Geom Mugeuk deliberately provoked him.
The Evil Smiling Demon had mentioned that the Mutual Destruction Technique was unavoidable if your internal energy was insufficient. This meant that even the Demon Supremes could be at risk. The Valley Lord couldn’t die either, as he still needed to provide clues about the leader of the Heavenly Society.
But when it came to internal energy, Geom Mugeuk was more confident than anyone else there. No matter how profound Yang Cheogi’s internal energy was, he couldn’t surpass Geom Mugeuk, who had not only surpassed the Demon Supremes but equaled his father, and had also recently absorbed the internal energy of the Enchantress of Extreme Bliss to top it off.
“Let’s go together, down that dark road to the afterlife. I’m quite talkative, so at least you won’t be bored.”
Yang Cheogi’s eyes grew even redder, filled with fury at what he perceived as mockery. Even in this tense moment, with the Heavenly Light Instant Kill Technique ready to be unleashed at any second, Geom Mugeuk continued to provoke him.
“You’re a man who’ll die without achieving any of his dreams.”
Those words struck Yang Cheogi’s deepest nerve. He had lived a life where he had failed to achieve anything—neither becoming a Demon Supreme, a faction leader, an alliance leader, nor even a mere, pitiful valley lord. The wounds left by such a life were deep.
Just as Yang Cheogi decided, *Yes, it’s you*, and prepared to unleash his ultimate technique—
*Whoosh!*
An attack, long prepared, came flying at Yang Cheogi’s back. It was a powerful palm strike from the Valley Lord Gibangin.From the Valley Lord’s perspective, Geom Mugeuk couldn’t be allowed to die. If Geom Mugeuk were to die, the Demon Supremes would never spare him.
Yang Cheogi, reacting like lightning, whirled around and struck back with his own palm.
With a deafening explosion, both Yang Cheogi and the Valley Lord were thrown backward. Yang Cheogi was pushed back further—not because he lacked internal energy, but because his energy was currently almost entirely focused and channeled into the Heavenly Light Instant Kill Technique, preventing him from fully exerting his usual strength.
Enraged, Yang Cheogi launched his *Blood Disaster Finger*.
*Piinng!*
But the sound that followed wasn’t that of the finger technique piercing the Valley Lord—it was the sound of a sword penetrating flesh.
*Thud!*
The *Blood Disaster Finger* missed the Valley Lord’s face by a wide margin. Blood dripped from the tips of Yang Cheogi’s outstretched fingers.
He slowly looked down at his chest. A sharp sword blade had pierced through him, emerging from his chest after entering through his back.
With the sword still embedded in him, Yang Cheogi slowly turned around.
He thought Geom Mugeuk or one of the Demon Supremes had ambushed him, but they were still standing surprised in their original positions.
Instead, he saw the face of a stranger who had delivered the fatal blow—a man who was the last remaining subordinate of the Valley Lord, a master of stealth and swordsmanship. The Valley Lord’s true hidden trump card wasn’t Seokno; it was this man. Even Yang Cheogi hadn’t been aware of this hidden card, and it had struck true.
Yang Cheogi’s knees slowly buckled. He had neither the strength nor the opportunity to choose another target.
“Damn… I didn’t plan… on taking you with me…”
In that moment, a vivid red light burst from Yang Cheogi’s eyes.
*Pop! Pop!*
The eyes of the man who had ambushed him immediately exploded, and he collapsed backward. Simultaneously, Yang Cheogi’s own eyes burst, and he too fell lifelessly to the ground. ꭆãƝƟβÊS
In a final desperate act, Yang Cheogi had used the last of his energy to take the ambusher down with him. Without doing so, he wouldn’t have been able to unleash the Heavenly Light Instant Kill Technique and would have died in vain. It was a tragic end, where he perished alongside someone whose name he didn’t even know.
Yang Cheogi had died without ever using his ultimate technique on the person he truly wanted to. Just as Geom Mugeuk had said, he died still dreaming of goals he could never achieve. 1
The Evil Smiling Demon gazed at Yang Cheogi’s corpse with an indifferent expression. The long-standing grudge that had festered since their Master’s death had finally reached its end, but he showed no emotion—neither satisfaction nor sorrow.
In contrast, the Valley Lord Gibagin was smiling.
In the end, he was the one who survived. Although he had lost his secret trump card, the only thing that mattered was that he had lived through the ordeal.
“Keep your promise and spare me!” he demanded.
To him, the deaths of Yang Cheogi and his subordinate meant nothing. 2
Geom Mugeuk looked at him coldly and replied, “Whether you live or die depends on you.”
The Valley Lord then began to speak about the leader of the Heavenly Society.
“The Heavenly Society leader never revealed their identity. Even when we met, they always wore a bamboo hat with a veil. They never met us at our request; it was always on their terms, with them setting the time and place.”
“How did the Heavenly Society leader get you involved?”
“What else? Money.”
They had offered him an amount substantial enough to buy his cooperation.
“Don’t look down on me for that. Money is power in this position. You wouldn’t understand how precarious this seat is. You can’t imagine how many madmen there are willing to risk everything just to sit in this chair, even if it’s only once.”
Money was the only thing that could secure his position.
Odd Demon and Cheol Soeja were both powerful enough to challenge him for leadership at any time. The only thing that kept their ambitions in check was the wealth that allowed them to indulge in their pleasures.
“You said you had a clue that could help us find the Heavenly Society leader?”
“That’s right. But first, swear here and now that you’ll let me live. Swear by your Divine Cult.”
“I swear by my Cult. If you give us the clue to finding the Heavenly Society leader, I’ll let you live.”
Only then did the Valley Lord reveal the clue.
“Do you think I blindly trusted the leader of the Heavenly Society? I had his background secretly investigated. But it wasn’t easy. The people I sent either went missing or were found dead. Still, I kept sending more, over and over. And eventually, I discovered one thing.”
A surprising word came out of the Valley Lord’s mouth.
“(So-ryong-jeon) Soaring Dragon Tournament.”
The Soaring Dragon Tournament is a martial arts competition held by the Martial Alliance to select outstanding young talents from orthodox factions and recruit them into the elite ranks of the Martial Alliance.
“My spies risked their lives to obtain this information. The leader of the Heavenly Society is undoubtedly planning something related to this year’s Soaring Dragon Tournament!”
The Valley Lord trembled with anxiety, fearing that this information might not be enough.
But he needn’t have worried. Geom Mugeuk was already recalling something related to the Soaring Dragon Tournament.
‘Ah! Now that I think about it, this is that year!’
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“That’s sufficient. I acknowledge this as useful information.”
“Then you’ll spare my life?”
“I’ll keep my promise. I hope you manage to survive.”
“?”
As Geom Mugeuk and the Demon Supremes turned and left the main hall, they found a crowd of villains waiting outside.
The group included Giant Force Ghost Spear with his subordinates, as well as Hidden Moon and his assassins, the bunch of drug-addled individuals and women, hunters, and beggars—the same people who had refrained from attacking us earlier.
As soon as we stepped out, they swarmed the main hall, their eyes filled with bloodlust and greed.
Curses erupted from inside, followed by the sounds of fighting. Among the screams was the Valley Lord’s cry.
It became clear why the Valley of Wicked could never unite as a single organization. This place was hell.
* * *
At the entrance to Valley of Wicked, I formally expressed my gratitude to the Demon Supremes.
“Thank you for your assistance.”
Gu Cheonpa responded.
“Did we even do anything? They ended up killing each other.”
“It happened because you were all there. Imagine if I’d gone in alone. I’d be in there right now, covered in blood and fighting for my life.”
I met the gaze of each Demon Supreme.
The look in the deep, hollow eyes of Soma conveyed profound gratitude.
Normally, this situation wouldn’t have occurred. But my intervention allowed him to finally settle an old grudge.
The One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled and said,
“Thanks to you, we got some fresh air and had a good time.”
So Yeonrang, who once declared she wouldn’t become anyone’s wings, played that role remarkably well this time. Often, those who insist they won’t get involved in something end up getting more deeply entangled than anyone else. Perhaps she is aware of her tendency to dive in deeply, which is why she tries to guard against it.
Next to her, the Drunken Demon was drinking. He had started actively working to reconcile the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One-Slash Sword Supreme. Despite the mistakes of his youth, he was now trying to acknowledge and correct them. I like him for that, this older brother of mine.
Finally, my gaze met Gu Cheonpa’s. If he hadn’t come to the Yellow River Inn earlier, I might not have survived.
I didn’t say thank you. My gratitude was already conveyed through the look in my eyes. 3
I don’t know how things will end with these people. We get along well now, but something could happen that might strain our relationship. Or perhaps we’ll grow even closer, beyond what I can imagine right now.
Even though I know what will happen at the Soaring Dragon Tournament, the relationships I’ve formed with these people are new. All I can do is give my best in each moment.
“What do you plan to do now?” Old man Blade asked.
Without hesitation, I answered, “I need to go to the Martial Alliance.”
The Soaring Dragon Tournament will be held at the Martial Alliance headquarters in about two months.
“It’s going to be dangerous.”
“This heir trial is about capturing the leader of the Heavenly Society. Failing the trial would be even more dangerous for me.”
“So, are you planning to participate in the Soaring Dragon Tournament yourself?”
“No, if I enter, my identity will eventually be revealed. I need to stay nearby. There’s someone else who can participate—someone completely unknown in the martial world.”
“Who might that be?”
Then Geom Mugeuk mentioned someone unexpected.
“Your disciple.”
Gu Cheonpa was taken aback, and Geom Mugeuk smiled as he continued.
“I plan to have Seo Daeryong participate in this tournament.”
If we ask the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, they’ll create a perfectly disguised sect for him. Seo Daeryong will compete under the banner of that sect.
“What role will you play?” asked the Blade Demon.
“I’ll act as an attendant or bodyguard—something low-profile.” 4
The Demon Supremes gave me looks that questioned whether I could truly remain unnoticed, even in such a role.
Gu Cheonpa, still concerned, offered to accompany me.
“I’ll go with you.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted to the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber.
“Everyone would assume that blade is a fake. They wouldn’t believe that Blood Heaven Blade Demon would bring the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber all the way to the Martial Alliance, right?”
It was a polite way of saying that he would stand out too much to go unnoticed.
Neither the Evil Smiling Demon’s mask nor the White Flower Sword of the One-Slash Sword Supreme, engraved with a red camellia, could go unnoticed in the martial world. If Lee Ahn went, she would draw all the attention, and the same would be true for Jangho with his large frame and facial scars. For this mission, Seo Daeryong was the perfect fit.
“This sounds like fun! Brother, I want to come too”, Song Sa-hyuk chimed in.
But would he really go unnoticed?
I replied, “I’ll tell you all about it over drinks later. Also, I might need to ask for your help again regarding the Heavenly Society leader. I still have two out of three opportunities to request assistance. I’ll be counting on you then as well.”
The Demon Supremes nodded. Geom Mugeuk felt reassured. With their support, he was confident he could even take on the Martial Alliance.
‘Let’s make a name for ourselves at the Martial Alliance, my dear right-hand man.’
* * *
After parting ways with the Demon Supremes, I headed straight for Wuhan in Hubei Province, where the Martial Alliance was located.
I pushed myself to the limit, racing at full speed using Star Light Step. I darted between trees, leaped over people and rocks, running with all my might.
No one recognized me. Even the wild beasts that tried to chase me soon gave up, unable to keep up. In a flash, I disappeared into the distance.
The earlier I arrived, the more time I would have for martial arts training, so I continued running as fast as I could.
Once I arrived near the Martial Alliance headquarters, I bought provisions that would last a long time and other supplies needed for living in the mountains, then retreated into the wild.
It would be a while before Seo Daeryong, after receiving my message, could make it here, and even longer before the Soaring Dragon Tournament began.
Until then, I planned to stay quietly in the mountains, focusing solely on my training.
From that day on, I immersed myself in training.
I forgot about people, missions, and even revenge.
I trained as if I had been born solely for the purpose of martial arts. I trained with the mindset that I would sleep only when I was dead. I ate and trained, meditated and trained, and trained and trained.
A month later, I walked through the market with a full beard.
I hadn’t bothered to shave the beard I’d grown. I discarded the training clothes I’d worn and bought a shabby, inconspicuous set of cheap clothes. 5
When I arrived at the agreed-upon inn, Seo Daeryong was already there, waiting.
It was clear that entering the territory of the Martial Alliance had made him quite nervous.
Seeing him after so long, I felt a surge of warmth. Even though our eyes briefly met, he didn’t recognize me.
But when I sat down across from him, he finally recognized me and was shocked.
“Young…!”
Before Seo Daeryong could finish the word “Young Master,” I quickly covered his mouth.
“Are you trying to announce to the world that I’m here?”
“No, of course not. I was just surprised.”
With my disheveled hair and bandit-like beard, it was no wonder Seo Daeryong didn’t recognize me at first glance. If even he couldn’t, then no one else would.
“But why do you look like this?”
“It’s a disguise.”
“A beard? Really? What kind of amateur disguise is that? It’ll only make people look at you more.”
Despite his criticism, Seo Daeryong’s appearance wasn’t exactly subtle either. He was wearing a white martial robe with the character *Jeong* (正) embroidered on his chest.
“Look at me. Don’t I look like an upright member of the orthodox faction?”
“Take a look around. How many people here are dressed like that? It’s the kind of outfit that a new recruit in the Martial Alliance wears for a few days before shoving it in a corner.”
“Still, it’s better than that dirty beard of yours.”
“Dirty? It’s not dirty, just rugged!”
We both laughed, sharing in the joy of our reunion by teasing each other’s appearance. After the light-hearted banter, Seo Daeryong grew serious and asked,
“So, why did you call me here?”
Seo Daeryong had come without knowing anything in advance. I looked at him, still tense, and gave him a meaningful smile. 6
“Let’s do something together.”
1 : A fitting end, though F for the subordinate useless death.
2 : Rude, it’s a subordinate who saved your life, you could be more grateful.
3 : Plus every time you try to do a speech they run XDXDXD
4 : Low profile ? You ? Guess your cover will be blown in one hour XDXDXD
5 : Beggar Sect, undercover.
6 : The terrifying smile of ‘You can’t escape from me now’ ^^
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter