Chapter 8: That Statement is Solely the Right of the Strong
The forces of the martial world are broadly divided into three major factions.
The Righteous Faction, represented by the Murim Alliance, which shouts about great causes and the righteous path.
The Unorthodox Faction, represented by Sa Wang Castle, which pursues pragmatism.
And finally, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which praises only strength.
Originally, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult held such great prosperity across the vast martial world that its followers could be found regardless of righteous or unorthodox affiliations.
That was until 100 years ago.
Before the Fourth Heavenly Demon caused the tragedy known as the Heavenly Demon Blood Massacre.
After the Heavenly Demon Blood Massacre, the cult's main base was pushed back relentlessly until it reached the remote frontier of the Xinjiang region, the very edge of the martial world.
Why am I telling this story?
'I'm so bored I'm going insane.'
It was because riding endlessly in this carriage was driving me nuts.
'How much farther do we have to go?'
[At this speed, two more days.]
'Ah, so boring.'
[You have no patience at all.]
Pa Cheon spoke in a tone that implied even this was too much for me to endure.
But that was easy for Pa Cheon to say—he was a native of this Murim Return world.
For someone like me, who came from the modern world where fun things were everywhere if you just looked around, adapting to the sight of endless trees visible through the carriage window wasn't easy.
Healing in nature is fine for a day or two. But this was already the fourth day in the carriage.
I was starting to miss the webnovels I'd read on my phone on the commute home. First-Class Instructor Baek Sabu, The Healthy Young Master of the Baek Family......
Ah, not that I missed going to work.
"My lord."
At that moment, Sa Wol called from outside the carriage.
I quickly steadied my voice and replied.
"What is it?"
"May we take a moment for a meal?"
"Understood. Stop the carriage and prepare to reorganize."
'Nice.'
[What the hell is 'nice' anyway?]
'It just means good.'
[Demons, always so strange.]
I let out a chuckle. It was funny—and a bit pitiful—how he kept calling me a demon in a world without yokai.
He probably just couldn't rationally accept that I, a stranger, had taken over his body, so he labeled me a yokai.
Well, even my own common sense couldn't make sense of the current situation.
At least I'd read enough webnovels to somewhat accept it indirectly.
In any case, this time I decided to step out of the carriage.
Until now, I'd only stayed inside unless absolutely necessary, even eating there.
To avoid running into the Black Shadow Corps members as much as possible.
No matter how well my acting had fooled them so far, prolonged conversation or any slip-up could raise suspicions.
But this time, I couldn't hold out any longer. Every joint from my waist down ached terribly.
"Hup-cha."
Without thinking, I let out a groan like some middle-aged uncle from the modern world as I stepped out—and locked eyes with Sa Wol, who was waiting.
"......"
"......"
In less than a second, I snapped back into full Sado Hwan mode.
[Why not just spread rumors that your body was swapped?]
Pa Cheon mocked me, but I had no retort. I'd let my guard down.
[Sa Wol is extremely perceptive. Keep making mistakes like this, and she'll sense something off from your behavior.]
'Got it. I'll be careful.'
[Sa Wol is definitely...]
'Definitely?'
[Never mind. Later. When I'm sure.]
I wanted to press him on what he meant by "sure," but Sa Wol was still waiting, so I couldn't delay further.
A simple table had been set up right next to the carriage for me, and Sa Wol was preparing the food.
Once it was mostly ready,
the other corps members backed away, and I received my meal from Sa Wol while asking,
"Where are we now?"
"We are a day's carriage ride from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province."
As a Murim Return fanatic, I recalled the in-novel map of the terrain. Xining was a strategic hub where Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan Provinces met.
"He'll head straight for Sichuan Province, then."
"It seems so."
Sichuan.
To modern folks, it's known for spicy foods like mala tang, but to martial artists, Sichuan Province held a different meaning.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan.
A massive clan with influence so strong it practically ruled the province.
Famous for poisons and hidden weapons, its members were notorious for their psychopathic viciousness.
In Murim Return, there was even a saying: avoid anyone with the Tang surname if possible.
But I couldn't afford to heed that now.
Dok So Gong's goal was crystal clear.
'He's stealing the cult's treasure to defect to the Tang Clan.'
Probably planning to live lavishly under their protection. The Tang Clan went crazy for poisons, after all.
Of course, it was a foolish plan.
Dok So Gong hadn't been in the cult long enough to understand it well.
The cult pursues traitors to the ends of hell for punishment.
And the Tang Clan was no better. Just because they called themselves righteous didn't mean they'd honor any deal.
'When it comes to insidiousness, the Tang Clan is worse.'
The Tang Clan was a nest of psychopaths. To hide the fact that they possessed a "Demonic Cult" treasure, they'd choose the most effective method.
Murder and extermination.
It was even mentioned in passing in the original Murim Return.
'We need to move fast before we get tangled with the Tang Clan.'
They were experts in poisons and hidden weapons—and tracking.
If they learned we were from the cult, things would get really headache-inducing.
No grand righteous-demonic war would erupt, but my life would be at risk.
Until we returned to the cult, we could be hunted down. The Black Shadow Corps could handle it, but not me.
'The Heavenly Demon will sort out the Tang Clan later, though.'
Thinking of the Heavenly Demon made my chest tighten with both anxiety and reassurance—mixed feelings.
Sado Hwan and the Heavenly Demon had a very close relationship, so she could be the strongest backing of all.
But I wasn't the real Sado Hwan. Someone like the Heavenly Demon, an absolute being, might sense something off in my words or actions, no matter how well I acted.
'That's why this is like a mock exam.'
This was another reason I hadn't returned straight to the cult.
Dok So Gong was Dok Ma's disciple. Estimated at early Peak realm. A single Peak expert could handle fifty first-rate fighters. Catching him with the Black Shadow Corps wasn't impossible, but the problem was his poisons.
Poisons worked even on foes several levels stronger, and they were perfect for mass slaughter. Even Sa Wol wouldn't find him an easy opponent.
I had to act like Sado Hwan calmly against such a foe. Only then could I keep up the act amid the cult's monsters.
[But what can you do against Dok Ma's disciple?]
'I've got a plan. Have you ever met Dok So Gong?'
[Twice. He seemed to hate me.]
'Hmm, yeah, that tracks. You were pretty annoying.'
[What?]
I mentally pressed down on Pa Cheon before he could explode.
'Meaning you're that impressive.'
On the surface, no man matched Sado Hwan. Tall, handsome, great family, top-tier martial arts.
The problem was the hollow inside.
In any case, after a quick meal of jerky and some unidentifiable soup, we hit the road again on horses and carriage.
Two days later,
on a remote mountain path with no signs of people, we finally encountered Dok So Gong.
I spotted him through the carriage window.
The name Dok So Gong fit him perfectly.
Rumored to be nearing thirty, he looked at best like a boy in his early teens. That had to be a side effect of Dok Ma's Poison Blood Demonic Art. Dok Ma himself was described as looking mid-forties despite being in his eighties.
"Eh? What the—?"
Dok So Gong looked startled upon seeing us.
We recoiled in disgust at the sight of him.
Numerous corpses littered the area around Dok So Gong.
The bodies were gruesome.
Skin clawed off until drenched in blood, or foaming at the mouth like they'd suffocated.
Nausea surged, and I hurriedly circulated my internal energy. As it flowed through my body, the rising vomit subsided, calming me.
"Oh, this? Bandits. Not anymore."
He said it casually while sucking on a candy.
"Anyway, who's the VIP in that carriage who won't even show their face? You scream Demonic Cult at first glance."
"You bastard!"
I could tell by the voice now—it was Tak Horak.
"Do you even know who this is?!"
A line that would've mortified me normally, but thanks to the internal energy?
I nodded as if it were the most natural thing.
And an inexplicable confidence welled up.
Maybe this body's nature enjoyed such deference, prompting a natural response.
"So, who is it?"
"This is the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's—"
I cut off Tak Horak by throwing open the carriage door.
Seeing me emerge, Dok So Gong's grinning face hardened instantly.
"Sado Hwan...!"
He didn't recognize the Black Shadow Corps—since he barely knew the cult—but my face he knew at once.
"Then you lot must be the Black Shadow Corps... Troublesome."
His childlike face showed panic, but he was scheming inside. The corpses around proved his nature.
Show any gap, and I'd be done for.
"Dok So Gong."
I circulated my internal energy within.
Lower my voice, but not too forcefully. What I needed most now was composure.
The composure that said he was no match for me.
From this moment, I was the strong one.
"You stole the cult's treasure and fled."
"Cult treasure? Ha! What nonsense."
Dok So Gong's face flushed as he spat.
"I've slaved under that old geezer shooting arrows for a solid ten years. And now he claims he's Demonic Cult? Should I just bow and say, 'Yes, Master'?"
With that, Dok So Gong drew something from his waist—a fan made of black feathers.
Druruk, snap!
He flicked it open and fanned himself tauntingly.
"This Black Feather Fan belongs to me now. Not the Demonic Cult's! You idiots can't even use it properly and just stash it in storage."
"Dok Ma only borrowed it. It's originally the cult's."
"Hmph."
Dok So Gong sneered.
"How long do you think you can keep up that arrogant attitude?"
"Insolent wretch!"
Tak Horak behind me drew his spear and bellowed.
"How dare you spout such nonsense to Sado Hwan, rightful heir of the Sado Family and leader of the Black Shadow Corps!"
"Sado Hwan, Sado Hwan. I've heard the name a ton with all the rank talk. But no one's actually seen you fight."
"What?"
"It's weird, right? If you're that strong, show something. All I've seen is you serving that Heavenly Demon wench."
"You dare!"
Tak Horak crouched to charge—and staggered as if he couldn't even stand.
"Wha?"
Not just him.
Nearly simultaneously, all the Black Shadow Corps members wobbled.
Sa Wol shouted urgently.
"Poison! Everyone, stop breathing!"
"Too late."
Dok So Gong smirked, raising his fan.
"This Black Feather Fan you were after? One wave poisons everything up to ten zhang ahead undetected. You think I wouldn't prepare for Demonic Cult scum?"
Snap! The Black Feather Fan unfurled.
"You're all poisoned with Dispersing Crippling Poison. It blocks your energy meridians. Oh, and I slipped in some paralyzing poison just now. Can't use energy, so no shaking it off?"
At his words, I glanced at Sa Wol.
Ridiculous.
She feigned a pale, panicked face, but Sa Wol was a near-Super Peak master.
Dok Ma himself might manage, but not his disciple sneaking poison on her. She'd have sensed and blocked it instantly with her energy. No way she was poisoned.
Yet she pretended?
Sa Wol was testing me.
Whether I'd truly grown strong as Sado Hwan, or was still just acting.
'Challenge accepted.'
Acting was my specialty. Not half-assed Sado Hwan mimicry, but pro-level performance.
If I could win Sa Wol to my side, playing along was nothing.
Unaware, Dok So Gong blabbered excitedly.
"You're all my toys now. Hehe? Kill the famous Black Shadow Corps leader Sado Hwan and display him, and this fan plus my ransom will fetch top price?"
Dok So Gong approached with a sinister grin.
"My lord, get back!"
"My lord!"
The corps members cried out desperately from behind. Sa Wol and a few others tried to protect me but seemed paralyzed, unable to move.
Soon, Dok So Gong stood right before me. Within arm's reach.
"Never liked that arrogant glare, even after seeing you a few times. Looking down on me like that!"
He'd drawn a dagger and slowly brought it toward my eye, savoring it.
"I'll make sure those eyes never open again."
I spoke. The Dispersing Crippling Poison only blocked energy emission passages—irrelevant to me. My internal energy flowed proudly, intoxicating me with power.
"Arrogance is a word only the weak can utter."
"What?"
And in the next instant.
Shing—!
Pa Cheon slid out smoothly, slicing off Dok So Gong's arm.
Horror and shock filled Dok So Gong's face.
"That statement is solely the right of the strong."
Impersonating the Heavenly Demon