Chapter 212: The Origin of the Four Great Divine Items

“Are you saying, Elder, that these Four Great Divine Items are connected to that place?”

It was understandable that I, Yong Hwarin, was shocked.

It was during the process of stealing the Four Great Divine Items with Eum Sajeok that I learned the Heavenly Central Sect was a clan related to them.

‘The idea that one’s own sect might be of the Demonic Path must be terrifying.’

The Heavenly Central Sect had clearly been an orthodox martial clan up until now, and I had lived as a martial artist of the orthodox path, one of the Peak-level prodigies of that same martial world.

But to suddenly learn that my roots might lie in the origin of the Demonic Path, the Demonic Castle, would surely have been a heavy psychological blow.

“As I said, I can’t definitively claim that the Four Great Divine Items are connected to that place. We don't know whether the clans who possess these items were opposed to or in support of that place. All I can say is, whatever the relationship may be, there seemed to be a deep connection.”

“That map you claimed to have seen… do you know where it leads?”

The Demonic Master shook his head.

“Unfortunately, just as I was about to take a closer look, the old man who was with that Young Master sensed my presence and avoided me, so I wasn’t able to see it.”

“Ah, I see.”

That was all the Demonic Master knew.

I sat in the shade, lost in thought.

‘I’ve long noticed something strange about our clan’s martial arts, but I never questioned it deeply. Our main martial arts were the Demonic Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Divine Sword, both inherited from a Guardian of the Hidden Saint Cult. These were said to have been refined by our founder and developed into the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and Azure Bamboo Sword, which were passed down to the Sect Leaders only. But I always wondered why our clan possessed the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique, which had no relation to those arts. How many martial clans in the murim have martial arts and cultivation methods that are completely unrelated? After hearing the Demonic Master’s words, I can’t help but suspect the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique might be a cultivation art passed down since the time of the Demonic Castle.’

And then I arrived at a certain thought.

‘If I were to obtain something called the Blue Dragon Three Marbles… could that unravel this mystery? If these Four Great Divine Items each have an owner, and they are weapons linked to the martial arts of their respective owners, then perhaps our clan has a connection to the Blue Dragon Three Marbles as well.’

Even without exact information, the Demonic Master had provided me with a significant clue.

With it, I could start to form an outline of the Four Great Divine Items.

‘According to Jeong Minji, we also have a deep connection with the Golden Manor. If that’s the case, they too may be related to the Four Great Divine Items. And if the Jeong Family Manor doesn't fully know the truth, then the Golden Manor might hold knowledge I’m unaware of.’

The misty doubts that had plagued me for years began to take shape.

‘Once I get to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, I need to ask Eum Sajeok about the whereabouts of the Blue Dragon Three Marbles. It would be convenient if the Demonic Master’s soul had taken control of Eum Sajeok.’

I rode in silence, organizing my thoughts until we arrived at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Once there, I first checked on the wounded.

Gam Heum and Go Ram, who had been poisoned, were moved to the residence of the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

The Ten Prodigies, who had not come to the Kirin Riverbank, were shocked to see how corpse-like Gam Heum and Go Ram looked.

“Young Master, what in the world happened? Why do they look like this?”

I answered quietly, feeling guilty.

“They ended up like this while trying to protect me and Jeong Mae.”

Son Yang then spoke loudly.

“Well done, you fools. You saved the Young Master’s life with your own. That alone is a great merit! You are indeed the elite of the Heavenly Central Sect!”

Mu Iso and the other five members of the Ten Prodigies, having seen how fierce the battle at the Kirin Riverbank was, couldn’t bring themselves to speak.

Wi Sook looked down at the two with a heavy voice and muttered.

“I’m sure the Young Master told you two to stay out of this. But you stubborn brats must have followed him anyway. I don’t even need to see it to know. And yet, I’m proud of you.”

Hearing them speak as if they had witnessed the life-or-death struggle at the manor, I felt both grateful and sorry.

Son Yang added,

“Young Master, thank you. I heard that only one guard from the Namgung Clan survived. Even in that situation, you protected your two comrades. We are grateful.”

Just then, Seok Unjeong opened the door and came in.

“Mister, I’m sorry. Go Ram ajusshi and Gam Heum ajusshi ended up like that because of me.”

Seok Unjeong believed it was her fault they were in such a state and had been blaming herself deeply.

She had been listening to the others from outside the door, worried that the Ten Prodigies might resent me.

As she tearfully recounted what had happened at the manor, the Ten Prodigies smiled.

“You foolish brats still managed to save her, huh? If they hadn’t done even that, they wouldn’t be worthy of the name Ten Prodigies. Unjeong, even I would’ve saved you. So don’t feel guilty. Who are we? We’re the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

Mu Iso agreed beside them.

“Young Master will definitely save those two. So don’t worry.”

Seok Unjeong looked up at me with teary eyes.

“Really? You’ll save the two ajusshis, right?”

I gently patted Seok Unjeong’s head.

“Of course. That’s why I brought them here. By tomorrow, they’ll be able to talk to you.”

“Yay!”

She raised her hands high.

“Did you hear that, ajusshis? Go Ram ajusshi and Gam Heum ajusshi will wake up tomorrow!”

Seeing her jump around with joy, the Ten Prodigies couldn’t help but smile warmly.

“They’ve been poisoned by the Sword Poison Sect. I will obtain the antidote.”

The Ten Prodigies immediately understood what I meant.

"Let us come with you as well."

I, Yong Hwarin, shook my head.

"I have a plan. Please leave it to me."

As I turned to leave the room with a firm expression, the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect bowed politely behind me.

"Thank you, Young Master. For protecting these two."

My hand paused on the door handle as I murmured,

"They’re still alive now, but if you follow me, one day, someone might die."

"If that’s how it goes, it would be our honor. Even if the path you take leads to hell, we will follow. Isn’t that why these two followed you? Their hearts are the hearts of the Ten Prodigies."

I closed my eyes.

‘To have such people beside me… I truly am a blessed man in this life.’

In my past life, I had not even one who followed me with true loyalty.

The loneliness of it was beyond words.

That was why, now, those who loved me—and those I loved—were infinitely precious.

‘If humans could live life twice, the world would become a much more beautiful place.’

Then, Seok Unjeong cautiously spoke from behind.

"Um, can I go too? I want to follow orabeoni with the ajusshis."

As she revealed her heart, the Ten Prodigies burst into laughter.

"Good! From now on, you’re part of the Ten Prodigies too, Unjeong!"

But Seok Unjeong politely declined.

"I’ll pass on being one of the Ten Prodigies. I’ll be the One Lady of the Heavenly Central Sect."

"Uahahahaha! Very well, we’ll call you the One Lady."

"Really? Really?"

Pure-hearted Seok Unjeong jumped up and down in joy at those words.

"I’m the One Lady of the Heavenly Central Sect, Seok Unjeong! Let all the bad guys come at me. Behind me are the Ten Prodigies!"

The Ten Prodigies watched her with sad eyes.

They could see how hard Seok Unjeong was trying to lighten the mood, and it was enough to bring tears.

Tears welled up in both my eyes as I turned away.

After leaving the residence of the Ten Prodigies, I handed Namgung Yoo, her escort Namgung Yang, and the East Evil Division Leader Baek Cheonggye over to the physician.

"Hwarin, you’re injured too. You need to be treated—where are you going?"

Namgung Yoo spoke as I passed her and the physician in a hurry.

She was worried about the dried blood on my side.

I replied casually,

"It’s just a light graze. And I need to find the antidote for the poison that afflicted Go Ram and Gam Heum."

"There’s an antidote? From who?"

"There is. Someone."

"That’s a relief. Whoever it is, poor guy. If Hwarin’s calling him 'that guy,' he can’t be a good one."

"I’ll be back."

Baek Cheonggye and Namgung Yoo looked at each other.

They knew that I wasn’t in a condition to be moving about so energetically.

In truth, the sword wound I’d received was quite deep.

However, at some point, the cut had closed up as if stitched, making it unworthy of treatment.

‘Is the Realm of Self-Existence of the Tai Chi Dantian really this effective?’

Even I was surprised by its healing power.

As I left without even receiving treatment, Baek Cheonggye asked,

"Young Master Yong, by any chance, have you practiced Corpse Art or Wooden Form Celestial Soul Art?"

Both arts had self-healing properties.

"I don’t think so."

"Then it’s truly remarkable. Whatever martial art it is, its healing power is extraordinary. From what I saw, the wound looked fairly deep."

"Maybe the Protective Energy prevented it from getting too severe."

That was the only conclusion they could come to.

I headed to the residence where Hoi Soyu was staying, intending to meet Jin Pyeong, the Left Protector of the Sword Poison Sect.

Even if I had to use force, I intended to retrieve the antidote from the Sword Poison Sect.

My eyes were filled with resolve.

On the way to see Jin Pyeong, I ran into Hoi Soyu and her companions.

Hoi Soyu was with three martial artists, and seeing her behave with such humility, I could tell they must be from a highly influential clan.

One of them sensed my presence and turned around.

When I saw the middle-aged man who turned, I flinched in surprise.

It was someone I hadn’t expected at all.

‘Bukri So!’

"Ah, if it isn’t Young Master Yong."

Bukri So wore an oddly kind smile on his face and greeted me with a clasped-hands salute.

‘What is someone from the Bukri Clan doing here?’

"Please greet the Great Young Master. This is the famed Heavenly Sword Hero, Young Master Yong."

A young man turned his body.

I, Yong Hwarin, recognized him immediately upon seeing his face. He was Bukri Haeng, the Great Young Master and Young Master of the Bukri Clan.

I had encountered him a few times in my past life while delivering goods to the Bukri Clan.

I then looked toward the woman speaking with Hoi Soyu, still with her back turned.

Judging from her silhouette, she gave off the impression that her face would be just as beautiful.

‘Could she be Bukri Ubin, said to be the most beautiful of the Bukri Clan? I heard she rarely steps outside the clan.’

Her long legs gave her a refreshing presence.

"Miss, please greet him. This is Young Master Yong."

At that, as if now understanding, the woman turned around.

"Oh!"

I unconsciously let out a sound of admiration.

Pale skin, a small face, and delicate features arranged neatly on that small face—she was the very type I liked.

"I have heard much about the illustrious Young Master Yong. I am Bukri Sehee."

"Ah!"

Once again, I let out a soft exclamation.

‘So this is the Bukri Sehee that Bukri Sogun insisted on introducing to me.’

I replied with a smile.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Yong Hwarin. By the way, Lady Bukri Sehee, you bear a striking resemblance to Bukri Sogun. Anyone could mistake you two for twins."

Bukri Sehee returned my gaze with a meaningful look and responded,

"I get that a lot."

"Ah, Young Master Yong. We have matters to attend to, so we shall take our leave now."

As soon as I mentioned Bukri Sogun, Bukri So hastily led the two away.

I felt a tinge of disappointment.

I had hoped to hear news about Bukri Sogun from them, but their sudden departure left me feeling slightly resentful toward Bukri So.

Just then, Bukri Sehee looked back for a moment.

In that fleeting glance, I sensed a faint trace of longing in her eyes.

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