185 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

EP.185 Chapter Nineteen - Seablue and Father and Son (5) * * * The time for executing the plan had arrived. Mok Liwon (목리원) inhaled a tense breath, focusing on the lengthy wooden barriers that lay ahead. "Why are you so nervous?" Ma Ilsuk (마일석) asked, tapping Mok Liwon's shoulder. Mok Liwon responded with an awkward smile. "How could I not be nervous?" The reason went beyond merely facing demonic practitioners. The situation nearly confirmed that there was a Transcendent (초월의 마인) within those walls. Even though they had two Transcendents on their side, Mok Liwon wasn't foolish enough to think that provided much security. 'They must know our troop strength too.' Assuming they also had two or more Transcendents seemed plausible. Not to mention, their forces were likely much larger than ours. There was ample reason to be tense. "Do you still feel nothing?" Ma Ilsuk inquired. Mok Liwon nodded. "Yes, I feel nothing." "So you can’t sense anything either." Ma Ilsuk furrowed his brows and stroked his chin. Mok Liwon shared the same frustration. A formation so meticulously hidden that even the Heavenly Slaughter Star(천살성) couldn't sense any killing intent, it sent shivers down his spine. "...Well, we’ll know once we collide." Ma Ilsuk seemed intent on giving his all from the start, as he pulled out the club attached to his waist. At that moment, Zhuge Byeok (제갈벽) spoke. "It's likely a formation designed to scatter our forces. You should also consider the possibility of a formation that induces illusions." "What does that mean for us?" "In the worst case, we might mistakenly perceive allies as enemies. It might be prudent to approach this incursion with more caution." "And can you discern anything by just observing?" "It's not impossible." Mok Liwon widened his eyes. Zhuge Byeok, seemingly uninterested in his reaction, continued. "There are three central types of formations overlapping to amplify their effects." "And the types?" "As I mentioned, the likelihood of formations causing internal division or scattering the ranks is high." "And the countermeasures?" "I must head to the center of the formation." "There will be many obstacles." "Yes, which is where I'll need the King of Beggars (걸왕)'s assistance." Zhuge Byeok looked directly at Ma Ilsuk. "I’ll need your protection." Mok Liwon's expression stiffened. 'Doesn't that mean...' While it sounded like requesting protection, it really meant dealing with any number of Transcendent martial artists if they emerged. Zhuge Byeok, aware of this, wore an apologetic expression. Mok Liwon shifted uneasily, looking at Ma Ilsuk with growing concern. "I understand." "King! (걸왕님)!" Mok Liwon exclaimed in surprise. Ma Ilsuk, scratching his ear, responded. "You’re a loud one. Are you trying to announce our presence here?" "Apologies!" Mok Liwon covered his mouth with his hand, though his gaze remained worried. Was he the only one feeling so uneasy? As Mok Liwon directed his bottled-up frustration with a glare, Ma Ilsuk smirked. "Kid. Who do you think I am?" "...You’re the King of Beggars." "Yes, the King of Beggars, Ma Ilsuk, wielding the greatest club under the heavens. I’m not here to win. If it's just about delaying the enemy, I can handle two of them with ease. You already know how long such things can last." He spoke of the time when the Heavenly Devil (소천마) evaded both the Venom King (독왕) and the Internal Affairs head for over two weeks in Seablue. Only then could Mok Liwon suppress his anxiety. "...Is it really alright?" "Enough, boy." Ma Ilsuk lifted his club menacingly. Mok Liwon gazed downward. In the meantime, Zhuge Byeok spoke. "...I apologize." “Just prepare.” “Yes.” Zhuge Byeok gestured, prompting fifty elite warriors from the Zhuge Family to move. And then. "Charge." At Zhuge Byeok's soft command, the family’s forces plunged into the darkness. A covert night assault was underway. * Zhuge San (제갈산) found it difficult to calm his turmoil. A conversation with Zhuge Byeok ignited a fire within him. -You mentioned aiming for my neck. Value your life. Up to the very end, even at the last moment, it was clear he would not apologize about their mother’s matter. It was evident no further action would be taken. This fueled his inner strength. Zhuge San wasn't sure whether to feel joy or sorrow about this. “Zhuge Hyung.” At Mok Liwon’s voice, Zhuge San lifted his head. A concerned face was apparent. "Ah, it’s nothing. I'm just feeling tense with the approaching battle." He didn’t want to release his emotions at the wrong place or time. Moreover, it was Mok Liwon, after all. Zhuge San was aware he had often shown his less admirable side recently to Mok Liwon. He resolved not to trouble his younger brother further. It was with this intent that he spoke, masking his feelings with composure. However, just when he was hoping Mok Liwon would overlook it, his perceptive nature made him linger on. “There’s a deep animosity. Zhuge Hyung.” Zhuge San flinched, his body shivered. “…What do you mean?” “The animosity towards the True King (진왕) is intense. I remember when your animosity reached this level. Only recently did I realize who that opponent was.” Mok Liwon wore an unusually calm smile. “I won’t ask much. I believe Zhuge Hyung will share everything honestly someday.” Zhuge San found his gaze arrested by that smile. His mind suddenly cooled. A brief, dazed feeling washed over him. Eventually, Zhuge San let out a hollow laugh. “Mok-dongsaeng….” Was he genuinely naïve, or simply bound by a resilient trust in people? Perhaps it was this nature. The reason Mok Liwon seemed so endearing was because of his capacity to encourage others with kindness, even in scenarios that might cause others to click their tongues in disapproval. With a smile that seemed to indicate nothing was wrong, Mok Liwon chuckled. **Terms and Concepts** 1. **청해 (Seablue/청해)** - Translated directly as Seablue, refers to a location. The deeper meaning or context wasn't provided in the passage. 2. **초월의 마인 (Transcendent of Demonic Nature/초월의 마인)** - Translated as "Transcendent", referring to a particularly powerful figure within the demonic factions, emphasizing their supernatural prowess. **Additional Context** - **목리원 (Mok Liwon/Black Ink Sword)** and **제갈벽 (Zhuge Byeok/True King)** are characters involved in a planned assault. Mok Liwon is depicted as mentally burdened and anxious due to the impending confrontation and the expected formidable enemies. Zhuge Byeok is strategically assessing and organizing the forces for an upcoming battle. - **마일석 (Ma Ilsuk/King of Beggars)** showcases a confident, experienced demeanor, hinting at his readiness to counter potential threats at the command of Zhuge Byeok. - **제갈산 (Zhuge San/Strange Dragon)** is portrayed as conflicted due to unresolved tensions with **제갈벽 (Zhuge Byeok/True King)** related to deeply personal family matters, yet he is bound by a strong trust with Mok Liwon, illustrating his struggle between personal vendettas and the larger battle at hand. "Now is the time to focus all our efforts on capturing the demon. Let’s get going. We’re the only ones left." The other martial artists had already entered past the wooden barricades. Zhuge San nodded, stood up, and patted Mok Liwon's shoulder. "...Tell me everything later." "I will wait for it." "Alright." Once everything was over, Zhuge San thought he might share at least with Mok Liwon the reason behind his animosity toward Zhuge Byeok, why he wanted to kill him, and what concerned the fallen star. '...Because of that star, we might not be able to spend much time together.' The time of parting was drawing near. Zhuge San felt that one day he might be able to tell Mok Liwon everything. * The moment Zhuge Byeok crossed over the barricade, he realized it. ‘It’s an illusion trap formation.’ Just beyond the barricade was indeed an illusion trap formation. This formation was likely the largest barrier separating the base of operation for the demonic practitioners inside the barricade and the outside. Zhuge Byeok took a closer look at the formation. ‘This formation traps you inside an illusion unless you walk the correct path. How insidious. The surprise attack…’ There was no need to worry. This formation wasn’t discriminating, and it would apply directly to the demonic practitioners as well. In other words, unless they were seeking their own demise, the demonic practitioners wouldn’t enter the formation but rather wait outside it. ‘The correct path is…’ Narrow. Some of the family members might not make it through and end up losing their lives. Zhuge Byeok searched his memory for a formation similar to this one. ‘It resembles the forbidden formation of the Tang Sect.’ He knew about it because he had once gone on a commission from the King of Venom to reinforce that formation. ‘This could be quite troublesome.’ His immediate concerns were for the still-inexperienced Zhuge San and Ma Ilsuk and Mok Liwon, who were not well-versed in formations. To save them, Zhuge Byeok had the responsibility to escape the formation before anyone else and provide assistance. Zhuge Byeok straightened his attire and moved forward a step. It was at that moment. “Aga.” A voice was heard. A voice dearly missed. “Aga.” Zhuge Byeok’s steps halted. Despite knowing it was an illusion, the longing evoked by that voice was piercing, and the seductive sweetness that made him want to fall into it prevented him from advancing. “Are you lost in thought again?” A chuckle rang out. Zhuge Byeok started, raising his head. He shouldn’t have done that. “Are you finally looking this way now?” The scenery changed. Zhuge Byeok, who had stood within thick mist, found himself standing amidst a garden in full spring bloom. In the very center, a woman who wore an apt expression of 'fox-like' smiled brightly. She walked toward him. As she came closer, the scene changed. "...Yeon-ah." “Yes, why are you calling me?” In the entirety of Murim (武林), it is said, The True King Zhuge Byeok's greatest weapon was no other than his imperturbability. Amidst any crisis or change, he remained unflappable, without the slightest twitch in his expression. Zhuge Byeok always thought back to these words. “Aga, are you crying right now?” Those words were wrong. Zhuge Byeok’s calm was shattered. A distinct expression began to draw itself across his face. It was unmistakably one of sorrow. “Crying again. You’re not a child.” Does the Jianghu know? That there was one person in the world who could paint expressions on the face once known as the Iron Mask. **Terms and Concepts** 1. **목책 (Wooden Barricade/목책)** - Directly translated as "Wooden Barricade," it signifies the physical barrier or obstacle that separates different parts of the battlefield or strategic area. 2. **환혹계 진법 (Illusion Trap Formation/환혹계 진법)** - This refers to a specialized formation that creates illusions or traps those who enter it. It requires the right path to be navigated to avoid being trapped. 3. **가가 (Aga/가가)** - A term of endearment or familiarity, possibly used by someone very close to Zhuge Byeok, evoking strong emotional resonance. **Additional Context** - The passage continues to explore the strategic setup and psychological demeanor of key characters such as Mok Liwon, Zhuge San, and Zhuge Byeok in the unfolding battle. - Zhuge San harbors a personal vendetta against Zhuge Byeok, and intends to share his reasons later with Mok Liwon, suggesting deep-rooted conflicts and potential resolution through forthcoming revelations. - The illusion trap formation highlights the tactical complexity and depth of martial arts theories that characters in this narrative need to navigate—showing that battles in this world require both physical prowess and mental acuity. - A poignant, personal moment is hinted at with Zhuge Byeok encountering a voice from his past, revealing emotional layers and a possible tragic backstory.