Chapter 708
The Tang Clan had been kidnapping orphans and conducting human experiments.
One day, news spread across the Central Plains.
They were one of the Four Great Families and were responsible for distributing seven-tenths of the iron supplies in the Central Plains.
Before the Blood Demon War, they were classified as a rogue sect, but after thwarting the Blood Calamity, they rose to the status of a righteous sect.
Now, they were one of the pillars of the righteous sect that many had believed in and followed for a long time.
Guardians of Sacheon.
Sacheondangmun.
Many were shocked to discover that they had committed such unimaginable atrocities.
It was said that the secret underground of the Tang Clan was piled high with the corpses of countless children and dark creatures.
When the Murim Alliance checked the records, they found that the experiments had been ongoing for at least a century.
A century.
One hundred years.
Just how many children must have perished in that time?
People were enraged, and their anger only grew.
The Poison King accepted the situation without any excuses.
However, the people’s fury did not subside.
They demanded that the Tang Clan be made a public enemy of the martial world.
Not only that, they ordered that the Tang Clan be driven out and executed.
People were fervently wishing for this as they spoke to the alliance, but the Murim Alliance ultimately did not comply.
It turned out that the elders had carried out these activities without the current head, the Poison King, knowing, and later, the Poison King executed the elders on the spot, passing his own judgment.
Considering their legacy of protecting the Central Plains as one of the Great Families, he declared they would not be punished.
However, he restricted the exclusive transactions that had been conducted through the Tang Clan.
Furthermore, they would be deprived of their participation rights and voting privileges in future elections for the martial world leader for three generations.
The Murim Alliance imposed this penalty on the Tang Clan.
In reality, it didn’t seem like an overly harsh punishment.
If anything, it was rather lenient.
From the onset, considering such a scandal had transpired, the merchants dealing with the Tang Clan would withdraw on their own accord.
Moreover, the Tang Clan had never involved itself in affairs concerning the leader of the martial world, leading many to believe this was merely a token punishment.
Though the Tang Clan indeed committed crimes, the public viewed the Murim Alliance as showing some consideration for their past hardships.
The Tang Clan, which had claimed countless lives for human experimentation.
The Murim Alliance trying to overlook it all.
There were still many discussions surrounding this matter.
But the number of people doubting the Murim Alliance had decreased following several incidents that had occurred immediately afterward.
Nevertheless.
The Tang Clan could not escape this.
“Cursed beings. I feel guilty for trusting them and believing that Sacheon was safe.”
“The Four Great Families and the righteous sect. How dare they commit such vile acts while hiding behind those titles?”
“The head of the family, the Poison King, didn’t know about this? Is that even believable?”
The Tang Clan’s standing continued to plummet day by day.
They claimed that the King and his kin had no involvement in the incident, but fewer and fewer believed it.
How could the head of a family remain unaware of happenings within their own clan?
They didn’t buy it, and even if it were true, they would refuse to believe it.
In their minds, the Tang Clan had already become that sort of place.
“Of course. A place dealing in poison surely harbors foul secrets.”
“You were originally from the rogue sect, after all. The alliance merely let it slide quietly.”
“There’s plenty of chatter about the family name, but wasn’t this originally a place created by assassins? It has always been untrustworthy.”
Bzzz—!
A cacophony of voices erupted.
Words slandering the family.
Curses towards the Poison King.
Even self-deprecating remarks about themselves.
A fallen noble family.
Sacheondangmun.
Every time Tang So-yeol, a blood relative of the Tang Clan, heard such words, she wanted to ask.
Why isn’t anyone speaking up?
She had so many questions for her father, the Poison King.
However, she remained silent.
The Poison King said to his children while making his choice.
“Even if we are without sin, being born as blood relatives means that we share the burdens of our clan’s will.”
Not knowing about the events happening within the family is a sin of the head.
There was no defense for it.
And, regrettably, the sins of the father became the sins of the children.
That is the nature of responsibility.
Thus, she decided to carry it.
While feeling wronged and pained by the Poison King’s words, So-yeol couldn’t voice her feelings.
What was unfair about it?
Hadn’t the Poison King said that the clan’s sins were the head’s sins, and therefore inevitably the bloodline’s sins too?
So-yeol was also raised within the family, completely oblivious to everything.
She simply belonged to the clan and didn’t know anything. Such naivety wouldn’t survive in this world.
Countless turned their backs.
Countless hurled insults at them.
To be honest, it didn’t particularly frighten Tang So-yeol.
If this was truly her sin, then those who cursed her should accept it as well.
It didn’t hurt.
She was just terrified of something else.
What if.
What if by some chance.
If those who are dear to me are harmed by this?
She was horrified at the thought of people she cherished suffering because of it.
So-yeol feared that even if her own life crumbled.
She worried that they might be hurt by her collapse.
The world was dark.
The lights surrounding her were so dazzling, yet her own place had become all the darker. If she were to lose the reputation of the venerable family she so painstakingly maintained and bring disaster instead,
What could she offer to him?
There was nothing.
Many offered love, and with just this clumsy heart alone, she could not stand beside him.
She knew that feeling deep down.
Perhaps he would understand.
He was the type of person to do so.
However, she was not strong enough to survive on mere understanding.
Fortunately, she at least had a chance.
-I will turn you into a monster.
A figure arrived in the dead of night.
The best killer in the Central Plains, now her master—the Dark King.
He spoke, saying that he would take her in as a disciple at her father’s behest.
He told her to speak up if she didn’t like it.
He warned that his teaching methods would be harsh and cruel, more than anything Tang So-yeol had ever endured in her life.
She was confused.
How could the Dark King come to find her and say such things?
Although she didn’t quite grasp it.
-Thank you in advance.
From the very start, there was only one option.
So-yeol became the Dark King’s disciple.
It was the only way she could choose.
Time passed like this.
As the Dark King had cautioned, it was an excruciatingly painful time.
How many times had she faced death?
She had gone through countless experiences that truly meant death.
Become numb to death.
She became desensitized.
It took a year for her to get used to the thought of dying and not fear the pain anymore.
Become numb to killing.
She became desensitized.
An additional year passed before killing her opponents felt normal to her.
Not bad.
Finally, after taking many lives, her eyes no longer quivered.
This marked the Dark King’s first compliment to So-yeol.
In that moment, she realized that a lot had shifted.
Not just her abilities, but she herself had changed in ways she couldn’t articulate.
How much time has gone by?
He had said it was merely two years, but in So-yeol’s eyes, that simply wasn’t true.
The reality that the Dark King forged was twisted in many ways. Perhaps even time too.
The corpses of children lay piled beneath her feet.
Even if this were an illusion created by the Dark King, she felt nothing as she gazed upon it.
It’s broken.
So-yeol judged herself.
So does she regret it?
Not at all.
“…Ah…”
The mingled blood of others and her own tears streamed down.
Her heart raced.
Now, she felt she could finally stand by his side.
She could not see the realm she dreamt of nor her shattered self.
For So-yeol, that was everything she knew.
Saah—!
She stepped out from the world she’d been trapped in.
The darkness vanished, and the blood that had smeared her body disappeared.
A calm night and the moon arrived.
The Dark King looked at Tang So-yeol and said,
“Get down.”
“Yes.”
Finally, she could see him.
A roaring sound filled her ears.
So-yeol stood on the stage beneath a packed audience.
The Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Festival set by the alliance.
So-yeol had joined in the festivities.
The fresh air tickled her nose.
The weather was exceptionally nice.
At the same time, sounds erupted from all directions.
“That’s Dokbong! I heard he entered the martial arts competition. So it’s true.”
“If you’re talking about Dokbong… do you mean that clan?”
“Look at that hair.”
So-yeol’s dark green hair.
Even the greenish eyes that lay beneath it.
Facts proving her lineage to the Tang Clan hung visibly on her body.
Tsk.
Someone saw that and clicked their tongue.
“You’ve got a plate of iron on your face. Here, of all places, how dare you…!”
“Truly disgusting.”
“You dare show up at the festival after everything your family did? Are you out of your mind?”
Recalling the misdeeds of the Tang Clan, everyone frowned in distaste.
The heated voices echoed, filling the space around them as if resonating.
Everyone spoke up.
As she listened to those words, So-yeol maintained a calm expression.
Is it nothing?
Her demeanor seemed that of a sinner holding their peace.
It looked as if she were simply enjoying the breeze while sitting there.
The person watching this, beginning to speak, addressed her.
“Would it be better to step down now?”
Hearing those words, So-yeol turned to look at the speaker.
The Grenade Sword.
So-yeol’s opponent, the one she faced, was chuckling at her.
“I’m just worried it might be too cruel for a young girl like you to handle.”
Insults began flying from all around.
It was far too rough and brutal for a woman, barely grown up, to face.
“Now, if you would, consider this. Please do step down comfortably.”
Instead of descending after defeat on stage,
It might be slightly better to leave under pressure.
This was the implication behind the Grenade Sword’s words.
Pfft.
So-yeol, who had been listening quietly, suddenly burst into laughter.
Seeing that, Yu Gan-geom’s brows furrowed.
“Are you laughing?”
“Thank you for your concern. I truly appreciate it.”
“Ha!”
Yu Gan-geom let out a hollow laugh at So-yeol’s attitude.
“Just like a sinner’s family, shameless to the core.”
His demeanor shifted.
“I was just trying to be considerate before something even more embarrassing happens, considering you seem to have many enemies.”
“Yes, which is why I’m telling you, there’s no need for that.”
“I might have misstepped last time, but do you truly believe you can win?”
Simply standing on this stage before So-yeol didn’t sit well with Yu Gan-geom.
“Your status must have seen better days; defeating a mere girl wouldn’t add to your glory.”
‘At least the people’s sentiments are as low as that of traitors…’
Being born into the Tang Clan,
Setting aside the fact that she was still young, bringing down a woman like that would enhance his reputation.
‘He might have some minor skills, but that’s about it…’
He had briefly forgotten that the Tang Clan’s martial arts were specialized in dealing with hidden foes.
As a result, he completely dropped his guard, falling into So-yeol’s ploy.
Yu Gan-geom thought so.
Whizz.
Drawing his sword, he declared,
“Girl, you’ve made a grave mistake.”
As Yu Gan-geom lifted his sword, the air around him began to shift.
The gusts of wind grew still.
“If you possessed such skills, you shouldn’t have shown them to me. Then you might have stood a chance.”
He already had a clear understanding.
There was no opportunity left for Tang So-yeol to win.
“There are no second chances. So, if I may suggest, step down …”
“You still talk far too much. It’s rather distracting.”
So-yeol interrupted Yu Gan-geom’s tirade.
“This wretched girl!!”
At long last, unable to hold back, Yu Gan-geom invoked his battle spirit.
Fwoosh—!!!
The pressure radiating from Yu Gan-geom enveloped the entire stage.
Witnessing this, the crowd gasped in amazement.
“…Just the sight of it makes my hands tremble. Is this the real deal?”
“While the Wind Forest and Fireball was impressive, Grenade Sword is clearly on another level.”
The Wind Forest and Fireball had only recently transcended its limits.
Even though as a Hwagyeong martial artist he could influence nature, Yu Gan-geom was on a distinctly superior level.
The very fabric of space was being twisted.
Cracks began to form, and afterimages swirled in the air.
The sheer energy emanating from him warped the surroundings.
That is martial supremacy.
“Do you believe in your pretty face? Or do you rely on the mystical prowess of dark and poisonous arts? Keep your eyes straight. I am Yu Gan-geom.”
He aimed the tip of his sword at So-yeol.
“What can you accomplish in this gaping space? You stand no chance.”
“….”
At Yu Gan-geom’s words, So-yeol took a moment to survey her surroundings.
He was right. There was nothing.
The open expanse was refreshingly easy on the eyes.
With such clear skies, there could be no hiding, which was the worst scenario for an assassin.
As So-yeol’s gaze roamed, it settled on a specific area.
Two eyes quietly observed from the corner.
It was Guyangcheon, inspecting her with a stoic expression.
He was observing from a distance with his arms tightly crossed.
She noticed the slight tremor in his arms.
He appeared to be holding back something forcefully.
At that sight, So-yeol chuckled.
Though he seemed rough and sharp, his eyes were always attentive to his surroundings.
What a kind-hearted individual he was.
Initially, she had fallen for him merely by appearance,
But now, it seemed fine for him to resemble a slow-type prince or a saintly figure to her.
She must have loved him for being just as he was.
That was her conviction.
So.
You’ll see.
Now, he wouldn’t need to worry about her.
So-yeol wished to affirm this.
She turned her gaze away from Guyangcheon and directed it back to Yu Gan-geom.
“That’s correct.”
“What?”
“Nothing. However, that doesn’t really matter.”
As she spoke, So-yeol revealed something from her clothing.
It was a dagger.
Not just one, but several.
So-yeol pulled forth two daggers and a knife.
Clatter—! Crash—!
“Her?”
She dropped everything she had been holding onto the ground.
“…What exactly are you doing?”
Yu Gan-geom asked in bewilderment, but So-yeol checked her body for anything more and finally chuckled.
“I’m ready too.”
“….”
“I promise. As I face you, I will not use any hidden weapons. Naturally, there will be no poison either.”
“Ha ha….”
Yu Gan-geom burst into laughter at So-yeol’s words.
As he laughed, his expression morphed into something increasingly menacing.
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Yes.”
“…You filthy little—!”
Snikt—! A distinct gleam filled Yu Gan-geom’s sword.
“Alright, fine. To insult me this way… I too make a promise.”
Amidst the mounting pressure, Yu Gan-geom spoke, his voice laced with intent.
“I will surely mar your pretty face.”
Stifling his rage, he spoke, and So-yeol laughed anew.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Crack.
Controlling his ragged breaths, Yu Gan-geom readied himself.
The referee watched the two with a mildly anxious expression.
Both of them took their stances.
After observing them, the referee quietly whispered,
“Begin.”
The signal for combat was given.
Even after hearing that, Yu Gan-geom remained still.
He didn’t charge in.
He wasn’t letting his guard down.
One never knew what kind of trick could be employed.
After their last encounter, he felt assured.
By all means, regardless of who they were—whether human or phantom—the martial prowess of Yu Gan-geom was unmistakable.
So-yeol was a formidable rival.
No matter how unfavorable the circumstances for the hidden assassin, he must never drop his vigilance.
At the moment he aimed his sword at So-yeol with utmost caution…
“Do you know?”
So-yeol calmly inquired.
“I loathe clear skies.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Hating the sky? What a bizarre sentiment to express.
“Just as you said, there’s no place to hide. I realized I was never meant to be a beacon of light. From that moment, I began to despise clear skies.”
“Bah?”
Was this merely idle chatter to lower his defenses?
But the more he listened, the more Yu Gan-geom’s guarding instincts heightened.
“Yes, I cannot become light. The Master confirmed it too.”
So-yeol remembered the Dark King’s words.
When she had asked how to shine brighter, he had said:
“I know not how to be the light.”
Once she became an assassin, she could no longer aspire for the light and must forget the ways of becoming one.
Shining was not their role.
But what am I to do? So-yeol had questioned out of desperation.
The Dark King had replied,
“If you can’t be light, then become a greater darkness.”
A darkness that consumes the light. That’s what he meant.
While the Dark King’s words were clear, So-yeol never quite warmed to them.
“That’s not particularly appealing. Light is warm when close by. I can’t very well devour it.”
“What on earth do you mean…?”
“I’ve decided instead to be a shadow.”
Unable to be light and unwilling to consume it.
Thus, she would become the shadow that provides respite for the light.
Isn’t that still a form of darkness?
A darkness spread out to allow light to rest.
Exactly, being the shadow was more than enough.
After playing around to exhaustion and wishing for a break,
She would provide cover by blocking the shining rays and affording a place against which one could lean and rest, just like the trees in the woods.
So-yeol resolved to become that darkness.
She vowed to remain beside him, allowing him the solace to rest whenever he needed.
This decision was proof of her intention.
So-yeol extended her hand.
“…!”
Sudden movement!
Her action caused Yu Gan-geom to flinch before exploding forth with energy.
He was ready to react to any eventuality, but Yu Gan-geom likely did not comprehend.
This was beyond what could be countered merely by instinctive reactions.
So-yeol lowered her gaze and whispered,
“…Manma Byeok Yuktanjeong.”
At the instant she spoke—
Kwaaaah—!!!
So-yeol’s shadow unfolded its territory, engulfing the stage.
The scene shifted in an instant, a black veil draping the stage.
“What in the world…!”
Visibility vanished.
Swallowed by darkness, Yu Gan-geom looked around, visibly confused.
He couldn’t see anything.
Instinctively, he activated his sensory perception.
This was to locate where Tang So-yeol might be.
Flch—!
“Gack!?”
Suddenly, something pierced through Yu Gan-geom’s back.
Not a sword.
A hand.
Geh!…
Yu Gan-geom stared down at the blood pooling beneath him.
In that profound darkness, even though he couldn’t see anything, the pure white hand emerging from his body stood out starkly.
Swish—!
The hand that had pierced through withdrew.
His heart had been impaled.
Thud—! Yu Gan-geom collapsed instantly.
Was this death? He felt it creeping upon him.
As he slowly succumbed, a soft voice echoed in his eardrums.
“One time.”
Looking at Yu Gan-geom, So-yeol uttered,
Just for this one time.
There were still five more rounds left in his hell.
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