81 - Missions, Intelligence (12) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

The two swords that had pierced through Oh Gang-ak's body were withdrawn. Mok Riwon gasped for breath, shaking off the sensation that made his fingertips tremble. Even now, the sensation of cutting through and penetrating a human body tormented Mok Riwon. “...Is it over?” Thud. Mok Riwon collapsed onto the ground. Asking in a drained voice, Namgung Jincheon, also sitting on the floor, nodded his head. His gaze was fixed on Oh Gang-ak, who lay charred on the ground. “Yes, he’s still….” Namgung Jincheon’s eyes narrowed, searching for any signs of life in Oh Gang-ak. After a moment, he clicked his tongue and said, “…still clinging on. Though he seems close to death.” It was astonishing how tenaciously life clung to him, even after resorting to using the power of Suncheonjeonki, and despite Mok Riwon and he smashing his danjeon. Even considering all that, it was the same. “Like a cockroach.” “Heh, I agree.” Mok Riwon chuckled while lying on the ground. Likely, Oh Gang-ak would become crippled, unable to use martial arts or even move a step on his own, but Mok Riwon had no regrets. After all, was he just an ordinary villain? Hadn’t they witnessed firsthand the atrocities he had committed on their way here? ‘Anyway.’ It should be settled now that they have fought him off. Mok Riwon closed his eyes, reflecting on the battle that had just occurred. ‘Mystical.’ It was a moment that could only be described as mystical. The way their swords intertwined to forge something new, the feeling of understanding the opponent’s intentions without exchanging a single word. “…A pass. That was quite impressive.” When Mok Riwon said that, Namgung Jincheon snorted with a scoff. Though his reaction was as brusque as ever, there was a notably less aggressive aura to it. An acknowledgment, perhaps. Mok Riwon smiled slightly and asked, “May I call you Namgung-hyung?” It was a question borne out of a sudden increase in camaraderie and a lifted spirit, hoping they might have become closer. However, the response was harsh. “Want to die?” Namgung Jincheon's eyes widened, with disdain visible in his glaring eyes. Mok Riwon flinched and meekly responded, “…I didn’t go that far.” “Disgusting.” “Really now….” Mok Riwon pouted. Naturally, the atmosphere turned awkward just as Dang Hwa-Seo appeared. “Are you all right!” She was alone, her face coated in worry, seemingly shocked by the devastation around her. It was no surprise. Throughout the battle with Oh Gang-ak, the area was rattled with continuous explosions, and the ground was torn asunder. And as for Mok Riwon? His upper garment was completely burnt off, with most of his skin scorched. “What kind of battle did you fight to end up like this!” Dang Hwa-Seo stormed up to Mok Riwon, inspecting his body for injuries with her hands. Fortunately, there were no serious wounds. After coming to this conclusion, Dang Hwa-Seo sighed deeply. Then Namgung Jincheon said, “Better check on that guy. If left alone, he will die.” Only then did Dang Hwa-Seo notice Oh Gang-ak and made a horrified face. “…Is he alive?” She hadn’t realized that was Oh Gang-ak until Namgung Jincheon spoke up. He was charred beyond recognition. “Can he be saved?” “It's possible to keep him alive for now. The rest is up to the sect…” It was clear a fierce battle had taken place. Perhaps, if luck had been any less on their side, what she would have seen might not have been Mok Riwon or Namgung Jincheon standing. That thought crossed Dang Hwa-Seo’s mind as Mok Riwon asked, “Ah, speaking of which, where are the others?” Worrying about others as soon as his mind was at ease was so characteristic of him. Dang Hwa-Seo bitterly smiled and said, “They’re taking care of the rescued hostages. I’m not sure how many are alive…” Reportedly, Oh Gang-ak and his men had been here for a month. During that time, the hostages had been crammed into rooms like livestock, all severely weakened, with some having starved to death. The scene was so appalling that Mok Riwon felt fortunate not to have witnessed it. ‘…Still, a success is a success.’ Dang Hwa-Seo shook her head, brushing away those thoughts, and said, “Let's go then. To wrap this up.” * The nocturnal exodus was rowdy. The city’s residents expressed their confusion and horror upon seeing the disheveled hostages pass by, while the warriors remained on high alert for any straggling enemies. Upon reaching the stronghold, “Mother!” As soon as Sun Woo saw the hostages, especially a certain woman among them, he cried out in a cracking voice and ran towards her. The woman, with tears in her eyes, opened her arms wide, and Sun Woo embraced her. “Sun Woo!” "Mother!" Sun Woo burst into tears. The woman shed tears as well. Fortunately, Sun Woo's mother was still alive. Although very weakened, she would soon recover with proper nourishment. But right now, that wasn't what mattered. "It's a heartening sight." Despite being covered in fatigue, Mok Riwon smiled. Indeed, this was the better outcome. No matter the act, making others smile felt far more fulfilling than oppressing them. And Mok Riwon wasn't the only one smiling. Jegal San, standing beside him, chuckled and rubbed his nose, while Dang Hwa-Seo, Il Woon, and Hye Woon also looked pleased. Namgung Jincheon seemed awkward, turning his gaze away from the scene. In the middle of this, Sun Woo looked at the warriors. He suddenly got up and approached them, bowing deeply. "Great heroes! Thank you! I can't thank you enough for saving my mother...!" His voice was choked with emotion. Mok Riwon shook his head. "It wasn't us who saved her." "Huh?" "It was you." Mok Riwon smiled brightly. "Didn't you bravely speak the truth to save your mother? Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to save her." Sun Woo's eyes widened, and slowly, his face grew wet once again. "Great heroes..." "Thank you for having the courage." With that, Mok Riwon felt the culmination of all events, and overwhelmed by exhaustion, he finally collapsed. Thud. "Mok Sohyup!" He passed out right there. * Three days passed. Warriors from the Murim Alliance's Sichuan branch, as well as those from the Hwasan and Jongnam sects, entered the city. The city was already abuzz. How could it not be? The events at the Soga Estate over the past three days had spread among them. As expected, most of the talk centered around the related stories of the Yongbong Brigade. "The three step-brothers were the dragons of this generation!" "Indeed! I thought it was odd! Where else can you find such uniquely looking people with even more unique personalities!" "Exactly! Oh, did you hear about the merchants who were wronged by the step-brothers? On reflection, it turns out there was no real harm done! The money thrown at them like charity was exactly enough to cover their losses!" "And that's not all! After everything was settled, Dokbong went and personally apologized to each aggrieved party!" Humans are simpler than one might think. Once it was revealed that the villains who had shaken Sichuan were actually heroes who came to defeat the evil Illusion Demons hiding in Soga Estate, their reputation flipped overnight. Of course, among the stories, those about Dang Hwa-Seo, the leader of the Yongbong Brigade, were most prevalent. After all, she controlled and managed everything even during their act, and made sure to offer apologies after their mission was concluded. Naturally, her stories took precedence over others. But that's not to say there were fewer stories about other people. "Did you hear? According to information obtained from the interrogation of captured Illusion Demons, one of the Six Demons, Yeomma Oh Gang-ak, was hiding in Soga Estate!" "Oh, Oh Gang-ak...!" "The progeny of Ma Sword Oh Chun! It has come to light that they are still at the heart of the demonic cult!" "Goodness..." "Anyway, the key point of this story is that this demon was defeated by Geom Ryong and Mok Ryong!" "As expected from the representatives of the junior generation!" The tales of Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon were especially fascinating to the warriors. After all, from the Yongbong assembly's finals, wherever they appeared, it was a subject of great discussion—heroes of this era achieving yet another remarkable feat. "But Wang Hyung is really quick with the news!" "Heh, truth be told, I've been following Mok Ryong's trail since the day of the Yongbong assembly. As a warrior, I have immense respect for him." The man known as Wang Hyung, Wang Heo, shrugged his shoulders with pride. What more is there to say? A second-rate warrior, Wang Heo, had been captivated by Mok Riwon since first witnessing him at the Yongbong assembly, predicted his victory, attended the founding ceremony of the Yongbong Brigade with friends in support, and now, here he was, spreading Mok Riwon's achievements far and wide as one of his followers. 'To be honest, I only learned about the events by chance.' It just so happened during his travels in Sichuan, he stumbled upon a village where the rumors had just spread like wildfire, and in his frenzy, he gathered this information. It wasn't important. Wang Heo even speculated whether all these were ties of fate binding him and Mok Riwon. In the meantime, a new acquaintance asked, "So, what is Mok Ryong doing now?" "M, Mok Ryong, you say?" Wang Heo flinched and shrugged his shoulders with a flustered look in his eyes. 'I, I don't know.' How could he? Wang Heo was just a wandering warrior who made friends easily and had a keen ear for rumors. But admitting the truth somehow bruised his pride, especially with the expectant gleam in the man's eyes provoking his ego. "Well, you see... perhaps he's meditating to consolidate the epiphanies gained from the last battle?" "Wow!!!" Wang Heo hastily spun this tale. It was half true and half false. "Geom Ryong hyung! Let's practice that synthesis again! I feel like I'll grasp something if we try just one more time!" "Go away." "Ah, Geom Ryong hyung!" "I said go away. And what's with calling me Geom Ryong hyung? It's such a baseless title." "Namgung hyung doesn't dislike it! That’s why I’m calling you Geom Ryong hyung!" "It's repulsive. Stop it." "You really are cold-hearted!" Mok Riwon was chasing after Namgung Jincheon, trying to grasp the fleeting enlightenment he'd sensed during their successful collaboration. Namgung Jincheon wasn't entirely opposed to the idea, but he was more creeped out by the thought of syncing with Mok Riwon, continually refusing amidst their interactions. The manner in which the squabbles between these two ended was always the same. "Will you both quiet down! There are patients here– how can you be so loud!" Dang Hwa-Seo's booming voice would intervene. ...And so, a modest estate in Sichuan continued to enjoy its peaceful moments today as well.