Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Lone-Eyed Divine Sword Dokgo Ryul
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Dipping the brush tip lightly in ink.
Scribble scribble.
He erased the densely written lines on the paper, then began inscribing new sentences in a neat hand.
"This should do it."
After shaking the paper dry, he handed it over. The waiting academy scribe accepted it politely with both hands.
The scribe's face lit up as he quickly scanned it.
"Indeed! This will work perfectly!"
Meeting the admiring gaze, Dokgo Ryul replied.
"You never know when something might happen in the jianghu. A logical response isn't bad, but addressing the root of the issue is best."
"That's true, but..."
The academy scribe gave an awkward smile.
"It's rare for someone of your stature, Great Hero Dokgo, to handle such minor tasks personally."
"How can caring for the pillars of tomorrow's jianghu be minor?"
"Still, don't you hold multiple important positions?"
The scribe seemed at a loss for words. Dokgo Ryul continued with righteous fervor.
"No matter how busy, what must be done must be done."
"Especially with ominous figures rampant lately."
"To ensure no harm comes to the students, this is the best way."
"If sacrificing my own body can avert danger, then so be it."
Dokgo Ryul stamped the seal with resounding thuds.
"Take this as your agreement."
Don't worry about the jianghu journey.
At Dokgo Ryul's words, the academy scribe's eyes welled up with tears.
"Great Hero Dokgo."
And it wasn't just him.
The scribes lined up behind him with approval documents in hand also reddened their eyes.
Pricking up his ears slightly.
"As expected of a great hero."
"He's handling the work we should be doing."
"We need to redouble our efforts."
"We should lend a hand to the jianghu he'll shape."
Awe-filled murmurs reached him.
'It worked like a charm.'
Fortunate indeed.
He was already looking for an excuse to follow his liege.
'But being too pleased would seem suspicious.'
Exactly twice.
He pressed the corners of his eyes with index and thumb.
'And one weary sigh.'
The highly calculated gesture drew fresh "Aah—" reactions from the scribes.
'Easy bunch to handle.'
Even desert rabbits might be less troublesome than these.
Thinking this, Dokgo Ryul set down the documents and said.
"Next!"
Today's plan to seize Silver Hall was proceeding smoothly.
"Phew. Tiring."
Even for Dokgo Ryul, fatigue wasn't entirely absent.
Paperwork and documents were especially tricky.
Lately, with Chief Supervisor White-Clothed Judge Seon In-hyeok granting vast authority and Flame Light Blade Demon Ma Gil-sang providing support, the workload had surged.
He felt the urge to quit multiple times a day.
But silently shattering his bones for the righteous faction's future was.
"All for my liege."
Muttering as he walked, he spotted a group ahead.
Raising his head slightly, senior instructors formed a small circle, and beyond them came a familiar voice.
"Hahaha. Put your worries aside."
A benevolent voice that disarmed hearts just by hearing it.
"No need to strain yourselves for my sake. It's laborious, but a task I chose myself, isn't it?"
"But, Elder Wang."
"Traveling the jianghu together fulfills our prior promise."
Do you take me for one who makes promises lightly?
The senior instructors bowed their heads at the brief rebuke.
Witnessing this, Dokgo Ryul intuited.
'Deceiving them again.'
Truly, experience was formidable.
He himself had toiled long, setting examples to reach this position.
Yet his father had swindled everyone around him in short order.
'Much left to learn.'
As he thought this, a sharp transmission pierced from beyond the senior instructors.
[Ryul.]
It was Father Sima Baek.
[Get rid of these filthy righteous fools already!]
Should he add 'cursing with a smile' to his learning list?
His mere appearance scattered the senior instructors, and the kindly face vanished, reverting to Dark Storm Demon Sage.
"Vermin."
Father spoke, fierce eyes glinting through narrowed lids.
"If they knew what was good for them."
"What happened?"
"They invited me to their sects upon hearing I'd accompany the jianghu journey. Shallow lot."
"They must covet Kunlun Sect's martial arts."
"Unaware my visit would wash their sect in blood."
Gnashing his teeth, he grumbled about the promising talents he'd carefully brought—wanting to smash their heads in one strike, or slaughter them all.
'Always stay cool-headed as a true heir of Sima Family, he said.'
Yet Father couldn't maintain composure when it involved his liege either.
The grumpiness didn't last.
"Anyway. We can follow the liege now."
"Success."
"As surveillance for the temporary instructor."
He'd expected as much.
Unless Silver Hall Master was a fool, he'd never refuse such a valuable expert's aid.
"And you?"
"Should join without issue."
"Hohoho. A jianghu journey after so long. With the liege, no less."
True.
'How many years was it?'
Beyond the time of stunned despair after his liege vanished, there had been days reproaching the jianghu.
Thump. Thump.
Just recalling it set his heart racing.
But worry lingered.
"Traversing the jianghu with the liege. Exciting, yes, but I fear great disappointment."
"What do you mean?"
"The liege no longer cares for the jianghu, does he?"
"What of it."
Sima Ryul's eyes sharpened at the retort.
"Even Father. I won't tolerate defying the liege's will."
Sima Baek chuckled at the stern warning, then stroked his white beard.
"I know. Frankly, it's a regret of mine."
Father... regretted?
The following voice trembled faintly.
"I placed too great expectations on the liege, making this old man uncomfortable."
True.
"My oversight. I saw his abilities blanket the world, blind to his heart lacking the world."
Sighing deeply with hands behind his back, Sima Baek said.
"Time too short to even thank the grace of salvation that day."
That day.
The 'day of salvation' both father and son mentioned suddenly recalled memories.
Everything was crimson.
The sky blazed as if doomsday arrived, corpses littered the ground.
All alive in Sima Family despaired, singing of death—by Five Poison Cult.
Among Blood Cult's Six Demon Veins, infamous for ruthless hands.
"Goruma-gun! You dare!"
Sima Baek cried in anguish.
The hulking middle-aged man called Goruma-gun laughed uproariously.
"Fool. Didn't I warn you? Hand over 'that one'."
"Forgot Blood Cult's laws?"
"Heh heh heh. Blood Cult's laws? Can't recall."
The man smirked, arms crossed.
"Save the law of the strong."
Acidic poison mist rose thickly, spreading.
"Gahk!"
Kuhk!
Surviving retainers clutched throats, vomiting blood.
Crackle. Crackle.
Sparks danced over the poisoned fallen.
The stench of burning corpses filled the hall instantly.
Sima Ryul despaired.
'It's over.'
He'd tried averting the worst, but here it was.
As half-expected.
Current Blood Cult lacked codes—a law of the jungle.
Weak die, betrayal upon betrayal.
Once rivaling Demonic Cult, the demonic martial sovereign vanished.
Leisure of the strong gone, replaced by陰湿陰謀.
A vulgar violent world ruled by crude force.
That was Blood Cult now.
"Submit. Swear loyalty, and I'll spare you."
"...Impossible."
"Refuse, and I'll drag all survivors here."
And.
"Rape the women before you, drown the men in blood."
Choose.
"Death or life?"
Goruma-gun's pressure was immense, forcing answers.
Ugh.
Facing it, Sima Baek vomited blood.
Then.
"Cult Leader! Found him!"
A Five Poison Cultist dragged a limp boy from the side.
"Oh? Here after all."
"Young master! No! ...Kuhk!"
Bam!
Straightening, Sima Baek was kicked rolling across the floor.
"Finally got the precious material."
As he approached the boy tossed carelessly on the ground.
Suddenly, the boy opened his eyes.
"What. Did it work?"
A youthful voice rang out.
The boy sprang up, surveyed around, cracked his neck.
"What the—."
Mischief crossed the boy's young face, eyes curving like half-moons.
"Plenty of familiar faces."
The boy's gaze turned here.
"Good to see you, Ryul."
Dokgo Ryul startled.
'How does he know me?'
Who was this boy?
Then Sima Ryul recalled the child Father once brought.
- One to guard with your life.
Simple reason he hadn't recalled sooner: treated so preciously, rarely saw his face.
'Always quiet, like he wasn't there.'
The sudden vivacity puzzled him.
But doubts fled at the boy's words.
"Hey. A warrior doesn't bow to just anyone."
The stern tone brimmed with reproach; Sima Ryul nearly apologized, forgetting the situation.
Even the watching Five Poison Cultists were baffled.
"You brat! What farce before the Demon General!"
"Still grasping the situation, huh..."
The boy smiled amid the killers' murderous intent.
"Wow. Good to see you."
Goruma-gun's brow twitched.
"Strange. Deployed our cult's secret Vision Poison Demonic Art."
"Still sneaky as ever."
Bouncing amid the purple haze, the boy said.
"And full of shit."
Goruma-gun's lips tore in a grin.
"Fun. Viable test subject. Too good to hand over."
Uncrossing arms, Goruma-gun advanced on the boy.
Thud. Thud.
Like a mountain moving, immense pressure shattered objects in the hall.
But the boy showed no fear—instead.
"Hey. Glad we meet again."
Waving cheerfully like a madman.
"Had an unfinished game last time, felt bad."
Then a chilling voice followed.
"Come on, you fucker."
That day.
Goruma-gun, Poison Elder, had his spine ripped out alive; half of Five Poison Cult erased from the world.
The moment myth incarnated in the mortal realm.
"What're you thinking so deeply about?"
Back to reality, Sima Ryul answered.
"Just recalled first meeting the liege."
"Heh heh heh. Unforgettable, even in dreams."
Shoulders heaving with laughter, Sima Baek stroked his beard.
"Anyway. I won't trouble the liege's heart again."
Most hated in the world: being loathed by his liege.
"But worries of a boring jianghu journey? Best drop them."
"Why?"
The liege had declared peaceful days.
"Does heaven easily send talents to the world?"
"Meaning?"
"One called Heavenly Man, flawless—now in the world, so heavenly mandate stirs."
Or fate.
Vague answers came.
"Ignoramuses like us."
After brief silence, Sima Baek added.
"Just keep our wits to avoid being swept by heaven's fate."