Chapter 231: The Return of the Scoundrel (1)
The commanders of the allied forces let out deep sighs.
In the gloomy atmosphere, no one could bring themselves to speak.
Even Yue Fei, who always maintained his composure, looked completely dazed with shock.
After a moment, So-mu broke the silence and asked, “The news of the general’s death is tragic. However, those of us who survived must carry out our duties. Tell us the details of the battle.”
Ho-jin, whose composure had returned slightly, replied with a dark expression, “The enemy’s numbers were twice ours. Outnumbered as we were, we were utterly helpless after General Han Shizhong fell. Out of fifty thousand men, only ten thousand barely managed to survive and retreat.”
“It is actually surprising that so many were able to retreat. Escaping from cavalry could not have been easy.”
“The pursuit did not last long. According to our scouts, they had been moving to reinforce Luoyang, but turned back toward Kaifeng.”
This was likely because they received news of Luoyang’s fall during their march. It was truly a stroke of heavenly luck.
Yue Fei, who had been watching, suppressed his anger and spoke to Ho-jin, “Tell me more about the emperor.”
“He did not seem human at all. Even the general was utterly helpless against him.”
This meant that even Han Shizhong, a master of the Transcendent Realm, was no match for him.
In his grief, Yue Fei’s eyes welled with tears. The enemy was not someone he could hope to seek vengeance against on his own.
He murmured softly in a voice heavy with sorrow, “My friend… How could you leave me behind and go on alone?”
So-mu, who knew of their deep bond, understood Yue Fei’s feelings all too well.
He vividly recalled how Han Shizhong had once stormed into the capital and raged at Qin Hui to save Yue Fei, who had been wrongfully imprisoned.
At any rate, the morale of the commanders, which had been burning hot, was beginning to waver, and So-mu could not let it deteriorate further.
“I will deal with him myself, so do not worry. I will make sure he is captured.”
So-mu spoke with confidence, but Commander Ho-jin of the Song Dynasty did not look reassured at all.
“It was not just the emperor. There were seven mysterious figures aiding him. They did not seem to be from the military, but each and every one of them possessed terrifying martial prowess.”
So-mu already had a good idea of who they were. Ten to one, it was the Grand Protector of the Divine Demon Cult and its six elders. Having fought them before, So-mu could tell without even checking.
At that moment, Zhang Xian, a commander of the volunteer army who had remained silent until now, spoke up for the first time.
“The enemy’s next move is the problem. They might try to retake Luoyang, or they might capture Xiangyang, whose defenses have been weakened, and push deep into the Song Dynasty.”
This was something So-mu had already considered.
“If the Hui Dynasty targets Xiangyang, their capital, Kaifeng, will be exposed to us. The emperor will not want to risk that.”
Admiral Jeok-un’s eyes gleamed as he agreed with him, “I agree. If Kaifeng falls into our hands, the Hui Dynasty risks being split in two across the Yellow River. That is why they will surely try to secure Luoyang first.”
Yue Fei nodded in agreement and spoke in a weary voice, “Winter will soon begin, so their mobilization will likely take place after the cold season. Our volunteer army will remain stationed here in the meantime to prepare for the next battle. What about the State of Po?”
General Jin Gwang subtly checked So-mu’s expression.
It was impossible to predict how many enemy troops would amass in Kaifeng before spring arrived.
To defend Luoyang, which was now under the territory of the State of So, the help of the allied nations was indispensable.
So-mu looked at Jin Gwang and said in a low voice, “The State of So will not forget your assistance.”
Though brief, the words carried significant weight. It was an implicit agreement to overlook the internal political conflicts of the State of Po, which Jin Gwang had requested earlier.
Jin Gwang understood the gesture, but since they were committing to a long-term deployment, he needed additional compensation to justify it to his nation.
“To be honest, we did not expect this campaign to end so quickly. Staying for another half a year is not out of the question. However, our supplies are running low, and we must pay additional allowances to our soldiers. I worry if our current funds can sustain us.”
Since they were risking their soldiers’ lives, it was not an entirely unreasonable demand.
So-mu readily nodded and cupped his hands to the commanders around him. “I am deeply grateful to all of you for standing with us. The State of So will cover the military expenses, so do not worry about the funds.”
The final battle was drawing near. In the meantime, there were countless preparations to be made.
After the military council concluded, So-mu walked somewhere alone. Before he had gone far, Il-gwang caught up to him from behind.
“Commander, where are you heading?”
“I need to visit the capital for a bit. I have some business to attend to, and I must arrange the military funds.”
“Will you be stopping by home too?”
So-mu looked at him, puzzled. “Why do you ask?”
Il-gwang blushed and fidgeted, then pulled something out from his robe. “…C-Could you deliver this to Lady Cho-hee?”
It was a letter that was well-worn and smudged from his hands. It was even sealed tightly, as if it were some top-secret document.
Even without asking, So-mu knew exactly what kind of letter it was.
So-mu chuckled and tucked the letter into his robes. “Sure, that’s not hard. I will make sure to give it to my sister-in-law.”
He had a long way to go. Just as he was about to turn around without hesitation, “W-Wait!”
Looking back, So-mu saw Il-gwang awkwardly twisting his massive frame.
Knowing exactly what he wanted at a glance, So-mu sighed and asked, “What? You want me to get a reply too?”
“Well… I’d really appreciate it if you did…”
That would take a bit more time, but looking at Il-gwang’s face, So-mu did not have the heart to refuse.
“In return, make sure you guard this place well and keep things quiet while I’m gone. I’ll be back soon.”
Having finished his business, So-mu turned and dashed away.
Il-gwang’s booming voice echoed from behind, “Of course! Leave it to me!”
***
Heavenly Maiden Peak, Mount Emei.
A place where the most martially skilled Daoists of the Emei Sect trained, with access strictly restricted.
Currently, a single Buddhist nun occupied this place all to herself. And a third-generation disciple at that.
Boom—!
The sound of a corner of the towering cliff crumbling echoed.
As the dust cleared, a massive crater about half a zhang deep was revealed.
“Huu…”
The nun, whose upper body was wrapped tightly in cloth, was bringing her stance to a close.
Her lean, well-trained physique and the muscles twitching on her shoulders like wriggling earthworms formed a highly intimidating body, contrasting sharply with her face, which looked to be around thirteen years old.
The secret weapon that the Nine Great Sects and the Beggars’ Sect were nurturing in preparation for the future: Hwa-ryeong of the Emei Sect.
Behind her, an old man in a black Daoist robe watched with his hands behind his back.
“Amazing. To master the Boundless Mystery Palm in just ten days… The rumor that you are the greatest genius of the orthodox faction is indeed no exaggeration.”
The Boundless Mystery Palm. It was the supreme palm technique of the Kongtong Sect, passed down through a single successor. Yet, it did not seem to satisfy the young nun.
“Is there nothing else?”
Daoist Tae-heo looked bewildered by Hwa-ryeong’s bold question. “What did you just ask?”
“I asked if you have nothing else to teach me.”
Her tone and demeanor were completely different from before. To transform like this the moment she mastered the technique…
Daoist Tae-heo let out a deep sigh. “You are so young, yet your eyes are filled with murderous intent. At the Sect Leader’s request, I had no choice but to impart the ultimate techniques of the Kongtong Sect to you, but even now, I do not believe this is right.”
The diagonal scar on one of Hwa-ryeong’s cheeks twitched. “So?”
Feeling that she was not even worth replying to, Daoist Tae-heo sighed as he looked up at the sky. “The Cloud Dragon Beggar was right. Tsk tsk. We were all deceived by you.”
The Cloud Dragon Beggar was the Sect Leader of the Beggars’ Sect and a close friend of Daoist Tae-heo. He had previously imparted the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the ultimate technique of the Beggars’ Sect, to Hwa-ryeong.
“Answer me. What do you mean we were deceived?”
It was a situation where a mere third-generation disciple of the Emei Sect was interrogating the Supreme Elder of the Kongtong Sect.
Even Daoist Tae-heo, who rarely showed emotion, could not remain calm.
He wanted to discipline her, but he lacked the confidence. Hwa-ryeong was a martial genius who had reached the Flower Realm at the youngest age in the history of the Murim Alliance. She had also consumed all kinds of spiritual medicines and mastered the ultimate techniques of various sects.
“I must speak with the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect. I will make sure you are never allowed to enter the Jianghu.”
“Go ahead. Elder, I have one last thing I am curious about.”
Hwa-ryeong’s tone shifted once more. The sudden change in her expression made her seem like a completely different person.
“…?”
“I have learned six techniques from various sects so far. How many more techniques are left to be passed down to me?”
“No one will ever teach you another technique. I will make sure of it.”
Daoist Tae-heo turned his back, keeping his hands behind him. Just as he took a step—
Squish!
A searing pain pierced his back.
“Khh!”
Daoist Tae-heo’s face darkened as he watched blood spill from his abdomen. He realized he had been struck by the Emei Sect’s ultimate technique, the Buddha’s Light Single Finger.
It was an incredibly stealthy and rapid sneak attack.
The wound burned red-hot, driving him toward death.
“You… finally…”
But Daoist Tae-heo was not one to die easily. His right hand vanished from his side and reappeared in front of Hwa-ryeong’s forehead in the blink of an eye.
Clang—!
His right hand, which struck her forehead, bounced back with the ringing sound of a temple bell.
A pain as though his wrist was about to break shot through him. At the same time, he saw a red energy enveloping Hwa-ryeong’s entire body.
‘The Crimson Gate Divine Art?’
It was a peerless divine art of the Qingcheng Sect, and its power rivaled the Purple Mist Divine Art of the Mount Hua Sect.
But he had no time to be shocked. As his stance wavered, Hwa-ryeong lunged at him like lightning.
Her right hand was enveloped in a golden current of qi—the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms of the Beggars’ Sect.
Injured as he was, he could not block it. A massive golden dragon instantly tore into his abdomen.
Boom—!
“Gah!”
Doubled over like a shrimp, Daoist Tae-heo vomited a torrent of blood.
“Fuck, why do old farts talk so much? Annoyingly loud.”
As if waiting for this moment, Hwa-ryeong’s foot swept out and shattered his knees.
Crack!
“Aaargh!”
Hwa-ryeong grabbed the hair of Daoist Tae-heo, who was forced to his knees.
At the same time, she raised her right palm at an angle. She clearly intended to finish him in a single blow.
“With our own hands… we have created a monster.”
Those were the last words he uttered in this world.
Thud!
***
The Dining Hall of the Emei Sect.
An untimely chill swept through the dining hall reserved for the third-generation disciples. An unwelcome guest had entered.
“What’s this? You haven’t seen me in a while, and you don’t even say hello?”
It was Hwa-ryeong, who had just disposed of Daoist Tae-heo’s body.
The third-generation disciples who were eating trembled in fear, clutching their chopsticks.
Just then, four young nuns stood up and approached her with forced smiles.
“Hwa-ryeong, what happened?”
“I thought you were undergoing special training. Is it already over?”
Hwa-ryeong smiled brightly at the group of girls who used to follow her. “Yeah. They said my progress was excellent, so I was even permitted to leave the mountain.”
It was extremely rare for a third-generation disciple of the Emei Sect to receive permission to descend the mountain.
The largest of the nuns asked with a bewildered look, “Descend the mountain? What do you mean by that?”
“They said experiencing the world is also part of training. They claim that one cannot become a true martial artist just by being strong.”
“Who said that?”
“Daoist Tae-heo.”
The nuns gasped at the mention of Daoist Tae-heo. He was a highly renowned Supreme Elder of the Kongtong Sect. Even the third-generation disciples of Emei had heard his name from their teachers.
“Wow. I’m so jealous!”
“Must be nice. Have a safe trip.”
Contrary to their words, they did not look envious at all. The nuns were internally wishing that the now even more terrifying Hwa-ryeong would quickly disappear.
“No need to be jealous. You guys are coming with me.”
The nuns’ faces instantly turned pale. One of them asked in a trembling voice, “…What do you mean by that? We’re going with you?”
“The Daoist is waiting. He said I could bring my friends along.”
None of the nuns believed those words at face value.
It defied common sense. No matter how prominent a Murim Alliance elder was, it was impossible without the permission of the Emei Sect.
Even if not from the Sect Leader herself, at the very least, they needed the authorization of their master, who held a high generation.
“Wait a minute, Hwa-ryeong. We need to get permission from our master first, right?”
At that moment, the smile on Hwa-ryeong’s face turned icy cold.
“Come out.”
The way she gestured with her chin for them to follow, her eyes dripping with venom, was sheer terror itself.
Knowing they would suffer a terrible fate if they refused, the nuns had no choice but to step forward hesitantly.
Instantly, Hwa-ryeong’s cold expression melted back into a bright smile. Her voice was even sweet and friendly as she spoke.
“Don’t worry, just follow me. It’s everyone’s first time leaving Emei since joining, right?”
The four nuns following Hwa-ryeong had expressions like livestock being dragged to a slaughterhouse.
Once they reached a secluded area, the largest nun cautiously asked, “But where are we going? Where is the Daoist waiting for us?”
Walking in the lead, Hwa-ryeong seemed to be in a good mood, even swinging her arms.
“We’ll meet him later. Before that, there’s a place we need to visit.”
“W-Where?”
“Chang’an. He’s said to be there.”
“…Who?”