Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 55

At the end of the corridor, another stone chamber awaited. When the front wall was pushed, it turned smoothly, revealing a natural cave that stretched endlessly beyond.

★ ‘Hahaha, eat and drink your fill! It’s not just because it’s my birthday, but I’m in a great mood today. Isn’t that right, Alliance Leader?’

‘Indeed. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed drinking like this… I should be going now.’

‘Why? You’ve come all this way… Come on, don’t leave yet and enjoy yourself a bit more.’

‘No, I must go. I get anxious leaving the Alliance for too long.’

‘Haha, Alliance Leader, your concern for the martial world is indeed deeper and greater than this old man’s. That’s why you were chosen as the Alliance Leader, I suppose…’

‘You flatter me. By the way, where has Great Warrior Moon gone? He’s been away for quite some time.’

‘Well, our Lord is like the wind, so perhaps he received a message from his subordinate.’

‘I see… Well then, enjoy yourselves. I must take my leave first.’

As Dokgo Hancheon rose from his seat, everyone else stood up as well. As he disappeared outside, some of the Northern Sword Society members among the executives followed him. Seeing them leave, the Dog King, Namgung Hwi, and Jiwoo exchanged knowing glances.

Dokgo Hancheon emerged from the Guan Yu Temple with his subordinates. Outside, horses and carriages were prepared, and escort warriors were waiting. Just as Dokgo Hancheon was about to step into the carriage,

‘Why are you leaving so soon?’

It was Pa Cheon. The Alliance Leader, hearing the voice, paused before entering the carriage. Recognizing that it was Pa Cheon, he said,

‘Great Warrior, where have you been all this time?’

‘Ah, I received a message from my subordinate. I just went to Gaebong and came back. Are you leaving already?’

‘Yes, I must go. Haha, I don’t have anything pressing, but my position requires it…’

‘Well, I suppose we can’t keep the Alliance Leader here any longer. Then, please go ahead. I’ll see you at the Alliance tomorrow.’

‘Very well. Don’t drink too much. Hahaha.’

‘Haha, I’m still young, so what’s a little drinking?’

The two exchanged greetings, and Dokgo Hancheon headed towards the Martial Alliance, while Pa Cheon disappeared into the Guan Yu Temple.

As Pa Cheon entered the room, the faces of the Dog King, Abbot Jiwoo, and the leader of the Ohryun Society were filled with curiosity.

[Your Excellency, what happened?]

The Dog King’s urgent telepathic message reached him. Pa Cheon didn’t answer but just smiled faintly. All the former executives of the Martial Alliance, except for the Northern Sword Society members, were gathered there. There was no way Pa Cheon would pass up such a good opportunity.

Pa Cheon approached the head seat, picked up a wine cup, and drank it in one gulp. Still not sitting down, he scanned the room. The two vice-leaders of the Martial Alliance, five elders, three leaders of the four halls, four leaders of the five divisions, five unit leaders, and two deputy commanders of the Four Directional Guard were all staring at Pa Cheon’s sudden actions with puzzled expressions. He waited until everyone’s attention was fully focused on him before he began to speak.

‘I want to make it clear that everything I’m about to say is the absolute truth. First, I’ll tell you where I’ve been until now.’

From Pa Cheon’s mouth came a detailed account of how he had rescued the Hidden Dragon Emperor, his grandson Cheonryong Bigeom Dokgo Mu, and Hwansa from the underground of the Divine Sword Pavilion, as well as their current conditions. The reactions of those listening changed from moment to moment. Some had faces flushed with uncontrollable anger, and some were about to rush outside. Of course, he didn’t reveal that Dokgo Hancheon was a puppet of the Blood Demon Heaven, only referring to them as a strange group.

‘This matter is a shocking incident that could shake the very foundations of the righteous martial world. If we are not careful in dealing with this and act rashly, we must be prepared for irreparable damage, which will leave a regret that will last for eternity. Especially in the current situation.’

‘There’s no need to reconsider. We must kill that bastard right now.’

It was Jo Gil-sang, the leader of the White Clothes Unit, Hwansa Yu-pung. He couldn’t control his violent temper and trembled with anger.

‘That’s right. If we have to cut him out anyway, it’s better to deal with him now. Let’s rush to the Alliance right away.’

Hyeong Mu-ryong, the leader of the Azure Dragon Division, Gaebyeok Shinsoo, distorted his crimson face and agreed with the White Clothes Unit leader.

‘Let’s crush them!’

‘If we combine our strength, the Northern Sword Society is nothing…’

‘Let’s finish them off at once!’

Pa Cheon quietly observed the excitement of the crowd.

‘Ah, ah, quiet, quiet…’

It was the Dog King.

‘What are your thoughts, Your Excellency?’

‘Is it okay for me to share my thoughts?’

They all nodded.

‘Right now… if we attack Dokgo Hancheon… no, that nameless bastard, our losses will be significant. The Northern Sword Society has over ten thousand members, excluding those stationed at the branches. Moreover, they are mixed in with the five units, so the number will increase further.

Anyway, he doesn’t know about this yet. He might find out as soon as he returns to the Alliance, or it might be a few days later. Even if he finds out, he won’t be able to take any action based on suspicion alone.

Of course, he will prepare. What’s important now is to separate the Northern Sword Society’s power from him.’

‘Is that even possible?’

Jin Cheon-byeokgeom Joo Ja-gi, the leader of the White Tiger Hall, had a face full of disbelief. Pa Cheon’s words were something he couldn’t understand.

‘Huhu, it’s possible. It’s possible if we can reveal that he is a fake Dokgo Hancheon. And most importantly, we have the Hidden Dragon Emperor and his grandson.’

‘Great Warrior, didn’t you say they were in an incurable state?’

‘That’s true. But… fortunately, my subordinate is a divine physician who surpasses Hwata and Pyeonjak [legendary physicians of ancient China]. He is currently taking care of the patients. If they regain consciousness, we will be able to subdue that bastard without much damage.’

‘Hmm.’

‘If that’s the case…’

‘That would be better.’

The crowd was quickly swayed by Pa Cheon’s intentions.

‘I will take care of everything, so please trust me, these two Alliance Leaders, and the Dog King. If you leave it to us, we will normalize the Alliance without much damage.’

‘Very well.’

‘We can trust Great Warrior.’

‘Let’s do that.’

Their hearts already showed deep trust in Pa Cheon, and it began to settle into a firm belief without them even realizing it.

‘Now, I have one request for you all. Please return to the Alliance immediately and resume your duties as if nothing happened. Just keep a close watch on the movements of the Northern Sword Society. I will look for an opportunity to strike all at once.’

‘Haha, Great Warrior Moon is indeed an amazing person.’

‘Having someone like Great Warrior Moon is a blessing for the righteous martial world.’

‘What’s the point of saying more? Great Warrior Moon is the one who will protect the Central Plains martial world in the future.’

Their praises continued endlessly, and they were natural reactions.

They all returned. Although their faces were stiff, they didn’t look too worried.

Pa Cheon rushed to the Gaebong branch of the Geumhwa Trading Company with the Dog King. It was because the Physician was there, and also the three patients.

‘Physician, how is it?’

The Physician had just arrived and was now starting to take their pulses. He checked their pulses and turned their eyes over. Then, he put his hands under their armpits and groins and even tasted their secretions with his tongue. He placed his palm on their hearts and examined them by putting his inner energy into their bodies. After diagnosing them in various ways for a long time, his face became serious, and he shook his head. Seeing this, Pa Cheon felt like the sky was falling. He had made such a big promise, but if they were beyond recovery, it would all be for nothing.

‘Your Excellency! These people should have already died. It’s a miracle that they are still alive.’

‘Physician, you’re not saying you’re not confident, are you?’

Hwan-no, understanding how important it was to revive them, immediately lashed out at the Physician.

‘Your Excellency! To put it simply, if we restore their consciousness, they won’t live more than half a month. If we keep them alive, they will become idiots. Neither option is perfect.’

‘Is that true? Is there really no way?’

‘The reason they are still alive is because of their resentment and their inner strength. The balance and harmony of their bodies have been broken for a long time. None of their internal organs are healthy, and they seem to have severe mental disorders. Moreover, they have respiratory problems, and the critical issue is the fatal damage to their vital energy.’

‘In the end…’

‘The best way is to let them die.’

‘Hmm… No. Save them. We must save them no matter what.’

The Physician had a troubled expression. There were clearly patients he couldn’t save unless he was a god, and the people in front of him were such cases.

‘Fortunately, the Great Restoration Pill that Your Excellency gave them is sustaining their last bit of vital energy. If we try to treat them forcefully, they will become almost soulless. If that’s okay, then it’s possible.’

Pa Cheon was in despair. The fact that the Physician was saying this meant there was no way. Should he revive them for a few days to use them for his purposes? Or should he revive them in a soulless state? Pa Cheon was conflicted.

‘Then, how about that child?’

‘This child has no problems. It seems that the drug she took was a mild or narcotic type, which is causing hallucinations, and she is also suffering from severe psychological trauma, causing her to reject everything. If she is continuously stabilized and treated with medication, she will recover within a month. The important thing is the emotional scars. She might develop aphasia, amnesia, or even autism.’

Pa Cheon slumped into a chair. What should he do? If it were the usual Pa Cheon, he would have decided to revive them for a few days. Achieving his goals was important, and he wouldn’t have felt any pangs of conscience about what happened to them afterward. But now, he was conflicted. They were Dokgo Seolran’s only relatives, weren’t they?

‘Damn it…’

And the words that came out of his mouth!

‘I don’t think it’s my decision to make.’

★ Dokgo Seolran was brought here by Pa Cheon’s order and saw the three people lying on the beds. Everyone else had already left the room. Pa Cheon was just standing next to Dokgo Seolran, looking at her with worried eyes.

‘H… how?’

She was pale and barely managed to take a shaky step. When Pa Cheon tried to support her, she pushed him away.

‘G…Grandfather… Brother… why are you lying down like this? Get up… get up!’

She cried out. Her grandfather and brother, whom she had wanted to meet even in her dreams, were dying in front of her eyes like corpses. She was already out of her mind.

‘Hic… hic… hic… No way… how could you be like this… hmm.’

She fell backward. Pa Cheon quickly supported her. She had fainted. Her beautiful face was sadly stained with tears.

★ Dokgo Seolran, having regained her senses, was sitting by the bed, and Pa Cheon had to explain everything to her. She started sobbing again at the part where Dokgo Hancheon had already died. She had already expected it after seeing her grandfather and brother’s condition, but when she actually confirmed it with Pa Cheon, sadness washed over her. Pa Cheon put his arm around her shoulder.

Suddenly,

She hugged Pa Cheon and began to cry loudly. Pa Cheon’s hand patted her back, but how much comfort could it provide?

‘Seolran! You choose.’

‘Choose what? What am I supposed to choose? Whether to kill my grandfather and brother? I can’t do it.

Even if they live, they will be soulless… How can you ask me to do this…’

She wished she had never known. If she hadn’t met her brother and grandfather, she could have lived with the hope of meeting them someday…

‘But you have to. Whether they live for a few days with their minds intact and then die… or whether they live as soulless beings but healthy… you can’t choose for yourself, so only you can choose.’

She didn’t answer Pa Cheon’s words. How could she make such a simple decision with just one word? She began to feel like she was in hell at this moment. Her mind began to calm down. Her brother’s handsome face was gone, and he was just a wreck filled with pain and resentment. Her kind and dignified grandfather looked like a corpse without any life.

(Haha, Seolran, don’t get married and live with your brother for the rest of your life. I’ll bring you all the splendor in this world.)

(Tch, brother, what are you saying? Do you think that’s something to say to your only sister? If you don’t get married and live alone… hmm… I’ll think about it.)

(Haha, you rascal, if you tell me not to get married, I won’t. Do I have a choice?)

(Tch, you always do what you want…)

(What? Hahahahaha)

Her brother’s voice was still echoing in her ears, but she might not be able to hear his voice anymore! Heavens, this is too much. Why do you give our family such trials? Brother, what should I do? What should I do for you to praise me? Tell me. I’m… I’m so tired. You said you would protect me forever, didn’t you? Liar. Everyone is a liar. Mom, Dad… and now even Grandfather and Brother… if you all leave me behind… how am I supposed to live?

She raised her head. She had made a decision and spoke.

‘Please save them. It’s too unfair to let them go like this. Please save them. Please, Gaga, please…’

‘Even if they are soulless? Is it okay? Even if they don’t recognize you… even if they can’t call your name like before?’

‘Gaga, hic… hic… hic…’

She jumped into Pa Cheon’s arms again.

In the end, that was the decision. Dokgo Seolran couldn’t bear to watch anymore and went to another room, and the treatment was left to the Physician. They would be revived. But now, they could no longer return to their former selves.

Soulless! Beings who couldn’t think and were just living, breathing animals! A former master who once held the Northern Sword Society in his hand and scolded the Central Plains, and a promising young man who was the only successor of the Northern Sword Society, had to be satisfied with just being alive… Truly, one’s fate is something that can change at any time.

‘What are you planning to do about the Martial Alliance?’

‘There’s no choice. We have to deal with it by force… If they are of no help, we have to confront them head-on, and if that’s the case, a swift resolution might be better. We need to go to the Alliance right away after seeing their condition.’

‘Even if they are soulless, wouldn’t their appearance in that state cause unrest among the Northern Sword Society members?’

‘Not at all. If we pin it on us, they won’t have anything to say. Unless they explain the situation themselves and claim that Dokgo Hancheon is a fake, there’s only one way.’

‘I thought things were going to work out… but in the end, it’s come to this.’

‘Not everything will go our way. Anyway, the outcome will be our victory. The problem is that we have to be prepared for huge sacrifices to suppress the Northern Sword Society’s power, and perhaps the Martial Alliance’s strength will be reduced to about half of what it is now.

That’s the problem. The enemies won’t miss such a good opportunity. In the end, all the martial forces of the Central Plains will be devastated by them, and they will take over the Central Plains without much damage. After that, even with the power of our sect, it will be a difficult fight.’

‘Are the enemies that strong?’

Hwan-no had already heard about the immense power of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Yet, he was saying it would be difficult?

‘It’s because we are too strong. In the end, they will try to deal with us first. Huhu, that’s how things will go.’

‘If we keep hiding… wouldn’t there be a power struggle between them? And then we can just deal with the final winner…’

‘They are not that stupid. After putting the martial world in their hands, they will distribute it to certain areas and go through a kind of transition period. After that, they will start the final war, which could be anytime. But we can’t wait until then.’

‘After the Martial Alliance is reorganized, if we push forward with the power of the Demonic Alliance and the power prepared by our Beggar Clan and the Twin Elders, wouldn’t we be able to defeat them?’

‘That would be practically the entire power of the Central Plains combined. Would they be stupid enough to confront the power of the Central Plains as a single force? No, of course, they will attack the Central Plains in a coalition. The Central Plains can’t defeat their coalition no matter what. They might hold out for a while, but it will end soon.

Some might say that half the power of the Martial Alliance isn’t that great, but not at all… that is the power that maintains the overall balance. It makes them hesitate and wonder if there might be another force… and that’s when we go for individual attacks. In the end, the forces that haven’t united will end up in a situation of mutual destruction despite their superior power.

After that, if the power of our sect is deployed, everything will be ours. But… to have to completely revise all those plans… it can’t be helped. It might be a bit difficult, but we have to go around it…’

-Pa Cheon,

‘Heavenly Demon, what is it?’

-There is a way.