Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
========================
Chapter 369: Just how desperately must he have insisted
The person most overwhelmed with emotion in that moment was Bih Sa-in.
Had Geom Mugeuk not killed the Poison Overlord, no one could say how many martial artists of the Unorthodox Alliance might have died.
And more than anything, he was glad that Geom Mugeuk was safe. Who would have thought there would come a day when he’d be happy that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult had survived?
Ingung, the Commander of the Escort Unit, spat out the antidote pellet and looked at Baek Jagang.
‘The Alliance Leader truly believed that the Young Cult Leader would succeed.’
As expected, his insight was different from mine, Ingung thought in admiration. But in truth, Baek Jagang had also not been completely sure.
It was just that he had a vague sense of hope. That baseless hope that this Young Cult Leader, who kept showing him a world he himself couldn’t see, would not die in vain.
Even the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Alliance looked at Geom Mugeuk with deep gratitude. Back during the battle against the Great Elder Seok Gwan-chu and Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi, many of the Thirteen Wolves had died or been injured. Afterward, as Bih Sa-in became the successor, a generational shift occurred, and their fighting strength inevitably diminished compared to when they first encountered Geom Mugeuk. If the Poison Overlord had released his poison, they too would have suffered great losses again. 1
Il-rang’s gaze turned toward Bih Sa-in. There was a time when he had disliked Geom Mugeuk and been wary of Bih Sa-in getting close to him—but now, he could say it with certainty.
—I believe the Young Alliance Leader made the right choice.
The juniors would gradually grow stronger under Bih Sa-in's guidance, and if they survived today’s battle, the martial artists who represented the Unorthodox Alliance would once again be the Thirteen Wolves.
To Il-rang’s telepathic message, Bih Sa-in replied with joy.
—I cannot express how much strength it gives me that you are here, Il-rang.
—I will give my all to serve you from now on.
The same went for the martial artists of the Extreme Forces Brigade. In fact, they were likely to have suffered the most casualties.
And Division Leader Beoncheon carried another layer of gratitude. He had heard from the Alliance Leader himself that had Geom Mugeuk not intervened, all the blame would have fallen on him. That was why his goodwill toward Geom Mugeuk was even greater.
If even the Unorthodox Alliance martial artists were this shocked, how could the enemy not be?
The morale of the Battle King’s forces had completely collapsed, and New Moon Blade and Blue Death Ghost, who had appeared with the Poison Overlord, exchanged glances.
The Poison Overlord they knew was an old master who had been through every conceivable trial.
‘And yet he was killed this easily?’
Even they found the Poison Overlord to be a formidable presence. Who among those present could have dealt with him comfortably, and with such effortlessly?
New Moon Blade and Blue Death Ghost naturally turned their gazes toward the Battle King.
The Battle King showed no sign of agitation at the Poison Overlord’s death. Clinging to someone already dead wouldn’t help the battle in the slightest.
The Battle King calmly observed Geom Mugeuk. His first impression was similar to what the Poison Overlord had felt. A relaxed confidence that surely stemmed from being the blood of the Heavenly Demon.
But now that it was clear that that kind of composure wasn’t what it seemed, he examined it more deeply.
Then the Battle King was able to sense it.
‘The stench of blood.’
In the Battle King's mind, the image of Geom Mugeuk standing alone on the battlefield arose. On top of a mountain of corpses with a single sword lowered, his gaze turned to the clouded sky in the middle of a war zone.
He could feel that they were the same kind. He could tell that youth and mischief were concealing the man’s true nature.
‘He’s someone I must kill today.’
The Battle King instinctively knew that today’s fight would not be easy. How could he win?
Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk had already approached Hyeok Sagun.
Hyeok Sagun was still in shock from the Poison Overlord’s death. Deep down, he had trusted that man more than anyone.
“But why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be over there?”
“Are you trying to frame me again?”
Hyeok Sagun had already sensed that Geom Mugeuk would not leave him alone.
Right away, he irritated him. Geom Mugeuk had tattled to Division Leader Beoncheon of the Extreme Forces Brigade.
“The person who framed you is this Deputy Strategist right here.”
“Don’t trust what the Young Cult Leader says. It’s slander.”
Only after speaking did Hyeok Sagun realize that was the wrong answer. He had reported to the Alliance Leader that evidence had surfaced showing Beoncheon colluded with the Demonic Cult, and now here he was calling it slander. He should have said this to Beoncheon instead:
There’s evidence that you’ve joined hands with the Demonic Cult.
This was the first time he’d made so many verbal missteps because of one person.
‘It’s all this bastard’s fault.’
Everything he had built over the years of planning was starting to collapse and fall apart. Even now, the man was shaking his resolve again.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“Afraid of what?”
“You got this far thanks to that man over there. But once he becomes the Alliance Leader, do you think he’ll let you live?”
“What are you talking about? Are you trying to falsely accuse me again?”
“Let’s say you became the Alliance Leader. Would you want a Chief Strategist who rose to the top by someone else’s help? Or would you want a truly capable Chief Strategist?”
“!”
How could Hyeok Sagun have never thought of that before? But he had buried it deep in his heart. The greater his desire for success, the deeper the pit he dug to hide his fears.
He had decided to fully trust Hwang Seokgyeong. That man would be the Alliance Leader, and he would be the Chief Strategist. He had only dreamed of a bright future where they stood side by side at the window of the Alliance Leader’s Hall, reminiscing on the glorious past.
And now Geom Mugeuk had dug up that deeply buried thought. He had never realized until now that the more deeply one believed something was hidden, the easier it was for it to burst forth when poked.
‘Don’t you dare drive a wedge between my lord and me!’
Hyeok Sagun almost shouted this. But that was something he must not say. It wasn’t time yet for anyone to know he and Hwang Seokgyeong were on the same side.
“Don’t try to drive a wedge between the Alliance Leader and me.”
That was the correct response.
But Geom Mugeuk struck again, hitting the mark.
“You’re deceiving yourself far too much just to cross those mere twenty or so steps from here to where that man stands.”
“!”
In that moment, Hyeok Sagun couldn’t respond.
Geom Mugeuk didn’t let up—relentlessly shaking him. Then, he shouted toward the Battle King.
“If you don’t back off, I’ll kill your strategist right here!”
But the Battle King didn’t retreat a single step.
“Look at that man’s reaction. And you still think you won’t be discarded after use?”
Hyeok Sagun felt a wave of confusion. He remembered what Geom Mugeuk had said earlier: Would you want a strategist who clawed his way up by someone else’s help? Or a truly capable strategist?
“Come now. Why don’t you confess cleanly what you’ve been hiding and come back over to our side?”
At that moment, the observing Battle King stepped forward.
“Stop trying to hide your true self. The Alliance Leader already knows. He’s mocking you.”
Hyeok Sagun looked at Baek Jagang with disbelief. If Hwang Seokgyeong had said something like that, surely Baek Jagang should have reacted—but Baek Jagang didn’t even look at him. And that told him everything.
‘So he really did know.’
In that moment, the true source of the unease and discomfort he had felt on the way here became clear. Baek Jagang hadn’t even asked why he betrayed them.
Even Bih Sa-in didn’t spare him a glance. After trying to kill the man, he thought he at least deserved some swearing—but he was ignored completely. 2
Beoncheon, and even the Thirteen Wolves, didn’t look at him at all, following the will of their master.
Finally, he looked to Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk gave him one last remark.
“Take a good look. Behind you, a great cauldron for your life might already be hanging.”
It was something he wished he hadn’t heard.
The Battle King called to Hyeok Sagun.
“Come here.”
Could he really just go? What if someone ambushed and killed him?
He had such fears, but there was no other choice.
Hyeok Sagun began slowly walking toward the Battle King.
He felt awful. He had wanted his betrayal to look far more dramatic, far more impressive.
He had wanted to look down on the dying Baek Jagang and say this:
—I’ve betrayed you.
And the Alliance Leader would sigh and say:
—I can’t believe it. You were the traitor?
Even if the Battle King were the one to kill the Alliance Leader, he had wanted to be the final main character. He had imagined their last conversation many times. 3
But now, with his identity revealed so pathetically, he was stupidly walking over to the Battle King.
He had hoped someone would at least curse at him—but no one paid him any mind.
Hyeok Sagun felt it deep in his bones: being ignored felt even worse than being hated.
And the worst end of all was delivered by the Battle King.
The Battle King didn’t even say anything meaningful to him.
You've worked hard all this time. A new chapter in history is about to begin. We’ve come this far thanks to you.
Hyeok Sagun had desperately longed for words of praise like these. The only thing that could have wiped away this complete disregard was a single comment from the Battle King.
"Go stand in the back."
But that was all he said.
The Battle King's gaze left Geom Mugeuk and returned to Baek Jagang. He never even glanced at him once since his affiliation was revealed.
Hyeok Sagun realized it. At this moment, he was nothing more than a hindrance to the battle.
Even though he understood the Battle King, he couldn't help but feel bitter. Unconsciously clenching his fists, Hyeok Sagun walked toward the back. Inside his heart, the cauldron that had been hanging began to boil.
The Battle King asked Baek Jagang,
"When did you find out?"
"A few days ago."
"You didn’t have any proof, though."
Baek Jagang nodded. That was true. If Geom Mugeuk hadn’t shown up, he likely wouldn’t have believed Hyeok Sagun had betrayed him, even at the final moment.
Who would dare to imagine someone manipulating the Deputy Strategist to make him the Chief Strategist, plotting to kill the Young Alliance Leader, and aiming to seize the Unorthodox Alliance Leader’s position?
Baek Jagang’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.
"You insisted relentlessly. Just how fiercely did you press on, that I ended up trusting the words of the Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader over our own Deputy Strategist?"
He called it "relentless", but it should probably be described as "captivating". The moments spent with Geom Mugeuk had been refreshing and full of interest. That’s what had allowed them to come this far.
And of course, there was no way Geom Mugeuk would miss a chance to jest in a moment like this.
"Ah! Truly, it took tearful effort. Even the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult is working this hard, yet what are you doing here instead of accepting the new recruits being offered to you? Have you gotten tired of helping others start fresh, and now decided to do your own restart?"
The Battle King sensed he was being played. His opponent was looking at him from the battlefield, soaked in blood. The Poison Overlord had died precisely because he hadn’t seen that.
In that heavy silence, Monster Evil stepped forward.
"It seems the talking part is mostly over."
Monster Evil pointed at someone.
"You. Let's talk, you and I."
His opponent was none other than New Moon Blade, one of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters.
"If we have to fight anyway, wouldn't it be more dignified to be the first ones to do so?"
It implied that the battle would devolve into chaos as time went on. So rather than fight later, he was suggesting they do it now. New Moon Blade accepted the offer.
"You're right."
As the two stepped forward, the martial artists who had been facing off naturally stepped back, creating a space for them to fight.
Everyone held their breath. This was a duel between two of the Unorthodox Alliance’s Seven Martial Masters.
Bih Sa-in was worried about Monster Evil. He had come here today for Bih Sa-in’s sake, despite not yet being fully recovered.
—Senior, please be careful.
In response to Bih Sa-in’s concern, Monster Evil gave a single nod with his back still turned.
New Moon Blade drew a crescent-shaped blade. It radiated a sharp killing aura as he launched the first attack.
The beautiful crescent moon that hung in the sky turned savage once it descended to earth.
Shwiiik, shwiik, shwiik, shwiik, shwiik—shweeeeeek!
In an instant, dozens of blade lines were drawn. Monster Evil navigated through those death-drawing lines to find his path. Having mastered the Slashing Iron Body, a close-range physical art, he had to get in close.
Because both knew each other’s skill level well, the fight grew intense in a flash. Blade energy flew in all directions, and the force emitted from their bodies swept across the surroundings.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
Even watching was dangerously risky. They paid no heed to those around them as they fought.
The onlookers released sword energy to block the blade aura that surged outward, and sometimes they had to fling their bodies aside to dodge.
Swaeeeeeeeeek!
Half-moon-shaped blade energy was unleashed in rapid succession. Even grazing it could erase bone and flesh without a trace—it was that powerful.
This time, screams erupted from all directions. Mugeuk’s sword aura protected all those from his side who nearly got injured. The Battle King didn’t bother to do the same for his subordinates. A Fighting Wolf who failed to dodge in time was swept away by the blade aura and his corpse was sent flying.
The observers stepped back. The ones with relatively weaker martial arts retreated even farther.
In the midst of the chaos, Baek Jagang and the Battle King were staring directly at each other. They weren’t watching the fight. They only locked eyes. Blade energy brushed past their faces, but neither moved an inch. They were still—as if standing in another space entirely.
From the moment he realized the opponent had brought the Poison Overlord, Baek Jagang no longer viewed him as a martial artist but as an assassin. If victory alone was all that mattered to the man, then Baek Jagang would face him in kind. His opponent was someone who could join the battle and strike in unison at any moment. 4
‘Go ahead, try making a move.’
Because Baek Jagang was keeping him so tightly in check, Geom Mugeuk could watch the duel with ease.
He inserted himself into their battle. At times he became New Moon Blade, at other times Monster Evil.
New Moon Blade practiced blade techniques while he used sword techniques. Monster Evil used body techniques while he used fist techniques. And yet, Geom Mugeuk mapped his own martial arts perfectly onto their movements. If it were me, I’d do it like this. If it were me again, I’d do it like that.
Watching this life-or-death match between two of the Seven Martial Masters of the Unorthodox Alliance became a valuable learning experience for Geom Mugeuk.
A single misstep led to defeat—it was truly a razor-thin contest. It felt like the loser would be left with unbearable resentment.
The only real difference lay in the reason the two were fighting.
And it seemed Monster Evil’s reason was more personal and powerful.
Slipping through a flash of brilliant blade light, Monster Evil’s elbow smashed into New Moon Blade’s shoulder.
A momentary stumble. That was the end. Had he been the type to miss such a chance, Monster Evil would never have reached the rank of Seven Great Unorthodox Masters.
Puh-eok! Kkwojik.
Monster Evil struck New Moon Blade’s chest with his back and shoulder. As New Moon Blade staggered backward, vomiting blood, Monster Evil had already subdued his inner force and, twisting his body around him, wrapped his arm around the man's neck from behind.
“Any last words?”
“This feels disgusting.”
“Isn’t it the way of us unorthodox ones—to live dirty and die dirty?”
Kkwo-deuk!
New Moon Blade’s neck snapped at a right angle, killing him instantly.
Monster Evil slowly turned around and began walking back. Everyone watched in silence.
Having overexerted his internal energy, blood trickled from the corner of Monster Evil’s mouth.
Bih Sa-in rushed forward to meet him.
“Are you alright?”
Monster Evil nodded with a pale face.
“This kind of fight… wasn’t so bad.”
He had spent his whole life fighting only for himself—but this time, for the first time, he had fought for someone else. 5
“I will never forget this moment.”
At least in this moment, Bih Sa-in was Geom Mugeuk, and Monster Evil was the Evil Smiling Demon. 6
1 : Around Chapter 114. A great Elder who wanted to make his grandson the successor of the Unorthodox Alliance, and the Sword Emperor against which Mugeuk and Soma had their bonding life-and-death fight.
2 : Taking a note of Mugeuk’s methods, I see ^^
3 : Narcissistic delusion. You were never important enough to warrant such treatment.
4 : Probably the best way to consider him. All that matters to him is his objective. Nothing else influences him.
5 : If things had turned out differently, he might have fought for that woman's sake instead of getting revenge.
6 : Frankly, he reminds me more of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Probably because of all the grumpiness and nagging XDXDXD