Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 25
>Chapter Title: Goal (2)
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Transformation Realm.
It was the supreme state of martial transcendence, attainable only after breaking through the wall to reach the realm where the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and the Five Qi Return to the Origin.
Yet he hadn’t even grasped enlightenment in the Peak Realm, and here he was declaring he’d reach that level in just two years.
‘Is it that tough?’
As if reading Mok Kyung-un’s thoughts, Cheongryeong spoke up.
–Try dying and coming back a hundred times. Then see if it’s possible. If you do, this seat will serve you as master for life.
‘You’re coming on strong.’
Mok Kyung-un’s lips twitched.
The reason Cheongryeong was clicking her tongue and pushing back so hard was simple.
She herself had been hailed as a once-in-centuries genius, yet it had taken her twenty years to reach the Transformation Realm.
Of course, achieving it at just twenty-eight had left everyone stunned.
‘It’s not like we’re in that era anymore.’
They said there had once been a golden age of the martial world.
Back then, a peerless genius had emerged, earning the title Little Sword Immortal at a mere thirty and leading the entire martial world. But that was then.
“I hope you keep that promise.”
“Huh?”
Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom of the Blood River Valley blinked at Mok Kyung-un’s sudden words, prompting a confused response.
Mok Kyung-un just shook his head.
He hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but Cheongryeong had wanted him to.
–Wait two years. You’ll see this seat’s greatness.
At Cheongryeong’s bold claim, Mok Kyung-un gave a faint smile.
From her reaction and Yi Ji-yeom’s, he knew his declaration sounded absurd. But Grandfather had always said:
[You won’t know until you try. Even your talent...]
–Zzt!
“Mm.”
“Milord?”
Mok Kyung-un pressed a hand to his forehead and groaned, making Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom ask in concern.
Frowning slightly at the question, Mok Kyung-un wondered.
What was that?
He never forgot anything he’d once remembered.
He even recalled every word Grandfather had said since childhood, yet he couldn’t remember what came after that particular line.
‘Why?’
Trying to recall it sent a splitting pain through his skull.
He could endure most pains, but this felt like his brain was being carved out, distorting his face involuntarily.
‘Why this?’
Grandfather had said something more, but it wouldn’t come.
Forcing it felt like peeling back a deliberate seal, triggering headaches.
Memories shrouded in fog.
Mok Kyung-un finally stopped pushing.
‘...No way.’
Had Grandfather done this?
A sliver of doubt arose.
But Grandfather knew nothing of acupuncture or seals, and hadn’t done anything special to him.
Puzzled, but with no time to dwell, Mok Kyung-un smoothed his expression.
“I’m fine. Mind if I ask a few questions?”
“Ask away.”
Yi Ji-yeom, who’d been watching with concern, nodded.
Mok Kyung-un then asked,
“Do you know someone called the Ghost Sword?”
Yi Ji-yeom answered casually,
“Who doesn’t know the Ghost Sword, one of the Eight Stars?”
Ghost Sword.
Excluding the Six Heavens at the pinnacle of the current martial world, he was one of the eight masters said to have reached the highest realm.
“I don’t know much about how the martial world works these days.”
“Ah...”
Yi Ji-yeom nodded in understanding.
The era when his ghostly lord had been active was a full century ago, so the famed masters then were entirely different from now.
Yi Ji-yeom explained,
“The Ghost Sword’s sect and origins are unknown. He appeared out of nowhere one day and challenged famed orthodox and unorthodox masters to duels, building his infamy.”
“Infamy?”
“Yes. It’s hard to call it fame when no one who faced him survived.”
“No survivors?”
“Exactly. That’s why his notoriety grew so much.”
‘Huh?’
Mok Kyung-un tilted his head.
Timber Sword Manor’s Clan Head, Mok In-dan, had fought him and been wounded.
Was that fact almost unknown?
As he puzzled, Yi Ji-yeom exclaimed “Ah!” as if remembering something.
“There is one survivor.”
“One survivor?”
“Yes.”
‘Timber Sword Manor’s Clan Head, right?’
Mok Kyung-un was certain but didn’t show it, asking,
“Who?”
“One of our society’s Five Kings, the Exterminating Poison King Baek Sa-ha. They say he clashed with the Ghost Sword for dozens of exchanges.”
‘!?’
What?
Not Clan Head Mok In-dan?
Someone completely unexpected.
Mok Kyung-un pressed,
“You mean he fought the Ghost Sword...?”
“Yes. It’s a famous tale in our society. I recall it happened by chance a few months before the Ghost Sword vanished.”
Mok Kyung-un frowned at Yi Ji-yeom’s words.
Two facts emerged.
First, Yi Ji-yeom didn’t know Clan Head Mok In-dan had also survived a fight with the Ghost Sword.
Second, and disappointing:
‘Hm.’
Mok Kyung-un had come here suspecting the Ghost Sword might be a Heaven-Earth Society master.
But if he’d fought one of their high executives, the Exterminating Poison King, they might be enemies, not allies.
‘Wrong guess?’
Should he have gone to the Imperial Palace instead?
Yi Ji-yeom asked,
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah, I’d heard the Ghost Sword was a hidden expert of the Heaven-Earth Society. But from what you say, maybe not.”
No need to mention what he didn’t know anyway.
Clan Head Mok In-dan didn’t seem to know much about the Ghost Sword either.
Then Yi Ji-yeom said,
“Ah! There were rumors like that too.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes. The Ghost Sword targeted only orthodox and unorthodox masters. The sole exception was our Exterminating Poison King, and midway through their clash, the Ghost Sword stopped first and withdrew.”
‘...Withdrew first?’
Mok Kyung-un’s eyes narrowed.
Another possibility emerged.
The one exception was a society master, and he withdrew first—perhaps they were allies.
“So he might be a society expert?”
“Who knows? The Exterminating Poison King glossed over the details... and there were such tales.”
“What tales?”
“Some say the Ghost Sword was the Society Lord’s Personal Life Guard.”
“Personal Life Guard?”
–They’re still maintaining that system, huh.
Cheongryeong seemed to know of it.
Yi Ji-yeom continued,
“The Society Lord has a constant Personal Life Guard. Rumors say their skills rival the Five Kings.”
“Rival the Five Kings... so they’re strong?”
“Very. Two of the Five Kings have reached the Transformation Realm, absolute masters, and the other three are at the pinnacle of Peak Realm.”
–What?
Cheongryeong was stunned.
In her active days, few executives had reached such heights.
Had things changed so much in a century?
–Unbelievable.
Had the society’s level risen that far?
Well, back then it was in its infancy, still building strength.
Considering that, it was now one of the three dominant forces in the martial world—perhaps only natural.
“Ah! Since you’re unfamiliar with the current state, I should mention this. The two Transformation Realm Five Kings are known as two of the Eight Stars in the martial world.”
“Hoo.”
That made sense.
If the Society Lord’s Personal Life Guard rivaled the Five Kings, the vanished Ghost Sword was a plausible candidate.
Mok Kyung-un asked,
“His identity still hasn’t been revealed?”
“No. But... the Exterminating Poison King, who fought him before he vanished, might have some clue.”
“The Exterminating Poison King might know...”
“Yes. He’s the only survivor. Though it’s not certain. Why do you ask?”
“Ah, nothing important. Don’t worry.”
Yi Ji-yeom gave a puzzled look but nodded without pressing.
“Understood.”
Mok Kyung-un found his earnestness endearing.
No wonder Cheongryeong favored the Yi clan.
Anyway, two leads now:
‘Exterminating Poison King... Society Lord’s Personal Life Guard.’
The Exterminating Poison King might hold clues about the Ghost Sword, and the Personal Life Guard was a candidate for being him.
The mark left on his dead grandfather.
Timber Sword Manor’s Clan Head Mok In-dan bore a similar scar.
‘It’s getting closer.’
His path of vengeance, started with just a scar and footprints, was finally taking shape.
If the Ghost Sword had truly killed Grandfather, he was a target for revenge.
Mok Kyung-un’s lips twitched.
Yi Ji-yeom’s eyes gleamed at the sight.
‘Killing intent...’
He was suppressing it well, but the faint leakage was intense.
Very thick.
He hadn’t wanted to question, but his lord clearly harbored ill feelings toward the Ghost Sword.
Then Mok Kyung-un said,
“Oh, right. What exactly is the Blood River Valley aiming for here?”
“Huh?”
“I’m playing along to infiltrate, but I don’t recall anything like this when I was here.”
“Ah. Think of it as screening for raw gems.”
“Raw gems?”
“Yes. As I said after the second gate, the gates place talent where it’s needed. Passing the final gate brings great opportunity.”
“What opportunity?”
“Entering the service of high executives or becoming their disciple.”
“Disciple?”
“Yes. Passing all gates marks you as top talent.”
The Blood River Valley gates were tough even for martial prodigies trained from childhood.
Passing them all earned the “top talent” label.
Such talents were chosen by attending executives at the Final Gate.
“You mean the Five Kings?”
“The Five Kings, Three Sect Leaders, and us Four Valley Lords.”
Five Kings, Three Sect Leaders, Four Valley Lords.
They were the backbone leading the Heaven-Earth Society.
‘That explains it.’
Now Mok Kyung-un understood why boys risked their lives in the Blood River Valley.
Being chosen as a disciple meant immense power and supreme martial arts within the society. How could they pass that up?
That was the reason for staking their lives.
Yi Ji-yeom cautiously said to Mok Kyung-un,
“Forgive my past rudeness, milord.”
“No. You didn’t know.”
“Now that you do, I’ll arrange to pull you out.”
“Pull me out?”
“Yes. The Society Lord’s order placed you in the gates, but didn’t demand you survive, so we can report you dead.”
That way, he’d escape the Society Lord’s notice and recover his martial arts in secret here.
But Mok Kyung-un shook his head.
“No need.”
“Huh? Why...”
His lord, who’d trod the supreme realm, could recover alone in seclusion.
Then Mok Kyung-un said,
“We should make the most of this situation.”
“Make the most of it how?”
“Passing the gates lets you become an executive’s disciple, right?”
“Yes, but no need to...”
“Which wound hurts more?”
“Huh?”
What was this?
To the puzzled Yi Ji-yeom, Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly.
“Wounds on the surface heal. It’s the ones rotting from within that truly hurt.”
‘!!!!!!’
Yi Ji-yeom’s eyes lit up, grasping Mok Kyung-un’s intent.
Satisfied, Mok Kyung-un said,
“Shall we seek a recommendation?”
“Recommendation?”
“In your view, which executive would be most advantageous to impress?”