Chapter v10c9

Phantom Demon Cave Opening

Pushing away the darkness of a night filled with anguish, dawn arrived, bringing with it a morning of trials.

Almost no one woke up to the sound of the bell signaling the time to rise, because most of the participants had spent the night wide awake, filled with tension and excitement.

Yoon Junho stood by the window, watching the rising morning sun.

“Finally, the morning has come! I swear by that sun, I will never run away again…”

A resolute determination, different from his previous self, radiated from his entire being. He wanted to be reborn anew. The reason was that the mysterious trial of the Phantom Demon Cave was starting this morning. The air felt tense, perhaps due to his mood. His heart raced, and his whole body tingled with excitement.

“Everyone must have had a restless night due to anxiety and excitement, right?”

Despite numerous attempts to sleep last night, he had failed every time. However…

“Hey! The morning has arrived! Get up now, Ryu Yeon! Ryu Yeon!”

Moyong Hui tried shaking Bi Ryu Yeon a few times but eventually gave up.

“Snore… money… my money… yum yum yum.”

In contrast, Bi Ryu Yeon, despite the ringing of the morning bell, was still rolling around in bed, deeply asleep without any intention of getting up.

Moyong Hui frowned at Bi Ryu Yeon’s relaxed face.

‘Does this guy not know tension or excitement?’

His face, even while sleeping late, was filled with ease and tranquility.

The dawn light streamed through the cold air. Bi Ryu Yeon, along with his friends and disciples, headed to the designated assembly point. An invisible tension flowed among them. The only one who seemed completely at ease was Bi Ryu Yeon.

“Did you sleep well? Ryong? Hong? Junho?”

As they exited the dormitory, they saw Hyo Ryong. Alongside him were Jang Hong and Yoon Junho. Their tension was palpable. Especially notable was Junho Yoon’s tension and determination. Seeing the results of their training, Bi Ryu Yeon felt very satisfied.

“Shall we go?”

“Alright!”

Everyone nodded in unison.

The group headed towards the assembly point. Before long, they were joined by Namgung Sang, Jin Ling, and the Jujakdan. The Jujakdan greeted Bi Ryu Yeon, prompting Jang Hong, Hyo Ryong, and Junho to quickly return the greeting. They had developed a special camaraderie through their tough training under Yeom Do. After exchanging greetings, they all headed towards the assembly point together. There was only one path to that place. Not only them, but many others were walking towards the same destination. Among them were Jin Sung Gon, Im Seong Jin, and even the notorious Tang Cheol Ki and Cheon So Hae of Cheonmu Academy. Bi Ryu Yeon greeted them warmly, realizing they too were participating in the trial. Today, they didn’t appear as the usual troublemakers of Cheonmu Academy.

“Wow, there are so many people. Are all these people here for the preliminary round of the Mount Hua Sect?”

Hyo Ryong marveled, looking around. They were all skilled individuals.

“It’s a matter of their sects, families, honor, and advancement. It’s natural for them to be eager. But few realize the steep price of failure. Most of them probably don’t even know what the Mount Hua Sect really is.”

Jang Hong’s remark was quite cynical, uncharacteristic of his usual tone.

Just then, someone caught Bi Ryu Yeon’s eye.

“Oh, Lady Yerin!”

Bi Ryu Yeon waved enthusiastically and called out to her. His casual calling of her name made Dokgo Ryong frown deeply. Lee Jin Seol, still unresolved in her feelings towards Hyo Ryong, was neither happy nor sad, just flustered. They ended up joining Bi Ryu Yeon’s group, missing the chance to avoid them.

As they walked, many people greeted them first. Most of the greetings were directed towards the Jujakdan and Na Yerin. The Jujakdan’s reputation had grown so much that they were almost idolized by new recruits. Some people even aspired to join the Jujakdan. Their popularity had peaked after defeating the Azure Dragon Squad. Of course, none of those harboring such illusions knew about the complex relationship between the Jujakdan and Bi Ryu Yeon.

Today’s assembly point was a small training ground in front of the Phantom Demon Cave, the test location. Though small, it was large enough to accommodate all the test applicants.

When Bi Ryu Yeon and his group arrived, many people who had spent a sleepless night and woke up early were already there, busily preparing for the test. Despite over fifty people gathered, the tension was so thick that there was a palpable silence.

Many more were yet to arrive. This time, the Phantom Demon Cave test had attracted 321 participants, including 108 current students of Cheonmu Academy affiliated with the Black and White Sword Association, and 213 renowned senior graduates spread across various branches of the martial arts community. It was rare to see so many top-level masters gathered in one place. To be selected as a representative required overcoming a swarm of formidable competitors; they had to give it their all.

“Tension is even running high among the Masters.”

Namgung Sang observed, looking around.

“Of course. That gateway has been sealed for 18 years due to its dangers. Just three days ago, we were all drafting those damned pledges and eerie wills. Who would have thought we’d be writing wills at such a young age? People are naturally frightened of accidents happening. I’m sure the others are feeling desperate as well. Aren’t you afraid?”

Hyun Woon, both a friend and a rival, asked. Hyun Woon seemed to drift further from the stature of a Master.

“It’s not as bad as I thought. I’m just a little on edge, no real fear.”

It seemed that the hard training under Yeom Do was paying dividends.

“What could possibly be inside that causes everyone such anxiety…”

Though reluctant, they would have to risk their lives to find out.

As Namgung Sang sensed the tension emanating from the Masters and participants, Bi Ryu Yeon viewed the situation from a different standpoint.

“There are many.”

“Yes, I believe there are about 300 participants this time. Having 300 iron-clad experts in one place won’t be easy.”

Jang Hong also couldn’t hide his nerves.

“No, I mean, can all these people really enter that cavern at once?”

“Yes!”

It was almost a rhetorical response.

“How big must that cavern inside be, then?”

“It must be quite vast.”

Not a particularly helpful response.

“I know that much. I was just pondering how much money it must have cost to artificially carve out such a large cave.”

“Don’t say such things with such a serious look. It can be misleading.”

Jang Hong shook his head in exasperation.

Then:

“The headmaster of Cheonmu Academy is arriving!”

As the shout rang out, the seated Masters stood up, and the gathered disciples showed their respects to Headmaster Majinga, who entered.

Thud, thud.

Headmaster Majinga of Cheonmu Academy walked onto the platform prepared on the training ground. Given the test’s significance in choosing the representative to bear the honor of the White Way of the Mount Hua Sect, it seemed he would personally deliver a speech. The test’s importance couldn’t be understated. At Majinga’s gesture, the disciples stopped their salute, and the Masters returned to their seats.

Majinga looked around slowly before starting his speech. His every word carried an invisible power that could captivate his audience.

“Today is an excellent day for you to challenge yourselves, a test of your own limits. I am proud to stand before you all. You might wonder what lies within this place known as Phantom Demon Cave. However, I cannot teach you what it is. What you see and gain inside is entirely up to you. But I can tell you this: inside, you may face the most terrifying things in this world. You might consider this place hell.”

It was a speech that struck dread into its listeners. Majinga continued, and everyone listened in tense silence, the gravity on their faces spoke volumes.

“We can open the entrance for you, but finding the exit is beyond us. Whether you see the light at the exit is entirely up to you. Now I ask, if anyone here trembles with fear, step forward!”

His eyes blazed, and his voice escalated in its passionate swell, hypnotizing those who heard it. No one stepped forward.

Once more, Majinga spoke.

“Is there a faint-hearted soul trembling in fear here? If so, come forth. The entrance to hell you must walk through, and the door you must open is that of Hell itself. Step forward now, and I will grant you exemption from the trial. Is there no one?”

His thunderous voice made the air in the hall tremble.

“No!”

A low but resolute voice!

Yoon Junho blankly stared at Bi Ryu Yeon, whose hand gripped his wrist like a hawk. His foot was unconsciously slightly lifted off the ground. It was an involuntary action he hadn’t even realized. If Bi Ryu Yeon hadn’t stopped him, Yoon Junho might have stepped forward. If he had, he would have become a lifelong laughingstock, mocked by everyone.

Bi Ryu Yeon shook his head firmly.

“Don’t move! Not a single step! If you take even one step here, you’ll forever be branded as a cowardly fool! If you don’t want that, if you want to stand tall against those arrogant seniors, don’t move! Be as steadfast as a thousand-year-old tree rooted in the ground! Got it?”

Intimidated by Bi Ryu Yeon’s fierce words and gaze, Yoon Junho weakly nodded. He gently lowered his slightly lifted right foot back to the ground.

“Is there no one here without courage?”

Majinga asked loudly once again. His roar vibrated through the chilly morning air.

“No one.”

A thunderous response echoed throughout the training ground as everyone replied in unison, drawing a satisfied smile from Majinga’s face.

“I am proud of you all. I have no doubt that you will all courageously overcome whatever trials come your way. Disciples, remember! The moment you succumb to fear, everything ends. It could lead to mental breakdown, or even death. Be extremely cautious. Your enemy lies within. Pillars of the righteous path! Protectors of the orthodox sects! Now, step forward and conquer the trials that come your way!”

Majinga extended his right hand forward powerfully.

“Now, go forth!”

With that signal, the test, or rather the trial, of the Phantom Demon Cave began.

“Woahhhhh!”

Cheers erupted from the disciples.

Yet, among those gathered here, no one could foresee the ominous accidents that would unfold.

Creeeak.

The sound of the gate opening was so eerie and ominous that it instilled a sense of dread in all who heard it. It was as if the door, sealed tight for eighteen years, was screaming in agony for the first time. Moreover, the cave behind the door appeared like the gaping mouth of a starving ghost.

One of the overseeing Masters shouted loudly,

“Enter in the order of the numbers you were given!”

The numbers previously handed out were for determining the order of entry. Bi Ryu Yeon checked the number he had received.

Forty-four.

“Isn’t that ominous? It’s not a very fortunate number.”

Jang Hong appeared from somewhere and commented,

“What’s so ominous about it?”

Bi Ryu Yeon retorted brusquely.

“According to numerology, the number four has traditionally been considered an ominous number symbolizing death. Forty-four means death is doubled. It implies you might face the risk of death more than twice during this test. Or…”

“Or what?”

Bi Ryu Yeon asked impatiently as Jang Hong paused.

“Well, it’s doubtful it would end there twice. When written in Arabic numerals, it’s ‘44’.”

Kindly, Jang Hong drew the Arabic numerals ‘44’ on the ground. Although not widely adopted in this era, the concept of Arabic numerals had already been introduced. Jang Hong, pausing briefly, seemed to have more to say.

“This can also be interpreted as facing death four times, with the first ‘4’ signifying the risk of death, and the second ‘4’ the number of times. But compared to the next interpretation, this is nothing. There’s a more severe interpretation I’ve been hesitating to tell you…”

It seemed to Bi Ryu Yeon that Jang Hong was not sorry at all. Instead, he appeared to be enjoying it.

“‘44’ can also mean that death is intensified elevenfold. In other words, the shadow of the god of death might loom over you eleven times.”

“You’re using numbers as an excuse for slander. Why not throw a curse while you’re at it? It might be more effective. You could even make a straw doll and stick nails in it for enhanced effect. Should I lend you a strand of hair?”

Bi Ryu Yeon retorted mockingly.

“And what number did Jang get?”

“Number thirteen.”

Jang Hong said proudly.

“And that number isn’t ominous?”

Bi Ryu Yeon inquired in a twisted tone.

“Of course not! According to numerology, thirteen is one of the most perfect numbers. Do you know the most perfect shape in this world?”

Bi Ryu Yeon shook his head, to which Jang Hong nodded, as if expecting that answer, and then elucidated.

“That would be a cube. Then, how many vertices does the most perfect shape, a cube, have?”

“Thirteen!”

Bi Ryu Yeon answered. A smile of satisfaction spread across Jang Hong’s face.

“Exactly. So how could such a perfect number be unlucky! I’ve got the number of fortune, and you’ve got the number of misfortune.”

“How lovely that must be for you.”

“Indeed! It’s delightful. How could I not be happy when the misfortune that could have been mine goes to someone else, and the fortune meant for others comes to me? It would be an insult to the benevolence of heaven not to be pleased.”

Jang Hong replied triumphantly.

“Tch, fate is made and pioneered by oneself! To hinge my fate on a number written on some scrap of paper is too cheap. Let’s see who safely returns from inside.”

“Ah! Don’t take what I said just now as malice towards you, or take it the wrong way.”

Despite everything he had said until now, Jang Hong spoke shamelessly. Bi Ryu Yeon just smiled wryly at one corner of his mouth.

“Well… That still seems suspicious.”

“Number forty-four!”

As his number was called, Bi Ryu Yeon stepped forward. It was finally his turn.

‘Two risks of death? There’s no need to believe the words of a no-good fortune teller. Grim Reaper! If you can take my life, try it. But be prepared to die by my hand first.’

Bi Ryu Yeon wasn’t scared at all. He was eager to see if any grim reaper dared to take his life.

‘I won’t be swayed by such fortunes or predictions. A true strongman controls even his own fate.’

Bi Ryu Yeon stood up and slung his ink-maned thunder qin, Mokyulrui, over his back. Beside him, Im Seong Jin’s eyes widened.

“Are you really planning to enter with that heavy burden?”

Im Seong Jin asked incredulously.

“Of course. This contains my soul of art. How could I just toss it aside carelessly! Plus, it’s a priceless item, how could I leave it haphazardly anywhere? It’s absurd.”

The Thunder Qin Mokyulrui was a secret treasure of his sect. For any sect, its secret treasure was a priceless and invaluable object. He couldn’t leave it behind, especially not knowing how long he’d be away. It wasn’t right to treat or leave such a valuable item carelessly.

“Your way of thinking is still incomprehensible to me. It appears to be nothing but a hindrance, of no use…”

Im Seong Jin shook his head in disbelief.

“Number forty-four!”

Once more, his number was called.

“Then, I shall proceed first.”

Bi Ryu Yeon, carrying Mokyulrui, confidently moved towards the deeply carved path of the Phantom Demon Cave that seemed like the road to the underworld.

Soon, his figure disappeared into the darkness.