Clothes That Had Been Stored Away for a Long Time
The Yeokcheon-gyeong was a treasure among treasures.
Thus, it didn't enter just anyone.
It only entered those who could wield it—or those worth devouring.
That was why it had been so delighted upon first meeting Jeong Gwang.
He seemed like someone worth swallowing whole.
But.
Jeong Gwang far exceeded the Yeokcheon-gyeong's wildest imagination.
Instead, it was the one who got devoured.
Now, it was in a state of utter resignation.
Yet Jeong Gwang issued a new command.
Stop the evil spirit, he said.
Sama-ryeon or whatever?
Some no-name Sapa faction?
This half-baked evil spirit was nothing.
Time to vent some frustration.
Though it was being mistreated by Jeong Gwang, the Yeokcheon-gyeong was confident.
With fierce momentum, it charged at Sang So-un's evil spirit.
But something was off.
It couldn't suppress it easily.
No, it was even suffering occasional counterattacks.
Only then did the Yeokcheon-gyeong realize.
Unable to grow by feeding on young men and women from the Southeast, trapped underground covered in dust—its demonic energy had waned.
A long sigh escaped it.
As if sensing that sentiment, Sang So-un's evil spirit came at it with renewed vigor.
Stunned for a moment, its fighting spirit surged.
This bastard!
Daring to mock me?
I'll smash you to pieces!
It immediately drew up its power.
Paeng Gang-ung, half-overrun by Sang So-un's evil spirit, groaned.
"Ugh……."
His mind had turned into a battlefield—a natural reaction.
Ignoring him, just as it was about to unleash its gathered power—!
Jeong Gwang's will transmitted over.
-Hey! What are you doing? Stop right now!
-……!
I was told to catch it, so I did—why?
As the Yeokcheon-gyeong felt wronged, Jeong Gwang's will continued.
-I said catch the evil spirit, not the person. Paeng Gang-ung's head can't get messed up. We've got a lot to squeeze out of the Paeng family later.
-…….
Greedy bastard.
Who has this many demands?
No matter how it thought about it, this was too much.
As its suppressed rage threatened to explode, Jeong Gwang struck first.
-That energy you're giving off feels off. Were you just pissed?
-…….
As if.
The Yeokcheon-gyeong quietly tucked in its tail.
And changed its approach to the evil spirit.
Not with brute force, but with speed!
How's this taste!
But the Yeokcheon-gyeong's true power lay in its overwhelming demonic energy.
Sealing that and relying on technique was foolish.
Sang So-un's evil spirit surged in.
As if saying, This much? It doesn't even hurt!
Eh? That's not right.
As the Yeokcheon-gyeong wiped nonexistent cold sweat—!
Jeong Gwang's will rang out.
-Useless as always. What kind of Illuminating Demon Mirror is this weak?
-…….
It felt like a dagger to the heart.
Though the Yeokcheon-gyeong had no heart.
It was true it had weakened, but did he have to be so blunt?
-Move. I'll handle it.
-……Yeah.
Swallowing its resentment, the Yeokcheon-gyeong stepped aside.
Jeong Gwang's intent raced through the path into Paeng Gang-ung's mind.
Paeng Gang-ung, the owner of said mind, stood frozen like a statue after downing the liquor the Crown Prince had offered.
With a dazed gaze.
"Young master, what's wrong?"
Naturally, the Crown Prince couldn't help but be puzzled.
Jeong Gwang clashed with Sang So-un's evil spirit.
The thing relentlessly targeted one thing alone.
The evil qi that Paeng Gang-ung had nurtured while practicing the Anonymous Heart Method.
It sought to devour it and control him.
Not bad.
Jeong Gwang was weak at defense.
Or rather, it didn't suit his style.
Fine. Let's do this properly.
He focused and maneuvered his intent.
Like when he'd thrashed the Yeokcheon-gyeong.
A club of coalesced intent swung down.
Smack! Thwack! Boom!
Each blow carried murderous intent.
Jeong Gwang's club relentlessly battered Sang So-un's evil spirit.
With exquisite control to avoid harming Paeng Gang-ung's mind.
Huh?
But it had little effect.
Not due to lack of power.
The evil spirit fluttered like a thread, dispersing the impacts.
I thought it was just for show, but the substance matches.
No choice but to change tactics.
Jeong Gwang's will transformed.
The transformed will manifested as new intent.
The club sharpened into a blade.
For slashing, nothing beats a dao.
With a dao, it had to be overwhelming force and linked strikes.
A fitting blade art came to mind.
The Geon-gon Yeon-hwan Tal-baek-do he'd observed through Paeng Gang-hwi.
The blade of Jeong Gwang's intent raged like a storm.
It couldn't soul-steal as the name implied, but it was enough to cleave Sang So-un's evil spirit.
Kreeee—
It tried to flee, but Jeong Gwang didn't let it.
He kept slashing.
Until it was reduced to dust.
Soon, Sang So-un's evil spirit vanished entirely.
A quicker retreat than expected.
Already leaving? See you soon.
This was possible only because the Yeokcheon-gyeong had already dealt it a heavy blow.
The Yeokcheon-gyeong vibrated, demanding recognition for its efforts, but Jeong Gwang dismissed it curtly.
-Can't you handle something this easy?
-…….
Jeong Gwang didn't forget to dissipate the evil qi Paeng Gang-ung had nurtured.
Then he withdrew from Paeng Gang-ung's mind.
Paeng Gang-ung, who had stood dazed after downing one cup of the Crown Prince's liquor, collapsed.
The evil spirit that had invaded his mind, plus the unknowingly cultivated evil qi—gone, leaving him unconscious.
Jeong Gwang quickly extended a hand to support him.
A check revealed no major issues.
Good enough.
Recalling events from long ago brought a faint pleasure.
In his previous life, he'd handled evil spirits with brute force.
Flesh or bone, he didn't care. He'd shred body and soul alike.
But resolving it without a drop of blood? It had its own charm.
A subtle smile formed as piercing gazes fell upon him.
Hm?
The Crown Prince and those around stared at him and Paeng Gang-ung with odd expressions.
Mostly at Paeng Gang-ung.
With deep concern.
Ah. This guy stood dazed for quite a while before collapsing.
In the Crown Prince's presence, some eyed them suspiciously, on guard.
The deputy commander's hand gripped his sword hilt, inner energy rising.
I went through all that trouble—can't have a sloppy finish.
He needed to dispel the suspicions.
Jeong Gwang's mouth slowly opened.
"Well now. He's completely out. The young master sure can't hold his liquor."
People wore incredulous looks.
Can't hold his liquor?
The heir of the Paeng family, gathered boozers extraordinaire?
Not even a whole jar—just one cup and he's down?
He had stood blankly for a long time, which was suspicious.
But drunk? Who would buy that?
Even Jeong Gwang thought so.
Coming from me, it lacks punch. In that case…….
Just use another method.
The Demonic Spirit Soul Control Art would solve it easily, but Paeng Gang-ung would lose his wits.
Fortunately, Jeong Gwang had a technique perfect for this.
Been a while—hope it works right.
He infused inner energy into Paeng Gang-ung's body, manipulating his facial muscles.
Precisely, he moved Paeng Gang-ung's lips while performing ventriloquism.
"Ah. I'm drunk."
"……."
Jeong Gwang was inwardly satisfied.
He'd mimicked Paeng Gang-ung's voice perfectly.
The others were baffled, but that wasn't his concern.
"Tsk tsk. Get some rest."
He roughly propped Paeng Gang-ung in a chair and turned away.
To where the disguised-as-beggar Sang So-un had been.
Oh. The fatso's pretty quick.
Already gone.
A smile tugged at Jeong Gwang's lips.
Time to go.
He crouched to launch himself, but the Crown Prince's voice rang out.
"Hyeokryeon young master. What exactly is going on?"
Jeong Gwang slowly turned.
He saw eyes laced with suspicion.
Sharp instincts.
It made sense, thinking about it.
Only someone like that could survive the imperial palace's den of intrigue and rise to Crown Prince.
Jeong Gwang answered simply.
"Nothing much."
"……Let's say that's true. Where are you headed?"
"A walk."
"……A walk?"
"Yeah. Ate too much. Need to walk it off."
As the Crown Prince opened his mouth again, Jeong Gwang grinned.
"I'll be back."
Before the words fully landed, Jeong Gwang vanished.
The Crown Prince, scanning around in surprise, narrowed his eyes.
His lips parted slightly.
"Intriguing. I need to find out."
His shadow wavered.
Jeong Gwang raced with lightness skill.
With each step, the world rushed backward at astonishing speed.
Yet he didn't neglect scanning his surroundings.
Look at this guy. Using his head for once.
Sang So-un's traces were scattered messily.
Precautions against potential pursuit, no doubt.
But futile.
Think hiding the evil spirit erases your energy signature?
Everyone had a unique energy.
Jeong Gwang had sensed and memorized Sang So-un's at the Paeng family.
And now, he tracked it.
After running awhile, Jeong Gwang nodded.
There it is.
A large manor in a desolate area.
The air grew thick and heavy with a dense, heterodox and wicked qi (Za-hye)—it was now unmistakably clear that this was a gathering of the Sama-ryeon (Evil Cult Alliance).
Time to loosen up.
Jeong Gwang planned to go wild.
Like in his previous life.
Ah. Can't leave traces.
No Kunlun arts—something else.
He knew plenty of suitable ones.
Demonic arts!
Whiiist!
Jeong Gwang let out a long whistle.
Enveloped in demonic qi, his body crashed through the manor's gates.
Boom!
Splintered wood flew everywhere.
Through the gap, countless weapons lunged at him.
Jeong Gwang's hands moved.
Slaughtering Demon Hand!
Demonic hand technique slicing weapons and foes like reeds and paper.
The weapons targeting him snapped like reeds.
Simultaneously, their wielders tore apart like paper.
"Gahk!"
"Kwaaak!"
A dozen warriors tumbled, spurting blood fountains.
Jeong Gwang surveyed coolly.
More hidden warriors tightened the encirclement.
The middle-aged leader at the front spoke.
"Who the hell are y—urk!"
He couldn't finish.
A small hole pierced his throat.
Blood gushed fiercely from it.
"Gurgle…… krrk……."
Leaking air, the man collapsed.
His subordinates gaped at Jeong Gwang in shock.
They hadn't seen the technique.
Jeong Gwang folded the finger that had loosed jipung, grumbling.
"Why do they all say the same thing when ambushed? Like knowing who I am matters."
Pointless.
Capture first, ask later.
That's what Jeong Gwang did.
So he targeted these guys to find Sang So-un.
His form vanished.
Crunch!
"Aaak!"
Warriors began falling like autumn leaves.
Terror swelled in the warriors' hearts.
One sensed it and bellowed with inner energy.
"Don't retreat! Kill him!"
His head flew off mid-shout.
Smashed by Jeong Gwang's fist.
Not just him.
Nearby warriors died, blood spraying.
Amid the slaughter, Jeong Gwang muttered.
"Feeling looser now."
"……!"
"Shall we get serious?"
"……!"
The warriors suppressed their fear.
Worthy of Sama-ryeon's elites, selected to topple the Paeng family and claim Hebei Murim.
They attacked before Jeong Gwang could.
Wielding diverse weapons.
Jeong Gwang wove through them.
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's secret footwork, Dark King Stroll!
Casual demonic footwork traversing space amid pitch-black qi.
Exuding inky demonic qi, he leisurely dominated the space.
Simultaneously, his limbs moved with chilling splendor.
Asura Heaven-Shattering Dance!
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's secret body technique, limbs dancing gorgeously.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's secret body art unfolded!
Snuffing out Sama-ryeon warriors' lives, Jeong Gwang pondered regrets from his past life.
Should've renamed all the arts.
The cult's demonic arts had crude names unfit for their immense power.
He could tolerate most, but some were embarrassing to utter.
Reborn in elegant Kunlun—how fortunate.
To erase bad memories, he moved even more vigorously.
Soon, he stood firm in place.
He alone remained in the courtyard.
Hmm. Finally getting the hang of it.
Donning long-stored clothes felt awkward.
But tailored to his body, no issues remained.
Gazing at the tall hall in the manor's center, Jeong Gwang muttered.
"Not coming out even now?"
His feet moved lightly.
"Guess I'll come to you."