Chapter 89: Chapter 89- The Vile Demonic Cult

Nearly a week ago… After Sol battled Byeong-Ho and destroyed the stage…

“Brother Byeong-Ho, I hope we’ll get to spar again in the Academy sometime in the future.”

Sol said as he bowed with a cupped fist.

Byeong-Ho cupped his fist and returned Sol’s bow, before he laughed and said.

“Brother Sol, I’ll gladly spar with you again, it’s unfortunate we weren’t able to go all out…”

Byeong-Ho then glanced down at the destroyed stage. The Plum Blossom Gathering was essentially over; there was no way anyone could fight on this stage.

Byeong-Ho looked up and continued.

“…However, Brother Sol, we’ll have to do that outside of the academy.”

“Why is that?”

Sol was confused.

Byeong-Ho seeing this chuckled and explained.

“Brother Sol, it seems you don’t know. I haven’t joined the Martial Alliance Academy.”

“You haven’t?”

Sol looked at Byeong-Ho dumbfounded.

Byeong-Ho shook his head.

“I really don’t see the need to join that place. I despise it’s system and if it was up to me, I would completely abolish it.”

A snort came from the crowd after Byeong-Ho said that.

It was from Haneul.

The Academy was ruled by the Shaolin Sect, so Byeong-Ho’s words were slightly disrespectful. However, Byeong-Ho’s stance was already well known as it was massive news when it got out that he wasn’t going to join the Martial Alliance Academy.

Sol nodded.

“From what I see so far I agree with Brother Byeong-Ho.”

Haneul’s head suddenly snapped towards Sol and his eyes glowed with a dangerous light.

Everyone, as well as Byeong-Ho too, looked taken aback by Sol’s words. Normally, people wouldn’t outright state their stance on such sensitive topics since it might offend people they can’t afford to offend. But Sol seemed completely oblivious to this fact.

But after looking at Sol’s honest expression, Byeong-Ho chuckled as he understood this was just Sol’s personality.

Sol ignored Haneul’s gaze and said.

“Then I’ll visit the Huashan Sect to spar with Brother Byeong-Ho in the future.”

“Sure.”

….

Back to the present…

It was after that conversation that Sol realized that this Byeong-Ho standing in front of him was treated like royalty by everyone in the Academy despite never becoming a disciple. But he guessed it made sense.

He was the only disciple of the Academy’s third Grand Elder and the adopted son of the Weapon Innate Dharma Pavilion Headmaster, who was also the grandson of said third Grand Elder.

Not only was he treated like royalty in the Academy, but in the Huashan Sect as well, since the Weapon Innate Dharma Pavilion Headmaster is the brother of the current Head of the Huashan Sect.

Byeong-Ho flipped over his palm and retrieved a jade slip before handing it to Sol.

“I found the people who you were looking for. They’re disciples of the eighth branch of my Huashan Sect.”

Sol took the jade slip and was ready to thank Byeong-Ho, but Byeong-Ho stopped him.

“Brother Sol, before you read what’s inside the jade slip, take a seat first.”

Sol saw that Byeong-Ho’s expression was solemn. He didn’t understand what was going on, but he still did as Byeong-Ho asked and sat down.

Byeong-Ho then sat across from him and a difficult expression appeared on his face.

“Brother Byeong-Ho, what is it?”

Sol urged when he saw that Byeong-Ho was hesitating.

Byeong-Ho eventually sighed and asked slowly.

“Are those people you friends, Brother Sol?”

“Yes, they are. I made a promise to meet them after I came to Jianghu, but I realized I only knew that they were disciples of a side branch of the Huashan Sect, not the exact one. That’s why I requested your help to look for them, Brother Byeong-Ho.”

Byeong-Ho sighed once more before he explained.

“Brother Sol, in truth, it took me only a day to find them. The other days were me trying to figure out how something like this could happen.”

Sol’s heart sank a little upon hearing that.

“Brother Sol, I assume you haven’t met your friends in a year. What I found out was that during one of the eighth branch’s excursions to the Demonic Forest, the group with your friends was attacked on the way back to the city near the Demonic Forest. Disciple Seon and disciple Song-Oh were among the disciples killed, while disciple Son survived but was severely injured.”

Sol’s body shuddered before he hurriedly looked through the information in the jade slip. After reading the details, his face became ashen.

“How did this happen? Who would attack and kill disciples of the Huashan Sect?”

Sol wanted answers.

“Brother Sol, while I was investigating this incident, I found out this wasn’t the first time something like this happened, and it has happened to the other Holy Sects as well. I had to ask my father for this information, but the attacks were carried out by the remnant forces of the Demonic Cult…”

Sol froze when he heard that, but Byeong-Ho didn’t seem to notice his reaction as he continued.

“My father also said that the reason why they attacked the disciples of the Holy Sects’ branches was to capture the Forgotten Geniuses with unique Innate Dharmas. The group with your friends were attacked possibly because they were after disciple Son who was a Forgotten Genius.”

Sol frowned.

“Why would they target Forgotten Geniuses?”

Byeong-Ho’s eyes flashed with disgust as he responded.

“My Master told me that the Demonic Cult started out as a sanctuary for disciples abandoned by the Martial Alliance Academy, as well as disciples from the Holy Sects who awaken Irregular Innate Dharmas and were shunned. But the recent Demonic Cult is different. They started capturing disciples of our branch sects that have Irregular Innate Dharmas so they can steal them.”

“Steal them?”

Byeong-Ho nodded solemnly.

“They’re a vile group of people who would do anything to obtain power. Even going as far as to take someone’s Innate Dharma.”

From Byeong-Ho’s tone of voice and expression, one could see that such a thing was heavily condemned. It was a taboo in Jianghu that would enrage the public if it was found out.

However, Byeong-Ho went on to explain that the news of the Demonic Cult’s resurgence and their actions were being kept a secret by the Holy Sects and Great Clans so as to not cause mass panic.

“Brother Sol, I feel that I should apologize to you for what happened to your friends.”

“What? Why? It wasn’t your fault Brother Byeong-Ho, so you don’t have to apologize.”

Sol hurriedly waved his hands to stop Byeong-Ho.

“Besides, you helped me find my friends so I should thank you instead.”

Sol stood up and cupped his fist towards Byeong-Ho.

After, Sol said.

“Brother Byeong-Ho, I’m afraid we have to cut our meeting short.”

Byeong-Ho waved his hands dismissively.

“No need Brother Sol, I know you’re in a hurry to meet your friend. And I think you should hurry. The reports of his physical condition were serious, but his mind is the issue. He heavily blames himself for their deaths.”

Sol nodded before he turned and disappeared with a step. His figure left blurred as he rushed to the Teleportation Hall to leave the Academy.

From the information in the jade slip, Son had left the Huashan Branch Sect and returned to his home. It was a cultivation city that was several thousand kilometers away from the Academy.

Sol should be able to find a teleportation circle to that city in the Martial Alliance City.

Meanwhile, Byeong-Ho watch as he rushed off with a sigh. He had wanted to bring up the Hundred Plants and Herbs Dimension that was opening soon and ask if Sol was planning to enter, but it didn’t feel right bringing it up.

Byeong-Ho sighed again before he got up and left.

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