Chapter 192: Demonic Sword Flower (4)

From the rooftop of a pavilion a short distance away, Cheon Yura watched the situation and spoke.

“Has she arrived?”

“If I were just a little later, I might have missed the fun part.”

I handed one of the chicken skewers I had wrapped up to Cheon Yura.

“How is Lady Baek doing?”

Cheon Yura accepted the skewer and replied.

“Her talk about not being able to do it was just whining.”

“Is that so?”

“She definitely has the air of someone standing at the top. At this rate, she’ll become a solid focal point for the demonic factions.”

“No, she’s really not supposed to….”

I lightly perched beside Cheon Yura and bit into a chicken skewer.

“Mmm… This really is pretty good.”

“Indeed, it’s delicious.”

Cheon Yura, chewing on her own skewer, nodded with a moved expression…

“…I was talking about Lady Baek, not the chicken.”

I’d felt it for a while now, but this lady had a surprisingly strong appetite.

I pointed toward Baek Sang-ah’s dual swords, which were emitting a force like a raging storm.

“At this level, unless someone is quite sharp, they won’t associate her swordsmanship with the Namcheon Baek Clan.”

Heavenly Wave Twin Sage Sword Art

A signature twin sword technique of the Namcheon Baek Clan that pursued a balance between offense and defense.

However, due to her extended time within the Demonic Cult and her fateful encounter in Eastern Sea Fortress, Baek Sang-ah’s version of the Heavenly Wave Twin Sage Sword Art had started to drift significantly from its original form.

“It’s only natural that a sword follows its master’s disposition.”

Baek Sang-ah’s twin swordsmanship had gradually transformed into a deadly one-strike kill technique, discarding any notion of defense.

“Even though she’s restructured the form, the fact that the sword technique hasn’t lost its essence proves just how talented Lady Baek is.”

“That’s true. Give it about ten years, and she’ll become a rather decent warrior.”

Given that Cheon Yura’s “decent” usually implied at least the level of a peak demonic master, that was the highest form of praise.

With her chin resting on her hand, chewing on the chicken, Cheon Yura smirked slyly.

“Well, even now, those small fry would be down in a second.”

Treating a top disciple of Wudang as a small fry was certainly an arrogant take.

Still, the results playing out before us weren’t deviating in the slightest from Cheon Yura’s predictions.

‘D-Dodge it…!’

Jeon Seok instinctively pushed his internal energy to the limit and unleashed the Taiqing Sword Technique in full force—

“Kughuaaagh!”

But rather than deflecting the strike, a massive shockwave completely shattered his Taiqing Qi from the front.

KWAAANG!

Jeon Seok spat blood and was blown far away.

“Cough! Guaaahk!”

“Senior Brother Jeon Seok!”

“A-Are you all right?!”

Jeon Seok continued to vomit blood as his entire body trembled.

The Songmun Ancient Sword, Wudang’s pride, had been reduced to fragments, and his uniform was shredded as though mauled by a wild beast.

“Th-Th-That’s peak master level?!”

“Was she a witch who lied about her age?!”

The dark qi blade that had shattered Jeon Seok in one strike—

That was something only someone at or beyond the peak master level could pull off.

“Uwooooooah!!”

“Demonic Sword Flower! Demonic Sword Flower!”

“Hail the Three Flowers of the Demonic Path!”

“……”

Deafening cheers exploded from the surrounding crowd.

Over a thousand martial artists of the demonic path raised their weapons high and screamed at the top of their lungs.

The shock of it was enough to shake the very air around them.

And so, our Demonic Sword Flower, showered in adoring gazes from all sides, said—

“D-Damn it. I screwed up. He’s not supposed to die….”

She gulped and silently prayed Jeon Seok hadn’t died.

She had shouted for his death, but it was really just a rhetorical line.

As previously instructed, Jeon Mu gave orders to the other top disciples.

“Retreat. Support Senior Brother Jeon Seok.”

As some supported the unconscious Jeon Seok, the other top disciples all hurled curses at the Demonic Sword Flower with burning hatred.

“The Heavenly Demon Cult has produced a monstrous witch!”

“One day, we’ll surely wipe every last one of you demon scum off the face of the earth!”

“Just you wait! You cursed lapdog of the demonic path!”

“……”

The Demonic Sword Flower shut her mouth, weighed down by gloom.

Even more so since the insults were coming from respected Taoist priests of the Wudang Sect.

Of course, thanks to her mask, none of that emotion showed on the outside.

She instead focused more earnestly on playing her role to erase those feelings.

“Capture them! But do not kill! They shall become the symbolic offerings that mark the beginning of our sect’s great march!”

“We heed your command, Lord!”

“Capture them!”

Even those who had never officially joined the organization until now moved in perfect coordination, bowing their heads before the Demonic Sword Flower.

“Grrgh!”

“A new evil star that threatens the peace of the Central Plains has emerged!”

“First, we must retreat and inform the sect leader of what’s happened!”

“Yes, let us do that!”

As they prepared to withdraw, masters of the demonic path rushed in like wild animals.

“Pursue them!”

“Capture them at all costs!”

And thus began the desperate chase between Wudang’s top disciples and the masters of the demonic path.

***

“Well done.”

“Thank you for your efforts, my lady.”

“……”

Cheon Yura and I comforted Baek Sang-ah, who looked completely spiritless.

Beside her, Soul-Corrupting Lust Fiend was in tears, visibly moved.

“You were truly magnificent, my lady!”

“…Who are you calling ‘my lady’?”

Baek Sang-ah drooped her head weakly, seemingly lacking the strength to respond properly.

I stepped outside for a moment, leaving only the three of us in the room. With a sigh, Baek Sang-ah asked,

“What happened…?”

“As expected, the pursuit will probably fail. Since the Luoyang Five Ghosts didn’t join in, the remaining trash won’t be able to catch the Wudang top disciples.”

Though the number of gathered demonic path martial artists exceeded a thousand, nearly 80% of them were third-rate. Even counting generously, there weren’t even a hundred who had reached the first-rate level.

“Then what happens from here?”

“Next, Gwan Hyun will step forward in earnest. Now that a peak-stage master is involved, numbers mean nothing. Over the next few days, we’ll throw out just enough bait to shave down the orthodox faction’s strength.”

“Hmmm…”

“And at the same time, we’ll gradually gnaw away at Wudang’s forces. Then, just before the Sword King arrives, Gwan Hyun will make his move… at which point Cheon Sojeo and I will step in.”

Publicly, Gwan Hyun was known to be just entering the peak stage.

But if he was truly connected to the Heaven-Defying Society, there was no way that was his full strength.

“Jin Yeomyung, do you believe Gwan Hyun is one of the Ten Heavenly Lords?”

“…I think the possibility is quite high. Even if not, he definitely has some relation to them.”

Hearing that, Cheon Yura tilted her head slightly.

“Hm, I’ve felt it for a while, but you seem to bear some animosity toward this Gwan Hyun.”

Flinch!

“Not that it matters… but is there a personal grudge?”

A grudge?

Oh, more than a little.

I slowly nodded.

“Yes. I do.”

“I see.”

Cheon Yura and Baek Sang-ah looked like they were curious, but perhaps out of consideration, they didn’t ask further.

Gwan Hyun.

Whether you were a lofty ascetic or a lapdog of the Heaven-Defying Society—

‘I will kill you without fail.’

I renewed my vow once more.

***

Just as expected, the Wudang top disciples easily shook off the pursuit from the demonic path.

South of Luoyang, in a grand pavilion where the Lord of Luoyang resided, the top disciples knelt on one knee—except for Jeon Seok, who lay on a mat.

“Jeon Seok, is your body all right?”

Jeon Seok, the only one lying down, shed tears.

“I-I am ashamed, Sect Leader… because of my shortcomings, I have brought dishonor to Wudang’s name…”

Gwan Hyun cut him off.

“There’s no need to worry. Rather, since they’ve willingly revealed themselves, now it’s time for this old monk to step in.”

Gwan Hyun turned his head.

“Jeon Mu.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Lead the way. We go now to seize the leader of the Black Lotus Union. The rest of the disciples are to rest here.”

The top disciples pleaded to accompany him, but Gwan Hyun rejected their requests.

Once the two of them had left—

“Jeon Mu.”

“Yes.”

“You said that Demonic Sword Flower wench is at the peak master level?”

Jeon Mu nodded.

“She unleashed cross-shaped qi and shattered Senior Brother Jeon Seok with a single strike. Without being at the peak master level, it would be impossible.”

“What’s the likelihood that she’s the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult?”

“With my humble insight, I can’t say for certain… but it’s worth verifying.”

“Hrmm!”

For a brief moment, the once-benevolent corners of Gwan Hyun’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin.

“To think… the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult paired with the Jade Green Heavenly Net Divine Sword… Seems all those spies planted in the cult ended up with nothing, but now, fortune comes to me instead.”

“If you succeed in just one of these two things, the Heavenly Lord will almost certainly become leader of the Murim Alliance.”

“Kuhuhu, yes, yes.”

“When ‘those people’ arrive, I’ll ensure the Dokgo Clan is placed under strict surveillance. Nam Yeon Geomhwa will not escape Luoyang alive.”

A hint of murderous intent flickered in Gwan Hyun’s eyes.

“The Alliance Leader’s seat is just a stepping stone.”

His true goal was none other than—

“To drag down that brute whose martial arts are absurdly powerful—Lee Cheon-gun—and take that position for myself.”

“I’m certain the Heavenly Lord can make it happen.”

“Good. You too should start aiming for the position of commander. Come. It’s time to bring Luoyang’s chaos to a close.”

“I obey.”

Jeon Mu bowed deeply.

***

“By now, Gwan Hyun has probably set out to capture us.”

I addressed the core masters of the Black Lotus Union gathered around.

“Obviously, going head-to-head with a peak-stage master is suicide. We must avoid direct conflict and instead bait them into making mistakes.”

“What kind of mistakes are we aiming for?”

“Civilian casualties would be best. But the likelihood is low.”

Unless the opponent was truly blinded by rage, it was hard to imagine a peak-stage master making such a slip.

“Seven days and nights from now, a peak master from our cult will arrive to deal with Gwan Hyun. Until then, make sure your subordinates don’t cause any harm to the public.”

Of course, no such master was actually coming.

“Hmph!”

“We will place our trust in the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

Of course, the other sects—Luoyang Five Ghosts among them—just coughed and nodded.

None of them wanted to clash with Gwan Hyun.

‘Seven days and nights… Even if I say that, there’s a limit to how long we can keep dodging.’

While Gwan Hyun raged through the orthodox factions, we could relax and take our time at the Dokgo Clan.

And just then—

“Customer comiiiiiing!”

From outside.

An unmistakable aura of an absolute powerhouse surged toward us.

“Kuhahaha! You little mackerel! What the hell are you scheming, gathering these demonic wretches?!”

“…?!”

The moment I heard that voice—

My instincts, which had been calm until now, began to blare alarms.

“Lady Cheon!”

“I know!”

Cheon Yura, recognizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly drew her sword.

KWANG!

The entrance of the pavilion was instantly blown apart, and in its place appeared an old man in ragged clothes, holding a gnarled staff.

Soul-Corrupting Lust Fiend and the others erupted in anger.

“Who the hell are you?!”

“How dare you invade the headquarters of the Great Black Lotus Union!”

The old man nonchalantly dug at his ear and snorted.

“Black Lotus Union? The hell’s that?”

The opponent looked like nothing more than a disheveled old man full of weak spots.

His limbs were unimpressive, lacking any visible muscle, and his long white beard was so poorly kept it curled like tangled wire.

More than anything, unless he was completely suppressing his energy, the aura he exuded barely reached the level of a first-rate martial artist.

“Attack him!”

Judging him by appearance, Soul-Corrupting Lust Fiend and all the Luoyang Five Ghosts charged at the old man in a fury.

“W-Wait! Don’t!”

I screamed at them.

These were fighters in the late master level or just stepping into peak master level—yet they completely failed to read the depth of their opponent!

And the price for that was—

“Guaaaargh!”

“Gurk!”

In a flash, three heads flew into the air—Soul-Corrupting Lust Fiend and two of the Luoyang Five Ghosts were killed instantly.

“…!”

The moment I saw that technique, I clenched my teeth.

That wasn’t just any sword technique.

Just like that time, it was a transcendent strike imbued with intention itself.

Heart Blade

The only survivors, Mad Rage Blade and Serpent-Evil Saber Fiend, dropped to their knees, clutching their severed arms.

Ssshhk!

The old man who had decapitated four people in a single strike gave a playful grin and spoke.

“Well, you lot are still swordsmen, even if you’re rotten. I’ll spare your lives.”

‘He’s a monstrous master!’

Cheon Yura and I immediately drew upon our energy, preparing to face the mysterious old monster.

But just then—

“Huh?”

Staring at the strange old man, Baek Sang-ah blinked in surprise and said:

“G-Grandpa Heon…?”

…What did she just say?

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