At the Ak Sword Clan House (3)
"The Blood Cult Leader left a message?"
Je-gal Hyeon was startled by Sa-ma Il-jung's report.
"Yes. They say the blood scattered there formed letters."
"What letters?"
"Sal-cheon."
"Sal-cheon?"
It was a message left at the Alliance Lord's home, undoubtedly a warning aimed at Ak So-gun.
"It looks like a declaration of intent to kill the Alliance Lord."
Je-gal Hyeon nodded at Sa-ma Il-jung's words.
"Who figured out that the blood was from the Blood Cult Leader's signature technique, Hyeol-cheon-ki?"
"It was in the Iron Sword Unit Leader's report. It appeared to have reached Great Success."
"Great Success?"
Je-gal Hyeon tilted his head.
"Chung Yang figured that out?"
As befitted the leader of the Iron Sword Unit, Chung Yang's skills had reached the Peak realm. But Je-gal Hyeon hadn't thought he possessed the insight to discern that the Blood Cult Leader's unique technique had achieved Great Success.
"Did you happen to inform Division Leader Baek So-cheon about this incident?"
"Yes."
Only then did Je-gal Hyeon smile faintly.
Of course.
The only ones capable of accurately gauging the level of Hyeol-cheon-ki were Ak So-gun and Baek So-cheon.
In truth, it was Hwang Il-bi who had added the detail about Great Success in the report.
He had anticipated that if he specified the exact realm, Je-gal Hyeon would realize it was Baek So-cheon who had discerned it. Not out of hatred for Chung Yang, but because he preferred Baek So-cheon.
If Chung Yang later scolded him for it, he planned to shrug it off by saying he'd simply reported the facts as observed.
"Is this a declaration of war from the Blood Cult?"
"We have to assume so."
It wasn't just anywhere—it was left at the Murim Alliance Lord's family home. It carried a warning that if they intended to kill him, they could slaughter everyone there.
"And if it's true that Hyeol-cheon-ki has reached Great Success?"
If that was Baek So-cheon's assessment, then it was undoubtedly accurate.
Je-gal Hyeon locked eyes with the strategist standing before the Murim Seol-yeol-log. He awaited his command.
After a moment's contemplation, Je-gal Hyeon nodded and held up two fingers.
The strategist climbed the ladder and updated the Murim Seol-yeol-log.
The Black Heaven Alliance Lord had been pushed down to 3rd. Rumors had circulated for ages that achieving Great Success in Hyeol-cheon-ki turned one into an invincible master.
But no one alive had experienced it firsthand—except for records from three hundred years ago. No recent achiever of Great Success in Hyeol-cheon-ki had clashed with Central Plains experts. Thus, this ranking might not be precise.
They kept Ak So-gun at 1st out of courtesy, but a perfected Hyeol-cheon-ki might surpass the Alliance Lord. Or the Black Heaven Lord could tear it apart, making legends look foolish.
In conclusion, the martial prowess of those three was evenly matched.
Who was 1st or 2nd didn't matter.
The problem was that two of those evenly matched three were allied.
The strategist who updated the rankings also revised the entry at the very bottom for Baek So-cheon. "Mun-seong Branch Regular Warrior" was erased.
Je-gal Hyeon stared at Baek So-cheon's name for a long while. He could only hope this quiet change at the bottom would balance the shocking shift at the top.
Rumors began spreading discreetly through the ranks—from organization heads to division leaders, then squad leaders—that Baek So-cheon had returned and become the new Hyun-cheon-dae Leader.
There was no gag order now, but lingering from past influence, no one gossiped openly about Baek So-cheon.
No one celebrated Hyun-cheon-dae's birth, and none dared play turf games. Interest was sky-high, yet no visitors came, creating a bizarrely contradictory emptiness.
Of course, there were exceptions.
No Woong, newly appointed as 1st Squad 3rd Unit Leader of the Iron Sword Unit, arrived with three or four Iron Sword warriors, ignoring others' glances.
On the day Baek So-cheon was demoted to regular warrior, No Woong had vowed a hunger strike. The accompanying warriors were all indebted to him, big and small, from their Iron Sword days.
Many more owed him favors, but only this many moved openly without hesitation.
They caused a commotion, insisting they join Hyun-cheon-dae immediately, then left.
Baek-ryong-dan Deputy Leader Ga-in wanted to come as badly as No Woong. She yearned to rush over first upon hearing Baek So-cheon had returned.
But she never came. She knew better than anyone that getting too close would only hurt her in the end.
And today, another visitor arrived at Hyun-cheon-dae—someone no one in the Alliance expected: Iron Sword Unit Leader Chung Yang.
"Who might you be?"
Chung Yang answered Beon Saeng's question.
"I'm the Iron Sword Unit Leader."
"Yes, sir!"
Beon Saeng snapped to attention, his voice infused with spirit.
"Is Division Leader Baek in?"
"Yes! He's training in the rear garden dojo right now. Please wait in the office, and I'll fetch him."
"Lead the way."
"Yes, sir."
Beon Saeng guided him to Baek So-cheon's top-floor office.
Walking ahead, Beon Saeng's heart pounded.
The head of the organization he'd dreamed of joining had come. Baek So-cheon had once been Iron Sword Leader, but to him, Baek So-cheon meant something else now.
But this Chung Yang was the real, current Iron Sword Leader.
He escorted him up the stairs to the office.
Before Chung Yang entered, Beon Saeng cautiously said,
"Joining the Iron Sword Unit was my dream."
"Is that so? Then you shouldn't be in a place like this."
"Pardon?"
"How can someone from this shabby, cluttered dump join the Iron Sword Unit?"
With that, Chung Yang went inside.
Beon Saeng pouted.
What a guy.
His illusions about the Iron Sword Leader shattered in that moment.
But considering Chung Yang's hatred for Baek So-cheon, this was actually quite restrained.
At that time, Baek So-cheon was training alone in the dojo.
Today's session differed from his usual routine. It was the moment he finally achieved his first major breakthrough.
He unleashed the first to third forms of Beon-cheon Gu-gwon with utmost focus.
Bang! Baaang!
The air exploded. It felt like wind blowing where none stirred. Clouds scattered on the wind, carrying Baek So-cheon's punches and kicks outward. No matter how powerfully an opponent attacked, the exquisite techniques of Beon-cheon Gu-gwon would reverse that force back at them.
As the wind died down, waves surged in. Like a man riding logs over crashing waves, Baek So-cheon's form glided fluidly across the dojo. His footwork was swift, precise, flashy yet beautiful. Thus, all sixteen evasion methods against enemy assaults were perfectly recreated.
As the waves receded, a whirlwind rose with fierce lightning strikes. No longer just evading or enduring—Baek So-cheon unleashed a powerful counterattack.
Papapapang!
Who would believe this ferocity came without inner power?
Space twisted and tore under Baek So-cheon's fists and feet.
Thus, all twenty-nine techniques from the first to third forms of Beon-cheon Gu-gwon unfolded flawlessly.
"Hoo."
Finishing the forms, Baek So-cheon steadied his breath and posture.
"It's done!"
The first words he'd spoken since beginning to learn Beon-cheon Gu-gwon.
He had now fully internalized the initial three forms.
The insight from his underground prison conversation with the demon had accelerated completion.
The first three forms weren't based on inner power; they used the opponent's force and the profound principles of Beon-cheon Gu-gwon. Even with inner power, the effect would be the same. The world's greatest technique, executed by the world's greatest warrior.
But joy soon turned to worry.
The moment he mastered the third form, certainty struck: this technique alone wouldn't revive his dantian.
He'd vaguely hoped mastering the supreme art would yield new enlightenment.
But upon practicing, he'd mastered it without needing revelation. Both he and the technique were too perfected for some grand epiphany. He'd overlooked his own talent and accumulated martial depth.
Mastering it would aid survival, but gaining dantian-reviving insight seemed unlikely.
Especially now with Myeol Saeng emerging at Great Success in Hyeol-cheon-ki…
Baek So-cheon pulled open his collar and gazed at his dantian. A hideous scar, torn away by something.
He missed it too. The days of overflowing inner power, facing dozens consecutively without ragged breath. How could he not?
Should I try that method after all?
Baek So-cheon's eyes deepened. He'd always strived within reason's bounds… but now felt the time for a mad gamble approaching.
Then Beon Saeng rushed over with an urgent report.
"The Iron Sword Unit Leader is here."
Chung Yang sat waiting in Baek So-cheon's office.
Desk, chair, shelves—all old and worn. It felt like a subordinate's quarters.
A far cry from his own lavish room.
Hmph! Pretending to be frugal.
If it were flashy, he'd scoff at waste; moderate, at lack of personality.
Then the door opened, and Baek So-cheon entered.
"Welcome."
Baek So-cheon greeted warmly, catching Chung Yang off guard inwardly.
Hmph! Keep up the act; see if I fall for it.
Chung Yang forced an awkward smile and sat.
"Tea?"
"No."
"I'll have some. Thirsty after sweating."
Baek So-cheon had Beon Saeng fetch cooled tea.
Eying Baek So-cheon's sweat-soaked training garb, Chung Yang asked,
"You train too?"
The unspoken "you of all people" dripped sarcasm. The reply was earnest and sincere.
"Every day without fail. Really diligently."
"Didn't ask if you're diligent."
"Unit Leader Chung."
"What?"
"Do you train?"
Chung Yang flinched. When had he last trained?
After reaching Peak, no further progress. Effort futile. About four or five years ago. He'd sensed his limit, slacked off amid war's chaos.
Baek So-cheon said abruptly,
"Keep training."
"Like a cat fretting over a mouse?"
"Mouse fretting over a cat. So you catch it well."
Chung Yang glared. He'd met many warriors en route, prided himself on handling people and politics. But Baek So-cheon was slippery. Hard to pin down.
Sometimes prickly and ill-tempered; others, surprisingly considerate and serious.
"What are you, really?"
"Next time. I'll tell you when I figure it out."
"If you can."
Baek So-cheon shifted to the point.
"What brings you here?"
"The Blood Cult issue earlier. Black Heaven's mood is off too. So, planning special mechanism training for HQ folks. You know the drill."
"Of course."
The Alliance had a training method using intricate mechanisms.
"How about you as daily instructor?"
Baek So-cheon chuckled.
Obvious ploy. Wishing humiliation on inner-powerless him as instructor. Iron Sword training was brutally tough; special mechanism sessions dangerously so.
"Why laugh?"
"Grateful you're still looking out for me."
"No need for thanks. Even if we're on bad terms, it was your old haunt, right? They'd be thrilled if you came."
"Fine. Let's do it."
Baek So-cheon accepted readily.
"For real?"
Chung Yang had prepped arguments—from coaxing to pride-stinging provocation. Accepted on first ask?
"When's training?"
"Tomorrow."
"Good."
"Then I'll count on you."
Chung Yang felt pleased yet uneasy.
This guy's not one to accept so easily.
After he left, Beon Saeng entered.
"Not even bringing a potted plant! What'd he want?"
"Measles."
"Huh?"
To Beon Saeng's confusion, Baek So-cheon smiled faintly and added,
"The measles you gotta get through once."