Chapter 234: The Madmen (2)

After concluding their negotiations with the Solar Palace, the Annihilation Squad returned to the main division of the Five Elements Cult.

“Hero Woo, the agreement was only verbal. Can we really trust it?”

Though things had gone smoothly, Seoryeom asked, unable to shake off his doubt.

“We’ve had long-standing relations with the Solar Palace. Elder Cheok is not someone who spouts nonsense.”

“Hmm. Well, then, I’ll trust it too.”

“Ryeom, not everyone is like you. Don’t worry.”

“What now? I was just concerned, that’s all. You never know—they could just be saying one thing and stab us in the back.”

“That’s what I mean. Not everyone’s like you. People need to have integrity.”

“Not like me, and people need integrity, huh? What? Are you saying I look like a sly rat just because I’m a beastkin? That’s speciesist! I’m going to formally request aid from the Beastkin Rights Union of the Beast King Clan.”

Following behind and overhearing their exchange, the Annihilation Squad’s Liege widened her eyes. It was the first time even she, who hailed from the Beast King Clan, had heard of such a group.

“That kind of union exists? It’s my first time hearing of it.”

“Nonsense. Nonsense. Species discrimination, my ass. If anyone crosses you, you’d be the first to stab them with a sword. Ryeom, grow up already.”

“It was just a joke to cheer everyone up after a long journey, no need to get so serious. And there’s nothing wrong with being cautious when dealing with the Solar Palace.”

“You don’t need to worry! Elder Cheok and the Young Palace Master would never do something like that!”

Surrounded by the martial artists of the Annihilation Squad, Yui Geon raised his voice confidently.

“See? Even the kid says so. The Cheok Hwa-hong I know is the kind of man who keeps his word once spoken.”

As Seoryeom and Makya Wol chatted, the group disembarked at the Thunder Fortress and headed for the main division of the Five Elements Cult.

“It feels a bit chaotic overall.”

They were all powerful martial artists—just by being near, they could sense the disturbance in the air around the main division. As if that observation were a signal, a martial artist of the Five Elements Cult rushed over to them.

“Hero Woo! The Cult Leader is asking for you. And the Annihilation Squad as well.”

“You’ve done well. Once again, we’re indebted to you.”

Seo Gyeong-mu expressed his gratitude as soon as he saw Jang Woo-hyun.

After brief greetings, Woo Il-do, who had moved with the Annihilation Squad, gave a concise report on all that had transpired.

When the explanation ended—

“Who are those kids?”

Im Gwan-hwa, who was present, pointed toward Yui Geon and Eon Neung-hyeon.

“Judging from their energy, they seem to be from the Solar Palace.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then why are they here?”

“The Young Palace Master of the Solar Palace asked us to bring them to the Thunder Fortress.”

“The Young Palace Master?”

As Seo Gyeong-mu took interest, Jang Woo-hyun explained the request from Hwa Jinmyeong and Cheok Hwa-hong.

“Since we’re already taking them along, I figured I might as well show them around. I thought it would help them understand the situation.”

“I understand your intention. But it was not a wise decision. The Ice Palace might misinterpret this.”

From the perspective of the Ice Palace, it could appear as though they had sided with the Solar Palace. Jang Woo-hyun had simply seen them as additions to their group and hadn’t considered how it might be perceived.

“Hearing you say that… I realize now this could be a problem.”

“Should we kick them out?”

Seoryeom asked casually, but Jang Woo-hyun shook his head.

“It’s fine. It’s already done. The Five Elements Cult isn’t directly involved, and we can just say they’re connected to the Annihilation Squad. If the Ice Palace misunderstands, that can’t be helped. If it causes trouble, you can explain it was our doing.”

“Alright. After all you’ve done for us, we’ll handle it. I just wanted to let you know.”

Jang Woo-hyun looked at Seo Gyeong-mu as if asking what he meant.

“If you’re going to continue leading the Annihilation Squad, issues like this will keep coming up. These aren’t just personal matters—they’re conflicts between sects. I brought this up so you’d take a broader perspective moving forward.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Jang Woo-hyun understand the reason for Seo Gyeong-mu’s warning. He was teaching him about the responsibilities and mindset required of someone who leads an organization.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me for something like this. We’ve still got a long way to go before I’ve repaid all I owe you.”

Their exchange ended with warm smiles.

“Now, let’s get to the real discussion. You’ve seen what things are like outside on your way in, right?”

As Seo Gyeong-mu’s smile vanished, the atmosphere around them grew tense.

“What happened?”

“The Radiant Light Sect attacked first.”

“…”

Everyone was surprised—it was an unexpected move.

The Radiant Light Sect was a sect led by sorcerers. Typically, they didn’t engage directly, preferring traps and prepared formations.

Unless it was a very special case, it was extremely rare for them to make the first move. Doing so would mean giving up their greatest advantage.

“It seems they have a purpose in mind. They attacked multiple locations simultaneously. As if trying to expand the battlefield.”

The Radiant Light Sect had launched attacks on twenty-two locations at once.

“Half were repelled, but half broke through. We’ve lost contact with the sects and branch divisions defending those areas. We’ve sent disciples to recover the situation, but we still don’t know what they’re aiming for.”

“What’s there to think about? Just attack back.”

The Great Sage of Wind and Thunder interjected, and Seoryeom and Makya Wol beside him nodded in agreement.

“How can you think so lightly of it when we don’t even know their intentions?”

“Just go in and—”

“Monkey, will you just shut up for a second?”

Jang Woo-hyun cut off the Great Sage of Wind and Thunder mid-sentence.

“Do you think this is a trap, Cult Leader?”

“That’s highly likely.”

“If they’re widening the battlefield and spreading our forces thin, could they be aiming to strike the main division?”

“That won’t be easy. Didn’t I tell you last time? We now have the Guardian Spirit with us.”

If they recklessly advanced deep into Five Elements territory, the Radiant Light Sect would suffer devastating losses. The Five-Wheel Guardian Spirit was that powerful.

“They know about the Guardian Spirit, so I doubt they’ll attack directly. They must have some other motive.”

“Motive or not, who cares?”

Falling silent for a moment at Jang Woo-hyun’s words, the Great Sage of Wind and Thunder opened his mouth again.

“Trap or not, I don’t care. If they’ve laid a trap, we’ll just smash it along with them.”

“I agree with the Sage.”

“So do I. Cult Leader, with the power we have, even if it is a trap, we can break it and deal with them.”

As the discussion continued, the Great Sage of Wind and Thunder, Seoryeom, and Makya Wol all gave the same answer: Let’s fight!

Watching them from behind, Yui Geon closed his eyes tight.

‘Are these lunatics really only thinking about fighting? Why do they keep talking about smashing everything?’

They weren’t just battle-hardened fighters—they were war junkies, charging into battle without plans or procedures.

‘Young Palace Master, is this really the right thing to do?’

They had told him to see and learn. That it would help his future.

But the scene unfolding before his eyes was nothing more than the rampage of fight-crazed lunatics.

This was a war between two sects from the Ten Sects and Three Clans, yet they were brawling like thugs in a back alley. Truthfully, he wanted to smack the three people sitting in front of him right in the back of their heads.

‘No, don’t overthink it. These lunatics have always been like this.’

If he overthought it here, he’d only end up the fool. After spending the past few days with them, he’d already concluded just how strange the members of the Annihilation Squad were.

Yui Geon clenched both fists tightly, trying to suppress the unconscious urge to raise his hand.

“What level of forces are we dealing with?”

Relieved that at least Jang Woo-hyun was present, Yui Geon slowly relaxed his clenched fists. A moment later and he might have struck someone in the head without realizing it.

“Who knows what tricks they’re hiding, but we have a clear advantage. Don’t you agree?”

Seo Gyeong-mu turned to look at Seon Tae-gyeong, one of the former Ten Elders of the Radiant Light Sect.

“The Radiant Light Sect has significantly weakened due to internal conflict.”

The sect had represented its ten leading sorcerers as the Ten Elders.

The Sect Leader was the Sun, and the Vice Leader, Hyeonwol, was the Moon. Beneath them were eight sorcerers.

“When Hyeonwol betrayed them, the sect split between those loyal to the Sect Leader and those following Hyeonwol.”

Among those who sided with the Sect Leader were Seon Tae-gyeong, the Deer, the Crane, and the Pine Tree. The rest joined Hyeonwol.

The four-to-six battle ended in Hyeonwol’s victory, and during the time bought by the Sect Leader, Seon Tae-gyeong and the others managed to escape.

“There are only four of the Ten Elders left in the Radiant Light Sect now, including Hyeonwol. Hero Jang took care of two of them.”

While helping the Annihilation Squad’s Liege, he had taken down the Cloud, Man-un. And during the battle with the Spear of Thunder, he had captured the Turtle, Gwi Ryeong. Although Gwi Ryeong’s body exploded due to Hyeonwol’s sorcery, it still counted as Jang Woo-hyun capturing two of the Ten Elders.

Four remained.

It was no exaggeration to say that the sect’s power had been cut in half.

“The only potential reinforcements on their side would be the Ascension Cult. We’ll handle them.”

If the Radiant Light Sect had a group of cultivators called the Ascension Cult, then the Five Elements Cult had the Annihilation Squad.

“It would be much better if your group operated separately.”

The Annihilation Squad was too unique to blend in with the Five Elements Cult.

After exchanging a few more words, Seo Gyeong-mu rose from his seat.

“My apologies for dragging you all into our conflict.”

Seo Gyeong-mu bowed his head to each member of Jang Woo-hyun’s group, expressing his gratitude.

“I won’t forget this favor.”

“What favor? We just want to fight.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s fine.”

Even as they were about to walk into a major war, they spoke as if it were nothing.

“This is our fight as well. So please don’t feel too burdened. We’ll excuse ourselves to prepare.”

With a short farewell, Jang Woo-hyun and the Annihilation Squad left. Im Gwan-hwa watched their backs and slightly bowed his head.

‘Whatever trick you think you’re pulling, you’ll regret it.’

The Radiant Light Sect had made a grave misjudgment.

Expanding the battlefield might have been a good strategy against the Five Elements Cult. But once the Annihilation Squad got involved, the story changed.

‘They’ll just be crushed one by one.’

Elite martial artists under Jang Woo-hyun’s command, capable of warping through space via the Thunder Fortress.

The Annihilation Squad wasn’t complicated. Once an enemy was decided, they simply charged in and destroyed everything.

Jang Woo-hyun, the Great Sage of Wind and Thunder, Seoryeom, and Makya Wol. Even one of them required the Radiant Light Sect to send out someone on par with their Ten Elders. But here they were—four moving as one.

‘They can’t be stopped.’

No matter where the Annihilation Squad struck, the Radiant Light Sect wouldn’t be able to hold them off.

“Vice Captain! There’s no one here!”

At his subordinate’s cry, Yeop Jun-ui furrowed his brow.

Temporarily taking command in place of the severely injured Lee Ga-hang, he was now searching the city attacked by the Radiant Light Sect.

‘What the hell is going on here?’

It was easy to understand that the sect defending the city had been completely wiped out. But what was happening in front of him now defied all logic.

“Vice Captain, this side is clear too. No one.”

Another subordinate reported with a stiff face. Yeop Jun-ui closed his eyes in disbelief.

This city had once housed more than ten thousand people. Now, it was as if no one had ever lived there.

“No one hiding? Like a child secretly hidden by their parents?”

“Nothing at all. Not even a shadow.”

“Any signs of evacuation or people fleeing?”

“None. It doesn’t look like they used any Dharma Tools either. Most of the flying Dharma Tools are still inside the houses.”

“This is beyond strange. Not even a single corpse?”

If there had been a battle, there should’ve at least been bodies. But there was nothing. Every human being in the city had vanished.

Yeop Jun-ui calmly organized his thoughts.

‘The enemy has no reason to clean up the bodies. So… did everyone disappear after the fighting ended?’

That didn’t make sense, so he considered another theory.

‘Unless they had a reason to dispose of the corpses?’

Then the missing bodies could be explained.

“We need to check the situation elsewhere. Which unit is the closest?”

“Unit Two is the nearest.”

“Report this to the main division. I’ll contact their captain. Have a few men sweep the area again. They might have used Dharma Tools to hide.”

Yeop Jun-ui gave his orders and contacted Captain Ho Sam-rang of the Vermilion Bird Pavilion’s Second Unit. What he heard matched his own situation.

“The people have vanished.”

Whatever trick the Radiant Light Sect was playing—tens of thousands of people had disappeared.

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