Chapter 84
Stalemate (1)
“I’m thinking of leaving the clan for a while.”
“What?”
Namgung Hyuk doubted his ears.
Even if he had retired and no longer took part in the fights against the Sado Alliance, the presence or absence of Namgung Bi made a huge difference.
He couldn’t help but ask for a reason.
“I’d like to know why you’re suddenly planning to go on a journey.”
“There’s something bothering this old man. I intend to go out into the jianghu for a bit to look into it.”
“Is it related to the recent ambush?”
“Are you that desperate to know?”
Namgung Bi asked quietly as he gazed at Namgung Hyuk.
In response, Namgung Hyuk didn’t speak—he simply nodded vigorously.
“Yes, it is. What those assassins tried to take wasn’t just my life. I intend to move quietly to investigate who was behind them.”
“What exactly were they after?”
“This.”
Namgung Bi pulled out a red silk pouch from his robes.
Then he casually tossed it to Namgung Hyuk.
Thok.
Hyuk caught it.
Namgung Bi spoke.
“I’ll entrust that item to you.”
“…What?”
“If they continue to come for it, it’s better not to keep it with me.”
Namgung Bi sounded unconcerned.
But Namgung Hyuk, who had just been handed something with no explanation, was bewildered.
What in the world is this thing?
He felt the shape through the pouch.
A hard, rectangular object.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he took it out.
This is—!
A plaque made of black jade.
Engraved upon it were the words:
“Cheonma rules alone beneath the heavens; the one who inherits that will is I.”
(天魔唯一天下, 一意承者吾也)
Cheonma—The Heavenly Demon—is one and only beneath the heavens, and the one who inherits that will is the bearer.
This plaque was the very symbol of the Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Why would this be here?
Memories of the Demonic Phantom flashed into his mind.
In a slightly trembling voice, Namgung Hyuk asked,
“Is this the item the Demonic Phantom sought in the past?”
“Hm? How do you know that name?”
Namgung Bi had no idea that Namgung Hyuk knew about what happened long ago on Mt. Hwangsan.
After Hyuk explained how he learned the story—
“I see. Then your return with Namgung Mugang was to settle the past?”
“There wasn’t much to settle.”
Hyuk scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Namgung Bi smiled warmly.
“You’ve grown well.”
That single word of praise instantly lifted Hyuk’s spirits.
Still, praise was praise—this matter was separate.
Holding up the plaque, he asked,
“Why is this item in our clan? And why did the Demonic Phantom want it so desperately?”
“That is one of the three sacred relics symbolizing the Heavenly Demon Cult. I claimed it after defeating their cult leader.”
Namgung Hyuk knew well the legendary tale of how Namgung Bi had traveled all the way to the Heavenly Mountain to defeat the cult leader.
But he’d never heard that he’d taken spoils like this.
Namgung Bi spoke in a voice filled with regret.
“Though I took it out of youthful arrogance, I soon regretted it. I realized too late what chaos this item could bring.”
This was a sacred relic representing a cult that had existed for a thousand years.
If the destroyed Heavenly Demon Cult were ever to rise again, the one thing they absolutely needed was the Heavenly Demon Plaque—proof of the cult leader’s legitimacy.
Naturally, the surviving remnants would search for it like mad.
And, just as he feared, trouble eventually came.
“So in a way, I am responsible for your father’s death.”
“…”
“Do you resent me?”
“To be honest… I can’t say I don’t. But I have already decided to forgive everyone involved in that incident.”
All except one—the Demonic Phantom.
Namgung Hyuk’s voice turned cold.
“If assassins from the Sado Alliance were searching for this… then it means the Demonic Phantom or some remnant of the cult is hiding within the Alliance.”
“That is very likely.”
Hyuk’s fist clenched tightly.
He had given up chasing the murderer only because he had no leads. He never imagined he’d find a clue like this.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Namgung Bi said gently,
“Don’t rush. Even if such a person exists, finding someone who has perfectly hidden their identity is no easy task.”
“…”
He wasn’t wrong.
The Heavenly Demon Cult was once feared even by other demonic sects—its members were sworn enemies of the orthodox world.
Anyone like that would never reveal themselves inside the Sado Alliance. They would hide their identity with utmost caution—more so now that the Alliance and the Cult were enemies.
“So don’t act recklessly.”
“I understand. Then… why entrust this item to me specifically?”
There was Namgung Mugang, now fully recovered and rational, and also Namgung Jin, the eldest son.
Yet he had chosen Hyuk.
Namgung Bi answered,
“Because no one would suspect that you are holding it.”
Even if Hyuk had become famous in the martial world, within the Namgung Clan he was still a branch family member. No one would imagine the Heavenly Demon Plaque to be in his hands.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
“And among all of them, you are the one who understands the importance of that item the most. That is why I trust you with it.”
Namgung Bi patted his shoulder.
After hearing that, how could Hyuk refuse?
“…I understand. I’ll take full responsibility for safeguarding it.”
Namgung Hyuk accepted with determination.
He knew how heavy the responsibility was.
But he was confident no one could take it from him.
I have a place no one can infiltrate.
Thinking of “the Room,” he smirked.
Seeing this, Namgung Bi felt satisfied.
Yes… entrusting it to this child was the right choice.
He finally felt as though he’d put down a burden he’d carried for decades.
However, his heart was not at ease.
The fact that demonic forces were involved in the Sado Alliance’s recent activity troubled him deeply.
Perhaps… the Demonic Sect was reviving.
That was why he had decided to leave the clan at such a critical time.
Hah… I had hoped to spend my twilight years in peace, but fate has other plans.
Still, at least he could leave with peace of mind.
Mugang has returned, the next generation has grown strong… even without me, the Namgung Clan will stand firm.
That afternoon, Namgung Bi left the clan, leaving behind a single letter.
Meanwhile…
Having failed to raid the Namgung Clan, the Sado Alliance forces led by Samokcheon found themselves unable to advance.
Even after hearing that his family’s main house was attacked, Namgung Hwang remained calm and held his position.
Instead of pushing forward, he chose to cut off enemy retreat and buy time.
“It’s hopeless. Supplies from the Guryong Clan have been blocked. At this rate, we’ll be trapped and crushed.”
Samokcheon spoke matter-of-factly.
His attitude irritated Elder Swordsman Yeom Sang-pil.
“You speak as if it doesn’t concern you.”
“Does it sound that way?”
His sharp response made Yeom Sang-pil frown.
Then Baek Sa-un, who had been silently wiping his spear blade, cut in.
“If you’re going to fight, do it where no one can see.”
“…”
“…”
Both men withdrew their killing intent.
Baek Sa-un continued.
“Rather than arguing, we should discuss what to do next.”
But there was no real solution.
They still had elite units like the Ghost Sword Battalion and the Soul-Eater Squad, but the ambush earlier had taken a heavy toll on their lower-ranked fighters.
Fighting further would be pointless.
Retreat was the only realistic option.
But at that moment—
“We didn’t come all this way to return empty-handed.”
“Are you suggesting a frontal assault? Our remaining strength isn’t enough to break them before orthodox reinforcements arrive.”
“Hmph! I alone, along with the Ghost Sword Battalion, will be enough.”
“What?”
Yeom Sang-pil spoke with absolute confidence.
Did he have a plan?
“We’ll show them the true power of the Ghost Sword Battalion.”
Leaving those cryptic words, he walked away.
Could their strength overturn the situation?
Even the Namgung clan’s elite Tiger Sword Battalion had been overwhelmed by them…
Some distance away…
The two camps were separated by about fifteen ri.
Both sides sent out scouting parties to monitor the other.
Small skirmishes broke out constantly.
“Haap!”
A young Taoist from Wudang swung his sword. A Sado Alliance scout fell, blood spraying from his chest.
They were young—barely twenty—but fought skillfully and defeated the enemy scouts.
“Is everyone unharmed?”
“Yes, senior brother.”
A group of a dozen Wudang Taoists gathered.
Their leader was Lee Myeong-hak, a second-generation disciple.
“I didn’t expect our paths to cross here. We should report this immediately.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s head back.”
Just as they turned—
They were quietly surrounded.
“Heh. Our first prey.”
Tak Geol, one of the Ghost Sword Battalion captains, smirked.
He whistled sharply.
Swoosh!
The Ghost Sword Battalion charged at the Wudang disciples with explosive speed.
“Enemies!”
Lee Myeong-hak and the others quickly raised their swords.
Such vicious aura…
Every Ghost Sword soldier looked like a demon in their eyes.
“Form the Wudang Sword Circle!”
“Yes!”
The Taoists formed a circular formation and aimed their swords outward.
But the Ghost Sword Battalion didn’t hesitate—they simply threw themselves at the blades.
Chachachang!
Swords clashed violently.
The Taoists skillfully redirected the brutal attacks with their flowing sword techniques.
Shraaa!
Their counterattacks—the Soft Cloud Sword—slipped precisely between gaps in the enemy defense.
“Krrrk!”
“Cut me if you can!”
But the ghost swordsmen didn’t dodge—they took the sword strikes with their own bodies.
Rather than letting their vitals be hit, they twisted to take the blow elsewhere, bleeding as they grinned—and counterattacked.
“Guh!”
“Aaagh!”
The unexpected counterattacks tore through the formation.
Lee Myeong-hak was horrified.
They don’t even try to protect themselves…
Bleeding profusely yet smiling as they rushed in—they truly looked like devils.
With the formation broken, casualties mounted.
“I’ll hold the rear! You all run!”
Lee Myeong-hak slashed down an attacker and shouted.
He intended to sacrifice himself to let his juniors escape.
But the Ghost Sword Battalion ruthlessly hunted down every fleeing Taoist.
“How can you kill even those who’ve lost the will to fight?!”
He shouted in anguish.
None of them cared.
They were trained as killing demons—his outrage only amused them.
Tak Geol stepped forward.
“I’ll send you to join those who went before you. Have a peaceful rebirth.”
“You fiends!”
Lee Myeong-hak charged, but from all sides blades pierced his body faster than he could move.
Even in death, they could not rest peacefully.
Flap…
When the Ghost Sword Battalion left, wooden stakes remained—upon them hung dried human skin, dressed in Wudang robes, fluttering like flags in the wind.
