Chapter 386: Entangled Fate (2)
The Demonic Master was startled inwardly as he saw Ok Kirin suddenly leap into the battlefield and slaughter the warriors of Dokgok.
‘What the? How did this guy know to come here?’
He glanced at Ok Kirin with a troubled expression.
Only then did the Demonic Master sense another presence besides Ok Kirin.
Previously, he couldn’t detect the hidden presence of the Flame Shadow Guard, but now, having absorbed the Yama True Energy and reached the Cycle Completion Stage, he was able to feel it.
Then, the Demonic Master swallowed a groan internally. The energy of the two people felt far too familiar.
‘That’s the energy of the martial art Hwarin calls Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art.’
Yong Hwarin’s Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art had originated from a secret manual the Demonic Master obtained while wandering the world during his middle years. Only later did he realize that manual belonged to the legendary assassin of the killer world—Invisible Phantom Kill.
The Dragon Scale Finger that Yong Hwarin referred to as Yongrinji was also one of Invisible Phantom Kill’s martial arts.
Even throughout his past life, the Demonic Master had never imagined there would be descendants of Invisible Phantom Kill.
‘Did they stumble upon Invisible Phantom Kill’s legacy by chance, or are they his true successors?’
The Demonic Master leaned toward the latter.
He didn’t know how the successors of Invisible Phantom Kill had come to serve the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Grand Heir, but they were dangerous individuals either way, and he remained on alert inside.
After all, he himself had used two of Invisible Phantom Kill’s martial techniques to narrowly escape death and defeat powerful enemies more than once in his past and current lives.
Thanks to Ok Kirin’s interference, the fight was swiftly resolved.
Moments later, the fifteen warriors of Dokgok lay cold and lifeless, sprawled across the ground.
“Brother Eum! Are you alright?!”
When Ok Kirin asked with a concerned expression, the Demonic Master realized something. The normally expressionless Grand Heir was now showing concern for him—that meant he must be scheming something.
“I’m fine.”
The moment the Demonic Master replied, Ok Kirin turned to look at the woman standing behind him.
“And who might this lady be?”
As the Demonic Master hesitated on how to answer, Yu Maerim stepped forward.
“I am Yu Maerim of the White Sword Sect.”
“Oh! I’m new to the martial world, so I’ve only heard of your famous name. I didn’t know your appearance.”
Hearing that, Yu Maerim looked at Ok Kirin and said,
“I have an overly grand alias… Holy White Sword.”
“Ah, I see. It’s an honor to meet the famed heroine of the White Sword Sect—so rarely seen in the martial world.”
Ok Kirin responded with a friendly smile and offered a clasped-hands greeting.
“I’m Brother Eum’s senior disciple.”
Yu Maerim was impressed—she couldn’t sense even a trace of energy from Ok Kirin.
‘If I can’t even sense his energy, he must’ve attained tremendous cultivation.’
The Demonic Master decided to observe Ok Kirin’s words and actions for now.
“But where are you headed?” Ok Kirin asked.
At his question, Yu Maerim glanced slightly at the Demonic Master and kept silent.
She judged that even if Ok Kirin claimed to be Eum Sajeok’s senior brother, it wasn’t something she should speak about lightly.
Watching the cautious Yu Maerim, Ok Kirin gave a faint smile.
“Brother, were you going somewhere without telling me?”
“Yes. Lady Yu was attacked by Dokgok, so I was escorting her outside the village.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Though Ok Kirin answered with a smile, his eyes were filled with suspicion.
As if to say—who would believe that?
Yu Maerim spoke.
“Now that you’ve met your companion, I’ll go alone. I will not forget Young Master Eum’s help.”
The Demonic Master grew concerned at the thought of her leaving alone.
“I’ll escort you at least to the outskirts of the village.”
“Yes, Brother Eum. We don’t know where the Dokgok warriors might be hiding. Letting Lady Yu go alone would be disgraceful for a martial artist. I’ll come along just in case.”
“There’s no need.”
“No, I was waiting for my junior sister anyway. If she does arrive, she’ll surely head in that direction. Think of it as me going to greet her.”
The Demonic Master furrowed his brow at a phrase he hadn’t heard before.
“Your junior sister is coming here?”
Ok Kirin smiled faintly. He already knew that Eum Sajeok had feelings for Hong Ayul.
“Yes, I’ve located her whereabouts. Something came up, so I told her a few days ago to come where we are.”
The Demonic Master stared into Ok Kirin’s eyes and thought to himself,
‘Did he call Hong Ayul here because of the Azure Dragon Three Marbles?’
If not for that reason, there was no need to call Hong Ayul here.
Since Ok Kirin kept making excuses to tag along, neither the Demonic Master nor Yu Maerim could find a reason to refuse.
“Young Masters, since you’re offering your protection, I can’t turn it down. Let’s go.”
She needed to find the Number One Sword Under Heaven, Jo Wonmuk, and detoxify the poison—so there was no time to waste.
If she couldn’t meet him at the Guanzhi Temple, they had a designated meeting place—a small cave she had noted before entering the village.
It was a promise only between the two of them—if anything happened, they’d meet there. That’s where Yu Maerim was headed now.
The three of them followed the path out of the village and soon came to a halt.
The first to stop was Yu Maerim.
And upon seeing the person being carried on the back of a middle-aged man, she muttered,
“Hero…!”
At the same time, a name slipped from Eum Sajeok’s lips.
“Sasamae!”
Hong Ayul was walking over, and Dong-o was following behind her while carrying the Supreme Sword Jo Wonmuk on his back.
Looking at the two, Hong Ayul spoke.
“Why are the Senior Brothers outside?”
“We were waiting for you, Sasamae.”
When Ok Girin said this, Hong Ayul glanced at him, thinking it was unusual, and replied.
“It has really been a long time.”
“Yes, it’s been a long while. I missed you.”
Ok Girin lightly revealed his true feelings, but before long, Hong Ayul was already greeting Eum Sajeok.
“Third Senior Brother, have you been well?”
“Yes, I have. And you?”
Hong Ayul asked in a very businesslike tone, staring intently at Eum Sajeok.
‘It feels like something about him has changed, but I don’t know what it is. Has he matured?’
For some reason, she was glad that the frivolousness she remembered no longer seemed to linger around Eum Sajeok.
“Who is the person you’re carrying?”
“Ah, I found him collapsed on the way, so I was taking him to a medical hall. He seems to be a martial artist, and I couldn’t just leave him to die.”
“Well done.”
When Ok Girin praised him, Hong Ayul stared at him with a truly strange expression.
She had seen the Young Lord since childhood, but he was never one to help others. In fact, he was the sort to mock such people as fools.
So for him to praise someone for helping was odd.
Then she realized that both Eum Sajeok and Ok Girin were restraining themselves because of her presence.
Ok Girin spoke up.
“They were calling him a great master. Do you perhaps know this gentleman, Lady Yu?”
Yu Maerim, noticing the attention, chose her words carefully.
“Yes, he has a special relationship with my master, but right now he is poisoned.”
Yu Maerim concealed the fact that he was the Supreme Sword.
No matter that Eum Sajeok claimed to be in Yong Hwarin’s group, she could not fully trust them.
If it had been only Eum Sajeok, perhaps she would, but with no Yong Hwarin present and only people radiating demonic qi, her suspicions grew.
“Why did you get separated from such a person?”
“There were circumstances.”
When Yu Maerim hid the truth, Ok Girin did not press further.
“First, we must treat the great master. We need to get to the nearest medical hall.”
The Demonic Master said.
“I will take him.”
Yu Maerim believed the one she could trust most right now was the Demonic Master, and she nodded.
“Then I leave the great master in your care.”
The Demonic Master received Jo Wonmuk from Dong-o and carried him.
“Do you know where the medical hall is? Follow me.”
Yu Maerim took the lead at a run, and the Demonic Master followed behind her.
Watching their backs, Ok Girin spoke.
“Follow them and confirm the location.”
At his words, two hidden presences in the air disappeared.
Ok Girin smiled and turned to Hong Ayul.
“Welcome, Sasamae. This is the first time we’ve met since you left seclusion.”
He greeted her with delight, but Hong Ayul answered halfheartedly.
“Yes, it must be six or seven years. You’ve changed a lot in the meantime, Senior Brother.”
Just as she said, the boyish appearance was gone, and Ok Girin now looked like a sturdy young man.
“You’ve changed as well, Sasamae. You’ve become a remarkable beauty.”
Ok Girin smiled kindly as he spoke.
“And you have become a fine manly figure, Senior Brother.”
Though Hong Ayul only said it out of courtesy, Ok Girin beamed happily at her words.
“Hahaha, isn’t that so? Then, Sasamae, why don’t you marry me?”
Though half in jest, his eyes carried sincerity.
Dong-o, seeing this, looked at him with a worried expression.
Perhaps others did not know, but he was aware of Hong Ayul’s origins.
That was why he worried about Young Lord Ok Girin harboring feelings for Hong Ayul.
As children, when they were too young to know any better, it hadn’t mattered if they grew close, but now as adults, things were different.
‘I must speak to Il Taegong about this later. If Girin learns the truth, he’ll give up on Yul-ah.’
As Dong-o stared at him for a moment, Ok Girin clasped his hands in greeting.
“I greet Elder of Makcheon Path.”
“It’s been a while, Young Lord.”
“Have you been in good health?”
“I have been well.”
“The Great Elder is at the inn.”
“Is that so?”
Dong-o disliked Great Elder Han Domyeong. His ambition for advancement was so strong that he would even betray companions for it.
Even his current title of Great Elder was gained in such a way, so Dong-o held him in contempt.
‘He must have tagged along just to curry favor with the Young Lord.’
Since Ok Girin would one day succeed the Heavenly Demon Sect, it made sense to try to earn his goodwill.
“I heard about Elder Pung Wol Yucheon and Elder Guk of the Three Strange Swords who has already passed away.”
“They were old men who went when their time came. Don’t trouble your heart too much.”
“They were especially close to me, so it saddens me.”
“If you truly feel that way, go back and give Guk a generous funeral.”
“I will keep it in mind. But Elder Jo is not here?”
“He said there was no use for a crippled leg to come here and returned to the main sect.”
“Ah, I see.”
The truth was, Ok Girin felt uneasy around the Three Fiends of Hua.
They only obeyed Il Taegong’s orders without question, making them difficult for him to control.
Moreover, they cherished Hong Ayul as though she were a granddaughter, which made approaching her even harder.
But now, with only Dong-o present, he thought perhaps he could make Hong Ayul his woman if he so desired.
As his lust stirred, he felt a dull ache tightening in his lower body.
Even after finishing secluded cultivation and embracing many women, he had not been able to find satisfaction.
Because it was Hong Ayul who was in his heart, Ok Girin vowed he would make her his woman.
Now that the time seemed near, a sly smile crept up and hung on his lips.
