Chapter 95
**
I woke up early in the morning. I gently stroked Ear Sword Bai Ya.
A rumbling sound of crying. The now well-trained sword moved as I directed.
I’ve received a lot of help. More than I expected.
Considering how prickly it was at first, it’s hard to imagine just how much has changed.
“…Thank you.”
I lightly cleaned the crying sword. Once I finished taking care of it, I returned it to its scabbard.
The dawn was slowly breaking. I watched the scene while gathering my energy.
How’s my body?
It’s sufficient. No strain in movement.
What about my energy?
It’s calm. But if something stirs it, I’ll rage like a beast.
And my mind?
It’s slightly restless. I can feel it myself. But since I’m aware of it, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
I mentally reviewed the tasks I needed to accomplish today. I tidied my body and changed into new clothes.
Will things go well? The tasks I have to do today.
With all sorts of pouring tasks mixing together. The schemes of the Blood Sect. Within that, a sea of blood will arise.
People will die. By the multitude. Can I truly rescue those I want to save amidst that chaos?
“Jeok-un?”
“I’m here.”
Black Danhwa stood beside me. Her hair was slightly damp from washing.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking about what needs to be done today.”
“Will it go well?”
“I don’t know. However…”
I vocalized what had been on my mind continuously.
“I’ll make it happen.”
…
Nine Heavens Jade Woman spoke.
“The negotiations between Nachat and the Black Death Sect are over. They all said they would cooperate. The remaining soldiers of the Manma Sect have also decided to join us. Over a thousand warriors will move all at once.”
“……”
“We will contain Eungmin. Before all the informants of the Blood Sect are captured, not even an ant will escape from here. Once the street control starts, the independent demons and informants of the Blood Sect will mix and cause chaos. Those with sense won’t partake, but those without will spill blood, swayed by the Blood Sect’s instigation.”
“…….”
“The signal will rise in the sky, easily recognizable by everyone. Move as the red firecracker explodes. Chaos will become your ally. Mu Myung. Take advantage of that gap. And Huachun Quenma.”
“What?”
“Don’t let my disciple die.”
“What the hell! Haven’t I told you multiple times she’s not my disciple?! She is my disciple!”
The containment of Eungmin.
With it, the start of a bloody purge.
We mixed into the streets and looked up at the sky. Just as Nine Heavens Jade Woman had predicted, the fixed time approached, and street control began.
The sky was adorned with red fireworks.
“…Let’s move.”
We crossed the street that was beginning to get noisy. There was only one target.
The center of the Blood Sect, depleted of Eungmin.
“What the hell…?”
“The remnants of the Blood Sect are mixed in with Eungmin! Everyone, get down! Right now!”
“I’ll consider anyone who doesn’t comply an informant of the Blood Sect! There! Don’t move!”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”
“Blood Sect?! Why the hell is the Blood Sect popping up here?!”
“What the hell! The three sects have united!”
“Those bastards… Aren’t they trying to divide Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan?!”
“The sects are pressuring the independent warriors!”
“Don’t just take it! Push back! Why should we kneel!”
“I told you not to move!”
“Don’t listen to the sects!”
“They’re stealing Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan!”
“What?! Stealing it?!”
“Then damn it, are those big guys in cahoots right now?!”
“Where’s Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan? Who has it?!”
“Hand it over to me! Hand over the last elixir of the Seven Star Gate!”
“It’s with that guy! That guy has it!”
“Cut down anyone who moves! Don’t let anyone slip through!”
“Ugh! Damn it! The sect is trying to kill all the independent warriors!”
“W-why are you…? Why…?!”
“I saw it! I saw it! Nine Heavens Jade Woman has Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan!”
“Nine Heavens Jade Woman?!”
“No! It’s the Black Death Sect! The Brain Power Clan has it!”
“It’s Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan!!”
“Where! Where! I want to see too!”
“Don’t make excuses! Push through! Treat anyone swayed as an informant of the Blood Sect!”
“Prioritize those on the list! Ensure clear identification!”
“Form ranks! Don’t antagonize other sects!”
“Get close! Form up!”
“Those bastards are scheming!”
“Kill! Kill!”
“Give it to me! Give it to me!”
“Ahhh! P-please don’t kill me! I’m going to lay down! I’m saying I’ll lay down!”
“Mom… Mom…”
“Consider all who move as enemies!”
“Poison! They’re using poison!!!”
“Control it! Now! Ordinary followers, get inside the buildings! Take cover and don’t move!”
“It’s the Blood Demon Party!!”
“The Northern Gate is involved!”
“We have to escape Eungmin! They’re trying to kill us all!”
“F-fight back! If we don’t kill them, we’ll die!”
“Strength! Show your strength!”
“Hahha!! Back to the way things used to be! Let’s soak the main hall in blood!”
“Only the strongest will survive!”
“Seize Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan!”
“Kill the informants of the Blood Sect!”
Voices became a swirling mess.
Mixed together, everything started to blur.
But I run. I move my feet. I leap over several buildings, weaving through the throngs of battling warriors.
At the moment I saw the belt on my shoulder, the sects flinched. But the demons were different.
Those swayed by instigation regarded everyone around them as enemies. Our passage was no different.
“You filthy sect!”
A raging sword flew toward me. I caught it as it brushed by and immediately broke it.
—Kachang!
I grabbed the demon by the neck atop the bouncing metal. With that, I slammed him down and twisted his arm.
“Ugh!”
“If you want to live, lay down.”
I passed by just like that. Huachun Quenma yelled furiously.
“Where exactly?!”
“Right here.”
I made three turns in the alley. I jumped over a wall, crossing over the heads of battling warriors.
A particularly large building. Inside what masqueraded as an inn, people huddled together in a ruckus. But as we entered, the atmosphere grew tense.
A meticulously fabricated voice followed. A man asked.
“W-what’s outside?”
He asked.
“Where’s the Member of the Blood Sea?”
“…Attack!”
In an instant, dozens of shadows flew through the air.
Huachun Quenma shouted.
“Go! Mu Myung! I’ll deal with these bastards personally! Clear the path!”
“Leave it to me,” I said, immediately cutting down those obstructing us. Through the scattering aura, I pushed inside, opening the way.
The dark wind naturally blended in and stretched like a shadow. Using silent movements, it surged forth along the opened path.
“Mechanism… hidden location… according to the information obtained… here! Mu Gongja! This is the passage!”
“Open up! Danhwa! Dark Wind!”
“Leave it to me!”
Most of the troops were focused on Huachun Quenma. But some turned their gaze to me.
“You!”
“Die!”
Ear Sword Bai Ya spat out a chilling sound. The frozen wind raged outward.
Within that chill, I moved my sword.
Ice White Blood Demon Art
Fourth Form
Flash Dispersal
A boundary is drawn.
A line that devours the flesh.
—Kachang!!
“Ugh?!”
The abnormally fast sword style tore through the space. Those caught in it spilled forth, gushing blood.
“Ugh!”
“Master level!”
“How can the martial arts of the main hall be so easily…?!”
The condensed energy naturally flowed through my body. I heard Bai Ya’s whispers within that.
A voice offering to aid me. I could also sense the Dark Wind moving its hands busily behind me.
A mechanism leading to the hidden location. It likely wouldn’t open easily…
From here, I would need to buy some time.
The visible foes were all formidable. But among them, the one most formidable would be me.
That’s how it had to be.
“If you want to touch what’s behind me…”
I stood my sword strong. I swallowed the mist gathering at my mouth.
I lowered my breath.
Lower than any time before.
“Surpass me.”
…
“Master!?”
The floods of dire news astonished Guqcheong.
But that was not all that swelled. It seemed a mechanism connected to the surface was opening, as strange noises fell from above.
“……”
I had vaguely sensed the identity of those pursuing us.
Thus, I began to prepare for the end. But the enemies’ movements were much quicker than I had expected.
…But.
Here, it was only me and the gnomes left. The true elite of the Blood Sect had already slipped out of Eungmin.
The enemy was fast, but I was also fast.
To complete the task, Guqcheong stood before Wolhyang.
She whispered with a sinister smile.
“Guqcheong… seems things have gone awry? Something happened up there?”
“Everything is going as planned.”
“Your complexion seems dark for that kind of talk… huh…? ”
“There are many paths to escape. A wise beast knows to dig multiple tunnels for its den. If one is blocked, you go to another.”
“Hahaha! Acting so cool and now trying to escape like a coward? Really kills the mood for you. Huh, you weren’t my type to begin with, but now you’ve moved even further away.”
“I’m tired of playing games, Wolhyang. Choose now.”
Guqcheong drew her sword.
“Will you join us?”
“I know your answer already, so why ask?”
“…Tsk.”
From her fingertips, the Celestial Blood Sword ignited.
Guqcheong nodded toward Wolhyang.
“Do you have no parting words?”
“Shouldn’t that be on your end?”
“What?”
“How long did you think of me as a fool? Huh? Platinum Egg? Jeahhh? Hahaha! Such nonsense! I’ve held back, but it’s been worth the wait! I want to tear apart whoever it is who thought like that!”
—Drip…
A sound.
A sound was heard.
The sound of a millennial shackles falling.
Without realizing it, Guqcheong stepped back. Wolhyang spat out blood.
Internal injury. A grievous one at that. Yet…
In return, she was tearing off the chains one by one.
—Kwachang!
“Y-you crazy bitch! You’ll die before you break everything! That’s a poor trade! You dumb woman!”
“You don’t know! Whether I die or you die!!!”
It wasn’t just blood trickling from her mouth. Now every hole in her body was leaking blood.
And yet she laughed. Madness bubbling forth, she put even more strength into her body.
Like she was insane.
Truly on the brink of insanity.
—Kwachang! Kwachang!
“I… like this even more!! AHAHAHA!!!”
That’s…
That’s truly a crazy woman.
Guqcheong’s face twisted. Shoving her subordinates forward, she shouted.
“Kill! Kill Wolhyang!”
“W-wait, Master?!”
“It’s an order! Kill that woman! Anyone who doesn’t comply, I’ll handle personally!”
I couldn’t risk the danger of killing directly. Pushing my subordinates forward, Guqcheong immediately turned around.
Yeon Mi-ryeong. I need Yeon Mi-ryeong. I thought Wolhyang was nearly impossible to recruit, but she was different.
I climbed the stairs. I opened the door.
“You!”
I snatched the last heir of the Seven Star Gate from behind the bars.
Ignoring the coughing sounds, I decided that as long as she was kept alive, she could be of use.
So far, everything has gone as planned. Slightly off-course, but still demonstrating my capabilities.
I had made the three sects fight each other.
Now I had incited the independent demons to wage an all-out war.
In the midst of that, I had drained the necessary power ahead of time.
I really secured the essentials, and I had also nearly secured the bonuses.
The leader was also satisfied with the results.
“Don’t resist!”
“……!”
“You fool! Why?! Did you have some hope?! It’s a shame, but it’s all going as I expected! Even if the Demon Cult noticed our movements late, it’s already over! The main hall is sending me, the little master, to greet them! No variables exist! Give up! You are…”
—Gack!
Yeon Mi-ryeong, whose neck was gripped, coughed heavily. Guqcheong growled.
“It belongs to the main hall! Your only choice left is to serve until you die! Obey me! Submit to me! Forget your days as a human! To live, you must bend your will…!”
“You bastard!”
A chill.
Guqcheong immediately launched herself.
—Kwahhhhh!!!
A huge explosion shook the cave. Guqcheong, flipping over, looked ahead.
A giant. Within the blazing aura stood a man holding Yeon Mi-ryeong. His unexpected appearance twisted Guqcheong’s expression.
“Wha…?! The mechanisms of the main hall collapsed this quickly?!”
“It was easy. It’s not that difficult. I’ve experienced far worse. It’s no wonder I’m a vital cog in the Full Moon’s core. Well, if I hadn’t extracted information beforehand, it would have taken longer.”
Behind the brash man, another black-haired man stood tall.
Guqcheong’s eyes trembled in a moment. The enemy felt the same way.
“…You?”
“…That guy from back then?”
Guqcheong chuckled in disbelief.
“Chasing Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan… Did we finally come this far? Huh? Answer me, Mu Myung!”
“…Were you the mastermind behind all this?”
“If you don’t eat, you’ll be eaten! That’s the world of martial arts! What a foolish choice you made! You ignored my carefully crafted advice!”
Could this be a twist of fate?
Or perhaps the heavens’ will to cast away the last remnants of humanity?
Guqcheong controlled her boiling energy. She asked earnestly.
“Who are you?”
The man I encountered in the inn, Mu Myung swept his face. In a moment, the changing gaze questioned.
“…Where is Member of the Blood Sea Wolhyang?”
Member of the Blood Sea Wolhyang?
Was that truly what they were searching for? Guqcheong responded with a scoff.
The giant growled.
“How dare you treat Mi-ryeong this way? I’ll tear you apart and display your body on the street.”
“Were you about to tear me apart? Someone like you?”
“You cocky little wretch! I’ll take off your head!”
The giant threw a punch. Guqcheong’s body, reflexively drawing her sword, jolted and halted.
—Kwahhhhh!!!!
The fierce strike resonated throughout the cave. But it didn’t reach me.
One punch was stopped by two hands.
Two core figures of the Blood Sect stood as the dust whirled.
“Master. We’ve come looking for you since you were late.”
“Are you hurt in any way?”
The two pillars supporting the main Blood Sect.
“Left Scholar. Right Scholar.”
The two masters who had reached Huaxing joined the fray. In terms of sheer numbers and skill, we now had an overwhelming advantage.
The orders I needed to give were singular. Now that I had the two masters, what needed to be done was obvious.
Guqcheong’s gaze flitted past Mu Myung.
The day we sat around a table to share a meal.
Perhaps it should have gone this way from the start, amidst those opposing opinions.
Guqcheong opened her mouth. Moving her tongue with some weight, she commanded.
“The rabble has gathered. We have a long road ahead…”
At the end of the Blood Sect built over decades underground.
In that vast cavern, I whispered.
“Kill them all.”
