Chapter 103
The Murim was once again thrown into turmoil.
The Phantom Divine Monarch is one of the Ten Great Masters.
He had been killed by a mysterious master.
His Joy Palace had been wiped out along with him.
His death brought to light all the horrific and vile deeds he had committed while operating the underground arenas behind the scenes.
The identities of those who had funded the arena and reveled in the gruesome slaughter were also revealed.
The Lord of the Five Dragon Alliance, the Gate Lord of the Iron Sword Gate, the Great Young Master of the Jin Clan—wealthy figures from both the Righteous and Demonic Factions had sponsored this slaughter.
The entire Jungwon was shocked by the evil deeds of these men, including the Phantom Divine Monarch.
And it was abuzz with talk.
Of the appearance of another master.
A master whose name was not even known.
People called him the “Mysterious Master Nameless.”
“What did you say?”
It was an exceptionally lavish room.
A room was adorned with so much gold and so many jewels that even the wealthiest merchants or clans would not dare to raise their heads.
Yet an irritable voice, ill-suited to the splendor, burst forth from within.
“The Phantom Divine Monarch is dead? And by a master whose name I’ve never even heard before?”
A man with a sharp, severe impression was seated arrogantly on a large, dragon-ornamented throne.
Beside him, a great spear decorated with five-colored tassels was particularly eye-catching.
The man’s eyes shot up at his subordinate’s report.
“Yes. That is what we’ve heard.”
*KWANG!*
The man slammed his hand on the armrest of the throne.
He ground his teeth in fury.
It wasn't because of the Phantom Divine Monarch's death.
It was because he had a good idea *why* he had died.
“Then that bastard named Nameless took the Guardian Mirror?”
“We must investigate further for the details, but it seems highly likely.”
“Ha! How dare he take what I had my eye on!”
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
The still air seemed to tremble with his rage.
The face of the subordinate standing before the man turned deathly pale with fear.
And he was not the only one. Who in the Jungwon would not fear this man?
The Spear Ghost is one of the Twelve Venerables of the World.
Though he professed to be neutral, those who truly knew him feared him more than the Demonic Faction or the Demonic Cult.
“Nameless. I will remember that name.”
The Spear Ghost’s eyes glinted menacingly.
“*Heo.*”
Jin So-baek’s jaw dropped.
The tea he was pouring overflowed from the cup and dripped onto the floor below.
Yeo Un-hwi shifted his leg slightly to avoid the falling drops.
*Oops.* Jin So-baek hastily righted the teapot, grabbed a nearby towel, and tossed it roughly onto the table.
At Yeo Un-hwi’s questioning glance, as if he were asking if he should wipe the rest, Jin So-baek waved his hand dismissively.
That could be cleaned up later.
It wasn't important right now.
Jin So-baek pulled a chair over and sat down, leaning in close.
“S-so, you’re saying that mysterious master who defeated one of the Ten Great Masters is...?”
“Ah, ah. It seems that's what they're calling me.”
Jin So-baek’s jaw dropped once more.
He was utterly dumbfounded.
How could the man speak of it as if it were nothing?
Jin So-baek recalled the events of a few days prior.
When Yeo Un-hwi declared he would take the Guardian Mirror from the Phantom Divine Monarch, an absurd notion, Jin So-baek clung to his clothes, trying to stop him.
No matter how outstanding Yeo Un-hwi’s martial arts were, the Phantom Divine Monarch was a man who had his name listed among the Ten Great Masters.
To put it nicely, he was going to throw his life away; to put it bluntly, he was going to die a dog’s death. How could he not try to stop him?
He was, after all, one of the Hao Sect’s most valued clients.
But Yeo Un-hwi hadn’t paid him any mind and had left in a flash, so Jin So-baek had assumed that would be their last meeting... but then.
He had suddenly appeared, and for a brief moment, Jin So-baek had felt relieved. *“He didn”t do something foolish and get himself killed! It was worth trying to stop him!’* But then, Yeo Un-hwi had presented him with none other than...
*“The Guardian Mirror! It”s the Guardian Mirror!’*
Jin So-baek looked again at the small mirror in Yeo Un-hwi’s hand.
*Heh. Heheh.*
A hollow laugh escaped him; he couldn't help it.
“But why did you bring this here? You didn't just come to show it to me, I presume.”
“You certainly say some amusing things.”
“I wasn't trying to be amusing.”
“Tell me everything you know about the Guardian Mirror. I came here to hear it.”
“Ah, well, that's not difficult.”
After a brief exchange, Jin So-baek deftly pocketed the gold ingot lying on the table and began to share all the information he had on the Guardian Mirror.
The scope extends from the time it first appeared, to its successive owners, the conflicts and wars it caused, the legends surrounding it, and so on.
And finally, how to use it.
After listening to the rather lengthy explanation, Yeo Un-hwi was lost in thought.
Getting the Guardian Mirror without hesitation was all well and good.
But the aftermath was the problem.
The issues ranged from the small problem of how Yul-i could carry the mirror without dropping it, to the larger concern that the Guardian Mirror itself might attract conflict, big or small.
Whether it was the creator’s taste or something else.
The Guardian Mirror was about the size of his palm, but it was quite ornate and flashy in appearance.
If Yul-i were to take out the Guardian Mirror, the possibility that someone with an interest in it might recognize it could not be ruled out.
For instance, the Spear Ghost, who had tried to kill the Phantom Divine Monarch... or someone like him.
Once the Guardian Mirror was activated, Yul-i would not be in any danger no matter who came, but it was best if no one knew Yul-i possessed the Guardian Mirror in the first place.
What should he do?
He was worried that trying to remove the decorations would damage the Guardian Mirror, and its size was too awkward for Yul-i to always carry in her robes, not to mention the design was unsuited for a child of her age...
It was at that moment.
As he was carefully examining the Guardian Mirror, one of Yeo Un-hwi’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“Hmm?”
It was the expression of a man who had just discovered something.
Soon,
*Woong woong woong*
*Pasasak!*
As Yeo Un-hwi infused his internal qi into the Guardian Mirror, it began to vibrate with a low hum before shattering into dust with a soft crunch, leaving only a single, bead-shaped piece of glass on his palm.
Jin So-baek’s eyes looked as if they would pop out of their sockets.
He, too, had felt Yeo Un-hwi channel his internal qi into the Guardian Mirror.
“Wh-wh-wh-what are you doing? Aack! You broke the Guardian Mirror! After going through all that trouble to get it!”
“Hmm? I’m the one who got it, though?”
“Still! To do that to one of the Seven Great Treasures of Murim!”
Jin So-baek tore at his hair and writhed.
But the one who had caused the incident, Yeo Un-hwi, remained perfectly composed.
He brushed the powder from his hand, held up the round piece of glass, and stated simply.
“This is the main body.”
“...Pardon?”
Jin So-baek asked blankly for a moment, but he soon understood the words.
“The main body?”
“Yes. All the energy of the Guardian Mirror was emanating from this one piece. This is good. I can make a necklace out of this. Haha.”
“*Heh.*”
Jin So-baek was once again dumbfounded.
*Just what kind of person are you?*
Ever since their first meeting, Jin So-baek has found himself constantly surprised by Yeo Un-hwi’s every action.
“By the way.”
Watching Yeo Un-hwi carefully place the core of the Guardian Mirror into his robes, Jin So-baek continued.
“You’re probably the only person in the world who would kill one of the terrifying Ten Great Masters for his daughter's safety.”
Any father in the world would think of his child’s safety, but...
Would they go this far?
But Yeo Un-hwi had put the thought into action without a moment’s hesitation, and the sight left Jin So-baek with a weary expression.
It was admirable, in many ways.
“Is that so?”
At Jin So-baek’s words, Yeo Un-hwi smiled brightly.
*He’s taking it as a compliment when it wasn’t meant as one. Heh heh.*
But Jin So-baek would never know in his wildest dreams.
Yeo Un-hwi was the Blood Demon, who had once dyed the world in blood after losing his wife and child.
He would likely go to his grave without ever knowing.
Afterward, Jin So-baek saw Yeo Un-hwi off with a dazed expression.
He couldn't help but wonder if he had taken on a client far more terrifying than he had ever imagined.
On a fine, sunny day.
Yeo Un-hwi took Yul-i to his personal Training Room.
“Daddy, why?”
“Mm-hm. Daddy has a gift for Yul-i.”
“A gift?!”
Yul-i’s eyes immediately began to sparkle.
A faint smile on his lips at the adorable sight, Yeo Un-hwi soon took something out from his robes.
It was a necklace he had made by tying a knot around the core of the Guardian Mirror.
“Here you go.”
Yeo Un-hwi crouched down to meet Yul-i’s eyes and placed the necklace around her neck.
Soon, the light and dainty bead necklace was settled around Yul-i’s neck.
“How is it? Pretty, right?”
“Wow! Yes! It's pretty! Thank you, Daddy!”
At Yul-i’s bright smile, Yeo Un-hwi grinned and said.
“Yul-i. Now I'm going to tell you two things, so you have to remember them well, okay?”
In high spirits, Yul-i nodded her head vigorously.
“First, you must always wear this necklace that Daddy just gave you, when you sleep, when you wash, and when you play with your friends. Always.”
“Always?”
“Yes. That’s not hard, is it?”
“Nope!”
“Second, if you ever feel like you're in danger, you must shout “Guardian.” Got it?”
“Why?”
“Because then the necklace will protect you.”
“Really?”
“Of course."
“Mm! Got it.”
“Alright, then what are you supposed to shout when it’s dangerous?”
Yeo Un-hwi deliberately cupped his ear and leaned toward Yul-i.
At the confirming question, Yul-i made a mischievous face and gave a different answer.
“Dad!”
“No, Yul-i, not that...”
He wanted to laugh at his lovely child’s mischief but held it in and was just about to explain again.
Bzzzz!
From the Guardian Necklace around Yul-i’s neck, light burst forth and soon formed a protective barrier around Yul-i.
Yeo Un-hwi’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected situation.
It was one of the very rare moments since his return that Yeo Un-hwi, who usually stayed calm no matter what, was genuinely surprised.
“So it didn”t have to be the word “Guardian” after all?’
It was something he hadn’t known at all.
And Jin So-baek hadn’t told him, perhaps not knowing himself.
*Meanwhile,*
“Wow! It’s so pretty!”
With a face full of awe, Yul-i looked around.
And no wonder—because the barrier around her was far more transparent, sparkling, and beautiful than the one made by the Phantom Divine Monarch.
*Does the form of the barrier change depending on the caster?*
Seeing Yul-i bounce up and down excitedly, Yeo Un-hwi let out a faint chuckle.
He was startled, sure, but so what.
All that mattered was that it could be used.
If anything, Yeo Un-hwi felt happy—childish as it might be.
Soon, Yeo Un-hwi explained the rest of the instructions Jin So-baek had told him about how to use the pendant.
And then,
“Yul-i. You must never tell anyone about this necklace. It’s a secret just between you and Dad.”
“Mm! I won’t tell anyone. Secret!”
Yul-i beamed brightly and raised a finger to her lips.
It was the day when the Guardian Mirror, unseen by anyone else, came to rest in Yul-i’s hands.