Chapter 829
As if waking from a nightmare.
Gongson Dan-gyeong opened her eyes and startled at her surroundings.
She had clearly died in Twin Valley by the power of the Poison Fire Star—so how had she opened her eyes completely unharmed?
How could she possibly be waking up in her own quarters within the Gongson estate?
"Have I already become a ghost?"
For a long while, she blinked blankly before suddenly feeling a pain as if her head were splitting open.
At the same time, memories surfaced of lying inside a dark, pitch-black box while being transported.
—"I... came to the Martial Alliance to avenge the grandfather who sacrificed his own life for me."
Along with that came the voice of Seon-u Jin.
No, rather, the stories Bu Eun-seol had told her echoed in her mind.
But these weren't tales she had heard directly from him—it felt more like something she had overheard absentmindedly while asleep.
'Have I... truly died?'
When one's life ends, is it possible to hear the stories of someone they cared for? Or was this merely a fleeting delusion?
Creak.
Just then, the door opened, and a middle-aged man in ceremonial robes entered carrying herbal medicine.
It was none other than Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife, Ok Jeong-yeong.
"Father. Mother."
Tears spilled from Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes.
She had undoubtedly drawn her last breath.
Yet here she was, seeing the warm faces of Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife again?
'I really have died.'
This must be before arriving in the Underworld.
A final mercy from the heavens, allowing her to see the people she longed for one last time so that the Grim Reaper could sever her lingering attachments to the mortal realm.
"How are you feeling?" Gongson Hwa-uk asked warmly, and she wept.
"I'm sorry."
"Hm?"
"I deceived you, Father... no, the Family Head."
"What are you talking about?"
"The truth is..."
As thick tears fell one by one, Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke calmly.
She told them everything—how she had originally been So-min, the circumstances of her birth, what she had endured in the Jungson Clan, and how she had come to meet Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife.
"I see."
Gongson Hwa-uk listened silently before nodding with a smile.
"You couldn't tell anyone all this time, so you must have suffered alone, bearing it all in silence."
Then he gently stroked her head.
"You've been through so much."
"I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."
As So-min, as the daughter of a mere farmer, she apologized to Gongson Hwa-uk.
His expression twisted in pain, as if his heart were being torn apart, and he shook his head.
"There's no need to apologize. We already knew."
"...What?"
"That you hadn't lost your memories. And that you had approached us deliberately."
Gongson Dan-gyeong blinked in disbelief.
Gongson Hwa-uk laughed.
"Am I not a master of battle formations? I have keener eyes than most."
"But..."
"More than anything, I knew a Great Art suppressing the One Hundred and Eight Stars had been cast upon your body. I could tell you had a deep story, but that didn't matter to us in the slightest."
Astonishingly, Gongson Hwa-uk not only knew about the One Hundred and Eight Stars in detail—he had also been aware that a Great Art restraining their energy had been placed upon Gongson Dan-gyeong's body.
"Haven't I always told you? Formation Study is modeled after the constellations in the sky."
Gongson Hwa-uk spoke plainly.
"And though I never mentioned it to you... the Living Buddha of Tibet, who once saved my life, was searching for one of the hidden One Hundred and Eight Stars. From him, I learned all the knowledge and power related to those stars."
He added,
"That's why I created the Heaven-Round Earth."
Gongson Dan-gyeong had assumed the Heaven-Round Earth had been built separately from the Heavenly Star Retreat to seek out unique talents for the Gongson Clan.
But all of it had been because of the Tibetan Lama Monk?
"I never brought it up because you never asked."
At Gongson Hwa-uk's words, Gongson Dan-gyeong bowed her head again.
"But I only used the Family Head and Madam for revenge."
Gongson Dan-gyeong wept bitterly.
"So please, don't trouble your hearts over me."
Having finally spoken the truth she had long kept hidden, it was time to depart for the Underworld.
And she wished, more than anything, that Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife would no longer suffer because of her.
"Dan-gyeong."
Then Ok Jeong-yeong spoke.
"Not once have we ever thought of you as anything less than our daughter. Never again call us Family Head or Madam."
"But..."
She embraced Gongson Dan-gyeong tenderly.
"No matter what anyone says, you are our daughter."
"Mother. Mother..."
This was no longer the voice of someone burdened by guilt—it was the voice of a child calling out to her parents with all her heart.
Gongson Dan-gyeong wailed loudly.
"I'm so sorry, Mother!"
And she sobbed uncontrollably in Ok Jeong-yeong's embrace.
Heaven had granted her one final chance.
She had honestly confessed the truth and apologized to the two people she'd always felt guilty toward.
What lingering regrets could remain now?
"Since I've apologized to you both, I have no more regrets,"
Gongson Dan-gyeong said with swollen, puffy eyes.
"Please forgive this unfilial child for failing in her duties and having to depart on a long journey first."
"Where on earth do you keep saying you're going?"
When Ok Jeong-yeong asked, Gongson Dan-gyeong burst into fresh tears.
"I'm already dead, Mother."
"What did you say?"
"I was already killed by the Jungson Clan."
Forcing back her sobs, Gongson Dan-gyeong stood up and bowed deeply.
"But I will never forget the kindness you've shown me, even in the afterlife."
Gongson Hwa-uk and Ok Jeong-yeong exchanged glances.
Then they simultaneously burst into laughter.
"Get a hold of yourself, child."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
As the couple laughed without understanding, Gongson Dan-gyeong's sorrow welled up, and even thicker tears streamed down her face.
"I was already poisoned by the Venomous Fire Star's toxin and took my last breath. No spirit medicine in the Murim can detoxify it."
Originally, she had been highly rational and lived a life never once straying from her plans.
That was why she had confirmed her death with absolute certainty and believed it unshakably.
Moreover, having been exposed to the Venomous Fire Star's toxic energy, her mind still hadn't cleared, leaving her in a daze between dream and reality.
"The Venomous Fire Star, I see."
Gongson Hwa-uk nodded as if he finally understood.
"The Venomous Fire Star's energy broke the Restrictive Seal on your body and reawakened the power of the One Hundred and Eight Stars."
"What do you—"
"Some among the One Hundred and Eight Stars can only manifest their power when another star's energy invades them. Others only awaken their power when their life hangs by a thread."
Gongson Hwa-uk continued explaining.
"And there are also cases where both conditions must align perfectly for the awakening to occur."
Gongson Dan-gyeong's eyes trembled.
"So... you're saying I didn't die?"
"Of course not."
Then Ok Jeong-yeong, who had been standing beside them, spoke.
"Your power must have manifested only recently, and since you haven't fully expelled the venomous energy from your body, your mind is still in a haze."
The couple each took one of Gongson Dan-gyeong's hands. An indescribable warmth flowed into her.
"Then... what exactly happened?"
Gongson Hwa-uk sighed and shook his head.
"A few days ago, Commander Seon-u arrived here carrying a coffin, his face filled with grief. He kept apologizing."
"..."
"When he showed us your body inside the coffin, even I was shocked. You truly had stopped breathing."
Gongson Hwa-uk spoke calmly.
"But just before Commander Seon-u left, when I looked at your face again, auspicious energy flowed through your whole body. It was exactly as the old monk had described—the moment the energy of the One Hundred and Eight Stars manifests."
"Commander Seon-u placed me in a coffin and brought me here?"
Only then did Gongson Dan-gyeong realize.
The whispered explanations from Bu Eun-seol that had echoed in her mind since earlier—
They were the real story he had told her while carrying her here inside the coffin.
"Dan-gyeong."
Then Gongson Hwa-uk spoke.
"If the name Dan-gyeong feels like a burden, you may change it back to the name you originally remember."
Ok Jeong-yeong added,
"You are the daughter Heaven gave to us. So never think such thoughts again."
The couple reached out and held Gongson Dan-gyeong's hands.
Tears streamed down her face once more.
Tears of guilt for having deceived the parents who had raised her with love all this time.
And now, tears of joy that she truly had parents of her own.
After this long journey—
Gongson Dan-gyeong had finally, truly become the biological daughter of the Gongson Clan.
"From now on, I must disguise myself as completely dead."
Once her mind cleared,
Gongson Dan-gyeong regained her usual cold, analytical brilliance—the demeanor of the Martial Alliance's chief strategist.
"If even Commander Seon-u is convinced of my death, the Jungson Clan will believe it unquestioningly. But the Martial Venerable... he won't be fooled so easily."
Gongson Dan-gyeong explained everything in detail to Gongson Hwa-uk and Ok Jeong-yeong.
Everything she had endured so far. Even the fact that the Martial Venerable was masquerading as the Foremost Sage of the Murim.
"Then he will surely send someone to the main house to confirm your death."
Understanding her implication, Gongson Hwa-uk let out a deep sigh.
"So we must do the very thing we least wish to do."
"I'm sorry."
No matter how necessary the disguise, no parent would want to hold a funeral for their own child.
Especially since Gongson Hwa-uk and his wife had already lost a daughter once—this was the last thing they would desire.
"My dear, you know what they say—once you endure a misfortune, you live longer."
Ok Jeong-yeong said with a smile,
"Since Gyeong-i has returned to life, and we're deceiving that vile man, let's do this joyfully."
In the end, a quiet funeral was held at the Gongson estate.
Though conducted discreetly without public announcement, the Martial Venerable's subordinates would undoubtedly have confirmed it.
Afterward, Gongson Dan-gyeong secretly left the Gongson estate and sent a letter to Bu Eun-seol.
She knew her survival—
would become a trump card even the Martial Venerable could never anticipate.
And finally, after meeting Bu Eun-seol in secret and consulting with him,
she once again utilized the Death Soul Squad's exceptional information network to discreetly spread the news of her confirmed death.
Now, the Jungson Clan and the Martial Venerable... would never doubt her demise.
Because no one in this world knew she was one of the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
She had succumbed to the Extreme Poison of the Venomous Star—a toxin said to be absolutely incurable.
"...That's how it happened."
Having explained the entire situation to Bu Eun-seol, Gongson Dan-gyeong bowed her head with an embarrassed expression.
"I see."
"And now, my family intends to operate openly as a Martial Clan."
Bu Eun-seol could understand Gongson Hwa-uk's decision.
The Gongson Clan, which had long stayed uninvolved in murim affairs, was now stepping forward as a Martial Clan.
It could only be a decision made to protect their precious daughter.
After all, Gongson Dan-gyeong's enemy—
was the Jungson Clan, one of the legendary Three Clans, whose true nature still remained hidden.
"But it's not just to protect me."
Yet Gongson Dan-gyeong said something unexpected.
"Commander Seon-u. No—Martial Soul Lord Bu Eun-seol. It's to help you."
"Suddenly, what are you saying?"
"I will remain by your side."
Originally, Gongson Dan-gyeong had intended to make a passionate confession if she ever reunited with Bu Eun-seol.
That she wished to spend the rest of her life by his side.
But she couldn't.
Because what he needed now—
what that fragile, childlike person needed—
was not a lover whispering sweet words of love... but a capable comrade who could fight shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
So she changed her words.
"By helping you, I might someday achieve my own revenge as well."
"Chief Strategist."
"The elite soldiers of the Blood Heaven Blood Fate Corps who were at Twin Valley—they all died protecting me."
Gongson Dan-gyeong clenched her fists.
"I can forget my grudge against the Jungson Clan. But I must avenge them."
"You're asking me to eliminate the Jungson Clan?"
"Yes."
Taking a deep breath, she continued.
"Of course, I'm not asking for free."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke calmly.
"The Azure Heaven Alliance's organization is largely flawless, but I noticed one thing missing."
She already knew.
The one thing the Azure Heaven Alliance lacked—
was a competent chief strategist.
"I'll help you."
"But I don't know when we'll strike the Jungson Clan."
Bu Eun-seol was honest.
"Truthfully, I had planned to mobilize all our intelligence networks just to locate the Jungson Clan's headquarters for the Chief Strategist's revenge. But now that you're alive and well... I can't prioritize destroying them."
He exhaled deeply before speaking again.
"To find the Jungson Clan's headquarters, which has remained hidden all this time, I'd have to focus all our intelligence efforts solely on that. And if I did..."
"I understand."
Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
"Security gaps would appear in the other operations the Lord is conducting, and charging in unprepared would only lead to unnecessary casualties."
She hit the mark perfectly.
Not only could she skillfully discern Bu Eun-seol's inner thoughts—
she was a genius when it came to formulating and analyzing strategy.
"I'm not asking you to do it immediately."
Gongson Dan-gyeong spoke composedly.
"My revenge can wait until the very end."
"Are you sincere?"
"Yes."
Even if they scoured the entire martial world, finding a talent as exceptional as Gongson Dan-gyeong would be nearly impossible.
And if she, who had once commanded significant influence within the Martial Alliance, were to join the Azure Heaven Alliance?
The outstanding talents still within the Alliance would flock to the Azure Heaven Alliance in even greater numbers.
"Thank you."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
At last, he had found the final piece needed to complete the grand vision of the Azure Heaven Alliance.
From now on, the Azure Heaven Alliance would stand tall in the martial world as a new orthodox faction.
Finally, the Azure Heaven Alliance officially held its sect-opening ceremony.
And simultaneously, another astonishing piece of news shook the martial world.
Gongson Dan-gyeong, who had left the Martial Alliance, had ascended to the position of Chief Strategist in the Azure Heaven Alliance.
The woman whose brilliant intellect and military strategy had once chilled the hearts of heroes across the land—
who evaluated others solely on ability, disregarding lineage—
had followed Seon-u Jin and become the Azure Heaven Alliance's Chief Strategist.
Because of this, even the skilled warriors who had remained with the Martial Alliance to the end—and even the young martial artists who had once viewed the Azure Heaven Alliance with disdain—
Gradually, people began flocking to the Azure Heaven Alliance.
—"If it's Chief Strategist Gongson, we can trust her!"
Gongson Dan-gyeong had already proven her abilities countless times within the Martial Alliance.
She had always conducted herself with fairness and integrity.
Thus, the trust young martial artists placed in her was unshakable.
No matter how firmly established the Bullet King Bukgung Ryeong and the existing factions of the Azure Heaven Alliance were...
The direction of an alliance could drastically change depending on who handled its practical affairs.
But now that Gongson Dan-gyeong had become the Azure Heaven Alliance's chief strategist... the younger generation could join with peace of mind.
Alliance Leader Bukgung Ryeong.
Chief Strategist Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Peak Leader Seon-u Jin.
Among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the Wudang Sect, Beggars' Sect, and the newly emerged Hyungsan.
Among the Eight Great Families, the Namgung Clan, Tang Clan, Zhuge Clan, Huangbo Clan. And the Gongson Clan.
Even the Seonhwa Merchant House, which provided massive financial support, had relocated its base entirely to the Azure Heaven Alliance.
The mysterious sects of Sichuan—the Sword Pavilion and Divine Maiden Palace—had also joined and sent congratulatory envoys.
Additionally, over a thousand elite martial artists and warriors had defected from the Martial Alliance, along with another thousand newly recruited members.
—"I heard the Azure Heaven Alliance's basic stipend is higher than the Martial Alliance's?"
—"Not only that, they properly teach martial arts too. Tailored to one's constitution and abilities, no less."
—"And unlike the Martial Alliance, they treat everyone equally, regardless of connections or factions."
Yet, some raised doubts.
—"But it's strange. No matter how vast their financial resources, how could they form a coalition this quickly?"
These weren't just back-alley gangsters, after all.
For an orthodox alliance to materialize so abruptly...
This could only mean Bukgung Ryeong had been planning the Azure Heaven Alliance long before.
And that Gongson Dan-gyeong and Seon-u Jin had left the Martial Alliance as part of a calculated scheme—wasn't that the only plausible conclusion?
—"Originally, the Azure Heaven Alliance was meant to be a coalition formed by the Sichuan Tang Clan, Divine Beast Palace, and Sword Pavilion, centered around Sichuan."
However, from intelligence networks within the martial world...
Information began spreading rapidly, dispelling such suspicions.
—"During the process, participation from the Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the Eight Great Families was discussed. Then, coinciding with the Martial Alliance's schism..."
Tang Gon, head of the Tang Clan, proposed forming a new coalition centered around Sichuan, and Bukgung Ryeong agreed.
Just as the Sichuan Alliance was nearing completion...
A crisis erupted within the Martial Alliance, prompting Bukgung Ryeong to withdraw.
Thus, by recruiting him, the Azure Heaven Alliance was born as a new martial alliance.
—"That makes sense."
Though it seemed too perfectly timed to be mere coincidence, the long-planned coalition had simply transformed into the Azure Heaven Alliance.
And since the entire process and procedures could be perfectly verified, the martial world had no choice but to set aside their doubts.
—"Well, with those two involved, nothing's impossible."
Normally, establishing a new faction or alliance would take considerable time.
But Seon-u Jin was a man who had risen from the very bottom of the Martial Alliance—his true identity being Bu Eun-seol, the Martial Soul Lord who had once founded the Martial Soul Society.
And with Gongson Dan-gyeong, whose wisdom and administrative prowess rivaled his own, now assisting him...
It was only natural that the alliance seemed to materialize as if dropped straight from the heavens.
—"The Alliance Leader has truly grasped both dragon and phoenix in a single hand, hasn't he?"
—"From now on, the martial world won't know a day of peace."
Thanks to the Azure Heaven Alliance, a new wind had finally begun blowing through the martial world.
In stark contrast, the Martial Alliance was draped in funeral silence.
Alliance Leader Jeong Cheon-je had foolishly trusted a subordinate's false report, branding the Secret Intelligence Bureau's chief as a spy.
Then, in an absurd, unprecedented incident, the chief strategist had nearly been assassinated by the Martial Alliance's own covert operatives.
Ultimately, this led to Bukgung Ryeong forming the Azure Heaven Alliance, and the loss of two exceptional talents—Gongson Dan-gyeong and Seon-u Jin...
Though the blame was officially pinned on the Azure Dragon Hall's leader...
From both external and internal perspectives... Jeong Cheon-je could hardly be viewed favorably.
At the end of a dim corridor stood an iron door.
With a creak, it opened, revealing shelves densely packed with ancient books.
The bookcases, bearing the unmistakable marks of time, were so weathered they seemed ready to crumble into dust at the slightest breeze.
The ceiling was engraved with strange emblems, while one wall bore an antique mural—
Seemingly depicting the past, present, and future in sequence.
—"..."
The deeper one ventured inside, the more a woman's faint whispers seemed to brush against the ears.
The atmosphere was so chilling it raised goosebumps.
Yet the shadow that had entered the chamber strode unhesitatingly into the darkness.
Then, upon reaching the center of the secret room—
Sssk—
A sudden burst of radiant light spilled from above, illuminating the shadow's concealed form.
The figure who had boldly entered was a rugged man with broad shoulders and a strong jawline.
His eyes were large and deep, his features distinct and well-defined—a face that could inspire goodwill in anyone.
This was none other than the Golden Upright Divine Dragon, Baek Mu-seong—disciple of the Buddhist Venerable and, now, the leader of the Martial Alliance's Heavenly Martial Brigade.
"You promised me Gongson Dan-gyeong!"
Standing in the darkness, Baek Mu-seong roared with a fury unlike anything he had shown before.
"Why did you handle things this way? Is this all the Three Realms are capable of?"
The reason he had endured everything until now—the reason he had obeyed the Three Realms' orders—was solely because of their promise that he would obtain Gongson Dan-gyeong.
But they had broken that promise.
They had attacked Gongson Dan-gyeong, nearly driving her to her death, and in the end, she had left the Martial Alliance—departing alongside Seon-u Jin, the very man Baek Mu-seong had been so wary of, to join the Azure Heaven Alliance.
"Why do you think I clung to the Martial Alliance all this time?! Why do you think I endured that hellish pain and underwent that Great Art?!"
[Oh my.]
A low, grating voice echoed from the darkness.
[Your rage has reached such extremes that your original personality has finally resurfaced.]
Squirm, squirm.
Light slowly gathered in the darkness, then began to ripple like waves.
At the boundary where light met shadow, countless luminous threads coiled and intertwined with fluid grace, gradually taking on the distinct shape of a human.
Though its form was undoubtedly human, its presence felt like that of an abyssal monster—something that existed between the realms of light and darkness.
"I became the leader of the Heavenly Martial Brigade, just as you wanted, and stayed quiet like a dead rat!"
Upon seeing the shadow, Baek Mu-seong grew even more frenzied, his voice rising to a shout.
"You promised to make me the Alliance Chief and give me Gongson Dan-gyeong—so why did you handle things like this?!"
[It was unavoidable. We never intended for this.]
The shadow shook its head.
[The Martial Venerable contacted the Jungson Clan, and we had no idea they would act so recklessly.]
"And you call that an excuse?!"
[We are not gods, merely humans—but I won't make excuses. This was clearly the Main Realm's mistake.]
"Glad you admit it."
Baek Mu-seong's voice was colder than ice.
"From now on, I'll handle my own affairs. Don't interfere."
[Hahaha. Handle them yourself? And just what do you plan to do?]
A hollow laugh seeped from the shadow.
[Have you forgotten that your precious master abandoned you?]
A white mouth formed within the darkness.
[Though the Buddhist Venerable took you in, a person from Saha Manor, after you lost your memories—he discarded you the moment he realized you had no ties to the Baekri Clan.]
The black shadow's mouth vanished, replaced in an instant by triangular, serpent-like pupils.
[The Main Realm, too, believed you were of his bloodline and implanted the Great Art within you—but it failed...]
Then came the most shocking statement of all.
[We only just learned that all direct descendants of the Baekri Clan possess split personalities...]
"When did I ever claim to be of the Baekri bloodline?"
Baek Mu-seong's body trembled violently as he clenched his fists.
"Wasn't that just your own delusion?"
[Indeed. And yet we still bestowed upon you the Demon Seed, the Artificial Internal Core, and even the Main Realm's Great Art.]
The shadow's voice dripped with exhaustion.
[Soon, the shell of the Baekri Clan will be perfectly reconstructed within you—so just wait until then.]
Then, in a solemn tone, it added:
[Until the True Demon—or the Heavenly Mechanism Star—arrives.]
"Why should I?"
Baek Mu-seong's voice was frigid.
"You broke your promise."
[We promised to make you the Martial Alliance Chief and ensure Gongson Dan-gyeong became your wife.]
The shadow's tone turned equally cold.
[But you are not yet the Chief. Therefore, her absence does not constitute a broken promise.]
"She's with the Azure Heaven Alliance now!"
[Does her affiliation truly matter so much when it comes to possessing a woman?]
"That's nothing but sophistry!"
[Not at all. The Main Realm always keeps its promises. Once you become Chief, Gongson Dan-gyeong will undoubtedly be yours.]
"Then remove Seon-u Jin from the Azure Heaven Alliance immediately."
Baek Mu-seong bit his lip.
"Can't you even do that much?"
[Hmm... I'll consider it. After all, the identity of 'Seon-u Jin' is something we can easily dismantle using the Demon Hall.]
"So he really is a spy for the Demon Hall?"
[Hehehe. It would be even simpler to claim that all the espionage suspicions thus far were orchestrated by the Demon Hall.]
Understanding the implication, Baek Mu-seong gave a faint nod.
"Fine."
[But there's no guarantee he'll be ousted from the Azure Heaven Alliance. Their leader is that Bullet King, Bukgung Ryeong.]
"So you're saying I should just let him stay by her side?"
[What does it matter?]
The shadow continued.
[Even when they were together in the Martial Alliance, nothing happened between them. Do you really think the Azure Heaven Alliance will change that?]
When Baek Mu-seong fell silent, the shadow spoke again.
[Just focus on fulfilling your assigned task. We'll handle the rest.]
Whoosh.
In an instant, the shadow vanished.
The secret chamber was now empty once more.
"Let's see if things go your way."
As Baek Mu-seong stared into the vacant chamber, a radiant glow of five colors erupted from his pupils.
Unbeknownst to them, he had already far surpassed their expectations—merging his two personalities into one.