Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Pa-sun and Un-pyo 1
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After guiding the Light Heavenly Demon Brigade to their lodgings, the Blade Leaf Demon invited me and the Left Emissary of Light to his office.
“Blade Leaf Demon. You've worked hard.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Left Emissary. However, it was the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family, Baek Mu-heun, who resolved everything.”
The Left Emissary of the Divine Cult's Light Heavenly Demon Brigade, a powerhouse ranked within the top twenty of the cult.
Left Emissary of Light, Seo Deung.
He was an undeniably powerful master, someone the Blade Leaf Demon, known for conquering the Initial Demon state, could not defeat even at his peak. I had heard he had completely mastered the Initial Demon and was now aiming for the Supreme Demon state.
“Hoho, the young man is quite remarkable.”
“Haha. You praise me too much.”
With long gray hair flowing down his back, the Left Emissary of Light had the appearance of a common old man one might see in any village. His eyes seemed almost closed, yet his gaze felt piercingly sharp, and the aura emanating from him was a testament to his immense power.
‘This man is a master I cannot handle at my current level.’
Just then, the Left Emissary of Light spoke, his eyes narrowing to a slit.
“Yes, I understand the situation well. You truly are remarkable. But what do you say? It seems you've completed your mission in Blade Leaf Valley splendidly. Why not return to the main cult with me? It will be safer if you travel with me.”
It was a difficult proposal.
“I appreciate the offer, but I wish to remain here a little longer and spend some time with the Blade Leaf Demon.”
Returning now, in my current situation, would be a huge setback.
The fruit of the Myriad Fragrance Blood Jade Tree still needed another two weeks to ripen. If I wasn't here to watch over it, there was no telling what might happen. And if someone were to steal it…
Not only would I fail to obtain the Myriad Fragrance Blood Jade Tree, but my chances of saving the disciples in the Tang Clan would become slim.
“Hmm…”
“D-did the Cult Leader order this….”
“No, no. The Cult Leader simply said to return at your leisure. I was just hoping to talk with you on the way back, so it's a bit of a shame. Kehkehkeh~”
“Ah… haha. I will come see you once I return to the main cult.”
“Oh? That's a relief, then. I understand. Take your time coming back. And when you do, come to the Cult Leader's Hall.”
“Yes!”
I inwardly rejoiced.
“We've been conducting an internal audit within the cult, and it was discovered that the Red Demon Pavilion Lord was in contact with the Sichuan Tang Clan. From the Red Demon Pavilion incident to this affair in Blade Leaf Valley, your contributions have been great. The Cult Leader himself will surely commend you.”
“Yes, thank you. However…”
“Hm? What is it?”
There was something I'd been curious about.
His words after first hearing my story.
- Now I understand why the Cult Leader said that…!
I had to find out what he meant.
“Did the Cult Leader perhaps leave any message for me?”
“Ah, right. I should tell you.”
“What is it….”
“In three months, the Divine Cult will hold the Divine Dragon Assembly. The Cult Leader wishes for you to participate, so be aware of it. It would be good to aim for victory if you can, kehkeh.”
“The D-Divine Dragon Assembly…?”
“Ah, it's a martial arts tournament where the young successors of our cult participate. Ask the Blade Leaf Demon for the details.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for telling me.”
What in the…
‘The Divine Dragon Assembly? What is this about?’
“Well then, I shall be on my way.”
Just then, the Blade Leaf Demon stopped the Left Emissary of Light.
“Left Emissary… since you're here, why not rest for a while before you go?”
“Hahaha, Blade Leaf Demon, do you take me for someone so tactless? You must be busy managing the affairs of Blade Leaf Valley. What good would a guest like me be?”
“That is…”
“Entertaining the Light Heavenly Demon Brigade who came with me will be no small task either. I will come alone next time. Ah, and take this.”
The Left Emissary of Light handed over a wooden box he had received from his subordinate a moment ago.
“What is this?”
“It is one hundred nyang of silver. I spoke with the Cult Leader and received it just in case. Use it to rebuild Blade Leaf Valley.”
“L-Left Emissary…”
“Kehkeh, I am also glad to see you again, Blade Leaf Demon, but I must return to make my report first. Let us catch up properly later.”
“Truly… thank you.”
Watching the Left Emissary of Light—Seo Deung—hand over a large sum of silver to the Blade Leaf Demon for the valley's reconstruction and then hastily depart, I thought.
‘My worries about the peasants were needless.’
“Well then, Fourth Young Master. We'll meet again.”
“Understood.”
With those final words, the Left Emissary opened the door, gathered his men, and left.
After seeing the Left Emissary off, the Blade Leaf Demon and I returned to the office to talk.
“Could you tell me about the Divine Dragon Assembly?”
“Of course. It's surprising that a man of your caliber doesn't know of the Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“…”
“The Divine Dragon Assembly is a martial arts tournament, much like the Martial Alliance's Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, where the outstanding young successors of the Divine Cult compete.”
“So there must be those who watch for strong successors to recruit into their own factions.”
“That would normally be the case. However, the factions within the main cult have already solidified.”
“Are you referring to the Council of Elders, the Three Palaces, and the Five Pavilions?”
“Correct. Aside from the Guardian Unit and the Light Heavenly Demon Brigade, which are directly under the Cult Leader, the twelve Elders, the Five Pavilions, and the Three Palaces have already scouted and are nurturing their own exceptional successors.”
“Which means…”
“Yes. The Divine Dragon Assembly is no longer a place for successors to display their martial prowess and choose a faction they wish to join. It has become an arena where they fight with all their might to display the prestige of their respective factions.”
“So, since the absolute powerhouses of the Divine Cult cannot fight directly, they use their successors to demonstrate their strength.”
“That's right. Therefore, you must not let your guard down. You are certainly strong, but… there is no telling what kind of people will appear at the Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
I bowed politely before dedicating myself once more to treatment and training.
***
Before returning to the main mountain, I laid out my plans for the future.
First, now that I have the Myriad Fragrance Blood Jade Tree, the completion of the Poison Blood Demon cultivation formation set up by the Tang Clan has become uncertain.
But that doesn't mean the Tang Clan will abandon their ambitions; they will be searching for a replacement. In the meantime, the disciples should be safe…
However, this incident was bound to sour the relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Tang Clan. No, they would likely become enemies.
The Red Demon Pavilion, which was in charge of trade with Sichuan, conspired with the Tang Clan to trap Blade Leaf Valley. The Cult Leader will hold them accountable for their crime.
On the other hand, the Tang Clan has lost the Golden Fang Poison Claw…
It was obvious that the Demonic Cult would come to hate the Tang Clan, and the Tang Clan would hate the Demonic Cult.
In terms of sheer power, it would be natural for the Demonic Cult to wipe out the Tang Clan. The problem, however, is that the Tang Clan belongs to the Orthodox Sects of the martial world.
Even if we were to march on Sichuan now, the Kunlun Sect of Qinghai and the Kongtong Sect of Gansu would not stand idly by. Furthermore, the Qingcheng and Emei Sects also reside in Sichuan.
Even if we broke through all those Orthodox Sect forces to reach the Tang Clan, if the Martial Alliance of the Orthodox Sects backed them, a storm of blood would sweep across the Central Plains.
That cannot happen.
A war like that would make it impossible to save the disciples in the first place.
To unravel this tangled mess, it had to become a war between me and the Tang Clan, not between the Demonic Cult and the Tang Clan.
‘The main cult will be looking for a suitable person to handle the conflict with the Tang Clan. If they don't want a full-scale war… they'll look for someone strong and capable.’
The Left Emissary of Light will report my actions in Blade Leaf Valley, so all that remains is to prove my strength.
For that, the Divine Dragon Assembly might be a perfect opportunity.
It was decided.
The priority was clear.
“I must become stronger.”
Having made his decision, Mu-heun felt no need to return to the Divine Cult early. He decided to stay here at least until the Blade Leaf Demon had fully recovered.
He also thought of Pa-sun, who could be called his subordinate.
“From now on, I'll push you even harder.”
After that, in between treating the peasants and cultivating my own martial arts, I researched a martial art for Pa-sun.
I asked the Blade Leaf Demon for books on basic martial arts and internal energy cultivation methods, and I learned the techniques he taught his disciples.
I delved into my research, combining my understanding of Ki, learned from Master Heavenly Demon, with my knowledge of the body's structure from my time as the Divine Doctor.
While instructing Pa-sun, I analyzed his characteristics and dedicated myself to creating a martial art that combined a suitable weapon and internal energy cultivation method for him.
It was a completely different kind of research from the academic studies I had pursued as the Divine Doctor, but in the sense that I was ‘researching’ something, my vast knowledge and intelligence shone through.
***
“W-what is all this? I think this is a bit too much.”
“You brat, shut up and do it.”
Physical conditioning, guided sparring, and meditation—Pa-sun's days were filled with training, save for the time he spent eating and sleeping.
“Keuk, I'll just carry the stones. Isn't that too heavy…?”
“Complain one more time and I'll add more stones.”
Pa-sun climbed the rocky mountain of Blade Leaf Valley, carrying a long wooden pole with sacks full of stones hanging from each end.
“I'm going ahead.”
“Is he really the same species as me…? This can't be right…”
Mu-heun climbed the mountain with a boulder several times larger than Pa-sun's load on his back. He didn't just climb it once; he went up and down repeatedly.
With his imposing physique, defined muscles, and an overwhelming aura that encompassed it all, he was no longer the Fourth Young Master that Pa-sun once knew.
“I know he's younger than me… Is he really human like me…? It doesn't make any sense. But that's why I follow him.”
In truth, it was only natural. Mu-heun, the former Divine Doctor, had spent an unknown number of years—or perhaps decades—enduring harsh training with the Heavenly Demon in a completely white space.
There had never been a seclusion for training quite like it.
But for Pa-sun, this was just the beginning.
‘My unremarkable life is changing. If I serve him, I'll have no regrets.’
Such thoughts vanished from Pa-sun's mind when the guided sparring began after their physical conditioning.
“Just why… Just why!”
Before coming to Blade Leaf Valley, he had trained for about ten days. Then, he trained for about three weeks in the valley, and after the incident was resolved, he endured another two weeks of guided sparring.
“We've been doing the same training for the same amount of time, so what's the reason…”
Pa-sun was beaten to a pulp every day. He was certainly developing internal energy and growing stronger at an unbelievable rate, but…
He couldn't even graze a single hair on Mu-heun.
In fact, the gap between them seemed to be widening.
“Get up.”
Pa-sun was now a first-rate martial artist. He had reached a level where he could confidently say he had learned martial arts.
Having learned how to circulate his internal energy and fight, he could now easily handle a gang of third-rate thugs.
However…
“Again.”
“Kuaargh!”
Though he trained alongside him, Mu-heun was on a completely different level, and Pa-sun couldn't win no matter what he tried.
It was to be expected, as Mu-heun was a master who had already perfectly conquered the peak level and was aiming for the transcendent level.
‘Even if he's teaching me martial arts, does he have to beat me like this every day! And why won't he give me the elixir? Is he saving it? Is it because I'm useless…? Then again… I don't think I was much help during the mission in Blade Leaf Valley…’
‘Agh… fine, I'll just ask.’
“W-wait a moment!”
“What is it.”
“Th-the elixir… Have you already decided who to give it to?”
“…”
“Is it because I'm not good enough?”
“…”
Mu-heun stared at Pa-sun in silence.
*Gulp*
Pa-sun swallowed nervously.
“It seems you are ready. Follow me.”
***
Arriving at a wide, open area, Mu-heun handed the elixir to Pa-sun.
A milky white light.
A beautiful, multicolored radiance.
It was that elixir.
“I have created a new martial art suited for you.”
“……What?!”