05

#5 “If You’re Scared, Then Back Off”

The Northern Heavens is a unique land.
The Yangtze River divides the Central Plains from the South, while the Yellow River further separates the central and northern regions of the Central Plains. So where exactly is the Northern Heavens?

‘Everything north of the Great Wall belongs to the Northern Heavens.’

The Empire erected the ten-thousand-li Great Wall to guard against invasions from the Extreme North. The region beyond this wall was known as the Northern Heavens. Given this division, it’s no surprise that the Northern Heavens and the Empire were vastly different.

‘A land too difficult to conquer but too valuable to abandon.’

Cheol Gun-ak smirked bitterly.
The Northern Heavens enjoyed a degree of autonomy—not because the greedy Empire had suddenly become benevolent, but because they didn’t want to directly border the Extreme North. The Empire provided food and supplies, while the Northern Heavens fought against the threats from the Extreme North.

It was a transaction driven by necessity. But for the Northern Heavens, refusing the Empire’s offer wasn’t an option. Without the Empire’s support, surviving even one more year would have been impossible.

‘And now, more than ever.’

The ruler of the Northern Heavens, Lord Bukri Mu-gyeok, had secluded himself for over a decade following the disastrous expedition to the Extreme North. Rumors swirled—some claimed he suffered from an incurable injury, others whispered about the grief of losing his only lover—but nothing was confirmed during Cheol Gun-ak’s time there.

In Lord Bukri’s absence, the Eight Great Lords of the Northern Heavens stepped in to govern. However, these lords represented their respective provinces rather than the collective interests of the Northern Heavens. As the power vacuum persisted, cracks began to form across the region.

Thankfully, the Three Great Guardian Families—responsible for internal affairs—remained intact, keeping things barely functional.

One of these families was the Iron-Sick Cheol Family, led by Patriarch Cheol U-saeng. Towering taller than most men, with broad shoulders, a thick beard, deep-set eyes, and arched eyebrows resembling a wrathful guardian deity, Cheol U-saeng embodied strength and authority.

His voice grew colder.

“We are the Iron-Sick Cheol Family, protectors and stewards of the Peerless Armory.”
“Yes.”

The Northern Heavens was always at war, so weapons were constantly needed—and repaired. This necessity gave rise to the Peerless Armory and the Iron-Sick Cheol Family.

“If we were tainted by the Dark Emperor Sect, the Northern Heavens would face grave peril.”
“I understand.”
“Yet here you are, accusing my wife—the mistress of the Iron-Sick Cheol Family—of being part of the Dark Emperor Sect.”

Cheol U-saeng had hoped his eldest son would disappear quietly. Despite everything, he intended to leave him alone if he behaved himself. But now…

Gnash—.
Cheol U-saeng clenched his teeth, glancing briefly at Sudeok’s lifeless body, a chopstick still lodged in his heart.

“You trespassed into Yoo-ha Pavilion, killed my wife’s guard, and sowed discord with your deceitful tongue.”

Whoooooosh—.
An icy killing intent radiated from Cheol U-saeng. The guards tightened their grip on their swords, pressing them closer to Cheol Gun-ak’s neck. Even seasoned warriors might collapse under such pressure.

“But since you seem hard of hearing, let me repeat myself.”

Cheol Gun-ak sneered at Patriarch Cheol U-saeng. The obedient eldest son who once feared conflict had died this morning.

“Sudeok and Jin Myeong-hwa are members of the Dark Emperor Sect.”

Standing before them now was Cheol Gun-ak, the Peerless Martial God reborn after death.

“YOU—DARE—!!”

Cheol U-saeng roared, sending objects flying across the pavilion. He drew his iron mace, the Sky-Crushing Mace, which suited his muscular frame perfectly.

“Fine! Then show me proof!”
“I have plenty.”
“You don’t even possess Qingming Needles—how dare you accuse them of being part of the sect!”
“Didn’t I prove it just yesterday?”

Cheol Gun-ak’s smile vanished. His eyes narrowed. Until now, Cheol U-saeng’s overwhelming presence had dominated the pavilion. But now…

“As the head of our family passed away, we held a funeral for three days.”
“…”
“I presided over it. The funeral Father wanted to toss carelessly onto the roadside—I conducted it alongside Grandmother.”

This question burned within Cheol Gun-ak like flames etched into his mind. Though it happened years ago, the anger remained fresh every time he spoke of it.

“How could a second wife ignore her husband’s funeral entirely? She’s not human—she’s a member of the Dark Emperor Sect.”

Cheol U-saeng furrowed his brow. Taking a step forward, the weight of his massive frame caused the wooden floor of Yoo-ha Pavilion to groan under the strain.

“And what about me? Are you implying I’m also part of the sect?”

After all, Cheol U-saeng hadn’t attended the funeral either.

‘No, it’s worse than that.’

He had outright refused to allow her burial in the family graveyard. Not only did he forbid the funeral rites, but as spring approached, her corpse began to rot in its coffin. Cheol Gun-ak could never forget the stench—it haunted him even in death and continued to torment him now.

Gnash—.
Cheol Gun-ak gritted his teeth. Grandmother had borrowed an old, unused forge from the Peerless Armory multiple times until they finally relented.

—Young Master, perhaps Lady Mother would prefer to ascend to the vast heavens rather than be buried in narrow earth.

Grandmother spoke those words, though she herself didn’t fully understand why. Together, they pushed the coffin into the forge and lit the fire. In that moment, Cheol Gun-ak vowed to uncover the truth someday.

Why hadn’t his father come? Why had his mother disappeared into flames?

‘Now I ask you, Father—or should I say, Patriarch of the Iron-Sick Cheol Family.’

Cheol Gun-ak stared directly at Cheol U-saeng.

“Isn’t this obvious?”
“What nonsense are you spouting—”
“A man who shows no concern for his wife of decades isn’t human—he’s a member of the Dark Emperor Sect.”
“There’s no need for further words.”

Whooshhhhh—!
Cheol U-saeng’s killing intent exploded. Windows rattled and flew open, objects scattered outside, and the guards braced themselves against the surge. Jin Myeong-hwa, however, remained untouched—a clear sign that Cheol Gun-ak bore the full brunt of the patriarch’s fury.

‘I ask you this because you are my father.’

Cheol Gun-ak focused his gaze, planting his feet firmly on the ground and straightening his back. Though his incomplete mastery of Zhu Rong Devil Arts made him feel like collapsing, he couldn’t afford to falter. Even if the flame of Zhu Rong flickered out, the inferno of rage burning inside him raged brighter than ever!

‘But now, you are no longer my father.’

Cheol Gun-ak hardened his resolve. A father should be human—but Cheol U-saeng wasn’t. Therefore, Cheol Gun-ak decided not to consider him as such.

“Cheol Wi-gyeok.”
“…?”
“Go pull out the chopstick embedded in Sudeok’s heart.”

Cheol U-saeng froze mid-step, while Cheol Wi-gyeok tilted his head in confusion. Meanwhile, Jin Myeong-hwa’s face turned pale. Before she could protest, Cheol Gun-ak pressed the chopstick harder against her temple, silencing her.

“I already said I have sufficient evidence.”

Cheol U-saeng wasn’t a fool. Realizing Cheol Gun-ak’s implication, he frowned deeply. Members of the Dark Emperor Sect consumed Black Blood, which pooled in their hearts. Conveniently, a chopstick was already embedded in Sudeok’s chest.

“If Black Blood comes out when you pull it, that’ll prove he’s part of the sect.”
“…”
“If no Black Blood appears, then I’ve simply gone mad and done this recklessly.”

Cheol U-saeng glared at Cheol Gun-ak. His instincts screamed warnings—this was a trap, with Cheol Gun-ak gambling his own life.

“Tell Wi-gyeok to pull it out, Father.”
“…”
“If you’re scared, then back off.”

Cheol Gun-ak gestured casually toward Jin Myeong-hwa.

“One more person to stab wouldn’t bother me.”

If Jin Myeong-hwa were also part of the sect, Black Blood would emerge from her heart too. It was a perfect Northern Heavens-style verification.

Gnash—gnash—.
Cheol U-saeng growled, glaring at his hesitant third son, Cheol Wi-gyeok.

“Go and pull it out.”

Cheol Wi-gyeok glanced at his mother. Since Sudeok was already dead, how could he refuse? Kneeling beside the corpse, he grasped the end of the chopstick embedded in the heart.

Tremble—tremble—.
Fear gripped him. If Black Blood emerged, Cheol Gun-ak’s accusations would be proven true. His lips and throat dried up.

“NOW—!”

At Cheol U-saeng’s bellow, Cheol Wi-gyeok yanked the chopstick upward with all his might. Everyone present stared at the tip of the chopstick gleaming in the sunlight—except Jin Myeong-hwa, whose eyes were tightly shut.

“…!”
“It’s real!”
“Black Blood!!”

The guards gasped in shock, murmuring among themselves. The Young Master’s words were correct.

“…”

Cheol U-saeng stood silently before seizing a nearby guard’s sword and approaching Sudeok’s body. With a swift slash, he carved open the chest, exposing the heart. Cutting through it revealed a tiny drop of Black Blood pooling inside.

“Did you think I’d planted it beforehand?”

Cheol Gun-ak mocked the patriarch. Cheol U-saeng glared back.

“For argument’s sake, let’s assume this scum was indeed part of the sect.”
“In a situation where Black Blood emerges from the heart, anyone denying it must also be part of the sect.”
“…But my wife cannot possibly be part of the sect.”

He turned slightly to look at Jin Myeong-hwa. With her life in Cheol Gun-ak’s hands, he scrutinized her expression.

‘Eyes I’ve never seen before.’

Cheol U-saeng’s usual coldness and indifference toward his son and wife were replaced by overflowing love and affection. Cheol Gun-ak’s voice grew colder, fueled by the rising flames of anger within him.

“Then let’s test her right now.”
“Stabbing her heart with a chopstick will kill her.”
“If Black Blood comes out, what’s the harm?”

Whether Jin Myeong-hwa was the daughter of the Golden Nine Pavilion or Cheol U-saeng’s wife, it didn’t matter in the Northern Heavens. If she were a sect member, death was justified.

“Do you think I don’t see your thirst for revenge? You want to use this chance to kill her.”
“Ah, so does the Patriarch wish to hide a sect member?”
“…”
“Or perhaps crush her chest with that mace of yours. After all, someone who skips their wife’s funeral wouldn’t hesitate.”

Cheol Gun-ak began cornering him. Having already exposed one rat-like sect member, Cheol U-saeng faced a choice: either cut open his wife’s heart or prepare to become a traitor to the Northern Heavens by protecting her.

At that moment—

“Green Flame Squad—!”

Jin Myeong-hwa, trembling, screamed.

“My father will summon the Green Flame Squad Leader!”

For a brief instant, Cheol Gun-ak’s eyes sparkled. Sensing the shift in his demeanor, Jin Myeong-hwa hastily added,

“Use the Qingming Needle he possesses on me! That way, we can confirm whether I’m a sect member or not.”

A chill ran down Cheol Gun-ak’s spine.

‘Could it be that the betrayer colluding with the Dark Emperor Sect is the Green Flame Squad Leader?’

When the Dark Emperor Sect collapsed the northern frontlines and the Moon Legion began advancing south, the Northern Heavens fell apart far faster than expected. Cheol Gun-ak suspected at least one or two of the Eight Great Lords were traitors.

‘Have they infiltrated this deeply?’

The quickest way to find rotten roots was to trace the decay—and right in front of him lay Jin Myeong-hwa, a festering wound. Her confidence in using the rare Qingming Needle confirmed his suspicions.

‘I need to determine whether the Northern Heavens remains a usable blade.’

Cheol Gun-ak slowly lowered the chopstick. The guards followed suit, lowering their swords.

“The leaders of the Eight Great Families can be trusted.”

To expose a greater enemy, Jin Myeong-hwa could live a little longer—for now.

“They’re far more reliable than a patriarch blinded by love.”

Thud—.
Cheol Gun-ak exited Yoo-ha Pavilion. Cheol Wi-gyeok, unable to forgive him for threatening Jin Myeong-hwa, drew his sword and prepared to follow.

Click—.
Cheol U-saeng placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

“…”

Silently, he watched Cheol Gun-ak’s storm-like figure disappear into the distance.

Translation: Philia Scans