Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Five years ago.

Daesageom opened his mouth as he quietly watched the carp swimming in the garden pond, observing Seonwoo Gang sitting with his mouth shut in meditation.

“You hesitated again.”

“……I’m sorry.”

“Sorry. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that story now. Do you even know how much damage our sect has suffered because of your idiotic temperament?”

Are all members of the Evil Path wicked?

Not necessarily. Although divided into the Orthodox Path  and the Unorthodox Path, that is a difference in way of living, not necessarily contrasted by human temperament.

Among the Orthodox Path, there are base individuals, and among the Unorthodox Path, there can be good-natured people. Daesageom didn’t have such narrow-minded thinking either. However.

That’s the story of ordinary members of the Unorthodox Path.

“You are the Small Sect Leader of our sect. Do you know what that means?”

“I know.”

“If the Orthodox Path has the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Families, the Unorthodox Path has the Seven Gates Two Families. The heads of the Seven Gates Two Families must represent the Unorthodox Path. That means you are someone who must represent the Unorthodox Path.”

It’s fine to be good-natured. But one must not appear good-natured. For predators, the most appetizing prey is not small and weak prey, but large prey that is not aggressive.

The position of head of a great Unorthodox sect must be such. A position where one must not win everyone’s favor but must receive fear from everyone. That is what it means to live as a member of the Evil Path. And yet.

Seonwoo Gang was extremely lacking in that talent.

“You said you broke your sparring opponent’s arm?”

“Why didn’t you cut off his neck? With your skill level, you could have cut off his neck within five exchanges. If you found his rampage unsightly, you could have at least severed his meridians so he could never use his arm again.”

“I’m sor……”

“You’re spouting words you don’t even mean.”

It was always like this.

He was selected as a disciple and raised for his outstanding talent. In fact, his growth level was so exceptional that he could confidently say it was not inferior to anyone else’s. However, there was another problem—Seonwoo Gang’s compassion was far too strong.

He cannot turn away from others’ suffering. He doesn’t know how to be cold-hearted even to his enemies, let alone think of surpassing his martial brothers and sisters. Can such a Seonwoo Gang really be elevated to the position of Small Sect Leader of Hyeolgeommun?

“How long do you intend to disappoint me?”

Watching Seonwoo Gang, who couldn’t bring himself to answer, Daesageom quietly closed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the table. Then came the words.

“Soon the war between the Alliance and the Murim Alliance will intensify. Did you know?”

“Yes.”

“You also know that your martial sister is on the front lines in the war against the Murim Alliance.”

“……Yes.”

“Then good. I’ll give you one assignment.”

Slowly.

Daesageom’s deeply sunken eyes, having finished deliberating, turned toward Seonwoo Gang. With eyes where no emotion could be read, as if peering into an abyss, Daesageom stared directly at Seonwoo Gang.

And then at the words that followed, Seonwoo Gang doubted his own ears.

“Kill your martial sister.”

“……What did you say?”

“I said go and kill your martial sister. Is it difficult to stab her in the back? Then infiltrate the Murim Alliance, act as a traitor, and kill her.”

What a waste. Though not as much as Seonwoo Gang, his first disciple also possessed outstanding talent.

However, if it’s to temper one divine sword, even dozens of famous swords are worth abandoning. Daesageom truly thought so.

“What… what do you mean……!”

Those words sounded like a death sentence to Seonwoo Gang.

“Killing my martial sister with my own hands—what wrong has she even committed……!”

“She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Then why!”

“Because this is the Unorthodox Path. Are you concerned that the conditions are unfair?”

Crack! Clang!

Blood flowed from Daesageom’s hand as he expressionlessly crushed the teacup he had gripped. But without caring, Daesageom continued speaking.

“If it’s unfair, I’ll balance the conditions. I’ll give your martial sister an order to kill you as well. Your martial sister will probably try to kill you without hesitation. If you want to survive, you must kill your martial sister.”

“……Why are you doing this, Sect Master!”

Bang!

“Do you truly not know why!”

Watching Seonwoo Gang raise his voice while gritting his teeth, Daesageom slammed the table and shouted with a boiling voice.

“Because of your pathetic compassion, the lives of thousands of sect members could be lost. Because of one minute, one second of hesitation, the necks of the disciples you taught could fly off, and because of a moment’s hesitation, a sword could pierce through their hearts—that’s what this martial world is! How can you not know this!”

“I’ll fix it. If I fix it……!”

“No, human nature doesn’t change that easily. So I have no choice but to do it this way.”

I’ve already taught you everything I could teach. Since you weren’t dull-witted to begin with, there’s nothing more to guide you on. The rest is just diligent progress on your own.

Then hasn’t my role already ended?

“Come to kill me.”

“This is an order as your master. Right here, right now is fine, or whatever the situation. Kill me. Kill me and inherit Hyeolgeommun.”

“……What if I refuse? What if I say I don’t want to harm my martial sister or my master?”

“You’ll die. Along with everyone connected to you.”

Watching Daesageom speak casually, Seonwoo Gang gritted his teeth. He knew well enough that his master didn’t speak empty words.

His master, who was like his benefactor. His martial sister, who was like his older sister. He must kill one of the two. Then──.

“Don’t think about running away.”

“If you commit suicide, I’ll kill your martial sister with my own hands. She’s only worth half a penny anyway. I can’t put such a thing forward as the sect master of Hyeolgeommun. Understand?”

“Why…….”

His innermost thoughts pierced through, Seonwoo Gang squeezed his eyes shut. There is no way to escape. Whatever he does, his master will try to keep his word.

“I’ll do……it.”

There was no choice from the beginning.

Realizing this, Seonwoo Gang’s complexion turned deathly pale. And then.

The next day.

Seonwoo Gang left Hyeolgeommun.

“Why is Hyeolgeommun’s Small Sect Leader a Muryeongwando?”

At Baek Riyun’s question, Seonwoo Gang squeezed his eyes shut as if what was bound to come had come, and reflexively placed his hand on his sword sheath. And at that moment, a voice was heard.

“If you draw that sword here, you’ll die immediately. Seonwoo Gang.”

It’s not a lie. The killing intent he felt during the entrance exam, but of a completely different dimension from back then.

It feels like a venomous snake has bared its fangs and placed its mouth against his neck. The sensation that one wrong move would send him straight to the underworld—Seonwoo Gang gritted his teeth at that feeling, then removed his hand from the sword sheath and squeezed his eyes shut.

“The other trainees have nothing to do with this.”

“Hmm.”

“I merely hid my identity and infiltrated…… Kill me if you want. Report me to the Murim Alliance if you like. But my fellow trainees are truly innocent.”

Four years. Four years that Seonwoo Gang and the Muryeongwando had spent as fellow trainees.

If there’s a spy from the Evil Path Alliance among trusted friends, their path forward in the Murim Alliance would be blocked. In reality, anyone could see it would have to be that way.

No matter how much one is armed with loyalty to the Murim Alliance, human affairs are unpredictable, aren’t they? It’s natural to exclude those who have even the slightest possibility of harboring goodwill toward the Evil Path Alliance or the Demonic Cult.

“Please end it quietly with just me.”

Bowing his head, Seonwoo Gang clenched his trembling fist in preparation for what was about to come. The opponent was someone who had even served as the Corps Commander of the Murim Alliance’s Military Force Corps.

There’s no way he would overlook him. So this is the end here.

‘Is this how I die?’

Yeah. Maybe this is better. This way, he won’t have to kill his martial sister or his master.

Having thought that far, Seonwoo Gang released all tension from his body and extended his neck forward slightly. And then.

The moment Baek Riyun took a step forward and reached out his hand.

“What nonsense.”

Thwack-!!!

“Gyaaack!”

Struck on the forehead, Seonwoo Gang cried out and fell face-first to the ground.

“Wh-what the……?”

The stinging sensation rattles his brain. But more confusing than that is the sight of Baek Riyun looking down at him with a flicking finger position.

“Why are you looking at me like that? You look disappointed that I’m not killing you.”

“You’re… not going to kill me?”

“Why would I.”

“But you’re the Changcheon Corps Commander…….”

Baek Riyun answered indifferently, crouching down with his arms resting on his knees and poking the fallen Seonwoo Gang’s head with his finger.

“I’m the former Changcheon Corps Commander. I’m not affiliated with the Murim Alliance anymore, and there’s no reason to report to the Murim Alliance just because I discovered a spy.”

“But aren’t you a member of the Orthodox Path……?”

“That’s right. Well, if it were something harmful to the Orthodox Path, I probably wouldn’t have kept quiet. But let’s see…….”

Looking directly at Seonwoo Gang, Baek Riyun let out a chuckle and sat down beside Seonwoo Gang.

“I don’t think a greenhorn like you could cause any harm to the Murim Alliance even if I let you go.”

It’s not wrong. Can he even extract any confidential information right now?

“Looking at the martial arts you showed the other day, you seem to be the direct disciple of the Hyeolgeommun Sect Master. Am I right?”

“If I deny it…….”

“I won’t believe you. I’ve seen the Hyeolgeommun Sect Master’s martial arts directly.”

“……You’re right.”

“A member of the Ten Heavens, and a direct disciple of the Seven Gates Two Families at that, infiltrated as a spy.”

Stroking his chin and pondering for a moment, Baek Riyun nodded.

“This works out well.”

“Pardon?”

“Stand up.”

With those words, Baek Riyun grabbed Seonwoo Gang’s shoulder, helped him up, and dusted him off. Then, standing a little apart, Baek Riyun looked directly at Seonwoo Gang.

“Unfold it.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Your sect’s unique martial arts. I’m telling you to unfold it.”

At Baek Riyun’s sudden story, Seonwoo Gang blinked and looked at Baek Riyun.

“Why my sect’s martial arts…….”

“Why? What did you come here to do?”

“Well, I came to train.”

“Then what’s the reason for unfolding martial arts?”

“……To train?”

“That’s right.”

Watching Baek Riyun answer with crossed arms as if asking an obvious question, Seonwoo Gang rubbed the back of his neck in bewilderment. Words slipped out of his mouth without him realizing.

“Are you saying you’ll teach me right now?”

“That’s what it comes to.”

“……I’m a member of the Unorthodox Path. As the Sect Master said, I’m the Small Sect Leader of Hyeolgeommun. So why…….”

“Well.”

At Seonwoo Gang’s question, Baek Riyun thought for a moment, then answered with a chuckle.

“Does that matter?”

“I have a mountain of things I want to ask, but you won’t answer why you’re here no matter how much I ask anyway. Then the fact that you’re Hyeolgeommun’s Small Sect Leader loses meaning to me. I have no reason whatsoever to report you. Conversely, it could even be a good thing.”

“A good… thing?”

“Your skills—you must be hiding them.”

At Baek Riyun’s words, Seonwoo Gang flinched and unconsciously glanced toward his sword.

“To be precise, it’s not that you’re hiding them. Should I say you can’t display your full skills with Orthodox Path martial arts?”

Your current level isn’t low. But if you could use your original martial arts as they are.

It’s not the first or second time he’s thought that. It just remained as thoughts.

“If you’ve heard stories about me, you know, don’t you? That I never used the Baek Ri Family’s martial arts while I was in the Muryeon Hall.”

“……Yes.”

“While others are polishing their foundations, I plan to help you refine your martial arts. I also have experience modifying martial arts, so that would help the Muryeon Hall win more. It aligns with my goal.”

If you think about it efficiently, that’s true. Since there’s nothing Baek Riyun can gain immediately by exposing a Murim Alliance spy, if Seonwoo Gang performs well, it would rather benefit Baek Riyun.

But what if Seonwoo Gang is discovered as a spy? What if he, who received Baek Riyun’s teachings, causes great harm to the Murim Alliance?

“……What about me makes you go this far?”

Unable to suppress the doubt that welled up inside him, Seonwoo Gang bit his lip and threw the question at Baek Riyun as if chewing it. And Baek Riyun’s answer to that question.

“Because you’re not red.”

“……Pardon?”

“There’s something like that.”

Shing!

With a small laugh, Baek Riyun drew the Uicheongeom and pointed it at Seonwoo Gang.

“Well then, let’s see your skills.”