Did I Really Do That?
The eyes of Seok Sang-yeong, who had been a mad demon just moments ago, stared blankly ahead. His gaze carried words he couldn't bring himself to speak aloud. Memories of the past several dozen days flashed through his mind like a lantern show.
The moment he had completed his clan's vengeance and sought death—that was when his memories had vanished. Now they came rushing back in an instant. Only after that storm had passed did he realize what he had done.
But maybe it wasn't true. His clouded mind might have conjured false recollections. No, it had to be that way. Because no human could commit such acts.
The one who held the answer stood before him. Still on his knees, he gazed endlessly at Mu Yun's lips.
Mu Yun knew what those eyes were asking. There was only one thing he could do now: tell the truth. He simply nodded slowly.
Seok Sang-yeong, who had been dazed for a moment, squeezed his eyes shut. An abyss of darkness swallowed the world.
...It was me. That was me.
Tears welled slowly at the corners of his eyes, then streamed down in a rush. His mouth twisted in a sob he could no longer hold back.
But he couldn't cry any more than that. How could a sinner like me?
He wanted to wail, but the final screams of those he had sent to their deaths tore at his heart. They etched into his bones that he had no right even to grieve.
There was only one thought that surfaced: the sole sanctuary that had comforted him amid his rage over losing his family.
He pressed his palms together and murmured a quiet Buddhist invocation.
"Namu Amida Butsu, Kwanseum Bosal!"
Namuanmidabul Kwanseumbosal!
That soft murmur reached even those racing from afar. Following Jin Seo-yeon's group, the three leaders of the Demon Extermination Squad—Maelma Danju Jeong Won and Paeng Jong-ho—halted mid-stride as they crested the hill.
Jeong Won urgently sent a transmission to Jin Seo-yeon's group, who were about to rush forward.
-Wait a moment.
-Why?
-Stay put. I need to observe.
-...!
Jeong Won's eyes, fixed ahead, filled with bewilderment.
His sanity has returned.
He had faced countless mad demons up to their final moments. But this was a sight he had never witnessed before.
How?
Once fully turned into a mad demon, no one ever reverted. At best, they regained reason for a fleeting instant—right before rampaging or on the brink of death. The former led straight to frenzy, while the latter was merely a temporary phenomenon as madness faded with life.
Yet this mad demon knelt, continuously murmuring invocations. It meant he had held onto his senses for no small amount of time. In his dozen-plus years with the squad, this was a first.
Meanwhile, Mu Yun sensed Seok Sang-yeong severing his own heart meridian. With a quiet sigh, he recited a mantra, infusing it with the resonance of his heart through the Body-Mind-Intent Art, letting it flow softly across the hills.
Namo Ratna Trayaya. Om Anabha Je Miya Ye Sitdi Sitdaje Sabaha!
Seok Sang-yeong's raised head shook slowly. He didn't understand the meaning, but the mantra stirred his heart faintly. He had no right to receive such a blessing.
He lowered his head again, shaking it firmly.
Please don't. I'm a sinner destined for hell.
Mu Yun, grasping the intent, sent a transmission.
-This mantra isn't for you.
-...?
-It's for the rebirth in paradise of those you killed.
In that instant, Seok Sang-yeong clutched his nearly severed heart meridian. His eyes sparkled with the last of his light. He met Mu Yun's gaze, his own filled with the tremor of his fading heart.
Thank you. Truly, thank you.
If it was for that, he had to hear it to the end. His final, desperate wish was their rebirth in paradise.
He poured every ounce of strength into holding the broken meridian together.
Buddha, please—just until it ends!
That earnest plea kept his head from drooping further under its own weight.
The mantra continued.
~~Om Chandara Bamamta Igari Nagiri Nagini Hum Patak!
As the mantra for rebirth in paradise, echoing through the hills, drew to a close, Seok Sang-yeong's breathing ceased. Still kneeling, palms pressed together.
Mu Yun let out a quiet sigh and opened his mouth again. This time, he changed the mantra's target. One to dissolve karmic burdens—for the mad demon Seok Sang-yeong.
Namah Sarva Tathagatanam Om Vipula Garbe Maniprave Tanagata Nidra~ ~ Buddha Birokitte Guhyadi Stiba Garbe Svaha!
The mantra, carried on the wind rustling the grass, soon infused the mountain mists with a faint, ethereal fragrance.
Moments later, Jeong Won's eyes gleamed as he too murmured an invocation. The sheer Buddhist power evident in the mantra alone was extraordinary.
"Heavens! Who is that chanter?"
The answer came from beside him. Excitement trembled at Jin Seo-yeon's lips.
"The leader of Chim-ju's underworld faction."
It had been hazy at first. But as the resonant mantra reached her ears, memories from three years ago surged clear. It stirred her heart then as it did now.
She just couldn't recall the name. Bewilderment filled Jin Seo-yeon's eyes.
He controlled a mad demon, so he's no ally. But why did he do that to the Dan-mok Clan warrior?
His improved skill astonished her too. He had subdued a peak-level Dan-mok warrior in just a few exchanges.
But now wasn't the time for that. All eyes turned to her in surprise. Jeong Won couldn't help but question.
"What did you say? A chanter of such mantras is from the underworld?"
Paeng Jong-ho tilted his head.
"Jin, are you sure you saw right?"
Jin Seo-yeon shook her head firmly. The bushy beard only bolstered her certainty.
"No, I'm sure. I don't remember the face, but that voice is etched in my mind. Even our sect leader was amazed."
"The Bo-ta Munju?"
"Yes."
Jin Seo-yeon briefly explained the situation. Paeng Jong-ho pressed on. The scene before them was unprecedented even for him.
"But did he halt the rampage with mantras alone?"
Jin Seo-yeon, who had arrived first at the hill, hadn't seen the fight.
"I don't think so. I didn't witness it, but I heard combat sounds on the way up."
"What? So this underworld leader held off the mad demon for a while?"
"When we arrived, the demon was just standing there dazed. As for how long... I'm not sure."
"Do you know his cultivation level?"
"Three years ago, he was first-rate. But earlier, he seemed beyond peak."
"Heavens! Peak level! Impressive for an underworld leader, but still insufficient against that mad demon. Most peculiar."
Jeong Won stepped forward.
"Let's go see. Hear it for ourselves."
"Very well."
As the three leaders advanced, Jin Seo-yeon, keeping distance, approached Dan-mok Jong-yeong. The urgency had allowed only emergency treatment before; now she had questions. With the trio present, squad rules made her the temporary leader, obligated to report injuries to Jeong Won.
She sent a transmission.
-I need details for my report to the leader. What happened?
Dan-mok Jong-yeong replied as expected.
-Injured by the demon. Report it that way.
-That's not true, is it?
-Wh-what do you mean?
-I saw it following behind. It looked like his doing. Wasn't it?
-N-no. He was just passing by briefly.
-...As acting leader, I'll ask again. We clearly saw him attack. Were we mistaken?
Dan-mok Jong-yeong shook his head resolutely.
-No. Definitely the demon's doing. I'll report it that way to the clan too. Please don't say anything strange.
It was for himself, his clan, and especially his dantian-shattered friend. The friend had lost consciousness before identifying the attacker. Knowing would make survival a living hell. The clan would brand him a criminal for life.
He couldn't allow that.
This is the best way.
Dan-mok Jong-yeong walked ahead silently. Jin Seo-yeon sighed deeply.
It was him.
Longtime squadmates from the same generation. His expression told the truth.
Considering his path, she could guess why the Cheong-ho Bang leader had acted. She herself had nearly shouted to stop it moments ago.
Executing it would have been indefensible, even unto death. But he had intervened first, preventing it.
This can't be overlooked.
Murim Alliance members couldn't be judged by outsiders—especially not with a punishment ending a warrior's life. He should have stopped and handed him over.
As leader, she couldn't let it slide. But exposing it publicly while Dan-mok Jong-yeong covered it up wasn't right either.
Jin Seo-yeon shook her head.
First, hear their side, then report.
Moments later, Jeong Won offered Mu Yun a warm smile.
"You've had a hard time. And thank you."
Mu Yun bowed politely.
"Not at all. I stepped in because I have acquaintances in this village."
Murim Alliance Demon Extermination Squad, he presumed. Knowing them could help resolve his entanglements.
"Oh! Is that so? Most fortunate indeed."
"Might you be from the Demon Extermination Squad, by chance?"
Jeong Won posed a layered question.
"We are. But are you alright?"
Mu Yun gave his prepared response.
"Yes. Fortunately, the demon didn't rampage."
"We heard sounds of fighting."
"He barely responded to my attacks. At first I didn't realize, but later I saw his reason had partially returned."
"Most fortunate. But who might you be, chanter?"
Mu Yun's gaze turned to Jin Seo-yeon.
Long time no see.
He had recalled her on the descent—familiar from the eyes. No need for deep thought; it felt like yesterday. She was the woman he had met amid a major incident right after arriving in this world.
Her expression confirmed she recognized him too. Though her face seemed hardened, sharp somehow.
"She probably mentioned it."
"Leader of Chim-ju's underworld faction, correct?"
"Yes. Three years ago, and now."
"Heavens!"
Mu Yun had something to say first.
"So, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Please exclude me from this matter."
-...May I ask why?
"I didn't do much. And from what I hear, he was a righteous faction warrior. It won't look good if underworld gets involved."
-...!
Jeong Won nodded after a moment's thought.
"Understood. We'll do that. It seems best for you too."
"Thank you."
Shortly after, Jeong Won transmitted to squad leader Dang Seo-ha. Such investigations were her specialty.
-When we reach Chim-ju, look into that fellow.
-...Thoroughly?
-Yes. The mad demon's actions might connect to him. Could be important.
-...!
For now, the matter was settled.
The next day at noon, in Chim-ju's market district. Bo-ta Mun's Eun Wi-gyeong looked around in wonder, clicking her tongue.
"To change this much in three years—truly astonishing."
Seok Ryeo-ok nodded quietly.
"Yeah. New streets, and twice as many people."
"I'm hungry. Shall we grab something?"
"Sure."
Jin Seo-yeon spoke up softly.
"I have somewhere to go."
Seok Ryeo-ok, expecting it, furrowed her brow.
"To Cheong-ho Bang?"
-...Yeah.
Seok Ryeo-ok spoke her mind bluntly.
"Is that necessary? Even the Dan-mok warrior with us said nothing. You stepping in feels off."
Eun Wi-gyeong chimed in.
"Right, sister. The Cheong-ho Bang leader had his reasons."
Jin Seo-yeon didn't hide her deep sigh.
"I know. But I was the acting leader. I need the facts to report."
Seok Ryeo-ok's brow twitched.
"Is this for you? Or for the injured one?"
"What do you mean?"
"Think from his perspective. His warrior's life may be over, but he could remain a hero who sacrificed to stop the demon to the end. Why dig it up?"
"The truth must be revealed."
Seok Ryeo-ok's pent-up frustration erupted.
"So whose truth? If it could be undone, maybe. But it's done. Don't those who'll suffer from the facts come first now?"
They had clashed over such things since childhood—not once or twice. And now, as her strongest rival for young sword prodigy, rivalry fueled it.
"Another debate here?"
Seok Ryeo-ok wanted no more argument. She snapped.
"Fine. I'm sick of it. Go alone or don't—do what you want!"
At that moment, a woman burst from the grand gates of a nearby manor, sprinting toward them.
Tadak!
Dang Seo-ha of the Demon Extermination Squad's trio. The no-nonsense woman who had traveled with them this journey, famed even in the squad for her straightforwardness. And currently investigating Mu Yun on the leader's orders.