Gazing at my reflection in the bronze mirror, I slowly undressed.
Stripped down to nothing but my undergarments. A smooth physique without a single superfluous ounce of flesh, honed through martial training.
I unwound all the Supreme Heavenly Silk wrapped around the hilt of the Black Demon Sword and carefully bound it around my vital points—my heart, neck, dantian, and other key areas. Over that, I donned the precious armor given to me by Hyeolcheon Domah.
Seo Daeryong sat perched on the bed, silently watching me prepare for the final battle.
It wouldn't do to skip the banter at a moment like this, so I tossed a joke his way.
“Shall we go fight together, or not?”
“I shall not. The greatest adventure of my life is already over. Victory in the Lesser Dragon Tournament! I'll boast about it for the rest of my days, rehashing it like bone broth. There will be no more danger in my life.”
I donned light, comfortable martial attire as I spoke to him.
“When your realm rises higher, your heart will change! You will throw yourself into life-and-death peril of your own accord. You will find ecstasy there, and seek out even greater danger.”
“Don't speak such strange prophecies!”
Seo Daeryong stuck his head out the window and looked up at the sky.
“Let's pretend I didn't hear that! No, absolutely not. My adventuring days are over. I already have plenty of stories to tell my future grandchildren on my lap.”
When he reacted so earnestly, how could I resist teasing him?
“Please return safely.”
“Mysterious organizations are only dangerous while they remain mysterious; once exposed like this, they become rather pathetic. Don't worry.”
“No matter what you say, I am not following you.”
“Not working, huh.”
I know. I know how much that Seo Daeryong worries about me right now. How much he wants to fight alongside me. The burning heat in his eyes tells me. Asking me to wait. Until he grows stronger.
* * *
Cheonmyeong Hoeju and Jo Ibaek sat facing each other in the manor's pavilion.
“Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you, I have been.”
Jo Ibaek had met Cheonmyeong Hoeju several times. Cheonmyeong Hoeju did not act like a man shrouded in mystery. If something needed doing, he would come by, and if he wished to meet, he would summon him like this.
Cheonmyeong Hoeju's martial arts were far superior to his own. But setting aside that prowess, the impression he gave was surprisingly ‘ordinary.’
It wasn't a word that suited the leader of a dark organization, but he was undeniably ordinary.
He had the kind of face and attire that, if you looked over while eating at an inn, you would expect to see him sitting at the next table eating as well. His speech and conduct were ordinary.
Because someone who should not be ordinary was ordinary, it instead felt extraordinary. He was precisely the kind of man who could hide as a mastermind because he was so ordinary.
“Why did you ask to see me today?”
“A problem has arisen.”
“Please tell me.”
“The Martial Alliance has discovered that my son joined this society.”
Jo Ibaek gazed at Cheonmyeong Hoeju and added,
“When did you have my son join?”
It was a situation that called for anger, yet Jo Ibaek remained calm.
“Your son joined as well?”
At this, Cheonmyeong Hoeju showed a reaction as if he had not known.
“I was unaware.”
It seemed so natural that he appeared genuinely ignorant, but Jo Ibaek did not believe him.
He didn't know about recruiting his son, the successor, when he had already recruited Jo Ibaek, the Lord of the True Dragon Stronghold? If it were such a sloppy organization, leaving as soon as possible would be the wise choice.
Jo Ibaek didn't bother challenging the obvious pretense. He hadn't come here today to quarrel with Cheonmyeong Hoeju. Today was the day he had to walk the most dangerous and important tightrope of his life.
“My son is presently imprisoned in the dungeon. I came hoping you might find a way, Hoeju.”
“They couldn't have thrown him in the dungeon merely for being associated with the main society.”
“He fell into their scheme and stands accused of attempting to kidnap the Alliance Lord's granddaughter.”
“Dear me! That's exactly the sort of thing those shameless Martial Alliance dogs would do.”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“How could there be a solution?”
“Are you not on close terms with the Martial Alliance Lord, Lord Jo?”
“Does the Alliance Lord not cherish his granddaughter dearly? I don't believe this can be resolved through connections alone.”
“I understand. I shall think on what can be done.”
“Thank you.”
Just then, a door opened in the distance.
If one were to ask Jo Ibaek for the most nerve-wracking moment of his life, it would surely be this instant.
He had naturally assumed it was the Martial Alliance Lord, but the person who entered was a young man.
‘The Alliance Lord didn't come?’
Since the Alliance Lord hadn't come, he naturally hadn't brought his son either.
‘Why?’
When he wanted Cheonmyeong Hoeju so badly?
‘What scheme is he trying to pull?’
Of course, he was trying to pull a scheme as well.
It was a contingency for when the Alliance Lord refused to release his son even after dealing with Cheonmyeong Hoeju, or tried to imprison him too. He had prepared experts to truly kidnap Jin Haryeong.
But he hadn't expected this. Neither the Alliance Lord nor his son came.
How on earth should he react?
Jo Ibaek's gaze turned to the young man walking toward them.
Given his precious status, the Alliance Lord might not come personally and could send other experts instead. But to send just one young expert?
‘Could it be? Is this young man an expert strong enough to face Cheonmyeong Hoeju?’
That couldn't be. He had undoubtedly come to deliver the Alliance Lord's message.
Geom Mugeuk walked over without anyone stopping him. Neither Cheonmyeong Hoeju nor Jo Ibaek had given any orders.
When Geom Mugeuk joined them at their table, Cheonmyeong Hoeju asked Jo Ibaek,
“Who is this young hero?”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju had naturally assumed that Geom Mugeuk, who had walked up to them so calmly and boldly, was Jo Ibaek's subordinate.
Then Jo Ibaek feigned ignorance and asked,
“Was he not someone you brought, Hoeju?”
Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly,
“I am someone sent by the Martial Alliance Lord.”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju flinched in surprise.
The surrounding atmosphere changed. Geom Mugeuk sensed those hiding around them busily shifting positions.
“A precious guest has arrived, so I shall take my leave. Please speak among yourselves.”
The moment Cheonmyeong Hoeju naturally offered his greetings and tried to rise from his seat.
“Sit, Cheonmyeong Hoeju.”
“!”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju stared quietly at Geom Mugeuk and sat back down.
“You knew I was here.”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju's gaze turned to Jo Ibaek. Jo Ibaek shook his head slightly, disavowing any knowledge.
Cheonmyeong Hoeju asked,
“For what matter did the Alliance Lord send you, young hero?”
“Lord Jo here negotiated. To trade his son for the Hoeju.”
Jo Ibaek was flustered because he hadn't expected it to be spoken so openly. On the other hand, Cheonmyeong Hoeju seemed to have expected as much and did not get angry at Jo Ibaek.
Jo Ibaek vehemently denied it.
“Don't believe him. It's a scheme by the Alliance Lord to drive a wedge between us.”
Jo Ibaek had to desperately deny it until he learned why the Alliance Lord had sent this young man in his stead.
Of course, with Geom Mugeuk present, it was no easy task.
“Don't blame Lord Jo too much. It must have been a difficult decision, being a matter of his child.”
“I understand.”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju nodded.
Jo Ibaek denied it to the end.
“Don't be deceived. Don't fall for their tricks.”
Jo Ibaek couldn't help but misunderstand. That the Martial Alliance Lord was trying to eliminate him through Cheonmyeong Hoeju. That was why Jo Ibaek was furious.
‘So this is how you're playing it?’
Jo Ibaek sent a telepathic message to his hidden subordinate.
-Tell them to proceed with Jin Haryeong's side. Right now!
-Yes.
He judged that he could only survive by getting Jin Haryeong into his hands as quickly as possible.
But he didn't know. He didn't know that the reason the Martial Alliance Lord hadn't come here was because he had heeded Geom Mugeuk's advice to protect Jin Haryeong.
Geom Mugeuk asked Cheonmyeong Hoeju,
“I have good news and bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?”
“I like to start everything in good spirits, so let us hear the good news first.”
“I came alone.”
“You really came alone?”
Cheonmyeong Hoeju was surprised. He had thought elite experts of the Martial Alliance would be encamped outside.
“Then what is the bad news?”
“I came alone.”
When Geom Mugeuk repeated his previous words, Cheonmyeong Hoeju made a puzzled expression.
“Why is that bad news? Did you not say it was good news just now?”
“It is also bad news. Because there is no one to stop me.”
Though he was speaking words that surpassed confidence into arrogance, Cheonmyeong Hoeju rather looked pleased.
“It's not easy to find spirited young people like this these days. Isn't that right, Lord Jo?”
“Indeed. Not only the newcomers but even the experienced veterans are all too busy protecting themselves.”
He voiced his agreement, yet doubt crept in.
‘Is he truly an expert strong enough to kill Cheonmyeong Hoeju? Is that why he's speaking such words?’
Should he throw his lot in with the Martial Alliance Lord even now? If he had the merit of handing over Cheonmyeong Hoeju, he might somehow manage the aftermath.
As though reading that conflict, Geom Mugeuk said to Jo Ibaek,
“Lord Jo, I believe you must now make clear which side you stand on.”
Jo Ibaek was truly torn. But no matter how much he thought it over, he couldn't believe this young man could kill Cheonmyeong Hoeju. Had the Martial Alliance Lord been here, perhaps, but the one at his side now was Cheonmyeong Hoeju.
“What are you saying? I have never betrayed the Hoeju, not for a single moment.”
“May I take that as your official stance?”
It was a statement carrying the implication that he would have no choice but to face execution.
Jo Ibaek was swept up in conflict. Unable to predict why the Martial Alliance Lord was doing this, the decision was anything but easy.
Then Cheonmyeong Hoeju spoke with a smile.
“I shall resolve our Lord Jo's dilemma.”
The moment his words fell, figures revealed themselves from all directions.
Just the first among them was enough to tip Jo Ibaek's heart.
The man wearing a short straight blade at his waist was Demon-Slaying Blade Guryeong. He was once renowned as one of the orthodox faction's three greatest blade experts.
Cheonmyeong Hoeju plus Demon-Slaying Blade Guryeong.
These two alone would have been enough to sway him completely, but there were others as well.
A monk appeared wearing monastic robes and holding a massive iron staff. He was Tyrant Monk Yorai, an absolute expert once active in the Western Regions.
These two alone made it difficult to think of anyone who could stand against them, but lastly, a hunchbacked elder in unique attire appeared as well.
The worn green pouch at his waist revealed his identity: Great Poison Elder Gokchu. He was so renowned for his skill with poison that not a single blade of grass could survive where he walked, turning the land into a permanent field of death. Everyone who knew him feared him.
But it wasn't these three ultimate experts who completely changed the atmosphere.
Masked figures revealed themselves from all sides. Like ants pouring out of an anthill, countless masked individuals appeared from who knew where.
They filled the surroundings. From below the walls to atop them, the courtyard and the roofs. Their numbers were surely at least a hundred. They were not mere headcount. The eyes above their masks and their momentum were fierce and sharp.
Jo Ibaek realized for the first time that Cheonmyeong Hoeju traveled with such tremendous experts.
‘Truly astounding. They could never catch Cheonmyeong Hoeju even if they wanted to.’
Further deliberation was meaningless.
When Jo Ibaek sent a signal, four people appeared.
They wore martial robes respectively adorned with the motifs of plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. They were the Four Gentlemen, Jo Ibaek's hands and feet.
“We will handle that brat.”
To be forgiven for this matter, he had to be thorough. His own people had to step forward and eliminate that man.
Jo Ibaek spoke candidly to Cheonmyeong Hoeju.
“Man to man, how about we forget our past transgressions? After all, this happened because you drew my son in behind my back. Let us simply forget it.”
“Very well. They say the earth hardens after the rain.”
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Then Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Once they kill me, they will kill you. They won't keep a traitor alive.”
“Brat! Stop sowing discord.”
Once Jo Ibaek made his decision, he didn't look back.
“You will never leave this place alive. Not even your Alliance Lord could survive.”
“I was honestly worried. That you might take my side.”
“What do you mean?”
“I had already made up my mind to kill you too, but if you took my side, wouldn't I feel sorry when the time came?”
“Even in this situation, such words come from your mouth? Truly an arrogant whelp.”
Jo Ibaek gave the order to the Four Gentlemen.
“Kill him.”
The Four Gentlemen stepped out into the open ground.
Geom Mugeuk also slowly walked out and stood facing them.
Over a hundred masked experts surrounded them without gap, and the absolute experts Demon-Slaying Blade Guryeong, Tyrant Monk Yorai, and Great Poison Elder Gokchu were there as well, along with the Lord of the True Dragon Stronghold and Cheonmyeong Hoeju watching on.
Geom Mugeuk gazed at Cheonmyeong Hoeju amidst that massive throng and spoke calmly.
“Falsely claiming to be the Extremely Evil Lesser Demon, plundering the lives and wealth of the martial world, and scheming to overthrow the Martial Alliance through marriage to the Alliance Lord's granddaughter—I shall pass judgment and summarily execute all present here, save Cheonmyeong Hoeju and the Lord of the True Dragon Stronghold.”
Silence fell for an instant.
But soon someone couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, and from there, ridicule spread to everyone. No one present was nervous or afraid. Yes, he must be an expert. He must have confidence in his skills to speak such words.
But they possessed martial strength that wouldn't be strange to storm into the Martial Alliance immediately. Thus, they merely enjoyed the arrogance of a reckless youngster who couldn't tell heaven from earth.
The moment the murmuring and laughter swelled louder, as if commanding everyone to fall silent—
Oooooooh!
With a deep, resonant hum from the abyss, the Black Demon Sword began to hum on its own.