Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 119 - Choice (1)
Chapter 119 – Choice (1)
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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-Crack! Crack!
At that moment, the veins on Mok Gyeong-un’s left hand bulged, and then the muscles up to his wrist swelled and his skin turned black.
‘!!!!!!’
Seeing this, Yi Ji-yeom’s eyes widened.
Mok Gyeong-un’s left wrist looked almost exactly the same as the phenomenon that had appeared in Mok Yu-cheon’s body when he went berserk.
The only difference was that it was limited to just his wrist.
‘No. What in the world is this?’
To the astonished Yi Ji-yeom, Mok Gyeong-un said as if it were nothing.
“It seems to put quite a strain on the blood vessels because it explodes the true qi by changing the acupoints. Even so, if it is applied only to part of the body without crossing the point of berserk overload, it seems fairly usable. What do you think?”
“……….”
At that question, Yi Ji-yeom was left speechless.
Was such a thing even possible?
If he had instead said that he first examined Mok Yu-cheon’s body, traced through every path of circulation, and then after endless study discovered how to use it like this, Yi Ji-yeom might at least have been able to understand it.
But how had he done this?
“What is wrong? Does it seem lacking in usefulness?”
“Well, that is…”
Good grief.
What was he supposed to say?
This was not something that could be understood within the limits of an ordinary person’s thinking.
No, rather than that, perhaps it was only possible because Mok Gyeong-un, no, his lord who was possessing Mok Gyeong-un’s body, was a dead spirit.
Leaving martial prowess aside, this seemed like something that would be difficult to reproduce even for martial artists with heaven-gifted talent.
Who could possibly recreate and make use of something like this just by seeing it?
And that too when it was no different from berserk deviant power.
‘That claim about crossing the wall within three years may not have been empty words after all.’
But there was one thing Yi Ji-yeom did not know here.
It was that Mok Gyeong-un had remembered perfectly the flawed verses he had originally given Mok Yu-cheon.
‘If used well, this might do.’
Based on that, Mok Gyeong-un had seen with his own eyes how Mok Yu-cheon’s circulation path and energy worked, and so had reproduced it in this form.
Even Blue Spirit clicked her tongue at Mok Gyeong-un’s talent.
‘This bastard…’
How had he even thought to make this into his own in such a way?
Even to her, Mok Gyeong-un’s rate of growth and the openness of his thinking were beyond merely astonishing. They were frightening.
Even though he possessed Ghost Eyes like the dead, this bastard truly was a monster.
‘This may not be impossible after all.’
For the first time, she felt that taking vengeance for her grudge might not be impossible after all.
Perhaps because of that, her emotions rose higher and higher.
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un released his blackened hand back to its original state and muttered,
“What should I call this?”
This was a deviant technique performed by changing the positions of the acupoints.
If one took that into account,
‘Since it is a deviant technique and it changes the acupoints at will, I can call it Acupoint-Switching Deviant Skill.’
Acupoint-Switching Deviant Skill.
Thus, Mok Gyeong-un acquired yet another secret technique.
For ordinary martial artists, it would have been the fastest road either to qi deviation or to becoming an invalid, but for Mok Gyeong-un, who possessed not only a fast rate of recovery both within and without the body but also an original method of changed-acupoint circulation, it was no different from a personal secret technique that, if controlled well, would impose no great burden.
Seeing this, Yi Ji-yeom clicked his tongue and said,
“…My lord truly knows how to leave this subordinate astonished.”
“Is that so?”
Mok Gyeong-un gave a short laugh and then asked,
“What happened to Mok Yu-cheon?”
“Fortunately, the executives stopped it before things turned ugly.”
‘Ah…’
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un could not hide his disappointment.
Since the surging power had far exceeded what Mok Yu-cheon could handle, he had naturally assumed that this time he would fail to endure it and either become an invalid or die.
Yet had he preserved his life again this time?
At this point, Mok Yu-cheon seemed not only fortunate but blessed with a very long lifeline.
‘It is unfortunate, but there is no helping it.’
It seemed he would have to be satisfied with having obtained a new method called Acupoint-Switching Deviant Skill thanks to this.
* * *
Thus the final martial contest of the last gate came to an end.
However, a certain controversy arose here.
It was over who exactly should be called the victor of this martial contest.
The one who raised the issue first was none other than Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King.
Originally, after much thought, Yi Ji-yeom was going to declare that Mok Yu-cheon, who had recklessly unleashed a deviant technique and suffered severe internal injuries, had lost.
However,
“I object.”
“If you object?”
“Although we stepped in midway, should not Mok Yu-cheon be considered the victor if we look at the contest itself?”
At Won Byeong-hak’s objection, several other executives also appeared to agree.
And that was only natural, because a martial contest ultimately meant a contest of skill.
Had they not intervened midway, Mok Gyeong-un might have lost his life at the hands of the berserk Mok Yu-cheon.
Taking that into account, Mok Yu-cheon could certainly be viewed as the victor.
“Hmm. The Thunderbolt Fist King’s words do have reason to them.”
Perhaps because he was conscious of the surrounding opinion just as he was about to make the announcement, Yi Ji-yeom answered in that way.
At that, the corners of Won Byeong-hak’s lips twitched slightly.
He had put forward a plausible justification, but in truth that was not what lay inside him.
‘This will at least raise the chances of my taking that child.’
If Mok Gyeong-un were to become the victor of the martial contest, then he would take first place in the final gate, and the choice would pass not to the observers but to the trainee himself.
If that happened, then with Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, the Shadow Sect Master, Hang Yeo-ryang, the Sound-Summoning Valley Master, Bo Hyeok-so of Yama Unit, Dae So-man of Red Blood Unit, and himself, the probability became one in six.
On the other hand, if Mok Gyeong-un did not take first place, then he would instead be put in the position of having to be chosen.
‘Then it becomes a fight between Son Yun and me.’
It was admittedly somewhat forced, but if he pressed forward with his rank here, which of the other executives would dare openly covet what he was targeting?
That was Won Byeong-hak’s calculation.
Yet at this point, someone else objected again.
“That cannot be known.”
‘Hm?’
That person was none other than Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade.
Won Byeong-hak furrowed his brow.
Since Son Yun held the same rank as himself, he had assumed he would support him, as they were in similar positions.
So what was this?
“What do you mean, that cannot be known?”
“If we look at it now, we can see that the trainee Mok Gyeong-un’s injuries are lighter than expected. All of you, being masters yourselves, surely know that in a life-and-death battle, superiority in power alone does not necessarily decide victory and defeat.”
“Hah. It was not a life-and-death battle.”
“Even in a martial contest, the same applies.”
The two once again set themselves in sharp opposition.
At that sight, Yi Ji-yeom could not hide how troubled he felt.
Once Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, presented an opposing opinion, Yi Ji-yeom felt he understood why they were acting this way.
‘The Thunderbolt Fist King is trying to increase even slightly the probability of taking my lord, while the King of the Fate Blade is trying to win my lord’s favor by granting him first place.’
That expectation of his was accurate to a certain degree.
Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, believed that if Mok Gyeong-un was truly a martial artist, then he would choose not from all six executives but from among the Five Kings, who were the strongest and held the greatest authority.
At the very least, if he was the shrewd brat Son Yun had seen at Yeon Mok Sword Manor, he would never do anything that resulted in a loss for himself.
So there was no need to deprive him of first place.
“Ahem. In any case, my position remains unchanged, that the victor of this martial contest is the trainee called Mok Yu-cheon.”
Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, made his stance clear.
At that, Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, spoke as if to say that his position was the same.
“As for me, taking into account everything the trainee Mok Gyeong-un showed today, I believe he can sufficiently be considered the victor.”
‘…So this is how you mean to come at it?’
Won Byeong-hak ground his teeth softly.
In this case, would it not make him seem like the villain in Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes?
For a moment he wondered if he should change his opinion even now.
At that moment, someone stepped forward.
“I too agree with the opinion of the Thunderbolt Fist King.”
‘The Sound-Summoning Valley Master?’
The one who came forward in support of Won Byeong-hak’s opinion was none other than Hang Yeo-ryang, the Sound-Summoning Valley Master.
She looked at them and said,
“Of course, there is no doubt that the trainee called Mok Gyeong-un possesses outstanding martial talent, but if we are to view this as a martial contest, then I believe the conclusion must be made in accordance with the purpose of such a contest.”
“Its purpose?”
Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, raised one eyebrow.
True to the fact that they were practically bitter enemies, the reaction only lifted Hang Yeo-ryang’s lips further.
“Yes. Its purpose. Within our Society, even deviant techniques are recognized as martial learning. Even if he went berserk, the fact does not change that the trainee Mok Yu-cheon overwhelmed Mok Gyeong-un, if only for a moment. Is that not so?”
At those words, the two Great Unit Leaders glanced about and nodded.
That was also because there was reason to what she said.
‘Hehe. As if this Valley Master would yield him so easily.’
Hang Yeo-ryang too coveted Mok Gyeong-un.
That was why, from her side, things had to be guided toward a direction in which the observers would choose.
In any case, through Secret Voice Transmission she had already confirmed that Mok Gyeong-un had no intention of choosing her, so all the more she needed to have this fixed as a victory for Mok Yu-cheon.
She had no intention of yielding in this struggle of wills with the two Kings.
“Ahem.”
At that point, Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, perhaps feeling this support favorable, tried to drive in the final wedge.
“There, do you see? Most of the observers also hold a view similar to mine. I too rate the child called Mok Gyeong-un more highly if it is talent alone we are speaking of, but if we are to consider the purpose of the martial cont…”
“Oh ho ho hong. Forgive me, but may I also offer an opinion?”
At that distinctive and alluring laughter, everyone’s gaze, including Won Byeong-hak’s, turned toward the Shadow Sect Master.
The Shadow Sect Master rose gracefully, covering his mouth with his palm.
Then, bringing both hands together in a formal salute, he spoke.
“First, I apologize for the discourtesy of interrupting midway.”
“Ahem.”
At this apology, Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, coughed as if displeased.
That was because, by cutting into his words and stepping forward, the Shadow Sect Master would almost certainly be speaking a contrary opinion.
So the Shadow Sect Master lightly waved his hand and said,
“It seems your mood has soured. My apologies. Yet from where I stand, it seems proper to reach an exact conclusion, and so I have stepped forward despite the discourtesy.”
“An exact conclusion? What do you mean by that?”
Won Byeong-hak asked bluntly.
It looked as though he was ready to challenge him at once if he said something absurd.
At that, the Shadow Sect Master respectfully opened his mouth.
“To speak honestly, in my own heart I hold the same opinion as the King of the Fate Blade.”
“No. How is that an exact conclu…”
“Naturally, that is not an exact conclusion, but only my opinion. However, the fact that opinions are divided like this means that it is difficult to determine the victor of this martial contest with certainty.”
“How can you say the victor cannot be determined? Anyone can see that had we not intervened in the martial cont…”
“Yes. That is precisely the problem.”
“What?”
Won Byeong-hak furrowed his brow.
What in the world was this fellow, the Shadow Sect Master, talking about?
As he wondered, the Shadow Sect Master bowed slightly at the waist with both hands joined and continued.
“The martial contest was effectively reset to the starting point from the moment we intervened. That is precisely why this debate is occurring.”
“Reset to the starting point?”
“Yes. If we had not intervened, then in one way or another a conclusion would have been reached. We all agree on that point, do we not?”
“………”
At those words, Won Byeong-hak let out a faint sigh.
That much was obvious.
But had they not intervened, Mok Gyeong-un would have lost his life, and Mok Yu-cheon too might have had all his blood vessels burst and either become an invalid or died.
Because they intervened in one way or another, both of them had been saved.
“Shadow Sect Master… what you say certainly has its reason, but had we not intervened, trouble would have befallen both trainees. Do you not acknowledge that?”
“I do. And that is precisely why I believe the result must be chosen in one of two ways, rather than resolved as victory and defeat.”
“One of two ways?”
“Yes.”
At those words, this time Hang Yeo-ryang, the Sound-Summoning Valley Master, asked with curiosity,
“And what would those be?”
“It is simple. Since the contest was halted due to the intervention of the observers, either they may fight again…”
“Do you truly think a rematch is possible right now?”
Hang Yeo-ryang frowned and tilted her head toward the unconscious Mok Yu-cheon.
Mok Yu-cheon had suffered serious internal injuries and would not be able to fight for some time.
How in the world could they hold a contest now?
At that, the Shadow Sect Master smiled faintly and said,
“Then, because the contest was unavoidably interrupted by the intervention of the observers, it shall have to be treated as a draw.”
‘!?’
At those words, everyone fell silent.
It was a conclusion entirely different from what each of them had been expecting.
Yet it was not an argument without reason.
‘A draw…’
‘In name, that is correct.’
‘In any case, a rematch is impossible right now. Nor can we all gather again at that time to observe once more.’
‘Since opinion is divided, that may in fact be the better course.’
Most of them showed signs of agreeing with the Shadow Sect Master’s words.
If they continued debating here over who the victor was, it was certain that no one would give way.
But there was yet another problem here.
“The Shadow Sect Master’s words also have reason. Since the contest was interrupted, to treat it as a draw is indeed one possible course. But then what is to be done about first place?”
That was what everyone cared about here.
The reason everyone had been split over this result was because it would determine whether the choice fell to Mok Gyeong-un or to the observing executives.
At that moment, Yi Ji-yeom stepped forward.
“Then what do you think of handling it like this?”
Everyone’s attention concentrated on him.
“Until now there has never been a case in which the observing executives intervened in a martial contest in this way. However, what everyone acknowledges is that it would not have been strange no matter which of these two became the victor.”
“Valley Master… by that, do you mean?”
“If it is difficult to hold a rematch and the conclusion has therefore been rendered a draw, then surely we cannot declare both of the two trainees who remained to the end as losers?”
‘Damn it!’
At those words, Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, hardened his expression.
Was he not saying that the two trainees who fought the final martial contest of the last gate should both be treated as first place?
If things turned out this way, then the right to choose would go not to the observers but to the two trainees themselves.
He wanted to oppose it, but there was no longer any justification for him to step forward.
‘Hoo.’
If he pushed any further, it would amount to nothing more than stubbornly refusing to let go.
* * *
Thus, for the first time in the history of the Corpse Blood Valley gate, two first-place victors were born.
However, although he himself had contributed to making the two of them joint first place, Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, was concerned about what kind of repercussions it would cause if the entire Society learned that two hostages brought in from the righteous path had become joint first place.
Yet the result had already been determined, and it could no longer be overturned.
What had happened had happened, and the cleanup afterward was a matter for the Society Leader, who had sent those hostages into Corpse Blood Valley, to bear.
His interest now lay in only one thing.
‘Mok Gyeong-un.’
He wanted to take that bastard as his disciple.
He agreed that everyone present here likely felt the same.
Though they were joint first place, there would be few who wished to take Mok Yu-cheon as a disciple or subordinate, since he had learned a deviant technique and carried great risk.
At that moment, Yi Ji-yeom, the Corpse Blood Valley Master standing on the platform, spoke toward the standing Mok Gyeong-un.
“Mok Gyeong-un, who passed all the gates of Corpse Blood Valley and took first place, no, Unit Leaders Mok Gyeong-un and Mok Yu-cheon, congratulations. As was said earlier, the privilege granted to those who place first is the opportunity for you two Unit Leaders to select from among the executives who have come here to observe.”
At last, the moment of choice had arrived.
Who would he choose?
Since the right to choose lay with Mok Gyeong-un, even though they were executives, most of them could not help but look on with eyes filled with tension and anticipation.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un respectfully gave a formal salute toward the executives seated in chairs before the platform, then raised his head and spoke courteously.
“Forgive me. All of you executives are such outstanding figures that it is difficult for me to reach a conclusion as to whom I should choose.”
‘Hm?’
What was this supposed to mean?
As they stared in puzzlement, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and said,
“So I will speak plainly. No matter what, I would like to go with the one who sincerely wants me. If such a person is here, I would be grateful if you would each raise your right hand slightly.”
-Swoosh.
At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, without anyone needing to go first, the executives all slightly raised their hands at the same time.
By strange coincidence, it was all six of them.
Each of them cast sidelong glances at the others, showing signs of discomfort.
It was the result Mok Gyeong-un had expected.
Then he twitched his lips and said,
“This is troublesome indeed. So all of you want me…”
“……..”
“Then there is no helping it. In the interest of fairness, I will say this. Please do not be too offended. If I were to go with one of you, I would like each of the executives to say, one by one, what benefit there would be in that.”
‘!?’
At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, the six executives all frowned at once.
Was this not no different from saying that whichever of them wanted to take him should present a price worthy of him?