Chapter 395
Chapter 395
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 395
Chapter Title: Ghost-Faced Elder (2)
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Dokgo Cheol approached with a resolute vow.
I patted his shoulder.
Then, my master spoke up.
- In any case, it's a task that Yong-un must take on in your place. It won't be easy at all... Do you think Cheol can pull it off?
'Living as the descendant of a family that suffered total annihilation is no easy feat.'
Look deeply into the ways of the world, and you'll find no life without its twists and turns.
But a reality like a filthy sewer, contrasted against past glory, is environment enough to blacken a young man's life.
'Cheol's submission to the Blood Cult must have been an inevitable choice.'
Just as mold grows in damp shadows, such a gap breeds hatred.
'But he never let go of his humanity.'
That was truly difficult.
Once a person's conscience wears away, it rarely recovers.
That's why they say the first bad deed is the hardest.
'Cheol is resilient.'
No need to look far for comparison.
Just look at the original Eon Yong-un, and Dokgo Cheol's resolve stands out.
A prestigious house, even in decline, still counted among the top ten in the world.
A mother who loses sleep over her children, a father stern on the outside but deep with affection inside.
A body brimming with potential.
'Yet even with everything handed to him at birth, he chased what he couldn't have, fell into ruin, and left wounds on those around him.'
- ...Who are you talking about?
'Just a general example that came to mind. Anyway, he'll manage. To properly play the role of Ghost-Faced Elder... he'll need some preparation. But he has a natural talent for drawing people in. You can tell just by looking at Young.'
Namgung Young.
His stubborn personality aside, the blood of the Namgung family flows strong in him.
'The guy who questioned if we could trust the demon practitioners—he genuinely worries about Cheol. You saw that too, right, Master?'
- I get what scheme you're hatching. With time before Sa Gyeom and Son Cheong-jeong arrive, you think Cheol can mimic the Ghost-Faced Elder's appearance in the meantime.
My master seemed to agree with me.
But there was still worry in his voice.
'Well, we'll prepare a speech to rally the cultists too, so it's not just surface mimicry. We have to make him a symbol of reconciliation.'
As I replied, he revealed his true concern.
- That's not what worries me.
'...Then what?'
- Once the real battle with the Blood Heaven Asura Palace begins, won't they target the Ghost-Faced Elder just like they did the Blood Wind Squad?
'Ah, you're worried about Cheol's martial prowess?'
- Exactly. He has to survive for your "symbol of reconciliation" to mean anything.
'...You're emphasizing "symbol of reconciliation" quite a bit.'
From his words, I could sense his intent, so I countered.
'The demon practitioners still bother you, don't they? They did come from our Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect, after all.'
- Hmph. If I had a body, I'd wipe them out myself. And here you are, criticizing me for living as I pleased...
'Hey, that's not criticism. How could a disciple criticize his master, who is like the heavens?'
- ...If you're going to say that, at least finish your sentence.
'...Yes, sir.'
- Anyway, looking back, that's how I lived. I cut down those who blocked my path and occasionally used my skills for those who caught my eye. No regrets in Wi Cheol-jin's human life. But as your master, Yong-un, I feel ashamed.
'...You have nothing to be ashamed of, Master.'
- That's your opinion. Seeing the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, born from me, cause suffering to the common folk and you running yourself ragged because of it... that's what stirs these feelings.
'......'
- If we cut off their path to true demonic ways, they could become pillars for the common people to lean on... What a pipe dream. Anyway, what I mean is...
My master asked me calmly.
- I've seen how you use blood clan arts. To teach Cheol that method, you'd need to share part of the Heaven-Splitting heart formula, right?
'...Pardon? Ah, yes. That's right.'
- Unlike me, you look all around even when taking a single step. Teaching Hyeok Ryeon-geum the formula yielded different results. Teach him if needed.
Around then, I received permission from my master to share the formula needed to adapt the Reverse Blood Asura Great Law.
Dokgo Cheol sent a transmission, swallowing dryly.
[You're staring right through my face... Did I say something wrong?]
To him, I shook my head and replied.
[No, you didn't slip up. I was lost in thought about something and ended up staring.]
[Ah, yes.]
[There's a lot to prepare before Sa Gyeom and Son Cheong-jeong arrive. Special training starts today.]
[Yes! My speech and mannerisms must be flawless. I'm ready.]
[On top of that, you'll train in blood clan arts.]
[...Blood clan arts?]
Dokgo Cheol's puzzled response.
[Yes. Sticking to the martial arts permitted for mid-level and below won't cut it. It's not enough to project the Ghost-Faced Elder's dignity, and it'll be dangerous in the coming fight with the main force.]
With that opener, I continued.
[It's been a while since you took the reagent to counter the Great Law's side effects. If you've followed my instructions well, your meridians should be stable by now?]
[Ah, yes. It's been ages since I felt that fatigue when circulating qi.]
[Then you're ready for the next step.]
[I dare not presume to...]
I transmitted firmly.
[Enough. No more nonsense. You said you'd handle the task I gave you?]
[...Pardon? Ah, yes!]
[Sa Gyeom and Son Cheong-jeong will take about ten days to arrive. That's not much time.]
[Yes.]
[Sit in lotus position.]
Dokgo Cheol nodded heavily and sat in lotus position.
I placed my palm on his back.
[I'll infuse my true qi into your meridians. Memorize the path well.]
Then I summoned the shadow assassin for protection.
'Shadow Assassin.'
- Yes, my lord.
'Guard us.'
- As you command.
I began infusing true qi into Dokgo Cheol's meridians, guiding the new path.
Sahak—
For the first time striking those acupoints, Dokgo Cheol groaned low, sweat pouring like rain.
"Kuh."
As the Grand Heavenly Circuit repeated, his expression eased, and he circulated qi smoothly.
Long after, his blocked meridians opened, staining his clothes with impurities.
Finishing the circulation, he snapped his eyes open.
- Looks like he mastered it properly.
'Seems so.'
Seeing the light in his eyes, I continued.
[For the next three days, focus on circulating inner power through those acupoints. After that, train loading energy extracted from the blood rings.]
Then Dokgo Cheol asked.
[...My insight pales compared to the Chairman's. But I know the Reverse Blood Asura Great Law is the foundation for our cult's other divine arts.]
[...So?]
[This isn't the cult's martial art. I can say that for certain.]
To his intense gaze, I scratched my chin.
[Well... You can think of it as something I devised.]
Dokgo Cheol moved to bow to me.
I grabbed his sleeve.
[...What are you doing?]
[Shouldn't I offer the rites of apprenticeship?]
[What rites? Don't drag the sect genealogy into this in front of the others.]
[But you're becoming my master, aren't you?]
As I struggled with his actions.
'...This guy's showing his prestigious family breeding in the oddest way.'
My master burst into laughter.
- Puahaha!
'...You find this funny? Our sect's genealogy is about to get tangled.'
- Why would the Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect's genealogy tangle? I only permitted part of the heart formula. With a quirky disciple like you, one's enough to handle.
Hearing that flimsy excuse cleared my mind of the dilemma.
[Hand over the Ghost-Faced Elder mask I gave you.]
[The mask?]
[Yes. If you insist on the rites, we'll say you're the disciple of the Ghost-Faced Elder.]
* * * Meanwhile, the delegation led by Zhuge Cheok continued along the Carma High Road and finally entered the Southern Frontier Beast Palace.
The Beast Palace's welcome seemed lavish at first glance.
Palace Lord Meng Ryong came out personally to greet them.
"Grand Marshal! Welcome! I prepared fine fruit wine hearing guests from the Central Plains were coming!"
"Hoho. This old man stepped down from the Grand Marshal position long ago."
"Stepped down or not, to me, you're still the elder of Heaven's Mechanism Marvel Mountain!"
Sumptuous tables, dances by southern beauties.
Beast Palace warriors rode bizarre beasts into the banquet hall, performing acrobatics and martial displays.
Rooooaaar!!!
"Gasp."
"Come to think of it, you said you've never seen an elephant, Lady Yun? No wonder you're startled."
"...Not startled, just a bit curious."
"Ah, I see. But could you close your mouth first?"
The Central Plains delegation enjoyed the feast lightly at first.
But gradually, despite the grandeur, they sensed Palace Lord Meng Ryong's hospitality lacked substance.
"Palace Lord. This old man has urgent words. Will you hear them?"
"Of course!"
"...Then."
"But first, please fully enjoy our welcome."
"......"
"You know we pride ourselves on grandly hosting guests. If heavy talk dampens the mood, it'll embarrass me before my palace folk."
"...Hohoho. Very well."
The Southern Frontier Beast Palace was off the beaten path, but using the Carma High Road for trade, they couldn't ignore the unrest in the martial world.
Yet Meng Ryong's overly nonchalant attitude.
Zhuge Seolji sent a transmission to her grandfather.
[The Palace Lord's attitude feels off. No reason to dodge your words, whether out of curiosity or desire... but he's avoiding it now...]
[His lukewarm demeanor aside, the empty seat opposite bothers me.]
[Hm. Now that you mention it. I thought it was for the Vice Palace Lord or palace officials... but with the lord seated, it doesn't make sense.]
Then.
A Beast Palace guard in golden armor rushed into the banquet hall.
"Palace Lord! Guests from the Great Mountains have arrived!"
"Bring them in."
At the unmistakable place name, Zhuge Cheok's delegation furrowed brows.
A procession entered the hall.
Thud. Thud.
Seeing them, the younger members led by Namgung Yun and Mae Jin-ak leaped up, drawing swords.
Ching ching ching!!
It was inevitable.
The emblem on the elder leading the procession's robes.
It was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Demon Brain Division emblem they'd seen during the academy raid and Prince Chu's mansion attack.
Namgung Yun, standing, bellowed furiously.
"How dare demon scum show their faces here!?"
To her shout, the elder who brought the demons raised a brow, eyed her, and chuckled hoarsely.
"Heh heh heh. This humble body knows the Beast Palace Lord is noble... but that young lord there acts like the Southern Frontier is Central Plains territory? Palace Lord's permission suffices to tread this land, or did I need Central Plains folk's approval?"
In one stroke, he painted Namgung Yun as one mocking the Beast Palace.
"......!"
As Namgung Yun realized her blunder.
Zhuge Cheok rose and spoke.
"No needless commotion. Sit down, all of you."
Calming the young ones, Zhuge Cheok eyed the demonic elder and smirked.
"You're the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains Demon Brain? I've lived as your rival all my life. Always wanted to see you, and here you are."