NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 155
“Ugh…”
“Mok-kyeong, you’re awake?”
“Ugh, Eun-gong… Where…”
“Don’t worry, this place is a safehouse provided by Ha-o-men.”
“…The leader of Sa-blood Gang… is he dead?”
“Yes.”
Three days after the death of the Sa-blood Gang Leader, Mok-kyeong regained consciousness after suffering from a high fever for three sleepless nights. The physician had warned that her internal organs and vital energy were severely damaged, requiring a prolonged period of recovery.
Still, it was fortunate that she broke the physician’s pessimistic prediction of potentially never waking up after only three days. The situation of waiting indefinitely for her to awaken would have been troublesome in many ways.
The future major faction of the martial world, the Sa-blood Gang, had weakened significantly due to the death of its leader, splitting into fragments. However, that was merely a stepping stone.
Ultimately, our main adversary was the Demonic Sect. If Mok-kyeong hadn’t awakened, things would have become difficult.
Because I’m still uncertain if I can handle the Heavenly Demon alone.
“… The revenge is over, then.”
“…Perhaps.”
Though it was over, it could be seen as if it wasn’t.
“…What do you… mean?”
“The ones behind the Sa-blood Gang. The ones who ordered the massacre of Yun-nam House—those are the real targets of vengeance.”
“Behind… the scenes, you say?”
“Yes.”
Behind the Sa-blood Gang, the ones who ordered the Yun-nam House’s annihilation…
The Demonic Sect.
Why did the Demonic Sect plot to wipe out Yun-nam House?
And what were they looking for?
Answers that never appeared in the original version. Once Sa-blood Gang was neutralized, the story began a rushed progression toward the 200th chapter, mentioning only briefly that the ancestors of Yun-nam House had ties to the Demonic Sect before moving on.
However, the nature of those ties was never fully explained.
“Who is behind this? Do you know, Eun-gong?”
“The Demonic Sect.”
“The Demonic Sect… is the mastermind?”
“Correct.”
Upon hearing my answer, Mok-kyeong stared at the ceiling with a complex expression likely due to the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.
She thought her vengeance was complete, but now learned there was more to avenge. Still, I couldn’t withhold this information.
It was a fact that would come to light eventually.
Better to reveal it now and allow her time to process and adjust her mindset.
“…Why did the Demonic Sect target… the House?”
“That much, even I don’t know. But I discovered evidence that the Demonic Sect was behind the formation of the Sa-blood Gang and found a few letters showing they were communication. If you doubt me, I can show them to you.”
“No, since it’s what Eun-gong says, it must be true. Still, the scale of the revenge just became unimaginably vast.”
“That’s how it seems.”
Clash between the Demonic Sect and the Central Plains is inevitable. Within one or two years, the Third Holy-Demon War will erupt, naturally setting the stage for Mok-kyeong’s vengeance.
In the meantime, she must focus on recuperation, improve her body and practice to elevate her cultivation.
The Demonic Sect is overwhelmingly powerful compared to the Sa-blood Gang—a force that could hold its own against the entirety of the Central Plains.
“Don’t worry too much. The Demonic Sect is already restless and will soon launch an offensive. That will be your chance for vengeance.”
“Seems there’s little Eun-gong doesn’t know.”
“…Everything I know comes from Ha-o-gate.”
With that, I shifted my attention to the steady footfalls coming from outside the room. The rhythmic sound grew louder, a shadow fell through the door, and it opened as Hye-ryeong walked in.
Carrying a bowl of medicine wrapped in bandages.
“Auntie, I’m here!”
“Hye-ryeong, thank you.”
“Oh, Mok-kyeong woke up? Alright, open your mouth! It’s time for your medicine.”
“Yes.”
Hye-ryeong sat beside Mok-kyeong, supporting her head as she helped lift her upper body and guided the medicine to her mouth. As Hye-ryeong tilted the bowl, Mok-kyeong drank the medicine in small sips.
After finishing the bowl, Hye-ryeong gently placed Mok-kyeong’s head back on the pillow as she winced slightly and commented.
“It’s bitter.”
“Good medicine always is.”
Where was that saying from again?
Doesn’t matter as long as the meaning gets through.
“Auntie, what’s our next move?”
“First, we should return to the Martial Alliance, but with Mok-kyeong’s current state, it will take a long while.”
Traveling with a patient is no easy task. Especially one whose condition is so poor that if she isn’t carried in a sedan chair, her state could worsen further.
…A sedan chair.
“How much for a sedan chair?”
“A sedan chair?”
“If we’re to carry Mok-kyeong, we’ll need at least that much.”
“I’m fine… Eun-gong… really…”
“Not fine at all.”
Coming back from meeting with the Grim Reaper and still saying things like that gets you nowhere.
“Anyway, we have about a fortnight, so focus on recovery. Hye-ryeong will help with meditation exercises.”
“I’ll take care of it!”
Though directly helping might’ve been better, it’s inappropriate to be so hands-on given gender differences.
“Eun-gong, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have survived, let alone thought of revenge…”
“If given more time, you could’ve managed it alone, so you don’t owe me too much gratitude.”
“Eun-gong’s kindness is something I could never repay even if I spent my entire life doing so. How could I dare say anything less?”
“Uncle has helped us immensely!”
She’s right.
Not only did I hasten her vengeance by a year, but her rapid elevation in cultivation was also due to my concentrated training.
It’s not common for someone to dedicate themselves exclusively as her personal guide.
…Thinking about it, does this make me her master?
Though I didn’t teach her martial arts, we did have countless sparring sessions and shared teachings of my own.
“…Being unable to repay Eun-gong’s kindness grieves me. If you permit me, this unworthy body of mine…”
“That’s enough.”
What’s she saying all of a sudden?
“I’m the proper wife!”
And why are you chiming in now, Hye-ryeong?
“Both of you calm down. I have some business to attend to with the branch leader.”
I promptly distanced myself from the escalating situation and fled.
—
“Is this the Central Plains?”
“The Tian Mountains.”
“The Central Plains’ attire but not the land?”
“Does wearing Central Plains clothing make you Central Plains?”
“Hey, Kamil. What’s this all about?”
“Correcting the error.”
“Hmph…”
The man called Kamil stroked his beard, ignoring his companion’s glare, while overlooking the Dark Sect’s headquarters deep within the Tian Mountains.
‘How regrettable. I wished to tour the Central Plains to escape the war, but I still have a long way to go.’
“Such a pity not being able to enter. Tsk…”
“No fool invites the enemy in.”
“Would it be tough even if we were foreigners?”
“The difference is minimal when we cannot distinguish between locals and outsiders.”
‘Regrettable. If Pars hadn’t caused problems six months ago, we could’ve gotten a glimpse inside…’
He shook his head at the lost opportunity and turned away, recognizing no need to dwell on a place he couldn’t enter. Turning to leave, Kamil followed suit.
“I wish the road to the Central Plains was shorter.”
“Kasim, we still have more than a thousand li left.”
“By the time we reach, my camel might collapse first.”
“You can always get another.”
“You’re the fool for engaging in this conversation with me.”
Kasim sighed and gazed out at the Taklamakan Desert spread below the Tian Mountains—nothing but yellow as far as the eye could see.
This was the land they had to traverse now.
‘Crossing the tiresome desert again…’
There was no turning back at this point.
One year since leaving Baghdad under the guise of sightseeing to escape the battlefield, their journey had come far too far to abandon now. There was only one choice left: move forward.
Keep advancing.
Beyond that desert awaited the Eastern Empire rumored to bring new wonders of culture for him to experience and enjoy.
“…Would’ve been better if William was here to travel with.”
Recalling the knight met on the battlefield who maintained a cheerful demeanor despite facing certain death alone. He had heard of William being sold into the East but doubted they’d meet, especially after news of his ship’s sinking reached even Baghdad.
‘Pars would’ve gone mad not being able to exact his revenge on that guy… probably laughing until his belly burst.’
“Let’s send the past floating away with the blowing sand… hmm… hmmm…”
Recalling his old friend with a faint smile, Kasim set off down the Tian Mountains alongside his companion and bodyguard.