Chapter 244: What Had to Come Has Come

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Since some time ago, people had gathered thickly in the forest.

It was an enormous number, impossible to count.

However.

All around was quiet.

Because everyone was suppressing their presence.

The sun hanging in the sky was sparkling defiantly, yet this place felt as if endless darkness was squirming.

The killing intent of each person was creating such an atmosphere.

Amid such heavy silence.

“Has everyone finished preparations?”

Someone’s quiet question flowed out through the forest shade.

The owner of the voice was a man in his forties standing on a somewhat elevated boulder.

Several hundred martial artists gathered before him nodded silently in response.

The middle-aged man who nodded back once again quietly spoke.

“Good. Wait. When they come, we all move together.”

The man’s aura was extraordinary.

His imposing air was like a large blade planted in the boulder.

The man’s face, visible in the sunlight, was truly eerie enough to send chills down one’s spine.

The cause was the various scars crossing his face.

Even random scribbles would look better than that.

However, his body was different from his face.

The muscles of his upper body, exposed through his open front collar, were so magnificent they seemed crafted by a master artisan.

Stone-like chest, thick arms with veins bulging beyond the sleeveless garment, and well-defined abdominal muscles… It was the ideal physique any man might dream of at least once.

Yet.

What stood out more than the impressive body was the tattoo on his left shoulder.

A jet-black demon biting a dagger and dripping blood…

That ominous tattoo symbolized only one thing.

Night Smoke Band, a prominent unorthodox force in the Shaanxi region.

That tattoo signified being its leader.

Grinning Ghost Blade Sa Am of the Shaanxi Four Great Martial Fiercest, Band Master of Night Smoke Band – that was the true identity of the fierce middle-aged warrior.

SEUK.

Sa Am quietly raised his head to look at the distant peaks beyond the forest.

Sharp mountain peaks captured in his dark brown pupils.

It was Chaoyang Peak, famous as the highest peak of Mount Hua, the western mountain among the Five Great Mountains of the martial world.

Strange and precipitous mountain terrain.

Its appearance alone evoked the beauty of a scenic wonder.

That’s why it had become established as a traditional Five Great Mountain.

Mount Hua Sect is located within such Mount Hua.

One that has firmly maintained its lofty reputation and status as a Nine Great Sect till now…

Since ancient times, just as Mount Hua rejected human footsteps, Mount Hua Sect too, as an old-fashioned Taoist prestigious sect, didn’t accept just anyone.

That made it all the more revered.

Sa Am intended to bring down such Mount Hua Sect.

Why?

Because he had secretly colluded with the Sun Moon Demon Cult.

More precisely, he had been so impressed by Aryun-nan’s formidable martial prowess that he volunteered as a subordinate and swore loyalty.

‘Truly lofty, Mount Hua. You stayed long in a place where even plum blossoms don’t bloom and managed to make flowers bloom. Through swordsmanship… and thus became a sacred ground of Taoism. But no more sword flowers will bloom here.’

Soon Sa Am’s lips moved almost imperceptibly.

HUT.

A soundless smile carrying murderous intent.

Also,

It was a smile confident of victory.

It couldn’t be helped.

This was a surprise attack carried out swiftly and secretly on Aryun-nan’s orders.

They had acted faster than those who joined hands with Cheol Ryu-heun.

So there was no way to fail here.

Unless it was someone who could see through all matters of heaven and earth.

Sa Am soon withdrew his gaze and gently rested his hand on the end of his blade handle.

‘KEUKKEUK. Mount Hua Sect, the first sacrifice, enter eternal sleep.’

At that moment, the sound of rustling through bushes reached his ears.

PASAK, PASASAK-

Shortly after, about two hundred people appeared.

The entire Night Smoke Band showed no reaction.

Because they well knew that everyone who appeared was reinforcements.

The person at the front spotted the Night Smoke Band Master Sa Am and greeted him.

“Good to see you, Band Master Sa. As you can see, we came on the Cult Leader’s orders.”

It was Taoist Jade Sleeve, the eighteenth generation Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect.

The large group accompanying him were his disciples.

Sa Am inwardly smirked and muttered.

‘PFFT… They’re all perfectly brainwashed. As expected, Cult Leader Aryun-nan’s abilities are tremendous.’

Immediately after, he exchanged glances and responded.

“Welcome. What about the personnel from other places?”

“They’ll be here soon. They were following behind us.”

Indeed, as Taoist Jade Sleeve said, before long many more people gathered here.

They were elite forces from a total of three orthodox and unorthodox sects in the Shaanxi region: Frost Blade Hall, Flash Pavilion, and Rainbow Flow Sword Sect.

When brief greetings had concluded between them.

A man in his forties wearing yellow martial attire grinned while exuding killing intent.

“Let’s start quickly, Band Master Sa. I was so excited thinking about destroying Mount Hua Sect that I couldn’t even sleep last night.”

He was Pavilion Master of the Flash Pavilion Flash Fire Sword Soul Eup Yu-cha, wearing white attire embroidered with flame wheel patterns.

A supreme master said to be close to the Four Great Martial Fiercest level.

As Eup Yu-cha stroked his blade handle as if his hands were itching, Sa Am nodded slightly and raised the corner of his lips.

“HUT. Today, I look forward to your performance.”

Following that.

HWIK-

With Sa Am taking the lead, he briefly ordered.

“Everyone, we depart.”

Simultaneously, the combined forces of the Night Smoke Band, Flash Pavilion, Zhongnan Sect, Frost Blade Hall, and Rainbow Flow Sword Sect began covert movement toward Mount Hua.

* * *

Inside the pavilion to the north of Zhongnan Sect.

Aryun-nan, seated on the grand chair, silently fixed his gaze on the lattice door in front.

Was he waiting for someone?

Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Demon Cult leadership stood like a folding screen on both sides of the great hall.

On the left were the Eight Great Apostles, the highest office excluding Cult Leader Aryun-nan and Vice Cult Leader Yeom Sang-ah.

On the right were the Sun Moon Eighteen Elite, the rank below them.

A moment later.

CLICK-

The lattice door opened and two women entered.

It was Yeom Sang-ah and Yo Mong-ji.

Aryun-nan’s eyes flashed as he immediately posed a question.

“Did you meet Yue and confirm?”

Yeom Sang-ah quickly went before him and answered.

“Yes, Father. In just a few days, Young Master Yue has risen to the position of Family Head of the Ximen Family. He was already wearing the martial attire unique to the Family Head.”

“Then did he say he eliminated all the troublesome ones – Ximen Jwa, Ximen Ang, Ximen Yu?”

“Yes. Completely.”

“HUHUT… Good. Very pleasing. So, when did he say he’d come here?”

“AH, yes. He said he’d come later this afternoon…”

But suddenly the lattice door opened again and Moon Right Envoy appeared.

“You’ve come. Now tell me your opinion.”

At Aryun-nan’s meaningful words, Yeom Sang-ah inwardly scoffed.

‘HMPH… I knew it. He had Moon Right Envoy separately observe because he didn’t trust me, right?’

Sure enough, Moon Right Envoy spoke with due courtesy.

“Yes. Young Master Yue and the Swift Wind Squad’s Third Squad had completely taken control of the interior. The former Family Head, the eldest son, and the second son all seem to be dead, and of the Swift Wind Unit First and Second Squads, only some surrendered personnel were visible. It seems they eliminated the Gale Wind Squad since they could be a source of trouble.”

At that, Aryun-nan nodded and suddenly released a cold voice.

“But there’s still no response from the Asura Demon Cult. Are they daring to ignore me?”

Yeom Sang-ah found that strange too.

‘HMM… This has never happened before. Could they have betrayed us for some reason at this point?’

Somehow she had an ominous feeling.

Without the Asura Demon Cult’s support, Ximen Yue would be the only ally to help.

Having soon composed his expression, Aryun-nan spoke again.

“We can’t just keep waiting. After receiving the report on today’s Mount Hua Sect surprise attack results, I’ll take Yue and depart for White Peak Sword Sect. I hope everyone understands that.”

Simultaneously, the Eight Great Apostles and Sun Moon Eighteen Elite answered in unison.

“Understood!”

“Father, then shall I take charge of things here?”

“HUT… What are you saying. Don’t you want to share the joyful moment of obtaining the Divine Martial Sword?”

“Of course. I want to see it too.”

“I’ll entrust this place to the Three Elder Lords for the time being.”

“AH…”

The Three Elder Lords referred to three elders who had held key positions in the previous generation.

“I didn’t know they were here.”

“HUT, I brought them from the beginning. They’re our secret force, aren’t they? So I had them stay hidden. They’ll come here shortly.”

Aryun-nan stood up and left final words.

“When Yue arrives here, I’ll have a brief conversation with him, then we’ll depart around dusk. Let’s end the morning meeting now.”

“Yes! Cult Leader!”

* * *

At the same time.

A beggar belonging to the Beggar Sect visited White Peak Sword Sect.

The person who opened the main gate was Seol Pan-gyo.

“Hello. I’m a disciple of the Beggar Sect. Here… please accept this. It’s an urgent letter transcribing Sect Leader Cheol’s exact words.”

“AH, yes. Thank you for your trouble.”

“I have other matters so I’ll be leaving immediately. Then…”

With those words, the Beggar Sect disciple hurriedly disappeared.

Seol Pan-gyo closed the door, turned around, and first checked the writing on the paper.

‘Finally…!’

At that moment, a gentle voice reached his ears.

“Young Master, who sent the letter?”

Seol Pan-gyo quickly turned his head to see Mae Yak-bang walking toward him.

“It’s a letter from Sect Leader Cheol. He says today is the day.”

“Pardon? Then…”

“Yes. That’s right. The decisive battle with the Sun Moon Demon Cult.”

“WOW… I didn’t think it would proceed so quickly.”

“He always exceeds expectations, that person… I want to fight alongside them too, but staying here makes my heart heavy.”

Seol Pan-gyo’s eyes sank deep like the deep sea.

“Are you… worried?”

When Mae Yak-bang carefully asked, Seol Pan-gyo smiled faintly.

“HU. No. Father is… strong. Strong enough to have earned the title Five Martial Paragons early on. And beside him…”

At that, Mae Yak-bang guessed the rest and said.

“Beside him, Sect Leader Cheol is firmly supporting.”

“HAHA. Exactly. That’s why I’m not worried. He already wrote it here.”

“What did he say?”

“That he’ll finish everything and come back before the sun sets.”

“…!”

“We just need to wait.”

* * *

The steep cliff behind where the Zhongnan Sect was situated.

It was a rocky precipice located behind the northern pavilion.

At the very top, a rider and horse suddenly appeared like a flash of light.

It was Cheol Ryu-heun who had rode Divine Wind here.

“He’s probably over there.”

Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze, speaking as if to himself, quietly rested on the northern pavilion within the Zhongnan Sect.

Just then.

War cries echoed from the forests surrounding the Zhongnan Sect on all sides.

-WAAAAAAAAA… WAAAAAAAAA… WAAAAAAAAA…!

At the sudden commotion, the Sun Moon Demon Cult personnel within the grounds moved busily.

Seeing that, Cheol Ryu-heun grasped the reins with an indifferent expression.

“Let’s go. To discipline the young brat.”