The Birth of Morning, The Death of Night (4)
The wedding of Gal Saryang and Ban Seojeong took place.
Gal Saryang hesitated and struggled until the very end, but Baekpyo and I kept persuading him. Ultimately, it was Ban Seojeong who made him decide.
Once she made up her mind, she never wavered.
“If you refuse, I’ll live alone forever.”
“There are other good people out there.”
“Perhaps, but maybe not. Isn’t it human nature to seek happiness in the moment and do our best?”
“I’m much older than you, Ban Hoiju.”
“You once said age doesn’t matter.”
“That was meant differently.”
“Your heart is younger than anyone’s, isn’t it?”
“You might regret it.”
“If I do, then I’ll deal with it. I don’t think it’s possible to live a life without regrets. That’s arrogance, isn’t it? I believe everyone lives with regrets.”
“Ban Hoiju!”
“I don’t think this is the time to count our years or worry about future misfortunes that haven’t come. What we need now is courage. The courage to protect our feelings in this very moment.”
It was those final words that made Gal Saryang decide. He later told me with a sheepish smile that it was the bravest decision of his life. Even facing the Heavenly Demons and planning strategies didn’t make him this nervous.
The wedding was a simple affair. Ban Seojeong, understanding Gal Saryang’s feelings, suggested they keep it modest.
Only their closest friends were invited. Had it been a formal event, thousands would have attended, but there were fewer than twenty guests that day.
A few distinguished guests from the Heavenly Net Society and some high-ranking members of the Martial Alliance were invited.
People were shocked when they heard about the wedding. It was something no one had expected.
But in hindsight, no one suited each other better. They had worked in the same field for a long time.
As we watched the ceremony, Song Hwarin commented to me.
“They look truly happy.”
“They do.”
“I’m really glad for them.”
I genuinely wished for their happiness.
And from this event, I learned something for sure.
To be happy, one must be brave.
“Drinking again, I see.”
Despite the woman’s voice from behind, the Dark Master didn’t turn his head. He finished the remaining drink and poured himself another.
“Care for a drink?”
“I don’t rely on alcohol just because things are tough.”
The Dark Master chuckled at her jab and emptied his glass.
The woman walked up to him.
“We’ve made progress in the Great Technique research. At this rate, we can create something stronger than the Heavenly King Army.”
The Dark Master replied to her words.
“It’s useless. No matter how much we struggle, we can’t beat him. If we grow twice as strong, he’ll become ten times stronger.”
“You’re still stuck in defeatism.”
“Whether I’m a defeatist or not, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a lost battle. Just live quietly and hope for the future.”
The woman’s expression turned cold. The Dark Master realized his mistake. They had no children, and she always regretted that. His mention of future generations had struck a nerve.
He quickly changed the subject.
“He’s a man sent by the heavens. We can’t win.”
“Yes, the heavens have always been on their side.”
“As long as you can’t escape that mindset, you’ll never defeat him.”
“What mindset?”
“I’ve never seen the heavens take anyone’s side. If the heavens were on their side, neither you nor I would be alive today. Not just us, but there are countless villains running rampant in the world. We didn’t lose a battle of good versus evil; we lost because we were weak. Somewhere, a stronger evil is trampling over good.”
The woman looked angry but couldn’t refute him.
“Yet, you believe in money, don’t you?”
“Yes. Money is the only thing that can put an end to these outdated dichotomies of good and evil, light and darkness. The belief that money is the strongest force in the world will never change.”
“Hmph! If he’s taken your money too, then the strong have only gotten stronger.”
“That’s exactly my point. So give up. If we lie low and build our strength, someday someone from the shadows will rise to take over the world. Of course, after Byukridan dies of old age.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give up.”
“Then instead of blaming the heavens, consider this.”
“What is it?”
“Why would the heavens grant him such power?”
The woman couldn’t answer. She had never considered this before.
The Dark Master continued.
“In the history of the martial world, whenever someone extraordinary emerged, there was always something to counterbalance them. Most of the time, it was a great villain threatening to destroy the martial world. Could it be you? Or me?”
Though he posed the question, his self-deprecating tone implied he didn’t believe it was them.
Instead of answering, the woman asked.
“So, what do you think?”
Though he was a man obsessed with money, he was also incredibly intelligent. It was one of the reasons she had married him.
“I’ve been thinking over drinks these past few months. Where did it all go wrong? Why have things come to this? Why was such an unbelievable person born? What are they meant to stop?”
“And what’s your answer?”
The Dark Master calmly replied as he refilled his glass.
“Cheonran.”
The unexpected answer startled the woman.
“Cheonran?”
“You know what it is, right?”
“Yes.”
“No, we know nothing. All we know is that it’s a mysterious artifact made from a secret manual stolen by Cheonbomyung, the father of the Heavenly King Army. We don’t even know where Cheonran is now.”
The Dark Master looked up at her.
“Whose secret manual was it? Something so important and powerful was stolen? Do you really believe that?”
The woman spoke with a trembling voice.
“Are you saying all of this was predestined?”
The Dark Master sighed lightly.
“I don’t know. It’s just something I thought of while drinking. All I know is that we’re all going to die anyway.”
As he reached for his glass, the woman grabbed it first and drank.
Thud.
She set the glass down and walked out.
When the Dark Master picked up the bottle to pour more, it was empty. It had been the last glass.
He smiled faintly.
“At least I gave you a drink before we die.”
Gush.
People witnessing the scene would think:
“Can so much blood really come out of a human body?”
“Why kill someone so brutally?”
But looking around, they wouldn’t even have time for such thoughts.
Corpses were strewn everywhere, and the blood they spilled reached up to the ankles. It was a truly horrific sight.
In the midst of it all stood a woman. It was Cheon Soseon.
Thud.
A man, stabbed in the heart and spewing blood, fell forward, adding to the pool on the ground.
Cheon Soseon spread her arms wide, as if to embrace the energy of nature.
The blood pooled on the ground began to bubble and rise like steam.
Swoosh.
The blood rose and was absorbed into Cheon Soseon’s body.
Once all the pooled blood was absorbed, the remaining blood in the corpses began to drain out. The bodies, drained of all blood, shriveled into mummies.
After absorbing all the blood, her eyes turned a fiery red before returning to normal.
Watching from outside was Yang Sahwi.
In the past five months, Cheon Soseon had reached the eighth level of the Bloodline Secret Art. It was the same level the Blood Empress had once achieved.
Her immense internal power and martial skills, combined with her unique constitution, made this miraculous achievement possible.
But there was a problem. The rapid learning had side effects, and Cheon Soseon began craving blood. Initially, she killed one or two people every few days to absorb their blood, but now she needed to kill dozens at a time. Without absorbing blood, she became increasingly agitated and frenzied.
Yang Sahwi selected targets to kidnap and personally disposed of the bodies.
‘At this rate, we might have to wipe out an entire village someday.’
But there was no choice. They had to achieve mastery of the Bloodline Secret Art at any cost.
Yang Sahwi crushed the mummified bodies into dust as he swept through the house.
Meanwhile, Cheon Soseon sat on a carriage in the yard, waiting for Yang Sahwi to come out.
After disposing of the bodies, Yang Sahwi emerged, and Cheon Soseon spoke calmly.
”…I need more blood.”
It wasn’t a statement made in a state of madness. Cheon Soseon was fully conscious, making her words all the more chilling.
Yang Sahwi looked at her and said.
“Alright, I’ll get you more.”
“Thank you.”
Cheon Soseon climbed into the carriage. Inside lay Cheonran.
As she lay down, Yang Sahwi closed the Cheonran and said.
“Even if it means exterminating all martial artists, you must achieve mastery.”
The Cheonran closed, and inside, Cheon Soseon fell silent as if asleep.
Yang Sahwi drove the carriage away.
In the now deserted place, a breeze scattered the bone dust of those who could no longer be identified.
Gal Saryang insisted on staying, but I insisted on sending him on his honeymoon. The destination was a closely guarded secret, and Baekpyo and the Black Tiger Squad were in charge of security.
He needed a break, and he deserved to enjoy his first and last honeymoon.
When I found Im Yeonjeong that afternoon, she was hard at work, sweat glistening on her brow. Her lab was bustling with energy.
There was hardly any need to ask.
“How’s the research coming along?”
“I’m working hard,” she replied, her expression revealing the progress she had made since the beginning.
“How long do you think it will take?”
“The main ritual could be done by tomorrow, but soul transference is unpredictable. I’m studying diligently to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
“I’m sorry to trouble you with this.”
“Not at all. Thanks to you, my skills are growing rapidly. Now, tell me, whose soul are we transferring and to whom?”
She understood how crucial this soul transference was for me, which is why she was putting in so much effort.
It was time to tell her.
“It’s me.”
“What did you say?”
“To be precise, there’s another soul residing in my body. I plan to transfer it to someone else.”
“Oh my goodness!”
She was taken aback.
I had decided to extract the Heavenly Demon from my body without harming him. I had resolved not to worry about the outcome. This decision stemmed from my trust in him, but it had moved beyond a matter of trust. I was determined to set him free.
“So that’s why you’ve been communicating telepathically.”
“Exactly. I don’t want him to know just yet.”
Even if the Heavenly Demon refused, I would persuade him.
“Whose body are you planning to transfer the soul into?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Transferring a soul means the original soul in the new body will vanish—essentially, the body must be one that is already dying.
I asked her, “Are there any specific conditions for the new body?”
“The healthier, the better. If the soul in your body was strong in martial arts, the new body should also be physically capable. A significant disparity in abilities can cause the transferred soul to feel disoriented.”
“I understand. I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
“Don’t worry.”
As I left Im Yeonjeong’s lab, the Heavenly Demon spoke to me.
[What are you plotting?]
[What do you mean?]
[Why do you keep talking to her telepathically? Do you think I wouldn’t notice? Are you… cheating on me?]
There was a moment of tension between us.
Had he figured out my plan?
He asked suspiciously, [Are you having an affair?]
[Ha!]
[Laughing it off is suspicious. You rascal, you shouldn’t do that!]
[Hahaha.]
Whether he was pretending not to know or genuinely suspicious, I couldn’t tell. Regardless, the day was approaching, with or without his consent.
Now, only one task remained.
Finding a new body for the Heavenly Demon.
Whose body should it be?