“Still, taking a hit really does clear the head.”
Hwa Mugi needlessly stroked his face, which did not have so much as a scratch on it. It was an exaggeration, and a provocation.
But the Fist Demon did not so much as blink at that provocation.
His gaze was fixed on Hwa Mugi, but his mind was turned toward the Cult Leader.
The Cult Leader was a man who never lost his composure under any circumstances. Yet now, the Fist Demon could sense that he was paying attention to something else.
‘What on earth is happening, my lord?’
There was no doubt that he had realized something by making him attack Hwa Mugi.
At that moment, Geom Ujin’s sound transmission flew to the Fist Demon.
—That man isn’t acting. Other souls have entered his body.
Geom Ujin told the Fist Demon first what he had discovered.
It had been that way from their youth until now. Whenever something important happened, he always told him first.
What shocked the Fist Demon even more was the sound transmission that followed.
—It seems the soul of one of the past Demon Cult Leaders is inside that man’s body.
—!
Only now did the Fist Demon understand why Geom Ujin was so grave. If it was not someone else, but a Demon Cult Leader who had entered him, then this was the worst possible situation.
—Do you know who it is?
—I have a rough idea.
Whenever his son went out from the cult and returned, he would tell him every little detail of what had happened outside.
This time I caught this bastard like this, and there seems to be something behind him, and from now on we need to be careful of this. Geom Ujin had listened to all of his son’s chatter.
Because that time had not been time spent receiving reports, but time spent together with his son. Because it had been conversation shared with his son.
That time with his son was finally proving its worth. If he had merely read the Tongcheon Pavilion reports and moved on, he would not have been able to recall it instantly at this moment.
‘It is them from three hundred years ago!’
He already knew that the origin of the Dark Palace, the force behind this conspiracy, had begun three hundred years ago in the battle between the Heavenly Will Palace and the Martial Alliance.
The orthodox master who had spoken to Jin Paecheon earlier had shown deep regret for having associated with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Sado Alliance. To be able to speak so strongly even though his opponent was the Martial Alliance Leader?
‘He was the Martial Emperor Divine Sword from three hundred years ago!’
The Martial Emperor Divine Sword was the most famous figure among all past Martial Alliance Leaders, known even to Geom Ujin.
If the two people he had seen were the Martial Alliance Leader and the Demon Cult Leader, then the soul of the unorthodox faction he had yet to see was surely the Sado Alliance Leader of that era.
Now Geom Ujin understood why Hwa Mugi was so strong.
Judging by the way he had suffered no impact at all from the Fist Demon’s punch earlier, it was not merely that souls dwelled within him.
‘All of their power has been combined inside that man!’
If that was the case, this would by no means be an easy fight.
No matter how many people they had on their side, their strength would not combine in proportion to their numbers.
The more skilled the masters, the easier and yet harder a combined assault became.
They knew better than anyone when and how to intervene, but conversely, it was never easy to intervene while another was unfolding martial arts of the highest level.
What if he tried to defeat them individually with overwhelming martial might? Aside from himself and the two Alliance Leaders, the rest might be taken down by him in an instant.
The best method was for their side to kill him first, all at once.
The first thing that came to mind was Heavenly Demon World-Extinction.
It could kill him cleanly and certainly, but there was a chance others would be caught up in it and die.
And an even greater problem was that Hwa Mugi might also be able to unleash Heavenly Demon World-Extinction.
The fleeting instant Heavenly Demon World-Extinction was unleashed.
Raise the Great Demon Wall.
And while the Great Demon Wall melted away, release Heavenly Demon World-Extinction.
If the opponent used Heavenly Demon World-Extinction, he would respond like that.
At the very least, it meant he would not simply die.
But what if that Hwa Mugi made the same choice?
No one here would survive.
The next method that came to mind was killing him with the Heavenly Demon Soul.
If the Heavenly Demon Soul manifested, Heavenly Demon World-Extinction could not be used. That was because the Heavenly Demon Soul was an absolute being born from the culmination of the Guhwa Demon Art and the ultimate principle of that martial learning, so the Guhwa Demon Art could not be used to oppose the Heavenly Demon Soul.
The problem was that, by their very nature, Heavenly Demon Souls were beings that refused to fight one another. If one manifested, there was a high possibility that the other would not appear, so there was no telling whose Heavenly Demon Soul would manifest.
Geom Ujin conveyed what he had discovered to the two Alliance Leaders through sound transmission.
If Hwa Mugi used the Guhwa Demon Art, there was a high chance he would use it against the two Alliance Leaders, so they had to know in advance as well.
Jin Paecheon was inwardly tense. It was a tension incomparable to anything thus far. The fact that his opponent could use the Guhwa Demon Art was terrifying, but what bothered him even more was this.
The Martial Emperor Divine Sword is inside that man’s body?
Among all the past Alliance Leaders, the one he respected most was none other than the Martial Emperor Divine Sword. The footprints he had left in the history of the orthodox murim were truly great.
If he truly was that man, as Geom Ujin said, then why was he dwelling inside the body of the Star of Heavenly Slaughter?
Did it mean there was some hidden story behind the noble history he had left in murim?
On the other hand, Baek Jagang had no interest in which Sado Alliance Leader was dwelling inside that body.
‘So that bastard can even use the Guhwa Demon Art, is that it?’
As much as he felt fear, his fighting spirit rose. Perhaps today, at long last, he might face the Guhwa Demon Art in person.
While those sound transmissions were being exchanged, Hwa Mugi was absorbed in provoking someone new.
“Our Poison King is awfully quiet.”
As far as they knew, Hwa Mugi was the first person ever to provoke the Poison King even after knowing his identity.
“You’re curious, aren’t you? Whether I’m impervious to all poisons or not.”
The Poison King sat quietly in a corner seat, gazing at him. His eyes had a depth that did not suit his youthful-looking face.
“You are absolutely not impervious to all poisons.”
Aside from his conversation with Geom Ujin, this was the first time the Poison King had spoken here in the Pungryu Tavern.
“Why are you so certain I’m not impervious to all poisons?”
The reason the Poison King thought so was simple.
“Because such a noble fortuitous encounter would never have been granted to you.”
To those who used poison, being impervious to all poisons was beyond a natural enemy; it could be called a natural disaster.
Even so, the Poison King described it as a noble fortuitous encounter. Because he truly loved poison, he did not even regard one impervious to all poisons as an enemy.
He also believed that Geom Mugeuk had received that precious fortune because his character was just as noble.
Though the words disregarded him, Hwa Mugi laughed instead of getting angry.
Unless another personality suddenly emerged, Hwa Mugi did not fall for most provocations. He was a man who even expressed anger with laughter.
“Right, I’m not impervious to all poisons. Instead, I suppose I’m impervious to about nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine poisons.”
It meant that while he was not perfect, he was prepared against most poisons.
“I wonder if you can accurately find the poison that works on me. The moment you administer any poison at all, I’ll kill you first.”
Hwa Mugi slowly stepped toward the Poison King. As he moved, the texture of the air flowing there changed. It was a different kind of tension from when he had approached Baek Jagang.
“Or should I just kill you now?”
The red energy in Hwa Mugi’s eyes deepened even further. He looked as if he would charge at the Poison King at any moment and cut off his head.
By contrast, even in that moment of crisis, the Poison King remained seated where he was.
“Why aren’t you poisoning me? Are you afraid of me?”
But the Poison King was not defenseless because he was afraid.
“Because the Cult Leader’s order has not been given.”
“!”
It was the Poison King’s will that he would administer poison only when Geom Ujin gave the order. In other words, if no order came, he would simply die.
“You asked how I would find a poison that works on you?”
Green light seeped from the Poison King’s eyes as though spreading.
“I won’t look for one.”
Then came the astonishing reason.
“Because if the order is given, I will administer all ten thousand poisons to you.”
“!”
It was truly a madly arrogant statement. How could one person carry ten thousand poisons? But when those words came from the Poison King’s mouth, their weight was different.
A thrill filled with madness flashed across Hwa Mugi’s face as he looked at the Poison King.
“I want to hurry up and cut off your head.”
Hwa Mugi turned his head toward Geom Ujin.
“And bring it to that man. I want to see how that Cult Leader accepts your death!”
It was clear he meant it sincerely. Though it did not show on the surface, Hwa Mugi’s killing intent had been rising higher and higher ever since he came here.
Just as Hwa Mugi began walking toward the Poison King again!
Shhk.
A single sword, drawn without a sound, blocked his path.
Astonishingly, that sword was the Sword King’s sword.
Since no one had expected him to step forward for the Poison King, everyone’s gaze focused on him.
The Poison King himself also looked at him with surprise in his eyes. In truth, from the very beginning, the Sword King had taken a place not far away in order to protect the Poison King.
“You dare draw a sword before me?”
Since those words were directed at the Sword King, they too were truly arrogant. But as they had come from the mouth of someone who had declared he would annihilate the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions alike, they were not especially surprising.
The Sword King answered calmly.
“Understand. This is all I have to put forward.”
It was far too powerful to be called “all.” When the White Flower Sword was held in the Sword King’s hand, its presence felt like a fortress wall hundreds of jang high blocking the way.
When the red energy flowing from Hwa Mugi’s body met the cold air streaming around the sword, it froze in midair. The White Flower Sword was blocking the waves of red energy like a breakwater.
“So you were a cold man? I heard you betrayed us and joined hands with the Young Cult Leader, so I thought you had a very hot heart.”
The Sword King replied calmly.
“If my heart had been hot, I would have died together with you.”
A new thrill rose across Hwa Mugi’s face. His expression truly said this: Now this is interesting.
“I’ll kill you second.”
Just as Hwa Mugi tried to pass him and approach the Poison King.
Kagak!
The Sword King’s sword split the air with lightning speed.
The tip of the sword, rising at a sharp angle, narrowly grazed Hwa Mugi’s jaw.
It was an attack so fast one had to wonder how anyone could possibly dodge it, yet Hwa Mugi had dodged.
Still with his head tilted back, Hwa Mugi looked at the Sword King with arrogant eyes.
“Do you want to be first?”
The Sword King was clearly showing his resolve that Hwa Mugi could not reach the Poison King before cutting him down.
With calm eyes, the Sword King recalled the past.
“The Lord of the Dark Palace always told me this. That what we were doing was following Heaven’s will.”
“Traitor, in the end, you did not follow Heaven’s will, did you?”
“Because Heaven’s will was not with you.”
In that instant, Hwa Mugi’s eyes shone intensely.
“Then where is that Heaven’s will? Is it here? No matter how much I look around, I don’t see it.”
After a brief pause, the Sword King said something astonishing.
“Heaven’s will lies with the Young Cult Leader.”
Geom Ujin, Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, Cult Leader Pungcheon, the Fist Demon, and the Poison King all listened to the Sword King’s words in silence.
At that very moment, Hwa Mugi’s eyes changed.
A new personality revealed itself from within Hwa Mugi.
“How dare a mere traitor speak of Heaven’s will!”
Geom Ujin could tell. This was a soul that had not appeared until now.
‘Is it the soul of the Sado Alliance Leader?’
No. Judging by how violently it reacted to the words Heaven’s will.
‘It is the Lord of the Heavenly Will Palace!’
With this, Geom Ujin became certain.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and even the Sado Alliance had intervened in the war at the time, and something must have happened then. The souls imprisoned at that time had been passed down until now.
For a full three hundred years.
He wondered whether such a thing was truly possible, but he was witnessing it with his own eyes.
Hwa Mugi asked in a cold voice.
“Do you even know what the will of heaven is?”
Then came the answer of the Sword King, who had dreamed of freedom.
“I do not know the will of heaven, but I do know what the sky is. It is the place where birds live, where clouds live, where the wind lives, and where the sun lives.”
The Sword King mentioned the one person who always came to mind whenever he thought of the sky. The person he wanted to see most even at this very moment.
“When you people kept prattling on about Heaven’s will, Heaven’s will, Heaven’s will, the Young Cult Leader told me to look up at the sky. Not some grand meaning—he just told me to straighten my back and look up at the sky once.”
At those words, Geom Ujin thought of his son and smiled faintly.
Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang were the same. If not for Geom Mugeuk, they would never have been here.
The Sword King honestly revealed the words he had kept in his heart.
“Watching the Young Cult Leader, I came to understand. Heaven’s will is not something granted with some grand meaning.”
It was also the first moment he revealed to everyone all of his thoughts on Heaven’s will.
“Heaven’s will is not something that descends; it is something one bears. It is to willingly shoulder the burden placed before one who can endure its weight.”
The Sword King looked into Hwa Mugi’s eyes and posed his final question.
“Do you see the burden laid before you? Or have you spent your whole life pretending not to, seeking only Heaven’s will?”
Until now, no matter how enraged the souls within Hwa Mugi’s body became, they had never crossed that line.
But this time was different. To be told there was no Heaven’s will by none other than the one who had betrayed the Palace—his fury crossed the line.
Shiiiiiik.
Hwa Mugi’s sword was drawn with the speed of light.
His sword was unusual: a black sword (黑劍), its blade dark as night.
Kaaang!
The instant he blocked the incoming blade, the Sword King was driven sliding backward.
Shiiik!
When the second attack came flying in, even faster than the first—
Puuuk!
There came the sound of flesh tearing.
But what the black sword had pierced was a soft, man-shaped doll. The doll seemed, somehow, to grin at Hwa Mugi.
Bang!
A moment later, it vanished like smoke.
Behind it stood the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Sword King together. Hwa Mugi’s momentum had been so overwhelming that the Pungcheon Cult Leader had intervened to help him.
Since it was an attack that could have taken his life in an instant, the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not hesitate to step in.
“I still haven’t decided on the tavern’s name.”
At the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s joke, the Sword King rubbed his wrist as he replied. The tremendous internal energy contained in Hwa Mugi’s sword had nearly broken it.
“Just name it whatever you like.”
“I refuse. I’m going to give it a splendid name.”
Judging by his earlier momentum, Hwa Mugi should have charged in again and again, but instead he was looking at the two of them with a smile. He had returned to his usual self.
As though he found this situation immensely amusing, Hwa Mugi stretched broadly. The black sword he had drawn pointed toward the air along with the motion.
“Now then, shall we fight in earnest?”
Hwa Mugi’s gaze moved in turn from the Sword King to the Pungcheon Cult Leader, then to the Poison King.
“Who should I kill first? Or should I kill all three of you at once?”
Hwa Mugi paid no attention to the other four behind them. His attitude said they were free to interfere as much as they liked.
Then, from behind, a calm voice rang out.
“Come here.”
The one who spoke was Geom Ujin.
Hwa Mugi turned to look at Geom Ujin and grinned.
“Our Cult Leader is personally calling me—what should I do? I’m a bit busy here. Wait. I’ll reduce their numbers first, then come.”
Then came an astonishing sentence from Geom Ujin’s mouth.
“Not you.”
“!”
Cold demonic energy flowed from Geom Ujin’s eyes. Then, toward the souls inside Hwa Mugi’s body, he launched a provocation that truly no one had expected.
“Don’t hide in there like a bunch of cripples. All of you, come to me.”