◈ Episode 28. The Faceless Mountain King
The fiery demon flickering its red tongue engulfed the deep valleys of the deep mountains and valleys.
A piercing scream, a harsh, eerie sound that echoes through the air.
Jin Mu-rip, who arrived at the battlefield of Abigyuhuan, bit his lip until it bled.
‘f*ck! f*ck!’
I set off as soon as I got the news, but I was a step late.
“Please! Please not that kid!”
A miserable scream was heard from somewhere, and Jinmu-rip flew away without hesitation.
A rough, coarse hand tugged at the hair of a girl who looked to be about ten years old.
“Ahh!”
The man, clutching the child’s hair with one hand and the dagger embedded in his abdomen with the other, ground his teeth.
“That damn woman dares to stick a knife in my stomach? As expected, the blood of an evil spirit never goes anywhere!”
The child in the man’s hands cried out and screamed.
“mother!”
What the child saw in his eyes was a woman lying on the floor, struggling to reach out her hand.
“Take me, take me!”
Then a large foot fell on the woman’s head.
“evil!”
The man in black who had stepped on her head smirked as he lowered his mask.
“Kekekeke. You’re so mistaken. What good would it do to take the bloodline of an evil spirit?”
“Hahaha. A grown woman is useless. We need to use a child as a hostage to tie their hands and feet.”
The man who had trampled the woman and the man who had grabbed the child by the hair exchanged glances and nodded.
“I will avenge the death of my brother-in-law who went before me by tearing you to pieces.”
Just before the black man’s sword stabbed the woman’s back, a cold wind blew from behind and pierced the man’s chest.
“Ugh!”
The sword that had pierced through his chest disappeared in an instant, and the man’s neck floated into the air.
The eyes of the man holding the child shook violently.
“Who, who are you!”
“Demon bloodline?”
Jin Mu-rip, a young man drenched in gushing blood, gritted his teeth and took a step forward.
“Then I am the evil spirit.”
Jin Mu-rip, who had been on the ground, cut off his opponent’s head without giving him a chance to react.
The moment when the head floating in the air falls to the floor.
Footsteps were heard from all directions, and then, one by one, unmanned personnel carrying children under their arms appeared.
“There are some pretty strong guys left.”
The man in black, who had confirmed the two bodies, glared at Jinmu Rip with sharp eyes.
“Put down your sword. If you follow my instructions, the children will be spared.”
Jinmu-rip’s eyes, moving from left to right, became bloodshot.
There were thirteen children taken hostage.
What was in those terrified eyes was a desperate desire to live.
‘You little shits.’
The hand holding the sword trembled.
As Jinmu-rip’s face distorted like an evil spirit, the men in black all aimed their swords at the children’s necks.
“Put down your sword. Do you want to kill them all?”
Tears poured from the children’s eyes as the cold blade dug into their skin.
“Please, save me.”
The moment when eyes meet with children.
The red surroundings gradually cleared up and my vision became blurry.
Jinmu-rip returned to reality with excruciating pain felt all over his body.
‘Is it that dream again?’
A memory I so desperately wanted to erase.
The moment he saw Cho Yu-rim being captured by Hyeoncheonsura, the memories came back to him and even brought back nightmares that he hadn’t had for a while.
Jinmu Rip tried to clear his head and raise his body.
“Ugh.”
I moved just a little bit, but cold sweat formed on my forehead.
‘It was too much.’
If it were normal, I would have fought calmly and as efficiently as possible.
However, the moment he saw Cho Yu-rim being taken hostage, old memories came to mind and he could not keep his composure.
Jinmu-rip, who eventually gave up on moving, checked his physical condition first.
Starting from the danjeon to the blood vessels of the entire body.
Jinmu Rip, who carefully checked each one, was able to see that his body was changing rapidly compared to before.
‘I feel like the boundary between the two energies is gradually collapsing.’
The energy of extreme yang and extreme yin.
In the history of martial arts, there has never been a single person who survived with two energies in one body.
Since he was going down a path that no one had ever been on before, Jinmu Rip had no choice but to be extremely careful whenever he used his martial arts.
‘It’s still a long way to go.’
Contrary to what others may think, you are not perfect.
‘I······must become stronger.’
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A mistake like this only happens once.
For the sake of those he was supposed to protect, Jinmu Rip firmly vowed not to repeat the same mistake.
Just then the door opened and Judae came in.
“Little Prince?”
The moment his eyes met with Jinmu-rip’s, who had been anxious for two days, his face lit up.
“You’re awake.”
Jin Mu-rip, who was staring blankly at Yudaeha, said.
“I think you probably have a lot of questions for me.”
After seeing such a fight right before your eyes, you would naturally be curious.
“I plan to wait until you tell me directly.”
Judae laughed, but Jinmu-rip did not laugh.
“Are you mine?”
If it’s going to be revealed anyway, it’s better to draw the line here rather than overthinking it.
Jinmu Rip is urging him to make a choice.
“What do you mean? As the leader of the Gwangryongdae, of course······.”
The moment I met Jinmu-rip’s eyes while he was talking, I realized that this was not what he was asking.
This also has to do with his hidden appearance.
In the awkward silence, Jinmu-rip spoke softly.
“If you want to be mine, come see me tomorrow morning. I will tell you everything.”
If it’s tomorrow morning, there’s time to think.
Yuda nodded silently and got up from his seat.
“All right.”
Those who heard the news hurried to find Jinmu Rip’s residence.
The father and son of Jeong Ga-jang, who had been expressing their gratitude, promised to spare no support for Jin Mu-rip’s speedy recovery.
Jeong In-ryeong, who arrived later, was so grateful that she even wiped away tears when she saw Jin Mu-rip regaining consciousness.
As she left, saying she would go see the congressman again, the next person to come in was Cho Yu-rim.
“Brother!”
Cho Yu-rim burst through the door and came in, hugging Jin Mu-rip tightly.
“Ugh!”
Jinmu-rip’s face was distorted horribly by the pain that surged through his entire body.
“Let go. Let go. Are you planning to kill me?”
Jinmu-rip, who had barely managed to shake off the forest, kept coughing.
“Hehehe. I see you’re in pain, so I guess your senses are fine.”
To check that······.
I really doubt if he’s eleven years old.
Cho Yu-rim asked with a bright smile.
“It’s already been two days. Are you hungry?”
“I don’t know because I’m sick.”
“I’ll tell them to prepare some herbal medicine.”
Cho Yu-rim stopped in front of the door and smiled sinisterly.
“Something good for your health.”
“······.”
Jinmu-rip was speechless.
He’s a really weird kid, you never know who he resembles.
As soon as Cho Yu-rim left, the group leaders came in next.
“Daeju. Are you okay?”
The wrinkles on Poongyeon’s forehead seemed to have increased in the meantime.
The gap between Jinmu-rip and Yudaeha.
He led the Gwangryongdae in their stead, but failed to protect Jeong In-ryeong and Cho Yu-rim.
An opponent who is tied up by three people while in an addicted state.
A solid siege.
I thought that would be enough, but the bastard managed to break through the encirclement and take the two people hostage.
‘I should have been a little more careful.’
He was disappointed in himself for not being able to perfectly carry out the task assigned to him.
Jin Mu-rip read the thought from her expression and said with a smile.
“You look older.”
“I’m sorry, my lord.”
Jinmu-rip shook his head.
“Everyone makes mistakes. Just do better next time.”
It’s not just about him.
Because he made mistakes too.
Poongyeon lowered her head, overcome with emotion at the kind words of encouragement.
Huyoung said as if trying to change the heavy atmosphere.
“I am so glad that you are safe. Do you know how worried I was that something might go wrong with the Great Lord? It must have been because I prayed to the Buddha day and night that you woke up quickly. If you don’t wake up today······.”
Jinmu-rip, unable to bear it any longer, cut him off.
“Hey, someone shut his mouth.”
Hankyung snickered as Poongyeon covered his mouth with his rough hand.
“That guy always talks too much. I hope your lord understands.”
Jeon Yu, who was running his hands through his hair out of habit, spoke politely.
“I know you were all worried. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
While everyone was talking, Jucho was just standing in the corner, blinking.
Hooyoung kicked his butt.
“At least pretend to be worried, kid.”
As the leaders left and the room became quiet, Yongchu came in.
“Are you okay?”
Jinmurip’s existence in the heavens is absolute.
Yongchu, who was more worried about his lord’s condition than anyone else, had a pale face in just two days.
Jinmu-rip said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, you won’t die like this. But haven’t you seen my sword?”
I don’t remember what happened after I used the blood jade.
Yongchu took out a silver sword from under the bed.
“Here it is.”
“Who brought it?”
“According to the owner, a woman wearing a cotton swab brought it.”
“hmm.”
Perhaps you noticed traces of the Blood Jade Stele.
Even if you regret it now, nothing will change.
In that case, just calmly plan what to do next.
Jinmu-rip’s head, lying on the bed, turned faster than ever.
***
The dinner at Jeonggajang was unusually lively.
A banquet was prepared to welcome the return of Jangju Jeongpilgun to Daeyeonmujang.
While everyone who had participated in the plan, including Gwangryongdae, Danryehwa, and Yeonsojeong, were seated, Jeongpilgun and Jinmurip took the upper seat.
Originally, Sojangju and Jeong Inryeong were supposed to sit on the left and right of Jangju, but they stubbornly gave up their seats to Jinmurip.
Jin Mu-rip played the biggest role in the safe return of the missing people.
As Jinmu-rip sat down awkwardly, dragging his uncomfortable body, Jeongpil-gun stepped forward.
He looked at everyone’s faces with eyes filled with emotion and slowly opened his mouth.
“I never thought that I would meet you again like this. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who worked hard while I was away, as well as to the young princesses of Yeonga and Madorim who suffered both inside and outside.”
The audience smiled and applauded.
Although it was a relatively short speech, his feelings were fully conveyed through his sad voice.
Jeong Pil-gun, who had wiped away tears, smiled brightly.
“Eat and drink to your heart’s content today. If you run out of wine, I will knock on the door of the brewery myself and get it for you. If you run out of meat, I will take over the butcher’s shop and provide it.”
“yes!”
The banquet finally began when the unmanned people who had answered loudly began to raise their glasses.
Although there was no grand music or dancing, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was brighter than ever.
The center of attention was definitely Jin Mu-rip.
“How on earth did you come up with such a thing? To drag out a criminal by kidnapping him.”
“The opponent was really one of the worst people in the world?”
“It was a plan that no criminal could have imagined. I heard that you were the one who contributed the most in the war against the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, but you don’t seem like an ordinary person.”
“I didn’t know about his plan and I hurled insults at innocent women. Even now, whenever we make eye contact, I feel guilty······.”
The man whose eyes met mine without me realizing it turned around and sat down.
Yeon So-jeong sighed.
“miss.”
Danryehwa, who had been lost in thought while staring at Jinmurip, turned her head.
“huh?”
“I think we’ll live a really long life, since we feel like we’ve been through all the abuse we could ever want.”
“We’ve killed two birds with one stone by rescuing Jang Ju’s family and allowing us to live longer.”
“You’re joking.”
Danryehwa smiled brightly.
“Everyone is excited, so I can’t get angry.”
Yeon So-jeong, who had filled the cup of Danryeonhwa, asked.
“As expected, this incident had nothing to do with the King of Myeonsan. As before, it was clear that the rumor was spread by the government.”
“That may be true. But it wasn’t a wasted effort.”
“yes?”
Yeon Soo-jeong’s eyes widened.
Danryehwa, who had been staring at Jinmurip, quietly shook her head.
“No. You’ve had a hard time too, so drink as much as you want and get plenty of rest today.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Occasionally, people from the Jeongga neighborhood would come to the two people who were sitting quietly to express their gratitude.
The banquet that had been going on that day finally ended after dawn the next day.
***
The dawn air is quite cool.
Judging by how the air has changed in the past few days, it really seems like fall now.
The head of the Jewish man who was stepping on the dew was complicated.
‘He is the son of a little prince.’
If someone else had asked me, I would have easily answered yes.
But knowing that the question had complex circumstances, Judae could not make a quick decision.
As I was walking in my thoughts, I suddenly found myself in front of Jinmu Rip’s residence.
‘If I pass through this gate, I will entrust my fate to him. What will I see if I follow him?’
It seemed to him that there was a clear line.
Enemy and friend.
He is cruel and merciless towards those he defines as enemies, but generous towards those he considers his allies.
When it comes to work, I am bold and decisive the moment I make a decision, without hesitation, regardless of the means and methods.
One thing is certain, based on what we’ve seen so far, the road with him will not be an easy one.
After standing in front of the door for a while and hesitating, I came to a conclusion.
‘He is the one who woke me up from the days when I was called the carnivore of Madorim. If I’m going to die anyway, I should live my life properly.’
The moment I opened the private door with a firm resolve in my heart, I heard footsteps behind me.
“Youth Association?”
“uh?”
Where Judae’s head turned, there was a woman named Danryeohwa, known to the people as Yuhwa.
“Why are you here at this hour, my lady······. Could it be?”
Danryeonhwa sighed as she realized the meaning behind Yudaeha’s roughly shaking eyes.
“No, that’s not it. I came because I have something to ask.”
At that moment, the private door opened and Yongchu came out.
“There were orders to bring the two of you inside.”
Unusually polite, Yuda opened his mouth cautiously.
“As expected, the captain······.”
Yongchu just laughed without opening his mouth.
As the two entered, Yongchu closed the private door tightly and stood guard in front, saying:
“From now on, you can’t leave without his permission, so don’t talk nonsense.”
The nervous Yudae swallowed hard.
‘Why are you holding onto that weight? It’s so scary······.’
Then the door opened wide and Jinmu-rip appeared.
“Why are you so late? It’s chilly. Come in quickly.”
The two of them almost burst into laughter at the sight of him speaking so calmly before an important conversation.
I entered the quarters of Jinmu-rip and Danryehwa, who were looking at each other with a sidelong glance.
On the table were three steaming cups of tea, waiting for them.
Jinmu-rip asked Yu Dae-ha.
“It looks like you’ve made a decision since you came here.”
There was no hesitation in answering.
“I will follow the little prince.”
Jinmu-rip smiled with satisfaction.
“Sit down.”
As they sat down, Jinmu-rip offered tea to Danryehwa.
“Don’t worry, it wasn’t poisoned.”
Danryehwa, who was staring blankly at the teacup, said.
“When you say it like that, I become even more suspicious.”
Jinmu-rip snickered.
“Surely I would poison the dragon’s daughter?”
Judaeha’s eyes widened.
“Poetry, the daughter of the dragon?”
Danryehwa tried to hide her bewilderment and asked calmly.
“How did you know?”
Jinmu-rip just smiled strangely without saying anything.
‘also.’
The fact that she came in the middle of the night with the silver sword from the scene means that she must have recognized the traces of the Blood Jade Stele, and since that technique was shown by the Eight Emperors when they faced the Divine Dragon, it is highly likely that she is from Hwaryeong.
In Hwaryeong, when I think of a young female high school student who can take on the Bloodthirsty Sura, even though it is a joint attack, the first thing that comes to mind is the daughter of the Divine Dragon.
Danryehwa, who did not know Jinmurip’s intentions, introduced herself obediently.
“My name is Danryehwa. I am a warrior from Hwaryeong.”
I can feel my facial muscles twitching under the slowly rolling cotton.
When her delicate and delicate hands finally removed the cotton, a rare beauty appeared before my eyes.
‘It’s pretty good.’
Jin Mu-rip grew up under a mother who was the most beautiful in Sacheon, so he was not impressed by any beautiful woman.
However, the beauty of Danryeonhwa was so beautiful that even Jinmurip was surprised.
But apart from that, the woman in front of him is a Hwaryeong warrior who has come to find out his true identity.
If you respond with a lame lie, you will become even more tired when Hwaryeong’s unmanned personnel rush in.
I can’t change the past, but I hate being dragged around by someone.
If that’s the case, I have to take control of the situation as planned and make this board mine.
Jinmu-rip smiled and held out his hand before she could ask.
“I am Jinmu Rip, the Lord of Heaven. In the world of martial arts, I am called the monster with three heads and six wings, the Faceless Mountain King. Nice to meet you.”
