Chapter 266: I Had a Premonition

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A figure evaluated alongside the Heavenly Demon, Evil Emperor Yul Cheon, Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya, and Blood God Mu-wol as the strongest tier in the thousand-year martial world history.

Sword Emperor Buk Ga-shin.

An unparalleled transcendent of eight hundred years ago who had repelled the large-scale combined forces of the foreign martial world, and a great star of the Orthodox.

For a secret location related to him to reveal itself after such a vast span of time…

Moreover, it was the ancient era before the Zhongnan Sect was even born.

Among the current Nine Great Sects, those that existed at the time were only the Shaolin Temple, Emei Sect, Mount Hua Sect, Kunlun Divine Palace, and Mount Huang Sect.

Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji, who had quietly exchanged glances, clicked their tongues.

Their dark brown pupils wavered like transparent waves, as if representing the hearts of both.

Indeed, how could one not be surprised when it was the arrangement of the Sword Emperor, the overlord of the martial world from the distant past?

The same went for Ximen Yue and the other martial world party members.

They had no idea such a hidden cave was concealed here at Toad Rock Hill.

At that moment.

Gun Mu-ak, who had been gazing at the dark cave, asked:

“Treasure and secret manuals… then, are you saying the famous formulas of Heavenly Emperor Sword Path are stored there?”

Cheol Ryu-heun, standing with his back to the cave, answered with an apathetic face.

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“This cave is a place where Sword Emperor secluded himself for over thirty years in his later years, and his final authentic transmission is recorded here. Now you should have an idea of what that means?”

“I see. Martial arts essence that has never been revealed to the world…”

“Exactly.”

At Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent answer, the party was shocked once again.

‘Th-that…! Sword Emperor’s Final technique that wasn’t revealed to the world?’

Everyone was so surprised their jaws hung open and they couldn’t close them.

It was shocking because it was a secret history they were hearing for the first time.

Gun Mu-ak, with hands clasped behind his back, didn’t hide his admiring reaction.

“Impressive. To know even such a thing… I wonder how long you’ll continue to surprise me.”

“Forever.”

“…”

“That’s how I am. Whatever you think, I’ll be beyond that.”

“Did you find this out through the incomprehensible fortuitous encounters you obtained?”

“Well, something like that. Simply put, one fortuitous encounter gave birth to another.”

“Heaven must be helping you.”

Cheol Ryu-heun quietly laughed inside upon hearing Gun Mu-ak’s words.

‘Hoo. Well, it did help. By being reincarnated as Cheol Ryu-heun like this and getting the chance to take revenge on that wanderer. I don’t know what heaven’s true intention is, though.’

Something from not long ago suddenly flashed through his mind.

-Well… it was something that would happen eventually. Do not presumptuously try to surpass heaven. This is a warning.

The Demon Buddha Secret Pool.

It was the resonance of heaven that sounded like a sound transmission, which he had heard when he went there.

‘I have no intention of trying to surpass heaven. I just want to repay the debt I owe to that nameless bastard.’

In that instant, an unforgettable voice came to mind again.

-They say it’s an unprecedented divine sword in history, but it’s nothing special.

‘Wait for me. Because that nothing special is becoming something.’

Cheol Ryu-heun erased his brief thoughts and looked at Gun Mu-ak.

“Wait a moment.”

“Are you telling me to take a look at what it is before leaving? There doesn’t seem to be a need to go that far.”

“I have something to give you.”

“Something to give?”

“I said it was convenient, didn’t I?”

“Hm… alright. I will.”

At that moment, the party including Ximen Yue approached Cheol Ryu-heun’s side.

“Sect Leader Cheol, is the Sword Emperor’s fortuitous encounter truly in that place…?”

Ximen Yue, who asked the question, still had surprised eyes.

“Yes. You’ll know when we go see.”

Cheol Ryu-heun spoke those words while looking around at the party.

“I’ll need to borrow everyone’s hands. Let’s all go in together and bring out what he left behind.”

At that, Woon Ja-heon, the Palace Master of the Kunlun Divine Palace and the senior member present, and Seol Hu-yong, the Sect Leader of the Azure Heaven Sword Sect, each nodded in response.

Thus the party led by Cheol Ryu-heun disappeared into the cave interior.

Immediately after, Eun Yi-bi let out a soft voice.

“He will become the biggest obstacle to our future progress.”

Ya Baek-ji beside her also agreed with a nod.

“Yes, undoubtedly…”

They now fully understood.

Why he had caused such a sensational stir in such a short time.

From the start, the Sun Moon Demon Saint Aryun-nan’s defeat had been predetermined.

Because the wondrous martial ability of Cheol Ryu-heun they had witnessed earlier was unprecedented in martial history.

Meanwhile, Gun Mu-ak quietly raised his head and gazed at the void.

The sky, which had brightened as the snow stopped, had become overcast and gloomy before they knew it.

He waited with hands clasped behind his back until Cheol Ryu-heun’s party came back out.

Eventually.

SARAK, SARAK…

Pure white snow gradually scattered and fell.

As if whispering that winter was just beginning.

The sky’s caprice was familiar.

In the high-altitude Mount Tian area where the Heavenly Demon Cult was located.

That’s right.

It had even more unpredictable weather than here.

Gun Mu-ak thought while watching the increasingly heavy snowfall.

‘Cheol Ryu-heun… you are like this weather.’

An unpredictable person.

That’s why he made one feel even more interest.

No.

Perhaps it should be called a certain pull of the heart.

Yes, that’s right.

It was pure curiosity about the person called Cheol Ryu-heun.

That was precisely what had held his feet a little longer.

Separate from what he had said about having something to give…

It would be regrettable to leave right away, wouldn’t it?

So he would make this encounter last as long as possible.

About a quarter of an hour passed since then.

Cheol Ryu-heun and the party came back out of the cave.

Each was holding a fairly large bundle made by tying their outer garments.

Glittering treasures slightly showed through the gaps in the knots.

Gun Mu-ak sensed the smell reaching the tip of his nose and intuited.

‘It seems they’ve secured not only all the treasures but various elixirs as well. Also…’

His gaze quietly rested on Cheol Ryu-heun’s hands.

‘The martial art that Sword Emperor created in his later years, too.’

What Cheol Ryu-heun was holding in his left hand was an old case.

Presumably, Sword Emperor’s texts were inside it.

However.

What was in his other hand was puzzling.

It was a dark scabbard.

At first glance, it clearly seemed to be an extremely high-quality item.

Cheol Ryu-heun soon slightly shook the scabbard and spoke.

“What, did you think I was lying?”

“No, but this is unexpected. What you’re going to give me is a scabbard?”

“I’m returning it. Because it’s an object symbolizing the defeat of a past Heavenly Demon Cult Grand Prelate.”

At those words, the expressions of Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji stiffened with a start.

‘What did he say?’

Along with that, Gun Mu-ak’s gaze changed completely.

Because he finally recognized what it was.

Eight hundred years ago, the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Grand Prelate was the Great Heavenly Demon Lord Jeol-yeong, the strongest demon practitioner of the foreign lands.

At the time, he had boldly invaded the martial world after constructing large-scale combined forces.

However, he was blocked by the fearsome martial prowess of Buk Ga-shin the Sword Emperor, an unparalleled transcendent who had unified the Orthodox and Unorthodox.

Thus, the Great Heavenly Demon Lord Jeol-yeong, having knelt in defeat, presented the scabbard he had used in acknowledgment of his defeat.

Meaning he respected the opponent’s exquisite martial prowess…

From that day on, it became the new scabbard for Buk Ga-shin, who was the owner of the Divine Martial Sword.

Until the end of his remaining life.

“Take it.”

Having spoken briefly, Cheol Ryu-heun threw the scabbard in his right hand.

TAK!

Gun Mu-ak, having caught the scabbard, gazed at the Heavenly Demon Cult’s unique demon god pattern decorating its surface.

Soon, very precisely engraved writing came into view.

It was Jeol-yeong’s ecclesiastical title and name.

Gun Mu-ak, having stroked the scabbard, let out a faint smile.

“Hoo, to think I would come to receive the former Grand Prelate’s belonging at this point.”

Then he looked at Cheol Ryu-heun again and asked:

“Why are you returning it?”

“So you’ll remember. Your defeat in the past.”

“Is it a warning? That I too will follow in the same footsteps in the future…”

“Indeed.”

“You are truly interesting. If a day comes when we duel in the future… I shall prepare a new scabbard.”

Gun Mu-ak, having spoken meaningfully, indicated the case with a chin gesture.

“Anyway, do you intend to learn that anew?”

Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged his shoulders and replied with an indifferent face.

“What for? this isn’t for me.”

“Oho, an unexpected answer.”

“I’ll give it to a subordinate. It’s needed for their growth.”

“Whoever it is, they’ve been blessed with heavenly fortune.”

“Let me tell you one thing – our sect has two rare talents of the generation who will rise to the position of Sword Emperor and Sword Empress.”

“Is that so… it’s truly an interesting place.”

“So if you plan to compete with us, you’d better prepare thoroughly. Otherwise…”

“We’ll be devoured instead?”

“I knew we’d get along well.”

“Are those bundles also for others?”

“Correct. All the treasures secured here will be paid out to each martial sect that participated in the Sun Moon Demon Cult great battle, and to the beloved families of those who died.”

No sooner had Cheol Ryu-heun finished speaking than the party revealed surprised looks.

They hadn’t known he had thought about such things.

Seol Hu-yong was inwardly impressed.

If it were me, could I have not been greedy after obtaining this much?

Well, it would be hard to guarantee.

The other martial artists were the same.

They seemed surprised by the generous decision.

Cheol Ryu-heun, having discerned their sentiments, spoke.

“The living must live. Putting sorrow behind them. It’s not that material compensation like this is the best solution. Our sect has no need for money. What we currently have is more than enough.”

At that, the party drew smiles with expressions of admiration.

Gun Mu-ak, seeing that, felt it anew.

‘The Orthodox is certainly the Orthodox. Though his way of handling things seems different from his late master.’

White Peak Sword Sect’s ‘White’ meant the value of the Orthodox, which is impartial and fair for the public good, and ‘Peak’ meant the indomitable spirit of defending said value through sword path reminiscent of a great mountain, they said.

Word had it that the former Sect Leader, White Peak Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon, was a person who perfectly embodied White Peak Sword Sect’s unique spirit.

But Cheol Ryu-heun was different.

No matter how one looked, the gap with Sagong Woon’s reputation was great.

However, the characteristic spirit of an Orthodox person could be glimpsed.

He was a large person.

In a different sense from his master Sagong Woon.

That’s why curiosity and wariness arose simultaneously.

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun, having put away the case, asked:

“Is there anyone above you?”

The subject of the question was Gun Mu-ak.

“That’s a strange question.”

He was the Grand Prelate, so did he think he would tolerate another person stepping above his head?

That was what he meant.

“I see.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having nodded, brought up a meaningful topic.

“Aryun-nan had a secretive helper group. I peeked into his mind a bit today.”

“I heard the story. Through our spy within the Sun Moon Demon Cult. Though I don’t know their exact identity.”

“They are no ordinary matter.”

“Did you discover anything separately?”

“Only fragmentary parts. In any case, those bastards weren’t from the demonic path.”

“Hm… but why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“I had a premonition.”

“Premonition?”

“Yes, that perhaps we might end up joining hands.”

“…!”

“Consider it fortunate that you’re unrelated to them.”

“Those words… strike quite meaningfully.”

“Indeed. I fully intend to find those bastards and tear every last one of them to shreds. So from the Heavenly Demon Cult’s standpoint, it’s fortunate.”

“…”

“That’s all I have to say. Get going now.”

“Wait.”

Immediately after, Gun Mu-ak executed thought transmission.

What was he saying?

A conversation through thought transmission passed between the two.

Eventually, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke aloud.

“Satisfied?”

“Yes. It was a meaningful meeting. We shall take our leave now. I look forward to the day we meet again in the future.”

Thus Gun Mu-ak bid farewell and vanished into the distance together with Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji.

Ximen Yue, who had been gazing in that direction, asked with a puzzled expression.

“Sect Leader Cheol. A secretive helper group – what do you mean by…?”

The surrounding party members also each clearly showed curious expressions.

Cheol Ryu-heun summoned Divine Wind with a whistle, mounted the saddle, and looked at Ximen Yue.

“Literally, a mysterious group that helped the Sun Moon Demon Cult Leader Aryun-nan. The most likely candidate for causing chaos in the martial world, you might say.”

At that, the expressions of Ximen Yue and the rest of the party changed.

‘What…!’