Chapter 465

Chapter 465 – It's Not Over Yet (3)

Everyone was silent.

Though they'd repelled the Demon Cult's pursuit force with Dam Ho's help, many sacrifices occurred. Martial artists who'd lost comrades couldn't help feeling sorrowful.

Dam Ho sat on Black Ghost silently. No, he couldn't speak. Because he was treating internal injuries with Dark Soul Cultivation Technique.

Cho Yeon-woon, noticing Dam Ho's condition, no longer spoke to him. Hae So-wol and So Cheon also just watched without opening their mouths.

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze suddenly went toward Gi San-wol following behind Dam Ho.

"Who is that person?"

"Ah, this person is Great Hero Gi San-wol who follows Brother Ho."

Bang Jin-bo stepped forward introducing him first. Only then did Gi San-wol salute Cho Yeon-woon.

"I'm called Gi San-wol. Since you're my lord's friend, please treat me comfortably too."

"Pleased to meet you, Great Hero Gi. You follow Ho?"

"That's right."

"Ha! That stone-like person taking someone as subordinate, hard to easily believe. Anyway, please take good care of that fellow from now on. He requires more care than you'd think."

"I should be the one asking that."

The two men's greeting ended like that.

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze soon went toward the Namgung brothers.

"Namgung Family's survivors?"

"Yes! I'm Namgung Seon-hwi, this is my younger brother Namgung Yeong-hwi. It's an honor to meet Azure Dragon Divine Hero."

Elder brother Namgung Seon-hwi stepped forward introducing his brother.

"Namgung Yeong-hwi meets Azure Dragon Divine Hero."

"Good to meet you. You both must have suffered much coming here."

At Cho Yeon-woon's warm words, the Namgung brothers felt tears welling up. Because besides Bang Jin-bo, no one had spoken such warm words to them. They struggled to hold back tears.

Bang Jin-bo patted the Namgung brothers' shoulders. Seeing that, Cho Yeon-woon smiled. Because Bang Jin-bo felt far more mature than before they'd parted. The very fact he could comfort someone like that and give stability was proof Bang Jin-bo had grown.

Just as he himself had grown, the fact Bang Jin-bo had grown too simply pleased him.

"Kid!"

"Why?"

"Just because I'm happy."

"Tch!"

"Good to see you."

"Me too."

Short but affectionate words were exchanged.

Bang Jin-bo's expression stiffened slightly as he briefly looked around. Because the face he'd so wanted to see wasn't visible.

Bang Jin-bo carefully asked Cho Yeon-woon.

"What about So-cheong?"

"She's safe!"

"Really?"

"Have you lived being deceived?"

"That's a relief."

Bang Jin-bo's expression relaxed. Then Cho Yeon-woon chuckled ruffling his hair.

"I must definitely protect So-cheong if no one else. If anything happened to that child, I'd have no face to see you."

"Brother?"

"You'll see her soon. Check with your own eyes."

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo nodded vigorously.

It felt like one huge rock weighing down his heart had been removed. Thanks to that, he could move with much lighter feelings.

Cho Yeon-woon led the group northward. Though the Demon Cult had returned for now overwhelmed by Dam Ho's majesty, they couldn't rest a moment not knowing when they might change minds pursuing again.

Sparing even rest time moving north, they finally could reach the Yangtze River.

"Ah!"

"Wow!"

Instantly exclamations burst out everywhere.

On the huge Yangtze floated dozens of large and small boats. Various types from small boats and fishing vessels to merchant ships and cloud horse river-crossing vessels.

Familiar faces appeared on the decks.

"Waaaah! They came."

"They arrived. Quickly lower the gangplank."

Those cheering seeing Cho Yeon-woon and Dam Ho were precisely martial artists who'd escaped from Shaolin and the Martial Alliance.

Cho Yeon-woon muttered looking at them.

"As expected, you prepared boats in time. That's a relief."

"Who prepared them?"

"Who else? The one you've wanted to see so much."

At Bang Jin-bo's question, Cho Yeon-woon pointed with his finger at the deck of the largest boat. On the boat's deck stood a girl exuding a pure atmosphere.

The moment he saw the girl, Bang Jin-bo's eyes opened wide.

"So-cheong!"

The girl on the large cloud horse river-crossing vessel was definitely Eun So-cheong. Eun So-cheong also seemed to have discovered Bang Jin-bo, waving her white hand.

Cho Yeon-woon smiled.

"It must have been an unreasonable request, but she ultimately succeeded."

The day before the Martial Alliance and Shaolin Temple fell to the Demon Cult, Cho Yeon-woon had sent Eun So-cheong a carrier pigeon asking her to prepare boats. To prepare for any possible situation.

He'd been anxious not knowing the result, but fortunately Eun So-cheong had gathered boats arriving here in time.

"So-cheong!"

Bang Jin-bo threw his body toward the boat Eun So-cheong was on.

After kicking off the water surface several times, his form instantly reached the deck of the boat Eun So-cheong was on.

"Jin-bo."

Eun So-cheong's eyes opened wide. In such eyes, light of emotion swirled.

Bang Jin-bo unknowingly hugged Eun So-cheong's small body tightly.

"Uwaaah!"

"Whewww! Mount Hua's senior disciple is quite bold. With everyone watching."

Those on the boat exclaimed watching the two. At that, Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong who'd come to their senses hastily separated. Their faces were dyed red like persimmons. But their expressions weren't unpleasant.

Those who arrived late boarded the boats. Until the last person boarded, they didn't relax their guard.

Finally with Dam Ho boarding last, the boats departed.

"Let's go! To Mount Hua."

Dozens of boats went up the Yangtze against the current.

Their destination was Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua Sect was located.

Someone muttered looking at the receding shore.

"It's not over yet. We'll definitely return again."

***

Where Shaolin Temple had been.

At that place now left with only ashes and ruins, a large splendid altar was erected. Colorful silk fluttered in the wind, and from a large incense burner, incense continuously rose.

Near the altar, Middle Heaven's martial artists were preparing to conduct a ritual, and Dan Un-hyang, Middle Heaven's Heavenly Lord and also Demon Mother, waited dressed in splendid robes.

After a while all preparations finished and Dan Un-hyang finally climbed the altar looking around.

Shaolin Temple with only foundation stones remaining showed the impermanence of past glory, and at the Martial Alliance's former site, flames still not extinguished rose.

Light of joy appeared on Dan Un-hyang's face.

The Demon Cult martial artists looking at her face were the same. Traces of fierce battle still remained throughout their bodies. Even with wounded, blood-dyed bodies, they wore bright smiles.

Shaolin Temple had been the Demon Cult's long-standing nemesis. Because Shaolin existed, the Demon Cult wasn't recognized as legitimate, circling the Central Plains' periphery. Therefore their resentment and hatred toward Shaolin Temple had deep roots.

The Martial Alliance was the same. Whenever the Demon Cult expanded influence, Central Plains martial artists created organizations like the Martial Alliance oppressing them. Righteous Alliance, Martial Alliance, though names changed by era, the fact they'd blocked the Demon Cult's way until now didn't change.

Finally bringing down long-standing nemeses becoming victors, Demon Cult followers couldn't hide their joy. Slaughtering cattle and pigs, they enjoyed victors' rightful privileges.

Dan Un-hyang finally climbed the altar. On the altar were placed not only incense burners but various ritual vessels used in sacrifices.

"I'll begin the ritual."

At her declaration, followers all took reverent postures.

"Reporting to the Venerable One in heaven, today we achieved victory…"

Dan Un-hyang's voice rang out clearly.

Countless Demon Cult followers concentrated on Dan Un-hyang's voice, and the ritual proceeded in a reverent atmosphere. But not everyone focused on the ritual.

"I apologize, Military Strategist."

Jang Mu-gyeong was bowing apologizing to Sang Han-cheon. His face was full of humiliation.

Not that apologizing to Sang Han-cheon was shameful, but the fact he'd fled like a frightened dog without striking even once against Dam Ho was humiliating.

Sang Han-cheon silently watched Jang Mu-gyeong.

He neither blamed nor comforted Jang Mu-gyeong. That appearance made Jang Mu-gyeong even more ashamed.

After a while, Sang Han-cheon opened his mouth.

"I understand."

"Military Strategist!"

"You must be tired, so rest now. You worked hard."

Though Sang Han-cheon spoke with calm expression, Jang Mu-gyeong could read the anger contained within.

They'd lost one member of Four Great Commanders. Damage on a different dimension from losing other masters. Yet Sang Han-cheon forcibly suppressing anger was because he didn't want to break the festive atmosphere.

"Fist Demon!"

Anger was hot but reason was cold. And reason pressed down anger tightly.

Seeing Sang Han-cheon's eyes, Jang Mu-gyeong saluted him then quietly withdrew.

While they conversed, the ritual atmosphere Dan Un-hyang presided over was reaching its peak.

"Oh! Venerable One."

"Guide us to infinite life."

Madness dominated the venue.

Demon Cult martial artists raved at every word Dan Un-hyang chanted, every gesture, frantically chanting mantras.

Deep furrows appeared in Sang Han-cheon's brow.

The Demon Cult was a religion following the Venerable One. Being religious, he didn't think badly of fanatic-like behavior. Rather he welcomed such acts. Sang Han-cheon thought so too. Yet the ritual Dan Un-hyang presided over somehow felt repulsive.

The strange heat and madness dominating the venue. All of it was clearly excessive to a degree never felt before.

"Venerable One, receive all offerings on this mountain and guide us to infinite life."

"Guide us."

"Oh!"

Like entranced by Dan Un-hyang's voice, Demon Cult martial artists repeatedly chanted following her words.

"Not good."

Sang Han-cheon's eyes grew even colder.

Everything has limits.

Though the Divine Cult was called the Demon Cult and was a religious organization, still madness beyond proper degree rather caused harm.

The ritual's climax came when the offering to present to the Venerable One was dragged onto the altar.

"Kreuk!"

The one dragged out struggling was precisely Iron Blood Feathered Scholar Jong Hak-seon, one of the Martial Alliance leadership.

Instantly Sang Han-cheon's expression completely changed.

"Surely not human sacrifice?"

Human sacrifice was offering living people as offerings. A cruel act long banned even in the Demon Cult and an absolute taboo that should never be performed.

Sang Han-cheon hurriedly tried to stop Dan Un-hyang's act. But Dan Un-hyang's movement was faster. She slashed Jong Hak-seon's throat with the splendid dagger used for sacrifice.

Puhwahak!

A blood fountain shot high into the sky, and Dan Un-hyang was directly bathed in his blood.

Uwung!

A strange vibration occurred sweeping across all of Songshan.

Sang Han-cheon flinched.

Because instantly a strange sense of loss and peculiar sensation assaulted him.

His stomach churned as if he'd vomit. Sang Han-cheon struggled to suppress his insides raising his head.

Absolute masters like Jang Jin-myeong and Yo Sa-ran had similar expressions to Sang Han-cheon. With expressions and eyes showing bewilderment, they sought answers from Sang Han-cheon. But Sang Han-cheon couldn't answer. Because he too didn't know the answer.

Sang Han-cheon looked at ordinary followers. Unexpectedly their expressions were peaceful. As if not feeling the disturbance just now.

"Was it an illusion?"

Sang Han-cheon shook his head.

Because the sensation just now was too vivid to simply dismiss as illusion.

"What on earth?"

While he held questions, the ritual had already ended.

As if never engulfed in madness, madness disappeared and only calm atmosphere flowed.

Dan Un-hyang cast off her ritual robe walking lightly. Sang Han-cheon, overwhelmed by her strange atmosphere, couldn't speak to her.

Like that, the ritual performed at Shaolin Temple ended.

The Demon Cult established a huge branch at Shaolin Temple.

The Divine Cult Henan Branch was the official name.

Hubei Province where Wudang Sect was, Henan Province where Shaolin Temple was fell completely into the Demon Cult's hands, and two-thirds of the Central Plains came under Demon Cult control.

The harsh era later called "Martial World's Winter" began like this.

That year's winter saw unusually many great disasters.

In early winter, unprecedented heavy snow fell leaving countless people isolated freezing to death. Therefore the Demon Cult too couldn't continue conquest war having to stop activities.

But calamity didn't end there.

Near winter's end, a great earthquake struck all across the Central Plains. The earth split and mountains collapsed. Countless people died and tremendous numbers of disaster victims were created.

Martial sects couldn't escape damage either. Many sects suffered great damage with buildings collapsing in the earthquake, and the Demon Cult also took great hits.

People's cries and resentment pierced heaven, and public sentiment grew increasingly turbulent.

The Central Plains' worst winter.

And another year passed.