Chapter 573: A Demon More Terrifying Than a Ghost Has Come Along

TL: FoodieMonster007

The first time I saw him, I thought he was a madman.

He appeared wearing a shabby martial arts uniform with a worn-out iron sword at his hip. He suddenly asked me to dig the ground with him.

However, he was not a madman. I could not sense any madness coming from him.

Then did he come to kill me?

Did his words, 'let's dig the ground together,' actually mean 'I'm going to bury you there'?

"Where are we supposed to be digging?"

After asking the question naturally, Yeom Baekyin launched a surprise attack on the man.

In the jianghu, many martial artists do not acknowledge the instructors or Masters of a martial arts academy. Some even mocked them, claiming they were just stealing money from snot-nosed kids. I have no idea how hard I worked because I hated hearing those words.

I worked and worked until I reached the pinnacle in the field of martial arts academies.

SHWIIK.

It was not a position I had achieved easily.

"……"

The next moment, Yeom Baekyin stared blankly at the man. More precisely, he was looking at his own sword, which was now held in the man's hand. The issue was not that his sword had been taken. The problem was that he had no idea how it was taken.

He should have subdued my hand or wrist in some way, but they were fine. I had not even felt his touch, yet my sword was gone.

With this level of skill, he could have killed me. He also could have used threats to proceed with the work.

However, the man turned the sword around and offered it back to me with the hilt first.

"You're quite impatient."

Looking back, this was the exact moment the first button of my relationship with this man was fastened.

It was all because of this one simple act. A man skilled enough to subdue my acupoints and threaten to break my neck had instead turned his sword and offered me the hilt.

"Shouldn't there be a day in one's life when a miraculous encounter comes walking up on its own?"

The man was smiling the same way today as he had when he smiled brightly at me that day.

The man, who had approached Yeom Baekyin's side, washed his face, hands, and feet in the water that trickled down from the ceiling. He then even rinsed his mouth.

"This damn dust is everywhere. By the way, have you eaten?"

"I ate before I came."

After quickly washing up, the man lifted a cloth that was covering a corner. Beneath it, a basket was piled high with rice balls.

The man started to munch on a rice ball.

"Is that enough for you?"

"There are also days when I eat my fill of alcohol and meat."

When this work first began, Yeom Baekyin had tried to provide every convenience. He offered to furnish a splendid room, supply a comfortable bed, and even bring in cooks to prepare a feast for every meal. The man, however, refused. This is what he had said at the time.

"One will get stronger faster if things are a bit uncomfortable and lacking."

I had just confirmed for myself that his words were true, that deprivation makes a person grow faster. I saw it in the trainees who were now freely using their sword qi.

They were no longer the rookie trainees they once were. They had become proper martial artists in their own right.

In this stuffy and uncomfortable space, they had learned things they could not master even in the spacious training grounds outside.

Above all, those words applied most to this man.

I could feel that the man had grown stronger than when he first came to me.

Eating the same food and sleeping in the same place as the trainees, perhaps the man was even using this place as his own training ground.

While the man ate his rice ball, Yeom Baekyin once again remembered the day they first met.

"Deep beneath the Yellow Dragon Academy, there is a place where treasure and ultimate martial arts are stored."

A master of this caliber would not be spouting nonsense. A single question naturally came to mind.

"With your skills, you could have killed me and taken over the Yellow Dragon Academy, couldn't you?"

"That's right. But if the owner of the Yellow Dragon Academy changes, it will draw the attention of the murim. I want to proceed with this matter quietly."

"What guarantee is there that you won't kill me to tie up loose ends after the work is done?"

"There is none. You have no choice but to trust me."

At first, I had no choice but to join hands with him. Refusal would have only meant death.

At first, I did not trust him. I pretended to trust him while I tried to find a way to survive.

And now?

Yeom Baekyin looked at the man. Over the past few months, the man had shown with actions, not words, that he was someone who could be trusted.

Do I trust him? Yes, I do.

However, my heart still pounds like crazy when I think of the moment we discover the door we have been searching for beyond that wall.

"I will give the ultimate martial arts in that place to you."

"Why don't you want the secret manual?"

"Because no matter what I learn, I'll be stronger?"

The man chuckled heartily as he said it. These were the words of someone who had disarmed the master of the Yellow Dragon Academy in a single move, without me even realizing how.

"What I want is something else."

What could he possibly want?

Will he still look at me as the same person in the room full of treasure? Will he spare me and all those trainees as well?

Or will that iron sword be drawn, killing everyone here in a single move?

The result is not far off. Whether this meeting with this man will turn into a nightmare or a miraculous encounter will soon be decided.

Having finished his rice ball, the man washed his hands in the running water. He may have worn shabby clothes, but the man himself was clean and tidy.

"Why did you come down?"

"I heard the excavation is nearing its final stages, so I came down. And to see your face after a long time."

After washing his hands, the man turned toward Yeom Baekyin. Meeting the man's gaze, Yeom Baekyin felt a pressure that squeezed his heart. From the day they first met, he found he could not lie while looking into this man's eyes.

"You must be worried about your younger brother."

In that moment, Yeom Baekyin knew. The man was aware of everything happening outside, including the fact that he was worried about his brother.

Yeom Baekyin tensed inwardly when the man mentioned his brother. After all, his brother was trying to find this place.

"The problem grew bigger when a blood relative of the Ghost Sect entered the academy."

The man then spoke as if he already knew about Seo Jin.

"The problem isn't the young ghost of the Ghost Sect."

"What do you mean?"

"A demon more terrifying than a ghost has come along."

"Who are you talking about?"

The man just gave an enigmatic smile and did not say who it was.

"Our Principal is struggling with even one little ghost, so I guess I'll have to go up."

Yeom Baekyin was startled by his words. Who on earth had come that would make him leave?

"Don't do that. You can't leave your post at such a critical time, can you?"

Then the man shouted.

"Let's all take a break!"

Yeom Baekyin was flustered by the completely unexpected words.

The trainees all looked this way with expressions that said, 'That's right!'

"Of course, you should rest."

Seeing the flustered Yeom Baekyin, the man gave a sly, amused smile. It was clear he had been joking.

"The kids are exhausted. We'll also need new personnel to break through the final gate."

"How many people do you need? I'll carefully select some outstanding kids and send them."

For some reason, however, the man refused.

"No need for that. This time, I'll pick them out and bring them myself."

Then, the man shouted to the trainees.

"Come and get your food."

The trainees swarmed over and grabbed the rice balls.

"Wash your hands before you eat! Ugh, you filthy brats!"

At the man's shout, some washed their hands, while others just laughed and took their rice balls. The atmosphere was genuinely good, perhaps because they had suffered together.

Among them were a few trainees Yeom Baekyin knew well. Being with this man had changed their gazes and auras, as if they were completely different people.

The man shouted to them.

"I'll be gone for a few days. Until then, everyone get plenty of rest! And prepare to receive the newbies."

The trainees cheered, overjoyed.

The man, who had been walking around barefoot, put on his shoes and strode toward Yeom Baekyin.

"Let's go up."

"Let's."

Walking toward the mechanism that would take them up, the man asked.

"Is this place more important? Or is your brother more important?"

Yeom Baekyin could not answer. He did not want to give this man a justification.

Didn't you choose your brother?

Yeom Baekyin let out a sigh. His silence was as good as an answer. The words 'my brother is more important' should have come out immediately.

The man slapped Yeom Baekyin on the back.

"You should at least say it's your brother."

Yeom Baekyin could not say anything.

The man said calmly.

"Don't worry. I'll resolve it amicably."

Yeom Baekyin looked at the man.

Looking at his side profile, he felt a sense of relief. Even if he were to die, in this moment, there was a unique trust that this man inspired.

And this side of the man was likely the force that had kept fastening the buttons of their relationship.

"What kind of person is the Young Cult Leader?"

At Seo Jin's question, Lee Ahn turned her head toward her. The two women were on their way back from visiting the All-Knowing Hall and the Hidden Moon branch.

One could tell just by seeing the words and gazes Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn exchanged. Their affection was that deep.

That was why Seo Jin thought that Lee Ahn must be the person who knew the Young Cult Leader best.

Lee Ahn described Geom Mugeuk with a single word.

"A dream. He's truly like a dream."

"A dream?"

"He's someone who makes you dream of wanting to be like him."

If there are good dreams, there are also bad dreams.

"He's also someone who makes you anxious that you might wake up one day and find this was all a dream."

Just as he had changed suddenly one day, what if he suddenly returned to how he was before? A vague fear like that existed in her heart.

It was a fear she had not even mentioned to Seo Daeryong or Jang Ho, but she was now voicing it to Seo Jin for the first time.

"What does it matter if it's a dream? As long as you don't wake up until you die."

Lee Ahn smiled at those words. She was glad that Seo Jin had joined as a Division Leader. They were both women and they got along well. After all, Green Mask was relatively difficult to deal with.

"Anyway, just be prepared to be surprised. Because he's someone who shows you something amazing every time."

Just then, Seo Jin said.

"I think I already understand a little."

Inside the inn, Geom Mugeuk and Yeom Baekjin were drinking.

That stern-looking Yeom Baekjin was chatting with Geom Mugeuk with a flushed face. He did not look wary at all.

"Well, that's nothing."

The two of them entered the inn.

They sat down at the table where Geom Mugeuk and Yeom Baekjin were sitting.

"We're back."

After greeting Geom Mugeuk, they also greeted Yeom Baekjin.

Geom Mugeuk said to the two women.

"I told Master Yeon the truth. That we followed along to protect Seo Jin."

Those words were enough. It explained how he had described their relationship to Yeom Baekjin.

Yeom Baekjin's gaze turned to Seo Jin.

He had already had the conversation with Geom Mugeuk that he should have originally had with her, about how Lim Hyeon had come and informed him of the situation. Seeing no need to repeat it, he rose from his seat.

This was also why Geom Mugeuk had revealed himself to him. He had hoped that Yeom Baekjin would not get deeply involved with her. He had hoped this connection would be a fleeting one.

As Yeom Baekjin was about to leave, Geom Mugeuk said.

"Try talking with your brother."

Yeom Baekjin flinched, surprised by the unexpected words.

Staring at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, he recalled what Geom Mugeuk had said last time.

"You said if I bought you a drink, you'd tell me how brothers can avoid shedding blood amidst a power struggle, right?"

"I did."

"Don't tell me 'talk to my brother' is the solution?"

Is he really saying that is all there is to it? Such a sentiment was visible on his face.

"Yes, that's right."

Yeom Baekjin scoffed. No matter how he thought about it, this was not something that could be resolved through conversation.

"I guess I can't buy you that drink yet."

As he was about to turn away, Geom Mugeuk said.

"It might seem like martial artists have a great many ways to resolve conflicts, but most are settled in one of two ways."

"And what are they?"

"Conversation and the sword."

Geom Mugeuk added calmly.

"Whether it works or not, just try meeting him first. Relationships that seem impossible can sometimes work out surprisingly well."

The next day, the atmosphere in the White Dragon Class was somber.

Two people had already died in the White Dragon Class. On top of that, a grim rumor was circulating that their instructor, Pyo San, had taken his own life.

"They said a temporary instructor is coming today before the new one is assigned."

While the trainees were discussing who the temporary instructor might be, Yoo Gwang was trembling with anxiety.

"I feel like something bigger is about to happen."

Gyo Seok now said nonchalantly.

"Who's going to die this time? Me? You?"

"I'm not joking."

"I'm not joking either. So what are we supposed to do? Quit the martial arts academy and go back home?"

"Sorry."

Yoo Gwang felt sorry toward Gyo Seok. When he felt anxious, he should just swallow it. There was no need to make others anxious too.

Just then, someone spoke from behind.

"It's better than not knowing that something ominous is about to happen."

He turned to see it was Lee Ahn. Lee Ahn was grateful to Yoo Gwang for bravely stepping forward yesterday, and she considered his talent a necessary instinct for living as a martial artist.

"I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and cultivate that sense of yours."

Yoo Gwang was moved that it was Lee Ahn, of all people, who said this to him.

"By any chance, that shield you mentioned back then…"

Gyo Seok clamped a hand over Yoo Gwang's mouth.

"Don't."

He stopped him preemptively, afraid he was about to ask if 'that shield' was still recruiting.

"I won't, I won't! Do you think I'm that stupid?"

"Exactly that much! No, even more!"

Lee Ahn laughed watching the two of them. If she had her way, she would have loved to take them both into the Ghost Shadow Squad. Of course, that was impossible. She could not induct these naive kids into the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Just then, the noisy area fell silent.

"Here comes the new instructor."

Someone was walking this way.

It was a man with his hair tied back tightly, wearing a shabby martial arts uniform and an iron sword at his hip, but he had a bright aura.

He had the brightest expression of any instructor or Master seen here.

The moment he saw him, Geom Mugeuk knew.

He knew why Yeom Baekjin had no choice but to walk such a fated path.

It was not because of his brother.

His brother, in the end, was likely a victim too.

Because the man before his eyes was none other than one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

He was not just any of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

He was the First King among the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

The Sword King, Ak Gunhak.

Although the three absolutes of the era had died and Hwa Mugi had gone into seclusion, he had risen to the position of the world number one during the age of the Twelve Zodiac Kings. He was, in name and in reality, the strongest martial artist.

Geom Mugeuk calmed his turbulent heart, steadying himself by gripping the hilt of the Black Demon Sword. He did so because it might resonate on its own in response to his opponent's energy. He had met several of the Twelve Zodiac Kings before, but this was the first time he had ever been this tense.

The Sword King, having arrived in front of the trainees, introduced himself to everyone.

"I'm Instructor Ak, and I'll be teaching you temporarily until a new instructor is assigned."

The Sword King said to the trainees with a broad smile.

"Alright then, shall we go around and introduce ourselves one by one?"