Chapter 126. Can They Be Saved?

Jin Cheon was so busy he didn’t have a moment to spare.

Simply attending to the elders was not the entirety of Jin Cheon’s duties.

Jin Cheon also had to establish an operational plan for the deal with Hegemon Fortress, and he had to discuss the grander plan to steal the trigrams.

“Squad Leader Dan, focus on securing an escape route by requesting cooperation from the Bat Squad.”

“Yes, Liege.”

“The Righteous Heavenly Alliance will interfere, so keep that in mind as well.”

“Do you anticipate the Righteous Heavenly Alliance will intervene in this matter?”

“Of course, they will.”

Jin Cheon spoke as if it were obvious even without looking.

“Do you think Hegemon Fortress will just sit quietly after we got the better of them? They will surely try to screw us over by informing the Righteous Heavenly Alliance of our presence.”

“Ah?”

“The place of the deal is Zhejiang Province. From the Righteous Heavenly Alliance’s perspective, we’ll look like rats in a trap. So we must even keep that in mind.”

“I obey your command.”

Following Jin Cheon’s orders, Danmok Cheong focused on securing a safe escape route.

Certainly, since the location was Zhejiang Province, securing an escape route was a very important issue.

If things went wrong, even the elders of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could all end up on the road to the afterlife….

While searching for an escape route, Jin Cheon also sought advice from Wi Mu-rin.

“You’re saying you need to steal something from the Mount Mao Sect?”

“Yes.”

“What on earth…?”

“I cannot tell you that.”

“It’s confidential… Is it the Cult Leader’s will.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

Wi Mu-rin readily agreed and did not ask further.

Since it was a mission the Cult Leader, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, had entrusted only to Jin Cheon, he knew he wouldn’t get an answer no matter how much he pried.

“The Mount Mao Sect, huh. Conquering the Mount Mao Sect would be an incredibly easy task for you. It would probably be easier than eating cold porridge.”

“Pardon?”

Jin Cheon did not properly understand the meaning of Wi Mu-rin’s words.

The Mount Mao Sect was a member of the Nine Sects One Gang, and a place called by the modifier of the greatest Sorcerers under heaven, so it was by no means an easy place.

“That thing you’re wearing, what do you think it is. The Nine-headed Dragon Robe is a treasure that blocks almost all sorcery. You’re practically immune to sorcery.”

“……!”

Only then did Jin Cheon understand Wi Mu-rin’s meaning.

“Since you have no knowledge of sorcery, you probably don’t have a good understanding of how to use the Nine-headed Dragon Robe. The Nine-headed Dragon Robe simultaneously blocks up to nine spells.”

“S-Such a thing.”

“Most ordinary spells can’t penetrate the Nine-headed Dragon Robe’s anti-demonic power. Even if they do, the effect won’t last long. And in the one-in-ten-thousand chance you get injured, the Nine-headed Dragon Robe will heal you.”

“Ah.”

Jin Cheon was well aware of the Nine-headed Dragon Robe’s body restoration ability from experience, but to think it could simultaneously block up to nine spells….

“It’s not called the greatest treasure under heaven for nothing. If you use the Nine-headed Dragon Robe well, it’s not that difficult to display abilities beyond what you possess.”

“Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother.”

Jin Cheon made a clasped-fist salute towards Wi Mu-rin.

“Would you be able to accompany me when I go to the Mount Mao Sect?”

“Of course.”

Wi Mu-rin gladly accepted Jin Cheon’s request.

“If it’s the Cult Leader’s command, it must be a very important matter for Our Cult, so isn’t it only natural to lend a hand?”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Jin Cheon smiled brightly.

***

At a point just before the deal with Hegemon Fortress.

‘They certainly have many disadvantages compared to those who have learned Righteous Arts.’

Jin Cheon recognized another drawback of demonic arts from the appearance of the elders.

It was the weakening of the body due to aging and the danger of qi deviation.

“Ugh! All my joints are aching, it must be about to rain!”

“My knees are throbbing too, it seems it will rain soon.”

Despite being terrifyingly powerful masters, the elders would often lie down and groan at the slightest thing.

Of course, it was common for martial artists, young or old, to not have a single sound place on their bodies, but the hardships the elders were experiencing were not of that nature.

The elders of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult aged more severely and their bodies were weaker compared to the elders of the Righteous Faction of the same age.

Not only that, but the risk of qi deviation due to the operation of demonic qi was high, so they did not try to use their martial arts recklessly.

It wasn’t for nothing that the elders, despite their outstanding martial arts, had crawled into the Senate and were playing the part of old men in the back room.

‘This too must be the fate of demonic arts.’

From the appearance of such elders, Jin Cheon deeply pondered another side effect of demonic arts.

Demonic arts had the advantage of very fast achievement, but they had the disadvantage of an extreme plateau as one reached higher realms.

Also, no matter how long one trained, it was difficult to see progress beyond one’s own limits.

Conversely, Righteous Arts had slow achievement but showed steady progress the longer one trained.

It wasn’t for nothing that the old masters of the prestigious great sects were sprightly even at the age of over ninety.

Was that all?

It was very rare for those who had learned demonic arts to close their eyes in peace.

It was like a destiny for demonic practitioners who had learned demonic arts.

The qi deviation that comes with excruciating pain just before death… what happens after that was not death.

Demonification.

When a demonic practitioner’s life as a living being comes to an end, they undergo Demonification and are bound to live as a demon, not a human.

That was why demonic practitioners would ask their disciples or close acquaintances for peace when they were about to die.

There were even cases where they would choose to take their own lives if there was no one suitable to help.

Because, from time to time, incidents would occur where elders who died alone became demons and went on a killing spree….

‘Is there no way to supplement the side effects.’

For Jin Cheon, that became a new topic of contemplation.

Having the experience of replacing the drawbacks of the existing Reverse Heaven Heart Art by distributing the Post-Heaven Extreme Demonic True Qi he had created, he thought it might not be impossible.

Even if he couldn’t prevent the aging due to the side effects of demonic arts, he wanted to somehow supplement the part about turning into a demon just before death.

‘I should talk to the Cult Leader when I have the chance. The Demonic Ghost Cave must be teeming with martial artists from Our Cult who have become demons.’

Jin Cheon thought of the demons who were exiled to the Demonic Ghost Cave, one of the forbidden places of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

They were once human, but they had become demons as a price for learning demonic arts.

It was said that tens of thousands of such beings were teeming in the Demonic Ghost Cave….

‘Can they be saved.’

Jin Cheon suddenly had such a thought.

Would it be possible to turn those who had become demons back into humans….

If he could, Jin Cheon would gladly do so.

He didn’t know why, but he felt sorry for those who had become demons and were trapped in the Demonic Ghost Cave.

Perhaps it was because it reminded him of his past when he was trapped in the Demonic Prison.

He remembered those twenty years he had to live in endless pain and despair without any hope… those years he had endured with the single belief that he would one day escape and get his revenge.

‘Yes, one day, I will reclaim freedom for the demons of the Demonic Ghost Cave.’

Jin Cheon made such a resolution.

In truth, it might have been a near-impossible task.

Since no one in the history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had ever accomplished it….

However, since he was born with the Heavenly Demon’s Physique, Jin Cheon was thinking of at least giving it a try.

Because trying and giving up altogether were two completely different stories.

***

The origin of Hegemon Fortress was originally the Black Dragon Gang, a coalition of unorthodox faction martial artists active around Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province.

The Black Dragon Gang, true to its nature as a group composed of unorthodox faction martial artists, was a group that would do anything for money, including smuggling, human trafficking, robbery, and the entertainment business.

The reason that Black Dragon Gang was reborn as Hegemon Fortress was thanks to the change of the Central Plains dynasty.

In the chaotic times of the past when the dynasty was changing, the Black Dragon Gang took advantage of the absence of the Imperial family to frighteningly expand its power.

Was it said that turbulent times give birth to heroes?

A figure who would draw a line in the history of the Black Dragon Gang appeared, and he was the Heaven-Breaking Emperor.

The Heaven-Breaking Emperor, who was a genius of martial arts, researched the martial arts of the unorthodox faction and created the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi, a supreme martial art of the era.

Based on this, he dominated the eastern part of the Central Plains and became the sky of the unorthodox faction.

The Heaven-Breaking Emperor, who was recognized as the greatest master under heaven of his time, built a huge castle in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, and that was the present-day Hegemon Fortress.

Now, about three hundred years have passed since then.

It was one morning that a sense of tension enveloped Shaoxing, where Hegemon Fortress was located.

Kuuung!

The area around the firmly shut main gate of Hegemon Fortress was shrouded in silence as it opened.

The reason for this was that the main gate of Hegemon Fortress was usually always closed.

Why?

Because the only one who could use the main gate of Hegemon Fortress was the Hegemon Fortress Lord.

That meant that the current Hegemon Fortress Lord, the Hegemon Emperor Gal Mu-wi, had left Hegemon Fortress and set out on a procession.

Soon, the Hegemon Fortress Lord Gal Mu-wi revealed himself.

Dressed in an incomparably splendid robe, his dignity and imposing presence were truly overwhelming, befitting his title as the number one master of the unorthodox faction.

Gal Mu-wi was a man of nine cheok in height, with broad, well-built shoulders, and his physique itself was extraordinary.

Even the so-called strongmen who were known for their strength, could not even compare to Gal Mu-wi’s massive physique.

Thus, Gal Mu-wi commanded the area with his mere presence, but that was not all.

By his sides were the Four Heavenly Kings, the top masters of Hegemon Fortress, and behind him followed the Hegemon Yama Squad, the elite of the elite, and there were even up to five hundred martial artists.

As such, it was only natural that Gal Mu-wi’s procession drew the attention of the entire Hegemon Fortress area.

However, Gal Mu-wi, as if he didn’t care about the public’s attention at all, led his subordinates and moved his feet.

“Why must you, the Fortress Lord, personally step forward for such a troublesome matter.”

The commander of the Hegemon Yama Squad, Hell Yama, seemed to be unable to understand why Gal Mu-wi had personally stepped forward.

“I believe we have already discussed that matter enough.”

“F-Fortress Lord.”

“It has been a full twenty years that This One has desired the secret manual of the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi. Just before obtaining the secret manual I have so longed for after a full twenty years, is there any reason not to step forward in person?”

“But is it not just a deal with the likes of the Heavenly Evasion Divine Thief?”

“This One is not going to make a deal with that wench.”

Gal Mu-wi said flatly.

“I am only going to receive the secret manual of the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi. Therefore, do not argue any further. Even this is a pleasure for This One.”

“I obey your command.”

Hell Yama did not open his mouth any further at Gal Mu-wi’s words.

Who was he to question?

Gal Mu-wi valued the chain of command more than anyone else.

He was a person who would reward those who offered blind loyalty, but if that was not the case, he would inflict ruthless punishment without mercy.

No matter how much it was advice born out of loyalty, going against Gal Mu-wi’s mood was not a very wise judgment.

“Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi, Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi. Am I finally getting my hands on that secret manual.”

Gal Mu-wi thought of the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi secret manual he would soon obtain and smiled brightly.

The secret manual of the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi was the long-cherished desire that Gal Mu-wi had wanted so much.

Gal Mu-wi’s craving for that secret manual was truly enormous.

Hadn’t he risen to the position of the number one person in the unorthodox faction by learning only half of the Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi?

‘If I learn the complete Nine Heavens Hegemon Qi instead of the half-version… the position of the number one person under heaven, not just the unorthodox faction, will be This One’s. Perhaps even surpassing that Iron-Blooded Demonic God and reaching the position of the greatest person of all time will not be a dream.’

Gal Mu-wi thought of the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, the self-proclaimed and publicly acknowledged number one person under heaven and the greatest person of all time, and headed for the transaction location.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep