Chapter 84 : Chapter 84
Chapter 084. End of the Dragon (2)
“It is the Black Dragon's Reverse Scale.”
Reverse Scale.
It is a scale growing in reverse in the middle of a dragon's neck.
Almost the only weakness for a dragon, commonly known as an immortal being.
However, now that even the existence of dragons is treated as a legend, the Reverse Scale was closer to a rare object appearing only in old miscellaneous books.
“Are you saying this is that Reverse Scale?”
Dam Jeok-san asked back with a surprised face.
Almost no information about the Reverse Scale is passed down to the present world. Unless one is a sorcerer studying ancient spiritual creatures with great interest, most only know that such a thing exists.
But Dam Jeok-san was a little different. When he lost his dantian, he investigated not only cultivation methods including the Prajna Heart Technique but also all kinds of spiritual elixirs and rare herbs. Without caring whether they actually existed or not.
The story about the Reverse Scale was particularly impressive among them.
This is widely known like a folktale even among the public. That it is the dragon's only weakness. However, the book Dam Jeok-san read presented a completely different perspective.
―I heard that sorcerers of the time regard the Reverse Scale merely as a weakness that can cut the lifeline of the dragon kind.
However, this is a mistake committed by those living in an era where the lineage of Divine Beasts has been severed. The Reverse Scale is the source of the power possessed by the dragon kind and its darling. Therefore, a dragon kind that loses the Reverse Scale has no choice but to lose vitality and die. If by any chance there is someone in this era who achieves the great feat of slaying a dragon, keep in mind. The Reverse Scale is as precious as the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel.
He could know the moment he saw the Reverse Scale. That the words of the author, whose exact alias he didn't remember whether it was Man-bak-ja or Man-tong-ja, were true.
That dark scale contained power that Dam Jeok-san found hard to fully fathom. The shoulder guard and chest armor he received from her were also worthy of being called rare items, but that Reverse Scale was on a completely different level.
“Then it's the Reverse Scale, what else would it be? Seeing you speak, you seem to know quite a bit about the Reverse Scale. Most oral traditions would have been severed these days.”
Dark Heaven said with a slightly admiring air.
“Yes, when I lost my dantian, I searched through all kinds of books with the feeling of grasping at straws. It was said to be the source of the dragon's power, a priceless treasure comparable to the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel.”
“Surprising. That such accurate information remains in a book written by a human. No, no, perhaps the author might not be human... Well, arguing about that now has no meaning. You are right, Squad Leader. The Reverse Scale is a very precious item.”
Dark Heaven revealed a complicated feeling and said.
“First, I'll make one thing clear. The Reverse Scale falling off means that the Black Dragon's life has reached its end.”
“......!”
At those words, shock crossed Dam Jeok-san's face. Dark Heaven is the Black Dragon's other half and an existence subordinate to him. It is unknown how the Black Dragon's death will affect her.
“Do not worry too much. Although it became a bit difficult to use powerful sorcery like before, it is not yet time to completely disappear.”
Dark Heaven, now in the appearance of a mature woman, said with a strangely sorrowful smile. Although she has lived a long life that humans can hardly guess, she could not be detached in front of death.
“Look.”
Dark Heaven waved her hand, erasing the sorrow that briefly crossed her face. For a moment, her knuckles turned translucent and then returned. It was proof that as the main body disappears, the power holding Dark Heaven to the present world is gradually fading.
The moment Dam Jeok-san looked at her with a strangely bitter gaze―
“There is no need to look at me like that. If not for you, I would have become a puppet of the Yin God Cult and lived an unwanted eternal life.”
It is better to die cleanly than to plunge the world into misery. Because she thought so, she requested Dam Jeok-san in advance. To kill her if things didn't work out.
The reason she handed him the Reverse Scale was the same. Because he prevented her from meeting the end she feared most. No matter what anyone says, the number one contributor who stopped Wi Cheon-rak's conspiracy was Dam Jeok-san.
“I understand what you wish to say, Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.”
Dam Jeok-san answered, gripping the Reverse Scale he received from her. Dark Heaven's disappearance is an irresistible providence and an undeniable Heaven's Mandate. Probably even a sorcerer discussed as the best of all time wouldn't be able to prevent her disappearance.
“Then... what should I do with this Reverse Scale?”
Dam Jeok-san asked, looking straight into her eyes. With an upright gaze without pity or sadness.
He did not think of this as a simple gift or favor. She said the Reverse Scale is the dragon's source and darling. When accepting such a thing, one must be prepared to inherit a legacy of that magnitude.
“Ha, hearing that I will disappear forever, you are already thinking only of using it.”
“.......”
“It's a joke.”
“I know.”
“Cheeky fellow. A fledgling who hasn't even lived thirty years trying to outsmart me.”
“Since you have lived for over a thousand years, can't you just lose a bit to this distant junior?”
“Even that three-inch tongue is as sharp as a blade. Well, fine. I will explain. That Reverse Scale is... hmm, I should call it a minimal countermeasure prepared for just in case.”
Dark Heaven said pointing at the dark scale held in Dam Jeok-san's hand.
“...What do you mean by that?”
“A very high-level magic array is engraved on that scale. If your life is in danger, split the scale in half without hesitation.”
Dark Heaven began to explain about the Reverse Scale calmly.
“Although I am in this state, if that scale is split, I can go right in front of you no matter where you are or what situation you are in.”
Teleportation of space. An art practically lost even in the Mount Mao Sect or Ming Cult, known as the head families of sorcery. Although rumors were occasionally heard that the Ming Cult Leader traverses tens of thousands of li in a single breath, the Martial Sovereign Castle Intelligence Department had not grasped anything clearly either.
However, the Reverse Scale containing the dragon's source made even that ridiculous art possible.
“And if there is the power contained in that Reverse Scale, surely I can save at least you alone. No matter who the opponent is.”
Dark Heaven said with a languid smile. Dam Jeok-san felt she was faint like a phantom whose presence would soon disappear. That sensation is probably partly true. Because Dark Heaven is slowly disappearing.
'...Probably if I use the Reverse Scale, her remaining life will become drastically short.'
That is an undeniable fact. Even so, can Dam Jeok-san use the Reverse Scale for his own survival?
“Your thoughts are clearly readable. Do not hesitate if the time comes to use it. Your life is much more important to this world under heaven than my petty safety.”
World under heaven (Cheon-ha).
An idiom meaning everything under the sky. Busybodies habitually mention the world under heaven. Saying who is the best person under heaven, and who is the best sword under heaven. However, they do not properly know even the vastness of the Central Plains, let alone the world under heaven.
However, the words of the Black Dragon who might have been with the beginning of the sky carried a completely different weight. Because the world under heaven she mentions truly means all creation and all things.
“Do you really think so?”
Dam Jeok-san asked back, unable to hide his complex emotions. Is he really a person who can change the fate of the world under heaven?
“Of course. There is no dragon in the world who lies in a promise made over their own Reverse Scale.”
“...I understand.”
As Dam Jeok-san nodded, Dark Heaven smiled satisfied.
Even if the opponent is a Cardinal like the Sword Ghost or the Yin God Cult Leader, if he receives the help of the Reverse Scale, Dam Jeok-san's life at least can be saved.
She looked at Un Wol-hyang as if asking if she was satisfied.
“.......”
A lonely look hung on the Sword Venerable's face, cold as the northern wind and snow.
She understood Dark Heaven's choice. Because she would have done the same. But understanding doesn't mean there is no sadness.
Several northern martial artists including Severing Sword Squad Leader Lee Myeong-gi and Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander Dark Heaven were very special people to her too.
“Dark Heaven, thank you.”
Un Wol-hyang swallowed a sigh and opened her mouth. She knows that she had an influence on Dark Heaven's choice. If she hadn't cherished Dam Jeok-san terribly as if he were her own child, she might not have given up even the Reverse Scale.
'You said you hoped I wouldn't lose anything anymore.'
That was already over ten years ago.
The story of when she defeated Dark Heaven and became the head of the Martial Sovereign Castle's Northern Branch.
― You chewed on the sense of loss and loneliness so much, and finally became the Sword Venerable, congratulations. But Hyang... If you wish to become a Sword God, you must keep in mind. The fact that the path forward might be in the warmth you turned away from.
After that day, Dark Heaven stepped down from the Branch Manager position and became the Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander, and began to treat Un Wol-hyang with utmost politeness.
The Northern Heaven Sword Venerable did not let those words go in one ear and out the other. However, she never understood the true meaning either.
The sense of loss of losing her Senior Brothers whom she regarded as blood relatives to the hands of the Eldest Senior Brother, the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
And it is true that she became the Sword Venerable after chewing on the loneliness that she had become eternally estranged from the Castle Lord.
But what is warmth? She could only vaguely realize it after meeting Dam Jeok-san again. The boy who gave courage to live again to her who couldn't find the meaning of life.
When that boy returned as an adult harboring a great ambition, Un Wol-hyang thought she wanted to protect that dream.
Perhaps that heart might be the stepping stone for her to advance to the next level.
Like this, Dark Heaven understood human circumstances and feelings better than anyone even though she was not human.
Un Wol-hyang sighed and clapped her hands together.
“Everyone assemble. Identify the dead and wounded, and organize the ranks. Do not forget that this is still the middle of enemy territory. Afterwards, return to the Branch as quickly as possible.”
When they return, they will be able to see the Sword Addict and Blood Death Lord again. And that high-nosed dog of the Imperial Family... no, she will see the General again after a long time.
'His expression will be worth seeing.'
He is a crazy old man who fairly ignores the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, and even the Martial Sovereign Castle, unless it is the Imperial Family. But even he won't be able to act stiff in front of the great achievement of stopping the Black Dragon's corruption and cutting the Cardinal. Because this is something even the Emperor will step up to commend.
'It will be a triumphal march after a long time.'
The protagonist of that will be her Martial Nephew, not herself. Un Wol-hyang found that point most pleasant.
* * *
“Worm-like things are swarming persistently.”
An old woman with white hair grown down to her waist frowned, shaking off the blood on her crescent blade.
The old woman is the General of the North and at the same time a martial artist who reached the Entering Transformation Realm. A state where she can feel what is happening in the sand hell of the north with her skin without bothering to hear a report. She wants to run to the desert right away, but she couldn't break through the swarming monsters at all.
'If I use my domain...'
It might be possible.
But even if she breaks through the encirclement alone like that, it wouldn't mean much. When she reaches the desert, she will already be in a state difficult to continue combat.
Moreover, the army isolated in the midst of monsters having lost its commander will suffer devastating damage.
What she can do in the end is only wait for the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable and those Martial Sovereign Castle ruffian nobodies.
'Always like this.'
While the Imperial Army takes on the dirty work, a few super masters of the Martial Sovereign Castle solve the incident and hog the honor.
It is something she has seen countless times while dedicating herself to the military for over half a century.
How much time passed like that? General Jin-ryeo could feel instinctively. That the climate was changing. No, the word climate is too mild. The heavenly secrets were transforming.
“Don't tell me... those ruffians succeeded?”
She hates the Martial Sovereign Castle. No, rather than hate, the word loathe might be more correct.
However, this is a matter where the fate of north of the Yangtze River beyond the north hangs. Their success deserved to be commended properly.
Not long after the heavenly secrets changed, the monsters attacking with abnormal aggression also scattered, and Jin-ryeo returned to the military camp.
And the first missive she received upon returning to the camp...
― I humbly report to the General of the North, Duke Jin. The Sword Venerable of the Martial Sovereign Castle is leading a flashy triumphal procession unsuitable for a Gangho ruffian's station towards their base.
Even at the head is the young thing called Sword Dragon in the past, and ridiculous stories are circulating that he slaughtered the Cardinal.
It contained shocking content.
“Ha.”
A colder than ever sneer hung on Jin-ryeo's wrinkled lips.
Their behavior all this while could be passed over moderately. Separate from the personal feelings she possesses, it is true that His Majesty is using the Martial Sovereign Castle usefully.
But this crossed the line. How dare they create a fake hero.
Even she, who has no interest in Gangho history, knows the fact that the Sword Dragon lost his dantian and fell. Yet suddenly he becomes a hero?
'I'm just dumbfounded.'
As a result of asking around through subordinates, it seemed he recovered his martial prowess a little somehow, but there is no way he could establish such war merits.
I don't know for what reason they are trying to make that blood clot a hero. No, I don't even want to know. Surely it happened while fighting over interests among themselves.
'Since it caught my eye, I won't just let it pass.'
I will thoroughly verify the vessel and skill of the fledgling called Dam Jeok-san or whatever, and expose his shabby reality.