The End and the Beginning
The vast, distant snowy landscape of the North Sea stretched out like a painting. Snow flowers blanketed the mountain ridges in thick layers, piled so high they might have been gathering for ten thousand years. Ice gleamed with the clarity of transparent crystal. An endless sea of snow and ice stretched farther than the ocean itself.
“Haah… hah…!”
Every ragged breath I drew through my mangled body sent freezing air slicing deep into my lungs. The pain ripping through every inch of me was so severe that losing consciousness the moment I let my guard down wouldn’t have been surprising. And yet… the sight before my eyes was unbearably beautiful.
“...Fucking hell.”
It was a gift from the heavens. A view of pure white snow covering all of creation—the kind of scenery I had wanted to witness at least once in my lifetime. To think I would see it in such a pathetic state.
Biting my lip in resentment, the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
“...My right arm’s finished.”
The deep gash across my right shoulder had turned a dark, necrotic shade. The arm hanging beneath it dangled uselessly, completely numb as if it no longer belonged to me. The long sword I barely gripped in my left hand was chipped and notched everywhere; even a street urchin could tell the blade was one strike away from snapping.
If my right arm looked this bad, the rest of my body was no different. Large and small wounds covered me from head to toe. The silk robes I once wore had lost their color long ago, now blooming with crimson flowers of blood that resembled a field of red camellias.
Drip. Drop.
Blood from my wounds silently soaked into the snow. The red trails I left across the pure white surface felt like a cruel map, revealing every step of my path to my pursuers.
“Khk, cough! Damn it…! Kkhhk….”
I ground my teeth and spat out the bloody foam rising in my throat along with a sneer. Dark crimson splattered across the snow. The stench-filled curse scattered uselessly into the empty air.
My legs had gone almost completely numb and staggered wildly as I turned my head.
“...Haha.”
At least a hundred corpses lay scattered across the white snowfield. Men with necks half-severed by my blade, chests completely blown open, others sliced through the waist with their upper bodies buried in the snow…. The only emotion left in their wide, vacant eyes was bitter, seething hatred.
“Kkhhk…. Yeah. It really is one hell of a spectacle.”
For a masterpiece created with only my remaining left arm, it wasn’t half bad. Crimson bloodstains blooming vividly across pure white snow and glass-like ice. The way the dark red droplets scattered and seeped into the frozen surface reminded me of a renowned painter flicking pigment from his brush.
The awe-inspiring scene born from the perfect blend of red and white was so vivid that laughter unconsciously slipped from my lips.
From beyond the corpse pile, across the high ridge of accumulated snow, eight—no, closer to ten—martial artists chased after me in a line.
To shake off their bloodthirsty pursuit, I searched desperately for anywhere to throw my broken body.
“...Tsk. I never liked mountain climbing.”
The moment I spotted the base of the snowy mountain tangled with snow, moss, and rocks, I hurled myself into it without hesitation.
Crunch. Rustle. Scrape.
I clawed my way forward, practically crawling between frozen boulders and snow-laden trees. Every breath from my burning throat brought up fresh surges of blood.
“Cough, krrk…!”
The snow slid treacherously underfoot while sharp ice shards sliced through both cloth and flesh. Techniques like leaving no trace in snow or graceful lightness skills were nothing but distant dreams for this ruined body. Normally I could sprint across snow without leaving a single footprint, but now I was nothing more than a wounded animal leaving a trail of blood and prints for the hunters.
A single beast, grievously injured, desperately fleeing death. That was who I had become.
The footsteps and voices behind me only grew closer no matter how frantically I struggled.
“Ugh?!”
Thud!
My legs finally gave out. I rolled across the snow, crawled forward somehow, then leaned my back against a lonely white birch standing among the pines.
“Haa……”
The freezing chill clinging to the bark stabbed straight into my spine. When I exhaled from deep in my lungs, white mist bloomed before my eyes. Watching it scatter and vanish into the air, I smiled bitterly, thinking my own life would soon follow the same path.
The voice transmission shook the entire frozen mountain.
Hearing that while groaning in pain, I couldn’t help but snort.
“Ha, what a pack of absolute idiots.”
If they had mixed in some plausible lie like “Surrender and we’ll spare you” or “We’ll forgive your crimes,” I might have been tempted. But who in the world would obediently surrender to people who openly declared they would kill you no matter what?
Typical righteous faction morons. No wonder their women grow tired of them and crawl into my arms. A little flexibility never hurt anyone. Well, thanks to their stupidity, I was able to embrace many beautiful women and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
“Khk, kkhhk……”
As I let out a bloody chuckle, another voice transmission shook the snowy mountain from six directions.
The moment the title Red Lantern Demon Empress brushed my ears, the smile on my lips vanished.
“...”
Those four characters pierced my chest colder than the biting north wind cutting into my wounds.
……Hwa-ran.
The two short syllables tried to form but were swallowed along with the blood surging up my throat.
Hwa-ran. Hwa-ran. Damn it… you ended up going first after all…!
Her name echoed over and over in my mind. Along with it came the vivid memory of those straight, loving amber eyes that had always looked only at me.
“...Kh, ugh!!!”
I gritted my teeth and forced down the agony that tore through my entire body with even the slightest movement. Using the sword in my trembling left hand as a crutch, I whipped strength into my failing legs and forced myself upright.
Yeah. If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well go out in style.
That way, when I meet the women who trusted me and followed me into the afterlife, I won’t be too ashamed to face them…!
“Huup…!”
I inhaled the freezing air and forcibly gathered the last dregs of my inner energy. Then, using the same voice transmission technique as my pursuers, I shouted with a mocking laugh.
Satisfied with how clearly my voice rang across the snowy mountain, I nodded. I pricked my ears, curious what kind of reaction I would get, but only cold silence returned.
Kk, maybe that was unnecessary.
The thought crossed my mind, but imagining the faces they must be making right now brought another burst of laughter. They were probably rolling their eyes like rutting boars and grinding their teeth. Just picturing it made the corners of my mouth curl upward.
“Pff…. Kkhhk.”
Still sneering, I turned and staggered deeper into the mountain, dragging my failing legs.
Step. Step.
Crushing through deep snow, slamming my swaying body into frozen rocks, I pushed forward and upward.
How long had I walked? When my vision began to darken from exhaustion, I spotted a dark shadow gaping open between the snowflakes.
A cave…?
It was a fairly large cavern entrance. No presence could be felt inside aside from the whisper of wind.
“Not bad. This will do nicely.”
It seemed like the perfect gravesite. Nothing wrong with making my final stage and coffin right here. Just as I stepped forward—
Step.
A presence bloomed behind me along with footsteps.
“...Tsk. Already here?”
Sighing, I slowly turned my head.
Two people stood before me, radiating sharp killing intent. One was a middle-aged man with a rather handsome face marred by a deep sword scar. Without a word, he chewed his lip and pointed the tips of the twin blades in both hands directly at me. Thinly honed killing intent wrapped around my throat like threads, wavering like heat haze.
Beside him stood a woman who appeared somewhat older but still possessed excellent features. Her eyes were cold as ice, her lips set in a firm line. She must have been an extraordinary beauty in her youth. Even now, ten years younger and she could have been the marquee attraction of any high-class brothel.
Any martial artist in the gangho—even third-rate trash—would recognize their faces and names.
The moment I saw them, a faint chuckle escaped me.
“Hey, you persistent bastard. Stop chasing me already. Am I your runaway wife or something?”
I flashed a sneering smile at the man, refusing to show the agony from my wounds. I had no intention of displaying weakness to the bastard who had given me this shoulder injury.
“If the Murim Alliance Leader is neglecting the Central Plains to come all the way to this remote North Sea, the position must be pretty cushy, huh? If you’ve got that much free time, why not go chase some skirts instead of coming here to suffer?”
I grumbled with clear irritation, but the man’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.
Kiiiiing…!
Deep blue sword energy began coiling around the twin blades aimed at me. At that moment, the woman quietly raised a hand to stop him.
“Alliance Leader, a moment please.”
“...”
The man raised one eyebrow and glanced at her. She shook her head once, then turned her gaze directly to me.
Her eyes were like a serene lake or an immovable great mountain. From between her beautiful lips came a coldly sunken voice.
“Wi Yeon-seol. Beautiful Face Heavenly Killer. One of the Seven Evils of the Murim.”
Her voice was gentle yet pierced clearly into the ear.
“I will say it once more. Discard your weapon and surrender. Answer my questions, and I will at least spare your life.”
“Oh, you know that title?”
At least spare your life. Yeah, if you’re going to bluff, at least make it sound convincing.
I wiped the blood from my mouth and smiled brightly at her.
“Beautiful Face Heavenly Killer. It’s my favorite title. Much better than those vulgar ones like Lustful Demon or Lewd Demon.”
“...”
Apparently not the answer she expected, she frowned slightly and glared.
“Sword Empress of Botamun, Yeon-jin. Correct? Your secular name was Seo Ryeon-ju, I believe.”
A faint smile played on my lips as I continued.
“I’ve seen your portrait several times, but this is our first face-to-face meeting. Your sword really is as fierce as the rumors say.”
“...So it seems.”
She remained silent for a moment before answering in a slightly subdued voice.
“You slipped away like a loach at every turn. Now that I’ve finally seen that infamous face of yours, I can finally set my mind at ease.”
“Hahaha!”
I laughed loudly, shoulders shaking. Every laugh churned my battered organs, but with a woman standing before me, the pain barely registered.
“What’s this? Don’t tell me even the Sword Empress of Botamun was one of those righteous heroines secretly pining for Wi Yeon-seol? Though it’s a shame. Even if your youthful beauty hasn’t completely faded, you’re a bit too old for me to—”
Swish!!!
A chilling cutting sound rang out before I could finish. Hot, sharp pain sliced across my face.
Drip. Drip.
Blood from the red line on my right cheek fell onto the snow, leaving dark spots.
When I lifted my head, the Sword Empress had drawn her blade at some point and was glaring at me with eyes like frost.
“You should watch your mouth. A wreck like you can be beheaded at any time.”
Well, she wasn’t wrong.
I wiped the flowing blood with the back of my hand and answered in an even more exaggerated tone.
“My mistake. Even the world’s Sword Empress is still a woman, so age must be a sensitive subject, huh?”
“...”
Her eyes grew even colder, but I kept talking.
“Still, it is a shame. You should have just cut my head off. Dying by the hand of a beauty like you wouldn’t leave many regrets.”
“...”
I expected some kind of response after talking this much, but she simply stared straight at my face without replying. A heavy silence fell. Only chilly killing intent and piercing gazes crossed the air.
“What, cat got your tongue—?”
“When the star of Yeomcheon falls to the ground, the entire Central Plains will be engulfed in flames. Have you ever heard those words?”
The moment I spoke because the sunken atmosphere was making my skin crawl, the Sword Empress asked a strange question.
“First time hearing it. What the hell does that mean?”
“Stop playing dumb and answer me.”
I spat out the blood pooled in my mouth and answered indifferently. Her eyes shook. Impatience crept into her once-gentle voice.
“We already know you have been moving according to the Flame Blood Demon’s will.”
“Bullshit.”
I bared my teeth at the ridiculous claim.
“I only move according to the will of my dick. And who the hell is the Flame Blood Demon? The Heavenly Demon’s idiot little brother?”
“...!”
Her lips twisted slightly at my curt reply. She bit her lip, unable to immediately refute, then continued with clear anxiety.
“That can’t be. You must have known his plan. That’s why you fled to the North Sea.”
Her straight gaze was sincere. She truly believed I had conspired with this Flame Blood Demon.
Disappointing a beauty wasn’t to my taste, but I let out a hollow laugh and shook my head.
“I don’t know anything about any plan.”
I glanced up at the pale snowflakes drifting across the sky, swallowed more blood, and muttered.
“I came to the North Sea to see that supposedly beautiful snowy landscape once before I died.”
“...Ugh…!”
Sensing the sincerity in my words, the Sword Empress bit her lip in frustration and turned her head sharply.
“I told you, Elder Yeon-jin.”
The man who had remained silent until now slowly shook his head.
“There’s no way that idiot would know anything.”
Idiot? This bastard…?
“Oh ho, our Moyong young master’s grown quite the head on his shoulders, hasn’t he?”
I didn’t bother holding back the chuckle.
“Last time we met, you were a snot-nosed brat who ran away with only your life after I beat you half to death. Seems you’ve forgotten who gave you that lovely scar across your handsome face.”
I deliberately stared at the deep scar crossing his face with a sneer.
“Having titles like Sword Saint and Murim Alliance Leader must have made you blind to reality?”
The moment my mocking words trailed off—
Rumble…!!
Rough footsteps kicked up snow from all directions, echoing across the ridge.
“He’s here! It’s him!!!”
“The Alliance Leader and Sword Empress are with him!”
Five or six martial artists appeared from the slope. Their eyes all burned with murderous intent as they fixed on me, breathing heavily.
Huh. Even after killing so many, this many are still left.
I steadied my breathing and scanned the newcomers. The one who stood out most was a giant with muscles like a mountain. In one hand he held a massive cleaving saber that could easily split several men in half.
“Haah, hah…!!”
The giant glared at me with bloodshot eyes, then growled through gritted teeth.
“Lustful Demon…! We finally meet, you worthless piece of filth…!”
As if his shout was a signal, the others began venting their resentment one after another.
“I’ve waited only for this moment…!”
“How dare you touch my daughter…!”
“Today I will finally cut off your head and resolve this grudge…!”
Facing their murderous expressions, I tilted my head with an exasperated sigh.
“Who the hell are you people?”
““?!””
The question slipped out without me even raising an eyebrow. Their eyes widened simultaneously.
Well, I can guess, obviously.
Whether daughters, fiancées, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, or wives—they were all men whose women had passed through my hands at some point.
“You dare say you don’t know me…!”
The giant with the cleaving saber at the front ground his teeth.
“I am Paeng Il-seop, head of the Hebei Paeng Clan and the greatest blade master under heaven!”
“...Huh?”
The name carried such force that my ears rang. I frowned. No matter how hard I searched my memory, that free-spirited face didn’t ring any bells.
“Sorry, but I really don’t know you.”
I shrugged at the giant who had introduced himself as Paeng Il-seop.
“I don’t have the hobby of remembering men’s names or faces. Though I do remember a few Paeng Clan women I shared the pleasures of clouds and rain with. Tsk.”
“...This bastard…?!”
They were cheerful women with excellent physiques who recovered quickly even after intense sessions. A pleasant memory surfaced and I licked my lips. Blood vessels bulged visibly in Paeng Il-seop’s eyes.
“...Then what about the name Hwang So-yeon?”
The familiar name jumped out between gritted teeth and rough breaths.
“Because of you touching our precious daughter-in-law and running away, my son has fallen into qi deviation! He can’t even walk properly, let alone speak!”
“Ah, Hwang So-yeon?!”
I brightened as the woman’s face immediately came to mind.
“Of course I remember. That lady with the impressive hips I met in Hebei!”
I didn’t bother holding back the short laugh.
“Hwang So-yeon was your son’s wife? She kept clinging to me complaining that her husband’s dick was too small to satisfy her. I wondered what kind of pathetic man she’d married. But if you’re his father, does that mean you also—”
“YOU BASTAAAAARD!!!”
The giant’s eyes rolled back completely as he roared loud enough to shake the mountain.
A massive blade descended like lightning, cleaving snow and ice apart with thunderous force.
“Ugh…!!!”
I barely avoided the strike by executing the Falling Swallow Step.
KWAAAAAANG!!!
A thunderous explosion sent snow and ice flying in all directions. The spot where I had been standing split open as if struck by lightning.
In the rising cloud of snow, the instant his breathing faltered, I hurled the sword from my left hand with all my remaining strength.
Swoosh!
The blade shot forward like an arrow, piercing through bone and flesh with a sickening sound as it embedded itself in the giant’s shoulder.
“Kuagh! You son of a bitch?!”
“Hahahahaha!”
Satisfied by the short scream and the bloody stench carried on the wind, I turned and sprinted deeper into the cave with every ounce of strength I had left.
“You think I’ll die that easily? Even in death, I refuse to die at the hands of an ugly bastard like you!”
Gathering the last of my strength, I raced into the dark cavern. Angry footsteps and curses pounded after me across the snowfield.
“After him! Capture him at all costs!”
“I’ll cut out that filthy tongue before I carve out his crotch!”
I ran until my lungs burned, staring only forward. Dark rock walls slammed into my shoulders. Sharp stones scraped my sides. The pain from the wounds I had been suppressing, along with my worsening internal injuries, finally burst free.
“Cough!!… Kek, kuaah…!”
Something surged from the center of my chest. Unable to hold it back, I collapsed against the cave wall, hand braced for support.
“Damn… it…”
Black, rotten blood poured from my throat onto the ground as I looked ahead with narrowed eyes.
The path ended abruptly as if cut by a blade. Instead of ground, a black abyss gaped wide open before my feet. I peered down, but only endless darkness stretched below. Nothing else was visible.
I picked up a nearby stone and hurled it downward. No sound returned.
A true bottomless pit.
So this is the end.
Step. Step.
To make matters worse, footsteps approached from behind. Wiping the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand, I slowly raised my head.
“...”
The Sword Empress stood there, silently glaring at me. The tip of her sword, wrapped in transparent energy, aimed at my chest without the slightest hesitation. Her eyes remained cold, her lips firm and resolute. Even now, she was a truly beautiful woman despite her age.
Kk. If I had known it would end like this, I should have tried seducing her when she was younger.
Along with that small regret came an unexpected sense of relief. At least I would meet my end in the company of a beauty.
“...Haha.”
My heart felt strangely light. Even if she was a bit old, dying alongside a beauty left no regrets. In this state, I wouldn’t last much longer anyway. Rather than being captured alive, dismembered, and fed to dogs, deciding my own end wasn’t so bad.
I looked straight into the Sword Empress’s face, engraving her image into my mind as the last beauty I would see in this life—
“Wait—!”
I turned my back on her as she tried to speak and threw myself into the endless abyss below.