Chapter 66 – Wu and Yue in the same boat (10)
When Mu-myung’s Sword pierced through the heart, Mu-myung distinctly felt the heart’s pulse traveling through his fingertips. It was truly remarkable. The opponent was certainly a jiangshi.
Yet that blood was surely not warm but rotten. How could the heart be beating like that of a living person? And simultaneously, Dang Baek-seo’s eyes returned to normal.
If previously Dang Baek-seo’s eyes had been demon’s eyes, filled with venom. Even though now his eyes were cloudy but nonetheless revealed the depth and wisdom of a family head.
“Have you finally come to your senses?”
“The sun shines even brighter before it sets. Oh, of course, I’ve been dead for a long time.”
His expression, containing a hint of a smile even in this situation, was completely different from the fanatical appearance seen earlier. This must be Dang Baek-seo’s true self.
“Don’t you want to see your son?”
“There doesn’t seem to be time for that. If I were truly dying, I might have had half an hour or so… But my body is already nothing more than a corpse.”
“Then do you have any message to pass on?”
“How kind of you. Indeed, you are different from the Sword Demon.”
Mu-myung silently nodded. He knew that lies would not work on Dang Baek-seo, the family head of the Sichuan Tanga Family who had already fought against the Sword Demon during the Sword Demon War.
“You seem to have your own circumstances. Using the dangerous name of the Sword Demon. Well, that’s your business.”
“Do you not resent the Sword Demon?”
“I resent him, I hate him. But even more than that, I resent myself for being weak and foolish.”
Dang Baek-seo calmly confessed his feelings without omission. He had clashed with the Sword Demon at the forefront during the Sword Demon War. Therefore, he knew the Sword Demon.
At least, the Sword Demon he had seen was certainly not the man standing before him now. The sword wielded by the Sword Demon during the war had been filled with killing intent.
In contrast, the sword of the man before him now was fundamentally different. A person who could think of others and wield his sword for others. That was truly a warrior of the righteous sect.
“Beware of the Namgung Family.”
“Do you know something?”
“How could those Evil Sect people have extended their reach to the martial arts world? The Central Plains are difficult to get out of the martial arts world.”
“…You’re not wrong.”
Mu-myung nodded. Although he didn’t know exactly what the Evil Sect was, at least it wasn’t a place where people of unknown identity could openly operate.
Wait a moment.
Unknown identity?
Just then, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning. Seeing Mu-myung’s shocked expression, Dang Baek-seo nodded with a satisfied smile.
“You’ve finally thought that far, it seems.”
“But is that truly possible? No matter how corrupt the Namgung Family has become. Surely they wouldn’t go that far…!!”
“Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Don’t they have the Dark Sword?”
“How do you know about the Dark Sword?”
“I’ve encountered him directly.”
The Namgung Family’s Dark Sword. A despicable warrior who would use any vile method without discrimination for the sake of the Namgung Family. However, if nothing else, his skills were genuine.
“It was the Namgung Family’s Dark Sword who captured me and handed me over to the Evil Sect.”
“They’re thoroughly corrupted. Who would have thought they would even hand over a master from the same sect.”
“That was what they wanted. And in reality, the Namgung Family gained much from it.”
“…Your body is gradually turning to dust.”
“Oh my, it seems my allotted time has completely passed.”
The reason Dang Baek-seo was able to endure until now was because he was an absolute master who had reached the peak realm. The soul of a master at the peak realm is stronger than anything else.
Moreover, Dang Baek-seo had never once yielded to injustice in his life. That’s why, now after his core had been attacked and his control released, he was barely able to speak directly.
Dang Baek-seo looked at his hands and feet which were turning to dust and disappearing without saying a word. For what purpose had he honed his martial arts and continued to wield his sword until now?
He wasn’t sure of the answer to that.
But at least one thing was certain.
His life had not been without meaning.
Eventually, Dang Baek-seo’s final gaze turned toward his son, Dang Baek-ha, who was managing the situation at the Sichuan Tanga Family residence. It was truly amusing. Although things had come to this point.
Nonetheless, seeing his only son grow up like this, he found himself smiling without realizing it. Finally, he completely returned to nothingness.
It was an empty end for the head of the family that led the powerful Sichuan Tanga Family. At least he himself seemed quite satisfied. Mu-myung remained in that place until the very end.
To maintain his dignity as a warrior.
◇
The Black Death Sect’s attack ended this way. However, Dang Baek-ha was not satisfied with that and immediately began to deal with the aftermath. No matter how much the Sichuan Tanga Family was at the peak realm of poison arts.
The Black Death Sect’s deadly poison was not to be underestimated. If Mu-myung and his disciple Sua had not personally stepped forward to stop them, the pillars of the Sichuan Tanga Family would have nearly been uprooted.
The next day, Mu-myung and Dang Baek-ha sat facing each other. This incident had made it clear. The great evil known as the Evil Sect must be eradicated. Dang Baek-ha let out a deep sigh.
“How did my father seem in his final moments?”
“He was calm and collected. Truly befitting of a peak master of the Sichuan Tanga Family.”
“Thank you for telling me that.”
At least Dang Baek-ha was sincere. Mu-myung had remembered and conveyed the nobility and will of his father, Dang Baek-seo. Of course, Dang Baek-ha himself was not completely fine.
He had lost his father whom he had sincerely believed in and followed. And in the worst possible way. How could it be so evil to make father and son fight each other?
“Master Dang Baek-seo already knew. That the Namgung Family was supporting the Evil Sect.”
The Evil Sect had been working in the shadows since ancient times, trying to take control of the martial arts world. However, the reason it had been impossible was because their philosophy of survival of the fittest did not gain acceptance.
No matter how corrupt they were, would those who called themselves the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance permit such a thing? If they did, they would be branded as enemies of the martial arts world and be eradicated by the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance.
Of course, from the Evil Sect’s perspective, it didn’t matter. In the end, they were much weaker and would simply be eradicated. However, there were definitely people who wanted to protect the Evil Sect.
Those who had nowhere else to go except the Evil Sect or those whose lives had been saved by the Evil Sect. They hoped for the Evil Sect’s survival. That way, they could then survive too.
Of course, until then, it didn’t particularly matter. After all, the sect within the Evil Sect that advocated for the survival of the fittest was much stronger. At least until they experienced the Sword Demon War.
“I see, the Evil Sect was almost completely uprooted by the Sword Demon War. So this means the leadership and the established powers inevitably underwent a purge.”
“That’s right. And in that process, those who had no qualms about using vile schemes gained power within the Evil Sect. That’s why creatures like jiangshi and the Black Death Sect have emerged.”
“How terrible. It’s almost regrettable that they weren’t completely exterminated during the Sword Demon War.”
“Everyone had their circumstances at that time.”
Mu-myung let out a deep sigh. Of course, the worst were the Evil Sect and the Namgung Family. That couldn’t be denied. But that doesn’t mean the Sword Demon did everything right.
The Sword Demon, having obtained such powerful strength, tried to resolve the situation through force alone, without even attempting dialogue. He trusted in his martial prowess, which was on par with the legendary Sword God of the righteous sect.
Though he did not harm the innocent, but that was only the minimum line. How could others simply stand by and watch as he swept away the righteous sect without saying a word?
The lack of communication led to misunderstandings, and those misunderstandings eventually became the perfect pretext for enemies to exploit. That’s how the Namgung Family eliminated their competitors by the Sword Demon’s hand and took their place.
An unwavering leader.
The absolute power of the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance.
And absolute power inevitably leads to corruption.
Surely there must have been those within the Namgung Family who worried about corruption and sought reform. Just looking at the Namgung Family’s young master, Namgung Baek, one could tell. But would that be as easy as it sounds?
“The Namgung Family, having obtained absolute power, would have mercilessly killed the young people demanding reform through the hands of power holders like the Dark Sword. Therefore, no one dared to speak up. That’s how the present Namgung Family was formed.”
And the Sword Demon’s contribution to this couldn’t be denied. Despite his immense martial prowess, he ultimately overestimated his own strength and was eventually defeated.
‘I will never become like that.’
Someone else might not understand. But Mu-myung especially could not help but be vigilant. That’s because whenever there was a gap, the memories of the Sword Demon tried to enter his mind.
I will not become like the Sword Demon.
Once again, Mu-myung renewed his determination.
