231. <Darkness Within Darkness>
[You're something else. You really plan on getting a weapon ready for a child who hasn't even been born yet?]
A smile played at the lips of the woman speaking from the darkness.
Ak Byeongbi put on airs, finding her pitiful tone endearing despite her expression.
[It's our child. He'll probably become the best in the world. It's not too early to prepare for such a kid.]
The woman shook her head as if she couldn't deal with him.
[Just how big a burden do you plan on putting on that child?]
In truth, Ak Byeongbi didn't expect anything grand from the child either. He had simply wondered what he could give to express this overwhelming emotion toward the child about to be born.
That it ended up being a weapon was a bit pathetic, even by his own standards.
The woman gently stroked her belly.
[I just want our child to live healthily and happily.]
[Hmm... Then what should I prepare? Maybe buy some land or an inn?]
[Good grief...]
Ak Byeongbi enjoyed watching her shake her head as if scolding him for not knowing what truly mattered.
He liked that gaze that looked at him pitifully.
He simply liked that face beaming at him as if she owned the world.
[All you need to do is stay by my side.]
Was that enough? Could one truly live happily with just that?
[Yes. That's more than enough for me and our child.]
⋯
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[But...]
Blood trickled from the woman's mouth.
[But... you...]
Blood began pouring between her legs.
[You can't even do that much...]
The woman reached out resentfully as she collapsed to the floor.
Ak Byeongbi tried to rush to her like a madman, but chains bound his body tight, leaving him unable to move.
[Kekeke... Useless fool...]
Gu Gyeak, who had obscured the woman's form, looked at Ak Byeongbi with pity.
Flames ignited in Ak Byeongbi's eyes at that gaze.
"You bastard... You bastard...!"
[Live with regret and despair for the rest of your life.]
"Gu Gyeak!!!"
Clank, clank.
He summoned all his inner energy and thrashed wildly, but his body wouldn't budge.
Thrash, thrash, thrash.
Ak Byeongbi began convulsing so violently that the entire bed shook.
The physician and attendants rushed in to restrain him, but he wouldn't calm down.
"Seal his pressure points! His meridians!"
"It won't work, Physician!"
"He's using innate essence...!"
"Damn it!"
There were tales of martial artists who could channel energy even while unconscious, but using innate essence in that state? That was a first.
What could be driving this patient to such desperate frenzy?
"No choice for it."
At that moment, Dang Seohee, who had been waiting as a guardian, unfolded her arms and stepped forward.
"I'll handle it."
The physician shook his head.
"No medicine or needles can penetrate the patient right now! Step aside."
"I know that much. But..."
From Dang Seohee's bosom emerged three small inlaid bottles and three long silver needles.
"We haven't tried poison yet."
"What? You can't mean... If you do that to this patient..."
"Just enough not to kill him. So... no need to worry."
With a flick of her hand like fanning herself, the physician and attendants backed away in unison.
Ak Byeongbi's eyes rolled back, showing only whites, on the verge of exploding his essence and falling into qi deviation.
Dang Seohee began moving her hands with cold, sunken eyes.
"We're in a real bind here. He can't die like this."
The White Hand Saintess's hands sprang into motion.
The physician and attendants witnessed firsthand why her title included "Hundred Hands."
Day One
The number of people outside the lodging had grown even more.
Beyond the original guards, now there were folks loitering around the entire annex.
Some from Hwangsa Gate, others with unfamiliar auras.
"More and more people are gathering."
Hyeoltu clicked his tongue at my words as he studied a go record.
"These kids already had beef with the Murim Alliance. This is just the spark they needed."
"But you could handle them all, right, Elder Hyeoltu?"
"Huh?"
Huh what? Then why the hell are you even here?
"Aren't you here to protect me?"
"Well, on the surface, yeah. But the real purpose is probably keeping you lot from running off."
"..."
Even if we both knew the score, you don't say it outright.
I'd stirred up bad vibes for nothing.
Anyway, just sitting here waiting was dangerous.
We didn't know what decision Sahyeokryeon would make internally, and if we waited too long, we might miss our chance to respond.
"Let me meet the Sahyeokryeon Lord."
"Huh? Why tell me?"
"You're my only option for help right now."
"Help?"
Hyeoltu smirked without taking his eyes off the record.
"You think I have that kind of pull?"
"The great Hyeoltu isn't a fool. You wouldn't blindly follow some new outfit like Sahyeokryeon, right? You're probably here on a personal request from the Sahyeokryeon Lord himself."
Hyeoltu's eyebrow twitched.
"Sharp kid. Different from the other Divine Saints, huh?"
Muttering something cryptic, he asked casually,
"What'll you do if you meet him?"
"Solve the problem."
"Problem?"
I'd regressed and come all this way.
No guarantee of a fourth life.
So no way was I dying here—
"I can't just roll over and die, right?"
"Ho?"
Hyeoltu's gaze finally turned to me.
"Gonna thrash till the end, even if it kills you?"
"Why assume death already?"
"Whatever."
Hyeoltu seemed uninterested and resumed his game.
Not his problem, huh?
"How about a bet then?"
I eyed the go record in his hand.
Hyeoltu looked up, intrigued.
"A bet?"
"If I win ten games of go, arrange the meeting with the Sahyeokryeon Lord."
"Hah! Flatter me a bit and now you grab for the reins! Fine then—"
Hyeoltu chuckled, then sobered.
"What do I get if you lose?"
I met his gaze steadily.
"What do you want?"
A smile crept onto Hyeoltu's lips.
"Your life."
Ilgak, meditating in the corner, whipped his head around.
"Jin mujang!"
Hyeoltu's cold voice crushed the air.
"If you don't like it, shut up and stay put. Your arrogance so far has already soured my mood."
Ilgak grabbed my arm and yanked.
I shook him off and stepped forward.
"Deal."
"What?"
"Jin mujang!"
I raised a hand to silence Ilgak.
"But if I win, you keep your promise."
"..."
Hyeoltu's face went utterly blank.
"Does my word sound like a joke?"
"Not at all."
"Or do you not value your life?"
"Neither."
I sat across from him, staring straight into his eyes.
"I just have no intention of waiting like an idiot for death."
"..."
I cleared the board, picked up a black stone.
Hyeoltu leaned in, watching closely.
"I don't hate cocky bastards. But the arrogant? I don't let them be."
He took the black stones from me.
"Won't take your life. But your left arm instead."
Lose the right, can't wield a sword. Left, lose the Azure Dragon Ring.
No other choice now.
"...Understood."
"Jin mujang!"
I shook my head slightly at Ilgak and placed a black stone on the board.
The match began in an instant.
Hyeoltu's eyes calmed.
"Yeom Gwi-bi."
"Yes."
"Grab his left arm."
"Hmph... No helping it. Even without one arm, my husband will still be my husband."
Shhrrk.
Yeom Gwi-bi undid her waist ornament, wrapping my left arm with a chain sword that rattled softly.
Her belt accessory was a flexible sword?
"Go should be fine with one hand, right?"
"...Please go easy."
Clack— clack— clack— clack— clack—
Only the sound of stones echoed in the room.
"Not widely known, but I have multiple identities."
Clack— clack— clack— clack— clack— clack—
My pace was steady, but Hyeoltu's was no slouch.
"One is the imperial knight 'Do-a'."
My hand froze.
The former imperial go master who created countless brilliant records—'Do-a.' Never thought it'd come up here.
Hyeoltu paused too, eyeing me.
"Know Do-a?"
I'd learned go from Do-a's records first, so his name was unforgettable.
"...End of days. Hyeoltu is Do-a... How'd you dodge that? Being unorthodox, it'd leak fast."
"Couldn't cut me loose. Too valuable to distance just for being black path."
Clack— clack— clack— clack— clack— clack—
Pace resumed.
Neither of us yielded in speed.
Having revealed himself, Hyeoltu asked graciously,
"Realize who you bet against now?"
"...Yes."
"Apologize and behave. I'll spar instead of taking the arm."
Tolerance from an unorthodox master? Surprising.
But.
I shook my head without hesitation.
"Let's keep going."
"...What?"
"Like I said, can't die like this."
Honestly, no confidence in martial arts.
Unless life-or-death foe.
Escape his grasp? Easier to slip Buddha's palm.
At least Buddha wouldn't smash your skull.
But go is different from martial arts.
"And I have confidence in go."
I pulled every one of the tens of thousands of go records from my mental library.
Hearing Ak Byeongbi had awakened, Hwang Bushik headed to the delegation's lodging.
Normally he'd report separately, but this was courtesy for a final farewell among them.
'I owe the Black Flame Dragon anyway.'
At the lodging, Hwang Bushik frowned at the black path martial artists camped nearby, radiating killing intent.
Putting emotions over procedure, they'd rushed here before any Sahyeokryeon command decision.
That's why they always lost to orthodox sects—the fools never learned.
"Clear them out."
"Yes."
At his order, iron-armored warriors dispersed the clustered black pathers.
Minor resistance, but no open rebellion yet.
How long would that last?
Gu Gyeak, de facto hawk leader, was dead, but sentiment swung harder to the hawks.
His backers emerged, building factions; doves lost ground.
This could spark real war.
Shaking his head, Hwang Bushik entered.
Unlike expected wait, the delegation and watchers were huddled together.
'Go?'
Intrigued, he approached quickly.
Hyeoltu and Jin Sowoon at the board; Yeom Gwi-bi binding Jin Sowoon's left arm with her chain sword.
Clack— clack— clack— clack— clack— clack—
Hyeoltu's skill was famed in black path Murim, but what shocked Hwang Bushik was Jin Sowoon.
Matching Hyeoltu's pace without slowing, like a sword dance.
Clack— clack— clack— clack— clack— clack—
Hwang Bushik knew little beyond rules, but sensed their moves were no joke.
'Still, can't beat Elder Hyeoltu.'
Unsure of details, but sensing Jin Sowoon risked his arm, he sighed inwardly.
Hyeoltu always collected on bets.
Jin Sowoon's arm was as good as gone.
'This is it.'
Divine Saints always overtrusted their talents and fell.
Pity the Black Flame Dragon followed suit.
He neared to check the board.
They placed stones relentlessly.
Hyeoltu paused first.
'Hm? Hah...!'
He glared at Jin Sowoon, unable to look away, fuming.
His body trembled faintly.
Hwang Bushik was stunned.
Hyeoltu, absolute master even in his childhood memories, ever composed—now rigid.
Unbelievable sight.
'...Pushed Elder Hyeoltu in go?'
How many go masters in black path—no, all Jianghu—could rattle him?
Hyeoltu's angry voice cut the air.
"How the hell did you do it?"
"Didn't 'do' anything. Just skill."
Hwang Bushik knew little of go, but the mood favored Jin Sowoon.
"..."
After glaring long, Hyeoltu sighed and placed two stones—conceding.
The chain sword released; Hyeoltu bowed his head.
"Ten wins filled. Keep your promise."
"Fine."
Not one game—ten?
Jin Sowoon noticed Hwang Bushik's blank stare.
"Has the Captain awakened?"
"...Uh? Y-yeah."
"Can we go now?"
"Ahem. Yeah, let's."
Bowed absolute master.
Emerging Divine Saint, shoulders squared, striding out confidently.
The bizarre scene felt oddly natural to Hwang Bushik.
Ak Byeongbi's condition looked dire even to me, sans expertise.
Ashen face. Sunken, charred eyes.
Physician said Dang Seohee forcibly woke someone who shouldn't.
Didn't look good.
But no time to coddle now.
This mess threatened us all because of him.
"Why'd you do it?"
Ak Byeongbi weakly lifted his head, fish-like eyes on me.
Veins webbed his, swirling with regret, remorse, despair.
"I..."
Cracked lips parted, rasping.
"Didn't do it."
"This ain't the time for lies to dodge crisis."
"..."
I barked at his sealed lips.
"Not just you—the whole delegation's lives hang on this."
This incident wouldn't end with one life.
It'd ripple to Murim Alliance, Sichuan warriors.
He'd shat big-time.
"That's the situation."
Ak Byeongbi, barely opening eyes, squeezed out,
"'That guy'—definitely dead?"
"Anyone could see Ak family's Blazing Spear traces."
Ak Byeongbi hung his head, sunk in deep regret, silent long.
Then lifted it.
"If my life settles it, fine. But... I truly didn't."
"..."
Unexpected words silenced me, Ilgak, Dang Seohee.
"Wanted it a hundred, thousand times. Vowed if the day came to shed all burdens... I'd rush to Hwangsa Gate without delay. But...!"
His dry, grating voice boomed gratingly.
"This time, I really didn't!"
"Can you swear it?"
"...On Ak family honor..."
I gazed into his bloodshot eyes.
"No. Stake something dearer."
He glared murderously.
Grinding teeth, he spat,
"...On my dead wife and unborn child."
Lips near bleeding.
"...Useless father couldn't avenge with his own hands."
He almost wished he had.
Couldn't doubt anymore.
"Then how'd you get wounded?"
"Don't know. Was drinking, thinking you returned—side burned, collapsed."
If true, someone ambushed both, framing Ak Byeongbi.
Realistic? Easier believing he speared Gu Gyeak in revenge.
Yet I trusted this pathetic-showing Ak Byeongbi.
"Insane."
Ilgak and Dang Seohee mirrored my expression.
They knew the gravity best.
Ak Byeongbi spoke.
"If it can't be contained, pin it all on me."
"..."
"Somehow shield Murim Alliance from fallout. ...You can do it."
What the hell?
Me handle that?
He bowed.
"...What're you doing?"
"Please. Do that, I'll ensure your clan gets full compensation."
Why this sudden humility?
"Ambushed—someone trapped you. Not wronged?"
"Can't risk you, Alliance, Sichuan warriors for my grievance."
He met my eyes squarely.
"Anyway, result's revenge done. No regrets left. Hang me and march on."
"Gruesome talk."
"Jin Sowoon!"
Calling with all strength, heavy voice.
"Can't fix every injustice marching forward. Sometimes bear and proceed. And—"
His eyes flashed.
"Now's that time."
"..."
"So go. Neither I nor Ak family will blame or hold you accountable."
No way hating him less from this.
Never planned fixing world's ills anyway.
But.
"Save that for bigger messes."
"Jin Sowoon!"
I patted his barely upright shoulder.
"This incident? Just catch the bastard who ambushed you two."
No easy paths yet.
Not the answer anyway.
"Don't worry. I swear I'll nab the culprit."
"..."
My firm vow.
"On my grandfather's honor!"
Ak Byeongbi clenched teeth, turned away sharply.
"..."
As I moved to leave, soothing Ak Byeongbi.
Silent Dang Seohee tilted her head.
"Jin Sowoon's grandfather a famous diviner?"
"...No, Anhui Province courier."
Her head tilted more.
"...Then why stake grandfather's honor?"
I shrugged.
"Only famous one in my family."
"..."
Turned Ak Byeongbi and Ilgak eyed me absurdly.
Tsk.
Ruined the mood over nothing.