Chapter 91
Zhuge Hyeon (1)
The Wolf King had always lived in real combat.
In places where life and death were decided in an instant, the Wolf King had encountered countless kinds of people, but among them all, he especially despised those who babbled about the Dao.
γCan you really spout nonsense about the Dao to those bastards who got cut down and died over there?γ
The Dao was meaningless before reality.
At the crossroads between life and death, what use could the Dao possibly have?
The Wolf King loathed the Dao, and thought he would remain distant from it for his entire life.
However, upon reaching the realm of Hwagyeong, his thoughts gradually began to change.
'The world is full of endless possibilities of the Dao.'
Perhaps because he was no longer desperately clinging to survival, the way he viewed the world had changed.
'Does everything ultimately converge into the Dao?'
He felt as though he was finally beginning to vaguely understand what that Dao was, which he had once hated so deeply.
Of course, it was clearly different from the Dao spoken of by shamans or Mount Hwasan.
Still, before he realized it, the Wolf King himself had become one who pursued the Dao.
"How much stronger have you become?"
"Well. If I felt like it, I think I could even have a bout with the Lord of Yama."
"That's impressive."
The Lord of Yama was the strongest expert Cheon Muyang had ever encountered.
Though he was also a Hwagyeong-level master like the Wolf King, the difference between them was unmistakable.
That meant there were clear distinctions even within the realm of Hwagyeong itself.
"Still, I haven't reached his level yet."
While the Wolf King was growing stronger,
That man would surely be growing stronger as well.
"The Demonic Cult is astonishing, when you think about it."
There were as many as seven experts like the Lord of Yama.
"And yet, the fact that there might be someone even stronger than the Lord of Yama... it's almost absurd."
There was no information at all about the Demonic Cult.
As such, there was no way to know whether someone stronger than the Lord of Yama existed or not.
"There is."
"...."
"When I met the Lord of Yama in the past, he clearly said there was someone stronger than himself within the Demonic Cult."
Cheon Muyang let out a dry chuckle.
"I still have a long way to go."
"Do you really think your pace is lacking?"
The Wolf King was at a loss for words.
As far as he knew, he had never seen anyone grow at the same speed as Cheon Muyang.
"No one your age could ever achieve what you have. Unless they lived life twice, that is."
"And that's exactly the problem."
"What?"
Cheon Muyang smiled.
However, he couldn't finish what he wanted to say.
'Because I am living life twice.'
Cheon Muyang shrugged.
How could the Wolf King possibly understand his circumstances?
"Let's go. We've already delayed too long."
"Hmm."
"You can continue what you were doing, if you want."
"No. We'll follow you."
"Well, that works too."
Cheon Muyang nodded slightly and began to move.
"Neung Ryeo-un."
"Yes, my lord."
"Can I entrust my back to you?"
"...!"
"Prove it."
"Understood."
Though the words were directed at Neung Ryeo-un, Cha Myeong-hak and Wol-yeong steeled their resolve as well.
"Is this the place?"
The guest compound of the Namgung Family was large.
As such, it wasn't just a single building.
"Somehow, this place looks nicer than ours."
For some reason, Cheon Muyang felt that this place looked cleaner and better than the building they were using.
"I'll have to bring this up too."
Warriors of the Zhuge Family came into view.
Despite being inside the Namgung Family, they showed no sign of shrinking back, as if they were standing within the Zhuge Family itself.
Swoosh.
They noticed Cheon Muyang.
"What is the matter?"
"Ah, it's nothing serious. I heard that Young Master Zhuge Hyeon is staying here, so I thought I'd come by to pay my respects."
Cheon Muyang possessed the air of a ruffian.
"...."
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not some suspicious person."
To anyone's eyes, he looked extremely suspicious.
Without a word, they drew their swords.
"If you do not withdraw, we will use force."
"Oh dear. I'm the eldest son of the Cheon Familyβare you sure you want to treat me like this?"
"...."
The blades gleamed with a cold, blue sheen.
Cheon Muyang let out a faint laugh.
"Shouldn't you at least send word inside?"
It didn't look like they had any intention of doing so.
They shouted at Cheon Muyang.
"Step back!"
There was no sign of him retreating.
Instead, Cheon Muyang continued forward, wearing that same ruffian-like grin.
"...!"
A final warning.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, they swung their swords toward Cheon Muyang.
Shiiing!
Two swords flew toward him.
Still smiling, Cheon Muyang continued to advance.
"My, my. The Zhuge Family truly lacks manners. Swinging swords without warning like this."
Clang!
The two swords were blocked.
They were the swords of Neung Ryeo-un and Cha Myeong-hak.
Though the swords were different, their intent was the sameβto prevent the blades from reaching Cheon Muyang.
"Even courtesy would be insufficient here. Tsk."
Watching the two men's shocked expressions, Cheon Muyang calmly walked forward.
"Go ahead and experience the Zhuge Family's swordsmanship. It'll be a good opportunity."
"Yes."
Experience was always valuable.
Being able to experience not only the Namgung Family's sword, but also the Zhuge Family's, would be a great help.
Accustomed to combat, Neung Ryeo-un and Cha Myeong-hak skillfully deflected their opponents' blades and charged in.
"Wol-yeong."
"Yes, Young Master."
"I'm going to keep moving forward, so guard my back. Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
Wol-yeong took her place behind Cheon Muyang.
The Wolf King let out a small chuckle.
"Looks like you're finally earning your keep."
"I was earning it long ago! Right?"
"That's true. Don't worry, your stir-fried mushrooms are superb."
"Young Master!"
Without thinking, Wol-yeong struck Cheon Muyang's back.
Thud!
A powerful shock ran through him.
It was strong enough that he wondered if his waist had given out, proving that her diligent training hadn't been for nothing.
"Khk!"
Caught off guard, Cheon Muyang let out an involuntary cough.
"A-are you alright? I didn't mean to use so much strength."
Wol-yeong hurried over.
Yet strangely, the corners of her lips were curled upward.
"So you've gotten stronger?"
"Hehehe."
"Maybe your path was never the sword, but the fist."
Cheon Muyang took a deep breath, calming his startled heart.
After a few more stepsβ
"Who goes there!"
Those guarding the room where Zhuge Hyeon was staying appeared.
"It's not easy to meet him."
"Shall I finish it in one strike?"
"I'd appreciate that."
"Alright."
Grin.
The Wolf King smiled.
"I am called the Wolf King. I seek someone of the Zhuge Family. What will you do? Will you step aside politely?"
"W-Wolf King!"
"W-what are you doing!"
"As expected, you have no intention of moving aside nicely, do you?"
The Wolf King smiled as though he had been hoping for this outcome and drew his great saber.
"Shall we have some fun?"
"...!"
The faces of the Zhuge Family warriors turned deathly pale.
"How convenient."
Because of that, Cheon Muyang was able to pass through without trouble.
"W-who's there?"
From beyond the door, Zhuge Hyeon's voice was heard.
"I'm Cheon Muyang of the Cheon Familyβthe one you saw earlier in the office. If you have time, how about sharing a cup of tea?"
"...."
There was no response.
So Cheon Muyang opened the door.
Creak.
Inside, Zhuge Hyeon was staring in shock.
"H-how did you get in?"
"I don't like things getting in my way. So I cleared them out."
"...."
Cheon Muyang sat down across from Zhuge Hyeon.
Silence fell.
Wol-yeong read the situation and stood guard by the door.
"S-so then, w-why have you come all this way? E-even going so far as to be rude."
"Well, rude it may have been."
"...."
"But wasn't it rude to try and drive a wedge between the Namgung Family and the Cheon Family?"
Cheon Muyang pressed Zhuge Hyeon with a meaningful smile.
"W-what do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb. I came because I already know everything."
"...."
Zhuge Hyeon's expression changed instantly.
It was hard to believe this was the same Zhuge Hyeon who had been stammering moments agoβhis face was now calm and sharp.
"I've heard much about you, Young Master Cheon Muyang. They call you the Heavenly Hero, do they not?"
"So it really was an act."
"And weren't you doing the same?"
"...."
Cheon Muyang.
He had once been famous as a peerless ruffian.
But now, who would dare call Cheon Muyang a ruffian?
Known as the Heavenly Hero, he was regarded as the foremost among the rising stars of the era.
In other words, Zhuge Hyeon was saying that those years spent as a ruffian had merely been a disguise.
"Well, I suppose that's true enough."
Cheon Muyang shrugged.
He had reasons he couldn't shareβbut there was no need to explain them to Zhuge Hyeon.
"Then why are you doing this?"
"As you didβto seize what I desire."
"...."
Why was it?
Zhuge Hyeon had always been a cautious man.
That was why he had lived so long hiding himself, pretending to be a foolish, stammering Zhuge Hyeon.
But after learning about Cheon Muyang, he had come to believe they were the same kind of person.
'Cheon Muyang⦠he's the same as me.'
That was why Zhuge Hyeon thought Cheon Muyang might understand his life.
In a sense, the two of them shared the same goal.
"What is it you desire, then?"
Zhuge Hyeon hesitated, then finally spoke.
The purpose he had kept buried deep in his heart.
"Reclamation."
"Oh?"
It was an unexpected answer.
Cheon Muyang's eyes gleamed.
So he asked directly.
"Then what is your relationship with the Demonic Cult?"
"The current Zhuge Family is under the control of the Demonic Cult."
"...."
"That's why I want to reclaim the Zhuge Family."
"I see."
Cheon Muyang nodded.
Zhuge Hyeon had been forced to kill himself inside and live a life of submission to his family.
"You've walked a filthy, difficult road."
"...."
For the first time, Zhuge Hyeon felt as though his life had been acknowledged.
Who would ever recognize the life of someone who had chosen to be a stammerer and lived as their dog?
"Thank you."
Only Cheon Muyangβsomeone of his own kindβcould say such words.
"Do you think you can reclaim it?"
"...."
Zhuge Hyeon's expression darkened.
He knew as well as anyone how difficult it would be.
"I won't give up."
"...."
Cheon Muyang knew.
He knew how Zhuge Hyeon's future would unfold.
'He'll failβand eventually die.'
No one would care about Zhuge Hyeon's death.
It would be dismissed as the unfortunate end of a cast-off stammerer from the Zhuge Family.
'So that was it⦠the Demonic Cult was behind everything.'
The reason Cheon Muyang had wanted to meet Zhuge Hyeon was the look in his eyes during their first encounter.
'Someone with eyes like that can't be just a pawn of the Demonic Cult.'
Cheon Muyang wanted to confirm thatβand he had been right.
'He's like Hougae.'
In other words, someone who could share Cheon Muyang's ambitions.
'First the Namgung Family, and now the Zhuge Family.'
Cheon Muyang found the situation almost amusing.
How long had it even been since he resolved the Namgung Family's affairs, only to become entangled with the Zhuge Family now?
"Interesting."
Yet all of this was an opportunityβa crossroads that could change the predetermined future.
"I'll help you."
"Why?"
"Whether you like it or not, the Zhuge Family has to remain where it belongs."
"...."
"But let me be clear about one thing. If you truly want to reclaim the Zhuge Family, you should leave it."
"Leave⦠the Zhuge Family?"
"Yes."
There were two paths to reform.
Reform from withinβor reform from without.
Zhuge Hyeon had chosen the former, but it was the wrong choice.
'If you continue like that, you'll die.'
Unlike the Cheon Family, the Zhuge Family had already been thoroughly corrupted by the Demonic Cult from its very core.
"Leave the Zhuge Family. You can abandon the Zhuge surname, can't you?"
"And then?"
"Come to me."
"...!"
"I'll wipe out the Zhuge Family cleanβunder my name."
Zhuge Hyeon's mouth fell open.
Meanwhile, Cheon Muyang merely wore a confident smile.
"Well?"
.