Chapter 239: Embraced in His Arms

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The sound cutting through the darkness of the mountains.

HWIHWIHWIT, HWIHWIHWIHWIT-

The leather-caped man, a subordinate of the ronin who had mercilessly destroyed the Divine Martial Sword, thus deployed ethereal lightness technique and instantly vanished into concealment.

It was lofty movement possessing both swiftness and secrecy.

Around that time.

Yeom Sang-ah, having ascended the tower on the east side of Zhongnan Sect’s grounds, quietly gazed down in the direction the mysterious visitor had moved.

‘His movements are extraordinary. Who on earth…’

Aryun-nan’s transmitted voice from earlier passed through her mind.

-I’m fine so don’t show displeasure. He is an envoy sent by my benefactor.

-He is someone sent by a person who gave great help in realizing my new power.

She had never known until now.

That a secret collaborator existed in Aryun-nan’s martial achievements…

Earlier, Moon Right Envoy had said.

A distinguished guest.

That meant Moon Right Envoy had been told the secret history related to the martial achievements in advance.

As for First Seat…?

He probably might not know.

No.

He probably didn’t know.

If it was Aryun-nan, he would have arranged it so that even the two shadows beneath him didn’t know about each other.

Such was his disposition.

Cunning and crafty.

Even she, his daughter, hadn’t known until now.

‘HMPH. I suppose it’s fortunate if lucky. That he taught me late rather than never…’

At that moment, a faint presence was heard.

SEUSEUT.

Yeom Sang-ah quickly straightened her expression and turned her head.

Not far behind.

The figure of Aryun-nan standing with hands clasped behind his back was visible.

“Father.”

Bowing her head, Yeom Sang-ah murmured inwardly.

‘HE’S not someone I can let my guard down around.’

Going so far as to climb up here using Moon Night Secret Step, a supreme lightness technique.

Though it always happened, it was exasperating.

Aryun-nan approached her side and praised.

“HUT. Excellent. You sensed this presence?”

“AH… Yes. Though it was only a tiny bit…”

Yeom Sang-ah received the words with a pretend-bashful expression.

Seeing that face, Aryun-nan’s smile deepened further.

“Just that alone is remarkable. You’ve reached a level rivaling Yue’s honed ki sense.”

“I’m glad you say so.”

Yeom Sang-ah smiled back gently, then turned her gaze again to the darkness of the mountains.

“Father, by the way, who was that person from earlier…?”

“You must naturally be curious.”

“Yes, honestly I was surprised.”

“It was before I adopted you.”

“Pardon?”

“When I formed a connection with that group.”

“AH…”

Yeom Sang-ah let out a quiet sound and thought.

‘BEFORE I was adopted, you say? Then it’s at least thirteen years ago…’

Aryun-nan’s words struck her ears again.

“Their true identity is the force that annihilated the Namgung Family in the past. I only learned that today as well. He told me so.”

“……!”

“That’s all I know. I need to look into it further. What kind of power they possess.”

“You don’t trust them.”

“Of course. How could I trust a group that offers kindness without conditions?”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN…?”

“Thirteen years ago, the new power I obtained… wasn’t actually a fortuitous encounter from the start. The head of that group personally gifted me the martial arts manual. In other words, I received his help from beginning to end.”

“GOOD HEAVENS…!”

Yeom Sang-ah’s astonished reaction was genuine.

“But there was nothing they demanded in return. They said they would reveal their purpose once this matter was finished. So let’s wait and see. What exactly they’re using me for.”

“STILL… will it be alright?”

“HU, don’t worry too much. I also set a condition.”

“A condition?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Dispatch of forces.”

Aryun-nan, with those words, curved his lips up.

“If they send subordinate personnel, I’ll take that as a token of trust.”

“……!”

“Anyway, we need to grow our power more. The head of that group… is one who far surpasses me.”

“WHAT?”

Yeom Sang-ah was greatly shocked.

The power to steal an opponent’s energy, and the power to manipulate an opponent’s mind… The one who possessed both was none other than Aryun-nan right before her eyes.

In reality, it was terrifying martial prowess that made her think no one could face him one-on-one.

And yet.

For him, possessing such amazing power, to say with his own mouth that there was someone who far surpassed him…

“Have you fought him?”

“No.”

“TH-THEN…”

“On the day of our first meeting, I was overwhelmed by the aura that person emitted.”

Yeom Sang-ah’s gaze wavered uncontrollably.

Another shock came crashing in.

Her mind felt dazed.

Aryun-nan spoke quietly as if reminiscing about the past.

“The moment I saw him, I immediately realized. That the contest itself would be meaningless. That was the first time I felt such a thrill.”

“You had already achieved two Rejuvenation at that time…”

“It made me feel inadequate. That’s why I’ve complied until now.”

“I can’t readily believe it. What kind of person to be that way…”

“When the time comes, we’ll know. But the situation will change.”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN?”

“Currently, that group doesn’t know. How much vast energy I can absorb.”

“AH, it seems you have some certainty.”

“How could it be mere certainty?”

Aryun-nan wore a somehow meaningful smile.

Yeom Sang-ah, sensing that, cautiously posed a question.

“It seems you’ve also secured a variable.”

“There is.”

“IS IT THE Divine Martial Sword… perhaps?”

“Isn’t that an uncertain variable? Since we don’t yet know if it exists.”

“MM… But I think it does exist.”

“HUT. It seems you desperately hope it’s there.”

Yeom Sang-ah felt a prick in her heart at Aryun-nan’s words.

That was true.

She hoped Ximen Yue, with whom she’d secretly joined hands, would obtain the Divine Martial Sword that existed within White Peak Sword Sect.

But Yeom Sang-ah perfectly concealed her mood’s reaction.

Every glance, gesture, and movement.

Following the teachings of Lewd Cruel Demon Servant Yo Mong-ji, her personal handmaid whom she’d trusted since childhood.

-I endured hidden brainwashing and abuse from the Patriarch. And I even received a secret order to surveil you, my lady. But after painstaking effort, I broke free of the mental restriction. My lady, from now on I will help you gain all the power here.

Words Yo Mong-ji had said once.

Recalling them, Yeom Sang-ah quietly answered.

“Yes, I do hope for it. If Father also possesses that Divine Martial Sword, you would become a true absolute being.”

Then Aryun-nan, having nodded, spoke with a satisfied look.

“Yes. I’ll tell you later what secret variable I’ve prepared. Now send word to the main base and the alliance. Let’s prepare for the foreseen decisive battle.”

“Yes. Father.”

Yeom Sang-ah clasped her hands together and quickly disappeared below the tower.

Immediately after.

Aryun-nan approached the railing and quietly gazed up at the night sky.

‘Who would know? That Yue is the possessor of Light-Dark Harmonizing Secret Meridians…’

Soon a thick smile rose at the corner of his mouth.

‘And who would’ve known? That I have a secret plan to take that body… KEUHEUHEUT. The more cards to use and discard, the better. This body will eventually become the eternal hegemon.’

* * *

Ximen Family personnel gathered at the villa grounds that had turned to ruins.

Meanwhile,

Family Head Ximen Jwa, eldest son Ximen Ang, and others witnessed an astonishing sight the moment they arrived here.

“EOHEUEK… EOHEUHEUEK…!”

Ximen Yue, having slumped weakly on the ground, was continuously shedding tears.

Sobs that seemed to make even the listener’s heart cry.

Ximen Ang looked at Cheol Ryu-heun standing to one side and asked.

“Sect Leader Cheol, could it be…?”

Then Cheol Ryu-heun nodded expressionlessly.

That meant only one thing.

That the demonic energy infesting Ximen Yue’s body and mind had finally vanished…

“AH!”

Ximen Ang, grasping the meaning, let out a short exclamation.

Hot tears streamed down his cheeks.

Ximen Yu also let out a passionate voice.

“Yue! You’ve returned! You… finally you…!”

Feeling something hot welling up in his chest, he lightly trembled both hands.

An indescribable emotion swept through him fiercely.

It wasn’t just the two of them.

Flash Wind Squad beside them, as well as Swift Wind Squad’s First and Second Squad martial artists, also showed passionate reactions.

The Third Squad was brought here with everyone unconscious, so they didn’t see that scene.

Only Squad Commander Nu-heum and Vice Unit Leader Won Song were exceptions.

“AH… THIS CAN’T BE…”

“YOUNG MASTER…”

The moment they saw Ximen Yue sobbing sorrowfully, they intuited.

That the demonic energy had vanished and his original disposition had awakened.

Shock and emotion intersected.

Cheol Ryu-heun’s presence felt wondrous anew.

Just what method had he used to transform Ximen Yue?

‘AMAZING! The mysterious ability he possesses… wasn’t limited to just martial arts!’

Right at that moment.

SEUK.

Ximen Yue, having raised his head, stood up.

“ELDER BROTHERS…”

Ximen Ang and Ximen Yu met that gaze and silently nodded.

No words passed between them.

Because tears wouldn’t stop.

Yet something seemed to be contained in those gestures.

Again Ximen Yue’s gaze moved.

The spot where his eyes lingered.

One person stood there with a solemn bearing.

Ximen Jwa.

Ximen Yue, seeing his father’s face, bowed his head and murmured.

“HEUEK… FATHER…”

His throat was completely blocked, and he couldn’t continue speaking.

It felt as if his breath was slightly stopping.

Something hot of unknown nature kept surging up forcefully.

As if it were formless energy generated by his chest…

But

Ximen Jwa didn’t shed a single tear.

He merely gazed quietly at his third son’s face.

Was he organizing his thoughts?

While forcibly suppressing his passion.

Soon Cheol Ryu-heun spoke in an indifferent voice.

“Yue is no longer a demonic person. Well, he wasn’t quite at that level originally either. Anyway, let’s save the other talk for later.”

Ximen Jwa clasped both hands before his chest.

“Thank you, Sect Leader Cheol. You are… the benefactor of our household.”

The end of his words somehow trembled slightly.

Having hardened his expression, he walked forward step by step.

Ximen Yue, hearing the footsteps, raised his head again.

Before long, Ximen Jwa stood before him and moved his lips, then posed a quiet question.

“Was what Sect Leader Cheol guessed… all true?”

“KEUHEUP… YES… FATHER… I’m sorry. Truly…”

Suddenly, a JIAK! sound rang out.

It was the sound of a slap.

The one slapped wasn’t Ximen Yue.

Ximen Jwa had struck his own cheek.

JJAK- JJAK- JJAK-!

While everyone was greatly startled, Ximen Yue urgently reached out with both hands and stopped him.

“FA-FATHER… Please stop. Why are you doing this?”

Only then did Ximen Jwa, having stopped his hand, sink his gaze heavily.

“You were incapable of being ruthless.”

“……”

“If you really intended to eliminate me… wouldn’t you have made your move long ago?”

“FA… THER…”

“Your rapidly growing demonic heart… your last conscience… was barely holding on. YES, that’s right… of course…”

Ximen Jwa’s tears finally burst forth as well.

Before they knew it, Ximen Ang, Ximen Yu, and others crowded around.

Their hearts also gathered together as one.

“Third Young Master…”

“HEUEK…”

“It’s a relief that it’s not too late…”

Ximen Yue, his throat blocked again, couldn’t reply.

At that moment, Ximen Ang’s hand gently rested on one shoulder.

“YUE…”

“YES… ELDEST BROTHER…”

“The ones who gave birth to us are different. But… What does that matter? You, and I… the same blood flows in our bodies.”

Following Ximen Ang’s words, Ximen Yu added a word.

“You are the bloodline of the Ximen Family. Therefore, we are one.”

“NO. I… truly… committed a great sin. HEUHEUK… I won’t easily beg for forgiveness.”

Ximen Jwa spread both arms wide and embraced him tightly!

“MY SON. Your fault is my fault. Cry as much as you want. In this father’s arms…”

As soon as those words ended, XIMEN Yue wailed like a child.

Meanwhile,

Emotionless Cheol Ryu-heun paid no attention to that side and was already thinking about the next matter.

‘Mount Zhongnan Sect… HUT. Did you think you couldn’t be found hiding there? Wait. Now I’ll tear your limbs apart for you.’