Chapter 87

Chapter 87
“What did you say?”

Cheon-geuk was taken aback. Sending his own son to be slain? If the claim had come from anyone other than Baek So-cheon, she would have dismissed it as complete nonsense immediately.

However, Baek So-cheon was the one who had uttered it.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because of the condition he attached.”

“The requirement that you must be slain?”

Baek So-cheon nodded.

Had that condition been absent, even he would not have discerned Yeom Hwa-sin’s true motives.

Yet the instant he learned of it, everything became clear. That condition was not aimed at him—it was designed to drive Yeom Sa-won into a corner.

“Yeom Hwa-sin understands. Even stripped of inner power, in a life-or-death confrontation, how deadly I remain.”

Only Yeom Hwa-sin, who had previously faced him in a deadly duel, truly comprehended this.

He recognized the extent of the mastery that had once established Baek So-cheon as the absolute supreme of the world. He understood that decades of combat mastery could easily bridge the absence of inner power. Thus, in a true fight to the death, Yeom Sa-won would stand no chance.

Yet he attached that exact condition anyway.

“Driven by his father’s command, Yeom Sa-won will overreach. He will unleash everything he possesses to slay me.”

Cheon-geuk added,

“And through that desperate attempt, he will end up dead.”

Baek So-cheon arrived at yet another realization.

“Disseminating the rumor across the entirety of Murim was not merely intended to put pressure on me.”

“What are you implying?”

“As you have seen, Yeom Sa-won is someone whose actual combat ability is bottom-tier. With all those warlords assembled, how do you expect he will react?”

“He will fight frantically to claim victory. He will be desperate to show off before them.”

Cheon-geuk let out a sigh. Every surrounding detail reinforced Baek So-cheon’s deduction.

“Indeed. He has lost his mind, precisely as you noted.”

A logical question naturally followed.

“Why would he ever attempt to murder his own child?”

“Regardless of his motive, we will never comprehend it, so there is no purpose in pursuing it.”

Yet Baek So-cheon could perceive the underlying design.

Yeom Hwa-sin was fashioning his own son into a sacrificial pawn to ignite the coming conflict. Or more accurately, both his son and Baek So-cheon together.

The defining figure of the previous war, Baek So-cheon, had slain the heir of the Black Heaven Alliance. Furthermore, in an honorable duel.

The entirety of the unorthodox factions would be consumed by rage.

The specific reasons or details of his death would cease to matter.

Yeom Hwa-sin would leverage nothing more than the bare fact of his son’s demise to rally every dark force. Their collective resolve would soar to the sky.

A crusade of vengeance for his fallen son.

That would serve as the grand justification for launching this war.

Suddenly, Baek So-cheon recalled the man’s prior revelation: that he had ended his own father’s life with his own hands. Now he was orchestrating the death of his son as well.

That lunatic! I will personally dispatch you one day.

Deep down, he wished his deduction would prove incorrect. Though he was destined to kill him regardless, he hoped the man was not truly this twisted.

“What shall we do now?”

“He is practically begging me to slay him… Should I simply indulge him?”

Cheon-geuk let out a light laugh.

“You will not.”

“Correct. I will not dance to his tune.”

If his conclusion held true, ending his life right now would be a disastrous mistake.

“I shall discover a method to turn this predicament against him.”

“Indeed. If anyone is capable of it, it is you.”

“Should I fail to find a way, I will simply kill him.”

“Inform me when you decide to do so!”

She thrust her hand upward, only to let out a sharp “Ow!” as she raised her wounded arm.

“Be cautious.”

“Right.”

“Focus on recovering first.”

“You as well.”

Their eyes lingered on each other, filled with a warmth that differed from before—a subtle shift that only the two of them could feel.

As soon as Baek So-cheon departed, the Four Guardian Stars emerged.

They carried Cheon-geuk onto a bed on that floor and gently placed her down.

Given their intense concern, none of them had slept, leaving their eyes hollow with fatigue.

“I am fine.”

Disregarding her statement, Dong-seong issued orders to Seong-seong,

“Examine her injuries thoroughly.”

“Understood.”

The remaining three Guardians withdrew, leaving the female Seong-seong to step forward and inspect her wounds.

“I must inspect the injuries myself.”

“I told you I am fine.”

“Pardon my pushiness.”

Seong-seong lifted the edge of her attire. Since it could not be avoided, Cheon-geuk permitted it.

Cheon-geuk addressed her,

“Seong-seong.”

Her tone was graver than ever before, prompting Seong-seong to mirror her gravity.

“Yes, Alliance Lord.”

“It was entirely my choice.”

Seong-seong gazed at her with trembling eyes.

“Was he truly worth such a price?”

“Yes. Even had this injury landed here.”

She placed her hand over her left breast.

“…Alliance Lord.”

“You, at least, must understand my heart.”

As a fellow woman, Seong-seong understood Cheon-geuk’s feelings better than anyone. She knew how fragile this love was, how virtually impossible.

“I do.”

“Thank you.”

Seong-seong opened the door, allowing the waiting Guardians to enter.

She announced to them,

“Thankfully, the injury is not severe.”

She acted in accordance with Cheon-geuk’s wishes. It was an event of the past, and she had no desire to see her comrades harbor hatred or suspicion toward Baek So-cheon.

Dong-seong and the others let out long sighs of relief.

“Do not engage in another duel with Baek Mu-in. In fact—do not even see him again.”

He recognized that such a request was unrealistic, yet it stemmed from genuine care.

“If it were up to me, I would…”

He felt compelled to march over and demand explanations. How deeply does our Alliance Lord value you? Is this how you repay her?

Cheon-geuk addressed Dong-seong,

“Are you planning to go slay him?”

“Do not say things you do not mean.”

“Am I that easy to read?”

“Yes!”

“There, do you feel relieved now?”

“…Yes.”

A bright smile crossed her face.

“Furthermore, there is good news.”

She paused intentionally to gather their attention, then stated,

“My mastery of martial arts has advanced another level.”

They were taken aback by the revelation.

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations!”

The four of them celebrated together. They were fully aware of Cheon-geuk’s immense strength and knew how difficult it was to achieve such progress.

She instructed them all,

“Therefore, let us pardon him this one time. Without his presence, I could never have achieved this breakthrough.”

“Understood, Alliance Lord.”

Dong-seong’s stern expression softened.

“I intend to rest now.”

“Yes, Alliance Lord. Rest well.”

The Guardians took their leave.

Left alone, Cheon-geuk stared out at the moon in the night sky, a bright smile gracing her face.

She was well aware. It was not merely her combat skill that had advanced—the world she perceived had shifted as well.

Beyond her martial growth, her connection with Baek So-cheon had deepened significantly. As a woman, she was certain of it.

Baek Mu-in, you had better make a fortune.

An urgent council was convened inside Yun-ryong Hall, bringing together Baek So-cheon, Ak So-gun, and Je-gal Hyeon.

“Yeom Hwa-sin has given his approval for the duel.”

Ak So-gun spoke up, to which Baek So-cheon replied,

“I am aware.”

“Already?”

“Yeom Sa-won came to boast before me, utterly eager to display his power.”

“I cannot comprehend it. What could Yeom Hwa-sin possibly be plotting?”

Baek So-cheon shared his suspicions. If anyone required this knowledge, it was these two.

They were stunned by the revelation, particularly Ak So-gun, who was a father himself. He could not comprehend Yeom Hwa-sin’s line of thinking.

“If your deduction is accurate… he is a cold-blooded monster. I shall kill him with my own hands.”

Baek So-cheon gave a nod.

Je-gal Hyeon inquired with deep concern,

“A contest burdened with such hidden schemes—do you truly intend to duel him?”

“I have no alternative. Spreading the rumors beforehand was intended to force this fight. Turning it down would invite punitive strikes.”

Uninvolved people would end up dead.

Ak So-gun asked,

“Without utilizing inner power?”

“That remains the plan.”

“Better they do not discover I have regained it.”

“Is there really no other path?”

Ak So-gun appeared genuinely anxious. Even if Yeom Sa-won was a miserable fool, he was still the true successor of the Black Heaven Alliance—he might possess hidden trump cards.

“The battle is not entirely disadvantageous. If I emerge victorious and he honors the agreement, we secure a full year.”

A full year.

It was an invaluable amount of time for Baek So-cheon currently. Every passing day raised their chances of survival.

“Will he actually keep his word?”

Je-gal Hyeon responded to Ak So-gun’s query,

“It is prudent to assume he will break it and prepare measures accordingly.”

Both men voiced their agreement.

Je-gal Hyeon turned to Baek So-cheon,

“When will it take place? Yeom Sa-won appears prepared to fight tomorrow.”

Baek So-cheon pondered briefly before asking,

“How long will it take to organize a formal duel?”

“A formal duel? Truly set before all the warlords?”

“Indeed. That aligns with Yeom Hwa-sin’s intentions.”

Circulating those rumors was designed to create a massive spectacle for the entire Jianghu.

“Constructing an arena and issuing invitations to notable figures across Murim—it will likely take until the end of the month.”

“Schedule it for then.”

“Understood.”

“In the meantime, I will research methods to defeat him without relying on inner power.”

“Very well. Proceed with that.”

Baek So-cheon offered a polite bow and departed first toward Maengju Hall.

Je-gal Hyeon remained behind to coordinate the invitation details alongside Ak So-gun.

They concluded there was no need to worry about Baek So-cheon. With his original power restored, he would not fall unless facing Yeom Hwa-sin or Ol Saeng.

“The true problem arises if his recovery is exposed.”

Ak So-gun spoke with composure in response to Je-gal Hyeon’s worry,

“Should that happen, that will mark the day full-scale war begins.”

Yeom Hwa-sin would move to eliminate him, and Ak So-gun would stand to protect Baek So-cheon.

“I shall make preparations for that outcome as well.”

The two of them gazed out through the expansive window of Yun-ryong Hall.

Freezing winter winds howled across the landscape outside. Once they subsided, spring would finally arrive.

Upon Baek So-cheon’s return to his residence, Myeol Ji-ryun was waiting for him. She was unaccompanied, with no guards present. Despite the late hour, she was fully dressed up in form-fitting attire.

“Baek Dae-hyeop, would you care to converse for a moment?”

“Certainly.”

The two of them walked side by side along a nearby pathway.

“Are you truly intending to fight Yeom So-hyeop?”

“He is far too eager, as you already know.”

“My apologies. It is my fault that you have been dragged into danger.”

“It does not matter.”

A brief silence fell between them before she asked,

“What is your relationship with that Sal-su Yeon-maeng Alliance Lord from earlier?”

Her visit was not focused on the upcoming match—she had come because of Cheon-geuk.

“She provided assistance to me recently.”

“She is remarkably stunning.”

The matter was clearly troubling her mind.

Baek So-cheon halted his steps and fixed his gaze upon her. Myeol Ji-ryun’s cheeks flushed red.

She anticipated gentle words of comfort, but what followed was absolute bluntness.

“I will grant you a single chance.”

He recognized that the moment had arrived to confirm the suspicions he had held since their very first encounter.

“A chance?”

He looked straight into her eyes.

“To speak the absolute truth.”