Episode 366: No Exception.
The truth is, to use the Sun-Moon Radiance, one must first acquire an extreme yang martial art like the Golden Crow Art. Only after raising one's realm in that art must one then obtain an extreme yin martial art like the Moonshadow Emotionless Art.
This is where most are blocked.
Because they must delve into a martial art of opposing nature while still training in an extreme yang art.
It is something close to impossible.
Even if obtained, due to the conflicting energies, there is a very high possibility that one's accumulated internal energy will scatter or that one will fall into qi deviation.
Let us suppose one is lucky or blessed with a miraculous encounter and possesses the two opposing internal energies; even then, time is needed to balance them, as the Cult Leader did.
Not even the Bright Right Emissary is an exception to this.
Even after enduring such an absurdly arduous process, one can obtain the technique only if one is lucky.
Then why was this possible for me?
From the very beginning, I started my martial training anew while carrying Heavenly Jade and guarding against qi deviation. Therefore, the process of mastering the Golden Crow Art was something I had already experienced in my past life, and the additional Moonshadow Emotionless Art was trained by carefully balancing it with the Golden Crow Art based on Heavenly Jade.
Thus, the Sun-Moon Radiance is a martial art that others must not rashly covet.
Even examined in that light, the Sun-Moon Radiance is nothing special.
Covet it, and you will fall into qi deviation.
Should you hit a wall in your research, you will have no choice but to ask me.
I looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.
‘Right Emissary, does the world seem easy to you? I pray that your path ahead is filled with thorns.’
There is a trap in the words I passed on.
If the Blood Cult Leader dreams of the Sun-Moon Radiance, he must now stop accumulating blood qi. His level is already quite high, after all. He will have to find a martial art of the opposite extreme, which will not be easy. In the end, even the Blood Cult Leader must dream of harmony and live following the natural order to use the Sun-Moon Radiance. If things go as I said, perhaps the Blood Cult Leader’s successor might be able to achieve it. Beyond that, I cannot design.
I have no choice but to leave the rest to my disciples….
Since the Lust Demon was circulating his qi to recover, we waited quietly. The events just before the disaster that had befallen us had been so urgent that the silent stillness was simply welcome.
After calming my mind, I rose, and….
The Ghost Demon, the Sword Demon, and the Heaven-Conquering Alliance Leader were looking at me from nearby.
The children and women had gathered a short distance away, calming their startled hearts.
The Alliance Leader spoke, our eyes meeting.
“The Tongcheonbang often provided us with information as well.”
“Did they?”
The Alliance Leader nodded.
“As far as I know, not once has the price for that information been paid. We took it for granted that Tongcheonbang would tell us this and that.”
“Spoken like a true Alliance Leader.”
The Alliance Leader looked at the children of Tongcheonbang.
“…The Alliance shall protect and sponsor them.”
It was a decision that showed considerable magnanimity.
The Alliance Leader, arms crossed, continued.
“But some children may not wish to stay with the Alliance. While tending to them, ask; in accordance with the children’s wishes, send them either to Haomen, which has a Gate Leader, or to Alliance Leader Im. Sending them to the Beggar Sect is out of the question. Gate Leader, can you handle that much?”
I looked at Jugeok. The thought occurred to me that this was no ordinary leader.
“Let us do so. It is decided that the Alliance and Haomen shall sponsor them together.”
I clapped three times by myself.
Clap, clap, clap.
Only after quickly deciding the most important matter did the Alliance Leader look at the Sword Demon.
“So you are the former Left Emissary now. Sword Demon, it is good to see you.”
The eldest brother looked at the Alliance Leader and nodded.
“It is good to see you, Alliance Leader.”
“I heard you fought the Sword King to a draw? The rumors were so rampant that even I heard them.”
We knew the Sword Demon had won, but remained silent.
The Alliance Leader spoke.
“…Somehow, it seems this is no longer the time for duels. Watching Usa’s rampage, even I am on the verge of mental turmoil. Had nothing happened, I would have liked to invite you someday to test our skills in a duel. If I defeat you, even the Military Sword King would fall beneath me, you see.”
Since the Alliance Leader spoke in a light tone, even the eldest brother laughed aloud, a rare sight.
“It was a draw with the Military Sword King, so it is not wrong.”
The Alliance Leader looked at the Lust Demon, who had his eyes closed.
“I heard you are the biggest troublemaker in Baeng’eungji, but this is unexpected. Earlier, when we rushed in together, you reacted faster than anyone except the Gate Leader. Your perception is quicker than your movement arts.”
I looked anew at the Lust Demon, whose complexion was pale.
“….”
When it comes to martial arts, whether by natural talent or what have you, he is truly a top-tier figure. Even though I simultaneously unleashed the Jaha Divine Art and the Shadow Darts, he caught up roughly a beat later and froze all the spiderwebs. In any case, it means the Lust Demon also exploded all his internal force as if wringing it dry, doing his utmost.
That I am sitting here now out of exhaustion,
and that he must circulate his qi to recover from overexertion, is the only difference between us.
Although he is a pathetic bastard who only causes messes, I too confirmed that he was still our fourth brother, one who did not stray from the shared desire to keep those children alive.
I thought it was fortunate that I had somehow recruited that shitter quickly.
No matter how much I thought about it, there was too much for the Mad Demon to handle alone.
I looked at the Alliance Leader’s subordinates still surrounding us on guard and spoke.
“May we sit down now?”
The Alliance Leader looked at his men.
“…Rest.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Nothing much changed. Those who had been standing sat down with their backs turned, maintaining the formation.
The Alliance Leader suddenly looked at the Ghost Demon.
“Seeing you in person, your bearing is even more remarkable. Mr. Six Harmonies.”
The Ghost Demon nodded.
“The Alliance Leader also has an extraordinary bearing.”
Jugeok made a peculiar expression and spoke.
“When you destroyed three or four factions under the alias of Mr. Six Harmonies, one of them was a group that Chief Gwon had been reviewing for admission into the alliance.”
The Ghost Demon’s eyes widened.
“Mm.”
Jugeok continued.
“I ordered an investigation into the matter, only to learn that it was a massacre and act of vengeance that occurred after the Six Harmonies Gate was destroyed because several men had caused trouble. I had said that grudges should be settled between the parties themselves. I blocked Chief Gwon’s intervention. Had I not, you would have nearly come to blows with the Alliance as well. I never expected you to appear and stand alongside the Haomen Gate Leader. Your skills seem to have grown far stronger than what was reported to me at the time.”
The Ghost Demon nodded.
“When I killed the Hong Mountain Society Chief, that man told me I would not survive long… Now I know what he meant.”
The Alliance Leader nodded.
“The Hong Mountain Society Chief, I remember now. He wanted to enter as a chief, so Chief Gwon must have been conducting a sort of examination. Strictly speaking, he was not yet affiliated with the Alliance. So he died at your hands during the examination, it seems.”
I cut into the conversation.
“Surviving in the martial world is no easy feat. Had the Alliance Leader lost his temper at that time and ordered Chief Gwon to kill you, the chances are high that we would not be traveling with the Six Harmonies now.”
The Alliance Leader looked at the Ghost Demon and smiled.
“Who can say? Is it not the martial world where one might flee far away and return as an expert? To my eyes, Six Harmonies, you do not seem inferior even compared to Chief Gwon now. You have become a strong one.”
Suddenly, the Alliance Leader turned his head and issued an order.
“Chief Mun, Chief Sin.”
Two men rose, turned around, and bowed their heads slightly.
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“Pursue him now. He went northeast. Even if you find him, you are not to engage on your own. The objective is to track his movements and travel route. Follow slowly, listening to what people say. As you know, he is half-mad and not someone you can handle. From the last conversation, the possibility is high that he will not immediately begin another massacre. Even so, we must keep track of him. Move now.”
“We accept your command.”
“Chief O.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
As another man rose, the Alliance Leader gave an order.
“Take full temporary control of the Tongcheonbang area. Inform all local factions and dark path thugs that the Alliance will act as the sponsor for the survivors here.”
“Yes.”
“When Jugwal, who went to deliver word to the Beggar Sect, returns, tell him to temporarily take charge as the local chief. After some time passes, I shall recommend one of the women originally belonging here as the new Tongcheonbang Leader. Until then, ensure no one lays hands on Tongcheonbang’s businesses and interests. They are all enterprises that the Tongcheonbang survivors must inherit. The Alliance is no exception either.”
“Understood.”
The formation surrounding us loosened, and several people moved at once. Another command fell.
“Red Tiger.”
A young man turned and looked at the Alliance Leader.
“Yes, Master.”
“Compile the appearance, attire, and characteristics of the Bright Right Emissary and create a wanted poster, then distribute it to the Beggar Sect and the Martial Alliance as well. Inform the surroundings that Usa is the Alliance’s number one public enemy. This madman may try to gather cult followers; spread threats appropriately so that those who fear me more will not join this pathetic religion.”
“Understood.”
“Record this massacre by Usa in detail, and also convey to the surrounding factions the intent to unite regardless of affiliation when the Blood Cult runs rampant. You move out as well.”
Red Tiger cupped his fists toward the Alliance Leader.
“Yes, I shall take my leave.”
Seeing this, Jugeok was indeed a leader worthy of the name.
Just then, the Lust Demon exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes while maintaining his meditative posture.
“Huu….”
We watched the Lust Demon’s expression for a moment.
The Lust Demon glanced around upon opening his eyes, then asked us.
“Any wounded?”
The Sword Demon answered on everyone’s behalf.
“None.”
“I see.”
The Lust Demon asked an odd question.
“Did we lose him?”
The Sword Demon tilted his head and answered.
“Did you lose consciousness? You must have seen Usa withdraw.”
The Lust Demon answered with a surprised expression.
“Mm… Until now, the peak of my output was when I used the Moonlight Flash, but by overexerting myself and drawing out more power, cold energy surged in and I seem to have briefly lost consciousness while standing. Is it just me, or is it cold right now?”
We raised our heads and looked at the perfectly fine sun. It felt like a pleasantly warm day—warm enough to take off one’s shirt.
I said to the Lust Demon.
“You’re the only one who is cold.”
“Really? But I only managed to endure because I ate fish. I nearly froze to death. I dreamt of fish swimming.”
Unable to understand what he was saying, the Alliance Leader blinked his eyes and looked at me.
“…Is it qi deviation?”
“Just nonsense.”
“I see.”
Only after hearing the Lust Demon’s nonsense did I realize we needed rest. We hadn’t actually fought the Right Emissary, yet we had consumed a great deal of mental strength one way or another. In this way, martial arts do not always consist of striking and wounding others; they also devour the practitioner himself.
Not even the Bright Right Emissary is an exception to this.
Whenever I unleashed the Jaha Divine Art, I felt no small amount of fatigue; the Bright Right Emissary too seemed to use demonic arts that ignored the body’s limits.
How could he utilize externally manifested blood qi like wings?
He must have displayed tremendous movement arts that no one could match in that instant, but the aftereffects would have been transmitted through his own body.
I looked at the children of Tongcheonbang for a moment.
It was a situation where it made no sense to tell children who had just lost their families to become my disciples or to go to the Alliance.
I muttered as I looked at the haggard children.
“You need to drink water and eat.”
Honestly, I was thinking that I didn’t know what to do now. One woman went around tending to the children and comforting the other women.
As I was looking on alongside the Alliance Leader….
It was a premature prediction, but I had a feeling that woman would become the next Tongcheonbang Leader. After silently watching that woman’s active efforts, I turned my head and….
These pathetic bastards were looking around with idle expressions, just like me.
These pitiful bastards who only knew real combat were rubbing their stomachs as if hungry. They seemed to want a drink but couldn’t bring themselves to say so because of the grave atmosphere. So I just cursed out the Sword Demon, the Ghost Demon, the Lust Demon, and the Alliance Leader all at once, saying whatever came to mind.
“Sigh, you pathetic bastards who only know how to fight all your lives….”
Of course, I am no exception either.
When I suddenly cursed, everyone stared blankly at me. In the end, I was the first to rise. I lightly kicked the seated Lust Demon and spoke.
“Let’s go eat. We have to eat to fight again. Come on. Get up, you worthless brothers, it’s time to stuff our faces. Now that I think about it, we haven’t eaten a single meal today.”
The Alliance Leader rose and inquired about my condition to the Sword Demon.
“Is it qi deviation?”
The Sword Demon shook his head.
“He is always like that.”
The Alliance Leader nodded.