Chapter 96

As the Western Wind Caravan set out again, Dan Wuseong mounted his horse and took the lead. Though three days remained until the Martial Alliance, no significant incidents occurred. Aside from Cheol Myeongho continuing to wield his Heaven-Shattering Spear from the rear and running errands for Gwangshin, it was a quiet journey.

From atop his horse, Dan Wooseong recalled the remaining adversaries in the White Path…

Suddenly, as if some premonition had awakened within him, a thought struck him. He sensed that if the Western Wind Caravan’s procession to the Martial Alliance remained safe until the end, the calamity would likely unfold at the Emperor’s Assembly.

It didn’t seem likely that the Mado would go to such lengths to target the Murong or Seo families.

If he were to target anyone, it could only be the heir apparent of the Nangong family.

If that were to happen, could the disciple handle it?

Dan Woo-sung recalled the Twelve Demon Swords and the two leaders he had fought in his past life, and mentally substituted the disciple for himself.

The apprentice would also be doomed to defeat.

Even if he could fight longer than the Sword King, the outcome would be the same.

Especially since the apprentice, unlike the Sword Master, wasn’t the type to flee. Danwooseong sensed he would have been cut down by the Sword of the Immortal and died right there.

While Dan Wooseong was making these imaginings and predictions, the disciple was already dead. The reason Dan Wooseong could accurately predict the situation was because he understood his enemies and knew the nature of the masters in the martial world.

And as long as the Three Gods stood firm, he knew these demonic cultivators would continue to move strategically.

In truth, the schemes of the Dark Path were a treacherous and arduous battle for the White Path.

While he worried about the Emperor’s Association and the Daoist Master, Dan Woosung was in a position where he could neither offer advice nor issue warnings.

After Danwooseong remained silent for quite some time…

The fanatic inside the carriage asked.

“What are you thinking about so intently, Minister?”

Danwooseong replied.

“Seeing how leisurely the journey is, I suddenly thought of my senior apprentice.”

Kwang-shin said.

“We couldn’t save everyone at the Five Tombs Battle either. It would be better if the blades were turned against us, but seeing how quiet it is, it seems you were right—they’ve turned toward the Imperial Council. It can’t be helped.”

“Yes.”

Dan Woo-seong suddenly glanced at Cheol Myeong-ho, who was following behind Pyo Haeng, wielding the Fang Heaven Flower Spear at the very rear. He then quietly asked Gwang-shin.

“How powerful was the Sun-Moon Demon back then that all three senior immortals had to step in to confront it?”

A moment of silence followed before Gwangshin answered.

“It wasn’t that the Three Sins wanted to face him alone. Jeonghong, the Sword Master, the Taoist Master, the White Dragon Sect Leader, the Seo Family Head, the Murong Family Head—they were all too weak to join the fight. That was my impression. He was so strong, it felt like Baek Moo-jin had come back to life.”

Gwang-shin added to his explanation.

In the demonic arts, we have our own measure of strength. You could call it a hierarchy. Among ourselves, we rank the masters of the demonic arts to display their power. That’s likely when the Sun-Moon Demon Lord emerged. He appeared because he judged he could go out into the martial world and establish a Demon Realm. Judging by the hierarchy, that is. This time is no different. There’s no telling when he’ll step into the forefront.”

Danwooseong felt a bit stifled inside.

Then, Gwangshin spoke in a soothing tone to Danwooseong.

“When fighting against the Demon Path, it’s impossible to save everyone. It all comes down to who wins in the end, so don’t be anxious. Yi-je, keep this in mind. You just need to keep growing stronger. There’s the Martial Alliance, the Emperor’s Council, and the veterans who participated in the Five Tombs War are still alive.”

Dan Woo-sung replied while keeping his eyes fixed on the front.

“Understood.”

Kwang-shin spoke.

“When I get to the Martial Alliance, I’ll have to give the leader a piece of my mind. How can he call himself the leader of the Martial Alliance with such a shoddy intelligence organization?”

Dan Woosung gave a hollow smile at the mention of reprimanding Leader Yoo Jeonghong. It was a remark only Gwangshin could make.

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“No, what on earth is going on here?”

The middle-aged man exclaimed in exaggerated surprise. While countless others waited with cold expressions, he alone made a scene. His appearance was unattractive and unremarkable, his frame thin and bony, yet his stature towered far above the others. His face was deeply wrinkled, making it impossible to tell whether he was smiling or angry.

The tone of this middle-aged man, who possessed no dignity whatsoever, was somewhat excited. This very man was the Palace Master of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace, a figure who should command the respect of all the horses.

The Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace looked at the Sword Demon and the Heavenly Demon, who had visited the palace after a long absence.

The Sword Demon wore an eye patch, while the Heavenly Demon surveyed his surroundings with the same unhurried expression he always had.

The Celestial Demon spoke to the Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demons, who was like a father to him.

“……The Sword Demon’s eyes were taken by the apprentice. Though I lost all the Sword Demon’s subordinates, I fortunately killed the apprentice.”

The Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demons struck the table with his hand and opened his mouth wide.

“Ah, well done. Excellent! You managed it. The Daoist of the White Path… So that’s how it was.”

Cheonma said.

“It seems we must teach the Heavenly Sword Lotus Master a demonic art to replace his eye. Please consider the recent troubles settled by the death of the disciple.”

The Lord of Ten Thousand Horses Palace replied as if it were no trouble at all.

“Don’t worry about that. And even in the White Path, there are often masters who use the Mind’s Eye. I’ll have them search every corner of the Ten Thousand Demons Library to find demonic arts comparable to the Mind’s Eye and teach them to the Grandmasters. Don’t worry.”

The Palace Master of Ten Thousand Demons barked at the Young Palace Master, who was stroking a white cat.

“Young Palace Master!”

The Young Palace Master replied with a reluctant expression.

“Yes.”

“You will personally guide them. They are honored guests. Since they have made the effort to visit, ensure they are well attended to and receive no slight.”

The Young Palace Master replied.

“Understood. The two masters, please come with me.”

As the Young Palace Master extended her hand as if to personally guide them, the Heavenly Demon supported the Sword Demon and followed the Young Palace Master.

Once the Heavenly Demon and Sword Demon had vanished, the Palace Master of Ten Thousand Demons resumed her seat. The heads of the Demon Cult families, lined up on either side and waiting, each spoke up.

“Why are you accepting those madmen?”

“Just kill them all right here. I fear future trouble.”

A young man retorted.

“Why kill them needlessly? Just give them the Ten Thousand Poison Pills. They won’t be able to run wild recklessly anymore.”

The lords’ complaints were loud and clear. This was because the Sword Demon and the Heavenly Demon had been acting on their own, free from the control of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace. As each lord voiced their grievances, the Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

“Now, now, everyone. If I don’t take them in, where would those poor souls go?”

“Why are you so lenient? You witnessed the tyranny of the previous Sun-Moon Heavenly Demon yourself.”

A man in his thirties, clad in a blood-red robe, continued the conversation.

“Do you think the descendant of the Sun-Moon Heavenly Horse would ever serve under anyone else? No matter how well you treat him, he’ll break free and run wild like his father. You’d only summon the Three Spirits again to be torn to pieces. Isn’t that right, Palace Lord?”

The Palace Mistress of Ten Thousand Horses replied with an awkward laugh.

“Is the descendant of the Blood God one to serve under others? The Ten Thousand Demons Palace is not an organization above you. We only hold the position to help whenever you face hardship. Please do not speak so harshly. What if the Ten Thousand Horses Palace makes the Demon Path its enemy? I understand the heads’ feelings, but I cannot do that. Let us think kindly. Still, is it not pitiful that they have returned? The Ten Thousand Horses Palace is the last bastion. I am content with fulfilling that role alone.”

As the Demon Palace Master let out another hearty laugh, the heads of the demonic arts clans sighed.

He was nothing more than the heir to the Ten Thousand Horses Palace, utterly lacking in any semblance of dignity. The Lord of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace said.

“Don’t worry. Rest.”

As the clan heads departed with displeased expressions, the Lord of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace also addressed the remaining subordinates of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace.

“You too, withdraw.”

“Yes.”

After the Palace Lord waited a moment, Cheonma, who had taken Geomma to the Manmagung physician and returned, entered the Palace Lord’s chamber alone.

The two glared at each other before each offered a smile.

The Heavenly Demon asked.

“How have you been, Father?”

“Well, I’ve been getting by.”

The atmosphere and demeanor of the Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Horses had completely changed. As the Heavenly Demon surveyed the Palace Lord’s chambers during his first visit in a long time, the Palace Lord asked in a tone entirely different from his earlier words.

“You managed to bring him back alive. Why didn’t you kill him?”

“Why speak of killing or not killing the moment you see him? Father-in-law.”

The Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demons inquired.

“If I absorb the Sword Demon, will I be able to handle the Three Gods?”

Cheonma replied.

“It would be difficult.”

“Why? You killed the disciple too. If not you, then the Sword Demon would have absorbed it, wouldn’t it?”

“The disciple realized and killed himself.”

The Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demons asked indifferently.

“So you’ve returned to the Ten Thousand Horses Palace? To pick fights with the masters and absorb a few more? Or to offer up my life?”

Cheonma retorted.

“Why do you spend your life speaking words so contrary to your true feelings? Father, live honestly. At least in front of me, you can be yourself.”

Cheonma suddenly climbed the stairs and approached the Manmagung Master, who sat alone on the throne.

Cheonma scrutinized the Palace Lord’s face from every angle and asked.

“Father, I still sense no prayer. Are you concealing your power? Or are you vastly superior to me? Or is it because the Ten Thousand Demons’ Palace still overflows with demonic arts unknown to me?”

How could this be a conversation between a stepfather and his adopted son?

It was no different from a conversation between enemies.

The Horse Palace Lord chuckled and said,

“Well then. Stop standing there so menacingly and come down.”

Cheonma glared at the Queen of Ten Thousand Horses before descending the stairs once more.

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Yu Jeong-hong, leader of the Martial Alliance, lost his composure while reading the letter brought by the Imperial Council’s messenger and bellowed at the messenger.

“While the Grand Master was reduced to this, what were the rest of you fools doing?”

The messenger replied in a shrinking voice.

“I have no words to offer.”

Yoo Jeong-hong looked at the messenger. This wasn’t a matter to get angry at a subordinate over. Yoo Jeong-hong sighed.

“No, why did that apprentice fight back instead of fleeing? He’s not the greatest under heaven. What about the funeral?”

“It’s being held, but Lord Namgung Tae has declined condolences from the Alliance Leader or the Martial Arts Alliance. He stated it wasn’t an emotional refusal, but rather a concern for the Alliance Leader’s safety since the Demon Sect has appeared. Furthermore, the Imperial Association will actively cooperate in any future Demon Sect appearances, whether it be a full-scale war or smaller-scale operations.”

Yoo Jeong-hong replied curtly.

“Understood. Conduct the funeral properly. Tell them to guard the place well. The Martial Alliance will handle the honors for the disciple separately.”

The messenger bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

After the messenger departed, Yoo Jeong-hong remained alone, his thoughts turning to the disciple. The news that the man with whom he had shared a strained relationship for decades had passed away first left him with a heavy heart.

As Yu Jeong-hong gazed blankly at the view of the Martial Arts Alliance spread out beyond the window, a subordinate reported.

“The young master of the Eunha Trading Guild and the individual claiming to be your senior have arrived together. May we usher them in?”

Yoo Jeong-hong tilted his head and replied.

“Show them in.”

As Yoo Jeong-hong turned away, Dan Woo-seong and Gwang-shin entered the Myeongju’s office. Dan Woo-seong bowed respectfully, while Gwang-shin smiled and said,

“Leader.”

Only after hearing their voices did Yoo Jeong-hong respond.

“Senior, what brings you here? Please sit down.”

Noticing a shadow fall across Yoo Jeong-hong’s face despite his welcome expression, Gwang-shin inquired.

“What’s the matter? I heard messengers rushing back and forth.”

After the three had taken their seats, Yoo Jeong-hong spoke.

“The apprentice has been attacked. Five swordsmen clad in black robes wielding black blades were killed. Some appear to have fled after being wounded by the apprentice. However, the letter stated that the apprentice himself seems to have taken his own life.”

Kwang-shin nodded, then looked at Dan Woo-seong. They had discussed the apprentice on the way here, but hearing news of him immediately upon arriving at the Martial Arts Alliance was nothing short of absurd.

Dan Woosung spoke.

“With five Black Swords, they would have all been invulnerable to blades. He likely took his own life after confirming the demonic arts side possessed martial arts capable of absorbing internal energy.”

Yu Jeong-hong and Gwang-sin nodded at Dan Woo-seong’s words.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong