Chapter 51 : Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Benefactor

A cold silence fell upon the room.

Gulp.

It was so quiet that the small sound of me swallowing the Geomnamchun filled the space.

“……”

To associate the direct line of the Ice Palace with the Demonic Cult was a rudeness that offered no excuse, even if it earned one a knife in the gut.

However.

“……Do you have some information, Young Master?”

Seeing Han Baek-rim's attitude, I understood.

A point that had been nagging at him all this time had just occurred to him.

“I cannot reveal that much. I ask for your understanding.”

I answered as such because I had no grounds for it.

In truth, all I knew was the fact that the Ice Palace had colluded with the Demonic Cult in the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, and a single piece of information that the Palace Lord at the time was Bukgung Han-yu.

How could I possess evidence of something that happened in the distant North Sea?

Information without evidence naturally fails to gain trust, but I had an expectation.

It was the trust in me as a person.

It was said that sincerity and truth get through, so one could also say I was believing in that.

Fortunately, Han Baek-rim and Bukgung Seol-a were lost in their own thoughts and did not press me further.

Although it wasn’t a perfect conviction due to the lack of information, my thought was that Bukgung Han-yu had probably already formed ties with the Demonic Cult.

This was because I knew that a short acquaintance would not be enough to get on the same boat for a matter as colossal as the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

In fact, putting all that aside, I thought it would be sufficient to substitute it with the expression, ‘the intuition of a seasoned informant’.

Being a person who could abandon his own family and clan members to seize the position of successor, Bukgung Han-yu might have already been of the Demonic Path long before colluding with the Demonic Cult.

I wanted Bukgung Seol-a to become the Young Palace Lord.

For my sake, and for the future of the Jianghu Murim.

“Let us get up now.”

Having done all I could, the rest would have to be left to fate.

The choice was Bukgung Seol-a’s, so it was now time to step back.

It was also because I knew that Bukgung Seol-a and Han Baek-rim needed time to think.

However, I said the last words I wanted to say.

“That military power. Do you have to be the one to possess it?”

I asked Bukgung Seol-a, but my gaze was on Han Baek-rim.

Wasn't Han Baek-rim the martial artist of the State of Harmony who didn't bend his will even before the Lord of the Evil Faction?

And wasn't that Han Baek-rim a more loyal subordinate to Bukgung Seol-a than anyone else?

It was a thought that came to me naturally, having seen the relationship between Yeo-wol and Ma Sok of the Rogues’ Guild.

Their relationship did not seem shallow at all compared to them.

Since I wasn't directly involved, it wasn't my place to judge right or wrong, but I wanted to let them know that such a direction of thought also existed.

“I just wanted to say that as a friend.”

This was my sincerity.

“I see. A friend……”

As she answered, Bukgung Seol-a's gaze was on Han Baek-rim.

It seemed she already understood, so it was right to stop my meddling here.

“I will go and rest now. I'll have to move early tomorrow.”

Having finished the Geomnamchun, I got up without any lingering attachment.

At that moment.

“This Palace will have nothing to do with colluding with the Demonic Path.”

Bukgung Seol-a’s sudden words stopped me in my tracks.

“The Ice Palace I will create, will be like that.”

Her expression was filled with a resolve I had never seen before, so I would describe it as the expression of the Ice Palace Lord.

“Stay strong.”

I left the tavern after leaving words of encouragement.

What I saw as I left the tavern with a relieved heart were the martial artists of the Ice Palace filling the entrance.

My bewilderment was brief.

“All units—Ready!”

Clang—

At the command, all the Ice Palace martial artists drew their swords forward, like a formal ceremony filled with strict military discipline.

“To our benefactor—Salute!”

Shhhk—

A path was made with the swords of the Ice Palace martial artists.

That path was for me.

Although I didn't know the ceremonies and culture of the Ice Palace, I understood what this meant.

Step.

With a willing heart, I stepped onto the path of swords.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

“We will not forget your grace.”

These people, whom I thought were as cold as the north wind, had a warmth in their hearts warmer than anyone else's.

Perhaps the reason they were able to settle in the North Sea was that they held a greater warmth in their hearts than the people of the Central Plains.

When I had passed through the entire path of swords…….

“All units—Sheath!”

The path of swords was withdrawn.

And they shouted as if in a chorus.

“The Ice Palace does not forget a grace.”

A single voice, as if everyone shared the same heart, reached me.

“……Thank you.”

My throat tightened slightly at the unexpected kindness.

On the path I took to obtain the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, I might have gained something much greater.

* * *

The highest place in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had made its nest.

This place, called Tomur Peak or Tömu'r in the local language, was situated higher than the clouds.

It was the law of nature that the feet of ordinary people could not reach this high and rugged place.

However, on the summit of Tomur Peak, where there should have been no human presence, stood a tall pavilion that blended well with the natural scenery.

It was the sacred ground of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which the cultists revered and called the Demonic Heaven Tower.

The one who managed and used that Demonic Heaven Tower was none other than Wisu, the Grand Marshal of the current Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, also known as the Demonic Divine Communication.

Wisu, who had been raising his head to count the stars in the sky, spoke.

“As expected, it seems to have failed.”

Confirming that the report he had heard before climbing the Demonic Heaven Tower was not wrong, Wisu’s expression was not good.

“Why is that?”

A low, weighty voice asked Wisu back.

The Demonic Path was a society of the law of the jungle that valued hierarchy.

The Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a position second only to one person and above all others, so the person who could speak to him so casually was set.

The supreme one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Heavenly Demon Seol Cheon-sang, was the one who asked the question.

Even at the Heavenly Demon's question, Wisu did not answer immediately and counted the stars for a while longer.

And finally, he came to a conclusion.

“……I do not know.”

At those words, the Heavenly Demon's expression, which had seemed unchanging, slightly altered.

“This is the first time I've heard such a thing from you.”

This was the reason.

It was the first time that Wisu, who read the heavenly energies befitting his great name of Demonic Divine Communication, had ever replied that he did not know something. Even after spending nearly sixty years together.

“However……”

“Speak.”

As Wisu bowed his head and continued speaking, the Heavenly Demon listened attentively.

“A star that has never been seen before has begun to shine. It is still faint, but it seems to have twisted the existing flow.”

“Who is it?”

“I'm not certain, but I suspect it is Myeong of the Dancheon Clan.”

Although he said he wasn’t certain, it was probably certain. That was the ability of Wisu, who had proven himself so far.

“So it's that fellow after all.”

The name that had crushed the Heuksu Mun and twisted the situation of the Ice Palace this time was indeed Myeong of the Dancheon Clan, so Wisu's speculation was plausible.

“Danchoen Myeong.”

The Heavenly Demon's voice repeated the name. It was an annoying name.

Heavenly Demon Seol Cheon-sang's gaze turned to the sky. He couldn't count the stars like Wisu, but it was a habit.

It was not without meaning, as looking at the sky from the Demonic Heaven Tower often calmed his mind and body.

“How is the star of the Emperor Breaker?”

At the Heavenly Demon's question, Wisu's gaze also followed the sky.

“It is fading.”

“When?”

“Within ten years. Probably five or six years.”

“I see.”

The realm equivalent to the State of Harmony was called Extreme Demon, and the realm equivalent to the Profound Realm was called Transcendent Demon.

The one trying to transcend even the framework of Transcendent Demon was the current Heavenly Demon, Seol Cheon-sang, so the only one he was wary of was the Emperor Breaker, Yeom Gi-ha, who was born under a similar star.

Since the Demonic Divine Communication Wisu had seen the future where his star would fade, it was inevitable that the Great War of Righteousness and Evil was scheduled.

Even if the Emperor Breaker's star was still strong, the cult would not remain silent forever, but if there was certainty that the Emperor Breaker's star would fade, there was room to wait and take more time.

“What shall we do?”

Wisu asked. Seol Cheon-sang knew he was referring to the existence of Dancheon Myeong.

“Is he dangerous?”

“It's fine for now.”

It meant that he was not yet enough to interfere with the great work of our cult.

“The gains and losses?”

“For now…… it is a loss.”

At Wisu’s answer, Seol Cheon-sang’s brows furrowed slightly. It was because he was not pleased.

Heavenly energy was something to be read, not utilized.

Both Wisu and Seol Cheon-sang knew that if one recklessly intervened in the flow of heavenly energy without a set fate, a divine punishment would befall.

If it was a huge variable, they would endure the divine punishment and intervene in the heavenly energy, but it was not yet time.

When Wisu said it was a loss, it meant that the divine punishment was much greater than the benefit of intervening in the heavenly energy.

“It's just the Ice Palace. Do not mind it.”

Seol Cheon-sang concluded as such.

The Heavenly Demon’s command was absolute, so Wisu would follow him without a single mistake.

“Yes.”

When Wisu, who had bowed with a salute, raised his head again, there was no one there.

The divine authority of the Heavenly Demon, who had surpassed Transcendent Demon, was truly unparalleled, as he had disappeared from the Demonic Heaven Tower in an instant.

Wisu’s gaze turned to the sky again.

It was because that small star that had begun to shine continued to bother him.

“A variable……”

He had a bad feeling.

It seemed that some measures had to be taken.

* * *

I led the Ice Palace delegation and safely arrived at the Murim Alliance headquarters, located on the border of Henan and Hubei.

It would have been more peculiar for a mishap to occur in a group with two masters who had reached the State of Harmony, namely myself and Han Baek-rim.

In truth, the encounter with the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor should be described as a kind of natural disaster.

Such a natural disaster was not going to strike our party twice, so the journey from Sanmenxia to the Murim Alliance could be described with the word 'peaceful'.

The fact that all members of the Ice Palace treated me with the courtesy due to a benefactor was also one of the reasons for the smooth journey.

The grand entrance of the Murim Alliance.

The Alliance members, lined up in ranks and files according to formation, were welcoming the Ice Palace delegation.

After confirming the Ice Palace delegation receiving a lavish welcome, I quietly slipped away.

I had claimed to be an emissary of the Murim Alliance, but that was actually a lie. The time had come for me to leave.

I had obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng and led the Ice Palace delegation to the Murim Alliance, so it would be right to see my business as finished, but I couldn't just leave abruptly.

-Come this way. I have opened a path for you.

It was because a secret Six Harmonies Telepathy resonated in my ears.

“Sigh.”

Perhaps he was anxious even after leaving the message that it was the Alliance Leader's command, as the Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha had come out to meet me in person.

I was reluctant, but I had no choice but to go.

Following the traces of the Six Harmonies Telepathy, a familiar pavilion appeared.

Shadowless Pavilion.

It was a place I couldn't possibly not know, as it was the place that once oversaw the Murim Alliance's information and was used as the operational headquarters of the Secret Pavilion, where I had belonged during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

“Welcome.”

As soon as I set foot in Shadowless Pavilion, a voice with a pleasant resonance was heard.

When I shifted my gaze, a handsome figure came into view.

He was also someone I was seeing for the first time in person, but I was well acquainted with him.

“I am Singija.”

The Grand Marshal of the Murim Alliance, Singija, known as the greatest strategist of the era. That was the identity of the figure.

“I am Myeong of the Dancheon Clan.”

I hurriedly clasped my hands in a salute.

In truth, wasn't he a master among the masters of Jianghu?

Regardless of status, Singija's age was around that of my father, Dancheon Gang, so it was right to show respect.

I was originally a child of a prestigious family who knew etiquette, and the reason I hadn't done so with Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha was only because my life was on the line.

At that moment.

“……!”

Pabababak.

Dozens of hidden projectiles rushed towards me from all directions.

Tat!

I quickly unfolded the Stepping on Clouds Gait to move my body.

Though they were fleeting hidden projectiles, they were no match for the great Ten Thousand Flowers Showering Down of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Whoong!

I swung my sleeve and deflected all the hidden projectiles. Am I not, after all, a master of the State of Harmony?

And at the same time…….

“Quite something.”

Yeom Gi-ha appeared with a grinning expression.

Peng!

He shot out a hidden projectile as if with a finger-flicking art.

I dodged it swiftly, but.

Ting!

I failed to dodge it.

It was because that tiny hidden projectile had bizarrely altered its trajectory. The Emperor Breaker had used a trick.

Since my body had already achieved the Golden Body, a hidden projectile without Sword Qi could not penetrate my body.

Naturally, there was no damage.

“……”

But I soon realized his intention and felt a sense of dismay.

“See? Wasn't I right?”

Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha said with an excited expression.

“Be quiet.”

“Hmph.”

When Singija said a word, the great Emperor Breaker clamped his mouth shut.

It seemed he was caught in something, and I wondered if he had been found out for running away from home.

Singija, who had subdued the Emperor Breaker, spoke to me.

“You, have you learned the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art?”

“……”

It was right to say that what was bound to come had come.

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