Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 389 – Return (3)

A dark space filled only with shadows.

A man with a terribly scarred face from burns sat cross-legged.

He was the envoy from the Elder Council who had called himself Yul-myeong to Young Master Na Yul-ryang.

This Yul-myeong opened his mouth.

“It was beyond expectations. All our preparations after discovering the secret passage have been thwarted. I never thought they would enter through the front.”

In response to his words, a gruff old man’s voice was heard from the darkness.

“Cunning bastard. Did he notice in advance?”

“It doesn’t seem so. He might have just been worried about being discarded like a used tool.”

“Discarded?”

“Yes, being of hostage origin, he’d be an easy pawn to discard. But he’s as cautious as he is cunning. Thanks to that, that old woman has finally entered the organization.”

“So did he head to the Society Leader?”

“No, that’s not the case.”

“No?”

“Yes, contrary to expectations, he took the carriage to the Shadow Clan.”

“Shadow Clan? He went to his master?”

“Yes.”

“Then he’s not just a chess piece moving according to the Society Leader’s will.”

“That’s how it seems so far.”

“That means…”

“He might be connected to a third force. For instance, the group of diviners skilled enough in mystic arts to control vengeful spirits as spirit servants.”

“You mean those who controlled the Primal Killing Pavilion leader as a living corpse?”

“Yes.”

“You said they were on par with you?”

“There aren’t many diviners who can reverse and deflect my spiritual power.”

“Hmm.”

“What should we do? For now, with the Society Leader’s situation and not knowing how far this third force has infiltrated, we’ve left it alone. But now that the old woman has come here, we can’t just leave it be.”

The presence in the darkness seemed to agree with Yul-myeong’s concerns, letting out a faint groan.

Then he said,

“The immediate priority would be that old woman. Then, we should immediately…”

“Let’s hold off on the Shadow Clan for now.”

“Hold off?”

“Though the probability is low, it could be a trap set by the Society Leader.”

“The Society Leader? Right now, he’s…”

“The elders know well, don’t they? If by any chance this is a trap aimed at making us act, we could face a backlash.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“How about making them hand her over voluntarily?”

“Voluntarily?”

“As it happens, that younger brother who was captured as a hostage with him at the Yeon Mok Sword Manor is in Bright Blade King’s hands.”

“Oh?”

Yul-myeong spoke in a meaningful voice.

“Whether he’s a chess piece or not, it’s hard to overcome the weight of blood ties.”

***

“The person before your eyes is the true master of the Holy Fire.”

‘!!!!!’

At these words from the Holy Fire Priestess, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon was beyond surprised and couldn’t take his eyes off Mok Gyeong-un’s face.

What on earth did this mean?

Mok Gyeong-un, whom he thought had betrayed the cult, was the master of the Holy Fire?

The master of the Holy Fire.

Wasn’t that being the incarnation of fire they had been waiting for all this time?

“What exactly…”

“Ahem!”

Until just a moment ago, Hwan Ya-seon had thought he should be cautious in case of outside surveillance, but the shock must have been great as he called out to her and said,

“Holy Fire Priestess… Is this truly real?”

“Pay your respects.”

At the Holy Fire Priestess’s stern voice, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon’s eyes wavered.

There was no way she, who received revelations from the Holy Fire, would speak nonsense.

Suddenly, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

‘Ah…’

So the monstrous speed of martial arts development and this extraordinary intelligence were all because he was born as the incarnation?

After staring intently for a while, Hwan Ya-seon finally knelt down.

Then he crossed his arms over his chest, placing his hands on both shoulders, taking the Fire Faith Order’s salute.

-Thud!

Always hiding his identity and dealing with spies and information, he was more suspicious than anyone, but paradoxically, he was also more deeply loyal and faithful to the cult than anyone.

That’s why complex emotions were evident in his eyes as he knelt, and even his eyelids reddened.

‘Clan Leader Ya-seon…’

Watching him like this, the Holy Fire Priestess’s eyes became rather complicated.

She recalled what had happened just two weeks ago.

***

Everyone had gathered in the guest hall of Spiritual Sword Sanctuary Mountain Villa.

[H-How can this be?]

The Holy Fire Priestess and her granddaughter Ye Song-ah couldn’t hide their bewilderment as they looked at the broken pieces of the jewel, which could be considered the embodiment of the Holy Fire Spirit that delivered revelations.

They had already been wondering why there was no mention of the jewel.

But who would have thought the jewel would end up like this?

‘W-What are we to do about this?’

The Holy Fire Priestess’s mind became complicated.

The ability to read revelations had brought many threats from enemies, but at the same time, it had also served to protect them.

But if the jewel was broken, their role had essentially become meaningless.

The Holy Fire Priestess had hoped that even if she lost her ability, it would protect her granddaughter Ye Song-ah, who had inherited that power.

She wasn’t the only one surprised by this.

Seop Chun opened his mouth, seeming worried as he looked at it.

[My Lord… If the jewel that was said to deliver prophetic revelations is broken, then our mission…]

[It’s not exactly a failure.]

[What? What do you mean?]

[What was our mission?]

[Our mission? That was…]

Their confidential mission was to break the Holy Fire Priestess out of the underground prison in the imperial palace.

If they took the mission at face value, they certainly hadn’t failed.

However, the purpose of capturing the Holy Fire Priestess clearly stemmed from her mysterious ability to predict the future.

Would the Society Leader accept this?

His going to such lengths to break out the Holy Fire Priestess seemed clearly related to his condition.

To this, Seop Chun carefully said,

[Even if it’s not pushed to the point of failure, he might not keep his promise, saying we didn’t fully accomplish the mission. If that happens, the position of fourth disciple will be just a bubble…]

Before he could finish, Mong Mu-yak spoke up.

[Is there any need to be fixated on the position?]

[What?]

[My Lord has already reached a realm where he can contend with the Six Heavens, who are called the pinnacle of the current martial world.]

[Wait, Mu-yak, are you saying…]

[The Heaven and Earth Society originally followed the law of the strong. But at some point, the Heavenly Vein began to reign over the organization like an emperor. But now that a being surpassing even the Heavenly Vein has been born, is there any need for that?]

Being in charge of the intelligence department, he always made rational judgments.

But at his changed attitude, Seop Chun clicked his tongue.

It seemed he was that captivated by Mok Gyeong-un’s existence and strength.

However,

[Your words have a point. But even if the organization originally aspired to the rule of the strong, that’s too hasty a judgment. At least…]

[You want to say we need justification, don’t you?]

[…Yes. You know this and still say such things?]

No matter how strong Mok Gyeong-un had become, to become a figure who could lead this massive organization called the Heaven and Earth Society, he needed a justification for people to follow him.

Even if he had become the Shadow Clan Leader’s disciple, his roots were in the righteous faction, and he had been brought here as a hostage.

Moreover, if he, who had sworn loyalty to the organization, tried to solve everything with just strength, who would follow him?

It would only increase internal enemies.

But then,

-Thud!

Mong Mu-yak knelt on one knee right there and put his hands together in respect.

Everyone’s attention focused on his sudden behavior.

Then Mong Mu-yak spoke to Mok Gyeong-un in a reverent voice.

[It’s not only the Heaven and Earth Veins that have the right to be the master of the organization.]

[Mu-yak, what are you…]

[It’s no coincidence that the successor of the Moon Vein has returned to the organization. If my Lord wishes to reign over the organization, I, Mong Mu-yak, will devote my life to following you with the loyalty of a dog and horse.]

[Moon Vein?]

At these words, Seop Chun’s eyes widened.

Did he just say Moon Vein?

If he’s talking about the Moon Vein, isn’t that one of the foundations of the Heaven Earth Moon Society, which could be considered the predecessor of the Heaven and Earth Society?

He had thought that due to some incident, even its secret techniques had disappeared and its lineage had been completely cut off.

But what was this about?

As he wondered, Mong Mu-yak said,

[You, no, most of the organization might not know, but my Lord is the successor of the Moon Vein who has appeared after a hundred years. That’s why Bright Blade King brought him.]

Mong Mu-yak was the deputy leader of the Society Leader’s direct squad.

He knew well from his father, Vice Society Leader Mong Seo-cheon, by what route the two hostages from the righteous faction had been captured.

However, he had kept silent about Mok Gyeong-un being the successor of the Moon Vein due to the Society Leader’s orders.

After all, even if a successor of the Moon Vein had appeared, there wasn’t much that could be done about it now.

But now the situation had changed.

Mok Gyeong-un’s marvelous martial prowess could re-establish the principles of the Three Veins…

It was then.

-Thud!

[This must not be!]

‘!?’

Mong Mu-yak frowned and looked at the person who had interrupted.

It was the Holy Fire Priestess.

Not only had she suddenly interrupted, but why was she prostrating herself on the floor?

As he wondered, she said,

[With even the jewel that delivers revelations destroyed, the symbolism of the Holy Fire Priestess is as good as gone. In a situation where the cult leader is dead and even our existence has become meaningless, the only one who can lead the remaining cult members is the Young Master, who can be called the incarnation. Please…]

[Close your mouth. How dare you discuss whether or not to lead a heretical group with my Lord?]

Mong Mu-yak cut off her words and raised his voice.

Though he had broken her out of prison due to the mission, like other Central Plains people, he did not have a favorable view of the Fire Faith Order.

Despite his rebuke, the Holy Fire Priestess did not back down.

[The Young Master is the true master of the Holy Fire and its incarnation. The predetermined fate cannot be changed by your…]

[I am neither an incarnation nor the master of the Holy Fire. And fate is not predetermined. Don’t arbitrarily define such things.]

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

The Holy Fire Priestess looked at him with bewildered eyes.

Mong Mu-yak snickered and looked triumphant, thinking he was rebuking her nonsensical words.

However,

[As it happens, I was about to tell you all what my goal is. This is perfect.]

[Goal? My Lord… What do you mean?]

To his puzzled question, Mok Gyeong-un answered with a faint smile.

[To erase the Heaven and Earth Society.]

‘!!!!!!’

At these words, everyone’s faces turned to shock.

Especially Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak, who were from the Heaven and Earth Society.

They had hoped that Mok Gyeong-un, whose martial arts had developed dramatically, would take control of the Heaven and Earth Society and rule it.

But a completely unexpected ambition came out of his mouth.

They couldn’t help but be bewildered.

[My Lord… What do you mean by erasing the Heaven and Earth Society? Surely you don’t mean to fight against the organization itself instead of reigning over it…]

[I just don’t like it very much.]

[Pardon?]

[The name Heaven and Earth Society, that is. Don’t worry. I’m not saying I’ll erase those who say they’ll follow me.]

‘…This can’t be.’

They wondered if they had misunderstood.

But he was truly serious about erasing the Heaven and Earth Society.

Although his martial prowess had increased dramatically, the Heaven and Earth Society was a massive power that divided the current martial world into three.

They were at a loss for words that this was serious.

‘There’s a completely different meaning between standing tall within the Heaven and Earth Society and expressing the intention to erase the Heaven and Earth Society itself.’

Then the Holy Fire Priestess spoke in a trembling voice.

[Young Master. If that is truly your will, please take in the poor cult members. If you do, they will…]

[If they come of their own accord, I’ll accept them. But if they’re coming under me, it won’t be the Heaven and Earth Society, nor will it be the Fire Faith Order. They just need to follow me, that’s all.]

At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, everyone’s whole bodies trembled.

The meaning of these words was clear.

It was no different from declaring that he would walk the path of hegemony himself.

Not the Heaven and Earth Society, not the Fire Faith Order, but an independent path.

‘Is he trying to open a new world?’

***

[Your job is one thing. Turn those order members into pieces I can use, not the Fire Faith Order.]

This was the task he had given her.

[Prove your usefulness on your own.]

The task came with a grim warning.

For two weeks, the Holy Fire Priestess had been lost in countless worries.

Mok Gyeong-un had spoken casually, but his decision was no different from ending the very existence of the Fire Faith Order.

It was too sad to end the existence of the Fire Faith Order, which had persisted for so long, like this.

But suddenly, a thought occurred to her.

Was the name “Fire Faith Order” really that important?

What mattered was the spirit and doctrines contained within it, and the mindset of its members.

Abandoning the name and following Mok Gyeong-un didn’t mean abandoning those things.

After all, the existence of Mok Gyeong-un was the incarnation of fire and the value of their continued existence.

‘Let’s not cling to the name. The Young Master is the cult itself.’

What she had to do with her remaining life was decided.

It was to revive the existence of the cult, which everyone had shunned, anew under Mok Gyeong-un as the incarnation.

Clan Leader Ya-seon was the beginning.

‘Clan Leader Ya-seon… Everything is for the cult. Please understand.’

If she were to tell him to follow the incarnation rather than the cult right away, he might not understand or might rebel, so her job was to gradually influence him.

“Young Master. Please accept Clan Leader Ya-seon, a faithful order member.”

The Holy Fire Priestess put her hands together in a cross and paid respects, requesting this of Mok Gyeong-un.

It was then.

-Ta ta ta ta tak!

The sound of someone running urgently was heard.

Soon, a Shadow Clan warrior came running breathlessly through the pavilion in the rear garden and then stopped abruptly.

“W-What is this?”

The warrior had come to deliver something, but he couldn’t help but be bewildered by the sight of Shadow Clan warriors collapsed all around the rear garden.

Then Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon hurriedly stood up and said,

“What’s the matter?”

“Clan Leader… This is…”

“Don’t worry about this place, just tell me what’s going on first.”

“B-But…”

“We have guests.”

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un said, looking towards the pavilion.

“Guests?”

-Rumble rumble!

Then, a group of people could be seen rushing over from beyond the pavilion.

The one standing at the front particularly stood out – a muscular middle-aged man with a much larger build than Bright Blade King, carrying a massive axe on one shoulder.

Seeing this, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon furrowed his brow and muttered,

“Axe-Destroying King?”

It was Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang, one of the Five Kings who were high-ranking officials of the Heaven and Earth Society, and a supreme master who held the title of one of the Eight Stars.