Chapter 80
As the saying goes, “not in vain.”
Surama-gun displayed overwhelming martial prowess.
Even among those gathered here—many of them formidable fighters—no one could withstand Surama-gun’s fierce sword techniques.
This wasn’t only a testament to Surama-gun’s skill; the sword he wielded also played a significant role.
Chamhonmado.
One of the Nine Great Divine Artifacts passed down through the generations of the Cheonma Sect.
While it could not match the Cheonma Divine Sword, the Nine Great Divine Artifacts contributed significantly to making the Cheonma Sect the strongest single organization.
The Chamhonmado is bestowed upon one of the Nine Demons—top-tier martial artists of the Cheonma Sect aside from Cheonma himself. It is said that depending on its user, it can enhance abilities by more than 100 percent.
Those ranked as the Nine Demons are masters who have reached the level of “Hwa-gyeong” or are on the brink of it, so increasing their power is truly a tremendous treasure.
Among the Nine Great Divine Artifacts, Chamhonmado is particularly famous.
Its most well-known trait is its unique performance against evil.
Interestingly, Chamhonmado exhibits incredible efficiency when cutting down wicked beings.
Since demons are often evil themselves, this is rather amusing.
But on reflection, it’s not surprising. The Cheonma Sect, as widely known, is a place ruled by the law of the strong.
“Demons compete among themselves, and the strong take all.”
From a demon’s perspective, having Chamhonmado, which can easily slay other demons, would be extremely tempting.
Even though a sword that despises evil lies in the hands of an evil user, the Chamhonmado before me did not seem unhappy.
Perhaps, after the major war a century ago, the martial world had been largely peaceful, and Chamhonmado had ample opportunity to cut down more demons.
In any case, the sword radiated a crimson aura.
This was Shura Energy, a power fully manifested when facing evildoers.
Perhaps its effects included hallucinations and inducing fear?
“Stop him!”
The number of people in the inn had suddenly dropped by half.
Finally sensing the danger, the remaining warriors joined hands and launched an attack on Surama-gun.
The previously one-sided battle grew tense.
Though the skill gap was clear, various techniques managed to disrupt Surama-gun’s rhythm.
Among them, the talisman users shone.
Talismans are a form of Taoist magic.
Even in the martial world, Taoist arts are rare and difficult to counter, and their power was formidable enough to challenge Surama-gun.
And naturally, that displeased Surama-gun.
“You bastard!”
He shouted and, ignoring others, pursued the talisman user.
Despite the limited space of the inn, the talisman user was remarkably nimble.
There was one reason for this:
“Trying to exit naturally, huh.”
The underworld envoys were helping the talisman user, throwing their bodies to buy time and allow for a natural retreat.
It became clear that their purpose was indeed stalling.
And when I realized this, a familiar yet different voice reached me.
“This time, I guess I’ll just have to see your face and leave.”
It was Taeryeok, who had sent flying the one attacking me.
I nodded lightly, seeing him look in my direction.
Then, noticing the leader of the underworld envoys silently observing Surama-gun, I used my divine power to stop Taeryeok from moving toward him.
“Before you go, could you tell me the identity of that one?”
At first, I thought the underworld envoy might be leading the others.
That would make sense, representing the group.
But on closer inspection, it wasn’t an envoy.
Surprisingly, the figure before me was not from the underworld but from the living world.
And it did not feel like an ordinary human.
“Could there be others who’ve made a pact with Yeomra besides me?”
The feeling from the opponent was similar yet different from mine.
It wouldn’t be strange for there to be more like me.
I made a reasonable deduction, and then Taeryeok’s laugh reached me.
“Of course, you’d sense that. There are similarities to Gongja.”
Similar to me?
“You should remember our first meeting. You saw Gongja then, didn’t you?”
The words remained puzzling, but soon the mystery cleared.
“Have you forgotten the Soul-Spirit Beads I held?”
Ah, the Soul-Spirit Beads.
The divine artifact, said to exist only once even in the underworld.
“So the Soul-Spirit Beads made a pact with Yeomra, like me?”
“Not exactly. Think of that form as simply a manifestation of the Beads’ power.”
Finally, I understood and quietly marveled.
This wasn’t some simple illusion performed by old artifacts.
If it were, it wouldn’t have fooled my eyes.
Truly a divine feat, becoming human.
“Impressive.”
Indeed, a divine artifact of the underworld.
Initially, I only knew of the Soul-Spirit Beads, but now I understood why it’s said there is only one in the underworld.
And from Taeryeok, I learned one more fact:
“Surama-gun will face the Soul-Spirit Beads in the end. Unlike us, the Beads are less constrained in the living world, so that’s decided. I leave the rest to you, Gongja. Please handle it.”
With that, Taeryeok charged toward Surama-gun—the last of the underworld envoys.
Now, only the human-formed Soul-Spirit Beads remained.
It seemed to have little interest in me, not even glancing my way.
Back in my sword-master days, I might have established hierarchy with the Beads, but not now.
I did have one question:
“Can I know how divine artifacts of the underworld are created?”
The process!
I already knew how artifacts are made in the living world, through years of experience and encounters with life-and-death.
But underworld artifacts? No clue.
There might be something to learn.
Would the Beads answer willingly?
Being the one-and-only underworld artifact, it wasn’t easy.
“Be satisfied with the living world’s version.”
Not sarcastic, not cynical. It felt like sincere advice.
As I sensed, the Beads kindly explained why:
“Even if the living world tried to imitate the underworld, it would disrupt order and balance, causing only chaos.”
I shrugged.
Not giving up, but stepping back for now.
Order and balance? That’s subjective. One could create a new order and balance if needed.
Anyway…
“Not going all out, huh.”
Unlike the other underworld envoys who deliberately fell without resistance, Taeryeok fought Surama-gun earnestly, focused, as if such an opportunity were rare.
Yet even then, he did not show his full skill—his Shaolin mastery remained unseen.
Thus, the battle concluded quickly.
Screech!
“…Frustrating.”
Taeryeok fell, leaving only those words, genuine in their sentiment.
Spitting!
Perhaps offended by his pride being hurt, Surama-gun spat on the floor, adding insult.
“Take your grievances to Yeomra.”
Yeomra must have quite the temper. Even underworld envoys might struggle with that. I thought, glancing at the Beads.
Though it was just an act, his master had fallen.
I expected some reaction.
‘Angry.’
The Beads radiated calm but previously unseen anger.
Of course, it was feigned.
“It’s just acting to deceive the opponent. Don’t worry.”
A word perhaps unnecessary.
I smirked and shifted my gaze to Surama-gun.
Without the envoys’ aid, the talisman user soon fell into Surama-gun’s grasp.
“P-please spare me!”
The talisman user pleaded.
Surprisingly, Surama-gun did not immediately cut the throat.
“You have interesting skills. If I take you along, you could provide a little entertainment for that one. So I won’t kill you… for now.”
Even amid blood-soaked chaos, he spoke of “entertainment”—a true Madou at work.
“Not many would receive respect from a Madou like Surama-gun.”
Probably one of the Nine Demons.
From the start, it was strange. Surama-gun, though skilled, was not the owner of Chamhonmado.
The person he honored must be the true master.
“If Chamhonmado is taken now…”
I wondered how the original owner would react.
“They’d probably search the world to retrieve it.”
And that effort would be in vain.
“This must be done.”
To strike the Cheonma Sect? A chance a martial artist cannot miss.
But first, I had to confirm one thing:
“What will happen to Chamhonmado after Surama-gun is finished?”
I asked the Beads.
If the Beads defeated Surama-gun, ownership would belong to them.
If uninterested, I could seize the sword.
The reply surprised me:
“I’ll devour it.”
“What?”
“It looks delicious, even for the living world.”
A chill ran down my spine.
To eat Chamhonmado meant consuming a divine-level weapon.
And for taste alone! It sounded like cannibalism.
“No.”
I wasn’t sure. For another artifact, I might not have interfered.
Chamhonmado was unique—a weapon aligned with the righteous side despite consuming much blood. It could serve the martial world, so I could not allow it to vanish for someone’s appetite.
Naturally, the Beads resisted my interference.
“The right belongs to me. Why interfere?”
Not wrong. If they defeated Surama-gun.
But that hadn’t happened yet.
Watching Surama-gun resume indiscriminate slaughter, I nodded slightly.
The ultimate master—though I didn’t know the outcome, it should work out somehow.
“I’ll handle this.”
Ownership also becomes mine by action.
I thought I could manage.
Apparently, I was mistaken.
“Who said so?”
A cold voice.
The Beads’ response.
