"If one is prepared to face death, what is there to fear?"
"We must protect Young Master Cheon!"
The scattered cries quickly merged into a roar.
"Waaaaaah!"
"Let's fight!"
"Let's fight and win!"
"Uwaaaaaaah!"
The morale of the righteous faction members, which had sunk to the ground, soared to the heavens in an instant.
Dokgo Seol picked up Cho Ji-myung's Blue Dragon Halberd from the ground and spoke to Dokgo Mu-yeong.
"Father! I'll just exchange the Black Wolf Squad Leader and the Black Tortoise Squad Leader, then bring Young Master Cheon back!"
Dokgo Mu-yeong's eyes lit up as he nodded. The man who had seemed resigned moments ago now had the face of a warrior ready for battle once more.
"You must bring him back! We will fight. We will win!"
"Yes, sir!"
Dokgo Seol hurried after Cheon Ryu-yeong. Cheers erupted again from the righteous faction, directed at her.
"Waaaaaah! Please bring back Young Master Cheon!"
She turned her head toward them and nodded firmly, then quickly caught up to Cheon Ryu-yeong.
"Young Master Cheon! Can you hear that cheering? We're going to fight. So…"
Dokgo Seol looked at the side of Cheon Ryu-yeong's face and couldn't finish her sentence.
She had expected to see solemnity mixed with sorrow. But instead, his face was shining brightly.
"Young Master Cheon…"
"I told you, I'm not a young master."
His tone was calm.
In that moment, Dokgo Seol felt as if she'd been struck in the back of the head with a blunt weapon.
"You mean… you did that on purpose?"
Cheon Ryu-yeong replied with a faint, hazy smile.
"I can't rally morale with a single command like Great Hero Han or the Black Wolf Squad Leader can. But this was a moment when something to lift our spirits was absolutely necessary."
Without realizing it, Dokgo Seol nodded.
"Y-yes, that's true."
"There was only one thing I could do. I needed a catalyst to transform fear into sorrow and self-reproach, and then elevate that emotion into rage…"
Dokgo Seol cut in.
"Then… that was all an act?"
"An act… let's call it sincere acting, not a lie. I had no choice. There was no other way."
"…"
"Whether I was negotiating with the Celestial Demon Sword or doing anything else, nothing could be done with a unit whose morale had collapsed. Even if we fought, like earlier, paralyzed by fear, any strategy would end in certain defeat."
"…"
"Even bluster will do. Right now, we need to be fired up. Only then will the enemy not take us lightly. Only then will a path for survival open up."
A chill ran down Dokgo Seol's spine, and a shiver coursed through her whole body.
This man.
He was incredible. Wasn't he truly remarkable?
While renowned warriors quailed in the face of grim circumstances, this man did not shrink from fear. He faced it head-on and created a way forward—creating something from nothing.
"Young Master Cheon…"
"I told you, I'm not a young master."
"…"
Dokgo Seol walked beside him, gazing at his profile in a daze.
Her chest felt stronger, her shoulders straightened without her realizing it.
With this man—together with this man—she felt she could fight proudly and fearlessly anywhere.
Dokgo Seol.
For the first time in her life, she was falling for a man. Of course, she had no idea that the excitement she felt was the stirrings of affection toward the opposite sex.
Baek Un-hoe's eyes narrowed slightly.
The reason he had deliberately refrained from killing the Black Tortoise Squad was so they could return and demoralize the righteous faction by recounting what they had seen.
His plan had worked.
But now… the righteous faction's morale was blazing like fire.
"A man who can raise morale even without the Invincible Sword…"
Dokgo Mu-yeong was a fine general and a man of great character, but he was not someone who could seize people's hearts and ignite their fighting spirit in an instant.
"You again? Just how many times do you plan to surprise me today?"
Baek Un-hoe muttered to himself as he looked at the approaching man and woman.
The woman was a great beauty at a glance—a peerless beauty whose natural grace still shone through despite having been disheveled by fierce battle.
She was likely Dokgo Seol, the daughter of the Dokgo clan.
But Baek Un-hoe only glanced at her briefly before fixing his gaze on the man.
The man wore clothes that only someone of the lower classes would wear—not the attire of someone who would be called a young master.
Unable to discern his identity, Baek Un-hoe felt perplexed. Yet, he faced Cheon Ryu-yeong with a calm expression.
Cheon Ryu-yeong gently laid the Black Wolf Squad Leader on the ground ten paces from Baek Un-hoe. In turn, Baek Un-hoe set Neung Un-bi down as well.
The three of them circled around each other in opposite directions, picked up their unconscious allies, and returned to their respective sides.
Cheon Ryu-yeong and Baek Un-hoe stood facing each other.
Cheon Ryu-yeong remained calm, but Baek Un-hoe's face was stiff. He had already heard of Cho Ji-myung's injuries, but the man's condition was worse than expected. Covered in blood, Cho Ji-myung's body spoke more clearly than words of the fierce battle he had endured.
Baek Un-hoe broke the silence.
"So, you're Young Master Cheon?"
Cheon Ryu-yeong bit back a wry smile before speaking.
"Excuse me, but I'm a bit worn out, so I'll put down the Black Tortoise Squad Leader for a moment."
"…"
Cheon Ryu-yeong set Neung Un-bi beside him and continued, looking at Baek Un-hoe.
"I've been called 'young master' a lot today. But I'm not. I'm just an ordinary person."
"…"
"Oh! I did work as a porter for the Jinsan Escort Agency for seven years. And I was fired yesterday. Well, you'll probably investigate me anyway, so feel free to ask if you're curious."
Baek Un-hoe's expression, which had been impassive, now showed disbelief.
"Heh. And I'm supposed to believe that? That you were hauling cargo for an escort agency yesterday and today you're the strategist leading the righteous faction?"
"Well, even I find it hard to believe, so I can't exactly force you to. But it's the truth. When you investigate me later, it'll all come out—so why lie?"
Baek Un-hoe's eyes wavered.
"So it's true."
"I told you so."
"Whoever owns the Jinsan Escort Agency must be a fool. To use someone like you as a porter for seven years without realizing your worth… if you were my subordinate, I'd have taken his head on the spot."
"Hahaha. Compliments are always welcome."
Cheon Ryu-yeong laughed in good humor, and Dokgo Seol looked utterly defeated.
'Cheon Ryu-yeong! This man's heart must be made of steel.'
It wasn't just her who thought that—Baek Un-hoe chuckled and shook his head.
"Then what should I call you?"
"Cheon Ryu-yeong."
"A fine name."
"You keep complimenting me—this is getting a little embarrassing. Hahaha."
"So you're saying you joined the righteous faction by some chance either yesterday or today?"
"Exactly. The beautiful lady beside me, out of pity for my poverty, gave me a hundred silver taels. I wanted to repay her kindness, and somehow that led me here."
"Is that so? Hahaha. Interesting."
A strange smile crossed Baek Un-hoe's lips, and Dokgo Seol felt a wave of unease.
The Celestial Demon Sword—Baek Un-hoe.
That terrifying master of the Demonic Cult was now looking quite favorably on Cheon Ryu-yeong, despite the fact that he had slain many of their people.
Baek Un-hoe looked directly at Cheon Ryu-yeong and spoke.
"Why not join me?"
Dokgo Seol bit her lip, realizing her foreboding was correct. Before she could interrupt, Baek Un-hoe continued.
"Not a hundred silver taels, but I'll bury you in wealth for the rest of your life. I'll give you countless beauties and power as well. What do you say? Let's ride across the world together. I will hold you in high esteem."
"…"
"If you feel any guilt toward those righteous faction members over there… I'll even include the condition of sparing them. That way, they could never condemn you."
Cheon Ryu-yeong wiped the trace of youthful laughter from his face, narrowing his brows.
The seriousness in his expression made Dokgo Seol uneasy.
This was… a perfect temptation meant to recruit him.
After a brief silence, Cheon Ryu-yeong spoke.
"I've long admired the stories about the Celestial Demon Sword, brother. Ah! May I call you brother?"
At his words, a smile deepened on Baek Un-hoe's lips.
"If you wish, I'll gladly take you as a sworn brother and look after you."
"Thank you. I…"
Unable to stand it any longer, Dokgo Seol cut in.
"Young Master Cheon! Right now, the Celestial Demon Sword is trying to—ugh!"
Her voice faltered as an overwhelming, formless killing intent crashed down on her.
Baek Un-hoe's gaze, entirely different from the one he'd used on Cheon Ryu-yeong, turned cold.
"Woman. This is no place for you to speak."
Dokgo Seol's breath caught in her throat. The pressure wasn't just immense—it was terrifying beyond comprehension, making her feel as if she might suffocate to death.
She tried to muster all her inner power to resist, but it was like tossing a stone into the ocean; her energy was completely neutralized without even the chance to struggle.
Cheon Ryu-yeong saw her pale, terrified face and spoke.
"Please withdraw your power. We came here for a hostage exchange, did we not? This is not something befitting someone known as the Hero of the Demonic Path."
In that moment, Dokgo Seol felt the crushing aura around her vanish completely.
"Hah… hah…"
She staggered, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.
It had lasted only a short while, but her body was drenched in cold sweat, and she was breathing heavily.
Cheon Ryu-yeong placed both hands on her trembling shoulders.
"Are you all right?"
"Y-Young Master Cheon…"
"There you go again with the 'young master.' Are you all right?"
She looked up at him as she steadied her breathing.
"Don't… go."
"…"
"We may have known each other for less than a day… but we drank together. We fought together."
Even as she spoke, she felt a pang of inadequacy—this was all she could offer. The other side was promising him everything…
Blood tinged her lips. With most of her inner strength already spent, she had finally sustained internal injuries.
Cheon Ryu-yeong only smiled.
It was a warm, gentle smile. Seeing it, Dokgo Seol couldn't help but smile back. Her heart raced, but at the same time, she felt reassured.
Patting her shoulder lightly, Cheon Ryu-yeong turned to face Baek Un-hoe.
"Regrettably… what I just saw was not the Celestial Demon Sword I admired."
Baek Un-hoe frowned slightly before replying.
"This is the birth of a new destiny for you and me. And I am certain—if you join me, we can seize the world far more easily."
"The world… You see it too lightly."
"I don't take it lightly. I believe… in myself. Even if it seems impossible, I believe in my dream, my ability, and my passion. I've turned countless impossibilities into reality that way."
"Well… if it's you, brother, you have the right to say that. I'll acknowledge it."
"Cheon Ryu-yeong. Join me. Within a few years, let's stand at the very peak of the world together. I… have confidence."
Cheon Ryu-yeong looked up at the sky.
"Do you wish to become the sky itself?"
Baek Un-hoe smiled faintly.
"That's the same question I was asked before I entered the Celestial Demon Cave—a place no one had ever returned from alive."
"And how did you answer?"
"Pa-cheon (Breaking the Heavens)! I said I would shatter the sky."
Cheon Ryu-yeong lowered his gaze to meet Baek Un-hoe's. The latter continued.
"The world is rotten. A time when the privileged abuse their power. In that case, it must be broken and remade—a new sky. Cheon Ryu-yeong! I will establish a new order. The strong will fulfill the obligations of their strength and be respected; the weak will be protected."
Cheon Ryu-yeong nodded.
"Your words alone are exciting. You truly are the hero I admired."
"One last time I ask—will you join me? If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to eliminate you and the righteous faction. That's not something you want, is it?"
Cheon Ryu-yeong turned to Dokgo Seol. She met his gaze with anxious eyes.
"Young Master Cheon…"
"My worth rising this much is probably thanks to Miss Dokgo. We met yesterday, you bought me drinks, and gave me silver… It's because of that hundred taels that I'm here now."
Her unease deepened. Yet she couldn't bring herself to stop him—it would be shameless to do so now.
Two paths lay before Cheon Ryu-yeong.
One was to become the Celestial Demon Sword's strategist and sworn brother. That path promised wealth, power, beautiful women, and the chance to burn with ambition as a man.
The other was to stay and fight here… with an overwhelmingly high chance of dying.
How could she tell him to return with her and fight? And yet, she desperately wished he wouldn't go.
Without him… even the threadlike hope for herself and the others left behind would vanish.
Without him…
She bit her lip hard.
She was nothing. Without him, she would have died already.
Cheon Ryu-yeong looked into her trembling eyes and asked:
"Miss Dokgo, what can you or the righteous faction offer me?"
"…"
"Power, wealth, beauty, and ambition as a man. What else can you give me?"
"We… we can't offer anything as great as the Celestial Demon Sword says…"
"…"
"But… can't you stay? To me, and to us, you…"
Her voice trailed off, unable to continue. Her clear eyes shimmered with tears.
She was not one to cry. In fact, she tended to be dry and hard. But now, her chest swelled painfully, and she longed for Cheon Ryu-yeong with all her heart.
Without him… she couldn't even think of what would come next. No—she didn't want to think about it.
When she couldn't go on, Cheon Ryu-yeong spoke.
"So, nothing in particular you can give me. But… haven't you already given me something greater?"
"What?"
"Your lives."
"…!"
Her eyes widened as Cheon Ryu-yeong turned his gaze to Baek Un-hoe.
"If I had met you first, brother, and you had recognized my worth… I would have gladly followed you. But now, I can't. Because over there are the people who died to save me. Because their lives now rest as a burden on my shoulders. And I can't turn away from that burden anymore."
Baek Un-hoe's face showed his disappointment as he swallowed a sigh.
"So that's a refusal?"
Cheon Ryu-yeong nodded.
"Yes. I like the aim of your Breaking the Heavens Plan. But in the end, it's just another form of power and violence. Along the way, many innocent lives will be sacrificed. History shows that a sudden revolution only invites backlash and demands even greater bloodshed."
"Heh… so we think differently."
"Yes. Revolution may be possible as a tool used by people, but not in their hearts. If it were me, I would choose reform. Only reform—trusting and embracing people—can truly break the heavens and achieve real revolution."
"Foolish. Do you not know why they say reform is harder than revolution? Listen well, Cheon Ryu-yeong. The world is led by visionaries and heroes. And you would put your faith in moths drawn mindlessly to the flame?"
"Yes. It's foolish, I know. But I'm human too… so I think I should believe in people. Rather than ruling the world with a small, select group, wouldn't it be better if many awakened and walked together? It wouldn't be lonely."
Baek Un-hoe's gaze shifted from disappointment to a chilling coldness.
"I'd like to talk more and persuade you, but it seems you've already made up your mind."
"If I'd met you before Miss Dokgo… I would have tried to persuade you instead."
"Heh. Then there's nothing more to say. Go. Soon, I'll wipe you all out completely. You'll regret refusing my offer with your dying breath."
Cheon Ryu-yeong shrugged.
"Do you think we're going to lose?"
"Heh. I'll show you—the fear that comes from an overwhelming difference in power."
"Well… I'm confident we won't lose."
A strange light flickered deep in Baek Un-hoe's eyes. Cheon Ryu-yeong met his gaze calmly, smiled faintly, and spoke.
"How about we have a match? I promise you this—Celestial Demon Sword, you will never defeat us."
At his bold declaration, it wasn't Baek Un-hoe but Dokgo Seol who was more shocked, her mouth falling open.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]