Chapter 84. I Intend to Send You.

Yi Ja-yeong’s words that the available military force was not large were true.

According to her explanation, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had recently been experiencing simultaneous disputes with surrounding forces.

To the south was the Western Regions, centered on the Potala Palace; to the west was the Western Regions; to the east was the Central Plains Imperial Court and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance; and to the north were the nomadic tribes of the north and the extra-sectarian factions.

Due to conflicts with more than four forces at the same time, most of the current military force was dispatched to various places.

Just as one hand cannot handle ten, even the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, with its many masters, could not help but be short-handed.

It was so bad that even the Blood Qilin was away from the Divine Land on a mission under the order of the Iron-Blooded Demonic God.

“The only troops available for the Seventh Young Master for this mission are three squads of the Ghost Soldier Corps and your direct escort, the Seventh Divine Demon Squad. We will assign a few more masters, but it is impossible to commit more forces than that.”

“Hmm. It would be quite troublesome if the Righteous Heavenly Alliance were to violate the agreement and show their true colors.”

“That’s right. It’s a force that is far too small to conduct a trade in the heart of enemy territory.”

“What are the exact details of the mission?”

“It’s simple. You take the prisoners of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance and exchange them for the prisoners of our cult.”

“Is that all? The detailed points……”

“There are none.”

Yi Ja-yeong said firmly.

“To bring back the warriors of our cult who were captured by the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, that is all.”

“It sounds like you’re saying I don’t have to distinguish between means and methods.”

“That’s right.”

Yi Ja-yeong did not deny it.

“Normally, a trade between our cult and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance would be unimaginable. Since it is a trade due to the special nature of the situation, there is no need to try to uphold things like trust. The only thing that matters is the safe return of our cult’s warriors.”

“Understood.”

Jin cheon nodded as if he understood.

Not distinguishing between means and methods?

Yes, that would be the way of those who walk the Demonic Dao.

Whatever form of Jianghu activity it may be, unnecessary formalities and meaningless chivalry are not even in consideration.

They only move for the benefit of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“I will be prepared.”

“Good. I will let you know when the schedule is confirmed.”

Jin cheon immediately returned home and summoned the Divine Demon Squad members.

“A mission has been given, so everyone, prepare.”

“……!”

At Jin cheon’s words, the Divine Demon Squad members trembled.

A considerable amount of time had passed since their return from the Black Bamboo Forest, and they had not been given any missions, so they were getting antsy. Now that an opportunity to step up had arisen, they were on the verge of rushing out at any moment.

“I will relay the detailed mission contents when the deployment order is given, so everyone, be on standby.”

“As you command!”

The Divine Demon Squad members answered with a resounding shout.

“Commander Dan, I need to talk to you.”

“Yes, My Lord!”

Danmok Cheong’s steps were also a little excited, perhaps because it was a trip to Jianghu after a long time.

***

From that day on, Danmok Cheong was so busy he didn’t even have time to breathe.

As Jin cheon’s trusted subordinate and the commander of the Seventh Divine Demon Squad, the tasks he had to do were truly mountainous.

Since the Divine Demon Squad members had no external experience, Danmok Cheong had to take charge of all the work in preparation for the trip to the Jianghu.

In the meantime, Jin cheon received an unexpected gift.

“I greet the Seventh Young Master. I was sent by the Fourth Young Master.”

“For what reason?”

“Please receive this first.”

A martial artist of the Demonic Armament Yeom Family handed Jin cheon something long wrapped in fine silk, along with a letter sent by Yeom Bi.

Congratulations on your great achievement.

See you soon.

The content of the letter was as simple as Yeom Bi’s blunt personality.

“Is this… a sword?”

“Yes, Seventh Young Master. Under the instruction of the Fourth Young Master, it was made by our main family.”

“Ah.”

Jin cheon recalled what Yeom Bi had said before.

– You use a sword? After you pass the Blood Wolf Corps, come to the main family. I’ll gift you a sword.

He thought it had become a forgotten matter as he entered secluded training right after completing the Blood Wolf Corps, but it seemed it wasn’t an empty promise.

Seeing that he had sent a sword as a gift, even if it was late.

“Well then, I will take my leave.”

As soon as the messenger from the Demonic Armament Yeom Family left, Jin cheon unwrapped the cloth and took out the sword inside.

The sword was very simple.

It had no particular decorations, and was far from flashy overall, looking like an ordinary sword made in a slightly high-level smithy.

But that was only when one didn’t look at the sword carefully.

However, Jin cheon recognized the true value of the sword Yeom Bi had gifted him at a glance.

‘Incredible.’

The hilt felt as if it was clinging to his hand.

Was that all?

If you looked closely, the quality of the scabbard, the finish, and so on were not just excellent but astonishing.

It was a sword that hid splendor and near-perfect craftsmanship within its simplicity, worthy of being called a famous sword.

As expected of a family that had made a name for itself in the world for generations by crafting divine weapons, the skills of the Demonic Armament Yeom Family were such that it would not be an exaggeration to call them the smithy closest to being the number one in the world.

“My Lord, why don’t you try drawing it?”

“Shall I?”

At Danmok Cheong’s suggestion, Jin cheon drew the sword.

Sreung!

The sword cry was so clear that it was a delight to the ears.

The sword had a slightly dark, almost ink-colored blade.

The weight was a bit heavier than an ordinary sword, but the center of gravity was well-balanced, so it seemed there would be no problem in wielding it.

“Is it made of the legendary Black Iron?”

“I have never seen a sword made of Black Iron before, but wouldn’t it be so?”

Black Iron was a dark-colored metal, and its value was so precious that it was more expensive than gold of the same weight.

Moreover, its strength was known to be five times greater than refined steel of a hundred forgings, so it was said that it would rarely get chipped or break.

It was such a hard metal that it was difficult to forge into a weapon, but once made, it was no exaggeration to say that it could be used virtually forever.

‘This is great.’

He didn’t have a suitable sword to use, so to get his hands on such a famous sword at this time, Jin cheon was simply grateful.

Every time he used the Heavenly Demon Divine Qi’s Extinction Kalpa Flame, an ordinary sword would become unusable.

An ordinary sword could not withstand the heat of the Extinction Kalpa Flame, and would be ruined after being used a couple of times.

Thanks to that, he had been semi-forcibly using only his fist and foot techniques, but it would be a different story with a sword made of Black Iron.

‘Let’s try it.’

Jin cheon injected his demonic qi into the Black Iron and created the Extinction Kalpa Flame.

Hwareuk, hwareureureureureureu!

Then, a black flame made of powerful qi blazed up from the sword.

“T-this is.”

Jin cheon was once again surprised by the sword’s performance after trying out the Extinction Kalpa Flame.

It felt as if the Black Iron that made up the sword was transmitting his demonic qi even better.

“My Lord, you have obtained a famous sword. Congratulations.”

Danmok Cheong also recognized the true value of such a sword and congratulated Jin cheon.

“Yes, this is something worth celebrating. Thank you.”

“I am truly envious. The armaments of the Demonic Armament Yeom Family are precious treasures that even high-ranking officials of our cult cannot easily obtain.”

“Really?”

“Mass-produced items can be received upon entering a high-ranking military group, but a sword made of Black Iron is out of the question.”

“What should I do? I need to give Senior Brother Yeom a gift in return.”

Jin cheon wore a worried expression.

Having received such a precious sword as a gift, he couldn’t just ignore it.

The problem was that Jin cheon didn’t have much income, so his pockets were not just thin but light.

Jin cheon’s income was entirely the dignity maintenance fee provided by the cult.

With that money, after paying Baek A-rin and the Divine Demon Squad members their monthly salaries and buying food ingredients, there was almost nothing left.

“It seems a suitable return gift will be arriving soon, My Lord.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Aren’t there the inner cores we obtained from the Sea of Trees before?”

“Ah.”

“The Evil Spirit Guardian Clan will be sending spiritual medicines soon, so how about choosing a suitable one and repaying the Fourth Young Master?”

“That’s great.”

Jin cheon nodded as if relieved.

“If it’s a spiritual medicine, Senior Brother Yeom won’t be disappointed.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“When are they sending it?”

“They said they will send it in three days, so please wait a little.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Jin cheon smiled.

Three days later.

The Evil Spirit Guardian Clan sent a box full of spiritual medicines to Jin cheon.

From the Soma Pill to the Reverse Heaven Pill, the Demon-Subduing Pill, the Amplifying Mad Demon Pill, and so on.

Inside the box were as many different kinds of spiritual medicines as there were types of inner cores obtained from the Sea of Trees.

It even included three Demonic Spirit Divine Pills, which were said to be among the top three spiritual medicines that the Evil Spirit Guardian Clan could produce.

In the midst of that, a letter was also enclosed, kindly detailing everything from the dosage to the efficacy and effects.

Jin cheon distributed those spiritual medicines to the Divine Demon Squad members one by one.

The strength of his personal guard, the Seventh Divine Demon Squad, was as good as Jin cheon’s own strength, so making them stronger was an extremely natural thing to do.

“Thank you! My Lord!”

The Divine Demon Squad members were moved to tears by Jin cheon’s grace.

Where in the world was there a lord who would provide a precious spiritual medicine that one might see only once in a lifetime?

For them, being able to serve Jin cheon was as good as a stroke of luck.

“This is Commander Dan’s share.”

“M-My Lord! I cannot accept this!”

When Jin cheon offered him a Demonic Spirit Divine Pill, Danmok Cheong refused, even performing a full prostration.

“How can you give such a precious spiritual medicine! Please take it all, My Lord, and achieve even greater success!”

“Huh?”

Jin cheon frowned.

“If I tell you to take it, just take it. What’s with all the talk? Are you disobeying my order now?”

“Th-that is not it.”

“Then why are you refusing what your lord is bestowing upon you?”

“It is too much.”

“There’s no such thing. If I give it, you take it.”

“However……”

“Take it when I’m being nice. Commander Dan, you are worthy.”

Jin cheon pulled Danmok Cheong up.

“I told you. That I would make you stronger somehow.”

“Yes, you certainly said so.”

“I’m just trying to keep that promise.”

“My Lord……”

“No more talk, just take it quickly.”

Nevertheless, when Danmok Cheong did not easily accept the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill, Jin cheon took a drastic measure.

Tuk. The wooden box fell to the ground, and the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill inside rolled on the dirt floor.

“Hut!”

The startled Danmok Cheong hastily picked up the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill.

“You took it, right?”

“Yes……?”

“Let me know when you have time. I’ll guide your demonic qi.”

“I will repay my lord’s grace with my life.”

Danmok Cheong prostrated himself before Jin cheon and bowed.

***

Meanwhile, Dang Cheon-wi, who had graduated from the Heavenly Martial Academy and returned to Sichuan, was spending his days in boredom.

Normally, after graduating from the Heavenly Martial Academy, one would hold a key position in the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, but Dang Cheon-wi did not.

Since he was firmly on the bad side of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance for maintaining his friendship with the traitor Jin cheon, he could only hold a minor, insignificant post, let alone a key position.

Moreover, since Dang Cheon-wi was the son of the clan head and a direct blood relative of the Sichuan Tang Clan, he was in a position where he didn’t necessarily need to make a name for himself in the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

Furthermore, being the youngest son, there would be no problem at all if he stayed in Sichuan for his entire life and lived a leisurely life.

So Dang Cheon-wi was spending his days idly, without doing much of anything, and leading a leisurely life.

Dang Cheon-wi’s peace was shattered after he received a call from his father and the clan head, Dang Seong-yeong.

“You called for me.”

“Yes, sit down.”

As soon as Dang Cheon-wi sat down, Dang Seong-yeong opened his mouth.

“A request for cooperation has come from the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that?”

“I heard that there will be a prisoner exchange with the Demonic Cult in Xining.”

“……!”

“I don’t know the details yet, but since the Qingcheng Sect is also deeply involved, our main family has decided to provide support. Therefore, I intend to send you.”

At Dang Seong-yeong’s words, Dang Cheon-wi’s heart sank.

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