183 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

EP.183 Chapter 19 - A Father and Son (3) * * * Dealing with the demons was straightforward. It was because the power of the Family was formidable enough to easily handle a group of twenty or so, even if there was a single Transcendent Peak Realm among them. In fact, even if Zhuge Byeok had been alone, he might have been able to manage them all. Amidst the Family warriors cleaning up the corpses, Mok Liwon couldn't help but deeply admire Zhuge Byeok's approach. "He's giving the warriors more experience." Zhuge Byeok did not actively participate in the battle this time. He only intervened when someone seemed on the brink of a fatal injury, sending out energy to help them, and simply moderated the flow of the battlefield. Thanks to that, the Family's forces ended up with only a few injuries. Truly, he deserved to be called the True King. Even Mok Liwon could perceive that his perspective on viewing the battlefield was extraordinary. "You don't have to admire him too much." Zhuge San approached and said in a low voice. "Hmm?" "He's just a peculiar man who enjoys watching from the sidelines." Zhuge San's words were playful, but even Mok Liwon could detect the disdain buried in them. Mok Liwon, after momentarily chewing on his lips, spoke to Zhuge San. "I believe in acknowledging what should be acknowledged." Zhuge San's eyes widened. Then, he burst into hearty laughter. "…Yes, you are right. I apologize. I was speaking too emotionally." "No, I support you, Brother Zhuge." "Thank you, even if it's just words. It looks like we're almost done. Let's go." Zhuge San headed towards the formation. Mok Liwon felt a small pang of concern. 'He's not like himself.' Though not outwardly obvious due to his usual conduct, Mok Liwon knew Zhuge San as someone who was always composed and tried to maintain fairness in viewing events or situations. That's why even Tang Hwaseo often sought Zhuge San's advice on matters concerning Dan Chunhwa. But now, he seemed nothing like that. Was it a grudge against the Family, or against Zhuge Byeok? Zhuge San was currently losing his greatest strengths of fairness and composure. 'I need to watch carefully.' Mok Liwon heightened his vigilance. * The formation of the Family entered a mountain ridge. And there, Mok Liwon reunited with Ma Ilsuk. "King of Beggars!" "You don't need to call out so loudly, brat." Ma Ilsuk, with arms crossed, was smirking. Mok Liwon ran towards him, feeling a great sense of joy. "Have you been here all this time?" "Yes, I've been tracking the traces of the demons." "Any results..." "Let's gather around and discuss." Ma Ilsuk's gaze turned towards Zhuge Byeok. Zhuge Byeok nodded once and instructed the warriors. "Prepare to camp here." "Yes!" Before they knew it, twilight was upon them. Following Zhuge Byeok's directions, the warriors began to unpack materials, while Zhuge Byeok and Zhuge San approached to hear the findings from Ma Ilsuk. "There is a Mariner of elder-level here." "Are you certain? They haven't left yet..." "We've found traces nearby. Even when expanding our senses, we can't feel them, suggesting they're using a formation to block our energy detection." "So, that's why you need me." "Indeed, if it's a formation, no one can find traces better than you." Mok Liwon nodded in agreement with Ma Ilsuk's sentiment. There was no need to go far—remember the formation sealing the altar during the Yunnan Blood Demon Wars. Even Ma Ilsuk, who had reached transcendence, wouldn’t have detected it without sheer luck. As brutal as the demons are, their techniques can't be underestimated. Complacency in war is forbidden; thus, they needed to maintain their vigilance to the fullest extent. "It seems like a search operation." "Yes, we plan to move before dawn tomorrow, so rest well for now." Mok Liwon nodded to Ma Ilsuk's words. Thus, the first night passed. * The investigation continued for another three days. Chasing after not stationary objects, but moving people amidst mountains with over a hundred visible peaks was arduous and extremely challenging. However, it was not without results. "Another trace!" Indeed, there were traces showing that they had been there. It was the seventh time. Camping sites marked with human traces, and bodies scattered all around. Although they rarely showed themselves, they left enough traces behind that they could be pursued relentlessly. The Family was essentially being “led to chase” them. “It’s a trap.” At Zhuge Byeok’s remark, Ma Ilsuk replied. “Yes, they are setting traps so blatantly.” “It’s an unavoidable trap.” “A trap we shouldn't avoid. Those guys know this too.” Mok Liwon silently acknowledged the dialogue between the two. “Cheonghae is central land. By conducting massacres here and leaving traces, we have no choice but to pursue them.” That is the identity of the white-do Murim group. Crafty. Undoubtedly, to act this far, it means they have something prearranged even within the enemy's territory, yet it is unsettling to not know what it is. But what can be done? “We will reinforce our defenses more thoroughly.” “Please do.” There was nothing more to be done than to keep pursuing. With the land infested by demons, it was not feasible to spare forces here. Moreover, confronting an opponent in transcendence, sheer numbers are meaningless. “For some reason….” There is a relentless scent of blood. * It wasn't until two more days passed that they could locate the demons. To be exact, the demons revealed themselves. “Five peaks over, the demons are stationed. Instead of calling it a camp, they have clearly established a base. There’s a palisade around it…” “There is definitely a formation laid.” Zhuge Byeok stated. He opened his closed eyes and continued. "Not even a trace of the formation's energy can be felt from this close. It's probably designed to conceal its presence and blend naturally into the surroundings. Those guys won't leave the bastion. They believe they’ll win by drawing us in." "What will you do?" To Ma Ilsuk's question, Zhuge Byeok promptly responded. "We advance." --- Translated Terms and Explanations: 1. 청해 (Cheonghae) - Translated as "central land", referring to a region within the central plains, acknowledging its geographical context within the storyline. 2. 백도 (white-do, 白道) - Referred to as "white-do," signifying a certain aspect or characteristic of the Murim group, likely indicating a righteousness or orthodox path in contrast to the "black-do" often associated with the Unorthodox Faction. 3. Mariner of elder-level (장로급 마인) - A character referred to with an honorific measuring power/position, essential to highlight the importance of their presence and impact on the storyline dynamics. 4. 기감 (energy detection, 氣感) - Used in context with detecting energy presence or aura, retaining cultural and narrative context without Western equivalents. 5. 진법 (formation, 陣法) - Strategic set-up, translating the function within martial arts and tactical warfare, necessary given its critical role in narrative events. Additional Context: - The storyline involves strategic warfare and detection amidst martial artists, reflecting internal and external conflicts within the world of Murim. - Zhuge Byeok's character interprets more of a tactical genius, overseeing missions and battles, casting a nuanced focus on his unique approach and perspective. There was no reason not to go. No, they couldn't afford to let them slip away here. Though he was tempted to lure them out, those who had led them so persistently surely wouldn't have neglected that sort of defense. The bastion covered by a formation was undoubtedly positioned in a spot required for the perfect setup they desired. "If it's just one elder, the two of us can finish it. If there are two elders, we can take on one each. The elite forces are equally at our disposal, and the warriors of the Zhuge Family are fundamentally well-versed in countermeasures against formations." "Woni never learned such things." "It will be fine. From what I've observed so far, there seems to be a mysterious method to identify the enemy hidden by a formation. You are aware of that, aren't you?" "…He does have good instincts." "Then there’s nothing to worry about." Zhuge Byeok stood up from his seat. Ma Ilsuk asked. "Where are you going?" "To see my son for a moment." "He really doesn't like you." "…" Zhuge Byeok could not dispute it. He understood better than anyone why his son Zhuge San hated him. "…It's because I'm a terrible parent." "You need to express yourself more. Kid, you’re so stiff that you can't even articulate your true feelings." "Even if I speak, nothing will change." "Is that because of that curse of severance?" Zhuge Byeok's fist clenched tightly. A star assigned to his child by a merciless heaven—only Ma Ilsuk, Mok Seon-oh, and he himself knew of its existence. A star that takes away everything one loves and uses that sorrow to nourish its master. What a vicious star it is. "…Resentment can be fuel. But sorrow brings people to their knees." As Zhuge Byeok walked out, he left behind a remark. "All I can do is become the enemy for San so that he doesn't collapse." As there was a past where expressing one's heart alone was considered a sin, all Zhuge Byeok could do was such. "Stubborn fool." Ma Ilsuk clicked his tongue. * Zhuge San remembered Zhuge Byeok as a man who was always expressionless. Since his early childhood, which he scarcely recalled now, Zhuge Byeok had never shown any other expression to him. "Did you get into trouble again?" That was the phrase he had heard most often. Looking back now, the reasons seem absurd. Such as getting in trouble for going in and out of the bathroom or getting into fights with children outside the Family's grounds. Of course, Zhuge San understood that such matters required discipline. It wasn’t those things that hurt Zhuge San. "Mother, it seems Father dislikes me." "Why do you think that?" "He always tells me not to cause trouble and immediately sends me away. He doesn’t even glance at me during meal times." Complete indifference. Zhuge Byeok's demeanor was a wound to young Zhuge San, and nurturing it was his mother's role. His mother would always laugh brightly and reply. "Is there anyone in this world who loves you more than your father?" "Even more than you, Mother?" "This mother is, of course, an exception. You silly boy, do you even doubt your mother now?" "No, that's not it!" "Alright, alright." His mother's words were sweet. Her smile was graceful, and she never scolded and sent him away like Zhuge Byeok did. After thoroughly scolding him, his mother would always hug him tightly and comfort him. That gap might have been too large. Zhuge San disliked the people of the Family who oppressed his mother. He disliked Zhuge Byeok for not protecting his mother. "Mother is the lady of the Zhuge Family, isn’t she?! They’re all idiots! It’s evident that her former status has no bearing, yet why do they treat her so harshly?!" "Because it's important. One's background." "How so?" "Because it makes you allies." His mother said, "You’ll understand when you grow older," but Zhuge San still couldn't comprehend her words. It wasn't that he couldn’t grasp the need for political marriages. It was that he couldn’t understand the necessity of the Zhuge Family engaging in political marriages. To him, the Zhuge Family was too grand of a giant. It wasn't a group that would falter without alliances formed through marriage. Thus, young Zhuge San always fought against the elders and the Family who oppressed his mother, and the more he did, the more the Family's view of her soured. One day, he heard those words. "The cunning woman is trying to gain power by putting the eldest son forward." It was shocking. The elder who said such about the Zhuge Family’s matron, and the senior members of the Family who agreed with it. But the real shock was yet to come. "The family head is getting married. The match will be with the daughter of…” On a day when he and his mother were in the garden, an elder announced that the family head would marry the daughter of some great household. It was a one-sided notification, and the expression he saw on his mother’s face that day was, well…. ‘Why are you so saddened? The family head is not even worth grieving over, Mother.’ Her face looked truly sorrowful. That was how Zhuge San saw it. "He’s just a peculiar man who enjoys watching from the sidelines." Zhuge San said it jokingly, but even Mok Liwon could notice the disdain within it. --- Translated Terms and Explanations: 1. 방비 (defense) - Translated contextually to imply fortified defense for strategy rather than simple protection. 2. 절연성 (curse of severance, 絶緣性) - A translated concept referring to a supernatural or mystical aspect within the narrative, maintaining mystery and depth in character backstories. 3. 간악한 계집 (cunning woman) - Used to describe Zhuge San's mother in a derogatory sense, conveying societal prejudice within the Family. 4. 간극 (gap) - Used metaphorically to indicate emotional and relational distance, highlighting conflicts of expression. 5. 장려혼 (political marriage) - Retaining the concept of marriage for alliance-building within the Family’s strategic maneuvers. Additional Context: - The star represents a celestial or fated being within the narrative world, something of significant impact to Zhuge San's life and identity. - Zhuge Byeok's interactions are marked by an undertone of regret and the complexity of past decisions affecting current familial relations, indicating a traditional versus personal dynamic. - The narrative includes a backdrop of societal norms and hierarchical structures, defining character motivations and interactions within the Zhuge Family.