Chapter 205 The Eve of the Storm (2)

Chapter 205: The Eve of the Storm (2)

Martial artists are fundamentally accustomed to injury.

They were the sort who considered a sword cut a mere scratch.

Then, if they caught a secondary infection and caught the express to the afterlife, they’d immediately suspect the opponent’s blade was poisoned.

Even when they entered a duel fairly, they’d be branded as rogue faction practitioners resorting to trickery.

It was truly a situation that made one shake one’s head in disbelief.

However, the wounds on the enemy’s red robe before them were not something even the warriors of this era could dismiss lightly.

Though the wounds weren’t visible beneath the long robe, the thick scent of blood made it clear his entire body was covered in them. His cloudy gaze suggested his internal injuries were no less severe.

Yet our tough guy, Jiksam, gave a small, dismissive laugh as if it were nothing.

“I got into a clash while meeting up with the spies we sent to the Ten Demon Camp.”

“No.”

He should at least get disinfected.

“Looks like our side leaked intel. Thanks to that, I’m the only one who barely survived. Heh heh heh.”

“Please come inside first. You need treatment immediately.”

He shook his head.

“Every minute counts.”

“If you receive treatment first and then use the messenger pigeons…”

“That’s not the kind of information to handle that way. There’s too much of it anyway.”

“Then at least take this. It’s wound medicine and internal injury medicine. There are also a few Yoxiangdan pills. They’re Qingzhang brand, so they should work well.”

“Thank you.”

He took the medicine and asked.

“How can I help you?”

“I didn’t come seeking help.”

“Then?”

“I came to warn you, the one holding the front line.”

“A warning…?”

“There was a rebellion in the Ten Demon Camp. Thanks to that, blood is flowing freely along every ridge of the Tianshan Mountains.”

“A rebellion?”

He couldn’t comprehend it.

The Ten Demon Camp wasn’t some street gang, and it hadn’t even been a year since the rebellion that wiped out the Demon Clan. What kind of rebellion was this?

Even if it were true, it wasn’t something I needed to be warned about. It meant the Ten Demons Alliance’s strength had been severely weakened. From my perspective, it was more of a boon than a bane.

“The Demon Lord has returned. To show how powerful he’s become, within a single day of his return, he slaughtered all the leaders of the Seven Sects except the Sword Sect and the Tao Sect.”

“Wh-what?!”

“Be careful. You never know when the demons might strike.”

A DEFCON alert blared in my mind.

“Ah, I’m just letting you know to prepare in advance. It’s not classified. Word will get out in a few days anyway.”

The faint smile on Jiksam’s lips seemed to carry the scent of blood.

* * *

When I was about to graduate from the Ascension Pavilion, there were three absolute masters in the Ten Demon Sect.

The Ten Demon Sect Leader and Demon Sect Master, Cheon Myeong-pae; the Blood Sect Master, Jik Jik-sa; and the Fighting Sect Master, Jang Uk.

Among them, the Blood Sect Master died after sustaining internal injuries in a fight with Master Bukgung. The Sect Leader and Demon Sect Master, Cheon Myeong-pae, was said to have been killed in a power struggle with the Fighting Sect Master, Jang Uk.

Ultimately, the Demon Sect was annihilated, and the Martial Sect Master, Jang Myeong, became the new Alliance Leader.

The number of supreme masters held by the Ten Demon Alliance had been reduced to one.

This was a major boon for the Nine Dragon Fortress.

It was unthinkable that the weakened Ten Demon Alliance would invade the Nine Dragon Fortress, which held three supreme masters.

Nevertheless, the Nine Dragon Fortress did not strike first against the Ten Demon Alliance.

More accurately, it couldn’t.

The distance from Sichuan to Tianshan was five thousand li.

Without proper logistics, trap countermeasures, terrain familiarity, and secured advance routes, even the slightest mistake could cost them half their forces.

Moreover, the sheer pressure from the overwhelming numbers of the Ten Thousand Demons was no joke.

Above all, attacking the Ten Demon Clans unprepared risked a devastating blow from the Lion Clan, who were already gnawing at the back of Nine Dragon Fortress.

Thus, a period of peace continued, half by choice, half by necessity.

Then, the Demon Clan Chief, thought dead, returned and slaughtered the leaders of the Seven Clans. Alone.

Given the culture of those demonic bastards, they wouldn’t have fought the Demon Sect Leader one-on-one either.

The Demon Sect itself had been wiped out after losing the last power struggle.

Meaning, the Demon Sect Leader single-handedly broke through countless demonic forces, killing the six sect leaders who had reached the pinnacle of their cultivation, and even the Demon King, who had attained the state of ‘Hwa Gyeong’ over a decade ago.

Which means.

‘……He transcended the realm of the Divine.’

It implies he might have reached a realm beyond anything he’d ever heard of or seen.

A realm where he could contend for the title of the strongest under heaven.

Frankly, it was hard to believe.

The exiled master who lost everything returning as a god-tier powerhouse?

‘Does he think he’s the protagonist of some martial arts novel?’

It defies common sense, doesn’t it?

Unless he monopolized some extraordinary opportunity…

‘Wait?’

One possibility struck him like lightning.

It wasn’t impossible he’d gained such an opportunity.

The Demon Clan was the bloodline of the Demon Sect Master, once called the headquarters of all demonic arts under heaven.

What if there was a secret passed down within the family?

Or what if they knew the location where the legacy of the Heavenly Demon was hidden?

That is.

‘Heavenly Demon Divine Art.’

That was it.

The Demon Clan Master could have mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, called the greatest demonic art under heaven.

“Hmm…”

The mere thought made his head spin.

If the leader of the demonic cultists, now a powerhouse, had reclaimed his position, what would he do next?

Even just to quell the turbulent internal atmosphere, the likelihood of him targeting the outside world was high.

‘He might even declare the Demon Sect’s revival.’

And the first target of that move would almost certainly be Hanjung.

After all, controlling this place would allow expansion anywhere.

The possibility of Hanjung being endangered was very real; we couldn’t just sit idly by.

“Damn it, I thought things had been quiet for a while.”

I headed straight for the Moon Flower Pavilion.

* * *

Yang Ling of the Moon Flower Pavilion is exceptionally capable as the Hanzhong branch chief of Hao Men.

She flawlessly completed several difficult assignments I entrusted her with.

Moreover, the drive and organizational control she demonstrated during the recent merchant guild takeover were outstanding.

But in this situation, there was someone I needed more than her.

“…The Sect Leader?”

That would be Hao Men’s leader, Yongmasan.

What I needed was the full might of Hao Men, not just a branch’s capabilities.

Of course, the Red Dragon Sect would share intelligence with us, but we couldn’t predict when overwhelming forces might strike.

We needed to establish a route to grasp the entire battlefield at a glance and maintain constant communication with our surroundings.

That was why I had come here in the dead of night.

“Right. Could you bring him here?”

“Hmm. I don’t know why, but it’ll be difficult. You’re currently working on creating the master shot… It might be better to speak with me instead.”

“I acknowledge your abilities, but this matter requires the Sect Leader’s involvement.”

Despite the words that could easily sound insulting, Yang Ling merely frowned, revealing no emotion.

Instead, she instantly guessed the reason behind my actions.

“…Something must have happened in the west.”

“You’re quick to catch on.”

“Because that’s the only place beyond our reach.”

Yang-ryeong gave a small nod and asked.

“Alright. I’ll admit it. But you need to tell me what happened before I can summon the Sect Leader.”

“The Demon Sect Leader returned alive and single-handedly broke through the Seven Sects’ guards, slaughtering all the Sect Leaders. One of them was the newly appointed Deputy Sect Leader.”

“Is… is that true?”

“You must know where this information came from?”

“If it’s from the Red Dragon Sect… then it’s reliable. They’ve had spies planted there for a long time.”

“So. Can you summon your Sect Leader?”

Yang-ryeong replied in a trembling voice.

“I’ll send a letter immediately.”

“Thank you.”

“……”

“…….”

“……Why aren’t you leaving?”

At her question, I held out my hand.

“Fee for the information. You told me something huge.”

“……Are you out of your mind?”

“Just kidding. Instead, let’s use some messenger pigeons.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll need about twenty. Is that okay?”

“Is there such a thing as shame?”

“Of course it does.”

After all, I come from the Land of Eastern Courtesy.

* * *

Three days later.

I hadn’t yet informed anyone around me about the Ten Horse Alliance.

If word spread, the entire martial world of Korea and China could be plunged into great chaos, and the anxiety of ordinary civilians, not martial artists, could also be amplified.

Of course, that didn’t mean I was sitting idle without any preparations.

He had summoned Yongmasan and taken various other measures.

Of course, the Ten Demon Alliance might quietly back down.

If that happened, he’d face considerable criticism and have to pay damages here and there… But wouldn’t that actually be the better outcome?

Hoping desperately for that outcome, he was eating dinner as usual when…

Myaohyang’s single remark gave me the certainty that war was imminent.

“Things have been strange lately.”

“What’s strange?”

“Well, merchants from the Western Region hardly come anymore. Even when they do come, it’s only to buy goods, not to sell. When I ask why, they won’t give me an answer.”

“……”

No supplies coming through…

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen this.

When Namcheongung mobilized over ten thousand Namman tribesmen to besiege Jomchang Mountain before, supplies hadn’t come through from south of Yunnan either.

Meaning.

‘They’re preparing for war.’

It meant the Shimparyeon bastards were likely preparing for war just like Namcheongung had back then.

Even those bastards couldn’t fight without weapons and provisions.

“……Hmph, why does my gloomy premonition never fail?”

A sigh escaped me involuntarily.

“Jin Ga.”

Jie Hua Lan nodded as if she understood my thoughts.

She must have heard about the recent turmoil within the Ten Demon Alliance.

I glanced at Myohyang and Cheongso, who looked at me with bewildered eyes.

“War is coming. And it will be massive.”

“Huh?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

Myohyang, who had been with me since childhood, needn’t be mentioned. Cheongso and Jeokhwaran were also deeply attached to me.

Therefore.

“The three of you must leave Hanjung for the time being.”

I couldn’t leave them here, where this place would become a battlefield.

“…Is anyone else outside?”

“Yes!”

Two guards standing watch outside the door quickly entered.

“Take these three people to Guryongseong.”

As I gave the order, Jeokhwaran drew her short sword.

“If you lay a single finger on me, I’ll slit your throat. You know who I am, right?“

”Hwaran!“

”Gaga, what kind of behavior is this? Do we look like women who come when you call and leave when you tell us to?“

”That’s not the point right now. War is about to break out. It’s dangerous!“

”We decide for ourselves whether to go or not. Right?“

At Jik Hwaran’s question, Myohyang and Cheongso-so nodded.

”Of course. “

”For once, you’re speaking the truth.“

The three women stood united.

Frustrated, he kept trying to persuade them.

”Just send me to Guryongseong. I’ll walk back if I have to.“

”If something happens on the way back, it’s Gagga’s responsibility.“

There was no way to counter Cheong Sosu and Jeok Hwaran’s stubborn logic.

”Master.”

“Could my sister try to persuade him…”

“When I was sold to Geumhwaru, I made a decision.”

“……”

“If I ever get to be with the Master again, I vowed never to leave his side.”

I couldn’t utter a word in response to Myohyang’s words that followed.

“So please, don’t tell me to go. A world without the Master holds no value for me.”

Words carrying profound meaning.

“You understand what I mean, right?”

Not only Myohyang, but even Cheongso and Jeokhwaran’s faces flushed bright red.

If you still don’t understand after all this, you’re more animal than human.

“Sister. I…”

“Just listen for now. You have a major task ahead of you, don’t you?”

Her words were right.

Right now, the safety of Hanjung was far more important than personal feelings.

If things went wrong, Hanjung could become a sea of blood.

“I’ll pour all of Sangryeon’s assets into gathering supplies from the surrounding areas. I won’t let the Ten Armies take a single grain of rice. If I don’t do this, who else can?”

Myo-hyang’s words made her nod involuntarily.

After all, fighting wasn’t just about clashing blades.

Perhaps disrupting the enemy’s supply lines could be an even greater contribution.

“I’ll gather the physicians to establish a medical station. Training them in the trauma medicine of the Cheongga Clan beforehand will be immensely helpful.”

When Cheongso-so stepped forward, Jeokhwaran didn’t stay silent either.

“I’ll cover the area near Hanjung with traps. So that every step the demonic bastards take forward will be met with screams.”

“But that requires manpower…”

“Surely you haven’t overlooked that. Lord Gagga, you need only gather the blacksmiths. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Hmph, I suppose I have no choice.”

It seemed I would have to risk my life to protect Hanjung after all.