The Creator of the Full Moon
The gaze was terrifying.
The murderous glare directed at me felt intense enough to freeze my body on the spot.
Crazy. What on earth is that?
I did everything in my power to keep my face neutral.
The gaze scanning me was thick with yin energy.
It was so intense that the room felt freezing cold.
This is driving me insane.
The vibes were terrible right from the start. I couldn't examine it closely, but it was definitely a ghost.
And not just any ghost.
...It's incredibly strong.
This wasn't some run-of-the-mill spirit; its presence was overwhelming.
Its form was remarkably distinct, and the yin energy radiating from it was immense.
The only saving grace was that it didn't seem to be an evil spirit—
Never mind. It was definitely an evil spirit.
Dammit...
I swallowed hard, trying my best to hide the cold sweat breaking out on my skin.
Just then, I felt gazes landing on me from both sides.
Do-hyeong and Cheon Ui-jin were staring at me. What was it? Why were they... Ah, right.
Dang Gyeong-ak had just asked who the successor of the Sword Saint was.
"..."
I hesitated for a long moment. Normally, I would have answered without a second thought, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
How was I supposed to speak up when that spirit was glaring around with flashing eyes, looking for me?
...What on earth did you do, old man?
What did that wretched old man do to make this ghost growl so terrifyingly? Countless questions flashed through my mind, but...
"It's me."
It wasn't a situation where I could just stand there in silence.
As I spoke and stepped forward, I felt the gazes of one living man and one dead spirit lock onto me.
Dang Gyeong-ak stared at me with a look that asked, So it was you?
Meanwhile, the ghost behind him...
The spirit floated right up to my nose, thrusting its face directly into mine.
Holy shit, that was terrifying.
It approached so suddenly that I almost screamed out loud. But then...
The ghost scanned me up and down, its voice laced with deep skepticism.
It looked utterly baffled.
For some reason, it felt incredibly insulting.
"Did you say your name was Young Hero Bang Seong-yeon?"
"Yes."
I nodded at Dang Gyeong-ak's question.
"Are you saying you are Elder Yoo's successor?"
"That is correct."
"Hmm."
Just like the ghost, Dang Gyeong-ak scrutinized me from head to toe.
After a brief silence, he slowly rose from his seat.
"Dang Gyeong-ak of the Dang Clan greets the successor of the Sword Saint."
"...!"
He was showing me formal respect. One of the Five Kings of the Realm was bowing to me.
I froze reflexively.
I never expected the Poison King himself to show me such courtesy. Sensing the gravity of the moment, Do-hyeong and Cheon Ui-jin looked equally shocked.
It was just like before. I couldn't afford to remain frozen for long.
I quickly returned the gesture.
"...I am Bang Seong-yeon of the Yo-ryeong Bang family. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Dang."
Earlier, I had introduced myself as Bang Seong-yeon of Cheongwol Gate, but this time, I invoked the Yo-ryeong Bang family.
This was strictly because I was meeting the clan leader as the successor of the Sword Saint.
Dang Gyeong-ak's attitude reflected this as well. He had bowed to me not as a mere disciple of Cheongwol Gate, but as the heir to the Sword Saint.
Even now, the ghost hovering behind Dang Gyeong-ak wore a deeply dissatisfied expression, but I had to ignore it.
After exchanging greetings, I presented the wooden case I was holding to Dang Gyeong-ak.
"...This is my master's possession, as mentioned in the letter."
"So this is it..."
As I offered the box containing Man-wol, Dang Gyeong-ak slowly reached out.
He moved as if to touch it, so I pulled the case back toward myself.
"...?"
"*Gasps.*"
The two talented guys standing beside me flinched at my action.
Their faces practically screamed, What on earth are you doing to the Poison King?
I understood their reaction. If I were in their shoes, I would have thought it was madness too. But I had a clear reason.
I looked directly at Dang Gyeong-ak and spoke.
"Lord Dang. You have not stamped the seal yet."
"..."
Dang Gyeong-ak's eyes narrowed slightly.
I worried he might take offense at being corrected, but it was something that had to be said.
"Ah, my apologies," Dang Gyeong-ak said, offering an apology first.
"I was so eager to see the elder's weapon that I committed a grave discourtesy. Please forgive me."
"Not at all. It is entirely understandable."
As soon as I finished speaking, Dang Gyeong-ak pulled a document from his desk. It bore the official crest of the Dang Clan.
Seeing this, I nudged Do-hyeong in the ribs.
Only then did Do-hyeong pull a document from his robes. This one was stamped with the crest of Cheongwol Gate.
The two men exchanged the papers.
"As the head of the Dang Clan, I officially accept the request of Cheongwol Gate."
"As the representative of Cheongwol Gate's sect leader, I acknowledge the Dang Clan's acceptance."
With those words, both sides stamped their respective seals onto the documents.
The request was now officially accepted.
Only after confirming the documents were safely tucked away did I hand the wooden case back to Dang Gyeong-ak.
He took it and cracked the lid open slightly.
"..."
After quietly inspecting the contents, he closed it.
"The item is verified. I will issue the order to the Cheolgang as requested."
He closed the case and addressed us.
Hearing those words, everyone nodded in relief.
The Cheolgang...
From what I knew, that was the place where the Dang Clan forged their metalwork.
The legendary weapons and tools of the Dang Clan—items so rare that even boundless wealth couldn't buy them—all originated from there.
"You must be exhausted after such a long journey. I suggest you rest well today, and we shall meet again tomorrow. How does that sound?"
"Thank you for your consideration."
Do-hyeong bowed without saying anything more.
He clearly wanted to rest if given the chance. I felt the exact same way.
Now that we had delivered Man-wol as planned, it was time to relax a bit.
Just as I was about to step out the door, however...
"Ah, Young Hero Bang, could you stay behind for a brief chat?"
"Pardon?"
Dang Gyeong-ak's request made me freeze.
Me...? The ghost behind him was already glaring at me, making me incredibly uncomfortable, and now he wanted me to stay?
I stared at Dang Gyeong-ak, desperately wishing to leave, but...
"It concerns the request."
"..."
He presented a justification I couldn't refuse.
With a defeated expression, I turned to the other two.
"...I'll see you guys later."
I felt like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
Do-hyeong and Cheon Ui-jin left, leaving only Dang Gyeong-ak and me in the room.
I swallowed hard, feeling an impending sense of indigestion.
"I apologize for keeping you when you must be tired," Dang Gyeong-ak said.
"Not at all. A private audience with the Lord of the Dang Clan is a rare privilege. Please do not worry about it."
It was true. Who else would get an opportunity like this?
I never imagined in my entire life that I would have a private meeting with the head of the Dang Clan. And I would have happily gone my whole life without knowing what it felt like.
Especially...
...especially because of the ghost that had been thrusting its face in front of mine for the past few minutes.
It was highly distracting. I wished it would stop circling around me.
The ghost sounded incredibly certain. Honestly, I couldn't help but agree with it.
What was with this spirit? Its words hit surprisingly close to home.
Was it actually a decent ghost? No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions just because of that—
It was official. This was a very good ghost.
"Young Hero Bang."
"...Ah, yes, Lord Dang."
I snapped out of my brief daze.
"Do you know why I kept you behind like this?"
Did I know why? Well...
"I assume it is because of Man-wol, as you mentioned."
"Indeed."
*Creak.* Dang Gyeong-ak reopened the wooden case in front of me. He then picked up Man-wol from inside.
The moment the ghost saw the sword, it spoke up in irritation.
It seemed furious, floating close to Man-wol and grinding its teeth. I wondered why it was so angry, but then...
"...!"
I forced my body to remain completely still. If I hadn't, I would have jumped up in shock.
Forged it for him?
This ghost forged Man-wol? This was completely unexpected information.
Come to think of it...
Didn't they say that the old man's secret snack vault back at Cheongwol Gate was also built by the Dang Clan?
I was pretty sure that was the case.
Was this just a coincidence? No matter how I looked at it, it couldn't be.
Maybe I should have insisted he come with me.
Yoo Chun-gil wasn't by my side right now. The moment we arrived in Sichuan, he had vanished, saying he had somewhere to go.
I couldn't believe how free-spirited a ghost could be. How was he even a ghost if he could just wander wherever he pleased?
Actually, maybe it's better that he didn't come.
Who could have guessed that a ghost would be clinging to the Poison King? Given the current situation, it might have been for the best.
In any case...
Putting those thoughts aside for now, I focused on the Poison King sitting before me.
"Do you remember the condition the Dang Clan set for Cheongwol Gate when we agreed to repair this sword?"
"...I remember."
That condition was the whole reason I had come here, so of course I remembered.
"That the successor of the Sword Saint must bring Man-wol in person. Was that not it?"
"Correct."
How could I forget when that damn condition had dragged me all the way to Sichuan? But what was his intention in bringing it up now? As I stared at the Poison King with questioning eyes, he continued.
"The reason the Dang Clan insisted on seeing you, Young Hero Bang, is because of the last will of our previous clan leader."
He explained, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"His last will?"
"He wished to see Man-wol again, which he considered the greatest masterpiece of his life. And I heard he had made a promise with Elder Yoo."
A sense of unease washed over me. The previous clan leader had forged Man-wol. That was surprising enough, but... the very entity who claimed to have forged it was floating right in front of me.
"May I ask what that promise was...?"
"They agreed that if they both took on disciples in the future, they would have them duel to see whose disciple was stronger."
"...Wow."
What an absolutely terrible promise. Truly cursed.
"Surely... you didn't call me here just for that...?"
"Since both elders have already passed away, there is no need to force the issue... but as it was his dying wish, I believe we should honor it. What do you think, Young Hero?"
"..."
He wanted me to come all the way to Sichuan just to duel some random person over a dead man's wish? And in the Dang Clan estate, of all places?
Hmm.
Just thinking about it gave me chills. I absolutely detested the idea. Naturally, I wanted to refuse, but...
How should I go about it? After pondering for a brief moment, I spoke to Dang Gyeong-ak.
"...I don't mind doing it, but I have one condition."
"Hmm?"
Dang Gyeong-ak's expression hardened at my words. A condition? I was suddenly proposing a condition?
"Young Hero Bang, what do you mean by..."
The Poison King spoke with a look of disbelief.
Since they were repairing Man-wol out of goodwill, this wasn't a situation where I had the leverage to demand conditions. My audacity to bring up a condition seemed to have displeased him.
However, the words that followed from my mouth forced Dang Gyeong-ak to react differently.
"I don't think I can lend you Man-wol."
"...What?"
"You need it right now, don't you? Man-wol, that is."
"..."
The silent ghost reacted to my calm statement.
*Whoosh!*
Along with those words, a suffocating chill swept through the room.