Book 29 Chapter 10

The Great Wilderness (大難猿)

―Run! A Reel of Memories! The Lost Iron Tracks!

Deep within a dark and secret cave.

In the depths of this desolate sanctuary, known to a very few as the 'Great Wilderness' (大難猿), Na Baek-cheon sat cross-legged, his eyes gently closed.

His breathing was so shallow it was impossible to tell if he was breathing at all, and his complexion was as pale as if all the blood had been drained away. Of course, it wasn't that he was pale from the cold, as he sat half-naked with his upper body exposed. While one might wonder who would want to see the upper body of a grandfather over a hundred years old, his physique was surprisingly lean and powerful, with well-defined muscles like those of a man in his thirties or forties, forming a body of steel.

The internal energy cultivated over the years could grant him power far beyond that of ordinary people. However, internal energy did not build muscle. Thus, while a gaunt seventy-year-old master might display supernatural agility unimaginable to the young, their bodies typically remained gaunt.

Even those who, in their youth, had proudly carved a "King" (王) into their abdominal muscles, found that muscles, at best, would become soft and flabby like dissolved porridge after only a month or two of neglect. Consequently, most seasoned masters of the martial world relied on the internal energy accumulated with age, relegating physical training to the back burner. They believed that building muscle, which could disappear so quickly, was a waste of effort compared to accumulating internal energy, which could sufficiently supplement a weakening body.

But that was the thinking of an ordinary person; Na Baek-cheon's thoughts were different.

He pondered how much stronger he could become if his body, tempered by training, could be supported by his growing internal energy. There was also a small part of him that didn't want to disappoint the wife he had gained in his later years simply because of his age.

Therefore, he had never neglected the cultivation of his internal energy, physical training, or mental discipline to this day.

Ever since 'that day,' the day at Hwasan's Cheonmu Peak, he could never rest. He couldn't rest, even to shake off that terror. Even if the heavens didn't fall, the moment he knew that the martial world he knew could crumble like a sandcastle on the beach at any moment, he could never afford to be lazy.

Yet, currently, his steel-like chest bore a diagonal scar. And red blood seeped from that wound.

'I thought I blocked it for sure…'

The attack from the Lord of Macheon Pavilion had bypassed his sword and cut into his chest. Had it been any deeper, the wound might have sliced through his ribs and pierced his heart. But what unsettled him more than that was the very existence of that 'technique.'

Na Baek-cheon initiated the Un'gi Yosang Beop (Qi Circulation and Appearance Enhancement Method), contracting his pectoral muscles to close the wound. The gaping wound closed in an instant, and the bleeding stopped. But only for a moment, as the thin scar on his chest reopened, and blood began to seep out again.

Na Baek-cheon exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes.

"Ha, it's not stopping, is it?"

He had no idea how many times he had tried, but each attempt had ended in failure. Not only did the wound not heal, but even the Un'gong Yosang Beop (Internal Energy Circulation and Appearance Enhancement Method) had no effect. It could only reduce the bleeding.

Drip, drip. Blood flowed incessantly from the thin, diagonal wound. The flow of Qi around the wound seemed to have been severed, as it was not circulating properly.

'An invincible strike that cannot be blocked or dodged. This martial art… I've definitely seen it before.'

Na Baek-cheon's eyes shook violently.

It was the same as then.

'Yes, back then too…'

He had clearly witnessed a strike that could not be blocked, no matter how hard one tried.

…On that day, a hundred years ago.

…At Hwasan's Cheonmu Peak.

His consciousness was becoming hazy, likely due to excessive bleeding.

In the mind of Na Baek-cheon, on the verge of death, past events unfolded before his eyes.

'It would be troublesome if this were a reel of memories…'

He mumbled to himself, his spirit already soaring to the summit of Hwasan's Cheonmu Peak. Familiar faces greeted him.

'Hyung…'

One of the two 'Hyungs,' a man with a face as delicate as a woman's, terrifyingly beautiful, was speaking to him.

* * *

"Baek-cheon, you're still here?"

"I'm not going down, no, I can't go down. I'll fight alongside you, Hyungs."

Baek-cheon's resolve was clear.

"If I tell you to go down, then go. This fight is still too much for you. Frankly, you're just in the way."

Hyeok-jung was resolute. He wasn't the type to be swayed by passion and give someone a task.

"In the way? That's harsh, Hyung."

"We're about to face a monster unprecedented in the martial world. We can't fight with something tripping us up. Do you want to die carrying a burden just to satisfy yourself?"

"B-but…"

"But what?"

"I'm sorry for being a burden! But I want to fight too. I want to fight alongside Hyung Wol-rin and Hyung Hyeok-jung."

Being left out of such a monumental battle was unacceptable. He was still young, and his blood was still boiling.

"Fighting now would only be a futile death for you."

Baek-cheon refused with his entire being.

"I still don't want to. Absolutely not. I'll stay even if I die. Someone has to witness this fight. Even if you two fall to 'him,' the valor of you two who fought him must be passed down to future generations. And only you two Hyungs can draw out his hidden power. Someone needs to see the martial art he displays, don't you think?"

There was sense in his words. Didn't they say that knowing yourself and your enemy leads to a hundred victories? Even if victory wasn't possible, it was necessary to know in order not to lose absurdly.

"Alright. If you tell me not to interfere, I won't. I'll watch quietly. In hiding."

"You've become quite stubborn."

"That's normal. To be around you Hyungs, you need this much guts as basic equipment. It's not an option."

Gal-jung Hyeok clicked his tongue at Na Baek-cheon's nonchalant attitude as he shrugged.

"Oh ho, this little kid from the Na family has become quite skilled at acting cocky."

"Isn't it said that a man's character changes after three days apart from his companions?"

"What character change? You'd be lucky if you weren't ignored."

"I've also reached the Ten Stars stage of the clan's secret Baek-ryeo Jincheon Sword Technique!"

"Really? That's impressive. When did you learn all that? I'm proud of you."

As Hyeok Wol-rin praised him, Gal-jung Hyeok snorted, thinking that praising him too much would make him arrogant.

"Hahaha, then can I fight alongside you?"

"No, that's not the case."

Hyeok Wol-rin shook his head without a hint of a smile on his handsome, almost beautiful face.

"Yes, you say no? Am I still far from it? People usually only glimpse it after they're over forty."

Indeed, he belonged to the category of 'geniuses.' That's why he could master the Baek-ryeo Jincheon Sword Technique to the Ten Stars stage at such a young, almost childlike age.

"If it's five years from now, you might be able to fight alongside us. But not today."

"Five years? Not even ten years, no, a hundred years, is too soon for you to fight with us."

Baek-cheon couldn't hide his disappointment at that remark.

"A hundred years is too much, isn't it? A hundred years."

"Talk to me again in a hundred years, eh?"

Gal-jung Hyeok growled.

"Why are you trying to eat me alive, Great Hyung? Are you jealous that Hyung Hyeok is showering me with affection?"

"What? Alright, you die by my hand today. Others will think you died by Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin, so the cleanup will be perfect."

"G-Great Hyung Gal, don't make such jokes with that expression. I'm scared you might be serious."

* * *

Gal-jung Hyeok's lips curved upward.

"I am serious."

"G-Great…"

"Here."

Before Na Baek-cheon could finish speaking, Gal-jung Hyeok threw a key.

"Great Hyung, th-this is…"

Baek-cheon, who had received the key reflexively, trembled. Although it was made of gold, it felt incredibly heavy, as if his shoulder would be dislocated.

"Is it heavy?"

Gal-jung Hyeok asked with a grin, as if amused.

"Yes, it's heavy. Of course, it's heavy! Isn't this one of the 'Heaven, Earth, Man' keys?"

His earlier playful demeanor was gone. The young man's face was filled with terror.

"Remember this. That is the weight of the martial world."

Trembling violently, Baek-cheon's hands, supporting the key with both hands, shook like a quaking aspen.

"Well, to be precise, it's about one-eighteenth of the weight of the martial world, no, it's larger than that, maybe about one-fifth. Don't drop it, hold it tight."

"I-I won't drop it. How could I possibly drop this! Great Hyung! Please take it back quickly!"

Cold sweat poured down Na Baek-cheon's pale face like rain.

"Keep it."

Gal-jung Hyeok said as if it were nothing.

"What? Me?"

"Yes. If something were to happen to us…"

"If what happens?"

"Run like hell with that."

"R-run?"

Na Baek-cheon asked, swallowing hard. Gal-jung Hyeok replied with a serious expression.

"Yes, absolutely do not think of fighting, just run. That key is one of the three most important keys to the Han-cheol-gwe, the 'Man (人)' key. Without that key, the Han-cheol-gwe can never be opened."

It was a key superior to the Four Auspicious Beasts keys.

"……"

"As long as they don't take it, they can never open that box, and then they can never rule this martial world."

Looking at Na Baek-cheon, who couldn't speak, the two reiterated their plea.

"Then, run and grow stronger. You know what's inside that box, don't you?"

"Of course. That's why I'm trembling like this."

His hands were shaking so much that they might drop it at any moment.

"Yes, it must be heavy. The fate of the martial world is contained within it."

Gal-jung Hyeok grinned mischievously.

Whoever opens that Han-cheol-gwe will rule this martial world. Therefore, the key was like bait.

"It's an unprecedented lure."

Indeed, it was a grand lure, using the dominion over martial arts sects as bait.

"It's a bit of a cowardly tactic, but we can't just hand it over willingly, can we?"

Hyeok Wol-rin spoke, and Hyeok-jung snorted.

"Cowardly? What's cowardly about it? To catch such a big fish, you need a flashy lure."

However, if things went wrong, they could be the ones to be caught. Instead of catching a prize fish, they could become prey to a shark.

A battle for destiny was about to begin.

Na Baek-cheon felt his heart pound at the realization that he was a witness at this crossroads of history.

"Then, watch from hiding. And engrave this battle clearly in your eyes. In case, later… No, forget it."

Hyeok-jung cut himself off mid-sentence, but his intention was clear.

He wanted him to clearly engrave Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin Wi Cheon-mu's true strength in his eyes. And if they were to fall, to carry on their will.

If they died, Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin's martial arts would be forever buried in darkness, and thus, Na Baek-cheon found himself in the position of a spectator.

And he saw.

A man carrying a large coffin-like Han-cheol-gwe on his right shoulder approached lightly.

The embodiment of the nightmare that plunged the entire martial world into hell, the essence of fear, the heavy box that four men struggled to lift, being moved…

The shadow that appeared at the foot of the mountain grew larger and larger, and eventually reached the summit.

It was a supernatural movement technique, as if the concept of distance disappeared with each step.

'He' wore a silver mask made of 'Bing-eun' (Ice Silver), which emitted a chilling aura, as if carved from ten thousand years of ice, just as he had heard.

Just looking at him made his body tremble, his heart feel as if it were covered in white frost and freezing.

'This must be cold fear.'

Only then did Baek-cheon truly understand its meaning.

However…

"Hey, it's been a while, you two. Especially you, Rin, you're still as pretty as ever. That's a good thing. Have you been well?"

His tone was completely out of place with the suffocating and cold atmosphere, as if he had just come for a stroll.

"It's been a while. Shall we start right away?"

Hyeok Wol-rin asked, suppressing his emotions.

"Has your skill improved, little brother? Are you confident you won't get caught this time?"

"This time, I will kill you."

"That's music to my ears. But can you do it alone?"

"If I can't do it alone, we can do it together."

Baek-cheon knew better than anyone how much these two had endured and refined themselves for this moment.

"It's called Myeol-geop Sam-gwan (Three Gates of Destruction), wasn't it? It was a bit boring, but it had some original aspects. However, that's not enough to stop me, as you can see. Not even close. You guys need to try harder."

Myeol-geop Sam-gwan (Three Gates of Destruction).

Three gates created to bury Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin Wi Cheon-mu, who challenged alone to obtain the single 'Han-cheol-gwe' containing the fate of the martial world, both righteous and unrighteous.

The three gates presided over by Bi-un Dap-un Jong-kwae, Do-je Yong-gyeong-ui, and Geom-chi Seop-un-myeong, who were in charge of the Hwasan Branch's Myeol-geop Sam-gwan. Hundreds, thousands of martial artists sacrificed their lives like scattered petals to protect what was inside that box. However, they only learned the cruel truth that countless sacrifices did not always bring good results.

When Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin Wi Cheon-mu passed through the three gates with supernatural power that was unfathomable for a human, obtained the nine keys to open the Han-cheol-gwe, and stood there, two young men, still minors at the time, stood to stop him at the very end of the gates.

They were the ones who had been easily subdued three times and disgracefully escaped three times by Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin Wi Cheon-mu.

They were Hyeok Wol-rin and Gal-jung Hyeok.

Gal-jung Hyeok, the Black Lion (Black Lion), who had overcome the 'Wall of Illusory Dreams' after enduring hellish trials, and Hyeok Wol-rin, the Taegeuk Shin Hyeop (Taegeuk Divine Knight), who had completed a new 'Final Ultimate Secret' after repeated research and long contemplation.

This was a story before their names became legends.

"You both have a different aura than last time. Have you both overcome the wall that stood before you?"

"If we haven't, we can't defeat you."

Hyeok Wol-rin said, gazing at 'him' with eyes as calm as a lake.

"I won't be defeated as easily as last time!"

Gal-jung Hyeok glared at him with the unwavering gaze of a lion.

"I'm looking forward to it. But first, I need to deal with this cumbersome iron box."

Na Baek-cheon felt fear at his audacity to call the box containing the fate of the martial world 'cumbersome.'

"Yeok Cheon (Reversing Heaven)!"

Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin called out a single name softly.

*Swish!*

As if he had melted into the shadows, he appeared behind him without a trace. He was wearing a bronze mask, with the character 'Buk (North)' engraved on its forehead.

"You called, my Lord?"

Yeok Cheon, also known as Buk Cheon, replied. Perhaps he lacked respect or fear for Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin. His voice was exceedingly blunt.

"Yes, I called. Put this down below. The rest will be brought down soon."

He threw the bundle of keys along with the Han-cheol-gwe as if it were nothing.

"So this is the 'box'."

A glint of interest flashed in the eyes behind the mask.

"Yes, it's the box. What, are you tempted? If you are, try to open it and take it. I won't stop you."

His tone was nonchalant, as if it were no big deal.

"Is it alright if I take possession of this martial world?"

His tone was not one of great interest.

"What does it matter? You don't seem very interested. With your ability, there's nothing you can't possess?"

At that, Buk Cheon shook his head and replied in his usual blunt voice.

"Among the Si Cheon Myeol Geop (Four Heavens Destroying Calamities), who wouldn't have such ability? And how could I, your humble servant, possess something of my Lord?"

"What does it matter? If you want it, take it. As you know, what I want is something else. But I won't bring it to you, so if you need it, go and get it yourself."

His tone suggested the martial world was like a child's toy.

"Of course, I will. If necessary. But I'm not interested in ruling the martial world either… Then I will wait below with my subordinates."

"You're not even going to help?"

'He' grinned and asked. Meaning, was he leaving without saying a word about helping? Then Yeok Cheon turned around and said.

"Isn't it unnecessary?"

"Of course, but that's what we call give and take (情)."

It was an inappropriate word to come from Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin, of all people. Even the blunt Yeok Cheon couldn't just let it slide and added.

"Give and take? If others hear that from the mouth of Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin, they'll criticize you."

"Let them criticize. If you worry about such things, you can't achieve unification of the martial world, let alone become a heroic figure who walks the 'Path of Hegemony'."

"You've spoken too much. It's scarier to speak less."

Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin retorted at Yeok Cheon's words.

"I'm not a very scary person."

If any other martial artist heard this, their heart would stop in utter shock.

"…That's not very convincing. In any case, I'll go down and wait, my Lord."

"Do so. By the way, Yeok Cheon, you still call me Lord so rigidly. I told you to call me Master?"

"We must distinguish between public and private, my Lord."

Yeok Cheon said in a respectful voice.

"You inflexible fool. This might be the last time you see me, why would it hurt to call me Master?"

However, the blunt man, Yeok Cheon, remained unfazed by such words.

"As if such a thing would happen. Then I will take my leave, my Lord. Please enjoy yourself to your heart's content."

With that, he turned and descended Hwasan carrying the Han-cheol-gwe. He didn't even glance at Hyeok Wol-rin, Gal-jung Hyeok, and Na Baek-cheon behind him.

It was far from an intense scene, considering it was a battle for the fate of the martial world. Na Baek-cheon thought that if he survived this, he would never speak of it. No one would believe him anyway.

Who would believe that the most famous serial killer in the martial world actually possessed such humanistic traits as joking with his disciple?

Na Baek-cheon was still young and didn't want to be treated like a madman.

'Let's pretend I didn't see it. Pretend I didn't hear it.'

After that, an unprecedented battle unfolded.

Overcome with tension and unable to withstand the tangible killing intent emanating from Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin, Baek-cheon fell into 'Hwan-yeong-sal' (Phantom Kill). If his internal energy had been any weaker, or if his mastery of the Baek-ryeo Jincheon Sword Technique had been any slower, he would have died.

Therefore, he couldn't fully observe the battle. It remained only as a powerful vision. However, even with just that, he was able to witness significant progress in his martial arts later.

Witnessing a legendary battle, being next to a legendary figure, that's what it meant.

His level was raised without him even realizing it. By a higher average. By a newly updated standard. It was like standing on the shoulders of a giant and looking at the world.

However, some parts were so intense and vivid, and because he saw them before completely falling into the phantom state, he remembered them clearly.

That thrilling strike was etched in his mind and had never faded.

At that time, Baek-cheon saw.

What harmony his casually swung blood-stained hand created.

At first, it looked like a casual swing of his hand. But the expected sound didn't come. The air was frozen, not even stirring, and the wind remained silent.

There was no sound, no trace, no form.

Only the entire summit of Cheonmu Peak was enveloped in a deadly aura, making it impossible for Baek-cheon to breathe properly. His vision seemed to turn black.

A strike without sound, without trace, without form (無音無痕無形).

But indeed, Hyeok Wol-rin was Hyeok Wol-rin.

Hyeok Wol-rin, who had already reached a realm beyond Baek-cheon's imagination at the time, instinctively felt something and deployed a defensive technique. Instantly, a shield of fire and ice enveloped his body.

He probably blocked it. This dual shield was designed to defend all directions.

But…

Distance? Defense? Evasion?

Everything was useless.

It pierced through the dual defense of red saber and blue sword, the defense of ice and fire that boasted almost absolute defense, as if it had simply passed through.

Rather than breaking the defense and tearing through the shield, it felt as if it had simply passed through. It was a move that rendered the concept of interval meaningless.

*Chaaak!*

For a moment, it felt as if the world had split.

Yin and Yang. The white saber and black sword, shining not with their usual red and blue light but with distinct black and white colors. As the black and white sword rings swirled, a red bloodline spread like a spiderweb across the chest of Hyeok Wol-rin, who was about to deliver the final blow with his sword to the right and saber to the left. And through that thin, red gap, crimson blood gushed out like a fountain.

*Poo-hwak!*

From afar, Baek-cheon saw Hyeok Wol-rin fall like a log, reaching out his hand. It seemed incredibly surreal to Baek-cheon.

Despite the blood splattering and screams erupting before his eyes, he heard no sound and felt no sensation. Everything seemed to unfold in slow motion. Yet, he himself couldn't move a finger as if time had stopped.

He could do nothing.

His thoughts themselves had stopped.

And then what happened next…?

He didn't remember the aftermath clearly. It was only remembered as a dark abyss, and when he regained consciousness, he was still alive. Surrounded by cheering crowds.

They were all chanting two names.

With new epithets attached. No one called them by their names anymore.

—Long live Mu-sin Hyeok Wol-rin! Long live Mu-shin-ma Gal-jung Hyeok!

It was the moment when Mu-shin (Martial God) and Shin-ma (Divine Demon) were born.

But Baek-cheon felt no sense of finality at all.

'It's all over?'

That was a lie. Nothing was over.

His teeth chattered, his lips were pale as if drained of blood, and his body was as cold as if he had entered an ice cave.

What in the world had happened up there?

'What did I see?'

No matter how hard he tried to recall, all he got was a headache.

So, after that, the two who survived… yes, they were alive, surprisingly. Although severely injured, Hyeok Wol-rin and Gal-jung Hyeok were alive.

In any case, Na Baek-cheon couldn't help but ask them later.

"What in the world happened while I was unconscious? Did you really defeat 'him,' Great Hyung?"

"……"

Hyeok Wol-rin did not answer. So, he reluctantly asked Gal-jung Hyeok.

"Did you really, really, really defeat him, Great Hyung?"

Then Gal-jung Hyeok replied with a wry smile.

"Well… I'm not sure myself."

It was truly an ambiguous answer.

"Wh-what kind of answer is that, Great Hyung? You lost the 'Han-cheol-gwe' too, didn't you? Isn't it over if you lose that? Did you get it back?"

"It's here, why? Forget the painful past. Anyway, we kept the 'keys.' Isn't that enough? It's not over. We didn't lose it. And ask questions one at a time, you punk! This Hyung is getting really confused even as I answer."

Then he smacked him on the head.

"So, you kept all the keys?"

"Yes. Four for me, four for that friend. And one that you have."

A total of nine.

"Out of eighteen, the guardians of Myeol-geop Sam-gwan each had three… so nine were lost."

Half were lost, half were kept. If you call it a draw, it's a draw.

"You didn't get any back, you just didn't lose them!"

"You idiot, that's what it means to keep them."

"Ouch! Stop hitting me, Great Hyung Gal. Please stop hitting me."

Although he would later become the leader of the Jeong Cheon Alliance, part of the Baekdo Martial Alliance, at this time, he was merely a bullied subordinate.

* * *

'Those keys back then, surely…'

Great Hyung Gal-jung Hyeok said that when he passed on the position of Black Heavenly Alliance leader to his son, he gave him the keys to make him realize the weight of being the ruler of the Black Path and to never forget it.

He named it Cheon-bung Geum-si (Heaven-Splitting Golden Simurgh).

It was a warning that this was a dangerous object that could shatter the heaven they carried at any moment. It was also a reminder to never forget that this peace could be shattered at any time by a small key. The weight contained in the key was so immense that even the daring Na Baek-cheon could not carry it with him. If he were to lose it by mistake, he would be unable to face the martial artists of the Eastern Province.

If he felt that way, it was probably even more so for Gal-jung Cheon, who was much younger.

Then where is Cheon-bung Geum-si?

Would those who took the Han-cheol-gwe willingly give up the key?

If they had intended to, they would have given up a hundred years ago. The fact that its whereabouts are still unknown is the strongest evidence that they have not given up.

It was a kind of challenge, and Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin was never a liar when it came to challenges and bets. For him, conquering the martial world was also a kind of bet or game.

An invisible attack, an unblockable attack, and a wound that never heals.

The invisible, soundless, traceless strike that pierced the chest of Hyeok Wol-rin, now called Mu-shin, bore a striking resemblance to the strike wielded by the Lord of Macheon Pavilion.

'I must confirm it…'

He had to confirm it.

Whether it would bring hope or despair to the martial world, he didn't know, but he had to confirm it.

With that thought, Na Baek-cheon's consciousness, which had drifted away, gradually returned. At the same time, his spirit, which had flown to the past, also returned to the present.

Na Baek-cheon, who had been closing his eyes, woke up with a cold sweat. Then the pain he had forgotten began to torment him.

His contemplation had been too long. Was it because his body had weakened?

The past that had passed kept coming to mind.

Was it a signal from his body to settle his life, or the will of heaven?

He had no desire to see a reel of memories just yet.

More importantly, he needed his wife's permission first. Otherwise, he risked receiving a tremendous scolding later.

As a husband to one woman and a father to one child, he could not die carelessly without the consent of his wife and daughter. As the head of a household and the leader of a group, he had an obligation to return alive.

"Yes, I haven't even seen my granddaughter's face yet…"

Na Baek-cheon was surprised even as he mumbled to himself. He didn't seem particularly interested in a grandson, unconsciously deciding it would be a granddaughter regardless of gender. But there was a problem before that.

"No, no. To see my granddaughter, I have to marry Yerim first, don't I? That's not right, absolutely not."

Unconsciously, an image he didn't particularly want to recall appeared. A face with long, unruly bangs, and a constant, confident or perhaps condescending smile playing on his lips. The first person to capture his daughter's heart, Bi Ryu-yeon.

While capturing his daughter's heart was one thing, it was a miscalculation to think he would be allowed to date, let alone marry her. It would be an insult to all the fathers in the world who doted on their daughters.

If not for his title as the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, he would have started by punching him. But what were status, face, and responsibility? He regretted it.

The martial world was a place where stories of fathers who, out of excessive love for their daughters, sent assassins one by one after any suitor who approached them, were common. It was a place where stories of fathers breaking at least a limb or two, if not separating head from body, were heard as everyday occurrences.

'I'm quite decent compared to them.'

Na Baek-cheon thought of himself as a very principled father in comparison.

His condition had already progressed beyond severe.

At that moment, something strange began to appear in Na Baek-cheon's blurred vision.

'Why is that guy in front of me?'

At first, he thought he was still dreaming. It was impossible for that guy with the unruly bangs to be here in the Great Wilderness. He must still be stuck in a dream due to excessive bleeding. He berated himself, calling himself pathetic for being the leader of Jeong Cheon Alliance, when…

Suddenly, the annoying apparition, now close enough to be within reach, raised its hand and grinned.

"Good morning, Father-in-law!"

Even that bright and cheerful voice was too vivid to be a dream, so Na Baek-cheon was startled as if struck by lightning and completely awoke from the sea of memories.

"Y-you, how did you get here?"

"Aww, of course, it's because I was worried about you, Father-in-law. I broke through a surrounding force of three thousand and terrifying ajummas to get here. I almost died about seven times."

"Stop that sickening flattery!"

Amidst this, he heard conversations from up ahead, like, 'Hey, you old beggar. He said he almost died seven times? Do you remember?' and 'No, I don't remember, Hyung Jang.' He also seemed to hear conversations like, 'But why is Great Hyung acting like that?' and 'Who knows, maybe he's trying to win Father-in-law's favor.' and 'It seems he's earned disgust instead of favor.'

Only then did the presence of Jang Hong, Namgung Sang, and Moyong Hwi, who had followed Bi Ryu-yeon, come into Na Baek-cheon's vision.

"Th-this isn't a dream, is it?"

Na Baek-cheon asked in a bewildered voice, still unable to believe it.

"Of course, it's 120% reality, Father-in-law."

Bi Ryu-yeon said with a smile. Finally, Bi Ryu-yeon and his group had succeeded in securing Na Baek-cheon.

'I'm glad someone came, but why him of all people…'

Seeing Bi Ryu-yeon's beaming smile, Na Baek-cheon let out a sigh mixed with lament.

"This is a nightmare…"

* * *

"…Is that so? I never expected even those who lived in seclusion to come out as Shin-ma…"

After hearing the full story of what had happened outside since he went into hiding in the Great Wilderness, Na Baek-cheon let out a sigh as if the ground had collapsed.

He had somewhat anticipated it after seeing Gal-jung Cheon lying in a pool of blood, but the situation had spiraled into the worst possible outcome. Although he himself had not killed Gal-jung Cheon, he could not help but feel a heavy sense of responsibility.

"I've never seen such terrifying ajummas before."

Bi Ryu-yeon shook his head as if tired.

"Ah, ajummas…"

Calling the Three Grand Dames, who made even Gal-jung Cheon, the leader of the Black Heavenly Alliance, tremble, 'ajummas' was an incredibly strange and disrespectful term. However, he seemed unaware of his almost reckless disrespect and continued speaking.

"We're on the verge of a righteous-unrighteous war, or rather, half a step away. It wouldn't be strange if a righteous-unrighteous war broke out within an hour. They look like people who can't wait to fight."

Hearing that, Na Baek-cheon's complexion grew even graver.

"The current martial world is boring. Therefore, young people with boiling blood, or old people consumed by hatred, or those who cannot forget their fear, hate their opponents to overcome that fear. That's why they desire war. A boiling Warring States period."

"They're fools. Don't they know this boredom is proof of peace?"

Bi Ryu-yeon's casually thrown remark made Na Baek-cheon's eyes gleam.

"Yes, they are fools. They do know. Do you know how much sacrifice we made in the past to attain this 'boredom'?"

"……"

The group was speechless at Na Baek-cheon's question.

"Thousands, no, tens of thousands of sacrifices allowed us to attain this 'boredom' today, in other words, 'peace'."

The leisure to do things other than kill and be killed. However, there were also many people in the world who, during that leisure time, struggled with boredom by doing nothing at all.

"Well then, let's also go out to protect the 'peace' of this boring daily life."

Bi Ryu-yeon was about to leave immediately, but for some reason, Na Baek-cheon stopped him.

"Wait a moment. Something strange is happening. Something is bothering me."

Although he hadn't had time to think about it in his haste, after hiding in the Great Wilderness, he had gained more time to ponder. Whether it was a dream or reality, the important thing was that something had flashed in his mind.

The 'box' would never open without 'keys.' And one wouldn't normally carry something so enormous in their possession. It was normal to store it somewhere. Na Baek-cheon had done the same. The Azure Dragon Silver Guard had also suffered annihilation because of those 'keys.' Because of the 'keys' they had stored.

Therefore, there was no way they would give up the keys. The only tools that could open that Han-cheol-gwe, the Cheon-bung Geum-si. Especially the most important 'Heaven, Earth, Man' keys among them.

"What exactly is inside that Han-cheol-gwe?"

"That's what I'm wondering. Why is everyone talking about 'keys,' 'keys'?"

Moyong Hwi and Bi Ryu-yeon, who had heard a brief explanation, asked their respective questions. Their tone suggested they had no idea how important this secret of the martial world was.

"Everything about the fate of the martial world is inside."

Na Baek-cheon said in a serious voice.

"Oh, you're exaggerating."

Na Baek-cheon shook his head, wishing it were so.

"No. The one who possesses what is inside that box can become the ruler of the martial world, regardless of whether they are righteous or unrighteous. The ruler of the unified martial world! That's why we named that Han-cheol box 'Cheon-ha Gun-lim Gwe' (Heavenly Ruler Cabinet)."

"Cheon-ha… Gun-lim Gwe…"

Their eyes widened at the truly arrogant and boundless name.

"Does it contain some ultra-supreme divine skill manual? Or an ultra-ultra-supreme invincible divine weapon!"

At Bi Ryu-yeon's words, his eyes shining, Na Baek-cheon shook his head once more.

"A divine skill manual and a divine weapon can create a single transcendent being, but that's not what's inside. It's the prestigious right to rule, the proof of legitimate reign, and its collateral."

"Proof of… reign…?"

"Collateral…?"

Moyong Hwi and Namgung Sang showed expressions of doubt.

"Just how luxurious must the collateral be to guarantee rule over the martial world?"

To Bi Ryu-yeon's question, Na Baek-cheon pondered for a moment.

'Should I keep the secret until the end? Or is the time now? Is it time for future generations to know the hidden secrets?'

Finally, Na Baek-cheon spoke again.

"Ha, although I am reluctant to pass on the legacy of my predecessors to the next generation… you should now know at least the reason why such things are happening in this martial world and why lives are being risked."

Na Baek-cheon finally made up his mind. He was determined to reveal the greatest secret of the martial world that had been hidden for the past hundred years.

"The Han-cheol-gwe that was stolen by Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin a hundred years ago, the strictly sealed Cheon-ha Gun-lim Gwe, contains the 'Sect Leader's Seal' of the Nine Major Sects, the Eight Great Families, and the Thirteen Black Path Lords who ruled the martial world at the time."

"Are you talking about Sect Leader's Seals like Shaolin's Green Jade Buddha Seal?"

A wave of shock swept through the group.

"That's right."

"But we've never heard any story about a Sect Leader's Seal being lost from any of the Nine Major Sects!"

Moyong Hwi exclaimed in a furious voice.

"Of course, you wouldn't know. It was decided not to reveal it."

"Then the ones currently being used…"

To Jang Hong's cautious words, Na Baek-cheon nodded.

"Most of them are replicas."

"R-replicas…"

In a word, they were fakes.

Moyong Hwi almost sank to the ground in shock when it was revealed that the authority he had respected was fake. Namgung Sang trembled as if he had become a quaking aspen without realizing it. Jang Hong's expression also hardened, as if he had finally understood the full picture.

Only Bi Ryu-yeon maintained his usual demeanor. At times like this, his nerves seemed tougher than ox tendons.

"But even those dozens of Sect Leader's Seals are no match for the 'Three Treasures of Reign' (君臨三寶) that came with it."

"The Three Treasures of Reign? Was there something else in there?"

"Yes. These three treasures are even more important. Compared to these three, the rest are laughable."

"What are those Three Treasures that they're so important?"

"First, the 'Heavenly Ruler Supreme Divine Tablet' (天下君臨至尊神牌), a tablet proving that its owner is the one who reigns at the pinnacle of the martial world. Second, the 'Martial World Pacification Blood Seal' (江湖調伏血印書), a signed oath by the sect leaders, family heads, and thirteen lords at the time, pledging unconditional surrender and absolute obedience to the commands of the one holding the divine tablet. And finally, the third is a blank 'Blank Book' (白紙書冊)."

Each name was so astonishing that just hearing it was enough to make one's hair stand on end.

"What kind of object is the blank book? Is it a book with a special treatment hiding a legendary martial arts manual?"

To Jang Hong's question, which was bothered by the mysterious blank book, Na Baek-cheon shook his head.

"No. Although it is literally blank inside, the title of the book is already affixed."

"There's no content, but it has a title? What is the title of that book?"

"The name is…"

As the tense gazes of the group focused on Na Baek-cheon, he slowly opened his mouth and spoke each syllable deliberately, as if carving them.

"Shin (New). Mu (Martial). Rim (Forest). Ki (Record)!"

The words that the descendants of Cheon-geop Ling always uttered flowed from the lips of Na Baek-cheon, the leader of Jeong Cheon Alliance.

"Shin Mu Rim Ki?"

"Yes. It is a book symbolizing that the new history of the martial world begins from the one who obtains that Cheon-ha Gun-lim Gwe."

In other words, it meant that if the Three Treasures of Reign sealed within that box fell into the hands of Cheon-geop Ling, the history of the martial world would come to an end at that moment.

"Hmm…"

Bi Ryu-yeon, who had been pondering with his arms crossed for a moment, raised his face again and said.

"Hmm, so it's a kind of 'license'? A license to conquer the martial world!"

Even after hearing the deepest secret of the martial world, Bi Ryu-yeon's reaction was remarkably simple.

"A, a license? When we're talking about dominion over the entire martial world…"

But it wasn't a mistake. He hadn't misheard. Bi Ryu-yeon kept nodding, as if convinced.

"So, isn't it a 'license' that permits reign? In other words, a 'certificate'?"

"C-certificate…"

It was a moment when something immensely grand was instantly reduced to something immensely trivial.

"Ho ho, yes, it's a certificate, it's a certificate. A certificate recognizing the qualification to reign over the entire martial world. However, the difference in its use and power is immense."

Indeed, it was such a tempting bait that it could lure Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin to Hwasan alone. Gal-jung Hyeok's self-deprecating remark about it being an unprecedented lure was not an exaggeration.

"Then where is that Gun-lim Gwe now?"

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Na Baek-cheon's lips.

"Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin took it."

"Th-then does that mean all the dominion has passed to Cheon-geop Hyeol-sin?"

"If that were the case, the martial world wouldn't be this peaceful, to the point of complaining about boredom. He took the box, but he couldn't take the keys."

Who could have imagined that he would break through all those traps single-handedly? Fortunately, he took the box but couldn't retrieve the keys.

"At that time, we gambled with the fate of the entire martial world. In that gamble, we won half and lost half. And for now, the match is postponed."

Therefore, complete dominion was not achieved, but the fact that the 'Cheon-ha Gun-lim Gwe' was still in the hands of Cheon-geop Ling remained unchanged.

"The box can only be opened with one of the eighteen keys. If you try to force it open, various explosives and corrosive acids between the boxes are designed to destroy everything inside. The bet is not over yet."

The more he heard, the more astonishing the story became.

"Do you know what the most important mission entrusted to the leaders of the Jeong Cheon Alliance and the Black Cheon Alliance is?"

"Surely!"

Na Baek-cheon nodded and said.

"To protect the Cheon-bung Geum-si and prevent the heavens from collapsing, that is the top priority mission entrusted to the leader of each alliance."

* * *

Currently, that massive iron chunk of a box rested on a stone platform in some unknown location. The Han-cheol-gwe, which at first glance looked like a coffin carved from a massive piece of iron, contained power that could bury the entire martial world if things went awry, a truly astonishing tale. This Han-cheol-gwe, if mishandled, could become a coffin burying the fate of the martial world.

But now, a hand was touching this strangely coffin-like iron box as if caressing it.

He wore a cold silver mask. Not just any silver, but Bing-eun (Ice Silver) that emitted a chilling aura, as if frozen from ten thousand years of snow. Did the bone-chilling cold emanate from the mask itself, or from the wearer of the mask?

In his hand, the Bing-eun mask wearer held a golden key. It was a key engraved with the image of a white tiger.

He inserted the key in his hand and turned it.

*Click!*

Despite a hundred years having passed, the lock opened with a click, as if the inscribed metal had not rusted.

"One for now."

But the second key, in his view, was as good as already acquired.

When all eighteen locks of the seal are opened, the fate of the entire martial world will fall into his hands. Only then will this tedious game finally end.

"It's been a long time. Now it begins."

He removed the mask he was wearing and placed it in the box next to him, then turned and climbed back up the stairs. After opening several secret doors that blocked his way, he emerged into a sumptuously decorated room. This was his private chamber. He particularly favored the rosewood chair that exuded a subtle fragrance. Sinking into the chair, he suddenly thought.

'They'll be surprised when they know 'this' is here, won't they?'

Indeed, what kind of face would 'he' make?

'I really want to see it then, the contorted face of the Shin-ma!'

Wouldn't it be a truly amusing sight?

A smile, a mixture of cruelty and mirth, spread across his smooth jawline.

*Knock, knock!*

At that moment, a sound signaling arrival was heard from outside.

"What is it?"

The man asked in a level voice, without moving.

"The elders have all gathered in the conference room."

"Again?"

"…Yes, I apologize."

'Stupid old men, holding meetings every day. Even after a hundred, a thousand meetings, the fate of this martial world won't change.'

But he couldn't say that out loud yet.

"Understood. Tell them I'll be there shortly."

"Yes, I will convey your message, Your… no, Leader!"

"If you make that mistake again, I'll rip out your tongue. Leave."

"Y-yes, yes! L-Leader, I will take my leave."

He seemed flustered and bowed obsequiously.

'Filthy vermin!'

*Grind.*

He opened the drawer of the rosewood desk, and another bronze mask emerged. He put the mask on his face and left the office.

*Grind! Bang!*

The door to the temporary residence of the Black Cheon Alliance Leader, formerly Macheon Pavilion's 'Yeok Cheon,' closed with a sound.

The moment he put on this bronze mask, he became Macheon Pavilion's Yeok Cheon (Reversing Heaven), no, Eun Cheon-byeok (Hidden Heaven Thunderbolt).