Possessing Nothing

Editors: Ytho, LaidBackGuy

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By the time Lee Sungmin left the town, he had been attacked five times. Despite the series of raids, he did not suffer a single wound. 

All of the attackers were Lycanthropes, of which some were Werewolves.

‘The Gui Lang Sect.’

(T/N: literally translates to Werewolf Sect)

He recalled the name of the sect that the innkeeper mentioned before he died. The faction that dominated this area. It seemed to be a Heretical faction, but he had never heard of it in his previous life. According to the raids, their abilities weren’t that great, but their Lycanthrope bodies helped elevate them regardless of their martial arts level.

“How much longer will you keep going?”

At the end of the town. Lee Sungmin asked with his spear pointed down. In front of Lee Sungmin, lay a Lycanthrope with both legs broken. He looked up at Lee Sungmin through ragged breaths, and Lee Sungmin asked again, guarding against the snowy breeze casually. 

“If you didn’t keep coming at me, I would have no intention of fighting you. So why don’t we stop here?” 

“Bullshit,” The man spat out, “I’ve been humiliated like this, and you want me to quit now? Nonsense!” 

“You were the one who attacked first.” 

“You disrupted the town we govern.” 

Lee Sungmin laughed, feeling dumbfounded at that remark. Disruption? Did he do something that could be called disruption? Would it be better if he just got poisoned and died quietly?

“We never forget our grudges. Even if you leave this place, the Gui Lang Sect will chase you down and kill you. This is the territory of the Wolves… ”

Lee Sungmin didn’t bother to listen any further. He hit the hilt of his lowered spear with his hand. Peuk! The piled-up snow turned red. After confirming that the man had died, Lee Sungmin moved forward again.

“It will be night soon,” Rubia advised. “Vampires and Lycanthropes are the most loved by the night amongst all non-human beings.” 

[Their strength is greatest at night.]

Heoju added in a deep voice. 

[People who become monsters, are favored by the night and the moon. They become stronger and more vicious. Was today a full moon?]

“No.” 

[That’s a relief. I think things are going to become quite a hassle.] 

“… I don’t think it’s to that extent? Their skills are far behind Lee Sungmin. It’s not a full moon tonight, and I don’t think they are strong enough to threaten Lee Sungmin. ” 

[They weren’t afraid of death.] 

Heoju laughed. Lee Sungmin did not respond. As Lee Sungmin stayed silent, Heoju continued talking. 

[Vampires and Lycanthropes act in a strict hierarchy under one Lord. The higher the Lord’s strength, the stronger their subjects are.] 

“… It’s a blood bridge. Also called a clan.” 

[The term is not important. Do you remember why I didn’t recommend becoming a vampire or lycanthrope?] 

“I can’t disobey the Lord who turns me. That’s why you didn’t recommend it. I didn’t intend to be one either.” 

[That’s right. The hierarchy of vampires and lycanthropes is absolute. To get out of the Lord’s control, you have to have enough power to completely overwhelm them. But it’s not that easy. As long as you belong to the clan, everything you do would be monitored and exposed to the Lord.]

Listening to his words, Lee Sungmin recalled the Ghost Blade. At that time, the Black Archmage Kim Jonghyun, who was pursuing Ghost Blade with Lee Sungmin, saw Ghost Blade and said, “His rank is low.” 

Perhaps the Lord who transformed Ghost Blade into a vampire, made it that way to contain him.

[A lord gets involved in blood clans in various places. In particular, ‘loyalty’ is a symbol of their strength. None of the wolves who tried to kill you feared death. It’s not a loyalty borne of fear, but loyalty by virtue of his ‘rank’. I don’t know what he plans to do, but he’s likely not going to be an easy opponent.]

After Heoju had said that much, Lee Sungmin also wondered what kind of person the Lord of the Gui Lang Sect was. Lee Sungmin summoned Neville and asked him for information about the clan. While Neville left to collect information, he left the town.

[Don’t go into the mountains.]

There was a small snowy mountain near the village. He hadn’t intended to go to the mountain even if Heoju had stayed silent. He didn’t know much about Werewolves, but they were a mix of humans and beast. A beast was bound to have an advantage over humans, especially in a place like the mountains. 

He went around the mountain. His destination was Travia. Neville re-appeared soon after with his requested information. 

The Gui Lang Sect was the heretical sect that dominated the area, and their power was not so great. They had control over the large and small towns, but not Travia and the other northern cities. 

The main characteristic of all members of the sect was that they were Werewolves. He heard that the one in charge was a man named Juwon, who rarely engaged in external activities. 

That did not mean that there was no information about Juwon.

‘Predator.’ 

As he pieced together the tangled up information, Lee Sungmin frowned. 

Predator. It was a type of non-human being. A group of monsters at the apex, especially vicious and powerful. Lee Sungmin pressed down on his temple firmly. Let alone rumors, Lee Sungmin was not even aware of their existence in his previous life.

[Your luck is terrible.] 

Heoju murmured. Rubia was also of the same opinion. She was restless with a noticeably pale face. 

“… Are they dangerous?” 

“Are you really asking that?!” 

Rubia shrieked. 

“Predators cannot go out in the sun, but they have absolute power in the dark. Surely you’re not saying that Juwon is a Predator…!” 

“There was no information that Gui Lang Sect’s master, Juwon, is a Predator. I just said they might be connected.” 

[Predators are dangerous beings.] 

Heoju laughed. Since he looked like he knew something, Lee Sungmin asked him about them. Heoju answered with a smile.

[They live for a long time. They live as long as the extent of their humanity they’ve given up. They existed even 400 years ago.] 

‘… Are you a predator too?’ 

[Didn’t I tell you? I am an Ajin. The origins of Yokai are diverse. In the case of this elder, I am not a predator since my origin itself was non-human. But I know they are dangerous.] 

“… It’s all because of me. I’m sorry.” 

Rubia murmured with her ears drooping. If they hadn’t entered the town, this wouldn’t have happened. That’s what Rubia seemed to think. However, Lee Sungmin shook his head. 

“This area is under Gui Lang’s jurisdiction. Even if we didn’t stop by the town, we would still be met with trouble if we had only passed through this area.” 

“That’s right.” 

A voice came from afar. Lee Sungmin hardened his expression and looked in the direction of the voice. The strong snowstorm blocked his view, and the sound of the wind swallowed up all sounds. Lee Sungmin looked around with his inner sense. He spread it out beyond the whirring wind and the snowstorm. 

A man was standing there, wearing a thick fur suit suitable for the weather. Lee Sungmin grabbed his spear silently. The man’s gaze alone conveyed his ferocity. 

Juwon. Gui Lang Sect’s Juwon. The man did not introduce himself. However, Lee Sungmin was convinced that the man was Juwon, Gui Lang Sect’s master. Who else could sit at the highest seat of the Gui Lang Sect if not such a monster?

“Even if you didn’t stop by the town, I would have caught the scent of someone as good as you. Although, I have been wondering whether I should touch you or not. So… who are you?”

He was a long distance away, but Lee Sungmin could still hear his voice clearly. 

“Lee Sungmin.” 

“It’s a name I’ve heard a lot about… I remember. You’re that Ghost Gun. I am Juwon.” 

Juwon murmured as he shook his head. Unlike his wild eyes, his voice was low, and his speech was quiet. Juwon started walking. In a few steps, he crossed through the snowstorm and reached Lee Sungmin. 

“I heard that you are from the Orthodox faction.” 

As strange as it may sound, Juwon looked tired. No, rather, it seemed like he was bored. The wolves that Lee Sungmin had seen until now had bodies that looked strong, but Juwon did not have a very big physique. However, the glint in his drooping eyes contained a ferocity that couldn’t be hidden away. 

“Actually, when I think about it, you don’t seem like you belong to the Orthodox faction either. How should I put it… You’re definitely not of the heretical factions. Rather, you seem more like one of the Wandering Sect.”

Was it the remnants of the Aura of Favourability? Lee Sungmin looked at Juwon thoughtfully as he stroked the spear behind him. Juwon scratched his chin and thought for a moment. 

“What do you think I’m thinking now?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“I’m thinking about whether or not to kill you.”

Juwon replied without any change in his expression. Lee Sungmin knew that remark was not a simple threat. That Werewolf, who had already lived hundreds of years as a monster, had powers beyond his comprehension.

[You changed your name.] 

Heoju murmured. The armor vibrated, and Heoju’s power was released, even though Lee Sungmin didn’t ask for it. Juwon frowned as he looked at the soaring ominous force. 

“That feels familiar… ” 

[Mad Wolf.]

(T/N: 狂狼 Gwangrang. Same rang as gui lang. lit. mad wolf)

The air was thrumming. Heoju’s call was directed toward Juwon. Juwon shoulders flinched at the name, ‘Mad Wolf’.

“… Haha!” 

He burst into laughter. 

“I can’t forget power like that. Heoju. I heard you died 400 years ago… ” 

[I was sealed.] 

“Why did you throw away your body to possess a piece of armor?” 

[I don’t know where my body is. It may have been dissipated already.] 

“You pitiful bastard. What did you want to say to me?” 

Juwon asked with a glint in his eyes.

[I don’t want to engage in a fight. It’s not like we don’t know each other, and this isn’t a big deal either.] 

“So, you want me to just let him go?” 

[That’s right.]

Juwon’s expression turned strange when he heard his reply. He frowned and alternated between looking at Heoju and Lee Sungmin.

“… I guess 400 years is a long time. I never thought I’d hear such words from Heoju…” 

[You may refuse if you want to fight.]

Heoju had set the stage. A long moment passed before Juwon shook his head.

“No. Like you said, it’s not like we’re strangers, so let’s pretend this never happened. A few werewolves died, but it’s not a big loss.” 

Juwon turned away after saying that and disappeared after taking a few steps. Rubia, who was hiding behind Lee Sungmin’s back, couldn’t say anything and exhaled a sigh of relief. Lee Sungmin asked while putting his spear down.

“Would I lose if I fought him?” 

[I don’t know just what kind of person is pushing the winds. Juwon… or rather, Mad Wolf is one of the most powerful monsters among lycanthropes. He is a predator. There is nothing you can gain by fighting him.] 

“Haha!”

Lee Sungmin burst into laughter as he listened to Heoju. The Gui Lang Sect. It was a small, medium-sized heretical sect with barely any rumours to their name, and Juwon, their leader, belonged to the predators and was one of the most powerful monsters among the Lycanthropes. It would have been necessary to prepare for death if he wanted to defeat Juwon.

‘Indeed. The world is wide.’

Lee Sungmin thought. He headed in the direction opposite to Juwon’s path. Despite already being at the highest level of High Peak, there were still a lot of strong people going beyond Lee Sungmin in this wide world. He felt more joy than lament, knowing that. He felt good knowing that he had a long way ahead before he faced a huge wall.

‘North.’

A land occupied by non-humans and the Madu people. Who was the being that is neither monster nor human that he could meet there? Lee Sungmin wiped his sweaty hands on his robes. It was the sweat that had collected during the confrontation with Juwon. 

‘Let’s pretend this never happened.’ 

Juwon kept his word. There were no raids by wolves as they went across the snowy fields. Although she could see several towns ahead, Rubia didn’t ask to stop by any of them, perhaps because of the previous experiences. 

Thanks to that, he became homeless once again today. Lee Sungmin skillfully dug a burrow into a snowfield and lay down in it. 

The wind blew, and Lee Sungmin curled up and closed his eyes.

***

[T/N: minor correction to the cultivation levels terminology. I did a little hell lot research this weekend trying to figure out how Korean martial arts novels work. Lee Sungmin is currently still in the ‘Peak’ realm, except he’s now at the highest level, although he had reached early-stage transcendence in his subconscious. Wijihoyeon is currently at early to mid-stage transcendence. Sorry about the confusion. Turns out KR cultivation stages are entirely different from Chinese ones despite having their roots there. Now that the research is done, it will be more smooth-flowing going ahead. 

Other than that, there’s really a lot of folklore attached to the Heavenly Demon Sect as well as relations between the different types of sects. Like with reading CN wuxia/xuanhuan, you need to know the basics to fully understand it. It’s a lot of info that you can check out on the namu wiki, but to sum it up: Orthodox/Conservative faction: Volcanic Sect +Shaolin+Shaman+Wandering Sect VS Heretical faction: Makyo+Madu+Heavenly Demon Sects is the premise. 

Extra info that we only just realised recently:

Volcanic Sect = Mt Hua Sect (i.e., sect from Volcanic Age)

Wandering Sect = Beggar’s Sect (featured heavily in wuxia novels)

Heavenly Demon Sect is likely the same one as in Chronicles of Heavenly Demon (manhwa).]

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