Chapter v12c14

As Bi Ryu-yeon pondered the fate of the man before him, a black object fell with a clatter at his feet. It was a round, black sphere, similar to the one he had seen in the Demonic Illusion Hall.

A sizzling sound, accompanied by smoke, indicated that it was a specially crafted thunder bomb, with no visible fuse. And it could explode at any moment.

“It’s a thunder bomb! Get back!”

Everyone quickly moved away from the bomb. If it had the power of a Yama Thunder, they could be buried alive.

Boom!

A deafening explosion reverberated through the air. However, despite the earsplitting sound, there was no visible destructive force. Instead, a thick cloud of smoke billowed out.

“We’ve been tricked! It’s a diversion!”

Binggeom shouted. It was simple, in hindsight. The thunder bomb had been too close to Gong Pai. Even the Heavenly Tribulation, with its vast and unfathomable network, wouldn’t discard someone of Gong Pai’s caliber like a pawn. The bomb had been close enough to vaporize him.

“Damn it!”

Yeomdo cursed and dashed forward. They couldn’t let him escape. They couldn’t risk him informing the Heavenly Tribulation about the Martial God’s death. It was too dangerous. He plunged into the billowing smoke, trying to pinpoint Gong Pai’s location. He sensed a human presence. It had to be Gong Pai.

With a triumphant smirk, Yeomdo swung his saber, aiming for that spot. There was no way Gong Pai could dodge with his injured legs.

Clang!

But Yeomdo’s attempt was thwarted. A figure in a blood-red mask, radiating a crimson aura, blocked his saber, shielding Gong Pai.

‘A master!’

Yeomdo instantly assessed his opponent’s skill. As he prepared to attack again, the masked figure raised his left hand, stopping him.

“I suggest you stop.”

It was a low voice, yet filled with power.

“Crazy! Like I would listen to you…”

Yeomdo took a step forward as he spoke, but a sharp “Screech!” made him jump back in alarm.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Six black spears were embedded deep in the ground where Yeomdo had been standing just a moment ago. They were faster than most arrows and incomparably more powerful.

“That’s why I warned you. I said it would be best to stop.”

The masked figure spoke again.

“Hmph, how pathetic! You think you can stop me with these toys? I’ll teach you a lesson.”

Red sword flame energy blazed from Yeomdo’s saber. He looked like a majestic lion of fire, brimming with power.

The masked figure said,

“I’m warning you again. Don’t be reckless. That was a fake to rescue him, but what my men are eager to throw down from above is real.”

Both Yeomdo and Binggeom, who had been ready to intervene, stiffened. This could lead to a disastrous outcome.

“Who would believe such a bluff!”

Yeomdo roared.

“Bluff? I guess the explosion in the Cheonmu Academy’s Demonic Illusion Hall was just a firecracker then.”

“H-How did you…?”

“I believe the answer is obvious. So, have you changed your mind? We still have seventy percent of our strength left. We’re happy to fight you head-on if you wish. But if you stop here, we’ll retreat. We won’t lay a finger on you…”

“You Heavenly Tribulation bastards…”

Yeomdo cursed.

“Hmm.”

Binggeom groaned. They were forced to make a choice. But he couldn’t choose either option. Then,

“Let them go. People should be able to do what they want! Don’t you agree?”

Yeomdo, Binggeom, and the masked figure turned their astonished gazes to the source of the voice. A man, who looked both young and mischievous, smiled.

“Kid, who are you? This is no place for you to interfere.”

Jeok-hyeol (Red Blood) was not only far away, but also preoccupied with preparing for their retreat. Moreover, the fog and dust obscured their vision, preventing them from seeing why Dongfang Xue and Gong Pai had collapsed. If they had known, they wouldn’t have been so reckless.

Bi Ryu-yeon pointed a finger and replied,

“Let’s just say I’m someone who has a score to settle with that big old man over there.”

It was an introduction that Jeok-hyeol wouldn’t understand even after a hundred years.

“I can’t let him go. I still have a debt to collect. Attack me if you want, all of you.”

“You can’t just decide that…”

Bi Ryu-yeon cut off Binggeom’s protest. He seemed serious.

“Even if blood flows like a river and corpses pile up like mountains, I won’t let you leave until I’ve collected my debt. It’s a matter of pride.”

“…What audacity!”

The masked figure muttered.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

A dark smile spread across Bi Ryu-yeon’s lips.

[Please, don’t! It’s too dangerous. Let’s let them go for today. There will be other opportunities.]

Binggeom pleaded. Even Yeomdo supported him this time. It was a rare sight, like a flood during a drought, for these two rivals to agree. Bi Ryu-yeon’s absurd and reckless behavior had made them forget even their determination to capture Gong Pai. That’s how dire the situation was.

Bi Ryu-yeon looked displeased. He seemed reluctant to let Gong Pai go.

But as a master, he couldn’t refuse his disciples’ pleas. This was what they meant by “being burdened by one’s disciples.” Bi Ryu-yeon glanced at Gong Pai and turned around without a word.

As if waiting for this moment, Binggeom and Yeomdo stepped forward. They sighed in relief, grateful that Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t throwing a tantrum.

They couldn’t risk the lives of the entire delegation on a gamble. And even with a bit of exaggeration, his words were mostly true. Letting Gong Pai, who possessed crucial information, escape was a bitter pill to swallow, but the safety of the disciples was their top priority.

“Alright. We won’t touch you anymore. You may leave.”

Binggeom said through gritted teeth.

“Thank you.”

“What’s your name?”

Jeok-hyeol hesitated for a moment before answering,

“My name is Jeok-hyeol. We’ll meet again.”

“It would be best if we didn’t. That day will be your last!”

Binggeom shouted towards the billowing smoke. Jeok-hyeol, carrying Gong Pai on his back, vanished like smoke before their eyes. Binggeom muttered as he watched them disappear,

“Jeok-hyeol… He’s no less skilled than the Flying Thunder Twin Demons.”

Their true identities and their base of operations remained a mystery.

And no one present could have predicted the devastating consequences of the grave mistake they had made today.

**The Fate of the Flying Snake Demon Lord**

– Three Questions

Although the fierce battle had come to an end, there was still much to be done. This included dealing with the old man buried in the ground.

Perhaps they were too preoccupied, or perhaps they simply didn’t notice him, but they had left Mo Sa-ryeong behind. It was understandable, considering he was unconscious, his limbs buried in the dirt, only his face peeking out. Even that small portion of his face was covered in a strange substance. And the fallen trees helped conceal him further. Thus, Mo Sa-ryeong was left stranded in the heart of enemy territory.

In short, he had been abandoned.

“Hmm… Where am I?”

Mo Sa-ryeong slowly opened his eyes, awakened by the commotion. A figure came into view as his eyelids fluttered open. A face hidden behind long bangs. He realized with a jolt that it was the one who had put him in this state.

He was propped up against a large tree, surrounded by dozens of gazes. Yeomdo, Binggeom, the Vermilion Bird Squad, Na Yerin, and a few of her friends were among those staring at him. The snake-eyed Mo Sa-ryeong, realizing the dire situation he was in, desperately tried to move, but his body felt as heavy as lead.

“Ugh… Ugh… Ugh…”

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t muster any strength. His body felt like a waterlogged cotton ball.

“It’s useless to struggle. I’ve sealed all your pressure points. You can only move your mouth.”

Bi Ryu-yeon said in a formally polite tone.

“What are you going to do with me? Are you going to kill me?”

Mo Sa-ryeong shouted, his voice a growl.

“We’ll see. But I don’t think death is a sufficient atonement for your sins. You tried to destroy something precious to me.”

Bi Ryu-yeon replied in a flat, emotionless voice.

“Then kill me! Kill me now!”

Bi Ryu-yeon smiled faintly.

“Kill me, kill me, kill me. You’re obsessed with death, aren’t you? But don’t worry. You don’t have to be so eager to die. Everyone has to pay for their sins. Let’s make a bet!”

“A bet?”

It was an incomprehensible suggestion to the captive Mo Sa-ryeong.

“Yes. If you win this bet, I’ll release you.”

“Are you serious?”

“I always keep my word. Don’t worry.”

[B-But…]

Yeomdo tried to protest, but Bi Ryu-yeon raised a hand to silence him.

[But we need to interrogate him and find out who’s behind this.]

[Just pretend you don’t know. And he doesn’t strike me as someone who would talk. He might look like a snake, but I think he has some backbone.]

[You might be right, but still…]

Yeomdo continued to plead, but Bi Ryu-yeon was adamant.

“So, what’s the bet?”

“It’s a very simple bet!”

Bi Ryu-yeon took a bamboo tube from his waist and rummaged through it.

“Gasp!”

Everyone gasped in shock. Some of the women turned pale. In Bi Ryu-yeon’s hands were the two Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes. He smiled, holding a snake in each hand.

“The rules are simple. I’ll release these two snakes, and whoever they go to will be the winner.”

“Y-You… Are you insane?”

“Of course!”

He nodded firmly. But it seemed he was the only one who thought so. Everyone around him, including Yeomdo and the Vermilion Bird Squad, looked like they wanted to side with Mo Sa-ryeong.

What kind of snakes were the Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes? They had lived with Mo Sa-ryeong for over a hundred years. Need he say more? They couldn’t understand Bi Ryu-yeon’s intentions in proposing such a bet, where the outcome was already decided.

“However, since this bet is clearly in your favor, we have a condition.”

So, he did realize it was in Mo Sa-ryeong’s favor. And yet, he was still doing this?

“What is it?”

Mo Sa-ryeong asked, his expression wary.

“If I win, you have to answer three questions. What do you say?”

Mo Sa-ryeong pondered for a moment with a serious expression before nodding. It was a risky condition. But there was no way he could lose this bet.

“Alright. I, Mo Sa-ryeong, the Flying Snake God Lord, swear on my honor. If I lose this bet, I’ll accept your condition.”

“That’s the spirit! I like it! This is going to be fun.”

Bi Ryu-yeon clapped his hands, looking delighted.

[No objections now, right?]

Yeomdo nodded reluctantly. But what was the point of a condition if there was no chance of winning? He decided to give up.

“Shall we begin then?”

“Anytime!”

Mo Sa-ryeong replied, confident of his victory. As Bi Ryu-yeon raised his hands, his eyes met those of the Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes. The two creatures stared back at him warily, as if asking, “What are you up to?”

Perhaps they had learned their lesson from their previous encounter, as they seemed to have given up on any thoughts of resistance. Bi Ryu-yeon’s eyes, gazing at the Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes, slowly turned the color of dawn gold. Only these two creatures were privy to this mystical sight. A quiet, yet firm and powerful voice flowed from Bi Ryu-yeon’s lips.

“Now! It’s time for you to choose a side. Decide where you want to go. I’ll let you go wherever you desire!”

The Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes, as if understanding his words, glanced at each other and turned their heads towards their former master without hesitation. But Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t finished. Their heads were forcibly turned back.

“Oh, and if you wish to die with your master, that’s fine too. I might even erect a monument in your honor, like a loyal dog’s tombstone. But don’t forget. If you go to him, your fate will be nothing but snake soup! There are quite a few people who drool at the thought of snake as an aphrodisiac. It’s a noble sacrifice to become the foundation of someone else’s happiness. So, what will it be?”

Did they understand human speech? They were truly mythical creatures. Released from Bi Ryu-yeon’s grasp, the two snakes hesitated between the two men, clearly conflicted.

“Now! Decide your fate with your own judgment!”

Bi Ryu-yeon exclaimed. His words, imbued with the power of a command, seemed to carry an irresistible authority. They stood at a crossroads. The two snakes quickly made their decision.

Slither!

The Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes, pretending to slither towards Mo Sa-ryeong, suddenly changed direction.

“H-How can this be!”

Mo Sa-ryeong’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had been certain they would come to him, wagging their tails. But right before his eyes, the two Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes, even wagging their tails affectionately, slithered towards Bi Ryu-yeon.

Bi Ryu-yeon laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Life over loyalty! Self-interest over sentiment… It seems the lives of even insignificant creatures are no different from those of corrupt humans.”

Mo Sa-ryeong felt Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze looking down on him from above. It was the same as admitting complete defeat. The Blue-Red Twin Horned Snakes rubbed their horned foreheads against Bi Ryu-yeon’s shoes, as if trying to please him. Their treacherous act robbed Mo Sa-ryeong of even the last shred of hope. Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze shifted back to Mo Sa-ryeong, who seemed to have aged another fifty years in an instant.

“Well, well, what do we have here? As you can see, these creatures have chosen me. We can’t let the will of an individual override the will of nature, can we?”

Mo Sa-ryeong’s despair, grief, and sense of defeat were beyond words. He was now too ashamed to even call himself the Flying Snake God Lord.

“I… I… lost!”

A bright smile appeared on Bi Ryu-yeon’s lips as he looked at Mo Sa-ryeong. But it was a smile that pushed the old man further into the abyss.

“Hehehehehe. Hehehehehehehe, hehehehehehehe…”

A hollow, powerless laughter escaped the old man’s gaping mouth. Today marked the end of Mo Sa-ryeong’s life as a martial artist. He would never rise again. The loss of his worth as a martial artist! That was Bi Ryu-yeon’s punishment, a fate crueler than death.

Beside the old man, laughing emptily, his broken Ten Thousand Snake Blood Staff lay abandoned, tossed about by the wind.