Chapter 310

Chapter 310
## Chapter 310. The Embers of Evil (3)

—

Once dusk settled, a vibrant display came alive in the pleasure district of Hefei, completely transforming the area from its daytime persona.
Shopkeepers lit up lanterns at every roadside stand.
Young men and women walked the streets in brilliant, colorful garments that would have seemed out of place under the sun.
Eager waiters called out to passersby to entice them into establishments, while wealthy dignitaries hurried toward their destinations hidden behind the curtains of grand palanquins.
‘Has it always been this radiant?’
In his previous existence, nighttime had meant only one of two things: collapsing from sheer exhaustion to sleep or working through the dark hours without rest.
Enjoying a leisurely stroll like this was a luxury he could only experience because his current life path was entirely different.

[Listen, you fool, if you squander your entire month’s earnings tonight, how do you expect to survive the coming weeks?]
[Who can say for sure that I will even see tomorrow?]
[Huh? You make a fair point.]
[Over here! Bring us another flask of wine, the one priced at fifteen silver taels!]

The memories of comrades who spent their wages as if there were no tomorrow, merely hoping they would survive to see the next pay cycle, flickered through his mind.
“…….”
To ward off the sudden wave of melancholy creeping over him, he quickly purchased a piece of spun sugar and popped it into his mouth.
Continuing down the street, he finally arrived at his destination, only to find a massive crowd blockading the path.
‘What is going on here?’
He initially assumed some sort of public performance was taking place, but that wasn’t the case; the people standing in the immense queue were all dressed in exceptionally lavish attire.

“Hey there. Are you actually planning to go inside?”
A man positioned at the very front of the line, flanked by three elegant women, turned to address him.
Why on earth was this stranger speaking so familiarly and disrespectfully upon their very first encounter?
“I am scheduled to meet someone inside.”
“Dressed like that?”
The man scanned his clothes from top to bottom before letting out a mocking chuckle.
The women at his side mirrored the gesture, masking their grins with their hands and eyeing him with utter contempt as if he were completely beneath them.
Frankly, the man possessed the exact kind of arrogant face that practically begged to be struck.

“Do you even have a reservation?”
“A reservation?”
“Are you seriously unaware that booking in advance is mandatory for the Sohwa-ru?”
The man’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk.
“……I do not frequent places like this.”
“Tsk-tsk. Typical amateurs, showing up just because a venue is famous without bothering to learn the rules.”
“…….”
“Step aside! Go line up at the very back. Not that it matters, since there is no way you are getting through the doors tonight.”
“Is that right? Well, I have an appointment with someone here.”
Had he been informed that a booking was necessary, he would have requested a different venue for their meeting.
Then again, the person who had designated this location in the first place was Gun-baek Yang.
As he stood there deliberating his next move, the arrogant man threw out an unexpected proposition.
“How about you perform a little amusement? If it amuses me, I might just bring you along as part of my entourage.”
“An amusement?”
“Since you carry a blade, you must be a practitioner of martial arts…… surely you possess at least one entertaining skill to display?”
Hearing this, the women lost all composure and dissolved into fits of giggles.
One of them was laughing so intensely that she had to clutch her midsection.
They seemed thoroughly entertained by his expense.
So-un looked over each of them with a steady gaze and replied in an even tone.
“The only skill I have mastered is the art of ending lives. Would you care for a demonstration of that instead?”
“…… silently.”

Suddenly, the ambient warmth evaporated, leaving a chilling stillness in the air.
The faces of the laughing women drained of color, turning whiter than the cosmetic powder covering their skin.
The man, who looked ready to snap back angrily, instead offered a hollow cough, averted his gaze, and turned away while grumbling under his breath, “These martial arts ruffians are all completely unhinged.”

Right at that moment—
*Creak—*
The grand entrance of the Sohwa-ru swung wide, and an administrator stepped across the threshold holding an official ledger.
“The next group is……”
The man and his female companions instantly straightened up to enter, completely dismissing So-un from their attention.
“Oh? Young Master?”
The administrator’s eyes snapped toward So-un, and he immediately snapped the ledger shut.
“Why are you waiting outside in the cold? Since you have arrived, you should have come straight in.”
“……Well, I was just told that entry is impossible without a prior reservation, so I was figuring out what to do.”
“Good heavens! What absolute nonsense……! A distinguished guest such as yourself, Young Master, is welcome to cross our threshold at any hour, with or without prior notice.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. Please, step inside without delay! Your host is already waiting for your arrival in the private quarters.”
“Understood. Ah…… hold on.”

So-un began to follow the administrator’s lead but paused mid-step, turning his torso back toward the haughty man and his companions.
Their faces had completely frozen in sheer bewilderment.
He gave them a slow, deliberate look from head to toe before speaking up.
“By any chance, do you have an amusement you would like to display?”
“…….”
The arrogant man kept his lips pressed firmly together, unable to utter a single word.
After all, what practical skill could someone possess whose only talent lay in consuming alcohol day after day?
Satisfied, So-un proceeded indoors, guided with the utmost reverence by the administrator.

—

“Oh?”
They entered the Grade A Room, the exact same private chamber where he had previously held a discussion with the Hao Clan Leader.
Inside, a familiar and welcome face greeted him after a long absence.
“It has been quite some time since I last had the honor of greeting you, Young Master.”
“I was under the impression you were stationed over in Hunan Province?”
“My responsibilities require me to relocate quite frequently.”
The speaker was none other than Hae-ryeong, the esteemed Pavilion Master of the Manbin-gak.
“Have you fared well since our last encounter?”
Immediately following her words, Gun-baek Yang, the very individual So-un had sought out for this meeting, offered his own respectful greetings.
“Thanks to your consideration.”

An extravagant banquet was laid out before them, so laden with delicacies that the table seemed on the verge of collapsing under the weight, and the rich aroma of fine spirits permeated the chamber. However, there were no performers or courtesans present in the room.
Once they had exchanged a few rounds of wine and completed the necessary pleasantries regarding their health, the atmosphere shifted to the pressing matters at hand.
“This contains the compiled intelligence concerning the Jeon-deung-mun as well as Il-sik O, the individual known as the Lightning Saber.”
So-un paused mid-sip, his wine cup hovering as he looked at the parchment Hae-ryeong extended toward him.
He hadn’t even voiced his request yet.
Hae-ryeong offered a knowing, enigmatic smile.
“We maintain a constant vigil regarding your endeavors, Young Master. Is this not precisely the intelligence you were seeking?”

This realization brought home exactly why the Hao Clan had been capable of standing as a formidable rival to the Beggars’ Union—which enjoyed the full backing of the Martial Alliance—during the great conflict between the Righteous and Tyrannical factions in his previous timeline.
‘So this is the reason the Beggars’ Union kept such a cautious eye on the expanding influence of the Hao Clan.’
Swallowing the strange wave of nostalgia for a past history that remained hidden to others, he began to pore over the text.
However, as he scanned the details regarding the Jeon-deung-mun and the background of Il-sik O, nothing struck him as particularly extraordinary.
The records merely confirmed that the Jeon-deung-mun was an independent organization formed solely by Il-sik O without any external backing from the Cheong-seong Sect or the Pung-hyang-mun, and that the Lightning Saber himself was a solitary practitioner who had built his reputation through isolated training.

Then, abruptly, a highly anomalous detail caught his attention.
As So-un’s eyes lingered intently on a specific passage, Hae-ryeong spoke up to break the silence.
“Just as I suspected, it would be an absolute waste of your talents, Young Master, if you were to remain nothing more than a simple combatant.”
When So-un raised his head to meet her gaze with a questioning look, a soft smile remained on her features.
“You detected the glaring inconsistency within those records, did you not?”
“For an organization established solely through the efforts of a single individual, their expansion rate is unnaturally rapid.”
Even when he had previously received information from the Venomous Fang Sword, he had estimated that transforming a basic training hall into a fully realized martial sect would require at least a decade of concentrated effort.
The process of securing territory, establishing financial stability, and projecting power is not something that occurs overnight simply because the leader happens to possess high-tier combat prowess.
And yet—
It had taken a mere three years for what began as a simple instructional school for aspiring escort guards to completely transform into a recognized martial sect.
Furthermore, the martial artists from the Jeon-deung-mun whom he had personally combated were not some disorganized mob; they displayed the discipline and coordination of troops who had undergone rigorous training over an extended duration.

“Three years,” Hae-ryeong stated, holding up three fingers to emphasize the point. “It took precisely three short years to transition from a localized martial arts academy into a fully functioning sect.”
“Is it possible they had a wealthy benefactor backing their operations?”
With substantial financial support, such an accelerated trajectory was not entirely out of the question.
However—
“There was no benefactor. The Jeon-deung-mun quite literally achieved its current standing solely through the capabilities of one man.”
“…… silently.”
So-un found the explanation incredibly difficult to accept.
If that were true, how could one explain the uniform, high-quality martial attire worn by all their followers?
What about their perfectly forged and maintained sabers?
How could anyone account for the fact that every single disciple looked well-fed and prosperous, showing absolutely no signs of poverty or deprivation?

“Hehe, it seems even you find it difficult to deduce the truth behind this mystery, Young Master?”
“I do not claim to possess absolute knowledge.”
“Hehe, which is precisely why I find it so gratifying. It means I can still offer valuable assistance to you, Young Master.”
Saying this, Hae-ryeong slid a secondary ledger across the table.
So-un scanned the contents rapidly, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at what was recorded.
“It presents an incredibly bizarre picture, does it not? The vast majority of individuals who sought out Il-sik O initially did so with the simple ambition of securing employment as escort guards. Yet, the moment they were inducted as trainees and disciples, they completely lost sight of their original goals and transformed into zealots who willingly signed over their personal fortunes.”

They didn’t just exhaust their own life savings; they extracted funds from their parents and secured heavy loans from extended family members just to surrender the wealth to the organization.
It was an influx of capital substantial enough to build a prosperous sect from scratch, entirely independent of any traditional corporate or noble sponsorship.
“…….”
Suddenly, the absurd, fanatical mantra that the Jeon-deung-mun cultists had chanted echoed in his memory.
Disciples acting like brainwashed zealots, willingly throwing their lives into the fray to shield Il-sik O as though under a powerful spell.
Yet, the absolute instant Il-sik O drew his final breath, that spell seemed to shatter, and they immediately scattered to guarantee their own survival as if suddenly snapping back to reality.
‘……Could they have been utilizing some form of mind-controlling sorcery?’
The moment that hypothesis crossed his mind, he recalled that the Venomous Fang Sword, who had traveled alongside him, had been completely unaffected and mentally sound.

“Is there any record of someone presenting that specific saber to Il-sik O?”
Il-sik O’s entire demeanor and capability had radically shifted before and after he acquired that weapon.
If that held true, his initiation into the Demonic Art must have occurred at that exact juncture.
However, contradicting So-un’s theory, Hae-ryeong gave a firm shake of her head.
“Following his departure from the Pung-hyang-mun, Il-sik O never studied under any secondary instructor. He didn’t remain with any single escort agency for a prolonged period either, constantly drifting from one place to another.”

As he listened to her narration, the image of Il-sik O’s final moments flashed vividly in his mind.
[The Heavenly…… Demon Reincarnation, Ten Thousand Demons Subjugation!]
Even with absolute annihilation staring him in the face, instead of seeking a path to preserve his life, that lunatic chose to perish while screaming the name of a Demonic Cult that had not even manifested in this era yet.
……It was identical to how the twisted zealots of his past life met their ends.
He ground his teeth together.
Just reflecting on these details filled him with a profound sense of irritation.

“……Young Master?”
“Ah, my apologies. Please continue. Where did we leave off?”
“We were discussing the absolute lack of any record showing Il-sik O receiving instruction from an external master.”
“Right, I remember.”
“Though I must ask, what makes you so absolutely certain that Il-sik O operated under the guidance of a mentor?”

Il-sik O had manifested the unmistakable Demonic Fire at the precise moment of his demise.
That act alone confirmed the man was a complete psychological captive to the ideology of the Demonic Cult.
But if there was no physical mastermind guiding his actions, how on earth had they succeeded in corrupting Il-sik O into a demon?
Furthermore, what manner of conditioning could brainwash an entire body of followers to value Il-sik O’s life far above their own?
So-un chose to share only the specific detail regarding how Il-sik O had actively embraced his own destruction.
Hae-ryeong’s brow furrowed tightly as she processed the information, clearly mystified.
“That is profoundly anomalous.”
“Are there any other individuals across the land experiencing a parallel phenomenon—suddenly displaying an unnatural spike in martial capability or aggressively expanding their sphere of influence?”

Hae-ryeong paused, sinking into deep contemplation before slowly nodding her head.
“There is precisely one such individual who fits that description perfectly.”
“Tell me who it is.”
If there was another person treading the exact same path as Il-sik O, he needed to ascertain immediately whether this bastard was another hidden demon.
Even if it required tearing down the foundation of that person’s entire sect to uncover the truth……
“So-un Jin of the Tae-eul Sect.”

…Wait, why was his own name suddenly entering the conversation?
Hae-ryeong let out a bright, cheerful laugh.
“Based strictly on the parameters you just outlined, Young Master, ‘Young Master So-un Jin’ stands as the single most anomalous and suspect individual in the martial world.”
Well, when put that way, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

—

This was, without a doubt, the most frustrating element of the entire predicament.
It was an issue he had already anticipated well in advance; he knew from the start that this grand conspiracy wouldn’t be easily unraveled simply by crushing the Jeon-deung-mun.
“Perhaps I should submit myself to an official interrogation first.”
“While it is true that your rapid ascent raised a few eyebrows initially, you have more than adequately demonstrated your integrity, Young Master, so you may rest easy on that front.”
Hae-ryeong offered a gentle, bright smile.
Good grief, this woman…… was genuinely terrifying.
To think she had already conducted a thorough investigation into his background without him ever noticing.
He wasn’t entirely certain whether to be relieved or deeply unnerved.
Regardless, the core issue remained: even if there was another entity out there identical to Il-sik O, they possessed no definitive method to expose them as a demon.
It wasn’t as if they could deliberately force every suspect to ingest Blood Bursting Pills just to verify their compliance.

“Nevertheless, we have formally initiated a tracking protocol. We can only begin a proper structural analysis once a substantial amount of data has been aggregated.”
“That process will require a massive investment of time.”
“Is this matter not of paramount consequence?”
Hae-ryeong’s demeanor shifted, turning far more solemn than he had ever witnessed before.
“Young Master. Our organization views the gravity of this situation with the absolute utmost seriousness. You do not have to shoulder this burden alone.”

So-un found himself temporarily speechless.
Just a few moments ago, a sense of profound discouragement had threatened to overtake him, driven by the realization of how convoluted this struggle was bound to become.
Yet, resolving this crisis was no longer a solitary endeavor.
The moment that realization settled in, a tremendous weight seemed to lift from his chest.
“You have my gratitude.”
As So-un offered a respectful nod of appreciation, Hae-ryeong reached over to retrieve a wrapped package from the side of the room.
“I secured this as a precautionary measure. It contains detailed annotations on the public techniques utilized by the Pung-hyang-mun, alongside the unique combat forms developed by Il-sik O, the Lightning Saber.”
Fascinating. When he had personally ransacked the headquarters of the Jeon-deung-mun, he hadn’t uncovered any such documentation.
“The operatives from the Dog-a-mun proved to be exceptionally cooperative. Fortuitously, we managed to compile everything just before the official investigators dispatched by the Martial Alliance arrived on the scene.”

In an instant, the look in Hae-ryeong’s eyes sharpened with intense curiosity.
“The reports claim that Go-hyeon Deung’s eyes darkened entirely until they resembled pure obsidian…… is there truth to that rumor?”
Naturally, operating as a premium information broker, she would find such anomalous physical phenomena impossible to ignore.
She was undoubtedly exhausting every resource to locate and secure Go-hyeon Deung’s remains.
However, her efforts would likely yield nothing.
A corpse displaying such unnatural corruption was directly linked to forbidden sorcery, meaning it was a critical piece of evidence tied directly to an official investigator’s performance review.
No rational officer would ever compromise their own career advancement and standing within the alliance just to pocket a meager amount of bribe money from a merchant, right?

“Are you truly that eager to see it?”
“While conducting a full medical examination is out of the question, I believed it would be highly beneficial to at least observe the anomaly firsthand. ……Is it possible that you, as the foremost talent of the academy, could facilitate a connection?”
“I am afraid that will prove entirely impossible.”
“…….”
The expressions on both Hae-ryeong and Gun-baek Yang instantly grew taut.
A tangible wave of profound disappointment seemed to ripple through them.
“……Ah, please forgive me. I made an entirely inappropriate request……”
“Is there truly a need to go through all that unnecessary trouble?”
“……What do you mean?”

So-un slid a separate bundle he had carried with him across the table, placing it directly before them.
As it moved across the wood, a distinct, hollow clattering sound emanated from within the fabric.
Gun-baek Yang, tilting his head in confusion, carefully peeled back the edges of the cloth, only for his eyes to snap wide in utter astonishment, round as a pair of full moons.
“Wh-what on earth is this?”
Resting within the cloth were skeletal remains that had turned completely, deeply black, as though they had been submerged in dark ink.
“They are the remains of Il-sik O, the man you were asking about.”
What So-un had brought along were the actual bones of Il-sik O that had survived the intense heat of the Demonic Fire.
Hae-ryeong leaped from her cushion, leaning over alongside Gun-baek Yang to scrutinize the blackened skeletal fragments with absolute intensity.
“……You have delivered an incredibly invaluable specimen.”
So-un caught the slight twitch at the edge of Hae-ryeong’s lips as she tried to contain her excitement.
Observing her reaction, he gave a slow nod.
“Given this contribution, I assume I won’t be required to settle the tab for tonight’s refreshments?”
Unable to suppress her amusement any longer, Hae-ryeong let out a bright, resonant laugh.
“But of course. And why stop there? I must personally provide you with an even rarer delicacy to mark this occasion.”

Hae-ryeong clapped her hands twice, and a moment later, a female attendant glided into the private room holding a beautifully crafted ceramic vessel filled with liquor.
“Allow me to serve you.”
While Gun-baek Yang and Hae-ryeong remained utterly engrossed in examining the unique properties of Il-sik O’s skeletal remains, the attendant filled his vessel and quietly took a seat directly beside him.
“…… silently.”
As So-un cast a bewildered glance toward the woman, Hae-ryeong interjected with an explanation.
“Ah, that particular attendant will be remaining at your side for the duration.”
He had absolutely never requested such companionship.
He began to wonder if he had severely misjudged the true nature of the Hao Clan’s operations.

*Drip-drip-drip.*
He watched the liquid cascade into his cup, and a sudden realization struck him.
“It is freezing……”
Because the temperature of the liquid being poured was incredibly low, condensation instantly formed along the outer surface of the cup.
He drained the vessel in a single, swift gulp, and—
“Oh!”
An involuntary exclamation escaped his lips.
“It is known as the Hwa-bing-ro.”
The nectar of frost formed upon blossoms…… the complex flavor profile and elegant aroma perfectly complemented its poetic title.
As So-un sat there admiring the vintage, Hae-ryeong’s melodic voice drifted over to him.
“The Hwa-bing-ro only achieves its peak flavor profile when maintained at a near-freezing temperature.”
An immense sense of professional pride resonated in her words.
Reflecting on it now, it made perfect sense why the Sohwa-ru remained consistently packed to capacity despite the presence of numerous other high-end establishments throughout Hefei.
‘To think they are serving alcohol preserved through the active use of Ice Arts…….’
Experiencing such an extraordinary luxury would naturally capture the obsession of wealthy merchants and high-ranking government officials alike.
Even So-un, who was deeply versed in the mysteries of internal energy, found the display entirely mesmerizing.

The application of Ice Arts was incredibly versatile.
If their investigation unit had included a practitioner capable of executing Ice Arts, they wouldn’t have been forced to suffer through the horrific stench of Go-hyeon Deung’s decomposing remains during transport.
It would be an invaluable asset to possess during the sweltering heat of midsummer.
In fact, certain department heads within the Martial Alliance were known to intentionally award bonus marks to candidates who demonstrated proficiency in Ice Arts.
‘But since it requires an innate predisposition and cannot be mastered through simple diligence alone……’
It was a profoundly rare talent.
From a martial artist’s analytical perspective, watching an employee actively deploy Ice Arts simply to serve refreshments was a spectacular luxury.
He resolved to appreciate the experience to the absolute fullest while the opportunity lasted.

He raised the Hwa-bing-ro to his lips once more, but in the brief interval that had passed, the natural warmth radiating from his palm had elevated the liquid’s temperature, causing the delicate aroma and crisp flavor to dissipate.
“The moment your vessel is empty, I shall replenish it with a fresh vintage.”
As if draining the cup entirely to receive an immediate refill was the mathematically correct method to enjoy the Hwa-bing-ro, the attendant skilled in Ice Arts gently presented a fresh container.
However, for some inexplicable reason, So-un hesitated to down the remaining liquid, feeling that allowing such a rare beverage to lose its qualities was an absolute waste.
He clicked his tongue inwardly, wondering precisely how astronomical the bill for this single sitting would be.
‘Hmm…… what if I attempt it like this?’
Perhaps the alcohol was beginning to impair his rational judgment.
He began to circulate his internal energy, meticulously reconstructing the memory of when Seol-ran Eun had manifested her own Ice Arts.
Naturally, there was absolutely no logical basis for him to successfully execute an elemental technique under these conditions.
He lacked the necessary mental formula, and the fundamental nature of his own internal cultivation was completely incompatible with ice-based manifestations.
Conclusively, this was nothing more than an idle, drunken experiment born of curiosity.

*Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh.*
Or at least, that is exactly what it should have been…….

“Y-Young Master?!”
“S-surely my eyes deceive me!”
“……Good heavens!”
The three individuals in the room stared intently at So-un’s cup, their expressions registering far greater shock than when they had first laid eyes on Il-sik O’s blackened bones, and Hae-ryeong’s startled voice rang out through the private chamber.
“Young Master…… you possess the capability to utilize Ice Arts? Our intelligence network uncovered absolutely no record of you inheriting such a lineage……!”

……Wait, what? He was capable of employing Ice Arts?
So-un turned a completely bewildered gaze toward Hae-ryeong, asking in genuine confusion,
“How on earth did a phenomenon like this just occur?”
“……Excuse me?”
Her expression shifted to one of sheer incredulity, as if silently demanding why he was asking her to explain his own capabilities.
Meanwhile, the ceramic vessel clutched tightly in his hand felt just as freezing as her stunned look.
“Ah, that is actually cold!”
“…….”
“…….”
Within the chamber, which had suddenly plunged into a profound, heavy silence, nothing remained but the sweet, lingering fragrance of the Hwa-bing-ro drifting through the air.