Chapter 126 : Chapter 126
Chapter 126. Back to the North
After sheathing his sword once more, Dam Jeok-san let out a short sigh as a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
He had set out thinking it would be no more than a mission to wipe out a single Blood Palace branch.
‘Way too much happened.’
To begin with, the branch leader of the Blood Palace had been anything but easy.
Reverse-Blood Heaven Fiend.
A monster who had survived even against the Spirit River Sword Immortal, the Number One Sword of Wudang. Though fallen now, he had once completed a microcosm and reached the Entering Transformation Realm.
Through that life-and-death duel, Dam Jeok-san had gained quite a lot.
Among those gains were, of course, intangible insights—but the greatest was the increase in his accumulated qi capacity.
‘I raised the capacity of my Dantian to the point where I could attempt compression of Genuine Qi.’
Without that, he would never have dared to attempt devouring the Heaven-Transcending Blood Venerable.
And then, as if that were not enough, the Blood Palace’s third-ranked Left Protector, the Heaven-Transcending Blood Venerable himself, had appeared before them.
‘If not for the Castle Lord, I really would have died.’
The surroundings, where battles between transcendent martial artists had erupted one after another, had been reduced to a complete hellscape.
‘No… is “hellscape” even the right word?’
The terrain itself had been utterly transformed.
The Heaven-Transcending Blood Venerable’s Astral Qi techniques had carved massive craters throughout the land, and the Martial Sovereign’s Space Sword had gone one step further, cleaving an entire cliff clean in half.
It was the kind of devastation one might believe only if heavenly gods themselves had descended to fight.
‘Well, that is not exactly wrong.’
From the perspective of ordinary civilians who knew nothing of martial arts, the Martial Sovereign and the Heaven-Transcending Blood Venerable were no different from divine beings.
“Then I suppose I should return to the North.”
He would have to hurry.
There would surely be many trials to pass before formally inheriting the position of Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.
“Yes. Since this Seat has already confirmed the success of the mission, there is no need for you to return to the Castle.”
The Martial Sovereign nodded with a satisfied smile.
[And do not dig too deeply into matters concerning the Demon Emperor. That is not something you can fully bear yet.]
At the same time, the Martial Sovereign’s Telepathy pierced into Dam Jeok-san’s mind.
[Even if fortune allows you to approach the core of it, you will surely die.]
[I understand. I will always be cautious.]
Dam Jeok-san did not take the warning lightly.
At the same time, being cautious also meant he did not intend to turn away entirely.
[…Cherish your life.]
After a brief moment of hesitation, the Martial Sovereign left him with words urging him to value his life.
Dam Jeok-san’s life was no longer his alone. His future might one day sway not only the Central Plains, but the fate of the entire world.
However, the Castle Lord did not go so far as to say that aloud.
[I will.]
Dam Jeok-san raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, then replied via Telepathy.
‘What has gotten into Master?’
The Martial Sovereign certainly cared for his disciple.
But that care was not usually of such a gentle, warm sort.
One only had to look at how he had allowed Woo Seo-gwang—his eldest disciple—to die.
‘And now he is suddenly worried about my life?’
…Perhaps he had found me useful.
Dam Jeok-san came to that conclusion.
At this point, he was confident enough to estimate better-than-even odds even against an expert standing at the very edge of Ultra-Peak.
He was only twenty-five years old—still barely beyond the level of a junior generation martial artist.
It was, by any standard, a staggering achievement.
In another ten years, might he not become an expert on par with the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable?
Thinking that way, he could understand why the Martial Sovereign might worry about him.
Of course—
The Martial Sovereign was looking far further ahead than Dam Jeok-san realized.
He did not worry about Dam Jeok-san because he hoped he would become a swordsman merely comparable to the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable.
What he wanted was someone who could replace him.
No—more precisely, someone who could surpass him.
And the Martial Sovereign believed Dam Jeok-san had more than enough potential to do exactly that.
“…I feel oddly chilled.”
Seeing the Martial Sovereign’s gaze fixed on him, Dam Jeok-san shuddered for no particular reason.
“Well, Heaven-Dominating Saber Senior will be returning to the Elder Council.”
Shaking off his thoughts, he spoke again.
“And you, Young Cult Leader—what do you plan to do?”
“Hm… I should return to the West as well.”
Lesser Heavenly Demon Bukgung Wan pondered briefly, then shrugged.
“I have already carried out the orders my Cult Leader gave me… and seeing you, Sword Dragon, I think I need more cultivation.”
His voice grew complicated, as though he were swallowing a sigh.
He had often felt his own insufficiency.
When fighting for the position of Young Cult Leader of the Ming Cult, it had been the same.
If only he had been a little stronger.
A little more outstanding.
A little more ruthless.
Then he might have taken that seat more easily.
He might not have had to stain his hands with so much blood.
Those regrets—
But what he felt upon seeing Dam Jeok-san was different in kind.
At this rate, he would fall behind.
Bukgung Wan swore to himself—this was the first time he had ever felt such a sense of crisis.
‘No… it is not just a sense of crisis.’
When they first met, Dam Jeok-san had been, at best, his equal.
More precisely, he had fought evenly through superhuman combat instincts, while his actual realm lagged slightly behind.
But what about now?
Dam Jeok-san had clearly surpassed him.
He could not afford to fall behind any further.
No—he would overtake him.
This was neither reckless bravery nor excessive greed.
If one was the heir of the Ming Cult, destined to inherit the name Heavenly Demon, dreaming of becoming the strongest under heaven was only natural.
“That is why I am returning. To defeat you.”
“You have lofty dreams.”
Dam Jeok-san gave a smile that was hard to tell whether it was mocking or not.
“But tell me, Lesser Heavenly Demon. While you are growing stronger, do you think I will be standing still?”
At that question, Bukgung Wan pressed his lips shut.
The very edge of Ultra-Peak?
He was confident he could reach it.
Give him a few years—no, even just two—
But could he be certain Dam Jeok-san would still be standing in the same place two years from now?
Once he thought that far, he had nothing left to say.
“Well, still, do your best. The stronger you become, the less blood my senior sister will have to spill in the West.”
“Ha!”
Dam Jeok-san suddenly stepped forward and gave Bukgung Wan’s shoulder a few light taps. Bukgung Wan snorted in disbelief.
“Let us see whether you can say the same thing next time we meet.”
He ground his teeth as he spoke.
“That sounds worth looking forward to.”
At that offhand reply, Bukgung Wan clenched his jaw, but there was nothing he could do.
‘Even if I challenge him now, I would lose.’
[Just as I thought.]
As Bukgung Wan turned away with a sigh, the Heavenly Demon inscribed a message into his hand.
[You will have to work hard, will you not?]
Though there was no sound, the mocking tone came through vividly.
Bukgung Wan felt his anger flare, but again, there was nothing he could do.
The Heavenly Demon was far away, near the Western Demonic Realm.
‘Even if I went to him, nothing would change.’
His master—the Heavenly Demon, Cult Leader of the Ming Cult.
What could Bukgung Wan do against him? If told to kneel, he knelt.
“Is that the Heavenly Demon?”
The Martial Sovereign, who had been quietly observing, interjected.
“Yes—yes, it is.”
Bukgung Wan answered quickly, regaining his composure despite his surprise.
“Your judgment was correct. I cannot help but acknowledge it.”
The Martial Sovereign spoke cheerfully while looking at Bukgung Wan’s palm.
It was not the attitude of one admitting defeat, but of one having his victory confirmed.
[Indeed. Your disciple is a peerless genius the like of which I have never seen in my life.]
The Heavenly Demon’s words slowly engraved themselves onto Bukgung Wan’s hand, like a brand.
[However, Young Cult Leader, you are not poor material either. As this child says, next time will be different.]
But that was not all.
It seemed the Heavenly Demon still expected something from Bukgung Wan, his disciple and heir.
[So look forward to it, Young Cult Leader. When you return to the West, you will taste a hell you have never known.]
The crooked script looked as though it were laughing at him.
Moments later, the Heavenly Demon’s presence vanished completely.
“I look forward to it as well.”
Leaving those words behind while gazing at Bukgung Wan, the Martial Sovereign vanished, leaving behind only a pale afterimage.
“….”
Having inadvertently drawn the attention of two absolute beings known as the Twin Heavens of the Eight Sovereigns of Murim, Bukgung Wan sighed and departed.
“I will live up to your expectations.”
He forced those words out.
“See you again.”
Dam Jeok-san waved cheerfully toward Bukgung Wan’s retreating figure.
Soon, only two remained in the ruined battlefield: Heaven-Dominating Saber Kwon Gi-il and Dam Jeok-san.
Kwon Gi-il, who had kept his mouth shut until now, spoke as though he had been waiting for this moment.
“How about we travel to the North together?”
“Would that be all right?”
“I have just asked the Castle Lord for permission.”
They had been exchanging words nonstop, yet he had somehow sent a Telepathic message in the meantime. Dam Jeok-san realized why Kwon Gi-il had been so quiet.
‘And Master…’
It also meant he had been dealing with Kwon Gi-il while conversing casually.
Just where was his limit?
‘Well, being shocked by things like this every time would be ridiculous.’
Especially with a cliff split clean in half by Man Su-geuk right in front of them.
“I have no reason to refuse, but is there truly a reason for an Elder to travel such a long distance for my sake?”
“This journey has opened my eyes.”
Kwon Gi-il spoke as though the question were obvious.
“After reaching the Entering Transformation Realm, I had no idea where to go next. This has been a great opportunity.”
“I see.”
“And whenever I am with you, Young Master, things like this seem to happen. That is why I wish to accompany you to the North.”
Naturally, it was also so that he could intervene should a foe powerful enough to threaten Dam Jeok-san appear.
“Very well.”
Dam Jeok-san nodded without much thought.
Kwon Gi-il already seemed halfway on his side. Perhaps by the time they reached the North, he could draw him fully over.
There was no downside for him.
Thus, Dam Jeok-san once again headed toward the North.
***
The Northern Branch of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
The former residence of Dark Heaven, the previous Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.
“You have worked hard.”
A woman with flowing white hair, Dark Heaven, spoke words of praise.
Before her stood—
“….”
“….”
Two men beaten into complete ruin.
Black Panther Spear Jang Woo-ryang, and Gyeong-won, Dam Jeok-san’s personal guard.
Yet unlike their battered bodies, a sharp light burned clearly in their eyes.
“Please, Young Master, you must return.”
“Right. You need to come back and see what we look like.”
No—calling it sharp light might be generous.
It looked closer to madness.
“Just wait a little longer.”
Dark Heaven smiled gently at them. Fine wrinkles had increased on her face.
That was proof that she had lost immortality and was drawing closer to death—but she did not find that fact particularly unpleasant.
‘I have lived long enough already.’
“He will return soon.”
Feeling the presence of her reverse scale drawing steadily closer from afar, she spoke with certainty.
“He will be quite proud when he sees you.”
The achievements the Black Panther Spear and Gyeong-won had attained were remarkable—so much so that even peerless geniuses would struggle to match them.
Whatever Dam Jeok-san had learned from the Martial Sovereign, they too would not be far behind.
Both of them—and Dark Heaven herself—believed that without a doubt.