Book 24 Chapter 1

Bocheon and Eunmyeong

So vast and wide, the Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) bewilders people, making them question if it's truly a lake or the sea, prompting them to dip their fingers into the surface to taste the water. Few knew that beneath the Tower of Heaven (魔天閣), situated on an island rising alone in the center of Dongting Lake, lay a dark and damp secret place hidden from the eyes of the world.

However, the one residing within, lurking in the deep, dark abyss, was observing everything in the Tower of Heaven as if it were on the palm of his hand. No one within this Tower of Heaven could escape his dominion. He was the one who ruled, commanded, and manipulated. All who knew him feared him, as he sat in the darkness of the Northern Seat (北座), overseeing the world. He was a specter who had survived the bloody battle of a hundred years ago, a survivor of countless deaths. For the past century, he had resided behind that dark curtain, etched with the word "Annihilation" (滅劫), waiting for his time to come. Though he remained as unmoving as a rock, everyone tirelessly acted as his eyes, ears, hands, and feet. The young man in black, currently prostrating himself in supplication south of the black curtain, was one such individual. He was a more special pair of hands and feet than others. This young man was Eunmyeong (隱名), the scholar in black who had once sat at the reception desk, inquiring about the entrance examination for the Tower of Heaven from a woman named Yeongnyeong.

It had been two hours since he entered this space, knelt respectfully, and waited. Yet, no words came from beyond the curtain. Thus, he had no choice but to wait indefinitely until words were spoken. To speak first was not yet within his granted authority. The darkness felt as if it were suffocating his body and mind, making him feel stifled. It was always difficult to breathe here.

"Is the preparation going well?"

Finally, the silence was broken, and a voice emerged from beyond the curtain. It was a cold voice, devoid of any emotion, as always. Eunmyeong thought that only someone whose soul was frozen could possess such a voice. And perhaps his own soul was equally frozen.

There was no trace of flesh and blood in the voice that was heard. The question permitted only one answer.

"Yes, it is proceeding without any issues."

Eunmyeong replied in a respectful tone.

"There will be no setbacks, will there?"

Eunmyeong felt his breath catch at the low but imposing voice. It was a voice that knew no forgiveness.

"That person will remain silent forever."

Mistakes were no longer tolerated here. He had made too many errors until now. Further mistakes were dangerous.

"They are called Chilshangheun (칠상흔) now, weren't they? Their mouth must never be opened, never."

The entity beyond the darkness emphasized forcefully.

"Is it truly Chilshangheun, the one who went missing nine years ago?"

"Undoubtedly."

Eunmyeong's body trembled slightly at the words, implying the confirmation was already complete. He had thought a time would come when he would have to face them. But he had never dreamed of encountering them in such a place and in such a manner. However, he would not have to face them eye to eye. His task was to eliminate them before that. Using the appropriate tools.

"What did they see? What do they know that makes you so wary?"

These were questions he would not have dared to ask normally. His current feelings were that complex. He thought he had severed all emotions, but it seemed remnants still lingered.

"Do not try to find out. It is not yet your stage to know. You only need to focus on your preparations."

Do not ask why. Harboring doubts is not permitted for you at this time, the voice seemed to say. Eunmyeong folded away the doubts, which were blooming like the morning mist of Dongting Lake, and buried them deep within his heart.

"The arrangements are already complete."

Then he added one more sentence.

"Chilshangheun will not be the final victor of this tournament."

"Is 'that thing' that useful?"

The entity beyond the darkness inquired.

"What do you mean by 'that thing'?"

Eunmyeong retorted.

"I mean that girl, the one you brought back from Mount Hua."

Eunmyeong's body flinched for a moment.

"Of course, she is useful."

Eunmyeong replied, suppressing his tremor.

"You trust her?"

Without needing to be told 'what' he trusted, Eunmyeong knew what that 'what' was.

"I do trust her."

Then, a low chuckle was heard from beyond the curtain.

"The world always betrays human expectations, doesn't it? Especially faith. Trusting a puppet doll, are you confident you won't regret it?"

He was being reprimanded, as if to say, 'You're not in your right mind.' Eunmyeong bit his lip slightly. Then he replied,

"I trust her."

His voice almost cracked. Cold sweat trickled down his damp spine.

"A tool is just a tool. You haven't forgotten that fact, have you?"

"Of course not."

"Then it is fine."

After hearing Eunmyeong's confident reply, the entity behind the curtain fell silent for a moment.

"I hear that if you participate this time, you might have to fight a girl named Na Yerim (나예린)?"

"How do you know that?"

That was not something the person beyond the curtain should have been concerned about.

"There will be no danger, right?"

"None."

Eunmyeong answered firmly.

"You become distracted whenever you are involved with that girl. I hope your faith is not merely a simple expectation."

"Th-that's not it…"

However, the entity behind the curtain cut him off, as if unwilling to hear more.

"You haven't forgotten the oath you made then, have you?"

The heavy voice brought back memories.

"How could I possibly forget that oath?"

It was impossible to forget. He had resolved to kill her once more at that time. It was likely a memory he would carry with him for the rest of his life. It was surely unforgivable. If she knew that fact, she would undoubtedly hate him endlessly. Still, it didn't matter. She would likely never know that fact now.

"To send her to the Dreamy Villa (몽환산장)? Do you understand what that means?"

"I understand."

"It means to die and be reborn."

"Please grant me permission."

"…Very well. I grant it. But swear one thing."

"What is it?"

"That you will use the reborn child as a thorough tool. That is the only way to save the girl you brought here."

If that's the only way…

"I promise."

"When that child comes here, the first mission will be given by me."

"By you directly?"

"Yes. Do you have any objections?"

"N-no. I will obey the command."

The exchange they had then flashed in his mind once more. Now was the time for the first mission to be given.

"I will not argue further about that matter. Instead, prove that the girl is perfect under your control."

"How? Please tell me the method."

He was certain that the method had already been conceived.

"Since your words are absolutely loyal, testing you wouldn't be a bad idea. Besides, it's always good to preemptively eliminate any clues that might revive memories."

The method of testing was as follows.

"If that child encounters the girl named Na Yerim."

Eunmyeong knew what would come next and shivered.

"Kill her."

* * *

The heavy iron door closed behind him with a dull thud. Eunmyeong emerged from the sticky darkness and stood in the light once more. Yet, a chill still lingered in his body. He squinted as he gazed at the dazzling sunlight in the sky.

"I never imagined you were so close. Is that place your sanctuary? Or your refuge? I want to know what you know… Commander-in-Chief."

He recalled a person who was once one of his idols. Memories of a time when he believed this joyful period would last forever. But those memories had already faded, and he couldn't even remember the face.

"But he will not permit that. I must eliminate what you know before it falls into the hands of others. That means your annihilation. And the person entrusted with that mission is…"

Eunmyeong muttered to himself. The emotions he had frozen were stirring.

"I hope your tool is useful."

The voice still seemed to echo in his ears.

"…To obliterate one memory with another. He is truly cruel."

The meaning of it weighed heavily on his heart.

"One of us is bound to disappear."

However, he knew well that he would obey that command. He knew that he too was merely a tool. And he knew that he would have been much happier if he had never known.