Chapter 62

Chapter 62
Heavenly Dragon’s Secret Realm (1)

Beon Saeng maintained an exceptionally demanding schedule.

Rising before the sun broke the horizon, he began with rigorous physical exercises before going straight over to Hyun-cheon-dae to tidy Baek So-cheon’s quarters and arrange their shared work area. During the morning hours, he assisted Im Choong with various administrative obligations, taking advantage of every brief lull to practice his martial forms. At this stage, he performed the techniques imparted by Baek So-cheon with natural grace and precision. Placed in full faith toward his instructor, he refined each posture through ceaseless practice.

Every day found Beon Saeng dedicating his entire being to some endeavor. Never in his life had he exerted himself to such an extent. A merchant had remarked long ago that the excitement of making money often exceeded the satisfaction of spending it—and at times, the gratification found in honest exertion proved far superior to idle amusement. That was precisely the state Beon Saeng found himself in lately.

On this morning as well, having concluded his assignments for Hyun-cheon-dae, he was heading outside to fit in a short bout of martial training when he encountered an aged gentleman along the walkway.

Maintaining his habitual courtesy, he inclined his head respectfully to the elder.

“Greetings, elder.”

“It is good to see you. Could you direct me toward the office of Baek Dae-ju?”

“It is situated on the highest level. Would you like me to guide you there?”

“That will not be necessary. I can locate it myself.”

“As you wish, sir.”

Knowing that Im Choong was stationed on the upper floor, Beon Saeng continued toward the exterior.

Yet upon reaching the corridor’s far end, his pace abruptly faltered.

A sudden dread swept across his neck, and stepping through the primary threshold, the reason behind that sensation instantly became apparent.

Members of the covert Ho-wi guards stood vigil around the outer grounds.

A sharp intake of breath caught in his throat.

The elderly figure he had casually addressed moments before was the head of the Murim Alliance himself.

A silent cry tore through his mind.

Why did figures of such immense stature continually appear here?

Beon Saeng was directly enduring the overwhelming trials that accompanied serving at Baek So-cheon’s side.

Inside the upper quarters, Ak So-gun walked into Baek So-cheon’s room.

“Alliance Lord.”

Baek So-cheon stood up from his seat at once.

Stationed at the entrance, Ak So-gun looked across at Baek So-cheon in absolute silence.

Having finally regained his clarity that very dawn, On Byeok-hwa had recounted everything that had transpired to him. Beyond departing the private hall where they had sat together, he retained not a single memory. He had come to understand that both he and the young man had been contaminated by the Cheon-oe Won-go, a malicious influence responsible for the irrational resentment he had harbored toward him.

The instant Ak So-gun set eyes upon Baek So-cheon, deep sentiment washed over his heart. Standing before him was not the loathsome figure whose mere presence had once brought him blinding irritation, but the cherished youth he held dear like his own flesh and blood. Could a person’s inner feelings truly undergo such a complete reversal? His voice shook noticeably as he finally spoke.

“So-cheon, my son.”

“Alliance Lord.”

Baek So-cheon’s response wavered slightly, reflecting the turbulent emotions swimming in his gaze.

“Are you truly unharmed?”

Offering no further words, Ak So-gun took long strides across the chamber and pulled Baek So-cheon into a tight, desperate embrace.

“Forgive me, young man. I am truly, deeply remorseful.”

Ak So-gun felt an agonizing weight of shame concerning Baek So-cheon. Regardless of being under an evil art’s influence, allowing himself—the ruler of the Murim Alliance—to stumble so thoroughly caused him immense self-blame.

“Please, Alliance Lord. It was I who misjudged your actions. If someone must ask for forgiveness, it ought to be me.”

“Do not speak such folly. The blame rests entirely on my shoulders.”

A line of burning heat ran down Baek So-cheon’s neck. The Alliance Lord was weeping.

Baek So-cheon felt a lump form inside his throat as his vision blurred with tears. He tried desperately to swallow his grief, but the scalding warmth touching his skin broke down his remaining restraint.

The bottled torment of the preceding three years surged outward, sending clear drops spilling down his cheeks. Once freed, the weeping could not be checked. The more he fought for composure, the heavier the tears fell. Baek So-cheon set his jaw tight to keep from uttering a sob. Though the elder sought to assume responsibility, it was the young commander who felt consumed by regret.

“Turn toward me, child. Let me view your countenance.”

Ak So-gun closely examined Baek So-cheon’s face.

“Simply observing you like this brings profound relief to my spirit…”

Reaching up with his sleeve, Ak So-gun dabbed at the wetness on Baek So-cheon’s face. Yet fresh streams carved their course across the deep creases of his own aged skin.

“So-cheon, you have returned to us.”

Baek So-cheon held him close once more with fervent force. This time, his own scalding tears seeped through the fabric of Ak So-gun’s shoulder.

“Alliance Lord, welcome home.”

Once their emotions had leveled, the two men took seats facing one another, and Ak So-gun began recounting what had occurred.

“I went by the medical pavilion multiple times while you lay unconscious. However, the nearer I drew to your side, the more lightheaded and sickened I became. Inexplicably, every time I attempted to reach you, my very constitution pushed back. I would tell myself that visiting later would suffice, surrendering far too readily. Staying away brought a false tranquility. When our paths ultimately crossed, a foul scent hung over you—an odor so repelling I dread ever sensing it again. Looking back upon it now, that foul art had entirely corrupted my senses.”

The affliction had not paused there. With each passing day, resentful thoughts directed at Baek So-cheon had only escalated. Senseless malice had festered within him without provocation. Unspeakably wicked assumptions had continuously invaded his mind. In the end, he had even begun perceiving auditory illusions uttering slander against the young warrior.

“I continuously envisioned you disparaging my honor to everyone. Nightmares of you turning traitor to align with the Black Heaven Alliance repeatedly plagued my slumber. No matter how fiercely I tried to dispel those thoughts, they refused to depart.”

“You endured it with incredible restraint. Placed under another man’s authority, my life would have ended a dozen times over.”

Those words carried pure honesty. Had Ak So-gun not possessed such resolve, he would never have survived those long three years.

“The wicked influence proved inconsistent. On certain occasions, seeing you stirred no aversion whatsoever. Yet during the nights following those encounters, an uncontrollable fury consumed my thoughts until dawn arrived.”

Baek So-cheon could hardly imagine the sheer agony Ak So-gun had weathered throughout that ordeal.

“Was this orchestrating carried out by the Blood Cult Lord?”

“Indeed. Word maintains that his master, Jeok Pa-rap, stood as the sole cultivator capable of commanding the Cheon-oe Won-go.”

“Then the responsibility belongs either to him directly, or to the Blood Cult Lord.”

“That is most probable.”

Baek So-cheon made an unspoken pledge deep within: he would never permit whoever had inflicted that vile curse to walk away with their life.

“Could the Black Heaven Lord share in this conspiracy?”

“He might, or he might not. Though an alliance binds them at present, the curses were embedded three to four years prior, when hostility characterized their dealings.”

Ak So-gun gave an affirming nod.

During that period, the Blood Cult had refrained from entering the conflict between the orthodox and unorthodox factions. Blood Cult Lord Myeol Saeng had engaged in solitary cultivation, while his sect maintained strict isolation.

“They kept their gates barred toward the realm while quietly plotting in the shadows.”

“Precisely.”

Seeking clarity regarding a specific matter, Baek So-cheon voiced a tentative inquiry.

“Did you direct the crisis concerning Yeong-sa-mun?”

Earlier that morning, Je-gal Hyeon had provided him with a transaction slip obtained from their inquiry. Incredibly, the path traced straight back to the private quarters of the Alliance Lord—stemming from the Blood A Three Wolves responsible for initiating the hostage dilemma.

Releasing a heavy breath, Ak So-gun lowered his chin in acknowledgement.

“I resisted the compulsion with all my strength… but discovering ‘Kill Heaven’ written across my dwelling shattered my remaining will.”

Upon returning to his senses, he had slipped past the watch of his own retinue, finding himself solitary atop his roof, staring down at the phrase painted in crimson.

Kill Heaven.

That designation had not pointed toward the Alliance Lord—it had targeted Baek So-cheon.

Because he had resisted for so long, the Blood Cult Lord had channeled his Great Success Hyeol-cheon-gi laden with corrupt energy, fracturing Ak So-gun’s mental clarity.

This confirmed Myeol Saeng’s direct involvement beyond any lingering doubt.

“Initially, I thought the entire memory was a delusion. The notion of me evading my personal guards to employ such base cutthroats felt inconceivable. I even recall giving instructions that not a single captive should perish. I have brought about an unpardonable atrocity.”

“The situation can be mended. No lives were taken.”

The sole casualties belonged to the wicked Blood A Three Wolves.

“My actions nearly brought about your end.”

“The blame belongs to the curse, not your heart. Moreover, your spirit never broke completely. Had you truly sought my demise, you would have employed assassins vastly more dangerous than those three beasts.”

The remaining subconscious spark within the Alliance Lord had preserved his life. Even on the verge of losing control, he had remained tethered to shielding the blameless.

At last, Baek So-cheon grasped why the hostages had emerged unharmed: Ak So-gun had made their survival a mandatory term for payment. The absence of casualties had previously confounded him; the mercenaries had surely been arranging an alternative path of flight.

“Alliance Lord, this is no hour for remorse—we must formulate an immediate strategy. We must intercept their designs and exact retribution for this outrage.”

Ak So-gun agreed with a nod and stood to his feet.

“Follow me.”

Ak So-gun guided Baek So-cheon out from the Hyun-cheon-dae pavilion.

The martial artists they passed along the way stared in pure disbelief at the figures walking side by side—a sight that had not occurred in three full years.

At that moment, Cheol-geom-dan Lord Chung Yang along with Hwang Il-bi caught sight of the advancing pair.

A collective gasp escaped them.

Chung Yang looked on in stunned silence, deeply taken aback by the genuine warmth evident between them.

Meanwhile, a surge of joy filled Hwang Il-bi’s heart.

Yes! Their long rift has finally healed!

The Alliance Lord and Baek So-cheon exchanged radiant smiles as their steps aligned. It was a display absent from the world across the last three years. Hwang Il-bi nearly cried out in sheer elation.

Our Lord reigns supreme! Long life to the Alliance Lord!

Having vented his silent praise for Baek So-cheon, he shifted his attention toward Chung Yang.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“And why wouldn’t I be? Am I supposed to confront the Lord and demand explanations? You were shouting wishes for his long life within your head, weren’t you?”

Though sharp words slipped from his lips, his manner revealed no genuine hostility.

He is truly remarkable. To think even the rigid Iron Sword Lord has softened his demeanor.

Almost as though discerning the younger man’s thoughts, Chung Yang snapped sharply.

“Do not let ideas of abandoning us for Baek Dae-ju enter your head!”

“Certainly not. I belong entirely to Cheol-geom-dan—I intend to claim the seat of Lord in this very unit. Since you selected me, you must see that path through!”

“Earn that right through merit.”

“Ah, typical words of an unyielding commander. Demanding sworn allegiance before distributing spoils. That very approach leads leaders to lament, wondering who else truly comprehends their burdens.”

“Have you ever presented true allegiance?”

“I have remained continuously faithful!”

“Then prove it with greater devotion.”

“Understood, Commander!”

Watching Chung Yang’s stubborn expression, a quiet thought crossed Hwang Il-bi’s mind:

Resentment is indeed a terrifying poison.

At times, even this cantankerous demeanor of his held a strange charm.

By that juncture, Baek So-cheon and Ak So-gun had already passed into the distance, heading toward the private residence of the Alliance Lord. Yet the resonance of their presence remained heavy in the air.

“If we clash against Black Heaven at this moment, an outright victory might truly be ours.”

Under normal circumstances, Chung Yang would have derided such an exaggerated reaction to a simple walk. Today, however, his response differed:

“Monthly compensation and loyalty require tangible achievements.”

He, too, had sensed the profound shift. Anyone witnessing that sight would have felt the exact same sentiment.

Hwang Il-bi kept his gaze fixed in the direction the two leaders had vanished.

May strength remain with both of you!

Ak So-gun escorted Baek So-cheon inside the Alliance Lord’s personal quarters.

They crossed through the inner grounds, reaching an area where concealed sentries kept watch over the secluded enclave. Beyond stood a rear entrance leading directly toward an overgrown thicket of bamboo—a domain completely unfamiliar to Baek So-cheon.

Their forward movement ceased right before the threshold. A formidable energetic resonance permeated the surroundings, signaling the operation of an esoteric array. The density and intricacy of the lingering power far exceeded any warding Baek So-cheon had encountered before.

“The Seven Stars Nine Palaces Formation.”

Among all known arrays, it was infamous for being extraordinarily treacherous to dismantle—a fatal labyrinth designed to entrap reckless intruders permanently.

“Place your feet precisely within the traces of my footsteps. Commit the positions of the life gates to memory.”

“I shall do so.”

Ak So-gun led the way forward, and Baek So-cheon mirrored his exact path with meticulous precision. This movement allowed no room for casual wandering; it required absolute adherence to every stride. While recalling precise steps posed an immense challenge for common martial artists, Baek So-cheon commanded exceptional aptitude in martial mechanics.

Passing through the boundaries of the Seven Stars Nine Palaces Formation, an imposing surface of solid stone rose before them.

Carved across its broad face were the words: Heavenly Dragon Secret Realm.

This sanctum stood as the most heavily guarded retreat within the Murim Alliance, reachable only by the sitting Alliance Lord—even an esteemed figure like Pung-geuk-an had never been granted entry.

Ak So-gun brought his palm against an inscribed plate adjacent to the rock face, pouring pure internal energy through it in an exact sequence—a method entrusted solely to successive Alliance Lords.

Any attempt to force the gateway by violence would immediately detonate the most lethal defenses.

Once the channeling concluded, a heavy tremor reverberated through the stone.

A deep grinding echoed outward.

After remaining sealed for countless years, the massive stone barriers of the Heavenly Dragon Secret Realm slowly swung wide open.