When I visited, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable was absorbed in sword training again today, her face bare of makeup.
I knew full well why she had become so immersed in martial arts. For masters of Demon Venerable caliber, progress in martial arts was like an extraordinary opportunity that did not come easily. And when such a moment came, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable was someone who would unfailingly make that achievement her own.
After soaring into the air and swinging her sword in a flurry, she turned toward me.
The provocative look she gave me said exactly this:
Come on in!
If she was asking for a bout, then I had to oblige. Without hesitation, I kicked off the ground, flew up, and charged toward her.
The Black Demon Sword and the Ilhwa Sword clashed one after another in midair. Though I attacked faster than I had in our last spar, she blocked my strikes.
At the clear improvement in her skill, I raised my inner power and speed even further.
The swords collided so quickly that the sharp clangs that should have rung out separately—clang, clang, clang—merged into one long sound: Claaaaaang.
Dozens of strands of sword-lines bloomed splendidly and vanished again and again. It was an exchange so swift that, no matter who watched, they would not be able to tell where or how the attacks and defenses were being carried out.
The speed of our sword swings rose higher and higher.
It was not the Ilhwa Sword Venerable and I who were fighting. It was a battle where instinct thrust out the sword, and instinct blocked the sword. A spar in which a single mistake in an instant could send an arm flying or sever a neck. It was a spar more like real combat than real combat itself.
When the speed reached its peak—
Ta-dang! An alien sound burst out, and we descended to the ground together.
Thunk.
The Ilhwa Sword stabbed into the floor.
She had dropped her sword again.
From the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, I could sense neither the regret of defeat nor shame. She had lost, but because she had fought so well, her expression was instead one of satisfaction. In that exchange just now, she had likely displayed swordsmanship superior to any she had wielded in her entire life.
She asked me,
“Just how far are you trying to take me?”
She knew exactly why I had pushed her to her limit. She knew my heart, telling her not to be satisfied, not to stop yet.
“I intend to go all the way.”
All the way.
Yes, I intend to go all the way with these Demon Venerables.
“Why?”
“I told you before. You are the only one I can be stimulated by while exchanging swordsmanship like this. The only people I can freely cross swords with like this are my father and you, Senior. But I cannot spar with my father this often, and even when we do fight, it becomes a different kind of battle. Therefore, my spars with you are incredibly precious to me.”
After a brief pause, I conveyed my sincerity.
“I want to go with you until the very moment we lay down the swords in our hands.”
Emotion flashed across the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s face.
She looked down at her empty hand and asked,
“Do you remember our first spar?”
“I do.”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable also revealed her honest feelings.
“Around that time, I was thinking this: I’ll remain a Demon Venerable for another ten years or so, hand the position over to my successor, and enjoy a comfortable old age.”
Still looking down at her empty palm, she raised her head and looked at me.
“Back then, I could see my destination. As a martial artist, and as a Demon Venerable. The finish line of my life, where people were lined up to cheer and congratulate me. I can still see it now. A path I can simply walk down with no worries, no thoughts. And yet you are standing me at the starting line. Right now, I feel as though I am back at the beginning.”
I gazed into her eyes and said calmly,
“It may seem like it would be comfortable and enjoyable once you cross that finish line, but it will only feel good for about a month. From the next day on, you will be bored and restless. I should have tried something more while I was even a year younger. Isn’t it too empty to end things like this? All sorts of idle thoughts and regrets will torment you, Senior.”
A faint smile formed at the corners of the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s mouth.
“You say that without ever having gone there?”
“I have a vivid imagination.”
To have Sa Ujong seize some weakness of hers, to be caught up in an ill-fitting greed for power—she was far too precious a person to live that sort of life.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable extended her hand. Then the Ilhwa Sword embedded in the floor pulled free and flew into her grasp. Holding the sword in her hand, she declared,
“I am standing at the starting line again. Until the moment I die, I will never set down the sword in this hand.”
I could feel it. The woman before my eyes was a different person from the Ilhwa Sword Venerable before my regression. Depending on whom one meets, and who stands by one’s side, a person’s life can change like this.
“Why did you come today?”
“Sa Ujong died at the hands of the Soul-Subduing Demon Venerable.”
At the unexpected answer, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable flinched in surprise.
“What happened?”
I told her the truth as it was, leaving out everything related to Hwanyeo. As a result, it became a death born of a romantic entanglement.
“Sa Ujong threatened and insulted a Demon Venerable, so he committed a grave crime worthy of death. However, since a Demon Sword died at the hands of another Demon Venerable, it may damage your reputation or that of the Northern Heaven Sword Clan, Senior.”
After being lost in thought for a moment, she asked me,
“How would you like this matter handled?”
“For the sake of the Soul-Subduing Demon Venerable, I would like you to yield this once. She is in the midst of establishing her position within Seohwanjin. If this matter is brought to the forefront, her standing will narrow.”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable accepted my request.
“Handle it quietly.”
“Thank you.”
“In return, tell me where that man was buried. He did serve me once, after all. I should at least pour a cup of wine on his road to the next world.”
After finishing her words, she began swinging her sword again.
I bowed to her with due courtesy, then left the place.
Just before leaving the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s residence, I looked back.
She was looking up at the sky, her sword hanging loosely at her side. Somehow, I could sense a complicated state of mind from her. I did not want to know what kind of relationship she had had with Sa Ujong, or what weakness he had held over her.
I only hoped this incident would become a turning point in her life. And that it would allow even her swordsmanship to change.
As I left the Northern Heaven Sword Clan, Seo Daeryong was waiting.
“We received word from those watching the flower garden. The seedlings that came in every day did not arrive yesterday or today.”
That meant one thing.
“She’s trying to leave.”
We could not let her go like this. We had to keep her here somehow. There was a chance, however slight, that Cult Leader Pungcheon might not be able to break the Soul-Subduing Art, and it was also possible that she would be needed in order to break it. We needed her to find out where the Phantom King was as well.
“What are you going to do?”
As I walked toward the main gate of headquarters, I answered,
“What else? I have to stop her from leaving. Send me whatever Enforcer martial artists you can.”
* * *
Hwanyeo was preparing to leave the flower garden.
She had received the report that Sa Ujong was dead. The fact that he had died meant the Yin-Yang Soul Reversal Art had succeeded. For now, she could withdraw, then return a year later to check on her.
If it were an ordinary martial artist, she could succeed with the Soul-Subduing Art in a single stroke and turn them into a puppet, but the Soul-Subduing Demon Venerable, who had learned the Soul-Subduing Art herself, could not be controlled all at once. The Red Soul planted in her mind had to take root and grow. That process was like sowing a seed and nurturing a flower. When the blossom opened fully from its bud, she would be able to control the Soul-Subduing Demon Venerable completely.
Just then, martial artists flooded into the place, and one person entered among them.
When Hwanyeo confirmed who it was, she was startled. Geom Mugeuk had come in with not only his guards, but even the Enforcer martial artists of the Hwangcheon Pavilion.
“What an honored guest has come again.”
“It seemed like you recognized me right away that day, too. This is our first meeting, so how did you know?”
“Is there anyone doing business here in Maga Village who does not know the Young Cult Leader? It is an honor to see you again.”
While plotting things here, the news she had heard most often of late had been rumors about Geom Mugeuk. Most were rumors difficult to believe, but she knew. She knew those rumors were all true. And she also knew that dealing with Geom Mugeuk was something she had to be extremely cautious about.
That was why Hwanyeo was suspicious of Geom Mugeuk’s visit. Once could be called coincidence, but twice?
‘Did he notice something?’
If not, there was no reason for the Young Cult Leader himself to come forward like this.
Of course, that did not mean she was anxious. There were many ways to escape. She could immediately unleash the Soul-Subduing Art and make the guards draw their swords to kill the Young Cult Leader. Then she could slip away amid the chaos.
“My subordinate was truly pleased with the flower she bought from you that day.”
“There is no gift better for a beautiful woman than flowers.”
If he had come only for such a reason, she would certainly have suspected the Young Cult Leader. But Geom Mugeuk asked bluntly,
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“Please do.”
“Do you know the martial artist who came here often of late?”
When he mentioned Sa Ujong, Hwanyeo was inwardly startled, but she did not reveal that emotion at all.
“Of course. He would always come, look at the flowers and trees, and leave.”
“His name was Sa Ujong.”
“He never told me his name.”
“He died recently.”
“Oh my! How did that happen?”
Hwanyeo sounded deeply regretful. Her acting was excellent, so to anyone watching, it would seem as if she had grown unknowingly fond of the demon martial artist who visited every day.
“Our cult is investigating that man’s death. That is also why I came here.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hwanyeo bowed her head and showed fear.
“But seeing as the Young Cult Leader is investigating personally, was he someone of very high status?”
“That man’s death is connected to one of our cult’s Demon Venerables.”
By revealing it like this instead, Geom Mugeuk made Hwanyeo inwardly puzzled.
‘Has he realized the matter with the Soul-Subduing Demon Venerable?’
No. If he had, he would not have come like this. He would have brought the Demon Venerables with him to capture her.
‘He does not know about me yet.’
Geom Mugeuk’s attitude toward her was also only at the level of suspicion.
“So do not leave the flower garden for the time being.”
“I am someone with nowhere to go.”
“Then why have the seedlings that came every day stopped arriving?”
Geom Mugeuk had deliberately revealed even the fact that they were watching the flower garden.
“I have been feeling unwell, so I stopped them to rest for a few days.”
Geom Mugeuk sent her a suspicious look.
This was how he would avoid suspicion.
If he came for some other reason and acted no matter how naturally, she would find it strange. Better to say, We are watching you, so do not leave! That had a much greater chance of keeping her here. And he added one decisive thing on top of that.
“If you become frightened and leave, we will list you as a public enemy of our cult and send a pursuit party. Your portrait and description will be spread throughout the entire Central Plains, so there will be nowhere for you to hide.”
Geom Mugeuk knew her weakness precisely. They were moving in secret. Therefore, the thing they were most careful about was having their identities exposed to the outside. Her portrait and description posted all over the Central Plains? That was absolutely not something she would want.
Sure enough, Hwanyeo’s heart grew heavy.
‘Damn it.’
Being exposed was something she absolutely could not allow.
Geom Mugeuk went over to the flower Ian had bought and smelled its fragrance.
“Do you know what I said when my subordinates reported that this flower garden was suspicious?”
“What did you say?”
“There are no villains among those who love flowers.”
Geom Mugeuk left the flower garden with those he had brought.
Hwanyeo watched his back in silence.
* * *
“Ah! How long has it been since I came to headquarters?”
Entering headquarters, Cult Leader Pungcheon drew in a deep breath. It was not the Pungcheon Cult but the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and yet there was the comfort of returning home.
After entering the inner court, the two headed straight for Geom Mugeuk’s residence. It was not his old residence, but the large and fine one he had received after becoming Young Cult Leader.
“Now that he’s become Young Cult Leader, his house has turned magnificent, hasn’t it?”
Cult Leader Pungcheon looked around Geom Mugeuk’s residence, something he had never cared about before.
“Power really is nice.”
“If you’re jealous, go back beyond the frontier. The cult leader’s residence was ten times bigger than this, wasn’t it?”
“Who says I’m jealous? I’m just saying.”
Cult Leader Pungcheon examined the interior from the window.
“Where did the Second Young Master go? We came, so he should have been waiting here first. Don’t tell me he even forgot he called us. Ah, right. I was the one who summoned you, wasn’t I? That matter has all been resolved. Since you’ve come all this way, rest for a few days, then please go handle something else. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”
Having imitated him so often, he had become better than anyone at mimicking Geom Mugeuk.
“Who knows, I might have gone from a somewhat tolerable Second Young Master to a nefarious Young Cult Leader.”
Just then, a welcome voice came from behind.
“You never fail to curse me in my absence.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader chuckled to himself without turning around. Yes, this was the voice he had so longed to hear.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader turned around.
Geom Mugeuk stood there, unchanged as ever.
“For now, he is still a somewhat tolerable Young Cult Leader. He probably still has a ways to go before he becomes truly nefarious.”
“That remains to be seen.”
Though he had missed him, the Pungcheon Cult Leader masked his feelings with petty spite.
“You have worked hard all this time, Cult Leader.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at Gowol, who stood beside him.
“If it is that kind of greeting, it should be directed here.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Gowol and spoke.
“You have worked hard.”
Gowol smiled.
“It is only right that I do what I must.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader cut in, praising Gowol.
“Even when it is one’s own duty, no one works that hard. Young Cult Leader, buy her some restorative tonics. She has worked hard.”
Gowol shot the Pungcheon Cult Leader a look, telling him not to speak nonsense.
“I will buy her only the finest tonics.”
“You’ll buy some for me too, won’t you?”
Geom Mugeuk laughed heartily.
“Don’t just laugh—make sure you buy them. Don’t slight people with just food. Now, what help do you need that you called me?”
“It concerns the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.”
After the previous Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable died, Cheongseon had received the Soul-Seizing Technique directly from the Pungcheon Cult Leader. At the mention of a matter concerning her, the playfulness vanished from the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face.
“What about that child?”
Geom Mugeuk got straight to the point.
“Unknown assailants have cast the Soul-Seizing Technique on the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.”
The moment he finished speaking, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s aura shifted.
Whooooosh!
His aura awakened a primal terror.
Dark clouds gathered from every direction, and in an instant the surroundings dimmed into dreary weather that seemed to herald an imminent typhoon. The sound of bells drifted in on the bleak wind blowing from afar.
Each time the bells tolled, doors opened in the ground, and all manner of dark, grotesque monsters began to burst forth. It was as if the gates of hell were opening one after another.
The creatures that leaped out at tremendous speed rushed at their target without hesitation. Of course, they were not real monsters, but illusions embodying his aura.
Hundreds of monsters charged toward Geom Mugeuk.
The horrifying sensation that washed over him each time they passed through his body chilled his will to fight and shattered his mental strength. Involuntarily, his Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art activated.
Had it been someone with weak internal energy or willpower, they would already be swinging a sword wildly like a madman under the influence of this aura alone.
It was an enraged aura of the Pungcheon Cult Leader that none had ever witnessed.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader now was not his usual self, who joked around and blustered. He had returned to his true form—as the absolute sovereign of the transcendent Murim who had achieved mastery in the world’s supreme skill, the Angcheon Great Demonic Art.
With a cold, baleful gleam in his eyes, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke.
“They dared to lay a hand on my disciple?”