Chapter: 417
Night had fallen. The warriors of the Tang and Paega clans had begun their night watch and patrol.
I sensed the time and rose from my spot.
“…”
The moment I got up, I felt an unknown presence beside me.
What is this?
After confirming that, I let out a small sigh.
At this hour, there could only be one person occupying the space next to me.
‘When did they come in?’
As expected, the culprit was Namgung Bi-ah.
The bed was already cramped, and with her tall frame squeezing in, I was starting to feel stifled.
Moreover…
‘Why didn’t I notice?’
The issue was that I hadn’t woken up even when she came in and lay next to me.
Even though I had grown accustomed to Namgung Bi-ah’s presence, this felt a bit too risky.
Though she generally has a subtle aura, not noticing someone sneaking up on me while I slept was pushing it.
What if she had slipped a knife into my neck?
‘She wouldn’t do that to me, though.’
The tension seemed to slip away just like that. I wasn’t sure if it was because Namgung Bi-ah had improved her skill, or because the day I had been so cautious about had passed without incident.
I guess I’ll need to be more wary.
With that thought in mind, I began to rise.
“…”
I carefully stood up, trying not to wake Namgung Bi-ah, and gently stroked her hair.
It didn’t seem like she was taking care of it in any special way, but it still had a silky texture.
This feels a bit perverse…
The moment I realized that, I quickly withdrew my hand.
Stepping outside the carriage, I found the White Lotus Sword already waiting for me.
She must have caught sight of the inside of the carriage when I emerged. A somewhat mischievous smile spread across her face.
“It’s the best of times.”
It looked like she had seen Namgung Bi-ah lying inside. What kind of antics should I prepare for with this woman?
“… That’s not it.”
“Then, then, I know everything.”
“You don’t seem to know much at all, do you? What do you think you know?”
“Ah, when you’re young, it’s normal! Why do you keep probing? I’ll pretend not to know, okay?”
…Please.
There was so much to say, but I had to set aside my complaints about White Lotus Sword’s antics at this moment—this wasn’t the first or second time, after all.
I had something more significant to take care of.
I glanced in the direction where I felt the presence and silently voiced my unease.
‘Will it be resolved in a day?’
If things went as I anticipated, it was possible.
I hoped so, too, but then again, you never could tell.
Fwhoosh—
As I wrapped myself in warmth, I sensed a faint aura emanating from the White Lotus Sword.
Even with her quirky nature, she was still skilled enough to pick up on things.
She didn’t pry into where I was going or what my business was.
However, judging by the fighting spirit felt and the sword she had recently polished,
it seemed she had an inkling of what I expected from her.
‘As expected.’
She didn’t seem like an opponent I could easily ignore. Understanding that, I immediately increased my speed and leaped.
My destination was the gathering place of the forests by Gwimunsan.
The Poison King, Dang Bi-seong.
He was the previous head of the Tang family and the grandfather of the current ruler.
Those of the previous generation firmly believed that if he were alive, an additional figure known as Dokjon (毒尊) would have been among the Trinity, collectively called Sajon (四尊).
He was the master of poison, rumored to be closest to invincibility.
Though he was a figure esteemed by the Tang clan for significantly uplifting its reputation, which had been waning,
he wasn’t that impressive a person in reality.
At least, that’s how he appeared to Dangdeok.
– A failure.
I recall the cold gaze of Dang Bi-seong looking down at me.
Behind the chilling stone floor lay the lifeless bodies, all children who looked no older than nine or ten.
Each of them was given the surname of Dang under Dang Bi-seong’s influence.
– My lord. This child has the bone structure you desire…
A man urgently spoke to Dang Bi-seong, yet his gaze remained unchanged.
– Even if the body is perfect, if they can’t learn the ways of poison, they are useless. Dispose of them.
As soon as those words reached him, Dangdeok wept.
He cried out, begging for mercy.
Despite Dangdeok’s desperate cries for help, Dang Bi-seong didn’t halt his stride.
Finally, when the echoes of Dang Bi-seong’s footsteps faded away,
only Dangdeok’s sobs filled the underground chamber.
The silent men beside him began to move towards Dangdeok.
Only when their hands obscured his vision could he awaken from that long-standing nightmare.
As his closed eyes fluttered open, his black pupils gazed at the moon.
Only then did Dangdeok realize he had been trapped in a nightmare.
“…Hah.”
Immediately after lifting his heavy eyelids, Dangdeok rose his towering form.
What a truly dreadful dream that was.
Memories he wished to forget yet could not remained crystal clear.
‘As the moment of reckoning approaches, why do these memories resurface?’
It felt like the closer he got to his desired goal, the clearer those forgotten memories became.
It couldn’t be helped. Dangdeok knew he lived in the present precisely because he could not let go of the past.
Thud thud.
Dangdeok strolled forward, loosening his muscles.
As he pushed through the underbrush and turned slightly, he reached a site brimming with men.
Upon his arrival, the men promptly rose from their idle positions.
“Chaeju.”
“What’s the situation?”
“It appears we’ll be camping here for the night.”
Dangdeok’s gaze shifted to a particular direction.
The dense underbrush obscured his view, yet he felt the presence of the Tang clan gathering in the distance.
The bloodline of that old man, who wouldn’t even be satiated if torn apart.
If Dangdeok harbored any grievances that spanned a millennium,
‘Then I ought to have ended that old man’s life.’
The Poison King, Dang Bi-seong. That despicable man should have felt the bite of his own hands.
Bam.
Just thinking about it tightened his fists involuntarily.
After such a ruckus, it was ironic for him to die from old age.
As anger and murderous intent swelled within Dangdeok, the bandits around him began to tremble.
It was such an intense and fearsome aura.
Dangdeok regarded the men with intense, fiery eyes and declared,
“The goal is when they cross the river. We’ll wait until then.”
“That way, it’ll take at least seven days and nights to reach the river, won’t it?”
Responding to the man’s query, Dangdeok swiftly reached out, grasping the man’s head.
Gagging…
The enormous hand was more than sufficient to encompass the man’s head with just one hand.
“Then what? Should I just ram in there and meet a dog’s death?”
…Ugh…
“Even if I’m impatient, we must act with purpose, right?”
“That’s right…that’s definitely right…”
Only after hearing that did Dangdeok ease his grip.
He longed to storm in, slay them all in one fell swoop.
It was unfeasible to charge in with the Poison King and the very head of the Hegemony present.
Thus, they decided to wait until they crossed the river.
Given the Tang clan’s current endeavor to transport convicts, there was a significant chance of victory if the situation limited them, such as on a boat,
This was the best possible circumstance.
It had been twenty years since the Tang clan assumed responsibility for the transport corps.
To Dangdeok, who had been patiently awaiting the right opportunity, this felt miraculous.
Based on that, he resolved to remain patient.
He had already bided his time for far too long, so waiting another seven days was entirely within his capacity.
If enduring this struggle could lead to the Tang clan’s downfall…
Of course, he could manage that.
Dangdeok forcibly stifled his demonic aura and steadied his breath.
He couldn’t let himself be caught in this intoxication.
“When the scouts return, report back to me. Especially…”
Strange light glinted in Dangdeok’s eyes as he issued his orders.
“Soyeomra. If you gather any intel on that brat, bring it to me.”
“Yes.”
Only after blurted out the name did Dangdeok grit his teeth in frustration.
The thing he still couldn’t comprehend was that guy.
It was puzzling how he had discovered the scouting parties I had initially dispatched.
It defied logic for him to know he had followers.
‘How did he know?’
How could he be aware and provoke me like that?
Then, did the Poison King also share this knowledge?
Just in case, Dangdeok felt the need to modify his plans somewhat.
What truly mattered was what Soyeomra knew about him, along with the provocations he had hurled.
[Failure.]
Soyeomra had specifically told him to relay that.
In light of this,
‘…Could it be that he knows?’
Could it mean he is aware not just of my name, but of my identity that no one else knows of?
‘That can’t be correct.’
Everyone aware of the matter had succumbed to death.
All involved, including his own brothers, had perished.
All except the bloodline of the Tang clan.
‘So how does he know?’
It felt far too unsettling to chalk it up to coincidence.
Could this truly be mere chance?
Dangdeok felt a prickling unease seep into his chest.
He tightened his grip on the spear, a tightening of resolve stemming from his thoughts.
‘Once I catch him, I need to ask him before I kill him.’
In any case, his intention was to catch him and find out why.
As Dangdeok wandered through the underbrush, making this commitment,
“…!”
He suddenly halted in his tracks.
He narrowed his eyes and strained to see in a specific direction.
The towering trees obscured his view, but…
Dangdeok could sense it.
There was something over there.
In an instant, he swung his spear towards the direction from which he sensed an invisible presence.
Whoosh!
Kaboom! A tremendous force erupted from the spearhead, shattering all trees in its path, carried by the gust of wind.
However, that overwhelming energy didn’t last long.
Boom! Fwhoosh!
The energy, once pushing forward relentlessly, suddenly erupted at a certain point and dissipated.
Dangdeok could feel it.
Someone had successfully blocked his attack.
In addition, he felt a dense heat radiating from beyond.
It was rich and searing.
Dangdeok leaped toward that warm energy.
As the distance closed, it became unmistakable. In the depths of darkness, he spotted a solitary purple flame flickering.
By the heat alone, he was informed.
That flame was letting Dangdeok know.
It was saying to him, “I am here. Come quickly.”
‘For me?’
With a wry smile, Dangdeok quickened his pace.
A spark tickled his cheek.
And as that moment passed, Dangdeok finally reached the heart of the flames.
KABOOM—!
As Dangdeok’s monolithic form connected with the ground, a colossal sound unleashed a tempest of wind.
The swirling dust cloud obscured his vision,
Fwhoosh—!
In the instant Dangdeok swung his spear, it vanished from view.
The clarity returned soon after, and what Dangdeok saw beyond made him chuckle despite himself.
“…How absurd.”
It was genuinely unbelievable.
Though Dangdeok extended his senses widely to discern any presence, no matter how much he searched, only the person before him stood out.
Realizing that, he questioned,
“Did you come alone?”
The youthful figure replied to Dangdeok’s query.
“As you can see.”
“…Hah, you mean you came without a single backup?”
“Who needs that? Just so you know, the Poison King didn’t show up.”
Though it was hard to take that at face value, Dangdeok had other pressing questions brewing in his mind.
“What kind of confidence is that?”
With a wicked grin, he fixed his gaze upon the figure.
The frame was petite, but his presence was undeniably pronounced.
Wrapped in flames, he stood with arms crossed.
The youth faced Dangdeok but bore no reaction, simply gazing at him.
Observing this, Dangdeok pressed on.
“You should be hiding, holding your breath so as not to be discovered. Did you reveal yourself because you couldn’t withstand the pressure?”
Only then did the young man tilt his head, puzzled by Dangdeok’s words.
“Hide? Why would I?”
“You ought to hide. If you’re found, I’ll chew you up…!”
Dangdeok had no trouble recognizing who this young man was. How could he not know the individual who had audaciously provoked him?
A young master wielding flame techniques.
Just recalling those distinctive traits made it easy to identify him.
“Nice to meet you. Soyeomra.”
Ha ha.
What could possibly be amusing?
At Dangdeok’s words, Soyeomra burst into laughter unexpectedly.
Seeing that made Dangdeok scowl deeply.
“What’s so hilarious? Are you losing your mind before dying?”
“Oh, my apologies. Is it that it’s been so long since I saw you? I guess I find it a bit funny.”
“What?”
“You’ve always been such a huge disappointment.”
The sarcasm from Soyeomra evoked a violent surge of energy from Dangdeok.
“…You dare…? The world may praise you, yet you seem unaware of your place. Do you have any idea who I am to say such things…?”
“Who, pray tell, would you be other than an unfinished failed product?”
Was that the crux of the matter?
In a split second, Dangdeok’s rationality shattered.
There was no doubt; that boy knew something.
Confirming that made him feel even more energized.
“Very well, I shall ensure you meet your end here and now.”
Just as Dangdeok tightened his grip on the spear and prepared to unleash a deadly strike,
Gurgle.
“…!”
Suddenly feeling a wave of pain, Dangdeok clutched his abdomen.
In the moment he was about to panic amid a strange sensation enveloping his entire body,
A voice rang from the front.
“I’m glad you seem to appreciate the gift I sent you.”
It was unmistakably laced with laughter.
Slap.
The steps were gradually approaching.
Soyeomra drew nearer to Dangdeok, locking eyes and remarking,
“Let’s talk slowly at first.”
Gazing into Soyeomra’s eyes, Dangdeok swallowed hard.
For some reason, his eyes shimmered with a purple hue.
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