Chapter 172. Like My Twisted Heart
The master of Uhyang Valley was in his mid-thirties.
Lady Cheolseom and the master of Yuhwa Valley were around the same age, so the three did not look like superior and subordinate, but like friends of the same generation. From the master of Yuhwa Valley’s impression, I could sense caution; from the master of Uhyang Valley’s, stubbornness and pride stood out most strongly.
The master of Uhyang Valley, who had likewise been studying me, asked,
“Sect Leader, what brings you here?”
I found the question odd and thought for a moment. It seemed the master of Uhyang Valley still did not know that I had beaten that middle-management bastard to death at Chunmong Inn. Which meant Yeop Yahong had taken quite some time to report to the White-Faced Young Master.
I looked at the Flash Dagger and replied,
“There are things I have to tell you, and things I have to ask. Lady Cheolseom.”
Lady Cheolseom answered at once.
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
I pointed at the Flash Dagger and said,
“I’ve been using it very well. Every time I stab with it, it sinks right in. An excellent dagger. Thanks to it, I’ve cut down quite a lot.”
Lady Cheolseom gave a dry laugh and answered,
“I’m glad to hear it has been of use.”
I looked around, then asked the master of Uhyang Valley,
“Valley Master, I’m curious when that man called the White-Faced Young Master might arrive.”
The master of Uhyang Valley frowned and answered,
“That is not something I know either. He is not someone who reports to me. Why are you looking for him? Let us get to the point.”
“To the point… yes, we should. Who here has taken the poison given by the White-Faced Young Master? Has Lady Cheolseom taken it too?”
Lady Cheolseom waved her hand.
“Ah, not me. The master of Yuhwa Valley has not taken it either.”
“Then only the master of Uhyang Valley has?”
The master of Uhyang Valley’s complexion was not good. It was probably because I kept speaking down to him. Sure enough, the master of Uhyang Valley dropped his formal tone as well.
“Sect Leader, why on earth are you asking that? I have taken it, and I am suffering for it.”
I spoke while roughly mixing polite and informal speech.
“I know we have had no dealings, so it will be hard for my words to carry weight, but for now, I will tell you this in good faith. The antidote the Valley Master is taking is not an antidote. Rather, the antidote contains an ingredient that causes addiction, so if you cannot keep taking it, you will suffer all manner of symptoms. I do not know if you were aware.”
The master of Uhyang Valley looked at me in shock.
Lady Cheolseom asked me,
“Sect Leader, is that true?”
“Madam, why would I suddenly come to a place like this and say such a thing? Unless I were a madman.”
Lady Cheolseom asked,
“Forgive me, but how did you find out?”
I pointed at Byeokgeom with my finger.
“We have a renowned physician on our side, so at first we tried to detoxify Byeokgeom and failed. Whether you believe me or not, put that aside for now. To tell you the result first, the more you take that antidote, the more painful it will become. It means the withdrawal symptoms are truly terrible. It is not a medicine that neutralizes poison; it means you end up cooperating with the White-Faced Young Master in order to keep taking the antidote. Is what I am saying difficult to understand?”
Lady Cheolseom answered,
“In truth, the master of Yuhwa Valley knows much about poisons, so she had come here personally to examine the master of Uhyang Valley.”
“And the conclusion?”
“We had not yet found anything certain.”
I nodded.
“Good. It looks like this conversation might start loosening up.”
The master of Uhyang Valley, who looked rather sharp, opened his mouth.
“Sect Leader, what is your reason for coming all the way here to tell us this?”
There were many things I could have said, but I answered as briefly as possible.
“I have many enemies. Some here, some there. The Black Dao is my enemy, and part of the White Dao is my enemy too. Soon, the Demon Cult will also become my enemy. The fact that I got into a quarrel with these fellows not long ago is only the surface of it. I was going to beat them to death anyway… and then the Third Young Master’s forces caught my eye. When I looked into it, the White-Faced Young Master turned out to be a subordinate of the Demon Cult Leader’s son.”
The master of Uhyang Valley asked,
“Absurd. You know that, and yet you are acting like this? Was the Hao Sect such an impressive sect?”
I shook my head.
“I’m a little busy, so I intend to fight before the Hao Sect becomes impressive. Why… does that displease you?”
The master of Uhyang Valley let out a hollow laugh, as if my tone was absurd.
“Heh heh.”
After looking this way and that, the master of Uhyang Valley said to Byeokgeom,
“Byeokgeom, come here and help me out a little.”
Byeokgeom replied in a blunt tone.
“This is not my place to interfere. Speak with the Sect Leader. As for the poison and the antidote, the Sect Leader’s words are correct.”
At that moment, one subordinate quickly approached, passing Byeokgeom, and said to the master of Uhyang Valley,
“Valley Master, the White-Faced Young Master has arrived.”
The master of Uhyang Valley replied in a calm tone.
“Show him in.”
People’s eyes began moving busily.
I was wearing my bamboo hat with my back exposed, and the moment I learned that the White-Faced Young Master was coming from behind, the back of my head grew rather hot. Even then, I observed the master of Uhyang Valley’s expression.
The master of Uhyang Valley was sighing again and again.
Before I could say anything, the White-Faced Young Master’s voice sounded.
“Valley Master, it has been a while. I see you were with guests.”
Not only the White-Faced Young Master, but experts whose footsteps could hardly be heard had accompanied him.
I gauged the level of their martial arts and the number of experts by the footsteps of those approaching. There were not that many, but with this much, enough masters had come to annihilate all of Uhyang Valley.
* * *
The White-Faced Young Master appeared right beside me, sat in an empty seat, and looked at the people gathered around the table. Since he had a white mask covering his face, I found it funny the moment I saw him and snorted.
‘What a dumb bastard.’
The master of Uhyang Valley said in a bitter tone,
“Young Master, you have arrived.”
The White-Faced Young Master nodded and answered,
“As expected of the well-connected master of Uhyang Valley. You truly have many friends in the martial world. Introduce them.”
The master of Uhyang Valley raised his hand and introduced them in order.
“The master of Yuhwa Valley, Lady Cheolseom, and the leader of the Hao Sect.”
The White-Faced Young Master burst into laughter, then nodded broadly.
“A pleasure to meet you all. Yeop Yahong.”
Yeop Yahong’s voice came from behind.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Yeop Yahong, who had run over at full speed, looked at the White-Faced Young Master.
“Did you call for me?”
The White-Faced Young Master moved his fingers this way and that.
“Is the Hao Sect Leader you spoke of perhaps the Hao Sect Leader sitting here right now?”
When I sharply turned my head, Yeop Yahong flinched in fright and stepped back.
“Ah, yes. That is correct.”
I spoke as cheerfully as I could to Yeopyahong, whose face was a mask of utter shock.
“Young Hero Yeop, you’re here?”
“Ah, yes.”
Bored, I chattered about whatever came to mind.
“Did you prepare what I asked for?”
Yeopyahong answered with his eyes wide.
“What bullshit is this?”
“Shut your mouth and step back. This isn’t your place.”
“But—”
The moment the White-Masked Young Master turned his head, Yeopyahong bowed deeply.
“He is a madman, so please forgive him, Young Master.”
The White-Masked Young Master also waved his hand dismissively.
“Step back.”
“Yes.”
Yeopyahong backpedaled as if withdrawing from a king before his throne, then turned and left. Watching his retreat, I muttered,
“What a fucking mess.”
The White-Masked Young Master looked at the Lord of Uhyang Valley.
“Valley Lord, what is the meaning of this? Don’t tell me you laid a trap for me? Why is the Lord of Haomun here?”
The Lord of Uhyang Valley answered immediately.
“The Lord of Haomun also just arrived. I too am meeting him for the first time. If the two of you have matters to settle, settle them. I have no part in this. He spoke of the antidote being poison the moment he arrived; you, Young Master, should be the one to answer for that.”
The Lord of Uhyang Valley deftly extricated himself from the situation.
The White-Masked Young Master looked at me.
“……”
It seemed I had indeed arrived with impeccable timing.
Since the White-Masked Young Master was right before my eyes, I had absolutely no intention of letting him slip away.
The White-Masked Young Master produced three pills from his bosom and tossed them onto the table like dice. The three pills landed precisely before the Lord of Yuhwa Valley, Lady Cheolseom, and me.
The White-Masked Young Master spoke in a changed tone.
“You three—eat those and I’ll let you live. And Lord of Uhyang Valley, you seem unwilling to take the antidote? You’ve been uncooperative at every turn. Fine. If you can endure the poison, by all means, continue.”
The Lord of Uhyang Valley looked back and forth between the White-Masked Young Master and me, then asked,
“Young Master, according to the Lord of Haomun, the antidote causes withdrawal symptoms. Are you telling me to keep taking that damn antidote and be a slave for life? That wasn’t our agreement. Did I look like a man who would serve as another’s dog for life out of fear of death?”
I applauded the Lord of Uhyang Valley’s bold reply.
Clap, clap, clap.
At that, the Lord of Uhyang Valley turned on me.
“And Lord of Haomun, what do you want, telling me this? If it was to capture the White-Masked Young Master, he is right before you. In any case, the two of you settle your matter first. I will settle my grievances with the winner. Uhyang Valley will not interfere in your affairs.”
A laugh escaped me.
It was truly a gathering of old foxes, masters of schemes and calculation.
Amused by the situation, I asked Lady Cheolseom,
“What will you do, my lady?”
Lady Cheolseom read the room and answered,
“I will of course obey the Lord’s command. As promised before, I will not become the Lord’s enemy. A promise is a promise.”
The Lord of Yuhwa Valley spoke.
“I too have no intention of blindly swallowing such pills.”
I nodded and sent applause to the two of them as well.
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
Suddenly, the White-Masked Young Master let out a long sigh, removed his mask, and placed it on the table.
“…Then shall all four of you die by my hand?”
I broke out in goosebumps and rubbed my arms.
“Ugh, what distasteful confidence.”
I spoke to Lady Cheolseom as if I had just remembered something.
“Ah, my lady.”
“Yes.”
“Rise for a moment with the Lord of Yuhwa Valley. Quickly.”
Lady Cheolseom sprang to her feet and pulled up the seated Lord of Yuhwa Valley. I spoke while nodding,
“Good. Step back three paces, just like that. Execute.”
Lady Cheolseom and the Lord of Yuhwa Valley stepped back. I nodded again and then waved my hand.
“Get the hell back.”
“Yes.”
“Flash Hidden Dagger, this is repayment for your trust. Get back, far back.”
I withdrew the two from the battlefield with a few arbitrary words. The White-Masked Young Master was dangerous, but in truth, the two could have died caught in the crossfire of my attacks.
Seeing me oddly pull the two away, the White-Masked Young Master smiled.
“My, what an interesting young man.”
Only then did I see the White-Masked Young Master’s true face. He was a man in his early thirties with unremarkable, decent features.
That he removed his mask meant he had no intention of leaving anyone who saw his face alive; the psychology of those who played at wearing masks was largely the same.
I wanted to turn around and check the experts the White-Masked Young Master had brought, but this man possessed an undeniable presence.
I couldn’t afford to look behind me, lest I be ambushed.
At that moment, the Lord of Uhyang Valley quietly rose.
The White-Masked Young Master snorted and commanded the Lord of Uhyang Valley,
“Valley Lord, do not speak such nonsense as ‘neutrality’ before me. Finish off the Lord of Haomun with your own hands. You’re not the only one with a poison problem. The lives of everyone in Uhyang Valley hang upon your decision. Lord of Haomun.”
“What?”
The White-Masked Young Master looked at me with a smile.
“You try threatening him too. I’m curious whose words he’ll heed.”
“Wow, you’re quite the fun-loving one.”
I nodded and threatened the Lord of Uhyang Valley, who stood at a crossroads.
“If White Mask wins, you remain a slave. If I win, you’re free. I am the Lord of Haomun, the vanguard of the Murim Slave Liberation Front, as well as its central army, its rear guard, its quartermaster, and simultaneously its supreme commander.”
The White-Masked Young Master shook his head.
“As Yeopyahong said, you’re utterly mad.”
I met eyes with the White-Masked Young Master, and simultaneously we extended a hand to contest palm force.
Thwack!
My right hand and the White-Masked Young Master’s left hand met, each channeling force against the other.
In that instant, the two of us turned our heads toward the Lord of Uhyang Valley.
“……”
Having confirmed that we were locked in a contest of palm force, the Lord of Uhyang Valley slowly moved his left hand and grasped the long sword at his waist.
He was assuming the stance to draw his blade.
For the first time, the Lord of Uhyang Valley smirked and opened his mouth.
“Who should I kill…?”
Behind me, several swords were simultaneously drawn.
From behind came Master Yukhap’s laughter.
“Lord, you’re not dying over there, are you? I think I’d be rather disappointed.”
Lady Cheolseom, standing some distance away, produced hidden weapons from her bosom, while the Lord of Yuhwa Valley beside her also slowly drew his sword.
From behind me came Yeop Yahong’s impish voice as well.
“Sect Leader, it seems you’ll be departing for heaven today. How did you ever come to walk into the tiger’s den of your own accord?”
I nodded, feeling deeply pleased.
Who, indeed, would betray me, and who would not?
The human heart is impossible to know, and life cannot be seen even an inch ahead.
Even in the midst of all this, the words of our true man among men, Elder Heo, suddenly came to mind. His saying that even if he were born again, he would want to live in the jianghu was exactly how I felt.
For the first time in a very long while, I felt my dantian stir.
It was the first time since I swallowed the Heavenly Jade at Manjang Cliff. Back then, it had felt as though the midpoint of my dantian had been neatly sliced apart by a blade, dividing it into two masses, but now it was a little different. The dantian that had been split into yin and yang seemed to have gone mad along with me; the two halves lunged at each other, collided like my twisted heart, and shriveled inward.
How, exactly, should I describe this shape?
For instance…….
.
.
.
Taiji (太極)?