Chapter 381 : The Heavenly Demon Sect’s Great Young Master
Chapter 381: The Heavenly Demon Sect’s Great Young Master
Yong Hwarin expelled the poison from Mo Biyoung’s body and rose to his feet.
He carried the unconscious Mo Biyoung and slowly walked out of the cave.
The Bloodshade Fiend was still not dead and writhed on the ground.
She was dying, wracked with pain.
“You cruel bastard. You stabbed me off-center instead of killing me outright.”
Yong Hwarin looked down at the Bloodshade Fiend and muttered,
“You targeted the life of someone I cherish. Letting you die easily wouldn’t be proper.”
He took out a ceramic vial from the Bloodshade Fiend’s bosom.
Then he slowly drew the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword from her chest.
“Grrrrraaaah!”
The Bloodshade Fiend’s back arched with a scream.
“Sp-Spare me...”
Only then did she plead for her life in desperation.
Yong Hwarin looked at her in silence and spoke,
“Have you not heard of the saying, ‘What comes from you, returns to you’?”
That phrase—What comes from you, returns to you—comes from the Book of Mencius, King Liang Hui II, meaning what one sows, so shall one reap.
“If you try to kill others, you should be prepared to die yourself.”
Yong Hwarin turned and walked away, leaving the Bloodshade Fiend to die, gasping for breath.
“Th-Then kill me and be done with it!”
“I left you with enough strength to do it yourself.”
At those words, the Bloodshade Fiend let out a hollow laugh.
As Yong Hwarin stepped toward the light at the cave’s entrance, the sound of a skull shattering echoed from inside.
*
Yong Hwarin reserved an inn and laid Mo Biyoung down, channeling the energy of the Realm of Self-Existence into her, trying to help her regain consciousness. Mo Biyoung had collapsed after being poisoned while her stamina and internal energy were already depleted.
Even after arriving at the inn, Yong Hwarin had been so busy tending to her that he hadn’t had a chance to wash properly. He finally prepared bathwater to wash away his fatigue.
He was meditating with his eyes closed when someone opened the door and entered.
“There’s someone in here.”
Assuming it was a mistake, he turned to speak—only to see Mo Biyoung enter the bath chamber wearing just a thin undergarment.
“Master Mo!”
Startled, Yong Hwarin stared at her.
Mo Biyoung boldly stepped in front of him and removed her undergarment.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
She met his eyes and spoke firmly,
“I’m not like other women waiting to be chosen by the Young Master. I vowed to the heavens that I would find and choose my own man. I’m here to fulfill that vow. I’ve chosen you, Young Master. Even if it’s just for a single night, I won’t regret it because it’s my choice.”
“Why are you doing this so suddenly?”
Yong Hwarin couldn’t understand her sudden action.
But Mo Biyoung showed no sign of backing down.
“This isn’t sudden. I’ve had you in my heart for a long time. But over these past few days, I’ve come to realize something. When faced with death, a woman’s pride means nothing. If I die, the man I love disappears forever. That’s why I’ve chosen you now, before it’s too late.”
“Hahaha.”
It was exactly the kind of behavior one would expect from Mo Biyoung.
She was a woman of strength and cold clarity.
Rather than waiting to be desired or chosen like other women, she took the lead and made her own choice.
“I considered hiding my feelings for you, Young Master, but after hovering so close to death, I realized that too was meaningless. Loving someone isn't about waiting—it’s about action.”
With unwavering determination, Mo Biyoung stepped into the bath where Yong Hwarin was soaking.
Looking at him, she said,
“I love you, Young Master.”
Even as she declared her feelings boldly, her face flushed red. Seeing that, Yong Hwarin gently embraced her.
If he were to push Mo Biyoung away now, she might very well take her own life.
Not that he disliked her.
Yong Hwarin had always felt affection for Mo Biyoung. That’s why he accepted her.
“Even though I offer you my heart and body, I’m not asking you to accept me as your woman. I just want to give myself to the man I love. I expect nothing more.”
Watching her maintain her pride even now, Yong Hwarin made up his mind.
How could he coldly reject someone who had steeled herself so thoroughly?
No matter how strong she was, Mo Biyoung was still a woman. Surely, she had agonized over this decision countless times.
Yong Hwarin couldn’t bear to treat her feelings with cold indifference.
He brought his lips to hers.
From that moment, steam rose and veiled their figures.
*
Yang Gwak was furious.
His plans had run into unexpected complications. And there was a clear reason for it.
The Great Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect had appeared out of nowhere.
“Damn it, I didn’t think the Sect’s Great Young Master actually existed. The elders told me he wouldn’t become the successor, so I was at ease...”
Just as he was about to issue orders to attack the Heavenly Central Sect, the Great Young Master had arrived, preventing any movement.
It might have been understandable if it was just the Great Young Master—but the First Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Han Domeong, had also come with him, leaving him completely stuck.
Originally, Yang Gwak had planned to attack the Heavenly Central Sect with his subordinates and the Dabie Sect alliance.
The Dabie Sect alliance was probably waiting for him even now, but he was stuck wasting time here.
‘Should I just explain my plan and ask for help?’
Yang Gwak shook his head immediately.
‘No. If I act on my own, that elder will never let me off.’
Mulling it over, he stepped into the residence of the Great Young Master.
As he entered, Yang Gwak immediately sensed sharp killing intent aimed at him.
Five people blocked the entrance, while others hid in the surroundings.
‘Don’t tell me... all the Twelve Masters of the Absolute Peak Swords have been mobilized?’
The Twelve Masters of the Absolute Peak Swords were prodigies raised by the Heavenly Demon Sect from childhood with countless spiritual medicines.
They became supreme masters by forcibly expanding their meridians and severing the nerves responsible for pain. By erasing all emotion, they focused solely on martial arts and advanced far faster than others.
This was how the Absolute Peak Swords were born—unafraid, unshaken.
After training hundreds of prodigies, the best among them were selected to form this elite unit.
The Twelve Masters of the Absolute Peak Swords were directly under the command of the First Heavenly Prince and only moved under his orders.
For them to be here now meant that the actions of the Great Young Master and the First Elder were of tremendous importance.
“First Elder, I’ve come as summoned.”
“Good. Come in.”
Yang Gwak entered the room, greeted First Elder Han Domeong, and bowed his head toward a young man.
“I greet the Great Young Master.”
It was his first time seeing the Great Young Master in person.
He had always been in isolated training and had never shown his face until now.
They had endured countless near-death training sessions to rise to their current positions, yet the Great Young Master was sitting in the seat of privilege simply by undertaking closed-door training. That alone didn’t sit well with them.
“Young Master Il, you don’t seem to like me? Well, if I were you, I’d feel the same. How absurd it must be to have someone superior fall from the sky out of nowhere. But if you think you can surpass me, feel free to prove it. As you know, in our Sect, strength is justice.”
Yang Gwak avoided responding to that and turned to ask the First Elder,
“Do you have orders for me?”
“Yes. I wished to inform you that this matter shall be entrusted to the Great Young Master.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m referring to the upcoming assault on the Heavenly Central Sect.”
“What?”
First Elder Han Domeong called toward the door.
“Come in.”
From outside, Mak Gyo, Yang Gwak’s advisor and strategist, entered.
“I’ve heard everything from Strategist Mak. So, from here on, Young Master Il, you will assist the Great Young Master.”
Yang Gwak looked toward Mak Gyo.
The First Elder, noticing Yang Gwak’s reaction, said,
“Strategist Mak has also agreed to support the Great Young Master. Don’t be too disheartened. This was done to ensure the success of the plan. You didn’t seriously think you could accomplish this alone, did you? Frankly, this plan is reckless, and if the First or Second Heavenly Prince found out, you’d be harshly reprimanded. But if the Great Young Master leads, things change.”
Yang Gwak was so stunned, he couldn’t even laugh.
Mak Gyo’s bow toward him made the situation clear. But Yang Gwak wasn’t the sort to reveal his true feelings in a setting like this.
He was also clever enough to turn this to his advantage.
“If the First Elder and the Great Young Master are both involved, of course I must assist you. In fact, I’m grateful that you two are taking the lead.”
“Is that so?”
The First Elder observed Yang Gwak’s demeanor.
“The Dabie Sect alliance is supposed to gather at Mount Seopyeong, yes?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Mount Seopyeong was a small mountain located about a hundred li from Mount Tianzhong.
“Then let’s head there.”
“Understood.”
Yang Gwak couldn’t grasp why the Great Young Master was stepping forward in the assault on the Heavenly Central Sect.
‘Is it to earn merit?’
That was plausible. The Great Young Master hadn’t achieved anything yet. Perhaps he wanted to prove himself to the First and Second Heavenly Princes by earning credit.
But if that meant stealing what was his, that changed things.
Before heading to Mount Seopyeong, Yang Gwak returned to his quarters, followed by Eum Sajeok.
“How could this happen? You were the one who planned and oversaw every detail of this operation, yet this so-called Great Young Master appears out of nowhere and snatches it all away?”
Already furious, Yang Gwak burst out in anger as Eum Sajeok added fuel to the fire.
“Enough!”
Eum Sajeok smiled inwardly and spoke.
“In any case, I will always stand with you, Senior Brother. You’ve looked after me more than anyone, and we’ve shared life and death together. I will follow you. Just let me know if you need anything.”
Eum Sajeok had made up his mind to drive a wedge between the Great Young Master and Yang Gwak. His aim was to sow discord and eliminate both.
“You really support me?”
“Of course. In our Sect, only the strong are worthy of succession. I don’t acknowledge this Great Young Master. You’re the most suitable heir.”
Yang Gwak grasped Eum Sajeok’s hand, touched by his earnest tone.
“I never knew you thought of me that way.”
“Though we’ve fought as rival successors, we’re still martial brothers. But what is the Great Young Master to us? Have we shared even a shred of camaraderie with him? He just appeared one day claiming he’s the heir. It’s absurd.”
“You’re right. That’s true.”
Yang Gwak was swayed by Eum Sajeok’s words.
“For now, we need to observe what the Great Young Master is thinking and how he moves. We must feign loyalty so we can strike when the time is right.”
“With you by my side, it’s like gaining a thousand troops.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll support you.”
“Thank you.”
Yang Gwak shook Eum Sajeok’s hand with joy.
Eum Sajeok was a brilliant prodigy.
Skilled in strategy and martial arts alike.
Yang Gwak had felt the absence of Mak Gyo, who had been his advisor until now. But if his martial brother—someone as capable as Mak Gyo—was willing to help, then Yang Gwak believed he could surpass the Great Young Master and become the heir.
But the one controlling Eum Sajeok now was the Demonic Master.
The Demonic Master, having already lived through a past life, knew who the Great Young Master truly was. To provoke Yang Gwak further, he let slip a calculated remark.
“Senior Brother, to be honest, I investigated the Great Young Master a long time ago. I was always curious why you, our Senior Brother, were called Young Master Il.”
“You did?”
Yang Gwak had no reason to doubt him. Eum Sajeok was the type who would thoroughly investigate the strengths and weaknesses of all their martial brothers.
“So, while I can’t say it’s absolutely certain, I did uncover one thing.”
“Who is the Great Young Master?”
“Don’t be shocked. He’s the son of First Master.”
“What!?”
Yang Gwak had never even considered that possibility. He had assumed the Great Young Master was simply another talented disciple of a demonic sect like themselves.
“He was raised in closed-door training, learning all the secret techniques of First Master. They say he’s even mastered those of Second Master as well.”
Yang Gwak clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
“Then what does that make us? All this time we’ve struggled and fought to become the successor, and for what?”
“They were just grooming us to become the Great Young Master’s limbs.”
“So the successor was already chosen from the start.”
“Exactly. That’s why I want to help you.”
Eum Sajeok, who had been under suspicion, had now completely won Yang Gwak to his side.
“Look at Mak Gyo. He used to be a strategist fully devoted to making you the successor. But the moment the Great Young Master appeared, he switched sides. What do you think that means?”
“You’re right. Thinking about it that way, everything starts to make sense. Stay close to me on the way to Mount Seopyeong. Let’s clear up all the bitterness we’ve had between us.”
“Of course.”
Eum Sajeok responded with a bow, nodding in agreement. The Demonic Master within him was now behaving just like one of Yang Gwak’s subordinates.
From that moment on, the minds of Eum Sajeok and Yang Gwak began to race at high speed.