Chapter 79

The Eight Swords were driven into the ground up to their shoulders.

It was impossible to tell at first glance whether he was unconscious or dead. Danwooseong pulled out the body of the Eight-Sword, then leapt up, head in hand, to retrieve the Demon Sword first.

He planned to return to the Taeho Trading Company first, explain the situation, and then borrow a ship.

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Dan Wooseong was navigating the current in a small boat borrowed from Taeho Trading Company, heading toward the river’s center.

Inside the small boat lay Palgeom, bound and restrained, while a folded magic sword lay on one side.

The demonic cultivator belonging to the Twelve Demon Swords had remained unconscious since falling from the building, but the problem was that his physical robustness remained intact.

Therefore, Danwooseong intended to perform a water burial on this demon. In the case of the Twelve Demon Swords he had killed earlier, they had expelled black qi from their mouths before their physical robustness vanished.

This meant the Eight Swords were still alive.

It was possible that demonic arts had prolonged its life, so Dan Wooseong intended to continue finding a way to break the Sword Immunity.

He was more conscious of the Sword Demon than these subordinates.

At this very moment, he was not a martial artist, but a researcher of demonic arts.

Danwooseong threw the eight-bladed sword into Taeho Lake. With a splash, the rope binding the sword sank beneath the water.

The eight swords sank like bait on a fishing rod, slackening as they descended to the lake bottom. If he regained consciousness, he would awaken underwater.

Dan Wooseong lay sprawled on the small boat, one hand gripping the end of the rope, watching the night sky while keeping time in mind.

‘How long can it hold?’

If martial arts were truly so formidable as to disregard breathing, the world would have long since become a realm of demonic arts.

He didn’t think that was possible.

The Eight Swords drifted in the water…

The small boat Dan Wooseong was riding in drifted slowly across Lake Taeho. Dan Wooseong gazed at the night sky for a long while, then closed his eyes, the rope wrapped around his wrist.

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The rope began to move, then soon became violent beneath the water.

This happened a full half-hour (about 1 hour) later.

Danwooseong sighed from the deck.

“This is utterly ridiculous.”

It was something he didn’t particularly want to understand. The Twelve Demon Swords had all mastered the demonic art of Wutu Yanshi Gong (無吐沿屍功), which allowed them to suppress their breathing and presence entirely, feigning death.

‘Impressive.’

Danwooseong realized he was fighting far more terrifying opponents than he had ever imagined.

But in the end, the eight swords never surfaced. They had been tightly bound during the capture, preventing any movement.

As the Muto-Yeonsigong shattered and even his breath ceased completely moments later, the taut rope slackened once more.

When Dan Woo-sung lifted the now-lightened rope, a body rose up, as if the wind had been let out of it.

And so, another monster died.

Danwooseong stared at the demon sword. He intended to cast this ominous blade into the water as well. He carefully grasped the hilt and examined the blade closely.

Even its color was ominous.

Gray and black swirled together, densely packed with unrecognizable patterns.

The moment Dan Woo-sung thought the patterns resembled human forms, a ghostly wail erupted from the demon sword, and a black aura surged into the air. The aura, gathered in a circular mass, violently shot upward before scattering in all directions.

The wailing was so loud and terrifying it seemed to envelop the entire lake.

Danwooseong sighed and discarded the demon sword into the lake.

Plop-

Moments later, the sound of water parting came from the right side of Dan Woo-seong’s small boat, and a large ship suddenly appeared.

If it continued approaching like this, the small boat would be smashed to pieces.

Dan Wooseong stood up and crossed his arms, gazing at the ship.

A woman in white robes stood on the deck, looking down at Dan Wooseong. Unusually, her robes were embroidered with a dragon pattern stitched in white thread, and her face was veiled in white gauze.

‘White Dragon Gate?’

The woman asked Dan Woosung.

“I thought I heard the sound of a ghostly cry coming from this direction just now.”

Danwooseong deduced the sect from the woman’s attire. It was the White Dragon Sect, an all-female sect whose leader constantly vied with the head of the Ami Sect for the title of the greatest female martial artist.

Though part of the White Path, they are not a faction that actively intervenes in martial world affairs.

Their last appearance was just once during the Five Tombs War.

Before and after that, the sect had no traceable activities whatsoever, making it a faction that could reasonably be called a mysterious force.

Thanks to his rich experience from his past life, Dan Woo-sung could easily distinguish friend from foe.

Since the opponent was the White Dragon Sect, Dan Woo-seong explained the situation honestly.

“After I killed the demon who wielded the Demon Sword, the Wailing of the Ghost Valley flowed out from the sword.”

“Ah…”

The woman said with a startled expression.

“What of the cursed sword?”

“I discarded it in the lake.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment.”

The woman disappeared from the bow. A moment later, she returned holding a rope and asked Danwooseong.

“The Master wishes to see you. If it’s acceptable, would you come aboard?”

“I shall.”

As Danwooseong replied, the woman leaped lightly onto the small boat and tied the rope to the seat area of the boat’s stern.

“Let’s go.”

Then, Dan Wooseong and the woman simultaneously leapt up and landed on the deck of the Baekryongmun’s ship.

The women of the White Dragon Sect waiting in the hold all had their faces covered with veils. Only then did a woman in her mid-thirties, dressed in white, emerge from the central chamber prepared within the hold, parting the curtains as she walked out.

She appeared to be the White Dragon Gate Master. Only the Gate Master herself did not wear a veil, and her strikingly beautiful appearance, defying her age, was impressive.

She wore a cheerful expression.

The White Dragon Sect was a sect that did not marry, much like Buddhist sects or nuns. That said, they did not actively forbid marriage. It was more a matter of leaving the sect. It was precisely the White Dragon Sect that was this unique force, accepting only orphaned girls as disciples and raising them.

The White Dragon Sect’s leader, Zhou Yanyue, gestured to Dan Wuxing and said,

“Come in. Your good looks are causing trouble. Your presence among the young disciples is distracting them from their training.”

Dan Woosung cleared his throat and followed the White Dragon Sect Leader into the central hall. He knew it was a joke, but he didn’t really have a response.

Zhou Yanyue pointed to the table, and Dan Wuxing sat down. Zhou Yanyue also took a seat and spoke.

“You slew the Demon Sword?”

Dan Woosung nodded.

“Yes. What brings the White Dragon Sect here?”

Zhu Yueyue tilted her head, looking at Dan Wuxing.

“How did you know? You’re so young.”

“I’ve heard about their attire and distinguishing features.”

Juyewol said lightly, taking a bow.

“I am Zhu Yueyue, leader of the White Dragon Sect. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with a young man, so please forgive me if I ramble.”

Juyueul smiled, and the sight was truly charming.

“Understood.”

She was a woman of great spirit and refreshing candor.

Danwoo Seong introduced himself, explained the affairs of Taeho Trading Company, and then detailed the circumstances that led to the killing of the Demon Sword. Since they were a righteous faction, there was a need to explain things politely.

Zhu Yueyue nodded repeatedly.

“Young hero, thank you.”

“What exactly are you thanking me for…?”

Zhu Yueyue called out to the outside.

“…Bring that ominous thing over here.”

“Yes, Master.”

A moment later, one of the disciples returned carrying a black sword wrapped in white cloth.

Juyewol said.

“At first, I thought he was just a lustful demon in heat, but I was shocked when I fought him. He wouldn’t die. I brought my disciples to Taeho and had him executed. Only after he died did the demon sword unleash a wave of ghostly cries.”

Danwooseong’s eyes widened.

It seemed the White Dragon Sect had reduced the number of the Twelve Demon Swords.

Zhu Yueyue said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“We waterboarded him a bit before killing him. He had no name. They said he was called Eleven. Regardless of his formidable martial arts, he feared water from the start. Seems they’re human after all.”

“How did you subdue him?”

“The disciples struggled, so I had to put in some effort.”

Dan Wooseong nodded. Since it was a sect vying for the title of the strongest in the women’s martial arts world, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the leader of the White Dragon Sect to take down the Twelfth, who ranked near the bottom among the Twelve Demon Swords.

Moreover, the White Dragon Sect wasn’t a sword-wielding sect. It was one of the rare sects in the martial world that specialized solely in whips. He imagined dozens of whips flying out, immobilizing the demonic cultivator, before the White Dragon Sect leader stepped forward. In any case, the White Dragon Sect’s appearance signaled that demonic cultivation activities had become even more active.

Zhu Yue asked.

“Then does that mean the Taihu Merchant Guild matter is completely resolved?”

“That’s right. How did Lord Moon come to be here…?”

“You ask if I captured the Demon Sword? It’s because of the Alliance Leader. Leader Yu Jeonghong personally entrusted me to my master. Both my parents were members of the Martial Alliance, but they perished in the Five Tombs War. The Leader is like a grandfather to me. I heard he was fighting the demonic forces again, so I was on my way to see him after so long. His enemies are my enemies too.”

Dan Woo-sung looked at Ju Yeon-wol.

Somehow, the slain left-hand man came to mind.

During their exchange, he’d learned that Zuo Si had also lost his parents in the Five Ridges War. So, another victim of that war was here too.

Though both were orphans, one grew up in the White Path while the other grew up in the Dark Path. He thought that if wars kept repeating, such things would go on endlessly.

Danwooseong said to Juyeonwol.

“Please convey my regards to the Alliance Leader. The junior members of the Galaxy Trading Guild are also living diligently.”

“Ah, does the Alliance Leader know you?”

“Yes, from the Phoenix Grand Banquet.”

Juyewol asked.

“You participated? Did you win?”

“Yes.”

Zhu Yanyue clapped her hands and laughed before asking.

“Would you perhaps like to come with me? To the Martial Alliance.”

Dan Wooseong, who had been pondering with his arms crossed, shook his head.

No. Tell the Lord this: I killed two men from the Sword of the Unbroken. And I also killed the man who claimed the title of Left General. They seem to be another demonic faction. Judging from recent events, the Demon Cult isn’t preparing for all-out war. Instead, they’re scattered, gathering funds or carrying out assassinations. I’ve heard the Green Forest King is dead too. A full-scale war like the Five Tombs War probably won’t happen immediately. This time, the Demon Cult will likely commit massacres in various regions or lie in wait before ambushing martial arts sects. Therefore, gathering everyone at the Martial Alliance headquarters is not an appropriate response.”

Juyun-wol nodded.

“That’s important information. I’ll relay it to the leader.”

“Of course, if full-scale war breaks out, I’ll be there too.”

Juyueyue gazed intently at Danwuseong before saying this.

“Understood. Young hero, might you tell me where the Saman is?”

“The Oryo Sect.”

“And the King of Power?”

Dan Wooseong shook his head as if reluctant to speak, and Joo Yeonwol realized the situation.

‘The King of Fist… Hmm.’

Zhu Yueyue said.

“He must be deeply grieved. My condolences.”

For a moment, the two sat in silence. Juyewol was deep in thought. Of course, she had roughly gauged Danwooseong’s martial prowess. She also recalled the martial arts of the Oryo Gate.

‘Was it the Thunder Qi? As an extreme yang martial art, it must have clear limitations without a qi connection.’

After pondering, Zhu Yueyue spoke to Dan Wuxing.

“I’d like to introduce you to a senior martial artist. What do you think? You don’t have to meet them right away. I plan to pay my respects after meeting the Alliance Leader myself. For now, just know they’re someone I’m very close with. They’re not someone easy to befriend… I can only arrange the introduction. You might get turned away at the door the moment you arrive.”

Zhu Yueyue smiled.

Juyue thought that if Danwuseong had killed two Twelve Demon Swords at such a young age, he must be a rare talent in the martial world. In an era when demonic ways ran rampant, she believed the entire righteous faction should nurture such a master. The White Dragon Sect was a faction only open to orphans, and its philosophy centered on caring for those without a place to turn.

Though he refrained from flaunting his power in the martial world, Zhu Yueyue continued to travel far and wide across the realm even after becoming the White Dragon Sect’s leader.

Dan Wooseong didn’t have high expectations. After all, most of the martial arts masters in the world already knew Dan Wooseong. However, he couldn’t guess who the master Juyunwol was introducing might be.

Dan Woo-seong asked.

“Which senior master is it?”

Zhu Yueyue gave a sly smile and said.

“The King of Narrow-Mindedness, the God of Stubbornness, the Master of Forced Arguments.”

Dan Woo-seong nodded.

“So you know the Mad God.”

“Yes.”

The Mad God was one of the Three Gods and also the pinnacle of the White Path.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong