Episode 1

I will be turning 80 this year.

I have lived a rather immature and fearless life up until now.

Actually, boys never really grow up, no matter how old they get!

In the past, I dreamt of eternal life and consumed everything that was said to be good for my body, but now it all feels pointless.

They say that Taoists can become saints through training, but there’s no way something like that could happen to me.

Was it 15 years ago?

There were these Wudang bastards who called me evil and all sorts of things.

Why me?

I wasn’t involved in human trafficking or robbing people.

Of course, it’s not like I saved someone who had done something bad either.

A thief, bandit, hoarder.

Maybe if I hadn’t been caught, things would be different, but I’m so stupid that there’s no way I could save a person who was bound to be caught, right? Ha, words are truly amazing.

But.

They cursed at me just because they were the leaders of a sect with different principles?

I couldn’t tolerate it anymore, so I got angry, and then this war broke out, like a civil war.

As befitting my grand name, a large-scale fight took place, but I wasn’t there.

Why, you may ask? Because my goal was always Wudang.

Regardless of whether others fought or not, I went to Wudang and burned down three palaces, and beheaded their elders and sect leaders.

In my defense, I asked them to hand over those who had cursed me out of kindness, but they attacked me with their swords first.

And then they cursed me again, called me bad, wicked, evil, and petty. Aren’t they a funny bunch?

Anyway, there was a truce, but as a result, the power of Wudang, which had been known as a sacred place for Taoism for a thousand years, weakened and it was pushed to the bottom of the Nine Great Sects.

Well, that doesn’t concern me.

Isn’t it true that you reap what you sow?

Of course, their true nature didn’t match that of the Taoists. Hypocritical people only know how to speak fancy words…

Just thinking about it makes me break out in hives.

Phew, well, thanks to my mind becoming clearer over time, past memories come back to me vividly.

Is this what they call Terminal Lucidity?

With difficulty, I turned my head and looked at the subordinates I had spent my entire life with, for one last time.

Disciples, elders… the trustworthy people who achieved incredible feats with me.

But Cheon Woo-Myung was nowhere to be found.

Despite lacking in many ways, that man is the most loyal.

Come to think of it, didn’t he leave to find the Herb of Immortality for my sake and hasn’t returned yet?

Maybe it doesn’t exist…

Just come back, man.

Given his nature, it’s obvious that he would be going around the side of the mountain, digging up weeds that have no medicinal herbs.

It would be nice to see his face one last time before I die.

Well, my breaths are getting short and it seems like it’s time to leave.

Just how difficult was it to get to this place?

At the time, none of those I stood with were as impressive as me.

The Lord of Evil Sect, one of the three great powers of Murim along with the Eclipse Demonic Sect.

Evil Sect Heavenly Lord, Heuk Ryeon Mugang.

That is my name.

Betray the good ones, trample on the bad, put a knife through the back of the guy who helped you…

After constant successes through betrayals and traitors, I became the Supreme leader of Evil Sect.

People pointed their fingers at me and called me mean, but what do those lowly fools know? Thanks to all that, I was able to overcome the fierce worldly winds and reign over the Evil Sect as a king for 40 years.

Being able to embrace a woman whenever I wanted, and warehouses overflowing with gold and silver treasures.

This meant that I was the person with the greatest power who could destroy even a sect with a single wave of my hand.

But human life is never so fortunate…

How can a human stray from the path of heaven?

When it’s time to go, you go.

Now I really regret it…. Actually, it’s a disappointing end.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have spent all the money I had saved on gambling.

I would have dealt with the few members of the Justice Sect who were thinking of betraying me.

I haven’t even had a passionate night with my new mistress, Hwa Yang!

Sigh….

I could feel my sigh turning into heavy breaths.

I could hear my most trusted subordinates whispering with sad expressions.

My most trusted….

“Damn, why won’t he just die already?”

Trusted….

“It seems like those health supplements he took are making it difficult for him to die.”

“This damn bastard!”

These idiots?

“I cry when I think about how I was beaten to death because of that heartless man.”

In addition to the curses, there was even someone crying and expressing their relief.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best.”

He’s my only disciple who will turn 60 this year.

I raised him, providing everything he needed as a disciple. What did I do wrong?

“You’ve been through so much.”

“Ahem.”

“Still, aren’t you lucky? I prayed every day because I was afraid that Old Cheon Woo-Myung would actually find that Herb of Immortality somewhere.”

“Right. Oh my god, we would have to witness such a cruel and heartless person live without ever growing old. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Ugh.”

It seemed like they were whispering, but I could hear everything.

“Now let’s do our best.”

This is an atmosphere where everyone is united around my disciple.

Why didn’t I just strangle him when I had the chance!

Is this how the people who cursed and pointed at me felt? These evil beings!

Well, they were like this from the beginning. And I lived like this too…

In the distance, I could see the man dressed in black, shining.

It must be the Grim Reaper who came for me. He looked so pale, probably because he applied something to his face.

Ah, right, let’s go.

What more can I do with this life?

The reality around me blurred, and the appearance of the messenger from the underworld became vivid.

Hyeok Ryun Mugang….

A low-toned voice pierced my ears.

First call.

Is it true that when they call your name three times, your connection to the real world is severed?

There isn’t much time left now. Don’t look so miserable and close your eyes….

“Lo~rd~!”

Suddenly, a loud voice echoed, and a figure with a handsome beard burst into the bedroom.

Cheon Woo-Myung, the leader of the Iron Sword Troops.

He went to find the Herb of Immortality for me and returned just as I was about to die. Quite unique of him.

Right. I’m glad to have this guy.

I ended up seeing the face of the man who was loyal to me in some way….

“The Herb of Immortality! I finally managed to find it! Please have this now, my lord!”

At his words, the faces of those gathered twisted in confusion.

Wait… what now?

What new nonsense is this!

Herb of Immortality? Does such a thing even exist?

Suddenly, the will to live surged within me!

“Hurry up and have this, Lord!”

Cheon Woo-Myung started stuffing the herbs in his hand, which hadn’t even been washed of the dirt, into my mouth without letting anyone stop him.

Right! You did well!

Hurry up, you ignorant being… fuck, at least wipe off some dust.

“Lord, why aren’t you chewing? Chew it down! You have to munch on it!”

Hyeok Ryun Mugang….

Someone shut that mouth of the underworld being!

Forget the voice, even the body isn’t moving now.

“Ehh!”

I made a tense noise and took out the herb that was being forced into my mouth, and held it.

Now, wait a minute, and…

Concerns always bring a person back to reality.

Ugh.

Salty?

With unwashed hands, then?

“I will feed them to you, my lord!”

“Damn it! Leader Cheon! Stop! Someone stop him!”

The disciples and elders rushed in with lightning speed and pulled him away.

Hey! You bastard! Leave him alone! Leave him alone already! Is it so bad if I live a little longer!

Hyeok… Ryun…

Amidst the chaos, the third call came.

“Ah, wait.”

I haven’t even eaten it yet! I need to have some!

Mu…

Damn, this will be a disaster if it continues.

I mustered all my strength to gather energy in my mouth and luckily, my tongue moved.

Setting aside my pride, I used every last bit of strength in my body to lick whatever was on Cheon Woo-Myung’s hand.

Gulp.

The herb turned into a mess due to the licking of my tongue and went down my throat.

But there was only one letter left in my name before the Grim Reaper could call me to the underworld. I could already feel the connection between my soul and body being torn apart.

Ah, damn it, you useless bastard. You should have come faster. I could have lived then. Eternal life, I could have done what no one else has done.

Gang…

It’s done now. There’s no changing this.

My money… my Hwa Yang… my steamy nights…

But.

The qi in the herb began to spread through my body in an instant.

The stubborn will to live seemed to mix with the effect of the herb, and the thread of my soul, which was about to break, held on.

When the thread wasn’t cut even after the third call, the Grim Reaper looked shocked.

Did his facial expression just change? He grabbed my soul, which had moved halfway out of my body, and pulled it with all his might.

Hey! My hair! It hurts! It hurts, you shit!

Tuk!

He missed.

I might have lost a few hairs, but the skin on my head was burning like hell.

Huhuhuh, you missed.

The Grim Reaper looked at me as I moved back into my body with a murderous expression.

I lived. I won.

I guess the herb really worked.

Cheon Woo-Myung, you bastard, you’re truly amazing…

You saved me.

If I survive, I’ll give you a big scoop.

But that underworld guy didn’t seem like he wanted to leave.

The man who had been staring at me for a while came over and placed his hand on my body, reciting some sort of spell. I was certain that he wanted my soul no matter what.

Huhu, do your best now, you idiot! This is the herb of immortality! Immortality!

I ate what even Jin Si-Hwang couldn’t!

I clenched my right hand and held it out to the messenger, grabbing onto my wrist.

But this guy just touched it.

Huh? Touched?

This fool, let’s see who wins!

There’s only one answer then.

Endure it.

Hehe, there’s no one like me in the entire Murim.

Just close your eyes until he leaves!

Don’t move!

I am Hyeok Ryun Mugang of the Evil Sect.