Chapter 513

Chapter 513
## Chapter 513. Into the Darkness (8)

—

The **Sword Zenith** and the **Black King**.

The entire Jianghu erupted in turmoil at the mere mention of these two unmatched titans. Countless forged and authentic treasure charts were trading hands under a cloud of deep skepticism. Yet, the reason so many martial artists threw their lives away like worthless weeds was the irresistible allure bound to the names of these two legends. Once the legendary armaments of these figures—the **Bo-gwang-sin-bi-geom** and the **Pae-wang-tal-hon-do**—were unearthed, it became an undeniable certainty that martial artists would storm the Sword Tomb.

Had these priceless divine weapons been the only things recovered, the frenzy might have subsided, but instead, the mania only intensified. The true catalyst was their ultimate power: their unique martial arts. While reclaiming the **Bo-gwang-sin-bi-geom** and the **Pae-wang-tal-hon-do** promised worldly riches beyond imagination, the martial techniques of these two figures offered something grander—’the power to alter destiny itself.’ After all, do not wealth and authority ultimately bow before absolute, crushing force?

Unrivaled martial supremacy. The grand tapestry of history had demonstrated time and again that the individual wielding such power could claim total dominance over the Jianghu. It was only natural that the wanderers of the martial world, who felt this historical reality in their very bones, would stake their lives on these dual legacies. And among those treasures, the crowning jewels were undoubtedly the ultimate secret manuals.

The **Black King**’s [**Mu-geuk-pae-wang-do**], and the **Sword Zenith**’s [**Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**].

However,

“This…… how did *you* come to possess it?”

One of those legendary texts, the [**Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**], had just slipped out from the folds of **Do-gwang-su**’s garments.

“……”

**Do-gwang-su**’s eyes darted frantically. He cast terrified glances toward **Dang-seo-hee**, **Il-gak**, **Geum-pyo**, and **Nam-hwa-seong**, before looking back and forth between me and the [**Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**] currently resting in my grip. He appeared to be locked in a desperate internal conflict over whether to make a reckless gamble.

*‘Is he contemplating snatching it and making a run for it?’*

Even though he was a practitioner of martial arts himself and could reasonably gauge an opponent’s prowess, the fact that he was hesitating showed just how hypnotic the **Sword Zenith**’s sword manual truly was. Such a temptation could not be easily brushed aside.

Judging by the physical condition of the text, it was clearly ancient. It had evidently been poorly preserved; the paper had repeatedly absorbed moisture and dried out, leaving it brittle, worn, and looking as though it would disintegrate under the slightest pressure. I began turning the fragile pages while giving **Do-gwang-su** time to resolve his dilemma.

[I scale the Emerald Mountain, merging with Heaven and Earth, and as I raise my blade, the entire cosmos finds its home within the steel.]

I paused for a moment, struck by the audacity of the opening lines.

*‘What an incredibly arrogant introduction…….’*

An absurd overestimation of his own blade craft and a conceited claim that he had unraveled the ultimate truths of existence through a single style. The preamble was grand enough to make the word ‘grandiose’ seem an understatement, making me instantly skeptical about whether this legacy was genuine.

*‘Oh……?’*

Yet, the moment my eyes swept over the structural principles, the subtle nuances of the technique, and the specific formulas and stances beginning on the very next page, an instinct washed over me. This martial art was truly extraordinary. The manual bore no signs of revisions or altered passages. Though I couldn’t fully grasp its depth immediately, there didn’t appear to be any deceptive elements meant to induce internal cultivation injuries by reversing characters.

*‘I’ll have to analyze it more thoroughly later, though.’*

Despite only skimming the text once, the fluid concepts and stances of the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop** were already materializing vividly within my mind. It beautifully illustrated the old adage that the more profound a martial art is, the more naturally it takes root, leaving a deep and lasting imprint on the mind.

*‘To think they actually put out the authentic **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**…….’*

I was aware that the Demonic Cult intended to dangle the artifacts of the **Sword Zenith** and the **Black King** alongside several other heritages, but I never anticipated they would willingly surrender the core essence, the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**. On the flip side, realizing they considered it so utterly worthless to their own goals sent a genuine shiver down my spine.

“**Ji—Jin Dae-hyeop**, you who are renowned for being fair, just, and deeply honorable……”

Hearing **Do-gwang-su** begin to stammer at length, it seemed he had reached a conclusion.

“Th—That is an artifact I obtained by putting my life on the line. So please…… would you consider retu— *Aaaak*!”

The moment I made a subtle movement as if to rip the manual in half, **Do-gwang-su** shrieked in terror.

“To think a simple gesture would scare you so thoroughly, *tsk*.”

“*Heu-eo-eo*…… *heu-eo-eo-eo*……”

From the first passage to the very last line of the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**, I had already committed everything to memory. Not just the written characters, but even the distinct blemishes on the pages were locked in my mind, rendering the physical sheaf of paper entirely redundant. Even so.

“Tell me the unvarnished truth. How did you come across this?”

“Di—Did I not already explain? While I was risking my life exploring the caverns……”

For a low-level scoundrel of **Do-gwang-su**’s caliber to simply stroll into a miraculous encounter and stumble upon a legendary sword style? And in a subterranean labyrinth crawling with this many martial artists? It sounded far more plausible that he had thrown himself off a random precipice and landed squarely on a miracle.

“If you refuse to speak honestly, I will reduce this to ashes right now.”

“*E—Eh*?”

“How did you acquire it?”

**Do-gwang-su**’s eyes began rolling about anxiously.

“I’ll burn it the moment I catch you lying.”

“I, that…… well, you see……”

“One, two……”

“……Fine, I picked—I picked it up off the ground!!”

“*Eh*?”

“*Mmm*?”

Not only myself, but even the companions listening closely nearby couldn’t suppress their skepticism.

“While I was fleeing from my comrades, I happened upon a cave filled with corpses…… and I scavenged it from there.”

“So you looted the dead?”

“……”

**Do-gwang-su** dropped his head in absolute humiliation. However, that detail wasn’t the critical issue at the moment.

“So, what happened after that?”

“Pardon?”

“Why didn’t you make your escape outside?”

“I tried to escape……”

A hollow, defeated expression settled over **Do-gwang-su**’s face.

“It was simply that escaping proved impossible.”

“You had a guide map in your possession, didn’t you?”

In an instant, a flash of pure resentment ignited in **Do-gwang-su**’s gaze, as if he were staring at the murderer of his kin.

“What’s with that look?”

“……N—No. I attempted to find the exit by following the chart, but ultimately, it was impossible to leave. The subterranean passages had shifted.”

What kind of nonsense was this?

“The passages shifted?”

**Do-gwang-su** muttered under his breath while staring down at the treasure chart.

“Tunnels that were clearly marked simply vanished, and routes that never existed suddenly appeared…… by now, this guide map has rendered itself completely worthless.”

“Are you absolutely certain you didn’t just lose your way?”

**Do-gwang-su** answered with unwavering confidence.

“It structuralized anew, without a doubt. This **Do-gwang-su**! I possess a flawless memory for paths once traveled. Furthermore, for some baffling reason, I was being hunted relentlessly.”

“Hunted?”

“Even when I concealed myself in an isolated, dark cavern, people consistently managed to track me down.”

“Track you?”

“Yes. They were even aware of my identity.”

“……”

The legacies of the **Sword Zenith** and the **Black King** were deliberately leaked by the operatives of the Demonic Cult, who were orchestrating a bloodbath inside the Sword Tomb precisely according to their designs.

*‘Those utterly wretched bastards…….’*

I desperately wanted to serve them a massive helping of ruin for their deceitful schemes, but they weren’t our immediate priority. Linking up with **Moyong-seol** took precedence over all else.

“Hey, take it back.”

“Yes? What?”

When I extended the manual toward him, **Do-gwang-su** looked completely bewildered instead.

“You claimed you wanted it. Take it.”

The moment I tossed the text, the fellow scrambled in a panic to catch it, clutching the manual tightly against his chest inside his robes.

“I hope you manage to get out of here alive.”

“……”

Sensing something unsettling in my detached demeanor, **Do-gwang-su** called out frantically.

“W—Wait a moment, **Jin Dae-hyeop**!”

“What is it?”

“P—Please allow me to travel with you.”

“Our path leads deeper into the interior. We have business to attend to.”

“I—I will accompany you anywhere.”

Just as I anticipated. I gave a slow nod.

“Very well, but it comes with a strict condition.”

“Ju—Just name it.”

“Incinerate that text right now.”

“What?!”

“*Eh*?!”

“*Heok*!”

Not only **Do-gwang-su**, but even **Nam-hwa-seong** and **Ya-yul-geuk** gaped at me as if I had completely lost my mind. ……Though, frankly, for **Ya-yul-geuk** to look that shocked was a bit ridiculous.

“Don’t you comprehend the situation? Because of that object, the ‘rats’ are tracking your scent continuously. You even stated they knew your exact name.”

“……Even so……”

**Nam-hwa-seong** turned deathly pale and chimed in.

“Th—That’s right, **Jin-so-un**, even if this is an elaborate snare, we bear a responsibility to officially deliver this text to the Murim Alliance……”

Human beings truly cannot conceive of their own demise until they are staring directly into the abyss of death.

“**Ji—Jin Dae-hyeop**, how about we compromise? I will hand the authentic text over to **Jin Dae-hyeop**. I only ask to keep a single transcribed copy for myself……”

**Do-gwang-su** was attempting to strike a bargain, an act entirely out of character for him.

“Silence.”

If we continued navigating these tunnels while holding onto that manual, our movements would inevitably become restricted by the need to protect it. Burning the secret text would throw an unexpected wrench into the Demonic Cult’s calculations while simultaneously unburdening our party.

“Make your choice. Is it the sword manual, or our protection?”

“……!”

Realizing that my ultimatum was deadly serious, **Do-gwang-su**’s jaw dropped. This was a perfectly logical crossroad.

“Fine. Then I bid you a safe journey out.”

The moment I turned to walk away, **Do-gwang-su** went pale and desperately grabbed hold of my sleeve.

“Th—Then you must promise to keep me safe.”

This scoundrel was trying to wiggle his way through again. I coldly brushed his hand off.

“We travel together, but survival and death are up to fate.”

“……”

**Do-gwang-su**’s face gradually contorted into an ugly scowl.

“You…… absolute…… bastard.”

“*Mmm*? What was that?”

I was fairly certain he had just muttered an insult.

“I understand. In that case……”

Well, I could overlook it as a trick of the ears just this once. I channeled the intense internal energy of the **Tae-yang-hu**. A spark ignited at the tip of my index finger, leaping forward to catch the pages of the [**Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**].

*Fwoosh.*

Lacking any residual moisture, the dry paper ignited instantly, engulfed in roaring flames within a heartbeat. Once more than half of it had turned to ash, I brought my boot down firmly to snuff out the fire.

“……?”

“We need to leave a recognizable remnant. That way, they can continue playing their twisted little games with it.”

**Do-gwang-su** stared at me as if he were beholding some bizarre, incomprehensible entity for the very first time in his life.

Not long after **Do-gwang-su** fell into our ranks.

“Over there! The **Sword Zenith**’s secret manual is right over there!”

Precisely as **Do-gwang-su** had warned, the pursuers materialized on our trail.

*‘You miserable pieces of trash.’*

This confirmed it beyond a shadow of a doubt. The operatives of the Demonic Cult were intentionally inciting a chaotic free-for-all by circulating these manuals and ensuring they fell into specific hands.

“Just as expected! I knew you would flee down this path!”

What proved this could never be mere coincidence was the fact that two distinct factions were already hard on our heels. We hadn’t crossed paths by accident, nor had we flaunted the manual, yet they tracked us down like vengeful spirits, as though a pungent scent were radiating from our skin.

“**Jin Siju**!”

The situation was growing incredibly tense, but one positive development was that **Il-gak** had entered a heightened state of martial readiness.

“The numbers are swelling constantly.”

Whether he realized it or not, the murderous intent he typically kept under strict lock and key was beginning to faintly manifest around him.

“We need to break their pursuit.”

“Where do you intend to strike first?”

“No, for now, we lure even more of them in.”

“What exactly do you mean by that……”

“We keep running until at least four or five separate factions converge on us.”

I couldn’t risk approaching **Moyong-seol** with a relentless tail of hunters attached to us. It was imperative that we thoroughly wipe them out right here. Just then.

“Halt!”

A fresh contingent of martial artists cut off our escape route from the front right quadrant.

“Assume combat formation!”

**Do-gwang-su**’s face drained entirely of color.

“**Ji—Jin Dae—Dae-hyeop**! Could you perhaps place me safely inside the protective sword formation?”

“Do you honestly consider yourself a guest of honor here?”

“Pardon?”

Right by my flank is the absolute safest place for you.

“Stay within half a *jang* of my position, and you won’t lose your life.”

“Wa—Wait……”

[**Baek-wol-je-cheon-sam-sik**]
[First Style]
[**Extreme Speed**]

A brilliant flash of light rent the cavern air, followed closely by the thunderous boom of displaced atmosphere.

*Kwaaaa-ek—*

The vanguard blocking our path sprayed crimson as jagged, deep wounds tore across their chests, shattering the weapons they held aloft.

“*Uwaaa-ak*!”
“*Kugh*!”
“*Krrgh*!”

I pressed my advantage, accelerating into the absolute thick of their ranks.

*Chrararara.*

The sweeping trajectories of the **Red Light Sword** fanned out across the darkness like an elegant tapestry, and a sequence of razor-sharp arcs instantly mutilated the bodies of five attackers.

“My—My hand!”
“S—Save me!”

Trampling over their fallen allies, the warriors in the rear charged forward relentlessly. A few even used the writhing bodies of their comrades as stepping stones to advance, completely unbothered by their well-being. This cold habit of treating everything around them as mere tools for their ambitions was identical to the behavior of the demons themselves.

“*Hiek*!”

**Do-gwang-su**’s paralyzed terror was no different from how the ordinary denizens of the Jianghu reacted when confronted by demons in my previous life. Unfathomable barbarity can strike absolute terror into a person, completely irrespective of their martial prowess. The most effective countermeasure in such moments is simple: to stop viewing them as human beings altogether.

*Skreeee-ak—*

The **Bi-ryu-mu-hyeong-geom** moved along a flawless, invisible trajectory, carving through the opposition. The moment I shattered their frontline, the **Baek-ho** sword formation surged in behind me, completely dismantling what remained. In a single breath, we had crippled a force numbering over twenty men.

“Disregard the stragglers! Keep moving!”

We had broken one group, but two more were closing the distance rapidly. After weaving through a labyrinth of narrow fissures, we finally spilled out into a massive, cavernous chamber. Right on cue, the five separate factions I had been waiting for filed in, cornering us tightly.

“Hold your positions.”

At my command, the elite members of the **Yoseong-dang** instantly shifted into a defensive sword formation, weapons at the ready. I mobilized the full depth of the **Tae-eul-jin-gyeong** within my meridians, flooding the blade of the **Red Light Sword** with raw energy. A vibrant crimson glow erupted along the center of the steel, accompanied by an eerie, otherworldly wail.

*Gue-eo-eo-eo.*

Moments later, a dense shroud of sword-qi began to envelop the **Red Light Sword**. I continuously fed internal force into the manifest aura, watching it swell from one *ja* to three *ja* in length. It was a staggering volume of qi that would have reduced an ordinary blade to molten fragments instantly, yet the **Red Light Sword** absorbed the torrent effortlessly. Just as the massive cavern became fully packed with our pursuers, I unleashed the colossal sword-qi, which had stretched to nearly two *jang* in length, directly into their midst.

*Skreeee-ak—*

The devastating wave of sword-qi sheared through the center of the cavern, tearing a profound chasm directly before the feet of the advancing hunters. The entire crowd flinched, halting their advance simultaneously.

“Why are you hunting us?”

In response to my question, a middle-aged martial artist standing at the absolute vanguard stepped forward.

“Word has spread that you carry the **Sword Zenith**’s ultimate secret manual.”

“And why would a common thug from the **Huk-do** dare covet such a treasure?”

“The tongue on this arrogant brat is remarkably insolent.”

“Cut to the chase. What’s your point?”

The middle-aged warrior raised his blade, declaring with performative gravity:

“Surrender the text immediately. Do so, and I shall grant you the mercy of leaving here alive.”

“Very well, you can have it.”

“How dare you mock the grand name of **Dok-gal-sa**…… *eung*?”

“I said I will give it to you.”

The weapon belonging to the man who identified himself as **Dok-gal-sa** (Poison Scorpion) wavered awkwardly.

“Ar—Are you being serious?”

“Indeed. But tell me, who was the individual who informed you that this secret manual was in my possession?”

I kept my eyes locked on the subtle shift in **Dok-gal-sa**’s gaze as he involuntarily glanced toward a specific spot.

“What does that matter now! Just toss the manual over.”

“*Ah-ah*— fair enough.”

I lifted the wooden container that **Do-gwang-su** had been guarding so fiercely. The mob filling the cavern seemed to instantly recognize the significance of the container.

“Catch.”

I hurled the wooden box with all the strength I could muster as the words left my lips. However, the latch on the container burst open mid-flight before it could reach **Dok-gal-sa**,

*Thump—*

The partially scorched pages of the [**Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop**] scattered loosely in completely the wrong direction.

“Oops. My hand slipped.”

“You wretched little brat!”

Yet, not a single one of them lunged at me. Their immediate priority was to secure that bundle of fragile paper…… which they fully believed to be the legendary manual. Without even pausing to verify its authenticity, dozens of greedy hands thrust forward to claim the prize.

“Wa—Wait! Stop pulling on it!”
“It belongs to me!”
“Clear the path, you bastards!”

The entire chamber devolved into absolute anarchy in an instant, and the fragile text disintegrated into nothingness amidst the thrashing mob. Agonized shrieks began to echo from the tangled pile of bodies, and inevitably, weapons were drawn, followed swiftly by the spraying of blood. Utilizing the phantom-like movements of the **Gwi-sik-haeng-bo**, I plunged silently into the chaotic crowd.

And there.

*‘Found you.’*

A figure who was merely pretending to participate in the brawl by casting random stones and screaming curses, all while subtly slinking away from the epicenter of the violence. This individual was maintaining absolute clarity of mind, as though they had ingested the perfect antidote for **Musim-hwan-gak-san**……. The exact moment I closed the distance behind them and struck their pressure points.

“*Heok*! Dammit!”

The figure twisted frantically in an attempt to evade, but.

“Got you. You slippery bastard.”

I was a fraction of a second quicker.

“Wh—Why are you targeting me! I—I haven’t raised a hand against you……”

“*Yes, yes*, you’re entirely innocent. Your only crime is……”

I lightly slapped the cheek of the individual, whose face grew more irritating the longer I stared at it.

“Being born a complete mistake—”

The eyes of the operative disguised as a righteous disciple of a **Baek-do** sect trembled with pure terror.

“You miserable Demonic Cult bastard.”