15
Chapter 15: The Man’s Promise
At the main gate of Ehwagak.
Under the eaves, sheltered from the rain.
A blood-soaked Cheol Gun-ak, his disheveled hair wild, leaned against a pillar.
His eyes, once sharp and clear, were clouded by exhaustion, barely able to open, as he struggled to breathe in shallow gasps.
Step—step.
Without a word, Cheol Gun-ak entered the hall of Ehwagak.
Un Nok-san, startled, hurriedly raised a lantern toward his left hand.
“Isn’t this… the Third Young Master?!”
The sight of Cheol Gun-ak’s blood-stained, severed arm sent chills through Un Nok-san. Cheol Gun-ak responded indifferently.
“Yes, it’s me, the Third Young Master.”
Un Nok-san finally understood why he had sent the two of them to Ehwagak.
How he knew, Un Nok-san couldn’t tell. But Cheol Gun-ak must have foreseen the ambush at Muhwagak, and sent them here for safety.
And now…
It seemed as if Cheol Gun-ak had returned, victorious after defeating every enemy.
But…
Un Nok-san hesitated to approach, instinctively feeling the deathly aura emanating from Cheol Gun-ak. He couldn’t help but step back.
“Where is Halmeom?”
“She’s probably asleep.”
“Show me.”
“Young Master, before that, let me treat your injuries—”
“First, show me Halmeom.”
Cheol Gun-ak’s command was unwavering.
Un Nok-san immediately led the way.
“She should be asleep, and Young Sibi is with her as well.”
“…”
“I understand you’re worried, but nothing is wrong in Ehwagak.”
The two arrived at the room where Halmeom and Sibi had been staying.
Click—
Un Nok-san opened the door.
But…
Shhhh—
The sound of the rain poured into the room through the window cracks.
Un Nok-san blinked in disbelief, then quickly moved the lantern around the room.
The bed was disheveled, and the window appeared to have been forcibly opened, now half-tilted.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Maybe she rushed to the restroom in a hurry!”
“No.”
Swish.
Cheol Gun-ak reached his hand beneath the bedding.
The warmth that greeted his hand was faint, but noticeable.
This meant they had only just gotten up.
Cheol Gun-ak closed his eyes as he sat on the bed.
“Was Heukya showing me the future?”
Was it a future where I must fight without rest?
A future where I have no choice but to keep fighting? Cheol Gun-ak calmly reviewed his current condition.
“I can’t fight in this state.”
Even the Chuk-yung Demon Technique has its limits.
To channel the Divine Fire into my body, my physique and Qi channels are still too weak.
Even if I focus on Qi Cultivation, it will take at least three weeks to fully recover.
Cheol Gun-ak opened his eyes.
He glanced at Un Nok-san, who was anxiously pacing, muttering about the ones who had disappeared, then spoke firmly.
“Do you have any medicine?”
“Yes? Yes! I’ll treat your wounds right away!”
“Not that. I need something stronger. I’m too tired to keep fighting.”
“Ah—.”
Un Nok-san looked down at him with pity.
No matter how composed and fearless Cheol Gun-ak appeared, he was still only just beyond his twenties.
And Un Nok-san knew all too well how poorly he had been treated in the Cheol Family.
Despite that, Cheol Gun-ak continued to fight with such determination, driven by the need to protect those he loved.
That resolve was undeniable.
“I need something to last through tonight.”
The urgency of his words struck deep within Un Nok-san’s heart.
Perhaps it was the moment he heard that Halmeom was a survivor of the Extreme North Expedition that set everything into motion.
After a brief pause, Un Nok-san slowly raised his hand.
Whip—Swish.
He waved a small wooden box before Cheol Gun-ak.
“…Young Master.”
Cheol Gun-ak’s gaze followed, but it was clear his energy had already been drained.
How much longer could he hold on? It seemed as though his limit had been surpassed.
Physically, it was almost as if he could collapse at any moment.
As a physician, Un Nok-san didn’t want Cheol Gun-ak to continue fighting anymore.
However…
“I will save Halmeom.”
Cheol Gun-ak murmured.
“This time, I’ll protect her.”
A vow, more unyielding than stone and hotter than fire, passed through his lips.
At the same time, the Iron-Wood Staff in his left hand was still held tightly, refusing to let go.
It was the heat hidden behind his cheerful and carefree demeanor.
Un Nok-san closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the sincerity of the Young Master’s resolve, then opened them again. He kneeled before Cheol Gun-ak, meeting his gaze.
“Young Master.”
This time, Cheol Gun-ak seemed to recognize him clearly.
“Will you not regret this, no matter what happens?”
“Never.”
In that instant, Cheol Gun-ak’s black eyes blazed like fire.
That was enough.
Un Nok-san immediately stood up.
He left the lantern behind and walked out.
Left alone, Cheol Gun-ak barely managed to keep his body from collapsing.
‘I’ve already regretted so much.’
Cheol Gun-ak smiled bitterly.
Before time was turned back by the Seven Treasures Seal of the Central Plains, his life had been filled entirely with regret.
But now…
The chance to correct all of that regret had come.
Whatever the cost, he would make it happen.
The greatest pain in human life is regret.
It’s like a thorn stuck in your heart, and every time you act, it brings a sharp pain. He finally understood that the pain he felt was regret itself.
“Even if I die, I won’t regret it.”
At that moment…
Clang—!
Un Nok-san hurriedly ran back in.
He was holding a wooden box covered in dust. When the box was opened, thick black magic emanated from it.
Inside, the dark energy swirled like a snake flicking its tongue, revealing a round and black inner core.
At the same time…
Whoosh—
The Demon Sword, Heukya, on Cheol Gun-ak’s left waist cried out. It was as if it were warning him.
“My only friend also participated in the last Extreme North Expedition. He didn’t make it back, but he left this for me.”
Cheol Gun-ak’s eyes widened.
His heart raced.
No, it wasn’t just his heart—it was the black blood deep inside his chest that was reacting with Heukya’s cry.
Un Nok-san held the dark inner core.
“Even the Dark Emperor Sect had monsters that devoured anything in their path in the Extreme North.”
“Ink-Scaled Iron Python?”
“You know it. Yes, this is its inner core.”
“……!”
It was one of the Four Great Demonic Beasts of the Extreme North that had devoured a third of the expeditionary force.
The damage the expedition suffered was immense.
They had barely managed to slay it, but he never expected the inner core would be in Un Nok-san’s hands.
“This is the inner core of the beast. We don’t know what will happen when you consume it. And this demon energy…”
“That’s fine.”
No matter how powerful the demon energy, it could never withstand the hottest Divine Flame in the world.
Based on his experience, Chuk-yung Magic had only failed to consume the blood of the Dark Emperor.
Cheol Gun-ak extended his hand.
“I just need to fight again.”
Un Nok-san brought the box closer to Cheol Gun-ak.
“I have one request.”
“Anything.”
“Halmeom‘s face is still not fully healed.”
He gave his characteristic, small, bitter smile.
But in this moment…
Boom—.
The sound of a thundering explosion in the distance made Cheol Gun-ak’s face light up.
“And that round, dumpling-like girl… she seems to understand everything. I’d like to use her as my assistant. So, make sure you save her.”
The man from Northern Heavens stood tall and proud.
Cheol Gun-ak nodded.
“Definitely.”
A promise between men.
Cheol Gun-ak swallowed the Ink-Scaled Iron Python’s inner core.
Whoosh—.
The faint Divine Flame reignited within him.
Thud—.
At the same time, the Dark Emperor’s blood, which had subtly rested inside him, began to consume the demon energy of the inner core, wrapping his body in a violent surge of power.
—
Yuhagak, Cheol Family’s Residence.
The flowers that had been carefully arranged to suit Geum Myeong-hwa’s taste were now all drooping, unable to withstand the relentless pounding of the rain.
Perhaps they could no longer bloom.
“Ugh—.”
The flames along the walls of Yuhagak illuminated the dark space.
Nearby, the guards assigned to Geum Myeong-hwa stood watch.
In the courtyard, Halmeom Song Ok and the young Sibi were kneeling, bound by ropes.
“…”
### Chapter 15: The Man’s Promise (사내의 약속)
Their mouths were tightly bound, so they couldn’t speak a word. Despite this, Halmeom clung to the trembling Sibi, trying to comfort her.
The warmth, which defied the cold rain, passed between them.
“Hmm.”
Someone was watching.
A sharp-featured old man wearing a yellow robe that flowed like fine silk.
Geum Jung-tae, the master of Geumgujeonjang.
His gaunt figure, so thin that rumors said he wouldn’t bleed even if pricked by a needle, stared alternately at the two with cold, piercing eyes.
Pii—Piiing.
A bird’s cry echoed in the rainy night, a sound out of place. Geum Jung-tae stood up, muttering under his breath.
“How did the Third Young Master know? How did he manage to sneak them away?”
Step—step.
With an umbrella in hand, he slowly walked into the courtyard.
“Only Wi-gang and I should know about this incident.”
No information should have leaked.
He glanced briefly inside Yuhagak, where Geum Myeong-hwa might be.
If there was anyone else who knew, it would have been Geum Myeong-hwa.
After mentioning the Green Flame Squadron, it wouldn’t be strange if she spoke up again.
However, Geum Jung-tae was sure that she hadn’t said anything.
“Then, is it instinct?”
Geum Jung-tae chuckled softly.
They say heroes possess extraordinary instincts.
Much like those heroes who could sense danger, perhaps Cheol Gun-ak was of the same kind.
But even if the Third Young Master truly had the qualities of a hero, he could never surpass the man Geum Jung-tae had become today.
It was impossible.
Geum Jung-tae moved slowly toward Halmeom and Sibi. Halmeom drew closer to the trembling Sibi, her eyes narrowing with a fierce glare.
The look was sharp, like a predator’s.
Geum Jung-tae, seeming amused, lifted the corner of his mouth.
“You still have the eyes of someone living, even though you’re just a Chamo.”
Swish—.
Geum Jung-tae’s sleeve fluttered.
A slender golden needle shot out, cutting the rope that had been binding Halmeom’s mouth.
“Are you the Chamo who came from the same background as Lady?”
Halmeom gritted her teeth.
She was afraid of Geum Jung-tae.
But compared to the horrors of the Extreme North Expedition, the Ink-Scaled Iron Python, or the terrifying Moo-wol Legion, Geum Jung-tae seemed almost trivial.
Halmeom fixed her eyes on him, unflinching, staring fiercely.
“…Take me, and release this child.”
“Hoh, a trade?”
Geum Jung-tae stroked his dry, bony chin and chuckled.
Whip—.
Then he grabbed Sibi’s trembling head.
Sibi screamed.
But Geum Jung-tae didn’t pay any attention to the sound. His hands moved to Sibi’s neck as he flicked his eyes toward Halmeom.
“A trade must involve something from both sides.”
From his experience with the Extreme North Expedition, he knew.
Begging would never work on a monster like Geum Jung-tae, who had long since lost all humanity.
Halmeom didn’t flinch, speaking with quiet resolve.
“This child hasn’t been with the Third Young Master for long. She only helped out when I was away.”
“Tch, that’s not a trade. One hand will swing no matter what.”
Crack.
Geum Jung-tae extended his left hand.
He grabbed Sibi’s pale, fragile neck. His hands were like twisted old wood, and Sibi gasped for breath as she struggled to breathe.
“Swinging twice isn’t difficult.”
Halmeom, unable to watch, turned her head slightly. But then, with a deep breath, she steeled herself and made her offer.
“If you spare this child, I’ll give you a treasure.”
“A treasure?”
Halmeom, still bound, somehow managed to move her hands.
She grabbed a jade ornament from inside her robe and pulled it out.
Geum Jung-tae hadn’t expected a treasure like this to come out.
Thud—.
He tossed Sibi to the mud and took the jade ornament from Halmeom’s hand.
“This is a jade ornament made from Green Jade obtained in the Extreme North.”
A treasure she had kept since the Extreme North Expedition, holding it close for decades.
But rather than see the young Sibi die, Geum Jung-tae would let the treasure go.
A human life was worth more than any treasure.
He silently inspected the ornament while Halmeom spoke desperately.
“If you sell it in Hwarim… No, even in Nokju or Hyeongan, you could get several gold in exchange.”
“Certainly.”
Geum Jung-tae brought the ornament closer, his eyes narrowing in fascination.
This wasn’t ordinary jade.
It gave off a feeling that drew you deep into the dark ocean.
Such rare green jade only came from the Extreme North. If sold in the Central Plains, it could fetch dozens, even hundreds of gold.
For a Chamo to possess such a treasure… It was unexpected.
But then…
“Ah.”
He smiled cruelly.
Snap—.
Geum Jung-tae crushed the jade ornament Halmeom had cherished for half her life.
The bird that had been crying earlier seemed to cry again, as if mourning with her.
Halmeom’s eyes widened. The shattered pieces of the ornament reflected in her gaze.
“I accidentally broke it.”
Geum Jung-tae flicked his hand.
The pieces of jade dust scattered through the air, falling in front of Halmeom.
He stood up with a grin of contempt.
“And now, ‘again,’ I’ll have to kill you.”
“You—!”
“Did you think there was any hope left?”
Geum Jung-tae’s eyes gleamed with madness.
It was the unmistakable gaze of someone from the Dark Emperor Sect.
“To me, the true treasure is not some object. It’s the blood, the death, and the screams that arise as hope fades away.”
And in that moment…
Whoosh—.
A chilling wind swept through the courtyard.
The flames around the courtyard flickered violently.
Pop—!
Geum Jung-tae narrowed his eyes, looking at something embedded between him and Halmeom.