Episode 38
“Damn it…”
Hearing Mayu-gyeom’s low murmur, as if boiling up from the very depths of his chest, I barely managed to hold back a sigh of my own.
It seemed I had been mistaken about so many things until now.
Earlier, while I was sparring intensely with Cheong-yeon Sojeo, she suddenly said to me,
“Something about Captain Ma seems off.”
“…What?”
Caught off guard by her sudden remark, I asked for clarification, only for her to turn the question back on me.
“I mean Mayu-gyeom. Gongja has been keeping an eye on them for a while, right? Both Mayu-gyeom and Mae Yeo-gyeong.”
“Yeah? Well, sure, but how do you know that…?”
I was flustered.
Though I had been concerned about Mayu-gyeom for some time, I’d never told anyone. How could she possibly know?
“I just figured it out by watching. By the way, shouldn’t you be following him now?”
“Huh? But I’m in the middle of sparring with Sojeo…”
“I’m fine. You should go.”
Pushed along, I followed Mayu-gyeom, and realized something else.
While I was giving my all in the sparring match, she had been calmly observing Mayu-gyeom the whole time.
It looked like I’d need a lot more time if I wanted to beat her.
Silently tailing Mayu-gyeom from the shadows of nearby trees, I overheard conversations between him and Sagun-il, as well as between him and Mae Yeo-gyeong.
Thanks to the assassination techniques I’d learned in my father’s study.
Hidden in the darkness, I watched his heavy footsteps under the night sky.
Mae Yeo-gyeong’s low sobs echoed faintly in my ears.
It was a deeply tragic scene.
Suddenly, I compared what I already knew with the new information I’d just learned.
In my past life—and in fact, all thirteen generations believed this—the fundamental reason Mayu-gyeom had fallen so far as to defect to the Blood Sect was because of Mae Yeo-gyeong’s death.
He had loved her so deeply that he couldn’t bear her loss.
“But… that wasn’t the case, was it?”
Based on what I’d heard today, we had been completely wrong.
According to this new information, when Mae Yeo-gyeong died, Mayu-gyeom had already parted ways with her.
And the woman he truly loved was Dang Yeo-eun.
“What the hell? What’s going on here?”
My head was spinning.
If that was true, then why had Mayu-gyeom, who had gotten involved with Dang Yeo-eun—the woman he truly loved—fallen apart so badly?
Why had he treated Dang Yeo-eun so carelessly?
Back then, when Mayu-gyeom was with Dang Yeo-eun, he practically toyed with her like a plaything.
I still vividly remembered the shocking image of a drunken Mayu-gyeom groping her chest in front of others, while Dang Yeo-eun, humiliated, couldn’t even resist.
But if none of this was because of Mae Yeo-gyeong’s death…
A flood of questions swirled in my mind.
“Could it be because Sagun-il rejected him? That his dream of reviving the Jeomchang faction was crushed?”
Right now, Mayu-gyeom’s top priority was undoubtedly the revival of Jeomchangpa.
I was even surprised when that proud man bowed his head to Sagun-il and said he was willing to give up his position as faction leader.
But to think his dream was shattered just because Sagun-il refused seemed like a stretch.
The Mayu-gyeom I knew wouldn’t give up just because of one rejection.
If anything, he’d find a way to change Sagun-il’s mind or come up with another plan.
I didn’t like him, but I had to admit he was mentally very strong.
That’s why I couldn’t understand his descent into darkness.
It was just frustrating.
Amidst all these swirling doubts, the day of the Jeonghyeol meeting finally arrived.
I kept watching Mayu-gyeom afterward, but nothing unusual happened.
Compared to Mae Yeo-gyeong, who was growing more and more haggard by the day, Mayu-gyeom seemed perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened.
It seemed the breakup with Mae Yeo-gyeong or Sagun-il’s rejection hadn’t shaken him much.
“The clan leader will be arriving soon.”
A messenger who had come ahead to the Thirteen Generations announced.
At that, Heon Yeong-bo, the deputy leader, who looked exhausted as if he hadn’t slept, suddenly snapped.
“What are you all doing?! Clean that area more! Sweep it quickly! Hurry! There’s no time! Move aside! I’ll do it myself if I have to!”
As he barked orders to the troops, obsessively cleaning and tidying the surroundings, Bisea-yeong quietly sidestepped and muttered,
“He’s really going all out. Seems a little crazy. At this rate, he might just follow the clan leader after this meeting.”
“Maybe. But probably not.”
Knowing it was all futile, I just felt sorry and a bit pathetic watching him.
Before noon, the Thirteen Generations were all lined up neatly by the entrance.
Though the meeting was in the afternoon, the clan leader’s party was expected to arrive just before noon.
Soon after, I spotted them approaching along the main road.
The current martial arts alliance leader, Hyeopwang Moyong Geom, the chief general Jegal Ji-gang, the clan leader’s guards from the Shingeom unit, and the Cheonryong unit—the most powerful force in the martial arts alliance—numbering over 150 in total.
Even without Heon Yeong-bo, every soldier looked stiff with tension, but somehow I felt at ease.
The arrival time and the number of people were exactly as I remembered from my past life, which gave me a strange sense of stability.
The entire Thirteen Generations stood in orderly formation by the entrance to greet them.
At the front, the leader Pungyang saluted crisply and called out,
“We welcome the clan leader!”
Behind him, we echoed the greeting in unison.
“We welcome the clan leader!”
Hyeopwang Moyong Geom smiled warmly as he accepted our salute.
“Good to see you all! I am truly honored to finally meet those who tirelessly guard the frontlines and protect the righteous martial arts world. I know well that our peaceful lives are thanks to your hard work. I apologize for only meeting you now, using busyness as an excuse. Thank you sincerely.”
Though he spoke calmly, his voice boomed powerfully in our ears.
The internal energy behind his words, the natural aura of authority—he truly carried the presence of one of the absolute rulers of the current martial arts world.
His presence even overshadowed the Shingeom and Cheonryong units guarding him.
After finishing, the clan leader saluted us again, prompting Heon Yeong-bo to raise his voice eagerly.
“How could protecting the world’s peace by stopping the Blood Sect’s provocations be called hard work?! All of us in the Thirteen Generations consider it an honor to offer even a small help to you, clan leader! Please don’t say such things!”
Moyong Geom laughed heartily in response.
“Hahaha! Is that so? Such is the spirit of true heroes of the righteous martial arts world! Hahaha!”
Heon Yeong-bo’s face brightened at the praise and hurriedly added,
“Heroes, you say? That’s too kind! How could we dare to be called heroes in front of the true hero of the righteous martial arts world, the clan leader!”
“Hmm? Hahaha!”
Moyong Geom laughed again at the flattery, and Heon Yeong-bo, encouraged, tried to continue.
“I, Heon Yeong-bo, clan leader…!”
But Jegal Ji-gang, expressionless, cut him off.
“Clan leader, perhaps it’s time to go inside. The young warriors will get some rest once you’re in.”
“Oh? Ah, yes, that’s right. Shall we go then?”
Heon Yeong-bo, disappointed at not getting to flatter more, quickly shouted,
“I will guide you! Please follow me!”
The clan leader and the general followed Heon Yeong-bo into the meeting hall, surrounded by layers of Shingeom and Cheonryong units.
Then, Pungyang turned to us and said,
“Everyone, disperse for now. When the Blood Sect’s people arrive this afternoon, we’ll line up again. Don’t stray too far.”
Only then were we allowed to break and rest.
I suddenly asked Captain Seolpung,
“How did you find the clan leader, Captain?”
He hummed thoughtfully for a moment before answering.
“Well…”
Moyong Geom, who inherited both the title of Hyeopwang and the position of martial arts alliance leader from the previous leader Cheon Gi-gang, was the patriarch of the Moyong family—one of the five great martial families—and one of the absolute rulers of the martial arts world, ranked among the top three.
In other words, he was one of the top three martial artists in the current world.
But my impression of him was a bit strange.
He certainly looked incredibly strong…
But when I saw him in my past life, he seemed so distant and unfathomable that I felt nothing.
This time, however, I felt I could catch a glimpse of his strength.
Of course, that was because he made no effort to hide his presence.
After a moment’s thought, the captain replied,
“He was like a mountain so tall it seemed unreachable.”
Acknowledging the clan leader’s strength.
But then he added quietly,
“Though I couldn’t see beyond the clouds.”
I nodded in agreement.
I knew exactly who those clouds represented.
The clan leader, Xie Wang Moyong Jian, radiated an overwhelmingly powerful presence.
But compared to Son Eun-sang, the one and only Yeoryeong Saekma of Cheonhasama I had seen not long ago…
It was exactly as Jo Jang had put it.
While Son Eun-sang’s height was like a cloud—impossible to gauge—Moyong Jian was tall like a mountain, a height you could at least measure.
Of course, I couldn’t be sure if that was accurate; maybe it was just our illusion.
But after the earlier formal greeting that felt so insincere, and seeing how pleased he was with Heon Yeong-bo’s flattery, something about this so-called pinnacle of the righteous martial world left me disappointed.
And that disappointment only deepened when, in the afternoon, the leader of the Blood Sect, Sa Hyehyeolma Jeon Mu-gwang, arrived at the Thirteen Greats.
Jeon Mu-gwang entered the Thirteen Greats accompanied by only four black-clad figures, each wearing a deep bamboo hat pulled low.
But we could barely even breathe.
The presence radiating from those five was far more oppressive than the one hundred and fifty who had come with the clan leader earlier.
Bisa-yeong muttered behind me.
“This is incredible. It really feels like we’re being crushed by a rock. How is it that just five people feel heavier than a hundred and fifty?”
I agreed.
Especially the figure at the front—Blood Demon Jeon Mu-gwang’s presence was no less overwhelming than the despair I’d felt from Son Eun-sang before.
It was immense.
Blood Demon smiled faintly, scanning us before speaking.
“I’ve heard much about the Thirteen Greats of Biryong. Many talented young warriors, I hear. It’s an honor to meet you all in person.”
His expression was remarkably pure.
If not for the blood-red robes and his intense gaze, he could easily be mistaken for a great hero of the righteous sect.
‘Well, that makes sense,’ I thought.
After all, he had once been the clan leader of the Jeon family, originally affiliated with the righteous sect.
Recalling what Elder Seok Gyeong-dal had told me about his past stirred a complicated feeling inside.
Grandmaster Pungyang bowed respectfully.
“It’s an honor to meet the head of the Blood Sect. I am Pungyang, Grandmaster of Biryong. The clan leader awaits you.”
At that, the four standing behind Blood Demon flinched.
Then the largest among the bamboo-hatted men suddenly unleashed a fierce murderous aura and shouted,
“How dare you speak to the Supreme One like that?!”
Whoosh!
“Ugh!”
The sudden surge of killing intent forced us to draw on our inner strength just to hold our ground.
Even some first-rate warriors barely managed to stay steady, while second-rate and below staggered backward.
That bamboo-hatted man was pressuring all of us with nothing but his intangible aura.
He was a warrior of tremendous power.
Blood Demon raised a hand lightly.
“Enough, Cheokgang.”
In an instant, the oppressive aura vanished as if washed away.
Blood Demon’s single raised hand had blocked the murderous energy radiating in all directions.
Realizing what that meant, our faces turned pale.
And to think that was Cheokgang himself…
Cheokgang was one of the Blood Sect’s Five Demons, known as the Iron God Demon, and counted among the Thirty-Six Stars—the fifteen absolute rulers of the world.
The overwhelming killing intent he had just unleashed now made perfect sense.
But compared to the move Blood Demon had just shown, even Cheokgang’s fearsome reputation paled.
Cheokgang’s ability to emit such a violent intangible energy was unimaginable, but to be able to completely nullify it was on a whole different level.
To perfectly control the energy he emitted from his body meant he could wield that intangible force like an extension of his own limbs.
He could move objects—or even kill people—using only his aura. Truly the power of an absolute ruler of this era.
Blood Demon spoke softly to Cheokgang.
“If the Grandmaster of the Righteous Sect’s Biryong doesn’t call me the head of the Blood Sect, what else should he call me? Do you expect him to call me the Supreme One? Then you’d have to call the clan leader of the Righteous Sect the Supreme One as well.”
Cheokgang bowed his head, flustered.
“W-why would I say that to such a fool…”
Blood Demon’s tone turned stern.
“Cheokgang! We’re here for a meeting, and meetings can’t happen without mutual respect! Are you trying to sabotage this very meeting I arranged?!”
At those words, Cheokgang dropped to his knees, begging for forgiveness.
“I’m sorry, Supreme One! This foolish man once again failed to grasp your will and made a mistake! Please punish me!”
Watching this, we couldn’t help but be stunned.
Cheokgang—the Iron God Demon, one of the Thirty-Six Stars, known for his ferocity and arrogance—had knelt so easily.
And in front of us, mere fledglings of the righteous sect.
It was a clear demonstration of just how absolute Blood Demon’s authority was within the Blood Sect.
“Rise, Cheokgang. Your fate will be decided when we return to the sect.”
“Yes, Supreme One!”
After admonishing Cheokgang, Blood Demon turned back to us with a gentle smile.
“You’ve shown yourselves poorly in front of the righteous sect’s Shinryong. Perhaps because we are the wicked scions of demonic arts, you righteous pillars find us lacking in many ways. I ask for your understanding.”
Though he smiled softly, none of us could return it.
His demeanor was nothing like the evil demon lord we had imagined.
Alongside his absolute power, there was a calmness befitting a senior elder of the martial world.
Blood Demon looked us over once more.
“Before coming, I did some research on the Thirteen Greats of Biryong. I see many young Shinryong among you.”
He then scanned the group, starting with First Squad Leader Han Gyo-seong.
“Han Gyo-seong, the Little Dragon Sword of Cheongseongpa, one of the Nine Great Sects, known as a genius.”
At that, Han Gyo-seong silently bowed.
Usually sleepy-eyed, now his gaze was sharp as a blade.
“Sa Gun-il, the Little Dragon Sword of Jeomchangpa, said to be the most outstanding disciple.”
Sa Gun-il merely glared back silently.
Given that he was the one who had destroyed Jeomchangpa, it seemed he couldn’t bring himself to bow.
Not drawing his sword was probably his best effort.
“And… oh, as expected, a remarkable beauty. You must be Dang Yeo-eun of the Dangga Sword Sect. Your looks alone are astonishing, but to have skill as well—your parents must be so proud. I can only envy you.”
Though clearly a compliment, Dang Yeo-eun seemed irritated.
She trembled, gritting her teeth as she struggled to bow.
But Blood Demon didn’t notice and shifted his gaze to the next person—the one who had been glaring daggers at him since earlier, Mayu-gyeom.
Blood Demon smiled gently.
“You must be Mayu-gyeom, the Sword Eagle of Jeomchang. Son of the former Grandmaster Ma Won-il, I believe? You don’t resemble your father much.”
Mayu-gyeom’s face twisted in agony.
For him to hear the name of Ma Won-il—the former Grandmaster who had been killed, with Blood Demon as the direct culprit—was unbearable.
It was no surprise he tried to draw his sword.
“How dare you?!”