RDK 14

Chapter 14

“The Immoral Heavenly Demon , Cheon Mujin.”

There were three reasons why he had earned that infamous title.

First, the suspicion that he had poisoned his own father.

Second, the disgraceful claim that he had personally killed his devoted wife.

And lastly, the chilling tale that he had murdered his own younger brother in cold blood in pursuit of power.

He had gained and maintained the title of Heavenly Demon by killing his entire family. To never forget the depths of his cruelty, people called him “The Immoral Heavenly Demon.”

—

* * *

“W-What the hell are you doing?! Let go!”
“Embarrassed by your own brother, are you?”

Cheon Muyang struggled in resistance as his older brother, Cheon Mujin, roughly tousled his hair.

> ‘Why… why can’t I shake him off?’

Despite being five years younger than Mujin, and having already gained real combat experience on the battlefield a year ago, Cheon Muyang felt cold sweat trickling down his back.

> ‘If he attacks right now, can I really get out of this without a scratch?’

He asked himself calmly—and couldn’t come up with a confident answer.

“I said get lost!”
“Hahaha! So prickly.”

Was he satisfied?

Cheon Mujin finally released him after his second attempt to break free and laughed heartily.

“It’s been a while. Been doing well?”
“Far better than someone I know.”
“Of course you are. You’re my brother after all. No way you’d be as useless as your big brother.”

Mujin grinned as he nodded to Muyang’s sarcastic reply. Though Muyang looked annoyed, Mujin found even that adorable.

> ‘Was he always this cute as a kid?’

Well, it made sense. That charm had turned him into quite the admired young master now.

“Anyway, the fact that you were waiting for me here means… ha! You missed me, didn’t you?”
“Cut the crap.”
“Aww, embarrassed again?”
“I told you—I’m not embarrassed!”

Muyang’s growl was tinged with a hint of bloodlust.

He clearly intended to attack if pushed any further.

“Okay, okay. You’re not embarrassed. Let’s just say you’re feeling shy. Better?”

But Mujin didn’t back down at all. His teasing smile remained plastered across his face like a child playing a favorite game.

Eventually, Muyang moved.

Of course, he didn’t draw his sword. At such a close range, a weapon wasn’t necessary.

In one swift move, Muyang reached out and thrust his hand at Mujin’s chest.

Even as he moved, he didn’t expect the attack to land. Mujin had just been hugging and ruffling his hair a moment ago—there was no way he’d get hit.

So, he simply added a bit of weight to make it a threatening gesture.

Because the real confrontation would begin after Mujin dodged.

That’s what he thought.

Smack!

His fist thudded solidly against Mujin’s chest.

Muyang’s eyes widened in shock.

“Y-You… you dared to provoke me with that level of skill?”

Cheon Mujin coughed harshly but straightened his back with a smile.

“Muyang.”

His voice had shifted completely from his earlier playfulness.

Now, it was filled with something unmistakable.

Sorrow.

Carrying a heavy sadness, Mujin opened his mouth slowly.

“I’m sorry.”
“…What the hell are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing. Just forget it. But—there’s just one thing I hope you understand.”

Smiling faintly, Mujin walked toward his awkwardly standing brother without hesitation.

Even after being struck, he approached without guarding himself, as if he were made of steel.

While Muyang stood unsure whether to strike again, Mujin reached out and patted his shoulder.

“We’re brothers. That fact doesn’t change. Whenever you need it, just reach out your hand… and I’ll grab it.”
“Stop talking nonsense already!”

Muyang’s voice dripped with frustration.

“Then, until next time. Oh—and you need more martial arts training. At least try to catch up to your sword skills.”
“You—!”

Back to his usual teasing self, Mujin waved playfully and turned away.

Muyang stood alone in the now-empty hallway, watching his brother’s retreating figure.

Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he turned and called out.

“Samyeong.”
“Yes, young master.”
“What did you think?”
“My apologies… With my skills, I couldn’t accurately assess him.”
“I see.”

Couldn’t assess him.

That alone was enough.

“Too bad. Looks like he’s not going to die on the battlefield anytime soon.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“Let’s go back. We haven’t finished the task the Grand Lord assigned us.”
“Understood.”

When even Muyang disappeared, the hallway truly became deserted.

A gentle breeze drifted through the emptiness.

—

* * *

> “Was it true? That you weren’t the one who killed Father?”
“Yeah. Do you really think I had the guts back then to do it?”
“Well, you were always a spineless weakling.”

The reply was laced with mockery.

But somewhere in it—satisfaction lingered.

That must have been why the truth slipped out unintentionally.

> “…Take care of the cult.”

He hadn’t wanted to die.

He wanted to live.

He didn’t want to end his life mocked as talentless, worthless.

So he fought back, clawed, and did everything he could to survive.

And this—this was the result.

The ending he’d feared since childhood.

As Cheon Mujin felt Muyang’s blade at his throat, he closed his eyes.

> “Please… spare your sister-in-law. She’s childless.”
“…Spare her? You really know nothing.”

Muyang scoffed and shook his head.

> “You think she’ll let the person who killed you walk free?”
“I…”

Mujin fell silent.

He couldn’t imagine it either.

That woman, quietly enduring the loss of her husband, not taking revenge—it was impossible.

> “Tch. Just rest for a while.”

Muyang sheathed his sword and walked away.

He turned his back on Mujin without a care and moved forward without pause.

> “Once I clean everything up, I’ll start again. And if you keep messing around like an idiot… I’ll personally sever your head next time.”

Cheon Mujin could only watch blankly as Muyang walked out the broken front gate of the Heavenly Demon Hall.

Not knowing…

That this would be the last time he’d ever see his brother.

—

* * *

“……Haaah.”

A nightmare—after so long.

Waking in the carriage, Cheon Mujin clutched his chest.

> ‘He’s even stronger than I remembered.’

His swordsmanship had always been impressive, but his martial arts had improved too.

His chest had ached for a week.

Though the pain had faded now, the depth of the blow still impressed him.

Granted, Mujin hadn’t defended at all—he’d taken the hit intentionally.

> ‘In the end, it was for my own satisfaction.’

Getting punched by his brother wouldn’t undo the past.

What mattered was the present—and the future.

Mujin looked out the carriage window, gauging his next move.

Not far off, he could see the forest stretching with towering trees—the Demon Sea (마해).

He was currently riding along the outer path that led to its entrance.

Without a proper route, the Demon Sea could kill you.

Its dangers weren’t just monsters—it held natural illusion fields formed from dense magical energy.

Known as the Demonic Phantom Realm (마방계), these illusions formed spontaneously in areas with high concentrations of magic.

This was the real reason humans couldn’t wander the Demon Sea at will.

Monsters were dangerous—but these illusion fields were far deadlier.

Which was why—

Screeeeeech!!

A sharp whistle, imbued with magical energy, rang out through the forest.

Without hesitation, Mujin moved.

“Young Master?!”

The startled coachman shouted, but Mujin didn’t pause.

“Don’t follow. Go straight to the camp and report this.”
“But sir! That’s not the entrance!”
“I know.”

Mujin smiled faintly, waved his hand, and stepped into the woods.

Dark magic surged around him immediately.

But—

“How dare you.”

It couldn’t shake him.

A strange glimmer lit Mujin’s eyes.

With nothing more than sheer spiritual presence, the surrounding demonic energy recoiled.

The illusion field shattered.

These natural illusions—formed without will or design—held no power over Cheon Mujin.

Now free of their interference, he rushed toward the source of the whistle.

Even before departing, the atmosphere had been tense.

A massive migration of monsters was expected.

This phenomenon happened when powerful beasts grew, died, or shifted territory.

And now—combined with the situation with Woo Chung—it was expected to be even worse.

A patrol had blown a whistle during this timing… that could only mean the worst.

Racing toward the sensed presence, Mujin soon arrived.

“Grrrrrrrgh!”
“Hold on!!”
“Oh…”

A battlefield of chaos, with gray and teal uniforms clashing against waves of beasts.

If not for the blood, it might’ve looked like a rare moment of unity between factions.

> ‘They’re holding out better than expected.’

The Konryun martial artists were stronger than he’d anticipated.

But if someone from the patrol had resorted to using a whistle…

> ‘…They’re in trouble.’

If this continued, they’d be wiped out.

Even in the best case, only two or three would survive.

It was deep in the forest. Reinforcements would take time.

For both sides.

> ‘…Whew.’

Clenching his fist, Mujin steadied his breath.

Was he nervous?

No. Definitely not.

> ‘Should’ve brought some stomach medicine.’

His belly would burst at this rate.

With a resigned sigh, Mujin launched himself into the battlefield.

—
* * *

The third squad leader of Mupung Unit, Geom Muyeol, swung his sword with clenched teeth.

He had gone on a joint scouting mission with Squad 7.

Everything had gone smoothly—until they encountered monks from Konryun being chased by monsters.

It wasn’t compassion that made them step in.

It was necessity.

The monks had come from the direction they were heading.

Charging blindly into an untested path could’ve meant death.

So they had no choice but to fight together.

But the problem was—

> ‘There’s too many!’

It was beyond overwhelming.

Where had this horde of monsters even been hiding?

They barely held the line. The monks were few in number.

His squad had just eight men.

None had died yet—but at this rate…

Total annihilation was inevitable.

He was about to consider sacrificing Squad 7 into the illusion realm to give his team a chance, when—

“Freeze!”

A thunderous voice rang out—and the battlefield came to a complete halt.

Literally.

Everyone stopped.

The Konryun monks mid-swing, the 7th Squad member about to be skewered, even the monsters.

Everything… stopped.

What was this surreal scene?

Blinking in disbelief, Geom Muyeol could only watch as—

A gust of wind surged across the battlefield.

It shimmered green… then violet… and when it finally came into focus—

It turned pitch black.

Crack!

The neck of the beast aiming at Squad 7 broke with a sickening snap.

Its body twisted grotesquely and collapsed.

KIIIIIEEEEEEK!
ROOOAAAAARRR!
Cough! Cough! Cough!

The remaining monsters, finally realizing what had happened, began shrieking in panic.

The martial artists too snapped out of their trance.

From near death to sudden survival…

From triumph to confusion…

Chaos erupted once again.

And in the center of it—

“I said—freeze, didn’t I?”

Cheon Mujin, drawing the devoured energy of the beasts into his body, smirked as his lips twisted.