Chapter 121 – The One-Eyed Sword God, Dokgo Yul

After dipping the brush into the ink slightly, he began to write on the paper, erasing what was previously written and replacing it with neat handwriting.

“Let’s go with this.”

After drying the paper, he handed it over. The scholar from the Academy, who had been waiting, received it with both hands.

The scholar’s face lit up as he examined it.

“Indeed! This will work!”

Meeting the scholar’s admiring gaze, Dokgo Yul spoke.

“In the Jianghu, you never know when something might happen. Logical responses are good, but fundamental responses are best.”

“You’re right, but…”

The scholar smiled sheepishly.

“It’s rare for someone like you, Dokgo Yul, to handle such trivial matters personally.”

“How can looking after the future pillars be considered trivial?”

“Still, you have many important responsibilities, don’t you?”

The scholar seemed at a loss for words. Dokgo Yul, filled with righteousness, continued.

“No matter how busy I am, I must do what needs to be done.”

“Especially with untrustworthy people causing trouble recently.”

“To ensure the students are safe, this is the best course of action.”

“If my sacrifice can avert danger, then so be it.”

Dokgo Yul stamped the document firmly.

“Consider it agreed upon.”

Don’t worry about the Murim Excursion.

The scholar from the Academy, with tears in his eyes, responded to Dokgo Yul’s words.

“Dokgo Yul.”

It wasn’t just him.

The scholars waiting in line behind him, holding documents, also had teary eyes.

Enhancing his hearing slightly, he heard their murmurs.

“Truly a great hero of our time.”

“He’s taking on our responsibilities.”

“We must work even harder.”

“We should contribute to the Jianghu he’s building.”

Reverent whispers reached his ears.

‘It seems to have worked.’

It was a great relief.

He had been looking for an excuse to follow his lord anyway.

‘But it would be strange to appear too happy.’

Just twice.

He pressed his eyes with his index and thumb.

‘And a weary sigh.’

The calculated movements drew another round of admiration from the scholars.

‘They’re easy to handle.’

Even desert rabbits wouldn’t be this troublesome.

Thinking this, Dokgo Yul put down the document and spoke.

“Next!”

The plan to take control of Euncheon Hall was progressing smoothly.

***

“Phew. This is tiring.”

Even Dokgo Yul felt fatigue.

Especially with the tedious paperwork.

Recently, Chief Administrator Seon In-hyeok had given him immense authority, and the support from the Light of the Flame Ma Gil-sang had increased his workload significantly.

There were times he felt the urge to quit several times a day.

But he silently endured, working tirelessly for the future of the righteous faction.

“All for my lord.”

Muttering to himself, he walked along until he saw a group gathered ahead.

Lifting his head slightly, he saw senior instructors forming a small circle, beyond which a familiar voice could be heard.

“Haha. Don’t worry.”

A kind voice that disarmed people just by listening.

“No need to trouble yourself for me. It’s a difficult task, but isn’t it something I volunteered for?”

“But, Old Wang.”

“Joining the Murim Excursion is to fulfill a promise.”

“Are you trying to make me break my promise?”

At the mild rebuke, the senior instructors all bowed their heads.

Seeing the situation, Dokgo Yul instantly knew.

‘He’s deceiving people again.’

His father’s experience was indeed impressive.

While Dokgo Yul had spent a considerable amount of time and effort to reach his position through exemplary behavior, his father had deceived everyone around him in a short time.

‘I still have much to learn.’

As he thought this, a strong telepathic message reached him from beyond the senior instructors.

[Yul.]

It was his father, Sima Bai.

[Get rid of these foolish righteous faction members!]

Should he add ‘insulting with a smile’ to his list of things to learn?

***

With just his presence, he dispersed the senior instructors. His father’s gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by the face of the Dark Soul Black Wind Guard.

“Worms.”

His father spoke with fierce eyes peeking through his squinted ones.

“If they understood, they wouldn’t need to be told.”

“What happened?”

“They invited me to their sect when I said I would join the Murim Excursion. Fools.”

“They must be quite interested in the martial arts of the Kunlun Sect.”

“They don’t realize that the day I visit their sect will be the day it’s washed in blood.”

Grinding his teeth, he spoke of wanting to smash their heads and kill them all.

‘He always told me to remain calm as the rightful heir of the Sima Clan.’

It seemed even his father couldn’t maintain his composure when it came to matters involving their lord.

The irritation didn’t last long.

“Well, at least I can follow our lord.”

“You succeeded.”

“As a monitor for the temporary instructor.”

He was sure it would work.

The head of Euncheon Hall wouldn’t refuse the assistance of such a valuable master.

“What about you?”

“I’ll join without any issues.”

“Haha. How long has it been since we’ve traveled the Jianghu? Especially with our lord.”

Indeed.

‘How many years has it been?’

Beyond the time spent in despair when their lord vanished, there was a time when they roamed the Jianghu.

Thump. Thump.

Just thinking about it made his heart race.

But there was a concern.

“Traveling the Jianghu with our lord is exciting, but I worry he’ll be disappointed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Our lord no longer has any interest in the Jianghu.”

“Oh, that.”

His father’s response made Sima Yul’s eyes narrow.

“Even if you’re my father, I won’t tolerate anything that goes against our lord’s will.”

At the sharp warning, Sima Bai laughed and stroked his white beard.

“I know. Honestly, I regret it.”

Father… regrets?

His voice trembled slightly.

“I put too much expectation on our lord, making him uncomfortable.”

That’s true.

“It’s my fault. I saw his potential to conquer the world but didn’t realize he had no desire for it.”

Sighing deeply with his hands behind his back, Sima Bai spoke.

“Grateful as I am for the salvation granted that day.”

That day.

The memory of the ‘Day of Salvation’ they both referred to came to mind.

Everything was red.

The sky was filled with fiery light as if the day of apocalypse had arrived, and the ground was covered with corpses.

Everyone in the Sima Clan despaired and sang of death, brought upon them by the Five Poisons Sect.

Among the Six Demonic Paths of the Blood Cult, the Five Poisons Sect was notorious for its cruelty.

“Gu Luma-gun! You finally!”

Sima Bai cried out in anguish.

The middle-aged man known as Gu Luma-gun laughed heartily.

“Fool. Didn’t I warn you? Hand ‘him’ over.”

“Have you forgotten the laws of the Blood Cult?”

“Tsk. The laws of the Blood Cult? I don’t remember them well.”

The man crossed his arms and laughed.

“Except for the law of the strong.”

His fierce poison energy spread around.

“Ugh!”

“Argh!”

The surviving household members clutched their throats and spat blood.

*Crackle. Crackle.*

The poisoned people fell, and sparks flew over their heads.

The smell of burning corpses filled the air.

Sima Yul despaired.

‘It’s over.’

He had tried to avoid the worst, but it had come to this.

It was somewhat expected.

The current Blood Cult was a world of survival of the fittest with no laws.

The weak were killed, and betrayal was rampant.

The once mighty Martial Sect of Demons, which stood shoulder to shoulder with the Demonic Cult, had vanished.

The grace of the strong had disappeared, replaced by darkness.

A world ruled by base violence with no laws.

That was the current Blood Cult.

“Surrender. If you swear loyalty to me, I’ll spare you.”

“…I can’t.”

“If you refuse, I’ll bring all the remaining people here.”

And then.

“I’ll rape the women in front of you and kill the men, drenching them in blood.”

So, choose.

“Death or life?”

The oppressive aura of Gu Luma-gun was overwhelming.

*Gulp.*

Just facing him made Sima Bai spit blood.

At that moment.

“Leader! We found him!”

A member of the Five Poisons Sect dragged a limp boy forward.

“Oh? He was here after all.”

“Young master! No! …Ugh!”

*Thud!*

Sima Bai, who had risen, was kicked and rolled on the ground.

“Finally, we have the precious ingredient.”

As he approached the boy lying on the ground, the boy suddenly opened his eyes.

“What’s this? Did it work?”

A young voice echoed.

The boy got up, looked around, and cracked his neck.

“What the…”

The boy’s mischievous eyes turned into crescent moons.

“Nice to see some familiar faces.”

The boy’s gaze turned to Sima Yul.

“Good to see you, Yul.”

Sima Yul was startled.

‘How does he know me?’

Who is this boy?

Then Sima Yul remembered the boy his father had brought.

– He is someone you must protect with your life.

He hadn’t remembered immediately because the boy was treated so preciously that he rarely saw his face.

‘I thought he lived quietly as if he didn’t exist.’

The lively appearance was surprising.

But the boy’s words dispelled his doubts.

“Hey. A martial artist doesn’t bow to just anyone.”

The stern words were so reproachful that Sima Yul almost apologized without knowing where he was.

The members of the Five Poisons Sect were also bewildered.

“You brat! How dare you act like this in front of the Demonic Lord!”

“You don’t seem to understand the situation yet…”

Amidst the killing intent of the Five Poisons Sect warriors, the boy laughed.

“Wow. Nice to see you.”

Gu Luma-gun’s eyebrows twitched.

“How strange. I used the secret ‘Poison Demon Art’ of the sect.”

“Still as underhanded as ever.”

The boy jumped within the purple smoke surrounding him and said.

“Still as worthless as ever.”

Gu Luma-gun’s mouth twisted into a grin.

“Interesting. A useful test subject. Too valuable to hand over.”

Releasing his hands, Gu Luma-gun approached the boy.

*Step. Step.*

The immense pressure felt like a moving mountain, breaking objects in the hall.

But the boy showed no fear. Instead,

“Hey. I’m glad we met again.”

He waved cheerfully like a madman.

“I regret not finishing what I started before.”

A chilling voice followed.

“Come here, you bastard.”

That day.

Gu Luma-gun, Elder of the Five Poisons Sect, had his spine ripped out while alive, and half of the Five Poisons Sect was erased from existence.

It was the moment a legend manifested in the mortal world.

***

“What are you thinking about?”

Returning to reality, Sima Yul answered.

“I was thinking about the first time I met our lord.”

“A day I can never forget, even in my dreams.”

Sima Bai laughed heartily, shaking his shoulders. Stroking his beard, he continued.

“Anyway. I won’t make our lord uncomfortable again.”

“The thing I hate most is being hated by our lord.”

“But don’t worry about the Murim Excursion being boring.”

“What do you mean?”

“Our lord declared he wanted a peaceful life.”

“Does heaven easily send talents to the world?”

“What do you mean?”

“A person worthy of being called a celestial being has appeared, so destiny will move.”

Or perhaps fate.

The more he listened, the more cryptic the answer became.

“For simpletons like us.”

After a brief silence, Sima Bai added,

“We just need to be vigilant not to be swept away by the destiny heaven commands.”