Chapter 161 Dark Clouds (1)

Chapter 161 Dark Clouds (1)

Receiving the wine from Gu Yangji, Zhi Sha Hong stared intently at him for a brief moment.

If there was any lingering regret before severing all ties in the martial world and retreating to seclusion, it was undoubtedly the Martial Alliance.

Decades spent traversing the land alongside the Black Wind Brigade were bound up there.

Putting aside his thoughts about the Martial Alliance for a moment, Zhi Sha Hong began in a weak voice.

“The events of these past two years… all stem from the past.”

“The past…?”

Gu Yangji tilted his head in confusion, and Zhi Sha Hong sighed deeply.

“Do you know when the Martial Alliance was founded?”

Gu Yangji nodded lightly.

“I heard it was formed by the righteous sects after the war with the Nine Demon Sect.”

“You know your history well.”

Zhi Sha Hong’s gaze lingered on Mu Yan Chang.

“After the war with the Nine Demon Sect, the Martial Alliance represented the righteous sects to bring order to the chaotic martial world and aid the half-ruined sects.”

“……”

At those words, Gu Yangjie thought of the Taishan Sword Sect. His words didn’t align with the sect’s situation.

But now was the time to listen to Jie Sha Hong.

While Gu Yangjie set aside his concerns momentarily, Jie Sha Hong’s story gradually delved deeper.

“The Black Wind Brigade was the vanguard of that Martial Alliance.”

“To say they were the vanguard means…”

“They eradicated the black-cloaked forces preying on weakened sects after the war, and in exchange for aiding the government in annihilating the northern tribes, they received gold and valuables.”

“It couldn’t have been all good, I suppose.”

At those words, Zhi Sha Hong let out a bitter laugh and gave a small nod.

“That’s right.”

A short word.

It was only three syllables, but Gu Yangji felt deep emotion in it.

Regret, remorse, or perhaps greed…

The youth Jie Sha Hong spoke of was the period immediately after the war with the Nine Demon Sect ended, before the martial world stabilized as it is now.

A chaotic time when any evil deed could be committed without causing much stir.

Even now, the righteous factions are criticized as incompetent. Were they truly righteous back then?

Gu Yangji watched Zhi Sha Hong’s expression sour and fidgeted with his fingers.

“Still, it was because of people like you, Senior Zhi, that the martial world, and the entire martial arts community, found stability, wasn’t it?”

“Well… not everyone would have thought so.”

Click.

Zhi Sha Hong’s thumbnail scraped against his black sword, producing a sharp sound.

“The arm always bends inward. Back then, the Hebei Pang Clan, the Nangong Clan, and the Zhuge Clan, who formed the backbone of the Martial Alliance, were at their peak. In fact, they still dominate Huguang Province and Anhui today.”

“You mean they took sides?”

“Halfway.”

With that, Zhi Sha Hong began to lay bare the Martial Alliance’s transgressions one by one.

That the Martial Alliance, purporting to represent the righteous factions, was actually unified around three major clans, and had secretly absorbed the power once held by the Black Dragon Sect.

The newly formed Black Path factions were only superficially descendants of the Black Dragon Sect. They were effectively half-subjugated by the Martial Alliance.

Here, Zhi Sha Hong recalled his disappointment in Nangong Tian.

“While upholding righteousness in the martial world requires strength, I at least didn’t want to do it by blinding so many people’s eyes like this.”

“……”

“But it was too late. When I finally realized this and looked around, the Black Wind Brigade had long since scattered.”

Gulp, gulp.

As Zhi Sha Hong downed drink after drink, Gu Yang Jie cautiously opened his mouth.

He intended to resolve the question he’d been harboring.

“Do you know anything about the Taishan Sword Sect?”

As he asked this, Gu Yangjie concentrated his Zixia Jinqi into his lower dantian.

Something felt off.

It had been two years and nearly thirty days since Zhi Shang died, yet not only had word of the Taishan Sword Sect not spread, news of his death hadn’t even circulated.

‘It can only mean the Martial Alliance is deliberately covering it up.’

If Zhi Sha Hong was involved here… it meant he was close to the Eight Palms Sect.

A battle would be inevitable.

As Gu Yangji wrapped himself in the Zixia True Qi, Zhi Sha Hong also revealed a smile tinged with tension.

“A foolish question.”

“…?”

“Wasn’t the Taishan Sword Sect our comrade-in-arms during the war against the Old Demon Sect? I hear they’re sealed off now, living in seclusion. Has something happened?”

His expression showed surprise that the Taishan Sword Sect had even come up in Gu Yangji’s words.

He scrutinized Zhi Sha Hong’s expression, wondering if it was an act, but it didn’t seem so.

‘It must be Nangong Tian after all.’

Whether he was the mastermind himself or lurking somewhere nearby.

The fact that the Eight Palms were looming over the Martial Alliance was almost certain.

At that moment, Zhi Sha Hong voiced his confusion.

“So, why did you ask about the Taishan Sword Sect?”

At those words, Gu Yang Jie shook his head.

“The Sect Leader asked me to inquire.”

“But why are you using the true energy…?”

“It’s part of my training.”

Even as Zhi Sha Hong gave him a strange look, Gu Yang Jie had no intention of revealing more.

He hadn’t even met Zhi Sha Hong that many times to begin with, and there was no guarantee the man wouldn’t blab.

In short, he appreciated the information, but sharing it was difficult.

If he trusted him and then Jie Sha Hong went running to tell Namgoong Cheon, that would be a major setback.

‘I do feel a bit guilty after hearing all that.’

When Gu Yangji changed the subject, Jie Sha Hong briefly wore an expression of disbelief before quickly composing himself.

Zhi Sha Hong had come to his own realization.

The Taishan Sword Sect wasn’t sealing off the mountain as he’d thought, but had fallen into some kind of dire situation.

‘So it’s connected to the Martial Alliance, to the point they’re extremely wary of me…’

Zhi Sha Hong stared at the expressionless Gu Yang Jie, lost in thought.

‘Trusting only my friend’s words, I’ve become a fool without even noticing.’

He had lived too long with eyes closed and ears plugged, and this was the result.

A sigh tinged with regret escaped his chest. Mixed with the cool late spring air, it rose as white vapor.

Zhi Sha Hong fingered his silent spear before speaking.

“The night is deep. I shall head down soon.”

“The road is so dark. Wouldn’t it be better to leave after dawn?”

At those words, Zhi Sha Hong shook his head softly.

“No. If I linger too long at Huashan Sect, it will only invite unfavorable rumors.”

Indeed, he wasn’t wrong.

The longer Zhi Sha Hong stayed at Huashan Sect, the more unfavorably the Martial Alliance would view it.

When Gu Yangji silently agreed, Zhi Sha Hong rose from his seat.

“Was I of any help?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Great Hero Zhi, I’ve cleared up many doubts.”

“Is that so? Heh heh, thank you.”

Just as Zhi Sha Hong turned his back to leave.

Gu Yangji secretly pulled out some Wanlixiang flower pollen from Zhi Sha Hong’s robe hem and flicked it out with his finger.

Pop.

The pollen, flicked by Tan Zhi Gong’s technique, immediately seeped into Zhi Sha Hong’s collar.

The usual Zhi Sha Hong would have noticed it instantly, but his senses seemed dulled by his heightened emotions.

‘I must inform Tie Feng Gai before the scent fades.’

Gu Yangji stared in the direction Zhi Sha Hong had vanished, his expression hardening.

By tracking Zhi Sha Hong’s path, he would surely discover who the Palm Master was, lurking within the Martial Alliance.

* * *

Two hours later.

Gu Yangji confirmed the sky had plunged completely into darkness.

After sending a message to Tie Fenggai, something suddenly occurred to him.

‘If it’s Palma, he’ll try to eliminate Zhi Sha Hong at any moment.’

Not only had he participated in the war against the Nine Demon Sect, likely part of Palma’s scheme, but he also held a high-ranking position within the Martial Alliance for decades.

Moreover, possessing both formidable martial arts and great renown, Zhi Sha Hong was precisely the kind of person who would become a thorn in one’s side once he became an enemy.

‘It’s best for me to stay close until the Iron Wind Dog begins the pursuit.’

Thwack!

Gu Yangjie unleashed the Moon-Crossing Shadow Step, leaping over the valley and swiftly traversing the flatland.

Hua Shan had long since descended, seemingly heading towards Mount Tai.

After running for half an hour, he arrived at a reed field.

A thick, pungent blood scent assaulted his nostrils.

“……!”

Gu Yangji immediately drew his sword, his senses alert to his surroundings.

A white robe glimpsed through the reeds felt ominous.

The characters visible for an instant read ‘Black Crow’.

It was undoubtedly those men he’d faced before Jianxian Cave.

‘Could the Unkillable Demon be here too?’

At that moment, a strike that shattered that thought flew through the reeds.

Sssss!

It was a dart no longer than two finger joints, but its surface was coated in yellow dye, making it nearly indistinguishable from the reeds.

‘They were lying in wait here all along!’

They surely hadn’t expected him to follow, so this was undoubtedly a deadly trap aimed at his vital points.

Gu Yangji spun his sword halfway, flinging all the hidden weapons away.

He followed up by stomping down on the ground with all his might.

Thud!

The powerful inner energy contained within the strike created a whirlwind that swept the surroundings.

The reeds were simultaneously pushed backward, causing the ground to tremble. The white-robed figure could only withstand it with martial arts strength as heavy as a thousand-pound weight.

“Guhhh…!”

“There you are!”

Gu Yangjie lightly swung his sword.

Swoosh!

In a single second, all the reeds between Gu Yangjie and the white-robed figure were severed.

The distance was roughly ten to twenty paces.

A distance easily covered in an instant with lightness skills. For a master like Gu Yangjie, it was practically close range.

The white-robed figure cried out in shock.

“What are you doing! Not blocking!”

“…Yes!”

The reply came with a slight delay, indicating the distance was considerable.

Simultaneously, figures in black robes burst forth from between the trees.

It was but an instant, yet the fluttering robes darkened the view. Gu Yangji estimated their number at roughly fifty.

The white-robed figure’s skill was also formidable, so this wouldn’t be an easy fight.

That is, if this had been two years ago.

Gu Yangji assumed a firm stance and exhaled a long breath.

The Zixia energy pulsing in his lower dantian instantly surged through his entire body, settling in his heart meridian.

Anyone who had cultivated internal energy knew what this signified.

The white-robed figure let out a startled cry.

“To master the Great Circulation Realm at such a young age!”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”

Gu Yangjie smiled faintly, watching the white-robed man’s stunned face.

He stepped forward and swung his sword.

Swoosh!

The black-robed man, standing dazed, was sliced diagonally and fell to the side.

Blood gushed out, staining the reed field crimson and stirring the other robes nearby into excitement.

Gu Yangji strolled through the reed field, continuing to swing his sword.

Simple swordplay, devoid of any special techniques or moves.

Yet, despite that, the black-robed figures were swept away without any resistance.

“I’ve never heard such a thing…!”

“Do you know me?”

At those words, the white-robed figure clamped his mouth shut. He bit his lip tightly, as if he’d uttered something he shouldn’t have.

Seeing this, Gu Yangjeok felt a small sense of relief.

‘There’s no way Jisahong would die at the hands of scum like these.’

The sword in Gu Yang-jeok’s hand flashed in the moonlight.

Even when the black-robed figures tried to counterattack, using their numbers to their advantage, the result was always the same.

Swoosh!

With each strike of the sword, a black-robed figure fell, and the reeds were repeatedly cut.

Even if they tried to strike back, Gu Yang-jeok’s mastery wouldn’t allow it.

“Gah!”

“Guh!”

As more black-robed figures fell, the reed field grew increasingly crimson, while the white-robed figure’s face turned deathly pale with terror.

Finally, when Gu Yangji approached, he pointed elsewhere with his finger.

“There… over there.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Gu Yangji swung his sword, slicing through the white-robed figure.

Once he deemed someone an enemy, Gu Yangji knew no mercy.