176 - Mission, Stealth (7) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Waiting for Mok Liwon as he emerged from Ryeonjusil were Yong Bongdan and Seo Ye. “Muwon-ah!” Dang Wha Seo exclaimed. Ah, the act must go on. Realizing this, Mok Liwon quickly bowed his head. “I have safely concluded the private audience!” “That’s good, well done. Are you hurt anywhere?” The question seemed to ask if there had been any unforeseen issues inside. Mok Liwon reflected on the man beyond the door, Do Eun Gang. “There were no issues. Rather, it might be considered a stroke of luck.” The contract with him was not something done without thought. Certainly, there was a reason why Mok Liwon had accomplished such a feat. "To prove the value of the alliance, is there anything easier in this world?" The alliance had enabled him, born under the star of Cheonsalsung, to live among people. It had made it possible to use the star of killing for the sake of others. The very fact that it could achieve harmony was enough to prove the alliance was valuable. "Of course, that is not something I can speak of yet." Six years is a considerable time. However, if by then he was still safely living as an ally, it would make him the perfect man to prove the value of the alliance. Mok Liwon held this belief in his heart. Only then, he might confide this to Do Eun Gang alone. About the matter concerning Cheonsalsung. “There’s no injury! Instead, I had a pleasant conversation!” Mok Liwon smiled brightly. At this, Dang Wha Seo expressed both perplexity and irritation. Laughing, Mok Liwon added another remark. "Let's go! It seems the lord has no intention of employing us as bodyguards!" Mok Liwon walked out of Ryeonjusil with confident strides. Following him were Dang Wha Seo, the other members, and Seo Ye, also leaving Ryeonjusil. In front of Ryeonjusil, numerous warriors of the alliance were still camped out. Seo Ye passed by Mok Liwon to take the lead, addressing the warriors. “Make way.” She feigned displeasure. Naturally, she had to 'act' displeased because they failed to assign Hao Moon as a guard force. Given the situation, her acting was quite fitting. The alliance's warriors, guessing what happened inside based on Seo Ye’s attitude, moved aside with chuckles. “Look at that, a mere rat daring to step foot into the alliance.” Someone sneered at Seo Ye. Of course, they didn’t get away with it. Swoosh! Namgung Jincheon concentrated energy at his fingertips and launched a finger strike (탄지공). The man struck fainted on the spot, causing the nearby warriors to hiccup in fear. “Watch your mouth.” The atmosphere changed ominously with his fierce demeanor. Seo Ye sighed deeply and said, “It’s settled. Namcheon, let’s just go.” Upon Seo Ye’s words, Namgung Jincheon snorted 'Hmph!' and looked away from the warriors. Mok Liwon couldn’t help but think. ‘This isn’t an act!’ To Namgung Jincheon, he might have been utterly subservient to Seo Ye. For some reason, today more than ever, Namgung Jincheon appeared pitiful. Of course, those thoughts were not verbalized. 'A man should know how to lead the woman he harbors feelings for!' Wasn't it said, one can't shave his own head? Mok Liwon was not considering his own circumstances at all. * Leaving Heuk Saleon and immediately starting their journey was the only choice. Given the numerous watchful eyes in the stronghold of the Black Path in Guangdong land, moving carelessly wasn’t an option. The day they finally left Guangdong land, Seo Ye bid her farewell. “I’ll part ways here.” “Ah…” Dang Wha Seo instantly understood. Though they had grown close, she was, after all, the leader of the Black Path's Hao Moon. If they continued together towards Muhwan, her tracks might be discovered, complicating the positions of both Yong Bongdan and the Martial Alliance. She had made the best choice. “I will not forget this favor.” Dang Wha Seo performed a fist salute. Regardless of Black Path or not, she had indeed done her best out of loyalty. “No need for thanks. Just consider it repaying a debt. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have retrieved Hao Moon. And…” Seo Ye’s gaze lingered on Namgung Jincheon for quite some time. Namgung Jincheon looked noticeably mixed with reluctance and dissatisfaction. Dang Wha Seo was not oblivious. It was clear there was some emotional exchange between the two. ‘…There were personal feelings. Is that how it’s seen?’ Dang Wha Seo let out a brief laugh. “If fate allows, we’ll see each other again.” Who the statement was directed at was clear. Seo Ye turned her back and left. Breath escaped Namgung Jincheon haphazardly. “Stay strong, Brother Geomryong!” Mok Liwon inadvertently stirred the hornet's nest and caught Namgung Jincheon’s glare, but that was the end of it. Dang Wha Seo spoke to organize their next steps. “Let’s return faster now. I’ll change our disguises from now on. It would be troublesome if careless words spread.” Only then did Dang Wha Seo take off her masked face cover, taking a deep breath to relieve the stuffiness. ‘Now…’ It was time to head towards the front lines. * The journey to Muhwan felt brief. Specifically, the hustle made it seem brief. The rumors heard along the way were to blame. "Small skirmishes are already breaking out at the fringes of Cheonghae." The Demon Sect had begun to move. The warriors of the Alliance, who had set out for the fringes of Cheonghae first, were engaging with them, maintaining the front lines. With the situation spreading all the way to the south, how could there be a moment of rest? For that reason, Yong Bongdan returned to the Alliance to report mission completion at twice the pace they had taken to reach Guangdong. Straightaway, Mok Liwon sought out Ma Il Seok. The man, who had been moving alone, returned to the Alliance three days after Mok Liwon’s arrival, having been who knows where. “So, the leader of Heuk Sa Ryeon is such a man.” Ma Il Seok paid keen attention to the new information Mok Liwon shared, perhaps because he found it quite interesting. Considering that he had been the previous generation's head of Demon Sect, maybe it was to be expected. “Surprisingly, he’s an easy man to deal with.” “Is that so?” “If the force is equal, he's a rational man to trade with. He’s not someone who gambles with his own life on the line. Seems like the Black Path won’t be a concern for a while.” Mok Liwon greatly agreed with Ma Il Seok's words. He too had thought that, aside from martial superiority, Do Eun Gang was quite a suitable conversation partner, which was why he had made the deal. “Anyway.” Ma Il Seok cut in. “Now that the matter in Guangdong is settled, you need to move with me for a while. Understand?” “Yes, but where do you plan to go?” Mok Liwon did not know Ma Il Seok's intended destination. All he knew was that the place Ma Il Seok was heading to had significant relevance to the Demon Sect’s invasion. Ma Il Seok's expression grew serious. “Yunnan.” Mok Liwon tensed up. In the current martial world, and to Ma Il Seok's generation, Yunnan meant one place. “So, you’ve guessed as much.” Ma Il Seok immediately affirmed. “The base of the Blood Heaven Sect. We’re going to where it once stood.” Mok Liwon clenched his fists tightly. * Long ago, Mok Liwon had heard from Mok-Seon-O and Ma Il Seok where they had found him. They found him atop a sinister altar that the Blood Devil Dancheonhwa of the Blood Heaven Sect had tried to protect until the end. Mok-Seon-O had said, - It was the remnants of a great sorcery. Kangae and I speculate that this sorcery was meant to implant the Extreme Devil Body within you. - With high probability, that’s correct. The physique most compatible with Cheonsalsung is precisely the Extreme Devil Body. He might have been subjected to sorcery meant to implant the Extreme Devil Body within him as an infant. And that this led to Cheonsalsung becoming ever more demanding. Truthfully, Mok Liwon hadn’t been greatly concerned about this. Regardless of what happened, as long as he held the alliance within his heart, he believed he could overcome those things, especially since the Blood Heaven Sect was already uprooted and washed away. But now, Ma Il Seok had mentioned the Blood Heaven Sect. They had to follow their traces. - I discovered something while investigating alone. The demons of the Demon Sect are following the Blood Devil’s traces. And their demeanor is rather unusual, as if they’re pursuing a mortal enemy. What immediately came to mind was the Sub-leader of Cheonma Sin Gyo. A man who had ascended to transcendence. He had certainly said, - You’re the original owner of that star. Crack, Mok Liwon's teeth clenched tightly. A hypothesis, along with emotions, surged up in him. ‘Perhaps….’ Maybe, that is. The great sorcery he had been subjected to at the Blood Heaven Sect’s base wasn’t merely for the purpose of planting the Extreme Devil Body. Perhaps the person named Hyulma Dancheonhwa had embedded Cheonsalsung within him. Then what about those painfully agonizing years? What about the years he resented the heavens for being born under such a star? It means there's someone to blame for those moments he suffered trying not to harbor killing intent. It was a natural resentment. If the hypothesis was correct, the anger and hatred Mok Liwon felt were indeed appropriate emotions. However, Mok Liwon knew he couldn't get lost in those feelings. ‘The killing intent….’ Mok Liwon tightly shut his eyes. He had to control the killing intent. Since hatred was closest to the killing intent, if he couldn't control it, he would be consumed by Cheonsalsung. It took Mok Liwon a considerably long time of deep breaths before he could stand up from his spot and leave the training grounds. “Mok Sohyeop?” Just then, he happened to meet Dang Wha Seo. She approached Mok Liwon with a smile, seemingly pleased to see him. “You were here. I heard you’re leaving with Geowangnim.” Mok Liwon hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share this information. ‘No, let’s not speak of it yet.’ Speaking rashly could lead to needless expectations and disappointments. Mok Liwon had painfully learned how devastating the collapse of hope could be when he first started learning martial arts at the age of five. “Mok Sohyeop?” “Ah, yes. It’s been said we’re in a hurry and should leave first thing tomorrow.” Mok Liwon managed to force a smile, but he couldn’t fool Dang Wha Seo. Her eyes narrowed. “You seem troubled.” Mok Liwon’s shoulders twitched. “Is it that apparent?” He tried to steady his voice, but the tremor was unavoidably present. A wistful air circled Dang Wha Seo's smile. “…It seems it's something you cannot speak of right now. Yes, it might involve Geowangnim, so I won’t ask further.” It was her own way of showing consideration. Mok Liwon felt deep gratitude within. “Thank you.” “It’s nothing.” The mood was somber. Feeling the need to dispel this awkward atmosphere, Mok Liwon promptly continued the conversation. “By the way, are you heading straight to Cheonghae, miss?” “That’s right. The Tang clan must dedicate efforts to support the logistics there.” “Then, it seems we’ll be parting ways for a while.” “That’s why I came to see you.” Dang Wha Seo pulled a small bottle of liquor from her belongings. “How about a farewell drink?” Mok Liwon cheerfully nodded in response to Dang Wha Seo's smile. “Of course!” It was an event that took place at dusk.