Chapter 471

Chapter 471 – Heroes Gather Under the Blue Sky Banner (3)

"Sorry. I got too excited."

Cho Yeon-woon apologized to Geom Yul-cheon.

He put all the blame on himself. Since that was actually the case, there was nothing more to say.

"Not at all! It was truly impressive."

Geom Yul-cheon shook his head.

Goosebumps still hadn't left his skin. That's how much crisis Cho Yeon-woon's techniques made him feel. Recently, he'd never felt such crisis to this degree.

If he continued growing like this, Cho Yeon-woon would certainly become his excellent rival. But he couldn't pay more attention to Cho Yeon-woon. Because Dam Ho beside him drew more concern.

The moment he saw Dam Ho, this time his blood started boiling. His instincts as martial artist and competitive spirit activated.

His whole body tingled. His muscles twitched wanting to compete with Dam Ho immediately. But he had to endure.

Today he didn't come in capacity as martial artist Geom Yul-cheon, but as Divine Demon Alliance's Alliance Leader.

Instead of extending his fist, he greeted Dam Ho.

"Long time no see."

"Mm!"

"Seeing you like this makes me glad. Has it been about a year?"

"Seems so."

"You look much better. Being near your sect must suit you."

"You didn't come to make such idle talk, did you?"

"Right! We're not the type to leisurely exchange greetings."

Geom Yul-cheon smiled coldly nodding his head.

"Let's move locations. This place is too crowded."

Cho Yeon-woon interjected in their conversation.

They soon moved locations.

Each one was an absolute master who could dominate the world. When three such masters walked shoulder to shoulder, Lesser Mount Hua seemed full. Adding masters Eum Yu-kyung and Shin Mu-wol made breathing difficult from just watching.

Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists were overwhelmed by their presence.

Cho Yeon-woon guided them to Lesser Mount Hua's largest barracks. A place Blue Sky Alliance's leadership normally used as conference room.

Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon sat facing each other across a long table, and Dam Ho occupied the center position. Eum Yu-kyung and Shin Mu-wol stood behind Geom Yul-cheon as if demonstrating force.

Then the barracks door opened and two more people entered. Hae So-wol and So Cheon. They'd rushed over late.

The two naturally took positions behind Cho Yeon-woon. Then balance was achieved.

First to speak was Cho Yeon-woon.

"You want to ally with Blue Sky Alliance?"

"That's right! Precisely an alliance between Blue Sky Alliance and Divine Demon Alliance."

At Geom Yul-cheon's answer, Cho Yeon-woon suddenly looked at Dam Ho. Dam Ho kept his mouth firmly closed maintaining silence. A will not to intervene in the two's decision.

"Good! Alliance is something we also wish for. But first there's one thing to confirm. Please answer honestly."

"As much as you want."

"Ho told me you're tracking Heavenly Evil Cult. I want to know how it went."

"Heavenly Evil Cult completely went into hiding."

"Completely?"

"Right! They erased all external traces disappearing from the world."

"What?"

"Hard to believe but my words are true. We've tracked Heavenly Evil Cult the longest. You can trust us."

Geom Yul-cheon's words were true.

Blood Elder, Ho Cheon-myeong completely disappeared from the world after that day. Not only that, but all Heavenly Evil Cult people he'd secretly placed in the world also vanished like fog. As if they never existed in the world from the start.

"Wasn't Heavenly Evil Cult's purpose causing chaos by making Central Plains and the Demon Cult collide?"

"That's right!"

"Yet they disappeared?"

"Hard to understand easily but they completely hid their presence from the world."

"Why would they now?"

"Probably because they achieved their initial purpose. Central Plains' chaos is merely means to reach their goal. Probably their true purpose is separate."

"True purpose?"

A deep furrow appeared in Cho Yeon-woon's brow. He waited for Geom Yul-cheon's answer.

"What they did after trampling Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance was hold ceremony to the heavens on Shaolin Temple's grounds."

"What about it? Isn't holding ceremonies common? Especially for religious groups like the Demon Cult."

"That's true. However, nowhere in the Divine Cult's long history was there ever a case of holding ceremony immediately after taking enemy lives. Ceremony is sacred. An act of making body and mind reverent, swearing to the Venerable One to continue living cleanly. Therefore, not seeing blood for a hundred days before ceremony is our long tradition."

"Hmm!"

"The one who presided over the ceremony was the woman who was Holy Maiden. Though called Demon Mother now, she who'd long presided over ceremonies couldn't not know such facts. Yet she held the ceremony. Before the blood of countless dead at Mount Song even dried. That was a cruel act no different from human sacrifice."

As Geom Yul-cheon's words continued, Cho Yeon-woon's expression also twisted. He too was sensing an ominous atmosphere.

So Cheon, who'd been keeping silent behind Cho Yeon-woon, opened his mouth.

"Amitabha! Then why did she commit such cruel acts at Shaolin Temple?"

So Cheon's voice contained subtle anger.

Mount Song and Shaolin Temple were places he'd lived his entire life. Simply beyond his sect, places no different from his hometown. The Demon Cult not only defiled his hometown but committed heinous acts holding ceremony with countless people's blood as sacrifice.

However deep his Buddhist devotion, he absolutely couldn't forgive the Demon Cult's such atrocities.

So Cheon heard news the Demon Cult held ceremony where Shaolin Temple stood after entering this place. He didn't know how much he cried then. And he resolved. No matter what means, even if it meant killing countless people, he'd definitely reclaim Shaolin Temple.

Geom Yul-cheon looked at So Cheon.

"She seems controlled by martial arts called Heavenly Demon Heart Demon Technique. Because of that, she appears unable to make proper judgments."

"Heavenly Demon Heart Demon Technique?"

To So Cheon expressing doubt, Geom Yul-cheon explained that the book containing Heavenly Demon Heart Demon Technique was actually a medium planting demon seeds in the mind.

Having heard everything, So Cheon's face twisted viciously. Though he'd vaguely heard about Heavenly Evil Cult, he really didn't know they'd use such evil techniques.

"I absolutely won't forgive them. Even if this body falls into hell's flames suffering for countless eons, I absolutely won't forgive them."

"Calm down, So Cheon."

Cho Yeon-woon calmed the angry So Cheon.

After a while, once So Cheon somewhat suppressed his emotions, Cho Yeon-woon spoke.

"To summarize your words, Dan Un-hyang who presided over ceremony at Shaolin Temple was manipulated according to Heavenly Evil Cult's will."

"Right!"

"And holding the ceremony was means to achieve some purpose."

"That's also right!"

At Geom Yul-cheon's answer, Cho Yeon-woon quietly sighed.

His head throbbed.

With the Demon Cult alone shaking the world uncontrollably, thinking about Heavenly Evil Cult too made his head feel like bursting.

He looked at Geom Yul-cheon with bloodshot eyes. Then Geom Yul-cheon calmly continued.

"Let's think simply."

"How?"

"Anyway Heavenly Evil Cult went into hiding. Finding them before they show themselves will be nearly impossible. Then rather than worrying about them, let's focus on current issues."

"The Demon Cult."

"That's right. If we just normalize the Divine Cult, we can sufficiently respond whatever conspiracy Heavenly Evil Cult plots. That's why I came to find you. Help me so I can dominate the Divine Cult."

"Hmm!"

Cho Yeon-woon made a groaning sound.

Joining hands with Geom Yul-cheon wasn't difficult. Both had common enemies called the Demon Cult and Heavenly Evil Cult. The problem was after Geom Yul-cheon dominated the Demon Cult.

What if after dominating the Demon Cult, Geom Yul-cheon didn't keep his promise? Then Geom Yul-cheon could become an even greater disaster.

Geom Yul-cheon was young and strong. Most of all, he had strong potential to become a Demon Path Grandmaster.

That meant once he dominated the Demon Cult, he could easily rule for decades or more.

When conflict appeared in Cho Yeon-woon's eyes, Geom Yul-cheon nodded as if expecting this.

Geom Yul-cheon's gaze went to Dam Ho.

Still Dam Ho had an expressionless face. Just from his face, you couldn't tell at all what he was thinking.

"I'll make a request of you."

"…"

"Become guarantor for Blue Sky Alliance and Divine Demon Alliance's alliance."

Instantly everyone's eyes focused on Dam Ho.

The meaning guarantor held in the martial world was never small.

Simultaneously witness to the promise and someone who could hold accountable if not implemented. Meaning Dam Ho could hold accountable if Geom Yul-cheon's own promise wasn't kept.

Though other martial artists guaranteeing wouldn't dare hold Geom Yul-cheon accountable, Dam Ho was different.

Among those present, no one didn't know Dam Ho's character and martial prowess. Once Dam Ho spoke, he was someone who definitely kept his word. If you asked him to guarantee then didn't keep your promise, you didn't know what great trouble would come. Because Dam Ho would definitely hold you accountable.

Asking Dam Ho to guarantee was expression of Geom Yul-cheon's will to definitely keep his promise.

Geom Yul-cheon asked once more.

"Will you become guarantor?"

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze went to Dam Ho.

His eyes were saying. If Dam Ho became guarantor, he could trust. Same with So Cheon and Hae So-wol. They just waited for Dam Ho's answer.

With everyone's eyes focused, Dam Ho kept silent.

Still no expression change on his face. So you couldn't tell what he was thinking. But people patiently waited for his answer.

Dam Ho closed his eyes thinking.

People kept silent waiting for him to answer quickly. The moment he refused, both sides' cooperation would fall through. Therefore, tremendous tension had to flow on their faces.

Much time passed and finally Dam Ho opened his eyes. And answered.

"I will."

Instantly the atmosphere inside changed.

Since Dam Ho answered he'd guarantee, Blue Sky Alliance and Divine Demon Alliance's alliance was as good as done.

From now was practitioners' realm.

However much joining hands to face common enemy, still they had to gain one more beneficial thing.

"Then…"

From Divine Demon Alliance, Eum Yu-kyung stepped forward as representative. From Blue Sky Alliance, Hae So-wol came out.

Sparks seemed to fly from the women's eyes.

From now they'd establish the basic framework.

"Then…"

"Let's begin."

Leaving behind their sharp voices, Dam Ho, Geom Yul-cheon and others went outside.

"Phew!"

As soon as coming outside, Cho Yeon-woon let out the breath he'd been suppressing.

Though everyone wanted him to become Blue Sky Alliance's Alliance Leader, deciding such big matters really wasn't easy. If he judged wrongly, countless people would lose their lives. Therefore, the burden he felt had to be extremely heavy.

"I can't do this job again."

"You did well, why?"

"Me being Alliance Leader? I'm only doing it because there's no one else."

"You'll hold Alliance Leader position for quite long."

"Just curse me completely?"

"Watch. I'll be right."

Geom Yul-cheon smiled.

Though different camps, he quite liked Cho Yeon-woon. Such a competitor was welcome anytime.

Cho Yeon-woon looked at Dam Ho.

"Since guests came, today we can eat big from Jin-bo, right?"

His face was full of expectation.

Dam Ho silently nodded. Instantly a smile bloomed fully on Cho Yeon-woon's face.

"Haha!"

Before deciding cooperation, he had to be cautious, but since decided, he decided not to think about what came after.

Suddenly Geom Yul-cheon asked.

"Do you trust me? That I'll keep my promise to the end."

"No!"

Cho Yeon-woon firmly shook his head.

He put his hand on Dam Ho's shoulder.

"But I trust this friend. His judgment too."

Blue Sky Alliance and Divine Demon Alliance.

Under Dam Ho's guarantee, they temporarily joined hands like that.

The day Azure Dragon and Indomitable joined hands, and Fist Demon became witness.

Historians later evaluated this day as the turning point when world history changed.

The day three men who move the world first clasped hands.

From this day, the world started moving in a new direction.