Chapter 419 – Receiving Guests with Utmost Sincerity (1)

If someone were to pick the busiest person in the Demon Cult, everyone would first point to Sang Han-cheon. Sang Han-cheon occupied the position of being below one and above ten thousand in the Demon Cult.

In terms of hierarchy, the Black and White Lions under the Cult Leader were superior to him, but Sang Han-cheon held the actual authority. Therefore, most Demon Cult members thought Sang Han-cheon was the second person in the Demon Cult.

As if to prove this fact, countless people came to the Military Department every day. Most of them were merchants or local influential people who wanted to somehow create ties with Sang Han-cheon.

To them, martial world justice was nothing but empty words as insubstantial as floating clouds. What mattered to them was the hegemon who controlled the region. When the Martial Alliance existed, they worked hard to curry favor with the Martial Alliance, and now that the owner had changed, they had switched horses to the Demon Cult.

Of course, most of these people were handled at lower levels before even reaching Sang Han-cheon. Thanks to this, Sang Han-cheon could concentrate only on operating the Demon Cult without wasting energy on useless matters.

But there were always exceptions in the world. While most merchants were handled below, there were also beings that Sang Han-cheon had to meet face-to-face.

"Military Advisor."

Won Seol-hwa was greeting Sang Han-cheon with a brilliant smile.

"It's been a long time."

"I'm sorry. I should have visited more often."

"No. How could I not know how busy you are? Thanks to Divine Flower Merchant Group, our cult has been able to establish such deep roots in Yueyang. Thank you."

"Not at all. It's something I should naturally do as a disciple of our cult."

"What about your father?"

"He's busy touring the business sites in Hunan Province. He said he'll come to the main group once things are sorted out."

"That would be good. Anyway, having you father and daughter and Divine Flower Merchant Group makes us feel secure. Thanks to you, we can breathe easy."

A smile appeared on Sang Han-cheon's lips.

The most important thing in leading a massive organization like the Demon Cult was financial stability. When the Demon Cult gained power, countless merchant groups approached them openly and secretly.

They gave appropriate benefits and received large sums of money in return, helping with finances. But they were only in contractual relationships, not true loyal subjects of the Demon Cult.

Divine Flower Merchant Group was truly a reliable loyal subject of the Demon Cult and a great pillar supporting their finances. Because of them, Sang Han-cheon could operate the Demon Cult as he wished without worrying about financial pressure.

"But what brings you here? It doesn't seem like you came just to pay respects."

"Actually, I need Military Advisor's help."

"If it's Divine Flower Merchant Group's matter, I should naturally help. What kind of help do you want?"

"Recently the trade routes in Henan Province have been blocked. Because of this, our merchant group's profits have decreased significantly. So we need a breakthrough."

"As expected."

Sang Han-cheon nodded.

Originally, Divine Flower Merchant Group had conducted major trades with Central Plains prestigious sects like Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect. But when the shocking fact that Divine Flower Merchant Group was actually the Demon Cult's outer court was revealed, all trades with them were blocked.

It was natural for the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families. They couldn't even imagine how many secrets had been leaked by allowing Divine Flower Merchant Group inside them until now.

Therefore, they cut off trades with Divine Flower Merchant Group and issued execution orders. Because of this, Divine Flower Merchant Group's influence greatly shrank and profits also decreased significantly.

"Don't worry."

"Yes? Is there some solution?"

"We'll settle the Martial Alliance and Shaolin Temple soon. Once we just bring down Henan Province, sweeping away other places will be as easy as flipping a palm."

As easy as flipping a palm – meaning it would be extremely easy.

Won Seol-hwa's eyes lit up.

"But to bring down both at once will cause many casualties."

"That's why we intend to move the Cult Protection Division."

"Ah!"

Won Seol-hwa unconsciously exclaimed.

As the young leader of Divine Flower Merchant Group, Won Seol-hwa naturally knew well what status and power the Cult Protection Division held in the Demon Cult.

The Cult Protection Division was like the Demon Cult's ultimate reserve strength.

In the Demon Cult where survival of the fittest was a virtue, the probability of surviving to the end and entering the Cult Protection Division was slimmer than an elephant passing through a needle's eye. But those who survived such slim odds and entered the Cult Protection Division were given the right to be free from all disputes within the Demon Cult.

Only the Cult Leader could move the Cult Protection Division. No one else could recklessly move the Cult Protection Division.

Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol also faithfully kept such principles. But several years ago, an incident occurred that completely shattered taboos and principles. Former Cult Protection Division Director Northern Dark Demon Emperor Hwa Mu-ui was discovered secretly supporting Eum Yu-kyung and others and was killed.

Right after the series of events, Cheok Gwan-hyeol installed Phantom Demon Emperor Wi Gang-hwi, one of his closest associates, as the director of the Cult Protection Division.

Giving authority to move the Cult Protection Division was tantamount to the Cult Leader entrusting all authority to Sang Han-cheon.

Having survived to the end and entered the Cult Protection Division, the elders' martial arts levels truly pierced the heavens. By becoming able to move such a Cult Protection Division, the realm in which Sang Han-cheon could display his skills expanded almost infinitely.

'No matter how great the Martial Alliance and Shaolin may be, they will crumble without a trace like sandcastles before waves. Once we bring down just those two places, no sect in the world will dare oppose our cult.'

When that time came, they would be able to shed the stigma of being called the Demon Cult and be reborn as the Divine Cult.

"Soon all of Central Plains will fall into our cult's hands. When that happens, Divine Flower Merchant Group will also be free from anyone's restraint. So please be patient a little longer."

"I understand."

Won Seol-hwa had no choice but to agree.

The unparalleled famous sword called the Cult Protection Division had been given to the genius Sang Han-cheon. Even without seeing it with her eyes, she could tell what kind of synergy the two would create.

Won Seol-hwa got up from her seat and muttered:

"Then until our cult prepares to march, I should focus on Silver Treasure Escort Agency."

"What do you mean? Silver Treasure Escort Agency?"

Sang Han-cheon immediately showed interest. Won Seol-hwa smiled coldly and said:

"I met Eun So-cheong of Silver Treasure Escort Agency recently. But…"

"But?"

"It's not certain yet, but among her companions I saw several who didn't seem to fit with an escort agency."

"Ho! Tell me in detail."

"Actually…"

Won Seol-hwa explained in detail about her encounter with Eun So-cheong's group. Throughout her story, Sang Han-cheon's eyes gleamed sharply.

"Hmm! So that's what you're saying?"

"Yes! So I've assigned people to watch them. If any strange movements are seen, reports will come up immediately."

After hearing all of Won Seol-hwa's story, Sang Han-cheon suddenly began rummaging through various bundles of papers scattered on his desk.

They were intelligence reports sent from all over the world. Sang Han-cheon pulled out several bundles from among them. Though he had already read them once, he carefully checked them again.

At Sang Han-cheon's sudden behavior of reading intelligence reports, Won Seol-hwa held her breath. She instinctively felt she shouldn't disturb him.

Sang Han-cheon delved into several intelligence reports again. Among them was information that particularly caught his eye.

[Our cult casualties: over 200.

Snow Mountain Blade Guest Lee Seol-hwi escaped.

About 30 young martial artists under his command killed.]

It was fresh information that had come in just half a day ago. Because of this, Sang Han-cheon had mobilized all the clerks in the Military Department to analyze the information.

Snow Mountain Blade Guest Lee Seol-hwi was a martial artist from a generation ago. Since he was known to have died during the first Righteous-Demon War, his unexpected appearance brought great confusion to Sang Han-cheon.

'Why on earth did Snow Mountain Blade Guest come to Hubei Province? Leading only about thirty people. That's nowhere near enough to deal any blow to our cult.'

It was completely incomprehensible behavior. That made it even more confusing.

'But what if there are many more like Lee Seol-hwi? What if they're each leading their forces and secretly heading toward Yueyang?'

Assumptions he had never thought of before began forming one after another. And Sang Han-cheon didn't ignore such assumptions.

Lee Seol-hwi was an exceptional being who had been outside the Demon Cult's surveillance network. He existed but no one paid attention to him. Countless people thought Lee Seol-hwi was dead, and Sang Han-cheon was the same.

'I was thinking too complacently. I should have thought of Jeok Gyeong-cheon earlier.'

Jeok Gyeong-cheon was a master from the previous generation who had been active during the first Righteous-Demon War, and was now active as the spiritual pillar of Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san.

The place where Jeok Gyeong-cheon first revealed his presence was right here in Yueyang. When the Demon Cult seized the Martial Alliance, he displayed fierce prowess in resistance.

'What if there isn't just one or two like Jeok Gyeong-cheon? What if those who had been in hiding since the first war have come back into the world?'

Sang Han-cheon let his thoughts flow with the stream of consciousness. The process of fragmentary information gathering to complete one picture brought him great exhilaration.

'They all participated in the suicide squad.'

At that time, the suicide squad inflicted great damage on the Demon Cult. Looking at it closely, the Demon Cult's downfall in Central Plains was due to unexpected damage from the suicide squad.

History tended to repeat itself, and operations that succeeded once tended to be reused in later generations.

Sang Han-cheon picked up another paper. It was information sent by a spy who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance.

Though they say they were selected for secret training, it seems suspicious.

[Will investigate further.]

'So that's where the young martial artists who disappeared from the Martial Alliance went – they were recruited by old martial artists who broke their seclusion and came into the martial world.'

The young martial artists who disappeared from the Martial Alliance, and the young martial artists led by Snow Mountain Blade Guest Lee Seol-hwi discovered in Guzhang, Hunan Province.

The two connected in Sang Han-cheon's mind.

'There's only one operation that those who participated in the suicide squad could use again. The suicide squad!'

The number of those who disappeared from Shaolin Temple was far greater than the martial artists Lee Seol-hwi had led. That meant even more people had entered Hunan Province. And thoroughly dispersed at that.

Suddenly a smile appeared on his lips.

Despite collecting so much information, there had been gaps in information that couldn't be pieced together. But Won Seol-hwa's explanation filled the empty spaces, and finally the big picture revealed its true form.

What their intentions were, what they were aiming for, was clearly drawn.

Finally having drawn the picture he wanted, Sang Han-cheon opened his mouth.

"Seol-hwa."

"Yes!"

"There's something you need to do for me."

"Me?"

"Yes!"

The smile on Sang Han-cheon's lips deepened.

***

Five people were gathered in the room.

They were all previous generation martial artists who had led suicide squads and joined. Though they had gathered in one place after a long time, their faces showed no signs of excitement or joy at the reunion. Rather, their atmosphere was noticeably depressed.

At the center was Jang Jin-myeong, called the Heavenly Human Great Enemy Sword, with Tianshan Snow Flower So Bo-won and Heavenly Wolf Guest Gu Ui-jin positioned to his left and right. There were also several other martial artists present.

Only silence pervaded the room.

The one who broke the silence was precisely Jang Jin-myeong.

"Still no contact from Lee Seol-hwi?"

"……"

No one answered his question either.

The answer was already out. Jang Jin-myeong wasn't asking because he didn't know, but because he was frustrated.

Snow Mountain Blade Guest Lee Seol-hwi was supposed to join them here leading thirty young martial artists. If things had gone as planned, he should have arrived a day ago, but there was still no news.

Lee Seol-hwi had shared joys and sorrows with them for a long time. Therefore, they knew each other too well.

The Lee Seol-hwi they knew was never someone who would be late or break promises. If he couldn't arrive on time, it was only when there was definitely a good reason.

"There aren't many possibilities now. Either he was discovered by the Demon Cult, or he met with an accident of similar magnitude."

"The former seems much more likely."

At So Bo-won's words, the complexions of Jang Jin-myeong and everyone else became grave.

"That would be right. Seol-hwi is never someone who takes promises lightly."

"Then what should we do? At this rate we'll lack strength."

"We still have to go through with it."

"But…"

"There's no path back for us. We've already come too far."

At Jang Jin-myeong's resolute words, everyone's expressions stiffened.

So Bo-won carefully raised a counterargument.

"But then too many children will be sacrificed."

Her face showed a pitying expression. At this, Jang Jin-myeong's voice turned cold.

"What, have you grown attached to them?"

"They're the children who will lead the martial world in the future."

"The strong ones will survive."

"But to be so irresponsible…"

"Have you forgotten? From when we came back into the world, we had no choice."

"……"

"We might be recorded as unprecedented sinners in martial world history. But even so, we can't stop the great undertaking now. Don't forget, everyone. What heart we started this work with."

Throughout Jang Jin-myeong's words, the room was quiet. They bowed their heads, avoiding Jang Jin-myeong's intense gaze. To such people, Jang Jin-myeong drove home his point.

"When we're among ourselves, please don't pretend to be righteous people. We've all seen each other's depths anyway." ​

The four masters attacked without rest. Palm force, axes, and fire chaotically decorated the deck.

During the melee, Master Haewol snapped off a piece of lumber made from the ship’s railing. He held the lumber like a sword and naturally lowered it down, taking a sword stance. Though short and blunt for a sword, he didn’t particularly mind.

Fire Flame Master’s heavy flag flew in. Master Haewol received the flag that seemed like it would crumble at the slightest touch with the lumber.

ROOOM!

The iron flag that flew in making a thunderous sound touched the lumber but made no sound at all. Master Haewol spun the tip of the lumber in a circle. The iron flag swayed and its direction turned.

Fire Flame Master’s arm, gripping the iron flag tightly, twisted unable to bear the weight. Fire Flame Master’s joints made cracking sounds. It was the combination of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds and the softness of Taiji sword.

Fire Flame Master endured with enough force to make his face red. The iron flag barely stopped without being driven into the deck.

The hook-nosed old man, Myriad Enlightened Master, stabbed Master Haewol’s back with a long skewer that had hooks like a fishing hook. It was a cruel weapon where if pierced and penetrated, the organs would get caught on the hooks and be pulled out when yanked.

Master Haewol flicked all five fingers backward without looking.

Pop pop pop!

Five finger winds scattered chaotically in different trajectories rather than uniform paths. Though it was meant as a threat to prevent close approach, there was no choice but to retreat to avoid the finger winds bouncing in all directions. Of course, even that alone prevented Master Haewol from pursuing Fire Flame Master, so Myriad Enlightened Master had played his role.

Vanishing Master leaped up stepping on the sail and scattered palm force. Palm force poured down like hail over Master Haewol’s head. Master Haewol casually tapped the lumber into the air.

BANG, CRASH BANG BANG!

All the pouring palm forces were hit by the lumber and deflected to the sides. The deck was smashed and holes were punched through.

Earth Store Master’s two axes flew in spinning and in sequence. Master Haewol raised the lumber to strike down the axes. But the moment they touched the axes, Master Haewol’s internal energy in the lumber disappeared like mist.

SNAP!

The lumber was cut as is and shattered, and the axe grazed right past Master Haewol’s neck.

SLASH!

A very small wound appeared. Following that, another axe charged toward his chest. Master Haewol abandoned the lumber and gathered both hands to draw a circle in front of his chest. While drawing the circle, Master Haewol’s internal energy created a net of countless circles in front of his chest.

But again, the moment the axe entered Master Haewol’s range, the net Master Haewol had created disappeared without a trace.

Master Haewol immediately leaped up into the air to avoid the axe. It was definitely a strange weapon that neutralized internal energy. Even protective energy wouldn’t be able to deflect those axes. If he charged trusting in protective energy, he would be split by the axes as is.

Master Haewol collided with the veiled woman Vanishing Master floating in the air. Vanishing Master’s palms poured down countless times toward below. Numerous explosions occurred in the air.

But Master Haewol avoided all explosions and leaped as many as three times in the air.

“Urgh!”

Vanishing Master’s eyes opened wide. Master Haewol had already leaped up behind Vanishing Master, above her. Vanishing Master turned her waist and unleashed twin palms. Master Haewol kicked Vanishing Master’s legs.

Vanishing Master’s body spun sideways in the air. All of Vanishing Master’s twin palms went in wrong directions. Master Haewol stepped down on Vanishing Master’s back with his foot and used thousand-pound drop to strengthen his body. If they fell to the deck like this, Master Haewol’s foot pressing on her back would shatter Vanishing Master’s spine.

Myriad Enlightened Master attacked the side of the falling Master Haewol with his skewer to help Vanishing Master. Master Haewol rather untied his belt and wrapped the skewer. The hooks attached upside down on the skewer rather made the belt get firmly caught.

When Master Haewol yanked momentarily, Myriad Enlightened Master was pulled along. He could just let go, but couldn’t do so voluntarily. Master Haewol had deployed advanced pressure point techniques to restrain Myriad Enlightened Master in the blink of an eye. Myriad Enlightened Master kicked at Master Haewol while being dragged, but Master Haewol wrapped Myriad Enlightened Master’s feet and neck simultaneously with the remaining belt. Myriad Enlightened Master’s face quickly turned white from strangulation.

Since the giant Earth Store Master also had two people caught by Master Haewol, he couldn’t throw axes and charged directly. Simultaneously Fire Flame Master also stabbed burning energy toward Master Haewol floating in the air.

Master Haewol kicked Vanishing Master’s foot, making the kicked foot kick Earth Store Master’s groin. When Earth Store Master pulled his legs together to protect his groin, Master Haewol extended his left hand and hooked Earth Store Master’s nostrils with his index and middle fingers, pulling. Earth Store Master’s head tilted back and his head was pulled along. He ended up in a posture where he couldn’t swing axes.

After wrapping Earth Store Master’s neck with one leg, he simultaneously shook Myriad Enlightened Master’s body with his right hand, making Myriad Enlightened Master’s skewer catch on Fire Flame Master’s flag. Fire Flame Master moved left and right trying to pull out the flag, but it wouldn’t come off because the skewer’s hooks were caught. When Master Haewol pulled Myriad Enlightened Master forcefully, Fire Flame Master was also dragged along as a bonus.

Five people became entangled and clumped together. Of course, the other four had their bodies restrained by one person and couldn’t move with their own strength.

It became a bizarre scene like a giant ball clumped together in the air.

The ball of people spun round and round. Like a top, the speed gradually increased, and at the moment it crashed to the deck, four people were flung in all directions.

BANG! CRASH! SMASH!

Demon Cult’s four masters bounced like lightning and were embedded in the ship. Either punched through salt sacks or half-buried in the floor after smashing through the deck!

“Urgh.”

“Ugh…”

The four masters groaned unable to move properly, having been pushed by such strong force. Vanishing Master, who had been caught from the very beginning, was embedded in the platform wall with no blood left in her face, even trembling in her arms.

Master Haewol floated about an inch above the deck then lightly descended. A dusty wind arose from under his feet and was pushed out in all directions.

WHOOOOSH.

A giant Taiji-shaped wind.

Great Taiji Unity…

The highest level of Wudang Sect’s Taiji martial arts.

But then.

Lightning fell on Master Haewol’s head.

The chair on the platform was empty.

ZZZZZZAP!

Blue Enlightened lightning poured down as if real lightning had fallen from the sky. Master Haewol lightly pushed the deck with his toes to lift his body. He fluttered lightly like dandelion seeds and deflected the lightning.

The tremendously powerful lightning fragments scattered and made countless holes throughout Master Haewol’s clothes. Master Haewol’s clothes burned and dozens of smoke streams rose.

CRACKLE.

The lightning split half of the transport ship. Showing blackened burn marks, the ship’s internal hull was completely exposed. The bow and stern split left and right and separated.

Bubble bubble, the river water touched by lightning boiled up and produced tremendous amounts of steam. The sailors who had jumped into the water had already died instantly when the lightning fell and soon floated up.

HISSSSSS.

Steam rose so thick that eyes couldn’t be opened and it was hot enough to cook flesh.

In the scene where even one step ahead was hard to see, Master Haewol was almost back-to-back with Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru.

It was possible to be back-to-back because Ga Mu-ru was in a posture of kneeling and striking his sword downward.

HISSSS…

Ga Mu-ru opened his mouth in the steam.

“You’ve been at it too long… Haewol.”

Master Haewol, wrapped in smoke with dozens of holes burned in his clothes, answered coldly without looking back.

“Don’t covet and go back. There’s no place for you to take.”

Ga Mu-ru harbored a faint smile on his stern face.

Master Haewol kicked Ga Mu-ru with his back foot. Ga Mu-ru didn’t dodge and struck Master Haewol’s temple with his elbow.

CRACK!

Ga Mu-ru’s ribs broke and Master Haewol’s foot was embedded, while Ga Mu-ru’s elbow also hit Master Haewol’s temple. Master Haewol’s head swayed like grass and instantly dissipated the force in the elbow. Ga Mu-ru immediately bounced off and fell into the river water.

SPLASH!

Suddenly a whitish object quickly approached through the steam on the deck.

SWOOSH! The steam split soundlessly.

Heaven Vermillion Sword cut toward Master Haewol’s neck. It was secretive but crude. Master Haewol leaned his body to the side and shot finger wind forward. A frustrated groan burst out.

Master Haewol shot forward like an arrow and grabbed Baek Li-jung’s throat. No, he thought it was Baek Li-jung but it wasn’t Baek Li-jung.

Even Master Haewol was momentarily bewildered.

“Who are you?”

It was one of the unorthodox sect masters.

He was holding Heaven Vermillion Sword.

Master Haewol was a Taoist with high mental cultivation and it was just an instant, but the current situation was enough to cause confusion.

RUMBLE!

Behind the unorthodox sect master, Baek Li-jung’s Thunderous Song Palm blazed with an ear-splitting roar.

The Thunderous Song Palm tore the unorthodox sect master holding Heaven Vermillion Sword to shreds and poured toward Master Haewol.

Master Haewol was momentarily greatly enraged.

“A righteous sect member to the end!”

Master Haewol didn’t leisurely deflect the Thunderous Song Palm but struck one palm from the front to suppress it with force. Master Haewol’s palm overwhelmed the Thunderous Song Palm.

BOOOOM!

The Thunderous Song Palm exploded and Baek Li-jung rather received backlash. Baek Li-jung was hit by the returned Thunderous Song Palm and Master Haewol’s Wudang Cotton Palm, staggered, then knelt down.

COUGH!

As Baek Li-jung vomited blood, Master Haewol shouted simultaneously.

“You bastard!”

Master Haewol’s hand emitted blue energy and rose toward the sky. Master Haewol’s eyes harbored killing intent.

At that moment.

PRICK.

Master Haewol looked down at his foot. A needle was sticking up from the top of his foot.

It had come up through the deck planks from below and pierced Master Haewol’s sole.

When he moved his foot, one eyeball was visible through the gap between deck planks.

“Hehehe. Ehehehe.”

It was Mang Ryo’s single eye. Mang Ryo, stuck to the ceiling of the lower cabin, looked up through the gap between deck planks and said.

“This isn’t a shoddy poison like last time. It’s one of the three great fatal poisons that King of Hell gave directly, so it won’t be defective either, right? Hehehe.”

Master Haewol’s brow furrowed deeply. Had everything been planned from when Baek Li-jung told Mang Ryo to stay out of the way!

“These bastards…!”

When Master Haewol raised his foot to stomp, Mang Ryo fell from the ceiling of the lower cabin and ran away.

The top of his foot pierced by the poison needle was already becoming numb. Master Haewol spread his palm and extended it to the side. Heaven Vermillion Sword, which the unorthodox sect master had dropped when he died, was sucked into his hand.

Master Haewol swung Heaven Vermillion Sword toward his own foot without a moment’s hesitation. His foot top was cut vertically. Only the heel remained and the front disappeared.

Along with that, Ga Mu-ru, who had fallen into the water, leaped up and cut the gunwale and deck together with Master Haewol entirely.

SWOOOOSH!

From the transport ship that had been cut in half, another third was cut off and dropped.

Master Haewol staggered and swung Heaven Vermillion Sword to block. But the tremendous sword energy bounced off Heaven Vermillion Sword and scraped across Master Haewol’s chest. His chest split and a span-long wound appeared. Blood began flowing down steadily.

While Master Haewol held his chest and composed himself, the steam scattered and the broken hull revealed itself.

Demon Cult’s four masters got up, and the unorthodox sect masters also slowly prepared to approach. Baek Li-jung and Ga Mu-ru also raised their internal energy, revealing their will for full-scale offensive.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang was immersed in deep meditation.

Strangely, the deeper he went inward, the farther Jin Ja-gang’s consciousness moved from his body.

Though his eyes were closed, the surrounding scenery was perceived as if he were seeing directly with his eyes.

The earthy smell and grass smell that the hot summer heat gave off.

The sound of bees’ wingbeats, the subtle air waves caused by butterflies’ wings.

And…

The happy expressions of people surrounding Jin Ja-gang.