126
Chapter 126
A vast, deep valley and towering jagged rocks rise between them. Scattered throughout were pavilions built like mushrooms growing between the crevices of rocks and trees.
Among them, some pavilions appeared to serve as bridges connecting the valleys, ensuring that space wasn’t constrained to just one valley. The entire Onya Valley was utilized without reservation, turning the densely packed, chaotic cliffs into not obstacles but rather a natural fortress wall.
The envoys of the Martial Alliance froze slightly as they took in the sweeping view of the Black Night Palace—its scale far exceeding their expectations.
They had only seen one side, but in terms of size alone, it was enough to overwhelm even the largest orthodox sects. It didn’t seem lacking even when compared to the Martial Alliance’s main stronghold.
“They didn’t just build pavilions according to the terrain.”
“Is that so? To my eyes, it looks like they simply erected pavilions wherever there was space.”
Zhuge Myung shook his head at Peng Ho-yeon’s bewildered expression and continued.
“Even the five watchtowers we just passed weren’t just built on high ground—they were positioned according to the principles of defensive formations.”
Mujin, who had been listening to the two men’s conversation, added,
“The Hwasan Sect also built their pavilions to match treacherous terrain, but the Black Night Palace feels completely different.”
While the Hwasan Sect harmonized their structures with the mountain, the Black Night Palace didn’t seek harmony—it felt as though it had forcefully molded the Onya Valley to its will.
Even in the way they claimed their territory, the difference was stark, indirectly revealing the sect’s identity.
Seong Hwi, who had barely spoken, surveyed the surroundings with sunken eyes and muttered,
“Demonic Cult.”
It was only natural that demonic warriors would be present in the Black Night Palace, yet the Martial Alliance envoys instinctively tensed. Every hostile gaze directed at them belonged to a demonic warrior, reinforcing the realization that they had stepped into the heart of enemy territory.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
Seong Hwi, seemingly uncomfortable with the pervasive demonic energy, clutched the hem of her taeguk-patterned robes and whispered softly.
“The Martial Alliance will stay in this pavilion.”
At the entrance of the pavilion, guided by the demonic warriors, beautiful women stood waiting for the envoys.
“I am Hong-ryeon of the Miyabu (迷夜部, Enigmatic Night Division). Please let us know if you need anything. Anything at all.”
The woman named Hong-ryeon emphasized her last words with a sly smile, exuding an enchanting allure that could captivate any man. Mu Hwi narrowed his eyes at the sight.
Hong-ryeon and the other women lined up behind her were not only exceptionally beautiful but each possessed a unique charm, instantly drawing the eyes of onlookers. Even Mu-hwa, a woman herself, couldn’t help but admire them in awe.
Their appeal wasn’t solely due to their appearances—it was also the strange, bewitching aura they radiated.
‘All these maids have cultivated demonic techniques.’
From what he could tell, they seemed to have mastered seductive techniques meant to confuse and ensnare others.
As he observed them, Mu Hwi became certain that the Black Night Palace hadn’t revealed its full strength during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident. Despite facing demonic warriors wielding all kinds of dark techniques, he hadn’t encountered any who specialized in these seduction techniques.
‘It was the right decision to come here myself.’
As they were each assigned rooms under Hong-ryeon’s guidance, Mu Hwi suddenly asked,
“You said Miyabu, is that the name of a subordinate organization under the Black Night Palace?”
Though the question came abruptly, Hong-ryeon answered as though she had nothing to hide.
“Rather than a subordinate organization, the term sect would be more fitting. Those who cultivate different demonic techniques derived from the Black Night Divine Technique form sects, and that tradition continues to this day.”
“How many of these different sects are there?”
“Miya (迷夜, Enigmatic Night), Goeya (壞夜, Ruined Night), Chimya (沈夜, Sunken Night), Goengya (宏夜, Grand Night), Manya (萬夜, Ten Thousand Nights), and Jinya (眞夜, True Night). There are six sects in total.”
“You’re being very forthcoming.”
“The Palace Lord has already granted permission, so this humble girl merely follows orders.”
Mu Hwi smirked at Hong-ryeon’s smooth response.
“In that case, which of these six sects participated in the Shaanxi Bloodshed? And was the palace lord who died back then really the palace lord?”
Hong-ryeon, who had been answering every question without hesitation, stiffened slightly at Mu Hwi’s words. Her lips parted briefly before she quickly pursed them again, bowing her head without a reply.
Mu Hwi’s gaze turned icy as he stared at the top of Hong-ryeon’s head. Though he didn’t get a direct answer, he had confirmed enough of his suspicions. Satisfied, he entered his room without pressing further.
As he did, Hong-ryeon slowly raised her head and stared intently at the door Mu Hwi had disappeared behind.
At the same time, in the Banya Hall (藩夜殿), demonic warriors were prostrating themselves as they delivered their reports.
“The Paewangseong Leader has just arrived. He brought the emperor's guard as his escort, along with the Young Leader and the other late-stage foundation level disciples. The Paewangseong Leader will be guided to the Banya Hall in one hour.”
“One hour… I just met with the Alliance Leader and the Lords. I'm exhausted.”
“Shall we adjust the schedule?”
“No need. More importantly, the emperor's guard…”
The emperor's guard (一王隊) was the elite martial force of the Paewangseong, ranked first among the Paewangseong’s Seven Units.
“Every faction has brought their strongest forces. This should be entertaining.”
As the demonic warriors finished their reports, a voice seeped from the darkness shrouding the throne at the end of the Banya Hall.
The upper half of the Black Night Palace Lord, seated on the throne, was obscured by darkness, as if a separate curtain had been drawn over him.
“Shall we proceed with the schedule as planned?”
“Proceed as intended. After enjoying the late-stage foundation level disciples’ performances, I will meet with the Sect Leaders.”
As his subordinates withdrew, the Black Night Palace Lord spoke toward the darkness behind the throne.
“Master. It’s been a long time. Did you come for the founding ceremony?”
“You’ve prepared quite an amusing gathering.”
The gentle voice alone sent ripples through the darkness surrounding the Palace Lord. Yet, he showed no outward reaction.
“Isn’t it? Who else could gather all the Leaders in one place? I hope you enjoyed your travels, Master.”
“I was handling the aftermath of the second’s death. The successor is the Dark Emperor. But even the Dark Emperor couldn’t properly restore the Thousand Slaughter Gate, so his influence remains ambiguous.”
“So the second brother’s Society has fallen into the Dark Emperor’s hands. The Dark Emperor has risen swiftly. Ah! The one who beheaded the second brother is also here at the Black Night Palace.”
“You speak of the Hwasan Sword Saint.”
Noticing his master’s interest, the Palace Lord smiled faintly.
“The first brother died under the combined assault of the Sword Saint and the Sword Devil, and the second brother was killed by the Sword Saint’s disciple, the Hwasan Sword Devil. Now that the Hwasan Sword Devil has become the Hwasan Sword Saint, the titles Sword Saint and Sword Demon seem almost like curses for their disciples.”
When his master remained silent, the Palace Lord spoke again.
“Master. What should I do now? Should I avenge the second brother?”
The surrounding darkness receded, and the voice gradually faded, brushing past the Palace Lord’s ear like a whisper.
“Do as you wish.”
With the darkness gone, the fully revealed Palace Lord stroked his beard and smiled cryptically.
He opened his mouth to speak but reflexively closed it again. His master might still be listening. Unable to discern his master’s limits, the Palace Lord had made caution a lifelong virtue.
‘That old man is impossible to read.’
The Palace Lord leaned back into the throne and closed his eyes. Slowly, the darkness crept back in, swallowing both him and the throne whole.
***
The Onya Valley had valleys of various shapes, including some that were round and wide like gourds.
At the center of one such valley, dozens of steps had been carved directly into the cliffs, stretching along the valley’s circumference.
Those gathered in the valley used these steps as seating, arranged in separate sections for the Martial Alliance, the Sacheon Alliance, and the Paewangseong.
The sight of people seated along the wide, tiered steps, all facing the spacious central platform, made it easy to guess how this valley was typically used.
“It feels like we’ve arrived at an arena.”
At the murmurs of the Cloud River Sword Dragon and Baekri Sang, the other late-stage foundation level disciples nodded in agreement. While the surrounding rocks were all grayish-white, the center of the valley was a different color.
It was a dull, dark shade close to black, tinged with a reddish hue. Likely, countless lives had bled onto it over time, staining it beyond recognition.
“This is an ominous place.”
The Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon, Xian Yun, fiddled with the taeguk symbol on his robes and muttered. As the late-stage foundation level disciples conversed, Mu Hwi suddenly looked up.
High above the stepped valley, a hole had been bored into the cliff face, forming a lookout. There, a middle-aged man draped in black robes revealed himself.
‘That’s the Black Night Palace Lord.’
Mu Hwi frowned as he studied the man. He tried to determine if this was the same person as the black-masked man from his past life, but he couldn’t sense any resemblance.
Despite the distance, the Palace Lord immediately noticed Mu Hwi’s gaze and grinned down at him.
The Palace Lord’s eyes then naturally shifted to Kang Ho-baek beside Mu Hwi, then to the Sacheon Alliance Leader and the Paewangseong Leader.
Finally, he turned his gaze forward again, surveying the countless demonic warriors filling the valley beyond the three sects, and spoke.
“Esteemed warriors of the Martial Alliance, the Sacheon Alliance, and Paewangseong. I, the Palace Lord, extend my deepest gratitude for gracing the Black Night Palace’s founding ceremony with your presence.”
His voice, light yet carrying the weight of a master’s internal energy, spread calmly across the valley.
“Huh. He’s… Ordinary. I expected something more terrifying—a demonic king with overwhelming majesty.”
At Mu-hwa’s whisper, Mu Hwi chuckled.
“Who knows? No one can tell what lies behind those languid eyes.”
Those who seek to stand above others must find a position befitting their capacity. And if that position was the pinnacle of the demonic path, mediocrity would never suffice.
To Mu Hwi, the Palace Lord’s plain and lighthearted demeanor felt like just another layer of deception.
“I invited you all here to break the rigid perception that all demonic sects emerging in the martial arts world must be eradicated as public enemies.”
The Palace Lord made eye contact with each Sect Leader as he continued.
“I simply wish for the Black Night Palace to be recognized as a legitimate martial sect within the martial arts world.”
Kang Ho-baek, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“Your words contradict themselves, Palace Lord. Yet you instigated the Shaanxi Bloodshed and recently attacked Hwasan, Jongnam, and the Nine Heavens Sects. Jongnam Sect, in particular, suffered heavy losses.”
Unlike the Palace Lord’s calm voice, Kang Ho-baek’s words thundered through the valley like lightning.
“That was the legacy of the previous Palace Lord—and not in line with the Black Night Palace’s collective will. Had we truly acted in earnest… The three sects of Shaanxi would no longer exist in the martial arts world. As for the recent attacks, consider them the demonic path’s way of settling grudges. I’d appreciate your understanding.”
The Palace Lord grinned and clasped his hands in a polite gesture, but the cold, desolate gleam in Kang Ho-baek’s eyes remained sharp.
“The demonic path’s way… That just sounds like you’ll do as you please. Not that it matters. This martial arts world is a place where those with power can do as they wish.”
A rough voice came from the opposite side, and the Palace Lord slowly turned.
“As expected, the Paewangseong Leader is refreshingly straightforward.”
The Sacheon Alliance Leader, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.
“Every demonic sect that emerged in the martial arts world has had its own goal—mindless slaughter, demonic supremacy, the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon. So, what’s yours?”
“We merely dream of harmony with the martial arts world.”
“Demonic warriors preaching harmony? That’s a first. The demonic path these days has truly lost its edge. How boring.”
The Palace Lord merely smiled softly at the Alliance Leader’s sarcasm.
“Boring… The Sacheon Alliance and the Paewangseong have been eyeing Hunan together. The Martial Alliance alone won’t be enough to stop you. What say you, Alliance Leader? If the Black Night Palace extends a helping hand, will you take it? Or will you stubbornly struggle on your own for the sake of orthodoxy? If the righteous and demonic join hands, wouldn’t that be true harmony?”
The Palace Lord lacked the majesty befitting a demonic leader, but his entire body radiated an eerie, unsettling demonic energy.
His low laughter echoed through the valley as the three Sect Leaders regarded him with different expressions—the Paewangseong Leader with irritation, the Sacheon Alliance Leader with amusement, and the Martial Alliance Leader with complexity.
The Palace Lord smiled broadly at their reactions.
“Paewangseong Leader, no need to glare. It’s not just the Martial Alliance—we could just as easily join hands with the Paewangseong. Who knows? The Black Night Palace might prove useful to your grand ambitions.”
As the Paewangseong Lord raised an eyebrow, the Sacheon Alliance Leader burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! The Palace Lord is a real bat of a man!”
Despite the valley being filled with demonic warriors aside from the three factions, the Sacheon Alliance Leader spoke without restraint. Yet no one dared to challenge him.
Clap!
The sound of the Palace Lord’s hands striking together reverberated through the valley like rolling thunder. His demeanor might have been light, but the internal energy behind it was anything but.
Having lightened the mood, the Palace Lord surveyed the crowd.
“Now, we’ve spoken enough about the Black Night Palace. Let’s foster some camaraderie.”
His gaze lingered on the late-stage foundation level disciples before finally settling on Mu Hwi.
“At gatherings like these, it’s always best to lighten the mood by praising the younger generation’s martial prowess.”
Mu Hwi curled one side of his lips as he met the Palace Lord’s eyes.
“So you want the late-stage foundation level disciples to salvage the mood you ruined? Truly, demonic warriors are dogs.”
Mu Hwi’s voice, no less commanding than the sect leaders’, swept through the valley like a gale.
The Paewangseong Leader and the Sacheon Alliance Leader watched him with interest, while the demonic warriors glared at him with undisguised hostility.
Rising to his feet, Mu Hwi raised a hand toward the Palace Lord and beckoned.
“Isn’t it the host’s duty to liven the feast? Come down here.”
< Come down here. > End
< That black-robed man is far too light. >