Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: On the Road Back to Heaven-Covering Baek Clan
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On the road back to Heaven-Covering Baek Clan.
Zhuge Seol-ha watched Yang-hui as he ran on in silence.
He was always cheeky, endearingly so, the kind of person she could tease and joke with without ever feeling burdened.
But things were different now.
'This is the first time I've seen my senior brother make that kind of face.'
Her peer senior brother was someone who never lost his playful, self-assured smile, no matter the situation.
Even during their biggest crisis together at the Pure Sound Five Passes, hadn't he been the same?
Whenever Zhuge Seol-ha herself had given up, deeming it impossible, he would quirk up the corner of his mouth and find a way through.
'While I was lost in illusions, unable to even regain my senses... when I woke, senior brother was just calmly waiting for me.'
What was the first thing Yang-hui had said back then?
Ah, it wasn't words.
He had yelled "Wak!" so suddenly that it startled her.
'He must have relived those horrific pasts countless times by then.'
And yet, he still had the leisure to joke around.
That same person now...
His lips pressed tightly together. Eyes cold yet burning.
"Senior brother... you can get angry too, huh."
The words must have slipped out unwittingly.
Dang Gun, running alongside her, picked up on it.
"Not to this extent, but it's not the first time, little sister."
"Ah. You heard that?"
Zhuge Seol-ha made a sheepish face for a moment before continuing.
No, seeing Yang-hui's sharp awareness, she sent a transmission instead.
-Has he shown this side before?
-Yes, little sister. He had killing intent during the bandit subjugation, and at the Sword King Mausoleum, it was downright murderous.
Bandits. Sword King Mausoleum. All stories from times when Zhuge Seol-ha hadn't been around.
A twinge of jealousy suddenly hit her. Ever since becoming Master Yin-hu's disciple, all her memories involved Yang-hui.
But Yang-hui seemed to have others.
At the same time, she wanted to know more.
-Tell me the details?
-Of course.
The time he wiped out an entire mountain bandit stronghold that had taken villagers hostage.
The time he went to the Sword King Mausoleum to strike at the Namgung Clan from behind and ran into Blood Cult disciples.
'Bandits... I get that. Senior brother shows no mercy to evil sects.'
She had never seen it herself, but she could guess from his usual words and actions.
It was one reason Master Yin-hu cherished him so.
'But the Sword King Mausoleum... why did he get angry then?'
Yang-hui was the type to just chuckle even if mocked for being an orphan beggar.
For such a person to show anger and killing intent meant there was a significant story behind it.
The more she learned, the more mysteries there were.
'Someone with so many secrets... can't be fully trusted...'
Zhuge Seol-ha's gaze turned to Yang-hui.
Her Peach Blossom Physique read his inner image.
A rock full of wounds, yet appearing all the stronger for it.
Though right now, a fierce storm raged around that rock.
Well, a rock was still an unchanging symbol. More reliable than anyone in the world—perhaps even as much as her father—that was Yang-hui.
'Come to think of it, it's ridiculous. I've been following and relying on my senior brother more than my own brother? He's the same age, technically.'
His inner image was that steadfast and solid.
Following the flow of her thoughts, her gaze shifted to Dang Gun.
A wisteria tree. Its thin branches swayed and changed shape with the wind's direction and force.
But its roots gripped the deep earth firmly.
'Fitting for someone by senior brother's side. Getting close... might be tough.'
It wasn't because Dang Gun had a bad impression.
From the start, she felt that way toward most people in the world—practically everyone.
Her past where everyone around her was a source of fear, plus spending most of her childhood alone with Master Yin-hu in the mountains, had made it so.
Of course, there were exceptions.
She looked at Adu's inner image.
Pure white jade without a single black speck.
Different from blank paper. Paper absorbs ink and stains, but jade doesn't. Just wipe it clean.
"Monk, want some delicious rice cakes when we get back?"
Adu's face lit up, and even while running, he bounced with excitement.
"Really? Wooow!"
She didn't open her heart easily to others, despite being able to read their inner images, but with Adu, it happened fast.
More precisely, she could open up quicker.
Because Adu was someone whose inside matched his outside completely.
'If he weren't a monk, I probably wouldn't have asked him to hide me back when I released my aura.'
Thinking back made her lips quirk up.
It was the first time she had seen Yang-hui startled.
'Yeah, let's think of today's events as seeing a new side of senior brother.'
So what if he had many secrets or stories?
That wounded rock would never betray her.
So she could learn bit by bit.
'Ah, speaking of which.'
One person came to mind as she thought about getting to know more.
'Chui-dal, was it? I wonder what his inner image is like.'
One thing was certain.
If senior brother kept him around, he couldn't be a bad person.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Kwaaaagh! Kwaaaagh!"
Even as his disciple screamed like a vengeful spirit trapped in the underworld, Yeo Un-hyeok played go by himself, enjoying his leisure.
"Kwaaaagh! Agh!"
When the screams stopped and Chui-dal's head drooped, Yeo Un-hyeok finally moved.
Not to care for him, but to strike a pressure point and wake him.
"Kuh?! Kgh, kwaaaagh!"
Chui-dal screamed in agony again.
Watching his disciple, Yeo Un-hyeok offered some consolation.
"Endless agony like this has its reasons. Though not as enduring as the Thousand-Year Shaolin, our sect's martial arts have persisted unbroken for centuries. Disciple, the pain you're enduring is precisely that power."
"Kwaaagh! Kuh, kgh..."
Chui-dal endured the torment and barely replied to his master.
"You never said... it would hurt this much...!"
"You said you'd endure even hell if it meant change."
Chui-dal gritted his teeth. His gums bled from the strain.
It was true. Pain he had brought on himself.
Fail to endure, and it ended as torture. Endure, and it became asceticism.
"If you're scared, don't do it. I'll take your place."
His sworn brother had offered to do what Chui-dal couldn't.
So Chui-dal had to repay by handling something for him.
To catch up to Yang-hui, who raced ahead with his shining talent, walking alone, he had to bear this much.
"Our Shadow Phantom Sect is but a band of thieves. The name Divine Earth Vein came from enduring long enough for our infamy to spread. So endure, disciple. Endure, and you'll gain it all."
"Understood... Master...!"
Yeo Un-hyeok fiddled with a go stone again.
But he couldn't place it down.
He had been playing alone because focusing entirely on his disciple was too painful.
'This connection I accepted at the young master's request has become utterly precious.'
It started as someone else's favor, but now Chui-dal rivaled his daughter Yeo Ah-rang and granddaughter Gu Hwa-hwa in importance.
His innate talent perfectly suited Shadow Phantom Sect, and he threw himself into training without shying from hell, revering his master like a father. How could he not adore him?
"Kagh, kgh... Master."
"Speak."
"At least... talk to me... anything...!"
Yeo Un-hyeok sighed. It was a relief in a way.
"I didn't expect such suffering. This master entered late in life, so I couldn't receive the Asura Hell Great Law you're enduring."
Chui-dal suddenly chuckled.
"Kgh, heh heh. The name alone sounds like a demonic art."
"It's said to come from the immense pain. Our founder had a mischievous side..."
Yeo Un-hyeok paused. A chilling crack echoed from Chui-dal's hand.
Undoubtedly, the bones had shattered into dozens of pieces.
Then they would regenerate, allowing free control of the ten strands of thousand-thread silk in Hidden Shadow Silk Bind.
"Master, any news... from home...?"
Chui-dal spent his days in hellish training and great law, mind numb, but Yeo Un-hyeok kept in constant contact with the main house.
"A letter arrived from the capital just yesterday. They're gearing up for war with the black path forces in Gangseo."
"Kuh, shouldn't... we go too...?"
"No need. It's a full war; it'll last at least a year."
He had heard recently that the young master swiftly devoured Namchang in months.
But expanding territory normally took martial sects ages.
"So endure. When the main house needs us, we'll appear dramatically and shine."
"Kgh, heh heh. Brother will be shocked."
"Of course. Especially with how well you're doing."
Chui-dal would change. He had no choice.
The great law cost tens of thousands in gold; it'd be a loss if not.
'The young master might even feel betrayed if he knew.'
Shadow Phantom Sect was filthy rich. Centuries as infamous ghosts meant wealth.
Yet they never offered financial aid to the poor Baek Clan at first contact.
Despite the debt of gratitude, guilt over ignoring their plight, and no face to show the previous Divine Earth Vein—former master and benefactor—plus sect rules barring exports.
'But the kid will lend a hand as a Baek Clan member...'
Yeo Un-hyeok smiled faintly.
He pictured his disciple beside the young master, who would command the world if he didn't fall.
'Young master, the news suggests this war won't be easy. Just hold on a bit. I'll help soon.'
Yeo Un-hyeok was certain, too.
The Yang-hui he knew would cleverly and cunningly seize victory like no other.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Father. I request to march out."
Baek Mu-ryang blinked at Yang-hui bursting into his study.
His son's demeanor was unusually grave, unlike his usual self.
"Hui-ya?"
Just days ago, he had been cautious and strategic.
This sudden shift left him quite flustered.
But Baek Mu-ryang didn't question feasibility.
"So be it."
The easy approval made Yang-hui pause.
Seeing his father's composure restored his calm.
"You've settled down. Then tell me the reason?"
"I met with the Black Shadow Gang leader."
"What?! Why would you do such a thing!"
As anger rose on Baek Mu-ryang's face, Yang-hui continued.
"I got information and something to verify. Time is urgent, Father. Assign me the top ten from the manor, including Blood Lord Gu-ak. I'll request the same from Young Lord Dang."
"...I'll hear the details later. Approved."
"Thank you, Father."
He had already tipped off Dang Gun on the way.
Yang-hui rushed to Gu-ak to request preparations, then headed straight to where the Namgung people were staying.
"Young Lord Namgung! Intelligence came in—the plan's changed! We must march now!"
"What's this sudden talk, Young Hero Baek?"
"It's urgent! Prepare first!"
Namgung Cheon-hu couldn't hide his surprise. Yang-hui urged him on with feigned haste, grinding his teeth inwardly.
'Whether you've joined hands with those Hyeongsan Sect bastards or not, I don't know yet.'
Unknown meant he had to move to confirm.
In unfamiliar situations, creating variables with bold moves was advantageous.
'Hyeongsan Sect. And Namgung Clan. No matter the groundwork, those two are unchanging enemies.'
So steer the flow toward mutual destruction first.
If they truly allied, the picture would be pretty indeed.
'You bastards, things won't go as you think.'