Chapter 240 – The Wind of Blood Blows Regardless of Place (3)

Cho Cheon-geum's body suddenly froze.

Many people in the world speak of grudges and revenge. In the murim where grievances flow like spring water, these were very common words. But Cheon Oh-gyeong's words were different.

Though he spoke so calmly, the moment they heard his words, their hearts pounded violently with pain as if their chests were being carved with a dagger.

Cho Cheon-geum's body reacted before his mind could. The same was true for others present.

Their bodies stiffened, cold sweat dripped down their foreheads, and their pupils shook violently as if an earthquake had struck.

"Old… old man, who are you?"

"Don't you already know? Why bother asking such a difficult question?"

"The Demonic Cult?"

"I came from the Divine Cult."

The moment Cheon Oh-gyeong's answer came out, Cho Cheon-geum desperately shouted.

"Everyone attack!"

"Waaah!"

The warriors who had been frozen until now rushed toward Cheon Oh-gyeong all at once. Though over a hundred warriors came crashing like a tidal wave, Cheon Oh-gyeong showed no sign of intimidation.

Cheon Oh-gyeong stretched out his hand. A branch lying nearby flew into his grasp.

"Void… Void Grasp?"

Cho Cheon-geum muttered in surprise.

At that moment, Cheon Oh-gyeong lightly swung the branch in his hand.

It was a simple horizontal sword strike.

"…"

Silence fell.

The warriors rushing toward Cheon Oh-gyeong stopped moving and only blinked their eyes. Something had clearly happened. Yet they couldn't exactly perceive what had occurred and only felt confused.

Swoosh!

That's when it happened. Suddenly, red lines appeared simultaneously across the waists of over a hundred warriors.

"Wh-what?"

"This is?"

The warriors who belatedly noticed the blood lines appearing on their bodies wore puzzled expressions.

Thud thud thud!

At that moment, their bodies collapsed like puppets with cut strings. Over a hundred warriors were cut in half at the waist and perished.

"Im-impossible!"

Cho Cheon-geum's mouth gaped open.

His heart stopped and his mind went blank. The scene he witnessed was so shocking it didn't seem real.

Cho Cheon-geum was frozen stiff and couldn't move. Cheon Oh-gyeong approached him.

His gait was still that of an immortal with an otherworldly appearance. But to Cho Cheon-geum's eyes, he no longer looked like an immortal.

"The… Sword Devil."

"I was called that when I was young."

"Ugh!"

"Now tell me. Are there Hundred Battles Sect warriors above?"

"S-some are there."

"That will do."

Cheon Oh-gyeong nodded and walked past Cho Cheon-geum. Cho Cheon-geum touched his neck and muttered.

"Am I alive?"

That's when it happened.

Slash!

Suddenly, a blood line appeared around his waist and began spilling enormous amounts of blood.

Only then did Cho Cheon-geum realize. He had already stepped onto the path of death.

"Wh-when?"

Though Cho Cheon-geum wondered until his last breath, his question remained unanswered.

Leaving Cho Cheon-geum's bisected corpse rolling on the ground, Cheon Oh-gyeong climbed Mount Zhongnan.

Mount Zhongnan, full of spring energy, was covered in vivid green foliage. The sunlight shattered against the greenery, scattering brilliant fragments, and the sky was incomparably blue.

"Zhongnan, I'm sorry."

Screech!

At that moment, a signal flare shot into the sky, and high-pitched flute sounds echoed throughout Mount Zhongnan.

It was a signal that an enemy had invaded.

Swoosh!

Warriors of the Zhongnan Sect came running through the bushes.

Cheon Oh-gyeong swung his branch toward them. Though he didn't use any special techniques or release sword energy, the warriors fell while spraying blood. Their spilled blood dyed the verdant Mount Zhongnan red.

"Enemy!"

"Stop him!"

The Zhongnan Sect and martial arts leaders rushed toward Cheon Oh-gyeong. He swung his branch at them mercilessly.

His movements were like water, and his sword was like fire.

His body moved without hindrance, and his sword struck down everything in its path like flames.

As deaths accumulated, an aura of death began to surround the once-pure Mount Zhongnan.

The arrival of just one person brought such change to Mount Zhongnan.

"Ugh!"

"W-we cannot stop him."

Seeing the situation unfold, the Zhongnan Sect warriors and visiting martial artists hesitated, no longer daring to charge forward.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a lion's roar echoed throughout Mount Zhongnan.

At the thunderous roar that shook the mountain, Cheon Oh-gyeong stopped for the first time.

About ten warriors came rushing in as if flying. They arrived instantly and blocked Cheon Oh-gyeong's path.

These people emanating extraordinary auras were none other than Seol Mun-cheon, the sect leader of Zhongnan, and the elders.

Seol Mun-cheon thundered.

"How dare you commit massacre on Mount Zhongnan. Do you not fear heaven?"

"I once feared heaven. But not anymore."

"Who are you? Who dares to stain the pure Mount Zhongnan with blood?"

"My name is Cheon Oh-gyeong."

"Cheon Oh-gyeong?"

"Actually, that's not important."

"Then what is important?"

"What's important is whether Hundred Battles Sect's disciples are here."

"Hundred Battles Sect?"

Seol Mun-cheon wore an incredulous expression. The elders beside him spoke up.

"Sect Leader, don't mind his words."

"He dared to stain Mount Zhongnan with blood, so we must rightfully punish him."

The elders were furious and looked ready to charge at Cheon Oh-gyeong at any moment.

Seol Mun-cheon looked around.

The Zhongnan Sect warriors and martial artists who had gathered were surrounding Cheon Oh-gyeong. Their numbers reached about a thousand. Yet Cheon Oh-gyeong maintained his dignified appearance without showing any sign of intimidation.

'Only the truly strong can act like that. It seems today's losses will far outweigh any gains.'

The aura emanating from his opponent was absolute, and beyond.

He couldn't guarantee victory even in a direct confrontation. No, honestly, he wasn't confident of winning even if he joined forces with the elders.

If they clashed with Cheon Oh-gyeong now, the Zhongnan Sect would suffer tremendous damage. But they couldn't back down either.

This was Zhongnan Sect's territory. If a sect abandoned its territory and fled, there would be no place for them in the murim.

Only then did Seol Mun-cheon understand how the Mount Hua Sect warriors must have felt back then.

TL Note- Seol Mun-cheon is referring to the previous demonic war (not ongoing one) where Mount Hua suffered considerable damage and no other sects came forward to help them.

'Hah! Was it like this for them too? Was it this bleak?'

The Mount Hua disciples never retreated when their main mountain was invaded. Though they suffered tremendous losses, they ultimately managed to protect Mount Hua.

Seol Mun-cheon thought it was now Zhongnan Sect's turn to do the same.

"All disciples, fight to the death. Attack that demon until the very last person."

"Wait a moment, Sect Leader Seol."

Just then, someone blocked Seol Mun-cheon's path.

A middle-aged man with disheveled hair like a magpie's nest, rags that seemed patched over a hundred times, and a huge saw-toothed blade at his waist – nothing about him was ordinary.

Most striking were his eyes hidden beneath his wild hair.

This was Jang Il-san, the leader of Hundred Battles Sect. He had been temporarily staying at Mount Zhongnan and finally revealed himself.

"It seems he bears a grudge against my sect. Then it would be right for me to step forward. If I fail, it won't be too late for Zhongnan Sect to intervene."

"Leader Jang?"

Jang Il-san walked past Seol Moon-cheon and stood before Cheon Oh-gyeong.

"I am Jang Il-san, leader of Hundred Battles Sect. It seems you harbor a grudge against Hundred Battles Sect, sir."

"So you're the leader of Hundred Battles Sect. I can't say I'm pleased to meet you. It wouldn't be right to exchange pleasantries when I've come to settle a grudge."

"It seems you have a grudge against my sect?"

"Your disciple killed mine."

"Ah! Is that so? Yeon-woon accomplished something great then."

"Something great?"

"A warrior of your caliber must be a key figure in the Demonic Cult. Wouldn't killing your disciple be a great achievement for the Murim Alliance?"

"One could think that way. But have you considered what a great threat this has brought to the Murim Alliance? You've drawn out this old man who had walled himself off from the world."

"Sir, why so naive? Even if it wasn't my disciple, you would have emerged eventually. Do you think the Demon Cult Leader would have let an absolute master like yourself remain in seclusion? Such an absolute fighting force?"

"…"

Cheon Oh-gyeong fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

"My disciple was merely the catalyst. You were bound to return to the murim eventually. Don't use my disciple as an excuse."

"Your tongue is quite sharp."

"Hehe! I hear that often."

"Where is your disciple?"

"Have you ever seen a master who would sell out his disciple's safety? No proper master would ever do that."

"I apologize. Then I'll have to force you to open your mouth."

"Can you manage that? I am Jang Il-san. Just as you bear a grudge against my disciple, I too have an unforgivable grudge against the Demonic Cult."

"Is that so?"

"When it comes to anything related to the Demonic Cult, I'm prepared to grind even a single pebble between my teeth."

Jang Il-san smiled wickedly. It was a smile full of killing intent.

Cheon Oh-gyeong's eyes grew dark.

"I don't see the Hundred Battles Flag. You must have passed it to your disciple."

"That's right!"

"We'll soon see if he has the ability to protect it."

"You'll have to get past me first, sir."

Swoosh!

Jang Il-san drew the saw-toothed blade from his waist.

This was the blade that earned him the title "Demon-Slaying Divine Blade." With this worn saw-blade alone, he had fought fierce battles against the Demonic Cult.

Woong!

The saw-blade released a magnificent resonance.

Admiring the extraordinary aura, Cheon Oh-gyeong said:

"Your skills are impressive, junior. In that spirit, I'll give you three moves. Come at me first."

"I won't decline."

Ta-at!

Jang Il-san stomped the ground.

His saw-blade shot toward Cheon Oh-gyeong's chest. But Cheon Oh-gyeong moved like a ghost, completely avoiding his attacks.

After three instant attacks ended, Cheon Oh-gyeong's counterattack began.

His branch danced in the air.

Clang clang clang!

When the blade and branch collided, the sound of metal rang out.

"I will never lose."

Jang Il-san gritted his teeth and burned with fighting spirit.

Whoosh!

A clear blade aura formed on his weapon. Meanwhile, Cheon Oh-gyeong's branch showed no change. Yet it was completely crushing Jang Il-san's attacks.

Woon-jeong asked back in surprise.

“Pack your things? Leave Qingcheng? Master, what do you mean?”

However, Taoist Bok-cheon wasn’t generous enough to explain everything in detail.

“If I tell you to do something, just do it without so many questions! Go up quickly!”

Bian Bu asked with confusion.

“But you said you would resist with all your might…”

“This is our method of resistance.”

Indeed, scattering throughout the Central Plains would be more troublesome for their opponents than gathering in one place on Qingcheng Mountain.

“Still, it’s a bit…”

“This is a document written by the sect leader senior brother, so don’t ask me any more questions. And Woon-jeong, you were told to go up and pack, so what are you doing?”

Woon-jeong hung his head.

“Then at least… let me say farewell.”

Taoist Bok-cheon didn’t prevent even that.

Woon-jeong bid farewell to Bian Bu and Jin Ja-gang.

“I don’t know what’s happening, but I have no choice but to follow my master’s words. I hope we can meet again someday.”

“Can’t be helped. If there are meetings, there are partings, and if there are partings, there will be days to meet again.”

Bian Bu also felt regret as he had grown quite fond of Woon-jeong, but had to let him go.

Woon-jeong hesitated particularly in front of Soso, dragging out the time.

“Miss… stay healthy. Perhaps… ah, no. Everyone take care!”

Woon-jeong, who had been about to say something more, shouted and ran to Taoist Bok-cheon.

Taoist Bok-cheon also left a word for Jin Ja-gang and the others.

“It would be best for you to leave as quickly as possible too. There will be no Qingcheng sect on Qingcheng Mountain anymore.”

Bian Bu gathered courage to ask.

“Then where is the Qingcheng sect? Is the Qingcheng sect disappearing?”

“No. The Qingcheng sect will still remain. You just won’t be able to see it on Qingcheng Mountain. The Qingcheng sect exists everywhere in the martial world.”

After Taoist Bok-cheon and Woon-jeong left, Jin Ja-gang repeated Taoist Bok-cheon’s words.

“There is no longer a Qingcheng sect on Qingcheng Mountain…”

Tang Ha-ran picked up his words.

“They’re evacuating. It seems tremendous danger is coming to Qingcheng Mountain.”

Bian Bu grumbled.

“The great Qingcheng sect abandoning their main base and fleeing? People in the world will laugh, geez.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“If the Qingcheng sect is avoiding danger to this extent, just how dangerous is it?”

“Either real danger is coming, or they’re avoiding getting swept up in it. Many of the Qingcheng sect’s Taoists have turned their backs on the mundane world, so they dislike complicated matters.”

Either way, it was certainly not good news for Jin Ja-gang and his companions.

“Damn, we can’t even move until Fairy Maiden comes out…”

That was the biggest problem. Even though it was already past time for her to emerge, she still hadn’t come out, making those waiting increasingly anxious.

* * *

The Evil Sect members who had been demonstrating at the bottom of the mountain were also confused.

“What, what’s this?”

Suddenly, Qingcheng sect Taoists were pouring out of the temple, so they couldn’t help but be surprised.

The Evil Sect members tensed up and drew their weapons.

“Are these guys finally showing their true colors?”

“Trying to drive us away by force? Not a chance!”

“We won’t retreat a single step until Fairy Maiden comes out. You’ll have to make us into corpses to carry us away!”

There were about thirty Evil Sect members gathered. Some were bold and skilled enough in martial arts to enter while avoiding the eyes of Sichuan’s Three Rivers.

Leading the front was naturally Gu Ryun of the Eight Flying Demon Heroes. Not only did he like fighting, but he specialized in defense using his shield. He was suitable for instantly breaking and dulling the sharp edge of roughly charging enemies.

Gu Ryun lowered the shield from his back and set it up in front.

“Come at me!”

The Evil Sect members prepared firmly, raising their internal energy and waiting.

However, Taoist Bok-cheon, who was coming down at the front, stood in front of Gu Ryun and said.

“You’re in the way, so move aside.”

“What?”

When the Evil Sect members didn’t move aside, the Qingcheng sect disciples ignored them and simply split to both sides, beginning to descend the mountain.

“Be careful, Elder.”

“My goodness, it’s been decades since I’ve gone down from the mountain gate… it’s changed so much.”

Young disciples supported elderly Taoists as they went down, while sturdy disciples carried various bundles here and there. Most had book chests on their backs containing scriptures or scholarly implements for long journeys. It was like a procession of refugees.

The Evil Sect members could only watch the procession of Taoists passing by them in bewilderment.

Flower Snake Divine Woman asked with an incredulous face.

“Hey? What kind of trick is this?”

Taoist Bok-cheon ignored Flower Snake Divine Woman’s words. He just stood blocking between the Qingcheng sect disciples and Evil Sect members, controlling things so no unnecessary conflict would arise.

Human Demon Gam Chung put his hands behind his back and tilted his head.

“Did an earthquake happen, or a landslide? Is some divine spiritual beast jumping out of Laojun Pavilion to devour the Taoists, and only we don’t know about it?”

Laojun Pavilion is an octagonal-roofed pavilion situated at the peak of Qingcheng Mountain.

Already over a hundred disciples had descended. Some glanced at and glared at the Evil Sect members, but most paid no attention.

However, among them, an elderly Taoist being supported as he descended saw the Evil Sect members and stopped walking.

“Who are those ignorant fools?”

The disciple supporting him answered.

“They’re Evil Sect members who came asking for their comrade back, but you needn’t worry about them.”

“You fool, that’s not how people should act. Everyone here will die, so why leave them like that and go? Aren’t Evil Sect people still people? Quickly release their comrade or whatever too.”

The Evil Sect members brightened at those words.

“If you release Fairy Maiden as that old man said, we too will no longer cause problems and withdraw.”

However, after speaking, thinking about it, the former rather than the latter statement seemed somehow strange.

Remnant Wind Guest stroked his bushy beard and asked back.

“Listen here, Taoist sir. What do you mean everyone will die?”

“A bloody wind will blow. If you want to leave even a cornerstone from the war calamity, it’s better to take shelter now.”

“The Qingcheng sect taking shelter from a bloody wind? Do you think we’ll believe that? What do you take us for, telling such lies!”

The old Taoist got angry.

“Why are you shouting, you uneducated bandit! My ears aren’t deaf yet!”

Rumble rumble rumble.

The old Taoist’s words carried tremendous internal energy, making the entire area vibrate greatly.

Remnant Wind Guest was also startled and stepped back.

“Geez, damn! If you have energy to shout, walk by yourself instead of being supported. You confused me!”

The old Taoist pointed with his walking stick.

“Whether I crawl or get supported, you didn’t contribute to my energy, so what’s it to you!”

“The temperament of these stubborn Qingcheng Taoists really…”

This time the old Taoist laughed.

“Heh heh heh, has our temperament become famous? This is embarrassing.”

Flower Snake Divine Woman came forward holding a baby.

“Taoist sir, Taoist sir, Taoist sir with miraculous powers. Could you take pity on us and tell us what’s happening? Please save us.”

Flower Snake Divine Woman’s voice was gentle yet pitiful, making it unbearable not to answer.

However, the old Taoist clicked his tongue.

“Oh my, turns out these are fools who can’t even take care of their own lives. You should take care of your own life, who are you asking to save you? Geez, idiots. Such fools should just be left to die.”

It wasn’t teasing, and after just saying to save them, now he was saying to leave them to die. The Evil Sect members’ faces turned red and blue. Flower Snake Divine Woman also retorted sharply.

“Old Taoist, your words are harsh. Are only your lives precious while our lives aren’t worth even maggots rolling in a dung heap?”

The old Taoist got furious.

“Look at that… that wicked woman who looks like she devours men wagging her tongue? You should definitely die here to save at least a few more innocent men.”

Waaah! Waaah!

Flower Snake Divine Woman shouted angrily.

“You’re making our baby cry!”

“Where’s the baby that you’re making a fuss, you wench!”

Flower Snake Divine Woman’s face turned bright red. She was speechless and couldn’t continue.

“Let’s go, Elder.”

“Geez, Evil Sect kids have no manners now just like decades ago.”

The elderly Taoist spat out curses and left.

The Evil Sect members were angry and incredulous, wanting to pick a fight, but the Qingcheng sect disciples wouldn’t engage with them. They treated them as if they didn’t exist and hurried down.

Remnant Wind Guest couldn’t stand it and raised his sword forcefully.

“These weak things have been ignoring people after I’ve been watching and watching…! Until you hand over Fairy Maiden, you can’t take a single step…”

At that moment, all the Qingcheng sect disciples passing by drew their swords simultaneously.

Clang clang clang!

Hundreds of swords gleamed with crystalline light, flashing brilliantly in the sunlight. It was so bright that it was hard to see ahead.

“Geez, damn…”

Remnant Wind Guest found himself as if surrounded in the middle of a mountain of blades and forest of swords.

Gu Ryun of the Eight Flying Demon Heroes scolded Remnant Wind Guest.

“Stop it. Rats fleeing from a flood will bite even tigers when cornered.”

When Remnant Wind Guest grudgingly lowered his sword while grinding his teeth, the Qingcheng sect disciples also sheathed their swords and resumed their journey as if nothing had happened.

Gu Ryun of the Eight Flying Demon Heroes called to Taoist Bok-cheon.

“Hey. It doesn’t matter if you don’t tell us what’s happening, but what about Fairy Maiden then? If you continue ignoring our words, I swear on my name that from now until the day I die, I’ll hunt down Qingcheng sect Taoists one by one and cut off all their heads.”

Taoist Bok-cheon crossed his arms and looked back at Gu Ryun.

“She’s very safely in the middle of cultivation, so it’s better not to worry. The most trustworthy person in the world is standing guard. So worry about yourselves. If you plan to keep waiting, it’s better to pray that Fairy Maiden finishes her cultivation and comes out quickly before you all die.”

Most of the Qingcheng sect disciples had already passed, and no more were coming out. Woon-jeong came running with a bundle on his back and said to Taoist Bok-cheon.

“Master, there’s no one left in the temple grounds.”

“Then let’s go too.”

Taoist Bok-cheon and Woon-jeong were the last.

Remnant Wind Guest blocked their path and asked.

“Wait a minute! Who is the person standing guard for Fairy Maiden!”

Taoist Bok-cheon frowned irritably at having his path blocked.

“You should know well too.”

“Venerable… Woo-am…?”

Taoist Bok-cheon and Woon-jeong passed by Remnant Wind Guest. Remnant Wind Guest looked back at the Evil Sect members with a dumbfounded face.

“If the Qingcheng sect leader is staying alone, isn’t this really serious?”

A proper sect would never have its leader flee under any circumstances.

The leader is the last bastion remaining in the sect and simultaneously the one responsible. The reason massive authority is normally given to him is because that much responsibility is demanded.

So the fact that the Qingcheng sect leader remained meant he had already prepared for death, and the Qingcheng sect was no different from a ship that had been wrecked and was about to sink.

Gu Ryun frowned and shouldered his shield again.

“Let’s go up.”

The Evil Sect members passed through Qingcheng Mountain’s gate and climbed along the sloped ridge where countless temples were located.

The silence was eerily quiet.

It was desolate. The temples were completely empty. No one remained.

“Damn…”

The Evil Sect members got goosebumps.

Still, they couldn’t abandon Fairy Maiden and leave.

“Are we really left with no choice but to wait for Fairy Maiden to come out as quickly as possible?”

The Evil Sect members’ faces darkened.