Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Chapter 1. Time Brings New Encounters (2)

Jong Ri-yeon came down to the dining hall. Her damp hair, not yet fully dried, created a unique allure.

Perhaps because of this, many people in the dining hall couldn't take their eyes off Jong Ri-yeon's face. Jong Ri-yeon, accustomed to such stares, sat down across from Dam Ho with a nonchalant expression.

"Did you wait long?"

"No."

Dam Ho shook his head.

On the table sat a half-empty wine bottle and some simple dishes.

"May I have a drink too?"

"Mm."

Dam Ho nodded and poured wine into her cup. Jong Ri-yeon drained the cup in one gulp.

Having drunk only a single cup of wine, her face flushed red in an instant.

Jong Ri-yeon smiled.

"It's bitter, but good."

Dam Ho nodded and drained his own cup.

A pleasant warmth spread through his esophagus. The wine, brewed personally by the innkeeper, was quite potent. A comfortable tipsiness rose within him.

Jong Ri-yeon sipped her wine. Before long, her eyes had grown hazy from the alcohol.

She rested her chin on one hand and gazed at Dam Ho.

"Did you know?"

"…"

"You're really quite an unlucky person. Your personality is willful, you don't know how to compromise. Wherever you go, trouble follows, and you have so many enemies…"

Perhaps due to the wine, her voice was moist and soft. Dam Ho listened silently to Jong Ri-yeon's words.

"Are you all right? Making so many enemies like that."

"And what about you? You've made the Namgung Family your enemy—are you all right?"

"How could I be all right? I'm terrified to death even now. But I don't regret it. Because of that, I saved Yeon's life. If I hadn't saved Yeon, I would have regretted it even more."

Jong Ri-yeon, as if her throat were dry, drained another cup of wine.

"Master always said this: cherish those at the bottom. And she truly lived that way. But for me, it's overwhelming. How did Master live like that? Wasn't she afraid?"

The question directed at Dam Ho had, at some point, become Jong Ri-yeon's own monologue.

Though she appeared composed on the outside, her heart was incredibly tender. She merely tried to appear strong because her profession as a physician dealt with life itself.

Jong Ri-yeon, though she carried fear within her, was fully aware of her role as a physician and the duty she had to fulfill.

"Now you tell me. Are you all right?"

"I'm all right."

"Really?"

"What's done is done. You can't turn back time. So you have to move forward. No matter what awaits."

"You truly are strong. I envy you. If only I had that unwavering heart… Why did Master choose me as her disciple out of everyone…"

Muttering as if talking to herself, Jong Ri-yeon soon collapsed forward onto the table. She had passed out from drunkenness.

Dam Ho looked at the unconscious Jong Ri-yeon in silence.

Jong Ri-yeon showed no sign of waking. Dam Ho left her as she was and finished the remaining wine.

When he had drained the entire bottle, Dam Ho carried Jong Ri-yeon on his back and went up to her room.

Completely drunk, Jong Ri-yeon's clothes were disheveled, revealing her pale skin beneath.

Her face, flushed red from the wine, was so beautiful that anyone's heart would be stirred. But Dam Ho, looking at the beautiful Jong Ri-yeon, showed no change in expression.

After gazing at Jong Ri-yeon for a moment, Dam Ho went outside. The door closed, leaving Jong Ri-yeon alone in the room.

"Haah!"

An inexplicable sigh echoed through the room.

***

Gaoxian was a city located in southern Shanxi Province. With major highways intersecting from all four directions, people naturally gathered here.

As people converged, wealth accumulated. Wealth attracted more people, and Gaoxian developed into a fairly large city.

Moreover, since Gaoxian was in southern Shanxi, there was a perception that it was relatively safe from the Demonic Cult. Because of this, while the northern Shouzhou had a Murim Alliance branch, there was none here.

Barren Shanxi Province did not have massive sects like the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families. Instead, there were many small and medium-sized sects and minor martial arts halls.

Gaoxian was no different. Five small martial arts halls and a faction called the Azure Cloud Hall existed in Gaoxian. The relatively larger Azure Cloud Hall claimed leadership of the city, and as a result, held the largest share of interests.

Though the Demonic Cult's emergence had set the world ablaze, Gaoxian was relatively safe, and as a result, wealth flowed in and the city prospered.

Thanks to this, the Azure Cloud Hall was also thriving.

"This month's profits increased by thirty percent over last month's. Haha!"

"Sect Master, congratulations. If this continues, our Azure Cloud Hall could become a massive sect rivaling the Nine Great Sects."

"Haha! You can say that again!"

Laughter erupted from the Sect Master's residence.

Azure Cloud Hall's Sect Master So Do-cheol and Vice Sect Master Jang Myeong were sitting across from each other, laughing.

"Oh, right. I heard the Murim Alliance sent an official document?"

"Yes. I brought it to show you, even without being asked."

Jang Myeong produced a letter from his robe and presented it to So Do-cheol. As So Do-cheol read through the letter, his face twisted slightly.

Jang Myeong showed his curiosity.

"What does it say?"

"What else? They're demanding money and manpower. Typical Murim Alliance."

"Those highway robbers."

"Who says otherwise? As everyone knows, Shanxi Province has nothing to do with the Demonic Cult. Why should we send money and manpower to the Murim Alliance?"

"But we can't just ignore them entirely, can we?"

"Exactly. They can be vindictive. Very well. We'll have to make a show of generosity. Vice Sect Master, calculate an appropriate amount. And select some disciples to send."

"How many disciples should we send?"

"Fifty should be enough, shouldn't it? Focus on the newly recruited disciples."

"Understood."

Jang Myeong smiled.

The newly recruited disciples still had much to learn. They were far from being considered proper martial artists.

Sending such disciples to the Murim Alliance was no great loss to the Azure Cloud Hall.

"Of course, we'll need to supplement the contribution with a bit more money."

"Right! Money can always be earned again. Heh heh!"

"Understood. I'll see to it."

"It's so convenient having a Vice Sect Master who understands so well."

"I have always respected you, Sect Master. In this life and the next, I will follow only you."

"Ha ha ha!"

Jang Myeong's flattery drew a hearty laugh from So Do-cheol.

The thought that the Azure Cloud Hall would flourish greatly under his leadership made him feel wonderful. As the leader of a sect, what greater glory could there be?

"My seat beside me will always be yours. Remember—we walk together to the end."

"Of course. Who else but this Jang Myeong would serve at the Sect Master's side? I will follow you to the depths of hell itself."

"Good! Since we're in a good mood, let's have a drink."

"I'll have the attendants prepare a table."

"Mm!"

As So Do-cheol nodded contentedly—

"Aaaah!"

"Ack!"

Suddenly, screams erupted and the outside grew chaotic.

"What's going on?"

So Do-cheol's expression changed instantly.

Jang Myeong hurriedly rose.

"I'll go investigate."

"No. Let's go together."

The two of them went outside together.

"How can this be!"

The moment they stepped outside, their faces twisted in horror.

The Azure Cloud Hall was under attack by unknown enemies. Hundreds of warriors in red robes had stormed in, and they were slaughtering the Azure Cloud Hall's members.

Blood splattered, and screams echoed.

The majority of those falling were the Azure Cloud Hall's warriors, while the red-robed warriors suffered almost no casualties. It was an overwhelming disparity in strength.

"Wh…who on earth are they?"

So Do-cheol's shoulders trembled.

At that moment, Jang Myeong's scream-like voice rang out.

"It's the Demonic Cult! They're definitely Demonic Cult members!"

"Demonic Cult?"

Only then could So Do-cheol look at the battlefield with clear eyes.

Unfathomable martial prowess, ruthless killing techniques, and the emotionless eyes ofexecutioners—hundreds of warriors.

There were countless sects under heaven, but only one possessed such a clearly identifiable force: the Demonic Cult, and no other.

"Why would the Demonic Cult…"

So Do-cheol murmured in a daze, forgetting even to be angry.

"Azure Cloud Hall Master So Do-cheol, is that correct?"

A chillingly cold voice echoed in So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong's ears.

"Ha! When did—"

"Mm!"

Startled by the voice that seemed to come from right beside them, So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong spun around. There stood a warrior in crimson robes and a bamboo hat, as if soaked in blood.

Beneath the hat, the warrior's face was obscured by a bloody mist, making his features completely unrecognizable. He carried a long object wrapped in cloth on his back.

The moment they saw the warrior, So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong froze like frogs before a snake.

Instinctively, they realized this blood-red warrior was an entirely different breed of human. They didn't even dare harbor thoughts of resistance.

"Aaaah!"

"Sa…save us!"

Even in that moment, the Azure Cloud Hall's warriors were being cut down helplessly. The complete annihilation of the Azure Cloud Hall was a foregone conclusion.

The blood-red warrior spoke.

"Do you want to save your disciples?"

"Y-yes."

So Do-cheol answered through gritted teeth.

He couldn't let the Azure Hall be destroyed. By whatever means necessary, he had to preserve its legacy.

In that instant, the blood-red warrior produced the cloth-wrapped object from his back. When the cloth was unwound, three swords were revealed.

The blood-red warrior took two of the swords and tossed them at So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong's feet.

"Fight."

"What?"

"Sect Master So Do-cheol, if you win, I will spare the remaining Azure Cloud Hall members. Vice Sect Master Jang Myeong, if you win, I will spare your families."

"Kuh!"

"Fight."

The battle inside the hall had already ended. The surviving Azure Cloud Hall members were all on their knees, awaiting the Demonic Cult's judgment. To one side, blades were held at the throats of Jang Myeong's family members.

"Sect Master."

"Dar…ling!"

The Azure Hall disciples and Jang Myeong's family were weeping.

"You demons…"

So Do-cheol glared at the blood-red warriors with rage-filled eyes. But he had no choice. Neither did Jang Myeong.

The two of them picked up the swords the blood-red warrior had thrown.

"I'm sorry."

"I am also sorry."

To save the people most important to them, they had to fight.

CLANG!

The two swords clashed.

Sparks flew, and blood sprayed.

For twenty years, these two men had lived together like blood brothers. Now they unleashed killing strikes at each other as if they were mortal enemies.

The blood-red warrior stood with arms crossed, watching them. The bloody mist that had obscured his face slowly dissipated, revealing his true features.

His cheekbones protruded sharply, and his eyes were deeply sunken. Above his hawkish nose, red pupils glowed with a bizarre heat and madness.

A cold smile played at the corners of the blood-red warrior's mouth.

He possessed three swords in total.

Two of them were used to force those who had something to protect to fight each other.

Like So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong, battling fiercely before his very eyes.

The blood-red warrior's name was Deung Cheon-so.

In Deung Cheon-so's eyes, he could see So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong fighting with their blood. A battle between those who had something they must protect provided a thrill beyond mere interest.

Deung Cheon-so spoke.

"What's the next target?"

"Shouzhou."

"What did the Cult Leader say?"

"He said survivors were unnecessary."

At his subordinate's answer, Deung Cheon-so's lips curled upward.

"That's what I do best."

That was when—

THWACK!

"Cough!"

Jang Myeong's scream echoed across the battlefield. So Do-cheol's sword had pierced Jang Myeong's heart.

"S-Sect Master…"

"I'm sorry."

So Do-cheol turned his head, averting Jang Myeong's gaze.

Jang Myeong's struggling body collapsed. His wide-open eyes were filled with resentment toward So Do-cheol.

"Aaah! Darling!"

"Father!"

Jang Myeong's family screamed.

So Do-cheol forced himself to ignore their cries and looked at Deung Cheon-so.

"I have won. Now, please release the disciples."

Tears streamed from his eyes.

Deung Cheon-so gripped the third sword.

The smooth hilt fit snugly in his hand.

"I must apologize."

"What?"

"The promise that I would spare the disciples if you won. That was a lie."

"You…you can't mean—"

"I am a member of the Demonic Cult, after all. Lying comes as naturally as eating."

Deung Cheon-so laughed.

THWACK!

The sword plunged into So Do-cheol's chest like a knife through tofu.

Agony like fire surged through him, and So Do-cheol's eyes flew wide open. Deung Cheon-so patted him gently on the back.

"Don't feel too aggrieved. The others will follow right behind you."

The light faded from So Do-cheol's eyes.

That was So Do-cheol's end.

The purpose of the third sword. It was to take the life of whoever won the duel between the other two.

Deung Cheon-so collected all three swords and gave his order.

"Not a single ant left alive. Kill them all. Let the world know the terror of our Cult."

"By your command!"

Death fell upon the surviving Azure Cloud Hall members.

Deung Cheon-so laughed at the sight of blood and death. His laughter was terrifying not only to the Azure Cloud Hall members, but even to his fellow Demonic Cult warriors.

Deung Cheon-so's epithet was the Blood Sea Judge.

One who passes sentences of death through madness. He was one of the Seven Great Demons of the Demonic Cult.

Wherever he passed, only a sea of blood remained.