Book 25 Chapter 23

When the southern sky opens

—Beyond the curtain

"Nabakcheon headed to the Heukcheon Alliance."

Another person was receiving the same report as Seocheon. He listened to the report while sitting cross-legged behind a curtain inscribed with "Myulgeop."

A person who reported while lying prone about a jang away from the curtain had the number '十二 (Twelve)' written on their back, and their face was covered with an iron mask.

"Any request for a visit from Nabakcheon?"

"None."

The iron mask reported again.

"His movements?"

"There have been no significant movements yet."

"Could it be that he intends to arbitrarily implement the 'Cheonbeonjibokjigye'?"

For the first time, a voice tinged with agitation flowed from his lips.

"There is a strong possibility. Otherwise, I don't think he would have suddenly headed to the Heukcheon Alliance after his daughter was kidnapped. It's likely he's behind it."

It was a plan that had been prepared for decades. Arbitrarily implementing that plan was unacceptable. Yet, that man had recklessly committed the deed. Without a word to me.

"Should we stop him?"

To ensure the success of the plan, the element of surprise had to be minimized.

"……"

The man behind the curtain pondered for a moment. Decades of hard work could be ruined in an instant. No amount of caution would ever be enough.

That plan was, quite literally, a plan to turn the heavens and earth upside down. There could be no slightest error in its execution. But the stopped wheel had begun to turn. Then, should this be seen as a sign?

'Is this a provocation, telling me to implement the Cheonbeonjibokjigye as soon as possible? That such an opportunity will never come again?'

However, the most crucial element was missing here to achieve that.

"He still hasn't awakened…"

It was awkward to proceed with the scheme as it was. But stopping the chariot that had already started to run was also impossible.

"The plan…"

Finally, Bukcheon uttered the command. Perhaps due to the immense mental exertion for that single decision, Bukcheon slowly sank into his chair. And a quiet word flowed from his lips.

"No one can stop it now."

***

Although Eunmyeong was summoned again and entered the underground reception room, his heart remained uneasy.

Every time he came here, the air felt heavy, making it difficult to breathe. This sense of pressure was due to the strong presence of the being behind the curtain inscribed with 'Myulgeop'. Though they were blood relatives, he had never considered there to be any affection between them. Had he ever truly felt parental affection? He had never even ventured beyond that curtain.

'Even though I am his child…'

Beyond the dim candlelight, the thin black curtain seemed like a colossal barrier.

He didn't remember his mother's face. She had passed away when he was an infant, before he could even understand. He had been raised by a wet nurse. However, his father had never shown any grief over this.

His father, who had lived for an impossibly long hundred years. Yet, as if to showcase the realm of martial arts he had attained, his hair was still jet black. His mother was just one of the many women his father had been involved with over a hundred years. It was unclear if they had even been formally married. There was no one around to teach him such things.

As he grew up, he rarely saw his father. Therefore, he only realized the existence of his father after he turned seven.

"Now you can learn martial arts."

His father's appearance before him was not because he missed his son, but because there was a need to teach him martial arts.

"You will become a child of Cheongyeop."

He heard those words when he turned ten. From then on, he continuously learned about the greatness of Cheongyeop Hyeolsin, the corrupted state of this martial world, and its foolishness. He relentlessly honed his martial arts. His mission, as one of the 'Children of Cheongyeop,' was to dedicate himself to the revival of Cheongyeop. It was only five years later that he learned his father was 'Bukcheon Myulgeop,' the leader and one of the four powerful figures, the 'Sachon Myulgeop,' who had guarded the greatest legend, 'Cheongyeop Hyeolsin,' who was still not forgotten.

How surprised he was to learn that Bukcheon, one of the Sachon Myulgeop, who had been reduced to a nearly forgotten legend after Dongcheon and Namcheon died and Seocheon was severely injured and rendered unable to recover during the turmoil a hundred years ago, while their leader Bukcheon went missing, was his father! He had heard the terrifying legends and fears about Cheongyeopryeong whispered in various corners of Macheongak. And now, his father was a fading legend… However, as a boy, he had thought at the time:

'Amazing!'

He had thought, 'Amazing!' regardless of good or evil, upon learning that his father was a legendary figure. Since then, he had come to believe that reviving Cheongyeopryeong was his fated mission. For that, he didn't hesitate to betray those he respected. He even became a demon who stole the eyes of the woman he loved.

Everything was for 'Cheongyeop.' Everything was for the coming new martial world.

But what he had once believed to be justice now made him unsure of what was right and wrong. He had learned that things weren't as simple as saying black is black, white is white, or red is red. The more he knew about the world, the more complex and entangled it was than he had imagined. So tangled that he didn't know where to begin. It was truly absurd to cut through such complexity with a single stroke and divide it. But even if he knew this, what could he do now? There was no turning back for him. He could only move forward. He could not defy the destiny given to him. His resistance had been mere handfuls.

He had never heard that he had siblings. But he always wondered. It just came to mind.

How many women had his father passed through over the last hundred years? Was it even possible for him to have no children at all? What if a woman had conceived a child with his seed? Where were they now? He wondered if they, who had the same father as him, were scattered somewhere, living without knowing each other. Perhaps only his father knew their identities.

'I might be just one of hundreds of children.'

And those hundreds of children could be his father's convenient pawns.

'Just like me now…'

Even with such impure thoughts, he didn't consider rebelling. He was always just obedient, like a child who craves his father's love and attention, which he disliked. But escaping his father's shadow was impossible. It was his destiny as a child to be born under such a father. Just as one cannot choose their parents when born, one cannot escape their destiny.

'Is it truly impossible for humans to escape destiny?'

His few attempts to defy destiny had all ended in failure, bringing him devastating consequences. He had no desire to try again.

But today, his destiny was about to take a major turn. However, such a change was also completely unrelated to his will.

"The time has come."

When had he appeared? From behind the curtain inscribed with Myulgeop in the dark basement, a voice echoed. Just moments before, there had been no trace of him, but his presence was felt as if he had suddenly appeared there. Simultaneously, the pressure he sensed intensified. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by invisible hands, making it hard to breathe. Eunmyeong tensed his entire body, lying prone about a jang away from the curtain.

"……"

What time was he referring to?

However, he was not yet permitted to ask questions, so he couldn't even inquire.

"Execute the Forty-Fourth Stratagem (第四十四計)!"

The Forty-Fourth Stratagem? Could it be, that plan? This soon?!

"It's too fast! Please reconsider!"

Forgetting his own position, Eunmyeong cried out.

"Too fast? Reconsider?"

"Yes, the preparations are not yet complete."

It was too late to start thinking after an event occurred. In urgent matters, even the time spent thinking was a luxury. Therefore, here, various stratagems were lined up, waiting. In preparation for the time they would be used. Instead of devising stratagems based on the situation, they chose a stratagem that fit the situation from hundreds of pre-prepared ones. Because they were stratagems tailored to the situation, there was a world of difference in scale and impact. There were stratagems to eliminate one person, and stratagems to annihilate an entire sect. Among them, the Forty-Fourth Stratagem was on a different level. It was a stratagem to overturn the entire system of the martial world that had been maintained for the past hundred years. Therefore, the plan was named 'Cheonbeonjibokjigye' in that sense. Knowing the true contents of this plan, which meant overturning heaven and earth, Eunmyeong felt even more fear. He could see the stagnant hundred years of time rapidly accelerating. And the torrent of time would engulf the entire martial world and rage.

"Above all, 'He' has not awakened yet."

The plan was originally prepared for that time. A being was indispensable to stop the torrent of time. Otherwise, everything would perish together. An endless vortex of blood would sweep away everything, leaving not a single foundation stone, regardless of black or white.

"That is why I say the time has come, my son."

Son. It was the first time he had heard that word since entering this 'underground reception room.' He continued speaking.

"A hundred years have passed since then; we have only waited. But that was a mistake. We should not have just waited. We should not have waited endlessly for our master, no, the true master of this martial world, to return. We must prepare a suitable place for him to come. We must create an opportunity for him to return. Nothing will change by just sitting idly. We must act first to welcome him."

"We first…"

"Yes, we first! Faster than anyone. We must inform the foolish people, who have grown complacent in peace, that he is still alive. We must sweep away this rotten old history and begin the history of a new martial world. The Forty-Fourth Stratagem is for that. Geography and human disposition were already prepared. All that was needed was the opportune moment (天時). And now, at this very moment, this opportune moment has arrived. Heaven, Earth, and Man are complete, so all that remains is execution!"

Eunmyeong shivered involuntarily. Something irreversible was about to begin. He couldn't tell if this tremor was excitement for the arrival of a new era or apprehension about the familiar present changing.

"I, too, did not expect an opportunity to arise so quickly after the failure of 'Hwasan Jigye.' Are you afraid?"

"……"

Eunmyeong could not answer. Then Bukcheon asked again.

"Are you afraid that you will bring an end to the fate of the martial world? But there comes a time when everyone must make a decision. Can you make a decision?"

Eunmyeong knelt and bowed his head lower, saying, "My destiny lies with Cheongyeop. The fate of turning the entire martial world into my enemy was decided from my birth. No matter how frightening, I will make a decision."

"Good! Come closer."

Eunmyeong was startled once again by his words. This had never happened before.

"What are you doing? Hurry and come closer."

Hesitantly, Eunmyeong rose and approached the curtain. And he stopped right in front of it. This black curtain had always stood before him like a giant wall. To go any further was unforgivable. But today was different.

"What are you doing? Come closer."

Bukcheon spoke to the hesitant Eunmyeong.

"B-but…"

Beyond this curtain inscribed with Myulgeop was an absolute forbidden zone that should not be crossed. No exceptions, even for a child. As far as Eunmyeong knew, only two types of people could freely cross that curtain.

One was the master and ruler of Cheongyeop, and the other was…

"It's fine. Come over."

Eunmyeong's eyes widened. His destiny was creaking and groaning, twisting with a tremendous roar. Something was about to change. And he unconsciously realized.

'This curtain is a boundary line!'

If he crossed this line, he would probably never be able to return. But was there a place to return to? He had already, with his own hands, gouged out the eyes of the woman he loved and murdered her existence. The woman named Dokgoryeong was as if she no longer existed in this world. Such a person had no place to return. He himself had shattered that place.

"Are you afraid? Then go back. Cowards who tremble at destiny are not needed."

He meant that without a strong will to make decisions, one could not be properly useful.

Frankly, Eunmyeong was afraid. Something vast and unseen awaited him. Something that would instantly make the beings named Eunmyeong and the Eldest Prince Bi disappear and create a new him. He strongly felt like he would no longer be himself. But he didn't want to be called a coward. He needed to be a useful son. Finally making a decision, Eunmyeong replied,

"No, I will move forward, Father!"

Even if it meant turning the entire martial world into his enemy, he could no longer help but move forward.

He crossed the barrier.

For him, it was the first time seeing the scene within. This place had always been a mysterious place shrouded in darkness. Eunmyeong looked around with small movements. Apart from the fact that there were no objects that could emit light on either side, there was nothing special. But the front was a little different. It looked very different from his expectations.

As he approached deeper into the heart of the darkness, he saw the 'throne' where his father sat. But there wasn't just one throne. Four chairs were arranged side by side on a level three steps higher, each inscribed with 'Dong,' 'Seo,' and 'Nam.' And in the place where 'Buk' should have been, one person sat. It was his father, Bukcheon, the leader of the Sachon Myulgeop. And behind these four chairs, six steps higher in the deep interior, a throne was visible, still buried in darkness. That throne was currently empty, and a translucent curtain blocked the space between them. In the center of the curtain, written in large, soaring red characters, was 'Cheongyeop (天劫).'

'Right behind there is He…'

Just seeing that text filled Eunmyeong with fear and reverence. Suppressing his trembling heart, he stared intently beyond the final curtain, but he felt no trace of anything behind it.

'It's empty… as expected…'

The throne had been empty for a hundred long years, waiting for the rightful owner to return and occupy it. Suppressing his uncontrollably trembling body, Eunmyeong approached the Tai Sa even closer. And he stopped right below the three-tiered staircase, about to prostrate himself again. Then Bukcheon stopped him.

"There's no need to kneel. Come up."

Eunmyeong shivered.

'Come up? Why? Why?'

Even the area behind the Myulgeop curtain already felt incredibly out of place for him, and the area on these stairs was even more unsuitable. These three not-so-high steps were an entirely different world.

"What's wrong? You must know the meaning of crossing that curtain, right?"

'As expected! Is that it!'

His mind reeled and breathing became difficult. The destiny awaiting him was heavier than he had imagined, and Eunmyeong could barely maintain his sanity. He had a terrifying feeling that he was ceasing to be himself. But he also realized that there was no place to return. Suppressing his trembling legs, Eunmyeong climbed the stairs.

"I will be away for a while. I must act myself to implement the plan."

"Yes."

"Before that, I will give you this."

From the seat labeled 'Nam,' a box quietly floated. It was a sophisticated technique of air manipulation. Bukcheon's gaze was not at all on the box. The box moved on its own and approached Eunmyeong. Eunmyeong received the box with trembling hands. The box was inscribed with a large 'Namcheon.'

"This is Namcheon's secret manual and his unique weapon that I have recovered. It also contains the magical herbs necessary for cultivation. You have sufficiently laid the foundation in Cheongyeop's martial arts, so you should be able to achieve some level of mastery with just the secret manual. The rest is up to you."

"Yes, thank you."

"Get up!"

Eunmyeong stood up. Bukcheon also rose from his seat for the first time. Then he lifted the cloth that had covered the Namcheon seat and draped it over Eunmyeong's shoulders. Finally, he placed a bronze mask on his face.

As the bronze mask slowly covered his face, he felt as if he had become someone else. And Eunmyeong realized that he could never escape this chain of destiny.

When all the rituals were complete, Bukcheon declared,

"From today, you are 'Namcheon (南天)'."

For the first time, his voice carried a hint of pride.

"Cheongyeop Hyeolsae, Hyeolsin Reborn! I will dedicate my life and shed my blood for the world of Cheongyeop!"

Eunmyeong shouted.

"The day has finally come. I have been teaching you all this time to make you Namcheon. Your martial arts are also based on Namcheon's martial arts. So, the affinity should be good. With the secret manual and secret weapon in hand, you will be reborn as the true Namcheon. Your martial arts will also improve dramatically beyond comparison to now."

Bukcheon burst into hearty laughter, as if unbearably pleased.

"Hahaha! With Namcheon as the last, the Sachon Myulgeop are finally all gathered. Now, to create the world of Cheongyeop. To write a new era of the martial world. The old history of the martial world will now come to an end."

As his hot and confused head cooled down and became somewhat calm, he began to notice the things around him. The first thing that caught his eye were the two seats marked 'Dong' and 'Seo.'

'Who are the owners of those seats?'

Based on the previous conversation, it was clear that the Sachon Myulgeop were complete. That meant he was at the lowest rank. Considering his age, experience, and skill, it was natural. He had no intention of disputing that. As he still couldn't believe he had ascended to the position of Namcheon, it was all too sudden.

Then, who were Dongcheon and Seocheon, who had occupied their seats before him?

Looking at the two empty seats, Eunmyeong desperately wanted to ask who they were.

However, he couldn't ask directly. Even though he had just received the position of Namcheon, he was still only half-formed. If he couldn't obtain Namcheon's advanced techniques, he would have no grounds to complain if he was discarded. Position was not as important as skill; that was the teaching of Cheongyeop. The truth of Cheongyeop was that the weak were eliminated.

For the time being, those two seats would remain a mystery.

With the seats of the Sachon Myulgeop all filled, the descendants of Cheongyeop finally began to move in earnest.

The peace that had been maintained for a hundred years.

Cracks appeared in that dike of peace, and as it split and burst, a torrent was about to engulf the world. The fate of the martial world was now about to flow into a violent, turbulent stream.