Chapter 369: Fracture (3)

Lord Baek Cheong’s proposal was to help the Imperial Family.

“Is there a group of traitors within the Imperial Family?”

“…Roughly, something like that.”

“Something like that?”

Cheon Yura mulled over the meaning of those words, then gently shook her head.

“No matter what, I have no interest in getting entangled in such filthy political struggles.”

Lord Baek Cheong bit her lip before speaking again with difficulty.

“It’s not… politics. A war might break out.”

“……!”

Having already heard some of the circumstances from the North, I could somewhat guess the reason.

“Is it about the Prince Yeongsa?”

The Prince Yeongsa was a military prince holding command over the troops near Hebei.

And he was also the most trusted confidant of the current Emperor.

“Th-That’s right.”

“If mishandled, this might become the second coming of the King Yeon.”

In the early days of the Empire, there had been an incident where King Yeon, son of the founding Emperor who defended the North, had driven out his own nephew and ascended to the throne.

The current situation, where Prince Yeongsa held the northern military authority, was remarkably similar to that historical event.

‘Although in my past life, Prince Yeongsa remained quiet, we can’t be sure this time.’

Considering that Lord Baek Cheong had come all this way to plead for assistance under the pretext of support, the situation might be more serious than I initially thought.

“Some ministers have reported the Prince’s suspicious movements to His Majesty, but His Majesty still trusts him excessively.”

“I understand. On the surface, his loyalty appears unquestionable.”

Prince Yeongsa, known as a northern war hero, had easily defeated not only the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty but also the nomadic tribes of Liaodong who called themselves the ‘Satisfaction’.

And since he had never once shown any signs of treason and had been completely loyal to the Emperor, he was considered the most faithful of all loyal subjects.

However—

“Currently, the forces of the Heaven-Defying Society are encamped at the Prince’s side.”

“……!”

At Lord Baek Cheong’s words, Cheon Yura’s expression twisted.

“How can you be certain of that?”

She let out a self-mocking sigh.

“I… haven’t officially withdrawn from the Heaven-Defying Society yet. Of course, since I was used by the Sixth Heavenly Lord, the priest of Heavenly Evil, I was unofficially expelled…”

Sshk—

An unusual energy began to flow from the tip of her finger.

It was Lord Baek Cheong’s power, the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

“I still retain the authority of a Seventh Heavenly Lord. Through that, I was able to know.”

Her energy was so faint it looked like it might disappear at any moment.

In reality, she was far from being capable of transforming into her Awakened Body.

However, as long as the power itself was not completely lost, the authority she spoke of still appeared to be in effect.

“And what exactly does that authority entail?”

“It’s the power to detect and command the Awakened Bodies created by the Society.”

According to Lord Baek Cheong, that authority had been granted directly to the Ten Heavenly Lords by the Grand Heavenly Lord.

“During a previous meeting with the Prince, I confirmed that the warriors of the Society were guarding him.”

“…I see.”

It was a complicated issue.

Accepting Lord Baek Cheong’s request would mean overcoming more than a few obstacles right away.

But that didn’t mean we could turn a blind eye to something involving those Heaven-Defying bastards.

“Hmm.”

“Mmm…”

Seeing Cheon Yura and I hesitate, Lord Baek Cheong quickly waved her hand.

“I’m not asking for immediate help. No matter how dangerous things get, the Empire isn’t so weak as to rely recklessly on the distant Heavenly Demon Cult.”

Well, historically, it was always the orthodox factions that came to the Empire’s aid in times of crisis.

We were usually the ones who took advantage of the chaos to invade.

Still, Lord Baek Cheong probably found it difficult to trust the Righteous Alliance right now.

“What I’m talking about… is in case the worst happens.”

“The worst?”

“I mean… if the Imperial Dynasty is overthrown.”

Lord Baek Cheong calmly continued her explanation.

“The support from your Cult is merely one of many countermeasures in preparation for such a worst-case scenario. Please understand that I am not trying to place the burden solely on your shoulders.”

Lord Baek Cheong’s words were simple.

If a rebellion truly broke out, and a second War of the Usurper occurred—

She was asking for elite warriors from the Heavenly Demon Cult to help escort the Imperial Family in their escape.

Something about her words intrigued me.

‘Not a bad deal.’

As the old saying went, people would sell even a cow on credit.

In any case, if the Cult stabilized, I had already planned to get involved in the affairs of the North. Preventing such a situation from erupting altogether would be even better.

Besides, since Lord Baek Cheong had now turned against the Heaven-Defying Society, accepting her help under favorable terms wouldn’t be a bad idea.

After all, she and we now had the relationship of teeth and gums.

After some thought, Cheon Yura finally shook her head.

“I personally don’t think it’s a bad idea, but since this matter hinges on your connections, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

In that case—

“Well then, Lord.”

I gave Lord Baek Cheong a merchant’s smile.

“How much were you prepared to offer?”

I confidently leaned in, trying to gain the upper hand—

“Well…”

Suddenly, a deep smile spread across Lord Baek Cheong’s lips.

After concluding the secret pact with Lord Baek Cheong—

***

I was now standing at the entrance to the Heavenly Thunder Corps.

“Get a hold of yourself, young master.”

Gu Chil gave my shoulder a small shake as I stood there dazed.

“What on earth happened in that meeting?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

With a blank expression, I grinned foolishly.

“I was just thinking… the spending habits of royalty truly go beyond the imagination of commoners.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Trying to snap out of it, I slapped my cheeks twice and shouted.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just head in.”

After the negotiations ended, fortunately, Lord Baek Cheong refused the customary banquet and immediately went to meet Yu Cheong, who had taken refuge in the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

Thanks to that, I had the chance to visit the Heavenly Thunder Corps.

‘Whatever Cheon Jumyeong is plotting, I need to sound him out at least once.’

Currently, Cheon Jumyeong was not responding to the Cheon Clan’s support.

Whether he had another plan or there was something I didn’t know—

However.

“Grand Duke… I greet Your Highness.”

Cheon Jumyeong was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I was greeted by Cheon Eunryeong, the Vice-Lord of the Heavenly Thunder Corps.

“So you’re the Vice-Lord. Where is the Heavenly Thunder Corps Lord now?”

“……”

“Answer properly. I’m not in a good mood right now.”

“……Ugh!”

Thud!

She couldn’t endure it and finally dropped to her knees.

Though she held the rank of Vice-Lord of one of the Five Great Halls, her martial prowess was relatively weak. She could not properly withstand the pressure I unleashed through my Intent to Kill.

“Answer.”

After gasping for a while, she finally managed to respond.

“I… do not know.”

“So you’re saying you want to die, is that it?”

Cheon Eunryeong was loyal to Cheon Jumyeong.

Her loyalty was not to Cheon Jumyeong’s ideals, but to the person Cheon Jumyeong himself.

That kind of loyalty often manifested in unexpected ways, regardless of the will of the one being followed.

But surprisingly, this time she was telling the truth.

“It’s true. For over a month now, he’s been sending out the entire forces of the Heavenly Thunder Corps to search for something.”

“Search? For what?”

“…The Demonic Ghost Execution Squad.”

“…What?”

Suddenly, an ominous feeling swept over my entire body.

“The Demonic Ghost Execution Squad? They’ve disappeared?”

“…Yes.”

Currently, the Demonic Ghost Execution Squad operated independently from both the Cheon Clan and Cheon Yura, maintaining a degree of autonomy.

Still, to have completely lost track of their movements like this—

“When did this happen?”

The disappearance of the Demonic Ghost Execution Squad must have come from the orders of Cheon Jumun, the Lord of the Corps.

“I’m not sure… I only know that after receiving a report, the Lord quietly mobilized the Heavenly Thunder Corps to search for them.”

“If that’s the case, he should’ve reported it to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion!”

“……”

Cheon Eunryeong lowered her head and fell silent.

Naturally, she probably felt no obligation to report it.

‘Don’t tell me… Cheon Jumun went to confront Cheon Juchun on his own?’

No, that can’t be it.

Cheon Jumun is not a man to act so recklessly.

‘Then why?’

What came to mind, naturally, was the presence of Cheon Juchun who had appeared within the Cheon Clan.

While I had been distracted elsewhere, there was a possibility that Cheon Jumun had made contact with that man and something had happened.

It was then—

“Jin Yeomyung!”

Ahead, a group of ten or so martial artists wearing the blood-red robes of Blood Dragon appeared.

At the forefront was a very familiar figure.

“Ma Chulsu?”

Ma Chulsu opened his mouth, looking somewhat urgent.

“I asked the Guardian Lions of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, and they said you were here.”

“What brings you here?”

Was there something so urgent that he came all the way from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion to the Heavenly Thunder Corps?

Ma Chulsu glanced at Cheon Eunryeong, as if wary of her, then spoke in a low whisper.

“I have… something to consult you about.”

Consult?

Now that I knew Cheon Jumyeong wasn’t present, I had no more business at the Heavenly Thunder Corps.

I left the place with Ma Chulsu, and we found a quiet, deserted spot.

Face to face in that secluded place, Ma Chulsu gritted his teeth and dropped a shocking revelation.

“Father has gone missing.”

“……”

…One trouble after another.

***

The disappearance of the Sword Demon, Ma Seonghwan.

For even a master of the Transcendent Demon Realm to vanish—it was not an ordinary matter.

“Are you sure he didn’t go on some trip outside?”

There were people like the Saber Demon who periodically ran away from home, so it wasn’t all that strange for even the Sword Demon, who had already named his successor, to disappear somewhere for a while.

But Ma Chulsu didn’t seem to see it that way.

“Follow me. You’ll understand when you see it.”

I followed Ma Chulsu toward Blood Sky Sword Peak.

Blood Sky Sword Peak, along with Gucheon Dobong where the main house of the Pa Clan was located, was one of the most notoriously harsh places even within Ten Thousand Mountains.

Before long, Ma Chulsu and I had arrived quite deep within Blood Sky Sword Peak.

“This place is normally the Lord’s training ground. No warriors of the clan are allowed to enter.”

I frowned as I gazed upon the enormous devastation spread out around us.

“With all this destruction, no one found it suspicious?”

Ma Chulsu shrugged.

“The Clan Lord is a martial artist of the Transcendent Demon Realm. It’s only natural that his training would affect the terrain. Isn’t it the same for you?”

True enough.

When I trained seriously, it wasn’t uncommon for a mountain or two to collapse.

“A retired mountain caretaker—not even a martial artist—was the one who discovered this and reported it. That’s the only reason we even found out this late.”

These weren’t traces of someone training alone.

Ten to one, it was evidence of a battle.

As I scanned the area looking for any meaningful clues—

My eyes caught a massive, clean slash carved horizontally into the mountainside.

‘That’s definitely the Sword Demon’s trace.’

Although he had lost an arm and shifted toward destructive forms, the Sword Demon still preferred refined techniques.

‘A sword strike formed with Sword Intent. For him to use that… his opponent must have been powerful.’

Which meant, the person who faced the Sword Demon had a cultivation level of at least the Extreme Demon Realm… and probably near its peak.

Not long after, I found another familiar trace.

‘…Heaven-Slaying Qi!?’

If my eyes weren’t mistaken, this was clearly a remnant of Heaven-Slaying Qi!

And I had felt it once before!

‘No way!’

If my assumption was correct—

For some reason, Cheon Jumun and the Sword Demon had clashed here in earnest not long ago.

‘But why?’

Was there a reason for the two of them to fight? Something I wasn’t aware of?

“Hm? This is…”

Just then, as I noticed another unusual presence—

“This is the trace of a spiritual-type sorcery.”

A familiar young man’s voice echoed in my ear once again.

“It’s been a while, Grand Duke. I’ve come to fulfill the promise I made before.”

The new Clan Leader of the Heavenly Illusion Clan, Hwan Jeong.

He appeared once more before me.

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