Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 108: Hearing the Secret History of My Fake Father (3)

"So, did the Divine Light Sect use poison to force you into Qi Deviation, Sword Demon?"

At my question, a murderous glint flashed in the Sword Demon’s eyes.

"Those bastards won over more than half of this chamber’s leaders. There was a proposal to form an alliance with the Divine Light Sect. I was the one who opposed it most fiercely, so they pulled a stunt."

"Then, while you were incapacitated by Qi Deviation, they must have already taken control of the other Chamber Leaders?"

"There was already a faction sympathetic to the Divine Light Sect. The Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Chamber Leaders all supported them."

The Demon of Chaos picked up where the Sword Demon left off.

"They want to rule the Murim, so their interests aligned with the Divine Light Sect."

"I heard that the Nine Demons Chamber makes major decisions by a majority vote of the Chamber Leaders. Is that not the case?"

"It is. In fact, there is a meeting scheduled in seven days to decide whether or not to ally with the Divine Light Sect."

"Then, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠since there are five Chamber Leaders who oppose it, isn't the alliance as good as dead?"

"No. The First Chamber Leader is neutral. There are four leaders who support us and four who have been swayed by the Divine Light Sect. In the end, the outcome depends on the First Chamber Leader’s decision."

Things were moving much faster than I had expected.

Thinking back, the bastards I had dueled were all disciples of the faction that supported the Divine Light Sect.

Yu Hong was the disciple of the Second Chamber Leader, Cho Maeryeong was the disciple of the Fourth, Gyeong Mong was the disciple of the Fifth, and Do Geon was the disciple of the Sixth.

Every single one of them had been itching to kill me.

That confirmed the current political landscape within the sect.

"This time, we must persuade the First Chamber Leader by any means necessary to block the alliance with the Divine Light Sect."

"If they choose to support the Divine Light Sect, can't you and the other opposing Chamber Leaders just leave the Nine Demons Chamber?"

The Demon of Chaos shook his head at my suggestion.

"The Chamber Leaders of the Nine Demons made a pact. We swore to protect the Nine Demons Chamber no matter what. And once a decision is made, we follow it to the end. We swore that if anyone were to leave the Nine Demons Chamber, they would do so only through death. If someone breaks that oath and leaves, they will be hunted down by the other Chamber Leaders."

The Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon paused their explanation and suddenly turned a question toward me.

"If you have a bad history with the Divine Light Sect, they will surely pursue you relentlessly. And if they find out you are the descendant of Woo Cheong-rin, they won't leave you alone. You must be careful."

They’re already bothering me, you know.

The Ghost Pursuit Squad bastards were already pestering me for revenge, so one way or another, our fates were already entangled.

As if suddenly remembering something, the Demon of Chaos asked, "What happened to your mother?"

Huh? I didn't think about that. Well, I’ll just have to wing it.

"Not long after my father passed away, my mother caught a plague and died."

Both the Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon frowned.

"That is unfortunate. Do you know your mother’s name?"

I was momentarily flustered by the question. If I claimed to be Woo Cheong-rin’s son but didn't even know my own mother’s name, they would definitely find it suspicious.

So, I decided to take the initiative.

"My father lived under a false name; it’s unlikely my mother would have revealed her real name either. What was my mother’s true name?"

The Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon nodded as if they found my reasoning sound.

"That makes sense. Your mother’s name was Seol Young-mae."

"Ah! I knew it. Mother was living under a pseudonym after all."

I said it, but neither the Sword Demon nor the Demon of Chaos seemed to be listening closely. They both fell into a silent reverie, as if lost in old memories.

I sighed inwardly.

As if having a fake father wasn't enough, now I have to make up a fake mother too.

However, such regrets always crumbled helplessly before reality.

Well, I’ll just think of her as a stepmother. Since I’m eating well and living well, I’m sure my real mother would understand.

I decided to take it easy.

Just then, Seo Rin’s voice came from outside the door.

"Father, I have a message for Young Hero Eo. May I come in?"

Snapped out of his thoughts, the Demon of Chaos replied, "Come in."

Seo Rin entered and bowed to the Sword Demon.

"I am glad to see you looking healthy, Uncle."

It seemed even Seo Rin hadn't known that the Sword Demon had recovered.

"Thank you. You grow more beautiful by the day."

The Sword Demon offered a polite compliment in return.

"What is it?" the Demon of Chaos asked.

Seo Rin spoke quietly. "It’s about Young Hero Eo’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sworn brother. Young Hero Jeok has finished his closed-door training and exited his chamber."

"Really?"

I asked, my face brightening. "Where is he now?"

"He is with Strategist Woo."

Seeing my delight, the Demon of Chaos said to me, "You may go now. We have said all we needed to say."

As the Demon of Chaos finished, the Sword Demon added a warning.

"I hope you don't forget who you are. Do not tell anyone else what we have discussed. The more you speak, the more danger you put yourself in. And always be on your guard. Those people are secretive and persistent."

I clasped my hands in a respectful salute.

"I will not forget your words."

As I left the Demon of Chaos’s residence with Seo Rin, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was sinking deeper into a quagmire.

The lies I had told until now were becoming "truth" and binding me. It was the price for constantly boasting that the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword was my family’s secret art.

Sigh. What’s done is done. There’s no use crying over spilled milk. Since it’s come to this, I might as well see it through to the end. Honestly, there’s no need to be scared. This story is a secret known only to the Demon of Chaos, the Sword Demon, and me, so I don't need to worry too much. It’s just that I seem to be caught in the middle of the fight between the Divine Light Sect and the Candlelit Guards, but I can just avoid that.

The Demon of Chaos watched Eo Ja-seo leave the hall before turning his gaze toward the Sword Demon.

The Sword Demon had his eyes closed.

Seo Gong, the Demon of Chaos, noticed that the Sword Demon’s eyes had grown exceptionally deep upon hearing the name Seol Young-mae.

How could he not know that look was one of remorse?

And how could Seo Gong himself not feel remorse at that name?

There was a secret history they hadn't told Eo Ja-seo.

Woo Cheong-rin, Ham Jeok, and Seo Gong had all loved Seol Young-mae, the daughter of the White Hero Sect leader.

As rivals in love, their camaraderie had fractured. They had agreed to a duel after a set period, with the winner earning the right to claim Seol Young-mae.

However, neither Ham Jeok, the genius of the Mount Hua Sect, nor Seo Gong, who was being watched by the Wudang Sect, was a match for Woo Cheong-rin, the eldest disciple of the White Hero Sect.

They were defeated time and again by the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword.

As the time for the final duel with Woo Cheong-rin approached, Seo Gong and Ham Jeok, lacking the confidence to defeat him in such a short time, sought out new martial arts.

The arts they possessed were the pride of their respective sects, but because they were Orthodox martial arts, it took far too long to realize their ultimate truths.

Thus, Ham Jeok and Seo Gong began to covet martial arts that were forbidden by the Mount Hua and Wudang sects.

Those arts were the Purple Lightning Sword and the Thunderbolt Demon King Sword.

The Purple Lightning Sword was a technique that, along with the Violet Mist Divine Skill, was considered a divine art of the Mount Hua Sect. However, it was so aggressive and filled with such murderous intent that the sect had sealed it away.

Ham Jeok was eventually expelled for practicing it.

Similarly, though the timing differed, Seo Gong was also expelled for practicing the Thunderbolt Demon King Sword, a technique he had acquired while fighting the Blood World Cult.

They were spared the ultimate punishment upon their expulsion, but their vital acupoints were sealed. As a result, they were unable to help Woo Cheong-rin when he was being hunted by the experts of the Divine Light Sect.

By then, Seol Young-mae had already left the White Hero Sect to follow Woo Cheong-rin.

In the sorrow of losing everything, Seo Gong and Ham Jeok had recovered their meridians, honed their martial arts even further, realized their ultimate truths, and rose to the pinnacle of the Demonic Path.

This was why there was a mix of remorse and warmth in the eyes of the Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon when they looked at Eo Ja-seo.

"It was all but a fleeting dream," the Demon of Chaos’s lonely voice echoed through the hall.

*

"Brother!"

I greeted Jeok Yeong warmly, pulling him into a sudden hug.

Jeok Yeong looked dazed, as if he hadn't expected me to welcome him with such joy.

Of course, I had noticed that his aura was much more stable and profound than before, and I was exaggerating my reaction out of pure happiness.

"I was so happy to see that you’ve gained new insights that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I’ve made a bit of a scene."

"He truly is Young Hero Jeok’s sworn brother. Who else would be so genuinely happy for a junior’s progress?" Strategist Woo said with a smile.

Even among sworn brothers, it was a warrior’s instinct to feel wary rather than happy when someone else’s martial power increased. It was only natural to be cautious of an expert stronger than oneself, even if they were a close ally.

It was rare to be as selflessly happy as I was.

Strategist Woo said this knowing that, but for me, there was nothing I wanted more than for my sworn brother and bodyguard to become stronger.

"Since Young Hero Eo has become the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad and Young Hero Jeok has finished his training, we should hold a banquet. I’ll arrange one for this evening, so everyone please gather," Ham Bi-hye said as she approached. She had made a rare appearance herself.

"Did you achieve good results in your closed-door training?" I whispered to Jeok Yeong.

I asked because his aura felt much more settled, as if his mastery had deepened significantly.

Jeok Yeong replied with a shy smile.

"I barely managed to combine two forms of the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret."

"Oh! I knew it. That’s my brother. You’re a genius, Jeok Yeong. A total genius."

As I spoke with delight, Jeok Yeong smiled faintly and said, "I still have a long way to go. I combined them, but I haven't reached Great Achievement. I’ve only reached the fifth stage of mastery."

"That’s still incredible! That sword art fought on equal terms with the Wisdom Wisdom Sword. It’s an Advanced Martial Art; how could you master it overnight? There’s no rush. From now on, it’s just a matter of time."

I offered him more words of comfort.

"Thank you, brother."

I patted Jeok Yeong on the back and laughed heartily.

As I laughed, I noticed the faint odor coming from his body and said—remembering how I had smelled when I came out of Ham Bi-hye’s training room—"Go wash up and rest for a bit first. Then we’ll join the banquet."

I led Jeok Yeong back to our quarters.

The banquet was quite grand for something organized on such short notice.

Since Ham Bi-hye was the host, she had clearly put a lot of effort into it.

"This banquet is to commemorate Young Hero Eo becoming the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad and to celebrate Young Hero Jeok’s new insights. Please, enjoy yourselves."

I knew that this banquet also served ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as a celebration for the Sword Demon’s recovery.

"Lady Ham, congratulations on your father’s recovery."

Ham Bi-hye beamed. "It is all thanks to you, Young Hero Eo."

I was seated at the head of the table. Ham Bi-hye insisted on leading me there, and I couldn't refuse.

Seated with me at the head table were Jeok Yeong, Galwi, and the Sword Demon’s disciples: Yuk Cheong-woo, Hong Myeong, and Bi Hong, along with Strategist Woo.

Perhaps because they were all experts, the conversation revolved mostly around martial studies.

I was afraid I’d expose my lack of knowledge if I joined in, so I kept my mouth shut and drank my wine, pretending to be deep in thought.

I was barely sipping the wine, making it look like I was drinking a lot when I hadn't even finished a single cup.

The martial theories they were discussing were enough to make me lose heart.

"Brother Yuk, what weakness do you focus on most when attacking an opponent?" Jeok Yeong asked.

Yuk Cheong-woo replied enthusiastically.

"When I face an opponent, I focus most on the level of their lightness skills and footwork. For example, if an enemy tries to stab my chest with a sword, I would primarily attack their lower body to break their balance."

"The way to win against an opponent is to exploit their weaknesses. If you lure them into revealing a flaw, we call that technique 'profound.' The Mount Hua Sect’s sword style is a prime example. One might think that such flashy movements would lack precision, but the brilliance of Mount Hua’s style is that it forces the opponent to reveal their own weaknesses without even realizing it. That’s why Mount Hua’s sword is so terrifying."

"That is very true. In the case of the Kongtong Sect, their martial arts focus on being vicious and eccentric. That also creates openings by flustering the opponent. If an attack comes from an unexpected direction, it will surely break their balance for a moment."

"Indeed."

As Jeok Yeong and Yuk Cheong-woo discussed martial theory, everyone at the table listened intently.

"You can see why the Wudang Sect holds the top position among the Nine Great Sects by looking at the characteristics of their martial arts. Would you like to hear?"

At Yuk Cheong-woo’s question, Jeok Yeong replied, "I am all ears for your esteemed opinion, Brother Yuk."

"Wudang’s martial arts emphasize fluidity and naturalness. Because of that, they tend to subdue the enemy by strengthening their own advantages rather than exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses. If the enemy is strong, they subdue them with their own strength. It is that kind of fair and upright nature that makes their martial arts so vast. To draw out and exploit an enemy’s weakness, the forms themselves must be flashy or eccentric. But if you look closely at the forms of Wudang martial arts, they are as natural as flowing water. Isn't that why Wudang is compared to the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of martial arts?"

"But are fluidity and naturalness truly the most essential aspects of martial arts?"

As Jeok Yeong asked this, Yuk Cheong-woo suddenly turned the question to me.

That bastard. He’s run out of things to say, so he’s turning the arrow toward me.

"What do you think, Young Hero Eo? If we assume that the martial arts of Shaolin and Wudang are the strongest, wouldn't my thinking be valid?"

I didn't respond, hoping to ignore his question.

But when I glanced around, I realized everyone was staring at my mouth. Their faces were full of anticipation for my answer.

Sigh. I feel like I’m sinking deeper and deeper into this pit. As the people I deal with become higher-level experts, ordinary words won't impress them anymore.

It was my own doing. I thought of something to say to escape this situation.

I stalled for time by taking a sip of wine with a serious expression.

I hoped that if I didn't answer, they might turn their attention elsewhere, but for some reason, their eyes only grew brighter as time passed.