CMW | Chapter 1.5

Namgoong Cheon, who had been groaning in pain for a while, finally regained his senses. He wiped the cold sweat dripping down with the back of his hand and spoke.

“What, what happened?”

“Sorry?”

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“What happened to Hwasu?”

When Namgoong Cheon asked sharply, the Golden Tiger Squad member hesitated. Namgoong Cheon pushed him aside and stood up. Just that slight movement twisted his injured insides, and the taste of blood filled his mouth. He swallowed it down and flung open the door, revealing Lotus Peak—the main mountain of the Mount Hua Sect.

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As he staggered out into the familiar courtyard, Lee Hwayoung, who was coming this way, ran over to him.

“How can you wander around with such severe internal injuries!”

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Ignoring his worried scolding, Namgoong Cheon licked his lips, tasting the blood, and asked.

“What happened to Hwasu?”

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Hearing his question, Lee Hwayoung lowered his head with a dark expression.

“He’s gone. We searched the entire area but couldn’t find him. It seems the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon took him.”

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Blood trickled down Namgoong Cheon’s lips, and Lee Hwayoung clicked his tongue. He didn’t care about dirtying his clothes and wiped Namgoong Cheon’s mouth while supporting him. Leaning against him, Namgoong Cheon apologized.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I couldn’t keep my promise.”

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“Given the opponent, it couldn’t be helped. I also failed to hold him back. The plan to lure him elsewhere also failed.”

“How could this happen…”

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Unable to hide his self-reproach, Namgoong Cheon muttered and belatedly felt intense pain. Lee Hwayoung hurriedly took him back to the Plum Blossom Pavilion where he had been lying and shouted.

“Bring a doctor!”

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Namgoong Cheon lay back on the bed, and soon a doctor came with a medical kit and quickly performed acupuncture. The doctor, who calmed the sudden hemoptysis caused by the movement, spoke with a dark expression.

“The internal injuries are severe, and recovery will take a long time. You must focus on treatment and refrain from moving for the time being.”

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At the doctor’s words, Namgoong Cheon shook his head as if that was impossible.

“I must recover as soon as possible to chase after the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon. If not… if not…”

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Namgoong Cheon couldn’t bring himself to say in front of Lee Hwayoung that Lee Hwasu might have already been violated by the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon. In fact, it was highly likely.

If that were the case, Lee Hwasu’s life couldn’t be guaranteed—not only because the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon might drain his spiritual energy, but also because he might not be able to bear the shame and might attempt to take his own life.

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Namgoong Cheon, who had been friends with Lee Hwasu since childhood, knew him well. Having devoted his life to martial arts, he was a warrior to the core. He couldn’t bear to be broken like a flower, so he was desperate to rescue him before that happened.

Lee Hwayoung also understood Lee Hwasu’s temperament. However, with half of the Martial Alliance’s proud Golden Tiger Squad dead and even the Mount Hua Sect ravaged, there was no way. Their only hope was…

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“The Secret Sword is nowhere to be seen.”

“Are you talking about Hae Muyoung?”

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“Yes. If he died at the hands of the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon, there should be a body, but there isn’t. We searched along the river thinking it might have floated away, but we couldn’t find it.”

“I didn’t see him being defeated either. In that case…?”

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“Yes, it’s highly likely he secretly followed the Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon.”

At Lee Hwayoung’s hopeful speculation, Namgoong Cheon shook his head.

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“The Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon wouldn’t be unaware that someone is tracking him. Hae Muyoung alone won’t be able to follow him to the end.”

“No, if it’s Hae Muyoung, it might be possible.”

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“What makes you so sure?”

At Namgoong Cheon’s question, Lee Hwayoung hesitated. However, thinking it wasn’t something that had to be kept secret forever, he spoke honestly.

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“Actually, Hae Muyoung is a disciple of the Ghost Sword, Cheol Muwang.”

Namgoong Cheon widened his eyes in surprise.

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“The Ghost Sword, Cheol Muwang…!”

“Yes, he was once one of the Four Lords of the Dark Path. I happened to witness his death, and the disciple he entrusted was Hae Muyoung.”

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“Does that mean he learned the Ghost Sword Style…?”

The Ghost Sword, Cheol Muwang, was once one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Dark Path, and the Ghost Sword Style he mastered was the only martial art ever leaked to the outside world from the legendary assassin group, Muhunryeon. It was said that if Cheol Muwang, despite being of the dark path, had chosen to carry out ambushes, even the top ten masters wouldn’t have dared to let their guard down.

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If Hae Muyoung was Cheol Muwang’s hidden disciple, he might have learned the Ghost Sword Style—thought to be lost in the martial world, as it was passed down to only one person.

“From what I’ve heard, he did receive the teachings, but it seems he didn’t master them completely. He was solely devoted to his role as Hwasu’s bodyguard and showed no particular attachment to his roots. Of course, there’s no way to know his true intentions. But one thing is certain—if it’s Hae Muyoung, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect Hwasu, even if it means bringing out the martial arts he’s kept hidden…”

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Namgoong Cheon couldn’t refute Lee Hwayoung’s words. He knew better than anyone that Hae Muyoung showed absolute loyalty only to Lee Hwasu. The reason he remained as Lee Hwasu’s bodyguard, even though Lee Hwasu had already become a top master and no longer needed protection, was precisely that loyalty.

Namgoong Cheon, resting his heavy head, spoke.

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“We have no choice but to place our hopes on Hae Muyoung. If he succeeds in infiltrating the Heavenly God Palace, there will be a chance to rescue Hwasu.”

“Indeed.”

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The problem was whether Lee Hwasu could hold out until then. Given Ju Ryongjin’s clear intentions, it was hard to believe he wouldn’t be toyed with. But even if that were the case, all they could do was hope he would steel his heart.

⋆. 𐙚 ˚જ⁀➴

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Swaaah―

A chilly breeze swept through the room. Lee Hwasu groaned and pulled the blanket over himself. It seemed he hadn’t closed the door properly, as the cold wind blew in fiercely, making the room even colder. But why were his clothes so damp? Had he spilled water or something?

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When he opened his eyes, sensing that something was off, he was met with an unexpected sight—a broad, bare chest.

Lee Hwasu blinked, unable to grasp the situation. Then, as realization dawned, he jolted upright in shock. What he had been trying to pull over himself wasn’t a blanket—it was the other person’s clothing.

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“Gasp.”

When he got up, he found someone he could never be happy to see sleeping right next to him—someone he never thought he’d encounter in person.

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The Heaven-Splitting Calamity Demon, Ju Ryongjin!

At the sight of his face, memories flooded back, and Lee Hwasu realized the situation he was in. He had tried to deceive the one pursuing him for his divine energy—but he had failed. Not only had the Golden Tiger Squad been annihilated, but even Namgoong Cheon had been crushed by him.

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While fleeing with Hae Muyoung at his side, he had foolishly slipped and fallen into the river.

And then, and then…

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Recalling what happened next sent a rush of heat to his face. From his neck to his ears, a feverish warmth spread, as though steam might rise from his head.

Desperate to erase the memory of his humiliation in the reed field at Ju Ryongjin’s hands, Lee Hwasu squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. Then, taking deep breaths, he forced himself to calm down.

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‘Now’s not the time to dwell on the past. I can’t be dragged all the way to Heavenly Mountain like this!’

Being carried at his side for a thousand li was unbearable. He had fainted, only to wake up in this situation.

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Lee Hwasu swallowed dryly and cautiously approached Ju Ryongjin. It felt like standing before a sleeping tiger. Holding his breath, he slowly reached out and waved a hand in front of Ju Ryongjin’s closed eyes.

No reaction.

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Having fought a fierce battle, nearly succumbed to inner demons, and flown for miles using his lightness skill, he had to be exhausted. Now, deeply asleep—so unaware that he wouldn’t even notice if someone carried him away—this was the perfect opportunity. If he wanted to escape, it had to be now. The very thought made Lee Hwasu swallow dryly.

Quietly withdrawing his hand, he suppressed his presence and stood up. Just as he was about to gather his energy, a voice pierced through the silence like an arrow.

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“Stop.”

He froze at the words that cut through him like a blade. As he remained motionless, he heard the rustle of Ju Ryongjin sitting up, followed by his indifferent voice.

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“If you run away, I’ll cut off your legs because I don’t want to bother chasing you.”

“…”

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“Or maybe I’ll split your backside so you can’t walk.”

His mocking words made Lee Hwasu’s blood run cold. With his face flushed, he clenched his fists and turned around.

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“The leader of the Demonic Cult is unbelievably vulgar.”

“If I were refined, I wouldn’t be the leader of the Demonic Cult; I’d be the leader of the Martial Alliance.”

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“Shut up! How dare you mention the leader with that filthy mouth…!”

“Geez, you’re noisy. If you don’t want to cry out louder, keep your mouth shut.”

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Knowing what he meant, Lee Hwasu clamped his mouth shut. And feeling ashamed of himself, he trembled.

Ju Ryongjin, indifferent to his reaction, stirred the ashes and added wood to the fire. Then he gestured to Lee Hwasu.

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“You seemed cold, burrowing in while sleeping. Come here and warm yourself.”

Lee Hwasu jumped in place.

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“Burrowing in? I never did that!”

“If you don’t mind, take off those damp clothes. Why are you dressed like a woman?”

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“To deceive you…!”

“Well, it suits you. If it were me, I’d have chosen red clothes.”

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“I don’t need such compliments!”

At Lee Hwasu’s retort, Ju Ryongjin suddenly burst into laughter.

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“Haha…! Is saying you look good in women’s clothes a compliment to you?”

His remark hit the mark, and Lee Hwasu couldn’t suppress the surge of anger rising within him. Acting on impulse, he unleashed his energy, but Ju Ryongjin dispersed it with nothing more than a flick of his sleeve.

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Having wasted his energy in vain, Lee Hwasu clenched his jaw like a walnut. Seeing the frustration welling up in his tearful eyes, Ju Ryongjin’s laughter faded, and he spoke coldly.

“I understand you’re a pampered noble from the Mount Hua Sect. But I have no intention of indulging you, so take off your clothes and warm yourself. If you go to Heavenly Mountain like that, you’ll freeze to death.”

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“…”