Chapter 170 Summary (5)

Chapter 170 Summary (5)

Hmph.

Zhi Sha Hong shot Bai Dan Xian a sidelong glance before downing the wine bottle in one gulp.

As if he couldn’t ease his inner turmoil without drinking. Zhi Sha Hong’s Adam’s apple bobbed relentlessly.

Though abstinence was the rule within the temple grounds, Bai Dan Xian pretended not to notice Zhi Sha Hong’s actions.

Not long after, setting the empty bottle down, Jik Sa-heung muttered to himself.

“Why did I do that?”

“……”

Watching Gu Yang-jeok wait silently until he had sorted his thoughts, Jik Sa-heung let out a long sigh.

“It’s hard to believe.”

“But…”

“I said it was hard to believe, not that I couldn’t believe it.”

Ji Sha Hong’s voice dripped with deep exhaustion, and Gu Yang Jie could say no more.

How could he possibly believe that the Martial Alliance, which he had dedicated his entire life to, was connected to the heretical path known as the Eight Palms?

Yet he couldn’t disbelieve it either.

The assassination threats that erupted the moment he left the Martial Alliance had already occurred twice in that brief span.

A ruthless act revealing an unconditional intent to kill.

The thought that it might have been carried out by Nangong Tian, whom he had considered a lifelong friend, tore at his heart.

If he didn’t seek solace in drink now, when would he?

Zhi Sha Hong lowered his head, trying to hide the emotion in his eyes.

“I’ve heard the Unkillable Demon’s physique is typically large and imposing, like that of a high-ranking monk of Shaolin. But the Sword Demon Jiao Gang Tian and the Crow Mask weren’t like that…”

Zhi Sha Hong clenched and unclenched his fist.

A gesture as if grasping a spear shaft. That single action alone gradually cooled Zhi Sha Hong’s heart.

A faint sneer crept onto the corner of his mouth.

“If you were expecting anything from me, I apologize in advance.”

“Expecting? What do you mean?”

Gu Yangjie reflexively caught himself.

As a former high-ranking member of the Martial Alliance, Zhi Sha Hong joining the Huashan Sect alone would have garnered significant approval and legitimacy. That was why Gu Yangjie sensed a flicker of unease in Zhi Sha Hong’s words.

Sure enough, Zhi Sha Hong shook his head slightly and spoke.

“I must investigate this myself.”

“Brother Zhi.”

Gu Yang Jie’s voice carried a hint of worry, causing Zhi Sha Hong to blink briefly.

“I know. To you, it must seem foolish and stupid. I might return as a corpse in less than a week.“

Zhi Sha Hong glanced at his right arm, still numb, and let out a small chuckle.

Though tinged with self-mockery, Gu Yang Jie sensed it wasn’t pessimism. His sharp eyes darted about.

At that moment, Bai Dan Xian, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

”Whenever you give the word, I’ll go to help. “

”No. If you do, you’ll get caught up in unfavorable rumors. Namgung Cheon is skilled at such schemes.”

Zhi Sha Hong flatly refused, clenching his left fist tightly.

From his shoulder blades to the tips of his fingers, muscles honed to a brutally powerful state twitched.

“I’m still saying this guy is useful, aren’t I?”

“…I’ll wait.”

“Heh heh, this is the most reassuring I’ve felt since leaving the Martial Alliance.”

As Jie Sha Hong respectfully clasped his hands together, Bai Dan Xian also took a bow and recited a prayer.

That night, Jie Sha Hong left the Huashan Sect, dragging his severely injured body.

* * *

“He’s gone.”

Gu Yangjie muttered to himself, staring at the empty corner of the room.

He hadn’t expected him to change his mind, but he hadn’t expected him to leave without a single day’s rest either.

Was the betrayal he felt from the Martial Alliance that profound? Or was it wounded pride?

Either way, it was bad news for Gu Yangjie, and more broadly, for the Huashan Sect.

If Zhi Sha Hong were captured and used to distort the Huashan Sect’s long-held claims, it could spiral into the worst possible outcome.

‘Should I have kept him bound?’

Why had he let Zhi Sha Hong go, abandoning the easiest, most comfortable path?

Gu Yang Jie recalled events from his past life one by one, letting out a hollow laugh.

“Bloodhounds… so many have died.”

They say youth is for seeking hardship, but now that he’d returned to a young age, was he voluntarily choosing the path of suffering?

Gu Yangjeok pondered this question to himself before looking up at the clear, cloudless sky.

Spring had already passed, and the warm, embracing air of summer flowed around him.

Gu Yangjeok stood still, closing his eyes.

He recalled several souls who had died without ever fully savoring this very air flowing now.

Zhi Shang, Xue Wenhui, and that child called a fool…

Not one of them had died a just death; all met their ends unintentionally.

Deep wrinkles etched themselves into Gu Yangjie’s jawline. The anger that had boiled up unnoticed made him clench his teeth tightly.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded behind him.

“Brother?”

“……!”

Having already endured multiple attacks, Gu Yangjeok spun around, his body brimming with Zha Jin Qi.

But the moment he saw the person before him, his tension instantly dissolved.

“Ah… it was you, Hoon.”

Jo Hoon, his face ashen, stared back at him, seemingly baffled as to why he was acting this way.

Had it been just half a year ago, he might not have known, but recently, his cultivation had advanced, and his qi perception had sharpened.

He knew how formidable the Zha Jin Qi Gu Yangjeok had gathered in his right palm for just an instant. His voice trembling, he asked.

“Is… is something wrong?”

“No. I’m sorry I startled you.”

Gu Yangji bent his knees and lifted Jo Hoon into his arms.

At that very moment, Gu Yangji thought.

‘Whether it’s Jo Hoon or Cheongpung… no matter how outstanding their talent or swordsmanship, I shouldn’t drag these children into such a war.’

Initially, he’d intended to have them quickly master the Jingxian Sword Technique to bolster his forces, but his thoughts were gradually changing.

It was far too cruel.

Even Yu Jang-myeong, who had passed his youth, struggled with the burden of killing. How could he possibly ask Jo Hun to see blood?

No matter how ruthless the martial world was, he couldn’t resort to using a child’s hands.

When Gu Yangji released his embrace and slowly rose, the pallor on Zhao Hun’s face gradually faded.

After a moment, Zhao Hun’s lips trembled.

“Senior Brother… I too…”

“Don’t entertain such foolish thoughts.”

Gu Yangji ruffled Zhao Hun’s hair and smiled gently.

“Hoon, I never asked you to bear the responsibility of a martial artist from Huashan. So just be yourself. Understand?”

“But…”

“Do my words—no, my request—sound ridiculous to you?”

Gu Yangji’s lips twitched slightly.

“Isn’t it said that simply not being injured is already a blessing?”

“That is true.”

Having listened from somewhere unknown, Yi Hyeon appeared from afar and continued with a resolute expression.

“I understand the regret Master Jo harbors, but each of us has our own place to uphold.”

“…Guh.”

Jo Hoon bit his lower lip and pouted at Yi Hyeon’s words. Yet he did not whine.

Though difficult to accept in his heart, his mind, having witnessed Gu Yangjeok and the Hwasan Sect thus far, came to understand.

That he himself was still a sprout that needed to grow.

Thus, the Hwasan Sect waited, little by little, for the gathering storm clouds.

“What of the remaining assets?”

“How is the preparation progressing?”

“Yee-ah!”

Each held their position, doing what they could, little by little, from their respective posts.

The days of the Huashan Sect grew shorter by the hour.

The martial artists’ drive to improve was steadily rising, and even the maps detailing the terrain around Huashan, their base, were being meticulously studied.

Even the Taoist who studied scriptures in the hall abandoned his seat to assist Song Mu.

Several days later.

The Martial Alliance sent a letter.

-To uphold the righteous principles of the martial world, we shall confront the Demon King of Fire and Blood. All warriors of conviction are urged to join us.

-Wulin Alliance Leader Pang Tianwu

It bore the seal of Pang Tianwu, who had never once stepped forward publicly until now.

Seeing it, Gu Yangjie pondered.

‘Is he a true leader, or merely a hollow name?’

Gu Yangjie’s gaze gradually shifted toward the sky where the sun was rising.

It was time to prepare.

* * *

Despite heading toward the Martial Alliance, his backpack was relatively light.

He wasn’t traveling alone; just as last time, he was setting out with Yu Zhangming, so they had divided the necessary belongings.

Zhao Hun watched and choked back tears, asking if he was being left behind again, but he didn’t try to hold him back.

Having observed life in the Huashan Sect, he had matured early.

After a brief exchange with Yu Zhangming, Gu Yangjie stepped outside the main gate.

“…Huh.”

The crisp dawn breeze swept through his nostrils, washing over his insides.

Though they hadn’t even set off yet, thoughts of what would unfold at the Martial Alliance made his mind feel tangled.

He might face the Black Wind Brigade members again, those he’d only ever seen in passing.

On the surface, the Unkillable Demon God was the mysterious figure who attacked the wounded enemy, Shi Sha Hong, so it was almost certain he would come.

“Are you anxious?”

At those words, Gu Yang Jie turned his head.

Baek Dan Hyun, whose wrinkles had deepened as much as his recent worries, was forcing a smile.

Therefore, Gu Yang Jie smiled deeply.

“It’s not like this is my first time going out. For Huo Guangcheng, it’s practically like taking a stroll now, isn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

Bai Danxian’s gaze shifted to Yu Zhangming.

“This time, don’t get tricked by some quack doctor again…”

“That won’t happen again.”

Yu Zhangming flushed as if embarrassed, and Gwak Unpae, who had been watching warmly, patted his belly and laughed.

Even Song Muk, usually expressionless, let out a chuckle, easing the tense, stiff atmosphere somewhat.

Then Baek Dan-hyeon spoke.

“It’s time to go.”

“Yes, Grandmaster.”

Yu Zhangming raised his hands in a bow, and Gu Yangjie followed suit, showing his respect.

Since they didn’t know what form the Martial Alliance would take, they were essentially leaving their main forces at Huashan and sending the late disciples.

Even though they trusted the two disciples, their hearts weren’t at ease.

Therefore, Baek Dan-hyeon’s face was filled with bitterness.

“Come back safely.”

“Do not worry. I will return alive.”

Gu Yangjie straightened his shoulders, his expression confident.

“We should head down now, Senior Brother.”

“Heh heh, I was about to anyway.”

Before turning away, Yu Zhangming bowed his head once more to Baek Dan-hyeon.

“Head of the Sect… no, Master. I will act as befits a cultivator of the Huashan Sect, so as not to cause you worry.”

“……”

“Therefore, please rest peacefully without losing sleep. Your disciple, Yu Zhangming, guarantees it.”

At those words, Gu Yangjie subtly chimed in.

“I will assist Senior Brother Yu well.”

“……Thank you.”

Baek Dan-hyeon smiled warmly as he saw his two disciples off.

A short while later.

Gu Yang-jeok, having set foot in the capital, probed the surrounding atmosphere.

“Indeed.”

Gu Yang-jeok sensed the tension that had subtly settled in.

It was because the distance between civilians and warriors had grown so wide that his eyes narrowed without his knowing it.

Above all, the gaze of the ever-slack-shouldered imperial guards had grown colder and more somber.

At this point, Yu Zhangming quietly approached and asked.

“Has some incident occurred recently?”

“…It seems the atmosphere has changed considerably since the Martial Alliance’s rampage. The authorities are on their guard too, in their own way.”

“Hmm…”

They were friendly toward the martial artists from Shaanxi’s Huashan or Zhongnan, but not toward those from other regions.

They sold goods at prices over ten percent higher than usual and refused to bargain.

It was an attitude that could even be seen as hostile, yet the merchants acted without hesitation.

‘Indeed… did the imperial troops tolerate this?’

Just as Gu Yangji was observing the increased number of government troops.

“Long time no see, Grand Hero Gu Yang.”

“Ah. Isn’t that Commander Zhang?”

Zhang Yiguo, the commander of Chang’an’s West Gate, flashed a serpentine, faint smile.