Chapter 128
**
The world is like a toy.
Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae thought so.
Just a little bit of force and it breaks. Even when trying to play with it, it doesn’t go well.
Difficult things to handle. Yet, that fleeting happiness kept him alive.
As he became intoxicated, swinging his body, he soon sank into hell. That suffocating solitary cell. The choking iron chains. The blocked blood vessels.
But there was one who released him. Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae expressed his gratitude to that person and relished his freedom.
He killed the one who set him free.
The thrill of killing someone who was on the verge of death.
Ah.
He couldn’t stand it. He had endured for too long, nearly losing his mind!
“Let’s see…”
He reached out. Sticking his hands into the trembling eyes of the Warrior of Chungsung.
Twisting and pulling them out. The pitiful screams were so heart-wrenching that he shed tears without realizing it.
Of course, it wasn’t sadness.
It was because the sound piercing through that moment was too beautiful.
“You’ve come quite a ways, haven’t you, you little bastards? This is far from Chungsung. Did you really have to chase me all the way here?”
“Ahhh!!!”
“Don’t act so pitiful just because you lost your eyes. You still have hands and feet, right? You’ve got more left than lost, so stop crying. Don’t waste those tears. Ah, no…”
—Thud.
His downward-footing leg broken off arbitrarily.
“Now you’ve lost even more, haven’t you? Since you’re crying, let’s have a bit more of that.”
“Aaargh!!!”
The echoing sound reverberated all the way to the edge of the plains. At the end, the feeble cries longing for life sent chills down his spine.
What was the reason he learned martial arts?
Wasn’t it for this!
“Oops.”
After finishing what he had to do, he discarded the broken toys. He gathered all the weapons they had been holding.
Light. What kind of weapon is this light? Anyway, those Chungsung bastards were all show and no substance.
Weapons should be a bit heavy. That way, he could properly wield the Giant Force Sword he had.
Things like these…
Were less than a toothpick in quality.
But hey, at least he had them. Divine Power Overlord lightly swung the sword before slipping it onto his waist.
Now he just had to keep running…
He couldn’t go back the way he came. The standing would be ambiguous even in the Wu Dang direction.
Heading towards Honam was probably the best option. That way, he could slip back into the Sapa he originally belonged to…
…But.
It seemed he could still indulge a bit more.
He couldn’t control his excitement for the taste of blood he hadn’t experienced in a while. Plus, the level of the pursuers chasing after him was around the same.
There wasn’t much special about them. The only one worth noting was that Young Lord of Sachteng Family…
How laughable.
No, it was ridiculous, like a moth flying right into the flames, fully aware of the truth just beyond his line of sight.
What good is it to talk about morals and righteousness?
Such things no longer exist in this world!
Once the Sachteng Family hears the news, they will shed blood tears. Ah, what an illusion. It’s deliciously amusing.
Why is the world so funny?
Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae chuckled as he gathered all the swords around him and stabbed them into the ground.
Just once. For the last time.
To feel the utmost pleasure as he awaited the next pursuer.
“…Oh?”
The moonlight behind him illuminated the pursuers racing towards him. This time, there were quite a few, making Ya-yul-pae smirk.
“Did you bring this many?”
“Yinoooooooooom!!!!!”
The immediate draw of swords was filled with seasoned experience. The visible sword energy was well-ordered enough to certainly be described as that of a Warrior of Chungsung.
But that’s all it was. Orderliness doesn’t surpass violence.
Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae brandished his sword.
Once again, to write a senseless story.
“Stay out of this! This is… Chungsung’s problem!!”
A Warrior of Chungsung who had traveled the path together lunged forward. Sharp movements. The form of martial arts firmly embedded within his breathing.
Each and every one like a sharp sword. An aligned wind, itself brushing against the nostrils.
But in the next moment, they all shattered. As Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae swung his sword, their bodies hit the ground.
“Cough!”
“W-what nonsense…!”
Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae.
The sword itself was rough and unremarkable.
If anything stood out, it was only that strength.
Strong. It felt like a massive chunk of iron was trapped within a human form. He noticed the faint traces of formidable power flowing from his fingertips.
He crossed the threshold of sheer strength. Not only that, but his martial arts itself seemed accustomed to such chaos.
The acceptance of four Warriors of Chungsung crumbled in an instant. Each time Ya-yul-pae easily pulled the sword stuck in the ground and swung it, the Warriors of Chungsung struggled merely to endure.
One-sided violation. Overwhelming violence.
—Kaang!!!
The swords of Chungsung began to shatter, one by one. Ya-yul-pae firmly struck down a head.
“These guys at least know how to hit back, huh?”
His eyes glinted. The bloodlust contained within was instinctively seeking violence, causing him to rise.
Narin and Gwangyang trembled as they brandished their weapons.
“Stay back here.”
This wasn’t their stage to partake in.
He stood before the fallen Warriors of Chungsung.
For the first time, Divine Power Overlord opened his eyes wide. Trembling and gasping for air.
“F*ck… look at this… you really are something, huh?”
“Divine Power Overlord. Just one question.”
“What is it? For someone like you, I could answer anything. Ask me anything. But afterwards, let’s have a match, okay?”
“I understand why you killed the Young Lord of Sachteng Family. But… why did you humiliate the corpse to such an extent?”
“The Young Lord of Sachteng Family…?”
Divine Power Overlord blinked. He started laughing.
“Oh! Dang Hwi! Sure! That guy was pretty strong. But you know, I didn’t like how he barked back at me. I told the truth, and we all know he was wailing that couldn’t be true, so without realizing it, I ended up going a bit harder than usual.”
“…The truth?”
“Let’s ask for names first. I’m Ya-yul-pae. So what’s your name that looks so tasty, I could just take a bite?”
“…Jeok-un.”
“Great! Jeok-un! To show my respect for what you’ve built, I’ll tell you. Normally I’d stay tight-lipped, but… haha! I really like warriors who seem like they won’t fall! The moment something that seems unbreakable does fall is when all the pleasures of the world mix together!”
Ya-yul-pae pulled out a sword. He ran his hand along the blade.
“The sword of Chungsung. This thin sword, like a leaf, is tougher to break than you might think. If you’re a true master, even more so. Apparently there are quite a few decent guys in Chungsung? But my body was forcefully blocked, and I was laden with chains… Honestly, I couldn’t see a chance to escape on my own.”
“…….”
“But there was a backer! There was someone behind all of this. The one who kindly helped me escape. Jeok-un. I personally thanked that person. Originally, it’s not my style, but I specially wrapped my hands around their neck! During that process, I heard a few things. After hearing that, Dang Hwi came howling and charged at me. Ah. Communication is so important, yet due to that trifling sense of justice, they decided to chase me… just how foolish can those Sachteng Family people be?”
“…What?”
Divine Power Overlord smirked.
“The one who released me was Sachteng Family.”
“……?!”
“The Young Lord was chasing me without knowing the theatrics of his own family. And so things escalated up to where they are now.”
“Sachteng Family… released a prisoner from Chungsung? Why?”
“Well, what do you think? It’s all about the land grab for those who are wealthy! They wanted to eat at any cost, pulling such theatrics! Since Chungsung and Sachteng Family have been bitter rivals for a long time… Well, isn’t it natural?”
Ya-yul-pae waved his hand in the air.
“All actions of legitimate sects need a reason. When both sides are on edge, hear the news that several prisoners escaped from Chungsung. Sachteng Family would naturally get involved. They’d demonstrate the incapacity of Chungsung while further solidifying their justification when criminals infiltrate the inner ranks of Chungsung.”
“…….”
“No matter how great I am, do you think I could hide in Sachteng Family territory alone? Oh, no way. Why are the major families major families? They didn’t intentionally chase after me. If I keep evading and the damage grows… the fault lies with those fools from Chungsung! Hahaha!”
“…You expect me to believe that?”
“There’s no reason not to believe it. Why would I lie? As I said, I respect you. Jeok-un. I’m raising the atmosphere for our upcoming match, you know? I could even wager my manhood on it. Just putting that out there.”
Divine Power Overlord licked his lips.
“It’s all the truth. The truth I heard from the Sachteng warrior who had helped me escape.”
The warriors of Chungsung who had fallen on the ground began to bleed.
“Y-you’re saying this whole mess was orchestrated by Sachteng Family…? That unidentified corpse… belonged to someone from Sachteng Family?!”
“Excellent support! Chungsung! This is how the story progresses! Isn’t this the time when money is better than swords? Strip away the shells, and we’re all the same. Jeok-un. That’s the way of the world. It may look fine on the surface, but inside it’s rotten. Dang Hwi. A decent guy he was. Him roaring at me was pretty cool too…”
Ya-yul-pae licked his lips.
“When that face of someone from a decayed family twisted, I was all taken aback! Hahaha! How about it! You and Dang Hwi seemed to be close… How does it feel to hear the hidden backstory?! The Sachteng Family is absolutely crazy! They’re crazy enough to make even Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae freak out! Orchestrating a plot to weaken Chungsung by freeing prisoners… and it’s carried out by a member of the Five Great Houses, Sachteng Family! Hahaha!”
“…….”
His head throbbed.
It didn’t seem like Ya-yul-pae was lying.
What would Dang Hwi have done once he heard those words? What expression did he wear when he found out the very journey he embarked on to take responsibility was orchestrated by his own family?
“What a great name to bear, Sachteng Family! As their Young Lord, he must do something, right?”
He felt nausea rise.
From Goryeong to the Sachteng Family.
The realization that they were all rotting inside gnawed at him.
In the end, once again, the ones to suffer are the innocent. Those who don’t even know how to wield a sword, the ones far off from the power dynamics.
To obtain a piece of land, to seize a territory…
They heartlessly toss trust aside.
“This is… what you call a righteous sect…?”
Days spent obeying commands within the Martial Alliance.
He recalled the moment he was pushed into the Demon Cult as an undercover agent.
…It wasn’t just one thing…
It was an all-encompassing matter.
Everything rotted. So hard to find a healthy part.
“Your face has hardened. Jeok-un. Unclench your expression. Huh? This is a story I’m sharing to amuse you, so why scowl?”
“…….”
“Now, now. Draw your sword. Or I’ll come after you. Isn’t it time to mix in something other than words? Something a bit stickier!”
He agreed with that sentiment.
It was indeed time to mix in something else.
He placed his hand on Black Pearl.
Applying force to the tip of the sword that he partially unsheathed. Black Pearl writhed.
I whispered upon it.
There’s no need to show. Not a single bit to reveal.
Just watch. Black Pearl.
I could crush someone like him even without your help.
“Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae. One last question.”
“The last one. A great word. Fire away.”
“What were you waiting for?”
“What do you mean?”
Ya-yul-pae grinned.
“It looked like more fun that way. Just like how Dang Hwi kept entertaining me to the end… Hehe. I wanted to see a bit more. The tears shed in pain help create unforgettable nights. That life-or-death situation itself keeps me feeling alive! I only wanted to see a bit more of that before I fled far away! That truly is the zest of life!”
“Fun, huh?”
The fully drawn Black Pearl sword gleamed ominously.
“If that’s your way, then I’ll use it as well.”
“…….”
“What I’m about to do is…”
I tightened my grip on the hilt. Intertwined tales of Sachteng Family and Chungsung.
In between them, I remembered that innocent young man who had spoken of righteousness.
I took a step forward.
“It’s simply for my ‘fun.'”
Ya-yul-pae chuckled, holding his belly and cackling, then suddenly fell silent.
“The damn bastard just won’t stop talking… it crawls endlessly!”
—Kwahhhh!!!!
The sword imbued with energy swung down at me. But I ignored it and put even more strength into the sword I held.
It surged. Assuredly strong. Beyond the alien nature, the essence of his martial skill weighed heavily on ‘strength.’
…But.
—Wudududuk.
“…Wait…?!”
A simple response to simplicity would suffice.
“W-what is this?!”
Ya-yul-pae’s feet began to slide back. I pressed even harder into the clash of swords.
Bodily energy was a luxury. I could simply suppress him through sheer external force.
It’s strong, but it only goes so far.
One who relies solely on the logic of strength will be trampled beneath the logic of strength itself. That sword lacks depth.
“Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae, isn’t this the situation you love so much? The life-or-death moment?”
The Blood Poison Wine rattled within my embrace. I whispered over the trembling sword of Ya-yul-pae.
“Smile. Right now.”
