Chapter – 79
<Jangbaek-dong >
After planting the signboard, Bigwang dusted off his hands.
He had just replaced the old, worn-out marker at the village entrance with a new one.
“We’ve only caused you trouble.”
The people of Jangbaek-dong had come all the way to the entrance to see Bigwang off.
At a glance, it looked as though every villager was present.
‘Ah… no.’
One person was missing.
Ma Hyang — the former Greatest Under Heaven and previous Heavenly Demon, the Demonic Soul Severer.
Given their ill-fated past, it was only natural.
The fact that he was leaving the village with his life intact was something he should already be thanking the heavens for.
“Travel safely.”
Tang Cheonhwa, once the head of the Tang Clan, handed him a small bundle.
It was just some simple snacks, she said — something to eat when he grew hungry.
She wasn’t the only one. The other villagers had each prepared small gifts as well.
Nothing extraordinary like divine elixirs.
Just like Tang Cheonhwa’s bundle — snacks, a coat to wear in the cold, straw sandals for when his wore out, socks, water, and so on.
Each one carried warmth.
And the parting words they all spoke were the same:
“Please take good care of Yu.”
Bigwang bowed deeply and descended Cheongseok Peak.
Even as he walked down, he turned back several times to bow again.
The villagers continued waving.
When Bigwang had grown small in the distance, Danheon fixed his gaze on him and spoke to Tang Cheonhwa.
“You don’t have to tell him.”
“Tell him what?”
“That we never taught Yu anything. That’s not true, is it?”
Just then, the now tiny figure of Bigwang turned one last time and bowed.
Tang Cheonhwa waved in reply.
“That doesn’t mean we can tell him everything either. Besides, it’s not exactly a lie.”
“Mm.”
Beyond Cheongseok Peak, the sunset dipped low.
After confirming Bigwang had completely disappeared from sight, the former Greatest Under Heaven figures slowly returned to the village.
* * *
Like when Kang Yu had first left Jangbaek-dong, Bigwang now carried a large pack and descended Mount Jangbaek.
He could have reached the bottom quickly using lightness skills, but he didn’t want to.
He was enjoying the scenery while walking down Cheongseok Peak when—
Thud.
Someone dropped down in front of him.
Bigwang froze in shock.
‘H–!’
Ma Hyang.
The former Greatest Under Heaven and Heavenly Demon.
The Demonic Soul Severer Ma Hyang.
The man who once tried to kill him the day he first arrived at Jangbaek-dong.
Cold sweat ran down Bigwang’s back.
Why was he here?
‘D-don’t tell me…’
Had he avoided the villagers’ eyes and come now to kill him?
It would hardly be strange — he’d had hundreds of chances before.
Tense, Bigwang instinctively prepared to channel energy into his acupoint—
“Take it.”
Something flew toward his chest.
It was a thick bundle, like the ones the villagers had given him.
Bigwang caught it reflexively and looked up.
“W-what is this?”
Ma Hyang avoided his gaze.
“Golden Lingzhi fruit, ten-thousand-year He Shou Wu, Ink Pine fungus, Boy Ginseng… and some other miscellaneous things.”
All were extraordinary spiritual medicines.
Though they grew abundantly in Jangbaek-dong, outside the village they were treasures unattainable even for a thousand pieces of gold.
Bigwang carefully cradled the bundle.
“Sh-should I give these to Kang Yu?”
“Fool.”
Ma Hyang continued.
“For someone who has already crossed the wall into the ultimate realm, elixirs are meaningless. At best, they help recovery and health.”
“Then…”
The next words were completely unexpected.
“You eat them.”
Bigwang blinked.
He thought he had misheard.
“M-me?”
“If you’re going to boast that you taught him even some minor tricks, then at least reach a level worthy of following at his heels!”
“…Excuse me?”
He hadn’t misheard.
Bigwang stared at the bundle.
“Y-you’re really giving these… to me?”
Was the sun planning to rise in the west tomorrow?
But that wasn’t the end.
Another small object flew toward him.
Thud.
He caught it.
A dark token.
Carved with the sun and moon aligned.
Bigwang’s eyes widened.
‘Th-this…’
It was famous throughout the Central Plains.
The ink token proving one as the former leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The Sun-Moon Token.
With it, one could command all members of the cult — except the current leader.
Then Ma Hyang spoke again.
“I heard you arranged to meet Yu again.”
“……”
This was the same man who had sworn to break the village rules and hunt him down if he ever met Yu again.
Bigwang couldn’t answer.
“Do you have a set place and date?”
“E-excuse me?”
“Are your ears bad? Why must I repeat myself?”
“Th-that is…”
“I asked whether you have a time and place arranged to meet Yu.”
Bigwang had no choice but to answer.
“W-we only set a time… not a specific place…”
Ma Hyang gestured toward the token.
“As you know, it allows you to command the cult’s personnel. It will be useful when searching for Yu. It may also serve you in times of danger.”
Bigwang’s thoughts spun.
What was this man saying?
It really seemed like he was giving him the token.
Why?
Just earlier he’d sworn to squeeze him dry and kill him if he met Yu again.
‘D-don’t tell me…’
He’d once heard that executioners fed prisoners well before sending them to death.
Was this something similar?
Ma Hyang’s unfamiliar kindness was more frightening than any threat.
And as Bigwang trembled, Ma Hyang recalled a memory.
The day Bigwang first arrived in Jangbaek-dong.
Back then, Ma Hyang had warned him:
—If you cross my path again as promised, or if I even hear that you met Yu by chance,
—I will break the rules and personally hunt you down.
—Be grateful that your connection with Yu saved your life.
Yet Bigwang had defied him and spoken boldly:
—No. It isn’t over yet.
—So far, I spoke as one indebted to you for raising my disciple. Now I speak as his master.
—What exactly are you planning? Why train Yu in this mountain valley? Why twist his understanding? Why send him into the world now?
He had looked directly into the eyes of the greatest figures under heaven.
Though pretending composure, Ma Hyang had seen his sleeves and pant legs trembling like aspen leaves.
—Do not insult me with nonsense about marriage. Depending on your answer, I stake my life.
Ma Hyang had wondered then:
Would he have been able to do the same?
For the sake of a brief half-day connection?
At that moment, Bigwang’s hand holding the Sun-Moon Token trembled violently.
“W-why are you doing this to me? Just treat me the way you used to—”
Then Ma Hyang said something unbelievable.
“There is no parent in this world who would look down upon their child’s teacher.”
Bigwang blinked.
“…What?”
And then Ma Hyang did something even more unimaginable.
He slowly bent his waist.
“Please take good care of Yu.”
“……”
* * *
Carrying Yeon Baekrim on his back, Kang Yu descended upon Lake Poyang.
As befitting the largest freshwater lake in the Central Plains, scattered islands stretched toward the horizon.
Kang Yu’s eyes sparkled when he noticed a stall selling sweets.
“Divine Dragon, would you like to eat—”
The Divine Dragon had skipped meals and slept for days.
Perhaps he was simply someone who loved sleep.
“Nom.”
The sweet flavor spread through Kang Yu’s mouth.
If there was one thing he was truly grateful to his master for, it was introducing him to sweets.
He couldn’t imagine life before knowing their taste.
As he savored them, he thought of someone else he was grateful to.
Watching fishing boats cross the lake, he murmured:
“I wonder if Boss has set out already.”
* * *
Fujian Province. Pingtan.
An unobstructed, brilliant blue sea stretched into view.
This was the headquarters of the Sea God Sect, a renowned faction of Hainan.
At the edge of the cliff where the scenery began—
Beyond the sea pines and over the sect walls—
Wei Yeon lay in a pool of blood.
His clothes were torn to shreds. His limbs twisted unnaturally.
Before his blurred vision stood a familiar figure.
The right sleeve fluttered in the wind.
“Bishop…”
It was Jinhwa.
“We meet often.”
Wei Yeon ground his teeth.
Something was wrong.
When he arrived, every disciple of the Sea God Sect had already vanished.
Dried blood stained the walls and floors. Collapsed buildings weathered by sea winds.
This hadn’t happened recently.
At least three months ago. Perhaps six.
He had exchanged messages with the sect leader just fifteen days ago.
How could this be?
The sect’s treasured weapon — the Sea God Five-Star Spear — was gone.
Instead, he encountered Jinhwa, missing one arm.
And with him, Ju Mun-gyu, the second son of the Jianwen Emperor.
“I heard the escort was wiped out on the way to the capital…”
Yet here he stood, beside the Bishop.
“A good plan,” Jinhwa said.
Ju Mun-gyu bowed.
Was he now serving as strategist after failing in rebellion?
Regardless, Wei Yeon felt pathetic.
He couldn’t even last fifty exchanges against Jinhwa — wounded and one-armed.
Now his limbs were twisted. He couldn’t wield a sword. Couldn’t escape.
“In the Forbidden City and here alike… I am nothing but baggage.”
Then he voiced the doubt he’d long held.
“…Are you perhaps the Heavenly Mountain Sword Saint of the former Jin?”
The broken sword rose.
“I did not permit questions.”
The blade, wrapped in force, descended toward his neck.
Wei Yeon shut his eyes, sensing death.
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring deflected the blade.
Jinhwa’s body was pushed back.
Wei Yeon opened his eyes.
Through the bright halo of sea mist, he saw someone’s back.
“…Kang Yu?”
Impossible.
They were meant to meet in Jiangxi Province.
There had been no communication.
Through the haze, sparse white hair was visible.
“Are you alright?”
Wei Yeon’s eyes widened.
“N-no… how are you here…?”
The man blocking Jinhwa was someone he had never expected.
