Chapter 122: Hwa Ma Chulsoo (1)

Cheon Yura looked at Ma Jinyoon.

It wasn’t just his outer appearance that was a wreck.

His eyes were clouded, the energy flowing through his entire body was murky and utterly unstable.

At this point, even maintaining sanity must be difficult for him.

Cheon Yura knew what those symptoms indicated.

‘His Dantian is shattered.’

According to the Divine Ghost Unit’s report, he had lost his mind after being consumed by demonic nature.

But right now, Ma Jinyoon still retained some semblance of rationality.

Cheon Yura was certain of the reason for that discrepancy.

‘His Dantian broke, and the murky energy leaked out of his body. Thanks to that, he regained his sanity.’

However, that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

With numerous external wounds and the aftershock of a shattered Dantian, he must’ve sustained equally critical internal injuries.

Moreover, there were no signs that he had even attempted to treat himself. In other words, Ma Jinyoon’s life was hanging by a thread.

“I’m sorry.”

Ma Jinyoon had clearly confessed with a determination worthy of staking his life.

But Cheon Yura couldn’t accept that heart.

Even though he had briefly left her side, someone who hadn’t left her heart still remained deeply rooted there.

Someone she resented—but couldn’t bring herself to blame—still existed within her.

“……”

Hearing her silence, Ma Jinyoon slowly lowered his head.

For the first time, Cheon Yura found herself curious about the thoughts of someone who had little to do with her.

“You still hold that man in your heart, don’t you?”

“……”

Cheon Yura didn’t answer.

No, she couldn’t answer.

Even for someone as mighty as her, she couldn’t bring herself to deliver a cruel confirmation to a man moments away from death.

Ma Jinyoon let out a small, bitter chuckle toward her silence.

“Even without an answer, I understand. Forgive me for my presumptuous words.”

His breathing grew more and more ragged.

How much longer could he hold out like this?

Cheon Yura slowly parted her lips.

“Do you not resent me, for saying this to you?”

Ma Jinyoon’s smile deepened.

But the smile wasn’t bright—it was sorrowfully subdued.

“Though it pains me not to be chosen by the one I adore… how could I possibly resent you?”

“You’ve grown more eloquent.”

Though his words were sincere and heartfelt, Cheon Yura’s response was painfully dry.

“I just wanted to see you one last time.”

“I’ll call for a physician.”

Though she instinctively realized it was already too late, those were the only words Cheon Yura could offer.

Ma Jinyoon shook his head.

“There’s no need.”

Then, placing his other knee to the ground, he slowly bowed deeply toward Cheon Yura.

“Please, be happy. If it’s that man… I’m certain he’ll be a good match for the Young Cult Leader.”

“Ma Jinyoon.”

“Though that man arrogantly declared he wouldn’t participate in the Exchange Ceremony… I’m sure his heart was still thinking of you. So… please, don’t be too disheartened.”

“……!”

With those final words, Ma Jinyoon disappeared into the darkness.

She could have stopped him if she wanted to—but none of the Guardian Warriors moved at the sight of Cheon Yura standing in silence.

Not long after—

“That woman was right.”

Cheon Yura let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

“I don’t know how to give myself to someone.”

When Ma Jinyoon confessed. Even if she couldn’t accept his heart, she could have at least offered a few words to ease the pain.

When Ma Jinyoon faded away. To someone who was about to burn their last spark, she could have given a few words of encouragement.

But Cheon Yura said nothing. No, she couldn’t say anything.

She was still too immature and foolish to respond to another’s heartfelt feelings.

“If only I’d ever been loved, maybe I’d know how to give love in return. Jin Yeomyung… what am I supposed to do in moments like this?”

No answer returned to her question.

***

As soon as my deal with Cheon Jumyeong concluded, I took Gu Chil with me and set out to find Ma Chulsoo.

Gu Chil asked nervously,

“Will we be able to find him in time? In this vast expanse of the Ten Thousand Mountain Range…”

“We have to. No matter what.”

The Ten Thousand Mountain Range, said to hold a full ten thousand peaks.

Even if there weren’t literally ten thousand, the place was so vast that it could swallow up an entire nation.

Looking at the endless forest of peaks and mist stretching before me, I couldn’t help but groan inwardly.

“If the Underworld King’s Unit had already been rebuilt, this is exactly when I’d use them. What a shame.”

“At least five more years are needed before they’ll be trained enough to be useful.”

Thanks to my full support recently, Myeong-oh had managed to rebuild the Underworld King’s Unit.

We scouted for talented individuals from the lower ranks of the Hidden Shadow Valley and the cult.

Several retired assassins were tracked down and hired as instructors to train them rigorously, day and night.

That was why Myeong-oh couldn’t accompany me now.

“Finding him is one thing—but doing so without clashing with the Ma Clan is practically impossible.”

“The Ma Clan won’t be here.”

“What? How can you be so sure—?”

“Because Ma Jeongcheon’s victory condition doesn’t require killing Ma Chulsoo.”

Gu Chil’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean?”

I kindly broke it down for the still-confused Gu Chil.

“As long as Ma Chulsoo doesn’t return to the Ma Clan, Ma Jeongcheon wins. There’s no reason to send search parties far and wide. All he has to do is tightly guard the area around the clan.”

“Ah!”

“And this is just my speculation, but…”

I paused for a moment, then continued.

“Even if he wanted to kill Ma Chulsoo, Ma Jeongcheon can’t blatantly mobilize the Ma Clan’s forces.”

The Ma Clan’s internal power struggle wasn’t over yet.

When Ma Jeongcheon ambushed Ma Chulsoo, the force he used consisted solely of his private soldiers.

Not a single Elder or combat unit—what could be called the Ma Clan’s true power—had been mobilized.

Seeing how Ma Chulsoo had collapsed so blatantly, it was possible the Cheon Clan had secretly lent him help… but that was something to ask Ma Chulsoo about later.

“Anyway, even if the Ma Clan isn’t here, I can’t just openly unleash Jin Clan martial artists. But if we can find Ma Chulsoo, it’ll still be a winnable fight.”

“R-right! But the problem is… how do we find him?”

“Well, in that regard, I did get a bit of help.”

“Help?”

“Surprisingly, the Lord of the Heavenly Thunder Corps offered to lend us some people.”

Honestly, even as I said that, I couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

Cheon Jumyeong wasn’t the kind of man to offer favors to others without a hidden motive.

Clearly, he was scheming something.

“I don’t know what he’s thinking, but if he’s offering help, we’ll take it. We’re in no position to be picky.”

“…Please be cautious. If it’s Cheon Jumyeong, I’m sure he’s plotting something wicked.”

Gu Chil, who had been burned by Cheon Jumyeong in the past, clenched his teeth and radiated hostility.

I sighed in agreement.

“Hoo… Anyway, the meeting point with the people he’s sending isn’t far. Let’s head there first.”

“Understood.”

He hadn’t said how many people he’d be sending.

He’d only said that they were quite capable… and interesting.

‘Interesting people, huh?’

It wasn’t like him to describe his own subordinates as “interesting.”

‘Who exactly are these people he’s sending?’

This was something I’d only understand by meeting them.

With those complicated thoughts in mind, I eventually reached a hidden clearing nestled between mountain valleys.

And then—

“It’s an honor to meet you for the first time, Young Master Jin.”

A man completely wrapped in white cloth from head to toe greeted us.

‘Is he a germaphobe?’

…He was so white, it was the first thing that came to mind.

“Are you the envoy of the Lord of the Heavenly Thunder Corps?”

“Yes. I was ordered by the Lord to temporarily assist you, Young Master Jin—”

“You basstaaaaaard!”

“…?!”

The man’s words never reached their end.

Gu Chil suddenly erupted with fury and charged at the masked man like a man possessed.

‘W-what the—?!’

“You traitorous bastard! How dare you show your face!”

“Gu Chil! What the hell are you doing?!”

I urgently tried to stop him, but Gu Chil had already lost all reason and swung his blade at the white-masked man.

But then—

Clang!

The opponent blocked Gu Chil’s swift sword strike—which was fast enough to surprise even me—without even moving an inch?!

Clang! Clang!

Gu Chil’s blade was completely blocked by the other man’s sword.

The masked man, called Jeolyeong, smirked faintly at Gu Chil.

“Byeok Cheon-un, your temper hasn’t changed one bit.”

“Shut up!”

As the furious Gu Chil prepared to strike again—

“I’m speaking to your current master right now. Isn’t it unbecoming for a subordinate to act so rashly?”

Flinch.

Only then did Gu Chil come to his senses and grit his teeth.

Clang!

Jeolyeong casually swung his blade and shook Gu Chil off.

Then he turned to me and gave a slight bow.

“My apologies for the disgraceful scene.”

“…Who are you?”

I frowned as I asked about Jeolyeong’s identity.

Even in front of Cheon Jumyeong, Gu Chil had kept his composure, so for him to react so violently… there could only be a handful of people who could provoke him like that.

And sure enough—

“I am Jeolyeong, Vice-Leader of the newly formed Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit under the Cheon Clan.”

His identity was almost exactly what I had expected.

***

White Ghost Commander (Baek Magwiryung), Jeolyeong.

He was once the captain of Squad 1 of the Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit under the direct command of the Cheon Clan.

He had been in a rivalry with Gu Chil, who had led Squad 2, and during the Blood Purge Order, he betrayed his own subordinates and slaughtered them.

And now, he had risen above Squad Leader to the position of Vice-Leader of the Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit.

Having heard the situation, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘I get why Gu Chil snapped.’

And at the same time, I also understood why Cheon Jumyeong had offered his “help.”

‘What a sick hobby… That damn bastard.’

The real target wasn’t me—it was Gu Chil. That bastard had gone through all this trouble just to mock Gu Chil.

“So, the Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit… wasn’t wiped out after all?”

“As long as the Commander lives, the Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit cannot be considered extinct. And…”

Jeolyeong briefly glanced at Gu Chil.

“There were more survivors than expected. And enough time to rebuild.”

“…I see.”

Nearly ten years had passed since the Blood Purge Order that had supposedly annihilated the Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit.

It was only natural that enough time had passed to rebuild an entire unit.

‘I didn’t think I’d be confirming it like this, though.’

I took a light breath.

“Fine. Let’s set aside the bad blood between your group and my subordinate for now.”

“……”

“I don’t know if you came alone, but right now we’re looking for Ma Chulsoo of the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan. Can you find him?”

“I’ve already found Ma Chulsoo’s location.”

“…Are you serious?!”

That was quicker than expected.

Just from this one task, I could indirectly sense the level of capability this “new” Demonic Ghost-Slaying Unit had.

“Yes. He’s in a cave on a mountain about fifteen miles from here. Three of his subordinates are with him. If he’d been alone, tracking him might’ve been harder—but thanks to the traces they left, it was simple.”

“Really? I’m relieved to hear he’s not alone.”

At that moment, Gu Chil muttered grumpily next to me.

“So what if he found one guy fast? Acting like he’s hot stuff…”

“……”

I nearly snapped at Gu Chil with a “how pathetic” comment but held back with all my might.

If I said that, Gu Chil’s pride would be shattered beyond repair.

Truly, he was a shameful subordinate.

“What about the Ma Clan’s pursuit?”

“None.”

“Any interference from other forces?”

“None as well.”

“Good. Lead the way.”

“Yes, sir.”

Would this be the first time I saw him again since that final meeting in the Demon Tower?

Following Jeolyeong, I set out—curious to see just how much Ma Chulsoo had grown since then.

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