There Is No Generous Darkness (2)
The Justice Pavilion was a hive of activity.
Upon hearing the news of Ma Ryeong-in’s abduction, Galsaryang immediately put the Justice Pavilion on high alert.
Every soldier within the pavilion was bustling about, each fulfilling their assigned duties. Under each soldier were dozens of martial artists from the Justice Pavilion, and each of them managed several ordinary spies. Hundreds of carrier pigeons flew in and out daily, spreading messages across the land.
Galsaryang had an instinctive feeling that this kidnapping was not just a simple vendetta within the martial world. It was undoubtedly linked to the Dark God or the Blood God.
“Have you sent a message to the leader?”
“Yes, by now he should have received it through the Gansu branch.”
“Understood.”
Galsaryang was in communication with the Biryudan through the Justice Pavilion’s network, urging the leader to return due to Ma Ryeong-in’s abduction.
Just then, the door swung open, and someone entered.
“How have you been?”
Galsaryang jumped up from his seat, looking at the newcomer.
“Leader?”
When I entered the Justice Pavilion’s command center unannounced, everyone was taken aback.
Galsaryang greeted me with a warm smile as he approached.
“I was just about to send a message asking you to return. It’s fortunate you came this way despite the message crossing paths.”
“It didn’t cross paths.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“I received your message this morning.”
I pulled the message from my robe and handed it to Galsaryang, who confirmed it was indeed the one he sent.
“This was sent to Gansu.”
“Yes, and I received it from Gansu.”
“But didn’t you say you got it this morning?”
Both Galsaryang and the soldiers of the Justice Pavilion looked puzzled.
Then, a thought struck Galsaryang, and he was visibly shocked.
“Could it be? Did you travel from Gansu to Wuhan in half a day?”
I smiled and replied, “I made a brief stop along the way, so I was a bit delayed.”
The soldiers’ jaws dropped. They knew my martial arts were exceptional, but they hadn’t realized to what extent.
Galsaryang turned to his subordinates and said, “This is our leader.”
The soldiers erupted into applause.
“Hahaha.”
I laughed and took a seat.
“Alright, enough teasing. Let’s get back to work.”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers resumed their busy activities.
Galsaryang sat across from me.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Is it true that Ma Ryeong-in is missing?”
“Yes, he was kidnapped by an unknown master.”
“Not a staged act?”
“We don’t believe so.”
“Then it’s not the work of those I’ve been pursuing.”
I shared with Galsaryang my investigation into a village where all the residents had disappeared, suspecting the mastermind was the man from my dreams and Cheon So-seon.
“It’s unlikely those fugitives are behind this.”
“Then it’s likely the work of those who serve the Dark God.”
“Indeed.”
“Why would they kidnap Ma Ryeong-in?”
“It must be related to their attempt to resurrect the Dark God.”
While efforts were underway to summon the Blood God, those who followed the Dark God would naturally try to bring their deity into the world.
I sighed unconsciously.
“Why do these evil gods choose this era to descend? Is it because of me?”
The Demon God, the Dark God, and the Blood God—all these destinies were intertwined, and mine was undoubtedly among them.
“Surely not.”
“I’ve ruled this martial world for decades. Perhaps my governance was flawed.”
“I disagree.”
“Disagree?”
“Yes. I believe it’s because you’ve ruled the martial world so righteously. The old man you mentioned before spoke of the importance of balance in the world.”
“That’s true.”
“The light you’ve shone on the world was so bright that a deep darkness descends to restore balance.”
I chuckled at Galsaryang’s words.
“Your words are comforting.”
“I truly believe them.”
Whether he genuinely believed it or said it for my sake, it was a deeply appreciated sentiment.
“We’ve lost track of both sides.”
Galsaryang smiled mysteriously.
“Not quite.”
“You have a plan?”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sent for you.”
“What is it?”
Galsaryang lowered his voice so only I could hear.
“We’re currently tracking Ma Ryeong-in.”
Surprised, I also lowered my voice.
“How?”
“We assigned a top-tier observer to Ma Ryeong-in. He’s still on his trail. This operation is being conducted in utmost secrecy within our ranks.”
“Why were you monitoring him?”
“Not just Ma Ryeong-in. Given the recent serious developments, we were keeping tabs on key figures. Ma Ryeong-in was classified as a significant individual, so we assigned our best observer to him.”
“Ah! Well done.”
It was a moment that highlighted how much Galsaryang’s exceptional leadership influenced my fate.
Two days later, a message from the observer tracking Ma Ryeong-in arrived.
He reported that they were heading south after passing through Chungcheong.
“It seems they’re heading to Guangxi.”
“Guangxi, you say. Can we contact our observer?”
“Impossible.”
During critical surveillance, all communication is halted, and we await only the observer’s reports.
“Is there anything you wish to convey?”
“Other than advising caution, what else is there to say?”
“Don’t worry. He’ll proceed with utmost caution.”
With my martial arts, I could reach Guangxi in a day.
Thus, it seemed wiser to stay at the Justice Pavilion’s command center and act based on incoming reports rather than rushing there blindly.
Unfortunately, after one more message, contact with the observer was lost.
“It seems he was caught.”
“Indeed.”
The adversary was skilled enough to infiltrate Cheondo Gate and abduct the leader. They must have realized they were being tailed.
“Still, his last report contained several crucial pieces of information.”
It included a description of the kidnapper, their behavior, habits, and the direction they were heading.
“Mobilize the Justice Pavilion, Samangak, Cheonmanghoe, and Taeseong Trading Company to find them. We must catch them for the sake of the fallen.”
This was our chance to capture them and prevent greater sacrifices in the future.
Galsaryang’s eyes shone with determination.
“Yes, we’ll use all our resources.”
An old man lay on a bench in the backyard of the Demon God Castle.
“You seem to have some free time.”
The chief steward brought a cold drink, smiling brightly.
“I’ve finished most of my tasks.”
“It seems the Biryudan leader hasn’t made a decision yet.”
“Yes, that’s the only thing left. It’s not an easy decision, after all. Here, have a drink.”
“Thank you. It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink with you.”
“Indeed.”
The two exchanged drinks.
“I heard the Blood God might descend as well.”
“Cheon So-seon also carries the seed of destiny.”
“Then only the Dark God will be absent from this battle.”
The old man smiled with a mysterious expression.
“Is there something I don’t know?”
“Why do you think it will be absent?”
“Pardon? There’s no heir for the Dark God, is there?”
The old man spoke cryptically.
“At the root of darkness lies chaos.”
The chief steward, still curious, was suddenly struck by a thought. If chaos was involved, the Dark God might manifest in a different way than the Demon God or Blood God.
“Could the Dark God also descend this time?”
The old man raised his glass, speaking meaningfully.
“Has there ever been a time without darkness in this world?”
Ma Ryeong-in lay naked on a hard bed.
He appeared lifeless, with several needles already inserted into his body, and thin tubes injecting unknown liquids into him.
Around him, several people were busy performing a grand ritual.
The Dark Figure and a woman watched from the side.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For telling us about Ma Ryeong-in. The ritualists say his body is perfect for the Dark Soul Ritual.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Once the ritual succeeds, Ma Ryeong-in will be able to kill the Biryudan leader. He’ll be reborn much stronger than the previous Heavenly King.”
The Dark Figure nodded, but his face was clouded with concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“I heard we were pursued by the Martial Alliance on the way here.”
“Fortunately, we eliminated the pursuer.”
“But now they know we’re in Guangxi. How long will the ritual take?”
“About two days. Don’t worry. Guangxi is much larger than you think. It’s impossible for them to find us in two days.”
But the Dark Figure shook his head firmly.
“Don’t underestimate him.”
His gaze returned to the ongoing ritual.
“We must be fully prepared.”
Two days later, the ritual was nearing completion.
The ritualists had been working tirelessly without rest.
The Dark Figure and the woman also watched the ritual without sleeping.
As the ritual was almost complete, a subordinate rushed in urgently.
“Intruder!”
“What?”
“It seems our location has been discovered.”
“Activate the formation.”
“We’ve already activated the Three Great Barrier Formation.”
“Good.”
The Dark Figure interjected, asking the subordinate.
“How many are there?”
“Just one.”
The mention of being alone made the Dark Figure’s expression twist with frustration.
“Damn it! He’s come in person.”
The Dark Figure turned to the woman beside him.
“I told you not to underestimate him, didn’t I?”
“Even so, finding this place in just two days is unbelievable!”
Her face was a mix of disbelief and suspicion. Thoughts raced through her mind. There had to be a traitor; otherwise, there was no way they could have been discovered.
‘Could it be him?’
The Dark Figure immediately caught on to her suspicion.
A mocking smile played on his lips.
“Do you know why I left you?”
She understood the implication—it was because of moments like this—and her expression soured.
“You were the one who taught me to be suspicious of people.”
“Yes, but I meant everyone else, not the husband who’s given everything to help you. Those who flatter you, those who try to seduce you. They’re the ones you should doubt.”
“Fine. I’m sorry for doubting you. But we don’t have time for this right now, do we?”
“Not that it matters. We can’t escape without dealing with him first.”
The Dark Figure glanced back at the ongoing ritual.
“How much longer?”
In response to the woman’s question, one of the researchers answered.
“If we hurry, we can finish in half an hour.”
“Then hurry!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The woman let out a sigh of relief.
“We have enough time.”
Not only was the formation in place, but hundreds of elite warriors were guarding them.
“What kind of formation is it?”
The woman replied confidently to the Dark Figure’s question.
“The Reverse Five Elements Formation, the Asura’s Mysterious Gate Formation, and the Dark Flow Spirit Return Formation. As you know, these are the strongest formations of the Black Land.”
Despite her confident words, the Dark Figure’s expression remained grim.
She spoke quickly, as much to reassure herself as to inform him.
“Even if the best formation expert tries to break it, without knowing the life gate’s location, it would take at least a day. By then, we’ll have escaped.”
“Let’s hope so…”
“Why are you so uneasy?”
Just then, the subordinate who had reported earlier came rushing back.
“The intruder has broken through the Reverse Five Elements Formation.”
“What?”
The woman was visibly shocked. It hadn’t even been long enough for a single incense stick to burn since they were first alerted to the intruder.
The Dark Figure spoke to her.
“Why am I uneasy? This is why. He doesn’t play by the rules.”
The woman urged the researchers to work faster.
“Hurry! If we don’t finish before he gets in…”
She hated to say it, but the words slipped out.
“We’re all dead.”
The hands conducting the ritual moved with increased urgency.
The Dark Figure cast a glance at the statue of the Dark God standing to one side. Its menacing presence was enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.
‘Hey, you. Are you really going to let it end like this? For a name like the Dark God, that would be a waste, wouldn’t it?’