Episode 307: Return to the Dark Fortress
From a distance, the lower gates of the Black Cloud Fortress loomed atop the hill.
Thick black smoke billowed from the fortress, shrouding the sky, a clear sign that a battle had already taken place.
“Tsk…!”
Heo Mu-geuk clicked his tongue in frustration and quickened his pace.
He was running late.
To meet the agreed time with Gu Gang-ryong, he should have arrived at least a quarter of an hour earlier.
But…
‘Baekho Dangju…’
Heo Mu-geuk frowned, recalling Baekho Dangju, Chu Hui-ryong.
Just as he was about to leave Cheonsang Palace, Baekho Dangju and Jeok Mu-rin had shown up.
They had discussed various matters, including the recent purge of the Celestial Sect at the Eungcheon branch.
Looking back, none of it seemed particularly important.
‘What a waste of time.’
Yet, he couldn’t reveal his true destination to the Black Cloud Fortress.
His meeting with Gu Gang-ryong was a secret he had shared with no one.
‘Not something to show just anyone.’
His unique martial art, the Thunderbolt Absorption Technique, was something he kept hidden.
And now, more than ever, he needed it.
Step by step, Heo Mu-geuk moved forward without hesitation.
He was still unaware of the true reason Baekho Dangju and Jeok Mu-rin had sought him out.
It was all part of Sabi-gang’s scheme.
And what was happening inside the Black Cloud Fortress was far from what he imagined.
**
“Ugh…!”
“Ouch…!”
The groans of the injured recruits echoed around.
“Damn it, take it easy! You’re going to kill us!”
Baek Gong-bo shouted at Chu Liang, who was wrapping a cloth around a wound to stop the bleeding.
Suddenly, a small creature leapt from Chu Liang’s arms, its fur bristling as it growled.
“Hmm…?”
Baek Gong-bo frowned at the sight of the creature.
“What is that thing?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s my pet. Besides, if you hadn’t skipped class so recklessly, none of this would have happened.”
Chu Liang stroked the creature, holding it close, while Baek Gong-bo spat on the ground, muttering.
“Hmph, a pet like some girl.”
Chu Liang felt a surge of irritation but turned away to tend to another injured person.
Just then, a voice rang out.
“What are you all doing here?”
Startled, the recruits and Chu Liang turned to see Heo Mu-geuk standing nearby, tilting his head in curiosity.
‘When did he…!’
There had been no sign of him moments ago, yet now the Blood Lotus Master was right there.
Squad leader Maeng Ga-suk awkwardly stood and bowed in respect.
“We came because we heard a comrade was in danger.”
Heo Mu-geuk looked at Maeng Ga-suk for a moment, then asked with a cold smile.
“So, did you save your comrade?”
“We saved one, but…”
Maeng Ga-suk glanced at Seok Tan-gang, who lay bloodied on the ground, then back at Heo Mu-geuk.
“The other is still in danger.”
Sensing the urgency, Deung Ja-gyeong quickly stood and shouted.
“He’s being held at the Black Cloud Fortress! Please, Master, save Ong Gi-seung!”
“Please, save Ong Gi-seung!”
Maeng Ga-suk, catching on to Deung Ja-gyeong’s intent, bowed deeply in plea.
The other recruits joined in, their voices united in their request.
Their reason for this act was simple.
To minimize the suspicion of why they were tending to the wounded so calmly despite Ong Gi-seung’s capture.
They couldn’t let it be known that Sabi-gang was already there.
For reasons unknown, Sabi-gang had instructed them not to reveal his presence.
They had thought no one would come to such a place.
Yet, as if by some twist of fate, Heo Mu-geuk had appeared.
Meanwhile, Heo Mu-geuk, seeing the recruits’ earnest plea, nodded without suspicion.
“Who has captured Ong Gi-seung?”
“Gu Gang-ryong! He’s using his followers to try and kill Ong Gi-seung!”
“Yes, Gu Gang-ryong is behind this!”
Bang Gak and Yoo Song-ryeong shouted, gritting their teeth.
Heo Mu-geuk looked at them for a moment before asking.
“But Sabi-gang didn’t come with you?”
“He doesn’t care what happens to us.”
“He’s a teacher who hates anything troublesome!”
Chu Liang, catching Heo Mu-geuk’s gaze, quickly replied.
“My master sent me ahead to help the recruits. He said he had other matters to attend to and would come later.”
In a way, Chu Liang seemed to be making excuses for Sabi-gang.
Heo Mu-geuk, rather than pondering further, simply chuckled.
“I’ll go myself. I came to appease Gu Gang-ryong as well. Return to the main camp once you’ve recovered.”
“Understood!”
The recruits responded in unison.
As they watched Heo Mu-geuk pass through the fortress gates, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Just then, Do Bi-cheon chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
Maeng Ga-suk asked, turning to him. Do Bi-cheon, looking at the fortress gates, replied.
“Isn’t it amusing? We’re deceiving the Master and following the teacher’s orders. We were always the outcasts in the Blood Lotus, but now we’re lying for the teacher.”
His words reminded them of something they’d forgotten, leaving them in a state of confusion.
Come to think of it, they were indeed deceiving the Master for Sabi-gang’s sake.
Deceiving the Master wasn’t a big deal.
They were already outcasts, sent to the recruits for their non-cooperation with higher-ups.
But the fact that they were doing it for Sabi-gang’s orders was a new realization.
Baek Gong-bo snorted and shouted.
“Hmph! Who’s following orders? I’m just watching because it’s interesting!”
“Me too! I’m not lying for the teacher. It’s just fun!”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
The recruits echoed, but deep down, they knew the truth.
‘We’ve been following the teacher’s words all along.’
Yet, there was someone who welcomed this change in the recruits.
‘Heh heh heh. You’re already caught in the teacher’s web.’
Chu Liang suppressed a smile as he wrapped a bandage around an injured arm.
**
‘What on earth happened here?’
Climbing the stairs to the middle fortress, Heo Mu-geuk frowned and looked back.
The open space was filled with swirling ash.
Not long ago, the area near the fortress walls had been packed with various buildings.
Now, it was nothing but ash.
Judging by the charred remains, it seemed like days had passed since a firestorm swept through.
‘Hmm. Just how much chaos did Gu Gang-ryong cause?’
For such destruction, he must have had many followers.
Otherwise, such a large-scale disturbance wouldn’t have been possible.
It had been about a year since he had entrusted Gu Gang-ryong with a special mission.
His carefully laid plans seemed to have worked.
At least, they had succeeded in luring the Demon Sect to the Black Cloud Fortress to seal the Celestial Demon Spirit.
”…!”
Entering the middle fortress, Heo Mu-geuk’s eyes widened.
He was not easily surprised, but the scene before him was enough to shock him.
The stairs leading to the upper fortress were split down the middle, and the lava that had erupted had engulfed the many buildings in the middle fortress, leaving them hardened and solidified.
Unless a volcano had suddenly erupted in the heart of the Black Cloud Fortress, how could this be possible?
“Hmm…”
When he saw the remnants of the lower fortress, he thought it was merely a tactical use of fire.
‘But what is this…’
Heo Mu-geuk shook his head and continued walking.
He stepped over the hardened lava, making his way to the upper fortress.
Upon reaching the upper fortress, he saw Ong Gi-seung standing tall in the center of the lord’s hall.
But the upper fortress was also in ruins.
The roof of the lord’s hall had been blown away, and broken tiles lay scattered everywhere.
Moreover, the black-clad figures lay bloodied and sprawled across the ground.
‘Was I too late?’
If so, it was likely there had been a conflict between Gu Gang-ryong and the Demon Sect.
The Demon Sect would have attempted to leave after performing the sealing ritual and taking the Celestial Demon Body.
Gu Gang-ryong would have tried to stop them.
Had he arrived earlier, Gu Gang-ryong might not have faced such a difficult battle.
‘Even so, what happened here is beyond comprehension.’
With most traces, he could at least make an educated guess.
But this unfamiliar martial art was something he had never seen before.
Approaching Ong Gi-seung, Heo Mu-geuk spotted Gu Gang-ryong lying in a corner and quickly leapt over.
“Gang-ryong! Are you alright?”
But Gu Gang-ryong lay motionless, as if dead.
His body was so battered from beatings that it was hard to look at.
“Hey!”
Heo Mu-geuk quickly reached out to check Gu Gang-ryong’s pulse.
There was none.
‘He’s dead.’
Heomuguk clicked his tongue lightly and stood up.
“I won’t forget the effort you’ve put in.”
He turned away, a smile that seemed cold playing on his lips.
Whatever the circumstances, there was no doubt that the Seoncheonmayeongjiche was now calmly within his reach.
He extended his senses to scan the surroundings, but detected no signs of life.
Of course, if someone specialized in concealment was present, even he might not notice them, but it didn’t matter.
After all, if such a person appeared, he could easily subdue them.
“Finally… it’s coming to me.”
The Seoncheonmayeongjigi.
Long ago, he had attempted to absorb the Seoncheonmayeongjigi from the body of the fallen boy, Ong Giseung.
But the Seoncheonmayeongjigi, as if protecting Ong Giseung, had completely blocked his approach.
It hadn’t spoken a word.
It was merely a fierce energy conveyed through intent.
It made him bow his head involuntarily.
It instilled a fear incomparable to any human malice.
An unspoken pressure from a colossal presence.
At that moment, Heomuguk had thought:
‘The being within this child is something beyond human. If only I could claim that power…’
“I will become supreme.”
Heomuguk murmured quietly, a slight twist to his lips.
How long had he waited for this moment?
Heomuguk raised his trembling hand and reached for Ong Giseung’s chest.
And then it happened.
Ong Giseung, who had been standing like a statue, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
”…!”