Chapter 233: It Would Be Strange If It Were Easy

TL: FoodieMonster007

A telepathic message found Bi Sayin as he ate a meal at an inn.

[Eat a variety of foods. You seem to always eat the same dish.]

Bi Sayin looked disbelieving as he replied to Geom Mugeuk's telepathy.

[Are you trying to meddle with my palate now?]

[I'm just looking out for your health. I'm naturally a bit of a meddler.]

[It's a real relief you're not part of the unorthodox sects.]

[Don't worry. Everyone says I seem like I'm from the orthodox sects, not the unorthodox sects.]

After their lighthearted banter, Geom Mugeuk revealed why he had contacted Bi Sayin.

[In two days, it will be the Five Thunder Divine Sword's birthday. I plan to take care of everything on that day.]

Bi Sayin's chopsticks froze. A wave of intense emotion washed over his face. The day that would finally change his destiny was only two days away.

[Is it alright for you to tell me all this?]

[For this matter, at least, you're on the same side.]

[What if I change my mind and tell Yayul Han everything? Or accidentally let it slip to someone?]

[I trust myself. I wouldn't have joined hands with such a fool in the first place.]

The corner of Bi Sayin's mouth twisted slightly. An onlooker might have thought he was frowning at bad food, but he was smiling.

Bi Sayin spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

[Let's meet at the cliff later tonight.]

[Let's do that.]

His expression suggested he had more to say.

That night, I arrived at the cliff early and waited.

After tonight, it would be the eve of the decisive battle. This time, even I felt tense and nervous.

"I don't know why I get the urge to push you off whenever I see your back."

I heard Bi Sayin's words from behind me and turned around with a smile.

"It's because you have a lot of pent-up anger."

"Is there a way to live as the successor of the Evil Alliance without building up anger?"

"When that happens, drinking heavily with the Drunken Demon and swimming in the lake helps. Anyone want a drink?"

"I don't really like alcohol."

"Reading a book with the Blade Demon is also a good option."

"I like books even less. Does the Blade Demon even read books?"

"Or you could have a duel with the Sword Supreme."

"How many people do you think would try to kill me using a duel?"

"How about a journey with the Smiling Demon?"

"I have no one to travel with."

"What about late-night martial arts training with the Fist Demon?"

"Listening to you is just making me angrier! Are you bragging about being close with the Demon Supremes?"

"You believe me? I thought you'd think I was making it all up."

Bi Sayin replied to that.

"If it's you… I think you'd be close with all of them."

Surprisingly, he believed everything I said.

"I have a way for you to relieve your anger."

I smiled at the curious man.

"Hang out with me!"

"!"

"After this is over, if you feel like you can't stand your pent-up anger anymore, come find me. Let's go have some fun."

Bi Sayin's eyes trembled slightly. In the past, he would have asked if I was crazy, but now he said nothing.

Perhaps Bi Sayin wanted to say, 'Let's do that!' I had always sensed a loneliness from him.

"I refuse."

Bi Sayin rejected the offer outright and took several sheets of paper from his robes.

"I wanted to see you because of this."

He handed me a secret document about the Five Thunder Divine Sword. It detailed everything from his martial arts to his birthplace, how he grew up, and who he fought, where, and why.

"I don't know if this will be helpful, but read it just in case."

"Thank you. This will be a great help."

Bi Sayin stared intently at me. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he finally spoke.

"After this is over, we might not have time to talk like this, so I'll say it now. Lately… I've been thinking about my own path."

It seemed my question about his path had stuck in his mind. Perhaps he wanted to meet today just to say those words.

He turned and strode away before I could reply.

"I'll look forward to the day I hear about your path."

Bi Sayin replied as he disappeared into the darkness.

"Just don't die before then."

The day before the Five Thunder Divine Sword's birthday, Geom Mugeuk scouted the residence.

Nothing was known about how many people were inside the manor or who lived there. He had to prepare thoroughly to carry out tomorrow's operation safely. Even with such preparation, variables always arose.

The manor was small and cozy.

It was a straight line from the Evil Alliance Headquarters and could be reached in an instant. However, reaching it by foot or carriage required a long, winding path through the forest. It was an exquisite location.

The manor was hidden so deep in the forest that even someone who passed the area daily would be surprised to learn of it, saying, 'There was a house there?'

Geom Mugeuk climbed a large tree that overlooked the manor. He flew to the high branch and landed without a sound. The thin branch only swayed lightly and did not break.

From there, Geom Mugeuk began to release his qi.

A few strands of qi went over the wall. The qi release technique his father taught him on his first hunt shone in moments like this. It allowed him to send out thin, long strands of qi like scouts from a great distance, where an opponent could not sense his presence.

He detected a person in the manor's courtyard.

Geom Mugeuk used the Divine Eye Technique to identify the person. He looked like an assistant who did menial chores for the Five Thunder Divine Sword.

Another presence came from the kitchen. Judging by the presence and movements, this person was elderly and had not learned martial arts. It seemed to be an old woman who prepared meals.

Geom Mugeuk's qi roamed throughout the manor. He found no one else. It seemed the two of them served the Five Thunder Divine Sword.

Geom Mugeuk's qi entered the building. As it passed through the hallway and into the innermost room, he detected a powerful aura.

It's the Five Thunder Divine Sword!

Geom Mugeuk did not push his luck. Confirming the Five Thunder Divine Sword's presence was enough for now. He quietly withdrew his qi.

Just as he retrieved all of his qi, the Heavenly Demon Defense Art activated, sensing danger.

The next moment!

TAK.

A man stood on the branch where Geom Mugeuk had just been. He appeared suddenly, shooting across the air like an arrow to land on the thin branch. It was a movement art of a true master. Geom Mugeuk was now beneath the tree.

The man looked around, then glanced down at the base of the tree. Geom Mugeuk was on the opposite side of the large trunk, hidden from view.

The man quickly turned and checked the other side of the tree's base.

Again, Geom Mugeuk was on the opposite side. Neither of them made a sound despite their quick movements. They both displayed exquisite movement arts.

The man tilted his head slightly, then leaped into the air and landed back in the distant manor. He entered the building where the Five Thunder Divine Sword was.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze deepened as he watched.

This man, who had appeared from nowhere, had sensed the retracting qi and flown to its source. He possessed not only outstanding senses but also a high level of movement arts.

He's no ordinary master.

Unfortunately, the opponent's movements were too fast for Geom Mugeuk to get a proper look at his face.

Geom Mugeuk also quietly disappeared.

At that moment, Yayul Han ate alone at a large table in a spacious hall.

Cha Hwan entered, carrying a box.

"The gift for the Five Thunder Divine Sword has arrived."

Yayul Han gestured for him to bring it closer. Cha Hwan approached cautiously with the box.

He opened the box a short distance from Yayul Han. A fragrant scent wafted out.

"It is the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng."

It was the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng, said to be difficult to obtain even for a thousand pieces of gold.

Cha Hwan finally couldn't hold back his thoughts.

"It's too much of a waste to give this as a gift."

Every year, Yayul Han gave a valuable gift to the Five Thunder Divine Sword for his birthday, but he had never given a gift as precious as the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng.

Yayul Han did not get angry at the complaint. He kept Cha Hwan by his side precisely for this honesty.

"It's a special birthday, so it requires a special gift."

"Of course, that's true, but."

"He is a man who is worth the price."

"……"

Cha Hwan could no longer complain. He carefully closed the box and placed it on the table.

The words, 'Then what on earth will you give that old man for his hundredth birthday?' rose to his throat, but he could not say them.

"Will you be going in person tomorrow?"

Yayul Han nodded.

"Considering the current situation, perhaps it would be better to just send the gift this time?"

After a moment of thought, Yayul Han spoke to Cha Hwan.

"I have to go. If I don't, I'll have invested the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng only to be cursed for it. Instead, let's go at a slightly different time this time."

Cha Hwan bowed his head respectfully.

"I will prepare accordingly."

"And call the Three Evils as well."

Cha Hwan flinched. Just hearing their names sent a chill down his spine.

"Then I can rest assured."

After Cha Hwan left, Yayul Han opened the box with the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng again. He looked down at it without a word. How could any martial artist resist the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng when it was right before their eyes?

Yayul Han picked it up and opened his mouth wide.

He only feigned a bite before putting the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng back in the box and closing it. He would not eat it. He would endure and endure to devour something much greater.

I returned to my quarters immediately.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, Go Wol, and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader were waiting for me.

"How did it go?" Go Wol asked.

I let out a light sigh.

"I was almost discovered."

The three of them were startled.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said to me, "It seems that old villain didn't just get old by playing around."

"It wasn't him."

"It wasn't?"

"I'm not sure if he was a visitor or a guard, but his martial arts were extraordinary."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader thought of someone.

"Could it be Yayul Han?"

Go Wol replied, "No. Yayul Han has not taken a single step outside the Evil Alliance's inner circle."

"Not Yayul Han? Then could it be the Blood Calamity Bringer?"

Go Wol shook his head again at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's question.

"The Blood Calamity Bringer is known to not be on good terms with the Five Thunder Divine Sword. The possibility of them meeting alone is small."

I agreed with that opinion.

"I didn't get a good look, but he wasn't as old as the Blood Calamity Bringer."

This was not a good situation. If that master was visiting for the birthday, he would still be at the manor tomorrow. That meant one more expert to deal with.

A worried look appeared on Go Wol's face.

"Didn't we anticipate that there might be someone else from the start?"

"Yes, we did, but. If someone came today, couldn't a new master come tomorrow as well? Frankly, I'm worried."

"Strategist Go. Strategists may come up with excellent plans, but unexpected situations like this arise in the field. This will be a good experience for you too."

"I'd rather not have such experiences in an operation against Yayul Han and the Five Thunder Divine Sword. Especially when the one executing it is the Second Young Lord. Shouldn't we at least know who that person is?"

I looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He had been listening silently and now spoke nonchalantly.

"Does knowing who it is change anything?"

This was the true nature of the man called the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Even if I had discovered ten masters today, he would have said the same thing.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's words cleanly summed up the situation.

"You're right."

I smiled at him. The same thing dwelling in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes made me smile. A fighting spirit boiled up from deep within my chest. Yes, what did it matter who was there, or how many of them there were?

WUUUUNG!

The Black Demon Sword hummed long and low, having read my mind. Everyone's gaze turned to the sword as it hummed on its own. When I gripped its hilt, the Black Demon Sword fell silent.

"We're turning the Five Thunder Divine Sword's birthday into his death anniversary, and we're even sending Yayul Han along with him to the underworld… It would be strange if a task like this were easy."

I made my final decision.

"We proceed as planned."

The next day at dawn, I went to see the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon before we departed.

"What is it?"

Instead of answering, I untied the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk from my sword's hilt and gave him half. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon knew exactly what it was.

"Wrap it around your heart."

"I'll be fine."

"There's more than enough for both of us to wrap it."

"Then wrap it in two layers!"

"I can't. It would make my body sluggish. I'm also wearing the Ghost Armor on top of it."

Knowing I would not give up, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon accepted it.

"I will return it when the fight is over."

"Of course you have to return it. That stuff is precious."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed brightly.

We wrapped the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk around our hearts and abdomens right there.

After we finished our preparations, I drew the Black Demon Sword.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, as if he had been waiting, lightly flicked the blade with his finger.

"……"

The clear sound always felt good and signaled the start of a decisive battle. We heard it and quietly left the room.