Chapter 37 – Follow Me
A middle-aged man spread his arms wide, as if going in for a hug.
Of course, I didn’t budge an inch.
“Do you think I’m crazy enough to hug you?”
The man gave an awkward smile, but I had every reason to act this way.
His name was Hwang Sogun.
He might act friendly, but he’s a madman who pillages and murders on a whim. If something doesn’t please him, he’ll kick his subordinates into a torrent.
Now that I think about it, he’s no different from any common bandit.
Anyway,
We were face to face like this because he was in charge of guiding ships to the Heavenly Demon Cult via the Baekhoe River, but there was no merit in getting close to someone like him.
“Psh. Must be because you’re some pampered noble son. No guts at all,”
Hwang Sogun joked with a sharp edge.
This was a test of nerves.
When two factions meet, the first to gain the upper hand sets the hierarchy.
Since the journey via the guiding ship to Mount Ten Thousand Demon Peaks (십만대산) takes about three days, he was trying to establish the pecking order early.
Most people would back down here. Without the guiding ship, you’d have to give up entering Mount Ten Thousand Demon Peaks via the Baekhoe River.
But I was different.
I can’t start off losing.
Within the Heavenly Demon Cult, Sado Hwan was seen as an arrogant genius. If I bowed my head here, it would crack that image.
Chachachang!
Right then, the Black Shadow Corps lined up behind me all unsheathed their weapons in unison, almost as if reading my mind.
Oh…?
I was a little moved.
Until now, I’d been tightrope walking alone among monsters like Yun Yeopja, Paeng Soso, and Tang Siyuk, all of whom would be quartered and declared martial enemies if they were exposed.
But now, loyal subordinates drew their swords for me without needing a word.
“So this is why you're so obsessed with the Black Shadow Corps.”
[…Obsessed? That’s harsh.]
Take it or leave it.
Of course, we weren’t the only ones to draw weapons.
Chaaang–!
The sailors of the guiding ship also drew theirs.
Drawing weapons against your own side would be unthinkable in other factions.
But here, in the territory of the Heavenly Demon Cult, governed by its own ruthless logic…
This is a world of the strong. If you're strong, you devour. If you’re weak, you’re devoured.
Taking offense and drawing swords over a word? Happens even within the same clan.
“Looking to start something?”
Hwang Sogun sneered, flashing gold-capped teeth.
The Black Shadow Corps was one of the main military forces of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Though they had shown some flaws recently, if they got serious, they could wipe out most mid-tier clans in a single night.
Yet Hwang Sogun remained defiant.
Because the captain of the guiding ship is appointed by the Heavenly Demon himself?
The guiding ship was the gatekeeper that led cult members from the Baekhoe River’s tributary into Mount Ten Thousand Demon Peaks.
Anyone not from the cult would simply be drowned in the river.
That’s why the Heavenly Demon personally appoints the ship captain.
In other words, Hwang Sogun had the Heavenly Demon as his backing.
The cult was a meritocracy.
It might seem fair and free, but really, it meant character and morals didn’t matter at all as long as you had power.
“Heh heh heh…”
That’s why he smiled so disgustingly.
He even blatantly ogled Saweol, which instantly chilled her expression.
I took a step to the side, blocking his gaze.
“Saweol.”
“Yes? Yes.”
Uncharacteristically, her voice trembled. She must have felt deeply disgusted.
“What’s Hwang Sogun’s cult rank?”
“He’s ranked 355.”
“I see. How dare you…”
I continued in a cold tone.
“Even looking is blasphemous. Are you insulting me?”
I deliberately acted arrogant, cold as ice, and authoritative—
This is the real image of Sado Hwan, heir of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
“What?”
“Draw your weapon, Hwang Sogun,”
I said, exuding chill.
“Then I’ll let you atone with just your right arm.”
Hwang Sogun looked dumbfounded.
“Do you even know who’s behind me?”
“The Supreme One. But you’re forgetting something.”
“What’s that?”
“My elder brother is the consort of the Supreme One. Between you and me, who do you think the Supreme One would value more?”
“A cripple who can’t even walk, the Supreme One’s consort—?”
At that moment—
[How dare you!]
Skybreaker Sword (Pacheon) flew out of my hand and soared into the air.
Hwang Sogun’s mouth dropped open.
“Th-that’s sword flight (이기어검)!”
Rumors about me hadn’t yet spread through the cult.
No one would have heard that I was Transcendent Peak level.
That sight alone would’ve shocked him to the core.
I hadn’t intended to reveal the fake sword flight, but since it came to this, I decided to use it fully.
[How dare you! How dare you insult my master!]
Calm down. You’ll give it away if you get too excited.
I barely managed to restrain Pacheon as it wildly flailed in midair.
To Hwang Sogun, it probably looked like my emotions were so unstable that the sword trembled—
Even better.
“Put down your weapons and kneel. Otherwise, all of you will die here.”
“If I’m not here, you can’t safely return to the cult!”
“Want to bet?”
“Bet?”
“Whether I can return to the cult without you. Of course, you’ll have to watch with only your head left.”
I was more forceful than ever.
I had to be. Whether to the Black Shadow Corps or to Gwak Jin, I had to show overwhelming force.
In the Heavenly Demon Cult, if you look weak, you’re eaten alive.
I had to become someone they wouldn’t even dare look at.
Sure, I have nothing. But who cares?
As long as they didn’t know.
Hwang Sogun’s body trembled like a leaf.
“I-I apologize!”
He dropped to his knees.
His sailors quickly followed suit, putting away their weapons and kneeling.
“Get lost. Just looking at your filthy eyes makes me want to gouge them out.”
I had no real intention of taking his arm.
Scaring him off was fine, but leaving a permanent injury would only breed resentment.
“Th-thank you! What are you all doing?! Move it! Stop crawling like worms!”
Hwang Sogun and the sailors scrambled back to their ship in a panic.
The hooks attaching us to the guiding ship were still secured.
We’d safely reach Mount Ten Thousand Demon Peaks this way.
“Black Shadow Corps, listen.”
Without turning around, I spoke clearly.
“Remember this. If you are ever insulted, know that behind you stands me, and behind me stands the Sado Family.”
As my words ended, Pacheon smoothly returned to its scabbard.
Indeed, performance is half the act.
The looks of reverence from the corps were so intense, I could feel them burning into the back of my head.
Flutter–!
I exaggeratedly turned, letting my robes billow, and returned to my quarters.
[Impressive, monster. I didn’t think you had that kind of line in you. A true leader needs dignity.]
“Shut up for a sec.”
[What’s wrong?]
“I almost died of nausea from putting on airs.”
[…I take back my praise.]
“I’m gonna nap. Sleep’s the best cure for seasickness.”
[Then you won’t sleep properly at night. A martial artist needs deep rest to stay at peak condition.]
“One missed night won’t kill me. Also—”
I pulled aside the curtain over the window. The river was widening.
According to <Return of the Murim>, the entrance to the cult via the Baekhoe River was always shrouded in thick mist.
That’s why the guiding ship was necessary.
“Looks like the fog’ll be thick tonight.”
Not all of Baekhoe River was rough currents.
There were parts where the river widened and the flow slowed.
Saweol, suffering from nausea, came up on deck to get fresh air.
Several Black Shadow Corps members bowed and turned away, knowing she preferred solitude.
She recalled what had happened a few hours earlier—
Hwang Sogun’s lecherous gaze…
And the person who blocked it.
Sado Hwan.
Returning to the cult’s territory, Sado Hwan had reverted to the arrogant man she once knew.
A worthless impostor with nothing but pride.
That had always been her view of him.
So she never really cared.
He bore the Sado blood she loathed, and she thought she could take his life whenever she pleased.
But—
Why have you changed, Sado Hwan?
It bothered her. His behavior, his attitude—it had changed.
Most of all, what haunted her was the day he pulled her out of the fog and saved her from her inner demons.
That day, which had been a precious, unforgettable memory, was now tainted by him.
She couldn’t shake that uncomfortable feeling.
If it’s like this…
Then I have no choice but to kill him.
To rid herself of the discomfort, she had to eliminate its cause—Sado Hwan.
Even if he had hidden his strength all this time, at close range, she was confident.
That’s why she had mastered assassination techniques.
She was merely putting it off for now.
Because of loneliness?
If not for that, she could kill him right now.
Then—
Beep-beep–
A clumsy flute sound rang out from somewhere.
It struck her nerves and snapped her from her thoughts.
“Ah!”
Before she knew it, thick fog had enveloped the ship.
She had been so lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed.
The Baekhoe’s fickle weather often blanketed the river in fog, especially near the path to Mount Ten Thousand Demon Peaks.
She couldn’t see a thing.
She had meant to stay in her cabin for this very reason!
“Hoo…”
Saweol calmed her breath using her cultivation technique.
In the ruins, she had fallen into her inner demons due to battle stress.
Now, she could control it.
[Kill them all!]
[P-please spare me!]
[Run, Hwayeon! At least you must escape!]
But in her ears, she still heard the screams from that foggy day—
That nightmare.
And the gentle, warm voice of her brother, now filled with despair and sorrow.
Her face went pale.
Despite the cold river wind, sweat formed on her skin.
She wanted to collapse, but she couldn’t show weakness.
There were still Black Shadow Corps members wandering the deck.
This was the cult.
Even among their own, the weak were devoured.
She couldn’t let that happen.
She had started from nothing after her clan was annihilated.
She had fought her way up through endless slaughter.
Now was not the time to break.
Just make it to my cabin.
Once I’m there, I’ll be fine.
Saweol steeled herself and trudged forward.
But—
“Haa…”
Before long, she collapsed, leaning against the railing, crouched down.
Her mind returned to fifteen years ago.
Then—
Ssshhk.
Someone appeared before her.
She looked up—
A tall figure.
Cold and stubborn expression.
Sado Hwan.
The lantern in his hand lit up the fog.
“Don’t wallow in misery in the fog, Saweol.
You’re the Black Shadow Corps’ vice-captain. Don’t disgrace yourself.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Saweol barely managed a reply.
“Follow me. A cup of tea will help you calm down.”
Sado Hwan turned and walked.
Saweol stared blankly at his back.
He looked nothing like her brother… and yet, his back seemed so similar.
“…What are you doing? I told you to follow.”
“Yes.”
It was only because of the fog.
Telling herself that, Saweol followed after Sado Hwan.