Chapter 456: Advancing into the Central Plains (2)

“Ha, the true Alliance Leader of Murim?”

Baek Sang-ah let out a derisive laugh at those words.

With the Southern Murim Alliance annihilated by the demonic beasts, the Northern Murim Alliance was now effectively the only remaining Murim Alliance.

Above all, they were the ones who betrayed the Central Plains Murim and sided with the inhuman beings.

From Baek Sang-ah’s and the Northern Murim Alliance’s perspective, it was not even worth reconsidering.

Originally.

“Of course, emotionally, it would be unacceptable.”

Jegal Eun continued with a serious expression.

“But even so, we must accept it.”

Baek Sang-ah’s indifferent expression also turned serious at that moment.

“The reason?”

“Because that’s the only way we survive.”

“……”

Her words struck at the core.

After the celestial omen began and even ordinary citizens could witness the crimson sky.

Even though the Northern Murim Alliance had won the war, they still could not break out of the area near Luoyang.

It was because of the chaotic state of the Central Plains.

“The Alliance is severely lacking in experts right now. Especially with the power of the Bukcheon Geom Clan currently restrained….”

“……”

The Bukcheon Geom Clan’s patriarch, Geon Wi-yang, had still not recovered from the aftereffects of brainwashing.

During the time their forces were dispersed externally, the patriarch led the family’s elite to assault the Alliance Leader—an unforgivable crime no matter the excuse.

Even if that situation had been orchestrated by the Alliance Leader!

“The sorcerer who cast the brainwashing is certainly dead. We’ve completed cross-verification with sorcerers affiliated with the Alliance, so it’s confirmed.”

“But broken trust cannot be restored.”

Just as Seo Muwon said, that was the real issue.

The most important matter was the breach of trust toward the Bukcheon Geom Clan.

Currently, their forces were confined in a corner of Luoyang under strict surveillance, forbidden from making any move.

Even the Bukcheon Geom Clan could not comprehend the patriarch’s actions and had accepted punishment.

Of course, they couldn’t be kept restrained forever, so eventually they would need to be released….

“Yes, that trust is the problem. Can you trust them?”

At Baek Sang-ah’s remark, Jegal Eun retorted as if questioning what she was talking about.

“Of course not. What are you saying?”

“Huh?”

“We must thoroughly use them externally and wear them down. I have absolutely no intention of granting them high positions within the Alliance.”

Baek Sang-ah’s shoulders slightly trembled at that mindset, bordering on demonic.

The Southern Murim Alliance was the culprit behind the extermination of the Jegal Clan.

No matter how much one talked of the greater good, she could never hold favorable feelings toward the Southern Murim Alliance.

“How this strategist utilizes the Southern Murim Alliance’s forces is not my concern.”

Seo Muwon continued.

“What I’m focusing on is symbolism. If the Murim Alliance of Justice and Evil is truly revived, we can rally the martial artists across the Central Plains.”

After the Northern Murim Alliance’s victory in the North-South War, many neutral factions applied to join the Northern Murim Alliance.

However, many still hesitated to align themselves with the Northern Murim Alliance.

The main reason being their connection with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“The Northern Murim Alliance must become a Murim Alliance that truly unites both orthodox and unorthodox factions. Only then can we survive this chaotic era.”

“……”

Baek Sang-ah let out a complicated sigh.

“Let’s meet them first.”

The group that came to Luoyang numbered around five.

No—accurately, nearly hundreds had gathered, but only those five were permitted to step inside Luoyang.

Two from the Azure Star Sect, two from the Beggars’ Sect, and one from the Zhongnan Sect.

All were members of the core sects that comprised the Southern Murim Alliance.

However—

‘They’re younger than I thought.’

Most of those who arrived appeared to be in their thirties.

At best, newly appointed elders… or perhaps first-generation disciples?

“It is an honor to meet you, Alliance Leader. I am Hwang Gyu of the Azure Star Sect.”

“…So you’re a first-generation disciple.”

In an instant, dense killing intent radiated from the Northern Murim Alliance’s leadership surrounding them.

“How dare you!”

Hwangja Baemyeon was the current first-generation disciple of the Azure Star Sect.

Naturally, for someone with only the status of a first-generation disciple to meet the Alliance Leader of the Northern Murim Alliance was a grave breach of etiquette.

“Has the Azure Star Sect gone mad? Not even sending Elder Bae, their heir, but instead daring to send a mere first-generation disciple?”

“Still not come to their senses?”

At the vicious murmurs from those around him, Hwang Gyu deeply bowed his head.

“I apologize. I was recently appointed as an elder of the Azure Star Sect, and I have come as a representative of Sect Leader Hwang Yongjin, so I humbly ask you to withdraw your anger.”

“…What did you say?”

That statement implied that the Azure Star Sect had undergone a generational change.

Hwang Gyu spoke with a troubled expression, delivering an unexpected message.

“Currently, the Azure Star Sect has no heirs from the Bae lineage.”

Baek Sang-ah furrowed her brows and questioned back.

“No heirs? Even if they’re not in elder positions, there should still be dozens from the Bae lineage, no?”

“Most of them died at the Southern Murim Alliance’s main headquarters, and those who remained at the main sect were all expelled from Azure Star Sect a few months ago.”

“……!”

Hwang Gyu’s words were simple, yet they carried immense implication.

That meant the Azure Star Sect had undergone not just a generational shift, but a revolutionary overhaul.

Soon, the beggar next to him bowed his head.

“I am Yuk Mu, recently appointed elder of the Beggars’ Sect and a disciple of the Seventh Level.”

“Seventh Level…”

While the Beggars’ Sect did not traditionally use generation names like other Nine Sects, someone at that age reaching the Seventh Level usually meant they were a Young Sect Leader.

To her knowledge, the current Young Sect Leader of the Beggars’ Sect went by a different name, which meant Yuk Mu must also be a newly promoted elder.

Hwang Gyu spoke.

“Our sects—Azure Star, Zhongnan, Beggars’ Sect, and others that once composed the former Southern Murim Alliance—have purged the predecessors who betrayed the Central Plains Murim and have set our intentions to restore the discipline of our sects.”

Judging from the situation, it seemed they hadn’t just set intentions but had already taken action.

“So what?”

At Baek Sang-ah’s cold tone, Hwang Gyu slightly recoiled.

“Originally, we should remain sealed until the spiritual energy of our sects clears once again, but unfortunately, we now face a survival crisis.”

“Hmm…”

A few nodded in understanding.

How could demonic beasts know the principles of the Central Plains?

Even the Northern Murim Alliance suffered nightly attacks from them, with beasts breaching Luoyang’s walls and preying on civilians.

Sect bases located in the mountains must be facing an existential threat.

Thunk!

Hwang Gyu slammed his forehead to the floor.

“I beg of you. Please give us the chance to atone for our sins under the Alliance Leader’s command.”

“We will serve in white robes, offering our lives to wash away our wrongdoings. I plead with you… please protect the innocent disciples of our sects with your boundless mercy, Alliance Leader.”

“How dare you covet the Alliance Leader’s grace… urk!”

Someone near Baek Sang-ah burst out in outrage, but before anyone could even reflect on those words, the source was silently subdued.

“Protection, huh.”

Surprisingly, the visitors hadn’t come to negotiate—they came to surrender unconditionally.

“Sigh…”

With her quiet sigh, the atmosphere grew taut in an instant.

‘Why does this burden just keep growing heavier?’

No one spoke; all eyes were fixed on her lips.

Whatever decision she made, everyone present would accept it without a single doubt.

Some might take pride in holding such absolute authority, but for her, this position was an unbearable weight.

“……”

A silence fell over the hall for some time.

The strategists suggested accepting their proposal under various rationales, but the real problem was that there was no guarantee that another internal betrayal like with the Bukcheon Geom Clan wouldn’t occur.

Should something like that happen again, not only would the responsibility fall on her, but the Northern Murim Alliance would suffer a fatal blow.

Just as the weight and pressure made it difficult for Baek Sang-ah to reach a decision—

Thump!

Someone grabbed both her shoulders from behind.

“…Young Master So Cheon?”

So Cheon, who had been subdued by Jegal Eun, was now suddenly behind her.

Even if So Cheon was her unofficial lover, touching the shoulders of the Alliance Leader in a public setting was no trivial matter.

Some were about to point that out when—

Suddenly, So Cheon began to massage her shoulders.

“Wh-what are you doing all of a sudden…?”

As he unexpectedly began to massage her, the entire hall looked on in disbelief.

“So what?”

So Cheon smirked and said,

“Just do whatever you want.”

“……”

“Did those ‘bastards’ ever worry about what anyone thought before they spoke?”

The ‘bastards’ So Cheon referred to were the detestable men and women from Ten Thousand Great Mountain.

So Cheon swept his gaze across the hall with sharp eyes.

“If anyone dares to raise hell over the young miss’s decision, I’ll butcher them.”

“……”

“……”

Though most didn’t consciously realize it, So Cheon’s martial prowess was now among the top five in the entire Northern Murim Alliance.

Only Do Wang, Dao Zun, and the Alliance Leader Baek Sang-ah, who were not present at this moment, could compare.

“Young Master So Cheon…”

It was such an absurd and ridiculous statement that it should have been laughable, yet somehow, she felt her heart ease rapidly.

After a brief contemplation, she made her decision and slowly opened her mouth.

“This Alliance Leader…”

***

Light.

An infinitely vast space filled with pure white light.

A light that evoked both sanctity and ominousness.

Within that light existed a solitary darkness, curled up like a tiny speck.

The name of that darkness was Cheon Yura.

Swish!

Before her, another darkness appeared.

This darkness took the form of a small black wolf.

-Indeed, even though your ego was consumed, your will still persists.

“…Who are you?”

Cheon Yura asked with blurred eyes.

-This one… was once called %#$#%, but now goes by the name Yorang. I believe we were acquainted once—has confusion clouded your memory?

Yorang stepped closer to Cheon Yura and examined her condition.

-Innate martial talent and effort befitting of it. Given enough time, you could surely have reached a level equal to my host. But what troubles you now is your inherent nature, and that is not something that can be overcome by will or effort alone.

“……”

Cheon Yura gave no reply.

-Of course, if you continue to hold out, he’ll come to save you, won’t he? Like a prince rescuing a princess, he’ll do whatever it takes. But is that truly the ending you want?

Flinch!

Cheon Yura, quietly crouched until now, reacted.

Yorang smirked and said.

-Being rescued so easily doesn’t suit your taste, does it?

“That’s right.”

Cheon Yura responded.

-I can clearly sense it. You feel very complicated emotions toward him.

It was not just love.

Alongside love, there was another intense emotion.

It was the will to compete.

-The Grand Heavenly Lord will try to absorb you continuously even before completing the awakening ritual of Heavenly Evil. But there is a way you can escape her clutches while at the same time poisoning her mind.

Crackle!

Yorang’s form began to change.

The little black wolf gradually grew larger and reshaped into a young man.

At last, Yorang, now appearing as a handsome young man, spoke directly.

“Martial arts.”

“……!”

Cheon Yura reacted upon seeing his human form.

The features might have been slightly different, but she could never forget that face.

The young man continued.

“You and the Grand Heavenly Lord are now nearly one. By now, she might already be able to use the martial arts you know.”

He could likely wield even the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art without trouble.

Though for now, it would only be a superficial understanding.

“That’s why you must continue training in martial arts, and strike enlightenment into the mind of the one who has merged with you.”

Cheon Yura looked confused.

Wouldn’t the situation worsen if the Grand Heavenly Lord, already a grandmaster of sorcery, also gained martial prowess?

“Of course, the Grand Heavenly Lord will grow stronger by mastering martial arts. Jin Yeomyung will suffer even more trying to save you.”

Yorang imagined the situation and laughed joyfully.

“But the stronger she becomes, the further she strays from the essence of Heavenly Evil.”

Swish!

The young man—more precisely, Yorang in the image of the Heavenly Demon Founder in his youth—summoned a sword.

“This one doesn’t know martial arts. But thanks to my host, I can replicate the ‘realm’ to some extent.”

The various transcendent techniques and ultimate forms from the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art used by the Heavenly Demon Founder in the past—

Though it may only be superficial, it would be more than enough to train the current Cheon Yura.

“If you elevate your level far beyond now and touch transcendence, then you could become Heavenly Evil Cheon Yura, not Heavenly Evil Han Seon.”

Fwoosh!

Yorang’s sword flew straight toward the center of Cheon Yura’s forehead.

“Come at me. There will be no time to rest until she finds you.”

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