Chapter 46:Attack(2)
The fight between the warriors of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and the masked individuals was temporarily halted by the shout of Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the Heaven and Earth Society.
However, it was still not a situation where they could let their guard down.
The Heaven and Earth Society remained a violent organization that had not abandoned its ambition to unify the Central Plains, so if the Bright Blade King Son Yun were to change his mind midway, the battle would resume.
".....This is serious," Lady Seok, the first wife, whispered to the guard Ho-aeng.
From what she had heard, it seemed that they were after a secret manual or something similar that the Manor Master had found somewhere, and it was said to be in a hidden space within the Medicinal Hall.
-Glance!
She surreptitiously glanced at Mok Gyeong-un, who was still circulating energy.
That child….. It appeared that he had found the Manor Master's exclusive secret manual in the Medicinal Hall.
Otherwise, how could he have bargained with her while never leaving the Medicinal Hall?
At this, the guard Ho-aeng said to her,
"Madam... Shouldn't we inform the Manor Master about this?"
"We should, but..."
Lady Seok's eyes took on a peculiar expression.
If she were to consider the future of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, informing the Manor Master now would allow him to quickly address the situation.
However, a clever idea crossed Lady Seok's mind.
'That child said he had only given me two stances of the Ignited Wood Sword Formation and that the rest of the oral formulas were all in his head.'
If that were the case, given that cunning fellow's personality, there was a high probability that he had also memorized and destroyed the secret manual.
She was convinced that was likely the case.
Then, there was no need to inform the Manor Master right now.
If someone had memorized a secret manual precious enough for the Heaven and Earth Society to consider it a treasure, how would they react?
"I think it will be fine to inform him a little later," Lady Seok said, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
If things went well, she might be able to rid herself of a troublesome tumor here.
As the situation had progressed to this point, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been immersed in the energy circulation, finally opened his eyes.
"Young Master!" the guard Go Chan, who had been standing guard beside him, called out in a low voice.
Mok Gyeong-un glanced at him once, then surveyed the surroundings.
Seeing the situation in a standstill, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips as if disappointed.
'No wonder the death energy was cut off midway.'
It was because the fighting had ceased.
Mok Gyeong-un was actually disappointed that no more people were dying.
However, it seemed that assessing the situation took priority at the moment.
"What happened?"
Come to think of it, why was the Demonic Monk in the form of a vengeful spirit, abandoning the body of the Outer Manor Master?
"Well..."
As Mok Gyeong-un looked puzzled, Go Chan whispered in his ear, explaining what had transpired.
Mok Yu-cheon glanced at Mok Gyeong-un with a somewhat envious gaze.
'When did that bastard acquire such a guard?'
He had never seen Go Chan before, so he couldn't help but be curious when he was introduced as Mok Gyeong-un's guard.
Not only was his appearance outstanding, but Mok Yu-cheon was particularly amazed by his martial arts prowess.
Regardless, having grasped the situation to some extent, Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin and let out a soft groan.
"Hmm."
'What are you going to do about this?' Go Chan looked at Mok Gyeong-un with a perplexed expression.
It was literally a situation where they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
Soon, the masked individual from the Heaven and Earth Society who had gone to search the secret place in the Medicinal Hall would return.
When that happened, a catastrophe could unfold.
"Young Master….. The Heaven and Earth Society is a truly dangerous organization. If we're not careful..."
"Wait a moment."
"Yes?"
While Go Chan was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un approached Manor Master Mok In-dan, who was waiting with an anxious expression.
Mok In-dan admonished him in a low voice,
"If you're injured, just rest quietly. Right now..."
"May I ask who inflicted that wound on your side?"
"What?"
Manor Master Mok In-dan furrowed his brow at Mok Gyeong-un's sudden question.
As if the uncertain situation ahead wasn't enough, why was this child asking such a thing?
The Manor Master sighed and said,
"Now is not the time to discuss that..."
"There's nothing in the underground of the Medicinal Hall."
At those words, the Manor Master was momentarily flustered and almost blurted out a response, but he managed to hold back and surveyed the surroundings with his eyes.
The Bright Blade King Son Yun was standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall and looking at him.
Conscious of him, the Manor Master lowered his voice even more and whispered,
"What do you mean by that? There's nothing in the underground of the Medicinal Hall, what on earth..."
"It's exactly as I said. So, if you tell me where, how, and by whom you received that wound on your side, I will handle this situation."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Manor Master Mok In-dan's eyes turned fierce.
Mok In-dan glared at Mok Gyeong-un and said,
"Did you perhaps go to the underground?"
"Yes."
"How did you... Ha!"
For a moment, he wanted to grab the back of his neck.
How did this kid find out about that place and go there?
And he couldn't understand why he was so fixated on this wound.
But that wasn't what mattered right now.
"Don't tell me you tampered with that?"
"Please tell me first."
"You!"
The Yeon Mok Sword Manor was in a life-or-death crisis, so what kind of behavior was this?
With anger surging, Manor Master Mok In-dan grabbed Mok Gyeong-un's wrist.
And applying force, he said,
-Grip!
"Where is it? Tell me right now. The future of our clan is at stake. I can't tolerate your mischief in this situation..."
"Does it seem like mischief to you?"
'!?'
Manor Master Mok In-dan frowned.
Was this really the same child he knew?
He was gripping his wrist so tightly and imposing his authority, yet the child didn't avert his eyes at all and showed no sign of fear.
"You...."
It was at that very moment.
-Tap tap tap tap!
A masked individual was seen rushing over in a hurry.
Seeing this, Manor Master Mok In-dan's expression hardened.
It was the masked individual he had sent to the Medicinal Hall.
The Bright Blade King Son Yun, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened his body and said,
"Did you find it?"
"It's here."
The masked individual knelt on one knee and respectfully presented an old wooden box with talismans pasted all over it.
Son Yun also received the wooden box with both hands, unable to hide his excitement.
"It has returned to the hands of our society once again."
Seeing this, Manor Master Mok In-dan asked Mok Gyeong-un,
"You... Did you lie to your father?"
Otherwise, there was no way the wooden box would be there so intact.
Mok In-dan, who had been worried that a big commotion would occur, let out a sigh of relief as the tension seemed to dissipate.
If they took that and left, there would be no further damage...
-Click!
At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun raised one eyebrow and opened the lid of the wooden box.
It seemed he wanted to check if the contents were inside.
However,
-Whoosh!
Instantly, an immense killing intent erupted from the Bright Blade King Son Yun.
The force was so strong that everyone, whether from the Yeon Mok Sword Manor or the masked individuals, flinched for a moment.
'Why all of a sudden?'
Manor Master Mok In-dan, who had been feeling relieved, was baffled.
Mok In-dan looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
Could it be that the contents were missing?
"I did tell you."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Mok In-dan was not only angry but also dumbfounded.
Was this kid really in his right mind?
However, unlike him, there was one person who welcomed this situation.
It was none other than Lady Seok, the first wife.
'Perfect!'
She had wondered if Mok Gyeong-un hadn't tampered with the wooden box.
But judging by that man's reaction, it seemed that wasn't the case.
Now was the opportunity.
Lady Seok took a step forward.
And just as she was about to open her mouth, the Bright Blade King Son Yun took something out of the wooden box with his thumb and index finger.
It was,
'An earring?'
It was a lavish earring made of jade and silver.
There was only one, and it looked like something women would wear.
'!!!!!!!'
Seeing this, Lady Seok couldn't hide her bewilderment.
That was because it should have been in her jade ornament box.
But why was it there?
It was enough to make even ghosts wail.
'Wait, could it be?'
Startled, Lady Seok looked in the direction where Mok Gyeong-un was.
She had intended to look at Mok Gyeong-un, but her eyes met with Manor Master Mok In-dan, who was standing next to him.
Mok In-dan had an expression that asked what on earth was going on.
And for good reason,
'Of all things, that one...'
It was one of the ornaments she had received as a gift from Manor Master Mok In-dan.
It was only natural for Mok In-dan to show suspicion.
As she was flustered, she noticed Mok Gyeong-un chuckling and shrugging his shoulders beside him.
'You!'
Only then did she confirm that it was Mok Gyeong-un's doing.
He was the only one who had gone to that place.
At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun held up the earring towards Manor Master Mok In-dan and blatantly exuded killing intent as he spoke,
"Manor Master Mo. What is this?"
Mok In-dan was at a loss for words at that question.
It was already a problem that the secret manual wrapped in the prayer beads was missing, but he couldn't say that the earring belonged to his wife.
"You've finally chosen to be punished."
-Shing!
The Bright Blade King Son Yun drew the Taoist sword he had been carrying on his back.
The masked individuals followed suit.
As they put away their weapons and drew their swords again, the warriors of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor also pulled out their weapons with tense expressions.
It was a situation on the brink of explosion.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un shouted,
"First Madam! When our clan is in danger, do you intend to keep your mouth shut and remain still? Isn't that earring yours?"
'!?'
Lady Seok was momentarily at a loss for words.
She had already been at a loss because she knew it was her earring, but she hadn't expected Mok Gyeong-un to suddenly bring her into the situation.
"You! Wh- What are you..."
"Hoho. So this earring belonged to the Manor Master's wife?"
The Bright Blade King Son Yun glared at Lady Seok as he spoke.
Feeling fear from his sharp gaze and aura, Lady Seok staggered and took a step back.
She waved her hands and said,
"W- Warrior Son. I think there's some misunderstanding. This is..."
"Eldest Madam! You can end this without bloodshed, so why are you doing this? If you have the secret manual, please give it quickly."
'This bastard!'
At Mok Gyeong-un's shout, she felt like she was going crazy.
She wanted to rip Mok Gyeong-un's mouth apart right then and there, but that monster-like supreme master from the Heaven and Earth Society, whom even the Manor Master couldn't handle, was glaring at her as if he would kill her, so she couldn't open her lips.
-Grip!
Manor Master Mok In-dan grabbed Mok Gyeong-un's wrist and urged him in a low voice,
"Enough!"
"Pardon?"
"What is happened are you doing? No matter how much she's not your birth mother, how could you..."
"You're more naive than you look."
"What?"
"That woman even called a diviner to find out from your mouth where the Manor Master's exclusive secret manual was, and then she tried to have you killed. And you still think of protecting her?"
'!?'
At those words, Mok In-dan's expression hardened.
What in the world was this about?
As he was perplexed, Mok Gyeong-un whispered with a curl of his lips,
"So, you don't have to feel too guilty. If, by some stroke of luck, we can save everyone with the sacrifice of that one woman, wouldn't that be a good thing in its own way?"
It was like a devil's tempting whisper.
At this, Manor Master Mok In-dan felt a chill run through his entire body.
Chapter 47:Attack(3)
Could this be described as merely a change?
Mok Gyeong-un, who nonchalantly suggested sacrificing Lady Seok, who was, despite their poor relationship, still his mother in name, left Mok In-dan momentarily shocked to the point of sending chills throughout his body.
Beyond being different, it seemed as if he had become a completely different person.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un whispered in a sweet voice,
"She's a woman who left the Manor Master to die and tried to give everything to her own son. Is there any value in hesitating?"
'This kid...'
Whether it was true or not wasn't important.
Mok Gyeong-un was providing him with an emotional justification to make a cruel choice.
It was a justification that could sufficiently tempt him, both as a leader trying to save a group and as a person.
However,
'No.'
Mok In-dan bit his lip firmly.
And releasing Mok Gyeong-un's wrist, which he had been holding, he urged in a low voice,
"I cannot trust your words."
"It's the truth."
"..... Even if what you say is true, I cannot say it's right to sacrifice someone to save others. And..."
Manor Master Mok In-dan looked at the face of Lady Seok, who was taking a step back.
Her fearful eyes showed strong denial.
He knew her well as his wife.
If she had done something, she would have feigned ignorance rather than reacting like this.
'As I thought, it's not.'
If that was the case,
"If that was your doing, let me tell you it was a foolish act."
"A foolish act?"
"Yes. And now is not the time to deal with you."
-Swoosh!
With those words, Mok In-dan tried to block the Bright Blade King Son Yun, who was approaching Lady Seok.
But before he could do so,
-Crunch!
Son Yun, who had been walking towards her as if he was about to do something, tightly clenched the earring in his hand.
Scattering the crushed earring on the ground, Son Yun said,
"It seems there is someone here who dislikes the Manor Master's wife."
"Wh- What?"
Overwhelmed by the intense killing intent emanating from Son Yun, she stammered in a cold sweat.
Son Yun scoffed and said,
"Someone among the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's inner circle either wanted to frame you or have you killed by borrowing someone else's blade."
Borrowing someone else's blade to kill[1].
It literally meant borrowing someone else's sword to kill.
At Son Yun's words, her tension dissipated, and her legs gave out, causing her to collapse to the ground.
Son Yun exuded killing intent and glared at the people of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor with sharp eyes, saying,
"Do you think I'll fall for such a trick?"
At those words, Manor Master Mok In-dan gritted his teeth and sent a glare at Mok Gyeong-un.
'Look.'
This was the foolish act he had mentioned.
If one looked at the bigger picture rather than focusing on the details, the situation would become apparent to some extent.
What kind of culprit would leave their traces so blatantly?
It was more like revealing that an enemy had left them.
'He made a bad move.'
No matter how cunning he tried to be, this was the limit of a scheme devised by a mere seventeen-year-old's mind.
Mok In-dan frowned at Mok Gyeong-un and whispered,
"The situation has worsened. This can't go on. Hand it over."
"How unfortunate."
"What?"
"I was hoping for good luck."
"Now is not the time for such words..."
It was at that very moment.
-Swish!
The Bright Blade King Son Yun swung his Taoist sword and beheaded one of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's warriors.
It happened so swiftly that there was no time to stop it.
"Bright Blade King!"
-Clang!
Manor Master Mok In-dan shouted in anger as he drew his sword.
Son Yun shrugged his shoulders and joked,
"You're the ones who broke the promise, yet you're angry at me. I declare to the people of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor."
-Declare! Declare! Declare!
His voice, infused with internal energy, echoed loudly like a reverberating sound.
Those nearby covered their ears, agonizing over the ringing in their eardrums.
'He wasn't using his full strength.'
Mok In-dan's expression darkened.
During the earlier exchange of blows, he had underestimated Son Yun's profound mastery of internal energy.
Even if his body were intact, Son Yun was not an opponent he could defeat.
Regardless, Son Yun continued his speech.
"I'll give you one last chance. If you want to live, either hand over that thing. Or tell me who would benefit the most from the death of the Manor Master's wife."
At his shout, the corners of Lady Seok's mouth trembled as she knelt on the ground, regulating her breathing.
She hadn't expected to suffer such humiliation because of that damn Mok Gyeong-un.
Originally, she had kept her mouth shut out of consideration for the Manor Master, but now that things had turned out this way, she was in no position to hold back.
Lady Seok parted her lips.
"Warrior Son..."
Before she could finish her sentence.
At that moment, someone raised their hand and shouted,
"I know who did this!"
The one who shouted was none other than Ho-aeng.
Seeing her, Lady Seok closed her mouth approvingly.
It was better for Ho-aeng, the guard, to truthfully report the facts out of loyalty rather than Lady Seok herself.
"You know who it is?"
"Yes."
The Bright Blade King Son Yun wiped the blood from his Taoist sword and spoke in a voice filled with killing intent,
"If it's a lie, you'll have to forfeit your life."
"If the First Madam is harmed, it will also put the eldest young master of our clan in a difficult position. Therefore, there are those who would benefit in the succession structure."
Although unintentional, the gazes of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's warriors naturally divided between two individuals.
They were none other than the second son, Mok Eun-pyeong, and the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon.
As humans, it was inevitable for their gazes to momentarily shift.
Mok Eun-pyeong shouted in surprise,
"Wh- What nonsense are you spouting now?"
Mok Yu-cheon was no different.
"How rude, Guard Ho. Why would I do such a thing?"
The two of them reacted with a sense of injustice.
It was only natural for them to do so.
After all, they hadn't committed the deed themselves.
However, the curious thing was that not a single person looked at Mok Gyeong-un upon hearing Ho-aeng's words.
'This...'
Manor Master Mok In-dan frowned.
Judging by Mok Gyeong-un's attempt to bargain with him, if anyone had plotted something, it had to be this child.
But when Ho-aeng mentioned those who would benefit in the succession structure, no one among the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's people looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
That was because he had the least power and potential.
At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun alternately glanced at the second son, Mok Eun-pyeong, and the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, and spoke,
"It sounds plausible, but how can I believe that?"
"There is something that can be considered evidence."
"Evidence? Hoho. Do tell, woman."
'Evidence?'
At the guard Ho-aeng's words, Lady Seok furrowed her brow.
Was there anything that could be considered evidence?
As she wondered, Ho-aeng said,
"In the underground of the Medicinal Hall, along with the item Hero Son is looking for, there were also secret manuals that only the Manor Master of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor could cultivate. The one who possesses them must have been behind this!"
'!!!!!!'
At Ho-aeng's words, two individuals simultaneously failed to hide their bewilderment.
They were the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, and Lady Seok, who possessed the original secret manuals, the Ignited Wood Heart Transformation Method and the Ignited Wood Sword Formation, albeit only the cover and two pages.
Startled, they shouted simultaneously,
"No!"
"Ho-aeng, you!"
Having shouted at the same time, they realized their mistake as attention focused on them and became flustered, not knowing what to do.
They shouldn't have reacted like this to Ho-aeng's words.
It was obvious that they would search their residences.
'Ha!'
Seeing their reaction, Manor Master Mok In-dan looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
Mok In-dan's eyes trembled at the sight of Mok Gyeong-un, who was looking at the scene as if it were an entertaining spectacle.
[If, by some stroke of luck, we can save everyone with the sacrifice of that one woman, wouldn't that be a good thing in its own way?]
[How unfortunate. I was hoping for good luck.]
The words Mok Gyeong-un had spoken flashed through his mind.
The luck this kid had mentioned wasn't the kind of meaning he had understood.
"You...."
Mok Gyeong-un whispered with a smile on his lips,
"This is quite a big problem. Instead of ending it with one, everyone is getting involved. At this rate, whether it's the secret manual or whatever, that scary fellow might go on a rampage and kill everyone."
***
[What? You want me to put this earring in that wooden box?]
[Yes.]
[Are you stupid, mortal?]
[What do you mean?]
[If you put it in there, who would believe it was that old mortal woman? They would suspect it was the doing of someone targeting that Lady Seok or whatever her name is.]
[Yes. That's the intention.]
[What?]
[Why do you think I gave them the secret manual that's practically just a shell?]
[You….. Don't tell me?]
[Let's just say it's a small precaution in case the Manor Master wakes up. Well, it's a harmless prank.]
[A harmless prank? You sure know how to use your wits.]
***
Originally, it was a precaution in case the Manor Master woke up and checked the secret place.
Although it differed from his intention, thanks to that, the chaos intensified.
Mok Gyeong-un curled the corners of his mouth and said,
"Rather than regretting after losing one or two, wouldn't it be better to tell me about that wound now?"
-Clench!
Manor Master Mok In-dan gritted his teeth.
'This bastard, what on earth...'
The thought of him being his son had disappeared.
He had never encountered someone so terrifyingly cunning.
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un hold the danger to the Yeon Mok Sword Manor hostage to obtain what he wanted left Mok In-dan not only dumbfounded but also exasperated to the point of feeling nauseous.
"What will you do?"
There was no longer any room for choice.
Mok In-dan said,
"....Bring the secret manual and hand it over to that man. Then I will tell you."
"That's not how a negotiation works."
"You really!"
"We don't have much time."
Mok In-dan, who had been glaring at Mok Gyeong-un with a distorted face, parted his lips with trembling cheeks.
"Seventeen years ago, in Yongmun, Guangdong Province, I suffered this wound from the one called the Ghost Blade[2]."
"Ghost Blade?"
"You..... Don't tell me you don't know the Ghost Blade?"
There was no way he would know.
Mok Gyeong-un, who had only recently started learning martial arts, had no way of knowing about the ecology of the martial arts world.
"Who is the Ghost Blade..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
-Jingle jingle!
The sound of bells ringing could be heard.
In an instant, everyone's gaze turned towards the source of the sound.
"Diviner Jo."
The Bright Blade King Son Yun called out to someone entering the pavilion.
It was a middle-aged man wearing an eye patch with a snake design and holding a walking stick.
However, more puzzling than this man's appearance was the fact that the bells at his waist were ringing on their own, without even shaking.
'What is happened?'
As they pondered, the middle-aged man with the eye patch, called diviner Jo, spoke,
"An evil spirit is playing tricks."
"An evil spirit?"
"The evil spirit is trying to steal a human's shell."
-Pak!
At that moment, the middle-aged man swung his walking stick in the air and formed a hand seal with his left hand, chanting a spell.
"....!"
-Boom!
As soon as the spell ended, the middle-aged man struck the ground with his walking stick.
Along with it, an invisible shockwave was generated, and a strong wind suddenly blew through the surroundings.
-Whoosh!
"Aaaaargh!"
Then, Ho-aeng, Lady Seok's guard who was hit by the sweeping wind, suddenly grabbed her head and screamed like a madwoman.
Those around her couldn't hide their astonishment for a moment.
Black veins bulged grotesquely around Ho-aeng's neck, making it extremely bizarre.
"Wh- What?"
-Thud thud thud!
Ho-aeng's eyes rolled back, and her entire body convulsed wildly.
Everyone was startled and distanced themselves from her.
-Gulp gulp!
Although not to the same extent as Ho-aeng, there was one person who felt his stomach churning: Go Chan.
The moment the wind swept by, he felt an unpleasant sensation and the urge to vomit.
However, as soon as he circulated his internal energy and activated his body's protective energy, he felt somewhat better.
"Huff… Huff…"
Go Chan looked at Ho-aeng.
In Go Chan's ghostly eyes, he could see the Demonic Monk suffering in agony inside Ho-aeng's body.
Because the body was merely second-rate and he had just possessed it, he couldn't endure it.
Eventually,
-Aaaargh!
He was ejected from the possessed body.
Ho-aeng, who had been convulsing and suffering, collapsed on the spot as if she had fainted.
-Thud!
Seeing this, the corners of the middle-aged man with the eye patch, called diviner Jo, curled up.
"I shall exorcise you."
He then took out a talisman of the Imperial Command Spell from his waist, attached it to his walking stick, and shouted,
"...…..!"
With that, he threw the walking stick.
-Swish!
Surprisingly, the walking stick extended straight and flew like an arrow.
To everyone's eyes, it appeared to be flying towards an empty space where no one was present, but the Demonic Monk was still there, staggering in pain.
However, before the walking stick imbued with a mysterious power could reach the Demonic Monk,
-Pak!
Someone caught the walking stick midway.
"You're doing something troublesome."
It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
At this sight, the middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, couldn't hide his astonishment for a moment.
'What?'
To catch a walking stick imbued with the Imperial Command Spell and incantations with his bare hands, even if he was from a martial arts family, he was no ordinary person.
However, what was truly astonishing wasn't that.
Diviner Jo frowned and glared at Mok Gyeong-un, saying,
"You..... can see vengeful spirits."
At those words, the surroundings stirred.
Chapter 48
Chapter 48:Attack(4)
We corrected the numbering of chapters from 250 to 270 (there are some errors in it, but the consistency of the chapters is correct, don't worry)
What is the talent of a diviner?
There would be several qualifications.
Among those qualifications, a sense of spiritual energy is naturally included.
As a simple example, everyone has probably experienced the sudden appearance of goosebumps or chills at least once.
It could be a natural bodily phenomenon, but that is the basis of spiritual sensation.
When in contact with something spiritual, the soul within the body reacts, affecting the five senses.
However, ordinary people find it difficult to discern this.
This is because the boundary between the living and the dead is clear.
This could only be developed through innate spiritual talent or training.
However, among these talent requirements, there existed the ultimate talent that only a select few were born with.
'You possess the eyes.'
That is none other than vision
The eyes that can accurately see beyond the boundary, unlike other senses.
diviners regarded possessing the eyes that could distinguish this as the highest.
The middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, saw Mok Gyeong-un precisely looking at the evil spirit before catching the walking stick he had thrown after attaching the Imperial Command Spell and infusing it with incantations.
'It's certain.'
The kid possessed the highest qualifications as a diviner.
Even he, who could barely perceive the form with the naked eye after training under the best master, didn't possess the talent that this child from a martial arts family had.
"You..... can see vengeful spirits."
-Murmur murmur!
At his words, the surroundings stirred.
He can see vengeful spirits? What does that mean?
'Vengeful spirits, does that refer to ghosts or evil spirits?'
Manor Master Mok In-dan and the Mok family brothers frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
In fact, most of their reactions were similar.
'This has become troublesome.'
Mok Gyeong-un clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had acted on impulse, not wanting to lose the Demonic Monk, but it seemed to have complicated matters.
Should he have given up even if it was a waste?
However, it was too late for that now.
'A diviner?'
It seemed to be the case.
Some of the spells he had chanted earlier were seen in books related to magical techniques left behind by Fang Assassin Sak.
They were typical techniques for exorcising evil spirits or the Two Demons and Two Spirits.
However, a part of the incantation was different.
If that was the case,
'He's from a different group than that woman Sak.'
He seemed to belong to this organization called the Heaven and Earth Society.
At that moment, the middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, said,
"Since when were you able to see vengeful spirits?"
"Pardon?"
"You can see vengeful spirits, can't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un's feigned ignorance, the middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, raised one eyebrow in puzzlement.
Does that child want to hide his eyes?
However, if that were the case, he shouldn't have intervened in the first place.
Diviner Jo scoffed and changed his question.
"Interesting. Fine, I'll change the question. Why did you prevent the exorcism of the vengeful spirit?"
"Hmm. I have no idea what you've been talking about since earlier."
Mok Gyeong-un feigned ignorance nonchalantly.
diviner Jo chuckled and then formed a hand seal, saying,
"You don't know? Then I suppose it's fine if I exorcise that evil thing again."
-Pak! Pak! Pak!
Bīng (兵)! Dòu (鬪)! Liè (裂)! Zhèn (陳)!
It was the hand seals of the Nine Character Activating Method.
'Different.'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
He had memorized all the books possessed by diviners Myo-sin, Sak, and others.
However, the hand seals he was forming were new to him.
Moreover, he was only forming hand seals without incantations, yet the spiritual energy in the surroundings was becoming strangely abundant.
-Tremble tremble!
However, it was not visible to others.
They only saw him bringing his hands together, bending and extending his fingers, overlapping them.
At that moment, diviner Jo formed a square by aiming with his index and middle fingers.
Then,
-Whoosh!
Four invisible pillars shot up from the surroundings.
The pillars precisely enclosed Mok Gyeong-un and the Demonic Monk, gradually thickening.
The middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, muttered softly,
"Four Peaks Linking Technique[1]."
As soon as he finished, walls formed from the four thickened pillars.
The Demonic Monk, unable to escape anywhere, looked around in bewilderment.
"Shrink (縮)!"
diviner Jo extended his palm towards the Demonic Monk and made a grasping gesture.
-Whoosh!
At that moment, the four walls enclosing the Demonic Monk began to compress and slowly shrink.
If they were to shrink completely, the Demonic Monk might be crushed.
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes turned sharp.
This man's level was clearly different from the diviners he had encountered so far.
He had never seen such a magical technique before.
'No choice.'
Since he didn't know what kind of technique it was, there was only one way to break it.
Attack the caster, the diviner.
-Tap!
"Take it back."
Mok Gyeong-un gripped the walking stick like a spear and threw it towards diviner Jo, who was performing the magical technique.
-Swish!
If the caster is disrupted or killed midway, most magical techniques will unravel.
However, the masked individuals wouldn't let this happen without interference.
-Clang!
One of the masked individuals near diviner Jo swiftly leaped forward and struck down the flying walking stick with the blade of his sword.
"You impudent brat!"
The masked individual tried to charge directly at Mok Gyeong-un, who had targeted diviner Jo.
However, diviner Jo stopped him.
"Enough!"
"Pardon?"
"No need for you to intervene."
"Understood."
The masked individual stopped the attack without any objection.
It was a group with a clear hierarchy of command and obedience.
diviner Jo said to Mok Gyeong-un,
"You don't seem to be possessed or bewitched, so if you explain why you're trying to protect the vengeful spirit, I can pause the technique for now."
'He'll have no choice but to surrender eventually.'
In any case, the situation was in his favor.
Even if he had the eyes, without training, it was of no use.
Judging by that child's appearance, he hadn't received proper training as a diviner.
That much was evident at a glance.
Moreover, the Four Peaks Linking Technique was a high-level technique that required at least the Fang Yue level to perform, making it difficult to break with ordinary techniques.
However,
'!?'
diviner Jo's expression hardened as he looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
It was because…
-Pak! Pak! Pak!
Mok Gyeong-un was forming the exact same hand seals that diviner Jo had just formed, without a single discrepancy.
Bīng (兵)! Dòu (鬪)! Liè (裂)! Zhèn (陳)!
'What?'
It was the hand seals of the Nine Character Activating Method.
diviner Jo was dumbfounded by Mok Gyeong-un's hand seals.
No matter how he looked at it, this child seemed to be an ordinary person with no knowledge of magical techniques.
Yet, he imitated the hand seals so accurately?
'What an absurd child.'
Does he think he can stop it by imitating it?
If it were that easy, everyone would have done it.
'Forming hand seals without incantations or talismans is only possible for those at the diviners level-Moon or above…..'
-Whoosh!
At that moment, diviner Jo doubted his own eyes.
Four small pillars, invisible to ordinary people, were formed.
The shape was blunt and quite crude, but it was unmistakable.
"Ha...."
A soft exclamation escaped diviner Jo's mouth.
It was a level of magical technique achieved through long years of practice.
Yet, he imitated it after seeing it once and actually succeeded?
'...Could it be that this fellow has learned magical techniques?'
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un muttered,
"Four Peaks Linking Technique (四峰聯鎖術)."
Then, walls connected the four pillars.
It was an unbelievable sight to behold.
However, what was even more surprising was the location where Mok Gyeong-un had performed the Four Peaks Linking Technique.
-Pak pak pak pak pak!
He had used the Four Peaks Linking Technique inside the Four Peaks Linking Technique that was being compressed by the Shrink (縮) command.
As a result, the compression of the Four Peaks Linking Technique stopped as it collided with the newly formed Four Peaks Linking Technique from within.
'This fellow... Look at that.'
Not only did he imitate the technique, but he also blocked it in this manner.
It demonstrated remarkable adaptability.
At this point, he couldn't help but have doubts.
"Who taught you magical techniques?"
"Why would I... need to learn such a thing?"
It wasn't a lie.
He hadn't learned it from someone, but had self-studied it from books related to magical techniques.
-Tremble tremble!
Mok Gyeong-un shook his hands with the Nine Character Activating Method's hand seals in the Zhèn (陳) state.
It was to block diviner Jo's shrinking Four Peaks Linking Technique.
Although he had somehow managed to block it with a quick response, the difference in mastery was undeniable.
Seeing this, diviner Jo's eyes took on a peculiar expression.
'Did he really not learn it?'
The adaptability and the ability to immediately imitate and manifest the hand seals.
All of this was nearly impossible without an exceptional master.
Diviner Jo stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un, and then…
-Clap!
He released the hand seal and said,
"Release (解)."
With those words, the Four Peaks Linking Technique that had been compressing disappeared.
Mok Gyeong-un looked at him with puzzled eyes.
Diviner Jo burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
Why was he suddenly acting like this?
As he wondered, diviner Jo turned his head and said to the Bright Blade King Son Yun,
"Bright Blade King. You may kill everyone else, but leave this child to me."
'!?'
Everyone's eyes widened.
He seemed to be a diviner of the Heaven and Earth Society, but he suddenly asked to hand over Mok Gyeong-un. What did this mean?
As they pondered, Son Yun clicked his tongue and said,
"You're doing something unnecessary again."
"I should have that much authority."
The Bright Blade King Son Yun shrugged his shoulders, indicating agreement.
He then raised his large Taoist sword, aimed it at the people of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, and spoke in a menacing voice,
"I was going to leave if you had obediently handed over that thing, but now it's over. You brought this upon yourselves, so regret it in the afterlife."
Son Yun thought so.
There was no need to sort out who had taken the secret manual one by one.
If he beat them all to death, someone would eventually speak up.
In any case, the secret manual was within the clan residence.
Son Yun shouted,
"Kill them all..."
At that moment, someone interrupted and shouted,
"I have the secret manual that was wrapped in the prayer beads inside the wooden box."
It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
"Ha..."
A sigh of relief escaped from Manor Master Mok In-dan, who had been tense, thinking that Son Yun might not keep his promise.
If they handed over the secret manual, they could overcome this situation.
At that moment, the Bright Blade King Son Yun approached Mok Gyeong-un with a terrifying aura and said,
"You have it?"
"Yes."
"If it's another lie, regardless of diviner Jo's request, I will tear your limbs apart."
"Why would I deny having it?"
Son Yun's eyes gleamed at Mok Gyeong-un's fearless demeanor.
However, it was short-lived.
"Then hand it over. No, tell me where it is."
He asked for the location, as Mok Gyeong-un might play another trick.
However,
"I should probably apologize first."
"Apologize? You, right now..."
"You seem to desperately want it, but I burned that secret manual."
"What?"
At those words, the masked individuals erupted in anger instead.
That secret manual was a treasure of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Hearing that he had burned such a secret manual, it would have been stranger not to be angry.
However, Son Yun raised his hand slightly to restrain them and scoffed.
"Ha!.... For a renowned martial arts family, you've got nothing but scammers. Do you think that can be burned with fire?"
What does he mean?
Both the masked individuals and the people of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor were puzzled.
Does he not believe the fact that the secret manual was burned with fire?
At that moment, Son Yun aimed his Taoist sword directly at Mok Gyeong-un's neck.
-Pak!
"You know nothing. You've never even seen the secret manual. You wasted my time, so as promised..."
"Does it sound like a lie?"
Son Yun frowned fiercely and raised his Taoist sword.
"How dare you, in front of this elder..."
"Only the cover made of human skin doesn't burn, but the inner pages with the contents burn well."
'!?'
At those words, Son Yun's expression, which had been filled with anger just moments ago, changed.
The fact that the cover was made of human skin was known only to a few executives within the Heaven and Earth Society.
"You...."
"Ah! By the way, the contents inside are here."
Mok Gyeong-un tapped his head with his index finger.
Son Yun's expression hardened.
'!?'
Was it because Mok Gyeong-un had not only burned their treasure but also memorized it?
As he was thinking that, Son Yun spoke in disbelief,
"You... saw that?"
Chapter 49:Heaven and Earth Society(1)
"You... saw that?"
Mok Gyeong-un sensed bewilderment in the Bright Blade King Son Yun's expression.
In the world of martial arts, he had recognized the importance of secret manuals to a certain extent.
However, judging by this man's reaction, it was quite different from the anger of seeing someone who had viewed a secret manual that was no less than a treasure to them.
It was a reaction of disbelief.
'What is it?'
At that moment…
-Swish!
The sharp blade of Son Yun's large Taoist sword was pressed against his neck.
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
He had been watching the movements clearly with his eyes, yet he hadn't noticed it until it touched him, as if he hadn't perceived it.
'..... Is this a true master?'
Amazing.
It made sense why the Manor Master Mok In-dan was so tense and submissive.
However, that was the extent of his admiration.
In reality, if one let their guard down, they could be stabbed to death by a five-year-old child while sleeping.
It was right to be wary of everything.
Son Yun looked straight into Mok Gyeong-un's eyes and spoke,
"You saw that and survived..."
"Pardon?"
"Then it's one of two things."
What is happened is he talking about?
As he wondered, Son Yun continued in a chilling voice,
"Either a lie or heaven's fortune."
"A lie or.... heaven's fortune?"
"Until now, almost no one has remained alive and breathing after seeing the contents inside."
"..... What do you mean by that?"
No one remains breathing?
Aren't I right here?
Son Yun scoffed and slightly pressed the blade against his neck, saying,
"It's exactly as I said. So I find it hard to believe that you're alive and well like this."
"As you can see, I'm alive."
Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.
Son Yun clicked his tongue at his attitude.
He had a sword pressed against his neck, yet there was still no change in his demeanor.
Had he lost all fear? Or was he audacious?
"Looking at you, I can't tell if you're spouting lies out of brazenness or taking a gamble."
"If I'm going to die anyway, what's the point of taking a gamble?"
"...…"
Son Yun stared intently into Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
If he were even slightly tense or anxious, his eyes would have wavered, but they didn't.
[Make sure to retrieve it.]
He couldn't disobey that order.
Then there was only one way.
"Fine. Then prove it by reciting the oral formula or demonstrating the stances. Then we'll know for sure."
At his proposal, Manor Master Mok In-dan and all the members of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor looked on with tense gazes.
Initially, when Mok Gyeong-un had revealed that he possessed it, they had felt a strong sense of betrayal.
However, in the current situation, Mok Gyeong-un was the only one who could save them.
'Please.'
They desperately hoped it wasn't a lie.
"It shouldn't be difficult."
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un was about to recite the oral formula.
He considered deceiving them with an incomplete formula, as he had done with Mok Yu-cheon, but they were the rightful owners of that secret manual.
If he tried to deceive them, his head might roll.
As he was about to open his mouth,
-Mortal.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
It was Cheong-ryeong.
Mok Gyeong-un rolled his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.
However, he couldn't see her anywhere.
He was already puzzled by her absence when he had called for her earlier.
-Look at the roof across from you.
'Roof?'
At those words, he looked up at the roof.
Cheong-ryeong was standing there.
Why wasn't she coming closer?
Could it be that she was keeping her distance out of wariness of this monster-like man and that diviner?
It seemed to be the case.
However,
'What is it?'
Cheong-ryeong's demeanor was somewhat different from usual.
The crimson glow in her eyes as she stood on the roof was incredibly deep.
No, it felt like a blazing flame.
He could tell through their connected fate.
'Anger?'
The emotion he sensed from her was immense anger.
It was an intense anger that could drench this entire place in blood, but she was suppressing it with tremendous self-control.
Why was she acting like this?
As he wondered, Cheong-ryeong spoke.
-The moment you recite that oral formula, you will die.
What?
Was she trying to dissuade him out of concern for that?
Of course, if he recited the entire formula, they could strike him from behind.
It would be better to recite half of it and handle the rest in a different way…..
-Mortal. Follow the oral formula and posture that I recite exactly.
Mok Gyeong-un slightly furrowed his brow.
What did she mean by following her oral formula and posture?
They would know what was written inside, so if he recited a different formula, they would surely know it was wrong.
However,
-Don't overthink it and trust me for now.
'Hmm.'
-If you die, mortal, I will die too.
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un pondered numerous thoughts in an instant.
The moment the oral formula was wrong, his head would roll, but if he recited the formula she taught him...
As he was contemplating, the Bright Blade King Son Yun said,
"Why aren't you doing it?"
"...…"
After deliberating, Mok Gyeong-un finally reached a conclusion.
He then clenched his sword fingers.
And he imitated Cheong-ryeong, who was assuming a bow stance on the roof with the moonlight at her back.
From a distance, the postures of the two became identical.
Cheong-ryeong opened her mouth.
-The source of non-existence, the order of the Dao. The eagle soars through the clouds, the hawk catches the hare. The sword descends like a falling leaf.
Along with that, she slowly performed the first stance while extending her sword fingers forward.
It was as if a beautiful woman was performing a sword dance.
The phrase "a beauty under the moon" came to mind.
Her fluttering red robe swayed in sync with her stances, resembling scattered flower petals.
'...…'
It was a movement that naturally captivated the soul.
If only the situation weren't like this, he would have loved to watch leisurely.
Mok Gyeong-un then opened his mouth.
"The source of non-existence, the order of the Dao. The eagle soars through the clouds, the hawk catches the hare. The sword descends like a falling leaf!"
And he followed Cheong-ryeong's movements.
Exactly as he had received them.
He reproduced them without a single difference.
-Ache! Ache!
Some untrained muscles cried out in pain, but he ignored it and focused on her every fingertip.
-Swish! Swish swish swish!
'!!!!!!!'
At Mok Gyeong-un's sword technique, the Bright Blade King Son Yun's eyes wavered.
He wasn't the only one.
Manor Master Mok In-dan also couldn't take his eyes off the first stance Mok Gyeong-un was demonstrating.
'How.... could this be....'
He couldn't help but be astonished.
It was truly a peerless sword technique.
Each stance was flawless, and it was difficult to find any defects.
Since it was a secret manual guarded by the Heaven and Earth Society, he had expected it to be remarkable to a certain extent, but it was truly incredible.
However, what was even more surprising was…
'This child.... How can he move like this?'
Mok Gyeong-un's current movements were not something a mere third-rate martial artist could achieve.
Although he moved slowly without infusing internal energy, everything from his fingertips seemed as if a peerless swordsman who had reached the realm of the sword was demonstrating a sword dance.
A swordsman of that level could clearly discern it.
'Ha.'
If he was like this, how could Son Yun be any different?
Son Yun also couldn't hide his admiration at Mok Gyeong-un's display.
Not only did he recognize and view the stances, but the swordplay he demonstrated was a movement that absolutely couldn't be achieved at that child's level.
'Is it talent?'
It was an incomprehensible talent.
Based on his perception, he was at most a third-rate or barely second-rate level.
Yet, he demonstrated the stances as if a peerless swordsman was performing for someone to see?
It was at that moment.
-Murmur murmur!
The sound of stirring could be heard among the masked individuals.
Son Yun knew why they were reacting like that.
"The evil perishes under the heavenly light, nothing can resist the Dao. The swordsman...""
Mok Gyeong-un was about to recite another oral formula and demonstrate the second stance.
'Oh no!'
He had to stop him.
They couldn't let others hear any more of the stances' oral formulas.
Son Yun hurriedly shouted,
"Enough!"
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been extending his sword fingers diagonally, halted his movement.
And he checked Son Yun's reaction.
He had been following Cheong-ryeong's movements on the roof with extreme concentration, so he hadn't noticed the reaction.
'Huh?'
Mok Gyeong-un was inwardly puzzled upon seeing the Bright Blade King Son Yun's expression.
This time, it was truly a gamble.
After all, the oral formula wasn't the one written in the secret manual.
However, judging by Son Yun's expression, it didn't seem like he had made a mistake at all.
If that weren't the case, they would have already beheaded him.
Mok Gyeong-un asked,
"Are you convinced now?"
"...…"
At this question, Son Yun stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un without uttering a word.
In his mind, an image of someone else demonstrating the same stances as Mok Gyeong-un was painted like a picture.
It was utterly villainous.
However, the sword technique Mok Gyeong-un had demonstrated was completely different in nature.
If that was the case,
'Without a doubt.'
It was definitely the secret manual.
There was no room for doubt.
Son Yun tried his best to hide it, but his heart was pounding.
Although it had turned out differently than expected, to think he would witness the sword formula of the Moon Lineage (月脈) that was said to have been severed a hundred years ago.
It was hard to contain his excitement.
However, Son Yun quickly suppressed that emotion.
[Make sure to retrieve it.]
Retrieving the original secret manual was the best course of action.
However, if what this fellow said was true, the original had already disappeared from the world.
This fellow's mind was the only secret manual.
"Bright Blade King."
At that moment, the voice of the middle-aged man with the eye patch, diviner Jo, was heard.
Although he didn't say anything else, judging by diviner Jo's slight head shake, Son Yun seemed to understand what he meant.
He was probably telling him not to kill the kid.
'He must be tempted.'
It was intriguing for him as well.
This brat had accomplished what no one in the society had been able to do.
Most of them had lost their lives.
If that was the case, either the cursed secret manual had chosen that child, or there was something special about him.
'But the secret manual must not be learned by anyone other than the permitted individual.'
Therefore, the right course of action was to extract the contents from his mind and kill him.
However, it felt like a waste.
Seeing his contemplative demeanor, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
'There's something.'
They were unaware of the true contents within the secret manual.
However, judging by their reactions, they seemed convinced that the oral formula of the stances Cheong-ryeong had taught him was the content inside.
If that weren't the case, they would have already beheaded him.
But that expression of considering something while looking at him…
'Is he reconsidering?'
There was only one thing he could guess.
Perhaps, since it was a secret manual precious enough for them to call it their treasure, it shouldn't be learned by outsiders.
If that was the case, now that they had confirmed it was genuine, were they planning to extract it from his mind and then kill him?
Mok Gyeong-un glanced at diviner Jo.
Judging by his reaction, he seemed to have considerable interest in him.
In that case,
"Considering you went through the trouble of coming all the way here to find the secret manual, it must be a valuable item, right?"
"What?"
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un leaped towards a nearby warrior of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor.
And he practically snatched the sword from him.
"I'll borrow this for a moment."
"Wh- What?"
Mok Gyeong-un placed the sword he had snatched against his own neck and said,
"If I die, all your efforts in coming to find it will be in vain."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, one of the Bright Blade King Son Yun's eyebrows rose.
Was this brat trying to bargain with his own life?
Son Yun scoffed and said,
"Do you have the courage to take your own life while saying such things?"
In response to that question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly.
"It's not particularly difficult."
-Stab!
The blade of the sword pierced Mok Gyeong-un's neck.
'!?'
For a moment, Son Yun was dumbfounded.
He had naturally assumed that Mok Gyeong-un would try to bargain with his life to survive against him.
But that bastard was now trying to behead himself without hesitation.
"Stop!"
Son Yun shouted a reprimand infused with internal energy.
"Ugh!"
"Urgh!"
At the resounding sound that echoed, everyone momentarily covered their ears.
Mok Gyeong-un also frowned and staggered from the pain and dizziness caused by the sound infused with internal energy, but he didn't let go of the sword piercing his neck.
Despite the discomfort, he endured it.
'This bastard?'
Son Yun then shouted,
"Stop!"
-Swish!
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un relaxed his strength and stopped pushing the sword into his neck.
Blood flowed down his neck, staining his collar red.
Son Yun spoke in a dumbfounded tone,
"You're insane, you bastard."
If it were anyone else, he would have scoffed at the brat's foolish actions.
But this fellow was different.
Not only his eyes but also the way he didn't hesitate to take his own life, as if he had no attachment to it.
"It's hard to live in this world without being a little insane."
"You talk as if you've experienced the world, you young brat. What do you want?"
-Tap tap!
Mok Gyeong-un tapped his forehead with his finger and said with a smile,
"Now that you know how valuable the contents in my mind are, I have no intention of easily revealing them. So, don't bother assessing this and that, and take the secret manual nicely."
"What?"
"That diviner over there also wants that, doesn't he?"
Son Yun's expression turned peculiar.
'Take it nicely?'
Is this bastard not asking to be spared in exchange for revealing the secret manual, but instead suggesting he will willingly follow them to their headquarters?
As Son Yun was dumbfounded, a glint of interest flickered in his eyes.
'Ha. Look at this bastard.'
Chapter 50:Heaven and Earth Society(2)
The Bright Blade King Son Yun, who had been glaring at Mok Gyeong-un, burst into laughter and said,
"Hahahahaha! This one is quite the character."
It had been a long time since he encountered such a brazen fellow.
Even those who knew of his notoriety, whether outside or within the society, couldn't muster the audacity to behave in such a manner.
No, it was hard to even consider it audacity.
'He's different.'
The Yeon Mok Sword Manor was a renowned martial arts family.
To think he would encounter such a lunatic-like fellow in a place that was no different from a righteous sect.
For some reason, this brat seemed closer to their side than the other.
That's why it was intriguing.
After laughing for a while, Son Yun shook his head and said,
"A living secret manual willingly coming to our headquarters, there's no reason to refuse. Very well. I hope you don't regret those words."
At his words, Lady Seok, the first wife, and the second son, Mok Eun-pyeong, couldn't hide their inner joy.
The Heaven and Earth Society was known for its notoriety, so they had been worried about the worst-case scenario, but this was the best outcome.
How wonderful was it that everything was resolved with that Mok Gyeong-un alone?
However, Manor Master Mok In-dan felt differently.
-Clench!
The hand gripping his sword tightened.
This sense of powerlessness was a first for him.
If he could, he wanted to shout at them to release Mok Gyeong-un immediately.
Whether he liked him or not, he was his son.
However, the situation was ambiguous.
'He had memorized the secret manual.'
When he first learned of that fact, he had been greatly surprised.
That was because he, too, had tried various means to view the secret manual but had been unable to even untie the prayer beads.
Thus, he had naturally assumed that Mok Gyeong-un possessed the secret manual rather than having memorized it.
Since he hadn't seen the secret manual in the first place, he thought there would be no problem if they just returned it.
However, that had completely gone awry.
'....Having memorized the secret manual, they will never let him go.'
If an outsider had secretly memorized the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's secret manual, it was only natural to demand their life as punishment for that crime.
That's how important a secret manual was to martial artists.
Therefore, Mok Gyeong-un's judgment might be correct in this situation.
It was the only way to stay alive, even if only slightly.
'I'm sorry.'
As the Manor Master, he had no choice but to bear the responsibility for everyone's lives.
If they fought to protect Mok Gyeong-un, they would surely be annihilated.
That Son Yun was a monster to that extent.
'....Endure it for a while.'
Once they left, he planned to seek help from the Righteous Alliance.
The Righteous Alliance was one of the three major factions in the current martial arts world, along with the Heaven and Earth Society.
He had some high-level connections and friendships, so he was determined to retrieve his son by borrowing the power of the Righteous Alliance.
However, an unexpected event occurred at this point.
-Swish!
At that moment, Son Yun's figure blurred, and he suddenly appeared behind Mok Gyeong-un.
Then, like a flash of lightning, he sealed his acupressure points.
-Pak pak pak pak pak!
Mok Gyeong-un, whose acupressure points had been sealed, collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
Son Yun caught him with his hand and called out to a masked individual.
"Take care of this fellow."
At this, Manor Master Mok In-dan shouted,
"What is the meaning of this?"
"What is this? Even if he willingly came with us, did you think I would let him continue to bargain with his own life?"
At Son Yun's words, Mok In-dan gritted his teeth.
As expected, he was not an easy opponent.
Objectively speaking, it was a natural response.
"Well, putting that aside, now that we have retrieved the secret manual, shall we settle the remaining debt?"
"Debt?"
"Manor Master Mo. Did you really think that after tampering with our society's item, you could simply return it and move on as if nothing happened?"
At those words, everyone in the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, who had been inwardly relieved, tensed up again.
They had a feeling that things wouldn't be resolved so easily.
At that moment, Manor Master Mok In-dan assumed a bow stance and spoke,
"Will you break your promise?"
"Promise?"
"That's right. If that child learns that you have broken your promise, do you think he will reveal the secret manual he has memorized?"
"Hahahahaha! That's ridiculous. Will it matter whether you live or die?"
The strong aura emanating from him.
It was so powerful that the expressions of everyone in the Yeon Mok Sword Manor darkened.
"So you've finally come to this?"
As he spoke, Manor Master Mok In-dan drew true energy from his danjeon.
It was a situation on the brink of explosion.
The Bright Blade King Son Yun aimed his Taoist sword at him, grinned, and said,
"But since this elder is in a good mood today, I'll give you one last chance."
"Chance? What do you mean?"
"I'm saying I'll give you a way for the Yeon Mok Sword Manor to survive."
"A way to survive?"
"That's right."
At Son Yun's words, Mok In-dan frowned and asked,
"What is it?"
"I'll give you two choices. If you refuse all of this, the Yeon Mok Sword Manor will be annihilated tonight."
"....What are those choices?"
For now, he decided to hear him out.
If they fought, there was a ninety percent chance that the Yeon Mok Sword Manor would be annihilated.
"First. Surrender to our Heaven and Earth Society and become a subordinate sect."
'!!!!!'
At the Bright Blade King Son Yun's words, the Yeon Mok Sword Manor side stirred.
That was because although the Yeon Mok Sword Manor was a renowned martial arts family that upheld righteousness, the Heaven and Earth Society was not.
They walked their own path of villainy, neither righteous nor evil.
Therefore, surrender was tantamount to abandoning their pride as righteous individuals.
-Grit!
It was only natural for them to be furious to the point of stirring, even while fearing them.
They would have preferred death, but they couldn't do that.
"Even if it means dying, we will resist until the end."
"You have integrity."
Son Yun had naturally expected them to refuse the first proposal.
"Then, for the second, seal your sect for ten years and hand over your successor as a hostage."
"...…"
The moment they heard the second proposal, the entire Yeon Mok Sword Manor fell silent.
Manor Master Mok In-dan's expression was also grim.
He had expected them to make a difficult proposal.
That ominous premonition had been correct.
Sealing the sect[1].
It literally meant sealing off martial arts activities for ten years.
Typically, when a sect was defeated in a war between sects or when a sect fell, they would seal their sect.
'Sealing the sect....'
It was more realistic than the previous proposal.
It was the only way to acknowledge defeat without compromising their last shred of dignity.
However, during those ten years, the Yeon Mok Sword Manor would gradually weaken, unable to engage in external activities, and they would be unable to interact with other sects or anyone else.
'If we seal the sect, our clan will decline.'
However, it was a better choice than everyone dying.
As he was contemplating, someone approached him.
"Father."
It was none other than the eldest son, Mok Yeong-ho.
The first son, known as a debauchee, had only brought disappointment to him by indulging in wine and women.
For him to speak up at this crucial moment, Mok In-dan couldn't help but be puzzled.
"What is it?"
"They say to sleep on firewood and taste gall. Although it may be difficult, please accept this proposal."
Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall[2].
It meant enduring humiliation and suffering for the sake of the future.
At Mok Yeong-ho's words, a glint of surprise flashed in Manor Master Mok In-dan's eyes.
'This kid...'
It wasn't his usual demeanor.
He had thought he had lost his spirit by indulging in wine and women.
However, looking at his eyes and expression now, he could see him barely restraining his shame.
He seemed even angrier than himself.
As he was inwardly puzzled, Mok Yeong-ho said,
"Please send me. As the eldest son of our clan, am I not the closest to being the successor?"
"What?"
He volunteered to go himself?
Was this really the same child who had only brought disappointment by indulging in wine and women?
As he was astonished, Mok Yeong-ho whispered softly,
"Fortunately, you haven't made that youngest child the successor yet."
'!?'
Manor Master Mok In-dan's eyes wavered.
With those words, Mok In-dan understood Mok Yeong-ho's true intentions for the first time.
Mok In-dan's eyes reddened.
'Ah.... Yeong-ho. Yeong-ho. All this time, you indulged in wine and women for that reason?'
Was it to yield the succession to the youngest, Yu-cheon?
Was that why he had brought disappointment by indulging in wine and women?
Mok In-dan clutched his chest, overwhelmed by shock.
It pained his heart that he had only scolded this child without trying to understand his true feelings.
He was so different from his mother.
"Father. I apologize for causing you distress all this time. Please take care of your health."
Mok Yeong-ho politely bowed and turned to the Bright Blade King Son Yun, speaking in a loud voice,
"The Manor Master has accepted Hero Son's second proposal. I, the eldest son and successor of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, will be the hostage..."
"No."
At that moment, Son Yun interrupted him.
He then pointed at someone with his finger and said,
"Where are you trying to deceive me? I will take that child."
'Oh no!'
The eldest son, Mok Yeong-ho, bit his lip firmly.
The one Son Yun pointed to.
It was the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, whom he had been trying to protect by sacrificing himself.
They had overlooked something.
Unlike the righteous martial arts world, which prioritized the firstborn eldest son or the first accepted disciple in terms of respect, the Heaven and Earth Society strictly followed the law of the strong.
Therefore, in their eyes, the successor of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor was naturally Mok Yu-cheon, who possessed the most outstanding martial arts talent.
***
-Rattle! Rattle!
Inside the carriage, there was a masked warrior and two people lying motionless, their eyes covered and bound.
They were none other than Mok Gyeong-un and Mok Yu-cheon.
As hostages or prisoners, their treatment was not very good.
'They're thorough. Sigh.'
Mok Yu-cheon let out a sigh.
Unlike Mok Gyeong-un, his acupressure point for fainting hadn't been sealed, so he hadn't lost consciousness, but the acupressure points for paralysis and muteness had been sealed, rendering him unable to move.
As if that wasn't enough, they had also blindfolded him and tied his entire body, arms, and legs with thick ropes.
They were meticulous in their precautions.
'How far have we gone?'
They seemed to have traveled for about a few shichen.
Although sunlight didn't enter the carriage, it must have been daylight.
He had thought they would camp at some point since it was late at night, but they continued to move without rest.
'Hostage....'
Mok Yu-cheon had been reflecting on his predicament throughout the journey.
When Manor Master Mok In-dan had awakened, he had been elated with hope that he might become the successor, but in an instant, he had become a hostage.
Moreover, he was a hostage of the Heaven and Earth Society, the most dangerous group in the martial arts world.
He had no choice.
'..... What will happen from now on?'
A hostage was no different from a prisoner.
If it were a hostage exchange between groups of similar standing, he might expect good treatment, but it was difficult to expect that from the Heaven and Earth Society.
Even now, he was treated less than human.
-Thud!
As the carriage climbed a slope, someone's body naturally touched him, and he felt their weight pressing against him.
Even though he couldn't move his body, his sense of touch hadn't disappeared.
'Mok Gyeong-un.'
It was probably Mok Gyeong-un.
Was he in a better situation than this fellow for now?
No, maybe it was better to be unconscious.
At least in that moment, he was no different from being asleep without any worries.
Right at that moment, the carriage came to a stop.
-Creak!
The sound of the carriage's rear door opening was heard.
And a soft voice spoke,
"We'll.... rest here for a while.... So.... go take care of any business you have."
"Understood!"
-Creak!
With the sound of the door closing, the presence disappeared.
It was hard to hear clearly, but it seemed they were taking a short break here.
After all, they had been moving for half a day without rest.
Even if they had cultivated martial arts, their stamina wasn't infinite.
'How long do I have to stay like this?'
As he was pondering, at that very moment…
-Swish!
A very faint movement was felt beside him.
'!?'
What was that?
Right now, only he and Mok Gyeong-un were in this carriage, as the masked guard had temporarily left.
But who was moving?
As he was wondering, he felt someone squirming behind his back.
'Could it be?'
It couldn't be.
Not only had he been struck on his acupressure points, but his entire body was also restrained.
Moreover, unlike himself, wasn't it that monster-like man, the Bright Blade King, who had personally sealed Mok Gyeong-un's acupressure points?
As he found it strange, someone lifted the cloth covering Mok Yu-cheon's eyes.
'What?'
Mok Yu-cheon's eyes widened.
It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
'How?'
Surprisingly, Mok Gyeong-un was moving freely, and not only that, he had somehow untied the ropes that had been restraining him.
How on earth did this fellow release the acupressure point sealing?