Branded a Fiend

"Keep the children in the center and form a defensive formation!"

"Damn it! They really are demonic humans?!"

Black shadows surged from the darkness. Demonic humans. Red eyes glowed beneath their masks, and the energy coiling from their blade tips was nothing like the inner force of the righteous sects. It was sinister, viscous, a corrupting poison that rotted the soul itself.

"Here they come!"

The first demonic human lunged at Jin Cheong-myeong. His Plum Blossom Sword Technique unfolded in a dazzling display, yet the enemy’s blade slipped past his guard and grazed his arm.

"Ugh!"

In an instant, Jin Cheong-myeong’s arm turned pitch black. Poison. The blood toxin of the Demonic Cult. He vomited blood and collapsed on the spot.

The expedition’s strongest fighter after Baek Un-hyeon had been taken out in a single exchange. The rest of the group fell into utter panic.

Baek Un-hyeon stepped forward.

"Everyone fall back and only strike those who close in! Do not let them surround you!"

His sword moved like lightning. The first demonic human that had attacked Jin Cheong-myeong lost his head in one clean stroke. It fell far too easily. Baek Un-hyeon had worried the creature might be a true expert, given how quickly it had felled Jin Cheong-myeong. Perhaps the Mount Hua Taoist had simply frozen in fear the moment he realized he faced a real demonic human.

Blood erupted like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a fountain, dark as ink. As the corpse fell, the same black energy seeped into Baek Un-hyeon’s blade.

My internal energy…

It was draining at an alarming rate. The demonic energy invaded his meridians, spreading a sensation like rot through his veins. Screams tore from the group.

"Aaaagh!"

"No!"

A young member who hadn’t been properly shielded was stabbed through the chest. Instant death. Another had his arm severed and collapsed as the blood poison blackened the wound and caused instant necrosis.

"We can’t hold them! Un-hyeon!" Namgung Seong shouted.

Unlike Jin Cheong-myeong, he was driving his opponent back, but the demonic human simply took the hits on its body and counterattacked without regard for its own life. The young orthodox warriors, none of whom had ever faced such a suicidal assault, were crumbling helplessly. The fact that Jin Cheong-myeong had been incapacitated in a single move only amplified their terror. It didn’t matter whether they were from Mount Hua or Wudang. The demonic humans were relentless and terrifyingly strong. Each one possessed raw power that surpassed most of the expedition members. Even Baek Un-hyeon struggled to handle more than two at once because of their unique energy and brutal close-quarters fighting style.

He swung his sword and beheaded two of them. Yet as they fell, the palm strike one of them unleashed still clipped his shoulder. Blood flowed. The moment the blood poison entered the wound, a searing agony like fire eating through flesh tore through him.

"…!"

The mountain path had become drenched in blood.

Somehow they had shaken off the demonic humans. Baek Un-hyeon had carved open their encirclement with his sword and led the survivors in retreat. But the route down the mountain was already blocked. Demonic energy pressed in from every direction, sealing off their escape.

Judging that returning the way they had come was impossible, Baek Un-hyeon chose to detour.

"They were targeting us from the beginning…"

"Un-hyeon. Are you saying they were waiting for us?"

"How else do you explain it? The ambush, the way they cut off our retreat after we entered the valley—none of it makes sense otherwise."

Five were dead. Twice that number were injured. The wounded were trembling as the blood poison turned their injuries black. At this rate, total annihilation was inevitable.

"What do we do now? I never imagined demonic humans could be this terrifying," Yu Seol-hwa asked, voice shaking. She herself was unharmed; many of the men had gone out of their way to protect her. Even so, she could not remain unmoved after watching people she had laughed and chatted with that very morning die horribly.

"Kuh… I’m fine… It’ll be all right."

"Senior Brother? Are you really okay?"

"I can’t use my arm at all… but I’m truly fine. The Alliance will find us soon. Yes."

"Ah… I hope they come quickly. I’m so scared…"

"Daoist Jin, it hasn’t even been half a day. It’s only natural they would still consider us on mission, isn’t it?" Jin Hyeon countered Jin Cheong-myeong’s words. He seemed deeply shaken by how little effect his own power had on the demonic humans. Of everyone present, he displayed the most negative attitude.

"Even half a day… Captain, didn’t we have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠orders to send regular reports?"

When Baek Un-hyeon nodded, Jin Cheong-myeong shot Jin Hyeon a pointed look. The latter could only mutter “Infinite Life Buddha” with a sullen expression.

"Un-hyeon. Senior Brother Jin may have said that, but at this rate we’ll be wiped out. Even if we detour as you suggest, how will we find a path they haven’t blocked? There’s no guarantee they won’t pursue us. Is there really no way?"

"Hoo… a way, huh."

Baek Un-hyeon ground his teeth. His own body was in tatters. The blood poison was spreading through his meridians and devouring his internal energy. Every breath felt like his chest was being scorched. He looked at the surviving members. They were dying because they had followed him.

Damn it…

He had never intended to grow attached, yet after a month together, he had. Even now the faces of the dead haunted him.

"That’s right! The captain killed four of them by himself! Maybe we could set some kind of trap…"

Yu Seol-hwa, who had been listening, chimed in. She had worked steadily to grow closer to Baek Un-hyeon, and her efforts had borne fruit; he no longer felt awkward when she approached. Still, the way she openly touched his arm while speaking to him remained deeply uncomfortable.

The sword in his hand trembled. The demonic humans’ energy was already drawing near. Escaping their pursuit seemed impossible.

Baek Un-hyeon made his decision. He spoke to the group in a low voice.

"Everyone… descend the mountain. I’ll hold them off."

Their eyes widened.

"Captain!"

"You can’t!"

Baek Un-hyeon shook his head. His cold eyes were resolute.

"This is an order. While I keep the demonic humans occupied, bring back reinforcements. You must survive and report what happened here."

Namgung Seong tried to step forward.

"Un-hyeon! What nonsense is that? If we go, we go together!"

"For now, let’s do as he says. We would only get in his way," Jin Cheong-myeong said, supporting Baek Un-hyeon.

The same Jin Cheong-myeong who had once despised him so openly. Even though he himself had been injured in one exchange, no one doubted his profound strength. If a man of his caliber claimed he would only be a hindrance, the others had no choice but to agree.

"We wish you luck in battle."

"We will definitely return with reinforcements."

One by one the members clasped their hands in farewell and turned away. Some of the wounded were on the verge of death; they had to descend as quickly as possible.

After they had traveled some distance, Jin Cheong-myeong raised his uninjured hand.

"This way."

"Senior Brother…? Do you know the path?"

"Ahem, not exactly… but this direction feels auspicious."

Baek Un-hyeon was left alone.

As if they had been waiting, the demonic humans encircled him. He adjusted his grip on his sword.

"I have no intention of dying here."

His sword energy erupted like an explosion. At a glance there were more than thirty of them. Red eyes gleamed in the darkness. The blood-poison-laden aura crushed the entire mountain valley.

He drew in a deep breath.

Fighting them all is impossible. There is no choice but to burn my Source True Qi.

It was a secret technique considered the final resort for any warrior. It would twist his meridians and leave lifelong aftereffects. For his still-maturing body, it was a forbidden art that bordered on suicidal. Yet he saw no other option.

"Come."

The lead demonic human charged. Being surrounded by so many would be the end. Baek Un-hyeon retreated while his sword flashed like lightning. He cut one down, then pierced two more in an instant. Blood sprayed. But the demonic humans did not stop. They used their comrade’s corpse as a stepping stone to strike at him.

By the time he had slain five, his own arm was cut. Blood poison rode the blade into his meridians. Pain bored into his bones.

"Kugh!"

A palm strike grazed his shoulder. Blood gushed. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The demonic humans seized the opening and attacked all at once.

Baek Un-hyeon clenched his teeth.

Now.

"Aaaaaah—!!"

His roar shook the mountain. Pure white energy exploded from his entire body like a storm. Sword energy lashed out in every direction, tearing the demonic humans apart.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Their bodies burst into pieces. Blood and flesh sprayed everywhere. The blood poison collided with his energy and billowed into black smoke. More than ten demonic humans fell in an instant.

But Baek Un-hyeon’s own body collapsed as well.

"Cough…!"

He vomited blood and dropped to one knee. The pain of his dantian tearing open was unbearable. His meridians were twisted, and his whole body felt as if it were burning alive. The remaining demonic humans glared at him. Their numbers were still overwhelming.

Using his sword as a cane, Baek Un-hyeon forced himself upright.

"…Not… not yet."

Staggering, he raised his sword once more.

Several days later.

Baek Un-hyeon opened his eyes within a haze of agony. His head felt ready to split open, and his entire body burned as if on fire. This was the price of detonating his Source True Qi. His dantian was empty, his meridians twisted so that internal energy constantly leaked away. Every breath felt like his chest was being ripped apart.

He tried to sit up from the bed, but his arms refused to obey.

"…Where… am I…"

His voice was hoarse. The room reeked of medicine. The door opened and a middle-aged physician entered. He sighed at the sight of Baek Un-hyeon.

"You’re awake. Whether that’s good luck or bad, I couldn’t say."

Baek ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Un-hyeon’s eyes widened.

"What… do you mean by that…?"

He couldn’t understand.

"Playing ignorant, are we? A terrible choice."

What on earth was the man talking about? Was he dreaming? Confusion swallowed Baek Un-hyeon.

"The others…? Are they all safe?"

The physician clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Hah… You imitate innocence quite well. That is none of your concern. Prepare yourself. We shall see whether you can keep up that hypocritical act even after judgment is passed."

He spat the curse and left the room. Baek Un-hyeon stared blankly at the door for a moment, then gritted his teeth. He had to find out what was happening.

He struggled to move, but the aftereffects of burning his Source True Qi made even lifting a finger difficult. It seemed he had not received proper treatment, and not much time had passed. There was no need to try standing on his own.

The door opened again. Warriors entered. They grabbed Baek Un-hyeon’s arms with expressionless faces.

"Let’s go."

"Wait, explain what’s going on."

"Tsk… You’ll understand when we get there."

Baek Un-hyeon tried to resist, but his body would not listen. The warriors forcibly hauled him up. Only after stepping outside did he realize where he was.

The Murim Alliance.

He had been dragged to the square in front of the Alliance Leader’s hall. The Alliance Leader and elders—people he had not seen since the martial tournament—were gathered. Baek Un-hyeon was forced to his knees. The warriors pressed down on his shoulders. His legs gave out weakly.

He lifted his head.

"What… is the meaning of this?"

His voice trembled. No matter how talented he was, Baek Un-hyeon was still only in his early twenties. Having so many people—renowned masters of the righteous path—staring at him with cold eyes was almost unbearable.

Yet he quickly regained his composure and met the Alliance Leader’s gaze directly.

Murim Alliance Leader Kwon Yang-ho. An old man on the verge of retirement. But the moment their eyes met, Baek Un-hyeon could not move. It was the look of a snake staring at a mouse.

"Go on, offer your defense."

"Defense? What exactly have I done?"

His cracked voice came out thin. Shouting in his current condition was nearly impossible.

"I… I should be the one asking questions. What happened to the others…?"

"You wish to ask, do you? Then I shall answer. You are the only one who returned alive. Thirty young warriors were sent to their deaths. Why did you fake your injuries and hide in the safe house? Did you wish to put on a dramatic performance of surviving a demonic human ambush?"

"What…?"

"Filthy demonic bastard! You sacrificed those young children for your own filthy ambitions!"

"How long do you intend to keep pretending?!"

The Alliance Leader spoke with relatively little emotion. His tone almost sounded regretful in a strange way. The elders were different. Their voices dripped with rage and disgust. Yet far more shocking than their hatred was the content of the Alliance Leader’s words.

"That can’t be… I clearly sent the others down the mountain and fought all the demonic humans…"

"Silence! Alliance Leader! This soft approach will not work! We must throw him in the dungeon and interrogate him properly!"

"His wounds are genuine, even if he is faking something. Or rather, since he is a demonic human, perhaps he simply doesn’t care about injuries of this level. We should treat him first."

"No! A demonic human will never speak the truth! Kill him!"

"I don’t sense any demonic energy, though…"

"Did you think we would overlook that? Did we not confirm the traces engraved on his body according to the report? And furthermore…"

"This bastard is a demonic human…! A great demonic fiend!"

The one voicing the greatest fury was the Mount Hua elder, Jin Mu-gak. He was the first within the Murim Alliance to accuse Baek Un-hyeon of being a demonic human.