Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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Chapter 357: I’ll kill those bastards and retire today
The moment he heard the words “Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult,” the Battle King suddenly leapt into the air and scanned the surroundings in every direction. 1
Only after confirming once again that no one was nearby did he return to his original position. That reaction alone revealed just how wary and cautious he was of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Why is such a person here?”
It was someone whose appearance the Battle King hadn’t even considered.
On the other hand, Hyeok Sagun already had some knowledge about the connection between Geom Mugeuk and Bih Sa-in.
“From what I know, they became acquainted during some external operations.”
The Battle King was surprised, but at the same time, all his previous questions were resolved.
The assassins had been wiped out, his identity had been exposed, Flash of Light had failed—when he placed the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult into the equation, the answers came easily.
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
He had also heard rumors of how extraordinary this particular Young Cult Leader was.
“Do you know where they are now?”
“They're hiding in a safehouse near the Main Division.”
Since he served as the Chief Strategist, he naturally knew not only the location of the safehouse but also who had arrived and was staying there.
“Is Geom Mugeuk there as well?”
“No, currently only the Young Leader and Monster Evil are present.”
The Young Leader was hiding in the safehouse, pretending to be dead, while the Young Cult Leader was probably digging into his trail.
“What do you think we should do?”
The only person whose opinion the Battle King ever asked for was Hyeok Sagun. He held Hyeok Sagun's intelligence and cool-headed judgment in high regard.
More than anything, Hyeok Sagun always knew exactly what the Battle King wanted. He read his intentions and devised plans to match them.
“If you want the Young Leader to be considered dead, we’ll have to kill him.”
He also had exceptional execution. Once he was certain of something, he acted first and reported afterward. That was how confident he was.
“I’ve already sent someone.”
“Even with Monster Evil there? That won’t be easy. Who did you send?”
Hyeok Sagun revealed the names of those who would handle the matter.
“I sent the Flame Sky Twin Swords.”
They were just as unexpected as the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“They were still alive?”
They were infamous figures who had spread fear throughout the unorthodox martial world.
They had once belonged to the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters, committing all kinds of evil deeds, and were eventually branded public enemies of the martial world. It was believed they had died after being trapped and attacked within the Heavenly Net deployed by the Martial Alliance.
“The Main Alliance secretly extracted them just before they died. Since then, the Alliance has been using them in secret. I only found out recently after taking on the role of Chief Strategist.”
If it was the Flame Sky Twin Swords, he felt confident they could kill Monster Evil and Bih Sa-in.
“You found out about the safehouse, used the Flame Sky Twin Swords... Won’t it be a problem later if it’s revealed that you were involved?”
Hyeok Sagun brushed off that concern as nothing more than unnecessary worry.
"Would a busy man like me even have the time to orchestrate something like that?"
The meaningful smile on his face made it clear—he already had someone else prepared to take the fall for this incident. He intended to get rid of a political thorn in his side at the same time. 2
Hyeok Sagun’s handling of the Young Leader wasn’t the only flawless thing. He had also already prepared countermeasures against Geom Mugeuk.
“The problem is the Young Cult Leader. We absolutely must not kill him. If we do, everything we've planned will unravel. He has to be sent back to the Divine Cult.”
The Battle King nodded, his expression showing he was in full agreement.
“Do you have a plan?”
“There are two ways. The first is to send him back by force. To defeat him without killing him, my lord would have to personally step in.”
“What if he holds out to the end?”
He could likely win against the Young Cult Leader. The real problem would be if the Young Cult Leader refused to leave, relying on the backing of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“He couldn’t possibly be helping the Young Leader out of genuine loyalty. He must have his own motives. Once he feels his life is in danger, he’ll back out.” 3
“And the second method?”
“To use the Unorthodox Alliance Leader to send him back. Right now, the Alliance Leader doesn’t know how close the Young Leader is with Geom Mugeuk. Once he finds out, he’ll surely send the Young Cult Leader back. And the Young Leader will face harsh punishment.”
They had deliberately blocked that information—saving it for the decisive moment.
“Which would you choose?”
“The second method is safer and more certain.”
“Then why mention the first method first?”
“Because I know it’s the method my lord prefers.”
The Battle King gave a satisfied smile.
“I’m looking forward to our future together.”
What he had given Hyeok Sagun was the position of Chief Strategist. What he was to receive in return was the seat of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
The Battle King had been grooming Hyeok Sagun for a long time. Without the Battle King's material and strategic support, Hyeok Sagun would never have become the Deputy Strategist.
There had been a few decisive moments in Hyeok Sagun’s life—points at which his fate had been determined. He was indeed intelligent, but surely he wasn’t the only brilliant man among the strategists?
The Battle King had discreetly eliminated anyone who might have become a strong rival. Some died from illness, others in accidents. Because it had been carried out over time, one step at a time, no one had ever suspected a thing.
“Proceed with the second method.”
“Yes. I’ll mobilize the Alliance Leader and send back the Young Cult Leader first.”
Hyeok Sagun put his bamboo hat back on.
“Then until we meet again, please take care.”
Hyeok Sagun slowly turned and walked away from the place.
Left alone, the Battle King looked up at the moon once more.
“Young Leader, it seems you'll die just as you wished today. No, perhaps you’re already dead?”
Once the moon set, the sun would rise.
* * *
Bih Sa-in and Monster Evil were staying in the safehouse.
It was late at night, but neither of them could sleep. They sat in a small pavilion set up in the yard, sipping tea.
Outwardly, Bih Sa-in appeared calm, but inside, his mind was consumed by thoughts of the current situation.
Would Geom Mugeuk uncover the mastermind? How would the Unorthodox Alliance Leader judge his handling of this affair? Just how strong was Hwang Seokgyeong? Countless questions swirled in his head, leaving his mind in turmoil.
Perhaps the soft moonlight stirred something in him, as Monster Evil suddenly spoke in a leisurely tone.
“Once I retire, I’d like to seclude myself in a place like this.”
It seemed he had taken a liking to this place. It was difficult to find from the outside, while inside, it was quiet and full of charm.
“You should buy a house somewhere with an even better view.”
But Monster Evil shook his head.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve built up so much resentment in this life, but I feel more at ease in a shut-off place like this, where no one knows I’m here.”
Indeed, this place gave off a feeling of safety.
“Young Leader.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Don’t forget our promise.”
“The day I become the Alliance Leader, I’ll hand over the Slashing Ghost Shadow Step to you.”
That was the reason Monster Evil was risking his life to help Bih Sa-in. When Bih Sa-in gave his reply without hesitation, Monster Evil offered one piece of advice.
“Listen, Young Leader. Don’t be fooled by someone’s kindness. Everyone harbors dark thoughts.”
He was telling him not to trust Geom Mugeuk. A life debt was a life debt, but doubt should be cast when necessary.
How could Bih Sa-in not understand what he was worried about? Geom Mugeuk was someone even he found concerning.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After replying politely, Bih Sa-in asked a question this time.
“Senior, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask.”
“Go on.”
“You’ve already become one of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters—why do you still seek greater strength?”
Was he aiming to become the strongest under heaven, or the greatest of the unorthodox world? But that wasn’t it. In the eyes staring down into his empty teacup, Monster Evil held nothing but rage.
“There are people I need to kill.” 4
“Who are they?”
Just as Monster Evil hesitated to answer, the door from the yard to the outer compound opened, and someone appeared. It was one of the martial artists managing the safehouse.
The moment they saw him, both Bih Sa-in and Monster Evil leapt to their feet.
The martial artist, reeking of fresh blood, collapsed right there. His back was soaked crimson with blood.
Two men stepped over the corpse and entered.
The moment he recognized them, Monster Evil’s expression turned icy.
“Flame Sky Twin Swords!”
Bih Sa-in was taken aback at the words.
The Flame Sky Twin Swords were once figures who had struck terror into the martial world.
The Flame King Sword and the Thousand Hands Sword.
Together, they were known as the Flame Sky Twin Swords.
Though they seemed similar at first glance, the aura they exuded was entirely different.
The Flame King Sword gave off a wild and fierce presence, while the Thousand Hands Sword appeared cold, precise, and without the slightest opening.
What surprised Bih Sa-in wasn’t that their opponents were the Flame Sky Twin Swords.
‘How on earth did they find this place?’
The breach of such a hidden location was inconceivable. In other words, it meant that the Unorthodox Alliance’s security system had been that much compromised.
The Flame Sky Twin Swords recognized Monster Evil as well.
“Has it been ten years?”
At the Flame King Sword’s question, Monster Evil replied.
“It’s been twelve.”
He remembered their last encounter with perfect clarity.
“Since we’ve shared ties in the past, how about you take your leave now, junior.”
Though they were younger in age, they still referred to him as junior. When Monster Evil rose to the rank of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters, the two of them had already held that title.
Though the two were counted as one under the name Flame Sky Twin Swords for the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters, each of them was strong enough to hold that position alone. They weren’t one whole—they were two individuals of the same level of power.
That’s precisely why they were evaluated as the strongest among the Seven. If their swords hadn’t dulled over time, there would be no chance of victory in this fight.
Bih Sa-in could sense that Monster Evil was conflicted. He could tell by how Monster Evil regarded the Flame Sky Twin Swords’ power.
‘So even Monster Evil doesn’t feel confident facing them…’
Then came the merciless decision.
“Young Leader, please understand.”
And with that, the meaning was clear. I will walk away—so you die here.
‘You’re seriously leaving like this?’
He could’ve coldly snapped at him, or desperately begged for his life.
But Bih Sa-in didn’t do either. In the past, he probably would have. So why were these words coming out of his mouth now?
“I’m sorry I won’t be able to hand you the secret art with my own hands. I truly hope you get to kill the ones you want to kill.”
He wasn’t this kind of person.
Trying to look cool even when facing death? That was something Geom Mugeuk would say. Ah, maybe he really had been influenced by that man. Geom Mugeuk would pull off that kind of flair and still survive in style—but Bih Sa-in? He was going to die.
But he didn’t feel bitter or betrayed. Those emotions only arose when someone you trusted deeply let you down.
In the past, he would’ve regretted everything at this moment. That he should’ve just reported everything to the Alliance Leader in the first place. But even that regret didn’t come.
‘I really have changed.’
And that was the part that made him feel regret. These moments of facing death kept continuously coming, and every time, he felt that regret—that yearning. He wanted to live longer, to continue sensing that he was changing. He wanted to show that change to someone.
And so, once again, he wished.
Wished that, like a lie, Geom Mugeuk would be perched on top of that wall, smiling as he said:
Let’s really dance together if you survive this.
But today, that would never happen. He was, after all, in a safehouse. The kind of place where there was no reason for Geom Mugeuk to come running.
Monster Evil looked deeply at Bih Sa-in for a moment, then turned his back and began to walk away.
The Flame Sky Twin Swords silently watched him pass by.
Just as Monster Evil brushed past the two of them—
Shiiing!
Fwoooosh!
Monster Evil and the Flame Sky Twin Swords spun around at the same time, unleashing a sword and twin palms toward each other.
He had only pretended to leave Bih Sa-in behind, but Monster Evil knew. He knew that the Flame Sky Twin Swords had promised to let him go only to catch him off guard and finish him off with ease. He knew better than anyone what kind of trash they were.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, both sides slid backward.
The Flame Sky Twin Swords took three steps back, while Monster Evil, having clashed against the internal energy of both, was pushed back seven steps.
“Still up to your cowardly tricks, I see.”
At Monster Evil’s mockery, the Flame King Sword also sneered.
“Still quick to sniff things out like a rat, aren’t you.”
Monster Evil leapt through the air and landed beside Bih Sa-in.
Bih Sa-in was stunned—and moved—that he hadn’t fled, but instead had come to stand by his side.
“Why did you come back here?”
When they exchanged blows just now, he could’ve used the momentum of being knocked back to leap over the wall and escape.
Then the Flame Sky Twin Swords would have split up—one chasing after Monster Evil, the other staying to kill him.
Or they could’ve simply let Monster Evil go and focused on killing him. After all, the real target to be killed today was himself.
Whatever the scenario, the chances of survival would’ve been far higher than now. Monster Evil must have known that.
“Earlier, you asked me who I wanted to kill, remember?”
Only then did Bih Sa-in realize—it was the Flame Sky Twin Swords that he wanted to kill. 5
“Then shouldn’t you have run away even more?”
He must’ve wanted the Slashing Ghost Shadow Step because he still believed he couldn’t win yet.
Monster Evil let out a quiet sigh. It was true. Just from that brief clash earlier, it was clear—he still couldn’t defeat them.
And the difference in skill between Bih Sa-in and the Flame Sky Twin Swords would be even greater. In the end, it was a battle they couldn’t win.
So why had he stayed?
Sure, letting the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance die weighed on him, but there was a deeper reason.
‘This is all because of Flash of Light.’
Being betrayed by Flash of Light had left him in a foul mood. He’d been cursing nonstop ever since. But if he ran away now, he’d be no different from that bastard.
Had Bih Sa-in coldly cursed at him or said something heartless, he might’ve exchanged a few blows and fled right then and there.
But instead, Bih Sa-in had sent him off kindly. And because of that, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. In hindsight, he probably shouldn’t have warned him not to be fooled by kindness.
“I wanted to receive the secret art from you.”
Bih Sa-in couldn’t understand. Was it that people change when they’re near death? Or was it that Monster Evil had changed because Bih Sa-in’s attitude toward him had changed? 6
He found himself thinking—people truly are unpredictable.
“If I had known this would happen, I should’ve just stolen that secret art and handed it to you sooner.”
Monster Evil clenched both fists tightly. An overwhelming energy, as if prepared to face death itself, surged from him.
“No need now. I’m going to kill those bastards and retire today.”
Bih Sa-in slowly drew his sword. From it, a sharp chill radiated.
“On the day you wash your hands with the golden basin, I’ll prepare the largest, most extravagant golden washbasin in all the martial world.”
And if we survive today... I’ll even dance on that day.
1 : *Mugeuk starts jumping up and down and waving in the distance to taunt him* XDXDXD
2 : Evil AND efficient. First priority kill just after the Battle King.
3 : Hehehehe, it’s always funny how wrong their expectations always are. Their own values reflect on their evaluations of others.
4 : Another Demon Doctor assassination side quest ? Depending on the evil of the target, Mugeuk might do it himself.
5 : How convenient. Now you can be sure Mugeuk will help you kill them.
6 : This is the truth behind truly looking at people.