Chapter 1221

<Chapter 1221> The Path of Radiant Ascension

The atmosphere in the reception hall was heavy after Yeom Guseok’s departure.

Seon Haedo, master of Seon House, stared into the void amidst the oppressive silence. His retinas replayed the image of the middle-aged man who had just declared war on him and stormed out of Seon House.

Seon Haedo personally gauged Yeom Guseok’s realm as 2nd stage of Transcendence, while his own was at 2nd stage of Enlightenment—a difference in dimensions. When they fought barehanded, Seon Haedo could have defeated Yeom Guseok within three exchanges. If Seon Haedo had used full strength from the start, it wouldn’t be strange to settle things in one exchange.

But the Yeom Guseok he saw just now was different. There was no thought that he could snuff him out like a bug.

Instead, Seon Haedo felt overwhelmed by Yeom Guseok.

That dense killing intent wasn’t something an amateur could exude—it belonged to someone who had killed thousands… no, tens of thousands.

“…The more dangerous part is Yeom Guseok’s martial arts.”

Seon Haedo clearly remembered the pitch-black malevolent energy flowing from Yeom Guseok’s body. The moment he saw this unknown martial art, he felt an instinctual fear.

“To tremble with fear before a warrior of Transcendence… how disgraceful.”

He believed Yeom Guseok’s martial art was extraordinary.

The martial art among martial arts. Something so bizarre it barely qualifies as martial art. For example, a technique where devouring human flesh rapidly enhances one’s power.

“Regardless, that guy is dangerous. Even without completing the Devil Subduing Technique, he has reached the realm of Transcendence as a member of the Heavenly Demon Sect. That guy’s talent is undeniably real. As time passes… Seon House may truly be in danger.”

“Sak Joo Geul Geun (削株堀根)”

These four characters lingered in Seon Haedo’s mind.

After calming his trembling body through breathing exercises in the empty reception hall, he shouted toward the outside.

“Is anyone there?!”

“Yes, Master!”

A thunderous reply came from the bodyguard. Though technically closer to an aide than a mere bodyguard—like a personal secretary in modern terms.

“I need to meet Lord Choe Jeo. Bring him to the reception hall immediately.”

“Yes, Master!”

Not long after, the door opened, and a young man entered. This youth, who looked to be barely past his twenties, was none other than Choe Jeo, Yeom Guseok’s target.

Don’t be deceived by appearances. Despite looking youthful, Choe Jeo was nearing his nineties. He maintained his youth through facial transformation techniques. Of course, these aren’t eternal solutions; they’re merely illusions that alter one’s appearance. Time still takes its toll, so maintaining youth requires periodic transformations.

It’s worth noting that advanced warriors cannot be judged by appearance alone.

There are many ways in this world to maintain youth. Transformation techniques are common, and there exist martial arts that prevent aging. Some even find rejuvenation through divine elixirs.

And then there are those who naturally retain their youth without relying on transformation techniques, martial arts, or elixirs…


There are also such things in this world. The body of a great master follows the form of their spirit, you see. If the spirit remains youthful, the body too receives that influence and maintains its youth.

However, as time passes, not only does the body grow, but the spirit matures as well. That is the way of the world. Even for an enlightened sage who has lived for decades or centuries, maintaining a youthful spirit is no easy feat.

“Sit down.”

Choo-jeo sat in the chair where Yeom-guseok had been sitting. He looked behind Seon-haedo and saw a wall dampened by green tea. Below it, shattered pieces of a teacup lay scattered.

“Surely you’ve already heard who visited the Seon household?”

“I’ve heard that a warrior from the Heavenly Demon Sect came to kill me. And I’ve also heard that the head of the house drove them away. Thank you.”

“The Seon household doesn’t easily dismiss its guests. Would we throw away someone who has worked so hard for us like a piece of trash?”

“This Choo-jeo feels deeply indebted to Lord Head of House! I will repay this favor even if it costs me my life!”

“Indeed, my choice was not wrong.”

Seon-haedo smiled warmly but soon wiped the expression off his face and spoke.

“However, this matter isn’t over yet. That one will try to kill you again. They’re from the Mouth-Demon Hall, and their mission is to take your life.”

“…From the Mouth-Demon Hall? Considering the timing, it must be the third trial. If they need to return to the Mouth-Demon Hall, I just have to endure for about ten days.”

“Just enduring won’t work.”

Seon-haedo said firmly. His serious and resolute voice made Choo-jeo quietly await his next words.

“That one isn’t ordinary. If we leave them be, not only will you be in danger, but the entire Seon household could be at risk. With their current location in Haga City… we must settle this while they’re here. As much as I’d like to personally step in and eliminate them, I am the head of the Seon household. Doing so might force us into a fight-to-the-death with the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

“I will follow the head’s decision. I shall personally step in and slay them.”

“It won’t be easy for you alone.”

“Please trust me. I want to prove my sincerity to you, Head.”

“I trust you. However, you know better than I do that the Heavenly Demon Sect isn’t an opponent to underestimate. That one is their assassin—a blade sharper than most, and more powerful.”

“…Hmph. You’re right. The Heavenly Demon Sect. I underestimated them for a moment. Head, may I borrow the Vanguard Corps?”

The Vanguard Corps (先攻隊).

A force of 30 warriors, the elite among elites of the Seon household. Each member has reached at least level five of the Entry Rank.

“Unfortunately, the Seon household cannot directly intervene in this matter. Please understand my position.”

“…I understand. Even the Seon household would find this burdensome… But is there another way…?”

“Listen to my plan, Master Choo-jeo. I intend to use the Twin Killers Guild.”

The Twin Killers Guild (竝殺團) is an assassination group operating around Haga City. They make their living by killing for money.

“Will the Twin Killers Guild accept the contract? While they’re obsessed with money, they’re not foolish enough to make the Heavenly Demon Sect their enemy.”

“Their situation is currently unique. Though they’ve accepted a task from the Heavenly Demon Sect, they can’t act under its name.”

“…The third trial of the Mouth-Demon Hall…!”

“Exactly. And I don’t intend to rely on them to kill that one. It must be you who finishes them. The Twin Killers Guild will torment them—mercilessly.”

“…So my job is to finish them off when they’re weakened. If I’m the one to kill them, the Heavenly Demon Sect will remain quiet.”

Seon-haedo took a deep breath. He contorted his face, pretending to be in agony.

“…Though it tears my heart apart to say this to you… once this is over…”

“There’s no need for such a pained expression.”


“I’ll kill that guy and leave Hagashi. Thank you for taking me in while I was here.”

Choo-je understood his situation all too well.

Since the Tianma Cult had found him, he couldn’t stay at Seonjang any longer. Though verbally supportive, Choo-je didn’t trust Seon Hae-do.

Seon Hae-do was the head of Seon House. Contrary to common people’s beliefs, he wasn’t an upright great swordsman. If the Tianma Cult officially demanded Choo-je, Seon Hae-do would hand him over without hesitation – whether it be killing or capturing.

For Choo-je, leaving on good terms with Seonjang was the best option.

“Where do you plan to go after this is done?”

“To the south, where the Tianma Cult’s influence doesn’t reach. I planned to leave anyway.”

“Do you have enough money?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve saved quite a bit… but it’s a little short.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure to give you plenty of travel expenses.”

“Thank you, great swordsman! I will never forget this favor!”

“Hmph. Much to do. I shall rise now.”

—

In the afternoon, I enjoyed boating in Boyru and visited another courtesan house in the evening. Since this was a rare city visit, I was curious about other courtesan houses. One must try the flavors of other courtesans, right?

At Boyru, they recommended another courtesan house. The courtesan houses of Hagashi maintained cooperation rather than competition. In modern terms, it was like corporate collusion – illegal in modern times, but not here due to lack of enforcement.

‘This world isn’t managed by the emperor directly anyway… He uses martial arts sects to manage cities. Shop collaborations are just trivial compared to everything else.’

The emperor wasn’t incompetent. Quite the opposite – he was highly capable. This system existed because his continent was too vast. There were thousands of cities within this continent, with a population reaching hundreds of billions.

Compared to this immense scale, the civilization level was close to medieval times. Occasionally, over-technology appeared, but that was extremely rare.

‘There aren’t even computers here. It’s impossible for the emperor alone to manage the entire continent. And this sect-based system wasn’t even created by the emperor.’

Sects originally managed regions. The emperor merely unified the continent through overwhelming power and brought the martial world under his control. The sects followed the emperor’s laws and paid taxes to him.

While pondering these thoughts, I stopped. Today was a moonless night. Everything was dark. Not a single bug sound could be heard. The distant lights from the courtesan house were too far away.

“……”

Suddenly, throwing daggers flew out of the darkness. They blended with the shadows, hard to see. But the sound of cutting air revealed their positions.

I drew my sword from my waist and deflected the daggers upward. They spun in midair before falling to the ground. I kicked the fallen dagger in frustration as I stared into the darkness.

“[Heavenly Eye (天眼) activated.]”

I could now see the hidden figures in the darkness.

All of them wore black clothing and masks, concealing their appearances. However, one thing they didn’t know: Heavenly Eye could pierce through concealment unless blocked by magic. I confirmed their faces – none of them were familiar.

‘Only six visible so far. Their skills in hiding their presence are impressive. These aren’t Seonjang warriors; they’re assassins.’

Who hired the assassins to come after me was obvious: Seon Hae-do.

‘Since he can’t act directly because of the Tianma Cult, he’s resorting to this? Annoying bastard.’

I gripped my sword tightly. Thinking about Seon Hae-do made my irritation spike. Luckily, there were targets right in front of me to vent it on.

‘I’ll kill them all…!’

I charged toward the assassins.