Chapter 369
Chapter 369
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 369
Chapter Title: As Long as There's Breath Left (7)
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I left the door to my inner realm open.
In case the assassin could enter this space as well, I called out to him.
Sure enough, within the pristine white expanse, a shadow pooled like an inky puddle.
Snap.
Before long, the assassin emerged from that puddle and knelt on one knee.
"My lord. You summoned me."
I nodded in acknowledgment of his salute, then pointed to Chae Hyang's lingering spirit.
"Absorb this."
"As you command."
The assassin bowed once more toward me before reverting to a mass of swirling darkness.
Soon, that shadow began sucking in Chae Hyang's spirit like a swamp.
Hiss...
I crossed my arms and watched intently.
'Strengthening a Death Knight can lead to all sorts of complications.'
As the soul's tier elevates, it might no longer be bound by the existing contract.
'Personality shifts happen all too often.'
The causes varied, but the outcome was always the same.
'Rebellion against the lord or going berserk.'
Being based on Gi Yeom Gok Ju's evil spirit, the assassin shouldn't be overpowered by Chae Hyang's remnant. Still...
The world had its share of one-in-a-million flukes.
'...If need be, I'll have to reinstate discipline.'
I kept my guard up, staring at the shadow into which Chae Hyang had melted.
A moment later.
The writhing shadow froze with a sharp snap, then reshaped into human form.
Hiss...
The figure retained the assassin's appearance.
He promptly knelt again.
"I have carried out your command, my lord."
No issues, apparently. He was still the assassin.
But the azure glow in his eyes and the naturally emanating aura confirmed he was stronger than before.
With that verified, I greeted him once more.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"I merely follow my lord's orders."
Having sorted all the lingering spirits that formed the Ten Thousand Blood Seal, I immediately withdrew from my inner realm.
"!"
As my eyelids lifted.
The voices of my two guards and my master's rang out.
"Young Hero Eon!"
"Brother!"
- Are you back with us?!
Amid their worried tones, I quickly scanned with my eyes.
'...Frozen solid.'
It wasn't just chilled; my body was ice-cold.
A radius of about thirty feet around me had frozen over.
'That was close.'
I'd anticipated it from the first brush of yin energy pouring from the Ten Thousand Blood Seal, but still.
Assessing my physical state, I promptly drew internal energy from my dantian.
'Lips are stuck shut from the frost.'
I addressed my master, who must have been worried.
'I left the inner realm door open, so the assassin came and went. You let your disciple end up like this without warning me?'
- I was agonizing over whether to barge into your inner realm through that path... Never mind!
'...? Why trail off like that?'
- Who was it that always sang about trusting his disciple? And didn't you say yourself you were prepared?!
My master's voice carried genuine concern.
He'd suppressed his worry and trusted me.
He must have suffered inwardly too.
I was deeply grateful for his care toward his disciple, but voicing it felt awkward.
So I tossed in some jest instead.
'Just testing, and you flare up big time. That worried about your disciple?'
- Looks like you're alive and kicking. If so, deal with that surging energy!
'...Already on it.'
Exchanging a few words with my master, I kept circulating Paecheon energy through my meridians.
However, after absorbing the Ten Thousand Blood Seal, the energy was rampaging like a wild horse.
'Judging that taking in Chae Hyang's soul would be poison was right.'
My decision in the inner realm had been spot on.
But separately, I needed to rein in this bucking energy.
Calming rampaging energy was simple.
'Just expend it.'
Sword qi, sword gang—slash it all out, and the wild energy drains away, refilling my expanded dantian with fresh internal energy.
But there was a big problem with that method.
'Unleashing it wildly here would...'
Not only collapse our cave but crumble the entire mountainside above.
'But Jeong Hyeon is here.'
If he neutralized my outbursts, no issue.
I called to Jeong Hyeon right away.
"Jeong Hyeon!"
At my call, he responded.
"What can this one assist with...?"
No time to answer.
Had he advanced a step from his current realm, he'd be at the Hua Jing stage.
Trusting he'd catch on, I swung Hoean at him.
Screeeeech!!!
Startled, Jeong Hyeon soon shouted toward Eon Yong-myeong.
"Young Hero Eon! Please take cover!"
He drew his Songmun Sword from his belt.
Claaaaang!
Thus began barely blocking my thrusts.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Swoosh! Swoosh!
He diligently traced Taiji symbols.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang!
Clang-clang!
Of course, those Taiji shattered under my Paecheon sword strikes before fully forming.
Yet each clash, he didn't falter but poured out more Wudang strikes.
Clang-clang-clang!!!
We exchanged dozens of bouts like that.
Unlike at first, when just nullifying my strikes left him dazed.
As exchanges piled up, his footwork and strikes grew refined.
Clang! Clang!
Clang! Clang!
Thanks to that, the clashes between Hoean and his Songmun Sword took on a rhythmic cadence, like a symphony's melody.
Then, the Paecheon energy, fueled by ghostly qi rampaging through my meridians, finally settled.
Realizing it, I flung off his sword.
Thud—
Sheathing Hoean a few steps away, thoughts on facing Jeong Hyeon's Hua Jing sword anew crossed my mind.
'Not only entered Hua Jing, but skipped the adaptation phase I endured in that short time?'
I still dreamed of the days getting thrashed by Gyeong Hye Satae.
Admiration slipped from my lips.
"...Genius is genius. The epitome of Murim Academy's sword prodigy."
To that.
Jeong Hyeon gasped out.
"Young Hero Eon. Huff. Shouldn't. Haaah. Say. That. Yourself?"
"...What?"
Unable to parse his ragged breaths, Eon Yong-myeong translated.
"He means that's not something brother should say. I agree, honestly."
They couldn't know why I'd said it.
I just chuckled.
Then greeted the energies in my dantian and blood wheels once more.
'I'll keep the promise not to forget.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Five days after the Battle of Sakwol Island concluded.
Blood Demon Jin Gworang entered the stone palace of the Blood Heaven Asura Palace nestled in the foothills of Manggeop Mountain.
"Hail the Cult Leader!"
Receiving the bows of the Cult Protector Kings, Jin Gworang immediately grilled them on Sakwol Island.
"The Ten Thousand Blood Seal vanished amid the chaos?"
"Yes. Reports from multiple sources all say the same."
"...Is Sa Gyeom definitely not scheming?"
"The South Sea Archbishop's temperament is unique, but he hasn't betrayed the cult yet."
"Just in case, assign someone. An Elite Archbishop, discreetly."
"Understood."
Having ordered surveillance on Sa Gyeom, Jin Gworang stared toward the Silver River Archipelago, grimacing bitterly.
But he knew spilled water couldn't be regathered.
"If it's done, so be it. We played it too safe to avoid the Demon Brain's games. Have Demon King Mu handle elixirs and find alternatives."
"As you command."
"Have Zi King and the other Protectors accelerate preparations for the Founding Declaration."
As Jin Gworang's orders echoed the slogan "Blood Flames Under Heaven" through the Blood Heaven Asura Palace.
In the distant Ten Thousand Devil Hall atop the 100,000 Great Mountains at Qinghai's edge.
"Ahaha."
Demon Prison Lord's Yan Yu-ran's cackling laughter reverberated.
"See? I told you. The biggest obstacle to the cult's grand plan is that Eon Yong-un kid."
Originally confined, but.
"Sure, you listed him among those to watch. But even that overlooked him."
With other demons failing repeatedly and Eon Yong-un rising, she'd been pardoned.
"Sigh. What a waste of my arm. Ha. Anyway, Hyang's probably dead, right? Looking back, that arm was quite pretty. Can't recover the corpse somehow? I'd love to reattach it."
Her blunt nature plus pent-up frustration made her chatter.
Then, Radiant Right Seat's fist slammed the armrest.
Bam!!!
"Demon Prison Lord. Do you not know where you are? Even pardoned, remember your actions tarnish Reverse Heaven Demon Gu's face."
Silencing Yan Yu-ran, the Right Seat turned to the Demon Brain.
A grating voice leaked from the Demon Brain.
"...I sent Chae ga's twins expecting as much. Not the ideal outcome, but gains were made."
"You mean the Ten Thousand Blood Seal didn't go to Heavenly Blood Demon—no, Jin Gworang?"
"That's one. But Golden Leopard Group's moves were suspicious."
"Golden Leopard Group's Sa Gyeom. The Blood Cult's South Sea Archbishop. ...Isn't that just White Path and Blood Cult accidentally sharing the same moon?"
"This old one's gut says it's not so simple. Movements defying logic often hide deep schemes."
"...Schemes?"
"Need to watch more, but think of it as seeds of internal strife sprouting in the Blood Cult."
"Hm."
"Anyway, now we know Golden Leopard is under Blood Cult. We can handle it anytime. Stir up calls to exterminate them from the court or White Path—easy."
"Pirates to begin with, so no need for finesse; just mobilize funds."
"Yes. More importantly, internal consolidation. Consecutive foreign policy failures have soured morale among Ghost City Eight Clans and cultists."
"The Leader hinted at that. Prepare to appoint a Young Cult Leader."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After annihilating the Ten Thousand Blood Seal.
I returned to Haenam Island with my group.
Haenam disciples greeted us.
"Sect Leader."
"Dragon."
Right after fierce battle, blood must have been spilled on both sides.
No lengthy words exchanged.
"Did things go well?"
"Yes. Wrapped up nicely. How fared Haenam Sect?"
"We fulfilled our duties."
Under Haenam Sect's hospitality, we shed the battle's fatigue.
Then Elder Seon and Haenam Sect's senior disciple Nam Jun informed us of the altar prepared to honor the fallen.
"Hyungnim Yong-un."
"Dragon."
Leaving Sakwol Island, we'd soothed spirits minimally due to hasty preparations for battle.
Haenam Sect had done it properly.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Leading Righteous Martial Academy cadets in ceremonial robes to the altar, I lit incense and read the eulogy on all's behalf.
Thus bidding farewell to Silver River Archipelago's souls, as we descended.
Cheon Jang-ho cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Seeing you burn the eulogy reminded me. Amid the chaos, you didn't lose the stipend pouch, right? Don't forget you promised treats... "
Dang Ok-gi jabbed his side with her hand blade.
"Should've let your side burst and die! Why're you alive?! Die now!"
"Ow! I just... Aaa! Since leaving Sakwol, everyone's quiet and the mood's too down!"
I restrained Dang Ok-gi.
"Jang-ho's got a point. Can't mope forever."
Jeong Hyeon added.
"Yes. The living must live on—that's the way."
"Right. Today only. Let's send them off solemnly."
Thus concluding the rite, we departed Haenam Island.
However, Haenam Sect's Sect Leader boarded our ship to the mainland.
Wondering if the send-off was excessive.
When our ship anchored at Neizhou shore.
I learned why.
"Alliance Leader?"
- ...Not just Gongson ga's fellow; your father and Peng Family Head are here too?
'...Indeed?'
As I pondered why they'd all gathered here.
"Come here."
The Martial Alliance Leader strode up and embraced me tightly.
"...?"
"Well done. Thank you for your noble resolve. And for returning safe."
At the Leader's action.
His close aide, Secret Service Chief Guk Do-jin, frowned.
"...Alliance Leader. Anyone seeing this would think he's your own son. Your prized disciple So Jin is here, Pearl Eon Family Head too. Disrespectful to Haenam Sect Leader."
Starting with Peng So-jin, they chimed in.
"I'm fine."
"This one too. No matter what, this started with the Dragon's resolve."
"Yes. I'm okay."
Among them, toward my smirking father, Uncle Mu Hyeok quipped.
"You'd better be. After all, you're the one who chased Yong-un out."
"Ahem. Hm."
I questioned the two.
"Alliance Leader's here to back us, so no surprise at Neizhou. But Father and Uncle, why here?"
The Alliance Leader answered.
"You probably guessed, Yong-un. The old Alliance's systems lumbered through procedures again."
"...Meaning?"
"We'll bring our undercurrents to the surface. Formalize a new flow replacing the Backbone Assembly. At its center: Pearl Eon Family."