Chapter 81: Master of the Corpse Blood Valley (1)
Upon hearing about some of the memories gleaned from Gyu Soha, who had possessed Neung Hwa-yang's body, Mok Gyeong-un showed an intrigued reaction.
He still had no interest in how the martial world worked, but with the information Soha had read, he could now surmise the relationship between the Righteous Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Society.
'Adversaries.'
What was interesting here was the reason for their conflict.
They were hostile towards each other due to differences in beliefs and ways of thinking.
To Mok Gyeong-un, this felt quite outdated.
What kind of emotions drove people to risk their lives not over simple grievances, but over differing values they believed in?
"Justice…it's quite inefficient."
-Inefficient. Yes, that's true too. But there's nothing more fearsome than values and beliefs.
"Why is that?"
-Nothing is more draining than believing oneself to be absolutely right, even more so than resentment.
"Ah, I can relate to that."
Cheong-ryeong was right.
Although he hadn't met that many people, Mok Gyeong-un also found those who considered themselves unconditionally righteous the most tiresome.
Most of them saw everything other than themselves as wrong.
Perhaps that's why Mok Gyeong-un despised such people the most.
"Just hearing the names of the groups is exhausting. Righteous Alliance? Do they call themselves that because they consider themselves just?"
"That's how those types are."
"But the Righteous Alliance calls the Heaven and Earth Society evil or demonic?"
-Nonsense!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Cheong-ryeong raised her voice.
-They have a dichotomous way of thinking. They're stubborn fools who think if they're white, everything else must be black.
"Is that so? Then I suppose the Heaven and Earth Society isn't the evil faction they make it out to be."
-The Heaven and Earth Society we created was not such a simple organization.
'We created?'
Mok Gyeong-un narrowed his eyes.
Had she also contributed to creating this massive organization?
However, without expressing it, he questioned a different part.
"It wasn't a simple organization?"
-Yes. The notions of demonic cult or evil ways are repulsive labels imposed by those hypocrites. But the Heaven and Earth Society was established to reject that and create a true martial world.
"A true martial world?"
-Since when did the righteous way become justice and everything else the root of evil in the martial world?
"I wouldn't know that either."
-Ah, of course.
There was no way for Mok Gyeong-un to know.
He had lived a life far removed from the martial world from the start.
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue and spoke.
-What the Heaven and Earth Society pursued was for the martial world to return to its most primitive form.
"Primitive? What's that?"
-The weak are meat, the strong eat. Survival of the fittest. The strong dominate. The essence of martial arts is ultimately to prove one's own strength. In the beginning, it was called the martial forest because it was entangled in pursuit of pure strength. But the current martial world is merely a war of rotten values.
"....."
-Where is there black and white in the world? Even white paper turns black when ink is poured, and a butcher becomes a Buddha when he lays down his knife. If you want to discuss the world in terms of color, shouldn't it be gray?
Her voice was full of resentment.
That anger felt not one-dimensional like Mok Gyeong-un's own, but directed at the world.
Mok Gyeong-un then asked as if curious.
"Then are you saying the Heaven and Earth Society is gray?"
-...…
At that question, Cheong-ryeong suddenly fell silent.
'I see.'
Just from that, he could tell what she thought of the current Heaven and Earth Society.
It was likely not the gray she spoke of.
That was probably why she felt disillusioned with the current Heaven and Earth Society.
Mok Gyeong-un changed the subject.
"Well, putting that aside, thanks to this, I learned some good information. The emissaries of the Righteous Alliance…"
When possessing someone, one could read some of the target's memories.
Not all of them, but he had obtained useful information.
-When an organization's scale grows to thousands or tens of thousands, naturally gaps form and sending spies to each other becomes frequent. It's only natural, nothing to be surprised about. But they're more foolish than I thought.
"What do you mean?"
-I'm talking about these Silent Strides spies.
"Them?"
-Yes. For spies, secrecy for intelligence is their lifeblood. But for the dispatched spies to share this much information about each other…tsk tsk.
Mok Gyeong-un nodded as if agreeing with her words.
It was his first time seeing the existence of spies, but considering they infiltrated enemy organizations as fake members, it seemed like quite a strategically poor choice.
In a situation like now, if one person opened their mouth, they would all be exposed one after another.
However, what mattered now was not their foolishness.
-So what will you do?
"Who knows."
-It seems too late to just leave them be.
It appeared he had made quite an enemy of the Silent Strides spies.
Of course, it was understandable.
Because of him, their numbers had dwindled, and the probability of successfully completing their mission had also drastically decreased.
-It may be revenge for losing comrades, but they likely think killing you will make it easier to pass future checkpoints.
"From the latter perspective, it's not a wrong choice."
-It's not the right choice either.
"True."
If they succeed, it's a different story, but if they fail, they must pay the corresponding price.
That was the current situation.
Gyu Soha, who had taken over Neung Hwa-yang's body, spoke in an eager voice.
"Master. Shall I go and deal with them one by one?"
They had obtained the body of Neung Hwa-yang, a Silent Strides spy.
Since they knew each other's identities, she could easily induce carelessness to kill them or destroy their danjeon and turn them into half-cripples, just as they had tried to do.
However, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head.
-What? Don't tell me you're going to let them off?
"No. It seems there's no need to go through that trouble."
-No need? Then what will you do?
"This might be better."
The corner of Mok Gyeong-un's mouth curled up eerily.
...
-Pat pat!
"Hahahaha! To think you found the spies, it's all thanks to you!"
One of the red-belted warriors patted Mok Gyeong-un's back, praising his achievement.
Mok Gyeong-un's choice regarding the Silent Strides spies was simple.
There was no need to deal with them one by one.
It was to inform the red-belted warriors of who the spies were.
'Killing two birds with one stone.'
He dealt with them without getting blood on his own hands and gained an opportunity to earn merit with the Heaven and Earth Society by revealing the spies' existence.
It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
Of course, the only one in an unfortunate situation was Green Spirit Gyu Soha, who had to divulge being a spy with the body she had barely obtained and then discard it again.
"Ah! That guy over there is also from the Silent Strides like me!"
However, Gyu Soha faithfully played her role.
The place Gyu Soha pointed to with her finger was the stairs leading to the upper floor, and a boy there looked flustered and at a loss.
'Huh?'
Mok Gyeong-un recognized who that boy was.
It was the boy who had passed the second checkpoint in his group.
He remembered him because he had tried to kill Mo-ha-rang, who had lost consciousness after getting injured while fighting Mok Yu-cheon.
Was his name Ma-sang?
At that moment,
-Swish!
Ma-sang hurriedly leaped up the stairs.
"Get him!"
-Swish swish swish!
The red-belted warriors shouted and chased after him.
If the information in the Silent Strides spy Neung Hwa-yang's memory was correct, he should be the last of the four spies who barely survived.
He had come looking for them himself, what bad luck.
However,
'Why is he glaring at me like that?'
Mok Gyeong-un looked at Mok Yu-cheon, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to kill him.
His eyes were filled with considerable resentment.
Come to think of it, it seemed he had come down the stairs alongside Ma-sang, the Silent Strides spy.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
'He seems to know something.'
There was no way he would glare at him like that otherwise.
What a simple guy.
If it were him, he wouldn't have shown such emotions if he had some connection or collusion with the spies.
Yet Mok Yu-cheon was very honest with his own feelings.
Mok Gyeong-un smirked at this.
'Simple-minded.'
Was it because he was still young?
Should he just use this opportunity to brand that guy as a spy along with the fleeing one and deal with him?
In a split second, Mok Gyeong-un internally rejected this idea.
'Not yet.'
Although it was fake, in the Heaven and Earth Society, he and Mok Yu-cheon were from the same Yeon Mok Sword Manor's lineage.
If he gave even the slightest cause for suspicion while they were connected, it might hinder his assimilation into the Heaven and Earth Society.
'I should leave him be a bit longer.'
There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with him.
Mok Gyeong-un waved at Mok Yu-cheon and gave him a smile.
As if even more enraged by this, Mok Yu-cheon stomped up the stairs with a reddened face.
Just then, someone approached and spoke to him.
"Mok Gyeong-un."
"Ah. Yes."
It was a middle-aged man who looked older than the other red-belted warriors.
A senior warrior, was it?
He pointed to the lower floor and spoke to Mok Gyeong-un.
"The master is summoning you."
'Master?'
Did he mean the one with the demon mask?
Mok Gyeong-un followed the senior warrior and headed downstairs.
...
The first-floor lodging was being used by the red-belted warriors conducting the checkpoints, and the room attached to the office in the center was being used by the master of the Corpse Blood Valley.
-Knock knock!
Someone knocked on the door and spoke.
-I've brought him, my lord.
At the voice coming from outside, someone who had been sitting in a chair in the office, gazing at a bronze mirror, opened his mouth.
"Have him wait a moment."
-Yes.
The person sitting in the chair pushed the bronze mirror to the side.
Through the gap of the mirror being moved aside, a face with burn scars briefly flashed by.
Soon, the person put on a mask that had been placed on the office desk.
It was a demon mask.
"Send him in."
-Yes.
At the demon mask's command, the door soon opened, and a handsome boy entered.
It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
Mok Gyeong-un lightly bowed his head in greeting.
The demon mask waved his hand and pointed to a chair for receiving guests.
"Sit."
"Yes."
As Mok Gyeong-un sat in the chair, the demon mask also rose from his office chair and walked over to sit across from him.
The demon mask stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un also met his gaze head-on without avoiding his eyes.
'Look at this guy.'
He was bold to not avoid his gaze.
A glint of interest flashed in the demon mask's eyes visible through the gaps of the mask.
Since taking on the role of master of the Corpse Blood Valley, this was the first time he had encountered such a fellow.
Naturally, there had occasionally been those with outstanding martial talent who passed the checkpoints in a short time or used unexpectedly clever methods, but this guy was different.
They say you can tell a tree that will grow well by its leaves.
This fellow seemed to have something that could take him higher than any of the ones he had seen so far.
However, there was one thing he needed to clarify.
"Mok Gyeong-un."
"Yes."
"You're from the righteous faction's Yeon Mok Sword Manor, right?"
"Yes."
"You don't have to give short answers now."
"....I understand."
"From what I've heard, you and that fellow named Mok Yu-cheon were brought here as hostages in exchange for leaving the Yeon Mok Sword Manor alone as an expelled disciple. Is that correct?"
At the demon mask's words, Mok Gyeong-un inwardly felt puzzled.
Did he not know the exact reason why he had come here?
He had thought he would know that it was to memorize and master the secret manual called the treasure of the Heaven and Earth Society.
'Then…..'
He didn't feel the need to reveal this.
Mok Gyeong-un just nodded and replied.
"That's right."
At this answer, the demon mask's eyes narrowed through the gaps of the mask.
Then he spoke in a somewhat heavy voice.
"But it's strange."
-Shing!
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sword was pressed against Mok Gyeong-un's neck.
'!?'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sharpened at this.
He was sure he had heard the sound of the sword being drawn and even saw the muscles moving.
Yet without blinking, the sword was suddenly at his neck.
'...…Fast.'
It was a quick blade, too fast to even recognize.
He understood why Cheong-ryeong had said his current skills were still far from being able to do anything within the Heaven and Earth Society.
It was difficult to gauge how strong he was.
As he pondered this, the demon mask continued.
"Even though you were forcibly brought here against your will, why did you reveal the Righteous Alliance's spies?"
This was what the demon mask wanted to confirm.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand why Mok Gyeong-un had revealed this.
"I had hoped to be rewarded for informing you of the spies, so this is unexpected."
"Before you speak of rewards, you must first convince me."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
One of the demon mask's eyebrows rose.
He had the tip of a sword pressed against his neck, and with just a bit of force, the sword would pierce through.
He was in a situation where he was being doubted, yet he showed no signs of wavering.
The demon mask spoke in an impressed tone.
"Do you realize that you're in a position to be suspected?"
"How could I not when there's a sword at my neck?"
"Then are you gutsy? Or do you have something that can dispel suspicion in an instant?"
"Let's say it's the latter."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the demon mask clicked his tongue.
Then he warned in a low voice.
"Let me warn you in advance. Within the Corpse Blood Valley, the authority over life and death lies with me. You may leave this office as a corpse."
-Sizzle!
No sooner had he finished speaking than a scorching heat emanated from the sword.
Wondering what this was as the sword's heat rose, Cheong-ryeong's voice rang in his ear.
-It seems that this man is his descendant.
'Huh?'
What did she mean by that?
As he felt puzzled, Cheong-ryeong spoke.
-Mortal. Ask the man in front of you.
With that, Cheong-ryeong informed Mok Gyeong-un of something.
Meanwhile, the demon mask brought the sword tip, heated by the scorching energy, even closer and spoke.
"My patience is not very long. Quickly convince me…"
"Has the Lee family now gained control over the Fiery Yang Qi within their bodies?"
'!?'
As soon as he finished speaking, the demon mask's eyes trembled.
The only visible body part through the mask was his eyes, but one could tell he was considerably shocked. Just as Mok Gyeong-un had anticipated, the demon mask was truly surprised.
How does this kid know about this?
Information about the Fiery Yang Qi[1] was something only a few within the Heaven and Earth Society knew.
-Smack!
The demon mask pulled away the sword and grabbed Mok Gyeong-un's collar with his other hand, pulling him close and interrogating in a whisper.
"Who the hell are you? How do you…"
To him who was trailing off, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said, "Are you asking about the Crimson Flame Sword Art[2]?"
'!!!!!!!!!'
83: Chapter 82: Master of the Blood Corpse Valley (2)
Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said,
"How do I know the secret of the Crimson Flame Sword Art, you ask?"
'!!!!!!!'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the demon mask's eyes widened even more.
Just who was this fellow?
He was clearly brought here as a hostage from the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and sent to the Corpse Blood Valley on that man's orders.
[It is his order. Don't concern yourself with whether they're hostages or not and proceed as usual.]
So he had taken it to mean they could even be killed.
But how did this brat know about the relationship between the Crimson Flame Sword Art and the Fiery Yang Qi?
This was a secret known only to a few, including the Society Leader.
Only four people: himself, the head of the Lee family, the young master who was his successor, the master of the Sinister Valley, and the Society Leader.
No one else in the Heaven and Earth Society knew.
Overwhelmed by countless questions, the demon mask finally revealed his emotions.
-Smack!
Grabbing Mok Gyeong-un's collar, he pressed the sword against his neck again.
"Who the hell are you really? Are you truly the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's scion?"
"There's no way I'm not."
"Nonsense! Does it make sense for a mere child of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor to know the secrets of our family…"
Suddenly, the demon mask's eyes narrowed.
Right, he had thought something was strange.
Could it be that person, no, the Society Leader was testing him?
[Show your loyalty for four generations. Then, I will allow the Lee family to regain the title of king.]
That had become the Lee family's shackle.
To prove they had no involvement in the bloody calamity of the Hoeryeong Battle, they had stepped down from the position of king.
From his grandfather's generation to himself, they had taken on the duty of the Corpse Blood Valley for three generations.
During that time, their loyalty had been tested several times.
And they had firmly proven it.
Soon, when his eldest son, the young master, inherited his position, they would reach the promised fourth generation.
-Bite!
The demon mask bit down hard on his lip.
'I thought we had proven enough.'
Was it still not enough?
So had he sent this to provoke him?
If he were to be emotionally swayed here, it would become an excuse, and the prospect of regaining the title of king would become distant.
No, perhaps there was no intention of returning it from the start, so this continued.
The demon mask gradually regained his composure.
-Swish!
The demon mask pulled away the sword and released his grip on the collar.
Then he spoke in a calm voice.
"Did the Society Leader send you to test me?"
"Hmm. What do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb. Thinking about it, it was strange. It's odd to bring in two hostages who aren't even the eldest and have them enter here."
"...…"
"If you're acting on his orders, I won't interfere further."
"Something…"
"No need to say more. The reason I summoned you was to confirm whether you were a spy or not. But if you're someone sent by the Society Leader, there's no reason to question further."
While saying this, the demon mask felt relieved that he had regained his composure on his own.
If he had been provoked by this fellow or had coveted him as a talent midway, it would have reached the Society Leader's ears.
Fortunately, he had regained his reason partway.
Just then,
"Why aren't you answering my question?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, the demon mask frowned.
Was this fellow trying to provoke him now?
Glaring slightly at Mok Gyeong-un, he warned in a low voice.
"Even if he sent you, know your place. Even if I'm not one of the Five Kings or Three Chief Masters, I am one of the Four Valley Masters who rank within the top twelve in the Heaven and Earth Society."
The Five Kings and Three Chief Masters.
It was a title given to the eight high-ranking executives of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Below them were the Four Valley Masters.
Although the title of Valley Master was lower than the Five Kings or Three Chief Masters, it was still certain that they were among the top twelve in the Heaven and Earth Society and were figures of power and unrivaled masters.
'Oh?'
Within the top twelve in rank?
Mok Gyeong-un thought he had obtained good information.
Just then, Cheong-ryeong's voice echoed in his mind.
At this,
"The Lee family should have received the title of king from the Three Veins, so how did you end up becoming a Valley Master?"
"You dare…"
The demon mask flinched for a moment as his anger surged, then soon stopped.
If he were not someone sent by the Society Leader, he would have severed an arm right then and there.
The demon mask spoke with fury emanating from him.
"If you don't get out of here right now, I'll cut you down regardless of whether you were sent by the Society Leader or not."
For a moment, Mok Gyeong-un saw a vision of himself being cut down.
Just from the murderous intent alone, it felt as if invisible sharp blades were being drawn in his mind, making his skin tingle.
Perhaps because it was the first time experiencing this phenomenon, rather than fear, he found it intriguing.
It was like the feeling of looking at a high scenic view.
'This bray?'
The demon mask was dumbfounded by Mok Gyeong-un's reaction.
He had deliberately threatened him out of anger, but instead, he was smirking.
Was he truly gutsy?
'Society Leader.'
Was it intentional this time?
Had he sent him to provoke him to the end?
Even knowing, this test truly made it difficult to suppress his anger.
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"Is the reason you're wearing a glove on your right hand and a mask because you still can't control the Fiery Yang Qi and suffered burns?"
"...…"
The demon mask's hand trembled.
He barely restrained himself from reaching for the sword hilt right then.
This fellow truly had a great talent for infuriating people.
"If you can't leave on your own feet, it seems I'll have to personally escort you out."
-Smack!
The demon mask rose from his seat and reached out his hand to chase Mok Gyeong-un out.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un grasped his sword-pointing finger and assumed a sword-drawing stance.
'How dare he insolently do this in front of me…!?'
The demon mask, who was about to instantly break this with the Golden Spiral Technique, suddenly hesitated.
It was because he was surprised to see Mok Gyeong-un's sword-drawing stance.
The demon mask's eyes trembled.
'Th-this is?'
Who among the Heaven and Earth Society's executives would not recognize the sword-drawing stance of this sword art?
It closely resembled the sword-drawing stance of the Heavenly Vein Sword Art[1].
'Could it be?'
The demon mask looked at Mok Gyeong-un with surprised eyes.
Something was strange.
He remembered the faces of all the Society Leader's disciples.
But no matter how much he thought about it, he had never seen this fellow before.
Could it be that he had recently taken on a new disciple?
The demon mask parted his lips with a cautious voice.
"Could it be that you're his…"
Just then,
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un extended his sword-pointing finger towards him and gently drew a circular trajectory.
It was like a full moon.
'No.'
Seeing this, the demon mask's pupils shook.
Although it resembled the Heavenly Vein Sword Art, the flow of the form was proceeding differently.
This was not the Heavenly Vein Sword Art.
'This is…'
-Swish swish swish swish swish swish smack!
The circular trajectory Mok Gyeong-un drew was now precisely targeting the eight vital points along the demon mask's central line.
The demon mask inwardly exclaimed at the flawless precision of the sword form.
If one only considered the sword form itself, without the sword intent, it was as if an unrivaled sword master was displaying sword techniques.
-Tap!
The demon mask retreated half a step.
At the same time, with one hand behind his back, he grasped his sword-pointing finger and blocked Mok Gyeong-un's sword techniques without injecting sword intent or internal energy.
-Swish swish swish swish smack!
Although it was a light form, Mok Gyeong-un's sword techniques were all blocked.
Except for one.
'I can't avoid this.'
The demon mask leaped backward to avoid Mok Gyeong-un's sword-pointing finger stabbing towards his brow.
Because the completion of the sword form was higher than the sword techniques he had displayed, it was difficult to block the final move in any way.
If Mok Gyeong-un had continued his sword techniques in this state, it would have been even more troublesome.
-Gulp!
The demon mask swallowed dryly.
'No doubt about it.'
He had never seen it directly.
But he had heard about it from his grandfather.
He unconsciously blurted it out.
"The Lunar Vein Sword Art."
"Oh. You recognize it."
"What?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the demon mask momentarily hesitated in bewilderment.
He had hoped it wasn't, but was it really the Lunar Vein Sword Art?
"I thought the grandson of Lee Hwa-mun might not recognize it because of the mask, but this is unexpected."
He repeated exactly what Cheong-ryeong had said.
Then the demon mask's reaction was,
-Shing!
He swiftly drew his sword and aimed it at Mok Gyeong-un's neck, emanating an immense murderous intent.
"Who are you? How do you know the Lunar Vein Sword Art? And what did you just say?"
"Hmm. I'd prefer if you asked one question at a time."
That way, he could relay Cheong-ryeong's words one by one.
But it was truly a strong aura that made one's flesh tremble.
-Sizzle!
The sword wasn't even touching him, but the heat emanating from it felt like it would melt his flesh.
Earlier, he had only felt the heat, but now the sword had become so hot that it visibly glowed scarlet.
'I can't block this.'
Could it be possible if he concentrated his death energy into a single point?
It seemed unlikely.
This man's martial prowess seemed no less than that of the Bright Sword King Son Yun, who had wielded that huge blade.
-Hiss!
Steam flowed from the arm of the demon mask holding the sword.
The heat was not limited to the sword but seemed to spread throughout his entire body.
The room became sweltering with heat in an instant.
The demon mask glared at Mok Gyeong-un and spoke again.
"I don't have time to play word games with you. Speak immediately. Otherwise, I'll take you to the sect's headquarters right now…"
"Take me and report that I learned the Lunar Vein Sword Art…"
"Shut up!"
-Smack!
With those words, the demon mask grabbed the edge of his mask and took it off.
Along with it, a face with one side grotesquely distorted by burns was revealed.
It was a severe burn that made it understandable why he wore a mask.
The demon mask spoke with trembling eyes.
"The Lunar Vein Sword Art's lineage has been severed. Even the only secret manual couldn't be read by anyone and was lost, so how could you…"
"Are you asking because you truly don't know?"
"What?"
"You just said it yourself."
"…That you read the secret manual? How is that possible?"
Even with the power of the head of the Primal Killing Pavilion, who oversaw the Heaven and Earth Society's esoteric arts, that secret manual couldn't be deciphered.
Yet this fellow claimed to have read it?
The demon mask, no, Lee Ji-yeom frowned.
It was hard to believe he had read the secret manual, but the words this fellow was spouting were even more beyond the scope of understanding.
He spoke as if he knew too much about his own family, the Lee family.
"That's impossible. Just by reading the secret manual…"
"Of course, you can't know."
"What?"
"How could I know about the Lee family's Crimson Flame Sword Art or Fiery Yang Qi just by reading the secret manual? Then how do I know?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, Lee Ji-yeom frowned and spoke.
"Could it be that you're that person's des…"
"Wrong."
"If not descendant, then how…"
"I'm that person's direct previous disciple, you see."
'!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Lee Ji-yeom's expression hardened terribly.
Was this brat toying with him now?
He had heard from his grandfather.
The previous Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society had personally ripped out his heart, severed his limbs, and beheaded him, displaying it to everyone as punishment for the crime of the bloody calamity.
That was a hundred years ago.
But how could this fellow, who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen, be his direct previous disciple?
"Are you telling me to believe those words? Are you truly wishing for death…"
"Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times."
It was as soon as those words ended.
Mok Gyeong-un took out a wooden doll from his bosom.
Then he formed a hand seal and chanted an incantation.
-Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Origin of the world, return to the source, release!"
Seeing this, Lee Ji-yeom was dumbfounded.
Was this fellow truly insane with a death wish?
He wasn't even an esoteric master, yet he was chanting some bizarre incantation…
-Hazy!
At that moment, an unbelievable event occurred.
-Trickle! Trickle!
Blood flowed down the walls of the office, and the surroundings were becoming soaked with blood.
-Shudder!
'What in the world?'
Thinking Mok Gyeong-un had used some kind of sorcery, Lee Ji-yeom tried to behead him with his sword filled with Fiery Yang Qi.
Right then,
Lee Ji-yeom's eyes widened as if they would tear apart at the sight of the figure rising from the blood pooling on the floor.
'!!!!!'
A peerless beauty with blood-red eyes, wearing a crown and holding a long pipe.
The moment he saw her, filled with an overwhelming presence, the image of that person his grandfather Lee Hwa-mun had spoken of with a ringing in his ears naturally overlapped.
84: Chapter 83: Master of the Blood Corpse Valley (3)
[Grandfather. Is our Lee family truly not a family of traitors?]
[Ji-yeom. Is that question related to the scars on your face?]
[.....]
Eleven-year-old Lee Ji-yeom gave no answer to his grandfather's question.
These things were inevitable while attending the sect's martial arts academy.
Traitors, a family of betrayal.
He endured all kinds of disregard and harassment.
He tried to ignore it and fought back against their bullying.
However, it was meaningless.
It was a shackle that had come down from his grandfather, who had pledged loyalty to the disappeared Lunar Vein, and it was the price.
[....Is it not a shackle that our Lee family can never escape from?]
[Ji-yeom....]
His grandfather looked at Lee Ji-yeom, full of scars, with pity.
Then, embracing him warmly, he comforted him with a gentle yet firm voice.
[Do you remember what this old man told you?]
[Lying on firewood and tasting gall.]
Lying on firewood and tasting gall.
It means to endure hardships for the future by sleeping on thorny brushwood and chewing on bile.
His grandfather would habitually say those words to him.
That was because his grandfather's honor, who had been one of the Ten Founders of the sect and walked in high places, had fallen to the bottom after that day.
[.....]
[Why aren't you answering?]
[I don't know anymore.]
He had tried to endure as his grandfather had said.
However, it was futile to try to mend his increasingly shattered heart.
Why did his grandfather, his father, and he himself have to suffer like this?
Even though it was not a sin they had committed, just because they had pledged loyalty, did they have to be rejected by the sect to this extent?
[Grandfather, why don't you just pledge eternal loyalty to the Society Leader…]
[Ah!]
That day, for the first time, he saw a terrifying look on his grandfather's face.
His grandfather, who had never expressed it, was enraged to this degree at the mention of pledging loyalty to the Society Leader and escaping this stigma of a shackle.
Why was he angry at him?
Had he said something wrong?
For the first time, a sense of rebellion arose in his surging heart.
[Did I…did I say something wrong? Why must we, a meritorious family and one of the sect's founding members…]
[Ack!]
Lee Ji-yeom could not continue speaking due to the ear-splitting pain.
To him, suffering in pain, his grandfather spoke with bloodshot eyes.
[Regardless of the outcome, it is natural for a retainer to trust their lord until the end! Did this old man teach you otherwise?]
[That so-called lord has gone astray, and our family has even been branded as traitors. But what meaning does that have? And didn't you also accept that fault, which is why you accepted being demoted to a Valley Master and imprisoned in the Corpse Blood Valley for four generations?]
The more he thought about it, the more infuriating it was.
Why didn't his grandfather strongly assert that he had no connection to that person?
Why were they sharing in that person's sins?
Because he was a retainer?
'I can't accept it!'
After that day, Lee Ji-yeom no longer conversed with his grandfather.
And he gritted his teeth and immersed himself in martial arts training.
He couldn't endure it without immersing himself in something.
As a result of his immersion in training, he became the first in his family to successfully reach the 5th stage of the Crimson Flame Sword Art's advanced technique, the Blazing Cultivation, before coming of age.
Lee Ji-yeom became even more motivated by this opportunity.
'I can do it.'
Among his family's ancestors, no one had completed the Crimson Flame Sword Art.
Even his grandfather's limit was the 8th stage.
This was because the more one cultivated the Blazing Cultivation, the stronger the Fiery Yang Qi became, and it didn't just end with it becoming stronger but also burned the practitioner's own body.
However, he was confident that he could surpass the 8th stage and reach the 9th and even the 10th stage realm.
And perhaps this excessive desire became poison?
-Do not attempt the 6th stage until the 5th stage is perfectly ingrained in your body.
[Ahhhhhh!]
Ignoring his father's warning, Lee Ji-yeom's body burst into flames as he recklessly attempted the 6th stage.
Upon reaching the 6th stage of the Blazing Cultivation, one could imbue the Crimson Flame Sword Art with Fiery Yang Qi, but he had failed and suffered a backlash.
In an instant, the flames engulfed his arm and half of his face, and he couldn't come to his senses.
The rampaging Fiery Yang Qi had already surpassed the level he could control.
[Ahhhhh!]
Was he going to die like this after being too greedy?
At that moment, someone grabbed him as he was rampaging.
And they absorbed the rampaging Fiery Yang Qi and stabilized it.
'!?'
The one who absorbed the Fiery Yang Qi from his burning body was none other than his grandfather, Lee Hwa-mun.
Barely regaining consciousness amidst the pain, Lee Ji-yeom couldn't hide his shock.
Like his grandfather and father, if one forcibly accepted the Fiery Yang Qi without being able to perfectly control it,
-Sizzle!
The fire would turn against oneself.
Thanks to taking away the Fiery Yang Qi, Lee Ji-yeom's body could be stabilized, but his grandfather Lee Hwa-mun was not the same.
In an instant, his entire body was engulfed in flames.
It was on a level incomparable to Lee Ji-yeom's.
[Ah, no! No! Grandfather! Grandfather!]
Lee Ji-yeom rushed forward, trying to calm Lee Hwa-mun's Fiery Yang Qi.
However, Grandfather Lee Hwa-mun used his profound true energy to prevent him from entering his vicinity, making it impossible to approach.
[Grandfather! No, Grandpa!]
It had been nearly four years since they had been this close, and it had to be like this.
Thanks to his profound internal energy, his body was slowly burning, but his grandfather's flesh had already turned red and oozing.
[Grandpa! Please! Please!]
Lee Ji-yeom tried to forcibly break through his true energy.
Grandfather Lee Hwa-mun slowly shook his head at him with a bitter face.
He could tell from the shape of his lips.
'Don't come, my grandson.'
That sight tore Lee Ji-yeom's heart apart.
Watching his grandfather's body slowly burn right in front of him, his feelings were utter despair.
He waited for his grandfather's true energy to weaken and tried to somehow subdue the Fiery Yang Qi, but this was too painful.
[Please! Please!]
He begged his grandfather to withdraw his true energy.
However, his grandfather did not withdraw his true energy until his flesh was completely burned away.
Only when his breath ceased did the barrier formed by his true energy disappear.
[Ahhhhhhh!]
Lee Ji-yeom screamed.
His despair at witnessing his grandfather dying from start to finish because of him was tragic.
If possible, he wanted to exchange his life with his grandfather's.
However, that was impossible.
[Ugh.]
After wailing and crying for more than half a day, Lee Ji-yeom could only stop when he fainted from exhaustion.
After waking up like that, everything proceeded quickly and in a complicated manner.
It was because he had to hold a funeral for his deceased grandfather.
He confessed to everyone in the family, including his father, that his grandfather had died because of him.
However, no one blamed him.
[Even if you were hasty, it's not your fault. It's the fault of all of us for not teaching you properly and giving weak warnings.]
[Please…please punish me.]
His father, who had become the head of the family, shook his head and firmly refused.
It was because his grandfather Lee Hwa-mun would not have wanted that.
[But…..]
[If your grandfather had resented you even a little until his last breath, then do so.]
[...…]
He hadn't.
Even while enduring the immense pain of his body burning, his grandfather never showed it.
He just kept his mouth shut with the most indifferent face possible, as if worrying about him would hurt his heart.
All of that was consideration for him.
Throughout the funeral, Lee Ji-yeom silently shed tears.
After holding his grandfather's funeral amidst sorrow, Lee Ji-yeom came across a line of poetry left behind by his grandfather.
It was like the deceased's last will.
-Ah, the day I looked at the black robe and followed behind always lingers. No matter how much time passes, how could I ever forget that time in my dreams?
He thought he had no more tears left to shed.
Yet seeing this, painful tears flowed out as if being squeezed.
Even though he was one of the Ten Founders, most of the executives, including the Society Leader, did not attend the funeral due to the stigma of disgrace, yet he insisted on loyalty until the end.
Did that mean he believed in that person that much?
'.....'
His heart grew complicated.
Lee Ji-yeom found that person so hateful.
However, after seeing his grandfather's last words expressing longing for his former lord, he felt conflicted.
That person whom his grandfather had believed in until the end.
The bastard who inherited the Lee family's orthodox lineage had insulted his grandfather's loyalty and will.
'Grandfather.'
At that moment, Lee Ji-yeom made a decision.
His grandfather's will, which he had upheld nobly until death while enduring everything with patience.
He would inherit that will.
'This unworthy grandson...will carry on that loyalty.'
Even if it was a terrible stigma.
Even if it was a time of suffering.
He decided to carry on that will in order to restore his deceased grandfather's honor.
...
'It can't...be.'
The master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, couldn't hide his shock at the sight unfolding before his eyes.
At first, he thought Mok Gyeong-un was using some bizarre sorcery.
However, seeing that being taking form amidst the blood, he was at a loss for words.
A peerless beauty with blood-red eyes, wearing a crown and holding a long pipe.
That face where arrogance and majesty coexisted.
The moment he saw this, the image of that person his deceased grandfather Lee Hwa-mun had spoken of with a ringing in his ears naturally overlapped.
[Don't hate that person too much. The master that this old man devoted half his life to serving was not the despicable traitor you think. That person was stronger and more beautiful than anyone else in the sect.]
He had just lightly brushed off his grandfather's words.
It was because he didn't think it outweighed the wounds he had received while growing up.
However, the moment he saw her, he understood his grandfather's words.
They say those who rule are born to do so.
'Ah!'
The being before his eyes seemed literally born to rule.
Just by looking down as if to subdue, he felt a shudder and even reverence at her overwhelming presence.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un's voice reached his ears.
"How do you feel after directly seeing that person?"
"That person....."
Lee Ji-yeom's heart pounded and raced.
Was this being before his eyes truly that person his grandfather had longed for until the end?
At that moment, Lee Ji-yeom knelt on one knee as if his legs had given out.
-Thud!
It didn't matter whether the being before his eyes was a ghost or whatever.
He had vowed before his grandfather's spirit tablet.
To inherit the noble loyalty he had upheld until death.
Lee Ji-yeom bowed his head, clasped his hands together, and paid his respects.
"Lee Ji-yeom, head of the Lee family, pays his respects to the lord, the master of the Lunar Vein!"
At Lee Ji-yeom's utmost greeting, a glint of interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
On the other hand, Cheong-ryeong glanced at Mok Gyeong-un with a triumphant gaze.
'Did you see that, mortal?'
She had boasted to Mok Gyeong-un.
Even if the other rotten ones were unknown, if it was the blood descendant of Lee Hwa-mun, whom she knew, he would still uphold that loyalty.
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un had inwardly sneered.
A whole century had passed.
Yet it was ridiculous to think that the will of loyalty would remain.
'You've become a vengeful spirit, yet you believe in humans?'
He found it truly foolish.
Even in just a few years, everything fades.
So, thinking that loyalty would continue when the person in question had died and disappeared, wasn't that just a vain hope?
However, something truly unexpected happened.
'It turned out differently from my intention.'
Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips.
He had wanted to see her reaction, unable to hide her disappointment as her vain hopes were shattered.
Yet he had ended up making her elated instead.
'How unfortunate.'
Well, it wasn't entirely bad.
The fact that the loyalty had been passed down even after a hundred years meant it was worth using.
Just as Cheong-ryeong was about to open her mouth,
-Long…..
Right at that moment,
-Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Mok Gyeong-un formed a hand seal with one hand and extended the wooden doll towards Cheong-ryeong.
"Forbidden seal, formless figure, two names become one, quickly obey and seal!"
As soon as the incantation ended,
Her spirit body, which had barely emerged, was instantly sucked into the wooden doll.
With that, the blood-stained Ghost Realm formed by Cheong-ryeong disappeared, and the office instantly returned to its original state.
-Shudder!
Noticing this change, Lee Ji-yeom frowned and raised his head.
Where had that person who was there just a moment ago disappeared to?
Of course, Cheong-ryeong was inside the wooden doll.
-Squirm!
The wooden doll wriggled, and Cheong-ryeong's voice echoed in Mok Gyeong-un's ear.
-You damn mortal bastard! What the hell are you doing?
She had barely revealed her spirit body and confirmed his loyalty.
Then, she should have drawn this fellow in and given him orders, but why was he suddenly sealing her back into the wooden doll?
Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"Did you see? That person has become a vengeful spirit with lingering resentment and is with me."
"You bastard....."
Lee Ji-yeom stood up and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
That person's appearance just now was definitely not an illusion or anything like that.
Lee Ji-yeom asked Mok Gyeong-un.
"Where is that person?"
"I just told you. That person is with me."
"....Then let me see that person again. I have so many things I want to ask."
At Lee Ji-yeom's request, Mok Gyeong-un pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Isn't that person right in front of your eyes?"
"What?"
At Lee Ji-yeom's retort, asking what he was talking about, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said,
"I am that person's vessel of possession. It may be difficult for you to understand, but when that person possesses me, that person and I become one."
-Ha!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Cheong-ryeong inside the wooden doll was dumbfounded.
He had barely shown her form, so why did he seal her back inside this?
Mok Gyeong-un's purpose was clear.
'That loyalty spanning generations. I'll take it for myself.'
85: Chapter 84: Master of the Blood Corpse Valley (4)
Cheong-ryeong, who had noticed Mok Gyeong-un's intention, clicked her tongue inwardly.
What kind of guy was he?
The Lee family had maintained their loyalty to her for over a hundred years, spanning generations.
Yet watching Mok Gyeong-un snatching away that loyalty in this manner made her anger surge.
She felt like breaking the sealing wooden doll right away, popping out, and beating the hell out of that mortal fellow's head with her long pipe.
However, that anger did not last long.
'What are you trying to do, mortal?'
Rather, she became curious about Mok Gyeong-un's intention.
He could have borrowed the power of the Lee family through her, so why did he need to snatch it away like this midway?
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"You know that I am that person and that person is me, so why are you just standing there?"
"That's…"
At those words, the master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, suddenly hesitated.
He knew well what the word 'possession' meant.
It literally meant being possessed by a ghost, didn't it?
'Vessel of possession for that person?'
Then should he consider this fellow Mok Gyeong-un as the master of the Lunar Vein?
Since he did not have much faith in the strange arts, even though the Heaven and Earth Society had consulting esoteric masters, he felt somewhat hesitant.
It also gave him a strangely uncomfortable feeling.
Then Mok Gyeong-un said,
"You directly saw the spirit body, yet you still can't believe it?"
-The atmosphere and everything is completely different, so would you believe it if he suddenly lied about being possessed?
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue and interjected.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said,
"I was confident that you would inherit loyalty spanning generations, and that's why I even revealed this secret, but it's disappointing."
"N-no, that's…"
"Then if I keep the promise from back then, will you believe me?"
"When you say back then?"
"The Crimson Flame Sword Art."
"Could it be?"
Lee Ji-yeom's eyes trembled.
That was because he recalled the words he had heard when learning the Crimson Flame Sword Art from his grandfather.
[The Blazing Cultivation was originally devised by that person and this old man together. We had tried to create the most suitable advanced cultivation technique for the Crimson Flame Sword Art. However, before we could complete it, that tragedy occurred.]
Just like him, Mok Gyeong-un also recalled what Cheong-ryeong had said.
[Once, I made a promise with the head of the Lee family, that fellow's grandfather Lee Hwa-mun. To complete the unfinished Blazing Cultivation together.]
However, that promise could not be fulfilled while alive.
It was fulfilled after death.
As she became a higher-grade vengeful spirit over a long time, she regained her reason and gradually realized the parts she had not understood while alive.
One of those was the Blazing Cultivation of the Crimson Flame Sword Art.
Mok Gyeong-un extended his hand to Lee Ji-yeom with a smile and said,
"Although I have returned as a vengeful spirit with deep resentment, if the Lee family follows me once again, I will teach you the completed circulation technique of the Blazing Cultivation that I realized only after death."
'Damn you, mortal!'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Cheong-ryeong's frustration surged.
She had just informed him of what was wrong with the technique and what needed to be changed.
An ordinary person would forget after hearing it once, but,
'This bastard has memorized it, hasn't he?'
Mok Gyeong-un's memory surpassed common sense.
She had gotten angry and wanted to see how he would persuade without her help.
But it seemed he was truly going to snatch away the loyalty.
'Completed circulation technique…'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Lee Ji-yeom's eyes trembled even more.
Three generations, from his grandfather to himself, had tried to complete the technique but failed.
In fact, it was difficult to complete from the beginning.
One had to bear the huge risk of directly verifying it by sending the Fiery Yang Qi to the acupuncture points, which could cost one's life if done incorrectly.
[If it had been with that person, we might have completed it.]
'Grandfather…'
[But you should be able to do it.]
Recalling his grandfather again, Lee Ji-yeom's heart ached.
At this, he looked at Mok Gyeong-un's face, pounded his tingling chest, and knelt on one knee.
"I'm not kneeling because of the completed circulation technique."
"Then why?"
"It's because you didn't forget the promise you made with my grandfather, no, our family, and that's why I'm pledging my loyalty once again like this."
"Promise…"
"You have returned even as a vengeful spirit to resolve the long-cherished wish of my grandfather and our Lee family, so how could I dare to doubt you?"
-Thud!
Then Lee Ji-yeom completely prostrated on the ground.
"Lee Ji-yeom, head of the Lee family and master of the Corpse Blood Valley, once again pledges his loyalty to the master of the Lunar Vein. Please accept my bow!"
With that, he touched his forehead to the ground three times, expressing his respect and loyalty.
Looking down at this, Mok Gyeong-un raised the corner of his mouth as if satisfied.
Then Cheong-ryeong's voice rang in his ear.
-You crazy mortal bastard. What are you doing, snatching away other's loyalty?
"…"
-The loyalty would have naturally passed on to you if you had just stayed still, since you've become the direct previous disciple and I won't be dragging you around forever even after death. Are you feeling refreshed after forcibly taking it?
She seemed quite angry.
This was the first time he had seen Cheong-ryeong talk so much.
Well, it made sense for her to be angry after he had snatched away the loyalty of a faithful retainer who had waited for her for a hundred years, separate from her grudge.
She probably thought he was trash.
However,
'I understand your feelings, but my goal is not to be swayed by your hand.'
Mok Gyeong-un had only one reason for coming here.
It was to find the Ghost Sword, who might be related to taking revenge on the one who killed his grandfather.
However, if Cheong-ryeong took the lead, moved her former subordinates, and wielded that power, things would only flow in the direction she wanted.
Mok Gyeong-un did not want the situation to be created that way.
'It's only secondary to me.'
Resolving Cheong-ryeong's grudge was definitely not a priority for him.
She was also a vengeful spirit who would have tried to devour him if not for their predestined bond.
Although they had now established a master-disciple relationship due to their absolute bond of fate, Mok Gyeong-un fundamentally never trusted anyone.
Therefore, he had no intention of giving Cheong-ryeong the initiative.
...
"Is this…the circulation technique completed by you, my liege?"
The master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, received the circulation technique written by Mok Gyeong-un with trembling hands.
It had been the aspiration of the family to complete the technique for three generations, so he could not hide his excitement.
Exclamations flowed from Lee Ji-yeom's mouth as he read through the technique.
"Ah!"
How could they have approached the qi circulation method in this way?
Lee Ji-yeom spoke in amazement.
"It's truly remarkable. I never thought of directly circulating the Fiery Yang Qi from the diaphragm to the Yang-acupoints. But if this works, it seems we can control the energy to enter the 9th stage. To devise this so easily…"
-Easily devised, my ass. I only realized it after death when my ghost eyes opened.
Cheong-ryeong grumbled in an angry voice, still not appeased.
An advanced cultivation technique like the Blazing Cultivation that could directly handle Fiery Yang Qi had a high risk in the first place, so it could only be completed after countless trials, errors, and sacrifices.
In a way, from Lee Ji-yeom's perspective, it could be said that he had encountered a fateful opportunity.
As he continued reading the technique, Lee Ji-yeom frowned.
Then he carefully said to Mok Gyeong-un,
"But my liege, it seems you haven't written the entire technique."
"That's right."
"Pardon?"
"I only wrote half of it."
At those words, Lee Ji-yeom was about to ask why but soon closed his mouth.
Looking at Mok Gyeong-un's smiling face, he could guess what his intention was.
"…Did you do it on purpose?"
"That's right."
"Why did you…"
"Even though I completed the technique, we should be careful. I did it because I was worried that you might be too hasty and get burned again."
"Ah…"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Lee Ji-yeom let out a small gasp.
Was it because he was concerned that he might bring about a situation where he would be consumed by the Fiery Yang Qi if he recklessly tried to master the completed technique?
He seemed to have misunderstood.
He had thought that it might be because Mok Gyeong-un couldn't fully trust him yet.
Cheong-ryeong snorted.
-Even after receiving a pledge of loyalty, you sure have a hard time trusting.
She knew Mok Gyeong-un well.
She was certain that the reason he didn't teach the entire technique was definitely not out of concern for Lee Ji-yeom.
'Yes, correct.'
Of course, that was accurate.
Mok Gyeong-un did not completely trust Lee Ji-yeom even though he had pledged loyalty.
That's why he had only provided the appropriate bait.
-Trust him moderately. I guarantee you Lee members' loyalty towards me.
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un showed a faint smile.
Her trust in her former loyal subordinate was her freedom.
But he was different.
He intended to maintain some level of vigilance until he was certain.
At that moment, Lee Ji-yeom put the paper with the technique written on it into his bosom and spoke.
"But my liege, if it's not disrespectful, may I ask what happened that day at the Hoeryeong Battle a hundred years ago?"
'Hoeryeong Battle?'
What was that?
At his question, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
He didn't expect the master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, to suddenly ask about Cheong-ryeong's past that he didn't know about.
At this, Cheong-ryeong spoke in a sneering voice.
-Do your best. I won't help or interfere with anything related to the Lee family, especially with you, mortal.
She had no intention of telling him the information since he had snatched away the Li family's loyalty.
It meant for him to bear the hardship properly.
'Hoeryeong Battle.'
It was a memory she could never forget.
That memory had become the root of her becoming a vengeful spirit.
In the first place, she had no intention of telling this mortal fellow right away, so she thought it was perfect.
Just then,
Mok Gyeong-un spoke nonchalantly.
"You want to know about that?"
At this, Cheong-ryeong was dumbfounded.
Was he asking what he wanted to know without knowing anything?
Then Lee Ji-yeom replied.
"Yes. My grandfather believed in her liege until the end, but due to the incident that day, he was demoted from a king to a valley master, and our main family was expelled from the castle and has been imprisoned here in the Corpse Blood Valley for three generations."
'Ah…'
At Lee Ji-yeom's words, Cheong-ryeong felt bitter.
The Lee family was a founding family of the Heaven and Earth Society, yet they were humiliated like this.
Just how far were they willing to insult her and ruin the Heaven and Earth Society?
Indeed, she could never forgive him.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"How does the Valley Master know about what happened that day at the Hoeryeong Battle? I'm curious about how you and the sect know about it."
'What!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, Cheong-ryeong inwardly clicked her tongue.
This fellow always found a way out somehow.
On the contrary, she did not expect him to throw a question back like this.
No, was it because he could come up with words in any way since he had no difficulty lying at all?
'You mortal bastard, really…'
As she found it absurd, Lee Ji-yeom carefully said,
"…I apologize, but is it alright to tell you this as it is?"
"It's fine. You have to tell me as it is so that I can tell you what happened that day at the Hoeryeong Battle."
Mok Gyeong-un spoke as if he didn't mind.
While doing so, he glanced at the wooden doll in his bosom and smirked.
'You should have just given me a hint.'
Then there would have been no need to be led like this.
But could he find out what kind of relationship Cheong-ryeong had with the Heaven and Earth Society and what secrets she held through this?
86: Chapter 85: Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion (1)
'Damn mortal bastard!'
Was he finally trying to find out about her past in this way?
For a moment, she pondered whether she should break the seal of the wooden doll and leave.
Just then, the master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, spoke.
"Since my liege has spoken thus, I will briefly commit a discourtesy. How did the incident of that day…"
-Damn mortal! Stop him right now. My past, in this way…
Feeling desperate, she shouted for him to stop.
However, Mok Gyeong-un had no intention of doing so.
In any case, if he encountered something related to her past, like with the Li family, he would find out what had happened one way or another.
Just what had she experienced to become a vengeful spirit…
-Flinch!
At that moment, the master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, and Mok Gyeong-un simultaneously looked in a certain direction.
It was towards the outside of the building.
-What is it? Why are you acting like that?
Cheong-ryeong, sealed inside the wooden doll, could not sense the external energy.
So she was puzzled when the two reacted simultaneously like this.
The master of the Corpse Blood Valley, Lee Ji-yeom, had already approached the window.
-Clack!
As he opened the paper-covered window, the courtyard in front of the lodging was revealed.
There were red-belted warriors standing guard in front of it, and nothing was happening.
At this, Lee Ji-yeom slightly tilted his head.
He was sure there was something that stimulated his senses just now.
But it had disappeared in an instant.
'What was that?'
The energy he felt just now was too ominous to ignore.
However, now that it had disappeared, it was difficult to search for it blindly.
As he pondered this, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"Valley Master."
"Ah. Yes, my liege. It doesn't seem to be anything…"
"May I go out for a moment?"
"Pardon?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's sudden mention of going out, Lee Ji-yeom frowned as if in a difficult position.
On the other hand, Cheong-ryeong inside the wooden doll inwardly felt relieved.
She didn't know what was going on, but thanks to that, the attention could be diverted.
...
About a quarter of an hour ago.
On a mountain hill about 1 li (approx. 0.5 km) away from the lodging.
There, about ten red-belted warriors were transporting four spies whose energy cores had been destroyed and whose bodies were restrained.
Among the spies was Neung Hwa-yang, who could be considered the only female.
The other spies had resisted, getting their arms and legs cut off, and were unable to endure the pain of having their energy cores destroyed, so they all fainted.
However, she was the only one still conscious.
The reason was that she was possessed by Gyu Soha.
'Ah…'
Gyu Soha couldn't hide her regret.
She had barely obtained a decent body, but it was a pity to use it and discard it like this, but she had to carry out her master's orders.
When the time came, she believed her master would find her a suitably decent body.
If that happened,
'…Will I be able to see that person again?'
Her own younger brother who had driven his own flesh and blood to death.
She had endured on the cliff of solitude with her anger towards him.
If her master went into the castle of the Heaven and Earth Society, she might see him again.
It had been fifteen years since her death.
There was no way he would have died in just that time.
[You damn bastard. If only you die, everything will be resolved.]
[You… you…]
[Acting all superior every time, pitying me as if you had everything…]
[I… I'm not…]
[You were just born before me, that's all.]
-Clench!
Strength entered her hand.
The last face she saw at the moment of her death was his face filled with ecstasy.
With that face, he had repeatedly smashed her face with a rock.
It was an indelible yoke of hatred.
-Creak!
While she was pondering this, the cart carrying them suddenly stopped midway.
Wondering what was going on, Gyu Soha squinted and observed why.
'Huh?'
The red-belted warriors were greeting someone.
Both were wearing Taoist robes, one was a white-haired old man, and the other was wearing an eye patch and leaning on a cane.
One of the senior warriors leading the red-belted warriors clasped his hands together and greeted.
"Bong-yang, a senior warrior of the Corpse Blood Valley, greets the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion."
The identity of the old man was none other than In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, which was in charge of esoteric arts consultation under the Heaven and Earth Society.
And next to him was the middle-aged man with the eye patch leaning on a cane, his disciple and Taoist master, Jo Ui-gong.
'Why have they come here?'
Bong-yang, the senior warrior of the Corpse Blood Valley, couldn't hide his bewilderment.
That was because there were Taoist masters dispatched within the Corpse Blood Valley, so there was rarely any reason for the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion to come here.
However, he couldn't figure out why they had come here.
Just then, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, asked the senior warrior.
"Were there any unusual incidents during the checkpoints?"
At his question, the senior warrior slightly frowned.
Although he was cooperating under the Society Leader's orders, matters related to the checkpoints were ultimately the responsibility of the master of the Corpse Blood Valley and his subordinates.
He had no obligation to report to the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion.
'Is this old fart trying to create more trouble?'
He was already doing the bothersome task of categorizing and moving the corpses one by one because of the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion.
So he was even more reluctant to say anything.
Perhaps his thoughts were showing on his face?
"Hey. Do you take the Primal Killing Pavilion lightly? The Pavilion Master is asking, so why aren't you answering?"
Jo Ui-gong frowned and pressed him.
At this, the flustered senior warrior hurriedly spoke.
"No, that's not it. How could that be? There were no major problems in conducting the checkpoints."
At his answer, Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue as if dissatisfied.
The warriors of the main castle were mindful of the Primal Killing Pavilion, which was favored by the Society Leader.
On the other hand, the warriors of the Corpse Blood Valley were not.
Was it because the master of the Corpse Blood Valley himself was close to being rebellious, as the Blade King had said?
"Tsk tsk. Does the Pavilion Master coming all the way here seem like nothing special happened?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"The cliff…"
-Swish!
At that moment, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, extended his hand and cut off Jo Ui-gong's words.
Jo Ui-gong closed his mouth and quietly stepped back, unable to upset his master and teacher.
Then, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, spoke with a somewhat serious expression.
"Don't ignore my words. Something unusual is happening. If there's even the slightest suspicious or strange incident, speak of it. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to report to the Society Leader and halt the checkpoints of the Corpse Blood Valley this time."
"Pardon?"
What on earth was he talking about?
Why would he halt the checkpoints of the Corpse Blood Valley that were proceeding normally?
The senior warrior couldn't help but be perplexed.
Just what had happened for the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion to personally come here and say such things?
"Was there really nothing unusual?"
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, asked again.
At this, the perplexed senior warrior Bong-yang hurriedly spoke.
"There was nothing that could be a problem. The Taoist master in the cave also said it was fine that the monster making pig squealing sounds died during the previous checkpoint…"
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"What do you mean by that?"
In Seo-ok asked with narrowed eyes.
At this, senior warrior Bong-yang carefully repeated what he had said.
"The monster making pig squealing sounds died…"
"Gal-jeo? Gal-jeo died?"
Did that monster also have a name?
He wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed to refer to that wolf monster making pig squealing sounds, so senior warrior Bong-yang nodded and replied.
"Yes. It seems to have died during the second checkpoint."
"What do you mean?"
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, couldn't hide his bewilderment.
That was because he knew how the checkpoints were conducted due to the 'thing' in the cave and the Spirit God Parasitic Poison Art.
Moreover, didn't the Primal Killing Pavilion manufacture the flag used in the second checkpoint?
In the first place, the key point of that checkpoint was to run away from the monster, and there was no one who could catch it.
"That can't be…"
"One of the trainees killed it."
"What? You're saying one of the trainees killed Gal-jeo?"
At these words, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, couldn't hide his surprise.
Even ordinary wolves were difficult to deal with without weapons or martial arts.
Yet they were saying that among the boys aged 16 to 19, there was someone who killed the phantom wolf with bare hands?
"Is that true?"
He found it hard to believe.
Jo Ui-gong also seemed to have the same thought as his master In Seo-ok, as he asked back in disbelief.
Then, senior warrior Bong-yang spoke as if frustrated.
"Sigh. It's true. We also couldn't believe the report at first, but that kid tore apart the monster's mouth and killed it. If you truly can't believe it, the monster's corpse should be in the cave…"
"What? Tore apart its mouth?"
"No. Can't you just go and see for yourself?"
At senior warrior Bong-yang's words, Jo Ui-gong was dumbfounded.
There were also ranks among the phantom wolves.
Even the lowest grade, the Fierce Beast, required Taoist masters to be at least at the Moon-level to deal with it.
Let alone the Monstrous Beast, which was one rank higher.
It was something an ordinary human could not handle.
As he was in disbelief, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, asked.
"Is the trainee safe, at least?"
"He's safe. Rather, he was less injured than the other trainees."
"My word."
An exclamation flowed from the mouth of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion.
Just what kind of fellow was he to be able to do such a thing with bare hands?
From the perspective of a Taoist master, he couldn't help but be interested.
So he asked.
"May I ask for the name of that trainee?"
Well, that wasn't difficult.
"It's a kid named Mok Gyeong-un."
"Master!"
As soon as those words were spoken, Jo Ui-gong called out to In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, in an excited voice.
He was so surprised that he unconsciously called him master as soon as he heard the name.
Realizing his mistake, Jo Ui-gong suppressed his excitement and spoke.
"It's that child."
"That child?"
"Didn't I tell you? The child I accepted as a disciple was sent to the Corpse Blood Valley by the Society Leader's order, so please inform him…"
At those words, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, frowned.
The child his disciple he had accepted as a disciple had killed the monster?
This was quite surprising.
So he asked.
"When did you accept that child as a disciple?"
"It hasn't even been half a month since I accepted him."
"What?"
The eyes of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, widened.
A kid who had only received teachings on esoteric arts for half a month had single-handedly caught the monster Gal-jeo?
Since he was sent to the Corpse Blood Valley, he wouldn't have had talismans or magic tools, right?
Then Jo Ui-gong whispered to him.
"Just in case, the disciple gave him a ring with incantations inscribed on it, but even so, isn't it remarkable that he did this alone with his own strength?"
At his words, In Seo-ok stared intently at Jo Ui-gong.
He knew better than anyone what a ring with incantations inscribed on it was.
He had directly taught the method of making it, so there was no way he wouldn't know.
However, even if he had that, catching a phantom wolf of the Ghost Beast level was definitely not an easy task.
No, it was practically impossible.
'If what Ui-gong says is true, he has accepted a disciple with an absurdly outstanding talent.'
He had no choice but to acknowledge it.
He understood why Jo Ui-gong had insisted so much on informing the Society Leader.
If he had that level of talent, it was only natural for him to do so.
'I want to see him in person.'
What kind of fellow he was.
However, there was something he had been suspicious of from the start.
He had tried to brush it off, thinking there was no way, but this feeling was unmistakable after all.
"Hand me the cane."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't I tell you to hand it over?"
At his master's words, Jo Ui-gong looked puzzled but handed over his cane.
Then, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, lightly tapped the ground with the cane.
-Thud!
-Jingle jingle!
At that moment, the silver coins on the head of the cane shook strongly.
Along with it, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, muttered softly.
"Ma-yang-gak-seo Seo-won-un-jeong Jeo-won-gi-yun…"
-Swoosh!
The jingling sound of the silver coins gradually grew louder.
Then finally,
-Thud!
The red-belted warriors, who had been nodding off, collapsed on the ground as if they had fallen asleep.
Even the senior warrior Bong-yang was no exception.
"What on earth is…hmm."
-Thud!
"Master, what…"
Jo Ui-gong couldn't hide his bewilderment at In Seo-ok's sudden incantation.
That was because his master's chanted incantation was not just for putting people to sleep or making them faint.
It was invisible to ordinary people's eyes, but to Jo Ui-gong's eyes, the gray-colored lines that appeared whenever In Seo-ok shook the silver coins on the cane were clearly visible.
-Swoosh!
The gray-colored lines that appeared like that created a semicircular curtain covering a distance of about 15 jang (approx. 50 meters).
'Spell power barrier.'
Spell power barrier.
It was a barrier created by a Taoist master's spell power.
Among the Taoist masters of the Divine-Sun-Moon-Profound-Transmission, only those whose spell power reached the Sun level or higher could create it, and it was comparable to the Ghost Realm created by high-grade vengeful spirits.
However, why did his master, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, suddenly create a spell power barrier?
Just then,
-Swoosh!
At that moment, chains shot out from the cart carrying the spies and pounced on In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion.
"Master!"
-Swish!
"Don't interfere."
In Seo-ok shook his head and lightly swung his cane.
Then, the chains that had been rushing towards him were all bent and crashed to the ground.
"This is?"
Jo Ui-gong instantly realized that the chains were made of spiritual power.
He looked at the cart,
"Ugh…"
There, he saw a girl with black blood vessels bulging all over her body, writhing.
The girl was the spy Neung Hwa-yang.
Looking at the girl suffering in pain, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion, lifted the corner of his mouth eerily and spoke in a meaningful voice.
"So this is where my Gu poison was."