Namgoong Baek was quite wise, befitting his age of living for many years. Although he couldn't compare to strategists or military experts, he prided himself on having the insight cultivated over many years to penetrate the essence of things.
Also, he thought he had developed the ability to judge people through years of training.
But that pride was shattered in an instant.
Namgoong Baek endured the pressure weighing down on him. Sweat flowed down his cheeks. Although it was still a season with cool winds blowing, that didn't matter. The beads of sweat forming on Namgoong Baek's forehead spoke of his condition.
'How long has it been...'
Since being defeated by Hyuk Muhyeol, Namgoong Baek had never felt such pressure.
Knowing that there weren't even three people in the Central Plains who could be considered his match, this current pressure felt unfamiliar and incomprehensible.
20 years ago, he had faced the Black Demon from a distance. The one in his memory was strong, but not a man exuding this level of power.
He was strong, but given time, it seemed possible to face him. Rather, Hyuk Muhyeol, whom he had faced before, felt like a higher wall.
But the one in front of him now was as firm as an insurmountable wall.
'...He's not my match. No, he wouldn't be anyone's match.'
Could Hyuk Muhyeol face this person? The train of thought continued briefly but had to be cut off soon.
Hyuk Muhyeol before being poisoned might have been able to, but the current Hyuk Muhyeol didn't have that power. If given time, when Hyuk Dojin enters the realm of shedding demonic nature, he might reach a level to stand shoulder to shoulder with this man. But for now, it was insufficient.
He was a man for whom it would be hard to guarantee victory even if three Flowering Realm masters rushed at him.
"What are you thinking about, Namgoong Baek?"
"..."
A voice as heavy as a rock fell on Namgoong Baek's head, which had been continuing its thoughts. Although it was clearly just a voice, it felt like his body was being pressed down. Namgoong Baek frowned and opened his mouth with difficulty.
"I was lamenting the fact that my eyes are worse than a knothole. I never thought I'd be looking in the wrong direction with you right in front of me."
"Don't blame yourself too much. That's your level."
One might think there wouldn't be anyone who would dare talk about levels to the Murim Alliance Leader's face, but here he was right in front of him. Namgoong Baek opened his mouth with difficulty, unable to even wipe away the cold sweat flowing.
"...Please forgive my inadequacy."
"I can't blame someone who admits their inadequacy. I forgive you. However..."
The Black Demon's voice, which had been settling heavily, faded. Then the pressure filling the room pressed down even more fiercely. Namgoong Baek bit his teeth and narrowed his brows. The Black Demon spoke coldly while savoring his reaction.
"I don't know how to forgive someone who rebels without knowing their place."
"..."
"What do you think? What punishment would be appropriate for such a person? Would you share your thoughts?"
Although the words were thrown very leisurely, their weight was by no means light. Namgoong Baek felt as if hundreds of invisible swords were aimed at him.
His whole body tingled. It felt like his body would be torn into hundreds of pieces if he just turned his eyes for a moment.
Namgoong Baek stared intently into the Black Demon's eyes and opened his mouth heavily.
"...It seems giving a chance would be good."
"I've already given numerous chances. I even warned directly. Are you saying I should forgive and give another chance to such a person?"
"One forgiveness given when thought to be the last has a greater impact than hundreds of forgivenesses. If you give him a chance, he will surely repay it."
Namgoong Baek spoke quickly with a stiff face.
In contrast, a light smile spread across the Black Demon's face as he examined Namgoong Baek. He looked Namgoong Baek up and down blankly and muttered slowly.
"Repayment..."
The Black Demon pulled the corners of his mouth into a sneer and nodded.
"Actually, I was planning to give that person a severe punishment after talking with the Alliance Leader... But since you say so, I guess I should forgive him. The last forgiveness is greater... Haha, interesting."
The Black Demon burst into seemingly joyful laughter. But not even a thin smile appeared on Namgoong Baek's lips.
"Alright. Then, let's do that."
"I'm glad you've decided that..."
"..."
The Black Demon's hand patted Namgoong Baek's shoulder. Even though it was a light gesture, Namgoong Baek's legs wobbled for a moment. The Black Demon put his mouth close to Namgoong Baek's ear and spoke quietly.
"There won't be a next time, Alliance Leader."
"..."
It was quiet and low, but it rang louder than any thunder.
Namgoong Baek swallowed and closed his eyes.
"...I understand."
A gap so great that he didn't even dare think of rebelling. The Black Demon was showing exactly what it meant to suppress with power.
The Black Demon looked down at him with cold eyes and calmly stepped back. Only then did Namgoong Baek feel his heart beating violently. The Black Demon stepped back, put his hands behind his back, looked at him, and spoke slowly.
"The Hundred Thousand Mountains are a natural fortress that no one has ever crossed. It's a shield that won't break even if all the righteous sects, not just the Murim Alliance, knock on it with the determination to fight to the death."
Namgoong Baek raised his gaze to meet his eyes.
"If they return to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, we won't be able to deal with them no matter what price we pay."
The Black Demon threw his voice at Namgoong Baek with a cold smile.
"Bring Moyong Sowol."
"Moyong..."
"Capture that woman alive and bring her directly before me. It doesn't matter what method you use. If you can capture and bring that woman alive, it's fine even if you kill thousands."
The Black Demon melted into the darkness. Namgoong Baek's pupils shook as he followed the slowly fading figure. The Black Demon's voice rang out from the scattering darkness.
"Consider this the last time, Namgoong Baek."
With those words, the Black Demon completely disappeared. As soon as the pressure filling the room vanished, sighs erupted from all around.
It wasn't just Namgoong Baek who had been suffering from his presence. No, to be precise, it was an even greater pressure on those observing the situation around than on Namgoong Baek. Some were vomiting blood and taking meditative postures, perhaps having suffered internal injuries.
Namgoong Baek remained frozen even though he had disappeared. His eyes were fixed in the direction where the Black Demon had vanished. He exhaled slowly. Sweat flowed down Namgoong Baek's cheek, gathered at his chin, and then fell. Namgoong Baek's pupils turned downward.
He looked at the sweat that had fallen and left a mark on the floor.
'...Nothing. I couldn't do anything.'
He couldn't even rebel, let alone face him. He was literally suppressed. Namgoong Baek once again engraved the sensation of fear he had long forgotten. His tightly closed lips opened.
"...He must be killed."
He felt it deeply the moment he faced the Black Demon. Because he couldn't rebel, because he couldn't face him, he had to be killed. If he became an even greater monster than now, then it would be impossible to do anything. So...
"Moyong Sowol..."
He had to kill her himself before she fell into the Black Demon's hands. If she fell to him, there would be no more reason for him to live.
He had instructed to bring Moyong Sowol but never said he would forgive him. If Moyong Sowol was captured alive, he knew his end would not be good at all.
"Tell Seolbyeok."
He let out a long breath as he loosened his posture.
"Tell her I want to meet Moyong Sowol, so arrange a meeting."
* * *
The preparations to return to the Hundred Thousand Mountains didn't take long. Thanks to resting for two more days, Hyuk Dojin's wounds had healed, and the others who were injured and tired could also recover. I too was able to become more accustomed to fighting by exchanging swords with Man Do during the rest period.
What I felt after exchanging swords with Man Do a few times was that I had become surprisingly strong. Before, I vaguely thought I must have become somewhat stronger since I had reached the Flowering Realm, but now I could clearly see what level I was at.
According to Man Do, there are higher and lower levels even within the Flowering Realm, so a master who has just reached the Flowering Realm cannot defeat a master who achieved it earlier.
However, in the sparring matches with Man Do over the past few days, I threatened him several times, and actually overwhelmed him once or twice throughout the match.
I thought he was going easy on me, but seeing Man Do sweating and struggling at the end of the sparring, it didn't seem to be just that.
Man Do explained that at my current level, when I go out to the Central Plains, there would be at most five people who could match me.
Man Do cited the enormous inner power abnormally accumulated in my body as the reason.
Man Do shook his head and raised both hands at the energy accumulated in my body. He explained that if I became more accustomed to battle than I am now, I would become even stronger.
Of course, he added that it would require long training to do so.
"What is that?"
It was the third day since we departed for the Hundred Thousand Mountains after preparations were complete. We still hadn't left Fujian as we hadn't gained speed yet.
Joo Hwarin looked at the letter in my hand and asked. At her question, I tilted my head while flapping the letter in my hand.
"Well, it's a letter from someone, but I don't know who the sender is."
"Wouldn't you know who sent it if you read it?"
"I thought so too, so I read it, but..."
I narrowed my brows as I unfolded the letter again and examined the contents. After looking at the letter with complicated eyes, I handed it to Joo Hwarin.
Joo Hwarin looked flustered by the letter suddenly coming to her.
"How can I..."
"It's okay. Take a look."
Joo Hwarin hesitated for a moment, then took the letter and skimmed through the contents, and made a complicated expression just like me.
Joo Hwarin lowered the letter and tilted her head.
"...What's this content about?"
"I don't know. Some food recipes and ingredients. If that was all, it might be understandable, but why are there random travel-related information?"
As I sighed and was about to fold the letter again, Eun Do, who had been hiding his presence, revealed himself.
Knowing that he wouldn't show himself first unless called, I was slightly surprised by his appearance and looked at him.
But regardless of my reaction, Eun Do stared intently at the letter in my hand and spoke slowly.
"If it's alright, may I read that letter?"
At his sudden words, I glanced slightly at Joo Hwarin before looking back at Eun Do and handing him the letter.
He received the letter I handed him, skimmed through the contents, then immediately narrowed his brows and spoke slowly.
"...Did you say you don't know who gave this?"
I nodded, and Eun Do let out a sigh. He folded the letter, handed it back to me, and spoke quietly.
"What's written there is code used by assassins."
"Code?"
"It can be seen as a cipher written in a way that even if someone else sees it when orders are given, they won't suspect anything. I'm not sure who sent it, but the person who sent this letter seems to be someone who can accurately use this code."
"Assassins' code... Then, Eun Do, do you know what this content is about?"
"It's different from what I know, so it's difficult to grasp the exact content, but roughly interpreting it, it's indicating a location and time."
Location and time? Eun Do nodded and unfolded a map, pointing to a place.
"It's a message saying to meet here at midnight two days from now."
I narrowed my brows at his words. How many people would throw a letter that can't be easily understood without even saying who sent it, to set up an appointment?
"If you give the order, I will track down the person who sent the letter."
"No, it's fine."
I had a vague idea of who might have sent the letter.