Chapter 38
“Jin, how much do you know about the battle with the Heavenly Demon fifty years ago?”
“I’ve heard that the Heavenly Demon’s martial prowess was so overwhelming that almost no one could stand against him.”
But even in that chaos, it was said that Chu Hon Sword Cheon Yu-jin had extinguished the Heavenly Demon’s heart with his incredible skill.
“That’s right. The Heavenly Demon possessed terrifying martial power. However, not everyone in the Demonic Cult could wield power like his — because not just anyone could learn the Heavenly Demon’s martial art, the Asura Blood Heaven Sword (阿修羅血天劍).”
Asura Blood Heaven Sword (阿修羅血天劍).
It was a martial art powerful enough to swallow the world, but learning it came with a grave side effect.
“That side effect was madness.”
“Madness…? The lunatics who invaded our clan — were they afflicted with that same madness?”
“You’re quick to understand. It’s clear that the cult forced weaker followers to learn the Heavenly Demon’s martial art, artificially turning them into lunatics.”
At that moment, Jin suddenly recalled Paeng Seo-jin and the post-generation disciples from the Wudang Sect.
“D-Don’t tell me, even the disciples captured during the Blood Rebellion of Eight Sects…!”
Namgung Seonyul gave a bitter smile.
“That’s right. They likely forced the post-generation disciples to learn the Heavenly Demon’s martial arts to create ‘true Heavenly Demons.’ But in the end, some of them became insane.”
“Uncle… did he also learn the Heavenly Demon’s martial art?”
Namgung Seonyul shook his head.
“Hyeok merely consumed a spirit pill called Blood Rising Elixir (血昻丹) and turned into a lunatic because of it. The Blood Rising Elixir amplifies inner energy, but prolonged use makes one prone to insanity. It’s a dangerous medicine.”
“……”
“It’s all my fault.”
Namgung Seonyul’s face twisted in pain as he rubbed it like a man washing away grief.
“I never even realized what Hyeok was thinking…”
But Namgung Jin thought differently.
Namgung Hyeok’s fall had ultimately been his own fault.
He could have overcome his inferiority complex without allying with the Demonic Cult.
Then, Jin remembered what Lady Baek — sleeping peacefully in his arms — had once said.
“Laozi once said, ‘Hold fast to the ancient Way to manage the present (執古之道 以御今之有).’
It means to look back on the past to understand the present.
Reflect on the past, examine the present, and in doing so, plan for the future.”
Namgung Jin shared those words with his father.
“Father, what’s done is done. You didn’t encourage Uncle to harbor evil thoughts.”
“……”
“When I look at it, you did everything within your power.”
“Really…? Haah, I truly did give it my all. From the bottom of my heart…”
Namgung Seonyul looked deeply at his son, his eyes heavy.
“Then that’s enough. So long as we don’t forget the past and repeat our mistakes, we can plan for the future.”
Namgung Seonyul gazed at his son intently.
No matter how old he grew or how strong his martial arts became, Jin had always seemed like a child to him. But today, he suddenly appeared like a man.
When had he grown so much?
When had he become so dependable?
“Jin… I never thought I’d hear words of comfort from you.”
“I just don’t want you to grieve too much, Father.”
Of course, Jin too mourned Namgung Hyeok’s death.
They hadn’t been particularly close, but family was still family.
Yet he couldn’t forgive Hyeok for what he’d done — endangering the Namgung Clan and almost killing their guest, Lady Baek.
That anger suppressed his sorrow.
He would grieve briefly, as a family member should, but he could not pray for Hyeok’s peace.
“I understand.”
“What will you do now, Father?”
“I’ll stabilize the clan and investigate whether anyone else conspired with the Demonic Cult.”
Jin hesitated, unsure if it was the right time to speak, but finally gathered his courage.
“Father, I’m thinking of following Lady Baek and Jegal Haesu.”
“That’s good news.”
Good news?
That reaction caught Jin off guard — he had expected his father to object.
“What?”
“I was actually hoping you would go with them.”
Namgung Seonyul then told Jin about the secret left behind by Jegal Haesu’s uncle.
“…You want me to look into that place.”
“Yes. I’ve heard Jegal’s story, but I don’t think he told us everything. He seems to be hiding something.”
“I’ll find out.”
“And while you travel with them, you must also protect the Namgung Clan’s reputation.”
Jin understood what that meant.
It meant — conceal that Namgung Hyeok had dealings with the Demonic Cult.
“Understood.”
He hated lying, but letting the clan’s name be tainted was even worse.
“I trust you. And it wouldn’t hurt to grow closer to Lady Baek while you’re at it.”
“Father…”
At that, Namgung Seonyul cleared his throat awkwardly.
“So, where are they headed?”
“They said they’re pursuing the Demonic Cult. Their first destination seems to be the Wudang Sect.”
“The Demonic Cult, huh… that won’t be an easy journey.”
“Still, it’s a task that must be done. I have my own grudge against them as well.”
“It’s not just because you fancy Lady Baek, is it?”
“…That’s…”
“You always go silent whenever she’s mentioned.”
For the first time in a while, a faint smile appeared on Namgung Seonyul’s face.
“Whatever Lady Baek’s true identity may be, I can now confidently say this — she is no villain.”
“She absolutely isn’t. You saw how she treated our injured men, Father.”
“I did. She even healed Seollin’s internal injuries.”
“……”
Thinking of Sosso’s many deeds, Namgung Seonyul gripped Jin’s shoulders firmly, his expression resolute.
“Jin, protect your benefactor.”
He knew all too well how difficult it was to protect someone.
He had fought all his life to defend the Namgung Clan, Seollin, Jin — and everyone dear to him.
That’s why he had never wished for his son to bear such a heavy burden so early.
But today, Jin had grown — both in strength and in spirit.
The young man before him was now a warrior ready to protect others.
“Yes, I’ll protect her.”
When had he become a true martial artist?
Still unable to get used to his son’s maturity, Namgung Seonyul teased him lightly.
“When you return, I hope Lady Baek will be your bride.”
“Father!”
Namgung Seonyul looked at his flustered son with a warm, knowing gaze.
So you’re not completely hopeless after all, huh…
That same night, Jegal Haesu, who had fallen victim to Thousand Red Bewitching Incense, was still sprawled out in the guest quarters.
When he finally regained consciousness, it was already deep into the night.
“When did I fall asleep…?”
The last thing he remembered was savoring the tea Namgung Hyeok had served.
Don’t tell me Namgung Hyeok used a trick? The way he looked at Soso was suspicious…
“S-Sama!”
Jegal Haesu jumped up in a panic, calling out for Soso. Then he realized the place was a mess.
The wall had been blown open, and blood stains splattered everywhere.
There had clearly been a fight.
“Sama!”
Ignoring his own unsteady body, Jegal Haesu ran outside.
To think he’d been peacefully asleep while Soso was in danger—
Soon, he ran into Namgung Jin near his quarters.
“How is Sama?”
Jin, looking a bit weary, made an awkward expression.
“Ah, I forgot about you, sir. You don’t seem hurt — please rest. I’ll call a servant to attend you.”
“Sama!”
“…Come with me.”
Jin led Jegal Haesu to where Soso was sleeping.
“Haah…”
Jegal Haesu let out a weak sigh of relief upon confirming her safety.
Then Jin briefly explained what had happened while he was unconscious.
So that’s what happened… I’m sorry, Sama. I was useless again.
Jegal Haesu despised himself more than ever — even more than during his days of humiliation in the Jegal Clan.
“So Lady Baek has now become the Namgung Clan’s benefactor.”
“Our Sama has done something truly great.”
“Yes. That’s why I must protect the benefactor to whom we owe such a great debt.”
Jegal Haesu looked up.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“You don’t have the strength to protect Lady Baek. Therefore, I must accompany you on your journey.”
