Chapter 17
Jeok Un drew a breath, touching his face.
It was torn. Even parts of the mask and the human skin mask.
He felt the wind seeping through the gaps. Although he covered one side of his face, everyone was already looking at him.
But no one opened their mouths.
＂…I…＂
One of the many martial artists straightened up, brushing past Jeok Un.
＂I didn't see anything.＂
＂…Me neither.＂
＂Same here.＂
Countless martial artists brushed past him.
Looking down at the bisected corpse, Jeok Un spat.
＂Son of a bitch.＂
＂How wronged our Sect Leader must have been.＂
＂…Damn it. We should have noticed the signs before it came to this.＂
Something touched his shoulder. Jeok Un turned around.
A familiar gatekeeper of the Black Heaven grabbed his shoulder and whispered.
＂…Wang So-hong. I don't know who you really are…but thank you.＂
＂.......＂
＂You are a benefactor of the Black Heaven. A Martial Artist who awakened us to a truth that was almost forgotten.＂
The gatekeeper drew his sword. After planting the gleaming blade into the ground, he clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.
One knee knelt down. The Sword Body, bathed in moonlight, shone palely.
＂I, Jeok Dae Gwang, am indebted to Wang So-hong. Even after this night ends, I will not forget this debt. This is my respect for the Sect Leader…and my gratitude to you for protecting what we should have protected.＂
The Warriors looked at each other.
Another knelt.
＂I, Mak Sa-min. I will not forget this grace. The Sect Leader's benefactor is my benefactor. If anything difficult arises, call for me. I do not know your real name, but just whisper to me the events of tonight. That alone is enough for me to stake my life on.＂
The crowd surged.
Small dust clouds rose as one knee after another knelt.
＂I, Jo No-baek. The grace I received from the Sect Leader is beyond words. I will never forget you, who repaid the grace we could not.＂
＂I, Jin Bu-yeong. If your Sword calls, I will draw my axe once, anywhere. Thank you for restoring the honor of the Black Heaven.＂
＂I, Deung Pae-cheon. I swear on this Black Squad, come find me if you need my help in the future. I will lend you my axe anytime.＂
＂I, So Baek…＂
Words poured forth. Endlessly.
The sheer volume was so overwhelming that Jeok Un couldn’t respond.
…No. Did I have anything to say in the first place?
He spat the blood pooling in his mouth onto the ground.
In the unending oaths of the Black Heaven Warriors, Jeok Un could feel the prestige of the Sect Leader once more.
No one blamed him for hiding his identity. They were just grateful for avenging their leader.
Therefore, Jeok Un also returned the gesture, bowing his head slightly.
The night was ending.
His time as Wang So-hong was also coming to an end.
＂I didn't do this to receive anything.＂
＂......＂
＂......＂
＂Please, raise your heads. I…＂
Jeok Un laughed softly.
＂I'm the same as you. I received something from the Sect Leader, so I just wanted to give back.＂
He stumbled away. He could feel countless gazes piercing his back.
But he didn't look back. He came here to kill him. He just couldn’t dirty his own hands. It wasn’t like he deserved their gratitude.
They each simply chose what they wanted to do in their respective situations.
＂.......＂
But even so, he felt relieved.
「So-hong.」
It feels like I made the right choice.
. . .
He rejoined the 29th. She was looking around, having lost the man called Master Baek.
＂He was quick to flee. He’s no amateur in Martial Arts. At least he was on par with me.＂
＂On par…＂
＂Peak of Transcendence. A Martial Artist facing the Wall. But you…＂
The 29th's toes shimmered. Jeok Un finally understood where she stood.
A Realm so vast it was invisible. But now, its outline was clearly visible.
Peak of Transcendence.
A monster stood before him, with only the massive Wall of Supreme Peak remaining.
The 29th narrowed her eyes.
＂Did you encounter some fortuitous opportunity?＂
＂What had been accumulating burst forth at once.＂
＂…Hmm. Congratulations. But it’s not perfect yet. Do you know what Qi Body Unification is?＂
＂I've heard of it, but…＂
＂Mind, Qi, and body must all reach the same Realm to be called ‘Transcendence.’ If any one of them lags behind, you become half-baked. Your mind seems to have reached Transcendence…but your body and Qi are ridiculously lacking. The very edge of Top-Tier. That’s a more accurate assessment. Can you draw Sword Qi?＂
＂No.＂
He'd tried on the way here.
But it hadn't worked.
＂Once the three are balanced, you'll be able to imbue your Sword with Qi as you wish. Until then, refrain. There might be backlash.＂
＂Thank you.＂
The 29th turned her head, looking down at the moving Black Heaven Warriors.
＂Did things go well where you went?＂
＂I feel relieved.＂
＂That’s good. It seems the Black Heaven Warriors aren’t entirely devoid of benevolence. Letting someone as suspicious as you go.＂
＂I think it was because of Maeng So-Un’s notoriety.＂
＂Perhaps. But you know, it’s different. It’s not because of Maeng So-Un’s evil deeds, but because they saw something at the tip of your Sword.＂
The 29th chuckled.
＂The piglet seemed to have a hidden card…you mean you beat him? Well done, Thirtieth. Impressive for a Martial Artist who just crossed a small Wall.＂
＂.......＂
＂You have talent.＂
Talent.
Jeok Un laughed softly in disbelief. It was something he’d never heard in his life, which made it all the more amusing.
If anyone else had said it, he would have suspected sarcasm. But the words from the 29th seemed genuinely meant.
Talent.
Talent, huh.
＂…Even if I don’t have talent, I’ll try to create it.＂
＂Work hard, then.＂
＂Yes.＂
They returned to their lodgings, intending to pack their belongings and leave.
But someone rushed after them.
＂So, So-hong!＂
The familiar gatekeeper.
He panted in front of Jeok Un.
＂I, I thought you’d be leaving…I'm glad I didn't delay. I almost missed you…＂
＂…What is it?＂
＂Don't be alarmed. I just came to give you something.＂
He rummaged through his robes, pulling out a small, black pill.
＂This was placed among Maeng So-Un’s remains. At first, I thought it was excrement, but it wasn't. It seems it was lodged in his chest. And the Qi itself…＂
＂…It resembles the Sect Leader's.＂
Jeok Un fiddled with the pill he was handed. He could feel it.
The same trace he felt from Maeng Cheon's axe.
＂Why are you giving this to me…?＂
＂Maeng So-Un was a beast. A pig who knew nothing of benevolence. Even though we are members of the Divine Sect, we are still human, aren’t we? We cannot let someone else take the spoils of a beast we've caught. That would be truly beastly.＂
＂.......＂
＂The one who should have it must have it. I’ve never seen the Sect Leader smile so brightly since I joined the Black Heaven. It was a smile I hadn't seen in ten years.＂
The gatekeeper smiled bitterly.
＂I don’t know your real name, but still, So-hong. This is yours. No one else should have it. That’s what the Sect Leader would have wanted, too.＂
＂.......＂
＂Why? Does it not align with the Divine Sect's ways?＂
＂…T…that is so…＂
＂The Black Heaven is a sect under the Divine Sect. But even so, the Sect Leader always emphasized one principle.＂
The gatekeeper cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
＂Mutual support. If you receive help, you must also give it. Even the Divine Sect is not made of beasts who only crave power. At least, the Black Heaven is not.＂
＂.......＂
＂Didn't you do the same? You received something, so you protected what needed protecting.＂
The gatekeeper patted Jeok Un’s shoulder.
＂I’m the same. I received, so I came to return.＂
＂…What’s your name?＂
＂I told you earlier…haha. I must have been out of it. It’s Jeok Dae Gwang. What is your name?＂
＂Unfortunately, I can’t tell you. But…＂
Jeok Un tucked the pill into his robes.
＂Jeok Dae Gwang. I will remember your name. Since I've received something, shouldn’t I return something in kind?＂
＂…Khehehe. This could go on forever.＂
The gatekeeper, Jeok Dae Gwang, laughed heartily.
＂It would have been nice to have a deeper conversation with you earlier. I was blind. But now, I will only remember the two characters ‘So-hong.’ It may not fit the Divine Sect…but I have one more way to remember you.＂
＂What do you…＂
＂Righteous Hero. Doesn't that suit you? Go now, So-hong. I don't know where you are going, but…＂
Jeok Dae Gwang stepped back.
The space between his slightly furrowed brows looked somewhat melancholic.
＂I look forward to our reunion.＂
＂…Yes, Brother Jeok.＂
Jeok Un returned the respectful gesture.
＂I hope to see you again someday.＂
. . .
＂The report has arrived, Sir 1st Demon.＂
＂Is that so?＂
The Blood Demon Squad Leader handed the letter to the 1st Demon.
＂The 29th and 30th of the Blood Demon Corps…killed not only the Sect Leader of the Black Heaven but also his eldest son?＂
＂Yes, Sir 1st Demon.＂
＂.......＂
The silence was heavy.
The Blood Demon Squad Leader knew the 1st Demon well. He'd never seen the face behind the Mask, but just standing before her, he knew she was a Master he couldn't even dream of matching.
A powerful figure whose position was unfathomable, even though she had reached the peak of Transcendence. One of the Heavenly Eight Demons, and a monstrous talent chosen by the Cult Leader herself at the young age of eight.
There was an overwhelming difference between him and the person before him.
And he also knew she hated it when things didn't go according to plan.
The Blood Demon Squad Leader bowed his head deeply.
He desperately tried to deflect her wrathful Sword away from him.
＂I will handle the ones who acted rashly, Sir 1st Demon. I will also take care of the aftermath perfectly. You needn’t worry…＂
＂No. There’s no need.＂
The 1st Demon nodded.
＂Instead of that, report exactly what happened.＂
＂.......?＂
…Something…
…is different than usual.
The Blood Demon Squad Leader cautiously gauged her mood. Report what happened?
The 1st Demon usually didn’t care about the stories of insects like them. If she was asking for a report, then…
Was there some hidden reason?
＂Are your ear canals blocked?＂
＂N, No, sir! I’ll report. The 29th and 30th received news of the Black Heaven Sect Leader's death the day before the operation. According to the report…despite hearing the rumors, they infiltrated the Black Heaven again on the day of the operation to confirm the body.＂
＂That much is written here. I'm talking about who these two clashed with.＂
＂According to the Institution, the Black Heaven Sect Leader's eldest son was practicing a Martial Art called White Demon God. A man called Master Baek, who pretended to be a Divine Healer's disciple, was also with him.＂
＂White Demon God?＂
An intense gaze shot down from beneath the 1st Demon's black Mask.
＂Is that true?＂
＂T, The acquired information indicated so…＂
＂And?＂
＂The 29th clashed with Master Baek. He was injured and fled.＂
＂It seems the 29th is quite skilled with the Sword.＂
＂…Do you perhaps know Master Baek…?＂
＂It's none of your concern. Continue.＂
＂Y, Yes! And then…the 30th clashed with the Black Heaven Sect Leader's son, who had learned White Demon God.＂
＂So?＂
The Blood Demon Squad Leader desperately tried to read the 1st Demon’s expression. For some reason, her aura felt heavier than usual, as if it held something within.
What is it? The 30th…Come to think of it, wasn’t he a recent addition? It was strange from the start that she wanted to hear a report she wouldn’t normally care about.
Is there some connection between the 1st Demon and the 30th…?
＂Your ears are useless. If you can’t hear even when you have them, they're better off gone.＂
＂I, I apologize, sir!＂
＂This is the last time, Blood Demon Squad Leader. So what happened?＂
＂Th, The 30th…that is, the 30th…killed the Black Heaven Sect Leader's son. He was driven into a corner, then cut the son in half from head to groin with a single Sword stroke.＂
＂He bisected someone who had learned White Demon God?＂
＂Y…Yes?＂
The 1st Demon fell silent for a moment. The Blood Demon Squad Leader frantically searched his memory, wondering if he had reported something wrong.
The silent 1st Demon opened her mouth.
＂…4th Demon will be looking for the Blood Demon Corps. That one has an insatiable appetite for talent. Once his eyes are set on something, he moves without regard for consequences. He reached the Wall of Transcendence less than a year after entering Demonic Valley…＂
＂…Yes?＂
＂Return to Demonic Valley, Blood Demon Squad Leader.＂
The 1st Demon turned back to the documents.
＂Send a Messenger Pigeon when the 29th and 30th arrive at Demonic Valley. I will go there myself.＂