Chapter 221: Meeting My Master
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 221: Meeting My Master
"A proposal?"
The Dark Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Yes. After all, don't you also want me to join you of my own free will, Dark Emperor?"
Obedience through coercion, and choosing to follow of one's own volition, were worlds apart.
"Amusing. To dare make a proposal before me... do you even know who I am to speak such words?"
Rumble!
As the Dark Emperor released his inner qi, the entire forest began to tremble violently. A crushing pressure, as if heaven and earth themselves were collapsing, bound Jinhyuk's entire body.
However, Jinhyuk's expression didn't even flicker.
"What I am proposing is a fair equivalent exchange. If you accommodate me, I will provide information that even you do not know, Dark Emperor. Furthermore, I will give you a reason why you will have no choice but to accept my proposal."
"Absurd. Do you truly believe you possess knowledge that we do not?"
The Dark Emperor let out a hollow, scoffing laugh. It was a laugh filled with the deepest disappointment he had felt so far.
And here I thought he was someone who could at least distinguish between a playable card and one that should never be used...
After all, how could the intelligence network of the Heavenly Demon Cult—renowned as the greatest information-gathering group in the Murim—be inferior to a single Player?
Bluffing was all well and good, but there was a line that should not be crossed. To go so far as to claim he would provide a reason they had no choice but to accept... This was not confidence; it was sheer, reckless bravado.
To confuse the two... How disappointing. He falls short of the talent I had hoped for.
A person possessing both literary and martial brilliance. He had never imagined it would be this difficult to find a genius worthy of inheriting his entire legacy.
Smacking his lips bitterly, the Dark Emperor was about to dismiss his interest in Jinhyuk.
But then, Jinhyuk spoke.
"The Empire's magitech weapon, 'Titan'."
The words that spilled from Jinhyuk's mouth...
"I will tell you how to disable the 'Mana Regeneration Stone' that serves as its core power source."
...were more than enough to instantly blow away all of his previous disappointment.
No, it didn't just blow it away. The expressions of the two men, contorted in sheer shock, were quite a sight to behold.
"That the Titan is powered by a Mana Regeneration Stone... is a secret known only to a select few even within the Heavenly Demon Cult. How on earth did you..."
The Dark Emperor's pupils shook violently.
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Beside him, Baeksa's jaw dropped in utter disbelief.
It was only natural.
The Empire's 'Titan'. It was a type of golem shaped like various beasts, a magitech weapon of mass destruction designed for total war.
Boasting incredibly durable armor and monstrous breakthrough power, the Titans could tear through enemy defensive formations like wet paper, easily boosting combat efficiency fivefold. In particular, when knights equivalent to Sword Masters rode horse-shaped Titans, even the peak-level masters of the Murim were often left completely helpless.
In fact, just a few hours ago, the Empire's Titan Knights had completely annihilated three elite branches of the Jeomchang Sect on the Lordmerius Plains.
A method to neutralize such a weapon was worth more than its weight in gold. At the very least, it was essential if the Heavenly Demon Cult wanted to avoid suffering the same fate as those Murim fools.
"Judging by your reaction, I'll take that as an acceptance."
"...Let us hear your proposal first."
"First, I want you to understand that my going to the Heavenly Demon Cult is not an initiation. It is strictly a temporary relationship based on a contract."
"Meaning you will leave whenever you wish once the contract ends?"
"If I so desire, yes."
"What in the...! Sovereign! Are you truly considering granting such an absurd demand? And you, are you out of your mind?! We are not some neighborhood gang of thugs! Once you join the Cult, the only way out is in a coffin!"
Baeksa threw a furious tantrum, but the Dark Emperor silently gathered his thoughts.
"Do you have other demands?"
"Sovereign!"
"Second, let me command Baeksa and the Shadow Unit as my own hands and feet. Three days will be enough."
"Why on earth would you listen to such an arrogant bastard's... Huh?"
Baeksa, who had been shouting with veins popping on his neck, widened his eyes in shock.
"However, Baeksa and the Shadow Unit must obey me just as they would you, Dark Emperor."
"W-Wait a minute! What nonsense is this? There's no way that's possible. Haha. Sovereign, surely you agree?"
"I permit it."
Even if he granted those two conditions, obtaining a way to counter the Titans would still be a massive gain. That was how the Dark Emperor weighed the scales.
"T-That can't be..."
"I'll be in your care for the next three days. To start, I suggest you relax your eyes, Baeksa. I'm starting to feel just a tiny bit annoyed."
Jinhyuk smiled brightly. His words about being in his care were entirely sincere.
Though it was only for three days... Baeksa would soon look back on his time by the Dark Emperor's side as absolute heaven.
"Is there another condition?"
"One last thing. I want Wolyeong back."
"...!"
At Jinhyuk's words, Wolyeong, who had been standing quietly, flinched.
"Granted. It seems he wishes to return to you as well."
"I...!"
"Enough. I am not so dense as to miss that."
The Dark Emperor brought the matter to a swift close.
"Now, let me ask you one thing. What made you so certain I would accept this proposal?"
While the Titan was an incredibly valuable card, it wasn't enough to guarantee that he would agree to all three conditions. If he found the youth too insolent, he could have overturned the scales at any moment.
"Because, Dark Emperor, you will absolutely want to take me as your disciple."
With those final words, a dark red qi began to swirl around Jinhyuk's hand.
The Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art.
The exclusive martial art created by the Dark Emperor himself, a technique that not a single master within the vast Heavenly Demon Cult had ever managed to learn... was now manifesting from the hand of a Player from outside the Tower.
* * *
The path of the Asura, walked endlessly while breaking through one's limits. No matter how many times he washed his blood-stained hands, the scent of blood never truly faded, but he had believed it didn't matter.
For that was the path to becoming strong, and that was his duty to the Cult.
The Murim called him the Dark Emperor, viewing him with awe and terror. Yet, his march, which had seemed eternal, came to a sudden halt at some point.
He had hit his own limits.
The realm that could only be reached by one who had mastered all twelve forms of the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art to perfection. The Demonic 13th Form.
When he realized that breaking through that wall required far more than mere talent and effort, the Dark Emperor had fallen into despair.
Time... Yes. I have no time left.
Because he had climbed to his current height through countless trials and errors, he was bound to hit the wall of mortality despite undergoing a complete physical rebirth.
Thus, he made a decision. If he could not achieve it himself... he would find a disciple who could.
And so, he had spent years wandering in search of a suitable talent, enduring endless disappointment and despair. Just as he was about to give up, believing that no one capable of meeting his expectations existed...
Finally, he had found him.
"Haha... Kuhahaha!"
The Dark Emperor burst into a mad, roaring laughter.
"Indeed! You were outside the Tower, not inside. No wonder I could never find you, no matter how hard I searched! That was why!"
"If I had known you'd be this happy, I should have come looking for you much sooner."
"Indeed, you should have. I've been waiting so long my neck almost snapped."
"Oh dear. This unworthy disciple almost turned his brand-new master into a long-necked specter."
"What? Is that any way to speak to your master?"
"Why not? This is all just karma for choosing the wrong disciple, Master. So please, just accept it as your fate."
Jinhyuk shrugged.
The conversation flowed with incredible naturalness and familiarity. Beside them, Baeksa looked as if he might faint at any moment, having never seen this side of the Dark Emperor in his entire life.
It was only natural. Who could have ever predicted that the Dark Emperor, one of the two Dharma Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Cult, would show such a relaxed, unguarded side? If he were to tell the other Captains about this, they would undoubtedly mock him, asking how many drinks he'd had.
And the Dark Emperor was feeling a sense of incongruity as well.
"Strange. I am certain this is the first time I have ever laid eyes on you, yet for some reason, you feel as comfortable as if we have known each other for decades."
Of course you do.
Since all the Players he had once run with had left the Tower of Trials, leaving him entirely alone, the only people he had left to talk to were the residents inside the Tower. Because they had laughed and cried together, building countless memories, Jinhyuk knew exactly what kind of person the Dark Emperor was.
Of course, he couldn't tell him the truth, so he had to gloss over it for now.
"It must be because our martial arts share the same roots. Though my skills are still far inferior to yours, Master..."
"Hmph. I will not ask where you learned the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art for now. You must have your reasons."
What mattered was not the origin, but the talent. In fact, if he had grasped the profound truths of this exclusive martial art entirely on his own, that was even better. It meant Jinhyuk was a once-in-a-millennium genius.
The Dark Emperor magnanimously let the minor details slide.
"It will be difficult to hold a formal master-disciple ceremony right now. Since we have caused such a commotion, the Empire will surely notice and dispatch an investigation team soon."
"Most likely, yes."
"Once things are settled, come to the main headquarters. As promised, I will grant you command of the Shadow Unit for three days."
The Dark Emperor handed Jinhyuk a uniquely crafted grass flute.
"Blow this, and the Shadow Unit will appear within fifteen minutes. And Baeksa."
"Yes, Sovereign."
"This boy is my chief disciple from this day forward. Show him the respect he deserves. If I hear any complaints about your behavior, I will personally hold you accountable."
"A-As you command."
Baeksa bowed his head with a sullen face. He had realized it instinctively.
These next three days would be far more painful than his entire life up to this point.
* * *
Having concluded his business with the Dark Emperor, Jinhyuk headed straight to the opposite side of the forest.
"What took you so long?"
"Master. Are you alright? Clack."
He saw the members of the Shadow Unit trapped inside a cage made of T-Bone's bones, and Alice perched on top of the cage, sipping freshly brewed black tea.
Classic.
He had expected this outcome, but it was an incredibly one-sided victory. Even with her mana restricted, she was this powerful... How strong would she be if she fully manifested her true self?
A dangerous curiosity to witness her true power someday flickered in his mind.
"A lot happened. I'll fill you in on the details on the way."
"Hm? But who's that behind you? Didn't he cut ties with you because he was sick of your blatant lies?"
Alice spotted Wolyeong hiding in the shadows.
"Hey... watch your mouth. What do you mean, sick of my blatant lies?"
"It's the truth, isn't it?"
"...Ahem! Well, that might be true, but..."
It was true that he had lied, and it was true that Wolyeong had felt betrayed. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel a bit guilty.
But right now, coaxing Wolyeong out of his sulk wasn't the priority. Conquering the Citadel of Giants was the most urgent task.
[Citadel of Giants.]
It was a crucial base, but there was a reason why neither the Empire nor the Murim could easily lay their hands on it. It was because the barrier erected across the entire citadel was of an incredibly troublesome variety.
To be honest, its difficulty is enough to make even most hardcore veterans shake their heads in dismay.