151 - Mission, Pursuit (1) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Mok Riwon was dreaming. It wasn't about some fleeting thought that could only exist in one's imagination, but rather, a process of endlessly revisiting the events that had occurred until Mok Riwon had lost consciousness. The realm of transcendence. Those were the only two instances since he had enveloped himself in demonic energy. Stepping into a stance of true awakening, he released the demonic energy, and stretching out his limbs, he shot forth more of the same. He was continuously overcome by these moments. Mok Riwon suffered greatly from these techniques. He tried every method possible to defend against the stance and the reach, but all was in vain. Not understanding why this scene repeated itself, nor why he was defending against this technique, Mok Riwon came to realize only one truth. 'I can't win. Not in this state.' Transcendence was far too exalted. The martial artist of transcendence he had encountered before, Dangsa Geuk, couldn't even compare to the robust transcendence that stood as a wall no mere superhuman could overcome. The scene repeated once again. Instead of facing and blocking the surge of energy, he dodged the blast. But even that was thwarted as the demonic energy pursued him. What followed was the martial artist gripping his collar and speaking. -You, who possess the origin of stars. Suddenly, Mok Riwon shot up in bed, gasping for air. “Huff…!” “Young Hero Mok!” A startled voice struck Mok Riwon’s ears. Turning his head, he saw Dang Hwa-seo. With a face looking like it might burst into tears at any moment, she embraced him tightly. “You’re finally awake…!” Tears heavily tinted her voice, more so than Mok Riwon had ever heard before. In his confused state, he awkwardly patted Dang Hwa-seo on the back. “What, what in the world happened?” He murmured to himself. Clearly, he had lost consciousness while clashing with the martial artist of transcendence atop the martial arts stage. And then, he dreamt that endlessly repeating scene until now. Dang Hwa-seo was crying, and he found himself in a medicinal hall, the scent of herbs assaulting his nostrils. "You’ve been laying here for three days." Dang Hwa-seo said, her voice still trembling with unshed tears. “That day...three days have passed since you collapsed.” Mok Riwon’s face became a picture of bewilderment. Collapsed for three days? Unable to make sense of the situation, Mok Riwon inquired about everything that came to mind. “What happened to the martial artist? What became of the martial arts contest? And what of the warriors from the league? Are you alright? You weren’t there!” Mok Riwon suddenly grabbed Dang Hwa-seo’s shoulders. That moment, he felt as though he was struck all over his body with a club. “Agh…!” “Young Hero Mok! You’re not fully healed yet! Calm down.” Dang Hwa-seo examined Mok Riwon’s condition before sighing and explaining what had happened. After hearing everything, Mok Riwon was shocked. “The martial arts contest is indefinitely postponed…” The Blue Dragon martial arts contest was indefinitely postponed due to the sudden intrusion of the martial artists and the chaos they caused. There were severely injured warriors present, but fortunately, the timely arrival of League Leader Sa Baekwoon prevented any fatalities. And the most crucial fact. “A pursuit team has been formed?” To capture the transcendent martial artist and his followers, a pursuit team was formed. The pursuit team was led by none other than the Inner Council Leader, Sea Wave Sword Gyeon Gweol, with assistance from the Blue Dragon Leader Gi Taewoon and Red Cloud Leader Kang Chan. “Is that really alright? The martial artist was surely of a transcendent realm. But our Inner Council Leader…” “You need not worry about that.” Dang Hwa-seo simply said thus. Mok Riwon, considering there must be a reason for her to cut her explanation short, nodded and then asked another question. “So, what will we do? We can’t just sit idly by with things as they are.” “As soon as Young Hero Mok has fully recovered, we will also join the pursuit team. Monk Ilwoon, White Phoenix, and Sword Dragon have already joined the pursuit team.” At those words, Mok Riwon closed his eyes and assessed his body's condition. There were some internal injuries, but nothing too severe. Rather, due to the demonic energy-induced injuries, his Extreme Demonic Body was using it as nourishment, rapidly healing himself. “Two days. That should be sufficient.” “So soon?” Mok Riwon glanced around briefly before whispering. “I possess the Extreme Demonic Body, after all.” “Ah…!” Dang Hwa-seo’s eyes widened, seemingly having not considered that. Perhaps it's true what they say about life’s unpredictability. Mok Riwon smirked awkwardly. “Then priority should be given to my recuperation.” Just then, the door burst open, and Jegal San rushed in toward Mok Riwon. “Young Brother Mok! Are you alright?” “Je-Jegal brother?” Mok Riwon flinched. Had he overheard his conversation with Dang Hwa-seo? Was the secret of his Extreme Demonic Body uncovered? Quickly assessing Jegal San’s demeanor, it seemed not to be the case. Judging by Jegal San’s expression, he hadn’t caught a hint of their conversation. What was visible was solely a look of concern. Mok Riwon nodded in response. "I’m, I’m fine. Fortunately, the internal injuries weren’t deep and after a good rest, I woke up feeling quite well." "It's truly a relief! The thought that Young Brother Mok might have been in grave danger... how worried I've been...." Jegal San exhaled a breath of relief. It was then that Mok Riwon was convinced that Jegal San had not heard anything, prompting an awkward smile from him. "I'm sorry to have worried you." Saying this, he patted Jegal San on the shoulder. * Two days later, having completed his recuperation, Mok Riwon, right after entering a state of meditative energy circulation, realized that he had fully recovered his internal energy and set out from the pavilion, a pack slung over his back. He arrived at the entrance of the Martial Alliance's main complex, where a group of people were already waiting for him. "Gold Sword? The leader of Jinwon Peak?" Standing there with Dang Hwa-seo and Jegal San were none other than the leader of the White Blade Alliance, Gold Sword Kwon Pyowol, and the leader of Jinwon Peak, Frostbite Gyeon Dong. Were they also leaving with them? As Mok Riwon entertained this thought, Gyeon Dong spoke with a determined face. "It's an honor to join this reinforcement team! I'll do my best not to be a burden to the great hero Mok!" Gyeon Dong clenched his fist, and his goat beard twitched. Kwon Pyowol felt the same. For some reason, he spoke with a look of resentment. "Not stopping the martial artist at the martial arts tournament was a big oversight on my part. Thus, I plan to do everything within my power in this operation." "Are we the last ones to join the reinforcement team?" "Not at all. There are ten elite members from the White Blade Alliance, the deputy leader of Jinwon Peak, and all of you, making a total of sixteen." Although not a large number, Mok Riwon understood. Considering the martial artists they were pursuing were not numerous but rather a small group of high-caliber individuals, it made sense to chase them down with a select group of elites rather than a large force. Plus, the Martial Alliance wasn't the only presence in the central plains. "We've requested assistance from the representative sects in each region. As we pass through each area, they will join forces with us." The esteemed families of the central plains, the Five Great Clans, and the Nine Sects. Among them were those located to the west, all belonging to the Nine Sects. They included Gongdong from Gansu, Qingcheng and Zhan Chang and Emei from Sichuan, and the Kunlun Sect from in front of Qinghai in Xinjiang, all of which would provide aid. Mok Riwon nodded and spoke. "Understood! Then we should depart without delay!" "Indeed, let's go." Soon after, the Martial Alliance's lower-ranked warriors brought forth the horses. "Young Hero Mok, please mount." Dang Hwa-seo climbed onto a horse and reached out her hand to Mok Riwon. He nodded emphatically, climbing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Hold on tight!" "I will!" Why share a horse? The reason was simple. Mok Riwon still didn't know how to ride. * The pursuit team leading the chase. Now they had left the boundless plains behind and were speeding through Hubei towards Sichuan. Namgung Jincheon had reached the domain of the Tang Sect, where he had visited once before, and after a brief rest, he spoke. "...Why did you follow?" The subject of his question was Haomun's Seo Ye. Indeed, she had made a deal with the League Leader to conceal her identity and join this expedition. While embedded in the group, she was disguised as a warrior from the Namgung family, ostensibly here to assist Namgung Jincheon. Although the Inner Council Leader Gyeon Gweol knew of this arrangement and paid Seo Ye little mind, Namgung Jincheon felt uneasy. It couldn't be helped. This pursuit mission was expected to become exceedingly dangerous, with unpredictable risks ahead. Considering the objective was to hunt down the martial artists, combat was inevitable. Yet, Seo Ye insisted on coming along, stirring concerns for her safety. Seo Ye shrugged off Namgung Jincheon's brusque manner with a chuckle. "What's the big deal? Also, I didn't come here for leisure. With Haomun's intelligence network, it'll be relatively easy to gather clues on the martial artists as we go. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. I can track the movements of the martial artists and gather information, which will facilitate the pursuit for the League." "That's not what I'm talking about." He was essentially expressing his worry. Unable to voice this fully, Namgung Jincheon clammed up, which prompted Seo Ye to hum amusingly and laugh. "Feeling shy?" Namgung Jincheon flinched, his cheeks reddening slightly. Whatever it was about this woman that stirred his heart remained a mystery to him. Overwhelmed by emotions he couldn't stifle, he sighed deeply. In response, Seo Ye's smile deepened, and she patted Namgung Jincheon on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much. Even with my elixirs, I’m still a first-rate warrior, right?" "Elixir-induced first-rate. You're practically a third-rate nobody." "Ouch, that stings." Saying so, Seo Ye hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, and gazed at Namgung Jincheon. Then, she spoke. "Then please protect me when it gets dangerous." Her breezy smile made Namgung Jincheon's fingers twitch. Turning his head away from her, he retorted. "The nerve of this woman. None of this would have happened if you hadn't followed in the first place." "Could you say that to the leader of Yongbong Peak?" Certainly not. Namgung Jincheon could confidently say. Regardless of martial prowess or the status of their respective families, teasing Dang Hwa-seo would result in unspeakable horror. Suddenly thinking of Dang Hwa-seo, Namgung Jincheon's thoughts eventually drifted to Mok Riwon. '...He fell after just two moves, didn't he?' Namgung Jincheon, who was not present at that time, couldn't quite imagine it. To him, Mok Riwon was a man who would find a way to win against anyone and stand tall. Mok Riwon was defeated. The more Namgung Jincheon dwelled on this fact, the more an emotion simmered within him. It was likely anger. Anger towards Mok Riwon for losing to someone other than himself. Anger towards the martial artist who had stolen the victory that should have been theirs. And anger towards himself for being elsewhere at that crucial moment. The look in Namgung Jincheon's eyes cooled a bit. His deep-set eyes started to emit a chillier hue. 'How dare they.' He would make the thief who stole their victory pay. To Namgung Jincheon, the fact that the opponent was of transcendental stature was of no concern.