### Chapter 361 – Room 205, The Cursed Room – ‘The Absolute Master’ (10)
—
– Kim Sanghyun
As the second attempt began, I moved to Cheonui Alliance, reflecting on what I needed to do going forward.
The problem we need to resolve in Room 205 is the Baehwa Sect, specifically their leader, Jo Wonhong.
The tricky part is that Jo Wonhong himself is incredibly strong, and his followers are no joke either.
It would’ve been easier if Ija Seong were the source of the trouble.
According to what was revealed during the first attempt, Ija Seong’s methods seem more like those of a powerful warrior than a leader of an organization.
In other words, if a formidable figure appears before him, he prefers to move alone swinging his sword rather than calling on the warriors of the Cheonui Alliance for backup.
This type of guy is easier to deal with even if he’s stronger than Jo Wonhong, because numbers do count.
On the other hand, Jo Wonhong doesn’t seem like a lone wolf and even Cha Jinchul, who was on the battlefield, didn’t catch a glimpse of Jo Wonhong.
The previous time he chased after Elena alone was a unique situation where the Emperor fled across the border, and no one else could keep up.
That makes it tough to set up a surprise attack on him during the hotel party.
To sum up, it’s challenging for us to face Jo Wonhong with our current power, and we have two possible solutions.
First, we need to draw in the Cheonui Alliance and Ija Seong.
Second, we need to awaken the Demon.
I must carry out the first plan.
*
When I arrived at the Cheonui Alliance, the situation unfolded similarly to before.
The warriors surrounded me, giving me death stares, just as Ija Seong stealthily approached and directed his disciple, Cha Gunak, to assess my abilities.
“I hear that the Iron Spear has—”
“Alright,” I responded.
“Did I say it was alright before you finished your sentence?”
Oops! I got lost deep in my thoughts and answered before Cha Gunak even mentioned a duel.
“Under these circumstances, are you proposing a match?”
“Ah! It seems you had a similar thought!”
From this point, things have to unfold differently than before.
…
After roughly 20 exchanges of blows, it was clear that Cha Gunak’s martial arts weren’t about complex techniques but rather a straightforward measure of strength; his intention was clear—“Let’s see whose strength reigns supreme.”
Meanwhile, I had been diligently avoiding strength contests since earlier.
Thanks to that, while he was eager for a challenge, I kept dodging and we both felt the mounting frustration.
“Ha!”
“…”
“Iron Spear, how long do you plan to keep running away?”
“…”
Of course, that isn’t my plan at all.
It’s just that my earlier conversation with Mooksung keeps replaying in my mind, making it difficult for me to find the right moment to deliver a decisive blow.
*
“Teacher, do you remember the revelations from Room 205?”
“The Absolute Master, an unavoidable death, no luck works here, and extraordinary strength is needed. That’s the gist, right?”
“The first two are clear now. The Absolute Master refers to Jo Wonhong, Ija Seong, and the Demon, while the unavoidable death refers to the Crimson Flame Chain.”
“The interpretations of luck and extraordinary strength, however, are murky.”
“In context, luck is the opposite of extraordinary strength.”
“So external means of power?”
“To be more specific, I believe it means what one might call ‘secret arts’ in martial arts novels—”
“Ma’am, I’ve never read any of those ‘martial arts novels.’”
“That’s why I’m trying to explain it.”
*
Mooksung interpreted the third phrase of the revelations as ‘refrain from using secret arts.’
After listening, I nodded slightly, remembering how Cha Gunak had thrown a fit about using secret arts after witnessing my surreal spear technique during the first attempt.
Back then, Ija Seong actually reprimanded Cha Gunak but didn’t question my spear technique. However, considering the situation afterward…
Ija Seong ended up calling me out at night and killed me.
Of course, that was mainly due to the fact that the Demon’s followers were colluding with the royal family, but my strange spear techniques also played a significant role in solidifying Ija Seong’s suspicions.
To put it succinctly, attempting to forcefully subdue the warriors with secret arts would yield no benefits.
Therefore, I felt like a circus performer showcasing my skills to Mooksung to figure out what moves looked like proper martial arts rather than secret arts.
The result turned out to be this.
— Flick!
With a light flick of my finger, flames erupted.
The fire that started at my fingertips traveled down the spear, and mirage-like flames began to dance at the tip.
At that moment, Cha Gunak’s eyes widened in shock.
“Th-Three Mystical Variations! Teacher or not, how on Earth did you—”
The moment had arrived where our duel was decided.
— Clap!
“Done.”
I didn’t even need to unsheathe my spear.
Ija Seong rose from his hidden position among the warriors, stopping the duel.
I already felt like I had won without needing to clash weapons, and even Cha Gunak, who just lost, seemed to accept his defeat gracefully.
How different things were now.
The reactions from the surrounding warriors were completely different from before.
While earlier they regarded me with disdain as the ‘treacherous betrayer’ who subdued the master’s disciple, now they looked upon me as a senior who had achieved a lofty realm, regardless of faction.
I sensed that Mooksung’s judgment was spot on, but I was baffled still.
Sure, if the spear was floating in mid-air, that could be considered secret arts.
But why is it that flames erupting from my hand aren’t deemed secret arts?
At least the former is a technique to wield cold weapons; the latter is outright magic, isn’t it?
Unable to understand this bizarre logic, I questioned it, and Mooksung replied succinctly.
“Just accept it!”
*
After subduing Cha Gunak without using secret arts – still can’t wrap my head around that – the entire situation shifted.
Ija Seong began what seemed like a lecture, arranging the warriors of Cheonui Alliance around him while he stood in the middle, launching a ‘martial demonstration.’
“The Qi of heaven and earth is endless transformation! If you grasp that infinite possibility, nothing is out of reach for you—”
…
“Fire, wind, thunder—natural phenomena are also the results of transformation, making the concept that martial arts are imbued with nature no mere folly—”
Before I knew it, I was caught up in the crowd and listening to Ija Seong’s lecture.
The animosity the Cheonui Alliance warriors had toward me vanished like snow melting away.
“So this is the cycle of the four seasons. Observe.”
A miracle unfolded.
The warm embrace of spring filled the surroundings, signaling the arrival of spring.
Fire, resembling the sun in the sky, flickered like a mirage, marking the essence of summer.
Cool breezes whisked away the summer heat, embodying autumn.
Finally, a chilling energy brushed past the dojo, announcing winter’s arrival.
I wondered if demonstrating such a technique was taxing even for the greatest swordsman in the world, as Ija Seong was soon soaked in sweat, his hands trembling lightly.
However, this astounding technique proved invaluable in terms of instilling respect in his disciples.
The warriors of the Cheonui Alliance began looking at Ija Seong with reverence as if he were a deity.
Amidst the crowd of loyal disciples gazing at their teacher with admiration…
I repeatedly screamed internally.
‘What kind of martial art is this?!’
Is it really acceptable to classify such preposterous great magic as “martial arts”, while having floating spears viewed as “secret arts”?
Maybe it was due to my somewhat rebellious thoughts?
Suddenly, Ija Seong called out to me.
“Sanghyun.”
“Yes?”
“Moreover, your show of talent at the end was quite astonishing. Creating fire Qi is not something many can replicate, but what you’ve managed to condense that power into the spear is exceedingly rare. Discuss that principle.”
“…”
I can’t even explain it.
I have no idea how flames emanate from my hand or how to embed that flame into a weapon.
Frankly, it defies scientific explanation.
The three elements of combustion are oxygen, fuel, and heat.
Oxygen is abundant in the air, and let’s assume I create the heat with my finger.
But how does the fire sustain itself without fuel?
I’m not even coating my fingers or the spear with oil.
“…”
“…”
I fumbled with some plausible-sounding words instead.
“I apologize. It’s said that the true understanding transcends words, so… I can’t express my enlightenment.”
“Oh… So you’re not at the pinnacle yet, but in the process of progressing?”
What does that even mean?
“Ah, I understand. It must be a process of gathering your enlightenment. I hope one day you can share that wisdom with us all.”
“Of course. The teachings you bestowed upon me, I’m sure one day I will pass on to the Alliance as well.”
I’m certain I’ll never reach the day when I understand the principles.
Once the lecture concluded, Ija Seong stood up, shaking off the tension.
Only then did I remember my purpose for being here and approached Ija Seong—
“It’s done.”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t know what you’re trying to say?”
“…”
“Return to the Royal Palace.”
“Teacher, I’m asking you to—”
“Did I say I was declining?”
“Y-yes?”
“Return.”
At that moment, I heard the familiar phrase in my ear, just like before.
– I will send someone to the Royal Palace soon. For now, return.
It was then that I understood the situation.
I need to step back for them to discuss whether they want to support the Empire or not!
*
In the evening, a warrior arrived at the Royal Palace and delivered the news we were hoping for.
From now on, the Cheonui Alliance will actively engage in battle against the Baehwa Sect, and if the Baehwa Sect leader covets the throne, the alliance leader will draw their sword for the Empire as well.
Of course, nothing comes for free.
They demanded the Emperor’s written apology for the past atrocities committed against the Cheonui Alliance and several measures to ensure such events don’t occur again, to which the Emperor stamped his seal without even reading the details.
Seungyub’s enthusiastic stamping left the warrior from the Cheonui Alliance looking flabbergasted.
As the situation resolved smoothly, Eunsol couldn’t hide her joy.
“Oh ho! Things are going better than expected? Looks like they’ll be sending warriors from the Cheonui Alliance soon! Will Ija Seong join too?”
“He likely will. Ija Seong’s earlier tone suggested that much. However…”
“However?”
“It’s truly perplexing. All I did was defeat the master’s disciple and created flames with my hand, and that somehow served as the basis to wash away the grudges between the Cheonui Alliance and the royal family?”
Hearing my words, Mooksung made a frustrated expression.
“I already explained this! From the Cheonui Alliance’s viewpoint, you’re the long-lost youngest son! After being enticed by the treacherous words of the powerful, you’ve returned after ten years, and they see it as a chance to mend relationships!”
“So?”
“So that youngest son has returned, and remarkably, displayed the proper path without any hesitation!”
“…You mean showing flames with a flick of my finger? Is that enough?”
“This dude is infuriatingly dense! Didn’t you engage in a duel? The warriors recognize each other’s character after sparring just once!”
“In my life, I’ve never encountered such ridiculous psychological theory—”
“Gah! Sanghyun! This isn’t psychology! To warriors, life itself is precarious like the tip of a blade!”
“Haha! Mooksung, I’d tolerate this based on your experience with the Administration Bureau, but I’m a licensed doctor from Harvard! This is nonsense!”
“Please… can you both just stop this madness?”
“Ahem! Teacher, rather than trying to comprehend this with logic, think of them as ‘martial artists’, a different group altogether…”
“…Understood.”
Once the atmosphere calmed down, I reflected on what just happened and felt a hint of ambiguity.
Success is success, but doesn’t it feel like a half-success?
Seungyub seemed to feel the same, asking me.
“Didn’t you mention Ija Seong’s heart demon?”
“Today wasn’t the time for such discussions.”
Ija Seong’s heart demon is likely tied to his inferiority complex regarding the Demon.
Because Ari and Miro, followers of the Demon, didn’t come to the capital, Ija Seong hasn’t thought of the concept of ‘Demon’ as a keyword.
What a paradoxical situation.
If the followers of the Demon were in the capital, Ija Seong would be triggered into a frenzy, but by keeping them away, I can’t even touch on the keyword that is central to his psyche.
Eunsol seemed puzzled about what the problem was.
“Does it matter? Whatever happens, we’ve brought in Ija Seong and the Cheonui Alliance; that’s all that matters, right?”
That’s a valid point.
Even without addressing the keyword of heart demon, we’ve successfully drawn in the Cheonui Alliance.
At that moment, Mooksung tilted his head.
“True. We’ve attracted the Cheonui Alliance without touching on the heart demon keyword. Then…”
“What then?”
“Why is that keyword even there?”
“…”
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