Chapter 573: A Demon More Frightening Than a Ghost Has Come Along
The first time he saw him, he thought the man was insane.
He had shown up in shabby martial robes with an old iron sword at his waist, immediately suggesting they dig into the ground together.
But he wasn’t mad. There wasn’t the slightest hint of madness in the man.
‘Then… did he come to kill me?’
Was his suggestion to dig the ground together actually a threat to bury him there?
―Where exactly are we digging?
As he naturally tossed out the question, Yeon Baekin launched a surprise attack at the man.
In the world of Kangho, there were many martial artists who didn’t acknowledge instructors or masters from martial halls. Some even mocked them for scamming pocket change off children. He had worked hard—worked so hard—because he hated hearing such things.
He had pushed himself to the peak of the martial hall world.
Swiik.
It wasn’t a position he had achieved easily.
Hwiririk.
The next moment, Yeon Baekin stared at the man with a blank expression. More precisely, he stared at his own sword, now in the man’s hand.
It wasn’t that the sword had been taken that was the issue—it was that he couldn’t figure out how it had been taken.
He should have neutralized the man’s hand or wrist in some way. But they were untouched. He hadn’t even felt the man’s touch, yet the sword was gone from his grip.
With skill like that, the man could have killed him or used threats to get what he wanted.
But the man turned the sword around and handed it back, handle first.
―You’re awfully hasty.
Looking back, that was probably the moment the first button was fastened in their relationship.
A man who could have subdued him with bloodlust or snapped his neck without hesitation… and yet chose to simply return the sword with the handle facing him. That single, simple action.
―There are times in life when fate just walks right up to you, don’t you think?
That same bright smile he had shown back then was on the man’s face again today.
The man approached Yeon Baekin, washed his face, hands, and feet with the water dripping from the ceiling, and even rinsed his mouth.
“This damn dust never ends. By the way, have you eaten?”
“I already did.”
After roughly washing up, the man opened a cloth bundle from the corner. Inside the basket was a pile of rice balls.
He began devouring them without hesitation.
“That’s enough for you?”
“There are days when I drink and feast all I want.”
When this endeavor had first begun, Yeon Baekin had tried to provide every comfort. He offered a finely decorated room, a cozy bed, and skilled cooks to prepare luxurious meals every day. But the man declined.
What he had said back then was this:
―A little discomfort and lack makes one grow stronger faster.
Just moments ago, Yeon Baekin had confirmed with his own eyes that those words were true. Through the image of officials freely wielding sword energy.
They were no longer officials in their rookie days, but had become proper martial artists in their own right.
In this stifling and uncomfortable space, they had mastered things that even the vast training ground outside could not teach them.
And more than anything, those words applied most strongly to this man.
Because he could feel that the man had grown stronger compared to when he first came to her.
Eating the same food and sleeping in the same place as the officials, perhaps the man had even made this place his own training ground.
While eating his rice ball, Yeon Baekin recalled the day he first met the man.
―There is a place deep beneath the Golden Dragon Martial Hall where treasures and peerless divine arts are stored.
A martial artist of this level wouldn’t spout nonsense. A natural question rose in his mind.
―With your strength, you could kill me and take control of Golden Dragon Martial Hall, couldn’t you?
―That’s right. But if the owner of Golden Dragon Martial Hall changes, all of the martial world’s attention will turn to it. I want to handle this matter quietly.
―What assurance do I have that you won’t kill me and erase all traces once it’s over?
―There is none. You’ll just have to trust me.
At first, he had no choice but to take his hand. Refusing would have meant only death.
At first, he didn’t trust him. He only pretended to, trying to find a way to survive.
And now?
Yeon Baekin looked at the man. During all this time, he had shown not through words but through actions that he was someone he could trust.
Did he trust him? Yes, he did.
But still, the thought of the moment when the door he sought beyond that wall would finally be discovered made his heart pound like mad.
―I will give the peerless divine art there to you.
―Why don’t you want the secret manual?
―Because no matter what you learn, I’ll still be stronger?
As he said that, the man laughed heartily. It was the laugh of someone who had taken the Golden Dragon Martial Hall Lord’s sword in a single move—without anyone even understanding how he did it.
―What I want is something else.
What exactly was it that he wanted?
Would he look at him the same way even inside that treasure-filled chamber? Would he spare his life and even the lives of those officials?
Or would that iron sword be drawn, and in a single move, everyone here be slain?
Whether this meeting with the man would become a nightmare or a rare opportunity—the result was not far off now.
Having finished his rice ball, the man washed his hands in the flowing water. Though he wore shabby clothes, he was a clean and tidy person.
“Why have you come down?”
“They say the excavation is nearing its end. So, I came down... and to see your face again after so long.”
The man, having finished washing his hands, turned toward Yeon Baekin. The moment he met his gaze, he felt a crushing pressure squeezing his heart. From the day they first met, he had never been able to lie while looking into this man’s eyes.
“You must be troubled because of your younger sibling.”
In that instant, Yeon Baekin understood—he knew everything happening outside. Even the fact that he was troubled over his younger sibling.
When he brought up his sibling, Yeon Baekin grew tense. His brother had been trying to uncover this place.
“A blood relative of the Ghost Clan has entered the grounds, and the situation has escalated.”
Then the man spoke as though he even knew Seo Jin had arrived.
“The problem isn’t the young ghost from the Ghost Clan.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“A demon more frightening than the ghost has come with her.”
“Who are you talking about?”
The man simply gave a cryptic smile and didn’t reveal who it was.
“Our Hall Master can’t even handle one little ghost. Looks like I’ll have to go up myself.”
The moment he said he would go up, Yeon Baekin was startled. Just who had arrived to warrant this?
“Please don’t. At such a crucial time, you shouldn’t be leaving your position, should you?”
Then the man shouted.
“Let’s take a break, all of us!”
At such an unexpected remark, Yeon Baekin was flustered.
The officials looked over with expressions that clearly said, ‘That’s right!’
“Of course you should rest.”
The man smiled slyly, clearly entertained by his reaction. It was obvious now he had been joking.
“They’re exhausted. To break through the final gate, we’ll need new personnel too.”
“How many do you need? I’ll select the best and send them over.”
Yet for some reason, the man refused.
“No need for that. This time, I’ll choose them myself and bring them.”
Then he shouted to the officials.
“Come get your food!”
The officials swarmed over and grabbed the rice balls.
“Wash your hands before eating! Damn, filthy brats!”
At his shout, some went to wash their hands, while others laughed and grabbed their food anyway. Perhaps it was the hardship they’d shared, but the atmosphere was truly warm.
Among them were several officials Yeon Baekin knew well. Yet with him, their eyes and presence had changed so much they seemed like different people altogether.
The man called out to them.
“I’ll be out for a few days. Until then, rest well! Get ready to receive the newcomers.”
The officials erupted into cheers of joy.
The man, who had always gone barefoot, put on his shoes and strode over to Yeon Baekin.
“Let’s head up.”
“Of course.”
As they walked toward the device leading up, the man asked,
“Is this place more important? Or your younger sibling?”
Yeon Baekin couldn’t answer. He didn’t want to give this man a justification.
―Didn’t you choose your sibling?
Yeon Baekin let out a sigh. It was as if he had already answered. He should have said right away that his younger sibling was what mattered most.
The man smacked his back lightly.
“You should at least say it’s your sibling.”
Yeon Baekin couldn’t say a word.
The man spoke calmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it peacefully.”
Yeon Baekin looked at the man.
Watching his profile, he felt at ease. Even if he were to die someday, there was a particular sense of trust the man gave in that moment.
And perhaps it was this part of him that had continued fastening the buttons of their relationship.
* * *
“What kind of person is the Young Cult Leader?”
At Seo Jin’s question, Lee Ahn turned her head toward her. The two women were on their way back after visiting Heavenly Communication Pavilion and the Hidden Moon branch.
Just by seeing how Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn spoke to each other and looked at each other, it was clear—how deep their affection for one another ran.
That’s why Seo Jin thought—wasn’t Lee Ahn the person who knew the Young Cult Leader best?
Lee Ahn described Geom Mugeuk in a single word.
“A dream. He’s like a dream.”
“A dream?”
“He’s someone who makes you dream of wanting to be like him.”
If there was a good dream, then there was also a bad one.
“He’s also someone who gives you this anxious feeling—that maybe one day you’ll wake up and find it was all just a dream.”
Just as things had suddenly changed one day, maybe, just as suddenly, everything would return to how it used to be. That vague fear lingered in her heart.
It was something she hadn’t even told Seo Daeryong or Jangho, yet now she was voicing it to Seo Jin for the first time.
“So what if it’s a dream? As long as we never wake up from it, even till death.”
That made Lee Ahn laugh. She was glad when Seo Jin joined as an Unit Leader. She was a fellow woman, easy to talk to. Cheong Myeon had always been a little harder to approach.
“Anyway, just be ready to be surprised. He never stops showing us incredible things.”
Then Seo Jin said,
“I think I already understand a little.”
Inside the inn, Geom Mugeuk and Yeon Baekjin were drinking together.
The formerly rigid-looking Yeon Baekjin now spoke with a flushed face, chatting casually with Geom Mugeuk. There wasn’t even a hint of caution in him.
“Well, with just that much.”
The two women entered the inn.
They sat at the same table where Geom Mugeuk and Yeon Baekjin were seated.
“We’re back.”
They greeted Geom Mugeuk, and also bowed to Yeon Baekjin.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the two women.
“I told Lord Yeon the truth. That we came to protect Seo Jin.”
That alone said everything. How he had explained their relationship to Yeon Baekjin.
Yeon Baekjin’s gaze turned to Seo Jin.
The conversation that should have happened between the two of them had already been shared with Geom Mugeuk, ever since Im Hyeon came and revealed the matter. There was no need to repeat it—so he stood up from his seat.
The reason Geom Mugeuk had appeared before him was also because of this. Because he didn’t want Yeon Baekjin to become too entangled with her. Because he wished for this connection to pass by like a fleeting moment.
As Yeon Baekjin turned to leave, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Speak with your elder brother.”
At the unexpected suggestion, Yeon Baekjin flinched.
While staring at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, he recalled something the man had said before.
“If you buy me a drink, I’ll teach you how to avoid bloodshed between brothers in the power struggle, remember?”
“I remember.”
“Don’t tell me the method is just talking with my brother?”
Was he seriously saying that was the solution? That emotion was clearly written on his face.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Yeon Baekjin scoffed. No matter how he thought about it, this wasn’t something to be resolved through conversation.
“I guess I won’t be buying that drink just yet.”
As he turned away, Geom Mugeuk spoke again.
“People think martial artists have all kinds of ways to resolve conflicts, but in the end, most things come down to just two.”
“And those are?”
“Talk, or the sword.”
Geom Mugeuk calmly added,
“Whether it works or not, just meet him. Strangely enough, the relationships that seem the least likely to be fixed often end up being resolved.”
* * *
The next day, the atmosphere in the White Dragon Class was gloomy.
Already two members of the White Dragon Class had died. On top of that, disturbing rumors were circulating that Instructor Pyo San had taken his own life.
“They said a temporary instructor will come before the new one is officially assigned.”
While the officials were discussing who the temporary instructor might be, Yu Gwang trembled with anxiety.
“I feel like something even worse is going to happen.”
Now, Gyo Seok spoke as if it were nothing serious.
“So who’s dying this time? Me? You?”
“I’m not joking.”
“Neither am I. So what do you want me to do? Quit the martial hall and go home?”
“Sorry.”
Yu Gwang felt sorry toward Gyo Seok. When anxious, he should’ve just swallowed it silently. There was no need to make others feel anxious too.
Then someone spoke from behind.
“Better to know something bad is coming than to be caught unaware.”
They turned around. It was Lee Ahn. She appreciated Yu Gwang’s courage the previous day, and she believed this instinct of his was something essential for surviving as a martial artist.
“I actually think it wouldn’t be bad to hone that sense.”
Hearing that from none other than Lee Ahn moved Yu Gwang deeply.
“By any chance, that shield you mentioned back then...”
Before he could finish, Gyo Seok clamped a hand over Yu Gwang’s mouth.
“Don’t.”
He stopped him in advance, afraid he might ask if that shield was still recruiting.
“I won’t! I said I won’t! Do I look that stupid to you?”
“Exactly that much! No—more than that!”
Lee Ahn laughed as she watched the two of them. Honestly, she wanted to take both of them to the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps. Of course, that was impossible. She couldn’t very well bring such pure-hearted boys into the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Then, the lively area fell silent.
“Over there. The new instructor is coming.”
Someone was walking their way.
A man with his hair tightly tied back, wearing a shabby martial robe, and a single iron sword at his waist. But he had a bright demeanor.
Among all the instructors and masters seen here, he probably had the warmest expression.
The moment Geom Mugeuk laid eyes on him, he understood.
Why Yeon Baekjin had no choice but to walk such a path.
It wasn’t because of his elder brother.
His brother too—must have ultimately been a victim.
Because the man before them was one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
And not just any of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
He was the First King among the Twelve.
The Sword King, Ak Gunhak.
Though the three great supremes of the era had perished and Hwa Moogi had gone into seclusion, he had ascended to the top during the age of the Twelve Zodiac Kings. He was, without question, the strongest martial artist at the time.
Geom Mugeuk calmed his roiling heart, gripping the hilt of the Black Demon Sword to steady himself. It was possible that the other’s qi alone might shake him. He had encountered several of the Twelve Zodiac Kings before, but never had he been this tense.
The Sword King, now standing before the officials, introduced himself.
“Until a new instructor is assigned, I’ll be teaching you temporarily. I’m Instructor Ak.”
The Sword King smiled brightly at the officials and said,
“Alright then, let’s start with each of you introducing yourselves, one by one.”