Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 393 – Crossroads (1)

Young Master Na Yul-ryang downed a full cup of alcohol.

As he emptied the cup and was about to pour another, Mo Yak clicked his tongue and said,

“Why are you pouring drinks alone so pathetically?”

“It’s because you’re not drinking with me.”

“Aish. You never used to drink, but after your seclusion…”

No, to be precise, ever since he received that strange eye transplant surgery that the Elder Council had provided, he had been drinking constantly.

This had been increasingly bothering Mo Yak for some time.

He had been holding his tongue since this was his lord, but could it really be considered an eye transplant when the eye was originally lost?

Any skilled physician would say that once an eye is lost, that’s the end of it.

Even if you brought someone else’s eye, with current medical techniques, it’s impossible to connect the optic nerve.

Yet the physician brought by that envoy from the Elder Council had done this easily.

‘…But why didn’t he fix his own eyes?’

Yul-myeong, the envoy from the Elder Council, had said he became blind due to burns.

As a martial artist, he too would want to see, so why didn’t he get eyes for himself?

No matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Even if his lord wasn’t interested in other people’s affairs, this was strange enough to wonder about, yet he didn’t mention it at all.

Somehow, it felt like he was subtly changing from the person he used to know.

‘Hmm.’

Mo Yak, who had been staring at Na Yul-ryang as he downed another cup, finally opened his mouth.

“What will you do about the Elder Council’ proposal?”

“Proposal?”

“Yes, they spoke as if they knew something. Isn’t that why you’re considering it?”

“Considering…”

-Glug glug glug!

Na Yul-ryang raised an eyebrow as he filled his cup.

The words of Yul-myeong, the envoy from the Elder Council, flashed through his mind.

[The Society Leader doesn’t consider any of you young masters as successor.]

[…What do you mean?]

[I’m telling you because you might want to know.]

[I’m asking why you’re telling me this now.]

This was at the time when rumors were spreading that the Society Leader’s condition had worsened and he was on his deathbed.

So why was he suddenly saying such things?

-Pak!

Na Yul-ryang pressed his thumb against Yul-myeong’s vital point and spoke in a cold voice.

[What is the Elder Council plotting?]

[Plotting? That’s an interesting way to put it. The Elder Council is just a place where retired members of the organization gather to spend their twilight years.]

[You seem to like retirement. Why are such old folks so interested in the organization’s future? Including the succession structure.]

[Well, even if retired, it’s because the organization’s future depends on it.]

[The organization’s future? How ridiculous. Isn’t it because you want to grasp power again despite being retired?]

[Are you talking about power?]

[Do I need to spell it out?]

[……]

Na Yul-ryang, who had been staring at the silent Yul-myeong, finally released his hand from the vital point.

Unlike others, perhaps because he had no eyes, it was impossible to read his emotions or thoughts.

Na Yul-ryang spoke to him.

[Tell those old folks. I don’t mind if they support me, but tell them to stop going beyond that.]

[That might be a bit difficult.]

[What?]

[As it happens, they have a proposal for you.]

[Proposal? I clearly…]

[The situation has changed. A fourth person that no one knows about will be selected as the successor. If that happens, it will cause division in the organization.]

[…A fourth person?]

[Yes. So the Elder Council wants to recommend you as the Society Leader.]

At these words from Yul-myeong, Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s expression became much colder than before.

Even though he couldn’t see Na Yul-ryang’s expression, Yul-myeong seemed to sense the change in the air and took half a step back with a light joke.

[I’m surprised. I thought you didn’t have much of a bond with the Society Leader.]

[That’s none of your business.]

[Loyalty to your master… Is that it?]

[You…]

-Swish!

Suddenly, Yul-myeong had moved six steps away from him.

If he had been even a moment late, his throat would have been torn out for spouting nonsense.

[If that’s the case, I understand your anger, but please listen to what I have to say first.]

[Get lost.]

[Please calm down. There’s no more time. It’s meaningless to regret later after losing your position.]

[Even without your interference, that position…]

[Cannot be yours. The reason the Society Leader hasn’t decided on a successor even while on his sickbed is because he doesn’t intend to give it to anyone.]

[……]

[You still don’t seem convinced. Then, do you know why the Society Leader has no children?]

[……]

Na Yul-ryang’s cold gaze narrowed.

He too wasn’t particularly interested in women, so he had never specifically questioned this.

[Is it because he’s not interested in women? Or because he’s physically unable to have children?]

[…What are you trying to say?]

[The Society Leader simply chose not to marry or have children. Because the Heavenly Vein no longer wants to be the Society Leader.]

Na Yul-ryang’s eyebrow raised.

What does he mean the Heavenly Vein no longer wants to be the Society Leader?

Things were becoming confusing.

Until now, he had thought the Society Leader’s intention was for succession to happen through competition.

So he hadn’t had any particular complaints.

Because none of the disciples could challenge his stronghold.

But to hear that the Society Leader didn’t consider anyone as a successor was bound to be irritating.

Then why did he accept them as disciples in the first place?

At that moment, Yul-myeong said,

[The Elder Council has two requirements. They are not requests that will harm you in any way. If you agree to them, you can become the Society Leader.]

After a moment of silence at these words, Na Yul-ryang asked,

[…What are the requirements?]

[The first is to marry Miss Wi So-yeon, your youngest fellow disciple, along with your inauguration as Society Leader.]

[What?]

It was a completely unexpected demand.

Marry Wi So-yeon?

To Na Yul-ryang, who was puzzled, Yul-myeong smiled and said,

[It’s for legitimacy. If you become Society Leader, if disciples of the Heavenly Vein have children together, everyone will accept it as a substitute for the Heavenly Vein’s flying house.]

It wasn’t an unreasonable suggestion.

[What’s the second one?]

[That is…]

Na Yul-ryang’s expression became strange at the Elder Council’ second requirement that followed.

This was a completely unexpected demand.

Because of this, Na Yul-ryang had taken time to consider their proposal, saying he would think it over.

Could their words be true?

Or were they deliberately causing confusion to paint the picture they wanted?

But Yul-myeong’s words hadn’t been wrong at all.

Apart from his illness getting worse, hadn’t he continuously refused even private audiences?

Did the Society Leader, no, his master, truly no longer want the Heavenly Vein to lead the organization?

-Tak!

Na Yul-ryang emptied his cup and put it down on the table.

It was then.

Someone hurriedly ran to the rear garden where he had set up the drinking table.

Despite running, his footsteps were barely audible, and his energy was so well concealed it was hardly noticeable.

As soon as he saw him, Mo Yak stood up and said,

“It’s the one we attached to Axe-Destroying King.”

“His body technique is unique.”

“He’s Silent Saber, from the Four Great Assassins of the Central Plains, whom I introduced to you before. You said he was useful because of his unique energy-concealing technique.”

“…His face is different, is it a human skin mask?”

“It must be. But why is he running here so frantically?”

At Mo Yak’s question, the man who had run over caught his breath, put his hands together in respect, and said,

“I had to deliver this urgently, so I came in a hurry.”

At his response, Mo Yak clicked his tongue.

“Something seems to have gone wrong. We should probably give up on high expectations, Young Master.”

At these words, Young Master Na Yul-ryang snorted.

He didn’t have high expectations to begin with.

He had already anticipated that Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang would try to implement a strategy of suffering a flesh wound.

Even so, he thought he would take some action for that strategy, but judging from this man’s reaction, it seemed Axe-Destroying King hadn’t moved as desired.

“So, did Axe-Destroying King return from the Shadow Clan without doing anything?”

“N-No, that’s not it.”

“If that’s not it, then what happened?”

“Axe-Destroying King was overwhelmed one-sidedly.”

At these words, Mo Yak tilted his head.

What does this mean?

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang was overwhelmed one-sidedly?

Did he perhaps have an argument with his master, the Shadow Clan Leader?

As he wondered, Silent Saber Hyeong-in continued in a serious voice.

“He… He tried to subdue someone called Mok Gyeong-un, but instead, in just a few moves, he suffered an injury with his arm broken and was forced to kneel.”

‘!?’

At these words, Young Master Na Yul-ryang, who was filling his cup, stopped.

He had no choice but to stop.

Who was Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang?

He was one of the Five Kings, who could be considered the highest officials of the Heaven and Earth Society, and a supreme master who had received the title of one of the Eight Stars, a title held by only two people in the entire Heaven and Earth Society.

And such a person had his arm broken and was forced to kneel in just a few moves?

Mo Yak opened his mouth with an incredulous tone.

“…Huh? Are you joking?”

“N-No, it’s not a joke. It’s true.”

Silent Saber Hyeong-in waved his hands.

Even he couldn’t believe the scene he had witnessed with his own eyes.

Those who had received the title of one of the Eight Stars were recognized as the supreme masters of the martial arts world, except for the Six Heavens who were called the pinnacle of the current martial world.

But to see such a supreme master being toyed with by a young man who wasn’t even of age was shocking in itself.

“…Are you certain?”

“It’s true. And there was an incredibly powerful master in the Shadow Clan. He was able to find even me, who had completely concealed my presence and energy with the soundless technique…”

“Wait. So besides the watchers, you were also discovered?”

“…I apologize.”

“So you hurriedly escaped and came here?”

Mo Yak’s voice rose.

“D-Don’t worry. I didn’t come straight here. I took a detour and hid for a while to confirm if I was being tracked before coming.”

“Haa.”

At these words, Mo Yak sighed and shook his head.

The other watchers were intentionally sent to make it obvious they were watching Axe-Destroying King, but not this man.

He was someone who should never have been discovered from start to finish.

But not only was he discovered, he had essentially fled.

Mo Yak turned to Young Master Na Yul-ryang and said,

“Young Master. Putting aside the veracity of the report for now…”

“Are you certain?”

“Pardon?”

“That he subdued Axe-Destroying King in just a few moves.”

This question was directed not at Mo Yak, but at Silent Saber Hyeong-in.

“I can stake my life on it. Even Axe-Destroying King was no match for that person. It was as if his martial prowess was far higher…”

“That’s impossible.”

Mo Yak cut off his words.

Then, looking at Young Master Na Yul-ryang, he said,

“As you said, Young Master, this Mok Gyeong-un was just at the early-stage of the Transformation Realm before receiving the secret mission. But if Silent Saber’s report is correct, this would only be possible if he had reached a realm beyond the wall of walls, on par with the bedridden Society Leader. No matter how monstrous his rate of development is, this is…”

“Ha!”

At that moment, Young Master Na Yul-ryang let out a laugh as if in disbelief.

Why is he acting like this?

As they wondered, Young Master Na Yul-ryang suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

At this sight, Mo Yak frowned.

He had never shown such behavior before.

But suddenly laughing like a madman, they couldn’t understand what was going on.

Finally, Na Yul-ryang stopped laughing, shook his head, and then downed his cup of alcohol.

After drinking, Na Yul-ryang put down his cup and stood up.

“Young Master?”

“Until now, I thought no one could match me in martial talent, but it seems I was mistaken.”

“Young Master… Surely you don’t believe Silent Saber’s report…”

“What if I do believe it?”

“……”

“Do you think it’s possible to deal with a peerless master who received the title of one of the Eight Stars through trickery or deception in martial arts?”

At these words from Na Yul-ryang, Mo Yak took a deep breath and then exhaled.

Then, calming himself, he opened his mouth.

“So you’ve judged that he has truly become strong, Young Master.”

“It’s not a judgment, it’s a fact.”

He too had reached the extreme of the Transformation Realm through seclusion, and thanks to this demonic eye given by the Elder Council, he was slowly beginning to see beyond the wall of walls.

If he utilized the power of the eye, he had even gained confidence that he might be able to defeat the supreme masters who had received the title of one of the Eight Stars.

The determination to face a worthy opponent that had appeared for the first time had made him this strong.

But it seemed the guy had surpassed even his expectations.

‘Did he encounter some fortuitous opportunity?’

It seemed he had encountered some fortuitous opportunity that allowed his martial prowess to rise dramatically while away from the organization on the secret mission.

There was no other explanation.

In fact, it wasn’t very convincing.

If it was certain that the guy had truly surpassed the wall of walls, it would show a tremendous growth unprecedented in martial arts history.

For the first time, Na Yul-ryang experienced this kind of emotion.

‘Is this… jealousy?’

While being astounded by the guy’s rapid, no, insane growth, for a moment, anger surged up.

Perhaps this was what they called heaven-bestowed talent.

After venting his emotions with loud laughter and momentarily escaping from jealousy, Na Yul-ryang quickly regained his composure.

Then,

“Mo Yak.”

“Yes.”

“If we assume that he has reached the same realm as the Society Leader, what should we do from now on?”

“If he’s at the same realm as the Society Leader…”

“Yes.”

“…I’m sorry to say, but no one has a chance in a one-on-one fight.”

“I suppose so.”

If he had been given even a few more years, no, even one more year, perhaps he too could have trained like mad and somehow approached the wall of walls.

But right now, he couldn’t reach the same realm as that guy.

Then the only answer was to deal with him in a different way.

Mo Yak cautiously began to speak.

“If we mobilize all the forces we have, we might barely be able to face him. But now that we know his level, rather than not knowing, we can somehow find a way to…”

Before he could finish speaking.

-Tak!

‘!?’

Mo Yak was momentarily speechless at the sound of someone landing right behind him.

A strange sense of unease sent chills down his spine, and as he hesitated for a moment whether to turn his head or not, a low voice was heard near his ear.

“That’s right. That’s why I’m not going to give you time to find a way.”

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