Chapter 459: Advancing into the Central Plains (5)

I glanced at the woman who appeared alongside Yinglong.

On the surface, she exuded a grace similar to that of Yura.

From her emanated a sacred blue thunderforce.

Unlike Yinglong, however, a long horn protruded from the center of her forehead, making it obvious that she was not human.

“Are you a Qilin?”

“That’s right, human.”

Qilin furrowed her brow and shot me a glare.

“I heard you had the audacity to propose a deal to us.”

I smirked slightly and nodded my head.

“The ones in need are you, aren’t they? If that weren’t the case, you wouldn’t have come all this way.”

“Hmph, true. Just as you say.”

Qilin nodded curtly.

“But let me say one thing beforehand.”

“What is it?”

“At the moment, we have nothing to offer you.”

“……”

At her bold statement, I momentarily lost my words.

“Yinglong and I exhausted everything in the final phase of the Great War and fell into slumber. We only woke after several thousand years. Naturally, all divine artifacts and treasures we once possessed were lost.”

“So?”

At my retort, Qilin’s face twisted.

“So what do you mean, ‘so’? Since we can’t pay the price for the alliance, we’re suggesting a different arrangement.”

So that’s what she meant by offering a different condition, instead of a price for the alliance?

“A different arrangement, huh…”

I cast a sidelong glance at Yinglong.

Seeing the similarly troubled expression on Yinglong’s face, it was apparent that they seemed to think of ‘compensation’ purely in material terms.

‘I think I get the reason.’

It was highly likely that they had reigned as sovereigns even in the ancient Mythic Era.

They were used to being offered tributes and bestowing rewards in return.

But in exchange involving personal effort—they weren’t accustomed to such things.

Smirk!

“…Human, why are you making that expression?”

Noticing the smirk tugging at my lips, Qilin scowled again.

“Oh, it’s just that I thought of a fair exchange.”

“Exchange?”

“Teach me divine sorcery.”

“……!”

In an instant, their expressions stiffened.

“Human, do you even understand what you’re asking for?”

“Of course, I do.”

This wasn’t simply asking to learn a martial arts technique.

Divine sorcery was the caster’s identity and symbol itself.

It was no different from someone asking me to teach them the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art as payment for an alliance.

“Of course, I’m not asking for your ultimate technique.”

“…Then what?”

Qilin and Yinglong’s expressions softened slightly.

“I need a way to reduce the concentration of qi that’s become pervasive in the atmosphere.”

“……?”

For a moment, Yinglong and Qilin looked at each other in confusion, not comprehending my words.

“If things stay like this, humans won’t be able to adapt to the changed environment and will perish. We need a countermeasure for that.”

“Ah, indeed. I see now. So that was the issue?”

After a moment of contemplation, the two finally nodded as if understanding the meaning of my words.

“We never considered such a problem would arise.”

“Indeed, at this rate, things will go just as you say.”

Though they bore no malice toward humans, they were fundamentally indifferent.

That indifference must have led to this gap in perception.

Nonetheless, there was no doubt about their capabilities.

“That’s a simple issue. No need for divine sorcery.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. A low concentration is a problem, but a high one isn’t much of an issue.”

Yinglong raised a finger.

“There are two methods.”

Two?

“One is to erect a large-scale formation to lower the qi concentration. There’s more than enough power to sustain it, so it won’t be a problem.”

Qilin added.

“There was a technique used in the past to prevent the extinction of weaker races. We can provide that to you.”

Though it may not cover the entire Central Plains, if it can encompass a whole province, then at least the Cult members within the Ten Thousand Great Mountain will be safe.

However, unless we plan to stay holed up in the Ten Thousand Great Mountain forever, this is no fundamental solution.

“What’s the second method?”

Yinglong answered.

“The second method is simpler. It is to revive all of our Divine Beasts.”

If he meant the remaining Divine Beasts, then he must be referring to the Phoenix and the Spirit Turtle…

“Especially if the Spirit Turtle is revived, it could greatly aid in the survival of humans.”

“The Spirit Turtle…”

I roughly understood what Yinglong was getting at.

Though I hadn’t seen the original Spirit Turtle, I had seen something similar in the past.

‘The Colorful Flower Lord was said to have inherited the Spirit Turtle’s bloodline.’

Though he was helplessly pierced by Yura’s Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword, the awakened form of the Colorful Flower Lord at that time had the authority to absorb all the surrounding energy.

But—

‘This is a bit burdensome.’

Given how the relationship with them might change, supporting the resurrection of the other two is a heavy burden for me as well.

“You’re hesitating. Well, I understand.”

Qilin let out a soft chuckle.

“But it would be wise not to hesitate for too long.”

“What do you mean?”

“The candidate of Heavenly Evil won’t just stay quietly embedded in the altar waiting for her time.”

“……”

“Soon, much blood will be shed in the human world.”

***

“M-Alliance Leader, what are you saying?! You’re leaving Luoyang?!”

The Lord of Luoyang, shocked by Baek Sang-ah’s declaration that she would head east out of Luoyang, rushed forward in panic.

“D-Do you intend to abandon the people who braved perilous paths to come here, trusting the Murim Alliance?!”

“Please, calm down, Lord.”

Baek Sang-ah pressed her forehead, looking at the Lord of Luoyang who was, quite literally, clinging to her hem.

Though he had been groaning under the rising concentration of energy, in situations like this, he had boundless vigor.

“As you know, there have been almost no attacks near Luoyang in recent weeks.”

“T-That’s true. I heard that the monstrous creatures across the Central Plains are gathering near Shandong Province…”

Because of that, all of Shandong Province had turned into something akin to hell.

“Yes. According to the report from the Hao Sect Leader, their numbers exceed fifty thousand.”

“F-Fifty thousand?!”

The Lord of Luoyang was so shocked he looked ready to faint.

Even a force of fifty thousand soldiers would be terrifying—but fifty thousand Demonic Beasts? The thought alone was unbearable.

The Empire may have an army numbering over a million, but even that army would be no match for fifty thousand Demonic Beasts. They would be mere fodder.

“If that force gathers in one place and a command structure is established… I guarantee the Empire will be annihilated.”

“……”

“Therefore, our alliance intends to strike while we still have strength.”

“W-What?!”

The Lord of Luoyang looked at her like she had lost her mind, but Baek Sang-ah responded calmly.

“Our alliance has now declared the formation of a unified Murim Alliance encompassing both orthodox and unorthodox factions. In response to our call, many masters from all over the Central Plains are gathering.”

A month ago, the declaration of the unified Murim Alliance by the Northern Murim Alliance had surprisingly received overwhelming support.

Unlike the past, where people hesitated due to their ties with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, now that survival was on the line, everyone changed their stance.

Some for survival, others for justice.

News came even from distant Sichuan and Yunnan that masters had been dispatched despite the danger.

“But we do not have the time to wait for everyone to gather. Even you, Lord, are unable to rise from your bed.”

“T-That’s true, but…”

In fact, the Lord of Luoyang’s condition was worse than most.

Unable to control his energy with inner arts, and having consumed spiritual herbs or elixirs carelessly, he failed to adapt to the current environment.

If not for the experts sent by the alliance tending to him regularly, he would’ve collapsed long ago.

“In one month. In one month, the Nine Orthodox Sects, the Seven Great Clans, the Black Lotus Union, and the Evil Overlords of Heaven will combine their forces and head east.”

“……”

The Lord of Luoyang wasn’t a fool.

The situation was worsening by the day, and within a year, it would be questionable if Luoyang could remain habitable.

Whether exterminating the Demonic Beasts gathered in Shandong would improve things was uncertain, but at least they were making a decisive move before the worst came.

The Lord of Luoyang sighed deeply.

“It can’t be helped. We’ll just have to defend Luoyang with those who remain.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“I believe you will somehow bring back victory. With Beijing fallen and His Majesty missing, the Empire needs a miracle to restore hope.”

If the Murim Alliance’s expedition to Shandong failed, it would all be over—but the Lord of Luoyang didn’t voice that thought.

Just then—

“A-Alliance Leader! We’re under attack!”

Suddenly, the urgent voice of Jegal Eun came from below.

As soon as she heard that rare urgency in Jegal Eun’s voice, Baek Sang-ah drew the sword from her waist.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

She opened the window and leapt straight down from the pavilion.

“An attack, you say? How many have gathered?”

“T-That is…”

Jegal Eun fumbled, unable to give a proper answer.

Baek Sang-ah furrowed her brows at her uncharacteristically unsure demeanor.

“It would be best… if you confirmed it with your own eyes.”

“……”

Though puzzled by her reluctance, Baek Sang-ah understood immediately upon ascending Luoyang’s outer wall.

“…Lady Cheon?”

Beyond the city wall.

There, amidst the cluster of dozens of Demonic Beasts—

Cheon Yura was gazing at them with a faint smile on her face.

The situation was so unexpected that Baek Sang-ah was left speechless.

“…Why is Lady Cheon…”

She had heard the general outcome of what occurred at Ten Thousand Great Mountain through letters.

If those letters were true, then that was not Cheon Yura.

It had to be the Grand Heavenly Lord in Cheon Yura’s form.

‘But wasn’t she heading toward Mount Tai?’

Even if not, why would she appear here?

“Lady.”

At that moment, So Cheon beside her raised a finger.

“That thing, though its form has changed slightly, that’s definitely Gunggi.”

The black, quadrupedal beast supporting Cheon Yura on its back—

It had shed its Beastman form and fully transformed into a beast, but just as So Cheon said, it was unmistakably the Four Atrocities’ Gunggi.

Watching the situation, Saber King muttered quietly.

“It seems they wish to talk.”

“……”

“I’ll go out there.”

“Alone!?”

“It’s too dangerous!”

Everyone around tried to dissuade Baek Sang-ah from her words.

“Normally, yes…”

She turned her head and called out to So Cheon.

“Young Master So Cheon.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll protect me, right?”

So Cheon stood beside her with a grin.

“Of course.”

Even in the worst-case scenario, the two of them could retreat.

With that plan in mind, Baek Sang-ah and So Cheon crossed the wall and approached Cheon Yura and Gunggi.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Please don’t act familiar, Grand Heavenly Lord.”

“Grand Heavenly Lord, huh…”

At Baek Sang-ah’s fierce response, she spoke in a dazed voice.

“I am now both the Grand Heavenly Lord… and Cheon Yura.”

“What…?”

“I remember it all clearly.”

“……?”

“The day you sought to become the Black Lotus Union Leader, the moment you reached out to me to borrow the mask.”

“Y-You?!”

“That’s why I have no particular desire to kill you. Once my objective is achieved, I promise to leave peacefully.”

“Objective? And what is that?”

“There’s something I need to retrieve from beyond that.”

She pointed her finger—directly at the area near the residence of the Lord of Luoyang.

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