It was essential for the Iron Blood Clan’s plan to release the energy of Hongseong Mountain.
Hongseong Mountain was a place where energy had accumulated over a long time. Even spirits would gather, drawn by that energy.
If the energy there were to run amok, the balance of the world would be disrupted, leading to increased chaos.
The order of the world would crumble, giving birth to something new within it.
So what we are doing now is not just an act of evil, but a task of destroying the world and creating a new one.
Moreover, the death generated from that chaos would lead us to become the masters of the new world.
Thus, Hongseong Clan had to be eradicated.
That’s why we infiltrated Seomhwa Village first. We sought suitable jobs there, blending into the village while assessing the state of the Hongseong Clan.
The Hongseong Clan was self-destructing.
Because of their stubbornness, because of their painfully strict integrity.
Due to their fatal flaws.
In the past, a disciple who had run amok in the Hongseong Clan killed everyone except the Sword Saint, weakening their influence significantly.
The new head, the Sword Saint, managed to tidy things up and accepted pupils, but they lacked the skills to survive.
They were uncompromising individuals.
Strong only in power, they couldn’t live in the world because they couldn’t break their own rules.
That’s why she laughed.
Ah, it’s almost time.
The Hongseong Clan would be eradicated, the energy of Hongseong Mountain would run amok, and chaos would begin.
However, her thoughts and plans were taking a different turn.
The Hongseong Clan survived, managing to sustain themselves.
In return, her piece on the board was dead.
She had no choice but to ponder.
According to her calculations, the Hongseong Clan had to be eradicated.
Their noble rules bound them like chains that strangled their own necks.
But why?
Why were they still alive?
The first trigger of the chaos planned by the Iron Blood Clan was the eradication of the Hongseong Clan, and that was crumbling down.
Thus, she focused.
She could see that all of this began with a single man.
Yu Wol.
The innkeeper of Seomhwa Village’s inn.
That man was getting involved with the Hongseong Clan, and everything was changing.
He provided the Hongseong Clan, who couldn’t sustain themselves and lived poorly despite their great power, with the means to do so.
And he settled with them in Seomhwa Village.
And, furthermore.
He offered many things to the Hongseong Clan, enabling their survival and helping them reclaim their past glory.
All thanks to a single man.
A man who hadn’t even properly mastered martial arts.
No, it wasn’t just that.
Hongryeon.
The greatest disciple of the Hongseong Clan liked him.
Chaejin.
The greatest disciple of the Moonjeong liked him too.
And even the Sword Saint.
When she saw this, how surprised she was.
But that’s why she could think.
If this plays out well.
After eliminating the foolishly strong members of the Iron Blood Clan without lifting a finger, could she not seize the world for herself?
Thus, she prepared.
Under the surface, and from the outside.
She continued preparing, using everything she had.
And now.
That opportunity had arrived.
-BAM!!
The wall of the inn’s third floor crumbled down. The youngest of the Hongseong Clan, Sayoon, along with her infiltrated subordinate, fell to the roof of the second floor.
She moved just as instructed by her subordinate. Sayoon was knocked away and flung outside.
Of course, in that moment, she died, but that was unavoidable.
It was a necessary sacrifice.
And that sacrifice created it.
The moment he was alone.
The very brief moment he was all by himself.
She had waited a long time for this fleeting moment.
The Iron Blood’s secret weapon, Hwayeong, moved.
For the first time, she revealed herself after moving only in the shadows.
Neither Chaejin down below nor Sayoon sprawled across the roof of the second floor noticed her stealthy approach. She entered the office and grabbed Yu Wol by the throat the instant he spotted her.
“…You are… Ugh!!”
Yu Wol’s martial arts skill was at a third-rate level.
The martial arts skill of the person was at the level of a third-rate fighter.
To be fair, they were barely touching the threshold of a second-rate level.
Of course, the Cheolhyeol Master wasn’t particularly strong either.
She grew stronger based on the deaths of the innocent and the powerless.
Since the chaos hadn’t even started yet, she could be said to be weaker compared to other Cheolhyeol Masters.
However, she was still overwhelmingly stronger than Yu Wol.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Those who received the secret technique of the Jamon Daebop believed it was merely for controlling evil monsters, but the reality was different.
The Jamon Daebop covers the target’s spirit with the practitioner’s spirit.
It literally refers to the secret technique of devouring another’s spirit and taking over their body.
If utilized properly, it could even lead to immortality, but there was one condition: the target’s ‘instinct’ must be stronger than their ‘reason.’
However, most people tend to have their reason prevailing over instinct.
Thus, the Cheolhyeol Master Hwayeong tightly gripped Yu Wol’s neck.
Her hand constricted around his throat, drawing death closer.
But she couldn’t kill him.
His body needed to remain alive so she could transfer her spirit into him and seize his body.
Everyone desires to survive. Thus, as the pain of suffocation increased, the ‘instinct’ for survival began to suppress reason.
As he started to struggle for breath, Hwayeong smiled.
Finally.
She had gotten her chance.
Hwayeong pondered as she met Yu Wol’s gradually fading eyes.
She would insert her spirit, eliminate his spirit, and take over Yu Wol’s body.
Then she would make the Sword Saint, whom he trusted, along with Hongryeon, the Grand Disciple of the Hongseong Sect, fight for the Cheongho.
If that happened, she would easily obtain not just the Hongseong Mountain, but also the energy of Cheongho.
No, if she pushed a bit further, she might even acquire the body of the Sword Saint, known as a superhuman.
As she reveled in the joy of her long-planned success, the Cheolhyeol Master briefly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, one of her eyes shone with an ominous blue light.
Revealing the evidence that she had nearly perfected the Jamon Daebop, she cast the technique.
She began transferring her spirit into his.
Everything was flowing perfectly.
However.
There was one thing that lingered on her mind.
Yu Wol was looking at her with a faint smile.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a desolate space.
An endless, very neat and orderly place.
Hwayeong tilted her head in confusion as she looked around.
She had received the title of Shinsan Seonja.
So she thought at least his heart would be a beautiful place, yet it was so bleak?
She wandered this space in bewilderment.
As she trudged through the gray area consisting only of a ceiling and floor, she began to smile.
She had found what she wanted.
A man was sitting in a chair, staring at her.
Yu Wol. The master of this place, who would soon be absorbed and disappear.
The spirit that would take over his body was showing itself.
“Isn’t this our second meeting?”
Yes, though it was only once, their eyes had met before.
It was when she was walking the streets of Seomhwa Village. She had locked eyes with him from the window of the second floor of an inn.
Hwayeong glanced down at her outfit.
A short skirt that barely covered her behind, a garter belt, and a tight top that accentuated her ample chest.
So this was the outfit named ‘Proof of Rage,’ and it was when she wore this that she had met Yu Wol’s gaze.
“Looks like you remember me?”
“How could I not?”
Yu Wol replied flatly, standing up.
“You were the first person I saw when I came here.”
“What do you mean by that… Ha. Well, whatever. By the way, even in this situation, you seem rather composed. Truly a Shinsan Seonja?”
With a smooth smile, she raised her hand.
At that moment, flames began to swirl around her hand, causing Yu Wol to smirk slightly.
“I had thought about it. Cheolhyeol Master, Cheolhyeol Gold Master, Cheolhyeol Earth Master. And now, there’s also the Cheolhyeol Wood Master fighting fiercely outside with the Hongseong Sect.”
“……”
“They’re all acting according to their roles, yet why is the Cheolhyeol Fire Master not on the move?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Then what is the Iron Blood Mage aiming for?”
Yu Wol, who had risen from her seat, began to walk over slowly.
In the eyes of the man with a bleak impression, there was interest along with a hint of amusement.
Yu Wol, standing casually in front of Hwayeong, shrugged her shoulders.
“I was curious. The great technique that can consume and control the soul of an evil monster… What if it could also control a person? However, the possibility seemed low. I heard there was research on that during the process of creating failed experiment subjects, and it was deemed impossible. A person’s soul is complex and, unlike an evil monster’s, values the bond with the body, allowing for brief control but soon reverting the soul and body back together, making ongoing control impossible.”
“…That.”
“Therefore, I considered other possibilities. The sorcerer moves their soul into the target, consuming the target’s soul and seizing their body. There were research findings suggesting that this could be possible. To uncover this, I sent letters one by one to those who had served in places like Munsahgong or the palace’s academy, persuading them was a bit difficult… well, what’s important is not that.”
Hwayeong’s eyes shook. What on earth was this man talking about?
“Then, I finally understand why you’ve been quiet until now. Iron Blood Mage. You who gains power through the death of others.”
Something seemed off.
“The Iron Blood Clan’s first step to achieving their goal. By corrupting the disciples of Hongseong through the Cheolhyeol Master, neutralizing the Sword Saint, and starting with her death to annihilate Hongseong, causing the spirit of Hongseong Mountain to go out of control. You all failed at that.”
Something was very wrong.
“You… how do you know that?”
She hesitated. Hwayeong stumbled back instinctively. The collapse of the Cheolhyeol Master’s plan stemmed from their anticipation and preparedness against the ambush at Hongseong.
Using poison to corrupt the disciples and eliminating the biggest hurdle, the Sword Saint.
It all went awry, leading to the mess happening now.
“How do you think it was discovered that the Cheolhyeol Master was up to no good at Hongseong?”
Yu Wol took another step closer to the panicking Hwayeong.
“Anyway. Then the second attack, seizing Shin Sahworyeon through the Cheolhyeol Gold Master. And while attacking Seomhwa Village, since the first step went completely wrong, correcting it was impossible. As for the Cheolhyeol Clay Master… I have no idea.”
Another step closer, and she stepped back again.
Something was going wrong.
“…You.”
Hwayeong bared her teeth in a snarl. But Yu Wol could only smile.
“Then what can the Iron Blood Clan do? It’s essential to unleash the spirit of Hongseong to create a world of chaos in line with your goal. So, what would be the most advantageous move for you right now?”
A deep smile spread across Yu Wol’s face.
“It would be me. By capturing me and seizing my body, it would cause the fall of Hongseong. The Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin trust me, so simply having my physical form would be thought to correct the misaligned first step. And somehow, they would try to sneak in and consume my soul.”
You could read everything, couldn’t you?
Yu Wol smiled at the bewildered Hwayeong.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about you. But considering you hadn’t shown yourself even once until now, I thought you must be extremely cautious, making you harder to deal with than other leaders of the Iron Blood Clan. Hence, I appreciate your appearing like this.”
“…..”
“I sincerely thank you.”
“…You mean the gap that has just been created was to draw me in?”
“If that weren’t the case, why would I show a gap now, in such a situation?”
Yu Wol laughed carefreely.
“Therefore, we shall welcome you.”
At that moment, sounds began to echo around them.
In the empty grey space where nothing existed except for him and herself, something started to manifest.
Human figures.
Faceless figures began to appear.
Willpower.
A vast number of wills that couldn’t be imagined as human were revealing themselves.
“The true protagonist of Heavenly Bright Moon is Sayoon, the Clan Leader of Hongseong, and this is also mentioned in the ancient records!”
“Does this child know happiness? Let’s all become the Sayoon Corps and wish for the happiness of this child!”
“Let’s wish for that child’s happiness!”
“You hate Sayoon, don’t you?!”
“The Sayoon boom is coming!!”
The voices starting to echo from everywhere were utterly blind.
Even the demonic cult wouldn’t go this far.
Figures began to appear one by one in the gray space, chattering away as they pleased.
In an instant, they filled this space to the brim.
What’s happening here?
What on earth is this?!
Mysteries tend to invoke human fear.
Such things don’t exist in any human heart.
Millions. No, tens of millions. No. Hundreds of millions.
Perhaps even thousands of millions? Countless wills were making noise to the point of bursting heads.
They were shouting in a frenzy to defend Sayoon.
Yu Wol slowly raised their hand.
At that moment, the chattering crowd silenced, and their eyes slowly turned towards Hwayeong.
“Oh. Oh no…”
Yu Wol vanished into the faceless crowd.
Hwayeong extended a fist towards those staring at her.
Flames erupted and began taking down those gathered.
But, it wasn’t enough to diminish the will present here.
“Newbie.”
“Newbie.”
“Fresh newb!”
“Sniff.”
The countless figures began to speak.
And.
“Did you know? The expression Sayoon shows at the 2-chapter Chaewondang event has been designated a UNESCO Cultural Heritage…”
“Join now and receive a secret Sayoon illustration! Join us!”
“I’m always dreaming. Always about her…”
“Wherever I go, I always see Sayoon…”
“Don’t come!! Don’t come!!!”
The flames created by Hwayeong soared.
But that alone couldn’t stop them.
Eventually swept away by the relentless tide, Hwayeong raised her hand.
“Live…”
Her mouth was shut.
Her arms were grabbed.
Her legs were caught.
Her body was seized.
Countless hands pulled at Hwayeong’s body.
“You too.”
“With us.”
“Let’s look at Sayoon.”
She mingled into the crowd.
Shaken here, pushed there.
She began to blend in with them.
“Ah… oh no…”
The iron-blooded flower armor disappears.
Hwayeong fades away.
And what remained was—
“…Say…”
“……”
“I like Sayoon.”
Just one member of Sayoon Corps.
Yu Wol, who was guiding the crowd, smiled as they watched.
*
“Mister!! Mister!!”
I slowly opened my eyes. And gazed at the gray-haired girl who was shaking me and on the verge of tears.
As soon as our eyes met, Sayoon, who had been blankly staring at me, began to burst into tears.
No! Don’t cry!
“Wah. Sniff. I-I found out that the Innkeeper… Mister… Sob… is you. Sniff. You were collapsed… And that woman… Mister has a wound on your neck… Waaaah!!”
I glanced sideways.
Staring at Hwayeong’s lifeless body, I stroked Sayoon’s head and fiddled with my neck.
There was a bit of a bruise from the earlier attack.
Along with that, Sayoon was completely terrified because both Hwayeong and I had collapsed.
But “Mister”…
I slowly turned my head and saw the safe that had been smashed to pieces from the last attack.
“Oh.”
Got it.
While looking at Sayoon, her pretty face all twisted from crying, I smiled and patted her head.
At that touch, Sayoon cried even more sorrowfully and hugged me tightly, and I patted her again.
“Is it really… you, Mister…?”
Sayoon, having finally managed to stop sobbing, looked up at me.
As I met her tear-filled, translucent purple eyes, I nodded.
“Yeah.”
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