Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: The Sacred Fire Rises Again
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“The world under heaven? You mean to take not just the Demonic Cult, but the entire Central Plains as well?”
“That’s right.”
“Hah!”
At Neung Un-bi's bold declaration, Hwayeong let out a disbelieving sigh.
Wasn't it absurd?
A young man, barely of age, speaking of ruling the world.
It was utterly preposterous. Although the presence he had shown a moment ago was surprisingly sharp, he was still young and lacking.
“What nonsense is this... You’re dreaming an impossible dream. Do you truly believe you have such an ability?”
“No.”
“What?”
“Not right now, but I intend to. With every fiber of my being.”
“...”
“The Cult Leader told me to approach him. So I plan to. No, on this occasion, I plan to surpass him entirely.”
Hwayeong could only stare blankly at his confident expression.
Was he that serious?
He was mad. Utterly and completely mad.
If she joined such a plan, the lineage of the Sacred Fire Valley, which she had barely managed to preserve, would surely be severed overnight.
“Haha, my, my. Your ambition is so grand, I dare not even think of following.”
“...”
“You should leave now. For the sake of our secret, I ought to kill you, but I will make an exception this one time.”
“Is that a refusal?”
“Of course! I have a duty to protect the Sacred Fire Valley. Did you really think I would be swayed by your absurd ideas?”
“Hmm... fine. Have it your way. I have no need for those who tuck their tails and run before even trying.”
At Hwayeong's firm refusal, Neung Un-bi smirked and stood up.
Though he couldn't get their help, he felt a sense of relief.
There were no lingering attachments.
The path he had to walk was no different from crossing a mountain of knives and a forest of swords with his bare body. He might not even succeed.
While he no longer worried about what came after, others were different.
Those who didn't truly desire it would surely have regrets. They would resent him...
Yes, so what if he couldn't get their help?
It would only make the journey toward his goal a little harder.
Neung Un-bi took a long, deep breath and looked at Hwayeong.
His gaze was calm, unlike before, and his face, graced with a faint smile, was full of composure.
Adjusting his clothes, Neung Un-bi cupped his fist and respectfully bowed his head to Hwayeong.
“Elder.”
“...?”
“Please forget everything I said earlier. And please do not fault my lack of courtesy. I am still young and couldn't control my emotions...”
When he lifted his head again to look at Hwayeong, Neung Un-bi was smiling brightly.
He then gave a slight nod to Chungsan before turning to Hyang-i.
“Sorry I couldn't grant your request.”
“Mmm.”
“You should stop following me now. Your job is done. If I really do become the Cult Leader, come find me then. Of course, I won't give up my neck so easily.”
“...”
“Thank you for everything, Hyang-i.”
At Neung Un-bi's farewell, a complicated expression clouded Hyang-i’s face.
Neung Un-bi lightly patted her shoulder and was about to head out when he suddenly tilted his head, his gaze fixed on one of the hall's walls.
Unlike the other shabby areas, there was a dais covered with luxurious red cloth.
An incense burner resting upon it caught his eye.
*What is that? Why does it keep catching my eye?*
The old incense burner, which had no particularly remarkable carvings and didn't seem very valuable, strangely bothered him.
As he stared at the censer, Neung Un-bi nodded as a thought crossed his mind.
*Come to think of it, it looks familiar.*
Isn't this how most sects honor their spirits?
Perhaps this too...
Although there were no wooden statues or portraits, it was likely an altar dedicated to the founding leader or the divine maiden of the Sacred Fire Valley.
Or perhaps it was to console the souls of the Sacred Fire Valley members who had died in the tragedy...
*Right, since I'm here, I might as well console the spirits of the dead.*
They were people who had died because of the Demonic Cult. He didn't know if his repentance would reach them, but he hoped it could offer their souls even a little comfort...
And who knows? Maybe the spirits would help him after he paid his respects.
With a seemingly bewitched expression, Neung Un-bi suddenly strode somewhere, causing Hwayeong, who was watching him with a puzzled look, to jump in surprise.
“Third Young Master, the exit is this way... Huh? Third Young Master!”
It wasn't just Hwayeong.
Chungsan and Hyang-i's eyes widened as they watched Neung Un-bi approach the incense burner.
“Th-Third Young Master, that place is...”
“What's this? Just ashes? Was everyone busy? Is there no incense?”
“...!”
Before anyone could stop him, Neung Un-bi touched the cold ashes.
At the sight, a dark killing intent rose not only in Hwayeong's eyes but in Chungsan's as well.
That incense burner was a sacred artifact of the Sacred Fire Valley. The ashes within, in particular, were something that must never be touched by impure hands.
“You whelp... I was going to let you leave peacefully!”
Furious, Hwayeong's body erupted with a fierce killing intent, and Chungsan's sword was already out of its sheath.
But just as they were about to lunge at Neung Un-bi...
*Crack, crackle.*
The ashes in the incense burner suddenly glowed red, bursting into embers.
“Ah, hot!”
Neung Un-bi, who was touching the ashes, recoiled in surprise at the sudden heat. He had been burned by the ashes that were cold just a moment ago.
Neung Un-bi winced at the red mark left on his palm.
“Huh? What? Were there embers left in the ashes...”
*Fwoosh.*
But even as he said it, Neung Un-bi couldn't hide his bewilderment.
This wasn't just an ember; it was a full-blown fire.
“Hyang-i, why is this...”
Neung Un-bi looked at Hyang-i with a dazed expression.
Embers had appeared in the empty incense burner, and now it was burning fiercely, as if someone had thrown dry kindling into it.
A fire that ignites on its own?
Was there ever such a strange phenomenon?
But Hyang-i's expression was odd. No, not just her, everyone was acting strange.
Chungsan had his forehead pressed to the ground, prostrating.
“Ah...”
Tears welled up in Hwayeong's aged eyes and streamed down his face.
Why on earth...
As Neung Un-bi blinked in bewilderment, Hyang-i spoke, tears streaming down her face, yet with the brightest smile he had ever seen.
“The Sacred Fire... has risen again.”
“Huh? The Sacred Fire? This is?”
At her words, Neung Un-bi whipped his head around to look at the incense burner.
*Fwoosh.*
It was still burning. Emitting a bluish light, it had sprung to life from nothing and was now burning vigorously.
This was the Sacred Fire of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult?
Staring at the Sacred Fire with bewildered eyes, Neung Un-bi suddenly grimaced and rubbed the burn mark on his hand.
*Damn it, with this atmosphere, I can't even say it stings...*
But wait a minute!
If this is the Sacred Fire...
And if this is Hwayeong and Chungsan's reaction...
A strange smile appeared on Neung Un-bi's lips.
*Somehow, I feel like I've just hit the jackpot.*
* * *
At the highest point of the Demonic Cult's main fortress, a red flag was hung. Each time the flag fluttered in the wind, the sun-and-moon crest embroidered in gold thread was clearly visible.
Below the flag stood a great drum, and next to it, a burly strongman holding a large mallet.
*Doo-woong!*
As the strongman swung the mallet with all his might, the sound of the drum boomed and spread out.
*Doo-woong!*
The strongman beat the drum without rest.
Sweating profusely, he continued until the drum's sound had spread throughout the entire Demonic Cult.
Then, wherever the drumbeat reached, red flags shot up.
The flags were hung high to be seen from afar, fluttering in the wind. As if signal fires had been lit, the entire Demonic Cult was dyed in red flags.
The Ascending Dragon Festival.
The bloody festival of the five dragons who had thrown down the gauntlet for the throne had begun.
Soon after, the gates of the main fortress were shut tight.
*Creeak, thud!*
The sealed fortress sank into a deep silence.
It was waiting.
Waiting for the challenger who had brought all other territories to their knees to approach the throne.
And at the top of the Gwangcheon Tower, located in the center of the main fortress...
Dam Un-cheon, seated on a chair adorned with a massive snow leopard hide, gazed out the window at the red flags fluttering vigorously.
“...My lord.”
“Il-ho?”
“Yes.”
Dropping from the ceiling as always, Il-ho knelt respectfully and bowed his head.
“What is it?”
“The mist of the Valley of Malevolent Spirits has vanished.”
“...”
Even at those words, Dam Un-cheon continued to gaze out the window.
But his hand was gripping the armrest tightly.
The mist of the Valley of Malevolent Spirits was a phenomenon created by the formation spread around it.
The purpose of the formation was to prevent outsiders from entering.
But if it had vanished...
“Did you investigate?”
“Yes. The clearing is there, but all traces of human habitation have disappeared.”
“I see. I understand. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
At the quiet command, Il-ho bowed his head again and vanished like a whisper in the wind.
“My lord, the Third Young Master...”
“Haha, it seems so.”
Before Yangseon could even finish his sentence, Dam Un-cheon burst into a hearty laugh. It was a refreshing laugh, devoid of even a hint of hesitation.
If the people in the Valley of Malevolent Spirits had vanished and all traces were erased, the choice had already been made. Neung Un-bi had clearly persuaded them.
“That boy... I wonder what words he used to entice them?”
“Who can say? He's always had a way with words, hasn't he?”
“Indeed. He is a truly interesting one. He always keeps a person guessing.”
“He does.”
Yangseon's voice was light, and a faint smile played on his lips.
Dam Un-cheon squinted and glared at Yangseon.
“Are you happy?”
“Pardon?”
“Your expression, your voice—you sound utterly delighted.”
“O-Of course not. You must have seen and heard wrong.”
“Let's say I heard wrong, but how do you explain that grin stretching from ear to ear?”
“M-Me? That's absurd.”
Yangseon looked flustered and consciously tried to pull down the corners of his lips.
“Enough, you rascal.”
“M-My lord.”
“They say there's no one in the world you can trust, but I never thought you'd be one of them.”
“No, that's not it, it's just that the Third Young Master's situation was so pitiful...”
“Pitiful? Since when have you ever been so interested in your disciples' affairs?”
At Dam Un-cheon's rebuke, Yangseon's face fell. He knelt and bowed his head low.
“My apologies, my lord. I have shown a side of myself I should not have. Please punish me.”
“Indeed! You must be punished. The Great Protector, cheering for a whelp who is working day and night to steal his master's throne.”
Looking down at the bowed Yangseon, Dam Un-cheon's voice was feigning anger, but he soon broke into a grin.
“However, I too am in a good mood today.”
“...”
“Perhaps, when he returns, it might not be to the Demonic Cult.”
“Pardon?”
“Who knows? That boy might challenge me under the banner of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult.”
“That's...”
“I just have a feeling.”
“My lord.”
“Haha, it's for the best. It's all for the best. If that happens, I too can rest easy without any worries.”
Hearing Dam Un-cheon's laughter, Yangseon felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.
Did he not sound like a man foreseeing his own end?
“Seon-ah.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I must enter seclusion.”
“Seclusion?”
“Yes. I don't know which one of them will come, but I must greet them with all my strength, must I not?”
“...”
“So that the name Heavenly Demon will not be shamed.”
With those final words, Dam Un-cheon leaped out of the window.
In the sealed main fortress of the Demonic Cult, filled only with silence, Dam Un-cheon's laughter echoed through the air.