The Legend of the Radiant Star (2)
Upon hearing the news of Cheonwang-gun’s death, Ma Cheol-gun rushed to the ruined Mengju Hall.
The place was in complete ruins.
“What on earth happened here?”
A warrior from the Mengho Clan, who was standing guard, stepped forward to report.
“Cheonwang-gun was defeated by an unknown individual.”
“Who did he fight against?”
“It was a young man, but we couldn’t identify him.”
In truth, Byeok Lidan had once entered the Justice Pavilion of the Martial Alliance. However, it was unlikely that the Mengho Clan warriors would remember him. Even if someone did recognize him, the battle took place in the sky and from such a distance that identifying him as Byeok Lidan was impossible. Even up close, they would have thought he resembled someone else. No one would have imagined a newcomer could display such prowess.
“Are you sure he’s really dead?”
“Yes, we saw it with our own eyes.”
“And the body?”
“It was shattered into pieces beyond recovery.”
”…I can’t believe it.”
It was hard to fathom that someone could reduce the fearsome Cheonwang-gun to pieces. Yet, Ma Cheol-gun was soon overwhelmed with joy at being freed from Cheonwang-gun’s shadow.
“Hahaha!”
How he had longed for this moment!
‘Yes, of course.’
The heavens had destined him to rise to the position of the Martial Alliance leader. He was not meant to lose his place to a monster like Cheonwang-gun.
Then, a thought struck him.
“What about the woman who came with him? Surely she isn’t dead too?”
“No, she isn’t. Her whereabouts have been unknown since the incident.”
Relieved that she was safe, Ma Cheol-gun felt a pang of anxiety. He worried he might never see her again, just as he hadn’t for some time.
Moreover, there was another concern.
The core members of the Martial Alliance, including himself, had their energy centers suppressed. The problem was that Cheonwang-gun was the one who had done it, using a unique method that no one else could undo.
Typically, if you didn’t know the specific method, a more skilled person could release the suppression.
But was there anyone more skilled than Cheonwang-gun?
Ah, there was one person—the mysterious man who killed Cheonwang-gun. Could they find him?
‘We’ll figure something out.’
He ordered his subordinate.
“Gather all the leaders.”
The subordinate hesitated.
“Where should they gather?”
Realizing his mistake, Ma Cheol-gun turned around, looking at the ruins of the Mengju Hall, and shouted irritably.
“Tell them to gather anywhere!”
Two days passed since Cheonwang-gun’s death, and still, there was no word from Cheon So-seon.
“It seems Cheon So-seon has left Hubei.”
I nodded silently at Galsaryang’s report. Given the suspicious circumstances in the underground chamber that day, it wasn’t surprising. Something must have happened to him.
“What is the current state of the Martial Alliance?”
“Ma Cheol-gun is trying to regain control, but it doesn’t seem easy.”
“Why not?”
“There’s open talk within the alliance that Ma Cheol-gun should step down as leader.”
It was only natural. Even if it was beyond his control, losing the Martial Alliance was unacceptable. The process was too feeble and disappointing. They didn’t even put up a proper fight; everyone surrendered to Cheonwang-gun without a word.
“Moreover, Ma Cheol-gun and the key leaders have had their internal energy suppressed. This fact is causing further backlash.”
“Keep a close watch on the Martial Alliance. You never know what a cornered man might do.”
“Understood.”
As Galsaryang turned to leave, he paused and spoke again.
“There’s a suggestion circulating within the alliance. Some say the person who killed Cheonwang-gun should become the leader.”
“That’s absurd.”
“That’s why I didn’t mention it…”
Galsaryang trailed off, and I guessed his intention, smiling as I replied.
“Hahaha. Byeok Lidan is still in his twenties.”
“You were the youngest leader when you led the alliance before.”
“And now I’m even younger.”
“Age isn’t the issue. For the sake of the Martial Alliance and the martial world, it’s worth considering.”
“It’s impossible. Even if it were possible, it’s not what I want.”
I remembered attending Ma Cheol-gun’s inauguration with Song Hwa-rin and Gwangdu. At that time, Song Hwa-rin had asked me, “Do you have ambitions to become the leader?”
I had surprised them by saying yes, though I hadn’t meant it. I had thought that if I needed the power of the Martial Alliance to eliminate my enemies, I might have to take the leader’s seat.
A storm was brewing, one that would sweep through the Martial Alliance leadership.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
Cheon So-seon’s question made the man pause with his chopsticks.
“What do you mean?”
“What if I decide to kill you? You sleep so soundly, even snoring.”
It had been three days since they set off together, heading north. Cheon So-seon no longer asked where they were going.
“Don’t you need a motive to want to kill someone? I don’t think you have a reason to want me dead. In fact, you should be protecting me.”
“Protect you? Why?”
“Do you know where you’re supposed to go next?”
“You haven’t told me, so I don’t know. But I could just go back the way I came, couldn’t I?”
“That’s not the path I’m talking about.”
Cheon So-seon flinched. It wasn’t a physical path but a question of what he should do next.
Cheonwang-gun was dead, and he had learned about Byeok Lidan through the man. Without him, he wouldn’t have known about the Dark God or the Blood God.
Cheon So-seon sighed.
“I don’t know where to go.”
The man resumed eating.
“Then you still have no reason to kill me.”
Ten days later, they arrived at a snow-covered mountain, where a blizzard raged.
“It’s freezing.”
“This place is covered in snow all year round.”
“I could never live here.”
“If you have to, you will.”
“Still, I don’t like it.”
Their carriage arrived at a secluded mountain lodge.
Baekhwa Manor.
A man in white came out to greet them, matching the name of the manor.
“Welcome back.”
“Thanks to you, the journey went well. No issues?”
“None at all.”
Cheon So-seon was startled.
“What? You?”
The man who greeted them looked familiar.
“You remember me. It’s been a while, young master.”
“How did you end up here?”
In the past, men in white had protected them. But when he hid with his grandfather, they all disappeared. Later, he heard they had gone to the Dark God.
Cheon So-seon looked at the man.
“These people originally came from here.”
“Ah!”
Indeed, as they entered the house, all the servants wore white. They were the same people who had once served him.
Now, they treated him as a guest. Back then, he hadn’t thought much about their matching white attire.
“Damn. What have I been seeing all this time?”
“Hahaha.”
The man laughed at Cheon So-seon’s self-reproach.
Guided by the servants, they entered the building.
From the outside, it seemed like an ordinary manor, but inside, it was lavishly decorated, the epitome of luxury.
The man took the seat of honor.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well…”
“Were you expecting someone to be waiting here?”
“Yes.”
“I’m the only one here.”
Cheon So-seon looked at the man. It was the first time he felt the man’s words didn’t match his demeanor. The man he had come to know seemed far from loneliness.
“You must be tired from the long journey. Go rest.”
“I’m not tired.”
“But I am.”
“Alright.”
Cheon So-seon followed a servant to a guest room.
“Rest well.”
“Wait.”
He called out to the servant about to leave.
“Do you need anything?”
“Do you have any alcohol?”
“Yes. Is there a particular kind you want?”
“Something strong.”
“Of course.”
The servant soon returned with alcohol. The drink was excellent, and the accompanying dishes were so delicious they were almost awe-inspiring. This alone spoke volumes about the manor’s status.
Cheon So-seon drank while watching the snow fall outside the window.
He felt a twinge of fear about the fate that awaited him.
The next day, Cheon So-seon followed the man to a large building in the manor’s rear garden.
Inside was a grand hall filled with numerous statues.
The moment he saw the largest statue in the center, Cheon So-seon knew it was the Blood God. It was terrifying just to look at.
Smaller statues lined the walls, representing those who had worshipped and followed the Blood God. The man and Cheon So-seon stopped in front of one particular statue.
It was the statue of the Blood Empress, Ju Hee-so.
The figure that the Blood Merchants had once revered was none other than this Blood Empress.
After a moment of contemplation, the man spoke words he had never shared before.
“The Blood Empress had a daughter. She was my grandmother. The Blood Empress is my great-grandmother.”
It was a shocking revelation. The man was a direct descendant of the Blood Empress. Finally, he revealed his name.
“My name is Yang Sa-hwi.”
Cheon So-seon finally understood why the man had sought to summon the Blood God. He had inherited the blood of the Blood Empress, a devout follower of the Blood God.
“Among the dark forces you’ve allied with, there was someone on our side.”
“Who was it?”
“The blood merchant. But there’s no need to worry. She’s already been killed by the Byeokridan.”
Cheon Soseon wore a somber expression.
“What’s troubling you?”
“The more I learn, the more I fear the Byeokridan, or rather, Cheon Hwa-jin.”
“Yes, he’s a terrifying man. But if the blood merchant had fully mastered the martial arts of the Blood Empress, she wouldn’t have lost.”
“She didn’t learn everything?”
“She’s a descendant of a disciple raised by the Blood Empress.”
“The Blood Empress had a disciple?”
“Of course. But while she passed all her skills to her daughter, she didn’t teach everything to her disciple.”
“She didn’t even trust her own disciple completely.”
“Exactly. Now, it’s time I tell you why I brought you here.”
Cheon Soseon tensed up, anticipation and anxiety mingling within.
Yang Sahwi spoke words that took him by surprise.
“I intend to pass on the Blood Empress’s martial arts to you.”
Cheon Soseon was taken aback.
“But the Blood Empress’s techniques are meant for a woman…”
He hesitated, then suddenly shouted, “Damn it! You mean to teach them to me, as a woman.”
“She is you, after all. You acknowledge that, don’t you?”
Yang Sahwi understood Cheon Soseon completely, knowing that deep down, he accepted his identity as a woman.
“Why me? Surely there are other women, more talented and obedient.”
Instead of answering directly, Yang Sahwi shifted the conversation.
“The Blood Empress possessed martial arts formidable enough to challenge the Demonic Cult, yet her skills were incomplete.”
“Incomplete, yet still that powerful?”
“Indeed. To master the Blood Empress’s technique, one must balance extreme yang and yin energies. Even for the Blood Empress, a martial genius, it was a daunting task. She only reached the eighth level of the technique.”
The fact that she achieved such prowess at just the eighth level spoke volumes about the technique’s potential.
“But with your unique constitution, the Yin-Yang Transforming Body, you could fully master it. You were born for this technique. What you considered a curse is actually a blessing for mastering the Blood Empress’s art.”
Cheon Soseon’s heart raced. He never imagined this was why he had been brought here.
Yang Sahwi continued, “If you master the technique, you could wipe out not only the followers of the Dark God but also the Byeokridan.”
Cheon Soseon paused, then looked at Yang Sahwi with cold determination.
“What if I decide to eliminate you as well?”
Yang Sahwi chuckled at the daunting prospect. “That’s a worry for me to handle, so leave it to me.”
Questions lingered—about Cheon Ran, about the followers of the Dark God. But Cheon Soseon knew the answers would come in time.
In a world where martial arts could be stolen, the offer of the greatest technique was not one to refuse. He was already caught in the current; it was time to surrender to the flow of fate.
Cheon Soseon extended his hand.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
Yang Sahwi grasped it firmly.
“You’ve finally found your path.”