Chapter 75 - Another side of the story

The air in the room grew heavier with every passing moment, thick with unspoken tension and the weight of Park Zhen’s piercing presence. Every subtle sound—the faint rustling of clothing, the occasional creak of the floorboards—seemed amplified in the silence. Each group member stood in their own sphere of discomfort, their thoughts undoubtedly racing as they tried to piece together the puzzle that had been placed before them.

Adam’s thoughts felt like a storm, chaotic and relentless. The Don’s sudden appearance, his cryptic words, and the oppressive authority radiating from him deeply unsettled him. It wasn’t just what he had said—it was how he had said it, with the calm certainty of someone who always had the upper hand.

Li, standing near the edge of the group, exuded a barely restrained irritation. His jaw was tight, his arms crossed defensively over his chest. His eyes flicked toward Adam, then back to Park Zhen, as if willing someone to take charge of the situation. His frustration was palpable; he hated the uncertainty, the lack of control. And yet, even he hesitated to speak first.

Kazue shifted uneasily, her hands clasped together in front of her. She had never been good with tension—her natural instinct was to fill awkward silences with chatter, but here, in front of the Don, she felt uncharacteristically restrained. His presence was unnerving in a way she couldn’t quite articulate. Her gaze darted between her teammates and Park Zhen, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Drake leaned casually against the wall, though his relaxed posture was a facade. His sharp eyes studied Park Zhen, trying to read the man, to predict his intentions. But the man was a closed book, every movement calculated, every word carefully chosen. It was rare for the blond to feel truly out of his depth, but in that moment, he felt the unfamiliar sensation creeping up on him.

Finally, Adam broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Why are we here in the first place?"

His tone was calm, but the undercurrent of uncertainty was unmistakable. He hesitated, realizing how abrupt he might sound, and quickly added.

"No… I mean… thank you. For saving us."

Park Zhen’s expression didn’t waver. He regarded Adam with the same calm, assessing gaze he had held since entering the room.

"But, why did you save us? When we talked in the prison, you didn’t seem like someone who would go out of his way to help."

Adam continued, his voice more measured now. Park Zhen tilted his head slightly and adjusted the cuffs of his elegant suit. Every movement was deliberate, and precise, as if he were performing for an unseen audience.

"If explaining everything to you now will make you more cooperative, then so be it. But do not mistake my willingness to speak for a sense of obligation. I owe you nothing."

He began, his voice was low and composed and his words harsh, but they carried a weight that silenced any immediate response. He continued, his tone shifting slightly, carrying the faintest trace of condescension.

"My actions are dictated by necessity, not sentimentality. Gratitude is unnecessary."

Adam felt a flicker of irritation at Park Zhen’s demeanor but pushed it aside, focusing instead on the promise of answers. The Don sighed lightly, as though the effort of explaining himself was an unwelcome distraction.

"I will start from the beginning."

He said, his voice steady and unhurried. His gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on each of them before continuing.

"But first, tell me—what has Jianfeng told you about the history of this world?"

Kazue hesitated, glancing at Adam and the others before stepping forward slightly. She felt the weight of Park Zhen’s gaze and forced herself to speak.

"At the rebel camp… Jianfeng told us about the world of Murim and its history."

She said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Park Zhen nodded faintly, urging her to continue. Kazue took a breath and launched into the story, her words tumbling out in a mix of nervousness and determination.

"He said there was an extraordinary figure called the Immortal Emperor who unified the world with the help of his council of six other warriors. Among them were Lord Varek, the Dons, Jianfeng… and you."

Park Zhen’s expression remained unreadable as she spoke, but Kazue felt the weight of his attention on her.

"Things were peaceful for a while, until one day, two groups of users appeared in this world. One group allied with the Immortal Emperor and warned him about the other group—users like them, but dangerous. After a few days, a civil war broke out. It was led by Lord Varek and other council members. They succeeded in assassinating the Immortal Emperor and took control of the world."

Kazue hesitated, unsure if she should continue, but Park Zhen gave her a small nod, prompting her to finish.

"Jianfeng mentioned that you had a disagreement with him about it and that you eventually joined Lord Varek’s side."

When she finished, the room fell into a contemplative silence. Everyone’s eyes were on Park Zhen, waiting for his response.

He remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant, as though sifting through memories. Then, he gave a small nod.

"That is the basic outline, but it is far from the whole truth. There are many details you are unaware of, details that are crucial to understanding the events that brought you here."

He straightened slightly, clasping his hands behind his back as he took a slow, deliberate breath. The tension in the room grew thicker as everyone braced themselves for what was to come.

Park Zhen adjusted the crimson tie at his collar, his movements precise and deliberate. His sharp, pale features were illuminated faintly by the flickering remnants of light seeping through the broken palace walls. The silence stretched for a moment longer as he appeared to compose himself, the weight of the story he was about to tell evident in his demeanor. His gaze swept over the group, lingering momentarily on each of them, before he finally spoke.

"What you need to understand, is that this story is not one of heroes and villains. It is one of choices, betrayals, and consequences."

The weight of his words settled over the room like a tangible presence. Kazue swallowed hard, feeling the air grow heavier with each syllable. Adam remained motionless, his expression unreadable, while Li shifted slightly, his stance tense.

"Before he was known as Lord Varek, his name was Mo Yanhui. He was the closest member of the council to the Emperor, and for good reason. He was the only one who had accompanied him from the very beginning when the Emperor first embarked on his quest to unify the world of Murim. The rest of us—myself included—joined later, as the unification progressed. But Yanhui…"

Park Zhen’s gaze drifted briefly, as if recalling a memory.

"Yanhui and the Emperor were more than comrades. They were friends in the truest sense, inseparable. They were young, ambitious, and driven by shared ideals. They were like brothers. Their bond was so strong that Yanhui never once questioned the Emperor’s decisions, no matter how perilous. On more than one occasion during the unification wars, Yanhui was willing to lay down his life for the Emperor’s vision, for his orders. And more than once, the Emperor himself intervened to save Yanhui from certain death."

He paused, his voice softening slightly.

"Their friendship was unconditional, unshakable. They were the kind of friends who would die for each other without hesitation. I still remember how they were back then, souls full of fire. They inspired loyalty in those around them—not through fear or manipulation, but through their sheer conviction."

The group listened intently, their expressions ranging from curiosity to unease. Adam’s brow furrowed slightly as he considered the depth of the bond Park Zhen described.

"It was because of that trust that Yanhui never doubted the visitors who arrived unannounced to our world one day. They were different from us, strangers who possessed knowledge and power beyond our comprehension that now we call ‘users’. The Emperor welcomed them after fighting with them."

Park Zhen’s lips tightened, a flicker of distaste crossing his features.

"I dislike that term. It feels… reductive, too soft for what kind of monsters the otherworld people were. But I will use it for your sake, so you understand."

He straightened, his hands clasped behind his back as he resumed his measured tone.

"These ‘users’ quickly earned the Emperor’s favor. Yanhui, too, trusted them implicitly, even going so far as to speak with some of them personally. At the time, I thought little of it. They seemed harmless enough, and their insights, though vague, appeared to align with our goals. If I had known then what I know now…"

Park Zhen’s voice trailed off briefly, a shadow of regret passing over his face.

"I would have taken the time to speak with them myself. I would have asked questions and pressed for answers. But we did not know, then, what they truly were—or that they came from another world entirely. Their words, their warnings… they always carried a strange restraint, as if they were limited in what they could say."

The air seemed to chill as he continued, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"The most significant warning they gave us was of another group. One they claimed would be even stronger than themselves. They told us these others would arrive within days, and that we should prepare for their coming."

Park Zhen’s gaze darkened, and his next words carried the weight of a missed opportunity.

"I ignored it. I dismissed it as paranoia or perhaps even a fabrication. I had my duties, my responsibilities. I thought little of their warning, assuming it would amount to nothing. And then, exactly one week later, the palace—the very ruins in which we stand now—was attacked."

Drake, leaning against the wall, finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady.

"Attacked by whom?"

Park Zhen’s eyes flicked toward him, sharp and unyielding.

"By an army… an army composed of factions we considered allies. It made no sense. These were people who had sworn loyalty to the Emperor, who had fought alongside us during the unification wars. And yet, they turned against us without warning or explanation."

He took a measured breath, his voice growing quieter, yet no less intense.

"And leading the charge was none other than Mo Yanhui himself, alongside the other members of the council—except for Jianfeng. With them were four strangers, their powers and weapons as incomprehensible as those of the first group of ‘users’ who had appeared."

Park Zhen’s words hung in the air, heavy with implication. The room felt colder, the weight of his story pressing down on everyone present. Kazue wrapped her arms around herself, her expression troubled and Katya put a hand on her friend’s shoulder, while Li’s fists clenched at his sides. Adam’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the implications of what Park Zhen was saying.

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"The battle escalated quickly. It was chaos. I was there—I saw it all. It culminated in the throne room itself. I tried to reach the Emperor, to stand by his side, but the others—my companions, my comrades—blocked my path. They fought to keep me away, to buy time for Yanhui and those four strangers to face the Emperor and the first group of ‘users’."

His voice wavered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Eventually, I managed to create an opening. I slipped past them and reached the throne room, but by then, it was too late. The users’ battle was unlike anything I had ever seen. Their powers defied logic, their techniques impossible to describe. Even those who fought alongside the Emperor had no qualms about attacking me if I was in their way."

Park Zhen’s eyes grew distant, his voice dropping to a near-whisper.

"All I could do was defend myself. I managed to incapacitate a few of them, but it was meaningless. I could do nothing to help the Emperor. I watched from a distance as Yanhui… as Mo Yanhui… delivered the final blow, piercing the Emperor’s chest with a ferocious fist technique."

The group stared at Park Zhen, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief. His voice remained calm, but there was an unmistakable edge of pain beneath his composed exterior.

"I saw him fall, and in that moment of distraction, I was overwhelmed. The users’ techniques bombarded me, their power impossible to withstand. I thought I would die. Immortality against age and sickness means nothing when faced with such overwhelming force."

Park Zhen said, his words heavy with finality. Then he paused, his gaze sharpening as he continued.

"And then Yanhui returned to the battlefield, radiating ki so powerful, so full of hatred, that I can still feel it to this day, even 500 years later. He slaughtered everyone—every ‘user’ who still lived, even the four who had fought by his side. He was like a beast, consumed by rage. He didn’t stop until they were all dead."

Park Zhen’s voice grew quieter, his tone almost reflective.

"When it was over, he collapsed. I thought he was weeping, though I cannot be sure. I could barely move from my injuries."

His gaze grew distant once more, his final words echoing in the silent room.

"From that day on, Yanhui was no more. He declared that his name was now Varek. Lord Varek. He vowed to continue ruling Murim in the Emperor’s name… But what puzzled me the most, was the former council's willingness to follow him so quickly, there was no resistance. No hesitation. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment.”

Park Zhen’s expression darkened as he continued.

“And then I saw it. Right before my eyes, Lord Varek wielded the very same powers that the invaders from another world had used. The techniques, the impossible feats—it was all there, emanating from him as if he had mastered their methods in an instant.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing as if the memory itself had the power to burn.

“That was when I knew. He had not just turned against the Emperor; he had embraced the powers of the outsiders. Powers that had no place in our world, powers that mocked the centuries of traditions we had upheld.”

Park Zhen leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.

“The transformation that followed was unlike anything I had ever imagined. Under Lord Varek’s rule, the world of Murim began to change, rapidly and irrevocably. The society of martial artists, once defined by discipline, honor, and the preservation of ancient techniques, started to shift its focus. The old ways were dismissed as outdated, and the proud combat styles that had been passed down for millennia were gradually forgotten.”

He sighed, a deep and heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of centuries.

“The new world Varek created thrived on power and domination. Martial arts became a means to an end, stripped of their philosophical roots and reduced to mere tools for survival in a ruthless hierarchy. What was once a tapestry of diverse schools and traditions became a homogenized system driven by strength alone.”

For a moment, Park Zhen’s voice softened, almost imperceptibly.

“I stayed to bear witness, to see if any remnants of what we once stood for could survive. But the more I watched, the clearer it became: Varek’s vision left no room for the past. He built an empire where tradition was a weakness and the pursuit of unbridled power was the only path forward.”

His words hung in the air like a specter, the silence heavy with unspoken sorrow. When he finally spoke again, his tone carried a hint of defiance.

“And yet, even in this twisted world, I hold on to the memories of what we were. The Emperor’s vision, our camaraderie, the honor of our traditions—they are not so easily erased. They remain, at least in me, as a reminder of what was lost and a testament to what could have been.”

Park Zhen's expression hardened once more, his composure returning as he glanced at his companions.

“That is the truth of Lord Varek. That is the truth of the world we now live in.”

As Park Zhen concluded his recounting, a silence hung heavily in the air. The atmosphere in the dimly lit room felt dense, each member of the group processing what they had just heard. Adam, who had been quietly absorbing every detail, finally broke the silence. His voice was calm, though the weight of his words carried an undertone of disbelief.

“That was certainly a fascinating story.”

Adam began, inclining his head slightly in respect toward Park Zhen.

“It’s unfortunate that you had to go through all of that. But there’s something I need to ask.”

He hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze sharp as he continued.

“How could Lord Varek use the abilities of the 'users'? That should be impossible.”

Park Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly at Adam’s question, as though he had anticipated it. He gestured toward Emir, the young boy sitting quietly by the corner, his small frame almost swallowed by the shadows of the room.

“Lord Varek’s abilities bear a striking resemblance to his. The Ki he emits is what we call ‘Void Ki.’ It’s a rare and enigmatic energy that allows the wielder to ‘absorb’ the Ki of the surroundings and even of others. With this ability, Lord Varek can ‘copy’ techniques based on Ki.”

The group’s attention immediately shifted to Emir. The boy flinched under their stares, his wide eyes darting between the adults. Park Zhen continued without pause, his tone growing graver.

“But something about this power reacts differently when it interacts with the ‘users’ from the other world. Lord Varek wasn’t just able to copy their techniques—he managed to replicate many of their strange powers as well. It is those powers that he wields now.”

Adam leaned forward, his expression unreadable but his voice pressing for more answers.

“That’s insane, but it still doesn’t explain something. If what you say is true, how does he seem to access the ‘system’ itself? He uses things like ‘Plot Devices’, and we’ve all seen it. That shouldn’t be possible.”

At this, Park Zhen frowned, the deep lines on his face becoming more pronounced.

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean by this ‘system’. But the way he obtains things that are clearly not of this world—and even how he grants others skills—is through what appears to be a floating screen he can summon with his hands.”

The words hit the group like a thunderclap. A stunned silence filled the room as the realization began to settle in. The tension was palpable as they exchanged uneasy glances. Each person understood the implication: Lord Varek somehow had access to the system itself, and even worse, if Park Zhen’s account was accurate, it meant that Lord Varek could access the system’s store—a revelation that raised even more troubling questions.

Sebastian, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke. His eyes darted between Park Zhen and Emir, his voice firm yet laced with curiosity.

“You mentioned earlier that Lord Varek’s power is similar to Emir’s. What exactly did you mean by that?”

The Don turned to Sebastián and nodded gravely.

“That similarity was first reported to Lord Varek by Jiangfeng’s son, Shen, who acted as a spy within your group. It was later confirmed by me during your time in the Shaolin Temple’s prison. That is the sole reason I decided to put my plan into motion.”

Sebastian frowned, his brow furrowing deeply.

“What do you mean? What plan?”

Park Zhen sighed and folded his hands in front of him, his tone heavy.

“Everything fell into place when your group appeared. I needed to assess whether you were strong enough to be assets rather than liabilities. Many of you proved capable to a certain extent, but in truth, I only needed the boy.”

All eyes fell on Emir once more. The boy shifted uncomfortably, his expression a mixture of fear and confusion. Park Zhen continued, his voice low and deliberate.

“Both Emir and Lord Varek possess Void Ki. It is an extremely rare phenomenon, even in the world of Murim. As I said, this energy has the unique property of absorbing other forms of energy. But there is a critical difference between the two.”

Li, who had been silent until now, leaned forward, his tone sharp.

“And what exactly is that difference?”

Park Zhen’s gaze fixed on Li, his expression grim.

“Unlike Lord Varek, who can absorb and replicate energy, the kid has the potential to absorb it entirely—erasing it from existence. In other words, where Lord Varek can copy abilities, Emir has the power to take them and destroy them completely.”

The room was plunged into another stunned silence. Each person struggled to process the enormity of what they had just learned. Even Emir, the focus of the revelation, seemed to be in shock. He stared at his hands, trembling slightly as if trying to comprehend the significance of his own abilities.

“I… I don’t understand.”

Emir finally muttered, his voice barely audible.

“I didn’t know I could do that.”

Park Zhen’s expression softened slightly.

“You wouldn’t, your affinity to Void Ki is far greater than Lord Varek’s, but it’s clear that you’ve never been trained to use it fully. Jianfeng must have seen this potential in you and sought to keep it contained. Knowing him, he must have warned you.”

Emir’s thoughts turned to Jianfeng, remembering the elder’s stern but kind demeanor during their training. The instructions to never let his Ki escape, to never use it except to strengthen his body. He had obeyed without question, but now, those warnings seemed far more significant.

Park Zhen leaned against the edge of a table, his gaze calm yet intense as he continued to speak. The room seemed to grow quieter with every word, the group hanging on his explanation.

"I have always suspected that something strange was going on."

Park Zhen admitted, his voice measured but edged with a seriousness that silenced even the faint rustling in the room.

"Not just with Lord Varek, but also with the council members—the ones who are now the Dons."

He paused, his eyes shifting toward Chloe. She was seated near the back, her usually confident demeanor faltering as she realized she was suddenly the center of attention.

"I am grateful."

Park Zhen continued, his tone softening. He inclined his head slightly, a small but deeply respectful bow in Chloe's direction.

"Your skill confirmed what I could only theorize. If not for you, we might have overlooked the truth."

The pink-haired girl’s face flushed crimson. Her usual composure crumbled under the weight of Park Zhen’s gratitude and his striking, almost regal presence. She tried to form a response, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she nodded awkwardly, her cheeks burning as she lowered her gaze to the floor.

Unbothered by her reaction, Park Zhen continued, his tone becoming more factual.

"When you examined Abbess Xinhui, who I brought back unconscious but alive, your skill revealed her altered state. The condition, [Brainwashed], is something I have never encountered before."

The group exchanged uneasy glances. The term itself seemed ominous, a stark reminder of the subtle yet overwhelming control Lord Varek held over his subordinates.

"To counteract it we will need your help."

Park Zhen said, his gaze settling on Emir, who flinched slightly, unsure of what was being asked of him. The young boy’s confusion was evident, his wide eyes darting between the others as if seeking reassurance.

"I’ll admit, I may not be the best teacher when it comes to the unique nature of your Void Ki. But I will guide you as much as I can. We must move quickly—Lord Varek has already expressed his interest in you."

Park Zhen continued, his voice softening ever so slightly. The room tensed at those words. Park Zhen pushed away from the table, his stance firm.

"With the defeat of two of his Dons and my temporary disappearance, he will undoubtedly make his next move soon."

Emir, despite his nerves, nodded resolutely and stood up. His small frame straightened as much as it could, and he looked at Park Zhen with determination. Just as he was about to step forward, Adam’s voice interrupted the moment.

"Wait!"

Adam said, raising a hand. His expression was one of deep thought, his brows furrowed.

"During my fight with Abbess Xinhui, there was something strange. A skill she had surveilling her. It allowed him to know what she was doing. How are we safe here? How can we be sure he isn’t watching us right now, just as he seems to monitor the other Dons?"

Park Zhen folded his arms, his gaze calm but firm.

"That ability of his doesn’t work on me, it only functions on those who have received skills or items from another world through him. That’s something I never allowed."

Adam tilted his head, skepticism creeping into his expression.

"Why not? Wouldn’t it have made it easier for him to control you? Why didn’t he give you anything?"

Park Zhen’s expression darkened slightly, his voice lowering.

"Because I asked him not to… and, for reasons of his own, he respected my choice."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions. Park Zhen’s eyes softened for a brief moment as he added,

"It is for that reason that I still have hope. I will never forgive him for what he’s done. But I still see glimpses of the man I once knew. The man I called a companion."

The weight of his words hung in the air as the room processed the meaning behind them.

"If I have to kill him, I will do so while looking into the face of Mo Yanhui, not Lord Varek."

Park Zhen said, his voice firm. The raw emotion in his declaration left everyone momentarily speechless. Finally, Kazue broke the silence, her tone eager but cautious.

"Can we all go to see her? The process, I mean?"

Park Zhen nodded.

"Of course, if you believe you can help in any way, you are welcome. And once we’ve finished removing her altered state—or at least understanding it fully—we will begin preparing."

Kazue tilted her head.

"Preparing for what?"

The Don allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to touch his lips.

"For the plan. The plan to defeat Lord Varek and the last remaining Dons."

There was an immediate familiar chime upon hearing this and a system window flashed in front of every group member.

image [https://i.imgur.com/0Am6E0N.png]