Black Flame Dragon That Quells Chaos (9)
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Curses exploded in my mind dozens of times. I'd risked my life to master the Sword Demon's techniques, but the damn Sword Evil was trembling like a dog spotting a tiger, and instead, the wrong one—the Axe Evil—got his head chopped off.
Of course, I didn't mind killing the Axe Evil with my own hands. The bastard was a raving lunatic who reveled in murder and arson. Cleaning up scum like him was a good deed for the martial world.
But still.
If I'd known the Axe Evil was coming, I never would've pulled that insane stunt of learning the Sword Demon's arts.
I'd somehow grasped the first form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms, but my body had turned into a complete wreck because of it. It wasn't damage to my meridians or dantian. On the contrary, sparring with the Sword Demon had brought enlightenment, transforming my body once more, and the qi flowing through my meridians was as unstoppable as the Yangtze River.
This outward ruin was purely because my body couldn't withstand the excessive training. At this point, I felt like an idiot for worrying that the Black Dao thugs wouldn't accept the duel results. Hell, I almost wished they'd all charge me now. If their brutality hadn't pissed me off so much, I wouldn't have gone this far.
"Sword Evil. You really not coming at me? Don't you hold a grudge?"
When I called out to him, he flinched like a startled child—hic.
Hic? A grown-ass man going 'hic'...
"Saak! W-We gotta run! Hurry!"
The Sword Evil grabbed Saak, who had bandages wrapped around his legs, and started dragging him backward in retreat. Saak couldn't even shake off his hand, just staring at me blankly.
"...Mukk Blood Room, anyone refusing to accept the duel outcome? If so, come on up."
"......"
The Mukk Blood Room lot eyed each other, muttering you go, no you go.
I glanced at the other Seven Evils standing with the Black Wind Palace Lord.
"None of you here to avenge the Axe Evil?"
"......"
They exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward. Then the Spear Evil spoke up.
"...Was that really the Sword Demon's technique you used?"
"You saw it. Why ask?"
"...For real?"
The Spear Evil's face stiffened. The Black Dao crowd gathered at Yujangmun began murmuring in agitation.
"...Does that mean you're the Sword Demon's disciple?"
"I'm a disciple of Tae-eul Gate."
"Then how do you know his arts? Did you learn them directly?"
The Sword Demon had sworn to break the legs of anyone claiming even a scrap of his knowledge. With my perfect memory, especially for warnings from someone like him, I never disobeyed.
"No."
"Then...?"
"I stole them."
"Huh?"
The Spear Evil's eyes went wide. The murmurs among the Black Dao grew louder.
The Sword Demon told me to say that, so it's not a lie.
Damn right.
"He stole the Sword Demon's arts."
"Crazy, does that even make sense?"
"Maybe it does... It's the Black Dao Alliance's joint battle, right?"
"Ah! The Black Dao Saint!"
Black Dao Saint aside, what the hell was this 'joint battle' nonsense?
"Curiosity satisfied? Come on up already!"
I wanted to shake off this foul mood as soon as possible. I wanted the reward for all my suffering!
Aaah, craving blood like this proves there's something sinister in the Sword Demon's arts. A natural Daoist like me would never feel the urge to beat someone to death.
"...We're hires of the Black Wind Palace. It was the Axe Evil's fault for sticking his neck into Mukk Blood Room business from the start."
With that, the Spear Evil stepped back and crossed his arms. The Black Wind Palace Lord glared at him in disbelief, but the Spear Evil shot back a defiant what're you gonna do about it? look.
"No one else?"
"......"
I scanned the Black Dao mob and spoke. Using my Black Dragon Sword as a cane, I took a couple steps forward and repeated myself.
"Anyone coming or not?"
Shh-shh-shh—
The Black Dao crowd retreated a couple steps in unison.
I advanced three more steps.
Shh-shh-shh—
They backpedaled five steps together.
"......"
What, was I contagious or something?
#
The 'Duel Decisive Battle' ended just like that. Right there, Mukk Blood Room's representative wrote a pledge to compensate Yujangmun for damages and support the bereaved families before slinking away. The Yujangmun, swarming with people moments ago, emptied out in half a day. Only shattered halls, crumbled walls, and the ruins of the main gate remained, adding to the desolate air.
"Senior Brother, what the hell happened?"
Eunho stared at me in disbelief. I gulped down water nonstop as I replied.
"Once you reach the Jade Petal Golden Flower stage, the upper dantian opens, and mental images can manifest as reality. That means mental training equals real training."
"And?"
"The speed of the mind outpaces reality. It's the fastest way to grow strong in a short time. I'll pass it on later."
"...No thanks. I just wanna stack failures day by day in the real world."
Eunho shuddered like he'd seen something he shouldn't have. Fair enough—it wasn't a method I'd recommend. Only possible for me thanks to my perfect memory. If an ordinary person got lost in delusions during mental training, it'd lead straight to qi deviation.
Thinking back still pissed me off. Why'd I risk my life for those Black Dao bastards? I knew they followed the law of the jungle—strong eat weak—but this was beyond spineless.
Eunho, still trembling, looked around and asked.
"What happens to Yujangmun now?"
We'd won against Mukk Blood Room and defended the sect's honor, but the mood wasn't celebratory. The physician from the Dang family examined Jang Sagyeong and declared his innate essence shattered beyond repair. If not for that Dang physician, he'd have died the moment the duel ended—they'd barely kept him alive this long. Yujangmun's disciples had gathered for final words with their leader.
I glanced at them holding back tears and turned to Eunho.
"What do you think?"
"......"
Eunho pondered long before answering.
"Not sure, but... they'll get even stronger from now on, right?"
In my previous life, Yujangmun was wiped out at the start of the Upright-Demonic Great War. Ordered by Jeomcheong with no proper intel, the entire sect faced the Demonic Cult—and Jeomcheong took zero responsibility.
But this life, Yujangmun would forge a different path. I thought of Jang Sagyeong, who'd created that new future.
"I think so too."
Soon after, those who'd bid farewell emerged from the hall one by one. Most wept openly, heads bowed to hide their grief, but tears kept flowing uncontrollably. Eunho clamped his mouth shut at the sight.
I told him,
"This isn't just Yujangmun's story."
"...Yes."
He'd get it from that much. The kid was sharp.
"Young Hero Jin."
Yujangmun's steward called me, eyes red and bloodshot.
"Yes."
"The sect leader wishes to see you."
"...Understood."
I rose slowly.
#
Flanking the room were Jang Sagyeong's senior brothers and Jang Ujae, sitting silently. Straight ahead, Jang Sagyeong lay lifeless, smiling faintly at me.
"Come in, Young Hero Jin."
With my deepened inner strength and heightened qi sense, sensing others came naturally without effort. But from Jang Sagyeong now? Nothing. All the energy sustaining him had dried up.
Without the Dang physician constantly administering acupuncture, moxibustion, and qi infusions at his side, he couldn't even sit and talk like this.
"I heard... you fetched the Dang physician two days ago. How'd you know to tamper with my innate essence?"
Two days ago, Jang Sagyeong reminded me of Hong Moon-gi in my past life. He'd burned himself out to save his disciples without hesitation.
Maybe I'd seen the Hong Moon-gi I couldn't save back then in Jang Sagyeong.
"Just a hunch."
Jang Sagyeong stared, then smiled softly.
"A young hero like you must've endured quite the ordeals."
"...There must've been a wiser way. I'm sorry for my shortcomings."
He shook his head slowly.
"No. I couldn't ask for more. I'll never forget this grace. I've told my son, and his children after him, the same."
His words, like a final testament, unleashed sobs from those around.
"Truly grateful, Young Hero Jin. I don't know what virtue I accumulated in a past life, but thanks to you, I can close my eyes in peace."
"......"
Jang Sagyeong looked at his son, Jang Ujae.
"Bring it."
"Yes."
Jang Ujae placed something from behind him before his father. Jang Sagyeong pushed a wooden tray toward me with trembling hands.
On it sat a small, azure crystal gem.
"It's called the Wind Spirit."
"Wind Spirit?"
Not even in my vast mental library.
"A relic of our founder, the Flying Willow Sword Immortal. It prevents hunger and thirst—perfect for someone like you, Young Hero Jin, who roams the jianghu."
A founder's relic? I paled and refused.
"I didn't do it for reward. I can't accept something so precious."
Jang Sagyeong grinned widely.
"That's exactly why I'm giving it, Young Hero Jin. What hero in the world would risk his life without expecting anything?"
"......"
"It holds my small wish: that your benevolent influence spread across the land, awakening many eyes."
I'd only moved to erase nightmares from my memory...
"You say you didn't intend that... but that's how you see it?"
What? Jang Sagyeong laughed heartily, as if enlightened.
"As the end nears, things unseen come into view. Don't worry, Young Hero Jin. Whatever your intent, we've received a debt we can't repay. If I died without giving this, I'd haunt myself with guilt even in death."
His dark joke drew a reluctant smile. I bowed deeply, clasping my fists.
"...I'll gratefully accept the sect leader's gift."
As I raised my head, our eyes met.
"How's that? Think I did well?"
I nodded.
"Couldn't have been better."
We shared a smile, eyes locked. The Dang physician met my gaze and shook his head. Time to leave them alone.
I slipped quietly from the room.
"How can the moon be so bright?"
Staring blankly at it over Yujangmun, sobs swelled from the hall.
"On a night like this, some clouds would be nice."
Soon, the cries spread throughout Yujangmun.