episode_0024

Namgung Yul, who had returned earlier, came to the Bloodline Pavilion.

Cheongun roughly explained the situation.

He had just happened to come here, and upon observing, found it to be a den of scum, so since he was already here, he decided to clean it up a bit.

That was all, but, oh?

He somehow ended up becoming the Pavilion Master.

That was the extent of his explanation.

“…”

Namgung Yul was bewildered by the wildly jumping narrative, but then, considering Cheongun’s usual personality, he realized it was entirely plausible and nodded.

Rather, Cheongun’s composure was impressive.

He had simply wielded his sword as his heart guided him, and in the end, saved many people; it was truly the path of a chivalrous warrior itself.

And Namgung Yul, too, would have died if not for Cheongun.

Perhaps because of that, Namgung Yul did not dispute Cheongun’s words in any way.

Cheongun’s master, the Red Night Sword Sovereign, on the other hand, was different.

Jin Mooseong came to find Cheongun, suggesting they have a drink.

“My disciple, you’ve risen in the world quickly.”

“It’s a new experience.”

Jin Mooseong poured a drink for Cheongun.

Then he filled his own cup and immediately emptied it into his mouth.

“The Bloodline Pavilion is a force of the Dark Path. Do you know that?”

“Yes. I know.”

“You have become the Pavilion Master of such a place. Do you know what this signifies?”

“The responsibility is immense.”

“I heard that the Bloodline Pavilion is intertwined with the Divine Cult. My disciple, is your attack on the Bloodline Pavilion related to this?”

Cheongun had a slight headache.

He truly was a quick-witted master.

If he were merely quick-witted, it would be fine, but calling him to have such a serious conversation meant there was a great deal he wanted to say to him.

Although the Red Night Sword Sovereign’s methods were cruel, if one were to strictly categorize his affiliation, he was closer to the Righteous Faction.

It was natural that he would not welcome his disciple getting messily involved with the Dark Path.

Cheongun remained silent for a moment.

Their eyes met.

Jin Mooseong stared at Cheongun for a long time before drinking his wine.

Jin Mooseong spoke.

“I still remember the day I first met you. Even then, you stood fearlessly before this old man, intending to kill a demonic cultivator.”

“That’s right.”

“To the question that day, ‘Why have you come?’, you, Cheongun, replied: ‘As is common in the Murim, there is a grievance, so I came to kill.’ Looking at it now, that grievance seems to extend to the entire Divine Cult. Is that right?”

What should he reply to such an obvious question?

Cheongun replied by nodding.

“My disciple, how old are you this year?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you remember your parents’ faces?”

“No.”

“How did you come to learn martial arts?”

Cheongun pondered.

How should he answer this?

He couldn’t just say that cultivation formulas were floating around as system windows in front of his eyes, could he?

There was no other way.

When he couldn’t think of a suitable answer, the only option was to remain silent for now.

“You don’t remember?”

“No. Just by chance.”

“Yes, considering your talent, it’s not impossible.”

Jin Mooseong refilled Cheongun’s empty cup.

“It’s fascinating. That you haven’t lost yourself despite such a past.”

“…”

“You refused the offer to become a Namgung family member, then abruptly killed the Bloodline Pavilion Master, and now you’re fearlessly making the entire Demonic Cult your enemy… You’re like a moth to a flame. Your relentless pursuit of a single goal.”

“Are you anxious?”

Jin Mooseong chuckled.

“Blood is thicker than water. Ideals are thicker than blood, and the bond between master and disciple is thicker than those ideals.”

Jin Mooseong’s calm voice continued.

“It doesn’t matter what path you, Cheongun, walk. Even if everyone around you tries to stop you, even if your enemies try to stop you, a master must not harbor a single shred of doubt. You are the only sword I possess, so as a swordsman, how could I not trust my own sword?”

“…”

“A man is one who does not bend his will. The choice of the path one must walk should be heavy, but one must not look back. Just as you don’t regret making this place your base, I also don’t regret taking you, Cheongun, as my disciple. Even if you suddenly go mad and choose to walk the Demonic Path, it is your choice, and as your master, it is right for me to respect it.”

Jin Mooseong laughed heartily and abruptly stood up from his seat.

And he tossed a sword sheath with a swish.

As Cheongun hastily caught it, Jin Mooseong spoke as if it were nothing important.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“It’s the Red Night Sword.”

The Red Night Sword.

A renowned sword forged by Gu Jincheol, the greatest craftsman in the Central Plains, by pounding black iron a thousand times in flames, characterized by its blade that emits a red aura.

“No, Master-nim, why are you giving me your beloved sword?”

“Haha, my disciple throws away his sword and swings a fishing rod instead, how can a master maintain his dignity? When your master reaches a certain level, he can travel the world on a single horse, so it’s only right to bestow a single sword upon an unworthy disciple.”

Cheongun was momentarily speechless.

Not trusting anyone, doubting them, and stubbornly surviving like that.

That was the task of his transmigration.

He had lived like that for many years, but such blind support was a first for Cheongun.

It was then.

Jin Mooseong laughed heartily and opened his lips.

“Our Bloodline Pavilion Master… no, my disciple.”

“Yes.”

“The golden plum blossom I gave you, your master’s gift, appeared for sale at an auction.”

“……Is that so?”

Damn it.

Was he already found out?

“That sword you just received. Do you know how much it’s worth?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s expensive. Very expensive, in fact.”

“I see.”

After that, Jin Mooseong’s calm voice continued.

“Treat it as your life.”

“Yes.”

Jin Mooseong met Cheongun’s eyes, then added one more sentence.

“If you sell it, you die.”

“…”

****

Cheongun sat in the main seat, where the Bloodline Pavilion Master used to sit, and watched the executives enter.

Every person who entered did so cautiously, gauging the atmosphere, because they knew Cheongun’s terrible temper.

Among them, there were two women who entered, cackling without any sense of awareness.

The two were none other than Hong Soyeon and Baekseol.

As assassins from the Shadow Gate, they had been captured by Cheongun at the Cheongseong Mountain Righteous Alliance Branch and imprisoned in the dungeon.

The one who brought these individuals, who should have been imprisoned in the dungeon, was none other than Cheongun’s master, Jin Mooseong.

“Ah, and take these two with you too. The dungeon keeper was practically begging me to do something about these two women. They’re so stubborn and refuse to listen, and they just keep devouring those grain-abstinence pills. You insisted on keeping them alive, so isn’t it right that you, Cheongun, take responsibility?”

Thus, Hong Soyeon and Baekseol also became members of the Bloodline Pavilion.

Oh, and of course, he didn’t forget to administer the poison.

They entered boldly and sat to my right.

“You’ve arrived, Pavilion Master-nim?”

Jeok Hwaryeon approached my left.

However, someone else was already sitting to my left.

It was Jin Cheonwoo.

“That’s my seat.”

Jin Cheonwoo argued sternly.

Jeok Hwaryeon scanned Jin Cheonwoo up and down.

And seemingly realizing that he was a nobody, one corner of her mouth subtly curled upwards.

“Who?”

“I am Black Killing Sword Jin Cheonwoo.”

“Black Man Sword?”

“You damn bastard!”

Oh, he was provoked.

Jin Cheonwoo sprang to his feet.

Are they fighting? Cheongun watched with interest.

Jeok Hwaryeon was a demonic cultivator, specifically one who had mastered demonic arts.

Jin Cheonwoo wouldn’t possibly not know that.

As expected of someone from the Dark Path, his guts were extraordinary.

Jin Cheonwoo sprang up and glared at Jeok Hwaryeon as if he wanted to kill her.

And then.

“Damn it, I’ll let it slide just this once!”

With those words, he voluntarily squeezed himself into a corner.

Cheongun’s expression soured at the sight.

Cheongun said.

“You should cut off your manhood.”

“…”

Jin Cheonwoo pretended not to hear.

Cheongun clicked his tongue disapprovingly and spoke to everyone.

“Is everyone gathered?”

At his words, Hong Soyeon, sitting on his right, replied.

“Everyone’s here.”

Cheongun nodded.

“Why do you think I gathered you all again?”

Hong Soyeon retorted once more.

“To relentlessly torment us?”

“That’s not a bad idea. Should I start by tormenting you?”

“I misspoke.”

Ha, I’m already tired.

With only demonic cultivators from the Dark Path gathered, he already felt stifled.

Cheongun barely suppressed the surging frustration and continued with the main topic.

“I clearly told you last time. To strengthen internal security like an iron fortress and to ensure strict control over your mouths so that no information leaks outside.”

Everyone seated replied.

“Yes.”

Cheongun smiled broadly and continued.

“However, I heard some news. That someone is hiding like a rat and continuously leaking internal information to the Righteous Alliance.”

Red Night Sword Sovereign Jin Mooseong.

He, Cheongun’s master, had told Cheongun before leaving.

That there was a hidden rat, and he should catch it first.

“Who could it be?”

At Cheongun’s question, those seated furtively glanced at each other’s faces.

“If you come out now, I’ll let you live.”

Silence continued even after Cheongun’s subsequent words.

Then, Hong Soyeon, who had been quietly watching from Cheongun’s right, spoke cautiously.

“Excuse me, Pavilion Master-nim?”

“What.”

“Would you like to leave it to me?”

Hong Soyeon curved her eyes seductively.

Honestly, he didn’t quite trust her, but curious about what she would do, he nodded.

Hong Soyeon laughed merrily and spoke to everyone.

“Do you know something?”

Tilting their heads.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on her.

“The Righteous Alliance Leader, you see. That old man is actually an orphan?”

Gasp.

Everyone’s mouths dropped open.

“He’s a eunuch, and he’s bald. No hair, no manhood, no parents, doesn’t wash, a toothless tiger, and from the white coating on his tongue, a foul…”

It was then.

“What…!”

There was only one person who flared up in anger.

—Whoosh!

A single Dark Shadow Flying Needle sliced through the air and flew towards his glabella.

“!!!”

The man crossed his index and middle fingers and caught the Dark Shadow Flying Needle in a fleeting moment.

Seeing that, Hong Soyeon laughed merrily.

“Found him.”

Clap clap clap!

Cheongun gave a standing ovation.