Chapter 454

Chapter 454
Chapter 454. Seeds of Evil (2)

—

‘Peering into the future…….’

Yong So-ah. That terrifying individual had transformed into an otherworldly abomination, possessing even reality-defying, miraculous capabilities.

‘No, from the very beginning, he wasn’t truly a human being.’

Yet, the sheer shock of discovering that the creature could observe events far ahead in time still weighed heavily on my mind.

‘Damn it, is this actually reality?’

I directed a crude, mocking hand gesture toward the heavens. I had always been aware that existence was inherently unfair, but for the universe to be tilted this drastically meant something was fundamentally broken. Or perhaps the entities ruling the upper realms had existed for too long and their minds had rotted away. Ordinarily, mystics or seers were so destitute they couldn’t even afford a bowl of watery gruel, ultimately dying by a blade after uttering useless words to the ruling elite.

‘Judging by the situation, far from dying by a weapon, he is in a position to orchestrate a perfect retaliation by possessing advanced knowledge.’

Regardless, the reason I completely disregarded the predictions of this formidable, deranged creature was due to an entirely different inquiry plaguing my thoughts.

‘Why didn’t they wipe out the Mosan Sect in my previous existence?’

Upon learning the account that Gu Song-baek was collaborating with the forces of the Demonic Cult while missing an eye, my mind had completely seized up. This was because the devastation to his eye was a development unique to this current lifetime. In my past life, not only did he escape such mutilation, but he also clashed with the sorcerers of the Demonic Cult right in the middle of the Martial Alliance until both sides were thoroughly bloodied. For such an individual to align with the Demonic Cult and utterly dismantle the Martial Alliance in this lifetime was unprecedented.

‘Is that monster’s precognition flawless?’

Namgung San’s skeptical yet hesitant demeanor served to validate that the foresight was of a ‘staggering caliber that one could not deny even when witnessing it firsthand.’ To put it another way, it indicated that his visions were not merely fabricating non-existent occurrences out of thin air.

However, I deduced two specific truths from this. First, a destiny entirely distinct from the past lifetime I remembered was bound to manifest. Second, Yong So-ah’s precognition might not be infallible.

If that creature’s visions aligned perfectly with my previous life, there would be no rationale for him to target Gu Song-baek. In the memories of the past life I carried, Gu Song-baek was a man who embodied the principles of the Orthodox Path more than anyone else. Ultimately, the reality that Yong So-ah was hunting Gu Song-baek—unlike in the previous timeline—implied that a chain of altered circumstances in this life had caused Yong So-ah to witness Gu Song-baek’s treachery. In short, it signified that the future could pivot at any moment depending on changing variables and environments.

“*Sa-hyeong*, everyone is waiting for you.”

Accompanied by Eun-ho, I made my way to where the gathered members of the Mosan Sect were stationed. Those who had concealed themselves in panic during the initial disruption emerged from hiding one by one. To begin, I categorized the injured apart from those who still retained their mobility.

“Is there any structure here that does not impact the activation of the Mosan Sect’s defensive formations?”

“…….”

Yu Ji-ryang stepped forward to answer.

“The Geon-cheong Hall is a location that remains completely independent.”

“In that case, we shall assemble the crowd within that area.”

“But that place is……”

Yu Ji-ryang showed signs of reluctance.

“It is merely a structure utilized as a storage space. It is ill-suited for mounting a defensive stand.”

“We have no intention of holding a siege.”

“What exactly do you mean by that……”

“That location will serve strictly as a hidden sanctuary.”

“A hidden sanctuary?”

To clarify my point, it was necessary to reveal the strategy I had formulated.

“We intend to construct two distinct defensive arrays that can be set up in under twenty-four hours. One will serve the sole purpose of safeguarding the civilians during a crisis. The other will be designed specifically to combat the Black Coffins.”

“……Even with our expertise, completing two major arrays within a single day cannot ensure structural integrity. We cannot even guarantee that formations erected so hastily will perform their intended functions.”

I directed my question to Gu Song-baek, who had been observing the conversation in silence.

“*Mun-ju-nim*.”

“Speak, please.”

“Are you capable of weaving your phantasm techniques into the defensive array we will establish at the hidden sanctuary?”

“…….”

“I am well aware. A poorly constructed formation will never withstand the onslaught of the Black Coffins.”

The path we must select at this juncture is not the ideal choice. It is a compromise to prevent the absolute worst outcome.

“However, if we can integrate the Mosan Sect’s esoteric technique, the Heaven and Earth Illusionary Sorcery, into this array, wouldn’t we succeed in buying a small window of time? At least until reinforcements or solutions arrive from the Martial Alliance.”

“…….”

The expressions of the senior leadership turned grim.

“Then the hidden sanctuary is intended for……?”

“Yes, it is a repository for the sacred texts and the vital future prospects of the Mosan Sect.”

“…….”

“Should the most catastrophic outcome occur, I will personally ensure the safety of those sheltered within and guide them out.”

Naturally, expecting a swiftly thrown-together array to repel the strikes of the Black Coffins was absurd. Rationally, someone would have to stand before it to delay the enemy. Though it wasn’t my preferred method, I was ultimately asking people to lay down their lives.

A oppressive stillness filled the room. A profoundly agonizing yet inescapable moment of decision had arrived, requiring us to choose who would survive and who would perish, separating those who would sacrifice their tomorrows from those who would preserve the legacy of yesterday. No one could bring themselves to speak under the crushing weight of a dilemma they had never faced before. Finally, a voice broke the quiet.

“Pavilion Master of Jung-hwan.”

Gu Song-baek addressed him.

“You must depart alongside the youths.”

The mature gentleman who met Gu Song-baek’s eyes shook his head in refusal.

“That is out of the question. If we are talking about arrays that can be raised in a day, our only options are the Ten Thousand Fog Formation and the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation. My presence is mandatory here to oversee the deployment of both.”

“The task can be accomplished even in your absence.”

“No. I am certain of it. If I am not here—”

The man shifted his gaze directly toward the Sect Leader, who was attempting to take the entire burden upon his own shoulders.

“The arrays will fail to stabilize correctly.”

Gu Song-baek paused, holding his breath for a brief spell before releasing a quiet groan.

“Won-chang, I understand your devotion. However.”

“…….”

“My primary concern rests entirely on the continuity of the Mosan Sect.”

“*Gu Sa-hyeong*!!!”

“While So-maeng and Cheol-yang possess commendable traits as instructors, do they not fall short when it comes to deciphering the ancient arts of our lineage that have remained hidden for centuries?”

The eyes of the Pavilion Master of Jung-hwan flickered with shock. Gu Song-baek had just indirectly stated something tantamount to breaking the ancient prohibitions of the past. The remaining elders were similarly unable to mask their astonishment.

“Haha, why does everyone look so startled? Have I uttered something forbidden?”

dishonesty.
“…….”

In truth, the phantasm arts of the Mosan Sect were frequently condemned by outsiders as drifting into heretical territory. Was there anyone who understood this reality better than Gu Song-baek?

“Catering to the judgments of others, suppressing our true identity, and desperately trying to force pieces together that were never meant to fit—our current plight is the consequence of that forced conformity. Do you truly wish to persist in this error while being fully aware of the mistake?”

Through his drained tone, everyone present could deeply sense the profound bitterness that Gu Song-baek carried within his heart.

“Won-chang.”

“Yes, *Sa-hyeong*.”

“If you and the children are the only ones to make it out of this place alive, never again resort to depending on the powerful as we did before. Build up your own might and defend yourselves.”

“……Understood.”

Gu Song-baek then adjusted his gaze toward me.

“*Jin So-hyeop*.”

“Please, speak.”

“By any chance, would the Tae-eul Sect be willing to welcome those youths under its wing?”

He posed the question with an air of forced detachment to avoid imposing on me, yet a faint tremor betrayed his underlying anxiety.

“Rebuilding our sect through mastery of formations will require an immense duration, and I dread that they might be branded as a wicked faction if they apply our phantasm arts improperly.”

I shook my head in response.

“Why is everyone focusing exclusively on grim scenarios? It goes without saying that every person present can survive this together. Rest easy.”

“…….”

Whether my attempt to lighten the grim mood was interpreted as a rejection, a shadow of despair passed over Gu Song-baek’s features. I took another step forward.

“*Mun-ju-nim*.”

“…….”

I addressed the man who was barely holding himself upright against the crushing weight of a bleak fate he viewed as a certainty.

“If, by some slim chance…… such a catastrophe unfolds, the Tae-eul Sect will shield the disciples of the Mosan Sect to the bitter end. I pledge this upon my personal honor and the reputation of my clan.”

“!!!!”

His eyes widening in shock, Gu Song-baek brought his hands together in a profound martial gesture and bowed deeply. Faint droplets of moisture splashed continuously onto the ground beneath him.

The disciples of the Mosan Sect swung into rapid motion. They began stockpiling emergency supplies within the Geon-cheong Hall, designated as their safe haven, while systematically identifying and relocating the most vital manuscripts, medicines, and relics from their archives. At the same time, every single individual, from the youngest to the elders, labored diligently to construct the defensive arrays.

*Thud—*
*Thud—*

The resonant vibrations of the shifting formations echoed at fixed intervals, and with every thud, the disciples cast apprehensive glances toward the source. Yet, as the tremors persisted, they simply gritted their teeth tighter and pushed forward with their tasks.

Concentrating their efforts around the Geon-cheong Hall, they separated into two factions: one group focused on erecting the Ten Thousand Fog Formation, while the other labored to install the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation along the pathway leading toward the Geon-cheong Hall.

Remarkably, my *Sa-je* proved to be quite useful to the Mosan Sect’s endeavors. Though I couldn’t be certain if he fully grasped the mechanics, Eun-ho was actively assisting Yu Ji-ryang with the complex arithmetic required for the array, while Geum-pyo dashed toward areas short on manpower to erect pillars and hoist heavy boulders.

Dong-ryong, who lacked the specific skills to assist otherwise, found himself unexpectedly swarmed by the younger disciples. Given the minimal age gap, he seemed to offer a peculiar sense of security to the youth of the Mosan Sect, sparking a continuous stream of inquiries and banter. Thanks to this arrangement, the adults were entirely freed from childcare duties.

Sa-ryeon approached me after completing the relocation and urgent treatment of the wounded.

“What is your actual plan?”

“I explained the entire strategy earlier.”

As I unpeeled the bindings to inspect my injuries, I found no open wounds remaining; only faint marks lingered on my skin. It wouldn’t take long for these blemishes to fade completely as well.

“…….”

Observing the faint marks, Sa-ryeon countered with a question.

“Ultimately, if you fail to halt Yong So-ah, all of these efforts amount to nothing, do they not?”

“Do not fret, I will contain him.”

“You retain that level of self-assurance even after being so utterly overwhelmed in your previous clash?”

“What are you implying? It was hardly a one-sided affair!”

“Then how is it you failed to leave even a minor scratch on him?”

“…….”

That was solely due to that bastard possessing absurd, rule-breaking supernatural abilities.

“Are you genuinely capable of matching him?”

“Yes, I can manage it.”

The skepticism lingering within Sa-ryeon’s gaze did not dissipate. She was undoubtedly recalling the sheer panic of navigating the Soul-Destroying Formation alongside Gu Song-baek.

“……There is no dishonor in retreating.”

A profound sense of dread filled her eyes.

“Because your adversary is Yong So-ah.”

However, should I choose that path, every soul sheltered within the Geon-cheong Hall would face execution.

“I feel sympathy for the plight of the Mosan Sect. Even so……”

Gradually, Sa-ryeon’s expression transformed into one of absolute resolve.

“I have absolutely no intention of sacrificing my *Dae-sa-hyeong* for the sake of the Mosan Sect.”

“…….”

“Therefore, the instant you sense the situation turning perilous, even by a hair’s breadth, you must flee. For I will refuse to withdraw until my *Sa-hyeong* takes flight.”

Sa-ryeon delivered this ultimatum with absolute certainty before turning on her heel and departing. For some reason, her manner of expressing concern felt chillingly intense.

Once Sa-ryeon had departed, I settled into a cross-legged position and initiated my meditative breathing techniques. My opponent was Yong So-ah, an entity capable of witnessing the future. Reflecting on our prior engagement sent a shiver down my spine. That bastard anticipated every stance I intended to execute and prepared beforehand, and even for the strategies I devised on pure instinct, he pre-engineered the perfect counters.

In reality, achieving victory against such a foe at an equal tier of strength was impossible, and even if one stood at a higher plane of cultivation, it remained highly uncertain whether one could claim triumph over a Yong So-ah who flawlessly executed the profound tenets of Succeeding by Striking Later and Softness Overcoming Strength.

‘Even so, I must find a way.’

For if I fail to contain Yong So-ah, every single effort will disintegrate into ash. Treating the problem like an unsolvable riddle laid directly before me, I began to conceptualize a methodology to counter that monster, turning the details of our previous duel over and over in my consciousness.

*Thud—*

*Crack.*

Fissures began to manifest across the boundary of the formation. Amidst the swirling white vapor, ink-black fractures spread as though the fabric of reality itself were shattering. The defensive barrier was on the brink of collapse. Surrounding the Geon-cheong Hall, the Ten Thousand Fog Formation stood active, while directly preceding it, the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation had been laid out.

Considering the mere twenty-four hours allocated for their creation, the arrays were functioning remarkably well. After validating the defensive positions of the sect members, I turned my gaze toward Yu Ji-ryang.

“*Yu Dae-hyeop*.”

“…….”

Yu Ji-ryang’s hands, extended toward the central hub of the array, were shuddering uncontrollably.

“*Yu Dae-hyeop*. Everything is under control.”

The moment I came forward and rested my palm on his shoulder, his trembling began to subside.

“Everyone will make it out alive.”

“You have my deepest gratitude, *Jin So-hyeop*!”

Yu Ji-ryang clamped his eyes shut and shifted a component of the central hub. Instantly, the protective barrier that had shielded the Mosan Sect dissolved all at once, laying bare the reality of the external perimeter. Past the perimeter wall, a dark mass of hundreds of combatants was swarming forward.

“The barrier has dropped!”

“Charge!”

“Leave no survivors!”

As if they had been waiting for this exact vulnerability, the Black Coffins surged forward like a pack of ravenous scavengers.

*Screech—*

Yu Ji-ryang and I swiftly retreated into the safe confines of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

The vanguard rushing blindly into the Mosan Sect grounds realized within moments that the courtyard was entirely deserted, prompting them to look suspiciously at the active formation deployed on one flank.

“Futile struggles!”

“It’s merely an array thrown together in a single day! Smite it with pure might!”

The forces of the Black Coffins unleashed a coordinated barrage of palm energy simultaneously, just as they had done previously.

*Boom—*
*Boom—*

However, they had overlooked a critical detail.

“It isn’t breaking?”

“This…… possesses no physical mass to strike.”

The Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation was not designed as a tangible solid barrier.

*Swish—*

While the Black Coffins remained grouped up before the array, a solitary, blindingly fast arrow shot through the mist from within the formation, impaling the throat of an enemy combatant.

“Take cover!”

*Swish—*
*Swish—*
*Swish—*

The Black Coffins scrambled backward to escape the sudden volley of projectiles raining down upon them. A handful of their numbers collapsed to the ground, but they suffered no major casualties beyond that initial shock.

“Fools. The Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation is nothing more than a labyrinthine array. Navigate it by aligning your coordinates with the moonlight!”

Shortly after, directed by leaders who recognized the true nature of the barrier, the Black Coffins began flooding directly into the labyrinth.

*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*

In the wake of their entry, the conflict erupted into full violence. The disciples of the Mosan Sect, who possessed intimate knowledge of the pathways within the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation, clashed fiercely with the Black Coffins who were hunting them down.

*Groan.*
*Argh.*
*Ugh.*

The tactic of utilizing the maze to launch surprise strikes against the advancing Black Coffins initially yielded positive results, but the core issue remained the combat proficiency of the Mosan Sect itself. The massive disparity in martial arts prowess quickly forced the Mosan Sect into a defensive crisis, even with the tactical advantage of the terrain.

“Miserable mystics……!”

Those Mosan disciples who failed to vanish back into the labyrinth in time were swiftly intercepted and seized by the throats by the Black Coffins.

“Form up into fireteams! Their numbers are vastly inferior to ours!”

The Black Coffins adjusted their tactics, advancing in small units of two or three. The momentum of the engagement began to shift back into the enemy’s favor once more.

“Khg……!”

“Where do you imagine you’re fleeing like a cornered rodent!”

Just as a Black Coffin’s blade gleamed in the air, poised to execute a cornered Mosan disciple.

*Crash!*

A massive bulwark slammed forward, throwing the attacker back by a full ten feet.

“Who are you calling a rodent?”

“Gah! You……!”

Faced with the imposing presence of the warrior brandishing the heavy shield, the Black Coffin hesitated, struggling to find his footing.

“Hah! Do you genuinely believe you can withstand our sheer numbers simply by hiding inside a parlor trick maze!”

“Yeah, I absolutely do.”

Geum-pyo tightened his fingers around the handles of his bulwark.

“Because our *Dae-sa-hyeong* never engages in a conflict he cannot win.”

The battlefield grew increasingly chaotic and violent. Positioned within a concealed pocket of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation, I extended my sensory awareness outward. The moment I verified that the vast majority of the Black Coffins had committed themselves inside the Mosan Sect perimeter, I darted out from the maze alongside Yu Ji-ryang, arriving directly before the main hub pillar.

“Do it.”

Upon my command, Yu Ji-ryang manipulated the mechanism of the pillar once more. As the previously deactivated formation snapped back into operation, the surrounding landscape was instantly inundated with a thick fog. The Black Coffins who had not yet navigated clear of the perimeter were instantly trapped within the dense vapor. I rapidly channeled my inner energy into the Illusionary Paper—a bizarre artifact originating from the Blood Cult designed to project phantasms inside any active formation. Though I couldn’t predict its overall efficacy, the frequent, agonizing shrieks echoing from the fog suggested it was performing admirably…….

“Do you truly believe a gimmick of that nature will alter the final outcome?”

An unexpected voice broke through the din. Hearing that voice, Yu Ji-ryang stiffened in terror and whipped his head around.

“……Yong So-ah.”

“Regardless of the measures you employ, the Mosan Sect is destined for eradication.”

“…….”

I called out firmly to Yu Ji-ryang, who was grinding his teeth in pure fury.

“*Yu Dae-hyeop*.”

He had a specific responsibility to fulfill, just as I had a specific duty to execute.

“……*Jin So-hyeop*! Ensure your own survival!”

Leaving me with those parting words, Yu Ji-ryang retreated back into the safety of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation. Yong So-ah merely kept his gaze locked onto me, making no move whatsoever to intercept the retreating Yu Ji-ryang.

“Do you doubt the validity of my words?”

Did I doubt his visions?

“I believe them completely.”

In response to my admission, his eyes widened slightly in brief surprise before settling back into a calm stare.

“And despite that knowledge, you choose to throw your life away in such an insignificant location?”

To him, it likely made no logical sense. But I had no desire or need to obtain his validation.

“That is simply—”

*Screech—*

I unsheathed the Red Light Sword.

“Because that constitutes my Justice (*Jeong-ui*).”

*Whirrrrr.*

Contrasting sharply against the radiant, golden moonlight, an ominous crimson glow rippled across the surface of the edge.

“And who exactly led you to believe I would perish quietly in this place?”

I lunged forward, launching myself directly at him.