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chapter 54
A few days after the demons attacked the Hyeongsan Sect, people came to Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor.
“Is it true? Did the Hyeongsan Sect also come under attack by demons?”
Elder Bi Yeongeom of Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor asked.
The sect leader, Wang Seok-ji, narrowed his eyes. The phrase “Hyeongsan Sect also” implied that not only Hyeongsan, but other places had been attacked by the demons as well.
“It is said that Shinchangyi Sect, Noksu Gate, and Yagwang Sect were all attacked by demons.”
Other elders, including Wang Seok-ji, looked somewhat surprised.
“So the demons have started acting in earnest?”
“That, we are not certain. On the way here, I heard that although there were damages, all of them managed to repel the demons.”
“That is indeed fortunate. Were the damages severe?”
“I cannot say for sure, Sect Leader!”
“To think that the demon outbreak… a sign that bloodshed will sweep through the peaceful martial world again…”
“But, Sect Leader…”
Elder Song Guk-il, the head elder of Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor, was the only one from outside the sect.
“Speak freely.”
“Where is he now?”
Wang Seok-ji knew exactly whom Song Guk-il was referring to.
“He is currently staying at Jigaek Hall, Elder Song!”
Song Guk-il’s eyes narrowed at the phrasing “staying” rather than “imprisoned,” and he asked cautiously:
“Did he say anything absurd?”
“Absurd?”
“I mean the nonsense that the second young master of our sect, Hyeon Jin-myeong, learned demonic arts.”
“Yes, he said it. After killing the warriors of Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor, he told Elder Sohak-seon of our sect, and then he even came up to our sect and said it to me and other elders. But it was such a ridiculous claim that I did not believe it.”
Wang Seok-ji observed Song Guk-il’s expression.
If Geomryeong wasn’t a disciple of Jeonmo Yak-bing, he wouldn’t have believed a word in the first place.
Seeing Song Guk-il’s gaze and expression, Wang Seok-ji felt uneasy.
From his slightly trembling eyes, subtle changes in expression, and the fist he unconsciously clenched, Wang Seok-ji sensed that there was some truth to Geomryeong’s words.
However, bringing up the story of the already-deceased Hyeon Jin-myeong and exposing the vulnerability of Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor wouldn’t be wise, so it was better to let it be.
“Of course, there’s no way the second young master of our sect would learn demonic arts. But you say he is staying at Jigaek Hall?”
Given that fifty people had been harmed, such a reaction was natural for Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor.
“Well…”
As always, it was a difficult position to be in.
One person was a disciple of Jeonmo Yak-bing, the top master of the orthodox sect fifty years ago, and the other was a representative of Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor, one of Guangdong Province’s major sects. Wang Seok-ji couldn’t act freely in this situation.
‘If only my master hadn’t ordered me not to reveal Geomryeong Gongja’s origin…’
If Geomryeong’s identity had been disclosed, Wang Seok-ji wouldn’t have been in such a predicament.
“They tried to kill him first at Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor, so they also took action. The right and wrong can be judged when we meet, can’t it?”
This was all Wang Seok-ji could say.
Song Guk-il didn’t look very pleased. He naturally glanced at Cheol-song and Hak-jeong, elders with connections to their sect.
He was silently asking for help, but the two could do nothing either.
Since Gun Il-san, the Grandmaster of Hyeongsan Sect, had taken an interest in him, there was nothing they could do for the time being.
Song Guk-il wanted to shout immediately, but he could not. After all, this wasn’t Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor—it was Hyeongsan Sect.
“Even if we judge right and wrong later, he still took fifty lives, didn’t he?”
“I agree. That is why I have restrained them at Hyeongsan. Let’s rest for today and meet tomorrow to discuss matters together.”
He wanted to avoid such situations quickly.
Song Guk-il also realized he couldn’t get more help from Wang Seok-ji, so it was better to seek assistance from the two elders connected to Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor.
“Understood. We will proceed that way, Sect Leader!”
“I don’t see why I should duel you.”
A woman who looked barely over twenty faced Geomryeong.
She was not particularly beautiful, nor was she unattractive. She had an ordinary face and figure.
“Gun Il-san said I must duel you and win before he allows me to duel him. So I must duel you.”
Geomryeong gave a dumbfounded expression and replied bluntly:
“I refuse.”
“Why do you refuse?”
“Isn’t it a meaningless duel? And why do you want to duel, Seo Gun-ha?”
“To prove myself.”
Even though he was considered a rookie in the martial world, he believed this woman didn’t exceed that category either.
In fact, he thought she might be the most foolish woman in the world.
“Is dueling the only way to prove oneself? There are many other ways.”
Geomryeong tried to avoid dueling Seo Gun-ha, but she was relentless.
“I am no match for you, Seo Gun-ha.”
He said he would simply concede to avoid trouble, but those words provoked her pride.
“Why do you assume you’re not a match before even dueling? Did you even see my martial arts?”
Of course, he had.
“I saw it when the demons attacked Hyeongsan. Since I cannot defeat you, Seo Gun-ha, please tell Grandmaster Gun Il-san that and duel accordingly.”
Cheong Yak-ryeo, the Sword Empress.
She was a genius of the sword, based in Cheonsan, who mastered all sword techniques of the Sword Pavilion at a young age. Because of her achievements, she became the first female leader in Sword Pavilion history, earning the title of Sword Empress.
Her Yi-hwa Sim technique and Yi-hwa Sword techniques were considered the strongest in the martial world. Thirty years ago, she even burned demons alive, inspiring terror.
Despite her strength, she was always second to Jeonmo Yak-bing.
Fifty years ago, when Yak-bing retired, the two couldn’t be compared directly, but people still considered Yak-bing the top female swordsman.
“How did you know?”
Young Sword Empress Seo Gun-ha.
She too was a genius who inherited Cheong Yak-ryeo’s martial arts perfectly at a young age. Cheong Yak-ryeo herself regarded Gun-ha as talented, even though she considered herself ordinary in comparison.
Gun-ha traveled across the martial world challenging prominent sects to prove her skill.
She had come to Hyeongsan to duel Gun Il-san and had followed traces of demons to reach Hyeongsan Sect.
Geomryeong said nothing.
“You are not a man, are you?”
Seo Gun-ha provoked him.
“Fine, I am not a man. And do you know how much effort it takes to maintain this face? If I get a scar dueling, what then?”
Seo Gun-ha looked blank, surprised at his unexpected answer.
“Therefore, I will not duel.”
As Geomryeong turned to leave, Seo Gun-ha spoke softly:
“Alright. Then tell Grandmaster Gun Il-san directly that you lost to me.”
“I will do so.”
“Why make me duel and tire everyone?”
Geomryeong asked Gun Il-san.
“Since there was no duel between Jeonmo and the Sword Empress, I wanted to see through their disciples. Seo Gun-ha seems to have surpassed a certain level…”
“No matter how talented, at my current level, I could not withstand you for even a second at full power.”
As Geomryeong had attained the Spirit of the Original Sword, no matter how talented Seo Gun-ha was, she could not match him.
For her to be his equal, she would need at least three more realizations.
“Must we crush a young talent’s spirit so soon?”
“Couldn’t you go easy on her?”
“The moment we duel, I must consider my master’s honor. Can I go easy?”
Geomryeong’s words were correct.
“Is that so?”
He had merely wanted to witness the duel, but realized that crushing her spirit could be a consequence.
Losing to him was fine. He had trained longer and had more fame; losing could inspire her to train harder.
But if a young prodigy like her lost, it could be devastating.
“She is the Sword Empress’ disciple, after all.”
“What if she dueled Grandmaster Gun Il-san and couldn’t withstand a single second? How would she feel?”
“Hmm…”
“No matter whose disciple, people feel the same. And with Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor visiting, tensions are high…”
Gun Il-san’s mouth twitched.
“Gongja!”
At that moment, Yoo Ak-gun came looking for Geomryeong.
“What is it?”
“Wang Seok-ji, the sect leader, wants you. It seems to be regarding Cheonmyeong Mountain Manor.”
Geomryeong’s expression twisted. Gun Il-san ignored him, and Geomryeong followed Yoo Ak-gun.
“Between five and ten years ago, those who went missing or secluded themselves for training—there are a thousand of them.”
At the assembly of the Rogue Alliance, the Rogue Masters, including leader Sa Hwang and Chief Commander Sa Ma-gun-seong, looked grave.
“The recent demon commotion was caused by them as well.”
Demons attacked both orthodox and rogue sects, as well as wandering martial artists and civilians.
Larger sects or those with masters suffered little damage, but smaller ones were destroyed.
“Due to the demon attacks, our losses include Hyeolwang Sect…”
Seven sects suffered attacks; three were annihilated, four heavily damaged.
“These attacks were not limited to rogue sects but affected the entire martial world, which makes this extremely serious.”
Those listening stiffened further.
“How could they attack like this without being insane…”
“They are indeed insane, so yes.”
“It feels wrong to simply call them mad.”
“Why?”
“Previously, demons acted individually.”
Sa Ma-gun-seong spoke again, and the room went quiet.
“They’ve never acted in unison like this. Coordinated action means someone is orchestrating them, meaning the demons are now active in earnest.”
Eyes narrowed.
“Does that mean stronger demons may appear?”
“That is the expectation, but they likely won’t reveal themselves recklessly.”
“Then?”
“Among the missing or secluded, there may be those who have learned demonic arts.”
“Indeed.”
“Although my speculation might be wrong, the demons likely won’t reveal themselves recklessly because we have insiders.”
They were referring to rogue and orthodox martial artists secretly learning demonic arts.
“So they will continue to harass us from hiding?”
“That is likely.”
“Wouldn’t they assume we would be prepared?”
“Of course they would. But there is nothing we can do.”
“Why?”
“Because those who have learned demonic arts are our own family and brothers.”
“Hmm…”
Rogues are not heartless; even those deemed ruthless are warm to their family.
“Must we monitor each other?”
“Better to mobilize the Hidden Units instead.”
Upon hearing this, the elders exchanged glances.
“I… have a question for the Chief Commander.”
“Speak, Elder!”
“Can we see the list of these thousand individuals?”
All were curious, thinking their sects or associates might be involved.
“Sorry, Elder! To protect the foundation of the alliance, only the leader can access it.”
Elder Heo Ja-saeng frowned but said nothing, considering the Chief Commander’s decision appropriate.
“This matter will be handled by the Chief Commander and me. Elders, leave this to us.”
