Chapter 242: The Price of Promise
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Sal Ma-ha’s gaze pierced into Cheol Ryu-heun’s face like a sharp blade.
Is that him?
The remarkable figure who had successively subdued the ultra-elite masters representing the Hunan and Hubei regions.
He had wanted to see him.
He was curious.
About both his appearance and the true value of his martial prowess…
‘Interesting. Speak of the devil.’
It was strange.
That was the first impression.
It was the epitome of indifference.
How could a person be so expressionless?
At that moment, Ye Woon-rang spoke with great delight.
“Sect Leader Cheol! It feels somehow good to meet you here. I didn’t expect you to come all this way…”
“Things ended more smoothly than expected. So I came to see. To quickly take you back.”
“AH, I see.”
Ye Woon-rang’s expression as he replied was still bright.
Just his coming seemed to ease all tension, that kind of face.
Following that, Taoist Muhyeon and Wei Ta-gong performed courteous bows.
“We greet Sect Leader Cheol.”
A completely deferential attitude toward a superior.
Seeing that, Sal Ma-ha was inwardly somewhat surprised.
‘So it was true.’
On the way here, he had heard from Beggar Sect Qinghai Branch Chief Jang Mo-pil.
About Cheol Ryu-heun’s supreme distribution revealed during his martial contest with Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak and others.
He was told that several famous warriors had acknowledged his status at that time.
Especially Wei Ta-gong, the strongest of the unorthodox martial world in Hubei Province…
-Sect Leader Cheol… I acknowledge my defeat. You truly deserve to be called the Number One Martial God of Hunan… and can be considered the legitimate heir of the Evil Emperor who appeared in this era.
He had left such words in front of everyone.
When he first heard it, he thought there might be some exaggeration.
The same was true even after coming here.
Look at Wei Ta-gong standing over there.
He has the bearing of a warrior who truly competes for supremacy in Hubei Province.
Just standing there, his intangible aura seems to squirm forth, overwhelming all people in the world.
That’s right.
He’s a giant.
He made one keenly feel the status of the alias Black Silken Sword Sovereign.
It wasn’t an empty name.
His imposing presence was great enough to make heaven and earth feel small.
He doesn’t look like someone who would easily bow his head to anyone.
Never…
But Cheol Ryu-heun’s appearance verified the truth.
That he was a divine being who had even crushed giants.
What about the person next to him?
Taoist Ten Ultimate Martial Saint Mu-hyeon.
He was one who represented the spiritual energy of Mount Wudang, the sacred ground of the orthodox Taoist martial world.
A peerless master among Taoists who symbolized the martial arts, traditions, and history of Wudang Sect, which represents righteous chivalry through the Way.
He too performed a courteous bow when facing Cheol Ryu-heun, even though he was said to rival Wei Ta-gong within the Hubei region.
Now he understood fully.
The presence that Cheol Ryu-heun projected.
At that moment.
A dry, emotionless voice was heard again.
“Well, I’ll introduce myself for courtesy’s sake. I’m Cheol Ryu-heun of White Peak Sword Sect.”
As Cheol Ryu-heun dismounted, Sal Ma-ha grinned.
“HUT. Let’s skip the unnecessary talk since we can tell from each other’s clothes.”
In contrast, Kunlun Sword Crane Woon Ja-heon formally introduced himself as befitting a Taoist.
When the brief greetings ended.
“Well, shall we get straight to the point.”
Cheol Ryu-heun said while staring directly at Sal Ma-ha’s face.
The reason this meeting was arranged was one.
A promise of non-interference.
In other words, an agreement not to meddle with each other.
Soon, Jang Mo-pil of the Beggar Sect stepped forward as mediator.
“Then I will summarize the final points and listen to the response. First, the martial world’s position is that we will not permit the intervention of foreign forces in the war concerning the Sun Moon Demon Cult. And for that condition, Sect Leader Cheol has prepared a special gift. More precisely, it’s for the Kunlun Divine Palace and the Asura Demon Cult to join forces and block the reinforcement of the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s main stronghold’s remaining forces.”
The moment he finished speaking, Sal Ma-ha coldly stated.
“Wrong.”
Jang Mo-pil’s expression hardened.
“Pardon…?”
“Speak correctly. In reality, blocking that path is our share of the work… while Kunlun Divine Palace’s role is to keep watch and monitor. Am I wrong?”
“AH, well… that’s not exactly…”
Jang Mo-pil wore a troubled expression.
After all, it wasn’t incorrect.
Just then.
“That’s right.”
Cheol Ryu-heun stepped a few paces forward and spoke again.
“That’s only natural. Minimum safety measures are necessary.”
Not to be outdone, Sal Ma-ha closed the distance as well.
“You don’t trust our cult?”
“That’s right, history has the answer.”
As he said, most of the bloody chaos that occurred throughout martial world history had been provoked by foreign demonic forces led by the Five Demon Cults.
“HUT… History… that can’t be denied either.”
“You came here for the same reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“Minimum safety measures.”
At that, a faint glint rose in Sal Ma-ha’s pupils.
‘Could it be…’
Cheol Ryu-heun gestured with his chin toward beyond the wall and continued in a casual voice.
“That’s why you secretly brought those two along.”
Sal Ma-ha’s complexion changed instantly.
“…!”
The expressions of the martial world party also hardened.
‘There are others?’
Just as everyone harbored such questions.
“Come out now. Further concealment has become meaningless.”
When Sal Ma-ha released a voice transmission imbued with internal power.
S… SS…
Finally, the faint presence from outside the wall brushed against the group’s senses.
Extremely covert movement.
Neither slow nor fast.
As Cheol Ryu-heun said, it was the presence of two people.
Sure enough, two figures quietly appeared in the sunlit garden.
Their movements were so light that not even the sound of feet hitting the ground could be heard.
It felt like being shown what it means to move like feathers.
From that alone, one could tell.
That each of their martial arts skills was outstanding.
“Cult Leader.”
The two demon practitioners who bowed in unison wore identical attire.
It was black ceremonial robes in the form of long gowns.
However.
The colors of the Asura patterns on their chests were different.
One was embroidered with gold thread, the other with silver thread.
Beggar Sect Qinghai Branch Chief Jang Mo-pil, having immediately identified the two, said briefly.
“They are the two Guardians of Asura Demon Cult.”
Guardian was a high-ranking position within Asura Demon Cult.
The two appeared quite young.
Late twenties or early thirties.
First, the one with the gold Asura pattern had a delicate face like a young lady from a noble family.
Aside from not wearing makeup, he was no different from a woman.
His features boasted such delicate lines.
In contrast, the one with the silver Asura pattern was like a fierce warrior with tiger eyes.
Square jaw, sharp eyes, thick nose and full lips… and his sturdy body was like a rock.
Someone who literally gave off the feeling of being ‘manly.’
But suddenly.
CHEOK.
The two clasped each other’s hands and began moving their bodies.
It was a series of strange movements.
Sticking out their buttocks, pressing their chests together, then alternating holding hands while spinning their bodies…
Twitching, writhing, bouncing.
Was it some unknown dance?
At the same time, Sal Ma-ha’s complexion turned pale.
Damn it, don’t do that! How many times have I told you!
The two Guardians paid no attention.
Even after all those movements ended.
“Eternal and immortal, Asura Salbalta!”
They even shouted an embarrassing slogan.
Following that, the two Guardians separated and stood apart.
Then the Guardian with the gold Asura pattern bowed and spoke.
“Everyone, I greet you for the first time. I am Hu Su-ryeo, the Gold Script Guardian of our cult. AH, of course it’s not my real name. That’s the cult’s rules, you see. This friend beside me uses the name Jin Jung-bi as the Silver Script Guardian. The movements you saw earlier were created as a form of greeting that embodies our cult’s majesty. If it seemed somewhat threatening, I apologize.”
Ye Woon-rang and the others all wore blank expressions.
Threatening? Which part exactly…?
Cheol Ryu-heun soon muttered in a tone of disbelief.
“Feather-light movements aren’t enough, that majesty is also quite feather-light.”
Sal Ma-ha’s face immediately turned crimson upon hearing that.
“AHEM! Step back now!”
At such an irritated reaction, Gold Script Guardian Hu Su-ryeo carefully asked.
“Oh dear, did our movements not please you? We’ll refine them more in the future.”
Sal Ma-ha shot out a fierce look.
AH, just shut up! Both of you! Should I just throw you out?
Meanwhile, Kunlun Divine Palace Master Woon Ja-heon was inwardly impressed.
‘Truly remarkable. To read the presence of the two Guardians so easily when no one else noticed…’
He felt anew that Cheol Ryu-heun’s abilities were wondrous.
Sal Ma-ha, having quickly composed his expression, cleared his throat and spoke.
“AHEM, AHEM… Bringing those two wasn’t for any other purpose. As you said…”
“I know.”
Cheol Ryu-heun cut him off and glanced at the party behind him.
“They’re all from orthodox factions, so you must have been wary.”
It was saying he didn’t mind.
“You have a refreshingly straightforward personality.”
The moment Sal Ma-ha nodded.
“Let’s wrap this up quickly.”
When Cheol Ryu-heun sent a light gesture behind him, Ye Woon-rang took something out from his coat.
It was a book.
“Give it.”
Ye Woon-rang quickly handed over the book.
Sal Ma-ha’s eyes slightly wavered as he received it.
“Asura Divine Martial Scripture”
The mysterious demonic art manual that was the only one among the first Cult Leader Asura Divine Demon’s formidable techniques to have been lost… It had appeared after hundreds of years.
Sal Ma-ha looked incredulous.
“It’s genuine. Are you satisfied?”
“So… this is the price for cooperation…?”
“That’s right.”
“But how did you…?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“…”
After thinking for a moment, Sal Ma-ha quietly asked.
“You know well that if I obtain this, I’ll become stronger, right?”
“Whether you become stronger or weaker, I don’t care.”
“What you mean is…”
“Just don’t covet our territory from now on. That’s all.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s expressionless reply, Sal Ma-ha smiled.
“HUT. Right. Now I understand clearly. The mission to block reinforcement of the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s main stronghold is a kind of test? To see whether there’s intention to follow mutual non-interference or not.”
“You understand well.”
Having spoken curtly, Cheol Ryu-heun put his hands behind his back.
“Swallow or cook the Sun Moon Demon Cult main stronghold as you please… and make sure they can’t take a single step toward our side. If you fail, I intend to burn the remaining volume.”
“…!”
“Judging by your reaction, you didn’t know. The Asura Divine Martial Scripture consists of two volumes in total. The other volume is being kept by the Kunlun Divine Palace.”
“HMMMM…”
“Don’t waste time testing the waters, decide right here.”
Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice.
Did he consider his consistent words and actions rude?
The eyes of Gold Script Guardian Hu Su-ryeo and Silver Script Guardian Jin Jung-bi, who had been silently listening, flashed sharply.
At that moment.
KUUUUUUUUUUNG!
Is heaven and earth collapsing?
A pressure like a massive boulder mountain crumbling whole pressed down on the two.
‘UOOT!’
It was Cheol Ryu-heun’s intangible force.
Hu Su-ryeo and Jin Jung-bi immediately exerted their utmost power.
But.
Judder, judder…
Their legs produced great trembling.
It was the effect of the heavy force.
Somehow it was even hard to breathe.
As if a giant of the heavens had absorbed all the air in the area.
It was intangible force at a level that was overwhelming and wondrous.
At this rate, it seemed they would be crushed to death by the force.
“Enough. Those two are just deeply loyal.”
It was the voice of Sal Ma-ha, who had steadfastly endured the intangible force.
Only then did Cheol Ryu-heun collect his terrifying power and warn.
“Manage your expressions. There won’t be a second time.”
Hu Su-ryeo and Jin Jung-bi, bodies twitching, bowed their heads.
“We have been rude.”
Immediately after, Sal Ma-ha firmly gripped the Asura Divine Martial Scripture and declared in a resolute tone.
“Good. I accept your proposal. From this moment, I promise to thoroughly regulate the personnel of the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s main stronghold in cooperation with Kunlun Divine Palace.”