Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Watch Corps
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Several days had passed since that day.
Late one night, Cheon Muryang, holding a letter that had arrived for him, headed to Mount Cheonmok near the Cheon Family estate.
There, he saw the Anti-Cheon Ghosts he had encountered in the back alleys of Hangzhou not long ago.
Cheon Muryang approached them.
“Have you made your decision?”
Heh.
The man who appeared to be the leader of the Anti-Cheon Ghosts let out a small laugh.
It was a starkly different reaction from when he had been so consumed by rage that he felt no other emotion.
“In the past, I did not know.”
“What is it you speak of?”
“That I was, in fact, yearning for the Cheon Family I could see from Mount Cheonmok.”
These were men who had dedicated their unwavering loyalty to the Cheon Family.
‘Men who held great pride...’
In other words, they were men who had lived by their pride in themselves and in the Cheon Family.
‘And because they were such men.’
They must have been the first ones the Council of Elders needed to eliminate.
He found himself wondering how the current Cheon Family appeared to them, who had been betrayed.
“The Cheon Family of today is…”
“Rotten. The stench of decay is overwhelming.”
Cheon Muryang shrugged.
It wasn't exactly an incorrect statement.
The current Cheon Family was a mud pit.
“However, there are also flowers that bloom in the mud.”
“...!”
The leader of the Anti-Cheon Ghosts knelt before Cheon Muryang.
This was only the beginning.
Thud!
They all knelt.
“You told us to use you.”
“I did.”
Cheon Muryang had told them to use him to change the Cheon Family.
To prove that the Cheon Family was wrong.
“We shall do so.”
“Good.”
“However, be warned. We will not be betrayed a second time.”
A grin spread across his face.
Cheon Muryang smiled.
“That's what I was hoping for.”
“We are at your service, my lord.”
“My lord, you say. I like the sound of that.”
Smiling, Cheon Muryang signaled somewhere.
Thump, thump.
Then, two people walked over.
It was Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak.
They carried bundles on their backs.
“You are not affiliated with the Cheon Family.”
“...”
“Therefore, you are free from the laws of the Cheon Family.”
Whoosh!
In the bundles Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak brought were black martial arts uniforms.
They were distributed to everyone.
Then, Cheon Muryang told them what their task would be.
“Hide in the shadows and watch the heavens.”
Whoosh!
Cheon Muryang raised the Heavenly Light Sword.
The torrent of light pouring from the Heavenly Light Sword as it pointed to the sky drove away the darkness around Mount Cheonmok.
“...!”
“Also, punish the heavens.”
Cheon Muryang wanted them not to be completely loyal to the Cheon Family, or even to himself.
“Heavenly Censure (天譴).”
The ‘gyeon’ could mean ‘to see’ (見), but…
It also contained the meaning of ‘to reprimand’ (譴).
“You shall watch the heavens, and you shall reprimand the heavens.”
Whooooosh!
The Heavenly Light Sword finally cut through the sky.
Within that shattered sky, they realized what they had to do.
“That is your task.”
“...”
“From now on, you are the leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps.”
“I understand.”
The leader of the Anti-Cheon Ghosts, now the leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps, was the first to don the black uniform.
“Therefore, you all must also remember.”
The heavens were bound to change.
How could even Cheon Muryang claim to know all of those heavens?
“You as well.”
Thus, the heavens you desire are also merely a part of the whole.
“Do not be trapped by prejudice.”
“Ah…”
The sky that Cheon Muryang had cut.
It was their prejudice.
It was their heaven.
It was a warning to be wary of the prejudice that only one's own thoughts are correct.
“We will keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then, shall we go?”
“We will follow.”
Had they not wished to follow?
It did not matter where they went.
A black wave followed behind Cheon Muryang.
Swoosh.
Not to be outdone, Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak stuck close behind Cheon Muryang.
Their determination not to yield their positions was palpable.
It seemed they had grown unbelievably strong from their training under the Wandering King.
So, he asked.
“Looks like you're learning well from the Wandering King?”
Gnash.
The moment they heard the name ‘Wandering King,’ the two of them ground their teeth.
Just hearing the name seemed to make the bruises all over their bodies ache.
However, they had no choice but to admit it.
That sparring with a master of that caliber was an incredible opportunity.
“I hate to admit it, but it has been helpful.”
“Right. There's a lot to learn. Stick to him even more persistently. If you let your guard down, your positions might be taken.”
“...!”
“I'm kidding.”
He said it was a joke, but…
The expressions on the two men's faces turned serious.
Wasn't it the rule that one must protect their own position?
“I wonder what Woryeong is up to.”
Cheon Muryang mentioned Woryeong on purpose.
Because the one rising through the ranks most frighteningly was, without a doubt, Woryeong.
“Maybe she's still sparring with the Wandering King right now?”
“...”
Woryeong had not come here.
She had deemed even that time too precious, choosing instead to focus on her training.
[When I can stand proud. That is when I will stand by your side, Young Lord.]
Those words still echoed clearly in his memory.
“Work hard.”
“...”
At those words, the two of them resolved to do something.
“My lord.”
“Forgive my impertinence…”
“Hm?”
“It seems we must return to our training. Would you grant us permission?”
It seemed they had realized this was not the time to follow Cheon Muryang.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as permission was granted, the two of them moved simultaneously.
From their retreating figures, a will to become stronger could be felt.
The leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps approached him discreetly.
“You have good subordinates.”
“Those two will become strong. They'll be pillars of the Cheon Family in the future.”
“So, what shall we do?”
“Ah, nothing much. Now that we've trimmed the side branches, isn't it time to cut the branches connected to the roots?”
“I see.”
The leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps understood Cheon Muryang's words.
Not all branches were the same.
“The Black Merchants. And the Anti-Cheon Ghosts.”
“...”
“We will strike them.”
The leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps smiled.
“An excellent idea.”
“Show me what you're capable of.”
“As you wish.”
They hid in the darkness.
To watch the heavens, must one not hide behind the clouds?
“They have walked a path that goes against the laws of the Cheon Family…”
A chilling voice came from a place where no presence could be felt.
“They will pay the price.”
Cheon Muryang walked slowly.
His posture, walking with his hands clasped behind his back, seemed perfectly at ease.
* * *
The back alleys of Hangzhou.
In a place devoid of any presence, the leader of the Black Merchants sat alone.
“Is this the end?”
A place where not even moonlight could reach.
This was where the darkness leading the Cheon Family to ruin resided.
Sitting at its center, the leader of the Black Merchants sensed the ever-tightening net closing in on him.
“A shame. If only I had a few more years… I could have erased the Cheon Family.”
Gurgle.
He filled his cup with liquor.
But his regret was not so easily filled.
After filling his own cup, the leader of the Black Merchants filled a second one, despite having no one to drink with.
Thump, thump.
It was then.
Cheon Muryang walked in.
“Ah, so this is where you were.”
“You've come just in time. Come here.”
“I'd be glad to.”
As if by appointment, Cheon Muryang sat down opposite the leader of the Black Merchants.
“Drink up.”
“I won't refuse.”
Cheon Muryang tossed the liquor into his mouth in one go.
“Hah. The aroma is fine.”
“It's cheap flower wine.”
“Doesn't the taste change depending on who you drink with?”
“I suppose that's true.”
The two men faced each other.
Through the tranquil darkness, the thick scent of blood could be perceived.
Drip, drip.
Blood pooled, soaking the floor.
The floor must have been drenched in blood.
It had been a one-sided slaughter.
The leader of the Black Merchants asked casually.
“Did those men pledge their loyalty to the Cheon Family once more?”
“Not to the Cheon Family. Nor are they pledging loyalty.”
“Then?”
“I use them, and they use me. It's more of a contractual relationship.”
The leader of the Black Merchants laughed.
It was because he understood those words.
“I see.”
“You seem to have something to say.”
“I'll be direct.”
“I'm listening.”
“Come to our cult.”
“...”
“It would be a shame to let a talent like you die.”
“Shouldn't you be more worried about your own life than mine?”
“Khuhuhuhuhu.”
The leader of the Black Merchants laughed.
Then, he continued.
“Do you really intend to die for the Cheon Family?”
“Of course not. If anyone tries to kill me, I'll kill them first. Even if it's the Demonic Cult.”
It was a firm refusal and a warning.
At this, the leader of the Black Merchants clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“A pity.”
“There's no need for that.”
“Then let's end this.”
Cheon Muryang nodded.
“Do you have any last words?”
“The grand plan is already complete.”
“Grand plan, you say.”
“Soon, the fires of calamity will blaze. When that time comes, you will understand that death is a blessing.”
The leader of the Black Merchants smiled and emptied his cup.
“Is that all?”
“...”
Instead of an answer.
The leader of the Black Merchants closed his eyes.
Whoosh!
The Heavenly Light Sword flew.
Then, the head of the leader of the Black Merchants fell.
“...”
As if that were the last death.
From the darkness, the leader of the Heavenly Watch Corps and his men revealed themselves.
They were all covered in blood, but it was not their own.
“Is it over?”
“Yes. We have cut them all down.”
“...I see. Good work.”
A bitter taste lingered.
Those who had joined hands with the Demonic Cult for revenge had walked an irreversible path.
Hadn't Cheon Muryang already seen how they had become monsters in the process?
“I suppose it couldn't be helped.”
To save everyone, to persuade everyone—it was an absurdity.
“Their revenge was just. However, once they crossed the line… there was no choice but to cut them down.”
Revenge was always just.
However, if one walked the path of heresy for that revenge, the very justice of it would be tainted.
“...”
However, their grievances were also karma for Cheon Muryang to bear, so he mourned for those who had died in the darkness, their revenge incomplete.
“The evidence?”
“It vanished without a trace.”
The leader of the Black Merchants was a man who had settled all his affairs before meeting his end.
Thus, he would not have left any traces behind.
Cheon Muryang nodded with an expression that said he hadn't expected anything.
“We're going back.”
“Yes, sir.”
There was nothing left here.
So, he prepared to leave.
‘The future has completely changed. What will they do now?’
It had shifted in a completely different direction from the future he knew.
Thus, he grew even more curious.
‘They can't just hide forever.’
With this, all the branches had been trimmed.
All that remained were the roots.
Roots that were so rotten they had to be pulled out completely.
As he was lost in thought.
He froze.
Cheon Muryang stopped walking.
Whip!
Cheon Muryang turned his head.
There was nothing there but the corpse of the dead leader of the Black Merchants.
However, something felt off.
“...”
“What is it?”
“Ah, it's nothing.”
Cheon Muryang tilted his head in confusion and left the back alleys of Hangzhou.
Twitch!
Not long after, the lifeless corpse of the leader of the Black Merchants twitched.
That wasn't all.
“Khuhu. It seems your intuition is sharp. But you wouldn't have noticed this.”
The severed head.
However, its eyes suddenly opened, and its mouth spoke.
Twitch!
The twitching corpse of the leader of the Black Merchants reattached itself.
“I should return to the main cult like this.”
“Tsk. I can't let that happen.”
“Wha-what!”
Swish!
Something cut through the night sky.
“Huh?”
Once again, the head of the leader of the Black Merchants was severed.
“How grotesque.”
“...Y-you are?!”
“The one who will put an end to the grand plan.”
The one who had cut off the head of the leader of the Black Merchants was the Grand Elder, Cheon Jungho.
However, astonishment filled the eyes of the leader of the Black Merchants.
“G-Grand Elder? Y-you, how are you here? The-the grand plan! What do you mean!”
Because he was someone who should never have been here.
“You've received a fine gift from the main cult.”
“M-main cult? N-no way...! D-don't tell me you too? Are from the main cult?”
Cheon Jungho gave a sinister smile.
“That's right. You probably thought you were the one who approached me all this time. But I infiltrated the Cheon Family long before you did. Decades ago, in fact.”
“N-no!”
“Everything is for the grand plan.”
With those words.
The body of the leader of the Black Merchants began to twist violently, then started to compress.
“Kuaaaargh!”
The compressed body of the leader of the Black Merchants took the form of a single, perfect sphere.
The sphere overflowed with life force.
“The completion of the grand plan begins now.”
Cheon Jungho looked at the sphere with a satisfied smile.
Then, he swallowed the sphere whole.