Jeong Cheol stumbled away, disappearing between the abandoned buildings.
I was staring blankly at his retreating figure.
I steadied the precarious flow of my brain qi and checked my physical condition.
At this moment, I couldn’t even wield my sword properly, let alone use martial techniques.
Although I sacrificed my weapon and arm, I judged that chasing Jeong Cheol, who preserved his internal injuries and legs, would be difficult.
Moreover, there was a strong probability that he had set up ambushes along his escape route, making it too risky to pursue.
“Congratulations on winning the match! Brain Knife Outcast!”
A voice laced with inner power rang out, drowning out the murmurs of the crowd.
Having decided that I couldn’t immediately pursue, I turned my head toward that voice.
Was this person planted by Jeong Cheol to buy him time, or were they genuinely curious?
I momentarily entertained doubts but dismissed them.
Noticing the match had concluded, I couldn’t chase after Jeong Cheol until I joined with the Bicheongmacha approaching from afar.
Furthermore, the people here, including that individual, had traveled a long way to witness the duel between Jeong Cheol and me.
They were the jurors who would spread the word about the results of our match, so I couldn’t ignore them, no matter how urgent the circumstances were.
At the very least, I needed to respond sincerely until Bicheongmacha arrived.
“I know my actions might be considered impolite, but I couldn’t resist my curiosity and have committed this rudeness. May I ask you a few questions?”
“Speak freely.”
“When I heard the rumors about you, Brain Knife Outcast, it was said that your skills were at the Peak Stage. I’m curious about when you reached such a level. Also, Jeong Cheol’s challenge to you seems to indicate that he was aware of your prowess. Have you two clashed before?”
“It hasn’t been rumored, but Jeong Cheol and I have encountered and fought each other in various places, with outcomes that cannot all be laid out here. Moreover, those events are all in the past.”
The gathered martial artists buzzed.
“Furthermore… my rapid growth in such a short period is due to the fact that the sect I thought was extinct is still alive and that I encountered a fortuitous opportunity.”
At the mention of a fortuitous opportunity, envy flickered across the faces of the martial artists present.
“Hmm… a fortuitous opportunity within the sect…”
“I thought you stood alone… But how could one grow so fast solely by oneself?”
“Such a shame… what a shame…”
The martial artists seemed to lose some favor towards me. Perhaps these martial artists had supported my self-made success.
If that was the case, I felt a little sorry.
Someone raised their hand.
“May I ask one more question?”
“Speak freely.”
“Having defeated Jeong Cheol, you, Brain Knife Outcast, have undoubtedly become the true representative of the Sacheon Outcasts. Do you intend to become the head of the Sacheon Outcasts?”
The chatter among the martial artists quieted.
It was indeed an important question.
If I became the representative of the Sacheon Outcasts and returned to Sacheon City, it would effectively turn Sacheon into a one-power regime led by the Outcast Inn.
Having defeated both the only Hwa-gyeong martial artist in Sacheon and Jeong Cheol, who brought chaos to Sacheon… there would be no one left who could compare to me in terms of skill or reputation.
If I could utilize Black Rib, people would flock like clouds, and I had promising talents like Seo I-ryeong and Jo Yong-sang, who could become future leaders.
The Sacheon Outcasts would indeed become a formidable new force shaking the Martial World.
And I could become the master of such a force.
Thus, I removed Black Rib.
A silent shock rippled through the crowd.
“This is my will.”
The Sacheon Outcasts don’t need a leader.
“The Sacheon Outcasts are originally such beings. They are like students attending a school or soldiers undergoing training. When the time is right, they throw off their burdens and leave freely. That is the true nature of Sacheon Outcasts.”
What need is there for a leader among those who know and practice the right path they should take?
The best course is to let them go their own way without interference.
“Therefore, I will no longer be a Sacheon Outcast; I will live as Brain Knife Outcast Ho Cheon-an.”
Clop, clop, clop!
The sound of powerful hoofbeats approached.
As I slowly descended from the stage, the martial artists moved aside to give me a path.
Many emotions surfaced on the faces of those clearing the way. Some looked at me with envy, as if to say that I had achieved great fame by defeating Jeong Cheol, while others stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend why I would squander the opportunity to become the leader of a massive force.
I continued walking, facing countless expressions I couldn’t decipher.
The Bicheongmacha came to a stop before me.
Before getting on, I gestured to the martial artists who were watching me.
“Thank you for making the long journey here.”
“It was a tremendous duel!”
“Brain Knife Outcast Ho Cheon-an! I will remember that name!”
After casting a glance at each of them calling out, I boarded the Bicheongmacha.
Squeak, squeak!
Seo Gong, sensing my scent of blood, sniffed around nervously as if startled. As I usually did, I fondled his nose, and he looked at me with a somewhat worried expression, prompting me to pat him even more vigorously.
“Shall we chase him?”
In contrast to her usual demeanor, Tang Do-yeon’s voice was devoid of amusement, and I nodded.
“Let’s depart.”
It was time to bring matters to a close.
* *
Clatter. Clatter.
Drumroll.
Is that six and two?
Wi Ji-cheon, having fallen victim to Wi Seoryeon’s trickery, pushed his bets toward her side.
“Speaking of which, isn’t it about time the outcome arrived?”
“Mm.”
Wi Ji-cheon nodded at Wi Seoryeon’s question.
“It certainly is time.”
The duel that had stirred the world, between Jeong Cheol and the Brain Knife Outcast.
It had been quite some time since that fateful day.
“What do you think, Father? Who won?”
“Well…”
Wi Seoryeon frowned as she scrutinized Wi Ji-cheon, who feigned indifference. Surely, as the Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon, he could take a reasonable guess at the outcome.
Nonetheless, Wi Ji-cheon did not dare to speak about the results of the duel.
Thunk!
Displaying her dissatisfaction, Wi Seoryeon raised the stakes significantly. Wi Ji-cheon accepted the wager calmly, and the result was a crushing defeat for Wi Seoryeon.
Her face crumpled even further, while a faint smile crept onto Wi Ji-cheon’s face.
“My predictions are merely predictions, aren’t they?”
“Nevertheless, your basis for the guesses is strong.”
“Hmm… Are you that curious?”
Seeing Wi Ji-cheon hesitate, Wi Seoryeon’s hand subtly moved.
She discreetly pushed some of her bets into Wi Ji-cheon’s pile.
Wi Ji-cheon stared intently at Wi Seoryeon, and she pretended not to notice.
“Alright, I lost… now tell me.”
Wi Seoryeon’s upper body leaned forward as Wi Ji-cheon was about to speak.
“Long live! Long live! Long live! Apologies for interrupting your rest! Honorable Lord! Honorable Young Lord!”
Wi Seoryeon’s face crumpled in displeasure, interrupted at such a pivotal moment. Glancing at her, Wi Ji-cheon spoke with a subtle smile.
“What is it?”
“I regret to inform you, but the Nangya Sword Jeong Cheol has come to request an audience with the Honorable Lord.”
The eyes of Wi Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon met.
The distance between the duel site and the Black Dragon Castle of the Demon Sect was no joke.
No matter how great a Hwa-gyeong martial artist is, after the duel, they would have to fly non-stop day and night just to reach the Black Dragon Castle. Thus, it was hard to think of any compelling reason for him to desperately seek out the Demon Sect.
“I’ve lost.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
Although unexpected, Wi Seoryeon’s expression relaxed upon receiving the result of the duel.
“What do you plan to do about him?”
“I will simply fulfill what was promised.”
Wi Ji-cheon permitted Jeong Cheol’s request for an audience.
As the gambling setup was cleared away, not long after, Jeong Cheol entered the Heavenly Demon Pavilion alongside Wi Ji-cheon and Wi Seoryeon.
“Hmm.”
His right arm was bound tightly, and perhaps due to rushing and only treating minimal injuries, his complexion was pale.
His clothes were in tatters, scraped by twigs and caked with dirt and sweat from his hasty flight, looking like a typical defeated soldier.
“Long live! Long live! Long live! I greet the Supreme Being of the Demon Sect and the Honorable Young Lord.”
“Well, it’s a little inappropriate to inquire about well-being in this situation.”
Jeong Cheol silently gazed at the Heavenly Demon.
“I have come to receive the compensation from that time.”
The Heavenly Demon assessed Jeong Cheol.
The determined look in Jeong Cheol’s eyes, cornered as he was, showed he hadn’t given up.
But.
Could he resolve this situation, having been pushed to such a corner?
“Very well. I explicitly stated to request what you want. If it’s something I, Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon, can grant, I will grant it.”
“I shall ask for confirmation. Can you guarantee my protection?”
“I can accept you as a member of the Demon Sect and ensure your safety beneath the banner of the Sect. However, it is impossible to prevent Ho Cheon-an from visiting the Sect according to your wishes.”
Wi Ji-cheon watched Jeong Cheol’s attitude, as if he had anticipated this, and continued to speak.
“Even if you were to become a warrior of the Demon Sect, Ho Cheon-an would still be a guest of the Sect. To block a legitimate grievance or a rightful duel is something that cannot be done by a ‘Heavenly Demon.'”
“Is that so?”
Wi Ji-cheon was intrigued.
Despite receiving such a response, the determination in Jeong Cheol’s eyes didn’t waver.
What scheme could Jeong Cheol be planning?
“My request…”
Jeong Cheol began to speak.
The eyes of Wi Ji-cheon and Wi Seoryeon widened.
* *
Knowing that Jeong Cheol would flee was a given.
Naturally, I had prepared means of pursuit.
Before the duel began,
I had drenched my entire body and sword in a specially-crafted scent from the Tang Clan.
The colorless and odorless scent specially made by the Tang Clan marked Jeong Cheol’s body and sword during the duel, and Tang Do-yeon followed that scent, trailing after Jeong Cheol.
Tap! Tap!
“Ugh…”
The Bicheongmacha, which had been slowing down, ultimately came to a halt, with Tang So-yeon’s frustrated exclamations echoing.
It was a long chase between fleeing Jeong Cheol and the pursuing Bicheongmacha.
Though it was true that the Bicheongmacha boasted insane speed, it remained a cart.
Jeong Cheol had set up various obstacles on the paths suitable for such a cart—logs, pits, ropes, and mud, among others.
Even though the Bicheongmacha was capable of rough terrain, it was only natural that well-maintained and flat roads would be faster.
Every path was laden with obstacles and traps for carts, so it was only natural that we could not hit our top speed.
Though Tang So-yeon was becoming increasingly furious as he relentlessly pursued Jeong Cheol, the gap remained…
“Argh! If only I had five more minutes, I could catch up!”
From Tang So-yeon’s outburst, it was evident—we had lost the chance to catch Jeong Cheol.
Specifically, he had fled to a destination where the Bicheongmacha could no longer go.
The stronghold of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
The Black Dragon Castle.
“Tsk. So we’re held up here again.”
Tang So-yeon passed me a pouch with an annoyed expression.
“This is a pill that can help pick up the scent of the one you have marked. It won’t allow you to track as well as the trained Tang Clan members, but we can’t enter from here, so it can’t be helped.”
“He’s already a lost opponent. If he doesn’t get careless, victory is assured, right?”
“Please take care of yourself…”
I nodded at Tang So-yeon’s words, half anxious, half frustrated.
Though I couldn’t properly meditate or even settle my mind due to the rolling cart, I had recovered about seventy percent of my strength.
Surprisingly, the herbal spirits prepared as food for Seo Gong had been quite helpful.
Though the Herbal Spirits were also sold at herbalists, they still had their effects as herbal medicine.
Compared to Jeong Cheol, who would have been running away without any proper recovery measures, I was more than comfortable, riding the Bicheongmacha, and was significantly recuperated.
With the Nine Yin technique and Minor Divine Skill equipped, along with Black Cat, it wouldn’t be hard to take on Jeong Cheol.
“Let’s go, Senior.”
“Right.”
“I never imagined I’d return to the Demon Sect like this.”
As Black Cat swallowed the pill handed to him by Tang So-yeon, I did the same, shuddering.
Ugh.
This really tastes awful.
As the price for that disgusting flavor, a trail of clouds began to form in the air.
What should I call this sensation? It felt almost like a thermal source showing up on a thermal imaging camera.
The traces of that scent led precisely to the Black Dragon Castle.
Black Cat seemed to sense the trace of the scent too, clenching its fist, saying, “Let’s quickly deal with this and gamble with the Heavenly Demon!”
“Sure. Let’s do that.”
With proper identity tokens, Black Cat and I passed through the main gate of the Black Dragon Castle and instinctively sought the traces leading to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, eager to meet with Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon.
Yet, the outcome was unexpectedly a rejection.
“There was a command to escort the two of you to the Heavenly Demon.”
…Did the Heavenly Demon decide to protect Jeong Cheol?
Now?
If it were in the past, it wouldn’t be a surprise, but the Jeong Cheol who fled, abandoning everything, was no longer suited to be a warrior of the Demon Sect.
No matter how much compensation Jeong Cheol was owed, there couldn’t be such loyalty to prevent our meeting.
In the midst of my confusion, I confronted Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon.
“While it’s truly a pleasure to meet like this… given the circumstances, I’ll get straight to the point. You came here chasing after Jeong Cheol, didn’t you?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What’s happening?”
At Black Cat’s question, Wi Seoryeon pressed her forehead, as if troubled.
“Do you both remember when my father agreed to give Jeong Cheol compensation?”
“Of course.”
“Did Jeong Cheol ask to hide himself?”
“No, he did not. Even if he had, that is a request that cannot be granted as a ‘Heavenly Demon.’”
I felt a shiver at Wi Seoryeon’s emphasis on the title of Heavenly Demon.
Could it be that Jeong Cheol made a request he could not refuse simply because he was a ‘Heavenly Demon’?
“Jeong Cheol demanded the transmission of the Heavenly Demon Arts.”
And my ominous premonition was precisely spot on.
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