Chapter 447

Chapter 447 – Yet Hope is Not Abandoned (1)

The streets of Yueyang where the Demon Cult's main base was located were quiet. ​

Because many forces had departed for the Martial Alliance and Shaolin Temple. With most main forces having left, only minimal forces remained guarding the Demon Cult's main base. ​

Though called minimal forces, they were power that even ordinary Central Plains major sects wouldn't dare challenge. Therefore no sect or martial artist could dare invade this place. ​

The main gate that had been tightly closed for some time opened as the sun slowly descended toward the western mountains. ​

The massive iron gate opened and one luxurious four-horse carriage emerged. The carriage headed toward nearby Dongting Lake. ​

Dongting Lake, usually frequented by poets and scholars, had been deserted for a while. When the Demon Cult seized Yueyang, people became frightened and avoided approaching altogether. But contrary to people's expectations, the Demon Cult caused no harm to those unrelated to the martial world. Then gradually many found Dongting Lake again as before. ​

Countless lanterns hung around Dongting Lake lit up. Colorful lanterns reflected on the water surface creating a fantastic scene. ​

Many strolled along Dongting Lake entranced by the fantastic scenery. The impatient had already found pleasure houses enjoying drinks. ​

There the four-horse carriage from the Demon Cult arrived. The carriage stopped at Dongting Lake's dock. Many boats were moored at the dock. ​

Most boats moored here weren't boats regularly traveling the Yangtze River like cargo vessels, but boats for pleasure seekers. Pleasure seekers loaded courtesans aboard these boats to enjoy leisure at Dongting Lake. ​

Swish! ​

With the sound of dragging skirts, a middle-aged woman descended from the four-horse carriage. An unapproachable noble aura emanated from the woman wearing a red veil over her face. ​

Instantly the person in charge rushed from the largest pleasure boat and prostrated before the woman. ​

"This humble one Geum Oh-yeon greets the Demon Mother." ​

"It's been a while, Leader Geum." ​

The middle-aged woman removed the red veil covering her face. Then a beautiful face was revealed. ​

A woman who was a holy maiden but became the Demon Mother by her own will. ​

She was precisely Dan Un-hyang. ​

The large boat before Dan Un-hyang belonged to the Demon Cult. ​

"I've often heard Dongting Lake is beautiful, but this is my first time seeing it directly." ​

"Why did you come without notice?" ​

Bewilderment was evident on Geum Oh-yeon's face. ​

Dan Un-hyang held the most esteemed position within the Demon Cult. Except for Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol, no one more precious than her existed. He couldn't help being flustered that she came so unexpectedly. ​

"Since Dongting Lake is beautiful, I came to sightsee. Can you launch the boat?" ​

"Right now?" ​

"Yes." ​

"If you wait just a moment, I'll launch the boat immediately." ​

"What is there to prepare? Just launch the boat." ​

"Still, since the Demon Mother is boarding, shouldn't we prepare?" ​

"Never mind." ​

Dan Un-hyang passed Geum Oh-yeon walking toward the boat. Geum Oh-yeon, overwhelmed by Dan Un-hyang's aura, couldn't say anything. ​

"Huu! Can't be helped." ​

He ultimately had no choice but to bow his head and follow her. ​

Normally, before she came, he should have deployed Demon Cult masters and made full preparations. For her safety. ​

On the other hand, he also thought. ​

'What could happen? This place is the Cult's front yard.' ​

The boatmen aboard were all masters who learned martial arts, and Demon Cult masters who would rush at a shout were plentiful around Dongting Lake. ​

Ultimately Geum Oh-yeon launched the boat onto Dongting Lake. ​

That huge boat soundlessly cut through water moving forward. ​

"Beautiful." ​

Dan Un-hyang exclaimed in admiration looking around Dongting Lake from the bow. ​

After coming to Yueyang, Dan Un-hyang spent most of her time with Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol. Only after dreamlike time passed did she finally think of looking around Yueyang. ​

Though the world was chaotic, Dongting Lake boasted beautiful scenery like a separate world. When the sun completely set, boats came out to Dongting Lake one or two at a time. ​

As splendid lanterns hung on boats, colorful lights embroidered the water surface like blooming flowers. Lantern light, rippling water surface, and moonlight combined creating an indescribably mysterious scene. ​

"Beautiful. They say Dongting Lake's night view is the world's finest, and it's truly magnificent." ​

Seeing Dongting Lake's fantastic night view, Dan Un-hyang felt her somewhat stuffy chest refreshing. ​

Though she didn't know when it started, sometimes her chest suddenly felt stuffy as if a rock was placed on it. Then her mind became hazy as if dreaming. ​

'When did it start?' ​

She thought it strange and shook her head. But didn't think deeply. ​

Though a master who learned martial arts, she was also human. Being human, various physiological phenomena inevitably occurred. She thought this time was also such. ​

Watching the lanterns flaunting splendid appearance, a thought suddenly arose. ​

"By now the Cult's forces must have arrived near the Martial Alliance." ​

The great war determining the Demon Cult and the world's fate. Though regrettable she couldn't participate in such historic battle, she had work here. ​

Precisely stabilizing Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol. ​

After being ambushed by Wind Moon Emperor Dan Gong-wol, Cheok Gwan-hyeol occasionally had seizures. Cheok Gwan-hyeol was a master who learned martial arts worthy of being called the world's finest. ​

When his madness exploded, even the Demon Cult struggled to manage. Fortunately, when Dan Un-hyang was present, he noticeably stabilized. ​

After returning to the Demon Cult, Dan Un-hyang staying by Cheok Gwan-hyeol's side was precisely for this reason. ​

"Now the Divine Cult's world isn't far. All the world's people will soon believe in the Divine Cult." ​

She believed without doubt a new era would open. And naturally the Divine Cult would become the new era's master. ​

A cold smile hung at Dan Un-hyang's lips. Her smile shone extremely beautifully bathed in moonlight. ​

As time passed, even more boats appeared on Dongting Lake. Various types from pleasure seekers laughing with courtesans at their sides to poets and scholars. Some boats even loaded musicians to have them play music. ​

Suddenly a chill passed through her eyes. ​

'Garbage-like things.' ​

Useless humans consuming the present without any cause or ideals. Dan Un-hyang hated such humans. And most people now launching boats on Dongting Lake appeared to her as useless humans. ​

Then it happened. One small boat slid approaching the boat she was on. Like other boats, it was loaded with many lanterns. One difference was neither courtesans nor musicians playing music were visible on the boat. ​

A woman stood alone at the boat's bow with her garments fluttering in the wind. Though shadows cast by lanterns prevented clearly seeing her face, Dan Un-hyang somehow thought the woman's figure looked familiar. Such thoughts turned to conviction as the boat drew closer. ​

When shadows covering the woman's face gradually disappeared revealing her true appearance, frost had settled on Dan Un-hyang's face. ​

"How dare you……" ​

The woman aboard the opposite boat was someone she knew well. So she was bewildered. That woman should absolutely not be here. ​

"Yu-kyung!" ​

"It's been a while, Master." ​

"Your gall must be swollen. How dare you crawl in knowing where this is?" ​

"I have such qualification, Master. I'm still the Cult's Holy Maiden. Whether Master acknowledges it or not." ​

The woman answering calmly was precisely Eum Yu-kyung. ​

Her appearance was sufficient to enrage Dan Un-hyang. This place housed the Demon Cult's main base. At this place that would become the martial world's new holy ground, no land existed for dirty traitors like Eum Yu-kyung to stand. ​

"Who says you're still the Holy Maiden? You were already expelled from the Cult." ​

"No one can expel me. If I don't wish it." ​

"How dare!" ​

Dan Un-hyang raised killing intent. Then boatmen aboard drew weapons. Though just steering boats here, they too were Demon Cult masters who learned martial arts. ​

Dan Un-hyang gave them orders. ​

"Immediately capture that woman and make her kneel before me." ​

"By your command!" ​

Just as Geum Oh-yeon acknowledged orders and was about to launch his body with subordinates. ​

"Stop." ​

Suddenly Eum Yu-kyung raised her hand shouting. A round iron token was held in her hand. ​

Dan Un-hyang was about to laugh at such Eum Yu-kyung. Because Eum Yu-kyung's attitude of giving orders as if becoming something with just one iron token was laughable. ​

But the next moment her face froze stiff. Because the pattern engraved on the iron token entered her eyes. ​

"That's…… surely not?" ​

"D-Demon Mother?" ​

Not only Dan Un-hyang but Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates also showed bewildered expressions. Because the object held in Eum Yu-kyung's hand was something that disappeared from this world very long ago. ​

"Sacred Object?" ​

"Correct. The Cult's Sacred Object. Surely you won't deny the Sacred Object's authority?" ​

"How did you get that?" ​

Disbelief was evident on Dan Un-hyang's face. ​

She too was once a saintess. Therefore she could recognize what held in Eum Yu-kyung's hand was the genuine Sacred Object. ​

Eum Yu-kyung spoke in a calm voice. ​

"By the Sacred Object's authority, I give orders. Disarm immediately and withdraw." ​

"I-I receive the Sacred Object's command." ​

Geum Oh-yeon bowed his head with a deathly pale face. ​

The Sacred Object held authority equal to the Cult Leader. Therefore ordinary followers like Geum Oh-yeon had no choice but to accept the Sacred Object's commands. ​

Just as Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates were about to unfasten even the swords at their waists. ​

Slash! ​

With a sharp cutting sound, Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates' heads were instantly severed. ​

Geum Oh-yeon's and others' heads rolling on the floor blinked their eyes as if not even recognizing death. ​

Seeing this, Eum Yu-kyung's expression froze stiff as if wearing iron armor. ​

"Are you now denying the Sacred Object's authority?" ​

"No, I acknowledge it. If it were the old me. But the current me is not the Holy Maiden but the Demon Mother. Dreaming of a new Divine Cult, the old era's relic, that mere scrap of metal's commands no longer work on me. Hohoho!" ​

Dan Un-hyang's laughter echoed across Dongting Lake. Instantly the entire area's water surface greatly surged. Her laughter made waves on the quiet water surface. Truly terrifying internal energy. But what shocked Eum Yu-kyung wasn't her internal energy but the Sacred Object's authority being thoroughly denied. ​

The Sacred Object symbolized the founding Cult Leader who established the Divine Cult. Therefore it held authority taking precedence over the Cult Leader's commands. But Dan Un-hyang was thoroughly denying such Sacred Object's authority. ​

'Though I anticipated this might happen……' ​

Denying the Sacred Object's authority itself meant the current Divine Cult was severed from the past. A fact difficult for Eum Yu-kyung to accept. ​

Eum Yu-kyung raised her voice. ​

"Come to your senses, Master. The one who taught me I must find the Sacred Object and establish the law was precisely Master." ​

"The past me certainly did. But the current me is different. The newly born Divine Cult doesn't need such past commands." ​

A chilling mad gleam exploded from Dan Un-hyang's eyes. Facing Dan Un-hyang's gaze directly, Eum Yu-kyung momentarily felt her mind dizzying. ​

'Evil energy?' ​

The energy felt from Dan Un-hyang's eyes was clearly turbid evil energy. An impossible occurrence. Under normal circumstances. ​

'Was Master also affected by the Heavenly Evil Cult?' ​

Then Dan Un-hyang leaped across boats attacking. Eum Yu-kyung also counterattacked without delay. ​

Boom boom boom! ​

A storm swept through the calm Dongting Lake. ​

The two women became two dragons attacking each other. ​

Previously, Eum Yu-kyung wouldn't have been Dan Un-hyang's match. But the current Eum Yu-kyung was different from before. ​

The first to notice her change was precisely Dan Un-hyang who had been her master. ​

"To become this strong, surely you obtained the Sacred Object's martial arts?" ​

"I acquired part of it." ​

"Then the rest?" ​

Eum Yu-kyung didn't answer. But that alone greatly shocked Dan Un-hyang. ​

'If that woman truly learned the Sacred Object's martial arts, it's dangerous.' ​

Dan Un-hyang gathered power attacking Eum Yu-kyung. But her attack was split by one sword Eum Yu-kyung wielded. ​

Eum Yu-kyung tried to attack Dan Un-hyang again pressing the momentum. But at that moment, an unexpected event occurred. Dan Un-hyang fled, withdrawing her body long into the air. ​

"Tsk!" ​

Eum Yu-kyung hastily tried to pursue Dan Un-hyang then stopped. ​

Because one book she hadn't seen before was dropped on the boat Dan Un-hyang had been riding. Dan Un-hyang had dropped it. ​

Eum Yu-kyung hastily picked up the book. ​

Heavenly Evil Heart Demon Technique. ​

So it was written on the book. But Dan Un-hyang had no leisure to examine the book. Demon Cult masters waiting around Dongting Lake were approaching steering boats or deploying water-walking techniques. ​

Eum Yu-kyung had no choice but to steer the boat toward the opposite direction escaping. ​