Chapter 306: Heading South

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“What exactly do you mean… by being curious?”

Gung Roe’s meaningful question, and Gun Mu-ak’s bland answer.

“Could there be any other meaning? It’s exactly as I said.”

The low yet clear voice stirred up murmuring in the hall.

“Wh-what…?”

“Those words mean he came to test the Alliance Leader’s strength…?”

“The curiosity about Great Demon-Slaying Annihilation Technique was his purpose for visiting?”

“That couldn’t be a declaration of war, could it?”

“My, so suddenly…?”

“No, Heavenly Demon Cult’s forces are beyond the borders. What could three alone do…”

“But… the opponent is the Grand Prelate. The greatest demonic person, they say.”

“Yes, that one’s martial power is at a level that accounts for more than half the fighting strength alone.”

“Moreover… it’s already been confirmed through Sect Master Cheol.”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

“This somehow feels like things are unexpectedly escalating…”

Amid the whispering seeping out here and there, the Green Forest Alliance leadership – the stronghold masters – also exchanged soft words with each other.

“To say that to the Alliance Leader’s face…”

“A truly bold fellow indeed.”

“Even he must have felt the tremendous energy lurking in the Alliance Leader’s body… does he mean it’s not that impressive?”

“Hmm, I agree. But even if he is the Grand Prelate…”

Especially Crouching Tiger Sword Knight, the youngest stronghold master, thrilled again.

‘Mountains beyond mountains indeed.’

On the day they had fought a bloody battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult, he had been amazed by the strength of White Peak Sword Sect’s guests.

Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon had displayed powerfully outstanding martial cultivation to the point of being considered the supreme tier among martial artists in their twenties.

The two had now even obtained the brilliant epithets Azure Heaven Sword Dragon and Heavenly Dazzle Sword Beacon.

At that time, he had realized.

No.

He had reflected.

On his attitude that had fallen into complacency all this time.

Also, he had newly engraved in his mind.

The true meaning of the saying that the Jianghu was vast.

Right now, this moment was the same.

Gun Mu-ak’s formidable presence again made him reflect on his attitude.

‘I too must never become complacent. It may be difficult to become like that… but to not become complacent, effort that scrapes bone and flesh will be necessary!’

At that moment, Gung Roe said.

“Is this a provocation?”

His gaze shot out as sharp as a blade.

Simultaneously, combative intangible fighting spirit was emitted.

At that, the personnel in the hall flinched.

On the other hand, Gun Mu-ak had a calm and composed attitude.

On his expressionless face, not a single emotion was contained.

Seeing that, Gung Roe tilted his head.

‘What is this?’

An unpredictable fellow.

He was fearsome.

In a different sense from Cheol Ryu-heun.

Furthermore, he became convinced.

That this fellow… would become the greatest enemy of the Jianghu in the future.

Meeting him face to face like this, he understood.

The endless power he possessed.

At that moment, Gun Mu-ak threw out a soft voice.

“Were my words too short? Over-interpretation is forbidden.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t I say? There is literally no other meaning.”

“Simple curiosity? You didn’t come to exchange techniques…?”

“I already made a promise with Cheol Ryu-heun. You should have already heard about the details.”

It was as he said.

He had made a promise while conversing with Cheol Ryu-heun.

That while he was in this land, he would absolutely not create friction with the Orthodox and Unorthodox Jianghu.

Gung Roe sheathed his sharp gaze and confirmed that intention again.

“The promise with Sect Master Cheol… so you mean you’ll keep your word about quietly doing your business and leaving?”

When Gun Mu-ak nodded, another question was uttered.

“Then why did you come here?”

“We were passing through the nearby region and an unfortunate incident occurred, so we came.”

“Unfortunate incident?”

At that, Gun Mu-ak turned around and moved his left hand.

Immediately after.

CHEOK.

Eun Yi-bi, who had stepped forward, placed a wooden box on the ground.

“Please open it.”

Having spoken thus, Eun Yi-bi returned to her place.

HUDADAK.

Woo Sa-hyo, who had been beside Gung Roe, moved quickly and opened the wooden box’s lid.

“Wait, this is…!”

Inside was surprisingly the head of a man in his forties, covered with dried blood.

When Woo Sa-hyo, having furrowed his brow, took it out, the crowd’s murmuring grew louder.

“Urk…!”

“Th-that is…”

“Whose… did they kill?”

Gun Mu-ak, his hands clasped behind his back, quietly opened his mouth.

“The leader of a gang that was on standby to ambush Green Forest Alliance.”

At the unexpected words, everyone was dumbfounded.

It was surprising.

A mysterious enemy that had been trying to attack the alliance.

At that moment, Eun Yi-bi added an explanation.

“We happened to meet them last night.”

Only then did Gung Roe grasp the situation.

“The mysterious support group…!”

“That’s right. The force that backed Aryun-nan.”

At Eun Yi-bi’s reply, Gung Roe’s expression changed completely.

“Hmm…! Where did you meet them? No, why did you deliberately fight? It wasn’t your business either…”

Gun Mu-ak, hands clasped behind his back, let flow an indifferent voice.

“Because we’re considering them as a new enemy.”

“Wait, that means…”

“This is our second fight with this gang.”

“…!”

“We just happened to discover them, and they attacked us. Since they came at us with killing intent, we couldn’t just sit idle. Besides, the enemy wasn’t Orthodox or Unorthodox anyway. Would I have any reason to show mercy?”

“I see… so that’s what happened.”

“In the process of subduing the enemy, we confirmed that the ambush personnel’s target was Green Forest Alliance. So we came to give you a heads-up since we happened to be passing by.”

“Then did you kill all the enemies?”

“Yes, every group that was in sight.”

“How many were there?”

“Roughly forty to fifty.”

“…!”

“That’s the number I assessed. There may be more somewhere else though.”

“You may not have intended it, but… we’ve become indebted. Do you want compensation?”

At that moment, Ya Baek-ji stepped forward instead of Gun Mu-ak.

“No. The ultimate reason we visited Green Forest Alliance is to clearly inform you of our Cult’s non-involvement. And… we hope you’ll convey this to Sect Master Cheol later. To consider it fortunate that they’re unrelated to them.”

Following that, Eun Yi-bi added.

“Like our Cult’s position.”

Hearing those words, Gung Roe grasped the hidden meaning.

‘Ah yes, they’re returning it the same way…’

He recalled the warning that Cheol Ryu-heun had conveyed when he met Gun Mu-ak.

-Consider it fortunate that they’re unrelated to you.

-Those words… strike me as quite meaningful.

-I know. I’m definitely going to find those bastards and tear every single one of them to shreds. So from Heavenly Demon Cult’s perspective, it’s a fortunate thing.

‘I see. You mean it’s the same for you too…’

Gung Roe, having nodded slightly, opened his mouth again.

“With this matter, the mutual suspicion between us seems to have completely vanished. No, it would be more accurate to say it’s now completely settled.”

At that, Gun Mu-ak replied expressionlessly.

“My business is finished. I’ll be going now.”

When Gun Mu-ak, Eun Yi-bi, and Ya Baek-ji turned their bodies.

CHEOK, CHEOCHEOK, CHEOK…

The crowd in that direction naturally parted left and right.

Just as the three were taking steps and moving forward.

“Grand Prelate Gun, regarding cooperation against the common enemy… is that under consideration?”

At that, Gun Mu-ak paused.

A conversation he’d had with Cheol Ryu-heun suddenly came to mind.

-Those bastards, they weren’t from the demonic path.

-Hmm… but why do you suddenly bring that up?

-I have a feeling somehow.

-A feeling?

-Yes, perhaps we might join hands with each other.

Something like a smile flickered past the corner of Gun Mu-ak’s mouth.

‘Hm, that won’t happen.’

Then he started walking again and said briefly.

“Don’t you know? That I wish to walk that person’s path from the old days again.”

That was a statement referring to the First Cult Leader, Heavenly Demon.

His goal was to build the fighting strength from the era that was Heavenly Demon Cult history’s starting point and golden age.

Gung Roe had heard about that.

And.

Through his current attitude, he became convinced again.

That Gun Mu-ak was one who would be called the new Heavenly Demon of this era.

‘Is that so? You mean you’ll accomplish everything on your own, whatever it may be. Like the Heavenly Demon from one thousand years ago… as expected, he’s the foremost target for vigilance.’

Gun Mu-ak soon disappeared beyond with the two female attendants.

But as if that large, dark shadow hadn’t completely lifted, no one raised their voice.

Thus the heavy silence in the hall continued for quite a while.

* * *

A narrow path through a shaded forest.

Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji let out soft voices.

“Grand Prelate, did you assess something about him?”

“The Buddhist power within his body that I sensed was quite large.”

They meant Gung Roe.

At that, Gun Mu-ak, who was in the lead, received their words expressionlessly.

“His Great Demon-Slaying Annihilation Technique… has room for development. He will surely grow into a threatening existence.”

The two women showed surprised expressions.

“…!”

It was unexpected.

They had expected he would be handled at the Six Bishop level.

Ya Baek-ji, having read the mood, soon asked again.

“Do you evaluate Gung Roe’s power that highly?”

“Yes. He is the second coming of Annihilation Dharma Master.”

“Such…!”

“However, it’s meaningless power.”

“Pardon?”

“Before me.”

“Ah…!”

“No need to worry. It’s within the expected range anyway.”

“I see. From now on, our Cult only needs to focus on Cheol Ryu-heun’s movements.”

Gun Mu-ak, having nodded, let flow meaningful words.

“I don’t know about joining hands, but we might be able to meet again.”

“You mean… Cheol Ryu-heun?”

“Yes, the rumor related to the Divine Martial Sword is guiding various circles of the Jianghu to the Shiwan Mountains.”

“Do you think he’ll also head there?”

“We’ll know when we go. If the Divine Martial Sword truly exists there… it’s a chance for us to kill two birds with one stone.”

At that, the two women wore faint smiles.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The execution of Heuk Ma-yung and securing the Divine Martial Sword… it’s something to look forward to.”

Gun Mu-ak, having nodded again, let his eyes gleam.

“The Shiwan Mountains will transform into a hellscape of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. I will make it so.”

* * *

Beggar Sect’s main headquarters, located in Kaifeng, the great city of the Henan region.

An old man sitting at a desk in an inner room muttered while frowning.

“Hmm, already this many…”

Just looking at his bleached white eyebrows and hair, he appeared to be over seventy years old.

His attire was very shabby.

He had wrapped clothes patched up raggedly like a beggar around his body.

But to dismiss him as a mere vagrant, he overflowed with dignity.

The white-haired old man was in fact one of the Jianghu’s preeminent warriors.

What kind of person he was could be easily known just by looking at the nine dog-fur tassels on his waistband.

Solitary Bamboo Beggar King Ham Geo-ja.

The twenty-second Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect and owner of the Green Frost Staff, one of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, and one of the top-tier warriors of the Northern Jianghu.

Currently what lay before Ham Geo-ja were reports from each branch headquarters.

The branch reports piled in front of him seemed truly endless.

Then Ham Geo-ja, having stopped reading, let out a deep sigh.

‘Yes, we cannot… hold back their departing steps. Human greed is inherently a monster that knows no satisfaction. The harder something is to obtain, the more greatly it shakes the heart.’

At that moment, along with a faint presence.

SEURUREUK.

The door opened softly and Beggar Sect disciples entered.

Seven direct disciples with eight-tassel insignia.

Their respective ages varied – twenties, thirties, forties, and so on.

“Sect Leader, all personnel have assembled.”

At that, Ham Geo-ja cast his gaze and commanded with a gesture.

“Now, it’s time to move according to Sect Master Cheol’s plan. Depart for the destination swiftly.”

“Yes! Sect Leader!”