Chapter 309

Chapter 309
Chapter 309. The Embers of Evil (2)

—

Following the demise of Il-sik O, a slight shift occurred in the demeanor of the Jeon-deung-mun followers. The individuals who previously did nothing but scream for mindless charges grew cautious, beginning to look out for their own safety as they focused on their physical agony.
“Aaaagh!”
“My arm is gone!”
“M-my leg! Look at my leg!”
Hearing these agonized shrieks was far preferable to listening to that dreadful chant.
Naturally, the situation didn’t simply conclude there. Once they regained their composure and recognized that So-un was the one who had taken Il-sik O’s life, their fury blazed even hotter.
“Aren’t you a member of the orthodox White Path! How could a fellow righteous martial artist side with an evil Black Path degenerate and commit murder!”
“This atrocity will not be ignored! We will report this to the Cheong-seong Sect and the Martial Alliance, and ensure you and your group……!”
From threats of reporting So-un to vows of vengeance against the Tae-eul Sect, the scene dissolved into utter chaos.
So-un offered a casual reply.
“Ah, just out of curiosity, do you all wish to join him in death right this second?”
“…….”
A tense silence fell, though the frames of the Jeon-deung-mun disciples quivered slightly, seemingly unable to suppress their rage.
Hmm, it appeared they still lacked a proper grasp of reality.
“Do you truly believe this affair will end so simply?”
“W-what are you implying!”
“Your Sect Leader was a man who practiced a forbidden technique banned by the Martial Alliance. And all of you are currently under suspicion of practicing that very same forbidden technique.”
“What? What on earth……”
“D-don’t speak such falsehoods! Our leader would never do such a thing!”
“You are merely trying to frame him!”
It was fortunate that the organization consisted entirely of grown men aiming to become escort warriors. Had it been a traditional clan-based sect where the elderly and young children coexisted, like the Tae-eul Sect, the spectacle would have been far more heart-wrenching.
So-un addressed those who refused to accept the truth with a frosty tone. Even though Il-sik O’s cultivation of the Demonic Art wasn’t their direct fault, allowing them to walk free risked triggering an even greater catastrophe down the line.
“Well, an official inquiry will bring out the truth.”
Excluding those whose wounds were too severe, he bound the remaining disciples and directed them toward the Dog-a-mun, as it was the only faction of notable size within the Hwang-cheon County region. After directing the subordinates of the Venomous Fang Sword to purchase restraints and heavy ropes, he drove iron posts into their living quarters, chaining them securely to create a makeshift jail. Though primitive, it would suffice for a few days.
Looking over the Dog-a-mun members standing at attention on either side, So-un stretched his tense shoulders.
“An official investigative team from the Martial Alliance is on its way. If a single prisoner perishes before they arrive, all of you……”
The sound of the Venomous Fang Sword swallowing hard resounded through the quiet space.
“Will answer to me with your lives.”
“U-understood!”
Honestly, there was no need for him to bow so low…… Why had that man been acting with such extreme politeness lately?
At any rate, it seemed that only Il-sik O and Go-hyeon Deung, his most loyal subordinate, had actually practiced the forbidden Demonic Art. Since the leader himself must have known how dangerous and illicit the technique was, he wouldn’t have freely distributed it. Given that practicing a Demonic Art was a capital offense capable of bringing down an entire family or clan, they wouldn’t have dared to pass it around carelessly.
‘Moreover, even Go-hyeon Deung likely had no idea he was practicing a Demonic Art.’
Still, this did not completely absolve the other Jeon-deung-mun disciples from suspicion. They might have cultivated it unconsciously, just as Go-hyeon Deung had. Regardless, that was a matter for the Martial Alliance’s Inspection Pavilion or Execution Pavilion to determine.
So-un slid a banknote over to the Venomous Fang Sword.
“Utilize this to manage their rations and repair the broken property until the representatives from the Martial Alliance arrive.”
The Venomous Fang Sword accepted the currency, his expression deeply moved.
“……Uh, Young Master……”
“Keep it, don’t feel burdened by it……”
“This is worth one hundred silver taels?”
“…….”
“But there are more than eighty Jeon-deung-mun members here alone……”
What?
So-un recalled purchasing ten jars of Bamboo Leaf Green liquor, a plate of sweet and sour pork, and even sugar cookies for snacks with just a single silver tael, so one hundred taels ought to be plenty. In fact, far from just being enough, wouldn’t he have enough left over to construct an entirely new pavilion?

Upon receiving word that So-un Jin, who had visited the Dog-a-mun the previous evening, had gone so far as to attack the Jeon-deung-mun, the leadership of the Dae-cheon Merchant Group and the Wang Family were utterly dumbfounded.
Naturally, it would have been a relief if the matter concluded there. However, they soon learned that the Jeon-deung-mun was a faction aligned with the righteous White Path, possessing a connection, however slight, to the prestigious Cheong-seong Sect.
Clatter—
The shock caused them to drop their utensils right onto the table.
“No!!! Young Master!!! Didn’t you claim you were merely going to collect a debt!!! How could you launch an assault on a White Path sect!!!”
“Ah, there was a perfectly valid reason for it. Rest assured. I can handle the complications regarding the Sect Leader’s demise without any issues……”
“Whaaaat?!!!! Y-you slew the Sect Leader????”
“Ah…… you weren’t aware of that part?”
As So-un Jin offered his explanation while scratching his head in embarrassment, Go-jung-tak was overcome by shock and promptly lost consciousness.
Even the usually composed demeanor of So-so Wang shifted noticeably.
“Oppa. Even if they aren’t officially registered with the Martial Alliance, attacking a group that claims allegiance to the White Path is bound to cause severe political blowback.”
“Do not fret. I have a way to resolve this.”
“…….”
When the merchant caravan prepared to depart from Hwang-cheon County, an additional coffin was loaded onto their wagons. Initially, the caravan workers were terrified at the prospect of moving a corpse, but once they were informed that the entire Jeon-deung-mun issue hinged on transporting this evidence, they remained completely silent.
Upon reaching Hefei within Anhui Province, So-un Jin brought the coffin straight to the local Hefei branch of the Martial Alliance. By then, word of So-un Jin killing the leader of the Jeon-deung-mun had already arrived, sparking an immediate uproar.
“Student So-un Jin. We require a thorough explanation regarding this incident. No matter your prestigious rank as a student, assaulting an orthodox White Path faction and executing its leader is an unpardonable offense.”
In response to the stern interrogation, So-un Jin uncovered the contents of the coffin, revealing the body of Go-hyeon Deung.
“Ugh!”
“What is the meaning of this!”
“Good grief! Open a window immediately!”
Since the weather had turned quite warm, an incredibly foul odor radiated from the un-embalmed corpse, filling the room.
So-un Jin delivered his account in a composed manner, entirely unfazed by the stench.
“This evidence was uncovered during my investigation.”
“What exactly are we looking at?!”
Following the Vice Branch Leader’s exclamation, So-un Jin pointed directly toward Go-hyeon Deung’s eyes.
When the officials, who were pinching their noses and frowning in disgust, directed their attention toward the corpse’s face……
“……!?”
Their eyes widened in sheer astonishment, and they slowly dropped their hands away from their noses.
“What sort of phenomenon is this?”
“Could someone have coated them in ink?”
“No, the coloration is far too unnaturally dark for that……”
The bizarre appearance of the pupils made it instantly clear that this was no ordinary murder case, and the suspicions surrounding So-un Jin evaporated instantly.
So-un Jin provided a more comprehensive report.
“The only physical alteration was the state of the pupils. However, the individual demonstrated physical capabilities that far surpassed human limitations, acting as though pain did not exist.”
“Surpassing human limitations?”
“He literally launched himself forward to attack even after his ankles had been completely shattered.”
“…….”
Such a display defied the conventional logic of martial arts. Cultivators who understand the constraints of internal force and physical endurance would never engage in such suicidal maneuvers.
Though the branch officials kept their thoughts to themselves, these details allowed them to intuitively realize that a forbidden technique was at play.
Consequently, their demeanor toward So-un Jin shifted dramatically.
“As expected, the elite students of the Martial Academy operate on an entirely different level.”
“An individual hailing from the renowned Tae-eul Sect truly stands out.”
“Indeed, I always knew that a grand master would eventually emerge from the Tae-eul Sect, which is the pride of Hefei.”
“Is the venerable Sect Leader of the Tae-eul Sect in good health?”
Because the information came directly from a top academy student, there was zero chance of the report being buried or ignored. This achievement would undoubtedly reflect positively on the local alliance officials during their upcoming evaluations.
So-un Jin, fully aware of the political dynamics, chose not to speak further.
In an unusual move, the Hefei branch of the Martial Alliance publicly declared the offenses of the Jeon-deung-mun even before concluding their official inquiry, citing them for disrupting the peace of the realm through the use of “sorcery.”
The personnel of the Hefei branch immediately mobilized toward Hwang-cheon County, while the central execution department of the Martial Alliance deployed their own investigators.
Meanwhile, as the orthodox White Path Murim buzzed with the ongoing probe into the Jeon-deung-mun, a peculiar piece of gossip began circulating through the underworld of the Black Path Murim, originating from Hwang-cheon County.
“I’m telling you the truth, it turns out the Black Flame Dragon is actually the collective heir chosen by the grandmasters of the Black Path.”
“Bwahahaha! You utter fool, how can you fall for such absolute drivel!”
“Hey! Listen to me, it’s a fact! The faction known as the Dog-a-mun over in Hwang-cheon County was on the verge of annihilation due to an onslaught by the Jeon-deung-mun, and the Black Flame Dragon single-handedly stormed the Jeon-deung-mun and wiped them off the map!”
Naturally, sensible martial artists found such a wild tale hard to believe. After all, So-un Jin belonged to the Tae-eul Sect, which was proudly counted among the 108 Peaks of the Martial Alliance, and he was currently the top-ranked student at the Martial Academy. Given that a student’s future within the Martial Alliance is virtually guaranteed the moment they achieve such a status, their backgrounds are subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny. The academy simply wasn’t a place where individuals with a criminal or unsavory background could gain entry.
Initially dismissed as a mere fable invented by Black Path thugs looking to mock the righteous factions, the rumors surrounding this event were far too detailed to be entirely fabricated, causing the story to grow and evolve.
It was, after all, an undeniable fact that the Jeon-deung-mun had been completely devastated.
“Word is he confined all the surviving Jeon-deung-mun followers within the Dog-a-mun and subjected them to brutal interrogation techniques.”
“On top of that, they say he personally decapitated the Sect Leader of the Jeon-deung-mun!”
“Wow, that is incredibly impressive! But wait, why is the Martial Alliance keeping quiet about it? Usually, those self-righteous hypocrites hunt down Black Path members like rabid dogs the moment a White Path faction is targeted, even if they aren’t part of the alliance.”
“Do you think he earned the moniker Black Flame Dragon by accident? He must have orchestrated a brilliant scheme from behind the scenes.”
“Exactly! That’s why they slapped a charge of practicing sorcery on the Jeon-deung-mun this time and marked them for eradication…… the man is an absolute mastermind!”
As these baseless rumors seemed to align perfectly with the official actions of the Martial Alliance, the outlaws of the Black Path began swallowing the tales wholesale.
“They say he traveled across the entirety of Henan Province to inspect every single underworld organization?”
“They claim he affectionately refers to every Black Path thug he meets as a ‘comrade’!”
“According to what I gathered, during his time with the Sa-heuk-ryeon, he held a private reunion with the legendary elder ‘Bloody Battle’?”
“Does that mean he inherited his secret martial arts from the elder Bloody Battle as well?”
“That’s not even the half of it! Word has it he is the sole successor ever accepted by the elder Bloody Battle!”
The rumor, which began as a tiny snowball, rapidly snowballed into an avalanche.
“The reputation of the Black Flame Dragon is truly awe-inspiring!”
“He is undoubtedly the grand successor of the Black Path Murim and the chosen one of the Black Maitreya!”
This wild gossip originated within Henan and Anhui Province before spreading across the entire realm through word of mouth.
Naturally, So-un Jin, the actual subject of these grand tales, remained completely oblivious to them.

After concluding my business at the local branch of the Martial Alliance, I made my way straight to the Black Point (Heok-jeom).
“Oh! Welcome, Young Master.”
The proprietor of the Black Point, whom I had never encountered before, recognized my identity instantly without even asking to see my black token.
“The same thing happened last time. How exactly do you manage to identify me so easily?”
“Haha, how could we possibly fail to recognize such an esteemed guest? We have memorized all of your physical traits. Furthermore, we possess this.”
“Huh?”
The shopkeeper unrolled a small parchment.
Depicted upon it was a young man clad in an extravagant white silk robe adorned with intricate gold embroidery. Across his chest, the words “Top Student” were written in bold, unmistakable calligraphy.
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
I found myself completely unable to halt the shaking of my hands.
“W-where on earth did you acquire this?”
This abominable artwork could only have been created by that insufferable bastard Eun-ho……
“Ah! Were you unaware? Ever since you claimed the top spot at the academy, countless parents have purchased this image as a good-luck charm to inspire their own children to achieve academic excellence. It has become incredibly widespread.”
What absolute madness is this! Why are people utilizing a deeply embarrassing moment from my past as a protective amulet?!
“It might sound a bit forward of me to mention this, but…… in the public eye, a disciple from a modest background like the Tae-eul Sect rising to become the top student is viewed as the ultimate testament to ‘the merit of fireflies and snow’ (Hyeong-seol-ji-gong). Consequently, any household preparing for an examination ensures this image is prominently displayed…… wait, what?”
Before my brain could process the situation, my physical instincts overrode my thoughts, and I tore the paper into tiny shreds. Only after the humiliating portrait lay ruined on the floor did I remember that the item belonged to the shopkeeper.
“Ah, I am incredibly sorry about that.”
“……It is quite alright.”
Slide—
“I happen to have another copy right here.”
The proprietor produced an identical scroll, offering a bright grin.
“…….”
I twitched my hand, tempted to shred this one as well, but ultimately abstained. It felt as though no matter how many I destroyed, he would simply produce another.
Sigh, what a nightmare.
Stowing the rolled-up parchment securely in a safe spot, the shopkeeper turned his gaze back to me.
“Now then, how may I assist you on this fine day?”
Regaining my composure, I stated the true purpose behind my visit to the Hao-mun.
“I require an audience with Hall Master Gun-baek Yang.”
“…….”
In an instant, the cheerful demeanor vanished from the shopkeeper’s face, replaced by a rigid expression.
“Regarding what matter?”
“It concerns the events surrounding the Jeon-deung-mun.”
“……Are you referring to ‘the sorcery’?”
“That is merely the public narrative.”
The proprietor tilted his head slightly, appearing somewhat perplexed.
Meeting his gaze directly, I clarified further.
“It involves the body I delivered previously. If I say this matter is directly tied to that incident, you should understand the gravity of the situation.”

Though the Martial Alliance claimed they would spearhead an official inquiry, a genuine investigation was highly unlikely to materialize. While they were incredibly passionate about their creed of “Exterminating Demons and Slaying Evil,” paradoxically, they viewed the actual Demonic Cult as little more than a myth or a fairy tale. Furthermore, as demonstrated by the officials at the Hefei branch, once political maneuvering and credit-seeking enter the equation, the core truth becomes entirely obscured.
For that reason, I had to initiate my own investigation before the trail went entirely cold.
‘There could be a far more severe underlying threat……’
It appeared the timeline had shifted, demanding that I accelerate my original preparations. If the Demonic Cult had already succeeded in infiltrating the orthodox White Path Murim prior to the outbreak of the massive War between Justice and Evil, then every single countermeasure I had devised up to this point would be rendered entirely useless.
This realization was precisely why I had withheld any mention of the Blood Bursting Pills during my briefing with the Martial Alliance. I could not yet verify whether the Blood Bursting Pills were genuinely harnessing the corruptive energy of a demon, and if word of this leaked out and reached the ears of the Demonic Cult, it could introduce unpredictable complications.
“Sigh…… maintaining the peace of the Jianghu is an incredibly exhausting endeavor.”
“What did you just say, you insolent boy!”
“I merely remarked that keeping the peace throughout the land is quite difficult.”
“Listen to this rascal speak! Keep those arms raised properly!”
I lifted my hands back above my head.
Honestly, what exactly did I do wrong here? I managed to secure the protection fees for the Dae-cheon Merchant Group, and I even established safety guarantees for all their future mercantile expeditions. If anything, shouldn’t I be praised for such an outstanding achievement?
“Ugh! You absolute menace!”
My father, pushed past his limit of patience, reached to hurl an inkstone at me, but the Head of the Wang Family rapidly stepped between us to hold him back.
“Calm yourself. Did he not accomplish all of this for the benefit of the Dae-cheon Merchant Group?”
“No, if that boy hasn’t genuinely transformed into an outlaw of the Black Path, why on earth is he launching assaults on recognized White Path sects and causing massive disruptions everywhere he goes!”
“Well, did he not explain that those individuals were practicing forbidden sorcery? In that case, he simply performed a necessary duty.”
“As expected of the brilliant Family Head……”
“So-un Jin, hold your tongue! Good grief, why does that lunatic— no, why does he keep acting like this!”
To think that safeguarding the tranquility of the Jianghu would turn out to be such a solitary and unappreciated burden.
And so, while I endured daily training sessions under Hae-gwang Baek at the Tae-eul Sect, routinely losing consciousness while actively avoiding my father’s furious glares, a new message finally arrived from the Hao-mun.