Eun-seol’s entire body surpassed his own.
“I’ve just been putting in my own effort.”
“Still, it seems Nang-ya-gak suits you. The man who was as cold as ice and barely spoke two or three words is now talking so smoothly.”
“Did the Demonic Legion send you?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Seo Jin-ha took a deep breath.
“If you want to be technical, yes. Jiok-hyeol-seong made a secret deal with the main corps. I suppose you could say I’ve been sold off here for a while.”
“I see.”
With that one phrase, Bu Eun-seol understood everything.
“No matter how beneficial holding a martial arts tournament is, it’s not easy to give away a divine sword to a complete stranger.”
Seo Jin-ha smiled bitterly and asked.
“Are you planning to enter the finals?”
When Bu Eun-seol looked at him as if he had asked the obvious, Seo Jin-ha shook his head.
“Give up on the Spirit Serpent Divine Sword. The winner of this tournament is already decided, anyway.”
“The winner is already decided?”
“Guizhou has always been within Jiok-hyeol-seong’s sphere of influence. Why do you think the greedy Ok Ho-bang would offer the Spirit Serpent Divine Sword as the grand prize? He intended to offer it to Jiok-hyeol-seong from the start.”
After draining more of the liquor, Seo Jin-ha continued.
“Your opponent in the final, Yang Myeong. He is the master of Jiok-hyeol-seong’s Blood Ghost Hall.”
Wiping his mouth, he added.
“And I was sent here on the Vice Commander’s orders to help retrieve the Spirit Serpent Divine Sword.”
Despite hearing this shocking revelation, Bu Eun-seol’s expression remained calm.
Gazing at the distant sky, lost in deep thought, he spoke in a low voice.
“So you’ve disobeyed your superior’s command because of me.”
“Heh heh heh. You really have changed. Is the cold-blooded and ruthless man I knew actually worried about me?”
Seo Jin-ha shrugged as if in disbelief, then shook his head.
“I’ll get an earful, but there won’t be any punishment. For a member of the Cheon-sal-dae to fight a disciple of Nang-ya-gak is impossible from the start.”
Tossing the gourd to Bu Eun-seol, Seo Jin-ha said.
“In any case, give up.”
“Give up?”
“Divine swords aren’t that rare in the martial world. There’s no need to make an enemy of Jiok-hyeol-seong just to obtain one sword.”
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol simply drank from the gourd.
His features, illuminated by the moonlight, were beautiful yet incomparably cold.
Watching Bu Eun-seol’s profile, Seo Jin-ha frowned.
“Think carefully. If you concede this time, it’s a chance to put both Jiok-hyeol-seong and the Vice Commander in your debt.”
But Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
In truth, Seo Jin-ha already knew.
There was no compromise with Bu Eun-seol. He only walked his own path in silence.
He was, in a word, a cold-blooded and ruthless man.
“Right. Who could possibly break your stubbornness?”
If nothing else, being able to say something like this meant Seo Jin-ha could be called Bu Eun-seol’s friend.
Knowing that Bu Eun-seol’s stubbornness couldn’t be broken—that was certainly a sign of knowing him well.
“May I add one more thing?”
Taking a deep breath, Seo Jin-ha whispered something in a low voice.
* * *
*CRASH! Clatter.*
The table made of red sandalwood exploded with a loud bang, shattering into dozens of pieces that fell to the floor.
“Nang-ya-gak?”
An eerie voice echoed in the dark, secret chamber.
In front of the broken table stood a pale-faced middle-aged man with long, slanted eyes.
He was the Blood Ghost Hall Master of Jiok-hyeol-seong, the Poison Hand Flying Demon, Yang Myeong.
“That man, Bu Eun-seol, is a Sip-ma-jeon-in from Nang-ya-gak?”
Opposite Yang Myeong, a masked man in a black robe stood by the moonlit window. It was Seo Jin-ha.
“That is correct.”
“Why would a Sip-ma-jeon-in participate in a martial arts tournament?”
“I do not know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Who can possibly know the inner workings of Nang-ya-gak?”
At Seo Jin-ha’s relaxed reply, the corners of Yang Myeong’s eyes tilted up sharply.
“Then why did you forfeit?”
“The Sip-ma-jeon-in are disciples personally trained by the Ten Demonic Sects. I cannot fight them, can I?”
As Seo Jin-ha continued to answer nonchalantly, as if it were someone else’s problem, a murderous glint appeared in Yang Myeong’s eyes.
“You’ve been watching the tournament all this time. You must have known he was from Nang-ya-gak. Why did you forfeit without consulting me?”
“Because at the time, I truly intended to fight.”
Seo Jin-ha clicked his tongue.
“Up until he dealt with Seo Mun-gyeong, I thought it would be a worthy fight… but once I faced him in the arena, I knew it was impossible.”
“Enough!”
Finally, Yang Myeong’s temper exploded.
“I barely managed to secure this task by pleading with the Sect Leader!”
The Blood Ghost Hall Master, Yang Myeong.
He was a man of great ambition who hoped to one day become a general of Jiok-hyeol-seong. That was why he had gone out of his way to volunteer for the mission of retrieving the Spirit Serpent Divine Sword.
And now, Seo Jin-ha, who was affiliated with Jiok-hyeol-seong, had acted on his own without consultation and nearly ruined everything?
“If you knew that man was a Sip-ma-jeon-in from Nang-ya-gak, you should have reported it to me beforehand!”
It was only natural for Yang Myeong to be furious.
Although the position of Blood Ghost Hall Master wasn’t high, Yang Myeong was still a member of Jiok-hyeol-seong, one of the Ten Demonic Sects.
When he entered the martial arts tournament, all the martial artists had condemned him for it.
—Isn’t this tournament completely fixed!
A master from Jiok-hyeol-seong, which held sway over Guizhou, showing up at Dong-pyo-seo-rang’s tournament?
It looked like a blatant attempt to just take the Spirit Serpent Divine Sword.
Fortunately, the emergence of new talents like Bu Eun-seol and Seo Mun-gyeong had heated up the tournament, but people still regarded Yang Myeong with cold stares.
“According to the original plan, I was supposed to lose to the unknown master, Mu Sam-rang, and finish as the runner-up!”
Yang Myeong gritted his teeth and shouted again.
“But because you acted on your own, it puts me in an awkward position even if I win, doesn’t it?”
“You?”
This time, the eyes of the cross-armed Seo Jin-ha turned red.
“Hall Master Yang. Do you still see me as a member of Jiok-hyeol-seong?”
“What?”
“My affiliation is with the Cheon-sal-dae. I am here assisting this mission under the Vice Commander’s orders. I have no connection to Jiok-hyeol-seong.”
“Seo Jin-ha. Have you completely forgotten the grace of the one who raised you?”
“The grace of raising me?”
A thick, green light flowed from Seo Jin-ha’s eyes.
“Are you talking about the times you tried to kill me by throwing me into a poison pit so I wouldn’t disrupt the succession? Or when you used the masters of the Seven Poisons Hall to try and assassinate me when I didn’t die?”
When Yang Myeong said nothing, Seo Jin-ha snorted and turned away.
“I went to the Cheon-sal-dae on the Sect Leader’s order. And with that, my ties to Jiok-hyeol-seong were severed.”
Seo Jin-ha walked past Yang Myeong, slowly heading for the door.
“I have forgotten all grace and all grudges. So do not provoke me further.”
*Slam.*
As he left the secret chamber, a murderous intent flickered in Yang Myeong’s eyes.
“I have no choice.”
A faint mist began to rise from Yang Myeong’s body as his eyes glinted in the darkness.
*Fssshhhh.*
When the mist touched the shattered pieces of the table on the floor, they began to dissolve without a sound.
It was a truly terrifying poison art.
“First, I’ll kill that stray dog from Nang-ya-gak. Then, Seo Jin-ha, I’ll deal with you.”