Chapter 687
Swish, ku—
In that instant, the world seemed to freeze.
—Krrr.
A massive White Tiger collapsed like a rotting log, gasping for breath, and Jin Taekyung hung unconscious in someone’s arms.
Reflected in Yohee’s eyes was a single person, holding him effortlessly and speaking in a calm voice.
“I told you, I should have hidden myself first.”
A jolt of realization and shock flashed through Yohee’s mind like lightning. Her eyes—always steady and deep—widened.
“Heukung… you!”
“You don’t call me ‘Hyung’ anymore. A shame. I rather liked it.”
Indeed, she had called him that. Until only a few hours ago.
But now, she could never use that title again.
Because the middle-aged man before her—broad-shouldered, familiar—was not the Heukung she thought she knew.
“Why?”
Her voice trembled with confusion. Heukung only shrugged.
“It’s simple. Just as you used me, I used you.”
“…So in the end, you were with Baek Sang. You too.”
“There’s a flaw in that. Weren’t we all in league?”
Yohee froze. Heukung chuckled at her expression.
“Don’t deny it. I watched you and Baek Sang more closely than anyone.”
“Then your sudden appearance at the Western Yao Tribe…”
“All part of the plan. You, Jin Taekyung, Beast Miao King, Baek Sang. Of course, none of you knew my true identity. In fact… calling it ‘being in league’ is ridiculous.”
From those words, Yohee realized something.
She could understand Baek Sang not knowing. She had only tacitly accepted his plans—an indirect accomplice.
But for Heukung to hide his identity even from Baek Sang…
“You’ve been watching us all along. Me and Baek Sang.”
“Congratulations. One step toward the answer. Two more to go.”
“Was it the Southern Demon Empress’s order?”
“Good. One step left.”
“You were the hidden card she prepared in advance.”
Clap, clap.
Heukung slowly clapped with a pleased expression.
“You’re clever. That’s the answer. Though I never imagined things would turn out like this.”
Heukung swept his gaze around.
Ruins. Two dead old monsters. A sleeping Jin Taekyung.
“Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung. Third young master of the Taewon Jin Clan, descendant of the Fire King, future heir of the Blazing Flame Sect.”
His low voice continued.
Mystic Light flickered in Heukung’s eyes as he stared at the unconscious man in his arms.
“I realized something had gone wrong the moment I found him. If everything had gone according to plan, he would’ve been in the prison—or already taken by the Southern Demon Empress. But…”
Jin Taekyung had followed the Tracking Incense to the Poison-Blooded Land, and survived after killing the two transcendent masters meant to receive Beast Miao King.
“Idiots. She told you to be careful.”
Heukung spat lightly, then smiled again as if nothing had happened.
“I’m not sure capturing him is the right choice anymore… but at least I can fix the mess. Ah, and I should tell you—our destination has changed.”
“…The Inner Palace. You’re planning to go there.”
Heukung nodded.
“If I return, something interesting will happen. A tribal chief who survived the Han so-called conspiracy will testify. The Southern barbarians will be stirred, and their warriors and beasts will gather in the Inner Palace—to wage war against the Central Plains.”
“But people aren’t fools. They’ll question how someone at only the peak realm escaped that land alive.”
“True. But what if I were a transcendent master?”
“What are you—”
“A transcendent master strong enough to subdue Jin Taekyung. Someone with virtue and fame, someone who could unite even Baek Sang’s opponents. Would they doubt me then?”
Yohee’s heart froze.
“You… could it be—!”
“That’s right.”
Heukung smiled and released his power.
From the Western Yao Tribe until now—his true strength had never been sealed.
His bones shifted. His flesh twisted. Muscles writhed.
Creak. Creak.
The grotesque sound stabbed into Yohee’s ears.
Under the faint moonlight piercing through clouds, his shadow grew larger, broader.
“Kugh.”
When the transformation ended, Yohee whispered two trembling words.
“…Palace Lord?”
In her wide, disbelieving eyes stood a man who was both Heukung and Beast Miao King.
Heukung—yet undeniably Beast Miao King—looked at his enlarged shadow and smiled.
“People believe the Bone Contraction Art only shrinks the body. But once perfected, you can be reborn as an entirely different person.”
He turned back to Yohee.
“Now then. I—Beast Miao King—came here and subdued Jin Taekyung. And you, who survived his vicious scheme, will return to the Inner Palace and tell everyone.”
Heukung spoke slowly, savoring every word.
“All recent events were a plot by Jin Taekyung and the Murim Alliance to swallow the Southern barbarians. Mobilize every human and beast. Invade the Central Plains. What do you think?”
(T/N : What a fking twist. Give Taekyung a break man! )
Yohee couldn’t answer.
Fear and fury squeezed her lungs. Her vision blurred.
“H-How could you…”
“Oh. One more thing. Refuse, and Bosan will drown in blood. The four great tribes will become three.”
Crack.
Blood dripped from Yohee’s lips.
Her rage burned through her veins as she spat out her words.
“You bastard.”
“That hurts. Especially from the woman who will soon be my wife.”
“Shut your mouth. Who said I would marry you?”
“You will. After you watch over five thousand Yao Tribe people beheaded one by one.”
“You’re stubborn, and I’m patient. I can wait. Until all five thousand heads fall.”
He smiled as gently as ever.
“I love you, Yohee.”
A chill crawled over Yohee’s skin.
This plan—how long had it been in motion? And this man—this monster—how had they all ignored him?
Dark Heaven towered above her like a shadow.
Dozens of thoughts burst through her mind.
Then she slowly opened her eyes, drew her Soft Sword, and spoke.
“Rotten traitor.”
“Rotten traitor? Don’t blame yourself so harshly.”
“I won’t deny it. I was a traitor too. But do you think Dark Heaven—or the Southern Demon Empress—will spare you? Or the Yi Tribe you claim to lead?”
Heukung blinked, then laughed heartily.
“That’s not my problem.”
“What?”
“Forty years ago. When the previous Yi Tribe chief died and in the Great War of Justice and Evil, his only child left among the Southern barbarians was six years old. The strong had gone to war, the mother died without seeing her child, and only a half-blind nanny remained.”
“Yohee.”
Heukung—not Heukung, but the man who wore his skin—smiled faintly.
“I have never been a traitor. Not even for a moment.”
Clang.
The Soft Sword slipped from Yohee’s hand.
She gasped, trying to pick it up, but her body wouldn’t move.
This is…
Her eyelids fluttered.
Not shock. Not fear.
A damp, sticky energy spread through her body, sapping her strength.
“Y-You…”
Her voice faded. Her vision dimmed.
Heukung approached slowly, his form warping like a mirage.
His voice echoed distantly.
“That’s why I can’t help loving you. You’re dazzlingly beautiful. So pure.”
“It wasn’t the Antidote…”
“Unfortunately, I’m not Beast Miao King, and crossing swords with you would be troublesome. Please forgive this incompetent husband, wife. I hope you’ll make the right choice when you wake.” (T/N : Disgusting fking simp)
Yohee wanted to scream. To cry for someone—anyone—to kill this monster. To stop the great plan that would swallow the Southern barbarians.
But her scream never left her throat.
And Jin Taekyung—trapped in the darkness of unconsciousness—could not open his eyes.
Then—
Sreuk. Thud.
Yohee collapsed like a doll with its strings cut. Heukung gently caught her, wearing the face of Beast Miao King.
“Even your sleeping face is beautiful.”
He truly loved her. Her rejection meant nothing.
She would eventually choose him. Eventually love him.
Dark Heaven and the Southern Demon Empress would reward him.
But before that…
I must end this.
He kissed Yohee’s forehead, then turned.
Ahead of him lay the man who dared disrupt the grand plan.
Jin Taekyung.
An unexpected variable. His existence had shaken everything. Two transcendent masters had been lost.
But nothing would change.
The plan will succeed. Others can replace them.
Jin Taekyung wouldn’t awaken for days.
Once Heukung brought Yohee and Jin Taekyung back to the Inner Palace, everything would conclude.
Yes. It’s over.
Smiling contentedly, he passed the panting White Tiger and reached for Jin Taekyung’s neck.
Just as he was about to lift him—
Swaaaah.
Heukung’s head snapped upward at the sudden, chilling wind.
Under the dim moonlight, something took shape.
“What is that—”
Shuhwaaak!
The eerie wind turned into a blade and tore across his entire body.