Chapter 154: Moonlit Sword Blossom (3)

A remote peak near Miok Fortress, where the terrain jutted out irregularly and people rarely passed.

At the summit of that peak sat a middle-aged man, perched on a rock, chugging down from a liquor bottle.

“You were here?”

Behind the man, someone wearing a mask appeared.

The middle-aged man, with the bottle still at his lips, lazily turned his drowsy eyes to the uninvited guest.

“Gulp! Oh… look who it is. Isn’t it our Fourth?”

The masked man, referred to as the ‘Fourth,’ let out a slight complaint.

“I told you not to call me that.”

“So what? If you don’t like it, get ranked higher than me.”

He cackled.

The drunken man’s laughter echoed like a ripple in the air.

“So, why did you come looking for me? I’d say I did a pretty decent job with what I was assigned.”

“I was worried, that’s all. After all, your opponent was none other than the Heavenly Demon.”

“You’re not really worried about me, but about this thing, aren’t you?”

The middle-aged man pulled something from his robes and tossed it to the masked man.

What he caught in his hand was a peculiar orb, perfectly split in half—one side red, the other blue.

From the orb flowed a strange power not of this world.

“The essence of the Eight-Thousand Army. I secured it without fail.”

“Just remember—it was damn close this time.”

Despite the man’s self-important tone, the masked man showed no particular reaction.

It was because that tone wasn’t pride—it was fact.

“As expected, we should refrain from stirring up the Cult too much from the inside, at least until his ascension is complete.”

“That’s your business. But you’d better make sure I get a proper reward for this success.”

“Of course. We’ve already inserted people into the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan. The investigation is thorough.”

“You’re moving too slow.”

“It’s one of the Six Great Demonic Clans, after all. Still, the recent heir dispute has opened a gap.”

“Really now?”

The masked man bowed deeply.

“I will personally uncover the whereabouts of the [Secret Manual]. You just focus on recovering, Second Heavenly Lord.”

At that, the middle-aged man frowned and glared at the masked man.

“I told you not to call me Second Heavenly Lord.”

“…Understood. Old Han.”

Even though the man never listened to his own requests…

A flicker of dissatisfaction rose and faded from the masked man’s heart.

But no matter how much you complain, in an organization like this, hierarchy is law. When you’re told to jump, you jump.

“By the way, what are you doing all alone in a place like this?”

The middle-aged man answered.

“Watching a fight.”

“A fight? Ah…”

The masked man wasn’t weak himself, so he immediately understood what Old Han meant.

“This gloomy yet sharp energy… could it be a Murder Demon?”

“If the Left Guardian isn’t fighting here, then yes.”

“Too bad. If only you were in better shape, it might’ve been a good chance to kill a Murder Demon.”

“Well, no point dwelling on missed chances… Still, if that kind of fight is just an appetizer, this booze won’t cut it.”

Unaware that the masked man was staring at him with exasperation, Old Han pulled out another bottle of his precious liquor from his robe.

Gulp gulp gulp!

“Ahh! Still, because of the formation, I can’t tell who he’s fighting. Whoever it is, they’re no ordinary opponent…”

For the infamous Murder Demon to engage in battle without a single subordinate meant his opponent had to be of comparable stature.

Just then—

“Hm?”

RUMBLEEEEE!

Suddenly, in the distance, a black wave of energy erupted, followed by a massive hemispherical shockwave that began to sweep outward.

The tremor from the shock was strong enough to cause a mild earthquake even all the way out here.

“That’s…”

Old Han accidentally dropped his bottle.

“Is that a fusion formation? It’d take at least a few Extreme Demon-level experts to produce that kind of force…”

“That’s not a fusion formation.”

Old Han cut him off.

His voice quivered faintly.

“That’s resonance!”

“…Resonance?”

Before the masked man could ask anything further—

“What do you mean, resonance—hey! Second—no, Old Han! Where are you going?! Hey! Wait!”

Old Han’s figure was already far in the distance.

***

I looked around at the ruined surroundings in awe.

‘What the hell… was that destructive power?’

With a single strike, everything in the vicinity had been blown away.

It wasn’t even a concentrated attack—it had simply spread out in all directions.

What was even more absurd was that this level of destruction had been caused by just one Extreme Demon-level martial artist and one just at the Master Level.

‘If people beyond even Extreme Demon level were to perform this union technique…’

And if they could control that power freely—

They might literally be able to kill even gods.

‘If only I’d had this back when I was dealing with that fanatical bastard.’

Well, no use regretting the past.

I shifted my gaze to the Murder Demon still standing firm before me.

Despite the collapse of the Cold Silk Phantom Demon Formation he was so proud of, the Murder Demon’s expression hadn’t changed much.

‘Still, it must’ve shaken him.’

Normally, the Murder Demon would calmly prepare his next move…

But the way he stood motionless—it was clear the impact had been great.

“Let’s call it here.”

“…What did you say?”

“Neither of us is in a position to keep fighting, are we? If we continue, we’ll have to reveal everything we’ve got. We’re not that deeply at odds, are we?”

The Murder Demon’s Cold Silk Phantom Demon Formation might have been one of his specialties, but it wasn’t his final trump card.

He likely had several more hidden techniques.

“More importantly, this incident has already caused a massive disturbance. I hope you haven’t forgotten how close we are to Miok Fortress.”

“You’re telling a Murder Demon… to back down?”

Since he was never the type to accept a loss lightly, I tossed him a juicy bait.

“I’ll visit the So Clan in the near future.”

“Jin Yeomyung! What are you saying?!”

She raised her voice beside me, questioning sharply, but I lifted a hand to stop her.

“If there’s something you’re dissatisfied with—or if there’s anything you want—I’d like to have an honest conversation at the So Clan estate.”

Perhaps it was unexpected, as So Munyak narrowed his eyes slightly.

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course. But since outsiders aren’t allowed into the So Clan’s main household, would it be alright if I visited the branch family?”

Instead of answering, So Munyak scrutinized my face with piercing eyes.

But he wouldn’t find any deception.

Because my offer was sincere.

After staring at me for a while—

Suddenly, he hurled a Dark Soul Dagger like a bolt of lightning toward a direction.

Boom!

With an explosive sound like a bomb going off, Gu Chil revealed himself right where he had thrown the dagger.

“……”

Gu Chil, now revealed, stared calmly at So Munyak while holding Nine Heavens Thread by the arm.

‘Was he preparing a surprise attack?’

I had a feeling he’d followed, but he hadn’t revealed himself until now.

So Munyak turned his gaze back to me and said,

“Bring that impudent disciple of mine, too.”

I clasped my fists respectfully and bowed.

“I’ll come with a fine bottle of liquor.”

“……”

In the end, So Munyak accepted my proposal and retreated without further resistance.

Given that the situation had turned against him, and I said I’d come to his house myself, he’d likely felt he’d achieved his goal.

“Hmph.”

And so, So Munyak vanished.

Thus ended the unprecedented surprise incident that had erupted in the heart of the Tower of Demonic Heaven.

“What are you thinking?”

Once things had settled, she asked me in a sharp tone.

I simply shrugged my shoulders.

“So Munyak can’t touch me. Especially now, while he hasn’t fully laid his cards on the table.”

“Even so, if I hadn’t intervened, you’d have lost an arm or a leg to that man.”

“Hm, maybe you’re right.”

Her unexpected appearance had helped things go smoothly, but it had indeed been dangerous.

Normally, I wouldn’t have just risked a limb—I’d have had to bet my life.

“Still, things ended well, didn’t they? I’d say it was a solid outcome.”

“You really are… something else.”

She sighed and touched the forehead of her mask.

“Was there really any need to drag the So Clan into this, even at such risk?”

“The more allies, the better. And above all…”

I paused briefly before continuing.

“The So Clan is relatively easier to persuade.”

“Easy?”

“Because what they want is crystal clear.”

What Murder Demon So Munyak wanted—was power.

To be precise, he dreamed of throwing open the closed gates of the Hidden Shadow So Clan and openly dominating the other Six Clans under the daylight.

“The Hidden Shadow So Clan ranks the lowest among the Six Clans in terms of average martial prowess—because of their specialization in assassination.”

“That’s true.”

It’s not just martial power.

Even their influence within the Cult is by far the weakest among the Six Clans.

She tilted her head slightly.

“Then why did you approach the other clans first, instead of the So Clan?”

“Because it was harder to approach them from the start.”

Secrecy is a bigger headache than you think.

Moreover, So Munyak is someone who retreats and watches when the situation is unclear.

“If it weren’t for this sudden collapse of balance, he would’ve been difficult to even meet.”

His repeated rejections of me and Jin Gun-ak’s requests to meet were a clear example.

“Now that I’ve created a stage as a ‘guest’ rather than being dragged in, it’s as good as halfway there.”

“……”

Well, not that So Munyak is the real problem right now, anyway.

“I see…”

Seemingly convinced, her voice softened.

I faced her and bowed politely.

“I won’t forget your help today, Lady Cheon.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

She responded bluntly.

“My name is Moonlit Sword Blossom. I’m not this ‘Lady Cheon’ you speak of.”

“……”

My cheek twitched slightly.

“Lady Cheon.”

“I told you that’s not it!”

She raised her voice angrily.

Surprised by her stronger-than-expected reaction, I sighed and raised the white flag.

“Ah, so you’re saying you’re not the Lady Cheon I know, correct?”

“That’s right!”

Good grief.

She wasn’t even someone like Sa Biyeon, who blatantly claimed to be one of the Seven Black Guards.

Master and servant—why are they so similar in their antics?

“Well then, I’ll just call you whatever I feel comfortable with.”

“……?”

Since my past life, there had always been a name I’d wanted to call her by.

Because of the massive aftermath that would follow, I had never dared say it out loud.

But now—I could.

With a serious expression, I looked directly at her mask.

And said,

“Yura.”

Flash!

Like a bolt of lightning—

Her Moonlight Sword Aura, wielded through the Heaven-Slaying Demonic Sword Art, flew at my neck at lightning speed.

Bang!

I barely managed to raise my sword in time to block it.

But as a result, I was sent flying, landing sprawled near where Gu Chil was.

“…What are you doing?”

“…Don’t ask.”

I’d prepared myself just in case a surprise attack came.

But for her to actually do it!

Should I be thankful at least that it was Sword Qi and not Qi Projection?

“Huff, huff!”

The great Moonlit Sword Blossom, who had blasted me away with a single strike, was now slightly bent forward, catching her breath.

Whether she was angry or embarrassed—I couldn’t tell, thanks to her mask.

In any case, I brushed off the dirt and approached her again, feigning nonchalance.

“Mm, it seems your way of expressing yourself is rather… intense, Lady.”

“……”

“My apologies. I’ll be more mindful of my choice of address from now on.”

“T-That’s… not, I mean…”

She mumbled something hesitantly, clearly trying to speak.

But the words just wouldn’t come out.

In the end, what she chose to do was—

Whip!

She spun around and attempted to flee.

“I’ll be going now. If fate allows, let’s meet again another time.”

Just as she was about to take off with her movement technique—

I quickly reached out and grabbed her shoulder.

Startled, she shouted.

“W-What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I-I have nothing more to say to you! Let go!”

“Sorry, but I still have unfinished business with you, Lady.”

The former Pavilion Master of the Thousand-Day Pass once told me—

That he had made a mistake.

That instead of embracing her when she needed it, he had let her run away.

“There’s a night market nearby right now.”

“……”

I looked straight into her eyes through the slits of her mask and continued.

“Would you allow me the chance to repay your help?”

So now—

I will never make the same mistake again.

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