Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Black Dragon's Proposition
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Gwiyeong - Gale Blade (10)
A little over half a month had passed, yet Gwiyeong still hadn't found an answer to the Gale Blade's question.
She woke in the morning and finished her ki cultivation when her mind was clearest.
Normally, she would have then made her rounds to check on her businesses or reviewed the reports submitted by her executives, fulfilling her duties as the head of a faction. But lately, nothing could hold her attention.
She had all but abandoned her work, save for the most essential tasks.
The executives of the Black Ghost Guild assumed Gwiyeong was preparing for the imminent confrontation with the Black Dragon Society, but in reality, she was so consumed by her deep contemplation of the Gale Blade's words and questions that she could barely work.
"What kind of mask... have I been wearing?"
Such introspection consumed a great deal of mental energy.
The mere thought of dragging the suppressed shadows of her inner self to the surface was enough to cause a splitting headache and a sense of profound unease.
It would have been easier to simply look away, but the words she had heard that day continued to plague her mind.
'Is this... what they call a heart demon?'
A demon taking root in the heart, forcing one to obsess over it all day long.
For a martial artist, this was typically a moment of both opportunity and danger.
If one could overcome the heart demon and attain enlightenment, it could serve as a stepping stone to the next realm.
However, many others were crushed by it, their martial spirit dulled as a result.
Therefore, to conquer the heart demon plaguing her mind, she continued her introspection.
'I strove not to be like my father. I kept no one by my side who could become a burden, and I trained endlessly to become strong on my own. So then, what am I...'
As she sat thinking with her eyes closed, the Gale Blade spoke.
[You still seem to have much on your mind.]
"I was thinking about the question you asked me."
[Have you found the answer? What your pain and fear are. Can you face them now?]
"...I'm not sure. Not yet."
[It seems you're still avoiding it. But it's useless. Once you've become aware of it, you will eventually have to acknowledge it.]
Gwiyeong scoffed at the Gale Blade's words.
"Hmph, ridiculous. To be honest, I don't think I have any flaws. I reached the peak level before the age of thirty, and I possess exceptional looks and meticulous strategies. What could someone like me possibly have to fear?"
Hearing this, the Gale Blade also replied in a mocking tone.
[Kuhuhu, I've seen someone far more exceptional than you. So don't get arrogant in front of me.]
"There's someone else with as much talent as me? Hmm, that must be rare. Who was it?"
[Have you ever seen someone reach the Demonic Transformation realm just after turning thirty?]
Hearing the Gale Blade's question, Gwiyeong replied almost reflexively, her tone laced with disbelief.
"Don't lie. How could such a person exist? I wouldn't have believed it even if you'd said they reached the Profound Insight or Demonic Entry realm. Demonic Transformation? A Profound Realm martial artist just past thirty?"
Frankly, that would be nothing short of superhuman.
[I do not lie.]
"Hmph, nonsense. If such a person existed, there's no way I wouldn't know. In fact, rumors about them would have spread throughout the entire Central Plains. Unless they're some Grand Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult or something."
[Hoh, quite sharp. You're correct.]
"...That's not a funny joke, so stop it. You need to say something that makes sense. Even for a great demon of the Heavenly Demon Cult, an achievement of that scale is impossible for a mere mortal."
Since Gwiyeong had never actually seen the Sword Demon—the Grand Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult, also known as the Despair of all Swordsmen—it was only natural for her to think this way.
Who in the world could achieve something as absurd as reaching the Profound Realm shortly after turning thirty?
[Nothing is impossible in this world.]
But the Gale Blade, having witnessed it firsthand, answered with confidence.
Seeing this, Gwiyeong narrowed her eyes and spoke.
"It really doesn't suit you to say things like that."
Just as Gwiyeong and the Gale Blade were conversing, someone rushed to her office and pounded on the door.
-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Guild Leader! Guild Leader! There's an emergency!"
Even before her subordinate stated his business, Gwiyeong had a good idea of what had happened.
'The time has come.'
[He's here.]
The Gale Blade was thinking the same thing.
Gwiyeong snatched up the Gale Blade and opened her office door.
Seeing the pale, terrified face of the subordinate waiting outside, she knew the situation was serious.
"The leader of the Black Dragon Society—is he here?"
"Yes! He brought his men with him!"
"His men don't matter. What about his disciples? Are all three of his Serpent Leaders with him?"
"The... Three Serpent Leaders, you say..."
"They would have been wearing distinctive snake masks."
"...I'm sorry. I don't think I saw them..."
Upon hearing this, Gwiyeong immediately strode down the hall toward the main gate of the pavilion.
-Clang!
As she threw open the heavy main doors, she saw the leader of the Black Dragon Society seated arrogantly on a simple chair in the courtyard, staring at the pavilion where she resided.
"Hmm, so this is the Black Ghost Guild's pavilion? It's quite large, but not much to look at. So plain."
"Leader of the Black Dragon Society."
"Mmm. A pleasure to meet you, Leader of the Black Ghost Guild."
His voice was completely devoid of emotion.
He showed no change in emotion, as if the entire situation was under his complete control.
He didn't seem to feel even the slightest bit of tension.
Gwiyeong, on the other hand, swallowed dryly, her gaze sweeping over the Black Dragon Society's leader and his forces as she coolly analyzed the situation.
'...For whatever reason, the other Serpent Leaders aren't here. And he's brought very few men. Is he that confident?'
His actions were somewhat similar to the White Serpent Leader's, but their fundamental power was on a different level.
The White Serpent Leader had been nothing more than a fool who underestimated his opponent.
But the leader of the Black Dragon Society was different.
As a top executive of the Heretic Alliance and a member of the Four Black Heaven Lords, his presence alone rendered petty numbers meaningless.
Considering how few masters at or above the Profound Insight realm existed in the Central Plains, the mere fact that he was on the verge of reaching it was reason enough for his arrogance.
"You truly are as the rumors say. To have already reached the peak level at such a young age. And your looks are outstanding as well."
Yonggak, the leader of the Black Dragon Society, regarded Gwiyeong with interest, having gauged her level with his keen senses.
"Leader of the Black Dragon Society, for what reason have you come here?"
It was a rare sight to see Gwiyeong speak to someone with such formality.
She was so unused to it that even she felt a bit awkward as she spoke.
But faced with a grand senior of the Unorthodox Faction and an overwhelmingly powerful master, even someone as fierce as Gwiyeong couldn't dare to speak recklessly.
"You, of all people, should know best why I'm here."
"I'm afraid I do not know."
"Hmph. How shameless."
The leader of the Black Dragon Society scoffed.
"You brutally killed my disciple and my executive, and you claim not to know?"
"You should know that they attacked me first. Since the enemy struck first, the justification is on my side."
"Justification, you say. Yes. Even in the reckless world of the dark path, justification is rather important."
The leader of the Black Dragon Society leaned forward slightly in his chair and replied.
"But that only matters when both sides are on equal footing, doesn't it? You must know that talk of justification is meaningless when I've come simply because I'm displeased."
"..."
As infuriating as it was for Gwiyeong, he was right.
Justification was merely a tool the strong used to attack the weak at will.
Hadn't Gwiyeong herself used justification as a pretext to mercilessly behead the White Serpent Leader and the head of the Armament Pavilion?
Seeing Gwiyeong's flustered expression, the leader of the Black Dragon Society gave a faint smile and spoke leisurely.
"Well, don't worry too much. If you listen to me, there will be no need for bloodshed."
"What a shame. I'm not one to listen well to others. A pity, truly."
"Even defiant ones like you become obedient dogs when they stand before me."
-Twitch-
A vein throbbed on Gwiyeong's forehead as the Black Dragon Society's leader mocked her, comparing her to an animal.
"I am treating you with the respect due a senior, yet the words coming from your mouth are utterly repulsive."
"If it's too difficult, then stop. Our relationship won't end with us merely being senior and junior, anyway."
Gwiyeong's expression flickered with confusion for a moment before shifting to one of dawning horror as she looked at him.
And, just as she feared, he revealed his hideous desire.
"Leader of the Black Ghost Guild, Gwiyeong. Bear my son. Do that, and I will forgive your transgressions. It's not a bad offer for you, either. Aren't you excited to see what kind of child would be born from the union of your talent and mine?"
"You insane..."
Gwiyeong was the most shocked, but the Black Ghost Guild members around her were just as stunned.
"W-what..."
"How dare you say that to our Guild Leader...!"
The members of the Black Dragon Society, however, showed no reaction. They were well aware of their leader Yonggak's obsession with having a talented son.
Because Yonggak had developed this desire for a son late in life, he had only seven children.
One might think seven was more than enough, but it was important to note that all seven had different mothers.
He would secretly attack and kidnap promising, young, and beautiful female masters from both the Unorthodox and Orthodox Factions, forcing them to bear his children.
Forced to bear unwanted children and subjected to abuse and confinement, their minds broke. They didn't care for their own children; in more than half the cases, they hated and abused them instead.
Yonggak's twisted children, raised in such an environment, went on to cause a great deal of trouble under the name of the Black Dragon Society.
Knowing Yonggak's behavior better than anyone, the members of the Black Dragon Society were not surprised by the current situation.
"This is absurd. You're like a crazed monkey in heat."
Gwiyeong unleashed her killing intent, threatening the leader of the Black Dragon Society.
"My pleasantries end here. Leader of the Black Dragon Society, I'll send you to join your youngest disciple."
"Kuhuhu, what a feisty personality. And your wit is top-notch, too. Alright, let's see what you've got."
Yonggak slowly rose from his seat and drew a unique sword from his waist—one with a black blade and a hilt carved into a black dragon, creating a harmonious design.
-Shwaaaaa-
Seeing this, Gwiyeong immediately channeled her blade energy into the Gale Blade, increasing its output until the shimmering, dark blue threads of 'Blade Silk' appeared.
Seeing Gwiyeong's unique saber, the Black Dragon Society's leader stroked his chin with interest.
"Hoh, even your weapon is unusual. I quite like it. I think I'll take that as well."
[Arrogant bastard. Just a mere peak-level warrior with a big mouth.]
The leader of the Black Dragon Society was more skilled with a sword than a saber, so even if he took the Gale Blade, he planned to continue using his Black Dragon Sword as his primary weapon.
However, for a martial artist, the desire to collect unique weapons was almost instinctual.
"If you can."
With ferocious momentum, Gwiyeong raised the Gale Blade and charged at Yonggak, the leader of the Black Dragon Society.
Watching her approach, Yonggak smiled faintly and channeled his own sword energy, preparing to counter.
-Swish-
The leaders of the two factions bared their sharp fangs at one another.