Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 56

57. A Way to Revive!

‘There’s a way? What way?’

-Not only to revive them, but also a way to prevent them from becoming soul-bound!

‘What? There’s such a thing? What is it?’

Pa Cheon became urgent. Was it because he saw a glimmer of hope? His voice echoed slightly louder in the room.

=Amitabha! There is a way, but I cannot guarantee its success.

‘Hye Nung, you knew too? What is it? If there was a way, why didn’t you say so?’

-Actually, it’s because I can’t guarantee success. Also, if it goes wrong, not only their lives but also…

As the Heavenly Demon trailed off, Pa Cheon became frustrated.

‘What is it? Why are you being so hesitant? Just tell me clearly.’

-Do you remember what we told you before?

‘What?’

-That when your inner energy reaches 10 cycles and you achieve a certain level, you might be able to completely unite with us or release us…

‘Ah, that!’

-It seems like now is the time.

‘What? I don’t have the ability to unite with you yet. And I don’t know how! And what does that have to do with reviving them?’

-Hehe, it’s not about uniting with us, but sending our souls to them.

‘What?…’

Pa Cheon’s mouth fell open. He couldn’t think of anything. After a long pause, he finally managed to say,

‘Is that possible?’

Indeed, the fact that two souls had entered his body was already an unprecedented event, so this shouldn’t be that surprising, but Pa Cheon had never even imagined such a thing, so he was doubtful.

-It’s possible. It’s something that would naturally happen over time… but if the matter is urgent, we can bring it forward.

‘What’s the probability of failure? And what would be the result?’

-The probability of failure is almost zero. However, frankly, we don’t know what kind of result it will bring.

=Since the two benefactors are in a state close to being soul-bound, it might be easier for us to enter. The important thing is that Pa Cheon’s current ability is not enough to send us, so we have to move on our own, and therefore, we cannot guarantee the result. We can consider several scenarios. One is that we completely take over them, in which case we borrow their bodies, and their souls leave their bodies. That is, they die.

-The next is the same case as you, Pa Cheon. Not only will their consciousness return, but our souls will also coexist, a mixed case.

=The next is that by entering, we succeed in awakening their souls, and their consciousness takes over everything. In this case, we only awaken their consciousness, and we return to the spirit realm.

‘Any other cases?’

-Well, there could be many other possibilities, but there are so many variables, I don’t know what will happen.

‘Is the best case that you take over them? Or the mixed case? Both would be fine. It would be like new Heavenly Demons and Hye Nungs being born. Wait… but if you return to the spirit realm…’

-I know what you want to ask. You want to know if our abilities will be transferred to them, right?

‘Yes…’

-No. In all cases except when we are mixed with them or when we take over them, our abilities will not be transferred to them.

‘Anyway, you’re saying that in any case, they can avoid being soul-bound.’

-That’s right. Of course, only with your permission…

Pa Cheon was lost in thought. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no loss for him. If things went well, two great helpers might be born. Even in the worst case, they could return to normal. This was a no-brainer. However, he didn’t feel very good.

The fact that the Heavenly Demon and Hye Nung would disappear from his body, something he should be happy about, instead made him feel sad and empty… It seemed he had grown attached to them. If the two people who always shared opinions and gave advice suddenly disappeared, Pa Cheon might not be able to adapt at first.

‘Okay. But… in any case, it’s a secret from Seol Ran. Even if you completely take over, you have to act as her grandfather and brother.’

-Understood. Of course. Hehehe, is this how I’m going to reappear in the martial world?

=Amitabha, I wonder if it will go well.

-Pa Cheon, even if I return, I won’t try to take over the Heavenly Demon Sect.

‘What? You, come to think of it, you don’t have any ulterior motives, do you?’

-Hehe, I do have some. But honestly, I’m not interested in the state of the martial world or power. Instead…

Hehehehe

The ominous laughter made Pa Cheon’s heart uneasy.

‘That guy, he won’t cause trouble, will he? I feel uneasy for some reason.’

Hwan No and Poong Gae were just staring blankly at Pa Cheon as he muttered to himself. They knew that when he talked to himself, he was talking to the Heavenly Demon and Hye Nung, so they were just watching without interrupting. Listening to Pa Cheon’s muttering, they could intuitively feel that something had come up, and especially Hwan No, being in his field of expertise, had a sense of what was going on.

‘Your Excellency, perhaps the two of them…’

‘They’re going to enter the two of them.’

‘Oh! Such a thing?’

Gae Wang exclaimed in surprise, but Hwan No, who had sensed it, was calm.

‘But it won’t be easy. Unless we have the Spirit Marrow Pill…’

Pa Cheon heard Hwan No’s mutter and remembered what the Heavenly Demon had told him before. He had said that their entry into Pa Cheon’s body was not solely due to the Soul Transfer Technique, right? However, it wasn’t that Hwan No had played no role. He had acted as a kind of guide. He had helped them find Pa Cheon easily. Hwan No, unaware of this, was regretting not having the Spirit Marrow Pill.

‘Heavenly Demon, shouldn’t we tell the Physician to stop the treatment he’s doing now?’

-It doesn’t matter. It’s better after the treatment. Being soul-bound doesn’t mean that the soul leaves, but rather that it’s suppressed and can’t surface, so it’s actually a good state for us to enter. Moreover, it’s useless unless the body’s condition improves.

‘Is that so? Hehe, I’m looking forward to it…’

★ ‘H-How did this happen?’

It was Dokgo Han Cheon. He had come down to the underground and couldn’t close his mouth at the scene before him.

He quickly looked around the stone chambers. There was no one. Neither the Sleeping Dragon Emperor nor his grandson, nor the girl, were visible. And none of his subordinates were alive.

‘You bastards…’

Bang!

A crack appeared on the wall, and stone dust flew everywhere. He had released his energy towards the wall in anger.

‘Who the hell…’

His body moved quickly. He was going up.

The Heavenly Sword Leader and the Deputy Leader were kneeling before Dokgo Han Cheon. They were the leaders of the Northern Sword Society’s Demonic Sword Hall and Blood Sword Hall, and in fact, they were Dokgo Han Cheon’s right-hand men. Their ranks were 5th and 6th in the Northern Sword Society, but they were the only demons who knew Dokgo Han Cheon’s true identity.

‘How did you manage the security that an intruder got in?’

‘Lord, we are sorry.’

As expected, the word ‘Lord’ came out of their mouths, not ‘Alliance Leader’ or ‘Society Leader’. It was also a word that indicated that they were members of the Blood Demon Heaven.

‘Who was it? Only the three of us know about the underground prison. But?’

Dokgo Han Cheon held his head. The two kneeling men were flustered and didn’t know what to do. Dokgo Han Cheon suddenly raised his head.

‘Could it be?’

Something came to mind.

‘Then it was that guy?’

The image of the sly Pa Cheon clearly came to his mind.

‘Hmm… is all of this planned? Even saying it was Gae Wang’s birthday was to lure me out, and in the meantime, Moon Yoon, that bastard, came in and out of here? You bastards…’

He clenched the hand holding the Grand Master’s chair.

Poof!

It scattered into dust. An unbearable demonic energy poured out of his face.

‘In the end, everything has been revealed… maybe everyone already knows.

Since it has come to this… I’ll wipe them all out.’

‘Lord…’

Kang Ah Joo, the Heavenly Sword Leader and former leader of the Demonic Sword Hall, cautiously called out to Dokgo Han Cheon.

‘What is it?’

Kang Ah Joo flinched at Dokgo Han Cheon’s nervous reaction. However, he had to finish what he had to say.

‘The Sleeping Dragon Emperor and his grandson are in such a critical condition that they won’t last more than a few days. Moreover, their consciousness is unclear, so there seems to be no danger.’

‘Huh?… Ho, I guess that’s true. As long as they don’t regain their senses, I can just deny it.

Moreover, it’s known in the martial world that they’re secluded in the mountains for martial arts training…

In the end, those two won’t be able to use them to trouble me. Hahahaha, that’s right. It’s nothing to worry about. But now that they know, they’ll push me even harder in the future, won’t they?

Kang Ah Joo!’

‘Yes, Lord!’

‘You, first close the underground prison and don’t leave any traces. And Kang Ah Jo!’

The two were brothers. There was one more, but he had died ten years ago. His name was Kang Ah Ji or something?

‘Yes, Lord.’

‘You, prepare the Heavenly Sword Unit to be mobilized at any time, and if necessary, have the main forces of the Northern River area on standby…’

‘That requires the approval of the Grand Commander…’

‘Shut up. If we’re going to lose everything overnight… where do we have the time for that? I’ll take responsibility for everything, so do as I say.’

‘Understood.’

‘Go!’

The two quickly disappeared.

‘Hehe, if those guys think I’m that easy to deal with, they’re mistaken. I’m still the leader of the Northern Sword Society and the Martial Alliance Leader. They can’t just push me out. If necessary, I’ll even commit suicide. They’ll be frustrated.

Knowing full well, they can’t take any action. If you come at me with force, I’ll just respond in kind. Nothing will change. Now that I don’t have to pretend anymore, it might be easier. Hahahaha’

He was definitely not normal. He seemed almost crazy. How could he laugh so calmly at this moment?

★ Dokgo Han Cheon called two people to the Alliance Leader’s Hall. One was So Cheon Ak, the military advisor of the current Martial Alliance and the Northern Sword Society, and the former leader of the Divine Eye Hall, and the other was Pyo Haeng Soo, the leader of the Iron Blood Hall, the largest of the five halls. He was also the Supreme Protector, second in rank in the Northern Sword Society. He was an old master, but he was the most trusted person in the Northern Sword Society. He was also the most trusted subordinate of the previous Northern Sword Society Leader, the Sleeping Dragon Emperor.

‘Welcome.’

‘Did you call for us?’

‘The reason I called you two is that I’m a little worried about the way things are going these days.’

So Cheon Ak half-opened his eyes and asked.

‘Are you perhaps worried about the movements of the other Righteous Factions?’

‘That’s right.’

Pyo Haeng Soo closed his eyes tightly and then opened them wide.

‘No matter what they do, once you have been appointed as the Alliance Leader, there can be no changes. It would be different if they had opposed it from the beginning? It’s useless to do so now. Until the Demonic Alliance issue is resolved, the Society Leader must continue to serve as the Alliance Leader.’

His words sounded like, ‘It’s true that you don’t have the ability, but until the Demonic Alliance issue is resolved, there won’t be any problems.’

‘Hmm… that’s why! In case the other Righteous Factions might resort to a show of force, how about preparing for that?’

‘Surely they wouldn’t do that? They wouldn’t oppose the Alliance Leader by taking such an unreasonable step among the Righteous Factions.’

‘Yes, of course… If they do, we can’t just stand by. It’s an insult to our Northern Sword Society, so we have to respond.’

‘Haha, I’m just being overly cautious, so don’t worry too much, and please be fully prepared in case such a situation arises. And Divine Eye Hall Leader!’

‘Yes, Alliance Leader.’

‘You should keep a closer watch on their movements. If any signs of rebellion are detected, we can be the first to know and prepare.’

‘Understood!’

‘Alright, alright. You can go now. Actually, that’s why I called you. These days, the way they treat me feels like they might resort to extreme measures…’

‘Then rest well. That won’t happen. If such a thing happens, all members of our Northern Sword Society will share their fate with the Society Leader.’

‘Hehe, that’s right. As long as you guys are my shield, those guys won’t be able to provoke me recklessly.’

‘Then we’ll take our leave.’

Watching the two leave, a sinister smile began to form on Dokgo Han Cheon’s lips.

★ It was a huge hall. It was three yards high, twenty yards wide, and thirty yards long. This was the main hall of the Righteous Command. There, two Deputy Commanders and 500 Commanders were gathered in one place.

‘Listen well. We will not act against the spirit of the martial world under any circumstances. We must protect the spirit of the martial world even at the cost of our lives.’

It was the cry of Kwak Woon Sung, the White Dragon of Righteousness. The other Deputy Commander, Cheong Woon Hak, had a relatively easygoing personality and was even taciturn, but Kwak Woon Sung was hot-blooded and a man of iron who would see through whatever he thought was right, no matter what.

‘There may be a storm in the Alliance soon. Our role will be important. Although we are small in number, it is no exaggeration to say that we have the greatest weight in the Alliance. The reason why I have gathered so many Commanders here today is to remind you once again of our heavy responsibility.’

‘I have a question.’

It was Namgoong Hyuk Ryun. He was also a member of the Righteous Command. Next to him were the members of the Oh Ryun Society’s younger generation.

‘What is it?’

‘I heard that Great Warrior Moon was appointed as the Great Commander of our Righteous Command, but the Deputy Commander opposed it. May I ask what the reason is?’

Murmuring, murmuring.

‘That’s right. The reason I opposed it… was because Great Warrior Moon was not qualified.’

‘What? There is no basis for saying that he is not qualified.’

Namgoong Hyuk Ryun’s words were agitated, and he had lost his usual composure.

‘Listen to me until the end. In my judgment, Great Warrior Moon… is not qualified to be the Great Commander of our Righteous Command… He is the one who should be the Alliance Leader.’

‘Ah.’

‘Indeed.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Accepting him as the Great Commander is like losing a great leader. The Righteous Factions are now divided, and the command system of the Martial Alliance, this large entity, is shaking from the roots to the point where it is burdensome to move. All of this is due to the lack of virtue and incompetence of the leader.

Therefore, not only I but almost all the forces are already showing movements to recommend Great Warrior Moon as the Alliance Leader. I can’t tell you the details, but it will soon become a reality before your eyes. To answer Commander Namgoong’s question… that’s why I opposed it. Is that an answer?’

‘Yes, I misunderstood for a moment without knowing the Deputy Commander’s intentions.’

‘Haha, anyone can do that. From now on, I will give you one order.’

The audience was silent. They also intuitively knew that the recent atmosphere in the Alliance was unusual. It was probably an order related to that.

‘From now on, all members of our Command will keep a close watch on the movements of the Northern Sword Society and not miss a single moment of their troop deployment. Therefore, from now on, I will issue an emergency order, and you must not be negligent in your vigilance until the situation is over. We will divide into three main forces.

One is the Divine Eye Hall, the other is the Iron Blood Hall, and the last is the Divine Sword Pavilion and the Heavenly Sword Unit. We will take turns monitoring them for twelve hours a day. All duties of the Command will be temporarily suspended, and you must focus solely on this task… I cannot tell you the reason, but please keep in mind that it is a very important task, and I sincerely ask you not to be negligent or dismissive for even a moment. That’s all.’

The atmosphere of a storm brewing in the Martial Alliance could be easily sensed everywhere. Tension was in the faces of all the people, and there was even a strange atmosphere of confrontation between the forces of the Northern Sword Society and the rest of the forces.

★ In the room, the Physician was examining the condition of the two people. Next to him, Pa Cheon, Gae Wang, and Hwan No were watching the scene intently.

‘How is it?’

At Pa Cheon’s question, the Physician raised his head.

‘They have passed the critical point. If we continue to treat them like this for a few more days, their energy will recover.’

The scent of various herbal medicines lingered in the room. On one side, a needle case was open, and various elixirs were also visible.

Hwan Sa seemed to have been moved to another room and was not visible.

‘A few days? Can’t we move the time forward?’

‘It’s difficult. There is a limit to the medicinal power that a person can accept, and even the best elixirs can become poison if they exceed a certain level. If we force the treatment, it can be fatal to the patients.’

‘Hmm.’

He had not yet told the Physician about the Heavenly Demon and Hye Nung entering their bodies.

The Physician’s main treatment method was to administer various elixirs, maximize their effectiveness with acupuncture, and further help the medicinal effects to be fully dissolved in the body. Therefore, no matter how good the elixir was, its effects would only appear after a certain amount of time had passed.

‘This is a problem. This is not a situation where we can afford to waste time like this…’

‘If Your Excellency helps me, we can shorten the time.’

‘Really? How?’

‘I will increase the amount of medicine a little. And after the acupuncture is finished, Your Excellency will use your inner energy to stimulate the acupoints and then guide the power of the dissolved elixir into the meridians. If we do that, we can shorten the time.’

‘Okay. And Physician…’

Pa Cheon told him about the Heavenly Demon and Hye Nung.

‘Then it won’t take long. Rather, if we administer the maximum amount of elixir that they can accept, those two will be able to dissolve it sufficiently.’

‘Is that so? Good. Let’s start.’

The Physician injected an amount of elixir that would normally be taken over five days at once. And immediately went into acupuncture. A dark red energy flowed continuously from the tips of the needles. The amount that had been flowing out for a long time gradually decreased, and the color became lighter.

‘Now. Please start quickly.’

Pa Cheon sat cross-legged in front of them. Pa Cheon’s hands instantly began to turn golden, and he first stimulated the acupoints of the Sleeping Dragon Emperor. His movements, which traversed the 360 major acupoints of the entire body, were swift and precise. Sometimes gently, sometimes heavily, his touch was even mysterious. Without taking a break, he then began to stimulate the acupoints of Dokgo Moo.