Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
========================
Chapter 368: Gently if given, painfully if not
Baek Jagang felt the Battle King's battle energy whipping across his entire body.
What came to his mind first from this sharp energy that pierced his flesh and seemed to tear at him, urging him to charge out immediately, was this:
‘He’s someone who’s fought properly before!’
Baek Jagang's chest burned as his fist clenched on its own. His opponent was clearly someone who stirred a primal destructive urge in a martial artist—the desire to wipe everything out in a single blow.
The Battle King felt a similar, yet different, emotion. Just the other party’s calm gaze and that single line—“Isn’t your vacation a bit too flashy?”—made every hair on his body stand on end.
‘One wrong move and I’ll die!’
This heart-sinking tension was precisely the feeling the Battle King loved most.
He recalled the image of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader collapsing as a corpse.
Even the memory of that delusion sent shivers through his entire body. It would bring him a joy never to be repeated in his lifetime. Greater than the sum of all victories he had ever claimed in battle.
‘I will win, no matter what.’ 1
The intense battle energy and heat the two generated swept through the surroundings.
Feeling the surging energy, Hyeok Sagun belatedly stepped down from the carriage. Things were proceeding according to plan, yet he couldn’t shake this ominous feeling.
It made sense that the Unorthodox Alliance Leader remained calm—he was, after all, an extraordinary man.
But what bothered him was the reaction of the escorting martial artists. Even though Hwang Seokgyeong had blocked the path, they calmly stared at the Battle King as if they had been expecting this very moment.
Feigning ignorance, Hyeok Sagun spoke to the Battle King.
“Instructor Hwang, did the Alliance Leader not ask you something? On what grounds do you dare block his path?”
My lord, the day has finally come. May you achieve your grand ambition!
Finally, the Battle King calmed his battle energy and spoke evenly.
“You said the vacation was extravagant? That’s fine. Once this vacation ends, I’ll return to the most extravagant seat in the Unorthodox Alliance.”
When his opponent revealed a clear intent to kill him, Baek Jagang smiled instead.
“My position won’t be as extravagant as you imagined. It’ll leave you weary and hollow.”
“I’ll let you keep that emptiness for yourself.”
The Battle King lightly struck his right fist into his left palm.
Paang!
A thunderous shockwave boomed as if it would burst eardrums, and that was the signal—the hidden experts began to emerge one by one.
The first to appear was a middle-aged expert armed with a crescent-shaped blade.
New Moon Blade.
He was one of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters. Following Flash of Light, who had attempted to kill Bih Sa-in earlier, another of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Alliance had now appeared as an enemy.
“It’s been a while, Alliance Leader.”
The New Moon Blade greeted Baek Jagang with courtesy.
“Have you been well?”
“Thanks to your leadership of the Unorthodox Martial World, I’ve been well.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“I apologize in advance for how things have turned out.”
“That's fine. It happens.”
Baek Jagang didn’t question why he had sided with the Battle King. He must have been offered terms that moved him. To Baek Jagang, it was only natural to move for one’s benefit.
The second person to appear was an old man with a face full of wrinkles. So many, in fact, that he looked over a hundred years old, though he wasn’t actually that old.
Blue Death Ghost.
He was a legendary master unaffiliated with either orthodox or unorthodox factions, yet had been branded a public enemy by both. His infamy was matched only by his villainy, and today, he had shown himself alive.
The appearance of the Blue Death Ghost was even more shocking than that of the New Moon Blade. His internal power was far deeper than most masters of the current generation, making him an even trickier opponent.
“I saw you when you were young. Do you remember?”
The Blue Death Ghost greeted Baek Jagang, as if he were familiar.
Baek Jagang shook his head.
“Well, you were about this tall back then.”
He lowered his palm around his waist as if measuring the height of a small child, then suddenly jerked his wrist to unleash a wave of force.
Swaeeeeeeeeek!
Kwaaaang!
The person who blocked the incoming wave of blue energy was the Guard Leader, Ingung.
Overwhelmed by the internal power, Ingung was pushed back, and the other escorts supported his back with their own energy. Only after two more joined their strength did the retreat finally stop.
The Blue Death Ghost grinned, revealing the few teeth he had left.
“Oops, my hand slipped.”
Ingung and the guards quietly stepped aside.
Baek Jagang, standing behind them, said nothing and simply observed the next newcomer.
This time, a hunched, grotesque old man walked out slowly.
Poison Overlord.
He was once a renowned poisoner, infamous throughout the martial world. Having used forbidden mass-murder toxins, he had been branded a public enemy and disappeared—only to show himself here today. It was the Poison Overlord who had crafted the poison used to corrupt the Chief Strategist's health. 2
At his appearance, Ingung’s expression stiffened. Among the enemies who had revealed themselves so far, the Poison Overlord was by far the most threatening.
“Antidote!”
At Ingung’s command, the guards simultaneously drew the antidote pellets from their sleeves and stuffed them in their mouths.
The Poison Overlord let out a mocking chuckle.
“With those pretty antidotes of yours, how long do you think you’ll last?”
Even antidotes had limits in resisting poison.
If chaos broke out and the Poison Overlord unleashed his toxins in a sneak attack, their own safety would be secondary—the Alliance Leader could be in danger as well.
The Battle King, the New Moon Blade, the Blue Death Ghost, and now the Poison Overlord.
But they were not the only ones prepared.
From all directions, about fifty martial artists revealed themselves. Their burning eyes scanned the surroundings—they would later be known as the Fighting Wolves, warriors who followed blindly the Battle King.
They too were extremely belligerent individuals—masters mad for battle, unafraid of dying in a fight, ravenous for blood at the cost of their own bodies. If the masters who appeared earlier were tigers, these were the bloodhounds that hunted with them.
Seeing them, Hyeok Sagun unknowingly smiled. These were people who had prepared for this day for a long time. Of course, under normal circumstances, they would’ve made even more preparations—but this much was enough.
‘Even the Alliance Leader can’t withstand this.’
Pang! Paang!
The Battle King once again clapped his fist to his palm, stirring the air around them, then gave a command to all.
“Kill the guards first, then join the fight.”
Even the Fighting Wolves drew their weapons in unison, exuding killing intent.
The Battle King was not ashamed of group tactics. If he were, the Poison Overlord wouldn’t have been present here in the first place.
Baek Jagang now understood why Geom Mugeuk had pleaded with him yesterday.
The enemy had absolutely no intention of fighting fair. They were determined to kill him by any means necessary. It was a plea not to find meaning in winning honorably.
The guards who had taken the antidote pellets drew their swords and positioned themselves to block all sides except Baek Jagang’s front.
In that tense moment, just as the enemies were closing in—
“Stop! Don’t begin without us!”
A shout flew clearly from the distance, reaching them as if it had been spoken nearby.
“You there! The tall fellow, sixth from the left! Drop your hidden weapon and wait just a moment!”
His eyesight must have been exceptional—because the sixth man on the left had indeed drawn a concealed weapon. And yes, he was tall.
Everyone turned to look toward the source of the voice. In the distance, a carriage was recklessly speeding toward them.
Hyeok Sagun’s expression twisted. He recognized the owner of that impudent voice.
‘Young Cult Leader!’
Indeed, the man on the driver’s seat of the carriage was Geom Mugeuk.
The Battle King raised a hand to stop the Fighting Wolves from charging. A signal to leave it be for now.
The carriage dragged to a halt in front of Baek Jagang.
“Good, seems you haven’t started yet.”
The New Moon Blade, Blue Death Ghost, and Poison Overlord all turned to the Battle King with puzzled expressions. Their wordless question—what’s going on here?—was answered by the Battle King.
“That one is the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.”
It seemed the three had already heard about Geom Mugeuk’s involvement. They nodded, casting renewed glances his way.
“He’s younger than I expected.”
But Geom Mugeuk recognized them. He wasn’t someone who wouldn’t know the identities of a grotesque old poisoner or a master wielding a curved blade.
“You’re all scarier than I expected.”
Rather than being respectful, Geom Mugeuk’s relaxed manner bordered on playful mischief—causing all three to frown. They didn’t know yet that the jokes hadn’t even started. 3
As the carriage door opened, Bih Sa-in stepped out first.
Then, like someone introducing a martial artist at a martial arts tournament, Geom Mugeuk loudly introduced him.
“Here comes the heir to the Unorthodox Alliance, who overcame the brink of death and returned alive like an immortal! He’s ashamed of me, but I insist—he is definitely my friend!” 4
By now, Bih Sa-in was used to this kind of joke—it didn’t faze him at all.
He quickly greeted Baek Jagang, his voice trembling.
“It’s been a while, Master.”
The master's gaze upon his disciple was as soft as could be.
“Is your body all right?”
“I’m fine, thanks to your concern.”
Seeing how things had unfolded, Bih Sa-in truly thought it had been the right decision to come.
Next to descend from the carriage was Monster Evil.
“Here is Master Monster Evil of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters! A man who recently tasted the true bitterness of life after being betrayed by a friend!” 5
Did he really just say that in this situation? Damn, this guy is insane! Monster Evil, too, pretended not to hear it and respectfully cupped his fists to Baek Jagang in greeting.
“Have you been well?”
“It’s been a long time.”
“The Young Leader’s devotion to you is deep.”
It was his way of saying he came here for the Young Leader. Bih Sa-in was grateful that Monster Evil spoke this way on his behalf.
Bih Sa-in recalled how Geom Mugeuk treated him. If he could even do half as much, he felt he could build a good relationship with Monster Evil.
Then Monster Evil turned his eyes to the New Moon Blade.
“You? Why are you here?”
Monster Evil couldn’t understand it. Among the Seven Great Masters, the New Moon Blade was the one least interested in the affairs of the martial world. Yet here he was.
“It just turned out that way.”
“I never thought the day would come where I’d be fighting you.”
“Well, what’s an unorthodox alliance if not for twists like this?”
“True. Now that it’s come to this, let’s fight without regrets.”
“Let’s do that.”
Of everyone, Hyeok Sagun was the most shocked and flustered by the three arrivals.
The original plan was to slip away naturally once the joint attack began.
The guards would be too busy protecting the Alliance Leader to care about him.
But with these new arrivals, the plan had gone awry. He’d either have to retreat elsewhere or slip around behind Hwang Seokgyeong.
But would that Geom Mugeuk really let him go?
Meanwhile, the Battle King showed no sign of being shaken by the sudden change. Smash through even the variables—that was his mindset.
“Kill them all!”
Just then, others appeared.
“Stop!”
Thirteen masters landed in the area with dazzling movement techniques—it was the Thirteen Wolves.
Il-rang shouted at the Fighting Wolves.
“Your opponents are here.”
Bih Sa-in locked eyes with them. The gaze of the Thirteen Wolves, fixed on him, was filled with fiery passion.
We greet you, Young Leader!
Bih Sa-in’s own eyes grew fiery in response. Yes, if he could just overcome this crisis! He truly believed he could do well from now on. Yes, he would win! He must win!
And they weren’t the only reinforcements.
A chilling voice rang out once more.
“Who is the one that framed me?”
The man exuding an icy, ruthless aura—as if not a drop of blood would come out even if stabbed—was none other than Beoncheon, the Division Leader of the Extreme Forces Brigade.
Behind Beoncheon, the elite martial artists of the Unorthodox Alliance’s most elite unit, the Extreme Forces Brigade, revealed themselves all at once.
“How dare you attempt to assassinate the Alliance Leader! Not a single one of you will leave here alive!”
The Fighting Wolves turned around and now faced off against the Thirteen Wolves and the Extreme Forces Brigade. Beoncheon repeated the very same words the Battle King had declared earlier.
“Wipe them all out and assist the Alliance Leader!”
At his thunderous command, the elite warriors of the Extreme Forces Brigade drew their swords in unison. With the situation turning like this, the morale and momentum had clearly shifted in favor of the Alliance Leader's side.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw it.
The Poison Overlord had quietly slipped a hand into a pouch tied at his waist.
Geom Mugeuk’s instincts screamed. He realized the man was about to unleash a mass-killing poison to eliminate the warriors of the Extreme Forces Brigade first.
Having spent much time around the Poison King, Geom Mugeuk understood better than anyone the psychology and movements of those who wield poison. That’s why he had kept his eyes only on the most dangerous figure here—the Poison Overlord.
It was unlikely that all those warriors of the Extreme Forces Brigade were equipped with high-grade antidote pellets. The mid-grade ones they likely carried wouldn’t be able to block the Poison Overlord’s toxins.
“Excuse me, Poison Overlord, sir!”
Geom Mugeuk quickly shouted out as he stepped forward.
“Before we start fighting, let me ask you one thing.”
The Poison Overlord’s hand, which had been heading toward the pouch, paused.
“Did you poison the Chief Strategist? I heard it was a high-level toxin, even capable of slipping past the eyes of the Unorthodox Alliance’s finest physicians.”
“Yes, the poison was made by this old man.”
“Is there an antidote? Our Poison King once told me—true mastery of poison arts lies not in poisoning, but in curing.”
Spoken like that, it gave the impression there must be an antidote—even if there wasn’t.
The Poison Overlord pulled out a small pouch from his robe. Thankfully, he did have the antidote.
“Here it is.”
“Please hand it over.”
“Why should I?”
“Because if you give it now, you’ll die peacefully. If you don’t, you’ll die painfully.”
The Poison Overlord scoffed with disdain.
“Yes, I’ve heard the rumors. That wild Young Cult Leader stirring up all of the Central Plains?”
He glanced sideways at the Battle King. The look asked—can I kill the Young Cult Leader here and now? The Battle King gave a slight nod. In any case, the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was supposed to end up in mutual destruction with the Alliance Leader. If it was blamed on the Poison King’s assistance, everyone would believe it.
The Poison Overlord extended the pouch.
“If you think you’ve got what it takes, come take it yourself.”
At the Poison Overlord’s provocation, Geom Mugeuk immediately began walking toward him.
Knowing full well what kind of poisoner he was dealing with, Guard Leader Ingung looked to Baek Jagang with a worried expression, silently asking if he shouldn’t stop this now.
Baek Jagang quietly watched Geom Mugeuk. He could guess why Geom Mugeuk had chosen to confront the Poison Overlord. Was it simply to retrieve the antidote? That’s how it might seem—but it wasn’t.
The Poison Overlord was the most dangerous person here. If they wanted to get out alive, he was the one who had to be killed first. Even Baek Jagang was thinking—if I must kill anyone first, it has to be the Poison Overlord.
Baek Jagang recalled what Geom Mugeuk had said the day before.
―The honor I believe in lies in the outcome of killing the one who must be killed.
Can you truly kill the one you must and return safely?
Others, too, watched the scene with tense eyes.
From Bih Sa-in, who knew Geom Mugeuk well, to Monster Evil, the Thirteen Wolves, and even Ingung—they had all experienced Geom Mugeuk’s astounding capabilities in their own ways. But would that same astonishment and uniqueness work against the Poison Overlord?
Without hesitation, Geom Mugeuk walked right up to the Poison Overlord.
The Poison Overlord considered that courage to be reckless bravado.
‘He thinks I won’t kill him because he’s the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult?’
If not for that, no one in the martial world would dare walk up to him so confidently. No one would meet his gaze with such relaxed eyes.
‘You foolish demon brat… your arrogance will lead you straight to hell.’ 6
Just as Geom Mugeuk reached for the pouch in the Poison Overlord’s hand—
Puoook!
A cloud of poison smoke exploded around them.
“No!”
Bih Sa-in shouted.
He tried to rush forward, but poison smoke was already surging thick around Geom Mugeuk. No one expected him to be taken down so helplessly. You should’ve had a way. You were supposed to kill him before he triggered it. You’re Geom Mugeuk, after all.
But then—
Puk! Puk!
From within the poisonous smoke, flashes of sword light flickered, and the sound of flesh being torn rang out in succession.
Whiiiiiiiing.
A whirlwind kicked up around the two of them, gathering all the poison in the vicinity.
Fwhooooom!
Flames ignited within the poison smoke and began to burn.
The fire whirled, wrapping around both of them. Everyone watched the astonishing scene with shocked expressions.
The poison smoke was completely consumed by flame and its ashes rose into the sky, vanishing with the wind.
There stood Geom Mugeuk and the Poison Overlord, still in place.
The Poison Overlord was still holding out the pouch of antidote.
As Geom Mugeuk took the pouch, the Poison Overlord tried to say something. But at that moment—
Puaaaak!
Blood spurted from his neck and heart as the Poison Overlord collapsed backward, his head bouncing on the ground just after.
Everyone there stared at Geom Mugeuk in utter shock. To think he gathered the poison and incinerated it using Heat Yang Energy—such a refined and advanced technique? No, before that, how had he even withstood the Poison Overlord’s toxin?
Geom Mugeuk took two antidote pellets, his cheeks puffed up like a toad, from his mouth. He hadn’t even needed them—but he kept them in his mouth because he didn’t want to reveal in front of everyone that he was immune to all poisons.
“Who would dare underestimate the top-grade antidotes of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader? Just as promised, this foolish poison oldie gave me the antidote, so I killed him painlessly.”
Baek Jagang and the Battle King both harbored doubts. In that moment earlier, they had a strong feeling the Poison Overlord must have used a toxin that even the highest-grade antidotes couldn’t block. And indeed, he had used an extreme poison resistant to any antidote. But none of them knew that.
Regardless, the martial artists on the Alliance Leader’s side could be certain of one thing—before the horrific poison had spread, Geom Mugeuk had saved their lives.
As Geom Mugeuk preciously tucked the antidote for the Chief Strategist into his robes, he spoke to them.
“All right, take those antidote pellets out of your mouths now—let’s fight comfortably.”
1 : Heh. Not in this timeline.
2 : Hmmm, it’ll be a good trash clean up today ^^
3 : Jin Taekyung style, ‘Why the f**k would I show you some respect when you’re trying to kill me ?’ XDXDXD (Murim Login)
4 : Lol, what an accurate description XDXDXD
5 : Wooow, friendly fire ON !!! XDXDXD
6 : And you, it was the weight of your karma that brought you here, at this exact moment to meet your end.
* : I recently started My Wife Is the Demonic Cult Leader, it’s pretty good. Not on Absolute Regression or Shadow Slave level, but few are as good as these sadly.
Well, I say ‘recently’, but it’s been a few months since I had the folder XDXDXD Alas, I am much too overworked to read for fun these days, which is sad beyond belief *tearful emoji*
Hrm, hrm, anyways, I’d say it’s roughly equivalent in terms of quality to Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon, but with more of a focus on investigations rather than pure martial training, especially with all the secrets roaming around.
Good world building so far, and a strong romance. I wonder how the author will turn it into a harem, but the story flow didn’t overly focus on that so far, so I’ll see how it progresses.
To conclude, a good story, not too many cliches (at least none that I can remember right now), and you should definitely generously donate to the remarkable group of translators sacrificing their free time and money to bring you this novel.
Just saying ^^